Connecting More Than Trails by McKinley 4/6 6:30pm

Newly elected president of the Choctawhatchee chapter of the "Florida Trail Association" Mary McKinley will describe her hiking adventures on the trail. The title of her talk is "Connecting more than trails." It is about her 650 mile hike connecting the Appalachian and Florida National Scenic Trails. Many of her exciting adventures on the trail will be explored on April 6 at the Emerald Coast Meditation Society. Don't miss this engaging speaker.

The free meeting will start at 6:30 p.m. with a 30-minute meditation at Christ the King Episcopal Church, 480 N. Co. Hwy. 393, Santa Rosa Beach, one-half mile north of Hwy. 98. The ECMS is ecumenical and does not follow any religion.

Last year McKinley stated that she was the first woman to do the southbound thru-hike of the trail. The National Scenic Trail of Florida is approximately 1,100 miles long. She started long-distance hiking when she was 50, and has hiked the entire 2,184-mile Appalachian Trail as well.

McKinley has lived in Niceville since 1999. She has worked in adult education for over 37 years and is an adjunct professor in the math department at Northwest Florida State College.

The ECMS meets on the first and third Thursday of every month except July and August. Anyone who needs meditation instruction should arrive by 6:15 p.m.

Facebook event: Connecting More Than Trails