The results are in! The winners of the second CATS Travel Writing Contest were announced at the annual Celebrate CATS event on Saturday, June 2.

There were several strong essays, which made the work for guest judge Brian Mann especially challenging. In the end, the Adirondack Bureau Chief of North Country Public Radio Bureau chose “This Could Be Montmartre” by Lee, earning her the first-place prize of $500. “I liked that it linked two incredibly disparate places in meaningful ways,” Mann explained.  “Reading it will elevate the way people see things as they walk in both places.” When presenting Lee with her prize, Chris Maron, CATS Executive Director, told the attendees at its Celebrate Champlain Area Trails Event that Lee concluded her story by writing that “Montmartre, like Coon Mountain, is a landmark that both anchors us and watches over our daily errands, witnessing our troubles and our happiness.”

With 148 votes, the winner of the People’s Choice Award was “Turtle Crossing” by Jen Zahorchak of Essex. For having the most online-votes, she takes home $250. In her article she describes how her family decided to move to the area and live where turtles continually cross the road in front of their house. She notes many local businesses and Lakeside School at Black Kettle Farm, which her children attend. She concludes her article by writing “we came for the wilderness but stayed for the community."

There will be plenty more opportunities for others to share their Champlain Valley stories—and to win $500. The next CATS Travel Writing Contest will begin soon. So as you enjoy your summer, we invite you to hike, visit businesses and local communities, and then write about your memorable adventures. Details about the next contest will be posted soon.

In case you haven't had an opportunity to read them, the contest entries are here for you to enjoy!

Just Some of the Reasons Why I Love the North Country by Marian J. Atkinson
Valley of the Porcupines by Ellie George
In the Heart of the Valley by Robert H. Ivy
Coming Home by Peter Jerdo
Lookout by Lucinda Kirk
This Could Be Montmartre by Elizabeth Lee
Falling in Love by Jean McMahon
Exploring Connections by Roads, History and Ice Cream by Kyle M. Page
One Music by Rob Rich
Patchwork Community by Rebekah White
Turtle Crossing by Jen Zahorchak

Thank you for visiting Champlain Area Trails (CATS). We offer a network of trails for hiking, walking, skiing, snowshoeing, birding, tracking, and picnicking in and around the Champlain Valley in New York State’s Adirondack Park. Our trails pass through a rich tapestry of preserved wildlife habitats, pastoral farmland, historic villages, and scenic woodlands. Hikers enjoy those features and the Valley's diverse aquatic systems—streams, rivers, wetlands, ponds and Lake Champlain. Please use our trails--we know you will like them!