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Coach and Carriage Ride benefits Audubon Center
3/21/2008 11:15 PM

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By BEN BAUGH
Staff writer
An idyllic setting and almost perfect weather Friday morning made the 2008 Audubon Coach and Carriage Drive at the 3,154-acre Silver Bluff Audubon Center and Sanctuary a pleasant experience for the 20 carriages taking part in the event.
This is the second year of the coach and carriage drive, an event that was the vision of Aiken resident Jack Wetzel.
"This is just absolutely wonderful," said Norman Brunswig, executive director of Audubon South Carolina. "We believe this is a perfect use of our facility; it improves public awareness, and it brings a new constituency of people here who are going to value the center and sanctuary. It's a perfect marriage between Audubon and the Carriage Club, we're so pleased to be doing this. We're very appreciative of Jack Wetzel's leadership in making this happen. We couldn't be more happy."
The proceeds from the event go to the Silver Bluff Audubon Center so they may continue their programs. The 7.3-mile drive enabled drivers, grooms and passengers an opportunity to enjoy the facility's indigenous flora and fauna in a relaxed and tranquil environment.
Karl Hirschhorn brought his team of Fresians and his four-in-hand to the drive.
"It's a lot of work, but once you get out there, it's all worth it," said Hirschhorn. "I have my Cooley Marathon, which I just use out in the woods. Tomorrow, I'll be using a presentation carriage."
Audubon naturalists led a series of birding tours, and biologist and wildlife rehabilitator Larry Eldridge presented raptor demonstrations at the facility.
A lunch was presented by the Green Boundary Club and was hosted by Jack Wetzel and Jacqueline Ohrstrom.
"I'm excited to be here," said Ohrstrom, who thanked the Silver Bluff Audubon Center and Sanctuary for the use of their facility. "I'm a resident of Aiken and Virginia. This is one of the loveliest drives I've been on, and I'm so happy we're repeating it. We're proud that we're doing something for the preservation of the facility because without land we can't drive. This is an especially lovely drive because of the river (Savannah), and these beautiful paths through the trees. It makes for a very interesting drive because it's winding, it's not just a straight line."

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