The Appalachian Quilt Trail winds its way through East Tennessee and soon it will have a visiting point in Monroe County.

Monroe County inmates spent part of a recent morning putting up a sign on the Cherohala Visitor’s Center in Tellico Plains. The sign is a replica of the quilt, known as “Cross Paws,” that will be on display at the Center as part of the Appalachian Quilt Trail (AQT).

“Bears are a big part of this area and a symbol of the mountains,” said Alice Fleenor, director of marketing, communication and development for the Clinch-Powell Resource Conservation and Development Council. “We thought it would fit in very well with the area.”

The AQT covers 19 counties in three regions known as “French Broad,” “Wilderness Road,” and “Boone-Crockett.” It goes from the shores of the Holston and Watauga Lakes in Northeast Tennessee through the hills and across the Appalachian region.

“When the quilt gets here,” Fleenor said, “it will be put in a special case as old quilts tend to deteriorate very easily.”

Monroe County will be highlighted on the AQT Web site (www.vacationaqt.com) and  will be featured in a new brochure.

Monroe County Tourism Director Julie McDaniel said the county is very excited to be a part of the trail.

“I believe it will be a good thing to be involved with this,” McDaniel said. “I think it’s a partnership that can increase tourism in our area and show what we have to offer. I’d love to see Sweetwater, Madisonville, Vonore and Coker Creek become a part of this so we can have a complete trail in the county.”

Other stops along the Trail include the Appalachian Arts Center in Anderson County, the Knoxville Zoo, the Clinch Mountain Winery in Grainger County and Heritage Gardens in Greene County.

Anyone interested in following the trail can visit the Web site for a full listing.

michael.thomason@advocateanddemocrat. com | 442-4575.