
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: TUESDAY, November 30, 1993                   TAG: 9311300083
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: A-5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: ATLANTA                                LENGTH: Short

COMICS' MARK TRAIL TO MARRY - FINALLY

Mark Trail, the comic strip naturalist, is finally marrying his girlfriend after a four-decade courtship. Naturally, complications set in on their honeymoon - on the Appalachian Trail.

Trail and Cherry Davis say "I do" in Thursday's episode. The wedding is at a small church near Lost Forest, comic strip author Jack Elrod said.

"I let them get married because I'd had so many people ask why they didn't get married over the years," Elrod said.

Marriage won't change the story line much. "She'll go with him on several stories during the year and get more involved in what he does," Elrod said from his home outside Atlanta.

Trouble begins on their honeymoon on the Appalachian Trail, where they tangle with men growing marijuana.

Mark Trail, a perpetual 32, was created by Ed Dodd in 1946. Elrod joined Dodd in 1950 and took over the strip when Dodd retired in 1978.

For 47 years, Trail and his dog, Andy, have ridden, canoed and hiked across America, teaching Americans to respect and protect wildlife.

by CNB