Hundreds show up to pay tribute to Emerson

DAWSONVILLE - Almost 300 people paid tribute Sunday to Meredith Emerson, the 24-year-old woman whose body was found in the north Georgia mountains this month.

The group hiked through Meeks Park in Blairsville in an event that also featured a Native American ceremony aimed at cleansing negative energy.

The gathering -- in subfreezing temperatures -- was described by one participant as a ``trail of frozen tears.''

Emerson and her dog Ella disappeared while on a New Year's Day hike and her body was found days later in Dawson County. Police have charged Gary Michael Hilton -- a 61-year-old drifter -- in her death.

But the ceremony was not all sad. Shop owner Winton Porter said inspirational inscriptions marked the mile-long path, including one that read: ``She hiked the path of life with Ella, love and wonder.''

He says ``It was very emotional.''

Emerson's family was not there, but friends say the tribute was much appreciated.

Says Peggy Bailey -- Emerson's godmother -- ``They were so nice to do it.''

http://accesswdun.com/article/2008/1/206017