Trails benefit everyone. Happier, healthier people build a better local economy and foster a great sense of community. Research is clear that building it brings people to it, so to speak. Our human nature is to wander the “greenways” of our world. Cut a swath, hang some signposts and the curious will descend.
Simply put, communities that support walking paths and nature trails are healthier by design. Furthermore, these trails can often be a person’s only safe access to the great outdoors.
Have you ever driven past a community trail or path a number of times only to repeat “one day I should walk that.” Well now’s the time. Honor the care someone else took in cutting that path, maintaining it and loving it on our behalf. Honor your heart and its love of beating fast on a brisk jaunt. Honor a friend by taking them on an adventure in the woods and solving the world’s problems together.
Nature trails are a win-win for all involved.
This spring when I had an hour to kill before a workshop I found myself finally driving into Niquette Bay State Park. Moments later I’d seen water fowl, an adorable family, kids and a dog frolicking on a beach, a gorgeous overlook, lovers snuggling on a bench, a blanket of white trillium and lots of dappled sunlight. I was sweating and beaming all at once. And man was I on my game when I went back to work.
Vermont State Parks are just about as good as it gets in America. Elmore has a fire tower and a giant balancing rock. Green River Reservoir has no motor boats and thus more loons and beaver than people. Across the state, end-to end, there are forts and lakes, big summits and little interpretive walks, Torch-lit evening jaunts, Pisgah cliff edges or wide lowland handholding strolls. There are sandbars and waterfalls, pothole swimming spots and rushing currents. There’s even a Japanese Garden in the Taconics. And oh the history! It’s all green as green can be, like a big green fuzzy muppet.
Hike, wonder, bike, paddle, dance, or even do yoga on top of Mount Philo on Mondays at 6 pm. Your parks and historical sites are working hard on your behalf. Support them by supporting your mind, body and soul on an outdoor adventure, large or small.
“Some trails are happy ones,
Others are blue.
It’s the way you ride the trail that counts,
Here’s a happy one for you.
Happy trails to you,
Until we meet again.
Happy trails to you,
Keep smiling until then.
Who cares about the clouds when we’re together?
Just sing a song, and bring the sunny weather.
Happy trails to you,
Until we meet again.
– Dale Evans