Another new adventure

June 4, 2011
5 hours
I have been an outdoor enthusiast for most of my life.  Growing up in the Midwest I did all of the typical kid things of spending summer days riding my bike, roller skating, and swimming at the park pool.  It wasn't until I  was in my early 20's that I expanded my horizons and activities such as hiking, back-packing, skiing, snow shoeing, and cross country skiing were included into my repitore of activities.  Of course to do these activities I had to move West.  First to Colorado, then to Washington (state) and back to Colorado. 

A few weeks ago an e-mail came to my in-box about another volunteer activity with REI.  My husband and I have been members of this outdoor sporting goods company for 25+ years and we own lots of their gear.  So when the opportunity to help build a new trail at Green Mountain in Lakewood, CO came along, we jumped at it. Meeting some other Regis volunteers at the trail head, we joined another 150 volunteers and hauled pick axes, giant hoes,  and plastic buckets about 3/4 of a mile up hill to meet the section of trail that would be rebuilt.  Once our group leader explained the assignment of cutting away a steep hillside to make a trail we all began in earnest.  4 hours later and quite a few sore muscles we had completed the new route which would be ecologically sustained for at least the next 100 years.  Even though I was feeling 100 years of age by this time, it was gratifying to know that for all the miles of trails I've traveled on , this one would be close to my heart, knowing that I could finally "give back" in some way for all that I've "taken " in the past.

This was such a great group to work with.  All kinds of ages were represented and everyone, including the children participated in meaningful ways. In addition to wielding that pick-ax, I tamped down dirt, moved about 700 lbs of rocks (no exaggeration) in  a used laundry soap bucket, one bucket at a time to help build a rock and dirt bridge. Of course the best part of the day was the very cool T shirt we got from REI for Environmental day.  The front part talks about being part of the solution, which is how I'd like to be thought of. It was so cool that I will be wearing for the first part of our trip tomorrow. My sore muscles will have a chance to recuperate on our way to a new service project, Disaster Relief in Joplin MO.