National Trails Day: Arcadia Trail with REI & AMC

                        
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                                History
National Trails Day is a celebration of trails that evolved from the report of President Ronald Reagan's President's Commission on Americans Outdoors. In 1987, the report recommended that all Americans be able to go out their front door and within fifteen minutes, be on trails that wind through their cities and bring them back without retracing steps. The recommendation, dubbed, Trails for all Americans, became the impetus behind several public and private parties joining the American Hiking Society in launching National Trails Day in 1993.

Trails do not just magically appear for our enjoyment; it takes many hours of planning, labor, and negotiating to develop them. National Trails Day, the only nationwide celebration of trails, increases awareness about trails and celebrates the hard work and support of many people, partners--including volunteers, land agencies, and other outdoor minded businesses. It is also a day to introduce people to the many joys and benefits of trails.
                                                                                         *source   -americanhiking.org-
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                           How we celebrated
Despite the down pouring rain on Saturday morning, and a continued rain forecast for the afternoon, today would provide a great opportunity to test out what we've been learning about synthetic clothing & layering while being in a safe outdoor environment. So, we made our clothing and gear choices and set off to meet other volunteers of the Appalachian Mountain Club and New England Mountain Bike Association. We met them in the parking lot at Browning Mill Pond in the Arcadia Management Area in Exeter.

Volunteers from AMC & NEMBA (REI photo)

We then helped move materials supplied by REI Cranston about a quarter mile down the Arcadia Trail for boardwalk bridges that will span muddy/wet sections and harden other various spots of the trail. The reward, a better appreciation for all those bridges we cross on the trails.

After unloading the truck, we carried the needed lumber to the first stacking point (above) . Once we moved the materials this far, we again re-stacked it further down trail. It was difficult to carry even a few pieces while trying to rock hop or skirt the deepening puddles. Every bush or tree you touched sent built up rain water cascading down onto you.

Cristy & Caitlin moved one of the larger beams. This was one of many the volunteers carried in today. I was very impressed with the strength and stamina that some of the volunteers had; hiking really pays off.

The second re-stacking point further down the trail.

The mud was so deep in spots that it sucked onto your whole boot sinking it almost to the ankle. After awhile, we stopped attempting to avoid it and began to purposely walk through the brook in hopes of shedding some of the weight off; Scotty's favorite part, the only time we didn't yell at him to GET OUT OF THE WATER!!

We are always on the lookout for wildlife! Cristy spotted this Turtle beside the road on our way home. This was undoubtedly our favorite part of the morning.

After 3 hours, we were wasted and decided it was time for Subway & Dunkin, our favorite post outdoor activity meal. It was really great to get out and meet some people who also share our interest in the outdoors, talking with them, and listening to stories about their favorite hikes around R.I. and in the White Mountains of N.H.. It also gave us an opportunity to give back a bit to the trails here in Rhode Island that we have been enjoying so much. 


Thank you to REI Cranston for their support (and the cool tech shirt), and the volunteers of the AMC & NEMBA.