Ladies Trail Crew Upcoming Dates:

LTC Wilderness Hike with Ellen Miller, July 9th THIS Wednesday, – Sign up here
The wildflowers on Deluge are going to be amazing! Come and hike with us – it will be fun to see you without throwing a rogue hoe around!

LTC trail work, July 16th, Sign Up here, guessing we’ll be in Arrowhead!

We were riding on Two Elks headed from Vail to Minturn and in places, the trail was tight.  In trail work terms, it needs some love.  Definite lopping.  In some places, the tread needs to be reestablished.  As we rode, I found myself deep in contemplation as to why it had been years since I was last on it.

A lightning bolt moment happened.  We humans use the path of least resistance in SO MANY things.  If you’re a Eagle River Vally local, and up near Vail you may use the Game Creek Trail.  Or the Cougar Ridge trail.  You may hike or ride on Vail Mountain.  Maybe you prefer to be on the Mill Creek Trail.  What struck me so profoundly is, we use the things we work on.  We use the trails that get the love.  I haven’t been on Two Elks because I’ve been on all of these other trails, because they’ve been worked on.

Has it ever occurred to you that the most important things in what you do and how you do it need to be worked on?  We do trail work because it serves the greater good for recreationalists.  We also need to consider that within ourselves.  You speak multiple languages?  You probably need to use it often before you forget it.  Maybe you work out – Strength training provides stability for your actions.  We do reps to support our bodies present and future capabilities.  We do trail work to sustain the use of the land.  You want to have friendships, you probably have to put effort into making them work.  If we choose not to do these things, our muscles, our words, our relationships, our trails get smaller, start to disappear.

I believe this ALSO to be true for our ability to work through conflict, use our voices, lead others, manage our time, communicate on teams, prioritize, understand what we’re doing and why we’re doing it.  

A question for you to consider this Monday is:  

What are you doing for maintenance now & for your future self when it comes to the things you use, the things you deem most important?

If you find this thought provoking or useful, consider sharing with a friend.