Hit the Trails — It’s National Trails Day!
June 1, 2013 is National Trails Day!
Since 1993, the first Saturday of every June has been designated to inspire the general public and hiking enthusiasts alike to discover and celebrate America’s expansive trail network — comprising over 200,000 miles of trails. You can participate in a local hike, dog walk, cycle, horseback ride, help in a trail maintenance project, kayak, birdwatch, and so much more. It’s easy to forget how much work goes into trails’ planning, development, and upkeep: National Trails Day thanks the countless volunteers and partners for their support and grueling work.
Heading into the lovely trails of the Yamato Scrub Natural Area
Organized by the American Hiking Society, National Trails Day also introduces many people — those who may not otherwise normally visit parks — to all of their benefits. The day further highlights trails that people didn’t even know existed. This was actually the genesis of Serenity Spell; after hearing how so many locals were unaware of the magnificent parks and natural areas in this area (see the much-needed-updating Natural Areas and State & National Parks dropdowns, above — or the Categories section to the right), I was inspired to investigate more on my own. In today’s world, it’s critical to get outdoors and into nature. Hiking, even simple walks, gets the heart pumping, the muscles relaxed and stretched, and is an excellent way to improve overall health and mental alignment. It’s also cheap!
Click here to find an event near you for a National Trails Day event. Celebrate nature and promote our country’s parks and trails!
Oak Trees sheltering the Florida Trail, Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Equestrian trail signage in the Bluefield Natural Area
Pines along the trail in the Atlantic Ridge State Park
FeyGirl
Serenity Spell 
How appropriate, FeyGirl. Two of our grandkids are coming in for a three-week visit starting tomorrow. One of the things I did last year was create two trails for them that wander around through the forest on our five acres. There is Ethan’s Hidden Trail and Cody’s Bear Trail spelled out on wooden signs that marks the beginning of each trail. Ethan is 8 and Cody is 5. Today I am going out to do some work on the trails but the boys will get to practice some trail maintenance as well. The boys fell in love with their trails. The last thing Ethan did last year before leaving was to run over his trail. And our daughter Tasha says that all Cody can talk about is going out to look for bears on his trail. In fact the birthday present he is demanding from Grandpa, is taking him to look for bears. 🙂 Curt
Omigosh… What an AMAZING idea!!! You guys are absolutely the best. Wow. You would have had to drag me out of there at nightfall, I swear. Five acres. Heaven.
Thanks. 🙂 Peggy and I are committed to the idea of having the grandkids love (and respect) the woods as much was we do.
Thanks for pointing that out! Being an oddball, for me, every day is Earth Day, and every day is a day on a trail, somewhere, even if a local walking path.
You’re not an oddball in the least… LOL, if I don’t run out there at least a few times a week, my entire equilibrium’s completely offset! It’s the only thing that truly, TRULY relaxes me.
I just read another blogger’s post, it was excellent but sad, about how many individuals find themselves in nature and don’t know what to do — that’s how separated we’ve become. So tribute days such as these are indeed important!
These are lovely photos… and make me wish I was a hiker. “Happy Trails to You…” and thanks so much for sharing. 🙂
Ah, then I’m so very happy to share them with you! Hee, happy trails to youuuu… Thank you! Love it! 🙂
Great idea. Loved the horseshoe shot – worked so well with the trail.
It really is, isn’t it? So much work goes into these trails’ maintenance alone — so highlighting them is wise! I loved those trail markers; this particular area was *way* out there, but they were creative.
I didn’t know today was Trails Day! Thanks for bringing awareness to one of our country’s most precious resources. So many other nations would give anything to have the parks and natural areas that we do. But, we have to all pitch in to make sure they stay preserved. You’re doing quite a good job with your blog to bring attention to nature, so thank you very much!
It’s actually Saturday — the first Saturday of each June, so you have time to prepare, hee!
Thanks so very much for your kind words… If I didn’t have these wonderful, amazing, beautiful spaces to return to for my solace, I don’t know what I’d do. It’s up to all of us to love them and do our best to preserve and protect what we can, that’s for sure.
Looks like an amazing area to explore! Fantastic photos!
Thanks so much… Each of these places is just divine. It was hard to pick trails from my selection, though! 🙂
wonderful photos. I don´t think we have a national trail day here in Sweden. So i´ll read about yours and learn from you. // Maria
Thank you!! This was organized by the American Hiking Society — I wonder if an equivalent organization’s done the same overseas! We need to draw attention to our natural spaces here, so I’m thrilled they’ve done it. 🙂
Reblogged this on DISCOVERING WITH DAISY and commented:
Go out and enjoy the peace of nature this Saturday during National Trails Day! 🙂
Nothing lifts my mood better than hitting the trail and getting outdoors:) Happy Day Indeed!!!
So very true! It’s truly the only thing that brings me to that perfect state of *calm*… 🙂 Happy Trails Day to you!
I didn’t know there was a national trails day. I’ll certainly be on one though!
Always!! 🙂 Ironically it looks like I’ll have to miss that day, but I’ll make sure to take a rain-check and hit one on Sunday… 🙂
June 1 also is National Butterfly Awareness Days, so get out on the trail and appreciate the butterflies!
I had NO idea… Thanks so much for the tip! I loooove our butterflies. 🙂
Oh what lovely trails they do appear. I think that your footprints are solidly upon them!!! Thank you. Mari
Always! These lovely paths keep me as sane as humanly possible… 🙂
We just did a ten day vacation hitting the trails in Ohio. 🙂 We went places we had never seen before and discovered new favorites. For me the most interesting finds were the sand dunes of Ohio left behind by ancient Lake Warren. Most of the dunes have been stabilized with vegetation, but some are still barren sand moving about with the wind. There’s a nice satellite photo of the dunes here.
WOW!! You guys are so lucky… What a wonderful trip! I love your vacations. 🙂
And what a fascinating topography / history of this particular area. I can’t wait to see your images of it! Did you find any fossils?
No, but I can’t say we were really looking. We actually stayed at one lodge that identified on their park map two places to hunt for fossils. We drove by the areas; they were essentially stone-laden creek beds, so I guess theses stones had fossils. But people were fishing there when we looked at we didn’t want to bother them. But at least I still have the fossil that I found here.
Ohhhhh fascinating!! I hadn’t seen that post!
You’re right, though — if one is fossil-hunting, you don’t want to do so around fishing.
They’d have loved it here yesterday – the farmer spread some noxious-smelling fish manure over the fields – and my husband sighted an osprey flying over later on. The local heron would have been overjoyed at it, I’m sure! 🙂 Those are very cute youngsters you’ve photographed.
Omigosh…. Our birds would have LOVED those fields, hahaha!! Such perfect fertilizer though, hee!
Thanks so much — I realize I’m lucky to be surrounded by such lovely guys, year-round. 🙂
It was National Trails Day ?!? Shoot, I missed it. I was out hiking on a … . Oh, never mind. 🙂
Yet another great awareness post! Thank you!
Hahahah!
Ironically, I was traveling! I’m always out on “my” trails, and on this day? Trapped inside!
Thanks so much. 🙂
What a great idea to help people really appreciate the trails and nature!
Isn’t it wonderful that groups such as this are working to raise awareness of our natural areas? Big XOXOs to them all!!!
Great wide pictures of the trail. I’ve always liked your forest pictures.
Ah, thanks so much! I never think the images do the actual areas justice, so truly, thank you… They’re just divine.
Lovely images. I was out walking a trail somewhere on that day. 🙂
Thanks so very much!
Ironically, I was trapped inside this day, away from “my” special trails, hahah! I’m glad you were able to enjoy your areas though. 🙂
One of the great delights of our area now is the series of new trails that were constructed and restored after Hurricane Ike. While they aren’t “spectacular”, in the sense that trails through national parks and such can be, they’re well-maintained, they’re close enough that people do make use of them, and they’ve been designed in such a way that disruption to the habitat of the birds and animals is minimal.
And, for those who want to range a little farther afield from Houston, there’s the “Great Coastal Birding Trail”, a Texas state-sponsored system of trails, bird sanctuaries, and nature preserves along the entire length of the Texas Gulf coast. Farther inland, there are wildlife trails – all beautifully marked, annotated, mapped and maintained.
People laugh at Texas, but I swear – there’s no lack of opportunities to get outdoors here and, more importantly, learn about the world.
How WONDERFUL! The more that people use these spaces, the more likely they’ll create more natural areas, thus protecting the land and all the creatures therein.
I’ve been told about some amazing parks in your state – ARGH they’re escaping me now, but I’ll look them up in my Comments, hee! And one day I’d love to visit. From the sounds of it, they’ve done a good job in preserving the lands…. KUDOS! 🙂
Too bad we are having rain, rain and more rain!! Trails are nice and soggy. But maybe the cypress feet are back in the water now!!
Hee, I’m finally getting around to the BLOG in hopeful preparation for…gasp…are you ready for it? A potential post? And how ironic is it that you’re talking about rain, rain, and more rain…. As we’re getting drenched yet again, hahahah! 🙂
Ain’t it the truth!! Yesterday I could have swum freestyle down the street in front of our office!!
Seriously…. I’m loving the rain, but my little yard is looking a wee bit CRAZY at the moment, hee!!!! 🙂
What utterly stunning trails you have. One of these fine days, I’m going to have to visit there.
I’m so incredibly sorry for the late response… But YES! Although our trails aren’t hilly (we’re in the ‘glades, after all!), they’re just gorgeous. 🙂 Quite exotic.
A thousand thanks to you, feygirl, for the Vetericyn tip. YAYAY!! You ROCK!! See here:
http://catself.wordpress.com/2013/06/15/bugs-is-better/
Ohhhh yayyyyy! I’m so happy! That stuff is AMAZING, for so many things. And natural, of course – even better!! I read your post; HOORAH!
How wonderful that there is a National Trails Day in America! And with over 200,000 miles worth of trails, no wonder. I visited your fine country over 10 years ago as an international student. It was a trip I will never forget. Most of all our visits to your National Parks. Aah…I feel your joy in exploring all these trails my dear Jelly-Beans 😀 It is our dream to visit your beautiful land as a family one day and enjoy the stunning trails and views! Happy summer from the Land of the Midnight Sun, Sharon
Hahahaha, Jelly-beans!!
It really IS wonderful that this amazing group was able to put together this event, to honor the natural spaces in such a way…. I would love, just love, to visit your beautiful forests. I simply cannot fathom their magnificence.
Happy Summer, on the Solstice! 🙂 XO, Christy
Hi Christina ! I just want to say that i miss your posts. Hope to see one from you soon 🙂 !
Maria 🙂
Hi Maria!! You’re so very sweet…. I MISS my photos and blog posts TERRIBLY! I’ve been consumed with work, unfortunately – but I hope to begin with them very, very soon…. For my own sanity, hee! XOXO, Christina
Just want to say hello and hope everything is okay with you and that you’re having a great summer.
Thanks so much for dropping by and saying howdy….!! I miss everyone so much; it’s been a bit busy obviously. I hope you’ve been having a lovely summer — by the looks of it, MOST definitely you have!
Such beautiful photos. Beauty is everywhere, you just have to know how to look.
Thanks so very much! It’s amazingly easy to see beauty in this environment; it surrounds you…