TrailBlog

Trail Moments | Couple Celebrates Half a Century of Healthy, Happy Biking

Posted 08/04/22 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Biking, Trail Moments, Why Use Trails?

John and Janine Brobst in Philadelphia in 1981 | Photo by David Nilsson

Janine Brobst has always been competitive, cruising ahead of her husband John during their bike rides together—even uphill. Today, at 91 she still beats her husband, six years her junior, and keeps up with her daughter who’s a spry 69. John pedals behind on his recumbent and they all meet up together at designated points along the route.

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John and Janine Brobst in Philadelphia in 1981 | Photo by David Nilsson

Trail Moments | Couple Celebrates Half a Century of Healthy, Happy Biking

Posted 08/04/22 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Biking, Trail Moments, Why Use Trails?

Janine Brobst has always been competitive, cruising ahead of her husband John during their bike rides together—even uphill. Today, at 91 she still beats her husband, six years her junior, and keeps up with her daughter who’s a spry 69. John pedals behind on his recumbent and they all meet up together at designated points along the route.

Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail | Courtesy of Chelsea Murphy

Trail Moments | Tips for Outdoor Outings With Your Kids

Posted 08/04/22 by Chelsea Murphy in Trail Use | Tagged with Gear, How-to, Trail Moments, Trail Use Tips

As someone who has hiked, biked, skied, climbed and simply enjoyed being outside in nature and beyond with her family, Chelsea Murphy had a lot of fun stories and wisdom to share. Check out what she’s learned from their many experiences and her takeaways for planning your own #TrailMoments with kids!

Aerial view of the Mather Trestle along South Carolina's Spanish Moss Trail | Photo courtesy of the Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail

South Carolina’s Spanish Moss Trail

Posted 08/03/22 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Health and Active Living, South Carolina, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Aptly named for the moss-draped oaks along the route, the woodsy sections of the Spanish Moss Trail provide a cool respite in the South Carolina summers. As it winds 10 miles through Beaufort County on the state’s southern coastline, numerous bridges over salt marshes and small streams provide picturesque views and the chance to see pink-hued roseate spoonbills or snowy white egrets wading in the shallows.

Massachusetts' Manhan Rail Trail mural | Photo by Wendy Hammerle

Massachusetts’ Manhan Rail Trail

Posted 07/12/22 by Kaylyn Yee in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Massachusetts, Trail Businesses, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month, TrailNation

In the 20 years since its construction, Rosemary Laporte has hardly missed a day on the Manhan Rail Trail, a paved 6-mile route across Easthampton in western Massachusetts. Rain or shine, she starts her day around 6 a.m. with a leisurely stroll along the beloved trail. Most days, she walks with a friend.

Biking in D.C.'s Rock Creek Park | Photo by Hayden Duncan, courtesy Victoria Yuen

Trail Moments | Swapping a Car for a Bike? Here’s What I Learned.

Posted 07/07/22 by Victoria Yuen in Trail Use | Tagged with Gear, How-to, Motorized Use, Trail Destinations, Trail Moments, Trail Use Tips, Urban Pathways, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

A year into our new routine, I decided to purchase my own e-bike and conquer my own fears of biking in the city. That was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. On my first day of owning the bike, I rode 30 miles by myself. Now, I can fearlessly go to the grocery store, meet up with friends, exercise and have a generally more pleasant way of getting around the city.

Hall of Fame milestone on Florida's Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail | Courtesy Carol Alexander

Trail Moments | Our Quest to Visit All of America’s Hall of Fame Rail-Trails

Posted 07/05/22 by Carol Alexander in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Great American Rail-Trail, Hall of Fame, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail Moments, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

For the last three years, we have concentrated on pedaling different regions of the country using two important planning tools: the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame guidebook and TrailLink.com. We have also expanded our agenda by incorporating other interests such as canoeing and geocaching. Our journey started with an F150 pickup carrying two solo canoes on the roof, bicycles and hiking attire in the truck bed, and a very comfortable 20-foot travel trailer towed behind.

Michigan's Kal Haven Trail on the Great Lake-to-Lake Trails Route 1 in South Haven | Photo by C.M. McGuire

Michigan Trail System Makes Connections From Lake to Shining Lake

Posted 07/04/22 by Amy S. Eckert in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Connected Systems, Michigan, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

By summer 2022, the Michigan Air Line Trail will complete the final 2.5 miles of its 8-mile total, and enthusiasm among Wixom’s residents and business owners is high. But even more exciting than the trail’s completion is the news that the route will join the larger Great Lake-to-Lake Trails network. Because now, rather than merely attracting Detroiters, Wixom will be able to advertise itself to cross-state roadtrippers.

Washington's Kitsap Peninsula Water Trail | Photo courtesy Visit Kitsap

Highlights of Our National Water Trails System

Posted 06/13/22 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Arizona, Featured Magazine Articles, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Tourism , Trail Destinations, Trail Use Tips, Washington, West Virginia, Wild and Wonderful

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the National Water Trails System, which recognizes exemplary water routes that increase access to outdoor recreation for health and wellness, promote tourism and economic development, and encourage the stewardship and protection of America’s vital rivers and waterways.

Idaho's Weiser River Trail | Photo by Mike Beavers

Idaho’s Weiser River National Recreation Trail

Posted 06/13/22 by Amy Grisak in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Idaho, Local Organizing, Maintenance and Volunteers, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

When someone says “Idaho,” most people think of potatoes, but the Weiser River National Recreation Trail demonstrates there is so much more to the landscape and the people. Traveling 84 miles—from forested terrain through canyons and onto the high prairie in the west-central part of the state—there is an ever-changing beauty that evokes an appreciation of the region and the forward-thinking individuals who sought to preserve the corridor.

Washington's Coal Creek Trail | Photo by Art Segal

Trail Moments | An Everlasting Love of Trails in the Evergreen State

Posted 06/13/22 by Art Segal in America's Trails | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, Trail Destinations, Trail Moments, Walkability and Bikeability, Washington, Why Use Trails?

I enjoy various types of trails, from easy and fairly level to more challenging—steeper with large tree roots and rocks—depending on how I feel on a given day, or the season and purpose of our outing. I love all kinds of trails, and my favorites range from deep forest and lakes to high mountain passes with spectacular views—such as Mt. Rainier in Washington State.