Hello Ice Age Trail Believers and Builders! 

            Nestled along the Chippewa River is a serene, playful path. Sometimes I imagine those who will walk this path in the days and years to come and where their steps might lead.  I imagine their flights of fancy, times of healing, times of sharing, times of joy and pain, times of… I’m just happy to be outside and to have the IAT to hike!  A few short months ago this path was a twinkle in the eye.  Today, this path speaks with quiet, lasting testimony to the work of many who give back, who have fun doing it, and who apply their skills, resources and elbow grease with new eyes for positive change.   

            Thanks everyone for crawling out of the sack and being ready to go on those crisp 17 degree mornings.  Thanks for whistling through the snow and laughing with the rock.  Thanks for feeding and caring for each other, for zip-lining buckets upslope hand over hand, and for your good cheer throughout.   

            79 folks chipped in what they could.  By the end of the week that added up to 1800 hours and almost two miles of new trail.  All told: 2000+ feet of tread that will serve generations of State Park and IAT users, one 12 and one 24 foot bridge, one 40-foot puncheon, one signature piece destined to live in MSC lore as ‘the slot’, a dozen Junior Trail Builders recognized, one Presidential Award presented, two trailhead entrance signs installed, and all internal Trail signage completed.  Perhaps most revealing is that new faces in July were old friends by November.   

           Please join me in offering a grateful season finale thank you to the National Park Service for their on-going support of the Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation and the Mobile Skills Crew Program, to our partners with the Department of Natural Resources, to David Hobbs Honda of Glendale for the use of a great Honda Ridgeline truck (aka, “the Rhino”), and to all the 2006 Crew Leaders, crew members, IAPTF host and contributing chapters and community donors – here’s to you! 

           The parade has passed, the circus tents folded, and another season of creating, supporting, and protecting the Ice Age National and State Scenic Trail glows like a warm fire in the approaching winter sky.  2007 plans are heating up.  Events will be published in December.  Mark your calendars for the MSC Winter Rendezvous Saturday, February 3.  Stay tuned and as always, happy trails!

            tm

Tim Malzhan

Ice Age Park and Trail Foundation

SC Field Coordinator

Mobile Skills Crew Program Manager

608.592.1433 (tel)