BUCKEYE TRAIL ASSOCIATION
JIM CONNOR is a retired engineer and land surveyor. He defines retirement as "no administration!" So his efforts have focused on using his engineering skills to design and build bridges along the Buckeye Trail in Ohio. Many Ohio folks will identify with his introduction to work crews: Jim Sprague was the inspiration for his involvement. The NCT is concurrent with the BT for many miles and uses several of Jim's bridges. "Bridges are fun, they are a challenge I enjoy," he commented. We are not talking about 2 4x4's and a few planks here... the first bridge Jim described is a 36-foot wooden truss bridge over Wye Bay at the Tappan Reservoir. Sprague adds, "Jim ram-rodded this project!" Another bridge that Jim helped with crosses Bloody Run at Burr Oak State Park. This bridge is 60 feet long and is made of welded pipe. Connor also is responsible for a bridge on the Buckeye Trail (but not the NCT) that weighs 2 1/2 tons and spans 65 feet at Cuyahoga Valley National Park. "I was just working there yesterday," Jim added. I could hear the sense of accomplishment in his voice! Jim also spends time clearing trail and enjoys the heavy work of using a chain saw. Now Connor, nicknamed "Chainsaw," spends several weekends each year with Buckeye work crews. He especially likes the places where the trail is off-road and he finds "solitary peace of mind." He quickly added, "but I also like the social aspects such as telling stories around the campfire at night." We know he's spent lots of time working on the trail since he's a recipient of the BTA Star award for participation. Jim recognizes the scope of the challenge required to maintain the 1200 miles of the Buckeye Trail, which circles Ohio. He figures that if a crew began working and worked eight hours a day on the trail ahead of them, they could just keep working their way around Ohio and never be done! Next time you are hiking in eastern Ohio and cross a bridge be sure to say, "Thanks Jim, and Buckeye Trail Crews!"
TITTABAWASEE CHAPTER
GARY JOHNSON is a charter member of one of the newest NCTA Chapters. In fact, he's their first featured volunteer and received the Chapter Volunteer of the Year Award in 2000. He saw a notice in the local paper and attended the meeting to learn of the North Country Trail. He calls trails "an easy way to experience the wild without fear of getting lost; just ‘follow the blue blazes.'" But when the Tittabawassee Chapter adopted 70 miles of old trail north of Traverse City, Michigan they discovered that following those blazes was no easy matter. Gary describes their section as "needy!" Since most of the chapter members live at a driving distance of two hours from the trail a group of workers usually tackle some of the big tasks together. Gary and two of his friends have been nicknamed the "Breckenridge Boys," for their prowess with the chain saw. Their trail work is a bit like a scavenger hunt. Cora Killinger, chapter Trail Coordinator sends him to to woods with hand-drawn maps where logs are the prizes. Gary modestly added, "Whatever Cora needs done, we'll tackle." One of his strengths is organizing people to work together. He's one of those volunteers who may be more busy after retirement than he was before, taking on a facilities specialist job with Alma Mental Health Department. In addition, he volunteers with many local service organizations, Red Cross, Scouts, Shriners, nature groups, church, and local govenment committees. To keep this busy schedule life organized Gary says, "I live by e-mail." But he immediately qualified that by pointing out that while he's on the trail he especailly likes to get away from the e-mail and all the busy-ness. He likes the peace and quiet trails provide. "There is time to think and to let the worries go," he added pensively. If you are in search of cleared and refurbished trail in Michigan check out the "Breckenridge Boys" handiwork.
CHEQUAMEGON CHAPTER
Wouldn't you be proud to have the North Country Trail cross your property? PETER SCHMITZ found himself in that enviable role when he bought a summer home in rural Wisconsin. Of course it took him a while to figure out just what it was that he had... First he and his wife, Emily, noticed the signboard at a road crossing. After following the path (and being a bit alarmed at big noises, bear?-- which turned out to be beavers slapping their tails), they found that it crossed their driveway. Not knowing anything about the trail they resourcefully checked at the local library and then sent for information about the NCT. He soon learned that getting involved with this Trail is a bit like having a bear by the tail. Peter emphasized that he is not a hard-core camper or hiker. But he does like to walk in the woods with reasonable assurance that the path can be followed. Unfortunately the Chequamegon is another of those older sections of trail which needed a lot of work. Marking was confusing, inconsistent, and missing. Before long the Schmitz were involved in the local chapter. Peter began working near his summer home, but when those sections of the trail were cleared and re-marked he expanded his area of work. "Tana [Turonie, Chequamegon President] is the moving force," says Peter. "She opened my eyes to the needs of maintenance and marking." Tana responds in kind, "Peter and Emily are motivated to work more than the regular work days." "Without trails there would be no good way to move through beautiful forests, " is Peter's explanation for his motivation. Peter reports that the segment near the Marengo River is completed, and the 13 miles between the Rainbow Lakes and Porcupine Wilderness Areas is also in good condition. This involved the work of clearing trees which blocked the trail after the infamous 1999 blowdowns which damaged the trail in several states. "Trail marking is my most valuable contribution, without a question," Peter asserted, and he hopes for the day when consistent marking standards will be used along the entire length of the trail. He plans to eventually hike the entire Chequamegon National Forest as a series of day-hikes. Peter is a retired lawyer and also currently serves as Treasurer of the Chequamegon Chapter.