I received this email from Gary Randorf, who has long envisioned a Champlain Valley, a.k.a. "Adirondack Coast" trail system.  He now lives in the Philipines and is following our progress.  (also a quick reminder--join us for the first trail committee meeting this Sat June 19 at 8:30 at Whallonsburg Grange followed by a trail project at 10:00)

Chris Maron

To the CATS Volunteers,

It is fortuitous that CATS is pushing this (trail system) along--its the hard part--envisioning an Adirondack Coast Walkway is the easy part, and would be on hold without all the people pitching in to make it happen. Picture someday a completed PORT TO FORT WALKWAY(Port Kent to Fort Ticonderoga) with  all the related activities it can spawn--Guided Tours; rentals of boats and bikes; sales of food, crafts, walking, snow shoeing, and XCski gear; rustic, mini-cafes; farmstays and homestays; guidebooks, maps, and other interpretive materials. The way to accomplish these things is to begin; complete sections wherever possible, no matter how short--one section of the National Trails System in New Zealand is less than half mile long.

Early visionaries left us the essential legacies--wildlands, scenic farmscapes, and other extraordinary open space. All that needs doing is sensitive packaging.

Sure is great to see the ambitious progress and all the people involved.

Gary