HOLY CRAP! BIG success that wasn't even looked for!

[Trail_Fanatic]

I just received a call from the H-MNF Baldwin Ranger District.

It seems that they have been reviewing our M37 Project comments for the last couple of months. They believe that we have pointed out some very important facts that they had not considered until now.

They now realize that - YES - they did 'inadvertently' inflate the Project Area, Road Mileage, and Road Densities. They mentioned that they have also never received a 30 page comment to any of their 'road projects' before (and were a bit taken aback, I think). Our comments have brought them to realize (and admit) that:

They really have NO IDEA what it is that the 'full-sized' off-road community desires in a trail system. To rectify the situation, they have asked me to take the District Ranger, Project Leader, and Project Coordinator out on a trail ride to show/ explain to them our desires!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This isn't just for the M37 Project, this is so they will understand us and begin to work WITH us on future Projects/ Issues!!!!!!!!!!!!

THIS IS the beginning of a G R E A T relationship with the Huron-Manistee National Forest!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm floating on Cloud 9 with my mind going 1,000,000 miles a minute!!!!!!!!

This is an UNBELIEVABLE OPPORTUNITY!!!!

This relationship and knowledge CAN/ WILL expand through the Michigan NFs AND eventually maybe even on over to the DNR, with proper care (and enough time and work)!!!!!!

[Haggar]

[Stone]

Sounds like things are moving in a very positive direction. Good Work !

[Icemanii]

Good work, keep us informed as to how the ride along goes. Thanks for your work on this.

[Paul04TJ]

Just don't take them a a trail we all like!!!!! :tonka:
Maybe they're looking to close the popular ones!!!

Good work.
Are you going to plan a group ride?
Something with responsible light treaders.

[clarkstoncracker]

I think it would be pretty sweet if they wanted "us" to show up and show them the trails somewhere, and we rolled in with 100 4x4's.

[SANDMAN]

Thats great keep up the good work

[Trail_Fanatic]

The meeting will be on a week day, during business hours, within the next two weeks.

I'm going to treat it as a 'political' meeting.
I figure it should probably be kept very small.

I thought I'd take my Dad since he's:

1) teaching 2nd shift (Astronomy) this term.
2) EXTREMELY good at "PC"
3) has an EXQUISITE vocabulary and body of knowledge
4) retiring in December and I WANT him interested/ involved when he 'suddenly' has all kinds of extra free time during business hours.
5) was involved with the formation of the M37 Comments and the NFS Plan Comments we submitted
6) His clean, mildly modified Land Rover presents a 'certain' unspoken image

We're running them on trails (in the Crystal Valley area - Erin) that have already had the "Closure" orders all signed off but haven't been closed yet.

Who knows, maybe this will actually result in some of them being reconsidred and left open. Now that would be a heck of a side-effect!

[FlamesFearMe]

Way to go Pat!! We appreciate all that you do.

[GNJEEPN]

This is very cool Pat. Let's all keep plugging away to keep trails open and get new trails opened.

[VonDirt]

thats outstanding

seems like a rare moment - but a very nice one.

[Toivo]

(evil voice) Exxxelllent work (/evil voice) All joking aside this is great news! Good job!

[Yetti]

great news! I think you are the right man for the job if one little letter got they're attension.

[Trail_Fanatic]

Originally Posted by Yetti

great news! I think you are the right man for the job if one little letter got they're attension.

Thanks,
but it was a 30 page letter -- probably didn't hurt that it was signed by our attorney, Carla Boucher, either.

[ScOoTeR]

Originally Posted by clarkstoncracker

I think it would be pretty sweet if they wanted "us" to show up and show them the trails somewhere, and we rolled in with 100 4x4's.

99, if you included yourself in that... :tonka:

[mudd_jumper]

good work keep it up and a big thank you from all of us here

:tonka:

[junk90xj]

many kudos to you. thats sweet. let me know if i can be of assistance in the future.

[bigjeeper]

great work thanks pat

[Zookeeper]

-- all for you Pat!

[Trail_Fanatic]

Wish me luck and say a prayer -- today's the day I take 'em out.

I'm going to give them hard copies of the best "What do you want in a Michigan Trail System" comments, maps that show how WE view the transportation system, and an itemized list of what we look for in a trail (in order of importance to us) in addition to the ride and comments that take place during it.