b'Trails ReportBy Matt Tetreault, VAST Trails Administrator (on a very sharp corner) needed to be disassembled, while the poles supporting the bridge were removed for use on another project down the road. One pole was salvaged and halved for use as a gate post at the new bridge site. The lumber from the bridge was transported up the stream approximately 300 yards to the new bridge location. Longer poles were in place across the stream. Upon measuring the distance between the poles, notching one of them a bit more, and squaring up the bridge, a 2x6 PT plank was nailed on each end to hold it square. A string was run from one end to the other to square up the ends of the decking boards, and away part of the crew went re-assembling the bridge. Gate posts and a used gate salvaged from another trail were placed by hand at one end of the bridge, and approximately 80 bales of hay were placed on the trail by hand, with another 50 bales to beso this was right in alignment withsnowmobiling possible in Central placed at a later date to complete theother statistics. This is something thatVermont for many years. I have great project. everyone who enjoys snowmobilingrespect for the volunteers who have A small group of us started workingneeds to think about.What willput so much into the trail system at 7 a.m. with the remainder ofhappen to this trail system once thenear my home since VAST began. the crew arriving around 9 a.m. Aaverage age of the volunteers rises aWithout these pioneers, there would few volunteers left after the bridgelittle more?Worse yet, what happensnot be a trail system. I feel thankful work was completed, and the restwhen the average age falls off becausethat the landowner continues to of us worked until around 4 p.m. the total combined age is divided by aallow snowmobiles on the property On just this one day, there weresmaller and smaller number?and allowed us all access to it for this approximately 56 volunteer hours putMoral of the story is that volunteersproject. Days like this could easily into this project. This figure does notare needed or the trail system willbe appreciated by all if they gave take into account the 30 hours spentdisappear! Those who have beenvolunteering a chance. For some, it coordinating the project, distributinggiving back for the last 50 years orwould change their perspective on the 95 bales of hay along the 1.5 milesmore will continue to give if theysnowmobiling! I know that each time of trail, filling out the VAST Grant incan, but they only have so much toI ride through this section of Corridor Aid Application, reviewing the projectgive. It takes an incredible amount of14 and across that bridge, I will with the County Trail Coordinatorcoordination to keep volunteers onremember that great day in the woods and the excavating contractor, or thetrack and motivated. It takes a leadergiving back to a form of recreation 30 hours that the contractor spentto make it all happen, but withoutthat I enjoy.I will remember where with the excavator performing thevolunteer hours at their disposal, aeach bale of hay ended and where I work.All this effort for a sectionleader can do very little. This tale Icut the twine off from a new one. As I of trail that many riders will passam telling is not one that is unfamiliarcross the bridge, I will remember Max through in less than two minutes onto clubs across the state. I know thatinadvertently sawing a 16 PT plank their ride this winter! my plea asking for volunteers in thisin half to use as a runner, even though Without reviewing birth certificatesarticle will not help the situation ashis brother Steve (who can be thanked for each volunteer in the woods thatI am preaching to the choir, but I feltfor coordinating this entire project) day, I calculated their approximatethe need to put my thoughts down inhad plans for that 16-foot plank ages in my head, myself included asprint. elsewhere on the bridge! A smile will one of the youngest on the trail thatcome across my face as I think of these day. The age range was 38 to 76 withTo end the story on a more positivemoments and because I am out on the the average being 62-67. I recollectnote, I had a great day out in thetrails partaking in an activity I have that some demographic informationfield volunteering time to the localenjoyed since my youth.we took from our TMA database a fewclub. I felt fortunate to be able toMay all of you find this same years ago put the average age of ourspend time out in the woods onconnection with a trail in the area you membership at 62 years of age as well,such a beautiful fall day with a greatride most!group of volunteers who have made Fall 2020 | 23'