Happy Trails

This morning was a bitter-sweet moment as guest gathered live in the KHUM studio for one last Happy Trails Episode. Emily Sinkhorn, my longest running co-host was also joined by Carol Vander Meer, Bruce Silvey, and Roger James. We talked about how much progress our trails sytem has had in the 12 years that Happy Trails has been a weekly feature on my show. We also looked ahead and what progress we can expect in the near future. This will be my final week on KHUM. Friday will be my last day. As I get ready to file my final paperwork with the county to qualify for the March 3rd ballot as I run for the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors, District 1. And although the election isn't until March, FCC equal time rules will keep me off the air. More info on the next phase of my life go to cliff4supervisor.com

This morning Stevie Luther and I spoke with Rees Hughes about current and future opportunities with the Volunteer Trail Steward program. For 10 years now Volunteer Trail Stewards have made it possible for the county and municipalities to expand our trail system. Maintenance and upkeep is always a concern, but volunteers have kept costs so low expansion is possible. More opportunities available at humtrails.org.

This morning Emily Sinkhorn and I spoke with Ben Morehead of the Trinidad Coastal Land Trust and Jen Buck of Cal Trans about their collaborative work with the RCAA to get this one mile of trail linking the Hammond Trail to Trinidad and crossing Little River. This is a small but critical piece that will help create the regional trail system we have all dreamt of.

I had the pleasure of talking to Bruce Silvy, board member of the Humboldt Trails Council about how things are proceeding with closure of the NCRA and rail banking the rail corridor between Eureka and Willits. These are necessary steps to be taken before the corridor can be converted into one of the premier rail to trail projects in the country.

This morning Colin Fiske and I spoke with Arcata Community Development Director, David Loya about changes to CEQA and a new VMT (Vehicle Miles Traveled) standard being adopted in 2020. This could positivity effect trail development locally.

This morning Carol Vander Meer and I spoke with Dennis Houghton, Bigfoot Trail Alliance Volunteer Coordinator about this 300+ mile trail through some of the most beautiful wilderness in northern California. Over the summer some big improvements were made so areas that have not been touched in 30 years. We also talked about pending legislation from congressman Jerad Huffman and senator Kamala Harris that would impact this trail and wilderness area.

This morning my co-host Emily Sinkhorn and I spoke with Terri Klemetson, Redwoods Rural Health Center Facilities Manager about the Redway Community Walk and Observation that will take place tomrrow (Wednesday). Lack of sidewalks and walkways make it very difficult to navigate Redway on foot or on a bike. The community is invited to take part in this observation and planing activity. It will be at the Mateel Community Center from 11:30AM till 2:30PM. The walk and observation will take place from 12noon till around 1:15pm.

This morning Colin Fisk and I talked with Connor McGuigan about Humboldt Counties Climate Action Planning and how active transportation and trails are part of a way of Humboldt County reducing it's CO2 emissions now and into the future.

This morning Carol Vandermeer and I spoke with Hank Seemann, Deputy Director of Humboldt County Public Works about trail projects the county is working on. We talked extensively about the Humboldt Bay Trail, it's time table, and how it is getting woven into the the county's plans to deal with sea level rise. We also talked a lot about developments in the McKay Community Forest including adaptation to public input and the time table.

This morning Natalie Arroyo and I spoke with Sage Saatdjian, bike mechanic extraordinaire about their experience with QBP Woman's Bike Mechanic Training and how meaningful it was. Sage is the co-owner of Moon Cycles in Arcata.

This morning Emily Sinkhorn and I spoke with Steve Pearl, the Mad River Enduro Race Director and Redwood Coast Association board member about this weekend's Mad River Enduro in Blue Lake. The event sold out in 4 hours to racers. The event is free and open to the public to watch. More info at redwoodcoastmtb.org.

This morning Colin Fisk and I spoke with Brian Pike and Juliannah Harris for Tri-County Independent Living about clear paths and accommodations for People with Disabilities. We also talked about the upcoming Disability and Senior Resource Expo coming up on September 5th at the Adorni Center from 10am till 3pm

Today Emily and I spoke with the Mendo Maidens about their organization and bike groups around the Mendocino area.

This morning Colin Fiske and I spoke with Mary Burke on the Mckinleyville Trails Coalition and Vice President of the McKinleyville Community Services District. We looked at the "Gateway Project" which looks at the corridor between the northbound 101 offramp to Central Ave. to Anna Sparks Way. This grant was put to Cal Trans Sustainable Communities program in October of 2018. Unfortunately this was not funded. A recent hit and run fatality right in that corridor makes this even more poignant. However, Cal Trans has suggested they come back with a wider proposal encompassing all the ins and outs of Mckinleyville.

This morning Carol Vander Meer and I spoke with Julie Clark, Park Ranger at the Headwaters Forest. A new trail will be having it's grand opening this Saturday from 10am till 2pm. This is the "South Side Trail." To get to it enter from Elk River Road. For more information about the park or the event, you can contact Julie at 825-2300.

This morning Emily Sinkhorn updated us on Safe Routes To School progress in Arcata, The Humboldt Bay Trail, The Eureka Waterfront Trail, and the Humboldt Bay Trail Fund which is now up over $300,000.00 for maintenance and upkeep.

This morning Colin Fisk and I spoke with Kate Beck, the Program Lead at Street Story in Berkley. This is an interactive website that is gathering information on areas that have had accidents and near misses to help both regular folks and municipalities gather data to improve safety at streetstory.berkeley.edu.

This morning Carol Vander Meer and I spoke with Fortuna City Manager, Merritt Perry about some of the trail project happening in and around the friendly city.

This morning Michael Kauffamnn and I spoke with Ian Nelson of the Pacific Crest Trail Association. The PCTA is in charge of managing this trail that goes from the Mexican border to the Canadian border. More info on this amazing national treasure at pcta.org.

This morning Emily Sinkhorn and I spoke with Jenny Weiss, Humboldt County Safe Routes to School Task Force Coordinator and Projects Coordinator at RCAA.