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LIVING LOCAL (EDHTrails.org)

Recently our little Peanut turned six.  From the start, we wanted to do something different for her birthday, something a little more active … something outside. One day when I was watching the Peanut ride her bike, an idea hit me, Safetyville USA! I had never been myself but I have heard great things about Safetyville and Vans said that the place has been around since he was a little Vans. The Peanut has really progressed in riding her bike so this place was perfect!

The Peanut and some of her friends.
The Peanut and some of her friends.

If you don’t know much about Safetyville, it is a mini replica of Sacramento complete with buildings, stop signs, railroad tracks and real working traffic lights!

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You can see the size ratio of the lights compared to the adults.
You can see the size ratio of the lights compared to the adults.

We totally lucked out on the weather as it had rained the day before but that Saturday, it was gorgeous outside. Jersey Dad was still in town to help us set up and get things moving.

When I was organizing the party, I realized that the Peanut’s guest list has grown tremendously over the years. Between friends she has known since daycare, to close friends we have known forever ,to her new friends in kindergarten, the list went on and on. Luckily the place accommodated a large guest list and really, the more the merrier when it came to cruising around Safetyville.

Cruisin'
Cruisin’

What I did not want (or need) was huge piles of presents.  I know it is customary to bring presents to a party and I know that kids (especially six year olds) really look forward to all the presents but I knew that the Peanut would be happy with a few little things and so, Vans and I talked and decided to do something different this year.

Donations to EDHTrails.org
Donations to EDHTrails.org

We used evite.com for our invitations instead of the usual paper invitations. I happen to like evite.com because I can insert the date and party information directly onto our phone and we also limit the amount of paper produced.

Through evite.com we were able to notify guests that we were offering an “in lieu” of presents idea. When I told the Peanut what I was doing she didn’t understand. She thought she would receive NO presents on her birthday but when I assured her that she will have plenty to open, she was okay with what we were asking her to do. It made her happy to help.

I reached out to Mike on Trails over at EDHTrails.org. You may remember when I posted about EDHTrails.org in this post here. Well he got the approvals he needed to begin this journey of brining a quality trail network and skills loop to EDH. Vans and I could not be more excited.
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As avid trail runners and mountain bikers, having a trail that connects to our own street seems pretty sweet not to mention that it will provide a place for our kids to ride and play.

EDHtrails.org
EDHtrails.org

Vans and I support what Mike and EDHTrails.org are doing and since having moved to EDH a few years ago, I would say our love of “living local” has grown. From my work at Gold Country Run & Sport to Van’s support of Mraz Brewing Company (our local brewery) all the way to El Dorado Hills Natural Farms we are loving our local businesses and community.

Fresh berries from EDH Farms at the party.
Fresh berries from EDH Farms at the party.

When all was said and done, most of the kids (and parents) agreed that they had a fun time at Safetyville.

See, even the parents had fun!
See, even the parents had fun!

Overall, the Peanut was able to raise $135 towards EDHtrails.org and have enough presents to open and play with for hours.

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While the idea to donate to a charity or cause isn’t new, I  have to say I really loved it and I look forward to doing it more in the future. Santa Claus knows we have more than enough toys in our house. Sometimes giving back or giving to those who need it more, is a win win situation.

Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday!

Happy Trails!

~Trailmomma

 

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EDH TRAILS – COMMUNITY HELP NEEDED

 The internet is a funny thing. One day I was surfing the net, I can’t even recall what I was searching for when I came across this website www.edhtrails.org . I thought, “What is this?” One click leads to another click leads to another leads to me attending a board meeting at our local CSD (Community Services District) to speak up in support of Mike from EDHTrails.

You read that right, SPEAK UP as in talk in front of more than one or two people! One of the most dreaded and detested fears (in addition to birds and turkeys) in my life. Granted, I didn’t talk for almost an hour like Mike did, but I did speak up and talk to the board casting our “vote” as to why we think what Mike and EDHTrails is doing, is a wonderful thing for our community.

I’ve posted about my running adventures in and around El Dorado Hills. From the “Ridge Loop of Death” (my own made up name mind you) to New York Creek to Brown’s Ravine. EDH has some awesome little trails for running and mountain biking.

When we moved here three years ago, I had no idea these trails existed. It was TiggerT that first showed me The Ridge (yes, blame her) and Vans told me about New York Creek when I first started running again after Squeaker was born.

The street on which we live in EDH even has some trails on it but they don’t necessarily lead anywhere or they are not groomed well enough to use easily.

Mike and EDHTrails want to change all that. For starters, he wants to create a Village Connector Trail.

Proposal
Proposal

The Village Connector Trail will be one mile in length on an already existing piece of land that sits underneath some telephone wires. This trail would connect El Dorado Hills to Folsom. It would also contain a Cross Country Skills Loop for kids to ease into mountain biking and have fun. You can see more photos on Mike’s webpage at www.edhtrails.org.

Wild Oaks Trail
Wild Oaks Trail

What happened at the board meeting on February 4th was exactly what Mike wanted to have happen; he wanted a seat at the big table. He presented his maps, photos and plan to some of the board members in an effort to get on their agenda for their big meeting on February 13th. He succeeded.

Those members present listened to Mike and others talk about the need for such an amazing outlet for our already very active community. What many people do not realize is that El Dorado Hills is slowly becoming a hub for ultra-fitness and outdoor enthusiasts.

For example, true-story  – A few months ago, while the Peanut, Vans and I were at our annual optometry check-up we discovered that our optometrist is a huge ultra-runner and cyclist running 50 mile races and riding in death rides. We thought that was not only interesting but absolutely awesome that she and her husband were so active. The whole rest of our eye appointment was spent comparing races and trails. Then, we discover that the father of my daughter’s classmate is one of the partners opening El Dorado Hill’s newest running store Gold Country Run and Sport where I now work on Sundays. The Folsom Lake Trail Runners, one of the largest organized running groups have many members (myself included) that live in El Dorado Hills or just around the corner in Folsom. If you go to Mraz Brewing on a Thursday evening, you will be greeted by quite few mountain bikers having just finished their night ride (Vans include) enjoying a beer at a local family run brewery. Even our local high school has a mountain bike team. 

The community is active. The community wants to support local business. The community needs to pull together.

The next order of business will be on February 13th. Mike and EDHTrails needs community support. The CSD Board will be there with all of its members present, ready to listen to Mike’s proposal (a condensed version mind you) and will put to vote whether or not a CSD team can be assembled to begin the initial process of vetting out costs and necessities to make this plan a reality.

If you are local, please share this and come. If you are active, please share this and come. Please share this post as much as possible. If you want kids to be active instead of at home playing video games and watching TV, please share this and come. If you can’t make it, find a friend who can. If you have kids, bring them! The Peanut was with me on the 4th watching her mommy stand up for something she believes in that will ultimately benefit her health as well.

I will post the details below and be sure to like Mike’s Facebook page as well so you will constantly be up to date on the progress of his plan and where all the meetings may be held.

Even if you do not live in the immediate area, please don’t be afraid to share this. All it takes is one community to be an example of an active healthy lifestyle for others to follow.  Who knows, maybe our small little community could be the catalyst for change. You never know!

Happy Trails!

~Trailmomma

CSD Board Meeting: Wednesday, February 13th

Time: 7:00 pm

Address: CSD Pavillion 1021 Harvard Way, El Dorado Hills

(see Facebook page HERE or contact Mike at mikeontrails@gmail.com for specific time and place)

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