This morning Michael Kauffmann and I spoke with Scott Herriott about his passion for trails, the films he has made about trails (and Bigfoot) and his current project, the Bigfoot Trail.

This morning I spoke with new Happy Trails Co-Host Jessica Hall along with former KHUM DJ Mike Dronkers, both members of Friends of the Dunes. This morning we talked about the extensive trail system throughout the dunes. This is a treasure that is right in our own backyard that you may have overlooked.

This morning Happy Trails new Co-Host Michael Kauffmann and I talked with Ian Nelson up in Ashland Oregon about the Pacific Crest Trail. This trail, established back in the Johnson Administration stretches from Mexico to Canada along the pacific coast as the name implies. We talked about it's history, what it's like and volunteer Opportunities along the tail. More info at pcta.org

This morning Emily and I spoke with Natalie Arroyo, representing the Humboldt Trails Council and Hank Seemann, Deputy Director, Humboldt County Public Works about the upcoming Trails Summit. It will take place at the Wharfinger Building in Eureka on June 4th.

As we approach the beginning of our 10th year of Happy Trails we are moving into a new era. In addition to Emily Sinkhorn, we are joined by 3 more co-hosts, Jessica Hall, Michael Kauffman, and Scott Machen. Each new host brings their area of expertise to the table each week on KHUM's trail advocacy show.

This morning Emily and I spoke with Mike Foget, an engineer with SHN about progress on the Annie and Mary Rail Trail. This is a project that thus far has been 20 years in the making. Back in 2008, the North Coast Railroad Authority agreed in principle to the utilization of the corridor to create a multi use trail between Blue Lake and Arcata. The first phase will be in the city of Blue Lake itself. The next step will include funding for this phase and preliminary work on the next phase, Blue Lake to Glendale.

May is Bike Month, so this morning Emily and I talked with Mark Mueller and Justin Fricker about man of the events going on. There are regular Bike Kitchen and Rodeos, along with Bike to Work Day, the Humboldt Bike Challenge, part of the National Bike Challenge, Wheel In Wednesdays and so much more. More info at HumBike.org.

This morning Emily and I spoke with Kerry McNamee, Project Manager with the North Coast Regional Land Trust. This Sunday from 1pm to 5pm will be the Grand Opening of the Freshwater Nature Trail. Kerry explained that this is a project that was 10 years in the making, but real work on the trail began about a year ago. This trail includes a non-motorized boat launching facility and beautiful views along the path.

This morning Emily and I had Justus Ortega and Daniel Aslan in the KHUM studio us to talk about a studio they are doing at HSU about Biking & Exercise in the 65+ Population. The study deals with mussel efficiency. An earlier study showed that while muscle efficiency declines in the older population, it remains comparable to the younger population when running is the exercise. A new study is now looking at biking and strenuous exercise with devices such as elliptical machines. Anyone 65 and older, in good health who would like to participate in the study should contact Daniel Aslan at [email protected].

This morning I spoke with Emily Sinkhorn who was on the road in Wyoming. She had just attended the National Safe Routes To School Conference in Columbus Ohio. The event was well attended and she shared some new ideas from other towns and that attended. She also talked about the trail system in central Ohio (mostly rails to trails and over 265 miles of trail between Cincinnati and Cleveland - the Ohio Erie Trail.