August 2010 Newsletter

PINETOP-LAKESIDE
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Features Area Accommodations, Lakes, Restaurants, Camping Info and More!!

CITY OF PINETOP-LAKESIDE

CITY OF SHOW LOW

July TRACKS Meeting: There were over 60 people in attendance, some sort of record for a general meeting. 5 new members were introduced. Nick announced that TRACKS now has over 350 members. There were 2 hikes on Timber Mesa Trail following the meeting, an 8 mile and a 2.5 mile hike. Ed Collins, Lakeside District Ranger, talked about the upcoming Travel Management Plan. He emphasized that it is very controversial because of various competing interests. People in the Forest Supervisor’s office are presently working on 5alternatives which they hope to complete late August or early September; there will be public meetings to consider this EIS and then a final one in December or January. He expects possible litigation because of the contentiousness of this issue which would delay implementation. Roads with horizontal signs require vehicles and drivers that are street legal; vertical signs do not and are the ones most frequently used.

Lavender Farm Trip: Saturday, June 26th A small group went to Concho to visit the Red Rock Ranch Lavender Farm during their during their annual festival. There was a large number of other visitors. The group gathered at the edge of a beautiful lavender field for an informative lecture by the owner of the farm. Afterward we visited the gift shop where lavender plants and products were for sale. There were samples of lavender tea and other foods. Part of the festival includes demonstration of cooking with lavender and tips for growing lavender. 

Renee Cushman Art Museum: Next Scheduled TRACKS Field Trip - Saturday August 28th - Springerville. Meet on the east side of HonDah at 8:50 am - leave at 9am. Tour to start at 10am. No charge. In a special wing of the new meeting house for the Springerville and Eagar Third Wards of the Mormon Church visitors will find the Renee Cushman Art Museum. The Museum contains an engraving attributed to Rembrandt, three pen drawings by Tie polo, and dozens of other pieces of art and furniture dating from the Renaissance to the early twentieth century. This remarkable collection was a gift to the members of the Church by Mrs. Renee Scharf Cushman. The Museum is open by appointment only. The tour is expected to last about 45 minutes.

If you would like to go, please RSVP to Susan Cassler cassbeck@cableone.net or 928-532-8141

X-Diamond Ranch Field Trip: The weather was a concern, but that didn't stop a hardy group of 21 folks from visiting the X-Diamond Ranch. With just a short delay, our host Wink Crigler got us all rounded up for a wonderful tour through part of her ranch. The small historic buildings housing all of the antique artifacts and musical instruments were a delight. Due to the recent heavy rainfalls, the Little Colorado River that runs through the property was flowing nicely. The entire area was green and lush... the smell in the air was delightful. The vistas up into the mountainsides were enticing. After a short break for lunch under some beautiful shade trees, we moved on to the archeological site. Work here is ongoing in an attempt to excavate sections of this site... while protecting its integrity and educational importance. The rain never did fall on us. Perfect day.

Birding Week at Beaver Creek Ranch Liz Jernigan notifies TRACKS members that  Birding Week at Beaver Creek Ranch will take place Sat. Aug. 21st through Sun. Aug.29th. Attendees can come for one or any number of nights, or just come for day events.$50 per night in cabins or $15 camping (septic available for RV's, showers available in lodge area). Dining room service: $6.00 breakfast, $8.00 lunch, $10.00dinner. Speakers, hikes, field trips, horseback riding, etc.See website: www.beavercreekguestranch.com  or call Lloyd Pentecost, 928-242-9212or email him at emediaoyd@mac.com .

TRACKS Members Bike Ride: Photos from bike ride on a portion of the railroad grade trail, near Reservation Lake. Some very pretty country.

If you would like to get on a mailing list for bike rides with TRACKS members, contact Nick Lund at lundaz@cableone.net .

Guest Editorial in the Independent: TRACKS submitted a guest editorial to the Independent titled “The Forest Plan Can Work For All”. This editorial, written by Nick Lund and Jim Snitzer was printed by the newspaper in the July 20 Issue. It begins: "Teddy Roosevelt would be proud - and worried. In 1902 he started creating what has become the system of national parks and forests with the simple idea that our National Forests and Grasslands should be for all people to enjoy. He and Presidents who followed him have protected scenic areas from special interests bent on strip mining, clear cutting, development, and over-grazing. Their efforts were a huge success. Now we have155 National parks for all people to enjoy - today and in the future.

You can read the rest of the article by using the link below:

http://www.wmicentral.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20441479&BRD=2264&PAG=461&dept_id=581907&rfi=6

Along The Trail: The featured trail for last month was the Sawmill Connector Trail between Timber Mesa and the Panorama Trail. The photos were taken at the Timber Mesa/Sawmill junction, through the middle terrain, and at the viewpoint at the east end of the trail overlooking Show Low.

If anyone would like to be on record identifying the featured trail for August, photos below, email me at sherril3@q.net