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April TRACKS Meeting: There were about members at the breakfast meeting which was held at Darbi’s. After the meeting, 6 people cross country skied at Slade Ranch and 6 others hiked around Woodland Lake .

Trail Care Program: The Trail Crew continues to work Monday mornings, meeting at Eddie’s for breakfast at 7:30 and leaving the parking lot for work at 8:00 . Nick sends emails the night before to remind members and to point out any changes in the week’s schedule. Anyone not receiving email can contact Liz for details each week.

On Monday, 4/7, the Tracks trail crew put up new route signs at Woodland Lake Park . The new, engraved wooden signs look great. Sincere thanks to Liz for all her organization as our "trail boss" and to the Pinetop/Lakeside Parks & Recreation Department for providing the new signs.

Alpaca Ranch Visit: In last month’s Newsletter, we included an article about the March 15 TRACKS tour of the Gordon Telee alpaca ranch in Pinedale. They were treated to a walk in the corrals with the alpacas. The Telees name each of their animals, have some worth thousands of dollars, shear them annually, and take some to shows around the country. Sue Cassler has provided us with photos of these wonderful animals. We hope that you enjoy them.

We Thank the Boy Scouts: One of the Boy Scouts in Snowflake, Chris Small, who is working to become an Eagle Scout, contacted TRACKS about working with us on a project. On Sat., March 22 he and a group of friends hiked and picked up trash on the Buena Vista trail. On Mon., March 24, he and his "crew" hiked the trail with his father, Liz, Peggy, Mike and Nick to replace worn or missing diamond trail markers. TRACKS sincerely appreciates Chris' efforts and the work that was done to improve the Buena Vista trail.

TRACKS Summer Hikes 2008: In response to numerous requests, TRACKS is adding Saturday guided hikes this season. These will be posted in the Newsletter and on the Website. Since these hikes are subject to change due to weather, it is best to check the website for the lastest information at www.tracks-pinetop-lakeside.org. Click on the “News” section on the right hand side of the site. The schedule for May and June is listed in the Calendar below.

Please make sure you wear comfortable shoes, bring water, sunscreen and snacks!

Show Low Days: TRACKS is considering having a booth at Show Low Days, which includes the classic car show, at which over 20,000 are expected to attend. Show Low Days are Fri/Sat/Sun June 6-8. We could provide trails and hiking information to a lot of people if we participated in SL Days. (NOTE that June 7 is National Trails Day and TRACKS has already committed to assist with the Save Our Park walk that morning...and already has over 20 volunteers signed up for that.... and we have a TRACKS potluck meeting, with a special speaker, to celebrate National Trails Day at Woodland Lake Park late that afternoon).

In order to decide if we can also manage to have a booth at Show Low Days, we need to know who would like to volunteer to be at that booth and when you could be there. Please let me know as soon as possible (but no later than April 21), since we need to reserve a space well in advance of the event.

Salt River Canyon Rafting Trip: Bev Garcia, the first TRACKS president, organized a white water rafting trip in Salt River Canyon . Eleven people participated and reported that the trip was fabulous, with great scenery, and a wonderful guide. Many thanks to Bev for her continued TRACKS efforts!

Audubon Society Clean Up Day: The Audubon Society is having a clean up day at the new Nature Center on Saturday, April 26 from 10-3. If you would like to participate, take Woodland Lake Road ....before the commercial property there is a large area of cinders for the Nature Center parking lot.

Lavender Farm Tour: Our TRACKS Education Programs and Events Coordinator Kay Alderton has arranged a tour of a lavender farm in Concho for June 28. The people who operate the farm would like a headcount. Please call Kay at 928-367-7003 no later than Monday, June 09 if you plan to attend. Admission is $5 per person. We would meet in the Show Low Social Security office parking lot at 9am and leave by 915am.

National Trails Day: Saturday, June 7^th. The theme for this year’s National Trails Day is “Join Us On the Trail”. TRACKS is partnering with the Save Our Park organization that is working to save Woodland Lake Park . There will be a 5K walk at Pinetop Lakes Golf & Country Club. This event will replace the TRACKS meeting that would have been held that morning. Tax deductible proceeds from the event will benefit Save Our Park. Entry forms will be available beginning April 1 with a fee of $25 until June 2 and $30 thereafter, including the day of the event. All participants will receive a t-shirt. Susan McEvoy and Jan Newton are coordinating TRACKS volunteers for the event. Please contact Jan at newtonj6@frontiernet.net, or 928-369-0524, if you would like to volunteer

That evening TRACKS will have a potluck and speaker in celebration of National Trails Day. TRACKS is inviting other organizations to have a booth at the potluck, which starts at 4:00 PM at Woodland Lake Park ’s Large Ramada.

Information about National Trails Day can be found on the American Hiking Society’s website at www.americanhiking.org . The day’s activities are:

Highway Trash Pickup: Eighteen TRACKS members helped clean up roadside litter along Highway 260 west of Show Low. Many bags of litter and other refuse were picked up. Afterwards, we were treated to a brunch at Linda and Mike Pearse's home in Pinedale. Many thanks to Linda and Mike for helping organize this event, coordinating with ADOT, and for the great food!

Earth Day Celebration: TRACKS had a booth at Northland Pioneer College in Show Low as part of the Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 19th. Thanks to Jim Snitzer for organizing this and to the TRACKS volunteers who helped at the booth.

Eurofresh Plant Tour: On Friday, April 18th, a group of TRACKS members traveled to Snowflake to tour the Eurofresh plant, where tomatoes are grown in hydroponic solution. Amazing plants, some about 2 stories tall, which are tended and harvested using lifts. The tour was arranged by Kay Alderton, TRACKS education and events coordinator. Thanks, Kay!

May 2008 Newsletter