International Trails Summit - Wednesday Recap
Most often, as events like the International Trails Summit move forward each day, new acquaintances become friends, and conversations pick up where they left off the day before. Relationships deepen. Community forms. It almost starts to feel like family.
The morning I started off serving pourovers again for the first few hours. I’ve learned in coffee that something seemingly benign, like a cup of coffee, is often the catalyst for conversation. Maybe the magical elixir of coffee swipes away the cobwebs woven from a lack of sleep, and the jolt of caffeine allows words to be formed and spoken.
After lunch, I circulated through most of the sessions I could quietly slip into (or not so quietly) to listen and take photos. I watched as people listened to the speakers while others quickly scribbled notes. Many conversations after each session spilled into the hallways as people processed what they heard with those around them. Those I spoke with immediately after were still digesting what they heard as they figured out what and how to carry some of this new knowledge back home with them to practice.
As I mentioned earlier, aside from all of the workshops, one of the best parts of today was continuing the conversations from yesterday. I loved hearing from owners of trail building companies who’re just starting with no employees to others who employ dozens. Regardless of how new or established any company or non-profit is, we all start somewhere. That “somewhere” often begins with a dream … a what if? … or a why not? The trail building industry continues to change before our eyes as it matures. The fact that some high schools and colleges are training trail builders means decades of effort are beginning to come to fruition.
I’m writing with an upbeat tenor. In moments like this week, it’s hard not to be optimistic. It’s needed. It’s because of the trenches of trail building, whether one is using a pry bar to remove a rock, sitting in mind-numbing city council meetings, spending countless hours applying for grants, or the everyday relational conflicts that happen in any field, that it’s good to sit back and take a deep breath. This week has been that for many I talked to. To catch up with old friends and acquaintances and make new ones.
Tomorrow is our offsite day. I’m looking forward to getting outside (finally) and away from the casino. It’s time to touch some dirt.
Words: Sean Benesh Photos: Sean Benesh
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sean Benesh
Sean is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Trail Builder Mag. He is also the Communications Director for the Northwest Trail Alliance in Portland, Oregon. While in grad school, he worked as a mountain biking guide in Southern Arizona. Sean also spends time in the classroom as a digital media instructor at Warner Pacific University.
