rails-to-trails eNews Pennsylvania Power, Texas Two-Step

January 2012 RTC eNews Pennsylvania Community Explores Connection to Appalachian Trail Read more >> In New York, Support Builds for Elevated Greenway Through Queens Read more >> Demolition of Historic Bridge Would be Huge Setback for Pennsylvania Trail Project Read more >>   Featured in this issue Bike Boom in Denton, Texas Bridge Controversy in PA Downloadable Desktop Calendar Trail of the Month: Texas Boost for Trail Tourism Tell Us: Snow Stories! Blog Bits Trail Tidbits January 22 is "Answer Your Cat's Questions Day." If you've reached this point, you might be way overdue for some outside time on a rail-trail! Also, January 31 is "Inspire Your Heart with Art Day." Luckily, you can combine exercise with art appreciation on a number of rail-trails, including the Morgana Run Trail in Cleveland. I want to... ...find a trail ...build a trail ...donate/become a member ...take action ...shop ...update my profile In this issue of Rails to Trails: Winter's Glow Canadian Spirit A View From Both Sides and much more... Follow Us Twitter Facebook RTC TrailBlog Flickr eNews Staff Editor: Karl Wirsing Designer: Sun Kim Contributing Writers: Mark Cheater Jake Lynch Be sure that this message doesn't get sent to your junk mail folder. Please add Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (online@railstotrails.org) to your safe senders list in your address book. Did someone forward this message to you? Register with RTC Online to receive these e-mails for yourself. If you'd rather not receive this newsletter in the future, please visit our unsubscribe page. 2012 Greenway Sojourn: Register Now! Registration is now open for this summer's Sojourn, which will take place a month earlier than usual, June 17-24! Join us for this memorable adventure as we pedal 335 miles from Washington, D.C., to Pittsburgh, Pa. There were some kinks with the online registration last week, but the system is back up and running. Reserve your spot today!   Trail Use Trail of the Month Columbia Tap Rail-Trail, Texas Opened in 1856, the Houston Tap and Brazoria Railway delivered crops into Houston from ports and plantations to the south. Today, you can retrace four miles of those historical tracks on the Columbia Tap Rail-Trail.   TrailLink.com Winter Blues Got You Down? January seems like the perfect time to daydream about one of the happiest cities in the United States: Honolulu (according to a Gallup poll). Why are we not surprised? The capital of the Aloha State was also recently listed as the highest-ranking U.S. city on a survey of the best places to live in the world. Could these accolades be due in part to the fabulous trails that Hawaii has to offer? We'd like to think so; check them out on TrailLink.com.   Tell Us... What Are Your Favorite Winter Excursions? It hasn't been the snowiest winter yet, but we'd still love to hear about your favorite winter excursions on a rail-trail, whether this year or from a previous season. Romping in the snow, slicing along on cross-country skis—whatever your passion, tell us how you enjoy rail-trails in the coldest months. Share your stories and photos with Karl at karl@railstotrails.org. In December, we asked you to tell us about your rail-trail resolutions and goals for 2012. Check out your submissions!   Downloadable Calendar for Your Desktop! Enliven your screen with rail-trails all year long! Download the February wallpaper now—and look for a new one each month.   Regional Rundown from the RTC TrailBlog! Check out some of the top headlines from around the country! Alabama and Georgia: Rail-Trails to Host Relay Race for the Ages Minnesota: From Strength to Strength: Minneapolis Continues to Build Bike- and Walk-ability New York: Completion of Dutchess Rail Trail Raises Prospect of Link Over the Hudson Pennsylvania: Community Explores Connection to Appalachian Trail Pennsylvania: Demolition of Historic Bridge Would be Another Setback for Rail-Trail Missouri: Recreational Trails Program Funds Crucial Link in Kansas City Alabama: Teko Wiseman: Trailblazer, Beloved Civic Leader Pennsylvania: Bob Thomas a Key Figure in Forging State's Trails New York: Support Builds for Elevated Greenway Through Queens Michigan: Rail Corridor Acquisition a Major Link for State's Trails   Trail Advocacy Advocacy Corner A Tough Year for the Wobler Family After losing his wife to breast cancer, Gary Wobler fights back by organizing Pedal 4 Pink, a one-day event to raise money and awareness for early cancer testing and research.   Gear Up for Climate Ride! If you're into big, rewarding challenges, then sign up to ride with Team RTC on Climate Ride, May 19-23! Join us on this five-day, 300-mile ride from New York City to Washington, D.C., and help raise money for our trail-building work across the country. It's advocacy at its most active!   To all our members and supporters, thank you for your countless contributions to a wonderful 2011! Support comes in all sizes, and we are enormously grateful for each donation of time, energy and money on behalf of rail-trails and our work across the country. Thank you for making this cause so special!   Trail Building Rail-Trail Sparks Bike Boom in Texas Town One very farsighted investment 18 years ago is paying off, big time, for the city of Denton, where a rail-trail is helping energize the local bicycle culture.   Expansion of "Trail Towns" Program Great News for Rural Communities Formed in 1997 to provide loans and support to small towns connected to trails in Pennsylvania, the Trail Towns program helps communities capitalize on trail tourism and recreation industries.   Early Warning System Sign up to receive railroad corridor abandonment notices for your area via RTC's Early Warning System. See a list of the latest abandonments. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy The Duke Ellington Building 2121 Ward Ct., NW 5th Floor Washington, DC 20037 202.331.9696 home | forward to a friend | unsubscribe | view in browser Houston, Texas © Mark Cheater/Rails-to-Trails Conservancy; 2012 Greenway Sojourn © Rails-to-Trails Conservancy; Trail of the Month: Columbia Tap Rail-Trail, Texas © Mark Cheater/Rails-to-Trails Conservancy; TrailLink.com: Ke Ala Hele Makalae , Hawaii © Constance McCabe; Tell Us: Cal Watford © Courtesy of Cal Watford; Downloadable Calendar © Rails-to-Trails Conservancy; RTC TrailBlog © Rails-to-Trails Conservancy; Advocacy Corner: Gary and Arlene Wobler © Courtesy of Gary Wobler; Climate Ride © Rails-to-Trails Conservancy; Howard Draper, Texas © Courtesy of Howard Draper; "Trail Towns" © Rails-to-Trails Conservancy; Early Warning System © Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.