All good things must come to an end...

The time has come and sadly our season has come to a close.  We made it back to Boulder, CO, where it all began, safe and sound.  Our travels this season brought us through 24 states, covering over 15,000 miles.  We were able to reach over 4,000 people with Leave No Trace information and made more than 30,000 impressions.  As we sit in the office and reflect on the past three months, we are very pleased with the success of e-tour's second season.  The program continues to grow and develop and we are proud to be a part of such a rewarding and valuable organization.  We would especially like to thank Coleman Outdoor Products for their generosity and support.  Also, we would like to thank Marmot for outfitting us in style as we spread the Leave No Trace skills and ethics this summer.   

Enjoy all your outdoor adventures this year and remember to Leave No Trace.  Be sure to check out the website www.lnt.org to find out when e-tour 2009 will be in your town!  

Safe travels!

~Tracy and Kate, e-tour 2008

Leaving No Trace in Utah

Utah is a beautiful state that offers a variety of recreational opportunities.  Whether you enjoy hiking, mountain biking, river running, or winter sports, you can find fun in the outdoors from most major cities.  We travelled across the state offering workshops and outreach in many different locations.  We started down in southwestern Utah at the St. George Sportsman's Warehouse.  We hosted a workshop for a group of boy scouts and their leaders.  The group started the workshop by playing a round of Minimum Impact Match.  The group really enjoyed the interactive lesson on ways to plan ahead and prepare for a trip outdoors.  This was a great opportunity for the scouts to ask a lot of questions, as they were preparing for a weekend backpacking trip to the mountains.  After St. George, we drove north to Provo and Midvale for two more workshops later that week.  Our final stop was at Cabela's in Lehi.  Although we did not have a formal workshop, we were able to reach hundreds of people at our booth.  The customers enjoyed Leave No Trace trivia and the game How Prepared Are You?  Planning Ahead and Preparing for a trip outdoors is the best way to ensure fun and safety, as well as minimizing avoidable impacts on your trip.  Before your next outdoor adventure, be sure to take the time to plan for your trip and expect the unexpected.  

Safe Travels...

~Tracy and Kate, e-tour 2008

Spreading awareness through New Mexico

Over the weekend we hosted two awareness workshops in New Mexico.  Friday night we were at Sportsman Warehouse in Las Cruces, NM.  We had a good crowd for the workshop, which included locals, kids, and staff from Sportsmans Warehouse.  We played a variety of games and activities to introduce the audience to the principles of Leave No Trace.  Although the heat can be unbearable at times in southern New Mexico and make it difficult for locals to get outside, there are wonderful recreational areas for them to enjoy.  We discussed the importance of leaving no trace in these special places.  

After Las Cruces, we drove north to the capital, Santa Fe,  to the Coleman Factory Outlet.  We had only two people for the workshop, but they were avid Leave No Trace enthusiasts and very involved in the Boy Scouts.  We introduced them to the PEAK pack, a Leave No Trace curriculum developed in partnership with REI, so that they can use some of the activities with their troop.  We had great discussions about their times in the Boy Scouts and how important Leave No Trace has been in all the adventures they have taken.  Remember to Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure!

Safe Travels...

~Tracy and Kate, e-tour 2008

#33, 34, & 35

Three more National Parks checked off the list!  Over the week, we went to three parks in four days!  Our first stop was at Big Bend National Park in Texas.  We stayed in the Chisos Mountains, where we found relief from the scorching summer sun.  We hiked in the mountains on the Lost Mines Trail.  Although we were in the middle of bear and mountain lion country, we were not lucky enough to spot either on the trail.  We were able to encounter other wildlife including a mountain jay, javelinas, mule deer, a skunk, a large rattlesnake, and a vulture. It is truly amazing how much life there is in the vast desert.  We left the park along a beautiful scenic drive that traveled beside the Rio Grande to the small border town of Presidio, where we ate an authentic Tex-Mex meal.  After lunch, our travels took us north to the Guadalupe Mountains N.P. in northern Texas and to the Carlsbad Caverns N.P. in New Mexico.  Both parks offered solitude and beauty.  There was Leave No Trace information across all three parks for visitors to learn about ways to minimize their impacts while enjoying these special places.  The past four days have been a whirlwind of natural beauty.  We are looking forward to continuing to explore more jewels of the southwest over the last few weeks of our tour.  

Safe travels...

~Tracy and Kate, e-tour 2008