We have a winner for the April "Blue Blazes" contest! Brian Stephens guessed mile marker 164... the picture was taken at mile marker 163.9 (definitely close enough) - Sugar Creek. GOOD JOB BRIAN!   Check out the mystery photo for May!

April 2010 Adopter Spotlight—John Cramm—co-adopter of Mile 179.2 to 181.0 (FR 94 to MM 181 plus Flatside Pinnacle Spur Trail)

John has been involved in FoOT since 2004 with membership in the Dreaded FoOT Patrol, work parties and trail adoptions.  John is probably most famous for being on trail blazing probation.  It is a well-known fact that at one time John was accused and found guilty of improper blazing techniques.  He was on probation for probably about a year during which time he was totally rehabilitated and is now a known trail blazing expert.  He’s also pretty good with a weed-eater machine.

Tales from the Trail
By Kris McMillen, Director of Maintenance for FoOT

FoOT District Captains Program:
Ed Hawkins is our outstanding District Captain for Sections 3 and 4, Mile 51.5 to 94.5 from Queen Wilhelmina State Park to Big Brushy Campground.  This is all located on the Mena/Oden Ranger District of the Ouachita National Forest.  Ed is also a long-time member of the FoOT Board.  He is a former World Champion Mountain Bicycle Racer, member of the Ouachita Cycling Club and instrumental in the leadership of the nationally known annual Ouachita Challenge Mountain Bicycle event on the Ouachita and Womble Trails.  Ed and wife, Sue, live in Waldron, AR.  I  have even seen him hiking from time to time.

FoOT Supporters,
   
FoOTnotes  has been a little too occasional lately (or is that not occasional enough).  Your editor apologizes.  We will try to do better.   Friends of the Ouachita Trail is off to another great start with the trail in good shape and volunteer hours piling up at a record pace.  For those who haven't been out lately, this is the best time of year for trail maintenance.  The cool weather is good for hard work, and the lack of summer growth lets us see what needs to be done.

Trail Status
   
Condition Report: 
The trail condition report, always available on the FoOT website (www.friendsOT.org), shows less than five miles of trail in a "Red" reporting condition. 

Campaign to Find-a-Friend for the Ouachita Trail

During the holiday season I asked you to make your lists and check them twice to think of family, friends, and organizations you can refer for membership in FoOT during the New Year.  I reminded you that there are several ways to become a member - adopt a section of the Ouachita National Recreation Trail, donate time in other ways (maintenance and administrative), and/or donate funds.  As an active member of FoOT, I’m hoping you made membership recruitment one of your New Year resolutions!

Tales from the Trail
By Kris McMillen, Director of Maintenance for FoOT


FoOT District Captains Program:

Bill Sears--District Captain for Sections 1 and 2 from Mile 1 at Talimena State Park to 51.6 at Queen Wilhelmina State Park.  He is 48 years old and owns a greenhouse business.  Bill has been active in the Boy Scouts for many years.  He lives in Talihina, OK with wife, Rhonda.  We are also proud that he is a card-carrying (or in this photo a lumber-carrying) member of the Dreaded FoOT Patrol and USFS chainsaw certified.  He was invaluable in the recent Western End Extravaganza Trail Maintenance Outing.  Many thanks to Bill for all his hard work before, during, after WEE and all the rest of the time, too.


Featured Trail:

Ouachita Trail in Section 5--FR 149 to Muddy Creek—Mile 105.5 to 118.7        - This section of the Ouachita Trail is adopted by Arkadelphia Hikers Club, Leona Essman, Hot Springs Bicycle Club, Todd Henne, Nathan VanDiver, John Joswick-Chuck Dumas-Robert Cavanaugh Team, and Brad Curtis.  We recently hiked from FR 149 with a bit of a muddy start.  There’s