Equestrian trails author to speak at STA event

Earlier this year, the Sisters Trails Alliance (STA) committed to the idea of offering a quarterly speaker series focusing on outdoor recreation, and they have really delivered. On tap for this month is equestrian trails author Kim McCarrel. No stranger to the Sisters area, McCarrel is a past STA board member and is currently vice president of the Deschutes Land Trust Board of Directors. She is also the current and past co-chair of the Central Oregon Chapter of Oregon Equestrian Trails, and past state marketing vice president of Oregon Equestrian Trails.

More to the point, McCarrel is also the author of several books, including "Riding Central Oregon Horse Trails." She will address a public forum at the Sisters Fire Hall in downtown Sisters at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 30. Officially, the title of her presentation is "Sisters Trails Are Fabulous," but she bills it more as "A Tour of Sisters Trails."

For many years, McCarrel worked as an executive in an investment firm and spent her weekends unwinding on Central Oregon horse trails. She was frustrated by the lack of guidebooks that focused on the concerns and questions of equestrian trail-users. For example, she couldn't even find the simple but "all-important answer to the question, can I turn my trailer around at the trailhead?"

She said she complained to her husband so often about the lack of horse trail guidebooks that, finally, he said, "Why don't YOU write one?" She did. Six of them, in fact.

"I want people to know that, while many of the photos in my slide show are equestrian-centric, the trails I'll be talking about are not," said McCarrel. "The trails are all multi-user trails. I think non-equestrians will get plenty of inspiration about places they can hike, bike, and walk their dog."

Still, STA is hoping for lots of interest from horse lovers who may not yet be familiar with STA's work. "I've ridden every horse trail in the Deschutes National Forest," said McCarrel. "The more I ride other places, the more I appreciate how wonderful our trails in Central Oregon are. And the trails around Sisters are, in my humble opinion, among the best anywhere."

McCarrel is impressed by the way STA has brought such a broad coalition of outdoor recreationalists together under one banner.

"I'm so proud of the work that the Sisters Trails Alliance has done in building and promoting Sisters-area trails," she said. "It's rare to find mountain-bike riders, horseback riders, hikers, dog-walkers, and neighborhood trail advocates working together for the trails instead of being at cross purposes - but STA has done it!"

STA Community Outreach Director Ann Marland is very pleased to have McCarrel on next week's agenda and is excited about the STA's role in this form of community service.

"Our goal is bringing interesting and educational speakers to the citizens and guests of Sisters Country. Part of our mission is to provide a connection to the unique history, heritage and natural beauty of the Sisters area."

Next week's program is the third in their series of free public presentations designed to promote outdoor public recreation and education in Sisters Country.

Marland pointed out that STA's successful speaker series doesn't just happen, and many people are working behind the scenes to make it a success. She had special praise for one person in particular.

"Bjarne Holm is responsible for coordinating the speaker series," she said. "He puts together the possible list of speakers, contacts the potential candidates, and also works with The Nugget and other media to publicize the events. He's doing a great job and deserves a lot of credit for all his hard work."

The presentation will be held on Thursday, October 30, in the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Station Community Hall in downtown Sisters at 355 S. Elm St. Doors will open at 6 p.m., and the formal program will begin at 6:30 p.m. The program is free and open to the public.

The Sisters Trails Alliance is a community volunteer organization dedicated to the planning, constructing and maintenance of walking, hiking, cycling, and equestrian trails in Sisters Country. The STA believes that trails are an indispensable ingredient for the quality of life and economic vibrancy in Sisters Country. Volunteer help and new members are always welcome.

For information about next week's program or STA, contact Ann Marland at 541-549-7006. Additional information about STA can also be found at www.sisterstrails.com.