Find and discover what you want here in The Mountain Empire - in what used to be called "a sleepy town" by some, "a hidden paradise" by others [and we all know what happens to paradise!], this blog will SHOW what you are looking for, will give you many reasons to visit here - relaxation, rejuvenation and active recreation. Expressions of Art and Life not only echo down the centuries here ... new lifeways bring the flow into the future.

Monday, March 8, 2010

Patagonia Trail Days April 23-25, 2010

Exciting events are being planned for active outdoor recreation enthusiasts connecting with REI's Gateway Communities Project, the wonderful people from the Arizona Trail Association, and the Arizona Office of Tourism to encourage a growing interest in geo-tourism and eco-tourism based on respect for our natural resources, and place-based local rural development to highlight the attractions of towns and regions along the Arizona Trail.
Patagonia is the one town, out of 19 communities located on a new map, that is directly on the trail where two segments connect: Canelo West and Temporal Gulch, featuring pathways from centuries-old early wildlife, Native American and immigrant trails starting at the border with Mexico, as well as passages through the history, culture and traditions of cattle-raising, mining, railroads and ranching in the region - the reasons for the founding of the town back in 1898.
The railroad is gone now, as well as the cattle-pens and ore-shipping  containers around it, having been replaced by a town park that will be the hub of activities for Patagonia Trail Days. One section of the old Santa Fe Pacific Railroad tracks has been converted to a trail - the Patagonia Trail Track Trail -  for non-motorized use  by the Mountain Empire Trail Association in collaboration with other groups.
Now, some 100+ years later we are looking at low-impact or no-impact ways to regenerate the use and enjoyment of our natural resources, to restore vital habitats, and to encourage people to support these initiatives.
This is not just local, it's world-wide. Happening at the same time is the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day. You might want to join the network: Earth Day Network

Meanwhile, stay tuned to activities for "Planet Patagonia"
http://www.aztrail.org/calendar.html

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