The Elk River Trail Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve, protect, and enhance the Elk River rail and water trails for public recreation, community health and well-being, conservation, ecology, education development, and cultural enrichment. The first year of existence had been challenging in the face of a pandemic that stood our world on its head. Yet, as the year progressed, we were collectively amazed about how important the outdoors became to people as an escape from the unnatural stresses of living and working at home and in high-stress environments. We were thrilled to see the parking lots regularly filled with hikers and bikers and kayakers and runners and equestrians. Seeing the importance of the trails to people gave us added incentive to keep moving forward.