At Times Like This, Little Things Matter Quite a Bit

I saddled up the Salsa La Cruz and took a ride out to Eldorado on the Rail Trail yesterday morning. It was still cool out and the air was not too thick with smoke from the various sundry fires yet. Plus, its a weekday so I dare venture out on the trails, which can be pretty busy on weekends. 

 So I headed into town and hopped on the Rail Trail at the Railyard. Heading South, the first thing I noticed was that the city has put in a nice paved sidewalk connector where there is an easement to get from the Rail Trail to neighborhood streets near Baca at Monterey and Santa Rosa and connect through to points north and the River Trail. The easement below used to be a narrow right of way, all dirt or mud and a fence on one side where I occasionally cut my knuckles or hit a handlebar riding through. Now its nice, wide, paved, and good to go regardless of the weather.

I also noticed that all the bridges I crossed on the Rail Trail have received new decking. Some of those bridges were in tough shape a year ago. Now they are all nicely decked. This picture is of the bridge just north of the Zia station.

Between the Covid, the drought, the fires, and the bad national politics, its nice to see those not-so-little touches like this. It puts a smile on my face and probably the faces of a lot of other folks who are trying to retain their sanity in these troubled times by getting some air and exercise on our trails. A tip of the hat to the city of Santa Fe for getting these trails gussied up, even as we scrounge the city coffers for funds.

Be safe, be careful, and stay healthy out there. Practice smart social distancing and don't forget that mask or face covering, as appropriate.