Aaron,

Hey I really like the TrailFinder link setup with TrailGroove articles. I've used TrailFinder for the last year or two to research trails that I wasn't familiar with, and it's been a really useful and easy to use tool. Linking the maps with TrailGroove is a great idea. I'm always looking for trail maps, I just love checking them out and making plans. I've been wondering for some time if TrailGroove would get more into trail maps, so thanks! More please.......

Gary M

Olathe, Kansas

Aaron,

I am embarrassed to have to let you know I was confused about the name "TrailFinder". I was thinking of (and have used) Everytrail.com, which I really didn't especially love, but it was about all I could find. Heck, I've even used a geocaching site to find trails. I just ignored the geocaching part caused I'm just not interested. I've checked out other similar sites also for trail maps. I will also admit I have a thing about maps. I just want to hike!

What I didn't like about Everytrail (and the other sites) is their info totally skips over the Midwest, showing mainly trails in the East (Appalachian) and West (Rockies). Sorry if I get on rant here, but this is something we deal with all the time locally. Yes, the Midwest is not the most exciting place in the US, and I know the mountains of both coasts are wonderful. But we are more than just fly over country here, and there are plenty of great places to hike in Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, etc.

What I like about TrailGroove (and now TrailFinder) is that there are trails and locations i can relate to. Yes, I also like checking out some rather exotic (well to me at least) locations. But I can only read about so many New Guinea or Australian trips. I'm not going there, so I prefer something I can more realistically get to for a day or two of hiking.

What I especially liked was the way TrailFinder links up to the TrailGroove article. Great idea! I'm looking forward to more. As time goes on, perhaps this could be expanded and members could send in their favorite trail. I would imagine just about everybody now uses a GPS of some kind, so we all have our own personal trail maps. Think of the hundreds of trails that most of us don't even know about. Perhaps this would result in more folks hiking and backpacking. I think that would be a very good thing indeed!

Sorry for my confusion.

Gary M

Olathe, Kansas