Mi-TRALE ride takes fall colors to a new level
HOUGHTON COUNTY -- Some seniors aren't afraid to get a little dirty. They've heard the best view of the fall colors comes from a place deeper in the forest, and they were determined to get there.
"Oh, some come back pretty muddy, whatever," says Twin Lakes State Park Ranger Dick Trudgeon. "They all love it, they love it."
It was the third annual Mi-TRALE senior citizen fall color ride. This year they trekked the Bill Nicholls Trail, and they couldn't have asked for a better tour guide: Bill Nicholls son, Dale Nicholls. He still remembers the work his father contributed to creating this trail in the 1970s and says he spent many hours with his family exploring it.
Now he’s happy to share it with others.
“Having a trail system and these wonderful ATV allows us to, it gives us access and enables us to share it with everybody, old or young," says Dale Nicholls.
And now age really is just a number for the off-roaders.
Polaris is lending their side-by-side OTV equipment so everyone can enjoy the view. The equipment is roll-over protected, and they'll only be traveling about 15 miles per hour, so all riders have to do is get on and buckle up.
"Just to see the look on some of their faces, the smiles and the good times," says Polaris Health and Safety Supervisor Ron Rockis. "Just the enjoyment of being outdoors is really a great opportunity for them."
Other groups were also eager to contribute; members of the PRC Ranger Club traveled 478 miles to share their equipment.
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