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That sums up KC Saxon's reasoning a year ago when she began a solitary crusade to create an equestrian trail between Houston and Rushford, Minn.
The idea is to create a route roughly parallel to the Root River Recreational Trail that can be used by horse riders year-round.
So far, Saxon has done everything right handling the preliminary work, what a professional planner would call a feasibility study. Now it's time to enlist the assistance of partners.
Being an advertising representative for The Winona Post shopper, she is used to dealing with the public, and those skills came in handy as she networked with the Department of Natural Resources, city governments, horse clubs and landowners along the proposed route.
"At this point, it's baby stage still," Saxon said as she planned to make a formal presentation to the Rushford City Council. She has also gotten the project onto the agenda for the next Houston City Council meeting.
Saxon cites the success of the Forestville horse trail as an example of what could happen at the east end of the Root River Trail.
"I see the two towns of Houston and Rushford have invested huge dollars in their bike trail, and they're not seeing the money from it they expected. They're competing for dollars that Lanesboro has locked up," she said.
"I love those two little towns. I come from California, where you can't leave a bike on the porch without it being stolen."
Living in the rural Houston-Rushford area, Saxon witnesses first hand the benefits of small-town living and would like to add new possibilities and cash flow to their economies. She foresees many horse enthusiasts "coming to town" to use an equestrian trail.
She has talked to one person who is interested in creating a "horse hotel" in Rushford for the trail riders' horses. She foresees riders "parking" their horses and meandering into the towns to eat and shop.
Saxon has friends that ride a lot, and when she told them about the idea, "they went nuts." Now they keep asking how the project is going.
Peterson-area resident Sylvia Passow, of the
100-member Root River Saddle Club, thinks it's a great idea and a big undertaking. But she agrees with Saxon that such a trail could give an economic boost to both towns, citing the Douglas Trail near Rochester as an example of a well-used trail.
"Oh yes. Horseback riding and trail riding — there's a lot of call for that," Passow said. "It's a very good way to get out with the family and enjoy the countryside and nature. There's a lot of people looking for that kind of thing."
It is difficult to find a bed and breakfast or a camping spot and a place to keep the horses while exploring a town, she said.
Though reluctant to express an opinion on the idea until the city council has spoken, Rushford city administrator Larry Bartelson says an equestrian trail "would add a dimension to the bike trail and the enjoyment of the community we live in."
Saxon says the DNR has been positive about the idea and indicated its outdoor recreational grants up to $250,000 could be available to support the trail project.
Four property owners along the proposed route have said they might grant trail easements.
Contact reporter David Krotz at dkrotz@winonadailynews.com or call (507) 453-3524.
