As a person ages, the years inevitably pass by quicker, and for me, this year’s summer season went by like a flash.

That being said, I’m proud of what I was able to accomplish. In addition to researching, interviewing, writing and editing photos for the FIT for Life section, I also took every opportunity to enjoy one of our best local resources, the great out-of-doors.

After Memorial Day weekend, downtown Coeur d’Alene changes its personality and I also tried to alter my routine, getting outside and putting in as much effort as possible to give back to the community that has offered me so much in the decade-plus I have been a resident.

To that end, I came across a Facebook post for an organization looking to build (and redesign) a trail network in the area. We ended up meeting at least once a month on Sundays, grouping together to make a difference at the Canfield Natural Area, located on the east end of Shadduck Lane in Coeur d’Alene.

The group, Idaho Panhandle Mountain Bike Alliance, is in its infancy, but has strong leadership and complimentary talents within it to enact long-term change in the area, with the ability to build and improve trail systems.

At the first meeting/work day, the rest of the volunteers and I got a crash course in trail building, with a heavy (but manageable) emphasis on moving timbers to shore up areas on steep slopes that are experiencing erosion.

Working together, six of us at a time could lift and move 10-to-12-foot-long timbers up a slope and position them for maximum trail support.

All of us were a tad hesitant at first, but once we realized that, with teamwork, the task wasn’t too overly strenuous, we soon had a dozen timbers hiked up the hillside, ready to be locked in place for long-term improvement.

While we went through our paces, another crew started “roughin’ in” a new mountain bike trail near the base, enabling hikers and bikers to navigate the area with an increased level of safety.

Subsequent work days concentrated on different regions in the Natural Area, and one more work day is slated on Sept. 25. Tasks are not as taxing as moving tons of wood — most are done with hand tools and plenty of time to pick the brains of the more seasoned volunteers and build some new friendships.

I also continued my efforts of maintaining the Coeur d’Alene Cyclocross course off Hubbard Road in downtown Coeur d’Alene, now in its third year of operation. This spring was especially taxing, as last fall’s windstorms felled a couple dozen trees in the area, making the course impassable and downright dangerous. The Coeur d’Alene Parks Dept. crew managed to remove the trees by late spring, and unfortunately, the wet conditions added to severe damage to the trail system where trackhoes were brought in to clear the timber debris.

Re-creating of the trail took almost two months of work, but I really love those days spent out in the woods (and right here in town). The serenity and smells are very addictive, and the exercise takes care of itself as there is always plenty to do to make the course rideable for cyclocrossers and local mountain bikers.

So that’s how I spent my summer vacation. If you get a chance, take a few hours and enjoy either venue, which is open to the public.

Better yet, maybe I’ll see you out there, with a rake, Pulaski or other trail building instrument in your hand. A couple hours of work is worth a few hundred calories, so that trip to the gym will not be needed.

And like me, a smile on your face.