Without recreationists' involvement, I am just taking a really loooooong ride!

As you can well imagine, I have given a great deal of attention to this Turn the Tide Tour these past few days. The two things that I keep coming back to are the intent of the effort and the need for it to have people engaging with that intent.

In order to really be successful, we need to make this big. Political significance with our issues and concerns, means bringing a message to our leaders from hundreds of thousands, dare I say even millions of enthusiasts. Getting to those kinds of numbers is not going to be easy, but with your help I can. I need you to engage and there are several ways to do that:

1) We've provided the Share Your Concerns link at the top of this page to make it easy for you to just click and give me a short paragraph outlining the concerns you want your elected representatives to know about with regard to recreation, access and what is troubling you about what is happening. I'm taking those messages to DC at the end of this ride. Change IS needed, and we need to tell them what that change needs to be with regard to recreation on public lands and waters.

2) Before you click "submit" on that page, take a minute and tell me what you would like to see from the BlueRibbon for the next 25 years. We need to stay relevant as an organization advocating on your behalf. The leaders of this organization are eager to hear from you, so they can work effectively to deliver expectations as we continue to move forward. This organization is about you, and this is your opportunity for feedback.

3) If there is any way I can meet with you, let's make it happen. Joe and I have been working to set meetings and the schedule for the ride and that is all good. A few of you have contacted us to that end, but it would sure make it easier if a lot more of you would contact us about meeting. We've posted the proposed schedule here and you can contact us on the Contact link at the top of this page. Obviously I won't be able to meet with everyone, but I want to meet with you if I possibly can. How do we know unless we try? Contact me. You and what you have to say are the primary point of this entire effort.

4) Be sure to make sure your friends are engaging with this as well. Liking us on Facebook is great, sharing us on Facebook and other social networks is even better. Just click the Share button above. We need to have as many people talking about this as we can.

Please help me make this happen in a big way. I know we can make a difference through this. I feel it in my bones already and in less than a week I am going to be feeling it on my backside. This is a rally cry, and DC should know I am coming long before I ever get there just from the noise we are making here.