Oct. 2, 2008, marked the 40th Anniversary of The National Trails System Act. It was a pivotal step in the building and protection of the national long distance trails. It followed four years after the Wilderness Act, which with the trails act provided for the protection and enjoyment of the wilderness.
For the anniversary this year, Bridgie and Bart Smith arranged, in combination with the American Hiking Society and several Federal agencies, to have a celebration at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. The occasion also marked Bart's completion of all the national scenic trails and 16,500 miles of hiking. Bart became the first person to hike and photograph all of the trails (taking 100,000 photographs) and is believed to be only the second person to have hiked all of the trails.
Here's a link to the press release about Bart's journey and a link to his website:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/National_Trail_System/Bart_Smith/prweb1388654.htm
www.WalkingDownADream.com
