"Also in the planning stages is a proposed 16-mile long "Lake to Sound Trail," writes Times/News Editor Eric Mathison in his front-page story, "Can elms, bikes coexist on road?"

Sure, sometimes dangerously.

How safe do you feel passing a bicyclist near the edge of a narrow highway? Scary huh! One wrong move and a car/bike destroying "Wham, bang bust" is possible.

As to replanting trees along Des Moines Memorial Drive, hooray for Burien Councilmember Rose Clark efforts and supporters. Restore the beauty and sheltered feeling elm tree branches provided. Entering Des Moines was even more special under the umbrella of tree branches.

Editor Mathison also described several nature trails planned to connect to each other and widen local transportation options for the cities of Burien, Des Moines, Sea Tac and Renton.

Dan Brewer, Des Moines transportation engineer and assistant director of Planning and Public Works Department said, walking trails are becoming more in use, due in part to transportation's present negative conditions with price of gas and economy being major incentives.

"Negotiations are in the works now to possibly connect a walking nature trail from the city of Kent to Saltwater Park," Brewer reported.

History records that Des Moines' early residents walked to and from Kent to catch the train for Seattle shopping.

Picture Saltwater Park over 150 years ago when a Muckleshoot Indian scout looked out over those waters while his tribe gathered fish and clams from the beach. His job was to protect the women and children from unfriendly northern tribes who might try to capture them for slaves.

According to the "One Hundred Years of the Waterland Community" history book by Richard Kennedy and Grechen Schmidt, the Indian scout would see a virgin forest of trees such as fir, cedar and hemlock that overshadowed this canyon trail his tribe used to get to the beach.

Interestingly, local Indian tribes walked this same canyon and creek trail in the 1800s to and from Saltwater Park that is now planned for an official nature trail.

Bordering the trail was Oregon grape, salal, and bracken fern. Clams were plentiful and spawning salmon were found in the clear stream alongside the trail.

Soon this land was discovered by the white man and in 1880, James McSorley built a home alongside the stream now known as McSorley Creek.

So here we are today, beaches much the same minus abundant fish and beach shellfish. More people of other nationalities are seen in parks. Bikers and walkers are using today's nature trails.

Bicycle traffic continues to increase using Beach Park Trail. Entrance signs direct bicyclists to use only the main vehicle road in and out for safety, yet some don't.

That can be a dangerous. Des Moines' two-mile beach trail is two lanes, one up and one back. So, if you're a biker caught up in the thrill of traveling high speed as though no other person is nearby, think again. A speeding biker almost wiped my Shih Tzu dog, Miss Katrina and me out. Was I scared? Yes!

Brewer said the city is working with King County officials on expansion of trails with emphasis on a regional trail system transportation network with Des Moines Creek Trail expansion.

Asked how adjoining jurisdictions will deal with increased population and clean up costs for nature trails, Brewer said grants for maintenance needs are difficult to get.

Mayor Bob Sheckler expressed excitement with the prospect of new and improved recreational trails saying, "Working in cooperation with other local jurisdictions is a shining example of how, together, we can make something happen for the good of all jurisdictions."

So, here we are with officials working to add more nature trails. Walkers, bikers, skateboarders, disabled and seasoned citizens can get close to nature's beauty.

Try this, catch a sunny day at Beach Park Trail, look straight up through tall trees, listen to creek waters and marvel at nature's miracles. Even folks who walk a little slower or can't see clearly will have "a good day!

Teamwork created common good. We the people will preserve and protect nature's trails -- or not. Only time and human actions can finish this story. Hope I live long enough to write about that success.

Today's Thought: "Happiness is the by-product of an effort to make someone else happy." Greta Palmer