Dear Friends,
I came across this surprising sign today while hiking at a state park. The message both bothered and simultaneously amused me. Made me think of the path I’m on… or lost within, and also about the park’s intentions to keep people on designated trails.
It says, Oops, this is not a designated trail. If you follow it, you may get lost. Also, by deepening the trail, you might contribute to others behind you getting lost. Social Trails are “paths” worn by people walking to a popular destination where an official marked trail does not exist. Be aware that the paths are not marked and won’t be on a map. The paths may also follow a course that is either dangerous or damaging to the resources.
The boot footprints make me especially giggle: “Be Aware … Don’t Get Lost”. Wish I had a similar pair but maybe mine would say “Be Aware … Happily Lost”–a courtesy to warn those traveling with me.
Hmmmm. What do you think about social paths, roads less taken, and getting lost? You are welcome comment below and share.
The Road Not Taken
by Robert Frost
by Robert Frost
Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;
Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,
And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.
I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
ɛïɜ let your SOUL shine ɛïɜ 
“Be Aware … Happily Lost” – I love it!!
A “Social Trail” sounds like where I want to be! But the only reasonable point they make is the one about being damaging to the resources. I, too, thought of the Robert Frost poem, as I imagine many have who’ve have read this sign. By not mentioning this poem, I think the sign encourages the very behavior they want to ‘stamp out.’
Yes, Chris. There were so many people beyond the sign. It was almost like the park folks put the sign there, so they could have human help making the new path. Mmmm i wonder, what would happen if we made signs/ or ads promoting the very behavior we don’t want in our world. makes me wonder….