I Support
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Name:
Lisa Marie Lanz
Where I live:
Indian Head Park, Ill.
Birthplace:
Madison, Wis.
Age:
45
Latest or greatest accomplishment:
One of the most humbling experiences
I have had is riding with more than 200 wounded warriors over eight days
from New York City to Washington, D.C., through the Ride 2 Recovery pro-
gram, which supports cycling programs that help the healing process for mili-
tary heroes. The ride averaged 80 miles a day. It was the hardest thing physi-
cally and emotionally I have ever done—but I was so incredibly inspired.
What I do:
I’m the former executive director of Tawani Foundation, an
organization that honors the service of military personnel. I’m also a bee-
keeper, a Nature Conservancy volunteer and a board member for USO of
Illinois and Ride 2 Recovery. And, just recently I became an innkeeper!
I’d rather be:
In a world where a rail-trail can take you anywhere!
A meaningful life story:
Four years ago, my partner John and I purchased
108
acres of preserved prairie in north central Illinois. Traveling out to the
country from the city every weekend, we found freedom and inspiration
riding the country roads, planting and harvesting, beekeeping and tending
our apple orchard.
Now our life has been transformed, and we have decided to live in the
country full time. We are renovating a 100-year-old Victorian house in
Franklin Grove, Ill.—where we purchased our country property—as a bed
and breakfast that will cater to biking/outdoor adventurers. The B&B will
open in June 2015. We hope to welcome many bicyclists!
A person I admire:
[
Retired U.S. Army] Col. Jennifer Pritzker, founder
and president of Tawani Foundation. She is a person of integrity, courage,
generosity and vision.
An inspiring book I’ve read recently:
“
Taps on the Walls, Poems From the
Hanoi Hilton” by John Borling
Inspirational quote:
“
Think of bicycles as rideable art that can just about
save the world.” —Grant Petersen
Recent rail-trail experience:
On a beautiful spring morning, Col.
Pritzker, a group of cycling enthusiasts and I gathered with Rails-to-Trails
Conservancy (RTC) leaders in Wheaton, Ill., to bicycle a section of the
Illinois Prairie Path. That day, I not only discovered a trail segment that
was new to me, I also forged new friendships.
What it’s like to bike through downtown Chicago:
With the creation of
many new bike lanes, riding in downtown Chicago is much safer and more
enjoyable than it used to be. Chicago is becoming more of a bicycling town
with the addition of the Divvy bike-share program and the good work of
organizations like RTC and the Active Transportation Alliance.
Callie Lipkin
The Tawani Foundation generously supported the devel-
opment of TrailLink.com, RTC’s searchable database
of more than 25,000 miles of trails around the country.
Those interested in supporting the expansion of the website can contact
Frederick Schaedtler, senior director of TrailLink.com, at
frederick@railstotrails.org
.
By Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
TrailLink