In summary the primary motivation for the trip was to search for the spirit of Theodore Roosevelt by visiting the site of his conservation revelations at Theodore Roosevelt Memorial National Park in North Dakota. He also spent time in the Black Hills of South Dakota so we continued our quest hiking and camping in Badlands NP (Franklin Roosevelt), SD, Mt Rushmore which has captured a likeness of TR, Wind Cave NP SD, Jewel Cave NM SD and Devils Tower NM WY. all of which were established during Theodore Roosevelt's administration.

Nasty weather added to the adventure in TRNP and shortened our stay but the storm induced lighting and rain enriched soil brought out tremendous early fall colors creating viewscapes that are certainly inspirational in the 21st century and no doubt stirred the inner buffalo of Theodore Roosevelt as he explored the plateaus, ridge tops and drainages of the Little Missouri in Western North Dakota.

The basic facts include:

• the rollover must be completed before December 31, 2011;
• you must be older than 70 ½;
• you get to choose how much you want to contribute, up to $100,000 per taxable year and per IRA account holder;
• have your IRA custodian direct the funds to Tapteal Greenway Association, EIN # 94-3234539;
• the amount transferred is not counted towards your taxable income so you pay less taxes; however there is no charitable tax deduction associated with this gift.

The Tapteal Greenway Association is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 1995 with the missions of preserving the rustic character of the lower Yakima River, protecting native habitats and species through conservation, enhancing recreational opportunities throughout the corridor, providing outdoor education programs, and promoting public access to and understanding of these resources.

The Association operates through two primary channels --

• development of public policy through work with local governments, and
• on-the-ground enhancement activities such as clean-ups, trail-building, and habitat restoration.

• TGA trail (35 miles) mapping with GIS and GPS technology
• Firmly established conservation entity with City, State, County and Federal agencies
• Partner with City of Richland at the Chamna Natural Preserve; maintain trails and interpretive signage
• Establishment and maintenance of Duportail Trail
• Partners with Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife in maintaining and building the small craft boat launches at Hyde Road and Duportail
• 40 tons of garbage in 10 years removed from Columbia Point, Chamna, Duportail and Tapteal Bend
• Adopt-A-Highway near Benton City
• ALE planting of sage to replace plants destroyed by fire
• Lower Yakima River integrated school curriculum
• Summer school classes in leadership and environmental education, Hikes for Tykes
• Lower Yakima River water quality monitoring
• Christmas tree recycling
• Earthday activities
• Gifting of the Tri Cities Conservationist of the Year Award
• Tapteal Bend Environmental Education Park (in progress)
• Horn Rapids Park kiosk and trail
• Amon Basin open space park project, funding, maintenance, trail building (in progress)
• Amon Creek enhancement (in progress)
• Amon Creek educational video
• Benton Conservation District partner with Salmon in the Classroom
• Badger Mountain park partner
• Benton City "end of the line" trail partner
• Ben Franklin Council of Governments Master Plan for Transportation and Trail partner
• Columbia Point restoration committee
• Amon Basin Project Phase One
• Completion of the Duportail Trail leg of the Tapteal Greenway Trail
• Completion of the Duportail small craft boat launch
• Amon Creek water quality study
• Amon Basin Vehicle Access Control Task Force
• Tapteal Bend Restoration Phase 2
• RCSC Project with Juvenille Justice
• RTCA Grant for regional Planning