I dropped in at home for some lunch today and found the March issue of AMC Outdoors in my mailbox. Always a good thing.

Between bites I learned that the "fee demonstration program" (that's governmental-speak for "paying to park at the trailheads") has been extended for another 10 years in the White Mountain National Forest (and other federal lands).

Whoopee.

The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (FLREA) took effect on January 1, 2006.

Care is needed here. Allow me to assist with translation: "Enhancement" = tax = you & me pay.

So be it.

After ten years, I'm pretty resigned to the parking fee thing.

And I'll save any further complaining energy for the trail.

Fees remain $3 a day or a season pass for $25.

The funds collected are promised to stay local and help with trail maintenance and other trails-related work that needs doin'.

And that seems like a reasonable deal.