| Let's say you wanted to ride an unfamiliar ATV trail | | | | mule to gather firewood to burn through the winter. |
| system. How would you go about planning your trip? | | | | The trails, while perfectly legal to ride ATVs on, |
| Most of us would probably do a little investigation on | | | | aren't on any maps, and it's unlikely most people |
| the Internet and maybe consult an ATV trail map. | | | | would find their way without the services of a guide. |
| We might call the local Chamber of Commerce. But | | | | ATV Safety First |
| to really get the flavor of an area, there's nothing | | | | Okerlund, largely because of his background in |
| better than finding a local guide. | | | | insurance, is a stickler for safety. "Liability is first and |
| Dave Okerlund is a hired gun for anyone who wants | | | | foremost in my mind, because we live in such a |
| to get a true ATV adventure in the Piaute Trail | | | | litigious society," says Okerlund. "One of the things |
| system surrounding Richfield, Utah. It's a part-time | | | | that's [important to] me is to get a group that is |
| job for Okerlund (he's an insurance agent most | | | | pretty well balanced in their ability. It's really no fun to |
| days), but it's still considered work. Okerlund enjoys | | | | guide someone when they're not having a good time |
| riding his Honda Rincon, so it doesn't take much | | | | or are scared." |
| coaxing to get him out of the office to take | | | | Okerlund usually rides ATVs with his buddy, Dave |
| complete strangers ATV riding. | | | | Ogden. The two of them are familiar with the most |
| Okerlund grew up near Richfield, and has been | | | | of the trails they ride on, and try to assess the ATV |
| hunting in the mountains around the area most of his | | | | skill levels of the folks they guide and choose |
| life. He's been in Richfield for the last 33 years, and | | | | appropriate routes. "The Great Western Trail runs |
| has been riding ATVs since the early days. He used | | | | from Mexico all the way to Alaska, and there's a lot |
| to guide for the large group rides at the Jamboree, | | | | of Great Western Trail that goes through Utah that's |
| but now, he's content to stick to small groups and | | | | pretty spectacular. It's well maintained and safe and |
| private ATV rides. | | | | there's lots of side trails that I enjoy. That's where I |
| "I used to do an ATV ride called 'Dave and Woody's | | | | would take people." |
| Fast-and-Hard Ride,'" recalls Okerlund, "but people | | | | Entertainment, Too |
| were riding above their ability. That kind of scared | | | | If you're lucky, you might even get a little music |
| me, liability wise. We'd ride on some pretty | | | | after your ride. Okerlund is an accomplished banjo |
| treacherous terrain, and we had a guy go off a cliff | | | | player. He got involved in folk music in the 1960s and |
| and hurt himself. That rung the bell for us - that we | | | | has since progressed to Bluegrass. His group plays |
| need to be more cautious." | | | | around Richfield, and his banjo is never far away. But |
| Now, Okerlund is happy to simply show Richfield | | | | most of all, you're going to get an entertaining ATV |
| visitors some great ATV trails. "I would just do it for | | | | ride if you go out with Okerlund. You'll see things you |
| anybody; it's an opportunity to go for a ride," says | | | | would miss if you tried to navigate the same ATV |
| Okerlund. "Ireally love to hunt and be outdoors. An | | | | trails equipped with only a map. "There are some |
| ATVlets you get out of town fast." | | | | trails out here that are spectacular. You could just |
| Once out of town, though, Okerlund doesn't mind | | | | get lost forever." |
| pausing occasionally to share some history. We spent | | | | Luckily, with Okerlund, "lost" is merely a state of |
| time on some uncharted ATV trails that used to be | | | | mind. |
| "wood"roads, where early settlers pulled wagons by | | | | |