As part of my job, I am entrusted with the task of monitoring government grant opportunities. Last week, I encountered this offering:

Instructions: “Everything you’ll need to know on your journey”.

DOI
Department of the Interior
National Park Service
Repair Castle Trail

And I thought, well. There’s a story here.

So I am asking: please tell me your stories. Write a brief grant application abstract. Or hand-carry your application and tell what happens along the trail. Or what happens when you are awarded the grant and you arrive to start your work.

Two important notes:
1) In reality, this DOI posting is marked “Intention to award, not a request for applications.” Just so no one gets their hopes up.
And
2) lest I erase the significance of the actual site in question, here behind the “Show Description” cut is the official DOI award description (plus a picture/link to the site’s Park Service website). So you can decide whether or not to read it first and let it inform your journey.

Show Description

Montezuma Castle National Monument

“Montezuma Castle National Monument (MOCA) receives roughly 500,000 visitors annually. The 0.5 mile long trail system at MOCA is heavily used year round, and is the primary means of experiencing the Park’s cliff ruins. The trail system is experiencing an integrity failure which has a negative impact on visitors, and is causing detrimental effects to natural and cultural resources. The tread surface and trail shoulders require work that will mitigate safety concerns to users. These improvements are expected to improve the life cycle of the trail, improve visitor experience, protect valuable natural and cultural resources, and improve safety.”