“The Creed of the Trail”: Wisdom Found on the Road with CoCre

On a recent production road trip we stopped upon this mural painted by Danielle Henn featuring the Old Spanish Trail Association’s Creed of the Trail. Though the trail is long colonized and the wisdom is indigenous to the core, we still appreciate these beautiful reflections of Earth and humankind all around. Fitting that this would fall on the starting end of this journey.

According to Cosmo Mariner for the Historical Marker Database, the “ambitious” 1920’s transcontinental road project linked St. Augustine, FL and San Diego, CA. The trail in Florida was an authentic part of the original Spanish route from the 1500’s between their settlements in St. Augustine and Pensacola. When completed, the Old Spanish Trail eventually traveled through 8 states and 67 counties along the southern border of the United States.

The Creed of the Trail

The beauty of nature lures us out of the old highways. Where Nature is undisturbed there we find pleasure; where destruction rules we find regret.

Along the Old Spanish Trail are the riches of history, legend, sentiment and natural beauty. Many are working to preserve these for all time. Out of the goodwill of the friends of the Trail will come a great highway, with pleasure and profit accruing to everyone.

Love nature and all living things – that is the soul of sportsmanship.

Don’t destroy. It’s finer to build and beautify.

Don’t cut or break trees or shrubs, unless obviously useless ones.

Don’t gather wild flowers, and blossoms carelessly. Their growth and reproduction give beauty to the Trail.

Don’t kill without real need. The birds, trees, shrubs, and animas are part of the pleasure of the traveler.

Help foster wayside beautification and the planting of trees and shrubs, and others in years to come will bless you.

Respect the courtesies of the road and obey traffic rules.

Give kindly thought to the rights of the property along the way and the owners will repay our of the gratification they enjoy.

Select a safe spot for the campfire. Never leave it unwatched, and when breaking camp use water or dirt to put it out. Be careful of sparks, of matches or tobacco ashes. A dying spark and one breath of wind can start a forest fire.

Always leave the camp a litter better than you found it. Burn or bury the trash and observe sanitation. It’s a pleasure then to cooperate to make campsites enjoyable.

The fellowship of the Trail is one of its joys. All along the way are members who will find pleasure in marking your acquaintance.