Pat Egan has lived in San Marcos since 2002, when he moved here to attend Texas State University. He met his wife, Morgan, in a 3d design class, and they’re still here. He and Morgan own and operate Classic Tattoo on LBJ Drive downtown and just celebrated 20 years of business in San Marcos. Pat and Morgan have a 13-year old boy and 10-year old girl. In addition to being part of the trail crew, Pat also works for The Watershed Association based out of Wimberley as the Assistant Land and Facilities Manager/Volunteer Coordinator.
Why do you value the natural areas?
They give so much value to a community. I can’t live where there is no outdoor recreation nearby. I think natural areas are having an important moment because more people are looking for places to get outside.
Who or what most influenced your view of the natural world?
A lot has influenced me. First of all, my dad. He always took us fishing and he taught me a lot of tree species as a kid. Growing up in the suburban sprawl of Houston, Texas, the natural world was a bit harder to notice when compared to an ocean or mountain range, but it’s still there. So, when I would visit the mountains or the ocean, it was like paradise and made me appreciate my flatland piney woods of Houston a little more.
What attracted you to the Greenbelt Alliance?
I had been using the trails in San Marcos for years and always said, “I need to go out on one of those workdays.” Then my close friend and now board member of SMGA Brandon Smith told me he had been going out with the trail crew, so I joined him that following week. I love to work with my hands, and contributing to a community project like trails is very rewarding. Plus, all the personalities that show up to trail crew at 7:30 a.m. to move rocks and dirt are a fun and knowledgeable group of people.
What do you most enjoy doing in support of SMGA?
Trail building! I brag about it to my kids so much that now when we go out on a hike for some forced family fun, they ask me if I put that boulder there? Or did you work on this trail?
What is your favorite trail? What do you like about it?
Malacoda is great on the mountain bike; it’s fast and flowy and a fun time trial.
Bombing the hill next to the dam on Beatrice is another favorite section on the bike. Then Beatrice along the creek in the spring is lush like The Shire.
There is a section of Tonkawa near the top of the hill that is lined with big mountain laurels, and it’s really pretty when they are all blooming in spring.
What do you most enjoy doing when you visit the Greenbelt? Mountain biking early in the morning or a long solo hike with some music or audio book on my ear buds. Another favorite moment that happens is when my teenage kids stop to point out a beautiful flower, cool bug, or interesting rock on a hike that they fought us about going on.
What recommendations would you give new users of the trail?
Leave no Trace. Wear a helmet if mountain biking. Get a map (and a water bottle) and go as far as you can in whatever time you have. Come out to trail crew and help build this amazing resource.