God has blessed Charles County with one of the area’s real gems, the Mattawoman Creek.

If our elected and appointed officials do the right thing it should be around for our children, their children and their children etc. to enjoy for years to come. Because of the intelligence and perseverance of a lot of people in this area we also have a man-made gem, the Indian Head Rail Trail.

Five days a week I walk this trail and bask in its beauty and serenity. I have walked all 13 miles of the trail; 2.5 miles at a time. I have seen every species of wildlife living in this area at one time or another along the trail: deer, fox, great blue herons, woodchucks, rabbits, beaver, great white egrets, turtles, birds of all kinds, the list goes on and on. Nature at its greatest and most beautiful.

The thing I wish I saw less of is the trash that litters the trail. There are sufficient trash cans along the trail that I see no need for anyone to litter this beautiful gem.

Please, if you use the trail, and a lot of people do, use the trash cans. If you walk your dog on the trail, make use of the doggie bags provided, free of charge. Do not litter the trail with your dog's feces or your soda cans, candy wrappers, empty water bottles, cigarette packs etc. Help us keep the trail the gem that it is.

If you have not used the trail, you are missing one of the great parts of living in Southern Maryland.

Bob Catlin, Bryans Road