Findings

 

Although seasonably warm, it was much more comfortable than last week's humidity. The view south toward Sleeping Giant was an early morning treat.

Visit #1378, Saturday 30 July 22, 7:00-9:55AM, 5.4 miles, 14.4 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the low to mid-70s with mild humidity, sunny.

On my walk around Merimere Reservoir this morning I continue to find the alligator growing as the local drought continues.

The reservoir's waters were calm. Nice cloud reflection off the surface.

Up at West Peak I cleaned up the parking lot and local trails. Unfortunately, I found a vandalized Blue Trail marker.

On the trail down, I found a dog harness hanging on a tree. I called the phone number on the rabies vaccination tag and asked the firm to contact the owner, if they wanted the harness/tag back. Haven't heard anything yet.

Reaching the walkbridge over I-691 I found some new graffiti, which I was able to remove.

This other graffiti I found will require a special trip, which I figure will be in two week's time. Looks like the same tag as the grease pencil above, except in spray paint.

The trail back to the park was shady and cool.

Cleaning up the dirt parking area in the corner of Mirror Lake, I found this stuffed toy. I wonder if I can catch monkey pox from it?At least I THOUGHT it looked like a monkey. Then I realized monkeys aren't purple, so I'm pretty sure I'm safe.

My Find of the Week were these rags I found at various locations today. I'm running out of old t-shirts to cut up for my various projects, and I was getting close to walking around bare-chested; something you wouldn't want to see in your scariest nightmares! 

A couple of the rags were microfiber; good for car waxing. I'll toss 'em in the wash then add them to my stash.

Avoidance

 

There was no avoiding the heat and humidity of the current heatwave regardless of how early I started my hike.

Visit #1377, Saturday 23 July 22, 6:15-9:30AM, 5.2 miles, 4.7 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the 70s, rising to the 90s with very high humidity.

I wanted to start very early to avoid as much of the heat and humidity as possible and for sheepish, macho bragging rights, but I missed my goal by 15 minutes. 6:15AM; that's for late risers!

But early morning starts to reveal some interesting things, such as explaining some of the trash spread around Hubbard Park. It's an All You Can Eat Buffet for these guys. Every trash can in the park I spied had litter furry diners.

As the drought continues, more of the Merimere Alligator continues to be revealed, while a duck rests on his back.

This was a week for more roadside trimming, and fortunately the tree canopy on the road helped keep the temperature down.

While trimming, I made sure to avoid the hornets' nest I nearly bumped into two weeks ago.

After an hour of trimming, I returned to the trails and back to the park and continued to enjoy the benefits of the shade.

By finishing early, I was able to avoid missing the penultimate stage of the Tour de France.

Beat The Heat

 

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Climate Hub Drought chart, half of Connecticut is experiencing moderate drought conditions, the other half slightly less severe. You can see the drop in the waterline of Merimere Reservoir on the back of the "alligator" in the water.

Visit #1376, Saturday 16 July 22, 7:30-10:30AM, 5.1 miles, 5.8 lbs. of litter. Temps in the 70s to low 80s with rising humidity, mostly cloudy.

I took advantage of the dry weather to hike to the north end of the reservoir and clean up the litter tossed into the spillways. Here's a look from within one spillway back toward the reservoir.

While cleaning up I found this BRAND NEW Timberland work boot.

The trail was being protected by a Guard Toad. I paid my due respects to the king and was allowed to pass.

The main objective of today's hike was to use my chainsaw to remove a fallen tree from the Green Trail very near to the south end of the reservoir (and the beginning of my hike), but I had chosen to get there by hiking the Blue Trail beginning at the north end.

Good thing I did; hiking this section of the Blue Trail, which I seldom do, I discovered another fallen tree, which made carrying the chainsaw the extra distance worth the time and effort.

Conditions higher up were much more pleasant; cooler and breezier which offset the rising humidity.

Hiking down the Orange Trail below Castle Craig, I noticed all the dead weeds on the trailside. They were all either thorns or rasberry bushes; I can't tell the difference because I'm not a plant-guy. It almost looks as if someone sprayed them with weed killer; nothing else was touched.

Once back down below Castle Craig, I arrived at the fallen tree on the Green Trail. Merimere Reservoir can't be seen in the background due to the haze of the rising humidity. It was a sweaty hiking day fer sure!

This week's forecast is for mid-summer high heat and humidity and the drought conditions will continue with maybe some thunderstorms for relief. Hike early in the day for the most comfortable conditions.

Hazards of the Job

 

The least hazardous thing that happened to me Sunday; enjoying the view of Merimere Reservoir.

Visit #1375, Sunday 10 July 22, 6:50-10:45AM, 5.4 miles, 4.8 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the mid-60s, pleasantly dry and sunny. Where's the heat and humidity?

Just another week trimming the roadside to East/West Peak. What could possibly go wrong?

I picked up where I left off last time, near the sharp bend at the bottom of the hill. I felt I made good progress distance-wise, of a few hundred feet.

My allotted hour for trimming was in its final minute. One last group of saplings and I'm done.

There's this pesky fly buzzing around my head and he won't go away. So I swat at him.

Mistake. T'wasn't a pesky fly; it was a hornets' nest and my head was a mere foot or two away from it, hidden in that group of saplings!

I moved faster than a colonoscopy prep and yes; I got stung.

See if you can spot the nest in the photo. I sure know where it is NOW!

Fortunately I was able to laugh that off and continue on.

Back down on the Green Trail, I found a newly fallen hemlock tree. That means next week will be a thrill-packed Power Tool Weekend®. I should heal by then.

Fireworks

 

The humidity over Meriden was thicker than a milkshake from Les' Dairy Bar, and not as tasty.

Visit #1374, Saturday 2 July 22, 7:15-10:30AM, 5.6 miles, 12.9 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the 70s, quickly rising to the low 90s, mostly cloudy and very humid.

A few weeks ago I reported the return of the American flags on the I-691 walkbridge. This week I am reporting they were stolen, which is sad because this weekend is the perfect time to proudly display a flag.

Those few weeks back, the flags were in very good condition, and I know from observing them almost weekly they don't deteriorate that quickly. Not very patriotic to swipe them, is it?

The only thing left of the flags was one of the many grommets securing the flags to the fencing.

I hiked up to Castle Craig and am glad to report THAT flag was still there. Props to Francis Scott Key. See what I did there?!

I cleaned up around the area then followed the road to my next appointment.

Earlier this week I received a call from a local hiker reporting a large fallen tree branch across a trail.

I brought my handy chainsaw to create my own fireworks and remove the branch.

The crooked tree stays; It's hung up in another tree, you can readily pass under it, and it's not in the safest position to drop. Eventually it will get to a point where I'll tackle it. Not today.

I followed the trail down to the north end of Merimere Reservoir and walked the road back to the park.

At the north end, I found this large box, filled with discarded drink containers and tobacco product packaging.

I wasn't going to leave the box, so I put it in a separate trash bag and carried two bags back to the park. It wasn't easy, but I looked at it like a workout.

Just who would leave such a large box, filled with trash, on the shore of Merimere Reservoir?

The irony of leaving the box and its contents on the reservoir's shore, is reflected in Nathan's last name.

What's worse, the 14 lb. box was shipped by V&V Distribution, a distributor of tobacco products.

Shipping tobacco products outside "the legal distribution chain" is illegal. Distributors can't sell directly to consumers. So either Nathan and/or V&V are not playing nice with the law. I'm more p.o.'d about the littering.

So guess who contacted the Tip Line of the Tobacco and Alcohol Tax and Trade Bureau, a division of the Department of the Treasury?

Maybe that will will result in MORE fireworks?!

Try to keep cool, dry, and with all your fingers intact this holiday weekend.