It Was Supposed To Be Something Big; Instead It Was A Bust!

 Visit #1391, Saturday 22 October 22, 6:40-10:05AM, 5.0 miles, 17.7 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the high 40s, rising quickly to the 60s, sunny.

Last week, while collecting trash along the roadside up to East/West Peak, I told you about the valve for the Maloney Canal.

What I didn't tell you is, while collecting trash in that area, I found embedded in the dirt, a glass bottle which looked very old.

Based on the imprint on the bottom of the glass, it's appears to be from the Owens-Illinois Glass Company, from their Huntington, West Virginia plant, in the 1920's-1935.

The bottle is in immaculate condition; I wonder what the contents were? From the neck's diameter, it doesn't seem to be a drink bottle.

A few things were supposed to make this week a big one:

1. Last week, while driving through town to Hubbard Park, I could see a bright light NEAR Castle Craig, but it appeared BELOW the castle. It did not look like the klieg lights illuminating the flag pole in fact, it didn't look like the flag pole was illuminated at all. I wanted to find the source of this light.

2. A regular hiker in Hubbard Park told me last week he had found what appeared to be furniture dumped near the radio towers at West Peak. After describing the location, I thought I'd locate the pile this week and relocate it so it would be easier for the city parks crew to find and pick up.

3. I received a report of a tree fallen across a trail near Castle Craig. I would bring my chainsaw to remove it.

So obviously, to find the light from #1, I would have to arrive before sunrise. To make things easier for me, I used a key graciously given to me by the Director of Parks and Recreation, Chris Bourdon, to drive up the road to Castle Craig before sunrise. I don't like to abuse this privilege so I use it sparingly.

Up at Castle Craig, I concluded the mystery light was in fact a klieg light and nothing more. I expected to find something interesting. Instead, it was a bust.

Well, not a total bust. I took some early morning photos from the top of Castle Craig, of the sun rising east of Meriden.

It quickly grew lighter; light enough that I could see and photograph the fallen tree which needed removal from the trail.

This was an easy one.

Then it was over to West Peak to find the dumped furniture. I drove my car over there, parked, and scoured the area from the description I was given, but couldn't find anything. It was a bust, too. Next time I see the hiker who informed me of this, I'll see if I can get clarification of the location or verification it's been picked up.

The trip over to West Peak was not wasted; I picked up litter all around the area trails and the parking lot, and enjoyed more views as the sun blanketed the area.

I left my car at West Peak and hiked back over to Castle Craig, picking up litter along the way.

I noticed some graffiti on the castle walls which I removed best effort using Goof Off, which is water soluble so it should not stain the rock permanently. There's plenty more I did not photograph. I plan on returning in a couple weeks better equipped to remove more, and clean off any discoloration from the Goof Off.

I walked back to West Peak and picked up my car.

On the drive down, I stopped to check the status of the Merimere Reservoir Alligator. Last week I predicted if the drought continued, there would be a land bridge from the tail to the shore. My prediction came true.

When I arrived at the gate back to the park, I discovered now I was REALLY busted!

Waiting for me were not one, but TWO Meriden police officers! 

Apparently someone called the police and told them of my unoccupied car at West Peak.

I don't blame them for calling as perhaps they looked in my car and saw the book I had on the passenger seat, which I was returning to the Wallingford library later in the morning. It's enough to cause anyone to become concerned!

I will say my encounter with the two officers was most pleasant, and they presented themselves well. Kudos to both of them.

Of the two, one was camera-shy and will remain anonymous. But Officer Joe Colella was not, and graciously posed for a photo.

Sorry for the glare; it was Officer Colella's personality shining through!

Both policemen agreed because of my cooperation they would forgo the cavity search. Thank you, Jesus! 😀

After that fun I still had time to kill before a 10AM appointment so I walked around part of Hubbard Park and collected more litter.