Who Stole My Thunder?

 Visit #1467, Sunday 25 February 24, 7:15-9:25AM, 4.8 miles, 1.6 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the 20s and rising through the 30s, sunny and comfortable.

Talking to a reader of my blog, we discussed dog owners who bag their dog's poop then toss the bags anywhere but where they should properly be disposed of.

I myself find a lot of dog poop bags in Hubbard Park. This week I took a count.

All those just between the parking lot and the water treatment plant.

I'm just grateful people don't walk their elephants in Hubbard Park.

At the south end of Merimere Reservoir, while it appears whatever contract work was being done is complete and the equipment and vehicles are gone, the gate is still unlocked. 

I'm done assuming some official person will secure the gate, so I did the deed myself.

My mission this week was to remove a tree which had fallen across the trail, which I found last week, but when I arrived I discovered it had already been cut.

Not only that, but further up the trail they did the same.

Although at this second tree they did not pass my inspection so I performed some rework to clean it up.

I'm curious as to who did this and their motivation. Will I be out of a job?

Bringing the chainsaw with me today wasn't a total waste; as I walked down the road from East/West Peak, I found a fallen tree which was encroaching into the road, so I trimmed it back.

Rounding out today's fun; I found two pieces of winter wear which are good enough to wash and bring to Goodwill.

Finally, A Winter Worthy of the Name

 

Visit #1466, Sunday 18 February 24, 7:05-8:50AM, 4.1 miles, no litter.

Temps in the 20s, sunny.

This past week saw a good dump of snow, up to twelve inches in some towns, followed by another three inches from Friday night through Saturday morning. After last year's snow desert, this was a welcome change.

Despite the snow, I found mountain bike and fat bike tracks in the snow up at Castle Craig. While I'm sure most of you have heard of mountain bikes, if you don't know what a fat bike is, click on the preceding link. The tracks were only on pavement which, considering the conditions had to be a dicey affair.

What brought me out this week was a report by an alert blog reader informing me of a fallen tree across a trail. Well, due to that reader's advanced age 😉 they weren't quite alert enough and couldn't recall the exact trail (kind of like forgetting where in the lot you parked your car!) so I had to go in search of it myself.

I found it, and it's definitely chainsaw material which means next week will be a Power Tool Weekend®!

The rest of the hike was enjoyable except for my cold hands. I didn't have hand warmers with me so my usual trick is to "play piano" with my fingers until they warm up. While it eventually worked, I'm a lazy American and I couldn't help but think it would be nice if there were such a thing as heated ski poles. I thought I was on the verge of a fortune generating invention. Seems I was too late to make my millions as the idea is already patented.

It will be interesting to see next weekend how much snow remains .

Okay; THIS WEEK is the Super Bowl!

 I was graciously corrected by a couple blog readers as to my blunder.

Visit #1465, Super Bowl Sunday, 11 February 24, 8:15-10:25AM, 4.4 miles, 17.0 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the 30s, cloudy yet comfortable.

Remember the "Airpods Found" Sign I discovered last week, taped to the kiosk? I was informed that it was posted several weeks ago, so I intended to remove it this week as it has performed its purpose long enough.

I hiked over to the kiosk to find it was already removed.

Back at the parking lot, you may also remember I removed several strings of Christmas lights left too long on a tree. In the process, I broke one of the strings therefore a short length was still attached to the top of the tree, too high to reach from the ground.

Not this week.

Got 'em.

I had only been at it for twenty minutes or so and my trash bag was full. So were the trash cans in Hubbard Park so I schlepped my first trash bag over to the dumpster at the parks maintenance facility.

While there I met parks employee Rob, who was performing Sunday duties.

I asked him if he was going to watch the Super Bowl.

"Oh yeah".

I then asked if he's got all his food.

"I'm having pulled pork, shrimp cocktail, fire in the fireplace, my wife, and my dog. I"m all set."

I assume he doesn't plan to eat the fire, wife or dog.

At Merimere Reservoir, whatever work they have going on appears to be continuing as the traffic cones are across the road.

But while the gate is closed this week vs. open last week, it is only "faux locked".

In the spirit of upcoming Valentine's Day, I kept finding little reminders, which I removed to best of my curmudgeonly ability.

Back over the I-691 walkbridge, I spotted this unusual tape wrapped around a tree, which I removed. I sure hope it wasn't there for some official reason!

I also found this strategically placed chocolate. I was tempted to partake of it, and it was labeled Lindt so it probably was legit, but my common sense over-rode my stomach.

Last, I found a home made walking stick which I deposited in the dumpster along with my second bag of trash.

Now go get your own pulled pork and shrimp cocktail for the Super Bowl. I'm SURE it's this Sunday!

Super Bowl Sunday

(Ooops-It was just pointed out to me by an astute blog reader that the Super Bowl is NEXT Sunday! So put away the booze and munchies!)

Visit #1464, Super Bowl Sunday, 4 February 24, 7:05-9:50AM, 6.1 miles, 9.3 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the 30s, sunny.

Watch the Super Bowl? Nah; not for me. I'd rather go for a hike.

Well, I couldn't go for a hike while the Super Bowl was being broadcast (night time) so early morning would have to do.

As I walked up the road toward Merimere Reservoir, I noticed it appears work at the south end of the reservoir is complete, but the gate is still open.

I moved on, and came upon a Find of the Week.

This fishing rod was found as you see it. I can't believe someone was fishing in such cold water temps.

My main goal of today was to remove this sign posted at the trailhead of an illegally built mountain bike trail.

Whoever installed it was shrewd enough to use self-tapping Torx screws. I don't exactly carry Torx drivers in my pocket, hence my return trip this weekend with the proper tools. Mission accomplished.

Most of the remainder of the hike was uneventful, until I reached the dirt parking area at the northwest corner of Mirror Lake.

On the drive into the park in the morning, I could see a sign posted on the kiosk at that parking area and was curious what it said, as well as intent on removing it. 

Obviously tough to read the above, so I broke it down to two separate images.

When I read signs like these I think THERE STILL IS HOPE FOR HUMANITY! I Left the signs up for now and will revisit the kiosk next week.

While cleaning up the parking area, I came upon Season of the Missing Glove(s) 2023/24, #5 and 6.

I didn't however, leave a kind note. I'll take them home, wash them, and drop them off at Goodwill.

I also discovered another Find of the Week, which I'll reveal in a minute.

A few weeks ago I reported on Christmas lights left on a tree in Hubbard Park and forgotten when the Festival of Lights ended. I thought for sure they would have been removed by now, but no. I corrected this decoration faux pas.

Alas, one string did not survive my tugging but three out of four isn't bad.

I brought them to the parks maintenance building and left them by the door, along with a can of kerosene I found at the parking area I mentioned above. The can contained by my weighing, conversion, and smelling, three gallons of kerosene. The can has an intact spout so hopefully the parks crew will have use for it, and maybe the kerosene, too.

Lastly, in the good news department, remember the child car seat I found back in January?

I posted it on craigslist with the following text:

Evenflo SureRide/Titan 65 Child Seat. Rear facing 5-40 lbs. , Front facing 22-65 lbs. Expires 1-19-2025.

I found this abandoned in my local park. I took it home, washed the pad in my washing machine using detergent and Pine-Sol, and washed the shell/straps with Pine-Sol. I believe I reassembled it correctly but depending on your needs, you may have to relocate the straps per the manual.

The manual is available online here: https://www.manualslib.com/manual/2078324/Evenflo-Sureride-Titan-65.html?page=1#manual

See the manual for proper installation. Most police departments offer free child safety seat checks (by appointment) so if you're unsure contact them and they may offer more assistance.

I'd like this to go to someone in need so if you intend to flip it, please don't respond; you're on your honor.

I'm pleased to say I received a reply within a day of posting and Kenny from Middletown, expecting his second child, picked it up, saving a few bucks.