Sticker Shock

 

More icy conditions are forecast, with snow changing to freezing rain, then to rain, beginning this afternoon.

Visit #1518, Saturday 15 February 25, 9:15-11:00AM, 3.3 miles, 1.0 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the 20s, clouding up-see forecast above.

While not my main intent on today's hike, here's a look at the collection of stickers I found and removed today.

This pole continues to be a popular bulletin board for stickers.

But those were not the main task I'd assigned myself for today's hike.

During last week's hike I found some graffiti that needed to be addressed. So I made a list, gathered my supplies, and set out.

I first painted over this graffiti at the Soap Box Derby track so I could return to my vehicle and drop off the paint can when done.

The ghost image of graffiti I'd previously painted over needed a second coat as well.

The paint match will be perfect once dried since it's from the exact same can. I wasn't too crazy about applying paint at such low temperatures but you gotta do what you gotta do.

After returning my paint and supplies to my truck, I walked up the road toward Merimere Reservoir and noticed something unusual on the backside of a telephone pole.

Considering where I found the lockbox, I can't imagine what the enclosed key goes to.

Now on to more graffiti.

Using my Venal Sin Remover® I thought it was just good for the graffiti, but it removed the sticker remnants lickety-split, too. This was actually fun!

This next piece of graffiti was going to be tough, until it wasn't.

The problem was, it was out of my reach. I blame my parents for being shortchanged a height gene.

So you've heard of "Soap on a Rope". Well here's my invention- "Sponge on a Stick". Solves the height deficit.

I doubt it will get me a membership in Mensa but I thought it showed a morsel of intelligence!

Further up the trail I saw footprints in the snow leading off-trail and wanted to see where they led.

I didn't have to trudge far until I found the end, and the treasure.

But the most shocking thing I found today was as I was returning to the park and decided to clean up the gravel parking area in the northwest corner of Mirror Lake.

At first, I thought it was a turkey carcass. but on reorienting myself to the pail I saw this:

Still don't know what it is? I'll tell you- IT'S A FROZEN PIG'S HEAD, WITH FROZEN SLICED BANANAS AND KIELBASA!

I bet you'd never thought you'd read THOSE words in my blog!

Enjoy the coming storm.

Promises Kept

I told you I'd return to remove a couple fallen trees! I had to do so before Saturday night's predicted snowfall.

Visit #1517, Saturday 8 February 25, 6:55-9:30AM, 5.0 miles, 0.0 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the 20s, partly cloudy, with 6" of snow predicted overnight.

Where are all the fun hogs; they missed a colorful sunrise. It's a lonely parking lot on a Saturday morning.

I saddled up for my promised Power Tool Weekend® to remove the trees I hopped over last weekend, hiking last week's route in quasi-reverse.

Good thing I wore my Stabil Max Cleats. Hiking on the trails would have been a whole lot more difficult without them.

 I'll give you my Before and After shots of the fallen trees.

Here I removed that leaning tree as well, or at least walked it to the other side of the trail with a couple proper cuts.

Hiking back to the park on the Yellow Trail, I found the branches of a fallen tree, which I took the opportunity to remove. Doing so required minor chainsaw cleanup.

On today's hike I found some graffiti which must be addressed and I'll do so next week.

Maybe I'll find more cars in the parking lot then!

What-No Chocolates or Flowers?!

 

An early Valentine, for me?! Not.

Visit #1516, Sunday 2 February 25, 7:20-9:40AM, 4.8 miles, 1.0 lbs. of litter.

11 degrees and sunny to start, clouding up and temps reaching the 20s. 1-2" of snow possible tonight.

All morning I chased and eradicated these painted hearts and other graffiti. I won't show you all of it, or the After photos. Here's a mere sample.

It was extremely cold on the hands and feet, until I started going uphill when my extremities warmed up nicely.

I started out on a trail I seldom hike and found this:

Not much architecturally (I had to look that one up; I could also have used "architectonically". There's your Word for the Day, people!) You could say it was Cubist in design. I doubt the birds care what you call it; they call it Home. It even has a patio!

Nearby were these two tagged trees, although I couldn't find any information about the tagging program. And you're likely to not notice either the birdhouse or the tags unless you're off-trail a couple feet.

More religious tracts, just like I found last week, and I suspect from the same person that did the graffiti.

At Hubbard Park I am fortunate to have the eyes and ears of others who inform me of goings-on. I like to think of them as my elves. One elf contacted me last week to point out Cat Graffiti #17 since November 2016.

It's one thing to scribble this junk on fence posts, guardrails, and trail markers, but when you defile such landmarks as the Beehive Fountain, you have reached a new low. Like the others it has to go.

I wouldn't dare dream of covering it with paint. Elbow grease did the trick in about one minute.

Hiking down another trail I found two newly fallen trees, which I expected given last week's, and maybe even yesterday's high winds.

Which of course means I get to look forward to a Power Tool Weekend® next week, weather permitting.

Nearing the park, I decided this Christmas Wreath posted near the water treatment plant has passed the holiday statute of limitations, and had to go.

Reaching the gate, I see the iron is looking a tad bit rusty and hole-y. Probably has a few more good years of use left, but we should start planning for its replacement. (Suggestion: Any replacement should be taller. I have witnessed ATVers approach the gate and as a group, pick up an ATV and pass it over the top.)

This week the Record Journal reported the Meriden Parks Department has deemed Mirror Lake safe for skating. Enjoy it before it thaws. No; you cannot skate on Merimere Reservoir. That's just today's closing photo so don't get any ideas!

I'm On Vacation

 

Winter is the season when I can take time off from my regular Hubbard Park routine.

Visit #1515, Saturday 25 January 25, 12:00-1:50PM, 4.2 miles, 0.0 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the mid-20s, sunny and pleasant.

When snow covers the trails, activity on them is mostly limited to more enthusiastic hikers. I don't have to worry so much about litter and enjoy a hike without a To Do List-almost.

As you can see from the picture above, the trails still see a good deal of foot traffic despite the snow. Traction can be dicey from the daily melt/freeze cycles.

Well, as I reported last week, replacement studs for my ice cleats are nowhere to be found so I ordered new ice cleats and spare studs.

Same brand, different model. These are the Stabil Max Cleat, with a better stud attachment design so I'll hopefully lose fewer studs (which are replaceable), as you can see missing in the photo. I chose to use my older pair today and you can see I lost seven studs just from Saturday's hike.) Regardless, I still had the benefit of excellent grip on the trails.

I hiked toward the I-691 walkbridge.

Much to my amusement, I continue to find our park's sticker fanatic placing a sticker at this spot despite my frequent removal of them. Peculiar.

At the walkbridge, the same held true this Saturday where I routinely find stickers on this fence post and the same back and forth continues. I find it ironic they promote parks yet engage in activity which is the antithesis of hiking etiquette..

I have a hunch both are being done by the same person...

...as I believe this person also leaves these religious tracts which I routinely find.

So I didn't need a bag for this week's litter. It all fit into a pocket.

The radio towers however, never take a vacation. They work 24/7.

I walked on the road for a bit, then returned to snow covered trails back to the park.

Perhaps I'll get a chance to try out my new Max Cleats before winter is over.  Here's hoping for more snow!