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.