Inspection

 

East Peak on a low humidity summer morning. You can tell by the lack of haze in the photo. But the humidity is forecast to rise to stupid levels today through Sunday.

Visit #1543, Saturday 19 July 25, 6:05-9:05AM, 6.8 miles, 2.1 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the upper 60s, rising into the 80s with rising humidity that would even flatten Rod Stewart's hair.

I arrived in Hubbard Park early to beat the predicted rise in humidity and to enjoy the cooler temps of the day. I certainly didn't have to worry about it flattening MY hair, because I don't have any!

By the way, if you want to find out how Rod got and maintains his signature hair style, he devotes an entire chapter of his 2012 autobiography, "Rod" to the subject. I just finished it myself. Quite the honest, no-holds barred telling. Worth it.

I was greeted by a newly striped parking lot. Looks good.

I've found money before in Hubbard Park so I wasn't surprised when I found two bucks on the trail.

Gotcha!

At the top of the trail I found the telephone poles rolled back and I can tell by the tire tracks someone tried to drive down the trail. I replaced the displaced pole best effort.

The sign at the fork to East/West Peak was getting overtaken by brush and pretty soon people would have a legitimate excuse when they said "I didn't see the sign". Let's fix that.

Hiking down, I found some graffiti which needed attention. Simple and quick.

On this same trail is a stretch of wild raspberry bushes. Yet another treat to be found in Hubbard Park.

I later saw a hiker picking some.

Last week I said I would contact the Meriden Parks Department and ask they mow the area around the Halfway House. When I did so I received a reply from Director Chris Bourdon-coincidentally it was on their schedule for the very next day! And what a fine job they did.

On another trail I found what I believe is called a "sky lantern" hanging from this broken tree. This one appears to be a memorial to someone.

Back at the park, I checked to see if there was any progress on the walkbridge near the Lower Pond. There was; this past week the foundation walls were poured.

As I walked around the Lower Pond I stumbled upon some new graffiti. Hmmm; what to do?

Planning on a mountain bike ride early Sunday morning to avoid the heat and humidity, I packed up some gear and rode to Hubbard Park to address this and then hit the trails.

The wire brush wouldn't begin to touch it so I applied the lacquer thinner, the scrub brush, and elbow grease.

I was hoping for better results. Good thing I brought Plan B.

Not bad, but gray paint may have been more appropriate and there's a lack of feng shui. I may treat this again to "bring in more harmony". 😉

My plans to ride the trails in Hubbard Park were nixed when I reached the south end of Merimere Reservoir.

I found these two dumped fishing poles so I carried them back to the park and dropped them into a trash bin. I then changed my mountain bike ride plans to a road ride to end my Sunday morning.