Just a Hunch

 

Visit #1547, Sunday 17 August 25, 6:05-9:30AM, 5.2 miles, 7.7 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the high 60s, sunny and very humid.

Last week I addressed some graffiti on the spillway at the north end of Merimere Reservoir.

Oftentimes when I see graffiti like that I suspect I might find more of the same elsewhere in Hubbard Park. If anywhere, I expected to find it at Castle Craig although I can't tell you why. But I decided to hike up there to see if I was right.

Arriving at Castle Craig I was dripping sweat. I chose to sit down for five minutes to enjoy the morning view and cool off.

Cooling off was aided by a stiff breeze from the south. It was just what I needed.

When my break ended, I walked the perimeter of the parking lot to pick up litter, and turns out my hunch was correct! I found the same graffiti tag that I covered over last week.

Under normal circumstances I would use what tools I have with me to remove it. But there were yellow jackets flying around the cabinet and I was unprepared for that. Now you know what I'll be doing next week albeit equipped for bee battle.

While policing the perimeter of the parking lot, I found forty-five cents as you see it. Since I hiked 5.2 miles today, that works out to 8.65 cents/mile, much lower than the $1.50-$2.00/mile owner/operator truck drivers typically earn. I think I might change careers...

I hiked the Blue Trail along the western rim of the reservoir and it was a good choice for today as I found a newly fallen tree across the trail.

Today's humidity was making me dread having to schlep my chainsaw to this tree in a subsequent week to remove it from the trail but luckily I was able to manhandle it clear.

When the new guardrails were installed on the road around Merimere Reservoir back in May or so, I noticed a forgotten piece of metal left over from the old guardrail. I promised myself that someday I'd retrieve it and bring it back to the park. I was reminded of this chunk of scrap iron when I exited the trail so today was the day to take it away. It was well over ten pounds and I wasn't looking forward to carrying it so far but fortunately it fit in my backpack where it was not as much of a burden.

Last item on my list this week was to check on my paint job from last week, and show you, dear reader, that while the paint I use looks glossy when first applied, it dries to a nice flat finish.

Doffin' and Donnin', Week 2

 You couldn't ask for better weather today. The morning sun is just beginning to touch the road to East/West Peak.

Visit #1546, Saturday 9 August 25,  6:00-9:15AM, 4.9 miles, 8.0 lbs. of litter.

Temps in the 60s, sunny and dry.

While heading to West Peak last week to paint over some graffiti, I discovered more recent graffiti on the spillway at the north end of Merimere Reservoir. This morning I kitted up again with the coveralls and walked to the offending spot.

The result looks so clean and orderly it makes the rest of the concrete look like the eyesore! I first used a wire brush to remove any loose material then engaged the creative side of my tiny brain. Geometric shapes like squares are about the extent of my creativity.

Occasionally I'll find one of these small painted rocks along the north bank of the reservoir. Today was one of those occasions.

On today's hike, like last week,  I met some wildlife.

These two nestlings- I couldn't find the nest and had no idea how they wound up on the pavement. One of them already expired. The blurry one was still alive.

Back at Mirror Lake, a turtle was having a better day.

I continue to check on progress of the walkbridge at the Lower Pond.  This week the railings were installed.

Will there be a public ceremony when it's complete?

Will there be elected officials wearing hard hats giving speeches?

Will there be a ribbon cutting?

Who will cut the ribbon with the big pair of scissors?

Sometimes after my hikes in Hubbard Park I go home and take a nap. Today was one of those days.

If I don't wake up by next weekend, close the lid.

Progress

 

Construction of the new walkbridge at the Lower Pond is moving along. That looks sturdy enough to support yo' momma!

Visit #1545, Sunday 3 August 25, 6:05-10:00AM, 5.9 miles, 3.1 lbs. of litter. Temps in the 60s, sunny and dry.

I got an early start to guarantee parking, since the Puerto Rican Festival was being held today and parking would be at a premium.

As I mentioned last week, I was going to address some graffiti I found at West Rock then. I followed the road around Merimere Reservoir and up to the peaks.

At the north end of the reservoir, I had a five minute stare down with a deer at close range. He eventually gave up on me and returned to his salad munching.

I found some new graffiti at the north end of the reservoir, but since I was packing the wrong color for this, it will have to wait until next week to get my attention.

Reaching the split to East/West Peak, I found someone left a bag of trash. I took it away.

Reaching West Peak, I set down to work, but first the artist must don his smock.

I still could not decipher who was being memorialized on these two rocks. Best I could do was one rock was for "Patrick". "Bri" could be Brian, Brianna... who knows? The dates weren't much of a clue either.

I doffed the smock and went back to hiking. I just wanted to use "doff" in a sentence!

Crossing the walkbridge over I-691, I found yet more new graffiti, but this I could handle without paint.

It took a few rounds of cleaner and elbow grease but in the end I was satisfied.

Next week will be a hike of a different color and more smock donning and doffing.