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.