As you can tell, we're deep into fall.
Visit #1627, Sunday 7 November 26, 6:00-8:15 a.m., 4.0 miles, 3.2 lbs. of litter.
Temps in the 40s, partly sunny.
I love the word 'epilogue'. The first time I saw the word was as a kid, watching the TV show, The FBI.
The show was based on real crimes. I vaguely recall the show broken into segments I, II, and so on, and the last segment being The Epilouge, which would reveal the end result of the case. As young as I was I never knew what the word meant!
Today would be the epilogue to the Case of the Klieg Lights That Shut Off Way Too Late.
I had been on this case since late September and the parks department eventually took up my suggestion and replaced the photocell which governs the lights' on/off function. This morning I would see if it made any difference.
I was on the road heading to Hubbard Park in the dark at roughly 5:30 a.m. and confirmed I could see one of the lights illuminated as I drove down East Main Street.
Hiking up to Castle Craig I passed by the Halfway House and saw the parks department has mowed the area so fall hikers can enjoy it. Nice job.
I reached Castle Craig at 6:37 a.m. and the morning light was just beginning to overtake the area.
And the klieg lights - wait for it...
YES! Even adjusting for the recent change from Daylight Savings Time to Daylight Standard Time, that's over a two hour savings of electricity, and that's just the morning, the same must hold true in the evening, not to mention wear and tear on the lights themselves. My thanks to the Meriden Parks Department for listening to my complaint and for their follow-through.
After this wonderful discovery I policed the area and walking around the castle I see there's a new bench installed, with a view south.
Here is the dedication plaque.
I knew the family casually, but even as a high school lad I was greatly influenced by their poise, professionalism, and standing in the community. As an adult I would see Jane as a volunteer at local blood drives. Besides her conversational charm, the peanut butter bars she baked for the drives were enough to make one want to donate a second pint! May hat's off to the family for their donation.
While cleaning up I found two discarded MRE packets. That's military-speak for Meal Ready to Eat.
For any true veteran, myself included, it's common knowledge that along with eating the meal, you carry out ALL the packaging. Leaving behind anything the enemy might find would give them knowledge of your operations. Clearly, whoever ate these MREs were military poseurs at best, litterers at worst.
I ventured on to inspect one of the illegal trails our park vandal has been littering with strange notes and whatnot, to see what I might find.
These appear to be Tibetan Prayer Flags.
I found several more of his Thank You notes.
Since they were still wet after Friday's/Saturday's rain, they were fragile so I gently stowed them and when I got home, I put them in the microwave to dry out.
They all begin with the same words; "Good morning universe..." then proceed to express thanks and love for a woman he hikes with, who is not his wife...
Reaching the walkbridge over I-691 I discovered some new graffiti on the bridge abutment.
I periodically would check this area because as you can see by the gray paint, I previously covered over other graffiti. I'll address this in the next week or two.
At the other end of the walkbridge I found and removed Cat's Patootie #52 Since November 2016.
This tree previously had a backwards swastika spray painted on it. At the time of discovery, all I had on me was a can of black spray paint. Today I had gray paint with me to somewhat improve the appearance. Once the gray dries it blends in better.
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