Leaves on the trail

Leaf blowing: I don't know if this is still a hot debate.

If we are blowing leaves at Crowder this year, I think we could schedule something anytime. It looks like 95% of the trees are bare, so the trails are about as leafy as they're going to get.

Maybe they'll dry out a little more this week.

I'm all for it! We just need some volunteers to raise their hands and take a section and get it blown. One of the blowers is at the trailer at poosey. The other is in my car. Make sure you have gas mixed 40-1. It's best to walk blowing with one hand and carrying small gas container in the other. Who wants to do what? This will be interesting?

I think I'll be able to get up to Crowder and blow some leaves tomorrow (Sunday). Probably be just after noon. I'll concentrate on Tall Oaks. I'll ask DL about the blower at his place, or else I'll hike in to where the trailer is at. Anyone want to go with me??? I might even throw the bike in just in case there's time afterward.

TR and Guys if we can get a hold of another leaf blower I would be game for Sunday afternoon. I'll also bring the bike along.

todays not working out as the best trailwork day for me. I'll be taking my turn this next saturday (dec 1st.). Make sure you leave me some leaves!

Obviously, I missed this post! Jeri and I were in the city today so if anyone was wanting the blower in my garage they were out of luck. Did anyone get blowing started? Volunteers that are short on time can do the closest loops: Tall Oaks and River Trail. North Thompson isn't bad because a big part of it is in the field. I can take all the backwoods trail!

TR and I intended to blow leaves off this afternoon, but TR was not able to get the blower from Doug's home and had trouble getting the mixed gas for the other blower. Hey, but the story does not end there, we got to ride!!! I guess we can tackle the leaves another day.

Doug,
Yes I did try to get your leaf blower and just ended up petting that big friendly cat of yours. I did go up to the trailer and got that one. I forgot what the gas mix was and didn't have any oil stuff, so I punted on the leaf blowing. To be honest, while it wasn't too muddy to ride(probably due to the leaves being there) there might have been too much moisture on the leaves making them hard to blow off. I'm sure after another day of drying out, they'll fly.
Bottom line, I have the other leaf blower in my garage.
TR

Tim, your probably right about moisture. Once we start the freeze-thaw cycles it can cause some problems. I'll see about getting some regular gas in the containers and then the gas and oil can be mixed in the smaller containers. I'll see about getting some of the small bottles of 2 cycle oil that allow us to mix one bottle oil with 1 gallon of gas for 40-1 ratio. This may be the best way to keep the ratio's correct so we don't foul up the blowers. If it's nice tomorrow I might get up there.
Glad you guys got to ride. Man it was a nice day to be riding. If I didn't have a bum knee I woulda been right there with ya. Sounds like your putting in some major miles. Good for you!

Just got back from Crowder. I ended up walking out a mile and a half in the dark. I loved it! I actually enjoy hiking in the dark. Your senses get perked and all aroused! What was that noise back there? Actually I'm generally so deep in thought that I don't focus on surrounding sounds. That's the thing about long days on the trail doing work. I tend to focus on the positive things in my life and how fortunate I am to be able to play in the woods like I'm doing. Today was awesome. It was a great day to be in the woods. I'd already figured which way the wind was blowing and started working going southeast. By the time I turned the corner by the junction of Northwest Passage. the wind had died to nothing. Everyone should just go out and walk the trails! When your moving slower, you actually see so much.
I ended up blowing all the South Thompson, the Thompson Connector, and the half mile from the Thompson Trail head to the juction of the Thompson Connector. Don't worry, I left some for you!
Doug

I purchased some 2 cycle oil that is in a dispenser that allows you to squeeze the exact amount (3.2 ounces) up into the top and pour it into a gallon of gas. This will give us a 40-1 ratio. I bought a couple of them and currently have them in my car.
I'm probably heading back up to blow another section today.

Done-Northwest Passage and Steep creek and all but a very short section of North Thompson. All thats really left is Tall Oaks and River Forks. Bernzie and I are going north to knock some more out tomorrow. I know some of you are going to be unhappy with us for not leaving some for you and having all the fun. Guess you'll just have to ride it!

Bernzie and I just got back from Crowder. We completed Tall Oaks and River Forks. The only thing that still needs to blown is the campground connector and the short section that attached from the Tall Oaks to where we access the trail at shelter house #3. I've got both blowers in my car if anyone would like to use them to complete the above. Then Crowder will be 100% complete. We'll get on Indian Creek as soon as the hunting season is over!

Thanks for doing that guys. The past couple of days, I've read some trail reviews on Crowder and often the authors comment on how well maintained they are. Quality is job #1 and it shows. Now, can you do something about the weather this weekend?

I'll get right on it!

I'm sure that by morning the noise of the blower will have left my head. I think Coach and I were having to read lips on the way home today!

What? Huh? Are you saying something? Is that low flying planes outside?
My wife says I'm deaf anyway! Or so she thinks.

I have a rushing air noise in my head most of the time.