February 2, 2008 Trail Update

Traildogs & Friends - February 2, 2008

If ever there is a perfect day on the trail, today Monday Feb. 4th was one of those days. A week ago we couldn't get enough clothes on to stay warm on the trail today we were in short sleeve shirts.

We began scaling up the base of the mountain this morning completing approximately 1/4 of a mile of new tread led by the Pro's from the Womble office of the US Forest Service Tom, Joey and Josh who operated the two machines like a well choreographed dance team. Joey operating the mini-excavator leading the way always seeming to sense the most prudent path to take the trail and Tom and Josh alternating on the Ditchwitch mini-dozer following Joey smoothing, pushing boulders, creating drains and leaving a properly sloped tread. The team is fighting the very rocky terrain but seem to take it in stride.

A team of seven seasoned traildogs Al, Cindy Chuck, John, Wilburn, Robert and myself, followed the machines. This team comes in needing no leadership or directions they just go to work each committed to making the new trail appear as if it has been there for years. WE move stones, limbs, and logs all the while raking, smoothing the tread and cutting thousands of roots. The difficult part is spreading the construction berm on the down side of the trail to insure the trail drains properly. We enjoy placing large stones and boulders that Mother Nature has loving covered with velvet shades of moss and intricate designs of lichen growth, at strategic points all along the trail.

Today we decided to have an ole fashion wiener roast for lunch so at the break Al who brought the supplies for lunch build a small fire just of the trail by a bubbling waterfall and two springs. We always look for a large lunch log or a nice leaf covered slope to rest our weary backs on while we have our lunch usually followed a brief nap hopefully warmed by the low winter sun. Today while we were drifting off into nap time we could haunting
Hoot of an owl echoing down the valley. Good times.

Tomorrow looks like a storm out and rain so we probably will not be on the trail again until Wednesday February 6th. We will meet again at the same location at the end of the US Forest Service Road that goes off the left side of the trailhead parking area on Mt. Harbor Rd. We will meet between 8:30 and 9:00 am. Again if you need a shuttle call me on my cell 501-276-5006.

Bring your lunch and adequate fluids and join us.

Jerry Shields