Fighting Gravity

90' New tread through a boulder field
600' Trail Reconstruction

We sorely missed Marguerite this week while she took a medical leave of absence. Though missing a member feels a bit like having a limp, flying without our project leader seemed an appropriate test of our group at this two-thirds mark. The hitch went considerably well as we moved to a new portion of trail and through yet another boulder field. We are starting to feel like a well oiled machine, and a shake up in location and group dynamics gave us pause for thought on just how much we've learned since May. That said, we look forward to Marguerite coming back on trail with us next week in good health.

In an attempt to put a little space between us and the bears, we moved across the hollow to a new portion of the same "Peter's Ridge" trail. We were charged with creating a path through a boulder field that the Boy Scouts didn't quite make it through when the trail was originally constructed. Though we have been through boulder fields before, the gradual slope of this one posed a new challenge: gravity. Moving boulders out of the ground and then up and over rocks required a little more strength and communication, but we wrestled our way through. Shane came out to help us out for an afternoon, and another set of hands and pair of eyes was a welcome addtition, not to mention the brute strength. Beyond the boulder field, we repaired other sections of trail to meet Forest Service specs.

We also saw a big change in weather this week (and the start of hunting season!). Shorter days and chillier nights came on strong, but that also means getting to watch the leaves change daily, working in cooler weather, and seeing a brighter night sky. These things are a pleasant change, and I for one feel lucky to get to watch the seasons shift daily. Shadows are a little longer, and the leaves have begun to fall into the swimming hole next to our camp. For now, I just push them aside and keep on swimming.