Hitch 4 brought some variety to the dubC crew. We began our hitch in the Big Horns constructing a few t-post fences with barbed wire to block off incursions and pounded carconite signs. We also came upon three mine shafts as we turned an incursion into a hiking trail with proper signage. Because the Big Horns are a short drive from home we spent those few days working out of the house for the first time. The comforts of home were much appreciated as one by one each member began to develop stuffy-and-then-runny-nosed illnesses. The majority of hitch was spent at Dumont Dunes completing a portion of the fence that includes over 1500 steel posts that we pounded during our previous 2 hitches. We ran cable and put up safety reflectors in order to turn 1.5 miles of posts into a F E N C E. Our BLM contacts continued the cherished tradition of stuffing us with candy and baked goods — highlights included cherry turnovers and Harry Potter cupcakes complete with pinky rings. The RV’s proved very useful on day 7 when the wind was deemed dangerous enough to halt work for the day. Moderate cabin fever occurred, but overall we continue to enjoy working and living together as a solid crew of absurdity. Although appreciative of the RV’s, a couple members opted to sleep outside, thirsting for a little bit more of the wilderness experience – the height of which was a coyote visiting the nearby leaky water tank and nearly throwing up on an unsuspecting sleeper. We had the chance to visit an Area of Critical Environmental Concern called Salt Creek Hills near the dunes and marvel at the riparian flora, including a magical, tangled grove of Athel trees. Once again we visited the hot springs in Tecopa and enjoyed shooting stars and muck between our toes. Oh, and on the way out to the dunes we encountered a porcelain goddess atop a mini-mountain. We climbed and took a moment (or was it an hour?) for a photo shoot, see below…
