Oak Valley Guided Hike

About a dozen hikers met at the powerline crossing over Shelton Ave and hiked Oak Valley Trail. The picture above is Guide Terry saying something informative about Hope Lake, or maybe he was just making up stories, I wasn't really paying attention. Pink Lady Slippers were blooming at this spot but my picture didn't turn out very well.

Same location at Hope Lake. We call it "The Point" but the water was too high to walk out onto it, although Emma looked like she might try anyway.

We took a brief detour up the orange trail to the newly planted Eklund Native Species Garden, thanks to a grant from Iroquois. We got the typical reaction from some of the hikers: A slightly bewildered "What IS this place?" You just don't expect sidewalks, stonework, and gardens off in the woods along a trail. Which is one reason the garden is fun.

Girl Scout Project

Young ladies of Girl Scout Troop 53 prepare a bed for flowers at the parking area for the Nell's Rock Trail.

Now if only we can get them to drain
the puddles and elevate the path
through the wet areas.














Job well done, and a splash of color will brighten up the parking area in the weeks ahead!

Rocknappers & Wallhangers

Here's a copy of the new display at the Community Center. Most of the CFPA Trails Day flyers were already gone, but more just came in Friday. I placed copies of the revised RecPath Flyers & CFPA brochures in the Red Barn. Feel free to post information where you think it'll do some good. I also added information to the Pine Lake & Turkey Trot Kiosks. The Hope Lake, Rt. 108, and Mill St. kiosks still need to be done.

I was walking on the RecPath last night by Silent Waters to see how the rocks that Bridges & Highways dropped off could be used. I think we need some more finer gravel, not just the rip rap. But while I was there some guy backed in with a trailer and was going to start rocknapping until I walked up and said Hi, whatcha up to here. He innocently asked if I knew what the pile of rocks was for & if it was OK to take some. I said No, you can't take any - it's for the Trails volunteers on Saturday & gave him the whole song & dance number, with 3 part harmony, & he drove away. I swear - you put a pile of fire wood or rocks alongside the road & it draws a bigger crowd than if we served free barbacue and cold beer. Hey - come to think of it maybe we should.....

Horse Manuring Around

Ryan Gallagher puts his shoulder to the shovel at Eklund Garden...

...assisted by Mother Teresa...

...with Biscuit and imaginary friend barking orders from the sidelines.

Scary Looking Trail Users

I met this nice family on the RecPath at Lane St. Sunday afternoon. They live on Wheeler St. and said they come here all the time and enjoy having the RecPath in their neighborhood. I just thought they looked pretty typical of the folks who were out using the Shelton Lakes Greenway this weekend.

We're starting to get a nice selection of new, old & recycled hand tools for volunteers. Everybody should keep their eyes out for any tag sale "prizes".

This is the former haul road at the 2nd dam on the RecPath at Constitution Blvd. Apparently some people still like to use the old trail even though we stopped maintaining it. The grass seed that Sound Construction applied in the Fall is coming in nicely.

Another Saturday "work party"

Jim Taradine finds a friend in Eklund Garden. After treading on Jim's hand, we hope that the salamander washes its feet before eating!

"Rusty" wanders off, free to pursue salamander stuff.

One of the many colorful shrubs along the Dominick Trail

Not content with hours of trimming, pruning, and clearing on the Dominick Trail, Lynn Reid attempts to uproot a dead tree trunk (or is she doing chin-ups?).

Enough rain, already!

Room at the top

I guess we know who's King of the Hill! Crowded beach at Hope Lake

"I think it was something I ate!"

I found this Black Vulture wobbling about not far from Eklund Garden. He appeared to be either drunk or very sick. I guess you'd be drunk or sick if you were on his diet!

Connecticut Trails Day Booklet is Out

The Connecticut Forest & Parks Association listed the Trails Day Hikes on June 6, 2009 on their website at http://www.ctwoodlands.org/trailsday2009 .

Both the Paugussett Trail and RecPath hikes are listed among 130 events around the state. The booklet looks very sharp - I'll call CFPA and see how many copies we can get.

Mother Nature

Teresa Gallagher, Head Groundskeeper at Eklund Garden, tills the soil in preparation for the cornucopia of native plants soon to arrive.