Trail Work Day Wednesday August 9, 2023

 

Are you able to lend a helping hand?

The next FOS Group Work Day will be held on Wednesday August 9, 2023 and will be a day especially for work on the trails. Volunteers should meet with Forester John Byrd at 8:30 AM in the Lick Creek Lower Campground. Forester Byrd will give assignments for the day. There are three major priorities for the day. First of all, volunteers will be constructing three trail side mounting blocks. Board member Sonny Gipe will lead the construction of the mounting blocks, using the same design as now installed in the campgrounds. The Shimek crew and volunteers will place the mounting blocks at suitable locations along the wet weather trail for riders to dismount and give their horses a break. The Shimek crew and volunteers will fill them with rock. If you can help with this, please bring a battery operated drill or driver for installing screws as well as a saw for cutting the wood, if you have these. Bring a shovel for off-loading and smoothing out rock. A generator will be provided to charge cordless tools. All materials will be provided by FOS.

The second priority will be clearing trails where downed trees are. John Byrd will assign areas to those doing this. (Bring ATV's, chain saws, and safety gear. Note: ATV's are not allowed on the trails except on Shimek Forester approved work days such as this.)

Lastly, trash pickup along the trails, especially the Wet Weather Trails is very much needed. If you can help with this, trash bags will be provided. You can hike, ride horseback or use an ATV in order to pick up the cans and bottles and any other trash beside the trails. Trash bags will be provided. Please bring gloves to do this.

After a morning of work, all will return to the Lower Campground at noon to report back on progress, discuss upcoming activities, then rest a while with friends. Bring a sack lunch (if you like), water provided. Don't forget your blaze orange Friends of Shimek work vest if you have one. There will be some loaners available to identify all of us as volunteers. Remember—no previous volunteer experience necessary.

We will post on Facebook and the FOS blog if rained out or postponed due to heat. NOTE: If you let us know you are coming by an e-mail to FOShimek@gmail.com, we will call (if phone number is given) or e-mail you if changed.

We are looking forward to seeing you on the trail.

Thanks in advance for any and all help with this project.

May the trails you ride be filled with laughter and joy.

As always, be kind, be courteous, be patient, and be happy.

Kathy

President/Editor