July 18th Workday

July’s work adventures actually started the night before with Anthony mowing and then camping overnight. Motors revved up again early Saturday morning with Anthony and Vanessa chain-sawing and weed-whacking while Susie and Rita, soon joined by newbies Leah and Diane, helped to extend the leading edge of the McGowan Creek Trail onto the ridge above the creek. Paul coordinated garden work and mowing back at the meadow areas, with Amy and Hope digging large buckets of potatoes in the garden. Joe, Matt, and Rachel arrived and explored the beaver pond near McGowan Creek, returning with the trail crews, picking up used tools and equipment as we came. Katy and Jane conferred at the Pavilion; around 11:30 we all gathered there for an energetic and convivial lunch, followed by introductions and general discussion of the project. After lunch our soon-to-be neighbor Daniel dropped over; some folks had to head home; a tour group headed out around the Dam Loop Trail, while another group planned more weed-whacking… but nature had other plans for all of us. Soon it was pouring and lightning was crackling all around! We took it as a sign to quit for the day. All in all a good one!