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meet at maintenance office https://www.facebook.com/events/5061792243883525

Rediscovered this vid 15 years after first seeing it. Pretty much sums up life in your 20s, and a good reminder to never let yourself get too serious.

The work at Milburn looks pretty good. It seems like the mainly did this one line for now. They say there are plans to come back later in the year to do more work, but it is partly dependent on the city (approval/budget and such).

VCT as it stands is the main trail along Barton Creek up to the "Spec's" entrance near Brodie. It offically picks up again at Convict Hill/ Brush Country-Latta, basically behind Costco and under MOPAC. It continues past Dick Nichols park, back under MOPAC and up to Davis. it wiggles through a neighborhood to the south and crosses Slaughter Lane. it technically ends at two bridges they built over Slaughter Creek near the Veloway. Of course there is singletrack after that. I think the plan is to make it wrap around the Veloway to the cul de sac at the end of La Crosse. from there, I guess it has to go through or around Wildflower Center land to the new paved trail at SH45/MOPAC.

I've recently purchased a Ryobi pole saw. Basically, an 18 volt cordless chainsaw on a pole that has been a significant time-saver at Rocky Hill Ranch of late. It cuts up to 8" limbs with ease, reaches high up to get those that droop down, and can also be turned on its side to more easily reach and clear Yaupon and other small brush at ground level while keeping the chain out of the dirt. The battery lasts surprising long and a spare is easily carried in a hydration pack. Frankly, once I've used a battery I am about done for the day anyway if I'm also lopping and raking on a new trail. There is an included extension pole that can go in the middle for more reach, but I have yet to use it.

You find you are sore and tired more often than not and have come to accept this as a normal state of being You've lost weight, muscle tone has improved, and you've pulled the belt in several notches You dream about trail design in your sleep, and most of your waking thoughts are spent contemplating which of those dreams to act upon next The trail tool collection expands, and you ponder upon how many of your Ryobi tools can be used for trail work (pole saw, reciprocating saw, chainsaw, hedge trimmer, weed eater, leaf blower, screw gun, mower,...) You have a separate trail-work-only hydration pack (with a charged Ryobi battery tucked inside) You have accepted as norminal that you are spending an order of magnitude more hours building trail than you are riding them When you do ride, you hang a Fiskers 15" Power Gear Lopper on the pack's waist belt and stop often to trim offending flora The biggest decision to be dealt with on most days is over whether to work on new trail or maintain existing trail So-called "responsibilities" routinely take a back seat to the trail-related pursuits Is there a twelve step program I should be looking into about this? 🤷‍♂️

DH season is drawing near. Can't freaking wait!!