Lake Mead N.R.A.

Lake Mead N.R.A.
READY TO ROLL!

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

Hike to Little Shoals and Workamping Chores


January 4th, 2010.  This morning we woke to 35 degrees and sunny skies after yet another hard freeze warning. Highs for the day would only reach 50.  Obviously it didn’t freeze overnight.   Because of freeze warnings over the last few nights, I’ve been disconnecting the water supply to the rig and using the water tank and pump in the fifth wheel overnight.  I use quick disconnect hose fittings which makes the job quick and easy.  In addition, I use two inline filters a sediment filter and a charcoal filter that I fashioned to attach to the bottom of the rig on the service side.

We did our park chores beginning around 11:00 as it was slow to warm up.  Even then it was only 46 degrees.  We emptied garbage cans and cleaned the bathrooms.  We also cleared some fallen branches and and small trees that fall frequently across the roads and trails.  In route to Little Shoals State Park, we took a detour and did a mile hike out to the Little Shoals on the Suwannee River.


Below is a picture of  Little Shoals back in November when the water level was much lower.



After the hike, we took down the Christmas decorations that we had put out last month at Little Shoals Park.  Joyce will remove the decorations at Big Shoals State Park tomorrow.

Later in the afternoon, I assisted the park rangers, Gary and Dylan with repairing one of the three bridges along Woodpecker Trail.  A tree had fallen across the bridge damaging the railings about a month ago.


Almost finished.  We ran out of wood to finish the opposite side of the bridge which suffered less damage.  Apparently there is a minimal budget for repairs.  We had to scrounge the boards from Stephen Foster State Park.



Although the weather channels are still forecasting a freeze, I won’t disconnect the water tonight.  I have yet to awaken to temps below 35 and have not found any sign of ice outside.  Not even any signs of ice in the metal water bowl for our dogs on the cold cement slab.  Thus, I’m confident my two thermometers are accurate.

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