To summarize this past season in Mineral King, the word “work” comes to mind. The summer began with neighbors coming to Trail Guy (and the Farmer) for help with a nonworking stove, nonworking refrigerator, multiple and various leaks, and a nonworking water heater. Some of these were multiples. . . many neighbors, many problems. It is almost impossible to find contractors or repairmen who will come to Mineral King. It is almost impossible to find them who will show up even down the hill in Three Rivers. It might even be the same farther down the hill in Exeter and Visalia.
So Trail Guy was more of Mr. Fix-It this summer than Trail Guy. He did get in a few hikes, and I got in even fewer.
However, I did a lot of work, mostly in the back yard but also along our entire road, clearing out limbs, downed trees (the small ones), branches, twigs, and general debris.
My thoughts are that if these tasks had been done regularly, it wouldn’t have been so monumental. However, due to the terms of our leases and Park policies, all this work has been forbidden to us and ignored or neglected by the Park. They did finally drop some hazard trees two and three years ago, but the clearing up wasn’t done.
Because our cabin owners association has a very pro-active and determined president, we were finally given permission to do this work. We have had to really pour it on, because one never knows when the Park’s administrators and policy makers and enforcers will change, and then the window of work may get slammed shut.
So, I rake, prune, limb, haul, and rake more. And then I help the neighbors with their painting project, which is quite pleasant, both the companionship and the results.
Check out this wasp nest. Usually these guys are ground nesters, but they have also been known to move into cabins. Very aggressive insects, and it really hurts when they bite or sting or whatever method they use to inflict damage on humans.
To end on a brighter note, check out the color of this little plant, a “snowberry”. Fall is finally here!
But I am confused, as normal. I thought that the snowberry made little white berries, but it is another plant, entirely different, for which I have no identification.
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