Greg -
The radio system for the district is down and is expected to remain down through the weekend. Until then, we've been asked to stay near camp so that we remain within radio range of the district office. We've limited our trips to the road used to access the most popular areas on the island. I believe that the price of gas keeps most locals from venturing to the more remote areas on the south end of the island - the roughness of the road combined with the feeling that you're driving too far into the Alaskan bush keeps most non-locals out.
I met with the lead ranger on the district this afternoon. He asked that I begin to map out areas of timber that could be cut to enhance views around the island. He certainly came to the right person as I'd already come up with six or seven viewpoints that are being obstructed by a thin row of trees and alder. I know that I could open up each of these views single handedly within a few hours. You could open ten with a full timber crew. We also spoke of several obrstucted views of waterfalls that could be cleared and made into idyllic viewpoints for both tourists and locals. He then asked that Jack and I begin to map out berry picking spots that could be enhanced by selective cutting of trees or brush. He knows that many of the seniors on the island are unable to access some of the best spots due to the ruggness of the terrain. He felt that we could easily enhance access to some of the better, existing recreation areas by adding turnouts, clearing trees, or cutting new trails.
Jack and I are scheduled to head out to the Anan Observation station early tomorrow morning. I've assured Jack that he'll receive a day of rest in compensation for the work that we'll be doing tomrrow. We'll be assisting in the installation of the photo blind, staining the obsevation deck if weather allows which I'm confident that won't, and cutting brush along the trail.
The radio system for the district is down and is expected to remain down through the weekend. Until then, we've been asked to stay near camp so that we remain within radio range of the district office. We've limited our trips to the road used to access the most popular areas on the island. I believe that the price of gas keeps most locals from venturing to the more remote areas on the south end of the island - the roughness of the road combined with the feeling that you're driving too far into the Alaskan bush keeps most non-locals out.
I met with the lead ranger on the district this afternoon. He asked that I begin to map out areas of timber that could be cut to enhance views around the island. He certainly came to the right person as I'd already come up with six or seven viewpoints that are being obstructed by a thin row of trees and alder. I know that I could open up each of these views single handedly within a few hours. You could open ten with a full timber crew. We also spoke of several obrstucted views of waterfalls that could be cleared and made into idyllic viewpoints for both tourists and locals. He then asked that Jack and I begin to map out berry picking spots that could be enhanced by selective cutting of trees or brush. He knows that many of the seniors on the island are unable to access some of the best spots due to the ruggness of the terrain. He felt that we could easily enhance access to some of the better, existing recreation areas by adding turnouts, clearing trees, or cutting new trails.
Jack and I are scheduled to head out to the Anan Observation station early tomorrow morning. I've assured Jack that he'll receive a day of rest in compensation for the work that we'll be doing tomrrow. We'll be assisting in the installation of the photo blind, staining the obsevation deck if weather allows which I'm confident that won't, and cutting brush along the trail.
Well, well, well . . . wouldn't your dad have a good time with that assignment? He'd probably call Al and they'd be there with their equipment and design a new and improved road, etc in the blink of an eye. LOL By the way, what kind of berries?
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