Wake Boat Regulating Process Update, and Other Stuff

Here is the latest information from Responsible Wakes for Lakes & Ponds group: NEWSLETTER

In a previous post, I mentioned a couple wearing hunter orange vests frequently walking past my house on West Shore Road. I received this email the following day:

Hi, Jane -  I laughed when I read your blog, that’s Jim and I walking West Shore Rd with our orange vests. We started wearing them walking during hunting season but now we wear them most of the time. Not only can people see us we use them sort of like a backpack. We can off load a layer of clothing, bring a sandwich, Kleenex, phones and water. I’m sold.

I do want to say that we walk the LVRT rail trails and trails over at Groton often and I find that the snow mobilers are mostly very courteous. We always stand to the side when we hear them and most slow down and wave as they pass. We also try to either go early on weekends or try not to use snow mobile trails. VAST played such a large role in the upkeep and grooming of the trails I think it fair to give them space when they have good conditions to ride. I have found that bikers on the trails are less courteous but I think because they don’t know biking etiquette. Seasoned bikers on multi-use  trails will say either “on your left” or “on right” before they pass you from behind. That way you know they are coming and from which side.

	I thank Gretchen for this thoughtful email. I think it's a great idea to wear bright colors - preferably something that isn't going to blend into the landscape, wherever you are walking, and something that will be reflective is you are in dim light such as in the evening or early morning - and even other days when the light is poor. It's good that you can hear snowmobiles coming - if you aren't using earbuds - and can get off to the side of the trail to let them pass. I've often thought listening to a device of any sort when one is walking is not only dangerous but it's shutting out the natural sounds around you, like the birds, the wind, or someone calling out to you. If you don't know what's going on around you, you will not be prepared if there is danger. It could be a vehicle, a rumble of thunder, or an animal, and although we are mostly safe when walking on either the trails or roads here, it's better to be aware, so take your cell phone, but listen to the music of nature as you walk, run, or bike. I remember being startled when overtaken by a fast-moving bicyclist a few times on West Shore Road. Bicycles are very quiet and sometimes they can unintentionally sneak up on you! Bicyclists should take pains to learn the "rules of the road" when riding on trails, too. I found these general rules for trails on line. Even though rules will vary, paying attention to these, and using common courtesy, will help keep everyone happy and safe.
I'm happy to report that tonight we are experiencing a much more reasonable temperature. As I write this at 7 p.m., it's 20 degrees above NOT BELOW zero! The trees were covered with snow or frost this morning - I really couldn't tell which - or maybe it was a combination. I didn't go outside to investigate. Later on I did a little shoveling when Jamie came to plow my driveway. The snow was heavier than I'd anticipated, and I was glad he got most of it with his plow. Of course, we had snow flurries most of the day, off and on, but I think tomorrow is going to be clear. However, we have more snow coming Tuesday and again Thursday, so we aren't done with winter, by any means.  I'll leave you with another interesting article to read, this one about adding olive oil to coffee. I heard this yesterday on The Talk - an afternoon TV show on CBS I often tape and watch at night after the news. I really like coffee. And I really like olive oil. I will try this. A little extra olive oil can't hurt, right?