This morning, I worked (downsizing, disposing of items) around the condo. At 1215, I was just about to leave home for some volunteering when it started to rain. In an attempt to save myself a long drive for nothing, I tried to reach the volunteer coordinators. However, they didn't answer. Taking a chance, I drove (via I-89, I-91 and US-5) to the rally point in Vermont I could join a work crew with the Hartland Winter Trails Foundation (arrived at 1300). Fortunately, the project coordinator (Theo) was already there, along with Alex and Kate (a couple from Hartland). To start our work, we had to drive from the maintenance shed to the trails near the corner of Mace Hill Road and Cobb Hill Road. From that point, we spent the afternoon getting the trails ready for cross country ski season! We cleared brush and even felled some dead trees, walking the full length of two trails (Howe's This and Zippity-Do-Dah). I got to use some nifty loppers and electric cutters while Theo used a chain saw to cut some big trees (I used it a bit too). The weather was very nice and it was good to be in the woods on a pleasant Fall day. After leaving the trail complex, we walked back to our cars on the road. As we finished (1600), I thought about great it will be to try the improved trails! Afterwards, I changed clothing and drove back to Lebanon (via US-5, I-91 and I-89), arriving at Sacred Heart Catholic Church by 1630. Once there, I joined my fellow Knights at the Sacred Heart in putting on the Parish's annual Oktoberfest (helped for two hours). There was lots of good food and I saw lots of old friends. After my volunteering time was complete, I socialized and ate dinner with Jean-Louis and his wife. Several of us stayed in the Parish Hall after the other parishioners had left - I had a drink with John P. and his brother, Joe. During the ensuing conversation, we figured out that been on a 1990s deployment aboard the "Enterprise" with their dad (!). I ultimately left the event at 2000 and arrived at my condo 15 minutes later. What a fun and busy day!
