Free axe practice!

D

dogstar

Joined
Jan 23, 2011
Messages
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This morning, I volunteered to do some habitat restoration. This was my first time, so I didn't know what to expect. All I brought with (shamefully) was my SAK. I didn't want to scare people with my machete when they would probably provide tools. My wonderful wife agreed to accompany me. Turns out it was us and 20 high school kids trying to meet their community service requirements.

We found out our job was to remove fennel and mustard, and our tools were... 3.5 lb. pulaski axes. The volunteer coordinator literally said, "grab and axe if you want to chop and get to work!" No instructions on safety, technique, nothing. Kids with axes were everywhere, and I moved on whenever one got close to me. The coordinator then gave instructions to spread out, and we were more or less fine after that.

I really wish I had my machete or a knife. The plants are relatively soft, and they grew in between rocks where it was hard to swing an axe. Lots of axes were chipped up today, but I guess they get beat up every weekend by a fresh batch of volunteers. The hoe on the pulaski came in handy for rooting plants. We were all pretty pooped after a couple of hours, but we stuck out the 4 hour session. My wife got in some axe time too and was a good sport. Luckily, I never had to use my first aid kit. All in all it was a beautiful day and I had fun swinging a big axe.

Next time, I will have a blade and my CS shovel with me.
 
I used to try so hard to keep my fennel and mustard plants alive , but it was impossible , if the dam heat and dry didnt kill them in summer , the farmers herbicide overspray did in the wet season .
But here I see fennel growing so out of control along the roadside its crazy . Tractors and slashers disappear into the stuff .
Sounds like you had a fun day tho :)
 
RIE (out recreational store popular in the west coast states) does some cool trail restoration projects as well. I like to volunteer my time when I can. But ever since I was around 12 or 13 years of age, I've always felt the way our society treats, rewards volunteering and good behavior is a little eschewed. Figures, considering the mess we are in now. If I am doing a volunteer project, I like seeing and being with others that are doing it for the benefit of those (or in this case the environment) benefited. It makes me feel awkward seeing others there to get brownie points on their resume, school requirements, or worse, government or union workers who get paid to do it. It's the same for when your called to do jury duty service. I swear the number one occupation for jurors must be public school teachers. I sat next to and chatted with a dozen of them last time. Many of them recognized each other. They were getting paid to be there. It sounds like you had a fun day. But If I had been there, I would have likely left. Just like I would leave a church that promised me riches on earth for good deeds. But then, that's just me. But there always places where we can volunteer and do good.

Good job! And next time, bring your machete. :)
 
DrivebyTrucker, the kids might have been motivated for selfish reasons, but they did a good job. We cleaned up a good portion of the shoreline, something that would have cost the park a lot of $$ for employees to do. Remember, they are teenagers still developing; I did not develop a conscience till my 30s. It was much better time spent than text messaging, binge drinking or video gaming.
 
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