Hart Prairie Work Weekend - October 21-23 2011 (Another!)

This is our regularly planned annual weekend at Hart Prairie.
Please come planning to work at any various task at the preserve.
Note we will be handling the signup here, so get signed up here asap (first come, first served) with the dates you are coming.

We also need to round up food options so we can all contribute to food or we can do a food buy and have everyone contribute. Please post your preference.

Hart Prarie Preserve Work weekend
October 21-23 2011$25.00 for food
You can contact Neil @ nchapman@tnc.org
Great views, fence work, good food, seed collecting, weed removal, cool crisp air, slash and rounds...

How to get there: If you are coming from Phoenix, be aware that it will take you at least 3 hours (3.5 from Tempe) so arriving Friday is best. If you arrive after dark, look for the porchlight to your left as you come in, you'll be seeing a rail fence in your headlights. We'll keep someone around to direct you to your cabin as long as possible. If you know you'll be really late, please let us know and we'll figure something out.

* From the south, take I-17 to Flagstaff, I-17 becomes Milton Road after you enter Flagstaff.
* Continue north, pass under a railroad bridge and turn left onto Humphreys
* Turn left at Columbus (at traffic light) onto Hwy 180
* Follow 180 out of town approximately 10 miles and past the Arizona Snowbowl ski resort
* Just past mile post 225, turn right onto Forest Road 151 (there is a bright yellow daytime headlight use sign at this turn);
* Drive 4.5 miles and look for The Nature Conservancy sign on the right.
* Leave the gate the way you find it. Please drive slowly into the Preserve (15 mph);
* From the gate to cabins is about half a mile
* Drive to your assigned cabin or ask whereabouts upon your arrival, unload, and please park your vehicle in the corral parking area north of the lodge, please back into your spot

Information Sheet
Most of you all know this but just in case: please read this thoroughly and contact Neil or Shawn if you have questions.

Key Information
• Cabins are rustic but comfortable, beds are fine, bring your own linens or sleeping bags.
• The sewer system works but how or why is largely a mystery; use the composting toilet if at all possible
• Shower house is a wonderful luxury after a good day of grubby work. Bring your own towel and toiletries.
• Water is trucked in, use it sparingly, please don’t waste it. If you see a plumbing leak let the Preserve folks know immediately.
• Any food left out unprotected-indoors or out-will likely be confiscated by small furry critters of the night.
• We will be TNC volunteers this weekend, please sign the waiver forms.
• **No pets are allowed on the preserve.** (Sorry 'bout that.)
• There are no commercial facilities at the preserve, i.e., no store, no ice, no sodas, etc. Bring what you need with you.
• We are responsible for cleaning up the cabins before we leave.

What to wear and bring
• Sturdy shoes, work gloves, water container to take to the work sites (additional water available)
• Snacks if you need any to help you make it to lunch time
• Sun protection (wide brim hat, loose clothing that covers limbs, sunscreen); the air is clear and the elevation is 8,400 ft, sun burn happens quickly.
• Long-sleeve shirt and pants (recommended)
• Rain gear and warmer clothing (Check the forecast – It is generally 15 degrees cooler!!! than Flagstaff.) [http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/forecast/MapClick.php?site=FGZ&llon=-112.433747&rlon=-111.171247&tlat=35.829584&blat=34.567084&smap=1&mp=0&map.x=137&map.y=98]
• Personal first aid kit
• Towels and toiletries
• Sleeping bag or linens – extra blankets available in the cabins
• Small cooler for your snacks/drinks and food for any meals not arranged by the group (Refrigerator in lodge kitchen will be used by our chefs.)
• Flashlight or head lamp is a must (not fun getting lost at night traversing between buildings)
• Cabins and bathrooms have lights but the Preserve's electricity is home made--solar and a generator-- so please use appliances sparingly (if not needed immediately-shut it off).
• Binoculars, Camera
• The Preserve provides eating utensils and dishes.

Cabin dwellers: Cabins have small heaters that work quite well
Bring sleeping bag and pillow or your own bedding. Keep all personal food items in a cooler or plastic bin to protect from small critter invasion. Keep doors closed.

Physical requirements to participate:
Moderate to hard work, lighter options availalble. Work elevation is just over 8,400 feet—a big change from the valley. Work at your own pace, think safety!

Meals
• Meals are a group effort. Dish washing duties are shared; please step up for a meal’s worth.
• BYOB
• Bring your own food for snacks during work and any additional meals you will need if you choose to arrive or leave outside the provided meal service period. (See arrival and departure options below.)
• There is a well equipped kitchen, and a gas grill out back.

Agenda
Friday - You may arrive any time after 1:00 +/-.
The kitchen will be open to you to make your dinner. You will be responsible for cleaning up after yourself. There may be room to store your food in the kitchen however, the group meal provisions have first dibbs on the limited refridgerator space. (See what to wear and bring above.)
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oliverr99 · Joined: 04 Jul 2006 Posts: 632 Location: Glendale

Notified Neil. I hope I can make this, school has been hectic!!!
_________________
Anne
"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened" -- Dr. Seuss

Shawn · Posted: 9/29/2010, 9:32 pm Post subject:

The aspen are beginning to turn, we see a bit more yellow every day. There's a spot on a north slope of Humphrey's visible from here that is getting real yellow, and any branch that isn't healthy is turning as well. A clump of aspen between here and Snowbowl is coming along too. So it should be pretty spectacular soon if we don't get a hard freeze.
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The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see.

paintninaz · Joined: 06 Jan 2003 Posts: 3515

We've got a little potluck planning going on in the background, so I had better add it here to avoid future confusion. Crazy

So far I’ve got…

Angela’s “anytime” mandarin orange salad!

Saturday breakfast:
Tracy – some sort of breakfast casserole, coffee
Angela – bagels and cream cheese (for this breakfast or Sunday’s)
Linda - juice

Saturday lunch:
Tom – assemble your own sandwich fixin’s and chips
Ambika – avocados
Deanna - lentil stew and brownies
Michelle - Lemonade and Iced Tea

Saturday dinner:
Ambika – veggie tray, dips, hummus and chips and such.....
Linda - Cheese tray
Todd and Diane – Pork spare ribs
Jan - Beans
Tracy – BBQ pulled/shredded chicken for sandwiches and dessert
Wendy - chicken for grilling and a potato/bean/oinion dish

Sunday breakfast:
Melissa – steal-cut oatmeal
And if we don’t eat them all on Saturday, Angela’s bagels and cream cheese
Wendy - pancakes and fruit

Sunday lunch:
Michelle - Cold Pasta Salad (maybe chicken?)
and any leftovers from any other meal.
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~Tracy

“Friends make the bad times good — and the good times unforgettable.”

Hikngrl · Posted: 9/30/2010, 7:21 pm Post subject:

oliverr99 · Joined: 04 Jul 2006 Posts: 632 Location: Glendale

Never mind, can't make it on Friday night, forgot I made plans with mom Embarassed

_________________
Anne
"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened" -- Dr. Seuss

chihiggs · Joined: 03 Jan 2003 Posts: 565 Location: Gilbert, AZ

I see we are doing a potluck feeding--cool. Let me peak at this and think about it for a bit Exclamation

Looks like we could use some other side dish for Saturday supper, and maybe something breakfast like added to Saturday...

Let me get back to ya'll on this one. I am going to check at the Farmers market for some dinner veggies and something tasty and unhealthy for breakfast Smile

Can't wait to get up there Laughing

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All our dreams come true if we have the courage to pursue them...Walt Disney

oliverr99 · Joined: 04 Jul 2006 Posts: 632 Location: Glendale

Ok I can come up on Saturday morning, I will also think about what to bring. Maybe fruit??
_________________
Anne
"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened" -- Dr. Seuss

Shawn · Posted: 10/7/2010, 6:45 am Post subject:

Two days of wild weather--thunder and lightening right overhead, rain, hail, wind. All clear now and snow on the peak!
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The bear went over the mountain to see what he could see.

tibber · Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 247 Location: Phoenix

snow on the peak Freezing

and

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Angela from N Phoenix

oliverr99 · Joined: 04 Jul 2006 Posts: 632 Location: Glendale

Tracy, what about chips for lunch on Saturday?
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Anne
"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened" -- Dr. Seuss

wanderingsoul · Joined: 19 Jul 2004 Posts: 2285 Location: Gilbert AZ

Shawn, I'll bet it was kinda neat watching the weather. Glad to see that you are posting, safe and all A OK after that last round of storms! It looked like a wild one.

Oh boy Chihiggs, something unhealthy for Breakfast??? You're bringing Chocolate?? Mr. Green

Wow! Jaime would be disappointed she wouldn't be there for that ! hehe
Just kidding.
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Wanderingsoul (Michelle)

Positive Thinking Is the Spark that Makes Dreams Happen~~~Unknown

Hikngrl · Posted: 10/8/2010, 7:03 am Post subject:

Since we have more than we originally planned Todd and I can back off the potatoe salad and leave a side for some one else to bring. I am not dying to spend my life savings on this weekend, just was gonna bring both cause we didn't have many people coming and I wanted there to be plenty to eat.

Or, the list of attendees is like 16 or more at this point so we could probably use at least one more main dish type item for Saturday evening to supplement the ribs. thumbs up

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~~~Diane~~~

I want to shine!

oliverr99 · Joined: 04 Jul 2006 Posts: 632 Location: Glendale

I will bring the side dish. I have a yummy potato dish that I can actually make, yeah!!
_________________
Anne
"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened" -- Dr. Seuss

Sande J · Posted: 10/8/2010, 5:34 pm Post subject:

Hey this sounds great, I am sort of late to reading it, but I sent an email to Neil as suggested. Hopefully they still need more folks, and I can help out as well as spend quality time with you all! Looking forward to hearing back from him!

SJ Laughing

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And this our life, exempt from public haunt,
Finds tongues in trees, books in the running brooks, Sermons in stone, good in everything..
-William Shakespeare-

beckett · Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 1066

I'm a little confused on the dates. I did email Neil and said I was coming. Is it Oct 15th or the 22nd? There seems to be two dates on the site on two different posts. I could bring some cheese and crackers for evening snack?
Linda
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"A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out."

-- Walter Winchell, American newspaper commentator