This time of year is known in tourism as the shoulder season, as is late autumn. They are the before and after of tourist season.
Behemoth, my Ford F-150 pickup, might be excused his confusion, as he is being asked to shoulder (how'd ya like that pun, huh?) both firewood season and litter clean-up. The implements of both are in his truck bed, ready for implementation at any time.
Except today. New snow on the ground and light rain have dispelled any thought of going out to pick up beer bottles and diapers.
My 20th year of cleaning up litter along 44 miles of the Seward Highway, including all the pullouts, began yesterday, Saturday. I spent three hours just cleaning up the pullout at Tern Lake.
That's where I always begin, because the snow melts the fastest there.
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| Three bags and the implements. |
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| Another view. |
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| All done. There's a lot more pullout behind the camera, too. |
Three hours to fill three bags! But, that included raking up all the cigarette butts, toilet paper, and dog/human droppings. That takes a lot of time.
The 2025 Botswana Journals are nearing their end. Just a few more chapters at most.
Most of my time from now until snowfall in the fall will be devoted to litter. Endless litter: unpaid job security.
We were amazed at your response to our comment on your post yesterday when you said at the end that you were starting litter pickup. There is still a LOT of snow that needs to melt before all the winter litter makes its appearance. On the other hand, guess it is wise to begin before ALL the litter is uncovered.. doing it in stages! Of course, for all the MANY years you have dedicated to this remarkable task, you know better than anyone when the time has come to get out the litter bags and your accompanying tools. You do a magnificent job dedicating your time and energy voluntarily to keep Alaska beautiful for the tourists and we Alaskans. Thank you for being you Gullible!! Patti and Cap
ReplyDeleteWe didn
Deletet get as much snow this winter as Anchorage did, by far. The area around Tern Lake is pretty much ice and snow free, though the lake is thawing slowly.l
You're going to need your helper again this season. Since you and I are about the same age, our bodies are telling us we can't keep up the hard work. You go above and beyond for the people of Alaska. It's too bad that there are so many people out there that don't care what happens with their trash. I don't know what to call them, someone ought to come up with a degrading and catchy name for them besides litterers. You and Cap are good with words, come up with something catchy. Thank you for keeping Alaska beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWell, there are any number of words I can use, especially if they are enhanced by the very descriptive and apt adjective, "Effing. As in Effing LItter Pigs."
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