August 20, 2007

Building am old fashioned Horse Bridge with the NFS


Forest Ranger John showing his building skills
Originally uploaded by theeternalstudent.
Saturday I took a neighborhood teenager, Kevin, to work with the National Forest Service on trail maintenance in the Payette National Forest as part of Vineyard Boise's 'Let's Tend the Garden' initiative. We got to work on building a bridge spanning 20ft across a creek. I have huge admiration for John, the Forest Ranger in the picture, as he is passionate about building trails that generations can walk on. I'm pumped that someday the boys will be walking on this bridge I helped build.
It was an awesome experience building this bridge with our hands. We felled Douglas Fir from the woods, peeled the bark off, cut to appropriate lengths, and lifted these massive logs with our hands. Rewarding work. I highly recommend doing trail maintainence if you ever get the chance. Of course you probably won't have two guys as awesome as Forest Rangers John and Davey.

I have a burden for the kids in our neighborhood who need strong spiritual men in their lives. I wouldn't call myself a strong spiritual male, but I am willing to follow the Spirit's inklings about who I should be reaching out to. It's funny that when I asked Kevin to go with me this weekend, his mom insisted it needed to have a spiritual element to it since he would miss church. That took me off guard but I should have known God was setting me up.
Posted by andyp at August 20, 2007 3:20 AM | TrackBack
Comments

I would say you're a strong spiritual male. that's awesome Andy! What a fun thing to build!

Posted by: katiek at August 20, 2007 4:24 PM

I enjoyed getting to see the pictures, thanks. It looks like a beautiful spot.

Posted by: Cindy at August 21, 2007 9:26 AM

So, do you know why the bark is always peeled off the logs before use? My guess is that they provide a great place for insects to hide while chewing holes in the structure, but not sure. I'd think from a weather perspective they'd be better with the bark on.

Posted by: gcw at August 27, 2007 12:36 PM

I think it helps dry the wood out and prevent it from rotting, but I'm not positive. I'll ask John next time, or get what looks like to be a wonderful book: Lightly on the Land by Robert C. Birkby , http://www.amazon.com/Lightly-Land-Trail-Building-Maintenance-Manual/dp/0898864917

Posted by: andyp at August 29, 2007 7:49 AM