Flames from chipper motor?
Probably just some dry leaves ignited by hot engine but I’ve been using the the chipper a lot in the ten months I’ve had it so time for service. Problem is, not many folks work on small engines these days. (I’m told most push lawn mowers are considered “throw away” because it’s difficult to find parts are anyone to work on them.) I think I found a guy but won’t know until he gets a look at the chipper engine.
Getting it up from the woods was easier than I expected but getting it into the back of the pickup would have been impossible (for me) without the winch. 
The hiking trail is nearly complete (more to follow) but still need the chipper for dead cedar limbs and such.
Chipmunk
There is nothing Riley loves more than chasing one of our chipmunks. I finally saw two at the same time, confirming there’s more than one.
Why you need two dogs (2)
Dead trees felled
Barb finally gave up on the dead/dying maple tree in one of her flower beds. Used my new $25 come-along trying to make it fall without doing too much damage. Almost worked.
Used the pickup for a dead tree near the road. That worked.
Hiking trail signs
Wildlife: Local deer using hiking trail
1970 Ford 100
“Selling over 640,000 units in 2022 in the US, the Ford F-Series range of trucks has once again become the highest-selling truck in America – 46th time in a row.” Whenever I get behind the wheel of my ’77 F-150 I’m greeted with “thumbs up” and shouts of “Want to sell that truck?”
My friend Paul recently acquired this 1970 pickup which I believe is a fifth generation F-series although the markings (see inset below) read: FORD 100. No “F”
Looks like it had a camper shell for most of its life. Check out the bed below.
Life after Village People
Following my frustrating experience with a “rope saw,” I called in the pros and this morning Lovell and Yeri showed up to prune a couple of dead limbs. Before becoming tree professionals, they had a brief music career that I found fascinating.
Seems they were two of the original members of the Village People but were forced out of the group before stardom hit. The other members felt Yeri’s Tree Climber looked too much like the Construction Work and people would be confused. Additionally, there were some concerns about his climbing spikes. They were just never sure what Lovell was supposed to be.
Hiking Trail Update 7.4.23
I think I might be on the last couple of legs of the trail. In the image below you can see where I moved the BFR and the arrow points to where the trail will connect with the first leg that I did so very long ago. This work might be done in the next couple of weeks, depending on the heat factor.
I’ve been thinking about about what comes next, after the trail is finished. Probably some clean-up. The trail forms a big loop with several switch-backs. Within this loop is a lot of dead cedar limbs that I can adios. As well as several rock shelfs that will look better cleaned up. And I might add a little color and whimsy in a few places.
