Monday 3.7.16

On Monday our service day consisted of widening a bridge. With the widening of the bridge we were helping the men, who help clean up the trails, to keep doing their job safely. Before  we widened the bridge the men would have to cross the bridge with caution because otherwise they would fall into the swampy area with their tools. We want the men to be able to do their job without having to take any extra precautions because they are already doing something not many people are aware of. Many of us do not know the work that is put into maintaining a trail clean.
       I myself had little awareness of all of the hardwork trail cleaners do. This week I have learned to appreciate all of the hardwork trail cleaners do because I enjoy hiking. I know that if trail cleaners did not maintain the trail I would not have access to a trail to hike.
       Going back to the work we did on Monday, my favorite part was hammering the nails into the boards. I really enjoyed hammering those nails because I knew that the trail cleaners would appreciate our final product. As a  way of motivating myself to the finish line I would just think of when I go hiking and how much I enjoy it. Working with everyone was fun because we all accomplished a lot of work together.
-Fanny Rivera

Day Three

Today we were able to locate our inner Bob the Builder. After loading lumber and tools onto the back of a truck we headed to the site to expand a previously made bridge. The purpose of this was to assist the more frequent volunteers with future maintenance on the Florida Scenic Trail. This task was all about teamwork and positive attitudes. It was great to be able to work together in comparison to the day before where our group was spilt up to work on different sections of the FST. Unknowingly the leaders over maintenance of the FST were giving all of us the opportunity to hammer out any frustrations from midterm week into that bridge (pun intended). You could tell that the energy on the site was up and that everyone was so super focused on completing the bridge and ensuring we did our best job. Once we had completed expanding the bridge there was a profound sense of accomplishment and we were all able to admire what we had completed. Working on that bridge really made you reflect on the type of work that must be done to make sure that the FST is enjoyed by all. You begin to think of all the beautiful places we neglect and don't pay much attention to because of pre existing expectations. I didn't think the work we would be doing would be as toiling as it is but it honestly helps you value the environment and the special place we are in. It was definitely an experience that can't be forgotten. 

Day Two

Our time in Florida has been off to a great start. This morning was awesome, starting with a delicious breakfast. After breakfast we met with the people in charge of helping us with our work, Alex, Karl, and David. Once we went through a few safety rules we finally split off in two groups.

Half of us headed off on foot and started working our part of the trail. We spent a couple of hours cutting small plants and trees out of the way to form the trail for all of the people who come out to hike. It's amazing to think of all of the work that goes into maintaining the beautiful trails that we hike. These volunteers do their best to make it seem like a natural occurrence so that our experience in the trails is that much more amazing. It feels great to be able to help make others' experiences as nice as ours has been. Even though we can't see the impact we're making immediately, it feels nice to know that others will be able to walk the trails and have it feel like a little sanctuary in the woods.

Once we rested for a little while and getting some snacks we headed to the beach. The water was a little on the chilly side, but wonderful none the less. There some of us played a card game, others went in walks, and some of us set out to make a sand castle. Our time at the beach was amazing and we hope to have many more times like this on the trip.
Sindy C.

Gators, Grasses, and Great People

Day One

Alternative Spring Break Tallahassee is a Go! We spent our first day doing orientation activities with out Florida Trail Association Trail Guide such as checking out exhibits at the St. Mark's National Wildlife Refuge visitors center and walking out to the St. Mark's Lighthouse that dates back to the 1820s. After that, We explored some coastal Marsh on a short hike after eating lunch out on a seawall levee overlooking a unique ecosystem home to alligators, wading birds, waterfowl, and endangered wetland grasses (So far we've seen 11 Gators).

We learned about proper techniques for maintaining trail systems in coastal marshes and cypress swamps, which we will be putting into action on our first service day tomorrow. Focusing on whacking out invasive plants and trailblazing an overgrown trail, our goal is to become more educated about the issues facing coastal ecosystems and the organization's that make them accessible to the public, and so far this experience has been extremely rewarding.

Follow our adventures this week through Instagram on the @oglethorpelife page or through the hashtags #ogletag, #followthepetrel, and #ASBFlorida

Brad Firchow