Dear Friends:

There is a new big wind on the Gainesville-Hawthorne Trail. Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park has a new BIG leaf blower. You will see it as a smallish red trailer behind a white Park pickup truck, but you will hear it long before you get to it. When you do come upon it, be careful, and comply with any directions given by the operator. He will do his best to angle the nozzle away from any cyclists, but give him a chance. The nozzle and the throttle are controlled by a remote in the cab of the truck, and are s-l-o-w t-o r-e-s-p-o-n-d, particularly the throttle. So don't be in too much of a hurry to pass.

Please don't ride through the direct blast from this thing - the manual says the velocity of the air is 180 mph at the nozzle exit. Enough to knock you over if you are not careful.

The good news: This thing really cleans the Trail, including sand and dirt on the intersections. I have never before seen the Trail so clean as it is after this thing has done its job. So give the operator a little working room, and we will have a much tidier Trail.

Cheers,

George

PS. All tree roots have been cut for the entire length of the trail, and we will plan to flatten and smooth those bumps in June or so, after the roots have had a chance to soften a bit. And FYI, if you know of specific problems with Trail maintenance, please contact me at 333.3184. I will do my best to get some attention from Staff.

GHE

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