Minutes for Meeting of 07-10-2002

Hey fellow Ramblers,

• The Ramblers meet every Wednesday at 5 PM in the Forbes Building in room 307. All hikes, unless otherwise stated, will meet for departure in the parking lot behind the Park Student Union. After 8 PM on Friday the lot is available all weekend for general use.
• Ross had to give up his duties as the Gear Warden for the time being. If anyone has a storage shed or room in their garage for a few packs and sleeping bags, et cetera, please let me know ASAP. It is preferable if you have a residence closer to campus.
  We will need to find a new person to take over the position of webmaster. If you are good with computers and have the time, please contact Dan Carroll: [dcarroll@u.arizona.edu].

• Will and Katie went on a nice sunset hike on the loop trail at Saguaro East. They enjoyed the fresh smell of the outdoors, a breathtaking sunset, and excellent views of the smoke plumes billowing up from Lenny?s apartment complex at Oracle and Orange Grove. The latter was apparently due to chemicals placed too close to a water heater.
• While I'm talking about Will, let me apologize to him for failing to report a hike he did prior to going to Japan. Will went with the Sky Island Alliance to the Chiricahuas in early May. He had a good time and saw an Arizona whip snake out there. He also went to Sabino Canyon and saw a Gila monster (very impressive) but failed to get it to hiss at him. Near the wash he saw a turtle (maybe a mud turtle) and a crayfish. He also spotted a large rattlesnake crossing the road. He had a fun time in Tokyo as well, despite the very small bath towels and being locked in the hotel during the late night and early morning hours.
• While I'm at it, I need to apologize to Susan as well for failing to report her hike on Saturday, May 19th at Finger Rock. She got as far as 25 minutes from the saddle/lookout.
• Shannon went on a hike with special permission over private property for tortoise research purposes on Monday at 6AM. Her hike was also near Saguaro east but the weather was pleasant due to the early morning hours. The tortoises, which are being studied due to impending development in the area, were seen in their dens and were tracked by the spools on their shells but could not be pulled out for close examination. She was excited to report seeing a fast-moving green snake with stripes. She also saw a common coyote, bunnies, and a mother-baby javelina duo while driving.
• The Fourth of July barbecue at Ross' place was a smashing success! There was BBQ chicken, veggie dogs, burgers, beer, and deep philosophical conversations, not to mention jokes of every variety and delicious ice cream! Many thanks to Ross!!!

• Katie would like to let everyone know that they can join in on her mesquite pea-eating contest.
• Ross' tradition will continue this Thursday with the viewing of "Duck Soup", a Marx Brother's film.
• Regarding hiking areas available to the common Rambler, all Coronado National Forest land is still closed to the public until further notice and serious fines as well as jail time would be the penalty for trespassing. I looked into the State Parks and with the incomplete information that I have at the time of this writing, it seems that, despite rumors that Picacho and others were closing due to budget problems, all State Parks are open except for Oracle and Catalina State Parks (both north of Tucson). I will either correct or update this information as it becomes available to me.

• Katy is having another Sushi Swing on Saturday, June 20th. The consumption of sushi and the Contra dancing are separate events and you can do one or both events. They will meet at Sushi Cho at Broadway and Campbell (behind the Carl's Jr.) at 6 PM.
  Then, there is a beginner's crash course at 7:30 PM and the actual dancing starts at 8 PM. This takes place at the UNITED METHODIST CHURCH just a few hundred feet from our meeting spot behind the Park Student Union on Tyndall. Call Katy to RSVP @722-0486 or kadakamari@theriver.com. If you are attending the sushi part, please let her know so she can reserve an appropriate-sized table.

Keep Ramblin'