Shop Week

Due in part to stormy weather and Thanksgiving, for the week of November 23rd we decided to spend some time at our "home base", located in Big Creek State Park near Polk City, Iowa.  Aside from paperwork, meetings and planning, we spent some time in our shop cleaning vehicles, sharpening shovels, cleaning and putting away tools, and fixing a trailer.  The last time we were at the shop we learned how to use a cutting torch (as part of fixing said trailer), and this time we learned to weld.  We used both a stick (arc) welder and a mig welder, and we welded scraps together while practicing different angles and patterns.

JB shows the crew how it's done

JB explains some of the finer intricacies of the craft to Delilah while Ceith watches

Ceith and Adam watch Delilah in action

Adam tries it out

 

Ewan takes a turn

 

Delilah welds together the many pieces of scrap the crew has welded so far

 

Tada!  An impressive sculpture, complete with each crew member's name

And with that, the trail crew is ready to weld together our recycled trailer, and anything else that may come our way.  Our next stop for the first week of December is beautiful Waubonsie State Park in Southwest Iowa, where we will be putting railings around tent platforms, possibly participating in a prairie burn and helping out with whatever else they may need!