SUCCESSFUL WORK PARTY AT DOUBLE CIRCLE RANCH AIRSTRIP

We accomplished everything we’d planned and more this weekend at the old Double Circle Ranch and airstrip. (Eagle Creek.) Nine aircraft and about twenty-two folks including personnel from the US Forest Service came to support the work. Local ranchers Jean and Erik Schwennesen, Jacob Cannon, ranch hand from the old 4-Drag Ranch and Dave Krejci, showed up. Jean Schwennesen, summer intern for the Clifton District, also filled the role of USFS volunteer coordinator. Local ranchers sent over their gas grills, generators and necessary tools. Cub Crafter’s AZ dealer Rick Bosshardt drove from Phoenix to provide all our heavy hauling and food, and man did we eat! Ron Keller of NMPA and NM DOT Aeronautics Division blessed us with a full dinner of homemade green chili brats.

We oiled both the lodge and the bunk house, cleaned both structures completely, and installed an incredibly beautiful new counter top provided by the USFS that Recreation Tech Micah Miller had milled himself from a fallen ancient alligator juniper. It is three-inch thick by 12 feet long and solid.  We’ll be heading back in a week or two to seal it for use. We re-positioned a huge juniper fence post at the gate to the airstrip, and mowed much of the parking area.

Submitted on October 3, 2014.

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