Hunters near Saginaw Forest

Walking through the forest today I heard gunfire. "Hmm...," I thought. "I hope that isn't happening in the forest. There are many people walking around in the unseasonably warm weather."

I walked the paths and perimeter of the forest and didn't see anyone dressed up as a hunter, although I did hear more gunfire to the south of the property, and it sounded like they were shooting either in or near the Nie funeral home property. Although the people at DPS told me that there is nothing that they can do about any of it unless people com into Saginaw Forest, it's a little disconcerting to hear gunfire so nearby.

Engineers in the forest

Last night, engineering students came to the forest to sing songs around the campfire. At some time after 9:30, several vehicles drove into the forest, disgorged engineering students, and -- after a little ceremony -- chanting and singing could be heard in the cabin. Later, they all left, tire tracks in the grass the only evidence, other than a sheaf of papers with lyrics, that they were here.

Still, the idea of engineering students standing around the campfire, singing songs, and watching a fire seems a little more visceral to human nature than at least I would have thought of engineers. (Of course, the idea of a stereotype is that it is an extreme example of the type, so I don't know why it is so surprising.) As far as I could tell, though, the event was supported solely by Prof. W., so maybe it is because of him that this tradition continues at all.

Prof. W. did come out here in February, a month after I started my residence here to conduct the same activity. I expect that he will be out here in the winter again to do the ceremony once more, although it will be much colder at that time, and he will likely need to burn through some of the snow to get to the piled ashes below.