(this daily journal was kept and rewritten by my sister Laurie and presented to me as a gift - I now rewrite it here for you)
We didn't rush getting up this morning cause we had to go into Palmerton for supplies. We're practically out of goodies and lunches so instead of pressing to the Delaware water Gap, we hitched into Palmerton. Found an A&P, bought lots of candy, munchies, and general good stuff; went to the park to eat our potato salad and repack the food, then went to a restaurant for lunch. Hiked 2 m. back to A.T. and climbed out of Lehigh Gap. We had plenty of time and my stomach wasn't feeling especially good after guzzling down a milk shake in town so we stopped a few times on the way up. The views were impressive. We reached the campsite (4 m. after Lehigh river) and rested. A group of kids came by and stopped to talk. Dan found us cause he heard the guitar. Don and Dan found a blueberry patch so we picked another quart.
(Dan Welch was an electrical engineer with the Navy and would talk incessantly about thing nobody else could understand. He was simultaneously entertaining and exasperating)
Friday, July 5, 2013
July 1 1973 - Outerbridge Lean-to - 12.4 miles
(this daily journal was kept and rewritten by my sister Laurie and presented to me as a gift - I now rewrite it here for you)
Off at 8:10. Made good time to Bake Oven Knob LT. Dan, Bill and Jim were already there. Rested and went on. We stopped for lunch and were getting ready to go when Dan came along - so we sat another 15 minutes. As we walked, we met 3 ladies picking huckleberries. We called them blueberries. A little further along the trail we found a great patch and picked a quart. The last 2 m. seemed long. Reached the shelter at 2:30. It has bunks. Bill and Jim were there. They left soon after - nice guys. Three kids were there camping - Chris, Scott, and Jim. They had all sorts of stuff - food, tape deck, battery operated light; you name it! Got our first freebees; 2 hotdogs each and assorted snacks. They were nice kids. Dan was really funny talking them into giving us food. A guy and kid came into shelter later. A skunk joined us later that night.
Off at 8:10. Made good time to Bake Oven Knob LT. Dan, Bill and Jim were already there. Rested and went on. We stopped for lunch and were getting ready to go when Dan came along - so we sat another 15 minutes. As we walked, we met 3 ladies picking huckleberries. We called them blueberries. A little further along the trail we found a great patch and picked a quart. The last 2 m. seemed long. Reached the shelter at 2:30. It has bunks. Bill and Jim were there. They left soon after - nice guys. Three kids were there camping - Chris, Scott, and Jim. They had all sorts of stuff - food, tape deck, battery operated light; you name it! Got our first freebees; 2 hotdogs each and assorted snacks. They were nice kids. Dan was really funny talking them into giving us food. A guy and kid came into shelter later. A skunk joined us later that night.
June 30 1973 - New Tripoli Shelter - 14.2 miles
(this daily journal was kept and rewritten by my sister Laurie and presented to me as a gift - I now rewrite it here for you)
Started hiking at 8:15 - best yet. We had a long climb out of Eckville. Made the 8 miles to Allentown LT where we ate lunch. A group of boy scouts were there. We talked to the leader then moved on. Next met a gut and his wife doing all of Pa. in short hikes. Then we met 4 young guys hiking south. Crossed Rt. 209 and had planned to eat at the restaurant but it didn't open until 5 P.M. She let us in for Coke though. We met 5 more people along the trail before arriving at New Tripoli Shelter at 3 P.M. It was tiny - fits 3 comfortably. Dan was there He was taking a short day. Three hikers came in and set up a tent. Then 2 thru hikers came - Jim Hodges and Bill Rhombin. Had tuna a-la-king for supper - good.
Started hiking at 8:15 - best yet. We had a long climb out of Eckville. Made the 8 miles to Allentown LT where we ate lunch. A group of boy scouts were there. We talked to the leader then moved on. Next met a gut and his wife doing all of Pa. in short hikes. Then we met 4 young guys hiking south. Crossed Rt. 209 and had planned to eat at the restaurant but it didn't open until 5 P.M. She let us in for Coke though. We met 5 more people along the trail before arriving at New Tripoli Shelter at 3 P.M. It was tiny - fits 3 comfortably. Dan was there He was taking a short day. Three hikers came in and set up a tent. Then 2 thru hikers came - Jim Hodges and Bill Rhombin. Had tuna a-la-king for supper - good.
June 29 1973 - Hawk Mt Sanctuary - 8.7 miles
(this daily journal was kept and rewritten by my sister Laurie and presented to me as a gift - I now rewrite it here for you)
I woke up at 7:00. It was really raining hard. Fred, Mike, Dave and Dan all got up and got ready to leave. These thru-hikers march right out - rain or shine. Guess they have to make their milage. It is 16.5 m to the next shelter - Allentown. Don has a great way of letting me know he's not moving. He just lies in his sleeping bag and pretends he's asleep. He got up at 9:30. We ate and played cards - hoping - hoping for the weather to break. It stopped raining at 12noon. We left at 12:30. We went up a river they called the A.T. to Pulpit Rock and the Pinnacle. Great Views! Got to "the pleasant hamlet of Eckville" at 5 P.M. Nothing there but a bus stop we almost camped in. Stopped in the woods near a flooded stream - 10 yds r. of sign - Hawk Mt. Sancuary land - NO CAMPING! Set up tent. Pancakes for supper. To bed early.
I woke up at 7:00. It was really raining hard. Fred, Mike, Dave and Dan all got up and got ready to leave. These thru-hikers march right out - rain or shine. Guess they have to make their milage. It is 16.5 m to the next shelter - Allentown. Don has a great way of letting me know he's not moving. He just lies in his sleeping bag and pretends he's asleep. He got up at 9:30. We ate and played cards - hoping - hoping for the weather to break. It stopped raining at 12noon. We left at 12:30. We went up a river they called the A.T. to Pulpit Rock and the Pinnacle. Great Views! Got to "the pleasant hamlet of Eckville" at 5 P.M. Nothing there but a bus stop we almost camped in. Stopped in the woods near a flooded stream - 10 yds r. of sign - Hawk Mt. Sancuary land - NO CAMPING! Set up tent. Pancakes for supper. To bed early.
June 28 1973 - Winsor Furnace Shelter - 5 miles
(this daily journal was kept and rewritten by my sister Laurie and presented to me as a gift - I now rewrite it here for you)
Got up at 8:00. John went to the post office and got his package. Jay was getting ready to hitch home. We all went down for breakfast and gorged ourselves on bacon, eggs, toast and OJ - so much that Don's stomach was in an uproar. Jay left for Mass, I went to PO and store, John got ready to go and Don didn't do anything but lay on the bed and groan. Said goodbye to john, knowing that we wouldn't be catching up with him. We'll miss his optimism. Don and I left the Hotel at 11:30. Ascended steeply and then couldn't find the shelter, but a guy from the Hamburg Water Supply gave us a ride cause it started to rain hard. A guy named Dave (hiking for a week) came in and showered in the rain - it was really pouring. The next drowned rats that came in were two more thru-hikers - Fred Elliott and Mike DiNunzio. The stream water was muddy so we creeped up past the $500 fine signs and got water from the Hamburg Reservoir. These guys are crazy. We played attacking the Germans and were then apprehended by the Dobermans. Met Dan Welch (Ga.-Me.)
(Mike & Fred - as they were exclusively referred to - dressed like wild bikers, intentionally to spook off day-hikers who might infringe on limited shelter space. When they approached a campsite and detected Boy Scouts or other groups of campers, they would stop and wait while another thru-hiker friend preceded them into camp and started talking about the crazed hikers who were heading to camp here soon, which caused more than one group to relocate their gear at a safe distance. Later the story was told about them in the White's of NH, where at a shelter that displayed a poster acknowledging the efforts of thru-hikers and their need to travel light and how other hikers should make accommodations for them, Mike grabbed a guy by the collar, pushed his face to the sign and growled "got a tent Jack? Use It!". A few years later, Laurie, Wes and I visited Mike in the Adirondack's where he was an environmental scientist taking water samples in local lakes testing for acid rain.)
Got up at 8:00. John went to the post office and got his package. Jay was getting ready to hitch home. We all went down for breakfast and gorged ourselves on bacon, eggs, toast and OJ - so much that Don's stomach was in an uproar. Jay left for Mass, I went to PO and store, John got ready to go and Don didn't do anything but lay on the bed and groan. Said goodbye to john, knowing that we wouldn't be catching up with him. We'll miss his optimism. Don and I left the Hotel at 11:30. Ascended steeply and then couldn't find the shelter, but a guy from the Hamburg Water Supply gave us a ride cause it started to rain hard. A guy named Dave (hiking for a week) came in and showered in the rain - it was really pouring. The next drowned rats that came in were two more thru-hikers - Fred Elliott and Mike DiNunzio. The stream water was muddy so we creeped up past the $500 fine signs and got water from the Hamburg Reservoir. These guys are crazy. We played attacking the Germans and were then apprehended by the Dobermans. Met Dan Welch (Ga.-Me.)
(Mike & Fred - as they were exclusively referred to - dressed like wild bikers, intentionally to spook off day-hikers who might infringe on limited shelter space. When they approached a campsite and detected Boy Scouts or other groups of campers, they would stop and wait while another thru-hiker friend preceded them into camp and started talking about the crazed hikers who were heading to camp here soon, which caused more than one group to relocate their gear at a safe distance. Later the story was told about them in the White's of NH, where at a shelter that displayed a poster acknowledging the efforts of thru-hikers and their need to travel light and how other hikers should make accommodations for them, Mike grabbed a guy by the collar, pushed his face to the sign and growled "got a tent Jack? Use It!". A few years later, Laurie, Wes and I visited Mike in the Adirondack's where he was an environmental scientist taking water samples in local lakes testing for acid rain.)
June 27 1973 - Port Clinton Hotel - 7 miles
(this daily journal was kept and rewritten by my sister Laurie and presented to me as a gift - I now rewrite it here for you)
Out of Neyes by 9:30 A.M. and headed for town. Made fantastic time. We were really "truckin". We had to, to keep up with John. Ran down the mountainside (with John singing "Born Free" at the top of his lungs). We spent 2 hours in front of the grocery store, running back and forth for coke, ice cream, and candy. John had planned to go much further today but his food hadn't come in the mail yet. He decided to spend the night with us. We got our first two letters today from Mom and Gram. Went to Port Clinton Hotel and 4 of us got one room. Ate supper there (honey dipped chicken) - just terrific. One of Johns friends was there and we laughed until I had stomach cramps. Decided to go for a walk around town. When we got back to the hotel, three more hikers (Mark, Ned and John) were there. We sat there for a while laughing and having a good time and finally went to sleep at 11:30.
(during the past week, it was apparent that Laurie and Jay were not compatible hiking partners, so to avoid any further antagonism, Jay decided to hitch-hike home in the morning - 16 years old, from PA to MA. While repacking our backpacks, Laurie discovered why my pack was always heavier than hers - the bottle of Cold Duck champagne I was carrying, won by the two of us in a 3-legged skating race much earlier in the year)
Out of Neyes by 9:30 A.M. and headed for town. Made fantastic time. We were really "truckin". We had to, to keep up with John. Ran down the mountainside (with John singing "Born Free" at the top of his lungs). We spent 2 hours in front of the grocery store, running back and forth for coke, ice cream, and candy. John had planned to go much further today but his food hadn't come in the mail yet. He decided to spend the night with us. We got our first two letters today from Mom and Gram. Went to Port Clinton Hotel and 4 of us got one room. Ate supper there (honey dipped chicken) - just terrific. One of Johns friends was there and we laughed until I had stomach cramps. Decided to go for a walk around town. When we got back to the hotel, three more hikers (Mark, Ned and John) were there. We sat there for a while laughing and having a good time and finally went to sleep at 11:30.
(during the past week, it was apparent that Laurie and Jay were not compatible hiking partners, so to avoid any further antagonism, Jay decided to hitch-hike home in the morning - 16 years old, from PA to MA. While repacking our backpacks, Laurie discovered why my pack was always heavier than hers - the bottle of Cold Duck champagne I was carrying, won by the two of us in a 3-legged skating race much earlier in the year)
June 26th 1973 - Neyes Shelter - 10 miles
(this daily journal was kept and rewritten by my sister Laurie and presented to me as a gift - I now rewrite it here for you)
Started at 8:45. Made good time on the first 3.5m to Route 183. The next 6.5m. were on the same State Game Lands Road. It was very boring walking and rough on the feet. Saw a huge black racer snake on the side of the road. Met a man and his 2 grandsons coming from Neyes Shelter which was our destination for the day. We got there at 1 P.M. and lounged all day. This shelter is 4 sided unlike most that we have seen. There was much litter scattered around though. The biggest excitement for the day was fighting over whether or not the little brown drops falling from the trees were caterpillar crap or not. So it appeared to be a rather uneventful day until John Laming, a 19 year old Englishman, stopped at the shelter. He started April 5th in Georgia. Two other guys came in and set up a tent. John is a riot. He never stopped talking from the time he got there, til he went to sleep. We just listened in amazement.
Started at 8:45. Made good time on the first 3.5m to Route 183. The next 6.5m. were on the same State Game Lands Road. It was very boring walking and rough on the feet. Saw a huge black racer snake on the side of the road. Met a man and his 2 grandsons coming from Neyes Shelter which was our destination for the day. We got there at 1 P.M. and lounged all day. This shelter is 4 sided unlike most that we have seen. There was much litter scattered around though. The biggest excitement for the day was fighting over whether or not the little brown drops falling from the trees were caterpillar crap or not. So it appeared to be a rather uneventful day until John Laming, a 19 year old Englishman, stopped at the shelter. He started April 5th in Georgia. Two other guys came in and set up a tent. John is a riot. He never stopped talking from the time he got there, til he went to sleep. We just listened in amazement.
June 25 1973 - Hertlein camp site - 7.2 miles
(this daily journal was kept and rewritten by my sister Laurie and presented to me as a gift - I now rewrite it here for you)
We seem to be having extreme difficulty in breaking camp early. (10:45 A.M.). We'll try again tomorrow, as we will have 10 miles to go. While breaking camp, the guys from Illinois passed us. Saw them again 1 mile after the spring. It was very hot today and the pathway rocky. Stopped at torn-down Applebee Shelter and ate lunch. Pilger Ruh (historical water marker) nearby. Met a middle-aged lady who told us of the pleasant walk to Hertlein and the beautiful rattlesnake at Shower Steps. Well, we passed that one up and as for the lady mountain goat, her trail was solid rock. The caterpillars (Gypsy Moth) have eaten everything in sight around here. Reached Hertlein. Two streams came together and ran into a pond backed up by a dam. Thought of the days when we built dams. There were so many tiny falls, rocks, logs - fantastic. I jumped in clothes and all. Don went partway in. We washed our clothes, strung a clothes line and then lounged for the rest of the day. Don and I played Washington Whist. Today was pleasant. The weather is always warm in this area. Foggy in the mornings too.
(for many miles the foliage was nonexistent due to caterpillar infestation. At night as we lay in our tent, Laurie insisted it was starting to sprinkle. I had observed tiny star-shaped droppings on the top of the tent and insisted it was the Gypsy Moths pooping on us - she was wrong, I was right)
We seem to be having extreme difficulty in breaking camp early. (10:45 A.M.). We'll try again tomorrow, as we will have 10 miles to go. While breaking camp, the guys from Illinois passed us. Saw them again 1 mile after the spring. It was very hot today and the pathway rocky. Stopped at torn-down Applebee Shelter and ate lunch. Pilger Ruh (historical water marker) nearby. Met a middle-aged lady who told us of the pleasant walk to Hertlein and the beautiful rattlesnake at Shower Steps. Well, we passed that one up and as for the lady mountain goat, her trail was solid rock. The caterpillars (Gypsy Moth) have eaten everything in sight around here. Reached Hertlein. Two streams came together and ran into a pond backed up by a dam. Thought of the days when we built dams. There were so many tiny falls, rocks, logs - fantastic. I jumped in clothes and all. Don went partway in. We washed our clothes, strung a clothes line and then lounged for the rest of the day. Don and I played Washington Whist. Today was pleasant. The weather is always warm in this area. Foggy in the mornings too.
(for many miles the foliage was nonexistent due to caterpillar infestation. At night as we lay in our tent, Laurie insisted it was starting to sprinkle. I had observed tiny star-shaped droppings on the top of the tent and insisted it was the Gypsy Moths pooping on us - she was wrong, I was right)
Monday, July 1, 2013
June 24 1973 - spring north of Swatara Creek - 15 miles
(this daily journal was kept and rewritten by my sister Laurie and presented to me as a gift - I now rewrite it here for you)
Broke camp at 10 A.M. We thought we had plenty of time - planning on making 6m. to Mt. View Motel. Surprise! Had a great walk in the morning. The reroute went past a grocery store - what a treat! We made a wrong turn once and lost some time. Got to the motel at 2:30 and found out there were no available rooms. So we moved on. A man and his songs (from Illinois) were backpacking for the first time. They left the motel ahead of us. Went by Swatara Creek and people were swimming so I went in. Don and Jay didn't join me - their loss. Started rough climb. Made it to top quite well but next water was 6 more miles. Had to push on because Jay was out of water. Got another blister. Don's heels look like craters from broken blisters. Reached the spring at 7:15 P.M.
Broke camp at 10 A.M. We thought we had plenty of time - planning on making 6m. to Mt. View Motel. Surprise! Had a great walk in the morning. The reroute went past a grocery store - what a treat! We made a wrong turn once and lost some time. Got to the motel at 2:30 and found out there were no available rooms. So we moved on. A man and his songs (from Illinois) were backpacking for the first time. They left the motel ahead of us. Went by Swatara Creek and people were swimming so I went in. Don and Jay didn't join me - their loss. Started rough climb. Made it to top quite well but next water was 6 more miles. Had to push on because Jay was out of water. Got another blister. Don's heels look like craters from broken blisters. Reached the spring at 7:15 P.M.
Friday, June 28, 2013
June 23 1973 - Rausch Gap Shelter - 11 miles
(this daily journal was kept and rewritten by my sister Laurie and presented to me as a gift - I now rewrite it here for you)
Broke camp at 8:35. Crossed Clark's Creek and started up a mountain. We met 2 snake hunters abd were relieved that they hadn't found any. After talking a while, we hiked on and reached the summit of Stoney Mountain. We met 2 guys at Yellow Spring site. They were on an overnight. Talked for a while. Don set a good pace but I had trouble keeping up. Stopped to talk to a birdwatcher. Passed old mining sites and came to Rausch Creek. After putting on bathing suits we sat in the middle of the stream and bathed. Reached Rausch Gap Shelter at 3:30. What a gorgeous place. It has everything imaginable from a patio to piped in water. An old time hiker named Warren Thompson was there. We invited him to eat with us. We still had an overload of food. Ed and Flo Bausch came in to camp soon after. This was a really nice day. Lots of nice people around. Enjoyable evening.
(Laurie forgot to mention the outhouse with the translucent roof which felt like you were in an odd spaceship)
Broke camp at 8:35. Crossed Clark's Creek and started up a mountain. We met 2 snake hunters abd were relieved that they hadn't found any. After talking a while, we hiked on and reached the summit of Stoney Mountain. We met 2 guys at Yellow Spring site. They were on an overnight. Talked for a while. Don set a good pace but I had trouble keeping up. Stopped to talk to a birdwatcher. Passed old mining sites and came to Rausch Creek. After putting on bathing suits we sat in the middle of the stream and bathed. Reached Rausch Gap Shelter at 3:30. What a gorgeous place. It has everything imaginable from a patio to piped in water. An old time hiker named Warren Thompson was there. We invited him to eat with us. We still had an overload of food. Ed and Flo Bausch came in to camp soon after. This was a really nice day. Lots of nice people around. Enjoyable evening.
(Laurie forgot to mention the outhouse with the translucent roof which felt like you were in an odd spaceship)
Friday, June 21, 2013
June 21 1973 - spring near Clark's Vally - 14 miles
(this daily journal was kept and rewritten by my sister Laurie and presented to me as a gift - I now rewrite it here for you)
I am awake and it's still raining. Don and Jay are still sleeping since there is a slim chance of getting decent mileage today. The trail is extremely slippery. (end for now). Back again at 8:20pm. It stopped raining at 12 noon so we picked up and left at 12:30. Nice trails and views for the first 8 miles to Shaffer Shelter. Didn't stay there because the spring was brutal to get to. Ate and moved on. Tried to reach old Clark Valley Shelter that had been torn destroyed. Those last 6.2 miles seemed like forever. Finally found a spring at 7:30. Exhausted and bitchy, we crashed on the side of a mountain. I didn't feel like moving. We put up the tent about a foot from the spring. The ground was damp and slanted but it didn't matter at that time. If we slid out of the tent door we wouldn't know the difference. Had instant breakfast for supper. Don and Jay had Kwik Lunches. Went to sleep at 8:30.
I am awake and it's still raining. Don and Jay are still sleeping since there is a slim chance of getting decent mileage today. The trail is extremely slippery. (end for now). Back again at 8:20pm. It stopped raining at 12 noon so we picked up and left at 12:30. Nice trails and views for the first 8 miles to Shaffer Shelter. Didn't stay there because the spring was brutal to get to. Ate and moved on. Tried to reach old Clark Valley Shelter that had been torn destroyed. Those last 6.2 miles seemed like forever. Finally found a spring at 7:30. Exhausted and bitchy, we crashed on the side of a mountain. I didn't feel like moving. We put up the tent about a foot from the spring. The ground was damp and slanted but it didn't matter at that time. If we slid out of the tent door we wouldn't know the difference. Had instant breakfast for supper. Don and Jay had Kwik Lunches. Went to sleep at 8:30.
June 21 1973 - Susquahanna lean-to - 6 miles
(this daily journal was kept and rewritten by my sister Laurie and presented to me as a gift - I now rewrite it here for you)
Up at 7:20 and walked down to the spring to wash. Feeling extremely grubby and tired. Broke camp late - 10am and headed for Duncannon. Made the first climb ok - very surprised. Proceeded along the ridge to Hawk's Rock - a beautiful view even though the fog was quite heavy. We didn't realize how high we were. Made the first steep climb down over a remarkable rock slide and descended mountain into town. Ate lunch at Sparkle Restaurant, got some postcards, sent some extra weight home, and called home. Jay got some foam padding for his pack and Don's hip belt. After getting much accomplished, we left town (2pm) and crossed the Susquahanna River. Rested on far side of Clark's Ferry Bridge and then attempted a .4m climb at 80 degree angle that would make a mountain goat squelch. Just made it to the lean-to when a thunderstorm started. Decided to spend the night there. No floor. Had chicken tetrazinni, sang and Don played guitar. Asleep at 10.
Up at 7:20 and walked down to the spring to wash. Feeling extremely grubby and tired. Broke camp late - 10am and headed for Duncannon. Made the first climb ok - very surprised. Proceeded along the ridge to Hawk's Rock - a beautiful view even though the fog was quite heavy. We didn't realize how high we were. Made the first steep climb down over a remarkable rock slide and descended mountain into town. Ate lunch at Sparkle Restaurant, got some postcards, sent some extra weight home, and called home. Jay got some foam padding for his pack and Don's hip belt. After getting much accomplished, we left town (2pm) and crossed the Susquahanna River. Rested on far side of Clark's Ferry Bridge and then attempted a .4m climb at 80 degree angle that would make a mountain goat squelch. Just made it to the lean-to when a thunderstorm started. Decided to spend the night there. No floor. Had chicken tetrazinni, sang and Don played guitar. Asleep at 10.
June 20 1973 - Thelma Marks Shelter - 7 miles
(this daily journal was kept and rewritten by my sister Laurie and presented to me as a gift - I now rewrite it here for you)
Woke at 4:30 but we didn't get up until 7:00. The morning was warn and foggy. It took us a while to break camp, as we aren't exactly experts on this procedure. Started to hike at 9:00 after a breakfast of instant cream of wheat that settled like lead. Walked down the mountain, streets, etc. and proceeded to climb again. this seemed like a terrible climb and I was very, to say the least. Never thought I'd make the top but I did. the shelter was 0.1 m(iles) r(ight) of trail and 70 degrees down. The spring was another 200 yds down the mountain. We arrived at 2pm, rested; then the four of us (Dave was there too) pitched in and made a big meal. Group effort to wash dishes since we massacred the biscuits and burned the pan. I fell asleep at 9pm - dead tired.
Woke at 4:30 but we didn't get up until 7:00. The morning was warn and foggy. It took us a while to break camp, as we aren't exactly experts on this procedure. Started to hike at 9:00 after a breakfast of instant cream of wheat that settled like lead. Walked down the mountain, streets, etc. and proceeded to climb again. this seemed like a terrible climb and I was very, to say the least. Never thought I'd make the top but I did. the shelter was 0.1 m(iles) r(ight) of trail and 70 degrees down. The spring was another 200 yds down the mountain. We arrived at 2pm, rested; then the four of us (Dave was there too) pitched in and made a big meal. Group effort to wash dishes since we massacred the biscuits and burned the pan. I fell asleep at 9pm - dead tired.
June 19, 1973 - Camp Darlington Shelter - 1st day - 8 miles
(40 years ago today, my sister Laurie, family friend Jay B., and me and my guitar, started a 4+ week hike along the Appalachian Trail, from PA to the CT/MA border. People have certain "benchmark" events in life, and this was definitely one for each of us - much of which I have crystal clear memories of after all this time. This daily journal was kept and rewritten by my sister Laurie and presented to me as a gift - I now rewrite it here for you)
Up very early - 5:30am. Jay and his cousin Denise were coming to pick us up. We left at 6:10am and drove down to where the Appalachian Trail crosses the Penn Turnpike. Got our gear on and started hiking at 2:00pm. The first 6.3 miles were tar and dirt road - a wilderness path? Finally hit a smaller trail going up Blue Mountain. Thought we'd never make the top but we finally stumbled into Darlington Camp around 5:20pm. Six guys were already in the shelter so we set up the tent. We weren't very hungry between the excitement of actually being on the trail, and the exhaustion from not being in shape. Met a kid named Dave. Had a singalong. In bed - 10:00pm
(we surely thought we were gonna die on our first day out. Road walking, then missed a turn into the woods which we found as it came out further up the road. Apparently we missed some really good poison ivy patches. Despite our "training" we were NOT prepared for this level of exertion.)
Up very early - 5:30am. Jay and his cousin Denise were coming to pick us up. We left at 6:10am and drove down to where the Appalachian Trail crosses the Penn Turnpike. Got our gear on and started hiking at 2:00pm. The first 6.3 miles were tar and dirt road - a wilderness path? Finally hit a smaller trail going up Blue Mountain. Thought we'd never make the top but we finally stumbled into Darlington Camp around 5:20pm. Six guys were already in the shelter so we set up the tent. We weren't very hungry between the excitement of actually being on the trail, and the exhaustion from not being in shape. Met a kid named Dave. Had a singalong. In bed - 10:00pm
(we surely thought we were gonna die on our first day out. Road walking, then missed a turn into the woods which we found as it came out further up the road. Apparently we missed some really good poison ivy patches. Despite our "training" we were NOT prepared for this level of exertion.)
Friday, February 5, 2010
Friday, August 28, 2009
Martha's Vineyard with Grammy and Tommy
Grammy took Cousin Tommy & me on a sightseeing adventure to Martha's Vineyard. I was probably middleschool aged (so 1966-1968ish), and have no idea what prompted the trip, but I remember it well. It was fall - not too late, probably september or early october - warm enough and sort of overcast. Leaving Woods Hole on the ferry, I marveled at the boat and the levels of decks and indoor seating and outdoor seating. There were some pretty fair swells to ride up & down over, occasionally splashing over the bow a little - though I'd seen worse at the Brant Rock Seawall. We arrived at Vinal Haven and walked around town a bit. Some of the houses had enormous hedges taller than me and so thick you could barely tell how much yard might be behind them. We boarded a tour bus and headed to the far end where we were told how the indians inhabited the area of Gay Head, and we marveled at the steep dunes and endless views. Then around the southern shore line, past a fresh water pond separated from the ocean by some small amount of land measured in feet, long stretches of beaches, and touristy villages. We did not purchase any souveniers - I don't think it occurred to Tommy or me, and Grammy never volunteered. The ferry ride back was better than the first. The swells were noticably larger for a stretch, and I played with the odd effect of waiting for the boat to reach a high point, then as it started to drop, I'd try to step - which was difficult, because as you tried to place your foot down on the deck, the deck was falling lower, but when the boat rose up on a swell, boy did your feet hit the floor in a hurry.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Memorial Day Boat Races
For many years, Memorial Day meant power boats races on Wampatuck Pond. Also known as Town Hall Pond, because the Town Hall sits on a jut of land protruding into the north end, Wampatuck is a man-made pond - created in the 1700's when Nathanial Thomas dammed up a brook to power a grist mill. This created a long, shallow mill pond which is bordered by the Town Forest along the East bank, Fern Hill Cemetery and homes along the West Bank, cranberry bogs/reservoirs to the south, and Liberty St/Rt.14&58 across the dam along the north edge. Although this is about two miles from Phillips St, we could hear the whine of the boat motors rev'ing around the pond. Racers from up & down the east coast and spectators from miles around came to this annual spectacle. If we were lucky, Dad &/or Nenna would decide to let us stop in and watch for a bit. The Town Hall lot was the most common place to watch from, as there was parking nearby and easy access to waters edge, and the approaching boats would make their first turn of each lap virtually right in front of this spot. The sight of huge "rooster tails" of water spraying from the rear of these racers, and the likely hood of a boat either swamping or flipping was very exciting. Inevitably there would be stories about some pilot being hauled away in the ambulance, or how an out-of-control boat nearly ran into the crowd on shore (always happening on a day that you WEREN'T there, told by totally reliable 2nd grader). The cemetery was an OK spot to watch but you were high on a hill, facing a long straight section of the course, and the action was probably 200 yards away. One year (I was 16 or 17) I rode my bicycle up to watch the excitement. From the cemetery view point I realized that straight across on the far shore was a huge clock/timer and a judges table. They may have gotten to that point but boat, but I knew that by going through the Town Forest I could easily get up close and see what the operation was all about. I watched from a safe distance for a bit and figured out that they used a 30 second countdown to start each heat. The boats would circle around the far end, and then approach the starting line -trying to build up as much speed as possible without crossing the start "line" before the timer struck zero. There were two judges, one with a pretty teenaged daughter helping, who ran the clock, signaled the racers, kept the records, and walkie talkied back to the PA Announcer (stationed by the Town Hall). They kindly let me ask questions, which they cheerfully answered - filling me in on all the rules and strategies involved. The girl was friendly and talkative, lived in New Jersey, and loved travelling around to these races. I hung around until the races were done, and then looked forward to next Memorial Day - fully planning to attend and maybe even volunteering to help out.
Sadly, that was the last year the races were allowed to be held in Hanson - the town determining that the insurance liability was too great (too many flipping boats and spectators who couldn't get out of the way), and because not everybody in town enjoyed The Holiday Weekend being filled with the incessent buzz (or if they lived close enough - roar) of racing motors. The end of another local tradition, and another lost opportunity (I certainly would have gotten her name the next year).
Sadly, that was the last year the races were allowed to be held in Hanson - the town determining that the insurance liability was too great (too many flipping boats and spectators who couldn't get out of the way), and because not everybody in town enjoyed The Holiday Weekend being filled with the incessent buzz (or if they lived close enough - roar) of racing motors. The end of another local tradition, and another lost opportunity (I certainly would have gotten her name the next year).
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Back Yard Mechanics
Spring 1973:
Ed Colley gave me a 1964 Chevy Biscayne staton wagon for free - called it a graduation gift. It wouldn't pass inspection because the body was too rotted out, but the engine was pretty solid. Laurie owned a 1965 Impalla who's body was fine, but the motor was on it's way out. Jay was a friend and a sophmore in high school who's father had set him up with his own garage on the family compound known as Woodman Terrace (Jay's family, and various uncles & grandparents all owned adjacent houses on this dirt dead end road). Jay volunteered that swapping the motors would be a piece of cake and he could do it in our back yard. Not having all his shop tools at hand, we had to improvise a bit. The swings came off the swing set, replaced with a "chain-fall" pully. My car was rolled under it, hoses & wires & cables all dis-assembled, and the motor lifted up and out. We pushed my motorless car out from under and placed the engine on a wooden palet, which in turn was dragged out of the way. Then Lauries car went through the same process. Then the good motor dragged back, lifted, and Lauries car rolled back. Rather miraculously, after all of this manual shoving and hoisting and dragging and repeating - the Biscayne motor and the Impalla car drove away under it's own power (and continued to drive for 4 or 5 years further).
I was left without a car now. Somewhere I ended up with an old VW Bug that of course - needed work. Sadly, Jay had backpacked with Laurie & I during the summer - and it was not pretty. He had hitchhiked home from Pennsyvania after one week on the AT (Appalachian Trail) and we were not on good terms any more (another story for another time). But cousin Dave Gurney was a fairly handy amature mechanic and because I pumped gas at Lloyds Garage, we had a place where we could work on it some - after hours. Of course I couldn't get it there legally as it was unregistered, so I had to drive it through the woods trail behind Nenna's, past Casoli's house, across Phillips St, across what used to be the Hall's Farm (since plowed bare into a large dirt pit) across the railroad tracks (where there was no actual crossing) to get into the lot behind the garage. NO PROBLEM - except when I tried to approach the tracks. There was a low muddy trench where run-off water gathered, then a sharp incline to get up over the tracks. The VW didn't make it through the mud and got stuck - 5 ft off of the tracks. Dave had to drive his car around to the other side, tie a rope from his bumper, over the tracks, and onto the VW - and pull like crazy. Well, the bug made it over, we put in new brake lines and drove it back. It made it over the tracks OK, but there was the darned mud again. At least that time we didn't have to worry about trains coming while we towed it out.
Ed Colley gave me a 1964 Chevy Biscayne staton wagon for free - called it a graduation gift. It wouldn't pass inspection because the body was too rotted out, but the engine was pretty solid. Laurie owned a 1965 Impalla who's body was fine, but the motor was on it's way out. Jay was a friend and a sophmore in high school who's father had set him up with his own garage on the family compound known as Woodman Terrace (Jay's family, and various uncles & grandparents all owned adjacent houses on this dirt dead end road). Jay volunteered that swapping the motors would be a piece of cake and he could do it in our back yard. Not having all his shop tools at hand, we had to improvise a bit. The swings came off the swing set, replaced with a "chain-fall" pully. My car was rolled under it, hoses & wires & cables all dis-assembled, and the motor lifted up and out. We pushed my motorless car out from under and placed the engine on a wooden palet, which in turn was dragged out of the way. Then Lauries car went through the same process. Then the good motor dragged back, lifted, and Lauries car rolled back. Rather miraculously, after all of this manual shoving and hoisting and dragging and repeating - the Biscayne motor and the Impalla car drove away under it's own power (and continued to drive for 4 or 5 years further).
I was left without a car now. Somewhere I ended up with an old VW Bug that of course - needed work. Sadly, Jay had backpacked with Laurie & I during the summer - and it was not pretty. He had hitchhiked home from Pennsyvania after one week on the AT (Appalachian Trail) and we were not on good terms any more (another story for another time). But cousin Dave Gurney was a fairly handy amature mechanic and because I pumped gas at Lloyds Garage, we had a place where we could work on it some - after hours. Of course I couldn't get it there legally as it was unregistered, so I had to drive it through the woods trail behind Nenna's, past Casoli's house, across Phillips St, across what used to be the Hall's Farm (since plowed bare into a large dirt pit) across the railroad tracks (where there was no actual crossing) to get into the lot behind the garage. NO PROBLEM - except when I tried to approach the tracks. There was a low muddy trench where run-off water gathered, then a sharp incline to get up over the tracks. The VW didn't make it through the mud and got stuck - 5 ft off of the tracks. Dave had to drive his car around to the other side, tie a rope from his bumper, over the tracks, and onto the VW - and pull like crazy. Well, the bug made it over, we put in new brake lines and drove it back. It made it over the tracks OK, but there was the darned mud again. At least that time we didn't have to worry about trains coming while we towed it out.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Let It Snow
We loved lots of snow! We lived right beside the Ocean Spray Company parking lot and when it snowed, the lot was plowed up to our property line - with the lilac trees marking the edge. Our neighbors a few houses up the street owned Casoli Sand & Gravel company and therefore had very large trucks and front end loaders, and had the contract to plow the parking lot. I loved to look out my window at night and watch the trucks & plows push the snow into enormous piles - more accurately, a 10-12 foot high by 100 foot long ridge. Here - 30 feet from our porch - we built fortress walls and extensive tunnel networks. There was enough room for everyone to have their very own "room". Snowball wars were frequent as the quality of our fort building had to be tested. Certain parts were set up for sledding (short but steep). As a teenager, Johnny Casoli loved BIG storms because he got to stay up all night in a BIG "loader" and made BIG $$$. Sledding and tobogganing were always good winter activities when the snow was plentiful. Very early on we tried sledding on Barkers Hill behind the Estes house off of Winter St, but I think too many trees made it too scary. One day Jim Riddell took a bunch of us (me, Laurie, Janet & Nancy Williams, maybe someone else) over to DW Field Park in Brockton where there was a BIG hill leading down into the golf course. As we piled out of the Bronco and unloaded the toboggan, a competition unspokenly developed to try to get the first ride down the slope. Jim jumped on and I managed to get on behind him and get started before Laurie could grab on - leaving her sprawled in the snow at the top of the hill. In our haste to be first, we didn't survey the terrain and didn't notice the "ski jump" ramp somebody had formed near the bottom and right in our path. I remember hearing Jim say "o-oh! Hold On" and then seeing nothing but clear blue sky and then somehow regaining conciousness while already walking and near the top of the hill. A trip directly to the ER for x-rays on my back showed no real damage, just lots of pain that would eventually subside. A few days later Jim showed up with a back brace which he had to wear for a mumber of months. (Now I prefer skiing or tubing)
Snow did cause a nuisiance as far as ice skating was concerned. We didn't like bringing snow shovels over to the pond, and sometimes if we were too impatient and the ice wasn't as thick as it aught to be, the ice would crack where the snow was piled and water would leak through and cause slush where we were trying to play hockey. One day we were all amazed to find a guy with a Jeep and plow out on Wampatuck Pond - clearing a large area for skating.
I remember Dad having and using tire chains, and later the seasonal change of tires when studded snow tires were in vogue, and that there were certain driving decisions that had to be pre-planned to avoid certain hilly roads when travelling. Cars would line up and take turns attempting to make the top of Spring Street hill, the unsuccessful ones skidding and fishtailing before sliding back down to let the next car try. There was a theory that driving up a snowcovered hill in reverse was a better alternative but I don't recall ever seeing it work.
Snow did cause a nuisiance as far as ice skating was concerned. We didn't like bringing snow shovels over to the pond, and sometimes if we were too impatient and the ice wasn't as thick as it aught to be, the ice would crack where the snow was piled and water would leak through and cause slush where we were trying to play hockey. One day we were all amazed to find a guy with a Jeep and plow out on Wampatuck Pond - clearing a large area for skating.
I remember Dad having and using tire chains, and later the seasonal change of tires when studded snow tires were in vogue, and that there were certain driving decisions that had to be pre-planned to avoid certain hilly roads when travelling. Cars would line up and take turns attempting to make the top of Spring Street hill, the unsuccessful ones skidding and fishtailing before sliding back down to let the next car try. There was a theory that driving up a snowcovered hill in reverse was a better alternative but I don't recall ever seeing it work.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Early driving lesson
very early in my life I learned (the hard way) to NOT touch things in the car. Back then, all cars were standard shifts and Dad had a habit of not using the parking brake - simply leaving the car in gear when he shut it off. One day as I pretended to drive, I shifted into neutral. Our driveway being on an uphill slope from the road, meant the car started rolling backwards towards the street. Apparently Dad spotted it and raced out, running alongside, trying to open the door and stop the runaway vehicle. We did all end up across the street in the neighbors yard but managed to miss any traffic and the telephone pole on the corner.
So kids, don't shift when you are pretend driving.
(PS: that cigarette lighter push button thing with the bright red coil inside -- don't put it on your chin to see if it really is hot. Just take my word for it, OK?)
So kids, don't shift when you are pretend driving.
(PS: that cigarette lighter push button thing with the bright red coil inside -- don't put it on your chin to see if it really is hot. Just take my word for it, OK?)
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