Terry and I will be heading out tomorrow from the Adirondacks to Atlanta. We plan on taking three days to complete the approximately 1000 miles. Hopefully, we will be travelling to the east of the track of Katrina as she heads north. Our route will take us:
1- Down I-81 to I-77 to Winchester, VA on Day 1 (Tuesday)
2- Down I-77 to Charlotte, NC then I-85 to Gaffney, SC on Day 2 (Wednesday)
3- Down I-85 to Atlanta, GA on Day 3 (Thursday)
Once in the Atlanta area, I will park the trailer at a campground and take Terry to her hotel for her EGA (Embroiderer's Guild of America) meetings and classes on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
On Monday morning, even though the EGA convention will still be underway, Terry and I will head to Columbia and Sumter, SC to visit with her relatives for a few days. On Friday, September 9th, we will head back to the northland.
I'll try to post on our trip as we go along but connections may be iffy.
Monday, August 29, 2005
Company in the North
We have had a doe and her two fawns (they still had spots but were pretty big) walk across the lawn each of the last two mornings. The doe seemed a little nervous about being in the open but her youngsters had no such qualms. Both days the came out of the north, crossed the open grass and entered the hedgerow along the road at the old apple tree where there is a break in the wooden fence. We did see a deer later on Saturday across the street under the big apple tree there and it may have been one of the three. I couldn't see any spots but the weeds were high.
Cantalope rinds and corn cobs that I have put out back Saturday and sunday have disappeared but the apples I had right next to them weren't touched.
I found one area in the backyard and two spots in the field across the street where foxes have been doing their thing. (Lots of scat in those spots.) At least they aren't using the garage anymore!
I also came upon two yellow jacket nests in the yard as I was cutting the grass on Saturday. One is right next to the front door and the other is a few steps away from the back door. I waited until Sunday night and hit them both with some citronella oil and a little flame and then, Monday morning I sprayed them with some chemicals. The nest near the front door seems to have had it although a few bees kept showing up all afternoon. The other was more protected I guess, there was quite a bit of activity there today. Guess I will have to be careful and come more fully armed next ime.
Cantalope rinds and corn cobs that I have put out back Saturday and sunday have disappeared but the apples I had right next to them weren't touched.
I found one area in the backyard and two spots in the field across the street where foxes have been doing their thing. (Lots of scat in those spots.) At least they aren't using the garage anymore!
I also came upon two yellow jacket nests in the yard as I was cutting the grass on Saturday. One is right next to the front door and the other is a few steps away from the back door. I waited until Sunday night and hit them both with some citronella oil and a little flame and then, Monday morning I sprayed them with some chemicals. The nest near the front door seems to have had it although a few bees kept showing up all afternoon. The other was more protected I guess, there was quite a bit of activity there today. Guess I will have to be careful and come more fully armed next ime.
For Those Going Back to School
I was reading Once Upon A Wilderness by Calvin Rustrum and came upon this quote from Thoreau that seemed appropriate for those looking at the start of the school year.
If the engine whistles, let it whistle until it is hoarse for its pains.
If the bell rings, why should we run?
Thoreau
On Line Again!
We have been at the Bolt Hole, our cabin in the Adirondacks since Friday afternoon. Our usually dependable but very slow phone line has sufficed for internet access. However, when we arrived on Friday, there was a problem. A noticeable buzz on the line would not allow the modem to talk freely with the server and so we were bumped off after only a few minutes (if we could establish contact at all).
The local phone company has no weekend office hours so I had to wait until Monday at 8:15 AM to report the problem. They would put us on the tech's list and he would come out today, she said on the other end of the line.
Noon arrived but the tech didn't so I called again. "Oh yes, you're on our list and he will get to you today," is what I was told.
So I went about my business and cleared some brush and then had to repair the brush hog when the starter cord snapped.
Four o'clock came and still no tech. Since the office closes at 5 PM I had Terry call to confirm that he would be here today.
The office person contacted the tech and relayed that he was, in fact, on the way. And, sure enough, a half hour later, he pulled into the yard.
The line had been hit by lightening since I left here four weeks ago and there was a stretch that wasn't taking it well. The tech sliced in a new section and the line cleared up. It is still not the fastest connection in the world, but, hey, it works!
The local phone company has no weekend office hours so I had to wait until Monday at 8:15 AM to report the problem. They would put us on the tech's list and he would come out today, she said on the other end of the line.
Noon arrived but the tech didn't so I called again. "Oh yes, you're on our list and he will get to you today," is what I was told.
So I went about my business and cleared some brush and then had to repair the brush hog when the starter cord snapped.
Four o'clock came and still no tech. Since the office closes at 5 PM I had Terry call to confirm that he would be here today.
The office person contacted the tech and relayed that he was, in fact, on the way. And, sure enough, a half hour later, he pulled into the yard.
The line had been hit by lightening since I left here four weeks ago and there was a stretch that wasn't taking it well. The tech sliced in a new section and the line cleared up. It is still not the fastest connection in the world, but, hey, it works!
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Yard Work, Part Four
I finished the sowing of the grass seed in the backyard today. Rolled the yard, raked out the high spots, rolled it again, used the leaf rake to scratch the surface, spread the seed, raked the seed in using the back of the leaf rake, rolled the seed into the soil, spread some salt hay on the sunnier portions of the lawn and finally watered. It took me from 9:30 AM until 2:30 PM to complete the work. Now it's a matter of time, water and lots of prayer! With any luck the seed will germinate in a week and I may have to think about cutting it when we get back from Atlanta and SC.
I nearly needed a hard hat while I worked as the oaks were dropping some truly humongous acorns. The largest were over an inch in diameter and could have easily left dents in a car--or my head.
Some samples of the "bombs" dropped by the oaks and their accomplices, the squirrels.
I nearly needed a hard hat while I worked as the oaks were dropping some truly humongous acorns. The largest were over an inch in diameter and could have easily left dents in a car--or my head.
Some samples of the "bombs" dropped by the oaks and their accomplices, the squirrels.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Yard Work, Part Three
I opted to take it a little easier today and "only" raked the yard smooth and removed as many of the large roots and stones as I could. Much of the area near the house is in chunk form and telling stones from clumps of dirt is difficult. Tomorrow I will definitely get the roller and seed. I may have to get a bale or two of straw to cover the seed and keep it moist.
On the Road Once More
Terry and I will be hitting the road again this weekend. Our first stop will be the Bolt Hole. I have some scrap wood that needs to be transported to the cabin and we need to stock and pack the trailer.
On the 30th we head for Atlanta, stopping first in Winchester, VA and Charlotte, NC on our way south. We plan to arrive in Atlanta the Thursday afternoon, September 1st in time for Terry to check into her EGA Convention.
While she attends the convention at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia in the city, I will stay in a campground just north of the town. Instead of staying the entire week at the convention, Terry will only attend through Sunday. Then, on Monday, we will head to the Sumter, SC area to visit with her Aunt, Uncle, and cousins.
We’ll depart Sumter on Friday, September 9th heading back to the northland. I plan to drop Terry off in NJ on the 12th and then head on up to the Adirondacks to put the trailer away.
I'll try to keep this up to date as we travel.
On the 30th we head for Atlanta, stopping first in Winchester, VA and Charlotte, NC on our way south. We plan to arrive in Atlanta the Thursday afternoon, September 1st in time for Terry to check into her EGA Convention.
While she attends the convention at the Crowne Plaza Ravinia in the city, I will stay in a campground just north of the town. Instead of staying the entire week at the convention, Terry will only attend through Sunday. Then, on Monday, we will head to the Sumter, SC area to visit with her Aunt, Uncle, and cousins.
We’ll depart Sumter on Friday, September 9th heading back to the northland. I plan to drop Terry off in NJ on the 12th and then head on up to the Adirondacks to put the trailer away.
I'll try to keep this up to date as we travel.
33 years
I'm a little tardy in mentioning that Terry and I quietly celebrated our 33rd anniversary last Friday. We had a quiet day and dinner at home. Guess we're saving ourselves for the upcoming trip to the southeast. ;)
We met back at Rutgers in our junior/senior year after I had switched over to the College of Agriculture and Environmental Science. My freshman roommate, Bill, was majoring in wildlife biology over at CAES and Terry was majoring in environmental science. She swears we were one class together during our freshman year but I don't remember it that way. During our junior year, CAES formed a student committee to discuss the change of the college to what is now Cook College. It was during one of the first meetings that Bill introduced me to Terry, who he had known since freshman year. We hit it off right away and the rest, as they say, is history.
We dated throughout the remainder of our junior and senior years. I proposed the summer after our graduation in 1971 and we got married August 19, 1972.
We met back at Rutgers in our junior/senior year after I had switched over to the College of Agriculture and Environmental Science. My freshman roommate, Bill, was majoring in wildlife biology over at CAES and Terry was majoring in environmental science. She swears we were one class together during our freshman year but I don't remember it that way. During our junior year, CAES formed a student committee to discuss the change of the college to what is now Cook College. It was during one of the first meetings that Bill introduced me to Terry, who he had known since freshman year. We hit it off right away and the rest, as they say, is history.
We dated throughout the remainder of our junior and senior years. I proposed the summer after our graduation in 1971 and we got married August 19, 1972.
Monday, August 22, 2005
Yard Work, Part Two
Last spring I attempted to plant a lawn in the backyard. Lots of work went into preparing the yard and seeding the lawn. And it seemed to be working. Then I applied some weed-and-feed just as the weather turned hot and dry. The grass died. Hence, the title of this post.
I ran out this morning and rented a roto-tiller to chop up the backyard--again. It was four hours of back-breaking work as the yard was like pavement after the long, hot, dry spell we had during this summer. Despite having little foot traffic in the yard, the earth was compacted like cement. It could be the result of having had to apply so much lime last spring to bring the pH into line mixed with the clayey soil near the house.
Anyway, I got it done and the tiller returned in four hours then spent another four hours with a hatchet (chopping roots the tiller lifted) or rake (trying to smooth and level the surface) in my hands.Tommorow I'll give it one more raking then go see about purchasing the seed (for a shady lawn) and another hose and renting a roller to tamp the seed down.
I ran out this morning and rented a roto-tiller to chop up the backyard--again. It was four hours of back-breaking work as the yard was like pavement after the long, hot, dry spell we had during this summer. Despite having little foot traffic in the yard, the earth was compacted like cement. It could be the result of having had to apply so much lime last spring to bring the pH into line mixed with the clayey soil near the house.
Anyway, I got it done and the tiller returned in four hours then spent another four hours with a hatchet (chopping roots the tiller lifted) or rake (trying to smooth and level the surface) in my hands.Tommorow I'll give it one more raking then go see about purchasing the seed (for a shady lawn) and another hose and renting a roller to tamp the seed down.
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Rain and More Rain
We have been enjoying a couple of days of rain that were slightly unexpected. On Wednesday, none of the forecasts predicted much in the way of rain through the weekend. Thursday's predications called for a 60% chance of showers Friday morning but clearing in the afternoon. Of course it rained off and on all day Friday, Friday night and is still showering Saturday morning. And now even more rain is forecast for Sunday.
The rain has impacted what I can do outside. I wanted to rent a roto-tiller to loosen the soil in the backyard. It has been baked hard by this summer's hot and dry conditions--so hard that a hand rake just bounces off the surface and I used a broom to sweep up the acorns that have fallen. (I got three wheelbarrows full.) A roto-tiller will allow me to sow some more grass seed. Guess I will have to wait until Monday.
It is good to get the rain, however. The forsythia have looked parched and, while I've been watering the tomatoes and peppers with a bucket, every afternoon they look like they have completely wilted.
The rain has impacted what I can do outside. I wanted to rent a roto-tiller to loosen the soil in the backyard. It has been baked hard by this summer's hot and dry conditions--so hard that a hand rake just bounces off the surface and I used a broom to sweep up the acorns that have fallen. (I got three wheelbarrows full.) A roto-tiller will allow me to sow some more grass seed. Guess I will have to wait until Monday.
It is good to get the rain, however. The forsythia have looked parched and, while I've been watering the tomatoes and peppers with a bucket, every afternoon they look like they have completely wilted.
Finished the Deck
I finished the railing on the deck on Wednesday and Thursday and it looks very nice if I say so myself. Installing the balusters went much faster than I expected and was much easier than I expected. Part of that was due to the fact that I could work from the ground. (Unlike the second floor deck I put up on the Bolt Hole many years ago--that was a good 10 feet above the ground!)
The overhead oaks provided some excitement as they have been dropping acorns. Earlier this summer the dry conditions meant small acorns were discarded but now some BIG ones are coming down. Some of them are a good inch in diameter. Not having a hard hat to wear, I kept hoping none would konk me on the noggin. That has happened before and those suckers hurt when they fall from 50-75 feet! Though some came close I managed to dodge the bullet.
The overhead oaks provided some excitement as they have been dropping acorns. Earlier this summer the dry conditions meant small acorns were discarded but now some BIG ones are coming down. Some of them are a good inch in diameter. Not having a hard hat to wear, I kept hoping none would konk me on the noggin. That has happened before and those suckers hurt when they fall from 50-75 feet! Though some came close I managed to dodge the bullet.
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Back to Work
I spent today getting materials for and beginning the building of the railing for the deck. First it was off to Lowes (or Low Es, as Terry's mom calls it) to get the lumber and fasteners that I needed. Then I set up my saw in the driveway. The posts got cut to length and drilled for carriage bolts. Seven posts got mounted to the edge of the deck and I turned my attention to measuring and cutting 2x4 rails to go between the posts. Then balusters were installed on two of the four sections before it was time to call it quits for the day.
tomorrow I install the remaining balusters, construct the rail/baluster system for the steps, and cut and install the cap for the rails around the deck.
Finally, after we get back from Atlanta and South Carolina (more on that later) it will be time to stain and weatherproof. Perhaps I'll let Terry help with that. (What? She's going to Nashville right after we get back from GA & SC? More about that later, too.)
tomorrow I install the remaining balusters, construct the rail/baluster system for the steps, and cut and install the cap for the rails around the deck.
Finally, after we get back from Atlanta and South Carolina (more on that later) it will be time to stain and weatherproof. Perhaps I'll let Terry help with that. (What? She's going to Nashville right after we get back from GA & SC? More about that later, too.)
A Noble Cause
I was surfing through some of my favorite sites this evening when I came across a link on Glenn Reynolds' Instapundit for this story The Definition of A Noble Cause.
We lost our Country Music radio out of NYC about two years ago. (Then we lost WCBS' old time rock and roll a year ago. Luckily, WMTR is still playing the oldies here in NJ.) Terry and I still get to listen to country (and oldies) when we travel. And we still enjoy them far more than the music we hear on the modern stations. I enjoy hearing the positive attitude of many the songs dealing with America. (Although Terry has a problem listening to Arlington.) This is the first time I have heard of this song (American By God's Amazing Grace) but wish I could hear it more.
Just as this National Guardsman, Luke Stricklin, feels the reasons for going to Iraq may have turned out to have been incorrect (remember, everyone--and I mean everyone-- believed Saddam had WMD) the work done and being done by our troops on the ground and now the Iraqi forces is something to be proud of.
(Don't bother reading the comments of the linked post unless your ready for lots of virulent stuff from the "hate America for doing good" crowd. I'm convinced we'd all be speaking German if these folks had been around back in '41 or if the press of today was around back then when thousands of Americans died in hours of fighting in Italy, France, the Philippines, etc.)
We lost our Country Music radio out of NYC about two years ago. (Then we lost WCBS' old time rock and roll a year ago. Luckily, WMTR is still playing the oldies here in NJ.) Terry and I still get to listen to country (and oldies) when we travel. And we still enjoy them far more than the music we hear on the modern stations. I enjoy hearing the positive attitude of many the songs dealing with America. (Although Terry has a problem listening to Arlington.) This is the first time I have heard of this song (American By God's Amazing Grace) but wish I could hear it more.
Just as this National Guardsman, Luke Stricklin, feels the reasons for going to Iraq may have turned out to have been incorrect (remember, everyone--and I mean everyone-- believed Saddam had WMD) the work done and being done by our troops on the ground and now the Iraqi forces is something to be proud of.
(Don't bother reading the comments of the linked post unless your ready for lots of virulent stuff from the "hate America for doing good" crowd. I'm convinced we'd all be speaking German if these folks had been around back in '41 or if the press of today was around back then when thousands of Americans died in hours of fighting in Italy, France, the Philippines, etc.)
These Jersey Maladies
Jim, over at Parkway Rest Stop, has an amusing look at some "conditions" unique to Jersey residents/visitors. Go have a look see. Jersey Docs Know This Stuff
Monday, August 15, 2005
Scouts In Iraq
I wonder how long it will be before the ACLU goes after this Scout group that is being supported by the military?
Read morefrom this DOD source.
Scouting Program Grows in Iraqi Community
The three co-ed scouting groups meet weekly and have 110-120 regular participants.
By U.S. Army 116th Brigade Combat Team
Public Affairs
FORWARD OPERATING BASE WARRIOR, Iraq, Aug. 15, 2005 — A group of over 100 scouts and adult leaders met in Hasar, Iraq, Aug. 4 to learn cooking, teamwork and other skills from the community’s growing co-ed International Scouting Program.
“Local educators coordinated with us to start a scouting program in order to provide the youth in their village with a more creative and engaging outlet.” U.S. Army Capt. Lane Packwood
attribution
The fledgling program, known as Kashafa, began July 7 when U.S. soldiers of the 116th Brigade Combat Team’s Task Force 1-148 Field Artillery and leaders from the community of Hasar, Iraq, celebrated a ribbon cutting and inauguration of the program.
Read morefrom this DOD source.
On The Road (The Next Generation!)
Rick and Ginger hit the road after lunch Sunday afternoon. They have to be back in Idaho by Thursday as Rick has a class that afternoon. They're plans include a stop today at Niagara Falls and then following I-90 west past Chicago and on to Wall Drug, SD before heading for Moscow, ID.
They may have been lucky enough to slip through the cold front and the attendant thunderstorms yesterday afternoon and should have a gorgeous day at the Falls today.
They may have been lucky enough to slip through the cold front and the attendant thunderstorms yesterday afternoon and should have a gorgeous day at the Falls today.
Relief At Last!
A line of thunderstorms moved through northern New Jersey last night bringing rain and cooler temperatures. Most of the activity was to the north and east of where we are but even we got some most welcome rain. It was those showers that prevented the finish of the PGA Championships, dumped over 3 inches of rain in Central Park and knocked out power for residents of Bergen and Passaic Counties.
Water restrictions are abundant but have not affected my town. I've been watering my tomatoes and peppers using a bucket however since I don't want to encourage the weeds. I won't be harvesting much since the plants only seem to be getting 4 hours of sunlight a day and that is not enough. Chipmunks and squirrels have beaten me to several nice sized tomatoes. Very upsetting.
Except for the garden, the ground in the backyard (the one that doesn't have ANY grass despite my early efforts--or perhaps because of them) is like concrete. I was able to sweep (yes, sweep, not rake) the acorns up the other day and filled the wheelbarrow. The massive oaks over the house have dropped many of their acorns due to the heat of early July and the lack of rain.
Now that the truck is back, I will be able to start working on the deck and the lawn again. I'll need to use the roto-tiller to loosen the surface. I tried a soil rake but it just bounced off! The deck needs a railing around it and a coat of preservative.
Water restrictions are abundant but have not affected my town. I've been watering my tomatoes and peppers using a bucket however since I don't want to encourage the weeds. I won't be harvesting much since the plants only seem to be getting 4 hours of sunlight a day and that is not enough. Chipmunks and squirrels have beaten me to several nice sized tomatoes. Very upsetting.
Except for the garden, the ground in the backyard (the one that doesn't have ANY grass despite my early efforts--or perhaps because of them) is like concrete. I was able to sweep (yes, sweep, not rake) the acorns up the other day and filled the wheelbarrow. The massive oaks over the house have dropped many of their acorns due to the heat of early July and the lack of rain.
Now that the truck is back, I will be able to start working on the deck and the lawn again. I'll need to use the roto-tiller to loosen the surface. I tried a soil rake but it just bounced off! The deck needs a railing around it and a coat of preservative.
Fun Times at a Wedding
Despite the oppressive heat we in NJ have been suffering, the wedding of Joseph and Jacki went quite well. The celebratory mass was held in Linden Friday afternoon and the reception was in Summit later that evening. Terry, Jessica, Rick, Ginger and I all drove to the church together and then Jessica went off with her Grandma, Aunt Lucille and Cousin Laura to go on to the reception.
The happy couple will be honeymooning in Tahiti this week before settling down in northern NJ.
I won't post any pictures of the wedding itself as my digital camera broke right after Rick snapped the picture of Terry and I that I have posted below. But I do want you to see what great kids I have so I am including pics of Jessica and Rick and his girlfriend Ginger.
(The LCD screen of my Canon PowerShot S40 failed when I took the camera out of the bag in the church to photograph the bride's entrance. It still took pictures but I could never be sure of the settings or what I was taking a picture of. It should be repaired by tomorrow when I go to pick up Terry's 35mm pictures. The S40 is a nice little camera that has served me well these last two plus years. At $175 for the fix it is worth it. A new camera, a different model since the S40 is out of production, would cost me more than $400-500.)
Jessica
Rick & Ginger
Rich & Terry
The happy couple will be honeymooning in Tahiti this week before settling down in northern NJ.
I won't post any pictures of the wedding itself as my digital camera broke right after Rick snapped the picture of Terry and I that I have posted below. But I do want you to see what great kids I have so I am including pics of Jessica and Rick and his girlfriend Ginger.
(The LCD screen of my Canon PowerShot S40 failed when I took the camera out of the bag in the church to photograph the bride's entrance. It still took pictures but I could never be sure of the settings or what I was taking a picture of. It should be repaired by tomorrow when I go to pick up Terry's 35mm pictures. The S40 is a nice little camera that has served me well these last two plus years. At $175 for the fix it is worth it. A new camera, a different model since the S40 is out of production, would cost me more than $400-500.)
Jessica
Rick & Ginger
Rich & Terry
Friday, August 12, 2005
We're Going to A Wedding
Today Joseph and Jacki are getting married. Joeseph is Joe's son. Joe is Terry's cousin and her fifth birthday present. Joseph and Jacki have been an "item" since grade school. From all reports, this should be a grand and glorious day. The weather is even cooperating. In fact, the only monkey wrench is that the wedding is in Linden and the reception is in Summit. Any other time of the year and this wouldn't be a problem but this week the PGA Championship is Baltusrol which is between the two sites. Streets are closed for this event and the detours may be confusing. We will have to see .
Lucille (Terry's sister) and her daughter, Laura, are in from California for the wedding. Rick is here, of course, and his girlfriend, Ginger, has flown in from Idaho as the "and guest" portion of the invitation.
Lucille (Terry's sister) and her daughter, Laura, are in from California for the wedding. Rick is here, of course, and his girlfriend, Ginger, has flown in from Idaho as the "and guest" portion of the invitation.
Rick & Ginger
Ginger flew into Laguardia from Idaho on Monday.
Rick and Ginger have been doing the Jersey/NYC thing this week. Tuesday Rick showed her around the Great Swamp and Jockey Hollow. They went down the shore (if you consider Sandy Hook in that category) on Wednesday and got a glowing sunburn. Thursday they took the train into The City. In the Big Apple they went to Ground Zero, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Chinatown (lunch) and then to Broadway for Spamalot.
After today's wedding (Joseph and Jacki) Rick and Ginger will be heading back to Idaho by car Sunday afternoon. They will be doing a minimal amount of sightseeing on the way. (Ginger wants to see Niagra Falls. And Rick wants to make the "traditional" stop at Wall Drug.) Rick has his first class on Thursday afternoon. Hopefully they will geet back to Moscow on Wednesday and will have a chance to get unpacked.
Rick and Ginger have been doing the Jersey/NYC thing this week. Tuesday Rick showed her around the Great Swamp and Jockey Hollow. They went down the shore (if you consider Sandy Hook in that category) on Wednesday and got a glowing sunburn. Thursday they took the train into The City. In the Big Apple they went to Ground Zero, the Statue of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Chinatown (lunch) and then to Broadway for Spamalot.
After today's wedding (Joseph and Jacki) Rick and Ginger will be heading back to Idaho by car Sunday afternoon. They will be doing a minimal amount of sightseeing on the way. (Ginger wants to see Niagra Falls. And Rick wants to make the "traditional" stop at Wall Drug.) Rick has his first class on Thursday afternoon. Hopefully they will geet back to Moscow on Wednesday and will have a chance to get unpacked.
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Summers At High Point State Park
Many, many moons ago, back in the mid-50s—when I was a little tyke—we used to spend two weeks or more at the campgrounds surrounding Sawmill Lake in High Point State Park up in Sussex County, NJ. Friday night, Dad would load up the massive canvas tent (I think it was something like 8 feet wide and 12 feet long but had no floor) and the little 8-foot pram he built from a kit. Saturday morning, he and Mom would pack the cooler with meats and milk, throw in some ice cubes and the four of us (Dad, Mom, Sis and I) would drive up Route 23 to HPSP.
We would usually have a campsite on the lake. They were the best, but sometimes we would have to settle for one across the road which meant an extra 20 yards or so to the lake’s shoreline for fishing. The campsite had a picnic table, a fire ring and a raised platform for the tent. The tent would be set up and four wooden and canvas cots set up inside. Outside, Mom would set up the “kitchen” consisting of a cooler, a wooden box for foodstuffs and a gas stove. A tarp was strung over the picnic table to protect against rain, bugs and caterpillar frass (crap).
Once the campsite was squared away we would drive around to the beach that doubled as a boat launch. Dad would hoist the plywood rowboat off the roof and set it at the shoreline. Oars were set in the oarlocks and while Dad drove the car back to the campsite I would stand guard until he returned. Then we would take the boat across the lake to the same place.
For the next two weeks we would live at the campground. We spent our days swimming, fishing from the shore or in the boat, exploring the shoreline with a net or just wandering around the lake, usually on our own. Mom and Dad would cook the meals. We would play cards when it rained. We’d be outside 24/7 for two weeks. We’d collect worms from under rocks and logs. Occasionally we would locate a huge toad or salamander and it might become a temporary camp pet. Mosquitoes and poison ivy thrived and we occasionally had a fresh pink coat of Calamine lotion applied by Mom to ease the itch.
Going to the latrine at night we were always concerned about running into bears but never did. I suppose today you would be far more likely to come upon a bruin in that part of the state. I know they have been frequent visitors at the Boy Scout Camps out that way and hikers have run into them up on the AT. Raccoons and sometimes skunks visited the campsite at night and would make plenty of noise but seldom got anything for their efforts. Their racket was enough for a seven or eight year old boy and his little sister to imagine something far bigger was about to break into the tent and gobble them up.
Twice we spent the entire summer at High Point—at least Mom, Sis and I did. After two weeks, Dad had to go back to work. He would join us on the weekends to get out of eastern Passaic County.
I remember catching lightening bugs and crushing them against the backs of my hands. The chemical released from the beetle’s abdomen would continue to glow for 15 to 20 minutes before it faded.
One summer, my Dad’s brother brought his wife and three kids to the campsite next to us. Us five kids had a blast. With two punts we would be out fishing from dawn ‘til dusk. There were three boys and two girls mucking around in the lake.
Rainstorms were a hoot. I loved the lightening that brought daylight to the middle of the night and the thunder that boomed through the night shaking the very forest around us. Mix that with the sound of the raindrops on the canvas of the tent, the smell of the wet earth under the tent platform, and the water pouring off the canvas to splash on the ground and I was in heaven. I still enjoy a violent summer thunderstorm and have been able to get up close and personal with several in the Adirondacks both at the Bolt Hole and BSA’s Sabattis.
We could catch frogs with the net or with a fishhook baited with a tiny piece of red cloth. We’d creep along the shoreline scanning the water’s edge ahead of us. When we spotted a frog nestled among the weeds or rocks we would dangle the tiny red scrap in front of the frog’s nose. Sooner or later the frog would jump forward to grab the “fly” that was right in front of its nose. A quick jerk on the rod and we had ‘em.
Sawmill Lake had lots of sunfish and bass. It also had plenty of small catfish. When we caught sunfish we put them in buckets to bring back to the campsite. We would clean our catch and then Mom would fry them up in a big cast iron skillet. She wouldn’t use any breading and we wouldn’t filet the little fish (most were under 6 inches) and for grease it was either bacon fat or Crisco. When they were done, we would feast on OUR catch and it was perfect, bones and all.
We did this for four summers, if I recall correctly. At that time we were living in Hawthorne, NJ. In 1958 my Dad got laid off from the Ford plant in Mahwah so he and his brother, who was a carpenter, build a new home in Oakland. My uncle already lived there across the street from what we called the Big Lake (there are two lakes in town). While the new home was being constructed, we lived in my uncle’s basement. While we stopped going to High Point that summer, we still had a great time with the boats, fishing poles, lightening bugs and a whole lot more kids along the shores of the Big Lake. But those stories will have to be told another time.
We would usually have a campsite on the lake. They were the best, but sometimes we would have to settle for one across the road which meant an extra 20 yards or so to the lake’s shoreline for fishing. The campsite had a picnic table, a fire ring and a raised platform for the tent. The tent would be set up and four wooden and canvas cots set up inside. Outside, Mom would set up the “kitchen” consisting of a cooler, a wooden box for foodstuffs and a gas stove. A tarp was strung over the picnic table to protect against rain, bugs and caterpillar frass (crap).
Once the campsite was squared away we would drive around to the beach that doubled as a boat launch. Dad would hoist the plywood rowboat off the roof and set it at the shoreline. Oars were set in the oarlocks and while Dad drove the car back to the campsite I would stand guard until he returned. Then we would take the boat across the lake to the same place.
For the next two weeks we would live at the campground. We spent our days swimming, fishing from the shore or in the boat, exploring the shoreline with a net or just wandering around the lake, usually on our own. Mom and Dad would cook the meals. We would play cards when it rained. We’d be outside 24/7 for two weeks. We’d collect worms from under rocks and logs. Occasionally we would locate a huge toad or salamander and it might become a temporary camp pet. Mosquitoes and poison ivy thrived and we occasionally had a fresh pink coat of Calamine lotion applied by Mom to ease the itch.
Going to the latrine at night we were always concerned about running into bears but never did. I suppose today you would be far more likely to come upon a bruin in that part of the state. I know they have been frequent visitors at the Boy Scout Camps out that way and hikers have run into them up on the AT. Raccoons and sometimes skunks visited the campsite at night and would make plenty of noise but seldom got anything for their efforts. Their racket was enough for a seven or eight year old boy and his little sister to imagine something far bigger was about to break into the tent and gobble them up.
Twice we spent the entire summer at High Point—at least Mom, Sis and I did. After two weeks, Dad had to go back to work. He would join us on the weekends to get out of eastern Passaic County.
I remember catching lightening bugs and crushing them against the backs of my hands. The chemical released from the beetle’s abdomen would continue to glow for 15 to 20 minutes before it faded.
One summer, my Dad’s brother brought his wife and three kids to the campsite next to us. Us five kids had a blast. With two punts we would be out fishing from dawn ‘til dusk. There were three boys and two girls mucking around in the lake.
Rainstorms were a hoot. I loved the lightening that brought daylight to the middle of the night and the thunder that boomed through the night shaking the very forest around us. Mix that with the sound of the raindrops on the canvas of the tent, the smell of the wet earth under the tent platform, and the water pouring off the canvas to splash on the ground and I was in heaven. I still enjoy a violent summer thunderstorm and have been able to get up close and personal with several in the Adirondacks both at the Bolt Hole and BSA’s Sabattis.
We could catch frogs with the net or with a fishhook baited with a tiny piece of red cloth. We’d creep along the shoreline scanning the water’s edge ahead of us. When we spotted a frog nestled among the weeds or rocks we would dangle the tiny red scrap in front of the frog’s nose. Sooner or later the frog would jump forward to grab the “fly” that was right in front of its nose. A quick jerk on the rod and we had ‘em.
Sawmill Lake had lots of sunfish and bass. It also had plenty of small catfish. When we caught sunfish we put them in buckets to bring back to the campsite. We would clean our catch and then Mom would fry them up in a big cast iron skillet. She wouldn’t use any breading and we wouldn’t filet the little fish (most were under 6 inches) and for grease it was either bacon fat or Crisco. When they were done, we would feast on OUR catch and it was perfect, bones and all.
We did this for four summers, if I recall correctly. At that time we were living in Hawthorne, NJ. In 1958 my Dad got laid off from the Ford plant in Mahwah so he and his brother, who was a carpenter, build a new home in Oakland. My uncle already lived there across the street from what we called the Big Lake (there are two lakes in town). While the new home was being constructed, we lived in my uncle’s basement. While we stopped going to High Point that summer, we still had a great time with the boats, fishing poles, lightening bugs and a whole lot more kids along the shores of the Big Lake. But those stories will have to be told another time.
Things To Do
Acidman over at Gut Rumbles has a list of things: If you haven't, you should. Can’t say I disagree with any of them.
Damn, but it’s been a long time since I went crabbing though. And the wife won’t let me get a dog. (My allergies don’t get along well with them either, but I do love a well-trained retriever!)
Damn, but it’s been a long time since I went crabbing though. And the wife won’t let me get a dog. (My allergies don’t get along well with them either, but I do love a well-trained retriever!)
Ginger is Here
Rick drove out to Laguardia Airport yesterday evening to pick up his girlfriend Ginger as she flew in from Idaho. Her day was a long one as she first flew from Spokane, WA to Denver and then to NY. She had a three hour lay-over in Denver and her flight to NY was an hour late.
In fact, she was so late, they stayed in the Red Roof Inn in Parsippany for the night before driving the final 10 miles to the house. (I believe there was an ulterior motive behind that. They were apart for nearly a year while Rick was in Iraq and again for nearly four months while he was here on the east coast at Fordham's research facility in Armonk, NY, so maybe some private time was to be expected.)
I just wish they had called before they stopped. I was a little worried when I got up at 4:30 this morning and saw that they hadn't gotten home yet.
After breakfast this morning, the two of them are out seeing the sights of Morris County.
In fact, she was so late, they stayed in the Red Roof Inn in Parsippany for the night before driving the final 10 miles to the house. (I believe there was an ulterior motive behind that. They were apart for nearly a year while Rick was in Iraq and again for nearly four months while he was here on the east coast at Fordham's research facility in Armonk, NY, so maybe some private time was to be expected.)
I just wish they had called before they stopped. I was a little worried when I got up at 4:30 this morning and saw that they hadn't gotten home yet.
After breakfast this morning, the two of them are out seeing the sights of Morris County.
Shuttle Landing
It was great to see the shuttle make a successful landing this morning. Watching on Fox News, the anchor of the broadcast made a comment along the lines of, "You can exhale now, America." He was right!
During the last half hour as the shuttle manuvered across the Pacific and into California, I was holding my breath. The IR cameras showed it clearly and glowing brightly in the night sky.
I just wish they had been able to land Monday. Getting up at 4:30 AM two days in a row (and waiting up until midnight for Rick to bring Ginger home from the airport) has left me completely tuckered out!
During the last half hour as the shuttle manuvered across the Pacific and into California, I was holding my breath. The IR cameras showed it clearly and glowing brightly in the night sky.
I just wish they had been able to land Monday. Getting up at 4:30 AM two days in a row (and waiting up until midnight for Rick to bring Ginger home from the airport) has left me completely tuckered out!
Sunday, August 07, 2005
Texas Chili--yum!
Just surfing the web this morning (yes, again!) and I came upon this:
For those of you who may enjoy a nice spicy bowl of chili or Chinese, take a look at this report found on McBlog - Tales of McHorror In A Fast-Food World
about judging a Texas chili
contest.
But first, swallow that last swig of tea/coffee/beer and clear all food and liquids from around your computer.
Here's the comment I left on their post:
For those of you who may enjoy a nice spicy bowl of chili or Chinese, take a look at this report found on McBlog - Tales of McHorror In A Fast-Food World
about judging a Texas chili
contest.
But first, swallow that last swig of tea/coffee/beer and clear all food and liquids from around your computer.
Here's the comment I left on their post:
You had me rollin' on the floor with this one.
Many years ago we had a new Chinese restaurant open up in the neighboring town. First week, grand opening and I ordered the hot and spicy soup and the spicy beef.
Beads of sweat started forming on my forehead as the aroma of the soup wafted up to my nostrils. The waiter looked concerned.
As I dug in the sweat poured down my face and my eyes teared up. The waiter was definitely concerned. He brought the spicy beef anyway.
As I started in on the spicy beef I drained my water glass. With my features in a mask and sweat from my face now drenching my napkin I waved the waiter over. In his broken English he asked if everything was all right. (I think he expected me to tell him to call 911.) I smiled and told him everything was great and to please bring another pitcher of ice water.
A month later they had toned down their spices so much that I stopped going there. Wussies!
Friday, August 05, 2005
Some Nice News From Sports--for a change
Every now and then one of the star athelets does something extraordinary off the field. It seldom makes the nightly news but it should. Instead of hearing about the fights and the drugs and the holdouts and all the negatives, it would be nice to hear about the positive actions the players take once in a while.
Here's a case in point from Cincinnati:
Grandpa Stricken in Stands, Boy Finds Comfort on Field
Reds Rally Around Frightened Child
Three cheers for the Reds!
Here's a case in point from Cincinnati:
Grandpa Stricken in Stands, Boy Finds Comfort on Field
Reds Rally Around Frightened Child
Three cheers for the Reds!
Friday Party Time
Over at Cassandra’s Villinous Company they’re celebrating Friday Happy Hour with some poetry. A Friday Ode To Beer Contest.
Thursday, August 04, 2005
I Miss My Baby
Still no truck. My Silverado 2500 remains in the shop while they replace the head. Without its hauling capacity by outdoor projects are on hold. I need to pick up materials to construct the railing on the deck and a roto-tiller to redo my backyard.
It's probably just as well. The temperatures here have been in the high 90s and there is little relief in sight. Just watering the tomatoes and peppers (which aren't getting enough sunlight to be truely productive) caused me to break out in a sweat.
Without the truck I feel like a teenage kid who's been grounded. Sure, I have access to other vehicles, but they aren't MY truck.
It's probably just as well. The temperatures here have been in the high 90s and there is little relief in sight. Just watering the tomatoes and peppers (which aren't getting enough sunlight to be truely productive) caused me to break out in a sweat.
Without the truck I feel like a teenage kid who's been grounded. Sure, I have access to other vehicles, but they aren't MY truck.
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
PA Weekend
We had a great time out in PA this past weekend. We hadn't seen Ollie and Carol in about 10 years, yet when they showed up at Joe and Linda's place Friday night it was like that time gap was never there.
When Ollie left the EPA and Jersey City State he did so quietly. Since then he and Carol have been up and down the east coast moving from place to place and, usually, buying waterfront property. They have places in Maryland, VA, and South Carolina in addition to the PA property. Only the latter is away from the water, but Ollie is doing something about that. He's having a small pond built. Their three boys are scattered from Maine to VA, again on the water. Probably has to do with their having been brought up on the Wading River of southern NJ.
After a lovely dinner and visit at Joe and Linda's on Friday night, we met again Saturday morning. Ollie took us on a field trip. We drove up Mt. Pisgah (some great views to the northeast and southwest) and through Stephen Foster State Park (state record largemouth bass was caught here). Then I led them to our property outside of Mansfield (excellent views to the west, north and northeast). We lunched at the University Club in Mansfield and then drove up Route 15 to Hammond and Tioga Lakes (tiger muskie, channel cats, white and stripped bass and lots of good fishing). We didn't drive to Cowenesque, which is a little further north and gets stocked with lake trout among other things. We did stop at the beautiful new visitors' center on the south side of Route 15 to pick up informational pamphlets for the area. Finally we headed back to Ollie and Carol's place for an evening of good food, adult beverages and friends.
Early Sunday, Terry and I headed back to NJ thinking how we would have our own place in PA within the next 18 months and wishing it could be sooner.
When Ollie left the EPA and Jersey City State he did so quietly. Since then he and Carol have been up and down the east coast moving from place to place and, usually, buying waterfront property. They have places in Maryland, VA, and South Carolina in addition to the PA property. Only the latter is away from the water, but Ollie is doing something about that. He's having a small pond built. Their three boys are scattered from Maine to VA, again on the water. Probably has to do with their having been brought up on the Wading River of southern NJ.
After a lovely dinner and visit at Joe and Linda's on Friday night, we met again Saturday morning. Ollie took us on a field trip. We drove up Mt. Pisgah (some great views to the northeast and southwest) and through Stephen Foster State Park (state record largemouth bass was caught here). Then I led them to our property outside of Mansfield (excellent views to the west, north and northeast). We lunched at the University Club in Mansfield and then drove up Route 15 to Hammond and Tioga Lakes (tiger muskie, channel cats, white and stripped bass and lots of good fishing). We didn't drive to Cowenesque, which is a little further north and gets stocked with lake trout among other things. We did stop at the beautiful new visitors' center on the south side of Route 15 to pick up informational pamphlets for the area. Finally we headed back to Ollie and Carol's place for an evening of good food, adult beverages and friends.
Early Sunday, Terry and I headed back to NJ thinking how we would have our own place in PA within the next 18 months and wishing it could be sooner.
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Caesar's Lodge
Last May Joe, David, John, and I went to Quebec to do some fishing for northern pike and walleye. (I reported on that trip back then so check the Archives.) Finally Caesar's web page has been published. They were upgrading from an older, but still cool, site and had been promising it would be up in April, then May and then June.... I stopped looking when late June still didn't show any progress. Well, it;s finally up. and you can either click Here or use the link on the right sidebar.
I'm Bored!
Then there was this quiz:
Which American Cities Best Fit You
I knew it wasn't going to be NYC, SF or LA!
Which American Cities Best Fit You
American Cities That Best Fit You: |
65% Austin |
65% Denver |
65% Las Vegas |
60% Atlanta |
60% Honolulu |
I knew it wasn't going to be NYC, SF or LA!
Another Day, Another Adventure
Daughter Jessica went off this morning for a job interview. Twenty minutes later, we get a phone call that her little Cavalier has had a flat tire on I-287 near mile post 15. She wants to be rescued (sorta) and asks that we call the school to tell them she might be a little late.
Since my truck is still in the shop, I hopped in the Navigator's Lumina and headed down the road. By the time I got there, Jessica had already pulled the bad tire and put the little donut on in its place. Fearful of driviing to the interview and then off to work afterwards, we switched cars. She went off in the Lumiona and I took the Cavilier to get the tire repaired.
To make a long story shorter, the tire was not repairable and I ended up buying two new tires. Jessica made the interview on time and also made it safely to the Apple Store at the Mall At Short Hills for her part time job.
Since my truck is still in the shop, I hopped in the Navigator's Lumina and headed down the road. By the time I got there, Jessica had already pulled the bad tire and put the little donut on in its place. Fearful of driviing to the interview and then off to work afterwards, we switched cars. She went off in the Lumiona and I took the Cavilier to get the tire repaired.
To make a long story shorter, the tire was not repairable and I ended up buying two new tires. Jessica made the interview on time and also made it safely to the Apple Store at the Mall At Short Hills for her part time job.
213 Things You Can NOT Do in the Army
I came across this list fo '213 Things Not To Do In The U.S. Army' on SlagleRock's Slaughterhouse and thought some of you might enjoy reading it.
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