CampersGroup

Why there are so many posts on May 30, 2009

I had previously kept a blog on the Campers' Group web site (http://www.campersgroup.org), but Google's blogging software is better than mine so I decided to move all of the old posts here.

To learn more about Campers' Group, read these blog entries, visit http://www.campersgroup.org, or join us on a trip!

David Levner

North Fork of Long Island Bicycle Trip, 4/25-27/2008

Athmane and I camped out at Janice’s house late Saturday night. Sunday morning, the three of us hitched up our bikes, and drove to what seemed as the last train station on earth, Mattituck, Long Island. Harry, David G, and Harry’s friend Monty, had arrived and were hailing a table at the Love Lane cafe, where service was horrendously slow, but breakfast was tasty once it arrived. After, kicking tires, admiring nifty bike accessories and zipping up our rain gear amidst the annoying mist, not quite drizzle, we mounted and were off. It was no further than 1/2 mile, when I realized, no matter how much I wanted to have the wind in my hair, three weeks post-op, on both my feet, was not going to allow me to come close to making the 24-mile journey. The group pedaled on at a brisk eight miles an hour, while I headed back to the car, loaded my bike, put on my flip flops, and played chase car. We stopped off at this Light House for snacks and stories. The return route brought us to the Wine Tasting room, a Goat Cheese stand, and once again to the start and end of our day at the Love Lane Cafe. Our dinnertime antics got us talked to, by the owner, because we had smuggled in some of our goat cheese. Some of the group remarked, it was reminiscent of the trip to Martha’s Vineyard, police versus Joan incident. We had great belly laughs, and give big Kudos to Harry, the map maker/trip leader, as we continue the Road Rooster call of the wild "we may be foul, but we ain’t chicken."

Suzanne

Martha’s Vineyard Hostel, 9/21-23/2007

Ken and Theresa left before dawn on Friday and arrived in MV early, well in time to greet Janice, Harry, Joan and Noreen, who left on the 1:30 Fast Ferry. The 9.5-mile bike ride to the hostel put some of us to the test (except for energizer bunny Ken), so we were happy to find rest at the hospitable and well-run hostel. Friday night found most participating in Scrabble, on line at the hostel-provided computers or just kanoodling with the international crowd.

On Saturday some of us rode the mile or so to the quaint hamlet of West Tisbury, where we found a farmers’ market that provided produce for the evening meal. After breakfast (the hostel made pancakes), we began our odyssey to Gay Head lighthouse (a 13-plus-mile trip). Theresa, Janice and Joan started out and stopped at roadside stands (honor system for flowers and veggies) and little sailboat studded harbors to take pictures. The ride was hilly, but worthwhile when we finally saw the beautiful lighthouse, beach and cliffs at Aquinnah. The girls attempted to eat at the only restaurant overlooking the cliffs, but were stymied by the almost non-existent service. After refusing to pay the 18% tip added to the bill, Joan was almost ARRESTED by the local police when the restaurant owners called them (total owed: $2)!

By now Ken and a newly-arrived David G. had joined us for what we all thought might be our last glimpse of Joan before she was carted off to an island jail! Luckily the police saw it her way, and we all began a multi-mile hike on the beach. Majestic white and red clay cliffs awaited us, as did several nude sunbathers. One man was balancing rocks in the buff (Ken got a picture) and another rather well endowed couple followed us as we walked. We were enchanted by the stacks of pre-historic-looking balanced rocks that studded the beach: this is evidently a popular pastime on this beach.

We arrived at the hostel that evening and prepared a feast from the earlier produce and items left by departing hostellers.

On Sunday, Ken, David, Joan, Janice and Theresa left for the eight-mile bike ride to Vintage Haven (aka Tisbury). Bike paths have been perfected on this island. The city is quaint, and we enjoyed coffee and snacks at the Beedlebung coffee house and book browsing at the local bookstore. Janice left for Oak Bluffs and left on the early boat, while others remained for the later.

Janice

Wharton State Forest, 7/13-15/2007

I got to the Buttonwood Hill Camp Site (of Wharton State Forest) 3 PM Friday at about the same time as Walter and was fit to be tied: the site was already full of trailers, tents and other people not part of our group! Then Janet arrived and we all set up our tents in out-of-the-way locations. About 6 p.m. the two absentee trailer owners, returning to claim their spots, were unhappy to see us. I explained that the camp office had rented the site to 27 people (it holds 30) as Buttonwood has become much more popular lately. To my relief, the trailer owners moved to the more secluded Bodine site about 5 miles away.

Dave, Evelyn, Frank and David arrived later and we had a campfire. Moonlight bathing in the Mullica River was a pleasant diversion. Saturday, Walter launched his new inflatable boat at Crowley’s Landing across the street from our camp. Several of us went kayaking, taking time out for a leisurely lunch/swim on the riverbank. Leo arrived in the interim and later he, Evelyn and Dave went out to dinner and to buy more wood. Frank and I had dinner at the Sweetwater Casino, a local nightspot with a spectacular sunset view and good music, but disappointing food. Janet was delighted with her swim in the Mullica River.

David and Walter took a long walk into the piney woods to escape the sand flies. David reported fewer wild blueberries this year. We had a campfire and laughed till late in the night.

Sunday, Evelyn and Dave went cycling. Most of us left early to beat the traffic.

Sarah

Wharton State Forest, 7/13-15/2007

7/13-15/2007: I passed by Buttonwood Hill several times in my car before actually finding the entrance close to midnight on Friday. Although some people had already gone to bed, I joined a lively bunch around the campfire.

On Saturday morning after breakfast, Evelyn, Sarah, Dave, Frank and I drove down the road to Bel Haven Canoes and Kayaks. We rented two double kayaks and one single (I paddled solo) and took a two-hour trip down the Mullica River. I liked the early part of the journey best, where the river is narrow and winding. Towards the end, the river becomes much broader, there are more boats and jet skis, and a strong headwind.

Returning to the campsite, I was famished and built a charcoal fire for my sweet potato and salmon. Then the sand flies came around. I put on my sweatshirt (it was over 80 degrees), but the flies were still swarming us. So Walter and I escaped by walking down the sand road in the back of the site for about 1.5 miles. Towards the end of the walk, we found bushes with dozens of ripe blueberries. Yum!

On Saturday night, after enjoying the campfire, we noticed a few stars twinkling through the hazy sky. That convinced Frank to go across the road to Crowley’s Landing and set up his telescope. We were able to see Jupiter and four of its moons! And while looking for the Big Dipper, we saw a shooting star!

I packed it in early on Sunday and left around 11:30 AM. Fortunately, someone else took the Campers’ Group equipment and I didn’t have to wait for everyone to break camp.

David Levner

Swartswood State Park, 7/6-8/2007

I got to Swartswood about 6 PM Saturday. Sarah (there were two of us) helped me set up my tent which gave me more time for a sunset swim to cool off. All of a sudden I was next to something bubbling up from the bottom...a Lake Lochness? Yikes! I paddled away in alarm and finished my swim far away from it. Not to worry: a billboard next to the bathhouse explained the lake’s conservation program which involves moving water through pipes and venting the pipes in various spots.

After supper, campfires blazed merrily at our four campsites. I left David and Walter who were absorbed in a game of chess, and visited Sarah and Deborah. We covered many topics in a great gabfest -- the Nebraska sandhills, undergraduate college life and ecology were some. The next morning, a few of us kayaked and canoed across the lake to a small secluded beach and went skinnydipping.

Sarah