Jen,

I guess you noticed I also used the term "long time" as opposed to that other phrase in my last post. That thought actually did cross my mind. We DO have to be kind to our brethren, don't we?

This past season was relatively quiet. I was only able to do a couple of weekend trips. One was a freezing scout adventure in Jersey and the other was up at Lake George(not cheap but great fishing). My 10y.o. son is now expressing his yearning to go camping more often which will make planning future trips that much more inviting for the rest of the family.

Enjoy your winter months and
Be well,

Elliot

Hey Jen,
Dale, Brian, Jo, Rusty, TP, Elliott, Hippy and everyone else I'm forgetting. It has been a long time for sure. I have been working some long hours and rarely come on. Jen, your story sounded pretty scary for you and your dgt.(the dogs too)
Our dog had cancer and has had 2 surgeries since Feb. she is doing well and hopefully they got it all the second time. She just turned 4 and that was a very happy surprising birthday for us. I still spend every weekend at the campground and any days off in between. We are looking into buying a newer trailer in the spring. Wow Jen, you are lucky to have your hubby retire so young. Keep him busy...LOL
I was laid up for a week last month, someone decided to ram into me on the pike doing around 40-45 and not even slowing down. My car was totaled and that stinks. I don't remember much except the feel of the impact and then i blacked out for a while it seems, the ride to the hospital is still a blur. I am so thankful though that I am ok and realize how much worse it could have been. We will be going to the campground right through the winter as usual, this is the best time, no one is there and it is so peaceful. Take care everyone and I'll ck. in more often. Happy Holidays to everyone if I don't come back before.
Lynda

Wow! Lynda, I'm glad you're okay! People are crazy on those roads! It was not so lucky about the retirement because it was due to health reasons but it's all good now! I do enjoy having him around a lot more and feel like he is a real part of the family! But, there are a lot more work options out there and we have started a business! If you ever need to polygraph anybody let me know!

www.sjpolygraphservices.com
(South Jersey Polygraph Services)

Hi Elliot! I actually didn't read your post where you used that term until after I wrote mine! Maybe it's that I'm getting to an age where I know my kids think I'm ancient! Where was your NJ trip? There are a lot of scout trips at Parvin State Park. I finally got my 9 yo daughter to move into her own tent this summer! Her end of the pop up became a "family room" for games, hanging out, etc. She has slept in it for years but was kept trashing it! I told her I would make her move into the tent with her sister if she kept it up! When it happened she actually enjoyed it even though she's the one that resisted the idea for years! So, she stayed out in the tent all summer!

Afternoon Jen,

That scout camp was at Alpine,NJ. Not bad sites decent size but they were quite a trek from the parking lots. What one lacked in distance to the sites was made up in elevation. When I packed, I packed as if it was "van within 50 feet" camping. Not within 2050 feet camping. Luckily, I brought a Little Tikes wagon but was repositioning the cargo constantly. Unfortunately, it was very uncomfortable during the seminars and show and tell sessions the camp was providing and the kids couldn't wait to leave. I waited as long as possible for the weather to break but it never did. With my 10y.o. clinging and telling me that everyone else was leaving, I had no choice. Packing up after the rain, sleet, snow, and hail in 32° temps was a real trip. I ended up putting my numerous ice ridden mounds of nylon in large storage containers I happen to bring. I've never partaken in winter camping before. With forewarned exposure, it would be different experience when prepared. Thankfully, my son had mentioned he still enjoys camping and we went again as soon as possible to get right back on that horse. I, myself, can't wait till the next outdoor excusion. Maybe in April or May this year cause next year, when he's a "boy" scout, it could be any time during the calendar. I think I have a few purchases to make before then.

Enjoy the holidays,

Elliot

Hey Elliot, not even sure where that is! Given the name is Alpine I'm willing to guess it's nowhere near here-- it is totally flat here! There are no hills and no rocks--nothing alpine at all! Winter camping like that dosn't sound fun at all! The scouts around here are often at the local state park.

Anybody here anything from Dale???

Morning Jen,

Hope your holidays were enjoyable. Just one more weekend to go then I could go back to normal eating.

Alpine is about 6-8 miles north of Fort Lee. Just across the river from Yonkers, NY. Couldn't be much flatter than that. Maybe the name "Alpine" is just an attractant. Very convenient for city dwellers. I'd rather be in the "real mountains during future excursions.

Be well,
Elliot

To all: Well, here i sit, in the clutches of the bowel demon! Was affected by it on Wednesday evening-haven't had much to eat except noodle soup and crackers since! That thing gave me terrific pains in my legs! So bad, i finally took some Tylenol-calmed them down a bit! Today, i went outside in the warm sunshine and walked around a bit. Feeling much better today, too. Weather here is sunny and warm, temp. around 45 +, lawn moles active, grass greening up, leaves all blown away. No New Years Day sauerkraut for me, though!! Unh-Unh-don't want risk a repeat of the past few days!!
Hope everybody else is o.k. Soon be time to go camping, won't it? Oh, yeah, there are some winter campers out there, but its not my bag! Although on the 12/13 of Jan. is the annual Ice Jam Bluegrass deal in Butler, PA., and we'll all camp in at the Butler Days Inn for the weekend! Lots of pickin' and grinnin', check up on friends, listen to some great bands, might get a chance on stage, but we'll all have fun!
So, finish out the winter in good health, and have a great new year!
Rustyj

Hello, Jen and everyone! It has been a while since I have been on the site. Glad everyone's still here (wondering about Dale though). Jen, that was funny about the snoring husband and dog!

2006 was a tough year for me. I lost five relatives last year. Two brothers, an uncle, a great uncle and my mother-in-law passed away. I have hopes that 2007 will be much happier.

I have not hiked much in a while. I do go down to the Ninety Six Historical Site where they have several trails. It's close to home so I can get there pretty fast.

Anyway, it's good to be back and I hope to post at lot more!

Jo

Hi Jo! Great to hear from you! I am so sorry you had such a rough year. I guess it was tough on a lot of us. This has got to be a better year. Maybe I'll dig up Dale's e-mail and drop him a line! He seems to be the only one that hasn't checked in! Hopefully, a lot of good hikes are in store for you this year!

Rusty, sorry to hear you were hit by a bowel demon-- love that description by the way-- hope you are feeling better! Enjoy the bluegrass event!

Jen: Thanks for your good wishes! They helped a lot! I'm all cured!
Went to the bluegrass festival, and had a great time. Was up until 3 a.m. Friday night/ Sat. morning, pickin the 5 string banjo! Finally got to bed around 4, got up for brunch at 11 a.m.! Then on Sat. night, sat up with friends, playing the banjo, and playing everything we knew! Dropped in on some other musician friends, for an hour or so of more music! (Most everybody else had toddled off to bed, but this old (82) horse just had to stay up!)
Finally found my room at 4 a.m., then had to check out at eleven a.m.
I live about 30 miles from the motel, but too far to drive back home, especially if it snows very much, or i have swallowed a beer or two!
Wife Ruth doesn't go with me--she likes her nice cozy bed, and doesn't have to put up with a woozy old fool wandering in at 3 a.m., waking her out of a sound sleep!
Had a great time, the bowel demons left me alone, and i made it back home in fine condition!