Trout Camp Gravel - - Round II

Well, this trip was bittersweet.  On the way into camp Saturday evening, I was informed that my wife was driving my 10 year old son to ER for stitches.  While playing some aggressive football with the neighbor's son and friends a head-on collision occured.  My son's eyebrow got the brunt of the force exerted by the other player's teeth.  The result was the peeling down of his eyebrow from the midline out toward the right side of his brow ridge.

I'm happy to say that a dozen stitches fixed him all up.  And, the report I got, was the ER at Hillcrest treated him well and did a great job.  He's still swollen and the blood is beginning to drift down and under his eye.  In a couple more days, he should have a nice shiner to go with the son of Frankenstein stitches he's sporting.  Poor guy!  What a bruiser though!

So, with that on my mind and a whole host of other stresses that I'm trying my best to cope with....traveling to trout camp was supposed to be a welcome relief.  But, I can honestly say that I didn't feel the stress reduction that normally magically happens upon crossing the Ohio / Pennsylvania border this time around.  There were just too many things going on for me to attempt to forget.  The calming / healing properties of Trout Camp weren't working on this trip.  I'm hoping that it was me and not lost majical properties at our little hide-away in the hills.

The buzz at the local tavern was the influx of bear hunters.  Jim and I hadn't seen this packed in like forever.  In a stroke of luck we were able to snag a table just as some patrons finished up and left.  We ordere our "usuals" and chased it with a couple of ice cold bottled Yings.  We spoke to a few guys in from Ohio and made small talk about football and dealt with the "flat landers" comments from the locals.  Even the Steelers fans seemed to be optimistic that in a couple years our Brownies might be up to the task of walking on the field and battling it out like we had years ago when the rivalry was bitter and a celebrated event.  We can only hope that we're on the right track now with the current staff.  I believe we are.

Jim and I headed up to camp and went through our normal routine of scoping out the property and prepping for snoozing in the Mountaineer.  I quickly took note of the overturned 55 gallon drum and the scattering of all our trash that we had left.  What had scavenged our refuse?  Raccoon, deer, cougar or maybe even a bear?  Who knows?  Whatever it was, it was strong, because that steel drum isn't the lightest thing to topple over!  I was hoping that the culprit wouldn't show while we were up there either!  I spent a few minutes cleaning up the place which wasn't so difficult.  The full moon in the sky was shining a bright blue hue down on the woods.  Almost all the leaves have fallen and the lush fern vegetation has taken on a rust-brown color.  It was very cool out causing ice crystals of frost to form just about everywhere.  The frosty white color reflected the moon's radiance effectively.  Within a few minutes, my eyes adjusted to the point that I could see anything and everything without the use of a headlamp.  I won't forget that pale blue hue though.  It seemed to just make everything glow eerily. 

Jim and I also took notice that someone had traveled via our gravel road.  The rock we laid down smoothly just a month ago had settled some and the surface was scarred by a half dozen thin wheel marks.  They seemed far to thin for quad, automobile or wheelbarrow.  I'm guessing that it was either a dirt bike or game cart pulling out a prized kill?  Any trace of the wheel tracks was erased with a quick once over by the rake.

The next morning, bright and early, coffee was served, a bagel was eaten and the next installment of 10# of gravel arrived and was spread.  During the course of our discussion with our local excavator contact, Jim and I made mention of some flattening that we'd like done in preparation of the Banner Camper's arrival next spring.  A short while into the video, you'll see me pointing out to Steve our ideas and what we're were looking to accomplish.  Steve quoted us on the spot and with a very reasonable amount.  If the stars align, we may just have him back to camp with his track hoe to level things out.  I had considered borrowing my buddy Greg's Kubota again, but the time and energy, gas, etc associated with it just didn't make sense.  Steve told us that he'd be able to push everything down, stumps and all, level things off, smooth the drive in and out all in one day.  What he'd be able to do with his heavy machinery would take me and the little tractor many trips and alot of work.  It just makes sense to go with a professional.  I can't tell you how happy I am that Jim and I were referred this gentleman and his abilities.  He's reasonable, on time, makes special delivery accomodations (Sunday mornings) and has worked out great for TC improvements.

I shot a video of the second go round with the gravel delivery, the before and after of the full drive and a little bit of what TC looks like now that all the vegetation is pretty much dead and void of green.  It is boring, but I'm sure someone will enjoy seeing our progress and speedy work in fast forward mode.  I can't wait to shoot Steve down there with the track hoe pushing out the stumps, the hillside and anything else in his way.  That is a "Bob the Builder Day" for sure!

Jackpot!

Sitting on the sidelines, I've waiting patiently for the perfect moment to pounce on another great CL find.  It would appear, for at least the last couple months, that every opportunity had several others waiting to make the grab as well.  Almost like a broken record, either the item was sold minutes prior or would sell before I could punch out of work and make the journey to acquire it!  As a matter of adaptation, my searches were broadened to include Erie, Youngstown, Akron/Canton, Ashtabula as well as Cleveland.

Finally the stars aligned and another Craig's List find made it back home with me.   On Sunday, my son and I traveled to South Akron and hitched up a 1984 Coleman Newport.  You might be thinking to yourself, why does Dj (don't forget Floatman too!) need another camper?  And you would be correct, we really don't need another camper!  LOL!  But, we do need a hauling trailer and we definitely needed the four pads that complement the dinette area of the 22' Banner.  Without them, let's just say sitting on 3/4" plywood and a vertical back rest is very uncomfortable!  Not to mention, converting the dinette to sleeping would have all the luxuries of a foreign prison bed!  

If you have ever researched upholstery padding, you know that it isn't cheap!  The good stuff is a small fortune and then you have to become a seamstress to make the covers.  Well, I can sew, but this isn't as simple as putting a button back on a shirt.  Finding a set of seat cushions that would fit the size we needed for the Banner was a priority.   Another nagging "want" was a trailer that Floatman and I could use to tow supplies up to camp as needed and facilitate trips to H.Depot when we make building additions to the property (steps coming off the deck anyone?).  Plus, Floatman, Packmule and I are planning on a doing a inflatible pontoon trip down a class A stocked trout stream in late spring of 2011 and we need a way to haul the pontoons!  This pop-up fulfills them all!

The Newport is slightly larger than my Columbia and comes equipped with a 9.5' long box, so naturally the pads for the dinette are longer than we need which works out great.   Another benefit is the longer box makes for a longer trailer frame which is really great.  The previous owner tried to convince me that all it needed was a new tree and cable hoist system, but once I pried the top off...it was evident that it needed A LOT more than that.   I'm very glad that I wasn't purchasing it for camping purposes or the $200 I spent would have been waisted and my hopes at camping dashed.  It was a pleasant reminder that the $250 I spent on the Columbia several years ago was money well spent and reinforced what a great deal I got on that one.

It took me and my son about 5 hours to dismantle the popup parts and remove them from the trailer.  I meticulously chopped up the pieces into sizes that could be disposed of properly.  I have no doubt that the aluminum and steel will be on my tree lawn for only a few minutes.  The area's traveling metal recycler is quite efficient when it comes to picking through everyone's trash of valuable scrap.  It is a "service" I don't mind as the trash collector usually rejects anything that can't be hidden within a can or bagged.

My hopes are that the parts that I was able to salvage through the tear down and relist on CL will sell, thus lowering the amount of my investment to the point that Floatman and I can say we got the padding and the trailer for free.   We'll see, it is the end of the camping season.  Many of them may sit in the garage until spring of next year, but that's ok!

Recap:

It's not free, but here is what a $250 1984 Coleman Newport Pop-up Camper gets you:

• (4) perfectly matched seat/backpads for the Banner's dinette/bed area
• (2) 3" foam queen size mattresses for use in the Banner.
• (1) 7' X 9' long utility trailer frame w/brand new tires (I forgot to mention that!)
• (1) Full set of privacy drapes for the Columbia camper (since they were removed due to age)
• (1) Entrance door with door-to-canvas seals that are in perfect condition (I'll swap the door with mine and sell the door on CList)  These plastic pieces sell for $30 a side at the RV store!!!!

The Fall of Leaves and Gravel @ Trout Camp

This past Saturday, Jim and I headed out to trout camp so that we could be ready at first light on Sunday to receive what may be at least a few deliveries of gravel. Saturday night into Sunday morning brought with it some fairly cold temperatures with the dash temp. gauge reading 34 degress at one point. The sky was crystal clear for much of the evening and I was even able to catch a shooting star in the 3am hour while using "the facilities". What a jolt going from the comfortable warmth of a synthetic sleeping bag to the ice cold chill of the early morning air!

     The landscape has changed considerably since my last visit only a couple weeks ago. The cooler temps have caused the leaves to turn just about every color imaginable. It truly has become a decorated canvas as the forest takes the slide into hibernation! October's cooler temperatures are great for working. The abusive gnats that left welts on the skin are now long gone along with the unbearable heat and humidity. I left camp from my previous outing soaking wet with sweat feeling as if I had been the main course for a flurry of insects.

     This time around, even in full sunlight, working was almost enjoyable!  ALMOST! No humidity, a cool breeze, 40-55 degree temps. Ahhhhhh, now we're talking!  It was like having a personal AC unit on your back.  I don't mind work, I've done my fair share and I'm always willing to help others regardless of the time and energy involved, but of all the consequences including sore joints, back, tiredness, etc...I can stand sweating my (you know what's off) the least.  If I'm cool, then I'm cool to keep going until I fall over.  So, experiencing a day like this was more than welcome to me.

Three videos are linked within this post. The first is video/gif file of the trail/road into camp after I moved several large boulders from the path to a better, out of the way resting point. I used a tow strap, trucker's chain, low gear and the hitch on the mountaineer to tow them from the grips of the earth to the entrance into camp. It took a few changes of direction and I had to unhook and re-hook the chain after moving the mountaineer to a better pulling spot, but the work wasn't all the difficult. Kinda fun, to be honest. I found it nice that the owner of the next camp up the road stopped down to make sure I wasn't stuck in the mud.  He had heard the slow reving of the motor and the multitude of car door slams and was compelled to come down to see if everything was OK.  Thankfully, I was not stuck and it was only the rocks that were temporarily.  It is a comforting to know that even when you think you're alone, you're not and there is always someone within at least a 10 minute walk that is willing to lend a hand and help out if you need it.  Anyway, if you look closely at the .gif images as they scroll, you wil be able to make out the dark streaks from smashed earth and ground up soil.  These paths were left from dragging the two boulders.  One of the stones was resting above ground and wasn't too difficult to strap and tow to the beginning of the driveway.  The other one, the less flat one, the one that is darker due to dampness, was only slightly pertruding from the hole pictured near the end of the series in the .gif.  I strapped it up and began to pull only to find out that the rock was way bigger than I thought.  I would have left it where it was, but the way it was jetting up from the surface of the soil, it would have always been in the way and a major hazard to our suspensions when entering camp.  It took a much more time to move and left a huge hole in its place.  Jim and I had figured we'd have to get gravel eventually, but this hole and the nearby rocky ravine made the decision an expedited one to make. 

The second video is a 5 minute condensed version of the 55 minutes it took to receive, spread and level the 10 tons of gravel!

This video is the walk from the street, through the entrance, down the drive and where we usually park our vehicles (noted by the deep ruts in the dirt).   The next load of gravel will be closer to the street and come spring the next two loads will cover where the cars park at the end.





Craig's List Delivers Again!

What a "banner" find thanks to the generosity of some kind hearted people from Tallmadge! 

This past Sunday, the wifey, Nick and I took a drive out to Deerfield to view a "freebie" that I had gotten a call from the CL "want ad" I placed.  We arrived with minimal expectations, figuring the worst that could happen is I would deliver on the promise to assist Mike in installing a new tire on the beast before they figured out a plan "B" to remove it from their private campgrounds.  What I knew was that the hardside had been in the family for MANY years and had been taken care of as well as any camper that had just celebrated 44 years.  Arriving and greeting Mike and Wendy and being introduced to their family's 1966 Banner Travel Trailer, I knew that THIS WAS THE ONE and plan "B" (finding another home for it) wouldn't have a chance.  She was going home with us!
The camper was exactly as I pictured in my head with the exception of the extent of real wood in the interior!  I can't express how delighted I am to have the "Banner" as part of our family.  It needs a little work, especially a good cleaning, but for the most part this camper is PERFECT for "DaJtcha"!
At 22' long, she's got more than enough room for either family.  What I like most about the camper is the storage space,  there is a ton of it!  (2) closests, (4) full length under-seat storage boxes, (3) soffets and more drawers than I can count all made from 100% wood, not press board or cheap-o plastic.  Calling this camper a "tank" is a bit of an understatement!  I was also pleased to find that the undercarriage is in excellent condition and (even though the roof is in BAD shape) it does not leak!  I believe Mike's diligence to re-sealing it each year and the fact that it has several layers of highly sticky flat roof sheeting on it has kept it in such good shape. 

You'll notice the camper is equipped with decent sized bathroom including a sink, toilet, shower and closet!  The kitchen is very nice and more than enough size to take care of the feeding frenzies that Trout Camp has been known to create.  The exterior, although dirty, was repainted years ago and is in really good condition.  If you're into nastalgia, you'll love the stove, it is really cool looking and it works!  The pressurized water system is certainly different.  In the storage locker under the bench seat for the dining area, there is stainless steel tank and an air pump.  Fill the tank up from the exterior, seal the valve, turn the pump on and you've got pressurized water throughout!  We don't plan on using the indoor stove, fridge or water system (due to its age), but they're present and accounted for in the event we change our minds!  We also, if you can believe it, don't plan on using the indoor propane lighting!  DUH!

Getting It Home

My Dad came through (again!) and allowed me to use his F250 to pull the camper the 60 miles.  We took the back roads and non-highways for safety's sake.  Jen escorted me by trailing me for the drive.  2 hours later and she's parked at the house getting a good scrub down (in and out). 

I'd like to thank the following people:

Mike and Wendy, you two are good people!
My Dad, for the use of his truck!
My cousin Dave for getting me a good used tire for the trailer's ride home!
My Wife for her escort and helping the family with the cleaning of the Banner camper!

We plan on having the camper parked at our home until next spring.  Jim and I must discuss and work on having a driveway installed at camp as there is no way that this camper will make the trek back through the woods in the trail's current condition.  From a camper perspective and a tow vehicle's, it would be abusive and/or downright torturous!

"D&JTCHA" is Officially Trout Camp!

Trout camp is official!  An actual outing combined with trout caught on the fly (among other ways) occurred this past weekend.  Hard to believe, but not nearly as difficult for Jim and I.  There is not much more work to be done this year, save a few bricks to be relocated from the drive entrance to the fire pit.  I toted the weed eater and cleared out some of the ferns and weeds that have been growing vigorously lately.  After they were mulched up pretty good, I delivered on the promise that I made to my wife to spread wild flower seeds around camp.  Does she realize this will attract bears?  Ooops!  Did I type that out loud?! But that is "work", let me fill you in on the "play".

Floatman and I left for Trout Camp this past Friday and arrived early afternoon.  Working together we assembled camp quickly.  This involved leveling the pop-up, situating the easyup screen porch/tent on the deck and placing all the other supplies and stuff in a most convenient place for relaxation and enjoyment.  This was the first time that Jim had seen the deck and I believe he was impressed.  I think it really improves the enjoyment factor for camp as it is clean, level, dry and an attractive addition to our plot.

After setting everything up and cracking the metal caps from the bottles of two ice cold Yeunglings, I unveiled my surprise.  With the very generous help and laborous programming of my friend and neighbor Shawn and Millwork Design Solutions in Willoughby, Millwork Design Solutions Inc., I presented DaJtcha and Jim with our camp marker.  Without his help, there is NO WAY that this sign could have come out looking 1/4 of what is does.  THANK YOU SHAWN AND RAY!
I formulated the design with a little brainstorming, internet image searching, photoshopping, sketching and some donated materials.

The finish product resembles an ancient Eygptian obelisks to a small degree.  The main boards are pressure treated, stained walnut and attached to the 4X4 post with lag bolts and aluminum tube spacers.  The top of the post was shaped into a pyramid with a compound mitre saw and sanded smooth with a palm sander.  Using a step drilling bit, I made a 3/4" hole in the top of the post to hold a solar LED lawn light sans the mounting spike/post.  This marker illuminates Trout Camp's position in the abscence of light.  I was very surprised at how well the low power solar charged LED's complete this task.  When star gazing, which is something to behold in our location, a hat placed overtop of the peak is a must!

Each side of the post is clad with a plank of wood CNC machined with information and images of importance to camp.  Contact information, GPS coordinates and our site numbers have been smudged via photoshop to protect camp privacy.  Each plank is topped with the direction it faces:  North, East, South and West respectively.  The location was chosen with precision and the post exists only a few feet off from the actual GPS coordinates engraved into the wood.

Jim and I were in awe of how well this post made its "mark" on our little piece of Heaven.  We just kept circling it and admiring its beauty.  As we sat and waited for Packmule to arrive, we couldn't help but smile and pinch ourselves.  The camp was coming together nicely! 

We hope, by the end of the season, to have a big jamboree at camp and celebrate its majestic qualities with our close friends.  More on that to come later when we figure out the logistics.

Moving on....While we had full daylight, I ran around camp and took photos of everything as we decided to place it.  Here's a gif for you to review.  You'll notice the path cut through the woods leading down to the firepit.  Before the forest turned a dense leafy green, this path led down to the smaller old wood deck that has since been moved.  It looks pretty cool and gives an alternative route for foot traffic leading up to the beginning of our drive and out of camp.

There was a lot more to this trip.  When James finally arrived, we headed down to our favorite tavern just a short drive down the mountain and up the two lane interstate.  Jim and I introduced James to the regulars as we sat down for more beverage and our fill of food.  We ate like kings and eventually called it a night.  We had fishing to do in the morning and rest was welcomed by all.

We woke mid morning and threw our gear in the vehicle.  Packmule had us flying around forest service roads in his Jeep wrangler with confidence.  His conversion of this stock vehicle into a "go anywhere" trail-rated beast has been quite successful.  Cruising around town with the top open was the best air conditioning you could as for-full body-and a much needed relief from the heat and humidity of the mountainous hiking on a hot sunny day.

     After an exhaustive day spent driving (flying, bouncing and ripping through) ANF forest service roads, hiking up and down trails hell bent on killing you in their difficulty, fishing and flailing water...it was time to head to Cougar Bob's!  Cougar Bob's may be the best kept secret that everyone that has every traveled through the ANF knows about.  I've begun to appreciate that the best places to eat and hang out aren't always the prettiest from the outside. However, inside...you'll find great service, ice cold beers and awesome food!

  Those small bars, taverns, dives and diners are some of the coolest places to recharge the batteries and familiarize yourself with good old fashion Americana.  The spirit of the area, the surrounding towns and the people are present on the walls, the ceilings, on the faces and certainly contained within the conversations that the local patrons hold.  Striking up a conversation is as easy as saying "Hello! How are you?" and in these parts...the people aren't afraid to tell you what is truly on their mind.  This may not be the setting and atmosphere for some, but for me...it is exactly my idea of home.  Too many times us "city folk" get wrapped up in the cover and can't find the time to really seek the value of the contents inherent in the pages of the book.  Cougar Bob's is a place to remember.  From the street, it looks like a stretched out barn or old fire house.  Inside, the walls are adorned with the crazy antics of people who visit and are likely considered the bar's regulars.  Ever see a mule, a horse or a full size bison/steer in a bar?  Take a moment to inspect the photos on the walls and you will!  Ever had wings with "cougar juice"...tell the waitress you want to try one! LOL!  (Packmule attempted to verify if the sauce actually contained real bits of cougar and it appears by his description of the waitresses' face that this may not be the case! Nice one!) If you like wings, you'll love Cougar Bob's.  I'm reluctant when ordering wings finding most places either overcook or oversalt their puny wings, but Cougar Bob's knows how to make a hell of a buffalo wing.  For the heck of it, I partnered the honey mustard wings with a turkey, lettuce, tomato, bacon and cheese sub.  WOW...it was good!  Take a close look at the photos...Are you curious as to how the dollar bills are attached to the ceiling more than 12' off the floor and without a ladder or the use of tape?  For a $1.25 they'll show you, but you won't get the dollar back! LOL!  This place is a riot! 

Sunday evening came way to fast.  Jim and I wished Packmule a safe trip home and then sought out some food.  BTW, thanks for joining us James and showing us some great places to fish...even though there isn't a chance we'll ever find them again unless you revisit! LOL! 

We had to travel a good 30 minutes to find a place that was still serving food.  Unfortunately it was far from the quality of Cougar Bob's or our local Tavern nearest camp...McDonald's had me tossing and turning all night with bad dreams and indigestion.  I should have known better and just ate a bologna sandwich from the cooler! 

Finally, I'd like to leave you with a clip of a small waterfall on a feeder to a major river that the area is appropriately named after.  We found this after a 30 story descent into a canyon to fish WVa. style pocket water.  Definately my cup of tea although the hike out won't ever be repeated by either Jim and I!  UGGGHHH!!!

Mud on the tires...

This past weekend was an adventure, to say the very least. To summarize it briefly, it involved 4" of rain in a span of 8 hours, mud, lighting strikes, tornado force winds, snakes, mud, exhaustion, bruises, mud, humidity and the creation of some new friendships with a couple of great local guys that came to our rescue. 

Let's just say, that 4WD is mandatory when visiting if there is even a hint of rain in the forecast.  I've vowed not elaborate because the soreness, desperation and pain of the experience is still too fresh, but I will say that if it wasn't for two local boys and a CHEVY (that's right, a Chevy!) 4X4 PU truck, Jim and I would still be camping!

Let me focus on the positives and summarize what was accomplished this past Sunday.  The wood and bricks pictured previously were delivered and left at camp.  There...that about does it! LOL!

Monday was a recuperation day.  A day spent physically recuperation from the trauma of Sunday along with cleaning the mud off everything (tent, clothes, truck, tools, etc). 

Tuesday morning had me heading back out to finish what could not be on Sunday.  This time with the wifey and kids.  What a big help Jen was!  It was very nice to have her there, not only because of the help but because she and I don't get to spend nearly as much time together as I wish we could.  Even though this was considered work, we were still in each other's presence and sometimes this is the most we can afford. 

We started around 10-ish AM and were heading out around 5PM.  We started with a pile of neatly stack lumber and finished with a brand new deck.  What we began with was a reminder of a task left undone and in the course of 6 hours...We left trout camp with a feeling of building something sweet that undoubtedly will provide years of enjoyment for many people.

Want to see the progress?  Here  you go:

More Goodies Heading to Trout Camp...

Craig's list comes through again!  400 pavers and 200 bricks free of charge!  You just can't beat free! LOL!

Today was a busy, busy, busy weekend preparation day.  Early in the morning, I headed out to North Royalton and then to Parma to pick up back to back loads of pavers and bricks.  From there, the wife and I headed out to breakfast, then to my buddy Adam's house to pick up a generator, to Lakeland for Jen's class registration, then to Home Depot and finally Lowe's!  My day was finished at 9pm when I put the last brick atop the neat stack strategically placed top-middle of my cousin's tandem axle trailer.

The plans?  Saturday evening, Jim and I will head out to camp, sleep overnight, wake at dawn to begin deck construction and hopefully have enough time to pile the bricks neatly next to the firepit.  If time allows, I may even throw a few down to finalize the area.  I'm hoping, because there are even more pavers stacked in the truck (not pictured) that we'll have some left over for future projects.

That's all for now...updates coming Monday/Tuesday.

Dj