Loser and Cluck Journals, Volume II

“On this trip the Corps of Dishevelment met its match. The expedition began with clouds lying at about 3,500 feet, with visibility on the Allegheny Front (4,000 feet) at five feet. Cluck (Creek Dancer) almost drove by Loser (Geobeet), who flicked his headlights to flag down the elusive Cluck, who was late due to the limited visibility.
Given the general lack of visibility, the Corps decided to make camp at Red Creek Campground for the night and see what the weather gods would bring on the morrow (see Wishful Thinking). After settling into a site, the Corps erected shelter for the night and settled in for dinner. The faithful Corps then crawled into the tent for a restful night’s sleep (see Wishful Thinking). Their peace was shattered when a group of native scouts invaded the camp, setting up tents and emitting war-like whoops and yells that would have frightened off the horses had the Corps had the forethought to have brought horses.
Loser confronted the savage horde, reminding them that raids are prohibited in National Forest Service campgrounds after 10 p.m., and suggesting the horde act more like scouts. Peace reigned over the Corps’ camp, except for the chief of the scouts, who ran his SUV engine at about 3 a.m. to warm up his poor little feetsies.
The next day, visibility was improved ... to 10 feet.
Less than gruntled, the Corps weighed its options. The tent and tarps were soaked. They would have had to carry an extra few pounds. They could not see any of the scenery that was the central focus of the expedition. So they decided instead to drive to Seneca Rocks, see the visitor center, have lunch at the 4U Restaurant, and hit the two stores at the rocks. The next day was again improved. Visibility extended all the way out to 20 feet. Reveling in this new situation, the Corps set off by vehicle to the Bright Morning Inn in Davis for a pancake breakfast. Then they went to the Blackwater Falls, which was running higher than Loser had ever seen before. In fact, the falls were just spectacular. From the overlook on the opposite side of the canyon, the corps found balsam firs growing at the base of the observation deck. The Corps the drove over to Backbone Mountain so Cluck could view the windmills there. Cluck thought they were not intrusive from a distance, but at the base of the first tower she had second thoughts. The whooshing noise made by the blades was audible for a quarter of a mile. On the way back to camp, the Corps visited Alder Run Bog via the Northland Loop Trail. Loser found sundews growing in the bog. Sundews are tiny carniverous plants that evolved that way because they cannot draw nutrients from soil.
Other botanical finds included bleeding heart, Allegheny serviceberry, bluets, violets, and blueberry.
Monday dawned with visibility improved to 30 feet, still not enough to see the scenery and the tent and tarps still wet. The Corps decided to abandoned the original plan and move to Seneca Shadows Campground where warm showers awaited.
The Corps went to Petersburg and visited the library to post a message to the other bold explorers who had signed on for the latter part of the expedition, Pennsy Hiker, Tom Terrific, and Baume. As they drove out of Petersburg, the Corps noticed the clouds had lifted off the Sods. The weather gods were playing games on the Corps.
At Seneca Shadows, they set up in the meadow and met Dean Lufkin, the irascible and ebullient campground manager. That night, Dean showed up with some flame azalea he had picked for Cluck and a pair of tent poles so the Corps could erect a tarp shelter. Late in the afternoon, a drunken cowboy in the valley below began shooting off his sixgun, disturbing the intrepid explorers and other campers. One of two little boys camping with their father asked Loser, “Was that you making that noise?”
“No,” said Loser, “That was Wyatt Earp down in the valley.” The boy looked quizically at Loser, but his father nodded assent.
Over dinner, the Corps watched the sun light up the Rocks as the sun set. Later in the evening, they used the spotting scope to check out Jupiter and three of its four moons. That night, Cluck shook Loser awake. “What’s that sound?” she asked in a frightened voice.
The sound came again: “Hoo, Hoo, ... Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoo.”
“That’s just an owl,” Loser said sleepily, “I love that sound.” He rolled back over and went back to sleep, leaving Cluck to learn to like the sound of the great horned owl. On Tuesday, after weighing the weather forecast, the Corps decided to stay at Seneca Shadows and at least have hot showers and be down out of the clouds. They would day hike if the weather permitted, or visit other attractions in the area if it was cloudy. That day the Corps hiked Raven Ridge to Cabin Mountain and back. Cluck found out why loser loves the Sods so much. The views were expansive.
On Cabin Mountain, the Corps could see the windmills on Backbone Mountain at a range of about 12 miles. This runs counter to windmill industry claims that they would not be visible to the naked eye at more than six or seven miles.
On the way back, Loser spotted a coyote loping through a meadow at a distance of about 400 yards. After fumbling for his binoculars, the animal had gone behind a stand of spruce. There were, of course, more wildflowers. At the end of the hike, Loser was attacked by a horde of vicious black flies before he could apply the bug dope. Before the week was out, the cursed insects would inflict about 60 bites on his itching anatomy. A towhee was calling from some brush, “Drink your tea,” and “Towhee.”
At camp that night, Cluck learned a valuable lesson. “Don’t grab a candle lantern by the top,” she reported ruefully, getting out of the tent to fetch some ice from the cooler in the car.
By Wednesday, the sun had disappeared once again. The Corps set off for Cass Scenic Railroad, where Cluck got to see the old Shay logging engines. These are geared locomotives designed especially for steep grades and tight curves. The Corps got a briefing from Bruce, the man who has taken over the interpretive display that tells the story of Cass. Bruce was rewiring the HO gauge model of the town of Cass in the 1930s, complete with a Shay engine pulling logging cars. The Corps saw a train return from a special tour run to Whitaker Station, then was invited by the workers to go through the shops, where a couple of Shays and a Heisler (another logging locomotive) were being lovingly restored to working condition or undergoing routine maintenance.
The Corps began heading back to the station. By then, the train had disemarked its passengers and was returning to the shops. As the engineer passed, he blew the whistle, startling Cluck, who jumped about five feet into the air and leaping behind loser. She touched down only briefly, and then went back up when the engineer blew it again.
As the Corps arrived back at the station, a pair of donkeys that had broken out of their pasture made their way into the town of Cass. Cluck remarked that it was like talking on Trail Talk, dealing with asses.
From there the Corps visited the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Greenbank, where Loser briefed Cluck on the mission since there were no tours operating that day. Then they drove to Gaudineer Scenic Area, a stand of virgin spruce left behind by a surveying error when the forests were being logged. The old trees are dying and younger trees growing up in their stead, natural forest succession at work.
At Durbin, the Corps visited another old railroad that is now a scenic operation. In the shop there was a restored Climax, another geared logging engine.
On Thursday, the Corps moved to another campsite in the hopes of getting quieter surroundings for the holiday weekend. Then they drove back to Petersburg to visit a laundromat and a lunch buffet at Pizza Hut (Yeah, it’s not dehydrated yummies, but you know you all dream of this when backpacking).
On Friday, the Corps made a day trip to the High Falls of the Cheat, crossing Shavers Fork Mountain. The trail has been rerouted in recent years, both to bypass a clearcut in the hollow and to grade it with switchbacks. The new trail is longer. The old route, though somewhat steeper, was much shorter.
The falls are located off a section of old Western Maryland Railway track now being used for tour trains operating out of Elkins and Cheat Bridge. Trains were not running that day, so the Corps had the falls to themselves.
On the way back, Loser photographed Cluck standing in another Western Maryland right of way. Both Cluck and the old rail line were abandoned by CSX, two orphans in the wilderness.
On Saturday, the sun unexpectedly made another appearance. The Corps went up to Spruce Knob for a short hike along trails there. On the way up, they spotted wild geranium, blooming not pink, but purple. On the knob, there was more painted trillium than Loser had seen in his entire lifetime.
Loser’s ankle was bothering him, so the Corps returned to camp and Cluck made a solo day hike up to the top of Seneca Rocks while loser began getting ready for the final night in camp. That evening, the Corps ate its dinner and then roasted marshmallows and drank sassafras tea. Next day the Corps broke camp and Loser and Cluck went their separate ways, thinking ahead to their next expedition.
Some notes: The dried beef and spaghetti sauce worked well. Loser found that bringing pasta to a boil and then letting it sit for about a half hour saves burn time on the stove. It still hydrates well that way.
The 10x12 Siltarp, though slightly heavier, is a better buy because it provides a shelter for two. Cluck whipped up a burrito dinner that was to die for. She dehydrated refried beans, then ground beef. She had soft torillas and packed a fresh tomato inside a tin. Loser had some canned cheddar cheese spread.
Late May is black fly season in West Virginia, but they seem to occur only at higher elevations.
When Plan A does not work, try Plan B and have a good time anyway. We surely did!
Finally, no broken bones! WooHoooooo!”

“Spring on the Sods was a fantastic trip despite the sodden Sods. At the beginning of the trip I felt as if I had gotten on the wrong tour bus, but by the end I felt that I experienced more that I had signed up for. By moving to a lower elevation and taking day hikes, we were able to sample many different areas of this magical and mystical land.

Dolly Sods was unlike any place I have ever been. As I was driving to the trailhead on the first day, I felt as if I had stepped into someone's bizarre dream. The tundra reminded me of Alaska, the fog was errie, yet comforting, and the wildflowers, trees and bogs were captivating.

Blackwater Falls was incredible. The 8 mile day hike to High Falls of The Cheat and back was perfect. The virgin spruce forest hike was amazing. I felt very lucky to walk through such an idyllic area and witness the complete life cycle of these trees.

Geobeet was very sweet. He was the perfect hiking partner and his in depth knowledge of the area was priceless. Now I know why Geo feels so passionate about the Dolly Sods Wilderness and surrounding area. We were never at a loss for something new to experience or something hilarious to laugh about.

As I drove away, I felt that I was leaving a very special place.

I long to return soon.”

“wow, i got goosebumps from the reports!
so cool. sorry it rained on you all but like you said, it gave you a chance to do other things. but the fact that you all made a great trip out of it, is what counts and the fact that goebeet is alive to tell the tail is also great!

CD, your words were felt and I also will have to make this a todo trip!
thanks for the great story.

just the 2 of you went?”

“I forgot to mention that Creek Dancer was less than impressed with the stream crossings we encountered. "Too easy, Drill Sergeant!"”

“Yeah, we had the place to ourselves, except for the jerks in the next campsite on our last night out.”

“BTW, if anybody gets down that way and plans to spend a night in Seneca Shadows, Dean and Peggy Lufkin are the campground managers and both are just wonderful people.

Dean told Creek Dancer, after she told him to have a nice day, "I always have a nice day." His other motto, "Who has more fun than people?"

He's a hoot, and Peggy is sweet. Great personalities.”

“yeah, the creek crossings were for wusses! You'd think with all that rain........”

“Great reports, guys! Glad you took the dismal and made it bright. That's the spirit of not succumbing to the negative stuff. Hope to see some pix too...”

“BTW, forgot my Swiss Army knife on this trip, but picked up a lightweight Shrade sheath knife at Wally World for just under $10. It's quite nice.”

“Wow, great trip report! I am happy to hear that the Corps made the best out of a soggy trip.”

“There are more things to do in West-By-God (and smile when you say it) Virginia than time to do it in. We missed two caverns, fossil hunting, the Cranberry Glades, Falls of Hills Creek, Pearl Buck birthplace, Marlinton, Elkins, Otter Creek, Laurel Fork, Fairfax Stone, North Fork Mountain, and a trip to Monterrey, Va., to buy maple syrup, just to name a few.”

“A great report.”

“Where does this "Loser and Cluck" name come from??

And Geobeet, I can't say make paragraphs, but I can say PUT A SPACE BETWEEN THEM!! And subheads might be nice. White space rules, as you of all Losers should know!! lol

Nice trip report. Sometimes back-up plans can be sweet, too.”

“Loser and Cluck, as in Lewis and Clark, as in Corps of Discovery.

The paragraph spaces were there in the Word version, but disappeared when it went onto the site. Must be a space grabber in here somewhere.”

“Wow, lizs, you almost make me afraid to post my trip report. It's on hold until my pictures are ready.

Lizs, I think you're the one for whom I've been searching. I've been working hard on the format. Will you preview it, if I e-mail it to you? Thanks.

Geobeet - I've been having the same problem. Spaces are disappearing from in front of some of the italicized parts.”

“In some places I found it necessary to insert <p>.”

“White





Space






Especially







For






lizs







to







make






her






happy”

“very "artistic" Geo :o)”

“Ahhhhhhhh... that feels sooooooo good, Geo. LOL!

Sure, nowslimmer, e-mail me. Ummmm... what is it that you're e-mailing me???! >8-O eeeeeeeeek!”

“hey no fair. I emailed you first!!!


(holding my breath until i get a response from lizs)




>THUD<


(maple fell over from lack of air)”

“Quick, help Maple (No treebeard, I was just giving her some mouth to mouth; it's not what you think!)”

“HEHEHEHEH

NICE TRY”

“But Maple, you were turning blue from lack of air!”

“what am I a freaken smurf?

I think NOT

im a red maple!!”

“If a smurf holds his breath, what color does it turn?”

“Yep, I figured you were a "Red." What with all those peace marches, etc. LOL”

“what peace march?
never went on one.”

“Sheeesh, see if I rescusitate you again!”

“I don't know how to post the link, so here's the address for the webshots page: http://community.webshots.com/user/creekdancer

Enjoy!”

“Thanks StoveStomper!”

“Great pics!”

“What kind of camera did you use?
Very nice pics.”

“Canon PowerShot S200. Very lightweight, small and has a rechargeable battery. I am still learning how to use it though.”

“OH MAN I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!


very cool shots. i used a couple as background (hope ya don't mind)

they came out great :)”

“ok ok I GUESS the east coast has some nice places... Great pics :)”

“That Geobeet sure is an old timer...

great pics...the water looks like it was ragin!!!”

“Watch it stikmon!

Yeah, that was the highest I've ever seen Blackwater. First time I saw it, it barely qualified for a trickle, much less a waterfall. I was less than plussed and wondered what the fuss was about. On that day, it really was a waterfall. It was thundering!”