Ithaca Car Camping trip

“it's good stuff, yo”

“You had a hip flask of Johnny Walker Red........and didn't tell ME?

That Aftershock was like drinking mouthwash and rubbing alcohol!

Great time you guys!

We stopped at the Route 96 Diner on Route 96 about 30 miles from the park.
They did good breakfast!
It was pouring rain when we got to the diner.
I hope the Tree Family and Geo Gang got their crap packed up before the rain caught them.

We got home about 4:30.

Treman Park is 315 miles from home.
I must return to the world's greatest swimmin' hole........maybe next month for a three-day-weekend.”

“The Peanut Gallery has been wondering how Geo's ark project was coming along... whether he got it built in time, <G>”

“I didn't hear talk of an ark.

Geo did have a quarter-acre tarp.”

“Close enough --- !!




There was much talk of CUBITS being bandied about last week... if you recall”

“Your eminance, I don't recall any talk of cubits.










I hit the road for Quebec 8 July and just got home.....>8^P”

“This was a great trip! I was Mother Goose chasing after four little girls (my two plus two of their friends), so I didn't get a chance to talk to all the trailtalkers that went, but I loved the new people that I did get to talk to. NJpacker helped me put up one of my tents, before it got dark, which was a terrific help. Geobeet lent me his huge lantern while I set up and cooked that first night. PhantomSoul was in the next site and never complained about all the giggling, whining and shrieking from my site (and yes, my girls were also loud at 6AM). He is a kind, young, tall and good looking Jersey boy and should fit in great with all the trailtalk fellas who regularly backpack here on the east coast.

MarkO and his family camped on the other side of my site and his wife Janet and I had some fun chats. I would have liked to talk to the three of them more about their trip to Canada that they were just wrapping up, but my kids kept me hopping. I need to build a little more self reliance into them. I really missed my husband, because besides his company and brawn at lifting all this heavy car camping stuff, during last year's Maryland cookoff, he helped so much with the kids that I could talk more with all the trailtalk people.

MarkO and his son Linus, and Geobeet's son Paul and grandson all took turns playing the guitars. I enjoyed that a lot. All evening Saturday I could hear the music while I was cutting up vegetables and fruits for the cookoff, and then later while I was cleaning up and relaxing. I think that they will work up some planned entertainment on the next trip.

Treebeard was the host extraordinaire, making sure everyone was happy and informed of all that the region had to offer in the way of hiking and waterfall enjoying. My girls had a blast playing in a shallow creek area near a medium sized waterfall. Because it was expected to be cool, we didn't bring bathing suits, but it was hotter than predicted, something to remember for next year. We plan to return next year for more car camping and waterfall hunting. We hiked the Watkins Glen gorge on Saturday midday, and no matter how many times I see it, I love the waterfalls, rock formations that water carved, and even the beautiful peaceful placid stream sections of the trail.

Thank you Snafu for bringing firewood! A little less firewood next year maybe, but still, since so many of us couldn't have fit a stick of wood into our packed vehicles, your contribution to the party was greatly appreciated.

I had a great early morning conversation with Winter Solstice about Cape Cod and Sedona this morning. She and her mother live in both places where I want to live on a split year basis when my husband retires and the kids go to college.

Helinka was there and I got to talk to her a little but not as much as I would have liked. The other Canadian, Gremlin was there, and what a comedian. He could do a reality show and it would be the only reality type show that I would watch.

Tango was in a site near me, and I really liked meeting her. What a classy young lady. She reminded me of Twigeater, another classy lady. They define outdoorwoman in my mind, very fit and relaxed, but also stylish and hip.

Nora was there chatting with everyone, cracking everyone up with her nutty jokes and friendly outgoing manner. Scorchfire was there, and I didn't get to talk much with her but she seemed very vibrant and happy. Elise, Geobeet's daughter in law, was there and we talked a great deal as my daughters and her daughter were all best buds and having a blast ruling the campground. She actually got to do some shopping in the cool studios in around Watkins Glen, which I was jealous of. Next time she and I will step out to shop together.

Capn Bobo was cool doing his cookoff voodoo. His salmon was great and I think he tried to help me early this morning put together my tiny butane camp stove but without coffee, the two of us were stumped. I could also have mixed him up with someone else helping me with the dam stove, but I was in serious need of coffee and quite confused.

Wounded Knee was there and he is a great guy. We ran into him at the grocery store and he was trying valiantly to hide his secret ingredients from my prying eyes. But his dish of beef, potatoes and onions was really yummy. He got to go to EMS and buy trail maps and such, which I was also jealous of, but I figured if I went in there with the kids, I would never make it out of there. The grocery store was hard enough (it was a Wegmans, which we don't have in my area and it is an awesomely cavernous place of worldwide choices). The kids were fascinated by fish tanks, candy displays and the bakery section. I was lured by the coffee section, produce, cheese and prepared foods.

The absolutely best part of this trip? My youngest daughter, the complainer who hates bugs, camping and hiking, in that order, asked me if we could return next year because she loved the two waterfall hikes we went on! Thank you Stu for putting together a memorable trip!!!!”

“We arrived home in 7 1/2 hours, after driving the 460 miles home. How did Maple and Treebeard fit all of that STUFF into/onto their car??I can't believe the trip is over, it was fantastic. A huge THANK-YOU to our trip planners, and to everyone else, a special THanks to Geobeet for including a fire extinguisher in the cupboards at "tarp mahal". Though I also didn't have lengthy conversations, splitting my time with my children and sister-in-law and nieces left me with strong symptoms of A.D.D.(and a tendency for run on sentences). It was great to meet all the faces I have seen on the photo page, in such a beautiful place. I was just getting situated and oriented, and it was time to leave :(
Ithaca truly is Gorges”

“PHEW!

What a drive. I got home about 45 minutes ago. I am so pooped!

I am going to try to download all my pictures tonight.

Big props again for Maple and Tree for putting this all together.

More to come...Fire Flies rule!”

“Did Mapes get thrown in the pokey? ;-)

Did the NY National Guard return in time to save New York from this group? ;-)”

“WK, aka slum lord
I have your Lime tupper ware bowl. email your addy and I will send it off this week.

PS
WICKED WICKED WICKED awesome trip!
I truly had a great time and it was great meeting everyone.
I only wish we all had more time to spend together.
I will complete a trip report after Trees TR and I will add pictures to my webshots.
Thanks to all and especially the Tree family.
I can't phucking wait til 2005!”

“Where are the Treefolks? I hope that they got home okay, it was raining pretty heavily earlier today, with some roads flooded out.”

“wow! Ithaca is amazing!
thanks everyone for making my second TT trip so great.”

“Wish I could have been there, glad it worked out so well for the folks who were there!”

“Ok, we're home! Whatta drive! I am going to post a new thread for the trip. TR to follow tomorrow morning...”

“Hey we missed you Fritz!!

NJpacker, good luck with your rotator cuff surgery. I hope that you are healed up fast and back in the game for the fall hiking season.”

“snafu - where'd you go ???

What a great time seeing old friends (some older than others...) and meeting new crew!

WHAT A BLAST !!!!!

Poor Tango gave it her best shot but I had to remind her that almost only counts with horseshoes and handgrenades!!! Muchos Thanks for your special spice mixture, perhaps I'll use it next year to beat you again!
mooohaahaahaa !!!!

Thanks to everyone for putting their best boot forward and no... Maple did not get thrown in the pokey, but the Park Guards had to make an appearance on Saturday night.

The judging was awesome and really took it seriously, they even had to retreat to their own camp to discuss in private... leaving everyone standing around in tense anticipation! I hope you guys didn't mind me walking around last singing my celebritory rendition of "We are the Champions"!

We saw Taughannock falls on Saturday and went swimming back by the lower falls where we were camping. This morning Zac, P Soul, NJp, 2Scoops, and me did the Gorge trail and then we went to the Buttermilk falls for some more "springboard diving" before heading home.

Pictures comin' up.... Stay Tuned!”

“WK - Fireflies foreva!

Geo did have a quarter-acre tarp."

Yup, Tarp Mahal”

“...but, here it is!

I want to start sending the t-shirt around to all TTer's to sign and lastly, to wind up at Chez Bobo. Again, the idea of this is for us to sign it and pass it along to next year's cook-off champ. We can try and keep the signatures as small as possible to allow for room for future signers. I will send it along to Winter Solstice to start, being that I have her address here. At that point, she can contact one of you and send it along an so on...

Thanks, folks!”

“Treebeard YOU'RE OUT!!!!


THANK GAWD!

How was the Gulag?

I'd love to sign the shirt while planning my revenge meal and practising my French accent - or maybe Russian accent next time?

Hmmmm.”

“Yeah, Grem!!! Da boys busted me outta the Tombs!

How's the ankle?

E mail me your address and I will have someone send it along, OK?”

“LMAO, Grem, I used to walk through the halls of the gov't agency I worked for, past Marine guards, whistling "The Internationale" just to see whether anybody recognized it. They didn't, ever.”

“If we send the shirt to Gremlin, Bobo will never get it. Customs will confiscate it under the Patriot Act.”

“I want my T-shirt $#@ !@^%$#!!!

and WTF happened to Jack Canine???”

“Maybe he's getting his distemper shot?”

“Don't send it down to FL just yet!”

“I have my meal planned for this trip next year! I am going to kick all you sorry a$$e$!

We are keeping this a mid-Jily trip right? Please say yes”

“Ok, Tango. We will put you a little further down the list then.

Yes, Wounded joint!”

“MooooooHaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa!

The ground is leaning to the left for some reason”

“didja get the info packet yet?”

“No, you didn't you read the rest of the thread, it's pretty much sold.”

“oh, no I havn't read much past the initial flurry.

bummer”

“http://www.thebackpacker.com/trailtalk/thread/32993,-1,3.php

Here is the actual post:
Doesn't seem to be in the cards
"I heard from the owner's and they are half way through a deal with a guy from Tallahassee.

Oh well, it was fun while it lasted!

I will not be giving up my dream of moving out west, but it will be delayed a bit longer.


THANK YOU ALL for your support and ideas and suggestions!

YOU GUYS ARE GREAT!!!"”

“Tree, you know you can always trust a Canuck, besides, I is a teacher.

My e-mail address is in by bio, just click on my name.

No problem getting it to the Capn; I have a post office box in Chateaugay [sic], NY.”

“you should send me the t-shirt last so i can hand deliver it to bobo since he lives 2 miles away.”

“Scorchfire is gonna deliver my shirt? Excellent idea!
>{:~0

Wounded knee -- bring it, punk!!!”

“ack!! poor scorch!! to live so close to the bobo.
(i feel for ya, girl!!)
;)”

“HA! She Loves It!!!

The Garden...
The Cement Pond...
The Wabbits...

too bad she hasn't been over all summer!
8-/”

“just getting ready for the start of school...computer crashed ghard and trying to recover all the things.... Pumba has to have surgery for ripped (not torn) ACL so he is done working and probably done hiking...very sad for him... and yes...Capt. Bobo Rules!!!! There I said it...happy...lol

Jack E.”

“a punk?”

“not yam or WK. bobo is the punk!!!!”

“did you get the care package I sent or did the Republicans confiscate it?”

“too bad she hasn't been over all summer!
8-/"
Capn Bobo


Yeah, hurry over to the cement pond Scorch. Bobo's dying to drop a cannonball on ya! Some people have pools to swim in. Bobo has one to do cannonballs.”

“You have mail, WS!”

“He said, "Cannon Balls"”

“You need "Cannon balls" with a friend that never stops over!”

“Wrong salmon breath, I don't need cannonballs!”

“Tree, you had a good excuse, being in jail and all”

“That's hardly an excuse WS. Mob bosses run the family from the slammer; treebeard should at least be able to get a simple tee shirt into the mail.”

“The Tree family could hand deliver it!!”