Da Bobo is Baaaack!! Back in his gaitors again! TR

“Capn Bobo and I met up with Spindlette and NoGranola to hike their first section of the AT in New Jersey with them. They're still out there hiking as I type this post. Crazypace joined us at the Pochuck Leanto Saturday night and we hiked with him out to his vehicle on NJ 284 Sunday morning, where Phantom of the Lost Soul met us with coffee and donuts.

This was my first time meeting the famous Capn Bobo and it was a pleasure. I had a great time and lots of laughs. It was great to also finally hike with Spindlette and Nogranola. As always good to see Crazypace!

I will post a TR later and I'll have some pics to add!”

“well shoot dude, tell him to stop by TT! unless he thinks he's too cool for us or something.”

“Taking time off from his proctology practice, is he?”

“Nice!
Looking forward to the full report.”

“tsk...who is Bobo? Never have heard of him.
:-P”

“"Taking time off from his proctology practice, is he?”
Geobeet
12:12:08 PM
11/21/05"
With the number of today's @$$holes ever-increasing, I rarely have time off!!!

Sheesh lyra... I didn't know you care!

It was indeed a stellar weekend. Excellent weather, great trail, butt-kickin' mileage, and awesome new friends!!!

ENS - YOU ROCK!!!!!”

“Gemini-who???
>:~b”

“ah-HA! see i knew he wasn't cool. :-D

hi Bobo!”

“Bobo iz Doktor Dorkenstein!!!

Hahahahahahaha

Yo Gem!!”

“Dr. Buttman. He tried to examine me when I was in the hospital.”

“yuck!! i could do w/out the Bobo again.
heh heh”

“Geo, what was the procnosis??”

“He thought he could fool me, but I was on to him.”

“The Earlybird Special; French Onion Soup and Open Faced Turkey with stuffing, fries, (lots of)gravy, and cranberry sauce!

Wawayanda to High Point S.P. New Jersey AT”

“I'm trying to get my pics up, but webshots is battling me muzzle to muzzle.”

“Why does everyone look normal except the dude in the orange hat and red girly gloves?”

“Dude! I saw a Bobo this past Sunday!”

“Cool but strange pics...

Can someone bring me some Dunkin Doughnuts coffee and boston cremes? They don't exist out here!”

“awesome pics bobo, reminds me of how much fun we had on this trip”

“"Quiet!!! I'm on the phone with Pennsy and he wants to know what I'm wearing!"

Bobo, you eavesdropping bastard! That was a private conversation, but from what I see, I think Spindle lied to me. What she is wearing in that pic sure looks different than what she said on the phone. ;o) Plus, I think there is a Spindle curse placed on me. 2 trips with Spindle and both times I had to bail. :o(

Anywho, great pics and trip reports y'all. I am really bummed I couldn't make it, and the Saturday night call to rub it in sure did rub it in. I had a great time Friday night at the Brew Works though. Thanks Crazypace for the gift certificate. You rock!

I just hope the weather isn't too bad tonight and tomorrow for Spindle and Granola Boy.”

“oh yeah, it's really crappy here. Today was not a nice day to be on the trail. I hope they are warm and dry in their tent or leanto.”

“Great weekend. I guess we should write a TR for friday at the Brew Works too huh ?

Yo Pennsy, ENS had some stove trouble (see pics), we will have to do a priming class this weekend. Too much fuel = big flame.

I had my first "turkey & tea" courtesy the Capn Bobo. On a cold night, it rocks !!

Finishing a hike to fresh coffee and donuts courtesy of Phantom soul rocked too!!”

“yes yes, hats off to the Phantom Man!”

“this all started a few weeks ago as a TT night out in Bethlehem, PA. A bunch of us planned to meet up Friday the 18th for some brews and appetizers at the Brew Works in downtown. and then possibly a dayhike somewhere the following day.

The plans evolved and the stage was set, cast of characters signed on and everyone patiently waited for the day to arrive.

Nogranola was originally going to hike the AT in MD and then decided to do the entire AT in New Jersey instead and Spindlette signed up to join him. They would meet us at the Brew Works before they planned to go to the Wawayanda shelter.

Pennsy came up with an idea that we could turn the proposed dayhike into an overnighter and hike/camp with NG and Spindlette. It was a grand plan.

Saturday we would meet them at the shelter and then hike 13 miles to the Pochuck Shelter and that would be Saturday night's lodging. Sunday we would hike 14 miles to High Point, highest point in the Garden State. NoGranola and Spindlette would then continue on their adventure south to the Water Gap.

Crazypace and Phantom Soul planned to meet up at the Pochuck Shelter Saturday night for camp.

Thursday night I got packed and ready to go and recvd a call from Pennsy that his water heater was leaking and he was going to have to bail. Just as I was getting out the drawing board, I recieved an email from Bobo, he wanted to go hiking and this trip plan was the perfect way to make his return.

Friday rolled around and I made my way to Bethlehem, where I was happily greeted by NoGranola, Pennsy, SPindlette and Mr. and Mrs. Crazypace. They were proud of me because I was early for a change.

After a few round of beers and some appetizers we got our checks. Crazypace pulled out a humongo gift certificate and took care of the bill! He is in deed the man! Thanks! It was a great night.

NG and Spindlette made their way to the trail. The crazies went home and I went to Pennsy's to crash. Thanks Pennsy for letting me spend the night.

Pennsy and I watched the Producers, but both of us were out before it was over. I need to watch this movie again though. Funny!”

“Ummmmm, I just saw the pic of ENS's stove. Looks like another Pennsy lesson is in order. What am I gonna do with that boy?”

“Sounds like a great time! Nice pics Bobo! Sorry I missed this one! :-(”

“bobo my butt.. urband legend.”

“Saturday morning came around fast. I got up around 530 and was on the road a little after six.

Around 745 I got into High Point State Park and I was really happy because again I was early. But then I couldn't find the trail and had to call Pennsy. With his guidance, I found the trail and then the backcountry parking lot and CapnBobo. A few introductions, handshakes, egg bagel sandwhich and gear/car exchanges later, we were on our way to Wawayanda Shelter where we would leave my car and then hike into the AT and the shelter and meet up with NG and Spindlette.

We were running a tad behind schedule, but no worries they were both still there and after a few more introductions and handshakes, we hit the AT.

Jersey is classically a black sheep, or so it seems sometimes. Here the AT goes the opposite direction, instead of south, you hike north or viceversa.

We ascended the rolling Wawayanda Mountain, stopping along the way a few times to behold some scenery and then continuing. We had lunch somewhere around the top of the mountain, or so I suspect, and it was slightly before 12. The air was brisk and autumn was definitely in the air.

Lunch was a lot of fun, we all chatted and several jokes were told. It was at this very time, that I really took notice that Bobo packs one massive pack! That dude can hike!

Soon after lunch, we came across a vista that looked west towards Pochuck Mountain. Before us we could observe almost our entire day's remaining hike. The valley nestled between the two mountains looked fertile and wet and we eagerly descended Wawayanda to see what scenic tresures it would yield.

This was a different hike than what I was used to. I am not so much used to hiking in valleys and wetlands and this hike was not all about ridgelines and peaks. It had both and for that I was excited and grateful.

Once at the bottom of the mountain we crossed some farmland and then passed some cows and we got our first taste of the Jersey bog boards. It was fun hiking on the bogboards. Everyonce and a while, you'd find one that was more of a seasaw and when it would return back to the saturated soil, up would come a splash.

The trail was intermitten with boggy farm land, marshy woods and rolling rocky ridges and we traversed them all just the same.

Finally we emerged from the woods and out into a vast swamp. The trail quickly morphed into an elevated board walk that winded through the swamp. Golden Grass and cattails grew out of the boggy waters and the landscape was dotted with several copses of trees. The sky above was of a deep blue and there were little to no clouds to be seen.

We had fun walking the boardwalk, and we weren't disapointed that there wasn't a cotton candy vendor to be seen or any small shops whipping their own brand of salt water taffy.

Then we came to this towering suspension bridge and it really looked out of place. It was monsterous. It was easily the largest trail bridge I have ever seen. Beneath it flowed a slow moving creek of an ordinary size. The bridge was a lot of fun though.

The the board walk continued for another mile or so and once we got to the end of the board walk, we crossed a road and then started our ascent up Pochuck Mountain. As we started our ascent, the sun had started it's descent. We new that we had little daylight left, but we also new we were closing in on the leanto.

On the way up Pochuck we passed some hunters and they were not happy to see us. We were making a lot of noise stomping through the leaves and also we did a lot of chatting while we hiked. It seemed like we leaped frogged with them for about a mile and they were not pleased. Oh well, that's what they get for hunting along a popular hiking trail

We had a few more road crossings, we stopped to filter water and then continued. I sped ahead of the group for a little bit and had the chance to see a couple deer.

We came out onto a vista on Pochuck that overlooked our nextday's hike. We could see the valley that we would cross and the horizon was the Kittitany Ridge and in the center of the view was the High Point Monument, a beacon of tomorrow's finish that would be our motivation the following day.

AS we started to descend Pochuck, the daylight waigned, but before it was gone, we found the shelter. We were still up on the mountain and we could see the lights turning on in the villages and towns from the valley below.

Then we noticed another light emerging from the woods and it was getting ever closer to our camp. Soon a familar voice chimed out and it was Crazypace. He had made it just before darkness. We set up camp and had dinner and then out came the Spirits.

First we had wine and then the alchemist, otherwise known as Bobo, started to work his brew. A little of this (teabags) and a little of that (Wild Turkey 101) and a few minutes on the canister stove later, we had TNT and it was very good.

It was perhaps the first time I had ever had wild turkey to drink with out breathing fire.

This mellowed me out greatly and I got into my sleeping bag to warm up and it was difficult to stay awake. I tried. Everyone was in the shelter and having a good time.

I was able to stay awake for a whilewith the exception of an occasional nod. Everyone woke me up as soon as I started to slumber.

It seemed so late, but it was still early. Around 9pm, I could stay awake no more.

Golden Slumbers fills your dreams!”

“ENS trips are always fun! And you know dis! :) Even though this was really nogranola's trip.”

“Ummmmm, I just saw the pic of ENS's stove. Looks like another Pennsy lesson is in order. What am I gonna do with that boy?”
Pennsy

I don't have anymore eyebrows, eyelashes and my bangs are singed, but my food was hot and I was happy!”

“you must look like an alopecia patient”

“(...and an itty-bitty piece of New York)

Nice pictures, y'all. And damn straight I did it for the discounted tires... :)
last edited: 11/21/05 8:17:16 PM”

“Be thankfull you crossed those swamps in November, and not August, you'd have been eaten alive. I've seen cows carried away there lol!!”

“Nice trip report and pictures for what looked like another great hike.”

“Well, Phantom Soul, never made it the night before as he endured a Friday night of heavy drinking and poker card shuffling and that's enough to put any man down for the following day.

Never the less, crazypace had a special delivery for the phantom and his presence was needed in order to make the exchange, oddaweeze, he sweeps widda fidshes. (insert godfather music)

So we called him up Saturday night and after a few threats, he agreed to meet us in the morning with coffee and donuts. We were already half drunk at that point. Then we decided to call Pennsy and rub it in that he was missing such a good time.

So Sunday morning rolled around and it was chilly, but not as cold as Saturday morning. We got up, made breakfast, I almost burned down the forest, but breakfast was good and hot.

I'm not sure what time we started hiking, but it was still fairly early. We descended the rest of the way down Pochuck Mtn and then hiked around the National Wildlife refuge, which was very beautiful and serene and alive with waterfowl. The day again was crystal clear blue.

Except for a small roadhike, the trail to Crazypace's vehicle was delightful.

Soon after arriving at CP's truck, the Soulman arrived with donuts and coffee and we all rejoiced. Thanks Phantom! you da man!

Phantom and Crazypace hit the road and we continued on ourway. Bobo and I still had 10 miles to hike and NG and SPindlette had 12 miles to their night's lodging (Rutherford Shelter?). So we continued on our way.

We traversed several rolling rocky ridges, intermitten with farms and then we descended into some beautiful bogs for some more bog board walking. This part of the trail was my favorite of the entire hike. You could tell that the warm weather was confusing mother nature, as the skunkweed was sprouting out of the shallow water.

It felt warm and it had to be close to 50 degrees. I was dressed in layers and had to lose a few.

At one road crossing we met a guy who was backpacking in a suit and said that he also likes to hike in Roy Rogers uniforms and star trek outfits. We said, "ooooookkkaayyyy" and continued on our way.

All the while, the High Point Monument was getting ever closer to us.

Finally we stood at the base of the Kittitany Ridge and stared upon its rocky and steep ramparts. The monument laughing at us from above. The bugles sounded and the battle drums rolled and we charged up it's slopes. It wasn't really all that dramatic, but yeah, we hiked up to the top of New Jersey, all 1900 feet of it.

Bobo had to drop back a ways, he had some nasty blisters cooking on the bottom of his feet.

I stopped at the monument and NG and Spindlette hiked on. I figured I would not see them again as they continued towards their camp for the night, still two miles away and it was starting to get dark.

When I got down to Bobo's truck at NJ 23, I saw them starting into the woods from the road, I yelled and called out their names and waved my arms and luckily they heard me.

Bobo had a case of beer in his truck and I had the key. We unlocked the doors and I handed out the beer and after the cerimonial cracking open of the cans, we took our first sips and it was oh so good! It wasn't long after that a dark green honda civic rolled up into the parking lot and looked out of place. I looked closer and observed a very old couple in the car. As the car rolled closer, a window went down and out popped a smiling bobo! It all made sense. We were happy to see Bobo safe and sound and he was quickly handed a beer.

It was the end of a great weekend of hiking.

NG and Spindlette continued their hike. Bobo and I stopped at a diner in Sussex for some German food and then shuttled back to my car.

I didn't get home until 11, but it was all good.

Thanks to everyone who made the weekend one to remember!
last edited: 11/21/05 8:40:36 PM”

“A great report and wonderful pictures. Wish I could have been there. It looks like it was a lot of fun. Thanks.”

“Here are my pics. Webshots is acting up for me.”

“Thanks, EarthNsky.”

“Cool Pics.

Don't ya just love Webshots?”

“http://community.webshots.com/photo/508923398/508935417tlCVlO

I saw a crooked Bobo
Who walked a crooked mile
And together with ENS
Crossed a crooked STILE
last edited: 11/22/05 8:50:39 AM”

“WOW, somebody's practicing to be human torch!!!”

“I dunno, is this my emergence from self-imposed exile? Although, I’m sure there are throngs of abusive, perverted TT malcontents that would prefer I stay away! My number-one rule over the past year and some has been, “Stay off TT during work hours!” and I did pretty good too, but now it would seem that a second rule has developed - “Blatantly disregard rule number one!” This is not good for a recovering TT junkie…

- Maybe Van Morrison said it best;
Too long in exile
Too long not singing my song
Too long in exile
Too long like a rolling stone
Too long in exile
Well that isolated feeling
Drives you so close up against the wall
Till you feel like you can't go on
You've been in the same place for too long
Too long in exile
Baby you can never go back home
Too long in exile

But this trip was really not about me. No_granola and spindlette are hopefully still out there on their quest to hike the NJ AT. As the rain has been coming down since last night, I’m wishing they are safe and sound with spirits high and enjoying the trail and each other’s company. By the way, spindlette is hiking on a recently broken foot! Spindled wool hats off to you two, we had some good laughs! Can’t wait to see their pics!

- ENS, Fantabulous TR and pics, you are the real deal! AmyG said you were a “sweetheart”. I certainly would not go that far, but you’ve got great hiking skills and a big heart, Hike On! Oh yeah… On Saturday, you were, like, an hour late!!! :`p
- Crazypace, it was a short meeting, but you are one cool dude! With “Wild America” off the air and Jacques Cousteau long dead, I sense a void that you could fill with your fine, detailed encounters with outdoor wildlife. Perhaps you could call the show, “Views from my Treestand”???
- Mr. Soul, thanks for the resupply, you remind me of Sly Stallone in the movie “Fist” – I did it for da discounted tires!!!
- Pennsy, yeah I razzed ya pretty good huh? Mooohahahahahah!!!
- Adventurist, you are too fixated on colors, and I’m gonna beyotch-slap ya!
- Scorchbutt, firstly – what’s an “urband” legend?? Heh heh! Secondly, what about yer butt? The way you’ve been treating me, you might just have something stuck up there! NYAH!!!
- and yes MarkO, you always be Stile’n!!!”

“Saw the pics.......were you gear testin or launchin missiles in that thing?”

“I've had my white gas stove for a year now. I'm still in training.

I'm getting closer, my salamandar....Oh no, I'm getting closer, I'm getting closer to your heart! Closer closer! Getting Closer!
Paul McCartney”

“thanks Bobo and everyone!”

“"I've had my white gas stove for a year now. I'm still in training."
ENS

Heh heh, I was with dis guy and his new stove last December.

If I hadn't been so freakin' bonked-out I'm sure I could have gotten that pig fired-up.”

“so those things are called stiles. thanks Mark.

yep Mark, I still remember that trip. You and Gemini were out cold before I even had my stove out of my pack. We all ate cold food that night.”

“There is a nursery rhyme about "a crooked stile".
Above is my lameO version.

Mister, I was so wiped out after mounting Roaring Plains last December that I couldn't drink my good Irish whiskey!!”

“Marko, next time that happens, send your "good Irish whiskey" to me......I'll damn sure drink it.”