HICKORY RUN
My family & I went to Hickory Run Park in PA this weekend for The O Boxer Where Art Thou” Gathering. This was based on an Orienteering Course. The last Orienteering Course I did, well, let’s just say, it was a good thing my husband was with me. This course was far easier to navigate. I could have probably managed to get thru this one on my own. And Lightnin’ Bug had said he’d be around on the course, if anyone was in need of help. But, I was glad to have hubby with me, this time , too.
We set up camp Friday evening, went out to eat – A&W and Long John Silver’s. A treat for us since neither of those fast food restaurants are in our home area. We knew there was a chance of scattered thunderstorms for the day. We rarely cancel plans with weather forecasted such as that. Well, let me just say, that front stalled right over our camp site!!! Over 2 hours of thunderstorms!! Luckily we had our gear set up. Not so lucky we skimped on some of set up technique. (no ground cloth under one of the three tents). 2 wet air mattress’s & 2 wet sleeping bags, & 2 wet tents.
If you look closely at this tent, you will notice it is not like most you see. This is one of the first of this kind given to my husband to use & to make comments regarding its design. We got it last year. The door it quite different. It is of a fan design. No zippers here. It actually slides open from the bottom to the top. It was designed in mind for those using wheel chairs. It is a rather large tent, as well, we probably did not need something this big for a quick weekend jaunt, but we do like it & the design.
We got to Gather, did a few exchanges and headed off to the Orienteering Course. We knew we would run into the Frisbee Golf Course along the way, so the boys brought their frisbee’s along as well. Found 1st 2 markers & boxes quite easily. Next marker found, but had lots of trouble with clue to box. Did find it, finally, well Hubby found it whilst being bombarded by off target Frisbee throws. We ran into Pete and Wanda at this marker & an old friend of theirs’, Randy. We tottled around a little bit longer to let Pete, Wanda & Randy get a head of us.
Sure enough on the way to the next check point, we found ourselves walking thru the Frisbee Golf Course. Needless to say, that was where the 3 boys stayed & played 11 holes while hubby & I continued on the course. Once again, we ran into Pete, Wanda & Randy a couple of check points later. On our last point, we finally ran into a dear friend and her party – Lotus & her dad & Celtic Cat. I was really hoping to run into her & her dad at this Gather. We met last fall at Tyler Park for dinner, conversation & ummm...well, let’s just say there were a few (a lunch bag (?) full) cooties exchanged by all!
Back to Gather for a few more exchanges & conversation.
Back at our campsite, we remade beds before dew set in. A beauty of a day on Saturday. Everything was dry when we got back from Gather. WHEW!! No company in our tent for the evening. Made a quick platter of Nacho’s & an apple & cheese plate to take to the “HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTEST” – Pink Panther - after party gather. Can I tell you, she is a most gracious hostess. Always a smile on her face! The Blonde Frogger & I walked down to introduce ourselves the evening before, in between downpours. Very bubbly & immediately likable! We did a little night boxing on a course set up by Pink Panther & Scout. Boy oh boy, Scout has done some awesome carvings! Thanks for sharing, Scout. We met a few new boxers, so very nice & full of questions, all which were graciously answered by all of us there. Enjoyed conversations with boxers we have previously met, as well.
The kids & my husband thoroughly enjoyed themselves at Pink Panthers that evening. How could you not with all the great people there?
We wanted to leave by 1:00, so we knew we’d be busy packing up in the morning, but of course, Mother Nature was to get in our way once again. More thunderstorms early that morning. All tents & canopy were taken home wet & will have to be set up again this week to dry out. We left sight at 12:05. One more stop before hitting the Highway for Home. Boulder Field. Holy cow. You all need to go there if you are in the area! All the boys could not get their shoes on quick enough to get scampering into the “field”. Stewie, man oh man, that boy was RUNNING across those boulders! Amazing. I made it almost half way across. My pace was far slower. My oldest had recorded my staggering pace on the boulders. If he shows the video to ANYONE he is in BIG, BIG trouble. That 15 year old will never be able to say “I Love You Mommy” in front of his friends enough to make up for my potential embarrassment!!! The boys were happy for that little detour to Boulder Field.
We got to Gather, did a few exchanges and headed off to the Orienteering Course. We knew we would run into the Frisbee Golf Course along the way, so the boys brought their frisbee’s along as well. Found 1st 2 markers & boxes quite easily. Next marker found, but had lots of trouble with clue to box. Did find it, finally, well Hubby found it whilst being bombarded by off target Frisbee throws. We ran into Pete and Wanda at this marker & an old friend of theirs’, Randy. We tottled around a little bit longer to let Pete, Wanda & Randy get a head of us.
Sure enough on the way to the next check point, we found ourselves walking thru the Frisbee Golf Course. Needless to say, that was where the 3 boys stayed & played 11 holes while hubby & I continued on the course. Once again, we ran into Pete, Wanda & Randy a couple of check points later. On our last point, we finally ran into a dear friend and her party – Lotus & her dad & Celtic Cat. I was really hoping to run into her & her dad at this Gather. We met last fall at Tyler Park for dinner, conversation & ummm...well, let’s just say there were a few (a lunch bag (?) full) cooties exchanged by all!
Back to Gather for a few more exchanges & conversation.
Back at our campsite, we remade beds before dew set in. A beauty of a day on Saturday. Everything was dry when we got back from Gather. WHEW!! No company in our tent for the evening. Made a quick platter of Nacho’s & an apple & cheese plate to take to the “HOSTESS WITH THE MOSTEST” – Pink Panther - after party gather. Can I tell you, she is a most gracious hostess. Always a smile on her face! The Blonde Frogger & I walked down to introduce ourselves the evening before, in between downpours. Very bubbly & immediately likable! We did a little night boxing on a course set up by Pink Panther & Scout. Boy oh boy, Scout has done some awesome carvings! Thanks for sharing, Scout. We met a few new boxers, so very nice & full of questions, all which were graciously answered by all of us there. Enjoyed conversations with boxers we have previously met, as well.
The kids & my husband thoroughly enjoyed themselves at Pink Panthers that evening. How could you not with all the great people there?
We wanted to leave by 1:00, so we knew we’d be busy packing up in the morning, but of course, Mother Nature was to get in our way once again. More thunderstorms early that morning. All tents & canopy were taken home wet & will have to be set up again this week to dry out. We left sight at 12:05. One more stop before hitting the Highway for Home. Boulder Field. Holy cow. You all need to go there if you are in the area! All the boys could not get their shoes on quick enough to get scampering into the “field”. Stewie, man oh man, that boy was RUNNING across those boulders! Amazing. I made it almost half way across. My pace was far slower. My oldest had recorded my staggering pace on the boulders. If he shows the video to ANYONE he is in BIG, BIG trouble. That 15 year old will never be able to say “I Love You Mommy” in front of his friends enough to make up for my potential embarrassment!!! The boys were happy for that little detour to Boulder Field.
The girl is this picture did the entire field in BARE feet!!!
I once read, not too long ago, that camping and Gathering is the way to go. (Bull Dawg quote, I believe). I so agree. It is so very nice to see everyone after the Gather & come & go to each other’s sites & converse about whatever topic may come up – camping gear, boxing stories, music, food (my personal favorite!), sports, new places to visit, etc. It is all good!
My many thanks to our gracious hosts for the weekend Pink Panther, Lightnin’ Bug & Indigo Vulture. And also thanks to all who carved the beautiful stamps we had the pleasure to find.
All of my boys made sacrifices this weekend to come with me to this Gather & I truly thank them for being such good sports so their Mom could have some good simple fun.
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