Mountain to Sea: JOIN THE JOURNEY! Todd Bauman, Hawk Mountain Dir of Land & Facilities, has departed on the journey of a lifetime. Leaving Hawk Mountain's North Lookout on Dec 1 at 8 am, he traveled by foot to the Little Schuylkill River and began to paddle. 250 miles later, over 3 rivers, he will finish Dec 15 at Cape May, NJ, connecting Mountain to Sea. Donations to his journey will help support Hawk Mountain Sanctuary. To make a gift, visit http://www.hawkmountain.org today!
Friday, December 3, 2010
Just talked to Todd
The latest...
Just spoke to Todd who arrived and signed in at Valley Forge National Park. He'll have a dry, warm place to rest tonight, and you can expect a blog tomorrow. As is typical with our traveler, he's tired but in great spirits and tomorrow will head out for Philadelphia. Trophy Room, here he comes!!!
Spot Locator Updates
If you're following the spot locator links, at noon, Spot showed Todd on the approach to Royersford: http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=3wC-u/40.20985/-75.56381 and another, about 20 minutes ago, shows he arrived at this evening's destination: http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=3wIzM
It really *was* a long day!
Bauman Sends His Thanks
Tonight is Hawk Mountain's annual end-of-season Volunteer Potluck and as of today Todd's trip has raised $8,131 (and still coming in!!) for Hawk Mountain education programs. Many of our own volunteers helped make that happen.
Todd asked that I pass on to all the volunteers how grateful he is for their support. It is humbling to see people conribute who already are giving so generously of their personal time and energy. So from Mr. Bauman: THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Shout-out to Brian Ferrance
A special nod goes to volunteer and friend Brian Ferrance. We agree that he deserves recognition in this blog as our star, stand-out individual supporter. Brian pledged the very first jump-start gift when Mountain-to-Sea was nothing more than a poster in my office. He happened to walk by, stopped to chat, we explained the idea, and his immediate support took us by complete surprise.
He shrugged off our thanks and said he wants to support places he believes in. SO very modest and giving!! Thank You, Brian for jump-starting this journey! His gift made us realize this really *could* be a huge success, and he was right.
Stay tuned to hear from Todd and the adventures of Day 3...
Mary Linkevich
Mountain-to-Sea: Join the Journey
Just spoke to Todd who arrived and signed in at Valley Forge National Park. He'll have a dry, warm place to rest tonight, and you can expect a blog tomorrow. As is typical with our traveler, he's tired but in great spirits and tomorrow will head out for Philadelphia. Trophy Room, here he comes!!!
Spot Locator Updates
If you're following the spot locator links, at noon, Spot showed Todd on the approach to Royersford: http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=3wC-u/40.20985/-75.56381 and another, about 20 minutes ago, shows he arrived at this evening's destination: http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=3wIzM
It really *was* a long day!
Bauman Sends His Thanks
Tonight is Hawk Mountain's annual end-of-season Volunteer Potluck and as of today Todd's trip has raised $8,131 (and still coming in!!) for Hawk Mountain education programs. Many of our own volunteers helped make that happen.
Todd asked that I pass on to all the volunteers how grateful he is for their support. It is humbling to see people conribute who already are giving so generously of their personal time and energy. So from Mr. Bauman: THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
Shout-out to Brian Ferrance
A special nod goes to volunteer and friend Brian Ferrance. We agree that he deserves recognition in this blog as our star, stand-out individual supporter. Brian pledged the very first jump-start gift when Mountain-to-Sea was nothing more than a poster in my office. He happened to walk by, stopped to chat, we explained the idea, and his immediate support took us by complete surprise.
He shrugged off our thanks and said he wants to support places he believes in. SO very modest and giving!! Thank You, Brian for jump-starting this journey! His gift made us realize this really *could* be a huge success, and he was right.
Stay tuned to hear from Todd and the adventures of Day 3...
Mary Linkevich
Mountain-to-Sea: Join the Journey
DAY TWO
12-02-2010 0530 hrs 4 degrees C
Late night followed by an early morning. I could not get enough signal in the Leesport Lockhouse so early this morning I needed to take some equipment on a hike around the bustling community searching for a spot. I found it at the Burger King.
I got caught up in the weather and meeting and greeting I forgot to include some of my sightings for the day. 3 common mergansers; 1 red-tailed hawk being mobbed by 2 crows; estimate of 25 juncos; 4 chickadees; estimate of 10 mallards; 42 high flying merganser looking waterfowl (after consultation probably migrating red-breasted mergansers); 1 fire extinguisher; 2 pumpkins; and 3136 polycarbonate bottles of one variety or another. That was Day 1.
DAY 2
I got a late start from Leesport (10 am) with the need to cover some miles. I told Beverly that she made the place so comfortable I wouldn't want to leave, well it was hard too. So, I wrapped up, making sure I did not forget anything inside, because once I locked the door, that was it, no getting back in. I wanted a parting shot from such a wonderful night. Many of us have set the timer to only hurriedly run into the shot...right. This one posted is the second shot.
On my way. River flow was in my favor for making miles, but not in my favor for photography. I would be moving along, see something, and sometimes till I got the camera out...missed it. Paddling upstream in this current is something I only did for a few shots.
Today's travels took me through downtown Reading. This is Peacock's Bridge about four miles upstream from downtown. This is named after the canal lock that was located there. Built in 1855 by the Reading Railroad, it features nine total stone arches with these round openings. From the river it was really magnificent!
I was traveling at a good clip and arrived for lunch where the Tulpehocken creek meets the Schuylkill River. Confluence Point. Hit my SPOT locater and called into Mary to check in, also gave my evening host, Phoebe Hopkins a call. This was also the place where the Union Canal met up with the Schuylkill Canal. There are remnants of a grist mill on the Tulpehocken. Also my first rattle then sighting of a belted kingfisher, I love this species.
Carpenter Steel Company was founded in 1889 by James H. Carpenter. The process of air-hardening quickly established them as a steel pioneer. This is an early look followed by my photo today of the river.
Then we needed to vacate the grand dining/gathering room for the next community centered activity. The Amity Colonial Dancers. They were rehearsing for an upcoming event at the Daniel Boone Homestead. The type of dance is the ancestor to the more modern form of square dancing, this is referred to as Reels and English country dance. It sure looked like a lot of fun. Caretaker Doug seems to make himself scarce during their rehearsals, according to Susan Miller-Speros, a member of interpretive services with Berks County, he has been roped in to aiding them when they are short of partners. Doug, go on, get in there!
Late night followed by an early morning. I could not get enough signal in the Leesport Lockhouse so early this morning I needed to take some equipment on a hike around the bustling community searching for a spot. I found it at the Burger King.
I got caught up in the weather and meeting and greeting I forgot to include some of my sightings for the day. 3 common mergansers; 1 red-tailed hawk being mobbed by 2 crows; estimate of 25 juncos; 4 chickadees; estimate of 10 mallards; 42 high flying merganser looking waterfowl (after consultation probably migrating red-breasted mergansers); 1 fire extinguisher; 2 pumpkins; and 3136 polycarbonate bottles of one variety or another. That was Day 1.
I got a late start from Leesport (10 am) with the need to cover some miles. I told Beverly that she made the place so comfortable I wouldn't want to leave, well it was hard too. So, I wrapped up, making sure I did not forget anything inside, because once I locked the door, that was it, no getting back in. I wanted a parting shot from such a wonderful night. Many of us have set the timer to only hurriedly run into the shot...right. This one posted is the second shot.
Today's travels took me through downtown Reading. This is Peacock's Bridge about four miles upstream from downtown. This is named after the canal lock that was located there. Built in 1855 by the Reading Railroad, it features nine total stone arches with these round openings. From the river it was really magnificent!
I was traveling at a good clip and arrived for lunch where the Tulpehocken creek meets the Schuylkill River. Confluence Point. Hit my SPOT locater and called into Mary to check in, also gave my evening host, Phoebe Hopkins a call. This was also the place where the Union Canal met up with the Schuylkill Canal. There are remnants of a grist mill on the Tulpehocken. Also my first rattle then sighting of a belted kingfisher, I love this species.
Carpenter Steel Company was founded in 1889 by James H. Carpenter. The process of air-hardening quickly established them as a steel pioneer. This is an early look followed by my photo today of the river.
Continuing downstream with the idea that I do not want to be looking for my destination after dark. But I still can't help but savor and try to capture some of the scenes from my vessel.
My arrival. Thank you Lorah Hopkins for documenting. I pulled up and within a minute or two was welcomed by Phoebe, Lorah, and Loyd Hopkins. This was my first introduction also to the oldest home on record in Berks County, the Mouns Jones home. Now I know Mary mentioned that I would be sleeping in this structure. But the Hopkins thought I would be more comfortable for the evening in the White Horse Tavern. Since I live in an old tavern I quickly settled in and felt right at home.
And once again I was fed like a king. After the hearty soup course came the entree of pork and sauerkraut. A dish a Pennsylvanian Dutch boy like myself can't resist. It should be obvious for folks reading this that I am not losing weight on this trip, at least not yet. So, let me introduce you to my hosts. From left to right, Phoebe Hopkins, a board member of the Historic Preservation Trust, Lorah Hopkins, the former executive director, Doug Eisemann, the very big task of caretaking Morlatton Village, and to the far right, Loyd Hopkins. I did not have to sell these folks on Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, they are already life time supporters. Loyd mentioned visiting and meeting Maurice Broun back in the day and Lorah was on a sanctuary led trip to Belize in the early 1990's. We even took an unannounced drive over to roust sanctuary friend Linda Ingram, but could only leave a note of my stopping by. Linda, next time I come all that way to visit by canoe try to be home.
Then we needed to vacate the grand dining/gathering room for the next community centered activity. The Amity Colonial Dancers. They were rehearsing for an upcoming event at the Daniel Boone Homestead. The type of dance is the ancestor to the more modern form of square dancing, this is referred to as Reels and English country dance. It sure looked like a lot of fun. Caretaker Doug seems to make himself scarce during their rehearsals, according to Susan Miller-Speros, a member of interpretive services with Berks County, he has been roped in to aiding them when they are short of partners. Doug, go on, get in there! Yes, George Washington did pass through this establishment on his travels. There is no documentation that he actually slept here at the Inn, but I was told if he ever did sneak in a nap, it would have been in the very room I was given for the night and blogging from right now. I am feeling very special indeed! I want to thank the Hopkins and the Preservation Trust for making me feel right at home.
I would like to share a poem that Lorah Hopkins wrote previously while reflecting on a river with a fly rod in hand.
From the Mountain
To the Valley
From the Valley to the Sea
The Blue Traveler Journeys onward
Today the River spoke to me
Thank you so much Lorah for sharing this poem, it is very fitting for my journey!
Observations of the day:
50 plus mallards
2 red-tailed hawks
5 belted kingfishers (2 pairs)
1 red-bellied woodpecker
1 flicker
1 downy woodpecker
many juncos
3 canada geese
and a river friend named Adidas.
Daylight has broken and I got a lot of miles to go!
JOIN THE JOURNEY
Todd Bauman
Thursday, December 2, 2010
He Made it to Douglasville!
Relieved to get a Spot Locator message from our traveler, and great news: he made it to Douglasville! I hope he hit the button AFTER stowing gear and changing and didn't arrive in the dark, but we'll have to wait for his blog.
Click here to see his location, and you can read more about the place he is staying in the blog I posted below. I'm looking forward to reading his update.
Mary Linkevich
Mountain-to-Sea: Join the Journey!
Click here to see his location, and you can read more about the place he is staying in the blog I posted below. I'm looking forward to reading his update.
Mary Linkevich
Mountain-to-Sea: Join the Journey!
Day Two: Leesport to Douglassville
Today is a long one for Todd as he travels from Leesport to Morlattan Village in Douglassville. One plus is that the Spot Locator, which failed yesterday, is working today. Why did it fail? WE HAVE NO CLUE!!! Darn the technology!
Regardless, when Todd hit the locator, he was in around the Leesport Fire Department---very odd for a paddler, don't you think? Seems he was roaming by foot, but this very probably was while trying to get a phone signal. Check out his earlier location by clicking here. We will post these links as we receive them, and can wonder what he's up to together.
But back to the trek.... Big thanks to Leesport Lockhouse
Truly, no words can describe the incredible show of hospitality by the Leesport Lockhouse. This historic site has a strong, core group of dedicated volunteers who share and care for their facility. The Lockhouse is open the first Saturday of every month, so please consider a visit in 2011 to support this great group of hospitable people who volunteer long hours to protect our local heritage.
So to the Leesport Lockhouse Gang: THANK YOU VERY MUCH for taking good care of Mr. Bauman!
Tonight's Destination: Mouns Jones House
Tonight Todd will sleep at yet another historic site, the Mouns Jones House. Built in 1716 and operated by the Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County, this is the oldest documented dwelling in Berks County, and (assuming my notes are correct) is the same building where Washington once slept.... how cool is that???!!!
I know for certain that Todd will post a photo of the building, but here is a historic image I found on the Historic Trust's website:
The building was built in 1716 by Swede Mounce Jones and his family and is is a two-and-a-half story sandstone structure containing two chimneys. The chimneys are said to be Swedish influence, but not the stonework. An interesting bit of info is that Swedes were typically known for log dwellings, so this structure shows the early Anglo-English and Quaker influence on the Swedish settlers. According to the Historic Preservation Trust's website, stone construction was only adopted after the mass immigration of English and Welsh Quakers during the late 1680s.
It's also something of a miracle the building is even standing. Mouns Jones House is one of the few river properties to survive the 1850 flood of the Schuylkill River, and it suffered much flood damage throughout the 19th Century. By 1916, it was flooded regularly.
Minor improvements in the late 1930s (plaster on stone walls and the addition of slate shingle roof) no doubt helped, but in 1952, while workers were burning debris during the removal of the Douglassville Covered Bridge, the roof caught fire. In 1958, heavy snow caved the roof. By 1965 the building was in ruins when the Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County began its three-year restoration project.
There is a WEALTH of information on the Historic and Preservation Trust of Berks County Website, and this post was compiled based heavily on this info, and any errors found here are the full fault of this blogger. I look forward to Todd's description of the inside and his adventures along the way.
Mary Linkevich
Mountain-to-Sea: Join the Journey!
Regardless, when Todd hit the locator, he was in around the Leesport Fire Department---very odd for a paddler, don't you think? Seems he was roaming by foot, but this very probably was while trying to get a phone signal. Check out his earlier location by clicking here. We will post these links as we receive them, and can wonder what he's up to together.
But back to the trek.... Big thanks to Leesport Lockhouse
Truly, no words can describe the incredible show of hospitality by the Leesport Lockhouse. This historic site has a strong, core group of dedicated volunteers who share and care for their facility. The Lockhouse is open the first Saturday of every month, so please consider a visit in 2011 to support this great group of hospitable people who volunteer long hours to protect our local heritage.
So to the Leesport Lockhouse Gang: THANK YOU VERY MUCH for taking good care of Mr. Bauman!
Tonight's Destination: Mouns Jones House
Tonight Todd will sleep at yet another historic site, the Mouns Jones House. Built in 1716 and operated by the Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County, this is the oldest documented dwelling in Berks County, and (assuming my notes are correct) is the same building where Washington once slept.... how cool is that???!!!
I know for certain that Todd will post a photo of the building, but here is a historic image I found on the Historic Trust's website:
The building was built in 1716 by Swede Mounce Jones and his family and is is a two-and-a-half story sandstone structure containing two chimneys. The chimneys are said to be Swedish influence, but not the stonework. An interesting bit of info is that Swedes were typically known for log dwellings, so this structure shows the early Anglo-English and Quaker influence on the Swedish settlers. According to the Historic Preservation Trust's website, stone construction was only adopted after the mass immigration of English and Welsh Quakers during the late 1680s.
It's also something of a miracle the building is even standing. Mouns Jones House is one of the few river properties to survive the 1850 flood of the Schuylkill River, and it suffered much flood damage throughout the 19th Century. By 1916, it was flooded regularly.
Minor improvements in the late 1930s (plaster on stone walls and the addition of slate shingle roof) no doubt helped, but in 1952, while workers were burning debris during the removal of the Douglassville Covered Bridge, the roof caught fire. In 1958, heavy snow caved the roof. By 1965 the building was in ruins when the Historic Preservation Trust of Berks County began its three-year restoration project.
There is a WEALTH of information on the Historic and Preservation Trust of Berks County Website, and this post was compiled based heavily on this info, and any errors found here are the full fault of this blogger. I look forward to Todd's description of the inside and his adventures along the way.
Mary Linkevich
Mountain-to-Sea: Join the Journey!
Day One
The count down is over. Shove off day. I woke up early to do the last minute preparations. Got a wonderful early morning call from my partner in crime, Mary Linkevich. "This is it, are you ready?" "What time will you be at the Lookout?" Maybe she was just making sure I didn't oversleep?
Then the early arrival of Jeremy Scheivert. As he stoops through the old doorway from what is still a darkness outside. "You got to go know". "It sure did rain and their calling for more". We had a few more exchanges and he finished with, "See you at the top!"
Then my longtime friend Tony Zawada called, "You aren't still going in this!" "Why don't wait till tomorrow." I replied, "Just a little rain, and I am on a schedule, people to meet down river."
Now at this point it is raining with no immediate intentions of letting up. Electronics do not like this type of condition. Everything is packed, double dry! Making it inaccessible till better weather.
Crested the lookout and interacted with Mary and Jeremy. Thanks guys for walking up there on a day of not ideal conditions. Then parted dropping off the front of the lookout onto the Skyline Trail and then took a left. Wet, new leaves going down a very steep slope, well you can imagine, yes, I fell down a several times.
I roughly followed the path of the old, "Slide". The gravity rail from the mid 1800's of whose remains are very evident on the mountain top. First person I get to see at the end of the road, Sandy Moroney! Then quickly met by Bonnie Warner! Thanks guys for being there, and again on a day of not such ideal conditions. Then, flooded with WOW! Meeting and greeting. President Jerry Regan came looking very spiffy! Thanks Jerry for dressing up! Even some news folks. That I did not expect. It all seemed a little overwhelming at that moment. This is not just another trek of mine, it really is a trek for many! Cool!
Now I know folks were taking photos of me paddling under a bridge I have floated under 100 times over the years, that did not seem that special to me, BUT, all the folks on the bridge with the signs, yelling, cheering, Tom Kerr, with a horn, thanks Tom! That was the moment, that was the photo. But of course I did not have a camera out! Aaaagghhhh! So, everybody there that day, next heavy rain if we could all gather in the morning so I can capture that moment that would be great!
THANK YOU ALL!!!!!! MUCH APPRECIATION FROM A TRAVELER PADDLING THROUGH THE PAST!
With the water volume travels went quickly. Approaching the Kernsville dam I actually felt a very warm breeze. Ryan Beltz, Robin Fitch, and Susan Schmoyer, were waiting for my arrival. They all helped me carry the boat around my first portage. This is was a serious WOW moment. During that ten minutes of moving the canoe around, we get to the bottom of the dam and BOOOOMMMM. These gale force winds just hit us blowing dam spray into our faces, literally pushing us to the point of having to adjust our footing so we didn't blow over. Sue with her glasses said, "I can't see." I looked over and she is all bundled up with her glasses completely "wetted over." After a brief exchange of appreciation and good lucks, I added some layers because the temperature dropped instantly, and they pushed me off. Thanks guys for that help!
In quick order I departed and arrived at my evening destination, the Leesport Lockhouse. What another joyful arrival. Greeted by Bonnie Bohnenblust, a volunteer with the Leesport Lockhouse Foundation.
Warm, Dry, and very cheerful. AWESOME PLACE!
community connection.I completed the evening as all travelers before me have done, I stopped in at the local "Village Tavern" to toast the days adventures and tell the tales. Thank you Shelly Hammersly and Tony Zawada for making sure I experienced the local wares.
To quote John Wayne, "Were burning daylight!" Got to get started down the river for my next day of discovery.
JOIN THE JOURNEY
Todd Bauman
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
And he's off!
The heavy wind and rain died down a bit when Jeremy Scheivert and I made it to North Lookout, but no counting birds today! It was unusually warm and very foggy and dark. In a few minutes, the man of the hour appeared up the trail. He was in good spirits, but the rain started up again, so we were quick to document the departure and move on.
Jeremy & I headed back via the North Lookout Trail while Todd hiked to the river. We took a few quick pix (seen here: Todd & Jeremy at the top--along with a large raindrop on the camera lens).Next stop was the river, where a good friend and neighbor allowed Todd to stash his canoe on his porch, and Channel 13 along with some brave friends came out to cheer.
And of COURSE we posed for a few photos:
And then he was off! We ran back to the Drehersville Bridge where MORE friends were waiting, to hoot and howl as he passed beneath us. Here he comes:
Posted by Mary Linkevich
JOIN THE JOURNEY!
http://www.hawkmountain.org/
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