Metrotrails Blog!: Hike #1; Portland to Washington

Hike #1....

The group from hike #1...

It suddenly feels like I should put my journals from all of these past hikes up...somewhere. As many of you know, I write a journal entry for every hike I lead, and I tried to slap them up on my original website back in 2000 but never got around to it. So...I'll slap some of them up on here, give it a try and see what people think. The original plan was to collect people's comments and memories I may have missed, and the Facebook format seems the perfect way to allow that to happen.

Again...let's see how it goes!

3/23/97

I began leading my crazy long distance day hikes back in 97, in leu

of having a birthday party at my house. Sadly, I was at the time not

allowed to have a party at my house, nor was I allowed to even have

friends over much of the time; this was'nt so bad, because what I

really love to do is take a good long hike. I had been hiking most

every Sunday since my grandfather, Eldon Allen, started me off when

I was only three, however the most we had ever done was under 13

miles in a day.

In celebration of my seventeenth birthday, I scaled off a twenty

mile route from Portland, Pennsylvania to Washington NJ on what had

long ago become my favorite railroad. Railroad history had become a

big hobbie of mine, and I had walked the entire lenght of this, the

former Warren Railroad (part of the Delaware, Lackawanna, and

Western Railroad) in short sections with my grandfather. Never

before had I undertaken such an ambitious distance.

As the time grew closer, I invited my closest friends to join me in

this walk. First, Andrew Hughes, 15, of Washington. I'd met Andrew

in elementary school and we remained very close although he was at

the time enrolled in St Mary's Catholic School in Hackettstown.

Second, Conrad Blease, 17. Son of Dr. Robert R. Blease, a respected

veternarian in New Village, NJ, Conrad and I became fast friends

when we recognized in each other many mutual interests, including an

affinity for hiking.

Next, a gifted visual artist named Eric Schneider, 16, of Broadway,

NJ area, became a good friend in middle school when we recognized

our mutual love for art, music, and the absurd. We shared art

classes together since the 8th grade. In addition, it was through

Eric that I met Conrad Blease.

Finally, Jenna Marques, 18, who I met through Conrad. I had an

immediate respect for Jenna from the start due to her personality,

and her acceptance of my odd behavior. Her personality fit well into

the diverse pool of individuals I came to associate with.

Soon, due in part from Conrad's spreading the word, as well as the

news that Jenna would be attending I'm sure (she was quite popular),

Derek Bake, 18, r of Mansfield, and Conrad's older brother, Shayne

Mohala, 2? signed on. I had known Derek as a good acquaintance up

until this point, he had a gym locker near me, and we would exchange

degrading shrill "OH MY GOD"s when we saw each other in the

hallways. Shayne was even less known to me, having met him at a few

parties at Conrad's.

The night preceding the hike, I attended one of my grandfather's

Barbershop Chorus Concerts, and Andrew and I spent the night at my

Grandparents' house, to be dropped off at home to meet the group in

the morning.

I had no idea at the time that Shayne was coming, so Derek had to

squish into the narrow spot on the floor of my mom's Plymouth

Voyager mini van to ride to the beginning point. We were dropped off

in Colombia, NJ where Rt 46 spurs off into I-80, where we could walk

a short distance to the Portland/Colombia Footbridge (site of a

covered bridge that was destroyed in 1955 by a flood).

Immediately on the PA side of the bridge is Port Mart, where I

always stop to buy Lehigh Valley Farms Chocolate Milk, and everyone

picked up drinks and snacks. The route was to be following as

closely as possible the Warren Railroad right of way. In Portland,

the rail is still active, used as an industrial spur to the Portland

Power Plant. The rail line was built in 1856.

Not ten minutes after beginning down the tracks, Shayne spotted a

"Derail" sign on a switch, which he decided he needed. He tore it

off, metal arm and all, and stuck it through his backpack. Heading

south, we came to the Delaware Bridge, built in 1907. This was the

last of four bridges the railroad once used at this point to cross

the Delaware. Crossing often freaks people out because there is no

base to walk on other than railroad ties, between which the river is

visible far below. On each pier, one can climb down and get

interesting views of the river. Shayne took this opportunity to

throw random junk off and jump between the piers to give the

illusion that he'd thrown himself off. I continue to do this every

time I lead this hike. Conrad held onto Jenna while crossing; Jenna

was the smallest of the seven of us and the only one who could fit

to fall between the ties.

Old Delaware Trestle

On the south side after crossing Rt 46 I took everyone to a cut

which was built in the late 1800s for the Blairstown Railroad, which

joined the Warren Line at this point.

Me climbing the Blairstown RR cut in Colombia NJ on Hike #1 early 1997

After climbing a bit we moved

on through the town of Delaware, making a stop at Smiddy's Deli for

more food. We indulged in Jolt Cola drinks.

On the south side of Delaware, we passed homes owned and built by my

ancestors. Also in this vicinity was a little house with a fake dog on the lawn, which

looked real and freaked us out.

Ramseyburg area, this would later be the site of "Shrub of Might". It's amazing how much vegetation has grown up here since 1997.

Soon, we neared Ramseyburg, where the right of way had been

disturbed for construction of a long driveway a few years earlier.

Conrad commented we should try to have a race up a shale embankment

to our east, but no one was interested. It would later become an

important activity on this section hike.

We continued south, everyone in good spirits, to the Manunka Chunk

Tunnel. Two tunnels, built in 1856 and 1874, respectively, pass 1000

feet through Manunka Chunk Mountain at Vass Gap. I showed everyone

the east tunnel, explaining that it is badly caved in and could

barely be used without crawling, at which time Shayne climbed over

the cave-in and disappeared. The rest of us then passed through the

more navigable west tunnel, which still had a bit of water we needed

to walk through. At the south end, a giant rat of some sort stood,

seemingly unphased by our presense, nibbling on something. I recall

Derek saying "Hey, how's it going" as he walked within a few feet of

it.

Manunka Chunk Tunnel

When we'd reached the other side, Shayne was nowhere to be found,

and we all began calling for him, until someone spotted him sitting

upon a rock above the portal. Whether he actually passed through the

other tunnel, or he opted to run over the mountain I do not know.

Shayne above the south portal of the Manunka Chunk Tunnel

Manunka Chunk Tunnel

Next, we made our way south to Catherine's run, a stream which

cascades into the right of way. We decided to rest here. While

making her way along the creek on rocks, Jenna slipped and fell into

the freezing water. While it was a beautiful day, it was terribly

cold, and snow even remained in a few places. Jenna laughed it off,

but was in a great deal of pain and discomfort the remainder of the

hike.

Where Jenna fell into Catherine's Run

Taking a break along Catherine's Run

We took another rest not far south after following a farm road

parallel to the right of way, which was too wet to traverse this

time of year, on a living room furniture set someone discarded.

I had told Shayne before the hike not to bring knives or anything

that might get us in trouble, and here, Shayne produced a handsome

collection of knives which he proceeded to jab upright into the

coffe table in front of us!

Taking a break near Upper Sarepta Road

We walked on through Sarepta and Bridgeville free of incident,

passing near the Bridgevile Sand Pit, a quarried area, stopping in

Buttsville at Walt's Mini Mart. Soon, we crossed the Pequest River

on a concrete viaduct, making our way toward Oxford, stopping only

once for a rest where the Pequest Furnace Railroad, an industrial

short line, broke off to the east. Jenna laid down and fell asleep

in the cinder dirt at this point, and I picked her up and tried to

carry her, but she would'nt have it, knowing she had to prove to the

guys that she could complete the hike (Jenna is very feline in

action, the next day she fell asleep on the floor in Gym class and I

carried her to the weight room).

Crossing Pequest Road, the border of Oxford Township

Just after entering Oxford Twp., we passed by the abandoned

farmstead, which consisted of a few barns and a yellow farm house.

When I went to enter the abandoned house, a screaming, knife

weilding Shayne jumped out from hiding to scare me.

Busy Bee in Oxford

When we reached Oxford we made a stop at the Busy Bee for more food

and Jolt Cola. We decided against going through the Van Nest Gap

(Oxford) Tunnel due to the cold, and the fact that the water reaches

above the knees at all times. We opted instead to walk along Rt 31

south to a motorcycle path access to the right of way beyond the

tunnel, though we did visit the south portal anyway.

Oxford Tunnel south portal

The remainder of the hike was more of a haze to me, tired and

aching, yet I do recall after entering Washington Conrad or Derek

yelling "Punch Buggy Red" and hitting each of us, upon seeing a beat

up old Volkswagon Beetle full of bullet holes on the right of way.

Warren Railraod bed in Washington, near the end.

The railroad becomes somewhat active as a spur again in Washington

Boro, used at the time to get to the American Can facility, and we

continued along active tracks to the Warren Plaza, where Acme

Supermarket was at the time. After forcing through thickets of

branches making our way into the parking lot, Conrad exclaimed "Is

this Heaven?" as if it were the movie "Field of Dreams". To our

surprise, my mom and my brother Tea Biscuit (Scott) were waiting in

the lot for us.

To everyone's delight, I was allowed to have everyone over if they

remained quiet, and we rented the movie “Clue” with Tim Curry, while my mom served us

home made brownies. Jenna was the only one to give me a real birthday present here, a

little blue beanie frog I named Epimethius, which I still have sitting on my cd tower.

Shayne gave me a railroad spike he picked up immediately after Jenna gave me her gift.

While everyone was in a great deal of pain,

myself included, this planted the seed for me to lead more long

hikes in what would become a very big part of my life.

Even though Facebook will certainly give the opportunity for people to comment, I am including comments I had already been given by the past participants here in quotes....

"That was a great hike. And a good email.

I will be hiking with you again, sometime after may.

I look forward to it.

"You forgot to menion the seventy lbs of chains Shayne carried the back 7-8 miles..."

-Conrad

Actually, it was only five miles more from that point, but hey, still quite a feat considering

he was already carrying that big derail sign! I also recall that I had to use those chains as a

seat belt in Shayne's Jeep some time afterwards due to the absense of proper restraints!

Crazy times! Were the chains forty or seventy lbs...I don’t remember, I just know he took

them from some spot under construction on Rt 31 in Van Nest Gap.

"We're all approaching a 10 year milestone (in a year), a friend of ours attained not only

his coming of age, but also his centrality of this peculiar clique. Years all of your junior,

I was invited on an ambitious trip to celebrate Mike's 17th birthday. I cannot deny that,

though all of us may have parted our separate ways, there is a common bond between not

only us, but in those arround us today who, though they may not have experienced all our

endeavours, may appreciate our enthusiasm for the absurd. Alright, alright, I'll admit,

that last sentence was entirely way too long...

"Through Mike I met all of you so many years ago (and even developed a young crush

on, Jenna), the hikes (for me) only solidified those relationships. Conrad's loft parties

brought us together without the burden of hiking, fortunately, so that those few of us who

were first could initiate those who would accompany Mike throughout many or all of his

hikes.

"9 years...until today I would have never even put a date on those great, thought

gruelling, times. They always seemed as yesterday. To bring it all into perspective, nine

years ago I could still quote Star Trek, today I quote Machievelli and Adam Smith. Nine

years ago I would have thought that 9 was grammatically correct, versus "nine". Nine

years ago I wasn't a grammar nazi. Nine years ago I called my (semetic looking) full

brother a jew. Within the last year he has converted to judaism. Nine years ago, Nine

Inch Nails was the shittiest band I'd ever heard. Nine months ago I found wisdom in the

angst, and not two weeks from now will I be dining with my inspiration, NIN.

"Nine weeks ago, I became close to the love of my life. Nine years ago, she was my age

today. These nine weeks, like those nine hours we spent toghether so many (nine) years

ago, have developed that common bond, that which brings all of us who would have

neve...There are so few of us, thanks to Mike, and yet so many.

"Now all of you originals have no choice but to reply, to me and to Mike.

"Goodnight and Good Luck" -Andrew

Ah, Andrew, your Star Trek quoting...this reminds me:

After entering the town of Delaware, we were just beyond a truck stop, decided not to go

in because we figured we were too much a mess even for the diner, Andrew noticed his

Star Trek Communicator Badge, like those from the show, had fallen off! The badge was

magnetic, and was held on by a can opener he wore under his shirt! Andrew insisted on

going back to search for the missing badge. The six of us waited while Andrew sprinted

some distance back, to return with his badge! Good Show!

To illustrate how much Andrew thought of this badge; in High School a kid grabbed the

badge off his shirt one time, and Andrew managed to catch the can opener and stabbed the

kid in the arm with it until recovering the badge! More crazy times!

"Wow...I can almost remember the smell of that tunnel! Although I do not recall the

entire trip...I do remember those individual spots you pointed out in your own journal

notes. I'm pretty positive it was Darnoc {a nickname for Conrad} that called out the

punch buggie...I also remember Shayne carrying Jenna and I too gave her a piggy back

ride from some distance...one thing you did miss however...unless it was the other trip i

was on was the PIZZA!!! Yum!! How could you forget that??? It had to have been this

one because the last one i went on was walking toward the Delaware...in which we did

climb that slate hill and if i recall i did make it to the top!!

"What i do remember...

"The night before playing pool and playing basketball in a somewhat cold loft...playing

chess and Warcraft on the Macs in the office. Going to sleep late, about 2, only to rise in

Conrads room smelly and gassy...the classic 7 Eleven run and the infamous Double Big

Gulp (without peeing of course). This always produced the most hideous smells especially

when it would be myself, Conrad, Jarrett, and Ed...what the hell were we

thinking...anyway...I digress...the usual morning ritual was performed on this morning,

just like it had in the past year before going anywhere...going to Rossini's for granola

bars and choco milk...hell i got wild and switched up a buttered roll every now and

again...this of course was charged to Doc as per Conrad (this too came to a screatching

hault). We packed into the Teal Thrill and headed to your house...I dont remember sitting

on the floor...but i dont remember much of the trip there...perhaps because i couldnt see

anything!! Add in what i said at the top here......

"The day after....

"Cursing you out because I could not walk or do anything...having blisters on my feet the

size of a toilet paper roll..the diameter of course...I think every muscle in my body hurt!!!

But remembering back to that particular day....what a birthday it was for you...your

closest friends doing what you loved to do...damn...back in the day! At times I used to day

dream and want to go back to those simpiler times...when Conrad and I were still talking

and everybody else was not scattered around the US like embers from a fire...when I had

the biggest crush on Jenna and her giving me the oppurtunity to try things out...but me

not hearing her...and missing that oppurtunity...

"what I do know is that things go on for better or for worse...I'm now 27...sheesh..almost

30...but I have been marred to Cheli for 4 years now and have known her for 8...I now

have a son, Isaac James Baker who is currently 9 months old and has become the center

to which I do everything. Although I have earned my degree in Psychology I now find

myself wanting something more and will be following my passion of the

automobile...something I should have done a long time ago...I will be going to UTI

(Universal Techincal Institue) in Orland Florida....we have purchased property down

there and will be moving come December. Things move one whether you want them to or

not...and one thing that I did learn from you, Mike, is that life is too short to fuck

around...do what you want to do when you want to do...within reason of course! thanks

for everything Mike...I do think of you and what you are doing...if your still dating a

women that could be your mom...if your still at Wally World or not...sorry for not

emailing you back...I see your emails and just go on...but this one I needed to respond to

and I'm glad I did...YOU DA MAN!!! Uh uh uh...hey baby....uh uh...(in the voice of

butthead of course). I must say that things are looking better everyday! My new family

and my choice to pursue something I intended to do a while back now....I will always

remember.

I look foward to hearing back from you....and seeing the pics of old." - Derek

Oh, yeah! The Pizza! Dicola's Pizza is still the best! Back then it was called "Spaghetti

House" and was in the Warren Plaza. Now it's on 31 north from 57. Same people too!

I'm pretty sure you were driving the "Maroon Marauder" at the time, the Hyundai you

were driving before the "Teal Thrill", because I remember being good friends with you

when you bought the Teal Thrill, and when we did the first hike we did'nt know each other

too well yet.

"Some comments: I don’t have any pictures from that hike to share with you = ( I think I

only saw photos once at your house.

"By the way, I was holding Conrad's hand across the bridge because he claimed to be

‘nervous’ and i was jumping back and forth on the board smacking him scared. Of

course this might have been an attempt by Conrad for me to give my full and undivided

attention to him and then he'd get to hold my hand.

"Also, Derek was like "c'mon" at the river and was trying to help me across instead of

letting me just jump, therefore i blame him for letting me fall into the water. And it was

damn cold. My feet froze!

"I barely remember this but did you ask me about the prom?” -Jenna

{buffyhunts@yahoo.com}

Oh yeah! I think I had already asked you to the prom by that time; somebody, I don’t

remember who, told me I should ask you, and though I don’t remember who it was, I was

surprised with your lack of apprehension to say “Yes”. I had already thought you were

cool, but your compassion toward other people certainly earned you more respect as I got

to know you. I believe we did talk about the prom during the hike, maybe we discussed

what to wear or something...I was in pain along with the rest of you. Yes! That’s right! I

was in pain! It did take me a while to build up to the point I’m at! I’m not

indefatigueable...or at least I was’nt!

"Ah yes.... I remember it well...

The sky was an ommions gray color... full of black clouds churning with devilish glee.

Some of us feared for our lives as hell on earth erupted from the skies... and so began the

journey!" -Eric