Hike #30; Portland to Washington

 Hike #30

Hike 30

The group at the former site of the Delaware train station on the former Lackawanna old main line.

3/25/1

 

For my 21st birthday, it was of course tradition to do the Portland hike again.

I called my best friends again, and recruited Tea Biscuit, Conrad and his then girlfriend

Samia, Ronald, and Jeremiah Apgar, whom I’d been friends with since we were very

young growing up in Port Colden. He was now dating Abbie Bullevant, and showed up to

my 21st birthday party the night before, and found we still had a lot in common.

The group at the beginning, Portland PA

My mom dropped us off in Colombia, and we were on our way again. For the first time

on one of my long hikes we actually passed a train in Portland, making it’s way toward

Bangor. All went fast and well.

Walking the tracks near the Bangor junction in Portland PA

Approaching Delaware trestle

On the Delaware Trestle

Site of Rt 46 crossing, former Warren Railroad

Near Ramseyburg

Jer tries his luck at the Shrub of Might

Jer tries his luck at the Shrub of Might

Conrad at the Shrub of Might

So many times Conrad has worn a white shirt on the Portland Hike...WHY?

Shrub of Might, Ramseyburg

Former Warren Railroad, Ramseyburg NJ

North end of Manunka Chunk Tunnel

Passing through the Manunka Chunk Tunnel

When we reached Manunka Chunk Tunnel, none of us had flashlights. Jeremiah used a

map I had given him, lighting it on fire and floating it across the water to see where the

rocks were to step across. It worked to some extent, but we had to walk through water

anyway on the other end.

Jeremiah used his copy of the map as light; he lit it and floated it across the waters of the Manunka Chunk Tunnel

Passing through Manunka Chunk Tunnel

In Manunka Chunk Tunnel

South side of the Manunka Chunk Tunnel

Catherine's Run

Crossing the sand quarry at Bridgeville

Passing through Pequest Cut

When we got to Oxford, Samia, Ronald, and Tea Biscuit surprisingly decided to cut out.

Conrad, Jeremiah, and I continued on. It was quite funny with the two of them, who are

both remarkably intelligent, but very different. Jeremiah is more laid back, while Conrad is

often taken as too conceited. I’ve never had a problem with either of them, but it was an

interesting character study.

Former Warren Railroad in Washington

Crossing the Washington railroad yard

When we reached the Washington rail year, Jeremiah showed us the old station site and

some remaining bricks from when it was torn down in 1982, as well as the remaining

turntable pit.

 

“I think I had a really bad blood blister in my foot from the days before and had a blood

soaked band aid. It was a big bandaid. Bandage even. Further, we sang (You’ve Lost)

That Lovin' Feelin’ in the tunnel.” -Conrad

 

I also recall at the end of this trip we looked at the Washington station site, and I took a brick, a corner stone from the ticket concession, a nice brick. When my house burned down I could not find it, so sadly I think it was lost. -M'ke