4/10/98
Hike #6 4/10/98
Henry, myself, and Mr. Shoe at the Portland/Colombia Footbridge
Now early Spring, it was time for me to get together a group for the Portland Hike again.
I had wanted to lead the hike the weekend of my birthday again, however a good number
of friends and I were still doing the Spring musical, “Joseph and the Amazing
Technicolour Dreamcoat”. My first week free from the play I decided to lead the hike.
Once again, I had assembled a large crew, but only two showed up.
Matt Fenimore, or as I know him “Henry” (he looks more like a Henry), I had known
since seventh grade when we were in several classes together. We became quck friends
though I tormented him consistantly with absurd behavior. His tolerance was high enough
that it merited getting to know him better.
Gary Kinney, or as I call him “Mister Shoe” (a name I came up with because of a store in
Phillipsburg Mall called “Kinney Shoes), I had met first because he sat beside me in
Phsychology, and later was in the play with him (Henry was in it too). His situation was
similar to that of Henry’s with my constantly pestering him.
We were once again dropped off in Colombia, this time by my grandfather at the
footbridge rather the on ramps. He gave us some money to buy food and drinks, as he
would do every time he dropped us off.
Henry and Mr. Shoe took to the hike with great enthusiasm right from the start; Henry
being a budding photographer snapping shots right from the beginning. Everything went
smoothly until we got to the Delaware Trestle, when Mr. Shoe was a bit freaked out. He
walked across slowly, one railroad tie at a time, repeating the words “tie..tie..tie..”. Henry
had no problem, and kept egging him on yelling “C’mon Shoe!”.
Crossing the Delaware Trestle
I know we stopped to ascend to the “Bush of Might”, but I don’t remember how long it
took, but I think it was a while.
Along former Warren Railroad near the Shrub of Might, the ascent to the future cell tower road
In Manunka Chunk Tunnel
The Manunka Chunk tunnel was more beautiful than I had ever seen it this time, with the
budding leaves. Mr. Shoe insisted on stopping to change into his Aqua Socks (a kind of
water shoe). This continued on for the remainder of the entire hike every time we got to a
wet spot, which also solidified that he would indeed continue have the name Mr. Shoe.
When we reached the south portal, the moss and grasses were such a bright green we
likened it to “Fern Gully”, an animated childrens movie that came out a few years before.
South end of the Manunka Chunk Tunnel
This time, due to the beautiful scenery as well as the warm weather, we decided to follow
the rail right of way rather than the adjacent parallel farm road. The beautiful scenery was
well worth the wait, but we got our feet very wet.
Near the south end of the Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Catherine's Run flowing near Manunka Chunk Tunnel
Former Catherine's Run bridge site, Warren Railroad right of way
We crossed Catherine’s Run where the railroad bridge once stood, now with three planks
between the abutments. Henry was afrait it would’nt hold his weight. He was the tallest,
and therefore heaviest.
Former Catherine's Run bridge site, Warren Railroad bed
We continued south, passing throught the sand pit getting ever more torn up each visit.
On the way to Oxford, Mr. Shoe was in awe of the Pequest Cut, a huge rock cut the right
of way passes through. He once told me this was his favorite spot on the hike.
Pequest Cut, Warren Railroad
Busy Bee in Oxford
When we reached Oxford, we stopped at the Busy Bee for some Jolt Cola, which I soon
gave up. I gave up drinking soda almost completely by age sixteen, but was still going for
the occasional jolt.
Making our way into the right of way beyond Axford Avenue, the railroad cut
approaching the Oxford Tunnel was the wettest I’d ever seen it, with water reaching hip
deep even before entering the tunnel. I remember Mr. Shoe giving pity to his poor unborn
children. At the time of this writing (2006) the water has still never been deeper any time
passing through here.
Nearing the north side of the Oxford Tunnel
Van Nest Gap (Oxford) Tunnel
Henry near north portal of Oxford Tunnel
Both Henry and Mr. Shoe handled the tunnel very well despite it’s freezing water.
Oxford Tunnel
Washington Township, former Warren Railroad a bit south of Oxford Tunnel
Punch buggy red. This old car used to sit along the rail bed in Washington Borough until 2000 or 2001.
We got done with daylight left, and I had gotten news that there was to be a loft party at
Conrad’s again (Conrad held loft parties regularly, which was always a hoot). Conrad had
told me Henry and Mr. Shoe could attend, for anyone who completed the Portland Hike
was worthy. Mr. Shoe nearly ran out of gas on the way, but it was a fun way to end a
hike.
Loft Party after a hike
Loft party after a hike.
Loft party
Loft Party
Loft party at the Blease place
Loft party
Loft party
Loft Party
Hot tub at Genevieve's
Conrad didn't like his picture taken even back then
Again, even though facebook will allow everybody to comment, I'm adding in some participants comments here...
“Mmmm...Hot Dog Johnny’s....
“And you refused to eat. Me and Shoe Had two a piece. You were saving your stomach
for the after-hike meal. At that place, Spaghetti House....We had two Sicilian Pizzas and
you basically ate one yourself.
“When we waded through the water, it’s good to be tall.”
-Henry
Yeah, that’s right, I forgot about Johnny’s....and the Pizza. I used to eat large pies all the
time! I can still do it too!
“I thought so! I thought we ate at Hot Dog Johnny’s!
“The view coming out of the Manunka Chunk Tunnel was amazing. I remember hanging
out in front of the Busy Bee. The water and the trestle were standout. And my dental
floss...I did’nt want to be walking 20 miles with food stuck in my teeth the whole
time....and also if we got lost in the tunnels we could use the dental floss to stay
together.”
-Mr. Shoe
Oh my god! I forgot all about the dental floss! Henry and I were teasing you about that as
much as the aqua socks! Who brings dental floss on a hike? Whatever floats your boat. It
sure was funny!
Here's a link to all of the pictures from this hike! Feel free to grab them up for facebook!
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