Campers' Group Bulletin - Spring 2009
Campers' Group Bulletin - Spring 2009
Spring, the sweet spring, is the year's pleasant king;
Then blooms each thing, then maids dance in a ring,
Cold doth not sting, the pretty birds do sing.
Cuckoo, jug-jug, pu-we, to-witta-woo!
- Thomas Nashe (1567-1601)
Spring has officially begun! We have an exciting lineup of spring activities, so pick your favorites and come along for a little jug-jug and witta-woo!
Campers' Group recently abolished annual dues. Instead, there will be a $1 per person per night surcharge on every overnight trip. We do not charge dues or anything extra for one-day events.
Saturday, April 4, Day Hike, Harriman State Park, Orange County NY
Keep fit! Join us for an early spring hike in beautiful Harriman State Park. Moderately strenuous. Hiking boots and at least two liters of water a must. Dress in layers and bring lunch, snacks and a friendly disposition. By public transportation take Metro North to Tuxedo. Meet in the Tuxedo train station at 10:15 am. No calls before March 27.
Chet 732-317-2933
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April 17-19, Cabin Trip, Tyler Hostel, Newtown PA
Come out for a weekend at this comfortable hostel in the park. You can hike, bicycle, or horseback ride. Close to New Hope and Peddler's Village. The hostel is a converted farmhouse that was built before the American Revolution; it contains an old-fashioned fireplace, a large fully-equipped kitchen, a modern heating system, and bathrooms with showers and flush toilets. Just outside the hostel is a sycamore tree that is older than the building. No calls before April 10.
Denise 646-457-2072
Athmane 917-378-4677
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Friday, April 24, Night Out, The Good Coffeehouse, Park Slope, Brooklyn NY
Housed at the Brooklyn Society for Ethical Culture, The Real Good Coffeehouse Music Parlor is Brooklyn's home for acoustic roots music. Come out and hear some! Frank Fotusky plays acoustic blues guitar in the style reminiscent of the great East Coast "Piedmont" players such as Rev. Gary Davis, Blind Boy Fuller, John Jackson and Blind Willie McTell. A majority of his material is culled from the 1920s, 1930s and 1940s, and acoustic blues and guitar rags are the foundation of his music. Adults $10 | Kids $6 | performance @ 8 pm, seating begins @ 7:30 pm | "meet the musician" @ 7 pm No calls before April 16.
Myra 718-846-7725
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Sunday, May 3, Paddle or Hike, Wallkill River National Wildlife Refuge, Sussex County NJ
The Wallkill shares with the great rivers the Nile and the Rhine the peculiarity of northward flow. A nine-mile stretch of Sussex County river wetlands north of Hamburg NJ gives rise to the Wallkill River NWR, which, since 1990, has been a haven for more than 225 species of birds, a wide variety of fish and wildlife; and those who love to watch them. There are short hiking loops and the Appalachian Trail intersects here, but one of the best ways to see the refuge is by canoe or kayak. You will experience the great diversity of habitats that makes the refuge unique. Paddling takes you through beautiful floodplain forests, wet meadows which are maintained by seasonal flooding, and under tall rock cliffs. Bring your pole, as the river is full of warm water fish, most notably bass and pickerel. We can meet at the Sussex Queen Diner at 9:00 AM for breakfast, then drive over to the launch sites and trails. There are no boat rentals at the launch sites, so bring your own if you want to paddle. No calls before April 24.
Ken 201-388-3685
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May 15-17, Camping Trip, Fire Island National Seashore, Watch Hill NY
Camp behind the dunes by the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy miles of secluded, clothing-optional beaches, or hike on a boardwalk nature trail through salt marshes, fresh water marshes, thickets and forests. You won't see a private car all weekend because ... no cars are allowed. The birds and vegetation are spectacular, but beware of the ticks. We do this trip in the spring because the mosquitoes are ferocious later in the season. Flush toilets and hot showers. Fire Island can be reached by public transportation via LIRR and ferry. No calls before May 8.
Frank 914-632-8997
Sarah 212-675-5012
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May 22-25, Camping Trip, Jenny Jump State Forest, Hope NJ
Want to see the rabbit in the Moon, Venus, and Mars up close? In addition to relaxed camping and spectacular vistas along the hiking trails at this lesser-known park, we'll have some fun at the Greenwood Observatory, seemingly bringing the planets closer to earth via a telescope that magnifies up to 800 times. You can also ride your bike in the park, or swim at the nearby Mohican Outdoor Center. Hot showers and flush toilets. No calls before May 15.
Debby 917-340-2663
David 718-897-1448
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Sunday, May 31, Party, Brunch at The Park Restaurant, Manhattan NY
Denise liked Theresa's excellent restaurant pick for the annual meeting so much that she'd like to go back. This spacious, hip restaurant has nice brunch selections, friendly staff, and a big atrium. Meet us at 1 pm. Afterward, perhaps stroll over Pier 66, the new home of the Lightship Frying Pan. Or maybe by then, the new High Line Park will be open! Fun! Call between May 24-27.
Denise 646-457-2072
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June 5-7, Camping Trip, Taconic State Park, Millerton NY
This is a great time to visit this vista filled park. Easy to advanced hiking available. After a vigorous hike you can jump into the frigid water at the majestic Bashbish Falls! Bicycle the Harlem Valley Rail Trail, great for mountain bikes and hybrids. Near Alander Peak and Brace Mountain. Hot showers and flush toilets. No calls before May 29.
Janice 347-426-4601
Sue 973-896-3120
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June 19-21, Camping Trip, Stokes State Forest, Branchville NJ
We're returning to shady Group Site H. This park has many hiking trails including six miles of the Appalachian Trail. There are great views from the top of Sunrise Mountain and in the Tillman Ravine Natural Area. Near High Point State Park and the Delaware River. Flush toilets and hot showers. Limited to 10 people. No calls before June 12.
Harry 917-715-1060
Ken 201-388-3685
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CONTACTS:
Caretaker David Levner 718-897-1448
Tsarina Theresa Bartoldus theresabfree@yahoo.com
Outdoors Consultant Ken Quartarone kquest07@gmail.com
World-Wide Web home page: http://www.campersgroup.org
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