est. 1966 in the Toledo, Ohio Metropolitan Area
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Autumn Trips
During September, we had two trips. On the weekend of September 12-14th, we visited our camp near Cadillac, Michigan, for a rain-filled weekend. Even though it rained a lot, this gift from Hurricane Ike did not keep us from cutting a lot of firewood for winter. When we cut firewood, we put it in the cabin so it stays dry for our winter trips.
In addition to cutting firewood, we got a little work done on our new sugar shack. We put insulation in the walls, and did some work on the roof overhangs. Our camp caretaker, Bill Schnitker, got some metal roofing, but it was too wet to put it on.
You might wonder why we are building a sugar shack. It will have several uses. We will store supplies for tapping maple trees, and supplies for making our super maple syrup breakfast. We will use it to store dry firewood in case it is raining on the maple syrup weekend. Some years the maple sap freezes in the buckets on the trees. Since the sugar shack will have a wood burning stove, we will have a place to melt frozen sap.
On the weekend of September 27-28th, we did our last overnight bike trip of the year. We biked out to Harrison Lake State Park, camped overnight, and then biked back on Sunday. We enjoyed ideal weather, with highs near 77F. The wind was from the N.E. on Saturday, as we headed west. On Sunday, the wind was from the west, as we headed east. The wind was with us both days. I don't think that ever happened before. This was amazing good luck. We would like to thank Jim Locy for coming along to help out.
On the weekend of October 17-19th, we had our last autumn work trip to the camp at Cadillac. Mike Rejent came along, and he worked with the guys cutting winter firewood, while I worked with Bill Schnitker on our new sugar shack. Bill and I put on a new metal roof. We also got the door installed.
On Saturday afternoon, we went on a long hike in the state forest next to our camp. We went southwest to Stoddard Lake, and then did a compass course through the forest to find our way back. We found many wintergreen (teaberry) plants. We picked about 200 leaves, and then made some teaberry tea at our meeting on October 25. Everyone really liked the teaberry tea. Mike Rejent said it was best tea he had ever had. We hope to set up a backpacking trail in the state forest southwest of the camp. We started planning the route.
Back in 1847, Henry Dave Thoreau watched red and black ants fight all afternoon, killing each other by the thousands. Thoreau asked an interesting question:
"Are people who fight wars any different or smarter than ants that do the same thing?"
The Naturalist Scouts is a great way for boys 11-17 to find adventure. This group is for teenage boys who are enthusiastic about the great outdoors. The group takes backpacking, canoeing, and biking trips several times a year, all over the country. Due to the scouts affiliation with Hostelling International, the only cost will be buying camping gear, paying for your share of food on a trip, and for any additional trip cost or extras.
The Naturalist Scouts is also open to adult men older than 18, and relatives of members who wish to serve as assistant leaders. The first 4 weeks is a trial period for everyone.
The Naturalist Scouts is directed by Larry Lindsay who is a certified teacher and a local park naturalist. Mr. Lindsay is assisted by Brian Fink and Matt Trombla. We will be happy to provide you with references for these people.
Please call Larry Lindsay at 419-826-5182, 7-10 p.m. or e-mail LarryL.Lindsay [at] amplex.net
Don't forget to view the links above, they have more information about the group and trips.
Some of our current members:
