Summer Vacation

We spent our annual week at Pettecote Junction Campground in July. As usual, it was a great week and Sandy and Sue were the best of hosts. The Rails/Trails Conservancy was having their annual bike tour on the Canyon Rails Trail this year. They camped at Pettecote for two nights and we got to meet bikers from over 20 different states. They were a great bunch of folks. The campground was full for most of the week. The Bencus's are doing a wonderful job of running the campground. Every year they make a few more improvements. If you haven't gotten down to see their renovated caboose (which is now the campground office) you have to make the trip. The weather was absolutely beautiful for July. 70's during the day and 50's at night. We got some rain, but not enough to ruin any of our plans. Our son really enjoyed looking off the bridge that crosses Pine Creek. Taking them out of his 2-year old hand with a needle wasn't one of the best highlights of the trip. We camped, hiked, and biked for 7 days without seeing a bear. However, on our final day of the trip, we rode about 1 mile up the rails trail from Cedar Run and were able to watch a medium sized black bear strolling along the trail for about 1/2 hour. (see picture) One day on our way south on the rails trail we stumbled along a 150 year-old cemetery near the Black Walnut Bottom Access south of Slate Run. It was a small family cemetery under a big pine tree just off the trail. It was interesting to read some of the tombstones. Most of those buried there were very young. Many were only infants. It reminded us of how hard times were back then. We made it back to camp a few times to do some work and some hiking. The only problem we're having is that the porcupines seem to be chewing any wood that they can sink their teeth into. We've never had this many problems with porcupines. Summer is almost over now. It may be small game season until I get to make it back up to camp again. The rest of the family will be visiting throughout the summer as we have some more work to do. Recently, I just purchased a motorcycle and I'm itching to make the trip up north on two wheels. It may be the excuse I need to make another visit to my favorite place on earth.