Fall Car Camping Trip to Somerset 2022
Even though Ann and I had completed our annual fall car camping trip last month ( October ), the ingredients were right for me to to go again. I have this philosophy that every opportunity you miss is an opportunity you don't get back. I was seizing the moment!
The weather for the first of November resembled June. Temps had been moderate both day and night. Ann and her lady friends were going away on a little retreat and I had no plans for the weekend.
I mentioned this to my 89 year old mother who loves to camp. She is a pioneer on many levels. The pioneering mom came out in her. Before I knew it, I had enough groceries to bring friends and 1 dog.
I was 9O% packed by Friday night. One ministry obligation kept me from leaving that night. I had already cancelled getting my hair cut on Saturday. I'm pretty sure my sweet daughter in law Ari understood. By 3:30 am. I was awake and ready to go.
The " town" of Somerset is one of those oddities in the 251 Club that has intrigued me for a couple of years. To camp and kayak in that town would solidify checking it off our list of towns in the 251 Club.
I felt pretty confident that I had all my stuff. Checking was not a priority. I hopped in Brutas, my FJ Cruiser and started my 4 hour trip to the wilderness
I found FR 71 very easily. Deerfield River runs alongside this forestry road. The passing fall colors and the iron ore filled rocks were reflecting a golden hue over the river. The vast wilderness opened my eyes in amazement and wonder.
The raised eyebrows must have triggered something in my memory bank. Suddenly I realized that I had forgotten gas to my cook stove. I was too far in to go back to civilization. Thank God I bought a grill to place over a fire pit that week.
I'm no stranger to cooking over an open fire but this would be just 1 of the many improvisions I would make because of my hasty departure.
The excitement of reconnecting to nature in an unfamiliar area had wiped the weariness from my eyes. I was already convinced that the 4 hour drive was worth it.
I found the Airfield Campground that I had read about. It was as unimpressive as I was told, but it did have a vault toilet, and some sites had access to a river. I was looking for a little more seclusion to set my gear up without worrying about theft.
After a brief recon mission and a trip to the Resevoir, I settled on a secluded site that required Brutas's 4x4. I was excited to set up camp and the long trip made me hungry. A big breakfast over an open fire was in order. I whipped out some of Granny's supplies, which consisted of bacon, eggs sausage, and hash browns. Cooking them over an open fire, on a cast iron skillet has become easier and more enjoyable.
I tried sitting in my reclining chair, but the resevoir was calling my name. It was calling through the wind in the trees that I had been ignoring. There was a storm coming up the coast and we were receiving steady winds from the southwest. In all my excitement I neglected to scrutinize the weather. Yes, it was sunny and relatively warm but the wind was causing white caps on the water.
I had to satisfy my own requirements for checking this "town" off our 251 Club list. Since this huge and spacious resevoir is the focal point, I had to at least get my kayak wet. And get wet I did!
The wind was to my back and from the south at about 10-15 knots, when I put in. I was paddling north, and making good time with little effort, but the explorer in me wanted to go beyond the horizon. It didn't take long to realize that I would have to tame that exploring spirit. Paddling back against a strong head wind was going to require more energy than I had in me.
I compromised with the explorer in me, that a few pictures would be fine. The pictures however, do not do justice to how stout the wind was that day. I found a small rocky cove close by that sheltered me from the wind. I nestled my kraft between some rocks and rested my body for the trip back.
However, My eyes would have no such thing! My eyes scanned the woods for wild animals and primitive campsites. Off in the distance, and to the northwest, I could faintly see the Glastenbury fire tower. The vast wilderness had my dream factory working overtime!
Rested, I had to tear myself away from safety, and begin the trip against strong winds. The wind was blowing the water off my paddles and into my face. My glasses needed windshield wipers! The wind and waves were causing me to go sideways against the waves. Facing a rogue wave sideways was not in my plans. I had to make a special effort to point the nose straight into the wind. Occasionally the nose of my kayak would dip under a wave and spray my face as it erupted to see the surface.
When I arrived to shore and exited my Kraft, it looked like I had peed my pants. Maybe I did, maybe I didn't. I will never tell! All I know is that I had just paddled Somerset Resevoir on a warm windy day in November. While most kayakers had put their boats up for the winter, I was out enjoying the sites and sound of Creation.
All that effort wore out my breakfast. It was time for lunch! A few coals remained in the fire pit. I had brought some of Granny's old picket fence that she recently replaced and mixed it with some dry pine that I had brought. It didn't take long to cook up a batch of Granny's homemade beans and recline by the fire.
I couldn't recline long. I broke out the forestry maps and devised a plan to explore with Brutas, my faithful FJ Cruiser. I explored all of Forestry Road 71, and found some nice campsites along the way. My biggest surprise was finding Hapgood Pond, east on Arlington / Stratton Rd. I have read about this U.S Forestry Service campground, and it had been on my list of places to visit. I wouldn't be true to myself if I didn't explore it. The campground is being renovated and the sites along the pond look inviting. It has moved up my list of campgrounds to stay at.
I finished my road trip by heading west and following Kelly Stand Rd. It started out by wanting to know what's around the next turn, not that unusual for me. The road took me through high and low elevations with many twist and turns. Rock ledges and mountain streams along the path less taken had me eyes wide open.
Before I knew it I was on Rt 7, heading south to camp. It made for a long loop back to camp, but It's always exciting to visit a new road for the first time.
Granny had packed me so many vittles. I hated to see them go to the bears, or me for that matter, so I cooked up some succulent pork chops on the flat iron. Mostly because I forgot ketchup for the hamburger I brought. Since I was feeling like a hog, I completed the pork theme with bacon and hash browns.
I am beginning to love cooking over an open fire with iron pans more and more. Granny has sworn by them for years. In fact, I have heard her swear at me with one high in her hand a time or two!
I also love my food hot! Even mediocre food is good if it is hot. Feeling pretty "campy", I prepared my meal on my plate, and placed it on the folding stand to the left of me. With my fireproof gloves, given to me by camping inlaws,
( who saw me play in the fire with my bare hands), I picked up the grill and skillet and placed them on the other side of my reclining camp chair.
With plate on my lap, fork and knife firmly in hand, I proceeded to dine under the canopy of trees. The sound of the wind high above, was competing with the sizzling sound of pork chops to my right.
Carving my self off seconds from the comfort of my chair, while it was still hot, gave me such pleasure. I sat and reclined from my dinner for a while before cleaning up camp. For me, Gratitude is one of the by-product of a successful camping trip, and I was basking in it!
The rest of the night was spent playing in the fire with the wood so graciously left behind by the last camper. I pulled out forestry maps and plotted to find the elusive Glastenbury. Writing notes in my journal, organizing and editing my pictures from the day help settle my body. Unfortunately it does little for my dream factory, which keeps my mind active long into the dark.
Forcing myself to bed is like convincing a 2 year old they need to take a nap! I don't know if this kid inside me will ever grow up! There is just too much to see, too much to dream about and too much to do out here. At home, responsibilities often keep me from straying too far from the neighborhood. A good camping trip, deep into the woods gives my mind freedom to dream big! Fortunately, my loving wife gives me a long rope and allows that kid in me to cut loose from the "hood", even when she is camping with me.
That said, I did manage to sleep well in the back of the FJ. I chose the wrong air mattress for the trip, but managed to deflate it enough to fit inside with the door shut. This caused a real cool pillow effect at the head of the bed. Shucking the long air mattress against the back rest of the front seats propped it up enough to elevate my head. From there I could enjoy the flames of my campfire turn to smoldering embers..
The next morning proved to be a challenge. The wind that I chose to ignore in the weather forecast had picked up overnight. My kayak was firmly secured to Brutas, but a rogue wind gust came in from the side and gave my sleeping roost quite the shot. It was as if God Himself was waking me up. Cocka doodle do!!
Wide awake, it was time to get the fire going and a pot of coffee boiling. This is where "camping creativity came into play. Throughout the weekend I resisted the temptation to use the cardboard box that the grill came in for fire starter. The wind was blowing, it seemed from every direction, preventing direct flame on my precious coffee pot. There was know way that I was going to have a cup of coffee at this rate. I took the cardboard I had resisted to use and began using it as a wind breaker. The wind was swirling around, causing me to move around the fire pit like an electric clock on 220 power.
The hard work payed off and I could now begin the day. Nothing starts my day like a hot cup of coffee, a morning devotional, and few minutes with my Creator. It's in the woods that I find myself the most grateful. Not that camping makes me grateful, ( and it does ) but it gives me time to pause and reflect on what is GOoD in my life. Taking an inventory of what is good keeps me afloat in an increasing raging sea. My Savior took time off to rest. If it's good enough for him, then it's good enough for me.
Another hardy breakfast was on the menu, and I was going to have to earn it like I did the pot of coffee. With a sizzling skillet of hot food to my right and a cup of coffee to my left, I was content to start where I left off the night before!
I reeked of camp perfume ( campfire). Normally, I can live with that all day long, but I brought a seldom used part of my camping arsenal. A shower! The last time I used it, it was at a remote campsite on the east side of Burton Island State Park. The freedom of taking a shower in your birthday suit, in the middle of nature is awesome!
This little gem has been fun to use, although I am still learning how to maximize it's capabilities. I heated up some water over the fire while I went over my forestry maps again. When it was hot, I poured it into the bladder with the cold water. It wasn't enough for a scalding hot shower, but it took the sting away from an icey cold one.
Fortunately I chose a very secluded site that only 4x4's would dare tread. This made it easy to get down to my birthday suit. I hate getting my feet dirty while doing this procedure. It seems to be counter productive to me. I pumped the bladder full of air and stepped up on to my cargo carrier, where the water could drain to the ground without getting my feet dirty.
I hung my toiletry bag and towel on the inside of the back door and proceeded to get lathered up. I have used this method before and it works quite well. Drying off and getting dressed without getting my feet dirty was a breeze. Sitting on the edge of my sleeping quarters, I was able to jump into my shoes and hit the ground running.
There was no check out time, so I was in no hurry to leave. I took my time packing my gear and extinguished the fire with the remaining water. I had some left over wood that I had brought, which is unusual for me, as I usually burn every stick. I wrapped it in an old tarp with the rest of the wood that someone had left for me. I was so grateful for the wood that it only seemed right to do the same.
The rest of the day was spent finding the elusive Glastenbury. I found Glastenbury road but it turned into private property in which I did not feel comfortable exploring, being hunting season and all.
I also took a slow ride home on Rt.7a. In Dorset, I took the time to say hi to an old friend. I have never met the ole boy. In fact he died in 1971, but he saved my life from utter destruction, when he and another friend, Dr. Bob, formed Alcoholics Anonymous. For that I am most grateful and he is deserving of my respect.
Bill Wilson's site, along with his wife Lois, is very humble for a couple who helped save so many lives. A path is worn to their site, where many of men and women have stopped to pay their respects.
This World War 1 survivor received more medals from surviving alcoholics than he did while serving our great country. Not to take away from his brave service, but I find it ironic that he received more than he ever gave away. And he gave away a lot! His life to AA's as a matter of fact. Only in the Economy of our Creator ( his and mine ) that someone can receive more than they ever give away when they humbly serve. I'm in tears!
The wind was an annoying nemesis all weekend long, but it was the mother of several innovations. It's those innovations that pit the mind and body against the odds. It's in the successes of being determined that you find the depth of your strength and mental fortitude. It's those small revelations that give me satisfaction and help me to discover who I am. Even at 57 years old!
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