More than Happenstance at Hapgood Pond
Ann felt like I needed this weekend alone with our new pup and bowed out from going. Since we are on a mission to check off every State Park with a stay, Lake Shaftbury seemed to be viable option, when Bill was a part of the plan. Remote camping in the Green Mountain National Forest is also very appealing as well . After some reconnaissance missions and a bunch of research, nothing appealed to me, or was practical for what I had in mind.
Winter reconnesance mission to Lake Shaftsbury
We have our favorite campsites and campgrounds but I am always looking for a fresh adventure in a new place. I learned about Griffith Lake in the Peru Wilderness Area while searching for a new place to camp. I was intrigued by the remoteness. All the research indicated that it could be easily accesed with a kayak carrier. The lake is on the Appalachian trail. A lodge for through hikers; managed by the Green Mountain Club, is close by.
Backpacking was not the kind of camping that I wanted to do, especially with an unproven pup. One lone remote tent site on Forestry Rd 58, leading to Griffith Lake was said to have great views, but I was unclear of its proximity to the lake.
I could not get peace about camping there, but I couldn't get peace without checking it out either.
Not only was this an adventure on the fly, but everything leading up to this was more than just good happenstance.
The immediate weather was hot and sunny. I packed Brutus with the assumption that the weather would hold true throughout this small state. I opted to use my reliable 4 man tent. This Coleman tent packs well and is quicker and much easier to setup than my attachable SUV tent. I found this gem on the interstate.
Part of my job for the State of Vermont is to keep the highways clean and free from obstructions. My co-workers get excited when they find cash during trash picking season. I get excited when I can add to my camping arsenol. Interstate 89 has been very good to me. My recent find was a 12 volt thermoelectric cooler that needed a simple cord replacement. I look forward to using that in July. Stay tuned.
Camping gear at the end of the rainbow?
Over the winter I won a $150 gift card to REI by submitting pictures and reviews on the DYRT camping app. I used the card to purchase a Dominic water pump and resevoir. I always dreamed of building a water system for my larger camp kitchen. My large kitchen set has a built in sink, so it would be ideal. I had no idea these things existed, so when I saw them at REI, I had to get it! This will come in handy for those longer stays. This was going to be a 2 night stay, and I was bringing a smaller kitchen setup, but I brought the pump and resevoir anyway.
Large kitchen set from my latest trip to Lake Bomoseen
A few weeks back in May, I could have used an insulated blanket for my faithful dog Tucker. We were car camping in the Adirondacks at the time. The wilderness nights were a little chilly. The poor boy woke me up shivering. A week before this trip, I regesterd to win a Yeti insulated blanket at my local Ace Hardware store. I couldnt believe that I won the damn thing! This camping trip was looking better and better. The blanket could lay on top of my air mattress to protect it from T"s toenails, and keep him warm too. It could also lie on the ground for him to lay next to my chair. Eiether way, it was a cozy surprise.
According to Tucker the blanket made for a better bed cover
Tucker had shown great promise riding in the kayak while in the ADK. All I needed was to buy a life vest for the ole boy. It became imperative that I camp near the water for this trip.
Packed n ready to kayak
The excitement was mounting up like summer vacation for a school kid. I imagined how I would play with all my new toys. I didn't sleep well the night before my trip. I may have even talked myself into a few purchases between winks. I woke every couple of hours staring at the clock and hoping it was time to go camping. I got off to a reasonable start. I picked up a life vest for Tucker and a collapsable sink along the way. I reasoned that my small camp kitchen with it's new pump and resevoir needed one. It was a soft sell!
The unsettled feeling of where to camp persisted. I began to have doubts about the site being right on, or close to Griffith Lake. I had to come up with a plan B, just in case. I still had some time in my drive to figure it out. Out of the blue, I remembered visiting Hapgood Pond with Ann. It was while we were exploring the towns of Landgrove and Peru, as part of our Vermont 251 Club adventures. I reasoned that if the site on FR 58 wasn't suitable, I would check out Hapgood Pond. If there was a site available, I would chaulk it up to God's Providence. If not, I knew, by faith, that something better would appear. Though, I was driving by sight, I was walking in Faith. Driving by Hapgood Pond while heading to FR 58 was confirmation of my plan B.
The site on FR 58 was occupied. It did have a tremendous view, but it was not sheltered from the sun enough for me on this hot weekend. I was happy to move on. Further up the road was the trailhead for Griffith Lake. It became clear that this was going to be more of a hike than a drive up and camp kind of thing. It did open my eyes to a potential hike later on.
A view from campsite oh FR 58
Hapgood Pond is managed by the U.S Forestry Service and is in the Green Mountain National Forest, in Peru, Vt. I rolled in and found a site nestled in the trees right away. The pond was not far, and a boat launch that allowed pets was close by too. That unsettled feeling had gone away, and peace was on the increase. Setting up camp had a new kind of excitement to it.
There wasn't many neighbors, so I let Tucker roam the area. He never got far away and came back to me when I called 90% of the time. My trust in him was growing. One of the first things I do when I set up camp is plant my chair, and start a fire. It's also the first thing I enjoy when I am done "playing house". A few minutes is all I need to grab some gratitude and a second wind.
A loop trail peaked my interest and the pooch was all to happy to go with me. Once agian, he stayed close by and came back when called. I couldnt wait to try him in the kayak, but we both needed to eat. Tucker made himself to home while I prepared dinner,
After a short rest to let dinner settle, T began giving me a nudge, as if to say it was time to explore again. He eagerly hopped in the truck and patiently waited as I put on his life vest. Once at the boat launch, Tucker jumped out and began to explore. When the kayak and I were ready, Tucker sniffed his way over in curiosity. He jumped in easily enough, but when I went to shove off, he did too. I tried this a couple of times before I got the idea to take off without him. Tucker wasn't having anything to do with that! With a Boarder Collie leap, Tucker landed in the boat face forward, and smiling like crazy! I don't know who was happier, me or the dog.
The trip was relatively smooth. I had the inclination to head back after 1 lap around the small, 12 acre pond, but I opted to maximize my "cool" time. Tucker was bored with being cool and got a little fidgity. Dad got a lot scared! I did managed to calm him down. I wasn't about to flop my kayak with a 4 legged creature clawing for supremacy of my craft. Life vest or no life vest! Needless to say the pooch got plenty of ata boys and scratches behind the ears. He may have even gotten a kibble or two. The rest of the night was spent cuddling in the chair by the fire.
Friday morning brought a new excitement I hadn't experienced since camping with my lab / pit bull, Jack. I got up to prepare coffee and breakfast bright and early. Tucker, on the other hand was content to sleep in. Already having a keen sence of his master's routines, Tucker knew when I opened the truck door that it was time to eat. The ole boy emerged from the tent looking for breakfast. Soon he was ready to start our adventure together.
Tucker waking up for another adventure
A short drive to Griffith Lake trailhead was going to be the beginning of our 2 mile hike to the lake. Once again, Tucker was poised in the back seat. At the trail head, Tucker waited for my command to jump out. He seemed a little concerned that it was without a leash. He caught on to his new found freedom rather quickly. I walked my usual pase and continued to look back regularly. He never viered off the trail, but he sure did take his time to smell the roses. A slap on the hip a couple of times and "T" would come running like a champ. His eyes were excited and waiting for approval. We ventured all the way to the lake without a hitch. Well, almost.
I envisioned a mountain lake with a sandy beach and a park bench at one end. What I found was a small, rocky area barely suitable for wading in. Tucker seemed unimpressed and had little interest in the water. His master on the other hand, looked to his left, and to his right; dropped his drawers on the shore, and began to wade in. I carefully found a safe place to wade that was deep and stable enough to get comfortable in. That lasted only a minute when I heard a young female voice say "Im passing through with my dog".
Here I sit wading balaki bare ass, and Tucker is off his leash. The young lady seems uneffected by my glowing white ass that must have radiated from the cool blue waters of this mountain lake. I warned her that Tucker was off his leash and that I was really unavailable to help. I assured her that Tucker was friendly and that he is good with other dogs. She looked at my clothes beneath her feet, gave Tucker a friendly pet, and introduced him to her dog. It was only a minute but it felt like an hour before she nonchalantly moved on. I barely got back to shore and put my clothes on, when the youg lady passed through again. Fortunatley she didn't have to hale the same warning. By this time I was in a little better position to carry on a conversation with the young lass.
The two mile trip back with Tucker was interesting. Instead of me leading the way, it was Tucker who ran ahead. He would go so far, and stop to look back. A true herding quality found in Border Collies. If he could have slapped his hip to get me to run up to him, I think he would have.
Tucker ran along confidently, as though he knew we were going back to the rig. It was as if he was ready for another adventure. I am told Border Collie pups get bored real easy. The ole boy would soon be in for a treat.
After lunch at camp, and some R and R, we headed back to the pond to give Tucker more time in the kayak. A young boy from Landgrove, took an interst in what we were about to do. The young boy asked if he could pet my dog. He got off his bicycle and gave Tucker a few rubs. T was all too happy to ablige. I don't know whose smile was bigger; the kid's, Tucker's, or mine.
Tucker jumped in the boat with ease, and claimed his position up front. This time there were some dogs on the beach. I eventually paddled my way near the dogs to see how Tucker would react. He seemed unaffected by the dogs as I paddled just outside the swimming buoys. The attention he got from swimmers on the other hand put a smile on his face.
Tucker sat up proud, with his chin up and his chest out. All he needed was a red bandanna around his neck to complete the,"I'm the coolest dog in the world ensemble. His master was pretty proud too, as I gave him plenty of accoldaes. More smiles!
Proud Tucker T
The trip ended a little abruptly as the forecasted thunderstorms for the area were starting to roll in. I did not fully prepare for rain because I assumed statewide sunshine for the weekend. I managed to crowd all my gear in the tent, in preperation for the thunderstorms and heavy rains that were about to hit us. For a while, I could sit and recline in my tent with the door open. Tucker was free to come and go as he pleased, but he was happy to lay on the matress which was beside me. As the thunderstorm released it's fury, we battoned down the hatches and listened to the rain pelt my tent. Tucker jumped up in my lap as if to console me. It was mutually comforting, knowing we had each other, and that we were warm and dry.
"T" and me weathering the storm
Almost. The free, and once faithful tent was showing it's years, like an old dog. Rain was slowly seeping in through the seems. Fortunatley the leaks were in areas that did not compromise our sleeping area. This turned out to be a tremendous blessing as it rained quite hard most of the night. We eventually moved to the air matress and called it a night.
Throughout the nights my mattress would slowly leak air. It wasn't bad until one of us got off the bed. At that point, the other would hit the hard ground like a brick. I was tired of being a brick, and vowed to Tucker that we would get a new one soon.
I woke up proud that we had weathered the storm together. We managed to stay dry through a torrential downpour. Tucker seemed uneffected by the loud thunder which made things easier.
I made things even easier when it was time to pack up and roll out. I decided to leave my tent and air mattress behind. The dumpsters provided made for a convenient drop off. Lightening my load and packing less is always a plus.
What lightened my load the most was the gratitude for how the weekend was orchestrated weeks ahead. I was blessed with useful items for our camping trips. The Good Lord helped me to find a suitable campsite for Tucker and me. I was able to easily coax Tucker into my kayak. We were able to achieve the adventures planned in unplanned weather.
You can call it karma. You can call it happenstance, but I will call it more than happenstance. I will call it walking by faith and not by sight. The blessings that come from it are always GOoD.
Hapgood Pond will always remind me of that!
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