Leetonia Christmas 2010

Today is Christmas in Leetonia. We had some snow flurries, but there is not much in the way of snow up here yet. It is common for us to get our heavier snows in January and February. One Christmas it rained and that really dampened the Christmas Spirit. I thought you might enjoy listening to the sounds of Buck run as you finish your Christmas celebrations.

We spent a quiet Christmas at home warmed by a fire. Lee was warmed by a fever. Unfortunately, Santa brought her the flu for Christmas. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

P.s. Vote for Pine creek as best river you will have to go through descriptions of rivers to get to voting.

Leetonia missed it

Well as you might have guessed I have been gone for three weeks working. I worked in Iowa and Illinois and visited relatives while there. On the way home it was a mixture of weather. The first picture was taken in Salmanca, N,Y, at a McDonalds. It doesn't seem anyone has been picnicking there. They got the lake effect and looks like at least a couple feet on the tables.

The lake effect was heavy on 86 just north of Erie until I got to Olean then it pretty much dropped off to what you see in the picture from my front yard.

A mix of bare areas to a couple inches of covering. The roads have a few icy spots under them especially near pine trees. If you are coming up to camp over the holidays have a good 4 wheel drive vehicle and the ability to put chains on when needed.

After working a week and a half in Iowa, I can tell you it is at the bottom of my list for places to live. Just wide open areas of wind blowing snow and cold at you. I managed to be there during a cold snap below zero temps and 50 mph winds. When I got up in the morning the snow packed between the storm door and the regular front door.

Scooter went with me and he was not impressed either lifting one foot at a time as they froze trying to get it warm.

The high point was when I finished in Iowa I got to visit grandkids in Illinois. Four of them can wear you out faster than any construction job. I left them pleading for me to stay just one more day or take them with. It is always hard to leave when they do that to you.

There is something about sleeping in your own bed nestled in the woods that is very comforting. Lee and I will celebrate with some good food and a day off. There is no major storms scheduled between now and Christmas so don't look like any hardships of travel will be in order.

I will post something Christmas day from the woods have a great celebration with family where ever you live. Mountain girl, Paula, logging off and loving living in Leetonia.

Rain to winter wonderland

Rain has been continuous for a couple days resulting in overflowing creeks. Pine Creek at Cedar Run was at 2.5 feet yesterday and as of 2:00 PM today it is at 9.5 feet. Shortly after taking these pictures in the rain it started changing to a wintry mix and then snow. As of this writing there is an inch of wet snow on the ground. The roads seem to be good at this point.

The TV went out so I had to knock the snow off the satellite dish. Usually that does the trick so we now have reception.

Paula will be busy for the next few weeks so I will try to post for her. Hope you all had a good Thanksgiving. Maybe some of you will be able to take a break from the Christmas rush and come to Leetonia to recharge. We would like to thank all our faithful readers. The other mountain girl logging off.

Buck Run Ram Pump

This Ram pump has been working at the Buck Run Camp down the road from me for 38 years. It pumps water by collecting the water upstream and compressing air inside of the bell until enough pressure builds up to release ram and pump water up to cabin. The cabin is at least 20' vertical climb above stream. The water runs continually into the sink as there is no way to turn it on and off. As you can see they keep a bucket in sink to have a reservoir to get larger amounts at once.

It is amazing to watch this pump work in person as the combination of the sound of the stream and the splish, splash of the pump is hypnotizing. Just another way leased camps who aren't allowed to have a well get fresh water free to their camp. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Dog days of winter

When the nights get cold and the days a bit brisk the dogs move a bit closer to the fire. Speck the littlest one gets a bit too close sometimes and has to make a quick retreat when he starts to smolder.

Thor prefers a softer and safer location from the heat and constant loading of firewood. All the dogs get much quieter when the stove is stoked and the room is almost uncomfortably warm.

It got down to 22 last night and didn't warm up much above freezing today. I will say I have to agree with the dogs that there is nothing like a warm fire on a cold day. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

First day of bear season.

November 18, 2010

The heaviest black bear ever recorded in Pennsylvania was shot and killed just north of Fernwood Resort in Pike County on Monday.

The Pennsylvania Game Commission confirmed that David Price of Barrett Township killed the 17-year-old bruin, which had an estimated live weight of 879 pounds. The bear had a field-dressed weight of 744 pounds.

Price's bear was 15 pounds heavier than a bear which was killed in 2003 weighing 864 pounds. That bear was also shot in Pike County .

“This bear could be No. 1 in the world,” said PGC Information and Education Supervisor Tim Conway.

After 60 days, the bear's skull will be measured to be determined where it will stand in the record books. The world record skull is over 23 inches, Conway said.

The above was copied from an email I received.

This is the biggest bear I have ever seen. We have had a few shot weighing in the 600lb range around here. Today is first day of bear season. The dogs are always unhappy because they can't go out front. They don't like all the noise and people associated with the bear hunt either. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Visitors to Leetonia

The picture to the left is of Charles John Schwab 1887-1919 born in Leetonia, Pennsylvania. His grandson named after him contacted me through reading the blog and came to Leetonia to see where his grandfather was born and died.

Charles Schwab worked for the lumber yard and loaded the trains with logs. As he was tightening a chain on logs it broke throwing him under the wheels of the train. The train severed his left leg close to his hip and severely crushed his hip. He was being hauled to Williamsport for care but died by the time they reached Cedar Run. Charles John Schwab was latter buried in the Wellsboro cemetery. Just the day before in Leetonia, Jacob Matthews a brakeman for the railroad also had a serious accident crushing his foot. He did however survive his accident. It is a reminder of how perilous working in the logging and railroad business was and still is.

I took the grandson, John, and his wife around Leetonia showing them some of what is left and pointing out where things used to be. Leetonia is a far cry from what it looked like in the days of John's grandfather. The whistle of the train has long stopped, the sound of the lumber mill silent and the smell of tanning fluid gone. But there is something about Leetonia that still stirs the imagination of things past. Sometimes it is so real you think you can hear the whistle and feel the joy and pain of the people who scraped out a living in Leetonia. One of our last stops was at the graveyard. Flags decorating the soldiers graves and a sober reminder that life didn't always make it past childhood as you look at the long line of infant graves up the side of the mountain. It is a bit of a hike up the steep slope of the cemetery and I was asked why didn't they bury people where it was flat? My only answer is flat is a premium space around here and it was generally used for building and work. I guess eternal rest was best in another space. It was also close to the school/church building that no longer exists.

Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Fall and Firewood

Well I finished cutting the Tri-axle load of wood today. It will be about 10 full cords when split and stacked. Since this wood is for next year I can take my time splitting it, although I would like to have it done by late Spring so it can dry out good during the summer sun.

The wood for this year is neatly stacked under the two porches around the house to keep it out of the snow and rain. We will use up the wood by Spring and once again complete the cycle necessary to keep the house warm during the winter. We generally burn any where from 6 to
8 cords of firewood each winter.

My brother, Rob, was up over the weekend and I took him to the Leonard Harrison canyon view. You can see by the picture down the canyon that most of the leaves are gone from the trees. It was a brisk day and it is always windy at the overlook.

The smell of firewood burning in the cabins over the weekend was thick in the air. It reminds us winter is not far off.

I like my winters with snow. Snow you can ski on not ice. But so many winters we get snow and then it melts and freezes into an ice slick. The worst is freezing rain. This turns our tricky narrow roads into a nightmare. There isn't a person up here that doesn't have a story of a frightening slow trip down the mountain roads.

The slow economy gave a bit of a punch to all the businesses around here. Most aren't doing too good except for the ones who have picked up some of the gas workers business. We are all hoping next year will be the end of empty pockets. But regardless, people who leave here are used to tough times and they will make it through better than most. One thing no one can take away from us is this beautiful country we live in. On a cool day with the sun shining through the forest, breathing the scent of pine you feel rich indeed. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Turtle Camp

This picture was sent to me by Jeff Keys who has a place on Painter Leetonia Rd. It was taken sometime late 60's or early 70's of the Turtle Camp also on Painter Leetonia Rd.

The turtle camp got its name from all the turtle shells hanging from the camp. The camp has fallen over since this picture and there is a trailer behind it. A little reminder nothing lasts forever.

If you have any old pics of camps feel free to email them to me I will be happy to include them in this blog.

Mountain girl, Paula, logging off.

Fall drive up Cedar Mountain

It was a beautiful day today in the woods of Pa. The day started with a hard frost and as the air warmed the vapors from the melting frost formed clouds in the valleys. Then the sun burned everything off and we were left with a beautiful blue sky background the the colorful trees.
The ladybugs haven't been too bad yet, although they have been known to come on warm October days with a vengeance. The leaves are falling fast and the bucks are moving quickly in search of mates for next year's fawns.
The bucks will burst across the road in front of you almost anytime of day searching for that special doe. The archers are out looking as well for that perfect buck. Tomorrow and Friday looks like rain and I even heard some nasty rumors of snow. But the weekend looks dry and perfect for campers looking to have some fun before winter. I will probably be cutting the rest of my logs over the weekend. With each leaf that falls its a reminder that summer is over and winter will soon be here. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

The Sun is back and so are workers

Today the Sun peeked out for the first time in nearly a week. I will be able to catch up on all my outside work in the next few days.

Also the coring machine showed up in my front yard again. They are taking core samples to find out what they need for making the footings for a new bridge. The bridge work won't happen for two years. I guess according to our township supervisor from planning to building a bridge takes around five years.

Another bridge will be in the construction phase starting next May and its a big one. The steel bridge in Watrous will be impassable starting in May and probably for most of the summer. This means we will be detoured through Galeton or have to go to Cedar Run and up to get to Wellsboro all next summer. Well the fog has lifted and I am packing up to go to work. Scooter is excited he has missed going to work for 5 days. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Wet weather continues

Well, we have had a streak of wet weather since last Saturday. Everything I planned on doing outside has been put on hold. It looks like tomorrow it will be dry enough to bring the electric tools back out and finish some projects. I have a porch I am putting on in Cedar Run. It will have a steel roof and it is nice to get steel done before we have any ice or snow. There is nothing slipperier than a wet or icy steel roof.

The dogs have not liked this rainy weather much and have spent most of their time sleeping on the couch. They run out for a bit and right back in. I am sure they will be glad for a sunny day too.

The deer have all changed colors to their winter brownish-gray coat. I have seen quite a few small deer moving around and a lot of turkey. I suspect the small ones are this year's fawns, freshly out of their spotted coats.

I haven't made any progress on my wood pile for the last few days either. I have about twenty full logs left to cut up into short pieces. Once they are shorter they will dry faster even if we don't get them all split before winter. Driving through the woods even in the rain is beautiful right now with all the color. I am sure it will even be nicer when the sun comes back. Looks like the weekend will be dry but cool with temps not getting much out of the 60's and mostly in the upper 50's for highs. The creek is up above 3...great for you experienced canoers, I would expect the water to drop to a nice level for most people to have a great time in the creek this weekend. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Water, wood and weather

The last day of September, mother nature tried to catch up on the rain all in one day. We had four inches of rain. Pine creek started at around 1 foot high and went to 7 foot in a matter of a eight hour period. It is now back down around 2.84 nice day for a canoe trip. The first picture was taken on Oct 1st in the morning at Cedar Run.

We are busy cutting, splitting and stacking wood for the winter. It got down to 30 the other night and I awoke to a white frosty substance covering the grass. A little reminder winter isn't far away. It is hard when it goes from eighty to thirty, but the change in weather always seems to do that to us.
I am a little over half way through my tri-axle load of logs. I have about 30 left to cut. Those will be used next year as they have to dry. Although, I did notice a few dead logs that might be useable this year. The load they delivered was mostly ash and beech. Those will dry much faster than oak, but not burn as hot. The red oak we have for this winter has dried for about 3 years, which seems to be about right for that wood. It is very slow to cure, but a good burner once it does.

The trees are changing and dropping leaves, which doesn't make for long color. Spring and Fall are some of the nicest times of year here cause the bugs aren't hanging around. The color is
pretty in Fall, but, with winter around the corner, seems to put a bit of a damper on it. Spring heralds the end of snow so I lean towards liking it the best.

If anyone feels like they need a bit of extra exercise feel free to come bye and split some wood. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out and starting the chain saw.

Fall is here

I took this picture off the bridge at Cedar Run looking South. It was getting a bit dark so it is a little hard to see the color changes, but they have already started. Seems like many of the trees are changing and losing their leaves quickly so I am not sure the fall color will be very good this year.
The creek is very low and you can walk across it almost everywhere. We have had a very dry summer and so far the rain we get has been light.
The second picture is something I found funny. As I was driving in to get some lumber, a flagman stopped me for some road construction. I couldn't help but laugh and the combination he wore.
The required blaze orange top to be seen, but his
pants were camouflage. Clearly, a contrasting message did he want to be seen or not? The conclusion is up to you. I did ask him about his attire and his reply was: "They only said I had to wear this top."
This one will go under my file, "Only in the Pennsylvania wilds." Lee didn't think this was as funny as I did. Guess I am easily amused. Well, its back out to cut firewood. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Storm dumps tree on Cabin

Lee, I and my mom who is visiting from Iowa went to Williamsport today shopping. While we were there a bad thunderstorm hit with high winds. My thoughts always start thinking about getting back to cabin.I didn't bring the chain saw and knew if the winds hit at home as strong as Willliamsport, I might have problems getting back.

As we were traveling up 414 after Waterville and just before we got to Jersey Mills we saw Mariano's log cabin holding up a couple of white pines. Since they were there I stopped and asked them about it. Mr. Mariano said he had been at a doctor's appointment when Johnny Stoltzfus saw the trees on his house and called him.

Mr Mariano's believes if his house would have been anything but full logs it would have given way to the weight of the trees. The tree trimmers were on their way to remove the trees when I took these pictures.

As we came farther North there seemed to be less debris on the road and nothing for us to remove all the way home. Ron, my step dad who had stayed at home said we had hardly gotten any rain and no wind. You never can tell even in a short distance here about the difference in weather. But I was happy to get home without a hitch. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

How Bear Mountain Camp began 1937

It was around 1933 during the great depression that so many of the hunting camps got their start here in the Tioga Forest. Where else could you lease some land to build a camp on for $10 a year. Hunting provided food during the depression to many a families and cheap meat was a welcome addition to the diets of many. Of course chasing a big buck or bear through the woods and mountains did add a bit of fun and danger to getting meat for the family, which drew men and women who loved adventure.

Abe Grube was born in 1896 in Lititz, Pa. His dad owned a farm that had been handed down from a grant by William Penn. The farm life wasn’t adventurous enough for Abe and at eighteen he packed up and jumped a train to Illinois where he worked on a ranch until he was drafted for WWI. He went home so he could deploy from there. It was not to be though the war ended three weeks before he had to leave. So he went back to helping his dad on the farm.

But Abe’s adventurous spirit made him keep an ear open for new adventures. Abe loved shad and often bought it from a local Fish Peddler. The Peddler drove a model T Ford Truck with a wooden box on the back filled with ice and shad he caught in the Susquehanna River. Looking over the fish, Abe said, “You know what I like even better than shad?”

The Fish Peddler shook his head.

“Venison.” Abe said. “I’m just not happy with the area I’ve been hunting in.”

“Where’s that?” The fish Peddler asked.

“Salisburg, it’s just not wild. I like a place a little rougher.”

“If you want something rougher I can tell you where to go. As a boy I worked in a Leetonia sawmill. Now that there’s some rough country…and good huntin.”

The fish peddler had Abe’s interest.

“How do you get to this Leetonia?” Abe inquired.

“Well ya go up 287 to 414 to Cedar Run then follow the creek up Leetonia is about 7 miles up the creek, but there is a nice camping area up about three miles on the left. It has a little pavilion and water for campers.” (This area is just to the North of the intersection of Fahneystock and Leetonia Roads on the creek side of road. It was closed sometime in the 70’s or 80’s).

The seed of adventure planted; Abe, Abner and Wayne Grube make the trip up to the Leetonia area. Their truck splashed through cedar run creek as they made their way up the rough road. In the dark, Abe the camping area and waited for light to see if the Fish Peddler had been right. When light came into the canyon area he noticed a nice trout stream and two steep mountains on either side of him. Down the road a bit was a camp called Blossburg(now the Nightengale) and not strangely enough the men were from Blossburg and new the area well. They helped Abe and his brothers explore the new found area. It was rough climbing those hills to find game and well worth the effort. Bear, turkey, deer and trout abounded. Abe knew he found his place.

Abe’s brother Abner owned a garage in Rothsville. Many young men hung around the garage and they had one thing in common they loved adventure and hunting. It wasn’t long before there was band of twenty camping in tents for three years in the hollow below Fahneystock road. (First Picture) It gets cold here during hunting season and I am sure no one dared to complain or they would sounded like a weakling. Abe had noticed a pile of wood near an area up the Fahneystock Road. It looked like someone had started a camp and never finished it. So when the game warden came by Abe asked him about it.

“How come that lumber is piled up near the clearing?”

“Someone started to build a camp then quit. I think the wood is mostly rotten. Are you interested?”

“Well, what you got to do to build here?”

“It is just a $10 a year lease for 99 years and you can build a small cabin.”

This was too good to be true, Abe thought.

Then the Warden added, “You can have that spot with the wood if you want.”

Abe didn’t have to think twice and said. “Done.”

The Warden walked off a square plot of land or as near square as you can without a transit. He put up stones in the four corners drew up the permit to lease and took Abe’s ten dollars.

In the Oct of 1937 they were ready to build. Each of the twenty men chipped in $35 to buy materials. Supervised by Wayne Grube a carpenter, the project moved quickly. On the first day, twenty men had the floor and walls up before it got dark. The country was still suffering from the effects of the Depression so money was tight. The single men who didn’t have families to support were able to get a room at the Cedar Run Inn, but the married one got the second option sleep on the floor they just finished. When they awoke in the morning they had two blankets on them one was white and cold. They had one of our October snows. After a morning fire and some food the work resumed and the cabin was buttoned up with a roof.

Shortly after the building of the camp many of the young men were drafted into the Second World War. They picked up some older members to fill the roster. Most of the men had shotguns as few could afford a good gun. Abe knowing that wouldn’t do went out and bought two 30-06 Springfield rifles for $90. The guys took turns using them. In fact, the first bear was shot with one of those guns by Landis Mull. The older members are shown in the group picture of the bear sandwiched between two deer. This picture was taken down state were they would butcher the animals they shot during hunting season.

Members have changed over the years. Bear Mountain could only hold twenty members. People unable to get into Bear Mountain camp built new camps during the time leases were still being offered. So in a way one person’s dream sprung many branches in these mountains. One thing has stayed the same everyone who comes up loves these mountains, the challenge of hunting them, or just enjoying a few moments of silence. The camp now has a phone and electric, but still sports the outhouse as per regulations of leasing from the State. No septic or well can be drilled on State leased camps. Bear Mountain enjoys a spring, which like many camps gives them enough water for cooking eating and the occasional bath. Bear Mountain started as and adventure and continues to be for the adventurous at heart.

First Picture (Taken in early 30’s)

First row left to right

Wayne Grube, Milt Shob, Raymond Singer

Second row left to right

Galen Stump, Game Warden, Wayne Young, unknown, Abner Grube, Brian Grube, Abram R. Grube

Second Picture (Taken in 40’s)

Front row left to right

Jim Grube, Jake Adams, Lot Mumms, Bill Adams, Wayne Grube, Mute Frymyer, Henry Conrad, Landis Herr

Second row left to right

Wilson Grube, Bob Conrad, John Styer,Leroy Millinger, Sam Hoover, Landis Mull, Horace Keller, Abe Grube

Beagle Update!

The Beagle was found by a couple lost girls who also found their way. Sam sure was happy to find the beagle. We appreciate him letting us know. Thanks.

Dog Alert

Sam Miller lost his beagle dog yesterday near the Beecher Hollow area up Painter Leetonia. Its a male no tags. If you see it contact me immediately. It is tough to loose your dog up here. So many things for a dog to get into trouble with and so few people to help.

Walking bridge

This is one of the pictures given to me by John Grube. He believes this is Gene Garber walking on the top rail of the bridge over the swimming hole in front of the Nightengale Camp. He wasn't sure who the other person was standing on the bridge.

This bridge disappeared right about the time of hurricane Hazel in 1954. Unfortunately, it was never rebuilt. It was originally built by the CCC in the 30's. I still think it is about time for another CCC to restore some of these treasures and improve our roads, and trails of the State Forest. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Happy Anniversary to the Grubes

John and Joann Grube are up at camp today celebrating their 53rd anniversary. All I can say is they must have got married at 10 they look great.

John stopped by here earlier today and asked if I wrote this blog. He don't do computers but was told I liked information about Leetonia. I went to their place this afternoon and got some great photos and some good history, which I will be sharing later when I put it all together.

Thanks to John and his wife for sharing this special day with me. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Firewood time

One advantage of living in the woods is firewood. We heat mainly with wood as the propane company will not deliver to us in the winter.

I used to run around the woods(with a permit, State don't let you just pick it up) and find wood. It can be a long, costly job, that is often hindered by weather. Then I found out the local loggers would deliver a tri-axel load which amounts to about 10 cords after you split it.

Now I can run out even if it is muddy and cut wood. It is still a big job even with the splitter, but it is part of living here.

There are two seasons up here firewood gathering season and firewood burning season. Sometimes the two overlap a bit in Spring and Fall. There is nothing like the feeling of seeing a long row of neatly split wood, stacked and ready for winter. It makes you feel rich. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out and cutting logs.

Weed or feed?

A few seconds before I took this picture several finches were making a meal of this weed. They were too shy to appear. Sometimes we are so quick to get rid of weeds we find unappealing that provide food to our feathered friends. I know I am guilty of cutting way more down than I should. Then what do you do buy food to feed the birds to replace the natural food you eliminated.

The multifloria rose I hate with a passion provides cover for rabbits and nesting turkeys. It also provides a mid-winter snack of berries when food source it low. Unfortunately after the turkeys eat the berry they spread the seed inside somewhere else to grow again. Good for them...not so good for me.

The hummingbirds maxed out with new babies this last month and the males have already headed south to stake claim to a winter territory. It was 42 this morning and even though we have more warm before winter it does remind you that colder weather is on its way.

My foot is healing up well and I am able to walk on it some. Although, the doctor wanted me to stay off it 2 weeks, I will be lucky to follow his instructions. We are starting to think about wood for the winter(next years we have this years) and have been wondering when a load of logs promised over a month ago will show up. Loggers have been working in the area and I found the best way to get firewood is to have a tri-axle load dropped off so we can cut and split it here. It is much faster and easier on my truck and body then running all over the woods. I figured out the time and money I spent looking for it cost me more than the tri-axle delivered.

It is a beautiful day today and I hope to spend a little of it outside. Mountain girl, Paula, logging off.

Another way to get hurt!

I don't know why I am able to come up with so many ways to get a few days off...but this is a douse.
I have a brush cutter that looks like a saw blade on the end of a weed whacker. The blade has a guard behind it and I thought that would keep things from flying back at me.
I will admit I should have been wearing steel toe shoes, but I am not sure that would have stopped this wire or maybe it would have deflected it into some other part of my body.
I was trimming Sumac on the side of a hill near the neighbor's camp. When I heard a snap and felt what I thought was a rock hitting my left foot hard. It was like someone had taken a sledge to my foot. I turned the trimmer off and got down on my knees banging the ground with my fist. I tried to put a little weight on my foot and thought for sure it was broken. I scooted down the hill through the cut brush and when I got to stand up, I was shocked to see about 10 inches of wire coming out of the side of my foot. Every time the wire moved it gave me a nice hint we were heading to the ER. I hopped to the truck and drove the 1/4 mile home, hopped in and informed Lee of the new afternoon plans. She got the dogs put up and helped me to the car, then said, "Are you sure we can't pull it out ourselves."
"I don't know?" I said, "Put a little pressure on it and I will tell you."
She came over and unlaced my shoe and pulled the tongue back. You could see the wire was definitely in my foot. Lee grabbed a hold of it and I almost immediately said, "STOP! That thing is in there. I don't know if it is buried in my bone. I think we should get an x-ray before anyone pulls on it.
So we went on the one hour trip to the ER in Wellsboro. Every time that wire moved a little a wave of pain would go through me. I tried to think of anything else, but it was difficult. Wellsboro Soldiers and Sailors hospital is small and the good thing about small is you don't have to wait long. It was less than a half hour from the time I hopped in until they had an x-ray.
The nurse didn't say much except," Its in there pretty good. "
The last picture shows exactly the path through my foot the wire took. It came in on the top of my foot just below my little toe crossed the top, and I believe hit one of the long foot bones and went down between them an out the bottom.
Well, when the doctor came back, he didn't think it had gone all the way through. He told me he couldn't give me a local unless he got the shoe cut off and cutting the shoe off was going to hurt. I said, "Just pull it out."
As he started to pull one inch out, I was shocked to see more and more coming out. All together about two inches of wire was in my foot. He briefly looked at the bottom of my foot and proclaimed it hadn't gone through. But Lee said, "It had to go through there is blood on the bottom of the sock and the bottom of the shoe." Sure enough when he looked again there was a small hole that had stopped bleeding. "Well, I guess it did go through," he said in a tone that made us think he didn't like to be corrected.
He squeezed the wound and injected it with a local more that hurt worse than pulling it out. Of course I got the another tetanus shot, a antibiotic shot, some pain pills, and wrapped up. Lee said, I seemed a bit happier on the way home and talked a lot. We had to return a couple days later for another kind of antibiotic to stop the flaring up. However, today it is looking good and I think in a couple days, I will be able to get my shoe back on. I am sure the bruising I took will last a bit longer. Looking at that wire and how far it went into my foot, I am thankful it didn't hit some other part of my body. Mountain girl, Paula, logging, and limping off.

Gas Well expansion on Pigeon Hill Rd

I am not exactly sure what all the equipment and tanks are on Pigeon Hill Rd, but it looks like an industrial zone. Bravo Button who had a lease with the gas company and has three different well sites on his property said he had no idea they would build this. It has been a year and a half since they started drilling and it looks like another six months before any kind of royalty checks will be seen by most the local participants. Lets hope the checks make up for seeing this everyday on your once open cornfield.
They have started drilling on Thompson Hollow Rd. coming into the forest. So far a few local wells that I know about have been contaminated. One in Stony Fork can lite his water. Don't think it is good to drink do you?
Our creek water tables have been very low this year and we haven't had a lot of rain, but they are also taking a lot of water for drilling. How do you know what is causing the low water in Pine Creek? Maybe both things. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

You go first!

The first picture is on Leetonia Road coming in from Parker Hollow. This tree has been leaning for months now it is a bit lower. I am not sure when it is going to fall, but I know it makes me a bit nervous to go under it.
The second picture is a bunch of mushrooms that came up after the rain they were so colorful, I just had to take a picture. Enjoy. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out and looking up.

Breakins along Painter Leetonia Rd.

Two cabins were broken into last week and another cabin had a metal glider and propane tank walk away. The cabins that were broken into nothing was taken. It is a mystery as to why someone would break in and then not steal anything. Keep your eyes open for suspicious activity. Report it at once to State Police or DCNR if you own a State Leased camp.
We got a heck of a storm Saturday for my birthday. Tornado warnings were issued for Cedar Run, Leetonia and Gaines around 7PM. We were visiting Penn's Cave and noticed the heavy storm driving back. We had no idea it was serious until we got to the intersection of 44 and 414. The road was blocked due to down tree and power lines. This caused us to detour through Black Forest to Slate Run Rd. and back to 414. It was foggy and still raining so the travel visibility was poor. We made it back around midnight and found a message on the machine about the tornado warning.
We didn't notice anything bad in Leetonia. It seemed trees were knocked down in different areas in small groups. Wilson Hill Rd and 414 had one of these and took power off the poles in about four places. I guess South of Galeton was bad, but no major damage or injuries.
I can tell you the worst place to be is driving through the forest in a wind storm. I am reminded of a fellow who got stuck on Cedar Mountain road one night when a tree fell in front of him and as he went to turn around one fell behind him. He got to spend then night until a friend of mine found him with a chain saw the next day.
I am always glad we don't have any big trees near the house. When the wind rips through the woods you can hear trees fall and it is an erie sound. All is safe in Leetonia. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Emerald Ash Borer

1.Map
2. larva
3. Bark Spilt
4. Crown die back
5. Emerald Ash Borer

















For those of you that have noticed a number of purple boxes hanging from trees in the area, this is one of the pests they are looking for,the Emerald Ash Borer.
The Ash borer was first located in Michigan in 2002 and was located last week in the town of Bath, NY.
The concern is that once the ash borer builds up its numbers it will spread more rapidly through the contiguous forests of ash in NY and Pa then it did in Michigan where the trees are broken up by farm fields.
The pest often tags along on firewood from campers bringing it from infested areas.
Locally, the bat factory in Galeton uses ash to produce its bats and would stand the most to loose from the loss of ash in the area. If you think you see one of these pest you should let the DNCR know and keep the pest in and closed container. Kill any you see.
Well today is my birthday and we are planning a trip down to the Penn Caves. It is supposed to be a hot day so the cool temps of the cave will be a welcome relief. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Snake days of Leetonia

When the weather gets hot the rattlesnakes are on the move crossing the road to get to the cooler streams. Between Lee and I we have seen 5 snakes in the last two weeks. Two yellow rattlers and 3 black rattlers.
There is a mini cub explosion going on in Leetonia. We have a mother with three cubs and one with four cubs. It is unusual to see either but both is unheard of since we have lived here.
You are probably wondering what this picture has to do with bears or snakes. Nothing! As you are going toward Leetonia on Leetonia Road two bridges past the Whippoorwill camp you will come to a long winding hill. This hill is a bit hard to get up in the winter when there is snow and ice not so much because of the grade but the turns and length can wear out a good run at it. Well I guess this hill has another name according to Bravo Button, 80, and lifelong resident of the area. They used to call it "Balk Hill", because the horses would stop and rest or balk as they pulled wagons up the hill. No amount of pleading would make them move until they were rested. I can't say I blame them. We are finishing up the second round of Census this week and hope to get back to a more normal summer schedule. Got a visit from Mark Amand and his wife over the weekend, always nice to see a reader and lover of Leetonia stop in person. Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

4th of July videos Part 2

This video was taken during the Red Suspender days in Galeton. This is the fireman contest were they try to push the ball back over the other teams head. The over spray was welcome to the crowd since it was in the 90's that day.

4th of July videos Part 1

Here is a little firework action from the bridge in Slate Run. Sorry it took so long to post. I have had trouble with uploading my videos. I must do this in two posts since they only let you post one at a time.

July 4th weekend

Yesterday, while working down at Hooke's camp a bear came up and started eating some corn left on the ground. It was around 11 am so somewhat unexpected.
Hunter my nephew who had been trying to find a bear was thrilled and got his picture in front of two bears, a live one and a not so live one. You can guess which one was more exciting.
We went to the Galeton "Red Suspender Days", and watched the fire companies compete to spray the little red ball back and forth on a line. The team that puts the ball back over the heads of the other team and hits that teams pole wins.
It was fun on a hot day and many of the kids stood close enough to get caught in the over spray of water.
We are heading down to Slate Run to see their firework display tonight and the weather promises to be perfect. Hope all of you enjoy your 4th of
July celebrations as well. Mountain girl, Paula, logging off.

Rattlesnake Roundup

This weekend was the 55th Rattlesnake roundup in Morris, Pa. We went on Saturday and it was hot 90 degrees and humid. I am sure the snakes weren't liking the weather anymore than the people.
The largest snake they had caught was 53" and is the one in the video with Lee. She said it was very heavy when the guy let some of the weight into her hand.
The snakes are micro-chipped and released back were they were caught since they are protected. The Timber rattles for the most part are one of the most docile of the rattlesnakes, generally trying to stay away from people.
The event last two days and they give prizes out for the biggest yellow and the biggest black timber rattler as well as the biggest snake.
The kids at the event always get a kick out of seeing the snakes. People who are afraid of the snakes usually stay away. I know my daughter wouldn't go within a hundred miles of any snake.
Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.

Mountain Laurel to mountain controversy

This sign was posted on the Watrous Bridge two days ago. A supporter of the gas well exploration contributed a little old time Burma Shave rhyme to the conflict between pro and con.
Although, the last part probably doesn't apply to the people who oppose it the most...the ones who aren't getting any royalties and have to deal with the mess.
On a lighter note I posted some pictures of the mountain laurel blooming on top of Cedar Mountain. Now is the time to get out and see it. I am thinking it may be past its prime by the time of the Laurel festival.
Guess the contrast between beauty and development will continue. The best remedy is to soak up the beauty.
Mountain girl, Paula, logging out.