The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-03-10
Scout Master Takes Trip;
 But Disturbs Fine Skunk

The following is an interesting ac- count of a hiking trip which a Scoutmaster of Brooklyn took into the Catskills
 The writer is A. T. shorey. and gves a glimpse into the delights and thrills of that country up there.
 Says he.
 As pleasant and healthful means Of recreation, more people are taking 10 cross country hiking every day. Tho best time 10 hike is now and for the next three months. The writer is just back from a seven n-day trip through the Catskills that any real hiker would enjoy.
 Equipment.
 "A word~about equipment may be Of value. My pack weighed 9 pounds the regulation army pack carrier with two blankets q shelter half extra wool shirt, two extra pairs ot socks, extra pair of trousers, sweater. wool cap towel, soap. tooth brush, shaving kit, cup. frying pan and stew pot, two army bacon tins for food and a bottle Of salt and small stout bag to carry food A poncho was strapped on tho outside of the pack. With such an outfit one can hike for weeks in coun- try where a store can be found al least every other day. Your com panion will carry d shelter half. and when night falls you have protection from winds, dew or possible rain. A friendly farmer will give you hay for bedding. or you Acan cut your own in the woods, pine boughs, sweet fern, leaves. shoots of young gray birch or anything else that will afford soft dry bed. Nothing can equal the en- shantment of the twilight hour in the woods; a snug tent with good bedding, bacon sizzling in the pan. a cheerful campfire and the absorbing quiet. You speak almost in whispers and when you roll up in your blanket you sleep like a baby. To the novice many strange things will happen. You will have your fill of harmless, but none the less 10 you. thrilling adventures.
 We left New York on a Tuesday morning via Hudson River for Pough- keepse, where we crossed by ferry to Highland and began to hike. Leav-- ing Highland over an uninteresting, dusty road, we reached New Paltz where supper was taken at a Greek restaurant, supplies for two meals purchased and start made for Mo honk Lake. The country began to get beautiful. Skytop was our objec- tive. It was a stiff climb of ever changing views through the finely kept grounds of the Mohonk Lake property. The lake at the top of the mountain. filling the crater of an ex- tinct volcano 300 feet deep. with high cliffs rising sheer out of the water on the western side filled us with awe and was thing of beauty in the setting sun. The hotel seemed to be carved out of the solid rock The hub of Skytop hung over us and when the lights in the hotel were turned on, it was like fairyland
 skunk Visits Camp
 About o'clock in the morning the expedition almost terminated. One Of the. party awoke to find .a strange animal within arms reach He dug around under four folds Of blanket and aroused his companion. who gave one look and then sleeply and calm ly said, skunk, please go away" The skunk went. Violent measures would have been fatal
 ''The rising sun woke us early. and hastily packing up we took the road toward the mountains. After two hours stiff hiking in the cool of the morning we bought eggs, milk and tomatoes at farm house and stopped for breakfast at the next spring. Starting out again at ten. we crossed the Roundout, went through Kyser- like, left the road forsa cross coun- try trail for Liebhardt. reaching there at 4:30 D. m. After refreshing swim in Rochester creek. we stocked up with food again at farm house Camp was made in pine woods be side a deep, cold spring. which was shown us by small boy, and after big meal we retired early under our tent and slept on soft pine bouShs.
 Set Time Pieces Back
 Thursday morning We set our watches back, as we found that city time was unpopular and also ouG of place in the country. and a trail was taken through the woods to the Sam sonville road. We lunched early on milk and honey and by noon were climbing a mountain trail, follo wing along the ridge of the mountain through virgin forest filled with enormous naples, black birches and beeches whose tops were so high up and so thick that We were walking in twilight. This magnificent trail continued for eight miles, and at dusk we came out and down 10 sun down, where a kind lady took us in. gave us a big supper and a room with two big feather beds. Sleep never came to us quicker than it did that night. The next morning fam fly prayers, said by the master of the house as We sat with bowed heads around table laden with fried eggs. | heaping plates of buckwheat cakes. ! real maple syrup. milk and hot bis | cults, touched us deeply We did our best, and if was with regret on our l part and amusement on the part of | our kindly hostess, that I've were | forced 10 leave few buekwheat | cakes uneaten.
 "our hike for Friday was entirely i through wood trails and over two | mountains. After getting provisions | al store we hiked up a road where a withholding trail on the left was taken, which according to the map. k would take us to the head of the Beaverkill. 1t was a poor trail and night was coming on. Each of us, am sure, doubted the wisdom of | taking chances on it. but once start ed no one would suggest turning [ back, and after steady climb we came to a clearing in the woods and made a lean-to in the corner of an [ old stone cellar. The hand of Prov idAnce seems to guide ,duffers in the woods. It certainly guided us. We were protected on three sides by the high walls of the cellar.
 Bulls.
 We made a soft bed of ferns. se- cured water and good supply of | firewood, and were preparing supper, when to our horror six bulls ap- 1 preached our open flank They aa- vanced to within 20 yards, formed | a semi-circle in front of us and | stood with lowered heads and steady | gaze. To say the least. we were [ worried; in fact we were scared 10 i death. With outward cairnness ai.d | without undue haste but with quak- ing hearts. we built a barricade and ' collected a big pile of rocks for am munition. No hostile act had 'been | committed as yet. We proceeded