The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-09-11
My Trip Around Lake George
RI. Patten)=

(By r. T. Patten)
like to walk, particularly in the
woods. For several years have cast
longing eyes on that eXpanse of for
est about Lake George. Have been
seeking an opportunity to make a cir
cult of that body of water. AS
planned the thing this would include
a hike through the uncharted for
ests from Foster Hill to the Notch
road. | purposed to complete the
journey by following the highway
just mentioned and taking another
road which would bring me over the
Pinnacle into Canaan. On August 3rd
| found | had three or four hours to
spare and so drove my car out on
the Canaan road and turned to the
left, about a mile this side of Lake
George, up Foster Hill. This is a
very steep grade and mighty rough
road. 4 car will negotiate it. how
ever. but a good deal of the time it
is best to go in low gear. Passed
the Davis place ON my right and
finally drove into the dooryard Of a
deserted farm, on the left. which
took to be the Fred Ames place. This
may be a mile and a half from the
Canaan road. All the way along.
Lake George is in view. and the val
ley to the right. The scenery is very
interesting.
From the Ames place | followed an
abandoned highway, proceeding what
| judged to be due north. This grew
more and more obscure but, quite to
my surprise as l got into the forest
| found someone had recently pushed
out this road. was curious to know
what anyone wanted, way back there
in the woods, in the summe time.
A little later on the reason was APP
parent. came across another de
serted farm house. Around it were
some small rough areas from which
the grass had been recently cut. l
should judge the crop might have
been a couple of tons. Am rather
amazed that anyone should consider
that grass. way in there. worth cut
ting especially. when the project in
yolyed the bushing out of that rough
old highway for something like three
quarters of a mile.
This old farm house probably had
not been occupied for thirty years.
would very much like to know who
built il and the families by whom it
has been used. The doors and will
doWs We're gone but the roof and
walls are still in quite good condi-
ton. In one of the rooms was quite
IA pile of small birch poles, evident
~ intended to be manufactured into
hoops. There were apple trees near
by with the forest growth working in
among them.
Beyond this old house there wasn't
even "A spotted trail. but ! knew that
my general direction was northerlY
and | was very careful to note whore
my shadow fell 50 as to travel with
as little turning about as possible.
The trees were principally birch.
maple, beech and other hard wood.
There was comparatively little under
brush. | followed along the slope Of
Il hill and noticed that, in the bot
toms of the rayines, which | passed
al right angles, there was evidence
that a good volume of water came
down through them from above, al
though they were dry on the day |
was there. This told the story of a
high ridge To my left. When | tried
to follow my exact course, it led me
somewhat off from this hillside to-
ward the right and, as | got down
toward the lower slope. | encounter
ed spruce and fur thickets which made
very hard going. After breaking
through this for a time, | came across
an old cutting which was even worse.
1t was SO slow that | turned aside
up the slope again to find easier
walking.
1t was along in here somewhere |
found a woodchopper's shanty. There
was a big hole in the lower right
hand corner OF the door, which look
ed to me like the work of a hedgehog.
On nearer approach | heard an animal
rustling around inside. Opening a
door. | saw this creature curled up
under Il shelf on one of the supports.
1t was "A hedgehog and | judge a
young one as he was not as large as
many | have seen. These creatures
know that no animal of sense will
dare touch them and are, consequent
~ not very timid. This one tried To
brighten me by chattering his teath.
evidently an indication that he
thought me an intruder. picked
a short stick and poked him
gently. After a little. he climbed
down and waddled along under the
stove. | wanted him to come ont
where / could see him so took a long
err stick and continued my poking
He finally emerged but as quickly as
he could he got by me and under the
bunk in the corner. My interest did
not lead me to disturb him further.
Quite a handful OF his quilts had en-
bedded themselves in the end of my
stick, and | selected two or three OF
them for souvenirs.
This hedgehog had gnawed the floor
all about the stove. evidently to get
at the grease which had been dropped
there from the cooking. There was
an old mattress on the bunk and he
had torn great holes in the covering
| am told that they will eat old boots.
horse collars and many other things
the food .alu, ot which, for q hedge
hog or anything else is hard 10 an
derstand. b