Milford chronicle., 1960-08-12

far below. Swift currents and rap
ids swirled over and around Jagged
rocks and boulders. The silent
presence of fear accompanied the
aWesome look on the faces of the
viewers. There lurked certain
death down below. With all this
panorama, it was difficult to be-
lieve that we still had not come
upon the main Falls. It wasn't
far on the trail before we did fin
ally see the magnificent display
that nature has provided there
Sheer cliffs rise on both sides of
a raging, swirling river stretching
a mile across. Among the cur
rents, rocks jutted out to to form
imaginary figures and whirlpools.
We felt as if we had stepped high
above another world This was a
part of the great Atlantic Fall
Line that follows the path from the
Piedmont Range along Eastern u.
S. A sketch and sign informed
us of the constant change taking
place in the line and showed the
original Fall Line as it was re-
corded at the beginning of our
United States.
1t took some time to acclimate
ourselves to the scene, so we rest
ed a while with our separate
thoughts. Spirits were soon re-
born and adventure began once
more. Some of the girls climbed
to the foot of the cliff where the
rocks leveled down gradually.
Others found a small beach far be-
low which showed evidence that
other picnickers had been there
before us. We were having such
fun when we noticed a thunder
storm gathering suddenly. Before
we were out of the area, rain had
started and cooled us as we ran
for the path to safety. Heavy trees
near the old canal sheltered us
somewhat so that we could slow
our pace. BY this time, we called
our Adirondack Shelters, Home, !"
and we were pleased to be back
again among familiar things.
Rain fell internationally until late
evening. Amid one big shower,
we were honored by a visit from a
troop of intermediate Scouts who
had just arrived from New Jersey.
They needed shelter from the storm
and were happy to chat about their
troop plans and ideas.
After dark, the storms ceased
and we held the long awaited Court
of Awards. Beside the presenta-
ton of proficiency badges that
members had earned, I was proud
to award the rank of First Glass
to the following Scouts: Frances
Welsh, JEANNE Eypel, Judy
Frankel, Dee Ridings, Sara Pen
uel and Christina Lee Homan
others who were eligible were un-
able to attend the camping trip.
Following the fire-lighted cere-
mony, | was presented with gift
from the troop as farewell
thank you.
AS you will remember, the big
weekend of the Fourth of July
began on Friday this year, and to
avoid the rush of traffic, we de-
cided to break camp on Thursday.
retired early on Wednes-
day evening. Raccoons, by this
time, worried none but Zippy.
few thought we should
have stayed longer, most of the
Scouts had become physically ex-
hausted from the water carrying
tasks, wood gathering and hills in
general.
Thusly, Thursday morning found
us busy packing, cleaning camp
site and carrying some things to
the car far below. We had ex-
pected Mr.. and Mrs. Penuel to
come help us move back home and
were planning a nice chicken dim
ner for them. We were indeed sur
prised and happy to see Mr.. Rid
ings and Hoddy laboriously max
ing the steep climb up to camp
about three p. m. They enjoyed the
chicken with us, then the last
minute packing began in earnest.
After numerous trips to the sta
ton wagons, we finally left Rock
wood about $3.50 p. m. Mr.. Ridings
guided us skillfully out of the
Capitol and we rode into Milford
about nine p. m.-tired, gay and
immeasurably dirty.
One final scene stays in my MEM
ory. When all had been packed
in the cars, and girls were stand
ing around waiting for our de-
parture, l walked back, alone, to
check last minute details at camp.
One of our notices in Scouting is
"A Girl Scout always leaves the
camp in better condition than she
found it." After the long climb,
stood at the crest of camp and
realized that the stiffness sur
rounding our site was, once again,
The unmolested home of the wild
things. The camp looked lonely
for the shouts and laughter of
young voices. Everyone should
live next to nature at some time.
And so the end comes to the story
Of the last camping trip of Troop
No. SO, Milford Girl Scouts of Del
aware!