Date: 2014-06-05
From: PA 309 (tenting at unnamed site back at 1232.1)

To: Dan's Spring (Tenting)
Miles today: 0.0

Day 96, June 6, 2014 It rained all night last night. Raman Shaman said he went down to the Eckville Shelter and the rain gage read 1.6". Hopefully Coop is dry and hanging out on the Jersey Shore doing a little GTL. I hiked back up to Dan's Spring and went back into the woods to look for Coop. Well, I really thought I was keeping track of the trail. I was not. I was definitely turned around. Not fearful as there are lots of exit points off this ridge line. Just not looking forward to some long round about trek. Raman text and I reply, " I don't know where I am. lol. Good grief. Whistle for me". I listen and think I hear "COOPER"! They were actually saying, "COWGIRL"! Can you imagine both of us lost! I made it safely back to camp and Sun Bear was there to help with the search. All three of them headed out and spent the afternoon in the woods to no avail. I stayed back at camp in case he circled back. I also had to dry out. Even though we did not find him I remain hopeful a hiker will or he will find his way to town. The ridge where we find ourselves is a small section of forest. MrBenson mentioned this TJ and Sun Bear verified it. If you are interested it is State Lands 106 west of Allentown. The forest is also not overly dense and fairly easy to navigate, even off the trail. In fact there are less rocks off the trail. My friend Bob told me that the woods we are in were one time all cut down, clear cut is the word I think. The CCC amd WPA actually replanted them that is why it is not as dense being a young forest and all. So I am fairly confident that Coop is not hung up. From the terrain we all think he may have hiked down if he got disoriented. And down means civilization. So just a little more mushy stuff. It might sound like a big tangent but hopefully I can make it make sense. I left for boot camp 2 weeks after high school graduation. Thanksgiving was the first big family holiday that I spent alone that year. I remember beong so sad. I may have cried. Over the years I spent many, most, holidays away from family. I really built up a anti-holiday wall. I noticed this year when I was surrounded by friends and another Thanksgiving in NH that I actually became reclusive on Thanksgiving. It is sort of creepy. Today I was thinking again how the last 8 months are softening me. I am not saying I have got over my necrosis, but I do think these experiences have chipped a few pieces of ice off my cold heart. This evening after the searching I called Papa and sat down with Raman Shaman and Cheese Its to discuss moving forward. I do not think Coop is up here. Tomorrow morning we will look again and if unsuccessful then hike North calling for TLM. And also call a few more vets. Tonight about 7 a group of 6 thru hikers showed up. Fresh out of town. They are a lively friend crew and generous with thier town goodies. Dinosaur was with them. So great see her. I can't remember all the names; Moose Girl, Low Gear, Dinosaur, Sisafris, Da Vince and...dag I can't remember the last person and she had Girl Scout Thin Mints that she shared. Thanks again to Shaman Raman and Cheese Its for staying with me, searching with me and listening to me. Sun Bear thanks for helping with the search. Fellow hikers and Trail Dad thanks for keeping a watchful eye and passing on the word. FB and TJ family and friends thank you for your prayers and love to both Coop and me. Cowgirl and The Little Man Hiked today: 0.0 Completed: 1240.0 Remaining: 945.3 Start Point: Unnamed Campsite where Coop and I last camped End point: Dan's Spring (Tenting)