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I have been remiss in posting photo evidence of the last Kinzu paddler gathering. Only but once or twice a year do I laugh that much. That annual paddler gathering saw a colection of dear, treasured and too seldom seen paddling friends.
Friends that span the political spectrum from left of Bernie to right of Goldwater. Everyone respected the cliff face of political boundaries in campfire conversation. Perhaps with some prompting.
I had seen a trip almost run off the rails when politics came up, and brought along esoterically referenced signs to surreptitiously hang at everyones campsites. Signs, signs, everywhere theres signs. Not really efffing up the scenery, but breaking some minds.
Signs quietly hung on everyones campsite registration posts. This one on my site, which ever since has hung in my shop and been enforced as a READ THE dang SIGN shop rule.
PA063903 by Mike McCrea, on Flickr
PC180147 by Mike McCrea, on Flickr
This one on Ness and Hopsings site, famous for their group feast preperations and offerings. Hence Hopsing as an alt name. They are still patiently waiting for their Michelin Stars for camp cookery. And for someone to do the dishes.
PA063904 by Mike McCrea, on Flickr
Johns site. It should have read Bees in Beverages Not Permitted. Or, as John of the Moms Mabley lips would have said at the time, Meeffs eh mevages muh muhmeted.
PA063905 by Mike McCrea, on Flickr
Eds site, which we all knew would inevitably become the central and most mirthful gathering place, needed special rules. Ed inherited the Barony of Next Morning Disaster Manor from Good King Norbert. Neither especially desired that morning after honor, but thats life.
PA063906 by Mike McCrea, on Flickr
Randy and Paula had a site with water and electric hookups, and a travel trailer.
PA063909 by Mike McCrea, on Flickr
I sadly do not have a photo of Toms sign, which read
NO TOM
REALLY TOM, JUST NO
I have known Tom and his wife for near 40 years now. I made that sign for her.
There followed some nighttime sign trickery. I brought along a couple of replacement signs, just in case. Paula and Randy had left a 16 year old daughter at home to attend. Their Refuges Welcome sign was dark of night replaced by this.
PA063910 by Mike McCrea, on Flickr
Eds No Whining sign was replaced by this
PA063911 by Mike McCrea, on Flickr
I do not know if anyone asked Paula about her grandchildren. Some woman walking the camp loop with her children thought it would be a good idea to stop and ask about Prom Night. Ed told her, Lady, you got little kids with you, you really do not want to hear about that right now.
Those people and a few others like them, and there are not many like them, are important to my mental health. They are part of my tiny self selected tripper paddler tribe, and I refuse to lose them over something as crass as politics.
Friends that span the political spectrum from left of Bernie to right of Goldwater. Everyone respected the cliff face of political boundaries in campfire conversation. Perhaps with some prompting.
I had seen a trip almost run off the rails when politics came up, and brought along esoterically referenced signs to surreptitiously hang at everyones campsites. Signs, signs, everywhere theres signs. Not really efffing up the scenery, but breaking some minds.
Signs quietly hung on everyones campsite registration posts. This one on my site, which ever since has hung in my shop and been enforced as a READ THE dang SIGN shop rule.
PA063903 by Mike McCrea, on FlickrPC180147 by Mike McCrea, on FlickrThis one on Ness and Hopsings site, famous for their group feast preperations and offerings. Hence Hopsing as an alt name. They are still patiently waiting for their Michelin Stars for camp cookery. And for someone to do the dishes.
PA063904 by Mike McCrea, on FlickrJohns site. It should have read Bees in Beverages Not Permitted. Or, as John of the Moms Mabley lips would have said at the time, Meeffs eh mevages muh muhmeted.
PA063905 by Mike McCrea, on FlickrEds site, which we all knew would inevitably become the central and most mirthful gathering place, needed special rules. Ed inherited the Barony of Next Morning Disaster Manor from Good King Norbert. Neither especially desired that morning after honor, but thats life.
PA063906 by Mike McCrea, on FlickrRandy and Paula had a site with water and electric hookups, and a travel trailer.
PA063909 by Mike McCrea, on FlickrI sadly do not have a photo of Toms sign, which read
NO TOM
REALLY TOM, JUST NO
I have known Tom and his wife for near 40 years now. I made that sign for her.
There followed some nighttime sign trickery. I brought along a couple of replacement signs, just in case. Paula and Randy had left a 16 year old daughter at home to attend. Their Refuges Welcome sign was dark of night replaced by this.
PA063910 by Mike McCrea, on FlickrEds No Whining sign was replaced by this
PA063911 by Mike McCrea, on FlickrI do not know if anyone asked Paula about her grandchildren. Some woman walking the camp loop with her children thought it would be a good idea to stop and ask about Prom Night. Ed told her, Lady, you got little kids with you, you really do not want to hear about that right now.
Those people and a few others like them, and there are not many like them, are important to my mental health. They are part of my tiny self selected tripper paddler tribe, and I refuse to lose them over something as crass as politics.
