Day 11 | SP to TO

Diana, my daughter, drove me back to the pick-up point yesterday. We left as dawn was breaking. Here’s a shot taken at Camp Iroquoina:

and another on the way to the start of today’s hike:

and at the actual start of the hike:

It was a chilly morning; I layered with a long-sleeved shirt over a tee-shirt, but ditched the former pretty quickly. Here are photos along the way, with a few comments. (Remember to click on the picture if you want to see a higher resolution version.)

I’ve seen these little lantern-like flowers before but I didn’t realize they turned color in the fall — can anyone name them?

There were a number of businesses along Highway 171 that were shut down; this is just one example. Is this a product of the economic down-turn, perhaps?

This vine is yearning for a transformation:

This guy loves his country:

Apple tree at the side of the road:

Some structural problems here:

Lake Comfort:

Shale for sale:

The Starrucca Viaduct:

Moat?

Entering the town of Susquehanna:

Meet Bob:

Bob is one of two letter carriers in Susquehanna. He’s the one who gets the walking route and walks about 11.8 miles per day. We had a great discussion about walking and I mentioned to him that I’ve often thought letter carrier was the ideal job — being outside, getting exercise, and done at the end of the day.

A few blocks later I went into the Main Street Cafe for a “Mushroom Swiss Burger”, cooked by Don and served by Tracy:

It was fun talking to them about my walk and they were able to fill me in on some local geography. They also recommended taking the 1010, south of the Susquehanna River, rather than continuing on the 171 to the north. This turned out to be GREAT advice.

On the way out of Susquehanna:

1010 is a very quiet road. I felt pretty smug hearing all the 171 traffic on the other side of the river.

During the hours I walked on this road I only encountered about a dozen vehicles. And Mel:

Mel’s father bought a piece of land between 1010 and the river back in the 40’s and Mel has lived there his whole life. Part of the land is an airstrip; Mel has an airplane and an ultralight. There are a number of buildings on his property, one of which is an empty house, which he offered me for the night. What a sweet offer! If I hadn’t made a prior arrangement I would definitely have accepted.

It had started raining a little so as he drove off on his four-wheeler he suggested I find shelter in his hangar:

Lovely new plane:

Mel is currently building a new hangar:

This because the river has flooded his existing one twice in the last decade.

After a bit more walking, 1010 sidled right up to the river:

It wasn’t long after this that Diana drove over from camp and picked me up. Here is the little cabin I have to myself:

I conclude with a picture of me with my lovely, kind-hearted, generous daughter Diana:

30 thoughts on “Day 11”

Susan Wilks 2013-10-19 at 22:30

Lovely! I like the silo picture the best — I find old silos to be exceptionally photogenic. The plants in question are called, appropriately enough, Chinese lanterns.

Allan Post author2013-10-19 at 22:35

My photography is clumsy compared to yours Subi.

Russell Sutherland 2013-10-19 at 23:03

I love your growing number of excellent photos as well as the personalities you are encountering. They are the real soul of any such trip. Mel RULES! Most aviators rule.

Sleep tight at Iro..

Love,
Tonton Russell

Allan Post author2013-10-20 at 22:27

Mel was great — I wish I could have gotten to know him better.

Taylor Wolf 2013-10-19 at 23:14

Allan,
I am excitedly following your adventure all the way from Lubbock, TX and it’s been wonderful to see the beautiful pictures of fall in NJ!
The red lantern-like flowers look very similar to tomatillos, but I don’t believe tomatillos turn red when they’re ripe.
I agree with you about being a mail carrier. I always thought that was the perfect job. Maybe someday?
I say, fly by microlight the rest of the way!
Terrific picture of you and Di!
Safe travels and I’m praying for safety and good weather for you!

Allan Post author2013-10-20 at 22:01

Thanks for following along, Taylor. Yes, microlight sounds just fine. By the end of the day I’m often feeling like just getting on a bus. But all it takes is a good night’s sleep to feel ready to walk again.

Marnie 2013-10-20 at 00:19

Really enjoyed today’s update with so many wonderful scenes included and especially the final one of you and Diana. I was wondering when Iroquoina would intersect your route. Once you cross the border into NY – you could just come North to Ottawa (270 miles) 😉 Diana could put a pair of skates into that Rubbermaid container..

Allan Post author2013-10-20 at 22:08

But would I be in time for the flooding of the Rideau Canal?

jean - luc tabailloux 2013-10-20 at 04:35

Great pics great comment . It s as if we were riding along.
God bless yiu thanks for sharing the colors of fall in NY State .

Sharon Garvin 2013-10-20 at 08:15

The orange lanterns are called Chinese Lantern Plant (physalis alkekengi). My grandma had a dried one in a vase in her living room and I got into big trouble for knocking one off the stem…but I just couldn’t resist touching it!

Dan & Sue Matlack 2013-10-20 at 08:51

We definitely, especially enjoyed today’s pics – they brought back fond memories of Dan Jr’s first trip to Iroquoina – his first time at camp, the time we missed our exit because I was reading to Dan and he was concentrating on the book rather than the driving, then there was Soccer Camp with Harry, driving that old white bus to camp with black smoke billowing from the back – Fun Fun times. I’d forgotten about the Youth Trip we made up there with Baby Dan – sleeping on the kitchen floor because the girls wouldn’t settle down and I couldn’t get Dan Jr to sleep… Pennsylvania is SO beautiful! and Sweet Diana – how Blessed you are!

Allan Post author2013-10-20 at 22:10

Indeed Sue, I’m a very blessed man.

carl 2013-10-20 at 11:42

Nice pics Al,i like the texaco station and the winding road shots.

Here’s a song from some other travelers, sure hope you’re being handled with care: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L8s9dmuAKvU

John Marshall 2013-10-20 at 12:11

Hi Allan, great to follow you on your trek! Those ‘Chinese Lanterns’ are ‘Clammy Ground Cherry’ from the ‘Nightshade Family’. They say the leaves and unripe fruit are poisonous but the ripe fruit can be made into jams or pies.

Allan Post author2013-10-20 at 22:12

Hey John — glad you’re along for the ride!

Bill Cheswick 2013-10-20 at 13:15

Lorette reports that the flowers are Chinese lanterns- physalis alkelengi. We used to
have some in our back yard.

Allan Post author2013-10-20 at 22:14

Why am I not surprised — you used to have just about every plant there is in your back yard. Please thank Lorette for me. I took a grass picture for her today, which I will publish shortly. I think it will be harder than the Chinese lanterns.

Charles Myers 2013-10-20 at 13:37

Hi Allan,
Wow!! What an adventure. Beautiful pictures of God creation and peolpe. The scenery is unbelievable.!
You look great!! keep on keeping and bloging. Charlie and Marie

Allan Post author2013-10-20 at 22:14

Great to have you guys along for the ride!

Gus 2013-10-20 at 17:10

Though this is my first comment, I have been reading every day and thoroughly enjoying seeing your pics and reading about your walk! Sounds like you are having a great time, and meeting some interesting and generous folks along the way. Thanks for blogging so much to allow us to feel like we’re along for the adventure! I wish you few blisters and many more beautiful vistas and kind strangers along your walk. Keep on hoofin’. 🙂

Allan Post author2013-10-20 at 22:16

Thanks Gus. I think I’ve got the blisters under control now, thanks to several suggestions, including the use of lamb’s wool, suggested by jpl.

jim lamason 2013-10-20 at 18:32

Hope you are ok… no sightings updates since this morning

John Ferguson 2013-10-20 at 18:54

Not sure if you can listen to a podcast but you will find 22:30 to 25:45 very interesting. It’s from yesterday’s vinyl cafe (like the prairie home companion).

http://podcast.cbc.ca/mp3/podcasts/vinylcafe_20131019_17052.mp3

Allan Post author2013-10-20 at 22:23

That’s so cool that he met Jean Beliveau — and a well-told story. Thanks for the pointer, John!

Tom Turner 2013-10-20 at 20:08

Your photography is fantastic! You are discovering things we never see when driving. Totally enjoying your commentary and photos on the blog.

Pearline Browne-Baldwin 2013-10-20 at 20:42

Allan thanks for sharing the beautiful/breath-taking photos along the way. Will continue to bear you up in my prayers for safety, good weather, strength, health, and protection. Miss you at church!!!

Dave 2013-10-20 at 20:57

Hey Allan – the folks at Delaware Valley were excited to hear about your progress. Hope you found a good place for the night.

Allan Post author2013-10-20 at 22:24

Yes, I’m with friends tonight and very comfortable. I’ll blog about it shortly. Tomorrow I strike into unknown territory with no contacts for a few days. We shall see!

Greg Marion 2013-10-27 at 14:31

Glad to meet you Allan. Had we the time, I would have introduced you to John Coffer who lives in Dundee. John is an antiquarian who lives a 19th century life style. He makes a living taking photos using the glass plate process as well as raising and training oxen. He would appreciate your grit.
Be aware tha If you are going to Canada via Alexandria Bay, you may have wet weather this time of year. You will be east of Lake Ontario with it’s significant lake effect. God bless,
Nancy says that she thinks the flowers you discovered are “oriental lanterns”.

Allan Post author2013-10-27 at 20:59

Oh man, I wish I could have met John Coffer. Now THAT would make a great tale! I’m well aware of lake effect weather and I’m hoping to beat it. We shall see. Great to meet you today, Greg!

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