Turkey Hunt, Archers Fork, Wayne National Forest, May 2005

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From left to right, Ed Robey (Wv Rep), Jimmy Blackie MacClure (OH Rep), Col. Dave McGee (GL Gov), Great Cave on Archers Fork Trail, Wayne National Forest Angel of the cemetery that glows in the Moon's light - ever so eerily Blackie (OH Rep) attending the evening fire Blackie (OH Rep) and Ed Robey (WV Rep), our first nights camp... the Bear snores Ed Robey (WV Rep), making good use of the ole Tump-line to carry a bundle of fire wood Colonel foraging for fire wood before the storm front hits The Natural Bridge, one of seven in Ohio Blackie dancing the JIG... or something?? upon reaching the bridge Blackie on the Natural Bridge, Ed Robey under the bridge... whats that about trolls? Ed Robey exploring the Natural Bridge The Natural Bridge, can you see Blackie?? Where did he go? where did he go? Ed Robey gathering Poke from along the trail Our visitors that stopped to chat with us Ed Robey preparing and discussing Poke with us Poke, has to be boiled twice in clean water each time to rid it of the poisons The other white meat for Trekkers, Crawdads Crawdad and Poke Stew, it's whats good for you Antother of our experiments for the weekend was to char some fungus that the Colonel had gathered We dried the fungus by the fire side to get the moisture out Than we began to char it until black with low heat We than tried charring the fungus by actually setting it on fire and extinguishing the flames After charring the fungus the Colonel tries to set spark to the charred fungus Colonel trying to bring the spark to flame on the charred fungus Our view out our front door of our rock-house, the Great Cave

The weather was cool but bright and sunny most of the day as we all gathered at the appointed mustering spot. Ed Robey (WV State Rep) was the first to arrive, as the Colonel and Blackie (OH State Rep) decided to take a short side trip to down the Little Muskingum River. But in time we all mustered about the Great Cave of the Archers Fork Trail, in the Wayne National Forest. All bent on taking a "Tom" home with us. Ed being situated on the hill side over looking the mouth of the Great Cave was amused to find the Colonel and Blackie, slipping and sliding our way down to the cave. Recent rains left the hillside quite muddy. We spent our first night catching up, and gathering some fire wood for the evenings rain storm that was beginning to show signs of opening up upon us. So we made camp in hopes that we would be joined by others. We spent a pleasant evening talking and chatting of matters. We dined on a fine bean supper prepared by Blackie.

The next morning we awoke, fully expecting to go hunting a "Tom" but none of us were to eager to arrise from our warm wool blankets. So as the hours passed and we lingered about camp, as Blackie forgot the "Maggie-Rule", that Weaser always warned and reminded him of, the Colonel made a breakfast of bacon that he had brought with him... expecting others about the camp. Mean while a thunderstorm front rolled in and threatened us. So we took our time and cooked and ate the bacon, drank tea and coffee about the camp, trying to decide to stay another evening here in the cave or take our chances and move further down the trail to the Natural Bridge. We opted to stay in the great cave, as the clouds were darkening fast. So as Blackie finished cooking up the bacon, reminded of the "Maggie-rule", Ed Robey and the Colonel turned to bringing in more fire wood for the day and evening. As we saw to our chores though, a break in the clouds came along and raised our spirits enough to go and check out the Natural Bridge atleast. So we gathered our tools and cached our other gear deep within the cave, and hit the trail.

Along the way we paused for moments as Ed shared some of his knowledge of plants and thier uses with us. What a knowledgeable man he is, and interesting to listen to as he demonstrates and shares his knowledge... that seems to know no bounds. I bet he wishes that us lowly hunters and scouts could remember all that he shared with us. We reached the bridge and explored its amazing display of the power of Mother Nature and the eliments. We rested and shared more information on the uses of plants in the surrounding area, trying many of them that he pointed out to us. When suddenly we heard the all too familiar sound of Natives about us, so we turned our attention to making it back to cave and its security... fearing our numbers were too small. Wishing that our other trail partners could have made it, to enjoy the surroundings and the adventure... and boost our numbers of strength. We reached the security of the cave with no major happenings. Upon our return, and a mention from the Colonel about a time he and Ed were on the trail and Ed feasted upon a Crawdad the size of the finger nail on our little finger... Ed was hungry. So off exploring he went looking for Crawdads to go with his Poke Greens that he gathered along the trail. While Ed was off searching, we were visited by some friendly Natives (Father and Son backpacking), to whom we shared the knowledge of the use of flint and steel. They stayed with us a spell, talking and telling us of trails they had been on. Soon afterwards Ed had returned with a large Crawdad, and suppers were prepared. Rice, Beef, Poke and crawdad.So the evening passed as we cooked, talked and tried charring some fungus that was gathered.

By evening the storm front was hitting us and we drifted off to sleep to the sounds of the water fall in force, the thunder and rain. The Bear did not let us down either, but Blackie and I did manage to do our fair share of snoring too... we just needed ole Weaser and Rick Addis to finish the group out of snorers. We awoke to sounds of Natives in the area, and decided it was time to head for more familiar territory - like home cabins.

My thanks to Ed and Blackie for a great trek, and a good time... to everyone else - we missed you being there. Catch you on the trail!

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