CAMPING

I’ve been a camper most of my life. 

When I was growing up in the 1950’s and 1960’s, that was pretty much our only vacation.  My dad had a lot of seniority in the nail mill where he worked, so he could get summer weeks off.  We camped in a tent and cooked on a Coleman stove.  We almost always went to the Allegheny Mountains on the border of Pennsylvania and New York, near Salamanca, NY.  We’d typically stay for two weeks.  Dad did a lot of the cooking and we ate good meals.  Their best friends, Speed and Estella Fisher, always accompanied us.  The Fisher’s kids were my sister’s age, so I was pretty much a loner.

When we arrived, he and Speed and I would go to a nearby lumber mill and load up on wood.  Dad had a roof carrier to carry our tent and all the camping gear.  With it emptied, he’d lift me up to the roof and they’d hand me the wood so I could stack it neatly; then they’d fill the trunk and we’d be good for the duration of the trip.  It made me feel important to be able to help.   

We’d swim in the Red House Lake in the afternoons and occasionally go to the park’s dump in the evening in hopes of seeing bear.  It was pretty exciting!  Some guys would feed them hot dogs and marshmallows – getting remarkably close to them. 

The campfire, however, was the main time of the day for us.  We’d sit around the campfire and I’d listen as everybody told stories and laughed heartily.  We’d eat marshmallows and occasionally make popcorn over the fire.  Quite often, we’d be visited by raccoons and they enjoyed the marshmallows as much as we did! 

We all slept in an umbrella tent with mom and dad on cots while Beverly and I slept in sleeping bags on air mattresses.  Campers were available in those days, but I was a teenager before my parents bought their first camping trailer. 

Games were popular back then; we’d play Rook, Stadium Checkers, Monopoly and a few others.  I was often allowed to play and it was a fun, family time.

My parents got into camping when I was about two years old [1954-5].  My dad took several weeks of vacation and took our whole family on a trip out west.  No hotels – we camped along the way.  My only memory of this trip is based on movies that my dad took as we travelled.  I do know that we hit Seattle [where dad’s best, boyhood friend lived with his wife and family.  He was my namesake:  Harold McNeese.]  We saw the California Redwoods and also the Grand Canyon.  I was potty-trained on this trip because all gas stations had a two-hole outhouse.  My dad would sit me up beside him and I learned to ‘go potty’.  J  Sorry!  TMI?

Camping was – from that time on – our annual vacation. 

Debbie and I followed suit when we were married [August 11, 1973].  We inherited their umbrella tent which we used for a number of years.  Eventually we went through several pop-up campers as we raised our family.  It was an inexpensive vacation in those days.  We’d haul our kids' hot-cycles and bikes along and they had the run of the campground.  We went to Pymatuning Lake [on the border of Pennsylvania and Ohio] for a week or two almost every summer!  Usually these trips included Deb’s sister, Laurie, and her husband, Charlie Mahosky.  They also had three kids – Marshal, Barbie and Jesse – who were about the same age as our kids: Travis, Troy and Tracie.  Swimming, water slides, bike riding, canoeing and riding in Uncle Charlie’s boat were the activities we enjoyed – along with, of course, playing lots of games. 

My love for the outdoors and hiking eventually led me to develop an interest in backpacking.  I’ve hiked major portions of the North Country Trail from the Ohio line through Pennsylvania and into New York State.  As the kids grew older, I began backpacking with a close friend, Tom Roush.  He taught me what I needed to know, having been a boy scout.  We hiked the Laurel Highlands Hiking Trail together several times [a 70-mile trail in southwestern Pennsylvania]. 

Most of my backpacking, however, has been done alone.  It was adventurous and gave me lots of time for solitude and developing my own skills.  Consequently, I’ve spent hundreds of nights alone on various trails – including three hundred miles on the famous Appalachian Trail in 2018.  Over the years of my ministry, I’ve taken several groups from the churches I served on backpacking trips over the years – even coed groups!  Too many stories to tell for this blog!  J

Debbie and I are camping as I write this article.  We’re celebrating our fifty-first anniversary at Geneva-On-The-Lake [Ohio] for several days.  We have a nice camper now.  About ten years ago we graduated from pop-ups to hard-tops.  We camp alone sometimes, but often with a large group of family and friends!  On a pastor’s salary, it’s been a great way for us to travel, explore and get away from the normal pressures of life.

For quite a number of years, we camped in my sister, Beverly’s back yard in Rochester, New York.  They were kind enough to feed us and let us swim to our heart’s content in their backyard pool.  Great memories of cook-outs, playing video games and trips to the Rochester Zoo – which was a great adventure!  We’d also occasionally add a trip to Lake Erie and Niagara Falls!

Camping today is not as cheap as it used to be, but it’s still a great way to see new places and have tons of fun.  As the kids were growing up, we went almost every summer to Punderson State Park – near Aurora, Ohio - so that we could visit Geauga Lake Amusement Park one day and then Sea World the next day!  Great vacations and precious memories were made! 

This week we’ve enjoyed just being together alone.  We each brought a novel along.  We’ve split our time eating in the camper some and eating out a few times too.  A lot of times, we’ve played games – but not this trip.  We’ve just enjoyed being lazy and being together. 

I’ve always wanted to take our grandkids – Rylie and Coltin – on a one-night backpacking trip along with their uncle Troy.  But they’ve always lived too far away to make that happen.  Sad!  😒

As we’re hitting our mid-70’s, we’re finding it a bit challenging to do the work needed to prepare for camping trips.  We always dreamed of doing a cross-country vacation to see parts of this land that we’ve never been to, but that dream is seeming less likely to happen now.  But, maybe…

Pardon my late-night ramblings; I just came in from watching the campfire die out.  Deb and Gabe are sleeping.  I will be too – shortly. 

It’s been a good way for us to entertain ourselves and our family through the years.  I have no regrets about these experiences.  We made lots of good memories!  As long as I can hook it up and haul it, we’ll keep at it.  We talked today about how laid-back we are when camping; it gets us away from the responsibilities of home and work.  Now, more than ever, it’s a time for reflection and enjoying one another!  I highly recommend it!  😊

CAMPING: A LOT OF EFFORT BUT A GOOD TIME!

Back in July, 2020, the Tri State Family Camp was cancelled due to COVID-19.  A bunch of us who typically attend camp decided to go to Bayshore Campground on Pymatuning Lake [near Andover, OH] for the two week period - since we had already scheduled the time off.  There were probably twelve families involved.  

Everyone cooked their own meals.  Remarkably, the pool was open.  We visited openly and played games off-and-on.  There was lots of visiting and deepening of friendships.  The kids and youth kept busy with bikes, scooters, volleyball and 'four-square-in-the-air'.  Talks late into the night around campfires were normal activity.  Eating together and sharing foods was wonderful!  

I'm thinking of this because many from that group are together this weekend at the same place!  We do this every Memorial weekend and Labor Day weekend.  Great fun!  Wonderful fellowship!  This weekend we're enjoying seeing Ken and Jessica Whippo and Braelyn and Daniel while they're here visiting from Alaska!  😊

Deb and I keep a camper primarily to stay involved in these two events!  Just last night, she and several sisters played card games till midnight while I slept with my good ear down!  I hope my snoring didn't bother them!  😂

We started camping when we were newlyweds - using an old canvass tent I inherited from my dad.  Eventually, we graduated to tent campers and had at least four different ones over the years with our family!  Then, we finally bought a hard-top, fifth-wheel camper.  We loved it and used it a lot for about five years, but it became difficult to hook up and pull, so we now have a smaller camper that suits us just fine!  

I confess that getting ready to come is a drain!  On that day we always talk about selling the camper!  But once we get here and settle in - we have such a good time.  We relax!  We read!  We nap!  We eat!  We visit with family and friends!  

When our family was growing up, we camped because it was [at that time] an inexpensive way to have a really fun vacation!  We made tons of memories with our three T's at the Jamestown camping area [a few miles from where we are now].  For many years we shared our vacation camping trips with Charlie and Laurie Mahosky and Marshal. Barbie and Jesse!  Oh my!  What fun and what memories!  On rainy days we'd jump in the car and Charlie would take us adventuring!  We often wound up at Presque Isle or Kinzua Dam.  

Memories - pressed between the pages of my mind!  

Well, I've gotta go - I'm frying potatoes, sausage and eggs for breakfast!  Woo Hoo!  Can't wait!  

LIKE MOM AND DAD

My Mom and Dad were frugal!  Although all four names that define my heritage (Haire, Archer, Walton and Powell) are of English derivation, I’m convinced there had to be some Scottish blood in there somewhere. 😉

At times, their frugality bothered me when I was growing up. I stated in another blog that I was 13 before I ever ate at a restarant. I wore lots of hand-me-down clothing.  There was a really cool guy at church, who was closer to my sister Bev's age, who used to point that out to the kids at church:  “Look, I told my mom to give my clothes to the Salvation Army, but it looks like she gave them to Harold Haire instead (followed by much laughter, of course)!

As a lifelong homemaker she was committed to saving money in any way possible.  She saved books of S&H Green stamps and redeemed them for our family's benefit.  She also clipped coupons and then watched for double and triple coupon days at various grocery stores!  She pinched a penny as well as anyone!  😊  Did I mention that she took me into Picway Self-Serve Shoe Mart to buy my shoes?

When I was a young teen, they went from old, canvas tent camping to the purchase of an off-brand, used, hard-top camper. They were so proud of it!  It was very small and shaped like the old Scottie campers.  They joined a camper’s club called “The Happy Wanderers” and enjoyed many wonderful weekends with couples who had MUCH BIGGER AND NICER campers. But my folks pulled in with pride and had as much (or more) fun than anyone!

When I was in high school, they bought a Shasta trailer that was newer and a bit larger. They were SO EXCITED!! By then, I was driving and didn’t camp much with them.   During this season of life they lost the cabin they had used for years at the Tri State Camp in East Liverpool. No problem;  they simply lived in their campers (on the same site that Charlie and Laurie Mahosky presently use).  🙂

They had each been raised through the Great Depression. As a result, they had cultivated a phenomenal capacity for being content with what they had. I can only imagine their joy in 1957, when they moved from Beaver Falls into a brand new home in New Brighton!  I was four-and-a-half years old. They paid $11,000!!  They lived in that house until thy died (Mom in 1981, and Dad in 1992).

Although at times I was embarrassed, I always knew that they had a quality that I also wanted to have. In addition, they practiced extreme generosity toward the church and missions!  And somehow, Dad always managed to squirrel away some money to give Mom when ‘Dollar Days’ came in Beaver Falls. 😉

I inadvertently hurt my Dad shortly after we were married. We had come home from Kentucky where  I was attending Asbury Seminary. I was working as a part time unloader at UPS and the union had been on strike seeking increased pay for part time workers. I excitedly told Dad that I would be making $4.70/hour upon my return to work (an exceptional pay for part time work in 1974).  I was disappointed that he didn’t seem to share my joy.  Before leaving, I brought it up again and asked him why he wasn’t excited about my raise. He responded:  “Son, I’ve worked for Townsend Company for forty-seven years (pause), and I’ve never made $4.70 an hour”.

But, he was content.

Like my Dad, I’ve never made big money either. I realize now that I probably would have been better off financially if I had stayed in the Pittsburgh Conference. Superintendents where I served didn’t advocate for pastor’s salaries while Pittsburgh Conference leaders (particularly Superintendent Jim Jobes) did!

Add to that the fact that my Dad and Mom did not deliberately pass on their wisdom about finances,  and Debbie and I were set up for trouble. Before too many years of marriage passed, we were in debt. Growing our family, low wages, financing two masters degrees and unwise financial management eventually led to chronic depression for me and a distinct lack of joy accompanied by a constant burden of stress due to our debt.

However, God intervened in our lives and used some instrumental people to set in motion a long-term plan to enable us to eliminate our substantial debt!  PTL!!!  Today, we own our home and our vehicles and have no debt!  Thanks be to God. And, like my parents, we are able to be generous with the church and missions (as well as others).

All these thoughts are triggered as I sit looking out over Pymatuning Lake! Debbie and I are here trying out our new camper!  After 45 years of camping in tents and pop-up campers, we have recently purchased a used 5th-wheel camper (2002)and a used Ford F-250 (2008) to pull it. We own them both!  😊  We’re pretty excited about it!

I guess, after all these years, a little of Mom and Dad did rub off!

THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!

I'm fresh back from a week-long visit to Disney World in Orlando!  It was fun!  The rides were exciting and there were endless things to see and do.  I know we were very privileged to be able to do this!  I'm grateful. I mean, really, Disney!  It's supposedly the most fun thing a family can do together - right?

I remember a time - after we had de-nested - when I was feeling bad about the fact that we'd never been able to take our kids to Disney World.  Between low salaries and poor money management, it just never happened.  We'd talked about it, but just couldn't do it.

On an occasion when all three of our kids were home for a visit, I called them together and apologized that we'd never been able to go on elaborate vacations.  I never anticipated the response I got...

All three kids stumbled over themselves to assure us that our vacations had been awesome!  It triggered an avalanche of memories and stories.  They talked about how much they loved our annual camping vacation at Pymatuning State Park and other trips.  Highlights were:

• cooking over the campfire
• eating roasting ears cooked in the fire
• going to Conneaut Lake Park for a day
• riding the waterslides
• taking the canoe out for rides
• hobo dinners
• sleeping in tents
• taking friends along
• riding bikes
• playing games in the camper on rainy days
• going every year to the Canfield Fair
• camping in Aunt Bev and Uncle Dick's backyard
• visiting Uncle Ira and riding his four-wheelers
• going white-water rafting at Ohiopyle
• the annual trip to Sea World and Geauga Lake in Aurora, Ohio

The only negative thing they said was that the day we were packing to leave on these vacations was the worst day of the year!   Ha ha ha ha...according to their report, I was always frustrated that we weren't able to leave at the time I had appointed.  [Blush!]  Maybe I was a bit intolerant.  But they assured us that once we were on the road, it was fun, fun, fun!

All this in spite of two different vacations when we had three flat tires (including the camper).  We hit a rainy week at Carter's Caves, Kentucky one year.  I was called home from vacations to do funerals four years in a row! And I clearly remember that the money always ran out before the week was over...

They refused to accept my apology.  My guilt-ridden take had been in error. We had done a better job than I had realized.  And besides:  they're all grown up now;  Tracie even has her own kids!  And finally - WE MADE IT TO DISNEY [mental fireworks here with the Disney castle in the background]!!!!!

So, a reminder to those who might still be raising your family:  It's not about the money you spend or even the places you go!  It's about the ways you engage your children and have fun together!  

WARNING: During those days, Debbie and I often came home feeling like we needed a vacation to recover from the vacation!  We worked hard to insure that the week was fun for the kids, and often exhausted ourselves doing so.  

The upside is that once you de-nest, you get to go on nicer vacations and focus on enjoying  each other! Woo Hoo!

He's Not Kidding, Morg!

The Haire family has camped for at least a week at Pymatuning State Park almost every year for the last thirty-five years!  Never having a large income, it was a cheap-but-fun, family vacation. We'd pack the kid's 'hot-cycles' or bikes, throw in the kitchen sink and take off!

One year we were rolling along toward Pymatuning on Route 11 with the kids hot-cycles tied on the back of the camper. A car pulled alongside me and motioned that we had a problem. I pulled off to find that the ropes had loosened and the back wheels of Troy's hot cycle were rolling along the highway at 60 mph!  😳  Thank you, dear motorist friend!
The week would include:

• Hobo dinners
• S'mores
• Roasting ears
• Swimming
• Water slides
• Camp fires
• Playing games
• Telling stories, and
• Feeding the fish at Linesville!  😝

If we hit an occasional rainy day, we would jump in the car and head for Lake Erie or some other place (like Hermitage) to hang out or shop. 

Many of these vacations were shared with the Mahosky family. Travis, Troy, Tracie, Marshall, Barbie and Jesse grew up a lot like brothers and sisters!  

At least one day would be spent at Conneaut Lake Park riding the small, amusement park rides!  I'll never forget pulling into our site one summer and having little 'Bubsy' run up to my door announcing with exuberant anticipation:  "Uncle Harold, tomorrow we're going to Ponneaut Cake Park'!!!!!

Then there was the year that we went to Linesville to feed the fish. But Troy and Marshall decided to feed the seagulls instead. They deliberately threw the bread in the middle of the road in hopes of seeing one get hit by a car. They had scored '1' before I caught them!  Marshall told me a few years ago that it was the angriest he had ever seen me!  😡

On years when the Mahosky's couldn't go, we allowed the kids to each bring a friend. By this time, I had bought a canoe to add to our fun. Troy often brought his friend, Morgan, who lived up the street from us on Thompson Avenue in East Liverpool. 

The first time Morgan came along, I had fixed my traditional breakfast of bacon, eggs, toast and home fries. As we finished the meal, I informed Troy and Morgan that it was their turn to wash the dishes. Morgan laughed and got up to head for his bike. Troy called after him saying, "He's not kidding, Morg!"  With a rather shocked look on his face, he dropped his bike and walked back to the table to wash dishes for the first time in his life. 😝

We made endless memories:

• Tracie and Barbie waking up in the pup-tent with ice in their hair. 
• Troy and Morgan rolling the canoe and losing a camping stool and Tracie's boom-box!
• The daily fight over who gets to start the fire. 
• Travis eating sausage that was under-cooked;  then we woke up at midnight because the camper was shaking!  Yep!  It all resurfaced in projectile form!  😦
• Playing 'Sorry' in the camper at Ohiopyle with the rain pouring down shortly after we got set up. 
• Having church one Sunday where Troy read about the seeds that were planted along the path, while Tracie chose and led the singing!  

Debbie and I are camping today at the Jamestown camping area. As we sit looking over the lake, our minds are ruminating these memories. Good memories. Precious memories!  Some pain, of course;  but mostly smiles - and deep gratitude!  

ONE OF OUR MANY HILARIOUS FAMILY MEMORIES: BAT STORY #1

When our kids were young, we tried to find alternative celebrations for Halloween weekend.  When they were small, we took them to Chuck E. Cheese.  When they got older, we went on late fall camping weekends;  sometimes even renting a cabin.

This particular year, we rented one at Clear Creek State Park near Cooks Forest in Pennsylvania.  Travis was around thirteen, Troy was nine and Tracie, eight.  They were obviously old enough to be able to read AND SPELL!

We arrived, moved in, carried wood, and got a fire started in the pot-belly stove.  While walking around, we saw a buck with a couple of doe.  He actually followed us back to our cabin - it was wierd!  That night, the buck banged its antlers against the corner of our cabin for about ten minutes.  Strange!

The next night, we were settling in to sleep.  There were bunk beds against each wall.  Deb and I slept on the bottoms with Travis above her and Troy above me.  Tracibeth slept on a chaise lounge between the bunk beds.

When the lights were out, Deb thought she sensed something buzz past her;  then again.  In the darkness, she called my name and then spelled:  B - A - T.  With that, all three kids screamed!  Travis and Troy dove out of their top bunks onto Tracie.  We all covered up with our blankets.

Eventually, Debbie shamed me into getting up and turning the lights on.  Sure enough, we could see the bat high on one wall. 

For the next hour we tried everything we could to get it to fly out of the cabin.  Nothing worked.  Our squeels and screams must have surely amused and puzzled our cabin-neighbors.  We laughed till we were nearly sick! 

Then spent the next two nights sleeping - not so soundly - UNDER THE COVERS!