Thanks to Chapter member Bob Tessitore, the Narragansett Chapter enjoyed another fine Fall Festival at Cardigan Lodge. Bob attended the previous Festival, held in 2010, and enjoyed it so much that he wanted to see another event this year. He approached a Board member at this Spring’s New Member Potluck event and asked what it would take to get a new event going. When told that it just needed a volunteer to take the lead he jumped at it and this year’s event was underway. Although Bob spearheaded the event, he declines full credit and wants to thank other members, including Bonnie England, Matt Putnam, Mike Krabach, Robin Kuznitz, Chris Shafer, and the AMC staff for their guidance and support.
On October 19-21, 2012, approximately 60 current members and guests, and prospective members attended our Fall Harvest Festival featuring a host of outdoor and educational activities.
Depending on when members arrived, but if after 3:00pm they were greeted by light or heavy rain. Water was running down in the parking lot as members unloaded gear from their cars.
Campers using the tent platforms had to pitch tents in less than ideal conditions and bail or wipe the floor before use.
Inside the lodge things were much more cozy as members lounged and enjoyed a dinner buffet followed by a welcome and a rundown of weekend activities. Attendees could choose from any of any of several hikes organized by ability, or do easy paddling on nearby Newfound Lake, take a tour of a local orchard, or simply relax around the lodge.
In spite of a soggy Friday night, the morning looked better and better as breakfast finished. The wind was dying down and the air warming up. The peaks clouds were lifting from the peaks and hopes were up.
Breakfast was, as usual, more than you could eat at one sitting. At this time members and guests had time to decide on what trips they wanted to join for the day.
After breakfast everyone packed their own box lunch since the daily events would last into the afternoon.
At 9:00 Dr. Doug Arion gave a short but interesting presentation on the size of the Universe and our little place in it. His visual slide presentation was a walk through the cosmos as distances and sizes scaled up by exponential amounts. He also described a educational program that offers the Galileoscope telescope at a discount price for box of 6. Also discussed was the problem of light pollution and efforts to make the problem aware with the general public.
After meeting in front of the lodge, one group of hikers went up the Mt. Cardigan up the Clark route.
Up on top were great views from the bare rock top, burned bare long ago.
The paddling group went to Newfound Lake and found the fog lifting on a dead calm lake.
It is a large lake, but the most interesting part is one of the feeder rivers, so the kayakers paddled up the river which was running downstream about 1 plus mph in places, to have a nice float down.
Another hiking group headed up to Orange Mountain, a peak to the south of Mt. Cardigan.
When members returned to the lodge they found Dr. Arion had telescopes set up for solar viewing. The Sun was peaking in and out of light clouds but enough blue sky was available for viewing. One telescope was set up to view tiny sun spots on the surface, but the other solar telescope was locked on a spectacular solar looping prominence. Each a completely different perspective of the Sun.
Meanwhile in the dining room Bob was helping to setup tables for dinner.
As the Sun went down behind Cardigan, the pumpkin carving had already started.
Considering the season, a pumpkin carving contest was mandatory. Many participated, while unaware that the deck was stacked with a professional graphics designer in their midst.
Dinner offered stuffed chicken, mashed potatoes, salad, and fresh baked bread followed by pumpkin pie. Soup was delivered to tables by the staff in the style of a sit down supper.
After dinner the tables and benches were cleared away and contra dancing preparations began. This year’s band consisted of Narragansett Chapter Members who made the trip specially to perform. Instruction was simple and, in spite of one of the largest collections of left feet in New England, all dancers enjoyed themselves thoroughly.
While some were dancing, others took a break and went outside where Dr. Arion had set up telescopes and pointed out various major stars and globular clusters while a few clouds occasionally passed overhead. The moon was in quarter phase which brightened the sky, but not enough to obscure the milky way. A treat because it is rarely seen in urban areas.
The wind picked up to gale force overnight as a cold front passed through dropping the night temp into the 40's, but Sunday dawned clear and cool. Breakfast consisted of overwhelming amounts of very thick french bread, sausages, and eggs, along with the usual cereals, fruits and drinks. Some people packed up for an early start home. Others organized casual pick up hikes and walks. Some hiked the ridge, several groups headed down to Welton Falls.
Because of the heavy rain on Friday night, Welton Creek was higher than usual, precluding an easy crossing. Mike took took the easy way across by wading the creek in sockless shoes.
Bob took the tricky crossing by balancing across a large log.
The falls is a slot in the granite ledges which makes the falls unique and interesting. There is an upper view ledge protected by a guard rail. The view from the bottom is a vertical panoramic view, showing the last two drops.
After viewing the falls members headed back to the lodge for final packing and to head back home.
Down the street only a mile or two was an apple orchard where some stopped to pick up snacks and fruit for home.
Regardless of which activities were chosen, everyone agreed that it was a wonderful weekend packed with new sights, new learning, and new friends. The success of this weekend is a testament to the fact that even a single member can make a difference. If there is something you would like our Chapter to do, let a leader, a committee chair or a Board Member know. Without input and generous volunteer commitment, our Chapter would not be what it is today.