360 degree view from the top of Table Rock
Pictures and Stories from
2004
Wilson Creek Gorge, NC.
Friday Jan 16, 2004 3:00am
What ever you would like to call it you can. We call it the Annual
Manly Man Winter Camping Trip. The Elders came up a day early for the
Elder evening of fellowship, the elder meeting and elder dinner. One of our
own Bill Abel Jr. did not make it so
Sandor is our chief for the evening.
We had broiled & Fried Shrimp along with Port Tenderloin, steamed potatoes
and broccoli. After that we had time around the campfire to discuss
various issues. Some of the things that were discussed and voted on were:
1. After this year, NO new people for the next two years.
2. Chris Ritter is no longer a Jr. Elder. We have not heard from him for over two years.
3. If you want to find out something about the winter camping trip you are going to have to come to the AMMWCT web pages. No mass e-mail next year.
4. We will have a new place to camp next year.
Later in the evening I pulled out an old Stoner Hour Tape and really surprised Ray. When he heard the words "My name is Captain Puff and I am about to take my first drink of the evening" he though he was hearing things. If you are interesting in learning more about this game please send me an e-mail. At some point in the evening I suggested to various people that they should move there car out of the campsite. As the step-child that I am, I was just brushed off. This will be important for the tale that is told later.
This year the elders setup in a whole new place. All of us set-up an
Elder camp under the leaning tree. It has been leaning for years so we
feel like we will be safe for one weekend.
As I am laying here between two tents of great snorers I feel that Bubba is reigning king of snore. In the still of the night with no sound except the sound of the creek, Bubba is heard over all.
Saturday Jan 17 12:30am
Well, I learned this morning when I woke up that the mack-daddy snorer
was Corry. I don't know how the rest of them could
sleep. After we got
motivated this morning, Ray, Lee, Jay and myself set out in search of a
new place to camp next year. Our destination is Curtis Creek Campground.
We have been at Wilson Creek for quite a few years and it would be wonderful to
find some new hunting ground.
The group started arriving early in the day with
Harold the first to arrive followed by many others throughout the day.
Roman brought about 6 or seven guys from the Hickory Jaycees. Guys like
Fred Brown that after drinking all night spoke a foreign language. At one
point in the evening he tipped Arlie and Clark's Steaks off of the grill.
That is when all of his buddies decided that it was time for bed for him.
Then there was Kasey the Firewalker. He loved to just walk right through
the middle of the fire. Then there were guys like Bruce Hayden from LR
College and many other great guys like Jeff Godkin, Tim Greene, Greg Pena,
Eric Kreag and many more. These were some real friendly guy and worked in
well with the rest of us red-necks. They even brought their own Keg and A
big old POP-UP CAMPER. 
All of us old timers got a laugh out of the popup
camper. Of course we have seen Arlie bring some weird things throughout
the years. Speaking of weird I took a Headboard this year. My
intentions were to burn it as soon as I got to camp. But because of the
grief everyone was giving me when I unloaded it I said that I just thought that
I would bring something bizarre for the campout.
It being past 12:30 and everyone is wide awake and going strong. This
year Danny (Pass-out guy) is taking advantage of Ronnie Robinson (Radar).
The thing to remember is never drink so much that you can't stop someone from
having a little fun with you. Danny is paying Ronnie back for last year
(see the 2003 pictures).
And know the final tale for the night. Remember my suggestion from
Thursday night about moving the cars out of the campsite. Well, we had a
visit from the local Park Ranger. This guy appears at the main
campfire and first catches someone with a beer that should not have a beer.
One thing leads to another and we have multiply tickets for this one guy.
Then, he request the license from the owner of every vehicle that is parked in
the camp. He proceeds to write each one two tickets, one for parking in
the campsite and a second one for the destruction of vegetation. The total
$100 per ticket for a total of $200 to each person. It was not pretty.
Arlie, Roman, Cameron, Clark, Ronnie, Philip, Morris and Tim Hollar all got a
ticket. To some degree this put a damper on the evening. Later we
will find out what some of the repercussion are for some of our campers.
As seen through the eyes of other happy campers
Saturday morning about 9:30am
Good Morning, Harold here. Last
nights incident with the ranger just fueled the notion of "We need to drink
ourselves into a deep stupor." Well, needless to say there are a few happy
campers that are a little more hung-over this morning or sick or both. Ray
has ruined the site. Ray is hurtin right about now.
In
fact he may have ruined this site and we will have to have a new site next year.
Last night was a blast with a lot of old and new friends getting together.
Harold Yount.
Way back when you used to camp beside Wilson Creek he had a rock that he named spewing rock. We now have one named at the Dead-End road called Spewing Log. Jay Royster
When I got up this morning and Raymond came dragging himself out to the fire I have not laughed so hard in a long time. He has given up drinking for a long time. He was reminding himself as to one of the reasons that he had stopped drinking. It was so funny, he got a couple of old Army wool blankets, went up into the woods and laid down. Using a log as a pillow it was quite a funny site.
And know lets take a moment and hear from Raymond himself after having 6 to 8
hours to recover.
What a campout. Saturday night is not yet here and I
have the first hangover that I have had in eight years, $200 in parking fees and
Richard has $350 in "Miscellaneous Expenses". It was great having a night
just for the Elders. Almost
like old times, Bubba is still Bubba,
Arlie is still mellow, Jimmy is still a mother hen, Lee is still set in
his ways. Jim brought a headboard for his bed in the circus tent he and
Lee are sharing... things sure have changed since we first started coming.
Everything seemed so much simpler. Richard and Philip are with me again
this year. This is one of the last things we still share and can leave the
day-to-day BS behind and have some fun just hanging out. Harold is back
this year. Dale showed up late but it was good he made it. Jay rode up
with me and seems to be enjoying himself as usual. Cory is cooking the
evening meal and supervising Bubba. Mark Martin couldn't be here this year
and was greatly missed. I will keep him and all of our brothers in my
thoughts and prayers
Raymond 'Spewing Log' Lewis
Back to Jim to sum up the weekend
Well on Saturday night we had a group meeting
with everybody in attendance. We had 33 guys that showed up for this years
event. For the next two years we will not allow any new campers to join
us only those that have been before. We also informed everyone that we will find a new place for next year.
This year we had different apparel items to choose from. Cameron did a
Short-sleeve and Long-sleeve T-shirt and a Bandana. Lee did a Denim Shirt.
Everything was great. Bubba, Arlie and Cory did a group meal of Bar-B-Que,
stewed potatoes and baked beans for everyone. It was well received.
We had beautiful weather Thursday, Friday and most of Saturday. It started
raining about 5:00 on Saturday, but that was ok because we were prepared.
On Sunday everyone went home to watch the big game. The Panthers against
the Eagles for the NFC championship. The Panthers won 14-3 and it's on to
the Super Bowl.
Until next year, I pray that God will shine his glory upon your life.
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