The Upper Pond, Photo by Pete Nielsen

I didn’t know what Robert Duerwachter was referring to in his book title.  What ponds?  I never saw, or at least I don’t remember seeing, the two trout ponds that made the Scuppernong Springs famous.  If you love The Springs, you must pick up your very own copy of “THE PONDS OF THE SCUPPERNONG” at Forest Headquarters.  I can’t summarize it any better than the author:

A NARRATIVE OF PEOPLE, ACHIEVEMENTS AND

LITTLE KNOWN FACTS IN THE LIVES AND TIMES

OF THOSE WHO MADE SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS

TO THE PONDS IN THE SOUTHEAST QUARTER OF

SECTION 34 IN THE TOWN OF OTTAWA

WAUKESHA COUNTY, WISCONSIN

CHESTER M. SMITH

THE DOUSMAN FAMILY

CURTIS AND NANCY MANN

ELIPHALET S. STONE

THE PARKER FAMILY

THE PERELES FAMILY

ORIN C. BENSON

I love history and this, picture filled, page turner is the definitive history of the Scuppernong Springs.

Finally, we can start burning some brush piles.  I think there might be over 300.  First, a few morning views of the Scuppernong River:

Our goal was to burn all of the piles on the “inside” of the big bend in the river by the Old Hotel Site.

Rich Csavoy arrived early and we got after it.

Pati, a veteran brush pile burner, joined in the fun.

I got these pics while mopping up.

After the gear was all stowed away, I took a walk along the river and saw the biggest flock of geese I have ever seen in my life.  It must have stretched out over a mile…

You gotta hear them…

It was a blessed day at the Springs and we burned 19 piles.

Happy Holidays and I Hope to see you out at the Springs!