Recon at the Springs 2/26/2009

[Willis]

http://www.shannondale.org/foss/2009/2-29/imgs/whackerman.jpg
Whackerman
http://www.shannondale.org/foss/2009/2-29/imgs/natural-arbor.jpg
A neat natural arbor
http://www.shannondale.org/foss/2009/2-29/imgs/middle-spring.jpg
The middle and largest spring
http://www.shannondale.org/foss/2009/2-29/imgs/tree-trail.jpg
Bug's view of a BIG tree

Everything looks good. A hike in would be a fairly easy trip, even with an off the road trike for a toddler. Shadowplay will be setting a trip for a few workers to pick up some downed limbs, do a little brush clearing and preparing the area for a nice early Spring trip where I'll relate a tad of history and and we can explore. It sure is beautiful.

[shadowplay]

What we need back there more than anything else right now is just a "pick up sticks" party. There is a bit of trash around there, not much, but there is a lot of downed sticks that would be good to get up before mowing season. It's just a matter of picking up sticks and tossing them into the woods. If anyone wants to help, we'll arrange something around when people are available.

[rooneymom]

Count me in!

[Tony]

Wait. This is the woods. How can you pick up sticks in the woods and toss them into the woods?

[shadowplay]

Wait. This is the woods. How can you pick up sticks in the woods and toss them into the woods?

There is also a clearing around and below the bathhouse, along with trails to the Springs themselves. One of the three mapped Springs we have yet to even find. :)

[Tony]

Oh, you're right. I forgot all about the herbicide brigade that keeps killing all the woods around that spot, but leaves all the thorns intact along all the trails. I wonder if they've finished clearing out the entire horseshoe yet?

PS There's no evidence whatsoever that building was ever used as a bathhouse (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=bathhouse). It was a springhouse (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=springhouse).

[shadowplay]

u mad bro?

[Tony]

Mad as a hatter. Other than that, my views haven't changed since the first day I saw the area.

FOSS should be:


preserving the environment in the area
facilitating education of all previous tenants (2 resorts, lumber camp, Camp Takahano, etc.)


FOSS should not be:


stripping the land down to manicured lawns
routinely breaking the law by taking machinery and cars to the area

[shadowplay]

Then why did you accept the donation of a mower to FOSS last fall? Come pick it up if you feel that strongly about this, then you can control its use.

BTW, just what is a "herbicide brigade"??? :confused-smiley-013

[Tony]

The mower was a gift, and as I recall I specifically pointed out at the time that a) if you left town, nobody else would ever use it and b) we really needed a much larger unit to deal effectively with the invasive plants along the trails.

Certain persons have been known to drive back and strap herbicide tanks to themselves and decimate native species of plants in an effort to clear plant life in the horseshoe.

I'm nobody's boss around here so I can't stop any of this, but I'd be remiss if I didn't make my opinion known.

[Willis]

For the uninitiated:
There's a fine line between preserving history and preserving natural beauty and tranquility. The DNR gave the County Landmarks Commission(JCHLC) a lease of 10% of their Wildlife Management Area(WMA) to preserve the memory of a truly precious historical asset, Shannondale Springs (http://www.shannondale.org/index.php?page=FOSS-MAIN-PAGE). The organization charged by the JCHLC to administer the stewardship of the Springs was the Friends of Shannondale Springs(FOSS) and FOSS is a part of S&B. It's an honor that I don't take lightly.
My feeling is that with minimal maintenance of the grounds, which were once frequented by the rich and famous, we can insure that the Springs doesn't slip from our memories as it did in the past.
BUT
We can't take a complete hands off approach. I offer a before and after view of what just 5 years of neglect can do and what S&B and FOSS has done to open a mere fraction of the 60 acres under its control.
The WMA south on Mission Road across from the Mt Mission Park(and known as the Shannondale Springs WMA Ridge Section) is another issue altogether.
Below-the bathhouse(circled in RED) after 5 years of neglect in 2004
2575
And in the early Autumn 2008, ready for guests this spring
2576
:D

[Tony]

In the above pictures, the springhouse (it's NOT a bathhouse!) is exactly the same. What's different is that in pic #2 all the natural vegetation has been stripped away, leaving only a shameful manicured lawn behind.

While this lawn may be nice to look at, it offers no advantages to the native plants or animals in the area.

Also note that the photos have nothing to do with 'neglect', and everything to do with nature. For about four months out of the year, the native plants burst forth in a frenzy. Pictures taken the other 3/4 of the year would not be nearly so dramatic.

[shadowplay]

You exclude the factor of human access into your reasoning. For so much of the year, when vegetation is less of a factor, hikers are excluded from the area due to hunting activities. What is wrong with making full year-round use of our local wildlife facility possible for those interested?

[STR1KER]

I've been reading the back and forth here. I can see both sides, completely.
I love the pictures. The times I've been back there, have been overgrown and cleared. I like it either way.

There's one thing that strikes me w/ questions... The 2 oak trees in that last picture, (the cleared one)....

They've seemingly been planted in that way, at the same time, for a purpose, as they look to be the same age.

I'm wondering if at one time a swing set was there? Perhaps a wooden bar w/ 2 ropes hanging down w/ a knotted wooden board as a seat?

Regardless of the agree or disagree, it's a place to get AWAY from the B.S. and step back in time to think of all the cool stuff that happened there.

Bottom line, if yer gunna go, cleared or not, dress appropriately for the season w/ correct footwear, and carry a good walking stick.

[Willis]

Str1ker says:
There's one thing that strikes me w/ questions... The 2 oak trees in that last picture, (the cleared one)....

They've seemingly been planted in that way, at the same time, for a purpose, as they look to be the same age.

I'm wondering if at one time a swing set was there? Perhaps a wooden bar w/ 2 ropes hanging down w/ a knotted wooden board as a seat?Those are Black Walnut Trees. AND they are shown in the first photo too (hidden by undergrowth and copious Poison Ivy vines). There is a stone foundation upon which it is believed a wooden platform was constructed. At the time the trees weren't smack in the middle of that area. We believe it was a pavilion given its proximity to the old hotel. One can see where crossbeams could have set in indentations in the foundation.

It's not uncommon to find Walnut trees in old foundations as the fruits tend to roll into the depressions. The resort burnt for the second and final time in 1909 which would make them no older that 100 yrs-about right for their size. I like to visit and imagine the ladies in their hoop skirts strolling hand in hand with poor fellows in starched collars and top hats or maybe boaters.

It is good to have differing views, but put things in perspective, FOSS is keeping the weeds and undergrowth from about 1/300th of the total acreage of the WMA and about 1/30th of the land that DNR has leased to the County Historic Landmarks Commission.

Both Tony and shadowplay are right in their own ways. And there is PLENTY of room on the property to share both perspectives. Keep checking the FOSS forum for coming attractions, including a fun time with a history lesson, a general clean-up party and possible a Wildflower walk, weather permitting.:thumbsup:

[shadowplay]

Bottom line, if yer gunna go, cleared or not, dress appropriately for the season w/ correct footwear, and carry a good walking stick.

One final (at least from me) statement concerning what you say here I'd like to make however is that having at least a cleared conduit to provide access to the Springs area greatly reduces the danger factor concerning deer ticks to hikers choosing that destination in warmer months. The waist-high grass that had gone to seed that used to need to be waded through to get to the Springs and at the site provided a perfect opportunity for the little boogers to get at you. In the three years and fifteen or so mowings I have done there I have yet to be latched upon by a tick, and I mow in shorts, socks and sneakers. If a minimal area for access is kept cleared and people don't sit, etc. in the grass the chances of a problem with deer ticks for hikers to the Springs in warmer months will be greatly mitigated.

[Tony]

I have no argument with improving access to all the trails in the WMA. I've said before, a nice HBE (hiker, biker, equestrian) trail is what's needed.

In fact, if anyone's interested, we have a small contingent going to a grant writing class in Shepherdstown in early March. There's room for more.

[Dhyana]

Grant Writing Class - please tell me more. I have a few projects in mind: including a community garden at MCC and a chestnut tree orchard at Rolling Ridge.

[Willis]

Grant Writing Class - please tell me more. I have a few projects in mind: including a community garden at MCC and a chestnut tree orchard at Rolling Ridge.

2585
I'd call the number and talk to Ms. Fuller. It seems like a deal that might just fit your purposes, D

[Starbuck]

Never done grants, but I have done proposals...please PM me if you guys need any help with the writing.

[shadowplay]

Count me in!

I'll clue you all into my plans, once something develops.