THE GAME CHRONICLES
REVISED EDITION
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Poem In Thanks
Lord Whoever, thank you for this air
I'm about to in- and exhale, this hutch
in the woods, the wood for fire,
the light - both lamp and the natural stuff
of leaf - back, fern and wing,
For the Piano, the shovel
for ashes, the moth-gnawed
blankets, the stone-cold water
stone cold: thank you.
Thank you, Lord, coming for
to carry me here -- where I'll gnash
it out, Lord, where I'll calm
and work, Lord, thank you
for the goddamn birds singing!
Thomas Lux
What is a Game Cabin?
Back in our really young and really stupid days of college at West Virginia Wesleyan, in the Spring
of 1976 we hit upon the idea of spending a weekend at a nearby West Virginia State Park named
Kumbrabow. This turned out to be one of the least stupid things that we ever did as it helped
cement the relationships with those friends for decades to come.
We did not revive what was to become a tradition until 1980, after graduation, and we made our
first trip to what was going to become our annual second home, the rustic cabins of Seneca State
Forest, located in the hilly recesses of Pocahontas County, WVa. To this day the region remains
unsullied with the trappings of modern technology due to an ironic bit of real estate. About 12 miles
from the cabins is the Greenbank National Radio Observatory. Prevention of interference with that
observatory has kept cellphone antennas out of Pocahontas County to this day! (They don't even
allow gasoline engine vehicles within a mile of the place as the ignition systems interfere). This
area is referred to as the Appalachian Quiet Zone(video). This nicely describes our feeling for the
Game Cabin experience in general.
Another nearby attraction is Cass Scenic Railroad, a restored steam locomotive line that was built in
1901 to haul lumber to the mill in Cass. The locomotives are the original Shay locomotives used in
Cass. These locomotives, with unique vertical steam pistons climb the steepest grades of any
railroad in the US without cogs or other aids. You can take the line from the town of Cass to the top
of Bald Knob, the second highest point in West Virginia. The overlook at Bald Knob provides a
spectacular view at an altitude of 4,842 feet.
The cabins are fairly rough hewn with no electricity or running water and are about 6 miles off the
nearest paved road, and are across 2 fairly serious mountain ridges at the lowest point of the park on
the banks of the Greenbrier River. Across the river is an old railroad right of way that has been
turned into West Virginias longest and narrowest state park and offers hiking, biking and horseback
riding along its 76 mile length.
The cabins may sound Spartan, but there are propane gas lights and a propane refrigerator (we still
argue about how a flame in the back keeps our stuff cool) as well as a decent sized kitchen. Also,
unlike pretty much any other parks we have visited, the W.Va. park service provides all the bed
linens (beds are made prior to arrival like any modern hotel) as well as towels, dishes, utensils, pots,
pans, cooking utensils and the Got cooler in which our drinking water is kept.
Oh yeah, water. We have an endless supply of hot and cold running water. If you want cold water
you run to the outside hand pump which is drilled 400 feet into the sweetest water you will find
anywhere. If you want hot water you fill a bucket, run back to the cabin (beware big rocks on lawn,
more than one of us has gone ass over tea kettle in the dark carrying buckets of water), and put it on
the wood stove.
All in all, this place is just about perfect when it comes to decompressing from the stressful aspects
of modern life. No Computers, TVs, Radios, Cellphones or electronically recorded music. Life
becomes reduced to basics; keep the fires lit, prepare and cook the food (You may notice in the
photos of these outings that we are not subsisting on hotdogs and cans of Dinty Moore stew either),
find ways to utilize the times in between; hiking biking and exploring the area. Hmmm, can't wait
to get back there...
1.
1976
Date: Spring, 1976
Place: Kumbrabow
Gamesters: Russ Johnson, Dave Nershi, Dave Parker, Dan Workman, Mark Stevens
Highlights: Lurch breakdown, no battery. Parker climbs to North Game Mountain, no shoes. Parker
bathes in freezing pond. Crystal T, calamus - legal high. While standing in open doorway
gamesters experiment with method to "Make Your Arm Rise"
2.
1980
Date: Spring, 1980
Seneca State Forest, Cabin 4
Organizers: Dave & Nancy Nershi
Gamesters: Russ & Eileen, Jose, Chips, Nancy, Dave, Dan, Parker, Mark, Marilyn
Highlights: lake was dry, walked across lake to climb mountain, hike to tower, 4-wheeling, chili,
burgers & beans - legume overload, toxic privy, roaring fire, Parker's bath, Jose’ barfs, blinds fall
on his head.
Oh...…overgame
3.
1981
Date: May 15 - 17, 1981
Seneca, Cabin 4
Organizers: Dave & Nancy
Gamesters: Dan, Linda, Dave, Nancy, Mark, Marilyn, Russ, Eileen, Parker, Sam Rothermel, Bob
Larner, Chips Bruck, Jose, Rich
Highlights: Sam & Parker take life raft trip, Parker falls into the lake, Parker falls into the lake
again, and again (claims he was pushed); 4-wheeling; Nancy commutes; Sam - DMT & hash,
Biko, Biko, Biko, Sam pushes Russ through window. We made a fire tower trip. Observed the mist
of the lake, barbecued, and enjoyed the new cabin site found by the river.
4.
1982
Date: Sept. 16 - 20, 1982
Place: Seneca, Cabins 6 & 7
Organizers: Dan & Linda
Gamesters: Dan, Linda, Mark, Marilyn, Russ, Eileen,
Nershi, Parker, Jose, Sadie Mae, Chips, Pete & Lori, Flash
& Lynn, Les & Emily Haynes, Mac & Joan
Highlights: Cass Railroad trip - juggling brews, walk on RR tracks, Emily walking
around cabin with hair dryer looking for electrical outlet. Les & LSD (Flash keeps
insisting to be gamely accurate you should be saying Purple Microdot) & Pat
Benatar; giant spaghetti dinner to the music styling of “Hell is for Children” (as a
result, mechanically reproduced music banned from game cabins), swim in the
river, tower trip, Parker entertains - "$100,000 in pennies"; brilliant stars. Remember feeling like
you could be pulled into the sky from banks of the river, the amazing sounds of the frogs and river
babbling.
The Belchers and Haynes made their first
cabin trip. It was amazing that they made it
with four adults (Les is not a small man)
jammed in a 1979 two door pinto packed
with all our gear, clothes and plenty of
brewski. They made a left turn in Elkins and
ended up in Virginia, turned around and
circled back into Pocahontas County.
Imagine the confusion of the Virginia State
Trooper when Flash and Les tried to ask how
to get to Seneca State Forest. Needless to
say, he also must have been a nice guy for an
authority figure.
5.
1983
Date:
Place: Seneca Cabins 6 & 7
Organizers: ??
Gamesters: Jose’, Larry, Les, Emily &
Wesley, Flash & Lynn, Dan, Linda,
Nershi, Russ, Eileen, Mark, Marilyn,
Rich, Tuck, Elaine, Chips, Parker,
?????
Marilyn drinks Mac under the table, barfs out the car window on the way to Cass, spraying Jose B
in the back seat. She naps on top of Bald Knob. Larry drums on every surface in sight. Safety
Dance. While we were all out in the gazebo, a bat latched onto Marilyn’s pant leg, quickly swatted
off by Mark (Bat later referred to by Nershi as a “furry pod”)
6.
1984
Date:
Place: Seneca Cabins 6 & 7
Organizers: ?
Gamesters: Dan, Linda, Russ, Eileen, Jose, Billy, Parker, Les and Emily
Parker and Billy in the rafters
Ryan born, Mark & Marilyn couldn’t come. Flash
and Lynn were moving from Fairmont to
Buckhannon. There was a ditch in dire need to be
dug so they could have water.
Billy climbs to the rafters
7.
1985
Date:
Place: Kumbrabow, 3 Cabins
Organizers: ?
Gamesters: Russ, Eileen, Dan,
Linda, Mark, Marilyn, Rich, Parker,
Chips, Dean, Flash, Lynn & Baby
Russell, Les, Emily, Wesley? &
George, Mac, Joan, Paige
Chadwick, Russ’ Friends Chuck &
Steve visit. We had three turkeys
going in three (3) ovens at once and
three pies. Russ shoots a bat, Chips
was stinky, Mark ODs on
tryptophan from turkey and sleeps
thru Saturday night. Dan & Linda
sleep on the back porch, bathe in ice
cold stream. Lynn, Flash and baby
Russell made a cameo on Sunday.
8.
1986
Date: Sept. 5 – 10, 1986
Seneca Cabins 6 & 7
Organizers: Jose & Dean
Gamesters: Lee, Jose, Dean, Russ, Eileen, Flash, Lynn, Les, Emily, Wesley & new baby, Lee
Workman and girlfriend Kathy Dobbins, Mac,
Paige (not sure who else but allegedly 17
people attended this cabin).
According to Jose, this was the cabin of too
many people. This is the most likely candidate
for the cabin that Flash and Lynn slept out in
the main room on cots in the big cabin (there
were other people sleeping on cots). Most
people arrived for Friday and Saturday. Wesley
terrorized the gamesters with sharp objects.
9.
1987
Date: October 8-12, 1987
Place: Seneca, Cabins 6 & 7
Organizers: Dan & Linda
Gamesters: Dan, Linda, Russ, Eileen, Mark, Marilyn,
Jose, Nershi, Chips, Parker, Flash, Lynn, Mac, and
Page
Flash skipping stones at the river.
Highlights: Fall foliage, pumpkin carving contest, Halloween costumes –
Stevens' as devil & bat,
Chips as Fred Flintstone,
Linda as Tammy Faye,
Parker in red union suit & hanky-head.
Oktoberfest - kartoffelklosse, sauerbraten, red cabbage.
Women's dissident movement women provide percussion this time,
using washbowls, spoons, buckets conga line through cabin, over beds.
Linda unties Parker's shoes for him & wins the toaster oven.
Chips apologized publicly for claiming not to know Parker
when he last saw him.
10.
1988
Date: October 6 - 11, 1988
Place: Seneca, Cabins 6 & 7
Organizers: Flash & Lynn
Gamesters: Flash, Lynn, Dan, Linda, Russ, Eileen, Mark, Marilyn "The Sedate 8"
Highlights: kazoo serenade: "When the Saints Go Marching In", Dan videotapes highlights, using a
video camera attached to a car battery; Dan entertains by playing game dirges on the guitar
11.
1989
Date: October 7 - 15, 1989
Place: Seneca, 6 & 7
Organizers: Mark & Marilyn
Gamesters: Mark, Marilyn, Rich,
Dan, Linda, Russ, Eileen, Jose, Flash,
Lynn, Parker, Nershi
Highlights: More pumpkin carving; ethnic extravaganza; more Halloween costumes - Rich is the
wizard, M&M are M&M's; Parker flashes glow-in-the-dark boxers, Wesleyan reunion after cabin.
Another Cass Railroad trip.
12.
1990
Date: June 15 - 22, 1990
Place: Southern Shores, NC. "This Is It"
Organizers: Russ & Eileen
Gamesters: R&E, Dan, Mark, Marilyn, Rich, Jose, Parker, Flash, Lynn, Nerf.
Highlights: the first game condo; all the conveniences. Fire in the fireplace w/a.c. on, 1st phlegm
cutters; Jose blows up raft w/electric pump; ho-made ice cream; Parker's flying lessons; seafood
abounds; riptides; Blue Point Bar & Grill; trip to see Lost Colony.
13.
1991
Date: June 17 to 22, 1991
Place: Southern Shores, NC, "Grey Goose"
Organizers: Jose & Suzanne
Gamesters: The Newlywed Jose & Suzanne, Nerf, Kathy & New Game Baby Rachel, Parker, Dan,
Linda, Mark, Marilyn, Rich, Russ, Eileen, Flash, Lynn
Highlights: Mark rollerblading on the deck; water balloon fight; the blues, the blues the blues; food,
food, food; Mark & Rich snorkeling at midnight during thunder-storm; laundry-induced
earthquakes.
14.
1993
Date: Sept. 23 - 26, 1993
Place: Seneca, Cabins 6 & 7
Organizers: Russ & Eileen
Gamesters: R&E, Jose, Suzanne & Mary,
Nershi, Parker, Flash & Lynn, Mark,
Marilyn, Rich, Dan & Linda
Highlights:
- Autumn Harvest Festival in Marlinton,
with knuckle boom log loader, road kill
cook-off
- Dan provides after-dinner entertainment
with a stirring rendition of "56 bc and all
that stuff", the history of the world
complete on 2 pages.
- The "cocktail" hour - Parker's member in a glass promising to expand to 100x its original size.
Parker is dismayed by the lack of performance and tells Dan to add warm water - meltdown Parker's member becomes a lava lamp - bobbitt's nightmare.
- Chicken overload - Moroccan, Cajun & Mexican
- Bonfire at the river, just like the beach except for the water. Ebb & flow, ebb & flow, just like
the beach except it's constant (Lynn's ramblings, I do believe)
- Mark's chair tips over down on river bank, Mark falls down
- Jose, Suzanne & new game baby Mary do Cass RR in the rain
- Parker quotes Beavis & B'head ad nauseum, makes Linda "more miserables"
- Parker makes excellent Bombay martinis & throws Eileen's olives in the yard
- "Clash of the Titans" brought on by Mellow
Yellow phlegm cutters
- Mark hurls coffee on Rich & Nershi - throwing
java
- Hawkwind melody down by the river - a GC
classic
- Eileen delights the diners with "Twinkly Wheats",
food of the gods
- Mark's frisbee shatters during frisbee golf match
after striking Jose's tail light (Dave's toss)
- Super soakers
- Mark falls down
15.
1994
Date: October 10 to 16, 1994
Place: Seneca, 6 & 7
Organizers: Flash & Lynn
Gamesters: Flash & Lynn, Mark, Rich, Russ, Eileen, Jose, Suzanne, Mary, Dan, Linda, Nershi,
Parker
Highlights: Game baby Mary totes water & hauls logs; fabulous
dinners chicken, ho-made sausages, ho-made shrimp ravioli,
chateaubriand, turkey dinner. Hobo Pies.
"Quayle in '97"; absurdist play; "subliminal word bit waves" & "scape
goat comics"; Dan's 45 degree bath in river, Beavers & Buttheads;
Rich’s story of sadist employer; subliminal word bit waves – sound
bytes – comic scapegoat; giant snapping turtle; absurdist play;
Daves go to homecoming; advent of “people meals” ; $2 showers @
ranger station; temperature of everything is determined; Nershi
makes conscious decision not to bring phlegm cutters; Marilyn
misses the cabin due to collision with deer; Mark leaves early for
Ryan’s game show.
Fitness frenzy: Dan & Flash run, Lynn rides her bike up the
mountain to Clover Lick, Linda & Eileen pump up, Rich scales
West Game Mountain.
16.
1995
Date:
Place: Seneca
Organizer:
The cabin in 1995 started with Lynn coming in early with a week of bike riding. Linda rode to
Marlinton with Lynn one day.
The Stevens brothers were there all week too. Teetering Towers
of Stupidity! This was some of the artistic work of the brothers
when they were not preparing wonderful meals. There may also
have been a cabin in 1996 but no evidence yet. Lynn seems to
remember this nice arrangement of bike-riding and arriving at the
cabin with a gourmet meal was repeated more than one year.
17.
1997
Date:
Babcock State Park - 2 Cabins
Organizers: Dan & Linda
Gamesters: Mark, Marilyn, Rich, Ryan, Gregory, Dan, Linda, Russ, Eileen, Flash, Lynn, Julia, Jose
and Parker
After a few cloudy days buried in that misty valley Dan
referred to it as the "Glum Cabin.”
Raccoons attacked and destroyed a large pot of soup that Rich
had cooling on the porch.
Gregory ordered the pulled pork BBQ sandwich at the park
restaurant, not knowing that when asked if he wanted cole
slaw (he said yes) that it meant that it was actually served ON
the sandwich. Much grumbling and general bitching ensued...
18.
1998
Date:
Place: Blackwater Falls, 1 cabin,
Organizers: by Flash & Lynn.
Gamesters: Belchers, Johnsons, Mark, Rich, Parker, Marilyn, Dan, Jose.
Mark had a computer, roving bands of begging deer. Flash and Lynn went food shopping after they
got to BW Falls. The plan was to grab groceries and a pizza but the service was soooo slow!!!
Doesn’t anyone remember the fabulous pizza??? Pizza from Siriani's the first night, Steven's Pork
Loin primo spicy the second night and turkey with trimmings the third.
1998 is labeled Game Cabin XX according to Russ’ email entitled Game Cabin Retrospect -- a
small but fine turnout. The cabin was the perfect size. We missed the Workmans and Marilyn. We
all berated Flash because he did not notify José of the cabin trip!
The Daves and Russ golfed at Canaan on Tuesday. Wednesday, Eileen and Russ hiked a bit with
Parker. Nerf had to leave that day.
We called the Seneca ranger station to reserve the cabins for the following year but ended up
cancelling because lack of gameness. Not sure all of the reasons, but Flash and Lynn bailed
because moving from Buckhannon to Columbus the following year.
19.
2000
Date: November 5 – 12, 2000
Place: Seneca - Cabin 7
Organizers: ?
Gamesters: Mark, Rich, Nershi, Parker, Jose, Dan & Russ
Many were happy to avoid the
media hype and crapstorm that was
the 2000 Presidential election,
looking forward to it all being
concluded by the time we returned
to civilization. The “Game Four”
(Nerf & Mark vs. Rich & Russ)
made an evenly divided debate over
the merits of Gore vs. Dubya. We
were instead dealt a cruel reality…
Again, it appears that the consensus
of Gamesters was that this was
Game Cabin XXI. This cabin
referred to as a “Crumbling Husk.”
Russ said that this was an
outgrowth of a line from an e-mail
that Mark wrote during the planning
phase that said, "Looks as if the long feared withering of Game Cabin spirit into a dried out
crumbling husk is at hand." This crumbling husk reference became the byline of the weekend, with
Nerf composing a tune.
20.
2001
Date:
Place: Parker Dam, Pa.
Organizers: Nerf.
Gamesters: Nershi, Mark, Rich, Ryan,
Gregory, Marilyn, Parker, Dan, Linda,
Russ, Eileen, Jose, Flash, Lynn.
Thought to be the Game Cabin XXII
but by now we are totally confused
about the years we congregated.
Perhaps the chronicles will help us
clear up this mystery. This was a true
change for the game crowd: a PA
cabin.
A game time, but more work. No
linens, no p’s & p’s or tablewear. No
sink!! Washing dishes was a
challenge. We resorted to washing
dishes in the bathroom. Fire Ring of Odin; Mark & Rich bought incandescent lights. Parker
(Humbert) ogles teen girls. Bunk beds. Eileen can’t take the snores and sleeps on bench in kitchen.
Who could forget the bitch beetles?Wwine tasting? Gift exchange (right story)? Theory of
Everything? Ryan won laminated poster of SCI. Dan & Linda leave early, only to return for Dan’s
briefcase after a flat tire changes travel plans. Many oaks dropping their acorns, sounding like shots
when they hit the roof or a car. Autumn is beautiful ~ golden and red maples, the sound of leaves in
the breeze. The food was great, as
usual. Linda's carrot / cashew soup
w/ grilled chix on Thursday ~ and
an anniversary cake! Spice cake
with caramel icing. On Friday ~
Chefs Stevens stuffed pork loins ~
one (1) with apricots and one (1)
with plums. Plus ho-made bourbon
applesauce, roasted spuds and wine
tasting that night. ~ Eileen's lasagna
w/ salad + Nerf's gift exchange.
21.
2002
Seneca Cabins 6 & 7,
Organizers: Dan (Cough, Cough)
Gamesters: Dan, Rich, Mark, Russ, Nershi,
Parker, Jose’. Estrogen-Free Cabin.
2002 was believed to by Game Cabin XXII.
After an extensively rainy Tuesday, for the first
time in our experience at Seneca the Greenbrier
River flooded out of its banks. We also had an
awesome bonfire on the riverbank and were
treated to a huge fireworks display. It was begun
carefully by using long butane igniters and
quickly dashing to safety. After a few rounds of
shots, rockets
and such were launched by being tossed
directly in the bonfire...
Mornings at GC were about 25 degrees! Chilly
getting the stove and joe going. The darkness is
coming quite early these days. Wonderful stars
on the last eve ~ In the skies we saw
Cassiopeia, Orion, Taurus. Cold nights ~ the
call of turkeys ~ seeing a deer. Mark and
Parker bond.
22.
2003
Seneca 6 & 7.
Organizers: Russ &
Eileen.
Gamesters: Mark, Rich,
Nershi, Parker, Lynn and
Flash, Workmans, Johnsons,
The Northern lights, here in
Pocahontas County! Also,
2003 would not be complete
without mention of our
fantastic fireworks display
featuring SCUD-Busters –
Then there was a dramatic
embargo against fireworks
later in the week. Parker's
intense attempt at a caucus was filibustered. As a possible answer to our night-time display of
firepower, the following day the folks at cabin 8 proceeded to fire shotguns into the air causing
buckshot to rain down on us as we sat at the picnic
tables. Flash was very disappointed that he had to
carry home most of his fireworks. Parker was
distraught. However, another version of the conflict
was given as well: “On Thursday night came
consensus was reached about bonfires & fireworks. Parker was gamely cooperative.” Marilyn was
a no-show. Too bad she missed a good time.
We met Muffin, the park kitty, at the showers. Saturday at the cabins was a warm day – sunny,
low 70’s. Each day was spectacular, with blue skies, sunshine & warm temps.
23.
2004
September 13-20, 2004
Seneca 6 & 7,
Organizers: Russ & Eileen.
Gamesters: Mark, Rich, Marilyn, Johnsons, Workmans, Parker
Picnic planned for Friday, but Ivan rains
on the parade. 4 – 14 inches predicted,
actual rainfall = 2”
Common meal Friday night – everyone
grilled their own, brought a dish to pass –
bean/corn/mango salad, yams, most
excellent baked beans, cucumber salad.
Parker & Dan sing so loud Friday that
Cabin 6 occupants leave for the quieter
cabin.
Russ, Eileen, Marilyn & Linda go to
Cass in search of snowglobes and
chocolate, then to Greenbank for tour.
Marilyn gets a free shower in the
ranger’s office. Linda backs into a
motorcycle at the Bartow convenience store. In retaliation for previous nights fireworks, occupants
of Cabin 8 fire shotguns over cabin 7, showering Mark & Eileen at picnic table with buckshot. First
swimming in the Greenbrier swimin’ hole since 1994. Mark got to test out his new LL Bean GoreTex rainwear in Ivan's remains. “Did not get wet no matter how much I drank.”
24.
Parker attempted to arrange a cabin trip in 2005 after some goading from Mark as he had a
somewhat crappy year (Heart attack & all that). It was tentatively set for November but Mark
found out that several months away from work had somewhat depleted his vacation time and could
not attend. Soon other folks punked out and the trip was eventually scrapped.
Prompting the action by Flash in 2007. There may have been an attempt that was cancelled but not
totally sure about this. We were pretty swamped with college tuition, that I know. Lynn
2007
October 14 to 21, 2007
Seneca (one cabin)
Organizers: Flash
Gamesters: Flash, Lynn, Larry Bowlin, Nershi, Marilyn, Jose
Flash was the lone planner. “I’m going to the game cabin
regardless.” Flash and Lynn spent the week.
Nerf came Thursday and left the crack of dawn on Sunday for a
tennis match. Jose and Marilyn came Friday. Nershi surprised Lynn
and Flash Thursday night by the river. They were just discussing the
current state of attendance and whether this actually counts as a game cabin. Nersh ate crispy
chicken in his hobo pie (pretending it was edible.) “the butter’s melted.”
Flash and Lynn visited the Pearl Buck house
and rode the Cass Scenic Railroad up to Bald
Knob. (Flash’s last ride was 40 years ago and
Lynn had never rode the train!) This was an
exceptionally warm cabin for October evenings
in 2007. Damn Global Warming!
Marilyn showed up Friday afternoon. Marilyn
remembers hiking. The Greenbrier River was
very low. We could walk across easily.
Jose surprised us on Friday evening after dinner.
Marilyn thought she was hallucinating. After
Jose arrived, we all went to the river to view the
moonlight and clouds which cleared to reveal
the starry sky.
Nerf, Jose and Marilyn went to the artisan store
and hung out at Green Bank for an afternoon.
The Belchers biked all week. Larry (Gordon’s friend from Philippi) came up the first night for a
visit before the official gamesters.
Marilyn followed Belchers back to Fairmont and had a great meal at Murials. So despite the small
attendance in 2007, turns out Flash was just rekindling the fires.
25.
2008
Date: October 30 to November 2 2008
Place: Hocking Hills
Organizers: Kathy and Nersh
Gamesters: Kathy, Nersh, Marilyn, Russ, Eileen, Dan, Linda, Flash, Lynn, Parker, Doug Lanham
(Poon)
Perfect weather. Kathy’s first trip to GC since the
days of Game Cabana and Poon’s first ever. Game
Cabin Air Force does Canopy Zip line. Longest zip
line is 572 feet, highest 73 feet. Parker plays 18
holes of golf while others are zipping. Technology
and creature comforts re-emerge at Cabin.
Nersh returns to heritage, with an Arab
costume.
Linda danced at bit and even gave Russ
some lessons.
Meals include Harvest Bisque soup, pork tenderloin with cranberries, and Marilyn’s famous
cinnamon French toast.
Smoking smashing pumpkins with firework strobe effect.
We carved pumpkins, major hiking in the caves.
Hikes to Old Man Cave, Ash Cave, Cedar Falls. Picnic lunch at Cedar Falls.
Parker serves Moldovan cognac. Fox-cat is sighted around the cabin. Nesh destroys Parker’s 30year old Frisbee . . .
What a great trip, except for the close cabin quarters and television. Johnsons, Linda and I went to
the wash board company for a tour. Doug showed up for his first game cabin.
26.
2009
Date: October 17 to 23, 2009
Place: Seneca
Organizer: Flash
Gamesters: Flash, Lynn Dave, Kathy, Nersh, Johnsons
This is the cabin that Flash announced was already reserved when we were sitting at a Hocking
Hills dinner. Dave, Kathy and I took a great hike at Watoga and stopped at the Amish store for
some goodies on the way back to Seneca. We did some good hikes at Seneca and fireworks. Not
sure about the Workmans,
27.
2010
Date: November 1 to 8, 2010
Place: Watoga
Organizers: Eileen and Russ
Gamesters: Kathy, Dave, Johnsons, Marilyn, Dan, Lynn and Flash, Doug
Marilyn had a fast trip this year.
It was great to see everyone at Watoga and we missed our absent friends who could not join the
festivities. Doug came back for more
along with Kathy, Dave, Johnsons,
Marilyn and Dan showed up Friday
night with Linda's brownies.
It was a great week in the mountains
of Pocahontas County -- Cranberry
Glades, the Falls of Hills Creek,
Beartown, Pretty Penny Restaurant,
Green Bank Observatory, the
Greenbrier River Trail and
Lewisburg were a few select
destinations. We had a couple of
great hikes through the Arboretum
and along the T.S. Cheek Trail. The
stars were incredible and the few
shooting stars we saw added to the evening show. Sasquatch on the mountain behind the cabin kept
himself hidden but certainly not silent. According to Marilyn, our resident expert chronicler, this
was GC XXX.
The dam at Watoga Lake was host to an outstanding fireworks extravaganza on Thursday night,
courtesy of Flash. We missed Parker commentary on each display.
Golden Pine Forest
Short Fuse
Topsy Turvy Spinning Fountain
Marilyn left Saturday morning to go to New
York.
Seneca may have had its gazebo but Cabin 16
at Watoga had an incredible Party Platform!
We were out singing on the launching pad
while it was snowing when Dan arrived.
Very nice of those CCC boys to build it for us.
Great tunes, Dave and Dan!
This cabin was set during the Ohio gubernatorial
election so Lynn couldn’t leave until after and
Flash drove to the Roanoke airport to pick her
up. But they still managed a hike on the
Beartown Boardwalk.
28.
2011
Date: October 10-16, 2011
Organizers: Flash
Gamesters: Parker, Johnsons, Workmans,
Marilyn, Flash, Lynn, Larry Boland, and Mark
Mark returns to the game cabin after missing
due to health issues. He still wants to know the
temperature of everything.
Marilyn likes shoes…
Flash & Larry like Gunpowder…
We were entertained with Fireworks again.
Flash brought a couple cases.
His friend, Larry who brought some great pickled peppers and pie.
Parker tried to hire Mark or maybe it was as a volunteer assistant. Mark, Marilyn, and the Johnsons
had lunch on the way home at Boyers station.
29.
2012
We reserved the cabins at Seneca for the week of November, 2012. However, Hurricane Sandy and
aftermaths made transportation impossible. Mark and Linda, please make this factual on the
weather because all of it kind of running together for me already.
Email cancelling:
Hey Gamesters! Game cabin hostess Janice was nice enough to roll our cabin payment over to next
spring, so we can stop worrying about elections, the effects of Sandy, etc.
Please reply to this email so I will know you got the message. I don't want anyone showing up to an
empty, locked Cabin 7 next week.
Happy Halloween to all, stay warm & safe, and be ever game. Love, Linda
Linda immediately began working on a reservation for 2013 for Seneca.
Demonstrating how much fun it is to meet all of our needs is the decisive email on our reservations:
Okay, here it is. My cat-herding days are over. Unless one of you, the core gamesters, absolutely
cannot make it any time during the week of May 27 - June 3, that's the week I'm going to schedule
the cabins for.
I'll send emails to the rest of the crew later.
Let me know by Sunday night, please. Thanks - L
Memorial to Eileen
2013
~
The first gamester has blazed the trail for the rest of us. When others may follow is only a guess.
The bond we share is a treasure.
Pretty much the entire Game Crew attended Eileen’s Memorial. Here Doug attempts to drag Jose
kicking & screaming into the 20th century…
~
More Images can be viewed at the Game Cabin Web Page
http://www.exit109.com/~mstevens/Gamecabin/
~
Appendix A
Assorted Documents and Memorabilia
GC IV Invitation Page 1
GC IV Invitation Page 2
GC IV Invitation Follow up
Page 1
GC IV Invitation Follow up
Page 2
GC VIII 1986 Invitation
Jose
GC VIII follow up letter
Jose and Dean