The first course was a double with Terry O'Leary - "The Pygmy Forest"
Since my son and I know nothing about the plains it was a good primer to get us out of Wharton and headed north. Terry seems to be a pinelands lifer and has vast knowledge of this area. He does seem to look askance on John McPhee's book and says it has many inaccuracies. Personally I liked "The Pine Barrens", if nothing else as an introduction. But Mr. O'Leary is a born teacher, funny with great anecdotes.
Next was "Wharton Forest-Land of Sand, Fire and Water." I cut Barbara Solems "Ghost Towns" thinking I would get some inside information about Wharton. What I got was a 23 minute PowerPoint that was apparently designed for 4th graders. The instructor was a Batsto lifer, but when I asked about Friendship Bogs history he didn't offer anything.
Finally, and most disappointing was "A Photographic Exploration" with Ernest Cozens, who's photos I greatly admire. I covet his Simmons Sea Skiff for its ability to transport Mr. Cozens into rivers and bays as a stable photographic platform. Mister Cozens never showed, and did not contact the sheepish event organizer. Al Horner was a vendor, and may have stepped in if the organizers had known that Mr. Cozens was AWOL. I hope Mr. Cozens is alright, but still have no idea why he was a no show. We then tried to get into "Ghost Towns" but it was filled, so we rolled home... up Batsto River Rd.
Since my son and I know nothing about the plains it was a good primer to get us out of Wharton and headed north. Terry seems to be a pinelands lifer and has vast knowledge of this area. He does seem to look askance on John McPhee's book and says it has many inaccuracies. Personally I liked "The Pine Barrens", if nothing else as an introduction. But Mr. O'Leary is a born teacher, funny with great anecdotes.
Next was "Wharton Forest-Land of Sand, Fire and Water." I cut Barbara Solems "Ghost Towns" thinking I would get some inside information about Wharton. What I got was a 23 minute PowerPoint that was apparently designed for 4th graders. The instructor was a Batsto lifer, but when I asked about Friendship Bogs history he didn't offer anything.
Finally, and most disappointing was "A Photographic Exploration" with Ernest Cozens, who's photos I greatly admire. I covet his Simmons Sea Skiff for its ability to transport Mr. Cozens into rivers and bays as a stable photographic platform. Mister Cozens never showed, and did not contact the sheepish event organizer. Al Horner was a vendor, and may have stepped in if the organizers had known that Mr. Cozens was AWOL. I hope Mr. Cozens is alright, but still have no idea why he was a no show. We then tried to get into "Ghost Towns" but it was filled, so we rolled home... up Batsto River Rd.
Last edited:
