Raised trail?

[bobpbx]

This is the Dash spot. Note the abscence of the shadow.

Here, I stab the shadow to death.

But not to worry. The sun is in the south this time of year, and there just happens to be a tree on the other side of the canal, but I was maybe an hour too late to see it cast its Pan-driven spell.

 

[bobpbx]

But, I did find something very interesting at the Dash spot. He may have stumbled upon a spot that was used to cross by someone in the distant past. I was probing the canal bed on either side of the log, and I was surprised to have the stick tap on something 12" wide and very flat. At first I thought it was a dance floor, but it seems to be a large cedar(?) log that has been sawn to provide a bridge of some sort. I'm not positive of this, but it sure seems like it.

 

[bobpbx]

As I said, it was on both sides of the log and it started at the bank. It seems immovable, so maybe it's now wedged in tight. When I felt underwater, this is what it felt like (a cross section of a log with a very flat top). Perhaps they cut it at the old saw mill just a few hundred yards away.

 

[DashRyan]

That is most likely a shadow from a tree on the far side, I was facing west roughly 2 hours from sunset.

 

[DashRyan]

But, I did find something very interesting at the Dash spot. He may have stumbled upon a spot that was used to cross by someone in the distant past. I was probing the canal bed on either side of the log, and I was surprised to have the stick tap on something 12" wide and very flat. At first I thought it was a dance floor, but it seems to be a large cedar(?) log that has been sawn to provide a bridge of some sort. I'm not positive of this, but it sure seems like it.

 

[DashRyan]

That's neat. How far down was it?

 

[DashRyan]

The shadow of what? I don't see anything there to cast that long shadow. Also, It looks like it was mid-day with the sun coming from high overhead. Also, I think there's more vegetation in the dark place than the light. I think it's a trench.

That's the tail end of the mill race (canal?) From Dover forge. I was facing west.
You got a lot closer to the water than I was willing to go.

 

[bobpbx]

That's neat. How far down was it?

Maybe 10" or a bit less. I did not even go up to my elbow. We'd have to somehow dam a portion of the canal to route the water around it, a cofferdam deal. But we could also try to dig it out while in the water....or see if it goes all the way across

 

[DashRyan]

Maybe 10" or a bit less. I did not even go up to my elbow. We'd have to somehow dam a portion of the canal to route the water around it, a cofferdam deal. But we could also try to dig it out while in the water....or see if it goes all the way across

That is some Curse of Oak Island energy right there!
It would be great if the floodgcotrol gates were still there.

 

[bobpbx]

I didn't look before, but in 1930, you can see where they had it cleared, and they still had a small hut or something out in the swamp.

 

[bobpbx]

That is some Curse of Oak Island energy right there!
It would be great if the floodgcotrol gates were still there.

They are there, but so overgrown and rusty, you couldn't operate them.

 

[bobpbx]

Here's where I probed that pseudobridge on the side of the log next to the bank.

 

[DashRyan]

I didn't look before, but in 1930, you can see where they had it cleared, and they still had a small hut or something out in the swamp.

View attachment 21250

There's only one way to find out if there's anything left.

 

[bobpbx]

There's only one way to find out if there's anything left.

I was out at that hut spot many years ago. I could find nothing, like it was never there.

 

[Pan]

Can you find that exact place again? If I'm wrong - but I'm never wrong - the last time they thought I was wrong was in 1861 but it turned out I was right and they were wrong! - but if I'm wrong, I'll throw my hat up in a tree - or mail u my hat to throw up for me - and ever after the place can be known as Pan's Hat, NJ.

Where should I send my hat?

 

[bobpbx]

Where should I send my hat?

We are ALL wrong much of he time Pan. I looked at this more as an interesting exploration. Making you eat crow (or send me a hat) was all in fun.

 

[Pan]

We are ALL wrong much of he time Pan. I looked at this more as an interesting exploration. Making you eat crow (or send me a hat) was all in fun.

Yeah b-b-but maybe it changed since you were there last!

 

[stiltzkin]

Either way, this waypoint is marked as "Pan's Hat" on my map now.

 

[Pan]

Either way, this waypoint is marked as "Pan's Hat" on my map now.

 

[Pan]

Seriously though, it makes me happy to know that deep within the Pine Barrens it still remains the same.

Below - Pine Branch Creek 22 Sep 1971.

pinelandpaddler - I too used to be a pineland paddler. Unfortunately I can't figure out a way to make that rhyme with green ham. If I could I would, Pan I am!​