In May 1973 I was approached by a friend of mine informing me there was a job opening at the local Sunoco gas station. I was told to go there right away if I wanted it and I did just that. What I didn't know is that this one event would change my life forever and would be the catalyst for my lifelong interest in the pine barrens. There were two important events that would occur that day. The first one would be me noticing a book laying on a shelf which turned out to be Forgotten Towns of South Jersey. Leafing through it I was instantly interested in finding the places mentioned in the book. Before leaving that day I had permission to take the book home and read it, and by the end of that day I was hooked.
The second event would be meeting the mechanic there named Craig. He had just recovered from a motorcycle accident and owned a Toyota Land Cruiser that his mom had been driving while he was recovering. He spoke of camping on a mountain in the pine barrens and driving endlessly without seeing another person. This was something I was interested in and I wanted to experience it. Within weeks or months I would be in the passenger seat of his vehicle and soon after camping with him and his friend Glenn. Within a year I had a drivers license and had saved up enough money to purchase a two year old 1973 Land Cruiser. We would spend many a weekend exploring the pines and camping on the mountain he spoke about the day we met. For a few years our explorations were fairly common but as time marches on life changes for everyone.
Fast forward to a few weeks ago when the news arrived. He had cancer and was not doing well. Then another email a week ago, and then this from Glenn early this morning.
Craig's daughter called to let me know that Craig passed away shortly after the end of the Super Bowl. Craig was an Eagles fan and was listening to the game. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren when he passed peacefully.
One day someone will be writing this about me, but until then I will continue to do what both of us loved to do and will make it a point to soon visit again the special place on the mountain in the pines that we spent so much time at together. RIP Craig.
Guy
His 1972 Land Cruiser.
In the evenings we would each climb a tree on the west side of the mountain and clap as the sunset. My kids to this day will clap and laugh at me whenever we see a nice sunset. I have no regrets.
Craig on the right.
Craig cutting wood.
The second event would be meeting the mechanic there named Craig. He had just recovered from a motorcycle accident and owned a Toyota Land Cruiser that his mom had been driving while he was recovering. He spoke of camping on a mountain in the pine barrens and driving endlessly without seeing another person. This was something I was interested in and I wanted to experience it. Within weeks or months I would be in the passenger seat of his vehicle and soon after camping with him and his friend Glenn. Within a year I had a drivers license and had saved up enough money to purchase a two year old 1973 Land Cruiser. We would spend many a weekend exploring the pines and camping on the mountain he spoke about the day we met. For a few years our explorations were fairly common but as time marches on life changes for everyone.
Fast forward to a few weeks ago when the news arrived. He had cancer and was not doing well. Then another email a week ago, and then this from Glenn early this morning.
Craig's daughter called to let me know that Craig passed away shortly after the end of the Super Bowl. Craig was an Eagles fan and was listening to the game. He was surrounded by his children and grandchildren when he passed peacefully.
One day someone will be writing this about me, but until then I will continue to do what both of us loved to do and will make it a point to soon visit again the special place on the mountain in the pines that we spent so much time at together. RIP Craig.
Guy
His 1972 Land Cruiser.
In the evenings we would each climb a tree on the west side of the mountain and clap as the sunset. My kids to this day will clap and laugh at me whenever we see a nice sunset. I have no regrets.
Craig on the right.
Craig cutting wood.
- Carl
