Walkabout Talk About
Stick Participant Stories
YIPPIE!
THE LATEST SUBMISSION IS HERE!
Jami Fisher found the Pileated Woodpecker "Big Fella" stick at the Ruth Will Trailhead ALL THE WAY in the Tiadaghton State Forest (Clinton County) !
Here's Jami's Submission:
Hi! I was so excited to find your stick at the trailhead of the Ruth Will Trail in the Tiadaghton State Forest near Clinton County. Your stick has definitely traveled far from its original location, that’s for sure! My friend and I hiked the trail and I was immediately aware of the intense beauty of the forest. The mountain laurel along the trail’s side was so thick that it seemed as if you would get lost if you stepped inside. We soon came upon an interesting small stone structure near a creek that we learned was a pump house from long ago. As we continued our hike, we noticed huckleberry bushes, green ferns and the blue sky above. All of a sudden, though, we heard a very loud rattle and quickly saw a large rattlesnake coiled up in the middle of the trail. Unsure how to get past it, I happened to look down at my feet only to spy a second snake coiled up into a ball! We quickly stepped backward only to hear the loud rattling of a third snake! Unfortunately, we decided to end our hike and go back the way we came from as the first snake was still not moving from the trail and we weren’t sure how many more snakes we would encounter ahead. (We actually thought about using your stick to fling the snakes aside but we’re unsure of the consequences!). We left the stick back at the trailhead and hope that the next person to use it is lucky enough to not come upon any snakes!
Thank you for doing this project. Woodpeckers are some of the coolest birds and I’ve had the pleasure of seeing pileated woodpeckers in my own yard. Your artwork is so beautiful and I really enjoyed taking this walking stick along on our short hike. Thank you again!!
WHAT AN EXCITING STORY JAMI! Oh my goodness! Thank you for your beyond cool submission. We've been hoping that some of these sticks will find their way to new areas....and so I was ecstatic to read this and hear your story all the way from distant Lock Haven (a place dear to my heart).
And THREE snakes at once?!?! Wow! We've hiked the Pinnacle Trail in Kempton, PA and have come across two rattlesnakes, but only one at a time on separate occasions. Your experience was far more thrilling. Very thankful you weren't hurt and that you heard the rattle in time!
YIPPIE!!! The 1st PARTICIPANT SUBMISSION IS HERE
ALI, THE FIRST HIKER TO MAKE A SUBMISSION DONATED A KIDNEY TO A FRIEND...
AND SHE'S GOT COOL RED KICKS THAT MATCH THE STICK!
Here's Ali's Submission:
Hi there!
I just moved to North Wales about 3 months ago, and this was my first hike in this area. What a fun surprise to have this walking stick sitting at the trail head! And even better that I could take some photos throughout my hike while wearing my KDA shirt as well! I donated my kidney to a friend from college about 6 years ago :)
Thanks again for this fun project! I'm attaching a few photos from my hike, just trying to pass along some good vibes and an attitude of gratitude!
Thanks again!
Ali
THE PROJECT THANKS ALI FOR HIKING IN EVANSBURG STATE PARK, FOR PARTICIPATING AND FOR STARTING THE PROJECT WITH SUCH A GOOD VIBE!
YIPPIE! PARTICIPANT SUBMISSION # 2 IS HERE!
MANY THANKS TO KAREN AND TANK FOR WALKING, TALKING AND GORGEOUS PICTURE TAKING ON THE TRAIL!
Here's Karen's Submission:
Hello!
My dog and I found your walking stick at the Central PV Park and took it with us back to the Graterford Trailhead (near PA Live Steamers). On the way, we met a lot of people who said Hi, and one man asked if that was my dog's stick, to which I replied yes, but I had to carry it for him. We actually took the stick down towards the skippack trail, near the power lines before we got back to our car.
Anyhow, here's some pics from our adventures!
Best,
Karen and Tank
THE PROJECT THANKS KAREN FOR HIKING AND SHARING HER BEAUTIFUL PHOTOGRAPHY AND SUPPER COOL PUP!
YIPPIE! PARTICIPANT
SUBMISSION # 3 IS HERE!
MANY THANKS TO CARNEY AND COMPANY - FOR HIKING THE ENCAMPMENT AT VALLEY FORGE - PA's AMAZING NATIONAL HISTORIC PARK !
Here's Karen's Submission:
We found stick #10 💕my 3 sons posed with it at Valley Forge National Park!
THE PROJECT THANKS KAREN FOR ESPECIALLY FOR PASSING ON THE LOVE OF HIKING WITH HER CHILDREN AND SHOWING THEM OUR AMAZING WORLD!
YIPPIE! PARTICIPANT
SUBMISSION # 4 IS HERE!
THANKS SO MUCH TO CECILY AND HER FAMILY - FOR TAKING TIME TO HIKE WITH THE "BLACK BIRD SINGING STICK" AT VALLEY FORGE !
Here's Cecily's Submission:
Me, my mom, and boyfriend found number ten walkabout talkabout stick! We hiked for awhile with it and looked it over and noticed it was based off of Black Bird by the Beatles and that was the song we played for my dad’s funeral. It felt like a sign from my dad and it was such a coincidence because yesterday was my aunts memorial and she loved to sing and it felt good to find it. We really appreciate you doing this and I cant wait to find more!!
Cecily
THANK YOU TO CECILY FROM THE PROJECT AND JOLIE. WE ALL SHARE A LOVE FOR "BLACK BIRD" BY THE BEATLES AND JOLIE THINKS OF HER DAD WHEN SHE HEARS IT AS WELL. THE BRILLIANT SUNSHINE IN YOUR PHOTO SAYS IT ALL. xo
YIPPIE! PARTICIPANT
SUBMISSION # 5 IS HERE!
MATTHEW AND HIS DOG BEAT THE HEAT WENT FOR A SWIM NEAR THE COVERED BRIDGE AT VALLEY CREEK
Here's Matthew's Submission:
We were right by the white covered bridge on Valley Creek Trail at VF park! Feel free to share!
HEY THERE MATTHEW! THE PROJECT LOVE, LOVES DOGS AND YOURS IS SUPER CUTE! THANKS FOR SHARING!
YIPPIE! PARTICIPANT
SUBMISSION # 6 IS HERE!
LYNN SPENT TIME TAKING IN THE SPLENDOR OF THE INSECTS INHABITANTS AT BRYN CO-ED!
Here's Lynn's Submission:
A walk in the meadows!
At the Natural Lands Bryn Coed Preserve, I found a walking stick. It was designed with a beetle like bug and gentle greens and yellows.This matched the wonderful fields of the Preserve.
Walking, with my friend, and carrying the stick reminded me to watch for the insects flying, walking or hiding in
the field.
It is natural for me to look for the flowers, the birds and the general beauty of the
walking area. The spring flowers were still in bloom, the bushes were ready to
ripen with berries , the new grasses that had been more recently planted were
abundant. There was joy in seeing this area reverting to a natural setting.
The birds made a cacophony of sounds all around us. We happened upon a
proper bird watcher taking photos of birds.
The difference that the stick prodded us towards was to actually look for the
insects that were all around us. We viewed many bees, many butterflies and all sorts of insects that flew over the fields! It was a time to stop and see how
important these insects are to the life of the world around us.
Thanks for sharing your stick with us!
Lynn Boukalik
THANK YOU LYNN, FOR ALWAYS NOTICING AND SHARING THE THINGS YOU APPRECIATE ABOUT OUR ENVIRONMENT. YES, INSECTS ARE CREATURES SELDOM RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR GREAT CONTRIBUTION AT THE BASE OF OUR FOOD WEB, FOR THEIR INVALUABLE ROLE IN THE POLLINATION OF OUR CROPS, AND, FOR THEIR MAJOR FUNCTION IN THE DECOMPOSITION OF ORGANIC MATERIALS IN OUR ENVIRONMENT. THIS PROJECT DEFINITELY DIGS BUGS!
YIPPIE! PARTICIPANT
SUBMISSION # 7 IS HERE!
CHRIS TOOK A HIKE IN VALLEY FORGE WITH STICK NUMBER 10!
Here's Chris's Submission:
Thanks for the walk, stick 10 is waiting here for its next companion!
WE KNOW THAT BENCH IN VALLEY FORGE - IT'S NOT TOO FAR FROM THE COVERED BRIDGE NEAR VALLEY CREEK IS IT? THANKS FOR FINDING A GREAT LOCATION FOR SENDING IT OFF AGAIN WITH SUCH CHEERFUL VIBES!
