Eight miles east of Warren, PA is a campground in the Allegheny National Forest called Buckaloons. Sometime close to Father’s Day 2012, the future members of Chupacabra Canoe gathered for the first time; it was the eve of the trip, it was the first Buckaloons Day. Through the years, Buckaloons Day has become a highpoint for each gathering of Chupacabra Canoe; the night that travel ends but the trip on the river won’t commence until the following morning.
As we separately race to the rendezvous point on Buckaloons day, we each experience a separate anticipation of the trip to come. The night will be long as members arrive at times throughout the night. Adrenaline dips in time but then peaks with each new arrival.
- How did the trip go?
- Did you experience a flat tire or perhaps a loose propane tank that launched into a roadside cornfield?
- Were you stopped by a Pennsylvania State Trooper for excessive tint on the van windows?
- Did you struggle to keep your canoe secure atop your car? Did the canoe fly off the trailer and cause a backup on Interstate 77?
- Did you bring that bottle that you can’t wait to share with the others? Time to pop it open and toast to an eventful trip.
- What new gear did you bring? Let’s look and see what you’ve got.
- Time to get your trip T-shirt. Brood X Tour, Coronavirus Tour, on Trial for Being Great Tour, etc.
On Buckaloons day 2020, we met a band of cyclists resting up for the next day on the trail. They couldn’t wait for us to wake the next morning to wish us farewell and happy paddling!
Sometimes, you connect with an interested local, Caleb, Chris, Curtis, Chad, whatever his name is. His wisdom is profound.
“Is the river level running high?” you ask,
“Sure, except where it isn’t”, he answers.
Regardless, our experience is that of the hopeful canoeist, anticipating a trip for the ages. Regardless of the weather, the challenge, the outcome, it’s Buckaloons Day!
As Chupacabra, we ask you, on your next adventure, ponder the moment when the travel ends, when you’ve reached your destination. The car or truck or whatever got you to this point has come to rest and your feet are on the ground in your destination. This space in time; the moment between now and when your time to be “in destination” begins. This is the moment to savor. Make a toast, remember the day of travel, consider the trip to come, and consider yourself blessed to be there.
This is your Buckaloons Day. Enjoy!
JStroke
Author: JStroke
Master Canoeist since 2012
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