Wednesday, October 2

Jordan called us about a week ago and asked if we were interested in a day trip to Potter County. (Yes, we were interested.) He wanted to show us where he goes hunting and wanted to see where Cerwin went hunting – for fifty years – from 1957 to 2007. Jordan and Cerwin have discussed the location of their hunting places and knew they had to be fairly close.

We left home just before 10 am. Our first stop was for lunch at Martin’s Pantry, Liberty, PA. This is usually a stop for Jordan when he goes to Potter County.

It was an interesting stop with lots of things to test our shopping resistance.

My view as we waited for our lunch to be prepared. Cerwin and I shared a panini. Jordan had a sandwich and his other grandma (Lois) enjoyed a panini.

The mountains in northern Pennsylvania are beginning to change colors.

Driving into Coudersport brought back many memories for Cerwin – from fifty years of hunting in the area.

Just before arriving at Jordan’s hunting “cabin” we saw two flocks of turkeys. Every one (maybe 8-9 in each flock) ran into the woods as Jordan slowed his truck. The dark spots in the center and upper right are vanishing turkeys. Both flocks appeared to be mothers with youngsters that were hatched in spring.

This is the house (owned by friends of Jordan) where he enjoys hunting.

Jordan helps them plant a lot of food plots (mostly corn and soybeans) with a hunting blind near the corn.

A view of their fields from the front of the house.

I was fascinated by the damage done by bear and deer – in the field surrounded by electric fence.

These are two of my favorite pictures from the day – Jordan and Grandpa walking and talking hunting.

Jordan is carrying a small case which holds camera cards. He has a lot of field cameras in the area and exchanges the cards in the camera with new ones. Then he has fun examining them at home – to see what animals are in the area.

A tree stand

This is his main field camera. It sends pictures to his cell phone when a photo is taken due to motion. Lois and I waved to the camera. Jordan showed us the picture on his cell phone. 🙂

Jordan and Grandma Wells

Walking back to the house.

Some woodsy beauty

Another view of the hunting blind.

This pretty path near the house called Lois and me into the woods.

Jordan and Cerwin (mostly hidden) soon followed us.

They were going after more camera cards.

I told Lois and the guys that I would want to live here if I was a deer. It is beautiful.

While they went off path and deeper into the woods, Lois and I explored the beauty around us.

Before long the guys returned – still discussing stuff in the woods – maybe hunting.

I decided it was time for a few grandma pictures. 🙂

Jordan wanted to make sure the electric fence was working and not taken down anywhere. All the crop damage inside the fence demonstrated that animals were jumping over or going under the fence somewhere. Cerwin and Lois relaxed on the porch while I walked around to find more beauty with my camera lens.

Flowers next to the house.

I walked up to the fence – making sure not to touch it – to look for signs of animals. I could hear the surge of electric as I walked close to the source of power. Notice the hoof prints of deer?

A pile of bear scat.

Jordan got back from his fence exam just before it began to rain. He said the fence looked good.

As we drove toward Cerwin’s former hunting cabin Jordan showed us where the sheriff lived and pointed out a deer. Wow! talk about good camouflage.

She stood perfectly still. Notice her foot placement in each photo.

By the end of the day we probably saw 18 -20 deer.

Our next stop was where Cerwin used to hunt. It is gated, so we couldn’t get any closer. You can see the roof of the cabin through the trees. Cerwin thinks it is less than a mile from where Jordan hunts – as the crow flies. It was probably a four to five-mile drive on the road.

When Cerwin hunted here, the sign read Mountain Raiders. It was owned by some of the guys with whom he hunted. They sold it several years ago when there was no longer interest in keeping a hunting cabin.

He continues to keep in touch with the guys – at a Saturday breakfast at Bird-in-Hand Restaurant – every three months.

After visiting the two hunting spots, we headed southwest to Elk County. Jordan was interested in seeing the Elk at Benezette. (Yes, we are going there a second time in nine days! :)) It was about an hour and a half drive.

Scenery along the way.

We were hoping the fog wouldn’t hinder our elk viewing evening. We saw one – a female – in a field shortly after entering Elk County.

We drove through more rain, but it was dry and pleasant by the time we stopped a Benezette Store and Restaurant for supper.

Our first view of an a elk at the Visitor’s Center was its large horns as it came out of the woods.

They moved a little closer as the horse-drawn carriage went through the meadow.

He kept trying to keep his harem in one area.

The viewing area is filled with lots of people during the rut in September and October.

We were hoping they would come closer, but they all stayed close to the edge of the meadow.

The guys with binoculars and long lens said there were seven females and one male.

We could hear some other males bugling, but he is the only one we saw in the meadow.

These guys weren’t making any changes and none of the other bulls were moving in, so we decided to go to another area before dark. I was hoping that Jordan and Lois could see one a bit closer.

Some of the other people were moving on as well.

I got my wish very quickly as a nice bull was standing close to the exit driveway.

We saw a few more in meadows and fields as we drove around the area. We estimate that we saw fourteen. Not a large number, but it was a fun way to spend the evening.

It began to rain again as we headed home. The timing of the rain was perfect for our day – it only rained when we were in the car.

Thank you, Jordan, for a fabulous day.