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Canoeing on
Skymount Lake
(or, what Skymount looks like today)
July 2008
Message from Tobi Goldberg
Hello All!
I have been thrilled to get emails from so
many people. The first person who found me
using Google was Skippy Kreider. He was the
horseback riding instructor when I was in my
teens. Anyway, it has been a treat to
connect with so many of you. I just want to
relate my story of the past weekend.
A friend of mine has a canoe in his back
yard and we had talked about taking it out
some day. That conversation inspired me to
start looking at Skymont Lake again. (http://www.fishingnotes.com/lakeinfo.php?id=26951)
Friday, I decided to take a ride to camp to
see what was there and how the lake looked.
I did not want to haul a canoe all the way
there and be disappointed. I took all the
familiar back roads.
The road at the front
entrance is now named Camp Skymount Road. I
am not quite sure when it becomes Long Road
again.
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The sign that
greets everyone. |
New road sign
going in the front way. |
It was a little odd to drive up the road as
I approached camp. Many things have changed.
And once you get to camp all the landmarks
are gone. No G6, no dinning room, or office,
no entrance to the campfire and no boy's
hill full of cabins.
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My first new view
of the lake. |
The old dock |
The Quonset hut is still there and the round
patch of concrete where the trampoline was
(that was originally a roller skating rink
for those of you who don't know the
history). The tennis courts next to the hut
is where people park now.
View of the Quonset hut from the
lake
(built in the late '60s). |
The weeping willow trees that were
at the
deep end of the pool. |
The weeping willow trees that were at the
deep end of the pool are still there, but of
course, no pool. It was disorienting as I
looked around to see if I could find
familiar spots.
There were two fishermen getting ready to go
fishing as I pulled up. I told them this was
the lake my father build. They were very
interested in the history. They told me how
this was a very special lake and that people
keep it a secret so it would not get too
crowded. It is a passive lake (no motor
boats) and catch and release fishing. I felt
so proud that it was special. My parents
would have been too.
There is a huge area that is mowed leading
down to the lake. The men told me they think
the gun club nearby takes care of it. The
Quonset hut was locked so I imagine the
mowing equipment is in there.
 I knocked on the house where G6 used to be
(a near as I can tell) and no one was home.
I walked across the road and found someone
at home. He is the person who has most of
the boys hill land now. He was very cordial
and took me to where the water tower still
is (left) as well as the stone foundation that we
used as a rifle range and minor camping out.
The grill across from the office is
overgrown, but we could still see it. He has
preserved a see- saw that had been installed
in 1950. I was in part envious, and then
glad that someone who obviously loved this
area had the property.
I did not go looking for the fields or
basketball courts or stable area. It was
very overgrown and I did not want to get
poison ivy!
The next day I packed a picnic lunch and off
we went with my friend's canoe on the top of
his car. I was so excited to be doing this.
It was an amazing day. I pointed out all the
landmarks as we drove up. The A Treat sign
at the Naceville Hotel, Wolf's garage that
use to belong to Johnny Brasak. The candy
store that is now a house.
We easily got the canoe in the water and off
we went. I can't say that is was all
familiar, but the lily pads were there and
the cat tails were around the perimeter.
There were nooks and crannies that I don't
remember, but it was still magical .
Across the lake is a new path that someone
has created that goes around to where the
dock used to be. It was a wonderful walk.
One can go fishing from the shore by walking
all around the path. We saw an egret and a
blue heron, red winged black birds and birds
I did not know. We never saw the snapping
turtles but have been warned that they are
there.
If you are a fisherman this spot is the
best. If you just like to get away from it
all and enjoy hearing the sounds of nature
in between the silence it is wonderful. I
felt so pleased.
It was such a great day.
This lake and the changed surroundings have
become my new reality for Camp Skymount. I
feel very lucky that the lake is still
there. I was actually feeling very
possessive about the area and went around
picking up the little bit of debris that was
there. Apparently, people are very
respectful and keep the place clean. FYI if
you ever go. There are no facilities. It is
totally rustic!
Let's keep spreading the word about camp...
A friend suggested that I get an events
planner to help if we ever decide to have a
reunion! (See the REUNION page to add your
two cents.)
My next project is to get all the 16mm
movies onto a digital format. If anyone has
experience with this or suggestions please
let me know
All the best,
Tobi
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