| The Pine Creek Rafting Ass. |
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The "Pine Creek Rafting Ass." was formed in 1986 when founder Larry "Dr. Proctor" Hobdell and a small group of "educators" took the first trip to the Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania. It is through this canyon where the Pine Creek flows that an annual tradition began. The nearby town of Wellsboro was quickly occupied as the home base for this and all future trips to the "Mighty Pine" since it had the prerequisite lodging and tavern selections. Recently, we have explored the option of switching the odd years for other locations throughout the USA. If you have a suggestion, please let us know! In 2009, a trip to Harpers Ferry, WV is being considered. On the even years we usually follow an itinerary similar to the one below:The last week of April is the easy choice for the annual excursion. This coincides with the Spring rains and snow melt which push the river up to the minimum rafting level of 2.3 feet of water. During the early years the gang referred to themselves as the "Pine Creek Rafting Association". The name was sent to an embroidery shop, along with the logo of a raft, for production of hats for the gang. Alas, there was a small problem, the name was too long to fit across the brim of the hats! It became necessary to abbreviate the name and hence.. the "Pine Creek Rafting Ass." was born. All rafters gained the new designation of "Pine Creek Rafting Ass.men". (An alternate rumor circulating is as follows: I was once asked by a bartender if I was a leg man or an ass man and my pals quickly answered, "He's an ass, man!") The group grows in size each year as veterans return and rookies join in the fun. During the 2006 trip we had 18 participants. The format for the trip has always been centered on the rafting trip down the Pine Creek from Ansonia, PA to Blackwell, PA, a trip of approximately 19 miles. Other events have become tradition on the drive up to Wellsboro that include: Taking a tour of the Yuengling Brewery in Pottsville, PA or the Frontier Coal Mine in Ashland, PA are traditional first stops on the way northward. We occasionally stop in Northumberland,PA at the Corner Pocket for the highly competitive "Darby Cup" Pool Tournament.The winners take home the Darby Cup for a year. In 2008, we held our tournament at Fred's Lobster Garden (umph... In de jest shun) just north of Mansfield on the usual rafting day because of low water. We had prime rib there afterward that gave new meaning to the term "Stick to your ribs". We stop at several bars along the way for food and brewdogs including: a. Amberdeens in Frackville b. Drunken Monkey in Ashland c. Visentainer's in Mt. Carmel d. Club Fred in Montoursville e. Gaslight in Wellsboro f. 83 & Main in Wellsboro g. The Ansonia Inn in Ansonia h. McHale's in Corning, NY i. Fred's Lobster Garden in Tioga, PA j. Tom's Family Restaurant in Catawissa, PA k. Mark's Brother's Tavern in Mansfield, PA We raft on a Friday in late April because the rates are cheaper and we get the river pretty much to our selves on that day. Saturday tends to have lots of youth groups who don't understand our "Beer for Ballast" policies. Saturdays now feature the newly famous "Pine Creek Bar Trek"where we drive 30-40 miles out of town from Wellsboro and work our way back stopping at every bar we see. We must drink beer, eat greasy food and play at least one awful song on the jukebox in each boozatorium. The Twin Pines Tavern has been restored and is the site of our "Tom Turkey Shuffleboard Tournament". The winning team is honored with the Tom Turkey Plaque. We also have our "Skunk-Eye Darts Competition" at this location. A few other honors, that we can't escape from mentioning, is the individual award given to the person who best illustrates the effects of fried food and beer: the Onion Ring Award. The competition is highly creative and lingering during the entire trip until the majority gasps for mercy and declares a winner at the end of the tournament day. The winner takes home the "Pull my finger" plaque for a year. New in 2008 we added the Bull Frog Award given to the rafter who can knock down a tree with a Yuengling belch. On future trips we may be adding golf, bowling and dwarf tossing to our list. ? Sunday we drive back to the Philly area relaxed and rejuvinated for another year to our homes and/or to catch flights from PHL homeward. |
Yuengling ....it's not just for breakfast anymore!
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About the Pine Creek Rafting Ass.Webmaster
My name is Chuck Carter and my first trip to the Mighty Pine was in 1989. I have made the trip each year since no matter where I have to fly in from. I currently live in Ft. Myers, Florida "Livin la vita Fladida" and wouldn't miss the trip for ANYTHING! I have been given several nicknames along the way including: "AccuChuck" - for predicting the trip weather months in advance and hitting it on the mark, "Beano" - for defeating 250 doses and still winning the Onion Ring award, and most recently "Cruise Director" - for attempting to organize two dozen plus boozers as we have grown in size. |
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Send all of your money to the Pine Creek Rafting Ass. c/o: Chuck Carter 2249 Harvard Avenue Fort Myers, Fl 33907 Email us by clicking the link below
Pine Creek Rafting Ass. |