Frank (The Muskie) Maus
My good friend, Frank Maus and I planned for this winter hike despite the cold temperatures. The trek’s beginning was at Rosston, Pa at the site where Crooked Creek enpties into the mighty Allegheny River. The hike would takes us south past the site of the old community of Logansport. The small village is now gone and all that is present is coal mining operations.
The temperature in the morning was single digit number around 7 degrees. Being the hardy (some may say stupid) individuals we just bundled appropriately and headed off for the approximately 5 mile hike. The river was about 99% frozen over. We pointed out the number of tracks on the ice and snow as deer, fox and coyote cross from one side to the other.
1902 Railroad Bridge
The walk began with the crossing on the rails to trail bridge built on the old 1902 railroad bridge. The first thing of interest were the number of deer tracks utilizing this bridge. Frank told me of a hunt of chasing deer and when he was following them was uncertain as to where they went. Their tracks told the tale!
We continued south on the trail forcing our boots through the eight inches of snow. We discussed the various sights as we walked. At one point we stopped to gaze upon the rocky outcrops and some fox tracks when the red fox suddenly ran out along the high side. We saw it go back and forth three times. Later on I could see movement high in a tree. We shortly decided we were seeing a balloon.
The walk proved to be a “gab” session as well as a walk! We talked hunting and fishing. Frankie and I fish occasionally together for muskies on the river. As usual our topics end up with laughs over the place we worked those 30 plus years and the fellows we worked with. Always a howl!!
Crows on the ice.
Other critter observations of the morning were some geese circling an open area of water; cardinals; and some crows.
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