Camp Cowaw Nature Lodge by Snake Hunter
The nature lodge at Camp Cowaw was situated
directly over a steep and shady ravine at the far end of camp. Tall hemlocks and
leafy
rhododendrons grew
throughout the ravine and surrounded the lodge, imparting a natural, deep woods
cathedral like atmosphere to the location. The ravine itself was an excellent
and natural wildlife habitat, with an especially good salamander hunting area,
and a trickling water course that gurgled slowly down to the river. To get to
the lodge one had to cross over on a rickety wooden foot bridge. The nature
lodge was by far the most interesting area of camp. Outside was the open turtle
pen, populated with local Box and Wood turtles. On the other sides were cages
with raccoons, opossums and skunks. Inside were the snakes. There were water
snakes, garter snakes, black snakes, King Snakes, and in one big tank, the
rattlesnakes.
Tony Massopust, our high school Biology
teacher and avid scout
enthusiast, spent his summers
living in the back bunk of the nature
lodge while directing the camp’s nature programs. He also personally collected
many of the lodge’s creatures. After I told him of my interest in herpetology,
he would allow me to come along on his collecting trips. He would take us up to
Sunfish Pond on a snake hunt or
down by the river for a frog hunt. We once found
and captured a blue headed Green frog. Mr. Mass was perplexed, as he had never
seen (nor had I) a Green frog with a blue head. It was a great addition to the
nature lodge’s collection. These hikes were the first time we had traveled into
the heart of the dark forest, the furthest we had ever been from civilization.
Three whole miles!