Walking to Waterford
by Denise Janus

Day two of the portage.  We got up a little after 6 a.m. and the re-enactors had already prepared a hearty breakfast of eggs and bacon for us.  I rolled up my sleeping bag, put it by the vehicle, and stumbled in a sleepy daze over to breakfast.  After eating we hit the road headed for Waterford and the Le Boeuf Museum; tonight’s camp. I haven’t walked this much since touring Europe 4 years ago, so this is really catching up with me!  At the Museum, we again were greeted by members of the Compagnie LeBoeuf with snacks and water.  We relaxed and toured the Fort LeBoeuf Museum and talked with the public who had been invited to stop by and see us. Thank you Geoffrey Domowicz of the Compagnie Franches de la Riviere au Boeuf for all of your help in setting up the portage, we couldn’t have done it without you! 

We toured the Judson House and then the Eagle Hotel across the street, courtesy of Zona Miller, president of Waterford Area Historical.  Mrs. Miller also treated us, re-enactors and all (huge group!) to lunch at the Hotel!  The food is amazing and the portions plentiful!  Thank you so much Mrs. Miller!!!!!  I had the meatloaf and sweet potato casserole and it was the best I’ve ever had!  I couldn’t finish it all, and amazingly Dr. Gerhart couldn’t finish his lunch either, which shocked us all; we laugh at how much Dr. Gerhart can eat.

With our stomachs full, some of us went back to relax, while others went to the waterpark or the beach. Since the walk knocked me out, I collapsed on my sleeping bag at 1:30 p.m. and slept until 7:45 p.m. Around 8 o’clock we got together for dinner. After a round of guitar and singing from Dr. Gerhart, we hit the hay.