On to Hilltop Stud Farm, Wycoff, New Jersy, Day 17, Tuesday, June 15,1976....12mi

Signs like this were distributed to communities ahead of time so they could spread the word about the Wagon Train.

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Journal Entry : Day 17, Tuesday June 15,1976,  to Hilltop Stud Farm, Wycoff, NJ.....12mi

Started late this morning because of Lyle-  had to wait almost ½ hour because he just takes his time hitching up the Maine Wagon. 

Rainy Morning at Holiday Farms Condominiums..  Photo credit:Terry Veinot

 It was raining “cats & dogs”.  Stopped raining about 10 am, sun came out and then it went into the 90s. 

"Water Buffalos" were our only water source 

 I am sick with what ever it is that everyone else has but even so I drove the team most of the day & Lee rode G. Most of the water we have been drinking is being delivered in a "Water Buffalo" . We don't know if that is what is causing everybody to get sick...but Lee is  the only one so far not to get sick. We think it's because he only drinks warm Miller's Lite !

We have been driving Thunder every day without any problems. He is a wonderful steady horse, with a fantastic personality. He is our rock !!

Thunder

 We made good time today- in by 1 pm and then slept all afternoon.  Tonight there must be at least five thousand people at  this beautiful farm.  Lee took G out in one of the paddocks to shoe her and I am watching the wagon and the other horses. There is a such a large crowd of people here tonight I dare not leave the wagon.

There are peacocks here sitting on the fences. 

 There were peacocks at the farm across the street our first night in RI. We heard them all night. Hope these guys don't keep us awake tonight.

 Stan Bashura"s Connecticut Wagon Journal for Tuesday, June15th, 1976:

      

            We would be heading for Wycoff, NJ today.  Our planned encampment is the Hilltop Stud Farm, in Wycoff,  owned by a Mr. Hoffman. According to what we were told, it was only a 12 mile trek and it's a good thing, because it's raining and I woke up very very sick with whatever is going around the camp. Gloria Boylan had was very sick a few days back, and I hear that Sheila Reynolds is sick today too.  We don't know if it's a virus or some kind of bug of sorts, or if it's in the water.  I barely got up long enough to help water and feed the horses, then I just couldn't stay on my feet, I literally almost passed out.  Thank God that Bev, Geri and Duke are here to take over, because I was out cold.  Actually they told me later, they put me in the back of the CT Wagon and that I was running a fever of 103 degrees and they were getting a little worried.  So, Duke, Bev and Geri took over as I said, and Jim Fitzpatrick from the Massachusetts Team sat in for me on the Connecticut Wagon with Duke.  Thank you Jim!!  I guess we made it okay, even a little early, around 1 or 2 pm I was told.  From what everyone said later, Duke did a fantastic job of driving the CT Wagon that day with Jim.  There were no problems.  You know how us "experienced?" Teamsters are, right? Are the collars too tight? Are the traces snapped securely? Are the bridles fit good, but not

too tight? Any loose shoes on the horses? Are the eveners loose and not binding? How's our outrider doing?  Damn!  We worry about every little thing don't we?  LOL.  All kidding aside, again, thanks to Duke, Bev and Geri, they make a great team! And thanks again to Jim Fitzpatrick for helping out!  I don't know how the crowds were that night, or even if it stopped raining.  I didn't wake up until Wednesday morning, still not great but better than yesterday.