Adirondack Outing

During the time that the late Don Burnap, and his wife, the late Dorothy Burnap, still lived in Old Forge, New York, my husband, George Armour (now deceased) had retired and he and I had begun to spend six months at our camp on the Fulton Chain of Lakes. Don Burnap had also retired from his longtime work as the Mailboat Captain for the Old Forge, New York, Post Office.

My book "HeartWood: "The Adirondack Homestead Life of W. Donald Burnap" tells the story of Don Burnap's life from an infant in 1900 through his days on the Mailboat. In five years, and with the help of slide programs in various towns, I sold 5,000 copies. A Sixth edition is in print now and for sale at www.pollywood.org/heartwood .

Once a week, I drove from our camp to Old Forge to get groceries. Before going to the store, I would stop and visit with the Burnaps.

George preferred to stay at camp. He had special hobbies that he could pursue from his Morris chair. He talked to people on his CB radio. Sometimes he gave helpful information to drivers. He also liked to keep track of happenings in the woods, the activity of small chipmunks, birds, and even deer who came by.

Don had become blind. On one visit, Don said to me, "Dorothy and I have an invitation to have lunch with a longtime friend who lives in a town not too far away. Dorothy only drives to Old Forge. Our friend said if we could get someone to drive us, our driver would be welcome to have lunch, also. He said, "Would you be able to take us?" I agreed.

The day for our trip came, and after not too long a drive, we reached the home of Marion B. Tubbs. Marion and her husband greeted us. Mr.Tubbs said, "Folks, come into the parlor with me. Marion is not quite ready with lunch."

Soon, however, Marion called us to the dining room. There she had our lunch ready. Marion honored us with a linen tablecloth and linen napkins. We had soup first, then the main course, and last, a fancy dessert. Each of us also had a little paper cup of mints. Marion Tubbs proved to be a wonderful hostess and an interesting conversationalist. I didn't know she was also a poet.

After lunch, Marion read some of her poetry to us. She had two copies of one of her poems and gave a copy to me. Our paths didn't cross again. In a few years, I heard that she had passed on. I have wondered if anyone ever published her poetry.

A year or so later, Ken Sprague, in the Old Forge, "Adirondack Express" wrote of Marion's busy life as a teacher in Inlet, New York. I wished I had known her better. Marion's poem that she gave to me, will follow.