Eugene C. Bingham

[emerald]

I found a Wikipedia article about Professor Bingham today. It doesn't provide much information I didn't already know, but it does include a photograph.

Maybe others know something more they can add.

[emerald]

Anyone remember the poem contributed by Boyd Sponaugle to KTA's Guide to the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania published circa 1977? I expect Professor Bingham would have approved.

In Pennsylvania's rocky hills where walking is great pleasure
A change is taking place at last to convert to metric measure

If you know it, add a few lines...

[shelterbuilder]

The wikipedia article has, as one of its references, an article written by Paul Lehman for the Berks County Historical Society, which is a great overview of the AT project in Berks County and Pennsylvania. Paul was one of BMECC's "Old Guard" from the just after the original footpath-construction era. He knew a lot of BMECC's "Big Names", from what I've heard. I read through the article - I only found only one date that was wrong (about the William Penn shelter), but the article itself was great.

Boyd Sponaugle!!! I haven't seen THAT name in years. I heard that he's retired from working with NPS and may be re-joining BMECC...it would be great to have him back working with the club again.

Poor Dr. Bingham - no metric change-over for the AT!

[emerald]

Boyd Sponaugle!!! I haven't seen THAT name in years. I heard that he's retired from working with NPS and may be re-joining BMECC ... it would be great to have him back working with the club again.

He's still a member according to a list in my possession if not yours. It would be in BMECC's best interest to encourage him to become more involved. Just think what must be stored in his head about corridor lands BMECC now has a part in managing and information he could pass on to other members. He could be quite an asset.

[ki0eh]

Maybe someone will remember the poem contributed by Boyd Sponaugle to KTA's Guide to the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania published about 1977. I expect Professor Bingham would have approved.

In Pennsylvania's rocky hills where walking is great pleasure
A change is taking place at last to convert to metric measure

If you know it, add a few lines...

If it's recoverable, attributable, and reproducible, I can think of another use for it, over on PA's longest footpath with more rocks and less backsliding. http://www.hike-mst.org/guide.html http://www.rps.psu.edu/notebook/metric.html

[emerald]

I'm not certain I can reproduce Boyd's poem accurately from memory. Surely someone has a copy of Guide to the Appalachian Trail in Pennsylvania where it appeared. It was what I carried on my own through hike in 1980.

I may have a good email address for the poem's author. Remind me if I don't send it to you within the next few days.

I fully expected The Old Fhart would reply and he may still, especially if he's PMed. He recently posted an image of a map from that edition.

[ki0eh]

Thanks to emerald for providing me contact info and to Mr. Sponaugle for his prompt response as follows:

The 1977 poem is as follows,

KILOMETERS FOREVER

In Pennsylvania's rocky hills
Where walking is great pleasure,
A change is taking place at last
To convert to metric measure.

When hiking through I ponder this
Comparing feet to meters,
Enjoying sunny Celsius
And sweating milliliters.

And deep inside the feeling's there
That if I am uncertain,
The Guide will show in kilometers
Just why my feet are hurtin'.

Boyd L. Sponaugle, Jr.


I also found the 1982 AT Guidebook edition which includes the original poem by Maurice J. Forrester, Jr., which goes as follows,

STILL MANY A MILE TO GO

In Pennsylvania's rocky hills
Where walking once was pleasure,
I'm troubled now by spectres grim
Of a world of metric measure.

I may weigh my bread in kilograms
And mark my height in meters,
I may learn to shiver Celsius
And drink my beer by liters;

But when it comes to walking trails
Up ridge and over stiles,
I know my bruised and blistered feet
Will always hike in miles.

Best wishes,

Boyd

[emerald]

Thanks much. I hadn't seen the second poem by Maurice Forrester before.

[JDCool1]

Emerald, I hope you are someone will republish the poem. It is one that should not be lost among the archives of the AT.

[emerald]

Emerald, I hope you or someone will republish the poem. It is one that should not be lost among the archives of the AT.

I believe someone did. It's now where it can be seen by the everyone in the entire world, but just to make sure, let's do it again!

The 1977 poem is as follows,


KILOMETERS FOREVER

In Pennsylvania's rocky hills
Where walking is great pleasure,
A change is taking place at last
To convert to metric measure.

When hiking through I ponder this
Comparing feet to meters,
Enjoying sunny Celsius
And sweating milliliters.

And deep inside the feeling's there
That if I am uncertain,
The Guide will show in kilometers
Just why my feet are hurtin'.

Boyd L. Sponaugle, Jr.


I also found the 1982 AT Guidebook edition which includes the original poem by Maurice J. Forrester, Jr., which goes as follows,

STILL MANY A MILE TO GO

In Pennsylvania's rocky hills
Where walking once was pleasure,
I'm troubled now by spectres grim
Of a world of metric measure.

I may weigh my bread in kilograms
And mark my height in meters,
I may learn to shiver Celsius
And drink my beer by liters;

But when it comes to walking trails
Up ridge and over stiles,
I know my bruised and blistered feet
Will always hike in miles.

Best wishes,

Boyd