COLUMNIST ROQUEMORE'S CORNER
2025 February 14
Cedar Key resident and Cedar Key Beacon columnist Susan Engle Roquemore has compiled her writings into two wonderfully and cleverly titled books:
The large trail map at the campground entrance shows a trail climbing a peak called “Panther Mountain.” Several miles up the trail is a viewpoint called “Giant Ledge.” Sounds good! The climb up to the Ledge is easy; I haven’t forgotten how to do it. Flopping down on the rocky surface, my lunch bandana (only slightly soiled) and actual sandwiches (no peanut butter and crackers for these hikers) spread on the Ledge, we
Perhaps it is the perfect setting. Perhaps it is the endorphins juicing our systems after the climb up Panther Mountain. Perhaps it is simply longing to be on the Appalachian Trail again. We had completed all the miles of the trail the previous year, although in somewhat of a fractured hike because of my broken leg. I look at my partner and say, “You know…” He says, “I know.” Just then, in one of many surreal moments of my life, something comes into view, seemingly at our feet, rising from the valley floor and finally hanging in space at eye level. It is huge—a blimp—and on its side is emblazoned “MTV.” In the valley below are a half-million music lovers enjoying Bob Dylan and Crosby, Stills & Nash and who knows who else, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the legendary Woodstock. This is not the woodsy experience we seek. That wood smoke back at the campground wasn’t from wood—the smoke was too sweet. We decide to leave the next morning to
explore the mountains of the Adirondacks, a different kind of high. Thanks to the Catskills, however, a bargain has been struck. Next year we will return to our Appalachian Trail and try to do it the “right way” (our right way), end-to-end in one continuous hike, a thru-hike.
For now it is more mountains, the Adirondacks, rocky, craggy, more difficult than most of the Appalachian Trail peaks.
Turn Left at the Big Osprey Nest and
Water Under the Number 4 Bridge: A Memoir of the Beacon Years (1988-1993)
Water Under the Number 4 Bridge: A Memoir of the Beacon Years (1988-1993)
These books are currently sold at:
the Cedar Key Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center,
the Cedar Key Historical Society Museum,
the Florida’s Nature Coast Conservancy events,
and the Woman’s Club.
These organizations receive the book’s full sales price.
the Cedar Key Chamber of Commerce Welcome Center,
the Cedar Key Historical Society Museum,
the Florida’s Nature Coast Conservancy events,
and the Woman’s Club.
These organizations receive the book’s full sales price.
For your reading pleasure and enjoyment of an incisive, often humorous
view of Cedar Key two decades ago, Ms. Roquemore and the Cedar Key News intend to publish selected articles monthly.
view of Cedar Key two decades ago, Ms. Roquemore and the Cedar Key News intend to publish selected articles monthly.
Cedar Key News hopes you enjoy the articles. If you do, and should you purchase one or both books, the above non-profit organizations will certainly appreciate the effort.
A MEMORY OF WOODSTOCK II
(From A Little Trail Romance, Susan & David Roquemore 2022)
With our travel trailer in tow we pull into Woodland Valley Campground in the Catskill Mountains of New York. We both have missed our mountains all year and crave a little hiking with ups and downs. Smoke is in the air; this will be a woodsy experience, a return to trail memories. Time for lunch since we have checked into the campground early. I think a picnic lunch on a mountainside is indicated.
The large trail map at the campground entrance shows a trail climbing a peak called “Panther Mountain.” Several miles up the trail is a viewpoint called “Giant Ledge.” Sounds good! The climb up to the Ledge is easy; I haven’t forgotten how to do it. Flopping down on the rocky surface, my lunch bandana (only slightly soiled) and actual sandwiches (no peanut butter and crackers for these hikers) spread on the Ledge, we
settle back to enjoy lunch and the beautiful view over Woodland Valley.
Perhaps it is the perfect setting. Perhaps it is the endorphins juicing our systems after the climb up Panther Mountain. Perhaps it is simply longing to be on the Appalachian Trail again. We had completed all the miles of the trail the previous year, although in somewhat of a fractured hike because of my broken leg. I look at my partner and say, “You know…” He says, “I know.” Just then, in one of many surreal moments of my life, something comes into view, seemingly at our feet, rising from the valley floor and finally hanging in space at eye level. It is huge—a blimp—and on its side is emblazoned “MTV.” In the valley below are a half-million music lovers enjoying Bob Dylan and Crosby, Stills & Nash and who knows who else, celebrating the 25th anniversary of the legendary Woodstock. This is not the woodsy experience we seek. That wood smoke back at the campground wasn’t from wood—the smoke was too sweet. We decide to leave the next morning to
explore the mountains of the Adirondacks, a different kind of high. Thanks to the Catskills, however, a bargain has been struck. Next year we will return to our Appalachian Trail and try to do it the “right way” (our right way), end-to-end in one continuous hike, a thru-hike.
For now it is more mountains, the Adirondacks, rocky, craggy, more difficult than most of the Appalachian Trail peaks.
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