The long anticipated walk into "The Moats" with National Park Service personnel finally came to pass (after the snow and slush melted away) on May 15th. Husband (The Honorable) Bob and I had a very pleasant interview with Mountain Supervisor Thomas Wagner at his office in Laconia last winter. There was much discussion about whether Gordon Jackson and Mike Undercofler were arrested or only cited for "cutting a root" in the Moat Mountain mineral collecting area. Mr. Wagner suggested, and I enthusiastically agreed, that we should arrange a walk into the area in question when spring came.

However, as the winter dragged on, I was overtaken by a great many worries: The snow wouldn’t melt till May and the black flies would arrive the next day. Whatever date I picked, the members of the Saco Valley Gem and Mineral Club and the Capital Mineral Club wouldn’t be able to attend. The National Park Service people would change their minds. I felt it was imperative that Gordon Jackson and Mike Undercofler should go, and I definitely wanted Mr. Wagner to be there. But, because of previous commitments I began to feel as if I was trying to herd cats. Phone conversations with Mr. Terry Miller, District Ranger of the Saco area, made me a little nervous since he kept referring to the "need to protect vegetation." That, to my mind, was the crux of the misunderstandings. Several times he asked me how many of "my people" I expected to show up for this walk-about. I listed six or seven people who I thought would attend, and their titles in the clubs. However, if a bit wary, Mr. Miller seemed very pleasant.

Mike and Gordon very kindly agreed to pick me up at Dunkin’ Donuts in Plymouth, then we would meet everyone else at the Moat collecting area parking lot. At 9:50 a.m. we arrived to find Dick Dennison already there, and Marlene and Bob York came just behind us, then Mr. Wagner with Mr. Miller and a third ranger in another car. Bill Brown wasn’t able to attend, so I was pleased when Bob Carrey from Berwick, Maine drove up. He, along with Jonathan Herndon, was very much involved in the Deer Hill controversy. Also, Mr. Miller lives in Fryeburg so it was good to have a representative of Maine collectors.

Finally, a car pulled abruptly into the parking lot and out jumped Mr. Robert Smith of "root police" and "citation" fame. He was the ranger who apprehended Gordon and Mike. Mr. Smith arrived in his class A uniform with all the trappings, including a sidearm. I’m convinced that he thought I was going to show up with a gang of mineral collecting cohorts. Having ascertained that there were only seven of us, he took off his sidearm, which was certainly a relief to all.

Terry Miller took us on a circular trek around the Moat Mt. Collecting area, which he certainly knew better than I did. Conversation was most congenial. Tom Wagner stressed that the White Mountain National Forest is "The Land of Many Uses." Both men suggested that undermining big trees was a bit excessive and dangerous, but they agreed that a reasonable disturbing of the under-growth would certainly be expected in our hobby. They also agreed that our collecting was of scientific interest.

We told the Rangers that our Clubs wanted to be involved and we wanted to be kept informed if there are any problems. Both Rangers spoke of the need to have more signs designating the Moat Mountain’s Collecting Areas. That would be especially useful for casual tourists.

The Park Service trio had an afternoon commitment, so we parted company at noon after an exchange of business cards. The rest of us continued on to Wendy’s in Conway for lunch. I was elated over the pleasant good feeling among all present on the walk.

Thanks again to Mike for driving all the way from Hudson, who had to work, but gave me some good suggestions on questions to ask and comments to make. Thanks to Marlene who bravely brought up the question of the Government Pits. "Yes", she was told, "responsible collecting would be ok there, too." And finally, thanks to Dick for picking up the check, saying it was a club expense.

                                                                                        Pat Barker