April 3, 2016 

 

On the death of a friend, we should consider that the fates through confidence have devolved on us the task of a double living, that we have henceforth to fulfill the promise of our friend’s life also, in or own, to the world.                        

                             Henry David Thoreau, Feb 28, 1840

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     I’ve tried for the past month to make sense of all of that has happened. I’ve spent most of my time utterly without words to express what I have been feeling, because I’m not quite sure what it is that I have felt – loss, regret, abandonment, guilt, inadequacy, and more? Loss of a true friend and brother, regret that I hadn’t done more to move our projects along faster, a twinge of feeling left behind to fend for myself, guilt that much of what we had accomplished was stolen from my office and we would have to recreate it to move ahead, and the inadequacy of having to go it alone if it was to be done, are just a few thoughts that have plowed through my skull. Where do I go from here?

      I came to the point that it was time to follow the lead of Gypsy Jack and talk to the masters – old men with beards -  to see what it was I should do, and along comes old Henry David with the exact counsel needed to get on with things. The physical man is gone, the remains of his life – his accumulations – may soon follow. But as I read over and over how Steve’s spirit remains in the hearts of all those who loved him, he is still with us in a very real way. He passed on his knowledge, his passion for learning, his unusual perspective on how things should relate, to every one of us. If we leave those parts scattered, then we really will lose what is left of this amazing soul. So I have a proposal.

     I mentioned to Cindy the possibility of continuing the Watts and Wescott brand and she agreed that it should stay alive. I have amassed a huge collection of materials, but most of the notes and pictures I had from the past couple of years, during the development of the Kamp Kephart workshops and articles we had in the works for different magazines, were stolen a few weeks ago. I’m beginning again to complete what we started – The Watts and Wescott Classic Camping Series will be a reality. My proposal to the Acorn Patrol, is that you are now the source of what Steve taught during those workshops - I begged him to record at least the introductions to the classes so the depth of his research wouldn’t be lost – would you be willing/interested in helping to recreate these materials from your notes and photos? I’ll throw it out there as something to think about and we can discuss it at our Kephart Days meeting. 

     I am not Steve Watts and would never assume that roll, but I know how I would feel if he dropped the ball, if the shoe were on the other foot. I have a promise to fulfill, and I hope you will be a part of that journey. I’m looking forward to seeing and camping with you all.     Dave Wescott

 

P.S. This is a short version of a long explanation that I hope we can explore further.

​                           Happy Camping and Blue Skies,

                                            Old Gringo