I remember, like it was yesterday as a kid hearing taps from Camp Alton through the woods in the summers while on Barndoor where we have a cottage.
I went to Camp Belknap for several summers. When I made the Ball team at Belknap, I learned that Camp Alton was our friendly rival. I was excited about getting to leave Belknap in a van to go play at Camp Alton. I envisioned escaping like Steve McQueen and swimming over to our house on Barndoor and hiding out, but for a 10 year old that was a far swim.
The groves of mature trees on the Camp Alton property were magnificent. I can close my eyes and remember the smell and sound of the breeze as it came through the canopies from the lake.
It was a incredible piece of land... and still is.
Nowadays, to pacify myself, I always remember that in the early 19th century, almost all of the trees surrounding the lake were cut down to make land for farmers and to supply the lumber mills, etc.
Like those trees that were cut down then, after the farmers or occupants left the area, a new population of trees found their niche and grew to fill in what we are enjoying now.
The trees that Mr. Bahre planted are growing in beautifully and beginning to mask the scars of construction much like what happened in the early 19th century. The forest will reclaim itself.
I was bummed out to see the development of the Camp into the estate. My childhood memories of hearing taps on those summer evenings will go with me to the grave.
I think all things considered, his estate was better than any multi cluster townhome development that was popular back then.
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