Howard James (Jimmy) Topping

Happy Birthday, Jimmy

Happy Birthday Jimmy,
I’ll bet your hearing from me is a real surprise. Do you remember when we went on our Easter Break Little Hoosick River hike and fishing trip? I think it was probably in our freshman year in high school. God must have been with us when we got a ride in that lumberjack’s truck. Two young boys sitting in the cab with a lumberjack driving on the lonely deep forest mountain road in the Berlin Mountains. Anything could have happened but didn’t. We then hiked from Berlin to about 90% of the way to Petersburg, and set up our tent. I was so tired after that long walk that I laid down on my sleeping bag for a nap before getting up to fix dinner. A big man on a horse appeared outside our tent. I was so scared that I thought I might have to clean out my pants; I’m certain I only packed one spare pair of underpants trying to keep the knapsack light. He was really nice. He invited us to have dinner with his family. We must have been camping for several days. I can’t remember if we even caught any fish, but I do remember that this was the best fishing trip ever. Thanks Jimmy.