Westfield River with The BUMS
Where: Mr. Beaver's Paradise (Westfield River) When: 7/27-28, 2002 With: The B.U.M.S. Back in The Day, putting a hike together for the four members of the Brotherhood of Universal Mutual Stupidity (a.k.a. The BUMS, a.k.a. The Stupids) involved a few quick phone calls and some decision-making about destination, transportation and food. The years have added many layers of other considerations however. We've many miles between us, and there are kids and schedules and responsibilities and....well, it's pretty rare and special when we can pull it all together. The last time we all gathered was in 1999 for our last Collinsville trip, and this year's trip almost didn't happen. A number of dates were proposed, rejected, agreed upon, rescinded and it began to look like we'd have to wait another year. Like the clouds parting to reveal a patch of blue sky however, our schedules shifted, a date opened up and lo and behold, we could all make it. So we locked in the dat...