During the the second week of June Carmine, K3CWP, and Elaine, K3ERP, attended a conference in Wellsboro, Pennsylvania, home of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. Wellsboro is a quaint and charming little town and the Grand Canyon is worth a trip to Leonard B. Harrison State Park or Colton Point State Park. Both parks have spectular views of the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon. But back to renewing old acquaintances.

After settling into our hotel room I programmed the Wellsboro two meter repeater, NR3K, into my handheld. Walking to dinner I put out a ‘Listening’ call.  N3FVP, Gerry, answered me with, “Carmine, you must be lost.” What a pleasant surprise! I haven’t talked to Gerry for a decade or more.

Gerry was an over the road truck driver and frequently used the W3YA repeater in State College while traveling on Interstate 80. After updating each other we signed off and Elaine and I went to dinner.

The next afternoon we decided to go to Leonard B. Harrison State Park to view the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon.  I started another conversation with WB3DLN, Dale, and Gerry popped in again. Gerry pointed out that his wife Debbie, N3FVQ, worked at the Leonard B. Harrison Park Store. I’ve also talked to Debbie in the past so it was nice to meet her in person.  I made a wrong turn enroute and Gerry and Dale got me back on the correct route.

That night I also checked into the Wellsboro net.

On the last day of the conference while we were leaving town we talked to NM3O, Mike, and Gerry again.

Thanks to everyone in Wellsboro for a welcoming stay and the surprise connection to Gerry after all these years. Ham radio makes these trips a lot more enjoyable!