Hard to believe that Halloween is literally around the corner, but here we are. I’m happy for those who are about to get all gussied up in their fright-fest best, planning to hit the streets (with or without kids in tow) and attend the many ghoulish parties about to take place throughout the Upper Delaware River region… but I think I’m done. 

As a life-long devotee of all things that go bump in the night, it never occurred to me that I’d one day sour on the notion of putting on a costume while preparing to party like it’s 1999, but things change. I fear, in fact, that I’ve inadvertently lost my joie de vivre, which for those not proficient in the “language of love” means “joy of living,” an attitude that I’ve always considered myself to be an avid advocate of. 

That said, I do still get a kick out of seeing others participate, and it was with that in mind that I decided to check out an event taking place last Friday, having spied something online.

 “Join us for the 5th annual HO&WL [get it?] Haunted Trail Walk along the historic Sullivan O&W rail trail in Liberty.” 

The blurb also indicated that the event would feature “a guided haunted history hike with Sullivan County Historian John Conway” and that all were invited to “bring your family and leashed dog” (I brought her stroller—don’t judge!) and that costumes were “encouraged,” along with the promise of prizes for humans and their canine companions at the hike’s end. There folks were invited to gather at the Bridge and Tunnel Brewery. 

Admittedly, I gave a cursory glance at Gidget’s wardrobe, and although I noticed a doggy costume (or three) lurking in the drawers, I decided to skip the dress-up and chose a tasteful black hoodie (don’t go there!) for her instead, unsure that I was up to the hiking aspect of the adventure. 

I first ran into Conway, and immediately handed him my dog on a leash, asking him to “watch her for a sec” while I wrangled the aforementioned stroller, my camera, my notepad and, well…you get the idea. Without batting an eye, John immediately took Gidget for a little walk, something she would not do with just anyone, but then again, John Conway is not “just anyone,” so I wasn’t all that surprised.

As folks (and pups) gathered, I schmoozed a little with, among others, Morgan Outdoors’ Lisa Lyons and Heather Jacksy, director of planning at the Sullivan County Division of Planning and Environmental Management. 

I asked a couple of questions (go figure!) and learned that the Sullivan O&W Rail Trail Alliance is a “collaborative network of municipal leaders, civic groups and volunteers working to build, maintain and promote a continuous multi-use trail along the historic New York, Ontario & Western Railway in Sullivan County, NY.”  The alliance “connects popular segments including the Parksville, Liberty, Hurleyville, South Fallsburg, Woodridge, Mountain Dale and Mamakating Rail Trails.” 

After a few introductory words from the county historian, and assorted wags from Gidget’s four-legged friends, off we went, with me snapping, chatting and undoubtedly being a bit of a nuisance, something I have specialized in lo, these many years. 

As usual, Conway regaled us with interesting historical facts, figures and stories about the region, including a curious tale about a “famous haunted house” (and photo depicting same) that none of us had heard of, but was fascinating (IMHO) nonetheless.

As I was keen on getting a couple of photos, I hung back a bit and noticed some disturbing-looking characters lurking (I mean strolling) behind Mr. Conway, who was oblivious to their presence—but they lent a colorful haunting air to the proceedings.

I managed to capture them with my camera (if for nothing else, than to prove they were actually there) while Conway attempted to chat with creepy Jason Voorhees (IYKYK) along the route, with no success. 

I’m not a fan of horror movies, but I don’t think “Friday the 13th” antagonist Jason speaks to most people, choosing to silently terrorize them instead. Mr. Conway appeared to know who the hockey-masked individual was but remained unfazed and went back to addressing the crowd. He commented that he was “surprised” that none of us knew about the infamous photo of supposed ghosts fleeing the fire that consumed the “haunted house” in Liberty circa 1900, but promised to look for it when he returned to his office. 

As for hanging back, I was hoping to make it through the non-strenuous hike, but chose to make an “Irish goodbye” and fade away, because I didn’t want to drive home in the dark—a new, yet perpetual theme now in my frightening aging process. 

I looked up the expression above to make sure it wasn’t insulting, and learned that I was “mostly OK” using it in this context. In fact, the Google upheld my understanding that the term “refers to the act of leaving a social gathering without saying goodbye to anyone,” but that the “public consensus is mixed.” 

While it likely was demeaning originally, “many people use it as a harmless colloquialism to describe a quick or quiet exit,” the Google informs us, and that similar global idioms exist side by side, targeting other cultures such as “French leave” (or filer à l’anglaise), which amusingly translates to “leaving the English way.” 

All that aside, I turned around and let the dog actually use her legs for the remainder of our stroll, causing her to leap about with glee as I took a few pics of the moon, the woods and the 

sunset about to stun us on our way back to Bethel. 

When I got home I saw a note from 

Mr. Conway on social media: “I made reference on the HO&WL walk on the Liberty rail trail,” he wrote, “to the famous 1910 Otto Hillig photo of the haunted house on North Main Street in the village, and was surprised that most people on the walk had not seen it or heard the story. So I promised I would post it… Here you go!”

Since the postcard image (of “ghosts” fleeing the house) is literally an antique, (produced in 1910), online editor Amanda Reed warned me that it “wouldn’t print well” in the paper, but I saved a copy and will be happy to share. Simply shoot me an email (it is kinda pre-AI spooky!) to Jonathanfox@riverreporter.com, and I’ll attach the image that Conway provided. Make of it what you will.

Meanwhile, have fun this Saturday (and don’t forget to turn the clocks back an hour before retiring for the night). Enjoy, be safe, and revel in the things that go bump in the night.

Fun Fact: While Prince released a song called “1999” (in 1982), in regards to a nuclear apocalypse predicted to occur in the year 2000, it was later reinterpreted as meaning that “the turn of the millennium calls for a particularly large celebration.”