New Year’s Day ushered in 1986 with temperatures more appropriate for early spring, creating a perfect environment in which to search for insulators. The sky was exceptionally blue and offered unrestricted vision across the fields and along the hillsides. The air was still and silent as Sou Mei and I walked along the railroad tracks surveying the recent dismantling of miles of telephone poles. The copper wire had been removed leaving only the pungent smell of creosote seeping from freshly sawed poles. Looking into the distance gave me that heady feeling of being the first to see what treasures lay before me; an emotion with which all collectors can empathize.

The first several hundred yards of our journey yielded only the most common insulators, i.e. CD 162 aqua and green Brookfields, rubber tolls, and clear CD 154 Whitall Tatums. However, the desire to walk ahead in search of something choicer is impossible to resist so we proceeded and soon after found ten CD 162 Star signals in a rich olive and one in lime. This was an encouraging development and we pressed on.

Approximately two hours had elapsed when we noticed two men, far in the distance behind us, involved in the same activity as ourselves. They were searching the very cross-arms we previously scrutinized. We kept walking further and shortly after noting their presence came to a grade crossing where the dismantling crew had stopped and most likely would begin after the holidays.

As we turned around to head back with our jewels we watched the men approach. I had no sooner greeted the pair with "How are you?", when I realized that it was none other than Dave Wiecek and his father. I was most surprised to see him and had first met him just three months ago at Kulpsville during the Eastern Regional, where we had chatted for a few minutes prior to our departure from the show.

It seems that Dave had driven past the railroad line the night before on his way to festivities and had decided to do some searching the next day. Since we live about forty miles from one another we were amazed by the odds of meeting again here in the remote countryside.

After the initial surprise had subsided, we compared our similar finds and the four of us walked a short distance further and surveyed the upright telephone poles awaiting demolition, but saw nothing of interest. The rest of the line seemed much the same as what came before and since Dave, had started his search even farther back than we had he too agreed that it was similar. Soon the combination of cooler temperatures, diminished sunlight and empty stomachs brought our search to a close and we bade farewell to one another until Perkiomenville and left for home.

In retrospect, it seems quite logical that Dave was there with us as his passion for collecting is very strong and at times I feel rivals my own interest in this hobby. This chance meeting was a pleasant way to begin a new year and I wish Dave, his father and all collectors a healthful and peaceful 1986.