We certainly have other places named in Biscuit Hollow that are as common to us as Harvard Square is to the blue-bloods. In general, more by happenstance than by purpose; more naturally than by necessity. Let’s see, all of us that lived in the valley knew the “springhouse”, the “hickory tree”, or the “upper gate”, all obvious derivatives. We had roads called “Sam Hill” for unknown reasons, and “Crotch Hollow” for reasons I dared not ask. If you were hunting or hiking, you referred to the “front ridge”, the “ravine”, the “bowl”, and every wood’s wizened inhabitant of Biscuit Hollow knew naturally whereof you spoke. The trail called the “high road” led you past the “PA rock” and the “big rocks”. The “middle road” passes “package rock”, a great seat and hunting location.
Other specific sites include Skip’s doghouse, the point, Gordy’s, the high pine, Dean’s barrel, air castle. Or the orchard, the swamp, the pines. You get the idea. And then, you have the camps on "Mount Laurel":
"Two Dogs", "Buzzard’s Nest", "Archer’s Den", "Timbuck Two", "Birch Saddle", "Green Bus".
So, I guess it might be natural to name the pond. It might even be easier than calling it by the boorish “new pond”. Versus the “old pond” that’s across the road from the “lower yard”. I spent my teenage through college summers on Long Pond, but the shape of our pond doesn’t really suggest an interesting moniker. My best friend’s grandfather owned Jay’s Pond in Troupsburg, but a label of Phil and Jann’s pond doesn’t excite either. Maybe Lou’s Lake, or Biscuit Hollow Beach. Jeff say’s Golden Pond, because he liked the movie. I visited Thoreau’s Walden Pond a couple of years ago but that name doesn’t fit. It appears peaceful,
But look in the other direction and Henry would no longer feel quite so inspired.
So, if you have any ideas for naming the pond, please jump in (pun intended).
