Ferry’s Woods

Stories set here

A Shortcut and an Unforgettable ApologyRobert remembers a “two-mile walk” to school even in twenty-below weather, with shortcuts through King’s Apple Orchard and Ferry’s Woods. While playing with matches in the woods, he and others started a fire that got out of hand. Iris took him to Ferry’s house to apologize, an experience he never forgot.
Dirt Hills, Chugs, and Adventures in Ferry’s WoodsThe children played King of the Hill on dirt piles, often ending in fights, and rode crude homemade go-carts called chugs. They planned but never built a Soap Box Derby racer because the wheels cost too much, instead watching the races on 7th Street Hill every year. In Ferry’s Woods they climbed oak trees and played cowboys and Indians, sometimes naked until Mabel Rosener objected to the risk of lost clothes. The narrator lost his new shoes for two days; his father found them and punished him. Throwing hedge balls instead of acorns also led to a painful injury.
Long Winter Rides Through the Big WoodsBernard recalls eagerly awaiting Christmas and snow, and the transformed winter landscape of Ferry’s Woods. He describes approaching the woods by the Frys' farm and navigating a steep, winding sled run with Bob on their shared Christmas Flexible Flyer. They extended their rides onto a frozen creek until a log near a small pond stopped them; the long climb back in heavy winter clothing made this hard play.
The Dogs on the Ride HomeBernard rode about a mile to Coolidge Junior High School, where bicycles stood unlocked in large racks. His ride home took him past Forrester's two police dogs. Throwing lit kitchen matches failed to deter them, and avoiding them would have required crossing fences and the ravine in Ferry’s Woods. Dad confronted Forrester about the dogs biting at Bernard and tearing his pants. After Dad threatened a dangerous deterrent involving rags on car wheels, the dogs were fenced in.

Events here

One day during school years
Fire in Ferry’s Woods and an apology
A fire started while playing with matches got out of hand. Iris later took Robert to Ferry’s house to apologize.
other
Lost shoes recovered in the woods
The narrator lost his new shoes for two days. His father found them in the woods, and the narrator received a licking.

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