I taught my second class on this fielding. It went well. I slipped up some, did some good things, all in all a learning experience for all involved (I hope). Tomorrow I start building the production system, which is small this time. I'm getting along well with everyone I'm here with this time.
Since we have these full kitchens again, I've been grocery shopping almost every evening while here. The guys all cook full means, and always seem to need more food again on the way home from work. I found some nutella. I've heard about it on the hiking forums, but never had any. It has real promise. Can't really describe it, but I'm thinking it may actually inspire me to actually start making my own energy bars. It has a nice, chocolaty, nutty taste that it seems would be easy to work the other tastes into.
Scott, the other IT person along this time, and I have both been sick since we got here. We each think we are better and eat a full meal, and our bodies tell us that we really shouldn't have done that. Not sure what is up with it all.
Anyway, so far, so good. The other instructors have started arriving, and we work tomorrow. One day off this week, but both days off next weekend. Not sure what sight-seeing we'll get to do.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Mixed Day
That bar-b-que we had last night worked a number on me. It was awesome while eating it, but was a bit spicy for me after not eating much at all during the day. Also more meat than I usually eat. I was up in the bathroom at 3am for a half hour, in so much pain I actually had tears falling down my face. I made it to work today, felt almost human (almost...) after a shower. I was a zombie for most of the morning, and got confused a bit. It all worked out. I feel a bit better, but my body is sore and my stomach muscles hurt when I move, or even when I don't move sometimes. I have yogurt and maybe some fruit for dinner here in the room.
Shiloh called me when he started down from Springer to start his AT thru-hike today. I was looking out over desert at the snow-capped mountains myself while we talked. I wish him well on his hike. Zak has checked in, and Cannibal checked in a few days ago. Zak is going slow and enjoying himself, which is funny 'cause he's the young speed demon usually. Cannibal prepared endlessly for a year, and had equipment, weather, and knee problems. It is kinda nice that, for whatever reason, they are going slower than they planned here at the beginning.
I still feel under the weather, so it will be an early night. Scott, the other IT person who is evaluating me is even sicker than I am, which makes me feel a bit better (yes, I told him that). It would be easy for others to put this down to nerves on my part otherwise. Really, I'm not that nervous. Having Scott sick, too, puts my being slow in more perspective. I hope.
Shiloh called me when he started down from Springer to start his AT thru-hike today. I was looking out over desert at the snow-capped mountains myself while we talked. I wish him well on his hike. Zak has checked in, and Cannibal checked in a few days ago. Zak is going slow and enjoying himself, which is funny 'cause he's the young speed demon usually. Cannibal prepared endlessly for a year, and had equipment, weather, and knee problems. It is kinda nice that, for whatever reason, they are going slower than they planned here at the beginning.
I still feel under the weather, so it will be an early night. Scott, the other IT person who is evaluating me is even sicker than I am, which makes me feel a bit better (yes, I told him that). It would be easy for others to put this down to nerves on my part otherwise. Really, I'm not that nervous. Having Scott sick, too, puts my being slow in more perspective. I hope.
Monday, March 10, 2008
On the Road Again...
I'm in my hotel room in Santa Fe, NM. This will be my home for the next 3 weeks. So far the team is fun. Three of the four of us went out to dinner and went exploring to see what was here. Went to the grocery after dinner and I got water, cokes, and some fruit. We have full kitchens. The guys are all talking about cooking in. sigh. I may have to actually get some food for here. Tonight we found some killer bar-b-que. We were all so stuffed when we went to the grocery that none of us wanted to buy any food.
The flight to Dallas was interesting. As the plane was pulling onto the runway after a long taxi out I found myself thinking 'this bird wants to fly', and as we took off I found myself smiling more and more. There was a lot of turbulence on both flights, but I was kinda enjoying it.
I should be going through my work stuff to make sure (again) that I have everything. But, I had a beer with dinner, I'm still stuffed, and I'm now relaxed and sleepy. I don't teach till day after tomorrow, although I need to have all my images and stuff tomorrow... I'll get up early... really...
The flight to Dallas was interesting. As the plane was pulling onto the runway after a long taxi out I found myself thinking 'this bird wants to fly', and as we took off I found myself smiling more and more. There was a lot of turbulence on both flights, but I was kinda enjoying it.
I should be going through my work stuff to make sure (again) that I have everything. But, I had a beer with dinner, I'm still stuffed, and I'm now relaxed and sleepy. I don't teach till day after tomorrow, although I need to have all my images and stuff tomorrow... I'll get up early... really...
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Great Quote
From Sgt. Rock's trail journal: "If I was in a hurry I wouldn't be walking". This was about how he stayed up late talking to one of the hostel owners on night and wouldn't be getting an early start the next morning. I think I'll be using that in the future. It's so easy to get caught up in asking 'how many miles did you do today?' and 'when will you be at ?', or worse, 'when do you think you'll finish?'. Better to take the attitude of Sgt. Rock. It's not about hurrying.
Here's a link to his trail journal. It think it is one of the all-time best. He is way cool, and I hope to be more like him when I grow up. http://www.trailjournals.com/location.cfm?trailname=6399
Here's a link to his trail journal. It think it is one of the all-time best. He is way cool, and I hope to be more like him when I grow up. http://www.trailjournals.com/location.cfm?trailname=6399
Friday, March 07, 2008
Habit
I am on the way to bed. I remembered that I said I need to start updating this journal regularly. So, here I am, trying to write coherent sentences instead of snuggling down in the waterbed.
I've been dehydrated lately. I've downed a bottle of water, and I still feel parched. This past weekend on the trip I let myself get really dehydrated, and again told myself that I need to stop that. I don't know if I'm getting worse at taking care of myself or if the consequences just hit harder now than they used to.
Tomorrow and Sunday are my days to get ready to be gone for 3 weeks again. I planned to be further along in the process, but I always plan to be further along than I am. This is one reason I'm trying to simplify and get rid of stuff and processes and whatever it is that seems to take away my energy and keeps me feeling like I'm always behind. I'll hit it again tomorrow.
I've been dehydrated lately. I've downed a bottle of water, and I still feel parched. This past weekend on the trip I let myself get really dehydrated, and again told myself that I need to stop that. I don't know if I'm getting worse at taking care of myself or if the consequences just hit harder now than they used to.
Tomorrow and Sunday are my days to get ready to be gone for 3 weeks again. I planned to be further along in the process, but I always plan to be further along than I am. This is one reason I'm trying to simplify and get rid of stuff and processes and whatever it is that seems to take away my energy and keeps me feeling like I'm always behind. I'll hit it again tomorrow.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Magical Times
As I read through others' journals I keep feeling the pangs of guilt from not updating this one. So, here goes...
Last week The Only Wanderer (from WhiteBlaze.net) came through Nashville and several of us met at Hooters downtown to help him pass the time of his layover. It was great fun. While there Lil'red was trying to talk Ewker (successfully) into going to Amicalola Falls the next weekend for the Hiker Send-off festivities the park was having. Zak (cerberus) told me quietly that he was going to start his hike that weekend but wasn't telling anyone but family and me. All in all, I decided to go down to Georgia myself. Shiloh, who had stopped by my house after the Whiteblaze dinner a couple of weeks ago PM'd me and said he had a campsite that he was willing to share. So, Friday night I headed south.
I got to the campground at the park around 1am, and Shiloh already had a tent set up. It was cold enough and dark enough that I didn't want to fiddle around finding trees to hang my hammock, so I slept in the tent on an air mattress while he slept in his van. I knew when I started that I should have more insulation between me and an air mattress in winter, but was tired enough that I convinced myself that the quilt he had on it would be enough. It wasn't, and I was chilly most of the night even though I had my down sleeping bag and my down underquilt over me. I was disappointed that again my new 'winter' down bag just isn't keeping me warm enough. Both times I've had the problem, though, I've been ground dwelling, so maybe in my hammock I'll be ok.
The next morning we discovered that our campsite neighbors included Kirby, a 16yo guy who is a kind of minor celebrity on Whiteblaze because he's thru-hiking this year as young as he is. We found Zak and Lost at their site, and headed to breakfast at the lodge. Kirby's group arrived for breakfast, too, and we were all in the same corner of the dining room. At one point Jan Liteshoe, an AT celebrity of sorts, came over and said that our corner had 'that look' of being hikers. The fact that we had 6 thru-hikers all together there was a tip-off. Kirby and Zak both got their pictures taken with her. When we went down to the visitor's center after breakfast we found Lil'red and Ewker. As we wandered around the booths and such I met some more of the names I've read on the message board. It was fun.
At some point Shiloh and I went looking for Lost and Zak, since we weren't sure when Zak would take off. He was in a group that included someone I hadn't seen before. I knew we were waiting on Cannibal to show up, and as I walked up this person said 'THAT'S SHADOWMOSS' and I knew it had to be Cannibal (from HammockForums.net). He gave each other a big hug hello. From that point on for most of the weekend we were a group, me, Shiloh, Zak, Lost, Cannibal, Ewker, and Lil'red. Cannibal and Zak started their thru hikes on Sunday. Shiloh will start his this next Monday.
I may try to upload some pictures of the weekend. Mostly it was just hanging out having fun. We heard Cannibal checking in with his Dad on his cell phone saying 'I just met a bunch of friends I didn't know I had', and that was how it felt. The guys put off starting because it was just so nice to hang out. We did to the 624 steps up Amicalola Falls that is the start of the approach trail now. The guys did it without their packs. I did it with them, and was slow but not a total zombie. Cannibal said he liked hiking with me because it made him feel like a strong hiker.
On Sunday after breakfast we dropped Zak and Cannibal off at the top of the falls where we finished the hike the day before. That was the last I saw of Cannibal. Lost left immediately to drive around to the parking lot near Springer to meet Zak at the summit that is the start of the actual AT. Shiloh, Ewker Lil'red and I went to the campsite and played around showing Lil'red the hammocks and I think we have converted her to the dark side (using a hammock instead of a tent). After she and Ewker had packed up and headed back to Nashville, Shiloh and I drove to the parking lot near Springer and hiked up the mile to the summit. We met Lost who was leaving having said her goodby's to Kak on the summit after getting the pictures of the start of his real hike. Shiloh and I went up and sat with Zak and Many Sleeps, who is the caretaker up there during the busy season. We were waiting on Cannibal, who didn't show up. We decided that he stopped at an earlier shelter for the night. Zak headed out to make it to the next shelter before dark, and Shiloh and I took our time hiking back to the parking lot.
All in all, it was a totally magical time from the dinner at Hooters through the time at Amicalola Falls State Park. I am concerned that I need to toughen up a lot. I was cold the entire weekend, and it wasn't that cold. I need to be in a lot better shape in general. And, I need to decide if my sleeping bag is really a winter one or not. I need to get this together before I can feel I seriously have any chance to make it on my own hike. Also, I need to get this journaling together better. I really enjoy the trail journals, and most of the folks who keep them update them every day. They may not get posted every day, but the journalist is writing about what happens every day. I'm at home with electricity, a computer, a full kitchen with food, hot showers, etc., and I only manage to write about once a week. Lots to work on in the next 2 years.
Last week The Only Wanderer (from WhiteBlaze.net) came through Nashville and several of us met at Hooters downtown to help him pass the time of his layover. It was great fun. While there Lil'red was trying to talk Ewker (successfully) into going to Amicalola Falls the next weekend for the Hiker Send-off festivities the park was having. Zak (cerberus) told me quietly that he was going to start his hike that weekend but wasn't telling anyone but family and me. All in all, I decided to go down to Georgia myself. Shiloh, who had stopped by my house after the Whiteblaze dinner a couple of weeks ago PM'd me and said he had a campsite that he was willing to share. So, Friday night I headed south.
I got to the campground at the park around 1am, and Shiloh already had a tent set up. It was cold enough and dark enough that I didn't want to fiddle around finding trees to hang my hammock, so I slept in the tent on an air mattress while he slept in his van. I knew when I started that I should have more insulation between me and an air mattress in winter, but was tired enough that I convinced myself that the quilt he had on it would be enough. It wasn't, and I was chilly most of the night even though I had my down sleeping bag and my down underquilt over me. I was disappointed that again my new 'winter' down bag just isn't keeping me warm enough. Both times I've had the problem, though, I've been ground dwelling, so maybe in my hammock I'll be ok.
The next morning we discovered that our campsite neighbors included Kirby, a 16yo guy who is a kind of minor celebrity on Whiteblaze because he's thru-hiking this year as young as he is. We found Zak and Lost at their site, and headed to breakfast at the lodge. Kirby's group arrived for breakfast, too, and we were all in the same corner of the dining room. At one point Jan Liteshoe, an AT celebrity of sorts, came over and said that our corner had 'that look' of being hikers. The fact that we had 6 thru-hikers all together there was a tip-off. Kirby and Zak both got their pictures taken with her. When we went down to the visitor's center after breakfast we found Lil'red and Ewker. As we wandered around the booths and such I met some more of the names I've read on the message board. It was fun.
At some point Shiloh and I went looking for Lost and Zak, since we weren't sure when Zak would take off. He was in a group that included someone I hadn't seen before. I knew we were waiting on Cannibal to show up, and as I walked up this person said 'THAT'S SHADOWMOSS' and I knew it had to be Cannibal (from HammockForums.net). He gave each other a big hug hello. From that point on for most of the weekend we were a group, me, Shiloh, Zak, Lost, Cannibal, Ewker, and Lil'red. Cannibal and Zak started their thru hikes on Sunday. Shiloh will start his this next Monday.
I may try to upload some pictures of the weekend. Mostly it was just hanging out having fun. We heard Cannibal checking in with his Dad on his cell phone saying 'I just met a bunch of friends I didn't know I had', and that was how it felt. The guys put off starting because it was just so nice to hang out. We did to the 624 steps up Amicalola Falls that is the start of the approach trail now. The guys did it without their packs. I did it with them, and was slow but not a total zombie. Cannibal said he liked hiking with me because it made him feel like a strong hiker.
On Sunday after breakfast we dropped Zak and Cannibal off at the top of the falls where we finished the hike the day before. That was the last I saw of Cannibal. Lost left immediately to drive around to the parking lot near Springer to meet Zak at the summit that is the start of the actual AT. Shiloh, Ewker Lil'red and I went to the campsite and played around showing Lil'red the hammocks and I think we have converted her to the dark side (using a hammock instead of a tent). After she and Ewker had packed up and headed back to Nashville, Shiloh and I drove to the parking lot near Springer and hiked up the mile to the summit. We met Lost who was leaving having said her goodby's to Kak on the summit after getting the pictures of the start of his real hike. Shiloh and I went up and sat with Zak and Many Sleeps, who is the caretaker up there during the busy season. We were waiting on Cannibal, who didn't show up. We decided that he stopped at an earlier shelter for the night. Zak headed out to make it to the next shelter before dark, and Shiloh and I took our time hiking back to the parking lot.
All in all, it was a totally magical time from the dinner at Hooters through the time at Amicalola Falls State Park. I am concerned that I need to toughen up a lot. I was cold the entire weekend, and it wasn't that cold. I need to be in a lot better shape in general. And, I need to decide if my sleeping bag is really a winter one or not. I need to get this together before I can feel I seriously have any chance to make it on my own hike. Also, I need to get this journaling together better. I really enjoy the trail journals, and most of the folks who keep them update them every day. They may not get posted every day, but the journalist is writing about what happens every day. I'm at home with electricity, a computer, a full kitchen with food, hot showers, etc., and I only manage to write about once a week. Lots to work on in the next 2 years.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Back Again
I keep meaning to update this journal. Then suddenly I realize it's been a couple of weeks. This time it's because there have been some fun things happening.
I went to the hiker dinner last weekend. I didn't go to the hike beforehand. For some reason I keep backing away from hiking with anyone else. I had fun at the dinner. I sat next to Shiloh, a new hiker who is starting his AT hike March 10. We talked hammocks, and he had some questions about gear that I own, so I invited him and peanut (who rode up from Atlanta with him) over to my house the next day on their way home. I also met some of the other local hikers. As I move from gear-gathering to getting out with hikers more I think I'll enjoy getting involved with the local hiker groups. I've liked the folks I've met so far. I also sat next to Fishbone, who I met at one of the hang-outs in Hot Springs. It's fun to talk to him as he's always into some neat stuff.
We went to REI after dinner for a demo on their new tents. The tents are a step in the right direction I think for mainstream hikers. Mostly mesh and free standing. Just looks like a lot a hardware to this hammocker. I need to periodically do a gear check to make sure that the hammock remains my best choice, but so far I think it is. REI had packs on clearance, and the model was right between my two current packs. It is lighter than my Venus, but has most of the features and is ALMOST as large. So, at $65 I got two. One was for Nancye, who was headed to my place the next day to borrow a pack.
Nancye arrived Sunday morning and immediately started checking out the pack. Finding all the compartments, playing with the suspension. She decided she likes the pack, and wrote me a check. Since I had gotten it at REI I knew that if she didn't like it I could always take it back, so it wasn't that much of a gamble. She is heading to the AT with Charlotte/Bluebelle the end of March to hike the first 3 days with her, and borrowed some of my gear. My gear at least will hike the AT this year. Shiloh and peanut arrived and we discussed tarps, Figure 9's, hammock ring buckle rigging and much more. I really like Shiloh, and will look forward to following his journal this year. He brought to Nancye and my attention that WalMart now sells a package of waterproof stuffsacks 3/$10. We both now own some of those.
Nancye and I went out after they left and set up my UL tent that she is borrowing. It was windy and was a challenge. I'm glad that we were able to do that as it wasn't as intuitive as we both thought it would be for her. It also reminded me (I didn't tell Nancye this) why I went to a hammock. I think that the tent is great for a sub-2 pound single wall tent. But, there is a learning curve.
I had dinner with Nancye and Bill this past Friday, and Nancye said she slept outside in the tent with her gear as a shakedown on Wednesday. That night was very cold, and she learned a lot about a silnylon tent, specifically that silnylon stretches when wet and needs to be tightened (or special care needs to be used when originally setting it up to get it VERY tight). I'm glad she did that, and now has some ideas on what she needs to change up before getting out on the trail.
I started back exercising on my Total Gym this week. I also got back on my Shaklee Physique. This isn't an advertisement (I no longer sell Shaklee), but that stuff really does keep me from getting sore muscles, and I'm SOOOO tired of being sore. I also received my Harmony House dehydrated foods that I ordered. I made one of the soups, and it was quick and easy. It needed more seasoning, but now that I know that I'll adjust the rest of them while cooking. I also pulled out my dehydrator and have been experimenting with dehydrating canned corn and canned beans, now that I know what the finished product is supposed to look like. I'll play with cooking with the stuff this next week.
And, after all that... I had decided that it is time to start using some of this stuff I've been acquiring. I have spent the last year getting gear. Now, the next year is going to be spent on getting out and using it. The 2-year (what the heck is a year mark that is BEFORE an event??) preparation mark before my hike was last Friday. I'm a lot further than I was last year. But, it is indeed time to shift gears. I'll work on food and on getting into shape. And, saving money.
Oh, I have my next travel for work dates now. I'll go to Santa Fe, NM next month. I'm excited.
I went to the hiker dinner last weekend. I didn't go to the hike beforehand. For some reason I keep backing away from hiking with anyone else. I had fun at the dinner. I sat next to Shiloh, a new hiker who is starting his AT hike March 10. We talked hammocks, and he had some questions about gear that I own, so I invited him and peanut (who rode up from Atlanta with him) over to my house the next day on their way home. I also met some of the other local hikers. As I move from gear-gathering to getting out with hikers more I think I'll enjoy getting involved with the local hiker groups. I've liked the folks I've met so far. I also sat next to Fishbone, who I met at one of the hang-outs in Hot Springs. It's fun to talk to him as he's always into some neat stuff.
We went to REI after dinner for a demo on their new tents. The tents are a step in the right direction I think for mainstream hikers. Mostly mesh and free standing. Just looks like a lot a hardware to this hammocker. I need to periodically do a gear check to make sure that the hammock remains my best choice, but so far I think it is. REI had packs on clearance, and the model was right between my two current packs. It is lighter than my Venus, but has most of the features and is ALMOST as large. So, at $65 I got two. One was for Nancye, who was headed to my place the next day to borrow a pack.
Nancye arrived Sunday morning and immediately started checking out the pack. Finding all the compartments, playing with the suspension. She decided she likes the pack, and wrote me a check. Since I had gotten it at REI I knew that if she didn't like it I could always take it back, so it wasn't that much of a gamble. She is heading to the AT with Charlotte/Bluebelle the end of March to hike the first 3 days with her, and borrowed some of my gear. My gear at least will hike the AT this year. Shiloh and peanut arrived and we discussed tarps, Figure 9's, hammock ring buckle rigging and much more. I really like Shiloh, and will look forward to following his journal this year. He brought to Nancye and my attention that WalMart now sells a package of waterproof stuffsacks 3/$10. We both now own some of those.
Nancye and I went out after they left and set up my UL tent that she is borrowing. It was windy and was a challenge. I'm glad that we were able to do that as it wasn't as intuitive as we both thought it would be for her. It also reminded me (I didn't tell Nancye this) why I went to a hammock. I think that the tent is great for a sub-2 pound single wall tent. But, there is a learning curve.
I had dinner with Nancye and Bill this past Friday, and Nancye said she slept outside in the tent with her gear as a shakedown on Wednesday. That night was very cold, and she learned a lot about a silnylon tent, specifically that silnylon stretches when wet and needs to be tightened (or special care needs to be used when originally setting it up to get it VERY tight). I'm glad she did that, and now has some ideas on what she needs to change up before getting out on the trail.
I started back exercising on my Total Gym this week. I also got back on my Shaklee Physique. This isn't an advertisement (I no longer sell Shaklee), but that stuff really does keep me from getting sore muscles, and I'm SOOOO tired of being sore. I also received my Harmony House dehydrated foods that I ordered. I made one of the soups, and it was quick and easy. It needed more seasoning, but now that I know that I'll adjust the rest of them while cooking. I also pulled out my dehydrator and have been experimenting with dehydrating canned corn and canned beans, now that I know what the finished product is supposed to look like. I'll play with cooking with the stuff this next week.
And, after all that... I had decided that it is time to start using some of this stuff I've been acquiring. I have spent the last year getting gear. Now, the next year is going to be spent on getting out and using it. The 2-year (what the heck is a year mark that is BEFORE an event??) preparation mark before my hike was last Friday. I'm a lot further than I was last year. But, it is indeed time to shift gears. I'll work on food and on getting into shape. And, saving money.
Oh, I have my next travel for work dates now. I'll go to Santa Fe, NM next month. I'm excited.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Out of Shape
The trail yesterday kicked my butt. I carried my REI Venus pack, and had most of my things in it. I didn't have but one water bottle, and only snacks for food. So, I'd be carrying maybe 10 more pounds given what I had with me to be able to hike long distance. My legs felt it. That is the good part, my pack transferred the weight to my hips, so my back and shoulders were ok. My layers worked. It was windy and chilly, maybe low 40's with a very chilly wind. Sometimes I was a tad warm, but not enough to take off a layer. Sometimes I was a tad chilly, but not enough to put on my rain gear to stop more of the wind. The Marmot windshirt worked very well. All in all, a good learning day. I also found more pockets on my pack that I didn't realize were there. And, that I need to be more careful about packing things in there in a balanced way so they carry well.
I was a tired, sore kid when I got home. Immediately took a nap. Next Saturday there is a Whiteblaze dinner down south of town, and a hike at Radner park beforehand. I'm going to try to go, but I won't carry such a heavy pack. I really needed to know the things I learned yesterday, but I need to just hike to get my legs into better shape before I carry so much weight.
I was a tired, sore kid when I got home. Immediately took a nap. Next Saturday there is a Whiteblaze dinner down south of town, and a hike at Radner park beforehand. I'm going to try to go, but I won't carry such a heavy pack. I really needed to know the things I learned yesterday, but I need to just hike to get my legs into better shape before I carry so much weight.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Another Link
This was posted in a thread on Whiteblaze.net:
http://www.spiriteaglehome.com/THP%20top.html
It is the most concise, clear write-up about the aspects of a thru-hike on the AT that I've ever read, and several folks on Whiteblaze agree with that. If you wonder what this thing is that I say I want to do, read that. It's not short, it's several pages, but it's well written and flows quickly. There is a part II that I'll read later. I hope to meet this person sometime on the trail.
Speaking of trail. I let a beautiful day go by yesterday and didn't go hiking. I did get a lot of maintenance things done here. So, as soon as I finish posting this I am going to change into hiking clothes (since I remember complaining about jeans the past 2 times I've gone walking) and head to the county park. Weather shouldn't matter, as in if it rains it just means that I'll get to check out how my rain gear works. Chilly, well, I'll get to see if I really have enough of the right kind of layers.
Ready, set, hike...
http://www.spiriteaglehome.com/THP%20top.html
It is the most concise, clear write-up about the aspects of a thru-hike on the AT that I've ever read, and several folks on Whiteblaze agree with that. If you wonder what this thing is that I say I want to do, read that. It's not short, it's several pages, but it's well written and flows quickly. There is a part II that I'll read later. I hope to meet this person sometime on the trail.
Speaking of trail. I let a beautiful day go by yesterday and didn't go hiking. I did get a lot of maintenance things done here. So, as soon as I finish posting this I am going to change into hiking clothes (since I remember complaining about jeans the past 2 times I've gone walking) and head to the county park. Weather shouldn't matter, as in if it rains it just means that I'll get to check out how my rain gear works. Chilly, well, I'll get to see if I really have enough of the right kind of layers.
Ready, set, hike...
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Catch up
I am alive, and well even. Just a bit mute. I'll catch up what I've been up to in a minute. I have many blogs bookmarked, and wander through them regularly. One that wasn't updated for almost a year has started having entries again: http://multiversity.blogspot.com/ He is apparently a faculty member at some British university, and is really funny. He pokes much fun at stuffy protocol. I wonder if much of his entries are things that truly happen. He seems like he'd be fun to work with.
Let's see... I did go over to Mountain Crossings the Sunday of my three day weekend in GA. I got a new shirt, and met Survivor Dave there. He's a Whiteblaze.net poster who is going on his thru-hike of the AT this year. I checked out some gear that I have read about but never actually have seen and touched. Mostly I didn't see anything that is nicer than the gear that I already have. I went to Amacalola (damnit, can't spell it right at the moment) State Park and got some maps at the Visitor Center. That reminds me, I need to put the one of the entire AT up on a wall somewhere around here. I then had dinner at the lodge. It was right chilly that day, so I didn't actually hike. I stopped at the WalMart in Dalonaga (it's not spelled right, either, I don't think...), and found some really nice ripstop material in a coppery brown color in the $1/yard bin. Not sure if it's nylon or polyester. Since I'm going to make a double bottomed hammock it doesn't really matter, it will be strong enough for that. I ended up getting about 30 yards of it.
The fielding was called a success. I've had both the evaluation with all concerned on the fielding, and my first official (as opposed to my initial) evaluation. I'm not getting standing ovations, but I do still have a job. I wouldn't have bet folding money on getting that far at any time during the past 4 months.
Had dinner with Nancye and Bill at Olive Garden last Friday night. It was nice to just sit and talk with friends while eating real food. Considering that I lived on pretty much fast food during th fielding, and that I seldom cook at home, Olive Garden qualifies as real food in my life. I have been a bit under the weather since I got back from GA, so today I bought some vitamins and some packets of Emergen-C to see if that will help. I am shopping for a Total Gym, which is a bench that uses your weight for resistance instead of using weights. I don't want to pay for another gym membership, especially since I'm traveling so much and they usually have workout rooms at the hotels. I need to do something as I can feel my muscle mass (what little I have) starting to melt away. Of course, it would help if I actually went out and did some hiking...
So, that's what's news around here.
Let's see... I did go over to Mountain Crossings the Sunday of my three day weekend in GA. I got a new shirt, and met Survivor Dave there. He's a Whiteblaze.net poster who is going on his thru-hike of the AT this year. I checked out some gear that I have read about but never actually have seen and touched. Mostly I didn't see anything that is nicer than the gear that I already have. I went to Amacalola (damnit, can't spell it right at the moment) State Park and got some maps at the Visitor Center. That reminds me, I need to put the one of the entire AT up on a wall somewhere around here. I then had dinner at the lodge. It was right chilly that day, so I didn't actually hike. I stopped at the WalMart in Dalonaga (it's not spelled right, either, I don't think...), and found some really nice ripstop material in a coppery brown color in the $1/yard bin. Not sure if it's nylon or polyester. Since I'm going to make a double bottomed hammock it doesn't really matter, it will be strong enough for that. I ended up getting about 30 yards of it.
The fielding was called a success. I've had both the evaluation with all concerned on the fielding, and my first official (as opposed to my initial) evaluation. I'm not getting standing ovations, but I do still have a job. I wouldn't have bet folding money on getting that far at any time during the past 4 months.
Had dinner with Nancye and Bill at Olive Garden last Friday night. It was nice to just sit and talk with friends while eating real food. Considering that I lived on pretty much fast food during th fielding, and that I seldom cook at home, Olive Garden qualifies as real food in my life. I have been a bit under the weather since I got back from GA, so today I bought some vitamins and some packets of Emergen-C to see if that will help. I am shopping for a Total Gym, which is a bench that uses your weight for resistance instead of using weights. I don't want to pay for another gym membership, especially since I'm traveling so much and they usually have workout rooms at the hotels. I need to do something as I can feel my muscle mass (what little I have) starting to melt away. Of course, it would help if I actually went out and did some hiking...
So, that's what's news around here.
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