TT Family

“We discuss gear, hikes, politics and all sorts of crazy stuff on this website, and it's fun. I realized after the past month what it's like to really meet the people behind the threads, and what great company they are.

I can't stress enough what a great time I had on the Gizzard trip. It was totally worth the 9 hour drive. I find it amazing, after chatting with many of the folks online, how much more i like them after meeting them in person. Sometimes, conversing on the internet doesn't give justice to who people really are. We all share a common interest in backpacking, and we all do things to contribute to the site which shows how unselfish and giving we are. This is all amgnified when you meet the people in person, and can't be captured in a post or a thread.

I went through a rough time back in April when I first found this site. I originally posted and lurked the site to blow off steam, and vent, and enjoy the banter. But after meeting so many of you folks, i truely feel like you're all family to me (even that bastard spock).

I wish all who post and lurk here could meet some of the pepople I've met, and experience this family bond. Here are 5 random examples:

Reformed Lurker: A High School English teacher who plans trips for people to attend monthly. He even goes out, researches the hikes, and does a test hike, just to be sure that everyone can ahndle it, and will have fun. The guy doesn't take credit for any of this, eventhough it is so appreciated by the group.

Gonzo: Here is a guy that doesn't post too often, has a family and two jobs. He's 50 and has a wonderful outlook on life, truely enjoys hiking, and the people he hikes with. He's a team player, a great dad and can spin an amazing story.

Skullcap: A young attractive single mom, who has enough love for the land to camp outside, no tent, and sleep under the stars (in late November). She's always up for a hike, and a great listener to boot. The girl has what most mafioso would call "moxy".

Towndawg: Sincerety at it's best. I have run across few people in my short time on this planet who come across this sincere in person. To plan the a trip like the fiery gizzard took much time and effort, for which he didn't care to be recognized. He mostly enjoyed everyone else enjoying themselves. That says alot about a person, and it's something you can't read by viewing an internet post.

Le Subtil: A true gentleman, who knows more about hiking that I'll ever know. He's like The Scott Glen of the movies... the wise ole' expert that doesn't say much, but when he does, people listen. Jerbear and walkindude also fall into this category. le Sub is always willing to make a trip, lend a hand, and contribute in a positive way.

I could talk about all those I've met, and all those I'd like to meet, and tell you the same thing. Posting here doesn't give justice to the great personalities that grace our presence. if anything, try your best to meet as many TT'rs as you can, you won't be disappointed, and you'll find "family" in places you'd never expect.”

“I'm sure they'll be lining up to rag on you for this post, but I think it's pretty cool. Glad you are finding quality people and making good friends.

See you in Florida? Montana???”

“Well said, Buddha Bear.”

“I have been on five outings and met several others on the side. I agree wholeheartedly. This place is special, inspite of some of the bizarre antics that go on.”

“Well said bro!
It was a real treat to have met you. I wasn't even expecting you to be there at all. I gotta get back up in the Ohio area again and met more of yall up there. Gotta have more vacation time first though.”

“I think I'm going to cry now. Does this mean we're going to have a group hug?

Seriously, we all talk about our gear addiction and joke about our TT addiction. I hava a new one. I'm pretty sure I'm addicted to hiking with you people. Sounds like I'm not the only one. Yet another addiction I am more than happy to feed, and I hope I continue to get many opportunities in the future.”

“Seems like there is some sincerity here which doesn't deserve ragging or mocking.

I admitt that I am intrigued by some of the locations or people who attend these group hikes, however my cautious nature keeps me from joining in. I'll probably visit some of these locations which are close to me, with my friends afterwards.”

“You know you would be welcome, should you change your mind sometime in the future.”

“BB - Couldn't have put it better. The group from Michigan is ne of the best. I'm always lookng forward to hike with them and meet new people.


I still think you're a cop, though.”

“Buddha, I felt the same way about the TT group I met. Everyone was far nicer than I expected, very interesting in their stories, and different than how they come across online. Buddur was a good example. He was the youngest person on our group hike, and yet he was very much a gentleman, VERY funny, and truly likeable. After hearing the story of how he acquired his dog, his best hiking companion, I was even more impressed with him. The other hikers I met on the group TT hikes were all very likeable, helpful, full of tales of trips that they have taken. I still email with RichB and Steiny, gettng information about gear and talking about future group hikes.”

“You could always show up incognito to one of TownDawg's hikes. He always posts them on backpacker.com. You could say you saw it there and use a different trail name. We wouldn't care.”

“"wise ole" my a$$ you young whippersnapper!”

“family? great personalities???

are you SURE that you met ME?!?! LOL!!!!”

“And then there is Tom Terrific......He seemed actually normal and didn't even mention UFOs once while we talked. Has Tom joined any of the ECT trips?”

“he's always hanging out in the bushes.

just watching....”

“GS, I've never been on a tt trip where anyone argued believe it or not. The politics are left behind and everyone has a great time. It's not like a family grt together in that aspect! You're missing out; they really are a wonderful bunch of folks!”

“Max and I have had this conversation on a few occasions.

I was very skeptical when I went on my first dayhike w/ TTrs. I found them to be nice on the website... But, come on, I met these people on the internet. The potential for some crazies was definitely there! I was proven wrong and truly enjoyed the weekend I spent w/ these people.

Since then, I have met more than a dozen people and have not encountered once person that I wouldn't want to hike w/ again.”

“First post I read this morning. You made my day, BB. I'm hoping to meet quite a few of you this summer in Montana.”

“Reader's Digest once said that the number of people one encounters is inversely related to the square of the distance from the nearest road and to the cube of the altitude climbed. Similarly, one can equate the quality of the people encountered in the same manner.”

“awww, how sweeeet!! just when i think i'm the sappiest person on the planet... ;-) but for real, i was having a bad day (already!), and this made me happy, even though i've yet to meet any of you. i have got to make a TT trip a priority!”

“Except that in that case, it's not an inverse relationship!”

“I always come away from the TT hikes with warm fuzzies, too.

Gooooooooooood times!”

“I have bp'ed for several years and over 80% of my trips have been solo. When I first found this site, my first observation was that there was a good reason for solo hiking. LOL. However, with time, I have found a wide range of backgrounds seemingly bound by a common thread,,the love of the outdoors. Actually, I enjoy the banter and actually look forward to seeing a post with a differing opinion. I have found that it causes me to more closely examine my own view with critical thought. While I have not had the opportunity to meet any TT'ers in person, I have spoken with at least two via telephone and look forward to the making the trips planned for early next year.”

“For the record, Super Troll outed himself during the Firey Gizzard trip, and is very impressed with the people I met. From the first handshake with Buddha Bear and Leatherneck, to the last hug from bpbaby, the trip was great, everyone was kewl, even the pets, (I was tempted to kidnap Scooby for a while until I saw how much she means to ya Skully....) Thank you all for a very memorable trip.”

“One last time: YOU CANNOT HAVE MY DOG! LOL!”

“i done got me a FREE DAWG!”

“Bad news guys, she's tattooed and registered with the National Dog Registry. It's a felony in most states to take one of these dogs.

Nah! Nah! You ca-an't have her! Thpppppppppppt! ¦ )

.”

“Buddha Bear!

I have lots of fun on these hikes. I am blessed to have lots of wonderful friends - here and in my "real" life. The world is a good place with mostly good people. TT is a reflection of that.

rl”

“My first meeting (from another site) was in Anza Borrego, CA. They didn't know me (pre-website days) and I figured I could just drive by if things were wierd. I saw an older couple with two grandkids, and a "SoCal hikers" sign of the purple soccer mom van. Since then I've driven to AZ, Southern CA and Northern CA for trips. Everyone I've met has been great! Looking forward to Montanapalooza!”

“I agree!

My online friends are special. If you all only knew how much you mean to me. When you send encouraging words, it's like a beautiful bouquet.

Here, in my heart, there is a very special place for you all. My friends, what can I say, but that you have my heart and my love.”

“I too was very aprehensive about meeting people from this site. I mean really you here about ax murdurers off the internet all of the time. But here is somthing to take into consideration, what kind of murdurer would go to a backpacking site? Everyone I have met here are awesome people and fun to be with. I greatly respect them all. And I look forward to meeting many more. Yes TT is really a family. I would choose to be with you guys antday over my family.”

“Now I know you're all really undead flesh-eating zombies! Nice try.”

“Now if this is just going to be a lovey-dovey thing, count me out. You people take self-appreciation and gushing to all new levels and well beyond my ability to stop myself from projectile vomitting.”

“Where do you "here about ax murdurers off the internet all of the time", adventuregirl? I must be missing out on some good reading.

Not a soul, who I've met here, that I wouldn't hike with again. Great folks all.

The funniest hike I've ever done was with rad. I first thought that we might be nailing each other with one-liners all weekend. Turns out that both of us are reasonably serious guys on the trail. And we both, seriously, can't wait to meet chili.”

“Ok, enough of the nice stuff.. let's get back to bashing each other..

Hey Buddha? I am sincere about this.. you suck.

*giggle*”

“bite me, dawg!”

“rad: oh yeah?.. well your pic makes you look a WHOLE lot cooler than you are in person.. so there!

(lol.. )”

“Ladies, please!!!”

“Eat boogers -
The lot of you!”

“Oh look, it really is just like family!”

“A rather large but young (acting) family”

“Ah... back to 'normal'.”

“You are only young once, but you can be immature forever!”

“What is this?
An eastcoasters bang-bang?

I think the internet fear factor is a commonality among city dwellers.

When I started hanging out on TT I never for a moment considered that when I put up the first Llama Rama hike, I might have a bunch of serial killers respond.

But, I've lived away from the city for 20 years.

Perhaps I am naive.

Out on the trail, or here on TT, the people I meet, and have met, have one overwhelming desire - to spend time in the woods.

That particular desire is the peaceful thread that binds us all together.

People who love nature and cherish the outdoors are not generally inclined to plot harmful mischief toward their fellow humans.

I would think it more appropriate for an axe murderer to hang out on porn sites or places where you could meet someone of the opposite sex looking for a date.

No axe murderer worth his weight would seriously consider taking a hike out into the woods with us.

What's the point?

Bakpack bare-knuckling him into submission?

Gentle Ben assaulting him with his AK47?

Solitary Hiker giving him a lecture on the radical left - right- and center?

Me instructing him in how to talk dirty?

Pshaw....”

“Let's ee here, porn sites...... online dating services.......

Hello, my name is Buddha Bear, and I AM an axe murderer.”

“Gear Slut
Here's ya a web site.

www.axemurderer.com

hehehe”

“I'm hardly afraid of axe murderers. I'm more concerned about people being basically the same as they are online. I'm not prepared to spend time with people who are going to bore me to tears with their political, religious, or other personal beliefs.”

“O.K. Your the one missing out though.”

“The Titanium Cookoff trip was my first outing with the TT crowd, and I do not recall any mention of religious, political beliefs nor was there any rude comments. Most of the talk related to backpacking experiences, etc. I thought it was exciting to hear about other's experiences. It was like a backpacking smorgasbord. Don't knock it till you try it!”

“okay... Which one is the Crazy Aunt you keep locked in the attic?

Let Me Guess....”