MEL CHECKS IN....

“Mel, try olive oil or even WD-40...







"That's the truth, and I'm sticking to it."
mel
10:17:25 PM
02/26/02”

“What works best on 3 gage plastic sheeting?”

“Mud.”

“I heard tell tha an out-of-stater could be boiled in oil and fried in Crisco if he calls San Francisco, "Frisco".”

“Naw mel, wd40 is too slick on 3gage plastic. go with the good ol vasoline on 3 gage. LOL

Been a long time melsy!

Wish I could make it to one of these llama fests, sigh...”

“Yeah, Tom, on the surface they all like to act so laid back. But, just call their town "Frisco" and they get all uptight on you. Being a hick from the sticks, I made the dreaded reference once. It was the worst lecture I've gotten since I graduated high school.
Mel, quit talkin' about gettin' all slippery. I love it too much, and I can't make my support group meeting tonight.”

“Ever heard of Vaseline Hair Tonic.........for your hair, hair, hair!
















old commercial”

“I much prefer you smell like food as opposed to mud, WD 40, or vasline hair tonic.

Pamster - how you doing, girl?

You getting out at all?
How you been feeling?

I think we're going to have to take up a collection this year so we can get you a housesitter, and get your fanny out here - even if it's only for a roll-around-in the Crisco weekend.”

“have to be biodegradable.”

“We'll just eat the Crisco....

You know?

Spread it out all over the plastic sheet, everyone takes off their clothes then jumps in and rolls all around?

And when the stuff is all warm and sloppy - we drain off the excess, and we fry chicken in it!!

Tastes just like tuna!”

“Wrap it up, I'll take it....
(old Sam and Dave song)

Chicken ain't chicken 'til its lickin' good and fried!


















and don't forget to boogie!”

“I suggest an old college recipe:

Rum soaked chickend and fried in hemp oil.”

“I wish I had fewer typos in my posts. Then "creative" spelling would be easier to spot.


Remember: non-vegetarian meals are ecologically responsible when they are 100% re-usable.”

“Only getting out a bit mel. Easy, easy stuff and only a couple of miles. Certainly couldn't hang with you guys unless Larry pulled me on a sled for portions of the trip. Now wouldn't that be a sight! LOL! A cabana llama!”

“Maybe you could hire AmyG and her sled.......ya know, no wheels allowed on the trail.”

“MEL my sweet

I've got two things to report. I got married in September and I'm out of work.

I miss talking to the old gang, and stopped posting because of all the pissing matches and "crap" going on...
Maybe this is a change in the tide, I really hope so!

Nullen”

“Like old times.

Path....you DO know of course, that hemp oil is THE most nutrient rich food oil on the face of the planet?

I wish I had my food texts on the thing, but it has a higher amount of things good for you than any other oil.

And we can't buy it in the US because it is related to the DREADED Canibis Sativa!

EEEEEEEEEK!

Reefer Madness!!

You don't suppose we could make Fried Chicken High, do you?

So, Pammie -

We just get you out here, park you on the lawn at my house, under the great big shade trees with a glass of your favorite whatever, and we wait on you hand and foot for the time you're here.

As I think you've gathered, I can fit at least 15 people camping out in the yard - and still have room left over for the Crisco Roll around the fire pit after dinner.

Null - My Dear....

So you got married!?
Well, well, well....
And you never even gave us a hint.
Who's the lucky girl?

How come you're on sabbatical?
Choice? Taking a vacation?
Getting in some quality married time with the little lady?
Are you worn out, yet?
Heh, heh, heh...

Yeah, I was having a problem with getting in here, and a few of us also haven't adapted well to the design change.
I still don't like it - and I've found I'm not alone there.
Well, what can you do?

There were just too many threads coming up at one time, too much weirdness, too many new people and yes crap - uh, huh.

But I got the brilliant idea to start up this thread and distill the out worst parts, and now I've got a regular type old TT conversation thread going.

I've got something to live for again.

Kissy Poo!

Auntie M”

“Mel -

I really love your front yard: Campfire ring, Dutch oven prep site, Llama Pens, trailers, plenty of room for tents, parking galore, and...of course...lots of flamingos for just the right atmosphere.”

“mel, your front yard was my first camping in California.......a perfect start for the High Sierras experience.........not to mention meeting all the llamas and llamaramanians.....dutch oven dinner by Phil...one of those Goooood Times....”

“Mel, are there any pics of your yard posted on Phils page? I have this fabulous mental image, it would be kick to see a photo.

Llamas-I think I may be getting early arthritis and have been thinking of ways to prolong my backpacking days till I die. Llamas keep coming to mind. Are they much trouble to keep? I am sure I could find someplace to corral them within 15 min of my house. I have seen them in the Pecos Wilderness before. I don't mind being spit or nipped once in a while if they are worth the trouble. How much does a good llama cost?”

“mel, the offer sounds great. Iffin I can scrape together a the fare for da plane and car rental I might just take you up on it! Never been front yard camping before;-)”

“When are we gettin' slippery?”

“When are you coming to Iowa, Mel?”

“Best darn campout in CA. Hey NULLEN do you know how to drive a truck?If you're close to 98.6 and can fog up a mirror we need you here so I can take a day off. Hey OM, Nav maybe Dinky is what happens after ya jump in. Figure that: guys go to shrinkage and gals just pop right on out there!!!Now where did Pepperdog go not one note from her yet? This is fun Melsie babbyyy.Thanks.”

“Pathman - the first five photos on this photo album were taken in Mel's front yard last summer. There is a more panoramic view in this photo from the 1999 Llama Rama trip.”

“Thanks, Phil. That fits my mental image quite well.”

“That's a happy lookin' group of refugees!

Tents and trailers and pink flamingoes, oh boy!

This ain't Baltimore(home of THE Pink Flamingoes)!”

“jvz, you got that right! 8^)”

“Mel, I know you are still mad at me from last year. But I truly couldn't stop them from taking me. I tried, Sorry.”

“Mel, I'm heading your way next weekend. I'll be down there on Friday, Saturday and Sunday morning. I'll be skiing a half day on Friday and a full day on Saturday. Maybe we could meet for drinks one afternoon.

SN, are you and your clan gonna be up there that weekend?”

“I've been working on getting our house refinanced so we can add-on, and consequently, I can't make myself face the PC.

It sits on my desk, staring at me, and I get such a guilt complex, I hide from it.

So now I have returned to catch up on the latest gossip.

Let's start where we left off....

Phil... Yes, I must admit my yard, though somewhat lacking in amenities (tennis courts, swimming pool, putting green), does well by itself for al fresco dutch oven dining and dancing, hobo housing, and flamingo sanctuary.

And it's great for practicing your "aim" for the backcountry - learn to write your name without using your hands by standing behind the apple tree, or the trailer.

Hi, Path..

If you haven't seen them already, I think there are several shots of the yard in the collection of Llama Rama pictures.
The yard is a half acre, and only a tiny part is taken up by the house, llamas and travel trailers.
It's not completely level, but I can usually find space enough to park a half dozen tents where it's totally flat, and a few more tents where there's a little slope action.

And I can relate to the arthritis.
What do you think drove me to buying the Idiots in the first place?
Between my age related spinal changes, sports and work related back injuries, llamas were the cheap way to go.

Llamas are cheap to buy - you can find them free pretty often, cheap to feed - a bale a week between two llamas, and the hay can be cow hay, not alfafa (too hot), and need very little space.
Llamas are very nearly maintenence free.
It surprises people how easy they are to take care of.
They rarely get sick - vet bills are infrequent.
I spend more at the vet on my cat than I do on two llamas.
Prices for a "good" llama can run between a couple of hundred bucks for an untrained two year old male (that's what you want for packing) to a couple thousand for a nice female if you want to breed - you don't.

If you want more info - E-me and I'll try to give you a little better run down on them.

Pamster - you just get out here.
Camping in my front yard is NOT like any front yard camping you've ever done!
The back of my house sits on Forest Service land with a 9000 foot mountain sticking up 50 yards from my kitchen window.
Only 50 people live along this stretch of highway, and there's a great view of another mountain range (the Whites) and Crowley Lake just a couple miles from my front porch.

Duna...

I'll let you know how slippery when I can slide off my couch without pushing.

Lizs....
I've never been to Iowa, but my best friend was from there.
When John and I retire in a few years, we'll rent us a motor home and do the domestic land barge trip.
We will pass through your neighborhood along the way.
Just be sure my flamingos can get themselves a date.
They are much happier in pairs.

Aren't we all?!

Aw- Randy! TT!!!

I wasn't mad at you - and I'm not mad now.

I knew you were hung up somewhere and couldn't get back to us.
I was afraid you were going to think I was mad - and then when you dropped off of TT, I was sure that was the reason.
You silly man.

I'm just glad as hell to see you back here.
Can you make any of our upcoming trips this summer?
Let me know and I'll send you the different dates and where we'll be going.

DUNK!!!

I'll be here.
CALL ME!
Make sure you call when I can catch the phone.

8 AM to 9 AM - and 5 PM to 9 PM.

The mountain got two feet of snow last night, and we got several inches here around the house.

Lost Tonto”

“Mel, it's Squaw tomorrow, they got 30" yesterday and plenty more today. I hope next week has similar storms but only after Sunday morning because Saturday I'll be camping near Santa Cruz.”

“Thanks for the info, sounds like an option I will definitely keep in mind.”

“We'll be driving out tomorrow night. We hang out at the Mammoth Grill & Bar Sat night after showers (~5:30 - 7pm), then find a place for dinner.

I don't know what you look like, but you should be able to find me. Green jacket with petroglyphs on the back, black pants and black helmet. Off white board. Yell Snow Nymph & I'll answer. Usually hang out at the top (Gondola 2). Got a 2-way radio??”

“Yes, we'll be out next weekend too. And the next, and the next...

We camp out by the hot springs.”

“Mmmmm...gettin' slippery.....”

“What a fun thread to find! Might have to surf in to TT more often again..... let's see now.

my niece, due to pop any day
married
never
not yet but I'm hoping
old dog
old dog
not
politics? ridiculous thing
donno (isn't that sad?)
no fun at all
.32 revolver
yes
not anywhere I hike!
loose
sometimes
Guinness
Glenfiddich
no
no
no
no
no
no
yes
yes
sometimes
yes
no
no
as needed
yes
yes
no
no
yes
yes

As a general rule, I hate participating in surveys, but for Mel, anything.”

“You've been hiding out far too long M'dear.

When you going to bring your cooking skills down here and share them with Phil and the gang for a Llama Rama?

I want to try some of your seafood dishes!

And a big kiss to you, too.”

“Helloooooooooooooooooooo...........”

“The llamas must still be in their pajamas.”

“Hey mel, you are dropping the ball. What's up?”

“Mel and I have differences.

Maybe we should put them between us.

Oh Yea!”

“Yes where is the Melsie these days? I miss her.”

“Ya ole tart.

You know where I am.
Whyn't you write?”

“I didn't know you cared.

Maybe we should become - closer...”

“maybe mel will check in.”

“She's not dead yet?”

“Gone Fishing!
She'll be back Sept. 19th”

“That explains it. She didn't reply to my email.”

“Mel, we just need some reassurance. Is that too much to ask?”