TD's Challenge (

“Well, I think it has dawned on me..

.. that I am frustrated, depressed, pissed, and homesick for the trail -- all at the same time. I need a good challenge.

I realize that I have the LeConte Extravaganza..

.. coming up over Memorial Day, but I need a new height to (literally) climb up and over to plan for, (and ultimately) get me out of this of this funk.

Most of you know where I have hiked..

.. so now I need some new place to consider. We might be talking about a April/May trip, or we may be talking about a September/October trip. I really don't want to spend two days driving either.

===================================
Where would you guys send me?”

“(skully's suggestion)”

“Thank you.






Hmmmm....what duration (how many days out)?”

“Skully: I don't feel right if I don't do at least 3 days.

I am considering East/North of the GSMNP along the AT (the Lemon Gap and Max Patch section).

I am considering West/South of the GSMNP along the AT (the Fontana/Wesser/NOC section).

I am considering hiking as much of the Cumberland Trail that is open. (how many miles total is that?)

I am considering Arkansas.

I am considering quitting my job, leaving my wife of 24 yrs, and just ditching it all to go walk from Georgia to Maine.

(just kidding on the last one.)”

“Sure you're kidding. Sure you are. LOL! Dreams keep you going when things get rough.”

“that last idea would take some logistic planning, TD, you would have to chart out where the closest Mail Boxes are to the trail so you could mail the alimony checks along the way”

“Ok well lessee here.
If you go the divorce route you probably won't be free until fall and that means you have to go southbound. Then again if you just cold cold-turkey deadbeat dad right now you could get a jump on the northbounders.

I'm joking, I'm joking, put the trekking poles away TD! Ow! stop hitting me, that'll leave a mark!”

“TD, there is also the Black Creek Wilderness just south of Hattiesburg, MS. I think Leatherneck hiked this trail in November and posted a trip report. BTW, where is leatherneck lately???”

“A few thoughts, Ozarks, Mt. Rogers, Shenandoah, Pinhoti(Alabama, won't see many people), Mt. Mitchell, or do a few of the 6000's from "beyond 6000". A friend told me about a place in Missouri that was pretty good. It had a lot of purple, volcanic bluffs. He couldn't remember the name. Maybe someone here is familiar with that area.”

“Maybe you will turn up something on the MO hike. I am wanting to hike in Missouri sometime this spring or early summer.”

“have you heard of a place like that chili? It really interested me, but the guy couldn't remember the name of it. I'll send Dunadan an email and see if he knows. Kansas, Missouri, what's the difference, right? Next he'll ask the two of us the diff. between UA and UT.”

“hehe.. THAT side of the state?.. that's a HAUL.”

“LOL,,,,,he would have to be color blind to not notice,,,,,

oh by the way,,,,,you do know why UT wears orange don't you?















That way they can go from the deer stand to the drunk tank to the football field without changing clothes.

And who said Vols don't have any humor.”

“Backpacker.com is still the only thing coming to me. I'd say Imahiker.com but yer not allowed over there. LOL!”

“TD pissed off Imahiker?
Really? I missed it.”

“That's great chili, I've heard that one from a Bama fan, but never UT. I guess that's the same as my laughing about what a Bama fan and a maggot have in common. Both can live off a dead bear for 20 years.”

“heh.. have you SEEN imahiker lately?”

“Rarely, but yes.”

“I have a challenge. Come hike with me over Memorial Day weekend.”

“hike?,,,,,hike?,,,,,,I thought your plans for the Memorial Day weekend were to set up a base camp and cook power meals.......”

“hehe.. that would be awesome!.. sounds like YOUR job tho, JB.”

“HPM - check out the bottom of the dumbest things in backcountry thread. Could you give input from a Boy Scout scoutmaster perspective. Thanks.”

“hmmm, if I don't go to the redneck riviera (Alabama Gulf Coast) for Memorial Day weekend, then I might be persuaded to make this trip....”

“I'm guessing you're a FloraBama kinda guy?”

“That was a little reference to how Imahiker got a bit bent out of shape over critism of his site. Just jokin'. TD posts over there too.”

“TD im looking for some one to come to Arkansas with me if you want to go let me know. No one wants to go !!?? Owell maybee you will!”

“dayhiker, I grew up going to the FloraBama. Old habits are hard to break.”

“prowler.. need to call ya today sometime.. but ya. arkansas might be kewl.. I gotta tell ya tho.. this trip to Eagle Bluff sounds nice also.. and I got a few trying to talk me into doing some more of the AT.. but hey.. I can call ya sometime today.. if u are around.”

“OK, folks! Here is the difference between Kansas and Missouri. In Missouri, especially the Ozarks, you can find many areas to hike/backpack. In Kansas, you can do some dayhiking and a lot of car-camping. To see much of Kansas, you must be willing to trespass. Don't ask me how I know this.”

“Dunadan, as a former criminal defense attorney, I am compelled to tell you:

You have the right to remain silent, anything you say can, and will, be used against you in a court of competent jurisdiction. You have the right to a lawyer. If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed to represent you by the court.

Memorize this. ;)”

“heh.. awesome.. hey chili?.. come to us memorial if u dont go the redneck heaven.. I am doing my best to recruit some hot single girls (read NEWBIEs.. ).. to come visit.. just for you Mr. divorced man.”

“Hey, Chili, can you say "competent jurisdiction" in Tennessee?
Trespassing usually doesn't make it to the courts around here, if you know what I mean.”

“Kompatent Gerisdickshun

Hows that?”

“Town Dawg, here is a challenge. Come to Kansas and try to find a vertical rise more that 20 feet, (or a tree).”

“HPM, well said, I am impressed with how well you have mastered the language. LOL.”

“Thankie chillethurtesix”

“TD, keep me posted on your recruiting efforts.....and I want pictures before I agree to anything.....LOL”

“Don't forget ages and measurements”

“Wow, Dunadan's on this thread and didn't give me any grief about the Mizzous slap. How's that go again...Rock Chalk..Muck Fizzou”

“oh yeah,,thanks HPM,,,,,I think the age question is very important. In Tennessee, 15 can get you 20.”

“I usually would bite on that, Dayhiker, but I am on the self-appointed committee to keep folks out of the flat state. Our motto, "It's worse than you've heard"!”

“Dang man, that's the second time I've tried to get you to dive in and no go. I've never been to the flatlands and never thought it would interest me until reading the 4 books that make up the Lonesome Dove series. Now I guess there is a certain draw. I'm planning on rereading Lonesome Dove soon. It also gave me a strong urge to go to Montana.”

“Dunadan: :)... I hate Kansas.. did graduate work in Kansas City.. sooooooo flat.

Chili36: I am serious.. I think i got three different NEWBIE single girls coming.. I figured if i could recruit a few lookers.. you guys would all JUMP at the chance to uMmm.. guide them?”

“TD, graduate work at UMKC? YOu were in the hilly part of the state!”

“TD, your track record with 14 year olds is holding back the crowd. I want pictures AND birth certificates.”

“TownDawg,
You need a challenge? Try the Pinhoti in August.”

“Arkansas trails are full up and closed for the remainder of the year. No more permits available.”

“chili36?.. you are gonna get it fella.. i am NOT gonna let you meet this girl i got for you.. if you kee this up.. I will HAVE you know.. the youngest I am bringing is 26.”

“one is 35.. one is 26.. one is a little over 40.. which one do u want..”

“Is Rad pimpin' these ladies?”