Hey HOI!

“I don't think they'll let HOI on the plane with his saw.”

“Well, I do have have frequent flyer miles I need to use up. Thanks for the offer Stovie. I really appreciate it.”

“That's a real offer.
Out of town peeps have helped me before.
I need to return the favor.

Hey HOI, I have a saw just like yours now. You can use mine. ;-)”

“yep - its just about 11 hours barring accidents or construction on I81 or the other interstates I have also developed a particular dislike for going through Knoxville and I am not overly fond of going around Chattanooga either

Creek Dancer - I can give you a ride down and back if you want if you can get to my place when I leave ... at 4 AM or so.

StoveStomper - how do you like your saw?”

“HOI, do you try and take I40 right through Knoxville? Sometimes 640 is a lot faster.

Nothing anyone can do about Chattanooga though, just grin and bear it.”

“Thanks HOI. I will think about it.”

“StoveStomper - how do you like your saw?”
Hog On Ice
10:00:59 AM
2/09/06

I like it just fine.
It still requires one to push and pull it a lot to cut. ;-)”

“Bitpusher - yeah I40 right through Knoxville - the time that I hit Knoxville its usually not _too_ bad - I usually hit there in the late morning on a work day going down and about noon or so on the way back - this time around I am thinking of taking the south route - I26 to Asheville then I40/74 sort of diagonally through NC and pick up the interstate at Cleveland go around Chattanooga and then pick up 72 as usual at South Pittsburg”

“CD - if you'd like, email me your town and how fast you drive and I can get MS trips planner to do a more accurate drive time. Also, I'll probably be driving over there in a group and would be iffy on picking you up on a flight. It might work out though. Southwest flies into B'ham. sidestep.com does a good job with flight searches.”

“South Pittsburg, wasn't knucklehead from there? 8)”

“dayhiker - you have mail!”

“Hey Creek Dancer!

I'll be either driving up from the Gulf Coast late Thursday or early Friday. So getting into B'ham around Friday Noon would be workable, or early evening Thursday.
I could return you Sunday late afternoon to the airport or else drop you off at an motel near the airport.

I kid around a lot on TT, but I'm harmless.
Jusk ask divinity, she went to the Sipsey alone with me sight unseen. She even returned.”

“yeah - and she hasn't been the same ever since”

“div is a sweetie.”

“I sent a map and driving time. It said 10:40 if you drive 75 on a 70 interstate and 70 on a 65 four lane divided.”

“Do you know where the forest fire is/was in the SNP? Which section?”

“South District - Lewis Mtn. region - the rain Saturday knocked out the fire - all that is left is a few smokers - somewhere around 1100 acres affected - approximate location afaik: http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=17&n=4238352&e=696547&s=50&size=l&datum=nad83&layer=DRG25”

“Great! Thanks HOI.”

“more info on the fire: http://www.nps.gov/applications/fire/public/pub_firenews_detail.cfm?postid=1931&startrow=1&archive=false&orderBy=DateToShow”

“Are you familiar with the Jack Albright trail? I think that it hooks up with the AT somewhere between Rockfish Gap and Reeds Gap.”

“can't say as I have ever heard of it but there are a fair number of trails down that way that I have never hiked or even looked into - I'll check my books when I get home”

“couldn't find anything about the trail other than a mention on the ODATC website and it didn't say anything more than it is a new trail from 2005 and it connects with the AT somewhere in ODATC region (Rockfish Gasp to Reeds Gap)

I think the only way to get some info on this trail would be to email the ODATC.”

“Thanks HOI. I am a member of ODATC. I will contact them. My maps don't show it either.”

“let me know what you find out from ODATC”

“Ok, I found out that you pick up the Jack Albright trail at the Humpback Rocks parking lot. The loop is about 3 miles.”

“that was what I was guessing - its the only area that is wide enough to support a loop trail.”

“HOI, I was a Tenn. Trails meeting last night where the guest speaker was Model T. He was talking about his 4th AT trip he just completed.

He mentioned you in his talk. He talked about you giving them some Yuengling along the trail. He also mentioned that you helped out one guy who had come out to hike with Model T but had to bail. He had nothing but good things to say about you.”

“hey its nice to be remembered - I ran into them as I was hiking back to Swift Run Gap and decided to bring them some Yuengling for the end of their day - it was a good time sitting around a trailpost in SNP that evening.”

“HOI, you ever go to the Speer campout in Hot Springs. I am planning on going to the one in June”

“never went to one in Hot Springs - I usually see Ed on New Years Eve on Springer”

“Hey HOI? Are you going to Springer this year for New Years?”

“that's the plan if the weather looks reasonable - are you interested it a ride down to Springer?”

“Springer is such a long drive for me and I turn into a 3 year old being cooped up in a car that long. I think I will find something closer like the SNP. Let me know if you change your plans. Maybe we can get a few people together from here and/or WB.”

“...will you be @ trail days in VA???”

“not likely - I expect to be hitting Damascus sometime after trail days - assuming I make it that far”

“awwww...you can do it!!!!!”

“I could probably pick you up sometime Friday if you'd like, or someone else even earlier.”

“Congrats on the retirement and good luck on the AT!”

“hey hoi
I live near watauga lake and could pick you up on thursday from watauga lake or off of 19e in elk park nc....”

“I have no idea where I will be at that time but I'll keep it in mind as a possible”

“Retirement is wonderfull, HOI, congrads!”

“HOI, email me for my number since your email isn't listed.”

“Congratulations on retirement HOI. Enjoy it!!”

“assuming I make it that far”
~Nice Hog

I hate to buts yer bubbel, but you prolly wont make it that far eether. You will be the tired - memember? That is VERRY tired!”

“Congrats HOI on your retirement! Now are yyou doing a thru hike? as we speak? yo bear!”

“yo bear - the thru hike starts 4 April, last day of work is 13 March”

“You know I luv you HOI, but I gotta say, I am hatin' on you a little bit too. :)

Have a great retirement, and have a the time of your life on your long hiking adventure. Keep in touch and when you hit Virginia, I would really like to join you for a section.”

“well I have to say I do have a big grin at the moment

I try to remember once I get into central Virginia to contact you via TT”

“If you send me an email, I will send you my cell phone number. Call me if you need any help at all. Are you doing mail drops? I could send ya' some goodies, and maybe a printout of all the TT threads cuz I just know you will missing us so much.

A bunch of us will be hiking from Winding Stair to Fontana Dam between April 4 and 11, so we will be on the trail at the same time!”

“Yeah and you need to let us know when you hit SNP... I have been known to show up at huts with beer...

'32oz”