looking for Big Bend year end joinees

“just do. This is gonna be such a achem...gulp...errrr (pimpass) trip. hehehe

I have been pouring over the maps and will need to order some type of book to tell me trail descriptions, but It should be simply awsome. Jan, at the outfitter said "not to worry, there is plenty of water to do the canoe portion, we might just have to be flexible. Lord knows I'm very flexible, (ask Lizs)LOL. anyway, I'm pumped...this will be my last big vacation tour for the year, and its gonna be great.

Chili, I like that idea of backpackin loop hikes with a restock of water at the cars. From what I have read on the NPS site, water is a commodity, and could be used as currency in the backcountry. We really need to talk, since you are the resident BBNP expert. Lets plan an evening to pour over the texts together, that is if your wife will grant you permission to stay up late on a weeknight.”

“I must have just heard my name taken in vain....... as something attracted me back to this site right now.”

“:-)

Hey stikkie, I was getting some MO backpacking info in a couple places. There are tons of people out there for hiking/packing in SE MO.

Or maybe youse got BO? LOL!

j/k”

“rednecks from Missouri. I like my Arkansas Redneck friends. Hey, come on down for Labor Day and float the Current.”

“this way, we can talk about you when your not around.”

“LMAO!

yeah, uh huh. Ummm... I don't know no Skinny Mulligans.”

“stickmon,

I have all the maps. Lawrence Parent's book on the Big Bend is the best I have found so far. You can also order up a couple of books from the Park Headquarters. They list the bp trails and the back country roads.”

“Florala, AL to Eagle Pass, TX and come through Mexico to Big Bend...hmm myabe i can work it like that and save 500+ miles”

“that alone sounds like a cool trip...Make it so.

Thanks chili.

Lizs...we'll see...just bring em.”

“stikmon,

I've got the TOPO CD for Big Bend.

I'd be glad to print any maps needed.”

“i'd love to make this trip if i can and y'all will allow me... i've spent dec 26 - jan 3/4 in big bend 11, maybe 12 times...an annual trip until the christmas before last. anyway, i've got a 6 week break from school over christmas this year, but i'm not sure if i could make it or not at this point.”

“add yourself to the list of potentials on the "trips page". This way, when we start communication via email. you'll be all set up. You need make no final decisions till December. Welcome...

Unless your a psychopath, then you must absolutely join in.

ChuckD, I have the topo, but not any guide books with any true trail description, but Chili does, and I'll be seeing him long before hand. Thanks.”

“Ya think you'll see Chili? Ummm... didn't ya say he won't make trips since he's been married.....













and didn't make them before either?

lol”

“As soon as chili is through moving his division from a $500K concern to a $25M concern (and we are about to hit that bubble), chili will be hiking much, much more.”

“Whoa, dude! That's ambitious! Hope you get it done!

(But if you get it done without swearing off TT, I will suspect foul play.) ;)”

“LOL, we are only about two hits away, Fritz.

I have to get my TT fix between writing clauses for contracts. Some days I feel like a prisoner in this office.

On top of that, I run the ops division, but fortunately, I have a good structure in place and I only have to put out the blazes when they flare up.”

“that is if your still looking for a QUALIFIED marketing manager. It would get me out of bumf_ck Mo.”

“you must mean CERTIFIABLE




LOL!!”

“you stick to photo and editorials, I'll stick to Marketing. between us, we can take over the world and make Mutt god over us all.”

“has been sent out.

For those of you not on the SE list...Plans are developing, the river portion of the trip has been set...30 miles of pristine river and canyons...Rio Grand Village to La Linda (Heath Canyon), Dec 31 thru Jan 2.

HIking portion is yet to be determined. But the dates are Dec 27 (noon) thru Dec 30 (afternoon).

This trip is going to have to limited to 12 for the river portion. That is the max for 1 van shuttle. Cost of the shuttle is $200.00 and WILL BE SHARED AMONGST THE PARTICIPANTS!!! no exceptions.

again, this trip is set up to hike/backpack or river canoeing or both...

Only GOD will keep me from seeing the "Bend" this year.”

“regarding this trip. Thanks.”

“its gettin close and I now have all my materials for the park...time to study and get ready...

Due to the remotness of this park and the alighnment of the holiday's, this is a once in a lifetime thing...length and time allowed to stay there are in my favor...I hope that a few others might be able to do this...no dogs, so Khatru stays home...and speaking of Khatru...he stinks, he needs a bath REAL BAD!!! sheesh!!!”

“So, I’m online looking for something else and what do I find? Some folks are doing my hiking/canoeing dream trip to Big Bend! That’s the good news. The bad news is I was quoted about $430 for round trip airfare from Chicago to Midland plus $280 for car rental. Ouch! But, if I can find affordable transportation, count me in!”

“Ice, you just get your butt on I-57 and head to Stikky's place...”

“Big Bend?
Isn't that in Arizona or something?

That's gotta suck.
You all make me SICK!”

“Tara, Tara, Tara!
You should be ASHAMED of yourself!”

“its in Texas, on the Rio Grand River border with Mexico.

Ice...welcome, go to the trips page and git yourself on the list, this way, You.ll get the "secret email's" that I send out periodically.

Tara...come down to play...this is gonna be too much fun...

Ice...yes...dream trip. and It's gonna happen, for sure. hiking and canoeing between christmas and new years...and yes...get your self down I57 and drive with me...no worries...I only bite a little. Everyonce in a while I get the urge for blood, and having someone with me, makes acquiring it just that much easier.”

“heheheeee!”

“thats right, I called you a turd.”

“thats right, I called you a turd.”

“Thanks for the offer. If I can’t get a cheap flight I’ll ride with you. As for the stuff about blood, you sound like a man after my own heart and maybe my kidneys.”

“sounds good. Make sure you read the trip plans...I will be gone a long time...and If I die on the trip, you don't get any gear! It is already spoken for...LOL

I just got my new dutch oven, so, dinners on the river will be outstanding.”

“Stikmon I never could download the maps. Sounds like a wonderful trip. I really want to make it.”

“and you and I can do big bend...hahaha...maybe you can bring one of them office hotties to help keep my tent warm at night.”

“and... who would keep my tent warm if I left Chili at home with the kids????”

“lol.

I was just lookin over the NPS photo Gallery...OMG!!! this is gonna rock so much. 2000' cliffs to float through!!! I'm gettin a woody just thinkin about it.”

“I have communicated with Ice, He's a definite. Will be picking him up in Dallas on the drive down....

Welcome Ice, to what will undoubtledly be a CLASSIC stikmon adventure (hmmmm...I hope he don't read any past trip reports, it just might scare him off).

Anywho...Its time to pony up and make the commitment. I need to make the appropriate reservations with the outfitter.

Secret email to be issued tonight.”

“c'mon, secret e-mail ME!!”

“psycho-pathetic...your just pathetic...lol...I got your E-MAIL right here, baBEEEEEEE!!!!!”

“Ok Stik, I am still trying to secure these dates with a little friendly schedule manipulation...*EG* I will be 2 people, both my partner and I are excited to come. We own our own canoe, so I have a question, is the hiking first or second ? I know I could skim thru these notes and find out, but this will be much faster.”

“hiking is first. We'll hit water on the morning/afternoon of NYE! I'm now rethinking my original plan of bringing REAL food on this trip. The stuff would have to be on ice for like 5 days. No problem with Dry Ice, but that is not a product that is available in my town. I'd have to hit up a walmart somewhere along the drive. But, If I make the stuff here and dehydrate it...all I'd have to do is boil water and viola!!! instant Paialla. That might save me alot of grief. Then, all I'd need to do is acquire regular ice for the beverages and champaign and beer. hmmmm, I think I can handle that.

Anyone interested in the canoe portion and needing a canoe, will NEED to make reservations NOW with Jan at the outfitter. I will post a new link in a moment.”

“outftter link

You will need to mention my name...Stikmon will do nicely. She has all the info...last time I talked with her, she said that we must remain flexible and not be so tied to one spot on the river. She will put us in where there is water.

As for the hiking portion...as stated before, I'd like to break this up into 2 2day backpacks. I dont relish the thought of carrying 10lbs of water on my back for 4 days of hiking.”

“I'll be driving down from Houston for the hikes only, gotta work on New Years, I could bring dry ice, we buy it by the ton here at the lab. I typically take a 100 lbs on my trips to BB, it last for about a week in a good cooler. a 50 lb block is about a cubic foot”

“She says that we can store in her freezer, any food items that we want, and in the frig...too...cool. She can also store any canoes that people may have for the duration of the hiking portion of the trip. She will be able to shuttle up to 6 canoes. So, for me, thats one, angii 1 or 2? Ice (he's gonna rent one) that makes 3 or 4....who else?

There will also be a necessity to rent and take with us...a potty. no poopin on the banks of the Rio. $25.00 to be split amongst the group...shuttle fee to be split among the group...so...bring some CASH...Once final head count is set, I can then approximate the costs per person.

Dhuck D...looking forward to meeting you.

Do you have any recommendations on 2 2day hikes...anything that you'd love to see or do. I'm totally open, as I've never been there before...and thanks for the offer on the dry ice. I'll think that over, but with Jan being so good, I'm thinking I should be ok, but I will let you know. email me a phone #, I'd like to talk at ya.”

“I'm gonna bring some firewood with me to float with...one never knows what will be found on the river of a desert.

If everyone on the river trip can stash a bundle of wood, then we'd have plenty of wood for the 3 nights. We just won't be able to plan on a BON fire...shucks, rats, crap!!!”

“Just as an FYI, Study Butte is somewhat civilized these days. Complete with a bank, ATM and cell tower.

And don't forget to go by the LaKiva for a cold beer while you are there.

I will have my kids during this hike and just can't justify getting them all down there in the time I will have.”

“can you swing that?”

“stikmon, the events are less of a problem than getting them there.

I tend to pack light, travel fast and stop as few times as possible.

Meaning I would probably drive from here to Midland. Spend the night either on the backseat of the car or in a quickly set up camp and be in the basin by one the next day.

With the kids, I see that 18 hours of driving to be sheer hell.”

“but this is gonna ROCK!!! it might be worth it.

I'll talk to you about it on T-day weekend.

Everything is all set in my book. Jan has everything she needs from me, including my credit card #.”

“Stikmon,

email with numbers on the way to you.”