The Corporal Nasty Shrine

“Hike the upper part of the Coppermine trail yesterday with Pennsy, Must Hike, and Must Hike's daughter. Pennsy and I met at the AT trailhead on Mohican Road. Must Hike and daughter lived up to his trail name and had gone on ahead. They were waiting for us at the crest of the ridge.

Blueberries were out and there were some ripe ones, but most were just not quite ripe yet. Some bushes had berries that tasted sweet and juicy, others berries that were tart.

Good day to be out and with other TTers. The company was fantastic.

We took the connector trail that makes a four-mile loop without going all the way to the bottom, due to the fact that powerful thunderstorms were in the forecast for sometime in the afternoon.

Pennsy still had to hike on the ridge on the way back to his car. Hiking stud that he is, he started his hike somewhere off to the north and met me at the trailhead.

Pennsy also loaned me his backup water bottle since I had walked out of the house without the water I had put in the freezer the night before. Duh! Of course, there was a moment's hesitation on the chance it was Pennsy's pee bottle, but of course, we all know he only whizzes in springs do I was safe. He also put a purification tablet in the water, so it was definitely safe.

Once more, Must Hike forgot the wheelbarrow loaded up with beer. Of the two memory lapses, I'd have to say his is the more serious.

On the way home I stopped off at Hot Dog Johnny's to take in the new Corporal Nasty Memorial Shrine.

It reads:

On this spot in on July 28, 2002, Corporal Nasty conducted a counter attack and ground assault on a superior enemy force. During this engagement, the corporal sustained serious wounds to the face.

Undaunted, the corporal followed up this action, conducting mop-up operations. As a direct result of his heroic and selfless actions, eight enemy hot dogs and approximately 50 French fries were killed, wounded, or captured.

For his heroic actions, Corporal Nasty was awarded the Congressional Medal of Humor. His actions reflect great credit on himself, his unit, and the United States Army.”

“I salute the corporal for his bravery (although I fear the U.S. government may have staged this one too). His sudden amnesia of the incident is particularly suspicious...”

“Hey tree, a little respect. The corporal was knocked senseless.”

“I saluted him. I even would have propped his head up with 1000 Hot Dog Johnny napkins if I were there at the time...”

“Sounds like a nice hike. Wish I could have joined you. Instead, I was sitting in the sand at Virginia Beach with swarms of hot and sticky humans.”

“CD, that's quite a lovely picture you paint there. Were they stuck to each other...”

“It must have been miserable at Virginia Beach, it was 88 and hazy in Elkins, WVa yesterday.”

“lol @ tree. I don't know. There we so many dang people there that I could not tell. I prefer the mountains and fewer people. And I missed Geo. Waaaaaaaaaah”

“It was however quite pleasant at Bear Heaven CG on a ridge with good breezes.”

“We will have to get a trip together, Creek (without peeling people from one another)”

“Ahhhhhhhhhh. Elkins, W. Va. Geo and I were there a couple of weeks ago. The weather was amazing. Low humidity and cool nights. I am ready to go back.”

“It was more like Beer Heaven.

I only left my chair to water the trees.”

“It wasn't much of a creek to dance over on this hike. Not a challenge at all.

Yes, wish I was back at Stuart Campground with CD, or somewhere in that area with CD.”

“Is Beer Heaven that campground in the same vicinity as Stuart Campground? I think we drove by there.”

“That was the one.”

“Its very nice and $5 per night.

The "Rock City" near the CG makes it clear why its called Bear Heaven.

Where's Stuart CG?”

“Stuart is located inside a meander of Shaver's Fork down near Elkins. It's a pretty nice campground with hot showers and electrical hookups at all the sites, although we didn't need the electrical hookup. The cost is higher, but since I had a meeting to attend that Saturday the showers seemed like an essential thing to have. Also, it is close to Elkins.

I drove through Bear Heaven once on a rainy weekend. Talk about a bunch of drowned rats. I could have made some money that weekend selling Wally World tarps.”

“BTW Tom, if you keep driving on that gravel road past Bear Heaven, you eventually come to Bickle Knob where there is an observation tower with outstanding views. Porte Crayon, Cabin Mountain, Spruce Mountain, McGowan Mountain, and Laurel Mountain to the east are all parts of the view.”

“I've been to the tower.
Its a chopped-off fire tower with a deck.”

“That it is. Stuart Campground is down at the bottom from the tower, on the western terminus of Stuart Memorial Drive.”

“Stuart Mem Drive is mighty rough west of Bear Heaven.”

“It's rough over its entire length. You just have to take it slow. Multiple asteroid impacts.”

“Yes it was a good day I wish there had been a little less of the heat and humidity. It was good to see Geobeet again and always good to hike with Pennsy. My daughter had a good time and wants to head back out on a trail again soon. Were going to do an overnighter together probably when the weather cools off a little.”

“Heat and humidity? You didn't see anything. All the way back home it got hotter and more humid.”

“They made a shrine there? I am so honored. I thought it would end up being one of those forgotten wars no one wanted to remember- I still get flashbacks. In all that senseless violence, there's a lesson to be learned though- For a while afterwards, I hated ALL hot dogs- Armor, Hebrew National, Ballpark, you name it. It took me a while to realise this, but just because a hot dog is a hot dog, it doesn't mean it's the kind of hot dog that would lie in wait to conduct a suicide attack on an american soldier.”

“In all that senseless violence,


what freaken violence?

you attacked the dog.

geez man get it together!!”

“Well we don't know what happened while the corporal was conducting his counter attack and ground assault Maple. The corporal was knocked senseless, but he was obviously wounded in the course of those attacks. If his memory ever returns, we might shed some light on exactly what happened.

Just be happy they don't sell hamburgers Corporal! God only knows what might have happened.”

“"Pennsy also loaned me his backup water bottle since I had walked out of the house without the water I had put in the freezer the night before. Duh! Of course, there was a moment's hesitation on the chance it was Pennsy's pee bottle, but of course, we all know he only whizzes in springs so I was safe. He also put a purification tablet in the water, so it was definitely safe."
-Geobeet

Try to be a nice guy and see what happens....

BTW Geo - I made a minor error. It seems I goofed and put salt tablets in your water instead of the purifying tablets. In about 7-10 days, make sure you stay very close to your toilet. ;o)”

“Was the alleged incident staged as a media stunt by the U.S. Armed Forces?

Who found the Corp.? Has he been allowed to talk to the media without military aids handy? What's he telling his family?



;-)”

“A little Preparation-H works wonders on those asteroids, Geo.”

“Ummmm... military AIDES.

LMAO!!!”