return to big bend

“I would like to go,,,,but not in June. Have fun and if it is too hot, just go hang out at the La Kiva.”

“Yep. Plan to pay'em a visit. Another park highlight! Who knows, maybe a girl will wanna let me buy her a beer.”

“better shave first, bacpackin2”

“Shave and shower!”

“Hey, Stikmon, didn't you buy someone a drink at La Kiva? "ALAMO-O-O-O-O-O-O!!"”

“get your own thread! sheesh!

ya...I bought tequila for Wade...good grief...never water the locals, for crikey sake.

Ice, glad to have you on board.”

“as things get closer, I'll move all communique's offline, onto the "secret email" service. Details like cost and such will be provided in those emails. there is the shuttle fees and food and canoe rental and incendental $$$ to consider in addition to any airfare and gas to consider. We usually do food as a communal thing with Dave and me making all the purchases, including beer, then just split the costs. Remember, I'll be driving, so, I'll be able to pick up whatever you'll be needing and bring it down.

If your backpacking and in need of fuel, I can pick it up and transport it for you, if your canoeing...stoves will NOT be necessary as Dave and I will have everything necessary for the riverside food fests.

Glad your interested in this trip. It will be a highlight for sure. Are you signed up on the trips page?”

“Thanks I am looking forward to it...very excited as it will be my 1st hike west..”

“I will be driving as well.

I will be passing through Alpine and can stock up on whatever anyone needs there.

I have never found either beer or whiskey to be at sky high prices at Gloria's Last Chance Liquors in Study Butte (and Lajitas), however, I will bring in a supply from Alpine.”

“Where are you driving from Chili?”

“I'm bringing my supply with me. This way, I can have a brew or 10 at the rest stop where I sleep on the way down...nothing like hanging in the car, suckin down a brew and watching color TV on my watchman.

Looks like I might be picking up Ice again in Dallas, so, my car is filled if he shows...

Rox, Chili pulls out from the Memphis area.

Dave, I think we might need the 22 quart dutch oven this year. At the very least, I'm thinking that we could have used it LAST year, as there just wasn't enough food cooked for the 3 of us, let alone a couple of more folks. Lets bring in a freakin pig and do a pig roast on the river...now that would be FUN!!! and don't forget the blender...that will make things a whole lot more interesting for sure..especially if Tim makes the portable grub box for us...Oh my goodies...this is gonna be sooooooooooooo much fun this year.”

“stikky! come hiking with me! please see hiking arkansas thread”

“Sounds TOO GOOD! We might end up with our camp being raided by "citizens" from across the Rio Grand! Got bact Tuesday. Too hot this June, for some reason; usually much cooler. The staff in the Basin Camp too regimented, like retired cops or something. I went out into the desert for a couple of nights but the heat at the end of the first day won. I will see you in December!”

“No hiking in the summer...No way, no how.”

“Chili what are the chances of me carpooling with you? I can help pay for gas if your interested it would help me get there easier since I dont' know the way.”

“this was raised to conscienceness.

Developments are this, my mother will be in attendence on the canoeing portion of this trip. and she can eat like no other skinny person that I have met, so, food will be in overabundance.”

“complete, it is now time to turn thoughts to this trip.

I;ll be picking up Ice in Dallas on the 24th of Dec and arriving in BB that evening and laying over at the outfitters. We'll day hike on the 25th. Hit up the ranger to pick up back country permits on the 26th, and hit the trail that day (Sunday). We'll be backpacking 3 days this year. Last year we did 2- 2 day trips with a resupply in between. This year water conscieness will be imperative as there will not be a resupply. I've yet to begin to look over the trails, but will do so shortly.

On Tuesday late afternoon, we expect to be off of the trail, back at the car, sucking down mighty cold brews. We'll then head to eat some fantastic Mexican food and then back to the outfitters to begin preparations for the canoe portion. There we will meet Dutch Oven Dave and his wife Polly and my mother. On Wed morn, we will head out to the Rio for our 4 day paddle trip through Santa Elena Canyon. This canyon can be done in 2 days, we did it last year in 3, but 4 will allow time to explore and hike some VERY cool side canyons. Food will of course be awsome, beverages will of course be COLD. We will celebrate the New Year in grand fashion on the Rio, camping and hooplaing in the canyon itself. Our last day on Saturday Jan 1, will allow us to climb and explore Smugglers Cave and then on towards the exit of the canyon and our take out. A much derserved shower will be greedily met back at the outfitters with drinks and (food?) at La Kiva to celebrate our accomplishments.

All are invited. It would be great to see a bunch of folks descend upon the Rio and BB this year. The more, the merrier.”

“I wanted to go....but since I changed jobs I have no vacation this year :( ..but maybe if you invite some of us to other canoeing adventures we would take you up on it!!!”

“the invitation to go on other canoe trips is always open. My next trip is 2 weeks from now. 11 Points river near Doniphan Mo.”

“Very cool plan. Until I get the new job situation squared away, I don't want to commit, but unless it is an impossible task, I will be there at least by the 27th.”

“a 2 day backpack (with the 1 day hike day intact), and a 5 day float through Santa Elena, but I'd really like to do a longer backpack than 2 days...sort of "been there, done that" attitude. I'd like to be in the Bend for a longer period of time, plus, I think 4 days on water will be entirely enough for my mother. There is always next year and different canyons to explore.”

“I might do more backpacking and less water while I am there.

Of course, with Dawn never having been there, I am not ruling out a mechanized hike along the Rio Grande on the Old River Road.”

“that you do with Dawn would be great. I think I'll stick to the 3 day, 4 day plan.

come down and do the 4 day float with us, then you 2 can do the hike/ride afterwards. We really will need you to do KP duties one night (I hear you "think" you know how to make a fair chili).”

“GO! My mother has gotten permission from her manager to take off the needed days so that she will be able to do the Rio float portion of this trip. She is sooooo excited, she woke me up from a deep sleep last night to tell me. This will be memorable, for her and for me.”

“Don't forget to tell your mom to pack depends. Poo Poo in the pants stink very bad.”

“get bent!

I've narrowed the field for the 3 day backpack portion of the trip...the Chisos Mtn loop. It is a 13-14 miler that traverses the entire Chisos Mtn range. According to the legendary Chili, there are "semi-dependable" water sources on the trek, which is always a good thing.

This trip is ALMOST a done deal as far as the planning, now all that remains is menu planning and then perfect exocution. Can't wait!!!

Ice...been trying to call you last night (sunday) but your line was busy, either you were on the net all night, or you got a girlfriend to talk to, or you turned into a woman and talk on the phone all night...call me you buzzard...we got some planning to do!”

“So far for definite attendance is Me, My mother, Ice, Dutch oven Dave and Wife (polly).

Still waitin for the others to stand tall.”

“It\'s so dang far from where I live and I hate to drive. If you\'d consider driving my happy a$$ down there (preferably in some cushy-riding luxury automobile), I may be persuaded to join ya\'ll. Be sure it has racks for my \'yak.”

“also, Matt\'s new format is doing something funky to words with apostrophes in them.”

“I have to pick up Ice in Dallas on Dec 24th. I will be passing Lil rock on the 23rd (night) and could pick you up then (and only then) I will be returning on Jan 3rd.

You are more than welcome in my truck (and its not the Mighty Rav4. I now have an explorer sport trak and have bars for the bunnie and yak.”

“LR to Dallas isn't too bad, but from Dallas to Midland/Odessa is a bummer.”

“It sure is!!!

I do like the journey's end...

Are you IN OR OUT??? have you decided yet.”

“Barring a new job that won't allow me to go, I am in.”

“Which legs...BP and float. If floating, make certain you bring your ingredients for chili...no chili, splash you go.”

“Sticky - I am interested in this trip but will have to do either the float or hike. I probably won't be able to get there for Christmas Day. What are the chances of hooking up with Y'all the morning of the 26th? Just curious - I can always catch you later in the week for the float part. Should be a grand time!

I'm in the Waco area and could help (maybe one way) with transportation out of the DFW area if someone gets stuck.

Tex”

“A long lost voice ressurected...nice to read you again TXWW. The backpack portion (3 days, S, M,T) will commence on Sunday morning, when we will be able to pick up the backpacking permits from the ranger office, as they will be closed on x-mas day...so, yes, you can hook up with us on Sunday the 26th. We will be offtrail sometime mid to late afternoon on the 28th, where we will meet me mother and Dave of the Dutch Oven and his wife, Non-Paddlin Polly and whoever else is going on the float trip. We will descend (all smelly and grimey) on a place called Tivo's for a wickedly decadent meal served on real plates (vs. eating out of ziplocks), then head to showers, and the outfitter for transitioning from backpacking to canoeing gear. We'll be on river for 4 days (3 nights). offriver late saturday afternoon, departing the wilds of BB on Sunday morning.

Email me with a phone # and I'll call you and give you more details, but thats the basic outline at this time.

You are MORE than invited. Mh”

“back to the board for a short bit of time.”

“6 weeks till this trip...I'll be sending out emails again soon...or maybe not. those that are going, already know the plan...those that are interested, and need more details, can email me, those that aren't interested can go read another thead.”

“2 backpacking weekends stand between now and then. Not quite totally ready for the grueling trek, but, time is rapidly and by the time its time to go, then all preparations will be set.

I can't wait....hehehehehehe”

“dooooooooo do, dooooooooooo do...its gettin close.”

“Return to Big Bend? OH! I thought this was a Monicha Lewinski thread!”

“this is a serious backpacker/floating thread...now leave, and never come back.”

“If yer goin canoeing and need to rent a boat go to this outfitter. Ask for Debra and tell her that this is a "Stikmon" trip.

She has all the details of the trip.

Debra has a freezer to store any foods that you want to bring on the river portion of the trip, which will begin on Wednesday morning the 29th. If your going on the river portion, then you MUST be at Debra's on Tuesday evening. We leave out first thing in the morning...and if you ain't there at that time, then don't bother showing up, cause we'll be gone and you won't be able to catch us.

If your joining Ice and me for the backpacking portion, we will be arriving at Debra's on the 24th, late. Then head out for an adventure driving tour of some remote sections of the park on Friday morning, returning to Debra's on Friday night. It will be Christmas Eve, and Debra usually has some big party type thing...We missed it last year, but we will be present this year!

Email me if your interested in additional details.
last edited: 12/02/04 9:01:03 AM”

“Since I've heard NOTHING from those that said that they are interested, I'm cancelling this trip...all except for those that said that they are in and have committed to the deal (Ice, DOD and my mom). Thanks for all the interest...posers!”

“stikmon, it would be a good trip but I am a maybe on the Smokies after Christmas hike.

I did have a question on the trip in 05/06 thread”

“yep...still cancelled.”

“but its been cancelled, so what Am I talkin about.”

“I don't report to Charlotte until the 3rd of January now.

I am looking for an Ozarks farewell before I leave.”

“bend over an squeal..I am sure a Razorback will give you a Ozark farewell”

“On second thought, I might use that week to be moving to Knoxville.”