Thank You, Trail Talk!

“In light of the recent news, it's time for me to ride off into the sunset.

When I first became interested in hiking, I stumbled on this place doing some research. Though this website, I was able to learn much more in a shorter period of time than I would have if I didn't find it. I've also made some real cool friends from this site, hiked some real neat places and learned how not to kill myself when on the trail. For this, I am truly thankful.

As we all agreed on, this is not a complete goodbye, only a "see you in two years". In that time, I hope that this fractured country can some how heal it's self from what has gone on here in the last few years. I does bring a tear to my eye that there is so much division. I honestly wish that one day, we could all be a unified country again, even more so in these trying times.

I am very happy that none of the fears that I had about terrorism during the election process happened; too many people have died already. I really did think that something was going to happen and I'm glad that I was wrong.

Leaving this online community will be a blessing of sorts. I was fuly prepared to lose this bet and in fact, for me at least, I am relieved. I don't want to say that I have wasted my time here, but I admit that I have spent far too many hours behind this keyboard talking to you people. I have too much going on in my life at the moment that TTing has become a negitive impact on those activities. I presented this bet with an unlining hope that I would lose, to give me a good excuse to give up this place for a while.

I remember the first night I met Buddha at Green Lake CP here in Michigan. He had been AWOL from this place for a few weeks. One of the first things I asked him was why he wasn't posting here as much, in which he replied "Sometimes you just need to take a break". I thought to myself how could that ever happen? I now know how it happens.

Last year when I heard the news about birch's pal being killed in action, I was really torn up about it. I couldn't imagine what he was going through to lose such a close friend. The next day, I sat at my best friends house and told him about PJ. My friend turned to me and said that at least he didn't die in vain. For some reason, that comment set me off and I left his house enraged. I had been feeling up to that point that there was something going wrong with the war and yes, I thought briefly, what if he did? That's when I decided to take a stand and fight this chit. That's when the Revolution is now thread made it's appearance.

I come from a very political family. My mother and father were very big players in my area in the anti-war movement during 'Nam. They were not just your average peaceniks, they were very militant protesters, sometimes taking it a little too far. I first declared myself a Ford supporter during the '76 election and became a firm Repub, until recently. I think that's what got me outta the will! LOL! I tapped that militant spirt the last year or so because I feel this war is wrong. At times, I am beside myself with disbelief that this country, a country being run by those same people that were alive during 'Nam, would allow this to happen again. That makes me real sad and angry. I also cannot believe that the Amreican people believe this President, when there have been so many lies from them. This alone, is very troubling.

But enough of all that. This is a time when we the people need to keep our eyes open and make sure that nothing is being pull over on us. This is what keeps the Gubment in check. I love this country wth every fiber of my being and I only want peace, justice and understanding to guide us.

With that, You boys and girls be good to each other. I hope that every trail meal is a feast! I wish you safe travels on your trails! I want only good weather and stunning views for each and everyone of you. Most importantly, I wish health, saftey and love in your lives.

Take care, Get Down! and thank you all again. Also.....








KICK OUT THE JAMS, MUTHA PHUCKER!!!!!


LOL!!!!”

“Peace out Robin. You have my e-mail address. Drop me a line when you have a cool hiking trip planned!”

“As long as we are all united under conservatism.”

“I'll talk to you, Q. We will do this trip at the end of the month...”

“take care q....dont forget to email me the proof of your nakidness :)”

“Wow! I'm speechless. Take care.

Y'all are crazy!”

“You are allowed to lurk, right?”

“Take it easy laqtis. It was fun arguing with the old you and agreeing with the changed you.

I still think this bet was stupid but I had a feeling you were looking for an excuse to break away anyway.

Take care.”

“In the spirit of national unity Laqtis should be released from this bet, and should have to continue to suffer life on TT.”

“Also don't forget; no Johnny Pissoff either.”

“"suffer life on TT"
He's already gonna have to suffer 4 more years of Bush. How much suffering can one man handle? lol

I am fortunate, in that Q and I are only a mere 25 minutes away. And, see each other frequently. So, I'm bummed to see him leave TT but it certainly won't have a negative impact on our friendship.”

“welp, i hope the next two years treat you well! we'll miss you!

and for the record, is it laQtis, or laGtis? j/k!!!
:-D”

“Q, the sunsets in the northwoods of Wisconsin are pretty nice, so ride on off up here sometime should you get the chance.”

“Sorry to see you go laqtis... :-(

Maybe sometime Thinkbubelz and I will meet you through Tara. :-) Truly, today was a sad day in my mind as well...”

“yeah, we will miss you!

I think we should sign a petition to keep Q. I will be the first to sign it :)”

“Sorry to see you go. The bet was a bad idea for all. I hope Dunadan and Buddha don't follow through too.”

“Good Riddance.”

“Well how about that, we won't need the Fuego Catagory any more.

LOL.

Good luck.”

“NOOOOO, not my buddy Tunacan! i forgot about that part. you boys are tho thilly.”

“laqtis, you do still beat the skins, non?

Adios, mofo!!!”

“Laqtis: You will be missed. Please keep in touch -- you got my email I assume. I still need to make it up to MI someday!”

“I will not allow this to change our friendship one iota”

“Take care Q. You are correct; the war is wrong. But convincing chickenhawks that a war is wrong is not easy. It takes a lot of bodies over a long time. When it begins to hit home, the message gets across.”

“this kind of reminds me of that classic MASH scene, LOL!”

“LOL! All we need is a gin still and a coffin!”

“...and a black capsule!”

“did i miss something?”

“Report to the

[url]TT Virtual Duel: It’s Either You or Me[/url]”

“OK, I am having a bad day.”

“I still haven't figured out the link thing.”

“Can I get 2poops a ticket on that bus?”

“bbw, you are a small, hateful man. i will be glad when your kind is dead and gone”

“I hate to see you go laqtis but I admire a man of his word. Nothing wrong with hoping on a hike sometime, keep an eye on the trip page while you're gone.”

“I don't think Q wrote this himself. It doesn't have enough misspelled words.

:)”

“Take it easy! See ya when I see ya!”

“your reasons for not posting on TT are silly. Your sentiments on the government are right on!

later!”

“Best wishes laqtis. I'll miss your thoughtful posts. Your wife is a teacher , right? I hope she has a good year. Michiogan is beautiful.....enjoy.”

“so wait, it was a toss up between Mutt and LQ and LQ lost?

if you leave then we all lose, because we will be stuck with Mutt the Butt.
sad day on Trail Talk.
ok I am leaving too, at least until Bush has been in office for one month.
later”

“DUDE!!! you are too much of a Democrat now,,, so we'll see ya tommorrow.”

“Has anyone actually ever escaped?”

“I tried once....



......”

“this is so stupid. u better continue to post on TT, or else email me and keep in touch.”

“Why can't Tim Robbins have this type of honor keeping to his word?”

“I'm still in the dark -- what duel?! Can't find the thread...”

“Virtual Duel: It’s Either You or Me

That is the thread title. I will bump it for you.”

“maple - Bush has already been in office for a month. Does this mean you won't post until after he's been gone a month?”

“maple, let's you and me go on strike.

These people suck owl schit!!!!”

“See you around Q.”

“Q, I'll miss seeing you around TT.I am sure we'll hike again soon.

And BTW PJ didnt die in vain. He believed in his mission, he died on the way to setup a drop off of school books and care packages to kids. He died because it was his job. On his final mission (en route to the meeting) his squads job was to draw fire and to cause the enemy to ambush early and to save the larger element from mass casualties. It worked he died so others could live. It was him or otherS PLURAL not singular. He died a hero, to diminish his sacrifice by implying his death was in vain is a dishonor to him,his years of service, his commitment to others and his courage.

If I'd have known or suspected anyone would use his death to push an agenda (pro or anti bush) I would never have mentioned it. I never should have said anything.”