Leaving TT (for three weeks)

“Actually, I should have said "for three weeks, I hope."

Monday, I'm heading out to try to hike the Long Trail. This will be different for me, because its about 100 miles longer than any backpacking trip I've done before (the longest before was 182 miles) and because I feel a little less confident (mostly because of problems with my feet). According to Cave Dog - the LT North to South (my route) is 273 miles and 66,300 cumulitive feet of elevation gain. Access via journey's end trail and departure via the Mass AT comes to another 4.8 miles.

I couldn't tolerate my old boots, so I got some Waffle Stompers (10 4E) at the New Balance outlet and am working on breaking them in.

I meet MarkO and son on Thursday and will hike with him until Sunday (thanks also to Mark for providing resupply at the begining and end of the stretch we do together). Otherwise, I will probably be on my my own (as much as you can be on your own on a popular trail in August).

TT is great (even if sometimes it's an unhealthy addiction). I've got lots of house painting to do and two courses to teach in the Fall, so I shouldn't be on TT too much when I get back (although it's hard to resist, as I do miss y'all).”

“Have a good trip, and if you start having problems, get off the trail at least until it heals.

I did the southern section of the LT back in '73. It was idyllic in spots. A lot of great memories.

Enjoy. You've earned it.”

“One more thing. Give that MorkO a kick in the butt for me.”

“Good Luck! Enjoy the journey!”

“Thanks Geo! The kick will have to wait, since he is resupplying me.”

“Have a great time ped, I hope that your feet (and the rest of you hold up well). I envy your trip! Be safe, see ya when you return...”

“Thanks Birch and Tango... you both help justify my addiction.”

“You are very kind. Thank you for the complement”

“I probably shouldn't have said anything, because now I'll be redundant if I say it again and insulting to anyone I don't include.

But seriously, over the years, there are a group of people here I want to stay connected to and hope I meet. And I've learned that I really do care about what happens to them and feel that's returned. You, Birch and Geo are all part of that for me (and so, I tell my wife its all your fault when she asks why I'm still on the computer).”

“Good luck and have a great time!”

“Again, enjoy. You have no idea how much joy I feel to know you are doing this.”

“Hold on one little cotton picking second!!! Blame it all on Geo after all he's a Philly's fan.

Just kiddin' G you have a hard enough life...blame it on Birch!

Hope to hike with you someday.
last edited: 7/23/05 8:43:17 PM”

“LOL!

I better blame Birch, and Geo and Rich. My wife trusts me, but there is no percentage on blaming it on a woman.”

“Good luck Ped! Sorry I was not able to meet up with you for part of this hike.

Enjoy yourself and have fun!!!”

“Happy Trails to you, until we meet again!

God Speed, (but go at your own speed.)”

“Ped,you are too kind.”

“Have fun on the trip.”

“Have fun, stay safe............”

“Hey Geo, whuddeye do this time?

Ped, package recieved.....(wink, wink)

We will do hot chow for the time we spend with ya.

Hmmm, I should bring some fruit and fresh bread too.”

“"Bon Voyageee!"

--Bugs Bunny”

“Nothing MarkO. Just GPs.”

“Thanks y'all.

I decided to do a trail journal on trail journals.com. It won't be visible until my wife posts my first entries - which will be sent to her via snail mail, I think. That might be a good thing, so that if I do crash and burn out there - there will be no journal.”

“Ped-

Sent you an e-mail. Call if you need something out there on the trail. My schedule is pretty flexible these days and I'm a short 1/2 hour from White River Junction.

Good luck and enjoy the adventure!”

“Thanks Ski - I'll wave at you when I reach WRJ (a kind Vermonter is giving me a ride from there to the trail head).”

“ped, im going to miss the absolute most knowledgeable voice of reason. i sure am gonna miss me when im gone. hahahaha bleah

have fun, dont get too banged up”

“While you're gone, I'll keep your posts up on TT. Boy, the things you're gonna say!

LOL.”

“LOL - I was afraid of that slim!

Crash when are you doing your long hike?”

“Good luck Ped”

“if i go, itll be september”

“Thanks Y2.

Crash: I guess there is a zero chance I'll run into on that trip then - since I have to be back at work no matter how slow I go.”

“I'm tired...



I need to regroup.



I will be back in three weeks.”

“what's the magic of 3 weeks?”

“I used to practice law, I know the value of three weeks.”

“"used to?" for some reason, i thought you still were?

(i'm so out of the loop these days)
last edited: 10/12/05 8:03:38 PM”

“I hope your three weeks go well indeed Chili. I've long enjoyed what you contribute to TT.”

“Enjoy your time Chili.....relax....renew....and revive!!!!!”

“My wife drives me off to to Western Mass tomorrow afternoon, we'll stay the night in Williamstown and then she'll drive me to the Pine Cobble Trail and I'll try to make it to Canada.

My dog was going to come with me at least 1/2 way, but she has an ear infection and some skin problem and is looking a little run down. I'll take her to the Vet in the morning, but will almost certainly leave her behind.

Last time on the Long Trail I met a guy (snowman) who did the LT every summer. He was on his 8th or 9th trip. I could almost see myself doing that, but there are so many trails (and so little time).”

“Enjoy every second Ped! I hope you have glorious weather and no bugs.”

“Have a great time on your hike!”

“Have a GREAT trip!!!!!!!!!...hugs....”

“Later ---- you lucky dog!”

“Have a great trip Pedxing. I will be looking forward to reading your trail journal.”

“i hate you”

“I hope you have glorious weather AND bugs (nothing should be perfect).”

“Have a great time Ped. If possible could you take some pictures from on top of Camels Hump and Mansfield? I never got to see what the views looked like from either.”

“Cool!”

“I hope to be out for more that 3 weeks, but I'll see. The plan is to hike the Cohos from the Canadian border to its end in the hear tof the White Mountains then head west, mostly via the AT into Vermont. My wife will take a few days off and meet up with me go to the Long Trail Festival with me and backpack a few days, then I'll continue for a bit wherever I left off and hopefully put in some miles on the LT.”

“nice plan!”

“that sounds like a perfect trip.
pooch going with you ?”

“I'm jealous! Have a great trip, Ped!”