Where oh where is The Goat?

“I'd like to take time to thank y'all for the entertainment and edjumacation I gots during the past 12 months. My wilderness experiences will be greatly enhanced by the things I've learned while brousing Matt's wonderful web site.

Just wrote a long note, then deleted it. No sense in going into details.

August 2002... Got laid off
June 2003... unemployment benefits ran out
October 2003... moved to Texas for some work and change of scenery
November 2003... Mom started Chemo. I returned to Indy and have helped out since.
August 2004... Was introduced to "thebackpacker.com"
August 2005... The Goat begins working again!

It's been a long hard road. I am so sick of living on $20 per week. Now that my father is retired, he can care for mom. Time for "the goat" to bring home some bacon.

I'll be traveling the country remodeling stores. Perhaps a store near you, eh.
Not sure how much time I'll have off between jobs, but I plan on spending much of that time in the wilderness. Perhaps a wilderness near you, eh.
I'll use this thread to let y'all know which area I'll be going to next.

...this trip begins in Indianapolis. If the plan holds, I'll be leaving Wednesday night for the Augusta GA area. Will find a trail to hike on sometime Thursday. Job begins Friday, and should last 10 days.”

“conrats on the new job. Judging by your calendar, you have had a rough ride. I hope things level out for you and that the new Job works out as you'd like. Good luck!”

“Good luck - i'm pretty sure they serve Guinness in Augusta.”

“So it only took a year of posting on TrailTalk to help you find a job? Congrats!”

“if you make it to central n.y. give me a shout”

“what kinda stores are you gonna be remodeling”

“And just WHO introduced you to this den of iniquity??!?? LOL! (or at least showed you that real people inhabit this site, not just opinionated a-holes, LMAO)

Good job, getting a job! (And here I was just thinking maybe I needed to live in my tent for six months -- NOT a winter six months!! -- to get some extra moola, like, so I can afford to drive. LOL)

Tilt lives in Augusta. Course, you may have to do a specific thread that says something like "Vising (town or area name)" for each place you go to increase likelihood of the moro.... err, people here seeing it! LOL!”

“

He is unemployed....”

“....and has a bean can on his head.”

“Congrats, Goat! Think of all the photo opportunities you will have while traveling around.

Do keep us posted on your where-about.”

“Along the Pennsylvania Turnpike, yesterday:


”

“way to go Goat!
HH”

“verything is holding true to form.

I am leaving about 14 hours late!

Finger: I'll let you know if I head to central NY. Curently, There is a plan to do some work somewhere in PA soon.
Thrifty: Pizza Hut is the first store.
Lizs: Thanks Darlin, you da best! With the way gas prices are going the past few days, some of us may end up living in our tents as I did for 5 months in 1997. If I have some spare time, I'll try to get ahold of Tilt.
Woodzie: Yes, the time between jobs will be spent well exploring and shooting. The thought of it will keep me going day after day just to get the job done.

Enjoy the TT drama all, I'm outta here.”

“Hey Y'all...

Limited computer access here. Spent some time working in South Carolina before moving on to Houston Texas. Building a store here, eh.

Now Rita has driven the boss and another coworker off to the west. I've always wanted to see a hurricane, and have decided to ride this one.

I was in a hotel with a front row seat to the limited movement of traffic on I 45. 48 hours of bumper to bumper traffic. Thursday afternoon, a gas station just 1 block away had run out of fuel. The management and employees left the store and the looting began. The hotel is also on low land. Surely the parking lot was going to flood.

A European babe was staying alone at the hotel. She was concerned about the construction of the hotel. In fact, she is conceerned about the construction of every building that we see. Because of the flood and looting issues, we agreed to leave the hotel to find higher ground. My coworker has a friend who is letting us stay in his house on the north side of Houston. The construction of this house has the Europeans approval.

I did do some hiking at Congragee National Park in South Carolina. Rumors say that I may end up in southern Arizona in a few weeks.

Have a wonderful weekend!!!! The goat is going to have an exciting one.”

“Take care of yourself! Be careful.

If that babe is skeered, offer to hold her!”

“Good luck, Goat. Be as safe as you can.”

“Does she drive a Euorpean Jeep, goat???!!?

LMAO!

Good luck to ya.

AND YOU HAVE MY NUMBER TO REPORT IN A STORY FOR THE CN???

I want that firsthand report. :-) Call me Sunday night, at home (hmmm, maybe you only have the CN or RL numbers??) would make that Monday morning deadline. LOL!”

“Pics of the European babe, please, so we can be more envious.


lucky bastard.”

“I'm figuring she's probably a granola, hairy legs and hugely hairy armpits babe.

So... ya feeling better now, Bit? ;-P (or are you just sure it's a Swedish Bikini Team member?? LOL)”

“Hey, Swedish women have to wax too!”

“She can be as hairy as she wants as long as she REMOVED FROM THIS MESSAGE BY ORDER OF MATT THE WEBMASTER all night long...”

“ha!

Hey goat, hold on tight, its gonna be a wild ride.

(I'm talking about the hurricane)







(yall believe that right?)






gimme a shout when you wind up in Colorado!”

“(Sroll to the end of this note for details)

When I last wrote, there was a Hurricane Rita heading to Houston. We know by now that the hurricane went a bit east. I spent the weekend at a house on high ground with a group of guys and 1 European babe. At that time, my truck wasn't running very well. Tuesday after the storm passed, I took my truck to the garage. $360 later, I had new U-joints and other parts.
After 7 full days with no work, I started working again on Wednesday. A couple of weeks later, I learned that I'd have about 42 hours off, so I planned to drive 9 hours west so that I could spend 6 hours looking at Big Bend National Park before returning to Houston. Can't wait to get my 4x5 into that park.
During the following week, I got the call that I'd been warning the boss about. Time to come home, moms days are numbered.
I left Houston on Sunday. Camped at Hot Springs NP and drove through Land Between the Lakes. Got home in time to spend a few good days with mother.
My mother died at home in the evening of November 5th. Most of the family, some friends, and a doctor were by her bedside. She was still so young, only 61, and put up an 8 year battle against cancer. Grateful to have been able to spend the past 2 years caring for her and happy, I am, that she is no longer in pain. That time makes this time easier to handle. Already, I miss her.

Cycle of life. We must move on, and I am.

After the whirl wind tour of funeral homes and churches, I've done a little hiking. Spent Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving at Red River Gorge.
Learned today that I will be working in Colorado for a few weeks beginning next week. Not sure what is in store for the end of December, but I do plan on hanging out in Colorado, New Mexico, south Texas if I have a couple of weeks off.
See y'all in the snow!”

“sorry to hear about your loss-my mom had been in the hospital a couple of weeks I went to see her every day- some friends bugged me one day to go on a day hike I didnt want to, but my mom told me to go ahead- that was her last day.”

“I am truly sorry for your loss, Goat. What a gift to have had the time with her that you had.”

“My time in Colorado has come to an end. While here, I hiked only in Garden of the Gods. I also drove to Great Sand Dunes NP, Leadville, Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP, Cripple Creek and Phantom Canyon. Beautiful scenes everywhere.
Recently recieved my lenses from the fix it shop. All cleaned up and ready to shoot some black and white film with the 4x5 view camera.
Today, I drive to North West New Mexico. After dropping the company tools off at a friends home and that place will become my basecamp for the next 7 days. Perfect for developing film shot during day trips.
San Antonio will be home for a short time in Mid January. Hope to get some time off to explore Hill Country or maybe do some camping and shooting in Big Bend.

Happy New Year to all!”

“What's Phantom Canyon like this time of year. I went through there during the summer of 2002 (I believe). Fell in love with it!!! Unfortunately there are no hiking trails, that I could find, through the area. I'll be going thru that area in a few days on my way to Tucson. Maybe I'll drive through the canyon again as a side trip.
Wow...thanks for reminding me of the memories.”

“hey, the goat, I don't remember if I recommended it to ya, but Wild Rivers BLM area is nice. (course he's on the road by now!)

Me at Wild Rivers (where I LOOK about like I've been FEELING over the past couple days -- sick! LOL)
http://community.webshots.com/album/53217621Ytocmz

Hey -- I'll post a photo of your gramps, too, to another album and get you a link. :-)
last edited: 12/31/05 12:26:38 PM”

“Ain't technology wunnerful??!?!? :)

Gramps
http://community.webshots.com/photo/144458575/532379562yTHsjP”

“hey goat, I'm in ABQ if you want to hit the trail around here. I always hit an activity slump in Dec, come out in Jan. Interested in exploring Valles Caldera some weekend? Snowshoe or XC ski if we ever get any snow.

Valles Caldera Winter”

“hey Ivy.. Phantom Canyon was cold and narrow. Not much water in there this time of the year. Small sections of snow pack and ice on the road. I'd post photographs, but my digital camera wasn't set up properly. Waited over 1 week to download the photos and the camera was set to download only photographs shot within the previous 7 days. Didn't notice until after I deleated all the files.

Thanks for the photograph of Gramps Lizs... just printed it out.

Pathman... sorry we were not able to hook up while I was in NM. I wasn't able to check my emails and this tread until a couple of days before I had to leave for Texas.”

“Ok, I spent some time in North West New Mexico beginning New Years Eve and ending 9 days later. During that time, I toured the Navajo Reservation and began shooting with my 4x5 view camera. Processed some film but haven't printed anything yet. While in New Mexico, I visited Ship Rock several times. Did some hiking in Chaco Canyon, Canyon de Chelly, Hovenweep, Canyons of the Ancients, Mesa Verde NP. Visited Window Rock also.

Monday January 9th, I headed south to San Antonio. Although I've been having trouble with the company that I've been working for, this is the portion of the trip where I begin the "ain't giv'n em no slack" mindset.

At this point, I've driven from Indy to South Carolina to Houston. Then from Indy to Colorado Springs. All of this without receiving a dime of promised reinbursment for the fuel that I've used. Also, weekly pay has been slow. Begining work on December 5th, I didn't get paid until the Friday before your saviors birthday. Then it was only about 1/3 of the check. The rest of that check was deposited on the Thursday before New Years. The next full weeks check was deposited just before I headed to Texas. I didn't recieve the rest of hourly wages until 5 weeks after the money was due. Today, I was told that I'd be getting all my fuel expenses and some hour wages for the 2nd week of January. I thought it was rough living on $20 per week while caring for mom. Try living on the road when the boss isn't paying.

So, I had some things to take care of in Indianapolis. I spent a few days in San Antonio, then a few days in Central Louisianna before heading home. I was lead to believe that the company would be sending me to Buffalo to do some work in early February. I've been waiting for that call. And waiting. So the end of last week, I called... why the hell am I telling y'all this? Venting I guess.

On to the future. I've found work with a diferent company. I'll be leaving later this week for work in the Gulf Coast region.

Hey Stovie... I'll be just down the road, eh! How bout a crawfish boil!

Anybody coming down for Mardi Gras?”

“Oh, and Hey...

I did some hiking with Crash! Bang! at Red River Gorge last weekend. Photos are posted on my first thebackpacker photo gallery.”

“Cool!

And you SURVIVED C!B! !!!! yeah!”

“cool pix, but you need to go see Letterman about that beard...........lol.”

“i've got beard envy...i wish mine was as sweet at yours”

“I was wondering if you guys made it to RRG. I like the pics. How much snow came down?”

“OY.....Crash Bang!!

He didn't get your goat, did he??

Yeah, I used to have a nice dark beard.
Now it looks like Santa Claus.
last edited: 2/07/06 1:01:43 PM”

“"the wall" in the album is "military wall", a favorite of climbers”

“ *** note to self: Don't check yerself fer ticks before checkin yer fingers for poison ivy. ***

Thrifty: while I was working in the south, people often asked how many years I'd been growing my beard. They were awed as I smiled and said, "9 months". It is now 11 months and groomed to a goatee again. Back to the ole goat with a shaven head as well.

Hubcap: Must have been 2 inches on the ground when we woke Sunday morning. Not sure how much actually came down. Could have been as much as 4 inches, but the temperatures during the day didn't allow the snow to stick.


Where was I?
The Mississippi Gulf Coast...
I left Indy 1 week late because I had some sort of reaction to either the tetnus shot or Sarbars Orange Delight Drink (page 16) or a combination of the two. I've never crapped and belched so much in my lifetime. You know how you feel on Thanksgiving day, after eating a huge plate of your mothers and sister-in-laws's fine cooking, but it is so good that you go back for a little bit of everything again, then can hardly move to the couch to sleep as your 9 nephews and 2 nieces are being the children that they are. My gut was like that, but full of air. And the belches smelled not of Guinness, but of who knows what.
So, I left one week late. The guy that asked me to work for him said that he needed someone last week, not this week. I went down to the coast anyways. After touring Hwy 90, I watched a Mardi Gras Parade in Waveland. Campgrounds are full or out of order. Churches are for volunteers only. A friend from New Orleans called to say that I could sleep at his place, a 90 mile commute one way. I ended up sleeping there a couple of times per week, and later found out that the area is known as MDK... Murder Death Kill. Started working on the 4th day, and worked only for the guy in Ocean Springs. Spent Mardi Gras in New Orleans. Eventually worked out an agreement to sleep in Robert Urichs RV in Gulfport. Ok, it was only Robert Urichs RV while he was filming "Spencer for Hire" back in the early 80's. But it was once his.

Got to hot, so I left the Mississippi Gulf Coast in late April. Hung out in Indy for a few weeks and did a bit of hiking while there. Visited Yellow Birch Ravine and Hemlock Cliffs in the Hoosier National Forest. Also spent a few weeks in New Harmony Indiana where I had a nice lunch. The Cypress Sloughs are kinda interesting, but I need a kayak or canoe to explore them properly.

I am now camping on a property in southwestern Indiana. Met a guy in Mississippi who needs a pole barn built and 2 1850's era log cabins reassembled. Should be quite an adventure. Trouble is, he told me that he'd be ready to assemble the cabins in early May. Here it is early June and we haven't even put rock on the driveway yet. Rock must be down before heavy trucks can bring in concrete and loggers can come in to clear the area where the lake will be. He wants the barn and cabins finished by early Oktober, but that is far to much work for this man to do alone in this period of time.

Tomorrow, I must navigate a trencher 900ft over a hill, past an oil well, and around the hollers. A water line will be put into the trench, then backfilled. Electricity is still 6-8 weeks away.

And about the these damn TICKS!!! During the past 2 weeks, I've seen more of these bugs than my all of my previous 40 years combined. After a 4 mile hike last night, I found 3 on my legs. I was wearing jeans sprayed with deat. Until a few days ago, all the ticks were large. Some are reddish in color with a white blotch on the back. Others are dark brown. While checking myself several times per day, I've mapped my moles and freckles. Last night I found a freckle that wasn't there the day before. The baby ticks seem to be coming out now.

Ahhh, tent living again!!! Sarbars FBC cookbook helps to make this adventure easier. Thanks darlin!”

“Great adventures, the goat!

Hey, try Permanone for tick protection. Works well for moi. Available at wally world.”

“LOL, i had to go back to actually see what i wrote...the beard's short and tight again for summer :(

where abouts are you in south western indiana?...i have a lot of relatives in that area”

“Nothing with me is actaully short and tight anymore. I use to date short girls though. hehe...
Actually, I've shaved my cheeks but the chin is still growing. Gotta work on my winter scarf.

I am camping north east of Booneville. My bulk items are kept in Evansville, and I spend time in New Harmony also.
A friend is allowing me to build a makeshift darkroom in his basement. I've brought my 4x5 enlarger to his home and will be processing and eventually printing the images there.”

“ahh good old boonville, gotta love towns with the word boon in them...you're somewhat close to the two lakes loop trail in HNF...that'd be a good weekender to check out sometime”

“I purchased a goat last Thursday. A young male, about 1 year old. His previous owner allowed him to run around a large fenced area with about 15 other goats. I don’t think he is liking his new home, tied to a tree in a forest with lots of undergrowth to feed upon. His chain keeps getting twisted on other trees. I was near the goat for most of 2 days as he was chained to a tree not far from my campfire. He is now growing use to me being around.
Saturday, I moved him to a tree close to my tent. He slept just outside the tent each night since.

I think I’ll call him Sally.”

“Ha Ha - Sally the male goat.

He'll eat your hat for that!”

“baaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhh-n the goat”

“Been a while since I've posted.

Had to get rid of the goat. Work on the log cabin wasn't working out. The guy told me that he wanted the cabin started in May, and under roof in Oktober. Early July, I still hadn't started assembling the cabin, so I told him that I needed to move on. Hard to live on $900 for 3 months.
I have been staying in a cabin in Possy county Indiana since early August. Have made enough money to travel again. Soon, I'll be heading to Utah for an 8 day adventure with 2 friends from England.
Late Oktober, I'll be in San Antonio for a wedding before heading to Big Bend NP for a 4-5 day self guided photographic tour.
New Orleans for Halloween!!
See ya at Red River Gorge in November, eh!”

“looking forward to it!”

“baaaaahh”