2006 year in reflection...

“I'll take a moment here in the busyness of the week to say Happy Holidays to all. There are some I wish even greater joy to than just a simple happy holidays. I hope you know who you are.

Its been a trying year. I've lost some great friendships this year, but so it goes in life...I will always cherish and revere those friendships and hope that we will rekindle in the future, or future life. For the present, you're missed.

As I said, its been a busy and trying year...Lots of backpacking, even more canoeing, even though I wasn't present on this board, I was never really far away. I've stayed in contact with a few, and even fewer have stayed in contact with me. It is what it is and I like what is, very much. Thank you to all who have sent their love and kindness my direction, I hope that I have repaid in kind.

Lets see...what else...I'm not going to list the places, days, or miles accomplished...I'll just say, its been a typical year for me, with many adventures and many lessons. I now teach yoga...which is a gift more than I deserve. I'm blessed for that.

Again...Happy Holidays to all...Travel well...

Love and light...

Namaste


Marc (& Khatru)”

“Greetings fair traveller thee oh of the web.

How many dragons slay thee thusly o' thee thine fine year of adventure and frolic? Thine pickens twas plentiful. O' say thee happened upon a fruitful bounty and makest my heart poundeth with excitement.


last edited: 12/18/06 3:14:49 PM”

“hiked the grand canyon (cool)

lost part of my finger (not cool)

spent a couple of months living in Canada with Helinka and Celtic Canuck (excellent)

The LoveRock (way cool)”

“"It's Christmastime again
Time to be nice to all the people you can't stand..."
-Blink182

No, but seriously, what can I say about 2006?

Far less adventurous year than previous ones. Also represents a backpacking slowdown; at 21, it's been a record-low number of bag nights this year.

As some of you know, I knocked out a tooth earlier this year, which cost me my vacation money to replace, but hey at least I look normal again...

...sort of...

Had a financial fall out this summer too, but have also since managed to recover and get myself back in the black, so that's good. As part of this recovery, I did manage to trade my car in for a newer one and actually get lower payments -- can't complain about that...

Didn't really get to travel/backpack anywhere exotic this year, mainly because of said tooth incident (see above) -- but there is something in the works for 2007 that should more than make up for that...

Even managed to get together some funds to upgrade a good amount of my winter camping gear (with 2 upcoming FYAO trips, I want to be prepared). And yes, Timmy, there will be a Christmas after all...

All in all, I'm pretty grateful; could've been much worse. Been fighting a pesky flu the last couple of weeks, but other than that my overall health seems to be good. Family is still around and kicking as well. Grandparents are pushing well into their 80s and still going strong...

Merry Christmas [or insert favorite year-end festival here] to all and God Bless [or insert favorite diety here]! Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2007 :)
last edited: 12/18/06 3:49:05 PM”

“2006 sucked. Can WILL only get better in 2007.
last edited: 12/18/06 4:22:23 PM”

“This year rocked.

Went to part time at my job, have a three day weekend now all the time--so---

I hiked/BP'd
4 days of heaven in the High Uintas, Utah
7days, 66 miles Gila Wilderness River Forks
5 days in the Dirty Devil River Region, Utah
2 days in the ever glorious Dark Canyon, Utah
2 days in Death Valley in the Panamints in Surprise, at the old cabins, and a surprise light snow storm
Death Valley-Telescope Peak--enough said
My first Grand Canyon hike-- Grandview/Horseshoe mesa area
3 days in the excellent Kanab Creek area
Several long weekend trips in my paradise of the Galiuro mtns in Az--just have 8 miles to complete all the trails in the range
And other places too numerous to mention

2007--here I come!!”

“2006 is almost over, thank goodness. It's been rough, but I'm still here. A number of things will continue into 2007, but I'll manage and look for some improvements. In my plans are:

1. To look for some doctors that can get results with things that should be minor.

2. To get back in the swim. I would like to participate in the 20th Swim For Life during the weekend of September 7th at Provincetown, Mass., at the tip of Cape Cod.

3. Knees or no knees, I plan to do more backpacking in 2007.

4. Daily workouts will be in order again.

5. I will return to working out in my Martial Arts Class of Aikijutsu, instead of just coaching classmates. I hope that I am getting closer to Black Belt Status, but it really does not matter. My instructor will let me know if and when I arrive. What is important is having the opportunity to learn more. I expect to continue in this for life and each class should result in some improvement.

There is more, mostly related to family matters. In all, I'm looking forward to a great year.

---

Stikmon - For any pain or problems that I may have caused you, I apologize. I feel that I traveled with the crowd, but I had the choice. I hope that I can improve myself. I'm proud of your efforts to improve yourself. Good luck and Happy New Year.”

“NOT a banner year, for sure. Lost my hiking partner to Liver disease on 7/29. She was 27 years old and her name was Lisa. She was my daughter. Placed some ashes by the shore of Kinsman Pond, Franconia Notch, NH per her request - one of her favorite hikes.

Looking forward to getting back into the swing for 2007.

Oldhoofer”

“There is not much I can say about 2006, it was mostly too much work and not enough play.
Mike and I sold our house and moved to a diffrent place, and I took few backpack trips this year. I must say though the bp trips I did take were great, and very memorable to me. I met lots of new friends this year on the trail and saw some new places. I felt honored to see bears, and to hear coyotes sing. I climbed along a huge waterfall in the sierras to the top, discovered a rare sierra rain orchid, and surffed in the pacific. Next year shall be even better.”

“Well, I moved 3 times in 8 months. Not gonna do that again. I hiked the SHT and Isle Royale, but will do more in '07 because I won't be moving again and won't have anymore back surgery. Probably my main goal for '07 will be to grow hair. No reason I can't' it's just a matter of focus.”

“oldhoofer - Boy, it was a rough year for you. Two years ago I almost lost one of my daughters at the age of 26. Her kidneys had quit! We were very scared. Sure sorry about your loss.

Welcome to trail talk, if you are new. Please fill out a little additional information on your Data Page. At least tell us your current state.

How old a hoofer are you? You can figure out my age by scrolling down on my pictures at Phil's Photo Page. See Me.”

“2006 was a great year.

2007 will be even better.”

“Edit:

I will add to my assesment, that mike and I have financially become a heck of a lot more stable. We are out of debt compleatly and are able to pay bills on time and still have left overs for savings, which is a wonderful feeling. Getting and staying out of debt is the best thing anyone can do!”

“Old Hoofer, my prayers are with you.

We had a tough year - male dino mangled his hand with a table saw and had a ministroke. I nearly lost the vision in my left eye. One of the kids moved back in... not nearly enough hiking due to all the medical stuff.

There were some good things this year - we got two new grandchildren via adoption, I found my lost pride and quit posting at WhiteBlaze, and I settled with the insurance company for the kid that hit us head on in 2004.”

““2006 sucked. Can WILL only get better in 2007.
last edited: 12/18/06 5:22:23 PM”
Gem
5:19:29 PM
12/18/06

Ditto. Had my best friend/hiking partner/wife bail on me, broke my leg, grew to hate my job.

The only thing that could have made it worse is if something happened to my kids.

The good news is however, despite, all that, I am still moving forward. I have learned a lot, sharpened my ability to judge people by their actions instead of their words, and found out I have a lot of friends for which to be thankful.

I also found out there are people in the world who really care about me.”

“The only thing that could have made it worse is if something happened to my kids

chili, i have your kids locked in spirit coyotes basement. i want a helicopter, one million dollars, and a tanker full of mint chocolate baileys in exchange for them”

“2006 was not a great backpacking year like some past years.

I missed FYAO VI this year with dang-near-pneumonia.

I got my ass smoked by The Long Trail in Vermont......thought I would get 45 miles and got about 19........problems with heat exhaustion and dehydration.

Next summer...........REVENGE!!

My attempt to summit Redfield Mountain in the Adirondacks failed due to similar dehydration/exhaustion.

I bagged Zero High Peaks this year and I have 42 more to go......whooppee!!

I must get in better shape this next year and eat more on the trail......maybe salt tablets.”

“Crazy year for me.
What looked bad ended up very good.

Can't complain at all.”

“chili, i have your kids locked in spirit coyotes basement. i want a helicopter, one million dollars, and a tanker full of mint chocolate baileys in exchange for them”
crash bang
8:54:17 AM
12/19/06

How about you pay the child support and we will be even.”

“CB, baileys is a girl drink!!!”

“but theyre in spirits basement! SHE should pay the child support!”

“well that is one thing that was good this year - no more child support payments - been looking forward to this for 11 years”

“'06 was awesome! Everything went just as it should have and all my needs were met and then some.

Life is good!”

“Yep, 2006 was one hell of a roller coaster ride but we're much better for it. It definitely busted us out of a rut.”

“I will try to backpack at least once each month this coming year.

Someone dig this up one year from now and make a fool out of me...........please.
last edited: 12/19/06 9:25:00 AM”

“mArko, I'm aiming for the same thing.”

“2006 was mixed for me.

Highlights were:

1) Hiking the Northville Placid Trail - mostly solo, though Lumberzac joined me for a day and my wife and puppy joined me for the final four days (it was the 14 month old pup's first backpack of more than 2 days).
2) I became over-employed (one full and two part time jobs) - which is pretty good given that it gives me a chance to overcome some financial hits.
3) One son continued to fly, the other crashed. Lots of worries about the older son - who crashed - and was once my very favorite backpacking buddy.
4) Married life continues to be fantastic the second time around. I feel very blessed.”

“2006 was interesting. I can't say that it was bad but it has been challenging. Starting a new career at 33 has been interesting financially. My client base is growing monthly and I have Dr's calling me to send in resumes. If only I had a full day to devote to work....we might be able to get ahead a bit.
I've enjoyed my daughter immensely this year, have done a fair bit of hiking although I always want more. Have not suffered from any arthritis flare-ups the majority of this year which is a blessing indeed. We've lost some loved ones this year and gained some.
I have a family that I love and who loves me, a great group of dear friends, all of our material needs are met and the bills get paid. We are blessed and grateful.

To those of you who have had a rough year, I wish you better times ahead. Blessings upon you all in 2007!!”

“thanks stickmon for starting the thread. Your humor and "zen" are missed when you are absent.

2006 a big year for the pathman family. Only a few days into the new year, decided to leave my job. Restrictive covenants gave me an easy excuse to abandon ABQ. No other good jobs in NM, we abandoned the desert and the sprawl and moved to the Inland NW to a cool medium size city on a river, near lakes, mountains and the Palouse. New jobs for Pathman and Mrs Pathman, new schools for sons #2 and #3, left son #1 and Mrs son #1 in ABQ. They hope to get out of there soon. New home, new city, new outdoors to explore. Only one backpacking trip, but it was a good one to Glacier Peaks NP. Great cycling all summer, good XC skiing already this winter. Heading to Nelson BC area to bring in 2007 with R and R, and snowplay.

Best wishes and blessings to all in 2007.”

“His humor is missed when he's present.”

“bada bing!”

“Watch it, he's got a stick!”

““His humor is missed when he's present.”
moonglo
8:30:02 AM
12/19/06

I guess I missed something not reading fuego in 2005-2006, only to stumble on it in Classic TT Quotes. Oh well, back to non-fuego.”

“Daughter got knocked up.

Son started doing drugs and flunked out of public school.

Wife started a business.

I got a demotion and have no money.

I went backpacking in one of the most beautiful spots in Colorado and couldn't stop thinking about how screwed up the rest of my life is so came home early.

On the bright side, I'm actually less depressed than previous years.


Stikmon, you seem like a great guy. Try not to take yourself too seriously.”

“He don't know me too well...that is one thing that I don't do. I'm a temporary visitor to this timeline. When its all said and done, the only thing that matters is what I did, and how I did it...not how much I got.

To those that said 06 sucked...ask yourself...why and what did I learn. If the answer is nothing...then what makes you think 07 will be better.

Einstein says...that doing the same thing over and over and over, but expecting different results is insanity...so, are you insane, or will you make change, thereby effecting different results? Thats not a question that deserves writing an answer to, but ask yourself and listen to the answer...if your happy where you are, then repeat the choices that have been made, if you're not happy with the 06 turned out, then make your choice different, and you'll get different results.

Anyway...enough philosophy...

Have a wonderful holiday season,,,and just look at 06 as a training year for 07.

CU.

Marc”

“I had a good time hiking in 2006.

I backpacked in the Green Mountains of Vermont and the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee. I was up in the Adirondacks a bunch of times and got to see some new areas and some new peaks. I did a lot in the Catskills and had some interesting adventures up there, including getting lost on a dense foggy mountain top. I also did the Devils Path as a dayhike. I finally hiked the Black Forest and West Rim Trails in Pennsylvania and did some of the Quehanna Trail. I added sections to the Appalachian Trail and now have the trail almost done from Harpers Ferry to Massechussets. I logged over 700 miles on the trail and spent almost 60 nights in my sleeping bag.

When it's all said and done, it's not about the miles or the nights in the bag, but it's about the memories, the people you were with and what the time spent in the wilds meant to you and many upon many times this year did I feel like I was having the time of my life. Thanks to everyone who joined me on the adventures. You're some of my closest friends.

Sometimes sitting around the fire I thought to myself that it couldn't possibly get better than this and all I could do was smile.

I think about the climbers that recently lost their lives on Mt. Hood. I think about some of the crazy things I have done, some of my own close calls. I think nobody is an expert, we're all at the mercy of mother nature and maybe that is one of the reasons we like to go out there.

I hope 2007 picks up where 2006 left off. I got some big plans and I am super excited.

I hope to see many of you on the trail sometime this year!!!!

Happiest, safest and warmest Holidays TTers!
last edited: 12/21/06 11:20:34 AM”

“I learned that mean people suck.”

“you are correct...but even mean people are still just people with the same hopes, dreams and desires and therefore are deserving of love and compassion...maybe just a bit more too.

We've all been mean at some time or another, and will be again...

Nuff said...”

“2006 Was a blast for me. And 2007 will be fun, my plans are to make some of the hikes, enjoy being ALIVE and try to make a difference in someone's life (other than mine.)”

“I have a healthy, beautiful daughter and wife. Couldn't ask for more!”

“Yeah, well, stikmon, I will go in there and try to explain that one to my 12 y/o daughter who is having a terrible Christmas.”

“This year was a roller coaster, but most of it has been so good I've totally forgotten how much the first quarter sucked rocks.”

“It was a good year. Regardless how things go, the graveyard's full of folk who'd trade places anytime.

I didn't backpack - haven't since Yams farewall 20 months ago. I hike prolly three times a week - lots of woods in these parts.

Still no real job. I didn't count, but I probably put no more than $1000.00 in my pocket. Period. On one occassion I purchased $20.00 worth of gas. All other times were from $.75 (one quart, but it got me there) to $8.00.

Parked the truck in friends/familes yards and did piddly jobs hear and there. Mostly for food, but received cash a few times.

I'll end up with about 350 bag nights. I haven't slept on a bed in *almost* two years. Sofas and floors a time or two, tho.

I've worked almost every day. I keep my tools with me. Work keeps the mind sharp, and the hands busy.

So does reading, my new hobby.

I read Neanderthal over the summer. It described the last Ice Age as a series of ebbs and flows; waxes and wanes. It lasted for thousands of years. Some periods included warming trends to the point that Og and Dra were claiming global warming, but the cold would eventually return in earnest.

This year I was surprised to self-realize that I've been in an Ice Age of my own for, oh... prolly 40 years. The past four years have brought about a cooling trend like I've never experienced. But(!), I feel it warming and waning. It's quite perceptable. It's palatable. Depression is enteresting if nothing else.

Happy New Year, tt family!

Joe”

“Hey Chili -- sorry to hear about all your troubles. It can be really rough -- especially at a time like this when it seems like just about everyone is getting together with all their loved ones and has nothing but success stories to share...

But hey, at the end of the day, you're still here and standing. And so is your daughter. Maybe this is a good time to bond -- there's gotta be something you both like to do together -- even if its something like just watching cheesy movies on TV...

I know its easier said than done, but forget about what has been -- it's water under the bridge. If you can focus on what you've got to work with, there's a good chance we could be hearing much better stories from you this time of the year in 2007.

Anyway, I'm still fighting this cold here -- it looks like it's gonna be a don't-hock-your-lungs-up-on-everybody holiday this year...again... And what's worse is that it may cost a new years TT trip for me to fall apart about as quickly as it came together, which is a bummer, but hey, there will always be others, right?

Anyways, take care of yourselves and I'm sure yous will be alright in the end...”

“wow. hooked on phonics REALLY worked for sarabelle”

“God bless...is there anything that I can do? Name it and if I can do it, I will.”

“Chili it breaks my heart to hear you are having a tough time of it. Try to remember that this too shall pass and try to make the best of it if not for your sake then for your child's sake. We will be sending good thoughts your way.”

“Thanks for sharing all. Great thread Stikmon!

My thoughts go out to those who didn't have the best of years, but hopefully they realize that if they are fortunate enough to hike/have a job that provides internet access, they are doing better than most....

I didn't hike too much this year, wish I could have done more, but did have a great experience with two good friends this year (one of those lifetime, memorable experiences); won some battles for worthy people; lost some battles for worthy people; achieved some goals; fell short of others; learned a boatload from new experiences; lost close relatives; was fortunate enough to support myself and give back to my community; happy to know that like our president, I'm like a rock, but unlike our president, I'm smarter than that rock. :)

Matt, again, thanks for providing a place like TT for another year for our hobby/venting venue, something we should all be thankful for.”

“Thanks, Sticky.
I'm okay. It's mine to deal with. I had been considering trying meds again. I've tried them all over the years, but nothing's worked to any appreciable extent. Here lately (two weeks?) I've been on the up and up. I'm begining to see a glitter of light ahead.

When I was a kid I was susceptable to tonsilitis. Fever, hallucinations, everstuff. That would last two or three days. Then one morning I would wake up and feel fine. It's kinda the same way with this schit. There's usually a moment of realization that whatever's been going on has gone away.

Odd that it's occuring in winter (been warm, tho). Rebounds usually occur in spring...

I haven't bothered with a regular job due to the erratic sleep patterns. I've been rising early of late, and haven't slept during the day for prolly three or four weeks.

Look for a "Baby I'm Back!" thread here real soon - lol!

Thanks, Merry Christmas, and a Happy Hangover.”

“Ah 2006, Not much backpacking for me, had to bail on two trips I was really looking foward to.I was so pissed that I missed the Masten trip, I couldn't bring myself to open the TR thread. Did a bunch of day hikes in the DWG area. Got a new job, very good. Moved to PA very very good! Hope to get out much more in 2007 as my son gets a little older. Here's wishing everyone a happy and hopefull 2007! Cheers!”