New guy here

“Hi, I'm Alan, and I'm a hike-a-holic...

Actually, I'm just getting back into backpacking and hiking after a long absence. I live in Bend, Oregon--a destination for hikers, bicyclists, skiers, pretty much every type of outdoor enthusiast you can think of.

I just went on my first day hike in a long time Sunday. I hiked 6 miles round-trip into Doris Lake. I didn't do too bad and my beergut didn't complain much. One of my goals is to slowly phase out Mr. Beerbelly, although trying to figure out how to do that without giving up the great microbrews made here in central Oregon is proving difficult.

Right now my job situation doesn't allow for me to take time off work during summer, as that is our busy season. So right now I'm limited to dayhikes or the occasional weekend trip. However I CAN take some time off during the fall to do some multi-day hikes, although I may have to be willing to go south to California. I'm thinking of the first week of October as a target for doing some hiking, perhaps in the Shasta-Trinity area.

Anyway, here I am.”

“Well, good, hope you like it. I completely understand the whole hiking/beer belly/microbrew thing. Good luck.”

“Isn't one of the rules of the site that whoever comes from microbrew territory has to provide the beer for the trip?”

“what the other "new guy" thread created THREE DAYS AGO wasnt good enough for you?”

“I like this plan.”

“We like new people! What kind of shape are your kidneys in, btw?”

“huh? I thought all kidneys were shaped the same... what am I missing?”

“i think lyra might mean liver, with this bunch”

“Welcome to the Hotel California. You can check in, but you can't ever check out.

Oh, and fill out your profile before someone calls you a troll.”

“New people mean only one thing... FRESH MEAT”

“I mean shape as in condition! I already figured his liver wouldn't have much resale value, with all the microbrews.”

“Wasn't there the one guy who woke up packed in ice in his bivy with his left kidney having been removed at one of the CDT shelters?”

“We got a number of Californians and even PNW (Pacific Northwest) people on here; in fact they're probably just getting up now -- those slackers all in their time zone 3 hours back... heh heh...”

“Profile filled in. Oh, and my liver and kidneys are in decent shape. I don't drink heavily, it's just that I didn't do much exercising for a long time. And to be honest, I hate going to the gym. I'm going to start riding my roadbike and doing some hiking and other cardio.”

“another waste coaster. whatever, welcome anyway.”

“Bend. The Friendly Ranger spent the winter there a few years back. I did my first hike near there a looooong time ago - in the vicinity of Two Sisters... heh.”

“Trail Blazer, welcome. Luckily for you the Fall is a great time for backpacking and hikes. From your location you could do hikes in the Eagle Caps, Columbia Gorge, Mts Hood, St. Helens, Adams, Rainier, plus you are not too far from the Olympics, and the Cascades. Road bikes are good for fitness, and if you combine cycling with weights and walking up steep hills, you will be well served.”