The Hypothetical TT Family Reunion Threa d

“Just a thought, inspired by the TT State Roll Call, what if we tried to get as many TT people togehter for some sort of meeting/hiking trip. We could make it on a holiday weekend somehwere centralized and maybe even try to include some sort of charitable cause. It sounds pretty optomistic, but I'm sure it would be a hell of alot of fun, a great adventure, and a way to put names with faces. I'll volunteer to be in charge of the booze! Whaddya think!?!?*

*This idea was spawned under the influence of wine "Stag's Leap Merlot 96'" and by an extrememly optomistic entrepenuer who thinks all things are possible, epecially under the influence of wine.”

“Occaisionally there are trips where lots of TTers can make it.
Last year e had 17 TTers show up at Red River Gorge in Kentucky.
Walkincrow did a great job putting that trip together but I think he was about ready to be Instutionalized before it had all passed.

Have you got an area in mind? Depending on when & where, I'd try to make it. The bigger the advance notice, the more people that could prolly make it.”

“I was actually thinking Red River Gorge or the place where Pisaguh Forest roams in Illinios!”

“Red neck gorge? hehehe I'm feeling a little spry tonight”

“Spry??? I thought that's how Bill Shakespeare refereed to his fairies in midsummer Night's dream... LOL Fairy”

“Are you okay walkindude?”

“My hyperlink ain't workin!”

“once again makin me feel bad.”

“Drinking Bear, funny you mention a reunion with everyone. Obi Wan Canoli was thinking about that when we chatted on ICQ. It's sure an interesting idea.”

“Labor Day weekend?”

“Some of us will be on the AT in New Hampshire Lador Day weekend.”

“I mentioned this to Wanderer and Freedom over Memorial Day in the Desolation... I think it's a cool idea...”

“well, ya know that central gathering place, to be central -- WOULD HAVE TO BE IN THE MIDWEST, the most ignored area for TT trips. heheheh

Let's see, if you throw in Alaska and Hawaii, I believe the geographical center of the US is somewhere around the South Dakota/North Dakota area (hmmm... or maybe that's population-wise??) Do I hear a trip to the Black Hills, walkindude????

Or.......... if you drop those two states it's in Kansas. Bring'em on, eh, Dunadan!!

Or........ how about that southern Illinois area, mnutz (is that your name?? I forgot!! LOL)?? Or Missouri, utahiker?? Or Arkansas, bigfoot and BACPAC!! yeah, that would be a fun if a bit psychotic trip.

I could even show you the trails and backpacking camps in Yellow River State Forest in my part of the world. Naaaaaah! You'd never appreciate it. :-)”

“Ok, also Colorado is strangely ignored and can never seem to field a TT hike!!”

“AND...... to think, I thought this was a thread on the order of the lime green jello one, where we all get to play family roles. I'm the great sister, sweet but always enjoying a nice, sarcastic bit of humor. Who will be my boyfriend that I can take to the reunion????!?!? (As long as you're NOT MY COUSIN!!)”

“To be practical (yeah, I hate that word too), we'd probably have to have a couple of "reunion" spots. One West Coast, One Central, one East.

However...the alternative is to have a mtg. spot somewhere that is equally accessible by all..monetarily. Every time I've tried to do this (I have planned a LOT of national meetings in my work) I end up at...(1) Lake Tahoe (cheap flights to Reno), or, (2) Las Vegas (again, cheap flights, in both cases subsidized by the gambling industry).

I know these are both West Coast destinations, but y'all might be surprised how inexpensive it is to get to either of these with a little advanced planning.

If you come to Reno (Lake Tahoe), I'll volunteer to coordinate the BP trips... There are a MILLION places to go out here...having been raised on the East Coast & having lived in the midwest, I'd LOVE to show off what we have to offer out here, & why many of us believe it's the best place in the country to be if you're a BP'r.”

“Lizs
Your gonna get me turned on talkin about the Black Hills!!

The farther people have to travel, the longer the trip would have to last to justify driving a long distance.”

“umm, no.”

“I think this is a fantastic idea. I'd go no matter what it took.

I think, though, that it should be at only one location. If we split it up we compromise it. Wanderer's observation about Reno or Los Vegas is a good one.
We could help each other with ticket $.”

“walkindude -
Whats with the labor day hike in NH. Can anyone go? or are you guys filled??”

“If this is to take place, the central location might not be based on geographics, instead, use the demographics, who was mapping the TTer's by state? the meeting point might best be decided by the point central to the major clusters of TT'ers.

I vote we meet at MELS!”

“I don't know that I am necessarily considered part of the TT family, and I am really new at this stuff, but I think you guys need to come to MT. Come on, it is Montana, it is a no-brainer. Especially, the east-coasters.”

“Here's my two cents. Lake Tahoe or MT.”

“I love the idea but don't know about the practicality (one in college, one teenager and a mortgage). I guess it depends on where, when and what the airfare is.”

“How about the AT in Maryland, and everyone would get to see me, YAY!!!!!

We could do a 2 nighter and complete the whole Maryland section. Everyone could add the Maryland section of the AT to their hiking records.

What do you think of this?”

“AZhiker, what a good suggestion! Come on everybody, M-O-N-T-A-N-A!”

“Oh and I would advise everyone to pack a 9mm or a 40 cal. hand gun for the midnight shoot off, and make sure each of you brings 1 extra hit of acid for me. YAY! This is gunna be so fun, YAY!!!!”

“I agree with newgirl. The Beartooths are absolutely AMAZING. Let's all fly to Cooke City. NOW!!

Woohoo! I'm goin to Montana!”

“Pisgahforest, Cooke City rocks! When were you there? Have you driven over Beartooth pass? Tell me more. I love that someone has been here.”

“Guns . . . Acid . . . And Tarpie. Be Afraid!”

“Tahoe sounds great.”

“Pisgahforest, what happened to you? Montana is Big Sky country. You guys can all show me some real backpackin'! I can show you some pretty areas and some good bars.”

“Ummm newgirl? I'd be careful what you are offering to show pisgahforest..... You know how bad "needs" can get”

“Huh?”

“I would definitely suggest Washington State for all the amazing hiking here, but I don't think you can get really good fares.

I also wouldn't mind checking out another state that has good hiking. Good hiking for a big group I think would need to be of medium difficulty and spectacular views.”

“NewGirl your either young or slow...”

“My bad I meant "you're" not "your"”

“If we should actually do this thing we need to choose a place that has an airport where fares are cheap and the hiking needs to be pretty very close to that airport or the logistics get crazy.”

“1/2 fly to Southern CA & head north on the PCT, the other 1/2 fly to Reno & hike south, we meet up at Mel's for beer.”

“Now wanderer has a neat idea there...I got dibs on the lamas to carry my gear..."Oh Melsie Darlin'...."”

“MaryPhyl, I agree, making the trip easily accessable is very important as well as a low airfare. Maybe it would be a good idea to check what cities offer the best airfares and try to take it from there.”

“How many people are on this site? How many are you thinkin would go? 50? More?”

“Okay, so airfare to MT is not necessarily cheap (being that we aren't the hottest destination). However, it is beautiful, it is remote, it isn't crowded, and the people are nice. Ask Pisgah, he'll back me up. MT is the place to be.”

“Why not take the top three suggested locations.

Take the top three suggested dates.

See which airports are closest.

How close is the trailhead in miles from the airport.

Then each person who is thinking about going can look up their own airfares on the web.

Wouldn't this help. I know I would love to come, but need to know the answers to the above questions.”

“Colorado, Pike National forest, Gibson Lake. 12400 above sea level, continetal divide a few steps away. Trout filled lake.50+ tters livin it up...........”

“it sounds interesting, but would be hard to choose site.,

hyperpacker, i bet there would be over fifty TT'rs, wouldnt you think?
If, plenty of notice was given....like MONTHS, more people could plan and save....but, wouldnt it be great if it were somewhere where no one has ever been, a new experience for all.... or let Matt the webmaster pick out the destination for us to gather.........could be a backpacking woodstock..... ...
tempting idea.....wherever it is......I hope it is not this summer ... I.will be blowing my long distance traveling expenses this summer to MEL's for the llama rama.......”