Bikes,Breast implants and Blood

“I had a truck & Le Subtil's van was a Ford, so he is cleared.”

“Snobbism is alive and well amongst backpackers. I get such gear envy hanging around here and listening to everyone talk about their new internal frame packs, their new hydration bladders, their new Thermarest chair kits, their new high-tech stove, etc., etc.

It doesn't take me long to come right back down to earth and forget gear envy after I get together with my long-time hiking buddies and see the crap they use!!”

“A Ford van with a big V8 and Glass Packs is perfect for late night beer runs through the camp site!”

“I see nothing wrong with being a lazy car-camping hiker. Some people like to rough it without getting their feet wet. For these people the adventure begins when they leave their homes, not their cars. They see the rusted-out pickup parked on the lawn and fantasize about car camping or easy winter runs to the liquor store.”

“I thought you gave that pickup to the Red Cross already, Violin.”

“Salvation Army.”

“Sorry about the poignant posts. I was just wondering what it would be like to be bacpac (allthough I know I fall way short of his slamming expertise). Personally, I like any type of camping-as long it is outside.”

“BS!!!

You could have dragged that one out for days. "shameful" "fat-of-butt" It could have been a flame war classic.

I'll have to think twice before covering your back again.”

“BS uses an off-road golf cart, WITH A TRAILER, when he "hikes"!!!

INSANITY!!!!”

“rad, you remembered.”

“you sooo CRAIZY!!!!!”

“bs..do you need a caddy?”

“I mostly camp because I spent so much time in the woods looking for golf balls I began to like the experience of being there.”

“Me??? I didn't have the heaviest pack! Audrey weighs in at 33.5 pounds according to grandma's scale. Thank you Joy for hoisting her on your shoulders for nearly 6 miles!!! Couldn't have done it without you! You're a saint.

Sorry I had to bail early. It was no fun constantly chasing Wyatt out of the road.

Car camping doesn't compare to backpacking but when you have 3 little kids and one back, backpacking is out of the question.

Adventuregirl, I thought your hair looked great! It was great meeting you and everyone else. It was fun to spend time with those I've already met.

Funny, I new as soon as I read the title of this thread that it must have been the trip report from our meeting. Too funny! I'm sorry to hear about Jasmine.

Silicone babe was too funny raking with her high heels on and offering kids cookies. Good grief!

I had a great time and thanks again, Joy, for helping me so much!”

“Hey no problem! But you really do win the record because you carried *both* Audrey and Wyatt! You're an amazing woman! You won't know what to do on Isle Royale w/o a kid to carry! Just to make sure you don't feel sad without the extra weight I'll bring a matress from home and you can carry it for me. Not a queen, just a twin. :o) It was fun helping with the kids. Can't wait 'til Abby's on the run too! I should drop at least ten pounds if I have to chase her half as much as you do Wyatt!”

“Buddha Bear- The shoulder is coming along. Another month or so of therapy and I think it may be as good as new.”

“Nice, SkiRacer- are you past the "rubber band" stage? Are you starting to lift weights yet? It's alot tougher than it seems, no?”

“Joy,

Count me in for Manistee. Just did that and the North Country Trail this past weekand. We did every part of that trail (including the run to the campground) in two nights. Manistee river has some GREAT camping sites on it and I'm dying to go back. Didn't spend a lot of time sight seeing.”

“That's a good hard hike for two days. How'd your knees feel afterwards? :o)”

“My knees felt great. It was my back and sholders that were a killin' me. We had a every big F.U.B.A.R. at a stop on the out skirts of the campground. My sister (first time every backpacking) was looking at me like "please don't make me hike the rest of the way". I wanted to call it a "hike" when we were at the campground 'cause I didn't want to over do it. The person that was leading the way decided at we had to push along in order to get within "striking distance" from the van. So I knew that the only way for my sister to get through this part was for me to take her sleeping bag and a couple of other items. All that loaded me down to 52lbs. I hike the whole Manistee side with that load. It's a long story. I have the trail report half done. I sent pictures to Phil and I plan on getting that report out this weekend. I have mixed feelings about what went on with that trip.

P.S. So how 'bout it? Manistee anyone??”