[at-l] Raining ice... and other adventures of the Sloetoe gang

["Mara Factor" <m_factor@hotmail.com>]

Hi all,

I did meet up with the GPS gang (that's Gumby, Pokey, and Sloetoe, not some 
electronic device) on Saturday.  They've had some wet weather and so far, 
are moving a bit slower than anticipated but are all still having a 
wonderful time.  Those kids are hiking machines when they are well rested.  
When not so well rested, they find more reasons to stop along the way - 
moths, frogs, rocks, etc. - but keep going in good spirits (if a bit slow) 
anyway when reminded.  Wow!

Shortly after I met up with them, we had some pea sized hail come down.  It 
was the first time the kids had ever seen hail and they thought it was so 
great to pick up a piece of frozen rain and watch it melt in their hands.

So anyway, here's some thoughts from Sloetoe:  (remember, don't shoot the 
messenger, thank you.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Unordered thoughts from just south of Jay Pk (Hazen's Camp) w/in sight of 
Canada:

1)  Woodelf, I hate you.  (Regarding not taking pack cover, having to live 
w/8000 rattling, slipping, failing, stuff sacks, baggies, Target bags, yet 
still having wet gear at the end of the day.)

2)  Orange bug, you loon you! [Editors note:  that's the word he wrote, not 
"spoke"  :-)  ]  (Regarding Gatorade v. water with stressed hikers to care 
for.)

3)  Coosa, give it another chance.  (Re taking small person hiking.  It's 
not the age or the temperment, it's the experience level.  Gradualism in 
introduction can bring even old pharts [sic] into the outdoors fold.)

4)  It's hard to "hike the ribbon" when they keep putting steps half as high 
as *you* in the way.  [Editor's note:  and they haven't gotten to Devil's 
Gulch yet.]

5)  Who stole the mountains and replaced them with soap?  [Ed. a reference 
to fog.]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Other memorable events from the weekend...

I got a great backrub from Cole.  :-)  [Solar Bear - welcome back but you 
got some competition now in the form of a 6 year old hiking machine.  :-)  ]

"Good Rip"  - outdoor version of "excuse me" when someone burps.

The mountains kept getting "ripped off" behind the fog - gotta love those 
kid-isms.

I now have a trunk full of stuff they don't need anymore.  Even the kids got 
into the ounce shedding frenzy.  Cool.

It's easier to use "hey you" when you're with a twin and don't know which 
one.  :-)  Especially since they kept switching hats/backpacks/etc. just to 
keep me guessing.

And more but it's late and I've got to get home.

Mara
Stitches, GAME99

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