[at-l] TD questions

[thornel@attglobal.net (W F Thorneloe)]

This was my first TD, hence I can only tell you my experience of this year. 
They did not charge $10. They did leave a box for donations. I did the $10 
donation and did not buy yet another T-shirt. The boxes for donations were 
distributed during the talent show, and apparently $600+ was given by those 
attending.

The police presence was well managed. Bikes and cars were apparent without 
being intrusive. The only violence I noted was the ritualized warfare 
between hikers and townies in the parade. There was public drinking by 
those wise enough to use their Nalgene bottles, without a drunk and 
disorderly situation. I hammocked on the island. There were many 
interesting folks and smells. Among the smells was the water pressure was 
cut to the toilets at the pool.

There was lots of camping around the Place, but the area next to the 
Creeper was cordoned off as treated with herbicide. The poison ivy appeared 
to be growing well, in spite of the attention. There looked to be a lot of 
camping around Hobo Central, but by permission only. I understand there was 
less camping in the area near the river and old mill due to construction 
and vendor tents.

It was a good time, but far more social than educational from my aspect. 
I'll probably go again.

OrangeBug

At 07:48 AM 5/21/2001 -0400, Arthur Gaudet wrote:
>My suspicions, when I heard the news about restricted camping, was 
>Damascus is trying to do hiker control by this method. Was that apparent? 
>Were hikers assigned spaces, all neatly arranged and identified somehow? 
>Any additional services for the camping fee- more toilets? designated 
>quiet areas? etc... How did the changes affect the experience of TD's? 
>Thanks for any responses.