[at-l] Trail Days

[DaRedhead@aol.com (DaRedhead@aol.com)]

There was the usual stuff - pizza and beer at Quinceys, along with the long 
wait.  The campfire with the drummers.  The icy cold river where POG and I 
sat in our chairs and chilled our feet.  Where Shannon and Nikki swam and 
turned into big goosebumps.  The hiker talent show, equal parts silliness and 
seriousness.  Felix's shirt. The Barefoot Sisters and Waterfall inspiring the 
entire male contingent there with their bandana skirts and tops, and all of 
us with laughter with their song.  The book sale was a huge bonus.  Old 
friends well met, and new friends too.  Hikers of all ages, and bikers as 
well.  "Lets Just Be Friends Leap".  Much beverages drank, some alcoholic, 
others not.  Water fun at the parade, where with our exceptional instinct we 
ended up right in the middle of the most water.  Early morning coffee and 
great conversation.  The breakfast of champions.  Wine - and more wine. "Ah, 
Grasshopper".  Running into Mars, a thru hiker this year who showed up at the 
Ruck out of the blue, after finding the website this past January.  Was good 
to see him on the Trail going strong, and nice to know that he learned things 
at the Ruck that have already stood him in good stead.  "What do you mean you 
gave your car to someone and you don't know their names!?"  Enough laughter 
that my insides are still sore.  "And you have feelings about that . . . "   
Trail magic everywhere.  Weathercarrot predicting the weather - to the 
minute.  The Rain Gods smiling on us.  "Has anyone seen Kurt" ressurected 
from years past.  Actually sleeping at tdaze - a first.  Miss Janets Pleasure 
Palace (and Iced Tea . . . ).  Mike's slideshow . . . inspiring every time, 
and never fails to bring tears to my eyes.  A sincere thank you to Mike, who 
won the stuff the sleeping bag contest - and then gave me the sleeping bag.  
All I could say was thank you, and think - THAT is what I was talking about 
when I ranted the other day about this list.  These people are simply 
incredible.  All the Trail doggies that wandered into the swamp.  The Swamp, 
in capitals - once again a wise choice.  Sloetoes run into Damascus from 
Troutdale.  Dan's first AT hike, 14 plus miles.  The group picture, once we 
decided where to stand.  Wincing every time I saw Baltimore Jack, who is 
sporting a broken ankle.  "Can it be considered a circle if there are only 
two people in it?"  The group massage - wow.  And friends.  It was all about 
friends.  Conversations that can't be reconstructed but will always bring a 
smile to my face.

It was everything good in life.  I am already counting the days til the 
Gathering.

The Redhead


--- StripMime Report -- processed MIME parts ---
multipart/alternative
  text/plain (text body -- kept)
  text/html
---