[at-l] The Gathering

[atrailhiker at adelphia.net (Marsha)]

I arrived Thursday at 6:00 p.m. in beautiful Pipestem WV for the Gathering.  Gary Roberts and I camped at the State Park on the same site, a beautiful deep wooded lot. I was very excited to be there, and frankly, couldn't talk fast enough as we set up my pop-camper.  Gary had arrived Thursday night and was already set up. He actually had dinner ready-oh yeah-beef strip skewers, squash, baked potato.  What a guy. 

Sitting around the campfire Thursday night, we couldn't make up our minds which workshops we wanted to attend.  There were so many, and most of them overlapped or started at the same time. We new one thing, we wanted to be there for the opening night presentation on Friday. 

Eary Friday morning, Kinnickic wandered over and introduced herself, she was in the next lot. We drove over to the Folklife Center, where many ALDHA members were greeting hikers and dreamers, and where great folks like POG, Earthworm, Stitches, and others registered and assisted.  I received a great package of material, along with an ink pen and a snickers bar!  The coffee was great and the Center was permeating of chili cooking.   

Afterwards, Gary and I drove to Bent Mountain campground. Very hospitable owners and a great campground. We filled up Gary's truck with wood, and later sat in their pub. I was deviously fantasizing of how I was going to steal some apples from their trees. The campground's cabins are new, and there was great fire ring with lots of seating around it. 

Friday evening we drove to Concord College, arriving just in time for the presentation.  The auditorium was packed !!!  Stacy was on stage announcing the agenda, as Gary and I worked hard at finding seats.  It wasn't easy.  Wonderful speeches and testimonies. Stacy asked thru-hikers to stand after she called the year of their completion.  WOW. Afterwards Spur and Takoma Tedd performed. Spur actually came off the CDT (hats off my man) for this presentation. He synchronized some beautiful pictures while Takoma sang some of the favorites off of the new CD commemorating Earl Schaeffer's poems.  Many familiar faces there in the audience.  It was moving. It was awesome. Afterwards reminded me of a church service letting out, where people met and hugged and spoke of sentimental issues. We were all feeling the same way. 

Next day I was up early. I rushed to the Student Center to drop off items for the AT Museum auction.  ATC had a Trail store set up and I purchased many things that I've been putting off. Next was the Trail Museum Symposium, and other workshops. At 12:30 we all met on the campus grounds and had a group picture taken. I can't wait to see it. Womens Hikers group also had a picture taken. 

Saturday evening I went back to Bent Mountain so that I could enjoy that campfire ring. Takoma Tedd played feverishly. He is incredibly talented. Billville was there and we all shared good conversation.  CamoJack and I sat together and spoke of many issues and stories; Tricks has won my heart. Bob Davies and I spoke of Hoplite's thru hike success and of others who had serious complications and had to come off the Trail. 

And now that I have rambled on here, let me tell you one more thing.  I met these people at the Gathering:

Radar 
Scooby 
Big Red
Sly 
Earthworm
Kinnickic
Mags 
Weathercarrot
Stacy Mikkalsen
Black Wolfe & his dog

....and saw many faces that I knew, and cared for.  Pictures coming up this week on backcountry. 

Looking forward to the PA Ruck !  

"StarLyte"
Marsha