[at-l] Listers at the Gathering

[Bluetrail@aol.com]

Here's another of the Florida contingent who'll be there.  I volunteered (and
sent in an application in mid-August) to give a presentation on what it's like
to do trail support for a long distance hiker, with an intended audience of
spouses, significant others, friends, parents, etc. who will be mailing the
boxes and keeping the homefires burning.  However, I never heard back from
anyone at ALDHA, and it looks as if the presentations are more hiker centered.

I had already prepared a couple of handouts, so if anyone will be at the
Gathering who'd like to know what they're getting into when they say, "Sure,
I'll be glad to ship you some stuff," I'll be happy to talk with 'em.  (It's
lots of fun, and some worry, and sometimes it's lonesome, but there can be
some great rewards!  My hiker is the type who heads out for five months on the
PCT and gives me the following instructions, "Here's a page of maildrops with
the post offices marked where I'll need food.  Here's some signed blank
checks; please pay my bills and use them to buy the food and other stuff--you
know what I'll need and what I like.  Here's the guidebook and the databook
and maps; just tear out the appropriate pages and mail them to every maildrop.
I'll let you know when I want the cold weather stuff."-----and I'm proud to
say he had a box with food and the right maps, guidebook pages, clothes,
necessities, treats, etc. on time at every maildrop.)

I'll be where-ever the listers group is going to meet.  Look for a 51-year-old
very hefty woman, 5' 10 1/2", gray hair, pink & white complexion.  I'll
sometimes be in the company of a 53-year-old, bald, tan long-distance hiker,
Jon Phipps ("Wanchor").  Together we look like Jack Spratt & his wife.)

We'll be driving a white Plymouth Voyager mini-van (the curse of the Mom-
mobile--but it makes a terrifc tin tent with both the back seats out) with a
Florida plate in the back and a "Hike the Florida Trail" plate in the front.
Our tent is a lime green Stephenson's (don't panic, he bought it used).  That
should be more than enough info to spot us.

See ya there,

Joan
bluetrail@aol.com
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