Re: [at-l] AT-L Thru hike journals

["Bear Bells" <hikenet@interactive.net>]

----------
>From: "Christopher Casciano" <christopher.casciano@prudential.com>
>To: at-l@backcountry.net
>Subject: Re: [at-l] AT-L Thru hike journals
>Date: Thu, Jan 7, 1999, 1:47 PM
>

>
>hikenet@interactive.net (Thomas Caggiano) did write:
>
>
>>>but if it's possible to have a contents page for each
>>>chapter/state or something, from which readers could select where they
>>>wanted to start reading from, I think it would make things much easier.
>
>>Yes. I don't want to put any requirement on KC how she keeps her journal.
>>day, week, place or whatever. and need NO consistancy.. hike the hike,
>feel
>>the trail do whatever is right at the moment.
>
>>Our objective is freedom for KC. She may be in heavy rains, or whatever
>and
>>we give her complete freedom. She can vary how she keeps the journal and
>>we will tailor the log to suit what she did and NOT the other way around.
>
>>The journal's path can and will change to whatever she did.
>
>
>And this is where I have to chime in. Not only to we need to add some
>freedom to how the journals are posted, but we also need to inject some
>personality and emotion into how they are presented.
>
>Although I didn't follow last years web journals too closely, when I did go
>in I thought that they were too cold and impersonal. A journal, either
>trail or other personal journal, is just that - PERSONAL. It's not just a
>transcription of the words, but the is more there. Even when I flip though
>a shelter register it is the feeling I get from seeing the little sketches,
>the splash of color when someone makes their entry with a crayon, or just
>the physical feeling of a well used journal that draws me in to it. A good
>journal is one that even before you start reading it you know that it holds
>many memories, stories, and emotions. It may because its gotten wet, dirty,
>and ripped - or because there are little sketches on the cover of some of
>the people and places you've seen along your journey. But when you first
>pock it up you know your in for a treat.
>
>I thought this was lost in the automated journal process that some hikers
>used last year. Every page was the same format, had the same lack of
>personality. Hopefully, those that work on the AT-L journals (myself
>included) can work to bring that personality back to the journals.
>
>
>***
>While you won't get any smelly socks on the at-L journal, at least the smell,
>you will get the photos :)
>
>
>We first have told KC, do NOT ever let keeping a journal or taking along that
>camera ever interfer with her hike.  
>
>We don't care if she writes in droves, stops, starts, no matter.
>
>KC knows the memories of the trail and the experiences are not only your
>inner self and as Jin Owen would say "your mind".. but your friends,those trees,
>and even warm cuddly black bears joining you at your campsite.
>
>Leap frog will be getting those pages, and if one has a touch of mud stain,
>glob of this or that, a nice or lousy logo sign in that KC has someone enter,
>you'll see it on the journal. We hope to do that occassionally, see the trio
>in the camp site, in the towns, and more.  
>
>Give the feel,  soon the entry with hopefully allow you to be greated by
>KC.  We'll be posting some movies made by putting photos together.
>
>See some motion, like how long does it take to wake up.  Show you those
>smugged and worn boots and even a little movie of them wearing out :)
>
>A rising sun, a thunderstorm now catch that lightning bolt.  The high and
>the lows.  The falls and the spills, the food, before and after..
>
>It's all up to what KC is at the moment. We have NO, NONE requirement to
>do anything or at any time. She can stop, start, think, stomp..
>
>It's her hike, but whatever comes in, we will try to capture the
>"feel".  
>
>It's her journal and knowing KC I wonder how we can get in that great
>southern accent...
>
>Without that, your can't "feel" the real KC. Without the laughter, you
>won't either.. but we'll try..
>
>Thanks for the ideas, all are very appreciated. They are all good.
>
>Thanks from War Eagle and the support team.
>
>http://www.backcountry.net/wareagle
>
>The sites changing daily as we try out different ideas, so chip on
>in. 
>
>Appreciatively, I never say that!  just thanks, Tom bear bells Caggiano
>
>With KC you'll need a pretty bright light to show her shine, and we
>know that impossible, but we'll try our best and all help again
>is accepted.
>
>If you know of any other thru hiker that would like a journal on
>at-L, let us know, we aready have a cast awaiting.
>
>We only have one rule, hike our own hike.  and the 
>second Enjoy life to the fullest..
>
>Thanks again..
>
>
>-------------------------
>
>
> I don't know the specifics of what we can do to make it happen, but as Bear Bells
>has said already it will be something that evolves through each persons
>hike. I have my thoughts on what would give the journals personality, but
>that would be MY personality. I hope that once the journal entries start
>coming in we can post them in a way that lets the WRITERS personality shine
>through.
>
>
>-Chris
>christopher.casciano@prudential.com
>christophercasciano@yahoo.com (for website related mail)
>
>DISCLAIMER: I have never kept a journal, on the trail or otherwise.
>
>
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