[at-l] Trail report P2

[kahley7 <kahley7@ptd.net>]

Forwarded with permission from SLG

CELEBRATION OF SPRING PT 2
I was happy to meet MARK from Kalamazoo, who has been a regular on
Trailtalk chatroom for several months.  He's a remarkable and determined
young man who has hiked in India and has his own website.  He hiked long
miles to attend our outing, and unfortunately, has nearly lost a
toenail. I wasn't qualified to give him any advice on the treatment, other than
to try and keep it clean, but on the bright side, by the time he gets to
DWG, Mr. Ed won't have to deal with it :)

SHAMROCK is a delightful lady and experienced hiker, filling in a
section this time from Springer Mtn. to Fontana Dam.  She came
from New Orleans on the Southern Crescent, and said it was a
comfortable and convenient train ride, which she recommends.
She has been hiking with the PITTSBURGH group,
and having raised 5 children, she demonstrated her organization and
speedy skills as scramled egg cook:)

FANNYPAK 96 made a cameo appearance on Sat., with his photo
album, spreading good cheer, and joining in the conversations at the
campfire.

COOSA visited for a while with a couple of her companions.
She added some joviality to the campfire, introducing her
'99 trail fashion gear - garbage bag rainsuit and construction
hard hat with ATC sticker in front, complete with the COOSA label :)


Several northbound thru-hikers showed up and tented with us overnite,
and I regret that I didn't write down their trail names.  They were all
cheerful, helpful and greatful volunteers, gathering firewood and helping
with the cooking. In my mind, I can see their smiling faces and a few
I'll name for remembrance as WOOD CREW, BEAN, CORN &
HAMBURGER :)   EAGLE from Alaska really liked the hot dogs
and packed out with a few.   Two delightful young ladies from Canada,
Anne Marie and H, wrote us a special note of thanks.

LYDIA from Colorado was nice and friendly, and the latest addition to
the PITTSBURGH group.  I never thought anybody would get so excited
about my 12" cast iron frying pan, but she said she collected old cast iron
frying pans and gave me some tips on cleaning and storage - never use
soap and water !  I'll bet if I gave her my frying pan, she would have hiked
out with it :)

CHOOVERS railed south on the Southern Crescent from D.C. to meet up
with the PITTSBURGH group and her account of the trip was similar to
SHAMROCK's.  She was kinda worn out by some of the high mileage
hiking and was sunburned and chapped, but finally came around when
the SLYMAN showed up with her car.  He will be joining her for a week
or so on her northbound section hike before he heads out to do the
PCT this year.

GOGENTLY from Israel has a new trail name this year, which I can't
remember, but I can remember chatting with him several times on the
Trailtalk chatroom !  He used to stay up until 2:00 AM, Israel time,  so
he could chat with us in prime time EST.  Hail fellow and well met,
he was the life of the party in the afternoon and around the campfire at
night.  A great people person and philosopher, he won the Most
Fun award  :)

C.W.O. PILGRIM '99 is another great guy and great adventurer
that I know from the chatroom.  After 30 years in the Army, mostly
as a chopper pilot, he has just retired and admittedly has it made  :)
He summed it all up Sat. night as he sat gazing into the fire among the
other recently met hiking friends - "It doesn't get any better than this".

FINAL SCENE - Sunday morning  - Youthful smiling faces, greatful
older faces, all from different walks of life and parts of the earth, bursting
with new Springtime energy, handshakes and hugs from those we know we'll
see again or may never see again.  Two hikers cutting back thru the
underbrush to the EXACT point on the AT trailpath where they veered off
the day before to join our group, PILGRIM and his new hiking friend from
Israel, "going gently" into Spring  :)              slg












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