View Full Version : Farewell Parties
Blissful
02-25-2007, 18:45
I'd be curious to know who had send-off parties for the AT and what happened, etc. I just got back from a GREAT one - my hubby invited all my friends and people from church to come eat Chinese at a restaurant. We then had a big cake with AT on it and our names Blissful and Paul Bunyan. Then got some cards, farewell wishes, and a bag of dark chocolate and a roll of travel toilet paper. :D What a great time.
hammock engineer
02-25-2007, 18:54
I'm probibly going to get my friends together for a trip to the bar. They all think that I am not going to make it (I thought they knew me better than that). One of them is going to start a pool where each person guesses the milage and why I have to drop out.
That's fine with me, as I am allowed to put money on I finish. I told one of them that he cannot choose I will fall victom to a masked man with a metal bat at the base of Big K.
All of their joking aside. It is going to be a good send off.
Frolicking Dinosaurs
02-25-2007, 19:37
::: blinks backtears of joy for the class of 2007 :::
VictoriaM
02-25-2007, 20:25
My in-laws took me out to a great Turkish restaurant last night. Hubby's uncle and his wife came along as well (they live next door the the in-laws, and we're all very close.
I might be going out with Birdlegs on Friday, too. I hope so, even though I'm due to fly out early the next morning.
When i finally get to try my thru hike, i plan on disappearning like a thief in the night...I hate goodbyes. I will just send everyone a link to my trailjournal. Only 5 more years to go.
Had a good send-off get together Friday night at the local pub with friends and co-workers from my last job (Publix). Lots of Jack Daniels... it was a bit of an effort to get moving Saturday morning....
A few friends at work have taken me out to lunch on various days, but I think my closest friends are still in denial that I'm leaving! :D Wednesday is my LAST day at work! YIPPY YIPPY YIPPY :banana
my friend is taking me on a cruise :D woot woot, cant get a better send off party then that! it's going to be quite the change in realities though from ultra-luxury to ultra-grubby. who knows i might get confused and continue to wear my speedo's hiking. yes.. "confused" is what ill say, between you and me, i just look damn good in em :D
mike!
Frolicking Dinosaurs
02-26-2007, 07:59
::: female dino looks up Mike!'s start date - plans trip to Springer :::
Lone Wolf
02-26-2007, 08:05
I'd be curious to know who had send-off parties for the AT and what happened
what happens is a lot of people end up quitting, and early on just after the big party and the local newspaper article about the hike. best to just tell a few people. if you make it have a party.
We just had a party from my in-laws. Basically all the close family friends. It was fun. We requested no gifts or money and most everyone respected that. It was a nice show and tell about our gear and hikes. It was really cool to see how many people are supportive of our decision to leave work and go on this long hike.
I'm getting tired of L. Wolfs less than optimistic comments. Start a new thread if you want but don't fly off topic just to be a jerk.
Okay, back on topic. Who else?
Lone Wolf
02-26-2007, 12:11
I'm getting tired of L. Wolfs less than optimistic comments. Start a new thread if you want but don't fly off topic just to be a jerk.
Okay, back on topic. Who else?
it is on topic. most don't make it. truth and reality.:)
saimyoji
02-26-2007, 12:18
it is on topic. most don't make it. truth and reality.:)
There ought to be signs in outfitters that say "Thru-hikers: Most don't make it. Stop now while you still can." :eek:
Oops drift......
....I hate farewell parties. I like the just take off, maybe send a postcard from the trail idea. But then, I've never been one to make a spectacle of myself. :rolleyes:
hammock engineer
02-26-2007, 12:20
I think I agree with L Wolf on this one. Playing the odds, just 20% will finish. That means 20% of those parties will be for people who will finish and 80% for people who do not. That also means that 80% of the newspaper articles will be a lot of talk for people that are no going to finish the trail.
For me, the hike is a personal thing. I talk about it to my friends and family, mainly because I am excited and like to talk about it. After that I usually do not say much about it. I think a better newspaper article would be, these people finished the trail and make it more about the trek than the people.
Having said that I am going to keep an online journal. I enjoyed reading other people's journals and want to share mine. My family also wants to keep up on my hike.
In the end, to each your own.
it is on topic. most don't make it. truth and reality.:)
Whatever dude :rolleyes:
Lone Wolf
02-26-2007, 12:29
Whatever dude :rolleyes:
Roll your eyes all you want. Obviously you've never been at Neel Gap when a potential thru-hiker is on the phone crying making arrangements to go home after 5 days of hiking, realizing it's nothing like they expected even after planning for a year, reading journals, etc. That's why it's better to go off quietly and see what happens. I have known many who forced themselves to stay on the trail, hating it, because of people and newspapers back home expect them to finish.
Can we move this part of the thread to a new thread? I roll my eyes at deviation of the thread. Not at the statistics or why people quit or anything else. A lot of us know the percentages. If someone chooses to go on then that is their business crying or not. If people are afraid of failure and returning and having to let everyone that they didn't make it — that is a whole new topic. As per the topic of this thread for people who "had" send off parties. Not if it's for people who "are going to have" send off parties, where your comments would make more sense.
what happens is a lot of people end up quitting, and early on just after the big party and the local newspaper article about the hike. best to just tell a few people. if you make it have a party.
LW, I agree totally. Why make a total fool out of yourself. If I were to ever make an attempt, other than immediate family, no one would know.
terrapin_too
02-26-2007, 12:43
Roll your eyes all you want. Obviously you've never been at Neel Gap when a potential thru-hiker is on the phone crying making arrangements to go home after 5 days of hiking, realizing it's nothing like they expected even after planning for a year, reading journals, etc. That's why it's better to go off quietly and see what happens. I have known many who forced themselves to stay on the trail, hating it, because of people and newspapers back home expect them to finish.
I had my party... told a bunch of friends... and quit a couple of weeks after Damascus. Let 'em have their parties, Wolf. There's no harm there. The folks I feel bad for are the ones who force themselves to stay on the trail, in spite of being miserable, because of some promise they made, in ignorance. And I don't mean ignorance in a malicious way -- it's just that nobody can know what it's going to be like... until they get on the trail and do it. There's a lot of romantic BS that surrounds thru-hiking. Folks get all emotionally invested in it... without any idea of what they're investing in.
saimyoji
02-26-2007, 12:49
Can we move this part of the thread to a new thread? I roll my eyes at deviation of the thread.
During a verbal conversation do you try to control what is said as much? :rolleyes: Chill out a little. ;)
No sam I don't. This isn't a verbal conversation either. But for those who aren't here all the time to watch their thread come home from work and see 15 new posts or so. Only to read a thread that has deviated like this one. Was just trying to help this thread a little. But my efforts failed. Sorry Blissful!
Blue Wolf
02-26-2007, 13:02
Yep, go off quietly thats my "last minute" plan and see how it goes maybe a few beers with my roomate the night before I leave, I hope i'm not on that phone Wolf talks about...............
Lone Wolf
02-26-2007, 13:05
I hope i'm not on that phone Wolf talks about...............
i really hope you won't be either.
Blissful,
I'm glad you & PB had a nice send off with people you care about.
My roommates & I are having a casual BBQ at the house the weekend before I leave. Not a going away party. Not a pre-thru-hike party. Just a simple, everyday, backyard BBQ.
I keep telling everyone that I have all the gear I need so they won't buy me stuff or gift certs to Campmor/REI/wherever. I've told them that what I would love would be mail from them after I'm farther up the trail. Something to look forward to on those town stops. We'll see how it goes.
Best of luck 2007!!
Laura
Boat Drinks
02-26-2007, 13:44
I quit work this Friday, party at my condo Saturday, you're all invited! I asked them NOT to do anything for me at work; those types of "get togethers" are always insincere and stupid. Plus,I don't like many people I work with. The cool ones will be invited to Saturday's soiree!
Footslogger
02-26-2007, 13:48
I'm not doing a thru this year but I am thinking about having a cookout this weekend in honor of all those who are ...
'Slogger
I want a party! :) But instead I'll probably just slink off into the wilderness. :o
Boat Drinks
02-26-2007, 13:52
Isn't pushing through the pain, the misery, the wanting to quit part of the experience? I would think that if it was easy, everyone would do it and so whats the big deal. Pushing past the bad parts would make the accomplishment that much more of a great growth experience right? I expect to want to quit at some period and I expect I'll push on through, I expect also, that if I am miserable for too too long, I'll come off. I wonder where that line is drawn for me... Man, this is gonna be good!!!
I quit work this Friday, party at my condo Saturday, you're all invited! I asked them NOT to do anything for me at work; those types of "get togethers" are always insincere and stupid. Plus,I don't like many people I work with. The cool ones will be invited to Saturday's soiree!
When are you starting Johnny? Do you have your trailhead travel arrangements set? Perhaps I can help....
Boat Drinks
02-26-2007, 13:55
When are you starting Johnny? Do you have your trailhead travel arrangements set? Perhaps I can help....
Hey Sly!
I start March 13th. My brother will be coming in from VA to drive me up from Panama City Beach to Springer. I think we'll be staying at that Hostel for a night or maybe two before the 13th. I greatly appreciate the offer though brother!:sun And If we can get anyone where they need to go as well..... let me know!
Hey Sly!
I start March 13th. My brother will be coming in from VA to drive me up from Panama City Beach to Springer.
You're not doing the Approach Trail? ;) Maybe I'll come up around that time and hike for a couple days. I'm brutally out of hiking shape and need to get out before I head west.
Boat Drinks
02-26-2007, 14:06
You're not doing the Approach Trail? ;) Maybe I'll come up around that time and hike for a couple days.
I don't know if I will or not. That kinda thing, like blue blazing or slacking doesn't matter to me. I'm certainly not a purist. However I will not be yellow blazing... Come on out, I think Legs is going to try and start with me if he can swing it.
Pacific Tortuga
02-26-2007, 14:33
what happens is a lot of people end up quitting, and early on just after the big party and the local newspaper article about the hike. best to just tell a few people. if you make it have a party.
Exactly whats happening to me right now. I half feel I wish I had kept my plans close to the vest . I live in a small community in southern cal with many friends whom I shared my dream of hiking the AT with They threw a nice party, great people, well meaning, very positive and interested in my life. All good and as I walked up to the party, people dressed up as trees, loggers, hikers and hunters.
I was stoked and feeling very lucky to have such friends.
THEN :eek: I saw the banner they made me :eek:
BIG D
CONQUERS
THE APPLALACIAN TRAIL '07
sighned with carring messages all over it.
I about had a stroke, heart failure, and soiled my shorts all at once.
C O N Q U E R S :eek:
Many of my friends surf, DO YOU CONQUER A WAVE or SURF SPOTS ? Does anyone conquer anything in nature ?
As the party progressed I stayed FAAAAAR away from the banner. It was made with love, I know that :confused: but did I mention a migrain and ulcer too ?
Mass quanities of beer, kisses, food and hugs and a few hours later I was fine. The banner is going back and my trail name placed where that "WORD" went. All is good just a few more goodbye drinks and family get together's.(with as many hiking miles in between)
Not much is going to plan, ............. that should prepair me for Trail life, I say to myself.
Wolf is right : a welcome home party would have been my choice too, Trail Hiked and Completed.
Blissful
02-26-2007, 14:53
I'll have a welcome home party too- but I'll throw that one, complete with pics of the hike on the big screen, etc. My going away gathering was mainly a get together with friends to say good-bye and wish us well, since we'll be gone a long time.
Jack Tarlin
02-26-2007, 15:10
Wolf's comments early in this thread might seem petty and mean to some, but to be perfectly blunt, he's made a very valid point:
An awful lot of folks do indeed quit in the first few days or weeks of the trip.....despite being better informed about the Trail; having better and lighter equipment; having more services and businesses aimed at hikers....despite all of this, close to half of all people who start from Georgia don't get to the Virginia line. Hell, scores of them don't get to the North Carolina ine.
Having a farewell dinner with friends or family is, of course, a nice thing to do before one hits the Trail, but it's probably best to keep it arelatively subdued affair.
Big celebrations are perhaps more in order the day after one returns to their home, and not the day before one leaves it.
That being said, there's always a festive celebration at Five-Olde Nugget Alley here in Hanover when I leave for the Trail in the spring.
But they usually wait to start the festivities until after they're sure I'm on the Train south! :D
Blissful
02-26-2007, 15:35
I don't know - I find it amazing when one celebrates with friends a venture to be had, because the odds are against you, you shouldn't have a party, or you should keep it sedate, like it's a no no to be positive when you start.
I know the odds are very, very, very, very (and shall I say) very long. It's been said at least one hundred times (if not more) here on White Blaze for those of us who have been here a while - staring me in the face, like someone wagging their finger (uh,uh uh, the odds are against you, don't get so excited, wear a long face, get all nervous and wacked out 'cause everyone drops out). Maybe it's time to stop quoting odds and just give some encouragement, that no matter where you go or how far, you're still a winner and an AT hiker that will be welcomed back.
If anything, having a great send off motivates you to keep going when it gets rough. To not give up. I got many messages too of encouragement, written down for me which I have in my trail journal to ponder. I need that BEFORE I go, not after.
I can see having the big bash when you return. But I surely need the support of friends now, knowing they are there for me, praying and thinking of me, before I leave.
saimyoji
02-26-2007, 16:12
No sam I don't. This isn't a verbal conversation either. But for those who aren't here all the time to watch their thread come home from work and see 15 new posts or so. Only to read a thread that has deviated like this one. Was just trying to help this thread a little. But my efforts failed. Sorry Blissful!
Ok, sorry if I sounded condescending. I only meant that meandering is part of normal conversation, and certainly a part of online, or at WB, thread progression...makes it more fun for us ENTHUSIASTS (thru-hikers welcome) of the AT!! The many differing points of view are what make for conversation, trying to force a conversation in a direction makes it awkward....:-?
...Anyways, I don't think Wolf was being negative, or wishing ill will on anyone, just the oposite...he is a bit of a realist.
Personally, I prefer it when someone tells me my shirt doesn't match my tie BEFORE I go out the front door.....
Jack Tarlin
02-26-2007, 18:14
Geez, this is getting silly.
A guy starts a thread wondering how many people had, or were planning to have sendoff parties. It's a fair question.
A very experienced A.T. hiker then suggests that people might want to reconsider big shindigs in case they find themselves at home again only two weeks after their departure.
Which, unfortunately, happens more often than you might think.
This doesn't mean that the thread has been "deviated", whatever the hell that means. It means that someone has presented an alternative viewpoint, and made comments designed to make people think.
Which is sorta what I thought an interactive Forum was all about.
I dunno about you guys, but if my friends and family threw me a big expensive wingding in someone's house or a nice rerstaurant, spent a lotta money, bought gifts, whatever.....I know that if all this whoopdedoo was done for me, and then I slunk on home ten days later cuz the Trail was too much for me....... well if I didn't have a broken leg or something, I'd feel pretty silly. And so would you.
And that viewpoint is what Wolf's "deviation" was all about.
Boat Drinks
02-26-2007, 18:20
Yeah, I'm making sure the attendees at my brannigan know that this is not a going away party or a bon voyage party, but a come-spend-some-time-with-me-cause-I-may-be-gone-a-while-party.
I visit with close friends and family in the last weeks before a trek. If a workplace wants to throw a going away get together at a bar or something, that's fine. That's the plan for this year too.
Taking the steps to even attempt a thru-hike is following a dream. It's worth celebrating even if it doesn't pan out. With that said, I try to be low key when I head off to hike.
Wolf and Jack are right. A large number of people don't make it. I've watched them call it quits. They are all ages, from all walks of life, and have all levels of backpacking experience. If it would bother you to have a huge send off or write up in the paper and be home in a week or two, it is a very real possiblity.
Enjoy the parties and well wishing! I know that I sure do.
Jack Tarlin
02-26-2007, 18:40
Coralrives said it best: Both the hikers AND their loved ones should have realistic expectations about the upcoming trip.
But calling it an "I'm going away for awhile party and it'd be nice to see you before I go" is exactly the right attitude.
Blissful
02-26-2007, 19:01
Coralrives said it best: Both the hikers AND their loved ones should have realistic expectations about the upcoming trip.
Mine do. Many think I'm crazy but they want me to pursue me dream. A few others are jealous and want to come along. And my parents think I'm too old, injured, and it will take me several years. Me? Yeah the odds are long and I've had very experienced hikers tell me how long the odds are, many, many times.
But my hubby believes in me. He wants me to succeed. He threw the party for me, and my $5.95 dinner (everyone else went Dutch). He knows a lot about long odds, because of our personal issues (which I won't get in to).
And I know others on WB who are behind us too (you know who you are. THANKS!). No matter what happens.
Godspeed 2007 hikers.
Coralrives said it best: Both the hikers AND their loved ones should have realistic expectations about the upcoming trip.
But calling it an "I'm going away for awhile party and it'd be nice to see you before I go" is exactly the right attitude.
Definitely. I'm having a small get-together with family & friends before I leave. Seeing as my birthday is less than three weeks after I start, it's also being considered a party for that. So, hopefully, I'll stay on the Trail for at least that long! :)
Dances with Mice
02-26-2007, 19:23
Any reason for friends and family to gather over food and drink without having to attend a funeral is a good reason.
I told everyone I knew and lots of people I didn't know that I was planning to hike the AT. Part of it was to pressure myself not to give up too easily. With my announcement, I included the fact that I had a really good chance of being back much, much sooner than expected. Oddly, everyone who has known me for a while, said, "You'll be one of the ones who make it." Uh...am I that obviously pig-headed?
But, yeah, there was a party, and cards and gifts. The best was a gift certificate to REI, which I used when I needed to retool for winter.
I returned to more balloons and cards and gifts. One gift is an engraved stone on a pedestal. The engraving says: "Perserverance and a positive view have the strength to wash all obstacles away," with my name and hike dates.
Marta/Five-Leaf
Party on!!! Do not go quietly into that good night. Go singing and shouting.
I had two. Both were great. But the best was a little dinner get-together with my Dad and his church buddies on a Monday evening five days before I was headed to Springer. I think only one, maybe two, had some glimmer of an idea what I was about to do or attempt to do. I was actually a little thankful when dinner was served to change the subject a bit.
About half way through dinner, and the casual conversation had turned to the previous day's church service, my Dad turns to me says, "I had the preacher put you on the prayer list for the sick and shut-in yesterday, because I know you've lost your mind." It cracked the place up.
God, how I miss that old comedian.
I love parties. I'm having a party of one right now to celebrate all y'all starting. Don't matter what happens after the party, it can't invalidate the party if a good time was had and farewells exchanged. A party stands on it's own. If you quit early it just means you can have your welcome home party that much sooner! I'm thinking unbirthdays.
priceless!
Blissful and Paul Bunyan, see you in Pennsylvania.:)