View Full Version : WHERE'S CLYDE, and will he ever see a real moose and not a photo pinprick?
Jan LiteShoe
05-29-2008, 15:16
Well, he'll hate this at first, but as social as he is I expect he'll get into it over the long haul.
My 2002 Long Trail hiking partner Clyde Dodge is tackling the AT again, after sliding down a little mountain called Katahdin on his 2006 start, and walking 10 miles to Abol Bridge on a broken leg.
I wanted a place for friends to gather and give him a hard time about his hike. He's on this forum as "rcli4," is cranky as hell, STUBborn, funny, loyal, tells a good story and will be walking south (South? I mean, SOUTH? :D) on June 4, after a kind shuttle from Teej of White Blaze.
Re: Maine in early June: They tell me what the black flies don't pick apart, the skeeters will. Luckily, Clyde can bathe his scarred hide in those icy-cold, chest-deep, snow-runoff, spring-melted fords in the 100-Mile Wilderness. For relief, you know.
I don't know whether Clyde will choose his trail name (He has been "MAF Man" and "Right Turn Clyde" on previous hikes), or whether he will let one find him (note to new name: stay upwind).
;)
As I see it, Clyde's Achilles heel (in hiking terms only) is his homesickness. He dearly loves his family, and his two grand babies think he hung the moon. His daughter will be flying in to the Long Trail Festival to be sure the kids get some quality time with Grand Dad. (Note to Clyde: Shower) (Note to kids: stay upwind).
However, he assures me his wife Sandy informed him that he could not come home until he's walked to Springer. "She's tired of hearing me talk about it," he says.
:D
In any case, if you see my Long Trail partner anywhere along the way, extend a hand (and stay upwind).
Happy Trails, Clyde! Have the best hike that ever was.
:banana
MAFM headed SOBO. I'll keep an eye out for you when you get to Vermont and Massachusetts. Have a great hike, but I don't know how you'll get along without LiteShoe to look after you.
Jan LiteShoe
05-29-2008, 15:46
Have a great hike, but I don't know how you'll get along without LiteShoe to look after you.
Yeah, I was wondering about that too.
:D
Kent Gardam
05-29-2008, 16:33
Hey Clyde,
Have a great "trip", see you in the "fall". Sorry about that, I couldn't help myself. I'll get my coat now. Try the veal.
Seriously, have a great hike!
superman
05-29-2008, 16:41
Ah, Maine in the summer. Nice choice! The year after my thru I was living in Maine so I hiked north from Caratunk in June. It was hot and the bugs were real bad. The south bounders were passing me as I hiked north. They weren't having a good time. It was the early part of their hike and they hadn't gotten the rhythm yet...or the bugs ate it. Their packs were a mess. One young man actually had a blue Wal-Mart tarp dragging behind him. I stopped and re-packed his pack for him and explained that a well-packed pack will seem lighter with all the same stuff in it. Before I finished one another young man showed up and I repacked his pack for him. So, as they were about to hike on with their new, lighter packs feeling refreshed and optimistic one of them said that he had it made now and would be able to enjoy his hike. I told him, well maybe...but the whites are waiting for you. At least you're not old.
Have a great hike Clyde.:)
Superman - "at least you're not old" - who's old? I'll be 61 two weeks into my hike. I plan to be in Stratton by then. But I've got my Deet and a bug shirt (maybe overkill?). Anyway, I'll be well behind Clyde, so I wish him well. Thanks for sharing, Liteshoe.
StarLyte
05-29-2008, 17:13
Where's the counter? I want to click the damn counter !
Jan LiteShoe
05-29-2008, 17:25
Superman - "at least you're not old" - who's old? I'll be 61 two weeks into my hike. I plan to be in Stratton by then. But I've got my Deet and a bug shirt (maybe overkill?). Anyway, I'll be well behind Clyde, so I wish him well. Thanks for sharing, Liteshoe.
Hey Red Hat,
Et tu? You're going ...southbound?
;)
Despite your misguided choice of direction, good luck to you too!
:)
Cookerhiker
05-29-2008, 17:29
..... At least you're not old.
Have a great hike Clyde.:)
Superman - "at least you're not old" - who's old? I'll be 61 two weeks into my hike. I plan to be in Stratton by then. But I've got my Deet and a bug shirt (maybe overkill?). Anyway, I'll be well behind Clyde, so I wish him well. Thanks for sharing, Liteshoe.
I can't resist this: at what point does Clyde's Trail Name morph from MAF man to OF man? Surely not now - he's younger than I am!:)
boarstone
05-29-2008, 18:34
Well, he'll hate this at first, but as social as he is I expect he'll get into it over the long haul.
My 2002 Long Trail hiking partner Clyde Dodge is tackling the AT again, after sliding down a little mountain called Katahdin on his 2006 start, and walking 10 miles to Abol Bridge on a broken leg.
I wanted a place for friends to gather and give him a hard time about his hike. He's on this forum as "rcli4," is cranky as hell, STUBborn, funny, loyal, tells a good story and will be walking south (South? I mean, SOUTH? :D) on June 4, after a kind shuttle from Teej of White Blaze.
They tell me what the black flies don't pick apart, the skeeters will. Luckily, he can bathe his scarred hide in those icy-cold, snow-melted fords in the 100-Mile Wilderness. For relief, you know.
I don't know whether Clyde will choose his trail name (He has been "MAF Man" and "Right Turn Clyde" on previous hikes), or whether he will let one find him (note to new name: stay upwind).
;)
As I see it, Clyde's Achilles heel (in hiking terms only) is his homesickness. He dearly loves his family, and his two grand babies think he hung the moon. His daughter will be flying in to the Long Trail Festival to be sure the kids get some quality time with Grand Dad. (Note to Clyde: Shower) (Note to kids: stay upwind).
However, he assures me his wife Sandy informed him that he could not come home until he's walked to Springer. "She's tired of hearing me talk about it," he says.
:D
In any case, if you see my Long Trail partner anywhere along the way, extend a hand (and stay upwind).
Happy Trails, Clyde! Have the best hike that ever was.
:banana
When Clyde had to come off trail last year I felt bad for him...now he's back and I can't be happier!:bananaIf any of his pals would like to leave him a message in his resupply, post it to: chair_back_mt@yahoo.com Please put Clyde in the subject header. I'll print/download and leave in his resupply box. Words of incouragement would be nice! Last day posts will be accepted for print out is 6/7 as I have to put into his resupply for delivery 7/8. :)
boarstone
05-29-2008, 18:42
delivery date on the posts is 6/8....:o
Jan LiteShoe
05-29-2008, 18:44
When Clyde had to come off trail last year I felt bad for him...now he's back and I can't be happier!:bananaIf any of his pals would like to leave him a message in his resupply, post it to: chair_back_mt@yahoo.com Please put Clyde in the subject header. I'll print/download and leave in his resupply box. Words of incouragement would be nice! Last day posts will be accepted for print out is 6/7 as I have to put into his resupply for delivery 7/8. :)
Hey, that's a fun thing to offer.
Thanks for putting it out there.
I'm sure these ... creative ... minds will conjure something ... witty and inspiring.
:D
eArThworm
05-29-2008, 21:30
...They tell me what the black flies don't pick apart, the skeeters will. ... (note to new name: stay upwind)... (Note to kids: stay upwind)... (and stay upwind).
So, if the bugs don't know enough to stay upwind, does that mean he's safe? Is that what she's saying??
You GO, Clyde! (And I guess you're supposed to stay upwind.)
kayak karl
05-29-2008, 21:38
Well, he'll hate this at first, but as social as he is I expect he'll get into it over the long haul.
My 2002 Long Trail hiking partner Clyde Dodge is tackling the AT again, after sliding down a little mountain called Katahdin on his 2006 start, and walking 10 miles to Abol Bridge on a broken leg.
I wanted a place for friends to gather and give him a hard time about his hike. He's on this forum as "rcli4," is cranky as hell, STUBborn, funny, loyal, tells a good story and will be walking south (South? I mean, SOUTH? :D) on June 4, after a kind shuttle from Teej of White Blaze.
Re: Maine in early June: They tell me what the black flies don't pick apart, the skeeters will. Luckily, Clyde can bathe his scarred hide in those icy-cold, chest-deep, snow-runoff, spring-melted fords in the 100-Mile Wilderness. For relief, you know.
I don't know whether Clyde will choose his trail name (He has been "MAF Man" and "Right Turn Clyde" on previous hikes), or whether he will let one find him (note to new name: stay upwind).
;)
As I see it, Clyde's Achilles heel (in hiking terms only) is his homesickness. He dearly loves his family, and his two grand babies think he hung the moon. His daughter will be flying in to the Long Trail Festival to be sure the kids get some quality time with Grand Dad. (Note to Clyde: Shower) (Note to kids: stay upwind).
However, he assures me his wife Sandy informed him that he could not come home until he's walked to Springer. "She's tired of hearing me talk about it," he says.
:D
In any case, if you see my Long Trail partner anywhere along the way, extend a hand (and stay upwind).
Happy Trails, Clyde! Have the best hike that ever was.
:banana
i was to leave with clyde, but changed plans till late june. seen it was a good move:D
just kidding clyde:sun
Jan LiteShoe
05-29-2008, 22:08
i was to leave with clyde, but changed plans till late june. seen it was a good move:D
just kidding clyde:sun
Hmmm,
Sound to me like you two would have gotten along just FINE...
;)
The Old Fhart
05-29-2008, 23:33
If it will make him feel better, I saw this moose today in SE NH.
4169(click image to see larger image)
Jan LiteShoe
05-30-2008, 00:00
If it will make him feel better, I saw this moose today in SE NH.
4169(click image to see larger image)
Okay, you I believe.
Your moose is bigger than a baby mouse.
:D
superman
05-30-2008, 09:51
Where would Clyde be now?
Jan LiteShoe
05-30-2008, 12:10
My guess would be "in his pickup truck driving around Jacksonville FL doing last-minute chores."
How'd I do?
MAF Man - you out there?
TJ aka Teej
06-01-2008, 17:56
My guess would be "in his pickup truck driving around Jacksonville FL doing last-minute chores."
One chore is probably trying to explain 'month long spa stay' ;)
camojack
06-02-2008, 02:05
So, is he leaving home on June 4th, or starting his hike? :confused:
I remember when he got hurt early on in the last attempt; hopefully no such incident befalls him this go 'round. :-?
Note to Jan: I'm most of the way through your book. As expected, it is not a disappointment... :)
SawnieRobertson
06-02-2008, 10:17
When Clyde had to come off trail last year I felt bad for him...now he's back and I can't be happier!:bananaIf any of his pals would like to leave him a message in his resupply, post it to: chair_back_mt@yahoo.com Please put Clyde in the subject header. I'll print/download and leave in his resupply box. Words of incouragement would be nice! Last day posts will be accepted for print out is 6/7 as I have to put into his resupply for delivery 7/8. :)
How 'bout printing out the notes to him written on his journal? Or even, dare we?, the notes written on here.
Bless his big ol' heart, I surely hope no problems beFALL him this time. FALL at the Gathering, sharing his stories before he moves on, is my best wish for him.
And for those who have met FAL and Hercules, FALL has a special meaning--Free at Long Last.
He's gonna do just fine.--Kinnickinic
Jan LiteShoe
06-02-2008, 10:20
So, is he leaving home on June 4th, or starting his hike? :confused:
I remember when he got hurt early on in the last attempt; hopefully no such incident befalls him this go 'round. :-?
Note to Jan: I'm most of the way through your book. As expected, it is not a disappointment... :)
Is today the 3rd? He should be flying to Maine, or somewhere, where Teej will pick him up and deposit him at the foot of the mountain. Tomorrow, the 4th, he walks up the Big K and comes down (we're rooting for "in one piece") to start his journey south.
Teej has instructions to give him a little food present from his old hiking partner to carry thru the 100-Mile Wilderness.
:D
Hopefully, he'll give us a report on Clyde's joy.
;)
Camo, thanks for the compliment, I think.
Dances with Mice
06-02-2008, 10:39
Jan - Tell Clyde to sit in on some small town Historical Society meetings while he's in Maine.
I think he might enjoy them. (http://bangornews.com/news/t/news.aspx?articleid=164942&zoneid=500)
'Heated' historical society meeting leads to assault charge in Guilford
By BDN Staff (bdnnews@bangordailynews.net)
Thursday, May 29, 2008 - Bangor Daily News
GUILFORD, Maine - A "pretty heated meeting" among Guilford Historical Society members over the display of old photographs turned uglier Tuesday when fists and hair started flying.
As members were leaving Tuesday’s meeting, the society’s secretary, Zarvin Shaffer, 38, allegedly punched member Al Hunt, 48, in the jaw with his fist, and Shaffer’s teenage son allegedly pulled the hair of Hunt’s wife, according to Investigator Guy Dow of the Piscataquis County Sheriff’s Department. ....
Jan LiteShoe
06-02-2008, 10:57
Jan - Tell Clyde to sit in on some small town Historical Society meetings while he's in Maine.
I think he might enjoy them. (http://bangornews.com/news/t/news.aspx?articleid=164942&zoneid=500)
Oh yeah. He would love local color like this.
He'd be talking about months later.
Jan LiteShoe
06-02-2008, 11:25
Also, if anyone wants to follow Clyde's unique and colorful prose, he has a Trail Journal.
Here is the link:
http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=233347
Assuming he can make it here without getting lost, I'm good for a shower and a shuttle.
Cosmo
Just Jack
06-02-2008, 13:54
Hey Clyde--Jan and I are from the same home town. I went to her for help and advice before my thru last year. So my questiion to you Clyde is do you think you can complete your thru without Jan along to help you. I'm sure that if you called her and asked her to grab her pack and join you --well, I'm sure that she would jump at the chanch. I mean--
just because she is planning a wedding --something that can be done anytime-- shouldn't interfer with her getting back on the trail. How about it Jan? Rise to the occasion and help a trail buddy. Just PM Clyde that you will see him up the trail. OK
Jan LiteShoe
06-02-2008, 14:08
Ha!
As Skeemer once told me as I was preparing to get off the Trail to attend my brother's wedding "Heck, weddings come and go, but a thru-hike is FOREVER!"
:sun
As for Maine,
Ha, double hell no!
Chest-high ice water fords and black flies are behind this thruhiker. It's all satin pillows and icy drinks with little umbrellas from here on in. I've paid my dues.
:D
From now on I am just going to, as my old buddy Chief says, "skim the cream."
And Jack, I recall your "pre-hike prep" with me involved lots of coffee at the local eatery, plus a bucketload of BS-ing each other.;)
Jan LiteShoe
06-02-2008, 14:12
Assuming he can make it here without getting lost, I'm good for a shower and a shuttle.
Cosmo
Ha ha, I love it.
While Clyde has been getting alot of $hit about getting lost, I must add, in the interests of journalist accuracy, that I was strictly a guidebook gal on the Long Trail. MAF Man Clyde really should have been called MAP Man, because he loves the things, and loves the figuring. He was the main navigator on the LT.
Okay, now that I've set the record straight, let the bashing continue on, whole-hearted and unabated.
:banana
Jan LiteShoe
06-02-2008, 14:16
Just PM Clyde that you will see him up the trail. OK
We had actually kicked the idea of doing the 100-Mile Wilderness together but, aside from the back flies, snow melt, skeeters, black-muck mud, washed-out roots, raging ice-cold fords and long, expensive distance to travel, I had some serious life issues arise, like cleaning my closet and weeding the zinnias.
:D
camojack
06-03-2008, 01:37
Camo, thanks for the compliment, I think.
You're welcome...I think. :D
It was definitely intended as a compliment; I've told you before: you're a great writer.
Trillium
06-03-2008, 02:25
From now on I am just going to, as my old buddy Chief says, "skim the cream."I'm confused. . . I thought Chief was Stumpknocker's old buddy.:p
Jan LiteShoe
06-04-2008, 15:55
Well, by my reckoning, Clyde should be huffing and puffing and slipping and sliding down the Hunt Trail right about now.
I asked Teej to "hand" Clyde a "present" before he left.
:D
Well, what did you expect?
:banana
We shall see...
:sun
I think I see him:
http://www.katahdincam.com/
TJ aka Teej
06-05-2008, 23:32
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=25345&catid=newimages&cutoffdate=1
Clyde climbed Katahdin via the Abol Slide Trail yesterday, and was to head out to Abol Bridge via the Blueberry Ledges Trail today. And I have absolutely no idea or knowledge or ownership or nuttin regarding any form of goat by-products that may or may not have appeared suddenly in any flatlander's blue foodbag at about 4AM today at lean-to #5 in Katahdin Stream Campground. And she made me do it, anyway.
;)
superman
06-06-2008, 10:07
If Maine is getting this rain, that I am in NH, those roots are extra slippery in the 100 mile wilderness. In 2000 we used to joke about any adversities saying "hey, this wasn't in the brochure." That brochure was the one with the young woman on the cover smiling as she hiked with clear skies and moderate tempratures.
Jan LiteShoe
06-06-2008, 15:34
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=25345&catid=newimages&cutoffdate=1
Clyde climbed Katahdin via the Abol Slide Trail yesterday, and was to head out to Abol Bridge via the Blueberry Ledges Trail today. And I have absolutely no idea or knowledge or ownership or nuttin regarding any form of goat by-products that may or may not have appeared suddenly in any flatlander's blue foodbag at about 4AM today at lean-to #5 in Katahdin Stream Campground. And she made me do it, anyway.
;)
I simply don't know what goat cheese you could be talking about.
:)
The real question is - Did Clyde see a moose?
If so, I've just lost alot of leverage.
:D
Jan LiteShoe
06-06-2008, 15:36
If Maine is getting this rain, that I am in NH, those roots are extra slippery in the 100 mile wilderness. In 2000 we used to joke about any adversities saying "hey, this wasn't in the brochure." That brochure was the one with the young woman on the cover smiling as she hiked with clear skies and moderate tempratures.
No rain, no Maine no pain, or something like that.
How are the temps. heat index was 110 yesterday, with the same predicted today and tomorrow.
Gimme some of that northeastern rain, baby!
:sun
Of course, those slickery hiking roots you can keep.
TJ aka Teej
06-08-2008, 18:38
Did Clyde see a moose?
I'm a moose magnet, so of course he did! Expect a few Moose Butt photos when he updates his journal thingy!
It was 90 in Millinocket this AM, so Clyde probably isn't complaining about the cold anymore :sun
superman
06-10-2008, 08:19
The good news is that we've had temperatures for three days in a row in excess of 80 degrees. That means the black flies should be gone. Unfortunately, in Maine that just means that there is more room for the mosquitoes. I wonder if Clyde has questioned his own sanity yet. Well, maybe this is a slow mosquito year in Maine.:D
Jan LiteShoe
06-10-2008, 13:11
Clyde never questions his own sanity.
As a worthy substitute, he questions everyone else's.
;-)
Shouldn't he be coming out of the woods soon?
glacier48
06-10-2008, 18:47
Just wanted everyone to know that my husband and I ran into Clyde at Rainbow Falls lean-to here in Maine. He was having a medical issue and my husband helped him to get to a logging road so he could get medical help. Word is that he made it to help that day. He gave us his directions to his food cache at Jo-Mary's Road. My wishes are with him but I think he mentioned going home and not hiking anymore. Hope this answers your concerns. He is a very nice man and I am glad that we could help him.
Glacier
Cookerhiker
06-10-2008, 19:38
Tough break for Clyde - hope he's OK. I was looking forward to bringing him some goat cheese when he made it to MD.
Glacier, you and your husband were true Trail Angels.
Jan LiteShoe
06-11-2008, 01:18
Wow, oh wow.
Clyde has had bouts with kidney stones before, and knows the symptoms. It must have been freaky to be in the woods with them. I hope it wasn't the goat cheese TJ slipped into his pack. :)
Get better, MAF Man, I have an irrigation system that needs tweaking - can you get those rocky suckers busted up by June 28?
;)
Yes Glacier, true Trail angels.
camojack
06-11-2008, 01:32
$#!+ on toast. I hope that Clyde can deal with his "medical issue", and keep on going... :(
StarLyte
06-11-2008, 07:15
Sitting here having coffee this morning wondering how he is doing. :sun
boarstone
06-11-2008, 07:22
:( I'm so very, very, very sorry for you clyde, I sure hope you can get back on trail soon. My thoughts and prayers are w/you...
superman
06-11-2008, 12:08
For those who have never had kidney stones there is no pucker feeling at the thought of them. For those who have had them there is that.
TJ aka Teej
06-12-2008, 16:57
Here's hoping Clyde is in good health, body and soul.
A note in the guestbook to his trailjournal says he is off with kidney stones, but no mention if he will continue the hike or not once they pass....
superman
06-16-2008, 10:24
The kidney stone issue may have passed by now but he may not be able to return to the trail until he gets counseling for having passed something the size of a bowling ball, shaped like my ex-wifes heart through his urethra. Since he already knew the drill he already knew about allopurinol and orange juice. Dehydration is his enemy and it seems likely that he may have been having trouble staying hydrated. In any case it's an issue that can take the wind out of any guys sail.