Been out on the trail

[Thirsty DPD]

you would need to get it vaccinated for rabies twice, I think

Probably, but money's no object if it would work. Troll-be-Gone seems to be moderately effective.

[rich5665]

FatMan - Thanks for the update. I'm glad you had a good time.

[Thirsty DPD]

Definitely vaccinated twice for distemper!

There goes the coffe!

[Thirsty DPD]

There goes the coffe!

Coffee.............

[Water Rat]

There goes the coffe!

I've had that problem the past two mornings...My keyboard is really going to need a good cleaning at this rate!

[Train Wreck]

Definitely vaccinated twice for distemper!

WIN!

[Lone Wolf]

I have been out day hiking the trail for the past 5 days. I was really quite surprised at how delightful it has been since what I found looked absolutely nothing like I read here. I'm a fat old man so I don't go too far but in the 35-40 miles I have hiked I was shocked that I didn't find any homeless. any squatters, any people forcing religion on me, any guns, any mace, litter, viscous dogs, trashed shelters, or trashed campsites. And thankfully, none of the hikers I passed were worthy of a heads up to anyone.

come hang around damascus about the 1st of may...

[Rasty]

Have you been using a laptop instead?

Politically Correct!
My TSR-80 works just fine!

[Water Rat]

Politically Correct!
My TSR-80 works just fine!

Heh heh... I had to ask. Figured you were talking that PC, but just couldn't resist the giggle.

[Rasty]

Heh heh... I had to ask. Figured you were talking that PC, but just couldn't resist the giggle.

But my TSR-80 works great. It has a cassette tape player and everything.

[Water Rat]

But my TSR-80 works great. It has a cassette tape player and everything.

*banging head on counter* Yeah, well I still have my walkman...so there!

[Darwin13]

I get what the OP is saying. Sometimes on this website people can com off as dark or pessimistic, whether they actually are trying to be or not. I find all the information on this site crucial to my thru hike and really any hiking planing. Yea people are talking about rain and bears and trash and homeless and blah blah blah. But isnt that why we all do it? The freedom, the little bit of chaos mixed in with an almost (and strangely) militaristic lifestyle that we create for ourselves. I.e. you wake up, have your morning routine, hike, after hike routine, sleep x4 months.

[Toli]

I have been out day hiking the trail for the past 5 days. I was really quite surprised at how delightful it has been since what I found looked absolutely nothing like I read here. I'm a fat old man so I don't go too far but in the 35-40 miles I have hiked I was shocked that I didn't find any homeless. any squatters, any people forcing religion on me, any guns, any mace, litter, viscous dogs, trashed shelters, or trashed campsites. And thankfully, none of the hikers I passed were worthy of a heads up to anyone.

I must admit, I did run into a local dog who happily played with mine and then left for home after about .25 miles. And I don't know if it counts but one of the hikers wished me a blessed day.

All in all, it was a wonderful five days with magnificent weather with temps maxing out at about 73 degrees and water is running everywhere. Looks like I got a break in the global warming thing so no need to post about that. There was some rain, but I guess that might have been either God's fault or maybe just physical nature. I am not smart enough to say.

I got to thinking, since what I found was so contrary to what I read on this website maybe I should stop reading here or maybe all of those here who are hiking with their fingers should actually get out on the trail and get off their keyboards.

Just a thought.

Awesome post John, and an honest take on the trail in Georgia... Miss getting out with you, Cooper and Toby... Oh... Sharon too... lol... I haven't been here in NE Pa. that long, but its the same here... Nice people, cool dogs, nothing crazy going on... AND all the Boy Scouts I've seen/met were very well behaved... Go figure...

[Papa D]

bad experiences on typical weekend hike on the AT are rare - it's nice that you had a good time. If you are at it long enough though - say 5-6 weekends or a 100 or more mile hike, you'll eventually run into something that you don't like - - then, you can post that thing here and then everybody will pile on and tell you why your are wrong. You have a lot to look forward to.

[MuddyWaters]

There are times and parts of the AT that you can go 2 weeks without seeing another person
And times are parts where you see people every 15 minutes constantly and camp with 30 others at shelters
You were obviously somewhere in between.
congrats on a great experience.

[Another Kevin]

For what it's worth, my day's trash haul out of Harriman was considerably less than usual. A tin can, a couple or three candy wrappers, a couple of plastic grocery bags, a wad of paper towels, and a mildewed pink tuque. Not bad at all for a summer day trip In suburbIa. Thanks, folks, for keeping it clean. :-)

[Drybones]

Will I get in trouble if I say a big AMEN to your observations?

How dare you inject such hatefull remarks!

[Drybones]

Although I didn't find any viscous dogs, I didn't find any vicious dogs either.

Dont know why but I cant stop laughing at this post...I feel better about my spelling now...thanks.

[Drybones]

Good post Fatman.

[Mountain Mojo]

Glad your hike was pleasurable Fatman! 30 miles, 100 miles, you take the good with the bad and any day you're able to get out and hike you should consider a blessing!