Stoker53
03-30-2005, 11:47
I stumbled across WB.net while researching a planned trip to Mt. Rogers in VA. I have been visiting daily and have even posted a few times.
I was born and spent my early years in West NC. Seems I've been in the woods most of my life. My early childhood was filled with hunting /fishing with my dad. Lived in the Shenandoah Valley just N of Roanoke for 9 years then moved to Scotsdale AZ in the mid 60's where I was introduced to backpacking in the boy scouts. Been hooked ever since. Though I no longer hunt ( meat at Kroger is quite good ) I'm still an avid trout fisherman. Terrible w/a fly rod but I can spin cast with the best. And yes I will use red worms, salmon eggs and "stick bait" but small spinners are my favorite.
Moved to middle TN in the late 60's where I finished HS and college. Got married in 1976 ( still married to the same woman ) then got a job in Hibbing MN where I spent 3 winters. Got my first serious winter camping experience with guys who really knew how to have fun in insane temps.
Moved back to middle TN in the early 80's where I raised 2 daughters , started/closed a bicycle shop, and have been working in manufacturing plants since 1991. First in a heatlh and beauty care products company and now in a computer assembly plant. Most of the mfg jobs have been in production control and materials planning.
For the last 25 years I have hiked primarily with 3 other guys ( we named our little group the "Cumberland Expeditionery Farce" ) and with the occasional invited guest. I sadly admitt that we have broken a few folks on some of our Jan weeklong pack trips to the mtns of east TN / west NC but so far, aside from a few insulin reactions ( one of the CEF members is a diabetic ) no one has died or suffered worse than blisters and sore knees.
As I get older, and closer to retirement, I find myself day dreaming about a thru hike. One day, Lord willing, i'll set out from Springer and go until I stop having fun or reach Katahdin which ever comes first.
Please be advised that I can be a smartass at times and will fully accept whatever consequences my behavior brings upon me.
Guess that's about all for now. Sorry for the long post and I truly am glad to be here.
Stoker53
I was born and spent my early years in West NC. Seems I've been in the woods most of my life. My early childhood was filled with hunting /fishing with my dad. Lived in the Shenandoah Valley just N of Roanoke for 9 years then moved to Scotsdale AZ in the mid 60's where I was introduced to backpacking in the boy scouts. Been hooked ever since. Though I no longer hunt ( meat at Kroger is quite good ) I'm still an avid trout fisherman. Terrible w/a fly rod but I can spin cast with the best. And yes I will use red worms, salmon eggs and "stick bait" but small spinners are my favorite.
Moved to middle TN in the late 60's where I finished HS and college. Got married in 1976 ( still married to the same woman ) then got a job in Hibbing MN where I spent 3 winters. Got my first serious winter camping experience with guys who really knew how to have fun in insane temps.
Moved back to middle TN in the early 80's where I raised 2 daughters , started/closed a bicycle shop, and have been working in manufacturing plants since 1991. First in a heatlh and beauty care products company and now in a computer assembly plant. Most of the mfg jobs have been in production control and materials planning.
For the last 25 years I have hiked primarily with 3 other guys ( we named our little group the "Cumberland Expeditionery Farce" ) and with the occasional invited guest. I sadly admitt that we have broken a few folks on some of our Jan weeklong pack trips to the mtns of east TN / west NC but so far, aside from a few insulin reactions ( one of the CEF members is a diabetic ) no one has died or suffered worse than blisters and sore knees.
As I get older, and closer to retirement, I find myself day dreaming about a thru hike. One day, Lord willing, i'll set out from Springer and go until I stop having fun or reach Katahdin which ever comes first.
Please be advised that I can be a smartass at times and will fully accept whatever consequences my behavior brings upon me.
Guess that's about all for now. Sorry for the long post and I truly am glad to be here.
Stoker53