Creative Corner

[Teacher & Snacktime]

I thought that maybe it would be fun to try to express our feelings....whatever they might be...in some creative way...just for fun.
Poems, songs, limericks, haikus.....Want to compose an ode to bunions that can be sung to the tune of Gilligan's Island or the Brady Bunch? This is the place to do it. Pour your creative, hiking hearts out.

I'll get things started .... but please don't leave me hangin' !!!! :banana


The Hillbilly Hiker



Stinkin’ of DEET and overworked feet in socks that ain’t had a washin,’
I’m hikin’ a while for 2000 mile; it’s nasty and tough – I ain’t joshin’.
The skeeters and bugs and them bears like the rugs and small critters that run through the lean-to,
the heat, cold and rain and the aches and the pain make me cuss when I don’t even mean to.
But I ain’t complainin’, just frankly explainin’ how this ain’t the fun I was thinkin’,

Still t'ain’t no better way to be spendin’ my day: just a-hikin’ and sweatin’ and stinkin’.

Yee haw.

[rocketsocks]

Great idea Teacher...22711





Ode to an Ode #1

to create and string words is divine
to think odes in the shower is fine
on the toilet words sour
on a hike syllables flower

odieodieodieodieodie

it's late...will try again tomorrow :)

[moytoy]

I can build or repair about anything but a sentence but I'll be reading:)

[Trevor Lord]

U must actually be an English teacher. Sounds like a "do now" assignment

[kayak karl]

U must actually be an English teacher. Sounds like a "do now" assignment no excuses!

https://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/p480x480/390641_610839185595189_1686867093_n.jpg

[HikerMom58]

Here you go Teacher & Snacktime - looking forward to seeing you this Fall.

I came here a year ago to WB hoping to make some friends.
I started out on the wrong foot but quickly made amends.

The friends I've made along the way have been like a dream come true.
You guys will never know just how much I love all of you.

bfayer, T-Rx and KoKo prob. understood me the best of all the ones I "met".
You guys and others like you, I never will forget.

The friends I made in the Cafe are nothing but the best.
You definitely, IMHO, are a cut above the rest.

If y'all (anyone on WB) ever pass through Daleville VA -
There's one thing you'll always know.
You have a friend in HikerMomKD.... but she can't rhyme.

Thank you MDSection12, WOO, Chaco Taco, PapaD, Sampson and T.S.Kobzol for hanging with me and working things out with me. It's so good to have bad feelings replaced with good ones. Thanks again sooo much!

This ones for you Rasty...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kXJdshVNq0



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c84qmtpHqtA

Day by Day......:)

Outta here!!!

[Teacher & Snacktime]

For HikerMomKD

A lady I know from VA
once said "Won't you come out and play?
Come hither and hike,
my trail you will like."
This fall we are headed her way!

[Rasty]

Here you go Teacher & Snacktime - looking forward to seeing you this Fall.

I came here a year ago to WB hoping to make some friends.
I started out on the wrong foot but quickly made amends.

The friends I've made along the way have been like a dream come true.
You guys will never know just how much I love all of you.

bfayer, T-Rx and KoKo prob. understood me the best of all the ones I "met".
You guys and others like you, I never will forget.

The friends I made in the Cafe are nothing but the best.
You definitely, IMHO, are a cut above the rest.

If y'all (anyone on WB) ever pass through Daleville VA -
There's one thing you'll always know.
You have a friend in HikerMomKD.... but she can't rhyme.

Thank you MDSection12, WOO, Chaco Taco, PapaD, Sampson and T.S.Kobzol for hanging with me and working things out with me. It's so good to have bad feelings replaced with good ones. Thanks again sooo much!

This ones for you Rasty...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kXJdshVNq0



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c84qmtpHqtA

Day by Day......:)

Outta here!!!

I don't get it?

[Teacher & Snacktime]

I found this in a cyber cafe post from the end of last month. It is such a brilliant piece I had to include it.
Driver8, I hope you don't mind.....



(Originally Posted by Driver8 http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/images/Eloquent/buttonsgreen/viewpost-right.png (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?p=1493660#post1493660))

Twas brillig and the slithy pohos,
Did gyre and amble on the trail,
All mimsy were the burrowing trolls,
And the half-domes out came.

Beware the cyberstalk, my son!
The words that bite, the phrases that catch!
Beware the humdrum crap, and shun
The hackneyed spurious prattle.

He took his trekking poles in hand:
Long the Moosilauke he climbed -
So sheltered he, out of wind, alee,
A sonorous slumber mimed.

And as in deepened dreams he lay,
The Moosilauke with pate of sedge,
Came blowing o'er the scrubby ledge,
And brought him to the edge!

One, two! One, two! And through and through
The carpal tunnel went back and forth,
As hike he did, traversing, ne'er reversing,
And climb and tame the burbling beast.

"Hast through traversed the Moosilauke?"
Come have a brew, my fearless thru!"
So bravely help thee in mind and heart:
'Tis only walking after all.

Twas brillig and the slithy pohos,
Did gyre and amble on the web,
All mimsy were the burrowing trolls,
And the cheesecakes out came. :D

(Hat tip to Mr. Lewis Carroll)

[JustaTouron]

Follow the white blaze trail. Follow the white blaze trail.
Follow, follow, follow, follow, follow. Follow the white blaze trail.
Follow the white blaze trail. Follow the white blaze trail.

We are off to see the Mountain. The wonderful Mountain of Katahdin.
Because, because, because, because because,
of the wonderful experiences we will have.

[Teacher & Snacktime]

Follow the white blaze trail. Follow the white blaze trail.
Follow, follow, follow, follow, follow. Follow the white blaze trail.
Follow the white blaze trail. Follow the white blaze trail.

We are off to see the Mountain. The wonderful Mountain of Katahdin.
Because, because, because, because because,
of the wonderful experiences we will have.

If ever or ever a mountain there was
Katahdin is one, it's one because
because because because because because.......

[Gray Blazer]

I did not write this one ...
Stairway to Gilligan's Isle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTCYLbFxTpI

http://static.tvgcdn.net/MediaBin/Galleries/Imported/ShowPix/Jonathan/imagesA_M/gilligans-isIand.jpg

[Teacher & Snacktime]

sick pup GB...love it

[Train Wreck]

I'm not feeling especially creative tonight, but I'll share a short excerpt from a long poem that has always reminded me of my own childhood in rural NC and the simple joy in discovering the natural world.



THERE WAS A CHILD WENT FORTH
Walt Whitman, Leaves of Grass

"There was a child went forth every day;



And the first object he look’d upon (http://www.bartleby.com/142/1010.html#103.2), that object he became;



And that object became part of him for the day, or a certain part of the day, or for many years, or stretching cycles of years.






The early lilacs became part of this child,



And grass, and white and red morning-glories, and white and red clover, and the song of the phoebe-bird,
5


And the Third-month (http://www.bartleby.com/142/1010.html#103.6) lambs, and the sow’s pink-faint litter, and the mare’s foal, and the cow’s calf,



And the noisy brood of the barn-yard, or by the mire of the pond-side,



And the fish suspending themselves so curiously below there—and the beautiful curious liquid,



And the water-plants with their graceful flat heads—all became part of him.






The field-sprouts of Fourth-month (http://www.bartleby.com/142/1010.html#103.10) and Fifth-month became part of him;
10


Winter-grain sprouts, and those of the light-yellow corn, and the esculent roots of the garden,



And the apple-trees cover’d with blossoms, and the fruit afterward, and wood-berries, and the commonest weeds by the road..."


The poem continues at length, but these particular lines have always resonated with me, and they returned to me again when I discovered the simple beauty of hiking - and seeing. I thought of this poem so many times as I section hiked through southwestern VA during one memorable spring and summer. :)

[Teacher & Snacktime]

I get it TW....you became all of what the trail is....and vice versa.

[Train Wreck]

I get it TW....you became all of what the trail is....and vice versa.

pretty much...I'm sure old Walt would have totally embraced thru-hiking :)

[Teacher & Snacktime]

Fill in the blanks....(to the tune of Where have all the Flowers Gone)

Where have all the hikers gone?
Long time passing...
Where have all the hikers gone?
Long time ago...
Where have all the hikers gone?

___________________________________ {(young girls picked them, every one) for syllable reference}
Oh when will they ever learn?
Oh when will they ever learn.

[Gray Blazer]

Fill in the blanks....(to the tune of Where have all the Flowers Gone)

Where have all the hikers gone?
Long time passing...
Where have all the hikers gone?
Long time ago...
Where have all the hikers gone?

___________________________________ {(young girls picked them, every one) for syllable reference}
Oh when will they ever learn?
Oh when will they ever learn.

Gone to buffets everyone

[Gray Blazer]

OK I'll play...

Where have all the buffets gone?

[Teacher & Snacktime]

OK I'll play...

Where have all the buffets gone?

Great response but I think you've stumped me already.....this may take a while to progress....where does a buffet go?

[Gray Blazer]

I'll have to think about that myself.

[Train Wreck]

OK I'll play...

Where have all the buffets gone?

Where have all the buffets gone
Long time passing
Where have all the buffets gone
Long time ago
Where have all the buffets gone
Picked by hikers to the bone...
"Get out and don't return!"
"Get out and donnn't return!"

[Gray Blazer]

It sucks when the manager of a buffet asks you to leave.

[Teacher & Snacktime]

Excellent!

[Gray Blazer]

I shall return.

[Train Wreck]

It sucks when the manager of a buffet asks you to leave.

:D.......................

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdwuiyO7hOU

[Teacher & Snacktime]

Ode to the Empty Buffet

Fill the plate, fill the plate, fill the plate onward
to the aisle of gluttony stride the ten hikers
Breakfast extending to
Dinners unending...
Into the aisle of gluttony stride the ten hikers.

[Driver8]

I found this in a cyber cafe post from the end of last month. It is such a brilliant piece I had to include it.
Driver8, I hope you don't mind.....

Aw thank you so much, Teacher! That's very kind of you. :)

In fact I had a typo in the original post. It's supposed to read as follows:

Twas brillig and the slithy pohos,
Did gyre and amble on the trail,
All mimsy were the burrowing trolls,
And the half-domes out came.

Beware the cyberstalk, my son!
The words that bite, the phrases that catch!
Beware the humdrum crap, and shun
The hackneyed spurious prattle.

He took his trekking poles in hand:
Long the Moosilauke he climbed -
So sheltered he, out of wind, alee,
A sonorous slumber mimed.

And as in deepened dreams he lay,
The Moosilauke with pate of sedge,
Came blowing o'er the scrubby ledge,
And brought him to the edge!

One, two! One, two! And through and through
The carpal tunnel went back and forth,
As hike he did, traversing, ne'er reversing,
And climb and tame the burbling beast.

"Hast through traversed the Moosilauke?"
Come have a brew, my fearless thru!"
So bravely held thee in mind and heart:
'Tis only walking after all.

Twas brillig and the slithy pohos,
Did gyre and amble on the web,
All mimsy were the burrowing trolls,
And the cheesecakes out came. :D

(Hat tip to Mr. Lewis Carroll)

You want to know a funny thing? The poem was written in anticipation of Coach's and my trek across Moosilauke, which we did this past weekend, Saturday the 6th and Sunday the 7th. Some of what I wrote ended up being a bit prophetic:

A sonorous slumber mimed.

Well, let's say I didn't sleep too well. Did get a few hours in. Usually a problem I've had on trail, so maybe not so prophetic. :)

And as in deepened dreams he lay,
The Moosilauke with pate of sedge,
Came blowing o'er the scrubby ledge,
And brought him to the edge!

Ok, I standing, certainly daydreaming, up above tree-line when I looked northwest into Benton Ravine from the top of its headwall. Got hit with a couple 50 mph blast gusts right then. Pushed me back from the edge, but still pretty intense. The forces at work atop those big mountains are powerful.

As for taming the burbling beast, that's just brave talk. Those mountains will never be tamed, not that I can see, nor should they be.

[Gray Blazer]

OK. This is how I express my love of the AT. I hope photos and homemade frames are acceptable.


http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/6/2/1/7/112_0510.jpg

[Train Wreck]

Gnoshing by the Woods On a Snowy Evening

Whose pack this is I think I know
He's visiting the privy, though
He will not see me stopping here
To grab his food bag, then to go

The woods are lovely dark and deep
But I have schedules I must keep
And packs to raid before I sleep
And snacks to eat before I sleep

22733

[Teacher & Snacktime]

Driver8...Brilliant....and yes, I did recognize the "trip with Coach" reference, as well as Hikerboy's signature.

Gray Blazer.....of course they count...they're very creative, and beautiful.

Train Wreck.....irreverent treatment of one of my favorite poems of all time! Bravo!

[Gray Blazer]

Her's another one ...
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/6/2/1/7/112_0507_original.jpg

[Train Wreck]

OK. This is how I express my love of the AT. I hope photos and homemade frames are acceptable.


http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/6/2/1/7/112_0510.jpg

I hope to see some of your work one day!

[Gray Blazer]

I hope to see some of your work one day!

Do you mean in person? I hope so, too.
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/6/2/1/7/img_0070_original.jpg

[Driver8]

Yeah, It's Hot

Huff, puff, sigh, groan,
Will this infernal heat e'er pass on?
Trudge, tramp, stamp, heave,
Shall it ever take it's leave?

Walking in the woods is fun,
The moreso walking with a chum, or more than one,
But it becomes a bit of hazy muddle:
When you're melting apace into a puddle,
The mind it befuddles.

Methinks a day at the beach is in order,
On the day more like the furnaces of Mordar,
A nice cold drink in one hand,
The other ensuring the face is fanned,
Hazy blanket be banned!

[Driver8]

Nice stuff, Gray Blazer! Bravo!

[Train Wreck]

Do you mean in person? I hope so, too.
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/6/2/1/7/img_0070_original.jpg

You bet. I'm saving a place in my living room for one of your pieces!

[Teacher & Snacktime]

You guys are great....so much talent here everybody!

[rocketsocks]

I long for the cold rain and snow
it marks then erases which way I go
if you look for me in the fresh fallen snow
your sure to see which way I go
you'll find me at the end of the trail
longing for my icy hell

[rocketsocks]

Do you mean in person? I hope so, too.
http://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/6/2/1/7/img_0070_original.jpgVery nice GB

[Teacher & Snacktime]

I long for the cold rain and snow
it marks then erases which way I go
if you look for me in the fresh fallen snow
your sure to see which way I go
you'll find me at the end of the trail
longing for my icy hell

I think perhaps I've gotten old,
my joints get stiff in too much cold.
And yet I find it no real treat
dealing with excessive heat.
Thus I think it best of all
to make my hikes in spring and fall

[scudder]

lots of rain and too much heat/what hurts more my back or feet?/even though I'm tired and stinky/life is good, I've got a twinkie.

[Teacher & Snacktime]

yeah twinkie !!!!:banana

[Driver8]

I think perhaps I've gotten old,
my joints get stiff in too much cold.
And yet I find it no real treat
dealing with excessive heat.
Thus I think it best of all
to make my hikes in spring and fall

Nice, Teacher! :)

[Driver8]

I long for the cold rain and snow
it marks then erases which way I go
if you look for me in the fresh fallen snow
your sure to see which way I go
you'll find me at the end of the trail
longing for my icy hell

Very evocative, Socks. Not sure I'm ready for winter. But Teacher's right - fall or spring would do. ...

[rocketsocks]

I think perhaps I've gotten old,
my joints get stiff in too much cold.
And yet I find it no real treat
dealing with excessive heat.
Thus I think it best of all
to make my hikes in spring and fall

Spring and fall works for me too
some wear boots, some wear shoes
the heats not my friend
as I'm partial to the cool
who'd want to sweat, slog, and limp, but thru-hikin fool

[rocketsocks]

Very evocative, Socks. Not sure I'm ready for winter. But Teacher's right - fall or spring would do. ...
Thanks Driver...I liked yours too, though I'm still lookin up the words, you are by definition, a true "Poet" :)

[Just Bill]

One of my favorite hiking tunes- Where I Go, Natalie Merchant
Climbing under A barbed wire fence
By the railroad ties

Climbing over
The old stone wall
I am bound for the riverside

Well I go to the river
To soothe my mind
Ponder over
The crazy days of my life
Just sit and watch the river flow

Find a place
On the riverbank
Where the green rushes grow
See the wind
In the willow tree
In the branches hanging low

Well I go to the river
To soothe my mind
To ponder over
The crazy days of my life
Watch the river flow
Ease my mind and my soul
Where I go

Well I will go to the river
From time to time
Wander over
These crazy days in my mind
Watch the river flow
Where the willow branches grow
By the cool rolling waters
Moving gracefully and slow

Child it's lovely
Let the river take it all away
The mad pace, the hurry
The troubles, the worries
Just the river take them all away
Flow away

[Just Bill]

Oh I used to poop, like a healthy young man, yes nice strong logs, sturdy as spam.
Like a master plumber, I laid some pipe. My sphincter closed tighter than an angler on a pike.
So I went to the doc, to see what he'd say, so I could leave the toilet, sometime today.
He told me straight, my butt had the flu, flinging poo like the monkey's at the zoo.

Anal leakage, drippin down my knee,
Anal leakage, my pooper failed me,
Anal leakage, my ass don't work,
Anal leakage, it ain't funny Jerk!
- Anal leakage (by yours truly)

[Teacher & Snacktime]

That's beautiful. It reminds me of Ten Mile River in CT. I'm sure there are many more spots along the AT more remote and beautiful, but it's my only experience so far. Thanks for the images.


I mean the first one, not the second!!!!! ew....and unfortunately, it's the kind of thing he WOULD like...he's 11.

[Just Bill]

Just like a thru hike- long stretches of unmatched beauty, followed by bursts of unimaginable disgust.

[Teacher & Snacktime]

point acknowledged

but ew still

[Dogwood]

Borrowed from Bob Seeger but with changes I made that I sing when I'm hiking.

Hikin' Man

Up with the sun, gone with the wind
They always said I would be pushing up a daisy
Leavin' my home, leavin' my friends
Hikinin' when things get too crazy
Out to the trail, out 'neath the stars
Feelin' the breeze, huggin' the trees

Trails have come, trails have gone
Everyone tryin' to cage me
Oh, some were so sweet, I barely wanted to leave
Others they only spared me
Sometimes at night, I see their faces
I feel the traces they've left on my soul
Those are the memories that make me a wealthy soul
Those are the memories that make me a wealthy soul

Hikinin' man, love to hike when I can
Turn in my hand 'cause I'm goin' on
Oh, hikinin' man, love to hike when I can
But sooner or later I'm goin' on, yea
Hikinin man

[break]

Sometimes at night, I see their faces
I feel the traces they've left on my soul
But those are the memories that make me a wealthy soul
I tell you those are the memories that make me a wealthy soul
Hikin' man, yea

[Teacher & Snacktime]

I love Seger...been to a concert or two in a misspent youth, and he never dissapointed

[Teacher & Snacktime]

Take Us Back - Alela Diane

The tops of crags and cliffs, the air is thin
So we'll find a mountain path on down the hill
Meet me where the snow mount flows
It is there, my dear, where we will begin again
Skipping stones, braiding hair
Last year's antlers mark the trail

Take us back, oh, take us back
Oh, take us, take us back

I've a friend who lives out by the rivers mouth
He knows the fiddles cry is an old sound
A lonesome creeks and moans of empty houses
Are songs of like fallen rain
Windblown buildings, muddy ground
The strength of water can sink a man

Take us back, oh, take us back
Oh, take us, take us back

When the higher hills have turned blue
And the waves are lapping where the children grew
All that we have know will be an echo
Of days when love was true
Muted voices just beyond
The silent surface of what has gone


Snacktime learned the play this song on the ukelele, with the intent of singing it at the campfire (he has a very sweet falsetto). We still haven't camped or stayed in a shelter when it wasn't raining, so he hasn't had a chance to perform it yet. Maybe this fall, Rocketsocks!

Oh, and apparently it's the themesong for The Walking Dead

[Dogwood]

Worked security at one of his concerts and got to meet Mr Seeger, as I called him, back stage and have dinner with him along with all the rest of the band and security staff.

[rocketsocks]

Take Us Back - Alela Diane

The tops of crags and cliffs, the air is thin
So we'll find a mountain path on down the hill
Meet me where the snow mount flows
It is there, my dear, where we will begin again
Skipping stones, braiding hair
Last year's antlers mark the trail

Take us back, oh, take us back
Oh, take us, take us back

I've a friend who lives out by the rivers mouth
He knows the fiddles cry is an old sound
A lonesome creeks and moans of empty houses
Are songs of like fallen rain
Windblown buildings, muddy ground
The strength of water can sink a man

Take us back, oh, take us back
Oh, take us, take us back

When the higher hills have turned blue
And the waves are lapping where the children grew
All that we have know will be an echo
Of days when love was true
Muted voices just beyond
The silent surface of what has gone


Snacktime learned the play this song on the ukelele, with the intent of singing it at the campfire (he has a very sweet falsetto). We still haven't camped or stayed in a shelter when it wasn't raining, so he hasn't had a chance to perform it yet. Maybe this fall, Rocketsocks!

Oh, and apparently it's the themesong for The Walking Deadcool, I'll bring my uke.

[Teacher & Snacktime]

So will he....he also knows "This Land is Your Land"...perhaps a duet?

[rocketsocks]

So will he....he also knows "This Land is Your Land"...perhaps a duet?
You really sure you want to hear me sing, hehe...it's really aweful, but ok

[rocketsocks]

"The fly"

there wa a little fly, he flew into the store
ish on the table, ish on the flooor
ish on the eggs, ish on the ham
ish a top the head of the little grociery

the little grociery man
He go to get his gun
he said I'm gonna get this fly before the day is done
before that he could count from one to ten
the little fly he do it on the grociery man again

[JustaTouron]

Song to the tune of three blind mice.


Three shelter mice. Three shelter mice.
See how they run. See how they run.
They all ran after my food bag,
I wish I could cut off their tails with a swiss army knife,
Did you ever see such a sight in your life,
As three shelter mice?

[Teacher & Snacktime]

only three?

[Teacher & Snacktime]

It's late in July as I sit in my chair
before the tv and the blasting cold air.
Lethargic and lazy, I'm usually not...
but go hiking today? NO! It's too friggin' hot!

[Drybones]

Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of swollen sores,
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my tent door.
"'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my tent door-
Only this, and nothing more."

Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow;- vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books of survival- survival for a day one more-

And the silken, sad, uncertain rustling of each leaf
Thrilled me- filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating,
"'Tis some visitor entreating entrance at my tent door-
Some late visitor entreating entrance at my tent door;-
This it is, and nothing more."

Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
"Sir," said I, "or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my tent door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you"- here I opened wide the door;-
Darkness there, and nothing more.

Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was a roar
Tis my immagination said I
Merely this, and nothing more.

Back into the tent turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping somewhat louder than before.
"Surely," said I, "surely that is something at my tent door
Let me see, then, what thereat is, and this mystery explore-
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;-
'Tis the wind and nothing more!"

Open here I flung the rain fly, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately Bear of the saintly days of yore;
Not the least obeisance (javascript:xtip(376)) made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he;
But, with mien (javascript:xtip(342)) of lord or lady, ripped apart my tent door-
Perched upon my being, lying in the tent door-
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.

Then this ebony beast beguiling (javascript:xtip(69)) my sad fancy into howling,
By the grave and stern decorum (javascript:xtip(145)) of the countenance it wore.
"Though thy countenance shows anger, surely thou art no danger,
Ghastly grim and ancient Bear wandering from the Nightly shore-
Tell me what it is you’re looking for!"
Quoth the Bear, "Supper time!"

[Teacher & Snacktime]

That was a Poe excuse for a hiking poem.......:rolleyes:

[JustaTouron]

That was a Poe excuse for a hiking poem.......:rolleyes:

Are you trying to be punny? :)

[Teacher & Snacktime]

Trying? I'm pretty sure I nailed it there....


Oh, and Good Job Drybone....trying to remodel the classics (like The Raven above) has always proved to be a Hawthorne in my side!

[hikerboy57]

That was a Poe excuse for a hiking poem.......:rolleyes:

you must be a poe-ho

[Driver8]

you must be a poe-ho

Cha ching!

[Driver8]

That's great, Drybones. Did you write that just today?

[Teacher & Snacktime]

Who does this remind you of? For some reason, it brings to mind a WB icon....at least to me. It's one of my favorite songs by JT because of it's imagery (and of course I mean no offense to the individual....quite the contrary).


Walking Man - James Taylor

Moving in silent desperation
Keeping an eye on the holy land
A hypothetical destination
Say, who is this waliking man?

Well, the leaves have come to turning
And the goose has gone to fly
And bridges are for buning
So don't you let that yearning
Pass you by
Walking man, walking man walks
Well, any other man stops and talks
But the walking man walks

Well the frost is on the pumpkin
And the hay is in the barn
An pappy's come to rambling on
Stumbling around drunk
Down on the farm

And the walking man walks
Doesn't know nothing at all
Any other man stops and talks
But the walking man walks on by
Walk on by

Most everybody's got seed to sow
It ain't always easy for a weed to grow, oh no
So he don't hoe the row for no one
Oh for sure he's always missing
And something is never quite right
Ah, but who would want to listen to you
Kissing his existence good night

Walking man walk on by my door
Well, any other man stops and talks
But not the walking man
He's the walking man
Born to walk
Walk on walking man
Well now, would he have wings to fly
Would he be free
Golden wings against the sky
Walking man, walk on by
So long, walking man, so long

[Drybones]

That's great, Drybones. Did you write that just today?

With a little help from my friend.

[rocketsocks]

Who does this remind you of? For some reason, it brings to mind a WB icon....at least to me. It's one of my favorite songs by JT because of it's imagery (and of course I mean no offense to the individual....quite the contrary).


Walking Man - James Taylor

Moving in silent desperation
Keeping an eye on the holy land
A hypothetical destination
Say, who is this waliking man?

Well, the leaves have come to turning
And the goose has gone to fly
And bridges are for buning
So don't you let that yearning
Pass you by
Walking man, walking man walks
Well, any other man stops and talks
But the walking man walks

Well the frost is on the pumpkin
And the hay is in the barn
An pappy's come to rambling on
Stumbling around drunk
Down on the farm

And the walking man walks
Doesn't know nothing at all
Any other man stops and talks
But the walking man walks on by
Walk on by

Most everybody's got seed to sow
It ain't always easy for a weed to grow, oh no
So he don't hoe the row for no one
Oh for sure he's always missing
And something is never quite right
Ah, but who would want to listen to you
Kissing his existence good night

Walking man walk on by my door
Well, any other man stops and talks
But not the walking man
He's the walking man
Born to walk
Walk on walking man
Well now, would he have wings to fly
Would he be free
Golden wings against the sky
Walking man, walk on by
So long, walking man, so longwell I'd hardly call myself iconic...:D so I'll defer and guess...Mr.Lone Wolf?

[Teacher & Snacktime]

Ok....so if it was that easy to guess, then perhaps my "cyber impressions" are not too far off. He strikes me as The Walking Man....quiet, reserved, following his inner agenda that few may understand but he's unaffected by their lack of understanding.....he's just walking.

OK w/ you LW?

[Odd Man Out]

I did not write this one ...
Stairway to Gilligan's Isle.


They Gilligan's Isle lyrics fit better to the melody of The House of the Rising Sun (same meter - 8686). Amazing Grace works too.

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale.
A tale that's very lame
That started on a Georgia mount
And headed up to Maine

The mate was mighty Hiker Mom
The skipper a Train Wreck
Five passengers hiking north on
A two thousand mile trek

The company got stuck at an
all you can eat buffet.
They'll have to get to Katahdin
with a long yellow blaze.

[Teacher & Snacktime]

very cool playing with the cadence...my personal favorite is the Amazing Grace variation.....neat song too, but unfinished?

[Teacher & Snacktime]

Thoughts on Hammock Camping...


Suspended here, encased, I lay... a grizzly take on the buffet.

I think perhaps it will not serve...I'm feeling like a bear's hors d'oeuvres.



feel free to add a couplet
.

[Driver8]

Suspended here, encased, I lay... a grizzly take on the buffet.

I think perhaps it will not serve...I'm feeling like a bear's hors d'oeuvres.

But my nightly master I must serve, so

Mr. Bear, I say, "hie, nay, go away!"

[Teacher & Snacktime]

Thoughts on Hammock Camping...

Suspended here, encased, I lay... a grizzly take on the buffet.

I think perhaps it will not serve...I'm feeling like a bear's hors d'oeuvres.

But my nightly master I must serve, so

Mr. Bear, I say, "hie, nay, go away!"

Declined, he did, to heed my waving,

in favor of his mealtime craving.


feel free to add a couplet

[rocketsocks]

Here I dangle between two trees
my butts in the wind, my heads at my knees
I'm folded in half, like a taco for dinner
may the bears take pity, I'm just a beginer

[Teacher & Snacktime]

So this is what we have so far......


Thoughts on Hammock Camping...

Suspended here, encased, I lay... a grizzly take on the buffet.

I think perhaps it will not serve...I'm feeling like a bear's hors d'oeuvres.



But my nightly master I must serve, so

Mr. Bear, I say, "hie, nay, go away!"



Declined, he did, to heed my waving,

in favor of his mealtime craving.



Here I dangle between two trees

my butts in the wind, my heads at my knees

I'm folded in half, like a taco for dinner

may the bears take pity, I'm just a beginner.




feel free to add a couplet

[Driver8]

Hmmm. Wasn't clear to me that rocketsocks's bit was meant to add on or an independent effort. I thought the latter - apologies if mistaken. Here's more.

Thoughts on Hammock Camping...

Suspended here, encased, I lay... a grizzly take on the buffet.

I think perhaps it will not serve...I'm feeling like a bear's hors d'oeuvres.



But my nightly master I must serve, so

Mr. Bear, I say, "hie, nay, go away!"



Declined, he did, to heed my waving,

in favor of his mealtime craving.

Fought back I did, flailing and raving,

Scratching and kick, straight misbehaving,

When quoth the bear, "Get in me belly ...

On second thought, you're awful smelly!

Nay, methinks I'll move along,

'Tis blueberry season, and their flavor's strong.

I'd much rather have something pleasant like that

Than a stinky, wretched hiker populating my scat."

With that the great ursus lumbered off,

With a rumble, a roar and disgusted scoff.

But slumber myself did not revisit,

All I could do was swing and fidget.

[Driver8]

Scratching and kick​ing.

[Teacher & Snacktime]

Thoughts on Hammock Camping...

Suspended here, encased, I lay... a grizzly take on the buffet.

I think perhaps it will not serve...I'm feeling like a bear's hors d'oeuvres.

But my nightly master I must serve, so

Mr. Bear, I say, "hie, nay, go away!"

Declined, he did, to heed my waving,

in favor of his mealtime craving.

Fought back I did, flailing and raving,

Scratching and kicking, straight misbehaving,

When quoth the bear, "Get in me belly ...

On second thought, you're awful smelly!

Nay, methinks I'll move along,

'Tis blueberry season, and their flavor's strong.

I'd much rather have something pleasant like that

Than a stinky, wretched hiker populating my scat."

With that the great ursus lumbered off,

With a rumble, a roar and disgusted scoff.

But slumber myself did not revisit,

All I could do was swing and fidget.

Ghastly thoughts of teeth and clause

gave my want of slumber pause.

Insomnia of course ensued

my fears of being mauled and chewed.

[Just Bill]

But alas, some sleep was still in order. I pondered upon my location relative to the border. Far to the north I did swing, and hot sauce of course I did bring. Liberally applied everywhere it could go, for there are no bears in Mexico. With hot sauce applied to my burrito, I began to feel appetizingly incognito. With liberally applied a new disguise, I lay back soundly to rest mine eyes.

[Gray Blazer]

My kids at work taught me this one ...

This land is my land, This land ain't your land.
I got a shotgun, And you ain't got one.
If you don't get off,
I'll blow your head off ...
This land is private property.

Funny ... 33 years later and it wasn't politically incorrect. :o

[Teacher & Snacktime]

My kids at work taught me this one ...

This land is my land, This land ain't your land.
I got a shotgun, And you ain't got one.
If you don't get off,
I'll blow your head off ...
This land is private property.

Funny ... 33 years later and it wasn't politically incorrect. :o


My son is going to love this....but I don't think I'll teach Snacktime these lyrics or that's all I'll ever hear!


Seriously.....is there anything funnier than a good parody?

[Teacher & Snacktime]

But alas, some sleep was still in order. I pondered upon my location relative to the border. Far to the north I did swing, and hot sauce of course I did bring. Liberally applied everywhere it could go, for there are no bears in Mexico. With hot sauce applied to my burrito, I began to feel appetizingly incognito. With liberally applied a new disguise, I lay back soundly to rest mine eyes.

but didn't that make a mess of your hammock?

[Teacher & Snacktime]

Ok....I think we've done it.....thanks to all the contributors: Driver8, Rocketsocks and Just Bill



Thoughts on Hammock Camping ...

Suspended here, encased, I lay... a grizzly take on the buffet.

I think perhaps it will not serve...I'm feeling like a bear's hors d'oeuvres.

But my nightly master I must serve, so

Mr. Bear, I say, "hie, nay, go away!"

Declined, he did, to heed my waving,

in favor of his mealtime craving.

Fought back I did, flailing and raving,

Scratching and kicking, straight misbehaving,

When quoth the bear, "Get in me belly ...

On second thought, you're awful smelly!

Nay, methinks I'll move along,

'Tis blueberry season, and their flavor's strong.

I'd much rather have something pleasant like that

than a stinky, wretched hiker populating my scat."

With that the great ursus lumbered off,

with a rumble, a roar and disgusted scoff.

But slumber myself did not revisit,

all I could do was swing and fidget.




Ghastly thoughts of teeth and clause

gave my want of slumber pause.

Insomnia of course ensued,

my fears of being mauled and chewed.





But in hopes of having my fears alleyed,





I closed my eyes and solemnly prayed:





“Here I dangle between two trees
my butts in the wind, my heads at my knees
I'm folded in half, like a taco for dinner
may the bears take pity, I'm just a beginner”


But alas, some sleep was still in order.





I pondered upon my location relative to the border.





Far to the north I did swing,





and hot sauce of course I did bring.





Liberally applied everywhere it could go,





(for there are no bears in Mexico. )





With hot sauce applied to my burrito





I began to feel appetizingly incognito.





With liberally applied a new disguise,





I lay back soundly to rest mine eyes.

[Drybones]

Ok....I think we've done it.....thanks to all the contributors: Driver8, Rocketsocks and Just Bill



Thoughts on Hammock Camping ...

Suspended here, encased, I lay... a grizzly take on the buffet.

I think perhaps it will not serve...I'm feeling like a bear's hors d'oeuvres.

But my nightly master I must serve, so

Mr. Bear, I say, "hie, nay, go away!"

Declined, he did, to heed my waving,

in favor of his mealtime craving.

Fought back I did, flailing and raving,

Scratching and kicking, straight misbehaving,

When quoth the bear, "Get in me belly ...

On second thought, you're awful smelly!

Nay, methinks I'll move along,

'Tis blueberry season, and their flavor's strong.

I'd much rather have something pleasant like that

than a stinky, wretched hiker populating my scat."

With that the great ursus lumbered off,

with a rumble, a roar and disgusted scoff.

But slumber myself did not revisit,

all I could do was swing and fidget.




Ghastly thoughts of teeth and clause

gave my want of slumber pause.

Insomnia of course ensued,

my fears of being mauled and chewed.





But in hopes of having my fears alleyed,





I closed my eyes and solemnly prayed:





“Here I dangle between two trees
my butts in the wind, my heads at my knees
I'm folded in half, like a taco for dinner
may the bears take pity, I'm just a beginner”


But alas, some sleep was still in order.





I pondered upon my location relative to the border.





Far to the north I did swing,





and hot sauce of course I did bring.





Liberally applied everywhere it could go,





(for there are no bears in Mexico. )





With hot sauce applied to my burrito





I began to feel appetizingly incognito.





With liberally applied a new disguise,





I lay back soundly to rest mine eyes.




Not bad T&S...not bad at all!

[JustaTouron]

I am going to suspend judgement on hammock use.

[Teacher & Snacktime]

Not bad T&S...not bad at all!

I can only take credit for about 8 lines of this.....it was a collaborate effort....and pretty funny the way it worked itself out.

[Just Bill]

Nice work there everyone!

[HikerMom58]

For HikerMomKD

A lady I know from VA
once said "Won't you come out and play?
Come hither and hike,
my trail you will like."
This fall we are headed her way!

I love it T&S... can't wait for your visit this fall!

HI- Just Bill & JustaTouron... nice to see you guys on here. I'm HM.. :p KD or K - whatever you want to call me.

Driver 8, Just Bill & RS and of course the Teach.... you guys ROCK!! AWESOME POEM!! Such a fun thread!!:sun

[rocketsocks]

yep, that was fun...great thread Teach....keep em coming everybody...

a few laughs a day keeps the doctor away
a few laughs a week keeps you at your peak.

[Teacher & Snacktime]

How about some "PUN"ishing humor today? Got any good jokes?

Here are some to warm things up......

A horse walks into a bar....the bartender says "Why the long face?"

A bar of gold walks into a bar....the bartender says "A - U, get outta here!"

and the most AT appropriate.....

A bear walks into a bar and says: "I'll have a................................................. ....beer."
The bartender asks: "Why the big pause?"


your turn

[Pages]

http://fairylandwelcome.blogspot.com/

[JustaTouron]

^^^^

Two hikers walk into a bar....the third one ducks.

A dyslectic walks in to bra.

[rocketsocks]

http://fairylandwelcome.blogspot.com/Ha Ha heee, your in the right place!

[rocketsocks]

A string walks into a bar, and is told "We don't serve your kind"

So he goes outside, ties himself into a knot, cuts the top off, and fluffs his strands....

He goes back into the bar...

"Hey, aren't you that string that was just in here"????

the string says...'I'm afraid knot"

Ba Dump dump!

[Teacher & Snacktime]

http://fairylandwelcome.blogspot.com/


Very cool....at the very opening it gave me a "dark Camus" feeling. I will certainly finish the available chapters and pass it along. I know a few folk who I believe will appreciate the style and content.

For your sake, I'm hoping this is not autobiographical, but since of course all writing is to some extent, you have my sympathies....isn't heredity a bitch? :)

[HikerMom58]

They Gilligan's Isle lyrics fit better to the melody of The House of the Rising Sun (same meter - 8686). Amazing Grace works too.

Just sit right back and you'll hear a tale.
A tale that's very lame
That started on a Georgia mount
And headed up to Maine

The mate was mighty Hiker Mom
The skipper a Train Wreck
Five passengers hiking north on
A two thousand mile trek

The company got stuck at an
all you can eat buffet.
They'll have to get to Katahdin
with a long yellow blaze.

Too funny Odd Man Out.. I like it!! :>) TW?? See this one, it's about you and me.:sun

[T.S.Kobzol]

My contribution (dedicated to HKMKD) (http://www.widereach.net/sounds/2006/fallingasleep.mp3)

When I checked the date I could not believe it's been 7 years since I wrote this song. It was during a time when we were shuttling our kids from one event to another and I discover the power of micro naps in the car. Much to my wife's dismay over seeing me sleep during the day I wrote her a song and everything was good. :sun (the only song I wrote in English)

[Teacher & Snacktime]

TSK....that's wonderful! There's some serious talent here!

[HikerMom58]

My contribution (dedicated to HKMKD) (http://www.widereach.net/sounds/2006/fallingasleep.mp3)

When I checked the date I could not believe it's been 7 years since I wrote this song. It was during a time when we were shuttling our kids from one event to another and I discover the power of micro naps in the car. Much to my wife's dismay over seeing me sleep during the day I wrote her a song and everything was good. :sun (the only song I wrote in English)

I love it T.S. Kobzol... what talent you have for sure!! :) I bet your wife loved it ...everything is good!

[T.S.Kobzol]

Thanks for the kudos! Ta Ta!:D

[Driver8]

Thanks for the kudos! Ta Ta!:D

That's quite nice, T.S. Thanks for sharing it!

[Driver8]

There was a hiker from Pawtucket,
Who's trail was too wet so he'd muck it,
He once tumbled down,
A steep hill with a frown,
But he smiled when his landing, he stuck it!

[HikerMom58]

There was a hiker from Pawtucket,
Who's trail was too wet so he'd muck it,
He once tumbled down,
A steep hill with a frown,
But he smiled when his landing, he stuck it!

YOU are soo good Driver8. I believe you "nailed it".
I gotta get to da gym now but could you make up a poem about the bad skeeters and such.. I just got through reading the updates on the trail up North with all the buggers! :eek: Can we do this T&S... can we make "requests"- on this here thread? :)

[rocketsocks]

There was a hiker from Pawtucket,
Who's trail was too wet so he'd muck it,
He once tumbled down,
A steep hill with a frown,
But he smiled when his landing, he stuck it!

10:jump..............

[Teacher & Snacktime]

YOU are soo good Driver8. I believe you "nailed it".
I gotta get to da gym now but could you make up a poem about the bad skeeters and such.. I just got through reading the updates on the trail up North with all the buggers! :eek: Can we do this T&S... can we make "requests"- on this here thread? :)

Absolutely you can make requests....it's actually the kind of thing I'd hoped for when opening this thread!


Okay, everyone....topic for today are bugs and skeeters and creepy crawlies. Any format you desire...CREATE AWAY!

[Teacher & Snacktime]

there was a hiker from pawtucket,
who's trail was too wet so he'd muck it,
he once tumbled down,
a steep hill with a frown,
but he smiled when his landing, he stuck it!


i love it!

[Teacher & Snacktime]

The itsy bitsy spider went creeping up my tent...
out came the DEET but the canister was spent
down came the boot and turned the bug to goo
now that icky sticky spider is mucking up my shoe.

[Driver8]

The itsy bitsy spider went creeping up my tent...
out came the DEET but the canister was spent
down came the boot and turned the bug to goo
now that icky sticky spider is mucking up my shoe.

Chuckle. :)

[Drybones]

Absolutely you can make requests....it's actually the kind of thing I'd hoped for when opening this thread!


Okay, everyone....topic for today are bugs and skeeters and creepy crawlies. Any format you desire...CREATE AWAY!


You're make'n me feel like I'm back in school Teach.....what you're asking is a little outa my reach....lit made my head hurt then....now it's happening again...............I hate homework.

[Odd Man Out]

very cool playing with the cadence...my personal favorite is the Amazing Grace variation.....neat song too, but unfinished?

The last part of the GI theme didn't really match the meter all that well so I skipped that part. Actually, I've always wanted a church band to do Amazing Grace to the the melody of House of the Rising Sun and see if anyone notices. BTW, it works with St Anne (O God Our Help in Ages Past) and about 172 other melodies:

http://www.hymntime.com/tch/mid/met/CM.htm

Here are other examples

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CommonMeter

[Odd Man Out]

Too funny Odd Man Out.. I like it!! :>) TW?? See this one, it's about you and me.:sun

I needed a a three syllable name that fit the iambic tetrameter and another that rhymes with "trek". You were the obvious choices.

[Teacher & Snacktime]

You're make'n me feel like I'm back in school Teach.....what you're asking is a little outa my reach....lit made my head hurt then....now it's happening again...............I hate homework.

Strictly voluntary.....sort of like extra credit :)

[rocketsocks]

Strictly voluntary.....sort of like extra credit :)

For the soul :)

[rocketsocks]

I been thinking about creepy crawlers
in my youth they always followed us
now I'm older they're kinda cute
dead on the ground under my boot



but I really don't mind bugs...some bugs!

[Driver8]

For the soul :)

Almost as good as chicken soup. ;)

[Teacher & Snacktime]

I been thinking about creepy crawlers
in my youth they always followed us
now I'm older they're kinda cute
dead on the ground under my boot



but I really don't mind bugs...some bugs!

squished = cute.....hmmm....I guess that's accurate when it applies to bugs!

[HikerMom58]

The itsy bitsy spider went creeping up my tent...
out came the DEET but the canister was spent
down came the boot and turned the bug to goo
now that icky sticky spider is mucking up my shoe.

LOVE IT!!


I needed a a three syllable name that fit the iambic tetrameter and another that rhymes with "trek". You were the obvious choices.

Yay for us!! ... You got skilz!!


I been thinking about creepy crawlers
in my youth they always followed us
now I'm older they're kinda cute
dead on the ground under my boot



but I really don't mind bugs...some bugs!

Got talent? :D

[Teacher & Snacktime]

The Only Spidey I wouldn't squish ..........

[Gray Blazer]

There was a hiker from Pawtucket,
Who's trail was too wet so he'd muck it,
He once tumbled down,
A steep hill with a frown,
But he smiled when his landing, he stuck it!

Limericks are far more creative than haiku.

The plural of haiku is haiku.

[Teacher & Snacktime]

Limericks are fun
with their rhythm and their rhyme
happy poetry

[rocketsocks]

Limericks are far more creative than haiku.

The plural of haiku is haiku.
Bless you :D

[Gray Blazer]

Bless you :D

At least limericks rhyme.

[rocketsocks]

At least limericks rhyme.

that's not funny:D

[Gray Blazer]

Hard to hit a home-run every time.

[rocketsocks]

Hard to hit a home-run every time.


I hear ya...lots of pressure being up here on top of the world...

[rocketsocks]

night yall..I'm out...gotta go try out my new signature

[Teacher & Snacktime]

night yall..I'm out...gotta go try out my new signature


Love the signature.....hmmm....4/4 time makes me think of cadence.....

I know that humming a tune to keep pace is a common thing among hikers, and I've read a post recently about people's choices of song used to keep them going.

What about some original creations? I'm thinking ala military cadence

Drybones.....no pressure here....you're welcome to just read and enjoy and hopefully chuckle!



Here's a start.....


I've been told this many times...
hikers reek of dirt and grime...

Tell me truly what you think...
Is it true that hikers stink?

Smelly 1...2...
Stinky 3...4...
Bring it on down 1...2...3...4...
...1...2...P U

[Driver8]

Here's a start.....


I've been told this many times...
hikers reek of dirt and grime...

Tell me truly what you think...
Is it true that hikers stink?

Smelly 1...2...
Stinky 3...4...
Bring it on down 1...2...3...4...
...1...2...P U

Sound off!

[rocketsocks]

Coach Lou has has a few good ones :D

[Teacher & Snacktime]

I would not be surprised in the least! I suspect that the combination of Coach's corps days and sense of humor could make some seriously entertaining cadence chants! (Hopefully he'll share)

[Gray Blazer]

All the bugle calls have words, also. Prolly cannot repeat them here.

[Teacher & Snacktime]

to the tune of Tom Paxton's "What Did You Learn in School Today?" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VucczIg98Gw



Where did you hike the trail today,
Dear Little Boy of Mine?
Where did you hike the trail today,
Dear Little Boy of Mine?
I started out in West VA
and headed north to Maryland way
From Harpers Ferry to Crampton Gap
and then I had to take a nap...
and that's where I hiked the trail today,
that's where I hiked the trail...

Where did you hike the trail today,
Dear Little Boy of Mine?
Where did you hike the trail today,
Dear Little Boy of Mine?
From Pen Mar Park to Tumbling Run
the Chimney Rocks were so much fun
Caledonia was wicked cool
I really loved the park and pool
and that's where I hiked the trail today,
that's where I hiked the trail...

[Driver8]

to the tune of Tom Paxton's "What Did You Learn in School Today?" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VucczIg98Gw



Where did you hike the trail today,
Dear Little Boy of Mine?
Where did you hike the trail today,
Dear Little Boy of Mine?
I started out in West VA
and headed north to Maryland way
From Harpers Ferry to Crampton Gap
and then I had to take a nap...
and that's where I hiked the trail today,
that's where I hiked the trail...

Where did you hike the trail today,
Dear Little Boy of Mine?
Where did you hike the trail today,
Dear Little Boy of Mine?
From Pen Mar Park to Tumbling Run
the Chimney Rocks were so much fun
Caledonia was wicked cool
I really loved the park and pool
and that's where I hiked the trail today,
that's where I hiked the trail...

Quite nice!

[HikerMom58]

to the tune of Tom Paxton's "What Did You Learn in School Today?" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VucczIg98Gw



Where did you hike the trail today,
Dear Little Boy of Mine?
Where did you hike the trail today,
Dear Little Boy of Mine?
I started out in West VA
and headed north to Maryland way
From Harpers Ferry to Crampton Gap
and then I had to take a nap...
and that's where I hiked the trail today,
that's where I hiked the trail...

Where did you hike the trail today,
Dear Little Boy of Mine?
Where did you hike the trail today,
Dear Little Boy of Mine?
From Pen Mar Park to Tumbling Run
the Chimney Rocks were so much fun
Caledonia was wicked cool
I really loved the park and pool
and that's where I hiked the trail today,
that's where I hiked the trail...

Another good one, Teach. :)

[Teacher & Snacktime]

Snacktime and I are headed to MA to hand out some of the trail magic bags and meet some hikers.....maybe by the time we returns there will be some masterpieces here to entertain us....good luck!

[HikerMom58]

Snacktime and I are headed to MA to hand out some of the trail magic bags and meet some hikers.....maybe by the time we returns there will be some masterpieces here to entertain us....good luck!

Have a great time Teach!! Let us know how it goes spreading some joy with those awesome AT hikers... you guys rock. Tell Snacktime "hi" for me!!

I wish I could help you out with some masterpiece but sadly I can not. :( Later Teach!!

[Just Bill]

Teach- The Ol' Man is an influential fella on my life, you could call him an uncle. His stories come though the filter of my writing. Another good friend is Coyote Thunder Owl. At the heart of my hiking are his words, they may violate some of the spiritual/religious rules here, but when I first hiked the trail and told him of trail magic he taught me what Mitakuye Oyasin means. Shared though the filter of my writing no doubt, but still true words. It's posted on my blog and I hope it will one day be the first pages in my book. http://atrecord2013.blogspot.com/p/my-home-mitakuyeoyasin-when-we-tug-at.html

[Teacher & Snacktime]

Teach- The Ol' Man is an influential fella on my life, you could call him an uncle. His stories come though the filter of my writing. Another good friend is Coyote Thunder Owl. At the heart of my hiking are his words, they may violate some of the spiritual/religious rules here, but when I first hiked the trail and told him of trail magic he taught me what Mitakuye Oyasin means. Shared though the filter of my writing no doubt, but still true words. It's posted on my blog and I hope it will one day be the first pages in my book. http://atrecord2013.blogspot.com/p/my-home-mitakuyeoyasin-when-we-tug-at.html

Thank you...I will certainly pass this on to Snacktime.......and take this one small part with me if you don't mind:

The land is a great teacher to those with the courage to learn its lessons. ...

[Driver8]

Agreed. Charming!

[Just Bill]

Thank you...I will certainly pass this on to Snacktime.......and take this one small part with me if you don't mind:

The land is a great teacher to those with the courage to learn its lessons. ...

And someone with the courage to share the lessons of the land with their grandson is a great teacher. Take the whole thing, you deserve it.

[Teacher & Snacktime]

One of my all-time favorites....while not AT or hiking, the epitome of backcountry adventure....sort of.




The Cremation of Sam McGee
By Robert W. Service 1874–1958





There are strange things done in the midnight sun



By the men who moil for gold;



The Arctic trails have their secret tales
That would make your blood run cold;
The Northern Lights have seen queer sights,
But the queerest they ever did see
Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge
I cremated Sam McGee.





Now Sam McGee was from Tennessee, where the cotton blooms and blows.



Why he left his home in the South to roam 'round the Pole, God only knows.



He was always cold, but the land of gold seemed to hold him like a spell;
Though he'd often say in his homely way that "he'd sooner live in hell."





On a Christmas Day we were mushing our way over the Dawson trail.



Talk of your cold! through the parka's fold it stabbed like a driven nail.



If our eyes we'd close, then the lashes froze till sometimes we couldn't see;
It wasn't much fun, but the only one to whimper was Sam McGee.





And that very night, as we lay packed tight in our robes beneath the snow,



And the dogs were fed, and the stars o'erhead were dancing heel and toe,



He turned to me, and "Cap," says he, "I'll cash in this trip, I guess;
And if I do, I'm asking that you won't refuse my last request."





Well, he seemed so low that I couldn't say no; then he says with a sort of moan:



"It's the cursèd cold, and it's got right hold till I'm chilled clean through to the bone.



Yet 'tain't being dead—it's my awful dread of the icy grave that pains;
So I want you to swear that, foul or fair, you'll cremate my last remains."





A pal's last need is a thing to heed, so I swore I would not fail;



And we started on at the streak of dawn; but God! he looked ghastly pale.



He crouched on the sleigh, and he raved all day of his home in Tennessee;
And before nightfall a corpse was all that was left of Sam McGee.





There wasn't a breath in that land of death, and I hurried, horror-driven,



With a corpse half hid that I couldn't get rid, because of a promise given;



It was lashed to the sleigh, and it seemed to say: "You may tax your brawn and brains,
But you promised true, and it's up to you to cremate those last remains."





Now a promise made is a debt unpaid, and the trail has its own stern code.



In the days to come, though my lips were dumb, in my heart how I cursed that load.



In the long, long night, by the lone firelight, while the huskies, round in a ring,
Howled out their woes to the homeless snows— O God! how I loathed the thing.





And every day that quiet clay seemed to heavy and heavier grow;



And on I went, though the dogs were spent and the grub was getting low;



The trail was bad, and I felt half mad, but I swore I would not give in;
And I'd often sing to the hateful thing, and it hearkened with a grin.





Till I came to the marge of Lake Lebarge, and a derelict there lay;



It was jammed in the ice, but I saw in a trice it was called the "Alice May."



And I looked at it, and I thought a bit, and I looked at my frozen chum;
Then "Here," said I, with a sudden cry, "is my cre-ma-tor-eum."





Some planks I tore from the cabin floor, and I lit the boiler fire;



Some coal I found that was lying around, and I heaped the fuel higher;



The flames just soared, and the furnace roared—such a blaze you seldom see;
And I burrowed a hole in the glowing coal, and I stuffed in Sam McGee.





Then I made a hike, for I didn't like to hear him sizzle so;



And the heavens scowled, and the huskies howled, and the wind began to blow.



It was icy cold, but the hot sweat rolled down my cheeks, and I don't know why;
And the greasy smoke in an inky cloak went streaking down the sky.





I do not know how long in the snow I wrestled with grisly fear;



But the stars came out and they danced about ere again I ventured near;



I was sick with dread, but I bravely said: "I'll just take a peep inside.
I guess he's cooked, and it's time I looked"; ... then the door I opened wide.





And there sat Sam, looking cool and calm, in the heart of the furnace roar;



And he wore a smile you could see a mile, and he said: "Please close that door.



It's fine in here, but I greatly fear you'll let in the cold and storm—
Since I left Plumtree, down in Tennessee, it's the first time I've been warm."





There are strange things done in the midnight sun



By the men who moil for gold;



The Arctic trails have their secret tales
That would make your blood run cold;
The Northern Lights have seen queer sights,
But the queerest they ever did see
Was that night on the marge of Lake Lebarge
I cremated Sam McGee.

[Ground Control]

Apparently my brain likes to compose limericks while I hike. I left this one in the Overmountain Shelter register yesterday morning:


An ode to hiker Matt "The Grand" Kirk
Who conspired to do all his own work
To Georgia from Maine
Across the terrain
His new record is truly bezerk!

:D

[HikerMom58]

Apparently my brain likes to compose limericks while I hike. I left this one in the Overmountain Shelter register yesterday morning:


An ode to hiker Matt "The Grand" Kirk
Who conspired to do all his own work
To Georgia from Maine
Across the terrain
His new record is truly bezerk!

:D

That's awesome Ground Control!! I'm sure Matt would love it as well.

Of Course anything the "teacher" writes in brilliant. ;) This is a great thread! Talent among us abounds... I wish I could write a poem about it. :p

[Teacher & Snacktime]

Apparently my brain likes to compose limericks while I hike. I left this one in the Overmountain Shelter register yesterday morning:


An ode to hiker Matt "The Grand" Kirk
Who conspired to do all his own work
To Georgia from Maine
Across the terrain
His new record is truly bezerk!

:D
great job!

[Meriadoc]

Teach- The Ol' Man is an influential fella on my life, you could call him an uncle. His stories come though the filter of my writing. Another good friend is Coyote Thunder Owl. At the heart of my hiking are his words, they may violate some of the spiritual/religious rules here, but when I first hiked the trail and told him of trail magic he taught me what Mitakuye Oyasin means. Shared though the filter of my writing no doubt, but still true words. It's posted on my blog and I hope it will one day be the first pages in my book. http://atrecord2013.blogspot.com/p/my-home-mitakuyeoyasin-when-we-tug-at.html

Thank you very much for sharing this Bill.

[Teacher & Snacktime]

I was reading the thread by Aficion about whether or not a town-free thru-hike had ever been accomplished. This poem has NOTHING to do with it, but the idea of "it cannot be done" reminded me of a poem I wrote years ago about a traffic problem here at home.

Anyway, I was thinking it would be fun to write some stuff about impossiblilites of the AT.....here's my old, unrelated work to give an idea....


Persistance

"IT CANNOT BE DONE !!" the challenge begun,
"a left turn is pure suicide
coming off Broadway onto the Parkway
to merge with the traffic at 5."

Still, I buckled right in with an insolent grin;
if an opening came I'd pursue it.
But the cars just whizzed by as my gas tank went dry
and I found that I just couldn't do it.

[aficion]

A poster self-named Fiddleburn
Came here, to this website to learn.
The die had been cast
The years hurried past
So soon it is Aficion's turn.

My shot at a thru hike is sweet
Like lavender under one's feet.
May just get one shot
All your help means a lot.
Many thanks WB, I repeat.

In life people come and they go.
Each one has a story fo sho.
To everyone here
I lift up my beer
And say cheers, you are great folks to know.

The knowledge, the humor, the jibes
Shared gladly amongst all our tribes
Makes me thankful as hell
For the stories you tell,
More especially the very good vibes.

So ending my shared reverie,
Let me say I'm as glad as can be
That this life led me here
With these thoughts, friends, and beer
And all you have given to me.

[Teacher & Snacktime]

Aficion.....that is GREAT!!!!

[aficion]

Aficion.....that is GREAT!!!!

Thanks Teach. BTW The Cremation of Sam Mcgee is one of my favorites too. On a Pack Trip into the Pasayten Wilderness the lead rustler recited it for our group around the campfire. Having always been a Robert Service fan I decided then and there to commit it to memory. Two years later I treated my brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, Dad, and my wife, then pregnant with our first child, to a 5 day float trip down the Salmon River in Idaho. They had to do two things: 1- get there. & 2- recite a poem around the campfire one night for the group. I chose the Cremation of Sam as my poem and went last on the last night. It took me that long to learn it. I got through it fine but can only come with bits and pieces of it now. Our firstborn, my daughter who made the trip in utero turned 18 day before yesterday. Thanks for the memories! (and the thread):).

[HikerMom58]

Aficion.....that is GREAT!!!!

I agree.... great one aficion!! :clap