Trashgiving 2008

[Jack Tarlin]

Well, it's that time of year again.....

More years ago than I care to remember, a group of long-distance hikers and their friends decided that while Thanksgiving was one of our absolute favorite times of the year, it wasn't such a great holiday for lots of folks.

Some of us lived too far from home, or perhaps had scattered familes. Many of us didn't make it home for the holidays, which made for a sad weekend.

And some of us DID make it home for the holidays.

Which sometimes made for a sadder weekend.

In short, we eventually decided that we REALLY liked the idea of Thanksgiving, but that it might be fun to re-create it with friends and fellow hikers, rather than spend all weekend dealing with Aunt Erma and Uncle Shmendrick quizzing us on when we were gonna stop hiking and settle down to do something "real" with our lives.

And thus, the idea of Trashgiving was born.

Basically, what we do is re-create the entire holiday the weekend AFTER real Thanksgiving. This year, it's starting very much to look like we'll be at the Hiker's Welcome hostel in Glencliff NH from Friday thru Sunday 5-7 December.

Some folks arrive on Friday, but many are travelling and don't arrive til late than night or the next day. There's always some fine food on Friday, tho most stuff happens the next day. On Saturday, people do whatever they want. People who enjoy it help with the cooking. Some folks just hang out. Some go hiking, as we're right at the foot of Mt. Moosilauke. In recent years, we've even added a trail-work project in concert with some local maintainers. Then, in late afternoon we eat a meal that would render Norman Rockwell speechless. A big breakfast follows on Sunday morning and then we all head homewards.

In any case, that's what'll be going on in Glencliff, and we're pretty much open-minded as to who can attend. Which is a roundabout way of saying just about anyone's welcome, even the folks who come every year, borrow our clothes and gear, eat us out of the house, take home a pie, and then go on-line and complain about the event. (Um, actually, guys, and you know who you are, this year why not stay with Uncle Shmendrick! )

In any case, details will follow shortly, including info on what we've got planned for the weekend, or what people might want to do if they wish to help with the event. In any case, tho, save that weekend, and we hope to see lots of you guys there.

Oh, as always, while we try to be fairly open-minded individuals, this event will NOT include Drum Circles, Contra Dances, or other reprobate behavior, and engagement in either activity will result in speedy removal from the property.

Otherwise, we're pretty cool about things. See some of you in a few weeks.

[TheTank]

Let me be the first to say I will be there.

[camojack]

I'll have to miss it again.

I'm planning to be in Costa Rica for Thanksgiving Week...and my brother's birthday is the weekend mentioned.
(December 6th is his birthday...)

[fancyfeet]

Wish I could, but it's a bit far for me for a weekend jaunt.

I really loved the HW when I was there (twice). Thanks for the info, Jack.

P.S. What's a Contra Dance?

[bfitz]

Groan. Already?

[Lone Wolf]

I'll have to miss it again.

I'm planning to be in Costa Rica for Thanksgiving Week...and my brother's birthday is the weekend mentioned.
(December 6th is his birthday...)

me too. i'll be in Zimbabwe on a safari for that week

[Lone Wolf]

P.S. What's a Contra Dance?

http://www.sbcds.org/contradance/whatis/

[fancyfeet]

Ah, I see...Do people normally mix this type of activity with a hiker get-together?

[MOWGLI]

me too. i'll be in Zimbabwe on a safari for that week

Hunting for Mugabe?

[Lone Wolf]

Ah, I see...Do people normally mix this type of activity with a hiker get-together?

yes, at the Gathering but all of the Trashgiving attendees (billville) highly dislike Warren Doyle who started the Gathering and puts on a contra dance there

[fancyfeet]

Aha, I get it. Thanks for the translation, LW. I didn't have my secret decoder ring of who doesn't like who and what they all do. I'm a "get-together" virgin, you see.

[VSA]

Can't wait. Let me know what i need to bring.

[bfitz]

Aha, I get it. Thanks for the translation, LW. I didn't have my secret decoder ring of who doesn't like who and what they all do. I'm a "get-together" virgin, you see.

Fancy feet you are welcome as are all. Including Lone Wolf. Great place to lose your virginity. I promise.

[fancyfeet]

Sounds like a "good time". ~giggle~

If I could find a cheap Key Largo to Glencliff nonstop flight, I just might could make it.

[camojack]

me too. i'll be in Zimbabwe on a safari for that week

Sounds great!

[mudhead]

me too. i'll be in Zimbabwe on a safari for that week

You gonna dip & sip?

[Jack Tarlin]

Actually, Wolf, not for the first time, you're quite wrong.

You don't know everyone in Billville, therefore you don't really know who people like or dislike.

Everyone is welcome at our events, Wolf, and I mean ANYONE.

Even you.

There are any number of reasons we don't have dancing or drumming at our events, and it'd be wrong for Wolf or anyone else to speculate on the reasons for this. We also don't bob for apples, carve jack 'o lanters, or have a prize for the biggest pumpkin.

In short there are any number of things we do, and things we don't do. I'm really sorry Wolf felt the need to bring any personality or individual into this thread. Maybe if he actually had attended one of these get-togethers, he might be in a better position to talk about what happens there, or who attends.

In short, everyone's welcome, hope to see lots of you there.

Oh, new activities this year might include "Pin the Tail on the Southbounder" but we're still working out the logistics on this one.

Details to follow.

[Lone Wolf]

sure jack

[Old Hillwalker]

yes, at the Gathering but all of the Trashgiving attendees (billville) highly dislike Warren Doyle who started the Gathering and puts on a contra dance there

I dig his young woman tho. Course I'm an old perv. Hmmm, maybe I'm not alone in that

Jack, we need to talk about how I can help this year as we spoke about at the Gathering.

[Phreak]

me Too. I'll Be In Zimbabwe On A Safari For That Week

Lol