Date: 2008-03-08
From: I Just Can't Leave Yet...!!!#!!!

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

As you might have guessed by now, I'm a big buff of the Civil War. It delights me and I'm constantly in awe to realize that while on and around the Appalachian Trail, we're trekking and camping, and yes -- even slipping on the same rocks -- as our forefathers -- many of whom did these things with far less equipment and in far worse circumstances than do we...I've decided to lump together TWO VERSES of my new Appalachian Trail Song today [a share of one backpacker's trail meal if you can sing at least one verse of this song when we meet on the trail]:VERSES:Outfitter, what-¢cha doin¢ to me?      This gear is piling high you seeI understand you¢re ¢giving¢ deals      ¢¦but do you sell a pack with WHEELS?!?You sold me this, you sold me that,      A fan to ride upon my hatAn orange and yellow sleeping mat      A card to show me types of scat¢¦REFRAIN:A North-Bound hike is painless      It brings on many changesAnd I can take what comes for six more monthsAhhh yes... You laugh about the Plastic Card for Trail Scat Identification...Dave, if you're reading this, you know exactly what I'm talking about, don't you? *lol* Yes, my very good friend and next door neighbor, Dave, pulled out this little jewel after his last trip to REI in Fairfax, Virginia! ...and that's no $*@#(lie)... Sorry, I had to mention it, just for you, Sir!Since I mentioned our forefathers in the Civil War yesterday, many know that following these valiant warriors were early forms of the Outfitter at Walasi Yi (and Mount Rogers, and Harpers Ferry, and so on).'Sutlers,' as they were called back then, were one class of many different, 'Camp Followers,' who made their living as providers of necessary goods; buyers of spare blankets (much like an out-in-the-field version of a Pawn Broker); and even operators of the Camp Canteen (think the 'Burger King' of today, but operated from a large canvas tent)...I say this to tell you that the Outfitter's line of work is an old and if not a noble line of work (I'll leave that for you to decide), then at least a necessary one -- providing rare outdoor provisions -- at a price.So, here's to you, Strategically Located Outfitter! We raise our MSR Titan Titanium cups and drink a toast to your service... And another toast to those who gaze at and then purchase their many wares for the Long Journey NorthwardAppalachian Trail Corollaries to Murphy¢s Law (continued)- It¢s always further than the sign says.- White Blazes lead to a dead-end atop Cow Rock Mountain [yes, this is an obscure reference to the confusion of many at the placement of the first white blaze on the ground as the Trail crosses its first field of rock -- or perhaps it's the light-headedness of the climb to that point].- The Green Film found on those abandoned home-dehydrated meals is a good source of antibiotic¢¦ [I was sorry to read UNK's account of the demise of 'The Place,' a Hostel in Damascus, Virginia, and a great source for such fare in their now dumped Hiker Box]- The Ziploc device only fails when one needs it the most.- Flashlight batteries fail most often when one isn¢t carrying spares.- The authors of Ultra-Lite websites are at home, laughing at those who heed their advice¢¦