Date: 2012-03-03
To: Billville Winter Warmer
Miles today: 0.0

Last weekend was the Billville Winter Warmer at the Doyle in Duncannon. A good time was had and I picked up some great pointers from numerous hikers. Billville is a hiking group that was formed by a group of AT Thru Hikers back in 2000. They are a diversified group that is held together by interests in hiking, laughter and drinking (not necessarily in that order). There does seem to be some slight animosity between a few members of the group and Warren Doyle. (Yes I am sugar coating). Although I will keep myself removed from this as I have picked up good advice from Warren and enjoyed talking with him.I took a hike with CamoJack (who I had met down at the Ruck) on the AT up out of Duncannon to Hawk Rocks. It was cloudy and especially up top, very windy. It was good to talk with triple crowner JB - thanks for going over my tentative resupply and giving me suggestions places to stay and see. A triple crowner is someone that has hike the AT, PCT (Pacific Crest Trail) and CDT (Continental Divide Trail). Tank, who I hiked the 24 with last year and saw up at the Gathering, is doing the PCT this year, I wish you the best. Tricks, thanks for the warm welcome. Jester, who already did the AT and PCT is going for his triple crown and hiking the CDT this year (kudos). Baltimore Jack was down in NC (I think) and unable to attend. Trail Angel Mary was there as well as this is her home town. It was nice to see familiar faces and meet all the new ones as well.One of the annual activities during this weekend get together is a Bad Poetry Contest. Although this was my first Winter Warmer, I was welcomed and decided to enter a poem suitable to the occasion (Read - about hiking and drinking). To my surprise, I was nominated a winner of Bad Poetry this year (is that a good thing?). Below is the entry...*************Roses are redAlthough I don't know who really caresThis poem will start soon After I make it up the StairsPreparing for my AT Thru Who would have thunkI'd have to write for this Billville Winter WarmerEven if I were drunk...OK...START OF POEMI appreciate the Billville welcome to allEven to those who get off the bar stool and fallYou don't need to be a certain way - 'to the letter'They accept you for who you are and don't 'think themselves better'...One more Beer then I'll write my poemTriple crowner JB has given me great advicePlanning has lessened me just 'rolling the dice'Thank You for sharing your experiences trueThey have given me a better chance of not making mistakes anew...One more Beer then I'll write my poemHere comes the PCT, Tank must soon packI asked of his shirt worn thru shoulders and backA Techwick shirt from EMS he had saidI'm sure he will wear it - to the last thread...One more Beer then I'll write my poemJester the AT and PCT has hikedEven his trail video movie I likedI wish him well on his journey to doThe CDT in 20 one two...One more Beer then I'll write my poemMatty's clone is eating chowder of clamCamoJack is sitting & thinking of a planTo excuse himself and take a nap to renewBecause he was up late last night, with the early A.M. crew...One more Beer..wait...OH YEAH MY POEM!The trail descending to Duncannon can be trickyIts worth is though to see Pat and VickeyI love that the Doyle 'rolls out the welcome mat'Where's my beer and what the hell rhymes with that?...One more Beer then I'll finish my poemInfo provided by Baltimore, Jester and TricksThey learned it by taking their trail licksI got numerous tips to avoid mistakes and painAll of them will help me make it to Maine...NO MORE BEER FOR ONEBring the troughs back underneath the barThen I wouldn't have to stumble so farTo make a steady stream into a riverYes, I'm OK...well except for my liver.One**************