The AT - Revisited

I must apologize for being too busy (and lazy) to make a post in the last several months.  It has been way too long.

That being said, it is time to start (and continue) the blog on a subject that I have been away from for way too long.  It all started for me back in the boy scout days.........yup........we are talking about camping.  Back in the day, that is what I always looked forward in scouts.  Being in the great outdoors, experiencing nature, playing games, and of course, the food.  The camp food is a subject for an entire blog itself....I mean, who have had a trail dinner and dutch over cobbler and not loved it?  More on food later.

After scouts, I kinda got out of the camping thing for a while.....being a teenager and all....there wasn't much time for it.  Then, after the move to North Carolina, a good friend - Mr. Dave Lolling - re-introduced me to the camping thing.  However, this time it was to the Appalachian Trail in the NC Smoky Mountains.  This started a whole new addiction.  Hiking and camping in the Smoky Mountains is an entirely different experience than that of camping in Iowa.  And the gear required is much much different.  As I found out the hard way.

My first trip was somewhat interesting.  I decided that my old camping gear would be sufficient, even though Dave had informed me otherwise.  It started out ok.  Going up the side of a mountain was a little rough, but I managed.  But that is where the fun stopped.  Come to find out, my $20 backpack was killing me and making it very difficult to do any time of walking.  Then, my $20 sleeping bag (which was great for sleepovers and overnight camping in Iowa), after a short rain, turned into what Dave had called the infamous "Cotton Boat Anchor".  I will post some pics of the Cotton Boat Anchor as soon as I can find them.  Then, while setting up my tent (great for backyard campouts), I discovered that it kept rain out about as good as a screen door.  Even after all the tragedy, I was still pumped up about hiking in the mountains.

So after that trip, Dave introduced me to a little store called REI.  I fell in love with the place, and proceeded to spent a lot of cash to gear up properly.  Best money I ever spent.  The subsequent trips were much more enjoyable, because the right gear does make the difference.

Soooooooo......where am I going with these stories?  Well, I am heading back.  Got invited by a friend (Ryan) to go with him on his next trip to the AT.  Of course I accepted and headed strait for REI.  I am currently in the process of updating my gear and getting into shape to make the trip.  And that is where this blog comes in....I will be blogging all aspects of the trip.......gearing up, planning, and photos and such from the trip itself (as well as later trips).  So keep checking back, as I will promise to keep this portion of the blog up to date.

Tune in shortly for the next installment entitled "Got the time?"