Showing posts with label Off Topic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Off Topic. Show all posts
Greenville - A good place to live
Fortune Magazine recently named Greenville as one of the top places to retire. This comes on the heels of a feature article on Greenville appearing in US Air's in-flight magazine. Meanwhile Charleston is named one of the Top American Towns in this month's addition of Outside Magazine and was recently named the number two vacation spot by Conde Nast. Asheville was recently named Beer City USA and (along with Brevard) was named one of the best cities to raise an outdoor kid by Backpacker Magazine. Considering that these places are all within a day's drive, Greenville seems like a pretty good place to live.
Helping Haiti Rescue Efforts
No scam here. This is for real. If you'd like to donate to the relief efforts in Haiti you can do so by texting the word Haiti to 90999 from your mobile phone and you'll be billed $10. If you're suspicious you can check the following State Department site for confirmation (last paragraph).
http://www.state.gov/p/wha/ci/ha/index.htm
Slideshow of Haiti Destruction - Warning: Very Graphic
Happy Turkey Day
I captured a picture of this lady on Nov. 1st near Hemphill Bald. I saw about forty turkeys that day which I thought was rather apropos considering the date.
Share the Road
On the other, to my motorist friends, although it may at times be tempting to run some of these self-absorbed folks into the grass, it's probably something we should make an effort to avoid. (Save that temptation for the Floridians who drive like they've never seen a curve in the road before.)
Share the Road
WNCW needs help
The best radio station around is in dire straits after losing $200,000 in state funding. According to the Ashvegas blog, three people from WNCW were laid off this week.
I was just thinking that if everyone who clicked on my blog since January donated ten bucks, we could make up the difference.
If you're not familiar with WNCW, take a listen. It's not your standard NPR, that's for sure.
Listen Now
I was just thinking that if everyone who clicked on my blog since January donated ten bucks, we could make up the difference.
If you're not familiar with WNCW, take a listen. It's not your standard NPR, that's for sure.
Listen Now
Rant
Allow me to vent briefly.
On a camping trip in March, while hiking the Art Loeb Trail, a friend and I found the defacement seen here at Tennent Mountain, NC (which I've written about previously). It was the first and only vandalism I had noticed anywhere near this vicinity.
A few weeks ago another friend and I were camped near Graveyard Fields and we came across a great campsite by a nice river located between a couple of waterfalls. Someone had built a really nice fire pit beside the river. Unfortunately in the pit we found seven or eight water bottles and beer cans, a condom wrapper, and a Bi-Lo bag full of something that neither of us were willing to investigate. So we were left with the task of cleaning up the site and hauling all of this out. To make matters worse, about two hours after setting up camp I walked back up the trail and noticed where three people had left human scat, uncovered, toilet paper and all, within about four feet of the trail, on the uphill side, about fifteen feet from the river. That's disgusting.
Yesterday I was back on Tennent Mountain and discovered where several young girls (judging by their 1990's names) had continued the tradition started by Jonfun and Devo. In addition I also picked up an empty water bottle and empty beer can (Pabst Blue Ribbon of all things) on the same trail.
So all of this has left me pondering a couple of things. First of all what the hell is wrong with people? Are they simply so self-absorbed that they don't care about anyone else or the natural settings they are in? Secondly, is it possible that somehow this little blog has helped to create these problems? I don't get a ton of hits but I did get 6038 unique visitors in 2008 and have 5300 so far this year. Is it possible that I actually led these people to these spots with my little postings? I sure hope not. My goal has always been to bring these great spots to the attention of people who will also appreciate them and protect them, not destroy them.
So if you read this blog and decide to explore these places please respect them. Pack out all trash, and pick up trash you see left by others. Make sure all fires are extinguished. Don't pee in the streams and rivers and if you have to squat in the woods do it at least 70 paces from any water source. Dig a hole first with the heel of your shoe and then cover it afterwards. And for godssake, if you're going to haul beer in at least take something more drinkable than Pabst Blue Ribbon.
Here are a couple of resources for anyone spending time in the wilderness:
And if Jonfun, Devo, Shashy, Sam, Ellen, Megan, Chloe, Kendall, Aubie, Abie, Kellie, Taylor, Sasha or Lexi happen to come across this, please redeem yourselves by contacting one of the following and offering to assist in trail cleanup and maintenance.
Walk Across America Part Deux
Keep an eye out for this guy Upstate. A couple weeks ago I mentioned that B. J. Hill was in Greenville on his walk from California to Boston. Another fellow who is making the same trek, although in reverse, is Skip Potts. Skip is walking from Boston to California to raise money for education. He's currently in the upstate, having just spent the weekend in Greenville. He's making a documentary of the trip and this morning I was fortunate enough to meet his cameraman. He goes by the name Freeland on the web so I'll just call him by that name here. Freeland is maintaining a blog of the trip which is a damn good read. With his storytelling skills as a writer I have no doubt that the documentary will turn out well. Skip is maintaining a blog as well. Check them out, and if you like what they're doing, send them a few bucks.
View Larger Map
Walk America 2008
This guy walked in front of my car today at the corner of Pine Knoll and Wade Hampton as I was stopped at the light, so I looked up his website to see what it was all about. Apparently he's walking from San Francisco to Massachusetts. From his website:I'm BJ Hill. I am a 32 year old teacher who is walking from San Francisco back home to Massachusetts. I carry a notebook with me, and ask people I meet along the way to write a message to the next President of the United States. I hope to give these thoughts, concerns, and ideas directly to the president after he is elected in November.http://walkamerica2008.blogspot.com/
So keep an eye out for him. This reminds me of a great book A Walk Across America as well as John Muir's 1000 Mile Walk to the Gulf.
His route:
View Larger Map
R.I.P. Sir Edmund
"I Don't Mind"By Peter Bingen
Well I am looking, I am searching, I have found
Near the ground, my soul, myself, beneath this trail.
There's no other place I'd rather be.
Can't you see me out here walkin' in the rain and hail.
Purpose of life seems to me
Not to take yourself too seriously.
I wouldn't want to be an old man sittin' in an office
Building someplace far away, with worry on my face.
Well you can take my car, my stereo, my little money.
Leave me with nothin’ but my trail family.
Take my dress up clothes, my cheap cologne,
My college loans I don't mind, I don't mind.
Well if that taxman comes lookin’ I'm at 10,000 feet
Cookin' up some oatmeal or some rice and beans.
I worship the Spirit who doesn't just look down
He looks up and through and all around,
Find Him in the rocks and trees. Cause there's no reason to pray
When you wake up every day to the sunrise over Cito Peak.
So find some ground lace up your boots start walkin'
And you will find reason, enough reason to believe.
Well you can drop your worries at the parking lot
Or way down in the city where the sun burns hot.
Although civilization is a nice place to visit,
I wouldn't want to live there.
Oh just one final paragraph of advice don't burn yourselves out.
Be as I am. It's not enough to fight for the land.
It's even more important to enjoy it while you can, while it's still here.
So get out there and hunt and fish and mess around.
Ramble out yonder explore the woods, encounter the grizz,
Climb the mountains, bag the peaks, run the rivers,
Breathe deep that yet sweet lucid air.
Sit quiet for awhile contemplate the precious stillness
That mystery and awesome space enjoy yourself.
Keep your brain in your head and your head attached to your body.
Body active and alive. And I promise you this much.
I promise you this one sweet victory, over our enemies.
Over those desk bound people with their hearts in a box
And their eyes hypnotized by calculators.
I promise you this one sweet victory...
YOU'LL OUTLIVE THE BASTARDS!
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