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Hot Springs Report.
-Yawn-
I'm finally home, and out of the hot weather [not, its like five billion degrees in this house]. But anyways, I'm gonna do one of my [apparently famous] trip reports.
Friday morning, five thirty, I started my day. Dad and I drove for about 3 and a half hours to the beautiful land of Hot Springs. Of course, I was asleep for the majority of the trip up. We arrived at the campgrounds at around 10am, way before anyone [besides Nest and his parents] were there. Which is really great for us because we got the first pick of the trees, yay! Worst thing about it? the little blackfly's are so annoying... ehhh.
Well, it wasn't too long before people started showing up, and introducing themselves, and all that jazz. I gotta say that its nice to finally match some faces with some names. :)
Anyways, after most everyone that didn't cancel at the last minute [Coughcoughcoughcough!!!!!!] had showed up, we all walked into town to see what was going on there. The outfitter is actually a lot better than I figured it would be for such a small town. It had just about everything, which isn't the greatest thing for hikers and hangers that see something cool looking and say 'ooo! i want that!'. -sigh-
Moving on, we all went back to the site, and hung out around the river and talked to everyone about... everything just about. Eventually, the silent auction started, which turned out to be pretty funny. People having bidding wars over the BB, the over quilt, and the snugfit, and then Peanuts and I with the soap [which according to Keith ('Salad' [hahahahahaaaa.....]) I needed, (-grumble-)] Eh, guess you had to be there for that one. XD
Hanging out around the campfire, (which is my favorite part of camping, besides the people), was also pretty funny. Everything from playing the '20 Questions' game, (which should be called the twenty billion question game) to reminding Fulminated about his marshmallow incident at the Congaree hang. All good fun :)
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Day two, waking up to other humans being awake was good, seeing as how I'm usually the only one awake at 7am. Eventually [although very slowly...] people crawled out of their hammocks and we had a really big, and very yummy, breakfast. Then of course we went into town to the outfitter to stare at the pretty gadgets, [and in some cases the pretty girls that are hiking through].
Then, Fulminated, Rice Gravy [ricericegravyyyyy!!] Keith, Dad and I decided to hike to 'Lovers Leap', which turned out to be a harder [but not really] hike than it looked from the bottom, but the view was amazing. [pictures eventually]
and what else to do after hiking? Swimming in the river :D
and what else to do after that? sitting around and talking.
yay!
okayokay. this is getting repetitive, but come on. Its so fun.
Thats really the only stuff worth posting about, besides the fact that I didn't win the soap, but Peanuts and I halved it all. [woot]
Overall, it was amazing.
The people were all great, the food was good, and the 'everything else was good too.
OOOHH! i almost forgot. So, Stormcrow, McIntyre, Pedro, Dad and I were throwing axes and this shovel at an old dead tree, and it took forever, but I did it! Me + Shovel = Deadly :D
Alright, I'm going to wrap this up, because I'm really tired, and hungry, so...
I can't wait for the next one in june [?]
~peace
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Hey Pawfoot .... I like your style of reporting ...... Funny!
It is cool that you have fun camping and hanging and are good enough to get back and post. good on ye!!!!!!
Thankee.
Shug
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It was good meeting you, Pawfoot.
And everyone else too!
Sorry I wasn't very talkative this trip.
If I had an inflatable tube, I would have parked myself in the river the whole weekend. :D
But it was good to HANG out with like-minded peeps.
Ricegravy, you'd better enjoy that Snugfit. :cursing:
If I didn't see you to say goodbye this morning, I apologize. And I look forward to seeing you again in the future.:cool:
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Thanks for the report, Pawfoot. I really miss being back there where I could go to these hangouts.
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It was a Great time.
And you are right Raw we Needed tubes Im gonna Brige mine to the June hang. tie off to a Rock and soak :D
Thanks to Ed for putting this together, It was really great to have met all the folks I had talked to and read posts from.
Thanks for putting up with my warped humor and mean Daughter :lol:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...6/DSC00053.jpg
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...6/DSC00054.jpg
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http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y22...6/DSC00187.jpg
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
sir White Wolf
Looks like he's about to murder my gear-hammock.:lol:
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Nice report I wish I was able to make it. Maybe I can make the June hang.
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Well, I dropped my film off by the 1 hour photo joint here in town a couple hours ago. I just got home, ecstatic to go through them. Sadly, I am disappointed. The visible parts of the pictures are great, although a little grainy. That can't be avoided with 35mm cameras, but the bottoms of every picture I took is black like there's something across the lens or aperture. So, all those pictures I took from the top of the lookout that I struggled to make it to...the pictures I took from my hammock and the pictures of the folks in camp are gone.
I know a few of you were wanting a couple pictures I took and I'm sorry for that. I've dissected the camera and it's just broken. Something I'd never noticed before until now. So, I have no choice but to buy a digital camera.
Trip Report (Fulminated Version):
I'd spent Thursday evening with my family in Columbia, SC before departing for Hot Springs. It had been a long time since I'd driven through the foothills or up into the mountains. The last time was at night in the back of a pickup with a camper shell. So I was almost astounded at the sheer size of them (Yes, I know they're not that big compared to other ranges) when we rounded a bend and they came into view.
Friday Arrival. The first person I see is my long-lost-brother, sir White Wolf. Can't miss the guy. Bounce over the the site hand shakes and friendly embraces exchanged, myself RiceGravy and Keith begin the hunt for places to hang. A great spot is found down by the water with 4 trees perfectly arranged for us to set up in a 3 walled box with the river forming the forth wall. Our conquest of these new lands complete, we move to the social area and begin more formal introductions.
Soon, the wood chopping begins. There weren't many volunteers for the task. It was hot and muggy out, but a fire must be had when camping where it is allowed. I set upon the pile with my trusty blade and a small forest axe provided by sir White Wolf while White Wolf, himself, begins the frontal assault on the larger, more cumbersome logs. My mission complete, Pedro steps in to relieve sir White Wolf with the larger forces before us.
There are jovial outbursts of Monty Python quotes and a rousing game of 20 Questions around the campfire. We each remind Pawfoot that a coffin is not really a mode of transportation, but she will not relent. A mighty foe she is, indeed.
Day 2:
Well, I had intended to climb a mountain on this trip and climb, roll, wheeze, cough and sputter up a mountain I did. I think I may have taken 4 or 5 breaks. Apparently, hiking in the flat lands is not really preparation for a short walk to Lover's Leap. Regardless, we made it. Coming down was a lot easier.
A few of us took a little dip in the river. Some relaxation and sunning on rock was enjoyed. Finally, back to the camp where we sat around and snacked and enjoyed Adult Beverages.
Some light drizzle here and there and one very determined downpour threatened the hot dog roast. But mother nature decided that it was in her best interest to let us have our fun, and she relented. Somehow, myself and White Wolf ended up chopping wood again for the fire to be used in the preparation of the hot dogs. Stormcrow joined us in our battle this time and the enemy logs were soundly defeated in a pincer attack.
Soon, the fire was crackling and hot and dogs and sausages were being roasted.
A person of some celebrity made an appearance at the hang and she was bombarded with our questions about a past ordeal. I'll leave that part of the story to her should she wish to tell it.
Finally, it was time to sleep for the final evening at the site. The river flowed along on it's unending trek to the sea and lulled the weary campers to sleep.
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Great to meet so many new poeple at the hang. Now I'm trying to figure out how to hang my new Blackbird at the house to see if I can figure this thing out. Thanks Ewker for helping me set it up, and to Sir White Wolf et.al. for your help! I'll get it right yet.
We had a great time. Dropped Nest and Ben off at Uncle Johnny's in Erwin. I only cried for about the first hour. I kinda like my kid and enjoy being around him!
Hope everyone gets home safe:)
A huge thank you to Ed and Karen for another nice gathering. The breakfast was a great addition!
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Sounds like a good camp out!!! More pictures<G>!!!