Trail Days or just go camping?

**Satty** · 05-07-2010, 07:02

So my original plan was to go hiking with my 4 year old and try out the new Blackbird this coming weekend. But I am also seeing that Trail Days is happening.

It is about a four hour drive down to Damacus from my house, a long time for my kid. Also once I got down there I know he would find the standing around boring. I would also be tempted to buy something that I don't have money for. But on the flip side I could learn a ton from other HF Members that I see are going.

And maybe if Brandon is there I could shake his hand and stand there awkwardly for about five minutes.

Or I could do my original plan and get out in the woods with my son having a great time.

**Cuffs** · 05-07-2010, 07:17

Would love to meet ya, but fir your situation, Go hike. Brandon not attending (according to vendor list) and TD is more party than some think...

**MedicineMan** · 05-07-2010, 07:23

Decision-TDs or hike? I live a hour from Damascus....I decided to drive 12 hours and hit the trail tomorrow morning. Cuffs is right--a big party with a few hikers, a ton of packsniffers. My first attended TDs was 20 years ago, different then, but if you've never attended you will like..but if you've see one you've seen them all. The vendors are a plus and so is Dots for a beer...if you go think about the shuttle to Whitetop and ride back down on the creeper.

**wisenber** · 05-07-2010, 07:35

I agree that it mostly a party, but there is Gene Espy. I'm not sure how much longer he will be around. I considered it a privilege to meet him. The last TD I attended, I was able to sit outside MRO and chat with him for close to half an hour about his accomplishment of being only the second thru-hiker. He would have gone on longer were it not for his wife reminding him not to "bore me". Johnny Molloy had an excellent lecture on the Florida Trail. It made me want to plan on a long break at the end of that year and find a pair of well draining shoes.

**Satty** · 05-07-2010, 07:36

Yeah getting my son drunk might not go well with the wife.

I didn't consider that it would be a more party situation. Looks like I'll do a quick out and back on the AT.

Thanks for the info

**animalcontrol** · 05-07-2010, 07:44

Originally Posted by Satty

Yeah getting my son drunk might not go well with the wife.

what happens at TD stays at TD

and at 4, it wouldn't take much!! (j/k)

enjoy your trip

**wisenber** · 05-07-2010, 08:01

Originally Posted by animalcontrol

what happens at TD stays at TD

and at 4, it wouldn't take much!! (j/k)

enjoy your trip

Just like when my parent took me to Oktoberfest in Munich when I was 5. Hmmm. That might just explain a thing or two not that I think of it. That and that Jethro Tull album they used play for me at bed time.

**freefall** · 05-09-2010, 15:29

I'm heading to Trail Days from Denver, CO to see old friends (and make new ones!) Yep, it can be a big party but with the transition camping areas this year, it may not be as big as previous (the party, not TD itself.)

Some of the vendors will repair gear, some deals can be found on new gear and most of the presentations are great. Not to mention, how often do you get to participate in a contra dance?

If you only have that weekend to do one or the other and won't have time in the future to go hiking, by all means, go hike. But if you can do TD then go hike soon after, I say go to TD.

http://www.traildays.us/