Through Hiker's Eyes

[jaybird]

I just finished reading book 1 of this two book series.  Book 2 came in the mail yesterday.  Both are 400 pages plus.  If you're looking for GOOD Appalachian Trail adventures, then this is the series for you.  "Baro" is from Jasper, and has actually been on Alatrails a couple of times.

http://www.trailpeddler.c.../THE%20Revised%20Page.htm

[Uncle Wayne]

Thanks for that recommendation and link.  Mine's on the way.

[Uncle Wayne]

In fact, they arrived in the mail this morning!  Now that's service.  Wish Uncle Sam was that efficient in everything.  I wish I was even almost that efficient.

[BCM]

     Mouse, one of the other hikers featured prominently in the book, is from Alabama, too.  The Ranger at BSA Camp Sequoia had a lot of really good things to say about him. 
     I read mine and couldn't put it down.  Some of the people are described fancifully in Book 2, but Baro had much the same info in his online Trail Journal.  I think the funniest thematic line in Book 2 is the Ghost JEDI that Baro meets and eventually saves him from the demons, Hunger, Fatigue, and Pain. 

[jaybird]

Forgot about Mouse!  Can't remember if it was the end of Book 1 or the beginning of Book 2, but my favorite story is how the "gang" gets to Gettysburg.  Talk about trail angels.  I also told some of the stories of Baro's hiking sticks, Sorrow and Suffering, on the trail this past weekend en route to the Big Tree.

[Uncle Wayne]

Finished book 2 yesterday.  I don't know exactly why but it's a little different with all the conversation included but a very enjoyable read. 

[buck]

We thoroughly enjoyed reading these books - very unique presentation of hiking the AT when compared to other authors. I usually enjoy more technical stuff, but in this case Baro wrote in such a manner that I found myself glued in wandering what would happen next among his tribe. I think my wife enjoyed the books more than any other she's read about the AT.

If you have not read the books, but plan to read them, don't scroll down and read the last part of this post because it may answer a question that will cross your mind as you read the books ...


















































Did any of you know that Mouse and Jangles are getting married this year?

[trainspotter]

I read both books over the past two weekends. Great read!!! I got on the trail journals for Jangles so i could put faces with some of the hikers. Baro's description of Ranger Dawg fits him to a "T".

[JC785]

Just ordered a copy of the books, can't wait to read them

[jaybird]

Received this in the inbox a week or so ago.  Very good stuff regarding the people in the books.  Warning, if you've not read the books, you may not want to read further.  Looks like the Pinhoti Trail will be right in the back door of their retreat center near the Talladega National Forest of east-central Alabama!!
===================================================================

Happy Thanksgiving!

For those wonderful people who read my book, Through Hiker’s Eyes – A Journey Along the Appalachian Trail, I wanted to update you on the latest chapter of our Trail Tribe. Shasta is a teacher in New York City . Donkey Love is a farmer on a self-sustaining organic farm in New England . Of course H-Bomb married Charles in a wedding in Costa Rica last year. Mouse and Jangles also got married this past September. Their wedding was in Yellowstone National Forest . We were planning on reuniting this coming April and hike the 2650 mile Pacific Crest Trail, but this past summer Jangles was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. She had surgery to remove it in October followed by radiation treatment. So far she is doing great, but will require several trips to the hospital in the coming year. For that reason, we’ve decided to postpone the hike until everyone is up to par.

If you recall, Jangles and I originally hiked the trail as a fundraiser for Challenge Point to purchase land for a future retreat center. We ended up raising $30,000 and I’m happy to report that in a few weeks we will be putting that down as a deposit for 70 acres near the Talladega National Forest in east Alabama . It’s our goal to build a self-sustaining retreat center where we can continue teaching teambuilding skills. I know that’s easily said, but we’re going to give it our best shot. Also, the Pinhoti Trail runs somewhere in our backyard. It’s our hope to one day be a rest and resupply point for hikers.

So, that’s the latest news. If you want to keep up with our continuing journey please check out the Challenge Point Facebook page. It’s updated regularly (Be warned though. We’re begging for money these days. I don’t know if you heard, but we just bought 70 acres and are building a retreat center).

 

 

Sincerely,

Lawrence “Baro”  Alexander
Program Director
ChallengePoint
(256) 651-5024
http://www.challengepoint.org

[buck]

.... (Be warned though. We’re begging for money these days. I don’t know if you heard, but we just bought 70 acres and are building a retreat center).
http://www.challengepoint.org

In case anyone was curious, here's what he said about the retreat: "The land we are looking at is in Oak Level/Fruithurst, about 13 miles
north of Heflin. Its on the east side of TNF close to Georgia."

[wirerat123]

It’s our goal to build a self-sustaining retreat center where we can continue teaching teambuilding skills. I know that’s easily said, but we’re going to give it our best shot. Also, the Pinhoti Trail runs somewhere in our backyard. It’s our hope to one day be a rest and resupply point for hikers.

As in recycled housing like Earthships and container houses, gardening and farming, community that teams together off-grid to be self sufficient with minimum impact on the environment? I love the idea. I've been studying into this for years. I have 30 acres outside of Guntersville I intend to get setup much like this, and knowledge is power for transitions like these. I was raised on a farm that didn't have running water until I was 8, and I'm not as old as that would make me sound lol. It's not that bad living a simpler life.

I have some real ideas that might be tempting to you all if you would like to discuss with me.
Housing options is where I've dabbled the most. Container housing is a great way to recycle something that is becoming a real problem in our shipping yards around the coasts. And with the right vision, motivation and work, they can become incredible housing. They'll even support a garden roof, and capable of stacking several high.

I wouldn't be surprised if some shipping yards might just donate a bunch to your organization if it pays to have them shipped. Then it's just a matter of getting donated windows, doors, paint, insulation and such to get them setup into housing. Just an idea.

Through Hiker's Eyes

Through Hiker's Eyes

Through Hiker's Eyes

Or there is always Earthships.
http://www.earthship.org

And check this out!
http://www.simondale.net/house/index.htm

And greenestdollar is a great website as well.
http://www.thegreenestdol.../category/green-building/