[pct-l] Holiday Greetings On and All

[JoAnn M. Michael]

As my husband and I leave Friday a.m. for Salem, OR to see three of our combined six daughters, I thought it about time I share some thoughts.

This list/digest can really make a person angry oh so frequently. The flames are all but unbearable; the insults juvenile; and topic, at times ridiculous. But even more importantly, this list is the best   :) 

My friend Charlie Jones introduced me to you folks when I first started backpacking in 1997. I was so new, green, naive and unaware that I was fair game for any teasing from anyone. (Not that I'm any much less so now). Regardless, I have learned more about hiking; gear; the pct and other trails; trail philosophies and attitudes; trail safety; locations of endless beauty; do's and don'ts; and most importantly met some of the greatest folks out there. 

My dedication to this most wonderful of trails has grown from being the new list member, "green and growing", to still, virtually 10 years later as easily as excited about the pct as a child on Christmas Eve.  I cannot possibly thank all of you for all you've given to me and all I've learned (except how to stay up right while crossing a creeklet). Whether it be in person, over the internet, telephone and/or of course, through this list I have met the most delightful, talented, gifted, stubborn, hot headed and kind people, anywhere. 

Many of you have offered me so much inspiration, guidance, friendship, trail knowledge and general kindness (even when I was a tad bitchy) that you'll always be a deep part of my life experience. This list, all is it's beauty and all of it's ugliness, are a large part of my world. "This list" is obviously, people. You people are a large part of my world...thank you.

May everyone have a safe, joyous, Christmas always knowing that, like this list, it's people in this world that count, more than anything else.

Happy holidays and may Rudolph remember where you live!

JoAnn
are we there yet