[pct-l] After Action Report - 2012 Kickoff

[Hiker97 at aol.com]

Yes, Switchback, your PCT hero  and trail raconteur has cheated death once 
again.  This time at the  2012 Lake Morena PCT Kickoff.  The Kelty Kid and 
the Wagon  Master again orchestrated an outstanding event.  The volunteers 
did  prodigious work with faithfulness and expertise.  It was great to see old 
 friends and meet new ones.  I did not see the handsome PCT-L moderator,  
Brick.  He usually can be identified by the covey of beautiful women around  
him.  They follow him like mosquitos follow you and me on the trail and in  
camp.  This Kickoff was a little different for me.  My 93-year  old 
father-in-law and WWII veteran, Tony, was in the hospital in Los  Angeles, so I was 
worried about him.  A great man.
 
I left Las Vegas on Wednesday to drive  down to Pine Valley to check into 
the Pine Valley Inn to see if Meadow Ed  and Crash had checked in yet.  They 
had not arrived, so I took off to  Lake Morena to harass any early 
volunteers and backpackers.  I set up my  Pirate Lair table at campsite #22 to get a 
head start getting ready for  Friday and Saturday.  I stayed at the inn all 
four days, Wednesday through  Sunday morning.  This was especially nice 
since the restrooms at Lake  Morena were broke except for the showers.  There 
were porta-potties too,  but I was sure glad I had a motel room each night.  
Wednesday night I slept  between the two motel room beds that Ed and Crash 
were in.  I  was on the floor with my camping mattress and sleeping bag.  Not  
bad at all.  For three nights I had my own room, since Ed and Crash stayed  
at Lake Morena with all the other hardcore folks.  If there is any bad  
weather in the area, I will be warm and dry in my motel room while the  Kickoff 
folks are battling the elements.  He, he, he.  The weather was  pretty good 
this year.  That evening Ed, Crash and I went to Calvins  for dinner in 
Pine Valley.  Each day I usually had breakfast at Major's in  Pine Valley.
 
 
On Friday morning I did my traditional  drive to Julian to the Coffee Shop 
for breakfast and to buy pastries. The drive  to Julian from Pine Valley was 
the most beautiful I have ever seen along the  Sunrise Highway. The 
sunlight, clouds, fog and temperature were like out of a  dream. The views along 
the highway were spectacular. On the way back I gave 5 PCT backpackers some 
pastries.  To say they were happy PCT hikers would be an understatement.  I 
arrived at  Lake Morena and gave out pastries to volunteers who wanted them 
and put the rest  on my table at the Pirate's Lair. AsABat stopped by and we 
solved all the worlds  problems and talked about our upcoming retirements 
from many long years of  working. He is really enjoying his camper and section 
hiking the trail.  On  Thursday I continued to set up the Pirate's Lair and 
talk to folks and drive  around the area to see what trouble I could get 
into.

 
Friday and Saturday the Pirate's Lair and  campsite #22 was a beehive of 
activity.  PepperMint Patty was directing  hiker haircuts with her dog Frankie 
and a beautiful hiker lady was giving  professional massages in a special 
massage chair.  How nice is that!   I made about 20 hands-free umbrella 
holders for hikers and painted  florescent orange about 25 sets of shelter 
stakes.  Tons of my hiker  treats were consumed Friday and Saturday.  The 
30-minute SuperSecrets  of Backpacking seminar had 25 or so attendees.  The 
dehydrated water demo  went very well.  Everyone was astounded and thrilled to see 
this real world  demo.  Once again no one was disappointed and no one used my 
150%  money back guarantee this year either.  In all the years I have  been 
doing my Pirate's Lair products and services, I have never had an  
unsatisfied customer wanting a warrantee refund.  I'd say that is a  pretty 
impressive 1.000% batting average for good old  Switchback.
 
For lunches I drove to the Campo  Diner.  This is only about 4 miles from 
Lake Morena.  I really like  this place for some reason.  It is across a 
street from a modern gas  station and mini mart complex.  There is a separate 
building with a Sub Way  shop too.  The Campo Diner is where a lot of locals 
eat.  Besides the  tables and chair and booths, there is counter with a glass 
stand holding  lots of big brownies.  The largest I have seen.  One year I  
bought one (I have to limit my sugar intake now days) and it is super  
delicious.  Every hiker leaving Lake Morena should have one in their  pack.  
Then the Mt. Laguna Store would then be an easy 20-mile  hike.  On Saturday 
evening I packed up and left for my motel room in Pine  Valley.  As I left the 
park I stopped at the Kickoff entry station to pick  up my yearly free 
Kickoff bandanna for services rendered.  I was told  there were not any for me 
and to move along.  Well not exactly.   Seems there were not enough this year 
and they only had 5 left for late thru  hiker attendees.  Once again 
Switchback gets the shaft (but no 2012  bandanna) after faithful dedication and 
service to the PCT  community.
 
By the way, I am planning my 2013 PCT  thru-trike of the PCT.  I will be 
the first person to ever do this.   Of course, being the first it will be 
laced with danger and the  unknown.  But I am up to it.  I plan on using a 2013 
Honda Goldwing  trike.  This will give me the comfort level I deserve and my 
reputation and  status demands.  I will stay on paved highways along the 
PCT.  I might  even form a biker gang to go with me.  This way it will be 
easier to  pillage and sack trail towns, hikers, and Trail Angel compounds along 
the  PCT.  I will probably make a side trip to sack the PCTA office in  
Sacramento too.  That would be fun.
 
All and all a great event as usual and  attended by many hundreds of good 
folks.  Hope those who  missed it this year will make it next year.  I had 
lots of  fun.
 
Your obedient servant and trail  knave.  Faithfully recorded and documented,
 
Switchback the Trail Pirate
May the Forest Be With  You