[pct-l] After Action Report - 2014 Kickoff

[hiker97 at aol.com]

Yes, Switchback, yourPCT hero and trail raconteur has cheated death once again. This time it was atthe 2014 Lake Morena PCT Kickoff. The Kelty Kid and the Wagon Master againorchestrated an outstanding event. The volunteers did prodigious work withfaithfulness and expertise.  It was greatto see old friends and meet new ones. It was great to see Meadows Ed again, butCrash was not there due to some medical recovery issues.
 
I brought oranges andapples this year along with nuts and crackers. They seem to go good along with the Kickoff Hiker Box of donatedsupplies.  I also brought a cooler withwater bottles, but the weather was cool and not many takers from the cooler,but just off the table area.  Each nightI stayed at Pine Valley in a motel to watch basketball and had breakfast at Major’s Diner.  The Cramer Corners Diner near Campo hasclosed.  That is where I liked to go for luncheach day.  It closed in November ---rats!
 
The SuperSecretsSeminar was the largest attendance I have ever had.  Over 40 people showed up.  I ran out of seminar flyers, but most gotone.  Not any takers for the florescentshelter stake painting this year --- first time ever for no customers.  But the weather had something to do withfolks coming over for that service and I did not push it.  I left early Saturday too.  I did not several world famous 2-ouncehands-free umbrella holders too.
 
A young man died on thetrial just above the park on Thursday. It was some medical problem --- very sad.  Our leader along with the Kelty Kid, Striderthe Wagon Master, has some medical issues too. Everyone pray for him and strength to meet the challenges.  When I told him I had a big crowd at myseminar, he was able to respond with, “sweet.”
 
When I arrivedSaturday morning at the park, the volunteers at the check-in station werewining to me about pastries.  So, I drovedown to Cramers Corner to get a large bag. I left the park to drive home at 1130 AM on Saturday.  The weather was intermittent rain and windand I am a very fair weather guy.  J  So, I bailed out, but did not retreat, butattacked in another direction toward Las Vegas. When I got back with my wife’s 2014 Highlander that she let me borrow, Iwas told to go down and get it detailed inside and out on Monday.  For some reason she thinks I am not verytidy.  
 
The Kickoff was againlots of fun and a quality event.
 
Faithfully recorded andrespectfully submitted --- your obedient servant and trail rapscallion, 
 
Switchback the TrailPirate
May the Forest BeWith You