[pct-l] Trail Libations

[pmags at yahoo.com (Paul Magnanti)]

As mentioned, I rarely drink on the trail itself (in
town; a little more often). But I have two amusing
stories about brewskis on the trail. Alas, they are
not on the PCT, but you'll still find it amusing...

#1: Hot muggy day in Vermont on my AT thru-hike. I get
to the road and see a gentleman waitinf for his
brother and nephew. The man said "Hey..have you seen
[described the hikers]".  Me: "Yep..sure did!".  
Man: "Hey..want a cold drink? A beer or Pepsi?"
Me: "I'll take a Pepsi!"
Man: "No. You want a beer!"
He hands me a cold one. Tell you what, being a little
dehydated and hot, not having drank too much in the
past few months the beer gave me a quick buzz. Hiking
up Stratton mtn (which you ATers/LTers will recall is
a steep little hill), was MUCH easier! :)

#2: This past year on the Colorado Trail

Was going to re-supply at Spring Creek Pass into Lake
city on Labor Day weekend.  A good amount of traffic
on this road. Thought it would be an easy hitch. Ha!

SUVs with Texas plates would pass me. No love!

I saw a VW Jetta with Mtn bikes, Colorado plates and
lots of outdoor stickers on the back. No love! 

Stations Wagons would pass me. No Love!

New trucks....No love!

Finally, what was obviously a pickup truck used for
work came up over the pass 1 1/2 hrs later. As any LD
hiker knows:  WORKING PICKUP TRUCK  = HITCH!!! Yahoo!

Sure enough, the truck pulled over. Even before I
could ask for a ride, the driver gets out of the
truck. His voice, in, an odd mix of "Cheech and Chong"
meets red neck, said "Hey man get in..mind if I take a
leak first?"
 

Er..sure..go ahead!

I get into the cab.  It is COVERED with Coors Golden
cans. Hey..I'in in Colorado!

I think with twisted hiker "logic":
"Hmm..windy twisty road, guy has been drinking a
bit...but it only 1/2 hr until  dark. Should be fine!"

So here I am going down a long, steep, twisty mtn road
in Colorado for a bit.  Grateful Dead on the tape
deck, surrounded by Coors Golden cans, I'm drinking a
cold one myself. Smell of earlier MJ use in the cab,
too. 

Was a very uneventful ride but full of stories of
dodging game wardens, giving lots of rides to CT/CDT
hikers, how his daughter's boy friend is an idiot, how
his "old lady" makes good money as a teacher and how
he loves to spend all his time outdoors. 


Really nice guy all in all. And made for a great
story.
Nice "taste of the Rockies" indeed!



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The true harvest of my life is intangible.... a little stardust caught, a portion of the rainbow I have clutched
--Thoreau
http://www.magnanti.com