Suggestions? Good ones? Looking for one to read completely that will really give me the “feel” for the trail and what to expect. Looking for musings and emotions in addition to just “people met” and “what I ate” info. Advise.
TrailGuy
2006 or other Journals
system
#3
Bluebearee AT '02 and Break a Leg AT '05 are well written journals. They write about more then just the usual “I hiked x miles” and “stayed at whatever shelter with mice”. Break a Leg’s final post is one of the best I have read.
Black Toe Bob
system
#5
We read Comer and Jeans, and Bramble and Bushwacks journals in '01 before we did our thru hike in '02. They were not only informative but entertaining.
There are a lot of good journals. I do like Jan Lite Shoe, also. We kept journals but is was so hard to tell the whole story. We have gone back and added considerably to our journals over the years. Of course you can’t expose all the stories to thousands of people around the world. You have to keep some of the best ones private!!!
I suggest you read as many as possible there are some great stories to be found… the fishing plug in the butt while hitching a ride in the back of truck… falling into an pit where a privey once sat… wearing all cotton to Springer to get the reaction of first time hikers… hitching a ride with four drunks just back from a Lynard Skynard concert… squatting to take a pee and realize you are in front of a car load of men … leaving your pack open on the ground during the night and find a skunk sleeping in it the next morning and the list goes on! Enjoy.
Papa Smurf
system
#6
Altho she had to end her '04 &'05 hikes prematurely, I found Nuffy’s journals to be fun, insightful, & she defined things in an interesting fun way. Worth reading; esp for those of us wanting to get a flavor of the trail.
leah
system
#7
I agree with many of the recommendations above; I’d also throw in Little Chicken 2004 and Flying Scotsman 2003 just off the top off my head. She never got too far on the trail, but Grace’s 2004 journal still wins for laughs per page.
This year I haven’t trawled the journals as relentlessly as I have in the past, but can’t help thinking the standard is down a bit. There doesn’t seem to be as many original characters or fine writing as there used to be. I know it’s very easy to romanticise the past, and normally I hate that type of thing, but what do others think?
st rick
system
#8
I liked Poetry’s journal back in 99? and also those above plus ‘Little Steps’ way back when
Emm
system
#9
- “Tennessee”–the best pure writer ever.
- “Wyoming Skateboarder”–very unusual man and a complete and compelling telling of the trail.
Sincerely–Conan.
Conan
system
#11
Thanks for all of the recommendations. I have laughed very hard with Tennessee’s journal. A great writing style. Will check out the other ones soon.
TrailGuy