Once upon a time, there was a hiker named Wingscrooge.
He was a mean, cheap, miserly hiker that hurt the feelings of many and cheated many more.
One day, Wingscrooge went to the Carter Gap Shelter. In the night, a ghost came to him.
Wingscrooge: Sweet feathery jeepers - it’s Bill Bryson!
Bryson: Indeed, Wingscrooge. I’m cheaper than you. Don’t end up like me. I am going to send three spirits to you.
To be continued . . . at least until I can sneak back on the computer
Kineo Kid
I can’t wait to hear what happens next…hope everyone has a lovely holiday time, however you celebrate it! My wish for you all is no “bah humbug” experiences!!
leah
The first ghost he met was the Ghost of Christmas Past - Grandma Gatewood, who spent her time making Wingscrooge feel very guilty.
Grandma Gatewood: Whiteblazes, fooey. When I hiked the AT, we only had metal squares.
Kineo Kid
I think you people are doing a fine job proving my point. Keep up like this and there will be more billy’s telling you how lame you are!!! I thought this website was about hiking or something?
2005 thru-hiker
Knowing Wingscrooge, he ain’t a-gonna like the spirits that Bryson’s sending his way.
First evil spirit is named Redford. 
Wise Seer
Second evil spirit is named Newman.
Just a little holiday aggression from Billy, there.
This to shall pass.
Ghost of buddy films past
I haven’t visited in a while, and I am sadly reminded of why by this thread. Why are people who insult others and generally contribute nothing useful themselves tolerated here? They’re not part of the real hiking community. Real hikers treat each other well and look out for each other. You see it everyday on the long trails.
Having fun is welcome and harmless, and if Kineo Kid wants to post a bit of a funny story, then what’s wrong with that?
Trolls be gone.
Happy Holidays to the rest of the the folks out there who genuinely enjoy hiking and sharing that joy with others. Cheers!
Chipper
I think of hiking web sites as small version of my kitchen when it is full of a dozen hikers…
Everyone is laughing, smiling, joking and talking…
Conversations about gear, discussions about trail conditions, building stoves, shelter manners, treating water, Trail Magic, Do’s and Don’ts, what to eat, life, silliness… In short, building the relationships that insure that the AT trail experience is what it is. You often learn more than you expect without a classroom style lecture always going on.
Those of you who have not actually hiked a long distance hike on the AT have a hard time understanding this “community”. But that doesn’t give you the right to be downright mean! Contribute, participate or lurk and be tolerant or go play somewhere else.
If you were in my kitchen and started yelling at everyone or were muttering under your breath about how stupid and lame we all were… well, I would give you a free ride to the trailhead of your choice.
MIss Janet
LOL, you are awfully kind! giving 'em a free ride to the trailhead? I’d just say, “Don’t let the door hit ya on the way out”.
I have never hiked a long-distance hike, nor a short one for that matter, and never intend to, but I do understand this community and consider myself blessed to be a small part of it. (fwiw, tho I was told by a thru-hiker that I have the spirit of one, and I considered that a high compliment - thanks, Little Tree!)
To the critical, I bid you peace. To the rest (99.5%) of this community, you’ve found a peace that I may never know, and I thank you for sharing it on this site. I wish you the merriest of merries and the happiest of Happy Holidays.
Wild Hare