Control

I know how to control a machine, but how do we control ourselves? How do we bridle back our actions and emotions? Throttle down? Control our anger? Invoke self-discipline? Govern ourselves properly? Stay on the straight and narrow? Meditate and pray? Diet and exercise? Not cross the line? Not ask for a phone number?

Good questions, but ones with no apparent answer... if we read the paper or examine ourselves for flaws and urges.

A lot has been said lately on this subject with the recent demise of Cosmo’s publisher, and comparisons to Playboy. Both of these magazines are the antithesis of self-control, with their prime axioms being seduction philosophy and lack of inhibition. Sex sells, but it also brought plenty of drama and misery in this battle of the sexes, and produced plenty of casualties.

I still get temptation... like yesterday... but put me down for diet and exercise and hold the drama.

Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, amen.

- © 2012 by Willy

Back In My Boots Again

After Denver, I am spending the night at a Gatlingburg condo (my fourth visit this year). I'm going to bed early to get a headstart for climbing Mt LeConte tomorrow via The Boulevard. I have lost count how often I hike The Smokeys, but it has to be in the triple digits by now. Hikes have been one to seven days, although the typical is just two days... a weekend.

I began walking mountains before age 10, and hiking in earnest in college... car camping and short hikes mostly, with a few backpacking trips for semester breaks. I enjoy it, which is why I do it. I prefer the woods but also hike the desert and above treeline too. I learned by doing: In 1969 I learned that a tent keeps bugs away and sleep is better; and in Christmas 1971 I learned not to set up tent atop snow. Now we read mags and Google for anything.

I also have gotten both soft and hard: Soft because I've learned to use slackpack "luxury" hut accommodations on-trail (lodge, hostel or wilderness hut). Hard because I regularly train with long miles... longer, faster and more frequent than I did as a young man.

My goal is to enjoy life.

- © 2012 by Willy

Two-Fer

Yep, down in the South, we do talk funny, but then y'all sound funny to me. Lordy, I've been flying outta Nashville too much.

Life IS about laughing.

I just got to meet my newest grandson and watch my daughter get her PhD: Grand and grad in one day. Cool, ain't it?

Grand is cute. Not just because he's mine but also because he has a Mohawk... a big clump of hair smack in the middle of his pun'kin head. Daughter is doing a great job with him, even though he wears her out. At three weeks old, he's an eating machine and mom's the eats.

Grad did very well. Getting her PhD is a big deal. It was five years of hard work, and the last 9 months of which she was pregnant! I am very proud of her for this accomplishment. And to top it off, she's starting a career job soon! I wish I could look at her face as she reads her first pay stub deductions and wonders who's swiping her money.

- © 2012 by Willy

Rules for Nature

I'm an aged and seasoned adventurer. In my view, when you go out hiking and mountain biking, you are on Mother Nature's turf... her house, not ours... and thus there are rules of behavior to be followed by guests.

Pay attention and be nice to people, flora and fauna.

Stay on the trails. You do less damage to nature. And, if you get lost, rescue can find you. If you don't know your trails well, carry a map or GPS with you and/or an experienced person to teach you. Nobody wants to spend his time rescuing an idiot.

Snakes, spiders and bugs live there. It's their home, not yours... you're merely visiting. You're going to get bitten and stung. If you want to do something about it, DEET may work, but otherwise just accept it. Don't like spider webs? If you don't want to wave a stick in front of you for hours (and I don't), just accept that you're going to get a nasty bite every now and then. Snakes usually scurry off, but pay attention and be patient, especially if you're going fast. If you're in bear or moose country, pay even more attention and follow encounter procedure.

Other people share the trail with you. The ascending hiker has the right of way over the descending hiker. Note this: The rule is that hikers have the right of way over a bike, but a fast coming bicycle has more momentum, does not see well, can't hear and has less agility than a hiker... so be smart if you're the hiker and step off the trail to let the bike pass. If you stop for a break, get off the trail and take the bike with you, because you're not the only one there. If you do a #1 or, especially, a #2, get well off the trail.

Say hello, wave or tip your head to other hikers or bikers. I'll be one of them. Stick your head in the park office every now and then to say howdy, and appreciate what the rangers do.

If you see an obstacle, move it off or cut it back off the trail, if you can. Manicuring the trail is everybody's responsibility.

Introduce new people to the trails gradually and slowly, make sure they bring water and snacks, and take lots of breaks. Of course, you could impress them by showing off that you can hike 10 miles no-sweat, but they'll never come back.

If you multi-day backpack or bike, pack well to bring your own everything... be as independent as if you were solo. Use a checklist (besides the DEET, mine includes duct tape around my hiking pole). Do not depend on others in your party to take care of you.

Don't like this? Then stay in the city. These are my opinions, for your consideration. Be considerate. To some, a trail is just a trail but to me it's my back yard. Hope you enjoy it.

Don't forget to smile!


- © 2012 by Willy