Your Hometown Hillbilly

Chinese New Year in Jamaica

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 17:12:40 GMT

There's a great article in the Mountain Xpress about the Chinese New Years' Jam Fest in Negril, Jamaica. It's been on our (Black Betty and mine) radar for a while. We can't make it this year, but are hoping for 2010. The line up is totally ass-kickin' and I'm envious of any who get to attend.
The dates this year are Saturday, Jan. 24-Saturday, Jan. 31.

Check out the article by Alli Marshall here: http://www.mountainx.com/ae/2008/123108any_reason_for_the_season_the_other_new_year

From the Chinese New Year website:

We believe that travel can lead to a deeper understanding of cultures and
philosophies different from our own. The intention of the celebration is to do
what we can with what we have to build a culture of peace and community through
travel, music, arts, and play to set a positive tone for the New Year.

http://www.chny.org/

New Bike

Sat, 13 Dec 2008 20:06:52 GMT

IMGP1315, originally uploaded by etroutski.

I got my first ride in on my new road bike today.
What can I say? It's sweet!!

McCain's response to the Powell Endorsement

Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:13:42 GMT

Wyatt trying new veggies

Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:04:17 GMT

Wyatt trying new veggies, originally uploaded by etroutski.

My granson, Wyatt!

The Fountain of Youth?

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 13:42:00 GMT

Car no match for 108-year-old Austrian cyclist

10/06/2008 | 10:23 PM

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VIENNA, Austria - And you thought Lance Armstrong was tough?

Austrian authorities say a 108-year-old cyclist was hit by a car while biking across a busy street in Vienna — and she suffered only a few bruises.

Police say the woman had been pedaling her bike across the bustling Praterstrasse when a car pulled away early from a stop light and struck her in the crosswalk.

Officials say the woman was taken to a hospital for examination but suffered only bruises in Monday's accident. - AP

Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion

Wed, 24 Sep 2008 17:13:30 GMT

We had a great weekend of music at Bristol. The music was as good as ever and the weather was perfect.
Stellar performances were given by Larry Keel, The Everybodyfields, Scythian, Bawn in the Mash, Paleface, and even the New Riders of the Purple Sage! (Yes, it is true that they were the recipients of High Times Magazine's Lifetime Achievement Award).
I saw more ass kicking music than I can recall here.
Support live music, screw Hollywood!

Sam Quinn of the Everybodyfields.

Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:54:13 GMT

We are heading to Bristol today for the Rhythm and Roots Festival. I'm excited to go to my first festival since getting off the trail!
Lots of great bluegrass, including my favorite Larry Keel.

Larry Keel & Natural Bridge

Connecting traditional songs of yesterday with their own original and inventive sounds of today, Larry Keel & Natural Bridge create astonishingly powerful acoustic music rich in heritage, heart and hot licks! With a style that evokes both atomic rock energy and dynamic tonal purity, Keel and his ensemble are intent upon taking their instruments and their voices to their fullest potential for emotion and amazement.

Website: http://www.larrykeel.com

http://www.bristolrhythm.com/

You know we're terrorists........

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 14:17:27 GMT

Denver police: REI is a terrorist den

According to Denver Police, the REI flagship store near downtown Denver, Colorado is a haven for violent terrorist protesters who plan to camp out and disrupt the Democratic National Convention next week.

In a recently disclosed "Special Bulletin," the Denver Police Department are asking all area police, sheriff, fire and ambulance personnel to be on the lookout for items that can be used by terrorists. The items listed on their special bulletin include: Bicycles (they can block streets and sidewalks and stop emergency response vehicles), Bike helmets (because this is what terrorists wear, according to Denver police), Maps, and Camping information, especially when they're stored inside old buildings.

I've done my part to protect the American Way by informing the Denver Police of a very large stockpile of these items at old Denver Tramway building at 1416 Platte Street near downtown.

Seriously, what's especially offensive is the idea that bikes and bike helmets might seem "out of place" to police officers in downtown Denver. This bulletin is just the permission cops like Michael Cordova need to harass cyclists who just want to get around. I don't see any kind of motor vehicle on the list of suspicious items distributed by Denver police, yet cars and trucks are more capable at blocking sidewalks and streets and blockading emergency response than any group of cyclists. Cyclists can be physically lifted and removed.

In 2002, it was found that Denver Police kept records that labeled local citizens as "criminal extremists" in spite of a lack of any criminal record. This intelligence gathering started in 1953; the Denver Spy Files had information on over 3000 individuals and 200 organizations. The ACLU filed suit in 2002 and settled with Denver in 2003. Though Denver was supposed to have changed its spy gathering policies with the 2003 settlement, this document seems to indicate the same old stuff from them.

Read the complete post at http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/Cyclelicious/~3/372119938/denver-police-rei-is-terrorist-den.html

Published Aug 22 2008, 03:25 PM by Cyclelicious

Filed under: colorado<input ... >

This Morning I Was Born Again

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 14:52:21 GMT

Wow, I never heard this Woodie Guthrie song before now!
I just discovered it sung by the great Texas folk icon himself, Ray Wylie Hubbard.
Listen here: http://thismornin.blogspot.com/2008/01/this-mornin-i-am-born-again_23.html

This morning I was born again
and a light shines on my land
i no longer look for heaven in your deathly, distant land
i do not want your pearly gates don't want your streets of gold
This mornin' i was born again and a light shines on my soul

This mornin' i was born again, i was born again complete
i stood up above my troubles and i stand on my two feet
My hand it feels unlimited, my body feels like the sky
i feel at home in the universe where yonder planets fly

This mornin' i was born again, my past is dead and gone
This great eternal moment is my great eternal dawn
Each drop of blood within me, each breath of life i breathe
Is united with these mountains and the mountains with the seas

i feel the sun upon me, it's rays crawl through my skin
i breathe the life of Jesus and old John Henry in
i give myself, my heart, my soul to give some friend a hand
This mornin' i was born again, i am in the promised land

This mornin' i was born again and a light shines on my land
i no longer look for heaven in your deathly distant land
i do not want your pearly gates don't want your streets of gold
And i do not want your mansion for my heart is never cold"
--Woody Guthrie

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:39:24 GMT

-I went in to the Hospital this morning and visited everyone. I'll return to work next week. I'm actually looking forward to it, after five months off.

-We're actually getting some rain finally from this storm, Faye. We are in extreme drought and down about 12 inches for the year. We need all the rain we can get.

-I went to an energy and environment expo on Saturday and got some good ideas and info on several improvements that I would like to do around the house. We'll see what I can get accomplished. I spent a lot of time on the trail thinking about how I could green things up in my life. I've already started on some projects, like building a compost bin and planning on putting a rain water collection system together. I've got lots of plans.........

R001-003

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:00:52 GMT

R001-003, originally uploaded by etroutski.

Start, Rethinker, SiteSee, Hometown
I love this photo of the 4 of us thru-hikers on Mount Katahdin. We had literally been through hell and high water together and were at the end of the trail. What a great moment to share with each other, I'll always remember this day!

Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:50:39 GMT

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Hometown's 2008
Appalachian Trail Journal

First Previous Next Last

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Destination: Katahdin!!!
Starting Location: The Birches

Today's Miles: 5.20
Trip Miles: 2176.50

- Click picture to see full size

What can I say? After 2176 miles of trail, I have reached my goal. I've kept my eye on the prize (touching the sign on top of Katahdin) since March 21st. Through good times and bad, cold, heat, rain, magic moments, killer sunsets and sunrises, mosquitos and ticks, beautiful landscapes, great company and fellowship, excrutiating pain, blisters, sore feet and bum knees, inspired conversations, annoying irritations,and occasional boredom, I have arrived at the end of the trail. I am grateful to be here.

Katahdin was even more majestic and grand than I thought she would be. I had beautiful views on the way up and then clouds on the top, as it should be. I kept thinking about how Henry David Thoreau described the mountain in 1846 as "primeval, untamed and forever untamable nature". The climb was tough, the biggest single climb of the entire trip, with more than 4,000 feet of elevation change to reach the 5,267 foot summit. I don't think I really even noticed, though. I had really spent the last 146 days training for this very day. I felt nothing but adrenaline.

It was very special to finish with my trail buddies, Rethinker, SiteSee, and Apostle. I had hiked with these three guys at different times since Virginia, and the odds of us all finishing on the same day had to be be slim. It was also a great pleasure to meet Start and the Twins on their way up the mountain, as we were descending, knowing that they were on their way to finish. It was an honor to share this day with my fellow hikers, they were true friends and an inspiration at all times, I could not have hiked alone. After experiencing the Appalachian trail as a thru-hike, I have the upmost respect for any man, woman, girl, boy, or dog that has been through the challenges, hardships, and glories of the trail. I now know what they have been through, and it ain't easy!

Finally, I want to thank my family, friends, co-workers, fellow hikers, and journal readers for the monumental encouragement and support that I recieved while I was on the trail. I can't emphasize enough the importance of the emotional and mental boost that I got from the guestbook. I couldn't have hiked without it.
Hometown//GA>ME//2008

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1719

Fri, 23 May 2008 18:07:46 GMT

Hi everyone, I'm still on the trail, I have 2 months and 850 miles under my belt.
I'm having a great time and am looking forward to being out of Virginia soon!

www.trailjournals.com/chuck2008

Hello from the A.T.

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 12:27:25 GMT

Hey everyone!
I'm one month and 400 miles into the Appalachian Trail.
Lots of good times and adventures, so far.

www.trailjournals.com/chuck2008

This is the deal

Sun, 16 Mar 2008 16:02:31 GMT

-This past Thursday was my last day of work for SIX MONTHS........

-I start the A.T. on Friday the 21st.

-Our 25th wedding anniversary is on Wednesday.

-We went to see Donna Jean and the Tricksters last night in Asheville, they absolutely jammed.

-I'm smoking a big pork loin today, stuffed with granny smiths,cranberries,walnuts,maple syrup, and croutons.

-We're having a party this evening on the banks of the Nantahala, in Rainbow Springs, saying good-bye to more friends.

-My pack weight is 17 lbs before food and water, I'm pleased with that.

-Lots of thru-hikers are starting to come through Franklin, they are my fellow 2008 classmates, seeing them gets me stoked.

IMGP0295

Fri, 22 Feb 2008 19:09:34 GMT

IMGP0295, originally uploaded by etroutski.

My friends, Jeff, Sarah, and son, Blaise at the RiverBlaze Baking Co.
If you are ever in Cartoogechaye, look them up!

Thu, 14 Feb 2008 23:50:52 GMT

Only 12 more days of work before my thru-hike!

Swordfish Trombone

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 19:46:18 GMT

Here's a youtube video of my birthday party with the band, Cooking With Quanta, covering Tom Wait's "Swordfish Trombone".
How cool is that?

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Glh5vjuCkjw

DSC00368

Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:21:29 GMT

DSC00368, originally uploaded by etroutski.

This weekend, my wonderful wife rented a hall, hired a band, and invited friends and family to surprise me with a party for my 50th birthday.

I was totally blown away!

Thanks, troutmomma, I love you!

Wyatt

Thu, 10 Jan 2008 14:46:43 GMT

IMGP0244-1, originally uploaded by etroutski.

I have a grandson!
Wyatt Charles Parlier
Born: 1/08/08 at 5:03pm
7 lbs.
20 in.
Born to my daughter, Holly and her husband, David.
Wyatt is healthy and beautiful.

Can you say, "BIGBROTHER"?

Fri, 21 Dec 2007 00:20:08 GMT

I e-mailed my local library to question them about the absence of bike racks at our new facility. I got the typical blah, blah, blah response. Then at the bottom of the correspondence was this statement:

"Opinions expressed in this message may not represent the policy of my
agency. All e-mail sent to or from the Fontana Regional Library e-mail
systems is subject to monitoring and disclosure to third parties,
including law enforcement personnel."

I can only hope that the cops don't bust down my door tonight, I only wanted a place to chain my bike..................

Larry Keel and Natural Bridge NYE

Sat, 15 Dec 2007 14:33:52 GMT

We'll be going to the Grey Eagle in Asheville again this year, for the Larry Keel and Mountain Family Circus for NYE. Last year was so much fun that we decided that it was a show that we didn't want to miss.

Here is a great free LKNB show on Archive to stream or download:
http://www.archive.org/details/lknb2007-11-24.akg414.sbd

Sat, 08 Dec 2007 14:26:38 GMT

Cricket on the Greenway, checking out the Little Tennessee River.

Today

Thu, 29 Nov 2007 19:54:50 GMT

The count-down calendar to my thru-hike reads 3 months, 21 days, 17 hrs, 10 min, 32 sec.

I'm listening to Dead music, drinking coffee, and reading Nimblewill Nomad.

Here's a quote from Edward Abbey to complete a perfect day:

"One final paragraph of advice: do not burn yourselves out. Be as I am -- a reluctant enthusiast ... a part-time crusader, a half-hearted fanatic. Save the other half of yourselves and your lives for pleasure and adventure. It is not enough to fight for the land; it is even more important to enjoy it. While you can. While it's still here. So get out there and hunt and fish and mess around with your friends, ramble out yonder and explore the forests, climb the mountains, bag the peaks, run the rivers, breathe deep of that yet sweet and lucid air, sit quietly for a while and contemplate the precious stillness, the lovely, mysterious, and awesome space. Enjoy yourselves, keep your brain in your head and your head firmly attached to the body, the body active and alive, and I promise you this much; I promise you this one sweet victory over our enemies, over those desk-bound men and women with their hearts in a safe deposit box, and their eyes hypnotized by desk calculators. I promise you this; you will outlive the bastards."

Edward Abbey (1927 - 1989)

Source: I saw this in an article at grist.com

Chunky Gal

Thu, 22 Nov 2007 14:32:05 GMT

I hiked one of my favorites, the Chunky Gal trail on tuesday with my buddy, Jeff. Here he is on one of the numerous rocky outcrops. Chunky Gal is a tough, yet beautiful old girl.