May, 2004 Massachusetts -- West Bound!

Nick,

It is helpful to remember that the NPS was created to enable citizens to visit and enjoy what the park incorporates. That is the mandate under which they receive funding. National preserves on the other hand are in the business of preserving natural conditions to the extent possible.

It isn't a matter of being conservative -- but it is important to remember why those parks were set aside in the first place. If the NPS didn't provice amentities and services to visitors they would not be fulfilling their task.

The only branch of government that is supposed to make changes to that mandate is the US Congress. At the present time, the presidency is trying to use the national parks as a place to obtain resources (eg: fuel) -- that is probably an example of an over-step of authority AND THAT poses a far more dangerous threat to the parks than a few bathrooms or lodges.

I understand the difference between Preserves & Parks, but I still feel that places such as the Grand Canyon and Yellowstone have been over developed. It's just my opinion that parks shouldn't be commercialized to the point
that visitors coming to see the natural beauty are bombarded with Coca-Cola machines, and roaring machinery. I mean whats next, McDonalds and rollercoasters? If people want to have catered meals and sleep in an air-conditioned room, do it at the Four Seasons, not within view (or blocking my view) of one of the worlds natural wonders. I want to hear the hawks and insects, not generators and air-conditioning compressors.

Roads to key points in the park, ranger stations, flush toilets, and primitive camp sites. Thats all that is needed for all people (handicapped or not) to have access to our nation's parks (IMHO). I'd even go as far as to ban road-traffic, and use extensive rail-type public transportation (busses to start). Many parks have already partially adopted this policy, such as Zion NP.

It sounds like you started getting a bit political at the end of your last reply. While I'm an independant and don't happen to support most of President Bushs' policies, wrong doings in the Department of the Interior spread the spectrum of parties. I'm also curious as to why you edited "Snipped" my last post.

Well I've been at my new job for a couple weeks now. Back to a regular paycheck which is nice. Still looking for an apartment. I'm staying with my father in Athol, MA which is about 1/2hr east of where I lived before. I work down on the east side of the Quabbin Reservoir in a small town called Barre.

I tried signing up for some courses at the local college (Intermediate Spanish), and tech-school (Advanced Welding), but admission was closed, so I'll have to wait until winter semester.

I can already smell the aroma of wanderlust returning to me. Once I get settled in, I'm going to pick two long weekends, pack a backpack, and fly to a couple cities for the weekends. I'm thinking of San Francisco and Seattle. My friend just bought a BMW bike, so I don't think we'll be going to Portugal (bummer). Although I speak some "Travel" Spanish, I want to get to the conversational level. Next fall I'm definetly going to use my 4wks vacation to either drive to the tip of the Baja Peninsula and back, or hitch a flight to Spain and bum around the country with a backpack for a month.

Just figured I'd make a post and let you guys know I haven't abandoned this fantastic website, and that I read the posts here every few days.

Keep Traveling...
- Nick

Nick,

Good to hear from you too. What kind of job did you land?

I have grade 5 licenses for both industrial and municipal wastewater treatment. My last job was in the private sector treating industrial waste. Now I'm working for a town treating municipal wastewater. Real interesting work because it requires knowledge of everything from microbiology to mechanics. I spend about half my time in a lab measuring water quality, and half my time outdoors maintaining equipment.

Nice hearing from a fellow local Yankee!

You work in Barre? Every time I go through that town, I'm amazed at the conglomeration of roads surrounding the common. A lot of nice older homes up there, though!

If you want to test your skills with Portuguese (maybe for a future trip?), try going into Ludlow and striking up a conversation at a store. Spanish? Try Chicopee.

Regarding the tech school - what school is that that has the welding? I'd really like to learn that skill. I have a MIG welder but don't really know how to use it!

Monty Technical School. I can do some basic fabrication using TIG, ARC (Stick), and MIG, such as railings and racks, but I could never pass a certification exam for it. They have two different level classes they offer. Unfortunately when I tried to sign up last week admissions were closed. So I'll have to wait until winter or spring semester. The same with intermediate spanish which I tried to sign up for at Mount Wachusett CC.

Checked out some apartments today, but they were all too small. Hopefully I'll find one soon.

Still looking for a place...

I'd like to get either a BIG studio apartment, kind of like a loft, or a 1 bedroom with a real big living room. Besides traveling/hiking, my two passions are great food and great film. So I need a place with a full kitchen and atleast one big room for home theater. All the places I find are either small 1 bedroom apartments, or huge 2 bedroom apartments. Nothing in the middle. I do have 1 promising lead, and am waiting for a call back.

I promise to get some pictures up as soon as I find a place and get my internet connection up and running. I'll be going with a cable modem for this part of the state.

Just got an apartment today, and I move in next Wednesday. I'll be living in Athol, Massachusetts which is roughly mid-state up towards New Hampshire. I should have my cable modem up and running in a couple weeks. Then I can start posting some pictures of my trip for everyone to see.

Moved into my new apartment, and my DSL is up and running. I'll have some pictures up this weekend!

Sorry it took so long to get the pictures up. Here are 9 pictures I shrunk from a set of about 3000. I'll eventually get some more up on a personal webpage.

Enjoy!

<img src="http://mysite.verizon.net/nicholasmosher/kluane.jpg">
<img src="http://mysite.verizon.net/nicholasmosher/golden.jpg">
<img src="http://mysite.verizon.net/nicholasmosher/lassen.jpg">

<img src="http://mysite.verizon.net/nicholasmosher/bear.jpg">
<img src="http://mysite.verizon.net/nicholasmosher/guadalupe.jpg">
<img src="http://mysite.verizon.net/nicholasmosher/redwood.jpg">

<img src="http://mysite.verizon.net/nicholasmosher/navajo.jpg">
<img src="http://mysite.verizon.net/nicholasmosher/dunes.jpg">
<img src="http://mysite.verizon.net/nicholasmosher/pacific.jpg">

Lake Kluane way up in the Yukon.

Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco.

Me on the summit of Mt. Lassen, CA.

A black bear I met on a trail in the far north...

View from the tallest point in Texas, Guadalupe Peak.

Tallest tree in Redwood NP, in the limited access reserve.

Entering the Navajo Reservation, distances are deceiving here...

View from the Great Dune in Great Sand Dunes NP.

View of the Pacific on the Oregon Coast.

Who shot the image of you at Mt. Lassen?

"Who shot the image of you at Mt. Lassen?"

Just a guy I had met at the trailhead and hiked with.

What a beautiful day that was. After spending the morning in Shasta, CA below Mt. Shasta, I drove through semi-arid north-central California to Lassen Volcanic National Park. The hike wasn't too long, about 5 or 6 miles round trip, but it was about 2500ft of elevation gain up to 10,500ft. You could see hundreds of miles around, and Mt. Shasta loomed like a pyramid in the distance. There was still lots of snow, even at the trailhead, but by the time I got down out of high elevation it was over 100*F. California is certainly a state of extremes.

Here are a few more shots from that day...

<img src="http://mysite.verizon.net/nicholasmosher/lassen-a.jpg">
<img src="http://mysite.verizon.net/nicholasmosher/lassen-b.jpg">
<img src="http://mysite.verizon.net/nicholasmosher/lassen-c.jpg">

They're gorgeous (all of them) -- thanks for posting them! Bob

Just signed up for lessons to get my private pilot's license. I wonder what it would be like to see the country at about 1500ft from the ground. Just scheduled a special physical for my 3rd class medical, and got a tour of the Cessna 152 I'll be training in. The instructor and I look like a couple of sardines in it (lol).

I plan on working on a small website for my photos this weekend. Something should be up, possibly Sunday night.

Keep travelin...

By the way, my new eMail address is...
nicholasmosher@verizon.net

Sorry about taking so long to get some more pictures up.
I have posted 45+ 800x600 photos along with an eMail hyperlink at the following URL...
(This page will load very slow for those of you without broadband internet access so beware!)

<a href="http://mysite.verizon.net/nicholasmosher/index.html">CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PHOTOS</a>

I hope you enjoy them!
Keep Traveling...
~Nick

Nick,

You really captured some awesome photos! Thanks for sharing them.

Mark

I can't believe that you had the knowledge & wherewithal to do all this planning, saving of money, had the gumption to all this traveling on your own. What a phenomenal trip.

I am not a backpacker & do so enjoy my bed and private bathroom but I really enjoyed reading about this trip. I also enjoyed looking at your wonderful photos.

I guess what I can't believe is that you started doing all this planning at age 18 and did it by 22. I really wish I had been born at a later date so that I would have had this desire then at age 22. I never would have thought about this at that age. I feel like I lived a very sheltered life.

I'm curious about your parents letting you go off & doing this on your own. Also your having your own apartment at such a young age. Pardon me, but the "kids" that I know, great nieces & nephews. My g nephew is 24 & still lives at home with no desire to leave.

All I can say is WOW!!

Hey guys, figured I'd stop in. Boy am I depressed. Now that I've got traveling in my blood, I'm ready to hit the road again!

Thanks for the comments Diane, the trip was fantastic. As far as my parents are concerned, I became fairly independant at a young age, and pay for everything on my own, so my parents really don't have much say in what I can/cannot do beyond helpful advice :p For instance when I left college they were dissapointed, but I paid for it by myself, so they didn't really have any grounds to complain. Glad my loans are paid off by the way.

Flight lessons are going great. I should be a licensed private pilot by summer! Then I can really get a "birds eye view" of the country. I'm thinking of continuing training to get a commercial license as well. Then maybe I can get paid to travel! I want to get off first shift and onto 2nd or 3rd so I can take some foreign language courses. Books only take me so far, and only the very basics are offered at night. Problem is finding a 2/3 shift job that funds my flight lessons and pays the bills is tougher than it sounds. One promising lead, but it includes a 75minute commute everyday each way, compared to my current 30minute jobber each way. I'm going to send a resume I think...

I'm craving a long-distance hike. If I do change jobs, I'm going to take a 1 month break and try hiking the long trail from Massachusetts to Canada. I've hiked many portions of it, but never all at once. Takes 3-4 weeks.

I WANT TO SEE THE YUKON AND DEATH VALLEY AGAIN!
I LONG FOR NEW PLACES AND A DIET COMPRISED OF SLUSH PUPPIES!

I see that the current Massachusetts stale air is getting to you, too!

I've also hiked on the Long (ie Mt. Mansfield) and the ubiquitous MM as well, not the entire lengths, alas. Are you worried that once you do this, you might be tempted to hike the AT in its entirety, too? ;-)

The job market is pretty tight right now, especially in Central MA. The problem with getting a better paying job (at least for me) is obtaining new and interesting ways to spend that pay increase on. It's too easy to spend it!

TimboTA:
I'm going nuts here. Back to the humdrum..
Work, eat, sleep, work, eat, sleep, work...

After working 3rd shift for 3 years, I can't stand working 1st. I used to love having all the day-light hours to do as I please, now its dark whenever I have free time. Glad I work 6:30-3:00 and not 9:00-5:00 though. I gotta get a 2nd or 3rd shift job. If not for my flight lesson costs, I'd quit and work at Subway or a movie-rental place.

I hike at Mt. Grace on the MM trail 2-3 times a week (although not in the past 4 months, I'll start again when its light out until 6pm). I've been up Grace 3 or 4 hundred times, its my workout hill. I tried hiking the whole MM trail 2 years ago, but only made it about 1/3 of the way. I started too early so I couldn't do any of the river crossings. Ended up walking more on pavement trying to find bridges around flooded rivers/streams than I did on the trail. The long trail is so beautiful. Camel's Hump was my favorite peak. Its the highest undeveloped mountain in the Greens (I think). I've also been in the Breadloaf Wilderness section, the MA/VT border section, Stratton, and a few others. I also had problems finding water on the MM. Many sections of the trail had been abandoned and moved without signs, and some of the water supplies were non-existant. Now hiking the Long Trail and Hiking the AT are on two whooooooole different levels (hahaha). I've thought about trying the AT before (even bought some books and planning materials), but set it aside because I don't think I have what it takes mentally (yet). I do have a full AT map on the inside door of my closet, but I'd have to prove to myself that I'd even have a chance at completing a 2100mi+ hike by completing the 200 some-odd mile Long Trail (terrible I can't remember its exact length, I'll have to check my guide, I think its 276mi). I'd love to try it though, and I've been thinking about giving it a go. I want to atleast get my PP license before quitting my job though. Nice thing about hiking is it doesnt cost much. I guess if I really applied myself I could be ready by the spring of '06. I might try and thru-hike the LT this summer with my vac time, and we'll see about the AT...

Timbo you're terrible stirring up ideas in me. Be glad my mother doesn't know you! :p

PS> I hear you on the "more you make the more you spend" mentality. My two passions other than hiking/traveling are good food and good music/film. Aside from basic bills and flight lessons, all my cash goes to my HomeTheater/hifi setup and special orders of fresh meats and wine. I'm also a sushi junkie, and can go through $20 worth of nigiri like nothing. Funny thing about hiking is, after a good 10mi struggle, a PB&J with cheez-itz and bug-juice tastes like Kobe Beef and a 10yr Cabernet. :)

I did some stretches of the AT in Quebec and I can tell you that the part in Parc de la Gaspesie (on the Gaspe Peninsula) has some of the most beautiful sceneries I've seen so far, especially in the areas of Mt Albert and Xalibu. There are nice campgrounds in the park too!

"I'm also a sushi junkie"
Nick, If you ever come to Quebec city try Yuzu restaurant, they serve sushi made of regional products, pretty funky but great!

"Funny thing about hiking is, after a good 10mi struggle, a PB&J with cheez-itz and bug-juice tastes like Kobe Beef and a 10yr Cabernet."

I agree! No BBQ can beat a campfire for cooking or a Coleman stove (depending on who's cooking!:-). But I make an exception for wine, a great bottle of wine is a must have even if it puts extra pounds in your backpack...At the end of the day, it's definitely worth it, especially in good company! And please don't tell me about that stinking powder they sell to make it look and taste (ugh!) like real wine when you add water!:)


Gen

ps-awesome photos by the way!

Gen:

Is that the IAT (aka SIA)? The AT proper runs from Maine to Georgia, with no sections outside the USA, and is quite long. Then somebody decided it wasn't enough of a challenge and added miles to it ;-)

Mt. Grace - I've been up there a few times. There is an awesome view from the fire tower up there. In VT I've done Mt. Abraham (ironically in Lincoln, VT) and Mt. Mansfield. I won't get into an exhaustive list here but this year I plan on making up for the hikes I haven't been able to do over the last three years due to working overtime every Saturday.

We're going peak-bagging!

Timbo,

the Appalachians run from the Gaspe Peninsula to Georgia and it's the same chain of mountains right?:-) Intl Appalachian Trail (or SIA - Sentier Intl des Appalaches as we call it in French) and Appalachian Trail sounds pretty much the same to me even though they're separated by a virtual frontier.

The Quebec part is 650 km long approx. I know a guy who did the whole thing from Parc Forillon, Gaspesie to Georgia, it took several months! Personally, I wouldn't get into that, but I sure do like shorter hiking trips from time to time.:-)

Have a nice day!

Gen

The current "traditionalist" thru-hike of the AT is from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mt. Katahdin in Maine. The IAT extends I believe from Alabama to somewhere in Canada. The Atlas mountains in Morocco actually were part of the original appalachian chain, and some diehards actually finish a "thru" by flying to Africa :)

The GA>ME thru-hike takes most people 5 months usually starting in early April and finishing in late September.

I lean towards the "lightweight" hiking style. I try to keep my full pack around 20lbs. I use a soda-can alcohol stove and a sil-nylon tent to keep the weight down along with a homemade backpack for multiday hikes in non-winter weather. Another great trick is to use the 1L widemouth pepsi product bottles instead of those $8 Nalgenes you see peopple with. For two bottles that'll save you 1/2lb. Doesn't sound like much, but do it to all your gear and ounces make pounds. Less pounds make more comfortable feet and more miles hiked in a day!

Hi Nick!

20lbs?? I wish I could do that!:-) Well maybe in the summer....The only long hiking trips (backpacking autonomy) I made were during the winter so we were carrying more like 35 lbs each (ouch, my back)! But we had the luxury of sleeping in a cabin in the middle of the woods (no electricity, outhouse, bunks without matresses, just an old fireplace in a peaceful environment...Heaven really!:o). I once tried to sleep in a prospector tent at minus 15 celsius and let me tell you that is not my thing!lol

Pepsi bottles..it's a good tip but the inconvenient of it is they'll freeze in no time during the winter unlike Nalgenes that last a little more time before they freeze anyway:-) I absolutely agree, ½ lb makes a difference at the end of the day. Does your handmade bag looks like traditional backpacks, is there anything special about it?
Just curious!


Gen

I should have noted that my pack is only 20lbs from late spring until early fall. Once it gets down below 30*F my packweight jumps up to 30lbs. The widemouth 1L pepsi bottles are only good on multiday hikes above freezing. Overnights during the winter see me with my Nalgenes, and special "Bottle Parkas" made from the company Outdoor Research.

http://www.outdoorresearch.com/home/style/home/storage/storage_carriers/WPB

I used a lightweight aluminum external pack frame, and made mounts on it that hold 4 outdoor research waterproof drybags that kayakers use. Total packweight is around 4lbs, but its very comfortable and completely waterproof. You also don't have to worry about digging through your pack for things. Each bag can be opened independently. Also, One bag can be dedicated for odorous items so you can simply detatch it, attatch a cord, and use it as your hangbag at night. It doesn't look pretty, but it works great. I'm going to make a more streamlined version before tackling the LT this summer.

The biggest thing I wrestle with to keep my packweight down is my sleeping pad. I love my 3lb thermarest at night, but it stinks to carry during the day :)

Very impressive! You made that all by yourself? When it comes to sewing my mind becomes blurry!:-) As for carrying water, I'm a camelback addict. Usually, I put it under my coat so it stays warm longer during the winter. I agree with you, the thicker the sleeping pad, the better. I have back problems so a great mattress is a must have for me even if it's heavier.

I can't wait for summer to come, I have some hiking projects, most of them located on the Gaspe peninsula. But I got to get in shape first!:-) I'm not exactly a winter lover and frankly I prefer hiking in the heat and sun than not being able to stop 5 minutes because it's too cold! But you know, I live north of the border so I guess I don't have a choice but to live with the cold temperatures... If you ever come up here, I'd have some suggestions for you!

I got hired for a 2nd/3rd shift position that actually pays more than my old job, but I have to commute an hour each way. Paid dinner though, so my day will actually be only 30mins longer than my old job where I commuted 30mins each way.

Going to sign up for some Spanish and French courses at a local state college now that I finally have my mornings free! Can't wait to start up my flight lessons again in a couple weeks. I've only got 6 hours and I'm itching for more!

Congratulations on the new job!

Hey if you want to practice your French, come over here or write to me I'd be glad to help you! You could do some of your hiking in Quebec it would give you opportunities to meet French people, do roadtrips, our money is cheap and after all you're not living so far away!

Geneviève

Hey guys!

I was sorting through my massive list of bookmarks today and found RTA.com again!

Finally got my Private Pilot License!

I changed jobs again, because I was offered my original position back that I had while saving up for the roadtrip. Still have the same apartment too, about a 10min drive to work now. It's weird how some things go full circle.

Boy I tell ya', It's all I can do from blowing past the exit on the highway and just heading off for another grand adventure. I encourage anyone who hasn't done it yet to get out there! Hit the road!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nicholas Mosher

Finally got my Private Pilot License!
I changed jobs again, because I was offered my original position back that I had while saving up for the roadtrip. Still have the same apartment too, about a 10min drive to work now. It's weird how some things go full circle.

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I think that is nature of life. Nice to hear from you again!

Mark

Hey Nicholas,

Congrats on the licence! We're looking forward to hear about your pilot adventures!:-)

Gen

Hi again!

Man do I want to head out on a roadtrip again!

I think a "Tour the cities" trip would be fun. Get a Grayhound bus-pass and just ride the line for a couple months touring cities all over the US. No parking to worry about, and just stay at hostels or the occasional motel. Live out of one big backpack!

Anyhoo, I'm still working at the same place. Doing some local flying building up hours/experience so I can eventually work on an Instrument rating and possibly a commerical license. I finished a year or so of Engineering, and I'm planning on returning to school next semester to work on a Business degree. I work nights, so I'll be attending standard classes during the day.

I'm also hoping to give a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail a shot in five years. I've been climbing 100 flights of stairs six days a week for the past year and doing my usual hike as well. I have to get my mind in the right place. Five months of 20 miles a day through rugged terrain wears down your mind a lot more than your legs. I'll be in my late 20's, but it's something I've wanted to do for about five years now. I even had it planned out at one point, but set it aside for othe projects.

Just catching up with everyone else through their posts, and giving an update of what I'm up to.

Have fun!

~Nick

Well, you are adventurous!

I think the slow pace and inability to stop when I want would drive me batty. But my husband was on a biz trip about 10 years ago where he had to get from Dallas to someplace in Mississippi. He decided to get a bus ticket insteading of renting a car just to see what it was like. Let's put it this way, he's happy he had the experience but he would never do it by choice again.

However, your Appalachian Trail trip would be great fun!!

Glad things are going well for you.