It Takes Eleven

I think they're unlikely to split the MS teams. TX/aTm/Arky/OU LSU/MState/OMiss/Mizzou Bama/Auburn/TN/Vandy GA/FL/KY/SC Mizzou, LSU, or Arky could be arranged differently in the two western pods, but I believe the eastern two are likely.

I would've never found out that last half mile was closed. That's unbelievable.

Thanks. I work in Midtown, will check it out. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Is this well-stocked bar in-town or OTP?

Friday, I had a glass of Larceny for the first time, very enjoyable. Yesterday, I enjoyed a glass of Old Forester 1897 B.I.B. Very easy drinking 100 proof. They have a nice bourbon list at Local Three in Atlanta. http://localthree.com/menus/menu_liquor.pdf

They're opening again for a portion of the Miranda Lambert/Little Big Town tour this summer. At least the crowd will get to hear some country music. Saw TT last fall in Atlanta just after their last album release. Hell of a show, and Hulla's assessment of Crockett is spot on. Although Bird Hunters remains my favorite due to the hunting and shotgun references (Belgian-made Browning - my Dad's exact line when showing off his shotguns) and the narrowly dodged bullet of a fiance's family, Unrung is an outstanding song as well, along with Housefire.

Yes, a city boy. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I blew my L4-L5 at 34, read up on how 80 percent of all bulging discs can be resolved through PT or injections. MD said no, you're a surgical candidate. Microdiscectomy 19 years ago and it was the best outcome I could've imagined. I stopped playing in basketball leagues, but continued hiking and working and doing anything else I wanted. 17 years later, at 51, same symptoms, went back to my old neurosurgeon. After a number of excruciating PT sessions, he decided surgery was a need again. Day of surgery, I was home by 11am and, other than pain meds and muscle relaxers on the day of surgery, I took nothing but advil for the pain. Between a small re-rupture and scar tissue from the original surgery, doc said I'd never have resolved through PT or injections. It's been two years and I feel great. The days of "never have back surgery because you'll be damaged for life" are over. Minimally invasive procedures were not mainstream when I had my first surgery almost 20 years ago. Now it's customary. Admittedly, surgery will always leave you with a damaged joint in your back, but it's a far cry from the chain saw days gone by.

Cullman? Are you on Smith Lake? I’ve been planning my escape from Atlanta for 15 years. Built a small place on Logan Martin Lake in Alabama to make sure my wife could manage lake living. She was good with it, and I’m finishing up the retirement house now and will be there full time in 3-4 years. The town is 15,000, lake influence dampens the small town meth vibe and it’s 45 min to Birmingham and what it has. I’m on the lake and there is decent hiking nearby, and awesome fishing and hunting. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

For the price, you could still do okay with another Eureka. If you have an REI membership, today's the last day to get 20% off one regular priced item. REI store brands are an option (they stand behind them), along with Marmot and Big Agnes if you want to spend a bit more.

Hiking with a partner, like any other undertaking, works great if it’s a good partner. There are some real horror stories about bad hiking partners. I’ve been fortunate that my best friend is also my hiking partner. Sharing the load in carrying equipment and sharing responsibilities at the campsite both make a trip easier and more enjoyable. Regarding footwear, I agree that the lighter shoes make for a very enjoyable trip. However, make sure you are carrying a light enough load that you don’t do damage to your feet with poor support. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I was on tapa when I replied earlier to the thread and was too lazy to search for a link. I have the Bellroy Hide & Seek model. It comes in a regular and RFID model. I've had it for almost three years and it's held up very well. https://bellroy.com/products/hide-and-seek-wallet/leather_lo/black#image-8

My spot is at the fire pit on the patio. Perfect time of the year, full moon last nice was a nice feature. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I lived in east TN, Alabama and Atlanta metro during those 16 years, and we did it all south to north sequentially, so the logistics were easy to begin with. My buddy had family in Roanoke, VA so we also had a stopover for driving (over a quarter of the AT is in VA). Once we hit PA, though, it turned into a planes, trains and automobiles slog. Walking through Grand Central Station in NYC in hiking attire with pack, and then being on the trail later that day, was pretty cool.

I would really like to do it all at once, but I try to be realistic. I'd love to thru-hike the PCT as well, but I don't think I'll ever attempt a thru-hike of the PCT, CDT or AT. I sectioned all of the AT over 16 years and it was a blast. There were some of the longer trips where I really got my trail legs and could have kept going, and there were sections that I was relieved I didn't have to keep going. If a trip's not challenging, to me, something is lost in the adventure.