[at-l] Felix story

[Arthur Gaudet]

Ah, time to pull out the old files... These are Felix' writings from 2003,
mostly writing about the thruhike in '98. Since he yearly recalls the last few
days of his trip around Christmas time (Great Christmas Story, you should read
it) I thought you might like some of the pre-story... So these tales will take
you up to the point of arriving in Hot Springs, NC.

Did you know Felix' arm was itching in 2003? Ever wonder what his biggest regret
was on the entire hike? And just who is Alice Kauzlaauzlaauzlarich? Read on and
see. --RockDancer

***********************************************************************
Date: April 1, 2003
Subject: [at-l] Jordan

A few years ago, when Michael Jordan retired from basketball for the green grass
of a baseball diamond, many people thought he wanted to prove he was
multi-talented. We all knew that already. Michael was experiencing malaise and
was lethargic in his monotonous basketball world. How could he not be, standing
that much higher on the talent scale than those around him. The second time he
retired he was out of the limelight. Many thought he was going to settle in to
retirement and enjoy the wealth he'd accumulated. Not so. Michael went looking
for himself. He bounced around in various low-scale jobs. Then, one day, he
found himself in a job he actually enjoyed. He was, in fact, in charge of the
"Monkey House" at the San Diego zoo. He found that he could talk to the various
monkeys, orangutans, apes, gorillas et.al...all of the primates, without feeling
like he was being judged. He really liked the Reese's Monkeys because of their
peanut butter filling. Anyway...there was much discussion in 'the house' as to
whether Michael should return to the hardwood while his physical condition would
allow it. Once it was gone, it was gone for good, they reasoned. Michael, on the
other hand, didn't want to look bad to the public eye that had paid him so well
over the years. Well, one thing lead to another and, with strong egos involved,
a somewhat serious argument ensued. It was determined that the only way to solve
the problem once and for all was for there to be a great challenge.  There would
be a head to head match of wits in a 'winner takes all' game of Trivial Pursuit.
Michael jumped out to an early lead and it appeared that he would remain
retired...and watch his sun set from the beach. Not so. In a display of
fortitude unlike Michael had experienced since the '89 Pistons, the primate
scored an improbable come-from-behind win. This astounded Michael...to the point
of giving him the same fire the victor used to come from behind for the win.
Michael knew he belonged on the hardwood again. As he was driving away, Michael
noticed the zoo's Marquee. It read:

Ape Rules, Fuels Jock

(I will not apologize for this other than to say "I'm sorry".)

--
Felix J. McGillicuddy
ME-->GA '98
"Your Move"
http://Felixhikes.tripod.com/

***********************************************************************
Date: 5/20/2003
Subject: Earl ...

Dear Earl,

Felix here. I've been thinking about you a lot lately, and thought I'd write and
tell you so. It's been over a year since you've passed, now. 
Tomorrow will be two, and then ten. Such is life and death, I suppose.

You probably wouldn't remember me. We talked a few times. Mostly trivial things,
which I like best. I made you laugh once. I'll never forget that. I smile now
when thinking about it.

I always felt kind of sorry for you. People made you an icon, when it was so
obvious that was the last thing you wanted to be. You graciously did what folks
asked of you, even though it seemed to go against what you really, in your
heart, wanted to do. I don't even think people know why they looked up to you.
The celebrity? Maybe. Though, it was celebrity they put on you whether you
wanted it or not. I'm not sure they ever saw, or knew, the real Earl.

I always liked you because you were just some old guy. Some old guy who hiked.
You were how I hope I am, if I'm lucky enough to live that long. 
You reminded me a lot of my grandfather. I miss you for that. I miss him, too.
He lives next door to me. Well, his body does. His mind has gone away, mostly.
You were lucky yours didn't leave you.

You were also lucky you and David Donaldson found each other. You were both
exactly what the other needed at that time. Life is nice when it lets things
like that happen.

Well, I suppose I've gone on long enough. I have a shoebox in the basement I
keep letters like this. There is one there to an uncle of mine who died before I
got to know him well enough. There's one to a cousin who died far before it was
fair. There's even one to me. It tells me who I think I am now, so I can read
about it after my mind has left me. Maybe I'll remember it then, if I want to.
Hopefully someday I'll be able to deliver them to you guys myself. Wouldn't that
be a hoot?

Take care, Earl

Felix

***********************************************************************
Date: 6/13/2003
Subject: Kin abe heck

All this talk o' the Kennebec crossing reminds me of this (From Jan. 
26th, 1998):

Jesus, Moses and Wingfoot are hiking the AT. They get to the Kennebec River.
Jesus doesn't even slow down, walks right on the water to the other side. Moses
looks here and there. Finally, he takes his Leki Makula staff and splits the
mighty river and walks across on a dry riverbed. Wingfoot lights a cigarette and
shakes his head. "Trail doesn't cross there, guys."

--
Felix J. McGillicuddy
ME-->GA '98
"Your Move"

***********************************************************************
Date: 6/24/2003
Subject: Introducing...

Well, a few weeks ago my oldest cat girlfriend went off on one of those trips
where there are birds and mice and bowls of milk around every corner. Lizzie,
the last of the famous 'Three Black Cats', which I have drawn on the bottom of
every register entry I've made in 8 years, and the subject of one of my favorite
ATN stories, found that place to be quite nice, I'm sure. And, as life will have
it...today, as I got out of my pick-up truck to start a little mowing job, I
hear a cry from a ditch. A few minutes later, I have a new cat to sleep in the
spot Lizzie used to sleep. Ladies and gentleman, and Sly, may I introduce you
to:

Wendell J. McGillikitty
http://Felixhikes.tripod.com/Felix/wendell2.jpg

http://Felixhikes.tripod.com/Felix/wendell3.jpg

http://Felixhikes.tripod.com/Felix/catjail2.jpg
--
Felix J. McGillicuddy
ME-->GA '98
"Your Move"

***********************************************************************
Date: 8/2/2003
Subject: "A handful of years ago..."

Has it really been 5 years ago already? Is he really gonna start this crap
again? Why does his arm itch? All questions I'm sure you're asking yourself
right now. Well, it be true. It was five years ago today my good buddy
Pittsburgh rolled into mi casa (not literally, mind ya) to pick me and the girl
up for to start our thru-hikes. And, start them we did...not 'til five years ago
Tuesday, mind ya. But, start them we did. 
So, anyway...perhaps I'll tell you about things that were happening ruffly five
years ago...perhaps.

--
Felix J. McGillicuddy
ME-->GA '98
"Your Move"

***********************************************************************
Date: 8/3/2003
Subject: beATnik again

trail winds left
then to the right
switchback climbs
'til it's out of sight

blue-blazed shelter trail
seems too long
water's even farther
this is just wrong

rain on my forehead
mud on my knee
pouring so hard now
I can't even see

I'm so hungry
I can barely stand
Why don't I have a Snicker
held in my hand

I'll never learn
I guess this is true
cuz this is what I love
and it's what I want to do.

--
Felix J. McGillicuddy
ME-->GA '98
"Your Move"

***********************************************************************
Date: 8/3/2003
Subject: 5 years ago ...

Why the hell not, right?

Five years ago today had me waking up in a Revolutionary War-era estate just
outside of Kent, CT. My friend, Tom Ruane, was driving Pokey and me to Katahdin
and then going to hike 4 or 5 days with us. We made our way to Millinocket,
which is a little town in Maine. (You all knew that,
right?) We ate at a little diner there I believe was called something with
'Appalachian Trail' in the name. We camped at a little campground out of town a
little ways. There was a little excitement there that night...Katahdin watching
us set up our tent. The next morning I went to lookin' for my maps and
sunglasses. I found out that I'd left them on top of the car the night before
and they'd blown off as we drove back to town for dinner. I found
everything...but, my sunglasses had been runned over...and runned under. But,
that would be 5 years ago tomorrow, now wouldn't it?

--
Felix J. McGillicuddy
ME-->GA '98
"Your Move"

***********************************************************************
Date: 8/4/2003
Subject: Let the Games begin ...

Well, five years ago about right now, Pokey and I were settling down for our
first night on the trail. The climb up Katahdin proved to be an eventful
one...as that was when Pokey chose to tell me she was agorofobic...I don't know
if the 'agoro' part of that is spelled rightly or not. Anyway...Pokey had failed
to mention to me that she was skeert of high, open places...you know...like
mountains...like Katahdin. 
So...somewhere shortly after we got above treeline...about where those rebars
are...Pokey pretty much collapsed on the trail. She was, essentially, a mess.
Fortunately for me, my good buddy Trail-nameless-Tom was there to help comfort
her...and, take her back down the mountain...to Daisy Pond Lean-to. I went on up
that hill...with all the rox on it...and, that sign up there on top...After I
did my little summit thing...with the sign kissin' and all that...I made my own
way to Daisy Pond. The first pond I got to...the pond just south of that gravel
road, had a cow moose standing in it. A beautiful day had turned into a
beautiful evening and was the first of many, many incredible experiences. I
didn't eat ice cream  :(

--
Felix J. McGillicuddy
ME-->GA '98
"Your Move"

***********************************************************************
Date: 8/4/2003
Subject: re: Let the games begin ...

[Felix]
"A beautiful day had turned into a beautiful evening and was the first of many,
many incredible experiences."

[Shane]
Robbed.  We've been robbed. Schnookered even. I beseech you, dear sir, not to
leave us to wonder.  Tell us, if you will, what that first night was like.  What
was going through your multi-faceted head?  What were you feeling?  Did you cry?

Enquiring minds...

[Felix]
You've been robbed of nothing, I tell you. You had it not to begin with. I did
not cry. I did not even consider crying. I'm pretty sure this is the first time
I've been asked if I cried. I was more concerned with Pokey's well-being,
actually. Here I am starting a thru-hike with a girl who had one night's worth
of previous experience...9 hiking miles on tuff Indiana terrain. And, earlier in
the day I find out that she can't even cross a log bridge. I do remember feeling
relieved to be on the trail, however. The planning process for me had been
consumed by taking care of my home and business while I was away. I probably
spent 200 times longer preparing the non-hiking aspect of the hike than I did
the hike itself. So, the realization that I was actually there...sleeping in the
dirt...hearing loons...gettin' bitin' by squits...I was finally allowed to rest
and plan my thru-hike...or, at least wait 'til Cake joined us so he could plan
it. The next morning...five years ago tomorrow, I found a bandless watch on the
ground under the picnic table. I carried that watch the rest of the way to
Springer. Then, in 2001 I went to Stratton to hike with my buddy Stoat. He'd
lost his watch. So, I gave him mine. He carried it from Stratton to Springer.
So...The way I have it figured...If a northbounder carried that watch from
Springer to Daisy Pond...and I carried it from Daisy Pond to Springer...and,
then Stoat carried it from Stratton to springer...well, that damned watch has a
lot of miles on it...and, maybe has never been to Katahdin...it got close,
though. I remember crying when I found that watch. (it was all true up 'til that
crying when I found the watch part.)

***********************************************************************
Date: 12/7/2003
Subject: tryin' again ...

I sended this the other day and it came back...'undelivered'

Hey...it's been a while since we did this...hasn't it? Not long enuff? 
sorry...I may do more...some even 'retro-five-years-ago-today' stuff, maybe. 

Maybe I won't. Anyway, five years ago today I left Knot Maul Shelter...this was
the morning after 5 years ago last night...the night five years ago that I saw
the BIG 'Z' in the sky that haunts me to this day. (for over five years now I've
been haunted by that BIG 'Z' in the sky.) Anyway, it was a drizzly, cold day.
One of those kinds of days that the sun never shines and you don't ever really
get a feel for what time it is. I had a quick, chilly snack-break at Davis Path
Shelter and headed on for my destination for the night...The Atkins Motel and
Restaurant. Once there and checked in...I got my laundry together and was headed
toward the washing machine room...walk...walk...walk...hey, that door is
open...hey, that's hiker gear...hey, that's a hiker sittin' on the
floor...hey...that's a hiker chickola sittin' on the floor...too much gear,
there has to be a hiker manola with that hiker chickola...There wasn't. Ladies
and gentlemen, may I introduce 'Pilot'. Pilot and I struck up a conversation
that lasted all evening...and, the next day...and, the next day...and, the next
day...and, part of the day after that. And, now...five year's later...I'm
sitting in a rocking chair in Pilot's living room writing about it. I think we
are celebrating the 5 year anniversary of meeting by beating each other with
2x4's so we feel like we did back on Dec 5th, 1998.  that's all for now. (Was
that
enuff?)  (I have a couple of trip reports I might write sometime...if I can
remember any of the stuff that happened.)

--
Felix J. McGillicuddy
ME-->GA '98
"Your Move"

***********************************************************************
Date: 12/15/2003
Subject: 5 years ago ... TODAY

Well, it's been a while since I've done this. We've mist some pretty good stuff
in there, too. I'm not sure if this is gonna be on topic enuff for ya...but,
here it is. I could go back and find others...if you want I should. Anyway......

Five years ago today (Dec 15th, 1998) had me hiking the 24 miles from Iron Mtn.
S. to Kincorra. The day started out foggy and rainy. That seemed to be a trend.
A lunch break at Vandeventer S. proved to be the last time I would see Lucky
Luke and Calamity Jane. Funny how things seem insignificant at the time.Walking
away from that shelter with them sitting there seemed like every other time I
walked away from a shelter with them sitting there. They always showed up later.
Not this time.

As I crossed the dam, I wanted to throw the tape I was listening to as far out,
into the water, as I could. Wallflowers did not satisfy my musical tastes.
Little did I know then that a couple of years later I would be standing ON STAGE
with the Wallflowers. Again...those insignificant things. (I didnt' tell them
that I had wanted to throw their tape into Watauga Lake, by the way.) 

I wrote something in the register at Watauga Shelter (I don't remember what.)
That night, The Kid said something about it. I had affected him.

As I crossed Hwy 321 (?) I couldn't find the Trail. Re-lo, I think. As I climbed
up Pond Mtn., I 'kicked up' some turkeys. Because of the switchbacks, I kept
'kicking' them up. Probably 6 times. They were probably getting pist. Me and The
Kid stopped at Laurel Forks S. and he looked at the Playboy there. I ate. It was
dark when we got to the road. (Dennis Cove). We walked up to Kincorra, not sure
where it was. Later that evening, Bob took us to Elizabethtown for groceries and
'za. Back at the hostel, I ate until I was sick. (A fine pie is to be had at Mad
Greeks) As I stood at the sink, complaining about how I had eaten to the point
of being sick, I made pistachio pudding with half and half. In five minutes, I
was laying on the couch, eating pistachio pudding, complaining about how I had
eaten to the point of being sick. I called Amy Friends and asked her to marry
me. (This having nothing to do with eating too much.)

It was clearing outside and the temperature was plummeting. Bob told us it was
12º. Nice, cool hiking to be had the next day...

Seems that there were at least three leasons learned that day...

Don't take good things for granted, for they may soon come to pass. When you
least expect it, you can have some impact on someone. Try to make it a good one.
Don't eat too much, unless it's 'za and pudding.

If you're interested, I'll try to do a better job letting you know where I was 5
years ago, today...

--
Felix J. McGillicuddy
ME-->GA '98
"Your Move"

***********************************************************************
Date: 12/17/2003
Subject: 5 years, come and gone ...

Since ain't no one body else postin' any much stuff, I reckon 'spose I
will...(go figger)

five years ago...yesterday.

Moose Boy and I hiked over Hump Mt. (I love those long views and being able to
see a long distance of trail.) It was way windy on top. (Is Stan Murray S. the
one that used to be called something with the word Roan in it?) There was snow
on the ground as we hiked up to Roan High Knob shelter. It was cold inside the
'green tunnel' of Rhodis. Memory says that there had been a lot of
washing/eroding of the trail going up Roan.

As I hiked from Hughes Gap I was listening to NPR. This is the night that we
started bombing whoever it was we started bombing just before Clinton was
'impeached'. Was it Iraq again? (irony?) I remember being at Little Rock Knob
and seeing all the lights below, and listening to a woman correspondent talking
about bombs going off. We (The Kid and
I) stayed at Clyde Smith. 'twas a chilly one. That would turn out to be our last
night together.

Next morning (five years ago today) we hiked over snow-covered Unaka and Beauty
Spot. I took his picture in a whiteout. Very cold and windy. Later that evening,
somewhere between Curly Maple and the Nolichucky, I saw my only racoon of the
hike. 2160 miles and I saw one racoon. I barely saw him. He nearly attacked me,
without knowing I was there. It was really scary for about 10 seconds...the 10
seconds I thought he was a bear. I got to town (Erwin) what I think was a couple
of hours after dark. Went in to Johnnies to see Groovin' Moose and someone
else's pack. It was Outta Chocolate. He was doing some slacking/flip-flopping
thing. A phone call to Red (and twenty minutes of her bitching about me not
calling sooner...I WAS HIKING, RED!!!), later and we were eating Calzones
somewhere. Had dinner with Red, The Kid and Outta Chocolate.
I was able to spend some valuable time with Shannon, too. I was able to give her
some guidance and direction. That is always nice. (What was the advice, Red?
"Books, not
bookings"?)

Spent that night on Red's livingroom floor... 5 years ago tonight...(hmmmm,
so...that makes Shannon about...what...18 now? )

--
Felix Navidad
ME-->GA '98
"Your Move"

***********************************************************************
Date: 12/21/2003
Subject: 5 more years ...

"For there lies the answer, in a pile of discarded cardboard boxes."

Five years ago today I hiked in to Hot Springs. On the way, I passed some
hunter-type men. They were teaching an unhunter-type kid to be a hunter-type
kid. They were chasing, yes 'chasing' a squirrel through the woods. Well, dad
and junior were. Granddad was yelling at them. The first thing I heard as I was
coming down the hill (the hill that you go down to get to the bridge over that
highway north of HS) was a bunch of shooting, then a bunch of yelling. I waited
a little while, up the hill.
The shooting stopped, and I started again. The fellers were all standing on the
Trail when I got there, 'cept for the kid-type one. I talked to them for a
while. They were okay, just not real good hunter-types. At least the kid-type
one.

Anyway, I got to town at about 11. I called my good friend Alice
Kauzlaauzlaauzlarich. I ate fajitas while I waited for her. We went and visited
Wingfoot for a while. In fact, I think she met me at Wingfoot's house.
She took me to a grocery store in a town that wasn't Hot Springs. That is where
I did one of the things I regretted most on the entire hike. (I did not regret
the thing that happened in Buena Vista. I regretted the results. Big
difference.) I was in a grocery store, and a hardware store, and a dime store. I
did not regret this part. The part that I regretted was the part that made me
say "$15 for a disposable camera? No way I'm paying $15 for a disposable
camera." When I was in the Smokys, I would have paid $115 bucks for half the
camera. I would have given my left liver for one on Thunderhead. I would give my
GED certificate for one picture of that sunset. (Were I to have my GED
certificate, I mean.)

Again, anyway...I spent a very enjoyable evening with the
Kauzlaauzlaauzlariches. (From now on: Kuazes) This is where I found out that my
dad has prostate cancer. Don't ask him about it. He won't talk about it. I also
learned two things about chickens here. Who would have thought that there were
two things I didn't know about chickens?

--
Felix Navidad
ME-->GA '98
"Your Move"
http://Felixhikes.tripod.com/

***********************************************************************