Introduction and thanks to Jay

Hi everyone,

I don't know if introductions of 'new members' are appropriate here, but I'll post this anyway. I just joined AB, which looks interesting and definitely worthwhile. Its great that Jay started this and is putting energy (with all the rest of you) into keeping it going.

The hiking/backpacking community is definitely a minority, even in the 'natural state'. I have yet to find any real forum to ask questions and discuss hiking and backpacking questions/issues. I hope this forum survives and thrives.

I am a rabid hiker and backpacker for over a third of a century. I grew up in Texas and used to hike a lot (and backpack) in the Caney Creek area (in the 1970's) and use to bushwhack around Cossatot falls long long before it was a park. After living and hiking all over the place (including Canada for a while), I moved to Arkansas in 2000 and have been exploring the spectacular backcountry here ever since.

My hiking is concentrated mostly in the Ouachitas (being a resident of Little Rock), but I've also bushwhacked a lot in the Leatherwood Wilderness and a bit around Richland Creek. I run a humble website called Ouachita Hiking Journal, which is just for fun. Its just a personal journal of hikes. The most interesting thing there, most likely for most people, is the photo gallery (see link at top of page). I'm also a volunteer for FoOT and maintain a 4 mile section of the Ouachita Trail in section 9 (between Hwy 9 and Hwy 10).

I have a lot of questions about places to hike/backpack, but I'll save those for later.

This sort of forum is much needed and its great to find it.

Thanks,
dismalhiker (aka "jc")

Dismalhiker,

Well you sound like a carbon copy of me! I also started in the Caney Creek area back in the 70's. In fact we might have met on the trail back then. I had a long spell of non-hiking, a pretty bad time of my life, and now am back strong. 14 months ago I had knee replacement and have been working ever since then on building up my strength.

The wife and I have taken over maintance of the Buckeye trail. We also have adopted a section of the OT. Just trying to give back to the trail for all of the fun times that I had way back then. Caney is still one of my favorite areas. Plus it is close to us, being that we are now in Dierks, I can get there in 30 mins. Any way glad to have you on the site.

Ouachita Hiker

JC,
Again, welcome to the site. And for everyone's sake, I hope you're not a carbon copy of Ouachita Hiker! (Just kiddin' Tom!)

It's been kinda slow around here since summer has been in full swing...I think we're all ready for the air to cool and the bugs to die.

Amen to that, I am so itching to go out and have some fun. I have been home all day getting ready for the clinic tomorrow, and after that, it is time to hit the trail

Welcome JC, I have really enjoyed reading your site, and hope to hike with you sometime.

Dwight

JC:
Welcome to the site. Hope to see you on here often.
UL

Who knows... maybe I did meet O.H. back in the 70's on the Buckeye trail! I have a question or two that I'll post in a minute.

Thanks to everyone for the welcome.

-jc (aka John Carroll, aka dismalhiker)