A Thank You to the VFTT Community

I know Darren gets the thanks for providing the site, and he and Peakbagr for keeping it a useful forum for the hiking community but this is a thank you to all the other participants that make it such a valuable resource.

I have participated in this forum for many years and have always valued the wealth of information that is shared here that enriches the hiking experience. It may be the trail conditions (which through the eyes of two different people on the same day can be very different in perspective) that aid in planning or the trip reports which give one abundant ideas for hikes or just hiking vicariously through the words and pictures others have shared. The ebb and flow of topics and the interesting turns they take. The almost instantaneous responses to questions asked and knowledge shared on such diverse topics (sometimes behind the scenes through PM’s or email). The safety tips, the contribution on history, landscape, flora and fauna. The humble admissions of fears people have or have had and acknowledgement of mistakes that have been made and learning from them. The thread that make you laugh, or shake your head, or make you cry. The opportunity to meet and hike with others and share beyond the computer screen.

I could go on and on but I’m sure others have their reasons for returning again and again to VFTT. I know that hiking to me has gone to a much higher level as my knowledge and appreciation for the outdoors has steadily grown through the information I have gained from those willing to share.

For this I thank you all!!

Beautifully stated..........Im a newbie here for sure, but post on other boards too, what keeps my coming back to the boards I frequent is the sense of "community" and otheres helping others....

VFTT KEEP UP THE STELLAR WORK.....

M

A nice thread by a valuable member of our community.

Thanks,
PB

Absolutely agree Carole !!!!

sli74

Very well said!

Carole, my only complaint about your post is that you said it all!!!

Oh, and you're one of the people who contribute most valuably. Thanks.

Very classy and well said, Carole. Though I'm relatively new to the site, I've always valued your input and resourcefulness. A refreshing thread, to be sure!

I couldn't agree more! Thanks one and all for making VFTT what it is!! Truly, this is the best resource out there for finding the information you need for your trips and people crazy enough to join you! We'd make a great case study for someone!

Good stuff from one of our best and brightest. Someday I hope to meet you in the hills. Until then, carry on.

Steve

AMEN!!

...and we get to meet people like you, Carole. Have you stopped to count the years?? It's scary. Excellent thread, as usual -- well stated.

Ummmmmmm, you know what I think................... this whole thread is "off-topic" and should be "nuked" without delay.

You know I'm kidding. Carole, thanks for stating what we all feel in our hearts but sometimes forget. This site, and in particular you people who come here and share your wisdom freely with the rest of us/. You have taught so many of us how to responsibly enjoy our treasured backcountry peaks and valleys.

Salute, and I personally extend my thanks to the group as well. Well done Carole

very well said!! You expressed so well what many of us feel but don't express. we are grateful.... thanks!!

Agreed! Every now and then we definitely have to look left, look right, look back at the monitor, and remember that without everyone else this place would be just another dirty internet site.

Kudos to everyone for coming together in this great community!

mavs00 said:

....This site, and in particular you people who come here.....

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You People??? YOU PEOPLE????

Whaddya trying to say Tim?????

Seriously, this website community has kept me sane, happy and feeling like I belong to a special group for a long, long time. I have only been to a couple of events so far, but I am hoping to get to many more in the near future.

OK Group hug (if you can picture Norm & Cliffee hugging) .... Now how 'bout those yankees, er... Sox! (almost forgot where I was)

MichaelJ said:

Agreed! Every now and then we definitely have to look left, look right, look back at the monitor, and remember that without everyone else this place would be just another dirty internet site.

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When I first heard of this site on Lexicomm, I did for a minute think it was a porn site with a camera mounted from a bedroom ceiling.....

Thankfully, the only views I've seen from here are the true VFTTs, Rick!

Thanks for posting this, Carole. I've said similar things in trip reports, but never thought to take the time to thank my fellow VFTT'ers for all of the support and information over the years. I don't think I would have been as comfortable solo-ing with out VFTT. Plus, y'all never laughed at me (at least out loud), when I did stupid things and then was stupid enough to admit to them!!!!

So, Ill add my thanks to all that have shared information that has helped me along the way. Much appreciated! I don't think that I would have ventured as far as I did without you all! It's been quite the adventure. May it continue....

Nicely said, Carole. I completely agree, I'm here to learn (and I do), and to share. I'd put you high on my the list of teachers, since your input about flora has been very helpful to me.

Many people here bring goods to the table. Keith and Sardog bring first aid/rescue advise; Dave Metsky always knows something about campsites, roads, bridges, WMNF policy, and more. Waumbek contributes knowledge about fauna and weather wisdom, and local relevant stories. Arghman and Artex bring alot about the flora. I could go on but I don't want to leave anyone out, so thanks much to everyone who contributes here, and of corse, thanks very much to Darren and Peakbagr.

Happy Trails to everyone!

I'll add my Amen to the above--it's nice to have a site where things generally stay on topic and conversations are respectful and pleasant! Looking forward to meeting more of you next week at the BBQ...

I agree with all the above, Carole, beautiful summary. But, sounds like something one writes upon retirement, departure, or whatever. For example, many of us already miss Kevin and Brutus Rooney (yeah, I know, Brutus did not actually write messages to VFTT) now that they have moved to California. But, you are not leaving us, are you?

Yep, I'd also like to say thanks. I've been hiking the Whites for about 4 years now ever since I moved up to NH from RI. At first my father-in-law got me into it and I followed his lead. Then after a year, I had all the maps and books to gain more knowledge. Now I'm almost halfway to my 48 and am new to this site and have already been using the resources on here whether it is posting questions in real time or doing a search of old threads and reading back about a summit or trail. This is an excellent resource to go along with everything else and I'd like to thank everyone for throwing their expertise, experience and pictures out here to share. It does a good job in getting me excited to get out for my next hike.