may 20, 1989 - Tommy Parsons' Personal Audio Log Tape 1

Description:

ENTRY ONE
"Alright, is this thing actually on, because I can't see... Oh there it is. Hello! My name's Tommy Parsons and I just got started on a four-day... uh, backpacking trip on the Pinewood Trail to help me process and work through things before heading out... to college in the fall. I'm recording this because I want to have someone help me uh... remember my experiences I'll have on this trip, and allow me to vent about some things if need be. I set out on the Pinewood Trail from the Scyamore Knob trailhead roughly... uh, 10 minutes ago, and I uh... plan to finish my trip in Deerhorn City, where my folks will pick me up around the Deerhorn Community Park the trail runs through. I'll make a new entry anytime I need some thoughts to share or uh... to document anything interesting that happens. Until then I'll leave this here for now."

ENTRY TWO
"Back again. Not much has happened since the last entry I made half an hour ago. To be honest; the forest is as thick as ever, and the trail has gotten slightly steeper since then. I am looking forward to the nicer views and such further down, however. There's quite a few other people out hiking on the trail as I speak; it's a wonderful morning out, and the forecast said it's going to get quite warm in the afternoon, so I don't blame them for wanting to get out earlier rather than later. Although I'd like to be by myself when walking in nature normally, it's nice to know other people like to be out here and getting away from the monotony of life and taking in fresh air. Wish there were more people like that out there, you know? Anyway, got to leave this here for now. Got a particularly steep part of the trail coming up... almost a climb, really, uh... and don't want to be recording during that time, lest I drop this recorder on a rock and bust the thing. Will check back in here soon."

ENTRY THREE
"It's about 1 pm now, and I've stopped for lunch near a small pond off to the side of the trail. Figured I would make an entry while I eat and relax... a spell before heading back onto the trail. By my measure, I am currently on pace to arrive in Deerhorn City on the 25th, since the nearby pond was uh... on the trail map that I used to plan this trip, and thought I would arrive here in the early afternoon, given the distance from Scyamore Knob and my usual walking pace. Honestly, if this trail was as smooth as what I've been on thus far, I'd probably get to Deerhorn City on the 24th, but the rougher parts of it will add more time to the whole thing. It's crazy how nuture is more complicated than we typically give it credit for. For instance, I've been watching this flock of nearby geese, and it's really cool to see how structured and organized they actually are. They always have two geese stand on watch for any threats that may come for them; I've seen how they can go after people that would wander too close, and its pretty terrifying -- [CHUCKLE] -- I have to admit. Anyways, I'm going to finish up lunch and uh... rest up for a few minutes before I head back out. I'll leave this entry here, but will be sure to update things when something interesting happens."

ENTRY FOUR
"Fairly quick entry here, but I wanted to make note of a somewhat nice view I had encountered a few minutes ago. Wasn't much, but it was a nice scene view of the river that's running by the trail with the mountains off in the distance. Also identified what might be Overlook Peak in the far distance... Uh, I'll be passing though on the descent down into Deerhorn City. You can actually get a very clear view of the city right before you descend down into it, so that's something I'm looking forward to. I'll check in again at dinner time, but got to start back on the trail again now."

ENTRY FIVE
"I just finished setting up camp on the outskirts of a large clearing underneath some of the surrounding trees, and am in the process of cooking dinner right now. Figured I'd make an entry while a wait, you know? First off, wanted to say I made good progress today. My goal for today was the Evaston Campsite, which is located pretty close to where I've actually set up camp. I didn't set up the campsite itself though due to some obnoxious teens/college people partying over in the area. Jeez, it's almost like the high school drama [shit] never actually stopped after we graduated. Anyway though, I should be able to make it to Deerhorn City by the middle of the fourth day if things continue to go well. I don't anticipate being back on here until tomorrow morning, but I'll be sure to record any thoughts of mine that need to be memorialized. Until next time."

Added to timeline:

Date:

YouTube: