Saturday, April 22, 2006

PCT Updates

Hmmm, how do I update y'all about my PCT trek while I'm on the trail?

I have a couple of options I'm toying with.

1) I could keep my journal and pics over on www.trailjournals.com.

2) I could use this here Blogspot.

3) Or I could keep the journals and pics on my website over at www.HeatherStars.com


Option 1 and 2 would require me to hunt out a computer when I'm in town, and transcribe my handwritten journals on the spot. No idea how I'd do pictures with that system.

Option 3 requires me to bounce my laptop to various towns along the trail, so I can access my web building software, and have a handy repository for all of the pictures I'll be taking.

Another option would be to say heck with updating, and just drop off the face of the internet for the next 5 months and do all of the transcribing when I get back. Wherever "back" is.

I'm starting to experience blogger burnout. I've been writing about various aspects of my life and putting it on the web for years now. I could use a break and get back into writing by hand, on paper, for my own enjoyment only. It would also be nice to land in town and just experience town...not worry about updating.

We'll see. I still need to figure out how I'm going to save my pictures. Right now all I have is a 128k memory card, which has space for about 3 days of normal picture taking.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

maybe you can download a journaling software - like a free one that can be updated easily over the web and link it to your website.

if your laptop is lightweight enough you could put your pics there and journal - even if not by hand. it would be up to you if you wanted to upload it or not...with the option of still dropping out for 5 months and just hit the update button 5 months later IF you feel like it. if not, your journal is still on your computer and you would need less flash cards for camera.

Heather said...

Thing is, bouncing the laptop along the trail via the postal service is expensive and could kill my laptop. And do I really want to spend my time in town on my computer, instead of relaxing with fellow hikers and doing town stuff?

I wouldn't even consider backpacking with my laptop...too frickin' heavy! It was fine on a bike, where I could hardly feel the weight. But backpacking? No thanks. :-)

Anonymous said...

LOL - i didn't know if it was lightweight or not - that is why i asked. i have one that is very lightweight.

i would say do not haul it then - store it.

didn't you used to have pocketmail? if so, that would work too. you could just save those mails as a journal or send them for update to the blog.

found this too - http://www.walkingwired.com/wwindex.html

Heather said...

I used to have Pocketmail, but no longer have the device. That would be my first choice for updating! Most long distance hikers who keep up online journals use pocketmail.

Anonymous said...

I transcribed a trail journal for another pct hiker a few years ago, and would be happy to do it again if you're interested. She kept a handwritten journal on a legal pad and mailed me envelopes stuffed with journal pages every time she came to town. I typed 'em up and posted updates to trailjournals a day or two at a time. The delay in mailing and typing and posting did mean that they were not as current as they could have been, but that also meant that she wasn't telling everyone on the web exactly where she was by the moment either, not a bad thing when you are out there alone.

Anonymous said...

Try something different, don't worry about posting for 5 months. Less to worry about and then you can make up your mind when you get back whether you want to post your handwritten journals. Immerse yourself in the experience of the PCT!

PipeTobacco said...

Heather:

I would be very sad to see your writings disappear for 5 months. I hope that you find some option that will allow you to post more frequently.

However, I am sure whatever option you choose, it will be a good one. Please do not forget those of us who get to experience adventure vicariously through your writings.

PipeTobacco

admin said...

I agree - drop out of the grips of technology for five months...or however long it takes.

Too many of us have lives tethered by modern tools like computers.

Maybe check in every few weeks or so to let everyone know of your progress and safety?

I'll be looking forward to reading the whole story when you're done.

p.s. We want you to stop by and hang out in Portland for a bit when you reach the NW Oregon/Mt Hood area!

tinyyellowteardrop said...

I would really miss your posts. Keep us cubical bunnies involved in your fun life!

Jon Konrath said...

Bring a paper journal, a camera, and a couple of memory cards. Take pictures of the trail, write on paper, and then take pictures of what you write. Then occasionally send the cards back to someone to post/transcribe.

Anonymous said...

Forget about your blog! Forget about posting... maybe if we all had nothing so exciting to read, we'd get off our collective duffs and find some adventure of our own! And always remember, ultimately, no matter how many truly wonderful, nice people you meet, no one is looking out for you more than YOU. This trip is about YOU, not us. Yes, we will all look forward to the moment you pop back online, but really, is it in YOUR best interests to keep us informed? Enjoy yourself, be guilt-free, be safe.