This could be the year of the FNG

Here I go again, writing on the blog for those that don't read...lol...kiss my ass. I have been in touch iwth Ducky and the General in the last few days and have learned a little about how this year's trip is shaping up. The returning River Runners are going to be the General, Ducky, Digger and myself (of course). I guess the Mule and Mini-Hulk are not going to be in the mix this year. They have some matters to attend to this spring that can't be let up on until it is finished. They are going to be missed, especially the Mule when we have to haul the shit up the Fucking Hill at the Doons. Nevertheless, we hope to see them back next year for trip Seventeen. I didn't include Em in the list because with her work schedule, it is hard to say if she is going to be able to get the time off for the trip. I hope she is able to get the days off because we are going to need all the experience we can get on the trip, especially if we have the water level that I'm guessing, which in all truth may be better for the FNG's because the Bigfork is a lot easier to navigate when she is up.

This brings me to the point I was attempting to make with the title, the Year of the Rookie. The General said that The Rev is out which also means Doc isn't going to make it either. This is shitty because I was begining to like Doc. He was a good man to have around and didn't mind getting himself a little dirty, plus he hauled firewood like a sonofabitch. However, some old faces may be entering back into the mix, Brother John and his song Michael, whom is going to need a nickname if he wants to go on this trip. John has made three trips, maybe four I'm not for sure. He did make the first two, I know that and then one after that for sure, but the fourth is a little hazy. Michael has made two trips before, I think anyway, but never three, so he kind of knows the routine, however, he is going to have to pay his dues, but not Brother John. He will have the Grandfather Rule enacted...even though he isn't a grandpa yet, I don't think...anyway to the point, he was one of the original River Runners and he will be the oldest on the trip, this will automatically exempt him from a good portion of the work. Fuck now that I think about it he may almost be fifty, shit cause I know the General is 47 and Brother John is older by a few years. Oh how the time flys. When I spoke with Ducky and found out the Mule and Mini-Hulk were out this year she also said she may have and FNG for the trip. One of her friends from work has express interest in coming on the trip and maybe her husband if he can get the time off work. Her friend also has to secure the time off, but from the way Ducky is talking it looks to be a major possibility. The last time I spoke with Digger she said that her hunny, Mark, at least I think that is his name, has yet to get it off and may not, however, she said not to count him out just yet. If that is the case then it will be down to seven people. I have not forgotten about Shawn this year, he is going to try to become one of the regular River Runners, but in order to do that you have to go on more than one trip. Two cosecutivley or a total of three works in my book. I'm trying to think of anyone else that could go on this trip, because the more we have more fun we have on the trip. I was hoping to have at least ten so we could have five canoes in the party, that makes for one hell-of-a-barge when tied together and floating down the river. If all that say they want to come though, and make it, we may have as many as eleven this year, which may mean someone might get to take the kayak for a cruse this year...how fucking sweet is that. We would have Em and myself, Ducky and Shawn, Brother John and Michael, Digger and Mark, Spitfire (Ducky's friend) and her hubby, last but not least, the General. Man that would be a kickass crew for the year, but like I said earlier, a lot of those people are not a for sure if at all except for the main five...that includes Shawn. Ok people, it is getting late and I'm dog tired. Have been doing a lot of writing latley, it is the only way I'm going to get good enough to do something with this newfound passion. Still, I'm loving this site and plan on keeping the log going until I can no longer canoe or type...by then I should have a shit-load of entries...many, many, many moons from now. The long and short of it that planning needs to begin so we can figure in all that needs to go into the planning for we don't like to do this trip halfway, it is balls to the wall or nothing. I just can't wait to get onto the river and enjoy some peace and adrenalin pumping in my veins. Pray the river stays up and so do our canoes...lol...and say a special one for the FNG's because if we get the white water, they may need to get some new shorts. Untl next time I will remain...Crazy Joe.