I started caving in Missouri in 1988, and I was active in MO, & AK through 1993 when I moved to Atlanta and became a TAG caver. Did survey work with CRF in AK and at Mammoth in the 1990s through about 2002. A long-distance work situation from 2003 till recently has been my excuse for being inactive. But now I'm back to Atlanta and looking forward to reconnecting with old friends, and making new ones!
Favorite trips of all times were of the 24-hour Mammoth-area survey variety, but not having been in a cave since last summer, trying that right now would kill me! I'm keen to get on some moderate type trips in the TAG area in the coming six months to get back in shape.
End of this summer I'll be moving to Massachusetts, so I'm also interested in making contacts up that direction, and learning more about what sort of caving options I'll have in the Amherst area.
Thought this poem might be fun . . .
"Farther"
The drive, meditative
Merely somewhat overlong.
But music revel liberating.
The exit sweet! Glide through,
With practiced grace, to camp.
Morning comes!
Little boy awakens
Smiling.
Friends, comrades cavers
I grin with my opulence, anticipating.
Nourishment, plans, packing,
Our mission set.
Gear
Worn beloved,
Sometimes pestering
Faithful sled dog-like
My exquisitely tuned technology.
We ride.
Shared grins,
Objective our now concentration,
Shared wonder, now a
Soothing subconscious musical litany grows,
Like mission control fastidious.
Trunks closing.
The slow buildup to cruising speed,
Nearing . . .
Pack slung
Focus intensifying . . .
Final surface strides, bliss building.
Entrance
She greets
Spirit quickens . . .
Clean, cold, Earth-damp
Heart open, eyes wide . . .
Taciturn wise teacher welcomes.
First cool touch
Awareness amplified . . .
Muscles hum, body modulated, focused . . .
Climb-in elation, praises.
Psyche & form coalescent.
Today we go farther.
10-21-02