Capstick Haters

One true joy in my life has been living out high adventure in Africa through the pen of the late Peter Capstick. Books such as Death in the Long Grass grabbed my attention and kept me turning pages. Capstick described outdoor experiences in an entertaining manner I could understand. He also gave voice to my belief that the best way to save a species from extinction was to give it value. People pay alot of money to go on safari and that money is used for conservation. I have recently read some blogs that say he stretched the truth. It always tickles me when someone who was not there wants to pretend to be an expert on what someone else did. I don't care if he took creative liscense, I enjoy his writings. One example I saw used by an arm chair expert was that Capstick over played the danger posed by Hippos. All I have to say to that is why don't you fly to Africa and pet a Hippo on the head then call me. God bless you Mr. Capstick, you are sorely missed in a time where the articles written by so called sportsmen remind me more of a P.E.T.A flyer than a hunting story. If Mr. Capstick was alive now he would be ashamed to see hunters writing apology pieces instead of extolling the virtues of a good stalk.

Good news for hikers

It seems to be set in stone now that the Cumberland Trail (a 250 mile proposed trail from Cumberland Gap to the Chattanooga Area) will be completed. This is good news for hikers who are tired of the crowds in the GSM national park. There is already several miles of this trail open and I can't wait to find time to hike the 17.3 mile smoky mountain section that is already complete. I am sure the vistas of the Powell valley will be breathtaking and the human footprints of settlement and mining will still be evident and interesting. I think the combination of the Appalacian trail and the Cumberland trail will make Tennessee a hikers destination.