A Hunter of Stories

This evening, I decided to play around a bit and create one possible version of a ship’s plaque from the Klingon faction and created the above.

My hope was to give it enough differences to make it stand out differently that that of the Federation.

Of course I could have written in Klingon but no one would have understood it!

Heading South

Both from Brooklyn, N.Y., Reid Sewell and James Shultis walk away from the Rockfish Gap Tourist Information Center after rattling the front door and finding the establishment locked.

Of course, this is Monday, July 5, with many businesses observing the holiday from the day before.

The pair had hoped to find someone that could help them in their quest to find where the Appalachian Trail connects with the Blue Ridge Parkway atop Afton Mountain.

“We’re hiking south towards Iron Mountain,” explains Sewell.

Located in North Carolina near the Tennessee border, the hikers talk about their plans to hike around 400 miles.

Of course, there is a goal at the end of the planned trek.

“My parents live down there,” Sewell continues.

“It’ll take us about two and a half weeks or so,” says Shultis, “with us hiking several miles each day.”

Sewell wears a t-shirt and shorts while Shultis is dressed in a tank-top with shirts.

Both wear where comfortable shoes suited to the journey.

Considering the heat, how will the pair remain cool and hydrated?

“Lot’s of water and hope,” says Sewell.

As a pre-school and kindergarten teacher, Sewell has the summers off.

Meanwhile, Shultis recently graduated from Queens College.

With both having the necessary time available, joining forces and tackling the trek together seems only natural.

To begin the trek, the pair left New York that morning. They traveled by bus and arrived in Charlottesville.

“We went to a wedding near here last week where we met a bartender who said he would pick us up from the bus stop and give us a ride to up here,” says Shultis.

The search for the trail’s access point takes time, but eventually the pair find what they seek.

With both now walking at a steady pace, Sewell looks toward Shultis and smiles.

One after the other, the hikers slip over the railing beside the road and disappear along the trail walking south.

— Mike Tripp, photojournalist

Published in The News Leader on Monday, July 19, 2010.

David Sault of Central United Methodist Church entertains children and parents waiting to participate in the Children’s Parade at America’s Birthday Celebration by playing songs on his accordion on Saturday, July 3, 2010. (Quick Clip by Mike Tripp/The News Leader)

“Mega Smiley” Denied!

“Mega Smiley” is one smiley that is currently denied for me as although I have searched and searched … it was nowhere that I could find it.

Finding ground zero was easy as there definitely is a large smiley at the spot to be found but unfortunately it is not the one that gets you credit for finding the geocache.

On two different days and occasions, I searched the location with an extensive and long search performed on the second day.

I followed every geocaching trail I thought I could see as well as sifted through all the tall grass as well as searched the strands of lights around the palm trees to see if a micro might be woven in and well camouflaged somehow.

So diligent was my search that I walked away with scratches on both arms as one of the short palm like plants to the rear of ground zero was disagreeable with the search efforts.

Knowing I had family waiting for me to return as well as fearing I would be holding them up, I finally left location and decided it must be lost and gone.

Disappointment rose in me later as when I checked after having returned to our home in the valley, I learned others had found that which I could not.

Frustration and disappointment abound as I heave a heavy sigh, wonder at how out of practice I am as well as when my almost 3-year-old will be old enough to let (and even help) me search more depth, enjoyment and easy.

I find I miss the days of old when there were fewer demands on my time … time that currently (even on vacation) hovers only slightly above zero.

— Mike Tripp / Hunter of Stories

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“Adventures of the Pathfinder” follows the adventures of “The-Pathfinders” (aka. Order of the Pathfinder, Klingon faction among the Ships of the Cache) of which Mike Tripp is a part as they explore the world with an adventurous spirit and a lot of fun.

The Norwegian Lady

As a person who loves photography, history and a good story, I loved seeking out and seeing the “Norwegian Lady.”

Having just left a neighboring arcade, our small team found her standing as she was described facing out towards the sea.

The inscription on a plaque at the site of the statue reads:

“THE PEOPLE OF MOSS, NORWAY, HAVE SENT ME TO COMMEMORATE NORWEGIAN AND AMERCAN SEAMEN WHO PERISHED TOGETHER WHEN THE NORWEGIAN BARK “DICTATOR” OF MOSS WAS WRECKED OFF THESE SHORES ON MARCH 27TH, 1891.”

The added bonus of finding this was seeing the wonderful sculptures at her back that existed as part of Naval Aviation Monument Park.

— Mike Tripp / Hunter of Stories

- – - – - – - – - – - – -

“Adventures of the Pathfinder” follows the adventures of “The-Pathfinders” (aka. Order of the Pathfinder, Klingon faction among the Ships of the Cache) of which Mike Tripp is a part as they explore the world with an adventurous spirit and a lot of fun.