IRB Blog Post 12

I feel that Bryson and Katz felt changed at the end of the book because they realized the scale of their accomplishment. Not too many people could even think of getting as far as they did. They're will definitely be some people who said that they cheated by hitch hiking or staying in a motel, but I dont care. What they did was mighty impressive, and when someone accomplishes something major like this, it has an impact on their lives.

IRB Blog Post 11

Katz Here

So, we're finally done with this AT stuff. I'm less excited than I thought I be. I feel...changed somehow. As if I still want to be on the trail, even though I complained the whole way through. I feel accomplished, and I feel like a better person for having done this with Bryson. Maybe i'll see him again, and we could go hiking. For now though, it's back to scenic Des Moines.

IRB Blog Post 10

Bill here!

The hundred mile wilderness has done us in, we're headed home. But I wont say that we gave up. We're not mountain men, and I think the distance we traveled on the AT was incredible for men of our shape and age. I've experienced so much, done so many things, met so many different kinds of people. I honestly do feel like a changed man, and, between you and me journal, I think Katz has changed for the better too. All in all, I have this to say: "We didn't walk 2,200 miles, it's true, but here's the thing: we tried. So Katz was right after all, and I dont care what anybody says. We hiked the Appalachian Trail."

IRB Post 9

The location where Bryson and Katz had gotten separated is the 100 mile wilderness, part of Maine's Appalachian Trail. While not going through this portion of the trail, I did hike a significant part of the AT in Maine, Mount Katahdin. What an experience, no matter whether you start or finish the trail there, you're in for a difficult time. It is the highest point in Maine, and one of the most challenging things I've done in my life. The hike is excruciating and exhausting, and just when you think you might be making progress, you find that you've only done a third. The knife edge is scary beyond belief, because you teeter on the edge of the mountain, risking you life. It's all worth it though, because the feeling you get to the top is unexplainable and amazing. Through this experienced, I really was able to connect to how Bryson and Katz felt whenever the achieved somthing great.

IRB Post 8

Bryson here! I've found him! I've finally found Katz. He looked a little roughed up when I found him, but he's ok. He's also extremely lucky though, he could have died! It's so easy to get lost on the AT, especially in Maine! Just look at all these stories of campers and hikers who have lost their way, prompting searches! http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/index.ssf/2009/05/searchers_find_missing_appalac.html http://www2.newsadvance.com/news/2009/may/04/rescued_appalachian_trail_hiker_says_he_never_pani-ar-222520/

I guess I shouldn't be reprimanding him though. I'm just happy he's alive.

IRB Post 7

Katz here, and what a freaking time I've had. I got separated from Bryson for at least 10 hours. We've been reunited now, but what a nightmare! When Bryson didn't return for quite some time after scouting ahead, I got really thirsty! I saw a lake in the distance, and it didn't look to far, so I stepped off the trail to find it. Big mistake. Like I told Bryson "I hadn't gone half a mile before i was totally lost. I mean totally lost." During that time i got several cuts and bruises. By the grace of God I found the trail again, and even more amazing, Bryson. It just shows how careful you need to be in the woods, because it is really deceiving

RAFT 1

(Chilean Couple Self-Reflective Poem on Lessons Learned)

My Right To Choose

Solemnly beside me she sits
She is the only one left
But at least she's by my side
Her face, tear stained
Shes been crying
Crying for her sons, whom we left behind
Crying for her food, of which there is little left
Crying for a job, to find which we plod on
Crying for her rights, of which she has few
Crying in anguish, because she challenged the man
And if you were to ask her of the lessons she's learned
Along this cracked and broken road of life
She would give you the same response as I:

My Right to Choose is worth dieing for

IRB Blog Post 6

(My thoughts on "being one with the wilderness")

Every so often, you hear a story about some foolhardy person who has had enough of the "establishment" and wants to "find nature." Now don't get me wrong, I feel that this is absolutely admirable goal. Getting more in touch with nature is something I feel all of us should do a little more of. However, this does not constitute doing something extreme. Take Bill Bryson and his AT trip. It was one of the first hikes he had gone on! He even admits he was in no way prepared. The very least he could have done was prepare and practice more. Better yet, I feel that he could have found a much better way to get "in touch" with nature than risking his life! Maybe gardening? Below is a link to a story about the risks and costs of unprepared hiking.

http://www.tripleblaze.com/blog/2008/11/21/unprepared-for-hiking-trip-you-could-get-the-bill-for-a-rescue/

IRB Blog Post 5

(From the perspective of Stephen Katz)

Ha! Maybe Bryson isn't a complete moron after all. Today, after staring at a map for what must've been an hour at the least, he came to the conclusion that "perhaps we shouldn't do the whole thing on foot." It took him this long to realize? We aren't mountain men! It's just a fact! I'm writing this down because I think this teaches some important lesson or something. I'm not so good at wording this sorta thing, but here it goes: "Don't set your goals too high, or they may become unreachable." Bryson read this and said that I should take a picture to the remember this lesson by, so I took a picture of the taxi. It also gives me something to rub in his face later.

IRB Blog Post 4

(From the perspective of Bill Bryson)

Today we left The Great Smokies, but not quite in the way that you'd expect. Let me explain. Today we looked at a map encompassing the entire Appalachian Trail (henceforth referred to as the AT), and we realized we haven't really done all that much. With great guilt, but admittedly a little pleasure, we realized we couldn't do the entire trail, "and just like that we found ourselves heading for Roanoke and the sweet green hills of old Virginny." I include this quote from my journal because it serves as a reminder of the important decisions I made along the way.

IRP Blog Post 3

Bears, A Symbol

Bill Bryson, in his journey through the book, he often brings up the dangous nature and the fear that he will be attacked by a bear. While bears are undoubtedly dangerous, as a reader I feel that they represent something more. They represent the trepidation and innate fear that bill has about being in the wilderness. It also represents his conflict. He is trying to get over the way he lived and be a bit more in tune with nature, and bears are trying to stop him.

IRP Blog Post 2

A View from the Smokies

The Great Smoky Mountains

This is a mountain range between Tennessee and North Carolina. It is extremely well known for its plant and animal life, containing more different types of trees in just its area than all of Europe. Two things of a particular note are its salamanders and its fog. The area gets a lot of fog due to its elevation and climate, and it is one of the reasons the range is called the Great Smokies. It also has the most diverse salamander population outside of the tropics.

IRP Blog Post 1

A definite theme of the novel is wildlife and nature conservation. Bill Bryson is constantly using facts and figures to show just how little is being done, and humor to show how ludicrous it is. "The National Park Service actually as something of a tradition of making things extinct. Bryce Canyon National Park...founded in 1923, and in less than half a century under the Park Services stewardship lost seven species of mammal." I include this quote because I believe it shows how little is really being done to protect our wildlife. The supposed 'solution' is actually the cause, and I feel that this is an absolute outrage, and that more must be done to remedy this problem.

IRB MP 3 Post 1

A walk in the woods

Bill Bryson

IRB Round 4, Post 3

http://healthland.time.com/2011/01/05/4-ways-americans-are-healthier-already/

Americans are being healthy

This article really surprised me. I always had the stereotypical image of American unhealthiness, but according to this quick snippet that trend is reversing. Americans are going to the gym more, eating healthier, more organic food, and keeping further and further away from cigarettes. What about you? Does this surprise you?

IRB Round 4 Post 2 (Lens)

http://lens.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/27/here-are-the-snows-of-yesteryear/

The Snows of Yesteryear

I thought this was a really interesting collection of photos. I'm a really big fan of snow, something about it really touches my soul. The images in this collection did the same thing. It showed all the feelings that snow could ever bring, and the impact snow has had on history. It also had some humorous elements to it! What do you think?

IRB Round 4 Post 1 (Engadget)

http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/06/visteon-puts-an-ipad-in-a-car-dashboard-we-go-hands-on-video/

Visteon puts an iPad in a car.

When i first looked at and read this article, i thought it was a really cool idea. Being able to control seats, the radio, music, and other things all wirelessly from a simple to use touch device was a fantastic innovation. Then i thought about it. Then i thought about me driving with one in the car. Then i realized it was a horrible idea. I feel that implementing devices like these in a car would ultimately prove to be too much of a distraction, increasing the amount of car related injuries. What are your thoughts?