I just came in from a good trail run up a local peak, a place and headspace in which most of my best thinking occurs. As I'm burning my way up the hill, I started to think about a good friend I met through BPL years ago, Michael Skwarczek, who's currently travelling in South America.

And then I thought about Adan Lopez, another person I've met through BPL who's come to be a great friend (as well as his family).

And then there's Nick Gatel, another friend I met through this site, have done some trips with and has always shown great generosity.

And Rob Vandiver, also of BPL, who I had the pleasure of sharing a trip up the Sespe and night in a palm grove with.

And Josh Billings and his son Ocean, with whom I shared a great night up in the Tableland Meadows...

And many more I've met in passing here and there, all good people.

And then there's all of those that I have corresponded with regularly or individually at some point and yet have never met in person- I look forward to doing so someday: Eugene Smith, Tom Kirchner, the Most Generous Douglas Ide, Brian Maynard, David C., Ken Thomson, the whole 2012 R2R2R running crew...

And then there are all of those that I feel like I've sort of gotten to know, though we don't really speak outside of the forums here...too many names to name- please don't be offended- but suffice to say, it's all you regular regulars.

_____________________________________________________

So when I think about all the flak that Ryan Jordan and the rest of BPL have taken over the years (and especially recent months) over what this site "should" be offering...

It doesn't matter.

There are still so many good people here that I've yet to meet, yet know that I eventually will, that I do not believe BPL has to "do" anything or "go" anywhere. Just keep doing what you do.

So to Ryan Jordan and the entire BPL staff, thank you for creating what you've created; I wouldn't know any of these people were it not for this site.



Edit...Dammit, this is reading like an Oscar speech and I know I'll regret leaving out some names tomorrow...forgive me!

Edited by xnomanx on 01/06/2012 20:08:10 MST.

I think I need to start running more.

Excellent post.

Wow, this is what I've been thinking for the last couple months ... but which Craig put so well.

I couldn't agree more, Craig!

Thanks to everyone who has made this place so enjoyable :)

Todd

Good on you, Craig! That is exactly why I am still here at BPL after all this time, even after some pretty hairy meltdowns. And whatever I may criticize in what Ryan has to say, I'm grateful for his having created this place and time. It is something I treasure everyday, and many of the people here have become real friends, both in good times and bad. If I didn't live so far away in Japan I'm sure I'd have made a lot more effort to meet many of you, go hiking with you, in person.

Thanks for that, Craig. (and you'd definitely be one of those I'd love to meet and talk with and share a joke with...)

"There are still so many good people here that I've yet to meet, yet know that I eventually will, that I do not believe BPL has to "do" anything or "go" anywhere. Just keep doing what you do."

A truly great insight! Good on ya, Craig.

Given the trend in some recent threads, this has been on my mind lately. Thanks for putting it so eloquently.

What Craig said.......+1.

Bravo!

So true for me as well. A whole list of people that have enriched my life.

You should come up for the GGG Craig. Come with Adan.

Edited by kthompson on 01/06/2012 20:54:10 MST.

Thank you for this, a welcome change of pace.

I have not been on a solo trip in quite some time because of the website!
+1 +1 +1 +1

Given that I come off as such an opinionated jerk on these forums, Im surprise anyone would want to meet me!
I have come to know so many people from here and never got to meet a single person.
The New England get togethers may change that but I will have to wait for spring!

And the Oscar goes to . . . Ryan and Staff, of course!!!

Thanks for putting words to the thoughts shared by so many, Craig.

Well said, Craig!

Very, very well said.

Tom

Preach it brother. Well said.

I hope that sometimes when Ryan is driving or hanging out or whatever that it pops in to his mind - "That's a pretty cool thing I did".

Because it is.

Edited by davidlutz on 01/07/2012 10:05:15 MST.

Nice post.

+1

while there are issues with BPL ... it is by far and away the best site for information ... the technical articles are superb

thanks for all the staff for their hardwork

word.