Jenny,
Good Morning from Missouri. Caught up with Ray in Golden City, MO.

As an unofficial Missouri Ambassador I immediately apologized for lack of shoulders, rolling hills, and HOT humid weather.

Had a wonderful breakfast (brunch?) with Ray at a small cafe. I found Ray to be very engaging, thoughtful and full of passion. We talked Missouri/Arkansas wildlife (snakes), ticks, my work, and his trip. In just a short time I learned some important life lessons. He truly is a special person and the fact he signs his name in the register at the cafe "Plain-Ol'-Ray" couldn't be further from the truth.

Thanks for letting him take this trip, and thanks Ray for taking time to talk.

For Ray: If you don't have a copy of the original PCT book, let me know and I will be happy to send my copy to you, along with some basswood.

Curt

Finished my AT thru-hike August 12th. It was a pleasure carrying my homemade "ray-way" pack, thank you both for being constant inspirations, good luck on your trans-america "thru-bike"! Hopefully we cross paths sometime in the future. -Riverdog

The Guestbook is closed while I'm on my trip. You can post, but I won't read anything until I get back.

Hi, I am a Norwegian hobby-knifemaker who have ordered a couple of your knife kits, planning to order more in the near future! Very pleased with them! I wondered if it is possible to order only predrilled handle woods in order to use my home made blades with them? Thanks for a great site and great kits

I ordered a shipment last week and recieved it promptly, thank you. I spent $198.00 and thought I was supposed to recieve a video for orders totaling over $150.00 but did not see it in the shipment. Can you let me know what we could do? I don't want to ship it seperately but maybe we could include it in my next shipment even if it's a smaller amount? I need a little time to do the projects I just ordered first though. Let me know. Thanks, Fred

wow! Thank you for the super quick postage! We were in Moscow last week(Friday)on vacation and ordered your new video......it arrived in our home in Ireland this morning (Tuesday)...now that is seriously quick!!We are very much enjoying following Ray on his NFT and are very envious.Ye are both an inspiration to us and we are hiking our own hike following a 2 week trip to Russia and the Ukraine.Stay well and be safe.Many thanks.

Ray and Jenny,
I picked up Trail Life a year ago. Have read it thru at least twice and jumped here and there collectively the same as reading it 2 or 3 more times. I really enjoy reading about your adventures on your websites. Now that Ray is posting daily oh his bike adventure, I can bet many of us are enjoying the live feed almost like we are there with him.

Thanks so much,
Ross from Missouri

Ray and Jenny,

I got my recent order and really enjoyed watching Ray describe how he uses his high mileage AT gear in the new DVD. It was loaded with great tips on how to use the gear to its upmost effectiveness.

I really like the new moniker "Plain Ole Ray" It reminds me of a beloved pair of sneakers or pair of jeans that fit just right, you can't do without, and are lifelong friends!

I can't wait to get to use my sleeping pad kit and start on my new pack.

All the Best,
Rich

Thank you Ray and Jenny for the AT 2010 Video. My wife and I were watching it and she said that you reminded her of someone she knows...me. Everything has a place, and organization is really the key to being efficient. The video is a real gem. Hopefully one day our paths will cross. Thanks again, Steven

Ray,

Congratulations on the completion of your 2010 thru-hike. You look absolutely great and totally fit.

I will be ordering this DVD and can't wait to find out what lessons you have to share from this year's experience.

Bravo, Bravo, Bravo!
Rich

Amazing! I ordered the AT DVD Friday and got it Monday. Where was this video 10 years ago :). I learned alot watching the video and the book and your trip posts mean so much more now. What a simple way to put up tarp. Quick question, is the reason for the beak on one side of your tarp a different color so that you know which side is opening for the spitfire?

PS. Qudos to the camera operator

Hi Ray and Jenny,

Thanks for the speed with which you filled my fairly extensive order-- I was shocked how quickly it arrived! I'm excited to get started.

A question:
I ordered the quilt kit with the Alpine Upgrade. In seeing the size of the package, and in considering my primary use for the quilt at this time-- warmer mid western climes with temps rarely bleow 50 at night-- I'm considering using only one of the .9" layers of insulation, and relying on clothes and the body heat of my partner to compensate. Before I do so, is there any compelling reason this would be a bad idea?

Thanks so much for everything, particularly for making my wife and I aware of the coporate gear paradigm, while at the same time providing us with resources that allow us to steer clear of the current commercialized 'minimalist' trend, most of which appears as little more than Ray-Way ripoffs (minus some really important ideas, particularly in the tarp and quilt realm) with not even a nod of recognition in your direction. This sort of thing makes me want to apologize for the way so many of our species think and act. I hope you continue to provide materials, information, and inspiration years to come!

Just wanted to say Thank You Ray and Jenny. Look forward to some quite time in the Maine woods, if only on video for now. Congrats on your successes. ; )

I'm building the backpack with the waist belt. My question is how different is the shape of the pack with the beltand without, where is it different. Thank you,
Charles

Hi Ray,

Finally following up on your request for me to sign your guestbook. I met you just before Dragon's tooth, and we spent several hours hiking together. I later saw you while driving with my girlfriend down the Blue Ridge Parkway! I wound up having to take a temporary hiatus while rejoining the military, but will be finishing the last 422 from July 25th-August 10th (with a sub ten lb pack :). Hope you are well - happy trails!

Chris (Knee-deep)
hikeforsudan.org

I purchased your quilt kit on Friday afternoon with priority shipping. Priority shipping is an understatement, it arrived Monday morning!

I do have a question. I don't understand the reason for putting the bottom zipper on with the coil facing "down" (away form the other half of the zipper). It seems like it will just make it harder to zip?!?

Great instructions though.

Hello Ray & Jenny,

Many thanks for your kind attention and congratulations on your recent fun trip,it is inspirational to us reading it on the other side of the world!

I met you folks at the courthouse in bonners ferry, idaho when you were on your hike thru idaho, north to south. You even mentioned me in your book, the Tarp Book. Please reprint. I have never been in a book before and it cost $200 on e-bay. You should make that money not speculators. your fan, vicki d.

Dear Ray and Jenny,
I have been looking for a way to say THANK YOU for sharing the detailed info in your UL Backpacking book. I've been turning to it again and again all winter. As I hike, or buy gear (and I just made the Hiker's Friend water filter) little bits of advice from Ray filters through my brain. It's been great learning from you!

Congratulations on another thru-hike of the AT Ray!
My spring thru-hike of the Arizona Trail was successful too.

The photo reminded me of the way you sometimes describe the 'character' of the landscape. Like when you write about a favorite tree on the PCT on page nine in TL. This also reminds me of when you taught us at the CC's how to safely travel cross-country by creating a story using the features around you.

It's really cool that the tick problem on the AT has led you to design new shells. They sound like they're going to be exactly what a lot of people have been searching looking for, unsuccessfully, myself included, and they're not pre-treated with Permethrin.

All Best Wishes,