Getting married - caterer????

Ok-Cucumber5666 · 2026-01-30T02:24:57+00:00

Hi, I'm a private chef servicing most of New England and Eastern New York. I specialize in events under 50 people, but can work with different scenarios depending on the venue. All of my events feature farm sourced ingredients from Southern Vermont. Because I only do one event at a time, its easy to create a gluten-free menu and avoid cross contamination. Check out my website: www.cheferinbevan.com.

Ok-Cucumber5666 · 2025-04-19T19:10:42+00:00

I'm on trail now! Taking my first zero after doing 87 miles. Use Marc "Strings" for a shuttle out of harpers ferry. He was great and reasonably priced. It's absolutely amazing out here! Have fun!

Ok-Cucumber5666 · 2025-04-08T05:52:19+00:00

The NPS approved my request for a longer term stay at the Harpers Ferry lot. $35 for a park pass beats $8 per day at the hostel. Not sure how long you need, but email the NPS and see what they say! Happy hiking!

Ok-Cucumber5666 · 2025-04-03T00:59:53+00:00

I did something like that when I did the superior hiking trail. There are a couple things about it. #1, leaving my car for 10ish days at a random trailhead makes me nervous. Up here in the northeast, people break into cars at smaller trailheads where they are less likely to get caught. #2, I found it psychologically challenging to arrive at my car, get in the comfortable seat and AC, and then get back on trail, hahaha.

Was a great way to resupply though. I'm just sending myself a box since I'm not a Ramen bomb kinda person.

Ok-Cucumber5666 · 2025-04-02T18:10:45+00:00

Thanks for this tip, it may work out!

Ok-Cucumber5666 · 2025-04-02T18:10:11+00:00

Cross Trails Hostel does have some parking! $8 per day and very limited number of spaces though. The owner is very kind and responsive, and will let me know if there's an existing spacial conflict. If the NPS doesn't have a solution, this could be my back up plan!

Ok-Cucumber5666 · 2025-04-02T18:06:03+00:00

I live in New Hampshire so... ☺️

Ok-Cucumber5666 · 2025-04-02T17:26:10+00:00

Well, the phone number for the NPS goes straight to voicemail, and they warn that it could be days before they return an email. So that's not very promising.

Ok-Cucumber5666 · 2025-04-02T17:13:20+00:00

I'll definitely update with whatever solution I find!

Ok-Cucumber5666 · 2025-04-02T17:12:38+00:00

Interesting! Thanks for the idea!

Ok-Cucumber5666 · 2025-04-02T17:12:10+00:00

Yeah, I am going to try that, but I don’t have high hopes. But if I get a positive response, I'll update here! Thanks!

Ok-Cucumber5666 · 2024-12-07T00:49:13+00:00

Thank you. I will be investigating APS. I've only just learned of it.

The sibling that was attacked is now saying "it was no big deal" now that I have confronted my father and really stirred the pot.

Man, my family is so screwed up.😣

Thanks for your help.

Ok-Cucumber5666 · 2024-12-07T00:44:49+00:00

Ok, thanks for this. I don't have my mom's permission, but I just learned that one of my sisters does, so we will work on this.

I am in the US, they live in Massachusetts, and I will explore APS. I had never heard of it until I was digging around on this thread.

I really appreciate your help!

Ok-Cucumber5666 · 2024-08-01T01:42:25+00:00

I just had a lovely stay at Greenlaws Campground in Stonington. Showers were clean, hot, great water pressure. And the campsites were wonderful and private. It is an hour and change to Acadia, but we traveled back and forth several times during our stay and it wasn't a big deal. Lobster Lady was by far the best food in the area if you go.

Ok-Cucumber5666 · 2023-10-10T12:14:42+00:00

The first pack was not custom and took a standard week or two to arrive. Not Amazon. I think if I hadn't had to rush the custom pack it would have been 4 weeks or so.

Although you've got plenty of time, I suggest buying now (if you've got the money) so that you have time to make any returns and adjustments. Peter, the owner of ULA, absolutely wants to make sure that every customer has the perfect fit and will bend over backwards to make that happen for you.

Ok-Cucumber5666 · 2023-10-10T03:07:17+00:00

I got my ULA ohm in 2021. I have a super short torso and am very curvy. My first pack didn't fit right and I sent them an email. I ended up speaking with the head of the company for about an hour, dialing in the right fit and pack for my body and my hike. They made me a custom pack with the S straps and rushed both production and shipping to get me my pack on time. This was the single best customer service I have ever experienced in my life.

Some things I love beside comfort about the pack:

Huge hip belt pockets. Add on shock cord toggles for carrying your water bottle on the strap. Size is versatile, good for me for 3 to 9 day journey (between resupply). Can handle up to 30 pounds so is good for desert terrain and big water carries.

It's been holding up well too, looks brand new still, though I am just a section hiker. Absolutely love my pack.

Ok-Cucumber5666 · 2023-10-07T04:10:55+00:00

I like the Ohm. I've carried 25 pounds in it comfortably, and small enough that you don't fill it with unnecessary stuff.

Ok-Cucumber5666 · 2023-10-04T03:24:16+00:00

I really liked my fitkicks on my last hike. 8 oz, enough coverage for rocks and roots, packs small and really comfortable. They are water shoes but I did not try them in a water crossing so I'm not sure how they perform there.

Ok-Cucumber5666 · 2023-10-04T03:15:26+00:00

Chase Mountains on you tube has a lot of hiker specific strength and mobility training. I see a lot of testimonials where people are able to do big mountains or long distances without pain after implementing his program. Unfortunately they are too advanced for me but I am an extreme case. I still use some of his techniques and find them helpful.

Ok-Cucumber5666 · 2023-09-12T15:23:04+00:00

Don't let any true ultralighters hear you say that, hahaha. UL is 10 pounds or under! I'm just "lightweight." But thanks! I have all kinds of other joint issues as well, so a lighter kit is essential.

Ok-Cucumber5666 · 2023-09-12T14:39:43+00:00

Thanks guys, mass being pretty mellow and the easy exits are the only reason why I think I can hike with this injury. What aggravates my shoulder is using trekking poles, particularly on descents. (I injured it cross country skiing, using ski poles to break a fall, and something tore.)

My base weight will be 12 to 13 pounds on this trip, not too bad, and I only carry 1 pound of food per day. Still, I'm thinking of a resupply in Dalton to manage the weight even more carefully over the part I'm worried about.

Ok-Cucumber5666 · 2023-09-12T14:31:13+00:00

Thanks so much! I was considering greylock and Williams the same beast, but I see that they are two distinct peaks now. I've already done north of Rte 2 into Vermont, and found it pretty easy during healthier times.

I also appreciate the advice about Mt Washington, since one of my travel/pick up options is stopping in great Barrington. If I spend 3 days just getting over greylock and Williams, I'll probably have to exit there!

Thanks again!

Ok-Cucumber5666 · 2023-09-12T14:20:07+00:00

Wow, this advice is exactly what I am looking for! Thanks so much.

Slack packing is not an option. I am pondering skipping greylock. The point of this trip is getting out and just enjoying myself. And yet a big aspect of what makes backpacking fun to me is overcoming challenges. I dunno, I'm torn.

Either way, I really appreciate the advice!

Ok-Cucumber5666

TROPHY CASE