Dogs RSVPing faster than people

While is is true that a lot of people have already RSVP'd, dogs have recently been RSVPing at a ratio of like 3 to 1. They can't even type and somehow they are getting involved faster than people right now. Not that there should ever be a competition between species, but it is a bit embarrassing. Plus, I don't know if I should remind you of that "Planet of the Apes" movie. I'm just saying... Anyway, it would be great if people could at least try to keep up with our canine friends. Happy trails, Bill

Switching gears

Thank you everyone for being so patient as we got the nuts and bolts of this new event figured out. It is starting to feel like we have our act together! We now have the date set, a brochure that is good enough for this year, a webpage/blog that is working and much easier to navigate, etc. We also have a lot of RSVPs, more than I would have ever thought possible by now. That's good because the RSVP's are extremely important. If you haven't RSVP'd yet, please do so as soon as possible.

In addition to all of that, we have a growing list of people who want to help out and even some surprise donations. So many people have been asking if we will have Gatorade that I just decided to go directly to Nuun, a company that makes a cool electrolyte replacer that would be perfect for this event. I am hoping to hear back from them soon and will keep you posted. Our first volunteer meeting will take place soon and fundraising kicks into high gear on Monday.

Part of the reason for making changes in the blog was to help people who want to track the progress of this event. The blog itself is now closer to the top of the page. Also, there is a new section at the bottom of the page where we will be listing our sponsors as we get written commitments from them. The only reason no one is listed now is because we didn't have the form ready when the surprise donations started happening. So sponsors should start appearing on the list very soon.

Happy trails, Bill

Date chosen: May 11th, 2013

The date is now set and I just finished updating everything I could find that needed to be changed, including the RSVP form that was a bit of a mess but is now shorter and better.  Now is a good time to start telling people about the event if you haven't already.  We are having some "Ask Me About..." pinback buttons made.  I know we've been

Getting closer to a date

I just finished going through all the RSVPs we have so far.  They are coming in kind of fast today, so that could easily change things.  But right now it looks like May 11th is the best bet followed by May 4th.  The only downside I see so far to May 11th is

First RSVP from a Base Trail hiker

Just got in our first RSVP from a person who regularly hikes the Base Trail.  WoooHooo!  He is shooting for four laps.  We got a little delayed today spreading the word on the Base Trail and Track due the technical issue that came up.  No problem.  We ended up getting our first registration on those trails without hardly trying.

An interesting thing came up.  Some people are measuring their personal best by how many days they hike to the top in a week.  I had tried to be a bit vague on what "personal best" meant and this does present a challenge for a one day event.  If it doesn't end up to being too many people, we can probably accommodate something like this.  No promises, but we will try.

Oops, tech problem found (solved?)

Update: Now several hikers have told us they are having problems bringing up the blog with the address we provided.  Most people are not having problems, but a few are.  It seems to have something to do with security settings on whatever computer you are using and the solution appears to be to start the address with "https" as opposed to "http".

New brochure hot off the presses

If you haven't yet RSVP'd, it would really be great if you could.  It is best if you use the form below, but you can also email us or do it in person when you see us.  A phone number is still in the works.

We now have a tri-fold brochure describing the event and making it a bit easier to figure out how to RSVP.  It replaces that long sheet that some of you got.  One thing that is both new and helpful in the brochure is some tips on distance hiking.  Eventually there will be a link on this blog for even more great tips.  Be sure to get a copy from Carol or myself.  You can also use it if you want to tell others about the event.  Take more than one if you want.  I hope to have some available at the host site by

RSVPs coming in, very helpful

As of tonight we have 11 RSVPs that have come in over this blog.  Carol has a lot more verbal commitments, but she thinks those will soon come in via the blog as well.  So we can focus for now on the 11.  As a group they are aiming for a combined 51 round trips to the top.  The range is from one to 12, with two or three being most common.  This is definitely the type off info we need for planning and it is already helping,  So far so good on the date as very few Saturdays were reported as potential problems.  We are just so amazed by how fast this is taking off.  Btw, we also have our first RSVP

First online RSVP

Our first online RSVP came in just after 11:00 this morning.  That actually surprised me because it was just after Carol had the info in hand to give out.  Really exciting to see things starting to happen.  I hope it is running as smooth on your end as it is on ours.  Please email us if you have any problems completing the online RSVP form: simplymybest2013@gmail.com

One thing I forgot to mention is that there seemed to be no good way around us having to make each person RSVP separately.  This is mainly because we are flying by the seat of our pants and needing

Going to to the dogs

We have barely even started and already someone came up with an idea that I think is so good that I want to share it asap.  Can dogs participate?  I don't see why not.  We would have to raise money specific for participants who happen to be dogs.  That shouldn't be too hard because there are so many pet stores, veterinarians, groomers, boarding facilities, etc., in town.  Best of all, when someone participates with their dog, we might end up raising up to double the money we would have raised if all these philanthropic dogs were excluded from the event.  Carol says there is an extra bonus in that I can participate in both categories.  If you understand what she is talking about, please explain it to me.  She seemed to think that what she said was very funny.

Happy trails, Bill

Suggestions needed for potential projects

The money we raise will pay for some type of improvement in the park that will hopefully get underway soon after the event ends.  We need suggestions for projects that people would like to see completed.  The projects would need to be small enough to be done with the money we raise.  Sorry Denny, but I don't forsee us building a tram to the top with the type of money we will raise in 2013. But I can think of a couple of projects that might be possible with this kind of dough: (1) improving the mud situation on the nature trail and (2) making water available up top when the drinking fountain isn't working.  Let us know whatever other potential projects you can think of.  We can then whittle down the list to the top three or four projects.  The park would of course have to approve the list before we start.  Then, on the day of the event, all participants will vote on their favorite project.  Whatever project wins will be the one that gets done.

Happy trails, Bill

Initial feedback, Name decided

While Carol was off on a date hiking somewhere else today, I agreed to take her place on the Butte.  I told Carol I would do no more than three times even though she insisted on more.  Well, I was on my way down after my third time to the top when I ran into Noreen for the third time.  I remembered Carol pleading with me, "Come on, you can at least do four times."  I told Noreen it was her fault and I started up again.  All in all, it was a really good day.

I found myself mentioning this event to just about everyone who was hiking to the top more than once.  I found it was easy to describe and most people seemed interested in participating.  Everyone that I remembered to ask seemed to like the name.  It is amazing how hiking the Butte helps you to see things in a better light.  I realized that the name is good enough for now.  We can always rename the event if and when we repeat it.  So I am thinking we should just stay with "Simply My Best."  It just doesn't make sense to spend much time on a name when there is so much other stuff to do.

Happy trails, Bill

Stay Tuned

Set this up real fast tonight so that people will have a place to read about the progress we are making towards getting our event off the ground.  For now we are calling the event "Simply My Best" but we are hoping for a better name.  The best way to communicate with us right now is via email: simplymybest2013@gmail.com

I am working on a phone number and this blog should look a little better very soon.  Please be patient.

Happy trails, Bill