[pct-l] communication devices-journaling

[Diane at Santa Barbara Hikes dot com]

On Mar 3, 2009, at 7:03 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:
> Is there a device that can record? my journaling and then transfer  
> it to comouter or email when I get home?

Pencil (or pen) and paper. No batteries to recharge, no technology to  
go obsolete. When you get home, prop your journal next to the  
computer and type.

I'm not trying to be a smart-ass, although I probably sound like one.  
I think this old-fashioned system actually works best. It's actually  
fun to type at full speed as you transcribe and you can clean up your  
writing as you go.

On a thru-hike there is another option: You can write your journal on  
the Internet as you go. In California, at least, every few days you  
end up in some little town and most of them have some place you can  
go to use the Internet. Sometimes you have to pay as much as $7 for a  
half hour, other times you just have to buy some coffee. If you can  
remember what you did in the last few days, you can spew it forth  
from memory into the computer, either on your blog or trail journal  
or as a web mail email to someone. You might supplement this method  
with your paper journal to hold daily details if you are forgetful.

Doing it this way means you need nobody to transcribe for you.

I used computers in the following places:
Warner Springs (at the resort)
Cabazon (at the casino)
Big Bear (at the hostel)
Cajon Pass (at the motel)
Wrightwood (at someone's house)
Agua Dulce (at Hiker Heaven)
Casa de Luna
Hikertown
Tehachapi (at the K-Mart)
Kennedy Meadows (at the Internet cafe)
Lone Pine (at a coffeehouse)
Bishop (at the library)
Mammoth (in a hotel)
South Lake Tahoe (at a coffeehouse)
Donner Pass (at someone's house)
Chester (at my mom's house, I wonder if they have a place in town. I  
tried in Quincy but the coffeehouse had wifi but no computers)
Old Station (at the Hideaway)

I only got to Dunsmuir last year. I didn't look for Internet there.

Sorry this is so long. More info than you wanted.

Diane