Home || What It's About || How To Get There || When It's Happening || What To Bring || What To Do
Many of you know the story by now, but some of you I'm sure do not. Nathaniel Graham Keith (NGK) was a very very dear friend of mine. He passed away tragically in a skiing accident on February 28, 2005. I miss him immensely, and still think of him constantly. To get an idea of the last adventure we had together, read my essay submitted to the 4,000 Footer Club with my application to join the ranks of those who have hiked all 48 of the 4,000-foot mountains in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. This was a goal that Nathaniel and I started together, but I had to finish without him.
The events outlined on this page are intended to bring people together to enjoy the outdoors. Maybe you knew and loved Nathaniel. Maybe you never met him but you know me. Maybe neither of the above applies but you know someone who knows someone who knew Nathaniel or who knows me. It really doesn't matter to me who you are, because you ended up on this page for some reason and for that I am glad. I hope you will read it and join me for NGK Day 2008.
The first NGK Day was a huge success. Everyone had a fantastic time, or at least pretended to in order to spare my feelings. It was also a lot more schedule-intensive (see agenda here and photos here) than this year's event will be. There are no soccer games to attend, and no pre-set start times for hikes or anything of that sort. Not that any of that was particularly stressful, but this year will be a less structured, more free-flowing type of event.
"So what's it all about then?" I'm glad you asked. This year we'll be camping out in a corner of Vermont known as the "Northeast Kingdom". It is an area with lots of great options for hiking, biking and paddling. It's also the place that Nathaniel lived for a portion of his life, and the place where he died. It seemed like a good fit for NGK Day, so let's give it a try.
"Where are we staying?" Good question. I found an awesome place called Oregon Brook Road Camping in Sheffield, VT. It's a really laid-back place (this is Vermont, afterall) that appears to be quite receptive to our group. I spoke with the old guy who runs the place (his name is Ed and he's "pushing 80") for quite a while, and he's more than glad to have us. The cost will be $10 per person per night, which covers a clean shower facility and firewood for cooking. Kids under 12 stay free, and you can figure out about how long it will take you to get there by clicking here .
"What are we doing?" Another good question. As noted above, there are lots of options for fun outdoor activities. I'm waiting to receive some more information in the mail, but I do know that there are several state parks and forests in the area with good hiking, and the trailhead to Mount Mansfield (the highest point in Vermont) is about 1.5 hour's drive from the campground. For biking, there is an extensive network of trails maintained by the Kingdom Trails Association. For paddling, nearby Lake Willoughby and several flat rivers provide plenty of opportunities. Click here for a short list of links to get more ideas.
"But why, oh king of the idiots, are you planning it for Fourth of July weekend?" Hey why not? Yes I know a lot of people make plans with family and/or friends for that weekend, but why not change those plans and bring the party up to Vermont? Everyone is welcome to join us, and it promises to be a good time. The fireworks may not be as good as you could see elsewhere, but you can get fireworks next year.
"What's the agenda look like?" My plan is to head up Thursday night (7/3/08) to set up camp, spend Friday, Saturday, and part of Sunday doing fun outdoor stuff (see "What are we doing?" above.), then head home Sunday afternoon. Just like last year, you are free to come and go as you please.
"What will I be expected to bring with me?" Like last year, I simply cannot plan and provide all the food and equipment that a group will need. Therefore you should expect to bring all your own consumables, camping and cooking gear (I'll have one small propane grill), relevant adventure gear such as hiking boots, bikes, canoes/kayaks, etc. (local rentals are available), and money for the campsite (again, $10 per person per night). If you know you will have trouble finding a particular item you will need, let me know and I can try to help you find it.
"What do I need to do now?" The best thing is to send me an email answering the following questions:
I hope to keep this website updated with additional information as it becomes available. Bookmark it and check it every now and then.