MOTM for July 2019 HikerGalNC

[SDhunter]

Thanks so much for all those who joined in last month’s block party to say hi. That was fun, but now it’s time to get back to business with a new honoree. July is a great month to celebrate lots of things, so it’s fitting we have a great new member to celebrate as our new MOTM. Please welcome as say hi to Mel. You might know her as HikerGalNC

Hello all, my name is Mel and I live in Raleigh, in central North Carolina. I'm super-grateful to the arrowheads.com mods and mentors, I've learned so much here in the last year or so. The knowledge you're all sharing was incredibly helpful as I tried to figure out what the heck am I looking for, and what did I find???

How did the obsession get started? I love the outdoors and am a longtime hiker, backpacker, runner and golfer. After semi-retiring from the tech world, with more time to play, I found an arrowhead during a hike in the fall of 2017, and it got me hooked. Now every hike becomes a treasure hunt - who knows what amazing thing I might bring home? My dining room table is now covered with rocks. Mostly rough tools and broken bases, but some points too. A few of them are even perfect! My husband is fortunately very understanding and supportive, and even comes along occasionally.

As much fun as the hunting, has been the learning: reading posts on this site, the archaeology papers that tomclark posts, the Overstreet book, UNC's RLA site - it's fascinating to learn about the past. Almost makes me want to go back to school in archaeology. Almost.

It's so nice to be able to connect with other folks on this site with the same interest! Thank you friends for your support and advice, the answers to my questions, and your amazing posts with awesome pics of your own finds. Let's keep it going!

[tomclark]

GO MEL!! Congrats!

[Lindenmeier-Man]

Congrats Hiker Gal !

[willjo]

Happy Hiking!! Congrats.

[redrocks]

Congrats Mel ....Nice Bio....you do find some cool artifacts . In NC.. i enjoy reading your posts....keep kicking them rocks! ... Red

[Hoss]

Congratulations well deserved for sure

[Jethro355]

WooooooHooooooo!!!!congrats👍

enjoy the free parking this month!

😇

[SurfaceHunter]

That made me laugh

[gregszybala]

Congrats Mel, well deserved! We enjoy you being here too!

[Sugaree]

Congratulations Mel it has been wonderful having you here. Absolutely love seeing those awesome NC finds of yours.

[HikerGalNC]

Thanks Sugaree, ditto on your NC finds! Greatly appreciate all your insight and advice as to what I've found in central NC.

[Glacial Pebble]

Congrats, always look forward to seeing your finds! The mountain country your in in the picture is beautiful, is that NC or a vacation picture?

[HikerGalNC]

Thanks GP! That photo is from the Maple Pass Loop in North Cascades, WA state. An awesome hike I highly recommend!

[Glacial Pebble]

I can tell you have to be in better shape than me to get up that high, I’d need a four wheeler lol.

[HikerGalNC]

Thanks everyone, it's great being part of this community and being able to learn/share with you all. Now I just hope I can find a new point or two this month!

[SurfaceHunter]

I’m sure you will

[Tam]

From one outdoors gal to another congrats . I have hiked and camped just about anything on the west coast as commercial as Yosemite to off the grid and Col . I to cherish Tom’s post and knowledge . Books stacked high we just can start out our own school . I would love to go back but I think the shows will be fun and full on knowledge for us .
So glad you picked up the bug it’s a good one . It’s hard to hike and keep your head up enjoying the view when you want to look down for artifacts right .Keep up the passion Mei

[HikerGalNC]

Thank you Tam, yes, great to know there are other gals interested in the same thing - it's a fun obsession!

[Benji]

Congrats Mel

[scwalker]

Congrats, always interested in looking at your finds, as a lot are simalar to the stuff I find.

[HikerGalNC]

Thanks scwalker! Where are you in SC? My finds are in Chatham, Durham, Wake counties here.

[scwalker]

I live about twenty minutes from Rock Hill, I hunt mostly York, Chester, And Fairfield counties.

[SurfaceHunter]

Congratulations well deserved send some of that cooler air my way in north Georgia. Although I hear it gets quite warm there to which isn’t fair cause of the snow you get.

[HikerGalNC]

It's supposed to be 100 here tomorrow so unfortunately I don't really have cool air to send to you!