>In fact, I would say, and you probably don't want to hear this,
>the most difficult part of being a trip leader, is not the birds, not the
>locations, not even a flat tire, but a difficult and cantankerous
>participant. It only takes one, to make a trip not fun for everyone.

AMEM from south-of-the-border.

I might also add that my worst experiences as a trip leader on
overnight or longer trips has not been finding birds, has not
been (gulp) running out of gas 60 miles from the nearest gas
station (hey, and I'd been there before), has not been flat tires.

It has been picking a restuarant that doesn't leave at least
one trip participant whining "but I don't like <xyz> food."
Problem increases inversely in relationship to the population
of the nearest town.

It's particularly annoying when a pain-in-the-ass participant
LIKES you, LIKES your trips, and comes on every one you lead
because YOU ARE THE MOST PATIENT LEADER THEY'VE EVER MET!

Gack. Argh. (this has actually happened to me).


- Don Baccus, Portland OR <donb at rational.com>