Frediver:
The Blackberry is $300 + $ 79/month sevice fee or free plus $79/month +2 yr contract+startup fees. There are additional fees if you go over the minute and data limits.
The Peek device was $60. The Service is $20/month Flat rate with no contract.
Flat rate means I have no limit to how many emails I send or recieve and if I stop paying, thats it. No hassle, no extra charges. To reactivate I just send an email to Peek and it's back on.
My logic is that I might or might not get a signal with either device since they both depend on cell signals. Why pay more for voice and the contract and risk losing or destroying an expensive phone when I can buy a cheap device like the peek.
I can, in fact, mail the peek home or toss it in the garbage at any point and when the month is up.. no big deal. No disconnect charge ($250 for cell phone), no hassle (Peek requires no cancellation) and I am not stuck paying $79/month for a phone I might no longer have.
Did I mention my propensity to destroy electronics with water? It is a phenomenon beyond description but if a mosquito spits it will undoubtedly end up in the microcicuitry of my fancy electronic gadget.. Thats my story anyways.
The other reason I did not get a BlackBerry is that I just like to go the opposite direction of everyone else for no other reason than I am a butt. I understand why you are miffed though and you are not the first to ask me, "Why not a cell phone?"
The deeper reason, kidding aside (If that is possible for me) is that the written(texted) word to me carries a quality that speech, with all it's nuances and intonations, can overpower.
To me restricting the ability for speech on a long hike allows my thoughts to develope like an image on photographic paper. If exposed to light too soon the image can be obscured or lost all together.
On my previous trips I have almost no human contact for 10 days. Sure I talk to myself at times, but the lack of other peoples thoughts imposing on my perception has brought me revelations far beyond words. The choice of the PEEK device is an attempt to maintain mental continuity but still allow me minimal communication. If you met me in real life you would most likely be surprised.. I don't talk much. Somehow when I write (type) things open up like a flood gate inside and I have to work hard to attenuate my words.(As you can tell from this already too long Post
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Rlown: I am taking my debit card, which by the way has resisted all efforts to weigh on my kitchen scale! Yes, I tried.
Some towns have ATM's to aquire cash for food items in places that don't take cards.
I am also carrying some personal checks, though I don't really know why.. they might make great TP if the need arises.
All pocket change will be spent on trail snacks before leaving the town and what ever pennies leftover are destined for that little dish next to the cash register.
I have heard the story about the lady who upon finding all that tofu she brought was inedible, traded sex for food on the PCT. If I am really desperate and out of cash Maybe I will get lucky and find a Lady hiker with a lot of food and strike a deal.
Yea.. Right.
Cheers Y'all! I blast off on the PCT Friday at dawn. I will reach the Sierra at Kennedy Meadows on June 6th. I will be thinking about all of you. If you see some skinny knucklehead early season in the Sierra.. feed him! It might be me!