Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board The simple things

Hi Drove back here yesterday talked with Doug Jr, Jessica, and caught up on the news.
Myles was alone on the North Fork things going South fast, storm moving in,Doug didn't want to scare Amy and ruin her climbing trip in JT .

Blair hiked in this morning and told Myles about the wind/storms and they came down. Spent the afternoon with our grand kids and new dog , Maura filling us in on the town events. Amy came back today so we are back to the base.
Earlene coming in the morning which means after a shopping run and maybe a hair appointment she will be here by the end of the week.
As I sit here and reflect on our way of life, We are just very lucky people doing the simple things very simple. Thanks for being part of our journey. Doug

You're welcome! I guess that's being presumptuous that i might be part of your journey, but you and Earlene, the store, the employees, the magical portal and all the hikers i have met along the way have been a lovely part of my journey for the last 6 years. I feel so blessed.

Thank you, Doug!

Doug,
NO, no, no!!! You and yours are one of the great things about Mt. Whitney from
this side of Highway 395. I've been up the Main Trail 4 times now, always making it a point to stop in and say "Hola". You in return take time to chat, laugh and REALLY CARE about other Human Beings. You're always willing to snap a photo with myself and my wife. This last year the photo also included my brother and his wife. You always take time to step out of the kitchen or store and make this opportunity happen. Needless to say, you and yours are straight up ACES HIGH!! Thanks for the update. Many people say, "it's family that really count in this life", in your case that also includes many people like myself; who are those who's life's YOU'VE touched!
No, no, no, Thank You for being a part of our JOURNEY.
Felipe de España

Nicely put, felipe. I feel the same way.

Doug, that was so touching! I don’t know if you realize what a gift you and your beautiful family have given us.

I don't remember what year it was that you bought the Portal Store, but I first met you in 1995 when my family was doing a Whitney day hike. We were camping at the Portal and my sister, Therese, and I had made a trip up to the store. I found a T-shirt that I wanted but hadn’t brought my wallet so I asked you to hold it for me. You told me to just take it and I could just come back and pay for it later. NO-ONE does that! I’m sure you don’t remember that, but I always did.

The following year, Dad, my sister Therese and her son, and my sons (Adam and Sonny) hiked from Onion Valley to Whitney. Mom was there to pick us up at the Portal, and we made a quick trip into the store; the boys came out with huge smiles, explaining that you had given each of them a bag of chips. They were impressed, and always remembered that kindness. Every trip since then…. every stop at the Portal… you have remembered us and made us feel special.

Over the years, I’ve met so many wonderful people on this board – people I consider to be my good friends. People have used the word “family” often on this board, and it feels that way for me. Doug, you and your family are the nucleus of the family. When I come down to the Sierra on hiking trips, I am looking forward as much to see all of you - my friends… my hiking family… as I am the mountains themselves. This is the gift I thank you for.

Hi Doug,
If you just got home from spending time down here in So. Cal., I missed you this year. I was the one wearing your hat a few years ago. I'm not sure if I should say where you were, but, I missed it this year. I tried to go,just so I could say hello, but I had no time. (son's cub scout, two day basketball tournament, orchestra practice etc...) And yes, you do have a nice life!!! We'll see you guys soon.

Don (The under paid chauffeur)

Hi Doug Sr.,
I agree with Norm R. 100%.
We are lucky to share the journey with you,too.

Shin

We've argued; we've giggled; we've glowered; we've hugged; we've mumbled; we've cried; we've laughed.

And through it all, we both look onward and upward, over that next rise.

To my Eastside Mom and Dad, parents to us all, much love. I couldn't possibly dream of this journey without you.

You've helped make me the luckiest girl in the world.

-L

Ditto to what the others have said, Doug. You and the rest of the Portal crew have a very special place in many of our hearts. When a 12 YO girl (our daughter Bri) living 2500 miles away would rather travel to the Portal each year to see Doug and the crew, rather than vacationing at Disney or the beach or any place else you can name, you know you've made an impact. We thank YOU for touching our lives, and so many others, on this journey.

It's only about SIX weeks until the WPS opens!

Many thanks for all the good times up there and in town.

Glad Myles made it out OK. I was worried that he might try and sit it out on his porta-ledge...

Looks like (if the forecast is right) we're finally going to see a REAL storm moving thru over the next few days. Let's hope for a White Mountain.

We are just very lucky people doing the simple things very simple.
Doug, you are an exceptionally humble and kind person. I always look forward to my trips to Lone Pine to visit with you & Earlene and the WPSF gang.

Ditto Shin, Norma, Felipe, Tracie, everyone.

Thanks for making our simple things simple and extra special thanks for making our complicated things simple (well, simpler anyway).

Every thing Norma said is so true for many of us, when she mentioned the magical portal I remembered this picture I took one year, looks like Doug left the lights on for us.
Dave

I live in San Diego and ran up one of our local "hills" Iron Mtn.
Half way up I met a person by the name of Dan, had a prosthetic leg from the knee down, we talked about hiking. He told me that 10 years ago he got a permit to hike Whitney. He apparently asked Doug Sr, if he could leave a spare prosthetic leg at the portal in case the one he was wearing would start hurting and he wouldn't make it down from the peak. Doug told him sure bring it with you and I will carry it up for you for an exchange!!

Wow Doug I am impressed, but that's who you are!!

Berne Mettenleiter aka Mountaingoat

PS: He didn't do the hike after all!!

We completely agree with the everyone.
The Portals is a magical place and you, Doug, are the head of a magical family. Thank you for all that you do and are to us!
Blessings, Betsy and Jack

Hi Thanks everyone for your kind words .

We were in Long Beach last week and talked with many people and heard story after story of failed businesses , loss of houses and kids moving back home after college because they could not get a job that paid enough.
One family had laid off a crew that worked together for 20 plus years , the crew moved to Texas the owners stayed here but wondered why!

1980 Earlene and I went through this same cycle as many of the others on the board may recall.

So when I got back here it was very clear Mayberry is a great place to live. All the people that this has brought into our lives has made us very very lucky to be able to share these days with you. Thanks Doug

Well crap,told the wife we will be spending the summer kayaking. Now you guys got me all excited about going to the portal for good food and fun, thanks alot. See you this summer Doug.

THE SILENT HIKER

I know Dan he is a pretty amazing guy. Those of us running aftermarket parts have always got to have this stuff on our mind. It's great having a Globalstar phone in the backpack. I hope all I will need from Doug is a great Burger & Fries when I finish the JMT in August.

"To live more simply is to live in harmony with the vast ecology of all life.
It is to live in balance - taking no more than we require and, at the same time, giving fully of ourselves.
To live with simplicity is by its very nature a life-serving intention.
Yet, in serving life, we serve ourselves as well.
We are each an inseparable part of the life whose well-being we are serving."

- Duane Elgin, Voluntary Simplicity

We are heading to Mt. Whitney the end of September and can't wait to meet you!

Trailgypsy