It's great to be back on the Forum!

Welcome back! I was delighted to see you answering questions again! Your knowledge is valued here.

Great to have you back! Your years of contributions are very much appreciated.

Is this a role call? I am here almost every day. Nice to see you back!

Welcome back, Kent!

Ya, I think I am the original Frank. Welcome back and I am about to check out for my usual "avoid Denver in January" period. A couple of back to back cruises in the Caribbean will keep us warm. I am sure we will find a bar or two with free wifi so we may check in a bit. During your absence we lost a couple of posters but new blood took their place. The newer format is a little easier to work with.

Frank (and Nigel & others): Remember the "stickies" that we had to use before the current format?

Kent,

Welcome back! I've often wondered when you would be returning. I assume this means you're now back for good, and will be providing the same helpful answers as before. I agree with you that this is a "friendly corner of the internet", and even when there's a bit of debate on a particular question, it's usually done in a polite and respectful manner (at least that's my perception). The answer to your question is "Yes, thankyou".

Hi Kent,
Welcome back! I’ve only been asking questions for two years so didn’t know you from before. Glad to meet you!

Welcome back Kent! You have been missed.

I started reading the forum in 2014 and remember your posts from then. Welcome back! I'm sure you have much more depth of experience than many of us here.

What a wonderful post to read this morning! We are so happy to have you back on the forum. Your posts were always top notch and you have always been the voice of reason when the occasional forum threads started going downhill.
Welcome back, Kent!

I also am glad you are back on the forum. Haven’t been here too long but feel better late then never. Look forward to your future posts.

Thank you to each of you who have so kindly welcomed me back.
The least I can do (in answer to Ken's question) is: yes, the least I can do is stick around.

Also, I've remembered more names and have added them to the original post. It may take me a few more days to remember everybody that I remember from before. But as I said above: IMO each replier here deserves a thank you and job well done.

Welcome home.

We have a nice community here, and some of us have been serious contributors for a long time. I remember asking questtions in 2000, planning my first trip to the Dolomites, when the forum might have had a different name. There was not a Webmaster but a “Sheriff” you could email regarding trolls and other bad guys.

The names I remember from those days included Kent, Lee, Frank, Norma, maybe Ken? And others I am sure. Please remind me if you were here then.

Lola,
Your post is helping replenish my recollection. As I recall, trolls were a significant problem, before they revamped the forum and added the Webmaster, which might have been, uhm, around 2007?

Is Lee still here?

Hi Kent and welcome back, this is indeed a lovely surprise. You might be amused to know that you have been referenced from time to time as somebody whom folks missed!

Yes, Lee is still around with his helpful answers, with a particular focus (as far as I recall) on German travel and backpacks over rolling bags. (I'm sure he contributes on other topics too, but those stand out in my mind as topics where he is a definite "regular".)

I am so glad to see you back, Kent. It was you who brought me to this forum (from another forum) and who helped me so much in planning my first trip to Italy back in 2008. I am eternally grateful to you for your kindness and wise advice. It was as perfect a trip as one could plan for. One of the main reasons I spend a lot of time here is to follow in your huge footprints.

Yes, Kent, I remember stickies - and I remember who wrote most of them....

Most of the old gang are still kicking around, and there are loads of great relatively new folks.

We have most of Europe covered by locals now (and recent residents), and regular visitors contribute masses of great knowledge.

We unfortunately lost Zoe a little time back, and a few have dropped off the radar, but we have a loving helpful group in this friendly little corner.

Hi, Kent. I started following the forum just about the time you must have left but I do remember seeing your name or hearing references to your wonderfully helpful posts and replies. Glad you're back!

Welcome back, Kent! You were one of the reasons I followed the old Helpline and you were especially kind in answering my first, tentative questions many years ago. I mostly lurk now, too, as I haven't traveled in a few years. It's great to have you back!

Glad to have you back.

Welcome back, Kent!

So glad to have you back Kent!
You’re a forum gem. Missed you much.
Ed is still alive but left the forum a couple years ago.

Yes, Kent, I've missed you. Welcome back.

You were definitely a great calming influence on the forum.

Nice to see your name again! Welcome back!

Welcome back, Kent! I’ve missed your sense of humor and helpful responses.

Hi Kent!👋🏻
Nice to meet you. I am fairly new here, from a year ago, but read daily and have learned so much here. I am originally from Bellevue, WA. So a fellow PNW’er.
Welcome back!