morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-02-04
To: 38
Miles today: 0.0

I have been looking at videos on you tube tonight. Lots of great movies of peoples thru hikes that are very inspiring to watch. I can already feel a change coming over me and I still have thirty-something days to go. Those differences are little but there. I know I have so much to do in the next few weeks and it can become so overwhelming at times but then I stop and think, hey, just a few more weeks and this won't matter. I only need to get up and head to work 14 more times and then I can focus on the trail only. Whoa! I just realized that this is what is so important about this hike. I ONLY have to focus on hiking the trail. I don't have to think about the house needing paint, or the car needing repair or if the dogs need to be fed or walked or ANYTHING else. I know this is very selfish of me in some way but, I also know that if I continued down this path, then things were bound to get U G L Y. Ugly as in not healthy. I already spent too much time in the hospital and at the Doctors this past year. Ugly as in, Ham and I need to spend much more quality time together. Ugly as in, I wouldn't be able to stay in my job too much longer and continue to do things as they were. Ugly as in, I miss myself and the basic things that make me happy- nature, my wife, my banjo (yes, you have to hear it on the trail) and my family. Yes, my family. I am really starting to enjoy the interest that my siblings, parents, and extended family are taking in our journey. Even though I am preparing to leave them for 6 months I feel like we will be better connected during this trip because they will be following us as we head north via this journal. Maybe I like causing a little distraction in their otherwise predictable lives. We all need a little adventure right about now and I hope they can enjoy some of ours this year through our postings and phone calls and letters back home. Even though I am leaving, I am bringing all of my experiences with each and every person in my life along with me. So when I do something a little odd out on the trail, blame it on my sister because she made me sit still for an hour when I was five so she could play hairdresser. Or maybe it is my Dads fault that I can sit and tinker with duct tape and a piece of twine and a stick and turn it into the new internal support for my worn out pack. I am the sum of all of my experiences and let me tell you, my family is 98 % of those experiences. Thank you Mom and Dad for taking us north to go camping when we were kids. I have my love of the outdoors because of all of the time we spent together as a family camping and playing games at the White Ledge campground. Swimming down at lake Chicorua. Aunt Adeleides camp on Winipisaukee. These are all the things that I will think about while I am on this trip. Things that I want to experience one more time before it is too late to do them. I can't wait to get back and tell you all about our grand adventures! Reason number 38 for hiking the AT: a lifetime of memories!
Date: 2010-02-05
To: 37
Miles today: 0.0

Another fun day at work with lots of bad news regarding getting the job done before I leave on our trek. Nothing I can do anything about for sure but, I still wanted to see this job through to a point that it would be self sustaining while i was away. The good news is we got our new chest freezer from sears today and will take it to Mom and Dad's house along with our mail drops over the weekend. The closer we get to leaving, the more we are getting to know our fellow hikers through email and phone calls. We are still planning to get together with AT TROLL before we start hiking. I wonder if after all the talking he and I have done, whether or not we will actually ever get to hike together? I have decide that number 37 should be dedicated to the class of 2010 When we hit the trail many of us have decided to use a symbol to represent this years hike and I am looking forward to sign our first trail register. So without further adieu, reason 37 for hiking the at: the class of 2010 hiker symbol!
Date: 2010-02-06
To: 36
Miles today: 0.0

My home made travel banjo is starting to shape up nicely about now. I have been working on it for 2 or so months and the final coats of finish are going on now. I hop e it sounds half decent. It seems to weigh less than 2 pounds so it will be worth its weight to carry. Between that and what is sure to be our rather scraggly appearance after a few weeks on the trail, I am not sure how hard it wil be to tell us apart from the local hill folk.... all things considered, reason number 36 for hiking the AT: lookin' like a native!
Date: 2010-02-07
To: Early trail magic
Miles today: 0.0

Today was the most amazing day I have ever experienced. Today we learned just how many friends we have and how dear they are to us! We start the trail in 35 days but today we got the best trail magic ever from a group of trail angels we know as The Pink Angels. We know this group through our work with the Susan Komen 3 day Breast Cancer walk in Boston. They have all become many of our closest friends in our lives and today three of them, Laurel, Ruth and Elaine, organized a send off party here at our house that was a complete and overwhelming surprise! This party was at our own home in our party barn and although we knew we were having a get together, we didn't know the true reason for it. These wonderful people hired a DJ to dance to, got us all cards and even started a cash tree to help fund a few hotel stays for us while out on the trail! I have included a few pictures of the fantastic cake that they had made for the occasion as well. This is truly the best trail magic I could ever imagine for anyone and somehow it happened to us! Once I found out why we were all together, I quickly changed into my trail lounge-wear, See included pics! We are both so truly blessed in our lives to be able to take this life changing trip this year and then find out just how lucky we are to have these people in our lives. Thank you Elaine and Ruth. The two of you represent all the best things in my life. And thanks to all of the Pink Angels who contributed to this great send off. You are the most amazing people I have ever had the pleasure to know!Reason Number 35 for hiking the AT: The Return Party!!!
Date: 2010-02-08
To: trail food
Miles today: 0.0

Anyone who is reading this and would like a terrific homemade granola leave me a note here.I will put the granola recipe on here for any of you to copy.I have made The Silver Palate Cookbook's recipe for this and its wonderful! I haven't been a lover of granola until now. Its going to be a part of our daily food supply while we are out on the trail.After I have made it = cooled it = I then vacuum sealed it. These individual packets should be fresh for as long as we are out on the trail. I then put them in the freezer.Happy eating out on the trail(Maybe I should say happy eating in the towns off trail).Best to you all.Ham
Date: 2010-02-11
To: 31
Miles today: 0.0

One thing I am looking forward to is getting beck into better shape. I am not over heavy, but I could lose 15 pounds and look much better. Now, to lose 30 would put my back at my high school weight. That would be something because I was this tall skinny kid when I graduated and I am now 230ish pounds. Reason number 31: my hiker physique!
Date: 2010-02-12
To: 30
Miles today: 0.0

I took today and Monday off for a long weekend to help prepare me for the mental stress of NOT working for 6 or 7 months in a row. I want to work into the whole unemployment thing slowly. I haven't ever had more than 2 weeks in a row off since I was in high school. I hope I can take it. Reason number 30 for hiking the AT: The hope that being away from work doesn't cause me any undue mental stress requiring even more time away from work.......
Date: 2010-02-13
To: 29
Miles today: 0.0

Stress sucks. I am over doing it these days in an attempt to get our butts out of here. Works is insane. Bee School is gearing up and I am the chairman and have to do 90% of the work before we get out of Dodge. And of course, we have to get our trail stuff in order - mail drops etc. getting the bills taken care of. Installing an alarm in the house. Moving the important stuff over to my folks house for safe keeping. It is overwhelming. I am really looking forward to not having to do this stuff for a while. Reason number 29 for hiking the AT: I only have to do one thing-Hike!
Date: 2010-02-14
To: 28
Miles today: 0.0

Every year we spend the long February weekend in New Hampshire with 50 or so of our friends at the AMC Lodge at Mt. Cardigan. It is a blast because we stay up way too late playing games and carrying on. During the day we hike the Nearby mountains and totally relax for 4 days. Heaven! At least we tried out some of our gear for the hike. I am amazed how little I need to wear when we are hiking. There was rime ice at the top and the wind was blowing 20+ and I was warm and toasty with my base layer and fleece Jacket on until we cleared tree level. I just threw on the down jacket and things were great. I am so glad that I am not going to be a slave to all of our stuff while we are out on the trail. The crap we live with day to day is ridiculous. Who needs this stuff? Reason number 28 for hiking the AT: Living with the bare minimum of stuff.
Date: 2010-02-15
To: 27
Miles today: 0.0

We have some new "calling cards" that Ham's daughter designed for us that we will be handing out on the trail. If you check our photos they are in there. We had so much fun helping to design them and they will make it easy to share our contact info with folks. No doubt they will be used for our shelter registry entries. So look for them! Reason number 27 for hiking the AT: our calling cards!
Date: 2010-02-17
To: 25
Miles today: 0.0

I have to admit that I have no idea what reason number one is going to be when I get to it. In fact I have no idea what the next reason ids going to be until I sit down to type it. I guess I like being a little spontaneous when I am thinking about life on the trail. Lets make spontaneity reason num,ber 25 for hiking the AT!
Date: 2010-02-19
To: 23
Miles today: 0.0

Oh what a great bunch you thru hikers are! We went to a thru hikers party here in the north east Last night and what a great time we had. There were 4 past thrus attending and we 2 tenners were invited for the bash. It was actually a birthday for a nobo '09 hiker and she invited us all for a great time! I never laughed so much listening to thier stories and I feel much more confident that we are ready for our trek now that I have heard from the peanut gallery... Reason number 23 for hiking the AT: thru hiker gatherings!
Date: 2010-02-20
To: 22
Miles today: 0.0

Well, things have come around greatly since my post from a week ago. Ham and I strong armed the Alarm Co. rep and they have reduced the installation price for me and will install in the next 2 weeks! We are quickly getting the last of chores done to get the house readty for our departure. My boss and I met and have worked through any misunderstandings we may have had and I am set to leave work. The food drops are closer to done. Lets get the party started! Reason nukmber 22 for hiking the AT: No more preparation!
Date: 2010-02-21
To: This is the official 3 week mark!
Miles today: 0.0

Holy cow! I can't believe it! in exactly 3 weeks I will be standing somewhere on Springer Mountain! THis is the countdown I have been waiting for! Never mind my 95 reasons for hiking the trail. The last 21 reasons are all that matter to me now! Reason number 21 for hiking the AT: Because I can do it!!!!!!
Date: 2010-02-22
To: 20
Miles today: 0.0

Oh my gosh the excitement is getting to me now! 4 more days of work and 10 days of prep after that and we roll out of our driveway for the last time until Octoberish! My nerves are a jumble over this. I can't believe this is really going to happen!!! What ever we have done for preparation is going to have to suffice because I am not going to worry over mail drops, or gear or time any more. Now it is just going to be "get our butts out of town and commence to hiking". Reason number 20 for hiking the AT: no more worrying!
Date: 2010-02-23
To: REI sales
Miles today: 0.0

Headed to REI today to exchange socks and a bra and then headed for the clearance racks.Sales are big right now. I got an REI skirt for $7.82, originally $60. Think I will enjoy this skirt in all the trail seasons.I have just finished the book: The Last American Man by Elizabeth Gilbert. Its the true story of Eustace Conway who has lived in the wilderness since he was 17 years of age. He was born in 1961 and is a real Davy Crockett in all ways. He is convinced he should introduce, teach all Americans to live a life without material "things". Fascinating reading. He has purchased over 1000 acres of land which he calls The Turtle Island Preserve. It is located in Triplett, N.C. (near Boone, N.C. I believe) To visit one needs to call ahead..;hoping to get there as we head north on the AT. Info easily found on the internet.....wish my grandkids would like to go there for a week or two.Not long guys till we are standing on top of Springer.Its crazy here, as I am having trouble concentrating on getting things done....the "lists" are being completed. If I didnt have lists I would be in real trouble. Stay well everyone and see you on the trail.
Date: 2010-02-23
To: 19 and counting
Miles today: 0.0

Well, well, well, time is really starting to move along now! I know I have mentioned bringing the banjo along in several of these posts and I am going to revisit that a little today. This is something that I have started playing in the last few years and I have been going to lessons every 3 weeks or so for 3 plus years. It is one of the neatest things I have ever tried doing. I have never had any musical ability and I am pretty sure I can't carry a note either. Too bad for those of you stuck at some shelter with us! Luckily, the lessons have been working and you might even recognize my playing as some sort of music(my wife will even pretend to know some lyrics to the notes I am playing!) What I need to practice is playing along with others. I don't have any opportunity to sit in on a jam and would like to be able to do so without upsetting the other musicians. Problem is you need a decent selection of music that others can play and you need to memorize them or at least be able to play be ear. This is really where I need to strengthen my playing. So for reason number 19 I am choosing learning to play by ear since I will have so much unfettered time to practice!
Date: 2010-02-24
To: 18
Miles today: 0.0

what about the snow shoes? I have been reading a few of the early starters are putting some money down on snow shoes because the snow is so deep in the Smokeys. We already have some and now I wonder if we might be smart to pack them down with us and send them home with our chauffeur if we see they aren't needed. Yes I did say chauffeur. Some of us don't see the need to suffer on the ride down to GA. Actually our hiking partner, Rachel has a very nice husband who has been shanghied into driving us down from Massachusetts and dropping us off on the forest service road. Reason number 18 for hiking the AT: No snowshoeing!btw Ham has been in contact with Winton Porter today and the trail is snow free from Springer MT to Mountain Crossings. A very good sign as far as I am concerned
Date: 2010-02-26
To: NAshua, NH hiker talk
Miles today: 0.0

MArch 25th Brian and I, plus Rachael headed to Nashua in a horrendous rain and wind storm to hear thru hiker "Hammer" give a talk and photo presentation of his adventures on the trail. Rachael provided excellent commentary about driving, road conditions, safety, etc as we headed north. A few times along the way there were unusual squealing sounds of fear coming from the back seat. I know her internal compass wanted to be heading toward her home. but she was a brave soul, Proud of you Rach!Beautiful photos enjoyed by all.There were 6 - "tenners" ( 2010 hikers) going to attempt the trek north...his one comment about mail drops is...back off with the mail drops if you can afford it and shop in the towns you will be in. He said not to send to P. O. as a rule, because there are unreliable hours in the south ( we all knew this, but good to have it said once more.) I asked him if he had planned on giving talks after his hike and he said no. The reason he is telling these stories and sharing the photos is because it helps him get back into the stream of civilization. He said it is hard and I do agree with him. I was at O.B. for 22 days and it took me about 7 - 8 weeks to get back into a rhythm of daily life ( and I had 3 kids!!!) Tough. Being able to share makes for an easier transition.We were so starved after the talk we went to K.F. C. ( beats cluck in a bucket) and proceeded to carry on. Guess we were just letting off some steam - we closed the place down, but not before coming up with some outrageous trail names for the 3 of us ( these shall not stick, I hope)Names:NothingNext to nothingdoing nothingandthe other white meatWe got into creating sentences and the context of the sentences were getting raunchcier as the night progressed.   The clean up crew came by and that was our hint to leave . The winds and rains were causing flooding on our 40 mile return to home. Scary.Monday, Rachael, Bri, Troll, Hopefully Mad MIke and I will be meeting for the first time in POrtland, ME to have a great lunch and chat. I can only imagine how crazy this meal is going to be and looking forward to it. All of us are excited and appear to be off the walls with anticipation regarding this hike. If these two guys have wives or significant others in their lives I hope they can come along also. Good to meet the stalwart people behind the hikers. Without these people we couldn't proceed as easily as we are. Thank you all for supporting us. Our trail angels at home. We love you.See you all out there...and be safe."each step of the jouney is the journey" - zen sayingHam
Date: 2010-02-26
To: 16
Miles today: 0.0

Well it's a done deal now, I am officially out of work as of today with a week and a half to go before we head to Georgia. It's an odd sensation to not have a job for the first time in over 20 years and not be worried about it. The hardest thing I am facing now is my list of reasons to hike the trail. Reason number 16 is not having to worry about for a long long time.
Date: 2010-02-28
To: Fourteen
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Took a hike to the grocery store with the pack on today. 2 miles there and 1.5 back. I never realized how heavy 40 pounds of food really is! I will be happy if I can keep the pack down to 35 pounds. Two more weeks to zero day and then it's all the real thing. Reason number 14 for hiking the AT: no more training walks.
Date: 2010-03-01
To: lucky thirteen!
Miles today: 0.0

Well its lucky for me anyways! My wonderful wife is driving we crazy today. She has taken to writing these ridiculously long lists of things that need to be done. THese suckers are so long that there is no way to actually check off all of the items on any of them. I have had it with lists! reason number 13 for hiking the AT : NO LISTS!!!
Date: 2010-03-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hi ALL - Yesterday Brian, Rachael and I had the pleasure of meeting up with George, Mad Mike and ATTROLL in Portland, ME at Flatbread pizza.Had many laughs, devoured 6 pizzas or was it 5, and drank numerous beverages for about 3 hours. My face is still sore from laughing.Hope you all have a chance to meet up with a few new or old thru hikers before your trek. ALways nice to meet a familiar face on the trail and to learn a few things about the hike before hand.We are on trail in 9 days! Yeow! Palms getting sweaty just thinking about it.Brian is putting new locks on some doors, and the alarm people are here so all should be well within 24 hours. The items on the lists are getting crossed off! Jees I will be glad to get out of here - NO LISTS.....letting the friends and family at the helm back home take over real soon.Best to you all, and thanks guys for a wonderful MONDAY! Just a HOOT!Travel smart and be safe.Ham
Date: 2010-03-04
To: 10 and counting
Miles today: 0.0

Well the weather looks great for the next week or so in GA and then we hit the trail with a long range forecast of, drum roll please: rain, then rain, and of course showers to follow. I knew we were going to get wet. Oh well. I would like reason number 10 to be the first sunny, dry day where we get to lay out and enjoy the spring weather!
Date: 2010-03-06
To: Eight
Miles today: 0.0

The time is close at hand. We have a dinner, farewell party or logistics meeting about our hike scheduled every 3 hours for the remainder of our time here before we leave. This is way more work than I ever imagined! I love my family and all of our friends dearly, but why did there have to be so many of you to see before we go? Thanks to eveyone for going out of your way to wish us well on our hike. Reason number 8 for hiking the AT: a much needed rest from our social calendar!
Date: 2010-03-07
To: Seven
Miles today: 0.0

We had a great walk today at Break Heart Reservation with a bunch of our very best friends from the Breast Cancer group, The Pink Angels. It was a quick hour but gave us a chance to say our goodbyes to many of the people we are going to miss while we are away. Ham has decided to cut her hair in honor of our friend, Martha, who has started her chemotherapy this past Friday. I am sure her head will be a little chilly the first few weeks on the trail. I also just chatted with a very close friend who is having a bit of a scare with his prostate. I know he is nervous waiting to get checked out further but I assured him that all will work put. Our prayers will be plentiful for all of you while we are walking north. Reason number 7 for hiking the AT: good health for all of our friends and family!Hugs,Brian and Ham
Date: 2010-03-08
To: 6
Miles today: 0.0

What is in a hike? Adventure? Escape? Leisure? Freedom? What drives us to take this journey? I am not sure that I will find that answer on the trail but I do think that I could use a little escape from the modern world and get back to the basoc things that matter most. Food, shelter, warmth. Thats the kicker right there - warmth! Warmth of the human spirit. The feeling of belonging to something bigger than oneself. Sharing a comon, simple goal. Hiking the AT. Reason number 6 : experiencing the human spirit at its best.
Date: 2010-03-09
To: 5 more times
Miles today: 0.0

We are both having a very difficult time dealing with leaving our two dachshunds behind for six months. This is our last night to spend with them, sitting in our laps, ever loyal and always willing to please. These are the first dogs I have ever had and I now understand why so many people go over the top with their pets. They are truely our little babies and we are both going to miss them so. We have arranged for them to have the best of care while we are away as they are going to stay with our friend, the veterinarian, Dr. Lisa. I know they will be so happy while they are with her but, it is obvious that our two pups know something is up. The oldest, Betty, has been very clingy with us the last week or so. The patterns have changed and she senses things are different. I hope she is on her best behavior for Lisa and most importantly, I hope she is a good big sister to Emma, our other dog. And Emma, I know you will find lots of toys to play with and will try your hardest to get along with Lisa's other pets, but remember, you are a guest at her house and try very hard not to disrupt the household. You are a great little girl and need just a little bit of extra loving to help you fit in. We both are going to shed some tears tomorrow when we say our goodbyes. We love you girls!Reason number 5 for hiking the AT: coming home the the warm welcome of our puppies!