morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-05-05
From: Leroy Smith Shelter

To: Wind Gap
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: clear sky

Day #12 Wed.May 5thHAPPY CINCO de MAYO!7am looks like its gonna be Sunny skies today & low 70s...i've decided to hike to Wind Gap today...it'll be a very short day...i might get a motel room in town..& maybe slack-pack the last few days of my hike."ARGO" & "Josey Wales" left the Leroy Smith Shelter @ abt 9am this morning...i take my time packing up...fixing breakfast (coffee & PopTarts)...knowing its gonna be a short hike...& into town (& a motel & shower!)& leave the shelter abt 10am.i spot another large Black Snake as i look around the shelter...take some photos & a video clip...sweeeeet...i stopped by the spring to get some water on the way back to the White Blazes...(& "camel-up")..while filling my 2 one-liter bottles.(not any water sources between here & Wind Gap,PA I hike out...Great views today...a very nice view of the Pennsylvania countryside @ Hahn's Lookout.Rocks didnt disappoint today...plenty for everybody!...met a few day-hikers out today too...I met a young hiker, "Wooly Mammoth" (NY) today...also on his way to Wind Gap to meet up with his girlfriend(Jennifer aka "Always Lost")...he was hiking with "Kite & Sandpiper"...most of the day..."K & S" passed me on the trai lwith just a couple miles to hike til town:Wind Gap,PA (Hwy PA-33)We actually had some decent "switchbacks" on the descent into town...(helps the knees & shins!)...then hike/road walk onto Hwy PA-33 for abt a mile over to the Gateway Motel...i check in & order a large pizza & salad from the local pizza place...who delivers....weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee ;0)2pm "Kite & SandPiper" & "Wooly Mammoth" are here too...& later4pm "Scout & Boo" & "Outside Dog" show up @ the motel...looks like a hostel full of hikers tonite!I couldnt get a Cell-phone signal here(in between 2 mtns)...will try again tomorrow on top of the ridge (the next climb)...which means we have a major climb outta here tomorrow morning..bright & early.I eat my pizza, write in the journal..sit outside for an hour or so & talk with all the other hikers here...talking gear...other hikers we've met on the trail...etc.7pm I'm tired...Goodnite!                                                5.6 miles today!
Date: 2010-05-06
From: Wind Gap,PA

To: KirkRidge Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day 13 Thursday May 68am Pizza for breakfast & a diet coke!.... (leftovers from last nights supper from the local Pizza joint here in Wind Gap,PA) sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet!I shower & pack up my backpack & left the Gateway Motel (on Hwy PA-33).I understand "Wooly Mammoth" left abt 7am..."Kite & SandPiper" left shortly after me..."Scout & Boo" follow a few minutes later...(they like to sleep late!)The climb out of Wind Gap,PA (980' elevation) (across PA-33) is a good one....straight up!...UP!...UP!...UP!I wuz sweating 1/2 way up the mountain...& it was streaming off me as I got to the top of the climb...very steep climb.As I get to the top & the famous PA rocks begin immmediately!Have I said lately that I hate these darn rocks???(theyre eating up my boots...thats fer sure!)I cant wait to get outta PA & into New Jersey...(BUT...i hear Jersey has a few rocks too...the "kinder, gentler" kind...hehehehe)more climbing...more rocks...Its overcast & a little rain is expected today (40% chance)...i hike on..a couple day-hikers are on the trail today...heading SoBo..12noon   a few miles into the days hike...WOLF ROCKS pops up...some major boulder-hopping here...but, beautiful views...The SUN pops out...the wind blows enuff to keep it from getting too warm...a few miles later...i cross over Fox Camp/PA-19...only abt a mile to the shelter now...weeeeeeeee ;0)3pm Made it to the shelter...a young hiker, "Wooly Mammoth" (NY) is here...he is pitching his tent behind the shelter..."Kite & SandPiper" arrive a few minutes later...& "Scout & Boo" abt 30 minutes later."Scout & Boo" decide to push on & find a campsite for the night...My destination for tomorrow is Delaware Water Gap,PA...only 6 miles for my last day of hiking this year.My fall & my sprained, swollen ankle & knee caused me to take 2 1/2 days off the trail...missing that many days of hiking & the remainder of the hike...i've scaled back the number of miles i have hiked...as to not further damage my ankle...By my estimation...i missed my goal by almost 60 miles...(all of New Jersey)But...thats OKAY...the Appalachian Trail aint going anywhere...so, i get to tackle New Jersey & New York on next year's hike. woooooo-hoooooo!4pm I cook supper: Mashed potatoes & Tuna (i swapped "Wooly Mammoth" a Mountain House dinner for the Mashed potatoes!)& talk with the other hikers in the shelter...Gonna be a coool night...low 40s or upper 30s.the right ankle is swollen slightly...gonna elevate it while sleeping.7pm I'm tired...GOODNITE!                              10 miles today!
Date: 2010-05-08
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA

To: Lee, Mass
Miles today: 0.0

Day 15 Sat May 8th7am   No hiking today...I wake up @ the Presbyterian Church/Church of the Mountain hostel...shower & make my last "trail coffee" outside on the picnic table where I find "Free Man"...I eat a couple (my last ones) energy bars for breakfast...with my Instant Cafe Bustelo coffee...(its good...but, obviously not as good as the brewed version!)"Free Man" & I have some heavy conversations abt the trail, families,Spirituality, religions, God, etc...The rain begins...(80% chance today)10am...a young red-headed hiker, "Muffin Mittens" shows up...drops his pack & heads to the outfitters...he is in dire need of new boots....the PA Rocks ripped his boots to shreads. (Darn you!...PA ROCKS!!!)He also broke one of his LEKI hiking poles."Muffin Mittens" is hiking with several other hikers...they started @ Springer Mtn in early February.The rain slows to a drizzle...i pack up my backpack...kinda sad in a way...the hike for 2010 is over.Next year...i'll start here in Delaware Water Gap,PA & walk across the bridge into New Jersey."Jigsaw" picked me up abt 12 noon....& we drove back to his & Helen's house in Lee, Mass...he drives me to the Albany, NY airport early in the morning for my 8am flight back to Nashville,TN.been FUN!.................                                 NO MILES TODAY!
Date: 2010-05-09
From: Lee, Mass

To: HOME!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Sunday May 9thHAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!especially to MY Mom, Lucy SwaffordI Love You, Mom!6am   "Jigsaw" drives me to the Albany,NY airport...check my bag & wait to board...(8am flight)Plane leaves @ 8:05am...into Baltimore....i have almost a 2 hour lay-over here)i take the time to eat...& call Donna & wish her a Happy Mothers Day & also my daughter Jackie (mother to grandaughter, Rylee)I arrive in Nashville shortly after 12noon...Donna & Teri & Mike are here to greet me & take us over to EllenDales Restuarant...a nice upscale buffet place...a nice Mothers Day gift...for my lovely wife, Donna.I'd like to take this time to THANK all those that make this a possibility each year...THANK YOU to my lovely wife, Donna for letting me take 2 weeks out of our lives to walk in the woods....& de-compress....THANKS to "Jigsaw & Helen" for hiking with me, the shuttles & the hospitiality.Thanks to "TeePee" my friend & hiking supporter...THANKS to all my family & friends for the prayers & positive thoughts while i was on the trail.Thanks to all the hikers i met on the trail...         & Good Luck to the Class of 2010...all the way to Mt.K!
Date: 2010-06-20
To: RaceWalking PREP
Miles today: 0.0

Sat June 19thAfter our recent trip to CAPE COD for vacation...its back to the preperations for the TN SENIOR OLYMPICS coming JULY 24 & 25th.I'm competing in both the CYCLING events (5K Time Trial & 20K Road Race) along with the walking Track & Field events (1500M RaceWalk & 1 mile PowerWalk)On Sunday...theres a conflict of abt 30 minutes (both the Cycling 20K Road Race & the 1500M RaceWalk start within a half hour of each other....so, i might be choosing between the two soon!)I've stopped by the local track each day this week & walked 3 miles total(5K)...(i'm seriously thinking abt RaceWalking a 5K this Fall...so, i need to think/prep toward that goal)& turned some decent times...altho nowhere close to my "PERSONAL BEST" which i achieved during the South-Central District TN SENIOR OLYMPICS competitions n Lawrenceburg, TN back in April.1 mile (of the 3...i timed myself...PowerWalking)Here's the weeks times:Monday:   12:27.84Tuesday: 12:23.28Wednesday:12:43.84Thursday: 12:27.81Friday:   12:25.84All times were close...but not close to my "PERSONAL BEST" times:11:54.25   1 mile PowerWalk11:06.59   1500Meter RaceWalkSooooo, I have some work to do...getting my "consistant" times a bit lower & practicing my RaceWalk (no bent knees!)technique correct...I hope to meet with my new pal & RaceWalking coach Jerry D.Dixon (also a TN Senior Olympic athlete...& very, very FAST!) in the coming weeks...to practice with him & talk with him about some other issues.Just over a month til the TN SENIOR OLYMPICS State Finals!Follow along here on my journal!See ya'll up the trail & around the track!
Date: 2010-07-01
From: home

To: Hopkinsville,KY
Miles today: 0.0

Thursday July 1stTaking a break today from the Race Walking & Cycling preparations for the TN SENIOR OLYMPICS....to head North to Hopkinsville, KY to hang my ART show @ the Community College there...30 pieces in all...will be on Exhibit July 1-30th in the Gallery.I've been Race Walking training this week & had the chance to hit the local track a couple times...I've accomplished a good bit & turned a NEW "Personal Best" time for the 1500 meter this week...2 days in a row!....weeeeeeee ;0)Monday:   10:49.62Wednesday: 10:33.25Friday: 10:46.69Saturday: 10:58.75My previous best time (achieved this past April @ the TSO District competitons) was 11:06.49If i could shave a few more LBS off before the competitions later this month...i could possibly shave off a few more seconds on my times...That would be Great!My Race Walking coach, Jerry D. Dixon, is very encouraging & a BIG HELP....& has been working on his walking too... as he will be competing in his respective age group (65-69) in the TN Senior Olympics too...This is my 7th year to compete in the TSO...I hope to bring home a few Medals this year!Check back for more results soon...See ya'll UP the trail & ON the RACE WALK Track!
Date: 2010-07-22
To: racewalking/cycling practice
Miles today: 0.0

Tuesday July 13th...Who says "13" is an UNLUCKY NUMBER????HAH!!!I started this week @ the oval track here in Springfield (TN) practicing my Race Walking/Power Walking...Yesterday...I turned a 12:11...pretty good for an old, fat guy...then today...Yes...the 13th....i turned my PERSONAL BEST TIME to date!11:25.56for the 1 mile Power Walk...(previous "BEST" time: 11:54.25...set back in APril @ the District competitions)I am really confident now that i can MEDAL in the walking events this year...my first year entered in the TN Senior Olympics walking events...The current Gold Medal holder in my age group: 55-59 year olds...has a time in the 12+ minute range....so...unless he is "SANDBAGGING" (deliberatly walking slow til the state finals, etc, etc)...i have a real chance to take his Medal away from him!I plan to continue walking practice this week...with short rides on the BICYCLE (hill climbing practice around my neighborhood)...& next week I plan to drive to Arrington,TN to ride the Time Trial 5K (3.1 miles) course...Less than 2 weeks til the Senior Olympics State Finals...UPDATE (July 21):I've been hammerin' on the bicycle pedals the last few days & hill-climbing...the next 3 days leading up to the TN SENIOR OLYMPICS... I'm practicing my RACE WALKING with coach Jerry D. Dixon (of Greenbrier,TN)UPDATE (JULY 22):I walked the B.G.A. track this afternoon(where TSO walking events will be held this wkend) & shaved 1 1/2 secs off my time for the 1500meter RaceWalk...my new PERSONAL BEST time is 10:32.49!weeeeeeeeee ;0)UPDATE (JULY 23):My last walking practice before the TSO events this weekend!I turned a good time on my 1 mile Power Walk this afternoon @ the local track...(not a personal BEST..but, not far off!)...i'm PUMPED!Stay tuned for more UPDATES...see yall UP the trail & on the track!
Date: 2010-07-25
To: 1500 meter RACE WALK
Miles today: 0.0

Sunday July 25thToday I have only 1 event scheduled...the 1500 meter RaceWalk!I've been training for the walking events along with help from new pal & my coach Jerry Dixon (of Greenbrier,TN).I arrive @ B.G.A. campus in Franklin,TN @ 7am....the event is scheduled to go off @ 8am...but there are several events slated for the same time this morning...an 800meter run/race & a 200 meter run/race.I walked the track for a mile & a half with several of the other competitors...then when i was good (& sweaty!) & warmed up...it was time to cool down...8am...i see my pal,Jerry Dixon...who is also competing today in the RaceWalk...& Robert Sweibel...my age group competitor...We have 26 signed up for the Race Walk today...but only 2 in my age group...so no matter what...i will MEDAL! YAY!We line up shortly after 9:30am get instructions from Elizabeth Maine (a strict RaceWalk judge from what i hear)& take our places on the start line...The start gun goes off...& we hit it....walk fast...step....step....step...knees straight....no bending of the knees.....no running!....fast walking...fast....fast...I'm off the start with a couple guys in front of me....Jerry Dixon takes a commanding lead...right off the start...my plans are to get behind Robert Sweibel & lay low til the last lap & then over take him....lap #1... 1:54....good time....but still a few in front of me...lap #2... 4:16....i've slowed...but keeping in touch with the few guys in front...by this time Jerry Dixon has a wide lead...over the rest of the field(abt 15 lengths)....Judge Elizabeth Maine calls me out..."number 10-41...warning!...knee foul!"i slow my pace & concentrate more on keeping the correct racewalking form & technique...lap #3...7:01....i'm losing contact...must keep up the pace....another racewalker passes me...now 4 in front of me....including Robert Sweibel....last turn...i kick it up...but keeping the knees straight....fast...faster...down the home stretch...cant catch up with them...i cross the finish with a time of 10:38.38 not my BEST time(6 secs off my best time!)...but a LEGAL TIME....I met with the Judge for a few minutes...& she gave me some advice...keeping knees straight & no flat-footing (which causes the knee to bend slightly)...i guess i need more practice & shin strengthening exercises...I get SILVER (2nd place in my 55-59 age group) & Robert Sweibel takes GOLD...Jerry Dixon took GOLD in his age group 65-69 & was overall winner of the RaceWalk (no medal for that)Congrats to all the RaceWalkers....good job!THANKS to the TN Senior Olympics staff: Christine Dewbre, Traci Meador, Gordon Hampton (Williamson County Parks Director) & all the volunteers for making this another GREAT EVENT!See ya'll up the trail or out on the track!....weeeeeeee ;0)
Date: 2010-08-14
To: Garden Spot 5K-Franklin,KY
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Sat.Aug 14thToday I head up North to Franklin,KY to participate in my first ever 5K RaceWalk event: the Garden Spot 5K Run/Walk!This event is a well organized Run/Walk event (28th annual) & this year is being timed by the Bowling Green Runners Club (Bowling Green,KY)I arrive @ the Courthouse Square in Franklin & park...& walk to the far side of the courthouse & check-in...grab my goodie bag...complete with T-shirt (Sorry, Donna!)& a few coupons, etc...Drop back by the car & get on my shoes...sunglasses & put on my race number...# 367...the announcements start....the announcer says there are over 550 runners & walkers here today for the event...WOW!THey will have a mass start @ 7:30am...after instructions...7:30am...a slight breeze is blowing as we start...nice....the runners are in front on the start line & the walkers are behind them...Actually there are very few runners & mostly walkers @ this event...(i'd guess abt 100 runners & then the remainder are all walkers!....weeeeeeee)They start us & Jerry Dixon takes off...& catches all the runners right away...he is kicking it!Robert Sweibel & I start the race together...(he was my age group competitior @ the TN Senior Olympics)...side by side...We stay side-by-side for the first half mile or so...then i start to follow him by a couple steps....as we weave thru the South-side of near downtown Franklin,KYWe hit the 1 mile mark...my time is abt 11:30...I've already passed a load of slow runners/joggers...& some runners that do a run/walk/run...kinda thing...I slow my pace a bit on the 2nd mile...Robert Sweibel...walks away from me...He is keeping the pace high...I fade...fast walking, race-walking...fast....there are several points where the support teams hand you water...& there are water sprays as you weave thru a couple of the neighborhoods...the 2nd mile has a few slight hills on it...then one downhill...then another quick turn & its the home stretch...I dont see Robert anywhere...so...i'm on my own...I have one walker in front of me...I pass him just before the FINISH line@ 5K/3.1 miles.My watch had 37:52.4 (thats the OFFICIAL TIME)I came in 196 out of 555 participants today.I grabbed a bottled water & talked with Jerry & Robert & a few of the other Race-Walkers...there are abt 10 of us RaceWalkers here...the rest claim to be just FAST walkers...(Power-Walkers)Its almost 45 minutes before everyone finishes the course...Then once the trophies are handed out...they start with the Runners & then walkers..by the time they got to us...90% of the crowd had left...Jerry Dixon got fastest Overall walker ($50 check) & a very nice trophy!I didnt catch the 1st palce winner's name(later I find out its Walter Norris) in my 55-59 age groupbut Robert Sweibel got 2nd place & I took 3rd.Need to work on my time & losing a few more lbs.But, overall i was pleased with the outcome of my first 5K.More Stats: I came in 11th outta all male walkers...13th fastest walker overall...outta 255 walkersI have a CYCLING event next week... 62 miles thru the rolling hills of middle TN for the H.O.T. 100 in Lascassas, TNStay tuned!
Date: 2010-09-18
To: Elkton,KY
Miles today: 0.0

Sat.Sept 18th...Happy Birthday to my daughter, Jackie...the alarm goes off @ 5:30am...I turn the coffee pot on...& shower & put on the running shorts & top & my new MIZUNO RENEGADE 4s...& head to Elkton,KY for a 5K race walk...the drive is only abt an hour away...& it gives me a chance to check out Donna's new Tom Tom GPS (XL330) on the way up...weeeeeeeeeeeeee ;0)I get to the staging site, just off the square in beautiful Elkton, KY.This race benefits the Milliken Memorial Community House here in Elkton...a beautiful old, stately home on West Main street...I sign in & meet & talk with a few of the race coordinators...get my goodie bag (complete with cute T shirt)then I start to warm up...only abt 30 minutes to race time...abt 7:30am...Jerry Dixon (my coach arrives)...with Cecil (forgot last name)another walker...& we all warm up together...a few stretches here & there...etcAt 8am...the race event coordinators walk us across the road to the start line...we recieve a few instructions...then we're off!The course is a simple one...its 1 1/2 miles out & then back on a slightly different course...to make up the extra tenth of a mile...for the first mile I hang with Cecil...& Nancy ? & a few runners/joggers...1 mile=11:34..not bad...hit the turn around @ 1 1/2 mile point...then mile 2= 23:49...i've slowed slightly...Cecil gets away from me...so does Nancy....my goal for today is to beat my last competition time of 37:52.4...i race walk on...my pace stays steady...then its the home stretch...i see the finish line...i didnt start my wrist stop watch so...will get my total time as i cross the line....i was competitior # 29 crossing the finish (out of 123 runners & walkers)I take 1st place in the 55-59 age group & 4th overall in the walkers group.My time was 36:51.49which means i took 1 min & 1 sec off my competition time in Franklin,KY last month...wooooo-hoooo....at least i'm headed in the right direction...Gonna rest for a few days now...concentrate on some ART work & art show coming up (Oct 2)...& then crank it back up with a RaceWalk @ the end of October in Springfield.See ya'll UP the trail & on the race track!
Date: 2010-10-10
To: Rylee's Birthday Party!
Miles today: 0.0

Sunday Oct 10, 2010Today is 10-10-10....HAPPY EARLY BIRTHDAY to my one & only beautiful grandaughter, RYLEE JACKSON! (she turns 8 years old on Tuesday the 12th...My lovely wife, Donna & I (Rylee calls us: "Grandmother & Papa Jay")will be heading to LaVergne today for a BIRTHDAY PARTY for Rylee & friends...been busy with the "ART THANG" the last few weeks...& laid LOW on the walking (race walking & power walking)...But, I cranked it back up yesterday as i get ready for the 1st "Run for the FIELD" 5k run/walk here in Springfield,TN...to benefit Springfield High Schools baseball team...as they raise funds for a new baseball field (makes sense, huh?)I walked the course yesterday...complete with abt 3/4 miles of UPHILLS...YIKES...but, i did fairly well on my time...i walked a 37:10 for the 5k route...which is much better than I thought i'd do...The event is Saturday Oct 30th...stay tuned for more practice & more times!Wooooooo-hooooooo!
Date: 2010-10-30
To: Run for the Field 5K
Miles today: 0.0

Sat.Oct 30thI wake up @ 6am...shower & put on my running clothes...ck the weather forecast...its 30 degrees here in Springfield...I take my multi-vitamin & sip a cup o' coffee & head downtown to the Square for the 1st annual "Run for the Field" 5K race...I arrive...its cold!only a few folks here thus far...the sign-up table staffed by baseball players' Moms & supporters of Springfield High School...(i pre-registered)checked in...got my "GOODIE BAG" complete with another T-shirt...weeeeee ;0)drop the bag in my car & start warming up....(with my jacket on)...by 8am...a good crowd has shown up...(abt 130...i found out later)We all get behind the start line just in front of the History Museum & after a few instructions...We're OFF!...i take off @ a high pace...(gotta pace myself...i'm a walker...not a runner)...off the square...we turn West on 5th avenue...we walk all the way down to North Garner Street & turn there....many runners pass me....& I'm okay with that.....just have to remember....i'm WALKING...walking...walking!Pace stays high...for the first mile...then we hit 2nd avenue...slight incline....then back up Walnut Street......1 mile mark...pavement is very ruddy....construction on this road makes for some unsure footing...i slow my pace a bit just a little...as to not lose my footing...turn onto 3rd ave....then its a long stretch...down......(which means....I'll have to walk back up this hill on the way back....down...down...down...i keep the pace as i turn onto CrestView....then...uphill for abt a 1/4 mile....huffin' & puffin'...i try to keep the pace constant with no slowing....i pass a load of runners that have started now to walk...this hill...2 mile mark...uphill....walk....walk....walk FAST!...I hit the top of the hill...then up Boren Street...passing a few more walking runners....keeping the pace high....do i look @ my stop watch or not....NOT....walk....walk...walk...down Grandview...then back on 3rd avenue...on the way back & the last half mile....i pick up the pace slightly in the last few turns...down Oak street then over to North Main street...i pass a few joggers in the home stretch...i glance up & see the finish line & the clock...huffing & puffing...i cross the FINISH & set a new BEST competition time of 36:10.31That shaves off 41 secs off my last competition time. wooooo-hoooooo! ;0)No medals...they didnt seperate runners & walkers times this year.I've got another 5K walk next week up in Auburn,KY.maybe I can do well there too...stay tuned!see ya'll up the trail & on the track!