morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-08-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Tom Levardi is a great man. Woke up this morning and went down to the diner. The breakfast was top notch and extremely cheap. We ate and Tom said that he would slack us from before Mt. Greylock back to his place. Normally, this kind of offer benefits the buisiness that is slacking you because they get your buisiness two days in a row but Tom doesn't accept a cent from the hikers. So we had a super nice day of hiking back to Tom's and then had a few brewskis on the lawn. Sundace had gone to the outfitter to look for new shoes with Tom that day and on their way back they picked up a movie. This is a movie that Sandy had relived on the trail over the course of many a hiking day. I had never seen "Predator" but it was a pretty good movie. Everyone watched it and then crashed in the lawn. Going over Greylock tommorrow. It is supposed to get nasty for a couple of days but Betty is going to pick us up and take us to the cabin she is taking care of for a few days.
Date: 2005-09-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday I completed the last mile of my hike from Spriger Mountain Georgia to Mount Katahdin Maine. I really don't know what to say right now. Emotions are mixed. We had a perfect fall day for our trip to the summit. We summited with Swazey, Colors, Featured, Gretsky, and Kiddy. A couple of other thru hikers were up there as well. With Sandy and I we comprise the supersonic 7. Its been a wonderful group to round out these last couple of weeks with. Our buddy Boost from Columbus showed up on Tuesday night and climbed the mountain with us. We all took down the Knife's edge trail back to the base of the mountain and it probably was the best day of hiking of my life. I'll put in another summary entry as well as all of the stuff that happened since August once I get back to Columbus on Friday. Thaks Mom and Dad for the support you have given me throughout this journey. It would have been impossible without you guys. I love you both. And a huge thanks to everyone else for their help, gifts, magic, and kind words of inspiration. You guys were heavy on my mind as I climbed the mountain yesterday. Well, it's over. I'm still realizing what I've lost and gained now that my goal has been accomplished. I'm looking foward to seeing everyone soon.
Date: 2005-03-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, this is my first official journal entry. I am not too sure what I am feeling besides the usual anxiety, excitement, fear...is it April 3rd yet? It's weird because I know I am doing all the work to get ready for the trail and yet it hasn't sunk in that I am about to set out on a journey for SIX MONTHS!! I get the 'are you crazy?' questions daily now and they just make me want it more! I will say that I worry about my physical condition more than anything else and I pray for God's strength everyday! I know that there will be many obstacles to overcome while I am out there and yet when I think of the trail I get all giddy with a big smile on my face like a kid who has just been told that they can have all the candy they want from the candy isle. I am also looking forward to meeting so many interesting people and to learn their reasons for hiking the A.T. Well, it is late and I still have many more days ahead of me to write in this journal...so until then, goodnight.
Date: 2005-03-19
To: Going away party with friends
Miles today: 0.0

Hello again! I am still at home getting ready for the trail, however tonight I am going out for some fun with some of my close friends. It's going to be nice to take a break from preparations and computer work for a few hours and let loose. But this is the first of a few going away parties I am going to have; I have one planned for March 31st with all of my crew from my current job, Second Nature, and another one with all of my friends from way back in the highschool days. Its weird for me to "say goodbye" to all of these people. I guess it really hasn't hit me that I will not be able to see them or call them up at any old time. But with the help of this site I know that they can keep in touch by signing the guestbook and follow along as I go. Well, I'm going to get back to vaccum sealing my food. I still have alot to do before the big day...it just dawned on me that its two weeks from this weekend!!
Date: 2005-03-19
To: Going away party # 1
Miles today: 0.0

Hello again everyone! Wanted to write a quick note about the going away party that my friends threw for me and my close friend Melissa last Saturday, March 19th. See, Melissa is also leaving on April 3rd to take a new job in St. Simons, GA. First, we went to Bailey's (which is a nicer sports bar and has pool tables) and then we went down to Buckhead in Atlanta to dance and have fun! I had a blast seeing everyone and wanted to say thank you to all of the people who came out. The cake was yummie too!
Date: 2005-03-24
To: Going away party # 2
Miles today: 0.0

Hey there! I haven't been able to write in a few days and finally have the chance. I was able to get together with my highschool friends and their husbands/boyfriends last week for some yummie sushi at Fugi Hana. At that point I had decided to completely stuff myself with all the sushi I could stand, seeing that I probably won't have the opportunity to eat it for a while. It was so good to see all of my friends again and to catch up. Its funny because some of them I have not seen or talked to since Christmas and when we all get together like that we pick up right where we left off, laughing and cutting up about old times in middle school and highschool. See, most of these people I have known since grade school and we have remained close over the years. Some of my friends weren't there because they live in different states, however we still manage to keep in touch through email and phone calls. Over half the group has kids of their own and although they are the same age as me, they still gave that motherly advice and expressed their concern and worry. I feel so blessed to have the love and friendship that I have from these people. Just want to say thanks to Court, Laura & Mirs, Kerri & Theron, Melissa & Brandon, and Alicen & Jason for all coming out to see me off. I love you guys and will think of you often out there. You are all in my prayers daily and I thank God for the blessing of our friendships. And Kerri don't worry too much about me...I'll be alright.
Date: 2005-03-25
To: Savannah for the wkend
Miles today: 0.0

This past weekend my sister and I decided to drive down to Savannah to hang out with my parents (who were already down there) for a last family vacation before I head out to the woods. Although the weather was mostly bad we still made the best of it; we rode bikes around Tibey Island and went to see the historic lighthouse. We also went to the movies and out to dinner for some yummie peel and eat shrimp. We were staying in some pretty tight quarters while we were down there so that made for some entertainment itself. Its funny to watch how people react to living in a 20x8 box while its raining outside. It was still nice to get away though.Well, gotta go and work on packaging some food. Until then...
Date: 2005-03-31
To: Going away party # 3
Miles today: 0.0

So I was finally able to round up my friends from my current job, Second Nature, for a night in Atlanta. We decided to go downtown to the highlands for some food, drinks, and hanging out. We started off at Harry & sons (Thai and sushi) and ended up at Neighbors for drinks and hanging out. Many of them are planning on meeting me somewhere along the way and hiking a few days with me. I am super pumped about this, seeing that I am going solo and all. And actually, now that I think about it, the trail passes through not too far from the office so maybe I can stop in and surprise all of them. That'd be fun! Thanks to Casey, Reid, Bryan (with a Y), Jan, Ben, and Dan. I had fun laughing with all you guys and hearing some of your suggestions on hiking and gear and all. I look forward to seeing you guys soon. And Ben, I'll be looking for you at the N.O.C., I just hope you're not out in the field that week. That would suck because I'm looking forward to that home cooked meal and I'm not even out there yet!
Date: 2005-04-01
To: Seeing Mama dawg and Bama D
Miles today: 0.0

Today I went over to see Mama dawg, Bama D, and Native Outlander for some lunch (this would be traildawg '04's mom, dad, and brother; Karen, David, and Scott). We had some lunch, huge salads, along with black olive hummus, pita chips and sweet tea (my favorite). Everything was great. At the end of lunch and to my surprise Karen and Scott come out with a cake while singing Happy Birthday to me!! I couldn't believe that they remembered, seeing that my birthday isn't until April 25th and that I will be out on the trail when it comes! I guess I really hadn't even thought about it either! Thanks to Karen, David, and Scott for having me over for lunch and for the cake and birthday cards. Never had pineapple upside down cake before and man was it good!!
Date: 2005-04-01
To: Dinner at Mt. Fugi
Miles today: 0.0

Tonight I went to Mt. Fugi for some Japanese food with my parents, my sister and my close friends Dani and Zach. I always seem to eat way too much when I go there but the food is so good! I ordered shrimp and scallops with veggies. Yummie! After realizing that my birthday would be shared with out them we decided to celebrate mine and my mom's together! See, my mom's was March 25th and mine is April 25th. We had our picture made while the Japanese ladies sang Happy Birthday to us in Japanese! We had a good time, especially with our chef, Scott. He was hillarious! Well, I'm going to tuck in now...goodnight.
Date: 2005-04-02
To: Last full day 
Miles today: 0.0

Wow! This is my last full day before I head out tomorrow for six months. I am trying to take it easy today and finish up the last little details; health insurance, paying bills, cleaning my room and bathroom one last time. I have decided that I am going to leave from my parents house in Toccoa, GA in order to get a good nights sleep. I still have to pack my pack and figure out where I am going to put everything. Shouldn't take me too long but we'll see. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers everyone! Here it goes!
Date: 2005-04-04
From: Springer Mountain

To: Long Creek Falls
Miles today: 4.9

FIRST DAYI've finally made it! Today was my first day of many out on the trail. The weather couldn't have been better; blue skies and 70 degrees made for awesome hiking. I arrived @ the parking area below Springer around 5:00pm, hiked the .9m to the Southern terminus and then hiked back down to grab my pack and go. I must say it was harder for me to say goodbye to my parents than I thought it would be. I tried hard though to hold the tears back so my Mom wouldn't worry. I only was able to hike 4.9m today b/c the sun started going down. I am now sitting in my shelter @ Long Creek Falls at 10:00pm with a full belly and warm sleeping bag.I did meet two other hikers today, Nate and Toni (she's a girl) and Toni's dog Jasmine. Not with either of them now though; Toni stayed on top of Springer and I believe Nate is at Hawk Mtn Shelter. I'll probably be seeing them again though. Well I'm pretty tried and its going on 10:30pm, so until tommorrow, goodnight.
Date: 2005-04-05
From: Long Creek Falls

To: Gooch Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today I set off around 9am and made it to Hawk Mtn shelter(2.7) at 10:15am. There I met Tumbleweed, Grumpy, Spock, Weatherman and Alex heading out to Gooch Mtn. I told them I was also attempting to go there but we'll see. While eating breakfact and Hawk Mtn another hiker woke up and talked with me for about 20 min. His name is David and he is thinking of going by the name 'underdog' because he hurt his ankle on the first day at Springer Mtn. He plans on going 1/2 way this year and maybe finishing up next year.Well I did make it to Gooch Mtn Shetter around 4:30pm. Put in 10m today and I must say, I'm definately feeling it. My right knee started giving me trouble about 2 hrs. into the hike. Most of the hike was downhill which I think caused my knee pain.I have now met several other hikers: Prime numbers, Tree-sleeper, and Mild Bill. I also met a guy (Larry) who is hiking with his 24yr old daughter, Heather. Everyone appears to be very nice so far. I'm having a great time, just wish my knees were better. I put biofreeze on it tonight so hopefully it will beel better tommorrw.
Date: 2005-04-06
From: Gooch Mtn. Shelter

To: Jarrard Gap
Miles today: 10.5

NEW FACESToday I set off around at 9:45am after eating some oats and granola with apples and raisins. After hiking about a 1/2 mile I ran into Shank and Amy. We all kept up the same pace and decided to go to Jarrard Gap to camp. Along the way we ran into Tumbleweed and his gang again and also another section hiker named Christian who also ended up hiking with us. We all made it to Woody Gap around 12:30pm. While we were there, two girls named Kim and Lindsay from jacksonville, FLA (they stayed at Gooch Mtn Shelter also. I really enjoyed their company and was bummed to hear that they were not thru-hiking) were waiting on a shuttle to pick them up. The shuttle arrived and the driver, Pittsburgh, offered us some sodas. My first trail magic. We set off again at 1:30pm and made it to Jarrard Gap at 4:30pm. Another 10.5 miles done today. My knee is feeling slightly better and I think the massaging and biofreeze helped. Tomorrow is a short 5 miles to the Walasi-Yi, however it is mostly uphill and over one of the highest GA/AT peaks. UGH. Hopefully I will sleep well tonight.
Date: 2005-04-07
From: Jarrard Gap

To: Walasi-Yi
Miles today: 5.0

THE WALASI-YIToday I arose around 7:30am, but due to the rain I stayed in my tent until 9am. It started raining around 11:30pm last night and has not let up yet. I broke down camp and set off around 9:30am and made it up ontop of Blood Mtn. (in the rain) by 12 noon. At that point I was drenched so I only stayed at the Blood Mtn. shelter for about 20 minutes. It was too windy and cloudy/foggy for pictures. Too bad, because from what I understand you can see Springer Mtn. from the top of Blood Mtn. Today though, while at the Walasi-Yi hiker hostel at Neels Gap, I have met many more people: Jacob and Joe (Jacob is here with Joe who has just been married about 4 weeks ago!), Bob and Eric, and Mark and Dale (Dale is here to raise money for a mission trip this fall). Christian and I kept up the same pace mostly and made it down to the Walasi-Yi around 1:30pm. Because of all the rain, I ended up hiking only 5 miles today.Tonight we ended up going into town for all you can eat (AYCE) dinner buffet. It was actually pretty good. The rain has kept up so I am going to be spending the night here at the hostel. It is nice to be inside where it is dry and warm. Tomorrow I'm headed for Low Gap shelter. Hopefully the rain will stop.
Date: 2005-04-08
From: Walasi-Yi

To: Low Gap shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

STILL RAININGI headed out from the Walasi-Yi Center (Neels Gap) around 10:30am. My pack weight went up to 36lbs. (from 32lbs.) after re-supply, but still that's not too bad.Today started off foggy with no rain and some sunshine here and there, however by 1:00pm the rain set in and did not stop until after I made it to the shelter at Low Gap around 4:30pm (10.6 miles). I was lucky to get to sleep in the shelter because Heather gave up her spot and decided to go and sleep in the tent with her Dad. I might be wet now but I'm not going to get wet tonight!My knee is doing much better by the way--so to all of you who have been praying for me--Thank You and God Bless! Well, I'm pretty tired and the guys are telling me its time for lights out, so until tomorrow, goodnight.
Date: 2005-04-09
From: Low Gap shelter

To: Blue Mtn. shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Hello again to all! Last night was probably the best sleep I've gotten since I've been out here! And I was sleeping between two guys who were snoring! I guess I was pretty tired after hiking in all that rain! This morning is starting off pretty good; SUNSHINE!! Christian and Jacob and Joe are trying to get to Red Clay Gap today (apparently there is another hostel down there and Christian wants to stay there because he wants to have a day of Worship on every Sunday that he is out here and Jacob and Joe have a drop box there). It is now 11:30am so I guess I'd better get moving (I've been trying to dry my boots and socks in the sun for a couple of hours).Jacob and Joe missed Red Clay Gap and decided to keep moving on down to Unicoi Gap and get a cab to take them back to Red Clay Gap to get their food. Christian also missed Red Clay Gap (it wasn't marked) so he, myself, Dale, Mark, Larry, Heather, and a new fellow by the name Mickey one sock all ended up hiking together up to Blue Mtn. shelter (7.2 miles). I made it to the shelter at Blue Mtn. and found Bob and Eric just about ready to leave. I was here at the shelter by myself for a while until a gentleman from TN showed up. His name is David and he is here for the weekend. He has two daughters who are about my age and one is getting ready to get married and move to San Fransico. After awhile more people started to roll in and I have now met Jeremiah, Just visiting, and Fig. New faces make for new and fun conversation! Well, going to get back to the crowd...write more tomorrow!
Date: 2005-04-10
From: Blue Mtn. shelter

To: Tray Mtn. shelter
Miles today: 7.7

NEW NAME?This morning was beautiful and I was up early enough to catch the sunrise ontop of Blue Mtn. It was breath-taking! Today I hiked up to Tray Mtn shelter 7.7 miles. Tray Mtn. is the highest peak on the GA/AT and man was it beatiful! I could see for miles! I met back up with Amy and Shank who are now going by the name 'baby-blue' and 'chopsticks' (Amy got baby-blue because of the shirt she wears and Shank got chopsticks because that what he eats with out here). Just visiting and Fig are also here along with Pheonix rising, Seiko (who has hiked the trail 25 times back to back! This is his last year--he started in 1980! That's when my sister was born!!), Buzzsaw, and Pheonix. Other hikers, Diana, Andrew, and their dog Vetter, along with Mickey one sock stopped by but kept moving. Mickey and his gang are headed to Kelly Knob. I think that Mickey has indirectly given me a trail name: daughter-in-law. The story is that Mickey (who appears to be in his mid fifties) has two sons who are both single and live in Woodstock near where I live. One is 29 and a tennis-pro and the other is 34 and the cheif engineneer at Oracle. Mickey states that I would be the best daughter-in-law and that since both of his sons are single I can have my pick! Ha! Ha! Pretty funny if you ask me! Mickey says that "when your kids are still single at their age, it takes their parents stepping in to help out"! Not too sure of the name but still a funnt story! I hope I see those guys again...they're funny!My knees are still the same--somewhat sore at times. The rain is supposed to be heading in by Tuesday but hopefully I will be heading into town! Overall, things are going pretty good. Thanks for all of your prayers! I can definately feel them!
Date: 2005-04-11
From: Tray Mtn. shelter

To: Deep Gap shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: few clouds

MORE SUNSHINEToday I arose around 6:45am. Last night was really nice ontop of Tray Mtn. I could see all the town lights from Hiawassee down below.This morning was another beautiful sunrise and has been mostly sunny all day. I made it to deep Gap shelter around 1pm (7.1 miles). I ended up seeing Diana and Andrew with Vetter along the way and ran into phoenix, buzzsaw and phoenix rising at the intersection of the A.T. and the trail down to the shelter. I said good-bye to all of them and hiked the .4 miles down to the shelter to find just visiting and fig finishing up lunch. They left around 1:30pm and by 2:00pm my friends baby-blue and chopsticks rolled in after slack packin' it today from Tray Mtn. Seiko had offered all three of us the slack pack option, however that would mean going back down 1.1 miles to Tray Mtn. road and back up again to get on the trail. So I declined and headed out. I have been here at the shelter now for about three hours by myself enjoying the birds and peacefulness of the mountains. Two other hikers finally arrived around 5 pm or so and go by the names loose-goose and mild bill. Christian has caught back up with me after taking his zero day yesterday and another hiker named ragman has just arrived. Overall, probably going to be a quiet night at the shelter because Dick's Creek Gap (where the road is that leads into town) is only 3.5 miles further down the trail. I assume everyone is pushing on to get into town and take hot showers and eat some good grub. But me, I'm just enjoying my time out here!
Date: 2005-04-12
From: Deep Gap shelter

To: My Parent's House
Miles today: 3.5

Today has been a great day!I got up this mourning around 7:00am. There was no sunrise due to the clouds but no rain either. I got up and ate the usual oats&granola with walnuts and raisins and set out for the trail around 8:40am. I wanted to get movin g because I knew it was going to rain soon.I don't think I mentioned earlier in my journals that my parents ended up giving me a surprise visit at Neels Gap last Thrusday. After we went and had AYCE dinner my parents showed up in the parking lot as I was on the phone with my sister! I was very happy to see them. And they ended up bringing some goodies too(double-stuff oreos and peanut butter cups) Anyway, while at Neels Gap my parents&I came up with a plan. My parents gave me a car key anddecided to leave a car at Dicks Creek. Well,it wored out perfectly! I made it down to the car at 9:50am(3.5 miles) just before it started to rain! I ended up giving Mild Bill a ride into Hiawassee and then headed for Clayton to see some friends from work.While at 2nd Nature I found out that my parents were off for the day. So I called them at home. My sister answered and said that she had come up to try and surprise me, however she anticipated me being home on Monday instead of Tuesday. She was unable to stay because she had to work but I told her that because I would be taking a Zero day wednesday maybe we could meet 1/2 way for dinner. She agreed and we said goodbye. I then realized how badly I wanted a shower and headed for my parents house.It was nice being at home today. My parents and I went to dinner and then to the Movies to see Fever Pitch. Overall, I am very happy and also glad to be sleeping in my own bed tonight!
Date: 2005-04-15
From: My Parents House

To: Standing Indian Campground
Miles today: 15.6

So as you can see, days 4/13 and 4/14 are missing from my journal entries. This is because I decided to take 2 Zero days. Yea, I know I'm slacking, however the way I look at it is that this is where my home is. Where my family is. So why not? Anyhow, today I have decided to hike 15. to try and make up for the past 2 days. My parents are also meeting me today at Deep Gap us71 to join me for the next week or so and hike to Fontana Fam. Hopefully all will go well!Well, I am now at Staning Indian campground after hiking 19 miles today. See us71, where my parents were going to meet me was closed due to the hurricanes last summer. So while we were at Dicks Creek Gap my parents and I made a plan that if they were not at the AT/US71 intersection by 6:00pm I was to continue on down the Kimsey Creek Trail(3.7 miles) to Standing Indian Campground. Well as you can see my parents weren't there and so I hiked the 3.7 miles off the trail to meet them. At first, I must admit,I was bummed because having to hike the extra miles, however once I started hiking I noticed that the scenery was beautiful. All kides of creeks,waterfalls,plants and flowers! I am always amazed by God's beauty out here! My parents and I have now set up out tents at the campground and gone to eat at Shoney's for AYCE buffet. In the morning we plan to hike the 3.7 back up to the A.T. and we're headed to Beech Gap from there. Total miles ended up being 19.3 today! WOW I'm tried!