morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-07-01
From: Best Western at Valley View, Roanoke, VA

To: Hoquiam, WA
Miles today: 0.0

Up early this morning - I woke at 5:15am. Took another shower, packed up, feasted on the best continental breakfast I've ever seen in a hotel (waffles, bagels, donuts, banana bread, biscuits & gravy, yogurt, grapefruit halves, apples, bananas, pop-tarts, cold cereal, hot cereal, danishes, orange & cranberry juices, coffee, and hot chocolate; I didn't eat all of that...quite), and caught the shuttle to the airport.For the first leg of my trip, Roanoke to Chicago, I sat by Rebecca, a darling girl who, ironically, was coming from Florida having just buried her brother. She talked about him some; he sounded like an incredible person I wish I'd had the chance to know! She applauded my being adventurous before settling down into the rat race.In Chicago I met up with my dad, in from Baltimore, and we flew together to Portland where my mom picked us up and drove us the couple of hours to Hoquiam, WA. I walked in the airport for nearly an hour, like I always do when I have a layover, but my feet and ankles still swelled some, and my legs felt heavy and restless. I ate four times today! Just tried to keep the meals smaller...We went straight to the rest home, where my grandma, aunt, and uncle sat by my grandpa's bed. I felt some apprehension about seeing him. It had been so long; as it was my last memories were of his good days. But here I am; I can't not go in after coming all this way. It took a few minutes, but as I stood by his bed and took his hand, I knew I'd made the right decision. I'm so glad I came.
Date: 2003-07-02
From: Hoquiam, WA

To: Hoquiam, WA
Miles today: 0.0

Well, my feet still hurt in the morning, and my balance is still a little shaky as I take my first few minutes of stiff steps - just like on the Trail. Drove my grandma to the rest home first thing, then my dad left to pick up my sister at the airport, my mom and aunt headed over to the rest home. I had every intention of walking the 3.7 miles after awhile, but I got busy doing other things. Washed my trail clothes, sorted gear and hung stuff up on the clothesline to air out, then I got my domestic fix cleaning house a little (very little) and doing some baking. (Glad to know I'm still as at home in the kitchen as I've come to be on the Trail!) Checked my e-mail and by that time the gang was coming home for dinner.How can I walk 15 miles a day on the Trail as a way of life, get back into the "real world" and find excuses not to do anything active?! The lazy hasn't been walked out of me yet!My dad and sister and I finally went for a short walk (less than 30 minutes) after dinner. I was reluctant to put my hiking shoes on after two days of flip-flops! But they felt great. I felt sluggish while walking, though, and my shins are sore. My right arch has made itself known quietly the last day or two - maybe since the flip-flops and no arch support. My feet and ankles aren't swollen today, but my legs still feel stiff and heavy.I also am back to feeling like the fat sister... Got to curb some of this eating. It just tastes so good - stuff I haven't had on the Trail! Cold cereal and Silk soymilk, ice cream, fruit, ice cream, toast with peanut butter and applesauce, ice cream, homemade cookies, ice cream...
Date: 2003-07-03
From: Hoquiam, WA

To: Hoquiam, WA
Miles today: 0.0

Ten Things I Noticed About Civilization1) Washing my hands with soap - it feels sooo good!2) Obesity - it is heartbreaking to see so many people looking so sluggish and unhealthy.3) How good people smell! perfumes, colognes...4) Fashion - I'm still into it...5) Plucking (or should I say clearcutting) my eyebrows... Not shaving doesn't bother me, but those caterpillars sure do...6) Healthy foods like I like to eat - veggie sandwiches, smoothies, fresh fruit, etc.7) Baths.8) On the Trail I brush my teeth with no water at all and don't miss it a bit. As soon as I have a sink I automatically let the water run and run and run while I brush...a habit I must break.9) The absence of the camaraderie you feel amongst strangers simply because they're fellow hikers.10) The desire to have a home to decorate - it's that domestic gene!
Date: 2003-07-07
From: Hoquiam, WA

To: Hoquiam, WA
Miles today: 0.0

My grandpa died early yesterday morning - alone, ironically, after all the care my grandma, mom, aunt, uncle, and others have taken to be by his side so much of the time. My friend Annie said maybe he just needed to be alone. Must be.I don't think he ever knew I was even here. That's okay; I wish he had, and who knows, maybe he did. I am still glad I came.This time of getting reacquainted with family has been as much or more a "journey of self-discovery" (as my cousin worded it) as the AT has been. I guess you don't always have to go far to "find yourself." I've also picked up a book called the Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom that has elements in it which are timely and appropriate to my journey - that often happens to me!The funeral is tomorrow; family and friends are enroute from the ends of the earth it seems! It's been said more than once what a shame it is that only weddings and funerals bring us all together like this!I fly back to Roanoke Wednesday; should be back on the Trail by Friday I guess.
Date: 2003-07-09
From: Hoquiam, WA

To: Days Inn West, Elk Grove, IL
Miles today: 0.0

Following the pattern set in childhood at Grandma's, we got up at the crack of dawn and left early to make our flights in Portland, my sister to Reno, dad to South Dakota for business, mom and I to Chicago together, then she to Baltimore and myself to Roanoke.I slept terribly last night. Guess I wasn't active enough yesterday, and the sugar I ate when we came back from the cousins' traditional trip to the beach probably didn't help. (I told them I'm sure I've eaten enough sugar while I've been here to power me all the way to Maine! But as Erin said, "What's Grandma's without sweets?")The wheels started turning as I thought about getting back on the Trail and how it would all work out and kept me awake. I felt like I needed some moral support, so I came up with an idea...Flexibility is a key word. My mom and I arrived in Chicago - relatively on time, despite a dealy in Portland - only to discover my connection to Roanoke had been cancelled. Thank goodness in Portland we'd tentatively reserved me a seat on the first flight out tomorrow morning in case I didn't make it on time for this one.As I stood in the Customer Service line (miles long), physically tired from a poor night's sleep, emotionally drained from the week's events, and dying to get outside for some fresh air, I started to label the experience a nightmare. I stopped myself though. Granted, just walking is so much less complicated! Still, it could have been worse. I could have been stranded and not spoken a word of English, like the Chinese woman in line behind me. I could have been stranded in a satin dress and three-inch heels like the girl that just walked past. I could have been stranded with a screaming child to reckon with.But no, it was just me, with a good head on my shoulders, a clear mind and a firm grasp of the English language, wearing a comfortable sundress and my flip-flops, nobody else to deal with, and everything I really needed for overnight in my carry-on.I ended up in a decent Days Inn for a good rate - where I could open the window wide! And I left it all night, despite the city noise.I'm basking in the glow of my last bed (full of pillows!!!) for awhile, and a room to myself...
Date: 2003-07-10
From: Days Inn West, Elk Grove, IL

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I'm so clean, how will I ever get used to not being again? Just took a shower here at the shelter before getting settled in for the night. Then, as I sat and mapped out a tentative itinerary into Pearisburg, what better to welcome me "home" than RAIN?! Just when I was thinking about walking over to the Visitor's Center to call Annie, too. Oh well, I would hardly have been at home on the Trail without it... (Note the sarcasm.)Well, a less elaborate contintental breakfast this morning than at the Best Western in Roanoke (just OJ and donuts), but an uneventful flight that arrived on time.And a friendly face! I'd called Matt yesterday (my idea the other night) and he agreed to come up and be my moral support. He said tonight, "You probably wonder why we do all this stuff for you." I admitted I did. "'Cause it's entertaining." He laughed. "Really though, I'd want someone to do it for me, that's all. I figure something like this is 90% mental, and if you know you have people backing you up, you can do it." I think he's right. I promise to pay it forward!My flight had been so cold that the blast of sunshine, heat and humidity that greeted us as we left the airport felt good. Even not having AC in the car didn't bother me - it was an excuse to have fresh air!We found a GREAT Indian place downtown with a lunch buffet, then headed to Marion where Ingles for groceries and the library for my last e-mail fix were our only two stops before coming out here to Partnership. Matt hung out here with me for awhile.Now I'm alone again. I suprised myself by being excited to get back into Roanoke. It's pretty here, and I loved looking around at the mountains on every side of the city. They're nothing compared to Mt. Hood, Rainier, or St. Helens, of course, and the air here is hazy compared to the bright, clear air in the Northwest that gives the scenery a crisp, sparkling feeling. Still, a passing Tennessee license plate made my heart leap a little, and knowing I was going back into the woods to tackle my adventure lent a deep and calming satisfaction. I am home, after all.Three hours later...Still on Pacific time, I just finished a must-read (between attacks by daddy-long-legs!): The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom, with John and Elizabeth Sherrill. About Corrie's experience harboring Jews for the underground in Holland during World War II and her subsequent imprisonment in concentration camps. Time well spent. (Reading, that is, not in the concentration camp...)
Date: 2003-07-11
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Davis Path Shelter
Miles today: 14.2

Tonight I am confronted with myself. Thank you, God, for the challenge this presents. I thoroughly enjoyed the day of hiking alone, but as soon as I arrived here this evening I felt lonely. It sucks to miss friends and not be able even to tell them! I've been spoiled by phone and e-mail this past week!Got a late start this morning. Woke up once at 7am and thought I'd be up for the day. But my customary morning reading presented an excuse to get back in bed, and after only a chapter in Acts I fell back asleep until 9:30. Ended up getting on the Trail at nearly 11. Just under three hours to the Chatfield shelter, seven miles away, where I stopped for an hour for lunch. Both the mosquitoes and I ate well.After lunch the Trail emerged from the backcountry wilderness to the rural countryside. I strode down grassy hillsides, past white farmhouses, and through hilly pastures where cows of all sizes and colors grazed. They looked at me and mooed, as if to say, "What you walkin' for foo'? It's all about standin', and chewin'." (I stole that from my good college buddy Adisa.)Oh, it felt good to hike today. So much better than the relative sedentary state I spent the last 11 days in. Thank You so much God, for the ability to do this - and especially for the motivation. Even the last 1.1 miles carrying an extra four pounds of water (this shelter has no water source so I had to stock up for tomorrow), most of which was a climb that left me panting, felt good. I maintained about a 2.5 mph pace all day. With an hour stop for lunch and a 25-minute stop at the Dairy Queen in Atkins for an Oreo blizzard (yum!!), I got here at 6:30pm. It felt so good to finally put a number besides zero in for my daily mileage, a destination other than the one I started with!I am tired tonight, physically. I felt my knees today a little, which is odd because I've never had knee problems until I got off the Trail last week. I noticed them while I was off, walking down hills and stairs. I hope they get used to being used again soon! I don't mention this to complain, simply to chronicle what's going on with my body for learning's sake for anyone contemplating hiking. And while I'm on the subject, my feet never stopped being stiff and sore in the mornings the 11 days I was off, either. I guess one can't expect to do a thing of this magnitude and have no pain!Well, I guess I'll get ready for bed.An afterthought... For the record, I don't mention being lonely in the spirit of complaint, either. Again, just stating the facts, exploring the nuances of this journey I'm on. An old song by Amy Grant says something like, "I love a lonely day - it chases me to You..." Which is exactly what I'm after out here, so I'm glad for the loneliness, even though I don't particluarly like it. It builds character. =)
Date: 2003-07-13
From: Davis Path Shelter

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: scattered clouds

And then there was Chestnut Knob. (Note to reader: Doesn't a "knob" sound so much more pleasant to climb than a "mountain"? As if it were something to be ambled over by a Jane Austen character with the nephew from the manse next door, carrying a picnic basket, and lollygagging about under her parasol? Don't be fooled. Beware of all geographical formations with the word "knob" anywhere near their name.)Several steeper, longer climbs than Virginia has henceforth presented reminded me I'd been off the Trail 11 days! The last one, up to Chestnut Knob, was 4.6 miles long. One of those with multiple summits. You think you've reached the top - and then you see another top up ahead. I've dubbed these "falsies."Actually I loved Chestnut Knob, and this shelter's in a great spot; it just came at the end of a 20-mile day! Twenty point six, to be exact. (My first 20-miler all of my own motivation!)A short jog back into the woods, and another clearing, and never was a shelter a more welcome sight! (Well, there may have been other days I felt this way...)Quinn passed me today as I ate lunch, basking in the sunshine in an open field (reminded me of our picnic on Beauty Spot!), so he was here when I arrived. KC pulled in soon after me. This shelter is really more like a house - four walls, windows, and a door, bunks instead of sleeping platforms, a picnic table in the middle. Quinn found a jazz station on his radio, and Louis Armstrong tunes filled the air as we photographed the sunset. When I returned from getting water, Quinn had little tealight candles burning!It's even been sunny since before noon, and I got to see my first real sunset since I've been out here. To the east and north stood big cloud castles partially colored orange from the sun. Long flat cloud banks parallelled the Western horizon, and the sun spilled out below the lowest one for one final glow before heading to bed. A rosy glow remained between earth and clouds for some time; the overhead sky is dark now for the night, but even now is etched a faint amber line.A great end to a great day. I am tired. Will I be able to do another 20+ tomorrow?
Date: 2003-07-17
From: Holy Family Hostel, Pearisburg, VA

To: Holy Family Hostel, Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I wanted to leave town today, but my leg is hurting just enough to make me think twice about hiking on it. Besides I think overnight is not quite long enough for me this time. Time and distance make it better, but my frame of mind yesterday was not good. I guess I need more time both mentally and physically.Bill, the man that runs the hostel, drove up in his truck with his little Boston terrier and called out, "You guys want to go into town?" This, I would discover, was his morning routine.Mike (Merlin) and I got out at the laundromat, and I made a few phone calls while my clothes were washing.Someone - I thought I knew who, but apparently was wrong - left me a gift certificate for a 30-minute massage (along with the 15 packages I had waiting - just kidding, it was only six I think...) at the hostel! I managed to get in touch with the guy and scheduled one this morning. I asked him how much it would cost to upgrade to an hour; he laughed, but when during the conversation I told him I was also a massage therapist he said, "Well come on up! I'll give you an hour, we'll trade tips and information!" I think he ended up working on me for well over an hour, bless his heart.So I'm not exactly sure how that one came about, but I gave up trying to figure it out and just received it gratefully. God is so good to me, I don't even deserve it. The massage was great - another "just what I needed" moment!This afternoon Molly, KC and I walked over to Wal-Mart. We agreed it was like being teenagers all over again, without a drivers' license or mode of transportation, having to walk everywhere again! The funniest thing was, a '99 or so thru-hiker, back in the area to reminisce I guess, pulled up beside us in his snazzy convertible Corvette and chatted about how our hike was going. We were sort of waiting expectantly, I guess, because he finally says, "Sorry I don't have more room or I'd give you a ride!" Hello! He's been there, right? I would have sat on a lap or something; it was a convertible - there's plenty of room! Oh well - he zoomed off down the road and we were left staring at each other.On the way back KC and I went to the library where I caught up a little on e-mail and my journal - ie, got my fix.My knee/calf might actually be getting worse. Lots more swelling, and it appears bruised somewhat. I hope that massage wasn't too much for it - it sure felt good. Hope I can get out of here tomorrow...
Date: 2003-07-19
From: Holy Family Hostel, Pearisburg, VA

To: Brigners', Peterstown, WV
Miles today: 0.0

What a beautiful day! I woke up to rain, but it soon cleared off to reveal bright sunshine, partly cloudy skies, a bright, clean earth, and a breezy 75 or so degrees. The porch here faces North, so I'm staring at the ridgeline I'll be walking - if I ever get out of here. I'm sitting at the picnic table with ice on my calf and ankle. Again, not much pain, but still a lot of swelling around my ankle, even after keeping it elevated and iced nearly all night. I kind of wonder if that's just from the usual zero-day-in-town swelling I've often gotten, but my left one's not swollen, and my right calf is, in addition to the ankle. So, I guess just more rest is in store for me!This morning I took my fifth shower since I've been here. Hoping maybe the cleaner I am when I leave here the better it will carry over onto the Trail once I start hiking...Mike and Packman went to breakfast this morning; they are both very nice men. Late 50s to early 60s or so. They're both leaving today, Packman to get off the Trail, Mike to skip North and start heading South.I'm going to church this afternoon.Later...I'm back, and what a blessing it was! The lady I spoke to on the phone yesterday was waiting for me at the door, greeted me with a warm hug (as did nearly every other of the 12 members of the congregation), and took me by the hand to indtroduce me to everyone else. What a sweetheart, and such a welcoming congregation. Small and informal, a closeknit family. Reminded me a little of my beloved Community SDA in Sulphur, OK.Barbara asked me home for supper (a healthy and delicious one!) and once again a simple conversation served to inspire me and remind me of the awesome opportunity I have to be out here. We talked about the bigger picture - the things in life that really matter, and I was reminded how SMALL much of what I worry about really is!I think I've crafted Plan B. I still have to adjust to it somewhat; my heart still wants to cling to Plan A. Remember Emily - there's a bigger picture, and all things work together for good.I'm just going to take it easier, do what I feel like doing, hike through the end of September or so, and see where I get. Like Molly, try to walk until I'm satisfied.I admit I'm disappointed; I really wanted to thru-hike. I wanted to BE a thru-hiker. But I'm not cut out to pound out the miles - mentally or, apparently, physically - and enjoy myself, or accomplish the other goals I'd set out as reasons for coming out here. LIke a slower pace of life and a spiritual retreat. So we'll see what happens.(In other words Annie, I'll just have to play it by ear...)
Date: 2003-07-26
From: Thomsens', Laurel, MD

To: Thomsens', Laurel, MD
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up about 5:30 and basked in another simple pleasure ¢ Andrea Bocelli¢s Sancta Maria (several times!) off his Sacred Arias album, something else I¢ve missed. And then of course a bath.Had an enjoyable day going to church, lunch with the fam, then a little sightseeing in downtown DC. I guess I¢ve evolved into a country girl at last ¢ between the stop-and-go traffic, dirty city streets, and millions of people I thought I was about to suffocate. I¢d take the peace and quiet of a town like Catawba over that any day!
Date: 2003-07-27
From: Thomsens', Laurel, MD

To: Ed Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: broken clouds

Another early morning! Glad I¢m in the habit, even though I got to bed late again last night!It¢s been quite a day. Tonight I¢ve got company ¢ Steve and his dad. Since I was supposed to be around this area by this time originally, and in order for it to be more convenient for them, we started this afternoon at Harper¢s Ferry and came north. Then Steve will drop me off back in Catawba on his way home to Chattanooga at the end of the week.I found it very disconcerting to jump onto the trail in a place I wasn¢t familiar with. Steve¢s dad knows this area well, and is very excited about being out on the Trail, so he led the way through town and onto the canal trail. It seemed like forever before we finally saw a white blaze though, and I was having a hard time relaxing inside and trusting that we were on the right track! A little control issue maybe?It was strange too to walk so far on the flat canal Trail ¢ it¢s a wide gravel path, shared by bikers, day-hikers, and the AT. It parallels the Potomac River, down which boaters and inner tubers floated lazily. Today was a hot day, and I half wished I was doing that instead!We took a short day today, due to a late start ¢ and easing these ¢street folk¢ into the routine (just kidding)! They did great ¢ remember Steve¢s a machine (he mountain bikes). Besides we came into Ed Garvey and were so enticed by its luxury, decided to stay. This nice new ¢log cabin¢ shelter is the first I¢ve seen with the flor lacquered. Gives it a real classy feel. The water, however, is forever away ¢ and downhill, of course.What do you do when you get into camp at 4:30 pm? Build a kicking fire, of course! Steve¢s got the fire-building gift, and when the bugs become relentless we all pitched in on the wood gathering out of desperation. After two nights totally indoors, it feels good to be sleeping outside again. I had a hard time getting to sleep last night and the night before, so I am tired early.