morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-12-31
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, it is the last day of 2003 and it has been an eventfull year. Prepairing for retirement and putting many many miles on the feet geeting ready for the walk of a lifetime. Christmas was good, God has been so good to us throughout the year and 2004 will hold many more blessings. I received a lot of gear and cloths for the A.T. trip starting on May 30 or 31. My wife and her Brother and his family will carry me to Maine leaving on Friday the 28th. and we hope to arrive at Baxter state park on evening of the 29th. If this works out and the weather is good, we will hike up Katahdin together on the 30th. or 31. After we hike Katahdin and come back down I'll continue on to Springer Mt. Georgia and they will return home by way of Mt Washington where they plan to stoop and hike up the Mt. My wife and myself plan to go to REI tonignt and return much of what I got for Christmas gifts and exchange for stuff I need. I got enough cloths to last for serveral years of hiking and need other things more. I haven't talked to my partner Charlie since about Thanksgiving, he and his wife were going out of town for the holidays. We need to get together and start planning things out for the departure. May 31 seems a long way off now but it will pass quickly and there is still much to be done. I realized after I purchased my digital camera that I needed some way to keep battery charged along the way and hopefully down load pictures onto computer in librays along the way for e-mailing back home. This is additional weight which I had not planned for. Does anyone have suggestions as to another way to handle this. I continue to walk around the community each day with my pack on and many people still look at me strange, some do stop and ask what I am doing. They seem excited for me and some ask questions. I had rather they stop me and ask questions than to just look at me and shake there head wondering what I am up to. Well this is enouth ramblining on for a while. I guess I neet these entries for myself so I can look back and see what my thouthts have been.Happy New Year
Date: 2004-01-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, 4 months and 3 weeks before I leave for Katahdin. I went to personnell yesterday to submit the paper work for my retirement effective April 1st and found out that I have enough time to retire one month earlier (March 1st.) wow what a blessing. This will give me an additional month to prepair for the hike and get things around the house in order before leaving everything for my wife to do. I weighed my pack Monday with everything I think I will need to do the A.T. it weighed 45# that was with only 1 liter of water and 5 days worth of food. Where can I cut out some weight? I was hoping for about 42# max. it looks like now closer to 50 with enough water and food!! Anyway, I'll work it out. Talked to Charlie (my friend which will do the A.T. with me) last night. He is prepairing also, his retirement date is March 31 we plan to take a long weekend soon and do some backpacking in the Uwharrie Nat. Forest. This will give us a chance to try out our gear and practice camping in the cold. Got to go more later.
Date: 2004-01-09
To: Snowing/may practice walking in snow
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I told my boss and other interested parties yesterday that Feb. 27 would be my last work day. They all wished me well and were interested in my planned A.T. walk. I am not sure they all realize the magnitude of this trip most (based on some comments) think the A.T. is a graded trail such as they see in parks and through some sub-divisions. I welcome their well wishes and the prayers of those who have agreeded to pray for me during this trip. I have made many friends here in Apex through the 25 years which I have been employeed here. I will miss them all some more than others as I work closer with the Public Works Dept. than the other Departments. I am hoping that some will keep up with my journey through this web site. Wow, it has been snowing since 6:00 A.M. and everything is covered now with it still falling. I may go for a short backpacking trip today just to see how it will be walking in snow with full pack. Still evaluating my pack weight and thinking of things to eleminate to reduce the load. Still hoping for some suggestions from the readers out there. Got to go think I'll practice eating some trail food today (hot noodles and peanut butter on bagles).More later.
Date: 2004-01-21
To: More thoughts and planning
Miles today: 0.0

Didn't try walking in the snow, didn't want to take a chance on slipping, falling and breaking something that may not heal in time for my planned May 30 departure from Katahdin. Did walk after snow melted while it wall still cold and found that my base layer, fleese shirt and wind suit was sufficent to keep warm while walking. Looking at maybe making a pepsi can stove. I got the plans/directions off a web site and it looks simple enough and sure would save some weight. Went to R.E.I. over the weekend and took advantage of some sale items (long undies shirt and pants) some extra socks and a pair of windproof gloves only thing left now is my treking poles will get them later. I used my gift card which my crew gave me for Christmas. Only 37 days left to retirement and then some real prep. for the trail. I am geeting more excited as the time approches for departure. I know I will be in for some supprises as I haven't done anything like this before. The longest I have ever stayed out camping/backpacking was for a month when in the Army and that was different, they droped food in by hellicopter (is that how you spell hellicopter?) Anyway, I am looking forward to the new experiance and adventure and meeting other hikers. After reading many of the other journals on this web site I will be trying to put faces with journals as I meet others heading North as I head South. Can't wait to get started although I will have a hard time walking away from my wonderfull Wife (Kelly) as she watches from the parking lot at Katahdin streem campground. We have never been apart for more than 3 days since we got married. Must get back to work now more later.
Date: 2004-02-10
To: Pack weight
Miles today: 0.0

Still trying to reduce the weight of my pack. Making the Pepsi can stove helped some but still around 45# with 10# of food. I am thinking about cutting off the excess stapping from hip belt and other adjustment straps which I shouldn't need. I don't know how much this would reduce the weight but I read somewhere that if I would take care of the ounces that the pounds would take care of themselfs? Went to R.E.I. Saturday and looked at some sandals to take along for crossing creeks and rivers in. They have some really light ones but are kind of pricey (60-80 bucks). Bought me a space blanket for emergencys also bought me a Platipus hydration unit. It holds 1 liter and should be sufficient with my other 1 liter nalgien bottle. It fits nicely in the top of my Greagory pack. I have started geeting some messages from friends and aquantices which have learned about my walk and it is good to know that there are some already followering me through my journal. Well, 17 more days untill retirement and then some really long walks getting ready for the A.T. I have some weekend packpacking trips planned to Croatan and Uwharrie National forrest. I am sure I will look at what I plan to carry many times before I leave so as to hopefully have everything I need but not be carrying things I don't have to have. How will I know for sure what I really need untill I am on the trail? I have learned so much from other journals as I read what others are doing to prepare. Must go for now I need to start cleaning out my office for the next plant supt. I know he is wanting to start moving some of his things in.Untill next time.
Date: 2004-02-18
From: Fairwell from co-workers

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, yesterday was a day which I had been antispating for a while. My retirement lunch/party was a great send off. I have another week after this to work, but yesterday was the best day to fit everyones schedule. My Boss Tim Donnelly made a short talk about me. Wow, if I had known I was that great and everyone thought that much of me I wouldn't have retired, I would have ask for a raise (ha-ha). All kidding aside, my Boss made me look good and seemed to be appricative of the job I have done for the Town for 25 years. My next in command and the new Supt. John Cratch made a very touching talk that had most everyone kind of teary as he told stories of his employement working for me. My long time friend and co-worker (of 29 years) Herbert Sneed publically said fairwell and sang a song which reflected our relationship with our Lord and Savor Jesus Christ. This really did bring many to tears. Wow the gifts I received which will be used on my A.T. walk. My crew (what a great group of guys and gals) gave me a pair of Leki treking poles (top of the line). I used them today with my practice walk of 6 miles with pack. They feel sooooo good and light after useing just wooden sticks I cut from the woods. My co-workers from Public works and Engineers I have worked with through the years gave me R.E.I. gift card.My friend Roy Crowder whome I have called on many times in the past to help me out in some emergancy situations also gave a R.E.I gift card. I will have a good time this weekend at R.E.I. All the things I have been putting off geeting for my trip I can now get. But the best gifts of all were the well wishes from all my co-workers and friends there at the lunch I'll miss them and the working relationship we have had through the years. Mike Couch (the Town's electrical system Supt.) called me in his office this morning to tell me he was planning to make a talk at my retirement lunch but he got left off the program. I appriciate the talk we had anyway and hope He and John (my replacement) can work together as well as Mike and myself have. Well, 98 more days untill I leave from Katahdin heading to Springer Mt. Georgia. I met with my hiking partner last Sunday and we talked for a while. I gave him one of my pepsi can stoves to try. He is geeting excited also and we talked about taking some practice hikes after he retires the last of March. He will be leaving next week for Germany where his co. is headquarterd to close out his affars there before retirement. His wife Marry Ann will be traveling with him and they will return the middle of March and close out things at his office here. We will be busy then as he and myself work out the loggistics of our trip. He and his wife will be going to maine the week before and will spend some time with family. We will meet at Millinocket on the 30th or 31st and hike Katahdin the next day. Oh, so many things to do before then. I keep thinking of things which I haven't thought of before which need to be done before leaving. Well, better get busy doing some of them. More later.
Date: 2004-02-27
To: 1st. day unemployed
Miles today: 0.0

Well, this is the 1st day of retirement and it seemed strainge to wake up without being obligated to report in to work any more. I said my goodbys yesterday and it was a little sad. I will miss all the ones I have worked with for so long and some I have worked with only a short time. It snowed all day yesterday and is still snowing today. Not a good day for outside activites so I am inside working on my journal and other trail prep chors. I should be useing some of my retirement gifts such as my new Emeral cookware (thanks wwtp gang) cooking some new receips from my new Southern Living cook book (thanks Eleanor). I'll surely try them out soon. A friend of mine and myself had a weekend hike planned for the Neusiok trail in the Croatan National Forest but the weather caused us to postpone that for a while. I haven't walked for 3 days now because of the weather and other things. I am geeting anxous to walk a trail somewhere soon. My pack was packed for the Neusiok trail with 2 gallons of water and pleanty of food in case it ran into a 4 day trip. I can hardly lift it up must be 50# or more. But 16# of that is water which I won't have to carry that much when I do the A.T. I was trying to insert a picture of the snow into this entry with no luck. I need some instruction on digital photo management. Well only 90 days left untill I take off for Katahdin to begin my journy. I pray that we all have a succesfull walk without any injurys. As I have given this web site to many of my friends so they can track me through my journy it puts a lot of pressure on me to finish the trip. I have explained that there will be many chances for injurys and a serious injury would certainly prevent me from compleating my journy. I would not want this to happen I am determined to with Gods help complete this trip and injoy the beauty of God's creation. I have so many praying for me I am confident that I will have a safe trip with many exciting experiances. I am looking forward to meeting so many other hikers who share my excitement of walking the A.T. I am hearing from so many of you who are wishing me luck and prepairing to start the trail yourselfs. We will meet along the trail and share experiances and trail mix, I look forward to this. I wonder sometimes why I just ramble on when makeing entries in my journal and I am sure you wonder the same thing. I have so many thoughts as I prepair and I want to have a record of some of these thoughts so I can look back when the journey is over. Does this make sence? no matter, this is my journal. Well, still snowing and I need to go out and fill up the bird feeders there are more birds than there is room for as they can't find anything to eat except in feeders. So long for now will ramble on more later.
Date: 2004-03-08
To: NEW BOOTS
Miles today: 0.0

WENT TO REI TODAY, ONE PAIR OF MY HIKING BOOTS HAVE BROKEN DOWN AND NEED ANOTHER PAIR. PICKED OUT A PAIR OF VASQUE, GOT 1/2 SIZE LARGER THAN I HAVE BEEN WEARING. MY FEET MUST BE GEETING BIGGER OF AT LEAST SPREADING OUT UNDER THE LOAD OF MY PACK. THEY FEEL GOOD BUT I WILL WEAR THEM AROUND IN THE HOUSE UNTILL I AM SURE THEY ARE GOING TO FIT AND FEEL O.K. WHILE TRYING ON MY BOOTS A YOUNG MAN (TO ME ANYONE LESS THAN 40 IS A YOUNG MAN) I WOULD GUESS HE IS ABOUT 25 MAYBE. ANYWAY HE STARTED QUESTIONING ME ABOUT MY OLD BOOTS (ONLY ABOUT 6 MONTHS OLD BUT MANY MILES)AND WHAT I WAS GEETING READY FOR. WHEN I TOLD HIM THE A.T., HE WAS EXCITED BECAUSE HE IS ALSO GEETING READY TO DO THE A.T. WE TALKED ON AND I GAVE HIM MY E-MAY ADDRESS ON THE BACK OF ONE OF MY BUSINESS CARDS. WE TALKED FURTHER AND HE LEFT TO LOOK AT OTHER GEAR. AS I WAS CHECKING OUT, HE CALLED TO ME AND ASK WHY THE SIGN OF THE FISH WAS ON MY CARD. I TOLD HIM BECAUSE I WAS A CHTISTIAN AND WANTED PEOPLE TO KNOW IT. HE TOLD ME TO LOOK AT THE BACK OF HIS BUSINESS CARD WHICH HE HAD GIVEN ME AND WHAT DO YOU KNOW, THERE ON THE BACK WAS THIS MESSAGE, (HUNGRY? "FOR FREE BREAD SEE THE GOSPEL OF JOHN.)WOW HE IS ALSO A CHRISTIAN WE TALKED SOME MORE AND HE MAY BE HEADING SOUTH WITH CHARLIE AND ME THE LAST OF MAY (I HOPE SO IT WOULD BE GOOD TO HAVE ANOTHER CHRISTIAN I CAN FELLOWSHIP WITH). HIS NAME WAS JEFREI (IF YOU READ THIS JEF WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE YOU ALONG). WELL, I GUESS MY FRIEND FROM CHURCH AND MYSELF WILL TRY THE TRAIL IN CARTERRET COUNTY AGAIN THIS WEEKEND AND THEY ARE PREDECTING SNOW AGAIN THIS TUESDAY BUT WARMER THIS WEEKEND. SAW SOME FRIENDS OF MINE FROM THE TOWN OF APEX TODAY TWO WHO HAVE RETIRED IN THE PAST 6-8 MONTHS AND WE HAD LUNCH TOGETHER. I ALSO SAW THREE FROM MY WORK UNIT IT WAS GOOD TO SEE AND TALK TO THEM WE ARE TRUE FRIENDS AS WELL AS PAST COWORKERS. WELL THATS ENOUGH FOR TODAY MORE AS TIME GROWS CLOSER TO THE BIG DAY (MAY 30) I CONTINUE TO PREPAIR AND PLAN.
Date: 2004-05-08
To: Fairwell dinner
Miles today: 0.0

Well, My Brother and Sister gave me a going away dinner today and invited immediate family (Mom, Dad, Uncles, Aunts, Neice and Nephews and of course Brother and Sister). The picture (if it apears) is my Sister's grandson and the only family member who likes to walk as much as I do. Maybe in 15 years he and myself cam walk the A.T. together. The dinner was really nice and I was glad to have a chance to get together with them all before I leave for my hike. They are all doing well (Mom and Dad are doing better than they have been for a while)this makes it easer to leave. They all wished me well and seemed excited about my trip. Having get togethers like this brings home the realiaty that the time is almost here. Only three more weeks and off to Me. Got a lot of nice gifts which will come in handy on the trail. I explaned what I would be eating and no, I won't be carrying a gun. I will just rely on God looking after me and not worry about needing a gun. I tryed to explane that I wouldn't be able to communiate with anyone for days at a time because there will not be cell phone service in a lot of places. This will be the hardest thing for Kelly and myself not knowing how each other is doing. We haven't ever been seperated more than 2-3 days at a time since we were married and I will miss her a lot even though I know she will be visiting along the trail every month or so. Anyway, Just wanted to let everyone know what I have been up to. Thanks to everyone who have signed in, stay in touch. (Kathaline, I'll be geeting to N.H. around July so look me up and bring some food.)Untill next timeMacchaeus
Date: 2004-05-30
From: Katahdin

To: Summited Katahdin and heading south on the AT
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: broken clouds

First day on the AT: Arrived at Katahdin Stream campground. At 06:30 after a quick visit to the campground pit toilet I started the climb to Baxter Peak (Northern terminus of the AT)with my wife, her brother and his family, and my hiking partner Charlie the "Tuna" Keefer. It was 07:00 and the day did not look like a good day for the climb. The temperature was 34 degrees at the campground. I knew that with 4000ft elevation difference that on Baxter Peak the temperature would be much colder. The wind was already strong at the campground and got stronger as we ascended the mountain. As we approached the treeline, we stopped for some snacks and put on additional clothing. At treeline and Hunt Spur the wind was vicious, strong and cold. When my wife approached the Hunt Spur her jacket and pants looked like sails with her struggling to stay upright. I knew I could not let her go any further. Kelly and her family stayed at Hunt Spur as Charlie and I continued up and towards what we thought was Baxter Peak. After approximately two hours and a frightening rock scramble accompanied by hurricaine force winds, we realized that Baxter Peak was still about one mile away. By this time the ground was covered with ice and snow with snow flurries. The wind was blowing so hard that we had to crawl on our hands and knees at times to keep from being blown over. We finally reached the wooden sign at the summit marking the start of the AT. What a relief! Even though we still had to go down the AT under extreme conditions we had some photos taken by other hikers at the top. As it turned out a couple (Randal and Lois)at the Summit got engaged (Randall proposed and Lois accepted) and received a ring. We took more photos and started the descent down the same 5.2 miles we went up. We arrived back at Katahdin Stream camp ground at around 4:15pm and registered our hike with the rangers. We returned to the hotel for one more night in a bed before starting out facing the 100 mile wilderness the next day (5-31-04). I will have a hard time walking off with my wife staying behind. I will mis her more than I can explain. She is my everything. She is posting this journal entry when she goes home. Until next time- Macchaeu
Date: 2004-05-31
From: Katahdin Streem Camp Ground

To: Hurd Brook Shelter
Miles today: 13.4

1st. day after starting at Katahdin (Baxter Peak). Met Charlie (The Tuna) hiswife and sister in law at A.T. Cafe for breakfast, my Wife drove me to Kathadin Camp Ground. We said our good-bys (a sad time) took picturres and Charlie and myself headed south. It was hard and broke my heart to watch Kelly drive off. We wanted to get to Hurd brook shelter for the night. It was a hard day, saw a moose as leaving Baxter State Park. Feet are sore from many miles of roots and rocks. Arrived at shelter at 6:00. No one else at shelter we unpacked, doctored feet, fixed supper (romen noodles w/tuna and snickers bar for desert). In sleeping bag @ 8:00 making this diary entry. Tired, going to sleep. I sure miss my wife!
Date: 2004-06-01
From: Hurd Brook Shelter

To: Rainbow streem lean-to
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: light rain

Awoke and up about 7:00 cold this morning 48deg at 8:30. Had breakfast of oatmeal, pop-tart, fruit and coffee. Visited prevy new experimental model. Pit buuilt above ground with mulch from forest floor put in after use to provide ofr moldering? Nice facility. jGot started hiking @ 10:00 steep climb started as soon as we crossed the creek. Lots of small ups and downs. Many many many roots (slick roots), rocks and bog walks. Rained all day but not enough for rain gear unntill about 1:30. Started raining steady, made walking difficult and dangerous. Had one hard fall didn't get hure. Slipped off of slick logs over bog. Lot more slick roots and logs. Arrived at rainbow streem lean-to about 5:30. Had to cross creek (about 30') on log (dangerous). Met Apostle Paul another South bounder. Had supper of Terryaki turkey w/hot coco, piece of snickers left for afternoon snack and pop-tart for desert. Turning in early, very tired. Sure miss Kelly, God is good protected us through tough day of hiking.
Date: 2004-06-02
From: Rainbow streem lean-to

To: Wadleigh streem lean-to
Miles today: 8.1

Woke up at 4:30 (it gets light here about 4:00) had to go to bath room only problem there are no bath rooms on the A.T.. It is rough to get up at 4:30 pouring rain and cold and have to go outside and pretend you are in a bath room. Raining hare slept in untill 7:00 had to get ou;t and get srarted. Had no choice we were meeting Mary Ann and Barbara (Charlie's wife and siste in law) Friday for resupply at Jo-Mary Rd. Got started @ 9:15 having to wear full rain gear, rainy and cold 48deg.. Had easy walk except for roots, slick roots and rocks. Then came Nesuntabunt Mountain a steep climb with slick roots and rocks, much water. Trail very wet. Passed Apostle Paul from Pa. about 10:15 he left about 45 min. before us. Finally creasted Nesuntabunt Mt. about 1:30 very hard walkinng u0 and down with everything wet. Arrived at Wadleigh Streem lean-to at 3:15. Got on dry cloths and built fire. Started drying cloths by fire. kApostle Paul arrived about 5:00. He was glad to see we had a fire, we were all wet and cold. Fixed Supper of Manwitch on Tortora shell for appitizer w/hot cider and lipton dinner w/chicken brest chuncks, coffee and snicker bar for desert. Continued to dry cloths by fire made visit to privy and turning in for night 8:45. God has sure been good to me today and I still miss Kelly.