morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-03-31
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Benn pretty busy since we were in Franklin on Friday. 1st Baptist Church came and picked us up and took us to breakfast at the church. That high the VFW came and brought us to their place for dinner. Saturday morning we were picked up and brought to the legion for breakfast. While there we met this group of ladies who make quilts for vets. We all got to pick a quilt and they are sending them home for us.We were then taken to the veteran's park in Franklin. Just awesome and they are very proud of it. No state or federal monies involved. Local merchants and people willing to work.Saturday brought 10 miles of wet, rainy, and mud. Went to bed and woke up to snow and everything frozen.Sunday started of frozen and cold. The views along the way soon put a smile on ones face and the cold was forgotten. Set up camp and relaxed. Did 10 miles too.Monday was an awesome hike down to NOC. Its an all outdoor adventure place. Really neat. Views again were awesome. Up high and looking down on clouds.The trek has been awesome. The people that we have met are just unbelievable. Its like they have known you forever. I can't say enough good about them. I have been sifting things through my brain as I walk. When one walks for hours there isn't much else to do. And that not be a bad thing.Will close for now, need to eat something and get ready for tomorrow.Warrior Hike 2014.......HOOAH
Date: 2014-04-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a 16 mile hike over some very rough terrain and high mountains. Was in the 70's and hiked in shorts and t shirt. They have this mountain here called Jacobs Ladder. What a pain to climb. Pitched our tents at the shelter for the night with my brothers, Soaring Eagle, Low Gear, The Machine, Big Foot, and Jessie the Viking.Life is good,Warrior Hike 2014....HOOAH
Date: 2014-04-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

13 mile day today. We are sleeping at the Fonts Dam Inn tonight. Tent is pitched and is just so nice out. Shorts and t shirt all day. Soaring eagle, Low gear, and Jessie the viking are here along with others that are part of our hiking family.Met a Viet Nam vet today who served in the 11 ACR. I told him how I rode with them in 2005 in Iraq. He shook hands with me and we hugged each other and two old vets shared a moment of tears together. Was awesome.Lots passed through the brain today. Was 9 years ago in Iraq when the Battle of Abu Grauib took place. One of the scariest nights of my life. As I looked back on it and thought about it, the rites of passage that night and the bond between brothers and sisters and all branches there that night that was born and forged in fire was pretty impressive. And I wouldn't have missed it for the world. Best part this year I was able to really think about it and could do so and be relaxed while doing so. Must be all that fresh air and just sounds of nature.Was a good for hiking and reflecting and thinking about hero's.Enter the Smokies in the morning,Warrior Hike 2014.......HOOAH
Date: 2014-04-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

16.7 miles today. Alone all that time with just me and the trail. Over it. Got to the shelter tonight and had to sleep in it. Wasn't full so didn't want to get fined. When Low Gear showed up he got to sleep outside. Shelters need to be full in the park before you can tent.Met family from Michigan. Bringing there son on first over night hike nice folks. They both ride Harley's. Couple from Luxembourg stayed there but were not to friendly. Met a Yong lady from Germany there also. Lots of folks from Europe on the trail.Though bout lots of things today. Spent time thinking and talking with him. I owe him so much for instilling in me to be who I am and whom I have become. Been 30+ yrs and I still miss him so much.That's all for today,Warrior Hike 2014......HOOAH
Date: 2014-04-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

13 miles today. Slept in that shelter and what a night. People snoring, coughing, farting. You name it, it was there and the mice too.Left camp in a foggy wet mist. Started to rain a long the way and was drenched in minutes. Hit a shelter for a few and decided to move on. One can only get so wet and that's that. Stopped raining five minutes after I moved on. Wind came and dried me out pretty good. Got to shelter and it was full. Yes, I could pitch my tent. Low Gear showed up and did he same. Also met more folks from Ma tonight at the dinner table.Warrior Hike 2014............HOOAH
Date: 2014-04-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

10 miles today and was picked up by Maggie Valley VFW. they brought us to the fair grounds and we had a gathering with them and a nice meal/picnic. Awesome folks.Hit the highest point on the trail yesterday. Clingmans dome,6655 ft above sea level. So strange to be looking down on the clouds then watch mountains pop up through them.Awesome trail magic when we came to the gap. Couple from Florida came up the NC/TN border and had food, drinks, chips, and items you need on the trail. They were just such great couple. Celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary too.Got good news also. Our brother, Brian, who we thought blew out his knee last week will be back with us shortly. Come to find out he ruptured a cist in his knee and is gonna be okay. He be one tough bastard. Also beat cancer and is going strong.Yesterday while hiking alone I have begun to notice a change in me. While in Iraq I built up this invisible wall around me and was always in the protective mode with it. I just learned to block things out so I could just go on and do my job and whatever had to be done. I brought that wall home with me and its still with me today. I had started thinking of myself as a cold heartless monster. I couldn't cry even tho I wanted too, I couldn't express emotions when I should have and just felt a total wreck. My counselors told me it was my wall that was doing it and I wasn't willing to give it up. So every once in a while, I would get a flicker of emotion and they told me someone had poked a hole in my wall. And that be a good thing. So since my journey has started, I have notice I must be getting a few more holes in my wall. I seem to laugh more, cry more, and am able to show and share emotions with total strangers. Five years ago this was so hard for me to even try to do. So who knows, this might be the beginning for a new and better me.Got my new I phone from Sarah Jane yesterday. Promise to keep postings better and send pictures once in a while.Life is good and it can be short. Now get out there and enjoy it,Warrior Hike 2014........HOOAH
Date: 2014-04-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

10.8 miles today after taking a zero day on Sunday. Calvin and a member of the VFW dropped us of at the trail head and off we went. Was raining as we headed off north once again. It stopped raining a half hour into our hike. Windy and clouds blowing all around us at 6000 feet. Charlie's Bunion provided a short view for us. Made it to our camp site be 2:45. We are damp but once we set up tents we got warm and dry in our bags and went to sleep. Today I was called a hero by one of my brothers. I said I was no hero but I served with a bunch of heros. He said that anyone who is willing to give his life for ones country serving 42 yrs is a hero.As I walked along my brain went into gear once again. I have never thought of myself as a hero and never will. I guess I need to learn and respect others views about me when they refer to me that way. LTC Mark Ray calls me a hero and recommended me for my Bronze Star w/ V device for action in Iraq. I had a hard time excepting it cause all I did was my job. It has bothered me for 9 yeRs now and I guess I need to let it go and accept what was awarded to me and what people say. Bottom line is I will always be proud but humble about it. I will always wear it proudly when I wear my medals and wear it in honor of those who can't. Sometimes I guess it takes looking through the eyes of another person to see ones self. I think I did that today. Warrior Hike 2014...........HOOAH
Date: 2014-04-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

13 mile day today. Cool and damp to start then overcast and windy. Trees coated with rime ice as we went up above 6000 ft. No views in the Smokies today. Can't wait to be rid of them. 8 miles and we are free of them. Slipped and landed on my ass today and broke a hiking pole.Did thinking today and after reading Andreas post to my journal I started thinking. Maybe I try to protect her to much from things that I think she needs to be protected from. Maybe it's tell I started letting her intoy world a little at a time. I need to work on this with her and I think it will help us both. It's worth a try.Warrior Hike 2014........HOOAH
Date: 2014-04-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

13 miles today and a great day of hiking. Great views today once we left the Smokies. Great trail magic along the way twice today. Never knew hot dogs could taste so good. Then later hooked up with Mama Goose and some other ladies for trail magic and a pair of hiking poles. Pushed on out of the Smokies and we set up in a small campsite for the night. Started with three tents and ended up with seven in the place. Nice brook running by camp site all night long. Was good day on the trail. Warrior Hike 2014...... HOOAH SGM
Date: 2014-04-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

17 mile day today. Good day of hiking and great weather. Left the lodge after a great breakfast. We left at 0900 hrs and hit the trail. Awesome day and we pulled into tent site around 1700 hrs. 3.5 mile hike into Hot Springs in the morning. Warrior Hike 2014........HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-04-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

3.5 miles this morning. Took one hour to get into Hot Springs. Stopped and had breakfast a hooked up with all the Warrior Hikers and our trail friends and family. After breakfast hooked up with Al our friendly repair man and gear guru. He also works for several of the sponsors that donated gear to us. He replaced my broken pole and made my day. Then just sat on the bench in front of some store and enjoyed myself. Talking with people ya don't even know but really enjoyed doing so. Talked with lots of hikers that I have met along the way. They are no longer strangers to me, they are now part of another family that I belong too. I am proud yet honored to call them my friends. Hot Springs had a parade today in our honor and an approclamation was read declaring today Warrior Hike Day. Then we got to lead the parade followed by the kids on bikes. We then moved to Dancing Suns Cabins where we were welcomed by the owners and VFW Post 5483. We had a great time and an awesome meal. As I sit here tonight I have begun to realize it's not all about the hike. It's about the small towns and the people. They are so wonderful. They make you feel right at home and like they have known you for years. They just want to say thank you to us for what we did. My trail family. Most are living the dream. I can't begin to tell you how many folks I have met that quit their jobs and left it all behind to hike the trail. Or those I met that both quit their jobs, sold their homes and hit the trail. Not a care in the world. Each one of us has a story or a reason to be out here hiking the trail. I have mine and most of you all know why I am here. I know as I move on I will run into more people each with their own story. That's what makes life interesting on the trail. It's been a good day here and time for me to get some sleep. Warrior Hike........2014SGM
Date: 2014-04-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

5.7 miles today. Hit the trail at 1450 hrs and headed north out of Hot Springs. Tough climb out and up but then did ridge walking for a while. Made it to camp site by 1730 hrs. Had a great time at the Dancing Cabins. The VFW and friends put on an awesome dinner. Our friend Scott from the American Legion in Franklin came and brought us our fuel. Always good to see old friends After an awesome breakfast they had a yoga class for those that wanted to attend Brian packed up and headed back home to get ready. He will be returning to the trail in the next couple of days. Will be good to have him back. Packs were heavy today as we left town with food a supplies for six days. Life is good on the trail. Warrior Hike 2014.......... HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-04-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up to cool and overcast today. Great for hiking and no bugs. Looked to the west and saw a tower on top of some mountain. Took out the phone and by god, AT&T came through. Talked with Andrea for a while and then headed off.Headed north and ran into Stich. Had lunch at a shelter along the way. Came down into the gap and trail magic was there. Food with hot and cold drinks. Kinda makes ones day. Headed north again and ran into wind and rain. Made it to camp site and set up in the rain. All was good. Cooked dinner and jumped in bag to get warm. Slept ok but was at an angle so it really wasn't a good sleep. Something for the better has happened to me out here. When I fall asleep at night, I have begun to have dreams once again. Nothing bad, just crazy or good dreams. Another small victory? Who knows. Life is good on the trail. Warrior Hike 2014.........HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-04-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

17.9 mile day. Wet and cold out this morning. As I hike along the only thing wet and cold are my feet. I move at a good pace to generate body heat to stay warm. Made first shelter of the day and stopped for lunch. When I headed out it changed over to sleet and snow. Made second shelter by 1400 hrs and decided to move on. 2.7 miles and was in Devils Gap. Saw sign that said hostel 2.5 miles so off I went. Stayed at Laurel Trading Post. Bed and a good hot shower made for a good ending of a tough day. Had homemade venison stew and a grilled ham and cheese for dinner. That night I shared the bunk room with two other hikers. We're warm and good till the heat went out. Little cool getting out of the bag. Suppose to be in 60's tomorrow.I have a ride back to the trail head life is good. Warrior Hike 2014............HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-04-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

12.1 miles today. Got dropped of at the trail and headed out and moved along to stay warm. By noon was hiking in shorts and t shirt.Awesome trail magic in the gap this afternoon. Was great hiking today. All alone in the woods is a great way to spend the day. Life is good on the trail. Warrior Hike 2014.........HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-04-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

14.6 miles today. Was all alone at a camp site till around 2000hrs when another camper rolled in. Went to sleep and was on the trail by 0715 hrs. Hiked all morning and never saw a soul till around 1130 hrs. Strolled down into Spivey Gap and Miss Janet was there doing trail magic. Had some food and drink then pushed on. Went to the No Bussiness knob Shelter. What a dump. Pitchedy tent and then Tortise and Just Paul showed up and pitched their tents. We talked about seeing fewer killers on the trail. Maybe the bubble burst and they left the trail. Will be in Erwin in the morning. Hoping to buy some new boots. Feet are a wreck. Hiking for days in wet shoes and socks just ain't making it.Anyhow other than sore wrecked feet life is good on the trail .Warrior Hike 2014........HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-04-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 274.43

5.7 miles today into Erwin. staying at Uncle Johnnies hostel for the night. Guy is just plain weird. Anyhow got 2 boxes fr Andrea today. Gonna eat good this week. No place to buy boots in town so I went on line and ordered som from LL Bean and they will be shipped for me to pick up on Monday. Little pricy but my feet are worth it. Had awese dinner with folks and guest from the American Legion here in Erwin. Again folks down here never stop amazing me.Last night was without a doubt the best nights sleep I have had on the trail. I even dreamed again to make it two nights in a row. Had nice easy hike into town today. All the Warrior Hikers hooked back up after a week of being spread out. That's what makes this group so amazing. Anyhow, laundry is in the dryer and will have clean undies to start with in the morning . May is coming and will be getting a kilt to hike in. If you look I updated the mile tracker and the total is what we have done up to date and know that I can post more often I will keep it as close as I can. Life is good on the trail.Warrior Hike 2014.......HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-04-19
From: Erwin TN

To: View Entry
Miles today: 12.2

Had breakfast at local gas station/snack bar this morning. Hit the trail at 1117 hrs and headed north. Light showers coming down but temps were warm. Made good time to first shelter and stopped and had a snack. Then headed back on the trail and soon passed through an area that was part of a controlled burn. Kept moving till we found our camp site for the night. Filled our water bottles and went back up to an open hill top and set up camp. Should be an awesome sunrise if it's not raining out I'm the morning. Hiked with Machine all day today. was good time and we didn't even push hard. Cooked dinner tonight. Dehydrated chili was awesome and also a bag of instant potatoes to go with it. And snickers for desert.....lolAm also enjoying the fact I can update tonight cause I have service. I in my tent in my sleeping bag staying warm. This is so cool. Life is good on the trail. Warrior Hike 2014.........HOOAH SGM
Date: 2014-04-20
From: Beauty Spot TN

To: View Entry
Miles today: 8.0

Set up camp last night and slept pretty good. Woke up to watch the sun rise and see blue sky's. Slept in late today cause of short hiking miles. Awesome trail magic on the trail and in the gap today. Mama Goose was waiting for us and then Sean came to pick us up and we drove back to Amacalola State Park in GA. Tomorrow we are gonna be part of the movie production "walk in the Woods." Robert Redford and Nick Nolte are the stars in it. Should be fun.Life is good on the trail.Warrior Hike 2014........HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-04-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

No hiking today. We're extras for the movie Walk in the Woods. Was okay but nothing huge. We did couple of scenes them sat around all day. Suppose to do breakfast scene with them and then get out of Dodge. Need to get back into the woods. New boots came today from LL Bean. Feel good on the feet. Hopefully this will solve the wet feet problem every time it rains. Friended a cousin up in Burlington VT today. Been there on FB for long time but never made contact with him or other members of the family. Have decided time to put it behind me and move forward. Not much else going on today. Oh ya, brother Brian is back on the trail today. Made 12 miles today.   Good to have h back with us. Should hook up with him in couple days.Life is good on the trail.Warrior Hike 2014........ HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-04-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Movie stuff finally over after two long days. Got to meet Redford and Nolte both. They both posed for pictures with us. Was kinda cool. Drove back to Erwin and got in at 1230 this morning. All stayed in hotel and will hit trail this morning. God how I have missed it so. The crowds and all the exciment were a bit to much at times for me. Found out last night at dinner one of my brothers is a US history major and we talked about the Civil War. Interesting for sure. Life is good and will be back on the trail. Warrior Hike ,,,,,,,,,HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-04-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.2

Great to be back on the trail once again. Spending the night at Carter Gap with Stich, Doc,and Soaring Eagle and a handful of other hikers. Cowboy camping we call it. Just pick a spot on the trail and do it. Way to cold and windy to sleep out on the balds tonight.Had the honor to meet a brother in arms from across the sea today. A retired soldier from England who is hiking to raise money for disabled vets and family's that have lost a parent. Very emotional meeting for me for sure.Talked with Andrea the other day about my journal. I asked if it was okay putting all the stuff on here as it rolls through my mind. Like I told her, people want to follow my journey and be a part of it. I also hope that maybe if another vet reads it, this may help him to start a way for him to heal. So the bottom line is I will keep writing the way I have been.Gonna be cold tonight so I am writing my notes in my sleeping bag. Its only 1830 hrs.Life is good on the trail.Warrior Hike 2014.......HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-04-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

Woke up to a warm 40 degrees this morning instead of in the 20's as the talked about. Hot breakfast and then packed up and hit the trail. I am finding out as I head out on my journey that I really enjoy hiking alone and meeting a few people along the way. HYOH as they say. I feel no pressure when I am alone.Made camp site by 1600 hrs today. No idea where the others are at this time. Ran into members of my camping family that I hadn't seen for 2-3 weeks. Great to see them all healthy and doing well.Thought bout lots today but nothing really said reach out and grab me......LOL. Did hit the 400 mile mark today. Also left NC for the last time.Life is good on the trail.Warrior Hike 2014......HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-04-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 17.2

Lousy night sleep next to a highway. Packed up and hit the trail early, Hooked up with other Warrior Hikers down the trail and pushed on. Later did my thing and hiked alone most of the day.Saw my first white tail deer this morning. Big sucker. Then heard a bear off in the distance making a racket. I just kept moving right along.....LOLWas great day to be with my own thoughts and inside my head. Tuned out all the negative stuff that I hear and see everyday. Still rethinking issues with family and such. How just one phone call, text message, or email to each other would make a huge difference as far as the family goes. Will have to work on that. Maybe it needs to start with me.Well, at 417.8 miles and 6 weeks behind us it seems like we just started yesterday.Life is good on the trail,Warrior Hike 2014......HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-04-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 7.0

Nice hike in Black Bear Resort yesterday. Sun was shining and just a great morning. Had my picture taken by a day hiker. Loved the American Flag on the back of the pack. Told him it was going all the way to Maine.Hooked up with my brother Evac as I was walking down the road. Good to have him back with us.Did some wash, pigged out on some decent food and just relaxed. Slept decent in the cabin. Upper bunk to crowded and tight for me so put mattress and sleeping bag on the floor. Off on the trail around 0900hrs today and heading for Virginia. 46 miles away. Should be there sometime Tuesday.Life is good on the trail.Warrior Hike 2014.....HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-04-27
From: Black Bear Resort/Hostel

To: View Entry
Miles today: 16.2

Well, after a longer day on the trail then planned I run into another Warrior Hiker that was set up by a spring and was gonna spend the night. I set up my tent and got some water. He then told me AT&T was working just fine. Awesome. Get to do the journal live tonight. Long day of hiking and the heat was tough today. Ran in to Tortise and Just Paul today. Father and daughter team hiking the trail. She was having bad pain in her leg last week. Shin splints. Doctor gave her muscle relaxers and told her take couple days off. She be back as good as new. They are from Wilmington MA. Saw other friends today too. Morning Wood was getting water from a spring. The guy starts hiking at 0400 hrs in the morning and makes camp around 1400 hrs. He be from Maine so he tells folks he be walking home.Had the chance to talk to my daughter Jenni today. Was great to hear her voice. We talked for a few and then the two wack a doos were on speaker so I talked with them for a few. Best part of talking to Jenni was I got to tell her I love her and miss her. Something I now realize that I don't often enough. Gonna try to get a good night sleep tonight. So weird. Last night a lower elevation it was cooler and tonight be laying on top of the bag sweating to death. Oh well. Life is good on the trail. Warrior Hike 2014........HOOAHSGM