morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-04-26
From: Jennings Creek,VA

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Day #2 Apr.26We get started between 6:30-7am when the Sun comes up...we found out (from radio) it was 87 degrees yday & 82 degrees expected today & Sunny. OUCH! (i hate the heat for hiking...i prefer the cooler temperatures 7 overcast)...currently, its mostly cloudy...we'll make it.Pop Tarts & Coffee for breakfast."No Joke" leaves the shelter first around 8am."Jigsaw" & I have a relatively short day...about 10 miles to the next shelter...lets hike!10am We stop for a short break & down energy bars...a young thru-hiker from Dalton, Mass., "Bacon" (sorry, no picture) stopped & talked for a minute or two& then moved on. (later we would see his name in all the shelter registers...several days ahead)We then climb over 2200 feet up Floyd Mountain (3,560 ft elevation)...it was a tough climb (about kicked my butt!)12noon another section hiker named "Jigsaw" (from Birmingham, Alabama) stopped & talked with me for a couple minutes..byt this time..my hiking partner, "Jigsaw" had left me in the dust.I get to Cornelius Creek Shelter & BOTH "Jigsaws" are there...(i think we've exceeded our JIGSAW limit..hehehehehehehehe)We have lunch here..The "Alabama Jigsaw" (photo)leaves out first...we're not far behind...we water-up on the way out.Another climb up to Black Rock(photo)...then we pass Apple Orchard Falls Trail (didnt see any falls!) Up & cross Parkers Gap Road/USFS 812 (3,430 ft elevation)...then up Apple Orchard Mtn (4,225 ft elevation)..at the peak a radar tower (probably used by near-by TV & radio stations)..this is the highest peak we'll climb on this years hike.a short time later..we hike under "the Guillotine"..a rock formation... (photo)...a large boulder stuck between two side, larger boulders...a very impressive sight! (wonder how long this huge piece of limestone has been wedged here?... the last ice age?)After many photos we're off...not too far to the shelter...hike-hike-hike...we pass over the Blue Ridge Parkway (our first time for this trip)...the trail looks like its been re-located here..but, we find the White Blazes & hike into the Thunder Hill Shelter. "Alabama Jigsaw' is already here...5pm   We unpack...stake out our places in the shelter & fix supper (i have Mountain house Pasta Primavera & 4 cheese mashed potatoes..yummmmmm!)we have some good conversation...about the trail, homes, jobs, family, etc.,we're expecting cooler temperatures tonight & possibly rain..cooler already...& winds are picking up.my NEW 20 degree Campmor mummy down sleeping bag will feel cozy tonight!i'm tired.                           10.3 miles today!                                 Goodnite!
Date: 2007-04-27
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Matts Creek Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: moderate rain

Day #3   Apr 27thHAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!Today i turn 53 years old & will be hiking over 12 miles.Why am i doing this??????because its.....FUN!6am the "other" Jigsaw gets up & is gone! It rained hard last night & it looks like more of the same for the trail today.these are the days that make a thru-hiker stay in that cozy sleeping bag & take a "ZERO" day (no hiking)....BUT....."NO RAIN-NO PAIN-NO MAINE!"let's hike!8am   we leave the shelter..very foggy & windy & drizzlin' rain...we cross a few roads & then up to the Thunder Ridge Overlook (3,501 ft elevation)..lots of fog...but, we do see a bit of the valley below...onward!passing Harrison Springs & then cross over the Blue Ridge Parkway @ Petite's Gap (2,369 ft elevation)..then...it's climbing time again...(Sorry, Ray Charles)up to High Cock Knob (3,073 ft elevation) & we stop by Marble Spring to re-water & take a short break.i call "D-bird" from here (on my cell phone)...rings forever before she picks up...she's on an "ALL GIRLS WEEKEND" get-away in Georgia with several friends. Nice to hear her voice. I thanked her for my Birthday card & 2 Almond Snickers bars (my favorite).We then climb a short distance more to Sulphur Spring Trail (south crossing) then Belfast trail..."Jigsaw" stops here for a break...Great idea! I down an energy bar..Jigsaw has some G.O.R.P. & home-made jerky.Jigsaw waits to make a phone call home from this peak...i hike on...pass thru the north crossing of Sulphur Spring Trail then another mile & i re-water & Big Cove Branch..then a nice two mile downhill hike into Matts Creek Shelter.We arrived, drop our backpacks & rest...an older couple from PA stopped in & talked with us for a few minutes & took our pictures...after they left..we decide to soak in the creek right in front of the shelter...we clean off a bit..i fall in & get soaked...but, its ALL good!the Sun is shining..the water is Cold...Life is Good!\3 more section-hikers come in: "Thumper"(NJ) Ralph (SC) & Gary (Indiana)all SoBo-ers.5pm we fix our food...Ramen noodles for me tongiht (Model T's favorite! hehehehehehe) "jigsaw' is eating spaghetti & meatballs...its been a good day...i'm tired.                              12.4 miles today
Date: 2007-05-01
From: Dutch Haus-Montebello,VA

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Day #7 Tue May 1st6:30am we jump up & take showers, get dressed, pack our backpacks & then head for breakfast table...its a FREE breakfast (my favorite kinda food...FREE!)hope its lite...i'm NOT usually a breakfast eater...but, need the protein blast to start the day...Lois & Earl have fixed an Egg omelet w/ Spinach, pancakes, & sausage (i donate to "the Brain")with Orange juice & real Coffee...yummmmmmmmm!We finished eating & Earl takes me & Jigsaw to the convience store for snacks, energy bars (a diet coke for me..i drink it here...too heavy for the pack!) "the Brain" decided to stay for the FREE LUNCH & wait on his pals...which we see @ the store ("Hike, Dice, & Caterpillar")...we get dropped off back @ Fish Hatchery Rd...the walk back up the road...1.1.miles (it doesnt count!)..WOW!Jigsaw & i head NoBo & toward Main Top Mtn (4,040ft elevation) & climb atop Spy Rock...great 360 degree views from here (i took a movie clip & photos)...then we hike on over Cash Hollow Rock & over Cash Hollow Rd (VA 826) & then stop @ the Priest Shelter...we take a midday break here...rest & re-water.(nice & COLD...right out of the stream!)we hike to the summit of The Priest (Mtn) (4,063ft elevation)...& then down...lots of rock out-croppings but none that looked like a Priest (to me).\I'm told this is the last 4,000 foot peak til Vermont! WOW!The hike down the other side of Priest is a bit rocky & i stump my toe several times...(later, i find its bruised) & my heel is aching too...all the pounding from 7 days of hiking & all the rocks...Hike-hike-hike...on the side of The Priest...beautiful views...cross over Cripple Creek (i re-water here)...wet my hat w/ cold water ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh- feels good...hike on...down-down-down to a main road (VA 56 920ft elevation) & cross the Tye River...nice wooden bridge here.now my feet are hurting me...i slow my pace (if thats possible)the shelter is only about a 1/2 mile away...I stop when i cross the river....soak my feet for a few minutes & wash off a bit too. i finally get to Harprs Creek Shelter.6pm I fix Ramen Noodles for my supper...Jigsaw is having Pasta Alfredo.We're sharing the shelter tonight with 3 section hikers from Harrisonburg,VA, Lisa, Sarah & Mark. "The Brain" (19-yr-old thru hiker from VT) arrives about a 1/2 hour after me. Also "Eleven" (thru hiker from Connecticut) arrives just before dark...he decides to tent near the shelter.8:15pm I'm tired...we were scheduled to hike 18 miles today...but, we decided that was a bit much...so....we stopped @ 12 miles here @ this shelter...Good Nite!a short day t'morrow.                              12 miles today                     (+1.1. miles that didnt count!)
Date: 2007-05-02
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Day #8 Wed May 2nd6:30am   The Sun comes up & the hikers begin to stir...today is no exception."The Brain" is up first...the trio (Lisa, Sarah & Mark from Harrisonburg,VA)up shortly after...then me & Jigsaw & "Eleven".(who tented across the creek from the shelter)Everyone grabbed breakfast munchies.."the Brain" trades me a LARGE Snickers bar for a smaller Payday energy bar...i oblige...Gladly!I drink my "camp coffee" (strong double dose), pack the backpack, say goodbye to everyone & hit the trail..."Jigsaw" & i are the last to leave....we've got a very short hike today.9am We broke up our scheduled 18+ mile day into two parts...today is the short part of that part...on 6 miles scheduled.Our fist climb of the day is up to Chimney Rocks...Up-up-& away (with no help from the 5th Dimension in their beautiful balloon!...for all you 60s music fans)the Sun is out in full force today...gonna be another warm one..in the 80s. (only rain once, thus far)its very humid too.INJURY REPORT: I've stumped my toe a few times...my big toe is hurting & sore. i also have a small heel blister..but, its not bothering me @ this time.GEAR Report: My NEW Vasque Velocity trailrunners (taking the place of my VASQUE SUNDOWNERS boots..a HARD choice for me!) feel great on my feet..but, i'm using ankle braces for my own self-assurance.My New TECH'D Altimeter watch is working Great. I finally figured out how to change meters to feet & Celsius to Farenheit (temperatures). The temps have been a bit high...so....i've been subtracting 7 or 8 degrees to get close to real temp.Back to the hike....we make it to the top of Chimney Rocks...lots of lots of oddly shaped rocks...Jigsaw & i stop @ an overlook point...Beautiful views today...we hike on...Up-up-up...Thank God for switchbacks!higher & higher to the top of Three Ridges (3,870ft elevation)...Jigsaw is making a cell phone call here...i try the same...No service..Darn!...so, i use Jigsaw's phone....but, i get "D-bird's" voice mail...Darn!...we both hike down to the Hanging Rock overlook (side of the mtn)...the Trio (Lisa, Sarah & Mark)is here relaxing & having munchies while enjoying tghe fabulous views....we stop for a few minutes to enjoy the view too...then hike down, down, down...we approach the Maupin Field Shelter & we hear rumbling thunder in the distance...rain may be in our near future.We hit the shelter around 2pm...get water & journal...3pm...it starts raining.....(the Trio arrives about this time) & thru hiker "Matt & (his dog) U-dog" also arrive @ the shelter....he decides to tent near-by.interesting fellow..he says this hike he is taking the "alternate routes" (blue blazes, etc)w/ his dog.seems like a great guy...4:30pm   temperatures have dropped @ least 10-15 degrees...rain has slowed..but, still thundering...probably more rain tonight.tomorrow's schedule: 16+ miles...our longest day...only 3 more days of hiking for us this year.   I'm eating pop-tarts & ramen for supper...LIFE IS GOOD!                              6.2 miles today
Date: 2007-05-05
From: Calf Mtn Shelter

To: Turk Gap
Miles today: 4.4

Day #11 Sat.May 5thHAPPY CINCO de MAYO!Everyone was snoring last nite...me included...but, i think Jigsaw was the champion! we must've driven any bears away that were in the area...hehehehe.(i think i heard the tin roof rattle a few times...)7am i have some "Cowboy Coffee" & my last Payday trailmix energy bar...not bad...we have less than 5 miles today to our destination...our last day on the A.T. for this years section-hike."Dice" heads out first..he is going for a 26-mile-day today..WOW!(All the rest of his hike group are still in Waynesboro) We wish him "Happy Trails" & tell him we'll be checking his trail journal often.Jigsaw & i are outta the shelter by 9am after taking some last photos...we hike down, off Calf mountain...down,down,down...pass a dry spring (glad i didnt need water!)We arrive @ Jarman Gap @ Skyline Drive (inside Shenandoah NP the B.R.Parkway is named SKYLINE DRIVE) & into S.N.P.Nice hiking day with temps in the low 60s...& overcast...perfect for me.(dont like those 80s degree days!)..BUT, you takes whats you gets!Hike-hike-hike...we see a few deer tracks & a couple more BEAR tracks...(very small) bear the next Spring we pass..we hike on...cross over SKYLINE DRIVE again..in fact, we stop & take in the view (since its a short hike day)...stop & smell the roses...so, to speak...we were hoping to see a BEAR on our last day but, it looks like we've struck out again this year...we hike on....seeing a few more SoBo day-hikers...then we top the next hill...hearing some traffic...& we are here...TURK GAP..our destination.it's ONLY 11sm...our shuttle guy, LYLE KIRBY is scheduled to pick us up about 12:30 to 1pm...so......we wait......12:30pm.......we wait some more.....1pm.......we're still waiting.....1:30pm.....nothing......2pm.....still nothing....we're getting a bit concerned....(it starts to rain)...we call Del...Del says...Lyle will be there...he is dependable....(Del is attending a wedding is the reason he isnt shuttling us!)...2:30pm...still NO LYLE...i call Del back...he arranges for another guy to pick us up...as soon as i hang up with Del....LYLE pulls in the TURK GAP parking lot......it seems his 12noon shuttle guys...had a flat tire & (not having a Cell Phone) he had no way to contact us..& pushed his schedule way off....understood.we have a nice ride back to Daleville where our motel is located (HOJOS)...good conversation with Lyle, a retired trucker who took up shuttling about 4 years ago & is doing this one for Del..We get to our motel..check it & shower & head to the Mexican Restuarant across the street (Rancho Veihajo)...for our annual "End-of-the-hike-PIG-OUT" wooooooo-hooooooo real food!I had Burritos w/ all the sides & Jigsaw had Fajita & Shrimp & both shared nachos Supremo...we were stuffed!BUT, on the walk back to our room we grabbed ice Cream for later...yummmmmmmmmmmm Ice Cream! It's been a good trip...travel day t'morrow.We're getting to the airport around 6am..my flight leaves about 9am...we're tired...Goodnite.                              4.4 miles today
Date: 2007-05-06
From: Daleville,VA

To: HOME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Sunday May 6thToday is TRAVEL DAY...no hikin'...just flying.Jigsaw is on "stand by" for a flight from Roanoke up to Pittsburgh..(then onto Albany,NY...closest airport to his home in western Mass.)I see Jigsaw off about 7am & then wait for my flight which leaves shortly after 9am.the flight was uneventful...to Chicago.i had a 2 1/2 hour lay-over in Chicago...so, i call my bud (& former co-worker) Norm Woodel (who lives here in Chicago)...i get his answering machine...& leave a message.(i wuz offering to meet him here & buy him an expensive cup o' coffee...but.....no luck!)i grab A BURGER & FRIES & MILKSHAKE & EAT in a nice, quiet (thats a relative term in an airport!) sunny corner of the terminal & read the Chicago Sunday paper (including the funny papers) til my flight is boarded.i call "D-bird" to tell her my flight will be arriving in Nashville "on-time"...around 3:30pm.uneventful flight to Nashville....i grab my backpack after the flight(it made it home, yeaaaaaaaaaa!)And out the Airport door & a big welcome hug from "D-bird"..jump in the car ("Silver Bullit") & head home to Springfield,TN.It's been a great trip, this year!Thanks to "Jigsaw" for hikin' with me again this year...this was our 5th year of hiking together!Thanks to all my friends & family for the encouragement:"Model T, TeePee, DragonFly, TooTall, Spunky, Puddin', & the WhiteBlazers...and my lovely wife, "D-bird" for letting me take time out of our lives so that i may "walk in the woods" once again...continuing on my "20-year-plan"...to hike the entire Appalachian Trail.see ya'll UP the trail!
Date: 2007-06-23
To: Harpeth River Ride
Miles today: 42.0

Sat. June 23rdToday, i have on tap another bicycle ride in nearby Franklin,TN.I originally signed up for the METRIC Century (62 miles)..but have been dealing with flu-like symptoms all week & a summer cold..soooooooo, i decide to ride in the 42-miler (with some persuation from "TeePee" my friend & cycling bud, & my lovely wife, "D-bird").I arrive @ Thompson Station Church (start & finish of the ride) grab my goodie bag, & plat of the course...looks like even the 42-milers will see a few hills.i see a few Veloteers in the crowd...Mark Robertson came over to say HI!& i even met a rider from Bowling Green,KY: "Woodog" who recognized me from BikeJournal.com....very cool!We're off @ 7am...gonna be a hot one! Pedal! pedal! pedal!@ about mile 6 or so...i ride by a REST STOP????(a rest stop this early????)i didnt stop....havent touched the water bottle or gatorade yet...Pedal! pedal! pedal!we head thru Leipers Fork...by some great scenery...horse & cattle farms...then @ mile 15....the 2nd REST STOP....i take advantage of this one....water up....re-fill the gatorade bottle...grab a PB& J & get back on the pedals....Pedal! pedal! pedal!cross over old Hwy 96...a busy, road....there's a father & his 2 small girls on a bicycle built for 3...very cute...very cool!they definately get the "CUTE award" of the day!then thru more farming areas....back roads....beutiful country....lots of country stars have homes in this area...Wynona, Alan Jackson, Tanya Tucker to name a few...the biggest hill we have on this 42-mile ride is @ 14% grade for about a half mile uphill....OUCH!pass thru the small community of Boston....then back thru Leipers Fork...thru West Harpeth area....into Thompson Station....nice old train caboose & depot here...old stores, & an old church...very cool....roll the last mile or two back to Thompson Station church...with a slight cramp in my leg....ouch!it was a good ride...glad i did the 42-miler...(it was the first year for this course)Thanks Harpeth Bike Club for a good day.now lets eat Pizza!as i'm about to leave i spot a fellow with a Bikejournal.com jersey on...i introduce myself...he is "Captain Tandem" from Arkansas....now THATS a hard-core CYCLIST!later, i found out over 800 riders participated in the Harpeth River Ride!see ya'll next time.
Date: 2007-07-21
From: HOME

To: TN SENIOR OLYMPICS-Time Trial
Miles today: 0.0

Sat.July 21st:As many of you know...besides hiking...i love CYCLING!And each year(now for 4 years) i've participated in the Tennessee Senior Olympics. The day is here!When i first started...they were held in Clarksville (about 40 mins drive from my house)...but , now they're held in Franklin,TN about an hour & 20 minutes away from my house...so, a bit of driving...Actually today's event, the 5k (3.1 miles)Time Trial is being held just outside of Franklin in nearby Arrington. (home of many beautiful horse farms, one owned by Tanya Tucker)I arrive @ the staging area (Arrington Christ Church) & we get instructions from the head of Williamson County Parks & Recreation, Gordon Hampton,....& ride down to the START line...today its me against the Clock!i'm approx 20 lbs heavier than i wuz last year...so, havent been turning any good times in training on this course...maybe today will be different.i'm # 8 in line to start...(they start us in 1 minute intervals)..10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1-GOOOOOOOOOOO!i stand up on the pedals & hammer (thats a relative term for an old, fat guy on a bicycle)....pedal! pedal! pedal!....flat for the first quarter mile...then....uphill for the next half mile...(hills & climbing are still my weakness)...puff-puff-puff-pedal-pedal-pedal....i slow....slower.....man, where are the tail-winds when u need one?i hit the top of the climb & start shifting....i shift to the BIG RING....downhill.....pedal-pedal-pedal!faster! faster! faster!....i hit 39 miles per hour going downhill...before a slight up on the next curve....pedal....pedal...pedal....trying to maintain 20+ mph....for a decent time...i spot the sign that tells me: 1 more mile to go!pedal....pedal....pedal....i've slowed to abt 16mph now....i'm losing the energy....need to get strength up for last mile....pedal....power....bring it!i pull back on my gear & get the revs up & then shift back into the BIG GEAR....for the last sprint into the finish line....i forgot to set my stopwatch until my climb....DARN!i got the unoffical time of 9:27 from the finish line official.(my best time for this year)thats 14 secs slower than my 9:13 last year.i cool down for a couple miles then head back to the staging area...where they'll give out the awards...On the ride back....Norman Hill (from Dayton,TN) hit the back wheel of another cyclist & went down...he was taken to the hospital..but is expected to be okay.Thomas Gee & i talk for a few minutes while waiting...he placed 2nd in a couple Cycling events @ the National Senior Games held last month in Louisville (KY)..he won GOLD in his division: Men 55-59.time to hand out ribbons...the winner for the 50-54 MEN's group is JAY SWAFFORD!hey, thats ME! (i get the GOLD!)WOW...i was slow...felt good to win...maybe this'll give me a boost for tomorrow's 20k ROAD RACE.Stay Tuned!
Date: 2008-03-19
From: Big Springs Shelter

To: Franklin, North Carolina
Miles today: 108.0

Started March 10. The hiker hostel was wonderful! Josh picked us up from the airport and brought us to the hostel which was very hiker friendly and clean and beautiful! Then he dropped us off at Springer mountain the next morning. We managed to stay away from the tornado by spending two nights at the Hiawasee Inn. That was a great place to stay! We met Bananas, V-8, Auntie Mame, Newt, Berf... The owner of the hotel made us a fabulous dinner in his home--eggplant pasta and chicken caccitorre with red wine and a great salad, oh and boston cream pie!!! Now we're in Franklin, North Carolina. Having a lot of fun but we are wet today and enjoying a dry hotel room for tonight at the Sapphire Inn. Had some trail magic at the highway where a church set up a tarp between two trucks and fed us Little Debbies and hot chocolate while we waited for a shuttle to take us to this hotel. Another nice place to stay! The free hotel shuttles that also serves the hikers at the Budget Inn takes us in the "short bus" to wherever we want to go, to the grocery store, outfitter, breakfast, post office, hardware store, library, etc. Met a lot more hikers here as well. Vagabond, Sprite, Mosey, Grateful Greenpeace Guy (for the fifth time), and about two dozen others.I've been dragging my left leg behind me for several days now but it is getting better. Aaron has some stiffness in his achilles tendon but is doing well. There have been some cold nights and some warm nights. The views are great since the leaves on the trees haven't come out yet. Other hikers we have met on trail are: Mary Poppins, Sauerkraut, Fox, Bag Lady, Pops, Pips, Ruby Tuesday, and probably about a dozen more.We should be heading into the Smokies in about five more days or so. The weather looks good until Sunday or Monday. Hopefully we will stay warm and dry! Happy 29th birthday Two Speed (on the 17th)!