morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-09-21
From: Full Goose Shelter

To: Speck Pond Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Today's miles for Miles: 5.1Total miles for Miles: 1137.6------------------------------Today's miles for Side: 0Total miles for Side: 705.2----------------------------- Today was my day to do the Mahoosuc Notch, the most difficult part of the AT. Woke up a little later than usual since it was suggested that I give enough time for the rocks in the notch to get the sun on them. I had asked a number of people yesterday about their experience in the notch and any tips they could provide. Freebird gave me the best advice. He said to just focus, take my time and that I could do it. I headed out about 8:00 and had a steep downhill to do first - 1000 ft in half a mile. Then the Mahoosuc Notch is only 1.2 miles but whew. It took me quite a while to work my way through the notch filled with huge boulders of all shapes and sizes all strewn about at different angles. Some places you had to scoot under the boulders with your pack off and then drag your pack through. That was really hard for me because my pack is heavy and bulky. Some places you had to jump from one big rock to another. I'm thinking-please don't let my judgment be off. Sometimes you had to climb up rocks you thought there was no way you could get up. You just have to stop and think and be inventive. Sometimes you had to climb down rocks you thought there was no way you could get down. Did a lot of butt sliding. There was one spot where I had the hardest time and twice feared I might fall down into a big crevice. Finally had to take my pack off and lift it up first and then I was able to manage. No small feat lifting my pack up above me. Ended up using about every technique I knew from past experiences to make my way through those crazy rocks. I never knew how much progress I was making because I was moving so slowly. Now 1.2 miles doesn't seem like much territory to cover but guess you had to be there. I did pass four people going the other direction but no one ever passed me going the same direction as me. It was somewhat discomforting being out there alone. I was quite relieved when I got to the campsite which indicated the end of the notch. Sat down on a rock and ate some lunch and sent a few text messages. Now my challenge was climbing Mahoosuc Arm which translates into very steep climbs up slanted rock slabs for 1.5 miles. I was already exhausted from doing the notch but Side had told me there was an 80% chance of rain tomorrow and I wanted this hard climb out of the way. It was definitely slow, slow going and I was thrilled when I reached the Speck Pond Shelter after yet another mile. My knees were screaming though. So low mileage of 5.1 miles for the day but a big accomplishment. There were four other hikers at the shelter so settled in with them - two college students out for the weekend and a couple who were doing a southbound thruhike. Very nice folks. My knees hurt all night long and I slept poorly as a result.
Date: 2013-09-22
From: Speck Pond Shelter

To: Grafton Notch, ME 26
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today's miles for Miles: 4.6Total miles for Miles: 1142.2------------------------------Today's miles for Side: 0Total miles for Side: 705.2----------------------------- Woke up so many times last night. My knees were hurting and I just wanted to get started on today's hike. Hiked 4.6 miles to Grafton Notch. Because it had rained for a good part of the night, the trail was pools of water and streams and everything was good and wet making the rocks and roots slick. Of course the hike started with a hard uphill and then the rest was mostly downhill. Not easy downhill except for the last half mile. The leaves were changing on some of the trees so got some pretty views today. Side was waiting for me in the parking lot along with our dear friends High Tide and Blockade Runner. I had called Side yesterday to tell him I was ready to come home so ever the faithful trail angel he woke at 4:30 to head up to get me (and brought me a latte ¢ could life be any better). I finished half the trail and finished the state of New Hampshire. At that point, I had accomplished all I cared to accomplish in 2013. I said at the beginning of our journal that you needed to be physically, mentally and emotionally strong to do a thruhike. Felt like I was weakening in all three categories so it was clear to me that it was time to make my way home before I got injured. A woman has to know her limitations. It wasn't a rash decision since I gave it three days to be sure. It was emotional for me. Side asked me if I was sure but he already knew as well as I did that I was ready. High Tide and Blockade Runner wouldn't start their day's hike without being sure that I didn't want to join back up with them. They are just the sweetest couple you'll ever meet. Good luck to them as they drive to the end of their 2186 miles. They are strong together and there is no doubt they'll complete their thruhike this year. It is really hard to be hiking for six months and all the successful thruhikers deserve a big round of applause.Miles is hanging up her hiking boots for this year. Time to be back home with Side, family and friends.Side is still investigating solutions for his back problems. Had an MRI yesterday and will go from there. Hoping to get back to the trail next year. We thank all of our supporters. It meant so much to have people cheering for us. And many, many thanks to those back home who helped us along the way. We are so grateful to you. Met so many wonderful folks along our journey - won't soon forget you.What an adventure we had. Miles and Side signing off for this year.
Date: 2011-02-16
To: Appalachian Trail Adventure: The Countdown Begins 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

Appalachian Trail Adventure: The Countdown Begins As I've stated in previous posts, I have been HORRIBLE about keeping up with my blog. Perhaps one day I will become more consistent. At any rate, I want to describe to you something that I have been planning for quite some time: a hike along the Appalachian Trail.I¢ve been considering the possibility of embarking on a long-distance hike for quite some time. I originally contemplated taking on the Pacific Crest Trail, but after extensive research, I came to feel that The Appalachian Trail (hereafter referred to as the AT) would be a far better choice for a hiker with limited trail experience. It¢s well-traveled, so I won¢t be alone if I should get into trouble, and it passes through towns about once each week, so I¢ll be able to resupply with relative ease. The PCT is far more rugged, less well-traveled, and passes through few towns, so opting for the AT instead of the PCT seems like a no-brainer for me.At some point merely considering a long-distance hike became actually planning a long-distance hike. I decided that I¢m not getting any younger, and there seems no better time than the present. I want to do this for a number of reasons, which I will detail in a later post. I¢ve spent countless hours researching, planning, and supplying, and now I really feel that I¢m nearly ready for my planned trip. The countdown is on: 43 days from today I intend to step onto the approach trail headed to Springer Mountain in Amicalola Falls State Park, GA. A day¢s hike from there will take me to the top of Springer Mountain, the southern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. From there I will head north for as long as it feels right to do so. To complete the trail in Maine would require about 6 months of steady hiking. I don¢t know if I¢m up to that. The goal I have set for myself is 500 miles. I really intend to push for that, and if I make it that far I¢ll feel satisfied in my accomplishment. If it feels right at that time, I intend to keep going. I¢d LOVE to complete the entire trail but I know it will be exceedingly hard, and I¢m not going to beat myself up if I don¢t. I vow to push, though, and I have made myself this solemn promise: unless I am suffering from physical injury, when the going gets tough and I want to quit I must hike for at least one more week. If, after a week I still want to abandon my hike, I will allow myself to do so. I realize that the most difficult part of an undertaking like mine is the mental, not the physical, challenge (although the physical challenge itself is significant). I intend to test myself to see if I can do this. Am I up to the physical challenge? And, even more significant, am I up to the mental challenge? Time will tell. 43 days¢¦.
Date: 2011-02-21
To: A Parable 
Miles today: 0.0

A Parable Once upon a time there was a quartet of friends who dearly loved one another: the Topsys and the Turvys. One day, as the Topsys were on a journey, their cart hit a bump in the road and one wheel was splintered. Now, this was not a major catastrophe, but the Topsys were momentarily derailed. The Turvys, meanwhile, had an abundant cart, and they saw that their beloved friends¢ cart was splintered. The Turvys said to the Topsys, ¢My dear friends, we see that your cart is damaged. We know that the repairs to your cart are minimal and that you will soon be on your way again. Meanwhile, our cart is so abundant. Won¢t you let us ease your burden until your cart is repaired? Your lovely presence would make our journey so much more enjoyable, and together we could all proceed on our merry way.¢ The Topsys saw the practicality in this and they agreed. The Topsys and the Turvys joined together, and all had a merry adventure. And when the Topsys had their cart repaired, they found that their cart, too, was ample, and they decided to ease the way of other fellow travelers. And they all lived happily ever after. The End.
Date: 2011-02-21
To: 38 Days...
Miles today: 0.0

38 Days... "Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat."-- Theodore RooseveltI definitely do not live in a gray twilight. My highs are high and my lows are low, and I think this really helps me to appreciate the fullness of my life.Here is a recent news article about crib deaths that featured Aiden in its account:http://www.click2houston.com/video/26826260/index.htmlI'll track down a couple of older stories that feature Aiden and post them here as well. I encourage all prospective and new parents, grandparents, caregivers, and anyone with an infant in his/her life to become educated about the importance of safe sleep, and what safe sleep means. Read some of the websites I have featured on my blog to learn more, or simply enter the words "safe sleep" into your search engine. I am also happy to discuss the concepts with anyone at any time.More thoughts on the hike:I have been wanting to undertake what I consider to be a once-in-a-lifetime adventure for quite some time. To my way of thinking, now is the perfect time. Firstly, I'm not getting any younger. I'm relatively young and strong today, in reasonable (if not ideal) health, and I can't afford to take that for granted. If anything, I learned from Aiden that we can never know what tomorrow might bring. Tomorrow may, in fact, never come. Secondly, my children are at a place in their lives where I am no longer needed. In fact, there are days when I suspect they'd be more than happy if I would just disappear! I know this is just a phase, so I'm not stressing about it, and it makes it easier for me to undertake my hike. Maybe one day they'll even think my adventure was pretty cool. Thirdly, and I suppose this point relates strongly to my first point, I don't know what events might preclude a future hike, such as a loved one's illness, or another grandchild, etc. I had contemplated taking my hike a couple of years ago, but when Rhiannon and Tony announced their pregnancy, I knew I could never miss a single day of their child's life. And thank goodness I didn't, because that precious boy's life was woefully short as it was, and to have missed any of it would have been even more devastating. So, all things point to now as the best time to go. This is a biggie on my bucket list, and I am excited to begin.Yes, the French press has been discarded. As for that laptop, it's tiny...it weighs only 29 ounces. And it will enable me to maintain contact with all of you!I have been warned about extreme weather conditions along the AT. I hope I am sufficiently prepared. Youtube features a video that illustrates the dangers of extreme weather condition quite succinctly. Watch it here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BrbD9NWkp7E
Date: 2011-02-24
From: Home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Hi, Friends!I am throwing myself a bon-voyage party on March 27, 2011, from 5:00 to whenever. If you are a close friend of mine, you will know how to get to my home. If you are a casual friend, you will know how to use your resources to find my home. I welcome you all! Please bring a munchie to share IF time permits; if not, don't worry about it. Pat and I will provide ample soft-drinks and spirits. I'm going to keep things simple, because I'll have participated in the Capitol 10K that morning, plus I have sort of a big event ahead of me just a few days after, and I'll be rather busy. So help me out and show up with or without a munchie, but absolutely with your good wishes! And if you know folks who know me, let them know, in case they miss this announcement. I'd love to see as many people as I can.
Date: 2011-02-24
To: My Bon-voyage Party
Miles today: 0.0

My bon-voyage party Hi, Friends!I am throwing myself a bon-voyage party on March 27, 2011, from 5:00 to whenever. If you are a close friend of mine, you will know how to get to my home. If you are a casual friend, you will know how to use your resources to find my home. I welcome you all! Please bring a munchie to share IF time permits; if not, don't worry about it. Pat and I will provide ample soft-drinks and spirits. I'm going to keep things simple, because I'll have participated in the Capitol 10K that morning, plus I have sort of a big event ahead of me just a few days after, and I'll be rather busy. So help me out and show up with or without a munchie, but absolutely with your good wishes! And if you know folks who know me, let them know, in case they miss this announcement. I'd love to see as many people as I can.
Date: 2011-02-28
To: 31 Days...
Miles today: 0.0

31 Days... I'm getting really antsy now. I'm ready to hit the trail and just see how things go. I've had several discussions with Tessa about our upcoming adventure, but she seems patently disinterested at this point. I think she'll be pretty surprised at the change in her routine soon enough! I just hope she and I are up to the challenge. We've both been to our doctors and been given the go-ahead. She's had a vaccine for leptospirosis, and something for rattlesnake bites that will buy her a little extra time to get to veterinary assistance in the event she is bitten (I lost a beloved dog to such a tragedy...it was a horrible death). I wonder if there's a vaccine for me, for blisters and shin-splints? Maybe to prevent dispiritedness after the 5th straight day of rain?Today is my dear son Jeremy¢s 18th birthday. Happy birthday, Jeremy!!!!! Let me tell you a bit about my wonderful son: Jeremy is probably one of the brightest people I know. He follows in his Dad¢s footsteps in this regard. He loves to read (fantasy books are his forte, although he also dabbles in suspense novels from time to time). In addition to reading, he unwinds by playing games on his computer. He¢s a quiet, analytical sort of young man; very organized and studious. He tends to keep to himself more than I¢d like, but I know that still waters run deep, and Jeremy has a bright future ahead of him. He is beautiful inside and out, and he has both an amazing brain and dazzling eyes! (Whenever he decides to let some young lady gaze deeply into those eyes of his, she's a goner.)Jeremy plans to attend Texas A&M in the fall to study some branch of engineering; he is currently leaning toward majoring in Electrical Engineering, like his Dad, but there are lots of other possible options and the door is wide open to a young man of his ilk. I¢m excited to see what the future has in store for my boy. I¢m so proud of you, Jeremy, and I know that you have a bright future ahead! I love you bunches!
Date: 2011-03-02
To: 29 Days...
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

29 Days... Sad news. Rhiannon has moved back home without her husband Tony. These two remarkable young people did all they could in the year since their son's death to hold their relationship together, but like many couples who have experienced such a tragic loss, their relationship wasn't up to the strain. Too much too soon, particularly given their youth. They continue to hold one another in deep affection, but they feel the need to move on in their separate ways, and we who love them will continue to support them for as long as is necessay. The burden they carry is incomprehensible, and we intend to help both of them shoulder that burden in any way that we can. We love you, Rhiannon and Tony. Better days are ahead, I promise.
Date: 2011-03-05
To: 26 Days to go!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Twenty-six days until I hit the trail. Still tweaking my final gear inventory, and when I get it finished I'll post it here. I need to link this blog to my other blog somehow; not sure how I'll do that yet.If anyone is interested in checking out my "main" blog, it talks in more detail about my hike preparations up to this point. Hereafter I will probably begin pasting identical entries in both places, but this one has the added bonus of having start locations, mileage, etc. Anyway, my other blog is here:http://shutterbugtami.blogspot.com/
Date: 2011-03-08
To: 23 Days to Go!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Heading out today to consult with a fellow named Michael who works for a local Austin company called Gossamer Gear, which sells ultra-light backpacking gear online. I need to ditch my uber-heavy backpack for something lighter. Gossamer gear looks like they have some good stuff. I'd be interested to hear from Gossamer Gear customers, so give me a shout if you own some of their products.
Date: 2011-03-09
To: 23 Days to Go, part 2
Miles today: 0.0

I lost eleven pounds in just ONE DAY!!!!!! I wish every day could be like this! I could get down to my goal weight in no time! I'm referring to my pack weight, of course. I went to an outfitter here in town called Gossamer gear, and I bought a new pack and some odds and ends, and between the new pack and Michael's sage advice, I trimmed my weight down by 11 pounds! And it only cost me $20.00 per pound! (Yes, kind of expensive but totally worth it!) And I'm not done. I still hope to shave that down further. Let me tell you about Michael: he was the most kind, patient man with a wonderful sense of humor and a warm and open personality. He spent two hours with me, going over all of my stuff in detail, shaving weight here and there where he could and offering some much-appreciated advice. I took most of his advice, but there are a couple of items I really don¢t want to part with, and yes, they¢re the same items everyone has been telling me to dispense: my laptop, my Kindle, and additionally, my water filter. (Yes, it¢s a heavy tool.) I know I should but I really don¢t want to. I¢m an avid reader and I can¢t imagine a day not spent in relaxation with a book of some sort. It¢s a huge part of who I am. And the laptop is, of course, so that I can maintain this blog. Yes I know I could bounce it (and I may just do that yet) or find a computer in a town at a library, but that would mean holing myself up during town stops to blog. I want to enjoy my town stops by sharing a meal with some new trail friends, maybe do a little exploring, whatever. Of course I¢ll blog while I¢m waiting for my laundry to be done, but if I share the details of my day as I intend, I¢ll waste all of my town time on the computer. I¢d rather spend a few minutes a day on my computer every day, then use the town stops for a final edit and sending. Yes, I¢m trying to justify it¢¦both to myself and to the folks who are telling me to ditch the laptop, but I really want to at least try it. Hey, I ditched the deodorant! What more do you want????? I guess I¢ll leave my mascara at home too.Yes, I'm the sort of personality who has to learn everything the hard way! I'm stubborn as hell. Just ask those closest to me, who have to deal with this unfortunate personality trait!
Date: 2011-03-29
To: Almost Time...
Miles today: 0.0

I didn¢t post yesterday (Monday) because, other than going to see a doctor, I spent the whole damned day in bed, sick! Can you believe it? I went to bed around lunchtime, and I just now got up, 20 hours later. This is unimaginable. Damned body, why won¢t you cooperate?I¢d been feeling poorly since last week, and I went in to see my own GP about it. He said he suspected that it was oak pollen that was giving me the trouble, and told me to take antihistamines. All well and good. I struggled through, thinking things would get better any day. I even ran the Capitol 10K on Sunday before my party, and I made decent time (for me), even though I was racked periodically with coughing spasms. It must¢ve been a sight, seeing this runner hacking up a lung on the route. Still, I made it. Then Monday things were tons worse. I went to a minor emergency clinic, and sure enough, I have bronchitis and an upper-respiratory infection. So I¢m now taking an inhaler to control the bronchiole spasms and open up my airway (it actually hurts to breathe deeply), a friggin¢ horse-pill antibiotic for the infection, and benzonatate to control the cough. I just can¢t even believe this! I haven¢t been sick at all in MONTHS, maybe even longer than that, and now, three days to go, and this! I¢ll tell you just what I told the doctor: I¢m going anyway. The doctor advised me to halt all physical activity until I¢m better. She was shocked to learn I¢d just run a 10K the day before, in the condition of my lungs. She had no idea about my hike and when I told her, she just shook her head. I said, ¢This has been literally years in the planning and I¢m going. Just give me the strongest stuff you¢ve got, because these feet are hitting the trail on April 1st no matter what.¢ So she armed me with these medicines and told me to rest, rest, rest these next few days. I was supposed to be on the tennis courts even as I write this, with Donna, Deborah and Kim, for my last tennis game before I go, but I cancelled with a heavy heart. So sorry, girls! I was really looking forward to it, both for the tennis itself and for your delightful company. I wanted one more goodbye.So, I¢m going to follow doctor¢s orders and rest, rest, rest (except for one last goodbye tonight with Bill and Diana), and hope these medicines kick in and make me better. What a way to start the adventure of a lifetime, eh? Well, I¢m sure this is just the first of many tests. I¢m staying positive!And now I¢m positive that I¢m going back to bed.?