morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-12-28
To: A nice Christmas
Miles today: 0.0

It was a wonderful Christmas.I worked Christmas Eve from 8-5, and it was a lot of fun. All of us were in a very festive mood, there were lots of customers doing some last-minute shopping, and the break room had plenty of homemade treats. Bonus: I got to wear my light-up Santa hat.In the past I've often put conditions on my happiness without even really realizing it. I picture the way something is supposed to go or 'should' go, then when things don't go according to plan I tense up about it. I like the illusion that I'm in control of my life, I suppose. The good thing is that once things start spiraling way out of control, eventually I am able to just abandon the plan and enjoy the ride. (I wish I could have that mindset right from the get-go!). I think we're all guilty of putting expectations on how the holiday is going to go, I know I tend to. (The cards will be done on time, I'll have baked brownies for everyone, the apartment will be immaculate -- ha ha! Yeah right, maybe if it was June Cleaver's Christmas!) A few days before Christmas is became clear I was just going to have to release my expectations and go with the flow, and I'm glad I did. Instead of focusing on what I didn't get done, I just enjoyed what I was doing. Christmas Eve we went to my in-laws, our usual tradition, and I literally just could not speak, I still hadn't gotten my voice back. To even whisper took as much effort as shouting! Plus I knew the only way to get my voice back was to rest it. So I just sat back and listened to all the chit chat going on around me, and stuffed myself with good food. They're a very warm and caring family, I'm very thankful that I got to 'marry in' to them!Afterwards my husband and I drove home and went to sleep. He woke up at 5 am with horrible stomach pain - it was so bad he thought he may need to go to the E.R. So picture the scene: it's Christmas morning, he's incredibly ill and trying to decide what to do, and I'm whispering and writing notes back because I can't talk -- what a pair we are! He fell back asleep, slept until 9, and woke up feeling fine. Whatever it was passed. (We decided he just ate too much, which made us glad we didn't go to the ER - imagine if we had, just for the doctors to run all these tests to determine my husband just stuffed himself! I wonder if there's a medical term for that?)We opened presents and he surprised me with a new digital camera for my hike!! It's the perfect gift, because he did all the research for me and found one that's really light-weight but takes normal AA batteries. (I find that sort of research rather onerous, so it was a VERY thoughtful gift!)Then my dad and sister came over! I still miss my mom at the holidays, but I'm very thankful that my sister and dad live in the area, and that we get along really well, and that my dad's health is still okay. None of these things are things to be taken for granted, even though it's easy to sometimes. It was just a really nice afternoon, sitting around and catching up with them, eating (more) good food (my husband was careful not to overeat again), and exchanging gifts. What a nice holiday!
Date: 2008-01-02
To: Full steam ahead!!!!
Miles today: 0.0

I went to the doctor last week about the blood in my urine - the tests showed it wasn't an infection or a kidney stone, so they had to schedule a test for bladder cancer. (I didn't even know bladders could get cancer, so you learn something new every day.) I went today on my lunch hour, and while the test wasn't 'pleasant', it wasn't as bad as I anticipated. (It was a cytoscope, where they put a camera inside your bladder. It wasn't that painful, but I don't particularly want a camera inside any part of myself! I was glad to get it over with.) The best part was the result: negative!I didn't think I was that worried about it, but I must have been because I was relieved to hear that news. (I could just see being less than 8 weeks away from a hike of a lifetime, and getting derailed with a medical crisis.) So it's FULL STEAM AHEAD with the planning!! I'm going to book my train ticket tonight!
Date: 2008-01-09
To: Sad
Miles today: 0.0

"The dangers of life are infinite, and safety is among them." ¢ Goethe I was so sad to hear about that poor hiker that was murdered on New Year's Day. I was reading about it on CNN.com, then started searching the forums here and on other hiking sites. I was really saddened to keep rereading the statement that she was 'asking for it' by hiking alone. Of all the ways to spend New Years Day, when most people are hung over or just sitting on the couch, this woman was celebrating a new year in a sober, healthy way by taking her dog for a hike. Women everywhere in the world should have the right to take a walk without being killed. Let alone being blamed for it if it happens! My goodness.Though it really upsets me, I do realize it's probably a safety mechanism that makes people want to blame the victim: they don't want to think anything like this could happen to them or their loved ones, so by finding something she "did wrong", they're relieving themselves of the reality that sometimes it's just bad *#$(@*% luck. People are quick to comment on what women shouldn't do alone, without really thinking about how limiting that lifestyle would be.When I lived in Boise Idaho, a female cyclist was attacked on a local bikepath one summer. People were quick to comment on "What was she doing out there at twilight?" Well -- why SHOULDN'T she be out there at twilight? Since when did we not have the right to ride our bikes at 8 pm on a beautiful summer evening and be safe? It's just a slippery slope when you start to comment on what women should and shouldn't do -- are we supposed to bar the doors and not leave our houses after sundown?I have to admit once the news broke of the murder, I really thought about canceling this trip. I was already, frankly, REALLY NERVOUS about the physical challenges, being away from my husband, the cold, hunger, the heat, the bears, the bugs. Throw in worrying about random violent acts being committed against me, and knowing if they are the basic thought will be that I was "to blame" for hiking without my husband...well, it's quite discouraging!But then I thought about all the things that I have done that went against mainstream wisdom, that I would have missed out on if I listened to the peanut gallery. I went to Italy for a week by myself in '00 and loved it...I did a 2 week cross-country solo camping trip in '99 that included the Badlands and the Harley rally in Sturgis...a trip to the Oregon Coast for Thanksgiving by myself the year I lost my mom (there's nothing more therapeutic than being near the ocean)...I can't even count the number of runs, hikes, and bike rides I've gone on alone. I'm not willing to give it up. I know I'm taking a risk, and I accept that risk. And statistically that risk is rather small.At some point if you let fear dictate what you won't do, you won't do very much. And that's no way to live. And there are certain things I won't do, because it's not worth the risk, but I am taking this hike. I won't regret it.
Date: 2008-01-10
To: Life
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Lately I've been getting better at giving up on the stranglehold I normally try to have on life and just letting events unfold. I normally feel enormously responsible for everything, so if something goes 'wrong' (wrong = not the way I planned), I immediately think of what I should have done differently and then feel terrible I didn't have perfect foresight. But a few small things happened in the past month that made me realize: if something is going the way I didn't plan, there's probably a good reason for it.A small case in point is Christmas Eve. I have very severe allergies where I break out in hives. This happens on a daily basis, and normally I just make sure to have long sleeves/pants on to cover them. But once a week or so I get at attack where they're on my face, where it looks horrible and are very uncomfortable. So I always ALWAYS have two medications with me to take: an antihistamine and an antacid that is often used off-label to treat hives.Christmas Eve, I worked all day and was already dealing with having no voice and an upper-respiratory infection, so when I started getting hives on my face I thought, I'm just going to take my medicine so I don't have to worry about it. Imagine my horror when, for no reason, I only have 1 medication with me - the other one (the antacid) just isn't where it always is in my purse. And I can't run out and get more on Christmas Eve. Argh!! I spent 10 minutes berating myself for it, then realized since there was nothing I could do, I had to let it go.So imagine the chuckle I had the next day when I went to take the antibiotic I had been taking daily for my upper-respiratory infection. In big letters on the bottle it says: DO NOT TAKE ANY ANTACIDS WHILE ON THIS MEDICATION. I hadn't noticed that warning before, but suddenly I was quite glad that antacid hadn't been in my purse!
Date: 2008-01-14
To: Introducing Ground Control
Miles today: 0.0

I am so thankful for is how supportive my husband is of this trip. I don't for a minute underestimate how much is being asked of him by me leaving for 6 months. There are the pure logistics of me being gone (we'll be down to one paycheck, he'll have to do everything around the apartment, I'm off having a wild adventure while he's still heading to work every day!). There's also the simple fact that: I'll be gone, we won't be together for 6 months. (Sniff) We are going to try to meet up every 6 weeks, but that's just not that much time together.I consider myself very lucky, because I don't think many spouses would be so whole-heartedly behind this adventure right from the get-go. And even now when I have some doubts (how will I be able to leave him for 6 months?), my husband reassures me. He keeps saying "It's your DREAM, you have to pursue your DREAM!"Even though he won't be hiking, he wanted a trail name also and picked "Ground Control", since he'll be at home making the care packages, typing in my journal entries, and doing general logistical support. What a guy!It's funny because for years I thought I'd never want to get married. I was talking to a good friend of mine about it one evening before her wedding, and she was like "The right guy will come along!" I was like, "I really don't think so." (Let's just say: I kissed a lot of frogs.) Then at her wedding, I met Ground Control, and after our first date I called my friend and said "I already know I'm going to marry him!" She said, "I thought you never wanted to get married?" I said, "Well, I changed my mind!" And boy am I glad I did! He's such a good egg!
Date: 2008-01-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Oh my GOSH! I can't BELIEVE my hike is starting in less than 6 weeks!! I've got pretty much all my gear. With both my backpack and my sleeping bag, I tried all the "women specific" models and found that they just did not fit me. The sleeping bags were a lost cause - even the "tall" women's bags only fit up to 5'9", and I'm a bit taller than that. I decided on a Big Agnes sleeping bag and pad, and though I've only tested it out by sleeping on my screened-in porch (I live in an apartment, so it's hard to 'camp out') so far I love it.With the backpack I actually initially bought one pack, brought it home, fiddled with it, and thought, this doesn't seem to be fitting right. I brought it back to REI where their backpacking guru took a look at it and agreed. He spent a good hour with me going over the packs, loading them up with weight and having me walk around the store with them. I finally settled in the Arc'Teryx Bora 80 Pack. It's on the heavy side, but boy is it comfortable, and extremely well-made. (And they took back the ill-fitting pack.)I just can't believe this is actually happening!!!!
Date: 2008-01-27
To: Pack Mentality
Miles today: 0.0

It's been challenging finding the right pack for this trip. The first pack I bought was a Kelty that frankly didn't fit me right at all (I don't know what the person helping me was thinking!). I brought it back and someone else who worked there spent over an hour with me, having me try on a bunch of packs and taking the top contenders for jaunts around the store fully weighted. He was quite helpful in finding packs that fit me well. I left that day with an Arc'Teryx pack -- a very well designed pack, but once I got it home and put all my equipment in it, realized it was much bigger than I needed (5000 cu inches) and heavy (over 7 lbs!).I brought that pack back today, and they honored their return policy. (Whew - thank heavens, because that was an expensive pack!) Today I went home with an Osprey Atmos 65 -- fits really well, 4000 cu. inches, and a little over 3.5 pounds. If this pack doesn't work out, I told my husband he'd be driving me to the train station on March 1st and I'd have all my gear just gathered in my arms.
Date: 2008-01-28
To: Opportunities
Miles today: 0.0

I talked to my dad tonight. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's last year, and tonight he said that he isn't able to take his daily walk anymore, and is starting to feel more tremors. (He was walking 2 miles every day regularly.) It's a shame - he's going to the doctor next week and they can probably increase his medication, but it doesn't mask the reality that he has this disease which will slowly erode his quality of life.Watching someone you love grow older and lose some of their abilities is the quickest route to introspection that I know of. When my mother was struggling with terminal cancer she handled it with such grace, because she was content with how she had lived her life. There was no remorse or regret, or "I wish I had..." I'm seeing that same outlook in my dad as he battles with his illness. I hope I will have the same sense of fulfillment with my life - and I make any major decision with that in mind. Is it any wonder I'm heading for the Trail? Health is such a tenuous thing, and on top of that life is such a tenuous thing. I've never been one to put things off, but so far all the things I've done are pretty mainstream. This hike is the most 'impractical' dream I've had - but in a way that makes it the most important.
Date: 2008-02-08
To: Three weeks out
Miles today: 0.0

I leave three weeks from tomorrow. It feels surreal. Is this really my life? How did I get so lucky?My new backpack (Opsrey Atmos 65) is really working out. It was definitely worth the time and effort to find out the other packs were unsuitable BEFORE getting on the AT. (And kudos to REI for their return policy, taking back both packs no questions asked.)Ground Control and I had dinner the other night with 2 thru-hiking friends. I brought over all my gear and pulled it all out for their opinion. (We even pitched my tent in their living room!). They offered their advice on what I should leave behind (my warm fleece pants for sleeping) and what I should get before I leave (gaitors).At this point I think I'll just start with everything, figure out what's unnecessary, and send a box home after the first week. It was very reassuring though to have 2 experienced hikers look at my gear and say I was pretty much set. The three 'majors' - tent, bag, and pack - all seem like they'll work out fine. Whew!
Date: 2008-02-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Ground Control was driving me to work today when he pointed out this is the last Saturday I'm working (I only have two weeks left of work and I'm not on the schedule for next Saturday). Holy cow!!I'm in the process of dehydrating some food for my trip. I've had a burst of enthusiasm about this lately (perhaps it's the idea of eating instant rice and tuna fish every night otherwise!). I was calculating how many of each meal I want to dehydrate, and if I'd have time to get it all done before I left, and my husband said, "I can dehydrate the meals and send them to you!" So sweet! I'm still going to try to get a fair amount prepped, of course, but it's nice to know if my supply runs low he can whip up a few more. I'm not making anything too fancy, but my understanding is after a month on the trail, even some dehydrated onions or bell peppers can be heaven-sent.Speaking of dehydrating, and of heaven-sent, I have a good friend in Idaho who I shall refer to as Good Friend. She is one of the most thoughtful people I've ever met, and I've met a fair number of thoughtful people! (A case in point was my wedding gift, when she HAND KNIT my husband and I personalized Christmas stockings. That's the kind of friend she is.) Anyway, when I e-mailed her about my trip, she immediately volunteered to dehydrate and mail me various treats to keep me fueled for my hike. How wonderful!! I am very fortunate to have so many supportive people in my life.
Date: 2008-02-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I lent my sister "A Walk in the Woods" last week. She called me tonight and said, "I just finished that book and now I have so many questions for you!" I said, "Like what?" She said, "Like...how are you doing to do this?" Ha ha - I have NO IDEA!Ground Control and I stopped by his parents' house on Sunday. His mom and I were both crocheting, and I said how much I was going to miss Ground Control while I was gone. Completely matter-of-fact, she asked, "So then why do you have to do this hike?" It's a very logical question that I have no answer to! What can I say, if I have to explain it to you, no explanation can convey it.I am very, very excited - but the nerves are kicking in. I've been having trouble falling asleep, because my mind is racing between what I have to get done before I leave (get a dental checkup! file my taxes!) and what I'll be encountering when I start my hike (will I be able to get to my first mail-drop without hitchhiking alone?). At least life isn't boring!
Date: 2008-02-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday my husband and I went to my favorite Chinese restaurant for Valentine's Day. When the fortune cookies came, I cracked mine open and it said, "You will have a pleasant journey". How appropriate!I've been dehydrating food like a mad woman. Last night I honestly had a dream about dehydrating food, so perhaps I'm taken it a step too far. Right now I'm keeping it quite simple, just buying jars of spaghetti sauce and dehydrating them - they basically turn out like fruit leathers. But when dinner time comes they rehydrate right back up with some hot water! When this batch is done I'm going to try dehydrating a curry lentil dish I like and see how that works out.
Date: 2008-02-20
To: 10 days left!!
Miles today: 0.0

I catch my train to Georgia in just ten days -- getting down to the wire! Right now it's all about tying up loose ends. Tomorrow is my last day of work . Saturday evening Ground Control and I are having a "Happy Trails/Happy Birthday" party, as his birthday is on Monday. ("Happy Birthday - I'm leaving you for six months!") Then it's just go through my pack one more time, buy the food I need for the start of my trip, confirm where my first mail drop will be, and (gulp) get on that train!
Date: 2008-02-21
To: Last day of work!
Miles today: 0.0

Today was my last day at work! I'm really going to miss everyone I work with, it is a really fun bunch. I get to return there when I'm done with my hike, which I'm really happy about. I've heard that post-hike re-entry is even more difficult than leaving for the hike, so hopefully having a job I like to come back to will ease the transition.One of my regular customers was in today, so I mentioned it was my last day, that I was leaving to hike the Appalachian Trail. He wanted to know if it took much convincing of the people in my life to let me go. I laughed and said, "No, I've been threatening to do it for years, so they're pretty happy I'm actually getting the chance."There was so many instances over the past few years when I just felt like my life was heading in a direction it wasn't meant to take, but I didn't know exactly what to do about it. And every time I hit a real rough patch my gut instinct was to throw up my hands and say, "I'm going to hike the Appalachian Trail!" (Ground Control can vouch for this - he heard me say it many many times.) It's nice that it's no longer empty words. And you know, as soon as I started rearranging my life to make this hike possible, EVERY aspect of my life improved. No matter how many miles I cover on this hike, that alone is worth it.My husband made me business cards with my trail name and this web address to give to my friends at work today - he even drew a picture of a banana to go on it. What a guy!
Date: 2008-02-26
To: Down to the wire!!
Miles today: 0.0

I leave in four days!!!My mother-in-law was funny last night. She told me 'The very first time you miss your husband, just turn around and come home.' If I followed that advice, I wouldn't even make it on the trail! I'd get on the train, walk down a car, and hop right back off.I went to a book sale at the library yesterday. I always read at night before I fall asleep, so I wanted to stockpile up on paperbacks that Ground Control could mail drop to me as needed. I got 30 paperbacks yesterday for a whopping $6! Score!I think my food bag for the first leg of my trip is all assembled. I'm erring on carrying a little extra food, just until I dial in how much I'll need. (The same thing with warm clothing, I'm sure I'll be able to shed some weight even just after the first week.)Ground Control, of course, is a laid-back about this whole endeavor as he always is, while I'm buzzing around the apartment freaking out. He pointed out I'm the one leaving, of course I'm keyed up. Then I said, "Somehow I think if YOU were leaving for six months and I was staying home, I'd still be the one freaking out." He admitted that was probably true. What can I say? If we do have kids one day I hope they take after him.