morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
From: HOME

To: Sunrise Labor Day Classic (Bike Ride)
Miles today: 0.0

Sat. Aug 30thANother Saturday....another sponsored bicycle ride!Today is the "Sunrise Labor Day Classic" sponsored by the Clarksville Rotary Club & many others...This used to be the last RIDE of the seasonfor me (& many others) but now they've SPLIT this ride & another 100 mile ride til late in Septemebr (i'm already signed up!)Today i signed up for the 62 mile course...but, the grandaughter (RYLEE)is visiting this weekend...so, i'll just do the 33 mile route!I arrive @ RossView High School, the start & finish for the ride...@ approx 7a.m....the mass start begins @ 8a.m....Park & go in & register...grab my "GOODY BAG" (YES, another T-shirt & ANOTHER water bottle...Donna LOVES THAT!!!!)Prep my bicycle (2005 TREK Madone 5.2SL)...clean it...etc...meet a nice guy thats parked next to me...he also has a Madone...a NEWER one....niiiiiiice!all riders line up...for announcements, etc....I spot Mark Robertson, a fellow Velotter & a friend he'll be riding with...at 8am...the 62 mile riders are off...& about 5 minutes later...us 33 milers are off....lots of 33 mile riders....i ride with a former Senior Olympics athelete TOM ______(i'm terrible with names)til the 1st REST STOP....abt 10 miles in...travel down an Industrial Park road...then down Charles Bell road...(old Senior Olympics course included this road)...then into the Port Royal community (Hwy 238)...after the Rest Stop....I rode alone...the 66 milers split to the left & us 33 milers split to the right...lots of back-roads out here....heading towards Guthrie, KY...horse farms, tobacco farms, etc...on one of these back roads as i'm passing a farm....several dogs are road-side harrassing the cyclists....so i get ready...one lunges at me & i let him have it with a large SQUIRT from my water bottle...he yelped & called off the attack....& i pedaled on...ride into Guthrie & take a quick round about on the town...then head back out....onto Hwy 41 (which heads to Springfield...in the opposite direction)onto Russell Street going outta Guthrie (KY) & then thru Port Royal again...i pass the 2nd REST STOP (mile 23)....& back into South Clarksville area & to Rossview High School...good, short ride...                           33.23 miles today...& i got home in time for Lunch!Next bicycle ride...Sept 20thI plan on hiking some "make up" miles on the Appalachian Trail Sept 26-29 in Northern VA...See Ya'll UP the trail!
Date: 2007-12-25
To: MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Miles today: 0.0

Tues.Dec 25 2007MERRY CHRISTMAS to all you hikers!Santa was very good to me again this year...bringing me all kinds of goodies for hiking (REI gift card) & cycling (cycling sox & Bike shop gift card)"D-bird" got some new earrings, a Bob Timberlake Calendar, some Art work from yours truly (www.SwaffordArt.com) & a few books.Hope you & your family had a BLESSED CHRISTMAS...see ya'll UP the trail!
Date: 2007-12-31
To: HOME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Mon.Dec 31 2007Hope ALL of you have a SAFE & HAPPY New Years Eve!I'm working a whole day (boring)...but, everyone else is sneeking out early.I take a 45 minute walk on the treadmill (our employer provides work-out equipment for us in the basement)..then home to spend the New Years Eve with my lovely wife, Donna (aka "D-bird")..she'll watch the New year ring in...i'll be going to bed early...i have to work on New Years Day...so, the alarm will go off @ the usual time...2:50a.m. OUCH!Be Safe!HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Date: 2008-01-01
To: Montgomery Bell Park-Dickson,TN
Miles today: 0.0

Happy New Year!What better way to start the NEW YEAR than to slip on the hikin' boots (my Vasque MX-2 Sundowners) & take a hike...First, i head into work til 9a.m....then drive to Montgomery Bell State Park, west of Nashville, about an hours drive...(i get there in 45 mins)..& meet up with the Clarksville TN Trails Association group...several of my hikin' buds are in this group, "Model T" (my hiking mentor & friend), "DragonFly" (she'll be our hike LEADER today), "Spunky" (Merri Hinton from Ky), "Too Tall" (Wade Winters) & "Bob" (sorry, Bob cant remember your last name!)There was a total of 16 hikers when we left the parking lot & hit the trail on the Eastern Loop of the Montgomery Bell Trail (approx 8 miles).The weather is Sunny as we start the hike...but, we'll need to keep a quick step as the temps are in the mid 30s & the winds are gusty to about 15-20mph.So, the temps "feel-like" about 25 degrees....B-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r-r!I have 2 layers on & gloves...so,i'll stay "toasty"..."D-bird" didnt make it this year....she saw the forecast & was one of the smart ones that stayed home.We travel thru the wooded area & then over a creek (Wildcat creek, i think)...talking cameras...& what Santa brought us...hiking gear...tents, etc.We get to Wildcat shelter...& stop for a short rest...then onward...I'm with "Too Tall" we talk cameras, work, the world situations....didnt solve any of the problems...but gave them ALL a good talkin' to! heheheheheheWe stop @ just before 12 noon in the trees just before one of the 3lakesin the park...to eat our traditional New Years Day meal...including Black-Eyed Peas....yummmmmy (he said SARCASTICLY!)...to help me get the peas down...there was mexican corn bread...(good stuff)...mashed potatoes, kraut, (i didnt partake)loads of desserts too: cookies, & cherry cobbler (Judith Tate made it....it was GREAT, Judith!)Plenty of conversation during lunch about the trail, past adventures & upcoming adventures...we broke "vittles" camp & packed everything out (trash included..pack it in..pack it out!)...& resumed our hike...i wuz gettin COLD..sitting still.a hikin' we will go....around the lake...in the open...good thing we didnt eathere this year...the winds are kicking up even more now...probably gusts of 25 mphwe make it around the lake & back into the woods & down a couple hollows before we getback to our destination/parking lot...it was a very good hike with great people...i always enjoy hiking with the Clarksville group.Thanks gang for letting me tag along again this year...Happy New Year to ALL...See Ya'll UP the trail!
Date: 2008-02-21
To: 2008 A.T.hike itinerary
Miles today: 0.0

Feb 21stHope ALL of you had a Great "HOODIE HOO DAY" (Feb 20th every year...mark your Calendars!)Thats when you go outside @ 12Noon & shout, 3 times, "HOODIE HOO" @ the top of your lungs while waving your arms to scare away Winter & welcome in Spring!Hope all of you are well...i've been down with the FLU for about 5 days & it was MISERABLE!(i even missed the Annual White Blaze.net-Nashville dinner)There are several school systems that have closed due to the 3 strains of FLU thats travelling thru this part of the country now.As for my hiking....i havent since January 1st...& my bicycles are heading to the shop (Bike Pedlar in Hermitage, formerly "The Jolly Cyclist")for Spring "tweeking". (Bicycle riding season starts in late March)My hiking itinerary for the A.T. this year..."Jigsaw" & I will be picking up (where we finished last year) @ Turk Gap in the Shennandoahs & heading North to Harpers Ferry, WV for 11 days...beginning April 26th & (if all goes as planned) will be in Harpers Ferry May 9th.I hope you will follow along for our "2008 Jaybird & Jigsaw Adventures!"See Ya'll UP the trail!
Date: 2008-03-02
To: BIKE RIDE
Miles today: 0.0

Sun.Mar 2ndNothing like 75 degrees on the 2nd day of March!After some deeeeee-lish home-made SOUP (made by my lovely wife, "D-bird")...i jump on my bicycle (Trek Madone 5.2SL) for a ride around the neighborhood & thru the local park (J.Travis Price)& onto the Springfield Greenway.I wont bore you with details...but, pedaling 20+ miles with a 20mph head-wind about WORE ME OUT!I am TOTALLY outta shape. (about 40 lbs to lose) hopped on the scales & it shouted:..."one of you get off of me!"   hehehehehehehe ;0)Made it home with no injuries...so, it was a good ride. (my 2nd for the year)Getting my legs ready for hiking the A.T. for 2 weeks with "Jigsaw" in April & May.See ya'll UP the trail!
Date: 2008-03-18
To: Beaman Park
Miles today: 0.0

Tue.Mar 18thHope everyone had a Great St.Patrick's Day!...it was a usual day for (work, etc., & then a post work 15-mile bicycle ride...)..it was also my step-daughter's (Teri)birthday!...Happy Birthday, Teri!Today...high wind warnings & possible rain this afternoon....but, i stop by Beaman Park in Joelton (Northside of Nashville) on the way home to Springfield & get in a good, fast day hike.I get on the trail @ 1:45pm (after getting my Vasque Sundowners on & my newly refurbed Leki hiking poles in hand)i head up the Creekside Trail (by Henry Creek & the Little Marrowbone Creek) for about a mile before it heads up the ridge to meet up with the main trail in the park...the RidgeTop Trail.Before i get to the top fo the ridge...i spot a NEW BRIDGE...(someone has been working hard!) & i see on the other side of the bridge a NEW trail has been cut.....HEY!....we might be seeing some progress here @ Beaman! woooooo-hooooo!Maybe this is a connector leg of the Ridgetop Trail & it'll no longer be a one way only trail...but a nice 10 or 12 mile loop trail...that would be sweeeeeeeet! ;0)I hike on....i dont have my backpack on today...just my hiking poles & boots on...so, i guess i'm (in a sense) just speed-hiking! (approx. 3+ mph i figure out later)I'll throw the backpack in the car trunk when i get home with some weight in it for the next day-hike.I get to the Ridge trail & head out....all the way to the end....(sign here with seats to rest)...then head back.I look for wildlife on the way back...hardly none...except for the occassional bird....no deer, squirrels, nothing....in what used to be private hunting land.I make it back to the trail head....wheeeeew...i'm tired...that speed-hiking takes it out of you when you havent hiked since Jan 1st!Still need to lose quite a bit of weight..(i've joined Weight Watchers a few weeks ago...seems like thats becoming an annual ritual!)Need to step on the A.T. this year below 200lbs.Only 1 month & 8 days til "Jigsaw" & I hit the Appalachian Trail for our 2008 Adventure! (Turk Gap, VA to Harpers Ferry,WV).6.4 miles todaySee Ya'll UP the trail!
Date: 2008-03-21
To: Beaman Park
Miles today: 0.0

Fri.Mar 21st(Good Friday)Another SUNNY DAY in the South...love this 71 degree weather on the first FULL DAY of SPRING!I leave work & head up the scenic route towards home & stop off @ BEAMAN Park again today...for another DAY HIKE...in preparation for my & "Jigsaw's" A.T. hike coming up just over a month from now.Dont have my backpack with me today...but, i have some shorts & a t-shirt i put on along with my Vasque (Sundowners) hiking boots & my spiffy, refurbished Leki hike poles (Thanks "Bungalow Bill"!)I hit the trail @ 1:45pm....Sunny today & i beleive it was 70-something when i heard the radio give the forecast....the winds are slight but no rain expected today...just SUNSHINE....great hiking weather...I head out & up the CREEKSIDE trail (along Marrowbone creek & Howard creek)...its about a mile til it joins up witht the start of the Ridgetop Trail....but, along the way.......(about a half mile or so) i spot a couple with a young child....out for a nice walk....I talk with them for a few minutes as we walk together...then we happen upon the NEW bridge across the creek....which still has DO NOT CROSS tape (think police tape) across the end of it...(so no one will pass thru)...i asked them if they new when this trail would open or where it ended up?they didnt know either....but, said it had YELLOW Tape up & it meant dont go past this point....THAT DID IT....that was the THROWIN' Down of the gauntlet!I HAD to hike it NOW!...I JUST HAVE TO!So, they left...and i trekked across the NEW bridge....& stepped over the YELLOW.."DO NOT CROSS" tape....& scurried on up the trail...this is a brand NEW trail....still fresh, no boot marks anywhere....still the flags marking the trail are up....i followed it....hiked up to the ridge top...with nicely cut switch-backs going up....nice little climb...i guess i traveled about a mile...before i spotted a huge house....& couldnt find anymore of the trail....i'm lost....(& clueless)..then i remembered...this is the soon-to-be-opened-NATURE CENTER in Beaman Park.....SO, i guess the trail will eventually go to the Nature Center front door & then travel onto another part of the park linking up with other trails (eventually).I surveyed the construction...(its gonna be NICE!)...& then turned around & back down the same mile or so of trail i just hiked up....this is gonna be a good trail...then i got back to Creekside...passed over the "forbidden" bridge (for now) & back up to the Ridgetop Trail...then all the way to the end of the trail then turned around & hiked back. lots of downed trees across the trail today..(we had some 40-50+mph winds & storms since my last day hike here)WOW! i'm tired....even without a backpack...the speed hiking thing wears you out....i spotted a few Bluebirds today...but no other wildlife...so, with the extra 2 miles of NEW trail...i figure i did over 8 miles today!"Jigsaw" & i hit the Appalachian Trail April 26th this year for about 2 weeks of hiking NorthBound to Harpers Ferry, WV...for our 2008 "Adventure"approx.8.4 miles today.See ya'll UP the trail!
Date: 2008-04-01
To: the Road!
Miles today: 0.0

April 1stOnly 26 days til "Jigsaw" & I will be stepping onto the Appalachian Trail" for the beginning of our 2008 A.T. Adventure...Hard to beleive its been 6 years we've been section-hiking together...un-real!Its been LOADS of FUN!This year...IF things go as planned...we will reach the psychological HALF WAY point of the A.T...HARPERS FERRY, WV.The actual Half Way point is a few miles into Pennsylvania...but it'll be great to get to Harpers Ferry & to see that historic town & visit the A.T. headquarters & museum. ("Model T" has a hand in that!)Today...i'm gonna take a short day-hike or a bicycle ride...I bicycled 21 miles yesterday...as i continue to strengthen the legs & to lose some weight (i'm down to 212 now from a high of 234 just 6 weeks ago)...i'd like to be below 200 lbs when i step on the trail in 26 days.Hope all is well with my fellow hikers...See ya'll UP the trail!   ;0)
Date: 2008-04-15
To: Beaman Park-Joelton,TN
Miles today: 0.0

Tue.Apr 15th   HAPPY TAX DAY! (can you really say "Happy" & Tax in the same sentence?)After a full day @ work...i decide to take a day-hike on the way home...i head up the scenic route...Clarksville Hwy to Joelton...pass Marrowbone Lake & make my way to the park (Nashville's newest park).I've got my backpack today filled with 25 lbs.(including water bottles)getting some real miles with weight on your back is a bit different than a casual stroll in the woods.i hit the trail @ 2:30pm...Sunny & 61 degrees...not a cloud in the sky (we've had major amounts of Rain lately)the CreekSide Trailhead is my starting spot & i hike my way by Henry Creek to the new bridge (that crosses over the creek) that ends @ the NATURE CENTER (still under construction)...about a mile up a ridge.And of course...its 1-way...so i got to the end of the trail & turned around & back the 1 mile (getting those miles in...)then back up & connected the 2 mile-loop & then to the end of the Ridetop trail....again...a 1-way trail....so, you get to the END & turn-around...I did see a load of NEW wildflowers sprouting (sorry, i cant identify them)& Redbud trees & Dogwoods blooming...a few birds (quite a few Goldfinch)were spotted on this hike...if my math is correct...i hiked 7.4 miles Only 11 days til my "2008 A.T. ADVENTURE" begins (with hike bud, "Jigsaw") this year its Turk Gap, VA all the way to Harpers Ferry, WVTomorrow, i cycle a few miles on the Natchez Trace Parkway with best bud, "TeePee".see ya'll UP the trail!
Date: 2008-04-23
To: A.T. prep
Miles today: 0.0

Apr 23rd   3 days til the 2008 "A.T.Adventure" begins!I'm getting excited...been gathering all my goodies to cram in my lightweight backpack (Granite Gear "Latitude Vapor" 2lbs 10oz 3800 ci).How is it ALL gonna fit???I shipped my re-supply food box off a few days ago to the motel we'll be staying in Luray, Va on hike day # 6 (May 1st).Several days ago..."TeePee" & I hopped on the bicycles for a 30+ mile ride down the Natchez Trace Parkway(& then pigged out @ the world famous Loveless Cafe.Then i got in a 25+ mile bicycle ride yesterday (around Springfield & Robertson County)i still need to stop by the bank & pick up some cash & the outfitter store to pick up some Iodine tabs.(for water purification)Plan to stop by Beaman Park to get in 7+ mile hike today..probably my last prep hike before hitting the trail!Just checked weather.com ...our first few days on the trail looks like a 40% chance of showers...& mid 60s to 70 degrees...thats what i'm talkin' about!...EXCELLENT hikin' wx!See ya'll UP the trail!
Date: 2008-04-25
To: Packing my bag
Miles today: 0.0

Apr 25th:ONE DAY TIL THE HIKE!HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my brother Wayne Swafford & my work pal, Greg Baldwin.I dropped off my bicycle (Trek Madone SL 5.2) @ the ALL NEW BIKE PEDLAR (bike shop) yesterday.(it will be getting a Spring "tune-up" while i'm hiking) "D-bird" is planning on buying me a NEW cycling helmet...so, i picked out a nice carbon, red & white one..it'llbe waiting for me when i pick up the bicycle in 2 weeks.Putting the last minute items in the backpack today (last item: stuffing my down mummy bag into my pack)Will call our shuttle driver "Lyle" to make sure he is meeting us @ the Charlottesville, VA airport @ 12 noon. (and pick us up 13 days later in Harpers Ferry, WV)I'll be meeting "Jigsaw" @ the airport.I'm getting excited!Hope all of you White Blazers & Trail Journal readers will follow along & PLEASE sign my guestbook to let me know you're out there.See ya'll UP the trail!
Date: 2008-04-26
From: HOME

To: Turk Gap,VA
Miles today: 8.6

Sat.Apr. 26th Day#14am I'm up before the alarm sounds..."D-bird" (Donna, my lovely wife) isnt feeling well, so I drive myself to the airport (Nashville Int'l). My flight leaves on time @ 6:20am (US Airways)...have a 2 hour stop-over in Charlotte,NC (just enuff time to grab a Double "RedEye" from Starbucks!)& then onto Charlottesville,VA (on a turbo-prop).The flight arrives @ 12:15pm...I meet "Jigsaw" @ the baggage claim area (he's been here for 2 hours!). I was worried my backpack wouldnt make it here in one piece...but, it did...YEA!!!We grab our packs & head outside & meet up wit Lyle Kerby (from nearby Waynesboro,VA)our shuttle driver for this trip...stop by the local Outfitters store & get fuel cannisters (ISO-PRO for our Pocket Rocket stoves) & water.We ride to Turk Gap (on Skyline Drive), take a few photos & we're off!2pm                     The "Adventure" begins!We have a relatively long day for our first day of hiking..8+ miles (which is not really that long ) but my "ISM" kicks in every year...I.S.M.=Incredibly short memory...I ALWAYS forget that 8 miles on the A.T. is a load harder than 8 miles @ Beaman Park or Montgomery Bell Park (where i do most of my prep hikes)...but, i digress.It's Sunny & very warm now as we start out..the radio says abt. 80 degress in Charlottesville with only a 30% chance of showers...After an hour of hiking we hear the rumble of thunder in the distance...we might be in for a shower...3:30pm   The clouds are rolling in & then a few rain drops, then hail (pea size & then dime size)then a few snow flurries & then back to rain...we throw our rain gear on (rain jackets & back pack covers)...& hike on.There are many wildflowers starting to peak out from under the dead leaves & budding out.We cross over Skyline Drive a couple times (we're in the Shennendoah Nat'l Park)..."Jigsaw" has the camp permit. I forgot mine..hope i dont get caught..i could get fined..Yikes!..i'm an OUTLAW..hehehehehehe ;0)We head up thru BackRock Gap (2330 ft elevation) & up the hill. I called "D-bird" from here & got a connection...she's still feeling bad.6pm we get to our home for the night...BlackRock Hut (shelters are called "huts" here) & its crowded. 2 guys from the D.C. area ("Vista Jim" & "Grandaddy Longlegs), 1 from Roanoke (all section hikers)& 2 thru hikers:"Roundhouse" (TN) & "Trill" (GA), both Auburn grads..that started @ Springer Mtn on March 1st...WOW! they are moving!!! They expect to summit by the end of July. Double WOW...5 months!"Jigsaw" & i cook dinner (i had mashed potatoes & pink Salmon..yummy!) We sat around til 8:30pm.We have 13+ miles scheduled tomorrow (its gonna be a VERY TUFF DAY)...its starting to rain again as all the hikers climb into their sleeping bags...i write in my journal...its gonna be some good lseeping tonite.Good nite!                  8.6 miles today!
Date: 2008-04-27
From: Turk Gap,VA

To: Pinefield Hut (VA)
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Sun.Apr 27 Day#2HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME! I turn 54 today...it has become a tradition for me to celebrate my birthday on the trail...I find a birthday card from my sweetie, "D-bird" in the top of my backpack along with my traditional birthday Snickers & cashews...yummmy!6:30am   When the Sun rises...hikers begin to stir.Everyone gets up & cooks breakfast.   I had mixed berry flavored PopTarts & "Cowboy Coffee" (double strong black coffee...good stuff)The thru-hikers, "Roundhouse & Trill" were the first to leave out.8:30am "Jigsaw" & i hit the trail (2/10 mile walk out from the hut)We hike up BlackRock (3100ft elevation)...loads of coooool rock out croppings, we cross Skyline Drive several times today then thru Brown Gap (2600ft elevation) & up the next peak. I call "D-bird" from this area & talked for a few minutes. She wished me a "Happy Birthday" & i thanked her for my card & goodies...over Skyline Drive again (in fact...a few more times) then Doyles River Overlook.The fog has been obscuring all our views today...so, its just hiking today getting in the miles to the next "hut".A few day hikers out today (its the weekend)...i see about 7 or 8 other hikers traveling Southbound...they ha a Golden Retriever with them...they were coming from PINEFIELD HUT...whcih is where we are headed.We stop by Loft Mtn Campgrounds for water (2/10 mile off the trail) & ate lunch here (on a picnic table in the fog) I had 5oz tuna & pop tarts & some Birthday cashews..."Jigsaw" had trailmix & tuna.Thers a wayside cafe near the trail here..but, we didnt stop (found out later it wasnt open anyway!)...more miles to go.We did 8+ miles yesterday & todays 13+ is gonna kill me...i know it will."Jigsaw" has hiked ahead...I've slowed to a snails pace..(sub-2mph)on uphills & i stop several times to rest...then hike on...These last few miles are killing me..kicking my butt..(shows i needed more hike prep)..cross over a spring & Skyline Drive one last time for the day & I spot the hut & hear the sound of running water from a nearby stream.I get to Pinefield Hut @ about 4pm"Jigsaw" got here about 15 mins earlier.. so did the 2 guys from PA, Jim ("Vista Jim") & Charlie ("Grandaddy Longlegs"), a yhoung thru-hiker from Ohio, "Chris" (no trailname yet)stopped in for a short rest & then headed out to try & catch "Roundhouse & Trill" who hiked to the next hut, abt 8 miles awy...WOW!"Chris" is fast...he was hiking..like he was on fire!...very fast!5pm we cook dinner...Ramen noodles for me tonite & an early bedtime...i am WORN OUT!7pm   Goodnite!                                             13.2 miles today