morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-03-18
To: Beaman Park day-hike
Miles today: 0.0

Thursday, March 18ththe day after St.Patty's Day...& the SUN comes out...FINALLY!after a slow day @ work...i decide to speed things up...& go for a hike on my way home...I leave work @ 12:30pm (my normal time now)...& head NORTH to Joelton, TN to Beaman Park...A nice park...one of the newest in the Nashville Parks system.The Sun is shining as i grab my water bottle & my Leki hiking poles & head out...from the Creekside Trailhead.(2.2 miles total)This park has several short trails...& a hiker can get inventive putting them together in different ways...to make a nice hike...I travel along the Creekside & then come to the bridge that crosses the creek & up onto the Sedge Hill trail (1.9 miles...1-way)....its a good climb when youre as out-of-shape as me....huffing & puffing up the hill as i keep the pace high & steady....after a few minutes...i stop for water....need to keep hydrated!Still Sunny...abt 62 degrees...i take a few photos...no flowers popping up thru the brown, dead leaves yet on side of these hills...but, wont be long.I get to the Nature Center a few minutes later....its CLOSED...no one is here...its only open for a few hours on Wednesdays & Saturdays due to cut-backs....very SAD!I circle the parking lot...& head back down this one way trail...back down to the Creekside trail...& then head up another hill....a couple miles later....I hit the Ridgeline trail (another 1 way trail that is 1.7 miles)....then back....& then hike the last loop...the Henry Hollow Trail (2.2 miles)....back to the Creekside parking lot....I kept the pace high...to get some good excercise....I will be feeling this in the morning...hehehehehe ;0)As most of you know...its just over a month til i hit the APPALACHIAN TRAIL for my annual 2 week section hike with my bud from Lee, Mass. "Jigsaw"!So...i need all the practice hikes i can get in...Probably another hike or bicycle ride tomorrow...need to lose a few lbs...before i hit the trail...If my math is right...over 8 miles today!...See ya'll next time UP the trail!
Date: 2010-03-19
To: PowerWalking Training
Miles today: 0.0

Friday, March 19th...Another Gorgeous day in middle Tennessee....by the time I left work @ 12:30pm...The SUN was shining & it was close to 70 degrees...on the drive home...i call my lovely wife, Donna (aka "D-bird") & asked her if my new walking shoes had been delivered...(see photo)....THEY HAD!...I told her i was gonna stop by Martin Luther King Park (on South Main in Springfield) & walk the track for a few minutes...She said she'd join me....so, i asked if she'd bring my new lightweight walking shoes....NIKE AIR ZOOM STREAK XC...only 5.5oz....I walked abt a half mile when Donna arrived...i changed into my new shoes....WOW!....its...like...walking...BARE FOOT....but with a little extra pad.....WOW!....AMAZING!I walk a few laps with Donna & then....take off for POWERWALKING practice for a mile....click of the old STOP-WATCH @ the start line...&....I'M OFF!....i get into true RACEWALKING form (the swinging of the rotating hips) on the 1st lap (1/4 mile)...as i glance @ the stop watch...i see i clocked a 3:06...i slow...slightly....dont wanna blow out the shins...on lap #2.....on the home stretch...i pick it up just a bit....2nd lap time: 6:19...around...we go for lap 3....abt the same pace....3rd lap time...9:27...i pick it up a bit....final lap....half way...make the final turn...& pour it on....picking up the pace....the finish is in site....i cross & glance & the stop-watch....12:38.62.....woooooooooooooo-hoooooooooooooooo!thats (if my math is correct...22secs faster than my previous best of 13mins...for a 1 mile PowerWalk distance...DOnt know if it was the shoes or what....but...i did well...NOW...i need to get with JERRY DIXON of Greenbrier to help me work on my RaceWalking form...so that i can race the "correct" way & NOT get dis-qualified (bent knee, etc)I have a real chance to MEDAL in the TN Senior Olympics in the walking events...but, much more practice & work needs to be done, first.July will be here before we know it!After i get home...not tired enuff....so, i hop on the bike for an 11 mile bicycle ride....i'm gonna be hurting in the morning!Just over a month...til i hit the Appalachian Trail for my annual 2 week section-hike...this year....my hike partner, "Jigsaw" & i will begin @ Clarks Valley,PA (PA325) & head NOBO to Greenwood Lake, NY (NY 17-A)See ya'll UP the trail...
Date: 2010-03-20
To: Beaman Park hike 3/30
Miles today: 0.0

Tuesday March 30,2010Another SUNNY day...in middle Tennessee...so why not take a hike?I called up "D-bird" (my lovely wife, Donna) & asked her to meet me @ Beaman Park in nearby Joelton,TN (on the way home for me & only abt 15 mins drive for"D-bird")We get to the park a few minutes after 1pm....a very nice day...I put on my backpack(Granite Gear "Latitude Vapor"-2lbs 8oz)...fully weighted (abt 25+lbs)complete with 2 water bottles & food bag (on the inside of the pack).we hit the trail....Creekside trail...(abt 1 mile)...thru the woods...love to hear the stream...beautiful!we get to the Sedge Hill trail (abt 2miles 1-way)& take it up to the Nature Center (which is CLOSED)...a nice climb up here to the top of a ridge...we take a few minutes to rest here & take in some water....ahhhhhhhh...then back at it...this is a ONE-WAY trail....so back down the way we came up....down....down...down....cross over the bridge over the creek/stream...& back on the LOOP trail....then its back up....lucky they put in a couple of switch-backs....we notice a few small little WILDFLOWERS poking their blooming heads thru the dead leaves....& a few jack-in-the-pulpits sprouting....along the trail...Up...up...up....to the next ridgetop....then....we turn back South....to continue on the LOOP(2miles)...."D-bird" (Donna) said 5 miles was plenty for her today....so when we complete this loop & the "connecting" sections...we'll get in just @ 6 miles today....Its been a beautiful day...we encountered a hiker & his dog out for a stroll, a couple walking this afternoon & an older gentleman GPS-ing the trail & taking photos....A good day for hiking!...we did 6 miles today!weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee ;0)continuing my prepping for my 2 week section hike of the Appalachian Trail coming up Apr 24-May 8...I'll be hiking Clarks Valley, PA up to Greenwood Lake, NY in 15 days of hiking!My hike bud, "Jigsaw" of Lee, Mass.,will be hiking the first 2 days with me & then i'm on my own this year....it'll be a bit weird not having "Jigsaw" out there with me the whole way...but, i'm sure to find a few others out there & will possibly hike with some others...if they hike as slow as i do! hehehehe see ya'll UP the trail!
Date: 2010-04-09
To: Race Walking Training
Miles today: 0.0

Friday, Apr 9th...Forecast calls for 70 degrees & SunShine this afternoon!...so its off to the track I go...to practice my Race Walking & Power Walking skills...I hope to meet with Jerry Dixon (of Greenbrier,TN) to help me with my "form" this afternoon & to make sure i dont have a "bent knee" problem...Jerry has been Race Walking for several years now & competes in the TN SENIOR OLYMPICS too...He has WON several GOLD MEDALS in his age group (65-69) in the TSO in the past & will probably crush the competition this coming year.(2010)My main competition (age group: 55-59)looks to be a guy from Bartlett,TN, Eddie Cody,...who had a time of 12:38.04 in the 1500 M Race Walk& had a time of 13:05.75 for the 1 mile Power Walkin the 2009 Tn Senior Olympics State Finals.Recently,...i've practiced on the oval track here in Springfield (Martin Luther King,JR Park) & had times of:12:3812:5012:3912:4613:06a little bit of proper "coaching" from Jerry Dixon & losing a few pounds will help my "form" & help me get faster...I head for my annual 2-week-section hike on the APPALACHIAN TRAIL on Apr 23 & will be hking Apr 24th thru May 8th...from Clarks Valley,PA northboud to Greenwood Lake, NY w/ my bud, "Jigsaw".That hiking should get me 10+ pounds lighter...which should help me scoot around the track a few seconds FASTER!See ya'll UP the trail! (or around the TRACK!)
Date: 2010-04-10
To: Power Walking!!!
Miles today: 0.0

Saturday, Apr 10th...After a meetiing in Springfield...i stopped by the track (MArtin Luther King Jr Park) to walk a few laps....the day is Sunny & abt 70 degrees or so...when i get to the track @ abt 11:30am...(i find out later that my pal, Terry "TeePee" Price had called to ask if i'd wanna take a bicycle ride this morning...but, i had already left the house)I walk a few "warm-up" laps...just to get the leg muscles...flexible...I get out my stop watch after downing a couple gulps of water...& get to the START LINE...& "CLICK!"....i'm off....going for a 1 mile fast paced...POWER WALK!....weeeeeeeeeeeeee ;0)i round the corner & my 1st lap (1/4 mile)....my time is: 2:57i ease up on the 2nd lap......@ the 1/2 mile mark...my time is: 6:14i keep the same pace on the 3rd lap....@ 3/4 mile..my time is: 9:27on the last lap...i speed up a bit...& then pour on the speed on the last turn......across the finish line & glancing @ the stop watch....CLICK!...i walked a 12:29.3 1 mile Power Walk!My BEST TIME thus far!...i still have loads of work to do before the TN SENIOR OLYMPICS walking events in July...a couple hurdles to cross this week..in fact...As i travel to Lawrenceburg, TN this Wed. & Thurs. (Apr 14 & 15) for the South Central District TN Senior Olympics competitions...I'll be competing in the1500 meter RaceWalk & the 1 mile Power Walk...I am scheduled to meet with Jerry D. Dixon (my coach)on Monday afternoon to help me with my "form" & help me cure any "bent knee problems" i might be having...(thats a NO-NO in Race Walking!).Lots of things going on in the next few weeks...racewalking, bicycle ride (Friends of Warner Parks 50 mile)on Apr 17th, then my 2 week hike on the Appalachian Trail Apr 24-May 8th w/ "Jigsaw"....lots O' FUN coming!Follow all of my "ADVENTURES" here....stay tuned, Kids!
Date: 2010-04-14
To: District RACEWALK competition
Miles today: 0.0

Wed.Apr 14th...I compete in the South Central District TN SENIOR OLYMPICS competition today in Lwrenceburg,TN...                           1500 meter RACE WALKWe (Donna & I) left the house abt 5:30am to have plenty of time to get to the track (to warm up, you know).got there...signed in...& warmed up...a bit disappointed in the quality of the track...it was asphalt & not in very good shape...in fact...it had small pebbles & mowed grass on the track...met Beth Campbell, the director of the SC District...shortly after 8:30am...we started the racewalk with 10 racers of all different age goups...being i was the only one in my 55-59 age bracket...i was gonna take GOLD no matter how lousy my time...So,...its just me AGAINST the clock!Out of the gate....another race walker, ED Campbell....cranked it HARD...but, i stayed with him...i thought he'd keep the pace high...& i would fall in behind him & keep up as long as i could....but...that didnt happen....Ed....decided after abt a half lap...to SLOW the PACE....so....i went around him...& stayed out front the whole race...I finished 1st overall (no prize for that)...with a time of 11:06.59 for the 1500 meter Racewalk...Ed Campbell...was overall 2nd with a time of 12:02I take the GOLD!tomorrow:                  1 mile PowerWalk event...back to Lawrenceburg,TN for that event...Stay Tuned, KIDS!Jay "Jaybird" Swafford
Date: 2010-04-15
To: District PowerWalk
Miles today: 0.0

Thurs.April 15thMost people are thinking of the IRS today & INCOME TAXES!...Not me...i'm heading to Lawrenceburg,TN again today for the South Central District TN Senior Olympics competitions.Today i compete in the   1 mile PowerWalkI (along with lovely wife, Donna) arrive @ Lawrence County High School (the site of the competitions)...abt 7:45am...No one else is here, yet.Donna walks the track for excercise a few laps....i do too...to warm up & flex a bit...before competition time...Ed Kimbrall (Culleoka,TN)arrives a few minutes later & warms up...then later Jerry ? (Madison,Alabama) arrives.Seems like 10 people signed up for the event but only 3 of us will be participating...all in different age categories...so, no matter our times...we'll all be going home with GOLD MEDALS!....YEAAAAAA!I asked Ed would he "pace me" on the first lap...he said he would...I told him my best time has been 12:29 for the 1 mile PowerWalk thus far & anything BELOW that number would be a PLUS for me....At 8:30am...Beth Campbell the Director for the District...lined us up & blew the whistle...we're off!I start off @ a good, high pace (for me)....Ed is on my left...Jerry is on my right...& quickly fades back....Ed stays with me...this is the race i've been training for...Surprisingly Ed stays with me @ the completion of the 1st lap...which i had a time of 2:56....good time...on pace...Ed says...as we round the corner..."we're on pace for a 12 minute mile!"I told him..." IF i can keep up this pace!"lap # 2...we were still neck & neck...5:59fast walking....fast walking....power walking....fast walking....Ed & i are still neck & neck @ the end of lap #3...9:07One more lap to go...by this time...my shins are starting to burn....Ed is still "cranking it"...i keep up....then fall a couple steps behind him....If i can stay in contact...i can possible pass him & the finish line in the last few steps....we make the turn & Ed tries to pull away...i keep up with him...slightly behind him by a couple steps....home stretch....should i make the move...should i try?...i pour it on...& so does Ed....he crosses the finish first...& grabs a time of 11:53...my time was 11:54.25It was a good race...I, again, take home GOLD (1st place) in the 55-59 age group...Ed takes the Gold for the 60-64 age group...& Jerry takes the Gold for the 70-74 age group.a days rest tomorrow & then a 50 mile bicycles ride for the "FRIENDS OF WARNER PARKS" this Saturday!my 2 week section-hike on the Appalachian Trail is getting closer...i headout Apr 23rd after work...then will be hiking w/ my bud, "Jigsaw" from Clarks Valley,PA up to Greenwood Lake,NY in 15 days...Apr 24-May 8follow along here...see ya'll UP the trail
Date: 2010-04-23
To: Albany,NY
Miles today: 0.0

Friday APR 23: I fly to Albany, NY after a day of work @ the NEWSCHANNEL 5 Network (Nashville,TN)...My lovely wife, Donna (aka "D-bird") drops me off @ Nashville International Airport @ 3pm....in the air by 4pm...stopover in Baltimore & onto Albany,NY where "Jigsaw" & Helen meet me @ baggage claim...We catch up on whats been going on in the last year on the way to their home in Lee,Mass...10pm...tomorrow we drive Southward into PA to get started on our hike! "Jaybird" & "Jigsaw" & "Just Helen" are on the Appalachian Trail...section-hikin' Clarks Valley,PA up to Greenwood Lake,NY in 15 days!i weighed my backpack last night & my total pack weight (complete with 2 one litre bottles of water & 7 days of food & energy bars)totals 30.8 lbsStay tuned for ALL the details of the "ADVENTURE"!
Date: 2010-04-25
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: William Penn Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: mist

Day 2 Sunday Apr 25thHappy Birthday to Wayne Swafford, my brother & also to my work pal, Greg ("Greggie-Bears") Baldwin!It RAINed ALL NITE LONG! (sing it Lionel Richie!)Luckily the tent (for the most part) stayed dry...I only had one small puddle close to the zipper area in the front of the tent...& a small puddle @ the foot of the tent...I took the tent down in the drizzling rain (NOT FUN!)as fast as I possibly could...dressed & got my boots on before I got outta the tent.I said goodbye to "Jigsaw & Just Helen",(they'll catch me later) & stopped by the shelter long enuff to make coffee (instant Cafe Bustelo coffee) & eat my PopTarts (sugar rush energy)...& talk with the hikers...before they all head out on the trail."Fahmer" (Maine) & "Jim" (formerly "Just Jim")thru-hikers & several wkend hikers (didnt get names) from here in PA.I was outta camp shortly after 8am...abt 14 miles or so to the next shelter...our destination: William Penn Shelter.UP...out of the shelter...a climb...(always!)...the rain continues...not a heavy rain but just enuff to have to put the rain gear on.I pass over Hwy PA 443 (near Green Point,PA)...then a few miles later...i hike down into Swatara Gap...(Lickdale,PA)...this is where we wanted to end our hike last year...but, it didnt work out....the rain continues...11am...Up to the top of a ridge & peak...nothing to see today...with the rain...plenty of FOG....so, its just miles to walk...About halfway to the shelter I try to call home...my watch says 11:45am (central time)...but, didnt get anyone @ home, yet...i leave a message but,...will try again later.I hike on...I stop a couple times for a short rest (good to rest)& energy bars & water...(gotta keep drinking the water)...I hike under Interstate-81...& then back up for another climb...Up, up, up...& onto the famous PA ROCKS!...lots of them!Boulder size...slows my pace to a crawl...the trail smoothed out for the last couple miles before i got to the shelter.Got water & back to the shelter...abt 15 mins before "Jigsaw & Just Helen" show up...surprised they didnt catch me all day long (they said they had taken several wrong turns)"Jigsaw" says "Fahmer & Jim" are not far behind...I'm very tired.I called Donna again...this time i got her & we talked for a few minutes...I'm gonna cook my supper (Tuna dinner & mashed potatoes)early & hit the sleeping bag early too.                           14 miles today!
Date: 2010-04-26
From: William Penn Shelter

To: Hertlein Campsite
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: moderate rain

Day 3 Monday Apr 26It stormed all night!Complete with thunder & lightning...The weather guys (& gals) got this one right...DARN it!I talk with husband & wife thru-hikers, "Scout & Boo" (Texas)doing a "flip-flop" hike...they started in Harpers Ferry,WV...heading NOBO (northbound)& after summiting Mt.Katahdin...they will then hit Springer Mtn,GA & hike NOBO back to Harpers Ferry.We have a nice conversation as I make my camp coffee (this Cafe Bustelo Instant hits the spot!)...seem like nice folks.I'm heading towards Hertlein Campgrounds abt 9 miles North today in the rain..."Jigsaw & Just Helen" are getting off @ Hwy PA-501 which we should cross in abt 4 miles or so today.I say goodbye to Jigsaw & Helen as I leave camp @ 8am...still raining...I have the rain gear on...the rain pack cover on...gonna be a wet day...after a mile or so...i cross over Hwy PA-645...The rain gets harder...I'm getting soaked...& cold...as i hit a short filed of rocks...(a pain).but, you gotta go thru them.hiking along ridges today...but, with rain & fog...nothing to see...no views.The rain starts coming down as I approach Hwy PA-501...theres a shelter (501 shelter) here....so,....i decide to duck in outta the rain for a couple hours.I find a half of a day-old pizza from the local pizzaria....LUNCH!!!sweeeeeeeeeeeet!!! (it beats 2 energy bars)12noon...the RAIN is pouring heavy & with that said...i was scheduled to be "tenting" tonite....Soooooooooo, i might decide to spend the night here & have a long day tomorrow & hope for better weather."Scout & Boo"...hike in outta the rain...they decide to call it a day here.Mo' rain...I take a nap......5pm...Still raining...i'm staying here for the night.                           only 4.1 miles today!
Date: 2010-05-01
From: Slatingdon,PA

To: Leroy Smith Shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: few clouds

Day 8 Sat May 18am Caught a ride back to the trail from motel/hostel owner (Fine Lodgings)Ira Fine in Slatingdon,PA. "Dwayne" a section hiker was going to Delaware Water Gap & hiking SOBO (SouthBound).I ate leftover pizza for breakfast....Sweeeeeeeeeeet!I start my hike @ the road crossing & up thru a make-shift parking lot & immediately its rocks...these are the dreaded Boulders of LeHigh Gap that you see in all the photos of the A.T. when there is hand over hand climbing up out of the rocks....I have to say...i've been dreading this day...but, now...it is here.it is practically a straight UP (hand over hand)rock climb!...the trekking poles are 90% of the time worthless...This is Blue Mountain out of LeHigh Gap...over boulders...& also..to make matters worse...theres no water for the next 20 miles or so....so, i've had to pack an extra gallon of water (add 6 more pounds to the backpack)The climb to the top is slow & very treacherous...I get to the top...after an hour of climbing...by myself...& then...I start on the far side...& of course,...its all rocks...I start boulder hopping...& then i step on one rock (boulder)& it shifted on me...& i go down hard...scraping my leg & banging my right ankle (the one thats already "tender")& bumping the right knee.i sit for abt 30 secs...to make sure nothing is broken..before proceeding...more boulder hopping & i lose my balance once again & i go down...again...this time...no bodily injury...but one of my LEKI hiking poles goes flying down abt 30 feet down the boulder-covered mountain....i scoot down to it...& snag it...wheeeeew...that was a close one.I finally get off the boulder-top of the mountain & get to the flat surface part...the area called the "Palmerton EPA SuperFund Site"...a wasteland on top of the mountain...which is a result of over a century of Zinc smelting smoke covering the mountain & killing all vegetation & plant life....but, they are slowly making progress...planting greenery here...in places...My ankle feels a bit swollen now...not good.12noon After a very S-L-O-W next 5 miles...or so...i come to Little Gap (near Danielsville,PA)...& call it a day! i've drank 2 of 4 (litres)bottles of water...I call Ira M. Fine @ the motel to see if he can shuttle me...he can & did.It was late day when i got there due to my hike speed...I'm now back @ the hostel/motel (Fine Lodgings in Slatingdon,PA).This might be slowing my hike a bit...& drastically changing my schedule                                                                                 5 very SLOW miles today!
Date: 2010-05-02
From: Slatingdon,PA

To: ZERO DAY
Miles today: 0.0

Day 9 Sun May 2"...When it's not always raining there'll be days like this-When there's no one complaining there'll be days like this..."-Van Morrison7am   I'm @ the hostel/motel w/ a swollen ankle & feet & a mild scrape on my leg.I picked up some Naproxin (ALEVE) yesterday @ the drug store & ankle braces...talked to Donna last night..she told me abt all the flooding back home in TN.Prayers & positive thoughts to my family & friends!Looks like no hiking for me today...resting the ankle.                              "ZERO DAY"                              0 miles
Date: 2010-05-03
From: Slatingdon,PA

To: Another ZERO DAY
Miles today: 0.0

Day 10 Monday May 3"...When no one's in a hurry there'll be days like this"...-Van Morrison7am "Scout & Boo" (Texas)arrived @ the motel last night...we had dinner together...theyre a super nice couple.Also, another nice husband & wife (flip-flop)thru-hiker team: "Kite & Sandpiper" (VA)are here too.As well as "Outside Dog" (Minnesota)My ankle is still swollen...no worse...but, no better...yet.So,....to be on the cautious side...will take another full day off & ICE DOWN the ankle.Zero Day #2    I heard a load of sirens & ambulance action last night just outside my 2nd floor motel room last night...come to find out...they found a DEAD GUY across the hall from me...YIKES! (later...they said it was a possible drug over-dose)                       0 miles today