morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-02-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

To start out this entry, again, if you don't leave an email address or some way to get in touch with you, your guestbook entry will be deleted. If you have something to say, but refuse any type of response from me by cowardly posting and running, then I don't have the energy to keep you in the guestbook. Now that I have had to deal with that, let's change it around a bit. Over and over again, it has been shown to me how much I am truly loved and how many people are truly supporting me in this effort. I can say nothing more than a sincere and earnest thank you to them. This includes Rob and Michael and Julie and Mark in Rochester and the people at work. Day to day, things are taken for granted. You get in a routine and one starts to dwell on the negative. But I can say with all honesty that I am truly more happy than I have ever been. I understand what I am up against. I know the challenge before me. I know what is ahead of me and though I may not always come through with flying colors or succeed in every challenge, I know that I have the support behind me, I have the Universe helping me along the way, and I know that I need to prove myself worthy of the privilege I have been granted in being able to attempt this thru-hike. I realize how lucky I am and try to illustrate that, daily. I recognize the envy from people not able to undertake such a hegira as I am embarking upon. I am fully aware of how fortunate I am to be able to take this much needed step. And Universe-willing, I will make it through each day with the ability to lay my head down with the prospect of one more day on the trail. Pledge to the WindOnward to uncharted spaces,   Forward through timeless voids,Into all of us surges and races   The measureless might of the wind. Strongly sweeping from open plains,    Keen and pure from mountain heights, Freshly blowing after rains,    It weds itself into our soul. In the steep silence of blue air,   High on a lonely cliff-ledge,Where the air has a clear, clean rarity,   I give to the wind ... my pledge:"By the strength of my arm, by the sight of my eye,   By the skill of my fingers, I swear,As long as life dwells in me, never will I   Follow any way but the sweeping way of the wind.I will feel the wind's buoyancy until I die;   I will work with the wind's exhileration;I will search for its purity; and never will I   Follow any way but the sweeping way of the wind."Here in the utter stillness,   High on a lonely cliff-ledge,Wher the air is trembling with lightning,   I have given my pledge to the wind. Everett Ruess
Date: 2004-02-25
To: Evolution
Miles today: 0.0

Daily now, there are endings, temporary interuptions, good-byes. The transition is so wonderful, so frightening, so perfect. Not only do I have the challenge of the trail ahead of me, but I am drastically changing the direction and the momentum of a life I have created for myself. I am a control freak and very detailed and always have a plan with everything set. Now it's like I am throwing all the elements of my life into the air and slowly watching where each one is landing and how they relate to each other. At times I hate it because I am so uncomfortable. And times when I love it because I am so uncomfortable. Can life get better than that? Friday: last day of work. Sunday: drive to Charlotte. 5th of March, drive to Atlanta. 6th, start the trail. Pack weight with food and water included is at 36lbs. I have a week and a half to get it down even further. It will happen. I received a very special spiritual token from my cousing Cam. On the same day in the mail, I received a very special spiritual token from my friend Kate who lives in Minnesota. On the very same day I received a very gracious thank you note from a soldier in Iraq to whom I had sent a care package. Later that day I had a personal epiphany with my friend Julie realizing that that these kind of miraculous moments, these moments for which to be grateful, happen all the time and the trick is to see them all the time, not just when you are making a huge change in your life. (For those interested in sending packages to soldiers in Iraq, go to www.anysoldier.us)I am so excited and happy for my fellow Class of 2004 trail mates, Burn, Ross and my little Gracie, and Joy and Bloody Cactus and Sugar Daddy and Chris ... their starts are coming up so fast. The best to you all and I can't wait to catch up to you. Thank you to the Universe for where I am at right now. What a beautiful evolution my life is undergoing.
Date: 2004-02-27
To: The Key ... 
Miles today: 0.0

*Phone service shut off*Last day of work completed*Pack down to manageable weight*Bed thrown out*Addresses changed*Apartment vacated*My material life in storage*Goodbyes said*Last Prep entry currently being written (next one from the trail)I'm almost to the calm. I'm almost to that place where I just breathe. I have received many kind words to help ... from Ray, Laura, from Zach and Stacey, from MJ, and especially from Curtis (in the guesbook). My mind is doing its best to deal with the change coming up. Last night I dreamt I was in a train wreck. The night before I dreamt I was in a car on a back country road in Minnesota with my Mom and Dad and drove into multiple tornados. The night before that I dreamt I got in an elevator that quit working and I plummeted to the ground. Amazing how the mind deals with this amount of change.At one point this week, I looked at my keychain in my hand. A key for my apartment building, two for my apartment door, one for my mailbox, a key for the office building, an electronic key to sign on to my computer, a key for my boss' office, keys for my file drawers, keys for my cabinets. Strangely, I linked the amount and quality of control I had over my life to how many keys I had. My importance and place in the world partly hinged on keys. Now I have returned all those keys. I have no keys. The key I need right now isn't on a chain. It's within.
Date: 2004-03-07
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: few clouds

Absolutely glorious day weather-wise. Was up at 6:45 and out of camp by 7:20. Slept like crap. Actually, didn¢t fall asleep until about 3 am. I was so tired when I reached the shelter that I made dinner, and thought I could go right to sleep, so I was in my sleeping bay by 9 pm. Then I woke up at 11:15 pm and couldn¢t get back to sleep. I guess I have to be careful about going to sleep too early. I was pretty stiff and sore, but nothing bad. Made really good time to Woody Gap. Then the ups and downs started! The ups were strenuous, but fine. The downs, however are killing me. My knees are killing me softly with their song of pain. Hit the bottom of Blood Mountain and began the climb. All the while I was thinking about coming back off this thing. And I was right. The descent was tough. Parents with small children came off that mountain faster than I was. I just kept telling myself to laugh all the way to Katahalin. And so I did ¢ laughed at me, laughed at the mountain (sinister though it was) laughed at how lucky I am. Since I¢ve started out faster than I had planed, tomorrow will be a shorter day. Now I¢m sitting in a room at Good Creek which has cheap rooms ¢ I need the sleep, and the shower was divine.Songs sung in my head today:¢INTO THE WOODS¢¢ROLLERCOASTER¢¢BRICK¢¢BIG FISH, SMALL POND¢¢DEFYING GRAVITY¢Favorite Moment: Meeting P-Willy, a 2003 thru-hiker at Woody Gap. He offered up some trail magic, but more importantly infused me with such enthusiasm that it put a spring in my step. Thanks P-Willy!Also met today: BALDING 80¢s, MAN-HANDS, and CHOPSTICK. Somehow they all looked familiar.
Date: 2004-03-08
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Wind, wind, and more wind. I kept looking around for a house to drop on me. It was so windy today, and cold. Luckily I had a great sleep, and although I was extremely sore and my knees were killing me, I felt good. Got back up to Neel¢s Gap, and bought a new tent at WALASI-Y. Saved myself almost 3 pounds right there, plus I threw out some more CLIF bars last night, so my pack is considerably lighter. Tried to call dad before I left Neel¢s gap, but couldn¢t get a hold of him. It was slow going because of my knees but the hike was good, although I didn¢t get started until 10 am. Once I hit the far side of Cowrock Mountain, I was afforded a magnificent view. Sat on a rock out of the wind for about 30 minutes looking out over the vistas of mountain after mountain. I also got my first look at the Army Rangers I their helicopters. The flew below where I was sitting. Then it was onward into Testnatee gap at which I was greeted with the climb up Wildcat, very steep, very rocky, and my knees were now hurting on the ups as well as the downs. When I reached Hogpen Gap I stood there for a minute contemplating whether I should try to hitch back to Neel¢s Gap and rest the knees. I decided against it which was a good choice since the next couple of miles were fairly easy. What I¢m finding is that, like civilian life, the weakest part of the day is between 3-4 pm. This is when my attitude drops a bit, especially with my knees. It¢s when I have fleeting thoughts of my own stupidity in thinking I could do this. Several things get me through, though: knowing I can quit any time I want, Jashua helps me, knowing all I have to do is get through this day, singing songs out loud. I just hope the knees get better. But wow, life is good. 3 weeks ago I was living and working in New York City, and tonight I¢m sleeping in the woods of northern Georgia, at 6:42 pm, with a temperature of 41 degrees. I was thinking today ¢ this dream started about 4 years ago, and now I¢m living it. However it turns out, whether making it to Special K, or leaving tomorrow, yay for me for getting to this point. And a special thanks to the many people who helped me get here, you know who you are. I also wanted to give a special shout out to the trail maintainers and all the volunteers who keep this trail and the shelters in really fantastic shape.Songs sung in my head today:¢ROCKIN¢ AROUND THE CHRISTMAS TREE¢¢OH MY FEET¢¢ONE SONG, GLORY¢Several from ¢ZANNA DON¢T¢Favorite Moment: Sitting on top of CowRock Mountain with Georgia on display in front of me. Simply exquisite.Worst Moment: None, cuz even the bad ones far surpass sitting in an office of corporate America.Kerry for President 2004.
Date: 2004-03-09
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: broken clouds

Up AT 6:45 am, determined to make it to Tray Mountain Shelter. A quick pack, and good-byes to Harrison, Wet Stone, and Quincy Girl, and I was out of camp by 7:30 am. The first few miles were easy, with the temp hovering near freezing, the sun out, but clouds heading in. Took a wrong turn at Chatahoochee Gap, but quickly realized my mistake: Reached Blue Mountain Shelter at about 11:30, but startled a couple of guys doing something that I couldn¢t quite see, which they promptly stopped when they saw me. With banjos playing in my head and thoughts of somebody telling me to squeal like a pig, I stayed on guard and waited to make sure they were going my way, ahead of me, knowing that Quincy Girl was behind me. They disappeared and I didn¢t see them the rest of the day. But things deteriorated for me. First, the temp dropped, and it began to snow. My right knee was screaming, but I was determined. I had two big ups, and two big downs. But only 6 miles. But the first big down killed me. I made it to Unicoi Gap and fleetingly thought of hitching into a nearby town, but started up the next big up. Then it started snowing hard. I kept trudging, sweating profusely in the dropping temp. I reached the top after 45 minutes, knee throbbing and then I began to shiver. That was it, I walked back down to the road, put out my thumb and within 5 minutes had a ride from a really nice guy named Michael who updated me on the recent current events, and a recommendation on where to eat. I got an extremely cheap rate at the Super 8, ate at the suggested restaurant which was superb, and now sit in my room, knowing that I¢m taking a zero day tomorrow. Much too soon, according to my schedule, but considering my knee needs a break if I¢m going to make it, a zero day is called for. So here I sit in Helen, Georgia, a small summer tourist town with an intense Alpine/Bavarian theme. As I sat in the Hayloft Pub eating a steak listening to Patsy Cline on the juke, I thought to myself, who¢s friggin¢ life am I living, because it¢s too good to be mine.Songs sung in my head today:¢UNINVITED¢¢NEW WORDS¢¢HOLD DOWN THE FORT¢¢I AM THERE¢¢TAKING THE WHEEL¢Favorite Moment: The kindness shown to me by Michael Lambert, the guy who picked me up as I hitched.Worst Moment: None.
Date: 2004-03-12
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Deep Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: clear sky

What a wonderful day. I little breezy, but the sun was out the whole day with no clouds. Had some breakfast at the Huddle House in Helen, and had my thumb out by 10 a.m. Got two separate rides out of town, one from Ox from the class of 1997. Really nice guy who dropped me off at the trail, and I was hiking by 10:40 a.m. My plan was to go to Tray Mountain Shelter, but I got there at 1:15, and the legs and knees were feeling good, so I kept on. I¢m a bit surprised to have done almost 13 miles today. Staying at Deep Gap Shelter with about 8 other people, but 5 of them are tenting, so the shelter is roomy. It¢s amazing how the hike changes when you have fresh legs. I think it helps to have started out with a good breakfast. Thus that¢s why I bought bagels and peanut butter. Now I just need to take the time to eat it. My town stay was good, but I can tell how easy it would be to get caught up in a town stop. It was very un-Virgo of me to not be on the move or heading towards my goal. But wow did it help my legs. I know I¢ve said before how happy I am out here, but I have to say that today was the first time, only for a fleeting moment, that I felt I belonged here, and wasn¢t just a tourist. I¢ve noticed that I haven¢t really made a connection with anyone, but I am really fine with that. Tomorrow I will hopefully cross the Georgia/North Carolina border, which will be a momentous event for me. So far I¢ve done 63.3 miles. Yay for me!Songs sung in my head today        ¢IN THE LIVING YEARS¢        ¢ON BROADWAY¢        ¢THE FIRST TIME EVER I SAW YOUR FACE¢Best moment of the day: Seeing a deer on the trail ahead of me. We stopped and stared at each other for about a minute.Worst moment: Realizing my momentous time in Georgia will come to an end tomorrow.
Date: 2004-03-13
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Beautiful day with much less wind. Feeling good in the morning, ready for a great day. Forced myself to eat a bagel ¢ still having a hard time being able to eat in the morning. Again went on the thought of doing 15 miles, which, once again, is way too much. But the morning proved that my legs were in fine shape thanks to my zero days. Made really good time into Dicks Creek Gap, and headed for Plum Orchard Shelter. Reached the shelter at 12:15 ¢ way too early to stop. Ran into Whetstone on the way, and was glad knowing I was going to be ahead of him. After leaving the shelter, the knee started acting up again. This really brought me down. I took precautions and slowed way down, but it¢s still bothering me. My spirits, I have to admit started to sink. At this point I came upon a trail maintainer, Mother Nature, and her friend. Mother Nature welcomed me to North Carolina as she pointed to the border sign. So Brother Nature and Mother Nature talked for a few minutes. She¢s starting her own thru-hike in 2 weeks, and she had been reading my journal. A really great person whom I know is going to have a great hike herself. Then I turned to head on to Bly Gap with my spirits lifted a bit. Thank you Mother Nature! Of course then I hit the climb up Sharp top. North Carolina welcomes you with a climb that is the next best thing to vertical. It was here that I had my first serious moment when I thought I couldn¢t do this trail. My knee hurt, the climb was basically straight up and I hadn¢t had enough to eat. I was sweating, huffing and puffing, and my knee was killing me. None of my regular tricks were working. I seriously thought I was going to quit. Then at about 4:15, I made it to the Shelter, where Wing and Feather had already set up. I felt better to have made it, so things were good. Made myself some dinner which wasn¢t enough, and then we collected some wood and started a fire. It was toasty warm and the conversation with the mother/daughter team was good. It scared me, though, to have hit the low point I did. Makes me wonder if I¢m cut out for this. Tomorrow is a shorter day, and then the next day I¢ll hit Rainbow Springs campground for a shower and some re-supply. I¢ve figured out that I just need to take the time to eat more during the day since my energy flags so much. But I am proud to have made it through Georgia and into a new state. Yay for me, Yay for me, Yay for me!Songs sung in my head today ¢RESPECT¢ ¢LA BAMBA¢ ¢ON BROADWAY¢Best moment of the day: Making it to North Carolina.Worst moment: Wondering if I should quit.
Date: 2004-03-14
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Carter GapShelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up at about 7 a.m. after a mediocre night of sleep. At one point I turned over and banged my knee and almost yelled out of pain. Then at another point got so claustrophobic inside my sleeping bag I woke up and opened the top. But it was mighty cold. On the trail by 8:15 with the intention of eating enough so as not to have an energy lag. But the hike today was pretty easy with a gradual climb up Standing Indian Mountain and another gentle descend. Checked the trail register lately and see Burn making entries (Hey Burn!) and Leki-less and the gang (gonna catch ya soon!) but haven¢t read anything form Grace and Ross recently.In one of my zone moments I was thinking about my age. I¢m coming up on 36 and I started thinking that I haven¢t done anything momentous with my life. Then I realized where I was and what I was doing and turned that thought around. I have 2 degrees from higher education, I¢ve fulfilled a dream of living in New York City and performed on its stages, and now I¢m following through on another dream. I guess I¢m doing all right. How lucky I¢ve been, and how grateful I am for all the awesome people around me who have helped me get to this point.Anyway, arrived at the shelter at 2:45 and promptly fixed myself the first of two dinners I intend to have. Changed into my long underwear and noticed the butt of my pants are filthy. Will do a load of laundry a the campground tomorrow. I am worried about tomorrow¢s hike though. There is a very steep up ¢ Albert Mountain. It worries me because I don¢t want to have another break down like the one I had yesterday. I¢m trying to keep in mind that the Universe won¢t put anything in front of me that I can¢t handle. Stay well fed. Stay hydrated and take my time.I forgot to mention a couple things in previous journal entries. First, I¢ve named my pack: bULA. bULA has been holding up well and treating me kindly. Thanks bULA.Also, a belated birthday wish to my niece and god daughter, Kenzie, March 10th!Songs sung in my head today ¢STAN¢ thanks to Julie ¢MAN IN THE MIRROR¢ ¢SK8ER BOI¢ ¢AULD LANG SYNE¢Best moment of the day: Having lunch in the sun overlooking a magnificent view.Worst moment: None, they were all pretty good.
Date: 2004-03-16
From: Rainbow Springs Campground

To: Campsite
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: light rain

The day started at around 7 a.m. Slept pretty well in the bunkhouse, but heard rain outside. Took a fifteen minute shower trying to savor the feeling. Was all packed up and Mala offered a ride to the trail instead of waiting for the shuttle at 9:30, a late start. It rained off and on all morning, but still made some good time. Got to the top of Wayah Bald and it had cleared up and afforded some great views. Met Buchanan up there ¢ haven¢t seen him since day 2, and another guy I haven¢t seen since day one, don¢t know his name. Found out that Bloody Cactus and Leki-less and Nuffy are just ahead of me. I will catch them at the NOC tomorrow. I heard Nuffy is going to get off the trail in Fontana on Saturday. That saddens me, but I don¢t blame her ¢ if your head and heart aren¢t in it, then why? So I get ahead of Buchanan and the nameless one and hike another 12 mile to the campsite Feather, Wings and I decided we were staying at. I¢m setting up my tent just off the trail and Buchanan, Nameless and Eric the Red come walking by, not seeing me, and discussing if Brother Nature ¢played for the pink team.¢ I know it shouldn¢t have made me mad, but you know, I¢m just out here hiking, just getting by like everyone else. So yes, I was annoyed, I was hoping to leave the ¢office gossip¢ back in the office, but I guess people can be thoughtless everywhere.Last night Feather called her husband back in New Hampshire. When she got back in the bunkhouse, there were tears in her eyes. She told me she didn¢t know if she felt better or worse after the call. And I realized how much easier I have it out here, not having a significant other back at home. Of course I miss people, but a spouse is different. And if I had the choice, I would definitely choose to have the husband back at home. But at this point it made me see that I have it easier than some other people out here. Wow, it made me grateful for the trail, my life, and the whole experience. Lucky, Lucky, Lucky.Songs sung in my head today ¢SUICIDE IS PAINLESS¢ ¢I¢M WITH YOU¢ ¢TAKE THESE BROKEN WINGS¢ ¢ON BROADWAY¢Best moment of the day: The glorious views form Wayah Bald.Worst moment: Having a little more of my hope that someday gay people will be considered the same as people with blue eyes¢¦ having a little piece of that hope chipped away.