morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-07-23
From: Meadow Spring

To: Hawksbill Gap
Miles today: 10.9

Dan began the day talking to a Dutch couple and their daughter camped across from our site. Their daughter had gone to school with Theo Van Gogh's son the day his father's head was cut off by the muslim jihadist in Netherlands. The day ended with a vist to the Page Memorial Hospital ER in Luray, VA. I awakened with welts all over my body and edema in pockets here and there. The difference is that the Benedrayl did flatten the welts, but now they were flattened out and melded into large welts, sort of like when you bake cookies and put the dollops of dough to close to one another, then the cookies bake touching each other. We set off hiking because basically I felt OK, just tired and that is from the Benedryl. Who knows? From Meadow Spring, we climbed the Pinnacle (3,730'). It offered good views. In fact today's hike offered good clear views of different valleys, including Massanutten. Last night's rain cleared a lot of the pollution. The hike seemed difficult, however, and I don't know if it was my increasing concern about my stupid welts, or just the many rocks and many ascents. Called my mom from the Skyline Drive around Mile 38.6 and knew that thiings weren't quite right with me. I was too tired, or weary and I was starting to worry. Not good. We finished the hike and agreed that we should go to Luray for a restaurant meal and maybe stay at a motel that night. Once at the restaurant, I thought I felt chills, and had no appetite. The nice waitress at the Brookside Restaurant, 4 miles off the Skyline on Rt 211, told us of the Page ER just down the road and we went there. Turns out I have a severe case of hives, but from what? I was prescribed Prednisone and told that by tomorrow the welts and swelling should be "pretty well gone". What a relief. Slept like a log thinking about my allergic reaction.
Date: 2006-07-24
From: Elkwallow Gap

To: Meadow Spring
Miles today: 11.7

My welts are nearly all gone and with the steroids, I am a mean machine. I think I could hike 20 miles. But today's hike was uneventful, not particularly spectacular for lack of good views and beauty. Rocky ascents - especially the last one called Mary's Rock, but despite our earlier apprehensions of the hike and despite getting a late start (11 AM) due to drug stores not opening until 9 AM, then this, then that, then finally we left to hit the trail. We thought we might have to hike until 7 PM but finished at 6. Saw Crankbait and Mustang at Thornton Gap as we lunched. Took photos. They will be meeting their son Earl, Jr. in Front Royal and will have completed their hike. Earl, Jr. is from Richmond. They are going off the trail.We were near Luray so decided to go back to Brookside Restaurant for dinner again. Felt much better this time.
Date: 2006-07-25
From: Jenkins Gap

To: Elkwallow Gap
Miles today: 11.4

Hiking North Marshall and South Marshall Mountains, named for Chief Justice John Marshall (C.C.J. 1801-1835), we saw the BIGGEST bear. "Bear!". We all stopped. Dan was in the lead, Kathy at the rear. "Dead ahead", I said, "on your right". "I see it". Bear was at the trail and must have heard us approach. He was ready to cross in front of Dan when I spotted his huge butt sticking out by the trees - no mistaking it. We held our positions and so did the bear. We were NOT going to walk in front of it and he must have been wondering if he should walk in front of us. He was definitely bigger than the 3 of us combined. The bear finally bounded across effortlessly, like a dust ball on a tile floor...poof. He got a good distance away, then stopped, got up on his hind legs and took a good look at us looking at him. finally he bounded off again out of sight. Kathy had spotted a bear earlier when she was in the lead but we'd missed it. She said THIS bear was much bigger. This was a thrill. I tell you...we know how to have a good time!
Date: 2006-07-26
From: Front Royal

To: Jenkins Gap
Miles today: 7.7

Dan is off the trail. His achilles stiffened to the point that he was shuffling. He was given a shot of cortisone before we started this year's hike, but that wore off. His heel inserts served him well until Mary's Rock. Actually he did well and felt fine climbing that day but woke up feeling differently. Today he spent the morning at the Front Royal Library, while Kathy and I climbed from Front Royal to Tom Floyd Shelter. It was hot and humid. We looked around for the mamma bear with 2 cubs who were supposed to be by the shelter but we never saw her. We made noise to NOT see her because the mamma's can be mean when they have their cubs in tow. Had our snack at the very nice shelter (painted floor, porch, etc) then continued on a hum-drum rest of the hike. This would be the last day to see Evelyn and Earl who will get to Front Royal and meet their son. I don't know if the AT got in their blood given Evelyn's earlier comment "We could have had a really great vacation had we not spent our money on all this gear." She was smiling, though. Had lunch at Compton Gap where 2 Swiss thru-hikers were yakking away with a couple from Ohio - then off to Jenkins Gap. The Swiss reminded me of the Swiss couple Dan and I met in the Sahara Desert..I told Kathy the story as we hiked back. Met Dan at the library and we went to a Mexican Restaurant for din-din where sheriffs from southern states were gathered with Lebanese and Syrian counterparts and if I got this right, they were here training the sheriffs on how to handle terrorism.
Date: 2006-07-27
From: Front Royal

To: Toronto
Miles today: 0.0

We stopped hiking today. Spent the morning sorting things between the 2 vehicles and took Kathy to a trail near Dick's Dome Shelter. She will go to Front Royal, then continue hiking until August 10 or thereabouts. She needs to complete the section along the Blue Ridge Parkway south to Bland, VA. Dan and I decide to go to Niagara Falls to see the falls, then off to Toronto, and back to Maine, USA via Adirondacks and White Mountains - NY, VT, NH, ME where I plan to attend my 45 high school reunion and celebrate my mom's 95th birthday.
Date: 2006-08-07
To: Lewiston, Maine Epilogue
Miles today: 0.0

Toronto has a tremendous amount to offer but we were eager to get home. We crossed the St. Lawrence River (Thousand Islands), and the Adirondacks to Lake George (Ft. Ticonderoga, and the Green and White Mountains to Weir's Beach, near Laconia, NH. We stopped to visit with Oscar and Elizabeth Frost who are searching the area for their "second" home while visiting with friends Steve and Sue Hooper. While in Maine, we took a 2-day visit to (Mt. Desert Island) Acadia National Park and hiked a few trails, just to keep in shape for the Jordan Pond restaurant treats. Back in Lewiston, while on a 5-mile walk across the river to Auburn, we stopped to read the markers at the Memorial Park where I felt a sting on my leg. The welts started immediately...my hands were burning as were the feet. I had no Benedryl and now I was worried I would choke. I ran back home for the Benedryl and my sisters, who saw the welts grow on my back and tummy, agreed I needed to get back to the ER. While on the trail it seemed to have taken at least a day before I noticed the hives, but this time...flash. In either case, I never saw what stung me but now I have to see an allergist. As Gilda would say: "There's always something!" I now walk around with an Epipin so I can stab myself in the thigh next time I'm stung.
Date: 2006-09-24
From: The Birches/Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Mt. Katahdin/ Millinockett
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: moderate rain

Wow! This is it! I've finished the same journey that it took me 19 years to finish in sections, in just over 7 months!This trip has really been awesome! I came into it knowing that I had some major life issues to work through, to get reconnected with God, and myself. To come up with a plan on what to do with the rest of my life.Knowing that there are parallels in life, I learned things on the Trail that I can carry with me into "civilization". Like, When you're in it for the long haul, it's best to start slow. No matter how bad the weather is today, eventually, maybe even tomorrow, it'll change. People like you better if you just be yourself (if you're not yourself, it's not YOU they like, anyway). Life cycles, just like the seasons. You always have another chance. I think I can enjoy life much better if I just concentrate on the basics - food, clothing, shelter for physical well-being, and good relationships for emotionsl health. I have found plenty of both on the Trail; I expect they're out there for me in civilization, as well.For those of you who haven't hiked the Trail, there's no way to adequately describe the experience. Take a walk among the trees somewhere and pay attention to everything natural that's happening around you, you may catch a glimpse of what I'm talking about. For those of you who hike, no explanation is needed.Thanks to all of you who have kept me in your thoughts & prayers, and sent notes of encouragement. And to all of you, May God bless you richly!
Date: 2006-02-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

This journal is dedicated to Sue in the shoe dept at REI in Pittsburg, PA. She is an awesom expert in the hiking boot world, turned me onto liner socks and helped me find a shoe I never would have chosen without her guidance. May you find contentment and satisfaction. hey! I decided an online journal will be fun and I like Zipdrive and Leif's work here. I've been thinking about this hike since my thru hike attempt in '99 was cut short by circumstances both good and bad. I want this hike to be different than past hikes, I want to earn that 2,000 miler patch. In '91 I hiked the AT with an escapist attitude, very lost emotionally, and wound up yellow blazing a lot, it was a great adventure though. My favorite experience was near the end in Maine, somewhere around Old Speck I think, when I was breezing down the trail and ran past an elderly man. He stopped me and almost cussed me out, he said "what is your hurry?" I was kind of surprised and answered "It just feels good!" I remember the look on his face when he understood and nodded "Well, go on then." We had a moment of oneness with life there and I was awakened to what a wonderful experience good health and freedom feel like and how lucky I was.
Date: 2006-02-10
To: 4 weeks!
Miles today: 0.0

wow, only 4 weeks left...went hiking yesterday on the Ridge Trail at SuBAMUH - Susan B. Anthony Memorial Unrest Home womyn's land trust, trying out the new gear. Not one hot spot and kept my feet toasty warm. Felt so good to be four legged again with my sticks steppin' out. Had the pack on without food, was about 38 degrees and fair, the layering system worked fine, minimal perspiration under the pack with poly shirt and fleece jacket. The pack is sooo comfy. Have had a problem with other packs in the past(jansport, northface)limiting neck flexion, this granite gear vapor trail doesn't come up that high behind my head which allows full range of motion.The dog and I scared up a flock of turkeys and saw lots of deer prints in the mud but no deer this time. Found a frogg toggs pro-action suit on sale for $10-20 less than other places at Athens Sport Cycle. Still have to try out the cat's meow sleeping bag, last night would have been good - clear and dry, brightly moonlit and in the 30s but hadn't slept well the night before and thought naw, fergit it. What's next? walk! There's a 4 mile trail near here I want to see...
Date: 2006-02-19
To: brrrrrrrr.....
Miles today: 0.0

whooo it's been chilly in Ohio the last two days, seventy degrees before that! Managed to get out in the pine forest to mark some "save" trees before the thinning, but haven't been hiking as I planned. Am rushing to finish a display of Womyn's Survivor Art for Womyn's Herstory Month Celebration coming in March and had a piece accepted by Victor Schreckengost, juror, for the upcoming show "on a pedestal" at the Cleveland Sculpture Center. So, am very busy and setting off on the hike will probably be more like skidding off the deck than a graceful swan dive. Thank all Buddhas and Boddhisattvas for a supportive companion.Speaking of which, I am approaching this hike like many do, with a spiritual intention. I look forward to practice on the trail, since my last hike I've been lay ordained a Zen Buddhist, am companion to a Zen Monk, and spent three months at Ryumonji Zen monastery. I see the AT as a great place to spend an Ango or practice period.Will be setting out by bus to meet Josh and Leigh at the Hiker Hostel on March 10th.Happy trails y'all
Date: 2006-02-23
To: a walk with the forester
Miles today: 0.0

spent the day with the state forester, learning about the trees and exotic species on the land I live in, walking the trails womyn have made over the years. We were making a stewardship plan for the forest and I am grateful and excited to be part of that process. Tree-of-heaven has infested the ridgetop and if we don't saw them down and herbicide the stumps they will infest the pine forest areas that we will have thinned this spring. It is very odd for me to take a stand against a tree, I love trees like I love cats and birds and water, but these odd trees...they produce an herbicide themselves and spread it in the soil around them so that nothing else grows, their wood is not useful for fire or timber, their seeds do not feed the birds or animals, they are from Asia where maybe something or someone benefits from them, as a wind break maybe? So I commit to removing them and they receive a red 'X'. One stand on the land needs no assistance from us, it is parklike and soothing to walk in. It is on the east side with the creek forming a deep canyon through it. Today the ground is bare of snow but the ice hangs on the canyon walls, curtaining the openings to shallow caves with white. there are just 13 days until I leave...My aunt Mary who is so dear to me, sent me a book "Zen Dog" by Toni Tucker and Judith Adler and there is a quote in there from the dhammapada - Buddha's sayings:"if the traveler can find a virtuous and wise companion, let her go with her joyfully and overcome the dangers of the way." I found my virtuous and wise companion when I was last on the trail (and look what happened) hahahahahahha, (that was a joke,) Now we are both committed to deliberate and diligent practice. I will walk throughout a practice period in intense retreat and she will remain with the family and sangha but also practice in intense retreat. This pracitce is like being at sea, which I have only read and dreamed about - but it is so challenging, sometimes it is exhilarating, sometimes I wish I could just go home. That reminds me that I am going home, there is no way to return to my childhood home but the trail has been my home for years in the past and I am going home again, that is one way I can go home, and that is something a lot of people cannot do. I really get to go home, and - it is such a wonderful home that I can practice there. In 13 days I will head home and yet will be in sesshin, in retreat, practicing the the Buddha way with my companion, my sangha.
Date: 2006-03-04
To: 3 days til bus ride
Miles today: 0.0

having made this committment to hike the trail I feel rather helpless here at home. There is not enough time to bring a firm and complete resolution to the feelings that have been brought up by the situation in the community where I have been living. The Survivor Art Show I am co-producing reinforced the distress, but I was too dense to be cognizant of that as engrossed in the show from my point of view as I was. This is the first large scale work, first cooperative work, first survivor work I have done. I admit I took it too lightly. I had no idea it would take on such a life of its own. I don't feel ready to leave but have a non-refundable ticket and reservations etc. On the other hand stepping onto the trail will be a relief. More and more I am thinking about Katahdin, and how grateful I am to be able to do this now. Also I am out of shape, at least I think I will not be re-named blistersister in the first week, these boots and liner socks are so comfortable. I still have to package up a maildrop for the Blueberry Patch!
Date: 2006-03-05
To: maildrops
Miles today: 0.0

I don't like maildrops because buying food in advance it is so hard to know what the body will want or need but I have a maildrop at Blueberry Patch because I am not expecting a ride in to Hiawassee and one at Fontana knowing the store at Fontana is limited. I'd like to see the Hike Inn but think I must pass this time for simplicity's sake. So tonight I am trying to figure out what I will need. I have some soba noodles to mix in with lipton noodles for nutrition and a few luna bars recommended by a climber in a health food store for their folic acid content. Good old peanuts and raisins, instant and old fashioned oatmeal, walnuts and dried apricots, some tuna packets, a vegan sloppy joe mix. It will be fine I am just frustrated because in the past I was really into what meals might be and this time its an effort cause I don't care, but I know I will when I am hungry!
Date: 2006-03-09
To: at the hiker hostel
Miles today: 0.0

whew! after a looong bus ride (though not as long as many others took to get here, mine was only 23 hours)I am at the Hiker Hostel - Paul met Sundancer and me at the Gainesville bus stop. We stopped for lunch at Subway in Dahlonega on the way home, there are supposed to be thunderstorms and high winds tonight hopefully clearing by morning. I whiled away many hours with the mala chanting May all beings be free from suffering and live in happiness. It is horrible to lose track with that and mistakenly say May all beings be free of happiness, LOL. That didn't happen too often. Hey! the pack without food or water weighed in at 19 lbs, not bad for winter- spring weight. The hostel is fine, pretty shiney, but give it a few years I reckon. Glad to meet Magggie the dog, missing my fuzzballs and companion.
Date: 2006-03-10
From: at the hiker hostel

To: hawk mtn
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: clear sky

woohoo! lasagna and a syrupy belgian beer last night, great breakfast by Paul this morning, pack is all set - it's not too cool this am, high 40s? ready for the rain and the miles. Golden Waldo tried to weigh his pack this am - it is off the scale, yikes! looking forward to the continueing saga and the rescue of princess Popov. Weather channel says tornadoes and the line of storms looks like it's right on top of the trail. whoopeee!! Heard spring peepers last night in Dahlonega and croakers near stover creek today.arrived at Hawk mtn shelter about 2:00 pm. was a perfect day, on the way up to springer we cleared the ceiling and were looking over the clouds by 10:30. arriving at the parking lot we said goodbye to Josh and stashed our packs at the sign and went up to the summit, roger dunton the atc rep queried us for the survey and gave us a book of matches to trade in at neel's gap for something. back at the parking lot we hefted our packs and started off, saw a red newt on the trail in a few yards swarming with ants, suppose a hiker stepped on it.On the trail today was warmed by sounds and smells familiar, phoebes singing the scent of pine and the rushing of the creek below. a gentle breeze and blue sky.Great day of hiking, stiff knees that afternoon relieved by walking up to the summit of hawk mtn. probably a dozen tents that night around the shelter with three of them being the boy scouts out for the weekend. Met solace and crazy horse and tin can and others.
Date: 2006-03-11
From: hawk mtn

To: woody gap and hiker hostel
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: light rain

got to gooch gap shelter by noon in the cloud precip with drizzle. soaked through, decided a pickup at woody gap was too good to pass up and hiked on. Near end of trail today met a day hiker with golden retreiver and english setter who passed on a plea from Sundancer to hold the bus, he busted his hip belt buckle and wants to go back to hiker hostel to get a replacement. Trail is much easier after gooch and had terrific views from ramrock mtn. Heard a swampful of peepers around cooper gap, met stacy and aaron with chocolate labs cooper and frisco, had a good day. blisters under big toes from sliding around on the uphills and chafing, damn chafing even with bike shorts, oh well a comfy night at the hostel helps so much.
Date: 2006-03-12
From: woody gap and hiker hostel

To: neel gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: scattered clouds

From Woody Gap Sundancer and I made it to Neel Gap after hooking up with Smile and Stacie and Aaron with chocolate labs Cooper and Frisco. Was gorgeous on Blood Mtn, we had a clear summit, looking down on the buzzards and one playful raven. Watched her sail a horizontal line, croaking, from the left, stop in mid air in front of me, do a pirouette and nose dive about 15 feet then bounce back up and continue sailing along croaking some more. Chocolate is the flavor of the month in Labs, there were five chocolate labs on Blood Mtn when Cooper and Frisco arrived with Stacy and Aaron. After a short time on top the mountain smile and I hiked off anxious to arrive at the outfitter's. The trip down Blood is tough, very steep and hard on the knees and chafed spots. Smile was having trouble with nausea and told me aobut her liver cleanse experience, not appealing to me. I am just watching the trip take shape.
Date: 2006-03-13
From: neel gap

To: neel gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Spent one night at Walasi-yi hostel and then a second on a zero day. I am a fair weather hiker and by 1100 am the next day it had socked in and started to rain. I spent the morning resupplying, getting my boots checked by the expert there, got fitted for superfeet insoles and bridgedale socks - the boots got a thumbs up. I also invested in body glide for chafing and hot spots - it really works and is worth its weight in gold. Met Betty the Energizer Bunny, and Solace and many other hikers at the hostel. Sundancer did not stay, he is moving determinedly. I am glad for the zero, it is really good to heal up and relax.
Date: 2006-03-14
From: neel gap

To: cold springs gap
Miles today: 14.4

Smile and I headed out in the fog and cold but as the day went on it lightened up. It's a good hike out of Neel's. Great vistas, rocky viewpoints in the sun it was wonderful. The climb up wildcat was a tough steeply switchbacked one but at the top we found daffodils and crocus blooming and looking back had great views of the cliffs of cowrock. At hogpen gap Bruce and Myrtle TrailAngel were handing out cookies and fruit. We had a late lunch at Low Gap and about 4 pm pushed on to poplar stamp campsite which we never found, instead we caught up with Holly and her dad, Jumpstart and wound up camping beside the trail in very cold, high wind. We passed up several nice campsites along the way but all were quite exposed on ridgetops with the cold wind and pending drizzle.
Date: 2006-03-15
From: cold springs gap

To: Tray Mtn shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: clear sky

we came to blue mtn shelter about 0900 and found Betty there! - she had passed us somehow and done 18 miles arriving well past dark at about eight-thirty. The section down from Blue Mtn to Unicoi was tough on the knees. Butterfly Moon from last year and her boyfriend were handing out sodas and snacks at Unicoi gap, Smile and I layed back and put our feet up for a bit there. We went on to Tray and camped at the shelter. Little Easy who looks like al paccino caught up to us right on the summit. It is already feeling like a big family. I have some blisters and swollen knees but a happy feeling. Little Easy made a fire that night and smile took pictures of the full moon rising - when it began to come up it was red like a tomato and turned yellow as it rose. We looked out over the lights of town below and slept confortably.