morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-10-22
To: Journey (AT 2003)
Miles today: 0.0

I'm writing on Bluebird's request to let everyone know that her shoulder surgery (performed on the 19th) was successful. The tear was greater than they expected it to be, so the repair was more involved and the resulting pain has been quite a bother for her.Bluebird's arm and shoulder are imobilized in a sling that holds everything tightly to her body, making it impossible to answer her emails. She does however get your messages and they are uplifting and welcome. The phone is also difficult for her to use. The doctor told her that it's important for her to rest right now, althought I have trouble picturing her doing that. Bluebird's pocketmail is no longer in service, so when writing to her please use: bluebird7953@aol.comRod, family and friends are caring for her as she recuperates and a trip is planned next month to the west coast to visit her daughter. Next year she will pick up where she left off and complete her adventure to Katahdin.As always, she is so very thankful for the prayers and messages that are sent her way. A day doesn't go by that she doesn't think of the trail and the wonderful gifts that she was given this year. I'm thankful for the gifts that her shining spirit has brought to me~Journey
Date: 2006-12-02
To: Post Opt.
Miles today: 0.0

Well the post operation therapy etc. etc. shows itself to be more painful, at times, than the injury. Since the photo I have had stitches removed and get to go to physical therapy at least three times a week. The Vicadin haze has faded with the more acute, post opt. pain, but I need it prior to therapy, because therapy proves painful. I can now understand why it takes a minimum of six months to recover from this type of surgery. I've been chewed out on at least two occasions for pushing it. Imagine that. BOOOORED. Can't do anything with my arm....just want to take it and swing it in a gigundo 360, if you know what I mean. Just like the trail...one day at a time!Bluebored
Date: 2007-03-06
To: Preparation 2007 to Pole Raising on KATAHDIN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I'M BACK!!!!!!! BLUEBIRDS BACK! I have full use of my arm and I've got the worse case of Springer Fever! Argh! What is wrong with us hiker 'type AT' people. Gluttons for punishment to say the least!Okay, I'm going to set up my 2007 journal on the site today and it looks like I'll be planning two 16 day hikes (one in July and one in September) to complete the last 266 miles of the AT....of which I was ROBBED, in 2006! I have a few people interested in joining me now that 1975 miles of the trek are behind me. Go figure!Journey's said she'll transcribe for me again. Yaaaaaah Journey. Little secret, she's gonna be a GRAND MA! My sister Dot Byrne (the opera singer) DIVA trail name, my friend Deb Kear, trail bud and friend Lonestar (you remember her) Melatonin (also robbed by a fractured foot) and others have expressed interest in hooking up on the trail. Hope to summit with Melatonin.and Yes...MY FEET STILL HURT!I miss all my 2006 trail family and hope to see you'al at Trail Days 2007. Bring your Bazooka Water Guns!
Date: 2005-05-11
To: The Journey Begins
Miles today: 0.0

We have been married for 10 years and have been together since she asked me to the Junior Prom (1990). For nearly that long, Jennel (my wife) has known of her husband's unexplainable "desire" to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. Readers of Trail Journals know this "desire" or know someone afflicted with it. Loved-ones of these hikers struggle deeply with this "desire" as it is simply not understood by either the hiker or themselves.The above note was left over the steering column of my car on May 11, 2005. It came as a shock. Waves of emotion came over me, not just joy of being able to attack a dream, but fear; I was left without an excuse not to proceed with my dream. As the note states, the hike begins in February 2006 but the journey begins now.Preperation Begins: For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, this man began to build, and was not able to finish. Luke 14: 28-30
Date: 2005-05-26
To: Giving Notice
Miles today: 0.0

I enjoy my career and will miss my work while I am away, but you can't let a little thing like having a job, making money, and supporting your family get in the way of hiking the AT can you? At the corporation meeting this evening I presented my plan to hit the trail in February 2006 to the surgeons for whom I work. They were all very receptive, but I get to find my replacement! That's a fair deal. Anybody know an Ortho PA that won't be hiking the AT next year that would love to work at a great practice? I can honestly say I have found very few people that think this is a good idea. I do hope to come back to a job at Robinwood Orthopedics.
Date: 2005-07-21
To: "Free Hiking"
Miles today: 0.0

Tonight I gave a presentation to the Washington County Free Clinic Board. I shared with them the dream of mine to hike the AT and how we could all share in that dream for the benefit of the Free Clinic and our Washington County community.Here is my press release:PRACTITIONER TO HIKE 2170 MILES FOR FREE CLINICHagerstown, MD ¢ August 1, 2005. Leaving February 2006 an area orthopedic physician assistant has pledged to give up six months of his life to hike the 2170 miles of the Appalachian Trail to raise money for Washington County¢s Community Free Clinic. Ken Berry, PA-C of Robinwood Orthopedic Specialty Center will leave his duties seeing orthopedic patients and assisting in surgery to strap on a 35 pound backpack and trudge from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Katahdin, Maine. Taking tax deductible pledges from local businesses and citizens Ken Berry hopes to raise enough financial support to complete the Community Free Clinic¢s building obligation of $262,500. The Community Free Clinic lost its lease at its home on Franklin Street and faced with impending homelessness an anonymous donor intervened and made available the purchase of the building at 249 Mill Street. The Community Free Clinic must repay $262,500 within three years.As a volunteer practitioner at the Free Clinic, Ken Berry recognized the importance of the Free Clinic as an institution which provides comprehensive healthcare for uninsured Washington County residents. ¢We must insure the long-term viability of the Clinic for our community,¢ Ken says. ¢With the ever changing marketplace and the possibility that anyone of us could go without health insurance, we as Washington County residents should be proud that we have a place that cares for people in that situation.¢For additional information on the Community Free Clinic and/or Ken Berry¢s hike for the Free Clinic contact: Robin Roberson, Executive Director Community Free Clinic 249 Mill Street Hagerstown, MD 21740 301-733-9234 rroberson@myactv.net
Date: 2005-08-01
To: Itinerary
Miles today: 0.0

I've completed my itinerary. I have built in zero days and have scheduled a comfortable pace. Start Feb 27, 2006. Estimated completion Aug 21, 2006. I hope to move along a little faster but don't want pressure built into my schedule. My complete itinerary has resupply stops, shelters, and towns. Attached is an abbreviated itinerary with only towns and state lines. (I won't actually be stopping at each of these towns.)GEORGIA 27-FebSpringer Mountain 27-FebSuches 28-Feb NORTH CAROLINA/TENNESSEE 6-MarFranklin 7-MarFontana Dam 11-MarGatlinburg 15-MarErwin 27-Mar TENNESSEE 3-AprHampton 4-AprShady Valley 6-Apr VIRGINIA 7-AprDamascus 7-AprTroutdale 12-AprSugar Grove 13-AprBland 18-AprPearisburg 22-AprCatawba 27-AprBuchanan 29-AprMontebello 6-MayWaynesboro 8-MayLinden 17-May WEST VIRGINIA 20-MayHarpers Ferry 20-May MARYLAND 22-MayBoonsboro 23-MayCascade 24-May PENNSYLVANIA 24-MayHALFWAY 26-MayCarlisle 29-MayDuncannon 30-MayPort Clinton 3-JunSlatington 6-JunWind Gap 8-Jun NEW JERSEY 10-JunUnionville 13-Jun NEW YORK 15-JunBellvale 15-JunFort Montgomery 17-Jun CONNECTICUT 21-JunKent 22-JunSalisbury 24-Jun MASSACHUSETTS 26-JunTyringham 28-JunDalton 30-Jun VERMONT 3-JulPeru 7-JulDanby 8-JulWallingford 10-JulKillington 12-JulSouth Pomfret 14-JulNorwich/Hanover 15-Jul NEW HAMPSHIRE 17-JulEtna 17-JulLyme Center 18-JulWentworth 19-JulGlencliff 20-JulNorth Woodstock 22-JulGorham 28-Jul MAINE 29-JulAndover 2-AugRangeley 4-AugStratton 7-AugCaratunk 9-AugMonson 11-Aug100 MILE WILDERNESS 14-AugKATADIN SUMMIT 21-Aug
Date: 2005-08-15
To: Trail Dreaming
Miles today: 0.0

The majority of the surgeries I assist on take place at Washington County Hospital, Hagerstown, MD. At the completion of my work at the hospital I walk out the back door of Washington County Hospital onto Antietam Street to get to my car. In the distance South Mountain forms the horizon and stands enticing me to walk its length. I dream of walking along that ridgeline from Springer to Katahdin. Just a little over 6 months before I move beyond dreaming.
Date: 2005-08-21
To: Free Hiking Fundraising
Miles today: 0.0

Tonight I finished writing, printing, and addressing over 300 letters in my campaign to raise money for the Community Free Clinic. I look forward to my hike and believe the "Free Hike" will truly help my community, whether it be through the financial support of a clinic that helps the medically uninsured, or raising awareness in hiking, or solely as entertainment value.I have purchased $500+ in gear over the past week and will test it out over the coming months. I will post my opinions in the "gear" section.If anyone reading this has familiarity in tax law: Can I depreciate or deduct the cost of my gear if I'm using it to benefit a non-profit organization?He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he. Proverbs 14:21
Date: 2005-08-26
To: Photo Shoot
Miles today: 0.0

In an effort to raise awareness for my Hiking for the Free Clinic I have had to pose for some photos. As I look into my face in this picture I must either be squinting because the sun is bright or I need to get my pack weight down (or I'm just plain ugly).Would you donate money to the Free Clinic because of this picture? I didn't think so. (If, per chance, you would the address is Community Free Clinic, 249 Mill Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740)
Date: 2005-08-27
To: T Minus 6 Months
Miles today: 0.0

Exactly 6 months left before a begin my trek. I celebrated by doing what else but...hiking the trail. I packed up all my gear and took a nice walk through the rain to Devil's Racecourse Shelter. There I met Delirious, a SOBO from New Jersey. He was rightly staying out of the rain while idiot day hikers like me trudged around in it. He helped me settle some gear questions and solidified my position against mail drops. (He was having to slow down and spend two nights in Maryland in order to get his mail drop at Harpers Ferry on Monday.)February seems so far away - but I have a lot to do in the interim.
Date: 2005-09-13
To: Working the Bugs Out
Miles today: 0.0

I spent the last day and a half on the trail in an effort to begin working out any bugs (equipment problems, conditioning, etc). My wife dropped me off near the ATC Headquarters late afternoon and I stayed the night at Ed Garvey Shelter, arriving there just after dusk. This afforded me the opportunity to set up my hammock and dinner in the dark. I put in an eleven mile today reaching Alt 40 where I was subsequently picked up for a wonderful dinner at home.According to my readings Maryland is rated 4/10 difficulty compared to Georgia at 8/10. I will continue my preparations. I am pleased how all is progressing. Nearly 5 months to go.A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished. Proverbs 27:12
Date: 2005-09-22
To: Burning Ships
Miles today: 0.0

Because many of his 600 men feared venturing inland, Hernando Cortes, in his 1519 exploration of Mexico, burned his ships. This left no means of escape.In my preparation for my hike I am burning my ships ¢ leaving no means of escape. This coming week nearly 400 personalized letters announcing my intention to thru-hike the AT for the Community Free Clinic will be mailed, my press release in Picket News will be published, and an article describing my hike comes out in the AAPA News. I have to admit that there has been comfort in anonymity ¢ knowing in the back of your mind you could quit and only explain it to a few people. I am eliminating that possibilty. As I said I¢m burning my ships.Here are some questions I have received. Six months without working? On the contrary, everyday I will be working! Trekking an average of 15 miles a day over rough terrain is work. There will be days when my body will be screaming, mind will be weary, and heart will be lonely and a day on the job would be a vacation. Six months without pay? This question is best answered with a question. How many people, at the end of their life, would give up six months of work/pay to fulfill a dream?Will I carry a gun? Clearly, I will carry a large, heavy gun 2170 miles so that I can cap some rogue bear that wants to eat my granola bar or some Appalachian Deliverance Man who thinks I¢ve ¢got a real pretty mouth.¢ Are you going alone? I am leaving Springer alone but will quickly join a fellowship of thousands of thru-hikers, section-hikers, and day-hikers along the trail.What will you eat? Bugs, berries, and small rodents. If I can¢t forage then I¢ll eat multivitamins, gorp, nutrition bars, and other non-cooked items.You¢re not gonna cook? The weight of utensils, stove, FUEL, cup/bowl, etc. will gladly be replaced with more food. Reliability is also an issue with cooking. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. James 2:18
Date: 2005-10-07
To: Explaining the Hike
Miles today: 0.0

I visited the ATC Headquarters yesterday to pick up a data book and talk gear (the trip was most likely a subconscious attempt to pacify my overwhelming desire to get started). The news of the hike is out. What I have discovered is how much I both enjoy sharing my dream of the thru-hike to others and hearing the dreams and hopes of others as they share them with me. Sometimes, during explanation of my hike, the hopes and dreams of folks I am talking with bubble to the surface. Their own dreams can be seen behind their eyes. These are the people that are encouraging ¢ they are confused as to why I would hike for six months, but they are generally encouraging. I can group individuals into three categories by the way they respond to the news of my hike:        Skeptics:                 Facial Expression: Eyebrows furrow                First Question: Are you taking a gun?                First Comment: You are going to be cold.        Confused:                Facial Expression: S-shaped curve to brow                First Question: Why would you do that?                First Comment: I wouldn¢t let my husband do that.        Enthused:                Facial Expression: Wide eyed                First Question: Are you really? (enthusiastically)                First Comment: That¢s neat/cool.I have learned how I would like to be perceived when responding to others¢ dreams/hopes/ideas/news.4 12 months and counting (boy, am I ever counting)
Date: 2005-10-18
To: Herald Mail
Miles today: 0.0

A remarkable event has catapulted the awareness of my AT hike for the Free Clinic. On 10/17/05 a writer (Marlo Barnhart) from the Herald Mail called interested in running a story on the hike. I answered a few questions and then met a paper photographer (Kevin Gilbert). The next day ¢ whoa! I was (and still am) shocked. If you read my earlier post on ¢Burning Ships¢ you¢ll understand that I am beyond just burning my ships, now I am building a reinforced wall behind me to eliminate all possibility of failure.The quiet anticipation is painful. I can¢t sleep. I pace. I know that by the time Feb. 27 comes along Jennel will be more than ready to kick me out the door for a 6 month trek. Pray she keeps me around until then. Still 4 months to go.
Date: 2005-10-31
To: Finances
Miles today: 0.0

I have been studying extensively all the ways that I can ensure that my thru-hike will be a success. I have been weighing all options (gear, direction, mileage, resupplies, etc) and adopting recommendations that will help to fulfill my goal of standing atop Katahdin by mid August 2006.Remarkably little is said about one of the primary reasons for hikers failing to complete their thru-hike: finances.The end of the year is here and each year I review our personal finances to prepare for the coming year (i.e. update insurance policies, retirement planning, minimize taxes). In preparing for my thru-hike it is even more imperative that I take these steps to maximize my chance of success and minimize the burden on my family.These are areas that I am addressing prior to proceeding on my thru-hike.1. Set up a Thru-hike Budget (this limits overspending in trail towns)2. Set up a Family Budget and Support Crew Budget 3. Medical Insurance Premiums are paid4. Life Insurance Premiums are paid5. Will is updated6. Family and Support Crew know where all important papers are7. Federal and State taxes are filed8. W2 is updated 9. EtceteraI believe that my Thru-hike will be a powerful experience in my life (and in the life of my family) but I refuse to saddle myself or my family with debt because of it. With planning and stewardship I won¢t.I have read many of the popular books about the AT and Thru-hiking. Here is a list of books that I recommend on finances that will help not only with Thru-hiking but with Thru-lifing.Smart Couples Finish Rich by David BachPersonal Finance for Dummies by Eric Tyson   Master Your Money by Ron BlueDebt-Free Living by Larry BurkettThe Richest Man in Babylon by George ClasonRich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert KiyosakiThe Millionaire Next Door by Thomas StanleyBut if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.   1 Timothy 5:8The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.   Proverbs 22:7Less than 4 months!
Date: 2005-11-09
To: Anticipation
Miles today: 0.0

I worked this evening at the Free Clinic. I spent some time talking with Robin Roberson (the manager) and am elated with the response of the community, physician assistants, physicians, and businesses. Pledges and donations are arriving to the Clinic. I even received a letter from a PA who completed his true-hike in 2004 (his trail journal is www.angelfire.com/trek/athike). Thank you all.        My pack is resting against the wall in the corner of the room. It is packed. There is nothing but time preventing me from beginning.        Picked up a Platypus Hoser 3 which works well but the mouthpiece is a bear to feed through the Vapor Trail hydration port.        Picked up a new pair of orthotics ¢ Superfeet Performance Green. For those who struggle with iliotibial band syndrome, posterior tibial tendonitis, and/or plantar fasciitis, as I have in the past, I highly recommend these.
Date: 2005-11-18
To: Trail Journaling
Miles today: 0.0

On almost any given evening you can find me checking out the latest entries in Trail Journals or Whiteblaze. I guess that is considered preparing for the trail as well. Here is a self portrait as I sit in front of Trail Journals. The picture is taken with my Treo 650 which I will be taking with me on the trail. It is a multipurpose cell phone that in addition to being a phone it takes pictures and video (although not that great), MP3 player, wireless web, email, calendar (with my itinerary), contacts, and all the other Palm features (including solitaire) and weighs 8.5 oz with recharger. Battery life should hold up between resupplies but I won¢t be dependant on it. The past month has moved along quickly enough. I am very near 3 months to departure. A contract has been signed between Robinwood Orthopedics (my employer) and my replacement PA. Work is happy that they¢ll have someone to pick up the slack left by me leaving. I¢m happy they are happy. Here¢s to hoping I don¢t get squeezed out. It will all turn out well and I welcome him to the team.This coming Thanksgiving week I can add to the many things for which I am thankful the fact that I have been given this opportunity to Thru-hike.
Date: 2005-11-23
To: Rendezvous
Miles today: 0.0

Jennel and I have divided the trail into ten nearly equidistant sections for both of our sanities. Twelve trail towns will be our rendezvous points. The stretches of time between our meetings will feel like an eternity but our meetings will keep us both looking forward. The driving mileage is significant (7542 miles) as Jennel will need to drive to and from each of the towns. She will have it no other way. I even read Honu¢s ¢Risk¢ (www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=121083) to her ¢ despite that she¢s driving. I guess she knows that I will need to see her (and she¢ll need to see me too).Our twelve rendezvous locations:Amicalola Falls State Park, GASuches, GAGatlinburg, TNDamascus, VADaleville, VALinden, VADuncannon, PAStroudsburg, PAKent, CTKillington, VTMt. Washington, NHBaxter State Park, MENothing demonstrates the magnitude of this undertaking like planning for it (except for perhaps hiking it).
Date: 2005-11-27
To: Obsessive
Miles today: 0.0

Another ¢27th¢ has arrived. This leaves only three more until my departure. As a Physician Assistant I am required to sit for a national recertification exam every six years. I am going to go ahead and sit for mine in my fifth year so I don¢t have to worry about studying after I return from my Thru-hike. I scheduled my exam for mid January ¢06. This is actually a great time for me to take the exam as the studying occupies a considerable amount of time that I would otherwise spend thinking about the trail. In my studying I found the diagnostic criteria for obsessive-compulsive disorder. I¢ve discovered that I could fill the criteria - the AT occupies much of my mental energy. The following is the diagnostic criteria for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder. Are you obsessed with the AT and/or your hike?Diagnostic CriteriaA. Either obsessions or compulsions: Obsessions as defined by (1), (2), (3), and (4):1.        recurrent and persistent thoughts, impulses, or images that are experienced, at some time during the disturbance, as intrusive and inappropriate and that cause marked anxiety or distress 2. the thoughts, impulses, or images are not simply excessive worries about real-life problems 3. the person attempts to ignore or suppress such thoughts, impulses, or images, or to neutralize them with some other thought or action 4. the person recognizes that the obsessional thoughts, impulses, or images are a product of his or her own mind (not imposed from without as in thought insertion) Compulsions as defined by (1) and (2):5. repetitive behaviors (e.g., hand washing, ordering, checking) or mental acts (e.g., praying, counting, repeating words silently) that the person feels driven to perform in response to an obsession, or according to rules that must be applied rigidly 6. the behaviors or mental acts are aimed at preventing or reducing distress or preventing some dreaded event or situation; however, these behaviors or mental acts either are not connected in a realistic way with what they are designed to neutralize or prevent or are clearly excessive B. At some point during the course of the disorder, the person has recognized that the obsessions or compulsions are excessive or unreasonable. Note: This does not apply to children. C. The obsessions or compulsions cause marked distress, are time consuming (take more than 1 hour a day), or significantly interfere with the person's normal routine, occupational (or academic) functioning, or usual social activities or relationships.