morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-01-08
To: number 65
Miles today: 0.0

It is hard to beat yesterdays entry so I won't try but I still need to continue my soliloquy. I do not consume alcoholic beverages. "What" says you "surely, something is missing in your life" Well, I grew up in a dry house and Ham and I always seem to be "high" on life without it. So, what about on the trail? I know there are a few trail angels that have been generous enough to leave some cold suds out on the trail. Where does that leave us non-drinkers? I certaintly don't want to snub the nose of any trail angel that has worked so hard to carry those tall frosty drinks out to the trail so I think this means I might have to try my first Beer! This does not bode well for the hiker that is following us because, we are not the smallest creatures in the forest and we will need to be carried out if we partake. That said, I am looking forward to reason number 65 for hiking the AT- my first beer. Did I mention that yestersday was my 45 birthday? I guess this makes me the 45 year old beer virgin. Whoa, did I just give myself a trail name????
Date: 2010-01-09
To: omg
Miles today: 0.0

OMG -I woke this morning at some ungodly hour and couldn't go back to sleep. WE ARE IN COUNTDOWN MODE!!! This is for real and I know I have been getting my lists slowly whittled down but then I start another list! Gees. I am the nutty crazy one of the two of us, and here I am being practical and Bri says all is going along smoothly! Well I don't know about that. Guess I will know for sure as we roll out the driveway on March 11th and head for GA!I am not buying any more food stuffs that come in glass jars or plastic bottles to fill up the refrigerator! Anything that is in the fridge on March 10 is going to my daughter's home. The freezer is looking a bit bare except for the 31 loaves of non-yeast breads - pumpkin with nuts, blueberry lemon bread, logan bread, and zucchini bread ( all of these will be in mail boxes sent to us by Brian's parents). We opened a special bank account with Brian's parents today to take care of expenses along the way and to pay for some utility and tax notices that will be due while we are gone. The bank here that we opened the account with has ATM reimbursement! Thought that was a great feature. We can transfer funds from our bank at home to this bank anytime we want if need be.We have canceled or I should say forwarded all our magazines to Bri's parents' home for a while. Also will give them something other to read other than RETIREMENT LIFE. The dogs,our doxies, Emma and Betty, the love of our life, are with our vet! They will be in a wonderful yard, with two of her four legged pets, Boomer and Knutsche. They go to the woods daily for a run with her at lunch time so that their hunting instincts stay sharp. God bless her getting them out of the woods! Boy walking away from them on the 10th will be the hardest thing I have had to do in such a long long time. I am crying as I write this as I will miss them so much and these little babies I hope won't miss us as much.We are having a big gathering of our friends and family in a couple of weeks to present them to each other and get things finalized with them as to their jobs regarding our "leave of absence" - they all know each other, but this will be a great party for some wonderful people supporting us.Take care all and if this mundane prep stuff helps you out we are glad. If you can add anything to this get in touch with us.Our best and see you out there.Ham
Date: 2010-01-09
To: a big thank you
Miles today: 0.0

For all of you that are first time hikers of such magnitude I would like you to check Tagless and Tagalong's 2009 journal.It is great reading, fun reading, exciting to follow them up the trail, and to read about their gear selections and how much they liked/disliked the performance of their selections.I am sure everyone who is trying this trail for the first time is a bit apprehensive about gear....well I have been, but now am satisfied with our decisions.The "Taggers", ( my nick name for Tagless and Tagalong_) have helped us immensely by commenting on their gear near the end of their trail journal.Thanks guys for your support. Trail angels come in all ways!Ham
Date: 2010-01-10
To: number 63
Miles today: 0.0

There are some really beautiful areas of our country that we are going to cross on this hike. Many I have not been to before but as many that I have. For instance, I grew up in New England and I got my trail legs as a kid climbing in the Whites. They are truly some amazing mountains. Ham grew up in the farmlands of Pennsylvania in the Dutch country. She even had a Mennonite women come and care for she and her sister for a few years when she was very young. The farms of the Amish are also very beautiful and hopefully we will get a nice view of them as we hike through PA. There is a game of sorts that many teenagers from our era used to play in those pastures and I always thought it would be great to try our hand at this age old tradition. The question is will we be camping close to any dairies so that we can enjoy reason number 63 for hiking the AT: COW TIPPING!
Date: 2010-01-11
From: sticky buns

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I can't think of anything better than Pennsylvania Dutch sticky buns.When I hit the state of Pa. I will be ever watchful for the famed buns. Their road side stands are best in the east! I will take a blue blaze for a sticky bun any day! No place in the country are the sticky buns like the Dutch ones. The Amish and the Mennonites also grow terrific vegetables and maybe we can buy some and mix into our noodles or rice. On the topic of pies: I would like to be first in line. If I have to relax after eating a pie so be it! I am up for sharing also!Please be warned that the Amish DO NOT like their pictures taken. Respecting this will put us "English" in a much better light with them.Sauntering through the countryside and smelling that manure will bring back wonderful childhood memories! LOLBest to you all and we shall see you out there.Ham
Date: 2010-01-11
To: The countdown continues #62
Miles today: 0.0

I have been re-reading Tagless and Tagalong's journal from 09 and really getting a kick out of their entries. The tag team really seamed to live out on the trail. I hope we all have as rewarding a hike as they did. Just spare us the hernia operations! I liked that they were on the Mountain Man schedule. Up at 5 and on the trail at 5:30 or 6 am and 3/4 of the days miles hiked by lunch. They got the benefit of beating alot of the heat , enjoying the solitude at those early hours and the beauty of the forest in the early morning sun. I am up early most days because of work and sleeping in for me is 7 am. I think it will be great not to have to wake up to an alarm clock every day but I know that my internal clock will take over and I will still be getting up with the sun and hitting the trail early. I think this is noteworthy enough to make it reason number 62 for hiking the AT: Early morning starts on the trail.
Date: 2010-01-16
To: 57
Miles today: 0.0

Massachusetts drivers have a bad reputation for their driving habits. I think it is a well deserved one. We were out last night heading for the gear store and as usual we had to deal with all the idiots on the road. I truely believe that cell phones should be banned while driving. It is very obvious that people can not concentrate on their driving and talk on the phone at the same time. This will certainly be something that I won't miss while hiking the trail. Reason number 57 for hiking the AT-bad drivers!
Date: 2010-01-17
To: 56
Miles today: 0.0

I touched on traffic in the last entry but there was something else that caught my eye when we were out last night. The gear store is , of course, at the mall. The mall is on a hill and as you exit down the drive, you can see the other malls and commercial buildings below. We live maybe a mile from here and our yard is twice the size of our neighbors at 1 1/4 acres. You have to drive for half an hour to see any real open space and still it is only a mile or two to the nearest big mall. I know I won't miss the congestion out on the trail. Reason number 56 for hiking the AT- urban sprawl.
Date: 2010-01-18
To: 55
Miles today: 0.0

We have hit the wall here in our house. Tension is high because we are both so revved up for this thing to get started. The vaccuum sealer is getting a heavy workout these days. I need to calm my ass down a few ticks so that we can have a little peace and tranquility for a while. I have noticed things at work are also feeling a bit tense as well. Is it just me or are the natives getting restless? I am thinking that reason number 55 for hiking the AT should reflect the changes that I expect out on the trail....Quiet, calm, serenity between us and our surroundings. So without further adieu, #55 goes to: companionship with my wife! :-)I Love You Honey!
Date: 2010-01-19
To: food prep
Miles today: 0.0

Love our vaccuum sealer! We have received some freeze dried veggies from Honeyville via Amazon.com. Freeze dried chicken from Mountain House. ...and have packaged everything! Homemade breads and bars seal well also. Breakfasts and dinners are prety much done. Now for lunch. Gorp? Granola? Cheese and crackers/pita bread? pb& j? Soup?Brian has finished closing in the two windows of our barn, so we are pretty much sealed up for the weather.The to do list is shrinking quickly.He has made a caldera wind screen that works well.We have hooked up to NOAA and it appears the first of our hike shall be cold and wet. Be prepared! I am such a Girl Scout! and of course Brian thinks cookies when he hears that.Counting the days to last day of work - 37!   52 to the trail! ( March 15th is the date!!)Best to you all and have a safe trip to Springer and beyond!Ham
Date: 2010-01-20
To: 53
Miles today: 0.0

I am going to miss my two mini dauchshunds while we are away on the trail. I don't have kids instead, I have these two little puppies at home. It is really nice to come home at the end of my workday and hug my wife and a little lovin from my dogs. You just can't beat that kind of a greeting. We both know how hard it is going to be leaving them at our good friend Lisa's house and driving away for 6 months. So for reason number 53 to hike the AT I would like to pick trail dogs. I hope to meet lots of them and get a few friendly dog welcomes along the trail.
Date: 2010-01-21
To: 52
Miles today: 0.0

I wasn't sure how well this whole hiking with our friend thing was going to go because she and my wife out number me :-) But, I am coming to terms with it. After all, I grew up with two older sisters and survived it quite well. In fact, I am now living through four very lovable nieces by those sisters and frankly, I seem to thrive in the presence of the female persuasion. I won't stop there. Oh no. We are part of a large group of friends that are members of a team that walks the Komen Breast Cancer 3 day each year and 85 % of them are women. Maybe I am an addict? A girl junky? Who knows for sure but this leads me into reason number 52 for hiking the AT: Getting to know my wife and our friend, Rachel, better.
Date: 2010-01-22
To: number 51
Miles today: 0.0

I met a very rude parking enforcement officer today while at work in Cambridge MA. Apparently, they expect all construction sites to pay for parking permits in front of the property where there is resident permit parking only. Now I am just an employee at the site( not really but for my purposes I was) but since I was the closest one to the street at the time, I got an earful from said parking officer. The problem was, the permit expired yesterday and though the office called it in for renewal, she hadn't heard anything of it. I was my usual charn=ming self and explained that I had notified the owners of its experation and that it should have been renewed. I was told by her that she would update the permit on the poll but I had better not be lying. Me lie? Come on now, I have nothing to gain here, I am parked in the driveway! So, in honor of her, I am choosing no cars, no traffic, and no parking Nazis for six months as reason number 51 for hiking the AT.
Date: 2010-01-23
To: Cool number 50
Miles today: 0.0

We are having a gathering of support people here today at our house for a pot luck feast and meet and greet. We wanted to make sure everyone knew who was doing what while were are gone on our trek in the mountains and we also wanted everyone to know each others faces in case a problem should arise on the home front. It went really well and it is nice to know that we have so many people that we can count on while we're gone. In fact in some small way I am looking forward to our triumphant return in the fall so that we can have a celebratory party! Reason number 50 for hiking the trail: our family and friends network that cares so much for us!
Date: 2010-01-24
To: 49
Miles today: 0.0

We got a wall map of the AT from the ATC this week and put it up in the barn last night. It is one long map..... I did the math and it will take approximately 1 week to go 1 1/2" on the map. The map is at least 50 inches long! My parents are heading to Chatanooga in May and hope to see us around 12 to 14 inches up the map. I hope we can narrow it down to 1/4" by the time they are in the area.......Reason number 49 for hiking the AT: visits from friends and family on the trail.
Date: 2010-01-25
To: 48
Miles today: 0.0

I can't wait to get to Pensylvania this year. The farms are so beautiful and the people are the friendliest. Ham grew up in Lancaster county PA and talks up a good storm about her hometown. I have been there several times with her over the years to visit her cousins etc. My favorite thing about the area is the amazing food. The pretzel factories and farmers markets have the best goodies! I hope we get to hit a few of the bakeries in the area and get to have some of the delicious sticky bums the Ham mentioned in an earlier post. I like them so much that they are reason number 48 to hike the AT!
Date: 2010-01-26
To: 47
Miles today: 0.0

Let's hope someone has enough energy to build a camp fire a few times while we are out on the trail. I know I am not alone when I say that there is nothing like a good fire at the end of a long day of hiking. It feels so good on a cool night with the heat of a nice fire and the smell of the fresh air and the smoke mingling together. Brings back memories of camping with my family as a kid up in the white mountains of New Hampshire. Those were good days. Reason number 47 for hiking the AT: camp fires.
Date: 2010-01-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hi All -I notice many of you with trail names already.How did that happen? Did you give yourself your trail names, or have you been hiking before and these names are a carry over from previous hikes?Shakespeare's ROmeo and Juliet quote:"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet"..Looking forward to someone giving me my trail name. Ham by any other name would still smell like luncheon meat.Also thinking about the wonderful trail angels today and thanking them for taking care of past hikers and those this year and beyond. These generous souls with such beautiful spirits bring us a wonderful message. The world could use a million more people just like them...Good night, sleep tight, and dreams of good memories to come.Ham
Date: 2010-01-28
To: What's in a name
Miles today: 0.0

One of the most enjoyable parts of reading journals are the names given to the hikers. I am looking forward to having a trail name given to me. Wasn't it in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet which stated "What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet"...As of now could one say "that which we call a ham by any other name would smell like luncheon meat?" Hmm My nickname could get me in trouble here. I could smell like luncheon meat within a week of hiking. Good night all, and may your trail memories be sweet, fun and memorable. Ham-
Date: 2010-01-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I am sitting here this afternoon watching the gently falling snow and thinking about my life and the choices I have made. Seeing that I have 3 beautiful, funny, and talented daughters brings a big smile to my face. No regrets having them - but the regret of not really seeing who their father was - was my mistake. But that was a lifetime ago and when I was younger. I am still young in my heart and outlook which I am comfortable with. Many my age are not, but when you meet me you will get the feeling that I like who I am and have a kind of craziness that goes with youth. Somehow this remains under the surface...and takes about a second or two to show up on certain occasions!"If only I had" is not a phrase that describes my life. I have done what I wanted and glad that I did. "Do it" becomes a challenge and a way of life...boy there have been times I have dove in to a job and all has turned out well(whew).I guess my confidence level has been pretty high. May it be with me on the trek north.This trek north is a liberating fun adventure that I am sharing with my hubby, rachel and others. So NOW is the time for another step in rounding out and enriching my life. I am going to give it a BIG try and hopefully all will be well. ( I worry about my right foot!)See you out there everyone and have a safe journey to Springer and north.
Date: 2010-01-28
To: Saturdays
Miles today: 0.0

Ever notice how much better Fridays are knowing that Saturday is fast behind? There is always less traffic and everyone seems to be in a lighter mood knowwing they have two days off as soon as the day is over. I just realized that I am going to have Saturdays for the next six months! Reason number 45 for hiking the AT: 180 Saturdays in a row!
Date: 2010-01-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I am sitting here this afternoon watching the gently falling snow and thinking about my life and the choices I have made. Seeing that I have 3 beautiful, funny, and talented daughters brings a big smile to my face. No regrets having them - but the regret of not really seeing who their father was - was my mistake. But that was a lifetime ago and when I was younger. I am still young in my heart and outlook which I am comfortable with. Many my age are not, but when you meet me you will get the feeling that I like who I am and have a kind of craziness that goes with youth. Somehow this remains under the surface...and takes about a second or two to show up on certain occasions!"If only I had" is not a phrase that describes my life. I have done what I wanted and glad that I did. "Do it" becomes a challenge and a way of life...boy there have been times I have dove in to a job and all has turned out well(whew).I guess my confidence level has been pretty high. May it be with me on the trek north.This trek north is a liberating fun adventure that I am sharing with my hubby, rachel and others. So NOW is the time for another step in rounding out and enriching my life. I am going to give it a BIG try and hopefully all will be well. ( I worry about my right foot!)See you out there everyone and have a safe journey to Springer and north.Ham
Date: 2010-01-29
To: 44
Miles today: 0.0

Apparently I have an accent. I didn't know it until I was with my step nephews a few years back and they were making fun of the way I pronounced my r's. I have a slight Boston accent when I am in the mood but not always(I think...). It is a lot of fun to meet someone from another area and pick up on their dialect, however subtle and I always appreciate a nice southern drawl. Reason number 44 for hiking the AT: hearing the different accents!
Date: 2010-01-30
To:  blueberry picking
Miles today: 0.0

One of the best memories of my family summer trips were made at my aunts camp in Alton Bay NH. We always spent a week on lake Winnipesaukee swimming and enjoying the mountains. I remember some cold lake water in the early parts of June and I also remember some great climbing trips up mount Major. We used to take along every container in the place to fill up with blueberries and spent hours picking and eating them. To this day they are still my favorite food andso, reason number 43 for hiking the AT: blueberries!
Date: 2010-01-31
To: Freezers
Miles today: 0.0

We went shopping for an essencial piece of through hiking gear today at sears. A nice chest freezer. Now it's importance is often overlooked by many because they think it is too large an item to tote along. I would like to suggest that you consider leaving it back with the person who is doing your mail drops for you. We plan on filling it with all of our freeze dried and dehydrated foods to keep them fresh until they are nearly boxed up and shipped out to the trailhead. Now you understand why each and every hiker needs one don't you?
Date: 2010-02-03
To: Life in the 30
Miles today: 0.0

This is soo cool! I am down to the last 39 reasons for hiking the AT! I had a trying day at work today. Well that's not quite right, it was a good day but 2 hours after getting home I got a phone call informing me that everthing that 3 of us did for the last 3 days was not correct according to the customer. I informed the powers that be that all work was done according to the architectural details provided to me. Now I am being asked to tear out all of the work and start over and I am NOT HAPPY ;-( Reason number 39 for hiking the AT: no stupid people calling the shots.....