morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-06-15
To: Tanyard Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Well we're hiking! We hoped to make it to a shelter but it was a rough day so we stopped just before 6 miles. The worst was it was hot. Guessing 95 degrees. No, the real worst was it was UPHILL! I'm not good on uphills.                                 What was really worst was that all of the above gave me an upset stomach and I had to make friends with many trees.But what was good was we were mostly in shade. And we had enough water. And Dave took good care of me. Poor guy waited and waited for me to catch up to him all day. The man is a hiking machine.So tonight we have put our tent up at a small clearing. And the worst about that is there is nowhere to sit. Dave didn't bring his 5 gallon bucket! We are here alone, in the tent at 7:30, planning to get up at daybreak and head out...uphill again tomorrow.*Quote: "We're not dead yet!"Note: I added a few pictures under the photo section.
Date: 2015-06-16
To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today was another hot and steamy day. Uphill. Dragon-breathin. Back-achin. Leg-crampin. Toe-smashin. Bug-fightin. But we made it 5.1 hard miles. Hard - as in the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, considering I birthed 4 babies relatively easily.Dave the machine even backfired a couple times today. Our kids will get the double meaning there! There's no glamour out here. Yesterday I wore my sweaty dirty pants all day and rolled them up at night and put them under my head for a pillow. Not doing that tonight though because we walked through some poison ivy today we think. Using my jacket instead!I'm not sugar coating anything about this trip. Yet we are getting along well and still in the game. I'm hoping I will improve my stamina and my hill climbing. Gotta get some trail legs. This is a diet and exercise plan like no other. Not eating much, and hiking is extremely strenuous so far. I haven't ever sweat like this in the gym. You say what? Maybe that's the problem? I should have been working out hard instead of always laying on the couch? Here's the report:Falls: Dave - 1...backwards into the tent trying to get out. Judy - 1 big slip on wet leaves.No blisters.No injuries.*Quote: "I have taken back the position I had at the start of this trip...that you could use the trail as your training ground." HAH!!
Date: 2015-06-17
To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0

Surprise! Here we are at Erwin, TN for a clean up and a good rest. But back to this morning. We packed up our campsite and were back on the trail about 8 AM. We had a lot of downhill today so made pretty good time.As I'm hiking, I do a lot of singing to myself and praying. Now I need help. Uncle Lynn...I've been singing the song "Footsteps of Jesus." The chorus goes "Footsteps of Jesus, that......I will follow the steps of Jesus, where e'er they go." What are the missing words? I wondered as I sang if Jesus walked mountains like these? There's a lot of talk of "mounts" in the Gospels.We hiked into Mom's Store about noon. What a great hiker haven. Be sure to check the pictures for today to see this establishment where a hiker can get a cold drink and some ice cream. And if you hang around long enough, Mr. Mom will even give you a ride to Erwin, TN. We are in a motel here for one or two nights. We're not thru-hiking so we are free to move around as we please...we will study our guidebook and decide where to pick up the trail from here...if I can get the machine to keep rolling. Might depend on the rainy forecast.*Story from today's hike: We met two older men on the trail. After they passed, Dave said,"Do I look as bad as that?" I very kindly said, "Oh no!" Dave muttered,"That's just because I have a hat on!"
Date: 2015-06-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Here's the quote for the day from my hiking partner: "I'm done."He's refusing to go any farther. So you guys at the shop...whoever got closest to 2 1/2 days...you won the pool.Those of you who had to listen to me talk about the trail for the last few years will know how utterly disappointed I am. I won't say devastated, because there are much worse things in life, but I am not happy.It was my dream, not his. So if anyone out there reading wants to go with me next year, I'm still up for a long hike. I'm 63 and would not try it alone, but if you are patient and have the desire and the time, let me know.So he has arranged a rental car and he is taking me home. I'll be signing off for this year.Thank you for all your support and interest.
Date: 2015-07-06
To: Follow-Up July
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I heavily pouted for about a week after getting home, but finally one has to get over it, right? You can¢t make someone else like the trail. I don¢t even know why I am so obsessed with it.But I am now hoping for a late March/early April 2016 departure. I changed my trail journal picture and got myself a one person tent. I¢ll be hooking up with some other ladies to hike with; I¢m working on getting my pack weight down; and I am starting training now. I¢m walking outside, working out at the gym, and looking for a good hill to climb in this flat town. I¢ll check in once a month with my progress.*Quote: ¢To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven¢¦¢ Ecclesiastes 3:1
Date: 2015-08-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Another month has passed and time is going by quickly. I've been sticking with the plan...working out at the gym, losing a little weight, and scouting out any trails in the area to train on.The best I've found is in East Peoria, which is a 50 minute drive away. I've gone twice, and yesterday did 6.5 miles of trails there. They look similar to the AT in Georgia and NC. It's up and down, roots and rocks, and under tree cover for shade. I've had some interest from some who might want to hike with me, at least partway. Contact me if you're interested!Right now my biggest concern is leaving my husband Dave home for an extended amount of time. My solution to that problem is that he will come out often to meet up with me...he can be a support and drop a few "trail magic" goodies while he's visiting. So far he's been supportive of the plan. *What is Trail Magic? ¢Trail magic¢ is the little acts of kindness that people perform for hikers and is one of the best things happening on the AT. Trail magic is administered by ¢trail angels,¢ who are often long-distance hikers themselves. These acts span the whole gamut of good deeds, from free food to shuttle rides, to overnight stays in a private home with a hot shower, a meal, and a bed. Basically, trail magic is any wonderful happening, stroke of luck, or act of kindness on the trail, and can be deliberate or serendipitous. Trail angels leave water in dry stretches, coolers full of treats, and informational notes about the trail conditions as part of their work.
Date: 2015-09-01
To: September 1
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Just a quick check-in. A few more pounds down. Doing a lot of walking and upping the intensity of the gym workouts. Note* I carried folding chairs up from the basement to the garage...made three trips... Dave said, ¢You¢re getting stronger!¢ But most exciting was that I realized I wasn¢t panting...not even breathing hard. Progress!!I am always reading Trail Journals. I just finished one of a man who journaled his plans for his thru-hike for 2 years. Like most journal-ers, he was excited, eager, and determined¢¦right up to the point where he got on the trail. By day #2 he hated it. He wanted to go home. The thru-hike dream was over. I¢m not judging him...it could happen to me. It¢s a lot easier to dream about the trail than to hike it.The local paper came out with a big article on the AT this week. With the movie coming out, I presume there will be more and more publicity and interest in the trail. A lot more dreamers will emerge. Well, I¢m one of them. We shall see...*Fact: Each year, thousands of hikers attempt a thru-hike; only about one in four make it all the way.
Date: 2015-10-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Yes! It's October! The months are ticking off.The only thing to report is that I am still working on getting in shape, I'm adding to my list of people who express interest in joining me at any point on the trail, and I'm mapping out a very tentative schedule so anyone can plan on what time and place would work best for them. I know it's all very "iffy" and subject to change, but a starting point, at least.I have one question for the seasoned hikers: I have a pair of trailrunners that I like and have proven to work well for me on the trail. No blisters. But I am worried about the cold, wet weather in early spring. I bought a pair of boots but am having trouble making the decision...my main question is about wet and muddy. And how do you keep boots from hurting around the top of the ankle? Any words of wisdom?Fact: The general rule of thumb is to change out shoes at least every 500 miles and heavier boots every 1000 miles.
Date: 2015-10-05
To: Reading, Reading, Reading
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I continue to read about the AT. Read and read. I have uploaded books to my Kindle app on my phone, and I read trail journals every chance I get. Why do I not get my fill of it?? I read journals of hikers who have gone all the way, but what I'm really interested in are those who do not make it for one reason or another. It's fascinated to see how people adjust from the "dreaming" stage to the "reality" stage of hiking the AT. I have no illusions that it will be easy.One thing is for sure...most journal writers are like myself...obsessed with the idea of getting out on the trail. Six more months to wait for me.*Quote: "There will be less difficult days. There will be no easy days."
Date: 2015-11-07
To: It Doesn't Stop!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

What is it with this Appalachian Trail? Seriously, I ask myself, "What am I thinking?" But my plans continue. I have a list of people who have shown interest in tagging along with me for at least a portion of the trail. Dave says, "You need people who will lead YOU, not YOU leading other people!" Whatever.I am working on a tentative departure date and plan for the first few days. And also a loose plan for when and where I might be at any point that anyone might join up with me. And what is the picture about? For those who don't know me, I take my grandkids to Disney when they turn 10. Just me and the 10 year old for an 8 day trip. (These two turned 10 the same year, and they were the best of friends and so much fun!) I started it with the first grandchild...little did I know I would end up with 16 of them! But it's been a great adventure and good memories with each of them. And why does it matter to you? Just to show that I am a fun-loving, brave, "get out and do it" kind of woman. That's how I hope I will be on the trail...and I hope some of you will come with me!*Quote: ¢I am looking for someone to share in an adventure that I am arranging, and it's very difficult to find anyone.' I should think so ¢ in these parts! We are plain quiet folk and have no use for adventures. Nasty disturbing uncomfortable things! Make you late for dinner!¢ J.R.R. Tolkien, The Hobbit
Date: 2015-12-02
To: Dec Update
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

A week or so ago, we made another trip to the REI store. The last time I was there, I was returning all of Dave's gear (Grrr!) for full money refund (Yeah, REI!). Then I exchanged our 3 person tent for a 1 person tent. After I had a practice run in setting up the tent, I realized:1. It¢s tight. I like to keep my things inside around me and the 1 person tent pretty much left that option out. Think cocoon! 2. There are several people who are on my list to possibly join up with me. Some of them won¢t have the needed equipment, or want to spend the big bucks for a tent to use for just a few days. If I go with a little bigger tent, I can share my space if I have to.3. I read that a 1 person tent may not be the safest option for a female on the trail. Better not to advertise that I am a female alone in my tent. It may not be a realistic fear, but the thought stuck with me, so I decided "better safe than sorry."So I once again exchanged my tent, from 1 person to 2 person. Gotta love REI's exchange policy.Thanks to those who advised me on the boots vs shoes question. Hmmm, may call for another trip to REI in the near future!*Quote: "The first reactions of about 95% of people I talk to have some type of question, such as, 'You're bringing (a gun) (a dog) (mace), aren't you? Didn't you hear about what happened on the Trail?'" If I thought that everyone on the AT hiked with a gun, a dog, and/or mace, I would NEVER attempt a thru-hike!
Date: 2016-01-01
To: Jan 1, 2016
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It¢s 2016! I predict there will be multiple postings today from those of us hoping to get on the trail this year. THIS YEAR! Now that is fun to say!So what is new with the Knobbies? I had some needed surgery last week, so I am in recovery mode. Dave has been taking good care of me, but after 9 days of basically sitting in a recliner, I went to bed last night pretty whiny. ¢My feet are cold! My legs are cold! My back is aching!¢ Waaa, Waaa, Waaa.Did Dave say, ¢What are you going to do when you¢re in a tent? On the ground? All alone? And it¢s cold?¢ No, he didn¢t say that. But I was thinking it. (Let¢s admit it. If you are heading out on the trail in 2016, isn¢t that about all you can think about?)So I¢m anxious to get healed up, get back to the gym and get myself ready for the challenge. Planning to pull out of here April 3, THIS YEAR, headed for Springer Mt! *Quote: "Pain is mandatory; suffering is optional."
Date: 2016-02-01
To: Feb 1 Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Yeah! Feb. 1! ¢ Surgery done and recovered ¢ 25 pounds off (15 more to go) * Basement sorted through ¢ REI trips completed ¢ Backpack checked for weight (23 pounds without food and water - too much!)¢ Powerpoint made to show family and friends *Basement cleaned and sorted ¢ Back to the gym for cardio and muscle strength ¢ Maps made As you can see, the important things are getting done. Well, and the fun things. Why work in the basement when there are trail journals to read and Amazon.com to browse through? The Appalachian Trail obsession continues. Good luck to those starting early. Be safe!
Date: 2016-03-01
To: Mar 1!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I just got home from having a root canal. Brutal!Whenever there is something I think I can't stand, like a root canal, I tell myself to buck up! Be tough! Just 4 1/2 weeks until I stand on Springer Mountain and then I will be in for a real challenge. Time to be a big girl!I haven't made my Zach Davis list of WHY I want to hike the trail, or how I will feel if I SUCCEED, or how I will feel if I come home. (I will not say FAIL, because whatever hiking I do on the AT is a success for me.)But I do have a list.Things I am not afraid of:Bears (Just be smart about it.)Snakes (Just leave them alone!)Scary people (Be around people I trust.)Falling (Everybody falls!)        Things I am afraid of:Cold (That comes under the "be tough" category.)Not finding any food I like (Need to keep my strength up.)Falling...with INJURIES (Please let me not be rescued off the mountain!) Mice (It will be tenting for me as much as possible!)Ticks (No Lymes Disease, I hope!)Lightning (Very scary!)Falling limbs (Yes, that too!)And, of course, the big one. Leaving Dave home alone. He says he can't wait (Ha!) but I don't think he accepts that I am hoping for a long term absence. He predicts a couple of weeks. But I say those are "fightin' words" and only make me more determined. I'll probably be updating a little more frequently as April 3rd approaches. I hope it is going well for all of you hikers out there now. Be safe!*Quote: "I forgot to list Trepidation, Anxiety, Fear, and Uncertainty in the gear list, but they are all present, and their weight cannot be easily determined."
Date: 2016-03-07
To: What's in a Name?
Miles today: 0.0

When I started this journal, I posted as "The Knobbies." Well...now what? Now it's just one Knobby. I'm curious what I will go by on the trail. Mrs. Knobby? Grandma Knobby? A lot of people call my husband Knobby, so that might sound a little weird to me. I suppose I will end up with a trail name. It could be risky to take my chances on that. Dave gave me one when we were on the trail last year: "I Can Hold It!" But I rejected that one! Anyway, I guess as far as Trail Journals is concerned, for now it is still "The Knobbies."Four weeks from today I should be on Springer Mt!*Trail Name ¢ A unique name that is bestowed on any section or thru-hiker. The trail name is usually awarded by other hikers and is often based upon some personal characteristic or quirk that has been observed.
Date: 2016-03-10
To: An Idea!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up with an idea. It must linger in the back of my mind even when I'm sleeping. Hair. I know everyone says I won't be thinking of my hair when I'm hiking. I'll only be thinking of how I'm going to get up the next hill. But seriously, it's not going to be good. I used to put my Grandma's hair in tight pin curls on Saturday afternoons...those babies would keep her hair curly for the entire week!Bobby pins can't be too heavy, can they? Or how about those old pink foam rollers! Just how desperate will I be?
Date: 2016-03-17
To: The List Goes On!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I could almost panic! The days are flying by and there still remains a lot to do. Things seem to be adding to the list faster than they are being crossed off! But truthfully, I could probably pack up my car and go tomorrow and life at home would go on just fine. 15 days until GO!*Quote: "Enough waiting...enough talking about it...it's time to get out there and do it!"Said by ME, yesterday!
Date: 2016-03-22
To: Practice Hike
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I took the afternoon for a practice hike in the hills of Peoria Heights. I really wanted to see how I was doing with stamina and breathing on the uphills. I have to remind myself to not hurry. My hiking mentor tells me it's not a race, and besides, I don't have a hiking machine husband pushing me along. So far, it's...ok.People say to me..."Let's do lunch before you leave," or "What day are you going?" And I think, "Oh my goodness, they think I'm really going to do this thing!"Well, yes. YES, I am!*Quote: "Well, young lady, I think you're faster than me!" as he steps aside and lets me pass.I guess even I look young and fast to an 80 year old man.
Date: 2016-03-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I redid my maps. I think they look much better with the brown paper background. If you remember the previous picture of the map, it was mounted on sparkly green paper. Not anything earthy about that!Things I learned from my hike yesterday:1. The trail is not about making maps, or showing my power point, or ordering ¢stuff¢ off of Amazon. It¢s about hiking. And it¢s hard work. 2. My new boots worked great! They are comfortable and I felt no hot spots. There was a little sliding forward on the downhills, so I¢ll have to watch the ¢How to Lace Your boots¢ video on Youtube one more time and try it. It might make a difference.3. I wrote and posted to my journal from the top of the hill when I stopped to take a break. I loved doing that¢¦writing in the middle of the day instead of at night in the tent when I am so tired. I will try to do that on the trail as much as I can; at least write and post later if I have to.4. I broke a rule of stopping for a rest. I didn¢t stop and look around when I started hiking again. It¢s a good thing I need to blow my nose often, because I very soon discovered I did not have my beloved bandana with me. I had to backtrack a ways, and sure enough, there it was where I had been sitting. I have to remember to always look around when I get up to move.5. Why is it that I always have serious bathroom issues when I hike? As in, there are no bathrooms when I need one! I think it's nerves. There were a lot of people on the trail and the trees had no foliage, so I was in a world of trouble out there. *Quote: ¢Wake, break tent down, pack bag, eat, poop, walk, walk, walk, filter water, snack, walk, pee, walk, walk, lunch, filter water, pee, walk... camp. Sleep. Somewhere in these miles I also learned that nobody makes it through the AT without pooping their pants at least once. I've read a trail journal or two and more than one "travel" book on the subject and never heard this. I promise if it happens to me I will make it known. I think this is something that should be told people who dream of doing the trail. I wish I had been told that this is supposedly a reality of trail life!"Now I don't know if it's true, just what I read someplace. Just so you know, it hasn¢t happened to me yet, thankfully. Just keepin¢ it real!
Date: 2016-03-25
To: Dr. Visit
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I had an "all clear" from my doctor yesterday. I left her office with her blessing (she was very excited for me, actually) and 2 prescriptions...an antibiotic for various infections, and doxycycline for Lyme, should the need occur. She also gave me a tetanus shot. And I just figured out how to embed a video here. Yeah!It's Good Friday, and I will be going to church tonight. Praising Jesus for His great sacrifice.*Quote: Truly this was the Son of God!" Matthew 27:54
Date: 2016-03-28
To: You're Going to What??
Miles today: 0.0

I was introduced to the Appalachian Trail when I picked up the infamous book "A Walk in the Woods." Oh, yeah! I jumped on the band wagon. Someday I was going to do it!I was working night shift in the OB ward of the hospital. One night I mentioned the trail to a nurse..."This is my dream." This nurse was young, smart, and very athletic. She looked at me and her thoughts were easy to read. "You have a long way to go!" Kindly, she said, "I can get you ready."But the time was not right. I was about 55, still working, and grandbabies were being born by the minute, it seemed. (I have 16 now.)But now? Now is the time. Enough talking, reading, and planning. Am I ready? Physically, not completely. Mentally, I think so. Physically, I know it will be a huge challenge. Mentally, I think I know what I'm up against. Emotionally? Well, my husband says, "If you get lonely or scared, call me. I will come get you!"Let all who read be warned...I may do that. A week, 2 weeks, a month, two, three, four?? I've got permission to call. No questions asked. No shame, no regrets.But believe me, that is the last thing on my mind right now. Now it is, "How am I going to fit one more thing in my pack?" "How much can I check off my list today?" And mostly, "Let's get this show on the road!"Hiking over 2000 miles from Georgia to Maine with a heavy pack on my back? That's crazy!! But then there's this quote, from the book Beyond My Limits, by Charles Anderson:"Life is too short to waste it on journeys to nowhere."