morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-21
From: Damascus - Hardcore Day 2

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

If yesterday weren't enough to provide appreciation for trail maintenance, today made up for it. After the hike up to the parking area, there were several logs and pre-constructed bridges waiting to be carried up the hill to the worksite. We loaded up and started hauling. Four of us stayed at the first creek to install the bridge. The other 100 made it way down the trail to clear some more woods or to crush rocks that are inconvient to hikers or to chop down fallen trees. The bridge took the four of us all morning to install. But let me say, it's not going anywhere. These bridges are laid on top of 10-12 inches of solid locust wood and then 3 feet of steel rebar is sledged into the log and through the ground below. The bridge is then secured with 10 inch stakes into the locust. I pounded on that rebar for an hour, so if you ever find yourself between Unaka Mountain and Cherry Gap, know that it's my bridge and trail you're walking over. It's also my, MY blaze you're looking at just before you cross that bridge. If blood and sweat were white, that would be my blood and sweat permanently pressed on that tree. The goal was 2,500 feet, we did over 4,000 feet and installed a bridge. It set a new record for HardCORE crews and actually shortened the overall trail by half a mile. But the most satisfaction came from the time spent with other hikers and former thru-hikers. Stories and legends flowed out of them like gold from Midas' hand. I took it all in as well as the huge Italian feast Baltimore Jack and his crew prepared for us. Baby bean soup, salad, garlic bread, spaghetti, and all you can eat ice cream made the day well worth the effort. I stayed at Braemer Castle again and pondered over the day's activities. 115 of us took two days and didn't even make a mile of trail. We did well, but it takes that kind of commitment to appreciate the greater feat of 2,175 miles put down by the thousands who came before me. It's one thing to walk it, but to lay it down foot by foot is an eye-opener. Then you think about people like Bob who have been maintaning the trail for decades. Once again, thank you to all trail volunteers, ridgerunners, and all who contribute to the gradiosity of the A.T. Back to the trail tomorrow morning. Four days off has treated me well, but I'm anxious to start the engine up again. I hope it hasn't gotten too cold in the off-season.
Date: 2007-05-22
From: Damascus - Last Day

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I came to Damascus again today, this time on a real road, rather than on a quest for greatness. But before I arrived, I ran into an issue that I didn't think was possible, a situation I didn't think existed. I was blown away by the precariousness of it. Here's how it went down! Last night, Bob had all the shuttles to get hikers back to their respective places on the trail already arranged. He called them out and it seemed that I was riding alone, but several people, (mostly women) made an error and forgot to get on Bob's list. Fair enought, they could just catch a ride with me and my driver, Mountain Squid. We were now a crew of five hikers, three of whom are girls, and one generous fellow with a truck. Six altogether, we had to cram into two front seats and three back seats of a Ford F-150. I am the only one staying at Braemar Castle out of the group, so I talked to Squid into picking me up first and that way, I'd get front seat. I even called shutgun on it at the time we picked up the other guy and girls at Kincora. That's where the previously non-existent situation arose. The one guy besides me sees the front seat open while I'm helping load the girls' packs into the back of the truck like a gentleman shoud. I had already called shotgun, he heard me call shotgun, and then he knowingly took the front seat from me, I'm thinking, "ummm...what?" Something was amiss and it wasn't the hiker smell since we all had showers the last two days, I simply said to him, "I called it." "You what?" was the response I was given. "I called shotty," I said again. He just stared at me blankly and so I got impatient. "Come on man, get out. I called it." "What's the big deal?" he says, not purposefully being redundant, " I called it." That was the only way I knew how to answer this ridiculous question. Again, he stared at me with no movement away from my captain's chair. Now, I had to be visibly upset. I know this because the next words that left my lips were, "If you don't get out my seat, I will throw you on the ground." "Aright," he says, "if it's that important to you." Yes, it is that important to me, but more importantly, this guy needs to learn the rules of shotgun. They're on the internet, just go to google and type in "shotgun rules." Anyone who doesn't know these rules should be shot and maimed as a disgrace to American culture. Incidentally, his trail name was Nice Enuff, clearly an overstatement. After that debacle, I made it to Damascus where I spent all day at the library and then made ten miles on still sore legs to Saunders Shelter for the night.
Date: 2007-05-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today is a day of good and bad, happy and sad, yin and yang. Like a wave of emotions, today's events went from high to low to high and back to low again. Average it all out and I suppose it's been a pretty normal, neutral day. I got up early and I was actually excited about hiking. Within a quarter mile, I saw two more deer which only reminded me that I still have yet to see a bear. My spirits were lifted once more when I ran into the college kids from a week ago. But it was not seeing them that brought me joy, it was the fact that I was blowing by everyone with relative ease, this feeding my competitive ego. Another low point came as I climbed a tough Whitetop Mountain followed by an immediate high when I reached the top and caught an excellent view of the storm that was about to hit. And hit me it did with marble size hail and an hour of rain. Wet and likely bruised, I made for Thomas Knob Shelter. One of my best moments of the trip came just as the rain stopped. Like a sign from God, the rain stopped, the clouds cleared, and there were the ponies. Ponies? Yep, ponies. I've read stories and heard the rumors, but never believed it until I was standing amidst a dozen feral ponies. They weren't scared or cautious, but curious. Several followed me around and nibbled the sweat stains on my pack and shirt. Their unkempt locks flopped in the breeze and I could think of nothing but the Guns n' Roses song, "Wild, Wild Horses" - Axl Rode is enveloping me with his somber tones. The mellow notes crying out of how great it must be to be free. What is freedom? We live in a country that claims to be free, yet it costs so much to live. We claim to be free, but our laws are girded so tight that it's hard to take a breath of fresh air without someone claiming that it's their air and you stole it from them. It's not all free, everything has a price. You are always stepping on someone else's toes. At the shelter, this was especially true. I met a woman named Stiches who was sensitive to everything. She's allergic to everything in the world which makes me wonder why she's out here at all. She doesn't like animals or too many people. She's not a big fan of dirt; even the tiniest bit in the shelter because it will break down her Tyvek ground cloth. My watch beeps once on the hour and she asked me if I would turn it off or let her do it for me. Apparently, it will keep her up all night. On top of all these annoying habits and conditions, she's a larger, more husky woman that wears all spandex clothes - something a husky woman should never wear. It's a free country, though, right? Wear what you want. I don't know. A sight like that could be considered visual abuse and I need money to pay for my future counseling services. Put another dumb lawsuit in the books. I'm going to bed.
Date: 2007-05-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

As I crossed Grayson Highlands today, I was reminded once again of Scotland. The terrain was a remarkable mix of large, open meadows scattered with huge boulders and a few trees. With the occasional run-in with more feral ponies thrown in the mix, it made for a pretty great morning. Although, these ponies were clearly more used to getting handouts and were therefore more troublesome to deal with as several followed me down the trail for a few hundred yards. I found out today that the park rangers actually bring the horses into the Highlands for the season and take them out during the winter months. So, while they may not be entirely wild, my heart still goes out to them for the freedom they do have. As Oppenheim says, "They can only set free men free...and there is no need of that, free men set themselves free." Freedom is internal, not something given or taken. If you wish to be free, then be free, Inalienable rights, right? Take to the skies and let yourself fly. Freedom also tends to involve change. The ability to change your plans and to change yourself seems to strike many people the wrong way. I don't know why. Being more easy-going, it seems to me, it would make you feel more at ease, not stressed out. For example, I met a couple of guys at at shelter and within five minutes, the three of us had decided to do an extra five miles into a small town with Jerry's Kitchen and a church hostel. Jerry had been leaving advertising all up and down the trail for his place, claiming to have the "best burger on the trail." Because of that, I had basically decided not to go there, but Fastlayne & BP talked me into it. We got a ride from the first car that drove by and dropped us off at Jerry's. He turned out to be a super nice guy and his burgers were pretty good, but the peach cobbler is what he should be advertising - homemade, like what you can get only at a potluck supper at church on sunday night. I was full and overly satisfied. Jerry's wife took us to the hostel a couple miles away and the three of us spent the rest of the daylight hours playing horse at the basketball court and then throwing actual horseshoes. Fastlayne & BP were both photography geeks, so it wasn't tough to bust out a few wins and boost my morale. Who would've thought that I'd be petting horses and tossing shoes on the same day while on the A.T.? Change can be a good thing and will bring you around to a new light, sometimes. Embrace the opportunities to change as you do not know where the new path will take you. Although the darkness and uncertanity of a new path may seem frightening, it could lead you to a world of wonders. Just go with it.
Date: 2007-05-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Here I sit at Partnership Shelter, the one and the only. It's large and in charge and could probably sleep 30 people. But it's not the size that counts, it's the benefits that come with it. Just James and I ordered two large pizzas to be delivered here. Oh, yes. One large pineapple and one large supreme. Oh, oh, oh, yes! But get this, the delivery guy took an hour and a half to get there, so we got them for free. Yes, yes, YES! Two large, free pizzas - now all we need is something cold to drink. It was as if I had rung a bell for the concierge of the shelter because in walks TIC, a very strange fellow, with a case of beer. I'm now at a shelter with a lot of pizza in my gullet, drinking a cold beer, and listening to the ramblings of a very drunk TIC. I'm going to see the parents and Jenni tomorrow when I get to Atkins. So, tonight I built a raging fire and played with the ashes to dirty myself up a little bit more than I already am. At this shelter, you can also take a shower. Which I opted not to do in order to give the family and girlfriend the full effect. Dirty clothes, dirty boy, very athletic aroma - I'm sure they can't wait to see me (Evil Laugh).The random quote for today comes from none other than TIC who was heard screaming all night long, probably an after effect of mixing alcohol with strong medication, that and his eyes kept rolling around like the marble in a pinball machine. Right before I went to sleep, I heard, "I pick my friends like you pick your teeth...and my mom's a dentist!" I'm not sure, actually, I have absolutely no clue what that means, but I'll leave that to my audience to figure out.
Date: 2007-05-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I met the entire family and Jenni in Atkins this morning. And, as expected, I got lots of "whews" and "mmphs" from my appearance and odor. I also landed a huge breakfast at the Settler's Museum before I got there. Trail Magic to no ends. Once a year, they put on a show and I hit it perfectly without knowing it. I got the same "whews" and "mmphs" from the tourists who were really there for the museum. As per usual, I got asked the same dozen questions about my adventures and I gave the same dozen answers. Annoying, it is. Back at the hotel, I showered myself with real soap and shampoo. Not a very manly soap, but I think I'm man enough to pull off the Bath & Body Works "Gardenia" scent. Mom and Dad set up a dinner date with John Russell, the one from my entry back in Georgia, while I was in the shower. We got my laundry done and headed up to Roanoke with me smelling like a cute little flower. Oh, by the way, I'm supposed to tell you readers out there how great it was to see everybody. Now that's out of the way... We ate at Carraba's in Roanoke and here was my only complaint today. I had good food, good company, BAD service. Our waiter started off telling us how annoying he would be and then proved himself 100%. He forgot things, messed up orders, told really bad jokes, and rubbed my entire family the wrong way. But the worst thing he did was say, "absolutely" to answer everything we asked him. "May I have another glass of water?" - "Absolutely". "Can I have that without mushrooms?" - "Absolutely". Even when he just saw that we needed something he forgot, like a steak knife, he would run by and say "I'll get you a steak knife, absolutely." Most waiters have a repertoire of quick responses built up so that they don't end up repeating themselves. Of course, "yes sir" or "yes ma'am" would've worked just fine, but the way he said "absolutely" so matter-of-factly, so in-your-face. so "I'm the best waiter ever" turned me off big time. I didn't pay for the meal, but if I had, his tip would have started at 10% for the service and dropped 1% for everytime he said "absolutely". I think he actually owes us money for being so God-awful. You suck, sir. Absolutely.
Date: 2007-05-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Sometimes we get too used to the luxuries of life. I myself, became a victim of this syndrome after less then 24 hours with the family. What does that say about my family, hmm? Perhaps they are just too high-class for me or maybe I've just been in the woods too long. Whatever it is, I wound up in pain at the end of the day. And now, in the great words of Paul Harvey, "the rest of the story." I had talked Dad into doing a couple slackpacks this weekend which I was ever grateful for because it allowed me to go down a very tough Chestnut Ridge that most NOBO's were going up. And before I go any further, I felt "really" bad for you guys having to do it. It must have been tough, sorry. But for those of you I saw on my way down that has a just slightly negative attitude about me getting a day off, you guys will feel some sweet semblance of revenge here. You might have noticed that I was doing that 17 miles in all-leather boat shoes with no socks. Ooooh, big...no, wait...BIG mistake. About halfway through, I had worn straight through my callouses and my left foot bled for the next eight miles. "Pain is only weakness leaving the body." Let me be the first to tell you, I had eight miles of weakness to get rid of on this fine day. When the machine is well-oiled and running smoothly, the miles fly by like the clouds in the sky; but when just one part of the machine takes a turn for the bad, each mile is longer than the last. Oh yeah, sorry I didn't smile for the camera, Mom. Coming out of the woods does not instanly turn me into a happy-go-lucky frollicker. Hiking the A.T. is a job and I had a bad day at work. But, nevertheless, we made it back to the hotel after a picnic courtesy of the parents. I received another shower of Gardenia goodness and then a large Chinese dinner. We hit up the movies to check out Pirates of the Caribbean III. Dinner and a movie with my girlfriend turned into a "hot date" with the whole family. The fun never ends.
Date: 2007-05-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I wonder how much the new mattress at Hampton Inn weigh? If only it were feasible to carry one in my pack, it would already be a done deal. I truly don't sleep as well at home as I do these beds. I was so ready to hike when I woke up this morning at 5:30. And I love the fact that I don't have to carry my pack again. I do wish I had carried my walking stick, though. No more than a mile from where Dad dropped me off this morning, I was marauded by a herd of cows all seeking retribution, no doubt, for all the juicy steaks I've consumed in my life. Sorry, cows...I feel no guilt, remorse, or sympathy for your plight. And the next time one of you chases after me and tries to run me down, I will be ready. I've officially dubbed my hiking stick the "bovine beater" and swift action with brute force will be unloaded upon you. And don't say you didn't get the memo, I've seen the Chic-Fil-A commercials. If you can parachute onto the top of a van and steal a Happy Meal from a hungry child, then you can certainly check my journal for important messages. Peace be with you...until we meet again. So the day ends with a drive up to Burke's Garden for my drop-off and second goodbyes to the family and Jenni. Burke's Garden, for those who don't know, is a valley of about 10 square miles surrounded almost entirely by mountains. It is nicknamed "God's Thumbprint" as it is some of the most fertile mountain land anywhere. It was actually the first choice of George Vanderbilt for his mansion, but he was denied by the residents of the time because he couldn't offer enough cash. Does that tell you something about the beauty I'm seeing on this hike when Vanderbilt can't even afford to live here. Well, I'm off to hike now loaded down with leftover chinese and only four miles to go. To top it off, Jenni didn't even cry when I walked off, good work, babe. Life on the trail is good and this hike will be much easier if I can continue watching movies, eating out, and not carrying my pack.
Date: 2007-05-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Morale plays a gargantuan role outside of town. After the festivites of this past weekend, I was pumped up and knocked down my biggest miles to this point, 32. I also saw my first bear, a small 150-200 pounder, scamper up a hill as I got going early this morning. I don't know what got into me, but the motivation was there and I was throwing down miles like The Rock would throw me down if we got in a fight. I only planned on 24 miles, but I made it to Jenny Knob Shelter and found myself alone. Loneliness is a burden and I carry enough on my back as it is, so I pushed eight more miles in just under two hours to meet a large group at Trent's Grocery, just a little ways off the trail. Rex, Radar, Loose Bruce, Janet and Yonder, and Waterfall were camped out and already had the pizza ready and waiting for someone to finish it off. Ding, ding, ding. Ooh, Ooh, pick me! It was perfect medication for my cramping legs, and now it's time for this tired soldier to head for the sack. Looking forward to ice cream and biscuits in the morning.
Date: 2007-05-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I set three records today. All three started out well but had a bitter after-taste. It began with overstuffing myself with the largest breakfast anyone at Trent's had ever seen. One pint of cookie dough ice cream for the appetizer, followed by a bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit. Then someone ordered two tenderloin biscuits, paid for them, and apparently walked off without them, so the waitress asked if anyone wanted them. Umm...ding ding, right here! Then Waterfall couldn't finish her other gravy biscuit and asked it anybody wanted it. Umm...I'm open! Pass me the biscuit and I'll put it in the goal! I had a Diet Coke to wash down four biscuits and pint of ice cream and then ponied up for a couple slices of cold pizza. I was really hurting after eating enough food to feed a small third-world country and I felt it for the first five miles of the hike. The second record is for miles over two days. The magic number is 58 in two days. I was itching to get into town so bad that I went ahead and did the marathon miles into Parisburg. My legs and feet are now contorting themselves to kick myself in the rear. The motivation for it was Dairy Queen, first of all, as if I didn't get enough back in Smithfield. The other factor was a couple gentlemen who had an open spot at the hotel in town. Barking Spider and Plodder be their names and generosity be their game. Thank God for it or my third record might be non-existent. Apparently, the writer's of the Thru-Hiker's Companion think it's acceptable to turn a map of town on it's side and make north face left. Here in America and most of the modern world, we read from left to right. In all of the places that matter, we are reading the same direction. Why in the heck would you go against all forms of logic and reason and make the map different from the rest? If you hadn't figured it out yet, I got lost. And my third record is that somehow managed to be the first one go into town, leave it, and keep walking without realization of the fact. I ran into Pike County who came up with a joke on my behalf: "What's the quickest way to turn a NOBO'er into a SOBO'er? -- Tell him he missed town" I hit a road crossing with Pike and really didn't want to make the two miles back into town, so I gave Barking Spider a call. He's riding around with Plodder and his wife in their Expedition. I had no idea where I was, so I ended up waiting till 9:30 and hiking back a mile to where they could find me at the bridge. We hit up the DQ just before it closed and the whole fiasco suddenly became worth it. The Holiday Motor Lodge where we were staying was a total dump, but the promise of a bed and a shower was equally worth it. I'm dog tired and I'm sure I smell like it, but I sit on top three podiums with records in the books. Hoorah!