morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-04-01
From: Franklin, NC

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Our 2nd Annual "APRIL FOOLS HIKER BASH" is in full swing here in Franklin, NC. Already, the turnout has far exceeded last year, as we have welcomed over 200 hikers in just 2 days! Ron Haven & myself started the Franklin Trailfest (renamed this year to April Fools Bash) in 2005 as a way to say "thanx" to all the hikers coming through Franklin... and even more, as just a time.. and a place to visit with those who have mabye hiked ahead or have fallen behind.   Some of the hikers this year include the "Hiker Trash" Clan! With Ledgends such as BALTIMORE JACK! LONEWOLF! PIRATE! & WILLY! Even Miss Janet may stop in!My role, as always... is the CHEF Im joined this year by my roomate here & fellow trail Ledgend, "Crutch" . . . the two of us... Real Chefs back in the real world at times have the following nightly menu ~ Fresh Cut Pork Chops with either a CRUTCH Maple Cranberry Glaze or SOLACE'S Apple Rum Chutney . . . both Excellent! OF course the Hamburgers, Hotdogs... but with sauteed garlic Peppers & Onions ~ CRUTCH has won the hearts of many with his fantastic POTATO SALAD, while SOLACE has been just as popular with his Natahala Sausage Cornbread Stuffing! MORE TO COME.... the fest runs through APRIL 3rd Cheers ~ Solace
Date: 2006-04-07
From: Scotia. New York

To: New York City
Miles today: 0.0

"Whoosh", "Whoosh",   WOW, is all I could think.. my heck.. It's a REAL LIVE FLUSHING TOILET! Being back in the "real world" has that affect on you.   Greetings from New York everyone, where Solace has made a "detour" for the moment to attend a job interview in New York City APRIL 11th ~ I left Franklin, NC on the 4th where Ron Haven & Crutch drove me down to Gainesville, GA to catch AMTRACK, (only 3 hrs late) Arriving into Albany the night of the 5th, I awoke to the train conductor yelling "Albany!", "Albany!" . . . Ole Solace had crashed... hard! SO, with my pack hoisted, I made my way up the escalator (what an invention!) to the station where I made my way to the restroom... (dressed in my hiker garb with a large pack on, unshaven with a walking stick). Here I am.. standing there in the restroom, when an eldery gentleman walks up beside me... "Are you ok young man?" . . . "Yes, I'm fine, thank you" "Do you need a ride son?" . . . "No... Sir, I'm not homeless, I've been walking the Appalachain Trail" "What's that?"   "It's a trail from Georgia to Maine!" "Oh, well, are you sure your ok son?" "YES, I ASSURE YOU I AM, I HAVE A RIDE COMING, NOW IF YOU DON'T MIND I'M ENJOYING THE SENSATION OF A FLUSHING TOILET FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 4 WEEKS!!!"   ~ The look on that guy's face was well . . . Priceless Indeed There were Mike & Cheryl to pick me up, there as always . . .      I sat last night, here @ my Tanta's (Aunt) house and looked south over a brilliant evening horizon. I may physically be here in New York for the moment.. but I assure you, that my very soul is there.... still on the trail ~ Leaving the trail is like leaving your family... like leaving a great sports game tied with just seconds left... Sitting here, listening to Allison Krauss, having a light beside me, and running water just yards away... it just dosen't seem right for the moment ~ But I had to come, a job this good dosen't come along often ~ And so come Monday, it's off to Vermont, to see best friend Ali, and then fly down to JFK on Tuesday.. (I'll even be shaved with a suit on!) And just for the day, I'll leave the pack and hiking staff at home. ~ These winds.... how magical they are, how comforting they can be... for now have carried me here, back home... and I know, will carry me back ~ *** My prayers to the family of "Phoenix", who passed away on the AT days ago, Godspeed to your spirit... wherever it may now soar ~      ~ Cheers for Life ~ Cheers for Friends ~ Cheers for real toilets ~                      Cheers for a walk in the woods, Solace
Date: 2006-08-11
From: Boston, Mass

To: Boston, Mass
Miles today: 0.0

August 11th, 2006   ~ While sitting at the airport here in Boston yesterday, amist the noise, the rukus of travelers as they passed by... everyone in such a hurry... to be "somewhere". For some the destination was a family waiting at home, perhaps some supper sitting on the stove when they got there, while for others it was a boardroom full of charts, hoping to impress and perhaps get ahead. And yet for some, the destination was simply "there", at the airport, with thier family right in front of them in a chilled glass with a fancy napkin and some cocktail nuts to boot.   All of us, no matter what, in the end I believe are looking for somthing. My problem is that... I am always looking for somthing MORE ~ Somthing not yet known about. A new place, a new face... a new smell, a new home... And that is why I continue to do what do, to never "drop anchor"... and continue on, looking for that port to someday call home.   The A.T. has always been safe waters for me.. a bit of a safe haven, if you will. There are no worries, no demands... just that place day after day, as my twin "KTR" so vastly puts it . . . "Where Your Soul Can Breathe" ~   The sun begins to dip a little eailer now as many friends whom I hiked with make thier way towards her ~   The days now having gone from the cold mornings and freezing nights of Dicks Creek Gap and Franklin, to the chilly mornings and cool evenings of Hot Springs to Erwin, of Damascus to Pearisburg. The long hot days from Daleville up through the Shenandoahs to the long steamy afternoons to Harpers Ferrys and the Berkshires. Up through the stunning Green Mountains of Vermont to the Magestic Whites of the Granite State that I call home ~   And now... each of you... on into the 100 mile stretch of wilderness where perhaps you discover why you have walked nearly 2,100 miles. You will soon summit her, in all her brightness, in all her glory... your destination soon to arrive, and your journey, still... never to end ~   Each of you has earned my applause, for I stand there... on a distant Mountaintop, applauding your journey... your strength, your courage.   You have come so far, and there is still so far to go.   To all of you who will summit her, I stand in silent Cheers... for the wind carries my applause, and this entry... my respect ~   You have Reached Farther ~ Congrats, SOLACE
Date: 2006-12-30
From: New York City

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Sitting here in te "hub" of it all... just 5 miles from TIMES SQUARE, NY... another year draws to a close. When friends ask of New Years Resolutions... well, they already know... even if it's for a week, a day... one step or a thousand... being back on the trail is the only resolution I will ever need ~ No doubt many of you will be "living it up" atop SPRINGER Mountain New Years Eve... there is always the "rumor" that each New Years Eve a party like no other takes place atop Springer... indeed... if only it were a RUMOR! Haha, enjoy y'all...   to each of you... A very happy & healthy new year... I'll see you out there... Cheers ~ SOLACE
Date: 2006-04-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

This is a flash back. The first entry of a journal. I'm going back this year to put a few more miles on the original attempt at a thru hike from 2004. People at home wanted to know if I'd have a journal site again. So, here it is. In preparation stage.Since I'll be starting where I left off, at the Mohican Outdoor Center, part of the planning is a sub trip planning on how to get me and my gear to either the MOC or at least to Delaware Water Gap. On top of not day dreaming about the trip as I work away at my day job. I'm just glad my boss is accommodating about my being gone for a month. Without pay, of course. But, hey, I'll be on the Trail. That is worthy or not complaining.So, now I get to tell everyone where they can keep up with me. It feel good to know I'll be out there again. It's been hard reading about the new batch out there this year. But I'll be out there.
Date: 2006-04-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, it's a funny thing to find myself planning two trips in all reality. The walking on the trail part is easy. It's the getting there and getting home that is being a buggaboo. I'd like to fly in and have some trail angel get me to the MOC and another to get me from hopefully Dalton to Boston to get me home to Texas in time to be back at work the next week. I've had a couple emails from some folk about rides and following up is slow since I'm such a poop about email. But I know that things will work out. The Force is with me.I've been working six hour days at work and then going out with my pack after work to the State park between work and home. I did six miles in the afternoon heat after working at the foundry. Not too shabby. It's the stairs days that are still kicking by fanny. But I have a month still to get in shape. Besides that, I plan on averageing twelve miles once on the trail. I'm a whimp. Besides, if I hold my expectations low, if I do better I'll be very grateful.For now, I get up and go to work. Everyone at the foundry is excited and ticked that I'll be gone for a month. What the heck. Not my problem. I only have one life to live and I want to get this trail under my belt. Then there is the routine of life. Haggling with contrators about fixing the bathroom floor after a leak and agrueing with myself about the food I want to carry on the trail. Talk about feeling like some split personality.Today, I'll "zero". No training walk. Too much poop to get done. People to see and places to go. Going into the Big City to run Big City errands. Be back later in the week with hopefully good news.Oh! Read Socks of 2005 journal about the stretch I am planning to do. I have an offer for rest space. That's one good thing. And playing tag with Pipesmoke. BearBehind's email is discontinued. If anyone knows Greg, tell him I'm looking to communicate.
Date: 2006-04-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Okay, so I've started telling people about the Trail Journal site. I guess I need to put a third entry so I'll be listed on the section hike area. And here it is, number three.Hopefully I'll have news about how I'm getting up that way. I read someguy took the bus from NYC to DWG. I'm willing to rewalk to MOC, so, I guess I need to find out how to get the bus from the airport.
Date: 2006-05-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Okay, so've got a really optimistic schedule and a pessimestic schedule. I know when I get out there, it will most likely be a combination scehdule.   But the best thing is that I have a ride from the airport (in Philly) to MOC.So I won't be rewalking the trail from DWG. That is a good thing I guess. I will post my optimistic schedule for maildrops. That way I know if I have an angel at home sending me homemade cookies, they will be waiting for me. I've been walking the park after work with my pack, loaded to twenty seven pounds, but that weight will change. Right now, I'm packing my winter sleeping bag. I have this idea for a summer bag that will weight in less. We'll see how that goes. I just know all the little incidentals will start sneaking in and put back anything I think I'm taking out.Now the effort is toward getting a ride home, or to an airport to get home. I have a few contacts that have made noises that I will have to pin down. Meanwhile, the weather in this stick of the woods is heading into Summer like. Hot and Humid. One of the days I went and did stairs, it started to rain with thunder and lightening. I stopped and pulled out the pack cover and rain jacket. Trudged up and down the stairs in the rain. It brought back some memories. But mostly I've been doing the trudging in the hot humid air of the afternoon. Good training.In the park recently I heard a big animal sound. I stopped and looked around and watched two deer bouncing off into the woods. That's one of the reasons I like being outdoors.I admit, I have trepidation about going back out. I got an email from Skirt from 04. She gave me encouraging words about getting back out there. I had an email from Socks of 05. She's offered shelter when I get up in her stick of the woods. My ride from Philly told me about some other folks from 04 that are in the neighborhood who would like to go out for pizza and beer before I head out. Maybe a good idea. Pysch myself.For now, the count down is happening.
Date: 2006-05-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Oh my, in one week, I¢ll be in Pennsylvania, getting my last day of civilization¢¦. or something to that effect.Am I ready? Basically. I finished my summer sleep system. It looks good. It sleeps well in the heat but I wonder about how low it will go. Last time I used an Army surplus poncho liner. One night it felt a tad cool. But it kept me warm pretty much every night. So my system uses a poncho liner. If all else fails, I can wrap up in my tarp.Food, well, is homemade dried foods. I¢ll be carrying tuna casserole, Shepherd¢s pie, Beef stew. Alternating each night with good old Ramen. I found out that those cheapo ramen noodles are deep fried to make the squares. Good old fat to burn. The vegetable garden is doing the too many squash. Today, I made zucchini sour cream bread and slices of it are in the dehydrator for lunch. I¢ve tried one. Yummy.Training has been good. I¢ll be weighing the final pack at work with the new sleep system and five days of food. After some modification, last week, the pack weighed in at 24 pounds with five days of food and no water. The sleep system weighs less then the sleeping bag so; I¢m feeling good about the pack.The getting to the trailhead is working out. Joe, Dado, from 2004 will pick me up and take me to MOC. The return trip is still hanging. I have a flight out of Albany on the 30th. I figure I¢ll step off in Dalton on the 28th of June. At the moment, I have a plan B. Dalton has a commuter bus to Pittsfield every hour on the hour. In Pittsfield I can take a bus to Albany. I¢ll be committing 29th for transporting self to Albany. If something better comes along, I¢ll take it.I have given my email to a number of folks. If the old stats prove true, I¢ll have a few folks rallying me at each email pickup. That would be good.I¢ve looked over the elevation topos. I feel good about the mileage. So, now I just have a week of work and pretrip anxiety to deal with. But at least, this year I won¢t be mooning over other people being on the trail. I get to be there too.
Date: 2006-06-04
From: Austin, Texas to Philly and ...

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Last preparation EntryI suppose this will be my last preparation entry. The next will be on the trail.Paul and I were up at the wee hours and made the Austin-Bergstrom IA for me to be there the requisite hour before. I learned the fine art of self service. I did fine until the search. I forgot about lighters. I had grabbed a Bic for the trail and had it on me. Now I'll have to buy another now that I'm here in PA.The first leg went smoothly, got to O'Hare with what I thought an hour for my connection. The gate keeper sent me to H11. Where I found out I needed to be at a whole different terminal. I ran and got there only to find out the flight was an hour and half late.   Was able to contact Dad-o before he headed out. Glad we talked and he had mentioned it would take him an hour to get to the airport.Then there was a mix up when I got to Philly but I was able spot him. He had his hiking poles. Nice touch.We got to his place and we had a nice evening chatting about the trail. What his was like after we split up back in '04. Dinner with Welsh Nomad and her husband, Andrew. Heard about her adventures.Dad-o and I stayed up and looked at his scrap book and watched the video Appalachian Impressions up to where I'll get off this year. Should be interesting.Dad-o's concern is that I'm ahead of the bulk of the group, but I confessed that is one of the reasons I'm up here. I wanted some alone time. As if it's possible. If this area is like the park I've been training on, I won't be alone. When I walked the trails at home, the week after Memorial weekend, there were people even during the week. Folks are already vacationing.In some ways, it was sad talking with Dad-o. He has had some major medical problems and was finally diagnosed with ALS. He had had to rethink about what he plans for retirement. We talked about how plans change in life.All in all, it's nice here at Dad-o's place. I can hear the birds I remembered from the trail. The trees are lush and tall and green. A chill in the air. Glad my other shirt is a summer weight long sleeve.And a last hot shower until Vernon and off to bed in a real bed. Really feel grateful for Dad-o and his wife for putting me up.The morning will be exciting. I should be able to hit the trail by noon. I'm excited.Namaste'
Date: 2006-06-05
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Buttermilk Falls
Miles today: 10.2

One mile past Buttermilk falls:Okay, so I got on the trail at 12:30. I slept in at Dad-o's, until 7:00.   Let him sleep abit more. We headed out for Camp road about 9:30. We stopped for early lunch at a pizza place before the turn off to Mohican. It was okay.   The drive was pleasant enough. The sun was out, some clouds. Dad-o had gotten directions from the Internet. I navigated. The day was cool and I had put on the long sleeves. A mistake down the trail. Dad-o told me if I had any problems in NJ or NY, to give him a call. I told him I'd let him off.   Won¢t have problems.   The walk started uphill with rocks. I was starting to wonder what the heck I was thinking when I decided to do this. But the terrain smoothed out. It's still early spring and there are alot of flowers blooming. Didn't bring the flower book so I could only identify the ones I already knew, columbine, azaleas, blueberries, black berries, penstomen, iris, rhododendrons. The hills were just short enough that when I thought I must be nuts for doing this, a nice road bed would show up. Peeked over down to the river a few times. Saw some most excellent camp sites but I felt it was too early.   I have some visitors; two deer are standing about twenty feet away, snorting at me. I think my camp spot must be a bed down area. Tough, it's mine tonight. Wild life seen today, one fawn and three deer, counting the two who are staring me down right now. And lots and lots of caterpillars. I can't help but wonder if the sound of something falling in the woods that sound like rain drops might be caterpillars falling from the trees. They hang from strings from the trees. I guess I'll just have to get over my instinctual fear of fuzzy thangs. As I sit here, I feel things on me and I have to look before swat. Squashed caterpillars are double gross. I just pick them off and toss them. The only reason I put up the tarp is so I won't have them falling on me as I sleep. Yucky.   At Blue Lake Mtn road, ran into the ridge runner for this section, Bruce. He let me know up ahead were nine section hikers and three thru hikers. We talked some about the water and the camping situation. I topped off my water and headed north and he went south. Maybe a quarter mile north of Buttermilk Falls turn off, two of the section hikers were settling in. I decided to walk another half hour, one mile, maybe. Looking at the handbook, maybe I should have walked a bit more, but I want to be able to walk tomorrow. So, maybe ten miles today. Not shabby for an old girl like me.   So, after dinner, pull out the trash novel and read abit before going to sleep. I sure hate daylight saving time. But I bet I won't have a problem going to sleep tonight, except to hope my tarp doesn't fall in on me, the weight of falling caterpillars ya know. Ha! Namaste'
Date: 2006-06-06
From: Buttermilk Fall Trail

To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: light rain

Gren Anderson ShelterReally painful to stop with so much day time left, but I don't want to get hurt, so a second ten mile day. I can afford to do this since I started a day before I thought I'd get on the trail.Woke up at five AM this morning. I thought it was too early, so turned over and tried to go back to sleep. After tossing and turning for forty minutes, I figured I'd just get up and go. Took my time breaking camp. The tarp held up against the caterpillars. Made my instant coffee and hot muesli. Checked the info for the next water. I calculated that within half and hour I would get to water. And off I went.The water showed up where I figured. Ahh, the ritual of the gathering of water. I filter carefully. I load up. The terrain wasn't bad. The weather was pleasant enough. Met other folks on the trail. One couple section southbound. The couple I met last night are Rocky and Swamp Fox. She's finishing up some skipped sections from last year's attempt at a thru hike.Stopped at Culver's Gap to check out the replacement for Worthington's, Joe To Go. There I met my first thru hikers, Mawee and Pawee. I got a hot turkey and bacon and a quart of grape Gatorade. The next batch of hikers he turned away. He said he'd been up since three and was tired. I don't know about this. They trucked down to Gyp's Tavern. Joe stayed open for locals but chased off other hiker who showed up. Maybe my skirt confused him.Climbed out of Culver's gap and got to the Fire tower. At that point I knew I had one mile to the shelter so I took the time to climb to the top. Very nice view.Got here at two. It feels early. It is early. But I got to rinse out my socks and my skirt. Nothing like squashed caterpillar on my butt. At Culvers Gap, got news that it might rain tonight and all day tomorrow. Maybe a good night to shelter.Wild animals for today besides caterpillars, wild turkey. And here at the shelter, chipmunks and squirrels.People met, Thru hikers, Mawee and Pawee, Tent Peg Greg, Mr.Rogers and Tree Girl. Section hikers, Rocky and Swamp Fox. Some guys headed south are tenting close by, promising to come by to chat after their tents are up.Tent Peg sat and chatted for awhile. Red Headed had an external frame pack. He's moving on to Mashipacong. Filled up with water since there is no water at that shelter.Tonight, be serious about bear bagging. There is a sign here with bold letters saying, YOU ARE IN BEAR COUNTRY. Okay.Namaste'
Date: 2006-06-20
From: CT4

To: Bethel, Connecticut
Miles today: 0.0

June 20, Bethel, Connecticut Woke up five as usual. Cornwall is a blip in the map. I figure nothing would be open, so back to sleep after sending off some emails. Woke up to the phone ringing. It's Socks (2005). She offers to come pick me up and I can stay at her home until I can walk or I end up with a doctor's decree that the trail is dead for this year. She had just flown in from the west coast. It's very sweet of her to come rescue me. But she gets to the hotel before the checkout time; off we go to her home in Bethel. First we drive by the trail and leave a note for Giggles just in case she walks by. Gosh, I hate doing that. Once here we talk about what I want to do. Apparently there is no convenient place like a doc in the box or urgent care facility. I make a decision, take off for today and if it isn't better by tomorrow, I will go to the emergency room. She shows me to where I'll call home for today. I end up crawling back into a bed and sleep more with my foot up in the air. When I wake up, I'm disoriented. This is a home, not a hotel! Then I remember I am at Sock's home. She is on the computer reading trail journals. She's keeping track of a number of folks. So, for some clarifications. JerseyGirl isn¢t hiking with her grandmother. IrishGypsy is a fellow member of her congregation. Now I know that girl is an angel in disguise. Cantaloupe¢s style of hiking hasn't changed from last year. She does as she does. If I get back on the trail tomorrow, I may yet see some of the FriaryBoys again. I hope I can catch up with Giggles but I think it will be a long shot.I am eternally grateful to Socks for putting me up today. I even get a doggie fix. His name is Seven. A mutt. But a sweetie altogether. I've had my foot taped and taking Ibuprofen. I spend time laying on the couch with my foot on the arm rest. Tonight I sleep with it up in the air again. We'll see where it is in the morning. Namaste'