morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-03-12
From: Campsite a mile past Rice Field Shelter 

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: overcast clouds

A brisk morning but I¢ve gotten used to it. I have more room in this tent and can virtually pack up everything but the tent itself before going outside in the cold. The system I developed on the AT has worked many cold mornings ever since¢¦in the High Sierras on the JMT, and the CT, OHT and OT.The morning was pretty easy. It was interesting to come up on the junction of the Allegheny Trail out in the middle of the woods. I might just look into doing this one soon as it runs 300+ miles into PA. I took short breaks at Pine Swamp and Bailey Gap shelters. The climb between the shelters was hard¢¦mostly straight up a thousand feet the last mile without swithchbacks. Then came the rocks and boulders. I forgot just how aggravating they were in this part¢¦they seemed to never end. Some of the other trails will move them around to make a path through the boulder fields¢¦not here.After Bailey Gap it was another 500¢ up to the ridge line where it was then short ups and downs along and in and out of the ridge boulders. I still got to War Spur an hour before dark. Since no one else was around I set the tent up inside the shelter (see picture above)   I will leave one flap up to help control the condensation.Did not see one living thing today¢¦Look!...there¢s a sign post up ahead¢¦it¢s The Twilight Zone!
Date: 2006-03-13
From: War Spur Shelter

To: Niday Shelter 
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Good decision to put the tent up in the shelter last night. A cold front moved in with plenty of showers overnight. It¢s supposed to be cooler today with highs in the 50¢s and gradual clearing¢¦unless that was a dream I had last night. I am sleeping so well but I¢ve been having very vivid dreams this hike. My dreams are always weird¢¦but not all that exciting¢¦and they are a work in progress. Last night we were having guests stay over at the house and we didn¢t have enough bedrooms. All of a sudden the house was a mansion and so big that everyone was getting lost.Today was like the first two days in that I ran out of energy again. Right out of the shelter it was a five mile 1,500¢ climb up White Rock and Kelly Knob. I have a tendency to hike the climbs too fast early in the morning feeling like I can hike fast all day. Then sometimes like today, I take breaks and start to get tired by mid day¢¦not good. I mean, I¢m not exhausted or anything¢¦I just don¢t feel like I can go on forever like yesterday. So it was only eighteen miles today.After dropping down to Sinking Creek Valley I kept looking for the Keffer Oak. I remember Charlie and me asking each other if we had seen it when we hiked together here in ¢03. Somehow we missed it.   Well, I shouldn¢t admit this, but the stile you take over the fence is attached to the Keffer Oak and you absolutely CANNOT MISS IT. Located .02 mile north of VA 630, it is the largest oak tree on the AT.Now I know where all the damned oak leaves came from. I¢m not exaggerating, I have waded through oak leaf ¢drifts¢ up to my crotch (not trying to be crude, but I wanted to give you an accurate reading). Anyway, the picture here doesn¢t do it justice. It is over 300 years old and when last measured, the girth was 18 feet 3 inches.It seemed like I was stopping for snacks all afternoon. I have finally obtained a ¢hiker¢s appetite¢ and am eating more than my day¢s allotment. Oh well.After stopping for a short break, at Sarver Hollow Shelter (3400¢), I hiked on six miles to Niday Shelter (1800¢) where I again ¢tented¢ in the shelter.I can¢t get over how well my ULA P1 pack has held up. It¢s been with me every mile except for the OT and two weeks in ¢04 when I tried a couple of Six Moons¢ packs. It has performed meticulously. I love it almost as much as my Feathered Friends sleeping bagAh love my music¢¦I¢ve got to keep goin¢¦traveling down this lonesome road¢¦I¢ll be rollin with the flow¢¦going where the lonely go.I¢m in the Twilight Zone.
Date: 2006-03-15
From: Catawba Mtn Shelter

To: US220 Daleville VA
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Nothing spectacular about today¢s hike unless you consider the fact that I didn¢t lose any gear or get lost. I¢ve said it before, I don¢t know how I have done as well as I have at backpacking.   On this walk alone, I¢ve lost my gloves, eye glasses, a voice recorder, Chap Stick¢¦it goes on and on. I said in one of my journal entries that the reason I like to hike is ¢I finally found something I can do¢¢¦well¢¦some might take issue with that statement¢¦I¢m still pissed about leaving my $35 gloves at that water source. And losing my $200 sun glass¢¦that¢s enough to ruin your day.At least you can¢t lose any of the ¢big three¢¢¦your tent, sleeping bag or backpack. Well, that is unless you count the time I went to The Gathering in Hanover and forgot to pack my sleeping bag¢¦had to buy a new one when I got there. "Maybe I'll start tonight and do things right"Having said that, I am pretty proud of doing the Ouachita Trail in January without any preplanning. I just bought the book and drove to the trail the same day and started hiking. I only had one mail drop and was hiking amidst a major draught¢¦ahh¢¦living on the edge!And I don¢t carry and study maps. So there. I¢d rather not know about that all day climb ahead of me. When I¢m exhausted from climbing, I¢d rather come around the bend and swear at the trail when I find out I¢ve got an even more difficult climb facing me. Along side the trail today I noticed this old rusty horse drawn sickle mower. (See picture above) It makes one wonder how in the hell anyone ever found anything to mow on this boulder covered ridge. Now those were the days. Life was simple. You got up worked the ground, fed the chickens sat around the fire¢¦I can just envision it¢¦Ma, Pa and the kids thanking the Lord for everything and asking, ¢Does it get any better than this?¢ Of course, Pa¢s teeth fell out by the time he dropped out of school at age ten¢¦and half the ¢clan¢ was dead by age 30¢¦but it was a simpler less complicated life.And for those of you who can¢t understand how someone can listen to music on a MP3 player and enjoy being alone in the woods at the same time¢¦well, as the song says, ¢you can tell me where to go, but you can¢t tell me what to do.¢Note: I have edited out remarks here that could be deemed offensive to some. When I got to the motel I turned on the TV and they were talking about Debra Laferve, the school teacher who got involved with one of her students, Although the remarks may not have explicitly violated the site rules, they may have done so implicitly. I tried to make them humorous had hoped those of you who got to read them got a laugh out it. I apologize to anyone who was offended by the remarks.Sorry, I got kind of sidetracked there. Got to the motel in Daleville around three. It was cold and breezy. I noticed it most when I was running back and forth from my room to the laundry room naked when doing my wash.It was a Best Western in ¢03 and is now a Howard Johnson Express. Very ¢hiker friendly.¢ I do believe they charged me less this time than in ¢03.I just love taking a hot shower.
Date: 2006-03-16
From: US220 Daleville VA

To: Zero Day Home
Miles today: 0.0

After considering the not so hot weather forecast for M-W of next week, I decided to hitch back to Marion today, get my vehicle and go home and do the taxes. It turned out to be not the greatest decision when I could have been on the Trail Saturday and Sunday that ended up being decent hiking days. I¢ve also got to make a final decision whether to come back and hike the AT again this summer or do another Trail. I think I have waited too late to do the Arizona Trail since I won¢t be getting back out until May. When I do it, I¢m going to buy and carry a GPS to put in the map coordinates. I¢ll watch the weather trend but I don¢t want to end up hiking around the Grand Canyon when it¢s over a hundred degrees.In the morning I went to the Post Office to get the parka out of my bounce box and forward the other drop box home. It was cold, even in the sun when you aren¢t walking. The Postmaster was retiring and they were having a little customer appreciation thing¢¦coffee, cookies, cakes, etc. Worked out pretty good as I stood around and chatted with them while enjoying some treats. They seemed happy to have me particiapte.It took me three rides to get back to the Forrest Service District Office near Marion¢¦two short ones and the last guy who took me right to the door of my car. I always try to thank the folks by their first name here in my journal who gave me a ride that day, but I lost my voice recorder which I used to store the names. The only one I¢m not sure of is the first guy, but I¢m pretty sure he doesn¢t visit the internet. He¢s more of a ¢git-er dun¢ type if you know what I mean. In fact, he said he wasn¢t going anywhere (that's interestng) and he turned around just to take me south a couple of exits where he thought it would be easier for me to hitch. He had a CB in his pickup that he used to let the 18 wheeler ahead of us know when it was okay to pull back over in the right lane after passing.Ah, those were the good ole days¢¦¢BREAKER!...BREAKER ONE NINE!¢ Did I ever mention I¢m going to truck drivers school this fall/winter? Thought it might be fun but the problem will be staying in shape so I can still hike when I want to.The second ride was with Tom, a young student at Virginia Tech. We had a nice chat while we progressed a couple more exits. Thanks Tom!The third ride was the best, but not so easy.   It was one like I used to get on my thru hike. I must have hitched for an hour without any luck when I decided to go across the street and have a late breakfast at the Waffle House. After a great breakfast I went back to the ramp. Almost as soon as I put out my thumb, I got a ride with this guy who owns a big radio station down here. His name was Tom also¢¦a really great guy who talked with me the whole trip. I emailed his station when I got back, but in case he reads this I want to thank him again here.
Date: 2006-03-17
From: Zero Day Home

To: Zero Day Home
Miles today: 0.0

After Tom dropped me off I hopped in my car, turned on my satellite radio and pushed the gas pedal to the floor, anxious to get home to see my dog and my honey (not necessarily in that order.)I hear this advertisement, ¢All Delta flights out of Nashville to anywhere in the continental U.S. are $49 today only. Some kind of customer appreciation thing. Well, anyone who knows me knows I can¢t pass up a bargain. An hour and a half later I¢m on a plane to Cleveland.About a half hour into the flight we pass through some severe weather. The plane is rocking back and forth and everything is being tossed about¢¦I couldn¢t believe the turbulence, it was awful.Well things went from bad to worse when the left wing gets struck by lightning.In the front of the plane, this somewhat attractive woman gets scared and really starts to lose it.She panics, unbuckles and stands up screaming, ¢I¢m too young to die! The steward, who is buckled in the back, yells at her to shut up and sit down.This is incredible. I wouldn¢t have believed it had I not been there.The next thing, she screams out, ¢Well, if I¢m going to die, I want my last few minutes to be memorable! Is there any man on this plane who can make me feel like a WOMAN?¢For a moment there is silence¢¦everyone stares at her in disbelief. Nobody says or does anything.Well, I¢ve always been told I am tall, dark and handsome. Hell, I¢m a hiker and my muscle tone has never been better¢¦what the hell¢¦I stand up and start walking slowly up the aisle.I slip off my power top and begin slowly unbuttoning my long sleeve shirt¢¦one button at a time (see the picture of me wearing it in my OHT journal)No one moves¢¦I remove my shirt¢¦Muscles ripple across my chest¢¦Beads of sweat highlite my pecs¢¦The woman gasps¢¦.As I get closer she reaches out her hand to me¢¦.I extend my hand¢¦..And softly whisper¢¦..¢Iron this and get me a beer.¢We pass through the turbulence, things calm down and we arrive in Cleveland ten minutes behind schedule.Whew! Was I glad to get home where things were back to normal. Note: Originally this entry went on to tell a "humorous" story about my "welcome home." After reviewing the rules, I have determined that it was inappropiate for this site. Although the explicit was not a problem the implicit could be deemed offensive by some. I hope those that read it got a laugh, but I do apologize to anyone who it offended. I am leaving in the above "story" about my flight. I welcome comments at my email address.
Date: 2006-03-18
From: Zero Day Home

To: Zero Day Home
Miles today: 0.0

Okay, so you're still reading this after yesterday's entry...I thought it was funny...but then, I don't always laugh at the same things you do either. Cum on Dotty lighten up a little...everybody's always complaining about how boring these journals can be...got up a six...ate this...ate that...stayed here...stopped at this shelter...stayed at that one...blah, blah, blah. Hey, how about sending me your email address and we can further this discussion...I'd like to know where you're coming from. I'd thank you for the honest feedback had you had enough integrity to send along your email address. Remember, it's a GUEST Book and you are an UNINVITED guest when you sign it without a return address...you're like those Jehova Whitnesses that knock on my door...they probably mean well but they're imposing, rude amd nausiating. I'll make a deal with you...I'll not impose my values on you if you can keep from imposing your's on me. I'll bet there's another journal around here somewhere that fits you perfectly. At least Marsha liked it...thanks Marsha. But to be fair Marsha is part of the hiking cult...as Julia refers to us. I have a hand full of hiking buddies out there who I respect...you know who you are...email me privately with your opinion and I will take it into consideration. I'm not saying I'll delete the entries but I might just be convinced. (Mom, you stay out of this) Anyone know the record for consecutive Zero Day journal entries?I am now looking at the Mountains to Sea or the Allegheny Trail as a possibility for May. If not, maybe one of them this fall. I also want to re-hike the JMT sometime. I could do that trail every year and never get bored with it.   I like the way we did it...September...after school is back in session when the second ranch lets you stay with them.The weather doesn't look all that great on the AT right at the moment, so maybe it wasn't such a bad idea to take a "tax break."
Date: 2006-03-19
From: Zero Day Home

To: Zero Day Home
Miles today: 0.0

I edited yesterday's journal with some comments to one of my fan's Guest Book entries. Go back and read it when you have a chance.By the way, they recently did a nice interview with Leif over on Trailcast (www.trailcast.org)...you should listen to it when you get the chance. He talks about how he and Zipdrive developed Trailjournals into what it is today. It was very well done and you can understand how this has become the premier website for backpackers and trail hikers.One thing I have failed to mention in this particular journal, and it is just my opinion, you have absolutely no right to participate in any of the discussions here until you have made on-going financial committment to this site...both readers and journalists. Even if you only find it entertaining, you are on the "honor system" here.I've said it before, it was Big Red, Two Scoops, Blaze and Funky Avocados' journals in '02 that inspired me...I'd still be doing day hikes in the Adirandacks and the Smokies if it weren't for them.The other thing is the hiker friends I have made and continue to stay in touch with...and that' something you can't put a dollar amount on.
Date: 2006-03-20
From: Zero Day Home

To: Zero Day Home
Miles today: 0.0

Okay, things are going well here at the house. Julia and I had a great "do nothing" type weekend. They moved a "famous" local rib restaurant from Vermilion (ten miles away) to just around the corner from us...and I had a coupon for a free appetizer so we went there on Friday. It was good, but I still like the ribs at Tony Romas and Damons better.I did get some of the taxes done...that's what I should be doing right now. One investment that has been particularly good to us is Cedar Fair, LP (FUN) It owns and operates amusement and water parks around the country including Cedar Point here in Ohio and Knots Berry Farm in California. It pays a 5% dividend and has raised it every year since inception. Because it is a limited partnership, you do not necessarily report any of the dividends as income (you share in depreciation, charitable gifts, etc). They send you detailed instructions each year to use in doing your taxes. We've owned and added to in fact, for 12 years as part of a diversified portfolio. Check it out. The company I retired from, Delphi Corp, is in bankruptcy procedings, still going head to head with the UAW, and who knows what will happen there. You may have heard. GM and Delphi are losing billions "with a capital B." Fortunately, I have enough savings to hike until I'm dead.I cannot not mention my lovely wife Julia of whom I'm particularly proud. I joke about it a lot, but she wants to keep working for now. She has a very good job. She will do some day hikes but that's about it. When I'm not out hiking, everyday as she leaves for work she says, "Have a nice day sweetie...just relax and enjoy yourself."Okay, now that I've discussed my personal life, the picture above is the pond twenty miles north of Atkins where Charlie and I camped in '03. It had a nice spring at the "north" end and some good camping spots in the woods on the other side.
Date: 2006-03-27
From: Zero Day Home

To: Zero Day Home
Miles today: 0.0

I am running out of photos so this could be one of the last posts until I return to the trail.Remember my little rant to Dotty about her critical remarks in MY GUEST book. Well, she had enough integrity to email me. We then exchanged a couple of more emails.This is one honest woman...she sees my journal entries as displeasing, offensive, disgusting, repugnant, revolting, sickening, obnoxious, odious, disagreeable, reprehensible, detestable, shocking, horrible, horrid, hidious, repellent, nausiating, invidious, and nauseous. She thinks I'm a dreadful, terrible, ghastly, low, foul, bad, indecent, nasty, dirty, malignant, rancid, feculent, lousy, putrid, vile, impure, coarse, noxious, damnable, piece of s@#$.Whew! For awhile I thought she mistook me for Dick Cheny.That is until she called me a self absorbed, conceited idiot. Then I knew she was on target.I have to admit that on rare occasions I can recall certain members of my family referencing me as goshawful, pewy, icky, unpalatable, contamintated, unsympathic, macarbe and feculent. Nothing Dotty said bothered me until she started to attack my ancestry. That's where I had to draw the line.But my lovely wife Julia thinks I'm wonderful and that's all that counts... "We're still havin fun and you're still the one."Seriously,I have to say Dotty is one very intelligent woman who stands up for what she believes in. (Just don't do it in my Guest Book) She just wants to edit my journal and I won't let her. BTW, Not one of you silent critics out there sent me an email (you don't have to sign the Guest Book you know)...but, come to think of it, that could be because no one else is reading it.I think I have lost a fan. Reminds me of one of my favorite tunes, "God may forgive you but I won't...Yes, Jesus loves you but I don't....I won't even try...ewh...ewwwwwwhh...ewwwwwwwwhhh..................Good Bye.
Date: 2006-03-28
From: Zero Day Home

To: Zero Day Home
Miles today: 0.0

Note: The discussion originally posted here was edited on April 3rd. Although it contained material that should not be deemed offensive (it was on television), it could be deemed implicitly offensive to some, and not appropriate for this site. I hope that those who did read it got a laugh out of it and I apologize to anyone who was offended by it.The topic was my real name...and I am not changing it.In regards to my trail name, you may have read how I got it on my shakedown hike in '02...it was a play on my last name. I've gotten a few laughs out of it, expecially when I introduced myself to those who gave me a ride.Honestly, I'm a little tired of it. This could be a convenient breaking point where I let the Trail come up with a new one (with my approval of course). I said "the Trail" so don't be sending along any suggestions.In case your wondering, I don't intend to start another journal with a "fake name."
Date: 2006-03-29
From: Zero Day Home

To: Zero Day Home
Miles today: 0.0

You may have missed some of my previous humor on this hike. I have done some self examination/editing after re-reading the site rules.I am a big, big fan of Trail Journals and want to support it in any way I can. And I don't expect any kind of special treatment just because I've donated a few bucks. ZipDrive and Leif are two of the finest young men I have ever met...very intelligent and considerate. It is their site and they know how it should be administered. I have to respect the rules along with everyone else. They don't deserve any problems from me or you. Therefore I have gone back and done some editing of remarks that were inappropriate. If you see something that you feel I've missed, email me and I'll take it into consideration. Note: Originally, there was a paragraph here with my thoughts regarding the forum discussion about gay hikers. Even though it had to do with hikers, it was more of a politcial rant and was probably not appropriate for this site. Therefore, it was edited out on 4/4/2006. I am adding the following personal opinion...if I see LightShow flashing me that peace sign one more time I'm gonna kill myself. I have a picture of her giving me the finger that I'll be happy to send Trail Journals if they will use it as a replacementI still haven't got my taxes done.