morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-03-30
From: Zero Day Home

To: Final Trail Journal Entry
Miles today: 0.0

When I first started following Trail Journals in '02, it was "my new life." I would spend virtually all of my free time following the hikes of Big Red, Blaze, Two Scoops, Funky Avacado, ?yossarian and others.When ?yossarian stopped journaling abrupty in the middle of his thru-hike it really bothered me. He was the one who did the intelligent "Thought for the Day" at the end of each entry. Since I won't be journaling anymore, I feel I owe those of you that have supported me in my guest book a thank you and a good bye.I'm bowing out of TJ because my journaling has pretty much ran its course...served its purpose if you will. I can't keep it fresh, at least in my mind I can't...if that makes any sense.Maybe if I'm not worried about journaling, I won't be so hung up on "how many miles I did today."There were some good forum discussions about which journals were worth following recently, and mine wasn't one of them.When I first started following hikers in '02 there were half as many and not a lot of good journals. Today, there are twice as many and some very good reads.The other thing about my journals is I'm too whiney. I get tired by the afternoon or I haven't eaten right or I'm wet or I'm too hot...you know what I mean. It goes against my credibility when I contradict myself. Everything else will go on as before. I will continue to hike and backpack until I am dead. It's all I want to do. I love it more than life itself.On my about page in my '03 journal, I thanked those hikers I followed in '02...Big Red, Blaze, Two Scoops, Funky Avacado, yossarian...you guys inspired and entertained me at the same time.I feel I owe everything to ZipDrive and Leif. I can't tell you how many times I have thought about what my life could have been had they not created this wonderful website. I mean it, if it wasn't for them I would not have discovered the AT, retired early and found the only thing I love to do. I will continue to support and read Trail Journals as long as its here and I'm alive.By the way this has absolutely nothing to do with my jokes, the censorship discussion or anything else...I've been contemplating this for some time.I'll stay in touch with many of you. I will let the trail give me a new trail name. If I see you out there in a trail town let me buy you a beer.Thanks again.Take Care & Hike On!
Date: 2006-04-04
From: Final Trail Journal Entry

To: Final Final Journal Entry
Miles today: 0.0

In an effort to salvedge my reputation as a hiker willing to play by the rules, I have gone back and made numerous corrections to this journal. I will continue to review my postings and make corrections/changes as necessary.Later today I read the Guest Book entry from Snow Stomp. Even though he didn't give the email address that I want before I respond,I will answer it because he asked a good question, "was I being pressured to go back and edit my journal." It might appear as though I was because I have been constantly editing the last couple of daysAbsolutely not...no one not even the readers. I have a tendency to overeact and it was all me just playing around with my journal. It probably has something to do with me not being able to make a "clean break" like I said I was going to do. Since I wasn't doing journal entries, the edits were my "nicotine patch." But the reason I'm glad you asked is I, on my own, took the rules of the Forum and began applying them to my journal. That was stupid and I shouldn't have done that. I also used Dotty's remarks as an excuse to "pout" a little. Having said that, I do think I had gone a bit too far with the jokes. A couple of changes needed to be made. I made them and I should have stopped there...I just got a little carried away, that's all.I can get a little self-centered and (uh this hurts) selfish...One of the reasons I kept a journal to begin with is so Julia and my parents could follow me. It made my Mom feel better about me being out with the bears and I probably should continue it for that reason alone.This and some really gracious feedback from others have me thinking about keeping it up. I was honest when I indicated I was a bit "burnt out," but what the hey, I should just "hike my own hike."
Date: 2006-04-07
To: Zeroing
Miles today: 0.0

First, you should know by now that with my journals you have had this rare opportunity to get inside of me. One of my many faults is ¢wearing my feelings on my sleeve¢¢¦this journal being the ¢sleeve¢ when I¢m on the Trail. I¢m sure I subconsciously try to disguise the things that I think make me look bad (like everyone else) but, for the most part, I just write what comes to mind, especially if I think it¢s humorous.Any kind of a journal is a very personal thing and every one is different because every one of us is different. I enjoy going back and reading my journals myself¢¦ how else could I get them over a thousand hits? Here¢s where I¢m at. I think I owe it to my parents to continue keeping a journal¢¦it means something to them. My Mom¢s best friend, Billie, is pretty much confined to the house and she also enjoys reading my journals (go figure). Billie, I am dedicating this ¢06 journal to you along with my Dad. (BTW, when Billie was following my thru-hike in ¢03, she also requested copies of Liteshoe¢s journal¢¦if you can believe that¢¦no lie!)Several of you also wrote and said you liked my style and that makes it easier to come back. Thank you. Of course, I never really left, did I. Just messing with you. Thanks again for letting me know you liked it. And then there is Dotty¢¦uh¢¦well¢¦maybe if I clean up my act she¢ll forgive me¢¦but, that¢s not likely¢¦that I¢ll clean up my act, that is.Last couple of days I have been with my Parents in Northwest Ohio. My father was admitted to the hospital Wednesday with a pulmonary embolism. At first, we thought it was a collapsed lung until they got a good look at him. His 84th is Sunday. Other than this blood clot thing, he is in amazingly good health. They live in the country and he stays active cutting firewood, mowing the grass and just keeping busy outside in general.   We think he is ¢out of the woods¢ and may get out by Sunday. The picture above is from last September when I took my folks on a motor home trip out west.   If everything looks good and I ever get my damn taxes done, I¢ll return to the AT earlier than I thought¢¦next week. I can always run home on short notice.If you think my humor is bad, you need to hang out with Dad, here are a couple examples¢¦.We¢re out for a drive and we pass a cemetery. He looks over and says, ¢That¢s the last place I want to go.¢We¢re shopping for something and find it at a great sale price and he says, ¢That would be cheap at half the price.¢Happy Birthday Dad and a speedy recovery! We Love You!
Date: 2006-04-11
From: Zeroing

To: Still Zeroing
Miles today: 0.0

I'm still at home. I should be back on the trail, Thursday at the latest. Dad is doing well as they have moved him a from directly across from the nurses station to a double. We thought he would be going home yesterday, but he had a spike in his temperature. He needs to get some strenght back too.I have to tell you a quick story. Remember the March 5th entry where I talked about buying this "retirement home" on my way to the wedding. I even posted a picture and told how much I paid for it. Well, both Mom & Dad fell for it hook, line, and sinker. They thought I was serious and were much relieved when they found out I pulled one on them. So, I got a laugh out of it. I'm not so sure burn didn't fall for it too...but, you never know about that guy. If he didn't his guest book entry helped authenticate it. Anyone else want to own up to it?...might make my folks feel better. I thought the give away was when there was no parking around the trailers and they didn't have any foundations. Let's hope they don't try to get even with a nice son like me.The picture above is our dog. Julia named her Casey, which I think is too common. I call her "poochy" or "nubby nubs."
Date: 2006-04-13
From: US220 Daleville VA

To: Fullhardt Knob Shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Dad is recovering nicely, my taxes are done (refund should be direct deposited soon) and I am finally back, resuming my ¢06 AT hike. The plan is still to complete the remainder of my section hike of the AT this year, thus having re-hiked the entire Trail from Georgia to Maine in addition to my ¢03 thru-hike.Thanks to all the well wishers. Dad is under strict orders from me to take his medication and do what the doctors tell him. He is a ¢young¢ 84 and we want to see him back bowling, chopping firewood and enjoying his outdoor activities.Over the next few days you will read about some¢¦well,¢¦first time not so pleasant experiences. Nothing that bad that it detracted from my enthusiasm for backpacking and love of the AT.I also ¢experimented¢ and came up with a new trail name that I used while on the Trail. For now I will leave it there and continue this journal as ¢Skeemer.¢The drive down from Ohio went well and I parked the car at Mom & Pop¢s motel in Glasgow where I should arrive in a couple of days. No one is on site and the property along with the closed restaurant is up for sale.I hitched a ride back out to the freeway with a nice local guy named David. We got to talking and I ended up paying him to shuttle me down to Daleville. He is being laid off from his job of ten plus years due to a plant closing. Manufacturing jobs are becoming more and more scarce¢¦in the foreseeable future they will all be gone.I had David drop me off at the outfitter near the trail I was hiking by 5 pm and at the shelter with my tent set up a couple of hours later. Here I met a ¢local guy¢ and a ¢06 thru-hiker called ¢Moleman.¢ I really enjoyed the walk across the open meadows and cow pastures in the warmth of the setting sun. It was great to be back on the Trail.
Date: 2006-04-14
From: Fullhardt Knob Shelter

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: overcast clouds

It¢s great to back on the Trail¢¦and in a good mood.The Trail now weaves back and forth over the Blue Ridge Parkway. Years ago, before I became ¢hiker trash,¢ we would vacation in Shenandoah National Park (up the way a bit) and we would drive the length of the Parkway and the Skyline Drive; often day hiking some of the side trails and parts of the AT.I got out of the bag at 6:15 and was on the Trail an hour later, stopping for breaks at Wilson Creek Shelter (6.2m) and Bobblets Gap Shelter (15.5m) around 1 pm before reaching Cove Mtn Shelter (19.9m) at 4:30.The Trail dropped about a thousand feet then climbs back; then up and down several hundred feet at a time the rest of the day. The sun was out and I felt good all day. I am getting good at carrying just the right amount of water and actually paying attention to where my water sources will be for the day¢¦go figure. Hint¢¦this has something to do with my new ¢trail name.¢I was the first to arrive at Cove Mountain Shelter. I found the register which confirmed it has been taken over by a dozen different insects and creatures¢¦bumble bees¢¦hornets?...wasps:¢¦termites?...mice, just to name a few. There was dirt all over the place. Not a problem for me as I am tenting (see my tent in the background in the picture above).As I was resting in my tent I could hear a young couple express relief as they arrived and set up in the shelter. They turned out to be a brother and sister team (Fat Camp & Pebbles)...really fine young folks¢¦the kind that restores your faith in the younger generation. I got to know them over the next ten days and I swear, Pebbles always had a smile on her face... Never once did I look at her that she wasn¢t smiling. No, she¢s not retarded or doing drugs¢¦she is having a great time after 700 miles of backpacking. Her brother, Fat Camp, is enjoying it too...they both make me sick.It was Mountain House chicken teriyaki which was full of flavor¢¦very good.
Date: 2006-04-23
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Loft Mountain Campground
Miles today: 27.4
Weather: few clouds

I got up before 5:30; showered and was all packed up and ready to go to breakfast before seven. I walked by the others¢ rooms and there was no sign of life. I wasn¢t going to wake anyone up.I drove to Weasie¢s hoping they might be there trying to break the pancake record¢¦it wasn¢t even opened yet¢¦I guess cause it is Sunday they get to sleep in¢¦they open at 5:30 during the week. I just went back, had the motel continental breakfast and took off for the Trail. I knew they¢d understand and could easily hitch a ride to the Trail when they were up and around.I was afraid what I knew was going to happen today, did in fact, happen. I did the exact same hike Charlie and I did in ¢03¢¦27.4 miles to Loft Mountain Campground. I don¢t know what the hell is wrong with me. I just walked and kept walking until I got there. Actually, I kind of remember being ¢dead tired¢ in ¢03 and today I was just ¢plain tired¢ when I got there. There¢s a slight difference between the two. Of course, it was warmer then but on the other hand, Charlie and I had just come off a double zero.Everything here is still closed for the winter including the restrooms and water. The grass hadn¢t even been mowed yet. You have to wonder if they are going to open at all this year¢¦a victim of Bush¢s budget cuts? To save on water I ¢went cold¢ for supper. There¢s water two miles down the Trail in the morning. I spent 20 minutes trying to loop a rope to hang my bear bag after which I took a walk and found bear a bag ¢hanger pole¢nearby. Then I forgot to put the rope away but found it in the morning when I was packing up. But, that wasn¢t the latest ADD. No this one¢s as good as they come.ADD #39: I noticed my boots were falling apart back in Waynesboro so I changed over to another pair¢¦also used but the tops weren¢t as bad. So, I transferred the ¢super feet¢ from the ones I had been wearing to these. Well, I put the super feet over the inner soles and wore them that way half the day. I thought they tied a little tight and I was beginning to feel some soreness on top of my toes.   You see, the super feet replace the inner soles¢¦THEY DON¢T GO OVER THEM. Now do you see my frustration?Couple of other things, you have to register on your way into SNP. The registration tag is a ¢three parter¢ with the hiker¢s copy having a wire so you can tie it to the outside of the pack.. Well ADD #40 was when, in a rush to get going in the cold damp weather, I tore everything off, wire, extra copies and put it all in the drop box.BTW, what used to be called ¢shelters¢ and ¢lean-to¢s¢ are now ¢huts¢ in the SNP¢¦I guess, at least, that¢s what the book calls them. I briefly dropped in Blackrock Hut for a short break.I hiked alone all day but what¢s new.I am getting better at putting up this tent¢¦erectile dysfunction has been cured. I almost like putting it up now. Since I camped on a regular tent site it was, oh so nice and level.Listened to a few tunes and decided to go to sleep¢¦.it¢s ten o¢clock somewhere.So, tomorrow will I do another 25 miler like Charlie and I did?¢¦I wouldn¢t bet against it.
Date: 2006-04-24
From: Loft Mountain Campground

To: Bearface Mountain Hut
Miles today: 26.4
Weather: scattered clouds

You knew it, I knew it¢¦I would do another 26 mile day¢¦just like Charlie and I did in ¢03. Geezus¢¦I don¢t know what the hell is wrong with me¢¦why I can¢t just relax and stroll along¢¦sit on a rock and eat some snacks¢¦do a couple of miles¢¦take a siesta¢¦fart around and just stop where I stop.The energy was there until the last four miles or so. But then I started to push myself harder in case the store was open at the upcoming campground. I did arrive just in the nick of time¢¦with eight minutes left until it closed at 5:30. The same couple that was running it in¢03 is still there. The girl has a nice smile but the guy is all business. I said something like, ¢I¢ve got four minutes left to make my choices, right?¢ And, instead of a customer oriented response like ¢that¢s okay we can stay open a few minutes more for you,¢ he just muttered ¢yes.¢ So I grabbed all beverages¢¦a lemonade which I opened and was drinking as I shopped; a root beer for when the lemonade was gone, a chocolate milk for dinner and a grapefruit juice for tomorrow morning. I did not have time to shop around or get some ice cream.The shelter was only a mile further and after filling up my Camelback at the campground, I was there in no time. There were a few sectioners staying in the shelter, one a woman who had a ¢smoky¢ fire going in the fire ring.The tent sites were built up on the hill coming down to the shelter¢¦good ones and pretty level. I am the only one tenting. They also have bear poles. Good spring here although I didn't use it. A couple of rangers dropped in on us while I was eating my MH spaghetti for supper at the picnic table in front of the shelter and asked a couple of questions. They also made sure we were hanging our food. The woman volunteered her permit and they didn¢t ask anyone else to show theirs.Man did I enjoy my music today¢¦I never got tired of it and with the pleasant weather the only thing missing was seeing someone else on the trail¢¦but you can¢t have everything. I don¢t know how many of you like Warren Zevon, the fellow who died early from cancer a year or so ago. Today¢s tune was one of his finest, ¢Excitable Boy.¢ Country music and Haggard still take first place though¢¦I can listen to him forever¢¦.¢Go¢in where the lonely go¢¦¢Since I¢m copying my ¢03 hike, I will now get up early enough tomorrow to get to Big Meadows for breakfast in the dining room. As I recall, it was pretty good and worth the higher prices you have to pay in park. Depending upon how things look (weather, timing, traffic, etc.) I¢ll look at hitching back down to get the SUV. This will then complete this section and the next thing I plan to do is jump ahead to Fayetteville PA and continue NOBO from there.
Date: 2006-05-13
From: Big Meadows

To: Zeroing at Home
Miles today: 0.0

Wilson Creek shelter is not home...I just wanted to use a picture I had already downloaded.I'm still here but should be back on the Trail before long. I wanted to take Mom out to honor her for Mother's Day and take care of some "business" items.When I get back on the AT I plan to hike 600+ miles NOBO from Route 30 near Fayetteville PA to Manchester Center VT, where Charlie and I got on in '04. Then, I'll jump ahead to Monson to re-hike the One Hundred Mile Wilderness. I might save it for late August when some of this year's class will be finishing.I'm thinking I might be able to do the Arizona Trail this fall...after things cool down a bit...we'll see. If I do it alone, I'm gonna buy a GPS.
Date: 2006-05-30
From: US 30 (Fayetteville PA)

To: Quarry Gap Shelters
Miles today: 2.2
Weather: broken clouds

Well, I'm finally back on the AT NOBO headed to Manchester Center Vermont after which I will jump ahead to Monson; do the hundred mile wilderness; summit Kahtadin and will have completed this section hike. (However, I will have to jump off for a few days and return home soon for a short visit when the title work is completed on 20 acres of wooded property with a barn that we just bought. BTW it has its own trail) I drove to Port Clinton, where I parked the SUV and hitched back south to Fayetteville. It was hot as hell hitching in the sun (90's?). The first ride out of Port Clinton was from Ray who took me a couple of exits down the interstate. Along with the ride came another ADD problem...I left my "Hiker to Trail" bandana in Ray's car. We even looked for it and couldn't find it. I know that's hard to believe but I couldn't hold Ray up so I just left without it. Thanks for the ride anyway Ray!The ramp was not that busy and I thought I was never going to get a ride. But when it came it was outstanding. A huge thanks to Todd who took me all the way to Fayetteville. It was one of those special rides where we got to talking and found out we share a lot to the same philosphy on life. In fact, we were so absorbed in conversation that along came another ADD...we drove all the way to Maryland before we realized we had missed the Fayetteville exit. So, my dysfunctional hitchhiking which began on the Colorado Trail continues. I've often said I meet as many interesting people hitching as I do on the Trail. Thanks again Todd!It seemed like it took me forever, at least an hour, to get across town and out to the Trail. After eating at Long John Silvers I had to walk all the way across town with my thumb out. Pete, who had just finished a softball game, finally picked me up and took me to where the AT crosses 30 (where I started in '02) It was getting dark and he offered to take me on into the park where the trail runs across some roads but I declined. It was hot and muggy and I hiked in the dark for an hour up to Quarry Gap Shelters. To my surprise, the left shelter was empty so I decided not to tent. That was the first good decision of this hike as violent thunderstorms moved through overnight...the worst lightning and wind I've seen in a long time.BTW these are absolutely the best maintained shelters on the AT...they even put hanging plants and white gravel stone around them. I met the guy who takes care of them in '03 and he takes great pride in his work on the AT. My only regret is not taking a picture of them for this journal.I put my oranges in the cold stream in front of the shelter where they will be nicely chilled by morning.
Date: 2006-05-31
From: Quarry Gap Shelters

To: James Frye (Tagg Run) Shelter
Miles today: 24.5
Weather: few clouds

Great hike...felt good all day even though the heat and humidity continues.I arrived at Pine Grove Furnace State Park around 2:30. Today was the opposite of '03...sunny and hot vs overcast and cold. There was a group of young thru-hikers hanging out after doing the half gallon challange. One, Sassparrella, came over to say hello...also met "Sparrowhawk." BTW I am using a different trail name on the Trail. It is not unusual to keep the same one here for consistancy since that is what everyone knows you by on TJ. I don't want to get into an explanation of my new trail name or how I got it at this time. I decided to just have lunch...hamburger and fries. Then, I did something I often thought about doing on my other hikes...I took a mid day break and hiked on at five after an hour and a half rest. I felt pretty good although it didn't cool off all that much.I didn't want to stay in the Ironmaster's Mansion hostel here as I had an unpleasant experince in '03 when the caretaker overslept and was two hours late in letting us in. They kick everyone out during the day and don't reopen until five thirty. Also, they charge too much for a hostel and everything is extra like towels and laundry. I arrived at Tagg Run with enough time to set up before dark. It was just me tenting and one dude in the shelter, Buttercup...none of the group back at Pine Grove made here (except for Sparrowhawk who must have hiked on past.) There is a swimming lake there and some were just getting out of the water when I hiked by.So, I'm already a half day ahead of schedule which I may need if this heat and humidity persists.