morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-04-28
From: Massie Gap

To: Resting in Troutdale
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Howling winds and heavy rain awoke me at dawn. Realizing that I was in a warm, clean, dry bunkhouse, and that I wasn't going to hike today, I quickly decided to sleep for a little longer. My tired body thanked me. Then when I did get up, I walked to the shower facility, showered, and got ready for church. Since the rain was still steadily falling, I donned my rain gear for the walk of about 200 yards to the Troutdale Baptist Church. Ken Riggins, the pastor, taught the Sunday School lesson from the book of Leviticus. He also correlated scripture from other books in the old and new testaments. Then at 11:00 Ken delivered an impassioned sermon centered around the book of 1 Peter. Molar Man and Diane sat on the pew with me and Titan also attended. At the conclusion of the service, Ken said a special prayer for me as well as for all the other hikers on the trail. My hike has truly been enriched by being able to hear Ken preach. It was also special meeting and talking with members of the small congregation.After church Titan and I walked back to the bunkhouse. Ken had told us that he would drive up to take us back to his home for lunch in about half an hour. Rain still fell as we drove the quarter mile to the Riggens' home where we were treated to a wonderful Sunday dinner. Mary had prepared baked spaghetti , chicken, baked sweet potatoes, green beans, and homemade biscuits. There was also a chocolate bread pudding for dessert. Great fellowship and conversation accompanied the meal and continued for an hour or so afterwards. The Riggins were especially interested in Don's life and illness. We also discussed his strong faith while he was sick. Before leaving the Riggins' home, I called Linda and my mom since there is no cell service in the area.After Ken drove us back to the bunkhouse, he picked up two other hikers at Dickey Gap, Taz and Owl. A little later in the afternoon Sun Duk arrived on his bicycle. The native South Korean recently completed his Master's degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is on the fifth day of a cross country bike ride by himself. After the ride he hopes to reside in California. Titan and I enjoyed comparing hiking logistics to cycling logistics with Sun.I spent most of my afternoon relaxing. I took a long nap and journaled for awhile. Then after a light supper I worked on tomorrow's plan before bed. Today has been another special one. I did no hiking yet every minute was well spent. Once again it's the people along the way that make the journey so rewarding. From Titan to Ken and Mary to Sun Duk, I continue to be surrounded by good folks. Tomorrow there's the certainty that I'll meet other special people who will in some small way contribute to my northward journey on the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2013-05-16
From: Icing the Achilles

To: Continuing to Rehab
Miles today: 0.0

When I started planning this hike back last fall, I prepared a tentative timeline up to New Hampshire. As I regularly perused the schedule, I noted where I should be on my birthday. It wasn't in a motel room in Daleville, VA. Then again, we never really know where we may be on any given day. When he turned 53 in July, 2010, my brother didn't know that less than a year later he would be facing an ALS diagnosis. So while I can't help but lament my injury, I'm reminded just how insignificant it is in the big realm of things. In fact, compared to Donald's plight, it's like comparing a penny to a billion dollars. Come to think of it, that's not even a wide enough margin.So as I continue to rest and hopefully heal, I'm also reminding myself of the virtue of patience. When we are generally healthy, time is the healer. When someone has a terminal illness, however, time is merely that space between life and death. But aren't we all living somewhere along that indefinite line? No one knows exactly how much time we have left on this earth. What we do know is that every minute of every day is precious. We can't waste even one second of the time we have been given. So as I sit here enjoying a second cup of McDonald's coffee, I'm trying to dwell on the positive rather than the negative. My family loves me and is supportive of this adventure, my friends have showered me with good wishes for success from the beginning, I'm generally in excellent health, and the Achilles will heal. I know how to rehab the injury, which I am doing. I also know that rest is important. So despite the setback, the trail awaits when I am ready to continue the hike.And now, six hours later, much good has occurred. The new shoes, along with some high powered inflammatories, have arrived. I've continued to "doctor" myself throughout the day, and I'm walking without the slightest limp. Plus the tendon generally feels a lot better. If progress continues (and there's no reason to think it won't), the plan is to resume the hike on Sunday. Now I just need to continue what I have been doing in the rehab department. With time on my hands, I've thought about my brother often today. I greatly miss his birthday calls. Many times over the years Don would treat me to a Braves game later in the season to celebrate. I'll never attend another game at Turner Field without remembering those special moments.Things happen for a reason. We don't know why, but we accept. So I'm accepting this minor setback with patience, until I can hike again on up the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2013-05-17
From: Continuing to Rehab

To: Almost Ready to Hike
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

One good thing about taking a few days off is that I've had the opportunity to meet some new hikers as well as reacquaint myself with folks I passed weeks back. Last night Boo Boo was relaxing in the lobby of the Super 8. Having read his trail journal since before I started, it was a real pleasure finally getting to meet him. Also dealing with some minor injuries, Boo Boo has had to rest some as well. This morning he was getting ready to hike out of Daleville. I have a feeling, however, that I'll see him on the trail in a few days.Two of the Germans, Pacemaker and Runner-up, also were here. I had first met them around Hot Springs. Runner-up speaks better English than some of the locals I've met along the way. He even referred to something as a "catch 22." Gotta like a reference to Yossarian.   Hiking with visas that have expiration dates, the foreigners must confront other time issues. Runner-up's visa lasts until mid-September. He and Pacemaker seem like strong enough hikers to reach their goal by then. It would be tough to find oneself within a couple of days of Katahdin with a visa about to expire.Big Red and Yooper were also getting ready to hike north this morning. Big Red, the first hiker I've met from Missouri, said he had heard of me. I'm not sure what that meant. In high school Don had an Irish setter named Red. I hadn't thought about that dog in a long time. Amazing where the memories appear. Yooper, who calls Michigan home, appeared refreshed from the town stay. With a pleasant smile under her brimmed hat, she looked ready to resume her hike. As I've rested over the past three days I've thought of all the hikers whose paths I have crossed over the almost two months I've been on the trail. I wonder how many are still hiking and which ones have ended their hikes. Yesterday I decided to text message Rocket and Whiskers, the couple from Cambridge. Whiskers messaged back that they were headed into Waynesboro today. That's a little over one hundred miles up the trail. I also contacted Slim Jim. He was almost to Woods Hole, about five days behind me.So I continue to rest, take care of the tendon, and wait. I also continue to remind myself that it's better to wait than to hike before I am ready. As one of my old buddies has stated in a message, "the trail will wait for you."   Roger is right. It's waiting as I wait. Hopefully, I will be ready again soon because one thing the setback has reminded me is just how much I want to get back into the woods. It shouldn't be long now before the walk toward Maine resumes on the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2013-05-18
From: Almost Ready to Hike

To: Thinking About Don
Miles today: 0.0

As I planned this hiking adventure throughout the fall and winter, I wrote about my reasons for referring to the endeavor as my "hike of hope." One objective was to raise awareness of the multitude of challenges a person with ALS faces. I wanted people following my walk to understand that a thru hike of the Appalachian Trail, be it difficult in its own way, pales in comparison to those challenges a victim of Lou Gehrig's disease must confront. Hikers of the AT have the use of their arms and legs to navigate both strenuous as well as less difficult sections of trail. Most ALS patients eventually can't use any of their extremities. Their mind remains the same; their bodies just stop working.Each day that I hike I remind myself of just how active my brother was before his diagnosis and just how quickly he lost all ability to be active. He knew there was no cure, and he knew that he would never get any better. Still with a strong faith and surrounded by so many who loved him, he persevered. Sometimes, I don't know how. Watching his transformation from an avid bass fisherman, hunter, and excellent softball player to a man forced to sit in a power chair and have others do everything for him was excruciating for all Don's family and friends to endure. For him it must have been beyond any agony the mind can conceive.Read more at Don's Brother's Hike of Hope
Date: 2013-05-24
From: US 60, Buena Vista, VA

To: Spy Rock Rd.
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Solitude dominated the better part of an unseasonably cold, windy day. I never shed my rain jacket, the only warm article of clothing I still have since I mailed my fleece home two weeks ago. The wind chill hovered in the 40's in the morning. In fact, the wind continued strong throughout the day. At times I had to use my poles to maintain my balance for fear that the wind would blow me over. Still the views atop Cold Mountain and Tar Jacket Ridge more than made up for the uncomfortable weather conditions. The day began with one final ride back to the trail with Deidra. After dropping me off at US 60, she was headed for a day hike with a friend on Bluff Mountain. I can't thank my former student athlete enough for her hospitality and the transportation to the trail each day. Visiting with Deidra and her family made my stay in Buena Vista very special. The hike today began with a fairly steep climb up to Bald Knob. Even the switchbacks were steep. On the ascent I passed Etch-a-Sketch and shortly afterwards saw Boo Boo taking a rest. Not having seen him since last weekend, I paused to briefly chat. Hiking a little faster, however, I didn't see him again all day. Within a few minutes I was passed by Puddin' and Patty-cakes. For the remainder of the day I saw no other north bounders. I did encounter a few southbound section and day hikers including Freed Bird and his dog Colby. Having completed a thru hike in '06, he now is out on a section hike of about 300 miles. Colby, decked out with blue saddlebags, cooperated for a pic. Don would have really liked Colby.As I hiked the trail of rocks, roots, leaves, and mud in the cold afternoon wind, I thought of my long deceased granddaddy Harry Andrews. At about the age of ten, I received a Monopoly game for Christmas. After playing the game with me for some time, he declared the game should have been called Monotonous. I could say the same thing for the trail this afternoon. When I finally reached Spy Rock Rd., I had to walk down a rocky blue blazed road for about a mile before being picked up by Earl for the remainder of the ride to the Dutch Haus B &B, a hiker friendly establishment near Montebello. Other hikers here are Chrome Dome and Ranger.The evening consisted of a delicious dinner prepared by Lois, followed by coffee and conversation. Chrome Dome just competed a section hike yesterday. Ranger, who resides in the DC area, is working on a section hike. Recently retired from the Forestry Service, Ranger talked of trips he and his family had taken in National Parks. I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about his travels. Along with his wife Julie, he has hiked in many scenic locations. Again, it was great to talk with a truly interesting fellow AT hiker.Tomorrow the plan is a 20.3 slack pack that includes the Priest and Three Ridges Mountain. Unlike today, many challenges await. The heel feels good, so I hope I'm up for what the trail has in store. Above all else, I know that tomorrow will provide yet another aspect of adventure as the journey continues on the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2013-05-27
From: Rockfish Gap, Waynesboro, VA

To: Black Rock Gap
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Welcome to the Shenandoah National Park. Today marked the beginning of an approximately 100 mile stroll through one of the least challenging sections of the entire Appalachian Trail. From Rockfish Gap the trail crosses a bridge over I-64 before re-entering the woods. After being dropped off by free shuttlers Jim and Cindy, Caboose and I briefly started the day together. After the self sign-in station near the trailhead, I wouldn't see him again. This time, however, it was because I hiked at a faster clip throughout the day.With a gentle trail and a Cracker Barrel breakfast under my belt, there was no holding me back. Throughout the park the trail crosses Skyline Drive several times every day. On today's hike there were eight such crossings. Some had overlooks; some didn't. Some had parking lots; others didn't. Oftentimes cars of day hikers filled the parking spots. Before some of the crossings the trail ran parallel to the road so closely that cars were clearly visible.At one crossing I took a break to have some lunch with fellow thru hiker Steady. We had met about a week ago at the James River but had not hiked together before today. Steady is Spirit's husband and has quite the hiking resume. Unlike most AT thru hikers, Steady began his quest in Key West. After kayaking 700 miles, he road walked most of the rest of the way to Springer. When he gets to Katahdin he plans to continue on to Halifax, which will make his entire adventure over 4000 miles. Already having completed the PCT and the CDT, the AT will complete his triple crown.Late in the afternoon I passed two section hikers from Newnan, GA. Silver Streak and Peach plan to conclude this section at Harper's Ferry. After a brief chat, I moved on up the trail to Riprap parking area off Skyline Drive, where I had originally planned to end today's hike. When I got there, however, I decided to hike an additional 2.8 to Black Rock Gap. It was there that Jim picked me up for a shuttle back to Waynesboro and a final night at the Super 8.Tomorrow I'll head back there to continue the Shenandoah's. Although the park is beautiful, views have thus far been limited. Other than from a power line area, there really wasn't anything of significance. All in all, the time passed quickly. I managed to hike a comfortable 19.1 miles with good company and fresh legs. The Achilles feels fine, so tomorrow I have more miles planned as I make my way toward Harper's Ferry, the next major town on the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2013-06-07
From: Turners Gap

To: AT Museum
Miles today: 0.0

Whether one sleeps in the woods or in beds, it takes a lot of planning to thru hike the Appalachian Trail. Today was one of those "getting ready for the next four days" days. Since it was also my second respite in the last seventy-two hours, I wrestled over the necessity of such a day when I awoke to gray skies, but no rain. Thinking I would rather be hiking, I had to convince myself over breakfast that all was for the best. When the steady, bordering on cold, rain began, I realized that my decision was a good one.So for much of the day I rode in the back seat of the white Volvo, mentally taking notes on just how a supported hike can be fine tuned. Molar Man and Sweet Tooth have a method that works for them. We first drove back to where we left the trail yesterday so that Molar Man could navigate, via very precise AT maps, where Sweet Tooth could meet him with lunch and also where she could pick us up at the end of tomorrow's hike. Given all the "back roads" and state highways that sometimes don't even appear on a traditional roadmap, the "preparation and rehearsal" phase is indeed necessary.After arriving at Pen Mar Rd., where we will finish hiking tomorrow, we drove into Waynesboro, PA and then to Caledonia State Park where Sunday's hike will conclude. Checking places to meet along the route, we finally made our way up to Pine Grove Furnace State Park, the half way point and home of the Appalachian Trail Museum. Visiting the historic building, which truly captures the essence of the trail, was the highlight of the day. It was especially meaningful since I had read about many of the exhibits on display. Taking a break at the Pine Grove General Store was thru hiker Colin that I had last seen at the Audie Murphy Memorial. From the park we scouted out places for Molar Man and Sweet Tooth to meet the following day; however, I only plan to hike with them the next three days. In fact, one of my reasons for rejoining them for a bit revolves around next week. Linda will arrive on Tuesday, so I hope we can duplicate the Ohio couple's scheme for a few days. My mental notes better be good. I wouldn't want my lovely wife lost some place like Rattlesnake Run Rd. Yes, there's one in Pennsylvania. But hopefully after learning Molar Man and Sweet Tooth's strategies, Linda and I will be just fine.It has been a good day. Despite taking a day off, much got accomplished. Clouds are still lingering overhead, but tomorrow's forecast calls for sunny skies, at least in the afternoon. A few Junes ago, Don would have been getting his gear ready for some bass fishing tournament on a Saturday morning. He competed in many and won a few. For me Saturday will provide another opportunity to move on up the trail. I couldn't be more excited to get to the state famous for its rocks. Great days lie ahead as the adventure continues on the one of a kind Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2013-06-09
From: Pen Mar Rd.

To: US 30, Fayetteville, PA
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: moderate rain

The story almost read, "AT THRU HIkER 'KNOCKED' FROM TRAIL." Don's Brother, an Appalachian Trail thru hiker from Georgia, came close to having his hike suspended today when he ran into a large, overhanging tree limb. Briefly staggering backward, DB commented that he felt his teeth rattle before he regained his composure. Hiking companion, retired dentist Molar Man of Ohio, made no effort to check Don's Brother's dental work; however, he did pause long enough to ascertain that there was little chance that a concussion had occurred. For the remainder of the 17.8 mile day, Don's Brother paid closer attention to his surroundings. Hitting my head on the tree really wasn't that big of a deal. There just isn't that much to write about today. With another early 6:10 start, Molar Man and I managed to complete the hike in just under seven hours. The first full day in Pennsylvania could be described as boring. We climbed a little, descended a little, walked level occasionally, and confronted a couple of sections of "from washing machine to refrigerator size" rocks. Pennsylvania is often referred to as Rocksylvania, so I suppose what we encountered today is a precursor to what lies ahead.We also crossed a few streams with footbridges. "Footbridge" has become one of my favorite AT words. Every time I hear the sound of distant water, I start wondering whether or not there is a bridge for crossing. Today there were four. There were also some patches of black mud on the trail today. They could be circumvented most of the time, however. And as always it seems, there were several short sections with smaller oddly shaped rocks. The trail offered up some variety. It just wasn't very interesting.We passed two locations where two shelters stood side by side. At the Tumbling Run Shelters, pea gravel had been spread to enhance the site's ambiance. "Two" appeared to be the operative number because there were two picnic tables as well. Molar Man and I took a break there. Fis, the section hiker we met yesterday from Massachusetts, had also stopped for a snack. Other than some day hikers, we didn't see many folks on the trail today. For the second consecutive day, we saw no other thru hikers. We did, however, meet the Gettig family from Fayetteville, PA out walking three of their dogs. I had never seen Italian Greyhounds before today.When we reached US 30 and the end of today's hike, Sweet Tooth was waiting. We drove back to Pine Grove Furnace State Park where I consumed a pint of Butter Pecan ice cream. Then Molar Man drove to scout locations for day after tomorrow. He was also nice enough to drive into Carlisle, where I plan to pick up a rental car after tomorrow's hike to use while Linda visits. After that we headed to a motel and called it a day. Indeed it has been a beautiful Sunday. Don might have been sitting on his deck waiting for a deer to walk up in his back yard on other Sunday afternoons like today. I think he would be happy to know that tomorrow I will reach the true mileage half way point as I return to continue the journey on the Appalachian Trail.
Date: 2013-06-14
From: PA 225

To: PA 443
Miles today: 25.6
Weather: clear sky

With a 25.6 mile day on the agenda, Molar Man and I headed up the trail from PA 225 at 5:50. I'm actually beginning to like these early starts. In less than three miles we passed Peters Mountain Shelter. Several tents still stood. It was also apparent that few had roused themselves from their shelter slumber at the early hour. So we hiked on throughout a partly cloudy, pleasant morning until we reached PA 325 where Sweet Tooth and Linda had parked. Even though it was still early, this would be our only rendezvous today.When we walked up I immediately recognized Pilgrim, who I hadn't seen since Bears Den. He needed a ride to pick up a package in town, so Sweet Tooth agreed to help the Californian out. Also in the parking lot was Bernie the Whittler. He presented me with a hand carved whistle. Bernie said that he was supporting his wife and her sister on about a 400 mile section hike. Under His Wing and In his Feathers were relaxing in the back of Bernie's van. Before Molar Man and I continued our hike, thru hiker Finder and section hiker Fatty joined the group. I'm not sure why the trim, blond is using the trail name Fatty. Maybe I'll find out in days to come.With 16 miles still to go, Molar Man and I hiked at a steady pace for the duration of the day, finishing just after 4:00. Throughout the afternoon we passed and were passed by a few. Blazer and Lentil hiked by on an uphill grade and quickly disappeared. Pfeiffer, who I had not seen since Daleville, and Calamity Jane also passed us. With gentle terrain except for a few stretches of rocks, it proved to be a good day for big miles. It was a personal best for Molar Man and came within .1 of equalling my longest mileage day.At one point near the end of today's hike, we stopped to briefly chat with the four ladies who said they were having some girl time. Pfeiffer, Fatty, Finder, and Calamity Jane appeared to be enjoying their break. We also took a brief respite by a stream where Blazer and Lentil were resting. Molar Man and I then hiked steadily the final four miles to reach PA 72 earlier than we had expected. Right before reaching the road we caught Steady, who planned to hike the additional 1.4 to Swatara Gap.All in all, today's hike lacked anything really interesting. The trail intersected with a few other trails, and signs indicated where significant structures had stood in the past. I'm glad I got in the miles, but now I'm even happier that I'm about to take my lovely wife Linda out to dinner to celebrate her birthday. What better way to end another day of the adventure that continues on the Appalachian Trail.