morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-08-24
From: Ten Mile Lean-to

To: Telephone Pioneers Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today is my daughter Catherine's 23rd birthday. Happy birthday, dearest!Another state done. Connecticut has actually been a very nice hike. I'd rate it higher than Massachusetts or Vermont in quality-of-hike. I'm doing a shortish day to let my feet recover from the 38 miles done in the past two days (including two 3-mile blue blazes.)The hiking in New York seems quite different from Connecticut. The trail follows a ridge north-south from Killington to Kent, but now heads west and crosses several valleys. There are hills in between, but they are not particularly high. The change coincides almost exactly with the state line.The miles go very quickly today. I stop for lunch at Tony's Deli, not far from my destination. The lady behind the counter is very nice and really piles the cold cuts on my sandwich. Even after guzzling 52 ounces of Coke, I could use a nap after eating that bad boy. So I mosey on the 3.1 miles to the shelter and take a nap for a couple of hours.There are several familiar faces at the shelter tonight: Skeek Skeek from last night, Pete from Wisconsin whom I've been seeing on and off since Upper Goose POnd, and Bulldog, who I met in Kent.
Date: 2004-08-25
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

A rather uneventful day. The hiking was almost viewless until Route 84. After that, the trail contours the side of a couple of rocky mountains with long views. Unfortunately, the views come with considerable road noise from Route 84 and the Taconic Parkway. As is easy to do in New York, I stop by an eatery, Danny's Pizzeria, near the end of the day. Nice pie, but I can't finish it all. I waddle on the 5.8 miles to the shelter. Late in the day, I saw four more deer in three separate sightings. They seem quite common here. Odd how they seem to coexist with the higher population density.Skeek Skeek and Bulldog are at the shelter. They plan on pushing 19 miles tomorrow to get a free meal at the Graymoor Friary. I don't think I'm going to be that ambitious. My wife intends to meet me at Bear Mountain the day after tomorrow. I'll probably reassess my hiking plans at that point. I know my wife would be happier if I came home and finished the trail another time. So it is hard for me to get motivated to do big miles.The RPH shelter is much fancier than most. It has bunks, chairs, tables, and windows. If you have a cell phone, you can order pizza. It's probably the nicest one I've seen with the exception of Upper Goose Pond. Too bad New York has so few shelters.
Date: 2004-08-26
From: RPH Shelter

To: Fahnestock State Park
Miles today: 7.2

Well, Springer Mountain will not be in my future this year, but I'm going to make it a few more miles. I'm going to hang out at home for a few days, and then do another stretch.The hiking was pretty rocky today. After making it to Rt. 301, I decided to get my butt down to a motel and wait for my wife.I must say, I'm not a big fan of New York. The scenery here isn't bad -- farmland reverting to woods -- but the people here are definitely different than folks in rural New England. IMO, a lot of New Yorkers have extreme type-A personalities, and they drive me crazy. I have tendencies in the type-A direction myself, so I feel I can comment. I hope I can give a flavor of what I mean:A local guy gave me a ride to town today. Nice guy, really. We swapped life stories, and he told me that he'd recently been laid off from IBM. He could have kept his job in Burlington, Vermont, but his wife commented that she wanted to stay in the New York area because she "didn't want to make teddy bears for a living." So he got another job locally working in the pharmaceutical industry. When I get to Fort Montgomery, I get a stand-up routine from the guy at the desk in the motel. "You want a good restauarant. You going to be walking? (Wocka-wocka.)" "You need a parking sticker for your boots?" Etc., etc. Dude! Just tell me what there is nearby! I don't need the comedy!Sheesh. I felt my blood pressure going up just talking with these guys. Granted, my own attitude is part of the reason. But give me Maine or even the Berkshires any old day. (Oops, I forgot, Wingfoot says I'm not supposed to be judgmental. Sorry!) Anyhow, I'll be back on the trail again fairly soon. My realistic goal for the year is somewhere between Delaware Water Gap and Harpers Ferry.
Date: 2004-09-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

OK, back in the saddle again. I have moved my daughter down to Brooklyn, hung out around the house, played too much bridge, and done a reasonable amount of studying. But I miss the trail again. So some time in the next few days I'll get my butt down to New York and pick up where I left off.I've posted a few new pictures. Actually, I need some help identifying a couple of plants I've seen, so I've posted a picture here in case anyone knows what it is. It's a vine that I've seen off and on from Vermont to New York.
Date: 2004-09-14
From: Fahnestock State Park

To: Graymoor Friary
Miles today: 11.9

Got back on the trail for a little bit more. Somehow, a random road crossing didn't seem like the right place to finish a hike.It was a bit of project getting down here, but a bus to New York, followed by a visit with my daughter, followed by a bus ride to Bear Mountain and a cab to the road crossing did the trick.The weather was beautiful today. The hike didn't have much up and down in it, but the terrain was rather rocky. I am trying out Merrill Montrails instead of my usual Lowa Renegades, and my feet are pretty sore tonight.I arrived at the monastery about 5 but decided not to ask for dinner. The setup at the ball field is pretty nice, regardless. There are trash barrels and electric lights, both of which are more than I expect from a shelter. I had the place to myself until about 8 PM, when a young couple arrived. Earlier, there had been a flock of wild turkeys on the ball field pecking away. They continued to make a bit of a racket even after they left.My resolve on this leg is pretty limited. I think I may go to Bear Mountain tomorrow and call it a year.
Date: 2004-09-15
From: Graymoor Friary

To: Bear Mountain State Park
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Another nice day. I started about 9 and arrived at Fort Montgomery about time for lunch. The stores near the trail leave a lot to be desired in terms of resupply, but the deli sandwiches are fine.Fort Montgomery, Bear Mountain, and the surrounding area have quite a bit to offer the history buff. There are ruins of the old fort, and the area had considerable significance during the Revolutionary War. The Trailside Museum at Bear Mountain is a little sad, though. It shows obvious signs of loving volunteer work, but looks like it could really use an infusion of money. The Bear Mountain Inn is also getting pretty ratty. Too bad, the place has lots of potential. The receptionist told me it was originally intended to be a jail, but was converted to a hotel about 1920. There are high ceilings and lots of stone on the outside. It's somewhat reminiscent of the Old Faithful Inn. They plan on remodeling next year; I hope they do a good job.Well, this is it for the hike this year. I'm feeling guilty leaving my wife and my work, and truthfully, I'm getting tired of hiking. I definitely count the hike as a worthwhile experience. Mostly, the hiking was great. I met a number of people I'd like to stay in touch with. As expected, however, the SOBO experience was not particularly social. There weren't too many SOBO's, and my pace didn't seem to match many people. So for the most part, I only saw people for at most a few nights. I learned something about myself that surprised me. I have always considered myself rather social, but I discovered I really like solitude. When I had a shelter to myself, my spirits rose considerably. If people came in late, even though they might be very nice, I was disappointed.I also found -- no surprise -- that thru-hiking has its disadvantages. When I got to New York, I found a lot of trees, shrubs, and the like that were unfamiliar. I would have loved to spend some time poring over nature guides to figure out what they all were, but of course, it's impossible to carry all the books and keep pack weight reasonable. Anyhow, thanks to all who have followed my journal.
Date: 2004-01-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Welcome to my journal. This is the place where friends and family can come and check out my progress once I'm on the trail and hear the news, etc. It seems logical to have some kind of prologue to this trip in order to let my friends and family know why I am doing this. At this time, a lot of friends know I am doing the trail. I've mentioned it to several family members, but not in a concrete manner. I will be traveling home mid-January to officially let the family know that I will be taking this trip. I won't predict what the reaction will be, but since I haven't really fallen in line with much else my siblings have created in their lives, I'm sure it won't be a total shock. A couple of years ago, I decided to present myself with a challenge by taking part in an outdoor survival course in the deserts of Utah. It was a 28 day experience through Boulder Outdoor Survival School. To anyone up for an extreme challenge with the available time and money, do this course. In my preparation for that journey, I became familiar with the Appalachian Trail. Instantly my interest was cultivated and continued. After living through 9/11 in New York City, with the resulting terror alerts and scares in this city, along with the fact inately I am a nomad and gypsy at heart, I've decided to leave the city and experience the one thing that still moves me and stokes my passion: the challenge of the trail. Where I will end up after the trail, I don't know at this point. I'm not going to put pressure on myself by saying I'll take the 6 months on the trail to figure that out, because then if I don't figure it out, some sort of failure will accompany it. Same with how I view the experience itself: my friends ask me if I'm doing it to "find myself". My feeling is that I have already found myself and that what I have found is that I am a constantly changing and evolving entity. All I have to really do is to live in the moment and see where that moment takes me and how it affects me. OK, way to much philosophy for a journal entry. More to come on the preparation and lead up to the trail.
Date: 2004-01-06
To: Elements
Miles today: 0.0

Slowly. One piece at a time. Stay in the moment. I don't know about the rest of the class of 2004, but I find that if I try think about all the things I need to do and all the things I need to get ... if I try and think about all of them at once, I become catatonic. So, being the Virgo I am, I'm all about lists. One list of things to do, one list of things to get. Now I find that I am going to have to keep a small notebook with me, because I tend to think of something at odd times, and then have to way to record it, and then I forget it (damn this old age). Things accomplished thus far:*Storage unit rented in Charlotte*Journal started*majority of gear in possession*roommate informed of my departure*training started*Transportation from Atlanta to trail head reservedI have to keep track of this stuff in order to see my progress. I am also learning that the elements of preparation that don't hold much glamour or excitement need to be done and not avoided. Onward and upward.
Date: 2004-01-08
To: Perceptions
Miles today: 0.0

I know the only way to physically train for the trail, is to physically train ON the trail. That's hard when the wind chill hits -10 degrees. So I strap on the pack, and head to my gym, get on the tread mill or stair machine, set the timer for 120 minutes and have a little mental vacation. Of course, others in the gym stare and point, literally. They don't perceive my training as normal. I'm not going for the toned, tan physique to enhance my appearance, thus it's foreign to them.I'm growing my hair and now have a beard. I work in an office for a large internet corporation, thus I am being perceived as a little rebellious for not having the finely trimmed and sleek look of the corporate world. Many coworkers are yet unaware of my intentions to leave. Their perception of me is that of a busy little worker bee happy to be stuck in this dead end job while the life blodd of my existence is being sucked out of me by flourescent lighting and corporate back stabbing and inner office gossip. Perceptions. A line from a song that has stayed with me since I first heard it:"I wish I was a Nomad, and Indian, or Saint,Give me walking shoes, feathered arms, and a key to Heaven's gate"
Date: 2004-01-16
To: The Tides that Bind ... 
Miles today: 0.0

It goes in phases: I have a flurry of activity in preparation for the trail, then there's a moment of panic, then a standstill. It happens in about a 6 day cycle. Granted, with he flurry of activity I get many things accomplished. But the standstill is a killer. So let's see what I've accomplished:*packing begun*landlord informed of my departure*Equipment purchased: sleeping bag liner, two shirts, bladder*gear list added to this journal*2004 Thru-Hikers Guide ordered and receivedA pat on the back for myself. What's interesting for me right now is that the tide has definitely turned. Every plan that I make either in the near future or farther out has the trail connected to it. Yesterday morning while riding the subway I came up against one of the nasty people who think it's their duty to antagonize everyone else around them by elbowing and grunting and giving people dirty looks. I just thought to myself, "49 more days and I don't have to deal with this particular frustration." At least for awhile I won't have to hear the screeching metal of a subway car, or deal with the fact that it's dark on the street at noon because all the concrete buildings rise so high and are so close together that they block the sun from hitting the sidewalk. I look forward to the work of the trail. I look forward to adapting to what comes my way on any one day. I look forward to the days where I'm wet and dirty and smelly and it's raining and I have a huge Up to do and I'm crying just wishing for a shower and beer to cry in. I look forward to those days not because I particularly enjoy it in the moment, but because I know that on the other side of it I will be proud and more knowledgeable and more settled and calm with my place in the world. Loose ends are being tied up, the energy and courage for my adventure ahead are mounting, and yes, indeed, the tide is turning.
Date: 2004-01-25
To: You Can't Fool Brother Nature
Miles today: 0.0

Well, the trip back to Minnesota and the family has been completed and the news has been broken to them that I will be doing the trail. The reactions ranged from, "Well, that's a dumb idea." to "Can I go with you?" It was interesting that with each time I revealed my plan, I was a bit nervous. But it became something that was wonderful in its effect: the cement became a little harder, the picture a little more clear, the sights a little more set. This morning's departure was difficult in that I knew because of certain circumstances, it may literally be the last time I see one family member, but was also accompanied with a truly exaltated feeling of independence, pride, and that feeling you know Mary Tyler Moore felt when she threw up her hat during the opening credits of her sitcom. Blessed be freedom of choice and family members who suprise you with unearned yet loving support. And on top of this overwhelming sense of self I took back with me from Minnesota and the family, I also take back with me my trailname. I was planning on acquiring a trailname on the trail and allowing it to happen all very organically. However, while explaining the journey and going through the basics of a thru-hike in terms a layperson can understand, I mentioned that I would be needing a trailname. Out of the blue, and with eloquence and insight and a love that suprised me and made me blush from my own gratitude and vulnerability, my sister Linda looked at me and suggested a trailname that I have now taken as my own. She is truly wise beyond what she would admit. She has my sincere gratitude for the name I will be known by on the trail:BROTHER NATURE.
Date: 2004-02-03
To: Biggest Fears? 
Miles today: 0.0

Recently I had dinner with my friend, Michael. We began talking about my upcoming journey and adventure. I expressed to him my apprehension and fears about the task at hand. He asked me,"What's the biggest fear or hurdle at this point?"I mentioned planning, money, the unknown, potential physical injuries, gear, etc. etc. etc. I must have talked for about 15 minutes. I finished my panic stricken stream of conciousness to which he had listened intently. There was a long pause. Then he said:"I'm still waiting to hear about a fear that is impossible to overcome. I don't think there is one. You're fine. Relax."I love when good friends can express insights so complex in terms simple enough for my over-analytical mind to handle. This past weekend, I took a roadtrip to North Carolina to put some stuff in storage. Road trips are a good thing: 9 hours of alone time to put a gypsy's life in order and keep overly dramatic notions in perspective. As my friend Laura and I completed the task of loading into the storage unit, she said, "Look Joe, your whole life." My first reaction was to wince: a whole life in about 10 boxes. Then a sense of pride washed over me: I'm happy and content to know that in order to live the fantastic life I have, I don't have to have many 'things'. Which directly relates to the trail. Fantastic times, with few 'things'.Items completed:*First trip to storage unit - 3/4 of possessions moved*First of five dentist appointments completed (don't ask)*First Aid kit completedSteady on.
Date: 2004-02-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It's become a ritual: Go to work, come home, unpack the pack and lay everything out on the bed, check to see if there is anything I don't need, pack it back up, strap it on, put it down. Will I ever get to the point of not doing this?I am trying so very hard to politely answer questions about this adventure. These questions are repetitive: How will you get food? What about bears? Can I call you? How do I email you? Why are you doing this? I'm wondering if it would have been better to just have left and let everyone know where I was and what I was doing once I was already on the trail. And f*ck I just want to stop thinking about it all and just start walking. I JUST WANT TO START WALKING!!!! Doing expense reports, making check requests, ordering supplies for the office, answering phones ..... I JUST WANT TO WALK. "CORKY WE LOVE YOU! WE WANT YOU TO LIVE!!!!"I especially like the ones who let me know they will be praying for me. Here's how I look at that. I don't care what you beleive in. If what you think is right for you is right for you, then I think it's right for you, too. And I can use all the help I can get from whatever entity or non-entity you want to invoke on my behalf. It's just, I don't know what to say when they say they will be praying for me. Do I say thank you? Do I say Amen? What's the appropriate response? But I damn well bet you when I'm standing somewhere on th trail and it's cold and raining and everything I own is wet and my stove won't start and I'm crying like a little baby, I'll be invoking every friggin' higher entity whether I believe in it or not. I CAN'T FRIGGIN WAIT!!!!! And to all the class of '04, I can't wait to meet you. I can't wait to help you out if you need. I'm a great singer, so if you need a lullaby at the end of the day, I'm your man. I can't wait to talk with all of you and learn. I can't wait to piss you off and have you piss me off. I can't wait to yell at the person who snores. I can't wait to jump in a pond or lake with you all. Overall, even though I may get cranky sitting at this desk at this corporate office, my life is so incredibly good right now it's hard for me to think it's actually my life I'm living. "Farewell until tomorrow.Goodbye until the rest of my lifeAnd I have been waiting.Waiting for this."
Date: 2004-02-17
To: It takes all kinds ... 
Miles today: 0.0

OK, the first half of this journal entry will be bitchy Joe.For those of you nasty little vermin cowards out there who find a need to leave crappy, uncreative derogatory messages either in the guestbook or who email me personally with how I'm going to hell because of my being exactly who I am, all I have to say is: Eat me. What I miss the most is anyone who could at least come up with a more creative way of calling me a fag. Those who are still clinging to the ignorant notion that only gay people spread "aides" (as one enlightend writer spelled it) mystify me. I have been exactly who I am for a very long time, and your attempts to correct my wayward path, or to shame me in any way, or to bring God into my life is not only a waste of your energy, it only shows your own uneducated, closed minded, unimaginative views to someone who doesn't give a sh*t about you or your opinions. Listen, if I'm going to hell, as some of you have emailed me, then I will be sure to say hello to you as you open the gate for me.Breath. And now the nice Joe.In the last 24 hours I have also received messages from amazing people. A man from Louisiana emailed me out of the blue and we have struck up a great email conversation which I am truly enjoying ... philosophy, hope, intentions. Truly enjoyable. And the new fellow hikers who I have been chatting with last night and again today .... woo hoo!!! I laughed, I cried, it's better than CATS. I can be who I am, I can say what I want ... that's what is making this run up to my departure incredibly exciting. Can't wait to meet them on the trail. I know, I know, it takes all kinds, but at least with guest books and emails, I can delete the sh*t heads and relish the kind-hearted missives.
Date: 2004-02-19
To: A Time Vacuum...
Miles today: 0.0

I don't know what the hell to call it, but this period, this, like, non-time period, running up directly to departure is enough to make me mad and laugh and hit something and cry and get cranky and kick my heels up and sit in an embarrassed silence. I don't know what the hell to do any more. I've been a bit under the weather lately, so I haven't really been able to sit down with my lists like I usually do nightly. I am going crazy, man, literally going crazy. Now that I have been talking with Ross and Burn and Grace and the others, I am seriously also considering moving my departure date up a few days. I'm torn. You guys are great and it would really be fun to be around you guys at the start. Then I start to think about the fact that I really wanted to start on a full moon. Do I start with some new found friends, or do I stick to the plan? If I stick to the plan, do I kill myself to put in the miles to catch up to you guys? I'll ponder and see what happens. Any opinions directed to my email located on my "About" page would be appreciated with anyone with an opinion. Last night was the going away party my co-workers held for me. A great time was had by all. Another step towards leaving. Another point at which I realized that my life was too good for me to handle at times. Too much emotion. And to that point, since my diatribe to the people who have sent me some nasty emails or guestbook entries, I have gotten so many kind and wonderful people contact me. Whether coming to my defense like my new AT 2004 classmates did, or emails from the middle of country telling me that I am living their dream and just be who I am, or my new friend in Baton Rouge, to finding out that a friend who might have received results from a test that could've told them they had cancer but didn't, again, right now, here on February 19th 2004, my life has come to a point that is far and away better than I could have ever hoped for. So even though I am a bit crazy right now, wow, blessed be.