morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-28
From: Pinefield Hut (VA)

To: HighTop Hut (VA)
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: moderate rain

Mon.Apr 28 Day# 36:30am Its been raining steady all night...hikers begin to stir @ daybreak.We had a thru-hiker come in last night after i was already in my sleeping bag..didnt catch his name.Charlie ("Grandaddy Longlegs") & Jim ("Vista Jim") setion hikers from PA leave out early this morning...this is their las day of hiking. Charlie has been section-hiking the A.T. for 51 years now & completes the trail this year...that is a RECORD according to the A.T.C. folks...CONGRATS Charlie!8am "Jigsaw" & i take our time getting out this morning as we only have 8 miles or so plnned for todays hike.The continuing rain & cool temps make it kinda hard to get outta this nice warm shelter/hut!Looks like "Rainy Days & Mondays" will be our theme for the day.(i like to imagine Joe Cocker singing the tune rather than Karen "i dont want a sandwich" Carpenter)We fix the hikers buffet: energy bars & strong coffee for me & the same with tea for "Jigsaw"9am Lets HIKE!"Cowboy Killer" (MD) is the name of the thru-hiker that came in late last night.He told us he'd hiked with "Dynamite" for a few days (i've been following "Dynamite"s hike here on Trail Journals)We'll probably see "Dynamite" before the week is done...he is putting in some high mile days.The 1st mile out of the hut is, of course, uphill & add that to a waterbottle that has a mind-of-its-own.(i have a bottle holder attached to my backpack hip belt but it keeps moving & turning upside down letting the litre bottle escape...that would NOT be good!) I drink a lot of water.I finally get frustrated & just put the bottle in my pants pocket & go.i hike on....light rain continues...over Skyline Drive (mile 75.2) then again @ Pinefield Gap then again @ Simmons Gap (mile 73.2)...i'm hiking alone..."Jigsaw" hikes a bit faster than me...Rain...rain..rain...down into Powell Gap (mile 69.9) then its climbing time again...(sing it Ray!)Up...Up..Up...to Little Roundtop Mtn & then (you guessed it) over SkylineDrive again @ Smiths Roach Gap before climbing a short distance to HighTop Hut, our home for the night.We were here very early 3pm. A Southbound section hiker, "Ed" is here (no trail name).I peel off my wet pack & jacket & shoes & climb into my mummy sleeping bag to try & get warm...(the winds have been kicking up to 25-30mph range)I put my fleece top on & my gloves....& into the sleep bag i go....I might just cook early & call it a day...but, for now...journal writing & talking trail TALL tales, jobs, etc with "Ed" (VA).Mountain House freeze dried dinner for me tonight, Rice & Chicken, & much needed rest. I think i'll take a nap. z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-Goodnite!                              8.2 miles today
Date: 2008-05-02
From: Luray,VA

To: Budget Inn-Luray,VA
Miles today: 0.0

Fri.May 2 Day #77am My LUCK has run out!I've always prided myself with hiking & getting no seriou sblisters...BUT, thats NOT the case this time.I cant hike today becasue of my heel blister/wound (a large 2 1/2-3" oval).Jigsaw has left & gone back to the trail early this morning...& now i'm still here in the Budget Inn (in Luray,VA) planning out the fastest way to "heal-up".I was up most of the night thinking of different scenarios.Jigsaw will hike our original plans & I hope to join him after a day or two of convalescing...here @ the Budget Inn (more details on the accomodations to come).This will put a gap in my section-hiking. Maybe I can take a long weekend & hike the miles I've missed.For now...Neosporin is my friend...i'm a bit depressed.Jigsaw is hiking Thornton Gap to Gravel Springs hut today.No Miles for me today.                                 "ZERO"
Date: 2008-05-03
From: Budget Inn-Luray,VA

To: Budget Inn-Luray,VA
Miles today: 0.0

Sat.May 3 Day #8NO HIKIN' AGAIN today for me!My heel wound seems to be slightly better...applying Neosporin 3 times daily..as directed.Jigsaw continues on with our original hike plans: Gravel Springs Hut to Tom Floyd Wayside Hut today.About Budget Inn-Luray,VA:"Hiker-friendly"..according to sources...Rates (In my honest opinion) are way too high for the poor quality accomodations.We paid $55 per night for the room (thats with the "hiker discount"..i was told the normal rate is $69 per night)Room QUALITY????We had a micro-wave that didnt work.TV remote that didnt work.Mini-fridge that leaked (we un-plugged it & cleaned up the mess).Shower curtain rod was not attached & fell...everytime i took a shower.No trash can.No emergency phone numbers sheet next to the Room Phone.(office phone #, emergency #s, etc)And the toilet is loose.(only bolted to the floor on 1 side...I have the time to think about all this as my wounded foot slowly heals...So, I vent!I called "D-bird" @ our house...explained my situation to the answering machine (she's on a "girls wkend in Indiana & I dont want to worry her!)She should get the message late Sunday night on her return.I plan to hit the trail Monday morning & rejoin Jigsaw for the last 4 days of our hiking trip.miles today:                  ZERO
Date: 2008-05-04
To: Still @ the Budget Inn-Luray,VA
Miles today: 0.0

Sun.May 4 Day#9My heel wound continues to improve.No hiking again for me today...I'm getting a bit stir-crazy.(i've prbably gained 5 lbs...eating pizza, burger & fries & more pizza)Jigsaw continues on our original hike schedule today hiking Tom Floyd Wayside Hut to Manassas Gap Shelter today.3 thru-hikers stayed last night next door to me @ the Budget Inn...i talked with "Skyline" (Jim Austin) a few minutes when he stopped by to pickup the thru-hikers & shuttle them back to the trail.I talked to the thru-hikers, "Hoedown", "Greg" & "California Joe" as they were packing up this morning & i was "hobbling" back to my hotel room (#116).Again today:               ZERO miles for me!
Date: 2008-05-05
From: Budget Inn-Luray,VA

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Mon.May 5 Day #10HAPPY CINCO de MAYO!I'm so excited (not about Cinco de Mayo) about getting back on the trail today!The shuttle service (Mountain & Valley Shuttle Service) takes me up to Ashby Gap (U.S.Hawt 50) with only 4 miles to hike up the trail to the next shelter (Rod Hollow Shelter).Jigsaw should arrive later in the day & we'll be hiking together again from here NorthBound to Harpers Ferry,WV (I plan to take it super easy & very slow on my still-healing foot)The weather forecast calls for: Sunny & low 70s for today, tomorrow & wednesday & scattered showers & mid 70s for Thursday (our last day of hiking).It was a slow...but, pleasant almost 4 mile hike to the shelter.I saw no other hikers...but, did see a hiker tent/camping by the stream as I watered up..just before the shelter.I arrived @ Rod Hollow Shelter exactly 2 hours after starting (2:15pm...so, average is approx 2mph)Jigsaw should be arriving in a couple hours.Original plans had us hiking 12.8 miles today.If nothing else happens...we should make Harpers Ferry late Thursday afternoon.I talked to "D-bird" for a few minutes this morning...She was "concerned" about my wound & "IF" i should continue with the hike.I assure her it (my heel wound)would be okay.I called "Model-T" when i arrived @ the shelter & told him i was back on the trail.Checking out my A.T.Data book...looks like i have approx. 47 miles to make up (that i've missed) between here & South to Thornton Gap.short day today...excited to be BACK!!!                              4 miles for me today!
Date: 2008-05-09
From: Charlottesville,VA

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

May 9Today is TRAVEL DAY...this years section hike is over & time to FLY home!We catch a Cab to the Charlottesville airport @ 3:30am (i dont know why because the US AIRWAYS counter didnt open til 4:30am)My flight leaves @ 5:20am & Jigsaw's leaves about 30 minutes later.I arrive back in Nashville @ 8:20am & my lovely wife "D-bird" (Donna) picks me up & we head home!Like to take this chance to say "THANKS" to all my friends & family that sent WELL WISHES & prayers to me while i was out on the trail.Especially, "TeePee", (the Model T crew) "Model T", "DragonFly", "Spunky" & "TooTall", all the White Blaze.net gang & the gang here @ TrailJournals.com ("Leif & ZipDrive", all the thru-hikers of 2008 we met...Good Luck in your journey to Mt.K. & to "Jigsaw"..THANKS again for heading South & hiking with me again this year as i continue the journey North!...&..most of all...to my lovely wife, Donna ("D-bird") who lets me get away for a couple weeks every year to "Walk in the woods" & pretend like i'm a "real hiker". i love you DF!to all of you...the A.T. isnt going anywhere...hope to meet you out there...somewhere...UP the trail!
Date: 2008-06-21
From: HOME

To: Harpeth River Ride
Miles today: 61.1

Sat.June 21stToday...continuing to prep for the TN SENIOR OLYMPICS CYCLING events,...i head to Thompson Station, TN for the annual "Harpeth River Ride"...sponsored by the local bike club (Harpeth Bike Club).It's an hour drive from the house in Springfield, thru Nashville, zip thru Franklin then South into Thompson Station (Just off Hwy 840)I check in...grab my comnplimentary T-shirt (very nice logo!), a water bottle, a map of the ride course (62 miles for me today)...& then prep the bicycle (2005 Trek Madone 5.2.SL)...several bicycle TECHS from the BIKE PEDLAR are here...very cool (I LOVE that bike shop!)...The mass start happens @ 7:30am.theres a crash right outta the start line....Geeee, i hope this isnt an omen of things to come!It rained on me heading to the race...but now its just overcast with the Sun peeking thru.There's probably 800 or so CYCLISTS out today...we head out Thompson Station road...then down Hwy 246 (Carters Creek Pike)...then onto Hwy 247 & then about 10 miles in....UPHILL......OUCH!After some "roller-coaster" hills...we climb Theta (tuff haul)...& then our 1st Rest Stop(mile 14)....(re-water here & grab some gatorade)from here (top of ridge)...its a FAST downhill....weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!(got up to 40+ miles per hour)pedal...pedal...pedal...then a gradual up to another ridge & then another quick down...weeeeeeeeeeee!we pedal then into Leipers Fork...REST STOP #2 (Mile 35)...(re-watered & grabbed some sugar goodies & GatorAde)head out Hwy 96 for a short distance then Hwy 46 into the Southall community then over to Carters Creek Pike...pedal...pedal...pedal...then head onto West Harpeth Road & our last (#3) Rest Stop(Mile 52)...grab some more H2O & gatorAde...then back on the pedals. for the last miles....pedal...pedal...pedal...onto Thompson Station Road...(thru the pretty little town with loads of older, historic homes & churches & train depot)back to Thompson Station Baptist Church parking lot...after i pack the bicycle away on the carrier rack...i head for the food tent...all the PIZZA was gone...YIKES!...all that was left was Mexican food....i just wasnt in the mood for mexican food...so, i grabbed a diet Coke & bottled water & left..i'll eat (& shower) when i get home...Good Ride!61.1 miles today.
Date: 2008-07-09
To: TSO Training/hiking UPDATE
Miles today: 0.0

July 9, 200810 Days til the 2008 TENNESSEE SENIOR OLYMPICS!I continue to train for the CYCLING events (5k Time Trial=3.1 miles &20k Road Race=12.4 miles).Riding the bicycle every day for 25 or so miles...to keep the legs warm & toned & ready for competititon. on Saturday July 19th & Sunday July 20th.The T.S.O. will again take place just outside of Franklin,TN in nearby Arrington (Time Trial) & College Grove (Road Race).I've ridden the race courses a few times already & plan to ride them several times in the days leading up to the competition.I had the pleasure of appearing on NewsChannel 5 Plus (Comcast cable channel 50 in Nashville,TN TV market) "Morning Line" (with host Nick Beres) along with T.S.O. executive director Christine Dewbre & fellow senior athlete Lucille Hardin (swimming events). Spreading the word about the TN Senior Olympics.                           www.TNSeniorOlympics.comI recently appeared on the show "In Your Prime" (also on the same cable channel) talking up the T.S.O. too.I'll update everyone with results of competition as it occurs next wkend.In the meantime...on the HIKING front...i've decided to go back to Virginia in September (Sept 26-Oct 1) to "MAKE-UP" the 47 miles i missed while i was hold-up in a LURAY,VA motel room nursing a nasty HEEL wound. (SEE May 2 2008 journal entry)Donna has decided to make it an "ADVENTURE" too..she is going along...BUT, not to hike....she'll be checking into a nearby CONDO (Massanutten)after dropping me off @ a trail-head @ ASHBY GAP/HWY 50.I've decided to hike SouthBound...so, thats the plan for now.now back to pedaling!
Date: 2008-07-15
From: TSO Training/hiking UPDATE

To: SENIOR OLYMPICS training continues...
Miles today: 0.0

July 14Just a few lines to let you know that my training continues for the TN SENIOR OLYMPICS...and some GREAT NEWS from the roads of ARRINGTON, TN...i have a NEW BEST time for the TIME TRIAL course...my OLD "best" time was 9:16.today...after properly warming up,...(getting the legs loosened up) for approx 4 miles...i said a little prayer & hit the throttle!(or the pedals...in this case)pedal! pedal! pedal!....i hit 27 mph...then i start the incline...1 mile uphill....a gradual uphill....a long gradual uphill....i slow to approx 16 mph....which is slower... but a load faster than i normally climb this 1 mile hill....as i reach the peak...i am breathing hard....huffing & puffing...now downhill....i crank it into HIGH gear...the BIG ring....crank...crank..crank...pedal..pedal..pedal...i hit 40+ miles per hour...then back it down to conserve a little energy for the last 1/4 mile of the track.i am getting worn out....pain is creeping into my thighs....down to my ankles....i cant stop now...pedal! pedal! pedal!i see the last half mile ahead....& crank it...pedal!..pedal!..pedal!...i cross the FINISH line...& stop my on board STOP-WATCH....& it reads...(Drum Roll, please!)....                                       8:34.2WOW!i just set a NEW "best" time for me...not a course record by any means...but MY "best" time to date!i managed to shave 42 seconds off my old time....WOW...i am pleased....i immediately call "Donna" (D-bird, my lovely wife) & give her the good news....wooooooooooooooo-hoooooooooooooooo!i ride & cool down a bit before riding the Road Race course...in normal speeds...will tackle this tomorrow.i rode a total of 26.36 miles...i'm tired...but, EXCITED!TN SENIOR OLYMPICS in 5 days!
Date: 2008-07-20
From: HOME

To: ROAD RACE-College Grove,TN
Miles today: 0.0

July 20,2008Today is the Tennessee Senior Olympics ROAD RACE.20 kilometers or 12.4 miles.The course is the same as last year...we start (mass start) in College Grove (front of Senior Center..how appropriate!) & make our way up to Cox Road, take a left & RACE to the Turn-around point on Christ Church Road & then back.)I arrive @ the staging area about 6:30am...(want to get the legs warmed up this morning)...get the bike prepped while talking to fellow Senior Olympians...At 7:30am Gordon Hampton (Williamson Co. Parks & Rec head guy)gives us instructions...then its SHOW TIME!"Get ready...get set....GO!"it's a MASS START...all riders bunched up together...(no riders go down @ the start line this year...thats a good thing!)i begin the RACE next to Kevin Sellers on the 2nd row...i kinda chide him a bit...off the start...saying:..."Earl is up front after your GOLD MEDAL!"...hehehehheehehehe ;0)we ride the first few miles together in fact 4 more riders join us & we start a good drafting train.....turn onto Cox Road...the pace is approx 23-25 mph at this point....still good...pedal!..pedal!...pedal!i get within a 1/4 mile or so of the "turn-around" & i start falling off the back of the draft train....as this happens...the lead pack...is coming back in the other direction...heading home @ a great speed!Greg Clark is in that (5 or 6 man)pack....GO GREG!I get to the turn & make it without wiping out (i DID a wipeout here 2 years ago & never finished the race)i stand on the pedals after the turn...& get back some speed...pedal!..pedal!..pedal!...i catch back up with 2 other riders & ride their wheels for a mile or so....then my legs just give out....several riders pass me....i slow down....way down....casual pace slow.....oh no....NOT AGAIN....my energy has been ZAPPED!...another rider passes....i muster enuff energy to grab their wheel...& stay on....we turn back onto HORTON HWY (hwy 41) & then uphill....i overtake the rider....& then down a short valley & back up again....i put distance between me & the last rider....as i hit the top of the hill...i see the group of riders (in the original draft train) rolling across the finish line....man, my energy is gone....i shift into the BIG ring & crank down.....last mile (or less)...i glance back...the rider is gaining on me...but, not for long....i crank extra hard...& come across the finish line @ 23mph...wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeew!i finished...that was 1 goal i accomplished today...needless to say...my time wasnt great...& i knew all 3 riders in my age group passed me...so, i'll cheer for them when they recieve their medals...MEDAL WINNERS are: GOLD=GREG CLARK                  SILVER=EARL EDENS                  BRONZE=KEVIN SELLERSCongratulations guys!No medals for me this year...I'll need to train harder for next year & probably change strategies...
Date: 2008-07-26
From: HOME

To: Portland,OREGON
Miles today: 0.0

Sat.July 26th"What WE did on our SUMMER Vacation"We start our OREGON vacation today.Donna ("D-bird") & I fly to Portland, Oregon to visit my Aunt Ruth Snively (& all my cuzzins) & then take in the sights in & around Portland & Coastal Oregon.Carlton (Donna's son) drops us off @ the Nashville airport (BNA)& the flight leaves on time, 10:40am...we fly thru Chicago then onto Portland.We arrive @ 3:20pm, local (Pacific) time. & pick up our rental car from THRIFTY Rental..after a bit of confusion & a rental car dance...we got our SUZUKI FORENZA (35 mpg) & left...We've recently purchased a TOM-TOM GPS (Global positioning satellite) navigational system...so, we have that ON-BOARD & will be using it quite a bit...(instead of the old trusty MAPS!)We make it to RUTH's house in South East Portland...It was GREAT to see her...This is our 1st time in the North West...so, ALL of this is gonna be NEW!Ruth had a early Dinner waiting for us: Fried Chicken (how Southern)& we un-packed...Many of our distant cuzzins (Jeff & family, Roger & Laura Tookers & katie & Gabe & Darren) came over for a visit & we stayed up til about 1a.m.We ARE very tired...its been a looooooong day...Goodnite!
Date: 2008-07-27
From: Ruth's House

To: Portland, OREGON AREA
Miles today: 0.0

Sunday July 27We wakeup & have breakfast with Ruth.I have the usual, yogurt & fruit....& lots of COFFEE!Donna has cereal.Afterwards, we drive North & crossover into Washington (state)...drive by the mighty Columbia River & arrive in Vancouver, Washington & eat @ a mexican restuarant & enjoy the river views. (good food!)After lunch we continue North up the Highway (the Lewis & Clark Trail hi-way)...stopping by many scenic sites along the way (Beacon Rock, several Vineyards, many small towns)We head to MARY HILL MUSEUM...a castle like structure on the Columbia River (abt 7,000 acres attached) built by entrepeneur Sam Hill (YES! THAT Sam Hill...as in..."what in the Sam Hill are you doing?")An Andy Warhol exhibit was featured...i LOVED IT!After the museum...we traveled North about 4 miles to a World War One memorial built by Sam Hill...a life size-COMPLETE replica of STONE HENGE.Interesting...Sam Hill is buried just South of here overlooking the river.We head back South to Ruth's house (6:30pm)via a different route......passing thru the Dalles, over the River & back on I-5.We get back & rest for a few minutes before hitting the hay...Goodnite!
Date: 2008-07-28
To: Portland, OREGON AREA
Miles today: 0.0

Monday July 28Breakfast with Ruth...we left the house to go see the sights @ about 10am.we head East from Portland to the "Vista House" an observation point built back in the 1920s that overlooks the Columbia River & the mountains in the distance.We took in the museum there & enjoyed the winding road there & beyond.Then we headed to Multnomah Falls Lodge to have lunch (large burger).Ruth waited on the view bridge as Donna & i headed to the top of the Falls (a 1 mile hike up & then a 1 mile hike back down....)After a short visit to the gift shop...post-hike...we head up the road to Mt.Hood...we take loads of photos along the way as we spot the mountain...as soon as we arrive...@ the base of Mt.hood...the Lodge...the TIMBERLINE LODGE...the Lodge featured (exsterior shot)in the movie: "The Shining".Very Cool!Remember???"....here's Johnny!"very old lodge made of timber & logs, huge fireplaces, etc used now mostly as a ski resort & hotel. At the base of Mt.Hood,Oregon's tallest mountain with an elevation of 11,249 feet (3,429 meters for our European friends))We take many more photos...its geting late...Ruth wants to take us out to a nice place to eat dinner as we head back...we head to one of her favorite Italian restuarants...but, its closed on Mondays...darn...thats okay...we head back to the house & have sandwiches....its all good.Goodnite!
Date: 2008-07-29
From: Portland, OREGON AREA

To: Camp 18 & BEYOND!
Miles today: 0.0

Tuesday July 29thWe get up & head West to Camp 18 (an old logging camp complete with logging rigs, trucks, paraphenalia,etc). We get there (Ruth led the way in her car)& take a self-guided tour around this monster LOG & timber restuarant...complete with wood carvings of LumberJacks, BigFoot, Paul Bunyan, Smokey Bear & a few morebears, etc.,..We ate breakfast here...Donna had a huge stack of pancakes, Ruth had eggs 7 bacon & i had a whole plate (6) of biscuits & jam.Afterwards, Ruth heads home & we head North about 25 miles to SeaSide, Oregon (as the name implies)...on the Pacific Coast.We get to this lovely, quaint coastal town & finally find a parking spot & walk to the beach.We stop by the Visitors Info. Center & got some tips for eateries & motels in the area.It starts to drizzle rain as we walk on the beach...very windy too...which makes for sand in the face & eyes...YIKES!We then walk up & down a few streets as it continues a lite drizzle...checking out shops & art galleries (many artists live & work in the area).It starts to rain harder & the winds pick up...we jump in the car & ride up & down side streets...to see how the "real people" live.the rain comes down harder.By this time...we're getting hungry so we park in front of Guido & Vitos & go in....PASTA for supper tonite.then after a short drive, in the rain to nearby Cannon Beach...we head back to SeaSide & check into a motel (MOTEL 6)...(motels were about 50 bucks more in Cannon than SeaSide).Early to bed...its raining we're tired.8pm                           Goodnight!