morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-05-21
From: Powhatan Va

To: Powhatan Va
Miles today: 0.0

Well Iam not sure what to do. Was gonna just quit but that's not me. Dr.Kiritsis said the knee is in bad shape the meniscus is torn up and there is arthritis too.Gonna wait till after surgery to see how it does. If not a thru maybe a section thru. Waiting now for a call for surgery date. Will update when I find out. Thanks everyone an God Bless...
Date: 2013-05-22
From: ?Powhatan Va

To: Powhatan Va
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Waited all day for the call about the surgery.But it never came. Just before 4:00 I called, left a message. Hope to hear something tomorrow. Granny said no news is better than bad news. She was seldom wrong, even at 96 yrs.Just remember (One day at a time). Missing the trail............. v
Date: 2013-05-24
From: Powhatan Va

To: Powhatan Va
Miles today: 0.0

Happy to say I received the call I've been waiting for from Carla. She tried to get me in this coming Tuesday ,but couldn't. So it will be the following Tuesday 6-4-13.Want to thank her and the rest of the staff for getting me in that quick. From trail to operating table in 19 days is very quick. The rest will be up to me in rehabilitating myself.Anything is possible with God in your life. I don't doubt anything. All things work for the good who trust and believe in him.Thanks for the prayers everyone. And may God bless you......
Date: 2013-06-04
From: Powhatan Va

To: Powhatan Va
Miles today: 0.0

Hi Everyone                     Another good day. Had the surgery done today by the one I think is the best. Dr.Paul Kiritsis. After going to workout this morning at Powhatan Physical Therapy I went to surgery. Afterwards my wonderful son brought me home. Have been alternating Ice,with elevation ,up and down steps ten times each hour, then rest. Will go back to gym on Thursday (Powhatan Physical Therapy) I call it my gym, They have everything there I need, plus a great staff. Looking forward to getting back on the trail as soon as I'm well.God has a plan, I'll take it one day at a time.
Date: 2013-06-12
From: Powhatan Va

To: ?
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Hi Friends,                  Hope this finds you well and blessed. If you know the Lord you surely are. I've been blessed by him. I didn't get the news I wanted to hear I did have meniscus tear in the right knee like the previous left one.Seams to be quite a bit more arthritis then we thought. On a scale of 1-5 my right knee is a 3.Probably caused by some of the wear and tear of putting down oak flooring in my early years (Should ve kept the diamond ring) right Gloria? Anyway, Dr said to keep doing therapy but to back off some. May be able to put a pack on after I return in 3 weeks .Will know the answer then. Thanks for all the prayers its not over yet. God Bless........
Date: 2013-07-02
From: ?

To: Heaven 
Miles today: 0.0

Hi Friends                  Hope all is well. Have had lots of rain here in central Va. From the journals I've been reading the AT is pretty wet too. Which is good at times. I went back to Dr.Kiritsis this morning. Sure wish all Drs. had his personality ,he's just down home & easy to communicate with. He said the swelling under the petella should dissipate soon. The knee is healing ever so slowly. I have some pain from hip to ankle at times, he thinks it may be a pinched nerve.Wait and see. He thinks it will heal on it's own. I know I was hard on my body but the pain wasn't all that bad to me. The ARTHRITIS....Well there's not much we can do about that. He doesn't want to do total knee replacement for about 20 yrs. He thinks I'm gonna do okay. Will have to wait and see. With this being the case I don't think I will return to the trail this year. Maybe next year I'll section hike the rest.With the 700+ this year and the 350+ from the last few years I've got close to half done.The knees must heal completely . There are sooo many people that helped me along the way. I won't even try to name them cause I know I would leave someone out. You know who you are and I sincerely appreciate your love, kindness, time and all the trail magic. I truly did enjoy every day of the hike. Rain ,snow, sleet,mud, ice ,wind, clouds and the sunshine. Everyday was a gift from God. I had read before the hike that afterwards you would have day's of depression .And it's true you do.but then I thank the Lord for all the gifts he has given to me Some people have never taken a single step in there life. Yet they are full of love and joy My grandson and girlfriend Leanne are just two of many many men and women which will never walk.Why not take the time and thank the Lord for your health. May God Bless You. Remember   take one day at a time........ Bubblegum
Date: 2013-09-21
From: Powhatan Va

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hi Everyone, So glad to see so many completing it all the way to Katahdin .Congratulations to all.. I've been taking it easy for the past few months. Did go on the trail last Monday, Only about 6 miles ,no pack. Did okay, both legs still hurt some whenever I walk anywhere. Never knew that arthritis was so awful. At least I know I can still hike short distances .The friend I hiked with has ridden a bike on the C&O canal trail from end to end.I'm thinking about buying a nice bike. The pack can ride and so can I.Did a little trail magic last week also. Was looking for a SoBo by the name of Smiles.Came close to her, but ended up helping a friend of hers. Picked him up at Big Meadows and drove him to Charlottesville to catch Amtrec to Newport News for a funeral. His name was Greenflash. Diet Coke taught me well. Shutterbug has made it back to Harper's Ferry on her flip. Wanted to meet her but time wouldn't let me. Crazy Frogg finished 8-16 and is bac at Va Tech. Dons Brother Molor and Sweet tooth have finished. Hobo Trouble an Whirled Peas are very close. I want to thank all of you who I meet. It was one of the best experiences I've ever had. Wish I had done it when I was younger.But as we all know... God has a plan... we can only live one day at a time.. Hope we all meet again some day. May God Bless....Your Friend Bubblegum
Date: 2013-09-22
From: Powhatan Va

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Decided knee did so good on Monday that I would hike some more yesterday and do a little trail magic. I love Cold Mt. With the fantastic views and lots of open space. First I left a message about the trail magic in the car up on Tar Jacket Ridge .Then hiked up on top of Cold Mt.It was awesome on the first day of fall with a gentle breeze. A most beautiful day. Had bought let's of fruit ,bananas and things hikers like. Was hoping to visit with Smiles a SoBo who I met with her mother two weeks ago at the ATC headquarters. She had two girlfriends waiting for her at the gap from the collage they attended. Nice and polite young lady's. I needed to hike more for the knees so I went North to hike to the Priest shelter and see if Smiles had been there. Sure enough she had left with Killer that morning. I left the trail magic in the shelter. It was a beautiful hike and my knees didn't yell to loud.I guess I'm a section hiker now. I've hiked from Bearwallow Gap to I 70 Md.so I need to fill in the sections So of there this fall. Probably in the near future. This weeks high in the 60s.Super Nice for hiking. I see that Trouble and her dog Melkey ,plus Hobo and Whirled Peas are very close. Would've been near them if I hadn't went so fast at the beginning. But as I know God has a plan. My trust and faith is in him. I have all the hikers in my prayers. May God Bless You
Date: 2006-10-11
To: The Dream
Miles today: 0.0

After reading trail journals for the last six months, it seems a little weird to actually start one. I'm a retired PE teacher who has had a passion for the outdoors all of my life. I really never thought that seriously about a thru hike of the Appalachisn trail until about a year ago while taking a group of high school students to the Smokey Mountains for a backpacking trip on part of the trail. We had quite an experience which I might go into in a later entry. This trip sparked an interest in me to pursue the idea of a thru hike. I've always been a person who looks for a physical/mental challenge, having done running marathons, ski marathons etc. But this is a whole new challenge. I know I could go out for a week and hike whatever number of miles.. But can I do it week after week for 6 months??? My goal, like many others, is to finish as a thru hiker. But I will take it day by day and see how far I can get.Surely I have been inspired by those that have gone before me."The only real failure is the failure to try." Joan Benoit
Date: 2006-10-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Gear!I am a gearhound!! I think I own everything that REI has to offer... Ofcourse I've accumulated it over a number of years but I'm confident I'll have the "stuff" it takes to get on the trail. This past summer I purchased an Osprey Atmos 50 backpack which I took a 4 day hike in the Rocky Mountain National Park with. Loved it! Now they're coming out with an Osprey Atmos 65 which has more capacity. I'm thinking of purchasing that for the first part of the trip. I won't go into great detail here on my gear because eventually I'll post it in the GEAR section. Besides people get pretty sick of me talking about it.... Come to think of it, I get sick of me talking about it!I'm not sure how to go about planning for maildrops so that concerns me a little. I'll have to go on the forum to see how best to go about that..I'll conclude this entry with a quote from a gentleman who assisted in a sea kayaking class I took a few summers ago up in the Apostle Islands. His name was Kermit and he said: "Life should be spent either on an adventure or planning one." It is very exciting to be planning this adventure!
Date: 2006-10-14
To: Training
Miles today: 0.0

How does one train for a 2,100 plus hike??? It certainly isn't like training for a marathon where you build up and then taper for the "big day"... For sure there will be an advantage by being in shape. I'm a runner, biker, and cross country skier. I'm planning on doing to American Berkenbeiner Ski Marathon the Saturday before I start the trail. The training it takes to do that should help me a lot, especially in climbing the mountains. I am aslo planning on doing a lot of hiking in the Kettle Moraine State Forest, which is close by, to get "hiker ready" for this trip. I will do a few overnight trips to test my gear. It's a real advantage to be retired and have the time to do this! I think being fit will give me an advantage but I have no illusion that this will guarantee success. After reading other's journals I have come to realize that a lot of other very important factors play into completing the journey in one shot, not the least of which is luck!! I must say, though, that I'm looking forward to the challenge..."The urge to struggle lies latent in everyone." Roger Bannister
Date: 2006-11-01
To: Tidbits
Miles today: 0.0

So I'm planning on doing some running, biking, hiking with my pack on and skiing once we get snow. Right now I'm running in the early morning and then biking or hiking in the late morning or early afternoon. I'm also thinking of taking a spinning and core training class a few times a week. Yesterday wsa my first hike with a pack on. I went out to the Kettle Moraine State Forest and hiked 5 miles on moderate (easy) terrain. A beautiful day in the 40's. A good start...OH, and thanks to BooBoo and Woodensticks I've decided to purchase a Appalachian Trail Through Hikers Companion '06 Guide. I'll use it to plan out my hike and mail drops etc.I'm trying to come up with a quote for my signature and my running buddy, Brian, came up with this: "When you come to a fork in the road... TAKE IT!"It's a quote by Yogi Berra. It might just work for me!
Date: 2006-11-07
To: Agony of Defeet!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Yesterday I took an 8 mile hike in the Kettles. Beautiful day in the 50's but after 5 miles I started getting some pain in my right foot at the big toe joint. I walked for 3 more miles and when I was done I could hardly stand! What a disappointment! I've had similar pain before but it generally went away. Today it feels much better and I think I could hike but I'm going to wait until tomorrow and see. I wonder if I might have some arthritis. Bummer! I mean if this is happening on a training hike what will happen with day after day of a thru hike?? Not lookin' good for the home town boy! BUT, I'm not ready to cash in the chips just yet.Stay tuned... "It ain't over 'til it's over!" Yogi Berra
Date: 2006-11-14
To: Defeat Defeet
Miles today: 0.0

First a thanks to Donne and Joe for their feedback on my feet issue. That really helps me a lot. I did see the doctor yesterday and we both agreed that it's just a matter of starting a little slower (maybe less miles or less weight in my pack for now). At any rate I continued running a biking last week with no problem and very little pain in my feet. I'm guessing that my feet will be sore no matter what and I'll just have to deal with it! I gather this from reading other's journals and from the trail forum. Maybe my trail name will be "Tenderfoot".... We'll see.I must add that it's really cool to view other '07 journals and see what's going on in their heads... A lot of "issues" including thoughts, fears,anxiety, excitment, anticipation and personal reflection going on. And with other's reading and sometimes responding it's an amazing thing for this old guy to behold! Neat!!
Date: 2006-12-04
To: Snow! Snow! Snow!
Miles today: 0.0

My training schedule has taken a change in the past few days as we received 8 inches of snow here in southeastern Wisconsin. I'm a cross country skier and this has been a blessing! We have struggled in the past few years to get skiing in before January. I do the "Skate" style of skiing which is a great workout and good for my "climing" muscles. We have a great trail system just west of here and a few of our ski club members work very hard to maintain them on a daily basis. So now my days are a combination of running, skiing, spinning and weight training. I will also get out a couple of times a week to hike with my pack (30 lbs.) on. It's really nice to have the time to do all these things. I'll have to be careful to not over do it!I also need to start planning my trip! I am not a very organized person so this could be a challenge. My main concern is resupply. Do I plan to see what food is available in the towns along the way or do I plan on all mail drops?? Right now I'm thinking of being very simple in what I eat on the trail. Oatmeal, coffee(gotta have it!) in the mornings, bagels/cheese/power bar/energy gel for on the trail, and freeze dried meals for dinner. Will I be able to subsist on these alone? I think so.Again, I must say that this is very exciting for me to even be considering this adventure.. It seems overwelming to think of the totality of it. But I'll take it one day at a time.. I'm looking forward to meeting some of the people on this blog as well as others who will be out there!
Date: 2006-12-08
To: Georgia On My Mind
Miles today: 0.0

I was just driving home from the ski trails and Ray Charles was on the radio singing "Georgia On My Mind". Great song and so timely for me as that's what I think about almost every day now. Yesterday I stopped at REI and picked up a new water filter (Katakyn Hiker Pro), some stuff sacks, a set of Yaktrax (for possible ice and snow in the Smokies), a cocoon mummy bag liner and the Atmos 65 Backpack. I'm going to see if I really need it as I already have an Atmos 50 which I really like. It's just a matter of space. I also tried on a pair of Vasque Breeze boots. I thought they fit extremely well and liked the way they felt. Does anyone out there have an opinion on these boots? I'm thinking of getting a pair. So as you can tell I really am a "Gear Guy". I love it! It's like having Christmas when I want.On that same train of thought, sometimes I think that I am pretty self-absorbed and frankly selfish about doing the AT. It seems to be all about "me" and that's a little bothersome. Allow me to get "philosophical". Maybe I've been selfish my whole life. I've always done things that please me. I do think I've done some good things for others in teaching and coaching, but I've received SO much back from those same people. Look how many "I's" appear in this journal. OK, enough! Just some random thoughts. I'm sure I'll have plenty on the trail!Until Later....
Date: 2007-01-01
To: Looking Forward
Miles today: 0.0

It's an interesting thought to comtemplate the next step in your llfe.. You have total control of what you want it to be.. I'm thinking about us "boomers". We stand to rewrite the books on what can be done in our "later" years.. In many ways we were and are a very priviledged generation. Witn the exception of Vietnam (and I certainly don't want to trivialize that) we lived in a fairly peaceful and properous time. But what will be our legacy for the future? How can we make a difference in our twilight years? I'm thinking I have a ton of energy or else I would not be doing this trail! My point is there's more! For sure I want to complete the AT. But what comes after that? As I look forward to the new year and the excitement it holds for me personally, I also think; "What can I do with the experience I will have to help other?" OK, I'm getting WAY ahead of myself.. I have yet to take one step on that trail... But it sure is nice to look forward to that day!!! Happy New Year! See you on the trail!
Date: 2007-01-03
To: Change of Plans!
Miles today: 0.0

Today I made a decision to start a month earlier than I planned. I was thinking I'd start around March 1st but now I'm thinking February 1st. There are a few reasons for this. First, I was planning on doing the Birkenbeiner Ski Marathon at the end of February but since there is no snow to train on I'm not going to spend a lot of time and energy on skiing. The other thing about doing the Birkie is that I would be pretty trashed and it would be difficult, at best, to get a good start on the trail. The Birkie will be there next year... The other reason for an earlier start is that I won't be so pressed for time to complete it by the middle of August. I coach Cross Country and it would have been a real push to get it done in 5 and a half months.So now I am really going to have to get busy in the next few weeks to get all of my ducks in order. I'm pretty pumped about my decision and feel it is the only way to go.Also today, as I was taking an 8 mile prep hike, I met a gentleman on the Kohler/Andre loop trail, Ron Bowen, who is doing section hikes on the AT. This year he is planning on hiking across the Smokies. Cool!OK, I've got to get organized!!!Later!
Date: 2007-01-08
To: It's a Breeze!
Miles today: 0.0

I'm coming along well with my training and the problem with my feet, which I mentioned earlier, seems to be taking care of itself. I changed to the Vasque Breeze GTX XCR boots and they are lighter and more comfortable to hike in. A huge difference! So I bought a second pair to break in for the second half of the trail. How's THAT for self confidence? I've been hiking 5 to 6 days a week with my pack on. The terrain is flat and I'm just trying to get used to the weight of my pack on my body. I hike 5 miles most days and have hiked a few 8 to 10 milers also. Along with these workouts I run a couple of times a week and do a spinning workout 3 times a week. My days are very busy, fitting all this in. During the Christas week I spent a few days up in Ironwood, Mi. skiing but we have NO snow here. It's all just as well for me as I can now concentrate on hiking.My challenge is to get all the other things done to prepare for leaving ie. taxes completed, bills on automatic payment, mail drops readied, etc., etc., etc.Three weeks to go!
Date: 2007-01-16
To: Two Weeks!!!!
Miles today: 0.0

As I am reading other's journals I can certainly relate to the excitement that is building. It IS an all comsuming feeling. In just two weeks I'm gonna be "out there". The class of '07 is starting to build.This past saturday I took a 10 mile hike with Dennis Ketterman who will be joining me somewhere in Virginia for about a week. As we walked I noted how nice it was to have someone to talk to. The time just flew by. I like hiking alone BUT I'm sure I'll welcome the company of others. On Sunday I did 12 miles alone. It was really beautiful with a light dusting of snow on the ground. On both days I felt I could have done another 5 miles with no problem. However, there weren't any mountains to climb... I'm guessing my pack weighs about 30 pounds with 4 days of food and 2 liters of water so that's not bad considering I have all of my "winter" clothes in there.I got a great deal on a one-way ticket from Chicago to Atlanta for $94. A former athlete and friend, Beav Schmitt, will pick me up in Atlanta and shuttle me to the trail head so I'm pretty lucky.So I have a number of loose ends to take care of in the next couple of weeks. I'm not the most organized person so this could be a challenge. I'm trying to do just a couple of things each day so it doesn't come crashing down on me in the end. I'm confident I'll be fine.I PUMPED!!!
Date: 2007-01-26
To: It's gonna be COLD in them thar hills!!!
Miles today: 0.0

As I'm looking at the current weather in Georgia I'm thinking I'll need my long johns (they'll be packed regardless). I'm glad to have done a good number of training hikes in the snow these past couple of weeks. This week I'm still running and spinning but have backed off on hiking just going out one day. Today will be my last day of any real exercise (a spin and strength workout). The next few days will be filled with getting the homefront ready. I don't have much packing to do!! I'm still trying to figure out my maildrops and itenary but it's really hard to gauge how many miles I'll actually do and where I'll be at any given time. My son, Ryan, will be sending my maildrops so I'll just make sure to call him in advance to send one out. My first one will probably be to Fontana Dam. I'll resupply in towns along the way up to that point.Yesterday was my last day of teaching.. I only taught a couple of classes a day this past semester but it was a very good transition into retirement. I'm one of the fortunate people who absolutely loved my job so it's hard in many ways to move on to another chapter in my life. I'll certainly miss the students and staff. I think this hike will be good for me no matter how long it lasts (and I DO hope it lasts).I can't believe how close I am to going. Tuesday (Jan.30th) I'll be flying to Atlanta! It will seem like I'm in another world when I get there. Up untli about a year ago I no desire or dream to do this trail. I love the west and the Rockies. But there has been such draw for me to attempt this challenge. Dreams! I've been reading other journals about dreams. I haven't dreamt of the trail until this week having seveal nights in a row of "Trail Dreams". I think my mind is working overtime! So these are the things that are going through my mind as I am very near to my adventure......"Happyness is not a state to arrive at, but a manner of traveling." Margaret Lee Runbeck