morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-02-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well it is the last day of February again and the date of most people starting is fast approaching. I have Springer Feaver SO bad. I am doing a project with my students on backpacking and we are weighing all the contents of my pack for a math activity. This is NOT helping me at all. I just want to take off and hike!!! I keep telling myself I could be ready to hike in a week, but again trying to be responsible takes over and I know I need to wait until next year. So tomorrow it will be exactly 365 days until I go!!! I am planning several weekend hikes just to satisfy my hiking needs. I also may take a week and go hike too later on. And there is trail days to go to in May. I can't wait. So that is where I am at this time of year. Working lots and thinking about the trail more than ever. Will have to get back on here and do some gear changes as soon as I can. Meanwhile to the 2007 hikers- good luck and stay safe.
Date: 2007-11-16
To: Waiting....
Miles today: 0.0

Wow! It is November already. The days are quickly moving on and I think it is about 105 days until I start my journey. I am getting so excited as things are coming together nicely. Gear is being purchased and arrangements are being completed. All that is left is for me to get out there and hike to get this body into some kind of shape so I can climb all those endless mountains. I found a two mile trail that is 3 miles from my home that I can hike. It gives me a little variety of ups and downs(as much as you can get in NC)and it is in the woods so it is not boring like on a track. I can always hike it 2 or 3 times for length. It is very hard now to get hiking in after work as I get done at 5 and it gets dark at 5:30. I take the extra long hikes on weekends and just do the once around on weekdays. Of course my job offers me the option of hiking the trail to my students campsites and to the waterfront and of course there is always my lunch "break" which never quite seems to materialize for some reason. I am usually swamped in paperwork.But when the stress gets too much I am out the back door and into the woods for a quick walk to relieve the strain and then can function again when I come back. It is a great job! I just wanted to let everyone know that I am still on track for leaving March 1 and will catch up on my things that have been happening next week. I have a few days off for Thanksgiving so I can actually breathe for a few days. Will write more later.
Date: 2008-02-12
From: Waiting....

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well it is soon time to go take a hike. I have been waiting ever so patiently since last year! I am not sure now what date I will be able to start as it depends on work related issues. It will be between March 1st and April 1st. I know that is quite a leeway but it cannot be helped. I am so happy to be able to go this year that I can deal with the start issues.         I have most of my gear together and have tested and re-tested some new items. I bought a Henry Shires tarp tent, the Cloudburst II. I had used one in 2004 but it did not have a floor and I wanted one this time. It is a lot better than dealing with chasing all the crawly things out each morning. Not that I mind them, but just don¢t like to sleep with them. I am also testing an AT hybrid hammock. I have never used one before and while trying it, it made for some laughter. Trying to get the hang of it while the wind was blowing hard was fun. I think I finally figured it out, but it was funny as I could not get it back into the ¢small¢ pouch that it came in. After several tries I finally mastered that one. I am not sure how I will like it but I will give it a shot.         I have been trying to hike each weekend on a trail near the house. It has been hard as work has been extra stressful lately. We have been short handed as we lost two co workers and had to take up the slack with their loads. Let¢s just say I am ready for a break. I love my teaching job with behaviorally challenged teens, but it is a career where you need to step back once in a while to regroup. My hike will be my regrouping experience. I know I will miss the kids and they are going to keep track of my progress while I am hiking so I will stay in contact, but I will miss them.         Well enough for today. I will write more later. I am trying to tie up lose ends at work, finish 3 online classes, study for a HUGE test for my 2nd masters and still find time to get some exercise. Oh well, it will all fall into place I am sure. Shuffle
Date: 2008-03-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well it is March 4th already and I should have been on the trail for 4 days so far. Some inconveniences at work have prevented that from happening. I am not sure when I am going to abe able to start now. We have lost some teachers and until the new ones are trained it would not be good for me to leave. So I am waiting not so patiently and hoping the day comes soon. I should know today about when I can go. I have read journals of those who have left Springer and it makes me feel so sad to know I am not there. But I guess I have to look at the bright side and not sit here wallowing in my own pity and come up with a new plan. I have thouht it throught and decided I can hike north until such a point as I need to go up and hike in Maine and turn southward. Being from North Carolina, I realize the weather here is still very good even late into November and December. So I am not worried about it. I will just start as soon as I can and trudge northward to get as much done as I can.    I have all my gear ready to go and mail drops ready also. Just sitting here at work, well, not actually sitting as I am responsible for groups of teen age boys and their education, and dreaming of the day when I can set foot on the trail and hike. I have been hiking on the weekends and it makes me want to go even more. What is it about hiking that lures you in and then stays with you so much that it's all you can think about? It has been that way since I hiked in 2004. I guess you could say I have been bitten by the hiking bug and really don't want to find a cure for this hiking epidemic.    I will list some gear on my gear page and as soon as I figure out the new schedule will post my mail drop schedule.   Good luck to those who have started! I will soon be chasing you!Shuffle
Date: 2008-04-10
From: Home

To: Damascus VA
Miles today: 247.7
Weather: overcast clouds

This past weekend I traveled from my home in Manson, NC to Damascus, VA which was about 300 plus miles. I met a friend there to shuttle him to Front Royal, VA. He is hiking south now to Trail Days. I needed the weekend away from the pressures of work!!. It was great being in Damascus again, but to tell you the truth, I wanted to take off hiking right then and there! I have about 43 days before my leave takes effect but I truly wanted to go now. I visited the outfitter's and bought a pair of new gaiters and a book about why we should get our children out into nature and what effects it has if we don't. Since I work with kids and I have 3 grandchildren, I am always open to learn these things. I will give it to my son to read when I am done with it. Anyway, I got there on Friday Around 7 pm and went to the Hikers Inn, with Suzanne as proprietor. I love that place. When I hiked in 2004 she really helped me out because when I got there I had foot and knee problems. I stayed there for 4 days at least. My friend was staying there so I got a room there too. Then I took him for dinner at The Mill and we caught up on family, jobs and other information. After a great meal we went back to the hostel and chatted wth two hikers Thorny and Jukebox. I have read Jukebox's jounal and his wife's. It sure was great to be able to talk to hikers again!!   I soon got sleepy though as I had been at work until noon and then driven for hours to get there. It seems driving makes me more tired than hiking! So I crawled into a nice soft bed at The Hikers Inn and was soon into dreamland.Shufflebum
Date: 2008-04-11
From: Damascus VA

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 293.5
Weather: broken clouds

April 11, 2008Destination ¢ Front Royal, VA                                        Today¢s Miles ¢ 293.5Start ¢ Damascus, VA                                                Trip Miles ¢ 541.2        I was up and in the shower at 6 am. I am an early riser because of my job. I am always at work by 5:30 am. I did sleep in a little. I packed up my stuff and put it in the car. I found a cup of coffee and then all was good. I sat outside and just relaxed a while. My job is so stressful that sometimes I find it hard to unwind and just relax. It usually takes me a day or so to be able to relax. But it was definitely relaxing sitting there sipping coffee and enjoying the nice weather. My friend got up and packed up and we walked to Dairy King for breakfast. It has been remodeled and was just as good of food as it always has. Then we went to mail a package at the Post office, go to the outfitters (both of them) and then go back and say goodbye to Suzanne. Will be seeing her again for trail days.         We were on the road by 10 am for the drive up I-81 to Front Royal. He decided to hike south into Damascus for trail days rather than hike north and try to find a ride back and I was eager to shuttle him there. We had an uneventful travel day, other than not being able to find a Sheetz store at an exit for me to get more coffee! Can you see a pattern, me and my coffee.? It will definitely be with me on the trail or I would be one grouchy hiker.         We got to Front Royal around 4:00 pm and found a motel. It was funny as I hadn¢t stopped to use the latrine since way back and had to go real bad. I went in to the motel and asked if they had a lobby bathroom and was told no. So with what I guess looked like a panic stricken look on my face, I said I need a room. That was the fastest I have ever been checked in to a motel room. He must have thought I meant it!!! After unpacking we went to find food for his re-supply and to get something to eat. We found the Food Lion in Front Royal and he got what he needed, then we went to Burger King for a burger and to find some fuel for his alcohol stove. Then back to the motel to unwind and me to watch TV and him to pack up his 20 pound food bag!! At least it felt that heavy. I took some of his winter gear and that lightened his load a little. Not sure if it was a good idea though as it got colder the next few days.         I am not a party animal or a person who can stay awake long in the evening due to getting up so early for work. I usually fall asleep pretty early at home. We talked and watched a marathon of NCIS and soon I was in dreamland again. Shufflebum
Date: 2008-04-12
From: Front Royal, VA

To: Manson, NC
Miles today: 220.0

April 12,2008   I did not wake up until 6:30 again today! We went to the lobby for the continental breakfast the guy said they had, only coffee, juice and English Muffins!!! Not much for a hungry hiker to munch on! Then he tried to use the computer but could not get on. So we packed up and I got ready to go. We said our goodbyes and we will see you in Damascus and off he went. Then I had to do the drive back alone and am left to think about how nice it would have been to hike myself. I know it will be soon. But right now it doesn't feel soon enough. On Monday it will be back to my job and the stress. Even though I truly love my job of teaching behaviorally challenged kids, it tends to wear you down and I am at that point. I need the time in the Woods!!!   So I stopped at Dunkin Donuts and got a HUGE coffee and then proceeded on my way. The traffic was not too bad on I 95 or I 85. I got home around 12:45. Not bad timing and still had some time to relax before starting the new week.   Only 43 more days and I too, will be on my way!!!
Date: 2008-05-05
From: Manson, NC

To: Work and Home Sweet Home
Miles today: 0.0

I just had to tell all of you the experience I had last week one day with one of the groups of students here at camp. It was a normal day like all the others with things going crazy in all areas. I was sitting at my desk trying to get through a mound of paperwork when I hear a knock at the back door. I got up to check because kids are not supposed to use that door and it is kept locked. I found a group out side all smiles and excited to see me. Ms Nancy, we have something you will really like.                                       Well, you know from previous entries that I like snakes and all forms of reptiles and amphibians so I went out to see what they had. They were holding a pillow case and I asked what it was. They opened it and I looked in and my heart dropped!!! In the bottom of the pillow case was a rather large, ticked off copperhead snake!!!! I tried to act calm, even though I am not one to handle venomous snakes and took the bag from the student. I twisted up the end and held it out away from me so as not to get bitten. I then proceeded to tell them the dangers of handling something like that. Copperhead bites do not commonly kill you, but it can. It can also make you wish you had never seen one again because you get really sick if bitten. After our discussion, I sent them on their way and walked into the building with the sack in hand. Ok now what?? I have a ticked off copperhead in a sack and need to get him out of the building. I called over to the main building and told them what happened and that I was going to attempt to let him loose somewhere away from kids and where he would not hurt anyone. So two of the office personel came over to see it. It is funny cause they stood back really far. I walked into the woods and found a suitable spot. I had grabbed my leather gloves that I handle my Savannah Monitor lizard with and I untwisted the bag cautiously. Ok, now what? I laid the bag down on the ground and hoped he would just crawl out, but that didn't happen. So I grabbed the botom of the bag and tugged a little. Finally he poked his head out but was not in any hurry to go. I tugged the bag and he came out further. I noticed he had a bulge in the middle that was still moving so I figured he had just eaten and that is how they caught him so easily. I watched him for a while and actually touched him on the tail and back part.One of the people watching said, Ms Nancy, you are really making me nervous being that close to the snake. Making him nervous! I was really nervous! I had never been so close to a venomous snake before. As I said, I don't mess with them as I am highly allergic to bees and other stinging things so I never wanted to find out if snake bites were an allergy too.I must admit though that it gave me a rush to be able to handle him a little, I must say! Maybe I could be persuaded to try doing this also. Who knows? I walked back to the building and went on with my day. Sometimes you never know what kind of surprises kids will bring you! Especially at a wilderness camp.   I LOVE MY JOB!!!!!
Date: 2008-05-06
From: Insanity

To: Sanity
Miles today: 0.0

Well I am beginning to wonder if it is ever to be. I keep hitting a brick wall where work is concerned. I am ready to go. Pack is packed, food bought, transportation, transcriber, motivation are all ready. But work keeps getting in the way by producing roadblocks that are impassible. Being a private organiztion we were hit with administering the EOG's to our students one week before they were to be given. That meant training for us, preparing our students the best we could in a week, a logistical nightmare trying to decide how 2 teachers can test 5th,6th,7th,8th,9th and 10th grade students with all the state regualtions about who can be tested when and what time of day. It was a giant logic puzzle to solve for the schedule itself. The first week of testing is behind me as of today and I must tell you I am wiped out. Sitting and administering a test for 2-4 hours takes a lot out of you and when the students are behaviorally challenged, it makes for an even more interesting time. I have 2 more weeks of testing to do and my supervisor tells me that I CAN leave work on the 27th. I have a plan in motion for where to start and mileage and all for the 28th. I will be taken to Buena Vista, VA and dropped off. I will hike for a week alone and then my daughter will join me in the Shenandoahs. We will move northward and then on the 12th I will be on my own again. I have been excited about leaving so many times since March that I am trying not to get my hopes up in case something else falls from the sky.I NEED the time off to hike in the woods. I am mentally exhausted and need to have time to think. It is so depressing to not be able to do what you want to do and what you have planned for so long. Along with all of this I have gotten some disappointing information from a friend and it has made me left feeling down. I guess I have to just keep looking forward to the day I set foot on the trail and just hike. I need to drag myself out of the self pity mode and finish the testing and forget the friend incident and move on. After all, when you think about it, we have control of our own moods and I tell my students day after day that they are responsible for their actions, what they decide to do determines the day. So with me taking my own advice, today is Friday and I will regroup and be ready to finish testing in 2 weeks and get my tail on the trail and enjoy the fact taht I actually got to be out there this year. Hope to see some of you out there.
Date: 2008-06-14
From: Home 

To: One last week of testing!
Miles today: 0.0

Another week of testing is done! I have survived it and am ready to tackle the last week of insanity. We now have the retests and the make up tests to do after remediating the ones who have to retake it. Most of them need the math and I have to tell you I am quite worn out from remediating math on Friday until neither the students nor I could take any more. More of that to come on Monday along with English remediation and then Wednesday is testing again. The end is in sight.Meanwhile I am trying to get everything ready for a substitute while I am away. I also have records to update before I go and bulletin boards to update. Then there are grades and reports to be done my Friday the 27th, which is my last day of work before I take off on Saturday the 28th from Buena Vista, northward. I am so excited. I got my maps on Wednesday and have been pouring over them a lot. I know with the trail so well marked I do not need them but I am doing some compass lessons from the trail and some GPS lessons so I need them to help with that. I also like to know what I am getting into for the day. Sometimes that is not always good when it will be an especially rough day. Lots of ups and downs which is what the trail is all about. But I am anxious to get out there and hike. Well stay tuned for my next week of testing and when the real question will be answered, Will Shuffle ever get on the trail this year????? What do you think?
Date: 2008-06-25
From: At Work!

To: The Trail....
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I am sitting at my desk this morning and it is 6:42. I am realizing that it will only be 3 days until I set out up that first climb in a long time. My first climb will be 3.8 miles with an elevation change of 2000 ft. Should be interesting for my first day with my pack on my back. I am anticipating some aching muscles that night. But it will be a good kind of ache. I am trying to get all the things done that need to be done before I leave and it seems like the list gets bigger and not smaller. Oh well, I realize that when I am not here things will go on as usual. I am not unreplaceable. Not that a machine can do my job now, but someone else can. I will miss the kids and hope they will miss me. After all, the reason I work here is because I care about the kids. I won't miss the deadlines, the stress and the paperwork.    I am getting last minute things done at home as far as my pack. I had to change the clasps on my straps last night as one of them was not working properly. Tonight I am going to try out my stove to make sure I remember how to use it. I did set up my tent one day because it is different from the one I used in 2004. Well, it is the same Cloudburst II but it has a floor in it and the other one didn't. I think I am having all those last minute jitters and trying to tell myself that I am capable of setting up the tent, using the stove and finding my way with my maps. I will be ok and will hike and will enjoy myself. The confidence will come the more days I hike. I have been in the woods most of my life and should be quite capable of taking care of myself and any situation that arises.    So at 3 days to go and counting, I must finish my day and all the work that goes with it. Shuffle
Date: 2008-06-27
From: LAST Day At Work ..........

To: Home Tonight - Trail Tomorrow!!!!
Miles today: 0.0

It has finally arrived!!!! My last day at work for a while!!! And nothing is interfering with it, that is the amazing thing. No set backs to hold me up this time. I actually am done today and am hiking out tomorrow. You can't imagine how excited and nervous I am. I am finishing up things at work and at 5 PM I will be going home to relax and chill out, take a few showers to hold me over for a while and watch some TV. Then tomorrow morning I will be dropped off at the starting point and making my way North for a while. I feel like I am prepared, but you know how you feel you may have forgotten something? Well I am thinking hard to make sure I don't. I guess if I do foget it, I will survive without it. That is the great thing about the trail, it makes you condense your life into one pack and carry everything with you that you need. The challenge is to make sure you figure out what you actually need and what you think you need. I used to be the type who packed everything when going on vacation for fear of needing it at some point. I think motherhood makes you do that so that you don't forget things necessary for the kids. So packing light was very hard at first. After hauling that 40 pound pack up those mountains I quickly realized what was necessary and what was just a luxury. Even with the new knees, I want to carry as little as possible so I can enjoy my hiking more. It will be hard enough without a huge pack weight. I told the office personel I would call them one day from top of a mountain as I sat and enjoyed the view so they could share the peace and quiet with me and for me to rub it in a little that I wasn't at work. My students are excited for me. They can't imagine hiking all that way.    So for now, I will finish my day here at work and be on my way. Hope to see some of you out there even this late in the season. Happy trails!!!!Shuffle