morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-03-04
To: My feelings can best be described with the phrase
Miles today: 0.0

"Nnnnnnnngh"I am frustrated to have to wait when I'm nearly ready to go. But the weather needs to warm up, I still have a week of work to go, and I STILL don't have my backpack back. Argh!Tasks are slowly getting done and I'm coming to terms with the idea that not everything will get done. Accepting is not my best thing. I'd rather fix things. But that requires time. Tomorrow I'll get a haircut so I'll start the trail less shaggy. One more chiro visit and a few more hectic days of work, and I can (mostly) lay it all aside for the next few months. It's not nice of me to lay all my responsibilities onthe shoulders of others. But sometimes that is exactly what I need to do to avoid being crushed.
Date: 2010-03-05
To: My pack showed up!
Miles today: 0.0

As promised after I called Gossamer Gear earlier this week, my pack showed up on Friday. Tomorrow, Saturday, I'll have a full on pack explosion in the living room and repack everything into the Mariposa (... assuming it all fits.) I'll try to take care of other chores like packing an overnight bag and getting my first three maildrops ready. I need to catalog the maildrops so I know what I have coming. That way if I hit the grocery before the PO I will hopefully buy appropriately. (Btw, folks, if you should be seized with the desire to send me things.. make them light! And let me know you sent something so I know to ask for it at the PO or wherever. Postcards and letters are stored separately from boxes so if there's a card I will never get it if I don't know to ask for it.)Sunday I'll take the fully loaded pack on a shakedown hike around the local park, which should tell me if anything is poking me, if I like the new frame, and if it's loaded evenly (i.e. not leaning to one side.) If that's all good, I just have a few more tasks to do at the house and five more days of work, and then I'm off to the AT!Weather is looking much better down south. Highs in the 50's and 60's, and rain. I can live with rain. It's cold and icky, true, but it's a lot less life threatening than deep snow. I'll wear my AT outfit Sunday too, just to make sure everything still fits and nothing rubs. Which means one more load of laundry before I go. Le sigh. But..I'm so excited! I couldn't sleep last night and as a result I was a zombie today. Tonight I have Nyquil. One way or another I'm getting some rest instead of staying up all night thinking about the trail.In case you're wondering about maildrops, here are the sorts of things I'm putting in them: daily packs of vitamins and supplements, maps, guidebook pages, SteriPen batteries, travel size shampoo, crystal lite tubes, splenda, digestive enzymes, foil pack tuna, individual packs of mayo, individual packs of honey, and eye drops. I may ask JD to add some items I crave or need such as my summer crocs, Nido, Nutella, dehydrated Pad Thai, or whatever else my little hiker heart desires. That can be mailed, that is. Sadly he can't mail me a kiss or a night in my own bed. I like those a lot.
Date: 2010-03-10
To: Looking good
Miles today: 0.0

If the weather doesn't change again, Sunday will be the start of several days of clear weather in Georgia. Yay! Seems like things are working out for the best.I expect plenty of mud. Mud is a pain sometimes because it gets on everything, and in the woods I really have no good way to clean up all my gear. I've had mud get all over my clothes, of course, but also halfway up my tent, on my backpack, on my sleeping pad and sleeping bag, on my pot and mug.. but I'm okay with it. Mud is seldom life threatening and is not a showstopper. So: mud. Check.The road up to Springer Mountain is impassable by car, according to the Appalachian Trail Conference. 4WD vehicles can make it. I'm checking into shuttle options, but likely I'll be hiking that danged approach trail. Ah well. I've already packed enough food to do that, just in case. So what if I have to start the "real" trail one day later? I'll still be hiking and seeing pretty views, and that's what I'm out there for. I do believe I'll catch a ride up to the lodge and skip the stairs up the falls, though..That could actually work out well, crowding-wise. Hawk Mountain Shelter will probably be a madhouse, with all the hikers who've been holding out for good weather. Maybe Stover Creek won't be. I definitely won't be hiking the approach trail and all the way to Hawk Mtn, but Stover Creek is doable.The list of things I need to do is very small now. I feel good about that. I'm enjoying being somewhat less frenetic (she said, in between throwing out old food from the fridge and putting away more shoes.) I hope to get some good snuggle time in with all the critters before I go.
Date: 2010-03-11
To: Everybody knows I'm going
Miles today: 0.0

It's no surprise that close friends wanted to spend some time with me this week, before I went away for several months. But *everybody* knows I'm going and is telling me to have a good time. Not that I have a problem with having a good time, but some of these people I've never even met in person. Today the network security guy who calls me to tell me when they've sniffed a virus coming through the firewall called. I don't even know what he looks like! And he said "I hear you're leaving us for a while." News gets around, I guess. NASA is a pretty big agency, and I usually feel like I toil in obscurity. But I guess somebody taking six months off when it's not for a baby or cancer is pretty much unheard of.
Date: 2010-03-12
To: I am having mixed emotions
Miles today: 0.0

I am looking forward to this huge adventure. It's something I've wanted to do for many years, and I didn't think I'd have the opportunity this soon. Just imagining fills me with delight and joy (hence my trail name.) My heart beats faster in anticipation.At the same time, I am so sad to be leaving my home. I know it'll still be there when I come back, and I can keep in touch with my husband while I'm gone. But I am a homebody, and I will miss this old house. And the cats, the dog, and very much the horse. Saying goodbye to the horse today made me cry. I hope I don't cry all the way to Georgia. It'd annoy JD.I'm going to miss my daily hugs and kisses, dinner with JD, chatting while I shower, telling everything that happened during my day when I get home, watching tv while we hydrate the old cat, folding laundry together, going to our local restaurant.. Yup, that's gonna be hard.Tomorrow morning I'll give all the animals a last pat, put my backpack in the car, and start driving to Georgia. And the morning after that, I'll kiss my husband goodbye and get in a shuttler's car to go up USFS 42 to start the trail. I wonder which emotion will reign then.
Date: 2010-03-14
From: Springer mountain summit

To: Hawk mountain shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: light rain

3/14Today was about as hard as I expected.  My body is shocked and angry at the change in our comfortable routine. It was expecting maybe a walk around the park, a nap, and a yummy dinner. Instead I gave it all day up and down mountains, no breaks at all due to hypothermia weather, and my uneaten lunch for dinner. I didn't even give it a hot toddy, which I'll undoubtedly be hearing about later. The booze in my pack was swapped for cranberry juice. I am hoping to stave off a UTI that was threatening. It seems to be working but I'm sad about the kahlua. Speaking of cranberry juice, I found a bottle hiding after I put my food up, so I'll drink it before bed. It's so not worth my effort to rehang the food. It was icky rainy weather all day. My gaiters and skirt are quite muddy. Last forecast I had said tomorrow was supposed to be nicer. I hope so. I could stand to dry out some items. I hiked alone all day. Lots of time to think. The rush of preparations left me mentally winded. I've lost my initial reason for being here. I hope I get it back. I had a few moments of laugh out loud joy today.. I'm hoping for more tomorrow.That's if I survive the night. My sciatic nerve is threatening mutiny. I'll bribe it with flexeril before bed. I'm kind of glad I won't see JD for a while. Separating was harder than I expected. I started crying and my shuttler asked if I were sure I wanted to go. I nodded yes and he asked if it were better done quickly. Grateful, I nodded again and we took off. He said I was lucky to have a relationship like that, and he's right. But it makes it hard to leave.
Date: 2010-03-15
From: Hawk mountain shelter

To: Gooch mountain shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: broken clouds

3/15Hawk mtn shelter to gooch mtn shelter 7.3 milesThe word for today was wind. All day. I'm wearing a long skirt to hike in and I caught some serious air with it. Woo!  The sky cleared up too. Very pretty. I met a deaf hiker named Caribou and his dog Yolo. I used the notepad on the phone to ask him questions.  I expect if we walk the same pace I'll do that again. Today was about as hard as I expected, maybe a little better.  Last time I was coming down with Lyme disease. This time I'm older and fatter. So I figure it's about equivalent, difficulty-wise. I'm hoping for a warmer sunny day tomorrow so I can afford to make more rest stops. Rest stops are when you really notice the things around you.
Date: 2010-03-16
From: Gooch mountain shelter

To: Lancers Creek
Miles today: 8.2

3/16Gooch mtn shelter to lance creek 8.2 milesI can never figure out if I'm done going up a mountain until I'm down the other side. It seems like there might be a profound thought there but I'm  darned if I can make the connection. It warmed up enough today to stop without putting on warm clothes. What luxury! I'm loving this. I feel pretty strong and happy today (at noon). We'll see how I feel at the end of this longer day.It turned that at about 4 I was tired and I found a great campsite overlooking water. I put up my (soaked from Sunday ) tent and did some chores. I fixed a couple things, dried out gear, and worked out how much food I need to buy at Neels Gap.  The answer is not much. I'm camped with Al, James, Molasses, Dana, and Trashman the dog tonight. Al and James are from the Isle of Man.Camping here will put me into Neels Gap late tomorrow. I hope I can get a spot at the hostel, or at least do laundry and get a shower.
Date: 2010-03-17
From: Lancers Creek

To: Just past Neels Gap
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: light rain

I'm camped out tonight with Al and James, my convivial Manx companions from last night by the creek. We all arrived too late to get a room at the hostel. I got a chance to say hi to Miss Janet and will likely be retracing my steps to have breakfast there tomorrow. I'm not so sure, ad it would give me a late start to my planned destination of Low Gap Shelter. The hike today was quite foggy, windy, and cool. It was fairly nondescript until Blood Mountain, which was beautiful. It reminded me strongly of hikes JD and I did in Acadia, including the whiteout at the top. I loved it and lingered for a bit. At the outfitter I resupplied food, handwarmers, and gloves. Mine had holes in them. I'm not sure how this escaped my attention when I was packing. I mailed home the old gloves and my counterproductive sleeping bag cover. I mailed my instep crampons, face mask, and a little miscellany forward to Fontana Dam. Shouldn't need them before then. I have a nasty ache in one side of my neck so I'm going to take some pulls and hit the sack. Gently, it's ultralight.
Date: 2010-03-18
From: Just past Neels Gap

To: Low gap shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: broken clouds

3/18On the first hill this morning I thought I startled a grouse but it was just my heart.I'm listening to album 88 today, a great Atlanta radio station. I called my aunt Carol yesterday to see if she and Ralph wanted to get together while I'm here. Turns out Ralph just had total knee replacement surgery and as a bonus picked up URI in the hospital. Feel better Ralph!In happier news, today is my mom's birthday.  I'm thinking of you, Mom.I thought I heard someone whisper so I stopped to listen.  It was a very quiet bird whose call sounded almost exactly like the word "whisper".I sat somewhere that turned out to be wet. My skirt has dried almost instantly. I'm waiting to hear back from the shorts.  So far all I have is "We'll get back to you on that. ". Squelch.I saw a squirrel. Woo!  A mammal.I just got trail magic from an angel named Bruce at hogpen gap! An apple, a banana, and pepsi WITH ICE thank you very much. And a chair with a back to sit on. My teeth feel like they need a Brillo pad. Did I miss toothbrushing day again?I told Longhaul I'd resuscitate him if his heart gave out on Wildcat mtn. I didn't tell him until after that I forgot to recharge the AED at the hostel. Woops!Today's thoughts brought to you by the letter a, the color blister, and the number 11.2
Date: 2010-03-19
From: Low gap shelter

To: Blue mtn shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: clear sky

3/19Low gap shelter to blue mtn shelter7.2 milesI wanted to sleep in this morning but my back wouldn't let me. I may have to emulate Datto and start napping on the trail. I tossed and turned until seven when it started to get lighter. I opened the tent door to be greeted by the first tinge of dawn.  After a visit to the privy and the bear cables, I leaned up against a log to make breakfast and watch the sun come up. Breakfast was dehydrated scrambled eggs and bacon, and coffee with marshmallows. The early morning sounds of camp began. First small rustlings of sleeping bags, then zipping sounds as bags and tents were opened. Some quiet footsteps as the early risers silently retrieved their food from where it was hung. As more people awoke, good morning greetings were exchanged. Within half an hour the camp was full of voices, laughter, and the constant sound of gear being packed up.I know we have wet weather in the forecast, but today it feels like "summertime, and the living is easy".The poptart I ate yesterday made me feel icky.  So I gave away the other two. That leaves me a little short of food for the next two days. Looking down at my gut pooching over my hipbelt, I'm not concerned. I stop often to look, listen, and sniff. I'm thoroughly enjoying it. But I'm also looking forward to a day off in Hiawassee to let my hellacious blisters air out.Today I walked for a long time on an old roadbed. There were rocks along the edge dripping water. I refilled my bottle at one. In another stretch it had filled in with rhododendron. In the rain I'd have hated them, but today they provided welcome relief from the sharp March sun. With the deciduous trees not yet foliating there is little shade in the woods.The afternoon was tough. Despite my hat and SPF 55, I acquired a sunburn. The miles came a lot harder after lunch. I took a POBO (pack off boots off) break and afterwards my feet were really unhappy to go back in boots.  I pretty much just trudged out the distance. Radio didn't help so I turned it off. I got to the shelter about 4 and made a yummy dinner - knorr cheddar and broccoli side dish with sliced salami. I have removed my various blister coverings to let my feet air out and now I'm just relaxing and chatting with other hikers.
Date: 2010-03-20
From: Blue mtn shelter

To: Tray mtn shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: few clouds

3/20Blue mtn shelter to tray mtn shelter7.8 milesI saw a dayhiker this morning and my first thought was "it must be Saturday. ". There aren't a lot of other time clues out here. Dayhikers just passed me smelling strongly of soap and fabric softener. I don't want to think about what they smelled from me.Trail magic at unicoi gap! Biscuits, oj and soda make the hill easier.The gnats are horrible. I broke out the mesh headnet which allows me to hike without gesticulating like a crazy woman.I had a few mishaps today which are too personal to relate, but as a public service announcement I'll say this: it is too early in the year to use leaves as bumwipe.It's supposed to rain tomorrow. Ah well. I'll stop at Deep Gap or maybe head out to the road and get a ride into Hiawassee. Kinda depends on the feet and how Kelly Knob treats me.
Date: 2010-03-21
From: Tray mtn shelter

To: Hiawassee Holiday Inn Express
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

Wow, today sucked. The trail down Tray was full of blowdowns, which I was okay with. But a giant cloud full of soul destroying cold rain and high wind came to visit and I just really didn't like it. I was so cold all day except when I was going uphill. I don't really want to relive today so that's enough of that. Oh, but there is one fun detail. I got to Dick's Creek Gap shortly before 4, hoping to find the Hiawassee Inn shuttle. I found a collection of hikers sitting miserably under trail angel Mad Dog's RV awning. The highway was shut down due to a power line across the road. Mad Dog gave me a seat and a cookie, and eventually a blanket and a hot cup of tea as I grew colder. He was a real lifesaver today. After a while traffic started flowing again and a gent with a minivan offered to take us to town for six bucks each. It sounded like a bargain to me. Within half an hour I was in the hotel, getting a hot shower. Mary Beth and I are sharing a room. Seldom have I more enjoyed being in a building. I'm also enjoying a bathroom with a roof, unlike the recent privies. Tomorrow I have to resupply and possibly have a doc look at my blisters. I've never done that before but one doesn't seem to be getting better with my own care so maybe.
Date: 2010-03-22
From: Hiawassee Holiday Inn Express

To: Hiawassee Holiday Inn Express
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

It's been a lovely rest day. I've been watching the snow fall. It's not sticking though. I picked up my package at the post office (thanks PR!). It was chock full of hiker goodies plus a note. It really made my day. I immediately made use of the little pack of wipes. The borrowed motel bike's chain came off near the PO. I was unable to fix it and was cleaning my hands with disgust when a gentleman bounded out of a parked vehicle, handed me four Kleenex, smiled, and left. Useful, sudden, and odd trail magic. Across the street at the hardware store I asked about plastic sheeting since my groundsheet tore. He fixed me up with a two mil sheet. I asked for advice about the bike too. The guy went to look at it, and by the time I paid for my plastic he had fixed it! ( and his hands were clean! Wth?). He wouldn't take money so I thanked him and went on my way. Next stop was the Ingles grocery. The clerk at the motel had assured me the bike would be safe without a lock so I nervously leaned it outside the store and went in. Ingles rocks, you all. Seriously. It kicks Giant's butt. They had gluten free sugar free dairy free organic whatever you wanted. Plus they were friendly. I overbought as usual and have shipped some extras ahead to the NOC which as I recall had limited resupply. I'll be leaving town with a dozen hardboiled eggs, most of which I hope to give away. I found tiny plastic bottles of wine. Mary Beth said she'd take two so I'll have two in my pack.I found some hummus powder and a few other yummies as well. It should be a week of good eating. I just did dishes and apparently I have lost my old p-38 before I ever used it. Dang! Good thing I didn't get anything canned. I almost got a small can of chicken. We are planning to order in calzones tonight. I may use the hot tub ( I have no resistance to hot tubs) and then we get another night in comfy beds before it's off to the trail again. We will likely set up our shuttle this evening. I think Mary Beth will be pulling ahead of me. Sad, but that's how it goes on the trail. You only get to spend time together as long as you keep pace. I hope our paths keep crossing as she's one of my favorite people so far.
Date: 2010-03-23
From: Hiawassee Holiday Inn Express

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: few clouds

3/23Dicks creek gap to Bly gap 9.0 milesToday I have a heavy pack but a light heart. And apparently an oogy tummy. Town food?  Bad water? My essential nature? I don't know and at the moment it doesn't matter.  I'm walking. Important safety tip: do not confuse the preparation h with the icy hot.Tonight I am camped in North Carolina. First state down!  Woo!  I'm hoping not to encounter much snow tomorrow but apparently Standing Indian mtn is still pretty deep.
Date: 2010-03-24
From: Bly Gap

To: Standing Indian Mtn shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: clear sky

3/247.7 milesBly gap to standing Indian shelterI'd forgotten the climb up out of Bly Gap like forgetting the pain of childbirth. Based on the climb I would guess that north carolina's motto is "We don't believe in switchbacks."  Or "Only the strong will survive."I have decided with regret to stop trying to keep up with Mary beth and kentucky. I like them a lot but they are both faster and fitter than me. It isn't fair to me to wear myself out every day to make their goals.  So tonight I plan to stop at standing indian shelter while I know they intend to hike over the mountain and camp on the other side.The decision left me in a bit of a funk so I put on an audiobook and let the miles pass unnoticed except for a good view near muskrat creek shelter. I didn't see anyone for hours. Somehow I acquired a nasty chafing and I'm not sure what I'll do about it.  For the evening I'll apply traumheel and try not to make it worse. I have no cell signal which is a pity. Texting DeLee and JD would cheer me up. For now I'm waiting for the snoring man nearby to wake up.So snoring man woke up. Also some other hikers I know showed up. I am cheerful now.  several of them are planning the same miles as me for the next few days which is nice. Dinner was a slice of spam fried in olive oil, mixed into mac and cheese, dressed with franks red hot. Deelish.
Date: 2010-03-25
From: Standing Indian Mtn shelter

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: light rain

3/25Standing Indian mtn shelter to Betty creek gap11.3 miles Last night in the shelter I pondered why women have cold butts. I decided the reason was found in evolution. When caveman hunter sprained an ankle hunting an aurochs, he had no access to coldpacks. Instead he put his ankle on his woman's butt for healing cold. I'm sorry people.  These are the things I think about. This journal may not be suitable for younger readers. Am I the only one who thinks owls are trying too hard?  They sound so fake. Poseurs.I'm hiking through a bear sanctuary with a backpack that smells of spam. It's unnerving.I have poison ivy across my knuckles and, annoyingly, on a fingertip. I guess I'll be adding to my pharmacy when I get to Franklin.Foods that have been treating me right: eggs, bread, fruit. Foods that have not: anything else hikers eat. There are not enough digestive enzymes in the world for me to eat poptarts.My digestive system is defective. So far I've had the gall bladder and appendix taken out, and given my lack of digestive capabilities I don't think the liver is chipping in fairly.  Also I'm prone to bouts of colitis, one of which went for months last year and ended with an unpleasant visit from mr optic fiber.  The odyssey started with a barium milkshake so now I stay away from radioactives and dairy.  A normal day for me with colitis goes like this: get up and hit the bathroom. Take imodium. Hit the bathroom. Drive to the barn, hit the bathroom, take imodium. Ride my very sensitive horse in an upright and relaxed posture while clamping all available sphincters. Go to barn, hit bathroom. Etc.  Oh. And? With my super thrifty metabolism, I never lost an ounce during last year's bout!  Thanks mom and dad!Freaky. The creaky trees up here are saying my name. I'm going to stop answering until the call me Mrs Joy.(all that was written on Standing Indian. It's a long mountain. )We stopped at Carter Gap shelter to make a hot meal, then continued in the rain to camp at Betty Creek. Tomorrow will be a shorter day to Rock Gap, then we hope to catch the shuttle to Franklin for a nero. If I make it in time I'll pick up maildrops, else they'll get forwarded somewhere. Probably Fontana, though I already have four packages going there. It's quite chilly. I'm off to huddle in the sleeping bag.