morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-01-12
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Miles today: 0.0

I've been up since about 0430, a little earlier than average, but well within the range that is my norm. The fire in the wood stove had gone out during the night with me sleeping no more than 4 feet away. Sometimes I just refuse to get up and throw on another log I always set my thermostat at 65, so it kicks in with enough btu's to keep me cozy until I start moving around...feeding the cat, making coffee, stumbling through the morning chores.The steps at the Hockey Arena are slowly responding to my daily assault and somehow becoming a little less steep and not quite as high. As my fitness improves my energy increases, as evidenced by a more buoyant spirit with which to talk smack at my favorite coffee shop. My morning routine is pretty much always to stumble around the house making coffee, taking care of Nutmeg, my very low maintenance cat, climbing the steps at the Hockey Arena and then to Alley Cats for a small breakfast and more coffee. Following this I return home to split enough firewood to get me through the next 24 and then just screw around for the rest of the day. At this time everything I do is geared toward the hike, including the screwing around because this must be trained for as well, no matter an individuals natural apptitude. There are so many unfortunate souls on the AT, jumping out from busy and important careers who have trouble with the huge amount of slack time in a hiking day. Very uncomfortable with themselves because they've always been human doings rather than human beings. I suppose teaching people to screw off could become a little cottage industry of mine. Big bucks, major moolah or copious cash could be made, but some things should just be free, no matter what the Republicans say. Just watch and I'll show you howNutmeg will stay with my daughter (and her 6 cats, 4 chickens and 1 dog) during my absence. During my 2005 hike the other major cat of my life, Dr Bob, moved in with her and Les as well. Sadly, he died while I was away. Not unexpectedly, because he was 18, but sad nonetheless. Dr. Bob loved nothing more than chewing the heads off baby rabbits and bring them to me as a token of....I've never been actually sure. No doubt the gesture was noble, if not well received The debate over taking dogs on long distance hikes is controversial and one I avoid like the plague. Hiking with Nutmeg on the AT would be way cool, as with Dr. Bob were he still alive. In a culinary sense it could get a little boring because there's only so many ways to cook a rabbit head. Not much different that other trail fare, I suppose.
Date: 2010-01-27
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Miles today: 0.0

                             RODNEY LEERodney and I were classmates at Webster High School back in 1963, a friendly, gregarious young man, bright, sensitive and a much more loyal friend than I. One of those people that everyone immediately liked and enjoyed being around. Following graduation, I soon enlisted in the Navy and Rodney, if memory serves, enrolled in college at what was then known as Superior State University. As I recall, Rodney was killed in 1964 when the car he was driving ran into a parked car somewhere around the Twin Cities. I was probably stationed in Japan by then and may have not known about it until I returned to the states two years later. I have thought of Rodney in every year of my life since I became aware of his passing. I thought about him in Vietnam, wondering what his life might have been like had he lived. No doubt I thought about him while stationed on that hospital ship in '67 and '68. I thought of him while on a Coast Guard Buoy Tender in Alaska from '76 to '77 and maybe while in Miami during those crazy drug busting years of the early '80's. During times of feeling sorry for myself I would, if fortunate, recall his memory and wonder what his life would have been like had he lived. Many times it helped me through the self inflicted doldrums of self pity and sometimes I ignored the opportunity to elevate myself. During my thru hike attempt in 2005, I mentioned several veterans that were meaningful to me in my life time. Chuck and Clair Trott from WW11 come to mind, John Holmes and Bob Trott who were both child hood friends and fellow Vietnam veterans. All now deceased. They were all veterans and Rodney lived but a too brief moment. So, why Rodney? Rodney's brief life teaches me to be grateful for the life I have been given. To ponder that and realize what a tremendous gift has been afforded me who really doesn't deserve that much (though as much as some, I reckon) fills me with a powerful sense of gratitude which has often helped me get through the tough times of life...when I cared to listen. Rodney is part of this journal and this hike because there will be tough times ahead and I just want his memory to walk with me.
Date: 2010-01-31
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Miles today: 0.0

We are sitting on the very edge of January and it's tipping heavily into the unknown precipice of February as me and all my unknown comrades from around the country and various parts of the world make final preparations for our journey on the Appalachian Trail. Does it occur to you that a comma or two should have been added to the preceding sentence? Me too, but I'm a little too pumped to care and there's way too much prep work still to be done. If those commas are important to you, feel free to sprinkle them in at your leisure Yesterday I received the final missing document to get my 2009 taxes finished. All the feeder documents are now in order and ready to be delivered to my accountant tomorrow, with the completed product hopefully being delivered before I lock the door of my house on 23 February. I'm still looking around for the key and don't seem to recall ever locking it in the 3 plus years that I've lived here.Gear choices have been pretty much made and purchased. I parted company with my denial system long enough yesterday to decide that the hiking pants I finished with in '05 are not sufficiently large enough to permit me to wear them at the beginning of my hike in 2010. I wonder why? As I recall there were about 5 inches of unused belt hanging in front when last worn those 5 years ago. Evidently I literally ate myself right out of those pants. Oh well, the skinnier ones can be shipped to me in a few hundred miles and will fit just fine when my then svelte behind slides into them. So, I'm going to order a pair of medium convertible pants and a couple pair of smartwool socks either today or tomorrow. I wear hiking boots practically every day and these will get me the few hundred miles up to Hot Springs where I will purchase another pair and, perhaps, some superfeet insoles.That's it for now. I gotta make some breakfast
Date: 2010-02-06
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Miles today: 0.0

24 degrees with a clear and sunny sky this early afternoon in northern Wisconsin. Freckles, my daughters Brittany, and I will soon be headed out for a 7 mile road walk. Me and my fully loaded backpack with Freckles on a leash, walking on a nice icy road is a recipe for disaster. She cannot be trusted sans leash because she will quickly be in the next county if free, therefore she must be under some sort of physical restraint when outdoors. Her only redeeming quality is that she has recently developed the skill of catching mice at almost the same exact time that my cat has decided to quit. Catching mice covers a lot of sins in my book. The only problem I have with this activity is that she does it at night when I am trying to sleep and makes a hell of a lot more noise than a cat.
Date: 2010-02-12
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Miles today: 0.0

I just got an idea. Maybe a good one, maybe not. Some will like it, some won't. Of all the people I know on any kind of a personal basis, I'm willing to bet with 90% accuracy who will and will not like it. I know my demographic (the same one other rock stars use).It's merely this: The last town I enter before crossing a state line, I will purchase a 6 pack of beer and carry it into the woods. When I get to the border, if I am hiking with others, we will evenly divide the beer, quickly consume it and, straddling the border, will all take a pee.   The flow of which is that it be permitted to flow into either state, both, or just sit there as a puddle. Reasonable consideration can be taken with respect to the presence of female hikers, but then again, probably won't be. They should have known what they were getting themselves into. We all know from personal experience that everyone has been warned about thruhikers by our mothers. Especially me. Following this brief and touching ceremony, everyone will be required to hike 10 additional miles before setting up the evenings' camp.If no other hikers are present when I cross a state line, I will be required to drink the whole six pack, take the required pee (or plural following the plurality of beer) and hike the 10 additional miles. It may be difficult task, but I am a serious hiker and thoroughly committed to this journey.This trailjournals proclamation serves as the only warning to other hikers. Enter the Appalachian Trail at your own peril; it's not for sissies of either gender. (Oh, have you ever heard of that wanna-be hiker, Stumpknocker? He only gives out candy bars
Date: 2010-02-22
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Miles today: 0.0

As I stand on the eve of heading out on a rambling journey that will eventually get me to Springer Mt. on either 6 or 7 March, I would like to take this opportunity to state that I may have the best transcriber in the history of the world. Special Agent CK Lewis knows lots of big words (this is important because I do not), can prevent most problems and fix all others. She does so with continual grace and good humor, interrupting her work day and personal life to solve my petty issues. The only thing holding her back from without a doubt being the best transcriber in the history of the world is whether or not she will spring for beer. We shall soon find out
Date: 2010-03-02
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Miles today: 0.0

I'm sitting at my friend Carlette's house on a cold southern day in Rocky Mount, NC. The forecast calls for rain this afternoon, turning into snow during the evening, with 3-6" expected. Spoiling guests is clearly the southern way of doing things as I have been fed grits and liver pudding and will be going out this evening for bbq. With all this hospitality and excellent food, it is easy to forget that I came here to hike the Appalachian Trail. From what I've read there's quite a bit of snow on the ground in the Mountains of Georgia and North Carolina. The snow discussions have been about feet rather than inches. While I do plead guilty to being foolish, I am not about to risk the only life I may ever have by venturing too far north under severely adverse conditions. We will be starting out from Springer Mountain on Sunday morning, but if the weather gets too worrisome, I will quickly look for a hole to pull myself into - even if it means hitching into a town and renting a room. I'm not one to unnecessarily break trail for others to follow when I can be nestled safely in a nice, warm bar while boldly talking about the hardships of hiking. As General Patton once said, "Let the other guy die for his country."When people ask me "How long is the Appalachian Trail?", I reply that it was 2174.1 miles in 2005, but it changes in length virtually every year. They then ask, "Why is this so, O' Wise Sage?" (My other trail name is "O' Wise Sage) and I get into a lengthy and mostly scientific discussion about tectonic plates, climate change and geopolitics - although I can't remember how they exactly relate to one another. In any event the trail length in 2009 was 2178.3 miles, an increase of 4.2 miles. I don't even know the trail length for 2010, because I don't have the latest Thru-hikers Handbook. It could even be longer. Coming from the upper midwest, I figure it was most likely Paul Bunyan hitching Babe the Blue Ox up to one end of the trail or the other and and giving a good yank to straighten out a few of those kinks. A lot of major geollogical construction in the upper midwest was done in just that way. One thing is for sure, Paul Bunyan didn't eat no grits
Date: 2010-03-05
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Miles today: 0.0

There are lots of days that get me pumped up even before leaving Springer Mountain. There was 23 February when I left home and drove to my brother Mike's house in Madison, 27 February when I flew from Madison to Raleigh, today when I ridge with Carlette to her Momma and Daddy's home and, finally, the drive from there to Dahlonega, Ga. Each gives me another night before Christmas sense of anticipation, a little moment that energizes me a bit more for the task ahead. Last night, at my request, we watched the movie 'Nacho Libre', an inspirational movie starring Jack Black, about a monk turned 'rassler'. Mr. Black probably didn't win an Oscar for his efforts, but many of his fans (me included) feel he was robbed. The role of Nacho Libre demands great depth, physical agility, humor and sensitivity. I have been so touched by this film that I intend to climb Katahdin in my very own Nacho Libre rasslin' costume. To this end I am also trying to persuade Carlette to don a nun costume, but I wouldn't bet the ranch on the liklihood of that. So that's it, sports fans. It's time to stop talkin' and start walkin' and as Carlette's daughter Kaitlyn told me, I plan to 'walk hard'. Adios Muchachos.
Date: 2010-03-14
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Miles today: 0.0

I would be journaling a little more, but my fingers do not yet feel at home on a laptop. My brother Mike is graciously putting me up until hiking time and we're hiking 5 or 6 miles a day together through the park. I'm also doing a few other things to harden up a little. The missing sense of urgency about this hiking business has finally returned. We're both dieting, which is something I abhor - no eating between meals and no alcohol. It's going to be a bleak St. Paddy's day. Also doing my best to keep up with the weather from Springer Mountain north through the Smokey's.
Date: 2010-03-17
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Miles today: 0.0

                        The Legened of the Frozen RopeThe title serves as a reminder of a certain event that recently occurred that is directly pertinent to my hike. However, there were several innocent people (at least in this regard)involved in the incident and, respecting their right to privacey and allowing them sufficient time to heal of this trauma, a full recounting of events will not be made until after I summit Katahdin. Please be patient.
Date: 2010-03-18
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Miles today: 0.0

While waiting for the snow in the Smokey's to settle down to a manageable level, I am staying with my brother Mike. We are both single, retired and Vietnam Vets, fully intent on enjoying what life has to offer, but only in moderation (wink). The other day we were sharing breakfast at the 'Green Lantern', a bar on Lake Monona, with a reputation for serving a good meal. We were joking with the waitresses and just generally being obnoxious (especially Mike), not really caring that it always starts with fun but sooner or later someone always gets hurt I always order biscuits with my meal, something you don't often get as an option north of the Mason Dixon line, but I like 'em, so I order 'em. Anyway, they did serve biscuits or this little story would be over right now or at least take another twist. So, sipping our coffee, Mike and I awaited our breakfast, me fixated on the biscuits and he likely focused on the waitress (or her mother...he's that old). Shortly the waitress, an early 30's blonde, returned, bringing two platters spilling over with bacon, eggs, fried potatoes, toast and, for me, biscuits. Success! Before jumping right in, I eyed the biscuits for a moment and the waitress, perhaps sensing an unfounded dissatisfaction on my part, said they did not appear to be buttered and offered to bring some butter. I said they appeared to be sufficiently buttered, lifted one up to her face and said "why don't you lick my biscuit and see if it needs more butter". At this exact moment 'lick my biscuit' became a euphemism for something I completely didn't intend (yeah, right), but what's a guy to do? The other waitress was walking by at this time and they both erupted into racuous laughter as did most diners in the immediate vicinity. Anyway, we got through the meal without additional faux pas and headed to the bar to pay the bill. Unfortunately the manager asked if my meal was alright and I felt compelled to tell her my tale. "You mean she wouldn't lick your biscuit"?, she asked. "I would have licked your biscuit". By this time our waitress had joined us at the bar and the manager said to her, "Is it true you wouldn't lick this mans' biscuit"? "You should have licked his biscuit, I would have". Our waitresse cried out, "I couldn't lick his biscuit, he might have complained". "Not if you did it right" was all it took to crack up the entire bar and put a smile on my face that still resonates this day.So, if you don't like this entry, "Lick my biscuit"
Date: 2010-03-23
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Miles today: 0.0

Tomorrow is my mothers 88th Birthday, Happy Birthday Mom; yadayadayada. Now get off stage, this journal is about me.An absolutely beautiful day in northern Wisconsin. Considering the weather on the AT this year, it's as if God's telling me to stay home. However, I've long believed that I was never his first choice to be the prototypical obedient son. I'm headed for a thruhike. It's time for me to be out there and I'll soon be on my wayOh, everyone check out Pony Whisperers journal, she's thruhiking the PCT this year and her description of a thruhiker knocked my socks off.Oops, I darn near forgot about this Hyway character. He and I 'almost' started together the same day. Being a little wuss from Northern Wisconsin, I backed away, returning home for awhile. To his credit, he's done very well thru some difficult times and has completed about 150 miles. Well, that scumbag owes me 30 dollars, so I'm stating right here that I will catch his worthless behind and reclaim my funds. Not only does he have the miles on his side, he's also 15-16 years my junior (though most believe me the younger). The major factor providing advantage to me is that a character of this level of ill repute can seldom go to town with out engaging in excessive drinking, card games, carousing and such. Hyway being Hyway is ultimately to my advantage. Heh-heh
Date: 2010-04-01
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Miles today: 0.0

Last Entry until HIKING!...Maybe....It can easily be winter in Wisconsin on the 1st of April. Blizzards often blowing from Canada just to damn the hopes of those humans, 4 legged creatures and plants alike daring to prematurely hope that spring has arrived. Yesterday it was 76* and farmers were out preparing the earth for planting as my brother Mike and I wandered about on another long and pleasant walk. The winter had been remarkably inconsistent with October being unusually cold and snowy, followed by a ridiculously warm November that pissed of all the deer hunters. December was warm, as were January and February with hardly any -20* days or nights. That's actually a pretty soft winter, made even more pleasant because the East coast was getting absolutely nailed with snow.On the 5th of April I will climb on yet another aircraft and fly to Atlanta in my 2nd attempt this year to get started on the Appalachian Trail. It will be warmer and with less snow than if I had continued North in early March. This balanced out by having 30 days less to hike with than in '05. It seems that I better get serious a little quicker this time around if I want to summit Katahdin-----and at this moment I do. Still, though, theres something to be said for the relaxed pace, lingering in small southern towns and sitting around the trail shooting the breeze with fellow wanderers as an absolute wonderful contrast to the frenetic, Type A, God driven side of my personality. Balance Perhaps theres room for both and I have warm memories of each style to fill the gaps in my day as I recall the wonder of '05 even while creating new memories in 2010. One thing telling me that I am truly ready is that I am eagerly looking forward to the new adventures, friends and memories to be created in 2010. See you on the trail...soon.
Date: 2010-04-04
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Miles today: 0.0

Some have suggested that I have been remiss in my journaling responsibilities in as much as not updating as to my whereabouts and when I shall resume my hike. Alrighty then.I've stayed with bro #4, Mike, in Stoughton, Wisconsin for the past 4 weeks. This is the longest stretch of time we've been together since the summer of '63, accounting for the span from me graduating from high school and enlisting in the Navy for 5 years, 6 months and 9 days as a Squid (should Squid be capitalized when denoting Naval personnel? Their relative unimportance would suggest not, but my having been in the Navy would suggest in the affirmative. However, Hyway's enlistment in the Navy would indicate that a label lesser than squid would be proper. I don't know). Anyway, Mike and I have gotten along quite well, walking between 6 and 13 miles almost every day and only drinking about 2 beers during the duration (not each day, but cumulative and this is seen around here as a miracle right up there with the loaves and fishes). It's been fun getting reacquainted with him after 47 years of considerably less exposure. If nothing else I can claim to have provided him with endless opportunities to spiritually grow in the areas of tolerance and patience That's what I'm about, parking myself on someone's couch for an interminable amount of time and helping them get closer to Jesus. Ask Mike. Hell, ask Carlette.Anyway, I'm leaving tomorrow afternoon, the 5th of April and will start walking on the 7th. I should catch that Hyway fella somewhere in July or mid August. He'll have an approximate headstart of 225 miles; that should provide sufficient challenge, don't you think?