morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-03-09
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Tuesday 3/9/04Standing Bear Farm/GreyhoundWell, my hike is over for now. Curtis gave me a ride to the bus station, and now I'm sitting on the bus heading home. I'm not sure how I feel, I really wanted to do this thru-hike, but it would mean a lot more to me to hike it with Rachel. Russell (Enoch) and I said our farewells this morning, I felt like crying, strange to leave him, it's almost like losing a brother. I have to sort out some thoughts so this is it for now.
Date: 2004-04-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hi everyone!For those of you who do not know already, Scott will be leaving Wednesday 4/7/04 to return to the AT.   We don't expect or care to attempt to explain this decision that we've come too. No one really is going to even come close to understanding. It's a no win situation for both of us.   My point of view on this.....what kind of wife, best friend would I be to Scott if I gave him a choice of either me or the trail??? Beleive me I gave him that choice, not that I wanted too either....but honestly that was NOT what my heart wanted.   Selfish......maybe.....hurt...YES......We threw alot at eachother though for a week or two....I told him to go back, and I want everyone to realize it was very hard to just say. "Go Back." I could see in his eyes how much he missed it.   I know it was the wrong decision for him to come home. I asked him repeatedly before he came home if it was truly what he wanted, I think I knew in my heart and mind that it was not the right decision from the get go, but I was ecstatic that he wanted to come home. We both have to make sacrafices in this.....for me....watching him leave again is going to hurt I think more this time.   For him....leaving his parents again, the kids and myself, his friends. There is a plus side to this........I will be leaving on July 9th to join Scott where ever he is on the trail and hiking with him for 10-12 days. I'll be gone for about 2 weeks. We went last weekend and got all my gear.   All I have to do now is get my food...my pack is packed all but that.   I'm extremely excited, I can't begin to explain the feeling.   Although I haven't begun to prepare myself for the adventure..that doesn't really seem to phase me.   I'm sure I'll be muttering all kinds of nice things under my breath.Take to everyone later!Take care and God bless!Love,
Date: 2004-04-08
From: Little past Davenport Gap

To: TO CATCH UP WITH ENOCH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hi everyone!I just wanted to let you all know that Scott(Grady) should have gotten back on the trail around 4 pm today. He hopes to make it to Hot Springs, NC by Sunday. I'll let know when he calls! Thanks everyone! Take care stay safe, and God bless!PS-ENOCH.........SLOW DOWN HE'S ON HIS WAY!!!!!!!!!Love,
Date: 2004-04-08
To: Ground Hog Shelter
Miles today: 30.9

My first day back. Bus ride (30 hours) SUCKED, but Curtis (Standing Bear Farm) was there early to pick me up. Gave him a big hug, he has just grinning ear to ear.Anyways, got dropped off at 4 PM. Got to the shelter about 6:45-7:00 PM, so not too bad. Knees are hurting again, but not too bad. Sharing the shelter with 5 others tonight, kind of tight, but all cool guys. "Just Do It", Dave, "Captain", and "Spaz", and one other. Well off to bed.Enoch, man I miss you! No one is behind me to run into me when I take an unannounced break, or go get water. Not the same, but I'm glad to be back here. Later!   Grady
Date: 2004-04-09
From: Ground Hog Shelter

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

Was Motivated to move this morning, slowed down and enjoyed myself the rest of the day. Visited with "Just Do It" for a while. Napped on top of Max Patch with "Captain", and "Spaz". Hiked into the shelter with Dave. "Stealth" and "Mellow Yellow" came in shortly after. Plus 2 day hikers....Good crew. Had a great day, hiked in shorts & short sleeves, great views, great weather, great company. Read "Shush" and "Ku"'s entries here. Miss Enoch BAD!   Hey man slown down, I'm right on your heels!Later!Grady
Date: 2004-04-11
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Hello!Scott called this morning. He's arrived in Hot Springs, NC. He'll be taking a "nero" day. "NERO" is a near zero day as he explained to me when I asked. He'll be on his way tomorrow morning to after picking up his maildrop at the post office there.
Date: 2004-04-11
From: Deer Park Shelter

To: Elmer's /Hot's Springs
Miles today: 13.1

Hiked into Deer Park Shelter last night. Couldn't see spending too long in Hot Springs. Spent the night with 11 guys/gals. Father & son from Atlanta, Dave, Chris,Tey ( or Tray???), "Captain", "Spaz", Glenn, "Mad Scientist", and Gaya (girl from Irondiqoit, GO UPSTATE, er I mean, Western NY!!!) Everyone was cool. Staying at Elmer's tonight, great place. Hot Springs is very cool!!! Saw, didn't meet, "Flyin' Brian", he hiked the Triple Crown last year, back on the AT with his fiancee. See baby, you CAN do it. It really doesn't matter that she's a marathon runner at all!!!   just joking baby, SMILE, you know I love you!Sending home some gear, not much, trying to lighten up some. Ankle hurts alittle, hope it holds out. Got 11 miles tomorrow, 20+ the next day and 16 or 17 the next. Hope to be in Erwin in 4-5 days. Take care all & God bless.Later,Grady
Date: 2004-04-12
From: Elmer's /Hot's Springs

To: View Entry
Miles today: 20.4

First shelter out of town was full, so we ( John & his dog Casey, Jackie "no dog" and her boyfriend, and one other thru-hiker) set-up camp in a gap about 1.5 miles away. Had a great time in Hot Springs, still have to prove my trail-worthiness I guess. Feel out of place, not with those I started with. Miss Enoch ALOT!!Rained a lot this morning, and early this afternoon. ( And Rachel mailed the rainpant too far ahead, so Scott ends up being wet until Pearisburg VA.) Still got some good pictures of "Lover's Leap" though. Gonna go to Jerry's Cabin Shelter tomorrow. Have to leave early to beat the rush. Begin the shelter races!!! Later!Grady
Date: 2004-04-15
From: Hogback Shelter

To: No Business Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: clear sky

Did my first 20 miler since I got back on today. Feel good. The view on top of Big Bald was INCREDIBLE!!! Absolutely beautiful. Had snow yesterday and 65* today. Trail was really sloppy, fell twice, looked like I played in a puddle all day. Saw "stumpknocker" again, very cool!!! AND met Jan "Lightshoe" very very cool!!! Both were looking for "Just Do It", who was one shelter back. Everyone slack packed today, except Theo and I. Oh well, we'll get PIZZA in the morning. At least earlt afternoon. Sleep, hike, then EAT!!! Later,Grady
Date: 2004-04-16
From: Miss Janet's Erwin Tenn.

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

4/16/04 12:22 PMHey Everyone!Scott just called he's at Miss Janet's in Erwin Tenn. He's doing good, complaining that the top of his foot hurts. I say stress fracture.....he's going to wrap it up and see how it is tomorrow. he's going to do the normal town stuff....laundry, shower, EAT!   So now we know where Scott is and how he's doing.   Now we sit and wait to hear from Russell (Enoch).   Take Care, and God bless!Love,
Date: 2004-04-17
From: Erwin, TN

To: Curly Maple Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Left town late, so this is as far as we got. Had some trail magic just before Erwin. Soda on a fence with a note, I had a great time at Miss Janet's. NOTE TO READERS: Check out Miss Janet's website at www.missjanetshouse.com It is just getting up and running, but make sure to check back often.   Now we're at the shelter with Murphy,Truly,and Dead Man (wife,dog,and husband) who shared steak with us and some music. Theo,TT,Just do It and I are having a great night,beautiful weather,good friends and good times. Enoch I wish you were here. Saw a couple of snakes today, one here at the shelter. Hope he eats a lot of mice.OK, gonna sleep now. Good luck and God Bless all.LaterGrady
Date: 2004-04-18
From: Curly Maple Shelter

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

Beautiful day!!! Only did 12.2 miles today, still feeling sluggish and homesick after leaving town. I'm here with Just Do It, TT, and 6 section hikers. Had trail magic on Beauty Spot...college guys gave us water, soda, and gatorade. VERY COOL!!! Well not feeling like writing too much. Good luck and God Bless all.LaterGrady
Date: 2004-04-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

NOTE TO READERS:The mileage is VERY off on these entries. I just don;t want Scott bad mouthed like Officer Taco is being right now for total mileage for the day. I am just "trying" to give you all an idea from his "itinerary" I have here, I try to do my best, but he isn't always staying at shelters that he originally had planned to. I just want you all to have an idea of his total mileage though so far, so pretty much ignore the mileage for the day. If Scott puts in his entries the mileage for the day you'll read it, if not it's just me throwing numbers in to give you the total mileage thus far.Thanks!
Date: 2004-04-19
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan High Know Shleter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Had a better day today. The climb and views up here are spectacular!!! Once again the weather is great, sunny and mid 60's all day. Here with Theo, TT, don't know if Just Do It is coming up or not.Well not much else to say I guess.Good luck and God Bless All.LaterGrady
Date: 2004-04-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 29.3

Hi everyone!I just wanted to let everyone know that I got an email from "Just Do It"'s wife Linda. They were at Apple House Shelter as of yesterday. They are at about 384.4 miles. Scott's mom Joan and I are looking forward to that phone call from Scott hopefully tomorrow. He should arrive at Kincora's Hiker's Hostel tomorrow. I sure hope he still plans on stopping there for the night.....I sent him an "unscheduled" package there.   Take care all and God bless.Love,
Date: 2004-04-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

OK it's official.......I will be heading to Pearisburg, VA next week, and meet up with Scott there.   I also got a postcard from Russell "ENOCH" today. He's halfway there. Beautiful postcard from West Virginia. Thanks my dear!!! We've been wondering and worrying about you. Enoch hopes to be in Vermont in May when his dad joins him. Take care Russell, I'll be waiting for that phone call!!! Take care, and God bless!Love,
Date: 2004-05-10
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

OK it's been along time, but I wanted to make sure that everyone knew that Grady is doing just fine. He did get off the trail in Pearisburg, VA on 5/8/04 We came home and started our planning for our section hike of the trail. We decided on the Shenandoah National Park in July 2004. More about my experience on this later.I'd like to thank everyone that was supportive to me while he was on the trail. I'd also like to thank everyone that continued to support Scott. He's an amazing person, and although the thru-hike didn't happen this year, it will with us doing it together. The trail isn't going anywhere it will be here when we have the time to take 6 months from our life to do it...together. For now Scott has 625 miles done from Springer to Pearisburg. I on the other hand....well you will see what I have for mileage under my belt for the year. Love,
Date: 2004-04-17
To: Getting ready
Miles today: 0.0

The time is fast approaching for the next leg of my journey, from Bear Mt., NY, to Hanover, NH. My food is pretty much together and I know where all my equipment is, but haven¢t checked it all out yet. I seem to be more nonchalant about getting everything together since I¢ve done this so many times, but perhaps that isn¢t good. Anyway, I¢ll be leaving in 9 days, so I¢ll have to be ready by then.I think I¢m psychologically ready. I expect this trip might be a little bit colder, muddier and lonelier that before, since I¢m leaving pretty early to be starting this far north. But I expect I¢ll meet some sobo¢s (southbounders) and maybe some northbounders who started early. I¢ll also be hiking into familiar territory ¢ southern Vermont, where I grew up.This trip will be interrupted by my niece¢s wedding, so I¢ll get off at Route 9 near Bennington, where I¢ll get picked up for the trip to DC for several days. Then back on the trail to finish the Vermont section. With this section of Vermont done, then I¢ll also have only 65 miles left to finish the Long Trail, so might be able to do that sometime this summer.The thinking now is to get back on the trail in early September to finish the AT from Hanover to Katahdin. Hanover will be a tough place to start, heading right into the Whites, so I¢ll have to try to stay in shape over the summer.So, here¢s to another great hike and another 330 miles along my journey. Just 430 to go after that!
Date: 2004-04-21
To: Almost Ready
Miles today: 0.0

Well, my food is packed, I¢m ready to mail my first food drop, I¢ve check out all my equipment, so all I have to do is put it all in my pack, and I¢m ready to go. I haven¢t changed much from the way I¢ve done things these last three years. I still use my small gas stove and water filter, I carry my tent and sleeping bag, and I¢m using the same old clothes I always have. I¢ve ditched a pair of rain pants I used to carry. I hardly used them and now just get wet when it rains, drying off when I get to a shelter or tent site. And I¢ve changed some of the foods that I eat, principally breakfast and lunch. Other than that, everything is the same and the pack still weighs 30-35 pounds. That¢s probably heavy for some of the go-light hikers, but it¢s what has worked for me, so why change things.The other thing that is new this year is planning for an interruption in the middle of my hike. I¢ll be getting off the trail for a few days to attend my niece¢s wedding in DC, so I have to plan the clothes and toiletries that will be brought in the car that will pick me up for the wedding. I¢m not sure why I couldn¢t just wear my hiking boots and shorts!So I hit the road in a few days. Nancy and I will drive down to Bear Mt. on Monday, April 26th. We¢ll do a little sightseeing and spend the night in the area, so she doesn¢t have to drive all the way back in the same day. Then I¢m off on my next adventure and the hopefully the next to last leg of my journey.
Date: 2004-04-28
From: 0.2 mi. N South Highland Rd @ 6:45 a.m.

To: Shenandoah Mt Camp 
Miles today: 11.9

Date: 4/28/04   Day 2Start: 0.2 mi. N South Highland Rd @ 6:45 a.m.; Stop: Shenandoah Mt Camp @ 1:45Mileage: On trail: 11.9; Cum. 23.9; Off trail 0.3; Cum. 0.3Weather: overcast, cool, windy, becoming sunnyMajor Landmarks: Canopus Lake, Shenandoah Mt.        A cold front came through overnight, dropping some rain as well as the temperature. Honking geese overhead and gobbling turkeys in the distance woke me at 5:30, just as it was getting light. I pulled the hood of my sleeping bag over my head and snuggled into my warm cocoon for another half hour. I finally got out of the tent to retrieve my food bag and got back into my sleeping bag to eat breakfast.        Once on the trail, I made good time to Dennytown Rd. and stopped after another half mile for a break. Pretty soon one of the hikers I had met yesterday came by and we chatted for a while. They had spent the night at the campsite nearby. We hiked on, passing each other a couple of times until he finally went ahead.         The trail in this area is in good shape. It¢s not muddy at all, except in those boggy areas where it¢s always muddy, and there is very little winter deadfall. There are no really big climbs, but the little ones are good enough for me at this point. This whole area is criss-crossed with stonewalls, but the areas between are still very rocky. Good old rocky New York, just as I remembered it¢¦plenty of ledges and cliffs and today I encountered a couple of those cliff climbs, straight up.         The trail followed the west side of Canopus Lake for its length and came to a nice lookout with a view of the beach below and the lake extending off in the distance.        I finally reached Shenandoah Mountain Tenting Area in the early afternoon. There are a couple of buildings and a nice open area with grass and picnic tables. It was nice and sunny; the thermometer on the shady side of one of the buildings read 56 degrees. But, that wind is still cool. So I decided to stay here for the night, rather than hike the additional 1+ mile to the RPH shelter, were the other hikers were headed.        There aren¢t a lot of wildflowers in bloom yet, just some violets, skunk cabbage, what looks like Spring Beauty, and another white flower. There is a lot of mountain laurel in the area, but none in bloom.        Wildlife observed so far: one garter snake, two hawks (one quite large and the other not so big), turkey vultures and plenty of squirrels and chipmunks. I¢ve heard a deer bounding through the woods and turkeys, but haven¢t seen them.        It will be a few more days before I get my legs under me and my pack becomes part of me but, so far, so good. Another good day and not quite as tired.
Date: 2004-04-29
From: Shenandoah Mt Camp 

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter 
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: few clouds

Date: 4/29/04   Day 3Start: Shenandoah Mt. Campsite @ 7:00; Stop: Morgan Stewart Shelter @ 1:30Mileage: On trail: 10.3; cum. 34.2. Off trail: 0.1; cum. 0.4Weather: sunny, warmMajor Landmarks: Taconic State Parkway, I-84        Today I hit the wall, more so than I have before. The only good part is that it resolved a dilemma for me: whether to hike a lot of miles and get my mail drop before Saturday noon, or whether to slow down and get it on Monday. I¢m definitely in slow down mode now, after doing 10 miles in 6 12 hours. At least I can rationalize that there will be a greater chance of my box being there a day later.        When I went out to get my food bag at 6:00, the thermometer on the building read 40 degrees; it felt a lot warmer than yesterday morning. After getting on the trail, I felt pretty good for about the first 6 miles. I only stopped one to two times. Maybe that was part of the problem. I could hear the sound of traffic from the Taconic State Parkway and I-84 all morning and eventually crossed both of them. After crossing I-84, I really faded. I only had 2 12 miles to the shelter, but I was stopping about every 12 mile, and this is a section of trail I should be bombing through. I had already drunk about 2 liters of water, but it was quite warm and I noticed that I wasn¢t sweating anymore. I guzzled a bunch of water and noticed sweat forming on my lower arms. The sweat then went away and I noticed the pink color of my skin return to normal. I must have been pretty dehydrated, even though I had consumed a lot of water.        Consequently, I didn¢t observe a lot today. I was too focused on putting one foot in front of the other. I did see two deer during one of my breaks, and some turkey vultures, one of which was perched on a rock when I reached the top of a mountain. So ugly, and yet so beautiful in flight. There was one section of trail where a great job had been done removing a lot of the rocks, but someone had really gotten anal about building little rock cairns all along the trail. There was one section yesterday that reminded me a lot of the Smokies and Shenandoah, where the trail was all built up with rock walls.        When I finally got to the shelter, I just sat there for a while. Soon a day-hiker stopped by to eat his lunch (he sprayed me and my pad when opening his Pepsi) and we had a nice chat, sharing stories about our hikes. He is also an expert on ticks, so he told me a lot about their habits and life cycle and I pumped him with a lot of questions. We¢re right in the heart of Lyme disease country and I¢ve already removed on tick from my thigh and caught another climbing up my sock. Anyway, the conversation took my mind off how badly I was feeling and now I feel better.
Date: 2004-04-30
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter 

To: N. West Dover Rd 
Miles today: 9.2

Date: 4/30/04 Day 4Start: Morgan Stewart Shelter @ 8:00; Stop 0.8 mi N. West Dover Rd @ 2:00Mileage: on trail: 9.2; cum. 43.4. Off trail: 0.4; cum. 0.8Weather: sunny, warmMajor Landmarks: Nuclear LakeI was alone in the shelter last night, save for one mouse who woke me twice with his gnawing. I heard the barred owl call in the night, and the night before I had been awakened by a pack of coyotes who spontaneously started yipping and howling in chorus, and finally stopped almost as abruptly. The sun came into the shelter fairly early but I slept in for a while. The rest felt good. The first three plus miles to Route 55 were fairly easy. I had read in the shelter register of a hot dog stand near this road crossing. I didn¢t see one, but walked up the road to a tackle shop and asked a guy sitting out front. He said it was back down the road, but that I was a little early. I walked down the road anyway and sat against a phone pole. In a few minutes an old school bus pulled in and parked. The woman driver began putting together her hot dog stand and said they would be ready in about 15 minutes. I decided to stay and took a seat in one of her fold-up chairs. Soon, another car pulled in, a fly fishing guide looking for a couple of dogs before meeting his client. We were soon sitting there enjoying our hot dogs and cold sodas and sharing stories about hiking and fishing.Back on the trail I went by Nuclear Lake, site of a nuclear research facility closed in 1972. I walked up on the grass-covered dam and immediately a snake went right into the water and swam away from me. There were Canada geese swimming in the lake as well, so I guess it¢s safe!I took a break at Telephone Pioneers Shelter and refilled water. Unlike many of the other shelters in this area, the water source was a nice brook, rather than a hand pump which gives the water a nasty metallic taste that stays with you.I¢m still tired after a no-so-big-day, but it feels good to slow down and be able to take in the local hot dog stands.Saw a couple of garter snakes, almost sticking my pole into one of them. An entry in one of the shelter logs mentioned seeing a rattlesnake in the area. Trillium and bluets are in bloom. Tomorrow I hope to make Connecticut.I noticed one entry in a shelter journal from last year by a woman Rotarian from the Tri-City Rotary Club in the Florida panhandle. She was hiking to raise money for Polio Plus, Rotary¢s program to eradicate polio. When I did that my first year hiking the AT, we raised $650, but I¢m sure if she made it all the way, she raised a lot more than that. Good going!