morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-04-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hi to all, as Cliff would say [Brother Buzz]. I recieved A call on Sunday from Brother Buzz. Twice that is I was not at home the first time but he did leave a message that he would return his call later. At 9:30 p.m. A returned call from Brother Buzz. All is going well with no hitches with their journey. They were in Neels Gap and staying in a hostel for the night that means a shower and a bunk to sleep on. They have traveled 40 miles so far. The weather has been good, sunny most of the time. There feet have been good no blisters as of yet. Although Derrick [Lightning] did get a sun burn on his head with some blistering. They sounded good on the phone. Say they feel good and that the mountains don't seem so tough in Georgia yet. Brother Buzz says that Georgia is the third most difficult state to hike in with New Hampshire and Maine being first and second hardest on the A.T. Brother Buzz said that he would be in touch with me within four days after Sunday . I recieved a post card in the mail on monday from Brother Buzz.Says he feels good and that his pack weight is 34 lbs. with a lot of food. -[Sister Buzz] Chris
Date: 2005-04-10
To: Fontana Dam, North Carolina
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Hi every one, I got another phone call from Brother Buzz this evening about 9:30 p.m. I was very excited to hear from him as I did not expect to hear from him until thursday night. Brother Buzz claims that Lightning is pushing him to go faster than they had been going from the start. They are in a town called Hiawassi and are staying in a hostel for the night. Said they hitched a ride into town from the trail. Some guy with a pick-up truck gave them a lift. Cliff says that Hiawassi is about 11 miles from the trail and that he wasn't going to complain about how uncomfortable the ride was in the back of a pick-up truck with all the guys ladders in the back amongth them, since they would be saving them selves from the extra mileage. Brother Buzz expects to be in Fontana Dam thursday. He plans to call again in 3 to 4 days in the town of Franklin N.C. Will be getting a portion of his journal along with some film from his camera any day now.   -[Sister Buzz] Chris
Date: 2005-04-10
To: Franklin N.C.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

   Hi to everyone who is reading this. I recieved a phone call around 12:00 p.m. Noon today from Brother Buzz. They had hiked 4 miles today already. They took a free shuttle into a nice town called Franklin, N.C. The shuttle had picked them up off the A.T. trail. Went grocery shopping for trail food at a Winn Dixie store. Stopped in at a Shoney's for lunch. Said the food tasted good after a cold night in a lean to, and was greatful they had shelter for the night where as they said the winds were blowing all night. Brother Buzz says his sleeping bag was plenty warm enough. But that it was hard getting up into the cold morning. It was snowing out at the time when he was talking to me. Brother Buzz and Lightning were going to head back out onto the trail. Says he'll be in touch in about 3 or 4 days when they come to a camping outfitter. [I can't remember the name of the business]. The hikers are still traveling about 12 miles a day.                        -[Sister Buzz] Chris
Date: 2005-04-13
To: Journals arrived home today
Miles today: 0.0

[Boston MA to Hiker Hostel GA]                        4/13/05                                                                        Day 1      "It is here [smilely face]What a day. Head out from home at 4:00 a.m. Chris, Kevin, Erin, Kyle, Lightning and I. No problems at the airports. Flying in aplane is a neat thing. Looking down at the world so far away but so close. Plane trip stop over in Washington D.C. Got to take a nap waiting for our next plane. Most of the people we were flying with were business type people. Always on their cell phones. Got into Atlanta GA Airport got some food and headed out on the metro system. The Hiker Hostel Company picked us up and broufgt us to their hostel brand new place and it was great. The husband and wife that own the place hiked the trail in 2000. It is a small world. When we took the troop up to hike Mt.Greylock in MA. The night we camped on the trail there was a young couple with a dog. The scouts could not believe how much of our food they ate. Well the neat thing is they were the owners of the Hiker Hostel. Went out to eat and got my 2nd burger 1st was at the airport. Back to hostel. In bed by 9:00 p.m.                           -[Brother Buzz] Cliff
Date: 2005-04-14
From: Journals arrived home today

To: Day 1 On The Trail
Miles today: 11.3

Amicalda Falls State Park to Stover Creek Shelter. 11.3 miles 10:00-4:30 4/14/05 Sunny Day. Slept great last night probably the best I have in a very long time. The Hostel gave us a big breakfast and then drove us to the trail head [State Park]. Signed in the log book and started on the trail at 10:00 a.m. Well Bill Bryson talked about the aproach trail and how hard it was. Lightning and I flew up the trail. The trail sign said it would take more than 6 hours and we did it in 4 hours and 10 minutes. Not long into the trail we were still hiking together and we came up over a little hill. Derrick was talking and did not see the racoon standing in the middle of the trail. I yelled at him to stop. We ended up walking around him and he never took his eyes off of us. The trail had some false peaks like the Long Trail does but over all it was a great walk up to Springer Mt. When I came out of the woods to the clearing there was Lightning just sitting there and a few other people there too. One lady said it was great to see a senior citizen hiking the trail. When I told her old I was she did not believe me. Hey George I was looking up a lot today and saw at least 12 big birds today. It was neat to see them just gliding along to the wind. Saw a skinny squirrel running along to our first shelter is a nice one. Lightning and I are the only ones here and I am writing this at about 7:00 p.m. A nice stream behind the shelter for water. No outhouse here at all. Off to bed at 8:00 p.m. Derrick and I talked a bit about the trail and what life will be like for the next 6 months. How I will do being without the ones I love. [I miss you already Chris] It will be different coming home to Cape Cod and the fall. We will miss the whole summer. Please give Flower a big hug and a kiss and a dog cookie for me. Day 1 on the trail was great.            -Brother Buzz                  GA--ME 2005
Date: 2005-04-15
From: Day 1 On The Trail

To: Just Us Creek
Miles today: 11.3

Stover Creek Shelter to Just us Creek 11.1 miles total 22.3 miles. 4/15/05 Day 2 weather sunny. Good morning to Cape Cod and beyond. Up at about 8:10 a.m. From a night sleep that was not to good. All I did was tossed and turned. I will make up for it tonight. The trail today was great. There is a lot of ups and downs but a lot of flat spots too. Met a lot of hikers today. A group of 4 out to do 50 miles. Emily that we met at the Hiker Hostel and got her trail name which is "Miles Away". A lady from? Her name is "Buckeye", a younger man from Tenn. Some of the scouts were hurting. Well today I got the begeebers scared out of me when I almost stepped on a 5' long black snake. A few big birds flying around, and lots of butterflies today. All different colors. Spring has started -little flowers are out, the leaves on the trees will be out soon. Lots of small birds flying around too. We have met a few hikers that are already talking about getting off the trail. Too many pains and blisters on their feet. Knock on wood my feet are doing just fine, and I hope to keep it that way. We both got a little sunburn today. Lightning got it bad on his head. My arms are red tonight. Great dinner tonight noodles. I ate my last piece of beef jerky [wish I had a whole bunch more it was delicious]. Lightning and I went to the next campsite and sat around their fire for a while. It was great to end the day with a fire. Off to bed around 9:00 p.m. Stars are out and half a moon.
Date: 2005-04-16
From: Just Us Creek

To: Miller Gap
Miles today: 9.5

Justus Creek to Miller Gap                                 4/16/05                                                         Day 3 Sunny   9.5 miles31.8 miles "Life is walking in the woods" Better night sleeping I think just the excitement of finally being on the trail is starting to wear off. Sunny morning again. The trails are in great shape. Today we walk into trail crews working on the trail and they all wished us good luck!! Hiked with "Miles Away,Buckeye, Josiah, Stan, and Jake. We just gave Jake his new trail name. He is carrying a 52 lb. pack so his name is U-Haul. I feel good walking day 3 and still no blisters. Legs are doing good. A little more sun burn but that is o.k. Met up with a scout troop in Woody Gap that were rock climbing and it looked like fun. There are still a lot of ups and downs on the Mts and hills the trail does have a lot of switch backs so most of the time it is not straight up or down. Hey Cherrio I forgot to write on the first day I hiked with the Suzi Q you gave us and I thank you!! I do miss everyone back home. It is so hard to believe that we already have been out here for 3 days. I feel real good about this hike. Did talk to two people today that were dropping out. It is tuff to understand why hikers drop out only a few miles in to such a great thing. My water is hot so I have to cook my Mac and cheese with tuna now.[Chris I miss your home cooking some bad already I love you so much] Good dinner. We are camping with U-Haul and Stan. We gave Stan his new trail name tonight. It is Slow and Steady. Hung our bear bag and off to bed at 8:30p.m. A late night tonight.   Chris I miss you!!
Date: 2005-04-17
From: Miller Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: broken clouds

Miller Gap to Neil Gap                                       4/17/05 Sunday"Food is different in the woods"Good night-up early-poptart for breakfast yum yum-My leg was hurting yesterday a little. So I started out easy today. All is better now. Not sure where we are staying tonight.So for now I am just walking. A big climb today Blood Mt. Neat Mt all the way to the top was rhododendron bushes on both sides of the trail. Got to the top and could not find Lightning. He was sitting up on top of this big rock with Wes from Oregon. Great views and hey George saw 6 more big birds today. It is cool how they just glide along in the air. Down the Mt. to Neels Gap. We did decide to stay here at Walasi-Y. Center Hostel. Nice place. Got food for the next 4 days more noodles-more tuna. Off to dinner in town tonight to a all you can eat. Back to the hostel and here I am writing to you all. By the way Wes has got his new trail name "The Farmer".
Date: 2005-04-18
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

50.9 miles                                                4/18/05 Monday                                                               Day 5 Sunny                                                             Shelter            "Sun Is Hot Gives You A Sunburn"O/K night of slee-low miles yesterday so maybe I just was not that tired. Food was o/k last night the dessert table was the best. Off hiking this morning started out with Lightning-The Farmer-Slow& Steady. Longer day today with only a few real big ups but that is why we are hiking to climb Mts. Our hardest climb was Wildcat Mt and on the top some one had planted some dafodils that were in full bloom. Met up a few new hikers today they all are just out for a few weeks-Birdman-MA-AU. Chris I miss you!!!!!!!!! Just a good day of hiking-my feet are doing better than I could ask for-legs and back are fine. Full shelter tonight plus 4 tents set up. The Birdman is having a great time checking out the Birds and Butterflies. Nice stream at the shelter. We have had no problems so far getting water lets hope that is the case all the way to ME. The Hiker AU has hiked GA section of the AT 5 times so he has given us a lot of good info. Time to Eat and then off to bed. Talk to you later-Miss everyone
Date: 2005-04-19
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Cheese Factory Site
Miles today: 13.0

63.9 miles                                                      4/19/05 Tuesday                                                                  Day 6 Sunny                                                                  Tenting            "One Good Step Deserves Another Step"   Night sleep at Low Gap was different. First the mice running around and the owls all night. Off in the morning had breakfast said good bye to the Birdman and MA-took off feeling good. Out before Lightning. Long day today all up in the morning then down down into Unicoi Gap then you guessed it straight up. Got to the top and Lightning was gone. So ate lunch took a nap and off to finish the miles. More of the trails are going through rhododendron bushes. Hope to see some of them in bloom. Great campsite tonight it is on a ridge so we are picking up a little breeze. Feels good after all the heat from the day. Set up the tent in a nice grass field. Hung the bear rope. Word is out the bears have come out of their winter sleep so the rangers put warning out to be careful. Hey George the birds are all over saw one today circling then went striaght down so it must of been after something. Dinner is done-Dishes are done-bear bag is done. Two hikers from FL are in tonight they are finishing up the GA section
Date: 2005-04-20
From: Neels Gap

To: Cheese Factory Site to Hiawassee
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: clear sky

Cheese Factory Site to Hiawassee                                 4/20/05 Wed.12.5 miles                                                         Day 7 Sunny         Good night sleep the best yet.Up early - packed up-could not finish breakfast. Stale bagels do not taste good. Same type of trail today, up and down. I guess that is what it is going to be all the way to Maine. Did see a few people on the trail today which is nice. Gets lonely when you hike all day by yourself. I can't keep up to Lightning. I do have a sony mini disc music player which is great. Keeps myself from talking to myself as much. Passed a Sobo hiker from N.H. today, he was wearing a Red Socks hat. A lot of people talk about the Red Socks. Got to Dick's Creek and had to do our first hitch for a ride. No problems got picked up by a Ford Ranger and dropped off at the Hiawasee Inn nice place very friendly host. Did some food shopping and went out to eat. called my wife tonight and it is the best feeling talking to her. I MISS YOU HONEY. Saw the Farmer here he said he should be out on the trail in a few more days. Good Night to All.
Date: 2005-04-21
From: Dicks Creek

To:  Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: light rain

87 miles                                                   4/21/05 Thursday                                                      Day 8 Sunny & Clouds It is great to be in the woods. Good night at the Hiawassee Inn - Great place - great owners. They are all for the hikers. Got dropped off at Dick's Creek around 10:00 a.m.-long day of hiking. I ate too much at the All you can eat restaurant and started stomach pains all day. We finish GA today and started into SC. The trails today in NC are not as nice as they were in GA. Two big mountains in NC so I guess that is the way NC says hello. Staying at Muskrat Creek Shelter nice shelter-Moonshine caught up to us and we are here with Dave from Kentucky and his dog McKenzie. Dave is out for a section hike to Fontana Dam. Had a great dinner tonight of noodles with steak tips. Flowers all over today. It was just a day in the mountains. I am missing you all at home. How are you EMS. I miss selling shoes. Feet and legs are great-we are going all the way.   Chris I love you I am giving you a big hug right now can you feel it!!
Date: 2005-04-22
From:  Muskrat Creek Shelter

To:  Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

99.5 miles                                                   4/22/05 Friday                                                            Day 9 Rain & Hail "Roses are red but blazes are white"Good night sleep. Just starting to get to sleep and two hikers came in then they decided to go pitch a tent anyway. Today's hike was good in the morning a long climb up to Standing Indian Mountain 5498' nice views and you could see the rain not to far away. Then the thunder,lightning,and rain started,it did not stop for at least 3 hours. We even had some hail.12.5 miles today and all went well. Legs and feet are great so watch out trail. I hiked with Dave and his dog McKenzie a lot today. Got to Carter Gap Shelter and met three more hikers. Grandpa Doc is out for a few weeks, Numbers will be getting off in a few days. Hey Numbers are you going back to Hiawassee? Also Ben's here he has four months so he is going to hike as far as he can. It feels good to be in a shelter tonight. Cold and damp out. What a difference from the 70'-80' sunny days we have been having. Hey Mike we hiked through Coleman Gap today. The trails in NC are not in the best of shape.   Chris here is a big kiss-I miss you!!      xoxoxoxoxoxo-Give Flower a hug and kiss too.
Date: 2005-04-23
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: overcast clouds

111.6 miles                                                4/23/05 Saturday "Don't Step On Your Shoe Lace"                              Rain & SnowLast night it rained and rained all night. Cold morning start had almost all my clothing on. All day on and off rain and snow. No views at all. Big climb today. Albert Mt. 5250' other than that just a bunch of up and downs. Hiked with Ben today a Eagle scout from Maine. Had some good talks. Saw a few rabbits on the trail. The hike was just a hike. Did see a dog grave today,it was weird. Got to Rock Gap Shelter early today so we got out our sleeping bags and crawled in just to get warm. Will be going into Franklin for breakfast and food resupply then onto NOC in a few days. We hit 100 miles today. 60 miles to the Smokies. Hey Beach Reality still have not found the right Mt. cabin yet So I guess I will have to come back to the Cape. Still got a lot of miles to go maybe I will find the right cabin. Good day I am proud I still have not taken any vitamin I [Ibuprofen] yet. Feet are happy so I am happy. Life is good. Chris here is a hug and kiss. xoxoxoxoxo      miss you all, Hi Kevin & Neil, Rusty & Flower
Date: 2005-04-25
From: Wine Spring 

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: clear sky

137 miles                                                      4/25/05 Monday                                                            Day 12 Snow-Sun "When your water bottle freezes it's cold"Good night of sleep. In a tent it is warmer-packed up in the morning and headed out. Too cold to eat. Eat on the trail some,then finished at Wayah rock lookout. The lookout is neat up on a hill. It would be fun to sleep there on a good night. Then off on the trail lots of ups and downs. In a few places the winter storms had destroyed the trail so they moved the trail. We ended up at Wesser's old fire tower for dinner. Great time sat up there and had a sunset dinner. After sunset we packed up and headed down to Wesser Bald Shelter for the night. Today we hiked with Bear Can and Drifter. By the end of the day the snow had all melted. We hiked through some spots where it was 4" deep. Hope that is the last of the snow. Last night it was so cold our water bottles froze almost solid. Today was just a walk in the woods. Many more days like this to come. I do enjoy using my mini disc music player. On some days it does help a lot to get you through to the next mountain.
Date: 2005-04-27
From: Sassafrass Gap Shelter

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

164.8 miles                                                   4/27/05 Thursday                                                            Day 14-Cloudy-Rain "When you sit on a cold rock it is cold"Good night of sleep with rain all night. NC has a bad weather front hanging over it. Today is my 15 plus miles day. I am tired now. Still no vitamin I. Feet are o.k. Good view from Cheoah Bald trail today. Had a lot of trees across it from winter storms. So far I have ate at three AYCE buffet-3 cheese burgers-2 showers-2 falls in the mud-Looked for caves-Not to good of luck with bear bag rope-have not seen a bear yet-have not slept in a shelter that there has not been a snorer. Onto Fontana Dam tomorrow pick up our first mail drop-get a shower-wash our clothes. Life is good!! Two weeks on the trail. Time is going by fast. On the trail it is the same thing just walking. It gives you plenty of time to think about all kinds of things. Old shelter tonight with a nice stream in front of the shelter. One bad thing today is the word on the trail is more hikers giving up. The trail is not easy lots of tough climbs in NC,and with the cold,rain,and snow it does get to you. I am still o.k. Hello to all.
Date: 2005-04-28
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Village
Miles today: 5.5

170.3 miles                                                4/28/05 Thursday                                                               Sunny to Rain "A shower feels good"Good night of sleep only the four of us tonight. Nice walk into the village today. 2 miles up and 3 1/2 miles down. Same type of trails as you get lower the trees-plants-flowers are in bloom it's neat. Got a ride into the village from Pete. The village is cool it was built in the "40" for the workers on the Fontana Dam. We stayed in the Inn for the night. Got a shower-real food and a bed. Life is Good. Picked up our first [1] mail drop today that's fun. Seven days of food to get us through the Smokies. Also we set up our bounce box. It has odds and ends in it that we do not need all the time so we mail it ahead to our selves. My wife sent me a letter too and that was great to have that.I love you Chris. Got to do some laundry today. It was good to have an easy day.Hope it won't be to hard tomorrow. They say it is very hard in the Smokies to hike up onto the ridge. The map says it is about 4 miles of hard up. Fun Fun. Saw a lot of hikers today in the village. Called home made my day.         Good night to all and a good night it is.
Date: 2005-04-29
From: Fontana Village Inn

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: moderate rain

182.7 miles                                                   4/29/05 Friday                                                            Day 16 Rain-Cloudy "Trails are muddy in the rain"Rain all night-Rain in the morning. Did not sleep well last night. Guess I was not comfortable in bed. It's not like the ground. Got up late 8:30 A.M. packed up went to post office-mailed our bounce box and some more stuff home. Got a ride back to the trail head started hiking around 12:00 noon. Checked out the Dam thats cool. Hiked into the Smokies and started our 10 plus miles at 1:30 It was a long day got to the shelter after 6:00 P.M. Our hike today was o/k-big climb up to the ridge then it was just small ups and downs not too bad. Checked out an old fire tower. It was a tall one alright. Great view of the dam from the top. Trail was like a mud slide in a few spots. No falls today. Pack is some heavy I got about 7 days of food with me. The most so far. It takes 6 to 7 days to get through the Smokies with no where to get food. All you do is eat a lot so your pack weight goes down. Full shelter tonight and Lightning cooked up his hot dogs. Good day today but long. See yah