morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-03-28
From: Albert Arms Trail Magic

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: light rain

Albert MTN was fun! One Half mile out of Albert Arms we were climbing the Trail over the summit of Albert. It was rainy, or snowy rather, and much of the day was spent walking in a cloud but we had great fun. Everyone's spirits were high after the Trail magic. We stopped and lunch at Rock Gap Shelter before pushing on for Winding Stair Gap. It was neat walking in the rain. The MTNs here are alive with water. Streams everywhere criss-cross the Trail and sometimes course down it as a condit. The weather and the foliage, it was like walking through a rainforest.From Winding Stair we caught a ride into Franklin immediately with a nice guy named Wayne. After checking into the Haven Hotel we showered up and did our laundry. We were in the parking lot deliberating over where to go to dinner when Ron Haven, the owner of the hotel and proclaimed Trail Angel pulled up in a limosine from the limo service he also owns, and asked us where we wanted to go. KTR, Solace, and Cupcake where in the back as they were accompanying Ron and his family to dinner, all of them old friends from the in previous years, and we soon found ourselves exiting a limo before currious on-lookers from the boothes of the Motor Grill Diner. Not to shabby. Dinner consisted of double bacon chesse burgers, fried, salad, and banana malts. Trail hiking is really rough you know so when we got back to our room at the Haven at 8pm we thought we'd just doze for an hour while we waited for everyone to get back. We woke up at 1am instead to brush our teeth and go back to sleep. Admittedly, I'm writting this after the fact since I didn't make it to the journal at all last night. Eleven hours of sleep in a single night! I don't believe it, but I'm ready for a nap.   Bird of the Day:American Robin
Date: 2005-03-29
From: Haven Hotel, Franklin NC

To: Haven Hotel, Franklin NC
Miles today: 0.0

It's been a quiet day here in the parking lot of the Haven Hotel. We didn't make it to the Trail cause we were chasing down a wayward care package for much of the afternoon. S'ok though, the brownies therein were worth it so many thanks to Calicoe's mom. We otherwise enjoyed another assemblage of burgers and malts for lunch before heading back to the parking lot for more fun in the sun. KTR, Solace, Cupcake, Hairball, and Snowbunny are here. They're awesome good people by the way. Ranger and Grunting Bear showed up this morning and we're making a bunch more friends with people fresh from the Trail. This morning I found the slow leak in my therm-a-rest that has been the bane of my existence since we started this trip. I patched it up with some duct tape and we'll see how it works tonight in the tent behind the hotel. We're budgeting to compensate for the unexpected zero day and Ron is nice enough to let us campout on his lawn. It's otherwise been a beautiful day and I've enjoyed eating much of my way through. I'm fighting off the stomach ache for now, but I expect there'll be room enough for dinner in a couple of hours. Pizza would be good.Bird of the Day:Brown Thrasher; Franklin NC
Date: 2005-03-30
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Siler Bald Shelter
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: clear sky

It's 4:00 in the afternoon. I've spent all day laying in a meadow, on a MTN, watching the trees, and the clouds, and the sky. The weather, is beautiful. When I get hot in the sun I go down to the creek and dunk my head in the cold water. If it stays clear I think I may cowboy camp tonight under the stars. The vireos are singing and there's a nice breeze over the hill. Laurie the Trail Angel gaze us the extra bed in her room last night. She helps Ron shuttle hikers to and from the Trail so she stays for free and was happy for the company. Her border collie Bonny was a sweetheart and jumped from our bed to Laurie's time and again before making up her mind about where to sleep. I got a hot shower this morning after a much more restful night than I think we would have had on the lawn beside the highway. We went to Cedar's Cafe for some good coffee and scones at breakfast. Having said our good byes to our friends in the parking lot we borded Ron's hiker shuttle short-bus for a lively trip back to the Trail. It's been a stellar day of loafing and as dinner time draws near, i prepare to cook right where I sit, looking forward to tomorrow.Bird of the Day:Belted Kingfisher; Franklin NC
Date: 2005-03-31
From: Siler Bald Shelter

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: moderate rain

Well, what a day it has been. Last night did not stay as clear as it started. Before the sky opened up and rained torrents through the night however, we were awakened by a chorus of owl calls from the trees nearby. We couldn't see them but it sounded like two different species, a Great-horned Owl and a Screech Owl perhaps. It was almost startling how loud they were as they provided quite the prequel to a night of screeching, thunder, and lightning. No one seemed to be in a hurry to get going this morning. We cooked our breakfast under the roof of the shelter and watched the rain fall on our tents. We finaly got going after the shelter filled with a whole new group of people intent on spending the day there to wait out the storm. 12.1 miles through the rain and the new rain coat is just as good at keeping the moisture in as it does out so I was soaked either way by the time we struck camp. The shelter was full so we took the ridge overlooking what could be an incredible view if the clouds clear. Our hike through the rainforest otherwise continues as it has. Calicoe insists that is but a taste of what we can expect in the Smokies. Just 40 miles more to Fontana Dam which acts as the gateway into the park. I've heard so much about the beauty of that place, I'm so excited to see it.Bird of the Day:Carolina Chickadee
Date: 2005-04-01
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: A Rufus Morgen Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: moderate rain

As the story goes, I have Calicoe to thank for the introduction of my trail name, Torch. Today I returned the favor as we walked/ran down the .8 miles of trail between us at the shelter and dinner at the Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC) beside the river which gives it its name. These two days of rain (it's still raining) have induced a multitude of flowers to emerge from their subterranean gestation. Everywhere there were Bluets, Bloodroot, Toothwort, and Trillium. Calicoe took to pointing out each Trillium plant along that section of trail and calling out its name. I told her to be careful or I would call her Trillium as well. Her acclaim to that suggestion makes it stick in my mind. I will call her thus while she tries it on to see if it fits.It's been a slippery kind of day otherwise. I've been free-styling all across the MTN sides as every tree root and muddy slope seemed to exagerate the lack of tread on my aged boots. There were some pretty spectacular spills and some equally spectacular saves all through the day. It wasn't until the most mundane slope at the most unassuming junction that my butt finaly met the mud. Calicoe was there for it all so she will attest to both the sureness of my footing as well to my indignation. Dinner was as joyful as ever and we walked more slowly back up to the shelter under the weight of full bellies. Exploring the creek near the shelter was our entertainment for the evening. The first rock we turned over revealed a crawdad, and the second a salamander, both of them indicators of a healthy environment. They looked right at home in the water. For us however, tonight is all about staying dry.Bird of the Day:Northern Cardinal
Date: 2005-04-02
From: A Rufus Morgen Shelter

To: NOC Hostel
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: moderate rain

Well we've been all over this section of trail back and forth from the NOC after today. We hot-footed it back in this morning for breakfast after a rather long and sleepless night in the shelter. I woke up at ~11:00pm under a fair bit of pressure to get real friendly with a tree but did not care to walk around in the downpour outside. The rain subsided as we rose with the sun, and practically ran down the Trail to satisfy rummbling tummies. We had breakfast with friends, Hairball, Snowbunny, Cupcake, Linux, and Solace. Good company, Linux and Hairball especially relate to my seemingly unending appetite. The rest of the day was spent running around trying to get our chores done so we could get back on the Trail. Fate it seemed was conspiring against us as we were met with delays for everything, showers, laundry, and as always, postal services. A grey and soaking day, we finaly got going around 3pm, attempting to dash the 7 miles of elevation between us and the next shelter. The weather worsened as we gained however, and the rain soon turned to snow. Driving snow, falling so hard it plastered the sides of trees and clumped in drifts along the Trail. I reveled in it. The colder temperature seemed to revitalize my energy so long as I kept moving, nullifying the exhausting effect of heat and sweat under a heavey pack. Calicoe however was not so blind to our situation and soon voiced her concerns of the effect the quickly setting sun would have on the ever worsening weather. The sensical yet frustrating decision to return to the NOC was made and the two miles back down the MTN we'd just climbed were difficult to swallow. I was pretty upset right up to the blackberry cobbler we had for desert back at the restaurant. The dry and heated room in the hostel away from the raging weather is also much appreciated. Thus, a lesson in compromise and common sense. I don't think we'd have been in danger had we continued, but this might have otherwise been a very uncomfortable night. Bird of the Day:Northern Rough-winged Swallow, NOC
Date: 2005-04-03
From: NOC Hostel

To: Locust Cove Gap
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: clear sky

Ok, so much praise to Calicoe. Last night would not have been the best time to attempt the ups we faced today. This morning at breakfast we heard allll about the multitude of snow that fell through the night. Hard to believe that this morning was as clear as it was, and as remained so throughout the day. Apparently last night was a vicious throwback to winter, whereas my biggest woe was being too warm. Actually that was Calicoe's biggest woe, I was fine until she got up to turn off the heat and open a window. I got a little cold then, but nothing compared to sleeping with wind in a snowdrift.Much of the rest of the rest of the day was spent climbing the elevation up from the NOC. The accumulation of snow was really astounding. With drifts up to my waist in places, the Trail was difficult to find, and I'm pretty sure that what we did follow was mostly bush-wacking by the poor soul who broke camp first this morning. The views were great though. Having spent the last three days in a cloud, ridge-walking on a clear day was almost startling. The MTNs went on for miles, especially from Cheoah Blad. We could see 180 degrees on the one side to see where we've been, then walk across the ridge and catch the other 180 to see where we're going. Fontana Lake, the Smokies, Clingman's Dome all laid out before us was quite the reward for leaving the shelter behind to push for the last 3.5 miles to where we wished to camp. Tonight we're hanging out with Ranger and Grunting Bear, glad to have that 7 mile climb behind us and looking forward to the last 18.5 before the Smokies.Bird of the Day:Tufted Titmouse
Date: 2005-04-04
From: Locust Cove Gap

To: Stecoah Gap
Miles today: 3.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Another day, another color to our rainbow of blazed hiking. So far we white blaze on the AT, blue blaze on the side trails, green blaze through the trees, and as of today, yellow blaze down the highway. I was beat after yesterday's hike and we had both eaten the last of our snack rations with a hefty 11 miles left to hike. All this in mind, when we came across US 143 on top of Robinsville MTN, we made an executive decision to hitch into Fontana Dam grab a cheeseburger and rethink the remaining 15 miles. It was not a busy road so we had plenty of time to catch our breath, but we eventualy caught a ride to the Fontana Dam Shelter. Also called the Fontana Hilton, this beautiful structure is in close proximity to both bathrooms and showers with a spectacular view of the lake. Not to shabby. In fact I am there now enjoying the breeze off the water, full from my cheeseburger in the village. Tomorrow we'll slack pack the last 15 miles, but for now I think I'll head down to the dam, take a shower and dry off in the sun. Maybe do a little bird watching while I'm at it. The birds are something that have made this trail really special for me. For those "seeking fellowship with nature," I can't imagine a more complete connection than to rise from my tent in the morning to the songs of the birds.Bird of the Day:Broad-winged Hawk, Fantana Hilton
Date: 2005-04-05
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Whew, a long hot day. Even without a pack, I'm beat. I've heard people talking about doing 30 mile days, one shot from the NOC to here, and after today I think that really does not appeal to me. We've met some real neat people out here. People who have chosen to do incredible things with their lives and who are incredible hikers, but 30 miles over that terrane?!?! I guess I haven't built up my trail leggs yet. We're planning the next few days through the Smokies and on to Hot Springs. It's 107.4 miles from here, 10 days at our current pace without stopping. I'm not sure I would enjoy carrying 10 days worth of food for the both of us. Besides, the more Calicoe talks of the Happy Hiker Outfitter in Gatlinburg, the more I think I'd like to see it. There's also a miro-brewery in town, the Smoky MTN Brewing CO. I think. I'd love me some stout beer right about this time. I think Gatlinburg's the way to go.Bird of the Day:Chipping Sparrow, Fontana Dam
Date: 2005-04-06
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Breakfast and laundry and food for the Trail, buisness as usual for our zero-day in the Fontana Dam Village Resort. We were gonna get a room at the Inn, but the last two nights have been so nice at the shelter. Besides, the price is right (free!) and the view can't be beat. That's the doubled edge of town it seems. We love the food and amenities, but we're both more comfortable on the Trail. It's a grey zone where both the silence of the woods at night and the noise of towns are unsettling. Or maybe that's just how I feel right now. Breakfast excellent and I thuroughly enjoyed the benefits of the all you can eat but tonight I sleep in the open air of a shelter without doors. I can take a hot shower at the dam, and I get to walk half a mile through the MTN scenery to get there. The best of both worlds perhaps.Bird of the Day:American Crow
Date: 2005-04-07
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Apparently the all you can eat breakfast was too much for us to resist. I ate my share of biscuits and gravy, eggs, bacon, and hash, watching the sky as the weather grew ever more menacing. Bareing vivid memory of the inclement weather of recent weeks, we decided to stick close to town and one last night in the shelter. The weather, and the terrane over the last 30 miles were tough. We planned on staying near the Dam an extra day to catch our breath and rest our leggs, and as I stretched them this evening I could tell that I needed it. Making it all the way doesn't seem so important to me anymore, so long as we're having fun. I don't want this to turn into a forced march. I want to feel happy and healthy and proud of the miles I've walked at the end, even if it means picking up where I left off next year. With that mindset it wasn't so difficult to hide away from the rain and eat powerbars at the outfitter in the village. When it did stop we played mini-golf around the leaves and twigs left out on the course from last year's Fall. The rain started up again just after dinner back at the shelter, and many of us defied it by standing in it in our rain gear around the fire. Tonight I fall asleep to it, dry in the shelter; tomorrow, the Smokies.Bird of the Day:Pileated Woodpecker
Date: 2005-04-08
From: Fontana Dam Shelter

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: light rain

Today's the day, our first in the Smokies! For a place that is reknown for the diversity of its flora and fauna it certainly did not disappoint. We passed through whole meadows blanketed with the white petals of Blood Root and Spring Beauty, and I added two spectacular new birds to the list. The Eastern Meadowlark and the Northern Flicker, both of them startlingly yellow against the grey of the sky from the fire tower atop Shuckstck MTN.The Trail was good to us as we hiked to the first shelter. A beautiful place in a flat spot on a ridge surrounded my more blankets of white petals. Camping is restricted here so it's shelter-to-shelter from here on out with many of the same people we've been around since Fontana. I'll miss the tenting for the time being, but the shelters are well constructed with fireplaces and double decker bunks. We saw a beartrap from the Trail today; one of those units for the humane relocation of problem bears. That's another thing the Smokies are known for and Calicoe assures me that we'll see them. No luck yet on that front, but with six days more in the park you never know.Bird of the Day:Eastern Meadowlark, Shuckstck MTN Great Smoky MTNs NP
Date: 2005-04-09
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Bright and sunny skies today over Thunder Head MTN and Rocky Top. A strenuous day over bald MTNs with the sun on our backs. Spectacular views though, almost 360 degrees of the Smokies all around. It was great fun hiking with Troll from Seattle and his ten year old son Oblivious. Troll's wife Anchor is a little ways behind and we've really enjoyed their company at the shelters these last few evenings. They actually left for Springer from the Hiker Hostel in Dahlonega the day we took our first zero-day and then caught up with us on our second day in Fontana. I guess that means we hike slow, but so far as I can tell we're the only ones out here without crazy blisters, shin splints, knee and ankle braces, or any other aches and pains. I feel like there are so many here that approach the Trail like a job, or at least that's my impression. There's so much more than mileage though. I think I felt the way initially, like it would bring me that much closer to Maine. But Maine's not going anywhere, and Katahdin will still be there. This hike isn't about the mileage for me anymore. We challenge ourselves everyday and I've already realised many of the things I'd hoped to expereince here. I have a new, profound appreciation for the life I left at home and the things I took for granted there; the patience and foresight we both have learned, a better understanding of just how fortunate we really are. I see so much more, by simply slowing down. I will summit that MTN someday in Maine, after I hike this trail in its entirety. But for now I think, I'm hiking home.Bird of the Day:Northern Flicker, Shuchstack MTN Great Smoky MTNs NP
Date: 2005-04-10
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Clingman's Dome/Gatlinburg
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: scattered clouds

We motored up the Trail today. I don't know if it was the terrane, or an incorrect mileage posting, or the promise of an AYCE in Gatlinburg but we summited Clingman's just six hours after we left the shelter. We walked most of the day without water though. A dumb idea assuming there would be water sources along the Trail as indicated by the data book. We left the shelter without topping off the bottles, and since the sources were all well off the Trail we went without until the shelter at Siler's Bald 5.5 miles out. Never again, especially on a sunny day.Clingman's Dome was a treat. Highest point on the Trail at 6,600 ft. A beautiful day with even greater views all around from the observation deck. It was kinda funny being in among all the clean people who had driven up from civilization for the views on this sunny day. As ever the motley crew, we're all coming out of the woods in our mix-match clothing, and the beards, and the packs, suddenly in a crowd of school groups and tourists. It was thusly an easy hitch down to Gatlinburg, a couple of guys up for the weekend from Nashville were happy to give us the ride. What a culture shock, Gatlinburg is the antithesis of the Trail. An amusement park complete with rides, corn dogs, funnels cakes, and a knock-off space needle. Our heads were spinning til we got out of the car at the Happy Hiker outfitter. They gave us the lowdown on where to stay and the best places to eat off the main strip. Time enough to grab a room, fill up at the Smoky MTN Brewing Co., buy groceries, do our laundry in the sink, and take showers! We were gonna get up for an early breakfast and get back on the Trail, but Calicoe's mom made it known that we needed to stay and update our journals for the family at home. She even covered our second night in the hotel so we could do it, thanks Mrs. Richir So as it goes, we spent much of the day today at the internet cafe, having a great time staying in touch. Miss you guys!Bird of the Day:Golden-crowned Kinglet, Clingman's Dome Great Smoky MTNs NP