morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-03-29
From: Jarrod Gap

To: Neels Gap
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night the wind blew very hard through the gap, it sounded like a train. You could feel the weather changing. Footnotes informed us of the weather forcast, high 70 with 50% chance of rain. We were both looking forward to that shower at Neels Gap with Blood Mtn to cross and only 5.4 miles to hike we were on our way by 7:20am. The drop in the temp had us starting off in our fleece jackets and caps but after 30 min we had to stop and take them off. This morning the birds were really singing and I noticed more buds on the trees. The wildflowers are beginning to bloom, it feels like spring after all! After about an hour of hiking I begin to feel a nagging pain on the inside of my right ankle by the time I reached the top of Blood Mtn it was a sharp pain. The 2 miles down the other side of the mtn to Neels Gap was a long way down! Each step being placed ever so carefully. I sang every song I could think of, singing seemed to take my mind off the pain. Once we got to Neels Gap ! someone drove Ole Man to a nearby store for ice. I'm diagnosing myself as achilles tendon strain and recommend rest, ice, elevation and Ibuprofen. Winton Porter, the owner of Mountain Crossings at Walasi-Yi center has been very helpful. He said we can rest up at his cabin and even let us use his van. He will also be helping Ole Man with his boots as his feet are stll bothering him. I spoke with Dave in Oregon (he made our boots) and he made some suggestions for stretching his right boot. Winton is going to bring his big turkey fryer pot to the store tomorrow so they can boil his boot, this will soften the leather so it can be stretched. The shower felt great, our laundry got done and we had a good dinner at a local AYCE.   LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-03-30
From: Neels Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It appears we have a set back. I am unable at this time to put any weight on my right foot. I was crawling on my knees to the bathroom during the night and thinking this is not good! Oh yeah before I forget I want to thank Hotdog for giving Ole Man a ride to get the ice. Winton made me an appt with a sports med MD in Blairsville. It appears I have a strain of the toe flexor muscles and a suspicious looking area that could be a stress fractureof the tibia. I will have a bone scan on Thursday am to r/o the fx. Never the less I am unable to walk at this time. I am getting around on crutches. This is definitely not part of the plan! We are waiting until Thursday to go to plan B. Ole Man is also having feet issues. They were unable to get to work on his boots today. Dave is sending some new insoles and other supplies which will arrive tomorrow so they will work on the boots then.We are both feeling a little overwelmed but trying to remain optimistic. Please keep us in your thoughts & prayers.We said see ya later to Footnotes & Mike. We enjoyed the days we spent with you guys and we'll definitely take you up on that steak dinner Footnotes! LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-03-31
From: Neels Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Neels Gap0 milesOle Man was able to work on his boots today. I learned to manuever stairs with crutches! We watched another wave of hikers come through. The weather has turned nasty-cold, wet, windy. It feels good to be in the warm hostel. Shaun,from WV, has been very helpfulto me. He has been taking a few days off because of a lung infection but he should be back on the trail soon. Thanks Shaun, good luck with your hike. It feels like we are in the waiting place from my favorite book by Dr Seuss, Oh, The Places You'll Go.. Just waiting...LIFE IS GOOD :)Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-04-01
From: Neels Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Drum roll please........ I might as well laugh! I've already cried the night I crawled to the bathroom and I knew something was very wrong. I have a stress fx of the right tibia. I will have a cast for about 6wks. So for now my hiking days are over. Ole Man is taking some time to think about what he will do. I'm encouraging him to continue on but that has to be his decision. I would like to get a small RV and follow him up the trail until I can hike again. For now we are back at the Hiker Hostel helping out. Continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers.LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-04-02
To: HIKER HOSTEL-DAHLONEGA
Miles today: 0.0

Most of you know that we have thought of having a hostel somewhere along the trail, well today we have found out what it's like to run a hostel. We had abreakfast ready by 7:15am for 9 hikers then Ole Man got everyone back to the trail. During the rest of the day he picked up other hikers from locations along the trail & in the area. I hobbled around as best I could helping out. It was a a great day and we had a lot of fun. Hikers seem to be easy going people and receptive to "going with the flow". Ready was back in the afternoon after hiking from Springer, she is also helping out. Josh & Leigh needed help this week because of the death of a close friend. We are very happy we could help out, it helps us to make good out of a bad situation. Yesterday when Josh picked us up from Neels Gap Foot Notes & Mike were with him. it was time for Mike to go h but it appears that Foot Notes nay have reinjured his foot. He is going to take some time off and see. so once again we said see-ya later to those two.We hope to see them again along the trail.
Date: 2004-04-03
From: HIKER HOSTEL-DAHLONEGA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I went with Josh to take Ready back to the trail. She wanted to hike south from Bly Gap. After looking at the map she & Josh thought that we could take her to Bly Gap from the NC side. So off we went looking for road access to Bly Gap. The Suburban became an ATV as we headed into the woods. That was a bumpy ride to say the least! We did not find the AT in the area we were looking so we headed back to GA. It was getting late so we left Ready at the Blueberry Patch. Ole Man spoke very highly of Gary & Lennie when he visited in 2002, I was looking forward to meeting them. I enjoyed the short visit and hope to go back.
Date: 2004-04-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We are continuing to help at the hostel. Ole Man helps with breakfast and I can easily change the sheets on the lower bunks. Ole Man plans to be back on the trail   by next weekend. We have talked it over and decided that I wiil follow him along the trail in our truck. We lived out of the truck last year, so I'm used to living out of the truck. I think it will be fun.
Date: 2004-04-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We are meeting so many new hikers here at the hostel. It is great! People come from everywhere to hike the AT. Dennis & Mike from Florida, Skylander from NY. Each doing their own thing but with a common goal. It is so interesting to talk with them and learn about where they come from and their perception of hiking the AT. It's also exciting to think about seeing them again down the trail, like meeting up with a friend. It's easy to see how you develop lifelong friendships after only brief encounters, like that of Ole Man & Two Step & Moonchild.
Date: 2004-04-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Ole Man is now anxious to get back on the trail. His feet are feeling better, he knows that I have a plan so he will take off as soon as he gets his boots back from Dave.(he sent them back for a tune-up) I made a plane reservation for Friday to fly to Jacksonville, Fl. I plan to meet Ole Man at Fontana Dam. Ready was back yesterday from her hike. It was like welcoming back an old friend. Also yesterday around 3:30pm Dennis, now known as Whatever, hitched a ride from Woody Gap with John from St Louis. The thought of pizza & beer was to hard to resist!Adam from Missouri and Skipper from Minneapolis area are here starting the trail tomorrow . We ordered Pizza from Dominos and had a great pizza party with old and new friends.
Date: 2004-04-06
From: HIKER HOSTEL-DAHLONEGA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Ole Man is now anxious to get back on the trail. His feet are feeling better, he knows that I have a plan so he will take off as soon as he gets his boots back from Dave.(he sent them back for a tune-up) I made a plane reservation for Friday to fly to Jacksonville, Fl. I plan to meet Ole Man at Fontana Dam. Ready was back yesterday from her hike. It was like welcoming back an old friend. Also yesterday   around 3:30pm Dennis, now known as Whatever, hitched a ride from Woody Gap with John from St Louis. The thought of pizza & beer was to hard to resist!Adam from Missouri and Skipper from Minneapolis area are here starting the trail tomorrow . We ordered Pizza from Dominos and had a great pizza party with old and new friends.
Date: 2004-04-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Here we are,6:10am Thursday,and looks like a beautiful day is in store for us.Navi-Gator has a date at the hospital for a bone density scan at 9:oo this morning,and then back to doctor Pennington to see when her cast may come off. The drive to Blairsville was interesting because all week we've been watching spring blossom all around us.The hospital didn't take long,so we drove to Neels Gap so         Navi could do some shopping at the Walaysi-Yi center because we had to kill a few hours before going to her next appt. at 1:30.It was great to talk to other hikers about there adventures in their first 30 miles.They also wanted to know about Navi-Gators casted foot.We made our way back to the appt.and the Doc said the cast may come off in three weeks and no therapy.On our way back to the Hiker Hostel we decided that Navi-Gator would fly back to Florida,which she made resevations earlier in the week,and I would continue the thru hike on Easter Sunday.She will go to Atlanta for the night with our good friend,Ready and catch her flight at 11:35 for Fl.Then she plans to get our pickup truck camper and come back to follow me on the trail and do some trailmagic on the way.What a woman.I Love You Navi.It will be hard for me to carry on without her,but we both know what we have to do,and we will be back together in a couple of weeks.When we got back to the hostel , Ready and Navi got ready to leave and I had to run another shuddle to Woody Gap.I forgot to mention that on our way back from the Docs we got to see the amazing transformation of trees that only had buds 4hours earlier,now were full of new life,young leaves.I now have to foccus on the trail,and hopefully Dave will have my boots back to me for my Sunday take off.Today is coming to a close,but I can't close without saying Thank You to Josh& Leigh Saint at the hostel for all their help and of course,Ready.Our Hiker family just keeps growing.Life is Good
Date: 2004-04-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Up at 6am and ready to cook another round of breakfast for the group of hikers that came in yesterday.I have enjoyed my time here cooking for the hikers and helping with the shuttles.Navi-Gator and I have plans to one day,have our own hostel near the trail.This has been a great experience.The only thing is,it's been hard not to take off on the trail when I shuttle them to the trailheads.Bummer!!!! It's another great sunrise as I look out the front door of the hostel and it looks like more leaves have made their appearance for the months to follow.I called Dave Smith today and he assured me I would have my boots to continue the hike this weekend. Josh and I finished our shuttle runs and had some time to relax .I talked to Navi-Gator and she said her 1hr flight to Fl.was very nice but was tired from the days events and was relaxing also.She asked if I still planned to leave for the trail on Sunday,and I yes,as long as I have some boots to walk in.I forgot to mention that our friend Footnotes called to tell me good luck on the trail,and not to forget to look him up when we get up to his neck of the woods.I said we would and not to forget the stake dinner when we get there.He laughed and agreed.Thanks Footnotes for the invite.I made a trip to Neels Gap to pick up Skipper a brother Marine and hiker and also ended up with 4more hikers to bring back to the Hostel,I'll have to ask Josh for a raise now!It looks like some of these young hikers are carrying some heavy packs and one did say he is packing 2weeks of food.Hopefully we can help him lighten the load before he leaves tomorrow.We have a fullhouse tonight ,and tomorrow I get my boots. Life Is Good.
Date: 2004-04-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It's been lonely not having my partner here with me when I wake up,but I'll be okay once I'm back on the trail tomorrow morning.The hostel is full so I'm up early and getting breakfast started but I have Leigh to help today.Once everyone is fed,there was a short time to enjoy the great sunrise over the mountains.Then the rush was on to get the hikers to the trailheads,eccept for Skipper who is taking a down day to heal some sores on his feet.I had a run to Springer to drop a couple off from NJ.When I got back,Josh and Skipper returned from Neels Gap because Skipper had to get new boots.Then there was a Fed-X guy at the door with my boots.Thank You Dave.The boots felt good to be back on my feet,but I still had a little issue with big toe. Those of you who know me know what I'm talking about.Anyway,I called Winton,the owner of Walaysi-Yi center and was kind enough to let me use his equipment to fix the toe issue on the right boot.Once the boots were done I went back to the hostel and worked on getting the weight done on my pack.The plan is to leave in the morning but the weather may not cooperate.The forcast is for three days of rain.If it isn't to bad,I still plan to leave in the morning.Josh has been trying to sabbetage my departure.Just Kidding Josh.We have become very good friends over these past few weeks,and I will miss them and I'm sure the feelings are mutual when that time comes.Navi-Gator and I have enjoyed seeing and helping the different hikers that have come threw the hostel.I have had the pleasure helping hikers lightning up their backpacks and on occassion,give them a trail name.Inspector-Gadget,a first time hiker,Adam,Cliff Dancer,and all you hikers out there,enjoy the magic of the trail and just keep putting one foot in front of the other.I'll be joining you very soon.I called Navi again and she is doing great and enjoying some time with our grandchildren and our kids,and still encourages me to carry on with the hike.She is my rock.I still think back to the first attempted thru hike in 2002 and my great friends, partners Two Step (Larry Mah) and Moonchild (Bret Hayhurst) and how we became lifelong friends and are our extended families.That is truly a big part of the trails magic.JoJo Smiley & Nomad 98 are also very good friends and hope they are doing well on their North Trail hike.I'm sure our trail family will grow by the time we get to Damascus this year.Well, I'm getting hungry,but we have to wait for Josh to come back with a hiker before going out to eat dinner. I was going to get some journaling done but then Josh got back and we went into town to eat and got back a little later than I planned but thats okay. I journaled till midnight and plan to get up early to finish.We only have 1 new hiker so breakfast will be easy.Need to get some sleep for the big day tomorrow,or I should say today.Goodnight Navi. Life Is Good
Date: 2004-04-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Happy Easter everyone.Well I was up at 6am to a very rainy and dreary morning,but took my shower in the hopes that the weather would change by the time I got out.Guess what,it didn't happen.Now I have to go to plan B,which is to wait and see.I decided to finish my jounal from yesterday instead of cooking breakfast since there is only five of us here.Myself,Skipper,Jill,who came in from Texas,and of corse,Josh & Leigh.It was very hard to make the decision not to get on the trail today,but tomorrow,Skipper and I will deffinately start at Neels Gap and shoot for Low Gap.My plan is to get to the Blueberry Patch by Thursday.Hopefully I will at some point I will catch up to some of the hikers I had the pleasure to meet and in some little way ,help them have a more fun time on the trail by getting some weight off their pack.Happy Trails to all of you.I was also able to talk to the family today and Josh got to cook for me this morning.Thats what he gets for doing that rain dance to get me to stay another day.It's been a slow day,just took a ride with Skipper to pick up Jill from Neels Gap because she needed more gear.The weather is clear wright now ,but that should change tonight.Leigh left to go to Woody Gap to pick up three more hikers.After today,I will be writing in a notebook to journal,and when Navi-Gator meets up with me,she will post it on Trailjournals.So until then,remember! Life Is Good
Date: 2004-04-12
From: Neels Gap

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

The journal is being written by Ole Man as he hikes, somes parts being paraphrased by NavuGator.Up by 6am. Helped Josh with breakfast. It rained througout the night and was still raining as Skipper and I left. Skipper plans to hike with me to Hogpen Gap. I said goodbye to Josh and told him I would be back with NaviGator, maybe in the fall. Alot of memories came back when hiking out of Neels. Once again it was all fog wit no views but this time no icicles hitting you in the head. Shook hands and said goodbye to Skipper at Hogpen. I continued on to Low Gap, the terrain wasn't bad but the fog kept me wet. My packa was a problem because condensation that built up made everythimng wet. Finally made it to the shelter around 5pm. There were 6 other hikers, but they made room for me. I went for water then had something to eat. Today was tough. I don't know if my feet will last but no new sores today. I talked with NaviGator before leaving Neels Gap she will join me in about 2weeks. I can't wait, Hope tomorrow will be a better day. LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-04-13
From: Low Gap

To: Blue Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: light rain

Thunderstorms all night long and it was still raining when I woke up. Clothes are dry again, but they won't be for long. On the trail by 9am, no longer raining but it remained cloudy and windy. At 11:13 I took a break for something to eat and drink, and tighten my boots. I'm working on another blister again, I can't believe it! I already hiked 5 miles. The terrain has been fairly easy but I plan on staying at Blue Mtn shelter so I can rest my feet. I reached the shelter at 1pm and there was a hiker there who was wrapped in a wet blanket and he had a daypack. He didn't talk very much but he did say another hiker was there but he was helping a woman hiker get down to Unocoi Gap because she was sick. About an hour later the hiker returned and to my surprise it was Shawn who we met at Neels Gap. He had helped that woman just like he had helped NaviGator. Very nice man. He was glad to see me. At 5pm the temp is 36 and dropping. Shawn And I eat dinner and then get in our bags for ! the night. The other hiker is about 50ft from the shoulder tending to a fire he built. At 7pm I was surprized to see Skipper come in along with Cheap Suit and NightRider. Nice day, good company.   LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-04-14
From: Blue Mtn Shelter

To: Tray Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: broken clouds

The events of last night and today ere everything but dull. First of all everyone turned in around 7:30pm and within the half-hour I felt the mist turn to snow on my sleeping bag. then scurried to get my Tyvek to put over me and that worked great. I did awake to see if James, our homeless one arm man, was okay. He was asleep and breathing so I felt better about going to sleep. About 11:30 I awoke and could not believe my eyes. My headlamp light showed about an inch of snow and still going. When I woke up at 7am and looked out it looked like a winter wonderland. So beautful, but cold. It took me awhile to see if I move on or not, but when I saw James homeless shivering I decided to go down to Unicoi Gap to see if I could get help for James. If he stayed on the mountain another night he would freeze to death. The hike down was beautiful with the snow covering everything in sight. A ranger came to the Gap and asked if I had called about a rescue.I said yes because I had asked ! a man from the Hiawasse Inn to make a call for help and I thought he had made the call. I later realized he had not. A helicopter arrived but left when they were not needed.(Ole Man was unaware that Skipper had been able to call for help with his cell phone. Skipper and Cheap Suit had talked James into drinking something warm and giving him dry socks to wear, then assisted him down to the Gap.) Shaun didn't come down he has enough food to wait for good weather. Skipper and Cheap Suit said they were going to Neels Gap so once again we went different directions. The pull out of Unicoi Gap was tough and my feet were singing to me again, so I knew I would be staying at Tray Mtn shelter tonight. Had some nice views for pictures. I was at the shelter by 4pm. There was a hiker who was inconsiderate of others who had put his tent up in the shelter but no one said anything to him and he didn't move it when others came in. The sun is out and I was able to dry out the sleeping bag. I ! plan to hike into the Blueberry Patch tomorrow if my feet can hold up. I sure do miss my NaviGator.   LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-04-15
From: Tray Mtn Shelter

To: Blueberry Patch
Miles today: 10.6

Had a cold night but no snow this time. Temp being around 30 or so. I sleep pretty good and I have been wearing earplugs the last few nights because of wind or snoring. The sunrise was spectacular. I was on the trail by 8am.The wind made it bitter cold until I got about 50ft below the ridgeline and then it was like a switch went off. My feet were already acting up by the time I reached Sasafras Gap so I made a stop to fix them and peel off some clothes.As I aproached Addis Gap I stopped for something to drink. I needed water but I was not willing to hike a half mile for it.Kelly Knob was the next obstacle in the way of Deep Gap shelter. It proved to be a real butt -kicker and made my heel feel the worst it has felt since I started. The temp had reached to 70 by the time I reached the shelter. I sat near the water source for lunch and took my boots off for awhile. There was no skin left on my left heel. I thought about staying at the shelter for the night but after the 1/2 hr break I patched up the heel and started the 3 1/2 miles into Dicks Creek so I could hitch a ride to the Blueberry Patch. The ascent up Powell Mtn drove me out of my mind with pain, not only was the heel throbbing but the left big toenail had fluid underneath it and felt like it would explode any second. I wanted to quit, but that just isn't in me. I thought about a thru-hiker I met in 2002 named Bliss.(so named because of the blister she had) She was very courageous to carry on. LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-04-16
From: Blueberry Patch

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

(Blueberry Patch0 miles)Awake by 6am and just a little uncomfortable from the bunkbed and a little chilly. My order of the day is to go into town for epsom salt to soak my feet and to call Dave and my NaviGator. After we had our fantastic breakfast prepared by Gary & Lennie, Gary took the hikers to the trail and to my surprize returned with James, the one arm homeless man who now calls himself Lefty. He is hiking the trail, I think. I'm glad to see he is doing okay. Gary let me use his truck to go into town and I managed to lock the keys inside. I was able to get them out with the use of duck tape and 2 hiking poles! After getting back to the hostel I immediately soaked my feet and let them air out.I hung out with Shawn, soaked my feet a few more times, caught up on my journaling and I also talked with mt good friend TwoStep. LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime