morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-04-03
From: Gatlinburg

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today was my last day in Gatlinburg; Thank God! It will be nasty and snowy but I should be able to make the trip into the mountains tomorrow. When I think of the trail I miss the serenity, the challenge, and the not spending 10 dollars for every meal. I had a good quiet time and played ping-pong and basketball at the rec center. Still, I'm done with town. I saw a man today who was five feet from the road in full U.of Tennessee gear. He was near a new red SUV with his family all around it. Then, it blew my mind as I heard and saw him start to pee right there. Indiana Jane and I looked at each other in disbelief. This guy was in a busy town, 5 feet from a major road, leaving a restaurant only 30 feet away, and was peeing! ONLY IN GATLINBURG. Below are 20 more reasons I love Gatlinburg (many are inside jokes with other hikers, sorry).21. Taking off your pants at restaurants (long and personally embarassing story)20. The roads, sidewalks, cars, and diesel engines...(WOOHOOO DIESEL)19. The fine selection of cigars (Swisher Sweets)18. Reasonably priced shopping boutiques17. Seven Dollar Foam footballs16. The Gorgeous Weather 15. Red Neck T-shirt stores14. The Movie Theater (doesn't exist)13. The Open Road up to New Found Gap (doesn't exist)12. TOURISTS11. Ripley's Believe it or Not, Ripley's Aquarium, Ripley's Mini-Golf and Ripley's Potato Chips10. The Fresh Produce..............(of 2003)9. Quality Original Mountain Souveniers (i.e. The Hillbilly Gift Shop)8. The inexpensive dining7. The KFC Buffet (also does not exist)6. The accurate weather forecasts (ha)5. The trolley system (3 hour rides for a quarter)4. The murder knife in the pool of our motel3. The Gatlinburg Tourism Center (and their fine accurate directions)2. The Paid Parking Wedding Chapel1. Men Peeing in parking lotsThe fact that I took time to write this list should demonstrate the plethora of inexpensive things to do here in Gatlinburg. I would write more but I have to go out to the parking lot to pee. I am SO EXCITED to return to the trail. Goodnight, BEATBOX   ttt
Date: 2004-04-04
From: Gatlinburg

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: clear sky

I can't feel my feet! Today was ridiculous but beautiful. I hiked over snow and ice all day, but I was so happy to leave Gatlinburg. I took 10 hours with no breaks to complete 15 miles, this is way slow. The temperature was below 30 with over 30 mph wind all day. I fell on my butt twice and slid like a crazy man. The trail was gorgeous and traversed numerous mountain ridges. The ridges were razor thin (4 feet wide) and the views were spectacular. The slopes of some of the ridges were like 1,000 feet straight down. The sky was crystal blue and snow was gleaming everywhere. Yet again I was fighting the balance of shear mind blowing beauty and wicked difficult hiking. I bent my pole when I fell, my feet were soaked, and I felt like the day should be ending after 5 miles. Still I pushed on with Walk Softly and we were blessed by gorgeous smow-capped mountains all around us. Sadly, I lost The Roman Noodles and Indiana Jane . I had a great time of prayer though, which lifted me when I really needed it. I particularly prayed for my mom and dad, I love them so much and I want to see God bless them. Gatlinburg was 3 days of food, motels, coca-cola, TV, beer, etc. - none of which are why I'm out here. I did not act inapropriate or get drunk, but I saw how comfortable I can quickly become "in town". I feel as though Satan wanted me to be off of the trail because I was enjoying the trail and God's revelations to me too much. Being out here today was miserable, it was rough, but it was so right. I want to fully let go of the "things" that are easy to live for instead of God. Re-entering the trail made it clear to me how easy it is in our society to live for stuff that is not worth it in the end. The following song (as best I remember) really touched me today on the trail-Knowing YouVerse 1:All I once held dear, built my life uponAll this world reveres, and wars to ownAll I once thought gain, I have counted lossSpent and worthless now compared to thisChorus Knowing you Jesus, Knowing youThere is no greater thingYou're my all, You're the bestYou're my joy my righteousnessand I love you Lord, I love you Lord.Verse 2Now my heart's desire is to know you moreTo be found in you and known as yoursTo recieve by grace what I could not earnAll surpassing gift of righteousnessChorusVerse 3Oh to know the power of your risen bloodAnd to know you in your sufferingTo become like you, in your death my lordSo with you to live and never dieChorus (end)I love it out here on the trail and this song is my prayer. I want to have fun with everyone, but I want to know Jesus. I that God has put me out here and I can't wait for what he will do/show me next. I'll be patient though .God Bless, BEATBOX ttt
Date: 2004-04-10
From: Big Butt Mountain

To: Sam's Gap
Miles today: 14.9

WARNING: I'm exhausted and it is really late so this journal may bite.   Its 3 am. I hiked 15 miles today along with Walk Softly. We awoke early and the hiking went well. I had no major leg trouble. We prayed and sang a few worship songs to start the day. It was nice! Rather than go into my usual narrative I will be terse:- We had a fun time in the morning with Mouth and Tarzan.- By 2:30 we met Walk Softly's dad and hiked to the car. Then headed to his home in Weverville, near Ashville. It's weird to go to someone's home.- There was a cooler (trail magic) on the path today with beer, soda, cookies, and donuts...YUM.- I feel truly welcome as a guest in Walk Sotly's house, his family is so sweet. They are all so nice and have went out of their way for me. The are trying to find me a Protestant Easter service for tomorrow morning (they are Catholic). I do not know what I will do the next 2 days but I will rest and enjoy my stay here. - Its fun to answer questions from "normal people". I feel special like a celebrity of sorts.- I transcribed 33 pages of journals tonight. My sister is so sweet to type all of my ramblings . I LOVE YOU CARLA!!!- I took a hot shower, trimmed my beard, and am wearing town clothes. I'm even wearing deodorant (YAY). I feel dead sexy.- During my walk today I saw a beautiful little waterfall.- I feel I have been good friends with Walk Softly for a long time. We met 3 weeks ago.- I look forward to Easter, contacting home, and talking to friends tomorrow.Until then, thank you all for your prayers - BEATBOX   ttt
Date: 2004-04-11
From: Sam's Gap

To: Weaverville, NC
Miles today: 0.0

Happy Easter. I went to church today with 2 of Walk Softly's neighbors. Church was AWESOME and reminded me of home. I miss singing on praise team. We had massive amounts of wonderful homemade food today, including a red potato salad with feta and garlic (very good...only good potato salad I remember other than mom's bacon ranch ).They even gave me a little Easter basket...AWW Shucks! Walk Softly's family is so adorable. We all went on a walk together through Weaverville. I forgot to mention that Walk Softly has 2 younger sisters (14,17). Weaverville is a cute town with a "Main Street", yet is still 10 minutes away from Ashville. I am amazed that it has not turned into a suburb. I love it here! It was great to celebrate Jesus' resurrection and it was great to spend time with kind folks (hehe, I love the word folks). We talked a great deal about the trail and Walk Softly ordered a "Tarptent Virga" (1 lb. 7 oz.) like mine to be shipped immediately. We also cut useless straps and fabric off of our gear to save weight.Rest is a wonderful thing and I still feel like a celebrity when re-entering the real world. I could write far more, but they are making me go eat dessert now . God Bless and Happy Easter, BEATBOX ttt
Date: 2004-04-12
From: Weaverville, NC

To: Weaverville, NC
Miles today: 0.0

I e-mailed and called people today and I feel loved. I miss my momma . My leg is way better! I ditched 13 oz. from my pack and I ate more great food. This morning I took Walk Softly to Waffle House for the first time in his life and I taught him to order Hashbrowns. The waitress said to me: "You should be a teacher" (apparently he ordered correctly). Next we went to WalMart...AAHHHHHHH! WalMart is the antithesis of the trail. It is loud, corporate, and downright scary after walking for 315 miles in the woods. The only thing worse than WalMart is Gatlinburg...AAAHHHHH (I used the G-word). Later I went to the Library and to a cute little pizza place in Weaverville (far less scary). I had a "pita pizza" with pesto sauce, fresh spinach, and artichoke hearts...YUM. I then ate dinner (1 hour later) again with Walk Softly's family; more potato salad and ham. I called my sister and my best friend from college, Mo. It was really nice to talk with them. After dinner, We (Walk Softly's family and I) all talked and joked around together. After that, Walk Softly, myself, and his dad built and tested windscreens for our stoves (MAD FUN!). My design worked very well (we both used my design ) and I'm pleased. I could talk about gear all day, but I will spare you the boredom. Tomorrow I will hit the trail rested and rejuvenated. My stay here has been even better than that in Gatlinburg ...ahhhh, the G-word again. I love this town and everyone has been SO NICE to me. Still the trail calls to me...and I will answer - BEATBOX   ttt.
Date: 2004-04-13
From: Weaverville, NC

To: Weaverville NC
Miles today: 0.0

One more night at Walk Softly's House. We planned on leaving today but he needed to take care of a few things and my leg still hurt. Oh, well. We will definately hit the trail tomorrow. Rather then write my usual journal, below are 6 things I have enjoyed so far, and 6 I look forward to. Walk Softly's family has been wonderful and I thank God I got to stay with them, what a blessing!Enjoyed:1. Seeing waterfalls and running creeks2. Re-uniting with close trail freinds and catching up3. Feeling God's pressence through prayer and worship4. Listening to the sounds of the Woods (birds, water, wind, etc.)5. The beauty of a snow covered forest... WOW!6. E-mails and phone calls from friends/home (it makes me feel loved)Look FWD to:1. Hiking through Maryland and seeing family2. Going to church while in/near trail towns3. Seeing my frist Bear or my first Moose4. Ging to the anual hiker festival: Trail days in Damascus, Va (May 14-16)5. Seeing Lyrids (next week) and Perseids (august) Meteor Showers6. Climbing Mt. Katahdin in MaineThere are so many more I could write but these came to mind first. I have to go to bed now, I have 18 miles tomorrow. God Bless,Beatbox
Date: 2004-04-14
From: Sam's Gap

To: No Business Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: light rain

What a day! I hiked 18.2 miles through all kinds of weather. We awoke and I looked outside... Snow!! None the less we set out after 3 ham egg n cheese muffins. We hit the trail at 10am and Walk softly hiked ahead. We hiked the firs 7 miles uphill through snow to Big Bald. I hiked with "coy". I met "coy" and her boyfriend "goldfish" at Gatlinburg. They're both awesome. The conversation with coy helped, and we were at the top before I knew it. There was snow and 60 plus mph wind on the bald. I could not see 10 feet ahead of me and the wind was blowing me over. Whoa it was cold but the adventure was fun. I made it to the leeward side of the mountain and had lunch at the shelter.Somehow I lost my gloves at the shelter and hiked on with bandanas on my hands. I was freezing and alone. I was frustrated and finally had to leave the bamboo pole "walk softlys" dad made for me on the mountain, so I could put my hand in my pocket. It was near frost-bitten and I felt it thaw. I pushed on and the snow stopped. 4 miles later, I went to tie my shoe and my gloves fell out of my hood.I was glad to have them, but sad to have left the pole. The hike was downhill from here. The sky turned blue, and slowly I descended out of the snow and into lower elevation. I caught up to "coy" again, a 22 year old landscape architect. We talked about how quickly the trail changed from wind blowing us over to beautiful skies. We passed awesome stremas roaring with melted snow. At 6 I hit the shelter, I was sooo happy. Not only was I done 18 miles, but walk softly, happy and the roman noodles were all there. I set my tent and caught up with old friends. Not seeign them for a week felt like an eternity and I shared beef jerky and cheese with them. While they were in the shelter, I tented. I went over to set camp while and talked with dragonfly, timber and tumbleweed and coy and goldfishAs a note, when I alked to happy, he kept trying to steal his cheese. None the less I love Happy and the roman noodles.At my tent area Coy, Myself, Timber and Tumbleweed and Dragonfly talked and gathered wood. Goldfish worked for 3 hours, but got a nice fire started. The fire rocked! Very frozen feet dethawed and we talked. I donated the 50 pages of the Hobbit I have already read to help the fire. It was well worth it for the fact taht my frozen feet dethawed. Without the extra day in Weaverville, I never would have met these cool hikers.All said I'm tired, but not as much so as I would expect for 18 snowy miles. Bad weather turned to good and frustrating events were replaced by a warm fire and a reunion iwth friends. If all goes well I will eat at a Pizza Hut buffet in Erwin tomorrow and still cover 18 miles. My leg feels great and my spirits are high. This amazing considering I was nearly knocked over my mad wind today. I feel so Blessed! I will now go read my Bible, a chapter of the Hobbit, and go to bed.God Bless, Beatbox ttt
Date: 2004-04-16
From: Erwin TN

To: Erwin, Tn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I've decided to keep journals short while I recooperate my leg. Today was cool here at Miss Janets. I awoke to an unbelievable breakfast. Miss Janet made breakfast burritos. We had salsa, eggs, cheese, dark lettuce, tomatoes, hamburger meat, sourcream, and more to choose from. It was dank. All 16 hikers at breakfast introduced themselves and talked. I feel like all hikers are part of one big family. Koi and Goldfish left and I met 4 cool guys from Va named the "ratpack". Then I started a "non-productive" day where I rested.I spent the majority of the day reading the Hobbitt or watching videos such as "Joe Dirt". I wandered 3 whole blocks to a restaurant called "The Elms" where I had a double bacon cheeseburger and sweet potato fries. My only complaint was that they served Pepsi. I HATE Pepesi! (compared to coke... I got over it). I also bought a black t-shirt so I can look normal in town. By evening I met "Marzipan", Ashville Danny and a few other new hikers. In addition the Roman Noodles came back to the Hostel. I went with Marzipan and the Ratpack and had an awesome burrito. When I returned Miss Janet was having a "Stove war" using home made stoves with TT. Shortly later Miss Janet left to go to Hot springs for a hiker party called "Trail Fest". She left the Roman Noodles in charge and I'm helping.Tonight "Dart" (first name Lon) of the Ratpack, Marzipan, TT and I played various games. We had a blast chilling together. TT may have had a few too many budweisers, as he fell off his bunk, but he's ok. I went to bed at midnight. A few final thoughts below: -My leg hurts and I will be here a couple more days -I love being at Miss Janets but it is hard to not hike and with each day freinds move farther ahead.- Tomorrow I am going to a pancake breakfast at the methodist church across the street. I am going to find out if they still need a hiker to speak Sunday.-Miss Janet is so NICE, if any potential hiker reads my journal, you have to stop at Miss Janet's house in Erwin, TN.-I love the Roman noodles. They are such an awesome couple! they ate lunch with me today.-While I have hiker family and friends here, I miss everyone at home.love y'all.Goodnight,Beatbox      ttt
Date: 2004-04-17
From: Erwin, Tn

To: Erwin TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Zero Day #2 is compelete and my leg still hurts. Miss Janet was gone, but I chlled with the Roman noodles and other hikers today. I'm so excited!!! TT, The Roman nooodles, Marzipan, and I went to the breakfast at the church. I met the pastor and I am going to speak with the youth group tomorrow at 4pm. I love youth, and have been involved in a youth group for most of my time in college. I is such a HUGE BLESSING that I will have an opportunit on the trail to speak with a youth group.   Sometimes I get jealous of my friend Mo who is a youth leader in Md. Of course he's jealous that I'm on the trail . I really could not ask for a cooler opportunity than this. If it was not for my leg, I would not have this opportunity. I love when lemons become lemonade . In additon, brekfast was great. I did have to fight a 13 year old girl who I call the "sausage nazi", but I was victorious and received 2 more sausages.My day was very bright from there. I rested, watched more videos and chilled. I saw "Remember the Titans, and Deliverance. Deliverance is a twisted movie about 4 guys in the woods of Ga on a kayak trip.   They meet backwoods yokels who do inapropriate things at Gunpoint and make on guy squeal like a pig. GROSS!! Sometiems I think this movie is what my mother imagines the trail to be. Luckily the trail is not like Deliverance, a movie I will never see again . I ate at Pizza Hut Buffet with 12 other hikers. "Dart, Myself and Beef" and the Roman noodles all easilly reached double digits in amount of pizza. I can't imagine why I'm not losing as much weight as other hikers, hehehhehe! I ate at Elms again for dinner and a sweet waitress, Autumn, told me she wants a cross necklace like mine.On the whole I'm mildly stir crazy, but i love the people here. This town is cute an d I am resating. My leg hurts, but is better. I'm really excited about church tomorrow and I am going to bed fairly early. I will go to the church's morning service as well. THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR PRAYERS. Godd BlessBeatbox         ttt
Date: 2004-04-19
From: Erwin Tn

To: Erwin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

That's right, Zero Miles! My leg is still sore and by the time I would have been ready to leave (5pm) it would have been silly. Miss Janet's house is a vortex of love taht sucks in hikers. Its so hard to leave. As of breakfast (awesome again) 7 of us were going to leave today, 2 of us did. Betweeen awesome food (pancakes, fresh fruit, grits with cheese, hash browns, and more), friendly advice, fun conversation and a feeling of home its hard. Beast and Pegasus did not leave either. I ate lunch and dinner at "The Elms" again which is an awesome little diner. \During the morning we named 2 hikers, Courtney Kelly, "Bonnie and Clyde" due to some accidental thefts. In addition Ross and Grece who I spent time with in Franklin, dropped in. Also "Mad Scientist", and "Krispy Kritter" arrived for the evening. Krispy was another hiker I started my hike with in Erwin. I talked with numerous hikers and caught up. I ate with Dutch (no longer of Happy and Dutch) and Grant. Lter on: Bonnie, Clyde, Pegasus, Beast, Mad Scientist, myself and Miss Janet plaed a card game named a** hole. At home we call it scums and warlords. None the less, it was a blast and we played into the night.While I have loved it here, I will leave tomorrow. Chances are a group of hikers I know will leave as well. 4 days off at Miss Janets may be a lot, but I know it has helped me greatly. I have rested, talked with many other hikers, and have really loved my stay. My next few days I will take it easy for the sake of my leg. Until then, Goodnight.Beatbox            ttt
Date: 2004-04-20
From: Erwin

To: Curly Maple Gap Shelter
Miles today: 4.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I left Erwin! It was hard to leave Miss Janet's but I did it. We started the day with another awesome breakfast, I'll spare you the details. By noon I packed up and realized something: My leg doesn't hurt I had to go to the Grocery Store to resupply on a few things. Not only did I leave, but Tinker, Pegasus, Clyde, Ashville Denny, Beast, Mad Sceintist, Gaya, and a mother/daughter combo I met named Blaze and Gimpy left today too. I spent much of the day reading the Hobbit (it rocks), but by 4pm we all plied in the van. It was hard to say goodbye to Miss Janet but we will see her May 14-16 in Damascus, Va at the hiker festival "Trail Days".As we walked I realized: a) my leg is cool b) the rest of my body is in shock. My body is like " dude, why arent we resting and eating like the last 4 days?". Still I pushed on. We only went 4.2 miles and I saw more flowers in bloom plus a orange-red salamander sun-bathing in the trail. Beast pointed out "wintergreen" leaves and we all tried it. It was like chewing gum. The day was not very long and my body finally cooperated. I ran into Cheers on the trail and we chatted.I ate sausage n cheese for dinner and talked with Blaze and GAimpy. They are from South Carolina (?) and Gimpy doesnt know how long she can take hiking. Her mother, Blaze is thru-hiking but Gimpy (19) is just out for a while. After setting my tent and bear-bagging I went to talk with hikers at the shelter. Most hiker headlamps (flashlights on headbands) have a strobesetting. Impromptu 6 of us started our strobes and we had a hiker dance party (rare). It was random but funny. As I write here in my tent a salamander is an inch away and trying to climb up my tent screen. It's so cool. At first I thought it was a snake, thank God its not. My writing is degenerating so I will read my Bible and then the Hobbit. Shortly after I will go to sleep. Sadly it is too cloudy for Meteors , but hopefully I will see them tomorrow. I am so glad to be back on the trail.God Bless,Beatbox         ttt