morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-15
From: Davenport Gap Shelter

To: Standing Bear Hostel @ Green Corner Road
Miles today: 3.3
Weather: clear sky

Woke to the sun peaking through the trees. Knew I only had a few miles to Standing Bear Hostel. On the way to my surprise, because I have had no cell coverage, my phone rang and it was my son Sandy calling all the way from Newport Beach, California. It really was good to hear your voice! Sandy, my husband, from now on known as "Mando" was already at the hostel. We talked of hiking on, but I really needed a nero day after a couple of almost 15 mile days. It was an easy downhill to I-40 where the trail goes under the freeway. Then up a steep hill and many steps. The AT goes 200 yards from the hostel. Curtis and Maria have developed the cutest hiker paradise. Lots of unique little out buildings nestled in the woods. A kitchen with gas stove, small pizza oven and dining table. A laundry room complete with wash board and wringer (do you remember your grandma's washing set up?) A snack shack where there is all the things a hiker would need. Everything is priced and it is run on the honor system. You take an envelope and write down what you take and settle up when you leave. There is a bunk house that sleeps fourteen and another cabin with two double beds. This is where Mando and I will sleep. Also a shower room and of course a privy. Hikers need retraining on how to use inside plumbing. There is also a computer shack with one very slow computer, but good enough to upload journal entries. The drier is here with me making it a very cozy place. So we see some of our trail friends, mostly young kids. Mando is getting introduced to some of the people I have traveled with this past month. Yes!... today will make it one month on the trail. Only five plus months to go. We're all talking about our stories of surviving the snow and cold temps. Evidently after I got over Clingman Dome, the National Park Service closed the road for two days. As I sit on an old wooden bridge, I'm snacking on a Pringles with racing trivia written on each chip in neon blue. Fred I found something maybe you can get into out here on the AT.i.e. "What is the capacity of the Homestead-Miami Speedway?" ans: 65,000 grandstand seats.      "How many TV monitors does the Homestead-Miami Speedway have?"   ans: 750      "How wide is the pit road at Homestead-Miami Speedway?"   ans: 50 feet      "Who owns Jimmie Johnson's racing team?"   ans: Hendrick Motorsports As the sun sets on this happy back woods retreat, the Bear Run van has returned. I hear Mando telling stories and laughing with the hikers. Time to retire. Fly right,Ravon
Date: 2008-04-16
From: Standing Bear Hostel @ Green Corner Road

To: Ground Hog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: clear sky

I ended my last journal on such a happy note of Mando and I retired to our cabin at Standing Bear Hostel. Being a hostel, the choice was a bunk house which sleeps fourteen or a cabin with two double beds and a loft. This was saved for couples. Our night was shattered when someone tried to put a very drunk person in our cabin. Short version: I was awoken by a body falling out of bed and yelling, and it was obvious there would be no sleep in sight. I realized the situation called for change. I grabbed my tent, sleeping bag and pad and headed to find a soft level spot. Luckily, we are 3/4 full moon and within thirty minutes I was by myself in a quiet place. Mando chose to stay. Big mistake. It was very little sleep that night for him. The next day, the guy apologized and paid for our room. I just hope he realizes that he has a problem and is able to deal with it now rather than later. Everyone was sorry, but it made me want to get back out where life is simpler and people seem to have more sane behavior, and less distractions. I have met a lot of young people and they are trying to figure out what they are going to do with their lives. It is easy for them to be distracted with the social scene. As an older person hiking, it may be easier for me to focus on the end goal. Enough philosophizing. Today was a perfect weather for hiking. Mando had fun talking about the trail, the people we had met, and my experiences so far. It was a fairly easy day, 7.6 miles mostly uphill, but gentle and not many rocks or roots. It was even wide enough to walk together. We decided after last night to put up our tent. We needed a good nights sleep. Tomorrow will be a longer, harder day of hiking, but today Mando did great for his first day on the trail. Fly right,Ravon
Date: 2008-04-17
From: Ground Hog Creek Shelter

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: clear sky

Mando¢s second day on the trail. It was more up and down terrain, but a mostly smooth path with pine needles. After the rough going through the Smokies, it was a delight to be able to walk and look around. Wildflowers were more profuse. I'm really looking forward to getting to my bounce box. I have a flower book and I can identify what these early bloomers are. I recognize purple and yellow violets, yellow trout lily, blue-purple wild geraniums, and wild iris. Our big push was to make Max Patch for lunch. We were a little late at 1:30, but what a great place. It's a very round hill, mostly grasses, and a has a post every 20 feet with white blazes. Legend has it that this bald was plowed by a horse named Max. My book said it was an old homestead and logging camp. Originally, it was covered with trees. Early people cleared it for grazing sheep and cattle. At one time, there was a small landing strip. It would have to be a pretty small plane. The mountain is 4629 feet high, offering 360 degree panoramic views. I could see the Smokies to the south, where just last week I'd been hiking. I did hear that I missed by one day, snow as deep as a hikers gaiters maybe 5 to 6 inches. Mando and I ate lunch and just relaxed for an hour.   Some guy came by with a super light-weight telescope. He was a birder and I was able to see tree swallows and blue birds vying for bird boxes scattered around the bald. This morning we were awoken by owls. We left the shelter about 9:15, and made it to Roaring Fork Shelter about 3:45. We decided that it was too far to go to Walnut Shelter, another 4.6 miles with a very uphill climb at the end. Many hikers I knew stayed here last night. They were visited by a bear. He got five hanging food bags. Immediately, we looked for a tree for hanging. Decided not to sleep in the shelter, but tent a ways from there. Several hikers came by, but moved on after reading the register. It's kept in a black mail box! We hear hound dogs just down the hill. I'm not sure the bear would care, but I hope its a little deterrent. Stay tune for tomorrow¢s entry. Fly right,Ravon
Date: 2008-04-19
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Yeah a zero day. Mando and I rented a cabin outside of Hot Springs, N.C. The A.T. goes right through this cute, quaint mountain town. I Re-supplied all of the stuff that Mr. Bear took at Bluff Mountain Outfitters. These were the people who also gave Mando a shuttle ride down to Standing Bear. They were very happy to see Ravon come through the door. I wondered if they gave the bear a commission? I had to spend $155.00 to replace all the gear, but they do have a great selection, especially for such a small town. We did laundry and had a good lunch at Sweet Imaginations. I had three bounce boxes. Time to cut down on all this extra stuff. Thought I'd have time to sketch and use my bird and flower books. Finding I really only have time to hike and write. Zero days are mainly used to organize, get ready for the next section and communicate. It's raining and I'm really glad not to be hiking. Hope you all out there are having a great day. I would like to go out to the real hot springs north of town. Sit in some hot water and think about this great adventure that I am having so far. We did have another great meal with Mando's long time friends from the USNA (United States Naval Academy), Arch and Carol. He's a doctor in Burnsville and had lots of great advice for me. A very enjoyable evening. Fly right,Ravon
Date: 2008-04-21
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: broken clouds

Back on the trail after two zero days in Hot Springs, N.C. Had some fabulous meals at Bridge Street Cafe. Last night Mando and I shared a pizza and fresh spinach salad topped off with hot chocolate lava cake. The owners were very gracious. Their seven year old girl competes in step dancing. She was helping this evening with the bussing of tables and reminded us of Uri, our grandson. Having Mando share the two days was lots of fun. We did move to another motel after I found two huge wood spiders in my bed at the cabin. I'm much better at facing down a bear than dealing with spiders. It was a long enough stay that I was able to replace my gear, go through three boxes of supplies, and clean all my stuff. We also went to the Hot Springs Spa. It use to be a public facility, but now is privately owned. During WWII this used to be a POW camp for captured Germans. When the war ended, many of the Germans stayed here and became part of the community. There used to be a huge Victorian hotel and spa center, but it burned down. For $12.00 per person you get to use a plastic hot tub filled with water pumped 100 feet from under ground. Each hot tub is somewhat private and looks out over a river. It sure made a difference in how my body felt. This morning was very hard to get started on the trail. Both Sandy and I were sad. I loved having him here, but its hard to say goodbye. He drove to Asheville and will be back in Aspen late tonight. I'm eleven miles up the trail headed towards Erwin. Its¢ a very steep climb out of Hot Springs hill to Lover's Leap Rock. It really was a scary rock to stand on with the river very far below and no apparent cliff between. The trail went by a small pond, no name, with what looked like bat boxes. Saw a few cardinals. The trail took some different twists today. For a while I was on a country dirt road. Found some grave markers which were not that old 1983. I guess it¢s rural custom. The shelter was a very old one someone had painted blue. Why? For laughs there was an electrical outlet. "Flame Thrower" and I were the only ones in the shelter. Everyone else tented. Heard mice most of the night, but no damage. I've faced large animals like bears. Now I'm going to fight the little ones. I've caught someone¢s cold. Its hard to be out hiking when you don't feel 100%, but the trail goes on. Fly right, Ravon
Date: 2008-04-22
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry's Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.4

It would be hard to think of anything more natural than to be walking all day on the A.T. It gives me a chance to think about this Earth Day. Wish I could have carried out the trash I saw at one campsite.  Tonight we ended up at Jerry's Cabin considered to be the dirtiest shelter on the whole A.T. Volunteers came in and carried out 20 bushels of trash. Its now one of the cleanest. But it needs bear cables. This is just a small example of what could be done if people cared. I saw two ladies out picking up trash along the road. We did experience amazing trail magic. After hiking 3.7 miles on a fairly easy trail, we saw signs for goodies. "Go 300 yards to a concrete driveway at the Welcome North Carolina Sign. You won¢t be disappointed." The driveway was steep, leading up to a very well kept beautiful wood home. I was wondering if I was in the right place when "Hercules" greeted me. He and his wife "Fall" invited me to a sit down meal complete with cloth napkins. He had a written menu with the choice of drinks and 10 day weather forecast. The meal started with Belgian Waffles with heated syrup or strawberries and whip cream. This was followed by port stew and then one of four desserts: brownie sundae, bread pudding with ice cream, banana split or sherry pound cake and ice cream. I passed on the stew because the waffle was large and I wanted room for a dessert. As I was finishing, at least eight of my fellow hikers came. Hercules and Fall were thru hikers in 1999. He was a pilot for Southwest. This is why they bought a house so close to the A.T. They have fed over 1700 hikers and take a photo of each of us which they place in notebooks. It was very hard hiking on all that sugar, but I'd do it again in a minute. All agreed this was a difficult day of what seemed like mostly uphills. One section we came to late in the day was called "Rock Ridge". There was an alternate blue blaze trail to be taken in bad weather. I took the regular white blaze trail over huge rock ledges and steps along an exposed ridge line. There were times you were not sure where the trail went. The rocks were white and the blazes were not that obvious. It was a very difficult day, but we all hike the same trail. Someone mentioned New Hampshire was mostly like this section. Yikes! An Earth Day to remember. I'm tenting tonight so hopefully my coughing will not bother others i.e. Pacer, Flame Thrower, Corrina, Bear Bate, and a new older guy Repack. Fly right, Ravon
Date: 2008-04-23
From: Jerry's Mountain Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Last night I was so tired that I just ate and hit the sleeping bag. I'm trying to sweat this cold out of my body. I left the shelter at 8:30. It seems it takes about 1 1/2 hours to get fed and pack up all my gear. I'd like to get that down to an hour. Almost after leaving the shelter, I came upon my first bunny. It was more multicolored than our western variety. I thought he'd bolt right away, but it allowed me to get a close as four feet to get a good photo. Right after that I saw a medium size hawk, but wasn't able to identify it. There are Peregrine falcons in this area. There was another boulder climb, but this one wasn't near as difficult or as long. Several of us stopped at the Little Laurel shelter. When I went around back all curled up except for a two foot tail was a good size black snake. He looked very slow. Every shelter probably has resident black snake because of the mice. They are also know as good climbers and will go after birds which explains why the juncos were raising such a fuss. It seemed like a major uphill day. The lowest point was Allen Gap at 2300 feet up to 4200 feet. One of these major hills was a milestone: Big Butt. This is the 300 mile marker from Springer Mountain. Hard to believe I have hiked 300 miles, but I did think this mountain kicked my butt. In another section we came upon a very peaceful looking meadow with lots of wild flowers and trees. There were several tombstones and lots of artificial flowers. One grave Marker was a woman named Millard who lived back in 1886. I'm definitely not over my cold so I'm turning in early. Most of the young people stay up building a campfire. You can hear the laugher, story telling and sometimes singing. A nice way to go to sleep. Fly right,Ravon
Date: 2008-04-24
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Whistling Gap
Miles today: 13.5

Today was a special one at least for hikers. It started with a climb, as it usually does because they seem to locate shelters in gaps where water is found. So I was the first to hit the trail. It doesn't take Flame Thrower, Pacer, and Bear Bait long to catch me.  Actually Uff-Daugh in his pink cowboy hat, was the real surprise.  He was with Earthbound and Hot Tang. You may remember Uff as the mandolin player who Mando picked tunes with at Standing Bear.  It is really amazing how you continue to run into previously met hikers So what were the special events of the day? On one very difficult climb, the trail goes right by a second home gated community. Just when you think you are out in the wilderness, you're looking at homes and condos. Anyway, one of these families had set up trail magic (a tubby with cookies and cup cakes. Water jugs and my favorite a huge thermos of the best coffee). We all agreed to continue the climb. The next big climb was Big Bald, as big as Max Patch. Again we were met with trail magic.  Diamond Doug was handing out sweets. By the time I got there, my choice was a banana. It was a great treat. What he really gave us was his knowledge of the 360 degree view from the bald. We could really see where we had come from and where are next weeks would take us.  After the bald. The trail went through an magical place. The trees were ancient old creatures. The forest floor was covered with tiny white flowers, like popcorn  I think they were Trillium.  So this is the first night since Bly Gap, that I've tented.  Four of the guys went on so as to be in Erwin sooner. Earth bound, Hot Tang, Repack, and Uff-Daugh chose to tent here.  We will have about a fourteen mile day tomorrow. As it turns dark, I'm in my bag being serenaded by "Dill Pickle Rag" and songs sung by Uff.  What a way to end the day. Fly Right, Ravon
Date: 2008-04-25
From: Whistling Gap

To: Chestoa Bridge, Nolichucky River
Miles today: 13.5

After a night of little sleep due to my &*%$#&^$ cold. I was more than ready to get up and clear my head by walking.  It was a nice morning with lots of bird activities. There was an increase in humidity which means you sweat a lot. As long as you drink enough water, it feels good when the breeze picks up. The elevation was only 2000 feet of change as compared to 2900 feet the day before.  I think I might have mentioned that if you complete the A.T., its like climbing Mt. Everest 19 times.  The best part of today's hike was the views down on the Nolichucky River. The river is wide and emerges from a deep gorge. Today people go white water rafting on it.  As I descended the steep hill along many switchbacks, the whistle of trains pulling coal cars could be heard. The evergreen tree cover made it a cooler hike. Pine needles make some of the best footing because of their smell and cushioning.  There is a lot of mica and feldspar that washes down the gorge from mines in the mountains. The pure quartz is used today in manufacturing of computer chips. The area of Erwin is known for the production of nuclear fuels. Too bad the Blue Ridge china factory closed. It is highly collectible today.  As I was  descending, I saw signs that the area was scheduled for prescribed burns. This afternoon the sky was filled with smoke.  I wondered what you'd do if this burn took place and you were out on the trail?I'm staying at a Holiday Express which is five miles outside of town. A very nice room, but no restaurant. They offer breakfast which I fully took part. This a first for the Ravon, vending machine grazing. My sister Louisa suggested pizza delivery. Great idea! It may not be gourmet, but beats pretzels and sprite.  I wasn't planning a zero day tomorrow Saturday, but didn't feel I was up to hiking 19 miles with this cold. Will try to get to a few of the many email messages.  Thank you everyone for all the support. Fly right, Ravon
Date: 2008-04-26
From: Erwin

To: Erwin, Tennessee
Miles today: 0.0

The weatherman called for rain and thunderstorms. That¢s just as well as my still persistent cold helped me decide to take a zero day. Did all the usual chores, laundry, dried and checked my gear, went through my bounce boxes, repacked my big pack, and geared up my fanny pack for a long day hike. On the Osprey Ariel pack, the top part comes off and you attach your pack belt to make it a day pack. I'm going to slack pack tomorrow 19 miles from Iron Mountain Road back to Erwin going south on the A.T. Lots of my hikers are going with this plan. I'm not sure how I feel about this. Not having my full pack with me. I think because of my cold, I may be able to move faster without it. Weather forecast call for more rain. So, it may be easier to move over wet rocks. Stay tuned for the verdict.  It was a nice relaxing day. Those of you who know the Ravon know I am a sports fan.  Well, I got to see my Avalanche get beat in hockey and the Denver Nuggets get beat in basketball. Think I'll go hiking where sports is just a zero day activity. Fly right,Ravon
Date: 2008-04-27
From: Iron Mountain Gap

To: Erwin, Tennessee
Miles today: 19.01

Tried a new way of hiking the trail. It's called slack packing. Instead of carrying your thirty pound plus pack, you only have a day pack. We were shuttled up the trail by Uncle Johnny's right hand man CB. Then you walk SOBO back towards Erwin 19 miles.    There were seven of us today slack packing.  I really enjoyed it and found it a pleasant way to hike, but I felt guilty every time I passed a person carrying his big pack.  This time it was OK for me. I would, at least, much rather be out hiking than sitting in a motel room another day. The morning started off nice with lots of sun. This changed rather quickly aa we climbed Unaka Mountain. Unaka in Indian means fog draped. The elevation change going south is 4300 feet. If I'd gone North over the same section, it would have been 6300. So maybe it really is uphill if you go from south to Maine. You think?On the other side, we came upon trail magic. A thru hiker named "Fix it", who was celebrating his 40th Birthday, was fixing whole grain pancakes with nuts and real maple syrup.  His family including a little girl 6, son 9 and wife were all helping.  What a great way to celebrate and share with hikers some of his memories. Thank you.  It was fun being a part of your birthday. After that, I was supposed to hike across one of the prettiest balds called Beauty Spot.  This particular beauty had a real serious blackhead!  It was a part of a controlled burn. I know there are reasons for these burns, but it's very sad to see such blacken scorched earth.  Many smaller bushes and some trees were also very dead looking. It was hard on my lungs.  It seemed to go on for miles and there were still some smoldering places Shortly, I began to hear thunder.  I was hoping it would stay across the valley. No such luck, we were in a full-on rain event. During this part of the hike the trail goes through a dense, tall fir tree forest.   They are so mature they¢ve created a canopy that blocked out any light.  If the white blazes had not recently been painted, I could have gotten lost easily.  It really was a bit eerie.  More of this area was grass lands when farming was the way of life.  Fly right, Ravon
Date: 2008-04-28
From: Uncle Johnny's

To: Uncle Johnny's
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Woke to full-on rain with no let up in sight.  My boots were still wet. Repack lent me his space heater to dry them.  There was a report of very cold temperatures at higher elevations.  Roan mountain is the next big and last mountain above 6200 feet that we will ascend until New Hampshire.  There was a long line at Uncle Johnny's of hikers who wanted to stay including me. Went to breakfast at a general store, J D Market.  Well you are probably thinking the Ravon has stooped to vending machines. Why not? Actually this was run by two women who cooked made to order breakfast including sausage, eggs, biscuits and gravy, crousants, bacon and home fries.  They would write your order on a little piece of paper, ask you to remember your order, and at the end you'd tell one of them what you ate and she'd ring you up. I had bacon, two eggs scrambled, crousant, and an extra biscuit. Probably should have had the home fries too.  They must of fed twenty-five hungry hikers in short order and no mistakes. This is a place where cheerleader photos were on the walls and many came to buy their cartons of cigarettes. You¢re in the south Ravon!The rest of the day was spent catching up my journal, writing Chapter 3 of the "Legends of Ravon" and drying gear.  Uncle Johnny put me in what might affectionately known as a mother-in-law cabin.  It has rose and turquoise swags over sheer white curtains, throw pillows by the dozen, shelves of collectibles, throw rugs, love seat, nice kitchen and a TV with rabbit ears. Everything one would need to pass a rainy day.  Did I mention microwave popcorn?  It's back to the trail tomorrow where life is simple. Fly right,