morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-02-23
From: The Blueberry Patch

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Sleeping last night was rather difficult. Not only was I on the top of three bunks where the temperature went from burning hot to freezing cold, but I also had my friend "Nuts" running his Harley Davidson during the night, haha, it was funny but he is so cool. Breakfast was real good. The nice couple had us all hold hands and pray before we ate - good testimony. They looked for every chance to tell us about God. I wish I had that boldness, in time maybe. So we finished eating and low and behold Wayfarer pulls in. Good to see him again. Bauman hd the idea that we should go back into the house and ask Gary and his wife to pray for us since we've been just so down. They were overjoyed that we asked. Gary was so happy that he had tears in his eyes after we were done praying. So we said Amen, packed up, hit the bathroom one last time, I had time to "bay" at the goats while I waited in line for the outhouse, then Gary took us to the trail. We said our goodbyes and off we went.Today we both felt better. I've realized that when I get down I sink into a hole and I don't want anyon'es attention, otherwise I just annoyed and want to push people away. That's what I did with Keri - I don't ever want to do that to her again.Keri said that she wanted some rocks while I was out here so most of the day I was loooking at the ground trying to find the perfect ones. I found a few, two of them look similar so I'm going to send her one of those and I keep the other, kind of like a friendship locket but with love and rocks - love rocks. Spiritual Pilgrim, Nuts, Sunset, Bauman, and I all crossed into North Carolina today. We all celebrated in traditional hiker fashion - lots of "YEAHS" and lots of pictures. I'm so glad Georgia is off my mind. Tonight we camped out at Bly Gap. It was nice to be all done before the sun went down.sausage, scrambled eggs, pancakes, coffee, OJ - Blueberry Patch------spanish rice, loaded potatoes
Date: 2006-02-24
From: Bly Gap

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Sleep was interesting last night. If it wasn't the cold that was keeping me up, then it was the constant slipping I had to endure from laying on a hill. Long Shadow and his wife, that "worked at REI", chatted with us a bit before they headed off. While I was packing up today I lost the really cool red rock I was going to send Keri. I was so bummed about it. I tried to find it for 30 minutes. Finally I gave up and took off to catch up with Bauman. There was this mangeld old oak tree, I took some pictures. The day was nice and the hiking was pretty easy minus the first two miles which were straight up. A lot of pretty views today. It was really cool to see the blue mountains. There also was this one time we came across a bunch of old fallen logs that had this green most on it that seemed to glow - it was soooo cool. So we got to the shelter where we thought we were going to sleep that night. My knee hurt, my foot was sore, I just felt crappy. Bauman felt good thought so I told him we'd eat dinner and then I'd say if I felt good or not. We ate, I felt good, we took off for the next camp site which was about 4.4 miles away. Not a bad hike at a good pace. We even go to see the sunset. So we got to the campsite, took a break, then decided to go another 3.4 miles to the shelter - catching us up with everyone. Man that was a long hike. We encourtered everything from trees blown over the trail, creek crossings by slipper logs, and even an owl that went "Whoooo" right in our eat that scared us to death...all while it was pitch black dark outside. We were so tired by the timewe got to camp. We threw up our tents - didn't sleep in the shelter because we didn't want to wake anyone up that was in there. We destroyed our miles hiked record today.apple cinnamin and 2x banana and spice oatmeal---2x pepperoni and cheese on tortilla---chicken teriaki - FD
Date: 2006-02-25
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: light rain

Sleep didn't go so well. The cold wind was finding its way into the tent...very annoying. I had a huge breakfast this morning, I knew I was going to need it since we had such a big hike ahead of us, we were going to do another 12+ miler so we could go to church tomorrow. I was finally able to hook my camera on to my pack in such a way so I didn't have to take my pack off to get to it. I spent most of the afternoon just taking pictures. I tried to get some of that phantom green most that just blazed hard - but I couldn't get a picture of it as before, just wasn't the same lighting.The day was overcast and the hiking was pretty easy and flat minus "Fat Albert" or Albert Mt. That was a 1,500 foot elevation change in the matter of like 20 minutes, it was straight up. I should have brought my rock climbing shoes. There was an old, 3 story, metal tower there at the top of the mountain that gave an awesome view. Unfortunately the hatch was closed to the balcony, but we still took some cool pictures from the stairs. As I was leaning over the edge taking pictures, Bauman thought it would be funny to nudge me a little - not funny. He doesn't like heights so I was yelling and jumping on the metal stairs the whole way down, making him nervous trying to get him back for scarring me.Another cool part of the hike is when we literally had to hike down a creek bed, that was fun. Part of the water source was pouring down from under this big old tree - very neat. We had to do some night hiking again. I really don't like doing it. You can't see anything. So you miss the beautiful scenery, plus it is very hard to tell how far you've gone. Finally we made it to rock gap shleter - lucky us it was full. So tonight we have to sleep on the floor beside the picnic table - hopefully the shelter mice don't get us. I already saw one as I was getting water. I've been praying hard that God would provide provisions for us in Franklin, we'll see what he puts in our path.sweet and spicy tuna, loaded potatoes, teriaki rice---2x chunk lite tuna in sunflower oil and pepperoni and cheese on tortilla---beef stroganov - FD
Date: 2006-02-27
From: The Wilde's House

To: 1 mile past Wayah Bald
Miles today: 14.1

The Wilde's have been so kind. They housed us, fed us, and even made us laugh. Our time at thier house really was a blast. The best part of it is we didn't expect any of it. We prayed, God responded. And the best part is we didn't break any of the AT "code of conduct." So they took us to breakfast at this 50's dinner thingy. Gretchen's friend Allison was there as well. I met her partnets last night. It was just nice to sit one last time all together. That family truly blessed us. I just hope I didn't scare them with my dirty facial hair. Gus had to leave for work and the girls to school. The older couple that agreed to take us to the AT was there to, they go by "M & M" because both of their firest and last names start with "M." So we then thanked Kathy one last time, she also gave us both $40.00!! She rockes!! We piled into "M & M's" car and went to the post office. I got a bit upset becuase one of my boxes wasn't there as well as the maps my mom sent me. I mailed Keri her letter and then we took off for standing indian. The "M & M" lady was so happy that us young people were doing something good with our lives. Hiking today was long. Wayah Bald today sucked. It took so long to go up and all that weight on our backs just hurt us so much. It took forever. We ate at the top, but man it was cold. Bauman wanted to sleep in the outhouse for the night until something was found that I will not describe. So we camped and did hell's kitchen just a bit past "campsite." We're trying to get to town in 4 days so we can suprise the girls. It's so cold and windy right now - hell's kitchen was put to the test. french toast - restaraunt---2x tuna, pepperoni, and cheese on tortilla---jambalya rice and loaded mash potatoes
Date: 2006-02-28
From: 1 mile past Wayah Bald

To: N.O.C.
Miles today: 16.3

Well, hell's kitchen woked like a charm. I slept the entire night because i was so warm. I'm still a bit pissed off how the poles on my tent aren't holding up at all. The small one is bent and now the head piece is snapped a little. Today I wanted to get in as many miles as I could and I started off like a rocket. I got about 10 miles in by 2pm, but man my knees were taking a beating. Trek caought up with me at 2:30pm and told me that it was 5 miles to NOC. I needed fuel, plus there was some serious chaffing going on. If you were to see me then I would have looked like i had the worst beating of my life - I needed some relief. Bauman was in the same beat. So we limpeddown this steep, steep, mountain, trying to go 5 miles in 2.5hrs. Terrible things were said and repeated as we crossed the last shlter before NOC which was 0.8 miles from NOC- so we started running. Really, it was more like fast wobbling, like two beat up old men racing. We had 10 minutes to go 0.8 miles before they closed- we got there at 5:05pm. Luckily, they still had people in the store and let us buy some fuel and "butt deoderant" which didn't help at all. We met someone that told us of a place to stay. We went to eat at the restaraunt, and man we were beat. Our nice waitress must have noticed because she only charged us for half our bill and gave us free hot chocolate and Bauman some pudding stuff. Afterwards we headed back to our base for the night, and took a shower. After our long shower we ended up talking with some people that were taking the rafting 5 day course at the NOC - only $365. they even gave us a beer -sweet. Today was a new hiking record.poptart---2x tuna, pepparoni, cheese on tortilla---bouble wesser burger - restaraunt
Date: 2006-03-01
From: N.O.C.

To: Montreat College
Miles today: 13.6

Last night's sleep was pretty good. But the past I think I liked the most was waking up in warmth. It was so nice not having to brace myself in order to "man up" to the cold that usually awaits me outside my tent. So we got an early start hiking today. We saw "hiker mom," mary, before we left. She was packing up her van as everyone else in her cabin got ready for today's hike. Today, the first 6 miles was all up hill. It wasn't too, too bad. There were some ridiculous inclines but we lived. After lunch at Sassfras Gap shelter, we finally summitted Cheoah Bald. I feld the need to do something manly after conquering that viscious beast of a mountain. So I decided to hoist a 100lbs log over my head and toss it a whopping 5 feet. We were still on track to arrive early to Fontana Dam. We would hike all day tomorrow and arrive at the dam and figure out a way to get to Montreat to suprise Keri that night. Well, that plan ended up coming a day early. Bauman got hit by a sniper in the tree, ok so he wasn't shot, but he did twist his ankle bad enough to where we had to come off trail. Jessica Mueller and Carly picked us up and drove us to Montreat, all the we told them stories of our journies, including our wait at Buger King as we waited for them to pick us up. Some crazy crap went on there. I saw a woman get abused, a family of 7 come in and romp all over the place, and "D & D" guy ask me if I was on the AT to which I responed, yes. He then asked how it was and I said in that tough to the soul, rocker lingo i know he would understand, "Tough as nails" to which he said "F@#$ Yeah, F@#$ Yeah" and then he just walked away. Awkward. So now came my turn to surprise Keri; she was still under the impression that tonight I was at the N.O.C. So I decided to leave a message for her on trailjournals.com that said something like, " I miss you so much, if only I could look at you from outside your window and watch you as you slept." So I went to Jessica's house, typed up the message, took Bauman's cell phone, then headed over to her window. ONce there, I called her and told her I left a message on my trail journal for her and she needed to read it. So she did and said "awww," but didn't look out her window. I asked her if she looked out the window and that she might want to becuase I'm standing outside of it. Slowly raising my voice to a shout as so she could hear me on the phone and outside the window. Needless to say she was shocked and ran downstairs, with no shoes. Keri was so happy - she kept me up talking all night and wouldn't let me sleep. I stayed at the girls house on the couch.poptart---3x loaded potatoes, cheese, rice, all on tortilla---tripple wopper combo, half jr. wopper
Date: 2006-03-02
From: Montreat College

To: Montreat College
Miles today: 0.0

Dangit! I'm still on hiking time. Even after Keri talking till 3am, and finally letting me fall asleep, I still woke up at 7am. I tried to fall back asleep but Keri came in at 9:30am and jumped on me when she was done with class. I didn't throw her out of the hosue because she brought me breakfast. So we just hung out for a while unitl lunch. I told Keri that it was going to be guy time in the cafe and she was cool with that. All the soccer guys were there so we pulled tow tables together. It was a lot of fun hanging out with them all. I wish I had one more year of soccer left I miss it that much. We hung out in the cafe till 2pm, then I went and checked my email and other internet things. When I was done I headed back to the house where I was staying. When I walked in I noticed Keri was napping on the couch, time to return the favor of this morning. I pounced, she awoke, then we fought over the couch for the next 30 minutes. Finally, we stopped and decided to head to the store to get some dinner for us and the girls, Ashley, Lauren, and Elise. We got the pizza at the store, came back, then stared cooking it up. The girls had to leave for class so I told them I'd bring them pizza to their class once it was ready. So they left and I brought the pizza to them once it was ready. The rest of the night I just vegged on the couch, drinking beer and eating my almost burned pepperoni pizza. Keri got back from class and we watched American Idol beofre she went to study Chemistry. When she was done we looked at the pictures I took so far from the hike - 250 so far, not too bad. So she called it an early night due to her test tomorrow. I'm so tired. tomorrow I go on my quest to find out which post office has my lost packages. bagel and cream cheese---montreat cafe- fried fish---frozen pizza
Date: 2006-03-04
From: Montreat College

To: Keri's House
Miles today: 0.0

So we didn't go to Hendersonville last night after dinner because Jamie, who works at a local outfitter, told me I could get whatever I wanted at her store and use the 40% off discount she gets for working there. So after we got moving we headed over to the store. I wanted to get a light weight rain jacket for when it starts warming up because my heavy duty shell is just over kill and weighs a lot. So I found one that worked and we gave Jamie a call to tell her what I wanted so she could get it. Turns out they were right down the road and met up with us at the gas station. Matt slipped a little somethin' somethin' in my pocket, thanks Matt - such a good friend. So we drove to the ATM and I gave Jamie the money needed to cover the purchase. I thanked her again and said bye to Matt and Jamie, off to Hendersonville we go - so we got there in record time. Keri hates it when I slide her Jeep all over the side of the mountain on which she lives, so that's why I do it of course. We said "hi" to her Mom who keeps calling me Jeremiah Johnson - if you don't know who that is it is probably because you were born after 1980. Pop was outside working with his friend Jimmy, putting the roof on the new addition to his workshop. I finally got to see Pop when they called me outside to hand them a piece of tin for the roof. Jimmy came down from the roof too, shook my hand and said "I had pretty teeth." I replied, "You have a nice...neck" playing off of a redneck joke he cracked on himself when I first came out there to help. Soon, work was doen, Jimmy went home and Pop and I went inside to join the girls for some Jambalya. After dinner, we all played a card game called "booray". Pop and I got destroyed, I mean we just got hammered. We lost all our money to Keri - she was like fort knox by the end of the game. Afterwards, we chilled for a bit and then hit the hay so we were rested for church.---left over pizza---Jambalya
Date: 2006-03-05
From: Keri's House

To: Keri's House
Miles today: 0.0

Church was...let's be honest, it was boring. Momma and Keri got caught by Pop for talking so that was funny. They can be so cute. The apple does not fall far from the tree. Afterwards we went home and made some lunch before Momma and Pop came home. They had a meeting they had to go to after church. After lunch, Keri and I took a nap on the couch - I was so tired. When we woke up we decided that we would go to dinner at Chili's and then head to Barley's. Chili's was fun. It's kind of cute going there because it was the place that we went to for our first date and every time we go they put us in the same section. After dinner we made it to Barley's without getting lost. It was cool because they had some live music kickin'. So we both eventually got tired so we headed home. I made a fire and Keri took a shower. When she got out we just snuggled on the couch for a bit before heading to bed.
Date: 2006-03-05
From: Keri's House

To: Keri's House
Miles today: 0.0

Messages...Everyone - I posted the next mail drop location that you all can send mail to. If you don't think it will make it there on time then don't send anything...lol...but, you all better send something!Robin - Thank you so much for your letter. It was very encouraging and very unexpected. It's those type of things that make this journey all the more enjoyable.Mrs. Gamrot's Bible Study - I'm tickled pink that you're bible study is reading this from time to time. Hope it doesn't ever get boring.Nate Dogg - I heard you quoted me in class the other day. Rock on my brother. What part did you quote by chance?Denis - Thanks for the gift. I think that's all I'm suppose to say. So just take that thank you, multiply it by a thousand and then you'll get somewhere close to my gratitude.T-Lar - You did very, very good with your gift. So creative! I can't wait to find the perfect picture to put in it. And if Shea gets jealous just remind him that you are half my age...lol...thanks again girly!Mithyl - Thought I'd give a little shout out to my DR friend. Hope all is going well and hope the Egg is still bringing you business without me around.
Date: 2006-03-06
From: Keri's House

To: Keri's House
Miles today: 0.0

Today is going to be a slightly busy day for sure, which always seem to happen on my last day of seeing Keri. First we went to the post office to get my package from T-Lar. She got me a mirrored picture frame with my favorite verse etched in it. It is very nice. I have a lot of respect for her and what she is doing in her current situation. Next, we went to the General Store and got me a A.T. data book - and also got my favorite candy ever...honey and seasame seeds. Then we went to the mall and picked out a book we'd both read. We decided on "Captivating" by John and Staci Eldrege. Keri already had the book so that was convinient. Then we went to Wal-Mart and got her families groceries and my food for the next leg of my hike. My plans tonight were to also make the "penny alcohol stove" we found on the internet. When we got home, Keri and I cooked salmon and steak for everyone and we did a darn good job. Momma and Pop both liked it. After that I went to work on the stove and Keri started doing some internet things for me. Once I finished the stove and tried it out - no it didn't blow up in my face, I took over the rest of Keri's work for her so she could take a nap because it was getting late. After I was done, I woke her up and she oversaw me pack up my backpack which took forever. Once I was done I was able to relax a bit and just hang out with my girlfriend - at 3am. Oh well, tomorrow I'm gonna miss her bad. Finally, the party had to end and I hit the hay.
Date: 2006-03-07
From: Keri's House

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: clear sky

Pop woke me up at 8:15am so I could gather up my things. I always hate leaving "Old Chimney" - that's what they call their house. Momma and Pop are just a lot of fun. Pop is always impressing me with what his carpentry skills are cooking up. This time it was expanding his work shop by adding a whole other room to it - in a total of about 6 days, geez! So I got all my gear and hugged Momma and Pop goodbye, then we headed to Bauman's house to pick him up. The drive to Stecoah Gap was long and the closer we got to it the more nervous and anxious I was feeling. I think it was because I knew it was almost time to say goodbye to Keri. She is such a wonderful girl. I really wish I could be there for her right now. Not too many girls could be ok with letting their boyfriend disappear into the woods for 6 months. She truly is something special. Finally we arrived and it was time to say goodbye. I could feel Keri fighting off the urge to shake and bust out in tears in my arms when I was hugging her. Instead she mustered up a confident smile and gave me a warm hug that let me know she was going to be ok. Today's hike was pretty easy. A lot of people were out hiking on their Spring break. We even say Red Blaze - heading southbound. He said he was just doing sections he hadn't done yet. Bauman and I hiked along most of the day. We pulled into Cable Gap shelter for the night and had it all to ourselves.
Date: 2006-03-08
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: overcast clouds

So I had the worst dream last night. I dreamed that a black bear was standing at the mouth of our shelter and I tried to yell to Bauman and wake him up so he cold get his knife but all I could do is mumble and yell, which did indeed scare the bear away. Not a good dream. Bauman told me that I was actually yelling during my dream and I woke him up. Moleman caught up to us today. He's a young college guy that can do a ton of miles. He took off before we were done packing. A lady by the name of "Mrs. Gorp" also came by. She was so king to us. She ever said that she would treat us to dinner at Fontana Village! So today we decided to only go about 6 miles to the Fontana Dam shelter because the next shelter after that was another 11 miles which we didn't feel like doing. So we plugged away our 6 miles and got to were the Fontana pool was and ate lunch. There was a boy scout troop there that was just in awe of us and were asking us all sorts of questions - it was kind of cool. Next, we hitched into Fontana Village where we were suppose to meet up with Mrs. Gorp for dinner but we couldn't find where she was staying. On top of that, the restaraunt in town was closed because the water main in the area had broke. So we hung out for a while in the village, which wasn't much of a village. If I had something good to say about the place I guess I'd say the rocking chairs were nice. We hitched back to Pontana Pool and finished today's hike. Fontana Dam shelter is so nice! It sits right on top of Fontana lake and is set against some sweet mountains. We were there for about 3 hours before dark. I was so tired after only 6 miles! A couple of guys joined us around dark. They too have run into Gary along their hike and told us that he almost got in a fight with someone about something silly. We all had a laugh about it though. Tonight is a nice night, almost like the calm before the storm. Tomorrow we hit the smokies. I really pray that God gives me energy for this part of the hike because right now I'm so tired and depleted. I also want to be able to transfer the christian walk I have on the trail to the real world. When I had my 5 days off I didn't read my Bible once. It was so easy to fall back into that rut again. If this hike is going to do anything for me then I need my experiences to transfer.pop-tart---tuna and cheese on tortilla---rice, mash potatoes, 28 oz of soup