morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-02-17
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0

It was a COLD night at Blue Mountain Shelter on Friday, Feb. 16th. The Saturday forecast was for THE coldest of the year and Sunday about the same. After brushing the ice/snow off my tent and packing up, it began to really blow snow. We walked down to Unicoi Gap. Roy's wife met us, took us to his car and then he drove me to Cumming where my husband was waiting to take me home. My home was so comfortable and warm. Sunday morning the temp 2 hours south of the mountains was 24 and I know it was a smart decision for me to get off the trail temporarily. Also, I would be home to receive the biopsy report on my arm. For more detail see the link below. PrayerWalker on the Appalachian Trail
Date: 2013-02-27
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

My appointment for the removal of the skin cancer was initially March 12th. I explained my journey to the scheduler who listened patiently and asked if there was any way it could be done earlier. She said she would speak with the doctor and the next day she called and moved me up to this day for the laser procedure. I'm so thankful.My procedure is a simple one and I'm thinking today about our military families and all the procedures they are going through and have endured in order to live after surviving IEDs which took their legs, arms and forever changed their lives.Would you take a few minutes to listen to John Hayes who served with the Marines in several deployments. This Saturday he and his wife receive the keys to a home built for his needs. Their THANK YOU to Homes For Our Troops is poignant.There are many others just like John waiting and hoping for a home. Would you consider a donation? A small gift can make a BIG difference.It's easy to make a gift; just click on the Homes For Our Troops link to the left. Thanks.I will be back on the trail soon carrying Homes For Our Troops in my heart and their bandana on my backpack."What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world remains and is immortal." ~Albert Pike (1809 1891)
Date: 2013-03-02
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Looking forward to returning to the trail soon. That's what my arm looks like after removal of the basal cell growth. It was painless. THANK YOU to the staff from Dr. Slagle's office and Dr. Slagle for the speedy removal so I can return to the trail. I met Chris Gallaway on February 15th enroute to Blue Mountain Shelter. He spent the night at Low Gap Shelter on Februray 14th but I didn't meet him that night because he was busy with arrival duties and I was heading to my tent for the night. After putting up my Hubba, I walked up to the shelter. Chris was taking down a camera tripod which surprised me - they are not lightweight, usually. He is a writer and video producer from Asheville, NC; he's carrying about 20 lbs. of camera gear as well as the necessary gear for a thru-hike. We talked a little and at dinner we compared our Fancy Feast alcohol stoves.I think you will REALLY enjoy following Chris on his Appalachian Trail thru-hike. He'll be making and posting short videos along the way with the goal to make a documentary film. This is his first video post from the trail. Keep watching after the credits roll; he gives some tips. His website is: theatmovie.com
Date: 2013-03-09
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: scattered clouds

My sweet husband drove me back to the trail. He hiked with me again to Rock Mountain. We kissed and I was off. I met Snowman and Escargot from Oklahoma, Dreamer and Socks from Michigan and their awesome dog, Charlie (a Feist) -- both married couples. Check out Dreamer and Socks blog to learn more about them.   http://tntonthetrail.blogspot.com/Dreamer is taking video along the way. He asked me some questions and I think I must have looked really silly. I thought I had lost my hairbrush already and made some comments ; I didn't want to look into the camera cause I was a mess.Also met Dixie Grits from Mississippi, a thru-hammocker. Experienced my first trail magic a short way up Tray Mountain. A wonderful group of adult leaders of a boy scout troop from Habersham County served grilled hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, cookies, cold drinks; we could empty the trash we were carrying with us. We could fill up our water bottles. Arrived at Tray Gap shelter and pitched my tent on a lovely spot. Towards evening the wind began to howl. I've never heard such noise from the wind. Met some nice young men from Colorado who stayed in the shelter. A little later 3 or 4 young men came to the shelter and stayed as well. One of them had story time and was reading out loud a long novel to wind down. When I packed up my tent the next morning, the wind was still blowing so hard that I had to hold down my tent with one foot at all times. That was a new experience. I should have worn my ear plugs that night because the wind noise kept me awake. An awesome day for the return to the trail.
Date: 2013-03-11
From: Blueberry Patch Hostel

To: Hiawasee Hotel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I hustled to make it to Dicks Creek Gap yesterday because my husband told me it was going to pour down rain all day today. The front ended up slowing down and rain finally began about 3:30 PM. I'm happy the rain held off. I hope the young people from the Blueberry Patch Hostel made it to their destination and were set up for the night before the rain began.I had a wonderful lunch at the Hiawasee Hardees in the company of Dixie Grits and Journey. I had read Journey's journals(s). She thru-hiked 10 yrs. ago and is back to do it again. AWESOME. She's a wonderful woman and I am thrilled to meet her. She has a wealth of knowledge to share and I hope to learn from her. She experienced some problems with weather early on and will be going back to Unicoi Gap and hiking to Dicks Creek Gap but I hope to see her on down the trail. Will have dinner with Snowman and Escargot, Dixie Grits and Journey. Met Snow Frog & young couple from Minnesota, Colette and Ryan (I think). We ordered pizza to be delivered and Greek salad. Yum !Last night at the Blueberry Patch Hostel, I learned that my Flent ear plugs are par extraordinary !! I would recommend purple Flents to anyone. I had tested them at home by turning the tv almost as loud as it would go and I could barely hear it. Now, they have been trail tested. I slept well at Blueberry Patch Hostel even though someone in the room snored all night long. It only sounded like a whisper to me. When the young man in the bunk above me had a bad dream and shouted "HEY"! and slammed his fist into the wall, I woke up. I heard that through the ear plugs; it didn't scare me because I realized he had a "trailmare." Head lamps came on from around the room (kind of like a strobe show) and people asked if he was OK. He said he'd awakened from a bad dream and didn't know where he was but he was fine. He was nursing a really bad big toe. A blister had formed underneath his big toe nail and then the nail fell off.Hoping for sweet dreams tonight and a beautiful day on the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2013-03-12
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: moderate rain

What a day! Made it to North Carolina. I was surprised to see Sean of New Hampshire along the trail; I thought he was way ahead of me. Blisters have slowed him down. Now he has a trail name, The Patriot. Irish a hiker from last year named him because of the hat he was wearing. I had read Irish Charm and Falling Turtle's journal from last year but she had to leave the trail early because of her diabetes. They were married on the trail last year. They started again this year and I had hoped to meet them. Well, I met Irish but Monkey (her new trail name for 2013 had to leave the trail because of diabetes but she'll be back soon. As I approached the GA/NC sign, Irish, The Patriot, Owl and Chickadee (aunt and niece) welcomed me to NC. I let out a BIG shout of celebration; don't think I could have smiled much bigger either. The Patriot took pictures. Shortly thereafter, Chin Music approached as did Collette and Ryan from Minnesota. Stopped for the night at Bly Gap. Collette and Ryan and I were the first tents there, but lots more drifted in before night fall. Dreamer, Socks and Charlie arrived. Again, it was very windy and was going to be a cold night. Cooked dinner easily with my home made cat can stove. I'm tired but happy to be here!
Date: 2013-03-13
From: Bly Gap

To: Beech Gap
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: broken clouds

What a climb out of Bly Gap. I had made a wise decision to not hike on to Muskrat Creek Shelter another 2.8 miles the day before. Realized I'd made a good decision when the climb began immediately. Again very windy and cold. Took lots of short breaks to catch my breath. A tough way to warm up cold muscles. Hiked with Dreamer, Socks & Charlie. It was wet, muddy and slippery. Coming around and down, I slipped in black mud and went down in the goo on my right hand and thought my skirt was a disaster but could not see it. Did not realize it but my bandana (which I use to wipe my runny nose in the cold) came off. A little later a young man passed me and asked if it was mine. Thanked him. Asked how bad my skirt looked and he said it was fine but I had a little mud on my pack. Buddy saved me. This was my first 12 mi. day ! Thought sign for Beech Gap would never come. The coldest night yet awaited me and the windiest. Tough to set up tent when it is so cold. The wind sounded like jet planes all night long. My Camelbak was a little slushy but I had drained the drinking tube. Bite valve was frozen but biting it and holding it in my mouth did the trick. See the panorama video from atop Albert Mountain. It was a clear day, for sure !
Date: 2013-03-14
From: Beech Gap

To: Long Branch Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

Another day of long walking. It was really really cold this morning when I woke up and tough to pack up a tent in such cold. Many of us have frostnip on the tips of our fingers even though we have taken care to keep our hands covered. Packed up as quickly as possible. Actually packing up begins to warm up my body. Dreamer, Socks, Charlie, Woodman and I headed out. We stopped for a snack at a shelter and continued on. Little did I know what awaited me in Albert Mountain. Guess it was best I didn't know what was up ahead; better to take the trail as it comes. At about the 9 mile mark, I was introduced to beginner's rock climbing (I guess). It was frightening. May have been fun if Buddy had not been on my back. For this 64 year old trying to pull myself up and finding a way on the rocks amounted to all fours at some points and at one spot I actually ended up kneeling (by accident) but I said a prayer and somehow managed to get up off my knees and continue the ascent. When I reached the top, I felt drained. I saw Socks looking a little pale faced too. Told her it was the hardest and most frightening thing I'd ever done. Maybe I should have taken the Albert Mt. bypass -- no kidding, there was a sign for it ! I climbed the fire tower for a wonderful view.Followed the group to Long Branch Shelter and found a nice spot for my tent. Hermes, Detour and the group of young people were in the shelter along with Silver Fox. The night temperatures didn't drop as low as the two previous nights; my fingers were not freezing and it was not difficult to pack up the next morning.
Date: 2013-03-15
From: Long Branch Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 7.3

Packed up and headed out about 8:30 AM walking with Woodman. Dreamer, Socks, and Charlie were not far behind us. Woodman headed out of the shelter up the hill but I asked if he was sure that was the correct direction. He pulled out his compass and then decided he wasn't sure either. He walked back to the shelter and asked and sure enough, it was the wrong direction. He thanked me for questioning him and we headed down a stream -- literally, the trail was a stream bed !! He said, "Is this what they call trail in North Carolina?" There were a couple of good climbs again today but I guess that is how it will be the entire way. I'm feeling a little stronger but the going up really slows me to almost a crawl. My legs are good. Woodman fell in some mud just as were ending the hike for the day. I had slipped in the same spot but managed to stay upright. He was not hurt, thank goodness. Within a few minutes at the highway parking spot, we got a ride from a nurse from Georgia who had day hiked with some friends who were thru-hikers. We asked her which direction was Franklin and she said she would drive us there. She gave us a banana and drove us to Franklin and the Budget Inn. Thank you, Anna and Carmelita -- you were our special trail angels for the day. Went to dinner with Dreamer, Socks, Woodman and Silver Fox. Had a great meal and really enjoyed the company. Ron Haven drives hikers around town to resupply. He has quite an accent and is a very nice and interesting man.
Date: 2013-03-16
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Budget Inn - Franklin
Miles today: 0.0

My night at the Budget Inn was certainly different from my tent and the quiet of the woods. Room #1 is next to Hwy. 441.Originally I was in a smoking room and even the towels smelled like smoke so I was grateful that I could move to this room. It felt great to be in a bed and I did sleep. Walked with Silver Fox to the post office this morning and then to what we thought was a restaurant open for breakfast. It was closed. I came back to my room and ate left over pizza and Gatorade and enjoyed it. I have rested most of this day and will go to mass, 5 PM at St. Francis of Assisi in Franklin. I think it will be about 2 miles walking round trip but will be a cinch without Buddy. The day is incredibly beautiful. May have dinner with Dreamer, Socks, Dixie Grits, Snowman and Escargot if they don't head out before I return from mass. Tomorrow, I'll be back on the trail and headed North. PrayerWalker's Prayer Warriors -- please pray for my right foot; plantar fasciitis is back. I have taped my foot and hope that it helps. I want to keep moving North. In the pic above at the end of the table is Silver Fox, me, Woodman, Socks and Dreamer. You won't believe what I had -- an 8 oz. filet and a huge baked potato with loads of butter. I had lemonade to drink -- 3 glasses. Oh, a large dinner roll ...mmmmm. Didn't eat much on the trail but in-town food is delicious.Planned to walk to St. Francis of Assisi Church for 5 pm mass. When I asked shuttle driver to verify directions, he said he would take me. Met Old Goat on the shuttle who said he did not know there was a church in town or he would have gone to Mass. It was a beautiful Mass. Another first for me--I've never walked from one state to another and attended mass. It was such a blessing to receive the Eucharist.. Tears rolled down my eyes. The woman next to me noticed and I told her I was walking the trail and came from Georgia. I asked for her prayers. I also asked if the street in front would take me to Ingles because that's where I would turn to go back to the motel. I started walking; they pulled up and offered me a ride and brought me back. They also offered to take me to the restaurant for the group dinner but I was not sure of the restaurant name. My sore foot was spared the extra miles. Thank you to Connie & Tim Blackburn. They promised to pray for me. Missed group dinner but walked to McD's with Donny, young man from NY, I met @ Blueberry Patch Hostel. It was good to talk with him again. He's nursing an arch blister. Out tomorrow on 9 AM shuttle. Met Zag while on the computer at the Budget Inn (she shaved her hair off -- maybe I should too. She is hiking with Owl (the second Owl) I have met. In the video they are seated behind Old Goat.
Date: 2013-03-17
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Wayah Gap, Wayah Rd. - Aquone Hostel
Miles today: 5.9

The shuttle was packed. Every seat taken and we held our packs on laps. Quite a ride back to the trail. Ron Haven is such an amiable man. He provides great service for thru-hikers.It was a beautiful day to get back on the trail. At the first stream crossing, I slipped on a rock and went down on one knee. OUCH! Now, how to stand back up. Well, I managed and then the man camping on the other side said, "Good job getting back up." Seems I always have an audience when I stumble. I was thankful not to have toppled over into the creek. It seemed like I climbed up forever, huffing and puffing. Went from 3,808 to 5,012 ft. at Siler Bald summit. Met some day hikers along the way who offered words of encouragement. I needed it - thank you. Today I met thru-hikers, Nails and Dirt Dog (married couple) from Florida. She thru-hiked in 2004 (I think) and is back out this year. They were hiking South to North to spend another day in Franklin because her husband was nursing a cold. Enjoyed talking with them. They told me not to each lunch because there would be trail magic ahead.Fresh Grounds had set up at Wayah Crest Picnic area and what a set up ! He even padded the picnic table bench. He cooked hot dogs, chicken rice soup and there was fresh coffee and hot chocolate, salad, apples, bananas, oranges, chips, tropical trail mix, french bread, crackers, wheat thins. AWESOME. I ate 2 hot dogs, a cup of soup, a banana, and some wheat thins. He set up earlier in the year and fed hikers and will move to Davenport Gap on the north side of the Smoky Mountains next. He said he'd see us there. It's his ministry to feed thru-hikers. After partaking of the trail magic feast, I called and Maggie came from the Aquone Hostel to pick me up. My room has two beds but I was the only woman there so I had it all to myself. Took a wonderful shower and even blew dry my hair. Had not seen a hair dryer for some time - a nicety, for sure. There was just one other thru-hiker, here. I had seen him in Franklin but didn't know him. He's Tekawitha from Canada. A youngster, almost, at 52 yrs. of age. He has wanted to thru-hike for many, many years and decided 2013 was the year.It was a short day of hiking because I decided to stay at Aquone Hostel. I had heard good things about it and wanted to experience the hospitality of Steve (former thru-hiker, Wiggy 2010 and his wife, Maggie. It's a new hostel and wonderful. Instead of stopping in Franklin, hikers could have a food box mailed here and enjoy this beautiful hostel. Maggie is a wonderful cook. Tekawitha (from Canada) and I enjoyed roast turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy and mixed vegetables and raspberry pie for dessert. He had his with ice cream. Had a great nights' sleep.
Date: 2013-03-18
From: Wayah Gap, Wayah Rd. - Aquone Hostel

To: Burningtown Gap - Aquone Hostel
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: overcast clouds

It is hailing (little bigger than pea-size and it's covering the deck here)as I type this journal entry. Boy, is it ever nice to be at the Aquone Hostel. I made a great decision to stop here !Steve drove me to Wayah Rd this morning and I resumed my hike North. All day long I only saw one other hiker and he was headed in the opposite direction. It was a cool, misty, and cloudy day. Rain was forecast to begin around 1 PM and it held off for the most part until that time. Got to use my trekking umbrella on the trail and it worked. I was in the clouds at Wayah Bald stone tower but I took a pic of the tower. It was a quiet day on the trail. I was alone but not afraid. Steve told me to embrace the mountain and I thought about that a lot as I hiked today.My pack is way too heavy and Maggie gave me a box so tonight I'll try to lighten the load. I'm carrying too much food. This is a whole new business. Trying to determine how far I can walk each day and when I'll be at the next resupply point. I also have more clothes than I need and other things that I will put in the box. Maggie will mail it home for me tomorrow. May send home the microspikes -- but seeing all the pea sized hail on the deck outside just now, I may hold on to them. This would be a cold night in a tent. It is thundering and lightening outside now. The storm should move through tonight and I'm hoping for a beautiful day tomorrow. I'm on my own now. Some of the people I have met and walked with have moved on ahead of me and some are behind. But that means there will be new people to meet or maybe God wants me to hike alone for a time. I hiked in my Teva Hurricane sandals today for the first time on this hike and I think my right foot was pleased to have the comfort. The PF is no worse. I have something going on with my left big toe at the base of the nail. It seems my Salomon Synapse shoe on that foot is creasing at that point and irritating the toe ... maybe, it's a sign I should just wear my sandals.I have the hostel to myself this evening, I guess. They do not accept guests after 9 PM. I'll repack my pack and get ready for the morning.As usual, there's a pretty good climb out of the gap and then along the ridge line. Not sure where I'll spend the night.Thank you everyone for your prayers. It's a mental struggle for me at times which is normal but I'm still happy to be out here and heading North.
Date: 2013-03-19
From: Burningtown Gap - Aquone Hostel

To: A. Rufus Morgan Shelter
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: light snow

My first day to feel like the AT was my home. Walked alone and sauntered. Took side trail for beautiful view at Rocky Bald. Took 45 min. lunch in sun @Tellico Gap. Just Dan and Kyle stopped for lunch; shared my cheddar cheese. Just Dan left his new block in refrig at Budget Inn in Franklin. Nails & Dirtdog came up as I finished lunch. Hope to see them again. This is the view from Wesser Bald observation tower. Was at Wesser Bald Shelter too early in the afternoon to stay and decided not to stop. Whoa - the Jump Off and trail afterwards made me rethink that decision. I had to scoot down on my bottom to get down from the Jump Off; my legs were not long enough to make the step. After a LONG 11.9 mile walk, I arrived at A. Rufus Morgan shelter about 6 pm. Set up tent in beautiful spot. Just Dan hammocked. Kyle was in tent. Johnny Cash, Broken Pack, Bean and Vice were in the shelter. Fighter jet flew over real low @ 9 pm. Sounded so loud I thought it was going to crash. Weird to hear this out here in the wilderness. Best nite of sleep on trail.
Date: 2013-03-20
From: A. Rufus Morgan Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)
Miles today: 1.0
Weather: overcast clouds

A nero - for my family and friends who may not understand since I only hiked 1 mile from the shelter to get here and I will be taking the rest of the day off, it is called a nero; a zero is when you don't hike at all during the day. First thing - had a great breakfast at the restaurant. When I walked in the waitress seated me at a table by myself but the table next to me invited me to join them. So I had breakfast with Johnny Cash, Bean, Vice, Broken Pack and Just Dan who had spent the night at A. Rufus Morgan Shelter too. What a kind invitation. Afterwards I joined Movie Star, Hermes and Carly to talk with them during their breakfast. Got a bunk room with Carly from Kennesaw, GA. I have seen Carly (possibly Rainbow Braid), Hermes, Detour along the way. We keep traveling about the same pace. Afterwards I soaked foot in river and it felt better. Bought new trail runners because my original shoes after getting caked with mud and drying was rubbing on my left big toe. I took a shower. Talked with my husband. Great 1/2 lb. burger, fries and beer with Carly and Hermes for dinner. Going to sleep now in warm bunk. Supposed to be 13 degrees outside. All is good.