morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-04-01
From: Groundhog Creek Shelter

To: Walnut Creek Shelter
Miles today: 13.1

Mother Nature played a joke on us. It snowed a lot. The sky was dark all day, and it was very, very cold. All my clothes are soaked, so it will be unpleasant getting dressed tomorrow. Brrr. I hope to arrive in Hot Springs tomorrow to dry out.I rose rather late this morning because it was so crowded in the shelter. Everyone was jockeying for position to cook, eat, pack and head out into the icy rain. When I left there was only one hiker left behind me. Most all the hikers from yesterday went further, so as of now, 6:00 pm, there are only three here. I had a difficult time hiking in the horrible weather because my glasses fogged so badly. My intermittent wiper system failed to perform satisfactorily. I had to remove my glasses to see at all. Then I simply followed the prints of other hikers in the snow. On top of Max Patch Summit (a large bald) the wind, fog and blowing ice weather conditions were extreme. It was like I imagined trekking to the North Pole would be like. Fortunately it was only about a quarter mile for me. Visibility at times was about a ten feet radius. Then I could spot a landmark through the haze.The trail crossed unpaved mountain roads and barbed wire fences.That got me humming Dueling Banjos.Then I stepped on a "thlippery woot." Whump! Face down into themuddy trail hands with hiking poles splayed out helplessly. That got me to humming "I With I Were a Little Thlippery Woot." It goes like this: (to the tune - "If You're Happy and You Know It Clap Your Hands.") I with I was a little thlippery woot!I with I was a little thlippery woot!I'd be Thlippery, I'd be SlimyI would drop them on their hiney,I with I was a little thlippery woot.
Date: 2004-04-02
From: Walnut Creek Shelter

To: Elmers: Hot Springs
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: moderate rain

I arose late today because it was too cold to get up. My clothing that I hung in the shelter to dry was stiff with ice. I put on the frozen tee and rain pants and frozen raincoat and hurried to get moving. Amazing how a little exertion can warm you up. The snow was deep six inches on some mountains.Finally, as I neared Hot Springs, I left the snow as the altitude decreased. I entered a gap where a paved road was and I saw some ramps (wild onions) growing. I have read about them, so I was excited to see them. I dug one up with the tip of my hiking pole. Wow! Delicious and SO potent. Even now the taste remains in my mouth. I love hiking with the spring.Another gap and I saw my first dogwoods in bloom. It's amazing. The difference in what you can see as you traverse one or twomountains.I had a couple falls again today. One was quite spectacular. I slid on a puddle of mud with my right foot. My left knee and ankle accordianed under me. In an instant I found myself rolling down the slope of the trail. It happened so fast and my face slammed into the ground. I cut my face a little, though I've yet to look into a mirror. My knee and ankle were pretty sore the rest of the day. I think the rest this weekend will fix everything.As I first saw Hot Springs when I was descending the mountains, Iremembered my thoughts from earlier about bailing out here. I began to get very sentimental, missing my family so much. There are so many GOOD reasons to quit. As I realized how lonely I felt at that moment my eyes became wet and soon I was almost crying. I want to come home and I want to go to Maine too. I'm staying on the trail. I have to say I appreciate the support of my entire family: Mom, brothers and sister and their spouses and kids, wife and my kids, too. I love you all.Elmers is quite nice. It's an old house with lots of antiques. When I arrived, another hiker told me he had been turned away because there was no vacancy. I went in anyway and asked if Nancy and Bob had secured reservations, and luckily they had made reservations for me too!!! I got my package with Mom's delicious cookies, goodies and supplies from Sue. Thanks!The room I'm sharing with Bob has no heat unfortunately... youhave to leave the door that connects to the dining room open toget heat. I am warmed up now in the laundromat down the street. I wish I could sleep here!
Date: 2004-04-03
From: Elmers: Hot Springs

To: Elmers: Hot Springs
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Nancy, Bob and I had a nice time shopping, but I didn't do anything to lighten my pack. The town is very small and the stores stock very limited products. But I did increase my load with food. I will send some stuff home, or I should say, Nancy will post some stuff for me, bless her heart.I am sitting in this old, beautiful mansion FREEZING. The doors are open letting in the crisp mountain breeze and I'm feeling icy. I took a shower and it helped warm me, but the water wasn't hot. On the bright side, the dinner served in the candle-lit dining room was second to none.Elmer's back porch that hikers enter and exit by is covered with political messages, bumper stickers, Howard Dean Campaign posters and signs. It's pretty funny, and it seems most of his guests follow his political leanings. One I felt was humorous said, "Want to do something for the environment? Plant a Bush in Texas."I felt too cold all day to desire a hot tub experience. My blisters were aggravated yesterday, hiking in wet shoes and socks. With this cold, cold house I feel they haven't had a chance to improve. Well, complain, complain... seems its all I do. On the bright side, however, I really loved visiting with Nancy and Bob very much. That's a huge highlight for this town visit. Bob and Nancy wouldn't even allow me to pay for my room and food. Thanks!!-Later: Elmer placed a heater in our room last night after diner... WOW! It sure was nice to be WARM!
Date: 2004-04-04
From: Elmers: Hot Springs

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

It was tough seeing Nancy and Bob drive down the trail (yes, Main Street in Hot Springs is the trail). I had a tough time deciding to stay on the trail, because coming home would be so much easier. But I hiked out of town.Today's flowers were beautiful. Loads of violets, bluets and others I can't identify. The scenery at times was inspiring as well. I was surprised when I suddenly came upon a beautiful pond after several miles of solitary hiking. Even though the air was cool the water looked incredibly inviting. If it would have been 20 degrees warmer I would have been FORCED to go skinny dipping... an even greater surprise may have occurred because there was a road hiding unseen a few yards beyond the pond. I laughed imagining how my relaxing dip could have turned into a harried emergency to avoid exposing myself to a family out for a picnic.I stopped when I passed the gap at U.S. 25 and 70. I sat on a log and removed my shoes and socks as I ate lunch. My friend, Wounded Knee, had already overtaken me and planned to do 15 miles today. Soon another friend came by, James the Wandering Nunn, an 18 year old student in his gap year, defined as the year between high school and college in England. He is fun to know and listen to. His British accent is refreshing. He asked about my blisters; he's always willing to help. I asked why he left Hot Springs because I thought he planned to stay longer. He said; "I decided I had to leave because everyone was too polite. They always say please and thank you. I had to get back on the trail where I belong and where a hiker can fart at the table."Here at this shelter are Condor, Moonshine, Hoplite, Mo, Sasquatch and Ghia, and a couple I haven't talked to. Moonshine was cooking spam on a stick as I arrived. He's a nice young man that I met before NOC.
Date: 2004-04-05
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: clear sky

I had lunch at this shelter then pressed on, but I turned around and returned here. This shelter is at 3,300 feet elevation, and the next shelter is at 4,150, with a 4,750 mountain in the first mile. There are patches of snow on the ground here, and as I started the climb I was soon walking in deep snow. I reasoned that the next shelter would be full, according to the information in registers and word of mouth. So I knew I would have to set up camp in the snow. So I returned. It is very cold today, near freezing temperatures all day. Windy! Unpleasant!I got out of Spring Mountain Shelter rather late this morning. I stopped to take my vitamin I and Mo caught up. I first met her in Franklin when she stopped by my room to invite me to dinner with the other hikers in town. I could see she wasn't her normal cheerful self, so I asked if she was OK. Nope! She met a guy in Hot Springs that she liked a lot and he liked her. She was having a very hard time all day today, wondering what she should do. She decided to hike a few days to think about it. I hope she is able to work it out.Here at the Little Laurel Shelter are Ashtray, Sasquatch, Ghia and a family of four. The family is so nice to see because they are all working together to dry out shoes and socks and making dinner. They had a tough, wet hike and there is no bickering, just cooperation. They built a nice fire, seems they have done this before. They said they hike a lot together as a family activity.
Date: 2004-04-06
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I headed out early today re-climbing 4,750 ft Camp Creek Bald that I had climbed yesterday evening. The ground underfoot was crunchy where it had been muddy and slippery before because of the freezing wind that blew most of the night. Fortunately it stopped before morning. I came to a sign that offered a blue blazed foul weather route rather than the white blazed exposed ridge route. I chose the white blazed trail. Unwise! Soon I was clambering up treacherous ice covered rocks. But the scenes from the ridge were the best of the trail so far. The difficulty of the ridge trail slowed me to a snail's pace on a day I wanted to do 12 miles through the snow. I stopped for lunch after 6 miles at Jerry Cabin Shelter. Mo had left a note in the register for me saying thanks cause I helped her when she was having a bad day. Sweet girl. After lunch I started up Big Butt - aptly named. It looks like a huge butt with two matching well-proportioned cheeks with a perfectly placed indentation between them sloping off the ridge. My friends Ashtray, Sasquatch and Ghia were all here at Flint Moutain and Scuba that I hiked with near Franklin walked in a few minutes ago. Good to see him.I passed the grave site of two soldiers that were killed during the Civil War. They lived in NC but enlisted in the Union army. William and David Shelton, Uncle and nephew were killed by Confederates when they returned to a family gathering. A bit of trail history... In 1994, a hiker was bitten on the hand by a fox at this shelter as he was sleeping. Right now, insects are swarming about my head... no bites yet.
Date: 2004-04-07
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Sams Gap
Miles today: 11.2

Today was a wonderful day. I ate a huge breakfast, ramen noodles, cooked oatmeal with lots of brown sugar and orange flavored gatorade. I have decided slowed me considerably. I had talked with Ashtry and we planned to get to Sams Gap and hitch to Erwin, Tennesee. Ashtray is amazing, he seems to hike effortlessly and fast. He stopped at a shelter to allow me to catch up, but I didn't take the side trail to the shelter, so I passed him and arrived at the gap before him. At the gap was Sasquatch, Ghia, Scuba and two SOBOs. Will and Bill, a father and son were handing out trail magic and lots of it. I had FOUR hotdogs two snickers, two cokes, two Little Debbies. MMM! Thanks VERY MUCH!! They took my pic and will email it so Sue can place it on this page.Later, Ashtray arrived and called a friend that he thought would bring us into Erwin, but that option failed. He decided to hike on, so Will and Bill offered to bring me into town. I can't tell you how much I appreciate all they did for me. They are incredibly generous and kind.Hiking in the sunshine felt good. It was the first warm day in a long time. The trail was mostly flat or gentle down hills for the first three miles, then I reached Devils Fork Gap. I need more fuel. The hike was quite easy most the way, but some steep hils Imagine a post card photo of deeply green pastures and old log cabins and picturesque farms. There was a real cowsill over a barbed wire fence on the other side of the road, as the trail traversed a green pasture. Soon I crossed another road and there was a log bridge over a little stream which reminded me of probably the first Sunday School song I ever learned: "Give Said the Little Stream." That was stuck in my head when the hard climbs began. I climbed from an elevation of 2,960 ft at Rector Laurel Road to 4,579 ft at Frozen Knob in about three miles.The spring flowers are thickening. I saw my first fully open Bloodroot. It was worth the wait. White petals with a brightyellow center and about an inch in diameter. I saw a beautiful waterfall too. I sent my camera home and truly regretted not having one on several occasions today. I'll buy another one soon. (Which means the great scenes will be gone of course). I saw lots of pansies, they are such happy little things! Did you know I enjoy wild flowers???I was getting settled into my bunkroom here at Uncle Johnnys hostel and a fellow hiker named Photo Op or Ross Lanius, a retired teacher asked me if I'd like to go into town for dinner, cause he has a car. You wouldn't believe how that brightened my evening plans. Here I am with all my clothes in a laundry basket and all I have to wear is my raingear - and I get an offer to get real town food. I was elated had we had a very enjoyable meal and conversation. Photo op has a friend named...well...guess what?Dave WetstoneMake that two friends with a very similar name.
Date: 2004-04-08
From: Sams Gap

To: Uncle Johnnys Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

I was feeling quite pleased with my blister situation the last four days. Symptoms remained and I was afraid to become confident that the seige was over. Hiking with wet shoes yesterday proved to be too much once again. I have a large callous on the outside of each heel. The blisters continue to form under the callous. Johnny shuttled everyone into town for breakfast. An omlette on the menu offered to make it the way you like it. I asked for a Denver omlette. Soon the waitress returned to ask what's in a Denver omlette. "Ham, green peppers, onions and cheddar cheese", I said. She left and began repeating the ingredients to the cook as she went thru the kitchen doors. She returned in a few seconds to say they only have Swiss or american cheese. I said "Swiss sounds interesting." We waited some time for our food to arrive at the table - I'm guessing it was my order causing the delay. It was yummy, but in the place of green peppers was red and yellow bell peppers, LOADS of ham some onion and of course Swiss cheese. I also had biscuits and gravy. I could get to like biscuits and gravy!I walked to Main Street and sat on a bench and wrote postcards. I love this little Mayberry type town. When I finished the postcards I crossed the street and browsed the drug store and bought some drugs... calcium. *wink* and peanuts. then I walked a block to the post office. The friendly clerk was asking a lot of questions about my hike. He guessed I was a thru hiker. Maybe its was my scruffy appearance. I am getting scruffy "fur shure."From the post office I walked to the grocery and then to the radio shack. I played with the electronic piano for a few minutes then I asked for a small radio which he didn't have any more of cause hikers had bought him out. I said "Damn Hikers" and he laughed appreciatively. I walked to a burrito place and ate lunch, then crossed the street to the bank. Mayberry! Everything is so close together but there are only a few hikers on foot, everyone else drives. Now I'm at the hostel again typing my journal... ahhh!!! but youguessed that huh!
Date: 2004-04-10
From: Uncle Johnnys Hostel, Erwin, TN

To: Uncle Johnnys Hostel, Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It's like heaven to have a shower every day. Johnny's shower setup is nice. Its got HOT water and privacy, but the room isn't heated. I'm undecided whether to have breakfast in town or cook my own...I need someone to twist my arm. OK OK... A town breakfast. A smaller one than the previous two days though.10:25 Having decided to have another town breakfast I asked about Johnny's shuttle... This is a big drawback at Uncle Johnnys. His place is 4 miles from Main Street businesses, but I can't rely on him for a ride. Johnny doesn't make his plans known so I learned late that there would be no shuttle this morning. In the last few days I have seen much more of Miss Janet than Johnny. Fortunately, Johnny does have a few bicycles for us and some are in operating condition. I grabbed a bike and rode to the pharmacy to fill my prescription then I found the Huddle House for breakfast. Yummy. I sit here in the booth in Huddle House pondering what to do next. I definitely want a milk shake for lunch at a real soda fountain in a store I saw my first day here. It reminded me of the soda fountain in the Walgreens store in old Salt Lake 40 years ago. I may stop by Miss Janets to see if she has room for a convalescing hiker... 1:13 Miss Janets place is full and has a waiting list and understandably so. I had learned her place was full before I got to town, but she will arrange for hikers to meet and share a room at the Super 8 for a very modest price. But all is well here at Johnnys for me. The bikes make town visits pleasurable. I visited the Radio Shack again just to play with their electronic keyboard. It's a very cool device and has a MIDI built in with PC software... Dear Santa, ...3:30 The day became long as some hikers returned to the trail and things quieted down. Now hikers from a group I've shared too many shelters with is arriving. There is a Catfish special at the Elms restaurant in town tonight. What I need is someone to twist my arm. Nah... Really, I eat too much town food. I'll cook tonight.4:30 Well... my arm has been twisted, everyone here is going to town for dinner and I HAVE always wanted to try Southern Catfish. That is IF the promised shuttle arrives. What can I say! I changed my mind! Whetstone aka Catfish Hunter
Date: 2004-04-11
From: Uncle Johnnys Hostel, Erwin, TN

To: Uncle Johnny's Hostel, Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Easter SundaySome of the hikers went to the beautiful little church across the river for Easter Services and a fiery sermon. I abstained.   I had some fruit for my breakfast and set up my tent on the lawn because I really hadn't figured out the tent before this. It's a lot easier than I made it out to be the first time I used it. I should have had the salesman show me the setup when I purchased it, but I am not a good shopper.I called Sue just after noon. I was not planning to go to Miss Janet's Easter Dinner because it would be crowded and because I have been eating too much during this town stay. Sue told me Stumpknocker sent me a message that he was visiting Miss Janet's place, so I decided to go to the dinner to see how he's doing.The dinner was terrific. I'm sure glad I went, not just because of the great food, but also because of the great hikers there. I met Burn, Mickey One Sock, and old friends Wounded Knee, Honey Pie, James-the Wandering Nun, Shot, Hoss, Ashtray and many others. I met Miss Janet. What a doll! She's a real sweetheart and makes a person feel welcome immediately. After dinner we had an egg war. My egg lost its first contest so we were eliminated right away. I was sorry to learn I missed Stumpknocker. Maybe I'll see him before I leave town...We were shuttled back to Johnny's after dinner and it began to rain. It's cold and I'm very glad to be warm and dry. I'm so looking forward to hiking tomorrow ... NOT!   Tomorrow if it isn't raining hard, I'll ask for a ride to Sams Gap so I can continue my hike. There are other options. I could skip this section and return later - just to get moving. I could still slack-pack this section. What should I do? I think slack pack from Sams Gap to Spivey Gap - about 13 miles. Problem is getting a ride back to here at the end of the hike.Later: During this day I began to experience stiffness in my knee and hip. In the night my left knee became immobile and a full-blown arthritis flare-up ensued.   I'm not making this crap up just to avoid the weather - I "pwomise"!a.k.a. Hypochondriac
Date: 2004-04-12
From: Uncle Johnny's Hostel, Erwin, TN

To: Uncle Johnny's Hostel, Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

There's a guy I don't remember mentioning before, Hillbilly. He is a hiker, but for now he is working for Uncle Johnny in the store. He sits with the hikers and shares advice and stories. Everyone enjoys his input and humor. He is generous as well, sharing what he has if you need it. When he learned I had a problem with my knee he lent me hisheating pad and it has helped me recover quickly. I feel so much better already. I am hoping I can make arrangements for a slack-pack tomorrow.I'll write more later... ...Arrangements for a slack-pack were easy, Johnny's wife Charlotte was willing to take me to Sams Gap and later pick me up at Spivey Gap - a hike of 13 miles.As the evening turned cooler and I suppose the barometer fell my left knee got tight again and through the night it ached and became very stiff. The pills and heating pad helped, but didn't provide the miracle. I canceled my slack pack; the leg was hurting; and the rain was coming down hard. What a day!!! Hope tomorrow is better.
Date: 2004-04-13
From: Uncle Johnny's Hostel, Erwin, TN

To: Uncle Johnny's Hostel, Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It was raining hard when I woke. I went to breakfast and had another huge meal. I'm considering going to lunch with the other hikers too. But I noticed an A&W that is also appealing. I am craving a root beer float now. It's a short bike ride, so I'm more than tempted. At least it will be a quiet lunch.I sit here on the deck outside the hostel and a common trail occurrence is taking place, lots of visiting and talking. Sometimes the quiet is nice. The lunch was great, A&W root beer float and Long John Silver's seafood platter. Two different menus under the same roof. A nice corporate merger here.   It was raining hard all morning and the Nolichucky River has risen dramatically. The huge boulders that were creating a kayakers dream white water playground is now submerged. The river is still about fifty feet below this hostel. No worries!