morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-02-18
From: Hiawassee

To: Hiawassee Mull's Motel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

It's always nice to be ina friendly town. We spent the day running around town doing town stuff. We got 2 hours on the internet at the library. That was nice! I was able to post on my journals to update it. It was funny as I was typing in my entries Stumpknocker was reading them on the computer next to me. Apparently a lot of people were reading them as I posted each one. Even Tripod and Jan Lite Shoe read my journal. They knew everything we had done before we got to speak with them later that night. We're staying at the Mull's Hotel. It's nice enough. Plus it's in the middle of everything we need. Fast food places, post office, library, groecery stores, resturants and laundry. I spent about an hour up at the laundry mat with Virginia, the owner. She's lived in Hiawassee her entire 83 years of life. It's always nice to hear about the town you're in. And the town gossipis always interesting. Virginia helped to pass the time away while waiting on our laundry. SHe looked and dressed similar to my grandma.   She seemed to like hikers. Told me a few stories about finding hikers sleeping in the laundry mat. It seemed as if today was just non-stop. After laundry it was off to dinner at Daniel's steakhouse. All you can eat buffet $6.50. SOunds like my kind of dinner. I think I've eatten too much. Now I'm feeling sleepy. Can't wait until breakfast.
Date: 2004-02-19
From: Hiawassee Mull's Motel

To: Tray Moutain Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

I think I slept in the softest bed in the world last night. That was better then my feather bed. I didn't want to get out of it this morning. It truely was a beautiful thing. We were in town long enough for the library to open so we could check our mail again. I love reading the entries in my guest book. Heather your entry was great! Both Stumpknocker and me loved it. It really helped my attitude about my knees. It put the bounced into my step and took the limp out. Well I think the beautiful 64*F sunny skies had a little to do with that too.I really love walking on days like this. I felt so good I wanted to run. That was my mind's idea not my legs! I most likely would have tried to run but the ace bandages on both knees kind of restricted my movements. GOOD THING!It was an easy hitch out of town. Actually didn't even have to put out our thumbs. We were walking from the library to the main road getting ready to hitch. This older man leaning up against the street sign asked if we wanted a ride up to the trail. He said he was only watching the guys across the street put a metal roof up, he had nothing better to do so he drove us up to the trail. We never caught his name but he was friendly. He had new people to tell his stories to. He even introduced us to a new phrase. He said he has a "Husband In-law!" apparently it is your x-wife's current husband. He was a hoot! and he got us up to the trail by 11:30, NICE!With the sun shining and the mild tempatures made it a nice walk up to Tray Mtn. shelter. Nice views up at this shelter. Got sort of a view of the sunset. Great view of the valley below. Lots of lights down there. More than I thought would be there.   We should have an awesome view of the sunrise. We got a 14.8 mile day ahead of us. Looks like the first 7 miles are going to be rough with the climbs and descents. It's going to be a high advil day tomorrow. At least the last almost 8 miles look ok. Can't wait!For now I'll lay here in my bag listening to the local country station staring out at the stars. It's the nice thing about sleeping up this high. It almost seems as if you are right up in the sky with all the stars!
Date: 2004-02-20
From: Tray Moutain Shelter

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up to a nice sunrise. Yup that's what I've been waiting for. Little chilly this morning. I waited until 9:00 before leaving camp. Stumpknocker took off an hour earlier. I knew our day wasn't very difficult so I took my time.The first 7.7 miles were the worst. Went up about 300 feet to Tray Mtn summit, that wasn't bad. The 2.5 mile 1,317 foot descent was fun with ice. Then 1.4 miles up a 904 ft climb up Rocky Mtn. followed by a 1,068 foot descent over about 1.3 miles. Then back up 1,076 feet in 1.4 miles. That's a lot of ups and downs. I was real happy to do that too my knees. The rest of the afternoon was sweet! Very little elevation change.It was sunny when we woke up but by noon it was cloudy, windy and chilly. I wore my skirt and was happy to have the ace bandages covering most of my mid-leg. I couldn't wait to get out of the wind. I arrived at camp around 4:00. Looked like there was a lot of people there. Besides Stumpknocker there was a family of four from Florida and 2 preachers from the area. Stumpknocker let me know he had warned the preachers about me before I got there. Now what could he have possible said?!?! I'm not that bad! Well not most of the time! everyone was tenting except for 2 of us. I was happy to be in the shelter with rain in the forcast. I hate packing up a wet tent. We got 10.6 miles into Neels Gap tomorrow. We're spemding the night at Goose Creek Cabins. I've got a mail drop with beer waiting on us there. Yeah another shower! From Neels Gap we got 3 more days. Looks like we'll go for a 16 mile day into Gooch Shelter on Sunday. 14.5 miles into Springer Mtn. Shelter on Monday. Leaving 9 miles for Fat Tuesday. A nice few last days. I'll need it! I'm happy to be getting off the trail in a few days. I wouldn't want to push my knees any further. The pain has lasted too long and is starting to get to me. I mean how much can you take until you've had enough? I think I'm almost there. And almost out of Advil! I'll have to resupply at Neel's Gap. Oh yeah todays Quote...."Alieve -SUCKS!"   They did nothing for the pain. Matter of a fact the pain laughed at them. I'll stick to advil!
Date: 2004-02-22
From: Goose Creek Cabins- Neels Gap

To: Gooch Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: few clouds

Day # 1316 miles today and no ace bandages!!!!!!!!!!! I was able to keep a 3 mph pace even on the uphills. It was about 55*F and sunny! Lots of people out on the trail. We got into camp around 4:30/5:00. There was 5 north bound thru hikers already at the shelter. It was nice to camp with other thru hikers. One more night to go. Wow almost time for Puerto Rico. It figures my knees start feeling better when I'm a day and a half away from a rest. I guess I'll just have to do some hiking while on my holiday in Puerto Rico. Maybe climb the high point while I'm there. That sounds good.Not in a mood to write much tonight. I guess it's just that kind of night.
Date: 2004-02-23
From: Gooch Mtn. Shelter

To: Springer Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Day #14I was just not in the mood to write last night. The 16 miles made me very sleepy. Although we had a bad snorer in the shelter with us. Hard to go to sleep with that. It got real bad about 1:00am. I yelled at the guy. Everyone thanked me for it this morning. Don't get me wrong the guy was a REALLY GREAT person just snored the entire night! Here is a helpful hint if you are a BAD snorer... Don't sleep in shelters! You'll make more friends that way! We managed to get an early enough start just before 9:00. We walked all day with only 2 breaks. Short ones too! We just pushed ourselves to Springer Mtn. We made it there by 3:30! Made it before the rain too! Stumpknocker decided to share the shelter with me tonight. I'm glad! This will be the last time for a while that we'll be camped out together. Kind of sad to see it end. It was fun to stalk him along the trail this year. 553 miles of stalking! I figured it out last night. I couldn't believe that's how far I hiked with him. Now only 9 more miles left. I guess now it's his turn to stalk me!!!!!!!!I'm very much looking forward to finishing tomorrow. I've been dreaming about fried chicken , mashed potatoes, veggies, maybe some corn bread, a little salad lots of dessert!!!!!!! Yeah can't wait for lunch!!! I love all you can eat resturants. It's a beautiful thing!Gathlinburg tomorrow night! And with any luck Tripod gets an early start so he arrives in time for dinner!
Date: 2004-02-25
From: New Jersey

To: Puerto Rico
Miles today: 1608.0

I promised Stumpknocker I would do an update while in Puerto Rico. So here it is....The weather has not been the best. Seems like I've seen more clouds then sun. We've been here for almost a week now. We have explored the entire eastern side of the island. I found a few nice beaches that we had all to ourselves. That was nice. Although yesterday we had other people on the beach with us. I even got yelled out by the security guard to put my top back on. And like myself I just acted as if they were telling me to get out of the water. The top stayed off. I just don't like tanlines at all!I'm expecting the Yuppie Chic, Mary Ann, to arrive this evening. She is spending my birthday weekend with us. I can't wait until she is here. She's always a hoot! Tripod has been very busy working on his mother's home. Although he does break away for the afternoon to go sun tanning with me. I have logged a lot of miles driving around the island. There isn't many straight roads here. My arms are getting a workout with all the mountain roads. I have to say the views have been wonderful. I'm not sure if we are planning on staying a week longer then expected. I think I'll have to wait until monday to find out. I won't mind the extra weeks rest on the knees. They seem to be getting better but the pain comes and goes. Just when I think I'm having a good day I do something to cause the pain to return. I think I can hike on them again. I just can't go running down the mountians for a while. I'll just have to take my time. It's ok I think Tripod might be hiking the Smokey's with me when I return. This will help me to keep the pace slower. I just can't wait to be back out on the trail. Ok time to go back out in the sun.
Date: 2004-03-12
From: New Jersey

To: New Jersey
Miles today: 0.0

I had planned to be returning to the trail today. Doesn't look that way. I'm still in New Jersey. I've spent the last 3 nights in town running around catching up with everyone I haven't seen in a month.   Been out to eat every night so far. It is still all about the food. I wasn't that impressed by the food in Puerto Rico. I really don't like puerto rican food. I think Taco Bell was the meal of choice for me while down there.I had a great side trip to the island.   Got to explore the entire eastern side of the Island. Even got to spend my birthday having fun in San Juan with Tripod and Yuppie Chic. We had a blast. I learned I can drive on just about any twisty curvey road you throw at me. That was interesting.   Even got a speeding ticket while there. 77mph in a 60! Oh well not like they can come after me in New Jersey. I spent my 2 or so weeks laying around on the beach recoverying.   And it worked. The knees are feeling back to their old selves.   I can't wait to see how out of shape I am. I'm thinking it's not going to take much to get me back into the shape I was 3 weeks ago. I think the smokeys will work nicely for that. Oh the Smokey's I just can't wait. I just love that park. Well all except that crowed lean-too thing. But I got a tent so I don't care. I'm also thinking about sleeping in 2 firetowers while in the smokeys. Shuckstack is great for 2 short people. But it's a long walk down for your morning pee.   Great place to catch the sunset and sunrise. I hope the weather is nice. There is also another really big tower off a side trail just south of Davenport Gap shelter. I plan on sleeping in that one for sure. I bought a new backpack yesterday. Tripod's birthday present to me. That's 2 years in a row he has gotten me a backpack for my birthday. And they are both Gregory's. Last year was the "G" Pack - Love it but had to have a load under 20 lbs for that pack. This year it's the "Z" Pack. I'll let you know how it works out. I think I'm gonna like it.   Only thing is now everything I'm hiking with is red. Red.. skirt, shirt, hat, glove, pack, sleeping bag, therma rest, underwear! Where's the tie dye??? I am a Hippie after all.Well it looks like Monday I return at least to the south. Maybe a tuesday morning start. Looks like Tripod is coming out for at least a few days through the smokeys. I hope the weather is good.   I'm too used to 90*F temps not that 20*F stuff!   I'm looking forward to meeting all of this year's class of thru hikers.   WOnder how they all are doing now!   See you down the trail.
Date: 2004-03-16
From: Fontana Dam

To: Spencer Field Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: moderate rain

We hiked up 16.7 miles to SPecner Field Shelter. Almost a full house. Just 1 space left open in the shelter.   I ran into 2 guys who I had met last year at Clingman's Dome in March. Funny how many times you can run into the same people at here.We are pretty tired.   It was a long walk. I;m just happy the skies turned blue and sunny.   Made for a nice day. Warmed up to about 60*f. Very nice. Just wished I had the nerve to climb up Shuckstack Mtn. Firetower. I got scared half way up. Damn fear of heights.
Date: 2004-03-17
From: Spencer Field Shelter

To: silers bald shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up to a chilly morning. I wasn't rushing to start the day. I stayed in my bag until 10:30. We let everyone else leave before us. This worked out perfectly. By the time we climbed up to the top of Rocky Top it had cleared enough for a great view. A lot of ups and downs today. My knees felt great. I still would rather climb up them to go downhill. Tomorrow Clingman's and then town.
Date: 2004-03-18
From: silers bald shelter

To: New Found Gap
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: moderate rain

Woke up to snow again. It was a cold one.   ANother day of hiking in my pants. I just can't wait for summer.   We bundled up and started our day being the last hikers to leave the shelter. It didn't take long to start passing everyone who left before us. It was easy with no views, well besides the inside of the clouds. It snowed, rained and almost blew us away all the way to clingman's dome. It was so cold, windy and foggy we didn't bother going up to the tower. It was a quick advil break and we were gone.All my fears came true with my rain jacket. It was no longer a rain jacket. The water soaked right through into my clothes. I was dripping wet before an hour after passing over CLingman's. I fell 4 times on the ice coming down. I had enough!! So when I saw Clingman's Dome Road we took it to New Found Gap. Only took an hour and half to do those 5 miles. I think being soaked and froozen was the prefect way to get me to haul ass.We didn't bother to hitch back to Fontana Dam for the truck. We went straight into Gathlinberg and the Grand Prix Motel. I wanted heat, hot shower and dry clothes. Which was difficult since all my clothes were soaked.   I was sorry once I got into that hot shower. The water at the Grand Prix is extremely hot. And that's the cold water. It took the chill right out of my bones.It seemed like a long day even though we were in town by 2:30. 16 miles in 5 hours. We were hauling ass. I knew it wouldn't take long before we fell asleep. I Was happy to be dry and warm again.
Date: 2004-03-19
To: zero day
Miles today: 0.0

We spent the day hitching from Gathlinberg to Fontana Dam. The first half of the hitch was easy and quick but the second half took some time. I think we finally got back to the truck around 2:30. It was a beautiful sunny day. Not a cloud in the sky. After getting back to the truck we headed right for the NOC for a rain jacket. Hit a grocery store for supplies. Then McDonalds for lunch. It took us so long to resupply and drive back up to New Found Gap that we decided to get a room for another night and call it a zero day.   Zero day #22. That's a record, 39 days since I started my thru hike and already I've taken 22 zero days.   We went down to Pigeon Fordge for a cheap room.It was nice to get another hot shower and have heat for the night. Besides I could really go for some more town food.
Date: 2004-03-20
From: Clingman's Dome 

To: New Found Gap
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

It's Spring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!I really wanted to wake up early and start hiking but that didn't happen. I hung around so long that I came up with a great idea as we were leaving the motel.   We'd drive up to New Found Gap hike up the road to where we got off the trail the other day and hike back to the truck and a hotel for the night. Sounded too good for either one of us to say no. Another beautiful day! Sunny Skies with big puffy white clouds quickly moving overhead. I think I got some more sun burn on my face while hiking up the road. Finally I have hiked this section. Even on my 2001 thru hike I walked up the road. And then again last year when I did this section in March. Still was too slippery to walk down the trail.   Nice section of trail. Glad to wait until the ice melted. We got back on the trail and hauled ass back to the truck. I got a few weather reports about some nasty thunder storms heading our way. I wasn't interested in getting caught in the rain again. It was a nice walk back. Very pretty views with the nicer weather. We made it back in 4 hours. By the time we got off the mountain into Pigeon Fordgeit was dark and began to rain. It was a great day. And I got to shower again! It was shower, quick dinner, back to the room for some tv and an early night. Tripod leaves in the morning and I start hiking alone for the first time on this hike. I hope the weather stays nice.
Date: 2004-03-21
From: New Found Gap

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: clear sky

We got up to New Found Gap about 10:45. It was windy and cold!!!!!! I took my time getting ready. Tripod decided not to hike today. I guess the weather was a little too much for him. We said our goodbyes quickly so I wouldn't freeze in my skirt. Then I was off. I had 7 1/2 hours to get into camp. I was trying for a 15 mile day.It was pretty cold hiking in my skirt. My legs were as red as my skirt!!! Only if the skirt was 2 1/2 inches longer! I thought about putting on my pants but didn't want to stop to get them out. I decided to only go the 10.4 to Peck's Corner shelter. I just wanted to get into my bag for warmth.I made it into camp at 4:20. Cute shelter and out of the wind. Perfect!   Another day over. We're expecting snow and really cold temps tonight. I'm hoping I stay warm. Got another day and half until I'm at Standing Bear Tree Farm Hostel.
Date: 2004-03-22
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: clear sky

Day #42ANother morning waking up to snow and cold temps. I stayed in my bag until the sun came out. That was about 10:10. I got out of camp around 11:00.   The snow covered landscape was beautiful. the cold winds kept me in my rain pants and jacket all day. When the skies finally cleared it made for a great day for a walk. The icey sections of the trail made it tricky. One fall just about broke my wrist.A lot of up hills. Thought this part was supposed to be mostly downhill. Maybe tomorrow. I finally made it into camp at Cosby Knob at 5:00. I was ready for some warmer clothes and some food. I thought about pushing on and sleeping in the Mtn. Cammerere Firetower but I wasn't sure about a water source close to the tower. I settled for Cosby Knob. Tomorrow I'm done with the Smokey's and back into a hostel. Standing Bear Tree Farm here I come. And I get another shower!!!!
Date: 2004-03-23
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Tree Farm Hostel
Miles today: 10.4

Woke up about 5:12 this morning. You know it used to be that I won't leave my sleeping bag in the dark. No matter how badly I had to pee! Now I rather pee then deal with the pain. Big help with getting over my fear of the dark!Last night wasn't as cold as the night before. I managed to get an early start, 9:30!   only 10.4 miles until the hostel. I took off first thing. beautiful day! Blue skies temps weren't bad. I got to hike in my skirt and t-skirt. Very nice day for a walk.I passed by the place I met the Tate'sin 2001! I'm very happy I got to met both of them. I had a lot of memories of my 2001 thru hike come back to me on this hike. It was a lot warmer on that hike then this one.On another note I just learned that Tim and Donna are new grandparents. Congrads Tim and Cold Feet!I got into Standing Bear Tree Farm about 1;30. I did my laundry first thing. Then I drank my beer, that I mailed to myself, with the owner of the hostel Curtis. The hot shower felt great. Got a ride to a general store and got some milk (not the powered kind) and soda. Bear Bags, Nails and Dances with Scarf got in about an hour after me. I was just happy to have heat for the night.Nice day on the trail. I hope they are all as perfect.
Date: 2004-03-24
From: Standing Bear Tree Farm Hostel

To: Max's Patch
Miles today: 14.0

Well warmer weather has returned. Beautiful blue skies and sunshine. I think I might have gotten some color on my face today. The sun was beating down on me all afternoon. I had some nice climbs today. I guess my pace was ok. By the end of the dayI was down to 2mph. But that might have to do with the fact I don't drink much water while hiking. I only got about a liter and half into me. I forgot to stop at Groundhog shelter to get water. Since I didn't stop and I don't carry anything to purify water. I had to wait until I got into camp and boiled water. I ran dry for the last 5 miles. That isn't fun.I made it all the way to Max's Patch to camp. Camped out right on top. Dances with Scarf and Nails also are here. Us girls had a great dinner with a great view. Not to worry we all got pictures of camp. I love days like this. Well except for seeing my first snake today. I saw him before I stepped on him so I'm doing ok. We're also wating on Bear Bag to show up. Not sure if he'll make it here or not. I last saw him heading up snowbird Mnt. He didn't seem to be doing all that good with the climb. But he also has a habit of showing up after dark. We'll see. Time to look at the stars
Date: 2004-03-25
From: Max's Patch

To: Deer Park Shelter
Miles today: 16.2

Great sunrise this morning. Also a great night on top of Max's Patch. A little windy but it wasn't that bad.   I got started early 8:07. Took a few breaks to enjoy yet another blue sky day. Other then that it was just another perfect day on the trail. Got into camp around 4:30. I had set up my tent, cooked and ate dinner all before anyone else showed up. Now that it's dark I'm ready to sleep. Hot Springs in the morning. Don't think I'll be staying there. I know this is where I leave Nails, Scarf and Bear Bag behind. I hope to see them in a week or so. Depends if I take a few zeros somewhere soon.