morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-03-20
From: Trey Mountain

To: Dick's Gap
Miles today: 10.6

I am in an AWESOME Hostel called the Blueberry patch, where for 17 dollars one receives a bed, shower, breakfast, and they do your laundry. It Rocks!! I am also gonna go to church tomorrow (Southern Baptist) along with "walk softly" and Heather, who hiked with me again today. I thought Heather was gone, but apparently she hiked until midnight and set up her hammock. Ted also hiked with us, but he camped early. We are all so pumped to be in town!! Tonight I ate steak and took a shower. WOW! I feel so awesome, and it takes so little to make me happy anymore. Hikers live in a special world! we dont shower and are always hungry. When we eat we sometimes gorge ourselves until were sick and we devour ice cream. We shun technology yet LOVE it when a car picks us up to hitchhike into town. There are so many things I could write about. I talked with dad and Maryland lost It was so nice to talk with home though and I am pumped to go to church tomorrow. There is an awesome (I have said awesome 300 times) hailstorm outside, but I am in a hostel. To close this journal here was my poem about the Blueberry Patch Hostel:I stopped at Blueberry Patch todayHitch hiked after walking from TreyWent into town for steak dinner4 couses, yet still I feel thinnerSo happy to be here tonightNice people, good food, and a bedAnd though I came in feeling half deadI'm so ready for tomorrow to comeHeck even my blisters are numbSo I'll trust God to help me not failWake up and set out on the trailSo as hostels go; none will matchThis lovely one here at Blueberry PatchGodnight!BEATBOX
Date: 2004-03-21
From: Dicks Gap

To: Plum Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 4.3
Weather: clear sky

I slept like a baby last night and went to church in the morning. Blueberry Patch Hostel was great!!! The church was the first Southern Baptist one I have attended, it was so nice to hear worship music. We even were "forced" to go to a pot luck dinner. I unwillingly ate my 3 courses of food and 2 cokes. Sadly over a great lunch, a fellow hiker kind of "bible-bashed" my friend Heather, but I trust God will handle all.Heather stayed at the hostel for a day to do service at the church and "walk softly" and I hiked from 1:45 to 4:15 and covered 4.3 miles. The incident at church prompted us to have a deep conversation about God. "Walk softly" is a nice 18 year old Catholic guy hiking the trail before college. Everything he said in conversation would lead me to believe he is a christian, and it is awesome to talk about God with someone. The beauty of nature surrounding us, seems to demand we discuss our creator. I sense his presence and touch so much out here.I feel great after real sleep and only 4 miles hiking. I will enter North Carolina tomorrow and continue to look forward to each new day. It was sad to see Heather go, but it is cool to get to know "walk softly". I ran into "happy trails" and "Dutch" (trail hookup... hehehe). Happy hiked with me on my second day and was headed to town as I returned to the trail. I hope to hike with him again. There are only 2 of us (myself and walk softly) in a Huge triple decker shelter. Apparently the army lowered into the Mountain to put it here (another fine use of tax dollars). I pray for people alot and I miss home. That said, I know I should be out here and I love it. I know I am too far awy to visit, but I would love e-mail and prayer. Goodnight and God bless.BEATBOX
Date: 2004-03-22
From: Plum Orchard Shelter

To: Indian Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: clear sky

WOW is it cold!!! The temperature is supposed to drop below 20 tonight. I am in a shelter. I hiked with Walk Softly again. We covered 12 miles in barely 6 hours. I wont need to hurry though, because I have a mail drop coming up at Fontana Dam and the Post Office will be closed Saturday and Sunday. So most of my days will remain at 12-14 miles a day. In 2 days I may even get to a computer.As we wakled today we talked about God and sang some old gospel songs- it was cool. We ran into a cool guy with a full red beard named "Fu man" (as in Fu manchu) who is winter through-hiking Maine to Georgia. He left September 19th and is almost finished. He said we looked like we had our suff together, this was encouraging.There are 3 other hikers out here, but walk softly and I are the only thru-hikers. Due to the cold I will wrap up this journal with a poem (from earlier today). [To all of my friends thank you for prayer and support- sign the guest book]First, a few more fun notes:- I hit North Carolina today - I built a good fire with walk softly- I wiped myself with a leaf (ha ha)Poem:Hit Carolina kept climbing higherNow I'm here writing in front of the fireThe weather today was not very niceHalf of the mountains were covered in iceBut we made it, and had fun anywayWe sang gospel songs all along the wayThe exact temperature no one knowsBut I can not feel my fingers or toesStill 12 miles more, we knocked off this tripAnd now its time that my coat I do zipSitting by this fire talking, having funSitting here until dinner is doneThen after hoisting my food from the bearsI'll fall asleep and forget all my caresLove y'all and GoodnightBEATBOX
Date: 2004-03-23
From: Indian Shelter

To: Rainbow Springs Campground
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: clear sky

I'm warm... YAY!! Last night it was near 10 degrees and my water froze again. Walk softly and I set out at 7:15am to try to warm up. by 8:30 I knew I had feet again. We hiked like crazy men and by 2:45 I had covered 14 miles and was atop Mount Albert (or fat Albert as I call it). My feet felt great so I split from Walk Softly and pushed 6 more miles in 2 hours and a mile walk on the road to Rainbow Springs Campground. The camp is warm and I had 2 cokes and a whole large sausage and pepperoni pizza. It is clear by my face that I am losing weight I called and e-mailed people. In my deliriousness I forgot to hit start on the dryer and my clothes are soaked. I sat in "the Roman Noodles" cabin and we talked for 2 hours tonight. They are a cool couple and this is the second common place we have shared (Blueberry Patch Hostel). They even gave me Apple Cinamon tea... Yum! I hope to meet back with "Walk Softly" on Monday. It was so nice to email and talk to people from back home. The camp bunkhouse is a yurt- I love that word it is so weird. I met TT, Nick, and Epiphonius ut did not get to talk much. Earlier today I met two funny old men, Grizzly and A.D. Grizzly told me how he was in better shape (than A.D.) but how he needed a better sleeping bag. He also sang "Me and Bobbly McGee" for us and told me about Janice Joplin. Grizzly is a 67 year old former football plater at U. of Iowa (50 years ago) and is quite hillarious. I spend a lot of time out here thinking and praying and I feel very blessed. I miss my sister Carla and talked to her tonight. Despite cold, wet clothes, sore feet; and exhaustion of a 20-mile day (first 20 miler... woohoo), I like it out here. Still I have not been eaten by a bear and still I look forward to tomorrow. Until then, God Bless:BEATBOX
Date: 2004-03-24
From: Rainbow Springs Campground

To: Wayah Bald
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: few clouds

What an unusual day of annoyances turned ino a blessing. A kind thru-hiker gave me $1.50 in quarters to do my laundry that did not dry properly last night. After that I ate 2 sausage egge and cheese biscuits and a coke and the shuttle dropped us off at 10am. I was annoyed at the late start, but would end up being glad.3 miles into today's hike "Trail Magic" occured. This is when a nice person (trail angel or t.a.) does something randomly kind for a hiker. A trail angel left a cooler with cherry pie, pepsi, juice and fruit along the trail with the verse Isaiah 40:31 (quoted later). Who knows if the cooler would have been there if I had started earlier as I wanted. I hiked on with "TT" and "the Roman Noodles" who are an awesome couple I really enjoy talking to. I was blessed by this SWEET waterfall and took a ridiculous picture of it.As the day wore on I grew more tired... more so than on any day so far. I kept walking and then ran out of water for a while before finally finding more. Even with water I kept forgetting to eat and drink and was dead at 2pm when I reached Wine Spring, the place where I had planned to camp. How I managed to get there I dont know, I was not thinking, not praying, just trudging. Oddly enought I knew I needed to push on, I am so glad I did.After about 5 minutes, aching and tired I kind of broke down. It was just me and God, and I was beat- I just cried out that I needed his help. Just then the verse from the inside of the cooler surged into my brain- "But they that wait on the Lord shall renew their strength: they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run and not be weary; and they shall walk and not faint." WOAH! All at once God broke me down and showed me wha I needed and it was a revelation:1. "Of course you will be tired if you don't drink or eat that which I give you (his word)"2. Sometimes talk is meaningless - Be Quiet and walk where I lead3. I know God is breaking me down for a reason- so that I will wait on him and him alone to be my everything. When he is he will always renew my strengthAfter intense prayer and worship the song below touched my heart as what God wanted from me:Be Still1. Hide me now under your wingsCover me with your mighty handchorus:For when the oceans rise and thunders roarI will soar with you above the stormFather you are King over the floodI will BE STILL know you are God2. Find rest my soul, in Christ aloneTo know his power, in quietness and trust(chorus)At the end of my time worshiping, my day ended in a strange but not necessarilly bad manner. I reached the top of Wayah bald (top of a mountain) to smoke and ash falling. There was apparently a large fire seemingly in the vicinity of the trail. 2 nice visitors gave myself and 2 other thru-hikers, Ross ("Cheers") and "Grace" a ride into town. It was a real blessing to receive the ride, although I feel guilty for being in a warm bed 2 nights in a row. "Ross" and "Grace" seem awesome and we're about to head to dinner. To all reading this, know how much God is blessing me. Goodnight-BEATBOX
Date: 2004-03-26
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Cheoah Bald
Miles today: 13.8

I am tired and my blisters (3) are covered in duct tape, but yet again I am overwhelmed with the awesome nature of God's creation. I am lying on top of a gorgeous mountain, Cheoah Bald, in a huge mountaintop meadow. I just watched one of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen (from a 5,000 foot summit). I almost missed the sunset, because I was gazing at four beautiful deer on the other side of the mountain. Now I am awaiting stars to fill the sky.I hiked 6 hardcore miles downhill from Wesser Bald Shelter to the N.O.C. (Nantahala Outdoor Center) in 2 hours from 6:30 to 8:30am. "Yurtle" and I knew breakfast awaited. At the restaraunt I had a sausage, egg and cheese sandwhich on wheat toast, a bacon egg and cheese sandwhich, 4 biscuits n gravy, hashbrowns, 2 cokes, and a water. After breakfast I re-united with the "Roman Noodles". Yurtle forgot his girlfriends phone number, hahahha, but hiked out ahead of us. I left about noon after buying more candybars and ditching oatmeal. I hiked with the "Roman Noodles" and shortly after I named them "Beef" and "Shrimp".The N.O.C. is cool because it is on the Nantahala river with rapids and the A.T. runs right through it. It is a large hub for rafting, hiking, and mountain biking. The N.O.C. has a hostel, hotel rooms, a Outfitter/Store, rafting services, nicer lodging, a camp(?) and a new restaurant. It was nice to leave with a full stomach.the day was Rough!! 8.1 miles, all uphill!! I hiked with the "Noodles" and went slow. My legs hurt and I think I left my headlight (flashlight with headband) at the shelter last night. Still I cannot be discouraged. I learned about 3 types of oak on the trail(red, white, and chestnut), 2 ferns (Christmas and cinnomon), saw Holly trees for the first time. I was able to rap for a boyscout troop and finished the climb by 6pm. It's myself and the Roman Noodles on top of a mountain. WOW! One look at the sunset, deer, or slowly emerging stars and all hardship of the day fades. I am falling asleep amazed on a mountain filled with hope. I can only imagine God creating this mountain long ago. To know he created me with the same precision and beauty as this sunset, this mountain, the stars and all the woods around me blows my mind. Even more he made me in his image. I am so blessed. I am going to stop writing though, so I can drift away under the stars.God Bless, BEATBOX ttt
Date: 2004-03-28
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Hike-Inn
Miles today: 6.9

After 6.9 miles I arrived at the Hike-Inn. I've had a good meal at a local barbeque but did not gorge myself. I now have clean clothes and took a 30-minute shower... AHH!! I start the smokies tomorrow and I hope to re-unite with "walk softly". I have been talking with "indiana Jane" and the "Roman Noodles" and I really love the conversation. "Santa the Jerk" is here and actually seems much nicer (see yesterdays journal). I believe the short day did everyone well.I probably don't have hope of a computer for 7 days and have to take care of some things at home by phone. I hope to start hiking by tomorrow noon. "The noodles", "Indy" and "walk softly" should all be on similar schedules through the smokies. we hope to cover 74 miles in 5 days but the weather could be rough. There should be 3 days of possible rain/snow and possible temps in he 20's. I re-read my journals to "Indiana Jane" who, surprisingly enjoyed them. With each word I realized how blessed I am and how sure I am that I should be here. I also read some of her journal. Below is an excerpt from her journal that I truly enjoyed:"I usually use basketball analogies, but today I came up iwth a hiking one: In my life, Jesus has been like my trekking poles. When I'm on flat land and moving right along I use them every step of the way. But, when I get on rocks or near mud, I stop using the poles and begin to try to balance myself with my hands out. The exact situations where I need the poles most, I stop relying on them and try to do things on my own. This is how it has been with Jesus. I'm going to refocus my Christian walk and try to depend on Jesus all the time. He wants to guide and direct everything and I want to let him have it all".I love humor and entertaining others, and I thought this would be what was cool about journaling. Instead I find that I have been able to document the Living God moving in my life. Call it a "mountaintop experience" or whatever you want, but God is AWESOME and I sense his presence daily. Jesus carries me under his wings and through him alone can I soar on wings of eagles. I know God has even more for me out here, but I am content with the simple knowledge that he is with me and directs my steps. As I look around I see him through other people, birds, flowers, etc. Even if you arent on a mountain though, he is beside you just waiting to be everything to you and to hide you under his wings. Thank you for your prayers, Goodnight.- BEATBOX ttt
Date: 2004-03-29
From: Fontana Dam

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I officially have only 2,000 miles left until Mt. Katahdin Maine. It feels as though 2 little men are trapped in my stomach having a fireworks competition. In other words jambalaya may not have been my most brilliant ideas for trail foods. I will be strong though .   My day started with some stressful issues at home concerning money and other matters. I could not get a hold of the people I needed and I felt helpless. In addition "Walk Softly" hiked ahead after we were supposed to meet at the post office at 11 am. When I ran into "Happy Trails" and "Dutch" I was a little peeved. Happy was calming and said: "Let go of it you're a Christian". WOW! Such blunt and powerful words. I saw "TT" and Ted, now named "Tao", again as well as Red and Jeep. By 12 pm I made some phone calls and handled stuff at home, although I still would appreciate prayers that everything at home continue to be smooth.   Before meeting other hikers to leave I just prayed that God would take everything I was stressed about in his hands according to his will. I have no doubt that he has control of it all. After prayer and singing a worship song I met "Indiana Jane", "Red" and "Jeep" and we crossed the dam into the Smokies.    I guess I expected the Smokies to be a magical place with lolipops in the trees and bears on every corner. Instead today's hike was similar to the previous 2 days as far as the surroundings. The hiking was almost all uphill and very tough, but conversation was great. Red and Jeep are younger christians and are so nice. I talked with each of them separately and they each seemed to be searching out God. It was great to talk with each of them and discuss how God has shaped my life. Together with Indiana Jane, a 20 yr. old christian from Ball State, we finished an intense climb while all having fun and enjoying the conversation.    I love how God can turn a rough start into a great day. The climb into the Smokies is supposed to be rough, but for me it was a blessing. In addition wildflowers are appearing all around and the day's forecasted rain never materialized. The Nature around me is beautiful and I really have time for deep reflecting...This is awesome. Until tomorrow, God Bless - Beatbox   ttt
Date: 2004-03-30
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Siler's Bald Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: light rain

My second longest day yet, and I'm bushed. God is so cool. This guy started talking about the "f-ing" translations of the bible and how he was proud to be an "f-ing" pagan. After about 19 words, 9 of which were the f-word, I walked away from the guy to go poop in the woods . I never responded to his jibes and just hiked on. I know he saw me read my bible last night and was trying to get a rise out of me. I was peeved!, but I prayed that God would take my anger and handle all according to his will. As far as my home stresses of 2 days ago I am letting them go too. In the bible youths teased Elisha for being bald and then they were mauled by bears.....I doubt this will be God's will in this instance though.    When I started hiking it was pouring rain, but it all cleared up within the first hour hiking. By 11 am I saw the sun breaking through the fog and I entered a huge meadow on the side of a mountain. While the fog was neat (I know why they are called the Smokies), the sun covered mountain was gorgeous. Birds were everywhere and I could see for miles when I reached the top of "Rockytop". So much beauty to erase my miniscule problems.    By the evening I reached the shelter, sadly the "F-word" guy did not. Red Jeep and Indiana Jane all covered the 17.2 miles as well. We caught up to the "Roman Noodles", "TT", and "Walk Softly". A teacher on Spring break, "Jason" who chilled with us the other night is here too. All told I know and get along with 7 cool hikers who are here at the shelter. I found out that "Walk Softly" had not met me Monday because he was trying to out hike a scary hiker who wanted to beat him up. If I get to Hot Springs NC, at the same time as Walk Softly his family is going to let me stay at their home for a day in Ashville. It will be my first zero-day (no hiking), but I am looking forward to it.5 Fun Notes:1. I have realized that powerbars taste worse than sawdust and the competition is not close. 2. I saw wild boar scat and bear scat today...scat is a name for poop.3. I memorized a bird call today and the Roman Noodles identified the bird when I whistled the call back to them.4. Since I walk alone I often pray for hours. At home this would seem like forever, but out here it just makes sense.5. Tomorrow I will climb Clingman's Dome, the highest point on the trail. I hope it will be as sweet as today.Good night to all, please pray for me - BEATBOX   tttps. congrats on your last day of work Dad.
Date: 2004-04-01
From: New Found Gap (Gatlinburg)

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

My father retired today after 20 years of being a prison guard, so I did not hike today in honor of him. Actually I did not hike becasue there is over a foot of snow on the mountain and 30 mph wind. Last night 6 of us stayed at the hotel, but 14 more hikers have made it down the mountain today including: "The Roman Noodles", "Hawkeye", "TT", and "Walk Softly". Red, Jeep, Indiana Jane, Walk Softly, and I are in a room together; the smell is delightful, and by delightful I mean extremely gross. Most of the day consisted of greeting hikers as they came off of the mountain, buying food, eating food, and sharing stories with each other. I was forced to eat at Texas Roadhouse again...I made it though. I was particularly happy at the return of The Roman Noodles and Walk Softly, I was afraid that I had lost them. Today was my first zero day. I hate not hiking, but I need the rest. I have 4 great friends around me, 2 more a few rooms down, I'm dry and warm, and I'm blessed. God Bless - BEATBOX   ttt
Date: 2004-04-02
From: Gatlinburg

To: Gatlinburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I'm snowed in! The snow (30 percent chance of light showers according to the weather channel) is worsening. They closed the raod to the gap and there are white-out conditions. Over 30 hikers have now come down out of the Smokies. There is between 1 and 2 feet of snow up and down the Appalachians. I was going stir-crazy today and ate at Texas Roadhouse again (3rd time). My appetite is lessening though and I saved leftovers for dinner. I have decided to eat cheap from now on, because I do not know when I will get out of here. I chilled with Red and Jeep this morning, but was losing my mind by mid-afternoon. Then we found an awesome place - The Community Center. We played basketball (free), ping-pong (25 cents), pool(2$ an hour) and bowling (2$ per game). Indy's dad drove us. We ate smores at night and talked together. Now I am going to bed. My patience is thinning but I guess the rest is good. I realize that it is easy to forget about God when in town...uh-oh. God is blessing me none the less and I will be careful with the distractions. Mathew 11:28 is a cool verse about rest, which is what I will do now - BEATBOX   ttt