morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-10-17
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Log Cabin Drive
Miles today: 24.8

Adventures in hunting territoryWell, usually I¢m apprehensive about hiking around hunters (selfish, I know, not wanting to share the trail and get shot), but today was interesting. I never saw any actual hunters, but experienced every imaginable sign of them (hikers warning of hunters ahead, dogs barking in the distance, occasional gunshots, beer cans on the trail, etc). I even had a hiking partner for the last 10 miles of the day. I met a lost hunting dog, who appeared a bit starved and came with me to the Hemlock Hollow hostel. The lady there didn¢t think too highly of the hunters for not taking care of their dogs, but agreed to call the owner of my new companion. The hostel was quite nice, and after a little while the hunter came dressed in full camo garb to pick up his dog. All in all it was a fairly uneventful day. I¢m anxious to get into the Smokies, which should serve as the final real test of hiking on this trip. It¢s tough terrain, and there have been reports of absolutely no water on the trail. It¢s still quite enjoyable to plot and scheme about the future, but for now my goal is to keep my nose (shoulder?) to the grindstone and take each day as it comes.Thanks for reading.   ~ Dr Jekyll (Obie)PS:   ¢¦ wouldn¢t one¢s nose get kinda raw after eight hours of grinding it? Ummm
Date: 2007-10-18
From: Log Cabin Drive

To: Hot Springs (Elmers)
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: broken clouds

An easy laid-back day today with quite pleasing Fall views, Southern Style. Certainly establishes an uplifting mood for entering Hot Springs. It was nice to relax in town without having to get off-trail.I¢m spending tonight at Sunnybank Inn, though this might be my first stealth-hostel of the hike. Guess that¢s part of the SOBO price ¢ there¢s no big ¢festivals¢ or hiker crowd bunching up at popular stopovers (least-wise not at this stage), and Elmer¢s would normally rank as one of the ¢must dos¢. However, since arriving, I¢ve settled in, gone out to the bar, done my shopping, and come back while not meeting either Elmer or any other guests. If I were to leave money on the bed and sneak out in the morning, it would be possible to stay without ever having talked to anyone here.Still, Hot Springs seems to be a very nice place, and the old Victorian House where I slept is kinda neat. And no doubt Elmer and his guests are good people too. Hope that during your busy schedule, you are able to find the time to experience your own laid-back, pleasant Fall day.Thanks for reading.   ~ Dr Jekyll (Obie)PS:   stealth hosteling ?
Date: 2007-10-19
From: Hot Springs (Elmers)

To: Roaring Fork Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: light rain

What a day.It¢s been foggy/rainy/windy more and more often of late, and today was the epitome of miserable weather. Not all-out rain mind you, but just enough to make sure you¢re soaking wet all day. The story of the day begins with the return of a simple chafing problem.Chafing is THE one impediment I treat with utmost respect, as I can be stopped completely within 5-10 miles once I reach the point where every step is more painful than the last. Since powder only goes so far when you¢re soaked, and no Vaseline is readily available, then the best solution is, obviously, to hike without pants. Obviously.Now, understand that recently I see maybe one other person all afternoon, two or three on a really good day, so rather than slow down I made the call and stuck to it. Sounds reasonable. However, less than an hour later, every weekender and church group within a hundred mile radius showed up to witness me flying down the trail in my underwear.I can only imagine some 1950¢s police radio guy (Barney Fife) frantically sputtering ¢calling all cars, calling all cars. Thruhiker claims he hasn¢t seriously embarrassed himself lately. All inquisitive hikers please report to Max Patch.¢ Great. Never seen so many woodsy youth groups on one stretch of trail before. Oh, did I mention the hiking nuns?Well, sorry to everyone I met that fateful day, especially the kids. Before condemning me, consider that the weather sucks, I¢m dirty and exhausted, and all the promised views have been engulfed by one humongous fog monster.   NOW picture one scrubby, sweaty guy with no pants, having just conquered the mighty Max Patch. You gotta love the guy that can pull that off. Kinda like Rocky at the top of the steps. Ummmm, guess you just had to be there. This hiking stuff is soooooo much fun.Kenneth wrote in the Roaring Fork register that Chilly was losing it, and all I could think of was that he isn¢t the only one.Thanks for reading.   ~ Dr Jekyll (Obie)PS:   at least they were long johns ¢ and quite stylish
Date: 2007-10-20
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Green Corner Rd (Standing Bear Farm)
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

OK, so the plan was that if I got to the hostel early, I¢d hike to Davenport Gap and get a ride back here. I got to the hostel early buuuuuut, ... the plan broke down somewhere around the first coke and pizza break.I think from now on if I want to keep hiking I shouldn¢t let myself drop my pack ever ¢ because it doesn¢t go back on easily after noon.Oh well, I had thought that if I got a good start tomorrow, I might be able to get a little farther and maybe do the Smokies in two nights instead of three. But I won¢t be disappointed regardless, because the primary worry lately is making sure there¢s enough water.I¢m really looking forward to getting into the park and putting the milestone of the Smokies behind me. As much fun as it is out here, I¢m thinking more and more about getting life back together after the hike, and the impact of finally finishing.Good times.Thanks for reading.   ~ Dr Jekyll (Obie)PS:   it¢s time for the Smokies
Date: 2007-10-21
From: Green Corner Rd (Standing Bear Farm)

To: Peck's Corner Shelter
Miles today: 23.3
Weather: clear sky

What an awesome day.The climb up Cammerer was absolutely fantastic for me. It was long, but the grade was manageable and consistent. The trail didn¢t go over pointless peaks -- it just kept going up and up until it reached its goal.There were great views along the way, and I was able to get into rhythm early on and have fun climbing. For the pure joy of getting one¢s heart pumped up in a sustained trek, this is one of the best sections of the whole trail, IMHO.I met and chatted with a trail crew (always a pleasure), saw the new shelter renovations, and aside from the horse poop on the trail, this section was flawless. I hiked all day, worked hard, had fun, and reaped the rewards.If every day were like this I could stay out here forever.Thanks for reading.   ~ Dr Jekyll (Obie)PS:   off to a good start for the Smokies
Date: 2007-10-22
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light rain

Wow ¢¦ what a difference a day makes.Yesterday, well, yesterday was all about trail hiking perfection. Today is what makes days like yesterday sooooo sorely appreciated.Weather turned sour quickly, and all the great views disappeared. When I reached Newfound Gap, mist turned to rain, and the decision was promptly made to abandon ship.Fortunately, I got an interesting and entertaining hitch to Gatlinburg. No real need to go into details here ¢ not bad entertaining, but rather good natured ¢keystone cop¢ type entertainment. Don¢t want to embarrass anyone so use your own imagination. Fact is, I got where I needed to be, and the people who got me there were most helpful with the best of intentions.Gatlinburg. This ¢trailtown¢ (?) has been talked about so often the mere mention of the tourist-town-USA¢s name says it all. Just know that I spent the remainder of the day watching TV, scarfing down buckets of KFC, and washing it down with an occasional Budweiser.Thanks for reading.   ~ Dr Jekyll (Obie)PS:   ¢occasional¢ is a relative term
Date: 2007-10-23
From: Newfound Gap

To: Derrick Knob Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: light rain

More rain, wind, fog, COLD.Considering the deteriorating weather conditions, Buckley was brutal.   Enough so that I didn¢t even stop to go to Clingman¢s Dome, just kept trucking up and over.On the plus side, all this rain meant that there was good running water at Derrick Knob shelter, where I stayed with a family hiking the park. I think they were happy to see me, stink and all. Naturally there were stories to share from all parties, and that¢s always a pleasant pastime when you¢re sharing a shelter in the rain.The hiking is tough, the conditions are worse, but it¢s still really fun to be out here. I¢ll be out of the park tomorrow and headed for Georgia. But this is where you (the reader) oughta be, ¢¦ in the park that is, enjoying what the elements have to offer. Good or bad.         Thanks for reading.   ~ Dr Jekyll (Obie)PS:   Ummmm, if you survive, then it¢s arguably all good.
Date: 2007-10-24
From: Derrick Knob Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Visitor Center
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: moderate rain

the 2000-mile markWhen I was in Maine, I passed a road with a huge ¢2000¢ painted on the pavement, and it was easy to imagine all the hullabaloo the NOBO crowd must go through when they cross that 2000-mile mark. And they deserve it.When I reached Mollie¢s Ridge shelter, there was no crowd. Actually there was no one at all. Not even a casusal day hiker who might be impressed enough to share a moment or two commemorating the event. The weather had been horrible for the last three days and was not getting better any time soon. The crowd was home, where any reasonably sane person should be in these conditions. So, there wasn¢t any celebration, and yet somehow it seemed perfectly fitting. The biggest lesson of the last few weeks has been not taking the trail too seriously, and not being overly dramatic.Yes, after I came to Fontana, I checked into the resort and immediately started celebrating, enough so that I probably will zero tomorrow.However, the focus is not so much on the milestone as it is about the journey itself. I never thought I¢d survive to this point, and it simultaneously seems like both only yesterday and years ago that I left Katahdin. I guess all I¢m trying to say is that I don¢t need recognition, or a big circus-style finish. The reward is not compensation for enduring something difficult, it is the thing itself.        Thanks for reading.   ~ Dr Jekyll (Obie)PS:   the journey -- 2000 miles, 2000 memories
Date: 2007-10-25
From: Fontana Dam Visitor Center

To: Fontana Dam (NC 28)
Miles today: 1.4
Weather: broken clouds

The reward today for yesterday¢s due diligence is a ZERO. Complete with great food, an immensely powerful shower, TV, beer, and a king-size bed.Well, not really a true zero. I guess, technically, a NERO. You see, I got somewhat bored with all the luxuries mentioned above, and decided to go for, ¢¦ a walk! Yep, I strolled aimlessly for a while, ended up going from Fontana Village to the trail, to the visitor¢s center, then hitching a ride back to the resort. So there.One more little detail I need to take care of is retrieving my bounce box from Standing Bear Farm. Maybe when dad picks me up tomorrow, it¢ll be a good opportunity for him to meet Curtis.Actually, I¢ve hiked everything from Fontana to Springer several times before, usually with my dad or with some of the troop. Physically, really looking forward to hiking familiar territory, especially with the ¢hiker¢ legs and stamina I¢ve managed to build up. Mentally, sure feels different somehow this time. Wonder why?        Thanks for reading.   ~ Dr Jekyll (Obie)PS: nothing like a good walk to relax
Date: 2007-10-26
From: Fontana Dam (NC 28)

To: NOC (US 19)
Miles today: 27.6
Weather: clear sky

Today was an extremely unemotional, all-business day.The trail itself was great, just as I remembered, and I was fortunate to experience some awesome views. The climb up Cheoah Bald seems like it goes on forever, and once on top, I made some great miles. At this stage that¢s all I really want to do.There was a ¢block party¢ at the end of the day at NOC. Turns out there¢s some kind of annual fall festival, and boy was it PACKED. Really packed. Like packed to overflowing. It wasn¢t easy, but I finally hooked up with dad after hanging out at the festival for an hour or so. While I was looking for him, he was stuck in traffic northbound on US 19 trying to get here.Anyways, eventually we managed to both get cell signals. He had already tried to park with no success, so the new plan was for him to drive by, slow down, and I would jump in. And that is what we did!Next stop, Bryson City to check into the first available hotel. Whoa - forget that. Everything in this small town was booked solid. Next stop, Cherokee to check into the first available hotel. BINGO ¢ rooms. The laugh of the day was when dad actually had the nerve to ask the hotel clerk for an AT hiker discount. Wanna take bets on how that turned out?Bottom line, we got a good night¢s rest, a long hot shower, a couple of brewskis, and some solid food. Now to plan tomorrow¢s agenda. Shouldn¢t be too complicated.        Thanks for reading.   ~ Dr Jekyll (Obie)PS: oh yeah, there was that bounce box of mine that¢s still at a hostel 75 miles north of here. ummmm
Date: 2007-10-27
From: NOC (US 19)

To: NOC (US 19)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Chore day.After the big mileage day yesterday, I am way on schedule and can afford to slow down and ¢smell the roses¢ with unmitigated pleasure (and not feel guilty about it). As before, when with family or friends I want to enjoy their company ¢ and besides I have several chores which need attending to.First off, we decided to head up to Standing Bear Farm. I needed to get my bounce box and dad wanted to meet Curtis. Curtis was super nice and I think all the hiker crowd appreciates the effort he puts into his hostel.It was an easy call to check out of the motel we were in and relocate in Franklin. We got an excellent ¢AT hiker¢ deal at the Micro Hotel, with the added bonus of being just a short walk to get to the outfitters on 441. We managed to find a few essential items (new inserts, Aqua-Mira, etc) to finish up the journey to Springer.Funny how time flies when you¢re busy doing town chores. I had intended to do a short hike today, but, well, that¢s how zeros creep up on you. You don¢t see it coming and then WHAM BAM, you find yourself back at the motel. It¢s 4:00, there¢s a good football game on TV, and somehow a cold beer found it¢s way in your hand. No mere mortal could resist a setup like that. Sooo, we went out to get a cartload of Bar-B-Que type stuff and planted ourselves back in front of the tube. Yep, that¢s what I call a quality zero.        Thanks for reading.   ~ Dr Jekyll (Obie)PS: there¢s really no hurry to finish the Journey, and yet, there¢s other things I want to get back to
Date: 2007-10-28
From: NOC (US 19)

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 27.3
Weather: clear sky

One last ¢big¢ day.Made it back to NOC early not knowing what to expect. Turns out that much of the crowds from Friday night had disappeared. Can only assume that the main event was Sat, and people had already started heading back home. Kinda like me ¢ heading home that is. But by foot.Well, this may very well be the last big day, 27 strong miles from NOC to Winding Stair Gap. Was really feeling up to it and looking forward to the grind. Can¢t explain the ¢high¢ one gets when all the body parts are working in concert with no major injuries to slow you down. And couldn¢t ask for a better day. Cool temps, steady climbs, no rain, and a relay support team (dad) to restock me with liquids and calories at a couple of stops along the way. It was all I wanted it to be.No real inspirational thoughts or mystic revelations. Just wanted to hike strong and continue the southbound trek. Sometime in the next couple of days, I should enter the ¢last¢ state. My home state.Really appreciate all the kind thoughts and encouraging words in the guest register. Although I have not responded directly to each of you, it¢s an emotional boost to know that others who care are following along.        Thanks for reading.   ~ Dr Jekyll (Obie)PS: the list of lasts is growing
Date: 2007-10-29
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 23.5
Weather: clear sky

CacacacacollllllldddEspecially if you¢re not wearing anything. It was in the 20¢s this morning and I do NOT have any winter gear, i.e., all I have on is my short sleeved T-shirt and my windbreaker. Gotta get moving fast to generate some heat. Fortunately dad did bring me some gloves and a hat (he brought some other winter stuff, but I don¢t want to carry the weight). So once I slug it out tonight, probably on Standing Indian Mountain, then I should be ok to Springer.Really can¢t get into writing lately. Sorry. Seems that I may be morphing into a state of mind akin to the NOBOs I talked about early on. In Maine, so many of them looked worn out, mentally exhausted, almost with a Zombie stare. Not sure if that makes sense and it certainly doesn¢t apply to everyone, but that¢s the state I seem to be in. Just hike. Put one foot in front of the other. Funny thing is, the physical part now is sooo easy. I have become such a hiking machine that unless some other distraction comes along (food, people, bad weather, etc) I just continue to hike until I run out of daylight. That¢s no fun.So close to the end now I am counting down the days. Still don¢t know precisely when I¢ll get to Springer, but it looks more and more like the first weekend in November. The plan for now is simple ¢ family and a few friends will meet me in the FS42 parking lot. We¢ll have to stay in touch as best we can to work out the final details. Hooking up with them will make it fun again.Thanks for reading.   ~ Dr Jekyll (Obie)PS: hate to jinx myself, but there¢s clouds on the horizon -- literally
Date: 2007-10-30
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap (US 76)
Miles today: 16.5

The ¢last¢ stateTonight I¢m in a nice, safe, warm motel in Hiawassee. The guys who run the place are super friendly to hikers ¢ they even offered the use of their car so I could do errands as necessary. Thanks guys.Yesterday and today were kinda miserable, weatherwise. But in the Zombie state I was in, it really didn¢t matter all that much. I just continued to press forward. Reaching US 76 was a blessing, and I made a beeline for a town stay. Didn¢t want the last days to be so dreadful. On the up side, according to the news, looks like this wet/cold front will pass through quickly, so the remainder of the trip to Springer should be ideal ¢ sunny and dry.Passed into the ¢last¢ state today ¢ GEORGIA. I¢ve hiked all through this area before, stayed at most of the shelters at one time or another. Strange to be marching through such familiar territory, yet with a somewhat different purpose. At this stage a very single-minded, focused purpose. I went by a campsite which I know my dad and I had used many years ago. On that trip we had it all ¢ huge tent, stove, too much food. We¢d build a fire then play chess. I actually liked the tent camping, just don¢t want to carry it on this journey.Tomorrow I think I¢ve worked out a deal with the motel guys to do some shuttling, ending up at Unicoi Gap. That way I can stay at the same place one more night. A hot shower and solid food just down the road makes for a happy hiker.Thanks for reading.   ~ Dr Jekyll (Obie)PS: to borrow a familiar chess term, we are entering the ¢end game¢ ¢¦
Date: 2007-10-31
From: Dick's Creek Gap (US 76)

To: Unicoi Gap (GA 75)
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: clear sky

The ¢last¢ motelAfter a most excellent Fall day (Southern style) on the trail, I caught my prearranged shuttle back to the motel in Hiawassee. Nowadays with a little planning, it¢s possible to shuttle-hike the entire state. I think this is a great service, especially for NOBOs just starting out as some people are not always in as ¢hike-ready¢ condition as they might like to be. But not for me.I took advantage of the shuttle because of the weather. But even that¢s changed for the better and now I want to spend the last few days ¢out here¢.Funny but I don¢t feel glad (to be done) or sad (to be done) or, really anything. It seems that emotionally I find myself back in that Zombie state. Just keep moving. Trail is great, weather is great, no injuries, nothing to complain about. I suppose that the closer I get to Springer, and hook up with family and friends for the glorious (non-circus) ending, emotions will surface. But for now, it¢s hike on. No pressure at this point. Springer is probably one of the gray blips on the distant horizon. Wish that I could convey to you all what an extraordinary ¢life-event¢ the last four months has turned out to be. Wish you all could ¢be¢ there. Thanks for reading.   ~ Dr Jekyll (Obie)PS: to truly ¢be¢ in the moment is to understand, ¢¦ I think
Date: 2007-11-01
From: Unicoi Gap (GA 75)

To: Neels Gap (US 19)
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: scattered clouds

The ¢last¢ hostel.Yet another great day. Barring some unforeseen injury or circumstance, I should be standing at the first blaze Saturday.It was really neat to meet and talk with Alpine again at the Walasi-Yi hostel and outfitters (Neal¢s Gap). He brought me up to speed on the latest ¢trail news/drama/gossip¢, and mostly we just enjoyed the day, or at least a small part of it. Hope our paths cross again down the road.While hiking pass Low Gap shelter, I couldn¢t help but remember another time perhaps eight or so years ago. On that day (Nov 23) it had been drizzly and chilly almost the entire five hours we had hiked. Initially my dad and I had intended to eat lunch at Low Gap, then move on and camp further north on the trail. But the crummy weather coupled with the fact that no one else was there, prompted our decision to set up shop inside rather than do the tent thing. At one point sometime later, after many failed attempts at starting a fire with all the damp wood available, my father sat dejected on the edge of the shelter floor. That¢s when I caught him totally by surprise. I had secretly carried a small birthday cake, complete with musical candle, in my backpack all day waiting for the perfect moment to regale him with the birthday feast and song. Yep, today was the big five-o and he had more or less forgotten about it (the older you get, the easier it is to push that milestone out of mind). Anyways, that certainly made his day and mine. The rain and cold didn¢t seem to matter as much any more. The candle produced enough heat to keep us both warm, if you understand my meaning.Thanks for reading.   ~ Dr Jekyll (Obie)PS: birthday¢s CAN be nice, even for old guys, ¢¦ if you let them