morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-10
From: Fontana Dam, NC

To: Smoky Mountains
Miles today: 56.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Hello everyone!!I'm at Fontana Village right now taking a "zero" or two. We are expecting snow the next couple of days, guess it's supposed to get pretty ugly up in the Smokies. It's beautiful here today and everyone has caught up so we have been hanging out at the hotel (what a beautiful place, too nice for stinky hikers!!).We plan on trying to go tomorrow, but are watching the weather closely. Unfortunately this place is VERY much a non-dog oriented establishment so I had to have the girls picked up last night as opposed to this morning. I think I walked around the general store for about an hour after that crying like a baby. It's funny how attached I am to those stinky, hiker-mutts!! It has however, allowed me to actually be able to enjoy the facilities here (including the computer--yeah!!). Other than that, things are great, I'm becoming very attached to my buddies here (even they miss those stinky mutts!). It's funny how you really want to make sure to keep up so you don't lose your people. I will say that the first two days out of NOC were most definitely the most difficult yet, wow!! Coming down yesterday afternoon was great though and we did about 12 miles. The flowers and trees here are all beginning to grow like crazy. Just a side note, I forgot to tell mom I did see my first bear last week--yeah. He was awfully afraid of the dogs though and instantly ran away and climbed a tree, looked like a yearling.I've experienced some awesome trail magic this week also. Thank you to Bare Bear and Shufflefoot, hot dogs, oreos, coke, candy and even dogs for the dogs--you guys are the best!!! We also had a sunkist float from one of the trail maintainers along with a banana from Withwit--thank you, thank you, thank you. There is no way to describe how exciting it is, half way into a difficult day of hiking, when someone is waiting at the next gap with cold soft drinks and snacks!!!Well, I guess that's all for now, I don't want to hog the computer. Things are great, I miss my babies, and I can't wait to tackle the Smokies!!!Love you and miss you all!!Light and Laughter,RainbowPS, no cell service here at all, so I'll be touching base from a Smokies mountaintop hopefully!!
Date: 2008-04-19
From: Smoky Mountains

To: Standing Bear Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 30.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hello everyone!! Ok, I'm going to be straight with ya'll. Way back when on my way into Hiawassee Journey gave me a good pull and I had a pretty good fall. Quite embarrassing to talk about actually, but it happened. I experienced some swelling (there is a photo from back then) and some of what I called pain at the time. After taking a "zero" hoping it would heal, I hiked relatively pain free for the next few days. Since that time, it has not gotten any better, in fact it is worse. I finally broke down and went to the doctor here in Gatlinburg and I have a broken bone in my ankle - yeah for me, huh?? (Karen, you got your wish!!!) I am now wearing a walking cast and need to for 4-6 weeks (should be interesting to hike in). The doc wanted me to take a 4 week break, that's not going to happen. I hiked with this stupid broken bone almost 120 miles and I think I can handle it from here while protected with this beautiful "walking" cast. Needless to say, I have decided to skip the next 40 miles of the Smokies, take a four day break and try to hook back up with the people I've been hiking with. I will be coming back to finish this stretch after summitting Katahdin in Maine (in fact if anyone can help me with this, I'm trying VERY hard to talk Krismas into doing it with me). Muffin Man and Snowflake took off today, Pilgrim, Solo and Croc are planning on heading out tomorrow. Robbie came down here with his buds to pick up a truck so he grabbed the dogs from the kennel today and will be hanging with me for the next few days until I can hook back up with my "tribe".Bottom line, no mileage posting for a few days now, I'm fine, I have my girls back and I'll have more stories and memories to share in a bit. Since I have internet access for now, I have finally labeled some photos and added a bunch of new ones. We've been in Gatlinburg now for a couple of days and I'm over it so tomorrow the excitement will be finding a cool place to stay, I'd rather be hiking but we'll make it fun.Hope everyone is doing great!! I'll be in touch soon.
Date: 2008-05-09
From: Hot Springs

To: Erwin
Miles today: 36.5
Weather: light rain

Hello everyone this is Robbie, I talked to Dawna today. Everything is going very well, better than I and probly most everyone else expected. She says the ankle is pain free and hiking in the cast is actually kind of fun. She was joking with me about sliding downhill in the mud on it.    It sounds like spring is in full bloom and everything is absolutely beautiful. Weather in the 60's and 70's during the day and 40's at night. One very cold night though, some snow and ice.    It will be a week or more before she is back into a town where maybe we will here from her, Moki and Journey. The girls are both healthy and happy.
Date: 2008-05-12
From: Erwin

To: Damascus
Miles today: 103.8
Weather: light rain

Hello there!! Sorry it took so long for me to get back to ya, it's been a while since I've had internet access.Let's see, where did I leave off? I believe it was in Gatlinburg. Everything since then has been great, the ankle is holding up (the walking cast, not so much), the girls are still smiling and the group is still together. We did manage to get behind Solo and Pilgrim, but are hoping to reconnect in Damascus next weekend.Right now I'm in Erwin, TN staying at Uncle Johnny's Hostel, what a great place!! The hiking has been beautiful, some great views, some stormy nights and oh so many new flowers on a daily basis. The blueberries look as though we'll be eating for free soon!!! Snowflake hurt her foot in the last couple of days so we are considering hanging out here until Krismas gets here to bring us to Damascus. At this point, we're still undecided though. I'm going to try to upload photos, if it doesn't work expect them about a week and a half from now, I'll send them home with Kris. As far as wildlife, not too much with the dogs along, but we did see a very big rattlesnake as we left Standing Bear (we were very glad Muffin Man and Pilgrim saw it first!!). They just moved it off the trail and we continued to hike past it. Overall, things have been beautiful. Hot Springs was a gorgeous, quaint little trail town. Everything was within walking distance and the locals treated us well. I scored a new tent (yep, my old one started ripping, thanks Big Agnes!). Now we're living in a Hubba Hubba and loving the additional space with no additional weight -- yeah!!I can't really think of anything new, can't wait to see Krismas and Chesney and for Damascus. Look forward to lots of new photos!!!Thank you EVERYONE for all of the messages. We couldn't be doing better, the ankle is healing (I'm pretty sure anyway) and only hurt a tad after walking 14.5 miles yesterday. I don't have my book with me to update my mileage, but I believe we're up to around 317 miles now.Take care and I'll be in touch soon!!Light & LaughterRainbow, Moki & Journey
Date: 2008-05-13
From: Damascus

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Just an update here, we're taking it easy until Thursday at Uncle Johnny's where Krismas is picking us up. No mileage will be completed until next Monday. I have no cell service here, just an occassional opportunity to hop on the computer when it's not busy. Can't wait to walk again!!!! I'M BORED, but trying to help out around the hostel. Take care, I've got bikes to fix!!Light & LaughterDawna, Moki & Journey
Date: 2008-05-31
From: Bland, VA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello Everyone,This is Krismas, Dawna asked if I would put on an entry to let everyone know that she's doing great! It's been a while since she's been able to get to a computer. She is currently in Bland, VA and they hiked into town to get some stuff done. Dawna and the girls are doing great! They are 1/2 way through VA and will be heading into W. VA. She said that they have been putting on some good miles lately (I believe the other day, they walked almost 16 miles). Her foot is doing well and she let me know that she is going to try it without the walking cast for a while. So far, so good! Her cast is decorated w/pink flames made from duct tape, thanks to Crocatoah! Very fashionable out on the trail. The pups are doing well and smiling every day!A couple of weeks ago, I met her and her hiking buddies in TN to pick them up for Trail Days in Damascus, VA. For anyone who does not know about Trail Days, it is a festival that Damascus puts on for all the hikers on the trail. They have vendors providing free gear check ups, a vet was there to provide check ups on all the hiking dogs, vendors selling gear, plenty of entertainment (i.e. hiker parade, hiker talent show, and plenty of blue grass music, plus more). It was an amazing experience to meet all the hikers she has met and hiked with along the way so far. Great people! It is a huge event in Damascus every year. The pups were checked out by the vet and they are healthy and happy. Journey loves everyone she is meeting on the trail (she is definitely not shy!). A great time is had by all. A huge thanks goes out to Dawna's mom for sending such great trail magic to Trail Days. Dawna and the other hikers loved every bit of it!Just wanted to give everyone an update. I can truly see why she loves being out there so much. She said once she is able to get to a computer she will update you more. Pictures will be put on soon and she is sending more home. She & the girls say "Hello" to everyone!
Date: 2008-06-03
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Catawba, VA
Miles today: 284.2

Hello everyone!!!   I'm so sorry I haven't been able to update this journal in so long, but there has been NO WHERE with an easily accessible computer for us until here in Pearisburg.Damascus was an absolute blast (no surprise)! It was great hanging out with Krisimas and Chesney, the weather was beautiful and it was fun to be there finally as a hiker!!Since Damascus, we've been pushing through Virginia. It's been great, we've walked through a lot of farm fields, Grayson Highlands, more farm fields and some very nice mountains. The views have been incredible as you'll see from the next batch of photos (it'll be a bit before they're on here though, sorry). I've learned that Journey is afraid of cows and Moki thinks they're big dogs. It was great to see the wild horses and the ponies in Grayson!!We did pop into the town of Bland, VA last week to celebrate CrocatoeaHHH's 40th, it was a lot of fun (there will be photos of that too!!). We've been hiking with a bunch of different people the last couple of weeks as Snowflake and Muffin Man decided to take a couple of weeks off. Monk, Tater, Happiness and Bullfrog, we're going to miss you guys!!! This week we've hung out with Tye Dye, T-Bone and Hurley (Journey's new boyfriend).We're told the trail is going to get tough now, we'll see, it's been so much easier than Georgia there really is no comparison!!I've hiked over 20 miles now in a regular boot and so far, so good. I don't think my foot is enjoying the hard leather hiking boot, it tends to get sore easily, but in all actuality I'm really starting over with that foot. The ankle feels great though. It's really funny to see the lovely tan line I've acquired from the cast as well as the skinny little leg that lived in it. Hopefully that won't last long.Things are still going great, it seems like the miles are just flying by now as we have no problem doing 15+ these days. Before we know it, we'll be half way. We plan to spend the 4th of July in Front Royal, just before the half way point.I hope everyone is doing great back home, thank you so much for the well-wishes!! I'm not sure when I'll get my next opportunity to update the journal, I imagine it might not be for a week or more as the cities coming up are quite small. I'll do my best!!!Photos will be transferred to CD and mailed out tomorrow for Krisimas to put up for ya'all!!Light & LaughterRainbow, Moki & Journey
Date: 2008-06-23
From: Montebello, VA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello Everyone,It's Krismas again. Dawna asked me to put on a little "HELLO" to everyone to let you know she's doing great! She will be leaving Montebello, VA today. The weather has been warm, but her and the girls are doing good! She will update once she is able to get to a computer to do so!
Date: 2008-07-08
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 340.3
Weather: clear sky

Hi Everyone!!!Well, it's been a while since I've written, sorry about that. It seems to be more and more difficult to find a computer the further north we get.Everything's been going great, Virginia has been absolutely beautiful, however I'm more than ready to get further north and away from the heat!!I finally went to the doc again and was told I needed to take a week off, so I'm actually writing this entry from Angry Dave's up in St. Germain! I decided to rent a car and come home to spend time with the family on the 4th and be with my BFF Krisimas for her birthday (it was Sunday, she's now 35!!). I've had lots of fun up here over the last couple of days and will be sad to leave tomorrow!! I never thought I'd miss my woods so much.Needless to say, just about everyone I've hiked with is now home sitting in the A/C (just kiddin' guys). I miss everyone, Muffin Man, Snowflake, Crocatoeahhh, Tye Dye, Roadrash, T-Bone, Pick, Rabid, etc. etc. Hope you are all doing great!! You sure are missed! The girls are doing really good, we went to their vet yesterday for a check up and besides an eye infection for Journey (caused from dirt and dust, imagine that), they have the A-OK!!I'm considering skipping past PA for now and continuing on north so I can reach Katahdin before it starts to get really cold. If all goes well with this ankle, I hope to summit the first week in September, then return to PA to finish it off on the rocks.Life on the trail has been great, the Shenandoah's are unbelievably beautiful and relatively painless. I'm working on getting the photos online, I tried 3 different times to load the almost 400 photos on Saturday only for the computer to crash in the last moments. I'm not sure what the problem is, but I will continue to try!!Tomorrow I will be making the 18.5hr trek back to Virginia and am looking forward to hitting the trail once again! I hope all is well with everyone, it was great visiting the northwoods and I'll be in touch ASAP!!!Light & LaughterRainbow, Moki & Journey
Date: 2008-07-09
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello again:Just to clear up any confusion, I've added about 300 photos and they are filed according to date. Check back through April and you'll find many new ones!! If this is too confusing, someone put a message in my guestbook and I'll just leave them filed according to the date they were added instead next time.The photos labeled 6/16 seem to be doubles so you can probably just skip over them.Also, due to my potential hop ahead of PA, my mail drop schedule will not be accurate. If anyone is looking to send me anything, I will try to get it updated as soon as I know where I'll be and when --- THANK YOU EVERYONE!!!Karl and Dawn, thanks for the package, I love ya!!Rainbow
Date: 2008-02-27
To: Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This may be my first preliminary journal entry, but it has been a dream for years and conceived in my early childhood. As I woke this morning and saw the last half moon shining amidst an orange and blue mackerel sky, I realized that by the next full moon, I'd be living that dream. I've been a fledgling for a long time in this nest of life and shortly it will be time to take flight. March 18th is my start date to begin what I know will be an epic journey for this seasoned crone. Its not that I am the first or certainly the last, but it will be my hike. I feel the excitement of youth who are invincible and strong, but I have the wisdom of age to know nothing is certain. It will take lots of courage, forcefulness of will and guidance of mother nature to finish this 2176.5 miles from Georgia to Maine.I have already had lots of advice from family, friends, and two unmet previous thru-hikers: Chris Schultz aka The Band-aid Kid's and Kathryn Zimmerman, aka The Bag Lady. Both summit Mt Katahdin in 2007 and had journals on this web site. To share my experience with those who asked "Let us know how it works out," I plan to keep this journal starting with some of the preparation. The photo above is my training ground. It was taken at the top of Smuggler Mountain over looking Aspen, Colorado with Mt Pyramid, Capitol Peak and Ajax Ski Mountain in the background. With only 19 days until departure, as you can imagine, my lists are longer than Santa Claus'. Time to flyFly right.Ravon
Date: 2008-03-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

One week to go and like most, ready to embark on this great adventure, I'm madly trying to check off my extensive lists.   Today my husband and I tried to decipher the electronic world of emails, sizing photos, down loading text and photos to this trail journal.I was able to accomplish one major task which was to complete our income taxes. One good thought is I guess President Bush will be contributing to my trip with the incentive tax rebate. My share ought to get me from Springer, GA to Neel's Gap where I will help stimulate the local economy. Tomorrow I will deliver two beveled leaded glass panels. This will wrap up my glass business for the next six months. My pack is mostly set and I will post a gear list. The hardest item was choosing a tent. I tried four until finally choosing a Henry Shire Tarptent. It does seem many thru hikers change tents along the way or try to stay in the shelters,but I want to try and stick with one. Began cooking granola, biscotti and jerky to be included in my mail drops.  Found a great organic instant meals company Mary Jane's Farm located in Moscow, Idaho. What I like about this company's meals is they use paper, not foil containers in which you add water. Jean, a good friend, is coming over to help with the daunting task of assembling mail drops. You could probably go on this trip with no advance preparation or mail drops, but we have heard that food or the lack of nutritious meals leads to the body breaking down forcing many to leave the trail. With such intense physical output, junk food can be fun as an occasional snack. You mean we can't get to Maine on fritos alone? We¢ll need protein and good food to make it to Mt. Katahdin. More about this later. Fly right!Ravon
Date: 2008-03-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Two more days until this Ravon launches off what feels like a cliff with the ground far below. It has been a day of finalizing my pack trying to shave ounces. Friends called to wish me luck Cinnamon, John Sommers, who wrote "Thank God I'm a Country Boy ,"Katie and Paul who just experienced the birth of their first grandchild and my son, Sandy, who is going to join me in the White Mountains. I've even heard there may be friendly bet or two on how far my feet will carry me. Ravens are very persistent birds. Through other hikers, I've heard of the wonders of trail magic and stories of trail angels. This is when you experience acts of kindness or unexpected good will. Already trail magic has occurred. Roger of Aspen Reprographic copied a map for me. Joey printed up my traveling Ravon cards. Hooker, my hair dresser and long time friend did my hair as a send off gift. A newspaper article was written by John Colson and appeared in the Aspen Times. With this magic before I leave, I can only image what will show up on the trail. Fly right,Ravon
Date: 2008-03-18
To: Springer Mountain
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The journey has begun. After a nice send off from Steffi and Mike. Joe and I headed up to Amacolola Falls.  He has been great in shuttling me around and dedicated to finding the allusive stove canister for my pocket rocket. You cannot fly with any kind of fuel so you are faced with finding some before beginning your trek.  I'd been warned that alcohol stoves can be very temperamental when it's cold.   So I wanted to start with a propane fuel.  I'm already glad I brought an old cashmere sweater and have a light weight down jacket. It was a great temperature to be hiking about 50 degrees and overcast. At the Amacolola Falls State Park visitor center, I signed inn number 265 thru hiker to begin the AT in 2008. Thru hikers are those who plan to try and complete the trail in one season from Georgia to Maine. You are a NOBO if you start at Springer Mountain and SOBO if you start at Mt Katahdin.  Many more start North about this time of year. To come south, you cannot begin until June.  I,m still just on the approach trail up to the actual beginning, Springer Mountain, a distance of 8.8 miles.  Because Joe wanted to see what a green hikers inn is like, he decided to come with me. It is a five mile hike on a well groomed moderate trail. The leaves are not out yet, but the Mountain Laurel and Rhodes considered to be evergreens have leaves, but not flowering yet. It,s nice to see through the trunks of oak, poplar, and witch hazel and other tree I hope to learn, down to the valley below. It was a beautiful 5 mile hike up to the Len Foot Hiker's Inn. The inn is built atop of wooden pillars on four different levels arranged down a tree covered slope. The top level is the bunk rooms sleeping 40 people with a reception area.  The second level is a bath house with hot showers and composting toilets. The third level is the dinning area where family style breakfast and dinners are served. The final level is a sun room which is a lounging area and game room. Beside the usual green technology of solar panels, flourescent lights, composting toilets, they have a vermin room. You ask what is that? It is their red wiggler worms that eat all the shredded paper and the food scraps. They will eat 1/2 their weight everyday! They started out with ten pounds of worms and now are up to 40-50 pounds. Uri I wish you have been here to help strain out the worm castings, little black balls that go out to the garden. I c, only imagine the great tomatoes they can grow up here. It made me wonder if I could have a vermicomposting bin and if they really could keep up with our junk mail. Here after each meal, the groups food scraps are weighed and posted as to how much we leave on our plates. I was a little worried that the red wigglers would go hungry today because we only left 1 oz.  The helpers said no problem it was tax season and their was lots of shredded paper. Joe has found a guitar with 5 strings, but this didn't deter him from leading a sing along. He was totally enjoyed by a group of college girls from Alabama. After little sleep the night before, I'm ready for bed Fly rightRavon