morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-05-29
From: Carver Gap

To: Weedy Gap
Miles today: 13.5

9 orange salamanders10 ladyslippersA new pink color of trillian2 new (as of yet unidentified) white flowersa purple flowerand a yellow flower that looked like a bellDespite Roan Mountain trying to beat us down, today was a great hiking day. The weather was perfect and the terrain (except for Roan Mountain) was enjoyable.We started off this morning with one final unbelievable breakfast by Mary at Mountain Harbor. It was hard to walk away. We contemplated slackpacking our entire hike out of Mary's kitchen, but finally realized we had to let go.We were very thankful that all our clothes and shoes were dry after yesterdays...adventure. After all gear was packed up we loaded into Terri's truck for a ride back to Carver's Gap. Driving up the mountain we watched as the blue skies we had at the B&B turned from lovely blue, to grey and overcast and finally back to the same thick fog from yesterday. That's when the truck stopped for us to get out.First trek for the day was back into the deep, dark pine forest we had briefly walked in yesterday. This took us to the top of Roan Mountain. It was an eerie kind of woods. There were no sounds of life, it was very still. Every now and then there would be one lone bird sound calling, as if to say "Is anybody out there?".At the top of Roan Mountain we passed the decaying remains of a chimney from a house long gone. All I could think was, what a tough place to live.Heading down the other side the woods continued. The trail was steep and slow going. Gradually the pines gave way to other trees, the sunshine began to filter through. This is where we started seeing some new kinds of flowers blooming that we hadn't seen before today. As we approached the foot of the mountain there was a noticeable change in the sounds. There were birds of all sorts singing here. It was almost loud after the stillness we had passed through earlier.The rest of the day was filled with smaller mountains, Little Rock Knob, Piney Bald, Iron Mountain, passing through Hughes Gap and Greasy Creek. We stopped for lunch at Clyde Smith shelter. All along the way we found more and more new flowers. Owl was especially thrilled to find a patch of Ladyslippers. We came to a hillside covered in a Trillian that was a pink color we had yet to see on the trail. Our little orange salamander friends showed up again today.We weren't sure what to plan for mileage today. The shelter and campsites shown on our map were just not enough miles for a day. But the next shelter was farther than we thought we could do. We decided to push past the shelter and hope for a good campsite.We found an excellent campsite. Just after Weedy Gap, which is by the way very weedy, we came to a sign pointing right to a water source. Looking down the trail was a campsite just the right size for us. The water source was a piped spring that is running strong, clear and cold. Couldn't ask for much more in a campsite. And all the birds missing from Roan Mountain are in this meadow with us. We have surround sound bird songs. Pretty cool. It's a good night.Rabbit, Owl and RooJoshua 1:9
Date: 2008-05-30
From: Weedy Gap

To: Curly Maple Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

In the first hour of hiking Owl counted 25 orange salamanders. It ended abruptly. I guess we left orange salamander territory. We saw one more Lady Slipper, many more Trillions and the Rhododendrons are in full bloom. The best nature of the day though was the black snake I almost stepped on. I heard Owl gasp behind me, turned around and she was staring down at a three foot blacksnake sunny on a rock that I had just stepped over. He sat rock still. Didn't care about us at all.We crossed over Unaka Mountain. Most of the way up it was pretty much the same until we reached close to the top. The forest changed. The guide book said it is similar to a Maine forest. I guess we'll see when we get there. At one point on the trail the forest ahead was so dark it looked like you were walking into night. Owl and I were trying to remember what the scary forest in Princess Bride was called. That's what it reminded us of. But when we got inside there weren't any rats of enormous size or any of that stuff. Just a pretty woodland.Later in the day we crossed Beauty Spot. Strange name. It was okay, but really we've seen more beautiful spots. We met two men there. One of them showed us a hole drilled into a rock near where we were standing. Then he took us to another rock with a similar hole. He pointed at a third rock that he said has still another hole. He told us the three holes make an arrow that point to Unaka Mountain. Legend has it that early Spanish explorers drilled the holes to mark the spot, Unaka Mountain, where they buried their silver. I'm not sure what Spanish explorers were doing hauling their treasure all the way to the North Carolina mountains to bury it, but this gentleman said he believed it was true. He had even written a book about it, Silver on Unaka. It might be interesting to find out where he got his sources. If you want to look it up and go treasure hunting, his name was Buddy Johnson.After that we entered the never ending trail. It was almost Twilight Zone like. Flat trail, hill going up on the left and down on the right, heavily rooted and some rocks, surrounded by rhododendrons. It went on and on exactly the same for four solid miles. It was hypnotic. It felt like we were never going to come out of it. When we finally did it was into a clearing with a strange stone foundation. Then the trail flipped... uphill on the right, down on the left. It was disorienting. Luckily the shelter was not far. It had been a sixteen-mile day and I didn't need to feel disoriented at this point.We had hoped to push into Erwin today but we just couldn't do another four miles. Tomorrow is Saturday and the post office will only be open from 10 - 12 and we need to pick up our drop boxes. That means we'll have an early start tomorrow. So for tonight it's early to bed.Rabbit, Owl and RooJoshua 1:9
Date: 2008-06-01
From: Spivey Gap

To: Nolichucky River
Miles today: 11.0

This morning we took a shuttle to Spivey Gap and hiked 11 miles back into Erwin. It was a pretty uneventful hike. Nothing much new. No new plants or interesting lizards. But we slackpacked eleven more miles and had half a day left to relax.We cooked dinner here at the hostel tonight. We put together a great salad and barbequed short ribs. At the local grocery we found Frosty rootbeer. I haven't been able to find Frosty rootbeer in years. It was a great meal and a nice change.Then it was time to get the packs together and prep the bounce boxes to move on. It's been a good stop.Rabbit, Owl and RooJoshua 1:9
Date: 2008-06-03
From: Sam's Gap

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I didn't write this last night because I was so exhausted when I crawled in bed. We had pushed 17 miles to get to Jerry Cabin for the water only to find the shelter packed with NOBOs and the water just a trickle. We ate and went straight to bed.The wind last night was whipping, I expected a storm, but it's dry now. I haven't had the courage to look out of the tent yet. Rain may still be in store for us. The last two days have been too beautiful.Yesterday's trail had a sense of oldness to it. I guess part of it was continuing to walk through so many large old trees.We also passed two grave sites. The first were for two people who had died in 1965 and 67, both close to 100 years old. I was surprised the tombstones said 1965, they looked more like 1865 stones. These graves were not far from a group of houses in the woods that had collapsed on themselves. We wondered if this had been their community.The other graves were of two Civil War soldiers and their young lookout. They had been returning home for a family gathering when they were ambushed and killed. Something about these woods, I could see the Civil War being fought here, among these same trees.The trail itself gave a sense of being old. This is the poorest maintained section of the trail we have been through. There were trees across the trail that have clearly been left here for years. Very well worn paths go around them. We saw two signs for side trails standing in the middle of weeds that almost covered them, no sign of the trail they were marking. Other sections are grown over causing us to double check our way. That was difficult as well since blazes are few and far between and often very faded. It's kind of sad after having recently walked through areas were the trail clubs and maintainers are so active in taking care of their sections. It also shows how quickly nature will take back the land.Owl and I are both having problems with our feet that we have not had in sometime. I think our boot support is breaking down. I asked Greg to send our next set to his parents to bring us before we start the Smokies. I'm wishing now I had them sent to my Dad to bring us at Hot Springs.Hot Springs at 4:00 on Thursday is our goal. Dad is meeting me there to pick up River for her Smokey Mountain vacation. She is still doing well, but I think she'll love having some playtime with Bashful. In order to make Hot Springs in time tomorrow we need to make 15 miles today. Better get moving.Rabbit, Owl and RooJoshua 1:9
Date: 2008-06-04
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

It was a slow start this morning. No one felt like moving fast after yesterday's miles. I also felt like part of the struggles Owl and I had with low energy yesterday was from eating a quick breakfast. So we started this morning with some oatmeal. I'm not sure it lasted much longer than a powerbar on the run.Looking at the elevation map we thought we would make great time this morning. But as we have learned many times, just because the elevation is relatively flat does not mean it will be a quick walk. Instead of cruising over gently rolling terrain we had imagined, we were bouldering up and down over rock ledges. It was fun, beautiful views and a great breeze, but not quick at all.We got to Little Laurel Shelter by lunch time, only six miles into our planned sixteen mile day. Water is scarce in this section so a stop was necessary. While eating lunch we met a NOBO named Jill. It's been awhile since we've run into a female NOBO on the trail. She was talking about how she had hiked into the night last night and how much more pleasant the temperatures are after 5:00.I left the shelter with that thought in my mind. It was getting hotter and hotter. Water is at a premium and Roo was panting at my heel. After mulling it over awhile I decided that the first nice break spot we would stop for an hour or so to let the temps go down. Of course we were on one of those endless downhills that goes on and on.Finally we came to a dirt road that's not on my map. There was a sign to Hemlock Hollow Farm Shoppe and Cabins. Earlier we had looked at this as a possible place to stop, but the dog thing was a question. Turns out there really is no time for a stop anyway in order to make it to Hot Springs to meet Dad. But the road clearing did look like a great cooling off spot.There were some logs arranged around an old campfire. We dropped our packs and sat down. Roo immediately started scratching around for a cool spot of ground. Tigger wandered over to the sign for the Hemlcok Hollow. She came back, sat down and kicked her shoes off. She said if it wasn't a half mile away she would go for a soda. ...I knew an idea was brewing.A few minutes later... 'you know I could put on my crocks and walk it' With just a little nudge...I think it was something about maybe having milkshakes... Owl was on board.So Roo and I are sitting here chilling out waiting for the sun to cool down a bit and waiting for our soda delivery. The woods are beautiful here though, nice place to hang out and cool off.Later...I think maybe 5:00 was a little early for cooling off, we were still dripping sweat on the uphills. However our timing was good getting into camp. We arrived at the shelter with just enough time to gather and filter water, set up the tent and eat a quick dinner before the sun went down.Tomorrow we are going to try to rise before the sun, pack up early and head into town. It's about eleven miles of a pretty steep downhill. Uphills are strenuous, but downhills can be painful. An early start will be good.Rabbit, Owl and RooJoshua 1:9
Date: 2008-06-06
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

This was truly a restful zero day. Not all zeros are restful. Many are full of 'business' and unfortunately some of ours have been spent sick. Today it was good to just relax.We started the day with Elmer's breakfast at Sunnybank. It was good, but Mary at Mountain Harbor is still the master of breakfast. We spent a little time sorting and organizing gear and browsing the outfitters.This outfitter had a great food section, small but really nice choices. They also had books and toys and some gear that we hadn't seen in other places. It was a fun store to browse. They even had a puppet of the monster from Where The Wild Things Are. Brought back memories. If it were smaller I would have bought it for a mascot... well, maybe.At noon we had an appointment for massages at the spa. That was time very well spent! Owl and I both got Swedish massages. I was really hoping for a facial, but they only do massage. But they do massage well so it was worth it. Afterwards we had an hour reserved in the hot tubs. We had second thoughts about this since the temps have been record highs, but decided to give it a try. Turned out to be very comfortable and relaxing.From there we had a salad lunch at a small cafe/ice cream shop on the main street in town. All the food we have sampled in Hot Springs has been good. At the shoppe we met a man who is getting ready to head to Maine for his SOBO hike. We chatted about gear and our experiences. I remember that excitement when it was almost time to go. It's so hard to believe we are this close to being finished with our first half.Looking at the clock we realized we were running short of time to get to the post office. Amazing how often the PO schedule dictates our schedule. We rushed back to the room, packed up our bounce box and made it just in time before they closed.The evening has been very quiet. We sat on the porch eating cheese and crackers, sketching and learning how to whistle. Soaring was showing us how to do the train whistle sound through your fist. We all had fun laughing at our attempts. Tigger just couldn't get it.While we sat there the sky suddenly opened up into a downpour. It was such a welcome relief from the heat. ...I only say that, though, because we weren't hiking in it. The air remained cooler afterward and there was a gorgeous pink sunset.For dinner we gathered with the other boarders at Sunnybank for a vegetarian dinner made by Elmer and his assistant Sean. It was again very good, but I think the conversation was the best part.Now it's time to get ready for bed. We are doing an early morning shuttle. We plan to slackpack tomorrow to avoid as much of this heat as possible. We will go fifteen miles up the trail and hike back into Hot Springs.It's nice to take a day to relax and refresh, but the trail calls and it's time to get back out there.Rabbit, Owl and RooJoshua 1:9
Date: 2008-06-07
From: Lemon Gap

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Even though we hiked 15 miles it still seemed like a Nero. We left very early this morning in an effort to beat the heat. By 6:00 AM we were at the outfitters loading up for our shuttle.The ride out was very winding. I'm not sure what was more nauseating, the windy mountain road or the political rantings of our driver. Since he was giving us the ride, not only today but also in the morning, we just let him rant and kept our mouths shut.We arrived at Lemon Gap to begin our 15 mile hike north at 7:00 AM. It was a good time to begin, the temps were reasonable and the air still fresh.Besides the temps, we were also hoping to avoid the local bear. Since somewhere up in Virginia we have heard the NOBO hikers talking about Boomer the Bear who visits the shelters just south of Hot Springs. The tales have grown to legend proportions of his antics stealing hikers' food bags. The rumor out of Trail Days was that the ATC had installed bear cables, but alas they could not deter ol' Boomer.When we arrived at Hot Springs and spoke with the folks at the outfitter we were told that the rumors had grown out of control...not a surprise for a really good rumor. Boomer supposedly hadn't been a problem for a couple of weeks.So we started our hike pretty confident that we wouldn't see anything of Boomer, but at the same time a little leery. I had heard one hiker talking about reading the trail log at Walnut mountain shelter and how entry after entry were about interactions with the bear. I looked forward to reading that journal, but when we arrived at the shelter the journal was missing. There was one note taped to the side of the shelter dated June 4 describing Boomer's visit that night. He didn't score a food bag, but he checked things out good. So much for two weeks without a problem. We didn't see him and were happy for it.The hike was uneventful and we made our way... sweatily back to Hot Springs to Sunnybank. I will say though that we all missed Roo. Several times Tigger glanced back over her shoulder looking for her. It seemed so lonely without her, but I am glad I didn't have to worry about her in this heat.The afternoon was spent eating ice cream, checking emails at the outfitter's computer and back at the room packing up for tomorrow. This evening we went out to dinner at another cafe on the main street... Bridge...something cafe. It was very nice. It's hard to find really nice places to eat in trail towns. There are plenty of all you can eat Chinese and pizza delivery places, but a more upscale dinner is hard to find. This one was very nice. I had the pork tenderloin stuffed with pistachios and gorgonzola cheese with gouda mashed potatoes and steamed asparagus. All very well done. And a very nice change of pace.Tomorrow we will be back at the outfitters at 6:00AM to head south crossing Max Patch toward the Smokies. There we will be meeting up with Greg's folks for a few days. It will be since to spend some time with family.Rabbit, Owl and RooJoshua 1:9
Date: 2008-06-08
From: Lemon Gap

To: Groundhog Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: few clouds

For the second day in a row we were dropped off very early in the morning at Lemon Gap. This time we headed south toward Max Patch. The path was a long, easy uphill climb to the summit. We arrived at the peak around 10:00 AM.As we were getting close to the top we passed a small wooden animal box. As we passed Tigger stopped suddenly and said a bird had flown out. We all stopped and stood still quietly watching to see if he would come back. He was circling and watching us. About the third circle he came back to the box and landed at the door, looked at us and went inside. I'm pretty sure it was a bluebird, but I'll need to check that out to be sure. He posed for several pictures.At the top of the summit we had an awesome 360 view of mountains all around. The mountain top was green and filled with yellow buttercups. Beautiful. We pulled out our lunches and enjoyed the breeze (we were sure this would be our only breeze today). As we sat there a family hiked past us. They stopped nearby, took off their backpacks and began pulling things out. I assumed they were having a picnic also. It turned out that they were flying kites. It was like the cherry on top... green mountain, top meadow, buttercups, blue sky, puffy white clouds and now colorful kites flying in the breeze. Wow, what an awesome lunch break.We would have stayed there all day but we knew the cooler morning air would soon give way to the heat and stifling humidity. So we hiked on. The remainder of the day was mostly uneventful. We did pass a couple of dad's hiking with some teenagers. Reminded me of our group in Idaho last year...except the mom's were missing. That's too bad.We pulled into Groundhog Creek shelter early, about 2 PM. I told Owl we could stay here tonight or just wait for the temps to drop and move on if she wanted. Either way we would have a fairly easy walk tomorrow to Davenport Gap. Soaring and I stretched out in the shelter for a nap. I dozed off to the sound of Owl and Tigger playing a trivia game.By the time the temps cooled off we were pretty settled in. I guess we'll just start from here tomorrow. We are meeting Greg's parents at Davenport Gap. I believe it's about ten miles and we won't meet them until 2:00 PM. I read several entries in the shelter log about how great Standing Bear Hostel is. If we can get out of here early enough we'll make a stop by there on our way.For now it looks like a long night of fighting mosquitoes. But tomorrow another rescue by one of our great Trail Angels. :O)Rabbit, Owl and RooJoshua 1:9
Date: 2008-06-10
From: Davenport Gap

To: Cosby, TN Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

An excellent day to rest. We talked about hiking today and saving our zero for later in the week but Owl was really ready for a break. I suspect it was a matter of needing a new book. She ran out of reading material on this last leg and was having withdrawals. All she wanted was a bookstore stop before we moved on. So we zeroed.This morning we headed to Gatlinburg to the Happy Hiker, but found it didn't open until 10:00. How frustrating. How many hikers wait until after 10 to hike? So we left to head to Pigeon Forge in search of a bookstore. Pigeon Forge isn't my favorite place and it's even more overwhelming after living in the woods for a while, but we found a good bookstore. Owl got two more books and I picked up one. All are happy.After a couple more quick stops we headed back out of town toward Cosby. We had decided to pick up Norma and Atwood back at the Camper and go to The Wild Plum Teahouse for lunch. It's always been one of my favorite places to eat and as always the food was excellent.Then we were back at the camper. It was a toss up whether to go for a nap or a swim. The swim won out...until thunder rolled in and the sky opened up in buckets. So it was back inside to study maps and make plans.We are at the point we are working through some final details of our last few weeks in the south. We plan to meet some friends along the way and needed to get an idea of dates of where we will be when. Looks like if we can keep moving along at this pace we will be on schedule for our 'hoped' finish time. We've begun making plans for our move up north to Maine and it looks like in between we will have time for Owl and I to make up our missed section south of Damascus. I find it incredible that we are making such good time. It's got to be one of those God-things. We could never have worked out the timing so well.Now our bags are all packed. We're going light this section...stoveless with only cold food, tentless, planning to stay in the shelters (hoping that's not a mistake) and carrying as little other gear as possible. We're going to be dropped off at Newfound Gap and head north for this section. We'll just be out for two days doing thirty miles. We'll try to start each day as early as possible to beat the heat. We'll finish back at Davenport Gap. Then back here to the camper for a quick regrouping. We'll let you know how it goes.Rabbit, Owl and RooJoshua 1:9