morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-04-17
From: Blueberry Patch

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: clear sky

I was up at 7am and just went for my last shower for about 4 days. After I patched up my feet and put my boots on I called NaviGator to tell her I was moving on and that my feet are better or good enough to go on. After a great breakfast we said goodbye to Lennie and Gary took us(myself, Shawn, Lefty, Rocket, TwinkleToes and Slow Train) to the trail. I made it to Plum Orchard Gap shelter for lunch. I decided to move on to Bly Gap for the night. Shawn stayed behind. My feet felt ok and it was only 2pm. On I went and just as I was getting tired I came to a camping area and it was Bly Gap. I realized I had missed the GA-NC state line. Finally in the second state. Wow! I felt pretty good. I had to go back so I could take my picture at the state line. The temp today was warm, maybe mid '70's. I'ts a good thing I got here when I did and had set up my tent because a group of 20 scouts came in for the night. It has been a nice day. This is the first night that I get to sleep in my tent alone, no NaviGator! Not for long.   LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-04-18
From: Bly Gap

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

Had a great night sleep. As I was eating my breakfast cereal I thought about how nice the GA trail was and how well it was maintained. Great job GA! I got an opportunity to thank a trail supervisor from Ga and a volunteer that I met near Beech Gap for doing a great job. I had lunch at 11:30 then got to Standing Indian shelter at 1pm. I took an hour break then decided to go on to Beech Gap. The trail up Standing Indian wasn't bad and from that point on the trail was fast. I was at Beech Gap at 3pm. I met Patches, he was picking up trash. My feet were still doing ok so I pushed on to Carter Gap shelter with Patches. We talked as we hiked which made the time go faster. I got a new blister I hadn't felt, but everything else is ok.LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-04-19
From: Carter Gap Shelter

To: Rainbow Spring Campground
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: overcast clouds

slept in YurtThe sun was up and so was I around 6:30am. My feet were a little sore but otherwisw not bad. I'ts funnywhen one person gets up everyone gets up and starts moving. I was on the trail by 7:50, I wanted to be passed Albert Mtn by 12 noon. After an hour I had to stop and change the ace bandage I wear around my heel. I reached the top of Albert Mtn by 11:35 then headed to Big Spring shelter for water bcause it was going to be 5.9miles before the next water. I reached the 100 mile mark at Glasmine Gap, then on to Wallace Gap. Albert Mtn was tough but the view was spectacular. I'm surprised I haven't seen much wildlife. I see plenty of birds and occasionally hear the mating call of a grouse. At Wallace Gap I walked in to Rainbow Springs campground. First thing I did was buy Ben & Jerry's ice cream. Then I talked to NaviGator, she and Corinne will be here tomorrow. I took a shower, it feels so good to get the stink off my body. It's been an interesting day. More blisters on my feet but I made it here.LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-04-20
From: Rainbow Spring Campground

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

What a night! I don't know what time it was but I just had to move to the floor to sleep. The cots made too much noise. I was awake early but didn't want to wake Patches so I just laid there thinking how great it would be to see NaviGator and Corinne. I got my wash done this morning while I waited for the office to open. Once again Winton came to the rescue. He asked Troy who works at the Outfitter to let me use his car so I could drive to Neels Gap so we could once again work on my boots. That was very nice of Troy considering he didn't know me from Adam. Thanks Troy. I said Happy Trails to Patches. The drive to Neels Gap was pretty awesome going through Hayesville,NC. NaviGator and Corinne arrived at 3:30. We sat up the truck tent for them to sleep in. After dinner in Franklin we were all pretty tired so they went to bed early. I still had to work on my meals for the next few days. Back on the trail tomorrow, hopefully my feet will cooperate. I would recommend Rainbow springs campground to anyone wanting the serenity of the mtns. The managers Terry & Barry are very nice and gracious host. Everything is very clean. It will be a little harder moving on after seeing NaviGator and of course Corinne, our daughter who is trying to find her way in life but I'll see them again soon at NOC. Great support system. I've met alot of interesting people along the way and I'm sure I"ll meet many more. Happy Trails.NaviGator says: I would like to thank Ready for getting me to the Atlanta airport. It is not easy getting around with the crutches but thanks to my family & friends I was able to rest & get prepared for my drive along the AT. Sometimes we don't know why things happen the way they do but because of my being off the trail and Corinne not going to bootcamp she is going to be with me for about a month. She is going to be a great help to me. Hopefully some Mommy time will help her too. She likes spending time with hikers though she doesn't enjoy hiking! It was great to see Ole Man but I hate seeing his feet all tore up like they are. This is not how we planned our hike but we are both hiking on! LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-04-21
From: Wallace Gap

To: Wine Springs Campsite
Miles today: 11.3

Wallace Gap to Wine Springs campsiteslept in tent11.3 miles)I was up at 6am and in the shower Navi & Corinne and everyone in the yurt were still sleeping so I just started packing until it got light out. The feet feel pretty good so I put on the boots and they were fine, ready for hiking. I went back to the truck and Navi had coffee ready, it sure tasted good! Barry came by to see the truck & tent set-up, he was impressed and liked it. Navi & Corinne dropped me off at Wallace Gap and I told Navi I would see her on Fri at NOC. My first stop was Winding Stair gap at US 64. I remembered when TwoStep and I were there in 2002 for lunch and soaked our heads in a stream pipe that had really good water. I met Twinkle Toes at Siler Bald and we had lunch. From there it was all uphill to Wine Spring where I planned to stop for the night. I got some great pictures today of the beautiful views. I got to Wine Spring about 5pm and Dave and his 2 dogs were there and also Up & Down and 2 other hikers that had stayed at Rainbow Springs last night. !They are a nice group of young hikers and I don't mind having them around. Great hiking day. My feet held up. I"ll see my trail angels on Friday.LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-04-22
From: Wine Springs Campsite

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: scattered clouds

We had some rain off & on during the night, nothing major. On the trail by 7:50am heading up Wayah Bald when I reached the road to the lookout there was a restroom there and right on time too. TwoStep and I did the same thing in 2002. At the lookout I worked on my feet and I was good to go. Next stop Cold Spring shelter for lunch, with a few other stops along the way for water or just to rest. Cold Springs at 11:30, making good time just another 6 miles to Wesser Bald Shelter. The group I'm with are nice and fun at camp. Twinkle Toes, Dave and his dogs, Up & Down, and Erik. We constantly pass each other all day. The pull up Wesser Bald was long but the view was great so I did get good pictures. I got water at a spring and didn't realize the shelter was only .1 mile down the trail. I had only filled one bottle of water so I had to go back to fill the 4 liter platypus.That sucked, lesson learned. We all sat around and talked about the trail and people we've met. It was a nice but tough day. Can't wait to see NaviGator and my other little trail angel tomorrow. LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-04-23
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up this morning thinking it will only be 6 miles to NOC and I"ll see NaviGator and Corinne(Chattering Squirrel). Well, it may have been only 6 miles but I had a hard time. I still managed to get to NOC by 11am and I headed straight for the River's End restaurant for a trout sandwich, french fries and a large Coke. NaviGator and Corinne arrived and we got beds in the bunkhouse. NaviGator is moving around preety god on her crutches. We went down to the river to soak our feet in the COLD water. While sitting at the rivers edge talking with another hiker a snake came swimming by right under his feet then towards us. That was the end of the soaking!. Corinne has made friends pretty fast with some other hikers. We made dinner in the community kitchen. I soaked my feet and NaviGator and played a game of cards before going to bed. Not long after going to bed 3 young men came in to sleep in the other bunks. What a day, started out bad but ended up great. LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-04-24
From: NOC

To: Locust Cove Gap
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: scattered clouds

At around 6am our guest for the night left. There was a triathalon being held at NOC and they were a team. We had brought in the coffee pot so I was able to get up and make a pot of coffee. That was nice! I don't get coffee like this on the trail so this is like a treat. Patches and I are going to hike together the next section. It's going to be another hot day so we had to get going. Seven straight miles uphill is not going to be fun. BuckWild asked Corinne if she still wanted to go white water rafting so they went to reserve a 2 man rubber kayak. Patches and I headed out at 10am. What a climb! We stopped for lunch at 1pm at Sassafras Gap shelter. Pushed on to Locust Gap shelter and arrived at 5:30pm. At 7:15 in comes BuckWild he said they had a good time kayaking. They flipped the kayak in the last rapid but they were ok. We all had a great time at the campsite. Instead of the rain we were suppoed to get we got a sliver of moon and plenty of stars. My feet also held up today, no new blisters. I think the boots are almost done breaking me in HA HA!!! I'm still going Dave, Doug and Phil. Nice day.   NaviGator says: I was really tired today, it was the most I had tried to walk on crutches. I followed Corinne And BuckWild down river for awhile. Driving in the truck then getting out and walking to the river's edge to get pictures. I gave Yovo(sorry if the spelling is wrong) a ride to Cherokee before going on to the Hike Inn. It was nice to see Jeff & Nancy again. They are a great asset to the trail community, also willing to do what they can. LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-04-25
From: Locust Cove Gap

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I was up this morning trying to catch up on journaling by 6:30am everyone was up. I repatched my foot to get ready for the 12 mile hike to Cable Gap shelter, that will put us 6 miles from Fontana Dam. The hike started out nice until we started to climb out of Sweetwater Gap, the toughest ankle buster yet for an ascent. We hiked until we got to Brown Fork shelter where we had lunch. We stayed there an hour then continued on towards Cable Gap shelter. The trail has been magnificent with all the flowers and trees with their new life. I did take time to take pictures of all the beautiful flowers. When we passed Yellow Creek Gap I looked for NaviGator but no luck. We made it to the shelter by 3:30 and no one else was there. That lasted only 20 minutes, when a hiker came in and said to me,"You must be Ole Man. NaviGator had ice cold lemonade at Stecoah Gap and it was delicious." He really enjoyed the lemonade and meeting Navi & Corinne. Then at least 10 more hikers cae in and said the same thing. Patches & I had just missed her by about 10 min. Nothing like trail magic!! It's going to be nice to take a down day with our friends Jeff & Nancy at the Hike Inn. We should be in Fontana by noon.   LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-04-26
From: Cable Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: light rain

It rained all night with no let up and you can tell it's going to be a very soggy hike to Fontana Dam. Everyone was up about 7:30am and moving fast to start hiking. Just about everyone who tented, tarped or whatever they were sleeping in got wet. One young who slept under his tarp was all wet including his sleeping bag, but it didn't dampen his spirit, he was going to get to Fontana. Patches & I got out after shoveling a handful of GORP in our mouths and on the trail by 8:30. The tail was very slick, the hard clay was like skating on ice not to mention the roots that were waiting for the next unsuspecting hiker that would step on it and find him/herself flat on their backside. Patches & I were very careful with our footing and made it down to the "Hilton" just in time to see a white suburban pull up and ask if we wanted a ride. It was Nancy and you know my answer to that. Patches ended up at Fontana Inn as there was no room at the Hike Inn. It was great to see NaviGator and! Corinne and the shower with hot water hit the spot. I found out Skipper would be arriving later this evening. I told NaviGator & Corinne they were a huge hit with their trail angel magic and the lemonade and how much the hikers appeciated it. I remember how wonderful trail magic was in 2002 when I attempted my first thru-hike. We rode to town for the dinner shuttle and had Mexican food with Deb & Jarrod. Later we were sitting around talking and we got on the subject of feet. Deb freaked out when I said I had pulled off 2 toenails and I now have only 1 toenail left.It got to be a joke after awhile and I told Deb & Jarrod to lock their door because I may come to get their toenails. Ha Ha!! I'm looking forward to the down tomorrow and spending some time with Navi, Corinne, Nancy, Jeff and Skipper. Gave my feet a much needed soak. What a day! The ending was very nice.   LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-04-27
From: Fontana Dam

To: Hike Inn
Miles today: 0.0

Today was nice and relaxing. This morning Navi & I drove to Fontana village to deliver Patch's foodbox that NaviGator had brought with her from NOC. He got back on the trail and I will try to meet up with him in the Smokies. We drove into town for supplies. This is such a beautiful area, especially when the clouds and mist hang in the valleys between the mountains and spring is almost in full bloom. We have been out a month and have watched the transformation from winter to spring. What magic, what a mystical time! I took a nap this afternoon and while I was sleeping Navi & Corinne managed to put nail polish on my only toenail.Skipper slackpacked today so he was able to join us for dinner. Tuesday night T-Bone special at SweetwaterBBQ in Robbinsville. Great place. Highly recommend. Saved my Ben & Jerry's Phish Food for a bedtime snack. Repacked food supply, got my permit for the Smokies, soaked my feet one more time then turned in for the night. It's been a very nice relaxing day spent with my loved ones and freinds.   LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-04-28
From: Fontana Dam

To: Russel Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

The day started early as usual. I got up and took the last shower I'll have for the next 6-7 days. After saying goodbye to Jeff & Nancy and a sleeping Corinne. I wish I had seen Skipper this morning. We gave a ride to Joe who has been off the trail for the last 10 days because of illness.We were on the trail at 8:30. Joe was hiking slowly. I'm sure he feels like he is starting all over. I stopped for a break at Birch Spring campsite. Just as I was about to eat a handful of GORP I heard a noise behind me. It was a young buck. He saw me but I guess he thought I wasn't a threat so he just kept on eating branches. That was awesome and I got some pictures. I reached Mollies Ridge at 2:00 and decided to move on to Russell Field shelter another 2.5 miles. I got into the shelter at 5:00 and Joe soon arrived. I got my boots off, got water, had dinner then hit the sack and start writing in my journal. I had read notes from Patches in the register along the way but he is still a day aheadof me. A ridge runner I met today said there would be rain tomorrow.Oh well today has been a great day for hiking. LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-04-29
From: Russel Field Shelter

To: Silar Bald
Miles today: 14.7

Up by 6am fixing my feet for todays hike. I was packed up and on the trail at 8:00. We had high winds last night and the winds this morning are still about 20-25 mph but the sun is out and things will warm up quick. I got to Spence Field at 9am and once again passed the area where I broke my ankle in 2002. What a feeling to pass it once again. Patches is still out ahead of me as I look in the register. Not much to report today. Alot of ups & downs. I reached Derrick Knob shelter by 12:40 and I decided I would continue to Silars Bald shelter for the night, another 5.5 miles. The hike has been very scenic especially the ground with all the little wild flowers. White, pink, & purple flowers cover the ground like a blanket of snow. My feet are holding up well and I hope that continues. I got into the shelter at 5pm. There was an elderly couple there who is just hiking the Smokies. Not long after Santa, a young man who is on the trail with his bible and very little gear, came by butmoved on quickly. I read that Patches is only 1.7 miles from here at Double Spring Gap but my feet tell me I can't go any further. Maybe I'll catch him in the morning. Clingman's tomorrow.LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-04-30
From: Silar Bald

To: Mt Collins
Miles today: 10.0

Woke up to a dreary day and heading for Mt Colins. At about 1/2 mile mark I ran into two tents set up on the trail. The 2-person tent blocked the trail completely and I didn't realize that I was going the wrong way until I had hiked about one mile. I was pissed! I hiked back and told him about not tenting on the trail. Then it was on to Clingman's Dome. What a miserable day! At Double Gap shelter Jaws told me Patches had moved on to Newfound Gap and then go into Gatlinburg. I was already soaked because of the packa and I had forgot my rainpants at Fontana. I got to Clingman's and kept on going after I got water. By the time I got to Mt Collins I was worn out and wet like I've never been before. I dropped my pack and changed into dry clothes really fast, then I got out my sleeping bag to keep warm. I ate dinner to help warm up. It is interesting to see what other hikers carry in their pack. Googles carries a Barbie doll and big food items like a one pound choclate bunny. Anothercouple out for a few days had wine and wine glasses. Tomorrow I'll meet NaviGator at Newfound Gap and maybe take a down day.   LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-05-01
From: Mt Collins

To: Newfound Gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: light rain

I woke up early after a long rest from yesterday's ordeal with getting wet from the packa. I put my wet long sleeve shirt over the dry short sleeve and it worked fine. It contnued to rain so once on the trail at 8am didn't stop until I reached Newfound Gap at 10:30. Navi was not there so I just kept walking around because it was so cold and windy. When NaviGator & Corinne showed up I said lets get a room in Gatilinburg I need a hot shower and dry clothes. SugarPlum came along and asked if he could get a ride so Navi made room for him in the back. It was a tight squeeze for him but it was a dry place. We found the Happy Hiker outfitter and got a suggestion on where to stay. I also bought a new pack cover to use and I'll take my raincoat. I hope to stay a much drier this way. The packa sounds like a good idea but just didn't work for me. We went on to the Microtel hotel and as we were pulling in Patches runs out. He had spotted the truck and was going to chase it down. We were glad to see him. After getting a room I went right for the shower. That felt good! We got the laundry done so now I had dry clothes and I could relax a little. We went to dinner at Texas Steakhouse with Patches, Waker and SugarPlum. We all had a great time and great food. Patches came up to our room and we talked about hiking tomorrow. He had already taken a down day and since he has a schedule to keep he wants to hike out. I told I him would see how the feet felt in the morning. The day turned out really great. I even got to talk with Tracy. Oh yea, Navi did not get her cast off. The Dr said the leg was healing fine but needs the support of the cast as she begins to put weight on it. LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-05-02
From: Newfound Gap

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: moderate rain

Got up at 6:30 to shower and tape my feet for the hike today. Maybe. Looked outside and the weather didn't look to good especially up on top of the mountains. We met Patches in the lobby at 8:30 and he was thinking twice about leaving after watching the weather channel. I was also not to excited about going as my feet were hurting. Finally at about 10am we decided to go. Navi drove us up to Newfound gap and it looked like it did yesterday all over again. At least I'm starting out dry! Navi gave another hiker a ride back to Gatlinburg. What a trail angel! It rained pretty hard but this time I was staying dry. At times we were in water up to three inches. We were at Icewater Spring shelter by 12noon. The storm was more intense but we decided to push on to Peck's Corner 7 more miles away. We were walking in waterfalls on the trail and it did get dangerous at times. I took a spill once and we both did some sliding. My feet were so glad to get to the shelter that 7 miles felt like 15!The shelter is pretty big and it did fill up by 7pm. The inside of the shelter is littered with clothes line and wet hiking gear of 8 people. The weather tomorrow. Rain! Hopefully not all day!   LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-05-03
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up at 6am to daybreak with some blue sky but very cold. I woke up Patches at 7am so I could get my food bag that he hung for me last night. He also cooked me dinner and got water while I warmed up in my sleeping bag. I boiled water so the two of us could have some oatmeal for breakfast. We were on the trail by 8:30am. We had 5 miles to get to Tricorner shelter for lunch. Our nice sun didn't last too long but it wasn't raining. Yesterday was a washout. My feet feel pretty good today. Last night I found a rock that I could put in the toe of the boot to keep it stretched out. This morning the boot went on a little easier. It worked great so now I will carry this rock until Damascus. We got to the shelter at noon and had lunch and talked with another hiker named Jordan. About 10 minutes after we started to hike up Mt Guyot it started to sleet and by the time we reached the top it was snowing. I did manage to get a few pictures before I packed the camera away. By 2pm we reached Snake Den side trail which left us another 2 hours of hiking. By the time we left there the trail was getting covered to where we could no longer see Jordan's footsteps. It was a winter wonderland again. Finally we reached Cosby Knob shelter at 3:50 and Jordan was there. It felt great to be done for the day. We picked spots to sleep, got changed and relaxed. More hikers came in from Icewater Spring. They did a twenty mile day. Patches & I hike well together. We both like to stop to enjoy the trail and it's beauty. Yesterday we saw an orange salamander about 7 inches long. It's too bad Patches is leaving the trail at Hot Springs,it's been nice. Well tomorrow will be time to celebrate when I get done with the Smokies. Navi will be at Standing Bear Farm when we finish. It was a good day. My rock is in my boot and it's time to sleep. LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime