morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-01
From: Memphis, TN

To: Memphis, TN
Miles today: 0.0

While Aunt Imogene finished her last day of work before her vacation road trip with May Louise, I planned my next few days on the trail. I will try to get from Hot Springs, NC to Erwin, TN in five days. I purchased and packed food for five days and treated my hiking clothes with permethrin to see if I can protect myself from deer ticks and other critters.   We sent my damaged hat off to Tilly with a letter telling the mouse meal story to see if they really mean their lifetime guarantee claim.Relatives gathered for supper included Cousin Jeremy's charming two years going on three year old sone Hayden who is into telling stories and jokes:"Once upon a time there was a Princess. She turned into a frog, then she turned back into a Princess.""I'll tell you a dirty joke: Dirty Diaper."
Date: 2014-05-03
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mountain Shelter mile 284.9
Miles today: 11.0

After a pleasant breakfast at the Lodge May Louise and Imogene headed for their next adventure, a tour of Monticello and I hit the trail headed for Erwin.There is a big music festival in Hot Springs this weekend. Both sides of the French Broad River were lined with the tents of young people who had come to the festival. One camper told me that the resort and campground that organized the festival sold 2000 tickets to the event. As I climbed out of the river valley I could hear bands playing at the festival.Half way through the day's hike I climbed past a campsite and pond formed by a dammed spring to an isolated dirt road crossing where a group of young people in 1960's hippy dress from Asheville had gathered for a May Day celebration. They invited me to join them. I heard their shouts of joy In the woods, but I hiked on instead of taking time for my own cultural experience.I did take time for the side trail to the Rich Mountain observation tower. It had a great 360 degree vista. I regret I did not have my camera with me. By the time I reached the shelter twilight was approaching and my little engine was running out of "think-I-cans". Only traveled 11 miles today, but most of it was uphill. During the week I was off the trail poison ivy has sprung up everywhere. I am trying to steer clear of it and wearing long sleeve shirts and pants, but I fear that it will soon get me. If it goes systemic as it has I the past I may have to abandon the hike.
Date: 2014-05-04
From: Spring Mountain Shelter mile 284.9

To: Jones Meadow Campsite mile 295.6
Miles today: 10.7

Up at 6:00 and on the trail at 8:00. Even with a cold breakfast and staying in a shelter so I don't have to take down my tent it takes me two hours to get dressed, fed, packed and processed for walking in the morning. Other hikers must have a more efficient routine than I do. I had planned to go further than ten miles today, but the trail was largely uphill and the long climbs on a warm day took the wind out of my sails. At this rate it will take me six days instead if the planned five to reach Erwin.In anticipation of spending time in Erwin I looked up the story of hanging Mary the elephant. Unfortunately I found a historical account that messes up a good story with too many facts. Talked with a southbound section hiker who was completing 20 mile day that started at Sam's Gap. He explained I was the 101st northbound through hiker he had passed today. No signs of bears tonight, but three large black dogs from a neighboring farm are sniffing around inspecting the folks trespassing on their turf.I am trying an experiment tonight that I may regret. I set up my tent without the rain fly so I can see the stars through the roof screen. No rain is expected, but morning mist may leave all my gear wet. Had another learning experience this evening. I put my pack in the tent, but failed to make sure the clamp on my water bladder tube was closed. The pack lay on the bite valve holding it open and flooding the bottom of the tent.
Date: 2014-05-05
From: Jones Meadow Campsite mile 295.6

To: Flint Mountain Shelter mile 306.2
Miles today: 10.8

Passed the 300 mile mark today, but again did not hike as far as I had hoped to.Poison ivy has popped up in several new places, but is not making me miserable yet. I have a faint hope that the constant sweating from hiking will flush the allergic reaction out of my system. Today's route included a Maine-style rock scramble up to and along Big Firescald Knob. Great vistas off the ridge in both directions. I took a phone camera picture, but its resolution did not capture the scene.After three warn days of sweating without a shower I am really grungy. My clothes and pack are streaked with salt stains from dried sweat.Conversation tonight with a Brit from outside of Oxford who hiked the Northern half of the trail two years ago and is finishing the southern half this year. He recommends taking May Louise on a hike between bed and breakfast cottages along the British Coast.Tomorrow I should get past Sam's Gap, where the trail crosses the new I-24 section between Johnson City and Asheville. Fellow showed up tonight packing a small guitar, so we have music to go to sleep to tonight. The young folks around the campfire knew all the songs and their lyrics. I did not recognize any of them.
Date: 2014-05-06
From: Flint Mountain Shelter mile 306.2

To: Tent site between Sam's Gap & Meadow campsite mile
Miles today: 12.0

Poison ivy is still with me, but it may not be spreading. Although it has popped up in random places including legs, hands, hair & neck, I fortunately do not have any on my feet where boots would rub it. The distractions of hill exhaustion, walking and keeping my balance keeps my mind off it during the day, but at night in my sleeping bag it is hard to ignore,I failed to follow Nathan's rule of looking behind me before starting to hike and left a bottle of water at last night's shelter. The Gatoraid bottle will be easy to replace, but I am entering a section with longer distances between water supplies; so I will miss it until I get to civilization and buy a replacement. During a stop at a shelter today to refill my water containers before heading for a campsite without a spring a couple of girls were doing yoga stretches before returning to the trail. Both of them easily out hike me; so perhaps I should try the stretches too, but I would break something permanently if I tried to put myself into the pretzel positions they use.I've started having leg cramps at night, A hiker a few weeks ago suggested eating bananas to prevent cramps. I will add them to the steak dinner I am looking forward to in Erwin. If nothing goes wrong I will get there day after tomorrow. I better do so, I will eat the last supper I am carrying tomorrow night...and it is not much of a supper: tortillas and peanut butter..No problem with knee. I did not bother with wearing brace today. But steep, long up hills like the three mile climb at the beginning of today's hike really exhaust me. The screen and thin fabric of my tent makes the moon look like it is shining with four spotlights leaving streaks of light across the sky up and down, left and right. I tried to capture the strange effect, but unlike my two eyes the single lense of my camera just sees the normal spot of light. Had trouble sleeping through the night because of the poison ivy; so I pulled out the iPad and memorized The Cremation of Sam McGee to entertain myself with while walking. I finally dosed off hard. I woke up to a very persistent bird alarm clock to find no new outbreaks and the old ones looking less angry. Maybe the poison ivy will self-cure.
Date: 2014-05-07
From: Tent site between Sam's Gap & Meadow campsite mile

To: Spivey Gap, US 19 crossing mile 330.8
Miles today: 12.6

I started the day within 19.7 miles of Erwin and most of the route is downhill; so I should be able to get there tomorrow without any problems. I made reservations for Thursday night and Friday night and am really looking forward to getting clean and eating some decent food. Beautiful day today. Got a little sunburn on the back of my neck even with sunscreen. Since I wear long sleeve shirts and long pants, my body is lily white except for the backs of my hands which look 100 years old. I finally passed some hikers today, Three friends from FL, GA, & AL who planned a 50 mile section hike and quickly discovered they needed to cut it back to 30. The long hard climb to Big Bald really wore me out, but it exhausted them even more. Once on top the view was spectacular, rivaling Max Patch. One of the three is a Methodist Minister originally from Baldwin County, AL where I was Manager. He once served in Selma and had Alabama Storyteller Katherine Windham in his congregation. He explained he had to keep on his toes to avoid becoming the main character in one of her stories. Afternoon hike included miles of fairyland-like trail through spaced out trees shading lush green mountainside without the normal undergrowth of brambles covered with beautiful wild flowers.
Date: 2014-05-08
From: Spivey Gap, US 19 crossing mile 330.8

To: Erwin, Tn mile 341.5 
Miles today: 10.7

Relatively easy day. Mostly downhill. Nevertheless I was exhausted when I got to the Nolichucky River bridge at Erwin. My endurance still dwindles after several continuous days on the trail. During a rest break I met Ace, a retiree who looks about my age and who was hiking a section of the trail. He through hiked the AT after retiring in 2009, but each year since he has hiked 500 miles a year on trails around the country, He explained it was his personal formula for longevity. Mike Barroso, owner of Cantarroso Farm where I had made a reservation called just as I reached the bridge explaining that he was driving down the road from volunteering at a community kitchen and was just two minutes away. His home overlooks a rapid in the River and is far more beautiful than I anticipated. First priority was a long hot soak in the bathtub that left me feeling like a puddle followed by a delicious, too large supper at a nearby Italian Restaurant that left me feeling like a stuffed puddle.
Date: 2014-05-09
From: Erwin, Tn mile 341.5 

To: Erwin, Tn mile 341.5
Miles today: 0.0

Cantarroso Farm is wonderful; so we made reservations to stay here during Storytelling in Jonesborough next October. To my delight Nathan, his girl friend Dylan Babb, and her parents will join us for the weekend.Mike is a long time whitewater canoeist and has canoe memorabilia and art decorating their home. One whole wall of the house is a window looking out over the River. I had supper with Mike and Peggy tonight. She heads the Psychology Department at ETSU and he is a retired principal from Hampton, VA. Their farm includes a garden with mushrooms that we had in salad tonight and colorfully painted honey bee hives. Each hive is named and decorated to honor a relative. Dinner conservation included a lesson on raising bees and an explanation that most grocery store honey comes from China and has added sugar and no pollenI cleaned and organized gear, purchased and packed food for four days of hiking to get me over Roan Mountain, and mailed a few Items I hope I won't need back to May Louise.Delightful conversation tonight with our granddaughter Berky on her 8th birthday celebration. Marcus and Sarah are raising another impressive young ladyTomorrow I will slack pack a section and spend one more night in luxury before returning to serious backpacking.
Date: 2014-05-10
From: Erwin, Tn mile 341.5

To: Indian grave Gap, TN 395 mile 350.3
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: light rain

Cantarroso Farm owner Mike Barroso took me to road crossing North of Nolichucky River and I slack packed 8.8 miles back to Erwin. Hiking without my heavy pack was so quick and easy it felt illicit. It also helped that most of the route was downhill. I am confiident I could have gone twice as far. I completed the whole route including a rest stop and interesting visit at the Curley Maple Gap Shelter in just four hours even though it started raining midway through the trip.Lots of hikers are on the trail   I passed 22 wet northbound hikers in the four hours I was coming south.At the midway rest stop talked with Leatherman, a quiet, intelligent and conscientious craftsman who got his name for the finely crafted hat, gloves, and tool holders he had made for himself. He explained that his main trade was as a wheelwright, making wagon and buggy wheels out of raw materials with hand tools. While we were talking he swept the shelter and it's dirt floor of all it's litter and natural duff as his "repayment" for having spent the night tenting at the site. Although the hike was easy and comfortable, it sure was nice to come inside out of the rain, take a hot shower, and wash and dry all my wet clothes.This afternoon Mike Barroso invited me to accompany him while he tended his bee hives. I put on a spare protective suit, manned the smoke pot he uses to drive the bees down into the hive away from the area where he is working, and got a fascinating afternoon lesson in hive inspection, non-productive queens, the dividing line between the bee keepers honey and the bee's honey and other details of bee culture. Mike got stung and I did not. In general the bees were surprisingly tolerant of having their home messed with. I could slack pack another section tomorrow and stay here one more day, but unless the weather in the morning is much worse than predicted, I will return to real backpacking.
Date: 2014-05-11
From: Indian grave Gap, TN 395 mile 350.3

To: First Campsite past Iron Mountain Gap mile 363.4
Miles today: 13.1

Mother's DayWeather service predicted 20% chance of rain! but day turned out to be beautiful.Made a delightful discovery this morning while preparing my map for today's hike. Sam McGee's home, Plumtree, TN really exists. It is just west of Roan Mountain, TN. In celebration I recited the poem to a group of young hikers tonight.Today's hike started with a climb to Beauty Spot, a bald with a view back to Erwin 12 miles back down the mountain. Much of today's hike was uphill, but I was rested and for the most part the slope was gentle. To my extreme irritation I left the Replacement Gator Aid bottle I purchased in the Cantarroso Farm refrigerator. Tried listening to a book on tape while hiking today. It went well. Heard almost of all of Zane Grey's Riders of the Purple Sage before getting to tonight's campsite. May Louise is very fond of Zane Grey. I an not sure I have ever read one of his books. To my surprise the story is more of a romance than a cowboy shoot-em-up. Camp tonight is in an old apple orchard with a large group of young people who slack packed 20 miles from Erwin and picked up their packs at a road crossing one mile back. I had to abandon the first tent site I selected. The ground was crawling with thousands of grasshoppers.
Date: 2014-05-12
From: First Campsite past Iron Mountain Gap mile 363.4

To: Ash Gap Campsite mile 374.2
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Over breakfast Puzzle, a 35 year old nurse and paramedic who tented next to me did me the honor of sharing his life story. He reminded me of Devon in his trusting devotion and his yet unfulfilled desire for a life partner and family.I continue to be amazed by the number of healthy young people hiking the trail who smoke. Frequently the pleasure of smoking and brands, favorite times to light up, and how an individual relates smoking to hiking are topics of shelter conversations. The trail was uphill, frequently quite steep as I trudged toward the top of Roan Mountain. The rest of the Zane Grey novel helped keep me going through the day. I stopped at a campsite 1.8 short of the summit because a thunderstorm was rolling in across the top of Roan Mountain and I wanted to get my tent up before it hit. So far nothing has come down other than a few very light sprinkles.After only two hot, sweaty days I already feel super grungy and some of the poison ivy spots are   expanding instead of shrinking on my dirty skin. The couple tenting by me tonight asked me to show them what it looks like, explaining that poison ivy does not exist in Germany.
Date: 2014-05-13
From: Ash Gap Campsite mile 374.2

To: Over mountain Shelter mile 383.1
Miles today: 8.9

Completed the climb to the top of Roan Mountain. Planned to take advantage of the restrooms at the parking lot at the end of the access road, but they were locked so I still had to make like a bear.A second book on tape, The Thirty-nine Steps by John Buchan provided good diversion for the climb. I like having a story to keep my mind of the aches of uphill treks, but the process of stopping the tape and removing earphones when I meet people then getting the tape restarted is a pain because I have the book files on my iPad and I cannot reach it while wearing my pack.The best vistas were from Round Bald right after Roan Mountain itself. Bald was full of day hikers. One couple from Asheville was birding. Another lady explained she was married on the bald and returns to hike to the top each year. A couple from Jonesborough who had attended the first Story Telling Festival had been trail maintenance volunteers and now come to the Mountain to pass out packets of trail magic to hikers. I am harboring the boiled egg in the packet they gave me for breakfast in the morning.I planned to get closer to tomorrow's destination before quitting, but another storm rolled in; so I rushed to get to the next shelter. My timing tonight was not so good. The water supply was a little before the shelter; so I stopped to get tonight and tomorrow's water. The rain started while I was finishing my filtering. In my rush to reach the shelter I failed to seal the water bladder properly and thoroughly wet the back of my pants. The storm turned out to be a rain and hail storm; so I got wet and pelted. The shelter is neat. It is a converted barn with lots of space and a beautiful vista down a long, deep valley. It has lots of space with two floors, so I am able to spread out all of my wet gear in an effort to dry it some. I was able to get enough signal to talk with May Louise while I was on top of the Mountain. After taking Aunt Imogene back to Memphis she should see me next Wednesday.
Date: 2014-05-14
From: Over mountain Shelter mile 383.1

To: US 19 Elk Park, NC & Roan Mountain, TN mile 391.8
Miles today: 8.7

Day started with long uphill hike to the top of a series of balds. Much of the climb was on the balds with beautiful, long distance vistas, a pleasant change after doing most of my hiking in a green tunnel. The first part of the climb gave a particularly attractive view back to the red barn shelter where I spent the night. I hope my cell phone photo captured it. Wind in the balds was terrific. I used my hiking pole as a brace on the downwind side to help keep from being toppled. First half of the hike down from the last bald to the town of Roan Mountain, TN was a rugged maze of rocks and roots that created lots of opportunities to turn an ankle. Happily I did not take any of them. The second half was a was mostly smooth trail and gentle decline which allowed me to glide to the bottom where I had a reservation at the Mountain Harbour B&B/Hiker Hostel.Finished another state today. The trail has been zigzagging between North Carolina and Tennessee, but today I left North Carolina for the last time. The line is marked with a cow's skull. On the way down I hiked for a while with Chiva and On Purpose. Chiva is a talkative North Carolina country boy with an affection for country music and a disdain of folks who make assumptions about redneck good old boys. On Purpose is a more taciturn Mainer, or as my friend Pete Cheney liked to call himself, Mainiac. Chiva is Spanish for goat. Chiva's coworkers gave him the name on a high rise construction project in recognition of his practice of climbing the stairs to their top floor work area instead of taking the construction elevator. A waitress gave On Purpose his name. She asked what he was doing in his hiking garb. When he explained he was walking from Georgia to Maine she asked the next obvious question: "On purpose?"I felt guilty taking a nice room in the comfortable B&B while the other hikers were crowded into hostel bunks, but a luxurious soak in my room's bathtub made me forget to feel guilty.
Date: 2014-05-15
From: US 19 Elk Park, NC & Roan Mountain, TN mile 391.8

To: Walnut Mountain Road mile 402.7
Miles today: 10.9

The B&B serves a marvelous breakfasts for both the B&B and hostel guests. It deserves it's reputation as the best breakfast on the trail. Chance of rain today was predicted at 100%, so I extended my reservation and stayed over. Instead of staying indoors all day, I had the B&B staff haul me to a crossroad 11 miles north and slack packed back to the B&B. The first half of the hike in a continuous drizzle was rather pleasant, but mid way the drizzle changed to a downpour. By the time I finished, I was soaked and really ready to return to a warm dry room. Today's trek took me past the 400 mile mark. Today's hike was pretty. It followed cascading streams and a raging river. It meandered through picturesque mountainside fields and past a couple of impressive waterfalls.Fun conversation with the hostel owner. They moved here from California after her husband lost his corporate job and immediately had to start learning the difference between the California Way and the Mountain Way. When they purchased the property none of the red tape and inspections they were used to were required. They realized that things are different here when they discovered a piece of their plumbing repaired with two radiator clamps and a section of bicycle inner tube.
Date: 2014-05-16
From: Walnut Mountain Road mile 402.7

To: Dennis Cove Rd mile 417.0
Miles today: 14.3

Started the day with another marvelous breakfast at the Mountain Harbour B&B. The the operator took me to the road where I started my slack lack hike yesterday. A hiking airline pilot was at the breakfast table with me. The conversation touched on the airliner that landed successfully in the river in New York. He explained that the first officer on the flight had just recently started flying on that model plane and he did not know that there was a button for him to hit that closes all the openings in the bottom half of the plant so it will float better in a water emergency landing. Rain was predicted to continue today, but although it remained overcast all day and got quite chilly at times I did not have any any rain come down while I was on the trail. Shortly after I walked the 0.4 additional miles from the trailhead to the Black Bear Resort the bottom fell out. I heard the storm hit the tin roof while I was in a nice warm shower. Trail today was relatively easy and although I did not get started until almost 10:00 am, I was able to complete 14.3 miles, my longest distance yet. The trail was empty today. The only people I saw were three southbound section hikers from Florida. Chiva, On Purpose and two 73 year old section hikers were at the hostel when I arrived along with 120 folks here for a motorcycle rally. Fortunately the owner reserved one bunk room for trail hikers: so they had a berth for me.Listened to an excellently produced recording of W.E.B. Du Bois The Souls of Black Folks. While listening to it I kept thinking that it should have been a required textbook when I was in High School.