morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-05-01
From: Zero Day

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

I am still at home doing some light yard work which keeps my ankle working some. I had more treatment today and the ankle is doing much better. I have another treatment on Friday and we will see if that's enough. I hope to be back on the trail by May 11-12 and hi-tail it to Maine. I guess the good Lord knew I should be home for a bit to get my spring work done outdoors so my sister doesn't have all the burden. The Lord always knows best. I'm ready to hike again. It is kinda addicting even though it it hard going at times. A person never knows what is around the next corner or over the next mountain. I need to get myself tuned into a better diet so I won't waste away. Thought for the day:We the people are not always in charge of our fate. We think we have our lives under control, but one misstep puts us in our place. We get to think how life can change in an instant. We all know skin and bones will heal.
Date: 2013-05-02
From: Zero Day

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

The Leopard strikes again. Today I had a coffee break with my two cousins which we do whenever possible. We call it our "government meeting". It sounds better than just a "coffee break". The break lasted until lunch time so we had lunch together. I worked in my yard destroying unwanted weeds. My ankle is really getting better fast, thanks to Dr. Hendricks and his staff. I'm not ready for the rough AT yet but I am getting close. I see the doctor on Friday and we go from there. I think one more week at home will do it. To WhiteSidewalls: Keep going but not too fast. I will need to catch up with you somehow. I hope the AT is kind to me when I get back to walking again. I need to experience all the trail has to offer.Thought for the day:It's hard not to love a nice sunny warm spring day. The sun shines and the spring flowers look and smell wonderful. It's a good time of the year.
Date: 2013-05-03
From: Zero Day

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

***CHECK OUT THE NEW PHOTOS!***A story from the AT:As dawn spread over the land a surprising story was unfolding for the day. There were five men about to experience a surprising happening that none of them could know or even predict. One man would hike a day hike that ended at Clingman's Dome parking lot. The two other hikers would end their hike at Newfound Gap. The last two men would start their hike at Derrick Knob Shelter on the AT. The two men on the AT were WhiteSidewalls and The Leopard who had a 9.8 mile hike for the day which would end at Clingman's Dome parking lot. The two AT hikers had a food drop in Gatlinburg, TN and a motel room if they could get there by 10:00 PM. The Leopard and WhiteSidewalls got to the Clingman's Dome parking lot a hair past 6:00 PM but had no ride to Gatlinburg 15 miles away. The Leopard and WhiteSidewalls stopped at the entrance to Clingman's Dome parking lot and stuck out their thumbs for a ride. The day hiker just finished his walk and was headed for his home in Cherokee, NC and saw two hikers hoping for a ride. He stopped and became a Trail Angel. He took us to Newfound Gap and at that time the two day hikers were ending their hike for the day. The first Trail Angel saw them load their packs and suggested to them that two old men hikers needed a ride to Gatlinburg. So the two day hikers picked us up and took us right to our motel. The time was 9:00 PM. So now the two AT hikers had experienced two Trail Angels that day. The second Trail Angel was Mark LeMarr and his friend. When Mark dropped us off we thanked him and offered to pay but he wouldn't take anything for his time. We told him he could follow our journey on the trail journals. He said he was looking for someone to follow but couldn't find anyone. So now he had two hikers to follow. The story to remember is this. All five men had a part to play that day and receive something. The Leopard and WhiteSidewalls were cold and hungry and needed a ride and Mark helped us reach our goal. The Leopard and WhiteSidewalls supplied Mark with his quest of following a hiker on a journal. Day hiker number one also became a Trail Angel to Whitesidewalls and The Leopard.So dear reader -- did all this just happen or did Someone with greater understanding and power arrange all of this? Thought for the day:A curious mind is a good thing. A sad mind is not a good thing. A happy mind is what I wish for everyone. Good things come to everyone even if you don't notice it until later. Be happy as much as you can be and be where you can make others see good things.
Date: 2013-05-04
From: Zero Day

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

****CHECK OUT THE PHOTOS POSTED 5/3/13***A story from the AT:A COLD NIGHT IN A SLEEPING BAGAs the day ends, it's time to get out of your hiking clothes and put on your sleeping bag clothes - long johns, socks, and a special long sleeved shirt. As the temperature drops and you are not warm enough, you pull on a clean pair of hiking pants, a coat, gloves, and a stocking cap. Now I am fully dressed for a really cold night which happens at 5000'-6000' and the night is spent nice and toasty in a 20 degree sleeping bag. I am nice and warm as ice and frost gather on my tent during the night. In the cold morning I remove all my sleeping clothes and slither into my cold hiking clothes amd warm them up to comfort level for another day of hiking. Ah, from snug as a bug to a very cool or cold 10 minute warmup that can't come soon enough.Thought for the day:Think COMFORT. You as a non-hiker can sit on a padded chair whenever you like. The hiker sits on a rock, log, tree stump, grass and they may be wet or dry. We feel comfort every 4-6 days when we get to town or the motel. Be happy.
Date: 2013-05-05
From: Zero Day

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

I worked in my flowerbeds today. My brother and 2 sisters came to visit the AT walker at home! Life is good when good friends visit and I can be with my flowers. I am healing well and have a Saturday, May 11 date with the AT at Davenport Gap. If all goes to plan, my good wife and I will head out Friday, May 10 for the 500 mile trip to the AT. I can already feel the AT beneath my feet. With the help of the Maker of the universe we will endure to the end. I am watching WhiteSidewalls and Robo Cop and wish them well and just maybe I'll catch up with them. (smile)Thought for the day:Listen to one of my favorite CD's - Dan Gibson's -- SOLITUDES - Forest PianoThe description on the CD reads:"Listen and escape into the majestic peace of the forest. The enchanting sounds of nature and the alluring piano melodies lead you on a relaxing walk in the woods."
Date: 2013-05-07
From: Zero Day

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

Today my sister came to my house and we worked in my flowerbeds all day. We destroyed a lot of weeds and got ready for more flower planting. So it was a great day at the Miller home. My foot is getting better by the day. I hear the AT yelling loud and clear. I talked to WhiteSidewalls today and it sounds like the rain and storms were not nice the last few days.Thought for the day:Never try to teach a pig to sing. It only annoys the pig and you waste your time. Have a good day.
Date: 2013-05-08
From: Zero Day

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

I went to my favorite restaurant for breakfast this morning which is The Hilltop Restaurant in Middlebury, Indiana. I had my usual friends to talk with. I went to my cousin's home for our so called "government meeting". My next stop was Dr. Hendrick for another treatment on my ankle. My pain is going away and I have one more treatment on Friday. Then it's off to the AT! I went to McIntosh Greenhouse and bought about 200 flowers to plant and after supper I got about 100 of them into the ground. When Thursday rolls around, I'll plant most of the garden and more of the flowers. I have about 8 bags of grub control to put on my yard before Friday and mow the yard one more time before I leave again. Now that's only part of what I'll be doing the next two days. Wow, when does a person rest?As I plant my things, I have thought games in my head. So please listen up. I know everyone has some sort of dream they want to accomplish in their lifetime. May I suggest to Father/Mother/Husband/Wife/Brother/Sister/Boss/CEO--Please don't squash someone's dream. If at all possible, help that person accomplish that dream and you will become a better person yourself.Thought for the day:If you want to get ahead, get started. Set a course and off you go. This is your moment in time. Make it count. Your next destination is up to you.
Date: 2013-05-09
From: Zero Day

To: Zero Day
Miles today: 0.0

I am one day closer to getting back to the AT and begin my daily walking habits again. It seems like a long time ago that I was walking, but I will get there. I worked in my garden and yard today. The garden is all planted and the yard work is getting closer to being done. Thanks sister Amanda for your help again. It seems like Friday evening is rushing down on me. My wife and I plan on leaving around 7:00 PM and start the 500+ mile drive to Davenport Gap at TN 32 and NC 284. I hope that Saturday will find me walking north (weather permitting) again. Hopefully the storms have moved on. WhiteSidewalls and RoboCop, hang on to your hats. I plan to be in high gear for a while.I welcome Mr. Rick Sullivan to my journal and hope to encourage him to follow his dream of walking the AT in the future.Thought for the day:Where some people see a roadblock, others see a challenge. So embrace your own potential, then surpass it.
Date: 2013-05-11
From: IN 32, NC 284, Davenport Gap

To: Painter Branch
Miles today: 4.8

My wife and I left the motel at 7:30 AM (we drove until 1:30 AM) and ate breakfast at McDonald's then gassed up the truck. We headed for Hot Springs, NC to make one of my food drops. We ate a late lunch there. We had an hour detour before we got to Hot Springs which was not nice. We headed for Davenport Gap and it rained before we got there so I called the shuttle to see if they go on Sunday. They didn't because it was Mother's Day. Happy Mother's Day to all mothers. If there were no mothers there would be no people. We decided I would go to the trailhead and I would try for the first campsite. I got on the trail at Davenport Gap at 4:30 PM and put it in high gear. My ankle hurt some so I took some vitamin Aleve and kept walking. My wife was waiting at Pigeon River bridge to make sure I can go and I could. She then headed for home and arrived in Goshen at 5:00 AM Sunday morning. I walked all alone for 4.8 miles and it seemed kinda freaky with no one to talk to for 3 hours. I got to camp at 7:30 PM and set up my tent and ate supper. I pulled my food up into a little tree out of the reach of bears. There are only 7 of us in camp tonight as of 9:30. My ankle hurt some so I put it in my back pocket for a while I think. I may or may not have walked on one foot for a while. I wrote my journal and wrote out my walk for Sunday. I camped beside a small brook and it's singing all the time. It must be happy!Thought for the day:A lone walk in the woods can be good, but it's lonely if you can only talk to the trees and not get an answer.To all my followers - old and new - I hope you will continue to enjoy my journal entries!
Date: 2013-05-12
From: Painter Branch

To: Stream, campsite to south (Max Patch)
Miles today: 11.7

I got up at 6:00 AM and it was sprinkling a bit. It rained off and on during the night. The singing brook kept me safe and sound. I left camp about 8:15 and right away it was uphill for a little more than an hour. A workout at the start gets your lungs and heart going. It was a lot of uphill today - ouch - and my ankle is telling me where it is. I need to get an ankle wrap when I get to Hot Springs. The fog rolled in over Snow Bird Mt and I could almost see 100' ahead of me. The mountain was a grassy bald with posts showing the way. The fog was cold so I put on my hat and hoped for the best. At the end of the day I had a big uphill climb called Max Patch summit. It was a grassy bald 4629' high and up and down the other side was over a mile. The Leopard was about worn out for the day. I was headed for Roaring Fork shelter but my ankle said no way. Both my legs were worn out after 11.7 miles and that was limping all the way. I need to find an ankle brace and better pain pills when I get to Hot Springs. I saw a lot of different flowers today. The woods has really changed in the two weeks I was gone. I saw a red bird today with black wings. Someone tell me what it was. I saw the flowers today that I have been seeing since before Fontana Dam and they finally have flowers. I think they are pink lady slippers.Thought for the day:Today I talked and whistled to the birds when I heard them and we got along fine.
Date: 2013-05-13
From: Stream, campsite to south (Max Patch)

To: Walnut Mt Shelter
Miles today: 6.2

I woke up at 6:00 and got my hiking clothes on and ate breakfast. I was alone all night because everyone else was 1.2 miles further at Roaring Fork shelter. My ankle just wouldn't allow me to go the extra mile. I was alone at the campsite but I still got to sleep well. I didn't hear any bears. I walked alone today but met people going south. No one passed me. It was another day of talking to the trees, birds and singing brooks. I heard a lot of woodpeckers drumming on trees. I stopped after 6.2 miles at Walnut Mt shelter. My foot and I need a rest. I made supper early and filtered water. I met a man hiking through at camp tonight and his name is Phenix and he started April 3. He had to leave the trail for his dad's funeral and also had leg trouble. There are at least 12 people in camp tonight. I had to wear my coat most of the day because it is cooler again. It's going to be a cool night. We are at 4264' and we have a stiff breeze. I put on my longjohns and clean hiking pants and my coat for sleeping. I'll put on my gloves and stocking cap later. I think I found a new privy for Mike O. This one doesn't have hand rails or a door. The bears sit up the hill after dark and laugh at us humans when we go potty. The bears around here have a dumb sense of humor.Thought for the day:Real people have real fun most of the time but not all the time. This is for real, folks.
Date: 2013-05-14
From: Walnut Mt Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 13.1

I was up at 6:00 AM and inhaled some breakfast. I left camp at 7:45 because I had a 13.1 mile walk to Hot Springs. I left the campsite and had a 1.5 mile downhill then a 1.7 uphill with a rise of 972'. I took a break on the top which was Bluff Mt. Then it was downhill for 4.1 miles and a drop of 2186'. It gave me extra mileage. The trail then was a few short ups and downs for 6.6 miles and easy walking. I got to Hot Springs around 5:00 PM so that was 13.1 miles in about 9 hours. A record for me. I set up my tent in the yard of Laughing Heart Lodge. It used to be a Jesuit retreat. I walked downtown to a restaurant for a steak dinner and a good old hamburger. I had mashed potatoes, green beans and a dinner roll. I got back to my tent and tried to call my wife only to have my phone try to use US Cellular towers and I couldn't get through. Someone said there was a pay phone downtown but there wasn't. A lady at the store gave me her cell phone so I could call my wife and tell her my problem. I met Acorn, Fly By, and Mark the caretaker at the lodge. I also met a young couple doing the trail on their honeymoon. The man's name is Honey and the wife's name is Moon. There are around 12 or so people in camp tonight. I'm the only tenter. The rest are in bunks. Let them snore without me. I was whistling again today, but it must not have been nice because the flowers beside the trail wilted as I went by. The birds covered their head with their wings and turned their backs to me so I quit the noise. I will stay in Hot Springs on the 15th to wash my clothes, get supplies and rest. My next hike will be 5-6 days out.Thought for the day:Be nice to the birds and flowers and then they will be nice to you.Happy birthday to grandson Daniel!
Date: 2013-05-15
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0

I was awakened at 5:00 by turtledoves cooing up a storm. So maybe it will rain in a day or two. I woke up again at 5:30 but stayed in my tent for a while. I was the only tenter and last night the outside crowd didn't settle down until after midnight. I went downtown for breakfast and met up with Chuck and Tigger Norris who are the hosts at the lodge. Chuck took my phone to Asheville to update my roaming problem but it didn't fix it. I went to wash my clothes and pick up some supplies at Bluff Mt Outfitters. On the way back to the lodge I met 3 older men that had set up a big amp and were playing and singing outdoors and telling stories. Of course I had forgotten my camera. They had a banjo, a mandolin, and a guitar and were playing the old bluegrass tunes. Very good. I sat there for 20 minutes and enjoyed the music. I ate lunch at the Smoky Mt Diner and they have old fashioned cooking. I sat with Tigger and part-time help Mark and another lady that works at the lodge. They asked about my life and they said I'm not as quiet as I appear and we had a good time. In the aftenoon I walked back to town and get another ankle wrap. They didn't have the small size and the medium was too big. I stopped at the market and got an orange and a power drink and a klondike ice cream bar. This town is really hiker friendly and the Laughing Heart Lodge is the best yet. If you ever get to Hot Springs, NC, visit Laughing Heart Lodge and tell them The Leopard sent you. I can tent here and shower (and they give me a towel) for $8.00 per night and it's great. I ate supper at Smoky Mt Diner and sat with Phenix an older man I met on the trail the other day. Tonight an older man came to the lodge named Swamp Fox and he played the lodge guitar and sang the older songs I knew. There are about 15 of us at camp and about 6 tents are spread around the yard. I think there are only about 3 or 4 women in camp. I have been fuming and fussing at my phone all day and am about ready to fire Verizon. My phone is not supposed to go into roaming but it does and then won't work. It was nice all day and about 80 degrees.Thought for the day:Life seems very different when you meet new people every day - no one you ever saw before. There is no place you can walk or drive to and know someone. It's just you and strangers. Think about it.Happy birthday to daughter-in-law Chrissy!
Date: 2013-05-16
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Rich Mt Lookout Tower
Miles today: 8.3

I woke up at 5:00 at Laughing Heart Lodge with a turtledove cooing in the tree above me. It cooed 3 times. I finally got up at 6:20, got dressed and walked to the diner in Hot Springs for breakfast. When I came back I packed everything up and got ready to leave for the AT. I left at 10:00 and went downtown and met Phenix as I went past the diner. We talked and then I kept going. On the north edge of town I met Acorn. He came back to town because he has a hammock tent and during the night it split open and dropped him to the ground! I got on the trail and the first climb was as hard as Jacob's Ladder because of the rocks and steepness - a 1.2 mile climb. I walked until 12:00 then ate my lunch and called my wife and wished her a happy anniversary. As I walked today I took a picture of a copperhead snake (picture will follow). Later I saw a watersnake at a pond along the trail (picture will follow). Met pastor John and Starter and another fellow hiking with them and finally got to camp about 6:30. I made my supper and filtered my water. The food bag is hung in the tree so the bears don't get it. There are four men in camp - The Leopard, pastor John, Starter and another one whose name I don't know. Today I found a natural bug repellent. I put a pine branch twig with the bark scuffed off into my hat and it kept the gnats away. The trail was half difficult and half pleasant walking. My ankle is feeling much better. Thank you Dr. Hendricks.Thought for the day:Sometimes you have to be a sneaky snake to avoid the real live snakes on the trail. The copperhead didn't have a pit to hiss in so he was on the log watching people.Orva - come meet me on the trail and buy my lunch but you have to bring your hiking shoes and trekking poles!Granddaughter Silvia - So far I have not seen any lemon, apple, orange or banana trees. I've only seen nut trees (acorn) and flower trees (dogwood). Love, Grandpa Leopard
Date: 2013-05-17
From: Rich Mt Lookout Tower

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I got up at 6:00. I made breakfast then took the tent down and was on the trail by 8:15. I walked up and down most of the day. It was a lot of uphills. When I got to TN 70, I walked up the road to Mom's Store and got myself a coke and a candy bar. Then it was time for a nap so I slept on the grass outside the store for 15 minutes. I was walking and about 3:30 it started to thunder and rain. But Stupid kept walking. I hid under a pine tree for a while. My clothes were wet from sweat anyway so I kept on walking for an hour in the rain. It felt good and I cooled off. I got to the shelter about 5:20. The hiker's name I didn't know yesterday is named Kip. I talked to Spooky today too. Spooky was in the army and is now deciding what to do as he is walking the trail. He is from New Mexico. Tonight there are probably a dozen hikers at the shelter.Thought for the day:I didn't see any snakes on the trail today. There was just a sneaky snake and his name is The Leopard.**LIFE ON THE TRAIL**The other day when I had a long uphill climb I thought there was a Yeti Bigfoot with me. I heard a funny noise and a smell that shouldn't have been. Plus there was this big black thing beside me. I didn't know if I should hop, skip, or run. Or say "hi" and shake his paw. I reconsidered everything and the noise was me panting from the big uphill climb and the smell was from a four day not showering. Yup, the big black thing was my shadow. I lucked out on that one. Sometimes life plays tricks on a person.
Date: 2013-05-18
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: moderate rain

I was up at 6:30 and it was raining. I ate dry cereal for breakfast. Took up my wet tent and got things packed. I hit the trail at 9:15 with rain coming down. I was told by pastor John to take the bad weather trail around the AT for 1 1/2 miles. He said with my ankle not completely healed, and the rocks wet and a very difficult climb on the AT, and if foggy I would have difficulty going up the rocks. I took the wrong blue blaze trail and ended up on a road and I walked 1 1/2 miles wrong. OOPS. A car came along and they took me back to the right blue blaze trail. The man's name was Sog and his friend didn't have a trail name so I named him Helpful. He helped me put my backpack into the car and also on my back when we got out. I walked the blue blaze trail and it was really rocky most of the way. It calmed down when it met the AT. I got to Jerry Cabin Shelter about 3:30. The rain stopped for about an hour so I set up my tent, put on dry clothes and took a nap. I cooked my supper and hung my food bag on the bear cable, and filtered enough water for the night. I got 6.8 miles in instead of the 12.7 that I wanted. Hiking in the rain for over 6 hours and 6.8 miles takes its toll. The rocks and roots are slippery and the trail is muddy and every bush and the grass you touch makes you wet. With a rain suit on you sweat like crazy and you still get wet. It's supposed to storm during the night so I will hunker down. I'm nice and warm in my tent. My left knee started to hurt today so now I have that to sort out. I would say a big thank you to Sog and Helpful because they were my trail angels today. They should have another star in their crown today. The good Lord was looking down on them today. Sometimes people are put at the right spot at the right time of the day. Today was Sog and Helpful's turn to be nice. Thought for the day:If you don't believe in miracles, keep looking. You will experience some along the way. Remember to keep your eyes and ears open. A clear mind helps too.Jan - I'm short of some whipped cream so please come with red jello and whipped cream!