morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-04-17
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Wayah Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: broken clouds

Beautiful day, mild temps...I just wish my feet and back didn't get so sore by early evening. The pain is what forces me to quit each day. And believe me, before I quit I walk through several hours of progressively worsening pain before I finally have to call it a day. My feet just reach a point where they say, "No more!" The thing that fatigues my feet so much is the continually uneven terrain. There are hundreds, thousands, millions of rocks and roots to step on or over, and it's like walking barefoot on marbles by the end of the day. I'm continually trying to push past the pain, and I hope and believe that my strength and tolerance are improving each day, but in the meantime, this is WORK! It's hard. My back aches, my feet ache, I'm tired, but I am having an absolutely wonderful time. I'm loving challenging myself mentally and physically, testing myself to see if I'm up to this. So far so good. I'm not as strong as a lot of the hikers, but I'm holding my own, and maintaining a pace comparable to many others I have met, some nearly half my age. I expect to improve with time, and meanwhile, I get to see some beautiful scenery, hang out with the best dog in the world, and live a lifestyle wholly unlike anything I've ever experienced. You know, I think EVERYONE should step out of their comfort zone at least once in his/her life and have an adventure. It's amazing.
Date: 2011-04-18
From: Wayah Bald Shelter

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

START: Wayah Bald ShelterGOAL: Wesser Bald ShelterFINISH: Wesser Bald ShelterSTEPS: 33,143MILES: 11.4Last night the moon was so incredibly bright that I felt as though there was a street light just outside my tent. I awoke thinking it was morning, then peeked outside my tent and saw a lovely, bright moon glowing just above the mountains. I saw it just before it set for the day, and though not quite full, it was fantastic.The morning dawned chilly and overcast. The night had been chilly, too, and Tessa and I slept a little cold. I sure hope that the cold-weather gear I have now will keep me warm enough in the Smokies. I hear it could be pretty cold there still. I¢m kind of wishing for a +15-degree bag, but I think as the weather warms the one I have will be fine. I am supposed to be meeting a friend from Austin along the trail today. Sue H is going to spend a couple of days hiking with me. Should be fun. I¢m looking forward to seeing her!
Date: 2011-04-19
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: NOC US 19 and 74
Miles today: 6.1

For the second night in a row I forgot to turn off my SPOT device last night. I¢ve begun carrying it in a different place on my bag, and since I no longer see it, it's easier to forget about it.Sue didn¢t make it yesterday, but says she¢ll be here bright and early this morning. I just woke up to my 7:30 alarm clock (dozens of birds singing, warbling, calling out to one another), and I¢ll break camp and wait for her.I doubt that I¢ll make it to Sassafras Gap today, because I anticipate a stop at the Natahala Outdoor Center. I hear they have burgers, and that sounds great to me! Also, I have a mail drop waiting for me in Bryson City, which I need to get to via NOC. Yay! Recharges for all of my electronics!LATER: Sue and I finally connected. It wasn¢t bright and early as we¢d discussed, but we finally caught up to one another in the early afternoon, and we hiked the final couple of miles together to the NOC. Once there, we met her brother Bill, with whom she is traveling from Chicago to Austin, and the three of us joined up with some other hikers for a wonderful lunch at a restaurant called River¢s End. Then I said goodbye to my trail friends and joined Sue and Bill for the remainder of my nero day. They took me to Bryson City to get my bounce box, and I charged all of my electronics. Yay! I¢ll be back in cyberspace again. I showered and washed clothes, always welcome tasks when the opportunity presents itself. Tomorrow we will hike about 13 miles to Stecoah Gap.
Date: 2011-04-19
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

START: Wesser Bald ShelterGOAL: Sassafras GapFINISH: NOC US 19 and 74STEPS: 22,071MILES: 6.1 milesFor the second night in a row I forgot to turn off my SPOT device last night. I¢ve begun carrying it in a different place on my bag, and since I no longer see it, it's easier to forget about it.Sue didn¢t make it yesterday, but says she¢ll be here bright and early this morning. I just woke up to my 7:30 alarm clock (dozens of birds singing, warbling, calling out to one another), and I¢ll break camp and wait for her.I doubt that I¢ll make it to Sassafras Gap today, because I anticipate a stop at the Natahala Outdoor Center. I hear they have burgers, and that sounds great to me! Also, I have a mail drop waiting for me in Bryson City, which I need to get to via NOC. Yay! Recharges for all of my electronics!LATER: Sue and I finally connected. It wasn¢t bright and early as we¢d discussed, but we finally caught up to one another in the early afternoon, and we hiked the final couple of miles together to the NOC. Once there, we met her brother Bill, with whom she is traveling from Chicago to Austin, and the three of us joined up with some other hikers for a wonderful lunch at a restaurant called River¢s End. Then I said goodbye to my trail friends and joined Sue and Bill for the remainder of my nero day. They took me to Bryson City to get my bounce box, and I charged all of my electronics. Yay! I¢ll be back in cyberspace again. I showered and washed clothes, always welcome tasks when the opportunity presents itself. Tomorrow we will hike about 13 miles to Stecoah Gap.
Date: 2011-04-21
From: NOC US 19 and 74

To: Here Comes Boggle Cottontail 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I'm just about to leave the cabin I've shared with Sue and Bill H and hit the trail. I don't think I'll stop until I've completed the Smokies, so these next 8-9 days will be interesting with no breaks for showers and such. The worst part, however, will be when I actually hike the Smokies without my beloved sidekick. I can't imagine being without Tessa. It'll be so lonely. The Smokey Mountain National Forest, being a National Park, does not allow pets. I'd made kennel arrangements for her, then I met and befriended Bruce and Darlene, who graciously offered to drive to the Smokies, pick up Tessa, take her back to their place and care for her while I hike the park, and return her to me. All they've asked of me in return is that I pay for their gas, which I am more than happy to do. I'd pay them every bit I was prepared to pay the kennel if they'd let me. I know Tessa will receive better care with them than she would a kennel. They'll give her far more individual attention; in fact, she's likely to be returned to me even more spoiled than she is now! I just hope that Bruce and Darlene remember that Tessa tends to be bashful around nudity (just kidding, of course). Thanks, Bruce and Darlene! I'll see you in a few days. By the way, did I leave my upholstery thread at your place? I have a repair to make and all I have is regular thread. If so, please bring it to the Smokies.I'm going to share a little secret with you, because I don't think the folks who are actually on the trail will be checking in here in the coming days. You know, we hikers tend to want to ditch as much weight from our packs as we can, but I am foolishly voluntarily lugging around two-ish pounds of extra weight for the next three days, then on the fourth day (Easter Sunday), I'll get to unload my weight throughout the day. I have 48 plastic Easter eggs that I have filled with candy, and I'm going to drop them along the trail for other hikers to find. It'll be so fun! Since I can't be with my family, I'll spread some Easter cheer along the trail. Ssshhhhhh... don't tell the other hikers who the Easter bunny is!
Date: 2011-04-21
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Simp Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

START: Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC)GOAL: Stecoah Gap (about 13.5 miles)FINISH: near Simp GapSTEPS: 40,618MILES: about 11I was exhausted by the time I ended my day. The sun was setting as I set up my tent, I was a bit low on water, and I hadn't eaten since morning. The day's climbs seemed long and steep. The trail itself wasn't bad...not terribly many rocks or clusters of big roots (although there were a couple of challenging spots); it's just that it seemed to go up and up and up with very little down. I suspect I must have made my way up and now I'm on somewhat of a ridge. At any rate, yesterday was really physically tough, and although I didn't quite make it to Stecoah Gap, I'm happy with my progress, because I know what I climbed. I know what I did, and it was rough but I did it. Then I reached the place where I decided to make camp, set it up in the deepening darkness, cooked my meal of instant mashed potatoes and hot apple cider, and crawled into bed. I know I didn't eat enough, but I was too damned tired to fix something to eat.I camped just off the trail, near a fellow I'd been playing leapfrog with on the trail all day. He was almost the only person I saw all day. There was one other fellow I saw twice, but he was young and moving fast, and the gap between us was soon vast. But Willy Seay and I played leapfrog throughout the day, and when I reached the spot where he was camped I decided to camp too. I'd been looking for a spot for a while, but there was nothing. The mountain on both sides of the trail was just too steep. Tired as I was, I had no choice but to keep walking until I found a suitable place. My place was right near Willie, an elderly gentleman who'd been a trial lawyer before he retired, then turned to mediation after retiring from trial law. Now he ministers to a men's prison of about 2000 inmates. Very kind, interesting, spiritual man who had some interesting ideas about God and Aiden's death. I just wish I could see things that way; it would be a comfort, but to me it just doesn't make sense.Anyway, looks like the rain has slowed. I¢m going to take advantage of it and take down my tent and hit the trail. It¢s fun to blog right from the trail¢¦while the batteries last.
Date: 2011-04-21
To: Here Comes Boggle Cottontail 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I'm just about to leave the cabin I've shared with Sue and Bill H and hit the trail. I don't think I'll stop until I've completed the Smokies, so these next 8-9 days will be interesting with no breaks for showers and such. The worst part, however, will be when I actually hike the Smokies without my beloved sidekick. I can't imagine being without Tessa. It'll be so lonely. The Smokey Mountain National Forest, being a National Park, does not allow pets. I'd made kennel arrangements for her, then I met and befriended Bruce and Darlene, who graciously offered to drive to the Smokies, pick up Tessa, take her back to their place and care for her while I hike the park, and return her to me. All they've asked of me in return is that I pay for their gas, which I am more than happy to do. I'd pay them every bit I was prepared to pay the kennel if they'd let me. I know Tessa will receive better care with them than she would a kennel. They'll give her far more individual attention; in fact, she's likely to be returned to me even more spoiled than she is now! I just hope that Bruce and Darlene remember that Tessa tends to be bashful around nudity (just kidding, of course). Thanks, Bruce and Darlene! I'll see you in a few days. By the way, did I leave my upholstery thread at your place? I have a repair to make and all I have is regular thread. If so, please bring it to the Smokies.I'm going to share a little secret with you, because I don't think the folks who are actually on the trail will be checking in here in the coming days. You know, we hikers tend to want to ditch as much weight from our packs as we can, but I am foolishly voluntarily lugging around two-ish pounds of extra weight for the next three days, then on the fourth day (Easter Sunday), I'll get to unload my weight throughout the day. I have 48 plastic Easter eggs that I have filled with candy, and I'm going to drop them along the trail for other hikers to find. It'll be so fun! Since I can't be with my family, I'll spread some Easter cheer along the trail. Ssshhhhhh... don't tell the other hikers who the Easter bunny is!
Date: 2011-04-22
From: Simp Gap

To: Cable Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

START: Simp GapGOAL: Cable Gap Shelter areaFINISH: Cable Gap Shelter areaSTEPS: 35,505MILES 10.3Today was a great day, actually. I had my doubts this morning, because I woke up to rain and had to deal with all the wet gear, and my feet were still in pain from the day before. I didn¢t have great expectations for the day, but I was pleasantly surprised! The rain disappeared but left behind this wonderful mist to walk through. Everything seemed kind of ethereal. Very dreamy. And because my feet were sore, I walked slower, and took more breaks. The terrain was kinder than yesterday, too. I used my slow pace and frequent breaks to play with my camera, and had a blast doing mostly macro stuff using the wonderful fog to soften everything. So I had a particularly fun day because I went slower. I still did almost the same miles because I hiked longer and stopped later, but the slower pace was gentler on my feet, and I found it pleasant. I think I¢ll throw a few slow-paced days in here and there to be kinder to my feet, but still push most of the time to get the heart going a bit. I saw a beautiful yellow bird today. I wish I could have grabbed my camera fast enough, but even if I could, my telephoto lens is limited. Anyway, it was mostly yellow. It had a bright yellow breast and underside, and a yellow-tinged gray on its back and wings. Its face was bright yellow too, except for some black markings. I wish I could have seen it better. Anybody have any idea what sort of bird I saw? Does my description match any bird you know?Today¢s useless trivia: It takes me 1,155 Appalachian Trail Mountain steps to hike the duration of Lynnerd Skynnerd¢s album version of Freebird.
Date: 2011-04-22
To: Rain, Rain, Go Away 
Miles today: 0.0

I'm on the trail, in my tent, actually able to blog live from the trail for the first time n weeks. Tessa and I are getting a slow start this morning. It's raining and I'm kind of not relishing the idea of walking in it just yet. I will, and soon, because it's just a slow steady rain, no winds or sleet or anything dramatic this time, so I need to just get out there and walk.Message received on the Easter egg delivery, folks. Not to worry...the eggs will not be placed along the trail. I'll find a family with children either in Fontana Dam or perhaps at the SMNP Visitors Center. It was a bad idea, but the intentions were good.
Date: 2011-04-24
From: Fontana Dam Camping Area

To: Molly's Ridge Shelter Vicinity
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

April 24, 2011:START: Fontana Dam Camping AreaFINISH: Molly¢s Ridge Shelter areaSTEPS: 37,397MILES:A beautiful Easter Sunday in the Smokey Mountains. I awoke early this morning and walked around distributing Easter eggs to other campers, especially the thru-hikers. I didn¢t leave them on the trail; I distributed them personally so as not to break any rules. I can tell you, the hikers were delighted! Most said it was the only Easter observance they were going to have, and it was a fun and unexpected surprise. I distributed them here at Fontana Dam because it's sort of near the Visitor¢s Center, so there are trash cans. No muss, no fuss, and some of the folks I gave my Easter goodies to felt lucky. A couple of them said, "Oh we heard about you! We were hoping to get an egg!¢ It felt good. I had fun.I stopped in early afternoon to make Easter phone calls. I often do not have a signal, so I was delighted to find that I had one as I reached a particularly beautiful bluff. I took advantage of the signal and beautiful view to take a break, and I talked with my immediate family, some of my in-laws, my mother, and some friends. It was so nice to speak with everyone. The day was so heartbreakingly beautiful that at one point, just before making camp for the night, I had to stop and just soak it all in. I was full of emotion, probably in part because I was missing my family, and in part because the day was achingly beautiful. I stopped to marvel in it, and to have a moment with Aiden. I spent a tearful time reflecting on the irony of our world. It can be so beautiful, as it has been for me here on the trail, but it can also be so cruel, as when a beautiful innocent baby is taken from those who love him. I know that Aiden is beyond pain, but he also never got to experience the exquisite beauty of this world, and there is nothing just in that whatsoever. But he is why I am out here. I am fulfilling a dream because I know that there might not be a tomorrow. I am living my life more fully, because he never had the chance. And I am using this time to raise awareness and funds for the causes of Safe Sleep and SIDS. The world has changed for me forever, because Aiden was part of my life for a little while.
Date: 2011-05-02
To: Back to the Trail
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Just wanted to let it be known that I am unable to log on to my Verizon Wireless Internet here, so the older posts will remain unposted for the time being. Not sure why I can't log on but there you go. I can't get online on my computer, I can't get a cell phone signal...I'm so out of touch! But I did learn one thing today that has me absolutely ecstatic...Bin Laden is dead! Hallelujah!
Date: 2011-05-02
To: Standing Bear Hostel 
Miles today: 0.0

I had my first hostel experience last night, and it was awesome! I am staying at Standing Bear Hostel waiting for all of my electronics to finish charging. It's been a delightful experience! I'm sure if you did a search some photos would come up, and of course my own photos will be posted eventually. At any rate, I stayed in a charming rustic cabin that actually spans a little stream. The stream flows under the cabin, and it sounds so nice. I watched some hikers play horseshoes, and we all stayed up late sitting around a fire. It felt like summer camp. And it's so beautiful here I hate to leave!The folks who work here have nursed an injured young squirrel back to health, and now the little squirrel is tame. It has no fear of humans, or of dogs for that matter. It certainly needs to learn to fear dogs, though, because Flycatcher nearly caught it, and she would have killed it for sure. It was a close call, and I feel so bad about it. I have no cell phone service and I want so badly to call home but I can't. So, Pat...I love you and miss you like crazy and hope you and the kids are well. I'm out of the Smokies and Tessa is back with me. I'm moments from getting back on the trail...just waiting for the MP3 to charge up. The next logical place for me to stop is in Hot Springs, 3 days away. That's not long enough...I have plenty of food and freshly-charged electronics, so I don't particularly want to stop, but after that there looks to be virtually nothing until Erwin Tennessee. That's about 100 more miles...a long trek between town stops but I don't see an alternative. So, my love, plan to send my next shipment to Erwin TN. I'll pick it up at Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel and Outfitters, 151 River Road; Erwin TN 37650. And of course, as soon as I get a signal I will call you. I think we should switch to Verizon.Flycatcher is getting antsy. She's ready to go! It looks like a beautiful day for hiking, but since I'm getting such a late start I only expect to put in about 10 miles. Maybe not even that, because the next 6 miles are all up hill. It'll be a tiring afternoon.I'm going to boot up my own computer (I'm using the hostel computer right now), and post some older stuff that's on there.
Date: 2011-05-04
To: A Little Rain Never Hurt Anyone, Right? 
Miles today: 0.0

This is a quick update to let everyone, particularly my family, know that I am alive and well and hunkering down in my tent, in my sleeping bag, while I decide what to do. I was hit by some unexpectedly bad weather yesterday. I knew it was going to rain and I was prepared to deal with that. But it did more than rain; it POURED, and almost all of my stuff is either damp or downright wet. Fortunately, my sleeping bag is dry, so Tessa and I are curled up in it to stay warm. It¢s really cold¢40degrees¢and it feels miserable with my wet things. I¢ve been taking some of my damp things into my sleeping bag, one at a time, and drying them with mine and Tessa¢s body heat. Things are better, but I¢m still so cold I don¢t want to leave the comfort of my sleeping bag. My boots are soaked. My coat is soaked. My pants are soaked. Most everything else is just damp.Earlier in the day I passed a trail friend as he was having his lunch. He confided to me that re thought about jogging ahead to the next shelter, as he really hated to hike in the rain. I foolishly told him, ¢Oh, it¢s not so bad. It¢s all a state of mind. Think of it as just another part of the adventure! If every day was sunshine and roses the adventure wouldn¢t have the richness that it does.¢ Well I am such an idiot.My fingers are freezing so I am going to post this (if I can¢¦spotty signal), then crawl back into the depths of my sleeping bag.I love you Pat. Don¢t worry about me¢¦all is well, just a little cold. I¢ll call you when I get a signal. My love, as ever, to the kids.Later...Just as I was about to post this, it has begun to hail. I don't think I'll be leaving the comfort of my tent any time soon. Just know that I am in a safe place, and I am all right. Tessa is keeping my feet warm, and I keep her warm too. We snuggle around each other and her presence here with me is a comfort.The hail has picked up. This is one of my few, "What in hell am I doing out here?" moments. Thank goodness for Tessa and my Kindle. Too bad I don't have a little snort of something or other to keep my belly warm!
Date: 2011-05-06
To: Hi! I'm Sunshine, After All 
Miles today: 0.0

By the way, you may have noticed that I changed the name of my Blog to "The Amazing Adventures of Sunshine and Flycatcher," rather than "Boggle and Flycatcher." The Boggle name wouldn't stick, and the other hikers wouldn't use it. They keep calling me Sunshine, and tell me that's my name. They introduce me to others as Sunshine, and that's what has stuck. I'm not particularly thrilled with it, but it's a done deal. It sounds so flower child. "Hi, I'm Sunshine
Date: 2011-05-09
From: Gay Tours and Ham Hocks

To: Passing the 300 Mile Mark Today 
Miles today: 0.0

I'm sitting on a log alongside the trail, taking a few minutes' break before I head on. There's a lot of uphill today, but I'll just take my time and get it done. If I make it to Big Butt Mountain today, which I fully expect to do, I will have passed the 300 mile mark. I'm feeling pretty darned good about that. It's not the mileage I'd hoped to make, but frankly I'm grateful just to even be here. There's been a surprisingly large number of would-be thru hikers that have left the trail; folks I thought undoubtedly had a better chance of staying on the trail than I, yet many of them are gone and I'm still here, amazingly. The storms scared off quite a few hikers. Others seem to be falling to injury about now...knees, feet, ankles, a few with back problems. I'll just keep going as long as I can go and hope for the best. So far so good, except I have a lot of miles to pick up. Guess I better get to it!