morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-05-05
From: Tent site 421.2

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: moderate rain

I woke up to a wet tent but didn't hear it rain last night or remember hearing the wind....That's because I finally slept great!!!Bev woke me with a text massage asking me if I was awake yet and to tell me the weather says rain again by noon. I told her I'd start packing up. We were on the trail by 8:15 am and caught up with Many Miles  on the trail. It was a darn tough uphill climb all morning long. We stopped and ate lunch at Watauga Lake, we actually made a sandwich with chicken from a bag like the new tuna in a foil bag. It was good but very dry with no mayonnaise or mustard....and some lettuce & tomatoes would of been nice too. The hike around the lake and up another mountain was tough after lunch too. Bev & I both seemed to drag today. My excuse was the sleep aid, they always make me drowsy the next day. I also blamed it on our poor diet in town last night, ha! ha!  I ate a power bar which helped for awhile but our last 3 miles to the shelter seemed like 10 miles! It started to rain to...again!Many Miles, (real name David) put up his tent before Bev & I had ours up and he was snoring away in no time! Bev & I did get our tents up fast though, it was raining some while we did it. Our tents are already soaking wet from last night & our sleeping bags feel damp. I'm sweaty from walking with my raincoat on so in a very short time I start getting chilled. Oh how I'd love a hot shower & to be home now more than ever! I hate being cold!! I quickly put everything in my tent, dirty muddy boots and all, put on my fleece coat, down coat & climbed in my sleeping bag! Its best to keep your clothes on so they dry while you wear them. I know it sounds gross, and it is, I hate it but that's how it's done out here. Bev is sitting in her tent with her feet sticking out cooking her dinner, I just ate some cereal I had in a bag with dehydrated blue berries, some beef jerky and mixed nuts with pieces of chocolate for dessert. I'm too cold to get out of my tent. I did remember I had to go hang my food bag in a tree, darn I will have to climb out of my warm bag after all. When I got out I saw Jimmy Chunga was here too, he said he's cold and tired and agreed today was tough. I tried to carry a conversation with 5 or 6 people in the shelter but they seem bothered I was even there. Some people out here are like this....others are great. Maybe they're tired and grouchy like me.Well, it's 8:15 pm and I'm caught up with my journaling. Have you all noticed the new trai journals website? I have no idea what I'm doing again, not even sure my pictures are posting. I'll sign in as a guest & check it out I guess.  Posting on Facebook would be so much easier.There are two days I believe I didn't take pictures, that's the days we walked in the monsoon!! I just talked with Jason, my son....He and Courtney are out riding in the woods somewhere. I miss them so much! Good night & Happy Friday to you!
Date: 2017-05-06
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Private Cow Barn 
Miles today: 0.0

I slept ok again but did get cold towards morning, I believe it was 40 or so.  I had about every piece of clothing on! I woke up to a very wet tent! I hated to get out of my warm sleeping bag and climb out of my tent but Mother Nature was calling me..... I had to pee really bad! It was so cold, damp & foggy, again but the rain had stopped.,I grabbed my food bag hanging in a tree and went back & told Bev I was packing up while the rain was holding off.We packed fast because it was cold and we needed to get moving to get warm.We hiked fast most of the morning because it was too wet & cold to stop, sit and eat. I munched on nuts, M&M's,  beef jerky & power bar in my back pack front pockets, We did come upon some guys doing trail magic at mile 446.7.... I can't remember all their trail names but they had hiked before; Packman, DOC Holiday & one other. Thank you so much!!We left there and hiked about 1/2 mile in the rain when we spotted a cow barn in a field that looked very inviting!! We went closer to check it out and it was empty but most importantly, dry!!! There was no signs saying, No Trespassing, so we sat up our tents.... Bev, Many Miles & I. I even ate my dinner sitting on old hard cow manure!! Yes, me... Kathy Levesque! To those who said there was no way I'd hike the A.T.!  It sucks out here a lot of days but I'm doing it!
Date: 2017-05-07
From: Cow Barn

To: Camp Site
Miles today: 18.9

I slept quite well in the barn out of the wind & rain. I did get cool towards morning so once again, very thankful for this barn!  Thanks to whoever owns it & sorry we trespassed but we didn't see a sign saying not too....and we was freezing!The next morning it was still windy & cool but not raining. We met the cows in a field out behind the barn. I took a couple of pictures but I'm having problems with getting my photos to post. I'll keep trying, maybe some will post twice, I didn't know what I was doing with the old website & now I need to figure the new one out.Today was a nice easy hike and one of our longest yet. We could of walked in to Damascus but our reservations at the Montgomery Homestead Inn are for tomorrow so we camped 2 miles from town. We plan on meeting a few hikers we know for breakfast. Several hikers at this campsite are doing the same.We ate our meal and was in our tents at dark, I was exhausted.Night to all my family & friends.
Date: 2017-05-08
From: Campsite 

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 2.0

I'm awake early and starving for a hot fattening breakfast! I wake Bev up at 6:30 & we are hiking within 30 mins., fastest packing up we've done, lolWe meet everyone by 9:00, a few others at 10:00 am! I had two eggs scrambled, 2 bacon, two pancakes & I ate a strawberry crumble square before my breakfast was even cooked!! Yummy  We went straight to the local hiking outfitters so Bev could get a new pack, thank God her duck tape held until we got to town. She now owns a pack just like mine. Osprey 65 AG Aura. They measured her & they decided this fit her the best. My pack is now too big for me, I'm at the end of tightening my belt...I've lost a few inches I guess. Everyone tells me to eat more carbs! We went to the Dollar General & then checked in to our room. I just love this Inn & Susie the owner is so nice. I took a picture of the outside...I'll have to take a few inside.I asked Susie about a chiropractor & she called and made her & I appointments at her chiropractor for tomorrow! How awesome is that? I sure hope the numbness in my toe and hand goes away... it's annoying!We went out to eat pasta for dinner, shrimp alfredo! Came back and tried to organize our mess!At 8:30 pm we went to subway with Many Miles and came back to the Inn and ate in the dark on the porch. Then of course I couldn't sleep from eating so late. I'm trying to put a few pounds on, lolMany Miles is staying in a Hostel a few blocks away, I'd mention the name of it  but won't judge since I never saw the place but he said it's gone downhill since he stayed there last year. He hiked 700 miles last year but had to get off because of an injury so he stared at Springer Mountain again this year to do a complete through hike. Crazy!Night.
Date: 2017-05-09
To: Zero
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

We had another huge breakfast this morning, ran some errands, rested and ate again for lunch, rested and I went to the chiropractor with Susie. He adjusted my back & neck but recommended I lighten my backpack weight... Ya right, until it warms up I'm keeping my warmer clothes & I need to start eating more so more food add means more weight! It's supposed to rain all week, pray it rains at night, lol Off we go in the morning!
Date: 2017-05-10
From: Montgomery Homestead Inn 

To: Lost Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I was awake early this morning ready to go! We ate another big breakfast at Mojo's before leaving town. We was heading up a big hill as usual leaving town with heavy packs! Mine weighed 37, Bev's 41... Oh I hate it, I really want it lighter than this!It was hot today, 77 and very humid. I sweat my butt off today but I'll take it over rain & cold temps any day. We stopped hiking about 6:00 pm... it was s tough 8 hrs day and I'm beat. It's 8:00, I'm in my tent ... Good night all!Just a note to my followers, I'm still unable to post pictures so for those that don't know me on Facebook,  it's Kathy Macdonald Levesque
Date: 2017-05-11
From: Lost Mtn Shelter 

To: Campsite st mile 502.5
Miles today: 17.5

We are up at 6:30. I love the birds waking me up. It looks like rain and we have two tough Mtns to climb, Whitetop & Mt Rogers at elevation 5,729... I heard highest one in Virginia, I hope so I need a break & easy hike for awhile, LOL!I really do need to lower my pack weight, the mountains were tough! I can't send anything home yet for clothes in case it gets cold so I guess eat less.We got to see, touch & take pictures of the wild ponies today!!! The climb was worth it except I did fall going down the rocks to get to the ponies. I was hurrying & tripped over my hiking poles and fell, thank God on a rock and not over a cliff!! Man did I go down fast with 35 lbs on my back. I can't believe I didn't bend my pole or break my arm. I've been making fun of Bev because she's fallen a couple of times.,. Karma, right? I won't make fun of her any more. The ponies kept trying to bite my pack, right were I carry my snacks, they are smart. I did share some pumpkin seeds I had with two of them. Ssshhhhh, you aren't supposed to feed them. Two ate them all and a third one came over and was mad I had none for him....he made an awful noise and then tried to kick one of the ponies I did feed, It was funny. We set up our tents with about ten other hikers and a few more wild ponies came in were we was tenting & sitting eating our dinner. They checked everyone out, hoping we'd share. It's starting to rain so I'm in my tent st 8:00Night!
Date: 2017-05-12
From: Campsite 

To: Campsite passed Wise Shelter 
Miles today: 0.0

I forgot to mention, we hit 500 miles yesterday!!  We didn't stay at Wise Mtn Shelter because it was taken over by hornets or some kind of bees so we hiked on out of the park and tented out.I woke up at 6:00, my tent was wet and mud was splattered all over the bottom of my tent..,,I hate mornings like this out here. I go to pee in the woods and go back to my stuff up. I thought Bev was already packing but after I was all packed I found out she wasn't moving anywhere today...She was dizzy with a headache & stomach ache. She tells me to go on without her but there was no way I'd do that. I went back in my tent and unpacked & that's were we stayed all day. What a long day! I did read awhile on my iPhone & went out walking around looking for the ponies to come see me but they wasn't anywheres around today. It started pouring again about 3:00. I checked on Bev several times because I was concerned she may of gotten bit by a tick. She did come out of her tent to go pee so we checked her for any signs of a tick bite. None seen, so that was a relief.I took s sleep aid at 7:30, I needed to sleep well after just sitting in my tent most of the day. Before I fell asleep we had s wild thunderstorm again & it poured! To be honest, I had myself convinced I had made my mind up today I was going home, this is so stupid! I miss my family & they miss me so I was going to tell Bev in the morning. I hope she's better because we have No cell service here, what if she's worse tomorrow? Life is too short to be away from your loved ones. I cried a lot today, I'm so homesick. I cried for my son Adam, he's missed so much. Pray for us, thank you.
Date: 2017-05-13
From: Campsite at mile 502.5

To: Trimpi Shelter 
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: light rain

Well, I slept great and the rain has stopped and Bev feels better. I told her I was thinking about going home, She looked at me and said,she thought the same thing yesterday herself...We both agreed to wait a few days first, we will probably change our minds.Today is going to be an emotionally tough day in more ways than one,... First, the trail is like a river it's rained so much, it's a little foggy and second, my Gram Vera's funeral service and burial back home in Maine is today. She passed in March just before I got on the trail but since it was winter her service is today. My siblings are all home and here I am, on a muddy trail thousands of miles away. Gram's birthday is today too, she would of been 104!!! She was an amazing woman, I'll miss her terribly. I talk to her & Adam daily,Oh, ya.... these rocks stink, rocks everywhere.... our feet are killing us!When I finally get a signal I get messages from home, thanks Jason for the nice message for Mothers Day! I called and talked to Dan, Pam & my parents. Dave sent me pictures of Adam's gravesite, they had put flowers by his headstone. I cried. Gram is buried near there with my biological dad Albert & grandfather, George. My dad passed when I was barely two years old. We believe he probably had Cystic Fibrosis like Adam had. We both just walked all day & fast, and was quite.... we both had an attitude problem, lol We weren't mad at each other but ticked we were here on this Rocky Mountain!!!  We hiked 20.0 miles though so if we keep this up we'll be in Maine in no time! Ha!Ha!We didn't get to the campsite until 7:00, we cooked our meals, set up our tents and was probably asleep by 8:30. I'm pooped!Maybe tomorrow will be a happier day.
Date: 2017-05-15
From: Mile 541.7 old school

To: Relax Inn
Miles today: 3.5

We were up & in town early for a huge breakfast! Checked in to the Relax Inn & picked up my re supply box from Dan. The motel room isn't too nice but for the price I'll be ok. Hopefully they don't have bed bugs, it's the word on the trail. We hitched a ride 4 miles away to a laundry mat so Bev could wash her sleeping bag. We did our clothes at the motel first thing today. Went to the Dollar Store and caught a ride back by a town cop. Nice guy, thanks! We told him about a house next to the motel that has several dogs that are neglected, very skinny and had no water,,,,  This upset us terribly, Bev also called animal control. Ones a beautiful German Shephard like my dog, so so sad.Ok, I've been hours tonight catching up on trail journals because the internet here is really slow!! I still can't post pictures either, sorry. I have a lot of nice ones too. I'll put a few on Facebook before I get into bed....Bev's going to shoot me, she's trying to sleep.Night. Hugs to my husband & son! Love you both very much.
Date: 2017-05-16
From: Relax Inn

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

Bev & I didn't sleep much at all last night, it was too hot in the room, the air conditioner wasn't working and our sleeping bags were too warm for sleeping inside. I can't wait to get out of this place! We went to the Barn Resturant and had a good breakfast before we starting hiking....We were on the trail by 9:30 am. It's really hot out today, 81 by 11:00 am.We stopped to put our hot tired feet in a stream late afternoon. Bev even took her shirt off and wet it in the stream and put it back on. I just soaked my buff and put it around my neck to cool off. Just having our feet in the water helped get us the next several miles.I was a little freaked out once on the trail.....I looked up and all I could see was this big black thing running towards me on the trail! My first thought was, a bear!  I was about to turn around and scream to Bev but then realized what it was, especially after seeing about 8 more of them coming towards me....Cows!!  lol  I scared them as much as they did me.  They all turned around and started heading back the other way but did keep stopping to see if I was still coming towards them.  I was talking to them and encouraging them to keep on going. We finally got to a field were they must of come from and they finally got out of our way. Several hikers have warned us they've seen rattlesnakes on the trail so I've been trying really hard to pay attention and watch for them. The warm weather is bringing all the snakes out, I've seen several black ones. I'm not a fan of snakes either.We arrived at the shelter/campsite about 6:45 pm. We quickly put up our tents, made our beds, cooked our meals, hung our food bags, brushed our teeth and in our sleeping bags by 8:00 pm totally exhausted. This hiking from 7am to 7pm is a lot of work! Bev and I have discussed this a few times, sometime saying we are really kind of sick of it.....It really is a tough thing to do everyday! I'm still really homesick and wonder if I can keep on going, although time has flown by. We've been out here almost 2 months already. Wow!It's getting dark outside now and I'm too pooped to write anymore. Night Y'all!
Date: 2017-05-17
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Campsite by VA 623, mile 574.3
Miles today: 15.6

I slept well last night but I think it's time I asked Dan to mail my warmer weather sleeping bag and send this one home. I was on top off my bag, inside my silk liner most of the night but then too cool towards morning. I climbed back in my sleeping bag but in a matter of a few minutes I was too hot again.We were up and on the trail by 7:45 am today and before 9 am it was getting hot again. We walked a long ridge line with lots of rocks, it was slow going. We had planned on making it to Jenkins Shelter today but just couldn't go any further. Our feet are hot and tired and it's 7:30 pm and the shelter is 4 more miles away so we decide to put our tents up near a dirt road. It looks like other people have camped here so we decide this is the spot for the night. Bev's knee is bothering her and the dizzy spells have been coming once in awhile today....plus she's having headaches. I guess she should of gone to see a Dr in Atkins. We'll be going into Bland, VA tomorrow if we can make it that far to pick up a prescription from a hostel that Dan sent there, Bev will try to find a clinic or Dr to see.We did see a small doe today on the trail....she was only about 15 feet from me and not too scared when she saw me. I walked towards her and she walked ahead of me for awhile and then walked off into the woods. We didn't even cook tonight, we both just ate a power bar and was in our tents about 8:15 pm, exhausted again from the heat today. I'm thinking about being home again and missing my dog, son, husband and parents. My sister is still home but leaving on Sunday to go back to Texas. Wish I was there. Good night.
Date: 2017-05-19
From: 0 Days Inn Hostel

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0

I didn't sleep all night thinking about this but I've decided to go home too. I'm sorry I have to disappoint my followers here on trail journals but for now this is best for me. Maybe I'll change my mind once home for awhile, that may happen....if so I'll continue posting here if I do. Thanks for all your comments and support, especially you Cozy, hugs...love you! Bev found out she has a double ear infection and sinus infection, thank God it wasn't worse. Marcel is here at 11:00 am, he drove all night to make it here for Bev & I.  Dan wants to meet us half way, he's happy I'm coming home too. I can't wait to see him and my dog Cabella she's coming with Dan! I will miss our trail friends out there on the A.T. ...keep up the great work, we'll stay in touch and as we promised, when you get to Mt. Katahdin we'll be there!!! Stay safe.
Date: 2017-03-13
To: NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Hi all!   So, this is a quick update for this year! I drive into Boston tomorrow to hopefully make getting to the airport on Wed easier (due to winter storm Stella). I'll post from there if I've got time to kill. Got everything I need and I'll be headed down to Atlanta to shuttle to Dahlonega on Wed and will hit the trail on Thursday! I'm very excited. More to come...Walkamol©!"Ah yes, lets add some poison ivy to this..."
Date: 2017-03-17
From: Springer MTN parking 

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: clear sky

This will be a double entry for yesterday and today. I made it safely to Atlanta and met another thru hiker on the plane! I got dropped of at Springer parking lot at 1600 with turtle and snail, a German couple in their 70s doing their third thru! Hiked into Hawk MTN shelter and spent the night. It was COLD. Not as cold?as Tuesday or Wednesday night I was told but I was chilly. It remained cold until this afternoon then it got pleasantly warm. We've got some rain coming in tonight but I'm planning on staying at Neil's gap tomorrow night so I should be all set. I think I'll pick up a sleeping bag liner just to be safe. Had a trail angel drop off pizza, beer, water, and fried chicken to myself and three other hikers. I only partook? in the first three and only slightly, but it still made my day. Camping with Foggy tonight in a cool site with tall rocks. That's all for now!
Date: 2017-03-18
From: Woody Gap

To: Baggs Gap?
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I hiked from Woody Gap up into a foggy mountain morning. I summited blood mountain right as the sun was burning off the last of the fog that came on with last night's rain. I got some great views coming into Neels gap where I planned to spend the night. Unfortunately the hostel there was full up (they gave the last bed away 30 min before I got there) so I decided to push on to look for a campsite as sheltered from the wind as possible. JR (from Charlottesville) joined me and we set a good pace together. We ended up at Baggs Gap (we think) and spent the night camping with a ridge runner who thru hiked last year. I got a liner for my sleeping bag and a new dry bag as my old one finally broke at the buckle! I've seen lots of dogs with day hikers so that's really nice
Date: 2017-03-19
From: Baggs Gap?

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: few clouds

Today I fulfilled a lifelong dream: I ate a Snickers bar at 2 a.m in bed and loved it. The temperature got down to about -1.1 C last night but the wind was blowing a gale. It made Ireland wind look like a gentle breeze! The sleeping bag liner really helped (but I ate the Snickers for? saftey and scientific purposes) JR and I broke camp early and hiked into unicoi gap (mile 52) and hitched a ride into hiawassee after some trail angels (rainman and fireball) graciously fed us burgers, dogs, and boiled peanuts! We are thinking of taking a zero day tomorrow and are looking forward to resting a few muscles.
Date: 2017-03-20
From: Hiawassee

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Took a zero day with JR in Hiawassee today to let your legs heal up a bit and to get a good night's sleep after the several cold and windy nights. Slept like a log last night and was very grateful for the roof, bed, and warm meal. My stomach is still adjusting to southern town food so that's been fun but oh well. Going to see a film also so we have an excuse to sit and do nothing! JR and I are looking to be in Franklin,NC on the 25th to meet up with some friends of his and to resupply. After that we're hoping g to be able to really start adding some miles! There's still a fair bit of snow ahead of us so we're trying to time our passage through the Smokies appropriately. Still no trail name yet. That's all for now!