morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-12-01
To: Getting it together
Miles today: 0.0

We're really getting our equipment together now. There's still more to buy but we're getting there. We have to sell our camper and our truck and get many other things in order but nothings going to stop us now!I have found a medicine called Flexicose to help with my knees while I'm out there. I think that was my biggest concern of everything and now I'm not worried anymore. Thank goodness.We got Andrew's backpack which I think was his biggest concern. My brother has already arranged a stop at someone's house for a hot shower, meal and a bed. We're so grateful!We've also discovered not to do mail drops. People that have thru hiked the trail before say they're more trouble than they're worth. We may as well learn from their mistakes instead of making our own.Linda
Date: 2004-01-02
To: Oh my goodness!
Miles today: 0.0

We get to hike the Appalachian Trail this year! I've been dying to say that! We keep saying "Next year we'll hike the A.T." Not any more. We have set a date for March 5th to head to Gainesville, FL to stay with our friends, Kyle and Merridith then on the 6th the four of us will head to GA, stay the night near the 8 mile approach trail to the A.T. and on the 7th we'll take the 8 mile hike, stay the night at the top of Springer mountain, which is the start of the A.T. the morning of the 8th we will begin our amazing journey. Kyle and Merridith hiked with the 2002 class. Their trail names were Starburst (M) and Blueberry (K). They will hike for about 4 days with us then will head back home to the comfort of their own bed and leave us out there to the comfort of our own sleeping pads.Oh, and we sold the camper. The truck goes up for sale today!Just can't wait!
Date: 2004-02-05
To: One more month!
Miles today: 0.0

We only have one more month before we leave! I'm so excited! We sold the truck. We've gotten almost all of our equipment. Arrangements are being made everyday. My brother will be keeping the journal going for us and adding pictures. We have a friend taking care of the rentals and another taking care of the financial end of everything. What great friends we have! We've had a ton of support shown from everyone we know. Our church, FAMILY BIBLE CHURCH of EUSTIS, FL, is working on a brochure for the hike because Andrew, myself and the pastor have turned this wonderful adventure into a fund raiser. We will be raising money by the mile from people who will fill out vouchers as an outreach to the Northern part of Africa and to help raise money for a media ministry thru our church to send the Word of God out... way out! Now our biggest concern is to find hiking shoes for Andrew's square feet! Thanks for reading. It'll be more exciting when we start hiking!Linda
Date: 2004-03-01
To: 4 More Days!
Miles today: 0.0

We have only four more days and we're so excited we can't stand it. Everything is ready. We've had so much support from our friends, church and family! We sure appreciate it! We also appreciate all the financial support to the fund raiser for Africa and the media equipment. It's so awesome to do something that won't only effect our lives but effect the lives of so many others.We're looking forward to the changes that will take place in us as we take advantage of this opportunity to spend quality time with ourselves, each other and God. He is so good.Feel free to send messages in the guestbook to the right. We would love to hear from you and respond when we are able. Everyone can read what you write so don't embarrass yourselves. (Chris)Love to all,Andrew and LindaCan't wait to get our trail names.
Date: 2004-03-07
From: Springer Mountain

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: few clouds

Yippee! We started 2174 miles worth of hiking today. We weren't surprised at what poor shape we're in so 7.6 miles was enough. We stopped at Hawk Mountain Shelter. It's the first night for everyone here and we're all working on trail names. I started as "Giggles" (don't know why) but someone about a week ahead of us has that name. So now it's "Blue Sky" because I love it when the sky is blue so much. Andrew has been given the name "Sir Fix-a-Lot". Imagine that.The temperature today was around a high of 58 degrees and expected to be 30 degrees tonight. Not bad when two years ago it was 17 degrees.It was a perfect day for our first day, a blue sky and not too cold for hiking. Actually we got really hot and had to cut down to shorts and short sleeves. And to think I was so worried about it being too cold.What a great day.Blue Sky
Date: 2004-03-08
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

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

I wanna see a bear! Are we ever gonna see a bear?! How much longer till we see a bear?!Another beautiful blue sky day, but so windy. The wind is loud and rolls over the mountains like a roller coaster. You can hear it coming from a long way away and listen as it gets closer, then "swoosh"! It goes right through you. Thank goodness our rain gear fights the wind because that really made it cold.All the trees are dormant right now and everthing is brown. The scenery is beautiful across the mountains but the actual space around us is kind of drab. They say everything will bloom next month.Well, beans and rice for dinner, then straight to bed because when the sun goes down it's way too cold to stay up. It was 32 degrees when we woke this morning and expect the same tonight.Blue Sky & Sir Fix-a-lot
Date: 2004-03-09
From: Gooch Gap

To: Woods Hole Shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: scattered clouds

We are official thru-hikers now! We're tired, we stink and we're hungry.In the middle of the day we saw little white things floating through the air. There was a fire in the distance. I was a little nervous about ashes flying around us in the woods and how big was this fire going to get anyway? Someone thought it was snow. That was funny because it was 42 degrees out.The ashes got heavier and heavier and suddenly I knew I was a native Floridian when I realized the ashes were snow and the temperature dropped to 27 degrees and we found ourselves in the middle of a snow storm! Merridith hiked the AT two years ago and never hiked in snow, so this was new to all of us. It came down harder and harder. The smoke I saw at a distance turned out to be a thick section of snow.At first it seemed fun and pretty then after a couple of hours and the sky being so dark with the sound of thunder I ended up a little scared. Andrew went way ahead of Merridith and I to secure an area for the tents at the shelter then he would come back to us. She and I hiked along for about four hours. "Oh Father God You said you would never forsake us, and please heal the gigantic gooshy blister on the back of my ankle!" I won't cry. I won't cry.The trail seemed to go on forever and Andrew finally came back. The shelter was packed but there was still room for tenting. We gave away our dinner, too overworked to eat and went to bed.
Date: 2004-03-10
From: Woods Hole Shelter

To: Rock Spring top
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: overcast clouds

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAREY!Well, we woke up and once we realized we were not going to die the snow looked like a Winter Wonderland.Flora (another thru hiker) from Kansas told me it was only about two inches of snow but I thought it was closer to, roughly speaking, approximately... six feet. Man! I'm just not used to snow and I was nervous, OK?!As we hiked today the snow melted and chunks of it fell out of trees like some bully was throwing snowballs at us. Kurr Plunk! Right on the head several times. Kinda makes you feel stupid.Merridith has been hiking with us and will go home on Sunday. She was in the Gainesville newspaper two years ago for thru-hiking the AT and there are people out here now that are using her checklist that was published in the article. There are also other thru hikers from 2002 that she keeps running into. Pretty cool.It's gotten down to 32 degrees again. I have to stop writing so I can squish down into my sleeping bag. Speaking of which these mummy bags take some getting used to. The other night I woke up in a panic because I thought I was in a straitjacket or something! I yelled at Andrew (waking him up) to unzip me. I shoved my arm through my little face hole so I could feel some control over the situation but that made it harder to put my face in the face hole. PANIC! Andrew rolled over and unzipped me then rolled back.I'm alright now. And it wasn't really a straitjacket no matter what you're thinking.Blue Sky
Date: 2004-03-11
From: Rock Spring top

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: clear sky

Today was a much warmer day and we're so happy about that.A man named Mr. Wonderful taped up my mushy gushy blister. It's about the size of a half dollar and it hurts! Poor me! And the other ankle is getting one too.Sir Fix-a-Lot (Andrew) has been fixing everything for everybody, mostly zippers. They all make jokes about how he's living up to his name. What they don't know is he's already done that.We met a man tonight at the shelter who has hiked here from mile marker zero in Key West. He and his wife are headed for Maine. He's 62 years old and hiked the AT two other times. His trail name is Dead Man Walking and his wife's is Love Bug. They carry the same old gear they've used for years. They left December 28, 2003. He's full of fabulous stories of sleeping in Orange Groves and other places and people thinking they were homeless and trying to give them money. Deputies putting them up in hotels, people giving them food, restaurants giving free meals. When they said they were heading for Maine, people would load them up with food and felt sorry for them. They said it was hard to get people to understand they were wanting to do it this way. They live in Pennsylvania and have a new house and a car like everyone else.When we went to bed we laid in our sleeping bags and listened to Ridge Runner tell stories from Tennessee about catching coons with his bare hands and chasing oppossums. He explained how to fry up squirrel real good and how to go about catching platypus. He went on about how one time he got himself a real good hedgehog and was gonna take it home to his dogs to chase and have fun killin' it. When he got in the truck he felt like that just wasn't right so he set it free. We just laid there and giggled in our tent.Bluesky
Date: 2004-03-12
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: clear sky

Well, only 2123.4 miles left. We are tired! I had my first cry just from being tired. We don't sleep great because we're cold. Our equipment is good but we would need to carry so much more to stay warm all night.Andrew fell for the first time, or it was more like a crash. He saved his face with his arm but his arm was sore for a little while after that.We knew it was time to take a real break, which is where we were headed. Kyle met us at Blue Mountain Shelter by surprise. We weren't supposed to see him til' the next day. He had been rock climbing while Merridith went with us. We hiked down to the Gap and he drove us into Helen, GA where we got a room at the Super 8. Now those blisters can heal a little, we can get our first showers in 6 days (peeeUuuu) and resupply our food. This is a good thing.We went for a cheeseburger, fries, and Coke, then the best ice cream ever... a Nestle Tollhouse Chocolate Chip cookie ice cream sandwich! Yes!This is of course after a shower. Then a little TV in the Super 8 and to bed.
Date: 2004-03-13
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

There were two other hikers here at the ol' Super 8. Toeritis (because he has arthritis in his toes) and Longshot. They left Springer Mountain with us. They only stayed one night. We need two.I think we'll catch up to them though. We were listening to Pastor Allen's Success 101 on the MP3 player and he was explaining about if you can see yourself doing it, then you can, but if you don't see yourself doing something then you won't do it. Then said if you want to go where you've never been then you have to be willing to do what you've never done.Well, we've never walked to Maine and we sure can see ourselves doing it. So we can just consider it done, right? Right. All we have to do is "walk it out!"I wonder if care group is meeting tonight? Well, we're thinking about all of you whether you are meeting together or not.Andrew & Linda
Date: 2004-03-14
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Sassafras Gap
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: few clouds

We left the hotel with Kyle and Merridith and went to Huddle House for breakfast. Found that bacon and eggs are not the way to go before heading back to the trail. We were in some kind of a funk, don't know why. Our send off with Kyle and Merridith was strange. We had no energy about us. After being out for awhile our spirits became brighter and everything was back to normal.We met Scorpion and Wounded Knee when we stopped for camp. Actually we hiked along with Scorpion for some time.We were crowded down the trail with a group of college guys out during Spring Break. What happened to going to the beach?Blisters are looking better!
Date: 2004-03-15
From: Sassafras Gap

To: Plumorchard Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light rain

Last night was so enjoyable. We didn't freeze. We just sat around a campfire, wrote in our journals, and talked. After we were tucked away in our tents a light rain fell for most of the night and stopped just as we woke. Exactly what I asked for, if it were to rain! Thanks God!Andrew pulled a muscle in his calf yesterday and is having to hike in his hiking sandals, because the back of his boot pushes into that muscle.
Date: 2004-03-16
From: Plumorchard Gap Shelter

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: light rain

Goodbye Georgia, Hellooo North Carolina! We crossed our first state line today and we did our Happy Butt Dance!We got a late start this morning due to the rain and a wet tent. (It's way hard to get yourself out of a warm dry space into the rain.) We ended up starting around 9:00, but it was our longest day yet.We pushed the miles today, and expected to tomorrow, because we misjudged our food supply and wanted to get to the next resupply place. But our worries ended when we came upon some trail magic! Two packages of Ramen Noodles and two packages of oatmeal! Now we can take it easy and not break our necks getting to the resupply.Andrew's still hiking in sandals and I've still got band-aids on my ankles but we're moving right along.
Date: 2004-03-17
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Betty Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Blue sky all day today. I know God likes me best now because whenever I ask for the weather to be a certain way, he does it. I knew I was his favorite! But now, oh the responsibility! To have control over the weather. What shall I do first? Maybe a blizzard in Florida? Maybe not!Even though the sky was pretty, it was cold and windy.It's funny how your mind works out here. Instead of "What time do I have to be somewhere?" its "How many miles do we have to go?" Instead of "Where's your restroom?" its "Which tree is big enough to cover my behind?" We think so much more about temperature, weather, clothing, food, and shelter than normal. It feels so weird scheduling water stops rather than social events.It's taking a lot of getting used to. Our bodies are tired, but we can tell our muscles are responding. The biggest joy so far is meeting the wide range of people. I'd say about fifty percent are between 19 and 35 years old and the other fifty percent between 35 and 70.Well, that's it for today except... Sir Fix-a-lot would like to send a shout out to his homey Chris and the whole De family. I'm out here representin', keep it real, y'all.
Date: 2004-03-18
From: Betty Creek Gap

To: Wallace Gap
Miles today: 9.1

Wow! We went over the 100 mile mark. Only 2070.4 more to go!In case you're wondering how I know that, it's because I have a GPS electronically placed in my brain. No, we have a book that tells you info, where water sources can be expected, shelters, a road to a town, tops of mountains and how high they are. So far the highest we have been is 5500 feet on Standing Indian Mountain. That's 550 stories high if it's easier to imagine that way.Did I mention...we're tired! We walked a mile down a road to a campground called Rainbow Springs. They have a large cozy bunk house for us to stay in with heat and a fridge. Inside the freezer I have stored the most wonderful item ever. A NESTLE TOLL HOUSE CHOCOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE ICE CREAM SANDWICH!We've had showers, a pizza, a rootbeer, bought the next five days worth of food, done our laundry and after I write this journal entry I'm eating that NESTLE TOLL HOUSE CHOCOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE ICE CREAM SANDWICH!It rained almost all day today. It even hailed during our lunch break. Thank goodness we found a shelter for lunch.Only a little home sickness starting to kick in. Hopefully we'll be able to make calls soon.Blue Sky & Sir Fix-a-lot
Date: 2004-03-19
From: Wallace Gap

To: Small campsite
Miles today: 4.0

Woke up in bunkhouse.Skeemer took us to b-fast.Tinder and Seco too.Andrew bought a shirt, and ordered new headlamp and tiny Leatherman tool.Seco will deliver down trail.He's fast! 14th thru hike.Owner of campground gave us ride to trail head.Andrew: "Where's my hat?"Back to campground.No hat.Back to trail head.Hiked two miles.Hitched ride to Shoney's to look for hat.No hat.Picked up lost dog.Delivered dog to its home.Back to trail head.Hiked two more miles and camped.Longstory...made short.
Date: 2004-03-21
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: Rufus Morgan Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: clear sky

Seco brought Andrew his Leatherman tool (wrong one), no headlamp but found his hat.We came across a great trail Angel named Apple yesterday who sets up a big tent in a gap and grills hotdogs, pops, jiffy pop, hands out Reese's cups and sodas. We were so excited when we saw his sign on the trail that we started to run. We were hollering "Apple! We want a hotdog!" I think it's possible that we were drooling. The guy before us took the last dog. Man! We ate Reese's and had sodas.Andrew and I have been thinking up ideas how to do the same type of thing for thru-hikers next year.Today started off at 29 degrees but went up to a more comfortable temp around lunchtime. We were on top of a mountain with a grassy area that had beautiful views and a lookout tower.We've been informed moments ago that it's supposed to go down to 25 degrees tonight. I thought I might cry. We're only a mile away from a warm hostel in Wesser, NC but it's too late to go. So we've covered ourselves with long johns, our hiking pants, rainpants, two shirts, a fleece and two pairs of socks. It won't be the first time we've slept in our hats that cover our ears, and our gloves.Blue Sky & Sir Fix-a-lot
Date: 2004-03-22
From: Rufus Morgan Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 0.8
Weather: clear sky

Last night was the worst night yet. It went down to 19 degrees and I dreamt of food all night. It was even worse than the other night that we spent through the thunderstorm. We decided to stay at a hostel (plywood room with two bunks and a heater) because it's supposed to be even worse tonight. My blisters are a mess and my foot is swelling again so I think we'll be staying tomorrow night too. I talked to my dad today and he said "Girl! You just need to let those things heal." So I am.The place we're staying is called the NOC near Bryson City. It's a place known for their kayak and raft training. It's like a little village of wooden buildings, bridges, and a river. An outfitters, three restaurants, a little shop and hostel buildings. There's a community room, laundry and shower facilities.This morning we hitched a ride to a restaurant and got the much dreamed about tall stack of blueberry pancakes and a full order of biscuits and gravy. Today we ate 'til our hearts were content and I ended it all with a Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie Ice Cream sandwich. BABY!
Date: 2004-03-23
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

We're not thrilled that we're on our second zero day already but we have to do what we have to do.This morning we hitched into Bryson City. It took us two different rides to get to the grocery and one to get back.I'm not excited about the hitchhiking in some of these areas. But so far they've been good safe rides.We're leaving tomorrow no matter what. The weather is beautiful today, 70 degrees at least. My foot is swollen but getting better "again".We've met all sorts of people at this hostel. Everyone is from different walks of life. "No, they aren't all hippies!" We met a couple today that thru hiked in 1991 and that's how they met. They've been married eleven years and are doing it again.Missing everyone!Linda & Andrew
Date: 2004-03-24
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: few clouds

As I was hiking up a rocky mountain today I was listening to Pastor Allen on the MP3 player who was talking about living a life of excellence. He explained that being average is as close to the bottom as it is to the top, then proceeded to explain that mediocre is being halfway up a rocky mountain with many more to go. Well, just so everyone knows, we're on TOP of that mountain now, and it is underneath us AND behind us, because Andrew and Linda Bennett are not mediocre! We will be conquering each and every one of those mountains.Before we left the NOC this morning a couple named "The Wrens" made a big pancake breakfast with bananas and chocolate milk. (I think that helped us get up the mountain too.) 7 miles up. Tomorrow we get to go down at least some of the time.Linda
Date: 2004-03-25
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Brown Fork Gap Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: broken clouds

All the yucky stuff like cold, snow, rain, blisters, aches and pains was made up for today.It's a warm day, about 65 degrees and we could strip down to shorts and t-shirts. We were coming into Stecoah Gap where the trail meets the road and there's green grass (which we don't see on the trail) and picnic tables. We were just about to pull out the crackers and peanut butter when Andrew thought he should help two older men who were trying to connect a trailer to a truck. He realized they would need a different size ball. When they decided they would have to go to town Andrew asked for a ride to a hamburger place because he had been thinking about burgers all the way down the mountain. He took orders for me and Footloose and away he went. This is very good news!
Date: 2004-03-26
From: Brown Fork Gap Shelter

To: Fontana Dam Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: broken clouds

What a long day. Andrew and I are having a hard time with each other's paces. He's fast, I'm slow. He never runs out of breath climbing a mountain. I always do. I'm getting better at it but so is he. So just be prepared, he'll be home in July and I'll be home in December.Tonight we're staying at the best shelter yet. They call it the Fontana Hilton because it's so nice. It's real clean but I'm still scared there'll be mice. There's not any places to put up the tent, so I have no choice.We're staying tonight with Ashtray, Close Call, and Carter.Spring is here! We saw lots of butterflies, insects, and tiny flowers are starting to come out at the bottom of the mountains. The tops are still brown trees with no leaves and brown leaves on the ground.Well, on to the Great Smoky Mountains tomorrow.