morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-10-31
From: Home!

To: Campsite at 1775.2
Miles today: 19.4

Day 134 19.4mi Campsite at 1775.2I packed everything up and headed back to the trail. Becky¢s mom, Sharon, gave me a ride back to the trail after stopping at hardees. I hiked this section from 321 to Dennis Cove on my first training trip back in September of 2006. It wasn¢t as hard this time. I climbed over Pond Mtn, down to Laurel Falls. The first falls I had ever seen frozen. I noticed that I have missed the sound of rushing water. It calms me. I hung around until I got cold. I hiked out to Dennis Cove and wanted to go over to trail legend, Bob Peoples, place ¢Kincora¢. I stayed up there for two hours talking to Bob and another section hiker. Bob knew me from the News and Neighbor, I liked that. Bob has done so much for the trail in his lifetime.   I hope that a shelter will be named for him soon, so that he may enjoy it. He helped to coordinate 4000 volunteer hours last year. His hostel has served over 14,000 hikers to date. He loves the trail and the trail loves him back. I plan to volunteer on his trail crew when I get home. It was a treat for me to meet Bob. I hiked another 11 miles and found a perfect place to tent. It¢s been a awhile since I slept in my tent. This is my first night in my 20 degree bag, I¢ve still been using my 40 degree. I¢ve been getting a little cold at night. I love bein¢ back in TN.
Date: 2007-11-01
From: Campsite at 1775.2

To: Hump Mtn
Miles today: 18.7

Day 135 18.7mi Hump MtnToday I hike for Sam Humpston, A friend that whom when I first told about hiking the trail seemed the most interested of anyone. He tells me he wants to hike the trail with caution in his voice. I hope that one day he will drop what is stopping him, and go for his journey.I hiked through a green tunnel all day. Not much going on. I walked through Buck Mtn. I didn¢t like it, it used to be a dangerous place for hikers. I hiked across 19e and headed up to Hump Mtn. Someone had left water there. Hump mountain has been a place that I wanted to camp on top of since I was a kid. 360 degree views from the top of this bald mountain. When I got up there I could see that roan was covered in clouds. I staked my tent down more than I ever have. After dark I could hear ice pellets hitting the tent. I poked my head out, I was now in the clouds. That made me a little nervous. I poked my head out again at 2:30 am and could see the mountains just as clear as day in the moon light.
Date: 2007-11-02
From: Hump Mtn

To: Home from CarverÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Gap
Miles today: 8.7

Day 136 8.7mi Home from Carver¢s GapToday I hike for Bill Derby, the publisher of the News and Neighbor. He has given me the chance to put my journal in print, and has helped me to inspire others and myself. Today I hiked up to Grassy Ridge, another 360 degree view bald. One of his favorite places. Now I see why. It is peaceful and beautiful. Bill has become a good friend through this journey. I woke before sunrise, It was cold! Ice had frozen solid to my tent. I watched the sun rise over Grandfather Mtn. I packed up and hiked fast up to Grassy Ridge. My dad was waiting on me there. We stayed up there for 3 hours, just talking and being in the peaceful nature. We hiked down to Carver¢s gap, he took me home to Becky to celebrate my 4th wedding anniversary.
Date: 2007-11-03
From: Home from CarverÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Gap

To: Home! Johnson City, TN
Miles today: 0.0

Day 137 138 139 140I got a call yesterday from princess Brat who had gotten back on the trail a few days ago in Damascus. She was hurting and needed to get off the trail. I picked her up today from Watauga dam rd. She spent the weekend with us. We hung out all weekend. She eventually came to the conclusion that she was not happy hiking alone and was getting nothing out of it. She was ready to go back home. We drove her to Asheville, NC where she was picked up and just like that she was gone again. It was good for me to be able to help out another hiker. I had a lot to do to prepare for the next leg of this journey. So I stayed home a couple of days longer. Not to mention I just like being back at home with Becky. Who am I kidding, that¢s the real reason! Back to the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2007-11-07
From: Home! Johnson City, TN

To: Unaka Mtn
Miles today: 19.4

Day 141 19.4 Unaka MtnBecky Sorrowfully dropped me off at Carver¢s Gap. Cold, Ice in the trees. I waved goodbye. Becky and I are back on track. By the time I got up to Roan High Knob shelter, the highest shelter on the AT, my toes were cold and I had ice in my beard from my breath. I changed socks, I noticed the temp gauge at the shelter said 20.3 degrees. I hiked through familiar places all day. Being at home spoiled me, I¢m not going to say that coming back to the trail is like going back to work, but the change is noticeable. I didn¢t take my toboggan off all day, I wore mittens for most of it. I got down to Iron Mountain Gap and saw all of the water my Dad and Mom left. Thanks! He likes helping out the thru hikers. When I crossed the road a bag was hanging from a tree. It said Farsang! Really, personal trail magic, really? Yep! It¢s great. It had some great food and a not from ¢Cookie Monster¢ and ¢Jack Rabbit¢. I¢m looking forward to meeting them too. On from the trail magic was some water that Mango (NOBO 06) had left. It seems that TN is best at taking care of the hikers. I stopped toward the end of the day at Cherry Gap shelter. Eight people were there and had a fire going. It was tempting to stop, but I wanted to stay on top of Unaka. I got to the top where I found a fire ring with some wood. I went directly to work on the fire and am embarrassed to say that for the first time in my life I could not get it going. I gave up prematurely as I was losing heat fast. Soon as the sun goes down, heat is gone. A couple of hours later I was wearing all of my clothes in a twenty degree down bag and was still a little cold. I had bought a insulated a mug and some esbit tabs to heat some water as needed. Tonight it was needed. I still don¢t want my stove back. I held the double walled mug over the lit esbit tab. It seemed to be working, then the mug popped loudly. Immediately I thought about the mug being double walled and insulated, I shouldn¢t be cooking with it. I let it cool down and drank cold black coffee. Just another addition to a crappy night. I didn¢t change my clock to match the time change. The cold already sends me to bed early, the time change would make it worse. I¢m transcending time. I¢m little miserable right now in this cold. The cold is another kind of animal. It changes everything.
Date: 2007-11-08
From: Unaka Mtn

To: Spivey gap
Miles today: 24.9
Weather: few clouds

Day 142 24.9mi Spivey gap Woke up to a very cold morning, I didn't want to get out of my sleeping bag. I had to get moving before sunrise, my friend David Cecil is meeting me today to hike. I stopped at Deep gap and drank some good ole untreated spring water. I met David (CornDog) NOBO '00 at Beauty spot. At first I thought that he might not be able to keep up, but I forgot that on the down hill I just throw out my feet and allow them to be punished by whatever is there. We stopped at his car, I filled up on coffee and doughnuts. Corndog told me I was hooked up for the day with food. Cool! We talked about everything as we hiked. It was great to have someone around. We got to Uncle Johnny's Hostel in Erwin where we had lunch. I ate everything from fruit to a big sausage to candy, David carried it all day. We finished up and climbed straight up out of Erwin to some beautiful views of the Nolichucky river. We climbed for most of the afternoon, Corndog had no problem with a thru hiker's pace. We never had quit talking; great company. We eventually made it down to Spivey gap where David was picked up, and my Dad had set up a camp. My Dad had ready for me a tent, hillbilly steaks, drinks, and a good time. A section hiker, Pilgrim, from FL benefited too.
Date: 2007-11-09
From: Spivey gap

To: Home again? from Sam's Gap
Miles today: 13.3

Day 143 13.3mi Home again? from Sam's GapMy Dad made bacon and eggs for us this morning. I told him he could come along any time he wanted. I noticed that when I was hiking last night that the bone in the outside of my left foot hurt. Today it hurt just the same. I hiked over Big Bald for some spectacular views. I made it up to Sam's Gap , I saw a friend drive by, Joey, the guy leaving water. There went my ride, I thought. I later found out he didn't stop because of the a cop. I thumbed it back (after the cop left) to Erwin. Now, if I would have been in the North somewhere I would have kept hiking. But since I was so close to home........why not, right? I ended up sharing the hitch with a guy who had just got out od prison from Pensacola, FL going to KY. The college guy that picked us up was surprised with this guy. He dropped him off in Erwin. I noticed the guy driving had a big slab of wood in the back seat. He told me it was part of the Beech trees in Johnson City. He was going to make a table. I got dropped back at Uncle Johnny's. There I met a new face, GreenFlash, from OR. I'm excited to hike with him. Becky picked me up and we went to Dixie BBQ. Then back to home ti be trapped by all of the nicities.
Date: 2007-11-10
From: Home again? from Sam's Gap

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 144 HomeSpent the day running a few errands. I went to Bristol Mtn Sports to get a thermal kit for my water bladder....hopefully no more frozen, undrinkable water. We took the dogs over to Warriors Path to run. It's almost like I'm at home to stay! I'd better be careful. We finished the day down at my parents house for Thanksgiving dinner, a little early.
Date: 2007-11-11
From: Home

To: Home AGAIN??!!?
Miles today: 0.0

Day 145 Home AGAIN??!!?I wanted to get back on the trail today, but never could get around to it. My parents had given my old friends TNaDean and E.T. a ride to Mahoney's from Erwin. I really needed to be around some trail family, so I drove down. We caught up on all the happenings. I call from them later in the day, they needed a ride. I drove them over to Miss Janet's in Erwin, I saw Pyro while I was there. I went to get some All you can eat shrimp from Red Lobster and packed up to leave tomorrow.
Date: 2007-11-12
From: Home AGAIN??!!?

To: Campsite at 1878.4
Miles today: 18.6

Day 146 18.6mi Campsite at 1878.4I finally got back to the trail at Sam's Gap and said bye to Becky again. I hiked strong and fast. I still wonder if it was my head or my hurt foot that kept me home. Shortly after starting I had two hunting dogs following me. I named the white one Jed and the brown, Ned. They were good company. I heard other dogs running all day. I camped short of Blackstaff Cliffs. I cleared a spot in the leaves and built a fire for me and Ned. Jed ran off. I knew better, but couldn't help feeding a pitiful dog. I 'bout lost a hand in the act. During the night Ned started barking in front of the tent. I thought he had flipped out and was barking at me, then I heard another dog start. I was relieved that it was not a bear.
Date: 2007-11-13
From: Campsite at 1878.4

To: Hotsprings, NC Elmer's
Miles today: 24.9

Day 147 24.9mi Hotsprings, NCI woke up this morning with five bear dogs around my tent. Ned must have sent out the message. Two of the dogs hiked with me. I met some hunters up at the cliffs and in a whirlwind of orange blaze, dog slobber, and the smell of Skoal Ned was gone. I named the other big black hound "Homer", he stayed with me, for some reason they didn't want him. Maybe he was with the rival bear club. Homer would take off down the side of the mountain howling and barking. 30 minutes later he would come back. I saw another hunter a few miles later who stole my company. I hiked down to Allen gap where my dad met me by surprise. He had a "Sammich" from my mom and a good ole' Mt. Dew. I climbed up to Rich Mtn. fire tower. Ok views. My dad had left me some more trail magic at Hurricane gap short of the tower. Thanks again, Dad! I hiked down to Hotsprings, NC, It started to rain. Soon into town I saw Ron from Canada, a man I've seen a few times since VA, now a good friend. He walked my soggy, sore feet to the Sunnybank Inn and gave me one of his Porters. I relaxed the evening in the peculiar Victorian house owned by Elmer.
Date: 2007-11-14
From: Hotsprings, NC Elmer's

To: Hotsprings, NC Elmer's
Miles today: 0.0

Day 148 149 150 151 46.7miThese day were spent taking the time to spend with friends having fun, and making the best of my time. I started by taking a zero in Hotsprings with my Dad, Pyro, Ron, Pilgrim, and Sugar. We all piled into one of the hot tubs while it was snowing out.   Unfortunately Green Flash hiked out. I had an ok time at Elmers. He had all kinds of books around. I am feeling very in between the world that I know and the world I left, so I asked him and his friends for a good read to help me, but no book was recommended. That was disappointing. Becky,I can tell, is nearing the end of her ability to stay without me. It weighs heavy some times. I hiked out of Hotsprings and camped on Max Patch. Cold, clear night, Pyro froze. I met up with Green Flash right before entering the Smokys. Green Flash is 24, graduated from University of Oregon, wild land firefighter, and a very good person for me to hike with after being alone for so long on the trail. He has been traveling since the first of the year. He went to South America for five months before starting the trail. His ideas and thoughts roll me into thinking about myself and what I can do when I get back home. The thoughts are sometimes poisonous and cause me to stress over trying to figure out my life. I must step back and just let it happen. Pyro hiked on after Green Flash and I hiked up to camp at MT. Camerer fire tower. Me and Green Flash spent the evening becoming friends. It was good to sit up and talk instead of going directly to sleep after dinner. I¢ve become more introspective than ever during this last period in my journey.
Date: 2007-11-18
From: Peck's Corner Shelter

To:  Mt Collins Shelter
Miles today: 14.9

Day 152 14.9mi Mt Collins ShelterToday I hike for Alan and Amanda, my neighbors. Since they have moved in, they have given a sense of community for us. They have helped to keep Becky company while I am gone. They both are on their own journeys to figuring out their lives. They are good people. My body feels worn out lately. Joints are sore, ligaments tight, muscles taught. I can tell that I¢ve walked far. Green Flash and I hiked down to Newfound gap. We tried to hitch for a disappointing and frustrating 45 minutes. The parking lot was filled with tourists whom had fear in their eyes. We tried to conversate with many, but the curtain was drawn between us. I haven¢t felt so separated from ¢real¢ life in a while. We finally got a ride from a guy from NH. We dropped of at the Pancake Pantry, but they didn¢t have biscuits and gravy. Green Flash is on a mission to try it in every state. He didn¢t like the NC gravy. We walked over to Shoney¢s where they were closing the breakfast bar. They told us to grab some plates and ¢get rid of it¢. We each grabbed five plates and had a feast. Green Flash said it was the most bacon he had ever eaten. I went over to the Happy Hiker to get a food drop, the girl there recognized me from the News and Neighbor. She wasn¢t sure if it was me, but I told here it was with ¢a little more crazy in my eyes¢. A guy in town had offered us a ride, he picked us up in a convertible. We ride back to the mountain in the best car to do it in. Me and Green Flash have come up with a new slogan for our pair. ¢We¢re not late, we¢re right on time.¢
Date: 2007-11-19
From:  Mt Collins Shelter

To: Spense Field Shelter
Miles today: 19.8

Day 153 19.8 Spense Field ShelterToday I hike for my life long barber, Earl Rice. I¢ve been going to this guy for too many years to remember. He is a mainstay in the Johnson City community. He is always friendly, welcoming, and appreciative. Another person whom I am lucky to know. I¢m starting to get ideas on how to finish this trip, I thought about running the last 30.5 in a day. That sounds something like Pyro would do, No thanks! We hiked up to Clingman¢s Dome, the highest spot on the AT. We walked up the Jetsons¢ style tower to take in views of the Smokys. We went down to the bathrooms for some water where I tried to coax some food from some of the tourists we talked to at the top. A man tried to give us his daughter¢s candy bar, but she wasn¢t giving it up. We saw an old timer on our way back to the trail. As we walked by he said, ¢them folks got it made¢. That made Green Flash and me fill with pride and a little less like we had been feeling, like bums. We walked into another beautiful, peach colored sunset.
Date: 2007-11-20
From: Spense Field Shelter

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: clear sky

Day 154 155 156 157 50.5miI spent this section not writing because of having good conversation with Green Flash in the evening ot being in deep thought in my head. The Smokys were good, but short, some hard hiking. We climbed Shuckstack fire tower before leaving the park. I remember being here with my Dad. We came out to Fontana Dam which signifies another hurdle jumped. We hitched down for some groceries. Sugar and a new guy named Treehouse showed up to the ¢Fontana Hilton¢ shelter. Treehouse turned 18 on the trail. I recognized how I wished that I could be more like him when I was 18. I also recognized that everything in life is in due time. Treehouse is cool to the core. We woke up on Thanksgiving morning and Green Flash and I decided that if we couldn¢t have Thanksgiving dinner we would fast. Luckily for us around Noon the Bearden¢s showed up to whisk us of to a feast for the holiday.   They were from SC and have been coming here for 17 years, one of the boys said that they pick up hikers every year. Kurt, Kathy`, their sons Nick & Jake showed us a family style dinner. We ate our fill. Kathy had done the impossible, fill up everyone. We spent all day with the family at Fontana Village. We gave them many thanks and well wishes when he dropped us of at the shelter. We could not believe our luck, once again we were ¢right on time.¢ The next day we hiked into moonlight with ice sparkling in the trees all around. We camped on top of Cheoah Bald in the cold, cold air. We hiked down to the Nantahala Outdoor Center. We caught back up to all three just sat in the sun and enjoy thethe warmth of the sun.   We hiked out the tough climb. Tree house hiked on, but me and Green Flash camped
Date: 2007-11-25
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Campsite at 2066.5
Miles today: 20.7

Day 158 20.7mi Campsite at 2066.5Very slow to start today. I finally got going around 10. We hiked a steady, fast pace all day. We came across another cool tower, Wayah. We again hiked into the dark without headlamps. It has became a game we play for entertainment in the evening. It¢s good to have someone to hike with. I¢m feeling better in my head these days.
Date: 2007-11-26
From: Campsite at 2066.5

To: Budget Inn Franklin, NC
Miles today: 0.9
Weather: moderate rain

Day 159 .9mi Budget Inn Franklin, NCWe woke up to rain pouring down. I ate little for dinner last night in plans for going to Shoney¢s for another breakfast buffet. It¢s the first time we¢ve packed up in the rain, but the food was calling. We hitched a ride from an ole¢ hillbilly. He owned a gem mine that his father owned starting in the 40¢s. He pulled his rifle over to his lap to give Greenflash room to sit. I rode in the back under the camper top of his truck. I happy for Greenflash to see the people that I¢ve grown up with all of my life. It¢s normal to me, but way out there for him. We filled up on breakfast, but without the haste we did in Gatlinburg. By the end of breakfast I had already decided to get a motel room. One last hoo-ra before the end. We stopped by the grocery store and picked up some food, including six pounds of bananas. Hey, they were only $1.50. I finally got some egg nog, I questioned myself about that, because it tells me I¢ve been out here a long time. We spent the rest of the rainy day filling up and watching the flickering box of light (TV).
Date: 2007-11-27
From: Budget Inn Franklin, NC

To: Albert Mtn
Miles today: 9.7

Day 160 9.7mi Albert MtnWe were supposed to get picked up by the owner of the motel for a ride back to the trail at 9am, but he didn¢t show up till 11:30. That was ok with us! We finished all but a pound of those bananas, no leg cramps for us! We strolled easy all day. We got to Albert Mtn where there was a fire tower. It was locked. Oh well, so we camped below it. From this spot we have less than 100 miles left. That¢s a scary, victorious feeling. I¢m becoming more excited as the countdown starts. For now though, I¢m still happy to be in the woods.
Date: 2007-11-28
From: Albert Mtn

To: Bly Gap
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: clear sky

Day 161 21.5mi Bly GapToday I hike for Harold ¢Doc¢ Whitimore, my little league baseball coach. He taught me life lessons and team work. I loved playing for him. He knows children. He is kind caring, he is good people. We woke up to a warm already risen sun. The hiking was easy today and the more I think about it, the hiking just happens. I never think about it anymore. The land is becoming increasingly more scarred by the droves of NOBO¢s who start in the Spring. Greenflash gave me a gift today. Another hiker in the North had given him some currency from India (10 Rupees) for saying that ¢it¢s not about the destination, it¢s about the journey¢. She told him it was ¢Ghandi like¢, and for him to give it to someone else who said something Ghandi like. When Greenflash heard me say ¢My Journey is My Destination¢ he knew I was the one to give it to. That meant a lot to me. Right now I¢m camping .2mi short of the GA border. I have finally gotten my head around the reality of finishing. It¢s finally happening.
Date: 2007-11-29
From: Bly Gap

To: Church parking lot, Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: clear sky

Day 162 8.8mi Church parking lot, Hiawassee, GAI slept well lest night next to the ¢Ole gnarled Oak¢ We directly crossed into GA. My 14th and final state. I have a great sense of accomplishment. We had this idea of eating one more buffet in Hiawassee, GA. Why not? That¢s were our adventure began. We hitched a ride and ate our fill. By the time we went to the grocery store afterwards it was dark outside. Any hiker knows that the chances of hitching a ride after dark is almost impossible. We tried anyway with no luck. We went back to the front of the Ingles store. I played my harmonica and held a sign reading¢ Ride to A.T., Please¢ while Greenflash juggled limes. Someone complained, so the second in command at the store sheepishly ran us off. We even tried going back to the buffet to ask the friendly waitress for a ride with no luck. It looks like we are stuck in Hiawassee, GA. Neither of us wanted to spend money for a motel room, so we started looking for a place in town to camp. There were many cops in this little town, so we were a little weary. We found a place in the back of a church parking lot between two church vans. It was covered, and flat. It was a good night that I never saw coming.