morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-05-05
From: Hot Springs - Duckett House B&B

To: Little Paint Creek Trail
Miles today: 13.2

Back on the Trail.It was chilly overnight, Frank even turned on the heat at Duckett; only 35 this morning when G drove me to the end of the street. I walked across the French Broad River, jumped the rail and hiked down by the river.Yes, it was hard saying good-bye again to Garry but I wasn't as teary as I was the first time. The Trail was steep and rocky in a few spots today. Mountain Laurel and one rhodo in bloom. Beautiful views from the top of the mountain back over the French Broad and Hot Springs.I had a snack break by a pond that reminded me of Silver Lake in Hampton Hall; even had the small bream swimming around that my brothers liked to catch. Same cement box dam design. Wow, those were some long ago memories...like the time I lost a brand new watch there.Lunch was at the top of Rich Mountain Lookout Tower. Neat old wooden thing with a great view. I know people who wouldn't believe I would even venture up there much less sit and eat. An 80 year old gentleman from Knoxville joined me and told me all the names of the mountains and the ranges. He was nice company and interesting. He visits all the lookout towers in the SE range.I had planned to stay at the Spring Mountain Shelter but it was on 15:30 when I arrived so I walked on and found a great spot to stealth camp by the Little Paint Creek Trail. L-o-n-g walk for water but great source.Hike on!Scribbles
Date: 2011-05-06
From: Little Paint Creek Trail

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: light rain

Big day mileage wise. I crossed the 300 mile mark and did almost 20 miles...not intentionally. My plan was to stay at the previous shelter but when I arrived there was a sick hiker there and 2 other guys arrived; there did not appear to be a good place to tent so I decided to move on.Really cold last night and I didn't sleep very well. Got up early and headed out. The day was sunny and chilly; started to drizzle then a quick spattering of hale! Of course, soon as I got the pack cover and my rain jacket on it all stopped.The walking was good.There was another fire tower today and that was my lunch destination. It was not as neat as yesterdays. In fact, when I got to the site there were huge generators and telcomtowers. Windy and cold but the sun was out and I needed to dry out my sleeping back so I sat in a field in the sun and ate while the bag aired out.After lunch there was a spectacular walk up to Blackcliff - all rock and climbing. Great change of pace, super views and fun. I really love the rock formations. I did take some pictures - someday they will get downloaded.Pretty birdsong today. Saw a redheaded woodpecker and chipmunks, no other critters. Lots of trillium, a hearty trillium, wild orchids, rock with ferns and mosses. Also beautiful yellow flowers and delicate ferns clinging to small bits of dirt in the rock on the hi-exposed cliffs. Amazing! Mde me think of how God cares for these flowers and plants. How tenuous life is and how much we must trust God for His mercy and goodness.Another climb over a grassy bald then 1.5 miles on a gravel road. It was kind of strange. A very long downhill to the shelter. I was actually happy to have some uphill shortly before the shelter.My feet were really talking to me today. That was a long way.Early today I met 12 young men with a church group who were hiking from Erwin to Hot Springs. One of the group asked me if I was thru-hiking; I said I was and he said, 'Wow, what a trip!' That got me thinking about the connotations of 'trip' and then about writing about my adventure. We shall see.Hike on!Scribbles
Date: 2011-05-07
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Bald Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Started early today, about 7:16. Ended late - I have no idea what time because I got sidetracked on Big Bald by 4 gentlemen who went to high school together in Jacksonville. They have a yearly reunion and were having wine, cheese and crackers and invited me for a glass. I was happy to sit, talk and sip. It had been a long day after yesterdays long day...The crazy think is it started as an easy day. Cool, sunny and pleasant walking. I crossed my first catte ladder - they have a name but I can't recall it. I meet a nice couple section hiking - they are from Athens. Beautiful meadow filled with yellow flowers - got a picture. Then a HUGE up accompanied by a beautiful creek that turned in a waterfall higher up. The woods were beautiful, lush green with pretty birdsong, trilliums, squirrels and sunshine.Oh, the women I met (as part of the couple) she has been reading my trail journal. How fun!The rest of the day was pretty much uphill. Tennessee goes UP or down, not much in between.Gotta go, the library is closing.Hike on!ScribblesTo finish...I was planning to stop at Low Gap yesterday. Nice spot with water but it was early so I decided to go the extra 4 miles. Wow! what a hike.Now, if I had not gone those extra miles I would have missed the Trail Magic from Patch - thanks so much for the cold drink!; or met the 4 gentlemen from Jacksonville and gotten that Trail Magic.The scenery from the bald was incredible; it was windy and cold, too.The good thing is it's done and I don't have to face that climb first thing in the morning or do it again!Hike on!Scribbles
Date: 2011-05-08
From: Bald Mountain Shelter

To: Uncle Johnny's
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: light rain

Happy Mother's Day! Thank you to everyone who sent me messages - very sweet and very appreciated.Staying at Uncle Johnny's Nolichucky Hostel. Feels good to be clean and have on clean clothes. Next week Roan Mountain and I plan to send home my long pants...lighten the load a little.I think I forgot to mention my Kindle ran out of power on Thursday night - Seriously?! I almost cried - this new toy with the battery that is suppose to last a month didn't last 2 days. I tried to power it up with one of the battery chargers. Didn't work. It's now been on the power cord since I got here and finally shows a green light. I'm going to leave it charging all night.Speaking of crying, I did, yesterday. I decided to listen to some music and "Thank You for Giving to the Lord" played. I was sobbing. Then "Whisper to me Softly" really made me miss Garry. The music kept me going though since I felt like I've overdone the mileage for the past few days.This morning I was listening to music and doing the Shat, complete with twirls, down the AT. Made me laugh at myself. After lunch I hiked with Weaser.   Really interesting guy. He is with Stroker, who is doing his Senior walkabout. Weaser lived in Germany for a while so we had that in common to talk about. Sure made those final 3 miles of the day go faster.Today's terrain was tame compared to the last 3 days. I left the shelter right at 7 AM and check in at the hostel by 16:00.It was a quiet morning. Beautiful streams and cascades all morning. I saw a rabbit near some large rock outcroppings. Pretty, multi-colored.The woods were deep, quiet hardwoods and firs with little undergrowth.Peaceful.Not as cold last night. In fact, I was warm in my bag. Along with the couple from Athens there was a guy from Knoxville who brought his chocolate lab, Runner, a rescue, for the hike. Very nice guy and sweet dog.Coming into Spivey Gay was really pretty. Another one of those park-like spaces with hi-canopy trees and no underbrush except largo rhodo and a great stream.I had lunch at No Business Shelter where I met up with Two-Thirty, Calgon, Weaser, Wedge and Stoker. They were surprised to see me so soon because I left Hot Springs a day later than they did.Met up with Slo Goen, he is headed to Johnson City to get his glasses fixed.I entered the Cherokee National Forest. Got me to thinking about when the Indians lived here and I was trying to imagine what it looked like, where they settled, etc.Not all of the forest is beautiful; there was a large section today that looked like a powerful storm came through and wiped out huge swaths of forest. Also a fire. In places it's recovering. Sad.Hike on!Scribbles
Date: 2011-05-09
From: Uncle Johnny's

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: scattered clouds

I decided I was not going to be in a hurry today. I don't care about what time it is. I'm taking it slow, low mileage today. It's better than a zero cause I'm still getting some miles in but totally relaxed which tells me I wasn't HMOH the past few days. I got caught up in the 'feeling behind' and let it get me to me.So, good day!I'm somewhere on the NC/TN line. I've crossed over and back so many times it doesn't matter. Lite breeze. Birds singing. Sunshine. Fluffy clouds. All is good!I woke this morning to l-o-n-g train whistle around 5:40. Who knew Erwin which such a big train town. At least 4 trains came through during the night.Thanks to James at Uncle Johnny's for the shuttle to Walmart and dinner.Great walk this morning. Started fairly flat and meandering with the sound of the Nolichucky. Opened into that park like setting with the big high canopy trees and huge rhodos. Nice to hear the river and then a great stream that I crossed on footbridges 5 times and several more times jumping rocks. Pretty. Listening to the water flow is so soothing. Watching ad listening when there is a waterfall is mesmerizing. I stopped at every crossing today. Nice.The Mountain Laurel is blooming - some white and some pink.I meet Hummingbird last night. He is from NC and out to hike for 30 days. When I saw him today sitting by the Trail with pack, shoes and socks off he told me he didn't know why he was doing this. I laughed and told him a lot of people don't know why..it's ok; take it easy and try to enjoy.The hike after lunch was interesting. Mostly a burned forest; approximately 3 years estimating by the size of the new trees. Acres burned so no shade from the mid-day sun and it was a long steady uphill to Beauty Spot Gap. Not sure why they call it a gap. It's a bald. Saw more wild irises and a plant that looks like a wild geranium. The Trail looked like an old road bed, washed and rocky. I could still hear the train whistles. Guess it isn't that far as the crow flies from Erwin. Lots of ferns today. Entire hillside of fallen rocks covered with ferns and then acres of them going up to the bald. More of the lemon fragrant ones, too, along with violets, trillium and brambles. Thankfully a delightful breeze came up the closer to the top of the bald I got. Great view up there and Trail Magic! What fun!! 2001 Thru-hikers: Mama Hen, Squirrel and Doodlebug had cookies, trail mix and soft drinks. Also met the hiker from Israel, WingFeet. Thanks for the Thin Mints!!I stopped early. Read, napped, read, had dinner, hung my food and back to reading...lazy day.Hike on!Scribbles
Date: 2011-05-10
From: Deep Gap

To: Greasy Gap Campsite
Miles today: 11.9

To say this was not my best day is putting it mildly. I felt a bit funky yesterday afternoon. Thought I was hungry so I ate Trail Mix. Wasn't really hungry for dinner but I fixed the Inertia Sun-Dried Pasta and added tuna - gotta eat to keep going. I was really, really tired. I slept ok, not great. Woke one time covered in sweat. Definitely would not recommend the Deep Gap Campsite. The road which runs near by is active into the early AM and I could hear the trains all night. The nice part was the good water supply near by and the owls. Obviously hunting and calling to each other - neat!I felt ok when I woke up. Not hungry. I ate some crackers and something else and headed out. It was overcast and breezy - nice for walking. I saw a dogwood in full bloom - that was special. And, one of the old ladders to go over fences made from logs. That, too, was neat.As the morning went on I felt worse. My stomach was crampy and my intestines were gurggly and active. I fixed some Gatorade. Still didn't want to eat. Especially didn't want anything sweet - sounded awful. Felt very weak.The climb up Unaka Mountain was hard. Probably would not have been if I'd felt ok. Sparse woods gave way to a spruce forest; then the straggly trees and huge rhodos. It then changed to that deep, peaceful, quiet and wonderful all spruce forest. Smelled great. I wanted to just camp there - forever. Every size spruce from tiny babies to giants with a few rhodos and a few of the viburnum trees. Also, the plans for the mini tiger lillies, there will be thousands of them.I finally made it to Cherry Gap Shelter. I had decided I would take a long break and decide whether to go on. Yoga Boy was there taking a zero cause of shin splints. I fixed more gatorade and ate some crackers. Rested. I felt better so I moved on. That didn't last.Oh, 16 kids from Ohio section hiking came thru the shelter for water.I must have stopped 24 times, at least, trying to get to this campsite. No energy, no appetite. Felt like I wanted to be sick to my stomach but wasn't. I did make it. Got water, put up my tent and before falling asleep let a note safety pinned to a tree looking for Pepto, Maazlox or Tums....Low and behold, in my sleep I hear, 'Hello!'. 'Scribbles?'; I think I'm dreaming...a guy from the Greasy Creek Friendly, Levi, had hiked up to the campsite with all kinds of stomach stuff along with a Sierra Mist and Saltine crackers. A real Trail Angel!!. I took a doss and went back to sleep. Felt so much better. Thank You, Lord! Blessings on Levi!Sometime during the night there was a wild storm with heavy rain, lighting and thunder. Thankfully, I stayed dry. Tent soaked. Boots soaked.I felt better in the morning. So grateful! I decided to hang out for a bit to see how I was feeling and decide whether to go to the Friendly or try Roan Mountain. It's only 9 miles. Still concerned about my stomach and those wet boots.Hike on!Scribbles
Date: 2011-05-11
From: Greasy Gap Campsite

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: broken clouds

In for the night at Roan High Knob Shelter the highest shelter on the AT.What a climb! I'd been told it was steep Nd difficult. It was a challenge. I knew it would be a challenging day, also knew this was as far as I would be going zo I took it easy. Took breaks. Enjoyed the walk since I felt I did't see much yesterday.It was overcast when I started but cleared up. Rumor has it there wil be rain for the next 7 days...The birds were singing which always makes me feel good. How can you not feel good with their sweet twittering? And, my stomach felt better.After the storm the woods are glorious; smell wonderful, fresh and everything is perky. There were several large trees down and lots of limbs. Had to bushwhack around one big downed tree.I saw 5 orange-red salamanders. One of the guys told me they must be toxic cause they are so colorful. I then told him that was interesting cause I had touched all of them...they were so cute. One was so tiny and still he looked like a plastic toy; the places where his spots will be were not discernible. The others were a bit larger and I could at least see the circles where their spots will be.Also saw snails, the 'popcorn' crickets and butterflies. The black butterflies with the iridescent blue are beautiful.Yoga Boy told me about Mayapples - the ones with diu le leaves produce fruit which is edible. Just the fruit, not the seeds.Met Leapfrog today. Cute!All the folds who stayed at Greasey Creek Friendly (named 'friendly' cause they arn't 'hostel') were slack packing Roan SOBO today. $4 pp. Good deal. Of course they missed climbing Roan NOBO.The terrain is just so beautiful - I live looking up the mountain and down from the Trail and all I see are woods. The Trail, for a large part, hugs the side of the mountain. Great views as far as I can see. Today I also saw the spruce trees, red trillium, moss, wild orchids; huge rock formations covered with moss. And, this neat moss or ground cover, that looks like tiny Christmas trees.This shelter is in the spruce forest; smells great.There is an old chimney beside the Trail, made me start thinking about the log cabin which once was there. What was their life like? How did they do it?Strange where the mind will go when it is free to roam. Songs bring back interesting memories, good and bad.I didn't eat much today. No appetite. I ate because I knew I needed to do so. Sleeping in the shelter tonight. Hope I get some sleep.Thank You, Lord, for sending my Trail Angel!Hike on!Scribbles
Date: 2011-05-11
From: Greasy Gap Campsite

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: broken clouds

In for the night at Roan High Knob Shelter the highest shelter on the AT.What a climb! I'd been told it was steep Nd difficult. It was a challenge. I knew it would be a challenging day, also knew this was as far as I would be going zo I took it easy. Took breaks. Enjoyed the walk since I felt I did't see much yesterday.It was overcast when I started but cleared up. Rumor has it there wil be rain for the next 7 days...The birds were singing which always makes me feel good. How can you not feel good with their sweet twittering? And, my stomach felt better.After the storm the woods are glorious; smell wonderful, fresh and everything is perky. There were several large trees down and lots of limbs. Had to bushwhack around one big downed tree.I saw 5 orange-red salamanders. One of the guys told me they must be toxic cause they are so colorful. I then told him that was interesting cause I had touched all of them...they were so cute. One was so tiny and still he looked like a plastic toy; the places where his spots will be were not discernible. The others were a bit larger and I could at least see the circles where their spots will be.Also saw snails, the 'popcorn' crickets and butterflies. The black butterflies with the iridescent blue are beautiful.Yoga Boy told me about Mayapples - the ones with two leaves produce fruit which is edible. Just the flesh; not the seeds.Met Leapfrog today. Cute!All the folks who stayed at Greasy Creek Friendly (named 'friendly' cause they aren't 'hostel') were slack packing Roan SOBO today. $4 PP. Good deal.Th terrain is just so beautiful. I l
Date: 2011-05-12
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Harbour House B&B and Hostel
Miles today: 16.6

The Roan High Shelter was neat - it was originally a ranger station which explains the moss covered stairs and 4 foundation footings I saw in the woods. They were for the lookout tower. Beautiful location.I started in the clouds with a weak sun this morning. Dense spruce trees with some rhodo mixed in; rocky trail.Easy walk to Carvers Gap. On the other side started the Roan Highlands, aka to me, bales.Went back into a dnse spruce forest before starting the real highlands. It was a mature forest: large trees, high canopy; no ground cover and everything, in luring tree trunks and rocks, covered with moss.My stomach was talking to me. I had no appetite. Just drank lots of water.I saw wild strawberries growing everywhere on the bales. Also there was a shrub with a musky scent that reminded me of incense from church. Because of the clouds there was no view till afternoon.Apparently the blackberry bushes on the balds ar Canadian and invasive - th locals have started an initiative to bring in goats to eat the bushes.The views from the highlands as spectacular. Went along with the climb...stEEP!I did enjoy seeing 2 hawks playing in the drafts. I stopped and watched thm for quite a while.After the highlands it was back into the woods. Beautiful. Light dappled. Lots of birdsong. Hostas, crimson trillium, small purpleish flowers plus loads of all the different white flowers. It smelled so good. Really pretty woods with all types of trees and shrubs, great rock formations (and rocky trail to climb).I saw several snails and a frog. Did I mention the cute rusty orange/brown frog I saw a few days ago? About 1 1/2 to 2" long body.In for the night at the Harbou House Hostl. By far the nicest Hostl I've ever been in. Real beds with linens and pillows. Renovated barn. Terry and Mary are great. Mary washed my clothes while we went to dinner - wood fired pizza made by Tim, originally from this area who went to Sonomatopoeia, won all kinds of awards and came back to help his community. Best pizza! I could eat less than half...my tummy is talking to me. I did buy Pepto tablets tonight.Hike on!Scribbles
Date: 2011-05-13
From: Harbour House B&B and Hostel

To: Mountaineer Shelter
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: light rain

Thanks to everyone for signing my Journal. It's been a while since I've had Internet access. I told someone, on the Trail the only thing more elusive than cleanliness is wireless. Not that I want the Trail wired but it sure would be nice if more hostels had real wireless instead of one computer for everyone to attempt to use. So with that I'm going to do as much quick updating as possible.It wasn't my plan to do such a low mileage day but my stomach issue got 'explosive' in the early morning hours. It was repetitive and I was stopping many times during the day. It didn't stop me from eating the amazing breakfast Mary prepared: egg casserole, French toast with pecan syrup, homemade cinnamon buns, fresh fruit cup, sliced peaches with blackberries, asparagus with bacon and Parmesan and sausage links. Don't miss HarborHouse!It was a nice sunny day when I started. I had no energy so it was very slow going. There was. Nice stream and a beautiful dense, cool and mossy pine forest. I took my mid-day break by Jones Falls; pretty with multiple levels. Nice Place to sit. The falls spilled into the Elk River which I hiked along for a good ways. Nice sounds and pretty. I saw a mallard. The water was so clear all the rocks were visible on the bottom. Interesting that the river took a natural turn because of the mountain and so I was walking along both sides. Also a purple rhodo in full bloom.I have to admits most of my time was occupied with finding bathroom places...awful. I am so thankful I made it and Praising God for putting the shelter right where I had given up. It started raining shortly after I was in the shelter. Glad to be warm and dry. Pink Floyd gave me some Tums - they helped a bit. I ate a handful of animal crackers and went to sleep.Hike on!Scribbles
Date: 2011-05-14
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 15.7

I crossed 400 miles today!Very uneventful at Walnut Mountain Road, just a gravel road. I wrote '400' in the middle. I should have taken a picture.Praising God for a great day. First day since last Sunday that I felt close to normal. No stomach issues. I ate lite today: animal crackers, cheese crackers and water. All did fine so I tried a tuna creation and it sat ok, too. When I got to Kincora Pink Floyd had brought cheese pizzas as trail magic - yea and big thanks!Good walk today with lots of birdsong. There was actually a bird singing when it started to rain yesterday. It was like she was welcoming the shower.I took it easy today. Enjoyed the beautiful woods. I saw deer tracks in a rhodo tunnel...that was neat. Still seeing lots of centipedes and snails. The birdsong is amazing. Coming thru the last part of the woods before Dennis Cove Road it sounded like there was a rookery off to the right. The birds were singing, tweeting and talking to each other; very sweet.It was a cool day. A bit over cast but mainly sunny. Really perfect hiking weather and this section is one of the prettiest. Rolling hills with the woods changing from ugh canopy hardwoods and nothing but rhodo to a 'normal' type forest. There were a few nice westerly breezes which brought in the rain. It hit when I was about 20 minutes from Kincora. I've been lucky with the rain.Praise God for feeling good!Hike on!Scribbles