morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-04-10
From: Fairview NC, Barb's

To: Fairview NC, Barb's
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Another day R&R. Everyone knows how much I like to chill, stay still and do nothing. Enjoying the tiny dogs, Chester and Patrick. They can be yappy, but are much calmer and quieter around me. I think they are both smart dogs!
Date: 2011-04-11
From: Fairview NC, Barbs

To: Fairview NC, Barb's
Miles today: 0.0

Borrowed a car and went back to Mission Hospital to get written copies of test results and ER notes. Was surprised to find several blood tests out of normal range including red blood count.   Went across the street to a walk in physician at orthopedic clinic.   Dr. was very nice and spent a good bit of time though it is out of her area of expertise. She thought it does look like drug induced Lupus. But hard to diagnose and treat wout evaluation of variable symptoms over time and managing treatment.   She recommends agressively trying to get rheumatologist using referrals thru doctors at home who can follow long term. She didn't think it crazy to continue hiking if symptoms improve. Knowing I will have to go slow short days w slight to no chance of reaching Maine this year.   Plenty of time to look around. I will be more on my own as friends I meet will move faster.   Plenty of time to play guitar tho fingers are stiff sore. Playing doesn't make it worse , maybe improves. This is good. I'll be really feeling dumb carrying full size guitar if can't play and can't walk much!
Date: 2011-04-12
From: Fairview NC, Barb's

To: Fairview NC, Barbs
Miles today: 0.0

I've been resting at Barb's for several days. Symptoms gradually improve. Left foot normal size right just a little swollen.   Yesterday right foot and leg looked like Amazing Hulk after he gets mad! Mouth is improving with ultrasonic electric tooth brush. Eating mushy food ice cream mashed potatoes, cooked spinach etc. Still wakes me a couple times a night for saline rinse and oralgel. Barb and her cousins left today. I will catch a ride w neighbor to UNC Asheville tomorrow, closer to get ride back to Hot Springs. Still unclear if I can resume hiking.   Very excited about EE flying out next Sun. We will stay at fancy B&B on creek/waterfall for a few days then maybe cabin at Uncle Johny's on AT. Tons of spring scenery and stuff to see, nice places to stay on foot or by car.   Lots of road crossings on the trail so lots of flexibility in easing back to trail life.I'm still happy and optimistic. Even with no hiking, just planning a week B&B car tour w EE in NC Mt Spring would make me so excited in anticipation it would be hard to sleep.
Date: 2011-04-13
From: Fairview NC, Barbs

To: Rich Mountain Fire tower north of Hot Springs
Miles today: 8.7

Continue resting & improving. Replan EE's visit as I am 150 to 200 miles short of where I expected to be.   Oh well, I love Hot Springs. Maybe drive EE up to Max Patch on a pretty day. SheChanged flight from Roanoke to Asheville. More time for EE to visit Barb. All good things.More time to rest for recovery improvement.   Love using iPhone to pass time updating trailjournals flat on my back w leg up. Have downloaded some pics in "photos" from the past couple weeks to give a flavor of hikers and scenery.Barb's friend, Cindy, took me to Broadway and 70 / rt 23.  Outfitter not open so hitched.  Blueberry 2000 gave me ride to Weaverville where routes split.  Hitching on rt 25 /70 at 8:50am
Date: 2011-04-14
From: Rich Mountain Lookout Tower

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up to sunrise from the top of the lookout tower. Hung out for a little time to myself after everyone left. Nice hot breakfast. Too cold for guitar in am. Legs feeling pretty good but right shin splints a little sore on down hills. I walk slow and deliberate for soft steps. Planned on a short day to the hostel on log Cabin Road, but decided to keep going up the hill on the other side of the gap. Misread the guide wout my glasses thought it was 1.3miles but ended up 3.3 miles to shelter, so I came in late again after late start and walking real slow with several stops for yoga and shin splint stretch exercises. Also stopped for 2 hours of sewing attachment points on the guitar case while washing and drying my underwear. Out of soap so I used tooth paste. It was windy so I made clothes pins out of sticks. The sewing awl worked well but it was hard to sew three layers of webbing and my left index finger got speared. So I skipped guitar practice this afternoon. The shelter was more than full so I set up as far away as possible so to play music without bugging others.When I went for water discovered about a dozen high school kids on outdoor semester doing a short section hike to Sam's gap. Unlike the older thru hikers they were not in their bags sleeping at 5:30! They were happy to have the guitar and did sing alongs while I ate. I was able to play a little when they had their official planning meeting but finger pretty sore.
Date: 2011-04-17
From: Stealth camp at cascading steam.

To: Sam's Gap, hitch back to Hot Springs
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up early at first light around 6:15 . It has stopped raining but cold 34 deg F with mist blowing off trees and cascade. Packed up wet tent and went up stream to retrieve bear bag 100 yds away. By the time I got all packed and started hiking at 7:10am, my fingers were numb so put on glove liners. Fortunately I started the day with a 1600 ft climb over 2 1/4 miles so hands were warm by the time I reached the top and the sun now shining. Then down 700ft, up 700ft and down800 to Sam's Gap at 11 am.Wanted to get early start and hitch back to Hot Springs to get cleaned up and de-skunkified before meeting up with Eileen.Started out quick when waitress at Little Creek Cafe picked me up and took me 2.8 miles to the cafe. She said I didn't smell as bad as most hikers, despite 5 days since bathing! The deodorant Barb suggested was working. More likely the waitress was just being polite. Had a terrific lunch of country fried steak and fried oakra in this classic roadside diner. I just beat the rush as the locals came in for the Sunday specials. I enjoyed how friendly all the workers were.Walked 1/2 mile to the store and Interstate on ramp after making signs "APPALACHIAN TRAIL- HOT SPRINGS" signs. I needed to distinguish myself from the other lowlife hitch hikers. It was slow as hundreds of cars passed me by. So I listened to Woody Guthrie to get the right vibe. So I get my harmonicas out and play along with Woody. Now I smell like whiskey since that is how my harmonicas are kept sterile. Got a ride with a fisherman, then a carpenter. Finally a retired Navy man took me thru Marshall and left me only 12 miles from Hot Springs. EE has landed in Asheville and Barb got her on the road fast. She's on her way! Even if I beat her to Hot Springs, no time to clean up. I quit hitching and go in the bushes to rub deodorant everywhere I can reach. Electric tooth brush, mouthwash. Ready as I'll ever be. I wait by the big red barn and gas station with easy pull out. EE thinks she might be lost? But she sees two vans with kayaks that passed 2 minutes ago! She is beautiful.
Date: 2011-04-18
From: Hot Springs, NC,mountain Magnolia inn

To: Hot Springs, NC, Mt. Magnolia Inn
Miles today: 0.0

More R&R w EE! Wonderful to be here in beautiful laid back setting w EE. I have to keep pinching myself as seems too good to be real. Comfy bed, Jaccuzzi tub, gourmet breakfast, flowers and birds and mountains all around. The dogwoods abound and are at peak. Green leaves are bursting on the trees on lower mt slopes.Doing a major cleanup of gear and self. After very long hot shower and jaccuzzi and wearing new clothes, I smell better but now EE notices that my pack stinks! Not suprising since it has been getting soaked in sweat for 3 years wout a bath. So off to laundramat w all clothes.   My pack and all my sil nylon bags go into the jaccuzzi tub for a more gentle wash.   While laundry is laundering and pack is hot tubbing we go into town and buy febreeze at the Dollar General.Afraid to wash my down bag and tent, they get dusted inside and out w febreeze then dried in direct bright sunlight to air them.This is a lot of work. Logistics for shuttle and overnight are getting complicated as plan A and B fall thru. We don't want to leave Marshall's (Barb's son) car overnight at trail head for fear of vandals.   Uncle Johnny at the hostel in Erwin, TN, will take care of everything: Settled!A change from being completely on my own. EE is worth some extra effort, but I want to drag her out of ordered ."civilized" world and worries into natural world... I'm definitely not ready to go back.We go for a soak at Hot Springs resort in a tub over looking the river. Busy day but starting to relax. A bottle of red wine. We are too cheap to eat gourmet dinner at the Inn, so go to a sports bar with balcony on river. I'm ecstatic to finally get the Reubin sandwich I've craved for 2 weeks since hiking with "Reubin 2" after Gatlinburg!! Life is good. I want to eat 2 of them, but refrain. Instead we go to the diner at the other end of town (1 1/2 block) and get killer blackberry pie a la mode. There is a very large group of rowdy hikers on the balcony. They are super loud and obnoxious bragging how wasted they got/ are. My slow progress has made me slip into the main pack of hikers for the year. People are less friendly than early on. No one even says hello or asks my trail name. I miss the good old days 2 weeks ago when all the hikers in town were jimdog's best friend. Walking up from the creek to the Inn, we come across a campfire with a stack of wood and no one there. So I go get sweaters and "Hondo". Remember Hondo, my guitar? My hands are stiff and sore but they loosen up as I get into it . I am forced to try singing so EE can tell what song I'm playing. She is impressed as I manage to sing some notes in key. I even figure a new song now it's up to 3! I really get going when a long empty coal train roars by. I do a train blues with the train whistle and clickity clack, and suddenly my pinky takes off on a bass line counter rhythm.   Sounds really cool. No idea in hell where that came from. Maybe EE will stop telling me to give Hondo up for a travel guitar.
Date: 2011-04-19
From: Hot Springs, NC, Mountain Magnolia B&B

To: Hot Springs, Cliffside Cabin, Spring Creek
Miles today: 0.0

Another R&R day with my lovely wife, EE. We got up for gourmet breakfast at the Inn.   EE was embarrassed when Pete, the owner, pointed out that you could tell which guest is the thru hiker... I ate as much as the other 8 guests combined. They seemed to enjoy some of my bear stories.Our "Peggy's Suite" was rented for the extra night we decided to stay in Hot Springs, so we move 1/2 mile to Cliffside cabin. Another deluxe spot overlooking rapids on Spring Creek, just upstream from town. As always, we both love the water sounds... so beautiful.   Forcing myself to chill w feet up updating blog instead of walking around exploring the area and river. After breakfast we packed our backpacks for overnight tomorrow from Carter Gap to Uncle Johnny's Hostel in Erwin, TN. I'm going a little out of NoBo sequence to make shuttle easier. Even with heavier 3man tent, my pack weight is down to 28lb with food. This will be a pleasure since I've had about 38 the past week. After EE leaves should get to around 23 lbs with food after switching to summer gear.   Only 12miles for overnight. EE will get the flavor camping near a shelter and at a trail hostel . Still having problems with sore hands... Joint pain wakes me at night but much better when up and moving about.   Loosens up after about 15in on guitar. Call my son, Michael......Happy Birthday!!!! 26!!!
Date: 2011-04-20
From: Sam's Gap via Erwin, TN

To: Big Bald shelter
Miles today: 7.4

This is EE doing the update, the writing won't be as colorful as Jimdog's! Anyway, we left our rental cottage by the river in HotSprings, drove to Uncle Johnny's, a couple hours away.I will leave daily miles to be updated by Jim. Got to Erwin around 11-- the original hiking/shuttle plan and the number of times I changed my mind about where we should start and where we should end about 6 different times. In the end it all worked out and Jim was quite tolerant of me, since he's used to it. (Uncle Johnny wasn't.) Anyway, we got shuttled 30 min. back to Sam's gap to begin hike around 2:30. I think we went about 7.4 miles - up up up. Lots of small wild flowers. View from Bald Mt. was great except for black band of storm clouds coming fast, and Jim telling me to run so we wouldn't get struck by lightening. Hard to do after the big climb. Got to shelter around 6:30, set up tent, got really good spring water there. Thunder and rain just as we got into tent.
Date: 2011-04-21
From: BigBald Shelter

To: No Business Shelter
Miles today: 10.6

EE writing:Light rain this morning, we packed tent up and visited with a nice couple from VT in the Big Bald shelter. They were hiking southbound for the week, but told Jim when he got to the White Mountains they would do some "trail magic" for him! We hike through pretty woods, carpets of small white, purple, yellow wildflowers, lower elevation now, so buds on trees coming out -- very GREEN. Rhodedendrum forests 20 feet high, not blooming yet. Sun came out, but always a mist over the hills. More downhill today, but still plenty of up to keep it interesting and give me a workout! Hiked to a big rock overlook and ate granola bar for lunch. Got to shelter around 5 and set up tent and made dinner (cup o noodles!) After dinner we hiked down toward creek where Jim played guitar and sang some songs, a good way to end our last campout for this trip.
Date: 2011-04-22
From: No Business Shelter

To: Uncle Johnny's, Erwin TN
Miles today: 5.7

EE writing again : After waking up early to light rain, and being served coffee and oatmeal in the tent by my wonderful husband, we headed out. Rained lightly all morning as we hiked the 5+ miles to town. Beautiful scenery, with quiet forest except for bird calls. I saw scarlet tanegers, very striking red in the tops of new leafy green trees. About a mile from town the sun broke through and we saw the river below with miles and miles of rolling blue mountains in every direction. The trail ends up at Uncle Johnny's hostel, where our borrowed car was waiting for us to throw our gear in and drive off. Problem was, I had left the headlights on and battery was dead! So clicker would not open car. Also, someone had tampered with key lock in the door handle, so couldn't open door that way. Called police to file report and the policeman was able to pry door open and jump start us. So 2 hours later we were on our way to do errands -- post office, market to resupply Jim, and sort out our gear, with me taking home a bunch of stuff he doesn't want or need. I dropped him off at the Holiday Inn Express to finish sorting and organizing, and drove 45 min. Asheville to have dinner and spend night at my friend Barb's house. Early flight 7 a.m. back to Salt Lake. Had a wonderful time on the trail with my Jimdog (Hondo too)!"Now I see the secret of the making of the best persons. It is to grow in the open air and to eat and sleep with the earth." ~Walt Whitman
Date: 2011-04-23
From: Holliday Inn, Erwin TN

To: Beauty Spot Gap, Trail Magic
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: clear sky

Hiked out of Erwin, missing EE, but happy she enjoyed hiking w me. Heavy heavy pack... We went overboard on food supplies. Uncle Johnny suggested I stay for trail magic free food by nearby church, but opted to get back in woods. Expecting some time alone to savor memory of EE visit. Climbed out of cool streamside rodedendron groves into hot forest fire area. Mid eighties climbing. I caught up with "River Dance" at Indian Grave Gap. He said I just missed some trail magic. Trail angel drove off just as I arrived at TN 395. Ok since I already had 6 days food to go 2 days. As we headed thru shadeless forest fire area, a runner going South told us about trail magic ahead. I marched up the hill in heat at high speed for 1 1/2 miles. Group of hikers from 09, led by Story Teller, got together for reunion and trail magic party. They really knew how to do it! Hot dogs, hamburgers salad drinks. Virtually every hiker planned to do more miles but stayed due to wonderful hospitality and people coupled with beautiful open meadow w great views. After several burgers and beers no one felt like plowing ahead in the hot sun. I got guitar, Hondo, out and tuned up handed her out while I rehydrated w cokes, Gatorade and ice tea. Uli, Micky and I all played a little. Then We found a killer guitar man in the form of "Where in the Blazes". He started with a drinking song and moved on to blues rock. Lot's of Jimi Hendrix which he pulled off amazingly well w classical nylon string guitar. Craig, one of German hikers, sang and played w.Hours of great stuff around big campfire. I videoed part of whiskey song. German trumpet player joined in with trumpet mouth piece and terrific harmonies singing. Suddenly severs flasks of wiskey were going around.
Date: 2011-04-25
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Over Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.3

Big climb over Roan Mountain. Got off early to beat the heat. Got up to High Roan Knob shelter around 10:45. Highest shelter at 6285ft. Shadow was already there. I made coffee and huge bowl of oatmeal w fruit. During my hour and half brunch break, big group from last few days arrived. Wherentheblazes, Maps, Pacemaker, Riverdance, Raypen. I think FourIron and Cheap Charrdonay too. Sunshine, Sweet Beard and Uli.I was out ahead except for Shadow. Got caught in hail and lightening storm which hit suddenly at top of Round Bald just North of Carvers gap. Almost every one plus more showed up at Overmountain Shelter, a two story barn w great view.
Date: 2011-04-26
From: Over Mountain Shelter

To: Roan Mt. TN, Mountain Harbor Hostel
Miles today: 9.3

Got up earliest yet planning to stop at Roan Mt to recharge iPhone then go on did 9.3 miles by 10:30 am. But stopped heartbroken when I discovered Hondo's back smashed in after falling on slippery rocks in wind and misty rain.
Date: 2011-04-27
From: Roan Mt. TN, Mountain Harbor Hostel

To: Roan Mt TN, Moutain Harbor Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Slept well to sound of the creek running by the side of the barn which is Mountain Harbor Hostel. Could have slept longer when everyone started getting ready for breakfast. Mary put out the most amazing breakfast I have ever enjoyed. Went back to the barn and spent 2 hrs packing up Hondo. Lula who works at the hostel got me a sturdy box with styrofoam. Some of the other hikers, Ray Pan and Swamp Dog, seemed to enjoy my antics packing the guitar more than they ever did listening to me play. After packing her with such loving care, I felt a little better. Like I'm less of a guitar murderer. Sort like how you feel better when you put a bandage on an ugly wound and don't have to look at it anymore. I had a hard time deciding what to do. On one hand every one has been enjoying Hondo more and more. Especially when "Where n the Blazes" is around. I'm pretty sure I could do a trail repair. But my confidence is shaken after the fall. I'm not so cocky now about being tough enough to carry the load and negotiate slippery rocks. Even thoughHondo is just a cheap $50 trail guitar, she plays so nice and sweet. I've bonded like Tom Hanks and "Wilson" in the movie, " Cast Away". Like Pinnoccio, becoming a real boy, she has become a real guitar by never lying and only playing true. So I sent her home. I'm sure she can be fixed properly by a professional. Or I can do it right my self in my own shop with time and tools to do it right. Zeroed again after mailing Hondo, realized my body as well as soul battered from falls. Hung out with "Cheap Chardonnay" at the wifi cafe and had IIce tea for 2 hrs. Walked 3 miles up the road back to hostel. Just enough walk to loosen joints. Looking fwd to meeting brother Henry in Dsmascus in a few day. Then Michael, then meeting Siblings, Rick and Elena for annual May Shenandoah bike ride.
Date: 2011-04-28
From: Roan Mt. TN, Mountain Harbor Hostel

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: moderate rain

Big storm last night was not too bad at Roan Mt. Set my tarp tent up low to the ground with 5 extra guy lines w/ stakes cut from sticks. In middle of field w/ out wind break . Good test for tent's stability in wind and dryness in horizontal rain! No leaks and stayed up fine. But very clammy sleeping bag damp from rubbing on tent. Very hard move around and get dressed. Fortunately rain stopped at breakfast. Another killer feast put out by Mary. I recommend Mt Harbour to both hiker and car tourists. Lula, who works at the hostel, came in looking pale.   She lives 12 miles east. Storm was the most intense she remembers! Thought her house was going to break apart! Apparently, shape of Mts usually dissipates high winds at Roan Mt TN. Packed a wet and slimy tent then went inside hostel to clean up. Towel bar was broken so I fixed it. Wanted to pay back. Lula cleaned up all the stryrofoam crumbs I made packing Hondo and wouldn't even let me help. But in process of fixing dropped and left my iPod, camera charger and card reader.Hiked 18 easy miles with lots of steams and waterfalls. Knee still a little sore getting better. Felt like slack packing w/out guitar and stuff for guitar. (slacking is hiking w/out pack, having someone drive to get you and stuff back together.) It not the way jimdog usually does things. If there is a way to make life harder that seems to be the path I end up on.Appreciate the condolences for Hondo and people saying how much they enjoyed her while she was with me.Finally got cell reception on the rock above Moreland Gap Shelter checked in w EE. Spud and Snake Hips were setting up tent as I arrived. Mojo and Red Strip walked in just after dark around 9:15. There also was a man hiking with crutches from Springer Mt Georgia, after injuring his leg in a horse training accident.