morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-04-16
From: Helen, Georgia

To: Clayton, Georgia
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Pam and I are spending the morning checking out the shops in Helen. Pam will be leaving at 2 pm. She has been a terrific travel mate. Cousin Ann will be picking me up and the adventure will continue, with church tomorrow morning in Clayton, GA. It's a gorgeous day and I am feeling great! Ready for a nice big cold drink!Until tomorrow...
Date: 2016-04-17
From: Tray Gap

To: Tray Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 1.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I had a nice visit with my cousin Ann and a beautiful place to spend the night. We went to church this morning and had a delicious potluck meal afterwards. I could not eat all I took! I wore my Sunday clothes...my Monday clothes...my Tuesday clothes...my Wednesday clothes...no one seemed to mind.Ann took me back to Helen and I met up with a park ranger who had offered to take me back up Tray Mountain Road. It was another bumpy ride but we made it. For all the home folks...we had a young couple from Georgia riding with us and they asked me if I knew where Gridley, IL was! Crazy!! They had college friends from Gridley. It was hot this afternoon on my short hike so my curled hair didn't last long. Now I am at a shelter, I have water, my tent is up, and there is a nice group of people here as well as a ridgerunner, so I am plenty safe! Everybody relax! Aunt Mim...thanks for the cookies! They are great!
Date: 2016-04-18
From: Tray Mountain Shelter

To: Dick's Creek Gap
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Tenting last night was good. I woke up early and wanted to get packed up and going, but it was dark and people were sleeping in tents nearby. So I got on the trail at 7:30. And I did get the 11 miles done. And 11 miles was probably too much for me. There were some steep sections and it just seemed that there was no end to the hike.I wanted to see Top of Georgia Hostel, so here I am. It's supposed to be the best. Actually, it's pretty rough. That's all I'll say about that. I wonder if I'll get much sleep in this bunkhouse. This morning I tripped, took some rapid steps, and then caught myself and did not fall. That was around 10:00. At 10:30 I turned on my phone and there was a message from my husband Dave. It simply said, Psalms 18:36,"Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip."Coincidence? I think not. I KNOW not!
Date: 2016-04-19
From: Dick's Creek Gap

To: Campsite
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: few clouds

I slept OK at the Top of Georgia hostel, and even though I was exhausted when I got there, and I was less than impressed with the place, in the end I was glad I got to see it. Today I hiked with Helen and Eddie from Mississippi. They are short section hikers and we hiked nice and slow. On the uphills, Eddie was out ahead, then Helen, then me. When Helen stopped, I stopped. Eddie had lots of patience. Now he didn't have just one slow woman on his hands, he had another dragging along behind. On the downhills, I took the lead as I like downhills the best. At one point, my water bladder fell out of its pocket, so I had to stop and take off my pack and get re-situated. Along came Eddie, holding up my water filter which had also fallen out of the pocket, unknown to me. I was so thankful that I had gone in front, and that Eddie retrieved the filter for me. I would have been in a world of trouble had I been the last in line and it had been lost. Lesson learned...the filter will always be in its proper zippered spot from now on. I wondered if they felt I was intruding on their hike and I tried to sometimes be out ahead or a little behind to give them their space. But towards the end of the hike, Helen said it was nice that I hiked with them all day. She said it would have been boring with just Eddie. Poor Eddie.North Carolina tomorrow!
Date: 2016-04-20
From: Campsite

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: overcast clouds

I hiked again today with Eddie and Helen. We were pretty excited to get to the GA/NC sign. The rest of the day was climb, climb, climb. We arrived at Muskrat Creek Shelter and I am resting in my tent. There are some ladies here who would be considered in the slow crowd. It will be interesting tomorrow to see if my hiking pace might match theirs. Eddie and Helen go home tomorrow.I'll tell you about some of my favorite gear. You already know about my bandanas. Next would be my trekking poles. Indespensible! I could not go 20 feet without them! They are my third and fourth legs and I love them. They save me every day from falling.Ok, here's the chapstick story. Day 1 and 2 of the hike were windy and sunny and my lips took a beating. But I was focused on the trail and just trying to get my bearings, so I didn't think about the chapstick in my backpack. By day 3 I had enough sense to get the chapstick out, but by then my lips were chapped like a little kid's who has licked his lips until there is red chap like a mustache. I pulled out the chapstick and lo and behold it was red tinted! Where did that come from? Not good! I put it on but when I covered all the soreness around my lips I looked like a clown with big red clown lips! That's a little too much glamour for the trail. I picked up a good tube of regular chapstick and that dilemma is solved. One of the ladies in the shelter is talking about how many times she has cried on the trail. I can say I have not cried yet. Oh well, maybe I almost had a couple of tears on top of Blood Mountain, just for the fact that I was so excited to be there. I am still enthused about my hike and thankful for every mile.
Date: 2016-04-21
From: Muskrat Creek Shelter

To: Deep Gap
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: light rain

Once again I am at a hostel. I am badly in need of resupply and rain is in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow so it was a good reason to get a shuttle from Beverly (think the sweet mom on Everybody Loves Raymond). You should see her fly down that mountain road in her little car!She brought me to Gooder Grove Hostel and I am in a private room. Most of the people here I have met before. Beverly and I went out for supper, I got a shower, and now I am in my room relaxing. It's not the Holiday Inn, and it could use a woman's touch, but remember, I want to see as many different places as I can on this adventure. Tomorrow I will hit the grocery store.Yesterday I met Bugsy. You can see her picture in the photo section. Here's the story:At Top of Georgia Hostel I tried to buy wet wipes. Nope. Had to buy toilet paper. So I got a roll for a dollar. Yesterday at the shelter campsite, I accidentally left my roll of TP in the privy. Later I realized it was gone but it was not in the privy when I went back to check. Later that evening I thought maybe I saw it in the shelter but I wasn't sure whose stuff it was by and I didn't say a word. So this morning I was hiking along and here comes Bugsy. She's over 70 years old, I heard. We started chatting and I said I needed to get to Franklin because I was out of food and also toilet paper. She said very softly, "Did you leave it in the privy?" I said, "I think I did." Then, very sheepishly she reached for her pack and said, "I have your toilet paper. I felt very guilty for taking it, but I was almost out." It was the cutest thing! I told her to keep it! It was going to town to get me some wet wipes! Good old Bugsy...I hope she makes it all the way to Maine. Check out all that stuff she's carrying!There's a wildfire going on in a small section of the trail. We may have to bypass a few miles. I do hope it storms tonight, for the sake of the fire, and to help me justify that I'm in a comfy bed for the night instead of my tent!(I finally figured out how to get the latest photos to show up first. More convenient for you to look at.)
Date: 2016-04-22
From: Franklin, NC 

To: Franklin, NC 
Miles today: 0.0

I took advantage of my rainy zero day. The hostel owner, Colin, took us to Walmart for groceries, where I stocked up on food and supplies. But remember, anything I buy I have to carry, so I chose carefully. I should have gotten a picture of my bed full of all kinds of items being sorted, unwrapped and repackaged for the backpack. I took the city transit to downtown Franklin to the Outdoor 76 outfitter store. It is a well-known establishment among AT hikers and I was kind of thrilled to be there. Well, they thought my backpack was a poor fit, but I could easily buy a new one there. They studied my feet and declared them perfect! I have great feet! But my boots are no good. Not to fear. I could buy new ones there! Since my body is holding up fine and my boots feel great and my feet have been remarkably about as good as it gets for what I've been putting them through...I declined to spend the money on their suggestions. I did buy two stuff sacks i needed to better organize my pack, but I was so discumbobbled that I didn't even look around the famous store! I didn't go into the downstairs or look around at the other merchandise. Bummer.So how am I holding up? I'd say great! My hip/leg is fine, my couple of little blisters are healed, my big toes are a little numb and my left heel hurts a little in the back.I keep my miles low and take my rest days seriously. My attitude is good and I'm ready to move on. Can't wait to see what tomorrow brings!
Date: 2016-04-23
From: Deep Gap 

To: Carter Gap Shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: overcast clouds

If you are confused, I had skipped ahead to Franklin for resupply so today I went back to Deep Gap to resume hiking from there.My ride to Deep Gap was excellent! Beverly picked me up and I grabbed the front seat while 3 of the other guys had to share the back seat. When they got out at their spot, she said, "Donation to at least cover gas." And that is barely what she got. Come on, guys! Be a little generous!Oh well, after they were gone I saw a Gaither CD in her car, so we put it in and boy did we have a good time! We cranked up the music and sang our hearts out. It was such a good start to the day! We came up on two male hikers walking down the road so Beverly pulled over and made a cold call sale. "Do you need a ride to town?" They were thrilled and piled in the car. Beverly said, "We're having a concert in here!" They said, "Great! We'll sing along!" By the time the introductions were done, I was at my destination, so the quartet singing didn't happen. Nuts! I would have loved it!Just so you know it's not all spiritual moments...the first little spring I came across with the water trickling down, I started singing The Beverly Hillbillies song. Could not get that bubbling crude out of my head! I think I got all the words figured out to the first two verses.It's getting cold and time for bed. Thank you to all who sign my FB and journal guestbook. It helps to keep me going!Tomorrow Albert Mt. Supposed to be a tough one!
Date: 2016-04-26
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Just a quick entry this morning before I take the Budget Inn shuttle back to Winding Stair Gap. I nay not have reception for awhile. Do not worry about me. I will post as soon as I can. Heading for the Nantahala Outdoor Center. The NOC. It will take me 4 or 5 days, maybe. Ugh. I'm so slow. But pushing on!
Date: 2016-04-27
From: Winding Stair Gap

To: Wayah Bald Campsite
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

There is a weak signal here at a nice campsite. Sadly, someone left a toilet paper mess right in the middle of the nicest tent spots. What on earth?! And I mean that literally! But I was too tired to worry about it and just pitched my tent where I wouldn't have to see it. It was a long day of hiking. But I arrived here, got my tent up, hung my bear bag, and have plenty of water. Too tired to cook much so just had a pretzel and cheese snack and I'm ready to sleep.Can't think of a single funny thing to add tonight and don't want to wear my battery down, so I will just say good night. Miss you all at home.
Date: 2016-04-28
From: Wayah Bald Campsite

To: Wesser Bald Shelter
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: fog

So today I did another 10+ miles. I just don't seem to improve on my speed or my stamina on the climbs. But you've heard all that before...I had one incident this morning that some of my friends will get a kick out of. I was just getting a good start on the hiking when I heard a growl right behind me. Startled, I turned around and it was a big Boxer dog. Well, you know I was scared of it! I hollered at it and it backed off a ways but stood in that attack mode and kept his eyes on me. I heard someone whistling for him then, and I said, "Call your dog!" A man came up the trail and said, "Oh he's friendly! The most he would do is lick you all over." Well, he wasn't acting friendly and I don't want to be licked by a big, strange Boxer dog! I am at a shelter area tonight in my tent. All the people here I have met on the trail. My tent is on a slant so I am having quite a time getting situated.You may remember that my sleeping bag and I are working on our relationship. It is a Cats Meow 20 degree female bag. So what's the problem? There are about 4 issues. #1. It's so poofy and bulky that shoving it into my pack's special sleeping bag compartment every morning is a monumental and exhausting task. It just takes up so much room! #2. It's so poofy, that even though it has a fancy glow in the dark zipper pull, when you try to zip it up, especially at night in the dark, it catches on extra material at least 3 or 4 times. #3. The hood at the top is never where my head is! Every time I turn over or change position I have to hunt for that hood and pull it around to put my head in. I've given it some stern lectures, to no avail. And #4. The sleeping bag is silky. The sleeping mat is silky. My coat and sleeping pants are silky. All that adds up to slipping and sliding all over the place! It's like peas on a knife...I just can't stay put! Tonight it is especially challenging. I'm in the bag, but right now the zipper is coming right up my middle. Oh well, I'm going to have to make it work. The more I struggle with it the more I'm sliding around the tent. On the positive side, it does keep me warm, so I guess I'll keep it for now. It's still cold at night. And at Mountain Crossings at Neel Gap they were selling sleeping bags for $500. I don't think so. I saw an M and M on the ground today. The story goes that a day hiker saw an M and M on the ground and looked at it and walked on by. A section hiker saw an M and M and picked it up, brushed it off, shrugged his shoulders and ate it. A thru-hiker saw an M and M on the ground, grabbed it up, popped it in his mouth and then looked around for more!
Date: 2016-04-29
From: Wesser Bald Shelter

To: Nantahala Outdoor Center
Miles today: 5.9
Weather: few clouds

It was a nice hike this morning. Everybody was talking "downhill all the way." We were heading to the Nantahala Outdoor Center and it was about 6 miles away from the shelter.It wasn't an easy cruisin' downhill. There were some, "Hey, Babe, how ya gonna get down these rocks?" thrown in. I did have to slide down one on my bottom. But there was a cool breeze, beautiful scenery, and it was an interesting hike.I stopped and rested on a log and dropped a small piece of cracker on the ground. Then I watched an ant work his hardest at moving that cracker. It was just too big for him, but he did not give up. He'd work, then rest, then work, then rest. And finally it moved! I was rooting for him! It reminded me of myself, working my way through this hike. That little ant inspired me. Tonight I am in a female bunkhouse with 4 bunks in my room. I planned to say here tomorrow night also. I don't know...after laundry and food shopping I might decide to go on. As Scarlet O'Hara said, "I'll think about that tomorrow."
Date: 2016-04-30
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I've decided to pull out and make some headway today. Writing this while I still have a good signal. May be more tonight. Don't know how far I will get. My pack weighed 32 pounds with food and water. Would recommend the Nantahala Outdoor Center to any adventuresome family with grown kids. Great recreation and big family cabins. And cheaper than Gatlinburg!
Date: 2016-05-01
From: Campsite near spring

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 2.7
Weather: overcast clouds

What a hard 2 days! I'm sick of complaining about the uphills and I'm sure you're tired of hearing about it. These are mountains, right? What did I expect?I left the NOC about 2:30 yesterday afternoon and I'm glad I did. I never could have done that climb out of there in one day. So I hiked until about 7 and found a spot to camp and that's what I did. I put up my tent just off the trail but it was almost dark so I didn't expect anyone else to come along. It went OK but it took me a while to fall asleep. Just as I was dozing off, I heard clomp, clomp, clomp. Half asleep, I thought, "Bear!!" I yelled, "HEY!!"And a man's voice came back, "WHAT!!"He was night hiking! Crazy! On those rocky hills? I think we both scared each other. Today was more of the steep climbing, some on loose rocks. I got to the shelter at 12:30. It is raining on my tent right now. The shelter is full of hikers who do not care about the mice. The mice are out of control! Do not sleep with your mouth open! Or, for me, I'll stick with my tent. I met some ladies who said they are hiking 5 miles in each state all the way to Maine. Why didn't I think of that?? They will do 5 miles x 14 states. That's 70 miles...as they are all 70 years old. What a fun idea!*Quote: "Today was the kind of day that had me thinking that this should be a punishment. ¢Eat your peas or I¢ll make you hike the Appalachian Trail!¢ ¢If you¢re late for work one more time, you have to hike the Appalachian Trail!¢ ¢Shut up and give me fifty miles!¢
Date: 2016-05-02
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Stecoah Gap
Miles today: 6.7

This is the entry I hate to be writing. Dave is on his way to pick me up. I am at Cabin in the Woods tonight and Donna gave me a loft bedroom in her home. It's a wonderful log cabin and a very comfy bed.So what happened? No injuries. Nothing bad happened. My breathing was just getting worse instead of better. Out on the trail, people ask how far you are going. I always said, "As far as I can!" To hikers on the AT, that meant Maine! You'll do it! Just take your time and you'll get there!Well, what I really meant was...I'd go as far as I could! And I guess I did. I hate to disappoint everyone, but I saw a lot, and did a lot, and conquered all the rocks and all the ups and downs, until I had to say, "Enough! I can't breathe!"I'll get my lungs checked before I ever head out here again. I have a few more posts to share about the trail and some of my experiences, so you can check in the next couple of days. It's storming out now, and I am perfectly happy being in my warm bed...indoors.
Date: 2016-05-04
From: Fontana Dam

To: Kentucky
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

This is June from Florida. I first met her at the outfitter store at the NOC. She was going through her pack and I was helping her with a shakedown...what to keep and what to leave behind. She had a heavy axe, multiple pieces of rain gear, and all the parts of a water filter except the actual filter!Her plan was to drive to Clingman's Dome in the Smokies and hike south for 200 miles. I didn't want to discourage her but I wondered at her chance of success. I ran into her again at the Fontana Dam Lodge. What a story she told! She arrived at the Dome, attempted to get on the trail, but somehow headed down a dirt road instead. Finally, she saw a sign to the AT, about 20 feet away. She stopped and leaned back a bit to take in the sight, and her pack pulled her backwards and down she went, right on her back. She was unhurt, but stuck! She could not get up! Soon 4 big guys came by and picked her up. She felt wobbly so one of them carried her pack for her and they walked her back to her car. She had hiked .6 miles of the AT and she was done.She had her rental car and she had been exploring the area around the Dam for a few days. This morning I was thinking June and I could have driven her car to Virginia and gotten back on the trail together there. Oh well, I won't look back. Well, I'm sure I will, but for now I made the right decision. Today we are still driving home, after an overnight in KY. It has been a much more pleasant ride than last year when it was Dave who quit. Oooh, I was mad that time. This time I just feel like I made the decision I felt was right at the time. I'm not worrying about any future hiking on the AT right now. First I'm going to sleep a couple of days.Tomorrow will be my last post.
Date: 2016-07-18
To: We're back!
Miles today: 0.0

Yes! You read that right! Pam and I are on the road heading to Damascus, VA! We have a couple of weeks of hiking planned, starting with the Grayson Highlands area and then heading north to the Shenandoah park. This trip does not feel like the hike I did in April, where I was concentrated on putting away as many miles as I could and and still survive. Remember? I found out my daily mileage was nothing to brag about. I struggled with the breathing and I ended up going home after 150 miles. I've made some changes in medications and lightened my pack weight. This trip feels more like a vacation...no pressure, just relax and take our time. Under all that gear in the trunk, we have a cooler and a few chairs, hoping to spend a day doing trail magic somewhere along the way. Where are all the hikers, anyway? We'll try to find a spot with some good traffic. So if you care to, you can follow our hike here on trail journals. I don't know what I'll have to say, but it's the AT, right? There will be some tales to tell, I am sure!
Date: 2016-07-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We made it to Damascus, VA! Not the way I ever expected to...by vehicle instead of by foot...but we had a nice trip down and we're ready to roll!We stopped last night in Kentucky and arrived here today about 3:30. The Hiker's Inn is very nice and right in the middle of the main drag. We put on our hiking pants and our boots and hit the trail. Literally. The AT goes right down the main street so technically we're sleeping on the trail tonight. Well, sort off. In our soft beds and air conditioned room. We walked all over town looking for a place to eat dinner. Tuesday nights are apparently cook's night off in Damascus. We finally found Hey Joe's taco joint. So this evening we're making sure our packs are ready and our clothes laid out for an 8:30 departure for breakfast and then a shuttle to the trail. We think we're ready. I love to go a wandering,Along the mountain track.And as I go, I love to sing,My knapsack on my back.Val-deri, val-deraVal-deri, val-deraHa, ha, ha, ha, ha,Val-deri, val-dera,My knapsack on my back.