morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-31
From: Hiawassee Inn

To: Hiawassee Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Still healing the blisters.. I have worked on four computers to finally get internet access. I will add more to the journal soon, but wanted to get the first pics up for all of you. Thanks for the emails and guest book entrys, Dungan reads them to me when I have not been able to get to them. You would think I was in the back woods of Georgia with all the lack of computers and internet, oh wait,I am in the back woods of Georgia... :>D-
Date: 2005-06-01
From: Dicks Creek Gap

To: Muskrat Creek Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: moderate rain

Welcome to NC--- RAIN,RAIN,RAIN- COLD. Made it to the shelter, lost Jeff and Blake. They went on to Standing Indian shelter. Ron dropped us off at the trail in the pouring rain, and that was the last time I saw the guys. I had a hard time getting going, in the hard rain. I was so cold- I was wet everywhere, but just kept hiking. It finally let up for a few min, but no breaks or stoping- got to muskrat about 4:30pm and thought about going on, but really glad I didn't. Got into all my dry clothes and got into my sleeping bag. I shook I was so chilled, finally slept for about 1.5 hours. Chris, another hiker, was there nursing a bum ankle. We chatted for and bit and just layed there in the cold, wind and rain. It was very cold in the night and the wind just blew through to shelter. The night temp was in the high 40's with the wind and the rain.. Thank god for the shelters..
Date: 2005-06-03
To: Long Way Dungan
Miles today: 0.0

Hello AT Journal readers. Well it's time for us once again to play..."Where's Dream Catcher?" Give up? Well she's in Franklin, North Carolina tonight. She called to say she was fine, and that she was staying out of the rain tonight. For those of you who haven't been following the weather here in the Southeastern part of the country, I can sum it up in one word...RAIN. It started raining in Georgia over this past weekend, and it hasn't really stopped. I know Dream Catcher has had to hike in rain several days this week. YUCK!! She told me my weekly bit of AT trivia tonight. One of the places she has hiked to this week, Mooney Gap, is the wettest place in the entire country. It averages 93" of rainfall a year...93!!!Dream Catcher told me she hiked 16 miles today to get to Franklin. The town is actually about 10 miles off the trail, but she got a ride from one of the "Trail Angels." In case you don't know about the Angels, they are people who help the hikers out - giving them rides, a place to stay for a night, a phone to call home, etc. Dream Catcher has come across at least a couple Trail Angels so far. She sends a big "SHOUT OUT" to all the Trail Angels out there.Dream Catcher told me to make sure Dawn (our published poet friend) heard about Triumph, another hiker she met this week. Triumph is a man who was finishing up hiking the AT after many, many trips. He has taken it in sections...which I'm sure has been quite time consuming and costly, since Triumph lives in Scotland. Dream Catcher wanted me to tell Dawn, because that's where she is right now!! Way to go Triumph!!!And now for a moment of silence. Dream Catcher also told me that on 6/2/05, her headphones gave out...so this is the Day the Music Died!!! Well, that's all for now. I'll be adding Dream Catcher's own words soon. She is mailing me copies from the journal she is keeping along the trail. I'll add them as soon as I get them in the mail. Oh, and she wanted me to say thanks for the emails, guest book messages, etc. She has really enjoyed reading them. Keep 'em coming folks!! Good night from a very wet Nashville, Tennessee.
Date: 2005-06-07
To: Long Way Dungan
Miles today: 0.0

I just got off the phone with Dream Catcher. Tonight she is in Wesser, North Carolina, at the Nantahala Outdoor Center. She said to say a BIG hello to all her adoring fans...okay, readers, family and friends. I read her all of the guest book entries, as well as the last journal excerpt. Between you and me she sounds a little lonely tonight. She did say that all of the messages helped her to feel better. I told her to hang in there, and that we are all watching her progress on the trail.Dream Catcher told me a new story tonight. A few days ago she met up with a man and his son on the trail. The son was beginning to get a blister, and Dream Catcher asked if she could help...and BOY-O-BOY could she help! Here are all of the products she had to offer this young man....Moleskin, Second skin, duct tape, Body Glide, and foot powder. She also had pairs of sock liners and clean socks for him. I guess that makes her a Trail Angel!!! Way to go D-.Dream Catcher told me she hopes to make Fontana Dam by this weekend. There she'll get her bounce box and get re-supplied. As soon as I find out where her next mail stop will be I'll post it in the part of this site marked as "Mail Drops" on the left side of the screen. What say we surprise her with some cards, letters, etc.? I think she could use the pick me up. No telling her now if she calls you. I'll be able to start putting up her journal entries tomorrow. So, if you're interested, take a look back at the entire journal over the next day or so. You'll be able to read her words, as written along the trail.Well, that's all for now. Good night from Nashville.~~~Kathy "Long Way" Dungan
Date: 2005-06-14
To: Long Way Dungan
Miles today: 0.0

Hey there Dream Catcher fans....I spoke to Dream Catcher this past weekend. She is on her way from Fontana Dam towards Hot Springs, North Carolina. She is in the Smokey Mountain National Forest. I hope to see her in two weeks there at Hot Springs.I have updated her journal with what she has mailed to me from her personal journal. Please go back and read the new entries. I'm not sure about the dates, but you should be able to determine what's new.I updated her mail drop information. To get the address, just click on the mail drop link to the left of this entry. She is scheduled to be in Hot Springs by the 24th. I know she would appreciate a card or letter from any one of her adoring fans!Bye for now...Long Way
Date: 2005-06-17
To: Long Way Dungan
Miles today: 0.0

Hey there "Friends of Dream Catcher" (sounds like a name for her own Twelve-step program - Hi, I'm Long Way...I've known Dream Catcher for 12 years). I just got off the phone with Dream Catcher. She's in Davenport Gap, Tennessee. She asked me to send out a special, and outrageously big THANK YOU to her new trail buddies, The Southern Brown Streets (aka Jim, Rex, Tony, Chad and Tucker). These were a group of men from East Tennessee. She wanted to say thanks for being great hiking buddies and for a wonderful experience in the Smokies. She said that "we all need to invest in duct tape!!" Also, a big SHOUT OUT to Kathy and Debbie for the incredible Tennessee BBQ.Dream Catcher started in the Smoky Mountain Nat'l Forest on Sunday (June 12th) in the middle of Tropical Storm Arlene. I'm sure Dream Catcher has some other names she'll be remembering Arlene by in the future. She has now finished the entire 74 miles of the Nat'l Forest. And in only 5 1/2 days I might add.She hooked up with the Southern Brown Streets Boys at the shelter at Molly's Ridge. She said that the boys were kind enough to "make room for her at the Inn." The second day, they all hiked separately, but met up once again at the next shelter. By the third day they all hiked together. One good thing about all the rain has been that it cleared away all the smoke and fog that has made the Smokey Mountain famous. Because of this, Dream Catcher told me that she has seen (and taken pictures) of some incredible views. They have been absolutely breath-taking. I personally can't wait to see them. She also had her first bit of "trail magic." Trail magic are little things that people, other hikers, etc. leave out for the AT hikers. It might be some food, maybe some soda in a mountain stream, etc. Well, Dream Catcher and the Brown Streets were treated to some ice cold diet Coke. Man, I'll bet that tasted like heaven to Dream Catcher. Not too many Sonic's out on the AT.LIONS AND TIGERS AND BEARS - OH MY!!Dream Catcher has seen many wonderful animals during her trip. She's seen wild turkey, deer, all kinds of bugs and insects...well now she has seen her first bear. She told me that she was walking close to the bear bags at one of the shelters one evening. Well, at the same time, a bear was walking up along the path from the other direction. Now don't worry Mimi and Sherry...our little Dream Catcher is no fool. She let it pass. The Brown Streets Boys were actually close enough to see it's eyes. In addition to the bear, Dream Catcher said they have had a "Hooty-hoot" Owl with them in camp. They've also had coyotes serenade them every night in the shelters. At one of the shelters, Dream Catcher, Tony and some of the other people had to stay outside the shelter in their tents because it was too full. They were fotrunate enough to have some deer who decided to stay with them (not more than 15 - 20 feet from their tents). It was a sight to behold. talk about communing with nature!!!Well, that's it for tonight. Dream Catcher is supposed to call me later this weekend...so stay tuned for more stories.
Date: 2005-06-18
From: Mtn. Moma's

To: Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Have a got a story.. When you see me, ask about a 5.5 hr dinner which included-gospel singing,a car show in big lots parking lot, fast food BBQ,the Dukes of Hazard. Dolly and sleeping in the pink honeymoon shak with five bunk beds... Dare to dream and then watch out on what you might get!!!!
Date: 2005-06-27
From: Spivey Gap

To: Erwin- Curley Maple Gap
Miles today: 15.4

Started at Spivey Gap. The view into erwin was wonderful. I ate at Uncle Jonnys, I would have loved to got into mis Janet's, but no time. I left Erwin on the 27th and started on the trail, about 2 miles into the hike I got a bit turned around and somehow ended up going back the way I came, I was still following the AT blazes, just going to wrong direction. My easy 4 mile afternoon hike turned out to be a 6 mile, but I needed the exercise :>. I got to the shelter and after seeing the person there I decided to hike on to the next campsite, I was richly rewarded with a grand sunset and the lights of Erwin to fall asleep to.
Date: 2005-06-28
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Curley Maple Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

Hello to all, I'm in Erwin, TN. I had a few min while I am waiting for my clothes to dry, from the TONS of rain over the last few days. I thought I would try to say a quick hi. I hope you are keeping up with the trip from Longway. I love having her read what she and all of you have posted. I have not had much luck in getting on the internet, but I'm hoping that will get better up the trail.Had a great time seeing Longway, and trail dog over the weekend. Just what I needed. Good friend, good food, and real bed and shower, hot tub and a couple of days to try to walk normal, all equals "Good Times".. :> Thanks for the postings and the emails. I have heard them and I hope you can keep them comming. They mean so much and I think about you all and am sending good thoughts your way. The trail is good, wet but good. I have really enjoyed all the wonderful people I have met. The things that I see daily are so hard to describe. I should post more pic around my stop in Damascus, VA, that should be where my box of stuff(i.e.cable for camera) and a internet connection should meet. I have had such interesting adventures on this trip. I have taken time, or I should say my feet have forced me to take time, and did some white water kayaking, and today I "got" to ride a bike from the hostel I'm at to town about 3.5 miles away.. (I wonder if I can count these 7 miles on the trail???):> NOT.. :>I will be heading out again this afternoon. There is a 70% chance of rain for the next few days.. Yea.. Love the rain.. not.. :> But it is part of the overall hike. Well, I think the Erwin Burrito Company should be ready for business. (I wonder if they have some green chile???) I need some time to ride back to the trail.. I hope you all have a great couple of weeks. Take Care and be safe. See you up the trail. Living my Dream.. Dream Catcher 05
Date: 2005-06-29
From: Curley Maple Gap Shelter

To: Greasy Creek Gap
Miles today: 19.0

06/29- Got up and all day long I just wanted to be anywhere but on the trail. I was hot and tired and so I hiked one of my longest days so far, 19 miles. I thought that If I kept going I would walk through the thoughts and it worked, or I got too tired to worry. Was going to try to make it to a hostel, I was craving for Southern style sweet tea (I guess that I have been in the south a bit too long for that to be my number one food desire). But when I got there the owners were not at home and their neighbor was NOT happy to be living by a Hostel for hikers. I went back to the trail to make camp. Tired, but pleased to get the miles in.<
Date: 2005-06-30
From: Greasy Creek Gap

To: Hampton, TN
Miles today: 23.0

06/30-Got up and headed up to Roan Mtn. Big climb up, with about HOT weather. I did well, had some trouble finding and having enough water, but good day over all. I had not seen anyone all day and got to the shelter, Roan High knob shelter, the highest shelter on the AT 6285'. Had a lovely freeze dried dinner and decided to not stay in the shelter, but a bit away from it. Started getting ready for bed, which takes a long time backpacking. Almost right at dark a heard people. This can be either a good or bad thing. At first I thought my life as I had known it was over. Up walked a group of men in black tee shirts and camo pants with BIG guns. I was very concerned until I saw a female forest ranger. I had heard on my radio for the last couple of days that a guy wanted for murder was being hunted in some area, but I was not too sure where that was in relation to the trail. As soon as I saw the ranger, Kim, I knew they were out looking for him. They were doing exactly what I would have wanted, they were on the trail to clear the shelters and check on the hikers. So long story made short I got a escort from the AT from the SWAT team and the Ranger. In fact several people have suggested that my new trail name be SWAT or TN Not...I was given help loading all my stuff up and we al hiked in the near dark to the Rangers truck. They dropped the SWAT team off to hike down to Erwin and meet another team hiking up. Kim drove me over to Hampton, TN to the most wonderful place, Kincora Hiker's Hostel. I was met by Bob and Pat, while very rattled and scared, felt very safe.
Date: 2005-07-08
To: Long Way Dungan
Miles today: 0.0

Hey there journal readers...Long Way here! Well, I spoke to our Dream Catcher last night. She is doing great, and is in Kent, CT. That is a long way (no relation) from Tennessee. After last week's events, I think Dream Catcher is happy about that. Kent, CT is the home of Kevin Bacon, Mia Farrow, and Henry Kissinger. So when she's not hiking, Dream Catcher can pop in to Hank's and offer her opinion on world peace!! Way to go DC!!!Last night Dream Catcher was staying at the fellowship hall of an Episcopal Church. She met Roger the Rector earlier in the day and helped the chuch members get ready for a garage sale at the church today.Dream Catcher has met several really neat and fun hikers up in the Northeast. Special hello to Rainbow and Spartacus...a young married couple who have been married less than a year. In fact, a number of their wedding presents were hiking gear. It's nice to know Dream Catcher won't be alone on the trail. Of course with all of us keeping tabs on her, she's never really been alone. CINDY'S COMING....Just when Dream Catcher thought she would have better weather Tropical Storm Cindy hits. At least she wasn't down here inteh south anymore. I was watching the track of the storm to see if we here in Nashville would get any rain but no, it went to the east of us...right where Dream Catcher would have been hiking. Since I'm no longer a Yankee (at least by geography) I didn't continue to track the storm's progress as it went up the coast...well, Dream Catcher isn't going to get off too easily. Cindy is heading for CT today and tomorrow. So it's time to break out the rain gear, lace up the duck shoes, and batten down the hatches once again. Rain, rain, go away. Come again another day (in 2006!!!!). I think that's probably Dream's new mantra.Well readers, I'll be out of town all next week, so I am turing over the reporting reigns to "Riverboat" MaGee. I'm sure he will regale you all with Dream Catcher's stories from the trail. Have a good week, and God Speed Dream Catcher.
Date: 2005-07-08
From: Kent, Conn

To: Kent , Conn.
Miles today: 0.0

Hello everyone,I'm waiting out the rain from Cindy in Kent, Conn. Have met more hikers the last two days than my whole first month on the trail. I think I'm in a great place. The rain is very hard and steady today, but might break tomorrow. I was going to hike to the next shelter, but I hear that it is packed so I will stay at the church one more night. I have gotten everything ready for my next leg of the trip. The nice thing about New England is that there are several towns to get food, but now places to clean your body or your clothes. This is were the "fancy" people live and there are not many motels or hostels or landry mats.. Thanks for the emails and the guest book entrys. I LOVE to read (or in some cases hear) what you write. You have no idea what a difference these make, please keep them up. I'm a bit homesick. Or really just miss family and friends. While I'm meeting great people on the trail, all you really get is just get to know them and you or they are gone and you might not ever get to see them again. Also we hikers, I think I can claim that now :>, really talk about the trail, and all that goes with that. Many of us are thinking and praying for everyone in London. Also, I had to read about my man Lance... Live strong!!!Well I better go walk to the Post Office. Everyone take care and dare to dream..Dream Catcher...
Date: 2005-07-15
From: Great Barrington, Mass

To: New York City
Miles today: 0.0

Once I made the decision to go to my parents and let my foot heal, I wanted to cross something off from my list. Visit all fifty states. I was just missing New Jersey, so I made my airline plans to fly out of Newark and I get to check this off my list. I took the rental car and drove all over the state. (one of my "rules" for the fifty is that I have to really see the state, not just the airport or one city or town.)So I can now say that I have really seen the states. It felt good to be able to check this off even if I was going to have to leave the trail.I also thought it would be fun to go into New York City. I had a day to go see the sights. Wow was that a shock to come out from Penn station after being on the trail. Overload, but soon I felt at home with all the people. Had a great time. I took a Grayline bus tour.On the tour I kept thinking about 911 and all the people. I was in Roswell that day, but as we went by ground zero I could not even picture the horror of those events. It was also just about one week from the London bombings, so the police and military were very visible.
Date: 2005-07-18
From: Kent , Conn.

To: Weatherford, TX
Miles today: 0.0

Well hello journal readers,As you can see, once again my location has changed. I finished Conn, but in the process I have developed a stress fracture in my left foot. I am taking a few weeks off the trail to let it heal. While I rest my foot I will be updating the journal and will be putting more pictures up. I will be going back to fill in the stories and the first part of the trip.
Date: 2005-07-19
From: Weatherford, TX

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello journal readers, This is Dream catcher. It's been wonderful and hard to be off the trail. Great for my foot, but hard for my mind. I feel like I am in a time warp. I know that I'm not "done with the trail yet, so most of my thoughts are about the trip, yet there is not a lot I can do right now about it. The doctor said that I could bike, flat no hills, and swim. So I got my car and bike yesterday and was on the bike today. I found a great trail to ride. It was HOT, but nice to get out. So I will be doing as much biking and stretching I can for the next few weeks. It was very interesting when I got my car I had all the feelings I had before the trip come back. I forgot how stressed I was about the whole thing. What have I gotten myself into. What if I can't do it or hate it the first week? All my fears about jumping off into this dream of mine. I thought about this a lot on the trail. It is hard work going after any big dream. It would have been a lot easier for me to stay where I was and chill than to have to work this hard, hurt this much and have to get out of my comfort zone do try this. Yet, I can already see the payoff from just trying. I might or might not complete the whole AT this year, but just the process of showing up and giving it my best has changed me. Now I also know that I am one of those crazy people that I see on the trail.   LOL.One of the things we say on the trail is that you have to 'hike your own hike". Well my hike sure has been interesting. I think that this time off will make me stronger both physically and mentally. Some things that I have noticed about AT long distance hikers..We walk like old people- you would think that after hiking all these miles that we would be in such great shape, but really you can spot a hiker by their hiker shuffle.We have duct tape all over- our feet, gear, clothes, shoes..We call each other by our trail names- so it's not unusual for us to say hi to spice rack, 3 cats, dead animal. We might not even know each other¢s "real" name. (All of which is very hard to explain to non-hikers).Even the nicest guys look scary- usually with long beards.. We can eat- some hikers have had 4 or 5 complete breakfasts at one sitting.Major food cravings- mine- tomatoes, chocolate milk and sweet tea.I will add more later.Hope you all are having a great summer. Please email me if you get time.Thanks for all the prayers and support. This is a trip of a lifetime, and the stories I have to tell.Live your dreams,Dream Catcher.
Date: 2005-07-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello friends,Thanks for the emails. I will be getting back to you all asap. It's soooo nice to hear from friends.. I really do miss you all very much. Things here are good, a bit hot, but good. I have really enjoyed getting to spend time with my family. The days are going by pretty quickly. I'm still kind of "a fish out of water". I feel like I should still go outside and find a tree to pee, and sleep outside. My body is really enjoying my grandmothers cooking. It sure beats the freeze-dried food for the last couple of months. LOLMy foot or feet are doing better every day. I got to see another doctor; this makes three, the other day while with my mother and grandmother's apt for their knees. More X-rays and same conclusion- stress fracture, this time I got a snappy brace and foot exercises for both feet. I am counting last week so I'm hopping to be back on the trail sometime around Aug 12-14. I'm looking at hopping up to the Maine state line. I hope the hike to Katahdin and then hike south from the state line to as far as I can go. My grandmother is not too keen (her word) on my returning to the trail (my stories from the trail have not helped my case much), but knows that I'm not done so she even said, that I need to get back.I have been biking and fishing and hope to take the ¢boat¢ (my kayak) out tomorrow. I have found that I miss the sounds, creatures, people and even smells of the trail. I can¢t wait to return. I have posted more pictures and have some really good ones one the way. I think I will finish my cup of sweet tea and head to my so nice bed, sheets, mattress and pillow. Take care,Dream catcher :> "No one grows old by living - only by losing interest in living¢-Marie Beynon Ray