morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-11-12
From: Lake Lenape

To: Lake Lenape
Miles today: 2.4

Sunday, November 12, 2006Goodbyes to Harley, Helen, Hurricane Dog, Crazy Dog (who's feeling better), Kia and Nina. Harley needs a day to regroup before she goes back to work tomorrow. No hiking today for her.Helen and Harley, THANK YOU! Companionship, gourmet meals, wine, FUN! I always love being with you. Crazy Dog, here's a special goodbye hug! Amoeba heads towards Rte 80. Rain is forecast. Go back to DWG and hike into PA, or go West?Amoeba is going to Florida for 8 days. Then, on December 4, she's returning to New Zealand for 9 weeks. This may be her last chance to hike. It would be nice to get into PA from the NJ parking lot at Rte 80. That would finish off NJ except for a gap north of Millbrook Blairsville Rd* and would make it easier to pick up again next year.She heads East. She parks a little ways down from the Church of the Mountain. Too late for the 10AM service.She walks across the Rte 80 bridge over the Delaware River. Late Sunday morning is a good time, not nearly as much traffic or as many trucks as other times.To the NJ side where she Harley and Hurricane came out yesterday. And back.Nice view of the river and mountain to the East.Drapey bittersweet climbing deciduous and evergreen trees.Up to Lenape Lake, past the memorial to Sean A Dolan.One way-too-late tadpole in the water, legged, looking froglike with the tail atrophing. He swims off.The wind shakes a few of the remaining leaves off the trees. No point in trying to catch any more this year. 2006 score = 3.Short days now, long periods of dark. Think comfort thoughts: splash, gurgle and steaminess of sudsy washwater coursing through hoses and compartments of the 1961 Whirlpool, old time smell of Niagara-starched cotton.Only 3 weeks til NZ and return of long days.*P.S. Check computer for 2005 NJ hiking. All that's left in NJ is 3.9 miles between Blue Mtn Lakes Rd and Millbrook Blairstown Rd! Gotta pick that up before NZ. Maybe weekend after Thanksgiving.
Date: 2006-04-15
To: Today
Miles today: 0.0

I am getting psyched about leaving my job. Even though we will only be on the trail for like 3 months, I am taking a leave for 6 months. I really am bending more and more towards never going back to my field. Maybe even change my career. Even though I prob. should just go one day at a time, it is hard for me not to think about how nice it will be. Right now, I may be more excited about leaving that job than hitting the trail. Tough call really. I have been wanting to hike the AT since I was a young teen. I have been rubbing T's foot. His plantar fascitis is getting better. He is on his feet all day at work.. he has been stretching but still chillin' on the daily walks that we usually take together. Enough said really. Got a lot of emotion.. will go back to enjoying this beautiful day. Peace!!
Date: 2006-05-10
To: Daydreaming
Miles today: 0.0

I daydream about our hike all the time!! We have been biking since T is still battling with plantar fasciitis. WE will hike Maryland at the end of May. Nicd little hike before the big trek.   Hope to run into Kathy and Greg. They are a couple we have not yet met but live in our area and are currently hiking the entire AT. So if you guys read this or someone who knows them reads it, tell them to keep an eye out for Tom, Ann, and Erin when they are trekking through Md. Can't wait to hit the trail.
Date: 2006-05-21
To: 3 to go
Miles today: 0.0

Erin is on her way home from Cali. today!! We will hike MD. in a couple weeks. She is going to keep on going! I hope we meet up with Kathy and Greg. I don't know if they will be in Maryland that soon. Last journal entree they were in Damascus for trail days. Anyway... I ramble. been biking and hiking the past two weeks. Biking hills seems to help get us in shape. T's feet are healing, thank goodness. See how the hike goes in Md. Only 3 more months to go to head out on the long journey. Met a guy down in Ocean City while at a conference for work. He did many a section hike and we were telling trail stories. Really gets me psyched!! Enough of me... Pretty boring pre hike stuff. Until next time, Peace out!!
Date: 2006-05-31
To: Harpers Ferry bound
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Heading north from Harpers Ferry. Third time hiking Maryland, first time in this direction. I am so excited! Weighed my pack with everything plus a gallon of water, it is 35 lbs. I really am trying to keep it under 30, oh well, probable will drop a couple of lbs around my rear Hoping to catch Greg and Kathy. Erin will cruise north with them. Her goal is Hanover NH. She'll take a train home sometime in JULY. WEll more later. I'll post some pictures when we get back. Peace to all!!
Date: 2006-06-03
To: Finished our hike from Harpers Ferry to PenMar
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

What a nice practice run. How beautiful!! Picture above is when we set out from Harpers Ferry. Talked to some thru hikers there at the ATC. Erin is cruising up to NH. We departed her today at Penmar. It has been a great 40 mile hike and we are getting way psyched for our big hike this august.
Date: 2006-07-04
To: Leaving next month
Miles today: 0.0

Well, it's the fourth of July and I will leave my job next month, then it is off to the AT for our hike. Tom's foot is healed and we are as prepared as we are going to get at this point. Sunday we walked 12 miles. We have been getting 5 in a day but figured we try to get two digits for the next six weeks when we have time. Not like walking around here compares to the mountains. Hey something is better than nothing. Anyway... just saying hello! Hope everyone has a happy fourth. Probably will add one more entry before we leave. Until then Peace!
Date: 2006-08-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We leave in less than 3 weeks!! We are very excited! T and I went through our whole itinerary and have decided we will get 4 mail drops and get the rest of our food and supplies in some of the towns we will stop in. Wednesday is my last day at work and then it's off to Cali. to take Owens to college, then back here and off to Tennessee. Anyway... this will be my last entry until the day we leave. So until then peace to all.
Date: 2006-08-25
From: Greeneville Tenn.

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Ok here we go. Heading to Greeneville Tenn. and will hit the trail south of Erwin Tenn at Hot Springs NC. We will actually start hiking the day after tomorrow. I put a bunch of pre hike pictures in of packing and our trip to California. Please check them out. If you are unsure how to get to pictures, just double click on the picture and the drop down above will show you the rest. Much love comin' to all of you. WE are going to have a blast!! Saw my first bear out in Cali. Anyway... will be updating when we get a chance. Peace and love to all.
Date: 2006-08-26
From: DC

To: Greeneville
Miles today: 0.0

Nancy and Dave dropped us off at the DC bus station at 8:30 am. We got on the bus at 10am. Let me just say, "WHAT A NIGHTMARE!!" Some ladies kid puked in the seat behind us. Then the damn bus stops in every possible town on the way to Charlottsville,every freak (including us)is on the bus, then we finally get to Charlottsville. Well we have to change buses and Tom and the bus driver got into an argument. The bus driver would not allow us to put our luggage on his bus 'cuz they were not tagged. Well no one in DC tagged them and he in Tom were steady having words. I had to butt in and break it up. Finally he just tagged them for us and we got on the bus with the luggage underneath. The bus was totally full less one seat. Do you know that bus driver would not make this lady hold her kid and he made Tom stand up all the way to Lynchburg. WEll someone felt sorry for him eventually and picked up their kid and let him sit down next to the toilet. P U!! We finally get to Greeneville TN. at 10 pm. The guy that owns the outdoor store in Hot Springs NC(which was awesome by the way) picked up and dropped us off at his piece of property at around 11 pm. We get our tent sent up and all of a sudden a bunch of kids come down for a parrrr tttty!! Plus we were next to a raging river and a train depot! Well we woke up late but we did sleep ok go to next entry.
Date: 2006-08-27
From: Hot Springs

To: Rich Mountain Fire Tower
Miles today: 7.5

WEll we got up at 10 am. hiked up to the outdoor store. Man I felt like I was back in Cali. All these dreaded dudes and the health food store odor, much better than the bus WE finally hit the trail around 11 am. WEll let me tell you it was a 1500 foot ascend up to Lovers Leap Gap. What a gorgeous view of the French Broad River and these beautiful mountains here. Then up we go again. We ascended about 2300 feet in this 7 mile stretch. Well we didn't guite make it to Rich mountain but close enough. We were whooped!! WE met a couple from Minnesota doing a 10 day hike and we hike with them most of that 7 miles, only because the fellow was injured. They then went on when we stopped for the day. Camp is fun but at night my imagination runs wild. I was imagining all kinds of evil things; being chowed down by a wild animal or some freak in the hills out to get us. But we woke up and moved on.
Date: 2006-08-28
From: Rich Mountain Fire Tower

To: Campsite
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: clear sky

Left camp at 9 am. Boy these hills are kicking our ass!! This is nothing like hiking in Maryland. We will go up 1500 feet down 1500 feet, up 2000 down 2000. It has been taking us one mile per hour to go up and 2 miles per hour to go down. I have never seen so much poison ivy and nettle in my life!! No real spectacular views today, mostly just hiking in the woods. Tom and I played rummy before we went to bed. Good day nice and cool.
Date: 2006-08-29
From: Campsite

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: light rain

Woke up and it was pouring raining. The sun broke through around 7:30 and we were able to get most of the day in without rain. We heard back in Hot Springs that a hurricane was heading towards FLA. It was another day of ups and downs and a lot of goofy songs I was making up as we hiked. Shear entertainment for Tom. We met a fellow named Mountain Mike and his dog Pumpkin. This fellow is a cabin maker and he builds cabins half a year and hikes the other half. He was hoping we might have some weed to smoke. WEll I guess since he had no weed he decided he would smoke about 6 cigarettes as he took his break at the shelter. Nice fellow. He had thru hiked the AT a couple of times and does sections off and on when he is not building cabins. He gave some good tips about places to stop along the way. I called Nancy about 5 and she informed me that we would be getting hurricane weather. WEll that night about 5 storms rolled through. Tom and I stayed in the shelter until I saw the first mouse and I said ok, "time to hit the tent" I HATE MICE!!!
Date: 2006-08-30
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: light rain

Woke up to a mouse crawling between our rain fly and the tent. I FREAKED!!! While I was dreaming there was a noise of what I thought were leaves falling on the roof of our house. That mouse was trying to find his way in with us. It started to rain and we figured we better pack it up and move on. We knew we were getting bands of hurricane rain. We left. Today's hike was a bear!! First we ascended 1450 feet in one mile. Then we walked on rocks for a good mile or two. It was awesome! The place was called the exposed ridge and you are literally walking on the very top of a mountain. There was a trail before we hit the rocks that said, "Bad Weather Trail" Well the rain had stopped for a while so we said, "what the hell, let's take the exposed ridge." We had no idea that you are truly at the peak of a mountain and a 360degree view of the world. Tears were coming to my eyes. I have never experienced anything like it in my life. Right when we got to the highest peak the fog broke and there was the view. UNBELIEVABLE!! Also, I am afraid of heights and boy there was a drop on either side. Tom fell three times going down and I fell 2 times. We when got of the rocks we head back down into the woods. At that time I spotted a bobcat. Man, I was scared out of my mind. Tom and I have been hiking togeter all along. But now I would not get but 2 or 3 feet away from him. Well by this time it is dumping rain. We finally got to Little Laurel and the sun was out again. We slept in the tent because the past few shelters have been infested with mice. I didn't sleep very well, 'cause all I could think about was mice and bob cats.
Date: 2006-08-31
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: moderate rain

Well today we woke up to a flood. Thank God our tent was dry so we slept in. Finally when the rain lightened up I got up, pulled down our bear bag and started brewing some coffee. Slowly we started bringing all of our stuff up to the shelter and hung our soaking wet clothes line up under the shelter roof. Well about 10 am an older feller came through. He was about 65 and definately in worse shape than us. Nice fellow, his name was Jim. He told us there were 2 other guys coming from the place we stayed the night before. They came through, Ken and Mike were their names and they were just 2 funny characters. Well we decided we would hike to the next shelter with them. Our tent by this time was soaking wet. And even though it was pouring rain we knew we had to move on and I knew we were going to be sleeping with the mice tonight. Thank God we ran into these fellows. They are true pioneers and the totally lifted up our wet and tired spirits. I read in the shelter journal last night that we had to cross a field that was referred to as Rattle snake pit. The Journal read that there was a 5 foot rattlesnake spotted in that field. When we got to the field I was scared shitless. I made a lot of noise and poked my treking poles around hoping to scare the rattlesnake. Never saw one. whewwwww!!! We got to Fint Mountain Shelter after hiking in hurricane down pour rain and we laughed until we fell asleep in that mice infested shelter and I did not see one mouse.
Date: 2006-09-01
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: light rain

Well we slept pretty well except Jim snored like crazy. Tom kept telling me to poke him or roll over on him and I was not going to do that so Tom rolled over me and poked him. Jim jumped up, scared out of his mind, got up shined his light around the shelter, went outside and scoped the place out and I was trying so hard to pretend I was asleep, trying not to crack up laughing. Poor guy it scared him so bad he just packed up his stuff and got an early 5 am start to Hogback. Well, again, it rained all day long. We got up and put on our soaking wet clothes and hiked in pouring down rain the entire 9 miles. WE didn't stop one time except to get a drink of water. This was our longest day hiking so far. All I have to say is thank God for Ken and Mike. These two fellows got us going and had us cracking up the whole time. We had the most fun with these characters. We just clicked.   WEll we made it to Hogback Ridge and Jim left as we were only 2 miles from Sams Gap and he knew he could get a ride home. Everyone was soaked. Ken, Mike, Tom and I stayed at Hogback and we laughed all night long. They were going to get off the next day at sams Gap and go back to Indiana with their nephew. Tom and I knew we had to get somewhere to get cleaned up and dry and air our tent out so we called the infamous MISS JANET to pick us up at Sams Gap the next day.
Date: 2006-09-02
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: Sams GAP
Miles today: 2.4

Well we got up a 9 am and hiked down to Sams Gap. Miss Janet picked us up and we had to depart Ken and Mike. Their nephew got a picture of the four of us and we exchanged numbers. They will come to Md. and hike with us next spring. I was real sad to depart from them. They truly were a breath of fresh air. Well Miss Janet is awesome. She gave us a ride to this hotel and we got a room. While we were waiting to check in she drove us to a diner for our first real meal. Everyone we have met so far has been truly wonderful. This hotel is so hiker friendly. They let us dry our tent by the pool, gave us a bathing kit, a hikers discount, and a pint of Ben and Jerry's icecream. Tom and I got a shower and are doing laundry. We will head back out tomorrow. We love and miss all of you and wish you could be with us. Thanks for all of your positive vibes, prayers and good karma!! Much love to all.
Date: 2006-09-03
From: Erwin, TN

To: Curley Maple Gap Shelter
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: light rain

Hello again, well on this day we left the hotel at about 11 am. Not a very long hike today. Nothin' too exciting really, we did go over the Nolichucky River and that was beautiful. We decided to sleep in the shelter with the mice 'cause there was a storm coming. Good thing we did as it rained all night long. Met a fellow who had hiked the AT from Georgia to where we were all in day hikes. "Amazing", I thought.
Date: 2006-09-04
From: Curley Maple Gap Shelter

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: scattered clouds

We got up around 6 am and the rain was beginning to taper off. We set off for the Cherry Gap Shelter. We knew it would be a tough day as we had to climb up Unaka Mountain (pronounced like you naked? without the d, typical way Ann James would remember how to pronounce something) And boy, what a climb that was. That is when I saw my first snake. This mountain was packed with red spruce trees. Man was it gorgeous but it had an eerie feel about it. Tom said it reminded him of Hansel and Grettle and it reminded me of The Wizard of Oz where Dorothy got snatched up by the apple tree. The climb off the mountain was even worse, rocks and roots everywhere and slippery as hell. There was definately something sacred about that place. I think a lot of Cherokee indians spent time in those hills. Well we finally made it to Cherry Gap and we hadn't been there 10 minutes and a storm rolled through there that rattled that shelter. I was just grateful to be dry. At this point I am tired of rain and ready to throw the towel in. Well we were safe and sound but another night with the mice. Ok, on to the next day.
Date: 2006-09-05
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Greasy Creek Friendly
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: light rain

Well another day of walking in the rain. Not a bad rainy hike. Pretty mellow actually until it started dumping. We got to Greasy Creek Gap and saw a baggy hanging off a tree with a business card in it. The Card read, "The Greasy Creek Hostel", with the hostel crossed out and the word "Friendly" underneath. We decided we would walk the extra .7 mile to get there, dry out, eat and have some conversation as we haven't seen too many folks the past couple days. That is where we met Ms. Cee Cee. Her name is Connie and she was once called Connie the Cleaner, hence Cee Cee, as she was a retired dental hygienist. I informed her that my pop was a dentist and she was curious about where he practiced. We exchanged some stories. Ms. Cee Cee treated us with great southern hospitality. She cooked for us and then began to warn us of her crazy neighbor, paranoid schyzophrenic actually, who hates hikers. Harmless but crazy he was and she called him "duke". More about Duke in the am., see tomorrow's entry.
Date: 2006-09-06
From: Greasy Creek Friendly

To: Over Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

"Duke" is an early riser. He woke us up at 5 am. riding his motor cycle up and down the jeep trail, then he would bang on his lawn mower and shine his light in through the bunk house door. Cee Cee was not exaggerating about his insanity. Since we did not leave right away he kept on banging, riding the lawn mower, riding the motorcycle, banging, yelling. Strange dude, so finally we got up and Ms. Cee Cee made us eggs and toast. "Yummy" We ventured off to climb our highest peak of the trip, "Roan High Knob" It took us 2 and a half hours to climb 2 and a half miles. It finally stopped raining and when we hit the top you could see the world. Tears began flowing down my face and I felt like my mom's spirit, Ed's spirit, and Maureen's spirit (my 3 rocks) were right there with us. I balled like a little baby. It sure felt good. I have never seen such a beautiful site in my life!!! Unbelieveable. On the top stood a foundation of an old hotel from the 1800's, called the "Cloudland Hotel" This hotel stood on the North Carolina and Tennessee line. The story was that half the hotel was dry and the other half you could buy booze and get drunk. Apparently a cop would hang out on the line in the hotel and bust anyone who crossed the line with booze. On we walked through the Roan Highlands and I cryed the entire time. Tears of joy of this spiritual journey poured like the previous days of rain. We made it to our destination, "The Over mountain Shelter" An old red barn with a magnificant view!! I loved this shelter the most. Apparently the movie, "Winter People" was filmed at this barn. It was the cleanest shelter we had been in yet. Awesome!!
Date: 2006-09-07
From: Over Mountain Shelter

To: Apple House Shelter
Miles today: 9.2

Well we left the ol' red barn at about 8:45 this am. As we started to climb over "Hump Mountain" I saw my second snake! I never take time to figure out what kind just wait for it to move. I HATE SNAKES!! So far they haven't bothered me. Hiked over hump mountain and that is where we ran into 6 longhorned steer. I was frightened but as we began to creep around them they seemed uninterested. After we got over "hump" it was more rhodedendron tunnels. If I haven't mentioned earlier most of this hike aside from exposed ridge, the balds, the spruce forest, etc. is walking through rhodedendron tunnels or mountain laurel. I would imagine that in the sring it is just breath taking. Well... through the tunnels an down the rocks we go. We made it to Apple House Shelter which is near the highway 19E. I don't really like staying near roads. That's when you may run into some freaks. I'd rather deal with critters than freaks. Well this place truly gave me the creeps. I told Tom we should pack it up. I had serious bad vibes there. He talked me out of it and said everything would be ok. It was but I found out a couple days later that a girl was raped there some years back. I guess that is where my vibes came from.
Date: 2006-09-08
From: Apple House Shelter

To: .5 south of Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke up! Thank God! I had the creeps there more than any other place. I was scared!! I wanted to get as far away from that place as possible. Finally, we had a reprieve on our feet. No rocks, no steep climbs, no roots, no rain. It was a gorgeous day! Typically you have to walk close to 20 miles to get to the next shelter but the trail maintenance crew had just built a new shelter at around the 10 mile mark. Well Tom and I were making great time, it was 12:30 when we got halfway so we figured we should just push on. And we did! We thought we must be getting close to Moreland Gap. It seemed like those last miles were taking forever. It was getting to be about 5 p.m and we were exhausted. We saw a clearing on the side of the trail so we just set up camp. Slept well that night!!