morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-11-21
From: Spivey Gap

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: clear sky

I woke to my first wonderful breakfast at Miss Janet's. It was a nice breakfast casserole, reminded me of home, and coffee. We got off to our slack pack today at 11:30 am. It was a glorious day and I was in shirt sleeves all day. Sure Step and I walked and talked and had a great time. Miss Janet was waiting by the river to take us into town. She is sooo nice.We promptly went to Sonic drive-in and got root beer floats. Aaahhhh! I also got to watch Fried Green Tomatoes tonight. After that I sorted through my food and packages. It has become a chore to think about what I need in my backpack as far as food goes. Oh well, food is fuel.Happy trails!
Date: 2003-11-22
From: Sam's Gap

To: Spivey Gap
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Another glorious day of slack packing and weather. I am beat. We went up and over Big Bald. A bald is a mountaintop that is grassy with no trees. We had a 360 degree view and the mountain ranges were amazing. On top, Jessica, a fellow hiker, had managed to procure pizza from day hikers. Sweet! We sat and ate. Then onward another 7 miles and it was then 3:00 pm. So night hiking was inevitable. As the day turned to dusk I found it quite beautiful. I can see where the phrase "purple mountains' majesty" comes from. The mountains took on many different colors, then darkness. By this time Jessica, Sure Step and I were together hiking and on went the headlamps. It wasn't as bad as I thought. I tripped a couple of times, but I enjoyed it. Miss Janet was right on time to pick us up. She dropped us at the diner and I had some good ole home cooking. Then it was back to the house, where I organized my stuff, took a shower and now bed. I will hike out tomorrow. Erwin has been good to me. I am planning on a zero day in Hot Springs on Thanksgiving.Happy trails!
Date: 2003-11-23
From: Devil's Gap

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke up slowly this morning and proceeded to pack up my junk. I have packed that backpack so many times I could probably do it blindfolded with my hands tied behind my back. I did a little more vacuuming this morning then Sure Step and I went off to search for an ATM and coffee. We had a leisurely breakfast and hung out. Miss J dropped me off at the gap about 2:00 pm. It was hard to see them go as they were on a road trip to Hot Springs for refreshments and fun, but my feet were itching. Miss J, thank you so much for your hospitality. It was wonderful to finally meet you. It was another beautiful day today and the walking was enjoyable. During my walk today it occurred to me that in a month this will all be mere memories of good times and lots of walking. We have the shelter all to ourselves tonight. I cooked bean burritos with Taco Bell hot sauce to spice them up. It was awesome, but Gelert doesn't like beans so I had to clean the pot the old fashioned way. Oh well!Happy trails!
Date: 2003-11-24
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry's Cabin
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: moderate rain

The wind picked up during the night and we woke to cloud cover and on and off sprinkles. Ugh! We got up and started slowly up and over Flint Mtn. My pack must weigh 3 million pounds some days. The weather continued turning sour through the climb up. The rain began to be heavier and the temp was dropping as well as the wind picking up. Once we got up on the ridge I was having a hard time staying warm and I was getting wet. The coldest part of my body was my thighs. I wonder why, they are doing all the work. I began to hike faster, but I just couldn't increase my body temperature. I began to review what I knew about hypothermia in my head. First, you get cold, then one starts making irrational decisions. But do you realize when you are making these decisions? So I got a little concerned about being wet and cold. I stopped short of my destination that day when I got to Jerry's cabin at noon. I quickly gathered the water I would need and changed into my dry clothes and jumped into my sleeping bag. I laid there and shivered until 2:00 pm and then had something hot to drink. I spent the rest of the day reading and listening to the radio, getting out of my cocoon only when necessary. I worried a bit about Brown Dog. She was wet and shivering, so we just cuddled up and put her little fleece cape on to keep her warm.Happy trails!
Date: 2003-11-25
From: Jerry's Cabin Shelter

To: Spring Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 15.3

I woke to my wet clothes frozen solid. Hummm, what to wear? I put on my rain pants and extra warm shirt. I sat in my sleeping bag and ate my oatmeal and drank my hot chocolate. I put my frozen shoes into my sleeping bag during breakfast, trying to make them a little easier to put on. I finally pried myself out of my bag and checked the thermometer in the shelter - 20 degrees, buurrrrr! Brown Dog wasn't quite sure about the frozen water in her dish, but she was a good sport about it.We got moving. The sun was shining and the forest was dusted with a light hint of snow, beautiful.I don't know what got in to me but I had pulled out a 15 mile day before I knew what was going on. We arrived at the shelter a little after dark and I buried myself in my sleeping bag, ate and dropped off to sleep.Happy trails!
Date: 2003-11-26
From: Spring Mtn. Shelter

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It is always easy to get up and moving knowing town is right around the corner. A warm dry room!! That is at the top of my list these days.Hot Springs is a great little town with just enough for a hiker. I rolled into town, went to the diner and had the special of chili, grilled cheese and cornbread. I finished that off with lemon meringue pie. Tasty!I found my accommodations in town when I was walking there. I heard "RIGHT ON!!" It as B Monk, Sure Step and Kokopelli! I hadn't seen Kokopelli since the 100 mile wilderness in Maine. Cool! She was out in her truck and thinking about hiking a couple of days. I invited them to stay with me in my room and they did. It was good, company and friends for the holiday. The room had movies and a VCR with the TV. I see a movie marathon coming on!Happy trails!
Date: 2003-11-27
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Happy Thanksgiving!!!I lay in the bed for awhile this morning, then went down to the diner. I had some breakfast, where I hatched the idea and asked Kokopelli if I could drive her truck to Fontana Dam on the southern border of the Smokies. The Smokies don't allow dogs, so my dog and I aren't doing the Smokies. She agreed. Yahoo! I don't have to pay a ton to shuttle down there!I did my laundry, had a Thanksgiving dinner at the diner, gave thanks for all the good that has come on the trail and the ability to walk the dream. I napped and movied all afternoon and evening.Happy trails!
Date: 2003-11-28
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Asheville, NC
Miles today: 0.0

I dropped the girls off at the trail and Brown Dog and I were off in style and on wheels. We decided to go check out Asheville, one of my favorite towns. It is really lucky this falls right now because I dropped them off in the snow. That's right snow!! I am looking out my hotel room window at the snow coming down right now!!Aaaahhhhh!I will drive to Fontana Dam, NC, and tomorrow be on the trail again. I am crossing my fingers this weather just passes through.Happy trails!
Date: 2003-11-29
From: Asheville, NC

To: Fontana Dam, NC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

The sun came out today, but it is still soooo cold. There is a tint of white to everything in the mountains.We found the gear store called The Trail Hound and picked up a sturdy, warm coat for Brown Dog. They were very helpful and all about dogs and their gear. We then packed up and headed for the Hike Inn. We arrived with no problem and found the inn fantastic, cute rooms with a kitchenette and a real quilt on the bed. I love these places.I have to say having a car to get where I need to be has been nice, but I have felt like a fish out of water or more like a hiker out of the woods. I am a little nervous about my return to the world that moves faster than 2 miles per hour, where there are tons of people and lots of chaos. Breathe deep. Happy trails !
Date: 2003-11-30
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Fontana Dam, NC
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

Today I slackpacked north from Stecoah Gap. I got to walk in snow today, 2-3 inches at times. The sun was shining bright but it couldn't melt the snow on the shady side of the mountain. It is a little tricky going down hill, very slippery which caused a couple of wipeouts. This is the last day of November, can't quite believe it.The best part of slacking today is that I am in a warm hotel room tonight. Aaahhhh! I am hoping the hostel is still open at the NOC tomorrow night. Happy trails!
Date: 2003-12-01
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Sassafras Gap Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: clear sky

This morning I mailed some more stuff off, stuff I don't want to carry anymore and the like. I have probably spent enough at the post office to have my own personal postal carrier. Nancy dropped me at the gap about 11:00 am. She and her husband both were fantastic. I enjoyed my stay at the Hike Inn. They say this section from Fontana to the Nantahala are the hardest miles in the south. I thought, yeah whatever, that is what everybody has said. I hate it when people try and tell you how hard it is going to be. I already know it is hard. Well there was some truth in their warning. There were a couple of butt kicking climbs today, you would think I would have grown wings by now. When it is really hard I just thank goodness it is not my first day and concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other. It always works out that I end up further down the trail. It is a 99% mental battle at this point. The mountains are becoming more familiar, as I have done some backpacking around here and I am near the area where I worked for two summers.I sat on Cheoah Bald today in the chilly sun and took in the expansive views. Then I pondered and napped for about an hour. That is the trail I love.By the way, did I mention it is December? I must be out of my mind being out here during December.Happy trails!
Date: 2003-12-04
From: Sassafras Gap Shelter

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 34.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This is an entry for several days.I have made my way to Franklin, NC. I stopped by the NOC(Nanatahala Outdoor Center), chatted with the staff there, got a free Ben and Jerry's Peace Pop and was on my way. It has been cold and snowstorm threatening. So after I came off Wayah Bald and to a road, I was contemplating hitching in to beat a storm. A white car rounded the corner as I was looking up the trail thinking about the next 6 miles, so I stuck my thumb out real quick! Mark stopped and we hopped our stinky dirty bodies into his nice clean car. He whisked us out of the cold and down into the Franklin Motel. We checked in and got cleaned up and the phone rang. It was Mark. He invited me to his house where he and Cathy were cooking dinner. I jumped on that. I had pan fried steak, real green beans, homemade macaroni and cheese and homemade biscuits. Whew, I ate two whole plates and drank about a gallon of sweet tea. It was sooooo fantastic to have a home cooked meal.Since then Mark has run me around town to the post office and other places and had me over for dinner yet another night. Promises of steak tonight and I am very excited. Just when you think it can't get any better, it does. I have had quite the education on the depths of human generosity on this trail and am thankful.Happy trails!
Date: 2003-12-06
From: Deep Gap USFS 71

To: Plumorchard Gap
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: broken clouds

Mark and Cathy dropped me at Deep Gap about 10:00 am. I opted out of the Standing Indian 20 mile loop as I have hiked it several times in years past.Mark and Cathy were so great. I really enjoyed their company. It was cold back in the woods with about 2 to 4 inches of snow on the ground. A couple of miles in I found a camera and a hat dropped on the trail, so I scooped them up and hoped to find the owner. We happened upon the owners a mile or so down the trail. It was a group of Boy Scouts, burrrr, out in this weather. They hiked in last night and come to find out they walked the wrong way on the trail, so we looked at the map together. I stopped for a break at Muskrat Creek Shelter and just kept on pumping the miles out. I guess the good food and R&R in Franklin filled my tank to finish this puppy up - only about 70 miles to go.Butter and Cheeseman were at the shelter when I got here so I had good company and they had a fire. It is really getting cold out here.Happy trails!
Date: 2003-12-08
From: Plumorchard Gap

To: Hiawassee, GA
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: clear sky

Yesterday I hiked down and got a ride with Tater of 2000 into town. I ended up at the Hiawassee Inn. As for today, several huge milestones occurred -6 months on the trail, last maildrop and last mailing off of stuff. Yahhhooowweee!! It is close. I have to say I am as apprehensive about reentering my life back in Texas as I was 6 months ago entering my life on the trail. Hummmm, funny how things work.Happy trails!
Date: 2003-12-09
From: Unicoi Gap

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

The theme, ¢Build it and they will come.¢ As I was walking today I was thinking how nice it would be to have a fire tonight. When I got to the shelter I made all the preparations and built one, if nothing more than for something to do and to keep warm. Finally got it going good, the wood started a little damp, then hikers started rolling in. There are 5 of us all told now. Can't believe it, it has been so long since I have had all kinds of company and it was the first fire I have built on the trail. I also saw a hiking club out today - OFHC(old farts hiking club) of about 15 people, couldn't believe my eyes. It was a sweet little walk today. We are expecting rain tonight and tomorrow, but Neel's Gap ,home of the Walasi Yi Hostel, awaits, my last stop on the trail.As far as the end goes I will be finishing on the 15th. Two friends of mine from my camping days in NC are meeting me there and then whisking me away to a lake house nearby for two nights....sweet!. It is quite appropriate as they were both with me on my first-ever backpacking trip in 1998. Springer Mountain here we come!!!Happy trails!
Date: 2003-12-10
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Low Gap Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

I woke to pouring rain today, so decided to take a zero day at the shelter. I am anxious and ready to finish, but I have to time it to catch my ride. The rain broke after noon and I decided to get up and make a fire. The wood was soaked but we managed after careful attentive building to get an awesome fire going. There is a creek here in front of the shelter and we had exhausted our wood choices so I made my way across the creek and gathered some more wood. Well, when I was crossing back over, I lost my balance right on the bank and didn't want to get my shoes wet so I decided to jump on a log in the creek. Real smart, huh? Well, you guessed it, I did an end over into the creek in my nice warm fleece jacket and pants. I lay there and laughed at my predicament, then the fire yelled, ¢ You got to put some dry clothes on.¢ I ran to the shelter and got out some dry stuff and sorted myself out. It was really quite funny.   I am glad we had a good fire going and I had dry clothes. Everyone has said you need to zero at least one day in the woods and I enjoyed it. I hope it doesn't rain tomorrow for my walk to Neel's Gap.Happy trails!
Date: 2003-12-11
From: Low Gap Shelter

To: Neel's Gap
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Well, it turned off real cold last night and snowed a little. Nothing like that to make you want to jump outta bed! The wind was blowing about a billon miles per hour so we bundled up and walked and walked and walked. I never dared to stop and take a break for fear we would freeze solid.   We made it to Walasi Yi at Neel¢s Gap, an outfitter/hostel. I got a free ice cream bar and hit the hot shower. I did laundry, got some good letters in the mail and watched 2 movies. It is probably in the low teens tonight, so I am glad to be indoors (even with no heater) and out of the wind. I distributed some extra food to the hiker box and noticed a mouse in there. It didn't even phase me. I think that is an indication of being on the trail for a long time.Happy trails!
Date: 2003-12-12
From: Neel's Gap

To: Gooch Gap
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

The wind subsided over night, thank goodness, and dawned a bright sunny day, brisk, but sunny. I decided to put some miles in while the weather was good. I settled up with the hostel and hit the trail. It was just one of those days you always picture in your mind about the trail. I did not find the shelter where I thought it should be tonight, which caused a blip in my day. I hiked up the mountain an extra 1/2 mile then decided to go back down to the gap.   A section hiker was in the same search as I was. The map says it is one place, the data book says another. So here we are in our little tent with only two more nights left and 16.7 miles.   We will not be doing more than 10 miles in a day again on the trail. The journey at this point seems to have gone so fast.Happy trails!
Date: 2003-12-13
From: Gooch Gap

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I was toasty warm last night in my little tarp tent. I was a little upset about the whole shelter thing, but in the end it is always okay. We broke camp quickly and early as rain was expected and the temperature was starting to drop. The sunrise was red. I remembered the saying - red in the morning sailors take warning, red at night sailors delight. So I knew the rain was headed my way. I hooked it down the trail and arrived at the shelter by 1:00 pm.   It is 4:00 pm now and pouring cold rain. I wonder what it will look like in the morning. It is only 7.6 miles to Springer Mountain and I am planning on staying there tomorrow night. That means I will be DONE tomorrow at this time. It seems surreal. Some things I have really enjoyed lately like walking with my dog. I enjoy seeing her still excited about walking, healthy and happy. She loves to tear it up in the snow. I even think she likes to take in the beautiful vistas as much as I do. She has been the most wonderful companion I could ever have had on this journey. I wonder if she knows we are going home soon.The views in the past 2 or 3 days have revealed the mountains flattening out into rolling hills. The mountains are coming to a visible end. Nightly I have dreams of the trail, people past and present, and the trials and tribulations of the past six months. This has been amazing. I never knew if I was really going to make it. I guess I am just real stubborn sometimes. We have bean and beef burritos calling our names right now.Happy trails!
Date: 2003-12-14
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Springer Mountain
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: light snow

I HAVE DONE IT!! The dream is now a reality. Wow! Words cannot begin to describe how I feel or what this journey has been.I will now tell you the basics of the day. It rained all night but did not get much below freezing. The trail was messy but who cares at this point. Once we ascended in elevation the trees had been frozen, but were now dropping their wares off everywhere on the trail. I did the first five miles in less than 2 hours. Then I got light-headed from all the excitement and had to sit down, catch my breath and just think. Before I knew it I was at Forest Service Road 42 a mere .9 of a mile from the end. I flew up that mountain. Then I was there, the last white blaze. I cried like a baby. I was the only one there in the frozen forest. I took some pictures and reflected in the Springer Mountain Journal, and then one by one, 4 other thru hikers finished their trip - Squirrel Meat, Fisher King, Harold and Synapse, who I had met in Vermont. Then Synapse¢s family showed up with champagne, strawberries, sandwiches and other goodies. Oh and did I mention Googles was there with some good stuff too. I couldn't believe it, it was a right party on the cold top of Springer. I am finished with a big bang. I am sleeping in the Springer Mountain Shelter tonight and it is a cold frozen one, but my last one.Let it not go unsaid that this could not have been done with out the support of countless people - Mom and Dad, for your endless support through life and willingness to help at every juncture. Craig, my big brother, who watched out for me and stored countless food items and various other things while I was out roaming in the woods. Jan, who mailed boxes religiously with impeccable perfection to my likes and dislikes and was a stand for me following my dream. To all my friends who have listened to me go on and on about the trail and stood beside me through all my dreaming. And to everyone who has read my journal, helped me along the way and just sent plain old good karma my way. This could not be reality if it were not for all the people out there believing in me. Thank you!!It is the journey, after all, not the destination.And so the trail went.
Date: 2003-12-18
To: Post hike #1
Miles today: 0.0

I have been whisked away from the trail. Becky and Erika treated me to two wonderful nights at a gorgeous house on Lake Lanierin, Georgia. They treated me like a queen. Thank you. During that time I took a shower so hot it probably stimulated a whole new layer of skin to grow. I washed the last of the trail dirt from my body, wondering will I ever be that dirty again? I have been wandering around in cotton clothes ever since then making mental notes to take a shower daily and that the toilet paper supply is endless. We ventured into Atlanta and I found it fast, loud and chaotic. Will I ever view the world the same again? Of course not, I have viewed it from a perspective as basic sweat, tears and dirt. I made my way to the mall today. Wow, that is a whole other world. I made my way directly to the music store were I promptly bought some music I have been craving and a CD player. I am loving chosen music. I also enjoyed a Starbucks coffee while people watching. Craig is due to pick me up here tomorrow, then on towards Amarillo, my family and some home cooking. Nobody can cook it up like Mom and Dad. It promises to be several weeks of reunions. Will I be recognizable?This part of the trail is called re-entry. It will be an adventure all unto itself. Peace.