morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-01-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Happy New Year 2004!We thought this year would never end. Only two more months to go and we are too wound to sit still. This holiday a nasty head cold has had me down, but that has not kept T.T. from going out hiking alone, he was out today doing his thing while i was home recuperating. We went north about 180 miles to see my sister and daughter for the holidays and asked them to be our transcriptionist(s)for this hike. We will be sending the journals home to them and they will be correcting the spelling and putting it on line.So everyone say hi to my sister Dawn and my daughter Kristina AKA Kris. Without their help we would not be doing this hike, they along with my son Michael and his lady Sara will be mailing out the mail drops that will get us thru. The whole group has been very supportive as well as T.T.'s son Josh. We want all of them to know how must their support has helped us. Thanks gang!More later
Date: 2004-02-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Only two weeks until departure and we are getting excited, all the lose ends are coming together and the waiting is driving us nuts. I think we have packed and re-packed our packs a million times trying to find the right combo of weight distribution and ease of carrying. Is there such a thing? I guess that will be my quest during this hike to find the right combo(and then try to remember it). Tonguetied is on the journals every night now, reading about everyone starting out about the same time we are. We can imagine the anticipation building around the country as people from all over prepare to converge on Springer Mt. Until we found Trail Journals we had no idea there were so many people who liked to hike long distance. And we thought we were the only nutty people who liked to put ourselves thru that kind of thing. It definitly takes a different type of person to like long distance hiking.
Date: 2004-02-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Final night with Kris and Dawn, they are taking us to the bus station tommorrow morning and we are on our way to Georgia. The last two days have been hectic tying up all the loose ends, putting our truck in storage, getting the mail drops to the right people, etc. I feel after all the planning and doing things to get this trip ready I am going to enjoy doing nothing but walking for along time.I sure hope I can sleep tonight because I don't know how much sleep I'll get on the bus. We have a 24 hour ride to get to Gainsville from Standish Michigan. What a nice long ride before a nice long walk. It sure will feel good to stand up when we get there.Well, I guess I'll turn the keyboard over to Dawn and Kris. From now on you'll be getting our words and their spell checking, translating, transcribing and any other fixing the words may need and maybe a little clean up now and then(I can be colorful sometimes). Again I want to tell the girls thanks for everything and I'll try not to be too windy with the entries.Good Luck to all on the trail in 2004, hope to meet up with some of you.More Later
Date: 2004-02-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello Everyone,   Well Weebles and Tongue Tired are off and running...oopss or i should say walking. We, Kristina(Weebles's daughter) and Dawn (sister) took them to the bus station this morning,with fully loaded packs in hand;the bus departed at 11:45a.m.. They were all geeked up. They couldn't believe that the day they had planned for was finally here. If everything goes as scheduled they will be hitting the trail head on Wed Feb 25th. Good Luck to all on the trail and happy hiking!! I will be updating this journal when we hear from the happy hikers.more later Dawn
Date: 2004-03-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello everyone, This is Kristina weebles's daughter. Well, Weebles and Toungue Tied just called. They arrived in Needles Gap, Georgia at 1:30pm on 03/04/2004. Weebles said that they are sore and she has stiff knees but they are making it so far. They are taking a zero day today to relax and we will be sending their first mail drop to them on Tuesday. Thats all for now. Till next time Kristina
Date: 2004-04-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hi everyone, We have just recieved Weebles and Tongue Tied's first journal and pictures. The next few entries are going to go back to the day they left from West Branch, Michigan on the bus to Georgia. I will be adding entries as I proofread the journal . I hope you all enjoy the antics and hiking fun of these two goofballs.( Ha Ha)      KristinaP.S. Weebles and Tongue tied are in Hot Springs, NC as I write. They have hiked 270.9 miles so far and their doing great.Weebles and Tongue Tied want to send a special thank you out too a few wonderful people.Lynn Fredley and her two daughters Michelle and Jennifer from Kentucky andVicky Hild and her daughter Leanna from Ohio. These wonderful ladies stopped and pick us up and gave us a ride into Gattlenburg,Tennesse. Thank you for sharing a ride, friendship and great conversation. GOD bless.                                             Weebles/Tongued Tied
Date: 2004-04-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hi everyone,We are in the Uncle Johnny's Hostel in Erwin,Tn. This is the first time we stayed in a hostel and it is very nice. The people are nice, we were greeted by a nice fellow named Hillbilly who hiked the AT in 2003.Just wanted to say hi to all and leave a message for Tonguetied's son Josh.Josh, want to say hi and love you lots, stay out of trouble and keep working. Tell Grandma hi and we have come about 337 miles. Kris is trying to get the journal updated and get the pictures online. Be good son, I Love You. DadThe journal will be updated when Kris gets a few minutes. So everyone keep coming back. We will try to get to a computer whenever we can and leave little messages. Kris, just want to say you are doing a great job on the journal, thanks so much for everything. Love u bug. Mom See you all from the trail.
Date: 2004-04-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hi all! Here is weebles and Tongue Tied's journal. This is a slow process so please bear(lol) with me. KristinaFeb. 23, 2004   Well, we are finally on the bus on our way to Georgia. Being me, I worried up until the bus pulled out. Man, I didn't want anything to happen this close to departure. T.T. and I will be trying to put the stress from the last year to rest (may it rest in peace), so we can be mentally prepared for this hike. Too hard to write with all this swaying of the bus.
Date: 2004-04-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Feb. 24, 2004   We are at Amicaloha falls Lodge. The bus ride was horrid!! Sardines crammed into a long skinny can on wheels. All I want to say is "Thank GOD for ear plugs." Even with the plugs sleep was impossible, the seats were uncomfortable and some were broken( at least the ones we had). T.T. said we needed a good nights rest and we came to the lodge for a little spoiling before hitting the trail. More LaterFeb.24, 2004 continued   When we arrived and settled into our room we were to hungry to sleep, so we went down and had something to eat. Then we decided that 3:30pm was too late for a nap and still get a good nights sleep, so we walked back down to the visitor center along the approach trail. We signed our names in the register for 2004, that felt wonderful after all the planning. After looking around the park we took the Falls Trail to the top and played on the 600 steps along the way. That was a good way to detangle ourselves and get a little exercise. Now it's 8:16pm and we're ready for sleep, I'm still trying to hold out a while longer.I don't want to wake up at 3:00am and can't go back to sleep. Hope I can hold out. More later
Date: 2004-04-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Feb. 25, 2004   Made it about halfway up the approach trail which was about 4.3 miles. Stopped and set up camp because a storm was coming, and we wnated to be setteled. The training we did at home did not prepare us for the demanding UPS we have to do. I guess the go will be slow until I get trail conditioned. More Later
Date: 2004-04-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Feb. 26, 2004   WOW! That storm that came through was really something. We withstood winds that blew at 40mph, rain, sleet and then snow. We woke to snow covering the tent. It was a good test for our tent and it passed with flying colors. We were dry, warm and we didn't blow away. Good thing we were still on the approach trail so if we needed to get a new tent we could have gone back and bought a new one. We came the rest of the way to the summit and we are staying at springer shelter for the night.   More Later
Date: 2004-05-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 2.5

Feb. 27, 2004   While at Springer Mt. shelter we met Gavin Findley and his black lab Buck from Alabama. Also, Glenn Reynalds the ATC/gate caretaker came by with Elwop and Bear Hanger. We had a nice visit and then they moved on. Last night we had a visit from the shelter mouse, he tried to find food all night. We hung our food so he didn't find anything, he just kept us awake. With all the talking we got a late start so only came to stover Creek shelter. Met up with Gavin and Buck again and had a nice evening. More Later
Date: 2004-05-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 5.1

Feb. 28, 2004   Hawk Mt. shelter   After a couple tough ups and a lot of dawdling we made Hawk Mt. shelter at about 6:30pm. We set up camp, had dinner and started a game of Sorry! At 8:30pm we decided that I won because I had one man in home, and then we went to sleep. I had a sore night, my hip muscles are sore. T.T said he's a little hip sore too.Maybe we need to eat some of this food overkill. You can plan anyway you want but it comes down to what you can carry. I think we are carring way too much food. We know how to fix that in the future, so it may go a little easier. More Later
Date: 2004-05-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 5.0

Feb. 29, 2004   Hawk Mt./ Gooch mt shelter      Well, its 10:00am and breakfast is over and we are slow at getting started. Heading in the direction of Gooch Mt. shelter 7.1 miles away, will probably stop somewhere before there. I'm still trying to set trail conditioned. It may take a couple weeks for this 51 year ole body to get into shape. More LaterFeb. 29, 2004 continued   Could only do 5 of the 7.1 miles to Gooch Mt. Shelter. I'm a slow go on the uphills and we have had a few 3000+ feet. Tonguetied has been great, we turn on the walkie talkies and he keeps going so my being slow doesn't slow him down. He waits for me at the top and we go down together. So far it has beed working out great. We found a nice campsite next to a stream and I tried to get my knees to relax.
Date: 2004-05-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 2.1

March 1, 2004   On the trail to Gooch Mt shelter      Even though the campsite was nice, we slept awful. The only place for our tent was on a hill, we slipped out of bed all night. I have to admit that the 5 miles we done yesterday made my knees cry. So we took our old sweet time getting ready and only came the 2.1 miles to Gooch Mt shelter. Lots of people here, shelter was full(holds 14)and all 6 tentsites full. Met some cool guys from Conneticut, Chris 20 and Bryan 19.Nice guys doing a thru hike. Just a couple of many who have passed us up. With all the people here T.T. said it's like a mini city in the woods. Hope to do at least the 5.3 miles up and over Woody Gap at 3150' tomarrow. Maybe the knees will be rested by then. I'll let you know. More Later
Date: 2004-05-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 5.3

March 2, 2004 Gooch Mt shelter/ Woody Gap   GOD Bless whoever invented Biofreeze. My daughter the Massage Therapist gave mt this lotion,that gives a deep penetrating cold to the muscles and does it work. The knees are working better today. The swelling was gone and not so stiff after sleeping. When we woke today it had been raining for a couple hours so we packed up about 2 or 3 pounds of water along with our gear and moved on. Hiked in the rain all day, it was a little chilly when we stopped for breaks, but a nice walk anyway. I have to share so here goes. I was having a rough time gewtting to the top of Ramrock Mt and T.T. had moved ahead out of sight. Imagine my surprise to get to the top and find T.T. there putting up the tarp for a shelter, he fixed a hot soup lunch and we rested on the top of the Ramrock in the rain. Awesome!! Made Woody Gap about 5:30 and set up a very wet camp. T.T. used the stove to dry the tent and we slept in a dry bed( somewhat dry anyway). More Later**Note** Mom told me she wouldn't need the Biofreeze but I told her it would help so I insisted that she take it. See daughters are right sometimes too. LOL. I deserve a big kiss for the Biofreeze don't ya think. Kristina
Date: 2004-05-17
From: Woody Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 5.3

March 3, 2004   Woody Gap/ Jarrard Gap   Setting at Woody Gap trying to dry out some gear. Before we left a local fellow stopped by to talk and gave us 3 bananas ( our first trailmagic). As T.T. and I were each enjoying one when a couple came into the Gap and we gave them the 3rd banana( we have to shere the magic). When we got to talking we found that they were Arwin and Heather from Tx. Someone we had met online through Trail Journal. Wewere hoping we would get to meet them in person. The two couples leap frogged up and over Big Cedar Mt. Granny Top Mt. and Burnett Field Mt. into Jarrard Gap. Arwin and Heather along with their dog Sasha went on toWood's Hole shelter and we stayed at Jarrard Gap. More Later
Date: 2004-05-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 5.4

March 4, 2004   Jarrard Gap/ Neel's Gap   After giving my knees a beating the last few days we decided going over Blood Mt would hurt me (4461') so we got to Bird Gap and took the Blue Blaze Freeman Trail around the south face of Blood Mt. We are not sorry we did, what a trail!. We may not have dont the whole 4461' but it was something. The trail was a lot of climbing over rock and boulders,over and then deadfall and many small waterfalls coming off the Mt. The walk was wonderful and we enjoyed it all. Got to Neel's Gap about 1:30 and got a ride with a great guy called Sarge, to the Goose Creek Cabins owned and ran by Keith and Retter Bailey. This is truly a relaxation paradise. We were given a cabin on a hill with all things needed, hot shower, comfortable bed and a kitchen if we want to cook. We were given a bag for laundry and all we had to do was set it outside the door. They picked up the bag and delivered it back clean and dryed. Sarge took us to dinner at a local restaurant along with 2 other hikers. The 5 of us had a nice time. Looking forward sleeping in a bed again, just for a couple nights anyway. More Later
Date: 2004-05-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

March 5, 2004 Goose Creek Cabins   Taking a much needed zero day at Goose Creek Cabins. Helping the knees out a lot not putting weight on them. Going down to the pond to feed the ducks and watch the rainbow trout. Only plans for this afternoon is1) Call home and check in2) Take a nap3) Eat, etc, etc. More Later
Date: 2004-05-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 4.3

March 6, 2004   HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!            Neel's Gap/ on the trail   Got to Mountain Crossing Center at Neel's Gap about 10:00am and after resupplying, etc. weleft there at 12:45pm. We were headed for Whitley Gap shelter but someone told us it was packed all around. So we decided to stop along the way and be alone for my birthday. We are camped at a real nice site somewhere in the Mts.Lord, forgive me for the sin of pride, but I feel wonderful with myself. I personally do not know any other 52 year old woman who would even attempt to spend their b-day walking up a Mt. side with a 40 lbs. pack on her back. I know it's 40 because we weighed the packs at Neel's Gap. T.T.'s is 50lbs. I feel ALIVE! All I can say is thanks Mom and Dad for the adventurous spirit, GOD for the opportunity and Tonguetied for the companionship on the trip. I am blessed. More Later** Note** I'm proud of you too mom. at your age I wouldn't do what you are. I'm not crazy. LOL Kristina
Date: 2004-05-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 6.3

March 7, 2004 On the trail/ Low Gap shelter(tentsite)   The night was a little cold and I didn't sleep well, but woke somewhat refreshed anyway. Left camp about 9:30 and walked all day. Took our time, stopped on the top of a few Mt. just to look at the view. Coming down into Low Gap from Sheep Rock Top we heard someone behind us, being the slow poke that I am I moved to the side to let them pass and too our surprise there was Bryan and Chris,the guys we met at Gooch Mt. Bryan had twisted his ankle on Friday and had to hit the ER that night and had a zero day yesterday just to get healed a little. Camped next to them near Low Gap. While sitting near a small fire,it started to rain, so we all ran for our tents. Now T.T. and I are sitting in the tent listening to the wind blow like crazy and the rain beat down. Will probably go to sleep as soon as dark hits. More Later
Date: 2004-05-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 7.2

March 8, 2004   Low Gap Shelter/ Blue Mt. shelter   Left Low Gap about 9:30 am, cold, windy and slow going until the mucles warmed up.Took out time, enjoying the view. Lunching at nice spots and having fun along the way. Made Blue Mt. shelter about 4:30pm. It was windy as it can be, not fun trying to put up a tent in real windy conditions.Had dinner and watched the stars come out. How pretty!! Got cold in the night and put all our clothes on. Woke to a beautiful morning. More Later
Date: 2004-05-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 2.2

March 9, 2004   Blue Mt. shelter/ Helen, Ga.   Took the 2.2 miles to Union Gap hoping for a fast hitch ride. Got to the Gap and met Stumpknocker there. He gave us a ride to Helen. Real easy for our first hitch. Now we are at the HelenDorf Inn in Alpine Helen. A real nice place, friendly people all with smiles. The town is a vision all its own. Makes you feel as if you were in a Bavarian town. Enjoying TV for the first time in two weeks. T.T. is loving it. More Later
Date: 2004-05-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

March 10, 2004 HelenDorf Inn   Good Morning all. Tonguetied slept like a baby and I dreamt about carrying an 80 pound pack all night. We got some supplies before settling down for the night and I guess my mind went crazy. We decided to stay another night so we can enjoy this little town. We're not in any hurry so why not. Well 8:30am and we are off to breakfest and town exploring. Have a good day everyone. More Later
Date: 2004-05-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 6.5

9:30am.March 11, 2004   HelenDorf Inn/ Tray Mt. shelter   Took a shuttle back to Union Gap about 9:00am, hit the trail at 9:30am and got to Tray Mt shelter about 4:00pm. The wind blew hard all day and did not stop all night. T.T. and I were both cold as hell all night. Woke to wind on top of Tray and took until 12:00pm to leave. More Later
Date: 2004-05-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 3.5

March 13, 2004 Deep Gap shelter/ Hiawassee, Ga   Last night was the worst night I've had so far. It was so cold that I could not get warm all night even with all my clothes on. When we woke up the water in our bottles were frozen. I know that I slept but it felt like I didn't sleep all night. T.T. had a bad night too, so we decided to go to Hiawassee for a motel. Walked the 3.5 miles to Dick's Creek Gap and caoght a fellow there going our way. He gave us a ride to the Hull's Motel and let us off with a smile. Nice people out here. More Later
Date: 2004-05-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 4.3

March 14, 2004 Hull's Motel/ Plumorachard Gap shelter   After a good night sleep we left the motel walking about 9:00am with our thumbs out. With it being a Sunday morning we thought we would have to walk the whole 11 miles back to the Gap but a nice man picked us up and brought us back to the trail. Just as we were taking the packs out of his truck, another hiker came down off the trail into the Gap and he got the ride into Hiawassee. Trail Magic is everywhere!! When we got to the Gap there was a fellow there with a cooler full of fruit, pop and chocolate milk, passing it out to hikers. We even passed on two bananas, we bought four and decided not to carry them all. If only the world would take a look at the hiker community and take an example of kindness. More Later
Date: 2004-06-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 3.8

March 18, 2004   Betty Creek Gap/ Rock Gap shelter   Albert Mt. almost got me! Only 5220' but straight up and over boulders no less. But I made it! Not ready to say uncle yet. We met up with a fellow called Scorpion and shared the shelter with him. Nice man, he even played a game of phase 10 dice with us. Well, off to bed, going into Franklin tomarrow for a resupply and hot shower. nite all. More Later
Date: 2004-06-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 8.4

March 19, 2004 Rock Gap shelter/ Franklin Hotel   Hiked the 3.8 miles to Winding Stair Gap and got a ride right away with two of the nicest women. Anne and Kathy, they are hikers themselves and whenever they pick anyone up they ask if you want to be in their book. They are putting together a book about all the people they meet from the trail. Kathy says " Everyone writes about the trail, we want to write about the people." They dropped us off at the Franklin Hotel and made a date to pick us up at 8:00am on Sunday to take us back to the Gap. More later
Date: 2004-06-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

March 20,2004   Franklin Hotel   Well, I thought I would have a zero day of walking, boy was I wrong. We walked 1.5 miles to K-mart (new shorts for T.T. he busted the butt out in his) and the Three Eagles Outfitters to fins a new pack for me. A nice fella names Kevin helped fit me with a Gregory Deva 60, just my size. We will see if that helps me carry the load. Now for a night of T.V, showers, soft bed and pizza! More later
Date: 2004-06-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 8.2

March 21, 2004   Franklin Hotel/ Wine Spring   Kathy and Anne picked us up at 8:00am and dropped us back at Winding Stair Gap. Morning was beautiful and the walk was great after all that rest. Went the 8.2 miles to Wine Spring for the night. Windy as hell and cold, so cold you could feel it frosting your breath. T.T. tiedup the ground cover between two trees as a wind block and stuffed leaves all around the rain fly of the tent. Even with all that, the wind whipped at us all night. Water froze in bottles. (again) More Later
Date: 2004-06-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 7.6

March 22, 2004   Wine Spring/ Cold Spring shelter   Cold as hell(well maybe colder) this morning but warmed up quick going the rest of the way up Wayah Bald 5342'. Stopped to look at the stone tower on top and a guy named Hoplite took our pix. The view was awesome, to be able to see where we came from and where we have yet to go was something. Hiked into the Cold Spring shelter to find Shot from New Jersey and his pal Govenor, a well mannered friendly beagle about 3 and a half years old. Shared the shelter with them and the 4 of us had a good time. Stilltoo cold for comfort, but we haven't frozen anything yet(except our water filter). More Later
Date: 2004-06-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 5.8

March 23, 2004 Cold Spring shelter/ Wesser Bald shelter   Woke to a frozen water filter and frozen water in the bottles. Left camp with water straight from the stream, so wish us luck. Heading to Wesser Bald today. More later   As we were leaving the Cold Spring shelter, a fellow named Footloose stopped for water, had a nice chat and we moved on. Since it was cold when we left I was wearing my gloves and took them off as we hiked. Needless to say I lost them somewhere along the way. So all the way to Tellico Gap (about 4 miles) I complained to myself (man! how do you yell at yourself). Anyway setting in Tellico Gap taking in some sun and lunch along comes Footloose with my glooves. I was so happy to see them both, my gloves and footloose for picking them up. Thanks again Footloose!P.S. Setting at Wesser Bald shelter with a girl named Rainbow Brite, doing a thru- hike by herself and moving fast. More Later