morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-06-03
From: Seeley-Woodsworth shelter

To: The Priest shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: moderate rain

What a day..left at 730am..sprinkles..want long until they turned to rain..Trail had many long tough ups..some very rocky..so with the rain had to go easy..got to shelter at 1pm. We walked past spy Rock which is an unusual dome..shaped rock formation with an excellent overlook Confederate soliders used this location to spot activities of the union troops during the Civil War..Since it was raining and heavy heavy fog we figured we would definately have no view and probably wouldnt even be able to see the rock in the fog. Oh yea..we also had winds of about 40 mph..so much fun out here..yea...right...(note from Linda..come home Willie)Shelter holds 8 and there 8 of us crammed in there..2 from Rochester NY..4 from FL..and didnt get where the others 2 were from. This one could use a little work..but at least it didnt leak. Some say the shelters name came from a pastor who once led a congregation nearby and he owned 33,000 acres of land..or either a lone priest or man named Priest, DuPriest or Depriest once lived nearby..who knows for sure.. The other couple in shelter were from Ga...No animals..
Date: 2003-06-04
From: The Priest shelter

To: Harpers Creek 
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Left shelter at 830am..got to Harpers Shelter at 3. Beautiful day...temp 55..very humid..the Priest was at 4063'...we hiked down to 970' very steep and rocky..crossed 2 good size creeks..and 2 little streams..then crossed the Tye River on a suspension bridge..Sister Linda & friend Elwanda would not have enjoyed that. River was pretty..got a couple pics of some of neat waterfalls also. We went from970' to 1800' in 2.5 miles..in lots of mud..I felt like I added 5 lbs by the shelter..could have made mud pies for desert! Had a real hard rain down pour for an hour after we got here. Grandma Bear and Grandma Turtle from Rochester NY shared the shelter with us again..only they got caught in rain. Saw a pretty box turtle ont he way..passed boy scout troop from Kansas..again. A trail Angel left some cake at the Tye River..yummy for the tummy..( note from Linda..I cant believe she eats stuff left on the trail..) Nice sections thru some Mountain laural and rhododendron blooming. Love walking along streams then also having a stream runnng by the shelter..puts you to sleep quick. You could walk along the trail..and hear loud streams but youcant see them. you can tell by the sound you are missing some waterfalls. Also sometimes when you are walking across..rock slides or fields..you can hear water running underneath them and not see it..really neat..
Date: 2003-06-05
From: Harpers Creek 

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: broken clouds

Really dont want to talk about today but gotta bitch at someone..tag..you're it. we left Harpers at 815am..sun out , cool breeze. Harpers is at 1800 ft ..we hiked over 3 ridges going up to 3870 ft. Mostely med. large and x tra large rocks, then the last 2.6 miles was down to 2720 ft.over gravel type, small and large rocks...By the time we are done..i will never be able to eat rocky road ice cream again. We got to Maupin at 2330pm..no rain today, no animals other than thousand legged worms, and lots of butterflies..lots of pretty rhododendron blooming along the way. This shelter was built in 1961 named for the Maupin family whose presence dates to the 18th century. Grandma Bear and Grandma turtle didnt show up at the shelter..guess they decided to tent someplace else. Shelter was shared by young poeple from Co, Oh, AL, and Pa several others put up tents..
Date: 2003-06-08
From: Dripping Rock Park Lot

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 2.0
Weather: overcast clouds

very nice short day..hated to leave motel..but wont get this thing done by sitting in a motel. Had a few sprinkles when we left but they soon gave way to very warm and humid afternoon. Trail very nice along a rushing creek I believe is called the Rocky Row Run..lots of rapids..looks like it would be a fun creek to tube down..you'd end up with a sore butt because of the rocks but would still be fun..crossed it twice on bridges.shelter is also along side of a smaller creek. it was built by the forest service in 1961. named for John Tyler who is said to have been a hermit. Orbit and retro from College Park section of Orlando stopped by and moved on as well as Stinger..Connn, and walkabout and his Dalmation dog from Bahamas..all moved on..shelter shared with Loser for York Pa who also played some tunes for us on his guitar..also Jane and hubby Cornpatch from Ind, Gizelle and Mothman ptched tents, Mothman also brought beer, sodas and chips and shared with everyone..he made us drink all the beer and soda cuz he didnt want to pack it out...Mothman is from Wash, DC Gizelle is from Boston, Happy Birthday to brother James,
Date: 2003-06-09
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Punch bowl shelter
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: clear sky

left at 715am.got here at 230pm..great day for hike..sun out 63..cool breeze..trail same ole same ole..tough rocky ups..long rocky downs..some were quite steep. Beautiful view from bluff mtn..which is also the site for a monument to 4 year old Ollie Cline Powell who went into the woods to gather wood for his school house and never returned..his body was found 5 months later on top of this mountain..how this child ever got to the top is beyond me.! another excellent view from Punchbowl Mtn. Saw some monarch butterflies, a black one with blue tip on bottom of wings..2 deer and 2 beautiful, beautiful scarlet tangiers..and a skinny skinny bright green snake. There is a small pond near the shelter so we will be put to sleep by the frogs and needeeps..
Date: 2003-06-10
From: Punch bowl shelter

To: Brown Mtn Creek Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: scattered clouds

left at 730am..Sun coming out..temp 63 or so got up to 75. little humid part of day..crossed Blue Ridge Parkway once..went over Rice Mtn..2228 FT..no views..steep down to Irish Creek..Where Danny and Judy Williams had set up camp and were feeding all hikers breakfast, lunch and dinner all for a donation..as ususaly we were a little late for breakfast and early for lunch we did get a cheese sandwich and a jelly sandwich. Some cookies and tea, and God Bless them I got a coke! Boy do I miss my coke out here..Anyway its a wonderful thing they are doing..they come out about once a month for 4 days..just for the hikers. From there we passed by the Pedlar Dam. Which holds back the drinking water for Lynchburg. It was at 960 ft..we hiked up to 1395 ft..to the shelter. The last 2.5 miles was along Brown Creek..very pretty..lots of small waterfalls..Across the creek you could see old stonewalls and house foundations evident of the Brown Mountain Creek Community..The trail passes thru the valley.which freed slaves..broght in 1868. No one knows who Brown was but he built cabins , and rented to former slaves who share cropped the land until 1918..There is no record of the community name perhaps because the white establishment outside the valley thoguht a black community unworthy of documentation   How Sad... We must have crossed 10 tiny streams and creeks, Ray could step from rock to rock but I could not step that far..so I took my sock and shoes off and went across..boy was that water cold..Irish and Brown creeks both had bridges across them. Shelter shared with Tator from Idaho, Jess Bill from Co several others pitched tents..Otto and his German shepard, named Raven, Luma and her shepard Coey were among them. According to their owners both of these dogs have done the whole AT before..Coey has also done the Pacific crest trail..going from Canada...to Mexico..along the west coast..amazingly well behaved dogs. i personally think its cruel to take these dogs on this or any trail.
Date: 2003-06-10
From: Punch bowl shelter

To: Brown Mountain Creek shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Left at 730am..sun coming out temp 63 or so..got up to 75..little humid part of day..crossed Blue Ridge Parkway..once..went over Rice Mt.. 2228 Ft..no views..steep down to Irish Creek.Where Danny & Judy Williams had set up camp and were feeding all hikers breakfast lunch and dinner all for a donation.. As usual we were a little late for breakfast & early for lunch..We did get a cheese sandwich & a jelly sandwich..some cookies and Tea..and God Bless them I got a coke! Boy do I miss my coke out here. Anyway its a wonderful thing they are doing ..they come out about once a month for 4 days..Just for the hikers.From there we passed by the pedlar dam..Which holds back the drinking water for Lynchburg..It was at 960 ft..we we hiked up to 1395ft to the shelter. The last 2.5 miles was along Brown Creek..very pretty..lots of small waterfalls. Across the creek you could see old stone walls and house foundations..evident of the Brown Mtn Creek Community..the trail passes thru the valley which freed slaves brought in 1868. no one knows who Brown was but he built cabins and rented to former slaves who share cropped the land until 1918. There is no record of the community name perhaps because the white establishment outside the valley thought a black community unworthy of documentation. How Sad!!!We must have crossed 10 tiny streams and creeks. Ray could step from rock to rock but I could not step that far..so I took my socks and shoes off and went across..boy was that water cold..Irish and Brown creeks both had bridges across them.Shelter shared with "Tater" from Idaho, Jess Bill from Co..several others pitched their tents..Otto & his German Shepherd,Raven, Luma and her shepherd, Coey were among them. According to their owners both of these dogs have done the whole AT before. Coey has also done the Pacific Crest Trail going from Canada to Mexico along the west coast. Amazingly well behaved dogs..I personally think it is cruel to take these dogs on this or any other Trail...
Date: 2003-06-15
From: Bland Va. Parking

To: Helveys Mill Shelter
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: light rain

Got both cars parked hopefully at safe places this time. After 4 days off..we started our hike in the rain at 11:45..got to shelter at 2pm in the rain. Trail steep and very muddy. Well we had our van broken into..It was parked at a very good looking and supposelly "safe" spot! They took my suitcase with my good town clothes in it..Ray's shoes, a fleece sleeping bag, our box that had our vitamins, cell phone charger, 3 mo. supply of disposable contact lens. 1.00 woth quarters for laundry and whatever else that was in the box which I can't remember..Just dont understand the necessity of doing that. The clothes are for a fat person and Lord knows you cant get a buzz off of vitamins..shoot you cant even buy a burger for 1.00 anymore..Just dont understand. We were very lucky to find a very reasonable place to have the window replaced. Shared shelter with Joe-Jax from Jacksonville FL We kept hearing a loud buzzing like noise while hiking thought it was power lines at top of mountain..no power lines..figured out it was millions of chicadas We saw their shells on the trail and on trees. They sang all day long..very loud and cool.
Date: 2003-06-16
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: moderate rain

Left Helvey's at 730am..got to Jenny at 2. Trail was good even tho there were many trees down but were easy to step over. Got a short shower about 2 miles from shelter.. Got to shelter just before more rain..rain..rain..even a little thunderboomers.. Still raining at 615pm..looks like an all nighter.. Lots of chicadas singing all along the trail today. Lots of mud on the trail also..really tries to suck off your boots.~ No animals other than worms and snails...shared shelter with Joe-Jax from Jacksonville, Fl and Johnny Llama from upstate NY..2 others pitched a tent...
Date: 2003-06-17
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: car parked at Va 606
Miles today: 6.5

Left at 845..no one wanted to get going this morning because of the rain..Trail was good..couple of steep slippery muddy downs. Joe-Jax who is 76 years old..decided he had had enough of the rain..mud, etc.. He asked us if we would take him to bus station when we got to the car..so we did. We are going to stop by and see my cousin in Sugar Grove Va and deicde if we will continue.. We crossed another swinging bridge and boy did this one sway? Well..we are home in FL..Will go back in late Aug or Sept..   (note from Linda....about time you stopped this silly walking...walk around my neighborhood). Going to have kees checked out..as well as a pain in my chest....sorta between..the ribs..might be gastritis acting up again.   Darn its shitty getting old...we should be born old and get young..that way we can work, get family raised and out of the house..then we will be young enough to get up and go!! Good idea dont ya think. We only have 274.9 more miles to do and we will have completed 1/2 of the AT. Lord, will it ever happen.....
Date: 2003-09-10
From: Dicks Creek Gap parking

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

Got cars parked, started hiking at 12noon. Weather was very humid ..80 overcast..so it was not unbearable. Trail was good very steep in spots so tried my inhaler..didnt notice much difference in my breathing..guess lungs have to get use to it first. Knees..no problem..saw lots of grand daddy long legs. They must be the ones stringing their webs across the trail at eye and/or mouth level!!This is the first shelter that Ray had to go uphill to get water..ususally its down the mountain. Got to shelter at 4pm..a double 1B Decker..shared with mouse upstairs.Well as usual the sun, what there was of it, is going behind the mountain and I am getting chilly. I am going to crawl into my sleeping bag , eat some apple with squeeze cheese on it.then if it quits raining, yep it's raining, get Ray to make a cup of hot chocolate before going to sleep. thank you Lord for keeping the rain away til we ot to shelter. Met 2 hikers from Illinois.
Date: 2003-09-11
From: Deep Gap Shelter

To: Tray Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: broken clouds

Hate those numbers..kinda glad we are not home to see all of it all over again (9/11) Feel so sorry or those that lost their loved ones so suddenly, I know the feeling, the hard piercing pain that never goes away. We lost our son due to a domestic fight in 94. you can hug and talk to one who has a long term illness such as cancer or aids,,you can help them let go and go on to the other side but something like 9/11 or 3/14 ..they are gone in the wink of an eye...just like that. no goodbys..no hugs..no I love You..just gone...(note from Linda..I know Raymond is with you on your journeys....every step of the way)..My prayers are for those that lost someone and also for the survivors. they have alot to live with also..no one can tell me this was God's will   I cannot accept that...ok off the bandwagon. Left shelter at 8am..got to Tray at 445pm..real tough day..lots of long hard ups..met 2 people from Cocoa FL, 2 from Ohio and 3 from Atlanta, Ga. another very overcast and humid day..some where around 80 again..58 by the time we finished dinner..Saw 6 huge squirrels..make someone a nice dinner, if they get caught during hunting season. Still lots of grand daddy long legs, prancing around..lots of huge white and yellow flowers on both sides of trail..also some of trees starteing to drop leaves..so makes trail quite colorful..in spots. Left shelter at 3,5000 ft up to 4276 ft down to 3304 up to 3400 and on up up to about 4000 ft tomorrow it's on up to 4430 feet.also saw some purple polk berries, at least I think that what they are called. We used to call them poopberries as the ducks on our farm would poop purple all over...after eating the berries.
Date: 2003-09-12
From: Tray Mtn Shelter

To: Unicoi parking lot
Miles today: 5.6

woke up to 49 degrees..this morning, blue sky, sunshine and a little breeze. left shelter at 830am. Saw 1 squirrel, black salamander, black and yellow striped small snake, chipmunk and 4 ladies from Cleveland, Ga out for a day hike. Got stung by a yellow jacket. He got caught in my sock and couldnt get out..so he stung me..meany. Tough hike today over 2 big 4,000 ft mountians with rocks. Very pretty view from top of Tray and Rocky mountains, even tho they were hard to get to the tops. Tray mtn. is believed to be a corruption of Trail Mtn, a name given by Cherokee because there were many trails leading to the summit and over the mtn.
Date: 2003-09-14
From: Standing Bear Hosted sleeping shelter

To: DavenPost Gap Shelter TN
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: scattered clouds

after spending the night at wonderful Standing Bear Hosted Hostel. Sleeping in nice bed in cabin, straddling a babbling brook..We left at 845am..Bad Idea..sun already up..no breeze and very very humid. Trail was a 5 on scale of 10 some places needed work, then we came to the section where the horses were aloowed so we were side stepping poop. A hike in a "V" we started at the point, a beautiful creek coming down the middle with lots of water falls but because the "V" was straightup and down the falls were deep in so my camera wouldnt get a good pic because it was very dark. Ok..got the "V" shape in your head.? We start at the point zig zag about 1/2 way up the right side..crosss the creek..then zig zag the rest of the way to the top..on the lift side..when you get to the top you cross over to the top of the right side. In between the 2 tops you look straight down the middle..I think they call it a holler. The trees azaze me..so very tall..you could cut one down cut in in half, slice it up in slices and have enough wood to make a small house. When we crossed a road there were 2 signs facing opposite directions..one was Tenn. state line the other was NC state line. We can go from one state to the other quite often while hiking the trail. thru the smokies. This shelter straddles another "V" or holler. You look out front thru a lence..(this is still bear fenced). and its straight down the middle full of those tall tall tall trees. It was built of stone in 1961, removated in 1998 named for William Davenport who surveyed the stateline thru the park in 1821. The last or first AT shelter, (depending on which direction you are hiking)..in the Great Smoky Mtn..Ntl Park is dubbed the Smokies Sheraton..why is beyond me..I have seen better..got here at 1pm..Havent seen any bear or deer yet. Friday after finishing the state of Ga..we stayed at a motel in Clayton Ga..got cleaned up did laundry..and had a good Mexican dinner. Saturday morning we drove to Newfound Gap parked van, drove car thru Gatlinbury making one stop to get myself a t shirt. I saw when here in April. Then drove on to Standing Bear for the night. Cant decide if I want to wear my shirt , frame it or make a pillow out of it. On the front is a foot print with ..get off the couch ..Hike the Smokies> Onthe back is a hiker with backpack standing on big rock with the following: You could run out of food and die You Could fall off a cliff and die You could be attacked by a bear and die               OR You could stay home and fall off the couch and die. I love it! Pillow...yea!!!!
Date: 2003-09-15
From: DavenPost Gap Shelter TN

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: light rain

It rained for about an hour last night. We were only ones in shelter. Frogs, chicadas, and crickets sang us to sleep. Left shelter at 8am had planned to leave earlier but it was so overcast we could hardly see. we walked in hard rain from about 830am til 1145am..not a fun day. It was so overcast and foggy at noon you would have thought it was 6pm. very rocky steep ups. Saw 6 people on horses and leading a pack mule. They had been maintaining the trail. Bad thing was there was fresh poop in trail after they passed. Met 2 day hikers from Iowa doing a circle hike which included part of the AT. Shared shelter with 2 men from Dayton Ohio. Some places on the trail gave you the feeling you were in some rain forest..pine trees, moss hanging on rocks and dead trees..large ferns..pretty with all the fog. Then there places that were so covered over and dark you felt like the ghost or the scissorhand guy would jump out at you. Saw a little chipmunk , a dead mouse with a gazillion ants having a feast on him. and 6 large snails feasting on the horse poop. Now I know why I dont eat them. Yesterday when Ray was hanging up food he saw a hen turkey run across the trail There is no bear fence on this shelter..sure hope none stops by..Haven seen bear or deer yet. This shelter was either named for Cook county TN physician James Cosby or for frontier trapper John Cosby, a companion of John English who hunted on the west side of the Pigeon River. with J. Cosby in the late 18th century..when the smokies were still a frontier.
Date: 2003-09-16
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: broken clouds

Left shelter at 830am got to Tri Corner Knob at 515pm..very long gradual up, rocky in some places, gushy in others because of yesterdays rain lots of pine forest walks lots of mountain laurel, and rhododren tunnels. It was 50 degrees when we left . Got up to about 51 in the sun..yes ..we had sun today. Some pretty over looks,but foggy in the valleys. It was cool in the tunnels you could see your breath. The gradual long long up were tiring but I was able to go 50-60 steps before having to stop and get my breath..most ups I am lucky to go 30 steps..In the sections of the pine forest..lots of them have fallen because of the beetle infestation. The ones that have fallen are covered with moss already. In the tunnels along the banks are a bright green moss. Darker than an emerald. Too bad it couldnt be made into jewerly it would be gorgeous. The last 3 miles there were lots of blackberries..notice I said "were" te hee..really good eating..Met a man from Gatlinburg and he told us that the other black round berry was a huckleberry. we ate a few but decided to stay with blackberries, didnt want to end up witht he runs eating something we arent use to. Met 6 people out for a day hike from Iowa..Shared shelter with James from Cosby, Tn, will finish his hike tomorrow. Its amazing how many shapes and sizes and colors there are of mushrooms This shelter is located on NC side of the AT It is the most remote shelter in the Smokies near the state lines. Intersection with Balsam Mt the parks largest transverse ridge. Three counties, three crests, the Smoky Mts, Ridgeline and the Balsam Mtn. transverse all converge here. The knob is said to resemble the shape of an 18th century tricorner hat.
Date: 2003-09-17
From: Tri-Corner Knob Shelter

To: Pecks Corner
Miles today: 5.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Left at 8am temp. 45. Sun out blue sky with big fluffy clouds. Have hiked 2 days in shorts and sports bra. It might have made it up to 60 in the sun. Cool thru pine forest. Lots of them today..so sad to see them being destroyed. Another day of long ups ..guess thats to be expected in the Smokies...several good views..straight down and forever across. No humans, bear or deer. James saw a mama deer and fawn pass by the shelter yesterday just before we got there. Ray saw a bunny this nmorning. I saw a black salamander while I was stopped to get my breath. This shelter has a porch and table and benches ..bear fence has been removed.It is now 6pm..and it 52.time to crawl in and get warm.The Peck family received an early grant in the area. "corner" refers to a maker tree at the corner of 2 large state grants one to Moses and Henry Peck the other to Ben and Elliott Peck.