morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-03-26
From: Sassafrass Gap

To: Hiawassee Holiday Inn 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

How the heck did I get here ? Let me tell ya, the Holiday Inn is where it is at baby ! I feel slightly sick from weird amounts of food that definitely DON'T go well together..yikes.. The 2 pillows behind me don't resemble my sleeping bag that is for sure and the hot water felt devine! Anyhow, back to my hiking right ? We broke camp early cuz I needed coffee and the early morning was too tempting not to take a stroll. That is my favorite time of the day to hike. The birds twitter and coo to themselves as I walk by. The air sweet and cool. I had a tuff climb up Kelly knob -- the hardest yet to me. But we were at the road before I knew it and the hotel guy came to pick us up. Not bad huh ? We stopped at the Blueberry Patch where I had stayed in '94 and it brought back fond memories. What a cool place that is and I hope they get lots of hikers this Spring. I don't have much planned for the afternoon except to hangout and watch tv. miss you Brad.. always missing you tall boy...
Date: 2005-03-27
From: hotel room

To: hotel lobby
Miles today: 0.0

Hi all, sitting here at the Holiday in and thought I would say howdy... This is our first 0 day , which we took to stay out of the weather that never materialized.. oh well. It is a nice town to relax but I am ancy ( sp ? ) to get back on the trail. There are tons of folks here so has been fun getting to know them a bit. I have been eating some good ice cream and just hanging out. I have been told some folks might want to know what a day in the life of Yappy is like . Hmm.. I will give it a try. I usually wake up around 5 am and snuggle in my bag listening to the forest waking up. I use my fleece as a pillow and it is wonderful to burrow in in the early morning. I haven't been sleeping all that well yet so am usually sorta tired when I roll out of the tent. That goes away though... thank God ! I eat some kind of breakfast bar for breakfast . I like Lunas best.. tasty. Brian gets up later then me so I hang out and wait for him to get moving.. usually have to help him along..lol.. Hey what can I say ... We hike seperate but meet up for breaks thru out the day. I stop around 5pm or so and set up camp and have some dinner. Annies is my dinner of choice. It is an organic pasta that is filling and pretty good actually. That is about it. Life is very simple out here. It revolves around weather ,water and your energy to move thru these mountains. As far as I can tell.. for me at least..it is 1 terrific way to see this country. I love the feel of the rocks and roots underneath my feet and the very subtle changes of the scenery. The hike, for all of us out here I think, is a very personal and intense experience [transcriber's note: I had to fix the noun/verb non-agreement ] . We all have a different way of going about things and facing the challanges that the AT coughs up every single day. There rarely is an easy mile.. though there can be easy terrain. I think about lots of things while I am walking. I am always amazed at where my mind goes when given ample opportunity to wander. The AT is a teacher and if you are paying just a whit of attention you can learn so so much about yourself and the world around you. To me and for me it is a priviledge and a gift to be out here. I love my life in Alaska . In fact I think how much my life has changed becuz of that state and the folks in it alot thru out the day.. but, to tell ya the truth.. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else but stretching my legs, mind and heart out here in the Southern Appalchains. If anyone that is reading this journal has the the dream of hiking this or any of the long trails. DO IT.. if ya can. take a chance, take a breath and take a walk..
Date: 2005-03-28
From: Hiawassee 

To: Muskrat Shelter, NC
Miles today: 11.8

We left early and were hiking by 9 am or so I got into the shelter early and wanted to keep going ? cuz this place is packed. This is my first shelter...interesting !! There must be 29 people jammed in. we crossed our first border today..in the pouring rain...which then to turned into snow. I am slowly warming up. Dead Animal set up his tent..smart fella. The terrian was fairly steep.. Welcome to NC! Wow, they just keep piling in..another guy just came in. i am glad I bought the xtra clothes... 'cuz Im wearing them baby ! There is a very cool little kid hiking with his parents Troll and Anchor. Very nice to see a young boy hanging in with some pretty sturdy folks. I am laying on the edge of this thing... sleet blowing in and skimming across our gear. i hope I dont fall off. Rumor has it the sun will come back out tomorrow. We want to do some miles and find a good place to camp. Well, guess I will relax and watch the party..I cant remebeer sleepin with so many people !! wonder what is going on in Alaska.....
Date: 2005-03-29
From: Muskrat Shelter

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: clear sky

Wow, what a difference a day makes! after a chaotic night at Muskrat...with sleet and wind raging outside ( and inside!)...we woke up to a golden morning and I knew it was gonna be a good day. I met some new hikers today and one of them is Sunset Screamer and her dog Tess. I actually knew her from the PCT - very cool too see her out here. Her dog reminded me of Lulu...so cute ! ??Anyhow, today was a day of gaps and fantastic ridge hiking. We had some terrific views of the Nantahala Mnts and the Smokies to come. I must have walked thru miles of rhodys yet to bloom. What a sight they will be for the hikers yet to come. At the end of the day we scrambled up Albert..ya gotta love him... steep, rocky climb to a fire tower .wow, very nice.it was the road before the climb though that we got a lovely, sweet suprise...ahh yes trail magic! these nice guys had burritos, soda, coffee and other stuff. I had been just tooling along when I heard voices saw the signs and knew I was about to be surprised..yahoo!! THANKS Gatorade, Walrus and Fred. You guys got me up the mountain. All in all another great day on the trail. We are to Franklin tomorrow for a drop. hope the weather holds up. I am very glad to be in my little tent again....sleep tim..hi Brad... missing you. d
Date: 2005-03-30
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Winding Stair Gap
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

I am sitting outside by the pool! yes, I know... how decadent. The pear trees are blooming and keeping me company. We did 9 miles this morning and are now trying to relax. The trail the last couple of days have been easy and we have been making good time. Camped with Chairme last nightn..a nice kid from Fla. About an hour into the morning I took a spill.. very graceful.. dont be laughing now Brad ! It did wake me up though and walked in Wallace Gap feeling pretty good. The climb out of the gap was tuff but I knew that the road was just beyond that. As we rolled into Winding Stair gap who should drive up but Gatorade and Fred !..They are the trail magic guys from Albert. Thanks for the ride in . They also had Sunset and her dog with them. She is dropping her dog off and then jumping past the Smokies and continuing on. I like her and hope to see her again. The transition from the woods to town is always sorta bizarre but it all worked well and glad to be here in Franklin.. besides that.. I just had an excellent piece of carrot cake ! Tomorrow it is on to Wesser..
Date: 2005-04-01
From: Winding Stair Gap (Franklin)

To: Cold Spring Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: moderate rain

Am I back in Alaska?! that was the question I asked myslelf when I was hiking a jagged and raw looking relo[cation?] north of Wayah Bald that some intrepid [trail maintainer] soul put in. The trail was ruff, lumpy, and angled. It screamed bear country and I was doling out "Hey Bear!" out loud like halloween candy ... kinda cool actually. We had a great day to hike...cloudy and cool. i hiked for awhile with Neighbor, Chickadee and Bottoms up... nice to chat and hike. They were doing a slack of about 10 miles and back into town, probably eating that unreal buffet.. doh ! Dead Animal and I went on to this shelter and are camped above it, with the wind screaming to itself. Hope the tent stays up. I hear there alot of folks up ahead on the next 2 shelters... heading into nols. I am very glad to be out of town a girl can only do so many buffets before she starts to bloat..if ya know what I mean.. The mountains here are quite nice... don't see alot of folks out on the trail and the vistas are steep slices of land standing guard over little scenic towns; real pretty to look down on. We are definitely getting our trail legs and I am enjoying the challenge of moving thru this terrian. I have been missing Brad and the dogs alot lately. I think of him in that snug little cabin that he built with his own 2 hands,..Lulu on the chair or couch and Vegas sprawled on the rug and I pine for them just a wee bit. It is still winter up there... not a green growing thing insight...yikes ! I am grateful for all the colors in these woods..just a few warm days and mother nature is gonna put on a down home southern show.. can't wait !
Date: 2005-04-02
From: Cold Spring Shelter

To: NOC
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: light rain

Yike!!! mother nature did put on a show -- but not quite what I was talking about girlfriend ! I woke up (actually didn't sleep very well) to frozen ice on my tent! By the time I struggled breaking camp my hands were frozen and they didn't warm up much all day. We didn't take much of a break and got here about 1pm...cold tired and literally jumping for joy at the thought of a cup of coffee. This was the first time this trail got the best of me.. whipped my butt and I am pooped.. The last time I was out we did 19 miles into NOC but we had good weather..that makes all the difference. Today I struggled up every climb and pretty much winced down every step descent, and there were quite a few. The scenery would have been wonderful had we been able to see a freaking thing in front of us ! It snowed and the wind howled the whole day. Actually that was the first time on any trail that I have hiked that it snowed virtually all day... quite an experience and I am very, very glad to be here.. ??I stuffed myself on a blue cheese burger, fries, salad and cobbler and ice cream... gulped it down with about 4 cups of coffee and felt instantly better. We saw lots of folks here..nice to see B Money and Juke box..cool girls. We also saw Mis Pris, Bug. Rigatortoise and August. Lots of nice people here tonight. ??Well, I hope it clears up tommorow. My tent is kinda a pain to tear down when the poles are frozen..lol! I can't sit up in it and it's difficult to load my pack while inside. It does seem to keep me warm though. Well, I tip my hat to the ruff and ready Appalachain trail...she aint easy on a girl -- but oh so worthwhile!
Date: 2005-04-03
From: NOC

To: Stecoah Gap
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: clear sky

13.7 slushy miles I am in my bag eating tootsie rolls listening to the nearby traffic. I am camped with Dead Animal, Red and Bottoms up. We are camped on an old logging road. The standard for the day was wet, slippery snow. We slid, skied, lurched and occasionally tumbled thru the early spring snows that fell yesterday. It was tiring but the views made it al worthwhile. The hills today, cloaked in their slick, shiny finery were a sight to drink in, Mnts mnts everywhere ! The climb out of the NOC was UP, but not too bad. There was a pack of us all heading out after breakfast. Yes, I did consume 4 cups of coffee. All in all another terrific day on the trail. I am looking forward to the Smokies.. hope the weather holds though. I hear they..or at least the road are closed up there. We will be in Fontana tomorrow so will find out then. It was a beautiful walk today and still glad to be out here. ??Oh yeah, you boys reading this may want to close your eyes [transcribbler's note: just stop now boys -- YOU'VE BEEN WARNED] but you girls out there will understand... I am having my period ! help... [ya just HaD to keep reading, didn't you?! Now you have to sign the guest book -- all y'all reading this...]
Date: 2005-04-04
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Yeah..!! We are in Fontana dam and very glad to be here. This morning I woke up to cold bright skies and a stiff climb up and out of the gap. The climbs the past few days have been hard and steep but I knew I had great views of Fontana dam coming up. The snow had already melted and tender green things were sprouting in its place.. I had to look but hidden behind rich lake-colored ferns lurked shiny streaks of yellow, purple and white. How tiny they are! and how hardy to grow amongst the rocks and roots of the high country. I think Spring is about ready to steal our hearts out here. I tell ya, the South is as lovely a place as any there is ??I saw new faces today..Snow bunny and her boyfriend (sorry forgot his name), Tomcat, Houdini and many others. Everyone is looking forward to Smokies and a little worried what the weather gods have in store. [transcribbler's note: y'all need to check out moosie's April 2 entry] We all congregated in the restuarant here swapping stories. This trail is beginning to work its scorcery on us.. that bond that pays no attention what so ever to age, work background or color. The smiles that we share come from an understanding of what happens day to day out here. I enjoy seeing 60 year olds shoulder to shoulder with 25 year olds.. equally delighted in a can of coke or a heart stealing view. Today at a shelter I leaned against a rock and watched 2 young guys greedily going thru thier food bag.. the same intent looks on the faces..surely there was a candy bar there somewhere ! Some of best moments for me though come from when I see different generations yacking away to each other like buddies... skating their way towards friendship. That, to me, is what the! trail is all about. Glad to be a part of it..
Date: 2005-04-05
From: Fontana Dam

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

A ZERO. [a day when hikers don't hike on The Trail] It is gorgeous out ! Hope we don't wish we had hiked on such a pretty day. It is nice to rest before the Smokies though. I am planning on not stopping in Gatlinburg unless I really need it so will have a heavy pack. I will be eating good doggone it ! I don't know if folks are interested in what we hikers are eating, but just in case...here it is..I usually eat a breakfast bar in the morning and then eat about every 1.5 hrs. I like Luna, balance, cliff and of course Snickers bars. I eat probably around 5 a day..no, not just snickers bars ! don't go having a cow Brad. For lunch I like weird thick salami rolls (wouldn't eat this at home !) & cheese, crackers, pretzels etc..and I HAVE to eat something sweet. It is a girl thing ... As far as dinner goes I like Annies noodles the best, but enjoy Lipton dinners too. We do put dried veggies, tuna etc to add bulk. Yes, somehow I eat all this..but for some odd reason I am not losing weight !! That about wraps up the food. It is the town food that is fun and a great reward for all the exercise. My appetite has not really kicked in yet..really ! I am not kidding.. I spoke with a old friend yesterday and hope to see her soon. That is the most difficult aspect living way up north. I don't see my family nearly as much as I would like..so hope to do that alot on this trip. Speaking of family, I want to say howdy to Brads parents and sisters.. They were terrific to me in Seattle and besides that they raised a very cool son. He hates it when I get mushy on this thing... then again he can't reach out and get me so why not ?. I tell ya the guy is always picking on me ! ps- I miss Lulu..she is the most special of dogs but that is for another entry.
Date: 2005-04-06
From: Fontana Dam

To: Russell Field Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, I have enough food to open up a dang store out here ! what was I thinking?? we all left around 9:30 am to climb about 4,000 feet up into the Smokies. My pack is the heaviest it has been on this trip...oh well. Time to eat I guess. We started out with Mr. Clean Sr and junior. They are a riot! Clean senior is 67 and he trucks around with such energy and joy to be out here. The dude is amazing! The young boys watch him out of the corner of their eyes...trying to figure out where all this bouyant energy comes out of someone 40 years older than they are. The hiking is starting to roll into one long journey - it is the people that make each day unique and quite often very funny. i had avery weird dream a few nights ago ..you folks want to hear it ? Welllll.. ok.. I dreamt that while I was sleeping something woke me up sniffing around me tent...I saw a black shape and his paw was swipping at the door of my tent ! I sorta freaked and flung my candy and crackers at him hoping he would go away. Once I did this I peered out and got a better look at a...a-a-a-aa.....doberman pincher?! This dog was eating my stuff and I stood up and watched as I fumed. Once that bear that wasn't a bear was done, I was so mad that I thought that I would go wake up the boys and yell at them for not protecting me from this maurading dobie.... well, when I got back to my tent the dog was inside peeing in it !@! I must say it was the strangest dream.. if anyone knows what it means please tell me, I think.....
Date: 2005-04-07
From: Russell Field Shelter

To: Double Spring Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: light rain

I AM freezing!! We had ourselves a cold, windy climb up here and we spent most of our time above 5000 feet. Climgman's dome is just a few miles from here. Today once AGAIN was alot of climbing. We went over Rocky Top and Thunderhead Mtns -- both rugged climbs, with several other in between. The sun made a shy appearance or 2 but mostly stayed hidden. Come on out girlfriend.. we need you!! I was starved when I got here and ate a big pot of rice and tuna and candy bar and 3 oatmeal pies. I am not stuffed either. I sometimes think of my stomach as a hungry furnace and I just keep feeding it kindling. I hiked some with Jukebox.. that girl can fly... she actually started running ! No, NOT away from me .. (And yes Brad, I ran to - I just had to see if I could...) When we got to the shelter... I laughed and promptly said never EVER again ! We caught up with Cuppa Joe and his crew today...they had a fire going when we pulled in..very nice. Oh yeah,I also met the cycle hiker today ! this guy is actually carying a bike on his back ! He rode it from chicago..broke it down in springerand, you guessedit... strapped that bad boy on and is now staggering around out here with a bike on his back! amazing, hunh? Well, gotta pee and want to warm up by the fire for awhile...life is good out here..COLD, but good.
Date: 2005-04-08
From: Double Spring Gap Shelter

To: Ice Water Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: light rain

Well, I am freezing and trying to warm up in my sleeping bag. We are parked at around 6000 feet and it is cold up here ! ? I know you are smirking behind your coffee cup Brad... thinking 6000 feet barely is a hill in AK... but, these mountains get cold up here! wish someone could give the weather makers some advice...SUN! My tent is wet, but my sleeping bag fairly dry. Jukebox, B money, Spicey and Houdini went to town today... the bums! They are probably taking yummy hot showers, doing laundry and getting ready to go eat. I hate them Actually I love the girls ...lots of fun and very sweet. Spicey and Houdini are very nice, too; kinda quiet here without them. We went up Clingmans today.The high point on the trail..no views though cuz of.. the WEATHER ! Have I complained enough about the weather yet ? The trails have turned into a mud fest. After awhile you sort of give up trying to keep your boots dry. Let me tell ya, putting them on in the morning is not alot of fun.... ??I lost a glove today and Cycle Hiker brought it up for me--THANKS! We all do look out for each other here...tonight I am enjoying the company of Dead Animal, Red, Hillboy, Cuppa Joe, Blue eye and 2 other guys (I don't know their names...) Hey, guess what ??!! The SUN came out! Maybe, just maybe... with a bit of supernatural, luck we will have a sunny day tomorrow.. please let it be so!I hope to do 20 miles and get the heck out of this park and back to where we can camp where ever we want.. not just at the shelters..Anyhow, hi Brad! ..missing you - always missing you.
Date: 2005-04-09
From: Ice Water Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Well, I am camped by the privy believe it or not ! The place is packed ..and yes, they come right by my tent and I try to pretend that they are not peeing right next to me.! This one doesn't really have any walls.. should make for an interesting evening.. Dead Animal and had a great walk today. The terrian wasn't too bad, although very rocky. We stayed high on the ridges and had outstanding views of the Smokies... ya know why ?? cuz it was sunny !! yahoo, I was so excited to wake up this morning to a rosy dawn.We decided right away to do the 20 so that we would be only 10 miles from a hostel, Standing Bear...I have heard great things about it. There are alot of fresh faces...hard to keep everyone straight. For me, it is strange to be around so many people on a trail. I am used to more remote trails these days. I think Brian too is struggling some with all the folks hiking; but, we are part of the crowd, too. Everyone seems to be very aware to give some space. ??I remember when we first did this hike, in '89, we loved the shelters and all the company...it was terrific to be around others doing something like this for the first time... now being older and living in such a place as Two Rivers I get a little overwhelmed with evryone.. kinda shy (believe it or not)! After a very rocky start, Dead Animal and I are doing much better. It is very important for me to be self sufficient out here. I think that brian understands that now and we do our own chores etc. I know that he was only trying to help when he would do things for me but I felt stifled and started to resent him. Things are much smoother now. He is great company while hiking and nice to be around these days. One day at a time out here..just like life. I find while hiking though that life slows way down compared to the real world. You can say to your friends se ya tonight and tonight sorta just arrives ya know ? out here...saying "see ya at the next shelter" means miles in between that are full of rocks, roots, rain, wind, views, gobbled snacks and -- if I am lucky -- lots of laughter...I don't know about you, but I like all that very much....ps- Adam if you area reading this hope you come out this summer pps- miss ya Ring ring !