morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-03-22
From: Cody Gap Campsite

To: Fontana Dam (Village Inn)
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: clear sky

I am sitting in a comfy bed in a really nice hotel and had dinner in a fancy restaurant, why am I fending off ants like I am in the woods? Outside I am not bothered. Inside, I am creeped out. I just found one crawling all over my pocketmail as I type. Maybe I need to embrace the ants so I can sleep. By the way, Grommet just got all heated that my feet are still baby soft, they still look like they have not hiked one mile. Lucky me! Knock on wood, still no blisters.We got into Fontana around 2 and got all our chores done, even got to see Smiley. He was happy as usual, certainly living up to his name. After laundry we went to dinner in the only restaurant here. I felt so weird wearing my rain pants and dirty vest to a nice restaurant. Nobody was in the restaurant, though, thankfully. I ate the most gigantic dinner of something I would never in a million years eat at home, alfredo chicken. I think it had at least a stick of butter in the sauce, Paula Deen eat your heart out. Oh, that was on top of 3 dinner rolls, a plate of french fries and a beer. Now I feel so rolly polley and gross. The calories will come in handy tomorrow though.While hiking down today, we had some really nice views of Fontana Lake and the dam. Once I saw it all, I kept hiking with a huge grin on, another town stop, another milestone, and another mark on the map to cross off. After tomorrow, we'll have exactly 2,000 more miles to hike, we got the small numbers out of the way. Go us!Tomorrow is exactly 3 weeks since this journey began, and tomorrow another big part of this journey begins; hiking into the Great Smokey Mountains. We are all looking forward to it, and meeting back up with our little Egg! She has been missed the last few days, it feels like it's been quiet without her.A big thank you to Kel and Al for my cards and pictures, I was so excited for mail from home! What's up with my Flat Pats? Looking forward to whatever you send to my next stop Alllllllllllll Goodnight Fontana, goodnight stupid ants. Please don't crawl all over me tonight!
Date: 2009-03-23
From: Fontana Dam (Village Inn)

To: Birch Springs Tent Site
Miles today: 7.0

Hello, and welcome to the Great Smoky Mountains! We busted our keesters to get up here, the first half of Shuckstack Mountain was a biotch, straight up and a calf killer, well mine were complainey anyway. But, we did it, and we are happy as clams being up here. We saw some really wonderful views of the Smoky Mountains on the way up, the trees arms opened up to allow us into such a beautiful scene, totally amazing. After the beastly climb, we arrived at the Shuckstack fire tower. I only climbed the first set of stairs, it didn't look well maintained and was super rickety, eek! I snapped my photos and made my way back down to safety, and a tasty treat of course!This morning before leaving Fontana Village, we all sneakily (CS-like the usage?!) bought some birthday items for Rocket's 2-9 tomorrow. She is going to be so excited that Grommet lugged a bottle of wine up that nasty mountain, on top of her already very full and weighty pack. Right now it's hanging on the bear cable, I hope the bears don't decide on getting drunk tonight, I take no responsibility for any lewd acts on their behalf. We also picked up a mini pecan pie that is probably getting smooshed in my swinging food bag. Ahhh the things we do for friends! I think she will be so excited, what a damn fine way to spend a birthday.Yay for the Egg, she is back in action! We missed her, big hugs were exchanged all around. We met Egg at the Dam and hiked on our merry way. It seemed really quiet the last few days without her, but we've brought back up the decibel level once again and are probably pissing off the spring break hikers, oops.We keep talking through our tents, it's unanimous, we're all starving and we just ate dinner, for me, I ate 2! This unruly appetite will only worsen as the days pass, it's slightly nutty. Lately I have been eating several pop tarts and several Nutri-Grain bars for breakfast, all in one morning. Food fantasies are all too often, I want sweet potato pie, stat! Enough about food. Oh wait, I'd love a pint of Ben and Jerries, maybe chocolate mint cookie flavor, hmmm. Gatlinburg is already the topic of conversation. I hear there are candy shops and ice cream shops and a brewery. I look forward to tomorrow, for more beautiful views and Rocket's birthday celebration. More on that tomorrow, night Smokies!
Date: 2009-03-25
From: Spence Field Shelter

To: Silers Bald Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: light rain

Miserable day all around. Bad weather makes for bad hiking, and muddy slippery falls. We were in a blizzard, sort of (if you replace the snow with rain). I had trouble staying on 2 feet it was so windy, and it rained horizontally. I wanted nothing more than for today to be over, period. I am doing something I hate: I am huddled up in the shelter. Pitching an already soaking wet tent in horizontal rain was less appealing than sleeping with rodent friends. They are already poking their little faces out of the rafters, this should be a fun night. We are all smooshed up here on the second floor platform with 4 other women, it is tight, but we are warm.Tomorrow we are so looking forward to Gatlinburg to get out of the nasty weather and eat like queens at the brewery. We all bounced half of our maildrops from Fontana there, mine was 14 lbs and couldn't carry that much weight up Shuckstack. Crazy. Clingmans Dome is tomorrow, the highest place on the AT. Too bad we'll have no views from the rain and fog, boo! I hope it clears up for us!Short entry, going to tuck in and warm up now. More from me when I am warmer and happier.
Date: 2009-03-26
From: Silers Bald Shelter

To: New Found Gap
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: heavy intensity rain

200+ miles down, less than 2000 to go!We woke up to insanely heavy rain and wind, the horrid weather continued. It really is not great on the morale, but we dragged ourselves out of our warm bags and got moving. Our plan to hike 4 miles to Clingman's Dome and get to town from there was foiled when we found out the access road to the top does not open until April 1st, dang! So we had no choice but to keep on to New Found Gap.I have no idea what happened to the woods, it all changed and became the most beautiful enchanted forest I have ever set foot in. The brownness of the last 200 miles peeled away, the rhododendron gone, and all was alive and vibrant. The moss was electric green and all the trees were now pine. It smelled so clean and Christmas-y. Even though we trudged through mud slicks and river-like trails, I was so taken back by today's beauty. I wonder what it looks like when in full bloom. I hear from Stride that past New Found Gap, it is even more amazing. As I was walking up to Clingman's Dome I was feeling a little bummed there would be no views from the tower. I realized that there is nothing really to be upset over, I am damn proud of myself for being able to walk 200 miles to get to the dome. So, maybe next year I'll drive to it when it is nice out and see what I missed. Crisis averted! We made our way to Gatlinburg, this place is a tourist trap! I feel like I'm on the boardwalk, there are arcades, restaurants, gift shops, candy shops, anything one would want on vacation. We are zeroing here tomorrow and possibly Saturday, I can see myself causing some damage to my bank account, not good! Had the weather not been so bad (there are even wind advisories), we would have only come in to resupply and hike back out. Oh well, can't control the weather, I'd rather be safe so I can make it to Maine in one piece.Tomorrow's agenda involves mini-golfing (rough life, I know) along with the usual town chores. I am considering a new sleeping pad so I want to check them out at the outfitter. I must get to sleep so I can dream about the all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast. Night crazy Gatlinburg.
Date: 2009-03-27
From: New Found Gap (to Gatlinburg, TN)

To: Zero Day #1 in Gatlinburg, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Went around town on the trolley to the grocery store, post office and outfitter today. We had breakfast with Radio Freq, Loki and Red Rocket at Flap Jack's, amazing. I had the peanut butter and banana pancake stacker, they were the craziest pancakes I ever had. A nice relaxing day with the girls.We never got to play mini golf because of the rain. Bummer, we were really looking forward to it! Possibly back on the trail tomorrow, weather dependent of course. I don't want to spend more time in this crazy vacationland town, but I don't want to hike out in horrible weather either. A group decision will be made tonight or early tomorrow. Keep your fingers crossed for blue skies and sun!
Date: 2009-03-28
From: Zero Day #1 in Gatlinburg, TN

To: Zero Day #2 in Gatlinburg, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Ahhh, get me out of this vortex! I can't take this town anymore and am really anxious to get back to the tranquility of the woods. I am not a parent and maybe have no right commenting, but the lack of parenting I have seen in the last 2 days is making me ill. I was sitting in a restaurant earlier and witnessed a teen dad pick up his baby out of the restaurant's baby seat by his one arm. I also witnessed 2 people with their 3 year old daughter on the trolley, the mother couldn't be bothered, the father made the "cuckoo" sign to the mother as the little girl was just dying for attention and talking up Loon. It makes me really angry and sad. It felt wonderful to sleep in, latest day yet. I woke up at 8 feeling so rested, zero days do wonders for the mind and body! Grommet, Rocket and I walked down the main street to Claire's, the jewelry store for kids and teens. Grommet needed some elastic head bands to tame her dreads. I was feeling silly, so I bought the most hideous leggings I could find to hike in. They are black and white checkered, the pattern that punky kids wear, I can't wait to show off the atrocity on the trail, stay tuned, photos to come. We ran into Loki and Red Rocket, they think my new pants are bad as hell. We finally played mini golf after dinner, which made Grom's day. Last night was too rainy to play. Loon was the big winner of the evening. Afterwards Grommet walked into a restaurant and unintentionally yogi'd food, it was unreal. I hope to be that good at it some day soon! She kept telling us about the rolls and sweet butter at Texas Roadhouse, and out she comes with a to-go container full. Amazing.Tomorrow back up into the Smokies, hooray! I want to finish them off with good weather so we can finally have some views! Keeping my fingers and toes crossed. Goodbye Gatlinburg, I will not miss you any time soon. Well, just your brewery.
Date: 2009-03-29
From: Zero Day #2 in Gatlinburg, TN

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: broken clouds

Finally back in the woods and happy, but freezing! We got a ride back into the park from a nice guy named Hugh, thanks! The weather held out most of the day, but it snowed a little and there were a few spots that were complete whiteouts. Charlies Bunion may be my most favorite spot on the trail so far, it was awesome. We had lunch up there and fed some chirpy little birds our cracker crumbs, they were quite happy to be so well fed. Chirp on little friends!Going to keep this short, my fingers are starting to go on strike yet again. Two more days of the Smokies and we are outta here, no more harassments from jerky park rangers!Good night frosty shelter-full of people!
Date: 2009-03-30
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Happy 4-week anniversary of hiking to us! (Time is flying so fast out here.)Rocket started a new football game: you could tickle your opponents armpits to steal the ball, or smash it in their face. She tickled my armpits and I was forced to smash the ball in her face. Then I was woken up by my own laughter, jeez what a bizarre dream, and a weird way to be awoken in a shelter! I told her about it this morning and we both nearly peed our sleeping bags.Again, a really uncomfortable night's sleep in the shelter. My tent and the ground is way more comfortable. Plus, there were crazy snorers and farters that kept me up. I can't wait to get back to the comforts of my tent after the Smokies, I really miss it! (Note from Jonathan: apparently, the rangers in the Smoky Mountains don't allow tenting on the trail. Everyone is required to sleep in the shelters.)Today offered some of the best views yet from the park. Tons of frost covered trees and clear views from the ridges. It was stunningly beautiful. The weather was finally great, we took a long lunch at Tri Corner Knob to lay in the sun and enjoy the first nice day in a while. I really enjoyed taking another long break/nap on the ridge looking out on the mountain range. What a perfect day! We passed by an old plane crash site and it was littered with smashed plane parts. I have no idea what things were, but it was so facinating to try and piece it together. I found something that seemed to be part of the wing and some gear-type instrument. (Yvo-I thought of you as we grazed the site, you probably could have identified some parts!) I wonder who was in the plane and when it crashed, and why it was never fully cleaned up? I can't wait to research it more, I find it so interesting.Tomorrow, we are officially out of the Smokies and maybe staying at Standing Bear Farm Hostel if it rains. Onward, there are many more miles that need to be conquered! See ya Smokey Mountains!
Date: 2009-03-31
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Standing Bear Farm Hostel
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: broken clouds

I keep forgetting to write this, but we need to create an award for most amount of falls so I can win it. I fall once a day or more, and trip and roll my ankles a zillion times a day. The other day I bit it so bad, my ass went up in the air higher than my head> Thankfully, my pack cushioned my fall. It was brutal. So about that award, I think I deserve it, and would proudly accept it!According to the handbook, after a month we should be hiking machines. I don't feel anything close to machine-like; when will that happen? I want my trail legs, I have hiked a month and feel entitled to them. Fair, right? I do feel stronger though, much stronger than day 1.Today I learned a new flower, blood root, in addition to trillium, galax and mountain laurel. Blood root is a pretty little white flower with a reddish stem. Grommet has been my plant instructor and is doing a fine job, and I didn't even have to pay a dime for it! Thanks Grommet.Standing Bear is a crazy place. I was welcomed by the owner, who rushed over towards me and said "I'm Curtis and I'm the fucking owner!" He was drunk off his ass. Classy. It was 3 in the afternoon, and it's a Tuesday. What the hell is going on in the South? I also had some blackberry moonshine dropped in my hand, it was the first time I tasted it. The South is an amazing and different place, it's been interesting.See ya Smokies! We officially are out and I can finally tent legally again. The Smokies were amazing and different from the previous 100+ miles. I felt like after the first 2 hard days, the remaining 5 were all ridge-walks. My favorite part of the park was the last 2 days leading up to New Found Gap, everything was vivid and beautiful. Alpine air was abundant and kept me smiling wide. My sense of smell is heightened out here. Normally the only scents that come in contact with my nose are my stink, others' stink, and whatever is floating through the air. Passing day hikers always smell soooo nice, I can always smell their shampoo. Normally at home, I would never notice these things. Time for bed, big-ish day tomorrow. Here's hoping for clear skies and sun!
Date: 2009-04-01
From: Standing Bear Farm Hostel

To: Max Patch
Miles today: 13.6

Dear left earphone,We have been together for 235 miles, don't fail me now. I didn't mean to step on you, so could you please start working again? Hearing music in only one ear is not satisfying, stop this nonsense now!Love,StormToday was one of my harder days, and my feet tell me so. I had to soak them in a stream to get the swelling down. The climb up Snowbird Mountain was not as bad as I thought; the rest of the day's ups and downs whipped me in a cruel way. The payoff: camping on Max Patch. I almost cried walking up to it, this is hands down my favorite place on the trail so far, worth every ounce of strength it took for me to get here. My description will do no justice, but it is a huge bald with 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains, the Smokies included. I would love to spend days up here, but we must move on. A big crowd is up here tonight, most of the crew from the hostel. We all watched the sun set, and I am so anxious to watch it rise. This place is amazing. On Friday, we are zeroing in Hot Springs, and are already talking about what we want to eat for breakfast. Smokey Mountain Diner, here we come! I need to do something about my foot situation when we get there. The bottoms hurt so incredibly bad at the end of the day, I am thinking new inserts will help. I am usually hobbling into camp, not good.My appetite is so unruly, lunch was huge and included an entire sleeve of Oreos and 5 mini donuts, and I could have kept eating. It's out of control, stop the insanity! Oh, and I have rediscovered oatmeal cream pies, heaven in a wrapper! More calories than a clif bar and are much lighter. Little Debbie has it right!Tomorrow is a 17ish mile day. Must. Sleep. Now. Goodnight Max Patch, you are awesome and are rocking my world.
Date: 2009-04-02
From: Max Patch

To: Deer Park Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Max Patch was amazing last night. Unfortunately no sunrise this morning, it was completely socked in and windy. Maybe next time! I was thinking last night, if I got off the trail for whatever reason, I would have missed the most beautiful place yet. What a bummer for those who have already given up their dream. I am thankful that I am still here and able to push through a really hard day.Speaking of hard days, today was one of them. The longest day yet, 16.5 miles, and wow is my body hating me! I am so exhausted and my feet kill, I hope some day I will hurt less. I hear there is always a pain to deal with, your body just allows for more miles. I know I just said the other day I don't have my trail legs yet, but I think I do. I realized I can go much further without stopping, and power up mountains much faster than I did a month ago. I also huff and puff less. The machine thing will happen sooner than later. Yay for trail legs!We're bustin outta here at 7 tomorrow to make it to Hot Springs for breakfast. I'll dream of it all night! I'm thinking an omelette and a serious order of biscuits? Maybe a gigantic chocolate milk? I miss milk, I always drank it every day, ohh glorious milk. Good night.
Date: 2009-04-04
From: Elmers

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: broken clouds

Coming out of town is always hard. I move so slow and am so tired after a nero or zero! The hiking wasn't hard at all today, but a 12 lb food bag made for some tough miles. On the way out of Hot Springs, the trail passed over and around the French Broad River; it looked like a good river to raft on. No time for that, though.You know it's going to be a long day when less than an hour after starting, you stop and chat for almost a half hour. The long breaks continued all day. It was so nice to lay around and enjoy the sun though, well worth getting to camp so late. My feet really appreciate long breaks and allow for more abuse on their part. Thanks, feet! Speaking of feet, I got a pair of Super Feet insoles; so far they are really helping my nasty foot pain. Finally some relief, they have been pretty bad lately and were really starting to worry me a lot. Phew.Tomorrow is a big long 15 mile day, and I am feeling really good about doing bigger mile days now. The 10 milers seem to pass right by now, and doing single digit days are in our past. Well not totally, they exist, just much less frequently. My brain is checking out for the night, it is too tired for any further thought.
Date: 2009-04-05
From: Spring Mountain Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

Today was loooong, period. 11 hours later I arrived in camp, thoroughly exhausted and starving. I was convinced we were no longer on the AT despite the blatant white blazes. What could be taking us soooo many hours to get here? Could it be the frequent and lengthy breaks? No, it is the deceiving elevation profile in the book that tricked me. I didn't realize the many ups and downs at the end of the day, and the lack of certain things that should be labeled in the book. Oh well, I am here and that's all that matters. We hiked the coolest ridgeline, it was all white rock and brought us up to some amazing views. A nice clear almost-night when I got there.We leap-frogged most of today and yesterday with Ducky and her amazing dog Madison. Madison is a chocolate lab and the happiest dog ever, she has so much energy for a geriatric gal. I wish I was always so full of steam, too! Lots of new faces around, we're in a new crowd right now. I hope we see McBride, Thin Mint, Ziggy Stardust and Leif E in Erwin, I miss those guys a bunch! We left them all at Elmers where they were zeroing.Another long day tomorrow. Loon's dad, uncle, and uncle's friend are meeting at the shelter tomorrow night and are hiking with us for a few days. All these visitors; it's so exciting to change things up a bit. A few more days until Stride meets us too!Too tired to write more, zzzzzz...
Date: 2009-04-06
From: Jerry Cabin Shelter

To: Hog Back Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: light rain

Brr, tonight calls for a foot of snow. It's been snowing and sleeting on us all day. Thankfully, the miles were easy. And to think yesterday was 80 degrees and we all were dehydrated by lunch. The weather changes on a dime in the mountains. I am glad I carry extra clothing, even though it is usually dead weight. So, the next adventure begins tomorrow, when we see what to do about this snow. Maybe go to town, maybe hike on? Time will tell. It is cold and I need to warm up my hands. Nothing too noteworthy to speak of today, other than the cold blistering horizontal sleet and wind. Yay! Oh wait, happy 300 miles to us! Good night snow bunnies!