morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-03-19
From: Neels Gap

To: Hiawassee
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Wellll!!! my first entry on this thing.. Touk writing here. I(touk)have a wonderful time sitting back and letting the lulu take over and do the work...loging from the actual dirty stinky little stenno pad all the interesting things that we remembered to scribble down.... she has a wonderful gift of making a short sandy story long and lush sounding.. hmm.. I was born without that gene.. oh...well.. kudo's for her, to translate my loverly little hike koo's into a real entry sounds painfully saint like..... speaking of painful. We are in hiawassee right now and stayed last night at the patch. Oh dear it made me so homesick.. Gary and Lennie were so mom and dad ish (in a good way mom and dad.. I know your reading this) I almost thought up a daughter-ish explination for my wanting to hit the trail harder even though I was hobbling around with duct tape wrapped around my gnarly foot... which.. would be complete nonsense by the way. to my parents that is.We hung out with Rabbitt, Freedom and serenity, Michael and sunshine..talked about food.. Cleaned our grimey selves and stuff.. talked about food..decided to go out and FIND some real food.. and first found out that in Hiawassee..-I mean.. "NEAR" Hiawassee there are the people that would TOTALLY and GLADLY hitch the hikers into town..(the Lord bless them) and the other 99% of the driving population who seem to just...speed up and...wave at us like.. "acknowlege the hiker hitchers existance and we are golden"..... Well.. (the lord...bless them too) We ended up in town finelly and discovered the chinese food was cheaper then subway.. (maybe I should highlight that for the future thru hikers addicted to reading trail journals for trail secrets)..ahem..extra extra/...   IN HIAWASSEE THE CHINESE FOOD IS CHEAPER THEN SUBWAY! LIFE IS GOOD!!!!   well I guess I should say something about hiking ey????... stop thinking about food and how to get it.. I have really have been having a wonderful time on the trail between here and Neels gap.. Bassline and I have been pacing together for the most part.. We will let gypsylulu get ahead and when we catch up we will pace with her for an hour or so .. go through a couple songs.. revise them with an AT hike theme..and then to stay warm... walk ahead to the shelter and claim spots for all three of us.... alls good and its been working out wonderfully... we are having a blast around the campfire at nights... a cap full of denitured gets anysort of wood roaring wonderfully!!!...I am forever stopping mid trail and going... whoaaaaaa. . ...dude. .. .whoaa...that is so pretty!!!!!   The best thing I think for now has been the lack of PUD's.. with no leaves on the trees we see a view 90% of the time. sweet!      Well Lulu is setting out lunch and we will be on the trail in less then two hours hopefully.. Our first nero..since.. we really are too geeked to do a zero.                  Peace, Luv, and blueberry pancakes!!!!   Touk~~~
Date: 2005-03-19
From: Neels Gap

To: A PostCard Home From Touk
Miles today: 0.0

Family-Mom,Dad,BenjiJacob,Zach,Isaac,Bugggaboo,and Samuel,Hey guys, hows it going?!!!I am at Neels Gap and hungry!happy and sore. We passed Blood Mtn. to get to Neels Gap and WOW!it was amazing! 5,000ft. and steep! It was the 3rd mountain I passed yesterday from Woody Gap and it felt like it spanked the previous two! 40% of all hikers that start from Springer Mtn. drop out here....not me-this is awesome! Have met a few believers, Foolman,Bassline(I gave that trailname to him....he sings really good) and...I forgot his name...rats, all good jolly people here! Mom thank you for the ti-fu oil, it is well used and shared. Love you guys! 1 of your 2 crazy gals on the AT-Touk
Date: 2005-03-23
From: Hiawassee

To: N.Carolina
Miles today: 0.0

Hi Family! We are in Hiawassee, GA and heading into North Carolina tommorrow. I wasn't able to update our trailjournals but hopefully will next week. The rain finally let up and has left Georgia very moist. There are so many rocks and boulders in the land here, the trees develop funky root systems, most of them shallow and prone to looking like they're going to fall on the next hiker passing along. Waterfalls pour over the rocks and paths, little ferns and mosses growing along the banks. Other than that, everything is still pretty dun and wintry looking. Touk and Bassline saw two flowers the other day but i've seen very little except my feet. The veiws are incredible from these mountains. this week we'll hike up Standing Indian Mountain; our tallest mountain yet. Touk has had a few nosebleeds but I think it's due to dehydration rather than altitude. Thanks for the maildrop. We really appreciated the little niceties like plastic bags etc... Touk and I are mailing home a package of gear that we decided to do without for now. Please add it to our dig box, we might need it later. I called Aunt Robin last night and chatted with her briefly. You are all in my thoughts. Please feel free to write notes to me on the guestbook at our journal webpage. I'd sure love to hear from you. Please get better soon, you all sound horribly miserable. Much love, Laura 'GypsyLuLu'
Date: 2005-04-03
To: Fontana Dam 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

161.7mGypsyLuLu called last night to let everyone know they are well and ready to hike into the Great Smokie Mtns. when the blizzard conditions clear up! They will update the journal in Gatlinburg TN. later this coming week. Enjoy the new pictures. GypsyMomma
Date: 2005-04-06
From: Gatlinburg

To: A PostCard Home From Gypsy LuLu
Miles today: 0.0

Hello to the little sister of the Appalachian Trail GypsySisters!I talked to Mom tonight but I didnt't get to hear much about you guys and what's going on at the home front. I'm sure that you're still writing letters to your penpal, please write a letter to us as well, we'd love to hear from you. My friend Vinnie is playing panpipes and Toolman is playing the guitar he carries with him-You would really like it Rebekah. Kisses and Hugs!It has been snowing all day but the hiker we just met told us that after the storms tomorrow we should be hiking in beautiful clear weather. We'll be almost halfway through the Smokies and It'll be good to actually see some views from the mountains we're climbing. Trilliums are blooming in the valley, not white and tall like Michigans but short and dark red or lemon lime green. Very weird but beautiful. Our friends family came into town this weekend and seeing his sister made me miss you little sister. Are you keeping those boys in line? Are they treating you like a princess because you are our Bekah-Boo? Skiing is over now I bet. Dad said you guys are making the best maple syrup ever! I love you bunches! Gypsy LuLu(your sister Laura)
Date: 2005-04-07
To: well...Maine!..but we're in Gatlinburg!!!!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

203.8mWell HOWDY!.. Touk here in Gatlinburg updating finely!!!..Happy to be here and confirm we are still alive and trudging!!!!Contrary to popular rumor we haven't been eaten by ravinous bears yet//... or by ravinous hikers...(lots of close calls tho... trust me). Hello's and luvya's..missyu's go out to all of our chums and family in the "real world".. Lulu and I are having the time of our lives! We are getting our trail legs..(muddy, hairy...etc) Gypsylulu and I both pace totally different, I overdrive the ups (75% of the terrain:-)..I owe that to hiking the halfpipe) and then I hobble from rock to root on the downs favoring the knee..and...the other knee..... and... the foot..Gypsy on the other hand skips on down the hills and paces slow and steady on the ups.. Our longest day was two days ago from Mollies ridge shelter to Double springs shelter..almost 18 miles. suhwHEET!We now officially smell like hikers... and above all else.. we are STARVING almost exactly an hour after a nice meal.From Hiawassee to Gatlinburg we haaaAAAvve.. walked through the Nantahala national forest and are now halfway through the great smoky national park....two words..WOW!!!We reached the summmit of the tallest mountain on the whole Appalachian trail yesterday, Clingmans dome at 6890 ft. elevation..we could see forEVER!!! we especially could see the storm coming in and since we really didn't feel like hiking through three feet of snow for the next week.. we voted for a nero here in Gatlinburg.. (its only been ankle deep snow, rivers and mud to stomp thru so far...s'all good. whatevers coming down from the sky doesn't really count)..   Alright Gypsy and I will put in a few more updates later today since there is a slightly long line of update deprived thru hikers behind me waiting to let everone know how THEY haven't been eaten by bears or hungry demented hikers ....yet.. From the trail to you...PEACE to all and hopes for lovely days to everyone..   God is amazing and has been good. special blessing to all the cooks out there.. you are needed and have your place in this world..(just kidding...but seriously:0) From the trail I remain.. Touk.. (in tokio.. a "tuk tuk" is someone who gives people piggy back rides for transportation...ha..ha... thats been sort of a joke...) -T
Date: 2005-04-08
To: Onward and Upward!!! ~
Miles today: 0.0

It's been so long since we've written! I'm hoping that we haven't driven our reading audience away. We're in the unearthly town of Gatlinburg, laughingly called 'the Redneck Vegas' by a friend of ours. People come here from all over the South for a taste of vacation living. Hotels, boiled peanut stands, stuffed bears and wedding chapels abound. So far I've counted five 'Just Married' cars and been proposed to twice. I can't wait to get out of here(!!!)   These past few days have been incredible. We've seen no bears and only the usual 'rodents of unusual size' but nonetheless, the Smokey Mountains are just brimming with life. My friend Vinni told me that there is more variety of native flora and fauna in the Smokies alone than in all of Europe. This seems a little unbelievable to me. Well, whatever... I definately have experienced a zillion varieties of mud and slush in the past fifty miles. We met hikers that were out in the mountains at the time of the storms and they told stories of body-battering winds and blinding snow. Our friend Rocky set her tent in the middle of the trail over several feet of snow, not knowing where the trail went up ahead and frightened of losing herself over a mountain and not being found until spring--- Oh! It IS Spring!!! Yeah, tell the hiker-hungry mountain. Actually, we're loving it out here. Yesterday we talked for an hour about how to prolong our time in Maine. Regardless of all of that, Touk and I are going to savor these next two thousand miles so much.    Scary storm clouds are rolling over the mountains and have been spitting rain all day. I'm hoping that it just storms and gets it over with so that we can enjoy the rest of the Smokies. I've been hiking a little bit with Sunshine; a young woman who thru-hiked last year. ...Aaaughhh!!! My time is up on the computer! I think we're going to try to hitch the fifteen miles back to Newfound Gap and get some miles in, rain or not. All is well!~GypsyLuLu
Date: 2005-04-11
From: Smokies

To: A PostCard Home From Gypsy LuLu
Miles today: 0.0

Samuel, Today we walked seemingly endless miles downhill and out of the Great Smoky Mountains. I took a side trail that summited the Mountain(Cammerer?) and got glimpses of the most incredible spread of valleys, farms, towns, and of course more mountains. Unfortunatly, nature reclaims even the mountains and I had to jump up and down to see this view, all this after two miles out of the way- Oh well, I've hiked the past few days with "Red Hat", an older woman who likes to "claim" each mountain for a loved one or a grandchild etc...I liked the idea and thought especially of you when we climbed "Charlies Bunion" a few days ago. We took several pictures of the scrambling we did over these really neat cliffs, etc.. You would be like a mountain goat and oh so natural at this fun rock climbing. So how is Jacob doing on his dream canoe? I hope that he's still interested in this project- I sure am fasinated by the thought of making my own boat. Until then, I'm merely worrying about my poor shoes. I hiked out of the Smokies, took off my shoes and hung them on a nail only to notice a crack across the sole. Bummer! Thankfully there was a donation of silicone from a fellow hiker that should thoroughly patch up this grouchy problem. Hey, how is Joy? I've thought about her a few times lately. Tell Isaac that the trail maintainers in the Smokies ride horses and pack along chainsaws for all the blown down trees. I love you buddy. Be well, I'll be home after a few thousand more miles. Love, Gypsy LuLu
Date: 2005-04-16
From: Always and forever!!!!

To: Hot Springs, N.C.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

270.9mFriendses, and family.. folkses and fair folkses.... Touk here in the wonderful town Hot Springs (NC) trying to get in a few jots before either the library closes...(huge possibility within 15 minutes).. or the appetite kicks me back towards the direction of food...(huge'er possibility.. within 4 minutes)..;-)The wonderful hiking companion and sister for life Gypsy, and the wonderful hiking companion and singing prankster Bassline and I trudged into Hot springs yesterday and are taking the most wonderful..the most well appreciated and the most beautiful of all zero days.. Bassline made a B-line to the nearest place that may possably sell root beer.. (* I roll eyes.. course.. I didn't turn anything down and was right on his heels) He actually took a nero and hiked out ahead of us today to get to Damascus VA on time to meet a friend.. We will see him in a couple weeks.. Oh,, and He sends his love to you MOM!!! I've never seen a vegetarian so touched with the gift of a two pound summer sausage.. you made his day! (yes uh..... the gypsy sisters are taking care of the sausage for him.. no worries there).   Elmers Hostile was a wonderful experience!!!!! incredable artistic and community atmosphere.. that place was amazing.. Lulu worked for our free stay there.. cooked up a storm and fed fifteen people (ahem... 15 H I K E R S) a five star, ten square meal. She is well luved lets leave it at that... We are in the middle of a shakedown and will try to dump around four or five pounds of unused gear and clothes... singing the modified OUT song... "OUT..OUT... shake it on out. these are the things you can doOO withOUT comeooOn.. I'm talkin to you..come on".. trust me.. there are MANY verses to that one.I have picked up a serong to hike in and have discarded my nalgenes.. I found a hidration system to be the way to go and it weighes a TON lighter..Its SOOOOOoo good to see all our dear friends here.. KTR, cuppa joe, breakaleg, lenux, snowbunny, hairball, Cup cake, Domino.. the list goes on forEVER,., I LOVE these people. Pheonix is off the trail on account of stress fractures and we will miss him.. G got off yesterday for a funeral and I'll miss his french hip hop. found out that Doc and Couch are off..   its all good but we will miss those guys..wish them the best, they have a special place in our hearts.Well folkes I will update soon.. I hope everyones wonderfully well and enjoying the sringing spring as AWESOMELY as we are.. The smokies were incredable. and we are well..Luv yall and miss you..      ADIOS            from the trail.. peace-Touk
Date: 2005-04-17
From: Hot Springs, N.C.

To: Hot Springs, N.C.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Greetings again from the loverly little town of HOT SPRINGS.. yes.... we are still here.... In fact... I (touk) believe I will run for mayor////I have weighed myself for the forth time since I got in two days ago... (yes we have our funky habits).. and its confirmed by many.. I have GAINED 5 pounds since friday.   cool. For our friends back home wondering.. Still no sign of Sherlock or Circuit Rider.. they were supposed to be here on teh 15th however.. I believe that this is the year of "lets take our sweet time".. and I am just waiting for them to catch up... huh.. at my personal food-per-hour rate...I'm not going ANYWHERE fast!....Well I am sorry for the super short entry's.. luv you all and will shoot a jot out soon!!!!   Till Erwin onto the big K in the ME!!!!! I reMAINNNNNnnnNNNNTouk... who is trying to learn the art of serong knots...its ...new.Happy trails! TTFN
Date: 2005-04-17
From: Hot Springs, N.C.

To: Concrete Dam and Road
Miles today: 0.0

And so we began our trek out of Hot Springs. Elmer Hall had begun to introduce the gypsysisters as new residents of the trail town and we were more than happy with that. Katahdin calls though and so does the trail. It has become our home and town begins to get a little itchy around the corners after more than twenty-four hours.    In traditional fashion, the trail spires straight up when leaving a town. We had just ate a pizza with Lenix, Packman, The lovely Theresa (Packman's girlfriend) and the infamous Dave and Nick. Now on the trail, to 'eat a pizza' is to also eat gorp, ketchup potato chips, french fries, tomatoes, brownies, chocolate chip cookies, iced tea, cheerwine, a little red wine, and a few more insignificant items of foodstuffs. Needless to say, we could have rolled up that rocky bluff. Out beyond my sweat bleared vision stretched the valley. The French Broad River, the noisy train backing up traffic on the main street, the mountains behind... Mmmn, mmn, the mountains; pain to the feet and sweetness to the eyes. Okay, Blah, blah, bah...   Five miles up the trail we found anonymous hikers, going lite and easy and trying to lure fish with thier strung together contraptions of dental floss, hooks and what-have-you. The pond was so lovely and almost inviting but so was the dinner people were rolling out in the feild up ahead. Everyone had brought something to share. We brought summer sausage, smoked cheese and instant Hummus. Serenity showed me these chard-like greens by the spring and after taste and chew tests, we picked enough for the whole crowd of hikers and stirfried the greens with olive oil, soy sauce and a little lemon juice. Mmnn, Mmmn, mmnnn!!!   So, a little camping under the stars and a nice easy intro into the new ways of the GoLight~GoEasy hiking method. The idea is to still be putting miles on but to do it in bite-sized pieces, interspersing these enjoyable hikes with breaks to wash in the waterfall or eat at some vista. In fact, eating plays a large part in this hiking style. Touk and I have been burning through our snack food since starting this hike method. We'll sit at some scrumptious place and pass around the soy-nuts or sesame sticks (Thank You, Mom!) to BreakaLeg, Lenix, Packman, Cuppa Joe or the other various GoLight~GoEasy's.    Hey, This is a shout out to the maildrop people across the nation who are packing and sending things to the thru-hikers on this trail. My Mom is incredible and we have so enjoyed our last maildrop. Stock packed with little bags of cheese and chocolate, vitamins and happy birthday letters. Thanks to everyone. My Mom even sent a lovely 1.5 lb. summer sausage to our vegitarian friend Bassline. (smile) Sorry buddy. More tomorrow.
Date: 2005-04-22
From: Unblazed Trail Junction

To: Erwin, Erwin, Erwin!!!
Miles today: 0.0

338.8m "Ha, ha! Enough of the outfitter, I'm joining the army! This is too much fun." Packman gleefully said. We were laughing and tumbling back onto the trail. The GoLight-GoEasiers had just hiked past us at a seriously UNeasy clip while we were just laying in the brush; watching, listening, all so innocent as doves. Yeah, if you would consider this trail war a game, I'm definately to be counted in the players. I laughed so hard this morning at the rumpus we heard in camp as they found the note and bellowed to no avail.Six miles into the town of Erwin, Tennessee. Beautiful miles too. The train could be heard and then watched as we tooled down the mountain. The incoming storms made the sky deep with clouds and the mountains rose and fell against the horizon like captive stone clouds themselves. The Trail spills right out onto 'Uncle Johnny's' front porch. He offers free bikes to borrow and laundrey and all of the other amenities that make town so good (read: Hot Shower!) It's really interesting to hear the spicey stories of hostel fueding in Erwin. Miss Janet and Uncle Johnny have quite a colorful history of hostel fueding, adding interest to hiker gossip when choosing a hostel. I've met Miss Janet though and was smitten by her guiseless sincerity. Cool lady. All the stories make him look like the bad guy. Knowing hiker gossip, I take even these histories with a grain of salt. Especially following some of this Wingfoot stuff lately.Both Miss Janet's and Uncle Johnny's hostels were chock full of smelly hikers. A bunch of us are staying at the Holiday Inn, splitting the cost and stewing our feet in the hot tub. Good old Bassline showed up and crashed into the hot tub, thoroughly dousing me and my open journal. It all ends there. A big splotch of ink. Bad form! Good fun.Now, I know that you all have heard me speak and ramble about food long enough. I would like to introduce another character for your perusal: Lenix. Lenix consumned no less than 37 slices of pizza today at the fine dining establishment; Pizza Plus. Touk ate 18 and I ate 13 painful pieces of pizza pie. The whole crownd of us tucked away over 300 slices of pizza. Even I must say WOW!!! Ah, Erwin. Sweet town of Erwin.