morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-04-10
From: Franklin N.C.

To: Siler Bald Gap
Miles today: 7.4

start Franklin Ncdestination Siler Bald shelterI have the President of Franklin Daybreak Rotary Club pick me up at 7:00 am.The breakfast is good and again I am warmly welcomed by my fellow Rotarians.This club is actively raising money for Polio so I do not pick up any donations or even promises of any.   Back at the motel,I pack and repack my pack.I simply am carrying too much food,yet as it lays on the bed before me,I cannot decide whatI want to leave behind.I unpack and pack my food bag three more times,giving some of the rejects to Pushing Up Daisies,and the rest of the rejects to the hiker box.At each motel or hostel,there is always a hiker box,that is filled with rejects from hikers who have decided to lighten their packs.Still not satisfied with the weight of my food pack,I finish packing. A volunteer shuttle driver is picking up PapaBob and us at noon.I am waiting in the lobby as a dejected hiker waits for his ride home.He loves hiking but cannot stand camping out and being in bed every night at 5:00.it is still too cold to sit around and talk with the other hikers.At the last minute,Papa Bob chickens out leaving today.The weather channel is calling for winter storm warnings and snow up to 8 inches in the higher elevations.It is raining here in Frankln.We decide to go on and the driver drops us off at Rock Gap.It feels good to be back on the trail again. The rain turns to snow as we climb higher.I have to concentrate on where I put my feet.It is so beautiful out here .Snow all around, and the trees are covered in a blanket of white.Because of my concentration I do not think about the fact that Mudbutt is not here.I just hike on,the path a slippery ,muddy trail.It is like I am hiking the Appalachian River. I take my second fall ofthe hike.Luckily,I manage to catch a short log with first one foot and then the other.Dressed in my skyblue raintogs,I must look like a miniature snowplow as I slide down the mountain,snow and slush flying all around.I manage to get stopped,dismayed that I am not at a switch back and I will Have to climb back up to the trail,and also dismayed that Mudbutt is not with me to laugh.The shelter is a small one and already 5 people are there even though it is only 4:30.They are in their bags trying to get warm.It is cold and wet.They move their bags closer together to let PushingUpDaisies in.I decide to put up my tent.It will be at least 10 degrees warmer in my tent,and no mice.I fix some tomato soup and hot chocolate for dinner along with a bagel and some humas to spread on it.I will pay for the hot chocolate later tonight.Right now I am cold and wet and my feet are frozen.It is 33 degrees.I climb into my tent,put on all the clothes I have and get into my bag.The weather channel was calling for up to 6 inches of snow tonight.Usually I lay in my tent and watch the rain droplets play chase down the sides.Tonight the droplets freeze before they get a chance to move.But I am warm.The wind picks up and I nod off to sleep.total miles 7.4
Date: 2003-04-21
From: Newfound Gap

To: Ice Water Spring
Miles today: 3.0

start Newfound Gapdestination Ice Water Spring ShelterIt is thundering this morning when I first wake up,so I turn over and go back to sleep.We have decided to skip 8 miles ahead to Newfound Gap and start there rather than back at Clingman's Dome.This will give my knee another day to rest since I am only going 3 miles to the shelter today.My mind does not like this decision but my knee does.I will hike this part on the way back home in October. After resupplying and a quick stop at the outfitters to fill the hikers box with cast offs from our packs,again Pushing Up Daisies uses all her charm to get us a ride back to the trail.This saves us from hitch hiking.I am standing in the parking lot getting ready to get back on the trail,when a guy comes over with a box of Krispy Kreme Donuts.He offers what is left of them to me and Maledrop.I am immediatley overjoyed,as I had not gotten any donuts in townrather I had opt for Mayfield ice cream.More trail magic. The three miles to the shelter are fairly easy,and when I get there two other thru hikers have a big cookout planned for anyone who is at the shelter tonight. There is a big fire,and hotdogs and cold drinks,along with lots of snacks.There are several hikers here that we fed back in Fontana.There also are supposed to be meteor showers .We are in a perfect place to watch them.Several different hikers have alarms set at different times to get up and check the sky.They are to wake the rest of us if something is going on.My alarm is set for 2:30 am.It feels good to be back out on the trail.total miles 3
Date: 2003-04-26
From: Standing Bear Farm

To: Brown Gap
Miles today: 12.5

start Standing Bear Farmdestination Brown GapCurtis agrees to slack pack PushingUpDaisies and Maledrop and I from Davenport Gap to Brown Gap.It is 12.5 miles. Slack packing is when you get someone to transport you to a starting point on the trail,then takes your pack to your destination. All you carry is a fanny pack that holds your snacks and water. This is a blessing to my knees and I throughly enjoy the hike.Of course while yesterday was beautiful and clear,today started off with rain and clouds.I hike in the rain until early afternoon. The rain stops, but the sky remains overcast,with the sun peeking through occassionally. The temperature is perfect though. I make 2 miles an hour for 6 hours.There was a rumor that proved to be true, that there was a hiker feed tonight at Brown Gap. I had no sooner sat down than A hot hamburger was shoved in my hand, along with some tasty cold slaw, chips and sodas. I thought that was great. About an hour later the steaks were slapped on the grill along with baked sweet potatoes and regular potatoes. Mix that with more slaw, hot vegetable bread, drinks and desserts comparable to Ryans Steak House, well you get the picture. It truly was trail magic tonight. I ended up tenting up along an old logging road, away from the noise as much as was possible. It was a good thing to, because the party went on until wee hours of the morning. I am not sure whether the beer ran out or the fire wood ran out to shut the party down. I crashed about 8:00 pm, pleasently stuffed and happily tired. My knee was sore,but not hurting. I am grateful for that. I climb into bed and wake up an hour later with my bladder crying to go outside. I fall back to sleep fairly quickly. At 4:00 am I am awaken by the sounds of something scratching to get into my tent. At least that is what I thought at first. There was a great deal of scuffeling and scratching around going on, so I smack the end of my tent and whispered, "Scat you, scat" The scrathcing continued. I had not hung my food bag ,with all the people around and the food at the Gap, no one hung their bags. I shouted under my breath again, "Scat you" The hiker camped next to me softly said,"It is just me trying to get back under my tarp". I was releived when he was already gone when I climbed out of my tent!total miles 12.5
Date: 2003-05-10
From: Dennis Cove

To: Iron Mtn.Inn
Miles today: 14.1

part 2It did not take me long to finish that piece,but I did not go for another piece.I have to watch my figure you know! We thought that there was a full eclipse of the moon,so we sat out on the deck and watched the night sky for awhile.The moon never seemed to change though. I still had the whirlpool tub to check out before I went to bed.Such a wonderful way to end a really blue day for me.Will I still feel like quitting tomorrow??I have no idea.I just know that for right now,I am snuggled up close to my guy and life is good.My feet still hurt,and my knees are sore,and I still have the hiker's hobble,but no matter.This big fluffy bed with lots of pillows and smooth sheets and my sweetie holding me tight is all that I need or want to think about right now! Isn't it strange how quickly our life's can change,dependent on our external surroundings.Isn't it great that God's love for us never changes and neither does his grace.We can depend on him to be constant,forever.bumpkintotal miles 14.1 it only seemed like 50 mile
Date: 2003-05-13
From: Campsite along the trail on Iron Mountain.

To: Tenn. Rd. 91
Miles today: 12.1

start Campsite on Iron Mtn.destination Tenn Rd 91We missed the sunrise this morning,but enjoyed the view as we drank our hot drinks and ate breakfast. We started packing up our stuff and as we took the tent down,Jerry noticed that the strap on his hiking pole had been completely chewed off and dragged off to parts unknown.The funny thing is that whatever it was,it was just a few feet from our heads!It is a good thing we are hiking into trail days.The Leki representatives will be there repairing and cleaning hiking poles free of charge. The rest of the day went okay,Jerry's feet have really put a damper on any high milage we planned to do over the next few days. Around the middle of the day,we made the decision to try to hitch a ride into Damascus and go to the outfitter's to check out the problem with Jerry's feet.On the trail,there is not too many times a road crossing is conveneint when you need one,but we had a stroke of luck.We decided that if we did not get a ride in 30 minutes we would get back on the trail and find a place to pitch our tent before dark. Several cars passed us but no one stopped.We were just getting ready to start hiking again when this red pickup passed us and rolled to a stop.Funny,this is the second time a red truck has picked me up.I am sure beginning to like the color red! As the driver steps out,he says "I was looking for a couple of hikers.I knew there were some somewhere around here."His name is Bear and his wife's name is Honey.They run a hostel in Maine and are down here for Trail Days.They were headed to Damascus after fixing a huge spaghetti dinner for the hikers back at Kincora Hostel.We sure were glad they stoppedto pick us up!Again,it is called trail magic. We got a room at the Maples Bed and Breakfast.The room was pretty nice with a tub to soak in.But the bed had to have been the most uncomfortable one I have ever slept in.Being former Innkeepers,we know the importance of having good mattressesfor the guests .But we are both tired,and just want to lay down. We both have a long soak in the tub,climb in bed and call it a day.total miles 12.1
Date: 2003-05-19
From: Taylor's Cove

To: Whitetop Mtn.
Miles today: 12.5

start Taylor's Cove destination Whitetop Mountain. I am ashamed to say what time we got started today. I woke up around 8:00 and got caught up with my journal until Jerry woke up. I fixed brunch, and we got back on the Creeper Trail. This is a very beautiful trail. It goes through several old and seemingly forgotten towns. At one town crossing there is a small wooden shed that still carries the remnants of a lemonade stand. Surely some now grown up child used to sit here and sell refreshments to thirsty hikers. It was painted red and was complete with a front counter. White letters in a childish scrawl, now faded it once advertised the prices. The trail joins the AT for about 100 yards before the AT heads up the side of Whitetop Mountain, and it continues going up for the remainder of the day. I beleive this is the hardest climb to date. It may be because I have been slack packing for several days, or maybe it is because I am tired and this mountain is steep. So we climb up and up and up and up some more. Papermaker says some choice words about the climb. He says he is suffering from altitude sickness, then he wonders if at the next bend we will see the pearly gates. He insists that if we climb any higher, he will get a nose bleed and bleed to death! We finally get to the top of Whitetop Mountain, at least the top as far as the trail goes. It is a perfect place to tent for the night according to him. I eye the slope of the mountain he has suggested camping on, and suggest maybe we need to keep looking. "Nonsense" he says, "This is level and we will have a great view of the sunset and sunrise." Since we are almost out of water, we make do with what we have for dinner. Alas, I should have ended the evening with a warm drink, because the evening went downhill pretty fast after dinner. And I mean that literally! We no sooner pitch the tent, than the wind picks up. It picks up our tent, pulls out the stakes and proceeds to beat us to death with each end while we are huddled inside the tent in our sleeping bags. It is a good thing the wind is blowing the way it is. It keeps us from rolling down the hill! The clouds move in, more of a fog than rain, but with plenty of moisture to cover both the inside and outside of the tent and it's occupants. I cannot figure out how in the world Jerry can roll up cover his head and go to sleep. I mean dead to the world gone to sleep. I lay there and contemplate murder. I envision my tent being shredded to pieces, and those pieces flying like a kite in the wind without a tether to keep them down. I knew we should have looked a little farther for a better campsite, but you know how hindsight is. As hard as I try I cannot go to sleep, at least not for a long time. On a bright note here, I am thankful that it is not raining, or thundering or lightning. I shudder to think of where we might end up if it were. Probably back in Damascus! total miles 12.5
Date: 2003-05-30
From: Pearisburg Virginia

To: Pearisburg Virginia
Miles today: 0.0

Today was one of those roller coaster days that we have in life that can send us into a tail spin,wondering how inthe world are we going to get through this. I finally got ahold of family at home only to find out that one of my grownchildren had just gotten overwhelmed with life,tryed to check out and was in the stress center.Of course the "Mom" in me went into overtime and started trying to figure out how to get home the fastest way I could.Of course if I could have been beamed there it would not have been fast enough for me.The day was spent trying to find a ride to Roanoke,Va. to pick up a rental car.It seems that Pearisburg is in the no fly,no car,no way zone.I got really exasperated several times just trying to get some information.Then of course I wanted to take full responsibility for my daughter's actions.I know better,but every once in awhile those co dependent feelings creep back into my life.I have had a life long struggled with these feelings,thinking I could have,should have or would have,with various scenarios with my children.I know I am not alone in these beleifs.It seems we all at one time or another try to take on the responsibilities for our childrens decisions.It is like they are a reflection of us in their decision making which is not true.There is a certain thing about becoming an adult and living your own life.That is not to say that how children are raised does not reflect in their lives,but rather they have to live their own live and that includes making decisions,good,bad or otherwise.This is really hard for me to accept.I like most other parents just want to shield them and my grandkids from unnessasary hurts. I finally get a ride to the airport at Roanoke and pick up a car.I go back to the motel and pack.I am goingto goto sleep and whenever I wake up i will head home. I talk to Mudbutt tonight and share with her my plan to bring my two oldest grandsons back with me to hike for a week or so.Our slower pace will be ideal for them and I will enjoy spending sometime with them,introducing them to trail life.They are 12 and 14 years old. My journal may not be daily for the next week or so,but there are a couple of things I have learned while walking the trail that I will be sharing,so stay tuned and please pray for my family as we struggled through this storm.
Date: 2003-06-01
From: McDavid Florida

To: McDavid Florida
Miles today: 0.0

It was a real treat to be in my home church today .Everyone was glad and suprised to see me.I just wish the circumstances were different.I remind myself that God is in control of the circumstances. I am comforted by people who care about me.They pray for us and I have even more comfort. I sing with the choir this morning.I miss this so much.The song is "Nothing is Impossible With God"What a fitting song for my day,my life.I smile as I think about the fact that all this was planned for today,and God knew I would be here.It is just another reassurance that he is here with me. We have a cookout at home after church and some of the kids make it.I really enjoy this,and try to make the most of it.Do mommas everywhere want to feed their children when problems arise?? After church tonight I take my daughter and her children to dinner.There is that feeding scenario again!We talk and try to laugh,the past week's events between us,unspoken,hanging like a dark cloud.I want to ask her how she really is,how I can help her,but there is no chance with the kids around. I drive home with a heavy heart,but still confident that the Lord will work all this out for his glory.
Date: 2003-06-11
From: McDavid Florida

To: Pearisburg Virginia
Miles today: 0.0

Well, it is with mixed emotions and a lot of excitement that I am posting today's journal. I am getting on a bus tonight heading for Pearisburg,Va. where my hiking partner is impatiently waiting for me to resume hiking .You may recall Mudbut broke her foot early on the hike and has been off the trail until just recently.She is now ready to continue and has been hiking for a week or so while I was home hugging my children and grandchildren for a few days. It is amazing to me how quickly we can adapt to our surroundings.Here I am comfortable in my air conditioning,running water,(hot at that)and all ther modern conviences I have.And I am more than anxious to be back on the trail knowing the hardships that are out there.That and the fact that rain is expected for the next week at least. I was concerned that when I came off of the trail ,I would be hesitant to go back.I was afraid that each day off of the trail would make it that much harder to go back.In some ways that is true,yet I feel the trail calling me back.It was and will be my home for several more months,and I am lonely for it.The mere simplicity of life on the trail is so freeing and stress-less.There is unlimited time to think and ponder.To just inhale the richness of the woods,to listen and really hear the sounds of the earth as it breathes. What short time I have spent hiking has already taught me that I am way too busy in my real life.Busy with noble and rewarding things,yet too busy just the same.There are books I want to read,minutes and maybe even hours I just want to sit and watch the birds and butterflies.I want to do these things and more without the guilt that is always present if I am not busy doing something.I have yet to learn how to relax and just "be".I am a human being not a human doing! One thing I have learned though and do not doubt anymore,is that I want to write.I am not sure what I want to write or how I will do,but I love the way I can put into words my thoughts ,and feelings,and somehow they always relate to the earth and God's creation.I have had enough feed back from people reading my journal to know that for the most part it is enjoyable reading to them.That in itself is a blessing .To be able to bless someone and make them smile,or help them through a tough day by way of a thought or phrase.What a great priviledge! So off I go, back on the trail again!!! My new pocket mail will be here shortly.I know now why I was in such a tizzy when it crashed.It was because it had so many of my thoughts on it, my adventures.I had not downloaded it in a few days,and I was crushed when I lost those words.Words are very important to a writer you know!!! That also means I have lost everyone's email address.So if you ever emailed me please do so again so I will have your address. The next journal entry will be from the trail once again!!!Thanks for all the kind words,prayers ,inspiration and support you my readers have been to me.I am truly blessed beyond measure. Ephesians 3; 14-21
Date: 2003-06-12
From: Atmore, Al.

To: Pearisburg Virginia
Miles today: 0.0

I know I must have slept some but I sure do not remember.I do remember having to get off of the bus in Atlanta for an hour while they cleaned the bus.Road construction caused us to be seriously behind schedule,so there was no time to get anything to eat after our stop at 4:30 am.I did manage to grab a coke and a candy bar at lunch.I met a fellow hiker,Sarasota, in Charlotte,NC.He was getting back on the trail just north of Pearisburg,Va. after hurting his leg and being off six weeks.We spent the rest of the trip chatting.I must admit it did make the miles go by faster. I got off indowntown Pulaski,Va.an hour late.There were no familiar faces waiting for me.Several people offered me a ride,but I was confident Mudbutt would come through with the shuttle for me.And like a real friend,she came through.Her and Kinikinikinic had waited for awhile then the thought of ice cream distracted themfor a little while.I must say it was quite a joy to my ears to hear someone in back of me start singing "I feel good".What acelebration we had.We were finally together again. Back at the motel,after a stop for dinner and Wal Mart,we caught each other up on theevents of the trail,and made our plans for tomorrow. This feels so great.My partner is back and we are ready to blaze thetrail!!Onto Maine! Bumpkin
Date: 2003-06-13
From: Pearisburg Virginia

To: Campsite on the trail
Miles today: 5.0

start pearisburg Va.destination campsite on trailI am not sure who had the hardest time getting up this morning, me or Mudbutt.But we both were very reluctant to drag ourselves out of bed even at 7:30.But drag we did .Kinikinikinic(a fellow Woman Hiker)had volunteered to slack pack us a short trip this morning,so after a quick Hardee's drive through breakfast we headed north out of town and then hiked south. I had some strange emotions about being on the trail again,but atfer some thought I decided they were not all that strange,just different from before.Gone was the giddiness and newness of the trail. The anticipation of what was ahead,the uncertainty of whether or not I could handle whatever the day brought. Those feelings were replaced by a sense of confidence, of sureness and to some extent a sense of familiarity. I do not even pretend to beexpereinced about the trail, but I do have 600 miles behind me. I know what some days could bring or not bring.I am somewhat calmer and more settled, knowing what I need to do in order to complete this hike. I am still not sure I have that in me. That remains to be seen. We met up and went to the Pizza Hut for the buffet at lunch and made pigs of ourselves. After running a couple errands and out waiting a thunder storm, Mudbutt and I got back on the trail by mid afternoon. We are only carrying a couple days of food because Kinikinikinic is meeting us up the rail with the rest of our food. My pack is significantly lighter. It feels familiar and comfortable on my back. It does not take me long to settle into a well known pace. I am faster than Mudbutt but have promised to give her a few weeks to get her trail legs and see how our time is. It is a very real possibility that we will have to jump ahead, but we will decide that later. For now it is just great to be back on the trail together. We did the dance of the real woman after a particular long assent. We got to our campsite in time for a fire and dinner before dark. While I was building the fire I heard the bleating of a fawn off to the side of the camp.It cried several times before Momma silenced it. I think tonight is a full moon and for a while wecould see it. Round and white as it climbed over the tree tops. Then the clouds moved in and covered it. More rain is predicted for the weekend, but that means the water sources willbe plentiful.total miles 5