morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-04-14
From: Mount Collins Shelter

To: Gatlingburg, TN
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: few clouds

No sleep last night, grrrrr....so frustrating but last night it was because I got cold! Tonight I'll get a hot shower and be in a warm bed with a full belly of real food! I'll be walking fast today & only 5 miles!Beautiful walk into town in the woods throughout fur trees, makes me very homesick though, reminds me of a Maine!At the parking lot at Gatlinburg we had trail magic & a shuttle ride with the local Baptist Church, thank you so very much!!!! I ate a banana, apple, pastry & a very cold refreshing Mountain Dew!! We picked up our boxes at another NOC in town, showered and went out for a huge steak, shrimp & salad!!! Oh, yes...and had a margarita! We got our laundry done, re packed and will be on the trail early.
Date: 2017-04-15
From: Gatlingburg, TN

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Our hike today was long, we went down the wrong trail for about a mile.....We wasn't seeing any white blazes so we knew we was supposed to turn right back aways, so had to back track!!! Dumb mistake..... two women talking and not paying attention.It was another spectacular day hiking! No wild life seen today either.We arrived at 5:00 pm, got our water, filtered it (routine job), set up our tents, ate & got in our sleeping bags..... this is a very difficult job hiking the AT!!! It's both mentally & physically challenging, I miss my family terribly! Hugs to all, good night.
Date: 2017-04-16
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

To: Cosby Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

We had to stay in the shelter again last night so I just waited until morning, zero sleep again! Another beautiful day, it was long and tough, a lot of rocks, my feet are so sore & tired.At the shelter were a few hikers we've got to know. Trail names, Olive, Sparks, Strider, ZigZag and a few others. They all call us, The Maine Sisters"......Strider gave us both a vegetarian lasagna.... said we was getting off the trail tomorrow. He through hiked last year. Thanks Strider!!It's calling for thunder showers tonight & tomorrow, I hope not.
Date: 2017-04-17
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: Painters Branch campsite
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: clear sky

I slept awesome, from 8:00 pm to 7:00 am, I feel terrific! It's amazing what sleep can do for a person.I had my earplugs in and didn't hear anyone getting up this morning.Sam & her dad, Fish Filet showed up later last night.We stopped in to Standing Bear Farms to get a few snacks, very interesting place. See my few photos. We did share a pizza with Ninja then got out of there and went to a campsite. It was a good long hard hike today. Good night.
Date: 2017-04-18
From: Painters Branch campsite

To: unknown tentsite
Miles today: 15.0

We aren't sure what this campsite name is but it's close to Walnut Mountain Shelter. I slept great again last night, maybe these 15 miles hiked have something to do with it. I'm exhausted physically though....Town is calling us! We are soaking wet this morning, even our sleeping bags ate damp. One more night and we'll be in town.My journaling is getting short, I'm trying to play catch up!Another great day, we saw a turtle!!' Yay, we saw something. It was raining and foggy all day so we couldn't see anything.
Date: 2017-04-19
From: unknown tentsite

To: Hot Springs, NC
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: light intensity drizzle

It rained all night! As soon as it let up at 7:00 am we packed up and headed to town!It was a slippery, muddy hike but it did start to clear up some so we could take off our muddy rain gear.We had a slow hike in but the huge burger I had was worth it! Our cabin is very small but we hung up a clothes line outside and have our tents & some other gear drying. It's a small town but has everything hikers may need.Tomorrow we'll do laundry & resupply & I'll spend 2 hours doing this journal.
Date: 2017-04-20
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: zero
Miles today: 0.0

Got our shopping & laundry done. I think Bev took a nap while I caught up my journaling.... it did take me over 2 hours doing it on my iPhone. We had a huge breakfast but I'm ready to eat again. This town is interesting for sure, smaller than Ashland for population but more to offer, 3 or maybe 4 restaurants, small grocery store, outfitter, bank, wash tub (laundry mat), dollar general, 3 or 4 places to stay and more.We'll be back on the trail tomorrow for 5 days or more so you may not hear from me on trail journals.I'm missing home bad today!!! Thanks for following me.
Date: 2017-04-21
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: campsite near Rich Mtn
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: light rain

We had a good time at Hot Springs, we didn't do anything special but ate really well. I could of stayed another day to rest more but we couldn't stay at the cabin another night, they are booked for a big Hiker festival this weekend. We had a huge breakfast and was ready to hike at 10:00 am.It was very difficult putting on our heavier packs with 6 days worth of food! They say every day of food is about 2 lbs.... so do the math! Yes, it's darn heavy!! I'm now eating more since I've lost weight too.We had to go straight up a mountain leaving town of course... I so wanted to quit today...Yes, I did & I think Bev did too but I just shut my mouth & kept walking. It was so hot, 80 & the humidity was 100%!! So much for the nice shower & clean clothes I put on this morning. We knew the weather was calling for thunder showers today and the rumbling started about 2:30 pm. We was hoping to get to the shelter 10 miles away but we opted to put up our tents before it started pouring & the thunderstorms got worse. Well, we have been in our tents since about 3:45 but not too much rain or thunder going on yet but I'm glad we didn't have to walk in another storm. That's scary being way up on a mountain side with thunder & lightning every where and no place to hide. I think I'll work on lightening my pack weight while I'm in my tent! Lol. It looks like rain tonight & tomorrow, oh great! Pray for us.
Date: 2017-04-22
From: campsite near Rich Mtn

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: broken clouds

It rained all night. I did slep ok but I think the two owls hooting at each other kept waking me up! Don't know why they didn't go to another tree someplace else ....but it was comforting hearing them though, I must say. We decided to cook some oatmeal while our tents & tarps dried out some, it's foggy & damp but the sun is shining through once in awhile. We were packed up about 10:00 & on our way. We finally saw a bear cub this morning!!! He was running up a steep hill so fast, I didn't have time to get my phone out. I'm sure he was running to catch up with momma! Thank good she wasn't near... not that we could see anyway. For some reason I'm dragging today, this pack is way too heavy for one thing and I'm feeling down today ....but I'm doing a lot of talking to God, Adam, J Paul, Angela , Gram Vera & my spirit guides to give me strength to help me keep going. I know I can do this but I must say, it's a challenge. I did remind myself that Adam had a really tough life with Cystic Fibrosis, his life was never easy but he fought hard everyday to just breath & stay healthy, he desperately wanted to go on and live. I know if he was here he'd say mom, why are you doing this, this is so stupid! lol ?? Those that know him knows exactly what he'd say. It was a long hike for some reason today. Yup, I even cried walking today missing Adam. I still have a tough time knowing he's not here anymore. I know he's with me, but it's just not the same. I miss him giving me a hard time & even hurting my feelings. I'd give anything to have him back.We made it to the empty shelter so opted to set up our sleeping bags here tonight, bad weather is coming in for two days.We got our water, ate and by 6:30 sitting in our beds, it'll be a long night for sure. The shelter is full now, it sleeps six... Everyone is very nice but there's no one here we've met along the trail yet. Choo Choo, a 72 year old woman who lost her husband. Sun Shine, a 57 yro. Raid, she's probably our age (young) lol & a few other younger ones who hiked 20 miles today. They even gave us a honey bun pastry. It's now pouring!Good night Family & Friends. Xoxo
Date: 2017-04-23
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Little Laurel Sheltet
Miles today: 0.0

It's pouring rain outside and forecast is calling for severe weather, high winds,thunder storms & 100% rain all day and throughout the night again! Bev & I decide to stay put in the shelter... I'm not looking forward to this long day. We are dry and not in our tents so I'm very much thankful for this.Choo Choo, Sunshine &Raid are here (all women).... and a few others are in their tents. It' was a long boring day. The night wasn't much fun, mice were running everywhere so I did not sleep much...Have I mentioned I hate the shelters! A few other soaking wet hikers showed up so the shelter was full by dark.
Date: 2017-04-24
From: Little Laurel Sheltet

To: Flint Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

We are so glad to be hiking again! My back is so sore from sitting in the shelter for the extra day. Our hike today wasn't bad, nothing too strenuous and the rain held off. There is still 80% chance of rain again tonight so we'll be in another shelter. Bev & I arrived first so picked our spots and put our air mattresses & sleeping bags down, ate and crawled in our warm bags for the night.My fuel ran out while cooking my dehydrated meal tonight so Bev let me use her fuel to finish cooking, thank you Bev. I have no idea why it ran out so soon, the last one lasted 8 days, once a day cooking. Guess I'll have to carry the larger canister.I even broke my food bag clip tonight so I'll need to get a new one in town...it's difficult to hang it with no clip, I had to tie a piece of parachute cord around it and pray it holds my food while hanging all night in the wind and rain. I was told there's a hostel about 5 miles away where I can possibly get fuel tomorrow, Laurel hostel. I'm glad because I still have two days out here.It's only 6:00 pm & the mice are already running around, Bev is freaking out, lol
Date: 2017-04-25
From: Flint Mountain Shelter

To: Campsite at mile 319.5
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept well last night, even with the critters running around us.We had plans to make it to Low Gap campsite but our feet were tired, it was an uphill hike most of the day so we picked a campsite a few miles short of Low Gap. There is a water source here so we set up our tents. The sun finally came out today!! I haven't taken many pictures the past couple days because it's been so foggy and overcast. We've missed out on some nice views we are told. We did stop into Laurel hostel but he didn't have fuel but 4 young men, two sets of twins that are hiking together were there waiting to catch a ride into town and one of them gave me his fuel canister!! He said it was probably half full but he was going into town and would buy a new one anyway. Another trail Angel! Thank You! I'm sure I'll see him again and maybe I can help him out in some way. All 4 are very polite young men, wish I knew their trail names but just want to say you can tell they've been raised right. <
Date: 2017-04-26
From: Campsite at mile 319.5

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: few clouds

I'm awake early, 5:00 because my back is aching again...Maybe it's the 30+ backpack or maybe the uneven ground I always seem to put my tent on....I don't know but it always feels better once I'm up walking. I get up and make enough noise to wake Bev up, she will hate me before we reach Maine.I heard another owl last night, it made me happy. I was actually in a horrible mood yesterday and even cried and wished I was home. My trail coach, Cozy told me these are normal emotions out here... I know today will be a better day, we'll be in town Thursday for a hot shower, real food, soft bed & warm motel room. I only wish Dan was with Marcel, Bev's boyfriend is coming from Florida and stopping to see her. My tent is still so wet this morning & everything is damp, another reason I'm glad we are going into town..... to dry everything out! The birds were singing away this morning, the sun is out, I'm feeling better, my feet don't hurt and the sights all around me are enough to put anyone in a great mood! Life is Good! I text Dan & Jason and they are okay too. Miss you very much guys!We were beat by the time we arrived at No Business Knob Shelter, we hiked from 8:00 am to 7:30 pm, with only a couple of breaks today. It was an awesome day, it was finally clear & sunny!I even took pictures today, check them out.We'll be in town tomorrow!!!
Date: 2017-04-27
From: No Business Knob Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 6.0

Today is my mothers birthday! I wish she could read my journal and see my photos. I miss her so much! Maybe someone reading this can deliver a message telling her for me. I know she loves visitors. Please give her a big hug for me too!I slept well last night, I was so exhausted. The wind blew so hard, I wasn't sure what we would wake up to this morning but it was sunny and fairly warm. My tent is finally dried out! While packing up this morning Travis, a young man we've met off and on comes running over to give Bev & I a big hug! He knows us as the "Maine Sisters".,,, He told us Giggles & Many Miles will be trying to make it to town today also. I guess they are back at a campsite. He got in late last night, he hiked with his headlamp and saw a momma bear & cub. It must be hard hiking at night, maybe Bev & Ill try it before we reach Maine. The hike in to Erwin was easy & beautiful! My cell phone is dead so couldn't get pictures. Hopefully Bev will share hers with me or on Facebook. We hung out at Uncel Johnny's Hostel, which is right off the trail for awhile today. We saw several hikers there we know. We took the shuttle into town with 15 other hikers for an all you can eat pizza & salad!!! We shopped at Dollar General next door and then Uncel Johnnys driver gave us a ride to our motel here in town. They only charged us $5.00 for the ride, thank you!!Marcel took us out for Mexican food tonight. We were bummed they couldn't serve hard liquor, only beer.... Dry town I guess. We wanted a margarita. We took Marcel up to Uncle Johnnys Hostel, I wonder what he really thought of the place?OK, I'm caught up with my journaling so I guess I'll go to bed...Wow, it's 10:30 pm, latest I've been up in awhile. Good night! Sorry I don't have anything interesting to report. I noticed my miles are not correct , we are actually at mile 342.7 here in Erwin, TN!!! Wow!
Date: 2017-04-28
To:  Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0

I was up early again this morning, grrrrrr. The continental breakfast downstairs was great, I ate like a pig! A huge waffle, bowl of cereal, scrambled mystery eggs, sausage & coffee! On the trail I usually just have a power bar.Marcel took us into WalMart to get more supplies for the trail, ate Mexican food for lunch!Back at our rooms resting, doing laundry & re packing.Nothing interesting happening here,
Date: 2017-04-29
From:  Erwin, TN

To: Tent site mile 354.0
Miles today: 11.3

We left the motel at 9:00, caught a ride with Uncel Johnnys shuttle since Marcel headed home at 4:30 am.Our packs are heavy again from all the added food & supplies! We weighed them and mine was 36.2 & Bev's was 42! It was a slow climb and a long day today. The temperature was 85, man it was hot! The weather goes from one extreme to another.We saw a snake today on the trail, it came out right near were we was sitting and ate a worm. I think it was a garter snake but not sure. I did take a picture.We sit up tent in a nice little tent site, no one else was there.We ate quickly & was in our tents for bed at 6:30, I was beat.
Date: 2017-04-30
To: Clyde Smith Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept well all night, 8:30 pm until 7:15!! I remember it was windy all night though. Today was another beautiful sunny day & stayed breezy to keep us cool. 80 degrees out.Not much to report today. We didn't even see many hikers we know.I'm really homesick today. We stopped and put out tents up near a shelter about 6:00 pm.
Date: 2017-05-01
From: Clyde Smith Shelter

To: Overmountian Shelter
Miles today: 15.6

Wow, it's May 1!  The wind blew really hard all night so I couldn't sleep again.Today's hike was not a fun day, it was like walking in a monsoon!  We had to hike up Roan Mountain, elevation 6,193 and then up Jane Bald over 5,700! We couldn't see a thing it was foggy, pouring, windy and miserable! My boots are wet again, the trail was like a stream!We made it to the shelter & put up our tents, the rain finally had stopped & the shelter was full anyway.Jimmy Chunga was there. Bev & I gave him our cell numbers and I told him to let his mom know I'm doing this journal. What a great young man.
Date: 2017-05-02
From: Overmountian Shelter

To: Mountain Harbour B&B & Hostel 
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept ok but woke up cold and had to put my fleece coat on. The wind gusts up on this hill were wild last night & this morning! It wasn't fun tearing our tents down & packing up. I am happy it's not raining!We have plans to hike into a hostel known for great, all you can eat homemade breakfasts. We can also get re supplies there too.... I need more snacks (nuts, m&m's, beef jerky, power bars,etc)!The hike in was nice, especially knowing we are going in town again for real home cooking. We had another long hike up another monster mountain 6,000 with wind gusts up 50 mph!!! Bev & I walked like we were drunk!! We were laughing so hard...saying what are we doing out here again? It wasn't snowing or raining though, hurray for that.After sitting up our tents we did laundry & took a hot shower. A bunch of us are going in town for burgers at 5:30!! I bought what I needed at the hostel store. Our tent site was 10.00, laundry 4.00 & all you can eat breakfast buffet 12:00.... Shower was free if you stayed! They even had towels, soap & shampoo!!  Very nice hostel! In town the burger was yummy! I had a huge salad too & a vanilla milkshake & large Mountain Dew! Bev hitch us a ride back to the hostel, another nice trail Angel gave us a ride! Thanks!I was in bed early, 9:00.... way past Hiker midnight!Night family & friends.
Date: 2017-05-03
From: Mountain Harbour B&B & Hostel 

To: Campsite mile 410.4
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: light rain

It was hard to sleep last night, our tentsite was near a busy road at the hostel. I saw another snake walking to the porta  potty this morning, snakes just love me! Just so you know, I don't like them!Breakfast this morning was the BEST breakfast buffet I've ever had, I need to do a review on this place, they had so much yummy food, oh my God, it was delicious! The very best part, they had desserts for breakfast too!!! I was in Heaven this morning. Thank you to everyone at Mountain Harbour, I'll be back! How will I get up the mountains today? I ate enough for 3 people!Thankfully our hike out of the hostel wasn't bad, actually really enjoyable for a change over the past several days.....We had rolling hills, no steep mountains today and was our longest hiking day so far. Good thing we had a breakfast fit for a king this morning!The trail was absolutely beautiful, we walked quite a ways by a stream, in fields, then pine woods, back in fields, through Mountain Laurels. We saw to Mallard ducks in the stream. Bev & I really wished we could go fishing,We ended up in a tent site again. Several hikers we know are here. Everyone was tired so we were in our tents about dark.Sleep well everyone, hugs to everyone rooting for us to keep going. Love you all!
Date: 2017-05-04
From: Campsite mile 410.4

To: Hampton, TN tent site
Miles today: 10.8

Last night I slept really well, maybe those longer miles will be good for my poor sleeping habits, I hope so.There was 8 of us at the tent site and everyone was very nice but they too were very tired.We was up early hoping to get some miles in before the rain starts. We had no plan of were we'd hike to today or how far. By 11:30, Many Miles caught up to Bev & I and suggested we go into Hampton, TN for lunch at McDonalds... he said we could put our tents up 1 mile from town by a stream... Heck , Bev & I are in!! McDonalds was a great treat, I must say! I had a Big Mac, fries, apple pie, vanilla shake & large Mountain Dew!!After we bought a few thing to finish our 3-4 day hike into Damascus, VA!!! Yay, we'll be in Virginia!!!We ended up stopping at a small diner leaving town when Many Miles mentioned dessert so we went in and had chocolate cake with chocolate frosting with vanilla ice cream on top!!! Yes, I ate another dessert! Bev had a coconut cake with a 7 minute frosting... she was happy, it tasted like her mothers recipe! A local guy in the restaurant talked our ear off but very friendly... plus he gave us s ride back to the trail. Thanks a lot!Life today was good on the trail. As I'm doing my journaling in my tent, it's been raining, I love the sound of rain on my tent, I know I'll sleep well. I can hear the stream next to us too. Now I just pray the high winds don't blow us away tonight, that's supposed to start soon.Jimmy Chunga showed up when we got back from town, he was bummed he missed out going with us. We started a fire for awhile until everyone was getting cold. We all agreed we should have picked up stuff for s'mores! Next time.Off to bed for me, I'm sure my headlamp is bugging Bev & others near me, it's bright!Love & miss everyone!