morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-04-30
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Hogback Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

w/ Poco, Critter, Caterpillar, Southern Boy, Pitaman, Not Yet, Dax, Geezer, Achilles, Gadget, Seth9:20pm....is that a homemade coke bottle apparatus? Fires and comradery do wonders for the soul. Sitting around the fire with hikers tonight, laughing and joking, makes being out here seem natural. And, even though I'm exhausted from pulling a long day in crappy weather, I feel good. Not looking too far ahead might be working. I moved ahead of Sheriff today to get into Erwin earlier...seeing how I'm running out of food and all. But I'm gonna see if I can't meet back up with him to walk to Damascus and Trail Days...we'll see. But I'm feeling better about moving on, and I'm excited about meeting new people. But I'll also miss those that I hike with when they leave...it's hard not to get attached to people when you spend so much time with them. But I'll see him again, it's a small trail, afterall. But now I must pass out...sorry, but I had to test the homemade coke bottle apparatus...Umba Band: "With You"-Jessica Simpson "Everyone's Fool"-Everescence
Date: 2004-05-01
From: Hogback Ridge Shelter

To: No Business Knob Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: overcast clouds

w/Southern Boy, Caterpillar, Pitaman, Kodiak9:05 pm....one month and counting So, once again the people on this trail continue to awe and inspire me. Pitaman brought this to my attention earlier this morning when we were walking together in the rain. He's from Israel and he, too, is amazed by the friendly, caring, unselfish hiker community we have out here...it's also one of the things that keeps him going too. Today was no exception. I [cough] didn't quite pack enough food to make it to Erwin...but almost everyone helped out: Skippy, Poppins, Southern Boy, Dax, Paradox and even Racheal's dad! We even found some magic in the form of cookies and muffins. Good thing too, because I had a rough morning of rain and terrain...aahhhh, yes, Pitaman just busted out his harmonica. You know, he makes homemade pitas every night for dinner, right over the fire...I watched him. But yeah, another long day...my second 20 in a row, and it did't seem that bad...just tiring. Except for when I took my first fall today! I was coming down from Big Bald (spare the jokes please) in all the mud and slipperyness, when I slipped...not once, or twice, but four times...all the while waving my arms in that stupid looking balance dance. But to no avail, so I fell downhill, pack first, feet flying out behind me...right into some thorn bushes! I was stuck there for five minutes, laughing and trying to get my pack unstrapped. It was funny, Poco saw it, so he can concure. Ah...good times, good times...Umba-band:"this love"-Maroon 5
Date: 2004-05-02
To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Chris arrived in Erwin, TN this afternoon shortly after noon. He and some hiking buddies checked into the Super 8 because they can't get into Miss Janet's B&B until tomorrow. Chris picked up his food boxes and his new PocketMail Device at Miss Janet's and returned to the Super 8 to get organized for the next leg of the trip (Damascus) and to learn how to use PocketMail. They were also thinking of going back to Hot Springs for a barbecue being sponsored by BackPackers Magazine for the hikers. Miss Janet had arranged for a shuttle.
Date: 2004-05-04
To: Mom Hass
Miles today: 0.0

Chris left Erwin, TN today after spending a couple of days of R&R. He received his Pocketmail while at Miss Janet's and has successfully tested it with his cell phone for transmitions. He is now on his way to Damascus (ahh ... another state behind him!). He hopes to be there by Tuesday 5/11 in preparation for Trail Days on the weekend. In between, he is planning a 40 mile lite weight "back hike" to reduce the number of miles from the next leg (Damascus to Pearisburg) and keep him relatively on schedule. His life lessons in his first month on the trail have provided a new outlook on life and his approach to the trail (all good!). His mail drop list has been updated - he plans on making the half way point (Harpers Ferry) by 6/14/04 and has a revised arrival date in Maine of Labor Day weekend (est. Sept. 7). Next set of pictures will be posted w/o 5/10/04.
Date: 2004-05-04
From: nolichucki river

To: curley maple gap shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

w/ sheriff, swissmiss, geezer, keytone7:36pm....what a wonderful day in the neighborhoodYou can't beat a sunny day walking next to a river...just gorgeous. Babbling brooks do wonders for the soul. And I can never seem to get out of towns on time (started at 4ish today)...and, of course I forgot my stick, so I had to wait for that. But I did get my watch back...the one with some blue paint stains from when my gal decided to paint me instead of the set...aahhhh, the memories.But I did get a good couple of days in Erwin, TN. Spent Sunday night with Caterpillar, Southern Boy and Pitaman at the Super 8...Miss Janet's House was full...even after hiking in the rain to get there. But she did invite all of us to go to a barbeque in Hot Springs. It's a weird thing to walk 5 days or something from a town...then drive for an hour to get back there! Cars are funky now. Great night though (with the exception of not being able to call my girl) with lots of food and good people...thanks Miss Janet!I was able to stay at her place last night...with a crapload of other people...and I still managed to eat alone. But I talked to my folks and my girl...I just can't believe how lucky I am, I mean she's wonderful! She sent me this package...and just opening it made my sappy boyish self cry, but with happy tears. I even waited until I got back from the barbeque to open it so I could savor every little thing...and savor and smile I did! She made me this really beautiful card, a picture of me hiking (made with crayons!), some chocolate, some good smelling lotion, another sparkly pen (hee, hee, hee) and some other really cute things. And she thinks she's the lucky one!?! And I'm smiling...aaahhhh...the things she does to me...And I started to feel some funky vibes coming from the Sheriff when we met again a week or so ago, so I decided to talk to him about it last night. I guess talking about my problems and fears was starting to wear on him, making him, sort of unable to work on his own fears. I guess he's always liked to see people solve their own problems...anyway, it's kind of hard to explain, but I respect the man and his space. Besides, it's really time for me to move on and I'll still hike with him if we're in the same place...and i've gotten more excited about that...it's time to make this trip MY trip. So good luck to you Sheriff. I consider you a true friend, man, seriously. And it's a full moon tonight and we might do a night hike tonight...uh oh, getting sidetracked....8:52pm...sidetracked by the Geezer Change of plans, we were going to night hike with Swiss Miss, Sheriff, Keytone, and myself, but this guy came down to the shelter for water that has Geezer freaked out. Soooo, Keytone and I decided to stay back at the shelter so he wouldn't be alone. Geezer's a cool guy and it'll be nice to ease an old man's fears...I'm just going with the flow now...this is my trip.Umba-band: "Foolish Games"-Jewel
Date: 2004-05-05
From: Curley Maple Gap Shelter

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: scattered clouds

w/ Geezer, Keytone, Sheriff, Swiss Miss, Statler9:40pm....and I'm connected Mental note: never carry 8 days of food again!...I think my pack weighs mor than I do! The day was pretty cool, though. The top of Unicoi Mnt was really cool, all covered with wildflowers, old pine trees, moss and everything...I expected a unicorn to gallup through at any time! But even todays natural beauty couldn't draw my thoughts away from my lingering fears. With all the people both ahead and behind me, I'm still afraid to move on and I've been kicking myself for it lately...but only a little. As for today, I'm tired, the cargo plane attached to my back is draining my energy, so I'm fine right here for now. I took a nap today...[smile] and dreamt about my girl Oh, and I got my Pocketmail to work, once, but it worked...now I just have to find the time to get caught up! I've got plenty of that, though, and tomorrow is a new day. I'll face some fears then and some more the next day until I've faced them all...and then I'll start all over again, because life wouldn't be interested without obstacles, right? So tomorrow is a new day, with time to ponder, wander, miss, wish, walk, talk, and just enjoy.Umba-band:"turn, turn, turn"-the byrds
Date: 2004-05-06
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan Mountain
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: few clouds

w/Sheriff, Swiss Miss, Statler, Keytone, Aswa, Daytripper10:05pm....high with a clear sky   What a beautiful night!! Sitting in a grassy field on top of a moutain with the entire sky open and clear for my delight...one would never have thought that today was a tough one. I just have too many thoughts in my head, most of which are depressing, sadly enough, and I keep wondering when all this gets easier. But everyone has problems with their feet, being lonely, missing people, blah, blah, blah...so I'm not alone there and some will go away and some will stay. Either way, none of my problems will make me quit...and I am enjoying myself...really.   Sitting up here, talking to my fellow hikers under a star-filled sky makes even a 2500 foot climb worth while. It was a nasty climb too... straight up with roots and rocks and pain for 3 hours! I'm not sure if I even enjoyed it...a far cry from earlier today when I was watching crickets scatter everywhere as I walked. And it's hard not to enjoy yourself in a place like this with people laughing in the background, watching the moon and stars until I fall asleep...I think I must be enjoying myself!Unba-band:"19-something"-smashing pumpkins"poor unfortunate souls"-little mermaid11:16....ps...Oh man, I just watched a red moon emerge from some clouds on the horizon, making them look like a midnight sunrise!...all while eating some Cassie-granola. Yeah, I think I'm having fun now.
Date: 2004-05-07
From: Roan Mountain

To: Apple House Shelter
Miles today: 15.4

w/Geezer, Swiss Miss, Sheriff, Rob, Keytone, Gadget, Jack Rabbit, Sleepy the Arab, Oz, Granite, Press-on9:26 PM ... Alright, enough with the bald jokesListening to Sheriff tell Granite to blow while others are laughing, makes me glad to be out here ... just like the scenery all day today. The sunrise from Roan Mountain was great ... made even better by a couple of deer strolling through the clearing. But almost all day long, myself and Keytone hiked along grassy balds at the top of the world! We got to see the whole countryside from Little and Big Hump .. the best place of the day ... and I can't even describe it, but just imagine walking on a mountain top covered with grass.Before that we visited the highest shelter on the AT (Roan Mountain) and the coolest shelter, that is, really a barn with a terrific view of the valley. And I'm really tired, so it's kind of hard to think right now. I'm still not sleeping well, and it's kind of wearing me down. But if that's my only complaint of the day, then I should consider myself blessed and I do, for just about everything (except for sleep ... oh, and my feet) I really don't have much to say because everything I experienced today was natural beauty ... and this probably makes no sense, blast my tired mumbling! If anything comes from this it's that I had a good day ... plain and simple.Umba Band: "Up in Here, Up in Here" - some rap guy
Date: 2004-05-08
From: Apple House Shelter

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: few clouds

w/Keytone, Geezer, Paradox, Indigo, and some others11:05 PM ... Squish goes the water in my socksEveryday is different, but in a good way. While I didn't hike over high grassy balds with views of the countryside for miles, I did hike in and out of rolling grass prairies, talking to Keytone all the way. Not much can beat the smell of wildflowers as you watch the wind blow the grass in waves ... but, in some ways, the smell of fresh coffee and the sound of sizzling bacon can, and that's how we started the day, by hitching a ride 1.5 miles to a little diner called the Country Kitchen in Elk Park, NC. They had biscuits the size of saucers! Excellent stuff and well worth the time to start the day with a good breakfast. I even got Geezer a sausage biscuit, at his request, knowing that I'd probably cart the thing around all day! During our tranquil walk through prairies and woods, Keytone had the perfect idea for a "snack box" to leave on the trail. Everyone has different cravings at different times. So in this "snack box" one would leave a snack and take a snack, so someone might see a swisscake roll and say "Dude, I haven't had one off those in years!" They'll take that and leave a Nutty Bar ... and so the process continues on ... we had this epiphany while sitting under the "The Giving Tree" for a break.We had another long break at Jone's Falls, a really cool waterfall right off the trail ... I even walked underneath it! It was really cool, but we realized that it was 2:30 and we had only gone about 4 miles! So, we continued on ... and that's when our day got interesting.Around 4:00 we started to hear thunder (I love thunder!) ... and then it started to sprinkle, so we hunkered down with Indigo to wait out what we thought was a short afternoon shower. So, it started to rain ... then it started to pour ... then it started to hail! So, instead of trying to pitch our tents in the rain, we decided to make a break for the shelter ... and, of course, then it started to rain ... again, and then it started to pour ... again, and then it started to hail ... again, and we walked and joked and laughed through it all! So our 4 mile day turned into an 18 Mile day ... and we even saw that crazy old man, Geezer, so he was able to get his sausage biscuit ... minus two bites as a delivery fee, of course!Oh, funny side note. Swiss Miss got lost yesterday coming down from Roan Mountain! She took a wrong turn and ended up going back down the mountain the same way she came up. umba band song: "In the End" ? P.O.D.? I'm not sure.PS This life is great ... I'm watching lightning play off some distant clouds while listening to SNL (Saturday Night Live) ... I think I might be starting to enjoy it!
Date: 2004-05-10
From: Kincora Hostel

To: US321
Miles today: 8.9

w/Sheriff, Keytone, Geezer, Swiss Miss, Blue, Indigo, Can't Zip, Bent Frame10:05 PM ... Slacking to make up for slackingIt's been a great couple of days at the Kincora Hostel. Keytone and myself rolled into this place yesterday and met Bob Peoples right off the bat. He showed us around, being the great guy that he is, and we showered and did laundry until he offered to take us into town for food and what not ... Geezer and I got steaks! They didn't have aspargus, so we got green beans and dinner rolls and grilled out here! Oh, man, I love that full feeling!Then, this morning I got up and cooked breakfast (with the help of Geezer) for all 12 people. We had eggs with Green Peppers, Onions, and Cheese, Pancakes and sausage ... mmmm, it felt just like old times at the Deelite. Then, Geezer (who always ends up convincing us to do something ... crafty old man!) convinced me to slack-pack with everyone else today ... slack-pack meaning how it sounds. We slacked, got a ride further down the trail, and walked back to the hostel ... with no packs! Oh, and I got to swim in Laurel Creek Falls .. Beautiful!Tonight was baked beans and sloppy joe night, giving me that ultra-full feeling again. But tomorrow it's back to the trail .. for only 3 days, but, oh well, 3 days 'til the next party in DamascusBut, I've been getting way too used to this easy hiking living. small miles ... more talking and having fun. Odd, I used to have a problem with not pushing on and hiking. Now I have a problem with pushing on and hicking. Once again, it's the people that make this trail what it is. I think next month (when I have an actual schedule to adhere to) I'll designate to challenging myself, both physically and mentally. I have plans to do 20, 20's ... 20 days of 20 miles a day ... in a sort of row, stopping only to resupply, or for free dinners from the Lambourne clan! Mentally, I want to try to spend some time by myself, get in touch with the inner me that I haven't touched, if it even needs to be touched .. you know what I mean! But, for now, it's off to fun at Trail Days ... I'll worry about the rest later, just one trip at a time still.Umba-Band: "Blue" - that annoying techno song
Date: 2004-05-11
From: US321

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

w/Keytone, Gadget, Can't Zip, Bent Frame, Blue, and Geezer9:24 PM ... Lack of Sleep ImpairedAgain, the first day back out is the toughest ... unless you have people to spend it with. I mean today was very uneventful. We walked around Wataga Lake and over the dam, very beautiful. We hiked up to the ridge ... very tiring .. where we saw some great views of the lake ... very beautiful again. But it was walking with Keytone while leap frogging the others, that made today enjoyable. I love sitting around cooking with other people while just chatting it up. Bent Frame and Can't Zip are hilarious and fun to be around. Keytone is a cool guy and we get along well together. Geezer is just a fun old man ... and it's his birthday on Thursday so we're gonna celebrate that. But my brain is tired from staying up late at the hostel, so I must sleep, zzzzzzzzumba band: "cecelia" Simon & Garfunkle
Date: 2004-05-12
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Abingoon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: clear sky

w/Keytone, Blue, Can't Zip, Bent Frame, Geezer, Gadget, Paradox10:19 PM ... Hope and you shall receiveIt really is weird when you talk aobut things and then, out of the blue, they just happen. Keytone and I were talking about how, every so often, we start to hope that around the next turn we might happen upon some magic ... wham! We get to Highway 91 and an old thru hiker named Drifter is there with pops and BLT's. He was heading to Trail Days for the 10 Year Reunion with those he hiked with in '94 and thought he'd do some magic. For those dirty hikers (like myself) coming into Damascus. Then we were greeted by John at 421 with hot dogs and fudge rounds ... having also talked about how fudge rounds were really high in calories and very packable. So trail magic is really good! I guess it pays to be surrounded by so many hikers, both past and present, at one time. I'm excited about Trail Days! Even with the rain today ... not much can dampen my spirits now a days.Walking through lush green woods and tall grassy fields with Keystone today was great ... with the exception of the bugs. I think they're getting smarter at being more annoying. They concentrated on bombarding my right ear (and just my right ear for some reason) all day long! And I must really be smitten. I was trudging through the "Green Tunnel", that is the AT at times, when into my brain pops the picture of my girl with red hair that she took for me ... and I just got the biggest mile on my face and this surge of happiness enduced energy jolted through my body. And this kind of think happens daily, whenever I think about her. It's an excellent distraction! Totally different note: it's also really cool to introduce myself to people and have them say "Oh, so your Momma's Boy. We've been following you on Trail Journals!" It helps me realize that the work that I'm putting into the site (ur my mom, really .... the only work I do is hike) is really worth it. Just the thought of people I don't even know following me is inspiring. Even people I'm hiking with use the site to let others know who they're with and what they're doing. Like Blue. I think she told her mom, so she's now following ... you just know I love the attention! Well, the fun starts tomorrow with crossing into my 4th state, Virginia. Then it's on to Damascus and Trail Days... just thinking of the fun overload makes me tired! Better get some sleep while I can ... let the fun begin!Umba-band: "Jelly Fish Heaven" - Dead Milkmen
Date: 2004-05-13
From: Abingoon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

w/ Bent Frame, Can't Zip, Keytone, Sheriff, Swiss Miss, Geezer11:38 PM ... Nodding off at THE Place.Another town and another way too full belly. We hiked into Damascus this afternoon to find our place to stay for Trail Day's and we found THE place ... the local hostal run by the Methodist Church. And, of course, it rained on us today (I think it's the season of the afternoon shower). I got here with Can't Zip today to the Virginia Border ... she's so funny, her and Bent Frame make excellent hiking companions. But yeah, I'm in Virginia! State Number 4! Virginia should be really nice and from what I've seen, so far, I definitely believe it. Damascus is really cute, if I can get away with using that word ... wow, so we celebrated Geezer's birthday with food and then Alan and Robyn at the Baptist Church had more food to cram in my belly ... so now I'm so full that I can't get comfortable to write. It just hurts! Welcome to Trail Day's!Umba Band: My mind was Pretty Blank today for some reason
Date: 2004-05-16
From: Damascus, VA

To: Saunders Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: light rain

w/Rob, Jovo, Slater, Jumbo8:50 PM ... make sure you laugh at me when it rainsOh, wow ... what a weekend! And I'm so giddy right now I could skip around the Shelter! This is going to be a great month! Ah, yes, where to start ... I"ll just do it K.I.S.S. (Keep it Simple Stupid).Trail Days was fun. I got some of my gear fixed, bummed around town, went to some seminars. But mostly, I just hung around with hikers I've been hiking with and those I've hiked with all weekend: Bent Frame, Can't Zip, Keytone, Sheriff, Swiss Miss, Skippy, Poppins, Caterpillar, Critter, Pitaman, Geezer, Indigo, and many more! I even saw Krewzer! But that's what this week end was really about, seeing people and just having fun. Keytone was blessed this weekend. He ended up talking to a couple of companies that wanted to help him out because he's diabetic. He even won a backpack and the backpacker homemade gear competition with his friends (nalgene insulin cooler). I tell ya, good things happen to good people! Oh, the parade was really cool too. It's pretty much a water fight between the hikers in the parade and the towns folk downtown. I even saw one Miata convertible with the top down get pegged with like 5 water ballons! I could tell the owners weren't happy as they backed up ... birds flying!But it's good to be back in the woods, too. Many luxuries and too many people over the weekend. It was a gorgeous day, as the trail followed the Virginia Creeper Trail and a pretty large stream. Nice rolling ups and downs out of the valley. Even the small mountain was cut nicely with switch backs! So far, Virginia has turned out to be as nice as everyone says it is.And, I'm just so happy today! I'm to a state that I've looked forward to being in since I've started. I'm back in the woods and I'm hiking. But I'm really giddy because I talked to my girl today ... and I'm being kidnapped! I don't know when ... I don't know where ... I just know it's coming. And for some other reasons I can't mention ... hee, hee, hee. It's just been a great couple of weeks. I'm happy and I'm smiling and I like it!Umba Band: Some Bach Piece they play on a lot of movie ballroom scens