morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-03-06
From: hogpen gap

To: about a .5 past low gap
Miles today: 4.7

We had the scariest thunderstorm last night!!! I kept waking up because of lightning...I probably slept a whole 2 hours. I left Diesel to hike out to Low Gap which took me about 1 and a half hours...and then I turned around to wait for Lalla and Julia B. who picked us up around 4...can I just say Mexican Food! You two are the best ~ THANK YOU for dinner, for dealing with our smell, for pineapple, my foot massage(oh yeah), and for loving me!As we were driving to the Holiday Inn Express and trying to figure out exactly where we were going to leave Diesel-who do we pass? The rest of 5 Alive!!! The hitched into town for knee braces for Slickrock. Yeah! So we are allat the holiday inn express...drying out showering, cleaning and eating. It was so great to see them-we wer so excited. Like it had been more than a day-we are a family.I am goingto try toget back to where I left off earlier today and the other 3 are going to Unicoi tomorrow and they are only going to hike 8 miles so that I can catch up with them. Hopefully.Ahh, clean and full...good night.speck
Date: 2003-03-07
From: about .5 past low gap

To: tray mountain
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: scattered clouds

It is cold tonight ontop of tray mountain...we went to the verytop to watch the sunsetI - WOW! I woke up at 6:20 am and packed everything up but noone else woke up till 8:20...so we got abit of a late start. Lalla and Julia B.(thank you again) drove us all over...Diesel is at the blueberry patch for the evening and i started on Jacks knob trail...2.4 miles to the appalachian trail..and it was a doozy. The rest of 5 alive went back to unicoi gap and hiked slow so I couuldcatch them...and I did around 6 pm...we must all be very tired because we have laughed about everything for about 2 hours, man I love times like this.song of the day: James Taylor-"In my mind Im going to carolina"gotta get warm,speck
Date: 2003-03-08
From: tray mountain

To: dicks creek gap
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

another incredible day...weather was about 65 degrees...sunny...we had about 12 miles to hike to meet Diesel. BUT we were slow and it took us a long time...I had a hard time getting started. I ate two snickers for breakfast and now I know that wasn't enough - But we got our new food drop today and i still had 7 snickers to eat... i gave Oopo 5 and I ate two. After lunch I felt much stronger and finished the last 3.4 miles on my own. A trail angel that the four of us had met yesterday was at the gap and I asked for an orange and gatorade again...he hung around with the five of us while we told Diesel about our day and sorted our 8 days of food(yikes thats heavy)...I mentioned that I would have liked to have german food in Helen, GA and he said lets go. So he took the five of us plus another guyx-to the Edelweiss Restaurant and bought all of us dinner and brought us back. Wow!!! We had a great time and he told us stories about his thru hike and different things he had done as a trail angel...have I mentioned that we are blessed! Thank you for everything!!! We are heading into North Carolina tomorrow...one state down and 13 to go! Thank you to Coach and Gary and Lenny Poteat for your prayers, your ministry and for taking care of Diesel!Blessings,speck
Date: 2003-03-09
From: dicks creek gap

To: bly gap campground
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: few clouds

Sitting at a campfire with a bunch of other hikers and of course 5 Alive!After last night I thought I would have a great day today-we had such a great dinner! But I was pretty tired today...I don't know when I will feel normal again...But we made it!!! And we are in North Carolina. It's interesting how different all of the hikers are out here...everyone out here for a different reason. Some for fellowship, some for alone time, for God, for marriage...its crazy to listen to some of the conversations...hahaha...the sunset tonight was beautiful...what another incredible view. Pray for my feet! They hurt.Happy trails and blessings,spec
Date: 2003-03-10
From: bly gap campground

To: Beech gap
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

Much better day for me today...thank goodness! It's kind of crazy trying to write a journal for everybody to read...sometimes I wonder what all of you would want to read...and other times I just want to record exactly how I feel and what I am going through.Started out cold this morning-27 degrees..yikes. But it got up to 65 today which I love. I could hike in 65 degree weather all the time. I was in front most of the day again, I got to hike with a father and his son this morning...Elliot-had a great time hiking with you!!! We are also sticking with bearkat, wench, denmark, earlyriser and othrs. We were behind them for awhile. I had the realization that this is my life that I am living for the moment this afternoon. I was on top of Standing Indian Mountain-laying on my back under a tree waiting for the others to get up to the top, and I thought, "wow, it's a monday and I am on top of a mountain laying down and its beautiful!!! And I could stay here forever because this is what I want to do." It is the strangest realization...this is my life.HUGE thank you to everyone who is praying for me cause I feel it and need it! We are getting close to 100 miles!blessing,speck
Date: 2003-03-11
From: Beech gap

To: .5 miles past glassmine gap
Miles today: 14.3

We hiked from 9:30 am to 6:00pm ...the terrain wasnt too bad today-but because of the crazy amount of leaves on the ground...you just cant tell whether there are roots or rocks under them, so of course you trip, roll, and stumble a whole lot. So it makes me tense...but I made it. We also scaled the side of a mountain AND got to Albert Mountain. Basically you hike up a vertical trail till you get to a rock wall...then you realize that the trail goes over the wall. So we climbed up...and climbed up more and more...I played "King of the mountain" with Oopu until he scrambled faster than I did. The view was incredible when we did finally get to the top. All five of us spent time just taking it all in. Then Diesel pulled his guitar out so that we could sing a couple of songs up there. amazing.We also reached 100 miles this evening right before we got to our campsite. I love it out here. We havent taken a shower in 5 days...yuck. So we will head to Franklin, NC tomorrow night for a shower and FOOD! Good night.Blessi
Date: 2003-03-12
From: .5 miles past glassmine gap

To: winding stair gap
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: clear sky

Laying on a bed in a smelly room restng...even though we have all taken showers there is a lingering smell. hahaha...we ate 2 huge pizzas, garlic bread and salad...we are going to K-mart, and the outfitter to make sure we are set for the next five days. Even though we only did 5.5 miles - I am tired!! I think it is all psychological...Oh yeah!!! We all hitchhiked today for the first time! One lady stopped right away and took Diesel, FrigidAir, and slickrock. So Oopu and I hung out for a while till two guys in a red truck picked us up...all I have to say is interesting. Glad I am alive! But they were very nice. :-)Going to do laundy!speck
Date: 2003-03-13
From: winding stair gap

To: lick log gap
Miles today: 12.2

After a good nights sleep and a delicious breakfast at Shoney's(great breakfast bar), 5 Alive was picked up by Charles from the Nantahala hiking club...and dropped us off back at Winding stair gap around 10:30 am.Charles warned us that we were going to have rain, but it hasn't happened yet! I felt good today...after eating so much pizza and breakfast(carb loading). We got to see Silers bald and Wayah balds today...such a cool thing. Noone really knows why it happens but there are areas in the middle of forests that have no trees or shrubs and are just bald. Looks neat.I was in a pretty goofy mood today...pretended I was superman(there are pictures), playing hide and go seek with myself, and rolling down hills...you know...Anyways, starting tomorrow I am going to start a small focus on each one of the 5 Alive-starting with my wonderful sis Slickrock.Todays song was: "When I call on Jesus" by Nicole C. Mullen-it came on the radio before we left the motel.Be blessed and a blessing,cheezy spec
Date: 2003-03-14
From: lick log gap

To: a. rufus morgan
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Sitting in our first shelter on a rainy night...there are 6 of us in here and it is pretty cozy. We hung our packs to "protect" them from the mice and Oopu and I went to hang the bear bag a few minutes ago. So HOPEFULLY we won't have too many mice. This was a harder day than I had expected. We started out pretty well - did abut 7.6 miles in 3 hours-but then we started the straight up and straight down...into the Nantahala Outdoor Center. And we have to go straight up for 3 miles tomorrow~yikes. Anyways, 5 Alive - Oh yeah, Oopu would like to give out to his parents andfamily...Slickrock: she is my younger sister. It is incredible to be on this hike with her. I like to watch her interact with others...she is pretty opinionated and will let you know what she thinks about the subject if it matters to her. We both love to be outside - but she knows so much about the creation...and she has such a passion about making the creation better before we ruin it all. We laugh a lot together and are finding that we have more in common than we thought. It's probably harder to be out here with a sibling than just friends...it's easier to hurt the people you love.She's the best...Hope you guys have enjoyed the insight about my sister. Check tomorrow for insights about Frigid Air.Blessings,spec
Date: 2003-03-15
From: a. rufus morgan

To: Sassafras Gap shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: light rain

Hi all!Can I say that I am pooped!!! I haven't felt this tired since we got out here...I think it was the combination of yesterday and then the oh I don't know...straight up for 4000 feet. We even started out with a hamburger (finally) at the Nantahala River Restaurant...yum.   We are in another shelter cause slick and fridge wanted to stay here to stay out of the rain, but it's not raining now. So hopefully we will get about 13-15 miles in tomorrow.song of the day: "I feel the earth move under my feet"Now onto Frigid Air:I met her about 4 years ago at a Methodist Camp for 3rd - 5th graders...we started talking about the AT about 2 years ago and decided to hike over Labor Day weekend together...after 33.5 miles in 2 1/2 days and lots of rain we were both hooked. I may know her the least out of everyone else out here...but she is so incredible. I think she has not complained out loud since we started and she is willing to try anything. Her heart for God is a blessing to be around. She listens more than she talks but also knows how to have a lot of fun. I have laughed with her a lot...I think she might be our book writer for this experience. I am so blessed because she is with us. My prayer for her is that she finds her peace every single day out her and seeks our Fathers face in every activity
Date: 2003-03-16
From: Sassafras Gap shelter

To: Cody gap campsite
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Hi all...we have had two days where I could have gone a little further than we did(even though I was pooped yesterday)...I dont mind but I do wonder if we will ever do more than 14 miles in one day. It will be so cool when we do! Today wasnt too hard, we did have one vertical up...that I wasnt sure we would make. I also fell not once but 2 times on slippery rocks...within ten minutes of each other...thats right I am graceful. Didnt get hurt-but did get to be entertainment for some weekend hikers.We had another visit from THE trail angel at one of the road crossings...we saw the orange chairs and knew it was Ox!!! He brought more amazing oranges and cookies-girl scout cookies...oh yeah...so we ate lunch and hung out with him for an hour. Thank you again for all that you gave to us! We all hope to return the favor to a future through hiker...one day. Have fun in California!We will do 11 miles into Fontana Dam tomorrow to clean our stuff and to take our first zero day!!!Man, this is longer than I had planned...I think I will do background on another 5 Aliver tomorrow.Hello to all of the kids at FUMC in Pensacola...I dreamt about a bunch of you this past week. I dreamt about LEP and Noah's Ark and Pathways...I miss you all very much and am praying for you.Also, I always have a song stuck in my head and for the past week it has be a song called "Great are You" and I dont even know all of it which just drives me nuts...so I am going to put the words of the chorus in here so maybe that will help."Because I'll never hold a picture of the whole horizon in my view.Because I'll never rip the night in two-it makes me wonder...who am I, who am I, who am I - Great are You. Great are You Lord." Down HereI tried to block it out with "Am I not pretty enough" Kasey Chambers...but that didnt work.Have a great week!spec
Date: 2003-03-17
From: Cody gap campsite

To: Fontana dam resort
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: overcast clouds

what a crazy day!!! We did 11.2 miles in about 4.5 hours. Pretty easy...with a couple of hard climbs. Of course in our last 1.4 miles it rained on us pretty hard-but then we got our shuttle at 1:30 to the "resort". hahahaha... Out of 8 washing machines only one works...and nothing else is open...the food isnt too bad though. My sister and I were supposed to get our 2nd box today and it wasnt here. And it was sent on February 28th ANd we are heading for a good 5 or 6 days in the Smoky Mtn...so we spent some time trying to figure out what to do...especially since the store here doesnt have much. Soooo Slickrocks boyfriend is saving the day-he picked up food from mom and dad and is driving 10 hours to bring it to us. How amazing is this?! THANK YOU PAUL!!!So now we are sitting with Red, Dean, Mr. Cranky Pants, and Eric for the Moment...in front of the best fire. We along with about 7 hikers are the ONLY people in this hotel.Love it!!!Update on Oopu tomorrow! Promise its a zero day tomorrow...shouldnt have too much else to talk about.speck
Date: 2003-03-18
From: Fontana dam resort

To: Fontana dam resort
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Zero DAY!!! Resting and eating...getting my feet dry...love it.Leaving for the smokies in the morning...we will hopefully get about 11 miles in.Onto some background info about Oopu-we met at Blue Lake Chrysalis and really got along well EXCEPT that he always wore Florida Gator stuff..and seeing how I am a Florida State University grad...we always talked trash about schools. But we have been able to move on. Hahaha...He and I have shared prayer requests and what God is doing in our lives more and more over the past year. This past fall when I was hoping to find another guy to hike with us, he mentioned that he might be interested. I was pretty surprised cause he would have to leave behind a house and a job...but he prayd about it and he is out here with us. I know he is hoping just as much as I am to seek Gods face and also have "his face ripped off". As he says all the time. Out of all five of us he takes the most pictures and looks forward to the views as much as slickrock...and if he could have his way he would get to watch basketball every time we stop in a town. He is also so stinking funny...ask him to do his "Smeagol" impression...if you have never heard it...he is funny. I guess that is all at the moment...going to watch Diesel shave his head.Happy Trails!spec
Date: 2003-03-19
From: Fontana dam resort

To: Mollies Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: broken clouds

Salamander sightings: 0Bear sightings: 0Well, we are on the trail again in the Smoky mountains. We ate a pretty big breakfast at fontana Dam resort, said good bye to Paul(and he took a lot of our extra stuff ie backpacker guitar, pack towel...) back to mom. She will bring it all back when we get to Hot Springs, NC.We may be one of the last groups that gets to cross Fontana Dam today-b\c of the war they are going to barricade the dam...so future hikers will have to do a 2 mile blue blaze around fontana dam. My feet hurt today...i have bunions which causes a pinched nerve in the frontof both my feet.. and they hurt more today than they have the whole time. But I am learning how to push through all of that.Hey, Oopu just saw a mouse and we arent even sleeping yet!Okay, onto info about Diesel...I have known him the longest cept for my sister of course...and we share a HUGE passion for music. Specifically worship music and its the best when we can lead worship together. He has two sisters so he probably has the easiest time out here with us girls..(.its been interesting for all 3 of us cause we dont have brothers...we are learning a whole lot!) He was interested in hiking with me over a year ago-when I mentioned it to him at a Chrysalis. We actually started doing day hikes on the Conecuh trail and would talk about how amazing it would be to hike the AT.He is awesome. He has a heart for the Lord and a freedom in his relationship with God that a lot of guys at the age of 21 do not have. It is a blessing to have him along because he is ready to learn what God wants to teach him AND he brought a backpacker guitar so we have been able to sing together. I have always loved singing with him-we can read wher the other person is going to go and things just are so smooth...its pretty amazing when you can do that with people. I guess thats all tonight. Its getting pretty cold in here...and there even is a fire place!!! but the wind is blowing strong.Blessings,speck
Date: 2003-03-20
From: Mollies Ridge Shelter

To: Derrick Knob shelter
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: light rain

Salamanders: 0Bears: 0horse apples: at leats 25Happy Spring Everybody!!I dont know when the time changes...hopefully soon. Today in honor of spring, we got to hike in some rain, lots of mud...lots and lots of mud...and more mud. We were slipping and sliding all over the place...it makes hiking a lot harder.I had asked God for something unexpected today, but it was the same kind of day...maybe tomorrow. Thank you to all of you that have been praying for us! These past two days have been hard but we are making it and are in great spirits!Blessings,specksong of the day: Come away with me-Norah Jone
Date: 2003-03-21
From: Derricks Knob shelter

To: Mt. Collins Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: overcast clouds

salamander sightings: 0bear sightings: 0skunk smellings: at least 8Its day 21!!! 3 weeks on the trail!!!It was much prettier day than the past two days...we got up to Clingmans Dome today-supposedly the highest point on the AT. We are so lucky to have good weather so that we had good visibility.Slickrock isnt feeling well though-she has flu like symptoms...I feel so bad for her. We are squeezing in this shelter-its smaller than any of the other shelters weve been to...There is a family of four here that have shared their hotdogs with us!!! Thank you!!!It all tasted sooooo good. We are having an amazing time out here- in spite of the mud. :-)blessings,song of the day: "Im just a bill..." from Reality Bite
Date: 2003-03-22
From: Mt. Collins Shelter

To: Pecks Corner Shelter
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: broken clouds

salamander sightings: 0Bear sightings: 0skunk smellings:7Such a wonderful day!!!We started at 8:20 am and made it to Newfound gap by 10:00 am-where they have a bathroom...yeah! there were also many, many people there to sightsee and hike...it was a little overwhelming for all of us. But "Eric for the moment"'s mom Miss Patricia showed up with much amazing food for all 9 of the hikers that were hanging out there. Incredible! Potato Salad, grapes, carrots and fried chicken...thank you so much!Then we hiked pretty quickly to the next shelter and from there another 7 miles to this shelter. Incredible views,incredible food, incredible weather and sore feet. Doesn't get too much better than this. We didnt get a lot of sleep last night because there were so many people in the shelter-it is much better tonight.By the way, there are supposed to be more Salamanders in the Great Smoky mtns than anywhere else in America. So we have hoped to find some - but Slickrock and I agree they are not on the AT...neither are there bears! Sigh...still hoping though.2 More days in the smokies and then on to Hot Springs where mom will join us with clean clothes and food!Blessings,song for today: "Fill my cup" - Paul Coleman Tri
Date: 2003-03-23
From: Pecks Corner Shelter

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

salamander sightings: 5!!!!!bear sightings: 0 - sigh...Another great day!!! We hiked a half mile out of the shelter area till we got back to the AT. Then it was mild ups till we saw flat terrain in the distance...it was beautiful! Oopu and I climbed a tree and there should be a picture to see what it all looks like soon. And I finally found some Salamanders-with the help from Mr. Crankypants. Yeah!!! Still no bears though...sigh...We also made it to our shelter by 4:30 pm which means we have been hanging out for about 3 hours. Love it. The yellow submarine group(3 guy hikers) caught up with us tonight...they were about 2 days behind us...we had heard about them and they about us-its fun to meet all these people.We are finished with the smokies tomorrow morning!!! Going to Mtn. Mommas for hamburgers and our mail drop after 8 miles...Hope all of you are doing well-I miss you all so much!blessings,songs for today: am-"Walking on broken glass" Annie Lennoxpm - "I think we're alone now" - Tiffany
Date: 2003-03-24
From: Cosby Knob Shelter

To: .5 mile short of Snowbird Mtn.
Miles today: 14.6

Well now, I think that I am tired. We are officially finished with the Great Smoky Mtns! Our hike out was about 8 miles this morning and again it has been beautiful...we saw our first flower...yeah...a lot of down hill though so Slickrock and I fall behind. We arent as fast when we go downhill. We got a hitch into Mtn. Mommas to pick up our maildrops and I got my package from our parents and one from the best friend I could have...thanks for all the stuff Sandi!!! Dang it was good. Slickrock and I will make sure we get our picture taken with the bandanas...you rock! This afternoon after we ate good hamburgers at Mtn. Mommas we started back on the trail and went as far as we could...we arent sure where we are but will hopefully figure it out tomorrow.There are some tensions between some of the group members so we may have to have a discussion soon. My prayers for us is that anything that is discussed or brought up is to build each other up. We havent showered since Wednesday and wont till this wednesday- so I am sure that doesnt help with our moral. But mom is coming on Wednesday Night to feed us and love on us and I cant wait. Rumors are that my grandfather is coming too!! Pretty exciting.Blessings,song: "Lets hear it for the boys