morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-08
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Campsite before Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

Started:Vandeventer Shelter, 9:00amFinished:Campsite before Double Springs Shelter, 4:30pmSleeping:TentMiles:13.5 Total Miles:440.3Miles:including approach trail:449.113.5 miles with a full pack. I can't keep the foot pain at bay after about 8 miles. I choose to stop 9/10 from the shelter because the campsite had a good water source. I got my tent up, built a fire, filtered my water, made dinner, cleaned up dishes and ME, gathered more fire wood and put wet socks, shoes, boot insoles, gaiters and orthotics around the blaze to dry out. I walked up the hill to try to get a signal on my cell phone. No luck. I am now sitting in front of the fire doing my journal and repositioning myself every few minutes to keep my my entire body from cramping up. When you work your muscles for 8 hours they would prefer a nice hot tub to a chilly night on a mountain and they let you know!I have retired to my tent. I heard a barred owl again. (such a haunting sound) Contemplating the imposible. I would love to be in Damascus tomorrow, but that would mean 19.2 miles. I would really be pushing my limits physically, but it would allow me to 0 there and get my itinerary lined up 'til Trail Days and beyond. I am presently ahead of my ETA mail drop dates, but Trail Days and 2 days volunteering at Kincora, building an AT shelter should help get ETA's in order.Bluebird Reports: ETA - Estimated Time of Arrival (which, by the way, is hard to estimate)
Date: 2006-05-09
From: Campsite before Double Springs Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Started:Campsite before Double Springs Shelter, 8:30amFinished:Damascus, 7:30pmSleeping:HostelMiles:19.2 Total Miles:459.5Miles:including approach trail:468.3Okay, I'm not bragging or complaining, I'm just saying I did it. I walked the 19.2 miles into Damascus...and I hope I never do that again with a full pack. There are those among us that think a 40 mile challenge is fun. I put that right up there with Sado-masocism or hiker fruitcake! Hey, to each his own.Tomorrow is a zero day to do laundry, fix my daughter's student loan (online), buy new shoes (boots have bit the dust) at the local outfitter and arrange a shuttle north, to hike south, back to Damascus for Trail Days. I also plan to put my feet from the ankles down in the sun. These hiker sock tan lines are scary.
Date: 2006-05-10
From: Damascus

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Started:0 DayFinished:0 DaySleeping:Hiker Inn HostelMiles:0Total Miles:459.5Miles:including approach trail:468.3Today was the catch up, stock up, refuel, replenish. I had to let go of my Merrell Boots, they finally bit the dust, seams bursting, feet sloshing about from side to side in loose shreds of floppy leather. I got myself a pair of Montrails. They are soooooo light and pretty! That will last about a day. Rain is in the forcast.I'll be shuttled north tomorrow to Atkins and hike south back to Damascus for Trail Day's. This won't be a slack pack and I'll be carrying 7 days of food. The pack is loaded and very heavy. So, what's new.I need to be at the local outfitter by 9:15am for the shuttle. This means I can sleep in! Staying at the the "Hiker's Inn" this evening after a rough night at The Place. I went from indoor shelter-like accomadations to the most comfortable bunk I've slept on on the trail. Suzanne is the hostel and B&B owner and she is the best! I'll be staying here when get back to Damascus. Journey, my transcriber for trailjournals.com, and I will be sharing a room. I am really looking forward to this. It will be the first time I meet Diane Manning since she took on the job of posting all my journal entries on the site. It's a big job and requires a devoted spirit to the hiker. I could not be more pleased with how she has handled this task for me! THANKS JOURNEY, you dah BOMB!   Still trying to work out my daughter's student loan application from afar. I love and hate technology! Right now I could strangle Sallie Mae and their on site application process. I already have co-signed for 3 loans for my daughter Sarah, at their site, that were aproved and suddenly they have this ned for me to fax my social security card to them....LIKE NO!!! Check your files Sallie Mae! Okay, enough stress on my cloistered hiker life, to bed!More bird info. tomorrow along with Bluebird Reports.
Date: 2006-05-11
From: Va 683, Atkins, VA

To: Chatfield Shelter
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: light rain

Started:VA 683, Atkins, VA 10:30amHeading SouthFinished:Chatfield Shelter, 1:00pmMiles:4.5Total Miles:464.0Miles:including approach trail:472.8Today I headed North in a car and was dropped off seventy some miles North of Damascus. I walked only 4.5 miles, mostly in the rain, and stopped at Chatfield Memorial Shelter to dry out and decided to stay. Upon arrival I ran into old buddy, Low Gear, coming from the South and then I had the pleasure of meeting AT amateur massage therapist, Tofurky. She gave me a back rub so I promised her a candy bar. Hikers will do anything for chocolate. Okay I lied, she gave me a back rub and I told her I was so grateful I'd give her a candy bar in the morning.....right now it's in my food bag, hanging on a bear line, to protect it from the mice. Does that make sense? If you were here it would make sense, reeeeeeally. These mice have little bear hearts, and they're smarter than Algernon.Bluebird Reports: I have decided that the brightest thing a woman can do while hiking the trail is to invest in, or make, 2 hiking skirts for spring and summer. It's so comfortable men agree and wear them without underwear. Okay so do some woman. The fact that it makes going to the bathroom easier and possible to do with your pack on, is only the tip of the iceburg. They are cooler, dry quicker & gee the list goes on.skirts are the AT hiker fashion statement of the year! Today's bird sighting was a totally blue bird that seemed larger than a Indigo Bunting. Another research project at the Damascus Librairy.
Date: 2006-05-12
From: Chatfield Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter, VA
Miles today: 7.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Started:Chatfield Memorial Shelter, 8:00am, Heading SouthFinished:Partnership Shelter, 1:30pmSleeping:ShelterMiles:7.1Total Miles:471.1Miles:including approach trail:479.9No rain today...I was past delighted. I also ran into a huge group of people I used to hike with before my birthday in Erwin. It was my first AT Reunion. We were all hoopin and hoolerin! It made my day.I'm staying at the Taj Mahal, a shelter built near Marion, VA. and is truley primo when it comes to elaborate lean-twos. Also named the Partnership Shelter, it holds up to 25 people and has phone at the nearby Vistors Center where we can order pizza and beer for delivery. We did it 'cause everyone does...and it was fun. Tomorrow they call for some more of the wet stuff. It's in the forcast for the next six days... Oh Quack!I have it on good report. A realiable source.
Date: 2006-05-13
From: Partnership Shelter, VA

To: Dicky Gap
Miles today: 14.5

Started:Partnership Shelter,7:45am Heading SouthFinished:Dicky's Gap, 5:00pmSleeping:Troutdale Baptist HostelMiles:14.5Total Miles:485.6Miles:including approach trail:494.4IT WAS BEAUTIFUL TODAY! Sunny, sunny, sunny...So many smiling hikers. Forcasts for the area have been nothing but doom and gloom. Scattered this and that, isolated thunder storms, overcast skies for days.   Today we beat the odds and all are appreciative.Struck down once again by foot pain. I don't know if it's the weight of my pack, the superfeet inserts in place of my orthodics or the new shoes. The packs not getting lighter anytime soon, so tomorrow I will remove the superfeet and put my orthodics in the new shoes. We'll see how that goes.I managed to fly by the planned shelter at 10.2 miles and ended up 2 miles past the darn thing before I realized. I moved on to Dicky's Gap and hitched to a Troutdale, VA hostel run by the local Baptist church. Great folks. They offer hikers hot showers (towels, soap and shampoo) A heated bunk house with nice front porch and plenty of chairs. Hey, they also deliver breakfast in the morning. Tweet. I'm rooming with a cyclist from DC. Her name is Sochieta.(pronounced sew-chet-a) She is biking from the east to west coast. She started in Yorktown VA and will be completing her trek in San Francisco, CA. Go get em Soch!I saw three deer today, all were doe. Two were scared up by my popping my chewing gum, but one came up through the woods while I was resting my feet and passed only 30 feet from me. Everytime she turned her gaze from my direction, I moved to get my camera from my pack. I am tickled to say, I got a picture of her as she crossed the trail.Here's to clear skies and calm feet!
Date: 2006-05-14
From: Dicky Gap

To: Old Orchard Shelter. Still heading S. to Damascus
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: light rain

Started:Dicky's Gap, 9:00am Heading SouthFinished:Old Orchard Shelter, 2:00pmSleeping:ShelterMiles:10.2Total Miles:495.8Miles:including approach trail:504.6It is only 5:00pm and I am already tucked deep into my sleeping bag in the corner of the shelter. It is unseasonably cold and Mt Rogers is colder yet. We have had thunder storms, with hail, on and off all day and stopping for lunch at Hurricaine Shelter was so cold, we moved out as quickly as possible. This is perfect weather for a nice bout of hyperthermia.I have feet and hand warmers, courtesy of Blue eyes... I would be freezing without them. They keep your baby warm on those cold SPRING??? nights! Hiked with Chuck Norris today. He's one of the other hikers going north to south for trail days. First time I've hiked with someone in weeks. It will be another four days till I get back to Damascus. Tomorrow I will be seeing the Feral Ponies and their new fouls on the Grayson Highlands. I am really looking forward to this and I pray it's a beautiful Day.FYI: On Sunday morning a member from the Troutdale Baptist Church brought all the hikers breakfast. Homemade bisquits and gravey, eggs, bacon and sausage, hot applesauce and OJ. Good start for this day.Happy Mother Day mom. The same to the rest of you mamas out there!            Almost forgot: Fellow heading north saw a bear on the path this am. Cool.
Date: 2006-05-15
From: Old Orchard Shelter. Still heading S. to Damascus

To: Thomas Knob
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

Started:Old Orchard Shelter, 8:30am Heading SouthFinished:Thomas KnobSleeping:TentMiles:11.0Total Miles:506.8Miles:including approach trail:515.6Today's weather on Highlands of the Gayson Highlands State Park, was perfect. The scenery, breath taking. This section of the AT will be on my list of favorites.The feral ponies have been dropping their fouls and the rest are ready to drop. They have little or no fear of humans. One licked the salty palm of my hand. It was great!The terrain was rolling, rocky grassland. Massive rock formations were located all across the highlands. I couldn't resist droping my pack and climbing a few. I fear the pictures I took will not do it justice.A group of us opted not to bunk in at the shelter and it seems we are tenting right in the middle of an area were the feral ponies bed down for the night. I can hear them calling off to my right. What an experience this is. It is so hard to put into words...it's just beyond words. Dealing with the physical discomfort of the hike becomes bearable in the light of a day like today. I will fall to sleep this evening thinking about laying in the grass of the highlands with my shoes off, the sun on my face and the wind blowing over me. Heaven, just heaven.
Date: 2006-05-16
From: Thomas Knob

To: Lost Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 12.2

Started:Thomas Knob, 8:15am Heading SouthFinished:Lost Mtn. Shelter, 3:00pmSleeping:ShelterMiles:12.2Total Miles:519.0Miles:including approach trail:527.8This morning a fellow hiker, Laurie, came to my tent and said, "You gotta see this!" I got out of my tent and what I saw seemed surreal. In the fog, in the pines, all around us were ponies. Their fouls were running about letting out high pitched whinnies. We fed the mares saltines and apple snitz (dried apples) from our hands. The beginning of a good day.Today's hike was mostly down hill. There were a few climbs, but they were few and far between. It seems the downhills are the hardest on the body. Hips, knees, ankles and feet take a beating. Your shoulders also become sore from the constant jarring of the heavy pack. Once we moved down out of the highlands it started to warm up. This is the first evening in 6 days of camping, that I haven't worn gloves while making my dinner. I am sooooo ready for summer.Tonight there is a nice fire, a community effort. It's quiet and I'm only 2 days from Damascus, a hot shower, clean clothes, real food, a warm cot, phone calls home to loved ones and an opportunity to finally meet my transcriber, Journey, for trailjournals.com Sweet!
Date: 2006-05-16
To: Journey (2003)
Miles today: 0.0

It's 10:30 Wednesday night and I've just loaded Bluebird's latest journal entries. These will be the last entries until early next week......that is unless Bluebird fights her way onto a computer at the library in Damascus sometime in the next 4 days.I missed a call from Bluebird earlier tonight, but her message told me that she's already in Damascus and can't wait to meet me. I too am looking forward to meeting my new trail sister.At six tomorrow morning, I'll be headed to Damascus for Trail Days to spend time with my stinky hiker friends. We'll pick up right where we left off last year as if no time at all has passed between visits. Can't wait to see all the new gear, make a donation to Leif and Zip for this amazing website, and buy yet another pair of Waldies~Journey
Date: 2006-05-17
From: Lost Mt. Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

Started:Lost Mtn. Shelter,8:30 am Heading SouthFinished:Damascus,4:30 pmSleeping:Hiker's Inn HostelMiles:15.8Total Miles:534.8Miles:including approach trail:543.6Didn't really plan to be in Damascus tonight, but hey, that's the trail. It just didn't seem like 6.5 miles was enough and after you've gone 12 miles, well what's 3.8 more. Feet are not so happy, but warm showers tend to overide their protests.Really having a hard time reaching my daughter and the Sallie Mae loan thing is still outstanding, Aurgh!Festivities begin to pick up tomorrow here in Damascus. Journey (my transciber) will be arriving to reunite with her hiker buddies from 2003. I will be doing laundry, hitting the post office, library and local outfitter's in the A.M. I plan to sign up for the hikers talent show... heck that's tomorrows journal!TO BED!!
Date: 2006-05-18
From: Trail Days, Damascus, VA

To: Trail Days, Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Started:Trail DaysFinished:Trail DaysSleeping:Hiker's Inn HostelMiles:0Total Miles:534.8Miles:including approach trail:543.6Fast moving day...laundry, post office, grocery store, outfitter, bank, librairy, pack shake down etc.I knocked around town in the am with Ohhh Suzanna, the inn propriotor.She's gimping pretty badly from an injury to her leg, but does not slow down for a minute. She dropped me at the outfitter and after I got back from other errands, I found 12 long stem red roses had been delivered to Hikers Inn for me, from Rod. They are beautiful and have been placed in the center of the Inn's dining room table for all to enjoy.I think daughter Sarah and I finally have the Sallie Mae loan thing worked out, that's a load of my mind.Bluebird Reports: I've begun to notice that everything in life has weight...physical, mental, emotional and spiritual...to much weight in any area wears you down. I hear, "Give me your yoke!" I say, "Gladly."Another high point today was Jouney's arrival. I feel I've known her for ever. What a great lady and another person with energy to spare. I look forward to whatever time we get to share while we're both here for Trail Days.Cake and hotdog eating contest was fun to watch. Lots of hoops, hollers and laughs.Spent the later evening hours on the sun porch chatting with the Southern Bells (3 gals from an internet hiker group that do sections of the AT and stay at the in every year for Trail Days) Suzanne and Jouney. There were loads of hiking stories and more laughs...I love to laugh!
Date: 2006-05-22
From: Hard Core, Kincora, TN

To: Hard Core, Kincora, TN
Miles today: 0.0

Started:Hard CoreFinished:Hard CoreSleeping:Kincora HostelMiles:0Total Miles:534.8Miles:including approach trail:543.6Long Day of very satisfying hard work. It was a day of cutting switch backs.. over 1500 feet of digging out new trail. Got to paint my very own white blaze. It was a work, eat, work, eat kinda day. Superman let me have his bunk at the hostel. I am eternally thankul. Very tired...very very tired.
Date: 2006-05-24
From: Knot Maul Shelter

To: Davis Farm Campsite
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

Started:Knot Maul ShelterFinished:Davis Farm CampsiteSleeping:ShelterMiles:16Total Miles:564.7Miles:including approach trail:573.5I am sitting by a spring-fed pond on the top of Chestnut Knob, on a bright, sunny, almost cloudless day. I needed to stop and filter some water for drinking and cooking. I decided it would be wise to empty my pockets and put on my Crocs to wade into a spot and drop my filter line. I had just finished and placed my filled platypus on the bank when suddenly something took hold of me! Some unseen force! I stumbled backwards and found myself waist deep in pond water splashing wildly!!! It was quite refreshing. You should try it sometime. I'm still sitting here drying off and a raphsody has begun. It seems this pond has a community of bullfrogs as well as blue gills. It sounds like a bunch of kids playing on toy plastic banjo/guitars. What a hoot! 1.7 more miles to the shelter and my first attempt at setting up my Hennesey hammock. The one I bought on ebay was a terrible mistake. Bluebird Reports: When purchasing a hammock for summer use (and I stress summer use, they sleep cold) don't cut corners. The backpacker's light weight hammock, by Hennesy, is very popular because it's light, compact, and sets up quickly (once you've learned how). I find it pretty comfortable. It's 10:45 pm and I ended up going 16 miles today. The shelter I planed to stay at was in a field without trees. I put in at Davis Farm Campsite. It was a half mile off the AT, but it had water. I got the hammock up, but had to place it across the path to the water. It was the only level spot. I'm cozy inside right now and ready for sleep. I've been hiking for eleven hours and my body needs to zzzzzzzz...
Date: 2006-05-25
From: Davis Farm Campsite

To: Bland, VA
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Started:Davis Farm CampsiteFinished:Bland, VASleeping:HotelMiles:14.5Total Miles:579.2Total miles w/approach trail:588.0In Bland to resupply and mail home a few items.Another beautful day for hiking. I was the first one out from our campsite this AM, so I got to break all the cobwebs down with my face. All I can say is, the spiders in VA keep theselves pretty busy at night. I saw two more deer today. The doe in VA are huge. They make PA doe look like fawns. Tonight I treated myself to a hot bath, then went to the DQ and had a double pattie bacon cheese burger, fries, a root beer and a Blizard! Oh what you can eat while you are hiking the trail!!! I took a walk to the Dollar General so I could breath again and got my resupply of calorie laden food.Got back to my room and called Rod. They have found my camera...or should I say my camera found me. The gentleman that took me back to the trail after Hard Core found it right where I left it, on his back seat. I'll be picking it up at the post office in Troutville. Rod's in touch with Doug and working out the logistics. Thanks again Lug Nut, you da bombJourney, thanks for your helpYou too momand of course Rod!The thunder booms outside my hotel door. I will not be sleeping in it tonight. Yes.
Date: 2006-05-26
From: Bland, VA

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Started:Bland @ the I-77 crossingFinished:Jenny Knob ShelterSleeping:ShelterMiles:12.1Total Miles:591.3Miles w/approach trail:600.1Presently I am sitting alone in the shelter. It's about 3:50 pm and I am enjoying my solitude. I filtered my water and made myself a cup of joe as it began to rain. I've watched the sun filter down through the wet leaves of the trees as each small cloud burst passes over. Somewhere there's a rainbow. I just know it and just because I can't see it doesn't mean it's not there. A special day, it was today. It started with my shuttle ride with Dan the Bland music man. He was a weathered, mountain local with a long background in playing and composing music. I listened to one of his CD's while driving in his truck and asked if he might send a copy to me. "No problem!" says Dan. He was going to send a copy to another hiker he'd shuttled earlier that week. He got a piece of paper down from his sun visor to add my name, and low and behold the other hiker was none other than my early trail partner, Lonestar. She is heading back to Houston again for her sons wedding. I hope I meet up with her upon her return. Per the shelter registers she's about 5 days ahead of me and really moving. Where ever you are Lonestar, hike on!I was on the trail by 8:30am and in the shelter by 3:00pm. A good two mile an hour day with a half hour lunch break along VA 611. I was a little concerned, as I ate my sardines in mustard sauce, at the fact that I had not seen a shread of wildlife all morning. It was like all the critters were on some kind of pre-Memorial Day hiatus. I kept finding dead moles and millipedes along the trail and wondered if some kind of acid rain had gotten them last night, as I slept cozy at the BIGWALKER Motel. Yep, my mind was a wondering and then I thought, maybe I was imagining things and I had just forgotten to take my medication...as I continued to walk, after eating my sardines, I heard bird song...I was relieved to see a rather PLUMP squirrel scamper by. Then, up ahead there were two deer eating leaves off the trees and I realized all was well...the spacemen had obviously brought the critters back...However... I have not seen a single north bound hiker today...I'm guessing they probably still have them. Spooky.      I'm getting ready to retire.I have a 20.5 mile day tomorrow that will require a 5:30am wake up call. The barred owls are beginning to call to one another as my second fire of the night begins to burn down. The first blaze was extinguished by a down pour that resembled Niagra Falls. Geez.I can hear a dog bark and a Jackass Heehaw-ing A reminder that I am not so far from civilization as it sometimes appears. Still no other hikers to share my shelter space. I think they're all in Maine...humph.Goodnight all!Bluebird