morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-06-01
From: campsite about 706 mile mark

To: Daleville, Virginia
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: light rain

What a day! Beautiful sunrise. Beautiful hike up to McAfee Knob. AMAZING! Got here at 9 am. I will return to see a sunset and sunrise here. Such an amazing place. A must see. A man took my picture for me. I had been trying to set my timer and take it but just couldn't run across the rocks fast enough for my pose. So happy he showed up. He said he was there last year when the huge film crew came in to do a part of "A Walk in the Woods". So cool. He talked about the drones with the camera attached to them. That would have been fun to see. He did say it was just a body double there filling in for Robert Redford though. A day of sweet views today. Got to Tinker Cliff's where you hike for half a mile right on the edge. They do have a side path for those who just don't want to though. Of course I chose the edge. Water again was scarce and when I arrive at Lamberts Meadow Shelter I was able to get some just as a storm was hitting. It was only 2 pm and I was just not ready to stop. I made the decision to go on. This was a long ridge to cross. Ran out of water and thought I will get in to town. I was literally on the very tippy top of that mountain when the biggest lightning hit. Ohhhhh. Freaky. I have never felt anything like that in my life. I was way too close. I walked as fast as I could down that mountain. Almost, just almost, made it to the hotel when the flash flood hit. It hit super hard and super fast. I walked 20 minutes in it. I was okay knowing I was going to a hotel! So sweet. Lady at the hotel opened the door for me and said it was fine, she has a mop. Sweeter yet! Cleaned up, rain stopped, and Mexican food right across the street. What more could you ask for? The best day yet. Oh, and my highest one day mileage yet at 21.3 amazing miles. I have to say I am feeling it. I may keep it at my sweet spot of 18 from now on.
Date: 2015-06-02
From: Daleville, Virginia

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

ZERO day well deserved.......103.6 miles in just 6 days! Rest needed. Had lasagna at Lil Cucci and brought back a large pizza. Kroger! Real food. Real trail angel, Rebecca, slowed down next to me and asked if I wanted a ride. Yes. She said she doesn't usually do this but saw me carrying the pizza with several grocery bags and thought she would offer. It was only half a mile but I sure did appreciate her. Walking on the side of a major road is way more scary than doing a yoga pose on McAfee Knob. Back at the Howard Johnson I did an Epsom salt bath soak and did my own mani/pedi. Talked to my dear friend Brenda on the phone. Re energized and planned out my next 5 days. I am ready for tomorrow! Life is sweet......I feel so blessed to be able to take this journey at this time in my life. I can not wait to see what is on the next mountain!
Date: 2015-06-03
From: Daleville, Virginia

To: campsie at about 744
Miles today: 16.2

Rain, rain, rain. I left this morning at 8 am with my rain gear on. I walked until 5 pm in the rain. I was trying to reach Bobblets Gap Shelter but my soaked feet told me to stop. I could not sleep last night so I am kind of tired anyway. I was up at 2:30 am watching Nathan Bortnick on PBS playing the piano and singing Beatles songs. He is 14 and amazing. I have been hiking all day in the rain to "Oh Bla Di, Oh Bla Da". Today's hike has crossed several times over the Blue Ridge Parkway but I did not take any pictures. It is just foggy and rainy. I did take one picture when I first got on the trail of a cow sitting directly on the path. Nice. I have crossed paths today with Juice, Icarus, Hulk, Keychain, Pathfinder, Waldo, Foo, and Splash. I am in my tent right now with my warmest clothes on and still just freezing. Is it June? Hope tomorrow is a brighter day. Oh, and I have to add here I have completed 25% of the entire trail! I just have to do what I have done 3 more times!!!   Of course different location. So do-able!
Date: 2015-06-04
From: campsie at about 744

To: campsite near mile 760
Miles today: 16.0

I did not leave my campsite until 10:45 am. I just was not looking forward to putting on wet shoes. I was stepping on to the trail when Slip came up. He hiked behind me for about a mile and when I went up the hill I lost him. Today was a repeat of yesterday until about 3 pm when he rain let up. NICE. My picture of the Peaks of Otter on the Blue Ridge Parkway shows what all the views looked like. No view. Today's hike was about saving all the little orange salamanders on the trail. Hiking poles would have killed them if not a boot. Had some trail magic from Mountain Dew again. Gatorade and a big fat triple chocolate muffin. Saw Slip, Splash and her son Smoke, Father Goose, and Midwest Mama today. Set up my tent at 6:30 pm just in time for more rain. Made a delicious bean and rice burrito. Sweet sleep ahead.
Date: 2015-06-05
From: campsite near mile 760

To: Big Cove Branch
Miles today: 20.5

Still a little rain as I left camp this morning at 7:30 am. Today was a bunch of up hills. Views are still a bit foggy. I have to say I made my 600 mile mark today! Wow. It feels like I just said that recently about the 500 mark. In fact it was just last Friday! I hiked up Apple Orchard Mountain today. I decided not to do another 1.1 mile one way to the waterfall. Natural Bridge AT club was busy here today. Some were hiking and a man and his wife were yoyo'ing. Word for you Kari. Weed eating also. The man told me the beautiful purple flower is a Spiderwort. I met two section hikers, Dan and his brother Dave. Dan is retired Rochester police officer, and Dave is a captain there. I hiked on to Big Cove Branch where I found a sweet little spot for one tent. I will have to say after 600 miles I am falling apart just a little. Had to do some repair to my pack and my mattress pad has a slow leak. I got my first very minor blister I am sure from wet socks. And I have a bruise on my heel from rocks. I heard that Yoda had to be taken out by medics because he slipped on wet rocks. He was impaled by a stick. Not sure how bad. I think overuse is causing injuries. Must be more careful.
Date: 2015-06-06
From: Big Cove Branch

To: campsite mile 796
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: clear sky

Woke at 6:30 with little air left in my mattress but my bruised heel is better. Oh, and no rain! Today was just hard for me. Moved slow and could not get my stride. I don't understand, one day I am Lance Armstrong, the next day I have COPD and can not get my wind. I think my body makes me go slow after a long mile day. It's all good.lots of upholds. I say that a lot it seems. Beautiful views of the James River. It is tradition for hikers to jump off his footbridge. I didn't do it but Boda did. I missed it but heard her from the trail. See Dave, I don't have have a death wish. Hikers get a big fine for this, it is illegal after all. I thought I heard $200.00 fine if caught. Got to the shelter and met Superman and a girl named Kelsey just hanging out. Superman hiked the AT bacon 2010. They offered me a hot dog! Yes I accepted. Next section was climbing up the othe other mountain where we could see the view of Apple Mountain Ridge and the FAA tower. Sweet view of where I walked yesterday. Water was scarce and a man walking up the trail with church clothes and suspenders, not carrying anything told me where to find water. He is about 75 years old and said his name is Suspender Mender. Slip and I found the water source. Then I found a sweet little spot for my tent and he hiked on a little further. Looking forward to the hostel tomorrow.
Date: 2015-06-07
From: campsite mile 796

To: Three Springs Hostel
Miles today: 10.4

Slept well even though my mattress was kind of flat. Woke up at 5:45 and was hiking by by 6:45. Quiet hiking today. Passed by Slip at his camp and saw Hammertoe at the shelter I passed but no others all day. Oma at Three Springs Hostel picked me up at noon at US 60. Sweet hostel in the woods. Love the property here. Shower! Washed clothes! Resupplied here so I didn't have to go in to Buena Vista. Oma picked up pizza for dinner. I was kind of disappointed because I wanted a home cooked meal. It was good though. And she did a big salad and made banana splits for dessert. Met Logman and Uncle D. Splash and Smoke, Mama Moab and her pooch Utah also stayed here. I couldn't sleep in the bunkhouse. The smells of our packs are horrible. A few of the packs in there made me almost gag. I went and slept on the hide a bed chair on the front screened in porch. It was amazing. Cool breeze with all the firefly's. Didn't sleep great but felt well rested.
Date: 2015-06-08
From: Three Springs Hostel

To: Rock Spring
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: broken clouds

Sleeping on the front porch was sweet but I woke up at 3:30 am and needed the bathroom. There was someone in there. I waited several minutes and finally went outside. Another plus for sleeping in a tent. No bathroom line. Breakfast this morning was so good. Pumpkin pancakes, bacon, fruit and yogurt. Marsha took us to the trail at 8 am. First thing was up Bald Knob. Beautiful. Could see a storm rolling in. Storms were threatening all day today. I hiked fast trying to get to Seely-Woodworth Shelter but the rain came so fast I put up my tent and just got in. I was not feeling it to hike in rain and it was already 5 pm. The rain and thunder lasted 10 minutes and the sun came out. Really? False alarm. When I got out of the tent I saw the shelter just past the trees. Didn't even notice it when I quickly put it up. Oh well I decided to take it down and hiked to my intended spot at Rock Spring. Only one here at this big campsite. I like it that way.
Date: 2015-06-09
From: Rock Spring

To: campsite at 840.5
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: light rain

Nice night last night. Sweet sleep. I did have to blow up the pad once. Left camp at 7:20 am and arrived at Spy Rock at 8 am. Loved climbing up this rock. It reminded me of Liitle Half Dome in Yosemite California. Beautiful 360 degree views. Next was a steep climb up Priest Mountain. Priest Mountain Shelter sits at the base of the mountain. Can't remember if I talked about log books but each shelter has one. At this shelter hikers write a confession in this log book since it is the Priest Shelter. Some are funny, some are, well, graphic. Nope, I didn't make a confession. Continued on and got down to the gap. Hammertoe handed out some Dr. Peppers. Sweet. Trail magic from a hiker. He was slack packing and had just gotten out of a car. Couldn't have been at a more perfect time since going up the next section was hard at the end of the day. And, you can guess, rocks! Had to carry extra water since there was none until the next shelter. Beautiful views today. Crossed paths today with Detox, Hammertoe, Simple Soul, Splash and Smoke. Nice breeze all day and no rain. Found my own sweet camp spot and watched a nice sunset. Oh, also found a tarantula today. Cute.
Date: 2015-06-10
From: campsite at 840.5

To: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: clear sky

Much easier day today. Some rocks early but that's okay. Met a man today from Old Dominion AT Club weed eating. He told me Scott Jurick is attempting to break the AT record. I may see him run past me when I get to the Shenandoah's. He has to hike 52 miles per day to break the record. Sounds miserable. Todays section has an 11 mile stretch where there is no camping due to high bear activity. Kind of hope to get a picture of one. The highlight of today was Humpback Rocks. So cool. The trail to these rocks is 0.25 miles off the AT. Some hikers decided not to go. I couldn't believe it. The rocks were awesome to climb up on. So worth the half mile round trip. Continued on and did the next overlook view. Had dinner. Rationing food all day today. Pretty hungry. Got to the shelter and Father Goose and Slip showed up. Slip shared some of his food. So nice when another hiker offers you something when they know you are low on food. Looking forward to Waynesboro tomorrow.
Date: 2015-06-11
From: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 5.1

I slept so great I had dreams. Ate my last bit of food, a honey bun, and hit the trail. Got to Rockfish Gap at 10:30 am and found Kings Popcorn Stand. Oh sooo hungry. Got a jumbo hot dog with sauerkraut. The owner, Ronald King, gave me a free Mountain Dew and a bag of popcorn while I waited. Nice. After eating, a man named Bill gave me, Father Goose and Casper a ride in to Waynesboro. He even gave us a short tour. I went to Quality Inn. Took a shower and washed clothes. Had homemade ice cream at Kline's Dairy Bar. This evening the Grace Lutheran Church was hosting a hiker feed. Oh, man, so good. Lasagna, salad, garlic bread , lemonade, and dessert. These people are so sweet. I left there walking to the Kroger when a man, Sharkey, pulling out, offered to take me to the store. We had a great conversation. He loved how I started my hike. He has hiked the AT 3 times. While at the store a lady, Michelle, started talking with me and offered to take me back to the hotel when I was finished. This town is the friendliest town on the AT. Just love the people here. Had a great day today. Looking forward to my next section of adventure. Tomorrow is my two month anniversary of being on the trail AND I will be passing 700 miles! Go me!
Date: 2015-06-12
From: Waynesboro

To: campsite mile 872.5 
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: broken clouds

This Quality Inn was the quietest and darkest hotel I have ever slept in. Slept very well. Not in a rush today. Had the continental breakfast and walked around the town a little. Wanted a picture of the Fishburne Military Academy. It is one of the oldest established in 1879. Got back to the room and ordered my pizza that I will be taking with me. Packed up and called Ann. She is on the trail angel list. She has been doing this for years. She says she likes to and besides, the hikers spend money in the town. She picked me up at noon and I was on the trai in 15 minutes. Went up the hill to the Shenandoah National Park self registration for my backcountry permit. Some climbs early today. Hiking up Little Calf Mountain the rain came. Didn't last long but enough to soak my socks. I found a sweet campsite on the way up Turk Mountain. I had just finished setting up when a large buck walked slowly in front of me about 20 feet. Got a pic but the brush is thick kind of blocking the view. No place to hang my food bag so I will just triple bag it and put it in my backpack in my tent with me. I have done this a lot. No problems, yet. I don't cook so I don't think I attract the bears. We will see in the morning. Today is my 2 month anniversary being on the trail. I celebrated by passing my 700 mile mark! Still enjoying it all.
Date: 2015-06-13
From: campsite mile 872.5 

To: Loft Mountain Camsite
Miles today: 15.9

No bears! Got up and on the trail at 7:45 am. Not sure how I feel about the Shenandoahs yet. It is a bit flatter if I can even say that. It is lower in elevation and very humid. Lots of bugs. The views are very few and far between. Today's view highlight was Blackrock. Lots of rocks. The rain hit about 1:30 pm. Again, short rain but just enough for the pruned toes. Got down to Browns Gap and met a man named Bill hiking with his dog, Hiker. Water is a ways off and he gave me a bottle. Nice. Made it to Loft Mountain and found a trail magic sign! Yay. Mama Bear and her husband, TSquare along with their son, Hotfoot, had the best spread of trail magic yet. Chili dogs, chips, pasta salad, fruit, beer, sodas, cookies and candy! Mama Bear even took me to the shower. It was a ways off since the closer one was being renovated. Stayed at the campsite just across from them and in the morning they had coffee, apple juice and ham, egg and cheese sandwiches. Hotfoot had done the AT back in 2010 and then the PCT in 2012. They have been doing this every year since then. Hammertoe had gotten the campsite here. His brother, Simple Soul, hiked on with a co-worker. Left him behind! There are a lot of people camping here. Very busy park. Went to bed about 8:30. Hope to sleep with all the noise.
Date: 2015-06-14
From: Loft Mountain Camsite

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Trail magic breakfast at 7 am. Hiked out to the campstore and arrived at 8:30. Went up to the Ampitheatre where I could get cell phone service and found out there is a Sunday morning Worship. Stayed for that. Bill Trautman is the preacher here. His wife, Denise, led the singing. I really enjoyed it. Beautiful setting for service. Hiked on to the Wayside grill and found Denise behind the cash register. Also Barbara who was at services. Had a big hamburger and got back to the trail. Getting back to the trail I found Wanderer standing still. A huge rattlesnake right on the path. He tried to throw a rock to get it to move off. I told him to lengthen his trek pole and poke at it. It worked but not before it coiled and threatened us with the rattle. About 1:30 I met a group of hikers waiting for Scott Juric to pass by. He is the man attempting to break the record on the AT. While waiting, Detox did a quick interview with me and recorded it with his Go Pro. That was fun. Scott was a no show. I hiked on. Threat of rain and I waited for about an hour in Pinefield Hut. No rain. Hiked on. And on and on. Could not find a campsite. Getting late. I finally got to Hightop Hut at 8:40 pm. It was dark. I set up and decided to hang my food bag since the shelters provide a pole. It took me 20 minutes to get this bag hung. I couldn't see even with my headlamp. It is hard to hang a food bag on a pole. Cables are much easier. Went to bed exhausted.
Date: 2015-06-15
From: Hightop Hut

To: Lewis Mtn Campground 
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: few clouds

Finally slept in til 6:30 am. Was on the trail at 8:30. Not much to see again today. Took this one picture today. Ran in to Detox and Selfie who told me Scott Jurec came by at 10:15 pm. They were able talk with him and get a picture with him. Cool. Hiked for about a mile with Arrow. His pace is too fast for me. Had a sponge bath at South River Picnic area and had lunch there with Bad Hat Brian. It is just so hot today. Moving slow. Hiked to Lewis Mtn Campground and got to the store and took a shower when the rain just pummeled down. Cats and dogs. Hikers had left their packs by the trail to come to he store. Their packs got soaked. Brian offered Father Goose a bunk but he already had his hammock set up. I quickly told him I would love a bunk if he was okay with a female in the bunk house. Ate a calzone and some ice cream and crashed. Kind of a boring day. Looking forward to Macy hiking with me for the next 10 days!
Date: 2015-06-16
From: Lewis Mtn Campground 

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I left the cabin at 7:30 am so excited to be meeting Macy and Lydia today. Macy will be hiking with me for 10 days! I got to Big Meadows Wayside about 11 am. Had Lunch and the best blackberry milk shake while I waited for them. Oh so excited when they arrived. Lydia is my trail angel. Her trail angel name is MamaBee. She brought me a pizza and many important items like odor eaters spray for my shoes! We organized all our stuff after getting Macy's, HoneyBee is her trail name, backcountry permit. We delayed a bit because of the looming black cloud and after all the pictures and hugs hit the trail. Today's hiking was fantastic. Mostly going up it seemed. The breeze was so perfect. It kept the bugs away. We had really beautiful views today. Went down to the spring and got some water after setting up. Had dinner and then the fun of putting our food bags up on the bear pole. Just a really great day today. HoneyBee is a great hiker. This is going to a fun 10 days!
Date: 2015-06-17
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Byrds Nest Hut
Miles today: 10.9

Slept pretty well. I think HoneyBee had a harder time sleeping but I know she rested. I was up at 6 am. She was up early too. We had all of our stuff packed and and brought it to the hut when the rain came. We waited 20 minutes for it to stop. We were on the trail at 9 am. Climbed up immediately and did the Crescent Rock overlook. Pretty nice. Hiked on to Skyland Resort and Restaurant. Corky had passed us on the trail and waited for us to have lunch with us. We spent about 2 hours there charging electronics. When we left we had our first really beautiful view at the Stony Man Cliffs. Beautiful. The storm coming in just made it really beautiful. I am sure most thru hikers pass on by because it is .3 miles off the AT. I am happy we didn't. It is the highest point on the AT in the Shenandoah park at 3837 ft. The rest of the hike was very drizzly with lots of fog. We arrived at Byrds Nest #3 Hut at 6:45 pm and put up our tents when a hiker went by and had to tell HoneyBee that a bear was about 50 yards back or so. She got scared and decided to sleep in the hut with 3 other hikers for safety. I stayed in my tent but wished I went to the hut because it rained a lot all night. Wind blew the rain in under my tarp. Also two other hikers, Seamster and Button, sat up their tent and talked til wee hours of the night and had a light on ALL night. Phoddo, Strider and Corky were in the hut along with HoneyBee. Little bear was a no show.
Date: 2015-06-18
From: Byrds Nest Hut

To: Luray, VA
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Such a fun day. First up the mountain to Mary's Rock overlook. It was only a mile and a half. Sweet views after the rain all night. Then we decided to try the super cute town sign HoneyBee made for me to hitchhike with. So much fun! Steve and Yolanda pulled over in their super stuffed Mini Cooper and moved stuff so we could fit in. They are from New York and are celebrating 25 years of marriage with a fun road trip. So sweet. The ride to Luray was 9 miles. We got a room and had lunch while we waited for it to be ready. Shower, laundry, more food and then......a MOVIE! We were bag ladies carrying our bags of groceries and clean laundry in to the theater. Went to see Jurrasic World. HoneyBee said that's not going to help much when she tries to sleep in her tent tomorrow night in Bear World. Will sleep soundly tonight though with cotton sheets and 4 big fat pillows! And we already got a trail angel, actually another hiker on a break, EZ Go, to take us back to the trail tomorrow. After a big fat breakfast of course!
Date: 2015-06-19
From: Luray, VA

To: Elkwallow Wayside
Miles today: 8.6

Slept soundly. Woke up and made coffee. Walked to the coffee house and had a great breakfast at 8:30 am. Called EZ Go and he arrived just before 11 am. He got us back to the trail and we hiked out at 11:30. Of course it was just straight up the hill. HoneyBee has a sore hip flexor and her cough has not really gone away. She had a little bit of a hard time breathing going up the hill today. Once we got up to Pass Mountain the terrain got easier and before we knew it we were at Beahms Gap overlook. The 5.5 miles to Elkwallow Wayside were smooth and we arrived at 4:15. Good time! HoneyBee found a vegan black bean burger and I had a club sandwich and the blackberry shake. We met a couple with their daughter and the man was asking about my hike. They asked where we were staying tonight. The woods somewhere. They invited us to stay at their campsite! So we stayed with Ken, Cheryl, daughter Kendra and cute dogs Katie and Sadie. So nice. Close enough to a real bathroom and, yes I was a offered a beer! Sweet night. Good company and a campfire. Turned out Ken had read some of my journal already.