morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-04-28
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Paul C. Wolfe shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 54: Virginia Blues? Maybe...There are 544 miles of the AT running through Virginia which is nearly one quarter of the trail. They say that thru-hikers get tired of hiking the same state and that there is a feeling of a lack of progress. This has been dubbed "The Virginia Blues". I had not felt this way until maybe today. Of the 22 miles hiked today, I would have to say 18 of them were rock scrambles. It was a very difficult day with a couple big climbs and rocky would be an understatement. Three Ridges Mountain is a 4,000 foot summit with steep climbs over three miles that started as soon as I left Harpers Creek this morning. It was difficult for me to find my hiking "groove" or the right hiking gear today. I started at 7:00 this morning and didn't finish those 22 miles until 6:30, a real slow one for me. When I had finally arrived at Paul C. Wolfe Shelter "Fresh", "Karioke", and "Maps" were already there (all three passed me due to how I was dragging). We ate dinner together and I asked them if they wouldn't mind telling me why they were hiking the AT. I let them know that I would be writing their responses in my journal tonight. "Maps" is a young guy, probably 24 years old. He has always enjoyed walking, wanted to experience the various landscapes and wants to challenge himself. "Fresh" is 30 years old (hopes to be to Katahdin mid July for his birthday). He had a good paying job as a business analyst but sat in a cubicle every day and wanted more in his life. He's read a lot of adventure books and hiking the AT has always been a dream of his. Finally, he also wanted to challenge himself. "Karaoke" is a young man from Germany and just out of high school. He starts sports management school in the fall so he had time to hike the AT. He first learned about it when he had seen a documentary at age twelve and had always wanted to thru-hike as a result. He too said he wanted to challenge himself. My personal observation of the thru-hikers I've met and spent any amount of time with is that thru-hikers tend to be highly motivated (no slackers in the ones still left). They get up early and go to bed early. They hike like they mean it... A quick note to let those that have been following me know that I'm going to take a week off the trail. I'm going to take this week to visit my sister and brother-in-law in Mississippi. They just moved into their new home and to be completely honest, I still have some physical healing to do. A week off the trail will allow me to fully heal my feet and other physical ailments. Hiking twenty plus miles each day will never allow me to fully recover. I hate this, but know I need this. The prize waiting in Maine is just too important to me. I'll keep up with my journal while I'm off the trail with my off trail adventures. Whistler
Date: 2017-04-30
From: Paul C. Wolfe shelter

To: Rockfish gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 55: That was easy...I thought I'd sleep like a stone last night, but not so. I guess I just had too much on my mind. I woke up at 3:30 and checked on flights to Mobile Alabama... wow, $600 + for a one way ticket. I looked up car rental locations in Waynesboro and found that Enterprise has a local office. My car is booked for the week. I hiked the last five miles to Rockfish Gap and another half mile to the Colony Motel for the resupply box my daughter-in-law had shipped there. Once the Enterprise office was open at nine o'clock, I phoned them and they came to pick me up ...that was easy!!! The drive to my sister and brother-in-law's house was to be right at 13 hours but I made good time (wink, wink) and made it in twelve including stops.  Driving a car felt strange at first. After nearly two months of walking where I needed to go, driving seemed so, so fast.  It was also an interesting review or snapshot of my weeks upon weeks of hiking. As I drove south on the highway, I would see signs for all the locations and places I had been. It was as though my life was on rewind... Once I got to my sister and brother-in-law's new home I was handed a beer, got the nickel tour of the house, and sat down to the biggest bone-in ribeye steak I had ever seen. It was literally hanging off the plate, served with mushrooms and asparagus with a lemon sauce (I've craved for a real vegetable).  Dessert was five of Susan's blueberry muffins I saw on a plate in the kitchen (I think they were supposed to be for breakfast).  I believe it was close to two AM when Susan walked me to the guest house. Of course my sister had that refrigerator stocked for my stay (I'll be checking out those interesting beers tomorrow). In the meantime, I think I'll pass out now... goodnight. Whistler
Date: 2017-05-01
To: Off trail
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 56: Eat, rest, eat, rest, eat, rest... Having gone to bed so late, I didn't get up until 8:00 am. Susan and I had coffee together and planned out our day. I had seen their new home when I had arrived, but not the property. Sitting on thirty acres, the house and guest house face one another with about 150 yards between them. This area is cleared with beautiful oak, pine, magnolias, and some specimen trees scattered through. There are several large fenced paddocks for livestock, stables, and additional out buildings with the remainder of the property being fully wooded.  So that plan for the day? Mostly eat, relax and repeat throughout the day. My brother-in-law Top, has a young man who is sixteen coming to the house to work the property all day. Top has always worked well with young men and is a strong mentor while teaching them life skills. I think this comes from his time in the Marines when he and his fellow marines had to watch over each other for their very survival. Susan baked bread and later I hung all her pictures she's wanted to get up on the walls.  When dinner time arrived I found that we would have to have ribeye steaks again because the freezer door had been left open and they had thawed. It was my pleasure to assist with that problem. Whistler
Date: 2017-05-02
From: Susan's house 

To: Susan's house
Miles today: 0.0

Day 57:It is day 57 of my thru/ hike and on this day of my great adventure, I went shopping with my sister for granite countertops and major appliances.  Susan has had enough of the 1980's appliances in her new home, so she took me with her today to research the new ones she would be ordering. Hey, what else am I going to do? And besides, I had the opportunity to spend time with my sister and the best part is that we ate shrimp Po Boys at a roadside food truck stand. Well, maybe the best part was spending quality time with my sister... Tomorrow is looking like a kayak paddle day. Susan is a paddling freak and has a collection of some of the top kayaks produced. She is an avid paddler and competes in some of the major races throughout North America. In fact, I will be her ground support in next year's Yukon river quest which starts in Whitehorse and ends in Dawson City, making it a 444 mile race and known to be the world's longest canoe and kayak race.   I myself am a kayak novice which places me in the position of great respect for her abilities in the sport. I will post tomorrow with how our outing has gone.  In the meantime, I wanted to give a brief update on my feet and shin splints. I've seen a huge improvement starting yesterday. I also visited an Outfitter for a different pair of trail runners as the other pair I purchased just didn't feel right. My new shoes are the Altra Lone Peak 3.0 which have a great reputation on the trail; they have a wider toe box and flat sole. The other shoes that I've only hiked in for two days are made by Oboz and they have a rolled side sole that had me constantly rolling my ankles (a future accident waiting to happen). Whistler
Date: 2017-05-03
From: Susan's house

To: Susan's house
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 58:Susan came over to the guest house this morning with morning coffee for the two of us. We sat and planned our day of kayaking. We needed to move the carrier from her Jeep to Top's vehicle first and then load the two boats we would be paddling. Once we gathered the paddles, PFDs, safety equipment and snacks we were on our way. The weather was absolutely perfect for a leisurely paddle, barely a ripple on the water and virtually no other activity such as speeding motor boats. Susan took the opportunity to do some sprints as part of her training regimen. I, on the other hand, took it easy and just enjoyed the peacefulness the water had to offer ( I am not in training for a race). We paddled the length of the lake and after about four hours loaded the boats and headed back to the house.  Tomorrow is a work day for us. Susan will work in her vegetable garden, Top is always working on something, and I am going to do some minor carpentry work on Susan's closets.  My feet and shins continue to feel much better. I'm excited about getting back to good health and to be getting back on the trail. Whistler
Date: 2017-05-04
From: Susan's house 

To: Susan's house 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 59:I'm really enjoying my early morning coffee time with Susan. It gives us the opportunity to just chat, catch up on our lives and to plan for the day.  Today's plan is to get some actual work done... no more playing around (at least not today anyway ). I was in my element by taking on some carpentry work in Susan's closet. Susan worked in her garden and Top goes non stop on everything. It did start to rain in the late afternoon so Susan baked bread and I finished hanging up their pictures/art.  The rain never stopped and turned into a huge thunderstorm. Boy, I sure was glad I wasn't hiking in that.  Susan is putting on a lunch for an old friend who is visiting them tomorrow. Tomorrow evening's plans include attending a minor league ball game. Until tomorrow...Whistler
Date: 2017-05-05
From: Susan's house

To: Susan's house
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 60: Today was probably the first day in sixty days that I actually relaxed. Sure, I've had a week off the trail now, but it's been a busy week. In fact, I finally "hit the wall", staying up way too late while really enjoying my time with Susan and Top. Most nights getting only five or six hours of sleep after playing, eating, drinking, and working all day. So today I woke up late and took an afternoon nap which is not something I ever do. I skipped Susan's luncheon that she had put together for their friend Betty at her insistence. No argument from me, the sleep was amazing. We did go to the ballgame and sat in the Mercedes Benz sky box that included great food and a relaxing night. We were home and I was in bed before 10:00. Tomorrow is another "work" day, hooking up Susan's stereo, installation of Top's air conditioner in his shop, and bringing the Christmas decorations up to the attic.  I am so pleased with how my shin splints have healed and my feet feel fantastic. I am so ready to start back on the trail. Sure, I feel bad that I've lost this time on the trail, but I am so pleased to have had this time with family as well... a pretty good trade off!!!Whistler
Date: 2017-05-06
From: Susan's house 

To: Susan's house 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day61:It's like a three ring circus...What a great and productive day. Susan, Top, and I started the day with a huge breakfast and then hit the ground running. Yes, we played hard this week, but today was a work hard day. I love it when you can put a check mark next to those items on the " to do" list. How many times have we all said, "If I had another set of hands I'd be able to complete...?" Dinner was a quick and easy meal of left overs in front of the movie Hacksaw Ridge and bed would come early. Tomorrow is my last day with my dear sister and brother-in-law.  There are a couple of smaller tasks to complete, but it's time for me to pack up my pack and prepare for my thirteen hour drive back to Waynesboro. I've got miles to make up and the good health to do them.  Whistler
Date: 2017-05-07
From: Susan's house 

To: Susan's house 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: fog

Day 62:I've just returned to the guest house after a full day with Susan and Top. Full day, yes, but also very relaxing for my final day before heading back to Virginia to continue my thru-hike with greatly improved health. I didn't want to add a week to my hike, but I know I did the right thing in taking it. I'm not sure I could ever express my appreciation to Susan and Top for all they have done for me. Susan took it as a personal challenge to put some meat on my bones to which she can claim success (I've gained two pounds this week). My feet and shin splints have healed and I am anxious to regain my trail legs.  Susan and I have an early morning coffee date and I'll be on the road by 7:00. It won't be long before I'll be posting my daily journal from the trail again...Whistler
Date: 2017-05-08
From: Susan's house 

To: Waynesboro Virginia 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Day 63:It's 9:30 pm and I just arrived back to Waynesboro, Virginia. My first stop was at a gas station to top off the rental car tank.  There was a sign for a special that if you buy two 20 oz. Cokes for 2 bucks, you get two free hot dogs... dinner's taken care of!!! While there I also started dinner for tomorrow night (got some hot water to rehydrate my Harmony House dinner). Backing up to this morning, I was up at 5:30, dressed and finished packing my pack by 6:00. I had a couple bowls of cereal when Susan came in with coffee and two bacon, egg and cheese sliders... my second breakfast. We chatted until 7:00 which was my agreed upon departure time. It was tough for both of us to say goodbye. The time there was such a terrific respite for me. Yes, I'm behind a week now, but the time I was able to spend with my sister was invaluable to me.  Now, I'm also so ready to be back on the trail. Thank you Lord for a nearly 1,800 hundred mile round trip that delivered me safely to my destinations. I'm just going to pull into the Enterprise parking lot and sleep in the car where it will be warm as it's supposed to get down to 29 degrees tonight. They open at 8:00 and they'll give me a ride to the trailhead. The weather is looking like clear skies and a high of 65 tomorrow as well...I love it when a plan comes together. My next posting will be from the trail...And now a poem:Time Seconds and minutes measured,  Our time, sacred and treasured.  Its importance in chronology, Misspent with no apology.  Coveted not to waste,  Lost with our failed pace.  Unable to regain,what is left is what remains.  My wish to give what is mine, to those I love, the gift of time.   Whistler
Date: 2017-05-08
From: Rockfish gap

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: light rain

Day64: What a difference a week makes...I thought sleeping in my rental car was a good idea, but it was awful. I pulled into the Enterprise parking lot and picked a secluded parking spot. I pulled my sleeping quilt out of my pack, climbed into the back seat, and found it impossible to get comfortable. I finally fell asleep after one in the morning, but woke up at 3:30 and couldn't get back to sleep. I hiked all day like a zombie. I kept tripping over my own feet and actually half considered laying down on the trail for a nap. Speaking of the trail, the manager at Enterprise checked in my rental before they were even open and had one of his associates drive me to the trail head. I had my Shenandoah National Park permit filed and was hiking by 8:00 AM. Unlike the Great Smokies National Park, SNP does not charge a fee for your permit, but they will fine you if you don't have one. I was so appreciative of the easy conditions the trail offered up today as well. I will tell you that eight days off the trail made for some " soft" legs, but the biggest difference I noticed was in my lung capacity. Twenty miles was still a good first day back and I really didn't want to over do it anyway.  While filling out my permit I heard someone call out my name. I turned around and found "Flutter" standing behind me. I was really surprised to see her after my extended leave as I would have thought I'd not see anyone I knew again. It turns out that she and "Onion" had been off the trail because of an ankle injury "Onion" sustained. She was a strong hiker, but unfortunately is off the trail for good.   I did meet and hiked pretty much all day with "Scooby". "Scooby" started on March 13th and is making really good time. Not sure I'll be able to continue at his pace as he is six foot six and has some seriously long legs... we'll see how it goes tomorrow.  Unfortunately, I'm still having an issue with shin splints in my right leg.   A couple of observations I have made since being gone for over a week is how lush the forest is now. It has really filled in. Also, there are butterflies everywhere... you simply can't believe how many of these flying flowers there are... just so beautiful.  We have also traded the Blue Ridge Parkway for the Skyline Drive. In fact, the trail follows Skyline Drive so closely that I crossed it nine times today.  Tonight's temperatures are going to be close to freezing... of course I have already sent all my winter gear home... I guess I'll have to snuggle up to a bear.   Tomorrow's hiking conditions look somewhat similar (based on my guide book) to today's. Until tomorrow...Whistler
Date: 2017-05-10
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: clear sky

Day 65:  What a difference a great night of sleep can make. Sure, it was darn cold, but with three shirts, two pair of shorts, socks and gloves, I was warm in my sleeping bag liner and quilt. Up early for oatmeal and coffee... I was packed and hiking by 7:00. I felt great and the trail was kind to me once again... I love the Shenandoah's. I hiked pretty much all day with "Scooby", "Flutter", and "Hodgepodge ". You tend to hike apart and meet up again all day as everyone has their own pace. We met for lunch at Loft Mountain Campground where I think we all ate too much... couldn't help it, the food was too plentiful and so good.   While hiking early this morning, I met Chip and Emily hiking together. They are a father/daughter duo section hiking for a week which is something they do together every year. What great memories they are making together. You can see their picture in my photo gallery.  A couple of differences from what I've seen on the trail compared to Shenandoah National Park is the unique way finding posts. All way finding signs up to this point have been made of wood, which to be honest, does show its wear over time. The signs here are concrete posts with steel bands and an embossed directory on each one (photo in my gallery). The other difference is the shelters are called huts in SNP. The park is neat, clean, and well organized. The Loft Mountain Campground was impeccable. The camp store was run like a major concern... bathrooms and showers looked like they belonged to a fine resort. A real class act and proof that this government agency is making good use of the tax payers dollars.  Today's milestone... I've now hiked over 900 miles. Whistler
Date: 2017-05-10
From: Hightop Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 66:Life is good in the Shenandoah's...I was in my tent and sound to sleep by 8:00 last night for being just plain worn out as I was up at 5:00 and on the trail by 6:45. There were a few pretty good climbs, but overall the trail was kind. I hiked pretty much all day with "Scooby" and we both took full advantage of all the park has to offer. SNP has a number of camp grounds throughout the park and the trail skirts right along them. That of course means FOOD... Today's stops included Lewis Mountain Campground and Cabins. I had a cold beer to wash down my corn chips. "Scooby" had ice cream and a box of cookies. Our next stop was eight miles up the trail. Big Meadows Lodge has what they call a Wayside. Waysides are restaurants that are for tourists and work out pretty well for thru-hikers too. They are also known for their blackberry shakes. It's a thru-hiker tradition to partake in this shake. I had mine with an of order fries. I think I'm actually gaining weight!  While having our dinner at camp tonight, "Scooby" and I discovered that another Wayside is just a four mile hike in the morning and they open at 8:00. We'll be leaving at 6:30 and should be there when they unlock the doors... I see a big breakfast in my future... no Pop-tarts tomorrow. Unfortunately, the weather forecast is calling for rain for the next several days. If ever a meteorologist was to be wrong, please let it be now. We have been so blessed with perfect weather this week, but all good things/weather must come to an end (darn it!!!). Whistler
Date: 2017-05-11
From: Hightop Hut

To: Elkwallow Wayside... stealth camped
Miles today: 22.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 67:  What a thunderstorm we had last night. It rained and thundered so violently, it shook the mountain I was camping on. Funny thing though... "Scooby" never heard it. The storm broke right at 6:00 and the radar showed that we would have a break for a couple of hours before the next band rolled in. "Scooby" and I had boots on the trail at exactly 6:30 and made tracks for the Skyland Wayside. We made the 4.2 miles in 1 hour 37 minutes. This Wayside is beautiful; a full service restaurant, a fire going in the fireplace, linen tablecloths and napkins, and us walking in like the dredges of the earth. They actually sat us on the far side of the dining room. That's OK... there was a breakfast buffet... they lost money on us.  "Scooby" wanted to get moving (I think to work off his three full breakfast plates) and left the Wayside at 9:30. I waited another 15 minutes when I saw the rain slow down. I caught up with him at Byrds Nest #3 Hut where we had lunch (a very light lunch). That's when we decided to pound out another twelve miles to the next and last Wayside in the park. They closed at 5:30 so we really had to bust them out. Yep, we made it there by 5:00 pm and enjoyed cheeseburgers and fries.  About today's hike... not a lot to say really. It was wet and foggy all day. I felt pretty good about my feet and the new shoes. Sure, they were soaked but not as bad as they have been in the past. I've got them stuffed with paper towels I got from the Wayside and new dry socks for in the morning. Unfortunately, it looks like rain again tomorrow.  I am a bit disappointed that I'll be out of the Shenandoah's soon and have yet to see a bear. Every squirrel and every chipmunk has me stop dead in my tracks... I just started calling them baby bears. "Scooby" saw one, at least he claims he did. No picture, no scratches/claw marks leaves it a bit suspect. He did take a picture of where the bear had been... well there you have it.   A couple of other things that I've noticed these last couple of days is that the wild flowers are really abundant and varied now. Splashes of color line the trail... it's just beautiful. And also, I've been seeing a lot of golden finches. I have always loved that bird.  Whistler