morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-04-13
From: Damascus, Virginia

To: Damascus, Virginia
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Good zero day. Chores done, relaxation complete. We spent the first part of the day milling about the Holiday Inn Express. Free continental breakfast. Lots of fruit loops, cinnabuns, bagels with cream cheese and of course, coffee, lots and lots of coffee.We did the breakfast, then cleaned up our explosion of a room, showers for everyone, which was great. Then we walked to the Outfitter down the street and all bought new stuff for the warm weather. All knowing in the back of our minds that we would regret sending some of our winter gear home. Snow!! Snow would find us again! Maybe, maybe not! But, I'm sending the vest and the rain pants home and my gloves! Because they have gigantic holes in them anyway! So, now I'm lighter and maybe colder? But I have hot chocolate and a new tank top so its all good. I'll be warm if there's snow. Everyone was in Damascus today. Finally the whole group. It is so nice to have so many people around you, so many awesome people out for the same thing.We got a shuttle back to Damascus and met up with everyone. No Worries, Little Bro, Pebbles, Snake, Stinky, Orangutan, Jeabus, Thumper, Tofurky and whoever else was around. Hit up the burrito place twice and all sat around "Dave's Place" drinking and having a good time...felt like we were back in college. And the burritos were awesome!!Now, it is time to either hike out tomorrow or stay another day..only tomorrow after breakfast will tell. I guess it may depend on how good or how big breakfast is...
Date: 2006-04-14
From: Damascus, Virginia

To: Saunders Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: broken clouds

We almost zeroed today, but we fought the town demons and made it out for a short day. We didn't leave until 3:30ish though, so we almost didn't escape. The burritos made it so difficult to leave. I was sad. My heart hurt to know I would be without my grilled steak burrito. But..we made it.It was a great day. We woke up, half packed, and Yeti went on about how we needed another zero day. So we decided to discuss it over breakfast, but we had to go get everyone else over at "The Place". That was a project. A battle began (a friendly battle) about where to go for breakfast. Half wanted to go to Cowboys and half Dairy King. Then it actually occurred to us that we should just go where we want. Brilliant..So we split up and breakfast was great.The matter of the zero day was still up in the air, with everyone, except Tofurky who headed out as soon as breakfast was over. She is a trooper.We went back and forth for hours and finally decided to do the short day with Pebbles and Snake. That allowed for one more burrito before we left and a nap on the lawn of "The Place" right in the sun. I closed my eyes and felt like I was on the beach. It was awesome to just lay in the grass talking to everyone as they walked by.   Then it was time to say goodbye to Damascus.Everyone had decided to hike out, but No Worries and Little Brother have decided to get off the trail for about a week to go home for a concert. So we had to go with out them, for now. Pebbles, Snake, Granite, Yeti, Swansons, Thumper and I left for the woods. We hiked along the Virginia Creeper trial and almost got run over by horses and biker riders which was a new experience for us.Fifteen minutes after beginning our hike we were like, why are we out here? It was so hot and muggy. But once we stepped foot on the trail it felt good to be back out there. Hot, but good. I can't decide if I hate the cold more or the heat more. But, at least in the heat you can be in minimal clothing...I hate layering.The trail is great though. Smoothe ups and just steady walking. Lots of bugs hovering around annoying areas such as eyes, noses, and ears. All holes to get stuck in. Very pretty though and we got our first view of Virginia. And, trail magic. First for VA-- Mountain Dew in the stream! I know we'd been in town for two days--but those sodas still tasted awesome after 6 hot miles.We would never have seen the Dew if Swansons and I hadn't been dorks and started looking for fish in the river. We are going to do that more often! The rest of our hike was fueled by caffeine craziness. The last two miles were all up hill so the caffeine was welcome.Full shelter and about 10 boy scouts and section hikers here. We forgot that it's Friday and everyone would be out enjoying this awesome weather. We hiked out a few beers and had good dinners and gummy dinosaurs around the picnic table. This warm weather is great when you aren't hiking. But I have to stop writing because I'm missing the good conversations about embarrassing moments...
Date: 2006-04-15
From: Saunders Shelter

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: clear sky

First and foremost, I'm hungry.   I've been eating nonstop since we arrived at the shelter tonight and I can't seem to get enough. Today after everytime I ate, the very first hill I began to climb my stomach was growling again. It can't be contained. It's a monster! My food bag is the majority of the weight in my pack. I could seriously eat constantly through the day...oh to dream..To get off the food tpic, which is extremely hard, Virginia has been incredibly good to us so far. The trails are perfect, the ups are not abrupt or steep but smoothly graded, as are the downs. And it is beautiful out here. Flowers are beginning to bloom everywhere. Little flowers that I can't name, but they give new life to the trail.Granite, Yeti, Swansons and I ate lunch at the top of Buzzard Rock where we got amazing views of our new state. Our biggest climb of the day was over and it had seemed like nothing. Either we are really getting in shape or Virginia is being kind to us for now.A new problem has come up, that we all should have been prepared for but just didn't think about. It's a holiday weekend, people are everywhere..everywhere! Weekenders are out in force. We didn't go 10 feet without passing someone today and a two story shelter is full tonight. With tents all around.   It's nice to have new faces around, but they are everywhere! Weekends are going to be strange, I can see it now. But, we are all here tonight..Thumper, Snake, Pebbles, Granite, Yeti, Swansons and I are looking forward to seeing the wild ponies tomorrow.We heard that Tofurky has gotten off the trail for a few days due to her hammock ripping. I'm glad for her because I know she was a bit homesick and just needed a few days at home. But you better come back Turkey Butt!!I think homesickness is starting to set in with more than a few of us, but that is only natural. It's nice that we have each other to keep our spirits up at the end and start of each day. I get waives of homesickness once in a while, but it is always cured by a good walk in the woods and lipton dinner with my friends.Tomorrow we are only doing 16, which seems like nothing now but I remember when that was a big day. There is rumor of trail magic at mile marker 500!! And it is Easter! Should be a good day.
Date: 2006-04-17
From: Hurricane Mountain Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: moderate rain

Now, we all have begun to lose it out here, mixing up words and sentences and what not. But today I heard the mother of all mind loss out here. We had just gotten a little bit of trail magic and Granite, Yeti, Bugs, Swansons and I were all sitting around and it went like this:Yeti: Granite, it was you who was afraid of zombies, right?Granite: Yeah..well I was thinking about that today and they probably wouldn't come all the way out here. So I'm not really that worried about them anymore".And that is what happens out here. We have serious conversations about zombies and unicorns...Yeah, we are getting lower on topics....Today we had our first afternoon thunderstorm and by a wonderful stroke of luck we had all made it to Trimpi Shelter right before the storm hit. So, for an hour we all huddled in this little shelter watching the lightning and hard rain and hail pelt the shelter.We decided not to tempt the lightning on our first storm and waited till we were competely sure it was gone before heading out for our last 10 miles. But, we booked those 10 miles.We were excited about Partnership Shelter, pizza and beer and we got just that. 2 30 packs and each our own large pizza. I got sausage and spinach and saved three slices for breakfast in the morning, if the mice don't get it first. This place is amazing. Shower, pizza, phone and beer! I got to call my parents and reassure them that we were still going strong and avoiding the crazy bears. Now we are sittin' around telling stories about when we were kids and the stupid stuff we've done. The beer is setting in an I am extremely tired...Oh, and I now have blisters on my heels...and on my hips from the new pack. Not fun..but I should have known it was coming.
Date: 2006-04-19
From: Random Campsite

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: light rain

Stiles. All day stiles. Big ones, little ones, steep ones, dumb, break your face ones. Stiles are these little ladders that take you up and over fences and barbed wire fences on private or not private property. But climbing ladders with 30-40 lbs on your back and poles in your hand is an interesting adventure. Felt like we were at training camp for a time. I know I'm going to fall flat on my face coming down one of these days. I love stiles! Just had to rant for a moment!Saw a little cub print today. Perfect print. Baby bears out and everything. Spring is here. Also saw one single flower on a rhododendrum. First one, perfect, right out of a magazine with little drops of rain on it to boot.This morning was sluggish for me. I hardly slept all night due to nightmares and we woke up to thunder and rain brewing so we had to pack up fast. We headed back into town to meet Pebbles, and we sat around the restaurant for a few hours getting hyped up on good coffee and waiting for the thunderstorms to pass.The coffee helped me through the first few climbs, then my lack of sleep kicked in and I headed on like a zombie. Today was up and down and up and down and up and down again. We went through fields and farms, crazy cow pastures and over STILES. It was a gorgous hike. Virginia is so green, even with still bare trees. Hiking through farms is also a nice change of pace and sometimes an adventure. Already, Snake and Pebbles have been chased by cows. These crazy animals, Snake had to fend one off with his trekking poles. I have yet to be chased by one but I've decided not to make eye contact with the buggers. I think that's what sets them charging. Or, I just make it up as I go along. Maybe it's when you refuse to make eye contact, they get mad, when you show lack of respect.So cows, stiles and new flowers today. We also saw a bunch of deer, a first for us I should add. And the sun came out and burned me some more. I am tanned everywhere besides a small strip on my shoulder that gets more blisters with each day. Going to have to invest in some aloe. The sun can be quite unforgiving, especially when climbing a mountain, or a knob, or even when you are just walking straight. Downhill the sun seems to ease up a bit...what a relief..We also hit a quarter of the way through the trail today. Right after the cow pastures. Swansons, Thumper, Granite, Yeti and I celebrated by laying in the grass on the side of the road talking about nothing, throwing pebbles at road signs and celebrating our job well done and how we just have to do it 3 more times! Big dent!Now I am actually so tired I cannot keep my head up. I'm going to try not to dream about crazy people stealing our tents tonight and hope to just not dream at all. 19 miles tomorrow. We were going to try for 23 but threats of rain leave us wanting a shelter. Rain will be good---free showers! It's been since Damascus and we will remain showerless until Pearisburg!
Date: 2006-04-20
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Thumper walked up to the shelter tonight and said "Damn, today. Beat me like a red headed step child." And, I thought that pretty much summed it up. We thought 19 miles, no problem. We do that like nothing now. Well, the Virginia that we were growing to love and enjoy so much, kicked some hiker butt today. She does not like us anymore. It was kind of like being back in Georgia.I don't mind climbing a mountain. When you know you have to go up 1000 to 2000 feet in so many miles, it's ok because there's a top to it, a grand finale (most times) and if it's a really great mountain you get some views, and maybe a cool place to relax and eat lunch. But when you are ridge walking it is constant climb up, climb down all day. You never feel like you're getting anywhere. There is no top to look forward to. It may be smaller climbs, but it starts to wear on your sanity and your legs.I'm trying to be positive here, but sheesh..today bit the big one...The Virginia scenery is beautiful, looking down on all the green pastures, all the farms. I love that. Our lunch break at Chestnut Knob was awesome. It was an old ranger station. Very cool place to sit and relax, wolf down some tuna and cheddar sandwiches. We even talked about how easy the rest of the day was going to be. Granite showed us the profile and everything, it looked like cake. How nieve we are. Mountains should never be compared to cake..or anything easy..or good..or delicious..But, as usual, it was still fun. We have been hiking over a million rocks as well and I have to say, I love the rocks. It's a change of scenery, and it becomes a game leaping from one to the next, until you turn zombielike from all the ups and downs and trip over every other rock.Yeah, today was a long day. Now it's raining and we are getting word of severe thunderstorms tonight. Resupply tomorrow in Bland. Dairy Queen. My legs and feet will thank me.
Date: 2006-04-21
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Bland, VA
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: light rain

Today was an adventure.   Not like every day isn't an adventure. We started out excited that we were going to get to ford our first river because the bridge was out. But really, it just turned out to be a bunch of rock jumping. We didn't even get our feet wet. But to bring us out of our disappointment, there was trail magic at the road. Ice cold apple juice. That fueled us through the last 6.9 miles of hike which ws probably the easiest stretch of hiking we've done. Even with the rain. Rain seems to make you hike faster with more ease. You get incredibly focused on your destination.We also thought the rain might help us with our hitchhiking, but as Thumper, Swansons and I smiled and stuck out our thumbs, soaking wet, about ten cars passed us without hesitation. All we wanted was to get into Bland for some burgers and resupply. We didn't think it would be hard. But with every passing car we knew we'd be walking the three miles in the rain on the road which is much worse than the real trail. Then we were saved! Saved by a little white bus filled with women in their 80's. What a great ride to get! They were very concerned with the weight of our packs. Those lovely ladies dropped us off at the Dairy Queen where Granite and Yeti were waiting for us.So we did what we do best. We ate and ate some more. Then Pebbles and Snake showed and we ate again. While we were waiting we were watching the rain and getting weather reports of rain for the next few days.The original plan was to eat, resupply and hike right back out 3 miles to the shelter. But the motel sign in our face and the rain, plus us not having showered in 8 days, made us decide to just say, screw it and get a room. Granite and Yeti were tough and hiked on. But, Thumper, Snake, Pebbles, Swansons and I got a room. And now we have a shower that looks like it hasn't been cleaned in months, but we did it all in a matter of a few hours.It feels great to be clean. Unfortunately, my clothes still remain unwashed after 8 days....3 more days until laundry. That will be exciting. No more rock hard socks.Oh, and Swansons two big toenails are now falling off. They'll be up for auction in the Fall!Tomorrow we plan on hiking anywhere from 20 to 26 miles. If it is pouring we mayjust keep walking, but at least we'll have coffee and a nice Dairy Queen breakfast to fuel our hike the rest of the day.
Date: 2006-04-22
From: Bland, VA

To: Dismal Creek Falls
Miles today: 20.5

We hiked today! Freakin' fast! Usually, hikes out of town are hard and slow, but we kicked it out today, and didn't start until 12PM. We sat around the Subway in Bland for an hour trying to decide what we were all going to do today. Thumper, Swansons and I planned to just go as far as we could, and originally Snake and Pebbles were just going to go to the shelter 12 miles in. But plans always change out here on our "expedition" as Thumper calls it.I don't know if it was all the fresh fruit and juice and green tea we had this morning, but I am feeling great today. In tip top hiking shape. We went well over 3 miles an hour all day, and still enjoyed the scenery.We saw orange spotted newts all over the trail, two dead turkeys, got apples and oranges from Bugs and her parents, and the leaves are budding! Virginia is so green, and when the sun is going down, everything looks perfect. I feel so alive now that the leaves are making their way out.On top of our sightseeing and 20 miles today, oh, and the fact that we stayed in town, we also (Snake, Thumper, Swansons and I) hiked an extra .8 miles in both directions to a general store just for some added caffeine to fuel the rest of the day's hike. No matter how many miles you do, if you get a late start you always need a little pick me up towards 5 o'clock. Your body just says "Hey!" it's quitting time!" So we had to bribe our bodies to keep going with sweets and soda. Oh, and Swansons first pickled egg!Before heading into the general store, the four of us left messages for Pebbles in the register basically begging her to hike another 8 miles and meet us at Dismal Creek. We didn't want her all alone at the shelter. Our begging worked and halfway through our last 8 miles of hiking, Thumper ran into her hiking along trying to find us. She said she cried when she saw we had all gone on but only for 2 seconds and then she saw that someone had left a radio in the shelter and that made her happy again. But, she didn't take a picture of how she wrote she hated us all in the register! But, she kept hiking, so she doesn't hate us that much!The best part about today was the fact that on top of our 20 miles, then our extra 1.6 down the store, when we came to the last road....1.9 miles from our destination, Swansons and Thumper hiked .4 miles down the road to get us beer and met us at Dismal Falls. So, that was another .8 miles for them on top! With beer! aAd orange juice for Pebbles and me. That will make breakfast perfect. The adventure never stops! Now we are camped out by a waterfall. Tired as hell from our crazy day. But, tomorrow we are planning on pushing 22.4 to Pearisburg so we can zero on Monday. Much needed! Sleep is a must! Have to sleep passed 7:30AM for once!
Date: 2006-04-25
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I've begun to notice a pattern to these town trips we take. Going in we are very excited for the soda, food, laundry and showers. But, by the time everything is said and done, chores and calling parents and friends, you are worn out. Sometimes I feel drained no matter how fun town is. Town can easily make you homesick. But as soon as you hike out and get to the first shelter, you are feeling happy again. Or at least, content with this expedition. It's a roller coaster. Town depression gets me all the time, but it's fun.We hiked 22 plus miles on Sunday to get to Pearisburg and it seemed like it took a year. We were moving like slugs. The day before was only 20 miles and some road walking but we did it at a run and it left us all hurtin' for our 22 into town. We walked a few miles and sat down, snacked on some candy bars then walked a few more miles and sat down again. I wasn't sure we were gonna make it. But we did somehow. The last 8 miles were mind boggling, and the last two were just plain annoying. Felt like we were going down forever. But lookin' on the bright side, the leaves are coming out and everything is green! And the smells you encounter are perfect. I cannot wait for the honeysuckles to bloom. I have been smelling them up and down the trail.Thumper, Swansons and I rolled into the Rendezvous Motel like 3 80 year olds with giant humps on our backs. And, here we met Brenda, the crazy wonderful owner of the motel. This woman told us we were gonna get arrested if we went to the bar, drove us up and down and all around, got us beer, let us take her car, made fun of us, prank called and played jokes on us, and just shook her head and kicked us out so she could clean our trashed hotel room. But, still took pictures of us and drove us all over. The Rendezvous and Brenda are where it's at. We even got chased by her dogs a few times. By far, the best motel we've stayed at. Even though Pearisburg was so spread out and strange Brenda made it worth it.Yesterday was a blur. Chores, food, and beer in no particular order. It seemed like a million things had to be done and there was not enough day to do it. Which is why today we didn't actually hike out until abour 3:30 pm. It's hard to leave town when you only have 6 miles to hike. You convince yourself to wait until last minute. It took us awhile to get motivated, but we grabbed 2 last Dr. Peppers, procrastinating, then headed off into the woods again.We got to the shelter right before the storm hit and now are all comfortably watching the fog and rain roll in from our sleeping bags.I'm glad to be feeling happy once again. My town blues almost got the better of me today. Almost, but not quite. I can feel down all I want, but when you hike up to a shelter with your buddies waiting for you and you can all hang and make dinner together...it makes up for everything and takes away any bad feelings that exist. Virginia is beautiful, even in the rain and fog (just a side note). Hangin in there still...only small aches and pains and blues and yellows.