morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-04-13
From: Mountaineer Shelter

To: Dennis Cove Road
Miles today: 15.9

Starting off early I planned to head to Laurel Fork Shelter 17.8 miles away, but as the day wore on I knew that probably wasn't going to happen. I spent the day focusing on nothing but putting one foot in front of the other. Every time any other subject matter popped in my head, I replaced them with "Walk, just keep walking." That method works the majority of the day and then I almost stepped on a huge black snake. We had a nice photo session, then he left and I continued to walk. Close to Dennis Cove Road, I stopped to admire the old cabin which in my opinion is so full of life. At Dennis Cove Road, I was told about the campsites along the river. They aren't marked in AWOL. I stopped there for the night and decided to see Laurel Falls in the morning with fresh eyes and less tired legs. While I was there an amazing lady was there waiting on her husband while he fished. She had brought a grill and decided to cook for the hikers that came through while she waited. I had a hamburger with cheese, lettuce and tomato. It was delicious and kept me satisfied all through the night. **Photos/Videos on Facebook -- Mickie Blair (Dicey Willow)
Date: 2017-04-14
From: Dennis Cove Road

To: Shook Branch Road
Miles today: 8.5

I was able to get packed up and walking by 7am. The trail to Laurel Falls was definitely better left for fresh legs. It was steep and very rocky, but well worth it! The falls were flowing full force and the roar kept me from hearing the not so pleasant thoughts still floating around. I had originally planned to go into Hampton on the side trail before Pond Mountain, but decided against carrying a full resupply over it. The climb never seemed to end going up. The "view" halfway up was a going resting spot while I tried to convince myself to continue up. Once I was finally up, the down was just as much fun!I finally made it to Shook Branch Road and went to Boots Off Hostel.   I sat up my hammock and then took an amazing shower. Once I was finally settled and laundry was finished, I was excited to see a couple of people familiar walk up the hills. I was hoping to run into them again because I enjoyed talking to them at camp in the evenings. One of the ladies was planning a makeshift Easter Dinner for the next evening. My plans for a night and resupply were replaced by a zero, when I was invited to the dinner. The evening was spent on a quick resupply trip into Dollar General and delicious junk food at McDonald's. Once we got back, the owner built a bonfire and the small group had s'mores. I stayed up pretty late but finally decided to call it a night. **Photos/Videos on Facebook -- Mickie Blair (Dicey Willow)
Date: 2017-04-15
From: Shook Branch Road

To: Shook Branch Road
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

My feet were very grateful for the day off. I woke up fairly late, made my coffee, and heading up to the house for donuts and cereal. I made the mistake of checking Facebook and learned April the Giraffe was in active labor. I spent the next two hours watching but did manage to multitask and get my food all ready for the next stretch. As the day wore on, I got more and more excited about our small Easter Dinner. I was looking forward to another quiet night. Of course, things never go as planned! The number of hikers arriving kept growing. By the time dinner was ready close to 30 people were at the hostel. Our small group split off and ate. A couple of people in the group wanted to go to church the next morning, then hike out. After much internal debate, I decided to go with them. The evening ended with a delicious dessert and some sleep after everyone quieted down finally. **Photos/Video on Facebook - Mickie Blair (Dicey Willow)
Date: 2017-04-17
From: Campsite after Wilbur Dam Road

To: Tentsite at mile 440.0
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Once again deep sleep eluded me, the events of the prior two days were weighing heavy on my mind. The highest of highs being invited to join in a "tramily" and the lowest of lows being reminded that my place in the world is as a uncertain as a sunny day on the Appalachian Trail. The day started out with the never ending uphill.   I started out before most of the group but before long they had pretty much all past me. I tried to take in my surroundings instead of letting the monsters in my head dominate. Unfortunately the guy from the text decided to slack pack in the opposite direction. The young lady was not far ahead when he stopped her. I was only a few paces behind.   He attempted to apologize to her but with the panic in her eyes I told him to just keep walking.   Regardless of whether the picture was a mistake or malicious, her fear is real. The rest of my day was spent trying to figure out how to "fix it". To give her the strength to overcome her fear. To figure out how to be in front of her and behind her at the same time. Needless to say, I walked and walked and never figured out the answers to my questions or the solution to my dilemma. We arrived at the campsite fairly early and had the leftover from the trail magic Easter Dinner.   A group decision was made to eat all of it because we no longer wanted to carry the extra weight.   Once we were all full, we threw our bear lines and were milling around talking. We noticed tiny little bugs covering the tyvek footprint of one of the tents. It was like waves of moving/jumping dirt. Excellent cell service and google revealed they were more than likely juvenile springtails. Harmless but still overwhelming.   We ended up pulling out the tyvek and using my sheet of polycro.   Then all of a sudden the sky opened up. Mountain Goat and I dashed to raise the bear bags thinking the rain would last for a while. Since darkness was now close we didn't want to have to go back out. Lesson learned. We ended up soaked to the bones for a 15 minute downpour.   And to top it off, the polycro didn't work out so well so we switched the tyvek back. That night the tiny springtails joined a few others in their tents and I was very happy to have my hammock. **Photos/Videos on Facebook -- Mickie Blair (Dicey Willow)
Date: 2017-04-18
From: Tentsite at mile 440.0

To: Tentsite at mile 453.7
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: clear sky

My bug free night was spent imagining tiny little bug towers being constructed under my hammock so the highest one could join me cozy in my quilt.   I finally drifted off to sleep not looking forward to the long day to Low Gap (so many Low Gaps). We ended up with a late start and one group member decided to keep sleeping instead of packing up a wet tent. The terrain wasn't that bad and I thoroughly enjoyed walking through some gorgeous rolling pastures covered in dandelions as far as the eye could see. As soon as we entered the woods, the sky threatened rain again. My body was aching and my head pounding from the stress of the last few days. I was hoping that we would stop early but unfortunately it was not meant to be and we kept walking. We didn't arrive at Campsite until almost dark. I ate and then we attempted to hang all of our bear bags on a single deadish limb. Needless to say, the tree protested. We scrambled around and found another place to hang in the twilight. The funeral for the tree was planned for sunrise. **Photos/Videos on Facebook - Mickie Blair (Dicey Willow)
Date: 2017-04-19
From: Tentsite at mile 453.7

To: Tentsite at mile 466.9
Miles today: 13.2

The sunrise funeral was postponed due to rain and I finally got started.   I ended up walking most of the day as the caboose. The weather was mild with low clouds hanging out in the valleys and blue skies on the mountain tops. Flowers are blooming everywhere and all the trees have tiny leaves emerging from the buds on every branch. I was fascinated all day by the ability of trees and flowers to perpetuate life year after year despite all the hardships of snow and droughts and everything in between. I admire their strength and persistence. We stopped for lunch at a spot labeled "Ruins". However I am pretty sure someone ruined the ruins of the stone building by arranging them into a fire ring. I didn't sit long and headed out before anyone else. I was anticipating the crossing of the TN/VA border and I wanted to have a few minutes alone to process the milestone. When I arrived at the border, the blue of the sky was overwhelming. I held onto the sign and cried tears of happiness and fear. The crossing of another state line takes me further from my home state but closer to the inevitable end. It's a double edged sword over which I have absolutely no control. I walked a bit further down the trail through a trail teaming with butterflies.   Finally everything was so totally overwhelming that I just had to sit. Nature provided a log bench and I sat to collect myself. It wasn't long before the others showed up and we continued down the trail. One of the guys was behind and the other was making a dash into Damacus. We sat up camp right before Damacus to head in early the next morning. I ate all my extra food and then retreated into my hammock to battle the demons in my head dealing with trust, belonging, my past, my fears, and the future. **Photos/Video on Facebook -- Mickie Blair (Dicey Willow)
Date: 2017-04-20
From: Tentsite at mile 466.9

To: Tentsite at 470.6
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: scattered clouds

I was up early and heading down the hill.   It wasn't long before the others caught up and then I lagged behind sadly listening to nature sounds fade as the sounds of Damacus grew louder and louder.   In Damacus, my plans were to shower, do laundry, resupply, buy trailrunners, hammock at one of the hostels then head back out in the morning. And again my plans did not work out. I knew as soon as I stepped into the "city", it wasn't going to go well. Maybe I jinxed myself, but there were just certain signs unseen by others that this was a bad place for me. We walked down to the Broken Fiddle and a quick around the surroundings elicited a panic rising in my chest. I told them I wasn't staying there. They decided to go have breakfast to figure out where to stay. I was too sick to my stomach to eat so I headed down to the outfitters for shoes. I went to both outfitters and found a pair of trail runners I liked. I had them hold onto them while I went and picked up one of my Amazon packages. After going through my package and then buying the shoes, I started packing up things to send back to Atlanta. The group arrived with a cinnamon roll from me with notes from each of them written on the box. They all have such good hearts and filled with unmeasureable kindness. I am trying so hard to let myself feel that but it is truly one of the hardest things I have ever attempted. Climbing these mountains is a breeze compared to that.   They had all decided to stay at The Place but by this point I was having a hard time even staying in town at all. I decided to resupply at Dollar General while I tried to make up my mind.   Once I got all my food, I headed down to the hostel. I asked about hammocking and was told where the posts were. Once inside, the caretaker laughed and said so she is the "fifth wheel". Needless to day, my sense of belonging was decimated. I know he meant no harm but it was like a punch in the stomach. I quickly escaped outside to set up my hammock and hide. After trying to setup my hammock on posts that didn't seem like they wanted to hold me up, I decided to just head into the woods. I couldn't even think about going back into the building for a shower without tears welling up. I got all my food together and then made one last trip to the post office. I was walking out of Damacus by 4pm and was very happy to be leaving. I stopped right after crossing the road, filled up my water for the evening/morning and headed up. At the campsite someone had left a tarp set up. It took me a while to realize it was uninhabited. I tried to convince myself to eat dinner but I just wasn't very hungry so I just nibbled on the cinnamon roll. After I was in bed, I got a text saying the group was staying in town probably an extra day due to unforeseen circumstances. At that point, I was pretty sure I would be walking alone again. **Photos/Video on Facebook - Mickie Blair (Dicey Willow)
Date: 2017-04-21
From: Tentsite at 470.6

To: Saunders Shelter
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: broken clouds

The night was fairly uneventful and even though I could hear the city noise nature was definitely louder. The morning was overcast but the woods were still full of wildlife noises to calm my soul as I walked. I got to the shelter fairly early and set up. I got water and then started reading a wonderful book called "Braiding Sweetgrass" gifted to me by one of the guys in the group. I spent some time just relaxing and trying to let my broken pieces fall back into a comfortable space. I got a text from one of the women in the group letting me know they would be heading up the next day and for me to let them know where I would be. I was happy to hear from them. I spent some time fighting with the cell signal to upload pictures to Facebook. The day passed by quickly and the rains came and went. Before long, darkness arrived and I just decided to call it a day. **Photos/Video on Facebook - Mickie Blair ( Dicey Willow)
Date: 2017-04-22
From: Saunders Shelter

To: Saunders Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

The first time I woke up at 5am, it was raining heavily so I managed to fall back asleep until 6am. I waited a few minutes before getting up trying to decide where I was heading for the day. My original idea to camp beside the river was scrapped when a flash flood warning popped up. I decided to just drink coffee and have breakfast while I decided. I got up and put on my hiking clothes and headed downhill for a bathroom break before retrieving my food bag. It was drizzling lightly but I didn't put on my rain gear since it only a light misting. On my way back up the hill, I all of a sudden got extremely hot, then in the next instant I was so cold. A rush of dizziness took over and I ended up on the ground laying on my back looking up at the tree tops and watching the drizzle coming down on me. I don't think I actually lost consciousness. After a couple of moments, I was able to get up and made my way to my food bag. I untied the rope and as the bear bag hit the ground so did I again. I laid there a bit longer until I felt as if I could get me and the food back to my hammock. Finally I made it back and got back in. I was definitely chilled and damp, but finally managed to warm up. It's racking my brain to figure out what was wrong when in dawned on me that over the last two days, I had barely eaten anything or even consumed much water. So between that and just being completely stressed out, I think was just too much. I decided to zero at the shelter and eat like I would if I was hiking. I texted the group that I was staying there and they said they would be up later that day. I was a complete bum all day. I read the majority of the book and used up most of my battery pack on journals and photos. I made a point to eat every few hours and drink lots of water. By afternoon, I felt much more like myself. The group finally made its way in although it seems we may have lost one of the guys. The evening was spent catching up on their town misadventures. As we were eating dinner, the rain started and we all headed in for the night. **Photos/Videos on Facebook - Mickie Blair (Dicey Willow)
Date: 2017-04-23
From: Saunders Shelter

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Today was another one of those days when I question my sanity on attempting this journey. The morning started out well. It wax the raining when I got my food and I made it back to the hammock with no trouble at all. But from there out was just a miserable day. Lost Mountain was going to be our meeting place then we would decide from there. Within minutes of me heading out it started to rain. It rained a cold rain, every step of the 6.5 miles to Lost Mountain Shelter. I got dizzy a couple of times but then I would stop for a wet snack and all was well. When I arrived at the shelter, the quickest of us had already set up his tent. He was cold wet and miserable. I set up my hammock and joined him in the miserable world. The others finally arrived and we all stayed here listening to the rain. At this rate, I'll never get to see the ponies and I'll be out of food and fuel days before my next resupply.   I am hoping the rain will drift away tonight so tomorrow's walk will better. Typically I love walking in the rain and getting all muddy but for dome reason today I just wasn't feeling it. I did manage to finish the book and highly recommend "Braiding Sweetgrass". After finishing the book this evening, I needed to drown out the sounds around me so I listened to my playlist of songs, unfortunately they sent my mood tumbling down like the rain outside. So now I am listening to camp noises and the rain pelting on my tarp. I keep telling myself tomorrow will be better. It has been one week of sheer hell, but the hell has been in my head and not with the actual trail until today. But I am warm tonight, I am dry tonight, and I have a full belly tonight. I am grateful for all those things. Tomorrow I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the trail will show me something beautiful, peaceful, and calming if I let myself look beyond the darkness. **Photos/Videos on Facebook - Mickie Blair
Date: 2017-04-24
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Elk garden, VA 600 Campsite
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: light rain

It was incredibly windy and rainy all night long. I stayed warm and dry yet I still felt a chill through my entire being. It can't be the Virginia Blues, I just started Virginia. Maybe it's an internal warning of sorts. I really have no choice but to wait and see. Today was another short mile day. My goal to make it to Thomas Knob Shelter did not materialize. A late start and high winds made me rethink. It was entirely appropriate to start the day at Lost Mountain Shelter. I felt lost every step I took even though there was a white blaze around each bend in the trail. I waded down the trail drowning my feet and my hopes. I listened to the wind. I watched the moisture being pulled from the long hanging clouds then felt it permeate every cell in body. As I walked, I was enticed to stop at each new plant I saw and wonder what they will look like in a few days. I saw many new flowers with their blossoms still wrapped up tightly waiting for just the right time to expose their beauty. The silence of other voices today was intoxicating. I relished in only hearing the random birds sing their songs. The entire mountain seemed to a rushing stream giggling and gurgling as it tumbled down to the valley. When a stream wasn't available to join, the water created its own path. The reflections of the trees and sky in the rippling puddles of water were mesmerizing. And now I cocooned tightly in my hammock with my headphones in with music blaring to drown out the noises all around. I miss the silence of the enchanted green forest just a few miles back. I am fighting with every ounce of my being to refrain from returning to my familiar loneliness.**Photos/Video on Facebook - Mickie Blair (Dicey Willow)
Date: 2017-04-25
From: Elk garden, VA 600 Campsite

To: Massie Gap
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: overcast clouds

All night the wind howled, I was swinging wildly most of the night. The wind seemed to blow from both directions and would push both side of the tarp against me. Despite the rain and wind, I stayed warm and dry. I woke up at 5 and just decided to go back to sleep. Last night I was thinking about going into the General Store and Inn at Massie Gap. I had called and got prices but was still undecided until I woke up. The low mile days and the weather had my food supply very low. There is no way I would make it Marion. I talked to Carl Dew and he decided to come in with me to split the cost of the room. That definitely helped with the waste of money anxiety. The thoughts of a shower to wash away all the pain and tears of the week from hell was too much to pass up. The walk out of Elk Garden seemed much easier than I was anticipating. The clouds still hung low and drizzle filled the air.   Up and up I climbed.   When walking alone and really listening, the mountains seem to sing a song of peacefulness. Again, the majority of the trail today was a stream created by the path of least resistance.   I tried for a little while to avoid the ankle deep water and mud but finally gave in. Not long before Thomas Knob Shelter, I starting seeing the presents left behind by the ponies. I was excited to finally get to see them. When I came around the corner, I could see the top of the shelter and directly on the trail was a tiny brand new foal wobbling beside its mother. The guys in the shelter were feeding another pony and two more ponies were hanging out by the picnic table.   I took a few pictures and then decided to continue on. Dew was ahead and was planning to wait for me at the spur Trail for Massie Gap. After Thomas Knob, the trail became more muddy and more rocky. Today was the first days of rocks with no knee braces and I was amazed I managed to walk pretty much pain free. I came across more and more ponies. I took more pictures and just watched them graze. The rocks on the trail grew and soon it seemed more like scrambling than actually hiking. I squeezed pack and all through Fatman squeeze and continued on. The views today were pretty much nonexistent but I occasionally got glimpses of the rocky hills around. They were beautiful even topped with fog. I finally arrived at the 500 mile mark which was appropriately made of ponies poo and sticks.The General Store and Inn are awesome.   Dew and I are absolutely in love with the soft comfy carpeting. We have been here for eight hours and still haven't sat on the bed. I definitely think the floor is calling my name for a night's rest.   I am charging all my electronics and getting some much needed brain rest.   Tomorrow we will head back up early and hopefully see more ponies frolicking in the sunshine. ** Photos/Videos on Facebook - Mickie Blair (Dicey Willow)
Date: 2017-04-26
From: Massie Gap

To: Campsite at 513.2
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: few clouds

After a night of pretty decent sleep, I was up early and all packed up ready for a ride back to Massie Gap from the owner of the General Store.  We were dropped off around 6:45am and started walking.  The walk up wasn't hard at all and within the first mile, I was rewarded with the absolute most breathtaking sight.  The tops of the mountain jutted out from the low valley clouds making then appear as floating islands.  The saying "No man is an island" I suppose has some truth but for some reason the longer I walk the more I feel as if my island is floating further and further away from the others.  I am desperately trying to find my place and be apart of the greater body of land but it's a task I am just not up to yet. Of course, I stood up too and took photos for a little while then starting walking again.  The sky was blue and the sun was warm.  The trail continued to be rocky and quite muddy but I managed to go almost a whole mile before I submerged my left foot ankle deep.  It was nice to have clean dry feet for a little while but I knew it wouldn't last.  Up and over and around, I continued to walk.  I was definitely not paying attention to where I was going and ended up missing a turn in the trail.  I walked for almost a half mile down a fence before it dawned on me all the human prints has disappeared.  I backtracked and found the last white blaze and continued on the right trail.  Throughout the day, I saw a few more ponies and even a long horn steer. I eventually managed to meet up with the others in the group. They were planning a longer day, but by mile 10 my brain and body were just done for the day.  I ended up hammocking right before hurricane shelter. I ate all my extra food and went to bed.  **Photos/Videos on Facebook -- Mickie Blair (Dicey Willow)