morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-09-18
From: Dick's Dome

To: Manasses Gap Linden
Miles today: 6.9

[Little Bump and Flounder called from Front Royal, VA tonight. They will enter the Shenandoahs tomorrow and should arrive in Waynesboro around the 24th. Robin Purcell (Tasha's mom) met them and showered them with trail magic. She is meeting them for breakfast in the morning and then shuttling them back to the trail. They hiked in torrential rain yesterday (Ivan)and said that it was the worst wind and rain they have seen yet. It looks like the next couple of days will be nice for them.]The rain tapered off but the creek in front of the shelter was roaring! Of course still flooding over (even more than last night). We were happy to see we had not floated away. [Who could have slept under those conditions?!] We forded the swollen creek back to the trail. It didn¢t matter because our shoes were wet anyway. Even our sleeping bags were wet from the rain blowing in. At least we know we will be in town with Mama Purcell later today and we will get everything dried out at a Laundromat. The weather remained nasty with wind and light rain. The trail, although not muddy, was like a river in sections. There were large numbers of blow downs, some old but many new. We had to scramble around many of them through poison ivy. We were praying that the poison ivy would not affect us. We got to our rendezvous with Robin at 10:30. She brought all kinds of warm clothes and towels for us. Not to mention lots of food and goodies. She also brought her grandson, Aidan, with her. What a kind, polite and intelligent 6 year old. It is hard to believe that we finally got to meet her. We have been communicating with Robin Sue even before we began our adventure in June. We went for brunch and spent hours talking about the trail and all of our experiences. It was great getting to know each other better. Aidan entertained me by drawing about a hundred pictures of dinosaurs (some I had never heard of before!). Momma P. then gave us a tour of Front Royal and we picked a motel close to laundry and food. She loaded us up with all kinds of food and some gourmet trail snacks and candy bars that look sinfully delicious. She insisted on taking us back to the trail in the morning. We had such a nice day. She is a REAL trail angel! We took everything to the Laundromat and got the food we needed to help us make it to Waynesboro (through the Shenandoah¢s).
Date: 2004-09-19
From: Manasses Gap Linden

To: Tom Floyd Shelter 
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: clear sky

Momma P picked us up at 9:30 and we went for breakfast. We viewed many of Tasha¢s (Tinkerbell¢s) pictures she had taken. It was neat to be able to put faces with names we have heard so much about. We heard that Tink had skipped down to her Alma Mater to avoid the wrath of Ivan (smart girl!) and would be hiking NOBO to the middle of the Shenandoah¢s. Looks like we will finally get to meet her even if it is just crossing paths (for now). We exchanged some phone #s with Momma P then said our goodbyes. She is so sweet and kind. Tasha is blessed to receive such great support from her family and friends. The day is just beautiful, not a cloud in the sky and a little cool. A few miles into the trail we cross a road and see some magic hanging in a tree¢¦a bag of cookies. We take the bag down and we each eat only one and hang it back up. The are so good and we want more but thought we should save some for other hikers. I looked down and saw a paper on the ground. It had been attached to the cookies and had fallen off. The note was from Momma P who had left the cookies for us. Sorry hikers, but all the cookies were eaten by us! Momma P, you spoiled us. We hope to see you again at Sweet Briar or Springer. We hiked only 11.1 miles today to Tom Floyd Shelter just before entering Shenandoah Nat Park. Two section hikers, Nugget and Windy, share the shelter with us (both SOBO). You would think you would get tired of trail talk ¢¦ but everyday is a new chapter! Yesterday and today were special! Thanks Momma P.
Date: 2004-09-20
From: Tom Floyd Shelter 

To: Pass Mtn. Hut
Miles today: 23.6

We didn¢t want to get out of our bags this morning..cold in the mid 40s. We all waited around and got moving around 7:30. Nugget will begin his active duty in the Army signal corp at Ft Benning, GA, in October. Windy is 73, very fit and is section hiking the AT (incidentally he is a bit windy at both ends!). At the top of the hill we spotted the entrance to SNP. Beautiful, cool, clear day. Nice trail too. About midday we run into Jack Straw and King David who were slacking NOBO for the day. We had not seen King David since Chesire, Mass. We caught up on things then headed separate ways. We may end up at Big Meadows tomorrow with them. Nice views/overlooks today with low humidity. Not a cloud in the sky. The spider webs were bad as we blazed the trail until midday. Near the end of the day Loot and Crazy Uncle caught us (they were slacking SOBO). We hiked with them for a few miles then pressed on when they turned off (another 2.5 miles). ON the blue blaze back to the shelter we see a black bear (smallish). Nice shelter with a great piped spring. Lots of mice though. They are running all around us as I write this. [And you call this a NICE shelter¢¦this would be the end for me!] As long as they leave us alone we don¢t care. Some are cute..white, black and brown¢¦calico. Another cold night ahead of us. We are hoping for an earlier start tomorrow.
Date: 2004-09-21
From: Pass Mtn. Hut

To: Bear Fence Mtn Hut Lean-To
Miles today: 26.8

We were up and out at 7:30. The tenters had not stirred yet. It was a bit warmer today but still beautiful hiking. We hiked up and down a ridge line overlooking the Shenandoah Valley. Mary Rock was a nice area. We ate lunch at Skyland Wayside. Nice to get some real food. A bit pricey though. At Big Meadows we decided we did not want to pay $19 to camp so we stopped at the camp store for a few items including a soft serve icecream cone and left the store deciding to stealth camp somewhere. We saw Loot, Jack Straw and King David and talked for a few minutes. They will be slacking tomorrow too. After hiking a bit we pushed on to the next shelter (7 miles). Nice trail and we were able to run some. At the shelter we were surprised to see Creamy, Crunchy, Bojangles, Eco and a NOBO section hiker. We thought they were a shelter ahead of us. Nice to reunite.
Date: 2004-09-22
From: Bear Fence Mtn Hut Lean-To

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: clear sky

We left camp early and pretty much altogether. Creamy and Crunchy had to call in for a radio interview (morning show). They are hiking to raise money for Habitat for Humanity. Not much for views today. Guess we were spoiled yesterday. The forest was dry and scrubbier and the spider webs were horrendous. We broke trail all day and I felt mummified by the time we reached the shelter. We felt awkward getting to camp so early (4PM) but the nice cool steam to clean up in was just what we needed. This short day sets us up for a 26.2 tomorrow [Hey, that is a marathon!] and a nero going into Waynesboro the following morning. Eco, Creamy and Crunchy, and Bojangles all gradually pull in. We had a good time joking around with them and the cool NOBO section hiker, Cubby. We are trying to talk everyone in to the 26.2 miler tomorrow. We¢ll see who shows. The terrain looks good. It would be a record day for Creamy and Crunchy.
Date: 2004-09-23
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Calf Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 26.2
Weather: clear sky

We were on the trail at 7:30 this morning for a 7 mile hike to Loft Mtn Camp Store. We needed food to get us to town. After getting back on the trail, I injured some tendons (for my footlifter) near the top of my foot. I don¢t know how it happened, just that it did and it made it very uncomfortable to hike (especially knowing another 19 miles was ahead). The forest was green and leafy today. Many trees had turned color overnight. They were mostly red and the sun shining through them cast a red tint on the trail¢¦really cool! We smelled some type of plant or tree that had an aroma of bubble gum or cotton candy. I found myself wanting to pick up yellow acorns because they looked like peanut M&Ms. Yes, we are hungry! I also got nailed by another wasp that came from a nest under a rock I stepped on. Flounder stirred them up and then I got hit. She was upset when I pushed her off the trail as I was getting attacked. She would have preferred I yell, ¢Run Forrest Run¢!. She should know by now that I can¢t do two things at once. We stopped at Black Rock Summit for lunch. It was a beautiful 360 degree view but the bugs ate us alive. We are trying to decide which bugs are the most annoying¢¦ mosquitos that buzz around your head all night, no-see-ums that eat you alive, gnats that fly in and out of your ears and eyes, flies that get all over your food or the wasps for obvious reasons. We really are having fun! Just after Black Rock we meet Tasha Marie (aka Tinkerbell). She is hiking NOBO for a small section and we shouldn¢t be too far behind her when she continues south. She is really sweet and fun to chat with. She has a great sense of humor. Hopefully we¢ll get to spend more time with her later on the trail. The Shenandoahs were beautiful. We exited the part late in the day. It was probably the best maintained long section of trail thus far. Everyone was at the shelter when we arrived along with 2 NOBO section hikers, Aunt Anne and Uncle Bud. I carried up treats for everyone and we had a good time joking around as usual. My foot was beginning to feel a little better. Of course, that was after taking 2 Aleve and 3 Advil.
Date: 2004-09-24
From: Calf Mtn Shelter

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night was the most miserable night on the trail! Uncle Bud kept us all awake with his thunderous snoring. Before daylight we were all up eating breakfast eager to get to town for some real R&R. I guess we should just pitch our tents but it is not always convenient. [Do you try ear plugs?!] Eco and Creamy set a blistering pace and we get out to the road in 2 hours. They got a ride from a passer by but Bill from Tree Street Inn picked us up. We learned that the Inn is really a B&B. Both Bill and his wife, Nickie, treat us like family. What a beautiful place. Bill lets us use his van to do some errands. We see Platypus and Spice Weed at the P.O. We had not see them since Ft. Montgomery when we had taken a week off to fly home for hurricane recovery. Now there are 11 SOBOrs in close proximity. Should make for more interesting shelter situations! We met the male Tinkerbell (aka Dad Jones) at the Chinese Buffet. He wears bells on his boots just in case you are wondering about his trail name! We invited him to join us and we had a great time visiting. In the end, he snagged the bill and paid it. Magic! It wsa his last day on the trail for awhile. He just completed over 12 of the AT. He is kind and we trade info to keep in touch. Thank you Dad Jones! If you want to meet nice people just come out on the trail! Bill and Nickie have chocolate cake and grapes for us when we return home. Yum!
Date: 2004-09-25
From: Waynesboro

To: Reed's Gap
Miles today: 19.4

Nickie had a wonderful breakfast for us. What nice, trusting people. If they had room for us tonight and we weren¢t so eager to slack we would consider staying another night. Thank you Bill and Nickie for making us feel so at home. Bill gave us a ride back to the trail after a stop at the P.O. and market. We bumped into the ole crew¢¦ Creamy, Crunchy, Eco, Bojangles and hike up Humpback with Crunchy. He explained how they came to be hiking for Habitat for Humanity. Sounds like a great program. We all met up at dripping rock along with Todd¢¦a section hiker and ¢05 hopeful. Nice guy. Shockwave ¢03 was just driving by and he stopped and gave us all some magic. Thanks!While we were going on to Reed Gap, the others will camp at Cedar Cliffs. We almost wish we were camping too because the evening is so beautiful. At Reed¢s Gap, we meet Earl from the Dutch Haus who drives us 20 miles to Montebello via the Blue Ridge Pky. At the B&B, we meet Lois, her brother, and Lois¢s parents. We also have a lovely meal of potato soup in a bread bowl and a huge chicken Caesar salad. Another couple arrived late (after dinner).
Date: 2004-09-26
From: Reed's Gap

To: Fish Hatchery Road
Miles today: 19.9

Lois makes us a nice breakfast and we head to Reed¢s Gap for a day of slacking. Creamy caught us right away and we talked as he waited for Crunchy. Later we saw Bojangles and we ate lunch with Eco. We also met a new SOBO r named What. He hiked Katahdin to Rockfish Gap in ¢03 and this year he started at Rockfish and is headed to Springer. Nice guy¢¦his legs are ripped. We are both jealous! We also meet another hiker named Too who is an ¢05 hopeful. He is doing a shakedown hike. His wife told him that he is TOO old, TOO dumb, TOO fat and TOO lazy to make such a trip. She also said he was a fool so he plans to begin his hike on April Fools Day of 05! Rocks are pretty bad today going over the 3 ridges and the Priest. Nearly 8000 feet of climbing today. Probably the most since NH. It was very hazy today with the ¢hurricane¢ getting closer. We saw several day hikers and weekend warriors (more than we did in the Shenandoahs). Go figure? Nice to be slacking but would have been nicer if we could have run a bit more. At Fish Hatchery Road we decend 800 feet to Montebello where Earl picks us up and takes us home to the Dutch Haus. We enjoy another home cooked meal and relax the rest of the evening.
Date: 2004-09-27
From: Fish Hatchery Road

To: Rt. 60
Miles today: 16.3

We woke up to light rain and decide to slack 16 instead of 26. Would have been great trail (less rocks and much flatter) but the rain kept of from deciding to go farther. We were in clouds, wind and rain all day. We passed through our first bald ridges. We saw a lot of apple orchards and many downed leaves that were quite beautiful. As Jeanne neared the weather got worse. At Rt. 60 we waited about an hour for Earl. We ate some snacks left by Shutterbug ¢02 while we waited. Thanks. Earl¢s mother was having dialysis in Lexington and it was taking longer than expected. We toured Buena Vista and Lexington enroute to pick her up. Back home, Slow and Easy and Todd are here. We had another delicious meal and talked throughout the evening.
Date: 2004-09-28
From: Rt. 60

To: Dutch Haus (no where actually)
Miles today: 0.0

What is left of Hurricane Jeanne is on top of us today. There were more than 6¢ of rain overnight and the wind, rain and gusts were picking up. We decided to wait it out and stay warm and dry. Todd decided to head out anyway. He is no greenhorn and has hiked several hundred miles on the PCT. Out of nowhere, in walks King David. We about fell over. His mom dropped him off after having a short visit with him. It was neat to meet her. We caught up on all the latest trail news and watched some home movies. Lois once again knocked us out with a delicious meal. Thanks.
Date: 2004-09-29
From: Rt. 60

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: broken clouds

After a nice breakfast we all say goodbye and head separate ways. King David rides with us to Rt. 60 as he will slack NOBO today. The trail is beautiful with very few rocky sections, but is hard to get going. We stopped for lunch and met Walker (the only remaining member of the Myers family of 5 that was headed SOBO). We had not seen him since we returned to the trail on 8/25. His son, Storm, is heading NOBO and we should meet him next week. We caught up on more trail talk and then headed south again. We passed by Predtar Dam and some nice but hazy overlooks from Big and Little Rocky Rows. We could see the James River far below. Walker was just leaving with some water when we pulled into camp around 5 PM. He is moving on to the next shelter. We¢ll try to pop in/out of town tomorrow for some resupplying.
Date: 2004-09-30
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 26.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Only a 2 mile hike into town (Glasgow) for our maildrop. We get a quick hitch in/out. Back at the trailhead , Ken (a trail angel from Moore Haven, FL), had been waiting for over 2 hours for us. Lois had called ahead to advise him we would need transportation but there was a miscommunication about the time. We enjoyed visiting with him. Sorry! We crossed the James River on the longest footbridge on the trail. At Matt¢s Creek Shelter we read that Loot had slammed some people behind him in the register. We happened to be some of those people so we were enticed to catch him! We only planned to do 20 miles today but will try to go a bit farther to catch him and Walker. Nice trail but few views. We passed under the famed ¢guillotine¢ and by a huge FAA tower and radar ball that looked like a large soccer ball. At Cornelius Creek Shelter we met Margaret (a homeless woman). She had been there for sometime and was very friendly. We felt sorry for her but she seemed quite content. Loot had brightened her day shortly before we got there by giving her chocolate and some extra food he had. Nice guy. We left at 7PM (nearly dark) and headed for Bryant Ridge Shelter. As expected, Loot and Walker were there. We surprised them and had a blast telling stories. This is an awesome shelter. It has a huge covered porch with a picnic table. It could sleep 30+ but tonight just 4. Sweet. It was fun to tease Loot a bit. He deserved it. Oh, Flounder just missed stepping on a Copperhead this morning by a fraction of an inch. A photo will be coming soon!
Date: 2004-10-01
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Fullhardt Knob Shelter
Miles today: 26.8
Weather: haze

10/1/04 FridayBryant Ridge Shelter to Fullhardt Knob ShelterWalker got out first this morning going for resupply just 4 miles down the path. We hiked with loot all day-pushing right along. We all took turns "pulling" or pacing each other. I was killing them on the climbs! Loot needed to get close to Daleville where he will meet his aunt tomorrow for some "magic". It is fun hiking with Loot and joking around all day. We had great smooth trail all day but unfortunately we were in the clouds so no views to speak of :-( At several Blue Ridge Pky crossings we tried in vain to yogi some cokes. Guess we will have to wait 'til tomorrow when we pass thru the interchange area (Daleville). At the shelter we meet "Charger Bob", a sect. hiker, who has a wonderful fire going for all to enjoy. The warmth feels delicious in this damp/cool air. A light breeze is blowing heavy dew and clouds directly into the shelter. We'll be soaked by morning!26.8 miles 1455.2 total
Date: 2004-10-02
From: Fullhardt Knob Shelter

To: Lambert Meadows
Miles today: 14.4

10-2-04 SaturdayFullhardt Knob Shelter to Lambert Meadows ShelterAs expected, everything was dripping wet this morning. We decided to dry stuff out and take a shower at a truckstop today (interchange-Daleville). We planned to have B-fast w/ Loot b-4 his aunt picks him up. Coming off the trail we find a note on a tree from Todd (Rainman-met at the Dutch Haus) and he says he wants to do some magic for us from the 4-Pines Hostel! Walking toward the Waffle House we see Bojangos and he says Eco, Crunchy, Voice w/i Wind (Voice), Leo his dog, and Tinkerbell are all at the Econolodge. Apparently Creamy is off the trail with severe tendinitis in his lower leg. Eco has a bad cold of some sort. We had actually met Voice in the White Mtns of NH while he was doing his NOBO section (hiking w/ Moonpie at that time). Let me just say that room was foul! Several stink hikers and one dog....I know why Eco is sick! There is nothing like that stench.....it must be experienced.Wow...we finally catch Tinkerbelle after more than 3 months! Everyone is soon heading out but Tink decides to join us (me, Flounder, and Loot) for b-fast then she wants to catch up on some phone calls while we shower and do laundry. Heading for the Waffle House we see Charger Bob loading his truck. He offers to shuttle us to breakfast and we ask him to join us. After a great meal we say goodbye to Loot (who pans to catch back up with us), then Charger Bob drops the rest of us off at the truckstop. We get showers and do some laundry while Tink makes her calls. Luckily we are inside while it pours from the heavens! After chore time we hit the trail again with Tink. It is great hiking with her. She is a hoot! She has a great sense of humor and we are learning a whole new vocabulary! Several good overlooks of green "patchwork" farm valleys far below and their surronding small settlements. All very cute! We get some nice trail magic today...sodas and candy bars. We suspect they came from Todd. Thanks. Close to dark we wander into camp. Voice, Leo, Platypus and Spice Weasel are there. The rest of the crowd were supposed to be here as well but they may have been held back with Eco's illness. We hope all is well. We rag on Loot a bit in the register to entice hime to catch us. Shortly after crawling in our bags Tink taps me and says a bug flew in her ear. A whole series of ill-fated attempts to kill it ensue. It's quite entertaining and Tink's expressions have us rolling! Although the bug eventually stops moving it never does come out and Platypus tells her it is an earwig and will crawl into her brains (something from Star Trek I think). Anyway he has Tink worried so she sleeps with the bug-ear down all nite, hoping it will fall out!14.4 miles 1469.6 total
Date: 2004-10-03
From: Lambert Meadows

To: 4 Pines Hostel
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: scattered clouds

10/03/04 SundayLamberts Meadow Shelter to 4-Pines HostelWe all hike somewhat together today...gathering at overlooks and for lunch. We are blessed with some great views from Tinker Cliffs and from Mcafee Knob were we all get some magic from some day hikers. Thankyou! We leave Loot some more "friendly notes" as we pass by shelters today. Definately enough to make him want to catch us now...just to shut us up!It was a long day but hiking with such fun people made it very enjoyable. At rt. 624, Joe, the owner of 4-Pines Hostel just passing by, picks us up as we were walking to his place. Thanks. The hostel, which is nothing more than a large garage wtih a bathroom and shower, is a welcome site to any hiker. To our surprise, Todd is still there and we thank him for the magic we got yesterday. He said we have to eat at The Home Place before closing and rushes me, Flounder and Tink down there. The restaurant is really an old farm house with several small rooms to eat in. The atmosphere is family like and the food is "home style" AYCE (all you can eat). It was spectacular!Eco, Bojangos, Crunchy are at the hostel already having hitched in from Catawba. Eco is feeling real bad. Todd says he will take him to the clinic tomorrow. Storm (Walker's 15 year old son-hiking NOBO) is there as well. After hiking SOBO with his family thru NH he returned home for a break then started hiking north from Springer Mtn. he doesn't know how far he will get before the weather shuts him down. He gives us a heads-up of what lays ahead. Thanks. He should cross paths with his father tomorrow. Real nice guy!Todd offers to slack us tomorrow...something we can't refuse! It has been quite cool in the evenings lately so it will be nice to come back to a nice warm place with showers again tomorrow! 16.1 miles 1485.7 total