morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-10-25
From: Mount Rogers Visitor Center, Marion, VA

To: USFS Hurricane Creek CG Turnoff
Miles today: 16.6

Didn't get on the trail until 11:30am but managed to hike 17 miles. We are camping about 3 miles past the road to Troutdale, VA. We hope being in the tent, named Pastle by Cub(palace and castle combo), we can stay warmer than a shelter. The shelters are three sided and built up off the ground. The wind can blow under it making the boards we sleep on into chilled ice planks. If we freeze we will catch a shuttle to Damascus and invest in some winter equipment. When we started this I told Blueberry we'd be saving so much money. We'd be eating simply and be in the woods all the time...haha, little did I think we'd need a variety of new equipment, shuttles, hotels, etc. But if you know me you know I always think new experiences are worth it. I'll work like a crazy woman when I get home and buffer up the coffers later. There is still snow on the ground but the sun was out. We had water dripping on our heads when we walked through the rhododendron tunnels. When the wind blew the snow fluttered down. We still had enough pockets of snow to eat. A local church left three containers of trail magic and even 2 chairs to sit in while we ate. Chairs are a rarity so we felt majestic to be able to sit in comfort and eat. They are a thoughtful bunch. In addition to food and drink there was a first aid kit, personal items and even chamois towels. With the sun and fall colors and Trail Magic I'd say it was very close to a perfect day.
Date: 2013-10-26
From: Relax Inn, Atkins, VA

To: Mount Rogers Visitor Center, Marion, VA
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

Relaxing in the Relax Inn, we set the heat up sickeningly high, like a mid-Florida summer. We got up at 9am, figuring it might be warmer. We stepped outside to snow falling rapidly. We walked to The Barn, a home style restaurant, for breakfast. Nothing like a hot meal to start the day. It was gray and dreary out. We just couldn't wait to hike, haha. Then back to the hotel. We left at 11am, when they were about to boot us out kicking and screaming. We got on the trail which turned out to be beautiful. Everything was dusted in white snow. We climbed up a short way and got a picturesque view of a red farm house sitting in the white sprinkled field. We were psyched up, giggling and saying how crazy we are. Badonkadonk threw a snow ball at us which triggered a retaliation. All day we tried to hit snow laden tree branches onto each other. We licked leaves and scooped handfuls of fluffy snow into our mouths. All of these snow activities are new to us. We actually passed one hiker today. He was also from Florida. He wanted to experience the Autumn and snow so he started from Springer in September. He is probably the only NOBO on the trail. He is going to go half way and finish next year.See, some people are crazier than us. We hiked about 12 miles when it started to get bone chilling cold. We were overjoyed to see the Mt. Roger's visitors center. It was toasty warm inside. We decided to abide by our hiker buddies advice and get off the trail tonight. The locals kept telling us it was going to be a record cold temperature night. Lucky us! We are now in Marion, Va. jacking up the heat again. We found a hotel coupon book so we got a great deal. These local towns are also good to hikers. While we were checking in a man asked us if we were The Florida Flip Floppers! How exciting and fun. He and a friend are section hiking the AT. He reads Trail Journals. The girls just loved that. Again, it makes us appreciate all of your thoughtful, funny and kind comments. I wish we had enough battery juice to answer them all.
Date: 2013-10-27
From: Mount Rogers Visitor Center, Marion, VA

To: Massie Gap
Miles today: 15.5

Less than 500 miles to go!In the middle of the night, with the wind howling, I woke to a cracking sound. In my half asleep mode I threw myself on top of the girls. A tree branch fell and just hit the side of the tent. Whew! How lucky are we. Though I scared the girls by my mom maneuver they quickly fell back asleep. I, however, continued to vigilantly monitor all cracking sounds, as if my body could ward off all harm. This made me realize once again how easily it can all end. You can prepare and be safe and then a curve ball comes your way anyways. Always it comes back to living life passionately and following your dreams - if not now, when?We hiked to Massie Gap, through part of Grayson Highlands, the park area with wild ponies. Though we saw piles of proof of ponies we did not see any real ponies. We hope to tomorrow when we continue in the park. Apparently they've come to associate hikers with food so they swarm them. Cub is hoping so. One hiker told us he had to climb a tree because they freaked him out. We caught a ride to Damascus so we can get warmer bags and food. We had an incredibly delicious meal at The Blue Blaze. Good beer too! We are staying at the warm and cozy Hikers Inn, owned by a former AT thru hiker. Zzzzzz. Night!
Date: 2013-10-28
From: Massie Gap

To: Elk Garden, VA
Miles today: 8.0

We slept so warm and cozy in a king sized bed, huge compared to our tent. We wanted to take a zero because a cold rain was poring down. After a sad talk with Blueberry, who seems to want us home, we decided to hike in spite of the horrendously cold and wet conditions. We got a ride back to Massie Gap and hiked to Elk Garden, a short hike but considering the wind and sleet long enough. We did it in 3 hours!! We even stopped to pet and feed the wild ponies. Cub screamed in delight when she spotted the ponies in the misty rain. The ponies meandered over until I got some pretzels out. They then decided to charge. The girls were laughing and yelling. They got a bit nervous. I sacrificed my caloric honey bun to the wet horses. I felt bad for them. They just wanted more and followed us for a while. The girls were chastising me for feeding the ponies. It turns out that they are descended from mine ponies that were released to the wilds when the mines mechanized. Weird and fun to see on the trail.We got back in time to get our package from Blueberry. Yeah! We also stopped by Mt. Rogers Outfitters. They are awesome and know everything about the trail! They helped us so much. Everyone in Damascus has been so friendly. We love this place. People seem to migrate here from some revelation from the trail... Seeking a simpler, community closeness kind of life. It's tempting! They say it's the kind of place where a PhD probably delivers your pizza. We met Wild Bill today. He's a charming mountain man with a dog he adores who lives entirely in the woods year round. Gypsy Dave shuttles us around. He has an adorable cottage for rent. We run into hikers everywhere we go and are surrounded by people who love and understand our craziness. Big miles tomorrow but at least we will slack pack them. With warm toes and full bellies we say goodnight.
Date: 2013-10-29
From: Elk Garden, VA

To: Hikers Inn, Damascus, VA
Miles today: 23.5

We are surprising ourselves with our mileage. Get those packs off and we fly. We hiked 23 miles in 8 hrs 20 min with two leisurely stops. We left Elk Garden at 8 am after Gypsy Dave have us a quick tour of a church built entirely out of chestnut wood. The Chestnut tree was rapidly wiped out by a blight about 100 years ago. The interior o the church was also made of the same wood with the altar having tree trunks making the lectern. Gypsy Dave loves it here and happily shows us all kinds of cool things around Damascus. In particular we've loved meeting all the people that give this town it's character. Almost everyone tells us about having an epiphany and changing their lives. Wild Man Bill lives entirely in the woods with his adorable little dog De-Oh-Gee. He loves his life. He's one of the happiest people I've ever met. Crazy Larry served time and turned his life around. He runs a hostel/junk shop. Another young man here put on a Pac Man costume and roller blades. He pops out of the woods and chases bikers on the Virginia Creeper Trail. That just cracks me up. It's like the French guy Remi. If you need a good laugh google "Remi" and watch his videos. Your sides will ache.We ate lunch at Lost Mountain shelter. The privy has the entire Lorax story written on its walls. Also warnings about the rat that lives in the bottom of the privy, nesting in the gross part.Crazy Dave told us to just stay on the Va Creeper trail because the AT keeps getting detoured on to it due to a bridge wash out. He also said its much more scenic. We heeded his advice largely because we have fond memories of the bike trail. My parents brought the whole family out here to ride it. The girls talked about what a fun day that had been. We are missing our family and this was a pleasant way to connect to them. We were able to get a yummy snack at the Creeper Cafe. When we got into town we ate at Subway then started walking home. As we passed Crazy Larry's hostel Larry stopped us to say hello and let us know Buddy and family were in town. We talked to him a bit when suddenly Sherpa, D and Buddy drove up. We all started shouting and hugging and just having a jubilant time! We talked excitedly for a bit. It was hard to separate but we all needed to sleep and get ready for another big day. We did stop by the Mexican restaurant on the way back. We ran into Wild Bill and had a interesting and lively chat. We left for The Hikers Inn. It felt so good to get into our soft, warm bed.
Date: 2013-10-30
From: TN 91, TN

To: Hikers Inn, Damascus, VA
Miles today: 21.7

I woke at 5 to the sound of pouring rain. It's the sound that makes us want to stay on bed all day but we'd never get home that way. We pulled ourselves grumpily out of bed at 6:30 and walked to our daily breakfast place, Mojos. The coffee is great and the food made to order. Crazy Dave met us in his hippie van, a Westie (Westfalia adapted), with kitchen, curtains, etc. It's a true AT kind of vehicle. Dave drove us to TN 91 for a NOBO walk of 20 plus miles back into Damascus. We are in Tennessee now! About 1 hour in and we ran into a pack of radio-wired dogs. The two bush creeping hunters were bear hunting. Every time we relieve ourselves we are sure hunters are watching us. The hiker show. Fun to go NOBO and see all the hikers that have passed us. We got to catch Gem who was the girl that Baltoed us. We also ran into Maverick who we Baltoed. I'll write more later but Cub wants to use the phone to blog...We were walking up to the Hikers Inn when we heard a big shout,"get your stinkin' feet off the porch". It was JD and Trip. They'd hiked in to see us. We were so thrilled to see them. They are staying here too. My sides are aching from laughing so much at dinner. Because of all of their flip flopping on the trail I believe they must know more hikers from the class of 2013 than anybody else. They said that this year over 3000 people started at Springer and only about 150 from Katahdin. We don't know the finishing numbers yet but everyone is saying it's been one of the hardest years due to the extreme weather. Records were set for highest temps as well as lowest and rainfall. Lucky us! Guess it makes us even prouder of our perseverance. But fun dinners with great hiker friends make it all worth it.
Date: 2013-11-01
From: Trunk or Treating

To: Watauga Dam, TN
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: light rain

Somehow we were able to break out of the Damascus vortex and head back out into the trail. It's hard place to leave. We said goodbye to Crazy Larry, had breakfast with Buddy, Sherpa and Dion and some other hiker friends the set out 20 miles south of town with Gypsy Dave. We met friends from Tampa that moved to Johnson City years ago at Tennessee State Road 91. Steve was brave enough to hike 16 miles with us to Watauga Dam parking area. He brought his funny character of a dog Gabe with him. Cub was thrilled to finally have a trail dog. Gabe is a 9 yr old boxer. He kept us all laughing with his antics. He marked every inch of the 16 miles. We can't figure out how he had so much moisture to spread. The weather is gorgeous and perfect for hiking. There is a cool breeze that can get a bit chilly when we stop but is perfect for hiking. When we entered the trail there was a big sign warning people to stay away because of "aggressive bear activity". Kindly it added that only thru hikers could continue through. Guess we are either too disgusting to entice a bear or are just expendable.We came across 7 hunters and their pack of radio-collared hunting dogs. They were hunting bear. We asked them lots if questions. They asked where the girls were from. When they said "China" they men replied, "We got a lot of stuff here from there where you was made". That cracked the girls up!Thank you Damascus for fueling our day with your Halloween candy. It made the hiking super easy. Later in the day we were sitting on a rock eating candy when we heard singing. At first we were amazed that Steve had that much energy. It turned out to be JD singing "Don't worry, Be happy" to Trip. He said he sings to her to keep her going. They'd done a 22 and it was getting dark. We were just so happy to seem them and get some more hugs in. Later we caught up again as they waited for JD's son to pick them up. It was hard to say goodbye but who knows, we all keep running into each other. I'm sure we will hang out again someday. Trip left us with her thru hiker song so we can sing and remember them. When we finished we all crammed into Steve's truck cab. Gabe sat on Badonk and Cub sat on me. Gabe didn't quite get car etiquette. His thick slobbery drool was plopping down on us. We were hysterically laughing and trying to get Gabe to move his head away from ourselves and onto our family members. Steve made Badonkadonk's night by treating us to Taco Bell. We sat on his daughter Rachel's bed and talked to her and her mom Roxann until 1am. That's probably the latest we e been up in 6 months! They are just super awesome and are like family to us. Lucky us for again having such great support.
Date: 2013-11-02
From: Watauga Dam, TN

To: Dennis Cove Rd Parking Area, TN
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: few clouds

We slept so good in the cozy in the homey, loving house of our friends. If you know Scott Taylor, Blueberry's whole life buddy, then know Steve is Scott's older brother. I remember when he and Roxann were dating. They've gone on to have 4 kids who all have turned out to be really charming, responsible people. We are just loving having a home to come to. They are so generous and kind, feeding us and driving us all over the place.Today we hiked 13 miles of some of the most beautiful parts of the entire trail. We walked around Watuaga Lake and even right on the Watuaga Dam itself. We hiked around water most of the day. The deep, greenish blue of the water offsets the golden Autumn colors in the most spectacular way. Rays of sun beam through the dark rain clouds and light up the colorful trees so that they almost look like they are glowing. Cub found out that in addition to not being able to scratch her chin with her casted, broken arm, she also cannot flick off monstrously scary large spiders that are on her shoulder and crawling towards her face. Her sister did not realize that the panicky flicking of the hermit-like spider onto her sitting mom would create havoc. We all started slapping and screaming and stomping until I said, "Wait a minute, are we the three woman who have survived snakes, bears, mice and rats and now we are freaking out like little girlies?!" The girls cracked up and said, "We just don't like the big spiders and we never will." I guess we all have our lines in the sand so to speak. Big spiders are the limit. We hiked to Laurel Falls which is a huge double waterfall. If anyone's looking for an engagement spot this is a good one. It is stunningly beautiful with two white plumes of water shooting rapidly over a huge, sparkling black rock. There is a dark pool of water and then it all flies down a rocky river. The yellow, orange and red tree branches hang over the cold black water. We arrived home in Steve's $450 pickup truck that he left at the end of the trail for us. It's an old quirky truck with a big floor stick shift. Driving it is like being in a video game. It's shaky and loud and oodles of fun. We drove an hour on an old potholed winding gravel road. It rocked Cubbie right to sleep. When we got back to the Taylor home, we went out for Mexican food. Ahhh! This is the life. My tummy is bursting full and I'm snug in a comfy bed, warm and happy and getting an extra hours sleep. Life is grand.
Date: 2013-11-03
From: US 19E, Roan Mountain, TN

To: Dennis Cove Rd Parking Area, TN
Miles today: 24.9
Weather: clear sky

We hiked 25 miles today as NOBOs. It was 36 degrees when we got done at 6:45pm. We started at 9:30am. Just beat. Goodnight. Less than 400 miles to go!
Date: 2013-11-04
From: US 19E, Roan Mountain, TN

To: Hughes Gap Rd, TN 
Miles today: 20.3

The scenery here is some of the most beautiful. The mountains are more rippled and folded. They are like beautiful sea waves. I know I keep repeating myself about the colors but they are so magnificent. Sometimes they are golden and glowing or bright and fire-like. It's a thrill to look out and see an infinity of beauty with the combined land formations and colors. The best part of our day is the hugs we get. Steve and Roxann make it a regular homecoming. We went to a huge all-you-can-eat buffet. Usually I don't like them but as a hiker I'm like a pig at a trough. We could hardly roll ourselves out to the car. Sleep in a warm cozy bed and we get out and do it all over again. Sorry to be so brief. We are loving hanging out with our friends. It was a gorgeous day, freezing cold in the am and pm and mt tops, mildly chilly in the afternoon and on some sides of the mountain. We think we can finish this baby cold and all.
Date: 2013-11-05
From: Iron Mountain Gap TN 107, NC 226

To: Hughes Gap Rd, TN 
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: broken clouds

Just when we think we can get our mojo going and get finished before we freeze we have some snag. That's really a huge part of the AT. You can't predict or control anything. We plan an end date and just keep having to change it. It's a great way to prepare the girls for life. Lots of hard times, lots of beautiful moments and plenty of curve balls. So today Badonkadonk woke up with extreme pain in her pinkie toe. Her toe nail has been blackening and raising up. Luckily Steve and Roxann's son is an Emergency Medical Tech (EMT) and was able to pull it off. Right in the kitchen! Badonk was very brave. She just clutched my hand in a death grip. She had tears silently rolling down her rosy cheeks. Her toe is also infected so we have to really watch that. It was so hard to see another little boo boo of mine go through pain. Why is this stuff happening to them and not me? I'd rather it be me. I can't stand watching them in pain. I suggested we take a zero day but Badonk wouldn't hear of it. She insisted on trying. Since it was late we did a 9 mile hike. Luckily Steve saved the day and hiked with us. He and his dog Gabe make us laugh all day. Our challenge today was to guess how many pee markings Gabe would make on the trail. Badonk won at a whooping 120 leg lifts in 5 hours. Who knew?!Once again going NOBO is fun because we passed all the people that are ahead of us. We talked to a lot of hikers today. Cub is loving Steve and Roxann's house. They live on a little slice of heaven. Their home was built in the 1800s. There is a sweet little creek and pond in the backyard. A momma duck has 6 or so downy baby ducks waddling around. Cub cradles them lovingly in her arms each day. Tonight the Taylor kids and grand kids stopped by. My sides hurt from laughing so much. We all told stories until tears ran down out faces and then we told some more. It's makes us feel so good to tell tails from the trail when they are all so open and receptive to hearing them. Exceptionally tired so I will say good night. Thanks everyone for your awesome and supportive comments. They mean so much to us. I'm touched that so many people are praying for our safety. I believe it's working!...Friends just shared a jug of real moonshine. Nothing like the South. Hope I can hike tomorrow.
Date: 2013-11-06
From: Iron Mountain Gap TN 107, NC 226

To: River Rd, Unaka Springs Rd, Erwin, TN
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Today we read in the Cherry Gap shelter journal that a hiker we know named Leggit saw a bear run by and then a pack if dogs that were chasing it. The girls and I were so glad that we missed that. We are hiking from 107 Iron Mt Gap to Erwin, TN...the hometown of Miss Janet who we are hoping to see. Cubbie wants all the hikers she has met to sign her cast. Hope you NOBOs don't mind but she wants to sign y'all's names in absentia. Maybe one day her cast will end up in the AT museum with the class of 2013 recorded. If we missed you and you want your name added let us know. Not sure all this will fit on her little arm. Haha.NOBOs Lord of the Flame, Really, Boots, Whoops, Strangler, Snake Eyes, Slacker, Blueberry, Clevergirl, Dump Truck, Whistle, Ralph, Grimm, Funky Town, Boo Boo, Sky Pilot, Cash, Odat, Dirt, Nap, The Hunger, Shrek, Timber, Little Engine, Ambassador, Magic, Scout, Fossil, Phoenix, The Dude, Mallete, Sinner, Johnny Walker, Shaman, Carpenter, Sunshine, Trip, JD, Buddy Backpacker, Sherpa, D, Second Time Steamer, Beer, Goddess, Brownie, Mongoose, Sarah...what's your trail name, Smiley, Virgin, Smiles, Beeman, Oak, Sweet Pea, Rocket, Turtle, Fossie Bear, Sassafras, Caboose, Crowd Control, Peaches, Mother, there's Little Sass, Occupy and Helga, Pig Pen and Kara, Sleeping Beauty, OB, Handstand, Apollo, Peacemaker, Tweezel, Ledges, Fast Eddie, Capt Planet, and Bojangles.SOBOsBig Dog, Skirts, Boss, Stinky Jesus, Chicory, Bearbell, Nightwalker, Trash can, Stilts, Globe and Claire,Maverick,Buckeye Nomad,Mustang Bear storyBadonk woke up to a normal looking toe and no pain. She decided we should do a 20 miler. I guess the rubbing was worse than it just being gone. These girls are so amazing. We talked about the fact that we'd lose toenails or possibly break a bone and still they voted to go. They said you can get hurt falling out of bed so let's go...let's live. We take each day and evaluate going on. We are close and psyched to finish. Of course we will stay safe as possible and we will listen to the doctors which have so far okayed us to journey on.Caution has its place but so does passion. We finished the trail at night but it was warm. Just as we emerged from the woods to cross the railroad tracks in the dark Cub hesitated..."Hey mom, is that a train light?" Sure nuf, a huge train cut through the night right at our feet. It was a powerful experience to stand on the trembling ground and look up at the awesomeness of this moving monster. When we crossed we saw Steve and Roxann's car and truck. The truck turned out to be a couple who plan to thru hike the AT next year. They have been following our blog. They came just to meet us. We were greeted with hugs and kind words. I wish them the best. With their enthusiasm I'm sure they will succeed.