morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-11
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: US 321/Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Woke up at 7am, and it was still GRAYISH clouds, look the same like the night before. I realized if that the same *boom* *boom* weather from the sky and the soaked clothes won't be able to take to Damascus on time before Trail Days and One Leg's presentation on Friday. It is 40 miles from Watauga Lake Shelter to Damascus, VA and it might be 3 days of hike if ugly weather. So, I went back 1.7 miles to US 321 and the Watauga Lake where I relaxed yesterday. Guess what??, It took around 30 minutes to get back to the lakefront, and Sunshine came up and BLUE SKY, no clouds, thats fast!   I am not joking. I was so pissed off, and have hard time thinking if I should risk continue hiking 41.7 miles to Damascus or get hitched to Hampton then to Damascus. I decided I am not up for games with Mother Nature again, so I decided to get hitched. It took me less than 10 minutes to get hitched to Hampton so I can use the internet at TS Internet cafe to transfer pictures to the trailjournals and check the mapquest on how to get to Damascus. It took me 3 different rides and less than 3 hours to get to Damascus, VA., 45 miles north of Hampton, TN. First ride, was two couples who know the Trail Days, told me they probably see me on Trail Days, this ride was bit scary, the guy drive like drunk, driving out of one lane into opposite way sometimes.   The second ride was bit more scary, he geared his transmission. Spin the tires on the dirt road, drive fast, pointing to cop cars as trying to show off he eluded the police. Third ride was great and gentle. It was a woman in late 40s or early 50s. A nice car, who happened to drive to Damascus. I believe she saw my pack and knew that I am a hiker who want to get to the trail days. She drove peacefully and nice. Whew! I got to Damascus, dropped my pack at The Place, a famous hostel for the Appalachian Trail hikers and Contiential Trail bicyclist and Virginia Creeper Trail. I went to the Baja place and surprised to met Gordy and Lil Munchkin whom I met last year. I congratulated them on their successfully thru hike the Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine last year.   They are here to celebrate with us.
Date: 2005-05-12
From: US 321/Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

My Zero day in Damascus, VA waiting for the trail days. I went to the library to wait for the next turn on the internet access. I met Mother Nature and the mother of the Garland 5. It was so thrilled to see them again!   Anyway, during the day, there is a house next to the The Place that have two dogs, German Shepherds. That time, there is only one.   I walked past the house with dog sitting on the front porch, not far from The Place. I thought, why not for fun, I woofed at that dog. That dog, with full pointed ear up, ran toward me, jumped the first fence, and planned to jump the second fence toward me. I was about to run for my life. Next time, I am not gonna to sing "woof" It sure scared my s**t out of my pant! At night time, I went to the bonfire and enjoyed out there. If I don't have a trail name for myself, I would even call myself Cop Bait because I keep attracting cops.   I was caught for peeing in the woods by the bonfire. I've seen other hikers done that but I am the bad luck. The cops are nice, they just give me verbal warning. I have to pee in the bathroom, maybe too far for the bit drunk hiker. I think I had weird day today.. German Shephard and Cop Bait.
Date: 2005-05-13
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

It was wonderful day. I met One Leg and his son, Tyler today at Mt. Roger Outfitter area. I was so delighted to see my old friends again. I went to the church to help build the new playground. They asked for some help. I volutneered. I got free meals after that. It was fun because I saw those little kids watching us building the playground. It is a great feeling! After that, I went to Rock School Auditorium to watch One Leg's presentation, "Best Foot Forward" It was so great presentation! I enjoyed every minute of it, and I just wished its not 45 minutes presentation. I would stay there for all day! I just learned more how hardship he faced the thru hike attempt last year. Think... you can make a car, but your car wont take you anywhere for your lifetime. So, with one artifact leg that won't get him anywhere for that long, but its HIS effort that took him nearly entire Appalachian Trail. He inspired us. I also watched the other presentation provided by American Hiking Society "Southeast Foot Trail Association" and they are great too. Yeah, they provided interpreter for this activities. I enjoyed the day. After that, we got together at a parking lot for picnic that was provided by Christianforhikers.org (sp?) During the night, I went to the bonfire again. The weather turn nasty, there was a rain. The bonfire NEVER die. I hided in the tent just a few yards from the bonfire. While hiding there, I saw a hiker, somewhat around early 20's but he sure is high. He don't run direct toward the bonfire, but just zig zag, thinking hes cool. That time, I was looking at police squad on the right, making sure they are not watching me, then I turning my head toward that crazy zig zag hiker that ran a few moment ago to find out where he went, and all I discovered is that he is already face first down in the mud, his body on the mud, apparently he tripped over the log. I laughed so hard. I just wished I could take a picture of this. That is the best moment of my life.
Date: 2005-05-14
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Big day today. I went to have my blood checked free for Glucose, Potassium, cholestrol, NA (salt), etc. The results are good. My blood pressure is very good. I am glad with the result. After that, I went to check Fishin Fred at the booth where he was selling stuff for WhiteBlaze.net. I happened to met ATTroll. I was so happy to meet him. ATTroll contributed a lot of time to whiteblaze. So, time was closing in to the famous local parade. The rain poured just 15 minutes before the parade start. It was how fun when watching those Miss Appalachian Girls on the convertible cars, trying to show off their pride, have to hide inside the car, missed the parade while hikers just going ahead marching and playing water wars. It was so fun! Too bad for those girls this time.
Date: 2005-05-15
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Went to watch Warren Doyle's presentation of 26,000 miles trail slides show. I learned a lot of the picture tips. Understanding what picture I should take during the hike. He showed those pictures with emotions. It really impacted me. Now, I know what pictures I should take during my 2,174 miles thru hike. Thanks to Warren Doyle. He is the only person that hiked 26,000 miles on AT.   He is still hiking. I enjoyed the program.   Later on that day, I figured out on how to get hitched to Hampton, Tenn but somehow, someone found me a ride tomorrow. SO, I don't have to hitch to Hampton, Tenn to resume my hiking. At that night, I went to Dot's Inn to order Cheeseburger and FF, I met Lone Wolf. One of trail legend, and he is cool too!   It was good to meet him!   So, the guy I met on my first night in Damascus, the one that I created a trail name for him, Pink Panther, because he got pink eye, approached me today and notified me that he modified his trail name to Mr. Pink.   I thought, I wouldn't called myself Mr. Pink. I rather Pink Panther, the most popular detective that attracted women, but Mr. Pink? Oh well, its his hiking life... I hope he will enjoy his new trailname, Mr. Pink.   I thought, is it something wrong with me? Is my pink towel, that I am carrying since I start Springer brought me bad luck? Pink sheet at Super 8 motel and Mr. Pink. If I see one more pink thing, then I should get rid of my pink towel. I choose this towel because its the smallest towel I can ever find for my thru hike.
Date: 2005-05-16
From: Damascus, VA

To: Hampton, TN
Miles today: 0.0

I joined other three thru hikers for a free ride to Hampton, TN. I even brought my left overs beers in my coat. When got to the TS Internet cafe, I completed my trail journals enteries then hitched to get to the lake.   I drank up all of my beers there, it was perfect day. I realized I didn't bring enough beers. I saw two cute local chicks and asked them if they would be willing to go to the store to get beers for me. They did. I took pictures of them.   I was about to marry both of them. Very sweet and nice! So, while drinking my 6 more pack of budweiser, there were two crazy lovesick love birds arrived.   I don't know their names. I just decided to call them Bill and Monica. Two of thru hikers left, wilderness school hikers left, and two cute chicks too, left.   That left me and two lovebirds.   They trying to get raft out of the cartop. They struggled with ropes on the raft, trying to put it back on. I told them in writing that they don't need ropes back on raft for a quiet lake like this.   They are just nodded and busy focusing on the ropes. Wow, it took about 20 minutes for them to figure this out. Bill came to me, asking me if he can borrow my short cuz he got long jean. I was like, what?   I just offered him $25.00 for that short, he declined, which is good.   I don't want get my short back with vanilla on it. SO, off they went on the lake, paddling.. they did come back to the shore but went off again. Oh boy, they sure are weird lovebirds, probably never seen sex or love before in their life. Later on, I was too tired to watch them. I fell asleep can't remember if they left before or after I slept.   It was very good sleep by the lake in the sleeping bag without the tent.
Date: 2005-05-17
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: broken clouds

First thing I saw after I got up is those two paddlers left by Bill and Monica. I laughed. Of course, they are too lovesick, or probably too excited to get out of lake, to get to their nest.   I saw two geese families. I fed first family and they are very happy, and I fed the second one.. they are also very happy, but I can notice that BOTH of them are in fight for food and very jealous, which is why I have to share two of my bagels. Fair is fair.   I left at 9 in the morning to hike toward Vandeventer Shelter. My body act strange. A lot of spasm appeared in my ribs, legs and foot. I think I am suffering little dehydration.   Probably I shouldn't drink beers the night before. Bad luck of the day, my new water filter have crack on the outside, letting water goes out.   I think I dropped it sometimes along the way.   I have to buy new one in Damascus again this week when I got there.
Date: 2005-05-18
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

Beautiful day again today. While hiking, I met Tinkerbell, section hiker, she worked with deaf kids. We chatted for briefly time.   Sweet woman. She have nice smile. No wonder her trailname is Tinkerbell.   So, I continue my hiking until I encountered Iron Mountain Shelter. Just the half way to Double Springs. So, what I saw is a shelter cat. I read the register book that many thru hikers called her Pussy. I, then observe this cat to see which gender it got. What I saw is the cat's tail, standing up like a Christmas tree, and two little ornaments hanging below it, and I believe it is male.   I don't know why hikers called him Pussy. So, I gave him his new trailname, Mr. Pussy. Yes, Mr. Pussy is the section hiker because we don't even know how he got here in this shelter, 20 something miles away from the city. So, we fed and watered Mr. Pussy. Overnight hikers who plan to sleep there, would be very fortunate to have him there because he will guard them for mices. I pet him and he meowed.   I want to stay but I have to move on and arrived at Double Springs Shelter. The night I start to sleep, I discovered my air inflatable pillow was punctured. Geez, cracked water filter and punctured air inflatable pillow... what next? broken pack? hope not!
Date: 2005-05-19
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Got out and began hiking at 8:20am. Hiking fast, I was aiming to reach Damascus in the early afternoon hours, rather than late into the evening. I arrived at the Abingdon Gap Shelter, which is 8 miles north of Double Springs Shelter, but still 10 miles south of Damascus. I checked my water supply, and felt that I had enough to carry me into Damascus. After hiking 4 miles, I realized that my water supply was lower than I'd hoped, and was wishing that I'd resupplied back at Abingdon Gap. I just hate having to go through the hassle of using a busted water filter. With no options left, I decided to pray. I prayed that God would get me to Damscus without experiencing dehydration. Almost as soon as I said "Amen", a hiker appeared. He was very spirited, and even though he couldn't sign, he was very good at getting his point across through gestures. I pointed to my water tube, indicating that it was empty. Even though he only had one bottle of water, he was more than happy to share with me. I indicated that I didn't want to take what little water he had left, but he was insistant that I take some. I thanked him profusely, and wondered how he was going to make it to the next water source, which was just before entering Damascus. He only had about 3 cups of water to carry him through. I would feel horrible if he ran out of water on my account, seeing that I was careless in not resupplying at Abingdon Gap. 2 miles before I reached Damascus, I was out of water. Had it not been for my trail angel, I would have run "out of gas". As soon as I arrived in Damascus, I hit Sicily's Pizza. I ordered a large cup of water and a small pizza. Just what I needed to fill my empty tank. In just over 714 hours, I'd hiked almost 1812 miles. I feel that this is too many miles over such a short period of time. During todays' hike, I almost stepped on a sunbathing snake. I hopped really fast, in an effort to avoid a snake bite. But that snake didn't even know I was there, as he hadn't moved a muscle. So, I poked at it with my hiking pole, and in less than 5 seconds, he'd slithered off the trail. We were both lucky: he was lucky in that I didn't step on him, and I in that I wasn't bitten. Flash Hand
Date: 2005-05-21
From: Damascus, VA

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

Today was nice day to hike. There were numerous of pink filled Rhododendron flowers, walls and walls of them. It make my hike joyful.   When I arrived Saunders Shelter, I encountered several wilderness school hikers as they camped out back of the shelter. I saw a written note inside the shelter that a hiker named Alabama was carrying couple of beers for his friend, Thru Hiker Crazy Horse, but apparently was passin through and he couldn't carry them any further, probably because of the weight. I grabbed four free Budweisers. I left others for the thirsty thru-hikers.   Today, its my first time wearing kilt, but without underwear, the salt, that was produced from the sweating, caused the friction between two legs, that gave my hiking less comfortable.
Date: 2005-05-22
From: Saunders Shelter

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

Beautiful day to hike today. Very lovable and blessing except encounting an agressive snake today. The snake, which was hiding just north of Buzzard Rock, bit close to Whitetop Mountain, leaped from the hiding spot, trying to bite me, but he leaped bit too early. I was about 2 or probably 3 steps before that. I think the snake have a bad measurement or maybe messed up eye signs. I poked at the snake, to see if he is really aggressive. Indeed it is, biting at the trekking poles. A few more pokes for my video and camera, then finally the snake left in a flash.   Thomas Knob Shelter, which have two floors, is full with most thru hikers and few section hikers. I slept upstair on the 2nd floor.
Date: 2005-05-23
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

I got up and left late at about 11:30am because of heavily densed fog that I don't want to ruin my pleasure of hiking through Grayson Highland State Park. Also, the another reason I left late is because of those few feral ponies visiting us in the morning by the shelter. I fed one of the hungry pony my two ceral bars. I think I made him really happy this morning. I hiked really slow today because of taking the time to take a lot of pictures. It was so beautiful scenery between Thomas Knob and Old Orchard Shelters. When I arrived at Old Orchard Shelter, I approached two section hikers, Jay and Craig. More thru hikers arrived. A few moments later, Jay signed and fingerspelled to me that there was an owl sitting in the tree, and I ran to my camera and took two pictures of this owl.   That was the highlight of my hiking today. I slept at around 8pm. At about 10:30pm, strong winds and heavy rainstorm arrived, and circulating the air around inside the shelter, that rattle me. I woke up to watch my food bag, that was hanged to the ceiling, to be sure it stays there.
Date: 2005-05-24
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Dickey Gap/Troutdale, VA
Miles today: 10.2

I got up late because of the grayish clouds. I left at 10:15, just few minutes after Crazy Horse left. I arrived at Hurricane Mountain Shelter which was built last year. I stayed there for a few moments but the grayish clouds got worsen, rolling in and brought a little shower. I decided to take a nap. It was about one hour of nap, then I left again to try to get to Trimpi Shelter but decided to get hitched at Dickey Gap, to get to the Troutdale Baptist Church Hiker Hostel. I was glad that I had the opportunity to stay at the hiker hostel because it was so peaceful out there.   The weather stays cold and ugly and was perfect to relax and wait out for the weather. I went to the Troutdale Trading Post for the meals and really liked this place. It was old fashioned place. The meals were very good.   Today, it was my 4th snake sighting again, just a few yards north of Fox Creek footbridge.
Date: 2005-05-25
From: Dickey Gap/Troutdale, VA

To: Troutdale, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day. Hitched to get to Wal-mart to buy memory card for my digital camera and some merchandises. I was luckily enough to get hitched by two section hikers that I met at Old Orchard Shelter. It was Jay and Craig. They dropped me off at Wal-mart. Jay wrote me his email address and phone number for me in case if I needed his help because he lives only 20 miles south of Pearisburg, VA., which I aimed for the next zero days.   I saw Happy's Pub and stayed there for an appeizter and a few drinks. I was bit tipsy because I was thinner and haven't had a beer for a while. I managed to walk to the I-81 interchange. I finally sat down, hitchhiking for the ride to Troutdale, which is about 16 miles east of Marion, VA. 2nd car, in about 5 minutes, picked me up and brought me to Troutdale. Which is the fastest time. While staying in the hostel, Firedog, a hiker came in. I thought he was hiking today but he changed his mind. I believe that the weather made him stay a bit longer. So, we chatted and I learned that he don't have money and rely on hiker box for free food. I wished him luck. I slept at 11pm.
Date: 2005-05-26
From: Dickey Gap/Troutdale, VA

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

After I got up, I went to the post office, then had a hearty breakfast at Troutdale Trading Post. It took me about 40 minutes to get hitched back to Dickey Gap where I last left. I arrived Partnership Shelter and found several through hikers there eating pizzas. I met Onstar, a thru hiker, and chatted with her for a few minutes. She told me she had a goal of getting to Katahdin by end of September. I also chatted with Phoenix, a 12 years old section hiker, who plan to hike the half way. He is son of Weatherman, who plan to thru-hike this year. I discovered that Phoenix is pretty smart young boy. He asked me several interesting questions. I answered all of those questions. I was impressed with him. So, finally, around 8pm, pizza finally arrived, I ate all except one slice left. No room for it in my shrinked stomach. No, I didn't get any beers today.   I declined the offer because I believed I had enough from last night at Happy's pub.
Date: 2005-05-27
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Davis Path Shelter
Miles today: 14.3

I got up with beautiful blue sky and nice sunshine, but when I prepared the pack and put a pack on, hiked about .1 mile to the road crossing, yeah, clouds rolling in FAST and tricked me. I was pissing off because I thought it was going to be nice day, and didn't put rain cover on the pack. I just hate to take the pack down, scrambling for the rain cover and putting it back on during the rain. So, the rain shower indeed came, and I had to take my pack off, then put it back on the pack. Few hours later, beautiful day came, and become warmer for the most of the day. When I finally got to the road, walking up to the Dairy Queen, but saw a BIG flattened turtle on the side of the road. Wondering why a driver still have a license, while cannot see a BIG turtle on the road. If I had guts, I would have picked this flattened turtle up and put in the bag, then hiked about 5 miles north, and dropped this turtle on the trail to baffle the hikers.   Anyway, I had burgers and ice cream at Dairy Queen. While doing ice cream, I felt the urgent to get to the bathroom. I didn't finish the ice cream cone, and I let it sitting on the table and went into the bathroom. I saw a non hiker customer, with nice clothes on, look like he just got out of the business meeting, was standing by the toliet seat, which I really need that toliet seat, so I went out of the restroom and waited for that non-hiker customer to finish his business. He came out and I went inside and discovered that he didn't lift toliet seat up. I was totally pissed. I wish I could yell, "A$$****, clean this mess up!" Oh well, he was lucky, I am deaf and I couldn't talk.   I decided to wait, and went outside of the restroom, venting out of my anger, finished up the ice cream cone because I don't want to eat it with my dirty hand from cleaning up the seat. So, I went back inside, have to clean up the mess he caused. I just wished his wife caught him doing this so that way he can be toliet trained again! After DQ incident, I left for 2 more miles of hiking to Davis Path Shelter. I met T-Bone, two couples, Shooter and Striker. I chatted with Striker, who is a retired teacher. She told me that her husband had a worrisome shin splint and I hoped that he will recover quickly. Shin splints is a crack in the bone, caused by extreme hiking miles or hiking too fast downhill.   Shin splints happened when your leg muscles were too tired to support the bones.   During the hiking today, I passed a very OLD Lindamood School, which was built in 1894. I went inside, and was surprised that a historic place, even left a register book for hikers. I looked around inside the school, was amazing to see a picture of General George Washington. It even didn't say President George Washington, despite this school is about 100 years after President Washington served the United States. Sightseeing the Lindamood School was the one best moment of my today hiking.