morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-06-01
From: US220

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: scattered clouds

w/Caterpillar, Chicago Rob, Tim, Dave, Poco8:33pm...WAAAAAAA! is the sound of a generated power radio First things first, a hundred-billion-zillion thanks to Luanne and Dave Schrader for their wonderful hospitality over the holiday weekend. They welcomed us into their house and made us feel like part of the family. And Luanne is DEFINITELY Barbs sister! I even gave her a hug when she dropped us back at the trail. Definitely the best rest day yet! Then it was back to the trail, as we walked a whopping 3 miles to the post office...only to find out that the BBQ joint that we wanted to go to was all the way back where we started! No worries, though. A nice lady gave us a ride back there. It was funny because it was obviously her first time giving rides to hikers. We helped to calm her fears saying that hikers are pretty safe...especially with one named Momma's Boy! Even better, we got to celebrate Poppins birthday at the BBQ place, with her and Skippy and like 10 others. Too bad she's a vegetarian! But sadly we had to leave them again and beat some feet. Another beautiful day...lots of big, fluffy, white clouds to look at in the blue sky, and a great breeze. It was funny, someone had the audacity to ask Caterpillar why he was sweating! We had a plethora of good responses, but left it at a polite smile and laugh. And my girl sent me the cutest card with a bear sticker that looks like its tickling me...I'm laughing just thinking about it!...only 11 more days.Umba-band:"Don't want no scrub"-TLC
Date: 2004-06-02
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: scattered clouds

w/Caterpillar, Poco, Isoteric Ninja, Chicago Rob, Daddy Longlegs, 4 Bears8:56pm...are those shooting stars? This is THE biggest shelter I've ever been in. It's like a wooden mansion, with two floors, windows, a deck and room for like 40! What a great place to end a beautiful day. We even have fireworks outside...I love fireflies! I spent my first day hiking next to the Blue Ridge Parkway. It's great for the overlooks and the occasional handouts, but I'm not sure I like hearing so many cars. Well at least it's not heavily trafficed, I'll get used to it. Caterpillar and I had a showdown at the local swimming hole. We raced the 50 free pretending like we were Achilles and Hector..."Momma's Boy!!.....Momma's Boy!!..." I guess you had to be there. At least I'm not missing being able to swim. Well, I got into camp kind of early today, so hopefully I can get caught up on sleep.Umba-band:"Break out"-
Date: 2004-06-03
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Matts Creek Shelter
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: clear sky

w/Caterpillar, Cantalope, Midnight, Traildog, Spin Cycle8:34pm...no sleep, no energy, no fun I am SO sick of not sleeping. The bugs last night were just ungodly...again. Bugs gnawing at every inch of exposed skin does not equal good sleep. I mean, I've had times today were I felt fine, but that's about it...times. I gotta get some good sleep sometime. I found my first tick today too. Let me tell ya, it's really erie picking one of those off your leg...even with the satisfaction of squashing it afterwards. I love old ladies. I got bombarded with questions from this group of like 19 ladies hiking for the day. Cat finaggled some water from a government facility. I was about to walk across the Parkway when I heard this loud rumble off in the distance, then like 40 choppers rolled around the corner...waving all the way. I ended the day with a beautiful, long, sunny ridge walk with great views. And now the night is about to start with the Benedril I got from Cantalope...only 9 more days..hehehe.Umba-band:that really upbeat, ska-ish song by No Doubt
Date: 2004-06-04
From: Matts Creek Shelter

To: US501/VA130
Miles today: 2.2

w/Caterpillar, Gator, Cantalope, Bags, Midnight8:30pm...I'll get you next time!! So, today is the first day that we let the weather beat us. Caterpillar and I woke up this morning to the pattering of rain on the shelter. We headed out and did the 2 miles to the road, where we hitched a ride to the nearby country store and campground to get some more food and visit the injured Gator. Well, the rain stayed, we kept procrastinating and, eventualy, the prospect of hiking all day wet didn't quite appeal to us. Then, Cantalope offered us a place in her and her two sons cabin, so that cinched it. Anyway, we got showers, and a dry place to sleep (very nice after the past couple nights). More importantly, we got a chance to visit with Gator one last time. So we talked and laughed about Cat's groaning, Bones's "Sha!!", and other good times we've had in the past couple of weeks. Ahhh, the memories we've made out here. But tomorrow we keep moving...after all, that's what we do. 8 days left...[smile].
Date: 2004-06-05
From: US501/VA130

To: Bald Knob
Miles today: 24.2
Weather: overcast clouds

w/Caterpillar, 2 Cents9:55pm..."this is NOT stealth camping!"-2 Cents This might be a record, two nights in a row of good sleep. Hopefully, I'm not jumping to conclusions, but laying in my tent on top of a nice, cool knob usually makes for a good night. I hiked with 2 Cents for a while today, along with Caterpillar, but he's a funny kid with a huge, red beard, from Israel. He's funny because he likes to argue and ask for things a lot...a good kid though. I think that Caterpillar may have a kharmic-ass-kick coming his way soon for making jokes about a boy that got lost in the woods and died in the 1890's...he's always good for a laugh. Funny thing is that I was talkig to Gator yesterday about how none of the really good things that we're going to want to tell our children (when they're old enough, of course) never really make it into our journals. Usually, by the time we sit down and write, we're only able to remember the everyday stuff like what we hiked and the weather, when I really want to write about how Caterpillar groans when he eats too much or how Gator belts out really bad tunes on the trail. I mean, it's the funny stuff that I want to remember; the stuff that will make for the best stories; the stuff I should write down...oh wait, I just did! I'll have to do that more often. One would think that I'd learn after being on the trail for 2 months as of last Tuesday! Only 6 more days, since today is pretty much over...man, time is flying.Umba-band:Unfortunately, Britanys new song...no clue why.
Date: 2004-06-06
From: Bald Knob

To: Priest Shelter
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: light rain

w/Caterpillar, 2 Cents, Bucket, Strider608:35pm..."I really fear the climb tomorrow"(said completely sarcasticly)-Caterpillar I woke up this morning with such aspirations...and then I came down to Hog Camp Gap. I was looking for the spring for water, when Caterpillar called me over to where he was with a group of campers. The first thing they asked me..."Is it too early for a beer?" Is 9 too early?...Sha! So Pops, Kate, Jason, Arrowhead, Jim, Chicken Jon and Tara (our Trail Magic hosts) threw beer, food, and comradery at us for 2 hours...drastically reducing our hiking time, but dramatically improving our disposition! That triple-decker smore never tasted so good and I got to see Caterpillar eat a cicada that had gotten into his eggs. 2 Cents loves to argue...he's so funny...he's almost like an Israeli-Wop! The rest of the day went by as one big daydream about the future, substitute teaching, and cute, red-heads kidnapping me and throwing me into their car. So what, if we didn't get the miles, instead we got plenty of laughs! Only 6 more days!Umba-band:"She blinded me with science!"
Date: 2004-06-07
From: Priest Shelter

To: Blue Ridge Parkway Dripping Rock Parking Area
Miles today: 20.2

w/Caterpillar, Bucket, 2 Cents, Buttah, Q-Tip, Lindsay, Red Lily10:02pm..."we should make a spooning circle"-Bucket And so I got sucked into trail life yet again...so we're spending the night at Rusty's Hard Time Hollow, a place that's called one of the "must experience" places on the trail. It's an Omish house that has very little running water and electricity. There's a spring-fed well for cooling drinks, a red fire hydrant to piss on and a frisbee golf course. It's definitely been an experience...and it was either that or drag my tired feet 4 more miles to find a place to camp. Ah, I'm still going with the flow. So this morning my daydream today consisted of thoughts on how to lighten my pack...the way I see it, if I'm going to be in debt from this trip, I may as well have some new gear, too. I also had to poop 4 times this morning...that's gotta be some kind of record. Apparently, all the crap I ate yesterday must have turned into crap today! And I even turned down a free snack today. I met the mother of a hiker named Quest who offered me water and a snack...but before I even knew what happened I told her I was fine. I'm not sure what I was thinking there. Ooo, ooo, the highlight of my day was having lunch on top of Three Ridges on a rock outcrop...because I saw my first bear! As I was eating, I heard some rustling behind me. I brushed it off at first, but when it started it get closer, I called out to it. When there was no answer, I gave it a "if that's a big animal, you'd better represent!" Still nothing, so as it proceeded to come nearer, I grabbed my stick and peered through the underbrush...right into a fuzzy black face with a brown nose! I mean, it was like 15 feet away and staring back! But instead of doing the dumb thing (like grabbing my camera, although I doubt it would've charged me), I did the smart thing and banged my stick against the rocks to scare it off...which worked because it bolted. I'm just geeked I saw one! Well, the climb up Three Ridges tuckered me out, so, it's off to bed for me...with dreams of firey-haired damsels dancing in my head...only 5 more days.Umba-band:"you don't know the things that you do...da, da, da...you don't know the things tha you do."-I'm getting really bad at names of hip hop people.
Date: 2004-06-08
From: Blue Ridge Parkway

To: Rock Fish Gap
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: broken clouds

w/Bill and Katie Best at their house in Waynesboro1:20 AM (Wednesday, actually) ... The Triple CrownTwo chunks of port tenderloin, a big spud, corn on the cob, a 4 inch mound of mashed potatoes and gravy, 2 rolls, coffee (which I've been craving for a week), and 3 brownies with ice cream. Later, I'm finally laying down in a real bed courtesy of Bill and Katie Best. Their graciousness, food, Lazy Boy Recliner has made for a fine end to a day filled with bruised ankles, broken sticks and tired ornaryness!We got a late start from Rusty's, (I'm still glad we went though), but we still had no problems humping the 15ish to Waynesboro and still getting there at a reasonable time. We gave Cat a ride to the YMCA and headed to the Homestead for all of the aforementioned ... good word, huh? And now I'm remembering why it's hard to write on a full and tired stomach ... oops, when you start the tired drool, you know it's time for bed ... so it's time.umba-band: "I Guess You're Just What I Needed" - Cars
Date: 2004-06-09
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: few clouds

w/Halfmoon, Luna, Jaberwock, Yippie and a bunch of other people10:43pm...and the circus games abound! Wow, this must have been my latest start yet! I tried to warn the Best's on how bad I am at getting out of towns, but I even surprised myself today!...I didn't get out until almost 5! They've been nothing but wonderful though, making me breakfast, driving me around to the post office, the store and whatnot, and even putting up with my current "fly by the seat of my pants" lifestyle...something they weren't quite accustomed to. Plus I got caught in watching all of the Reagan stuff on TV while I was packing. Anyway, I gotta give props to Bill and Katie Best for being such great host! [clap!, clap!, clap!] Thanks guys! 9:49 PM ... Spicing Up my LifeYou can just feel the difference, entering Shenandoah. It's the same feeling when I walked into Virginia, the Smokies, and North Carolina. It's the feeling that your accomplishing something by entering some place new, and it's exciting ... or maybe it's knowing that I'm being kidnapped in three short days! hehehe ... right now, it's mostly that but I am excited to be in the Shenandoah's, even if it is the tick capitol of the world. I walked through a bunch of tall grass tonight and they were crawling all over my legs! That was just as errie as picking one off my leg .... ticks are just errie.Bill and Katie were way too kind to put me up in their house. Bill drove me everywhere and Katie made me food .... I couldn't have asked for better hosts. They even put up with my slowness in getting packed today. As it was, I didn't start until 3 today, but no worries. At least I got on it. But I really do appreciate their generosity and I had a lot of fun.
Date: 2004-06-10
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Loft Mountain Campground
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: scattered clouds

w/Luna, Crash Bang10:12pm... Laying here, listening to the wind wip through the trees, I can't help but think about two things: 1. how excited I am about seeing my girl and getting a break in a couple of days. 2. how much I think I really NEED a break! Somewhere in Virginia, I think I just got caught up in getting big miles. At first it was fun to just cruise along, while rolling with a lot of cool people. Eventually though, I was still having fun with those I was with, but the hiking began to get...monotonous, I guess. I found that I was barreling along with my head down, never really looking up to see what was around. I was letting hiking get in the way of the trail. I'm not saying that I've lost the lust for trail...but it's almost like...I have. No worries, though, this break will help to rekiddle the fire and I'll be back with all the fervor I started with! But I'm getting better. Today, I walked a little slower, looked around more and still managed to go far. I've got another day of really good hiking tomorrow and I'll probably be chillin' with Luna again...she's from Michigan too, Holland, actually...Team MI in da house! And the animals here are crazy tame!I saw three deer today that I was close enough to that I could've hopped right on and rode around for a while! So things are looking up...mostly because tomorrow I can say that I'm being kidnapped TOMORROW! Oh, and apparently, Shenendoah is notorious for ticks, which sucks because they've creeped me out ever since I found my first one. Sooo, I'm starting the Official Shenandoah National Park Tick Tally! Yesterday, I found 4 and I found 4 today too...[suppresses shiver!] So stayed tuned for the official tally when I leave this place.Umba-band:"Loose yourself"-Eminem (Momma's Boy's ultra-funky-to-the-beat-of-my-feet dance remix!)
Date: 2004-06-29
From: Big Meadows Campground

To: Pass Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 18.8

w/Big Tree, Amanda, Norm, Aunt Mabel, a couple of newlyweds9:46pm..."can I use your pole as a spear?"-Big Tree So, the first day out didn't turn out as bad as I thought it would...in fact, it wasn't bad at all. Got a burger at the Skyland Resort dining area...so, already old habits are hard to break. One day on the trail and I'm already buying food hehehee...no will power here. But I had great weather, a trail that was pretty easy and filled with good views, and a lighter pack which felt worth every penny. Oh, and my hiking poles are really cool too...they're sooooo much fun...it's like I'm skiing in dirt...wwweeeeee! Mary's Rock was really cool and I saw two bears! One walked across the street right in front of me and got in my way of the trail, so I had to wrestle it! Well, I'm here right now and he's not...enough said there. And I'm also here with one familiar face, Big Tree, who I met in Atkins, and some new ones, Amanda and Norm, who are father and daughter hikers and Aunt Mabel, who is finishing her section hike when she gets to Harper's Ferry. So I've nothing to fear, right! ?....so far. Glad to be back...really, I am...more or less.Umba-band: not much on my mind but my girl...siiiiiigghhh [smile]
Date: 2004-07-04
From: Pass Mountain Shelter

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Happy 4th of July! I arrived in Harpers Ferry today, the official halfway-point for the AT. Had my picture taken at the ATC as one of this season's "official" Thru-Hikers. Tomorrow I am "back-slagging" 20 miles (without my pack) so I hope to make some miles. Still trying to be home in time for Wheatland! My Pocketmail device died and can't get hold of technical support until Tuesday. So I have fallen slightly behind in my journals. Will get caught up once this technical difficulty is solved.
Date: 2004-07-06
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Pennsylvania
Miles today: 0.0

Chris called tonight from an Econolodge to let me now that his Pocketmail has died and needs to be sent back to the factory. So journal entries will be falling behind. In the meantime, he was been slack backing with a new group and is now in Pennsylania (his 7th state). He hopes to make Duncannon by Saturday before the post office closes so he can pick up his food drop. Next stop - Port Clinton, PA four days after Duncannon.
Date: 2004-07-08
From: Quarry Gap

To: Ironmasters Mansion Hostel
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: scattered clouds

w/Keytone, Chuggs, Skywalker, steve, Still Frank, and Sea Legs9:30 PM ... Half-Gallon ThereSo, it's back to paper since my pocketmail conked out on me. But, first things first. I'm Half way home! I'm throwin' my hands up, wavin' them around, and dancin' like the skinny-ankled hiking dork that I am! And to commerate this occasion, I ate a Half Gallon of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream in 55 minutes! And I swam ... but not in that order. Swim then ice cream.I'm staying at the Ironmasters Mansion Hostel, after a day of Rocky, Rolling-up and down, twisting terrain that Pennsylvania has to offer. This place is really cool. It's an old Southern-style mansion that was once part of the underground railroad ... with secret rooms and tunnels and everything!Caught back up with Keytone ... man, did I miss that guy. He's gonna roll with me for a little while. I felt kind of wierd with my last group ... whom I liked. It's just wierd when you can't add to any conversations because they're talking about people I don't know, using inside jokes, blah blah blah. But I'll get to know them better ... as long as I see them, that is ... they're cool.PA. treatin' me real nice, like. It almost feels like home with the rolling hills and the pine trees and the swimming lakes. I dig it!Music: "Safety"
Date: 2004-07-09
From: Ironmasters Mansion Hostel

To: Boiling Springs (PA)
Miles today: 19.4

w/Keytone, Eric and Jess9:45 PM ... Can This Trail Get Any Smaller????Sitting here by the pond in the dark in Boiling Springs, PA, watching the ducks and swans float by while eating dinner, makes me wonder how the trail could get any better ... and so, it shows me as Bent Frame comes sprinting out of nowhere to tackle Keytone! He was in the neighborhood, doing Trail Magic, and saw in the registers that we were gonna be here tonight. So, he swung by to find us and find us he did! We got the news on him and Can't Zip, both of whom Keytone and I were talking about earlier today, wondering if they were still alive. I also got the scoop on the Sheriff, who happens to be about 5 days behind us. I'm glad to know he's still out there. Seeing a familiar face was also an "excellent-good" cap on my day.Rolling with Keytone feels just like old times again. We gabbed the whole day as the time and miles just flew by. We stopped for water at a convenience store ... that conveniently had a deli for lunch. After that, I decided to fly into town so I could pick up a letter from my girl ... and fly I did as love gives you wings more than Red Bull. So much so that I did more than 20 miles by 4 PM ... 1/2 hour before the post office closed ... only to find out that my letter didn't arrive .. again. I just wanna get a letter with a bunch of cute stuff in it that'll make me all giddy and smiley ... is that too much to ask?Todays was cool though. We hiked through a bouldery ridge maze, following white arrows instead of blazes. Started our two days of walking through farmland, and the kid at the gas station wanted to give me some "Trail Magic" ... AKA the wacky tabacky! Now I'm camping in the backyard of the guy's house, drinking a beer, eating a Brownie and writing in my journal ... what more could a guy ask for? Well, a letter from my girl would be nice ...Song" "Hair", from Hair soundtrack
Date: 2004-07-10
From: Boiling Springs, PA

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: overcast clouds

w/Keytone, Heather & Steve9:40 PM ... 2 Balls, 2 StrikesSo, like most thru hikers, I sent my underwear home a looong time ago. Believe it or not, it does have plenty of benefits ... but it also has its drawbacks sometimes ... like yesterday. Today, you see, how do I put this? The boys may have gotten hurt because of all the swingin'. Either way, it hurts to walk, and, since I have no underwear to solve the problem ... I had to invent something. So, along came the "crotch cradle" or the "Scrotum Sling" or the "Ball Hammock" ... whatever you want to call it, it's basically a hankerchief tied to accomplish the same supportive effect ... bet you'd never thought you'd read this kind of thing in a journal, did ya!?! Hey, whatever keeps me walking!We walked from one mountain range to another today through 15 miles of steamy, hot farmland ... and close to a gun club, if that's safe. At one point, I heard so many shots, I thought I'd turn a corner to see a field full of re-enactors!An apparently, PA is rocky ... proven again today by our 4 mile rocky ridge walk to get to our shelter for the night. So, now I'm sitting here feeling like I'm 8 again. (or like it's 2 weeks ago) setting up our tents in the shelter to keep the bugs away! I must be feeling inventive today ... and it really wore me down. Thinking is tiring.Oh, and Harper's Ferry post office never did find my mail thingy, so the letter from my girl has been sitting there all week .... grrrrrr .... I'm getting it in Duncannon, but I wish the system would work. Ah, what can you do?
Date: 2004-07-11
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: overcast clouds

9:30 AM arrived in town. Showered, did laundry. On Monday, will pick up food drop at post office and head for Port Clinton, PA (3-4 Days) and Delaware Water Gap by Saturday. Pocketmail is fixed and being mailed back.
Date: 2004-07-12
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

w/Keytone, A-Dawg, Skywalker, Chuggs8:55 PM ... "Remind Me to Thank Jon for a Lovely Weekend"It's amazing what a day of rain will do to your ambitiousness. After our four mile day coming into Duncannon yesterday morning and almost a full day in the air-conditioned comfort of the pub atching people fight over NASCAR ... we weere all ready to roll out today for our big milage days. Then it rained ... and rained ... and rained. So we stayed ... and stayed ... and stayed ... and then we went to a movie!We got a ride with the bartender from the Doyle, where we stayed last night, and saw "Spider-Man 2" and then we went to the best Chinese buffet I've ever been to in my life! And I got a ride earlier by Snickers to KMart to fix my little "problem". I think we made our decision to stay pretty early ... really, I just wanted to stick around to wait for a letter from my girl that should arrive tomorrow ... what can I say? I'm a sucker in love.And now we just watched that dude win for the 29th time on Jeopardy and some "Jurasic Park" at Trail Angel Mary's house. she's a great lady who's very selfless and giving.But tomorrow, It's time to kick it into gear and start hiking again. Talking to my girl last night made me want to get back to her ... as did the first pacakage I got from her today ... ahhhh ... [smile] ... the many faces of Bunny!