morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-06-19
From: Spy Rock Road/Dutch Haus

To: Reeds Gap
Miles today: 20.9

Oh my, what a breakfast we had this morning - potato casserole, French toast, fruit, and scrambled eggs. Marcia drove us up to the trailhead parking lot and from there we walked 1.1 miles uphill on a rocky private road. Even though we were not wearing our packs we were puffing by the time we reached the trail. We hadn't gone far when we met up with some hiking friends. They had quite a story to tell us. Our friend's father is going to be undergoing a medical procedure tomorrow and they had been wrestling with how they could get off the trail and travel home to be with his family during this time. He called up Enterprise Car Rental and explained the circumstances. Today the trail crosses VA 56 at the Tye River. The Enterprise representative told them that he knew the spot and that of course he would come out and pick them up at the road crossing. Not only that, he also told them that when they return the vehicle on Friday, he will drive them back to the trail. Wow! Kudos to Enterprise and to their representative for such a generous response to our friends' situation.As we slack-packed today we came to realize that because our packs are so light our hiking pace is not all that different from hiking with the day packs we were wearing today. However, the section that we hiked today involved much more climbing and the terrain was much rockier than we had expected. Tennessee agreed with us that it was probably one of the tougher days we've experienced on the Appalachian Trail. In the late afternoon, when we were still climbing the never-ending mountain, we both agreed that rather than camp tonight we're going to return to the B&B for another night.Sandy, bless her heart, had been waiting for us at Reed's Gap on the Blue Ridge Parkway since 5:30. She'd brought a good book to read while she waited for us. Tennessee arrived at 6pm and we arrived at 7pm. We were all feeling pretty chipper on the ride back but when we arrived at the Dutch Haus, it was a different story. Apparently we three aged over the car ride because we exited the vehicle with groans and slowly made our way up the stairs straight to the shower. Refreshed and walking more normally we sat down to a wonderful supper Marcia had prepared for us. Dessert was chocolate brownie topped with strawberries, ice cream, and whipped cream. Yum! Angel was falling asleep at the table and had to excuse herself to go to bed. What an amazing day of hiking!
Date: 2013-06-20
From: Reeds Gap

To: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: light rain

After a great sleep and a delicious breakfast we were ready for the trail. Wings was going to slack pack south. Tennessee and the two of us were returning to the trail and heading north. We got into Sandy's car and headed to the Blue Ridge Parkway. As we climbed up in elevation we disappeared into the mist. The road is narrow with no shoulder. Even though the speed limit is set at 45 mph we had to travel even more slowly because there was so little visibility. It was kind of spooky and conversation in the car turned to Sleepy Hollow and Ichabod Crane. Sandy, the driver, said, "If I see a horseman I'm turning around and going back home!" When we reached the trailhead we watched Wings disappear after about 20 steps. Then we turned to the north and walked into the mist.The trail was quite rocky again today. There were several lookout spots along the way. At one lookout we were admiring the bright pink blossoms on the Mountain Laurel when we heard a voice say, "The rocks are better over here!" We went down the trail a few steps and sure enough the lookout was a big flat rock. Sitting on the rock was a young man with a weed whacker beside him. He told us that he is a volunteer trail worker. The volunteers try to keep a four foot strip along the trail free of weeds. This volunteer was taking a lunch break. He was able to use a power tool because this area is not a wilderness area. When trail maintenance volunteers work in wilderness areas they must use hand tools - no power tools are allowed. Thanks to all the trail maintenance volunteers who keep the trail in such good condition.
Date: 2013-06-21
From: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 5.2

After a short morning hike we are resupplying in the town of Waynesboro. We checked in early, showered, and put on clean clothes for the walk to Ming Garden, an AYCE (All You Can Eat) Chinese restaurant which is the first stop for all hikers coming into town. Some hikers were at the door when it opened at 10am!We felt so good walking in our comfy flip flops, the wind blowing through Angel's freshly shampooed hair and the sun warming Guardian's cleanly shaven face. As we approached the restaurant we spoke briefly with other hikers. They warned us, "The restaurant has a special room where they put hikers." They referred to it as, 'The Hiker Cave'. Guardian thought to himself, "We're both over 60. We have on clean clothes, our packs are back in the motel room...we look just like any other customers. No matter what the hikers say, it's no Hiker Cave for us!" Inside the restaurant the hostess greeted us and led us directly to The Hiker Cave!After several trips to the buffet we still had room for our fortune cookies. Guardian's fortune read, "You find beauty in ordinary things." Angel's fortune was, "You are vigorous in words and action."
Date: 2013-06-24
From: Turk Gap

To: Loft Mountain Campground
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: light rain

As we were headed out for supper last night we met up with Blockade Runner and High Tide. The four of us decided to go out for a pasta dinner. The meal was great but the dessert was even better. The guys ordered a piece of triple chocolate cheesecake and the girls ordered cheesecake topped with strawberries. The waitress told us that the strawberry cheesecake pieces were large enough to share between two people but we didn't listen and ordered a piece each!Today we entered Shenandoah National Park. This park is a 105 mile long corridor that is in close proximity to millions of Americans. In order to preserve the park for future generations the National Park Service attempts to strike a balance between making the park accessible and yet protecting it to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy it. There are 75 overlooks along the road, a 35 mph speed limit, and 500 miles of trails. Both the Skyline Drive and the Appalachian Trail run north/south through the park. The road and the trail actually run very close to each other but are engineered so that one or the other is higher or lower on the mountain. The only times a hiker sees the road or a driver sees the trail is when they cross each other - and they cross each other over two dozen times in the length of the park!
Date: 2013-06-25
From: Loft Mountain Campground

To: Lewis Mountain Campground
Miles today: 17.0

Today we saw our first black bear. We were walking along the trail when out of the corner of her eye Angel saw something black below the trail in the tall grass and undergrowth. It was a black bear. He was sitting on his haunches calmly watching us go by. He had absolutely no fear - he was just an observer. If we could read the thought bubble above his head he would be thinking, "Yes, that was me who overturned all those big rocks on the trail...just looking for a morning snack. Now my tummy is full of grubs. I'm just going to sit here in the shade and watch you hikers perspire your way up this hill." Park bears are a lot different than bears in the wild!Later in the day a large snake across the trail stopped us in our tracks. It just laid across the trail with its head raised, flicking its tongue. It wasn't interested in moving and when Guardian tried to walk to the side of the trail it turned to face him. We retreated a few steps and waited and sure enough it got tired of our attention and slithered off the trail.At lunchtime we stopped at the South River Picnic Area. Further up in the cut grass there was a fawn, still with its spots, but without its parent. We walked slowly towards it. It would browse and then check us out. Each time it checked us out it would raise one of its front legs just like a pointer dog. It's ears were twitching furiously because of the biting flies. We were still a long way off when it scampered away into the trees.When we arrived at the Campstore there were five thru-hikers sitting outside enjoying their store food and drink. We picked up some pop and chips and joined them for about an hour. Yesterday we met just one thru-hiker. We had started to wonder just how many hikers had decided to miss this part of the trail and aquablaze on the Shenandoah River. On Sunday Tennessee and a friend put their canoe in the river near Waynesboro. They will take up to a week to float or paddle down the river to near Harper's Ferry. When you are on the Appalachian Trail there are white paint blazes on trees that mark the trail. When you see two white blazes you know that the trail is going to change direction. A blue blaze indicates a side trail to an outlook or water source or something else away from the Appalachian Trail. So, when thru-hikers take to the water rather than hike through Shenandoah National Park their canoe trip is referred to as aquablazing.
Date: 2013-06-26
From: Lewis Mountain Campground

To: Big Meadows Campground
Miles today: 9.2

We stopped in the parking lot at Milam Gap for lunch. We chose a parking spot in the shade and sat down on our sit pads. Several vehicles turned into the lot and the hikers got out and headed toward Rapidan. In 1931, Rapidan was built as a fishing lodge for President Herbert Hoover, who used it as a place to escape the pressures of Washington.Then two Chevy Suburbans drove in together and parked side by side. Each vehicle had a driver and one passenger in the front seat. We thought it was strange to have so few people in such large vehicles. Then all the doors on both vehicles flew open and about a dozen elderly Japanese hikers stepped out into the parking lot. We heard everyone speaking hurriedly in Japanese then out came a can of OFF insect repellent. After everyone was sprayed down each person donned a daypack and picked up their hiking poles. One of the hikers had a large Ziploc bag of watermelon pieces. She wore a plastic glove on her serving hand. She gave out one slice to each person and included us too! We headed off on the manicured Appalachian Trail. The Japanese hiking group scurried across Skyline Drive onto the trail leading to Rapidan. That trail is described as a rough trail with three stream crossings.Hiking in Shenandoah National Park has its perks. We ended today's hike at Big Meadows Campground. We had a nice lunch at the restaurant then visited the Byrd Visitor Centre. While we were inside a thunder storm moved through the area. We could hear the rain pounding on the roof. When we looked out into the parking lot we could see the rain coming down in sheets. We went back into the theatre and listened to the Ranger's presentation on foxes in the park. When the rain quit we walked up to the campground, took a nice hot shower, and laundered our clothes. We're feeling quite civilized!
Date: 2013-06-27
From: Big Meadows Campground

To: Rock Springs Hut
Miles today: 5.1

We spent a very lazy day today at the Byrd Visitor Centre. We missed yet another rain squall that roared through in the early afternoon. We did learn a lot about the Civilian Conservation Corps. The CCC was made up of young men ages 18 - 24. The formation of the CCC was part of the 'New Deal' set up by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The 'boys' earned $30 a week. They received $5 and $25 was sent home to their families. In developing Shenandoah National Park and Skyline Drive the 'boys' planted or moved 148,000 trees and shrubs, built 101 miles of trail, and cut 1,149 acres of vistas along with road building and completing other projects in the park.In the late afternoon we set out in a light drizzle for Rock Springs Hut. Within a half hour the sun was shining. Just as we reached the turn-off for the hut we stopped to watch a doe and her fawn browsing beside the trail. They were within 10 feet of us. The doe ignored us and continued eating. The fawn watched us, lowering and raising her head and twitching her ears. After several minutes they wandered off and we continued on our way.
Date: 2013-06-28
From: Rock Springs Hut

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: broken clouds

We were hoping to meet up with Bookworm and Duffer last night or this morning. They are driving out from Maryland to hike with us today, Saturday, and Sunday. We waited until 8:30 and then left a note for them, ate a bar and set out on the trail. The reason we had a bar for breakfast is because we had mailed the resupply for the three days to Bookworm from Waynesboro late last week and so we don't have any breakfast food to eat until we meet up with them.When we arrived at the Skyland Dining Room the breakfast buffet was still open so we had a great breakfast and ate lots of fresh fruit. We were able to get onto their wifi so we checked our email. We learned that Bookworm and Duffer were planning to arrive at the hut this morning. Now the question was - were they ahead of us or behind us? While we were deciding what to do we saw Bookworm and Duffer arrive at the trail down to the Dining Room. We got together and relieved Bookworm of the ten pounds of resupply that he was bringing to us. Together the four of us hiked on to the next hut. There were some great views of Shenandoah Valley along the way.When we arrived at Pass Mountain Hut we took a closer look at our resupply and realized that we had way too much food for the next two days. There was a hiker who was low on food so Guardian gave him at least half of our resupply food.
Date: 2013-06-29
From: Pass Mountain Hut

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: light rain

The morning weather was lovely. We hiked quickly to Elkwallow Wayside. At each of the Skyline Drive Waysides there is a store, parking lot, and picnic area. We found a shady spot in the grass. The treat of the day was being able to buy a cold pop to go along with our lunch. Skyline Drive is a curving mountain road with a speed limit of 35mph. A lot of the vehicle traffic is motorcycles. You see long distance machines towing trailers, trikes, cafe racers, purring BMWs, and roaring Harley Davidson bikes. Just as we were preparing to get back on the trail a couple on a Harley drove into the parking lot. Between them in a special carrier was their pet Chihuahua. The couple were wearing leather vests adorned with all kinds of patches. The little dog was outfitted with a spiked helmet, goggles, and was wearing a leather biker vest with patches and chains!The four of us carried on hiking. It was a beautiful day with clear skies. Once again we stopped at a number of lookouts for views of the Shenandoah Valley. We got into camp early enough to find camping spots. Being Saturday there are many more hikers on the trail so we are feeling quite lucky. Right next to us a young man whom Bookworm met three years ago on his thru-hike of the Pacific Crest Trail. What a small world!
Date: 2013-06-30
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: broken clouds

We woke up early, excited to head out to civilization! At the hut we were able to say goodbye to some of the hikers we've been travelling with off and on over the past two months.The day started out cool but soon became hot and humid. By the early afternoon we finished our hiking day at the highway leading into Front Royal. There we piled into Bookworm's car to drive 48 miles back to where Duffer's car was parked near Rock Springs Hut. It's interesting - tourists travel great distances to drive through Shenandoah National Park - and here we are in the last three days we've walked the northern portion of the park as well as driven the road twice! It was beautiful every time!We left the long green corridor and entered a labyrinth of roads for the one and a half hour drive to Bookworm's home in Maryland. We met his family, were treated to a wonderful meal, and after showering we slept on a mattress - mmmm! It was a lovely end to a great hike.
Date: 2013-07-01
From: Front Royal

To: Washington, DC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Monday morning was a work day for Bookworm. We boarded the Metro with he and other commuters for the trip into Washington. Since the hostel is close to where he works, Bookworm walked us right to the door of the International Hostel...and international it is! People of all ages, including families, visit from all over the world.Everything in the hostel is environmentally friendly, clean, and efficient. All the staff are helpful. John, the staff member working in the breakfast area, has taken on the role of 'official greeter'. Every morning he asks each person to greet him in a language other than English. When he didn't recognize our greeting in Sesotho he led us to a map and asked us to locate Lesotho for him. When he sees someone dining alone he asks other diners to introduce themselves.After we took the Metro to the hostel we were able to walk everywhere. The monuments on The Mall, museums, and Federal Buildings are within walking distance. Though we've walked zero hiking miles here, we've walked many, many tourist miles during our stay.
Date: 2013-07-02
From: Washington, DC

To: Washington, DC
Miles today: 0.0

Last year, while we were on a bicycle tour, Guardian needed a book to read. He often finds great books on the discard table in small public libraries. This time he found a hard bound, first edition of 'The Spirit of St. Louis' (1953). It is the account of the planning and completion of Charles Lindbergh's 1927 solo trans-Atlantic fight from New York to Paris.After seeing the plane today in person at the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, we were reminded that many of the aspects of this successful flight are similar to the aspects of a successful hike. In 1927 many different groups were trying to be the first to fly across the Atlantic. All were better funded and more complicated than Lindbergh's attempt. By keeping things simple (one engine, one person crew, no radio, lightweight plane) Lindbergh did not have as big a safety net as the others, but he did increase his chances of success. The same is true for hiking. By keeping it simple and carrying minimum weight you don't have everything covered, but you do increase your chances for success.
Date: 2013-07-03
From: Washington, DC

To: Washington, DC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

We headed to the Capitol Building today with the intention of walking around the grounds. When we got there we realized that it was possible to go inside. Once we were inside we found out that there were free tours of the building. We signed up and were whisked away to watch a movie and then began the tour.The Capitol Building is a large, impressive, and historic building. Our guide touched on the history of the building, pointed out many of its features, and explained how it is currently used. We learned that we could enter the House of Representatives with another free pass. The House was not in session but it was interesting to sit in the gallery and look down to where the President delivers the State of the Union Address. From there we were able to walk over to the Library of Congress via an underground tunnel.We really lucked out on our tour of the Library of Congress. Our docent (tour guide), was both knowledgable and personable. Despite his years he had us almost running to stay up with him so as to not miss a word of what he had to tell us. The original library was made up of a core of books and maps that had been purchased from Britain. Two years after the War of 1812, the British Army burned many of the buildings in Washington. All the library's books were lost. Thomas Jefferson offered Congress his private library of books and said that Congress could pay him what they thought was fair. He was paid $23,950 for his collection of 6,487 books. His library included books in foreign languages and volumes of philosophy, science, literature, and other topics. It is from this collection that the library grew over the years.The building itself is a marvel. After several false starts the head of the Army Corps of Engineers was brought in to oversee the hiring of craftsmen and the completion of the building. He and his son travelled to the Chicago Exposition to hire sculptors and artists to work on the Library. The docent told us how different sculptures, mosaics, and artwork were done and related anecdotes about the artists themselves. It was a fascinating tour not only seeing the artwork but also for the opportunity to learn about the artists' thoughts about each work of art. The building was finished on time and $200,000 under budget - something unheard of in those times and even more rare in current times!
Date: 2013-07-04
From: Washington, DC

To: Washington, DC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

It was 237 years ago today that 13 British colonies declared their independence. We thought, what better way to begin this July 4th Independence Day than to go to the Archives to view the actual documents! As we waited outside the massive Archives Building the July 4th celebrations started up. There was the Army Drum and Fife Band dressed in period costume who marched in formation, playing their instruments. This was followed by actors dressed in period clothing reading the Declaration of Independence from the marble steps outside the Archive Building.Inside the Archive Building we were given as much time as we wanted to file by the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights documents. It was quite stirring to study the actual documents. As we were leaving the building we saw George Washington signing autographs for some young children. (It was one of the actors from earlier in the day.) Imagine a few years from now when one of the children brings his or her autographed programme to 'Show and Tell'! Teacher: "Well actually, that wasn't George Washington." Child: "It was him. I talked to him and he signed this for me!"When we returned outside the July 4th Parade had just started. There were high school bands from across the country marching and playing. As we stood on the steps of the Archive Building we were treated to a concert as each band stopped to perform. There were also representations of different ethnic groups from all corners of the U.S. Our favourite performers were the American Mexican dancers from California. The first dancers were young children and then as the dancers went by each grouping was a little older. The dance steps were intricate and lively. Their costumes were ornate and colourful. Despite the heat they were having a wonderful time leaping and turning. Their pride and happiness was infectious.The evening of the 4th was spent attending a free concert on the lawn of the Capitol Building. We heard many performers - some current and some not so current. We got a chance to hear the National Orchestra perform patriotic music. The highlight of the evening was certainly the playing of Tchaikovsky's '1812 Overture' with actual fireworks providing the cannon sounds. From our location on the Capitol lawn, the fireworks appeared with the Washington Monument in the foreground.