morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-06-05
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: light rain

i woke up to rain this morning... again... hoped it would stop, but it only seemed to get worse as the day went on. The first half of the day went really well, I felt as though I was making really great time and although I was soaked by the time I made it into the shelter about half way through the day. Then of course as I ate my lunch I started to get really cold, so I quickly finished up, signed the journal and hit the trail. I wish I had views that afternoon, although it wasn't still raining, I spent that whole afternoon in the clouds. Somehow I never mind the bad weather too much when I know the hotel is my home for the night. Back at the Holiday Motor Lodge... oddly enough in the room that my life changed when I met Domino... Ok, maybe the meeting of him wasn't was changed my life, but in this room he encouraged me to go to school for massage... and you know what happened the next year.Klarity signing in...That's right, Phx found her calling as a LMT. She came to land known as SWIHA (Southwest Institute of Healing Arts) Did you also know that she is a trained in the science and art of Yoga? Her talents and knowledge are vast and often understated (she is humble)   And when she came to SWIHA then my life changed. I needed some crazy person to take me to Trail Days and to teach me about the AT. The universe brought her to me...and I am deeply grateful. She is one of the most AMAZING women I have ever met. And with her help I have physically changed many things in my life and work. She is pretty handy with a mason drill! Anywho...Hike well be well Phoenix RisingKlarity signing out...
Date: 2009-06-06
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

So I guess some of you have noticed I (through Klarity) have been entering a lot of new entries with nothing written... I am just trying to get the mileage corrected to what I have really hiked... Thanks for the kind words of encouragement, and over all things are looking up right now. My knee has begun to hurt a bit again, but I have started to hike with some guys who I enjoy hanging out with and who are interested in doing the same kind of mileage I would like to to each day, so I think (at least for today) the VA blues are buried deep... Also new mail drop info has been entered, so if you want to send me cards of encouragement or goodies from home please feel free (everyone loves mail right?!?!?)Love ya all and again thanks for all the encouragement! Here is my link again for those of you that want to donate to the cause. GA to Maine for the Brain!!!http://www.braintumorcommunity.org/site/TR/Events/General?pxfid=19410&fr_id=1370&pg=fund
Date: 2009-06-09
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I was planning to hike a 21 mile day, however my body said otherwise... the day started off well, making good time and although it was a lot like desert hike since the gypsy moth catipillars have eaten ALL the leaves off the trees in the area, I was still feeling pretty confident I would make the entire 21 miles. Like I said... however my body didn't agree. The afternoon not only brought temps in the 90's but the first day of what is currently holding me up in town... extreme shin splints. I had already taken 800mg of advil, so I shouldn't have felt anything through the meds, but the last mile down hill into the 2nd shelter took me about an hour. And I knew then there was no way to make it the 7 miles to the 3rd shelter. I figured at a slow pace I could make it the 3 days into the next resupply spot and 2 more days after that I would make it into a hotel where I could rest up... but things never go as planned out here...
Date: 2009-06-10
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: VA 42 
Miles today: 2.4

So when 2.4 miles takes 2 hours to hike you know it's going to be a bad day. I woke up feeling pretty good, however as soon as the pack was on, I knew it was going to be a tough 12 miles day, I just didn't know how tough at that point. So I started off, looking forward to seeing the Keffer Oak, one of the largest trees on the trail (thought to be about 300 years old) however when I was decending into the valley, I realised the busy road I was about to cross was a sign to get off the trail and take care of my body. While I was trying to figure out which direction to head on the road, a woman in a hugh pickup truck stopped to see if I was ok. She said her name was Jill and offered me a ride to the B&B down the road in Newport, VA. At first I was a bit unsure if being at a random B&B in a little town would actually be a help, and then Jill told me the owners of the B&B were former thru hikers and I knew it would work out. So I climbed into the back of the truck and a few minutes later I was figuring how the rest of my day was going to go. Carol and Ron (the owners of Huffman House B&B) were so amazing, as soon as I realized that although I would have LOVED to stay with them, I would not be able to allow my body to recover at the rate they offered hikers and still hike the trail, Carol said it would ok for me to use her phone to call a friend for a pick up, a shower, lunch (she sure does know what a thru needs!). The animals running around the yard were so awesome! See the Huffman House is a working farm as well. The turkeys were so cute following me around and chatting with me, and seeing the baby ducks who were born the day before was priceless. All in all I couldn't have asked for a better way to spend the day resting and waitin for my friend Floyd to pick me up. When Floyd drove up I was almost sad to leave as I felt in that afternoon I had gained new friends. But I know I will be back to visit them, someday. So Floyd comes to my rescue and brings me to Daleville, VA where I was able to rest and ice my leg... and here I am... still resting and icing...
Date: 2009-06-13
From: VA621

To: VA 624
Miles today: 15.5

Leaving from the hotel, heading south to pick up part of the trail I missed, I decided to skip ahead... YES I YELLOW BLAZED!... to make it easier on Colby who had driven up from NC to magic me, I chose to start hiking 11.5 miles north of where I had left off at the Huffman House B&B. It worked out perfectly that a new friend (Willow 97 & 09 hiker we met at breakfast) also needed to hike the same section, so we both got dropped off and started into the woods with just out day packs in the rain... luckily the weather cleared and were were able to get GREAT views from the top of dragons tooth, but unfortunately my shin was really angry at me by the time I made it to the road crossing were Colby was waiting. However thankfully I was able to chat the whole day away with Willow (I really hope to hike with her again!) and although the pain was bad it was great to have good conversation as a distraction.So it was back to the hotel for more ice and dinner... Very happy I wasn't stuck in so random shelter and needing to hike more to get help. Thanks Colby for making it possible to test out my legs before I ened up stuck in the woods!
Date: 2009-06-15
From: Daleville, VA

To: Dalevill, VA
Miles today: 0.0

4th Zero day... it's getting a bit depressing. Plus with the fact that I know I have missed a section near the Huffman House, and the fact it seems my body doesn't seem to want me to do big miles, I have made a big decision.Here goes...NO I AM NOT OFF THE TRAIL!!!!!I will keep hiking. However the adventure has changed a bit... There are 3 reasons for this change of adventure1) I seem to only be able to keep my body happy when I am regularly doing 12-15 mile days 2) I need to be doing 18-20 if I intend to make it to Maine before the season ends on Oct 15th3) Slow hiking costs more money than fast hikingSo I have decided to enjoy my hike and knock off the biggest section I am able this year and come back to complete the trail in the future. The other day on my slcak pack with Willow she said she had met a guy who says he's a thru hiker who takes a lot of zero days between hikes... meaning he is really sectioning the trail and not doing it all in one summer, so I think that is what I am going to do. Plus the bonus to this is I can keep talking about the National Brain Tumor Society and what I am trying to do with them for a few more years! All in all I am VERY happy with my plan, athough it would be great to do it all now... so of course I could change my mind and if my body lets me and the bank account doesn't complain too much I could hit the Big K this fall... you never know! But in the end I will still need to complete the section here in VA that I have missed and I hope to stay with Carol and Ron at their B&B then! What a great way to complete the trail... with thru hikers who were so wonderful to me even though I wan't staying with them! So there it is. That's the plan (at least for now)
Date: 2009-06-16
From: Daleville, VA

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

still not hiking and still in a lot of pain... it's amazing how when you really need a friend somehow they know... although I was hanging out with a group of thru hikers and getting great advice from all of them, I really felt the need to talk to one of my friends who I have known for more than 2 months, and what do you know, Patch calls. I can't begin to tell you how wonderful it was to hear his voice and to get his ideas and thoughts on what my plan should be... and even though I was to the point of tears while talking to him at some points, it was so comforting to come up with a new plan.Clearwater and Patch had thought it might be a good idea for me to get a shuttle from Daleville to Waynesboro (the beginning of the Shennies) and start hiking in the national park where the trail is not as steep, where there are placed to get food ever few days (so I don't have to carry as much in my pack) and most importantly, that there are MANY road crossings, so if I was to have trouble with my shin I could easily get back into town for more ice and rest and maybe a visit to a Dr if needed. So off to bed I went that night comforted my the new ideas in my head of how my hike could continue (even though this now means I will need to complete about 325 miles of VA at another time...
Date: 2009-06-17
From: daleville, VA

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

So it was sort of depressing to get a shuttle all the way up here, but I really believe that Patch and Clearwater had the best idea... and after paying 85 bucks for the ride, I better make it worthwhile! As Homer (my driver) and I got into town the first person I saw was Bee Chucker which really made me happy I had made the choice to head up here, then I ran into Groove and a bunch of others I hadn't seen in quite awhile. It has been great to see them again but since they are planning to do the auqa blaze instead of hiking the AT in the Shennies, I know I will not see them again possibly at all for the rest of the hike, but it is good to see them again.
Date: 2009-06-18
From: Waynesboro, VA

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

So once again here I am stuck in town. Originally I was hoping I would hike out this morning or early afternoon, however that idea was quickly killed when I tried to walk around town with my (not fully loaded) pack. The pain in my shin is still really intense and I am now, after 7 days of no hiking, thinking I may need to see a Dr about it. But of course that brings up with whole I live in America and have no health insurance issue... so I am going to put off that decision for as long as possible, as I think the cost of x-rays will most likely drain my bank account and end my hike and I really don't want my hike to end (at least not yet!)
Date: 2009-06-19
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Moved to Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church Thru Hiker Hostel with Captain D (aka Fishsticks)but still not feeling strong enough to hit the hills... walked to the outfitter and was very happy when Bill (a local trail angel) picked us up on the walk back. I knew I could make it, but my leg was really complaining...
Date: 2009-06-20
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Stayed my second night at Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church Thru Hiker Hostel and got to see my friends Irma and Woody who started the hostel for the hikers here in Waynesboro. It was wonderful to catch up and now since I was not able to hike the section south of here this time around, there is the chance I will get to see them again when I complete this section! Althought my leg is feeling a bit better resting for the day might be a good idea. Got some town chores taken care of so I will be fully ready to head for the hills tomoroow... oh but wait... tomorrow is the 21st... 1st day of summer... well, at least I will be in the National Park... maybe that will mean fewer naked hikers on the trail... let's hope.
Date: 2009-06-21
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: few clouds

So I stared to hike out and although the pain was much better than the last time I was hiking, it was still not good... so I got a ride back into town from "Snoopy" & Emily after they had been day hiking in SNP. They were very kind and even though I told them it was ok to just drop me off at the trail head and I could call one of the trail angels in Waynesboro to pick me up, they said they would drive me to the Y where I was planning to camp that night. I really believe in the magic of the trail... Trail Angels ARE EVERYWHERE!!! I think I might spend tomorrow resting in town, and then give one of the trail angels a call to see about slackpacking 15 miles or so to see how my body handles it. Plus this will give me a chance to sort through my pack and send some no essential items forward to the next town to lighten my pack even more. I still may get a new sleeping bag and a few other items, but we will see... of course I would rather not have to spend any extra money if I don't have to!   I guess although the adventure is going slow right now, I really do feel that it will continue and that I will be hiking again soon. Oh, and one random thought I had yesterday while I was hiking (and I know I have never written about) is I have been wanting to tell all of you about one of my favorite sounds on the trail... I absolutely love the sound of underground water flowing under the rocks... Maybe it's cause I NEVER hear it in AZ or maybe it's just the music it makes, but it is one of the best sounds of the trail in my opinion.
Date: 2009-06-22
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After getting breakfast and packing up my tent in the field by the YMCA, I checked into the hotel, which was expensive, but aloud me to lay down all afternoon with my leg propped up on pillows with ice cooling off the angry muscles in my shin and knee which wasn't really possible if I stayed at the hostel or camped at the YMCA again. Plus it was kind of nice to catch up on all the gossip shows (I'm joking of course!) Dah Wah He (yes that is his trail name) and I hung out in air-conditioning, eating popcorn and peanut butter filled pretzels and sipping AZ iced tea, while I moved the ice up and down my leg and laughed at reruns of comedies. My plan at this point was to rest today, slackpack Tues and see how the leg feels, then hopefully head out on Wed back into the park and make it to Front Royal in good time.
Date: 2009-06-23
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: broken clouds

Slackpacked thanks to Susan who was willing to not only drop me off at the trailhead, but met me at the other end to pick me up and shuttle me back into town! I know I say this all the time, but the generosity of strangers always amazes me! So the first half of the day went quite well, and I was really thinking all would be good, and I would end up hiking out the next day, but the second half of the day made it PAINFULLY clear I needed to head for twon and find a ride to the Doctor... as I was hiking I found the discomfort was raidiating up my leg more and more and I was very thankful that I had planned to give myself LOTS of time just in case this happened... that way Susna wouldn't have to wait on me to come out of the woods too long if I was hiking really slow. I had about 3.5 hours to complete the last 3 miles of my hike, so I slowed down and really took my time, which was great cause I was able to "chat" with the rabbitts while I took a break. All in all even with the pain of the hike, I did have a good day though, as I saw 5 deer (one of which had really cute small fuzzy antlers growing in), about 8 rabbits, and coolest of all a momma bear and her cub who was about 2 years old. But one of the best things about it was none of the animals ran off when I approached. Although I was a bit uncomfortable when the bear cub seemed interested in following me... but after a few steps and calmly telling him I didn't have anything for him, he strolled back to his mom. Oh, and I forgot to tell you about the visit I got when I had hiked out on Sun afternoon... just as I was about a mile into the hike a buzzard landed in the trees above me and watched me walking... I know I am a slow hiker and that I must have looked really bad that day, but I was thinking "do I really look like I was about to die!?!?!?" Thankfully after about 2 mins of watching me, he decided I must be better off than I looked cause he flew off... Off to the Dr in the morning...
Date: 2009-06-24
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I was so lucky to get a ride to the Doctor's office... although it was within walking distance, it's about 2 miles out of town and when you are walking on a bum leg, that 2 miles really would have seemed long! I really hate going to the Dr... I always feel like I am being a wimp when I have to head for help, but it was very clear to me that is exactly what I needed to do at this point. 10 Zero days, and I was still in pain when I was hiking with out a pack... not a good sign. So Dr Campbell was really great. He has obviously seen lots of hikes in his days, and knew all the right questions to ask. After examining me, he gave me two prescriptions for anti-inflammatory pain killers (in case one didn't work) and sent me off to get x-rays just to be sure the tibia wasn't broken. After looking at the pictures it appears not to be broken or healing (as it should be if it was broken 2 weeks ago) but I have to wait for the radiologist to come back with the official report in the next few days. After walking back into town (didn't catch a ride) I took the town bus out to WalMart to get my prescription filled (thankfully it was only $10 for a 90 day supply) and got a great tour of Waynesboro... which really is a beautiful town. All of this was good news, cause it means I will be able to keep hiking, but it also means I am officially a wimp when it comes to pain. Most hikers can hike through shin splints and I just can't seem to do the same... oh ell, I guess I am what I am and there is no way to change that.
Date: 2009-06-25
From: Waynesboro, VA

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

If funny, even though I have not made any trail miles, I feel like I have been walking all day! I left the hostel at 9 am this morning, and thankfully got a ride from Sandy to the outfitter... yep, time to lighten the load... again... a new sleeping bag (I will look like a cute green inchworm, but will be 2 pounds lighter!) and a few other items that needed replacing, and Roy was kind enough to offer us (Willow and Phatmandu and I) a ride back into town even though he was headed in the other direction! Again Waynesboro you are the BEST! Then Willow and I walked up to the hotel so she could call her husband and I soaked my feet in the pool... Phatmandu was taking care of some of his chores in town before we met for lunch at Ming's Buffett for the AYCE lunch. After lunch we hugged Phatmandu goodbye and Willow and I looked into taking the bus out to Target and Ross to shop, but the last bus only would have given us 1 hour and we really wanted to be able to stroll around at our own pace. So we are going to meet in the morning. My current plan is to zero tomorrow giving my leg one more day, and then hit the trail 19 miles up into the park where I left off. I figure this will give plenty of time for the meds to get into my system and if the radiologist should call with the bad news of a broken bone I will be in town to make the decision what to do next. Thanks everyone who has been so concerned with this saga and all the help that has been offered! I am so thankful to have so many WONDERFUL friends!!
Date: 2009-06-28
From: Blackrock Gap

To: Pinefield Shelter
Miles today: 12.1

My first day out after all the healing and I have to say it was a good day. Not to say it was pain free, but it was still good to be back out. The doctor said I should only be hiking 4 miles a day but at that pace it will take about 26 days to get through the park! So I am going to go shelter to shelter, take my time and enjoy each day. Thankfully this is easy when its the beginning of blackberry season! And being a slow hiker makes spotting them much easier. But little did I know the best part of my day was to come at the shelter... I wasn't sure at first, but Pinefield is where I met Cuppa Joe in 05 ,so it holds a special place in my heart! But even more good memories were made... about 10 minutes after I got there who comes walking down the path but Papa Razzi! What a treat to see him after 2 years... and he brought cokes for hikers too! What a great day to get back out hiking!
Date: 2009-06-29
From: Pinefield Shelter

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: broken clouds

Since I was only planning to hike 8 miles all day I lounged around camp for a while and was the last to leave camp. Everyone else was planning to hike about 20, but I was going to attempt to take as long as possible to get into camp cause I heard the next shelter was bug infested... Luckily the whole morning was slowed by picking black berries which were really yummy bursting with flavor in my mouth. About half way between huts (what shelters are called in SNP) I found a really great rocky overlook to have lunch at and decided it would be best to take a nap in shade for a while to kill a few more hours. The only problem with plan was to become clear a few hours later. After a 3 hour break there on the rocks I decided I should be on my way so I packed up and head up the trail in search of more black berries to slow down my pace. 9 hours after leaving camp I reached Hightop Hut to indeed find it bug infested, but also occupied by...
Date: 2009-07-08
From: Deers Den Hostel

To: Blackburn Center Hostel
Miles today: 7.0

So quick update...shin is good, knee isn't too bad, crossed out of VA into WV... and hit the 1000 mile marker of the trail! More to come later and I promise I will update for days missing soon... It has been too humid for my phone to work most days.
Date: 2009-07-11
From: Harpers Ferry Hostel

To: Dahlgren Back Pack Campground
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

This was a perfect day even though it was a VERY hot and humid... the best mileage day since before the shin splints started, no pain, and that was one of the best presents I have had in a while. Then when we made it to the campground (one of the best seeing as it has free HOT showers for hikers) there were two groups of boy scouts, which sometimes can be a irritating... but this night they were AWESOME! They offered pizza to Willow and I, plus we (including Jungli) hung out with one of the troops and answered questions and generally spent the night laughing with them.   Early to bed, then late to sleep due to the "locals" who decided to spend the night partying. But like I said, all in all, it was a great day!