morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-05-28
From: Blue Ridge Parkway Mile 51.7

To: US 60
Miles today: 11.5

Breakfast was Hardee's egg and sausage biscuits and iced cold coke --- mmmmm. We met our shuttle driver, Ken, at US 60 and he drove us back to the Blue Ridge Parkway. This time we hiked North. Most of today's hike was downhill, covered with soft pine straw, easy on the knees, lots of streams -- all and all a hiker's dream day. Of course that didn't last all day. We finished the day with a 2.4 mile climb up. After the hike we drove south on the Blue Ridge Parkway to the Dutch Oven Hiker Feed held on the parkway near the Thunder Hill Shelter. This hiker feed has been going on for many years - held by friends of hikers and past thru hikers. They set up tents for an overnight stay just behind the Hiker Feed, providing their own hiker reunion. They will put on the Hiker Feed again tomorrow. The food was scrumptious - chicken quesadillas, potato & cheese casserole, homemade bread, cheese broccoli & cauliflower, green salad, spring rolls with peanut sauce, grilled curry chicken, apple crisp and too much to list. Among many others, we met Ann (Thank you so much for sending me a Hiker Feed invite on my Trail Journal!!!), Mike (awesome grilled chicken - we've got the recipe now!!) and thru hikers: Signage, Moonwalker and Skittles. We got lots of support and practical tips for hiking a thru hike. All the thru hikers had a gleam in their eye remembering their time on the trail. That in itself was all the encouragement I needed. Skittles told us to cherish our time on the trail - great advice and a good reminder for me. I saw a t-shirt the other day saying, "The journey is the destination".
Date: 2011-05-29
From: US 60

To: Campsite at USFS 246
Miles today: 9.0

Last night we sprayed our shoes, sock, shorts and t-shirts with permethrin to repel ticks as a combatant to lyme disease (works for 6 washings). I also carry a spray can of Deep Woods Off with deet. This morning Mike closed up the pop up camper while Bob and I repacked our backpacks. We had a leisurely brunch at Country Cookin in Lexington. After brunch, Mike dropped us off at US 60 to hike North while Mike drives home to Maryland. The hike started off with a steep climb (elevation increase of 1980 feet over 2.3 miles) to Bald Mt. summit on a very hot afternoon. Next we reached Cold Mt.- a huge open mountain meadow much like a scene out of the Sound of Music. There was even a family their flying a kite and having a picnic. They definitely didn't climb Bald Mt. like we did. They came from the North up a trail from a nearby USFS road. We stopped by Hog Camp Gap for water and a snack where we met Rusty Bumper. Hog Camp Gap is a terrific campsite with numerous sites, one even with a tree swing, It was too early for us to stop so we moved on. We hiked until 6:30 pm when we found a stealth camping spot. A "stealth" campsite is one where you make a site, sometimes used before but not mentioned on any AT guide.
Date: 2011-05-30
From: Campsite at USFS 246

To: Dutch Haus
Miles today: 6.8

We hit the trail at 6:30 am eager to reach the Dutch Haus B & B for their legendary complimentary lunch served to any thru hiker passing by, not just B & B guests. The hike this morning was gentle through a shady rolling trail with lots of stream crossings. We met Blue Spruce and Bump on the trail who were also headed to the Dutch Haus. Lois (Dutch Haus) picked us up at Spy Rock Road and drove us to her B & B. Lunch was fabulous: chicken salad on potato rolls, asparagus salad, baked beans, fruit cocktail, peach cobbler dessert with ice cream and pink lemonade with ice. After lunch we took showers, gave Lois our dirty clothes, and put on robes while we waited on our wash to dry on the clothesline. It was a very hot day so that didn't take too long. I bunked with Phoenix Rising in a bedroom in the house, while Bob, Blue Spruce and Bump set up in the Men's bunkhouse. Late in the afternoon, we got a surprise visit from Fulltime. He hitched a ride from 9 miles up the trail and ended up joining us for an overnight stay at the Dutch Haus. He was absolutely delighted to abandon his plans for camping out to overnighting at this fabulous B & B. The Dutch Haus is an oasis for thru hikers. Here tonight, in addition to the previously mentioned, are also Old Hickory and Alien (from Ireland). Dinner was fantastic: green salad, prime rib, corn on the cob roasted in husks, baked potato and birthday cake for Lois our superb hostess.
Date: 2011-05-31
From: Dutch Haus

To: Tye River VA 56
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: clear sky

We started the morning with breakfast at the Dutch Haus: biscuits with gravy or jelly, cheese egg casserole, fresh fruit, OJ & coffee. Earl (Lois's husband) dropped Fulltime, Bob and I off on the Blue Ridge Parkway to hike south to the Tye River. Today's hike was typical of the AT in central Virginia -- rugged; lots of rocks to navigate and some very steep sections. But a good portion of today's hike was downhill and some parts were without rocks. The hike ended at the Tye River with a nice swimming hole. The cold water felt great on my feet and knees. Dinner at the Dutch Haus was roasted pork, potato salad, green salad and key lime pie & vanilla ice cream parfait....delicious!! Lois's nieces made the key lime pie (my favorite dessert pie) and it was superb!!. Lois's nieces are here helping Lois for a couple of weeks. Tonight, Bob moved into a private room into the main house. Phoenix Rising is back on the trail so I have a room to myself tonight.
Date: 2011-06-01
From: Tye River VA 56

To: Fish Hatchery Rd.
Miles today: 9.3

Fulltime left this morning to hike North from Dripping Rock to Waynesboro where he'll take a zero day. After breakfast, Lois drove Bob and me to the Spy Rock Rd. Parking lot. From there we hiked 1.1 miles up Fish Hatchery Road back to the AT. Then we hiked North up a steep trail to the Priest Shelter where we had lunch and read hiker "confessions" in the shelter Hiker Register. A Hiker Register is a notebook, often a spiral notebook or marble composition book where hikers write comments so hikers following can keep track of hikers ahead. The entries are generally humorous, entertaining and/or informative. Since this was "The Priest Shelter", hikers wrote elaborate confessions into the shelter's register. After the Priest shelter it was a quick .9 miles uphill to the Priest Mt. summit and a nice overlook. Next we went 4.2 miles downhill; rocky at the beginning but less rocks as we climbed down. Lois told us that there are 42 switchbacks (which I was very thankful for) going down the Priest. At the end of our hike we plunged in to the Tye River and took a short nap while waiting for our shuttle. It was another hot day but not quite as hot as yesterday. Earl picked us up at 3PM and brought us back to the Dutch Haus. Dinner was penne pasta with marinara & meatballs, toss salad, breadsticks and bread pudding. After dinner we watched Arias's GA to ME AT dvd set to music. I was struck by how long ago hiking in Georgia and North Carolina now seems. Last night I had the room all to myself, but a big crowd came in this afternoon. Tonight I'm rooming with Socks and Brazilnut. Also here among others are Torch, Last Year, Sundance, Pacemaker, Rainbow, Fire starter, Mr. Black, Late Start and Frodo. Tomorrow we backpack out North from 839.8, Dripping Rock.
Date: 2011-06-02
From: Dripping Rock

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: clear sky

Earl shuttled Bob and I back to Dripping Rock to hike North. We kept a steady pace all day long because we were on a mission to reach Waynesboro before the Post Office closed. The weather has been very hot lately, but the temperature dropped 20 degrees today. High up on the ridges it felt like outdoor air conditioning, very refreshing. We stopped by the Paul C. Wolfe shelter for lunch. It was a great shelter; tall and airy with 2 levels. In front of the shelter is Mil Creek with a waterfall and small swimming hole. When we reached the end of the hike we had to cross over a roadway guardrail. On the guardrail was a laminated sheet with a list of Waynesboro Trail Angels willing to give hikers a free ride to Waynesboro (5 miles away). I called Walt and he arrived 10 minutes after calling him. Walt took us to the Post Office and gave us a tour of Waynesboro. We got a box filled with trail snacks from Winkle and Bob got a resupply box. My daughter, Laura, sent me a gift box of homemade cinnamon rolls shipped from Glen Haven General Store in Colorado. After the town tour, Walt dropped us off at the Quality Inn. Much to our delight, we discovered Kebban and his son Matt next door. Kebban has been off the trail due to injury and is easing back into hiking. Kebban took all of us, including Bob, me and Fulltime to the Outback Restaurant and to Walmart for a resupply.
Date: 2011-06-03
From: Waynesboro

To: Wildcat Ridge Trail
Miles today: 13.7

Kebban drove Bob and I back to the trail at 7:15 AM. Fulltime has another Eagle Boy Scout, Darryl, joining us for 3 days of backpacking. Darryl served 20 years in the Marines, hikes regularly and is very fit. Darryl's wife, Susan, drove Fulltime and Darryl to the trail at 10:00 AM. Bob and I were glad we started early because we like hiking in the cooler morning and also knew we'd need a head start today to keep up with Fulltime (a strong speedy hiker) and Darryl.The next 20 miles of hiking takes us through a 12 mile dry stretch (few streams) so we had to stock up on water. Carrying extra water adds a lot of weight (2.2 pounds/liter) so we normally just carry a liter or two at a time, but not today. At a road crossing we found water bottles left for hikers by a Trail Angel. Most appreciated!!! Around 5:00 PM we heard music coming from a nearby Skyline Drive Crossing. I thought for sure it was an ice cream truck; but Bob, also a Marine, informed me that someone was playing the Marine anthem. Five minutes later Fulltime and Darryl caught up with us and were excited to tell us that they had just seen a bear crossing the Skyline Drive. They told us that a guy was playing the Marine anthem from his car in an attempt to startle the bear off the Skyline Drive. We four hiked a little further and decided to stealth camp on a previously used site. Three deer visited us throughout the night.
Date: 2011-06-04
From: Wildcat Ridge Trail

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: overcast clouds

We hit the trail at 6:30 AM eager to make big miles today and dine at our first Wayside snack bar. Today's hike offered numerous views from Skyline Drive crossings and trail ridge views. We've been told that starting today a hiker can count on getting at least one meal per day at a wayside or lodge throughout the Shenandoah Park. This allows us to carry less food in our packs and enjoy "real food" vs. dehydrated backpacker meals. First we stopped at the Loft Mt. Camp store for a resupply. It's a very hot day so we also got cokes, ice cream and chips, a real treat and energy boost. Three miles later we reached the Loft Mt. Wayside where we feasted on hamburgers, french fries and pepsi.At the end of the day, I met Sky at the hut (Shenandoah's name for a shelter.) I asked where Sky (his real name) was from and was floored by his answer --- Milledgeville, Georgia, my hometown, where I grew up. I live in Maryland now, but my big brother Wes and wife Vivian live in Milledgeville.
Date: 2011-06-05
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Campsite
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: clear sky

Today's hike was tough- hot and numerous climbs, not very steep, but a lot of them. Also there were not many views or road crossings- kind of a grind this morning. Collectively Fulltime, Bob and I came up with an inspired plan. We called Big Meadows and booked a cabin for tomorrow night. We decided if we hiked extra miles today, we could reach Big Meadows tomorrow within the 12-2 lodge lunch time window and also allow time for an afternoon nap, laundry and relaxation. Right before lunch, I saw my first bear, just a glimpse. The bear must have seen or smelled me first as he was running into the woods when I noticed him. We reached Swift Run Gap, US 33 where Darryl's wife Susan greeted us with delicious gourmet chocolate chip cookies and jugs of spring water. Darryl, trail name Lucky, as in lucky to be backpacking on the AT, left the extra water jugs under a shady tree for other hikers. Susan and Darryl returned home to Fredericksburg while we hiked on.At the end of the day, we found a nice stealth campsite. The bugs were everywhere as they have been for the last couple of weeks. So we set up our tents and retreated in the tents right after dinner. I woke up in the middle of the night to an amazing sight - fireflys were aglow in mass. They looked like hundreds of Tinkerbells.
Date: 2011-06-06
From: Campsite

To: Big Meadows Cabin
Miles today: 10.8

Early in the morning I followed a mother deer and newborn fawn frolicking right in front of me on the AT. The fawn was adorable and quite quick and agile. During a morning break, we met a fun group of hikers from Missouri and Alabama: Sparky, Triangle, Sassafras and Scout. They offered us their "trash food" which I think meant items they didn't plan to eat. We gratefully accepted PB & J crustable sandwiches. At another stop Triangle gave me a banana and both times they insisted on taking the wrappers and peel. This group is on a short section hike, hiking lodge to lodge and having a great time doing so. We met up with this "fun group"again at the lodge. They were very supportive of our thru hike, offering encouragement and asking lots about our hike. We arrived at Big Meadows lodge in plenty of time for lunch, naps, laundry, rest and relaxation. We went back to the lodge for dinner and dined with Kebban.
Date: 2011-06-07
From: Big Meadows Cabin

To: Byrds Nest #3 Hut
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: overcast clouds

We ate breakfast with Kebban at Big Meadows Lodge and started our hike to our next destination, lunch at Skyland Resort. After a good lunch (club sandwich, sweet potato fries & lots of iced tea), we saw our trail friends: Sparky, Triangle, Sassafras and Scout. They all signed Fulltime's AT banner. The afternoon hike had nice views of Stony Man Cliffs. We got water at the Pinnacles Picnic area and successfully yogied crisp cold apples. Yogi (as in Yogi the Bear) means to score picnic items without asking. Our benefactor was an AT Thru Hiker Mom (Kenyan's Mom). She and her husband were traveling home to Norcross, Georgia after visiting with Kenyan at the ATC Headquarters in Harpers Ferry. Kenyan, who we met earlier in our hike, served in the Peace Corp in Kenya. At the end of the day, we set up tents at the hut and turned in early.
Date: 2011-06-08
From: Byrds Nest #3 Hut

To: Elkwallow Wayside
Miles today: 11.7

I woke up at 5:15 AM eager to pack up and hit the trail. We've been getting up early lately to enjoy hiking during the cooler time of the day. Today's my day to go home for a 3 day visit!! I haven't taken a zero since Damascus (mile 464.2) and now I'll have 3 zeroes in a row!! I've been dragging lately so I think this break comes at a good time.This morning I saw a huge snake slithering across the trail . At first I thought it was a rattle snake, but upon closer inspection I noticed it didn't have a rattle or the head shape of a poisonous snake. I have no idea what type of snake it was. It definitely gave me a startle. Fulltime saw 2 bears climbing a fallen tree this morning. The bears took off in the woods right before Bob and I arrived. We had lunch at another wayside and met my daughter Laura there. Laura was there to pick me and bring me home. Two hours later we arrived home in Germantown, Maryland. Laura cooked us a delicious home cooked meal: roasted vegetables (Aunt Vivian's recipe), fresh fruit and grilled hamburgers. Bob and Fulltime will continue hiking and I'll meet them on the trail on Sunday. I'll hike the 3 day section I'm missing later after the end of my thru hike.
Date: 2011-06-09
From: Home (Germantown, Maryland)

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I got my hair cut and went to a Doctor's appointment. We had a family Birthday dinner for Mike at Carrabba's...mmmmm; love their bread. We gave Mike a Montbell thermawrap synthetic jacket to use when he hikes with us in the 100 mile wilderness in Maine.
Date: 2011-06-11
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

My buddies, Jane & Bonnie, hosted a brunch for me this morning!! The food was scrumptious!!! Jane made an Apricot tart with a "Zig Zag" design of my footprints....too cute and very tasty. I got to catch up with a number of friends all at one setting. Everyone was so supportive; asked lots of questions about my hike and listened to my crazy stories. Thank you Jane, Bonnie and everyone who attended!!! It was terrific seeing everyone!!Mike's parents, Laura, Mike and I enjoyed another Birthday celebration for MIke; a Crab House dinner on the water. Hush puppies and crabs ---- delicious!!!
Date: 2011-06-12
From: Bears Den Rocks

To: David Lesser Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Mike, Laura, and I drove from home to meet Bob and Fulltime at Bears Den Hostel. We set up a shuttle with our car and van. Fulltime and Bob entertained us with stories from their last 3 days on the trail; enduring the heat; hiking on the "VA roller coaster" and waking up to a bear outside Fulltime's tent. The last 3 days of hiking has been very challenging. The guys have dealt with blistering heat and 10 miles on the "VA roller coaster" filled with PUDs (pointless ups and downs). They stayed at the Bears Den Hostel and found it to be one of the nicest hostels on the AT. From Bears Den Hostel, we hiked the final 3.5 miles of the roller coaster. Soon after the roller coaster, we reached the 1000 mile mark, a huge milestone. When we reached the Blackburn AT Center, we took a planned break. We got in our van, picked up our other car and drove to Shepherdstown, WV for a late lunch/early dinner. Our timing was great as we drove through a thunderstorm with huge bolts of lightning and later learned that hikers got soaked on the trail. We dropped my van off at the visitor's parking area for Harpers Ferry so we'll have transportation after reaching Harpers Ferry tomorrow. Then Mike drove us back to the Blackburn AT Center where we proceeded North to the David Lesser Memorial Shelter. It was a pleasant and cool evening hike, 6-8pm. We met Boy Scout at the shelter.
Date: 2011-06-13
From: David Lesser Memorial Shelter

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: clear sky

We started the morning all quite excited to be hiking in to Harpers Ferry, the emotional half way point. We flew down the trail. At 11:30 AM we crossed over the Shenandoah River. We took the side trail to the ATC Headquarters where we checked in and got our official photos taken and placed in the AT book. I am hiker 411 and Bob is hiker 412. Fulltime is waiting to get his photo taken when his family arrives later in the week. We had a good time looking through the AT book seeing which hikers had reached Harpers Ferry ahead of us. We hiked in to Harpers Ferry where we had lunch and went to the Outfitter. We took the shuttle to my van and drove home to Germantown. Fulltime and Bob will spend 2 nights at my house and we will all enjoy a zero tomorrow. We greeted the guys in true Maryland style with steamed crabs and corn for dinner. Matt (my son) and Jessica (my daughter-in-law) joined us for dinner and enjoyed meeting my hiking buddies.
Date: 2011-06-15
From: Old Forge Road

To: PATC Milesburn Cabin
Miles today: 18.3

We left early this morning and let Fulltime sleep in. Laura took Fulltime to Royals Bagels for breakfast and then drove him to Harpers Ferry where he will meet his family. Back to the trail for Bob and me. I hiked Maryland in February so we're skipping ahead to Pennsylvania today. Bob and I will hike 2 days in PA. Then Bob will hike the AT through Maryland. We're zig zagging around for a variety of scheduling reasons. Bob and I parked my van at Old Forge Road and hiked North. We only saw 2 hikers all day long, Hover and Bear Bag. We quickly were greeted by PA rocks, but these were easily negotiated unlike what we hear is coming further north in PA. The terrain was gentle; the weather was cool (for summer); so we made great time. We hiked past Tumbling Run Shelters and later Quarry Gap Shelters. These PA shelters are much different than any we've seen before. Each shelter area has two small shelters (each sleeps 4), a large covered area with a picnic table and Quarry Gap Shelters even had a hanging potted plant. Just before Caledonia State Park we met Captain Guts (a barefoot hiker) and his granddaughter who provided us with trail magic, ice cold soda and water.We ended our hike at Milesburn Cabin, a locked PATC cabin which I reserved last week. Within 15 minutes, Mike, Laura and my friend Jane arrived to join us for the night and to hike with us tomorrow. Great timing!! They picked up my van in route and already set up our shuttle for tomorrow. It was a little chilly so we had a fire as we feasted on subs from Subway. The PATC Cabin was rustic for a cabin but luxurious as compared to a shelter. The shelter had mattresses and blankets and we packed in sheets and pillows stored in the car (not our backpacks) so we all slept well.
Date: 2011-06-16
From: PATC Milesburn Cabin

To: Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

We closed up the cabin, enjoyed Royal Bagels with cream cheese (a Germantown, MD specialty) and hit the trail at 7:00 am. We ate lunch at a stream and then soon reached the AT midpoint at mile 1090.5. The length of the trail varies each year due to changes in the trail (i.e. switchbacks added, etc.) so the midpoint is different year to year. The AT Guide said that a hiker would make an improvised midpoint marker. At the midpoint, we were rewarded with an elaborate wooden structure. This new midpoint marker was dated April 2011 and was made by a former thru hiker from PA.We ended our hike at Pine Grove Furnace State Park. We purchased our half gallons of ice cream at the store. It¢s a tradition for thru hikers to attempt to eat a half-gallon of ice cream near the halfway point. After 45 minutes, Bob was victorious earning the coveted wooden ice cream spoon (see photo) stamped with ¢Member of Half-Gallon Club¢. I gave a gallant effort but stopped the challenge after eating 2/3 of the 12 gallon. We returned home to Germantown and had dinner at Laura and my favorite restaurant, Sakura¢s Japanese Steak House.
Date: 2011-06-17
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 23.1
Weather: scattered clouds

I drove Bob to the AT for him to hike north from Alt. 40, South Mountain Inn. He¢ll hike to the Freestate Hostel today. I returned home to rest on my sofa. Laura and I drove to Chevy Chase and took my son Matt out to lunch at Panera. Then back home for more time on the sofa.I didn't hike at all today but I have added the MD AT miles that I hiked in February.
Date: 2011-06-18
From: Penn Mar Park

To: Old Forge Rd.
Miles today: 7.5

Mike and I set up a shuttle and left trail magic (ice cold soda and chips) at our hike endpoint. We met Bob at Penn Mar Park and hiked north. (At that point, Bob had already hiked 8 miles.) We crossed a few streams, the most scenic being a stream next to Antietam Shelter. We returned home, took showers, picked up Laura and headed to Harpers Ferry to meet Fulltime¢s family and Boy Scout Troop. We met the troop¢s 30 boy scouts, leaders and Fulltime¢s family. We were all given ¢I¢m hiking with Fulltime¢ t-shirts and treated to a delicious cookout.