morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-05-21
From: vande veter

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

Today should have been an easy hike but about 3 miles into it Recom came up limping. He pulled a muscle in his thigh just above the knee and struggled the rest of the way to Damascus, VA. VA is our 4th state and we got into town at about 4:00. I picked up my Handbook and Journal at the outfitters so I'm not hiking blind anymore. I called my Aunt Geraldine and her husband Brent and they came and got us in Damascus. ( earlier Recom and I had gone to Quincy's Pizza and I ordered lasagna which was incredible. We walked over to The Place behind the Methodist Church and waited to be picked up. While there we met RLB, Peace Pipe, Lone Wolf, Razor, and Peggy Sue. Sadly Peg is getting off the trail because of injury.)
Date: 2009-05-22
From: Damascus, VA

To: Abingdon, VA
Miles today: 0.0

It was so nice to see my aunt and uncle and sleep in a bed last night. I could smell coffee brewing this morning and walked out to the kitchen like a zombee. Brent took us to the store to restock and we had a great breakfast at Bonnie's Restauant in Bristol, TN. I had a couple eggs, sausage, biscuit and gravy, and a pancake or two. Brent took Recom to the doctor's office but it wasn't open until 5:00 so we headed back to Abingdon where Aunt G. made us a hikers dream dinner of chicken and noodles, geen beans, yummy corn bread, and corn on the cob. It is amazing how much I can eat when I'm not on the trail. and how little I need when I'm on the trail. The doctor gave Recom two different medications but he is gonna try to hike tomorrow. The hike out of Damascus looks very difficult so I hope Recom can handle it. It will be difficult to leave the hospitality of my aunt's home, but I'm anxious to get to 500 miles which I hope will be by Monday. So far 463 total.
Date: 2009-05-23
From: Damascus, VA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Aunt G made us a wonderful breakfast this AM. It's funny how much food becomes such a big part of your day on the trail. WE got in to Damascus mid morning and spent some time talking to fellow hikers. Aunt G told Tully of the Shire that he looked like the actor Ryan Gosling. Kell and her hound George were in town. Left town at 11:30 hoping to get in 8-10 miles, we did 16. Recom's leg held up. I pitched my tent just before dark.
Date: 2009-05-25
From: Wise Shelter

To: Troutdale
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Made it to mile 500 today, but Recom's leg is still acting up so we are in Troutdale, VA. On Sunday (5-24-09) We got to the Shelter at Thomas Knob at 5:00 and I was miserable. The climbs of 3-4000 feet were brutal as were the rocks. There were ponies around the shelter and hikers were feeding them etc. I guess they are wild and part of the landscape on MT Rogers. Also, at the shelter was a group of 12 Boy Scouts making unneccessary noise. Recom suggested moving on and I had recovered enough to agree. It was a mistake. The handbook made it look like an easy 5.1 to Wise Shelter. We thought the terrain would be easy, it was rough, rocky and the rain made it almost suicidal. I don't know how Recom made it with a bum leg because I barely made it with two good legs. We made it to Wise shelter by 8:00. I decide to sleep in the shelter because of the rain and I was exhausted. I could tell Recom was hurting. Today when we got to the first shelter (Old Orchard) we met a ridge runner who suggested we get off at the next road and hitch into Troutsdale, VA. He also told us a story about a hiker that had been jumping around on one of the picnic tables and hit his head on the corner of the shelter. Nearly scalped himself. A group of section hikers were there and one of them (Pig Pen) had a car at the parking lot at the road and offered to give us a ride to town. Trail Magic . Pig Pen dropped us at Jerry's Restaurant and store. WE ate lunch and walked to the hostel behind the Baptist Church. Very nice with two seperate bunk houses that sleep 4 each. QUOTE FROM S. FERGUSON "Few people sleep more peacefully because they are rich, while many sleep happily knowing only that they have enough." It has rained all day.
Date: 2009-05-26
From: Troutdale, VA

To: Troutdale, VA
Miles today: 8.5

Last night at the hostel was interesting. I had to sleep on a top bunk which is hard for these old bones to negotiate. Also, there were some young hikers, one of which was carrying a lap top and playing videos which bothered the three other hikers in my bunk house. It didn't bother me a bit because I was out like a light. Today we are going to slack pack for the first time That means we are hiking w/o packs for around 8 miles. We will take a different hwy back to troutsdale and stay in the same hostel which will be great since it is raining non-stop still. It rained all last night and the trails will be slick. At least we won't have our packs to worry about. Last night I had Pinto beans and cornbread at the rest----(I was interrupted by my ride back to the trail at 10 AM)-- aurant but the cornbread was no where near as good as Aunt Geraldine's. Jerry, the owner of Jerry's Restaurant drove us back to the trail at VA 603. We left at 10:18 with a liter of water, rain gear, a snickers, and hiking poles. Made it 8.5 miles in 3 hrs. 40 min. What a difference not having a 40# pack makes. We were expecting alot of rain but stayed dry the whole way. When we got to the road we tried hitching back to town and finally two young men picked us up in their pickup. It was the second time in 40 years I've ridden in the back of a truck. This time it was warm and refreshing. Last time I froze my who-who off. We had the rest of the day to relax. We will stay at the Troutdale Babtist Church Hostel again tonight. I was happy to see my gear was still there. Peace Pipe and E.O. are in and some of the same guys that were here last night are still hanging around. Shot some baskets and played horseshoes.
Date: 2009-05-27
From: Troutdale

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

8:20 AM I had a hard time falling asleep last night. The guys in the next bunkhouse were very noisy and there was a horrible stench in my bunk house. I finally put in ear plugs and put a napkin over my nose and fell asleep. It is raining right now and I'm at Jerry's Kitchen and Goods, tryiing to wait out the down pour. May have to hike in the rain all day - that's the weather forecast. We are gonna try for Partnership Shelter. (12:06 PM) Made it to Trimpi Shelter for lunch. Didn't leave Jerry's till 9:50. Got to Partnership by 5 PM and Recom ordered Pizza Hut from the Park headquarters phone. Recom, Peace Pipe, and I happily devoured our pizzas. Life is good when you can have delivery pizza on the AT. This shelter actually has a shower, too. I decided not to tent because of the rain.
Date: 2009-05-28
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Crawfish Valley
Miles today: 0.0

It did rain last night, which made me feel good about staying in the shelter. I had to climb a 10 ft ladder to reach the top level of the shelter. Later I was told the snorers were suppose to stay on the bottom level.. Tough Krunchies I thought. I already had my pack up top so I stayed put. Peace Pipe was up there and said he had to leave because of the noise but the rain drove him back in. It was raining as we left this morning with our pack covers on, but the rain let up and we stayed dry. Got to Chatlfield Shelter by noon 7.1 miles. Pushed on to US 11 and Interstate 81 by 2 PM. Ate a huge burger at the BARN restaurant in Goseclose and decided not to stay at the Relax Inn even tho they had laundry and we were in desperate need of a laundry. We camped somewhere near Crawfish Valley 16+ miles today 543 total miles. Now averaging over 10 miles per day.
Date: 2009-05-29
From: Crawfish Valley

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Rained, again, with lightning last night. We saw a 4-4.5 foot black snake on the trail. It did not want to move and let us go by. Finally, with a little urging, it moved off the trail. Met Wiz Pee at Crawfish Valley and got water. Like yesterday the trail went through some private property with cows, etc. We had to climb over ladders several times between fields and that slowed us up some. We met a trail mainetance guy near a stream and he gave us a banana, a can of peaches, and a cookie. Trail Magic. Got to Knot Maul Shelter and had lunch. Just as we started to leave the skies turned dark and then openned up. I left my rain gear off, except my pack cover of course, because I was already soaking wet with sweat from climbing up these mountains. It was a miserable hike to Chestnut Knob Shelter. The climb was rough. We didn't expect to find very many people at the shelter but it was full. Everyone was wet but made room for new arrivals. I slept on the floor in front of the door. I thought about setting my tent in the rain but didn't have the energy.
Date: 2009-05-30
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: VA 615 Laurel Creek
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: few clouds

Today was a very pleasant day to hike. The ups weren't too bad and there seemed to be more downs than usual. I stopped on top of a Mountain and called my wife about our house closings in FL. She was busy with notary public and couldn't talk. I haven't had good reception in this area for a few days so couldn't call back. We're gonna try to get to Bland, VA tomorrow to restock and I'll call home and see if I need to stay in town for mondays closings. Finally made it to VA 615 along Laurel Creek There was Trail Magic when we got there.   GATORADE!!! I don't like tenting near roads but we're only 6,5 miles to town. We met a group of Boy Scouts today. I think some schools are out for summer so we will problably see more section hikers in the coming days. The number of thru hikers are getting fewer and fewer. Many have dropped out and the rest are faster hikers and ahead of us. I am so filthy, dirty right now I can hardly stand my hiking clothes. I have to wear them when I get up in the morning but they reek because of all the sweat. It has been so humid , and it's getting warmer everyday. Jedi, Matt (Squatter), and Odom made it into camp at dusk. I had to call to them so they wouldn't miss their Trail Magic. 14.8 miles today, 576 total
Date: 2009-05-31
From: VA 615 Laurel Creek

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

At 2:50 AM it started raining. I had seen a flash of light earlier, thinking it was a hiker out to take a whiz, but the flashes continued so I knew. At 3:10 the thunder and lightning exploded into a pounding rain (at least an inch). Left camp at 7:20 and walked to VA 52 by 10:45. A soccer coach stopped and gave us a ride to Big Walker Motel. I laid my tent and gear out on the black top in the motel parking lot and everything was dry in a matter of minutes. A good ole boy named Bubba gave us a ride to Wytheville and the laundry matt. It felt so good to have clean clothes. It was quite an experience riding in Bubba's 1983 Chevy pickup that he drove thru the mountains like he was a Nascar Driver. Heaven help him if his brakes ever go. Odom, a Jesus lookalike complete with sandals and staff, was getting off the trail the next day so Recom and I had a beer with him to celebrate. It made me realize that I have only had a few beers on this adventure. Some guys can't wait to get to town to have a few, but not me. I can't wait to get to town and have a nice cold Coke.
Date: 2009-06-01
From: Bland, VA

To: Trent's Store
Miles today: 18.6

Bubba gave us a ride to the trail but first we tried to find a hiker's breakfast at a local church, but no luck. We did get to see some beautiful scenery around Bland. WE got on the trail around 10:40 and met Peace Pipe who seemed surprised to see us. He thought we were ahead of him. WE hiked the 18.6 miles to Trent's Store, but it was closed so we camped behind the store because it had a shower. 601 total miles
Date: 2009-06-02
From: Trent's Store

To: Woods Hole
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: clear sky

We camped outside this farm area last night. 3 beautiful horses ran down to show off for me as I set up camp. It smelled like poop around there but it was a beautiful setting. Blue Eyes and 40 Degrees built a fire last night and we sat around that for a while and listened to the neighbors scream and yell. Fortunately there was a running stream between us so I didn't worry about them coming over to harrass us. I can hear a horse breathing and snorting outside my tent as I write this. Pretty Cool.(Later) I took a shower and I must say it may have been the first time I took a shower and felt dirtier than when I started. It was one gross shower. All 3 horses are eating, stomping etc. it is 6:30 AM. (9 AM) I'm sitting on a picnic table by a creek. We've decided to wait and let our tents dry because of the dew. Went into Trents and had sausage bisquits. Goodwill was there because when he came in late last night he didn't know where the camp sites were and just camped near the store. He is getting a shuttle to Pearisburg today to meet a friend and hike together. (7:29 PM) Today was a difficult hike. There were big ups and it seemed to take forever to get to Woods Hole Hostel. This place was started by Roy and Tillie Wood in 1986. Roy was doing an elk study in 1940 and the couple spent their first year of marriage here. Tille ran it until her death in 2007 and now her grand daughter Neville runs it with her fiancee. 13.9   total 615.5
Date: 2009-06-03
From: Woods Hole

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

Made it to Pearisburg by 2:45. We slack packed because Micheal was coming into town and dropped our packs off at the Plaza Motel. We got a ride from a man at the Bradley Insurance agency who took us to the PLaza and then took us to the Hostel at the catholic church. Went to the library to write trailjournals entry but could only get on line for 30 min. so we signed up for 9 AM tomorrow. Had dinner at a Chinesse place with Recom and Kell. She was staying at a local motel (with her dog Gracie) When I got back to the hostel I found my back pack open. Someone had gone thu it. Fortunately I didn't have any "valuables" in it other than my gear which is quite valuable. It's strange but the same weirdos from Troutsdale were at this hostel. I assume they must have yellow blazed their way here (hitched)
Date: 2009-06-04
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Rice field Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I didn't sleep much last night. 3 or 4 very strange, obnoxious, and may I say sick (in the insane sense of the word) young men were talking almost all night. I considered throwing them over the bannister but that would not be a very Christian thing to do especially in a catholic church hostel. Recom and I walked thru the field in back of the hostel to the Walmart which was suppose to be a short cut but reminded me of the definition of a short cut is the longest distance between two points. We walked across the street to a resaurant and ran into Wingaard and his wife. We had met Wingaard just before Woods Hole at an over look. Doris offered to give us a ride back to the trail but took us to the library instead. Went to the Pearisburg library to enter trail journals. As I was leaving an older woman asked if I was coming or going. I told her going. She asked which way and I told her "North" She got very solemm and said, "Good Luck!" then I remembered the incident with the guys fishing near here last year, and how some psycho had shot them. He was the same guy that had murdered two people 20 some odd years ago. Fortunately the cops caught him and he died in jail. Of course, it was still kind of weird to go near the shelters where the couple died. It didn't help that there were a few psychos in Pearisburg while we were there. Ask me about them when you see me. The 2000' climb to Rice Field shelter in the blazing sun was not fun. I stopped and wrung my shirt out from sweat at the summit, then a few minutes later I stopped and wrung out the rain from the same shirt. The rain started before we got to the shelter, and did not let up. We decide to stay and I'm glad we did because it rained for 22 straight hours. That's right twenty-two straight hours. Cozimo, and Classic Rock made it before dark, and Tibetian tented in the area as well.
Date: 2009-06-06
From: Baily Shelter

To: Sarvor Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: clear sky

My first 21 mile day was more tham I could chew. hiked up 600' to Wind Rock, which had a terrific view of a valley below. Went down 1700' over rocks to War Spur Shelter for lunch. Pushed up 1500' to White Rock and Kelly Knob where we met some Chinese ladies out hiking for the day. Down 1600' to Stinking Creek Vally thru donkey infested pastures. Up 1300' of torture to Sarver Hollow, and to add insult to injury we had to hike down 300' off the trail to the shelter, and another 100' to collect water. Fortunately it was one of the nicer shelters on the trail.
Date: 2009-06-07
From: Sarvor Hollow Shelter

To: Pickle Branch
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: overcast clouds

It seems most days on the AT are tough. We left Harver Hollow at 8:40, WELL, we actully left at 8:20 but it took that long to climb 300' back to the trail. We climbed down 1540' to Craig Creek, Then up 1500 feet to Audie Murphy" s war memorial. I called home and learned my sleeping pad will not be in Catawba tomorrow because REI sent it to the Catawba P.O. by UPS which they won't hold. BUMMER!!!!!!
Date: 2009-06-08
From: Pickle Branch

To: Catawba, VA
Miles today: 0.0

I think I am close to exhaustion. It reminds me of when I was building the house in 1991. I got so tired I would stagger around trying to build something and that's how I was hiking today. When you hike over thousands of rocks you have to plan three steps at a time so when you stumble on the first step it means you stumble on all three steps. I was literally stumbling 20-30 times per minute. This morning we climbed 1200' to Dragon's Tooth which was huge rock climbs especially on the down side. It was quite treacherous although the views were great. MacGyver and his dog Okie were on the trail with us. He gave me some peanut butter and crackers he was gonna throw out, which was good because all I had was a mountain house dinner in my food sack.   I thought I saw my first bear today. I was walking in the woods when I saw this huge black animal in the corner of my eye. I looked and there were several of these huge critters. Then one of them turned its white face toward me and I knew. Herd? Herd of cows? Recom is thinking of taking a shuttle into Troutville tomorrow and getting a motel. If he does I may slack pack and meet him there.
Date: 2009-06-09
From: Catawba, VA

To: Troutville, VA
Miles today: 21.4

I left Catawba with just two liters of water and my rain coat in a day pack and headed to Troutville. Made it to the spectacular view from MacAfee Knob early in the morning. It is probalbly the most photographged spot on the AT. I liked Tinkers Cliff just as well. The views were great and the cliffs went on for a long time right along the AT. I got to the top of a mountain that overlooks Troutville at 3:00PM but I still had 3 more hours of hiking before I made it to town. I knew there were two ways to get to the motel so I decided to go to the second highway because I was slack packing and that way I wouldn't have to carry my pack the extra mile or so. Big mistake. The second hwy was very busy and had no shoulder to walk on which meant no place for a car to stop and pick me up either. Then to make it to the motel I had to go thru a truck stop/intersection just off the interstate that had no plan for pedestrians. I'm still not sure how I got thru that mess alive. Total miles around 720
Date: 2009-06-10
From: Troutville, VA

To: Comfort Inn Daleville, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

This morning I woke up feeling very stiff and tired at the Comfort Inn in Troutville, VA. or is it Daleville? I took the stairs one at a time because my legs are shot and had breakfast. It was strange to have choices to eat, instead of my normal breakfast bar (or Snickers). I had french toast, sausage, raisin bran, yogurt, a mini muffin, and 4 glasses of OJ. Life is good. Recom joined me after awhile and I noticed a picture of a homeless person in the newspaper. He said the guy looked like an AT hiker. I told him how I stopped at a convience store when I first hit town last night and bought a bottle of Sprite and a Little Debbie pastry. I was very self conscientious about how badly I smelled so I quickly paid and sat down outside on the curb to eat. The milkman walked by, stopped and looked at me, and offered me a quart of chocolate milk. I accepted w/o thinking. As I sat there eating a few minutes later, I wondered if maybe he thought I was a homeless person. Recom said when I got to the motel last night I had a kind of wild man look in my eyes.I told him I didn't think I'd be able to get back on the trail tomorrow and he said he was considering getting off. I told him to get that thought out of his head for today. See how he feels tomorrow.   We walked down to the Outfitters later on and Recom bought a bunch of stuff that he will need to keep hiking so I think he'll be ready to go on Friday.   There is a tornado watch for this area as I am writing, so I am glad I am not out in the wild, unless, of course, the tornado decides to visit here.9:52 PM The tornado warning was interesting. The motel called all the guests and asked them to stay in the lobby. All we got was a good rain storm. Recom and I went to dinner at Country Cookin restaurant. Earlier today we went to the outfitter and hitched back with the manager of the restaurant so we told him we'd come to his place for dinner. It was a pretty good AYCE, too. (I soaked my shirt in baking soda before going to the laundry this morning. Hopefully that will help with the smell) 720 total miles.
Date: 2009-06-11
From: Comfort Inn Daleville, VA

To: Troutville, Va
Miles today: 0.0

Today was a zero day here in Troutville,VA. Of course, it rained off and on during the day. Recom and I carried our packs to the outfitters about a mile down the road so that we can slackpack tomorrow. We'll try to get 20+ miles in hopefully getting to Bearwallow Gap by 7:30 PM when the outfitter will arrive at VA43. Ran into Cosimo at the outfitters. He said MacGyver and Oakie came into town with him yesterday, but that Classic Rock left the trail for a few days. We walked to the P.O. and Recom sent 4-5 pounds of stuff home and I sent my cap, a pair of socks, and a long sleeve shirt home as well. I still have my long johns just in case I get caught in the rain and need to warm up. Tomorrow I'll carry 2 liters of water, my rain gear, some snacks, my head light, aqua water purifier pills, and my thru hiker handbook. Today I stopped at Kroger and bought a rotisserree chicken which I ate. I don't think I've been getting enough protein in my diet. I'm taking more peanut butter this time when I leave town. I saw myself in the window of the the store and i can tell I've lost several pounds on this adventure. For the third or fourth time in the last few weeks, I had to repair my pants. Dr. Adiska will be interested to know I used dental floss to sew. Sew far (pun intended) it's working quite well, seems to hold strong. I know Bob will come up with a funny when I tell him where at least one of the repairs was done.