morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-05-22
From: On The Way to Daleville, VA

To: Outfitter in Daleville, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

May 22 - On to DalevilleOur plan was to get to town, resupply and get out again. Instead, I ended up staying at the Econo Lodge much longer than planned because of doing laundry there. Zippy, Switchback, and Pokey invited me to shower in their room and sleep on the floor. I did and had a great time that evening.At Outfitter, I was able to get leaking Platypus replaced and got my Leki pole fixed. (replaced bottom section to stop loose clicking noise). I bought summer-weight shirt, food, and had lunch at the Three Pigs Barbeque. Relaxed and listened to live music by the New Roanoke Jug Band (2 guys). Great time. Needed rest, good food, AYCE. Plan to purchase CDs when I get home. They play authentic mountain tunes gathered from the areas we just walked thru. Grayson Highlands, etc.At motel we had a little party to say good-by to Peter Pan and Sanquine. Very nice gathering. Mostly 40-60 age group. Ate dinner with Adam and Pipe Smoke. Planned to start out in the morning with Adam.
Date: 2004-05-23
From: Outfitter in Daleville, VA

To: Exit from Daleville, VA
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: light rain

May 23 - Exit from Daleville Pretty hot day. Did only 11.2 miles. Total 725.1 (should be 716.0) Dad gum! we are now in map #4 of 5 maps covering SW and Central Va.Late start and not much time to write.Felt kind of bad leaving on Sunday. Could have stayed and gone to church. But I had already stayed more than planned. My fast hiking friends are far ahead of me now. They left town yesterday so are at least one day ahead. Just decided it's safer and better to slow down a bit and stay with Adam for a while. We are now loosly associated with Zippy, Poky, Riva Queen, Switchback, and Pipe Smoke.
Date: 2004-05-24
From: Blue Ridge Parkway

To: Jenning Creek Bridge
Miles today: 16.8

May 24th - We Grace the Blue Ridge ParkwayAdam and I left camp at 6:30 A.M. and arrived at Black Horse Gap (first contact with the Blue Ridge Parkway) at 7:40. Our strategy now is to get going early without cooking. We will stop and cook later in the day. Plan to take a break in the hotter part of the day because its getting so hot.Also now trying to make notes all along during the day instead of waiting to journal as in the past.Did a respectful 7.3 miles before lunch. Trying to not cook at lunch or breakfast at least every other day - to save time and to save fuel. Its now 12:13 and Adam and I are taking some time off after lunch. It gives me time to catch up on journals on days that I missed.Called Mary Ann this AM and asked her to buy a poncho liner. Will use for summer sleeping bag. Expect to get it shipped to Waynesboro. Will send my regular sleeping bag home.Hey Scott Gordon, better get ready, we are tearing up Virginia and may be to Harpers Ferry sooner than we originally planned. Please tell me again when you think you and Brian will be in Virginia. According to plan we finished 16.8 miles today and are camping with a group of hikers at the Jennings Creek bridge at Va Highway 614. This group seems to be jelling into a semi-permanent set of traveling companions. They are: Zippy, Switchback, Poky, Sox, Pipe Smoke, Sanguine, Adam and Me.Adam and I took a dip in the creek at about sundown.
Date: 2004-05-25
From: The Priest Shelter

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: few clouds

May 25 - On to Thunder Hill Shelter with the fluid Association of good friends.I counted 12 tarp pegs again today - a perfect start to another day on the trail. Last night Adam and I went skinny dipping in Jennings Creek and this morning I could not find my knife - Oh well.Found knife in food bag later! Not much time to write. Total miles: 756. (Calculation error - should be 746.8) Miles for the day: 14.0
Date: 2004-05-29
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Montebello (Dutch House B&B)
Miles today: 10.0

May 29th, To MontebelloYes! Again I counted 12 stakes this morning. Perfect beginning to another day in paradise. Adam and I have been sharing food because I have had too much and he did not have enough. Today makes our 7th day on the trail and we are planning resupply later when we get to Montebello.Today we crossed over the 799 mile mark, ending the day with exactly 10 miles and total distance of 808.3Walked by the fish hatchery on way into town. Montebello is very small but hosted a big trail ride this Memorial Day week end. We ended up staying at the very nice Dutch Hause Hiker Hostel and B&B. People here are great. We went down to the fire department and ate at the barbeque held for the trail ride. Great meal. Adam and I have plans to go to church in the AM.Am beginning to have some concern about weight loss. I checked my weight tonight and found I have lost 22 pounds and am down to 148 pounds at present. One of the hikers here at the B&B is a Medical Doctor. He had some good advice on food and rest.Hikers are the greatest! Always surprised on what you learn from them.Tonight is the first time I've slept on sheets in about 6 weeks.
Date: 2004-05-30
From: Montebello (Dutch House B&B

To: The Priest Shelter
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: light rain

May 30th - Dutch Hause to The Priest ShelterToday is the closest thing to a zero day since Franklin, NC. Staying at the Dutch Hause (run by Alois and Earl Arnold), last night was one of the highlights of the trail so far. The breakfast part of the stay was absolutely wonderful. Orange Juice eggs, very fancy French toast/strawberry casserole, a breakfast meat loaf and coffee.We are going to church in a little while.   The Hostel made arrangements for transportation. Will be back here for lunch then on to the trail this afternoon. Will make it to first shelter out from the trail head. Total miles today will be 812.9 We will walk only 4.6 miles.A big crowd was here last night and a good visit was had by all. Sox is here and has decided she needs to slow down a little before she gets injured. Medicine Man, an experienced hiker with medical background, gave us some advice pertaining to diet and weight loss. I am now at about ideal weight and must protect against too much further loss - 148 pounds.Saw Sanguine off this AM. She is going back to R.I. to see her kids graduate from high school. A young teacher, she will be back in about two weeks. Beginning to look like Adam and I will stay together for the duration. He has a strong desire to complete the trail and he is careful. We have lots in common. Its smart to have a good hiking partner and we seem to be compatible. We have enjoyed visiting over the last few days.Don't know if I've told you much about Adam yet. First of all he is a true and gentle mountain man. Born in Jolo, W.Va. he's also retired. Adam told me they did not have electricity in their home until he was 18 yrs old. He and I were in the Army at the same time and both in the Chemical Corps. Now from Highpoint, NC., he has promised to come out to Texas and pay us a visit. We have covered lots of subjects while hiking the trail so far. I told him about my buddy, Steve Brunner, and bay fishing. We are going to try to get together and do it all. This trail makes you want to live. It makes me want to share your friends with each other. May even go see Sox someday, although she does not know it yet. Strange circumstances - Sox is from Bastrop, Texas. She is napping this morning, kind of sad, thinking of her mom and dad, both died at this season of the year. Looks like Sox may travel with Adam and me for the next few days.Joanne, a lady from California, is also here. We've known her since Georgia. Joanne is a retired teacher with a fine family. Her kids are in their 40's and are operating a web site: whereisjoanne.comThere are tons of stories. Just can not write them all. Needless to say this is another day in paradise.We plan to be in Waynesboro by mid morning on Wednesday.
Date: 2004-05-31
From: The Priest Shelter

To: Unknown
Miles today: 13.6

May 31st - Hard 13.6 Miles in Heavy Rain Total miles:826.5Timing was most fortunate. Out of the Priest Mt Shelter and packed up just in time to start hiking in heavy rain. Trail turned into a stream!Good overlooks but obscured due to the weather. Quit raining in the PM.Got to Maupin Field Shelter area at about 8:45 - still enough light to pitch tarp. Very good nights sleep.Starting to avoid cooking in the AM in order to get going faster. Have learned that you can fix breakfast by adding water to 1/3 cup of cereal with two spoons of choc mix. Soak this in my covered mixing bowl overnight. Makes great ready-to-eat breakfast. Add a breakfast bar, some dried fruit, a Snickers and some GORP in a baggie in your pocket and you are ready to go. Also learned that I can keep my pack organized better by storing the sleeping bag verticle on one side with tarp and clothes on the other side with small sacks. Food packs better if you keep it in sevral plastic bags from the stores. Can distribute and organize food types by bags. My food bag goes in next with the trash bag on top. (Another nice thing about the trail in Va. is the presence of trash containers. You get a chance to empty your trash bag more often.)Just after crossing the Tye River Suspension Bridge, we came across some nice trail magic - packs of 6 Oreo Cookies, Snickers Bars, and fresh apples. We needed that lift and were grateful for the treat, especialy after the long decent from The Priest Mountain.The climb over the Three Ridges Mt in the PM was spectaclar. Plant life and scenic vistas were matched with availability of fresh fruit! Adam and I ate blueberries straight from the trees. (they are really red when ready to eat here) We never eat the strawberries because they are too tart and small. But the blueberries make you wonder how primative man lived. Also gathered some lichen to cook up in evening meal but forgot to use it because we arrived so late.Fewer and fewer hikers are passing us these days. Makes you realize that we are the survivors and many have dropped out. Adam tells me about his kin folk and what it's like to live in a small mountain community. He is great company and we enjoy the days together. Hope to stay with him for the long haul. Got poncho liners for both of us - now waiting to be picked up in Waynesboro. Told him that he is in debt to me now and the only way he can pay me back is to come visit us in Texas. I'll bet that will happen. We will have a big party, invite friends, go to church, and go fishing too! Steve Brunner, get ready!
Date: 2004-06-01
From: Unknown

To: Last Mountain Shelter in Virginia
Miles today: 16.1

June 1st - To the Last Mountain Shelter in VirginiaAnother day in paradise. This is my 71st day on the trail. Covered 16.1 miles to total distance of 842.6 miles. You can not imagine how beautiful the trail was today. Best of all it only rained on us a tad and I was able to make contact with Henry Shires, Tarp-tent and bought a new tent. Its a hybred type tarp with screen on all sides and a zip-up door to keep the bugs out. Normally would have to wait 6 weeks for delivery but was able to get it sent to me at Harpers Ferry. Real nice for the bug season!Crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway the last time. Very nice overlooks. Strawberies are ripe in the mountains. We stopped a couple times to eat blueberries again today. Have I ever told you about the Mountain Blueberries? Down south they are red when ready to eat - not blue.
Date: 2004-06-02
From: Last Mountain Shelter in Virginia

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

June 2nd, End of the Mountains - on to Waynesboro - Interstate 64Friends, Ellie and Cris showed up at the shelter late on Tuesday night. Glad to see them. All the folks at the shelter planned to go to Waynesboro for supplies. It is said that Waynesboro is the largest town that the AT actually passes through.Strange feeling, after being in the woods so long, to suddenly see so much civilization. We got on the trail at about 6:30, expecting to travel mostly uphill into town. Don't know how they do it but the trail seemed to be a lot steeper than I expected.Got a nice picture of the ruins of an old mountain cabin. Virginia mountains have been the most interesting, varied, and beautiful. Every day we see sights that are great. I take back my former statement (about not wanting to repeat any part of the trail)- there are several places here that I would come back to see again. Waynesboro is very hiker friendly. Shenandoah Visitor Center is located at the AT intersection and you see it when comming up from a short meadow at the edge of the woods. Local Trail Angels provided ride into the town. Got a room at the Quality Inn with Adam and Sox. Got to motel about 10:00A and they kept the continental breakfast open for us. (A little extra benefit.)Received mail drops and did grocery shopping. Sent home my down sleeping bag and went to outfitter store. Got new filter cartridge for water, got new bite valve for platypus bag, and new stuff sack for poncho liner. Will be sleeping with liner in lieu of sleeping bag in warm weather. Contacted Scott to check travel plans and later spoke to Mary Ann and John. All is great on the northern front!
Date: 2004-06-03
From: On To Waynesboro, VA

To: Calf Mt Shelter
Miles today: 12.0

June 3 - No End of MountainsWe figured out why they call the beginning of the Shenandoah National Park "Rockfish Gap". They fished around the general vacinity found a lot of rocks, and routed the trail thru them! No kidding, the trail here is not a lot different than prior to The Park. And there is still a lot of climbing to do. No question, the trail is smoother, but there are rocky sections.We got on the trail about 2:00 PM, covered 12.0 miles and stayed at Calf Mt Shelter at total distance of 854.6Wow! closer to 900 than 800.
Date: 2004-06-04
From: Calf Mt Shelter

To: Blackrock Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: scattered clouds

June 4 - Onward Thru The FogThe rain started again at about 4 AM. Rain continued thru 7 PM. Since we are constrained to sleep only in the shelters, our plan today was to go only to the next shelter. Knowing this we slept later and got on the trail about 9 AM. Did 12 miles for total now of 866.6 Back in Waynesboro I bought a loaf of whole grain bread. We got to calling it my "impulse" bread because I really did not have room to carry it. By the way, 'we' means Adam, Sox, and me. We are kind of a break away slower moving sub-group. We are like the tortoise in The Tortoise and The Hare story. I really believe we will help each other complete the trail.Anyway, I first compressed the bread to about 1/2 size then used a twisty and closed it for storage. Have found several uses for this valuble bread. This morning I added it to cereal, snickers, a handfull of GORP, and grits for a tasty breakfast dish. Last night I cut it up and made dumplings with it. Used it today to make Spam sandwiches (in the rain). This morning, Adam and I also enjoyed two cups of mocah coffee; made by adding two spoons of cocoa mix and one spoon of instant cofee to a cup of hot water. Since we are in training to become Ho-bos, I do a lot of 'combination' cooking these days. Tonight I fixed fish sticks in couscous and potatoes. Only thing missing was garlic and Parkay. This morning, before we left the shelter, a family from Penn. came in to fix breakfast. A Father and six kids, varying ages from 5 to 17. (the two youngest kids had to stay home with the mom). (8 total kids) Boy, what a gang. They called themselves 'The Mixed Nuts'. The dad was some kind of a minister. All were wet and cold because they stayed in tents last night. Wish you could have seen them - absolutely no complaining. Nice visit with them. Kids went right to work fixing breakfast, Very neat. Got a picture.
Date: 2004-06-05
From: Pinefield Hut Shelter

To: Blackrock Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 13.2

June 5th - Eating Out in the ValleyToday was my 75th day of hiking and tomorrow we expect to pass the 900 mile point. Pretty soon we will be more than half way!Rained on us most of the day. (If you want to get to Maine - you've got to hike in the rain) It let up about 3 PM. One benefit - good temperature for hiking. Was very foggy all day. Passed lots of scenic overlooks - could see about 40 yards. We hear this weather will continue for at least one more day, then sun will come back.Sox always goes ahead during the day and Adam and I stay back and hike together. Adam and I are some concerned that she will decide to go back home with her husband, Paul, who is comming up for a visit at Front Royal. Yesterday I spoke to Scott. Looks like he and Brian will join us by hiking south from Front Royal. May adjust plans some. We are in daily contact by cell phone now.Tryed but could not make contact today. Hope we can do better tomorrow.Went to the first campsite store at Loft Mt Campground in the Shenandoah National Park. Got groceries for lunches and 2 hydrated meals for dinner.People at the campground and store were quite impressed that a couple old guys like us could hike so far since March. Adam got to thinking we are going to get famous - maybe even get on the Oprah show! He thinks I should then run for governor of Texas and tell everyone I'll extend the ATC on down to Texas. I told him I was not too sure about that, yet.We covered 13.2 miles today for total distance now of 879.8 miles. Plan for tomorrow is to be hiking by 6:30 and cover 20 miles. Aren't we just great?Boonie is not with us tonight because he met his sister and brother-in-law for dinner. They will all hike north tomorrow. Probably will go only about 9 miles. Will tell you about Boonie sometime. He's a good buddy met down in the Smokies.Dinner was great tonight. Dressed up Ramen Noodles. Used a whole 3 oz pkg of beef lunch meat. One garlic clove, several squirts of Parkay, about 15 leaves of fresh plantain plant, and about a half dozen pieces of smooth rock tripe. (Rock tripe is a type of lichen that grows on rocks. It looks like a greenish blister and has a black side next to the rock. Its full of vitamins and minerals.Got to get to sleep in preparation for big day tomorrow.
Date: 2004-06-06
From: Pinefield Hut Shelter

To: Bear Fence Moutain Hut
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: light rain

June 6 - 20 Miles to Bear Fence Mtn HutI am writing this at about 2:00 on Monday, after meeting with Scott and Brian Gordon. We are getting ready to start back on the trail after a good lunch at the park Wayside Inn. Now, Sunday was a very good day. As planned, we got up at 5:00. We completed the 20 miles. Near the end of the day Adam suggested I go on to Lewis Mt Campground because we heard that someone there was doing big-time trail magic -including free fuel. We thought we were only 2 miles away. Turned out to be closer to 4 miles. I can go faster than Adam on the downhill. Trouble is a lot of uphill trail was included in this section. After rushing for about an hour and a half I got there only to find nothing. Did get to collect water. Two couples were camping close by and they offered their left over beef stew. Really great stuff. I accepted and took it up to the AT crossing and waited for Adam. We sat on the ground and ate like hobos. Loved it. Finally went on and arrived at shelter about dark.
Date: 2004-06-07
From: Bearfence Mtn Hut

To: Some where in the Shenandoah Valley
Miles today: 11.5

June 7th - Meeting Scott and BrianIts 12:07 AM and we just arrived at Big Meadow Campground. Expect to make contact with Scott any minute. We will eat lunch here and then hit the trail. Easy hiking along here. Will end the day with 11.5 miles and total distance of 912.9. We are closing in on the half-way point of the AT. Virginia blues is a myth. This is beautiful country. I love the Shenandoah. Our biggest concern is good nutrition. All systems are GO. Having the time of my life.Mary Ann, thanks again for the best retirement gift anyone ever had. You should see me now. No fat, only muscle. Just show me another mountain to climb. Strangly, there are a lot of them along this valley. Last two days - no rain. Forcast: rain again for the next two days. Oh well, If you want to get to Maine --- you know the rest.Will pick up journal for 6/6 later.Love and kisses...
Date: 2004-06-08
From: Some where in the Shenandoah Valley

To: Meadow Spring Trail
Miles today: 11.6

June 8 - 15 Miles to Pass MtAlmost but not quite there! Sox and Adam went on ahead of us. Scott, Brian and I followed. We stopped for two hours this morning at the Skyland Road Wayside Inn for second breakfast. We enjoyed it a lot and got to make phone calls and wash up some at the restaurant. Actually we covered only 11.6 miles to the Meadows Spring Trail. Just too much distance for Brian and Scott since they really have not gotten their trail legs yet. Think they enjoyed camping but the trip today was simply too much for comfort. We came down the Meadows Spring blue blaze trail about 6:30, found water beside an old cabin ruin and set up camp a little further down the trail. Both of them had sore feet and are at the point where pushing could cause real injury. They were really tired and did not even want to eat much dinner - only a couple granola bars. This indicates to me that we were just pushing too hard. We had a great day but they need a couple of easy days now.Scott and I discussed how to proceed and decided this is where they should retrace and I will go forward. (somewhat consistent with original plan - always planned to hike back to the car) They have other sights to see in the area and will possibly meet up with us again in Harpers Ferry. We will be in contact by cell phone.
Date: 2004-06-09
From: Meadow Spring Trail

To: Front Royal - Scottish Inn
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: few clouds

June 9th - Leaving ScottLeft our stelf camp down in the Meadows Spring area at 8:00 sharp.They planned to take a day and go easy. May even hike back to the Sky Land Drive and get ride back to one of the lodes to minimize hiking. Guess I should not have expected them to go so far. After all it took me a little while before I could do more than 10 miles per day.They were OK with me departing and I took off. Covered 16.8 miles and reached Gravel Spring Hut about 7:00. Expected to find Sox and Adam there but they were not present.Instead the sole occupant was Beverly from 'Bama'. Interesting person with a large collection of bags in a gigantic pack. When I arrived she had it all out on the shelter picnic table. Well, not all of it - just enough to fill the table. Big sorting job!Started fixing dinner and Adam showed up sporting two (2) Big Macs for my dinner. Ate the hamburgers and saved meal for breakfast.Adam explained that Sox's husband Paul had arrived from Texas with camper trailer and they had gone out for dinner. They are now staying in Front Royal.Our plan now was to hike out to the road, download all but fanny packs and slack pack out of the Shenandoah the next day. And that is what we did.Went all the way to Highway 522 outside Front Royal. Where Paul met us and took us to town. Adam an I then got a room at the Scottish Inn for two days. (Plan is one more day hiking then a complete zero day).Covered 13.4 miles for total now of 953.1 miles. Looks like rain.