morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-04-11
From: Skull Hill Camp

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today we listened to a Cow Concerto and I recieved breakfast in bed. Got some soda pops left for us from a couple of Kiwis via Scout, Silver and Firefly and Zama was stung by a bee...on top of her sunburn. OH and yes my ears are still scabby...the view from Chestnut Knob Shelter was beautiful and it was equipped with a beach chair...oh the joy! We hiked all day and got in at sunset and Firefly had some water waiting for us for our dinner! Thank Firefly we are writing you in for president!! We love our new tent and want to send out a big THANK YOU to all of the Blayney family for helping us along with that adventure!!!Oh yeah and thanks for Lug too!
Date: 2006-04-12
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Helvey's Mill Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Happy Birthday Root!!! Today we made a decision to go our own way. There was a warning about some missing bridge or something with a warning to take a blue blaze trail...otherwise known as the highwater trail..and it paid off!! We got to see some really beautiful trail with tons of grouse and all sorts of birds. We crossed and recrossed streams and when we got to the missing bridge we just paid some crows to fly us to the other side...really the fording of the river was not so bad. One of my feet got wet but it eventually dried out and I sold it as a prune. We got another giant chocolate bar in the mail today and ate some more turkey subs. I can't tell if it is good or bad that the highlight of my day now is a sandwich. Well we sure do miss you all...Love Llama and Zug
Date: 2006-04-13
From: Helvey's Mill Shelter

To: Dismal Creeek Falls
Miles today: 18.2

The new animal sighting today is lizards. I don't know what kind but they were about 5 inches long and brown...maybe it was just poop with legs now that I think about it. A wild turkey scared us as they usually do..we've become weak and skittish I suppose and Lug saw a beaver. At lunchtime we saw a tree fall in the woods and we were there and it made noise. I swear we heard it. We arrived at Va. 606 and a suspension bridge was in our way so we decided to go across it. When we arrived at our destination for the evening we were pleased to find that there were waterfalls with pools for skinny dipping and moss covered flat rocks by the waters edge for sleeping on....Dismal Creek Falls ended up being not so dismal after all. Except I broke a tent pole. Bummer.
Date: 2006-04-14
From: Dismal Creeek Falls

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 22.5
Weather: moderate rain

Gotta get to town...gotta get to town....gotta get to town....it was a long day of hiking and singin bad 80's heavy metal duets but we finally arrived in Pearisburg and suprise almost everything is closed for the month of April in observance of Easter...well almost a month okay! So we are going to be here for a while but that's okay we got a fat post on the hill right behind the Catholic church. We also got to eat 3 packs of ramen in one sitting in order to lose pack weight to get us into town. MMMmmmm Ramen! A thunderstorm followed us all the way...I was just trying to be nice by saying hello and the we just couldn't get rid of him!
Date: 2006-04-16
From: About 5 feet

To: Mmmm 5 more feet
Miles today: 0.0

Today was Easter. We made a big breakfast for all of our friends and then while they went to church we had a nap. We are planning more naps for the day and then maybe tomorrow we will do some hiking but it is supposed to rain and we are afraid of melting so maybe we will just nap some more.Thanks to Root and Driver for the packages and also our good buddy B.D.Kane.We are anxiously awaiting our pub package and we are starting to get sick on good food. I gained 5 lbs and Lug has gained 7 since we arrived here in Pearisburg!!Well..it's almost naptime again.....ZZZzzzzzzzzzz
Date: 2006-04-17
From: Mmmm 5 more feet

To: Maybe 10 feet today
Miles today: 0.0

Wow three dats and no hiking...it is almost like vacation. We are just gonna ahang out alittle bit more and if our pub package still hasn't arrived by tomorrow morning we are going to have it forwarded to the next town...we will be in contact soon....so keep your bedroom windows open...
Date: 2006-04-18
From: Maybe 10 feet today

To: Symms Gap Meadow
Miles today: 12.2

Well howdy there folks! Today's topic of the day is earl grey tea! We now have three boxes of it thanks to our good buddies back in Portland Oregon! Thanks guys! We finally got our package from the pub and couldn't be happier with it! We have got to have the best buddies out there possible. We also met back up with our friends Applesauce, Cruze and Salsa so our hopes of catching up with Firefly, Scout and Silver will be put on hold for a while!! Well we are off to a beautiful meadow campsite where the stars are shining and the views are spectacular! See ya there!
Date: 2006-04-19
From: Symms Gap Meadow

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Brrrr...last night was cold and windy....so we are off but starting out a little chilly. There seems to be a warning about a bridge out but we'll probably just ignore it and take our chances! Well here we are at the river and it doesn't look too bad...we'll just balancebeam it across the fallen tree all the while crossing our fingers...whew...we al made it okay and for our reward we recieved some delicious cupcakes and soda compliments of Captain!! Thanks!!! Passed by wind rock today, great views but tons of bugs!!AND Watch out for those rocks!
Date: 2006-04-21
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: Lost Spectacles Gap
Miles today: 21.1

Today we passed the Eastern Continental DivideToday I fell down three timesToday there was a dead dog in the riverToday we recieved news that the post office closes earlier than we thoughtToday we decide to do some night hikingTonight we hike over dragon's toothTonight we pitch the tent in total blacknessTonight we give thanks we survived dragon's toothTommorrow we recieve another guest package....so we better get our groove on
Date: 2006-04-22
From: Lost Spectacles Gap

To: Catawba Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: moderate rain

So we both saw the butt crack of dawn today...we had to get to town before 10:30 A.M. to get our guest package from Derek and Casey so we were up and hiking by 5 A.M. We were greeted by more thunder and lightning storms(which we had all night) and a upsy downsy trail to town. BUT we made it and we got some juice (left care of Cedar Moe) and hiked on into town! The folks at the post office had to get out the hand truck to wheel out the package it weighed so much and then they hooked it up to some pulley type system in order not to hurt their backs to get it up on the counter. After eating at the local gas station/diner for a couple of hours we hired some sherpas to carry all of our loot into the woods@ 2 more miles stopping every 200 feet to lighten their load by eating all the goodies....then we proceeded to play cards and drink beer and do some more eating until our friends Cedar and Salsa showed up and then we bragged some about our goodies and shared our bacon....man what a good day!!! BIG thanks to Derek and Casey!!! NOW I get to walk only a mile a day until the food is gone!!
Date: 2006-04-24
From: Lambert's Meadow Shelter

To: Fullhardt Knob Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Yippee...let's celebrate my birthday early and buy some new backpacks!!!! Then we can really get out on the town and do our laundry at the truck stop!!! I hear they have a salad bar with fresh iceberg lettuce!!! MMMmmmmI love this trail!!!Applesauce I hope your belly feels happier tommorrow AND you guys rock the festival! I turn 31 in two days!!! I hope I get some presents from the animals that aren't stinky!
Date: 2006-04-25
From: Fullhardt Knob Shelter

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

Wildflower list...Lady Slippers, Trillium, Dutchmen's Breeches, Dwarf Crested Iris,Violets, Bluets and counting....Today we reached the 1/3 mileage mark! WOW!
Date: 2006-04-27
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Glasgow Ma and Pa's
Miles today: 24.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Skipping by fields of Trillium and deciding to do extra miles into town so we can eat like pigs and take a shower so we don't smell like pigs no more. SO the diner is closed but the Dollar General is serving up quite a feast!! We would also like to send out a big Thank You to John and Molly who not only gave us a lift into town but waited until we were sure to have a place to stay! Thanks John! I hope all is going well with your backpacking!!
Date: 2006-04-28
From: Glasgow Ma and Pa's

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: light rain

Well it took us three hours today to hitch on out of Glasgow but finally when the local police came by to see what we were up to they decided to take us back to the trailhead. Service with a smile....As we were on the way to our destination we passed by a memorial which read...Here marks the exact spot where Little Ottie Cline Powell's body was found. At 5 years old he wandered away from school and was found dead atop Bluff Mountain 7 miles away. We made smores with his spirit and Cedar Moe too late this night.....
Date: 2006-04-30
From: Swingalong Hill Camp

To: Harper's Creek Shelter
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today the talk is all about shoes and how much mice like to eat them. I also decided today to wreck some shoes by cutting a hole in them to let my pinky toe(which was horribly blistered)free....oh boy...at least I can walk again.
Date: 2006-05-03
From: Waynesboro

To: Black Rock HUt
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

Tanks Bill for getting us back to the trail!!!NOW we get to eat our way through the Shenandoah's!!But wait one of the stores is closed...that is just completely unfair...we are going to have to carry enough food for two whole days now. What a total drag.
Date: 2006-05-04
From: Black Rock HUt

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: clear sky

A word to the wise....make sure to have dollar bills and at all times. I can't believe the soda machines won't take a twenty. Well it sure was hot today and even though I got out of bed first hell definitely was not freezing over. We visited the Simmon's Gap ranger station and D. Beers (real nam) sold me some soda out of the knidness of his heart...but he was keeping all of the jello pudding snacks for himself! We have a new hiking friend named Sundancer and he put us in his newspaper...so now we are like so famous!
Date: 2006-05-05
From: Hightop Hut

To: RockSpring Hut
Miles today: 23.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Holy smokes we are moving and scaring alot a deer along the way. We are going to try roping some deer into carrying our packs for us as our feet are hurting and Lug is experiencing the worst of it due to new shoes. Maybe we'll find some red slippers that Silverstreak left behind.
Date: 2006-05-06
From: RockSpring Hut

To: Pass Mtn. Hut
Miles today: 15.3

Our friends Liezel and Fletch came to meet us on the trail....they were great and brought us alot of food to eat which we begrudgingly shared with them and others. I had to punch Cedar Moe in the eye because he tried to steal my cheese stick. Lug was busy steam rolling fletch for simply eyeing up his cocoa. I tell ya it sure is getting harsh out here. BUT seriously we had a great time with our friends and huge feasts were had. I did steal there cheese sticks though..we ate the last two today which is the 11th. MMmmmmmm thanks Liezel and Fletch!!!!By the way....Lug likes Turkey hot dogs but not piggy ones.
Date: 2006-05-07
From: Pass Mtn. Hut

To: Gravel Spring Hut
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up late today....cuz we had friends around. Ate some more food(we love you guys)Got to take a short day and met some new friends Chestnut, two shoes and restless a 2001 thru-hiker. We love Organic Cheese Sticks
Date: 2006-05-08
From: Gravel Spring Hut

To: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Stone walls as far as the eye can see...we are going to a shelter which is rumored to have chairs....and it does only they are outside and it is raining. It is cold and wet and we are sad with cold and wet hands. BUT Cedar Moe is here and his spirit is warming...but not as much as Firefly's flaming shirt.....mmmm firefly.
Date: 2006-05-09
From: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Cool Apple treee sunrise...fields of trillium....bunnies....trail magic sodas.....tobacco....BBQ..and a ton of thru hikers with lots of laughter..BY THE WAY>>>BIG HUGETHANKS TO TWO SHOES FOR THE AQUA MIRA!!! SAVED THE DAY OR MORE LIKE THREE!!!!!
Date: 2006-05-10
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: David Lesser Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: broken clouds

Strap yourselves in kids it's time to hit the roller coaster...ups and downs all day but you get to eat hamburgers at the Horseshoe Curve and drink cold soda at Bears Den but ya gotta be 58 inches to ride...NO EXCEPTIONS! Tommorrow we head into Harper's Ferry to meet up with Lugs' Folks Paul and Mary and we couldn't be happier!!!! Today we also left Virginia and headed into West Virginia and reached the 1000 mile mark!! Holy Crap that's alot of walking! Well...we'll see you out there!!
Date: 2006-05-11
From: David Lesser Shelter

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: mist

Well we have made it here to Harper's Ferry, the psychological mid-point of the trail. We got our pictures taken by Restless at the ATC and we were numbers 53 and 54 for the class of 2006 thru-hikers. Paul and Mary met up with us and proceeded to help us stuff our faces with all sorts of yumminess. Cookies and ice cream pizza and soda mmmmmmm. We spent the rest of the day sharing stories and resuppling our gear. In Boonsboro there is a bookstore called Turn The Page and we spent alot of time there updating our journals and sending e-mails and all that good stuff. Big thanks to the folks there! Also a huge Thank You to Paul and Mary Blayney who gave us the royal treatment!!! We are off tomorrow in search of Maryland and then the famed PA rocks....
Date: 2006-05-12
From: Harper's Ferry

To: Rocky Run Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Today the hike starts out along the C&O canal following the old donkey trail...parts of the canal still have water in them and we saw otters and turtles galore. It is completely flat and wide like an old railroad bed. I was dreaming that the entire trail was this way but soon realized I'd probably get bored....met another thru-hiker today named Opa at the Ed Garvey shelter, which is really nice...by the by....
Date: 2006-05-13
From: Rocky Run Shelter

To: Biohazard Camp
Miles today: 26.2

Today we have been recieving a lesson in the history of our civil war as the trail runs through Maryland and over old battlefields. The earth and remaining architecture is rich with the memory of our predecessors. We recieved good news that our friend Tank is back on the trail again so it with happy hearts that we will finally enter my homestate of Pennsylvania....I hope it's not rocky.
Date: 2006-05-14
From: Biohazard Camp

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 27.2
Weather: overcast clouds

So everyone is probably wondering...I know I am.....Why biohazard camp? Well, the story goes as follows...."Wow, look at this nice spot by the creek" said Zama. "It's great!"said Lug. "Let's stay" they said in unison and kissed sloppily under the trees...but the next morning when they woke and crossed the river....the sign said, "BAD WATER sewage plant upriver do not drink." So now we are just waiting for a little dysentery or hepatitis to kick in a make our trip a little more colorful...but while we are waiting lets do back to back marathon days because I hear Root is bringing chocolate cake to Pine Grove Furnace.....mmmmm cake.....mmmmm ecoli.
Date: 2006-05-15
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: Pine Grove Furnace
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: moderate rain

Today was alittle bit bi-polar. I awoke to a steaming infected toe. I hate that toe. It was raining...alot. AND when did it get cold again....will someone please give me some gloves? BUT if we hustle we can get to cake and warm showers and a cabin in the park. We did some good work and made it to the halfway point today and just in time to meet up with Root and Peacemaker who are getting back on the trail after a little well deserved R&R for various broken bones and other nagging problems. Root rented us the cabin across from the general store. It was fully furnished slept six and cost 47 bucks a night....quite the steal. It was great to get caught back up and see them again....but now it is time to eat.......
Date: 2006-05-16
From: Pine Grove Furnace

To: James Frye Shelter
Miles today: 7.2

We are kickin it with Root and Peacemaker and takin some easy miles...trying to get my toe to cooperate and get better and get Mom's gear up to snuff or actually down to as little as she actually needs to carry. It has been nice to see them and the terrain through this part of Pennsylvania has been really wonderful. I haven't seen one single rock yet, they must have put them in storage for the winter....maybe we will just eke on by. Shhhh let's go quietly!!!!
Date: 2006-05-17
From: James Frye Shelter

To: Alec Kennedy Shelter
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we were reunited with Bluebird and Abandon. It was good to see them again and also to trashtalk that one guy...you know the one with that one gal....yeah now ya got it...but seriously we had some great conversation and they met Root and Peacemaker....thankfully Root didn't bust out any baby pictures or anything cuz that would have been really embarassing....Lug also witnessed a local chap freeing a marmot...I thought it was cool too until I found out a marmot is also known as a Groundhog. Now all I hear all day is Bill Murray and Caddyshack over and over and over......Root and Peacemaker are doing a great job!!!
Date: 2006-05-18
From: Alec Kennedy Shelter

To: Appalachian Motor Inn
Miles today: 11.9

We walked on flat trail today....found some ticks on ourselves....went to boiling springs where presidents fish and ducks are everywhere...met up with Fred and ate ourselves into silliness and did laundry and lost some socks BUT the coolest thing that happened today was this morning while Lug and I were having breakfast an Owl came cruisin' by went to land about 3 feet from us an decided to keep on going when he noticed our presence...we have seen 4 owls now, I am in bird heaven.
Date: 2006-05-19
From: Appalachian Motor Inn

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: light rain

We're going to drink some beer...hurrah...hurrah..we're going to eat some food hurrah...hurrah...we're tired hikers ans fell asleep.....wahwah....try not to say it too loud but we went to the Doyle hotel today for our Doyle experience and we pretty much slept through it...It really was great though!! The folks there treat you right and from what we hear the food and beer is REAL good. Oh yeah by the by...we saw some rocks today! Lug says,"and a snake too!!!!"
Date: 2006-05-20
From: Duncannon

To: Delirium Flats
Miles today: 21.5

We hiked over and under rocks alllll day long today espying fly fisherman and alot of litter. When finally we made it to our campsite we looked all over for a raw sewage sign and not seeing one bedded down for the night. It was real nice to see mom and friends....by the by I forgot to mention that Darwin peacemakers son is out picking up a couple of section too! I really miss chairs.
Date: 2006-05-21
From: Delirium Flats

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 24.8
Weather: light rain

We were going to take a bit of an easier day but when we got to our propsed stopping off point we found out that Firefly and Feather some friends of ours were due back from trail days and rumored to be at the 501 shelter....so off we went over rocks and a cool bridge, Waterville Iron Bridge, and holy crap we have less than 1,000 miles to go!!!Well...incase evryone is wondering, yep we caught em in our nets....Firefly and Feather you cannot escape...now we just need to get that pesky little Scout.
Date: 2006-05-22
From: 501 Shelter

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Supposedly we haven't seen any rocks yet except for the pop rocks at the Port Clinto peanut shop! I love that place! Also the folks in Port Clinton and the 3'C's restaurant are great! Supposedly the hotel has good burgers but request you shower first. Hmmm? I would like to shower too but not if I am requested to do so...I am a little stubborn that way. Luckily they were closed on Monday's so I didn't even have to get myself worked up over it!!! YAY!!It is so nice to be able to talk to Feather and Firefly again.
Date: 2006-05-23
From: Port Clinton

To: Allentown Shelter
Miles today: 22.6

Yellow blazers make us grumpy, black snakes make us jumpy and my bee sting made me lumpy.We met Pig Pen today. He hiked in 2005 with Feather and was finishing up a small section that he missed...we like the way he laughs but I am out of umpy words so we'll just say it was cool.I like candy too.
Date: 2006-05-24
From: Allentown Shelter

To: Cushy Cushion Camp
Miles today: 22.7

Well, let's just say that I am pretty sick of folks complaining about the Pa rocks. I say get over it and have fun! Besides the rocks Pennsylvania does in fact Rock! The shelters have been awesome and the ascents and descents mostly benign. I love the rocks too! They are pretty and fun to lick like lollipops! Lehigh Gap was a cool scramble and try as we might we just could not find Metallica spring so we hitched in Little Gap for water and subs and slept on the side of the road but not in a ditch we do have some integrity!
Date: 2006-05-26
From: Wind Gap

To: Deleware Water Gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: light rain

Wow are we taking a shower again and eating chocalte peanut butter pudding pie washed down with a large cheese pizza and a 2 foot long tukey sub for dessert. Thank God I thought I was dreaming but alas I was a wake and now my belly hurts....but in a REAL good way!Congrats PIGPEN!!!!!!!!It was great to be a part of your exciting finishing day on the AT!!!!! Good job man!
Date: 2006-05-27
From: Deleware Water Gap

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: light rain

Wow, Stevie and Laura have earned the pop tart medal of honor. One of the highest honors ever bestowed on "trail angels" in case you were wondering it was definitely frosted too! They came to DWG and gave us the royal treatment!! Thanks so much to you both it really meant alot to LUG and of course to me too! BUT I hereby vow to find a way to spoil you both in kind retribution for you actions in DWG and for all of the support you have bestowed upon us. Today we slept in rattlesnake country...LUG is still shaking...ha ha ha.....
Date: 2006-05-28
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: clear sky

Death to all mosquitos. If I had a zillion dollars I would pay 10 year olds across the world 1 dollar per mosquito corpse. I really do hate them. The mosquito not the ten year olds....I just kinda dislike them. On a good note we got a standing ovation today from a gaggle of school kids...that was sweet. AND we met a couple at the evil mosquito hide-out by the names of Andy and Jill and they gave us food and good coversation. Tomorrow we are going to go to High Point State Park because it's Memorial day and we are going on vacation....we've decided to take a couple of hours off mid-day and go picknicking...gasp. Actually they have a concession stand and a lake. See ya'll there!!
Date: 2006-05-29
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: Secret Shelter
Miles today: 18.3

When we got to the park today the lake was infested with children and they weren't killing mosquitos so we just ate cheesy fries from the concession stand and took showers and watched all of the people...especially the cute guy behind the counter at the concession stand. MMMmmmm even Lug thought he was cute...Well we are off to the secret shelter which is on this guys property just south of unionville. We hear it has a shower and maybe some pinball machines.....