morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-04-18
From: Greasy Creek Gap

To: Greasy Creek Gap
Miles today: 0.6

Technically, a zero day... once the rain let up, I quickly packed my tent (this was around 10:00 am) and went down the gap to Greasy Creek Friendly (instead of Greasy Creek Hostel).The owner, CC (or Connie, or Cornelia), welcomed me as she was saying goodbye to her overnight guests. I got some snacks while I waited and helped CC format her breakfast menu, for which she was really appreciative. I was happy to be of service and use some of my computer skills.The other guests were watching the John Candy movie, The Great Outdoors, an all-time favorite of one of the guests. Later, when no-one was watching anything, CC encouraged me to pick a movie. I selected Best in Show, which I think is hilarious (as did CC), but none of the other guests got the humor of the Christopher Guest improv ensemble. Argh.Later, CC was kind enough to provide shuttle service for me to the Wal-Mart in Erwin to get fuel. Well, it would have been $30, because Erwin was 20 miles away. But another couple decided to split the cost, so it was $15 (less painful... AND we got to go to McDonald's, too). CC, a person who is self-described as ADD or ADHD, was sunny and chatty the entire drive to and from the store, even when talking about painful or serious topics. I can tell she enjoys having guests and interacting with them.After we returned, I said my goodbyes and got back up to my campsite from the night before, fuel in hand, where I later met Slugger (a guy from Louisville). However, I did not need the fuel, because I was still stuffed from McDonalds. The night was wet, as was my tent as I set it up, but it was tolerable and I slept poorly because I had so much caffeine to drink that day. A common mistake I make when going into town... too many diet Cokes, Dr. Pepper's, or tall glasses of iced tea.
Date: 2012-04-19
From: Greasy Creek Gap

To: Overmountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: overcast clouds

16.4 mile day, with .7 extra mileage on side trips.Got to hike on BRAND NEW TRAIL around Hughes Gap. You could actually tell where last year's Trail ran in one direction and you could see the new landscaping and fresh new blazes painted for this year's Trail.Hiked over Jane Bald. Views of Roan Mountain, which was a bear to climb.Made the extra trip to Overmountain Shelter, a converted red barn in a field at the top of a deep valley.
Date: 2012-04-20
From: Overmountain Shelter

To: Mountain Harbour Hostel
Miles today: 10.0

Hiked from Overmountain, across Hump Mountain, which had the MOST AMAZING VIEWS on the Trail...   most people comment on the beauty of other spots... I am usually less than impressed. But Hump Mountain was incredible.For some reason, I had calculated a 22 mile day, so I ended up stopping in between Roan Mountain, TN and Elk Park, NC. Signs to a steak house, offering free rides to hikers, were tempting, but it was only 2:00 pm and I had forgotten to eat lunch. I stopped at the side of the road to eat one of my pepperoni and cheese tortilla burritos, watching other hikers arrive from their hitchhiking and depart, still assuming that I could make 22 miles. Finally, I relented and walked down the hill to Mountain Harbour Hostel, where I learned I could tent for $5, get a shower for $3, get a ride to Bob's Dairyland for ice cream and a big burger (with a great salad, too), and enjoy the hostel environment with friends like Hot Feet (the other guy with pink Crocs), Shenanigans and Secrets. Everyone in the hostel watched John Carpenter's The Thing with Kurt Russell before bed. The stuff of nightmares. Oh, that and the fact that there was only one toilet for more than a dozen of us.
Date: 2012-04-21
From: Mountain Harbour Hostel

To: Vango Abby Hostel
Miles today: 12.0

After tossing and turning all night (for some reason, my sleeping bag was insanely warm, and I did not have any caffeine on this visit to town, so... go figure...), I woke up early for an AMAZING breakfast buffet in the Bed & Breakfast. For only $9, we had a wide variety of items, all homemade, and exactly what you would expect from a gourmet B&B... but for $9! We all watched the wide-screen TV reports from The Weather Channel... thunderstorms today and all weekend. Yikes! We all knew that we had better get to our destinations by early afternoon.As we hiked up the hills, Secrets passed by and told me he and Shenanigans are going to get married on the top of Katahdin when they arrive there. I thought he might have been joking, so I asked him about it again later, and he confirmed he was serious. What a Trail story THAT will be!Passed by Jones Falls and had lunch there... really nice little spot. I saw some trail maintenance folks sporting their AT badges with many years of service on them. Later, I got one of the volunteers to help me paint a white blaze on the top of my Tilley hat (she let me do it while telling me she did not want her supervisor to see us!). Now THAT is the kind of Trail souvenir I can keep with me for awhile. Passed by Mountaineer Falls, where Secrets and Shenanigans were doing laundry at the base of the falls. I skipped joining them at the Mountaineer Falls shelter, as I wanted to make it halfway to Kincora by staying at Vango Abby Hostel for the night. Also, it had rained for a bit earlier and I knew I was in for a downpour... which dumped rain on me, drenching me from head to toe.Arrived at the hostel... it is a "do it yourself" experience... all the business is conducted through a slot in a door. I felt like I was buying crack!Got to take a hot shower, but the washing machine was on the fritz, so I could only dry my rain-soaked clothing, making them smell even more like wet dog. Got a Tombstone pizza, Ben & Jerry's, some sodas and snacks... but Trail Junk Food just isn't any fun when no-one else is around.FINALLY staying in a bunk house, primarily because I am the only person here and I will not bug anyone with my snoring. Unfortunately, they have mice and there is poop all around the floors and on the computer desk. Ugh. BUT, I am getting to use a computer, which is worth its weight in gold.On to Kincora tomorrow! AND, I will be seeing my parents for the first time in Damascus on April 26th, which will be great, because we have been communicating so much over the phone, through emails and texts... and I am sure Dad and I will get to enjoy breakfast together at Cracker Barrel. Hurray for country ham biscuits!
Date: 2012-04-22
From: Vango Abby Hostel

To: Black Bear Resort
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: light rain

Left the lonely Vango Abby hostel to hike to Kincora... a rather popular place on the AT because of Bob Peoples, who does so much for AT hikers and to help maintain the Trail. The hostel is run on an honor system. For a $5 donation, you can stay the night (for up to three days). For those who have just arrived, Bob will take them into Elizabethton to the IGA to resupply, which is next to a Little Caesar's and an Arby's, for a quick dinner. From a hiking perspective, the day was great. Very foggy, but no rain for most of the day, so there were no bugs to distract me as I hiked. At some points, I was surprised at how silent it was, but I guessed the birds were staying in their nests to keep warm and dry.After a quick, and incredibly chilly, lunch at Moreland Gap Shelter, I pressed on to Kincora. Unfortunately, it started raining again around 3:00 pm, just as I was approaching the shelter. As I arrived, I learned they were full, but one of the property managers told me I could bunk down in the woodshed. On a "normal" night, I would have been happy to tent/bunk outside, in a shelter from the rain. However, the temperatures were dropping into the 30's, and I could tell it would be too uncomfortable to sleep outside.I made the $5 for the hostel and took advantage of the ride into town so I could visit the Arby's and get a few things at IGA to hold me over until Damascus. When we got back, I decided it would be much too cold, so I asked Otto (another thru-hiker who lives at Kincora when not hiking) to call Black Bear Resort for a ride.Stephanie (daughter of the family that owns Black Bear) picked me and another hiker (Miles) up in her minivan... he had just gotten off the Trail and was soaking wet, shivering from the cold. The Breuers just purchased Black Bear in November, so this was their first experience with a large group of hikers all at once. About a dozen of us packed into the cabins and bunkhouse for the night, where all the rooms had heat! With snow in the forecast for tomorrow, I think I am going to have to zero here.
Date: 2012-04-23
From: Black Bear Resort

To: Black Bear Resort
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

First night in a hostel bunkroom in awhile... was worried about my snoring, but my bunkmates snored just as bad as I do! Taking a zero day, as it is snowing outside this morning. Was able to get a hot shower and do my laundry, too. Making new friends like Miles, Trophy Wife, Cowtail while watching movies with old friends like Wolfe in the resort's "rec room". We are all gathered around the heater to keep warm.Will resume hiking tomorrow morning... freeze watch from now until Tuesday morning at 9:00 am.After a long trip to Wal-Mart (we split the cost of a shuttle to town for lunch and a resupply), I returned to BBR and my cousin Tom surprised me by driving over from Kingsport, TN to take me out to dinner at a Johnson City German restaurant.
Date: 2012-04-25
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 23.1
Weather: clear sky

Okay, it was really a 22.7 mile day, but I had to go down a very steep hill to get to the water at the shelter, which added .4 to the day. I am counting every step!I considered today a "1% Day", because I accomplished one percent of the length of the Appalachian Trail (which would have been 21.84 miles!).Nokey really encouraged me to keep going, and I made it to the shelter by 7:50 pm. As soon as I arrived, I went down the hill to the spring to get water and it immediately started raining. Grr.Flash and Snagglefoot arrived around 9 or 9:30.Only one more day and ten more miles to Damascus!!
Date: 2012-04-26
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

Got up "early" at 7:00 am and started hiking at 8:00 am. Unfortunately, it started raining at 9:00 am and continued until noon. It made for a frustrating day, but at least I am in Damascus.I got a room at Dave's Place (which is across from Mt. Rogers Outfitters) and waited for my parents to show up.I took my laundry down to the laundromat, but discovered they were out of soap and quarters. The Exxon market across the street was out of soap, too, so I walked all the way back to Dollar General. While I was there, I had an "epiphany" to do some hiker magic and purchased a huge container of detergent, writing "Hiker Soap, compliments of DirtyGirl" on the container, and returned it to the laundromat for everyone to use. I also purchased body wash and shampoo for the hostel shower, so everyone could share.Later, I discovered the laundry detergent and shampoo were stolen by a homeless person. So frustrating. But that is another story for another day.Mom & Dad arrived and we were able to run down to Abingdon, where they had gotten me a room in their hotel. They brought all of the boxes I had shipped home, so I could organize by season and prepare for my next resupply in Pearisburg. I got a snack at Wendy's while they explored the little town, which also allowed me time to go through my hiker supplies and organize them. Later, we went to Cracker Barrel for dinner and I was able to watch some of my favorite shows on TV, including Rachel Maddow on MSNBC and the Daily Show with Jon Stewart on Comedy Central.Of course, I was up late again, because I have become more sensitive to caffeine and had made the mistake of having a diet Coke in the afternoon. D'oh!
Date: 2012-04-27
From: Damascus

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

Enjoyed spending the day today with my parents, who have earned the Trail names "Cracker Barrel" and "Cookie Tin", because we got to go have dinner at the former and Mom brought me her amazing peanut butter & Hershey Kiss cookies to share with my fellow hikers.A donor had contributed a camera to my hike, which I was able to use on the JMT, as well as the first part of the AT, but the battery cover would keep popping open. Luckily, my donor had purchased a service guarantee, so I was able to return it and get a new one for a few bucks more.After Mom & Dad dropped me off, I spent the evening with my Trail friends at Quincy's, a local pizza joint. After dinner, and while we were hanging out, I noticed that someone had posted on Facebook that a friend in San Francisco had passed away. That news caught me off-guard, because I had just seen him before my hike and didn't realize he had been sick.For whatever reason, this brought up a rush of emotions regarding San Francisco and the Trail... from Ken's death, to the PAWS gala, to the 75th Anniversary of the Golden Gate Bridge, to the latest movie marathon at the Castro Theatre... I just felt like I was missing so many things happening back home, and wondered all at once why I was still on the Trail. I got up from the table to pay my bill, then went across the street to Dollar General, and bought a box of ice cream bars and took them back to the hostel next door. I tried to get my mind off my emotions by reading old issues of the New Yorker, AT Journeys, and LIFE magazine stacked in the living room, while I "ate my feelings" and consumed the box of Creamsicles.Secrets was nice enough to come across the street and check in with me, probably because I had just disappeared while we were all having fun. I told him about my frustrations and the feelings passed, however, once I was able to talk about it with a friend.
Date: 2012-04-28
From: Damascus, VA

To: Beech Mountain Road
Miles today: 18.4

Really, this SHOULD say "Beech Mountain Road" TO Damascus. We did our first slack pack day, which meant we hired a shuttle to take us up to Beech Mountain Road so we could hike back to Damascus and stay the night again. Without a 50 pound pack on my back, I was able to complete 18 miles in 6 hours!When I returned to claim my pack, I found that a homeless person who had stolen my hiker magic detergent and shampoo had left it out where I could see it, so I stole it back and donated it to The Place, a hostel run by a local church. I am tenting there tonight after a visit to the Pizza Plus all you can eat buffet!
Date: 2012-04-29
From: Beech Mountain Road

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After slack-packing yesterday, we stayed in the yard at a local church's hostel. This morning, I attended services at the church (as they had been so hospitable and only asked $6 as a donation for camping/showers on-site). The topic of the sermon was "the importance of listening" (insert joke here about how I did not hear the rest of the message). Hot Feet and The Flash were also in attendance, too.After the service and lunch, we waited for our shuttle, which got us up to the Trail at 2:45, so we could resume the AT from Beech Mountain Road. We left a few minutes early, but I forgot my walking sticks (a gift from a generous donor), so we returned to the outfitters to pick them up (I was mortified for making the group late... even if it was only 10 minutes behind schedule). As we only had a half-day remaining, we hiked up to Thomas Knob Shelter for the night.
Date: 2012-04-30
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Hurricane Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

After leaving the shelter, we passed through the Fatman Squeeze rock tunnel on the way to Grayson Highlands State Park. I had a pony come up to me and lick all the salt off my left arm. I was amazed that it happened, but learned later that most of the ponies on the highlands are tame and were approaching many of the hikers for attention (or treats, more likely!).Afterwards, we descended Stone Mountain, passing through The Scales, a high-elevation livestock corral. Back in the day, the livestock would graze in the mountains, then be sold at auction. However, on their way down the mountain, they would drop weight (See? Hiking is great for everyone aerobically!), and sell for less at the markets in the valley. So, the sales were moved to The Scales, where the animals were closer to their original weight.That night, I camped near Hurricane Mountain Shelter. Hurricane Mountain seemed like an appropriate name, as we experienced a hail storm with marble/moth-ball sized hail at 6:30 pm. Thankfully, I was already set up in my little tent and was oblivious to the hail. There are some times I am really happy that I am carrying a two-man extra-long tent. When it is buggy or rainy outside, I can hide inside, and have plenty of space to spread out all of my gear, without feeling claustrophobic. The only downside is the weight of the tent, which I feel in my back when I attempt any mileages over 15 or 16 per day.
Date: 2012-05-01
From: Hurricane Mountain Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: broken clouds

Ouch! 19.9 miles is painful, but it is always nice when you run across Trail Magic... and the magicians (or Trail Angels) themselves. Jerry and Sherry from Valley View Baptist just so happened to be filling the trail magic coolers as we stopped by, so I got to take a photo of them (which I will add to this Journal once I am at a compatible computer). For the record, Jerry and Sherry have two kids, Ethan and Nathan.Back to the 19.9 miles! Today, we had a goal of going to Partnership Shelter, which is right beside the Visitors Center, staffed by the Friends of Mt. Rogers. The shelter has a shower and the Visitors Center phone allows you to call for pizza delivery. However, you do not find out until later that the pizzas are $20 each. Yikes!So, our merry little band decided to break with tradition and we were able to get a shuttle ride from a former thru-hiker to town. Trophy Wife and Snagglefoot went to the Wal-Mart and picked up brats and hot dogs for the grill. I chipped in so they could get charcoal for the grill (rather than try to build a fire from sticks and twigs). Since they were going to the store, I had them pick up hamburger meat and buns, as well as my favorite Heinz 57 Sauce, Cape Cod kettle chips, and DoubleStuf Oreos (the latter which I shared with the group... just keep your mitts off my kettle chips). Drinking at the campsite was frowned upon, as we noticed a huge sign that said NO ALCOHOL, but somehow Mike's Hard Lemonade appeared in my Gatorade bottle as others discovered beer in theirs. The mysteries of the shelter may never be explained.I feel like I have found my tribe at this point, and it is frustrating when I cannot keep up with the younger, faster hikers. But it is so affirming when I can make the other hikers laugh at my jokes, and one of the hikers has even slowed down her pace so she can hang out with our group!We had fun grilling out (I really do think the Matchlight charcoal helped)... Nokey was able to make my burgers turn out perfectly. The gang stuffed themselves on brats, dogs, and beer until lights out, then we cleaned up, took everything to the dumpster, and headed to bed. It is going to be hard to hike tomorrow after drinking five of those mystery Mike's.
Date: 2012-05-02
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: light rain

Hiked from Partnership Shelter (past some historic sites, like the Lindamood Schoolhouse) to Atkins, where I stayed at the Bates Motel's younger sister, the Relax Inn. There was very little relaxation, as we were next door to a house with a swastika displayed in the window. Fun.The bright spot in the visit to Atkins was The Barn Restaurant. They had terrific Hiker Burgers (16 ounces of ground beef) and fries. And Heinz 57 Sauce! I ended up eating lunch, dinner, and breakfast there the next morning.Unfortunately, in my rush to do my laundry in the one (out of three) working washing machines, I laundered my telephone. Thankfully, I have insurance and for a fee, got the replacement sent to my parents' house. I will get it from them when I meet up with my dad in Pearisburg.I used my calling card to check in with folks back home... unfortunately, I got a lot of answering machines, as most folks don't recognize the 540 area code. However, I got to speak with John and Steve at the National AIDS Memorial Grove for awhile and heard about all the recent activities, including a visit by Speaker Pelosi to the volunteer work day. The Speaker was instrumental in getting the Grove recognized as a national memorial 20 years ago (and only 10 years into the AIDS crisis).I talked to John and Steve about the loneliness I am experiencing, as well as the "stinkin' thinkin'", as it is called in recovery circles. Being by myself for so long results in a lot of bad memories being rehashed over and over in my head. Sometimes I just feel so alone, as I am hiking by myself. It is comforting to know that I am TRULY NOT ALONE, because I know I can reach out to friends by phone, through Facebook, and I have "fans" reading my Trail Journal... like YOU are now. Thank you!
Date: 2012-05-03
From: Atkins, VA

To: Lynn Camp Creek
Miles today: 14.5

18.5 miles? I am insane. But I am now officially past the 25% mark! Now, it is on to 600 miles, 33% mark, 1,000 miles, the psychological halfway point of Harpers Ferry, the actual halfway point in Pennsylvania, etc. etc.Thankfully, along the way, I discovered some Trail Magic from Lumbermack ('06) at O'Lystery Pavillion (it is a mystery why it's called O'Lystery). I do not care where it is from, orange soda tastes just a sweet when it is cold and flowing from a tin can.
Date: 2012-05-04
From: Lynn Camp Creek

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: overcast clouds

What a long day... as I started to type this post, I thought "I have no recollection of what happened, other than lots of hiking." And then I looked at my AT Guide notes... and OH, YES... When we stopped at Chestnut Knob Shelter (a concrete block shelter, fully enclosed, with an actual door - an architectural oddity on the AT), there was a guy named Provisions living in the shelter. Not sure how long, but later registers showed that he left Pearisburg heading this direction on April 25th. In that register, he signed his name Pro Visions and mentioned "some date in April", though he was clearly signing in on April 25th, based on the entries surrounding his. He had longer blonde hair in a short ponytail and a red beard, which curled at the tip. He reminded me of an elf. Other hikers mentioned the weird conversations... I only stayed a few moments to eat some gorp, because the vibe was totally weird. As I was there, I heard him attempt to engage Krispy Kreme in conversation with "Have you ever wielded a broadsword? You totally have the shoulders for it." We started to tell Krispy Kreme he was the one true Highlander and the broadsword joke had a great deal of mileage that night at the shelter.