morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-04-10
From: Rock Spring Shelter

To: Pass Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.3

Someone started stirring and got up and within 5 minuttes everybody else got up too. Not quite sure what that effect is called. I was the last to leave the shelter but before I did so I exchanged phone numbers with Mike, who was out for the weekend. He had invited me to stay with him and his family if I decided to go to Washington DC. hiked the 4 miles to Skyland where I met up with Dodger and lo and behold Bear was also sitting right there. We all stayed at Skyland talking til 13:00 - we had a lot of talk to catch up with as I had been following Bear's entries since I started from Springer a week later than him. Dodger took off walking the skyline and Bear and I walked together stopping at Stony Man, the Pinnacles, and Mary Rocks. They were all great overlooks. I especially liked the Pinnacles. Bear and I had to will ourselves to leave the great spots since the sun was out and these would be some of the last great overlooks for a long time until reaching the higher mountains again up further north. It was 20:00 just before dark as we rolled into camp at Pass Mountain Shelter. Cooked a great dinner with bearvalley vegetable soup (Compliments of Tambourine Trail Magic) and then magic happened: Bear pulled out a beer, one for all of us and Dodger pulls out this great pepperoni he had been given by another hiker at Skyland - what a feast we had.
Date: 2006-04-11
From: Pass Mountain Shelter

To: Gravel Springs
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

I thought I could sneak up early and get going but as so often before, one gets up and all gets up. At least I got 5 minuttes head start so I could hike alone for a little while. As I left the shelter a little rabbit was out foraging for his breakfst. Continuing on the trail I saw about 19-21 deer within half an hour. THe last two deer were less than 10 ft away from me as met met face to face coming around a sharp curve in the trail. The day was hot and sunny ~70F. Around noon we all: Dan, Dodger, Bear, and I met at Elkwallow Wayside where we shared a cold drink and a really good blackberry milkshake. Off we went again each on their own. I spent a couple of hours at the hanggliding site as there were a great view all the way to Front Royal. Dodger came by to talk a little and left again. Bear also stopped by and I followed him to the shelter as I was about to get too much sun. On the way there Bear stopped and talked to a couple of ladies and I went on to get out of the sun. Dan was already there at the shelter and Dodger came in at the same time as I. 5 minuttes later Bear came yelling down the mountain "Close your eyes". When we were allowed to open them again Bear had covered the picnic table with goodies: cookies, chocolate, fresh pineapple, radishes, salad, soup, fig newtons, cake, and much more - for a minute everybody was just speechless completely astonished trying to grasp the reality of seeing so much good food all at once. Then we got moving eating quite a bit of the food. Everybody at the shelter partaked in the feast. We were all full to the pont of not even needing a night snack (Something almost unheard of for a thru-hiker) Many thankful thoughts were sent to the trail angels. The four of us crawled in our sleeping bags out underneath the stars.
Date: 2006-04-12
From: Gravel Springs

To: Tom Floyd Wayside Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Short day as we wanted to be in front Royal by tomorrow morning. we said our good byes to Daddy Long Leg, Dan's new trail name. Today was our last day in mountains over 2500 ft until we reach Greylock further north. Stopped at Compton Gap after which we went down to see Terrapin Hostel was open - nobody home! Dodger and I went down to Chester Gap to revisit a waterfall that Dodger had helped clean up ten years ago. It needed a little cleaning again but nothing like what it had needed then with all that trash. It is sad that people just dump their trash at these beautiful place when you have trash cans and landfills that should serve that purpose. We bought a surprise beer to bring up to the shelter to share with Bear. Arriving at the shelter Daddy Long Leg had left us a present: half a bag of flour tortillas. Uhmm, it tasted so good with some tuna and a few packages of condiments. Then we cooked up another feast of chicken flavored pasta, cheese, garlic, and summer sausage. Food is almost always on our mind out here.
Date: 2006-04-13
From: Tom Floyd Wayside Shelter

To: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: scattered clouds

At least we TRIED to get up early. It rained during the night but at 5:00 as I woke up it finally stopped. On our way to Front Royal Mike from Terrapin Hostel picked us up and gave us a ride into town. Bear went to the library, Dodger was gone to the grocery store, and I went off to the book store. We visiting several stores including a true old-fashioned general store, Subway, Laundromat, and at Mt Mystic Trading Co (they gave Dodger and I a gift, which we first thought was a piece of hard candy but it turned out to be special rocks). Late afternoon Dodger and I finally wrestled loose from all the town attractions. Phew, it seemed like it was uphill the entire way to the shelter - should never have bought that Calvin & Hobbes Comic Book (In the store it had been too cheap and too funny to pass up!) The Denton shelter was absolutely fantastic one of the better ones on the trail. It had a covered cooking area, a solar shower (cold showers right now with all the clouds), and a huge front deck with benches. A family and their dogs were already there so it became quite a cozy evening sitting there talking and it was greatly improved as Dodger pulled out a bottle of wine that we all shared. He had bought that as a surprise.
Date: 2006-04-14
From: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: light rain

Weather did not look its best but I guess you cna't enjoy the sun as much if there were no rain. I had already walked a bit and had Manassas Gap Shelter in view before the rain started dripping - it was time for a shelter break. I only had a few steps left to reach the shelter as a groundhog ran out from underneath the shelter floor. It went across the trail and started down the hill when it turned around and gave me that look "this is really my place and you better be gone when I come back". Then the groundhog was gone. Ten minutes went by and the rain never got very serious so I started hiking again. Next stop: Dick's Dome Shelter. It was looking really run down as the shingles were falling off the walls, however, it did not seem to leak from the roof, though had the wind been any stronger than the light breeze rain, rain would have blown in soaking everybody who would have been in the shelter. The location, however, was rally neat with a stream running and it being in a little hollow. Only 9 more miles to Rod Hollow Shelter. On my walkI saw a couple of Trilliums. One was fully opened the other lacking one more day. The trail passes through Sky Meadows State Park. A very small park compared to the Smokies and the Shenandoahs but the trail goes up over some big meadows with some great views. Standing up there on top of the hill I could see far below and into the horizon...the sky certainly looked darker and darker by the minute and it felt like as if a big thunderstorm was pulling in. Better move down the mountain away from the big meadows. Little further along the trail I ran into Dodger and we walked the rest of the way together passing through a big beautiful patch of Virginia Blue Bells. Rod Hollow is a nice shelter with a covered cooking area, a nice spring , and a hiker's shower (a pipe sits 3 ft above ground through which water runs from the spring).
Date: 2006-04-15
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Cresent Rocks
Miles today: 13.1

Today was going to be part one of the "roller coaster". Walking down the trail I saw the sign hanging on the tree warning us hikers about the "roller coaster". This was the much talked about roller coaster where you walk up and down and up and down and the hills become PUDS (Pointless Ups and Downs as there is no view from the tops - no reward from all the huffing and puffing.)Although it did go up and down quite a bit it was not too bad. It was a hot day but I finally made it to Bears Den. As the rumors had it, it did indeed look like a mini castle. The hostel was built out of stone and had the "watch towers" At the backdoor there is a hiker entrance but as in fairy tales you must find the code to get in! I found a cold drink and signed the register just as Dodger walked in the door. The hostel is really nice with a phone (use your calling card), internet, bunk beds, shower, and cold drinks for $0.5.After a short rest Dodger and I left to attend to our big mission: Getting a burger. About 0.75 miles away from Bears Den is the Horseshoe Curve "Restaurant". It is like a little local bar that serves burgers and homemade fries and that is almost it for the menu. We walked in and ordered two All-American Burgers w/ cheese and homemade fries. Uhmm, the cook, Jimmy, really knows how to cook them just right and he filled up the plate with fries - no holding back Excellent burgers, much better and bigger than the one that I had at Big Meadows.All full we stumbled out of there. The next task was to hike slowly and dilligently up the hill so not to "sacrifice" our dinner! It was tough going up on a full stomach but it was most definately worth it. Just before the last hill we got water at the stream. Almost at te top we passed a sign saying we were leaving Virginia and entering West Virginia.Cresent Rocks were beautiful. We had just barely made it there in time to watch the sunset. We unrolled our sleeping bags out there on the rocks. We gazed at the stars for a while but slowly they faded away - or maybe it was just me fading away after such a "demanding" day with two luxury stops (a cold drink at Bears Den and a burger at Horseshoe Curve).
Date: 2006-04-16
From: Cresent Rocks

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: clear sky

It was cold waking up. The temperature had dropped to low 40's. The view, however, was worth it all. It was spectacular to see the sun spreading out and slowly reach all the corners of the valley below. In the horizon we could see the mountain ridges upon which we had walked just a couple of days ago. Time to finish the roller coaster. It really was not that bad just annoying going up and down and up and down without ever getting a good view from any of the tops. Blackburn Trail Center was on the way to Harpers Ferry. I wanted to go see the place so I took the blue-blazed trail down there. It is steep but well worth it. The main house is well maintained and has a huge screened-in wrapp-around porch. The bunk bed house is a little to the right and has 4 bunks and a wood stove. It is primitive and yet it has everything a hiker needs. Weathercarrot was there at the house and he offered me a cold drink. He is right now working on an ongoing project to rebuid a lot of the stonewalls there. It is absolutely beautiful work he has done. From the yard there is a straight view all the way to Washington DC. and on a cold clear winterday - aided by a pair of binoculars you can see the Washington Monument. An hour had quickly slipped by during our conversation, it was time for me to make my way back up to the AT. A couple of miles before reaching Harpers Ferry I ran into a couple, Wild Fire and Wounded Knee, they had thru-hiked the AT some years ago. Shortly thereafter I met up with Dodger and we walked together into Harpers Ferry. The town is really small but very unique with all the historical buildings. There sure were a lot of tourists here. It was late now and the ATC office was closed but that was OK for tomorrow I was going to Washington DC. Dodger and I stopped by the outfitter and talked a while to Laura and Ron, the owners. You should stop by there when you pass through Harpers Ferry. They are wonderful people, have some great deals, and they even have a 1 oz alcohol stove
Date: 2006-04-17
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Washington D.C.
Miles today: 0.0

Got up early as the train to Washington DC leaves at 7:00 from harpers Ferry. It was raining not very conducive to getting up and getting ready for sight-seeing. Somehow I made it to the train on time. Henry was the conductor and had a smile and a good word for everybody getting on the train. The ride was only a little more than an hour. I was now ready for the Smithsonian - or at last part of it.In pouring rain I went to see my favorite - the Lincoln Memorial. There is just something impressive and awe-inspiring standing right next to that huge statue of Abraham Lincoln. Maybe it is knowing the effect he had on the American history, maybe it is seeing his big hands, or reading his speeches there on the wall. I just know it is my favorite of all the museums and memorials right there at the Mall. From there I ventured on to the White House to see the Easter Egg Roll. At lot of kids and their families get onto the lawn at the White House and get easter eggs etc. and there is a lot of entertainment for all the kids. Next two stops were the American History Museum and the Native American Museum. I did not dare to go to the Natural History Museum because I would never have gotten out again spending all my time in there. It was funny, everytime I would walk in the door to a museum the security guards would take a look at me and the next thing you would hear a big sigh and they would say "Ohh nooo!" It was not really me but rather my big pack they were referring to. They had to do bag checks on all purses - so how would you feel if someone walks in with a 6000 cubic inch pack instead of a little hand purse? Well, I just opened it and took out stuff sacks and explained why I had this big pack and most of them just grinned and started asking questions about the trip.My legs were getting pretty tired so I walked back past the Washington Monument and the Capitol down to Union Station from which I took the Metro to Tenley Town. There I called Mike's wife Erica, and she gave me directions to their home. Franny and Bougi were outside playing and it did not take long before we were friends. Erica and her mom, Elly, were also there and we quickly got introduced. Mike got home later that evening from working as an architect. He sure did look a lot cleaner and more dressy since last I saw him out on the trail We all had a fun evening.
Date: 2006-04-18
From: Washington D.C.

To: Washington D.C.
Miles today: 0.0

At 13:30 I went to talk to the Kindergarten at Janney's School where Franny attended. Mr Stinky quickly took over the show and we all had a great time. The students asked a lot of great questions and they got to go inside the tent with the sleeping bag. However, they were a little skeptical when I told them I liked to eat mice out on the trail After the school visit I walked around in the neighborhood for a while exploring and looking at all the little houses. Back at Mike's home I played a while with Franny and Bougi before dinner time. Elly and Erica taught me a lot about Pass-Over, a Jewish Holiday.
Date: 2006-04-19
From: Washington D.C.

To: Harpers Ferry 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I have had a most wonderful time with Mike, Erica, Elly, Franny, Bougi, and Lucy but the feet were starting to itch - I wanted to go back to the trail.Erica gave me a copy of the children's book "Chicken Bedtime is Really Early" which she had written. Erica is an author and is right now working on another book. After saying goodbye to Erica and the little girls I took the Metro back to Union Station. There were so many people there and they all seemed to be in such a hurry. I couldn't help but compare it to the life on the trail - almost two opposites - sure both worlds are on the move, but where people are hurrying along at the station to get to the end out on the trail it is the journey itself that is the end. As I rounded the corner of a cafe a gentleman walks up next to me and says "you must be Red Dane"! Seems like I have heard that before but never in my dreams would I have thought I would have heard that at Union Station in the middle of Washington D.C. There are thousands of people passing through here everyday, how could anyone possibly know who I was? After introducing himself he ecplained that he had been following my journal here and had been asking about me at the Outfitter at Harpers Ferry, that was how he knew I was in DC. but it was pure luck that we both were going on the same train back to Harpers Ferry. The reason why he had been asking for me at the outfitter was that he and his wife wanted to invite me home for dinner. They pick a few hikers every year that they like to follow on trailjournals. I felt quite honored. While we were talking we had reached the train - Bad News - the train would be delayed 3-4 hours. so we sat down and got better acquainted and he called his wife to tell her the bad news. No, it was not that he had met me but that the train was delayed!!! but he did also tell her that he had found me and I was coming for dinner. A short while thereafter it was announced that buses were provided for everyone at Shady Grove. Back onto the Metro Passing Tenley Town and out to Shady Grove where we waited for a whike before getting on a bus going to Brunswick. From Brunswick his wife drove us home to Harpers Ferry. I had a delightful evening with the trail angel couple and we enjoyed a six-star dinner (five stars just weren't enough). while I am drooling I will try to describe some of the meal: we had breaded fried goat cheese on a salad, turkey dish with wild rice white gravy mushrooms and almonds, and homemade chocolate ckae with fresh whipped creme - Uhmm. No meal I have ever paid for out here could ever come close to that dinner. It was a short evening as we had gotten there so late but I was invited to spend the night.
Date: 2006-04-20
From: Harpers Ferry 

To: Ed Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: clear sky

Last night I had walked into the bathroom and right there on the counter was shampoo, conditioner, soap, razor, shaving creme for ladies, hair dryer - need I say more? I was feeling really pampered. This morning I woke up early and took a nice shower after which I made up the bed and packed the bag. I took a last look to make sure I had remembered everything. On the nightstand the flowers still looked good. The trail angels had even put fresh flowers in my room. Upstairs in the kitchen my host angel was already cooking omelets. Mr. Trail angel had already left for work - too bad I had enjoyed our conversation the night before. Breakfast was sublime and in no time she had also made a care package for me with left-over dinner, cheese, cake, fruit, banana nut bread, sandwiches, and much more - I was just amazed by all this goodness. I feel very very lucky to be the recepient of such kindness because I most certainly had done nothing to deserve all this. As if all the food was not enough I was given a ride to the post office. It was time to ship home the down jacket and all the stuff I had gathered in D.C. The ATC headquarters was close by and I needed to pick up my maildrop from there. Nancy and Daniel had sent me this care package. Opening it was really exciting. Would there be any condiment packages in this one like last time and would there be prunes also? There were mayonaise, ketchup, honey, jelly, and orange essence prunes and there were a lot of new interesting dinners such as Kasha, chicken vegetable mix, and a freeze dried dinner. It was going to be yet another fun week of interesting cooking. Snacks were cranberries, chocolate, licorice, powerbars, cheese, tuna, and salmon. Thanks for the great package. Kimberly took my picture for the ATC photo album and with a loaded backpack I started for the outfitter. There I met Dodger. I thought he was long gone. He had stayed to help at the store. It was now late afternoon and I was still there and in comes Mrs. Trail Angel. She was so kind to invite me for another night - I was really torn between visiting or getting out on the trail. The feet won although I would really have enjoyed another evening of good trail talk. dodger and I made it to Ed Garvey Shelter. St Peter Sue and Kangaroo were already there. Dinner was easy and scrumptuous - it was left-overs froim the 6-star dinner
Date: 2006-04-21
From: Ed Garvey Shelter

To: Rocky Run Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: overcast clouds

It had been "one of those nights". Tossing and turning but nothing would do - sleep just didn't come. Finally at 3 in the morning I got up and made a cup or two of sleepytime tea (thanks for the huge supply Nancy). Dodger was awake too so we had tea and banananut bread. That did it. At 4:30 I fell asleep and slept really good. St Peter Sue and Kangaroo got up and left at 7:00 but I just turned around and took another half and hour. Dodger was up and packing so I better had to get up too. The shelter had a really nice front deck with a picnic table, unfortunately, there are small spaces between the boards in the floor and as Dodger dropped a piece of his stove that was exactly where the piece went - inbetween the boards and down underneath the floor! There were no way of reaching it or crawling underneath so the piece was lost You know those days where you should never have gotten out of bed? Well, 5 minuttes later Dodger dropped yet another small item, however, we were able to retrieve it as it only got stuck between two boards and did not go all the way through. But as Dodger then attached it to his pack the item broke!!! That did it - lets get away from this shelter. A while later Dodger's back started hurting to the point he could barely walk 1 mph (we were normally doing about 2.5 mph) and we were both really tired from the lack of sleep so we decided to stop early at Rocky Run Shelter. There at the shelter we cooked an early dinner. I had Kashi, which was a middle eastern dish - it kind of tasted like rice. It was really good with garlic, Tabasco, and Salmon added to it. St Peter Sue, Kangaroo, and an uncle and nephew (Ken and Coyote-Chris) also came to spend the night. Two dogs had followed Ken and Chris all day. Here Ken called the owner who then came and got the dogs late night at the shelter. It started to rain before dark and it continued to do so all night - hope St. Peter Sue and Kangaroo sty dry in their tents.