morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-06-12
From: Campsite on ridge

To: Campsite in the forest
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up this morning with a full house. A family of Daddy long legs moved in and decided that under our rain cover would be the best spot to live. Im talking about 6 and they were of all diffrent colors amd sizes. When fetching the bear bag I saw Jack another hiker we haven't seen since before the smokies. While I was making breakfast I noticed that a bright green spider had made a web across our tent poles. He even had enough time after to catch a fly and even another bug. Sadly I had to destroy the masterpiece cant have a roge spider in my pack every ounce counts lol. Since we stealth camped on top of a ridge the start to our day went down. We ran out of water after breakfast but it was cool out. At the bottom of the mountain there was a really nice creek. It was nice enough to swim in but we had alot of miles still to cover. There was a pretty cool swinging bridge that we crossed over. It was a really smooth walk for a better part of the day. We climbed up a small hill and found a really nice lake thays not in the book. Plus the shelter we passed soon after had a very dark vibe. We didnt stop because I gave me just a weird feeli. Near the end of the day we had a bigger climb. It wasnt too bad just kind of slow going. We were walking and in front of us was a deer smack dab in the middle of the trail. I could tell it was a doe because behind her was a fawn struggling to keep himself still. We froze and watched the doe run to our right but then quickly run back to the left. As we stood there she hid the fawn and the ran up closer to us as if to say follow me and leave my baby alone. She was such a beautiful deer. We made it to the top of the mountain and a radio tower. After a short talk we continued on to find a spot to camp. That took us down for a bit. Gray went ahead to scout out a spot. I told him to come back and save me once he found a spot. I was just joking but he actually came back up to walk with me the rest of the walk to camp. Hes such a gentleman. We had a nice flat spot and Gray made us a really nice fire. Another great day!
Date: 2016-06-13
From: Campsite in the forest

To: Pearisburg, Va
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Woke up early before the sun. It was pretty chilly and a bit windy. It took forever for Gray to finally get up. I even caught him sitting up and sleeping. I would have let him sleep in but today was a town day. We left camp about 8. We had 2 ups and about 3 major downs. So I thought we were making great time. I left Gray walk ahead because he get pretty adgitated if I walk slow on a town day. We experinced an oh no moment. One so bad that Gray insisted I buy him dinner tonight. We passed the last shelter of the day and the 2nd to last water source. I told Gray we would fill up at the next spot. Sadly when we made it to the next spring it had dried up. We made it to the powerline and took a small break. We only had 5 miles left to the town. Well it was about noon and boy we were thirsty. About 2.7 miles we came to a sign of a spring not marked on our map. We celebrated and both filled up. After we drank about 1.5 litres of water. Our guardian angels were watching over us today. We met a really nice retired Marine named Lee and hiked with him the rest of the afternoon. Lee told us that the lake we passed yesterday and also the shelter were the site of where 2 men were shot and a another couple were murdered. Thats too bad. We came to Angels rest view it was like a perch over the city of Pearisburg. Lee gave us a ride into town where we got a room at the Plaza Motel. We met up Dusty and Tron. Now time to rest and thank our lucky stars!
Date: 2016-06-14
From: Pearisburg, Va

To: Pearisburg, Va
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: broken clouds

June 14We took another zero. I tried to sleep in but I was up with the sun. We finally got up and going. The first stop was the post office to pick up some new gear and a care package. The man at the front desk told me that since 2 of our packages were sent from Amazon the local motels signed for them. Post offices are not allowed to sign for packages from Fedex of UPS. So we had to find our two packages. Each motel had a package it was kind of like a hunt. When finished we hit up the local chineese buffet it was half off tuesday! After eating we went to the hiker outfitters to get more fuel. The owner was such a lovely lady. We found a full thing of fuel and got it for free xbecause it was in a hiker box. Plus I was going to buy a new tooth brush but she gave it to me for free. After returning to the post office we explained we were still miss a care box. It was found after a few minutes of searching. A worker found it under the name family not williams. We shared a good laugh. Thanks to Grays sister Katie and the whole family for the snacks they sent to us. Now we are just resting and getting ready for our next strech. Its much longer distance between towns. We are also doing research to Aquablaze through the Shenandoah National Park. Mainly to break up the long days of hiking. Plus it will allow us to rest our feet and legs.
Date: 2016-06-15
From: Pearisburg, Va

To: Campsite before Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: scattered clouds

What a day what a day. I managed to sleep in until 8. Took myself a nice steaming hot shower. This will be the last one for about 5 days. The map and I have Gray set on staying out for a longer period of time between towns. I told him if he wants to eat at The Homeplace we need to make it there by Sunday. The Homeplace is a home style cooking resturant that serves you big ole dishes of food family style. SIGN ME UP! So we managed to make it to the trail by 1130. We are both super weighed down with food and water. The water supplies are very spread out in this section which means we are carrying more weight in water. I normally drink about 1.5 liters a day but today was a hot one. I drank about 2 liters not to include what Gray and I shared in juice. Whenever we hit a water supply we fill up a liter bottle and share it between the 2 of us. Plus wheb it comes from the springs its super cold. Great for a hot day. We went up a majority of the day the first 6.9 were climbing up the diping down. The first small hill was not to bad but the 2nd was torture on the legs. To make it worse a good sectiob of the trail ran next to the land fill. We were not up wind of it at all. Boy our trash really reaks plus it dosent help its trash in the baking sun. We met a few section hikers that just started today. They had a black dog with them made me miss my pup. Once we made it to the shelter we had a smoother walk for the day. Oh and before the last big mountain we ran into Lee again, the guy that gave us a ride into town a day back. All was going well after the shelter we filled up our water at the last spot for 11 miles. Not even 45 minutes later we hear a big long roar of thunder. We have just enough time to put our rain covers on before the rain started. It was a light rain simple to cook you down but then the sun went away. It got dark and the rain started to pour, the winds shifted often to soak us really good. We had a slipt second choice pop up our tent or walk out of the storm. We were already soaked so it made no sence to get the rest of our wet so we comtinued walking. The rain came down like in the Whinnie the Pooh movie. I couldnt help but sing the tune in my head. It didnt take long for the trail to become a river. So now we were soaked and had squishy shoes yet we walked on. It didnt take long for the rain to die down then stop. The sun had found us again. We met a fellow hiker from Germany he had a black lab mix with him as well. All these dogs make me miss my pup. We stoped at the last camping sight for the next 5 or so miles. Gray made us a super nice fire to warm up and dry our clothes. Now I have to look and see if the warenty for Darn Tough socks cover fire because Grays got a bit too close. As the sun was setting we sat next to the fire and saw a ton of lightening bugs. Remined me of all the fun times when I was little trying to catch them. Now time for bed and hoping for no more rain.
Date: 2016-06-16
From: Campsite before Shelter

To: The Captains
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

As most can see plans changes. We had a bunch of bad storms last night. There was once that I woke up and felt like the rain would push through a side of the tent. The sun never really came up. It rained into the morning. I asked Gray if he wanted to get up and he said lets sleep out the rain. Its weird how in hotelsbI cant sleep in but in the woods I can sleep in super late. When I got up at 10 the rain had somewhat stopped. We were slow going and most of the people we saw and passed yesterday had already caught up to us. We talked about our options for the day. Gray is not a rain person. I wanted to keep going but we agreed to hike the 7 miles to the road then slack pack tomarrow to catch up. The terrain was super easy there was one really tough up incline. All in all a soggy day but we ended it with a plan to slack pack tomarrow.
Date: 2016-06-17
From: The Captains

To: Newport, Va
Miles today: 21.7
Weather: broken clouds

With a long day ahead of us we started out to the trail by 8. With the drive to the road near Newport we made it out to the trail by 845. Today we were slack packing 21.7 miles to the next road. Without packs we were able to keep up over 2.5 miles per hour. We were doing super well and I was so proud of myself. It rained on and off all day. We went 15 miles before 4 then we came to a bad section of trail where the rain made it into a giant slip and slide. Not a fun one like a giant murderous slip and slide that will shoot you down the mountain. Then came the horrendous rocks. Not a rock here and there but the trail is nothing but rocks. Rocks that are slippery and that move a ton. It was never ending and took us forever. We came to a clear patch which was exciting but then around the next turn was an even worse patch. I have never felt so defeted. Ill admit I stood there and shead a few tears then continued foward. We made our goal and now time time for a warm shower! Plus we found a ton of chicken of the woods (A mushroom). We harvested a baggie full and plan to cook it later. By the way it was super yummy!
Date: 2016-06-18
From: Newport, Va

To: Trout Creek
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: scattered clouds

June 18Not too bad of a walk today. We started out in a lot of farm fields. There was a random chimney next to the trail out of no where. May have been an old chimney to a house thats no longer there. Quickly into our hike we passed the 2nd largest tree on the trail. Ofcourse we couldn't pass it without stoping so Gray could climb it. It is over 18 feet around and 300 years old. It is offical we have crossed the Eastern Continental Divide today. We were on a ridge for a majority of the day. The Audie Murphy monument was really nice. I never knew this but he was the most decorated American Solider of WWII. Not too bad of a day. The trail was really sketchy in a few spots but we survived.
Date: 2016-06-19
From: Trout Creek

To: Four Pines Hostel
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: broken clouds

Happy Fathers day to all fathers! I know I wouldn't be who I am today without the help of my Dad. This year will be five years since he passed but I know hes with me everywhere I go and in everything that I do. When your days are consumed with hiking it leaves a lot of time to think. I always kick myself for taking that time with him for granted. However, I cherish all the laughs we shared. Today we met a daughter and father that are hiking the trail together. Mainly beacuse her mom didnt want her tohike alone. Thats really cool. Rough hike today. We completed the Dragons back. A good rule is look at your feet. There was parts where the trail had rebarb sticking out the mountain and you hike hand over hand to balance yourself to pass that part. This area called for no trecking poles more like your hands and feet are all you need. We got picked up by the hostel and they took us to the Homeplace. A nice family style resturant where they being everyone out big dishes of mashed potatos, beans, buns, and fried chicken. Such a really nice treat! We shared our meal with another hiker named Casper. After dinner we went back to the Hostel which was a big farm with tons of chickens and Gunnis. We just layed in the grass and talked to Luke. We tried to call Mom to wish her a Happy Birthday. Happy birthday to Grays mom as well.
Date: 2016-06-20
From: Four Pines Hostel

To: Daleville, Va
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: clear sky

Thanks to the loud rooster we had no need to set an alarm. He literly parked himself outside our tent and did his wakeup call until Gray got up. The owner of the hostel gave us a ride to Va 311 and we put our packs in the truck to be droped off in town. That was so nice we slack packed into town. We made it to McAffe's knob by 9 and it was so nice. We had the whole place to ourselves. Its so cool to for the longest time see this area in movies and books but its unreal to really experience it. We ended up staying up there for an hour. Gray was rock jumping making me all nervous. Finally got him to contine on. We walked on the Tinker cliffs for about half a mile. I almost jumped out of my skin because I saw a big ole rattle snake skin on the ground. Made me extra cautious. In Lamberts Meadow we came smack dab face to face with a male bear. It was bigger then the mother bears that we have seen. The bear id say weighed about 300 pounds. Gray stomped and got big and the bear just stared at us and didnt move an inch. So we resorted to plan B a loudbang in his direction sent him hot tailing it out of there. We were pretty short on water so we kept moving fast. All the streams seemed to dry up. Gray has great ears he found a stream out of nowhere. When we made it to the hotel our usual hiker friends were there. Gray and I changed into somewhat swimming clothes and headed for the pool. I couldn't resist but cannon ball into the pool. Felt so great after a long day!
Date: 2016-06-21
From: Daleville, Va

To: Daleville, Va
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Slept in and it felt great! Gray and I walked to the grocery store. We stoped by the good will and I got summer hiking clothes. 5 dollors to be cooler not to bad. There was cute coffee shop that Gray took me to and got me my first coffe in forever! Got new socks and a new headband. Last town someone stole my socks and headband from the laundry. We got brats and headed back to cook them for all the hikers. Now its time for a nap. Rainy day so a good day for no hiking.
Date: 2016-06-30
From: Daleville, Va

To: Island Ford Boat ramp
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Its been a busy time for us here. The days seemed to blur by as we increased our miles to make it to Waynesboro, Va. We want to take a week off to rest and inorder to do so we have to increase our miles to Harpers Ferry. We made it in yesterday and somewhat scrambled to organize and get ready to aqua blaze. We using a Excursion 4 a heavy duty blow up raft. Instead of hiking the Shenandoah National Park we will be rafting down the river. Ive never white water rafted before so im super nervous. We got a ride to the local boat ramp and it took us a bit to blow the raft up and get settled. We then launched and came to a quick moving rapids. Gulp.... sink or swim. Well we sure didnt sink but that dosent mean I didnt almsot have a heart attack on mutiple ocasions. Gray has experience with rapids. So he taught me on the go. Lots of fast water and there was 2 ocations where we got pinned ontop of a rock. Gray probley wanted to stangle we because when that happened I went "code black" as Gray called it. Which means I was screaming at the top of my lungs like that was going to help while poking the rock with my paddle. I love adventure but water has always been kind of a little fear of mine. I told Gray that I wanted to do Aquablazing to help me over come that fear. After today im thinking maybe I should have started out a bit smaller instead of launching myself into Class 2 rapids. All is well we made it to Island Ford boat ramp. Instead of trying to camp and possibly get a ticket we got a hotel for the evening. I got Gray toco bell for puting up with me today.
Date: 2016-07-01
From: Island Ford Boat ramp

To: Shenandoah Dam
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

>Our legs will rest but boy our arms will be working in over time. I am happy to report that we did not get pinned today! Plus I only went "code black" once. All the other times I was screaming inside my head. I did a ton better about controlling my side of the boat and not ramming rocks. Gray did a great job because twice he spun us around a nasty looking rock. We have life vests that we wear all the time. Safety first! Plus for all the ladies out there the life jackets are made now with padding around the bra area so that your tata's will no longer be smashed like boys life jackets. Thanks to the smart person who achieved that! We saw a bald eagle, cows in the water, water snakes, ducks, and birds. Gray was shouting at some birds sitting on a power line and one pooped and it nearly hit us. Toward the end of the day we hit a pretty hard rapids and while moving around a few rocks I hulked my paddle. It busted in half and left me with a half of a paddle. So we limped up to the city of Shenandoah where we have to get out and go around a dam. The sun was beaming in our eyes so we were glad to find shade. We were getting everything organized and another fisherman came up to talk. We told him we were actually hiking the Appalachian trail but now traveling along the water ways. His name was Greg and he was out bass fishing. He caught about 54 or so today. DANG! We told him about our paddle and then he told us what to expect from ahead. Well we parted ways but then Greg came back and handed us a nice non broken paddle. He gave us his extra and we couldn't thank him enough. Keep him in your prayers. Then walking toward the dam right on the ground was a perfect pair of sunglasses. What!!! To top it off on the way further down Gray found 10 dollars on the ground. Plus a,huge patch of tiger lilies my favorite flower! I'm feeling so blessed for the kindness of others and having a great day!
Date: 2016-07-02
From: Shenandoah Dam

To: Newport Dam
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Well as the title shows today was one heck of a day for going around dams. If that is the hardest thing that we have to do today so be it. There is supposed to be rain in the forecast but so far its been holding off which is nice. There were a few sprinkles but we welcomed them with open arms because it it hot!!! I think that is one thing you don't really notice while walking in the woods. How much the trees comfort you with their shade. It was funny to see us moving around the lake like Gollum seeking any shade provided. The rapids were much easier today and our boat is taking everything like a champ. There was one section where we had rocks everywhere. However, we managed to make our way through it all with no pinning or lodging our self on top of rocks. Happy to also report that I didn't go code black at all today. Cool points for me!!!
Date: 2016-07-03
From: Newport Dam

To: Luray Dam
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well there was a Dam today that was impossible to port on your own. For 25 dollars you can pay the local outfitters to come and take you around it. Very cloudy today but the water was super fast. The dam is I guess a hydroelectric dam. There were tons of cows in the water today and I sure do not blame them because it was another hot one. We saw a lot of people out fishing and tons of family camping around the water. Gray says im odd because the only way I would swim in this water is if I had shoes on. It just creeps me out not being able to see the bottom of the water and having something touch my bare foot. I heard people say they have seen shopping carts in this river and there is no way my poor feet should ever come in contact with that. Plus another huge factor is at the last dam there was a collection box for electric eels. WHAT!!!! EELs .... nope. We will be staying in town tonight because we need and I mean need to do some laundry. Plus its calling for storms tonight and that combined with a rising river sounds scary to me.
Date: 2016-07-19
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Bangor, Me
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

>Gray and I had a lovely time resting at Sam's house. We laughed, ate, and went fishing alot. Gray got to go to the beach since the last few summers hes missed out on that. We even made it to see The Secret Life of Pets. Highly recommend that. Goodbyes are so hard but we are traveling again. Sam droped us off at the airport in Raleigh. We took a quick flight to Dc Regan airport. I have never been to that airport. It was very small so small we took a bus to our plane on the tarmac. While we were laning we flew right over the Pentagon. Last time I saw that was when Sam and I were running the Marine Corps Marathon. We saw the Washington Monument as the sun was setting behind it. When we took off for Bangor Maine there was lightening behind and next to our plane. Made for a bumpy ride for a bit. We landed at 1140 pm and headed to the airport hotel. It amazes me how fast it took us to get here and it will take us 3 months or so to get back. The hotel was fancy we only stayed there because they gave us a huge military discount. The bed was so soft I instantly fell asleep.
Date: 2016-07-20
From: Bangor, Me

To: Appalachain Trail lodge
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

We woke late and got an even later check out. There was not much to do until we had to catch the bus at 630 that evening. After leaving the airport hotel we walked to get our bus tickets. Then shortly headed to Dunkin dounuts to suck up there wifi and indule in a fresh brewed coffee, my last for a long time. Ee stayed until the employees started to assume we were bums then proceeded back to the bus station to binge watch Greys Anatomy. Our bus arrived on time and tookk us an hour north to Medway Maine. The bus station there was a gas station, mini mart, local hang out, and tagging place for hunting. My kind of store I can load up of fishing worms, pump my gas, buy ammo and even get some hot cheetos! Duffy from the AT lodge took us and 3 other people into Millinocket. There we cordinated a food drop for the 100 mile wilderness and got fuel. My nerves are in over drive waiting for tomarrow.