morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-01
From: Dennis Cove Road

To: Dennis Cove Road
Miles today: 0.0

Unexpected zero day today, as John woke up with his leg feeling worse than yesterday. He'll stay off it today and ice it down. We're both frustrated, as the weather looks ideal and we're ready to get going to Damascus. Wish I could do more to help him. On the upside, we'll have more than enough time here today to do all of our laundry and I can catch up on the Carter book and maybe finish it today. And while I feel generally fine (other than numb toes...will I ever feel them again?), the day off will probably do my old bones some good too. Hope John's in better shape tomorrow, as we're both likely to start crawling the walls.P.S. Just noticed that Scott has posted some photos on my site. Click the 'photos' tab on the left. More to come!
Date: 2006-05-02
From: Dennis Cove Road

To: Watauga Shelter 
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Two firsts today:1. Hiking alone.2. Peanut butter and jelly on a tortilla (a.k.a., 'hiker cannoli')The former wasn't as welcomed as the latter.John woke up at 4AM with his leg still in significant pain, and this after a zero day and icing it yesterday. He decided to get off the trail for now to go to Asheville and have his leg evaluated by a sports doctor. Since neither of us know if this could take days or weeks, I decided (sadly) that it was probably best for me to move on without him. Our hope is that he'll be patched up and back on the trail in a couple days and be able to catch back up to me.So I was feeling a little out of sorts before starting out this morning, kinda like I'd just experienced a sort of divorce (or maybe temporary seperation would be the better term). Not two minutes later, Bama walks into our cabin to tell me she'd heard that I was hiking solo and I was welcome to join her and another female hiker (Kutsa) today on through to Damascus. The trail seems to provide what I need at just the right time. So I sit here on a beautiful day in a shelter beside a lake with my strong wilderness women (and Snickers from NH).Decided to take it easy and just do 10 miles today which put us in the shelter at 3PM. I'm being kind to my mind and body while I adjust to this solo thing. I keep reminding myself that for nearly two years I planned to hike the AT by myself, so here we are. No big deal. I can do it. My food bags will be much lower slung and my footsteps will be unaccompanied by old AC/DC tunes, but I'll be okay.The first few miles today passed by a gorgeous waterfall (Laurel Fork Falls) and stream. There are some places I want Matt to come back to with his camera and this was one of them.Time to gather water and cook up some version of "noodle surpise." Trying not to feel too jealous of John who is undoubtly enjoying the "real meal" he's been fantasizing about for days right about now.
Date: 2006-05-03
From: Watauga 

To: Double Spring Shelter
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: scattered clouds

21.2! These ladies mean business! This is Bama's and my highest mileage day to date. Got an early start and were on the trail by 7:15AM. Took a 10-minute snack break around 10:30 (Bama and Kutsa munched while hiking) and a 20-minute lunch break around 11. One more quick snack break mid-afternoon, and the rest of the day was a full on MARCH. Reached tonight's shelter around 6:30PM, but I opted for tenting when I saw 4-5 mice scurry around it. For a while here it looked like this was going to be a women's only shelter...we actually took a group photo of the eight of us. Then a couple token guys showed up, including Cash who nearly had me wetting my pants with laughter about him running down a mountain at night screaming scared out of his mind about running into a bear.br>Parts of today's trail ran over a ridge that offered beautiful views of the valleys below, like some early American pastoral painting. Farmsteads are scattered among these rolling hills.Talked to John today and am pleased to hear that he'll likely be able to return to the trail by next Monday. He's spending the next few days doing PT, getting massages, watching American Idol, eating real food, and falling into a warm soft bed at day's end. Bastard. Tomorrow: 18 miles to Damascus and real food of my own!
Date: 2006-05-04
From: Double Spring Shelter

To: Damascus VA!
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Another big mileage day, with me chasing The Wilderness Women. There was no way we weren't all going to do the 18 today, cuz Damascus was calling us. When this hike is over I'll be interested in comparing my mileage just before hitting a town and just after - the former will probably be double the latter.Damascus is billed as the friendliest hiker town on the trail. It's only slightly larger than Hot Springs. Bama helped hook me up with a beautiful B&B, and everyone here is raving about the huge, wonderful breakfast that Ginny makes daily - even people not staying here say its "legendary." Bring it on! There's also a couple hammocks stationed out back right on the banks of a babbling creek. My weary body will be taking up some space in one of those for several hours tomorrow. Enjoyed a great Italian restaurant tonight for dinner. Tomorrow I'll hit the PO for my mail drop, the outfitter for a new pack cover that actually covers my pack, and the laundromat.My big decision tomorrow will be how long to stay in Damascus before moving on. Bama's husband is coming in tomorrow and she plans to stay until Monday morning. Kutsa could probably be talked into the same. If the weather is good it will be guilt-provoking not to move on sooner. But I just love hiking with these ladies and so enjoy their companionship and good humor. Now that we're in the "20 Mile Club," Bama and I are considering a 24-mile slack pack back south to Damascus when we do decide to move on. Awfully tempting, and that might help make up the miles we're missing sitting around here. I'm becoming more and more convinced that a larger part of this experience is about the neat folks you meet out here and not just the views and your own personal stopwatch. When you're hiking with a group of fun positive people who share your pace, the rest falls into place.
Date: 2006-05-05
From: Damascus VA!

To: Damascus VA!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Enjoyed a relaxing day of sitting in a rocking chair on a porch and catching up on all of Kari's wonderful reading materials. Oh and I ate a breakfast the size of the whole outdoors made by Ginny at the B&B. Legendary indeed.It was Christmas morning again when I visited the post office for my mail drops. All the freeze dried meals and energy bars and drink mixes are great! You all are saving me tons of time and money at the grocery store. The chocolate bar is devine (kinda puts my Mounds fetish on hold) and Mike's liquid refreshments were shared eagerly with another hiker. I so enjoy reading your letters - Tonya, Lauren, Kari, and Jane. And the phone cards are EXTREMELY useful and well timed as my last one just ran out. Lauren, I was very sad to read about Kelly. Losing a pet is like losing a family member, and the emotions had to be compounded to see Ella so affected by her passing. Focusing on the long life and joy they've brought to me over the years has helped me endure losing dogs in the past. And when the time is right, the best tribute you can give Kelly is to eventually rescue another dog.Bama and I decided to slack pack 14 miles tomorrow and 10 on Sunday. Her delightful husband Bill arrived today and he very graciously has agreed to be our shuttle service.I want to send a special thank you to Kari who is sending me the most interesting things to read. I'm devouring it all and have learned so much history especially from the Carter book and the Lincoln article. I'll be thinking of you today as I hike...you'll be reading thousands of names at graduation and I bet Joe won't wince nearly as much as when I read them.
Date: 2006-05-06
From: Elk Garden

To: Bear Tree Gap
Miles today: 12.2

Whipped out an easy 12-mile slack-pack today, coming halfway back to Damascus. Tomorrow we'll slack the remaining 11 miles. It's funny--I remember when 12 miles was a daily goal we worked hard to reach. Now it seems wimpy, but of course the terrain makes all the difference. An almost empty pack helps, too! The day was capped off with brie and merlot on the gazebo out in back of our B+B beside the creek, with Bama, her husband Bill, Kutsa, and Ginny (the B&B owner and preparer of the best breakfast in America). If only every day out here could be so civilized!
Date: 2006-05-07
From: Bear Tree Gap

To: Damascus VA!
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: moderate rain

Finished off the rainy last few miles of slack-packing back into Damascus. Arrived around 2:30PM to a wonderful sandwich and ice cream shop, which was a great way to end a hike for the day. Stuffed ourselves silly as usual!Had to leave the Lazy Fox B&B today as Ginny's place is fully booked tonight. Kutsa and I have a room at the Hikers Inn. We plan to return to Ginny's famous breakfast in the morning, then Bama's husband will shuttle us north past the 24 miles we slacked-packed yesterday and today and we will leave Damascus for good. Actually, I hope Scott and I can return here for a vacation someday maybe around fall colors. There's lots of options for cycling and kayaking and of course hiking. And the Lazy Fox B&B is an experience all its own.I want to give a great big shout out to Bama's husband Bill for being our personal shuttle service over the past few days. He spoiled us rotten and helped make our time in Damascus so memorable. Thank you, Bill!
Date: 2006-05-08
From: Elk Garder

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

Fog. Rocks. All Day. And in between we wandered over VA's tallest peak, Mount Rogers @ 5729 feet. Also spent part of the day hiking through Grayson Highlands State Park where two feral ponies posed beside the trail for a photo.Sore feet from rock scambling all day and sore shoulders from carrying a pack with WAY too much food. I will need to work hard over the next couple days to eat my pack weight down. We have the most adorable dog (a beagle mix) sleeping in our shelter tonight. She's black and white and has Mo's face with shorter ears. 'Salt' is her dad's name, and 'Pepper' is hers. Wish I could convince her to sleep on top of my feet tonight to keep them warm. I miss my bassets.
Date: 2006-05-09
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: overcast clouds

About an hour into our hike this morning it dawned on me. "Bama!" I called back "We've hiked 500 miles!" Yeah us! The fog finally lifted early afternoon today. We reached our shelter by 3PM and the sun is shining on us now. It's great to be at a nice shelter in comfortable weather early enough to enjoy a big dinner and read. Last night's shelter was crowded with with people and mice. (Neither ran over my head, thankfully.)Big wildlife sighting today included a spotted slug on a moss covered log and a centipede with orange stripes.Received some trail magic by Mom's parents (of Windtalker and Mom) at Dickey's Gap... cookies and soda to go with my peanut butter and jelly cannolis. Mom's parents are following them all the way to Maine in their RV as a support team. Today they were everyone's support team.
Date: 2006-05-10
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Chatfield Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: light rain

I love mornings out here. Birds are chirping. The sun is poking through lush new leaf growth on trees. My feet and knees are rested and fresh. Life is good. Then the rocks come.Bama and I are both morning hikers and on the trail before 7:30AM. By 3 or 4PM, we are next to useless.We passed some neat landmarks today. First was an old yellow school bus stashed near the edge of a meadow - the bus featured in the AT movie "Trek" with the hiker "Bus Driver." Second was Partnership Shelter, where we ate lunch. This is the Hilton of AT shelters complete with solar shower and sink.We hobbled into tonight's shelter around 4:30 and there's just one other hiker here (so far)-- 'Boy Floyd' from PA, a very pleasant gregarious fellow who is doing a southbound hike from PA to GA. He gave us the low-down on cool hostels and restaurants to visit in the next two statesIt's just the three of us here tonight in a shelter that sleeps six, so this is luxury. The skies have darkened, the wind is blowing, and it looks like all hell is about to break loose out there, so it's good to be under a roof. Thunderstorms are predicted for tonight and tomorrow. We have just 4.5 miles to hike tomorrow to reach a hotel beside the trail near Atkins VA, where we plan to seek refuge from the weather and do laundry, get cleaned up, and rest our battered feet.
Date: 2006-05-11
From: Chatfield Shelter

To: HW 11, near Atkins
Miles today: 4.5

Had an easy and relatively dry 4.5-mile hike this morning to a big country breakfast (called 'The 2x4') at the Barn Restaurant and a hot shower at a hiker hotel - all within a couple hundred yards off the AT. (Fried eggs, bacon, sausage, homefries and pancakes - $6.50. Half a hotel with Bama - $23.10. Location near the AT - priceless.)Bama's lucky weather streak continued and the heavy rains didn't start until we were safe inside our hotel room. We're using today's "nero" day to do laundry and a small food resupply, and of course eat. We're working hard to become the first AT thru-hikers to GAIN weight out here.Received an encouraging couple messages from John. He returned to the trail at the point he left off a couple days ago. This message was choppy sounding, but I think he hiked 17 miles since he started and his leg is doing okay. He's about 100 miles south of me, but will likely narrow the gap as his leg improves. Go Flat Rocks, Go!
Date: 2006-05-12
From: HW 11, near Atkins

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: overcast clouds

We awoke to rain and ominous skies, and decided to prolong another trucker breakfast at The Barn while the worst of the weather passed. The skies never completely cleared, but the rain managed to leave us alone for nearly all of our hike. What the day lacked in sunshine it made up for in a dazzling wildflowers that we have not seen before, a fairly rock free path through pastures with views of surrounding farms, and curious cows staring at us. Spotted a VERY red bird, smaller than a cardinal with some black on its wings. We will have to look it up in a bird book when I reach the next town with a bookstore or outfitter. In addition to countless wildflowers that I didn't know the names of, the rhodendrons and flame azeleas are starting to bloom now and purple flox lined the many forks of the Holston River that we crossed today. Today also offered us a record number of stiles (Ed.?) to scramble over. Stiles are these sorta crudely slapped together ladders, with planks that serve as steps often at odd angles or spaced for a giant, and they allow hikers to pass over barbed wire fences. The introduction of dozens of stiles today sure increased the obstacle course feel of today's hike. Tomorrow I should be ready for the ropes course and tire step.We're hoping that the weather holds off another day to permit us about 19 miles tomorrow, which will set us up for an easy 11 mile hike into the exciting town of Bland VA. At the moment we hear there is a 90% chance of rain on Sunday, so we'll likely be drying out gear in a Bland hotel that night. Another goal reached today: the 1/4 mark!
Date: 2006-05-13
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

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

Quote of the day from Bama, spoken about her feet during our 19th mile: "My dogs quit barking. I think they died." The final 10 of our 19-mile day was a rock scramble. And my elevation map, which indicated miles of flat terrain, lied. Bad Map. The rock scramble followed a climb up Chesnut Ridge reminiscant of Blood Mtn in GA (4500'). Not that we're bitter or anything, just exausted.One pick me up of the day occured at Hwy 623 about four miles shy of our shelter for the night. Bama and I had removed our shoes and were resting on some rocks near the parking area looking comatose and dehydrated. This wonderful couple who had been day hiking in the area emerged from the woods. As they approached their car they saw us, pittied us, and pulled a huge bag of fresh strawberries out of their car to give to us. They also filled Bama's water bottle. It was nirvana. Teresa and Pete, your kindness brought us back from the dead today - thank you!Since Bama and I are unlikely to set any speed or distance records, we're deciding to try for the Early Riser Award. My alarm is set for 5AM and we hope to be back on trail by 6AM, and sitting at the Dairy Queen in Bland by 11AM.
Date: 2006-05-14
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Bland
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: light rain

Well, no early riser awards were set today. Early morning rain drowned out the sound of my alarm. The birds, however, were right on schedule at 5:30AM. We were up and on the trail around 7AM.What should have been an easy 11 miles this morning was made a little more challenging by some flu-feeling bug that descended upon me mid-morning. We lucked out and had a very nice couple out for a Sunday drive take us the 2.5 miles into Bland from the trail - thank you, Elmer and Louise! Felt more human after a shower and a burger the size of my head at Dairy Queen. Did a load of "sink laundry" which is drying around the room now.Last night at dusk a large deer walked by within 20-30 feet of our shelter. He stopped, stared at a hiker reading at a our picnic table, then walked on. Magical. We've talked to two hikers who have seen bears within the last couple days. Old Drum spotted three bear cubs in a tree a day ago along the rocky ledge that made all of our feet cry out in pain. Marco Solo spotted an adult bear within a mile of our shelter two nights ago. Both hikers saw the bears around dusk. Guess we'll have a better chance of seeing bears who are on the early shift, since we're nearly asleep near dusk (refered to as "hiker midnight" around here). Danny, a husband of one of the hotel employees, has graciously agreed to shuttle Bama, Old Drum, and Old Grand-Dad, and me back to the trail at 9AM tomorrow. We'll get to sleep past 6! Hopefully I will be back to feeling 100% tomorrow. Climbing over moutains is not as much fun with a fever and a gurgling belly.
Date: 2006-05-15
From: Bland

To: Kimberling Creek
Miles today: 18.5

Dan the man shuttled Bama, Old Drum, Old Grand-dad and me back to the trail around 9AM, with CD musical accompaniment written and performed by Dan him-self. I managed to work off yesterday's hiker crud and felt more like myself around mid-morning. Today was senior citizen day on the trail - I was the youngest hiker by at least a decade. But of course I still spent most of the day trying to keep up with the gang. They're an inspiration.Bama and I decided to tent tonight so we could make a few more miles while the weather (and our feet) were complying. We're tenting beside a pretty wide creek right beside a suspension bridge. In fact my tent is pitched directly under the steps of the bridge and our food bags are hanging from the bridge. Sort of an odd spot, but the creek is pretty with pink wildflowers along the banks reflecting on the waters surface. Old Drum joined us at his usual 7:30PM quitting time. Our higher mileage today puts us in good position to reach a hostel tomorrow in under 14 miles and we hear they serve a good breakfast there. My belly is better and I'm ready for it!Hoping the rain holds off tonight so that we don't have to pack up wet tents in the morning.
Date: 2006-05-16
From: Kimberling Creek

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: mist

Gimme a 6. "6!" Gimme a zero. "0!" Gimme another zero "0!" Whadyagot? "600 miles! Woo-hoo!" Bama's weather luck held out for another day - no rain last night or today, but pretty chilly temps - not sure it reached 50 degrees today. Good weather for continious movement.Around 3PM today, we reached Woods Hole Hostel, which includes a log cabin and bunkhouse built in 1880. Tillie Woods spends her summers here and operates the hostel May 1 to July 1.In her 80s (we think; she's not confirming ), she cooks breakfast for the first eight thru-hikers who arrive here and sign up for it. My name is at the top of that list!And get this: her granddaughter Neville is a licenced massage therapist. Bama's getting her foot massage now, and I'm next in line. All this is half a mile from the AT. For $11.50 (breakfast and massage; the hostel is free). I'm so pleased we made this a stop on our push to Pearisburg. Speaking of feet, I forgot to mention yesterday that Old Grand-Dad offered us an interesting cure for our torn up blistery feet. It's called "bag balm" and it's a petroleum jelly-like substance that is used on cow udders when they get sore from the milking machines. I applied some yesterday and I must admit that my feet felt smoother than usual at bedtime. Bama and I enjoyed a chuckle over Old Grand-Dad "moisterizing our udders."
Date: 2006-05-17
From: Woods Hole hostel

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

Enjoyed homemade biscuits, sausage and gravy with Tillie, Neville, and about a dozen hikers around her table, then went on her porch for a photo session. Everyone wanted their picture taken with Tillie, who seems to enjoy her AT celebrity status. I think she took a shine to Bama and I and offered to loan us day packs and drive our heavy backpacks to our Pearisburg hotel so we could slack-pack for the last 10 miles into town. Bama, Old Drum and I flew over the mountains this morning at our nearly-in-town pack and arrived around 1:45 just in time for the all you can eat buffet at Pizza plus. They lost money on us. (Editors note: Is it just me or is all these thru-hikers talk about is food?)Picked up more wonderful goodies from everyone at the post office. Among my favorites:1. Bible-Bar from Tim and Robin2. The dog sachet from Gracie (who knew she could sew?)3. Pictures of the new Bissonnette puppy Lucy (whata cutie! I'm glad Steve and Ella won that debate!)4. The Onion stuff from Emily and news of her new home purchase (Yeah!) By the way, Em, Blacksburg is about 20 minutes away from where I am TODAY (5-17), so I might be quite a bit north of you by June 17-21, but I would still be thrilled to see you (and Janna and Mae) anywhere along the trail.Thank you everyone who sent food and drink mixes - you've saved me another trip to the grocery store. I especially love the Luna bars, gator-aid mix and Mountain house dinners (which you can make without having to clean your cook-pot - thats a big deal in the woods). And the Dove bar cookies look devine! I will have the tastiest food bag on the AT this week Weighed myself last night at the hostel and I haven't dropped a pound, which pleases me. My Gainesville gang is ensuring I don't waste away.Bama and I are sitting at a laundromat now waiting for our clothes to dry so we can scope out more food to eat for dinner. We're hoping to score some good ol' country fare at a local diner, but we will gladly accept the DQ as a fallback position. I've become a recent fan of their brownie batter blizzard. (Ed. Was that another plug for food?)Had originally planned to take a zero day in Pearisburg, but will instead push on in the morning since I 'm feeling fine. I'm still 4-5 days behind my original schedule which was drawn up in the comfort of a living room with much less knowledge of rock scrables and mud slides. Talked to John today, who sounded positive and (mostly) healthy. He's about a week behind me and probably thankful not to be sharing shelters with the crazy ladies who wake up to 5:30am.