morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-06-26
To: woods site
Miles today: 17.4

So did you know tiredness can be mind-altering? That it can rob one of common sense and good judgement? This can be evidenced by an episode that happened recently.You've heard of a bear bag right? Well how about a bear pot? It was nearing dard and Doug had already hung our bear bag. We were at a fantastic spot that he'd chosen, a spot just off the trail in the middle of the woods. He collected firewood while he waited for me, even made the fire which was burning when I arrived! So after dinner he hung the bear bag and then later I was getting ready to go to my tent for bed when I discovered I had not included all of my food. I found some packets of hot chocolate and some powdered milk. Not wanting to get the bear bag down, go through all that trouble, I decided I would simply put the stuff in my $50 titanium pot and hang that.I was too lazy to get my nylon bear bag string so insead grabbed the long shoe lace that was in my fanny pack. I tied it to the top of the pot and set off to hang it.I first chose a medium sized tree and threw the pot right over the lowest branch. Doug was nearby laughing, saying "if the bear really watned to get that he would just knock the tree down." Good point. So I got it down and moved to a live tree--a maple a few feet away. I toss the pot over the lowest branch, leave it dangle and get ready to tie off the string. Except now it is practically at eye level for a bear. Not high enough. (So for the mind-altering part) So once again, the pot must come down. I pull but at the top it gets stuck below the branch. I try again. Nothing. So finally I yank with everything I've got and of course the pot comes free of the branch, comes sailing over and toward my face at mock speed. It collides with my head below my right eye and I'm down for the count. Doug meanwhile is trying not to laugh because even he can see that must have hurt! And it did but even I know how funny it must have looked. So I'm on the ground rolling with laughter. We laugh and laugh and laugh. Note to self: No more bear pots. Stick with bear bag! Note to readers: Don't worry, I'm fine, no lasting injuries sustained. My glasses are just out of wack a bit. The pot received no damage.
Date: 2008-06-28
From: Lambert's Meadow Shelter

To: Daleville
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

It is Saturday morning as I write. It is warm and sunny with a glorious breeze. I am perched at the edge of the world looking east from a white rock jutting out amid pines, overlooking--in the near distance, farms and houses spread out among open green areas, a patchwork of green and shades of brown. Beyond that, in the far distance, a bed of clouds and mountains rising beyond that, up and up into the clear sky. This is, without a doubt, THE reason backpackers endure what they do. Cars can be seen now and then driving silently on a stretch of Virginia road below and surely in those homes people are beginning to move about. I feel detached from that world! Up here all is still and quiet. I hear an ocassional crow and of course there never can be a piece of time without a fly or two to deal with, but it is a grand place to spend a Saturday morning and I feel lucky. I am going to sit back and make a cup of hot chocolate and a bowl of cereal while down below life goes on. I will let the silence and peace seep into me, a free therapy of sorts. How could it get any better than this?
Date: 2008-06-29
From: Daleville

To: Blue Ridge Parkway, mile 91.8
Miles today: 19.9

Auuhhhh, life is good! We are slack-packing (hiking without a pack) and it is great!! Wish I could do this everyday. Our first day of slackpacking!!!! Oh, we are so lucky to be able to do this. It was great! And also, it was my first day with a camera again (Thanks mom!)Right in the beginning of the day, when Doug and I were still together we saw a most beautiful small snake. It was only about a foot long with orange squares all down its body, cream-colored between them and an unusual pattern on its head. I tried to get some pictures but it wasn't a very cooperative subject! Later I came to learn it was a milk snake. Good to know.We spent the day getting some needed stuff done--a trip to the outfitter store, to the cell phone store, etc. Then went out for an Italian meal in Buchanan. A good day!
Date: 2008-06-30
From: Blue Ridge Parkway, mile 91.8

To: Parker's Gap
Miles today: 19.0

Oh, did I mention I love slack-packing!!!! It is so freeing. Another fabulous day. Frank is the best trail angel a person could ever ask for! He shops for us, drives us everywhere, cooks for us, treats us to meals out and gives us lots of laughs and support. ...before I run out of time, I just want to say hello to a few people... Carter, I'm glad you have kept in touch and thanks for signing the guest book. It means a lot to me. Hope you had a good birthday (June 4th) and are having a good summer. Thanks also to Ken and Bekah, Shelly, Sara and Ed (also hope you both had a good birthday, May 3, June 21), Gloria, Lisa, Maura, Amber and Cill. I so look forward to getting to a computer and reading my guest book. Your words are like gifts that I carry with me always and pull out when I'm on the trail and needing a little strength. I appreciate your thoughts and support! Oh, by the way, check-out my photos!
Date: 2008-07-02
From: James River Foot Bridge

To: VA60
Miles today: 21.8

It is morning--10:15 as I write, from a spot in the sun on a slab of rock overlooking the James River and mountains beyond. I am always amazed when I get somewhere and can look back and see where I've been. It always seems so very far away and totally unbelievable that I actually WALKED from there to here! I can see the foot bridge I crossed just yesterday and then, at the top of a distant mountain, I can see the FAA tower that Doug and I passed some days ago. When we were there we were close to it of course and it loomed over us, a giant white soccer-ball-like contraption. Now it is just a white dot on the mountain!I love this view!!  And it is nearly bug-free! Would like to sit here all day!...but of course I must hike on.
Date: 2008-07-03
From: US60

To: Greasy Spring Road
Miles today: 10.2

I saw another bear!!!!! I was getting close to the end point for the day, was hurrying along when I heard a scrambling in the brush to my right, down about 40 feet from the trail. When I looked I saw a bear moving at a good pace in the opposite direction, along the trail. So I turned around, headed back. The bear continued to be in view, though there was lots of underbrush so no chance for a photo. After 20 seconds he disappeared into the forest. Exciting!
Date: 2008-07-05
From: Buchanan

To: Buchanan
Miles today: 0.0

Another zero day!!!! It was, sadly, not a very good day. Because I had so many errands to run that I couldn't just be free to do whatever I wanted. I was trying to buy hiking boots. But it was not to be. The first store had no selection and the second store did not have any women's boots bigger than size 10. Before this hike my foot was size 9 and a half to 10 but now I cannot wear anything smaller than a 10 and really, with the boots a 10 is too small. So I was out of luck with the boots. On to Verizon to deal with my phone. And to get food for hiking. And then a battery for the camera. And packing my pack, writing out postcards. Back to hiking tomorrow.
Date: 2008-07-06
From: Greasy Spring Road

To: Tye River Suspension Bridge
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: broken clouds

But I hiked on. It was an uneventful day, and did not see much in the way of wildlife, scenery or people.I camped just past the suspension bridge on the Tye River. Had a fantastic flat site right on the river--was a little reluctant to settle there as the road, (VA56) was just on the other side of the river and sometimes road crossings are not the best places for camping as they tend to be hangouts for the locals. I decided to chance it though, seeing as how it was late Sunday night and right after a big holiday weekend. I figured everyone would be gone until later in the week. I was right. I ended up being the only one there. It was a peaceful night and a real treat to be able to wash up in the morning, sit by the river before moving on for the day.
Date: 2008-07-07
From: Tye River suspension bridge

To: Trail to Humpback Rocks
Miles today: 19.1

I took a blue blaze today, along a meandering stream deep in a canyon, with giant lichen covered boulders strewn about everywhere. The trail was tough, climbing over and through the rock maze. But worth it! And I was lucky enough to see a small copperhead! Which for me was wonderful, a perfect photo opportunity. It was among the rocks near the trail and when I saw it, it stayed still. Still enough for me to lean in and get some great pictures, full frame! With the characteristic yellow tail and hourglass copper-colored patterns all along its body. A lucky find indeed! I camped on top of the mountain, in a grassy spot about 50 feet from the rocky vista. Nice! And in the night a wicked storm blew through--wind and rain and lots of flashes of lightning and thunder. I waste no time on being afraid of the storm. As a friend once say, "if it's my day to die, it's my day to die." I suppose being struck by lightning wouldn't be such a bad way to go. Quick and painless? But I made it through to see another day!
Date: 2008-07-08
From: Trail to Humpback Rocks

To: Calf Mountain vista
Miles today: 17.9

Today I entered Shenandoah National Park, stopped at the information station to register and get a free park pass. Doug is not with me, is in town with Amber and will catch up after she leaves. It was a hot muggy day. Uneventful until late in the afternoon when the skies turned dark and the thunder rolled off in the distance. This went on for what seemed like forever and I was like "just bring it on!!!" so wanting the rain to cool me off. So the rains began, light at first and I was loving it. Reveling in the coolness of the water hitting my skin. No rain clothes for me! I wanted the shower! In no time I was soaked and cooled off. Except then the rain got harder and the wind picked up. Soaked, I continued walking, moving at a fast pace. Okay, I was cooled off. And starting to get cold! It rained on. And on. And on. More thunder. Then it got super windy and the storm was right on top of me. I would see the flash of lightning, then instantly the clap of thunder. Right on top of me! Suddenly I felt like someone was throwing rocks at me! Looked down to see balls of ice hitting the ground, some the size of grapes. My bare arms and legs were getting pelted and it hurt! I was traveling at the top of the mountain, through a field that wasn't a field because the growth was tall, with lots of pricker bushes and dense growth, a tree here and there, but nothing big. I had to get off the trail as the hail was not pleasant! So I bushwacked through the thorns to huddle beside a small tree. I yanked off the pack and squated near the trunk, making myself a small target. And the storm was close, with no time between the lightning flash and the thunder. A bit harrowing. After 15 minutes the storm had moved away enough that I could move on. And so I set out again. You cannot believe the evidence of the storm that I saw as I moved on! Amazing. There were places that the ground was covered with ice balls so deep that I had to wade through them, like snow, but ice marbles. And so thick! At least an inch and a half! And the leaves on the ground! Perfectly green leaves littered the ground on the trail, in the woods. I was glad I wasn't in some of the places I saw the hail. In some spots the hail on the ground was so thick that it was like walking into a freezer. I would walk through a warm spot and then bang! It would be COLD, like I just stepped onto the frozen tundra. At one point I came out into this open area, where some towers stood and there, arching across the whole sky was a full rainbow! How beautiful. I saw 17 newts today! A record for one day, for me. And another milk snake, this one duller than the one I saw when I was with Doug. I walked until 8:30, then finally gave up finding an "official" site and just looked for a spot flat enough that I could set my tent up. There were still hail balls on the ground! I had a tough time hanging my bear bag but finally got it ready. By the time I hung my stuff and was ready to cook it was after 9:00 and getting dark. I had a quick dinner of Ramen noodles and went to bed.
Date: 2008-07-12
From: Big Meadows

To: just past Thornton Gap
Miles today: 18.2

Lying in my tent this morning before getting up I noticed a wealth of odd bites on my stomach, sides and back. They are incredibly itchy, worse than poison ivy. Thing is I don't know what made them or when? It remains a mystery. A mosquito loose in my tent? But there are LOTS of bites. Surely she would have gotten her share of blood and been done. Maybe setting up my tent in the dark last night, through my shirt? I can't explain it but I hope the itching doesn't last long. I don't need yet another thing to drive me crazy! On the last 2 days I have found 4 tiny ticks embedded in me. I was to be their first blood meal. Lovely. I removed them and now do regular tick checks. But if they manage to get on my back or on my head, they will be home free since without a mirror I cannot check those places. Brad Paisley's song about ticks comes to mind and gives me a chuckle...where's a partner when I need him? It is 12:00 and once again I am living in the lap of luxury! I wait for my lunch at yet another restaurant in Shenandoah N.Park--Skyland Lodge. I sit beside the row of windows looking out over the valley. Again, I'm hobnobbing with the elite! I was desperate for a shower and tried to sneak into one of the cabin units. I mangaged to find one open, went in and amazingly, there was no bathroom or shower! Bummer. It must have been it adjoining room. So now shower for me. I asked a lady who was obviously checking out, if I could just use the shower but she was not good with that idea. So in the end I settled for going into the handicap bathroom in the lodge and washing my hair in the sink, having a bit of a sponge bath. Not ideal but it made me feel better. Yesterday i passed a spot in the woods where a tree had fallen and the bark was off it and someone had written the AT logo and then "900 miles!" it was a nice boost.
Date: 2008-07-14
From: North Marshall 

To: Front Royal
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: few clouds

This morning the skies were clear and the weather was much cooler. I packed up my wet tent and headed out, happy to be hiking and knowing tonight I will be in Front Royal. Soon after leaving camp I got to the top of North Marshall, the wind whipping around fiercely. The view was to die for! Beyond the giant lichen-covered boulders there was the valley spread out below, a blanket of fog hovering between peaks. And the sky above! Blue with white billowy clouds, in rows with swirls. Only the wind could be heard. I walked on, met some people doing a section hike, stopped to talk for a long time! Then walked on again, my feet really bothering me today, new blisters after the soggy walking last night. Another bear!! I was walking along today and a bear appeared on the left side of the trail and then crossed in front of me, not paying me any attention. I love this! And I walked on. Had lunch at a shelter and then did the remaining bit to the road crossing. I thought I might have to wait a long time to get a ride. But no! The first car by, an SUV stopped when I put up my thumb (i'm getting better at this!) Two older gentleman were in the car. The driver got out and made room for me in the back seat, then drove me into town. He (Ted) and his friend John asked me about the trip, where I'm from and so on. They invited me to lunch, which I turned down. I needed a shower more than food! So now I'm in Front Royal. Will resupply, do laundry, have a good meal. Doug is here too, at last reunited with me after his days off with Amber. I am looking forward to a good nights sleep! Carter, thanks for the message. I will think of you!
Date: 2008-07-15
From: Front Royal

To: Sky Meadows State Park
Miles today: 17.6

Doug and I were back together again today after his days of being behind me. We had hoped to camp together but at around mile 17 we entered the State Park and found out there was no camping allowed there, so Doug went on past the road crossing and found a spot in the woods after that. My feet are in such agony these days and as much as I wanted to catch him, I could not make it. I camped illegially in the park, went way off the trail on a gas line. Had trouble with my bear bag as the lowest branch on all the trees was like 50 feet up! My string is not that long. Eventually I settled for a non-ideal hang...if a bear wanted it bad enough he could have had it. In the morning it was still there. And I hiked on to meet Doug.
Date: 2008-07-16
From: Sky Meadows State Park

To: Crescent Rock
Miles today: 19.0

I write from a truly fabulous place--called Crescent Rock, it is a slab of granite jutting out into space, a drop of 60+ feet to the ground. Beyond, straight across is one forested ridge and to the right, in the direction I'm facing is valley and mountains. The sun has just set, leaving the sky bathed in pink, turning to whitish/gray and blue closest to the horizon. A whiperwill calls from somewhere behind me --below the glowing full moon just over the trees. A magical spot!Doug and I are camped a short walk from here, in a small clearing in the forest. It is to be our last night camping together as after Harper's Ferry, which we will reach tomorrow, he will leave me behind to continue on at a faster pace. And so we will each hike alone. Today we entered a section called "the rollercoaster" Of all the trail thus far, today's hike was my least favorite. A day from hell of steady and steep UP and then down, up and then down, up and down. A series of 10 before it was all done. It was the worst roller coaster I've ever been on!!! I want my money back!Doug and I had lunch together today on some steps on the trail. It was nice being together again and I will miss it in the days to come. We also had dinner together, at a restaurant down the road a bit. We were lucky enough to get a ride in the bed of a pickup truck down the .3 miles and then just had to walk back up to the trail. Which was hard after a delicious fat and juicy burger, yummy fries and a cold drink.
Date: 2008-07-17
From: Crescent Rock

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: clear sky

We have made it to Harper's Ferry!!! It is hard to believe we have really walked over 1000 miles! Harper's Ferry is a cool town, filled with history. We stayed together at The Town's Inn, a lovely hostel right on the historic street. Had our last dinner together across the street and actually, for the first time in a LONG time, had some time to RELAX! Which was wonderful of course. From now on I will make it a point to make time for more of that! Today we are at the headquarters for the ATC, had our photo taken and added to the fat book. You should see all the books! Filled with pictures and contact information of all those hikers before me. Years from now people can look back to the 2008 book and see us there. E-man and The Lollygagger. Doug has left to hit the trail. I will not likely see him again until after Katahdin. I will finish up here, then go to the outfitters in hopes of finding some miracle boots. I must fix my foot problems! Then I will hike out of town, to begin the second half of my journey. And I will be alone, from now on out. It is a lonely feeling.
Date: 2008-07-19
From: past Ed Garvey's Shelter

To: Annopolis Rocks 
Miles today: 18.4

A long day of hiking, nothing remarkable to mention.The boots feel pretty good though I am still having some arch pain and the bottoms still hurt, especially when I go down a steep section. I can feel where the front piece of insole meets the back piece and it is right in the spot my feet are sorest. I may look into getting a different insole. The bugs were so bad I ate in my tent again. This is becoming a habit. One I do not like. Then when I was ready for sleep and got back into my tent after hanging my bear bag I noticed all this rustling, like things crawling in my tent. I shined the light and what did I see? LOTS of big black ants, under my tent, on top of the tyvek I use as a ground cloth. Many, many many ants, all hustling to go ?? They were practically deafening! I thought about getting out, moving the tent, but really, where would I move it? At that point it was dark and I would then have to brave more bugs so I finally broke off a bit of toilet paper, stuffed a wad in each ear and tried to think pleasant thoughts.
Date: 2008-07-21
From: past Buena Vista Rd

To: Fayetville
Miles today: 16.4

This morning after I got up I was sitting having my breakfast when I noticed, 40 feet away, in the blueberry bushes, the green tails of a luna moth! I hurried over and sure enough! A female luna moth was resting there. Such perfection! I of course marveled over the beauty and took some pictures. Then left her to sleep peacefully.I crossed into Pennsylvania today! so I'm now done with Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland! I will be in PA for, I think, several hundred miles. The terrain was fairly devoid of severe ups and downs, a fact for which I was thankful. No shortage of rocks. My feet, despite the new boots, are in bad shape. More shooting pain in the arch and balls of my feet. And when at last, late in the afternoon I got to the road crossing which would take me into town, I started walking and was shocked at the pain in my right arch. So bad I had to stop and lift my foot, limp when I was finally ready to try and move on. I cannot believe I will be able to hike on this foot. I made it to the small market .9 of a mile down the road. Slow but sure. No one would stop to pick me up, despite my thumb and attempts at hitchhiking. Because of course this isn't a small trail town. But a road on the way to bigger places, with lots of people in a hurry to get home after a long day at work. Car after car after car whizzed by. The market was a poor re-supply place. Pathetic with the selection. No fresh fruit, no tuna in envelopes for lunch, only two choices in granola bars. And so expensive! A box of cereal cost $5! When the shopping was done I stood outside in the hot sun (90 degrees) and asked people leaving if they would take me into town. Person after person said no. I eventually remembered that the hotel mentioned a shuttle (for $5) so I called and they said they'd send someone in 10 minutes. So I sat in the grass beside the road and waited. The hotel was $54 plus the $5 shuttle. My money is quickly disappearing. I will try and get my feet up, decide what to do tomorrow. 10:15pm And the pain kicks in. The bottom of my left foot is sending shooting pains. I wait a few minutes, hope it will just go away. When it doesn't, I take two tylenol and try to find something worthwhile to watch on TV, to get my mind off the pain.
Date: 2008-07-22
From: Fayetville

To: zero day! 
Miles today: 0.0

Oh, life is good today! I took a zero day. A much needed day of rest for my aching feet. I went to the library, took as much time as I wanted to be online, then did a few errands and went back to the hotel with my 25 cent John Irving book. What could be better than lying in a bug-free environment with a good book to whittle away the hours? I give it a 10. (I need more of these!)