morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-05-02
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: light rain

Lazy wake up for me. It sounded like it was raining and the mice were racing around. And 18 miles to town just isn't all that exciting. That's still a long hike. But eventually I headed off.It was a misty, rainy day and I didn't see anyone. I waited a while at the midpoint and then the state line with Virginia for Kid + Kazoo... but town called. I passed MOFO and another hiker closer to town. Going down to town - all of a sudden it was warm, sunny and GREEN. There were mowers running, a baseball game being announced and somewhere, someone was playing basketball. I was a little worried about finding a spot to wait for the other 2. But just off the trail was a little park with a shelter on it. So I waited (for 2 hours!) and just made the display more authentic for the town's folk.Aired out my feet since they were nasty, really bad after 2 days in wet socks. Took a nap... and they showed up. We got 100 yards further and a local stopped us and filled us in on the town. Told us EVERYTHING which took forever. And I was dying! I had to keep turning away because I couldn't even keep the laughing down. And Kid didn't help - he kept smiling.This is definitely a hiker town with friendly town people everywhere. And bikes everywhere too. We wandered, looking for food. Ate ice cream at Dairy King's (yes, King's) and then at Dot's, the place on the edge of town that serves (gasp!) beer.While we ate the Kid's hiking poles were stolen, which ruins this town a little for us. Laundry, a shower, and some donated cold pizza. The three of us stayed up playing a stupid card game that the kid was really good at. Apparently, I have no reflexes in town. (normally I do!) We had to slap doublesand they both would before I even moved my hand. Bedtime on the hard surface, but only $4 bunks.
Date: 2009-05-03
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Huh, zeroing on a rainy Sunday in a southern town. Kazoo and I met Kid at the gas station for breakfast. We kind of floated around all day eating.... way too much. They're a bad influence on me - I spent way too much money. They really wanted to watch the hockey game in the afternoon. Their teams were playing each other. And Kid really wanted a room. We eventually found a room in one of the many Damascus Inns. One owned by an amazing older lady. I had the best shower ever!I watched some of the game and ate some really good pizza before getting bored. I like hockey, but it's too much TV and too hard to follow on the TV. So I left, found Shenanigans who just arrived and was full of energy. An excited hello... and he disappeared. I was bored out of my mind and really wanted to hike out!Ug, zeros.
Date: 2009-05-04
From: Damascus

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

Oh, the best breakfast in a long, long time! Homemade biscuits and gravy, eggs, hash browns, bacon, cheese grits, peach cobbler, pancakes and fruit! Absolutely delicious! I won't need to eat for several days. And nothing will compare.Shenanigans met us, hid Kid's poles... and we headed back to the trail! Only one day off and my calves were burning. But it started pouring and I was ridiculously happy to be hiking again. And the rain felt so good. Happy to have Shenanigans back who still smiles despite the rain. All four of us together for once, for now.We ended us camping at the 16 mile shelter. They are all so fickle! First Shenanigans decides to hike into the night and Kid wants to stop at this shelter. Then they both change their minds! Shenanigans decides to stay... so we all do. But it was a fun night. We played Euchre.
Date: 2009-05-05
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: moderate rain

What a day! We all got up at 5 am to meet up with my Mom and Sister. About an hour of hiking in the dark. The trail crossed a field with staring cows and climbed until we were in the spruce - fir forest (my home). I never stopped, but did climb the 1/2 mile up to Mt. Rogers. Too bad it was a foggy and rainy day in the Grayson Highlands. I did see some ponies and a foal too. but was a little rushed to meet my worrier Mom. I got to the shelter with the side trail, but couldn't find it! So not only did my trail friends get up early with me for food, but my Mom and Sister were waiting for me... hopefully not worrying. I felt terrible and then it dumped on us! And poured like a faucet, off and on for the rest of the day. Hiked with Highlander and Shenanigans to the next shelter, wondering where Kazoo and Kid are!Hmmm... feel like moving on. This shelter is cramped and I'm in a bad mood. Everyone is complaining and I'm sick of the same old hiker conversations. So repetitive. I feel like going solo again and speeding on. The group is awesome when it works, but (or maybe it's just my mood), we can't seem to stick together.Relaxing evening watching the clouds blow by and writing.
Date: 2009-05-06
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: moderate rain

Didn't want to get up but the sky was clear! Clear and the sun was visible! Got up and going to enjoy this dry moment. The entire day flew by and the trail was so well graded I hardly noticed the ups and downs.Shenanigans caught up several miles for the midpoint of the day. And the downpour began - we were drenched. but it felt wonderful. Wet feet are getting old and mine are getting raw spots and smell like rotting. Eww, and my toenail is half falling off from my hiking boots (6 months later!). Feels weird.We cruised through the last 10 miles to this shelter where you can order pizza from. It's pretty packed. Had a good hike in with Shenanigans. Wondering what happened to the Kid and Kazoo?Let the snoring begin...
Date: 2009-05-07
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Atkins
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: light rain

Last night wasn't bad at all - very quiet despite how full it was. I fell asleep to Joker telling someone jokes... why is 6 afraid of 7... 'cause 789.It poured during the night and there was a decent T-storm in the morning. Kept me in my sleeping bag until 7:10! My legs were getting itchy. Demanding to hike NOW! Gotta get up, gotta go! There were so many people everywhere I had to get out of the way and go.Was rained on some more while I hiked and took a break at some shelter. Why do people leave trash everywhere?! And why do thru hikers complain and then not hike any out? Anyways, Shenanigans showed up and then Scout and a few others. There's been so much rain the valleys are flooding. They must be happy after the long drought here. The trail kept crossing one stream that was flooded and fast. Forget trying to keep dry feet! At least my shoes are clean now. We cruised into town as the sun broke out. Green hills! There was a beautiful barn on a hill with black cows. Shenanigans almost got hit by a car. Poison ivy everywhere, buttercups, honeysuckle and so much greenness. The trail went through grassy fields to town. So nice.Four of us are splitting a room for cheap. This town is a little sad and hitching didn't go great until the hostel shuttle picked us up. Shenanigans "the hiker" was an educational moment at the grocery store for an elementary class field trip. Resupply will be interesting for 5 days. PB + J!Well, a few things go out the window when I thru hike, like good writing. I think about good things to write while hiking and then forget.Got a ride back and did civilized stuff like showers and phone calls. Around 7 we headed up to eat at the "the Barn" and found the Kid and Kazoo there! They were behind because they found my Mom and Sister. Later we played Euchre where Shenanigans and I beat them again!
Date: 2009-05-08
From: Atkins

To: some creek
Miles today: 17.3

Had a horrible night listening to some really bad snoring, a distant TV and not so distant traffic. Another meal at "the barn" and we headed off. As soon as we started, so did the rain. I was mentally prepared for another several days of rain. But around noon it cleared up and the sun came out! Lots of climbing up and down small, but steep hills. Mountain Laurel and Dogwood trees are blooming and smell so good.The trail came out of the woods and went through some beautiful farms fields. Climbed over a million over fence things. We crossed a flooded, concrete bridge.We went up... we went down. Rested in a pavilion for a while. My socks warmed up in the sun, but didn't dry out. We continued up to a shelter in the sun. For whatever reason those 2 miles killed me! Continued over another climb where a log of millipedes were on top. Went down to some creek (good swimming) and set up while waiting for Kid and Kazoo.Once again, I'm getting sick... and feel dead. Rolled my ankle and cut up my knee... waiting for the inevitable infection. But it's all still good! We all were settled in time for a pretty good T-storm. We all huddled under Shenanigans tarp eating and talking. Wow - 1 night out of town and we're all still together!P.S. - saw a black snake, finally!
Date: 2009-05-09
From: some creek

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: light rain

I slept so hard last night I don't think I could have done anything about the rain. It DUMPED on us! Thunder, lightening and it rained so hard it beat through my tarp wall... making it drizzle inside. I woke up, noticed it and went back to sleep. My tent could have fallen down and I would have gone back to sleep. I had a great morning despite feeling sick and slow. Shenanigans got everyone's food and made me some tea! I've missed tea. Then I got some trail magic from a passing truck.A morning climb to a misty bald with lots of birds and flowering trees. There was a rock shelter on top with supertramp and lots of trash. I can't believe how much trash is left everywhere. And in the fire rings! Don't burn plastic, you lazy fools! It's not that heavy and puts bad stuff into the air... and into your lungs.Trail magic at Walker Gap! Hotdogs, and amazing homebaked stuff from two trail angels. So good! Put an end to our day, that and exhaustedness. Went a few more miles to some shelter over some rocky ridges with giant boulders. Lily of the valley, lady slipper, a rabbit, red eft and a deer. There was an amazing view of "God's thumbprint", a farmed valley in a bunch of ridges. Looks like a crater.Made it to a shelter at... what! 5ish! We decided to stay. The laziest trail day yet for me, since the beginning. But I really do feel exhausted.Joined by Pork Chop et al. We played Euchre and each won a game. Shenanigans and I had the amazing hand of all the trump. The Kid is getting better fast. A good day full of good people. I went to bed happy.
Date: 2009-05-10
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: broken clouds

Not the best wake up for me. Poison ivy on my arm and messed-up neck with spasms.   And still sick. Wonderful. But I took an Ibuprofen and headed off. The "rainy day" was actually beautiful and sunny. All day I stared at green, new leaves against blue sky. Last time it was sunny, the trees were still bare and I'm fully appreciating the difference. AND my feet were dry all day. This hasn't happened for about a week or more.Early in the day the Kid sped by me. What?! That surprise put a little energy in me. Alright, the trail was easy and the weather perfect, let's let our legs fly. I couldn't keep up with him! We got to the 14 mile shelter by noon. We waited 3 hours for Shenanigans and Kazoo, but they never showed up. Later we found out they just passed by. The day was so simple. The same, all day long. It went by so fast. But it felt wonderful. A full shelter of people we still know, which is nice! Lots of daylight left.Before bed we taught Kazoo cribbage or our own AT version. Using the Kid's sleeping pad - the orange, egg carton style kind, starting at Amicolola Falls and going to Katadin. Every hill is a Brushy mountain and every pocket a Deep Gap. Well, Kazoo got it fast and killed Shenanigans and I.Sardine Shelter night.Happy Mother's Day to all Mothers! But especially to my Mom and also my Aunt and Oma. Much love to them all!
Date: 2009-05-11
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Doc's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: light rain

Woke up to rain... again. No one in the shelter wanted to get up. 7 am and no one was moving. I started moving when Kid appeared from his tent and left while Shenanigans was still in his sleeping bag.The morning was rainy and flat with LOTS of poison ivy.. everywhere... bushes, vines, etc. I caught up with the Kid at some road. We sat in the rain eating. The rest of the day disappeared. It was ridiculously flat! The trail went through an old pine plantation. Trees in rows with soft, orange needles all over the ground. With no distractions my mind started wandering and got lost. At some point I came back to the trail, thinking, I hope I'm still on the AT.Had lunch at some shelter where Shenanigans and Kazoo caught up and we debated a 30 to town and making it to Harper's Ferry by the 28th. More big talk.Hiked the big, bad climb... lions, tigers and bears! Oh! No! The 2,000 foot climb in 1.5 miles had people talking. We huffed and we puffed and it wasn't bad at all. An easy ridge cruise to the shelter for one night. The section caretaker was there cutting wood for a fire and beer and pizza for us. Awww! Spike and Little Indian were there too. Very nice, talkative people. But come to find out, this is the Spike who wrote all over a string of shelters about respecting Vets. So it's hard to like him now and hard to yell at him.Chilly evening, felt good. We played cribbage in sleeping bags, in a line.Slept wonderfully.
Date: 2009-05-12
From: Doc's Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: scattered clouds

The Kid and I got up at 5 am to get in town early for breakfast. Tough getting up in the dark when I was so cozy and warm. But the hike was beautiful. Saw lots of deer, a pileated woodpecker and the end of the sunrise from a great view. Lots of good views of an undercast valley with ridges poking through.We ate at some fast food breakfast place (it was the first and only option) and ate again at a Dairy Queen before reaching the Motor Lodge (aka cheap hotel). Ran around getting town stuff done. It's so much work... only tossed my socks in the laundry. Ate at the AYCE Chinese place and resupplied. Shenanigans, after much debate decided to stay at the hostel around 2 miles further from town. Kid and Kazoo got ready for game 6 of their two teams. Mud, Porkchop and Giddy-up were all set for the game as well, but fell asleep before I did! I passed out while they watched late into the night.I love blizzards. Cut off half my toe nail that I'm losing. Weird.
Date: 2009-05-13
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Baily Gap Shelter
Miles today: 22.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Wait, what happened this morning? The Kid has decided to go to Trail Days. Shenanigans came in saying - let's go to Harper's Ferry and Kazoo decided on Trail Days. What? That's a fast change I didn't see coming at all! Had to say goodbye to The Kid and Kazoo. Leaving them behind for the last time.Shenanigans really did want to hike to Harper's, so we left and got on the trail around 11 and buster out a 23! A real good climb out of town onto a beautiful, grassy ridge. And it was sunny! And we were hiking... in the sun! Climbed up to the final shelter for the day. I was expecting a nearly empty one, but we took the last 2 spaces and there were tenters too. They all went to bed early! My legs hurt.
Date: 2009-05-14
From: Baily Gap Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 27.0
Weather: overcast clouds

So, I thought this crew would be early to rise after being early to bed, not so much. Oh, while trying to fall asleep 2 jets flew directly over us blasting us with noise.Nice easy ridge walk, although lots of rocks to step carefully on and around. Passed Supertramp (Happy B-Day to him!) Slowly descended to some shelter. Bunion, a logger, pointed out that the caterpillar infestation was gypsy moths.ohhh.... The problem I'd learned about in school. Yuck! They're crawling in everything and hanging from threads in the trail. They're eating up the trees too. Not good.Had a good climb up a mountain. I've missed them. Flat gets boring! Went through some beautiful fields up to the biggest oak tree in the south. A HUGE one with thick branches. We sat under it (not in the poison ivy!). And Highlander walked up. His Dad had just got off the trail. And for various reasons Highlander had bought TONS of food and was suffering on the climb. For part of the day he was saying he'd go with us to Harper's Ferry and share the food he had. "We're going to eat well tonight." Even threatened to call in the bears if we didn't help.So after a beautiful ridge walk we rolled in to a shelter. And typical, the shelter was full since we came in late. But that's okay, a good day of hiking, 27!
Date: 2009-05-15
From: Niday Shelter

To: Campbell Shelter
Miles today: 27.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Not a good night for sleeping. It was too hot, lots of t-storms and no-see-ums came out. All of this made me slow getting up. I left at Shenanigans time apparently. Relaxed mornings can be fun, but I love hiking early since these hours don't count.Hiked down to a flooded section of trail before climbing back up a mountain. Nice switchbacking trails to a monument for Audi Murphy, a war hero and movie star. Back down, then back up to another shelter. We had to go the 0.3 miles off trail to it for water. Found a beautiful, yellow and black box turtle and a black snake. We realized there were still ~17 miles to go for the day and it was 2 pm! The trail being occasionally cruel, knew we had some distance to cover and threw it all at us. Up and down, up and down... to Dragon's Tooth, which was worth it. A little side trip to a huge rock fin sticking up above the trees. Touristy, but we climbed up. Why isn't this as famous as McAfee Knob? I loved it.A bouldery descent to a road. The data points showed a gradual climb to McAfee Knob. HA! Shenanigans counted 7 mini peaks on a 4 mile long ridge that seemed like to would never end or descend. When it did, it climbed right back up again. We were both DEAD. Took turns leading for mental encouragement. Passed shelter #1, then shelter #2 all the way up to the Knob. Reaching that felt like quite the accomplishment. I think we'd both passed exhausted awhile back. But we made it just as fog was forming and enjoyed the view. You could hear night sounds of the long valley below and there was some distant lightening.Headlamped it down to the shelter. I still couldn't believe we'd made it... so sorry body! Someone put up a tent INSIDE the shelter, taking up lots of space. But there was still room for us. Ate and crashed. That's a long day to sum up. It rivaled some of my other tough, crazy days. You've gotta do something crazy once in a while just to remind yourself what you can do.
Date: 2009-05-16
From: Campbell Shelter

To: Daleville
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: few clouds

Alright, it's a new day, but feels like a continuation of yesterday. I slept like the dead, but we got up at 5 am to reach the Post Office before noon (15 miles). In, past dark and out before light. They must have thought we were crazy. More ups and downs to Tinker Cliffs, which were also beautiful. A 1/2 mile along rock cliffs. Then some cool rock that is apparently a kid hang out spot. There was graffiti everywhere...Passed a ton of sweet-smelling day hikers on the way down. Shenanigans claimed they made faces when they passed us because we smell.Saw some bear prints.Made it to town in time for the Post Office. Yay! Wandered around looking for a cheap place to stay. Ate ice cream, Bojangles (southern experience, check!) and gear store. I scored perfect Montrails for 1/2 price. My feet are cushy and happy. Shenanigans got new insoles so there are happy feet all around.Laundry, shower, etc. We ate at the amazing Country Cookin'. And cranberry pomegranate juice, strawberries and cantaloupe. The healthiest, best town stay I've had yet. Perfect. I feel so rested.
Date: 2009-05-17
From: Daleville

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up after lots of good sleep and a continental breakfast, slowly packed up and got on the trail around 10:30. Drizzling, pack covers on! And the Trail Days hikers are back and generally tired from all their partying. So the trails aren't as quiet as they were. Somehow the 20 miles flew by. Amazing how fast miles go by when you aren't hurting and aren't in any hurry. Happy feet, too! Mmmm... packed out juice, yum.Hiked down a cow field and the cows on the trail got up for me! Then I almost slipped and died on a slimy, wet bridge.The trail crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway many times with decent views. We stopped at every one. Watched cars drive through, slow down to look and speed on. Shenanigans went a little crazy singing Lion King and made up some story where I ended up stranded on some tiny mountain.Maybe we need to do some more miles. We spent the night with 4 girls and a sleeping James. Barely fit in the shelter. Nice chilly night to enjoy my 10 degree sleeping bag.
Date: 2009-05-18
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: clear sky

I slept in and finally started hiking around 8 am and no one awake yet! That's okay. I had a good morning crossing the B.R.P. (Blue Ridge Parkway) and eventually descending to a road with good swimming. But they had just stocked the river with trout and there were people fishing everywhere. So not so much swimming for me, it was chilly too. Up the trail was some trail magic. First a cooler of sodas, then a bag of food. Wow - two in a row! Met a bunch of hikers her from Trail Days and Shenanigans caught up.It seemed like the rest of the day was climbing. Poison ivy everywhere. Shenanigans sped off. I don't know what happened but he's suddenly very fast! Maybe he realized he has very long legs. Took a break at a giant, beautiful shelter. Then lots of climbing to the next. I enjoyed it, 5 miles of steady uphill felt good, no stopping! I left Shenanigans at the shelter, but he caught up again, twice apparently. Took it easy. Enjoyed the view over Black Rock and then Apple Orchard Mountain (there were no apples). The guillotine, a small boulder pinched below 2 large ones that you walk under, was a little disappointing. Came in to the shelter to find some trail magic. Kielbasa, pancakes and orange juice. YUM! Ate LOTS.Lost horribly to Shenanigans at cribbage and now I have to carry the deck of cards. Nice cold night, can see your breath!