morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-05-30
From: Black Rock campsite

To: Matt's Creek shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: broken clouds

Hot again today, it feels as if we have been teleported to midsummer, from months of varying spring like conditions. I am not ready for this! The air is laden with moisture, making exercise an immediate sweat bath. The bulk of my days are spent exercising vigorously, so sodden clothes, socks and shoes are the norm. Water supplies are really down, and only the heartiest of creeks have water in them now. Flies seemed to have hatched recently, and they are everywhere. I hope like crazy that I will acclimate to the new heat and humidity. It could happen!    I am tenting across the creek from Matt's Creek shelter, as is Jan. We walked with only minimal breaks from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. Too much. Various conditions conspired to make this necessary, but it was an uncomfortable experience, to say the least. 1. Virginia is NOT flat!!!2. I'm definitely a cool weather hiker3. Carrying 2 liters of water at 5#, for 2 extra miles is wearisome.4. I do well with an 8 hour hiking day.5. I prefer a 12 mile hiking day.   On the bright side, there is a creek that has some flow to it here, and I can hear a faint trickle of water from my tent. I was able to take my washcloth and my dirty socks downstream, and get myself cleaned up and the sox rinsed out. They are hanging from a branch of an ash sapling now.   Wildlife sightings included a toad,a lovely doe right on the trail, reluctant to move, and a two foot garter snake, black with beautiful yellow stripes.    Tomorrow we are aiming for a short hike to the road, a quick trip to Glasgow for 6 days' food, and a hike into the woods again for a few miles. Hope we can get a ride to town and back without too much stress, as the road in isn't walkable and our hitching hasn't been that effective.   I apologize to my friends and readers that I have not been able to answer you personally right now. The phone reception and access to the Internet has been dismal. I really do appreciate your thoughts and Uncle Tom reads me your Guest Book entries on the rare chance when I get to call.   Auntie Mame
Date: 2008-06-01
From: Glasgow

To: Pedlar River Bridge 
Miles today: 15.9

It only took an extra hour or so to get back on the trail at James River, than it would have had we stayed at John's Hollow shelter, mile 775.1. Jan and I had breakfast at the same place we had our meals yesterday, and then Ken shuttled us right back to the trailhead. He mentioned some tentsites that were on the old AT, up by Pedlar River and we would later find them and stay there. Great lead, as we were about done for the day and also getting some rain by then. Thanks, Ken, for your timely support.   Much of the day was in the low 80's, but a bit less humid and with a moderate breeze. I felt so much better hiking and that I had some strength and endurance. We went up something called Fuller's Rocks, which was a steep and steady climb, but the breeze helped a lot and kept us from fading. Little by little I should adapt to the summery weather.    We went up Bluff Mtn later, then passed by Punchbowl shelter. The laurel was abundant and showy, creating arches of their beautiful trunks and graceful leaves and blossoms. It was a photographer's heaven, and I had to keep reminding myself to watch my step, not the plant life. It was tough! In the later part of the day we climbed Rice Mtn and then came down to the Forest Service road and the Bridge over Pedlar River.    In the last half hour of our hike, dark clouds built up and the wind began to whip the upper levels of the trees. We hustled over the swaying suspension bridge and down to a little path off to the right. It ran along the river, then into the piney woods and along a creek. Jan and I found some flat spots on an old wods road and set up quickly. The rain petered out, and I was able to cook Lo Mein and then cocoa for my supper, sitting on rocks near the creek. This water level is way down, many creek-bottom rocks exposed, and just a small running stream moving through the lowest spots. I am glad to have that, but still concerned about the lack of significant rain here.   So, I am learning how much the conditions around me affect my well being as a hiker. One day I can be miserable, and two days later feel pretty competent and satisfied. One fellow passed us later the next day, saying he was ready to throw in the towel that morning, but by noon was amazed at how beautiful the hiking was. Long distance hiking seems to give rise to that sort of thing. Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame
Date: 2008-06-02
From: Pedlar River Bridge 

To: Hog Camp Gap
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

Its a little after 6 pm at Hog Camp Gap, a lush and rolling field scattered with hardwood trees here and there. The sun is slanting across the brilliant green of the grass and leaves, casting it all in a gold light. Tiny groups of hikers have formed campsites here and there across the area, and the company is most welcome. Since its not a shelter area, it is very spacious and accommodates campers beautifully.   Not long after we arrived a hiker came over to introduce himself. Crutch was his name, and he invited us to get in on a pizza order he was organizing. Turns out he has been doing hotdogs and beer here for a few nights, now its time for pizza! The whole crew here is placing orders, and he is heading out to town shortly. Crutch has been on the Hard Rock crew, Bob People's annual trail maintenance extravaganza. He also worked over at Cloud 9 hostel in Hiawassee this year. This is his idea of fun, serving hikers when they least suspect it! Well, we are happy to be served, and dinner should be here before long.   I slept pretty well last night by the creek, and was dreaming heavily by morning. I slept late, getting up at 7:30, so we got on the trail closer to 9am. We divided the day roughly in half, first the 5 miles to Brown's Creek shelter for lunch, then a major uphill for the afternoon, to Cold Mtn. Clear and sunny, we moved in and out of areas with breezes and areas without.    From 12 to 4 we climbed. At times it was strenuous. I had to ration out water again, as there were no sources between the shelter and the Hog Camp gap spring. I filled a 1 litre platy and a 20oz bottle, and drank as much as I could before heading up.   I discovered Crystal Light mixes today. I had taken a few from the hiker box in Daleville, cherry with pomegranate, green tea with raspberry, and they were flavorful, tangy and did not have too much of an aftertaste. I don't use these at home, but on the trail they make odd tasting water more paletable. They also just provide interest when the water is kind of luke warm.   Around 3 pm I dug out my iPod Shuffle, and plugged in. I was getting worn out and knew we had a couple of hours to go. Wow. What a treat! Tom's hand picked tunes really moved me. I had forgottten how evocative music and lyrics can be, and the combination of lush scenery and tunes from David Byrne, Alison Krauss, Del McCoury... divine.   I stopped and listened closely when a version of California Stars came on, and finally realized I was listening to my own son's deep, rich baritone, on a recording he had done this winter. I was moved to tears. Lincoln lives in Montana, and I don't see him often, so the song touched the part of me that loves music and felt like a strong connection. Thank you, Lincoln, for singing for us. Keep it up, you have a powerful voice and great phrasing.   The sun is streaming into my tent now,and casting long shadows of the trees. This was a wonderful day on the trail and one of the ones I will remember for its sensory richness. I am a lucky one.Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame
Date: 2008-06-03
From: Hog Camp Gap

To: Dutch Haus, Montebello, VA
Miles today: 11.0

As disappointing as our Glasgow digs were, the Dutch Haus is surprising. But lets start at the beginning, shall we?   I slept well in the field at Hog Camp, as it was cool enough to zip right into my 40 degree bag and snuggle down. Maybe that muffles the night noises somewhat, because I woke up less than usual. At 5:45am I heard the first birds and saw that it was getting light out. I got up quickly and went to get the food bags hanging nearby, so I could at least once a month put Jan's beside her tent before she got up. Success. She was looking out sleepily when I stopped by.   We were packed up by 6:45 and on our way through the fields. Red from PA was heading out then, as well. The goal today was to get to the Fish Hatchery Rd by noon. The trail rambled around over a small mountain and along ridges, not a lot of rocky ups as there are sometimes. Weather was coming in, some kind of turbulence, so winds blew inconsistantly and the sky darkened at times.    We paid a brief visit to Seeley Wadsworth shelter, called down to the hostel and got directions for pick-up. We were now a party of three, as Red decided to join us.    Fish Hatchery Rd winds steeply uphill from Montebello, and people don't drive it much. After scampering downhill that mile to the parking area, we could see why. Earl from the Dutch House met us there and drove us the few miles more to their immaculate home. Its a log home on a manicured sloping lawn, with landscaping that uses native plants. Lois met us and showed us to the room we would share, and gave us a laundry basket for our grungey duds.    We had hot showers and then a home cooked lunch of pot roast and gravy, baked beans and potato salad. I promptly headed up to my bed for a nap, feeling so appreciative of the chance to stretch out on a real bed. I zonked out for an hour or so, and whiled away the time before supper with a little reading and some visiting. South Paw, Rabbit, Jet Ski and Red were here, along with a friend of South Paw's from Hot Springs. Dinner was served at 6:30, a feast of green salad, meat loaf, baked potatoes with sour cream, green bean cassarole, !and strawberry shortcake.   I went over to the dark side when Lois asked us all if we'd like to slackpack a 21 mile section tomorrow, ending up here for another night. It didn't take too much persuading for V8 to get on board with this idea. So, now its time to get my borrowed daypack filled, and to bring this evening to a close. Its been raining steadily since 5pm, so I am happy to know there will be a roof waiting for me after tomorrow's hike, no matter how wet, cold or hot it may be. I really am a lucky one.Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame
Date: 2008-06-05
From: Reeds Gap 

To: Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: few clouds

That Pepsi I hungrily consumed last night at the trailhead worked its caffeinated magic long into the night. Not a great night's sleep.    But today was a new day, and we were at the breakfast table by 7, out the door by 8. We said our goodbyes to Liberty and sister Helen, K1, New York Minute, Lois, Earl and their Dads, and left the Reeds Gap trail head at 8:30.   Rabbit started out with us to get warmed up, then took off for Waynesboro. We found his tent lying in the trail 4 miles out of the Gap, and each of us carried it for 5 miles, hoping to catch him eventually. Here at Wolfe shelter we gave it to Conan to ferry it to Waynesboro. We hope he connects with Rabbit there.    My take on today: too warm, midges and black flies in my face, itchy bites on my legs, and too many miles for the day after a 21-miler. However, it did not rain on us, and that's a good thing. 60% chance of thunder showers tonight, at least by this morning's report. Earl handed me a sheet with the 10 day forecast for Montebello after breakfast, and it was high 80's, chances for storms every single day. He was shocked, as its never that warm in these mountains, by his account. Mame gets another extended opportunity to acclimatize to the south.   V8 and I are settled in the shelter and Hiker Dave, Always Fine, Hot Sauce and Red are cleaning up and doing chores. Nice group, peaceful and warm hearted. Our plan is to get to Waynesboro tomorrow, and take a zero Sat. What a lovely thing to anticipate in this unseasonably humid weather. Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame
Date: 2008-06-07
From: Waynesboro

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today was a hiatus in our usual routine, marked by my 3 hour morning nap and 1 hour afternoon nap. In amongst those rest periods I had breakfast with some cheerful Inn guests, spent time at the town library using an internet station, and visited the hostel at the Lutheran church.   A great surprise came in the form of Leaping Turtle, our old buddy from back at Hiker Hostel in Dahlonega, GA. V8 thought she heard the word turtle mentioned when we were watching a movie at the hostel. She went out in the hall to investigate, and sure enough, there he was, back on the trail after a three week hiatus to attend a wedding back home in Missouri. After the general dispersion of former trail pals after Trail Days, we were so glad to reunite. Later, we all went to a local restaurant well known for great food and good wine, and got caught up over sandwiches and a bottle of shiraz.    Tomorrow I want to get the back pad and pack straps washed and put out in the sun to dry. There is a short shopping list for food, and packing up a bounce box to send on to Harper's Ferry. I hope to get another hour in at the library's internet terminal as well.    I will keep an eye on the weather predictions to see when the best time to head back out may be. Stay tuned.Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame
Date: 2008-06-08
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Continuing severe heat warnings from the weatherman.   I finally had the conditions and time to launder my down sleeping bag at the laundramat, dry it partway in the big drier, and hang it out in the sun and breeze to freshen and dry some more. At night I took it up to the attic where it could hang undisturbed in the dry heat. I worked the clumped down with my fingers, until it was dry enough to begin to disperse on its own.   My second project was scrubbing the backpack pads with warm water and antibacterial soap. I was able to do that in the oversize Victorian bathtub, rinsing and scrubbing several times over. I hung the little guy out on the line here, and then it, too, spent the night in the attic. Both are in much, much better condition, smelling better and starting out dry and fresh.   This evening a hiker named Me as well as Leaping Turtle were both staying at Tree Streets, so ever the idea man, LT spearheaded a little supper at home. We took a quick trip to the Kroger's for fruit, salad, cheese and bread, and returned to lay out a tasty spread on the elegant dining room table. We had the enjoyable company of Nicki and Bill, who supprted our caper with bowls and plates and space to prep the food. Since it has continued to be in the upper 90's, we all appreciated not having to go out for supper. LT made a crab and bleu cheese dip, and served us cantloupe, grapes, strawberries and cherries. He fixed up a cheese plate with Brie, cheddar, bleu and Limberger. That, by the way, was a flavorful, delightful surprise! We filled it in with sliced salmon and feta and a green salad, and ended with lemon meringue pie, compliments of the Inn.I started a Robt. Parker novel, "Walking Shadow", a pleasant, witty and relaxing read, short enough to finish in our remaining time here.Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame
Date: 2008-06-09
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Yet another extremely hot day, in which we stayed put and prepared to hike out tomorrow. I shopped briefly at the foodstore for a few items for the food bag, and picked up a cap sleeve shirt out of poly mesh for the clothing bag. Bye bye wool.   I walked to the town library again today, and enjoyed catching up on other hikers' journals for a little while. Even at 10 in the morning, it was hitting 90.    LT had been in touch with Pops, a fellow hiker also from Dahlonega, who lives 15 miles from here. Since Pops had had to leave the trail due to chronic back problems, we were thrilled to hear he would meet us for lunch in town today. We all went to South River Grill, and I enjoyed the 1/2 # burger immensely. We all caught up on news of various types, and told stories of our adventures. It was a civilized, delightful lunch.   Thanks, Pops, for the great conversation, laughs and warmth, not to mention your ferry service to these stranded hikers!   Later, it was packing time, deciding exactly what meals to bring and getting them bagged up. I still have a "bounce" box, so am editing the items that I will send ahead to Harper's Ferry. The odd collection of bits and pieces I do not want to carry must either be sent home, put in the hiker box or discarded. Tedious. As lovely as our hosts and surroundings have been, I can feel that urge to get hiking again, bubbling up more and more. Its time to head out.Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame
Date: 2008-06-10
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Tent site at mile 865
Miles today: 14.5

"We're back in the sad-dle a-gain..."   Hello from 14.5 miles north of Waynesboro. I'm sitting on my sleeping bag in my tent, its about 7pm, avoiding the swarming masses of blackflies, et al, and waiting for the thunderstorm to materialize. Rumbling from the west has accompanied our set-up and our supper prep, and at this point, I hope it brings us some rain for the springs and a cooling effect for the hikers.    Yes, its still hot, but there was more air moving today, and a bit less stickiness. All hopeful.       We had our last breakfast with the Aldriches, and Bill kindly took us by the FedEx office so we could mail boxes, then dropped us off at the trailhead about 9:30am. Both V8 and I were glad to be back hiking, and the first few hours were quite pleasant. We entered Shenandoah Nat'l Park, which requires a tag on one's pack with identification and general plan. Kind of like a laundry tag. Almost as if the wildlife knew park from non-park, we saw our first bear today in midafternoon. Jan and I were looking to the right at one point, into a thin woods with heavy ground cover, when she said, "THAT'S a bear..." Sure enough, a bright eared, healthy looking speciman looked up at us, alert and curious, when we started clacking our trekking poles together. It looked at us another few seconds and high tailed it into the woods. I was very glad to see that reaction, as I have heard a few too many stories of late, of bears enchanted by campers' food supplies. It was a huge treat to actually see this fellow in its own world, and good to have a reminder that we are their guests, not vice versa.      During the lay-off period as we waited out the heat wave, I noticed my ankles and feet swelling and getting tight feeling, each day. Tonight, my feet are back to normal. It must be that circulation does odd things when hiking stops suddenly. I was happy to recognize my legs and feet again!   The other oddity is the large collection of bug bites on my legs, feet and under my watch band. Some are blackflies, but some I don't recognize. They seem to have arrived as of last Fri. night at the Paul Wolfe shelter. Most of them go through an itchy spell daily, and look pretty mean. Eventually they will go away I know. And I certainly am in good company!   A crew of friends have decided to do an "Aqua Blaze", that is to follow the trail by taking a parallel water route. Rubber rafts, canoes and kayaks are proceeding north to Harper's Ferry today and tomorrow. We hope to meet up again with Me and Leaping Turtle, and perhaps Rabbit, and Yazzie, all who will be taking the cool route to W.V. Let's see who gets there first!Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame
Date: 2008-06-13
From: motel near DC airport 

To: Motel near DC airport
Miles today: 0.0

Somebody send me the duct tape: I'm sliding off the trail... Its hard to write this as I am still a little shocked and unsettled.    On Wed. evening after V8 spoke with her family, she knew that she needed to get home for at least a few weeks, to provide support. Medical issues are up on the home front, and her presence is needed.    I have thought about continuing on my own, but I love being part of this team and can't imagine doing significant parts of the AT without Jan.    Right now I am at a hotel outside of Dulles airport, waiting for a Sat. flight back to Maine. Its all urban and pavement and shopping centers, which bewilder and enchant me at the same time.    I asked the concierge where I could buy a pair of walking shorts and flip flops, and she directed me to a KMart across two busy streets. That was a stimulating experience, just walking to the store! My hiking shorts are too short for street wear, and my bright yellow Crocs don't work for me in civilization. So I spent time at KMart, in a manner of speaking, searching for trappings of my other life, the pre-AT one. I was drawn to longer shorts that actually have cargo pockets and look like hiking apparel. Photo shows results.   This is so sudden, even though I knew there was a chance this could happen, I want to take time to log in about the process of leaving the AT and the reflections that come up as a result. I plan to continue to make entries until I know my hiking is over for the season.    Jan reminded me that we are going to be in transition for awhile now, whether we can resume the hike as planned or not. One possibility would be to do some short sections closer to home that don't require being out of touch for days at a time.    Huge thanks to everyone who has read, written in the Guest book, and otherwise supported this endeavor.   I can't bear the thought of losing Auntie Mame, as the moniker has given me energy and joy. For now, I remain, yours truly,Auntie Mame
Date: 2008-06-14
From: Holiday Inn Express, Herndon, VA 

To: Portland, ME
Miles today: 0.0

Yeow. What a jumble of feelings I am having right now. V8 and I had a day and a half in DC that served as a beginning re-entry period. Since the hotel and the town were unfamiliar, it was easy to just go through the motions of eating meals and watching TV and walking around the area. I was acutely aware that I had suddenly turned into a regular citizen, was no longer "A hiker". What a weird sensation. I thought it would show somehow, and people might acknowledge that I had lost something important to me, the way they do when they know you have just moved, or something. But of course that didn't happen. I felt preoccupied with after images of the trail, while walking down the steamy Washington sidewalks in my new black rubber flip flops. My feet felt funny, the traffic scared me, the over all organization of the place was overwhelming at times. When I heard a mockingbird on a lamp post in the Safeway parking lot, going crazy with all its loony repertoire, I almost cried. Same bird, different venue. I am 45 minutes from Maine now, where Tom will pick us up. I anticipate some rapid adjustment to home, once I am there. And I will not, for one minute, miss the sultry heat or the invisible biting insects. Its back and forth, loss and relief and anticipation and sadness...I wonder about the guys who are thinking about flip flopping from Harpers Ferry to Katahdin, and starting south. That interests me, and may be something I could do while I am still in shape. Lots to process and time now to do that. I look forward to having the time to check other hikers' journals on Trailjournals. Marcia JamrogAuntie Mame