morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-10
From: Audie Murphy Monument

To: Daleville,VA
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: light rain

(Posted Day 56 journal entry late. To view Day 56 journal entry select the Previous Tab above)   Day 57 highlights: Keffer Oak Tree (largest oak tree on the Appalachian Trail in the south:18 feet around and over 300 years old). Crossed the Eastern Continental Divide (1920 miles to Gulf of Mexico and 405 miles to the Atlantic Ocean). Tenting tonight right next to the Audie Murphy Monument (see photo to the left). As the monument says, Audie Murphy died in an airplane crash nearby where I am tenting. Rained pretty much all day. I got soaking wet pretty much all day. I am dry and warm in my tent and ready for a good night's sleep listening to the wind blow up here on Brush Mountain Virginia. I may try to shuttle back to a big Hiker Feed at Craig Creek Road tomorrow afternoon? I am now looking at perhaps getting to Daleville,VA on Monday afternoon?
Date: 2014-05-11
From: John's Spring Shelter

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 18.6

Highlight of Day 58 easily was the Hiker Feed at Craig Creek Road (Virginia HWY 621). At 7:30am I left where I tented last night near the Audie Murphy Monument (see Day 57 journal entry) and walked 11.7 miles to Newport Road (Virginia HWY 624). During this stretch I walked over what may the most difficult section of the Appalachian Trail in Virginia called The Dragons Tooth. After reaching Newport Road, myself (Right Here), Mobius, Mission, and Red Leg got a shuttle back to the Hiker Feed at Craig Creek Road from Joe Mitchell, the owner of the Four Pines Hostel, Catawba,VA. What can I say about the Hiker Feed other than wonderful. The All You Can Eat Menu Included: Lasagna cooked in a Dutch Oven, homemade garlic/cheese yeast rolls cooked in a Dutch Oven, cheese cake cooked in a Dutch Oven, casseroles, barbecue chicken, quesadillas, salad, hot dogs, watermelon, bread pudding cooked in a Dutch Oven, homemade brownies, homemade cookies, chips, fruit, drinks, coffee, and more I can't remember. Thanks to the folks who provided and prepared the feed. They simply love hikers and want to provide support to hikers. Some of the folks who provided and cooked the hiker feed are former Thru Hikers and understand how much Thru Hikers enjoy to eat. As the miles increase the obsession with food and eating increases. Thanks and Thanks again. Bless you Angels. Another highlight of the day was going over 700 miles walked. The miles are rolling by each day. I've got to remember to enjoy each day of this truly amazing experience day at a time. Hopefully it can go on for awhile longer.
Date: 2014-05-12
From: Daleville, VA

To: Waynesboro ,VA
Miles today: 19.8

Made it to Daleville,VA today. Walked a total of 18.8 miles. The section from Pearisburg,VA to Daleville (92.7 miles) has been hard on the feet and knees because of the rocks. I averaged 18.5 miles per day the past five days to make it from Pearisburg to Daleville and still managed to take time off to attend the Hiker Feed on Mother's Day at Craig Creek Road (for a description of the Hiker Feed read Day 58 journal entry). I crossed over McAfee Knob early this morning (See photo to left. Can't see the faces very well in the photo but left to right are myself, Mission (retired fireman from Newport,RI) and Mobius, (retired concrete worker from Minneapolis,MN)). The remainder of the day was just walking to Daleville. The weather is heating up. I drank 4 liters of water today while walking. Mobius said he drank 7 liters of water while walking today. Mission has been walking with us the past 5 days. He started his thru hike with his Wife (Youngster) but she had to get off the trail due to a leg injury. The last hour today was spent walking in a thunderstorm. The cool rain actually felt good. I just let the rain soak me and made no attempt to try and stay dry. I will be taking care of some business tomorrow such as picking up my new boots which I had mailed from home and mailing my old boots and some other items back home. I will resume with my walk early Wednesday morning. The beat goes on as I plug away at walking the Appalachian Trail in Virginia. As I mentioned in an earlier journal entry, I will spend the entire month of May and part of June walking to get out of Virginia. All is well.
Date: 2014-05-13
From: Daleville, VA

To: Buena Vista,VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Well. The first 60 days have past. Seems like a lifetime ago I started clean shaven, fresh, with a dream in my heart, and took out walking from the parking lot at Springer MTN, GA. Time is getting away from me. I have basically let it unfold day at a time. One week ago, two weeks ago, seem like ancient history. My health has remained good although my feet and knees are beginning to feel the miles. I am about where I wanted to be mileage wise on day 60. Statistically speaking, the first 30 days I walked 286.70 miles and the second 30 days I walked 437.30 miles. I have picked up the pace. I have walked northward the entire 60 days with my pack on my back. I plan to continue walking north with my pack on my back. It would feel strange or odd to do it any other way. In fact, I kind of like my pack because it contains everything I need to be comfortable. Now it becomes pretty much all about staying healthy. I have never had a thought about quitting. I am now one third of the way to Maine. If I stay healthy the days and miles will pass too quickly. If nothing happens I want to reach Maine in early September. But really I am not thinking beyond getting up tomorrow morning and walking all day tomorrow. That's really far enough ahead to look. I took care of basic personal business in Daleville ,VA today such as getting some food for the next few days from the nearby Kroger Grocery Store and letting my body enjoy recuperation time. The weather was good and I had a great Supper at Three Pigs Barbecue in Daleville with Mobius, Mission, and Red Leg. There were lots of hikers at Three Pigs. To name a few, I saw Mayonnaise Pockets, Texting, Big Spoon, Toast, Tank, Time To Eat, Cambodia, Trip, and others, whose names I don't know, at the restaurant. A good day but time to get moving. Looking forward to tomorrow Right Here.
Date: 2014-05-14
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Buena Vista,VA
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Not much to report for Day 61. Just a lot of walking. 25 miles of walking. Trying to get some miles in before the big rain expected to arrive tomorrow morning. It is projected to rain between 2 to 3 inches before Friday morning. That will be a lot of rain. Highlights of today would be seeing the rhododendron in bloom and occasionally walking beside and on The Blue Ridge Parkway.
Date: 2014-05-15
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Buena Vista, VA
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I began walking at 6am to beat the incoming rain. I Walked 7 miles to Bryant Ridge Shelter and decided rather than walk in the rain I would sit in the shelter and watch the rain. I believe it was a good decision. At 11:30am it began to rain and has rained the rest of the day. I couldn't have had a better shelter to sit in during a rain storm than the Bryant Ridge Shelter. This shelter is really big and is uniquely designed. It is a post and beam built shelter. There is a bottom sleeping area and a loft sleeping area. The shelter has windows in some of the walls. The trail guide says the shelter will sleep 20 people. I believe if push came to shove more than 20 people could sleep in the shelter. Up to this point this is the best shelter I have seen along the trail. At around noon, Me and another guy at the shelter whose trail name is Fiber One walked a couple of miles to Middle Creek Campground for lunch. After lunch, the Lady who owns the Camp Store, Jean (I believe that is her name) gave us a ride back to the trail that leads to the shelter. The rain is suppose to stop early tomorrow morning. I am going to get an early start tomorrow and make up for the short day I put in today. As I type this the rain is pounding away on the roof of the shelter. It just feels good to be in out of the rain.
Date: 2014-05-16
From: Buena Vista, VA

To: Buena Vista ,VA
Miles today: 26.3
Weather: scattered clouds

I hiked 13 hours today. Beautiful afternoon in Virginia. I walked a total of 26.3 miles. I am too tired to write much of a journal entry. Photo to the left is of the Guillotine Rock. I walked a mile by the James River which was swollen from yesterday's heavy rain then crossed the James River on the longest foot use only bridge on the Appalachian Trail. Tenting the night next to a stream. I will try to make it to Buena Vista by tomorrow night which means another long mileage day tomorrow.
Date: 2014-05-17
From: 3 Springs Hostel

To: Waynesboro,VA
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Release the balloons. I went over 800 miles walked today. It was another great weather day here in Central Virginia (sure feels good to now be able to say Central Virginia instead of Southern Virginia). The temperatures during the day the past two days have been in the low 70s with a cool breeze blowing all day. Beautiful May weather and good walking weather. About 4:30pm, shortly after stepping onto Virginia HWY 60 (the highway which leads to Buena Vista,VA),while I was attempting to hitchhike to Buena Vista, a man in a pickup truck offered to take me to a hostel that is newly opened near Buena Vista called 3 Springs Hostel. Last October, two ladies (Nancy and Marsha ) moved into the house where 3 Springs Hostel is located. The Hostel is in a nice old country farm house located on 11 acres. There is a pond next to the house with water so cold that trout live in the pond. The 3 Springs Hostel is so new that it is not yet listed in any of the trail guides. Nancy and Marsha are in the beginning days of operating a Hiker Hostel. They plan to offer guests the opportunity to join them in their house for Supper and Breakfast. I think I will join them for Breakfast tomorrow morning. Tonight I am the only hiker staying at the hostel and is it ever quiet and peaceful. After I arrived at the hostel, Marsha took me into Buena Vista in her Smart Car (first time I have ever ridden in one of the little Smart Cars) to the Food Lion grocery store where I bought food for the next few days of my walk. She also took me to Subway where I got a footlong sandwich. It's pretty amazing to me how by chance and timing I accidentally happened upon finding a Hostel that is just opening up and where I am one of the first guests. Trail Magic? I plan to lounge around and rest here at the 3 Springs Hostel most of the day tomorrow before going back to HWY 60 late in the afternoon to hike a few miles north on the Appalachian Trail then camping for the evening as I begin heading toward Waynesboro, VA and into the Shenandoah National Park. What Virginia Blues?
Date: 2014-05-18
From: Hog Camp Gap

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 6.3

This morning I had breakfast with Nancy and Marsha in the kitchen of their new Hiker Hostel called Three Springs Hostel located outside of Buena Vista,VA. I lounged around the hostel until around 1:30pm. I really enjoyed relaxing at Three Springs Hostel. After people learn about the hostel they are going to be very busy because Nancy and Marsha are very friendly and their hostel has a home like feel. At 2 pm Nancy shuttled me back to Virginia HWY 60 where I stopped hiking yesterday. I walked 6.3 miles from HWY 60 to a campsite called Hog Camp Gap which is a large grassy field. There are a number of other people tenting in the field. The weather has turned cool the last few days after the big rain storm last Thursday and I am going to miss my 10 degree sleeping bag tonight that I mailed home a couple of weeks ago. I plan to get up early and go for a good walk over Priest Mountain tomorrow. I am looking forward to the end of the week when I enter the Shenandoah National Park and next Saturday and Sunday my Son, Ben, Daughter, Sarah, and Son-in-law, Chad are going to hike with me. It will be good to have their company. But first things first, I've got a good week of travel ahead of me to enjoy before next weekend.
Date: 2014-05-19
From: Harpers Creek

To: Waynesboro,VA
Miles today: 21.9
Weather: overcast clouds

It did get cool during the night last night. At about 3:30am I got out of my Summer sleeping bag and put my long hiking pants on and my extra t-shirt. But the morning sun came up shining and the weather was great again today. I know I have been saying that for the last few days but it has been a stretch of fine May weather. I really think this year's class of thru hikers have lucked out with the weather. There were no record cold temperatures after I started on March 15 and no constant amounts of rain this Spring. We'll see what happens the rest of the Summer. Daily Recap: Along the way today during my 21.9 mile walk I climbed up on Spy Rock which is suppose to be a spot where Confederate Soldiers sat on lookout for Northern Troop Movement. In the afternoon I walked up Priest Mountain which I suppose gets it's name from the Rock formation at the summit of the mountain (see photo to the left). At Priest Mountain Shelter some people make confessions to the Priest in the log book in the shelter. I entered my confession in the log book. I confessed to The Priest that I have taken 8 zero days since I started my trip. From the top of Priest Mountain down to the Tye River is the Mother of all downhills. The downhill from the summit of Priest Mountain is a 4.3 mile drop from an elevation of 4063 feet down to an elevation of 970 feet. Hard on the old knees. During the descent I crossed over Cripple Creek. I don't know if it is the Cripple Creek that inspired the song Cripple Creek but good enough for me. Tenting the night with numerous other people next to Harpers Creek. Going to bed listening to the loud noise of running water in the creek. I am going to take a pretty short walking day tomorrow and the day after before I go into Waynesboro, VA which I plan to be my last town stop before I make a push next week thru the Shenandoah National Park out of Virginia, and on into the "halfway" point of Harper's Ferry,WV.
Date: 2014-05-20
From: tent site mile 850

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: broken clouds

Got my morning aerobic exercises in by climbing the Three Ridges Mountain. Walked over a lot of rocky trail today which is slow walking and very hard on the feet and knees. I was sitting on a rock at a spot where the Appalachian Trail comes out onto the Blue Ridge Parkway eating a little lunch when a Lady came over from the parking lot, pointed to the Appalachian Trail, and asked me how far the trail went. I told her about 840 miles south to Springer Mountain Georgia. She laughed and said she would probably only walk a couple of miles. I spent most of the day walking off and on with Zacksquatch and Oops. Both are young people. Zacksquatch is from Louisville,KY. He plays the mandolin and in fact is carrying a mandolin with him. Oops is a young lady from Florida. In a lot of ways I envy these young people for doing this thru hike of the Appalachian Trail so early in their lives. I can only imagine how a thru hike at a younger age would impact a person's perspective,attitude, and shape the remainder of their lives. Not much else to report from the day. Pounded out 19.2 miles. I am tenting alone beside the trail about 8 miles from Rockfish Gap which is where I will go into Waynesboro, VA tomorrow for a little rest.
Date: 2014-05-21
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 7.9

Arrived in Waynesboro,VA where I am doing the basic essentials of life: shower, laundry, eat, sleep. I stopped by an Outfitter Store in Waynesboro today and found out that my foot size has increased from size 12 to size 13. That's what carrying a 34 pound ( plus or minus) pack up and down mountains for 850 miles will do to your feet. My pants waist size has gone from a 36 inch waist to a 34 inch waist (if not smaller). Now I have big feet and a smaller waist. I am staying tonight and tomorrow night at the Tree Streets Inn Bed and Breakfast in Waynesboro. What a beautiful old house (photo to left). The house was built between 1912 and 1914. The owners of the Tree Streets Inn, Bill and Nickie are just wonderful, gracious, hospitable folks. This is going to be a great town stop. Bill picked me up this morning from the outfitter store and showed me around town before taking me to the Inn. This evening, Nickie left cupcakes and cake out on the Buffett table downstairs for me and the other guest. Feels like home. I am really looking forward to breakfast tomorrow morning and a relaxing day in Waynesboro.
Date: 2014-05-22
From: Waynesboro, VA

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

When I go into towns I have been hanging out at a lot of establishments like the one in the photo to the left. "Coin" Laundry? Nothing much to report from this zero mileage day. Resting in Waynesboro,VA and getting my mind right. The weather today is once again really beautiful sunshine with a warm Spring breeze. It's off into the Shenandoah National Park tomorrow morning. I bet I see a bear in the park. The only wildlife I have seen to this point is a boat load of thru hikers, numerous black snakes that love to sun themselves in the middle of the trail, and one rattle snake. I almost stepped on the rattle snake as he/she was sunning in the trail. The rattle snake didn't appreciate me disturbing his/her nap so he/she curled up and shook his/her rattles at me. I gladly gave the rattle snake the trail and agreed to detour around him/ her. I am meeting my Son, Daughter, and Son-in-law Saturday morning and they are going to hike with me Saturday and Sunday. I wonder how many times they might comment on my not having shaved since I started and about how I need to eat more? Its going to be fun having them around for the weekend.
Date: 2014-05-23
From: Summit Blackrock Mountain

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: light rain

After breakfast at the Tree Streets Inn Bed and Breakfast, Waynesboro, VA, Bill, owner of the Inn (co-owned with his Wife Nickie, who gave me a farewell hug this morning when I left ) dropped me off at Rockfish Gap on the Skyline Drive where I had stopped walking a day and a half ago. During the morning I saw my first bear since I started. I saw it's backside as it was running away from me into the woods. Later in the afternoon the deer in the photo to the left posed for photographs. The deer was standing next to me on the side of the trail and didn't act the least bit scared of me. In fact, the deer seemed to enjoy having its picture taken. I am tenting alone near the summit of Blackrock Mountain because the Blackrock Hut area was occupied by 10-15 weekend hikers. I watered up at the Hut and found me a level place to tent on top of Blackrock Mountain. Tomorrow morning I will get up early and walk 7 miles to the Loft Mountain Campground where I will meet my Son, Daughter, and Son-In-Law. The company is much needed as I make my way toward the Virginia finish line. I don't think I saw another thru hiker all day today. I have been in Virginia all of May. Time to move on.
Date: 2014-05-24
From: Hightop Hut

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: scattered clouds

At about 7:30 this morning I met the guy/gal in the photo to the left. He had just finished taking his morning constitutional in the middle of the trail. Obviously he/she hasn't been reading the signs posted at every road crossing in the Shenandoah National Park about Leave No Trace. We looked at each other awhile and he went on his way and I went on mine. At around 11am I met my Son, Daughter, and Son-In-Law at the Loft Mountain Campground Camp Store. After a hamburger and fries for lunch at the Loft Mountain Wayside (ah the luxuries of life) we walked 14 miles to Hightop Hut. It proved to be a little too much walking for my guests. I am sad about this. Searching for a positive note at the end of the day, I am now one tenth of a mile from going over the 900 mile mark.
Date: 2014-05-25
From: Mile 918.3

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Crossed the "official" northbound 900 mile marker (see photo left) someone drew on a rock on the trail. Harpers Ferry,WV, the psychological halfway point is within my sights. I believe I may walk into Harpers Ferry on or about next Saturday, May 31, depending upon how the upcoming week unfolds. I am within 84 miles of leaving Virginia. Tent sites both around the shelters/huts and elsewhere within the Shenandoah National Park are not very good and not very abundant. This evening I basically just pitched my tent right beside the Appalachian Trail on the levelest spot I could find. All the campgrounds are jammed packed due to the Memorial Holiday weekend. I believe as long as my tent can't be seen from the Skyline Drive I am permitted to tent where I am tenting tonight? I hope I don't get a knock on my tent door during the night asking me to move along. I am however enjoying the Campground Camp Stores in the Shenandoah National Park. This afternoon I spent over an hour at the Lewis Mountain Camp Store gorging myself. I ate two hotdogs, washed them down with a ginger ale, had an ice cream bar, ate an entire package of cookies and washed them down with a pint of milk. I bought a package of peanut m&m's and a frosted honeybun to take with me for a snack to curb my appetite.
Date: 2014-05-26
From: Byrds Nest #3 Hut

To: Harpers Ferry,WV
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Last night I camped about one and a half miles from The Meadows Wayside with the grand plan to eat breakfast at the Wayside. I got up, packed, and walked to the Wayside at 6:30am to find out it didn't open until 8am. I impatiently waited outside until 8am. Once I got inside the Wayside and the waitresses and cooks got into gear my Meadows Wayside Breakfast included two eggs, two sausage patties, fried potatoes, four pieces of toast, two buttermilk pancakes with maple syrup, a cinnamon roll, tall glass of milk, and three cups of coffee. Great way to start another beautiful day in the Shenandoah National Park. After breakfast I walked to the Meadows Campground where I took a shower (5 minutes for one dollar) and did laundry. The rest of the day I felt great after a good breakfast, shower, and clean cloths. Continuing my food tour of the Shenandoah National Park, mid afternoon I stopped in the Skyland Restaurant for a coke and a cinnamon roll. It felt great walking on this Memorial Day. Folks were out in force along the Skyline Drive barbecuing and taking day hikes on the Appalachian Trail. I am tenting tonight with a bunch of people around the Byrds Nest #3 Hut. There was a bear this evening making a circle around the Hut site. The bear came over and stuck his nose in my backpack. Fortunately I had already hung my food bag. I walked toward the bear clapping my hands and the bear ran off. Inching ever closer to Harpers Ferry, WV.
Date: 2014-05-27
From: Gravel Spring Hut

To: Harpers Ferry,WV
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Not a lot to note. Had lunch at the Elkwallow Wayside which will be the last Wayside I get to enjoy in the Shenandoah National Park. It was really good to see Mike (no trail name) at the Wayside. I haven't hiked with Mike since the Smokies. Mike and I are tented at the Gravel Spring Hut tonight. We had an enjoyable supper together at the Hut this evening. Tent sites are getting worse and worse the further north I go. I am essentially tented in a grass less,muddy tent site this evening. All is good and my resolve to keep going gets stronger everyday. I am not listening or paying any mind to anything negative. I got this.
Date: 2014-05-28
From: Manassas Gap Shelter

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 24.1

Exited the Shenandoah National Park today. Walked 24.1 miles. Exhausted. Two days and Saturday morning into Harpers Ferry, WV. Tenting at Manassas Gap Shelter with Apple, Impact, Zachsquatch, Cowboy, Cornwall, Just Gordon, Jack the Dog, and couple of other people.