morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-05-19
From: Abington Gap Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: moderate rain

Will and I were out of camp about 7:00am and down to town by 11:00am - downhill almost all the way and we didn't take a break. About 3.5mi from town we said goodbye to TN and NC and hello to VA. Our first stop in town was at the Sidetrack Cafe where they were still serving breakfast, with internet access while you wait for your food. After a big meal of scrambled eggs, bacon, hash browns, an english muffin and coffee, I headed for the laundromat.Damascus is a waypoint for bicyclists as well as hikers. As I read the instructions for the change machine a cyclist came up and offered to make change for me. He had put a $20 bill in the machine and got back all quarters, and was looking to lighten his load. The smallest bill I had was a ten, so I politely declined. He walked away with a disappointed look on his face, listing slightly to one side. I had to walk over to the Dairy King and order a chocolate shake to break my ten.As I waited for the laundry to finish I eavesdropped on two local women who were doing their laundry. I learned about the merits of different detergents, the health problems of each of them and what the neighbors were up to. John and Mary, Will, John from Syracuse, and Arne ("65 & Alive") came in as well. I've been slowly closing the gap with Arne and finally caught him in Damascus. I may have mentioned earlier that he is a champion fire-builder. Everyone likes for Arne to be at their shelter because it practically guarantees a good fire. We all had to wait out a thunderstorm that blew in.By then I had decided to stay with Will at The Place, a hostel run by the Methodist church, so I took my stuff over, claimed a bunk and took a hot shower. After that it was back to the Sidetrack Cafe for a big philly steak sandwich and more email. Then to the Post Office for my bounce box and over to the barber shop.After waiting for three others, I told Harold the barber to make mine high and tight on the sides and to take some off the top. Then he trimmed up my beard and otherwise cleaned up my head, and I was streamlined again. In the process Harold offered his opinion on world events, different merchants in town, and even some of the townspeople. All that for only $7.00. Small towns are great. I stopped by the outfitter store to see if they had any magic gadgets that would lighten my pack.Will recommended The Mill for dinner and we strolled down there at 7:00pm, stopping to check out the library on the way. Frank had a room upstairs and was at the bar, and bought us a beer while he talked about how great his room was, among other things. Then we moved over to the dining room with a fantastic view of the river as it poured over the old dam. What followed was pure gluttony; shrimp bisque, apple butter BBQ ribs, mashed potatoes, jalapeno slaw, and chocolate cake for dessert. Will and I waddled back to The Place and I barely managed to heave myself onto my top bunk. I'm taking a day off tomorrow.
Date: 2004-05-20
From: Damascus, VA

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

I didn't get much sleep last night. I had way too much to eat. The room was hot (no a/c in hostels). About 2:00am a hiker clumped up the stairs and opened the door looking for a bunk. I found out today that it was a girl who left the Abingdon shelter at 8:00pm without a headlamp to hike on in to town. It took her a little longer than she expected; she kept losing the trail because the night was cloudy and very dark. I decided this morning that I've had enough of hostel life for a while, gathered up my stuff and moved to The Mill. My roommates, John, Mary, and Will hiked out today, as did Arne.After I checked in about 10:00am I noticed that the continental breakfast cart was still in the hallway, so I helped myself to cereal, milk, OJ and a pastry, then went to the room and brewed up a pot of Starbucks coffee. After my late breakfast I fluffed up one of the 4 (count 'em!) pillows on the bed and took a 2 hour nap under the down comforter. Then caught up on the news (not much change) and got the weather forecast (not much change), and I was back to normal.I went back to the post office to pick up a care package from home (malted milk balls!) as well as a new pair of shoes. I've decided to change to a new pair now since my feet were starting to hurt the past couple of days. These cross trainers are soft and comfortable, but I think about 500 miles is the maximum mileage for them. I put over 450 miles on the old pair.After surveying (and sampling) the care package I walked the half mile down to the grocery store for a few supplies. That's a pleasant stroll now without a pack on my back. About half way back a lady stopped to give me a lift. I took her up on the offer.Back in town I saw Fugitive, Spiceman, Topknot, Chris and Rainbow, all of whom hiked in today. I went over to the Sidetrack Cafe for email, then to the outfitter for a small pot and some maps, then boxed up all my winter stuff (including my fleece) and mailed it home. I also sent a box of food 5 days ahead to Atkins, VA where there is a motel, but it's hard to get supplies. Now I'm obligated to spend a night at the motel.Chris and Rainbow met me at The Mill for dinner and Frank joined us partway through. I resolved not to make such a pig of myself, then ordered the prime rib. I skipped dessert and still ate way too much. I think my system has gotten used to essentially snacking all day and can't handle these big meals.Then it was up to the room about 9:00pm for phone calls until 11:00pm, and off to sleep on a real bed. Back on the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2004-05-21
From: Damascus, VA

To: Lost Mt Shelter
Miles today: 15.8

I slept late this morning, had the continental breakfast and another pot of good coffee, and started out of town. Since I had sent some stuff home, I stopped by the outfitter to see how light my pack had become compared to the 33# back at Neel's Gap. Imagine my surprise that it now weighed 35#! My extra food and goodies must oughtweigh the things I took out. I stopped for an ice cream cone and ate it while walking out of town, which is the proper thing to do when leaving a trail town.The day was beautiful with no sign of rain. The trail intersected the VA Creeper Trail, a bike and hiker trail that follows an old railroad bed along Whitetop Laurel Creek. As usual with the AT, it soon turned for the ridgeline and over Straight Mt. The long climb flushed all the town toxins out of my system, which was about the only benefit. There were no views to speak of. I bypassed Saunders shelter since it was a quarter mile off the trail. Every step needs to take me closer to Maine, unless it takes me closer to food or a motel. After a few miles the trail rejoined the VA Creeper Trail for a short beautiful walk along the creek and over a long trestle. Then another turn for the ridges and I climbed up Lost Mt to the shelter.At the shelter I set up my hammock under some fir trees, cleaned up and had a meal of crackers, cheese and jerky. By that time it was dark and I turned on my headlight to toss my rope over a limb to hang my food bag. The weight hit a limb and stirred up some giant bugs. Of course they saw the headlight and headed straight for it. Imagine that big beetle from A Bug's Life boring through the air straight for your headlight, thinking "Oh Baby Oh Baby." And your head is right behind the light. After a couple of crashes I got smart and turned off the light. It took a while to get the bag hung.Chris, Frank and Augie were at the shelter, as well as a section hiker with his small son Elijah ("I'm four feet!") who had a great time around the fire. Off to sleep about 10:00pm.
Date: 2004-05-22
From: Lost Mt Shelter

To: 1 Mile North of Wise Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: few clouds

I was out of camp about 8:00am, climbing for the mile high VA highlands. Another pretty day of sun and clouds on the balds. I stopped at Thomas Knob shelter for a hot meal of couscous. There I met Red Wolf, who was out backpacking with a cane. He thruhiked in 1971 before starting college. He recently had his second liver transplant after the first didn't take and is out hiking to help recuperate. He hikes along at about one-half mile per hour. He said it's no use trying to outrun a thunderstorm.From there it was on to the Grayson Highlands, a section of grasslands and rock outcroppings that looks like it belongs out West. A herd of wild ponies lives there. One was on the trail and came over looking for a handout. When I didn't offer anything it tried to take a bite out of the toe of my shoe. My brand new shoe. That pony came close to being an AT stew.I crossed the AT section of the Highlands with Augie. She's from New Hampshire and hiked a large part of the trail with her brother when he thruhiked several years ago. Since finishing college she's taken a trip to Sweden, spent some time in Alaska and taken a wilderness canoe trip in Quebec. Now she's hiking the AT, starting the same day as me, just a couple of hours earlier.I made a brief stop at Wise shelter, then Frank and I hiked on about a mile to set up camp under some large oaks with a view across a field. I had tuna sandwiches, went down to the creek for cleanup, and was off to sleep with lightning flickering in the distance.
Date: 2004-05-24
From: Dickey Gap (Fox Hill Inn)

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Mark prepared us a big and delicious breakfast of wheat pancakes, sausage links, fruit, OJ, coffee and all the trimmings. We made a stop by the post office for the other hikers and were dropped off back at the trail about 9:30am. The Welsh Nomad decided to take another day off at the Inn.I was at the Trimpi shelter about 11:00am and on to Partnership shelter at 4:30pm, switching places with Rufus and Daisy throughout the day. The Partnership shelter is unique and famous along the trail. It is a new and spacious two-story shelter located at the Mt Rogers visitor center and ranger station. A phone at the visitor center allows for free calls for pizza delivery from Marion. There are drink machines at the visitor center. And the shelter has a hot shower! Unprecedented luxuries! This shelter edges out the Fontana Hilton as the best one so far.I took a hot shower and combined a pizza order with Rufus and Daisy for the discount. I ordered a large vegetarian for me and they ordered a medium vegetarian for themselves. After their pizza quickly disappeared Rufus strolled by and casually questioned whether I would be able to finish all mine. So I offered him a slice, which was his not-so-subtle objective. I saved two slices for breakfast.Back at the shelter were Peek-a-Boo, AirFerret, Lumpy, Meshak, Smoky, Swiss Miss and three others. A couple of southbound section hikers came in later. This shelter draws in the hikers - they stop early in the day and come in late for the amenities. I briefly considered moving on since it was still early when I finished my pizza, but a rumble of thunder to the north changed my mind.About 10:00pm, as most of us were drifting off to sleep, the AirFerret decided to entertain us all with a story of his college day exploits. His hike has ended here and he was in no hurry to go to sleep. The story mostly involved booze and women and of course AirFerret drank more booze and attracted more women than anyone else - if you're over 30 you've heard enough of these stories to last a lifetime. The story was long, inane, boring, pointless, improbable and did I say endless? Thanks to Lumpy who decided that a smoke was a better idea, stood up and gave everyone else an excuse to escape the mind-numbing drone.Thunder in the distance as I went to sleep.
Date: 2004-05-25
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Hwy US11/VA683 (Relax Inn)
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: scattered clouds

The first thunderstorm rolled through about 1:00am this morning with booms that rocked the shelter. The second came along about 3:00am. Made me glad I was in the shelter. But the southbounders got up at 5:00am and proceeded to cook a full breakfast while they waited for daylight at 6:00am, with all the associated clinking, rattling, stove hiss and rustling of packs. Made me wish I had moved on. Life in shelters!I left about 8:00am for the relatively short hike over to the Relax Inn where I had sent a food drop. Except for climbs up Brushy and Locust Mts the hiking was easy. The last three miles were through fields. Surprising how the grass has grown over the past 6 weeks - when I left Springer there was just a hint of green; now the fields are up to the shoulder in places. Looks like it will be a good year for berries judging from the blooms. Rufus, Daisy, and I stopped briefly at the Settlers' Museum to look at the old one room school and to write our names on the blackboard. Then on to the Relax Inn, arriving about 2:00pm after a short day.There I met Eveready, a section hiker from Nashville. He's semi-retired from his insurance firm in Nashville and is completing the section up to Pearisburg or so. Up at the Dairy Queen Rufus and Daisy bought me a shake to repay for the pizza slice. I ordered the "thruhiker special" created by Eveready; vanilla ice cream with peanut butter and chocolate. Delicious! Then over to The Barn restaurant for a meal of turkey and gravy on toast with mashed potatoes, peas, and corn.Crash, Joker and Rainman hiked in after I got back to the motel. I had taunted them in a shelter register a couple of days ago that they wouldn't catch me before Harper's Ferry and here they are! But get this; My Little Pony dumped them in Damascus. She hiked out early like she always does, left them a note and a bag of stuff and disappeared. They assume she got a hitch back to Damascus. There was some vague mention of tension, but not many details. Can't wait to hear the Pony's side of things if I ever see her again. They've been doing 20+mi days since, trying to overcome the pain of rejection? As for my buddy Dave, the Roadrunner last saw him slackpacking at Damascus, so he's a few days back.Three nights in a row with hot showers!
Date: 2004-05-27
From: Knot Maul shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: light rain

It was still raining when I left the shelter this morning. The creeks were running full and the trail was muddy as I made the 2000ft climb up to the Chestnut Knob shelter. The rain stopped shortly into the day. I picked up a big turkey feather on the trail and stuck it in my cap. I caught Eveready and Dreamer part way up Chestnut Knob having lunch in a big open field near a pond and spring. This high ground was once cleared and farmed by someone who dug the pond and planted fruit trees on the mountain. I pushed on after getting water.As I came up to the shelter, Polly (from FL) said "It's about time you got here!" and gave me a big hug. Then she said "You're not Jack!" Which was true, but I enjoyed Jack's hug anyway. The wind was strong across the knob and the sun was out so I hung my still-wet laundry to dry. Polly said that the wind was so strong last night that it blew the rain under the tin and into this fully enclosed shelter. Strong winds must not be uncommon here, since the roof was strapped to the walls with cables. I cooked up a hot lunch while my clothes were drying. I left the turkey feather for Spiceman to put on his straw hat.After that was the long up and down haul along the rock ridge of Garden Mt. The profile indicated a mostly level ridge walk but the reality was more rugged as the trail dipped up and down about 20ft almost continuously. Much of the trail was across steeply slanted slick rocks as well.I finally finished the ridge walk and pushed on to the Jenkins shelter where I set up my hammock, cleaned up, ate and went to sleep after a day of tough hiking. Dreamer, Spiceman, Roadrunner, Lorax, Sal and Puck Finn were there. Eveready stopped for the day at Chestnut Knob, but we agreed to meet Sun night in Pearisburg.
Date: 2004-05-28
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: US Hwy 21/52 (Bland, VA)
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: light rain

The thunder boomed and the rain returned about 3:00am this morning, but it stopped as I packed up. Since it had rained heavily for the past two nights, I took the high water trail around the dozen crossings of Little Wolf Creek. Those who went the other way reported that the crossings were passable, but you couldn't avoid wet feet.As I came up the ridgeline near Trail Boss Trail, I flushed out a big black bear. It apparently didn't hear me coming because of the wind and I was about 35yds away before it saw me. It took off across the trail and disappeared down the mountain. It appeared to be full grown with a black shiny coat. I'm naming it the Trail Boss Bear.I was out to the road to Bland about 2:00pm. As I was walking toward town, OneLeg drove up in his van and gave me a ride to the motel. He did the same for everyone else, then came back and took six of us over to Wytheville for laundry and to a WalMart for supplies. Also met his wife and several of their six children. The family has been moving along with him in a motor home, but she's taking a break and going home for a while. The lift to the motel and the long trip for supplies were much appreciated. Thanks, OneLeg!Dining opportunities around the motel were limited to the Dairy Queen down the hill since the Motel was about a mile out of town. I had a big hamburger and onion rings there for lunch, then went back for a chicken sandwich and a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Blizzard for dinner. It was all good.Off to bed at 10:00pm with clean clothes, supplies for the next leg, and a full stomach.
Date: 2004-05-29
From: US Hwy 21/52 (Bland, VA)

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 26.3
Weather: broken clouds

I was back over to my favorite restaurant in Bland, the DQ, at 6:00am for breakfast, then started walking back to the trail. I got a hitch from the lady at the motel who was taking another driver, and was back on the trail at 7:00am for the start of a long day. I stopped for lunch at Jenny's Knob shelter. Sal was there along with a couple of section hikers. I took along a pot lifter that a northbound hiker had left, hoping that he would stop at Wapiti shelter. The hiking was relatively easy this morning with long level ridge walks.In the afternoon I met a couple out for a day hike who told me about Trent's Grocery a half mile down Hwy 606, with pizza, ice cream, etc. The suspension bridge across Kimberling Creek just short of Hwy 606 was a work of art. And under the other end were Diamond Doug (2000 thruhiker) and Di with cold drinks and fruit. Delicious and much appreciated. I stopped for a Dr. Pepper and a banana, along with Banjo and his brother. Then I took a left for a short hike down to Trent's Grocery for ice cream and a phone call to wish my grandson Derek a happy third birthday. Also a call to home. I shared my ice cream with a little black kitten, and we were both purrfectly happy afterwards.Back on the trail at 5:30pm with 7mi left to the shelter. The trail followed Dismal Creek most of the way. I didn't have time to make the half-mile excursion to Dismal Falls, which has a fine swimming hole at the base. I finally reached the Wapiti shelter about 8:00pm, having used almost all of this day. To my surprise I was the only one at the shelter - the first time that's happened on the trip. I set up in the shelter and went off to sleep knowing that there would be no snoring tonight (at least that I would hear).
Date: 2004-05-31
From: Pearisburg, VA

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

I woke early, peeked out the curtain to see the rain falling, crawled back in bed and went back to sleep. Got back up about 8:30am after 12 hours of sleep and went out for breakfast. Augie was packed and leaving as I stepped outside, so I walked down to the DQ with her. John and Mary were there, having spent one night at the motel and last night at the hostel. They're leaving today with new shoes. They're wearing shoes similar to mine and their feet were hurting big time by the time they got to Pearisburg. So it looks like about 500mi is the limit for these shoes. I'm hoping this pair gets me to Harper's Ferry.Augie, John and Mary left and I sat at the DQ for a while catching up on my journals. Back to the motel and there were Rufus and Daisy! I last saw them at Atkins, where they were taking a zero on the day I left. Daisy explained that they were in Pearisburg "illegally." They stopped in Bland yesterday with all their equipment wet and the storm last night knocked out the power at the Big Walker Motel. No hot water and there is no laundromat in Bland. So they shuttled over to here to spend a night and get their equipment clean and dry.I took my stuff down to the laundromat and washed and dried everything, including my shoes and pack. The pack had become so funky from sweat that I hated to put it on. Now it's like new, and my shoes are dry. Back to the motel and there was a note from Still Frank, who came in today. The Lorax and Buckwild also came in.I went down to the grocery store for supplies and bought more than I needed because I was hungry again. I've been craving ham and tomato sandwiches, so I bought the fixings and had a feast back at the room. Shortly after Frank called to invite me to the Chinese buffet restaurant with he and Jordan, and I went down and ate some more. But this time I only had one all-you-can-eat instead of the normal two. Back over to the sports bar for a beer with Eveready, Frank, Jordan, Rufus and Daisy. Sal was there and he confirmed that OneLeg had been struck by a rattler the other day, but it hit his artificial ankle so no harm done! Another improbable but true story from the trail.Eveready is planning to hike the John Muir trail in the Sierras next Aug, so I signed up as a possible co-conspirator. That's about a three-week hike from Yosemite to Mt. Whitney, and is part of the Pacific Crest Trail. Still three quarters of the AT to go and I'm signing up for more! Looks like two beers are more than my limit.After that it was time for phone calls, some medicine for a sniffle that I've picked up somewhere over the past couple of days and off to sleep after watching the Lakers wrap up the Timberwolves.
Date: 2004-06-01
From: Pearisburg, VA

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

I got up this morning feeling lousy from a cold that I have picked up somewhere. Went down to the DQ for breakfast and still felt bad. So I asked for the room for another night, took some cold medicine and went back to bed. I spent most of the day sleeping, catching up on my journals and watching TV. A day of TV is a sure incentive to do something else the next day.I went out late in the afternoon for some food and a good news magazine to read. CNN has more fluff than news and Fox is so biased that it's not worth the effort to apply the windage to correct for it. I found food at the grocery store but the only magazines were about either celebrities or three-headed dogs. I finally tracked down a TIME magazine at the Magic Mart in the strip mall. Then over to Hardee's for a hamburger and back to the room to eat and read. Note that I branched out from the DQ for eats!While catching up on email at the terminal in the lobby, OneLeg and his family (6 kids) came in for rooms. They had their motor home over at Bland and when the power outage happened there, their system switched over to the batteries and eventually ran down. So while the batteries are recharging they need a place to stay. His wife is going home, but OneLeg will keep hiking with Sal Paradise. The only room available was the honeymoon suite, so I told OneLeg, "Here comes number seven!"Back to the room to watch the Pistons put the Pacers away, more medicine and to sleep. Back to the trail tomorrow.