morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-15
From: Spring Mtn Shelter

To: Jerry Cabin Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: scattered clouds

We had the BEST trail magic today! Shortly after we ate "lunch" Tree and I ran into Dirt who explained that there was trail magic just up the road and he was waiting on a few of us so we could all go together. Pilot and Dirty Girl joined up too and off we went. We had NO idea! An absolutely lovely home to Hercules and Fall (previous thru-hikers) was opened to us and we were fed 3 courses. First up was a belgian waffle, then pork stew, and lastly your choice of a billion desserts. August (also a past thru-hiker who's hiking again this year) was helping them in the production. We were all blown away. You should see the picture (under photos) of all of us lying in the grass at the trailhead. We were so full!
Date: 2008-04-18
From: Beauty Spot

To: Jones Branch
Miles today: 9.5

Slackpacked today with Truckin, Pilot, Dirty Girl and Moses. We hiked southbound from the Beauty Spot down to the Nolichucky. Saw Hometown, Super Chunk and Loveboat for the first time in a few days today. Mother Moon Pie is nice enough to cook dinner for everyone tonight! Linda (Moon Pie's mom) cooked chicken, twice-baked potatoes, cobbler, pie & salad for Hometown and his wife Sue, Loveboat, Super Chunk, Lil Hopper, Truckin, Pilot, Dirty Girl, Tree, Richard (Moon Pie's dad) and Moon Pie. Hungry, hungry hikers.Today was such a nice day and a great hike. It's so crazy to be home and have a car. We wore cotton today just because we can!Moses did so well hiking today - we'd love to take him with us but it would just be too much for him. At least he has some AT miles under his collar.
Date: 2008-04-22
From: Erwin, TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

More journal updates coming tomorrow. For now - we've hiked almost 350 miles from Springer and we're taking some time off in Erwin (our hometown). We're both going to work tomorrow and Thursday and then hit the trail again on Friday, April 25. Check out TONS of new pictures!
Date: 2008-04-26
From: Dennis Cove

To: Roan Mountain
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: few clouds

I think the Dennis Cove/Laurel Fork Falls area is my absolute favorite on all of the AT I've seen so far. This is also where we left Will's car earlier this week when his brother hiked with him. SOBO hike to the falls is gorgeous as ever. We hiked to the car and then drove to get "easy" access to the falls.
Date: 2008-04-30
From: Grayson Highlands

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: clear sky

My (Moon Pie) Mom dropped us off at Grayson Highlands today. No more nights in beds, no more showers, laundry, etc. Our slackpacking days are over, for now. We're back on the trail with our packs on.Staying with Dr. Zayus and Creek Diver in the shelter tonight. It's so strange to be hiking here. As of today, neither one of us has ever been more north on the AT. Unchartered Territory! The ponies were just as sweet and cute as always today. Saw a couple from Michigan who came to the area just to see the wild ponies. I'm glad they got to see some.
Date: 2008-05-01
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: clear sky

Staying in the shelter tonight with just Site See. Pack Animal is tenting nearby. Pretty usual hiking today, nothing too exciting except the deer that about ran us over! We were sitting by the trail, eating a snack, and 3 deer ran, full steam, right beside us. It was pretty funny.We passed by a road with town about 3 miles away and we didn't stop - yea for us!
Date: 2008-05-02
From: Home!

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Yea! We made it to the shelter where they deliver pizza! We ordered a large, deluxe pizza from the Tuscan Grill. Several others ordered as well. How funny to be hiking and to be at a shelter and to be eating food like this. The shelter isn't typical either. This shelter is a 2 level log cabin practically. It has a (freezing cold) shower and running water. It's next to the visitor's center so during business hours, there are vending machines and more that are available. Butters is tenting and we're sharing the loft with 2 brothers from Seattle.
Date: 2008-05-03
From: partnership shelter

To: Davis path shelter
Miles today: 12.6

Virginia! Sorry we've not updated in a while... We took some days off but we're back at it and we'll catch up soon. We turned our cell phone on and now we have internet too! This is the first time we've used our blackberry to update, so here's hoping! Right now we're near Atkins, VA at The Barn Restaurant. We are plannin to now walk to Davis path shelter and we'll have 14.2 miles in today. Virginia is a gorgeous state for hiking! we,ve hiked in
Date: 2008-05-04
From: Davis path shelter

To: Knot Maul Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: clear sky

Woke up this morning and walked back into town 1 mile to eat a yummy breakfast at the barn restaurant. Therefore, we actually walked 14.9 miles!Pretty good hiking, good weather. Ma and Pa are here and they're super nice. They've done all kinds of hiking in the past decades of their lives and they know so much about the AT.
Date: 2008-05-05
From: knot maul shelter

To: VA623 campsite
Miles today: 15.2

Brutal hiking today! This morning we walked uphill for such a long time. Tree has a granite gear pack that has a rip in it and we called them and they are sending him a new one to Pearisburg by Friday! They were so nice and eager to help. Met up with Butters today. Also, we saw a southbound father and daughter who started last year and then took 6 months off due to her fracturing her tibia while hiking the AT. She was doing well and said her leg was feeling good. Town tomorrow!! We are headed into Bland, VA. Unfortunately, there are no laundry facilities... Maybe showers at least!
Date: 2008-05-06
From: VA623 campsite

To: Big Walker Motel
Miles today: 15.3

Pretty good hiking today - at the last, where we could see the beginnings of civilization, it felt as if it was never going to end. Switchback after switchback, we slowly descended. As soon as Marcus and I got to the road to make the few miles into town, Bland, VA, Pigpen walked up and the 3 of us were offered a ride by a very nice older gentleman in a truck with Viriginia Tech stuff all over it. Into town we went.Mmmm...Subway. Marcus and I split 2 footlong subs and a milkshake and some cookies. We've discussed with Pigpen and we're going to all split a motel room for the night. We ran into Steel Man (another hiker) and he told us of a concerning issue at hand. Apparently, a prisoner who is currenly out on parole, has not checked in with his officer in more than sixty days. Look out for him because he was imprisoned from 1981 to 1996 for shooting and killing two hikers. Uh-oh.We're at the Big Walker Motel. A mere $53 for three adults. Sweet. Girls shower first...it's so good to be clean. Shiloh and Me are here, as well as Tony. Our neighbors next-door are from Ontario and they've been vactioning in Myrtle Beach, SC. It's so nice to be in a room with a shower and a bed. You know, this is the first shower we've had in over 8 days. Seriously disgusting because we don't have access to laundry in this town.
Date: 2008-05-07
From: Big Walker Motel

To: Helvey's Mill Shelter
Miles today: 2.3
Weather: few clouds

Well, we are alive afterall. There were two hikers shot last night.It was the same guy who shot the hikers before. Apparently, there were four men hanging out fishing most of the day. They all shared dinner and then one had to leave. He stood up, shot one man in the face and another in the neck and the back. He then ran and tried to get away in his car and wrecked and was captured and air-lifted to Roanoke Hospital. At least they caught him.Bland, VA should be called anything but. It's such a nice town! The people are friendly, the houses and shops all look neat. Resupplied at the Dollar General (our favorite place) and at the IGA grocery store. At AYCE BBQ at the "Bland Square" restaurant. We even mailed Mother's Day cards!When we finally quit hiking on the road and got to the edge of the woods, there were two police officers attempting, without any success, to break into a Nissan. It had a note in it that said "out section hiking." However, the car had been there nearly a month and the officers were concerned in light of recent events. Pretty funny stuff to see them struggling with breaking into a vehicle.
Date: 2008-05-08
From: Helvey's Mill Shelter

To: VA 606; Trent's Grocery
Miles today: 16.3

Thankfully, we woke up again this morning. There were no shooters here last night. Pigpen left the shelter around 8. Marcus, Butters and I hung out until 9:30. Good, relatively easy hiking. Ate lunch at Jenny Kob shelter.It took forever to get to town it seemed! So many switchbacks. Trent's Grocery is across the street from a saw mill. It has fishing gear, hardware, groceries, you name it - it even has a "restaurant." Six bucks to stay on their land and have access to shower and laundry. The shower was something else - peeling paint and mold on block walls and a gross floor. Oh well. The laundry was much needed and now we've clean clothes!
Date: 2008-05-09
From: VA 606; Trent's Grocery

To: Holy Family Hostel; Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: light rain

The trail is closed for yet another police investigation. We got a shuttle to Pearisburg and now we're at the Holy Family Catholic Church Hostel. It was $20 for Butters and the two of us. Pigpen decided to take his chances and hike what he could. Another hiker contacted the ATC (Appalachian Trail Conservancy) and if any part of the trail is closed due to crime, you're "allowed" to shuttle.The hostel is so nice! It's a converted old barn that runs on hiker donations only. Father Prunelli came over to the hostel a couple of times and would recruit workers to help with chores at the church. The view is amazing from the hostel. There is a trail that leads to Super Wal-Mart. That's where we resupplied. It's such sensory overload!We've really got to determine what our POA is for getting back for Trail Days and then again for the wedding I'm in on June 7.
Date: 2008-05-10
From: Holy Family Hostel; Pearisburg, VA

To: Home!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, we're home now. After really looking at all of our options for Trail Days and considering tomorrow is Mother's Day - we're at home. Tree's cousins Keenan and Keesha came to Pearisburg today and picked us up! Now, we can surprise our Mom's on Mother's Day tomorrow and we can be in town for Trail Days and we can determine how we're getting back for the wedding. We're thinking we will take a Greyhound maybe from Johnson City...or maybe we'll drive part of the way and a Greyhound part??
Date: 2008-05-19
From: Home!

To: Trail Days, Damascus VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

We were planning on leaving today but we're leaving tomorrow instead. In the morning we're going to take a Greyhound from Johnson City, TN to either Lynchburg or Roanoke (hopefully somewhere in between the two) and then hike SOCO back to where we left off, in Pearisburg, VA, and then either have someone drive up and get us or else try to find a ride to Blacksburg, VA and take a Greyhound from there. We are wanting to go back home May 29ish because my (Moon Pie) Dad's birthday is May 30. The wedding that I'm in is June 7 and I've obligations for that all week. Soooo....here's hoping it all works out!I feel that we won't feel like hikers again for sometime. After the wedding we'll be on the trail until Maine. That's what I'm looking forward to. No regrets as of yet. We're having a blast, Trail Days was a great weekend event, and we're ready to hit the trail again!Be sure to check out our gear page. We've added and updated. Love and peace to all.
Date: 2008-05-20
From: Daleville, Va

To: Lamberts Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: broken clouds

Well, we're on a Greyhound bus and headed to Wytheville, Va and then on to Roanok, Va. This is our first experience on a public bus. What a morning! We got up at 5:30 and drove to (moon pie's) Mom's house. She then took us to the bus station where we discovered that the bus was running a bit behind. Naturally. However! We're situated, our packs are stowed beneath and off we go!Our plans are to get off in Roanoke and get to the AT some 15 miles away and then hike south to Pearisburg, where we got off the trail, and then get a ride to Blacksburg where we'll take another Greyhound home for the wedding. Ahhhh...the adventures to be had!Once we get to the trail, or plan is to walk to the first shelter and probably poop out after such an adventurous
Date: 2008-03-07
To: First Journal Entry
Miles today: 0.0

So..we are merely days away from starting our hike of the Appalachian Trail. As you can see by the late start to our journal, we are quite the procrastinators. Truth be told, we have been planning for what seems like forever and this adventure has been a very, very long time in the making. And then, before we knew it, it was time to go...We start this hike trying to have no great expectations, but at the same time we have some big hopes. It is our hope that we may get to know ourselves better and appreciate the people that we are; that we may learn to love ourselves for all that we are and for all that we are not. We hope to gain some peace of mind and a better understanding of our lives. We hope to be able to embrace all our past mistakes and know that everything we have gone through has gotten us to this amazing point in our lives.Recovery has shown us that through hard work and doing the next right thing, dreams do come true. As long as the ties that bind us together are stronger than those that would tear us apart, all will be well.Thank you to our families, friends, and loved ones for their unconditional love and support. Without you this journey would not be possible. You mean the world to us. Thank you. We love you all.
Date: 2008-03-10
To: Fun in the Sun
Miles today: 0.0

The third week of February the realization that this trip was happening began to set in. We had been working 60,70,and even 80 hours a week in order to save money to make this dream possible. Working so much didn't leave us much time for the prep work. We should have been working on this for months, and found ourselves with one week to get it together...   We left our jobs and our apartment was packed into a storage unit and the attic of Aggie's folks' house. We took over any and all open space there and set up an assembly line of packing foods. We were very grateful for some enthusiastic help! We had dinner with Aggie's family and had a cake celebrating, well, everything!Then, we threw all our gear into bags, packed summer clothes and on March 1st we left snowy and cold New Hampshire for the warmth and sunshine of Florida. We enjoyed a week in Naples with Brad's family. We took a day trip to Everglades National Park, searched for seashells on Sanibel Beach, saw a Red Sox spring training game, ate a lot of good food, took a lot of naps and just plain relaxed. We then drove to Georgia on March 8th with Brad's brother, Ben, and have spent the last few days hanging out with his brothers. We have destroyed the guest bedroom in Paul's house as we pack our bags one final time. We are savoring our last nights in a real bed, running water, and "real" food.
Date: 2008-03-12
To: The Journey Begins
Miles today: 0.0

So today is the big day!!! Last night we enjoyed a great night's rest in a comfortable bed with lots of pillows and blankets. This morning we enjoyed long, hot showers. We are a little scared, but our excitement is far greater. We have talked to our loved ones, said our prayers, and are ready to head out. But first, a very large, very yummy breakfast is in order. We are off to indulge ourselves with food, then Brad's brother will be dropping us of at the trailhead. And so the story begins...
Date: 2008-03-12
From: Amicalola Falls State Park

To: Springer Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: clear sky

We enjoyed our last hot shower for awhile, mailed all our non-trail stuff home and headed out. The whole ride, we both kept saying the obvious, "it's really here, I can't believe it's really here!" over and over and over again. I think we were in a bit of a shock. Paul took some photos of us, made note of what we were wearing, as he would be the last loved one to see us, and then promptly abandoned us at Amicalola Falls State Park. We made a few last minute phone calls, had some teary good-byes, and took some deep breaths as the first step in a long journey began.We hiked to the top of Springer Mountain and were in awe; I think we are still in shock that this is really happening for us. It is so exciting!!! The weather was great, temps in the 60's with blue skies.We witnessed one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world atop Springer Mountain and meet some other thru-hiker hopefulls.
Date: 2008-03-13
From: Springer Mountain Shelter

To: Hawk Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: overcast clouds

We had our first run-in with mice last night in the shelter. It seems Brad had left some trail mix in his backpack. He found the bag nibbled through, and later when I went to put my boots on, I found the trail mix Feeling pretty well, just minor aches and pains, especially my feet. I think they got tenderized in Florida wearing flip-flops and need to be hardened to hiking again. Brad is unfortunately still feeling under the weather. It was a relatively mellow hike today. We are realizing that our packs are too heavy and are looking forward to losing some weight when we reach Neels Gap.We passed Long Creek Falls today which was a short walk off the AT but totally worth it. Big, beautiful cascading waterfalls. The area that we hiked through today is apparently used for Army Ranger training. So, we saw lots of blank shell casings and MRE trash everywhere. At night we had helicopters flying over the shelter really low in the valley. We layed with our heads facing out and it was like watching an action movie from bed. It was really loud though, so we're grateful it didn't last all night.My favorite part about the shelters is that they have a privy. It's not a flushing toilet, but it is a sheltered hole, with a toilet seat on it, and man, it is heaven-sent!!!We continue to meet new folks...even someone from our own neck of the woods who knows some of our most favorite people! What a small world.
Date: 2008-03-14
From: Hawk Mountain Shelter

To: Gooch Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: light rain

We got an early start out of the shelter this morning. I have rigged the blister on my right heel by using a blister bandaid, then wrapping duct tape around my whole ankle so that it stays in place. Worked pretty well.We hiked most of our miles in the rain today. It started out relatively nice, cloudy, no sunshine, slight breeze and temps in the 50's. Then a few raindrops. No biggie. It then turned to more frequent raindrops, then an actual drizzle. We put on our pack covers, but no other rain gear. We hiked on and got very wet and very cold. I had this flash of "what the ****" but then I remembered that this was what we had wanted for so long. Rain and all. You gotta put up with the rain to get the rainbows!We arrived at the shelter and quickly changed into dry clothes. What a difference that makes. It started to really downpour and there was nothing to do after we ate, so we hit the hay pretty early. It was another full house with lots of thru-hikers. We were also joined by the "Ridge-runner" who was helpful answering all of our questions and using her radio to check the weather. \Brad is getting more sick ...
Date: 2008-03-15
From: Gooch Mountain Shelter

To: Woody Gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: light rain

After a night of torrential downpours and booming thunder, we awoke dry!!! Yeah for shelters. We set out with a plan to get Brad to a doctor. Our hike started out looking pretty good, we thought the sky might clear. We were wrong. About an hour into it, the fog rolled in and the skies opened up. It rained buckets on us. Thunder and lightening too. It was weird though, cause every once in awhile we would stop and just look at eachother and say with a smile that we were really doing this! And Brad's new saying "no rain, no Maine!"It was okay hiking in the rain: I mean, we were soaked to the bone, boots sloshing full of water, fingers totally wrinkled and no end in sight, but it was what we wanted to be doing. It was a happy day in the rain. (We'll see how many rainy days it takes for me to NEVER say that again...)We arrived in Woody Gap and one of the other hikers in our clan called Lee at the Hiker Hostel. She came to our rescue and brought us to a shelter. She also pointed out all the needed stops along the way. We took the longest, hottest shower and it felt sooooo good! Brad went to the ER and was diagnosed with Bronchitis and put on an antibiotic. He sounds horrible ...it's bad. We did our laundry, ate pizza and updated our trailjournal at the hotel. Pretty successful trip. Our plans for tomorrow are up in the air. Depends on how Brad is feeling. Say a prayer, please.
Date: 2008-03-16
From: Super 8

To: Super 8 
Miles today: 0.0

So unfortunately we were forced to take our first zero day due to my not feeling so great. Our friend Corkscrew called us at 7:30 to see if we were up yet...We were still in bed as I still wasn't feeling better even after a good nights sleep. We pulled ourselves out of bed and went down to the lobby to have breakfast and see our fellow hikers get on the shuttle and off to the trail head. Even at this early stage of our journey it was difficult to see our new friends go ahead without us. We spent the day eating and sleeping and catching up with our families. It actually felt good to do nothing. Corkscrew called us from Neels Gap to see how I was doing and to let us know they had made it over Blood Mtn. The antibiotics feels like they have began to work so we called Lee at the Hiker Hostel and arranged for our ride to Woody Gap at 8 AM. As much as I enjoy Super 8 with a McDonalds in the parking lot, I am really missing the trail already.This time off has been good for reflection and just realizing how far we have come and that HOLY **** we are here and doing this. I can't begin to tell all of you how amazing this is, how it felt when I put my first boot on the trail, and how it felt to stand on top of Springer Mtn with 6 other hikers watching the sunset and nobody saying a word. All of us not knowing what the next 6 months will bring but really excited to just be here.   Rain, snow or shine its one foot in front of another that will get us to Maine. How many one foot in front of anothers you might ask? try 5,563,800 approximately (without bathroom breaks)