morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-05-09
From: Damascus

To: Lost Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 12.0

We got a pretty late start due to late night shenanigans at Dot's where we partied w/ Pogue, Lone Wolf, Kevin, Snack, and a ton of other hikers.After spending over 2 hours at the library uploading photos and updating the journal, we ate a ton of food and left town. We took the Creeper trail for about 10 miles before it linked back up with the AT, and it has a very pleasant terrain. Due to our late start, we rolled into the shelter at 9:30 w/ headlamps lit and lightning in the background. Luckily, Red and Criminal Thought, 2 hikers we just met, were very forgiving and made room for us in the shelter.Cayenne
Date: 2008-05-10
From: Lost Mt. Shelter

To: Thomas knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: broken clouds

We had very mild terrain, and we indulged in a nice "vacation lunch" near the best water source we've seen so far. The water was just gushing from a nice clean pipe sticking out of Whitetop Mt. We spotted ponies in the distance just before we reached the shelter. Wish we could have put more miles in, but we slept in, so we didn't have enough daylight. After last night, we weren't too keen on the idea of setting up camp in the dark again.
Date: 2008-05-11
From: Thomas knob Shelter

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

I woke up to the sound of waves crashing outside the tent, and it took me a second to realize that I no longer lived in Southern California. When I finally realized that that sound was ferocious wind on top of the exposed Mt. we were on, I rejoiced knowing the challenges we would face on the this day...um no, actually, I didn't. Ridgerunner Tony passed by as we were packing up our tent to inform us that there would be thunder storms in a few hours. Despite all of this, we braved the first 5 miles to the shelter. These first five are normally some of the most beautiful you experience on the AT, but today there was WIND SLAPPING. Tailgate and I both got wind chap/burn on our faces during the first few miles. We made it to the first shelter just as the thunder and lightning began. We were forced to eat lunch and wait.After 40 minutes, blue sky appeared, so we made a move for the next shelter. Luckily, we had breathtaking views from Stone Mountain. Again, we made it just in time, and were forced to settle into the shelter for the stormiest night on the trail. Cayenne
Date: 2008-05-12
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Troutdale
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: overcast clouds

We stopped in Troutdale for a shower and resupply. After a fairly easy hike in, we lucked out and got a ride from the ownwer of the one store in town. We weren't the only ones beat down by mother nature. Apparently, about 25-30 hikers all had the same idea at different places on the trail because it was PACKED. We set up tent in the pavillion next to Hoot and Sundance and placed tables around the tent to block the wind. We also postponed the resupply until Marion where we hoped to hit up a grocery store. Thank you Troutdale Baptist Church for providing such a nice service for hikers. Cayenne
Date: 2008-05-13
From: Troutdale

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

We got going early thanks to a hitch from a nice woman who attends the church that runs the hostel. The terrain was pretty smooth. We got a ride into Marion for resupply, but it was tougher getting a ride back out. We made it back to the shelter before dark, though Cayenne
Date: 2008-05-14
From: Partnership Shelter

To: a mile past the remains of Davis Path Shelter
Miles today: 15.3

Easy hikin' today. Almost everyone got off the trail in Atkins in order to go back to Damascus for Trail Days, but we pushed on. We had surprisingly tasty Terriyaki chicken sandwiches for dinner at the gas station on the trail. After the feed (as cookie monster calls it) we headed to Davis Path, but I didn't like the looks of it, so Tailgate agreed to push on a bit. Pretty quiet out here w/ everyone at Trail Days. Cayenne
Date: 2008-05-16
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

We spent the whole day feeling lethargic and obsessing about the fact that we haven't washed clothes in 8 days. We showered 4 days ago, but that means little when you have to put the same nasty clothes back on. We decided to go into Bland to recharge tomorrow. Cayenne
Date: 2008-05-20
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Rock Outcrop
Miles today: 16.6

This day was filled with easy though a bit rocky terrain. We saw a ton of deer, rhododendren tunnels, and streams. We pushed passed Wapiti 'cause we didn't like the vibes only to find out later that hikers were once buried under the shelter. We found one of our favorite campsites thus far, and it had a great view. Cayenne
Date: 2008-05-21
From: Rock Outcrop

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: few clouds

For Northbounders, the descent into Pearisburg will be ROCKY. Tailgate says, "Enjoy. (insert smirk)"We want to thank all of the folx who keep up with us on this journal. We probably will not be able to update it again for another 2 weeks, so don't worry...We're still chuggin' along. Cayenne
Date: 2008-05-22
From: Pearisburg

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Today, we switched Hotels and moved next door for a much needed zero day. There are so many chores and so little time. Luckily, the Plaza does your laundry for you. I was a little hesitant about handing over our filthy clothes because both Tailgate and I have created odors that we didn't know we were capable of. Apparently, they are used to this, so I gave in.We were off to the Chinese Buffet for a little AYCE (all you can eat). We walked in about five minutes after they opened and then proceeded to eat more than our pack weights in food. I don't know how you can charge only 4.99 for buffet in a trail town, but these folks do and we were grateful. We went to the Food Lion for the 3rd time to resupply. Once again, Tailgate's parents sent us a bunch of goodies, so we didn't have to purchase much. I'm not sure I can ever eat a Snickers again, so I got so excited when we receive dried fruit and nuts in the mail. While we were at the store, we kept inquiring about the library, and at some point one of the employees came over and offered us a ride on her break. We are so lucky when it comes to meeting nice people in these towns.We didn't get much time on the computers at the library, so I apologize for the brevity of the previous entries. I promise to include more in the following ones. After the library, we went to Rite Aid and then back to the hotel to chill and watch more reality TV. I haven't had a television in 4 years and Tailgate hasn't had TV in over six, so when we're at a Hotel we stare at the screen w/ open mouths like scary five year-olds in a trance.xoxo Cayenne
Date: 2008-05-23
From: Pearisburg

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Its hard to leave a bed with cotton sheets these days. In fact, I don't think we've ever had more trouble. We finally got going around check-out time and we still had a few chores to do.We walked back to the library for some businesslike emailing and faxing. Boy, the computers in this town get a lot of action. While we were there we ran into Lipstick who is in her last week of offering trail support to her husband, Raccoon. She offered us a ride to the trail when we were ready. Score! Unfortunately, we still had some business at the Chinese Buffet, so she picked us up from there when we were done. Yes, thats right, we ate AYCE two days in a row and we are not ashamed.We finally got on the trail late in the afternoon, and we still hadn't reached MSR about our tent that ripped when it blew away while we were drying it in the sun. We didn't realize that they are on West Coast time. We finally got them on the phone when we were right on the side of the trail. I may have gotten a little theatrical, but in the end they agreed to send us a new rain fly. Its hard not to get emotional when the roof on your house has a leak and its been raining like crazy After all that, we only had time to get to the first shelter, but it was gorgeous there, so we were fine w/ that. We had good company w/Hot Sauce and Half Elvis. Half Elvis said it may thunderstorm, but we risked the staying in the tent anyway.xoxo Cayenne
Date: 2008-05-24
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Bailey Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: few clouds

We left camp at 11:30 am. I didn't want to wake up this morning. It rained on and off last night but luckily no thunder and lightning. I kept listening for it. The fly held up ok w/ duct tape.The terrain was a bit rocky today but not too uphill until later. We met a man named Steve mid way through our hike today. Tailgate said, "Hey you have binoculors," and he said "Yep, I'm a birder." That led us to subject him to a barrage of questions. Steve the Birder didn't mind. He told us that the bright red bird w/ black wings was a Scarlet Taniger. He informed us that the woodpecker is indeed a workaholic and does not take the break late afternoon that most birds take, and I showed him the feathers I found and he said they were from a blue jay. Tailgate suspected this, but I didn't because of the black and blue stripes. Well Steve the Birder says that blue jays found on the west coast don't have those stripes, so thats why I didn't recognize it and Tailgate did. Thanks Steve the Birder for taking time to answer our questions. Later in the day, we took a detour on a road because this bridge has been out since 2004. There we some thru-hikers that supposedly made a makeshift bridge but we didn't want to risk it. The road was interesting. Many of the houses had racks out front for hanging their hunting kills and it seemed a little spooky. It was also getting late in the day and we were ready to reach the shelter.We had a big climb right before we finally reached Bailey Gap. Tailgate and I were sweaty and cranky during the steep ascent. I was a little more cranky, but we finally made it their right before dark.xoxo Cayenne
Date: 2008-05-25
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

We woke up earlier this morning and got going before 9am. Right before he left the shelter, Hot Sauce gave us some info that crushed us. The Homeplace Restaurant would not be opened when we got to Catawba. Tailgate and I couldn't believe it. We had been looking forward to this AYCE family style restaurant for hundreds of miles. Its legendary! We just didn't notice that it was only open Thurs-Sun. Our hearts sunk. We couldn't stop thinking about the let down during most of today's hike. We even tried to get a ride at a parking area, but Catawba was too far and rural. This was apparently the one time the AT is an easier route than roads or highways. The day brightened up a bit when we passed the spot that I got off the trail in 2006. This was a great moment. I would finally be seeing things for the first time and there was even trailmagic in a cooler left by SuperDave. Beers, sodas, candy and Little Debbies. We hung out by the cooler for awhile and then hiked on into unknown territory for both of us At the top of the next climb, we met Tree and Moonpie who we instantly clicked with and were sad to hear had to get off the trail for a bit. They informed us that the shelter we were going to was packed with Boy Scouts. Joy.We ended the day eating dinner in the dark with 8th and 9th grade scouts. This reminded me how much I hated Junior High, but it wasn't the most terrible experience.xoxo Cayenne
Date: 2008-05-26
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: clear sky

The day started off with beautiful pastures, gorgeous views, and too many stiles. Stiles are pretty quaint at first. Eventually, they become annoying when you have to continually hoist your body up over these ladders made of boards that are a bit far apart and the whole time your 30 pound pack is trying to take you down, but I digress. As I said, the day was going beautifully.We sat down for a break at the road and spent a fair amount of time watching an ornery donkey scream at every animal that came near. We laughed hysterically. Moccasin, Enoch, and K-bomb came down the pasture shortly after. We hadn't seen them since before they took off for trail days and they were busting out the 20 plus mile days.We decided to spend a few minutes seeing if a hitch was possible even though the next town was 9 miles away. We wanted ice cream, but we were actually surprised when we got a ride from the cutest older couple who were picking up mulch. We rode in the back of the truck while leftover mulch remnants flew in our eyes but we didn't mind. They even gave us a ride back to the trail. We got to sit in the cab on they way back 'cause they had picked up more mulch.Back on the trail, the day continued with more pastures and the famous Keffer Oak tree which is the oldest tree on the AT in the Southeast. Its estimated to be about 300 years old and is huge. Tailgate took the best picture of the trip at this tree.At this point our day had been filled with serendipity. We walked on and found trailmagic (cokes staying cool in a stream). We had no idea what lay ahead, and what lay ahead wasn't just a rough uphill.The last 5 miles of our day was filled with the worst pile of rocks that we have crossed yet. It was pretty painful walking over rock after rock. Some of them at impossible slants and most of it surrounded by thorny weeds that had been cut but not removed from the trail so we ended up picking it up w/ our poles and brushing it against our skin. Joy! This turned out to be a typical day on the trail. 3/4 fantastic and 1/4 hell. Oh, but we still LOVE IT out here.xoxo Cayenne
Date: 2008-05-27
From: Niday Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night did a number on our feet, so we slept in. We left at 10 am. We had some early uphill and the temperature was high. Apparently, the copperhead snakes were happy with this because we had 2 experiences with them in the middle of the trail. It was kinda scary 'cause we could barely see them next to the leaves and ground.The uphill was followed by another cooler full of beers and a few gentle miles on a wide grassy path. We were enjoying this terrain when on the downhill we ran into Holler and Bert. Holler invited us to stay with his Aunt Hettie tomorrow who lives in Catawba. We were seriously considering this. We decided not to push on but to stay with them at Pickle Branch. We were glad we did to.Nature's Classroom got even better when we set up tent under a woodpecker nest. Oh my are those Piliated Woodpecker babies big. We watched with mouths agape as mama bird fed her babies over and over again. Later, the papa bird fed them too. It was better than TV.By the time we settled in for the night, we had decided to take Holler up on his offer.xoxo Cayenne
Date: 2008-05-28
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Catawba (Aunt Hettie's)
Miles today: 6.7

We woke up and it looked like rain. Rain, our old friend, can't stay away too long. Trouble was, we had to do Dragon's Tooth which is steep and Rocky. Joy! We began the ascent around 8:30 am and it wasn't long before it was pouring. Tailgate and I were a little worried on the descent of Dragon's Tooth 'cause it was pretty hard to keep our footing and I had to slide down on my butt for a few rock bumps. When we finally got down we decided to take the blue blaze to town early and come back and do the other 6 miles when we weren't soaked.We got a ride to the post office where we waited for Holler and then we hung out in the Country Store while we waited on his Aunt. Well, Holler's Aunt turns out to be one of the finest people we have ever met, and she wears fantastic hats. She showed up with this bright smile and promptly drove home to get her truck and pick us all up. When we got to her house she let us all shower and do laundry and then she made us an incredible dinner of chicken kabobs, turkey burgers, salad, and more. All six of us were in love. At dinner, I learned that Hettie has done Mission work in Nicaragua and has been a big sister to a boy named Dustin for 8 years. She really is incredible and inspired both Tailgate and I.Hettie offered a day of Indiana Jones matinee and Homplace Restaurant if we only stayed another day. We could not say no. So, yes, we're zeroing tomorrow. We were so lucky to meet and become buddies with Holler. We're hoping his aunt will consider adopting us.xoxoCayenne
Date: 2008-05-29
From: Catwba (Aunt Hettie's)

To: Catawba (Aunt Hettie's)
Miles today: 0.0

We woke up to an amazing breakfast made by Aunt Hettie. We had eggs w/ onions and peppers, sausage and other fixins. YUM! Hettie's step daughter, Jess, was kind enough to drive us to Troutville to pick up our maildrops. MSR did send us a fly and Tailgate's parents sent us more goodies. We are so lucky.Later in the day we met Hettie's little brother, Dustin, when she picked him up to go with us to the matinee. Dustin gets to spend time with Hettie every week, and I am jealous. We were all fairly entertained by Indiana Jones, and I'm still convinced that Harrison Ford is one of the best action heros ever.After the film, we resupplied at the grocery and were pleased to see a large selection of Clif Bars. I'm taking a break from Snickers and Pop-Tarts. Lately, it seems like the sugary foods just disappear in 20 minutes of hiking.The day was finshed off with a tasty meal from the famous Homeplace. Yeah, we made it there. I went to bed w/ a bellyache from eating too much.Cayenne
Date: 2008-05-30
From: Catawba (Aunt Hettie's)

To: Lambert's Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Hettie had to get Dustin to school and leave early, so we got dropped off at the trail by 7:30 am. We were blown away by the touching notes she wrote us. We didn't want to leave, but the trail beckons.The day was full of beautiful sights. I have been looking forward to McAfee Knob for awhile now, and we got a sneak peak from Hettie's 'cause she can see Dragon's Tooth, McAfee Knob, and Tinker Cliffs from her backyard. The terrain up McAfee was surprisingly mild and we enjoyed a nice hour long lunch atop the knob. Tinker Cliffs was a bit steeper and the dogs were barking at this point.We were blessed with nice weather on this day and got some great photos. We ended the day tenting near a stream and surrounded by deer for the evening.Cayenne
Date: 2008-05-31
From: Lambert's Meadow Shelter

To: Daleville
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: broken clouds

We had some easy walking but very little water on this day. Unfortunately, Tailgate's feet started really bothering her. We decided to get her some Superfeet at the Outfitter in Daleville.By the time we got to Daleville, we had a list of things to purchase. We expected to cruise in and out, but we spent way too much time searching for things. We were in the Outfitter for over an hour, and then the Kroger, and then Wendy's. I'm not sure what happened but we eventually succumbed to the Howard Johnsons. We didn't expect to stay at a hotel so soon after Catawba, but I must admit that there was a great deal of bathroom time and grooming that we weren't able to get when we camped in Hettie's basement. Still, we were a little embarrassed to be here especially considering our budget is ridiculously tight. This led to us pledging to do no less than 17 miles per day until Buena Vista.xoxo Cayenne
Date: 2008-06-01
From: Daleville

To: Bobblet's Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: overcast clouds

We got up pretty early for a hotel stay. We had to hit the complimentary breakfast and we wanted to get going by 7:30am. Well, we had to settle for 9am. We ran into Cookie Monster, Babu, and Raccoon who were all being slacked by Lipstick for the last time. Lipstick is heading home today and Raccoon looked pretty sad about that.We really moved today. The terrain was decent and overlapped with the Blue Ridge Parkway for the first time. We had some great nature sightings and we lucked out with another Scarlet Taniger sighting. Its hard to get a good pic of those birds though.Near the end of the day, when the trail overlapped with the Parkway for the last time, we were greeted with a view of what looked like the most incredible storm. Darn it! This led to us putting the peddle to the metal. Sure enough, the thunder and lightning started as we were hustling towards the shelter. When I romanticized a thru-hike of the AT, it never included hiking in storms yet this has happend more than once Funny.When we finally got to the shelter it was jam packed! We squeezed our tent into a space sideways on a slant. What a strange shelter. It was downhill and tiny. Anyway, we ended the day pretty proud of ourselves.Cayenne
Date: 2008-06-02
From: Bobblet's Gap Shelter

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: few clouds

We got up early but didn't get hiking until 8:15. The first part of the day was pretty smooth. We knew we had bigger miles again so we tried to hustle. We agreed that we would take a lunch break at Jenning's Creek.When we got to the creek we weren't sure how to get to the swimming hole we heard about. We saw 2 fisherman who were fishing in knee deep water. I'd never seen that before, but then again I grew up in the city. We finally decided to bushwack to an area that looked like it might have a swimming spot. It wasn't real deep though. We decided to have lunch there anyway. About 15 minutes later, we look down the creek and saw some fellow hikers jumping in and swimming just a little further down. Oh well, we enjoyed our spot too.The next mile after lunch was some rough uphill. We had to break again when we reached Bryant Shelter which was really big and nice. We knew there would be a ton of people there that night 'cause the next five miles was nothing but uphill. We promised ourselves we'd get to Cornelius though, so we started up. It got really tough. The last 2 miles were the most difficult and I had to ask Tailgate to lead us and pretend that she was pulling me up the hill. Strangely, this helped.We were, again, proud of ourselves for pushing. Especially, when we realized that only Newt had pushed on from the last shelter, and we were an elite club. We also had a great time eating dinner and laughing with Newt and there were plenty of tentsites left as there we only 2 other people at the shelter.Cayenne
Date: 2008-06-03
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Matt's Creek Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: overcast clouds

We really had to work for it today. Some days are just harder than others. There was a fair amount of climbing and then there was a fair amount of blah. We did get to see the Guillotine, but somehow we expected much more. Its basically a large rock suspended above the trail and smashed between two much larger rocks. Newt later described it as "weak sauce" and I have to agree.We had our first break at Thunder Hill Shelter where I saw the cutest deer that seemed as curious about me as I was about it. I sort of followed it around while taking photos.Both Tailgate and I developed feet issues today. Tailgate's superfeet seem to be giving her more blisters than ever, and I have developed two very strange blisters on the bottom of my feet. Pod thinks they may be heat blisters. I've never had anything like them.Oh and the thunderstorms. Yet again! A few miles before the shelter, they kicked in. They were pretty scary and Tailgate couldn't move very well, so it was my turn to encourage her down the hill. We got soaked. When we got to the shelter there was a small break where the storm stopped and we set up the tent before we ate. Unfortunately, it started up again during dinner. Soemhow, everything seems either wet or damp because its so humid and intermittently raining. We had a miserable evening and Tailgate is done with the superfeet insoles.On the brighter side, we made it. Again, we pushed ahead and we were joined by only Newt, Pod, and Rhody. Everyone else is 5.5 miles back at a campsiteCayenne