morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-20
From: The Place Hostel, Damascus, VA

To: Abingdon, VA
Miles today: 0.0

This morning we got up around 8am(even after going to bed at 1am,I still get up early)and went to eat breakfact at Dairy King(yea they serve ice cream just like the Dairy Queen)and then decided to go back and do some laundry. When we got back to the hostel,we ran into the 3 blind mice. They were saying that they were going to go back into the woods,but we talked them out of it. We wanted to go into Abingdon to go to the movies and they agreed.Me,Timshel,Nokia and Brown Tiger(I forgot to mention that we met back up with Nokia and B.T. last night after leaving them at trail days last weekend)all headed for the main road to hitch to Abingdon. We ended up not even having to go that far because a nice lady by the name Pam gave us all a ride. Once we made it to the hotel,we checked in and found Pip(Diana),Baumer(drew)and Vetter(the huskie)in the room right next door. We decided to go to the movies around 5pm to see Star Wars and then to the pizza place for pizza. The movie was really good and the pizza mediocre but fun company none the less. The 3 blind mice are heading out tomorrow. We have the same plan but we'll see how it goes. I still have to go to the grocery and the P.O. before we head out. I also want to stop by the Mt. Rogers Outfitters to see if my shoes came in. Let's pray they did.
Date: 2005-05-21
To: Dana
Miles today: 0.0

Hello there everyone!! Just wanted to send a mass e-mail to all those that are keeping up with me and my progress. I am doing very well and I am now in Damascus, VA. That's right, I made it to Virginia! Wanted to also say that I am getting all of your posts on the guestbook and that it makes me smile to see all of my friends and family that are singing in! I love you guys so much! Keep me in your thoughts and prayers and hopefully I'll make it to Katahdin by late Sept. or Oct. Heading back out for the trail now so until next time....take care and God Bless!!P.S. I am going to be changing my website name to Linus very soon so if you log on and think I'm lost look for the name Linus and you should find me there instead.
Date: 2005-05-21
From: Abingdon, VA

To: Saunders Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: few clouds

Yesterday I took a zero day in Ablingdon with the 3 blind mice and stretch and pip,baumer and vetter. We all went to see Star Wars at the theater in town. I ate way too much popcorn but it tasted s good.Today we hiked out of Damascus but I must say it didn't feel right. The whole day was all off. First none of the outfitters had what I was looking for(bike shorts for chaffing and new shoes),second I didn't make it to the P.O.(due to it being Sat)and third I left my guide book and journal with all my info in it at the outfitters and didn't realize it until after I had hiked out of town 2 plus miles. When I finally realized this I had somewhat of a breakdown and started to cry out of frustration. Nokis saw that I was frustrated and offered to leave his pack and go back and get my stuff. After much thought and discussion I finally let him. Timshel and I hiked on and waited for him once it started to get dark.We made it to the shelter around 10:30pm. I didn't even bother making dinner because I was so tired. I basically have decided to cowboy camp with no tent. I hope it doesn't rain on me.
Date: 2005-05-22
From: Saunders Shelter

To: Elk Garden (campsite)
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

This morning I awoke to about 20 boyscouts yelling at one another across camp. It would not have been so bad if it weren't 6:30am but seeing that I had a late night, I wasn't looking to wake up yet. I tired to ignore it but they kept on until about 7:45am and so I just decided to get up too.Nokia and Brown Tiger left before Timshel and I and our plan was to go to Thomas Knob Shelter,however we both were moving so slow and only made it to Elk Garden. Timshel and I have not caught up to Nokia or B.T. yet, but hopefully we will catch them tomorrow. Timshel and I are going to camp here at Elk Garden along with another guy named Poncho and a girl named Jodi.On a more interesting note,Timshel and I picked some ramps today and had then with out beans and rice. For those who do not know a ramp is a wild onion/garlic clove. Very yummie! It looks like it might rain so I am going to set up my tent. Timshel is going to try and brave it out. We'll see.
Date: 2005-05-23
From: Elk Garden (campsite)

To: Fox Creek (campsite)
Miles today: 16.9

So it did end up raining last night and Timshel had to climb into my tent in order to stay dry. Good thing traildawg talked me into getting the two person tent!Today is going to be an awesome day! From what I hear there are wild horses and ponies that roam around on top of the Grayson Highland Mtns. I hope to see some!WOW! Today was awesome! I saw about 20 horses and even got to feed some! There were two horses who were walking down the trail with teir 2 colts. I wish ya'll could have seen how cute they were! I tried to get as many pictures as I could because this section is by far my favorite! Many people say it is similar to the Mountains in Montana. After we came out of the Gryson Highlands we stopped at the Old Orchard Shelter to have dinner. It was nice and I was able to catch a beautiful sunset! Make sure ya'll check out the next album to see all the pictures!Tonight we(Timshel and myself)are camping out again at Fox Creek. There is one other guy here but he is already asleep. Looks like it might rain again tonight. It has been raining every night this past week-guess that's better than it raining on me while I'm hiking!
Date: 2005-05-24
From: Fox Creek (campsite)

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: light rain

Last night it did rain,however I set up my tent underneath a nice big hemlock and did not get too wet. That's a trick I learned from traildawg. So Timshel and I have decided to only go 12 miles today because both of us have sore feet.Timshel has gotten up and already left because he wants to try and catch Nokia and the 3 blind mice. I guess I should get up and get started.I am now at the shelter and have caught the 3 blind mice but no Nokia. Apparently, Nokia went with Brown tiger to the Fox Creek campground(this is where B.T. is getting off the trail). We hope that he will catch up tonight. Tomorrow we go to Partnership shelter. Hikers can order pizza and use the phone at this shelter because it is only .1 mile from the road. The 3 blind mice are not going to stay here at Trimpi they're moving on to Partnership to eat pizza. Can't say I blame them. If my feet felt better I'd go with them. But the rest will do me good. Besides as I am sitting here writing this it is starting to rain. I'd rather not get wet right now.
Date: 2005-05-25
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Well Nokia never showed up last night. Timshel and I have decided to push on and hopefully we'll see him later on today.I am now at the shelter and it is even nicer than I thought! It is 2 levels and has a heated shower! You can bet that I'm headed in! There is also a hiker box with some Tobouli(greek salad)in it. Lunch time is right around the corner! People have already started taking orders for pizza but Timshel and I are trying to hold out for Nokia.Well surprise,surprise Nokia is here! We are going to hitch into Marion to go to the AYCE pizza hut buffet and to the walmart so I can try and find some spandex shorts for my fat,chaffing thights!We are now finally back from Marion. It took us about 1 1/2 hrs to hitch back to the trail. I found some shorts though so it was definately worth the trip! I must say that it is very humbling to try and hitch a ride. I guess I need to get used to it though because that will be my lift for the next 4 months!I have met more hikers here, Peter Pan, Andy(a girl), Pig bear crazy horse serraphim '04 and her friend Goldie. Overall a nice night around the fire. The past few nights I have been cold but hopefully tonight I will be warmer(I sent all my warm stuff home last week) One more day to Atkins. Woo Hoo! Dairy Queen here I come!
Date: 2005-05-26
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Relax Inn, Atkins, VA
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: clear sky

We (Timshel, Nokia and myself) have made it into Atkins and hit the grocery store and done our laundry all by 8pm. We had planned on hiking out to the next shelter (just 2 miles) but it got to be dark and I decided to stay in town. I went to the only motel and asked for a room, however they were full of hikers! The owner was so nice he said that we could sleep on the floor for free! How nice is that!All a hiker really needs is a floor with a roof over it and we're good to go! So needless to say, we stayed and then got a shower the next morning because the owner let us use a room that someone had already checked out of. Don't worry mom I used my water shoes in the shower.
Date: 2005-05-27
From: Relax Inn, Atkins, VA

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: broken clouds

After a night on the laudry room floor (probably the best nights sleep i've had this whole past week) we decided to hike out to Knot Maul Shelter about 14 miles. Nokia and Timshel hiked faster than me for about the first 3 miles, however, they stopped and so I went on and got ahead of them. I told them I would meet them at Davis Path Shelter for lunch. Well Timshel showed up about 30 min after me and after another 30 to 40 min I decided to push on and never saw Nokia. It was a hard hike, but nice because I was able to hike by myself.As I was walking by myself, my mind started to wonder off and I started to miss my family, friends and co-workers and I started to feel somewhat sad at the fact that I probably won't see many of these people for at least another 4 months. I also felt like I needed to pray for many people at home. As I did this I started to feel better and realized I had prayed for about 1 1/2 hrs. Its crazy how the time passes out here and I don't notice it. Timshel caught up with me and we hiked together all the way until the shelter. One thing I have noticed lately is that the friendship between Timshel and I is becoming more distant. Nokia also appears to be distancing himself and I am not sure why. I think Nokia is caught between being homesick and staying on the trail and because of this Timshel feels alot of pressure to hike with him. I'm not sure how much longer we will be hiking together. We'll see.
Date: 2005-05-28
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Little Wolf Creek
Miles today: 23.3

Today has been a very tough day for me. Nokia finally arrived at the shelter last night around 10pm. Both Timshel and Nokia got up and left before me this morning so I basically hiked most of the morning by myself.At 12pm I started up Chestnut Knob (about a 2,100 foot climb in a 2 1/2 mile stretch) and made it up to the top to find Hitch, Redwolf, Pokey, Gumby, Timshel and Nokia having a lunch break by the pond. We were not at the top (still 400 ft) and I was getting pretty hungry for lunch so I pushed on to the shelter. I made it to the shelter by 2pm and ate. Most everyone was pushing on to the next shelter (about 10m) so Nokia, Timshel and I had decided to push on to a campsite to avoid the overcrowded shelter. Well, 15 miles later, I am now cowboy camping alongside the trail, freezing due to the creek and annoyed. My feet hurt and it's 11pm at night. This is definately not what I signed up for! I am going to have to change something up because I want to enjoy my time out here and lately its been no fun. I think this is the last I will be hiking with Nokia and Timshel. Not because I don't like them but because I want to take my time, enjoy myself and they want to go far and hike into the night. I wish it could be different but they don't like to get into camp early and I do. Oh well, maybe something will change. All I can do is take it one day at a time.
Date: 2005-05-29
From: Little Wolf Creek

To: Big Walker Motel, Bland, VA
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Today ended up being a tough day. Last night I did not get any sleep due to being cold and my feet absolutely hate me. I had to hike the last 2 miles in my camp shoes because my feet hurt so bad. When I got into town I decided that I was staying here for sure. It cost me $60 but it is well worth it! Of course Nokia and Timshel came and hung around all afternoon and did not leave until 10:30pm. I offered them the floor, but they were too determined to hike out. I wasn't able to go to the P.O. due to the holiday weekend but hopefully I can get my stuff bounced up to Daleville. I had to do my laundry in the sink because there is not a washer or dryer here.There are some other hikers here though. Charlie Brown, Steady-Eddie and Little John and also two guys named Stryder and Fishin Fred. Charlie and I have been talking about me hiking out with them tomorrow. I think it will be a nice change of pace for me. Charlie, Eddie and John do about 13 to 15 miles a day. Which leaves the evening for journaling and doing other things like wash my face and brush my teeth. I hope to still see Timshel and Nokia but they hike so many miles that they probably will pass me. Well it's going on 11pm now and Charlie and them get up early(6:30) so I should probably get to bed now.
Date: 2005-05-30
From: Big Walker Motel, Bland, VA 

To: Campsite (past Jenny Knob shelter)
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was a GREAT day! I got up at 7am (when my mom called at the Hotel) and got my stuff together and found a ride from the lady who works at the hotel by 8:15am. When the lady dropped me off, I found Charlie, Eddie and John ready to head out as well. Then, as I looked back I aw Nokia and Timshel cowboy camping looking out over the interstate. I guess they didn't make it as far as they hoped.Charlie and Eddie and I hiked together until the 1st shelter where we had a snack. A nice, cool, green apple! Yummy! Then Charlie and Eddie headed out. By this time Nokia and Timshel had arrived so I talked with them a bit. I had planned on hiking to the next shelter, however when I got there, I found Charlie (C.B.) Eddie(s-e) and John (l.j.) and we decided to push on one more mile to a campsite.We are now set up and cooking dinner and it's only 6pm! I am so happy because now I can take care of my personal needs(hygiene, journaling, stretching ect) and still be in bed by 8:30pm. I hiked by myself for a while today which was nice-I got to hear the birds and observe the beauty mush more closely. This is the type of day I could live forever!
Date: 2005-05-31
From: Campsite (past Jenny Knob shelter)

To: Suger Run Gap (Woodshole Hostel)
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: light rain

Today ended up being a long day. I woke up around 6:30am, packed up and ate breakfast and left by 8:00am. I hiked the first 5.5 miles by 10:30am and decided to go to trent's grocery for a soda and snack. It was only .4 off the trail and I only had 10 miles left to go to the campsite. After stopping at the store I got back on the trail and went down to the Dismal Falls and went swimming! I jumped in and could't breathe because the water was freezing! It felt nice though, and afterward I was able to warm up again by sitting out in the sun on the black rock. I probably haven't mentioned it yet, but it has been getting really hot durning the day. I ended up staying at the falls for about an hour and 1/2. I ate lunch and headed back out on the trail. I found Timshel along the way and he and I actually sat and talked for a bit about some of the recent tension that had come about because he, myself and nokia. I'm not sure exactly why the tension is here but overall I think there is just difference of opinions when it comes to hiking and what each of us wants for ourselves out here on the trail. Nokia wants to sleep later and hike into the night whereas for me I would rather get up and leave so that I don't hike during the night and that way I will be able to stretch, rub my feet, journal ect. Timshel, I think, feels stuck in the middle somewhere and doesn't know what to think. I want everyone to hike how they want with out feeling stressed out. It's not that I don't want to hang out or hike with these guys we just want different thinkgs. I tried explaining this to Timshel and he seemed to really understand. We kept hiking and finally made it to the supposed campsite -Yea- this campsite was next to an old, abandoned house that had a tarp on the roof with strange noises coming out of it. We (Timshel and I) decided to go on down another 2 miles to the Woodshole hostel. We got here at 9pm and found everyone steady-eddie, lil john, charlie brown, nokis, ande, loon, the ofc(overforty crowd-redwolf, hitch, pokey and gumby), pigbear, too obtuse, quixote, knees. I am sleeping on the floor tonight. Tomorrow-Pearisburg-Woo Hoo!
Date: 2005-06-01
From: Sugar Run Gap (Woodshole Hostel)

To: Rendevous Motel, Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was much easier than yesterday. Everyone got up at woodshole hostel this morning around 7am and Ms Tillie(the lady that runs the place-who is 87 by the way!)made everyone biscuts and gravy-as long as you paid for it-and had O.J. and coffee. Nokia didn't have cash on him and so Ms Tillie let him cut the grass to pay for his breakfast. I got a picture-it was pretty funny-but a nice gesture on Nokia's part to offer to do it.I made it down into Pearisburg around 1pm and decided to room with Charlie Brown,Lil John and Steady Eddie. The motel is about 1 mile away from town and the P.O. but overall a nice place. I went by the 3 blind mice's room (I called ziploc's cell)and visited with them for a while and we decided to go to Pizza Hut for AYCE buffet. It was pretty good too. They are heading out tomorrow and invited me along,however I think that myself, Charlie,John and Eddie are going to slack pack instead. I hope that we don't get too far ahead because I really would like to hike with the 3 blind mice if I can.
Date: 2005-06-02
From: Rendevous Motel, Pearisburg, VA

To: VA 635 (Rendevous Motel, Peanisburg, VA)
Miles today: 22.0

Today was both a good day and a bad. It was a good day because I got to slack pack and come back to a nice,dry,warm hotel room and take a hot shower. It was a bad bay because it was cold and rainy all day! My feet are pretty sore right now and I have been rubbing them for about 20 min. I think little John and I are going to go to AYCE chinese. Not sure if this is such a good choice because the last time I had it,it made my tummy hurt. I think it's because the food I eat as a hiker is not near as rich or greasy. Tomorrow we will be hiking out 22 north of here and plan to be in Catawba by Mon. I can't wait because my Mom and Max sent me new shoes to Catawba. Hopefully no more sore,squished toes.Ouch!
Date: 2005-06-03
From: Rendevous Motel, Pearisburg, VA

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Overall a pretty good day today. The hiking felt really easy although the trail was rocky-big rocks-and hard to walk over.When we made it to the shelter it was already 7:45pm We didn't get out on the trail until late because our ride wasn't ready until 11am. The driver that brought us out today was so funny! She was telling us all kinds of funny stories! She wanted to set me up with her son(who is only 19) and when I told her I was 9 yrs too old for him she said "well honey that's what he needs-someone older to teach him how to behave!" We both just laughed. However now it has become a joke with me and Charlie Brown, and he uses it to pick on me. Oh Well.The shelter is full tonight and believe it or not I am the only through-hiker in it. Most everyone here is just out for a section hike. I've never met so many section hikers as this. Tomorrow we have another easy day planned. I must say I like this pace much better! Until tomorrow....goodnight.
Date: 2005-06-04
From: War Spur Shelter

To: Sarver Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: light rain

Whoever said Virginia was flat should be slapped! Today was a tough one! I think that the heat has more to do with it than the climbing but the climbs were tough too!I did get to see something really awesome today though. The Keffer Oak tree. This oak is estimated to be more then 300 yrs old! It is 18 ft around and the branches are so huge they almost touch the ground. I didn't get a picture-why I don't know but the tree was so neat! It reminded me of the Giving Tree story by Shel Silverstein.After the tree was the 2nd 1500 ft climb of the day but once I was up on top of the ridge it was nice walking. We got to the sign for the shelter and noticed that it was .3 straight down the mountainside. At first I was hesitant to go down there,however once I did and saw the shelter the hike down was worth it. This shelter is brand new with a covered porch area for the picnic table. The privy is new too so it was not too stinky or yucky yet. There are more section hikers here tonight than thru hikers. The past couple of night I have been with them has been somewhat frustrating because one group goes to bed early and wakes up early but the other group goes to bed late(10 or 11pm)and get up late so for those of us in the middle it stinkd because we're kept up late by noise and woken up early by noise. Oh well. From what I hear they are all staying at the next shelter and I am going further so no more section hikers keeping me up!
Date: 2005-06-05
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: Pickle Branch shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: light rain

Today was not as bad as I thought it would be. Everyone kept saying that today would be so hard but actually it was pretty easy.I started off the day by coming down off the ridge to a cooler full of ice cold drinks,(trailmagic)which is nice because the temp has been up in the high 80's to low 90's lately and the humidity has been horrible! Then after that we walked down another .25mi and came to a road with more trailmagic! This time it was a guy who's name is Southpaw and he had a cooler full of drinks as well. He even offered us a ride into town,however we all decided to keep going.Next was the climb up to Audie Murphy memorial. Now this is gretty cool because this guy apparently was the most decorated veteran in the armed forces. Audie did not die in combat though,he died flying a personal plane and crashed somewhat here on this mountain. His two sons knew that he loved these mountains so much that they decided to bury him here. Its nice up here too-alot of azelea trees in bloom.Now I'm here at the shelter(which ended up being .4 off the trail)and getting ready to make some dinner. There is no one else here except for me. Steadt-eddie and Charlie Brown. Little john decided to go into town with southpaw and wait for us there. Hopefully I'll be in Catawba tomorrow.