morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-20
From: Daleville (howard johnson motel)

To: Daleville (H J)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Happy birthday Gary..Did not sleep well as waiting for a message to come through on our black berry.At 0630 the green light turned from green to red which means an email had come through,,,House finally sold we are officially homeless YAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!After breakfast we phoned the bank and they confirmed the transaction, we are very very happy.. And as luck would have it KROGERS has Champagne..got some for later..Post office (thanks for the chocolate Mum & Dad) lunch and started celebrating early afternoon as we intend hiking tomorrow, maybe!!! chilled just like the drinks in our fridge..Had a mexcian meal with 8 other thru hikers.. exhausted from 2 years hard work, oh and the little matter of hiking a few miles ever day...
Date: 2005-05-21
From: Daleville (H J)

To: Old Woods Road
Miles today: 18.9

Woke to a beautiful sunny day, but we got a late start. Left for the trail about 1030.The first few miles flew by as we were in nice fields and the terrain was sweet under our feet. Gradual ups and downs, No Rocks, hope they used them up on this side to make the I 81..6 miles to first shelter for a break. We did not feel like we were moving fast as our packs are heavy but it was 3mph. On leaving the shelter my left knee went from under me and I developed a Limp..(think someone stole my knee while I was resting, hope they bring it back soon). Cross the Blue Ridge Parkway for the first time, its very pretty. A few more rocks but nothing to write home about. Get to Bobblets shelter but its full of scouts, its the weekend!!.The land around the shelter is on a slope so no camping.We get water, eat dinner and hike on to find a spot to sleep, did not go very far, put tent up off an old woods road and catch a stunning sun set. We have completed more than 1/3 off the trail ..
Date: 2005-05-22
From: Old Woods Road

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: clear sky

Happy Birthday Joanna..Noisy deer running past during the night not to mention the Bird that sang for an hour from 0255..Dragged ourselves from the tent just after six, cross the Blue Ridge Parkway 2/3 times in an hour and 3 cats and Iron foot get a ride to town for breakfast, we are slow as my knee is still playing up. put brace on it which helps a bit. Up and down most of the morning, we get to a gap where Slip walks to camp store for snacks and cold soda's as its Hot. Two guys stop and chat to me and ask where I am from, when I told him he responded with "but Irish that does not mean you are From Ireland right " I had to tell him that in my case it did. I was the second "real Irish person" he had met in his life!! Slip arrived back in no time as a couple picked him up,drove him to the store and waited till he got what he needed before dropping him back..Thank you..We left trail magic for Iron Foot and 3 Cats in the river. Slip had arranged sticks to take them to the treasure. We left a note on the trail and hoped no one else took it.On to the next shelter and just before, a bird was going crazy in a tree right on the trail. We stopped and wondered what was up with it, as I started to take my next step I realised thet a Big Rat Snake would have been under foot.. soon after we saw another snake but this had "go faster" white/cream stripes down it,then a Salamander and a big toad.Next shelter was cool but we were not staying. we keep passing the really nice ones. Slip got stung by a bee so maybe its a good job we are moving on. Big climb 2000' it was not as bad as expected, we are getting trail fit and the sun had gone in, we may get thunder tonight.3 cats and Iron Foot caught up with us, they did get the trail magic. Another 1000' climb on to apple Orchard shelter. White trillium everywhere, and another reminder of work as we pass a FAA radar dome..pass under the guillotine, a huge boulder suspended above the trail.End of week 8..
Date: 2005-05-23
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Jojns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: light rain

Happy Birthday Martin (the real one)It rained during the night but it was only light. Ear plugs required as some loud snoring gong on in the shelter...Ear plugs are the one thing I would no longer leave home without.This shelter also had the scariest Privey, looks like some one sprayed the inside with glue and placed 500+ bees/flys on the walls..Beautiful trail down to gap where there was yet more trail magic and my first experience of Mountain Dew. I had 2 cans which was a mistake as they have over 40g of sugar in each one and half way up the next mountain I felt like things were growing in my blood. We met the trail Maintainer and his Kids that had left the trail magic.. Many thanks. Pass Belfast trail and the Gunter trail with beautiful views back to apple orchard mountain. Iron Foot nearly stood on A Rattle snake, it was not a happy bunny and he was really shaking his rattle at us. After a photo or two, We all passed off the trail as we could not move the snake off the trail.Cross the James river and hitch into Glasgow where the only hotel and restaurant in town is closed for the day to upgrade their fire detection system. Can you believe it. So burgers and chips for the boys, eventually got a ride back with construction workers in the back of their truck and we even got a beer.The final path of the day was easy. got a great fire going to keep the bugs away as there were many entries in the shelter journal about bug attacks..Don't plan on being desert tonight.
Date: 2005-05-24
From: Jojns Hollow Shelter

To: US60-Buena Vista (Budget inn)
Miles today: 19.7

Happy Birthday Jason 21 again..Rained during the night so glad we chose to sleep in the shelter, but woke at 1am as the moon was shining straight in to the shelter.A few miles on this morning we had a great view back to the James river and we have now less than 1400miles to go..Passed a memorial to a young girl that died of exposure having gotten lost in the mountains. very sad. Iron foot and 3 cats went on as my knee is still a pain in the neck so I had to slow down. It started to rain. We had lunch under a new bridge at the start of a detour. After the rain stopped the trail was full of tiny red Salamanders its hard to avoid them on the trail. Tough day, eventually got to brown mountain shelter where Iron Foot and 3 Cats are waiting for us as they have a ride into town 2 miles up the trail, but. only if we leave straight away. I was looking forward to a rest but on we go. The ipod helps . Slip takes off and we ran uphill on rocky terrain at 4mph..Tofu & Figaro give us a ride to Buena Vista (they were 'off' the trail due to an injury but are due back on in a day or two, many thanks for the ride).Motel, shower, food and even got a ride to the supermarket for Icecream(VEGAN). Suddenly my knee felt better, well for at least 5 minutes.
Date: 2005-05-25
From: US60-Buena Vista (Budget inn)

To: The Priest Shelter
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Noisy road but good unexpected sleep. Even my knee feels a little better.Got a ride to trail head for 0830 its much cooler today, which helps as we have a big climb first thing.As we are high again the trees have that "its cold and March" look about them. Another hard day and my knee is no better and its very cold .Slip slept for an hour after our dinner stop. Met a very unfriendly man on the top of spy rock. On to the priest shelter, just before we got there I pulled a tendon in my foot which was very painful, struggled the last half mile up hill to the shelter. Very very cold during the night, cloud cleared and the moon came out as did a very happy bird. Passed the 800mile mark today..
Date: 2005-05-26
From: The Priest Shelter

To: .1m off blue ridge Parkway 
Miles today: 20.3

Happy birthday Madge, Hal says Hello.had oatmeal and coffee in the shelter before 0630. looks like a beautiful day, hope it is warmer than yesterday. Up and down over rocks...Virginis's flat!!!!!!!!More big climbs to Chimney rocks and walk along the ridge line. It was a hard hike over big and small sharp rocks. We had a nice break at hanging rocks where we could see where we had come from that morning. 10 hawks flying all around us taking full advantage of the winds. After lunch we met a 04 thru hiker with king size snickers, sodas and fruit.. Nice. ......that takes Slips' total King size snickers in less than 3 hours to 4.......the hunger has kicked in.picked a good spot to camp off the road. And as its a beautiful clear night we decide to Cowboy. It was great falling asleep under the stars and the ashes from Iron foot's huge Camp Fire.. smelt wild jasmine as we slept,
Date: 2005-05-27
From: .1m off blue ridge Parkway 

To: Waynesboro (quality inn)
Miles today: 14.4

Both Slip and I woke shortly after 2am to this horrible smell, which we found out later was a Skunk.!Glad it decided not to pay us a visit..Beautiful morning for a hike . Removed a Big ratsnake from the trail, as we pushed out 14+ miles to emerge on the Road to Waynesboro, and the Start of the Shenandoahs. Got a cold soda from the gas station and organised a ride into town from one of the local trail angels. Sorted a motel room, showered and went out for food. They boys went to the AYCE chinese while I went to get real food from the supermarket next door. They were still eating when I returned so I joined them with my purchased IceCream...Slip collected his new pack, turns out he was in a pack 3" too big for him so Osprey sent him a new one the right size. He is a very happy hiker.Hot day in town.
Date: 2005-05-28
From: Waynesboro (quality inn)

To: Waynesboro (quality inn)
Miles today: 0.0

Vicky and Gary hope you enjoy your wedding anniversary.Chilled in hotel room, taking a Zero today. Slip down loaded photos and video in camera shop $50.. but we had no option it was nearlt full. walked to the library and managed 60 minutes on a pc. Ate and relaxed, ate some more and relaxed some more. Started walking to steak house for dinner but could not find it. Slip asked some guys in a truck stopped at traffic lights. As if by chance they were also going there so we hopped into the back of the truck as I chatted to Clare on the phone.It was all of one block away..!80+ today. Looks like trip to DC is sorted.
Date: 2005-05-29
From: Waynesboro (quality inn)

To: wildcamp
Miles today: 15.3

last day of week 9.Into the Shenandoahs. Folks woke us at 0640 as we were getting up. Ride to trail head with John just back from Africa. The trail was very nice under foot hope it stays like it in the park 100+ miles.Signed in to park (we don't have to pay as we are on foot, see it has its uses). After a few miles we arrive at a gap and Rocket's friends arrive and we get trail magic. They invite us to meet them later for a BBQ.. The park is beautiful but for the first time I start to feel week and panic about food, so we stop for lunch. Got to turk Gap where Lumby 04 had trail magic. And shortly after Rocket's friends arrived so we got a ride with them to a campsite to set up their BBQ. Slip got some photos of a fawn that must only have been a day or two old.Great food and company.Got a ride back to turks gap for 7pm and we decided to just see how far we would get, with a full belly...About 3 miles later we found a good spot to Cowboy. We now have 3 big days to make up for the trail magic stops to get ride to DC..
Date: 2005-05-30
From: wildcamp

To: High Top Hut
Miles today: 26.1
Weather: few clouds

Week 10. Memorial Day.Deer kept us awake all night as they ate within 10 feet of us during the night. They sure are noisy eaters..And they are not a bit afraid of you or intrested in you. (they are not hunted in the park, and the word has been passed around on bambi tv)The Moon was bright during the night and the sunrise was amazing.Got to a campground for lunch to get some cooked food but there was a power failure so everywhere is closed..Think someone pulled the plug as they did not want to work on Memorial day. The boys are hungry because we did not carry lots of food into the park, we had been told that you can get fresh food every day. Hence it was a long day and we arrive late at High Top hut. Nearly full shelter and lots camped.. Thanks to Jake I had my first Bombay on the trail with Gatorade. It was wonderful and I went to sleep a very happy girl.
Date: 2005-05-31
From: High Top Hut

To: Redgate Fire Road(just off)
Miles today: 22.1

Did not sleep very well but we have to get up and move on anyway..brunch at camp store. Good temp for hiking, not too hot and not too cold. Short breaks but get to Big Meadows lodge and stop in the tap room for food and a drink by 5pm. Stay for a while..and a few drinks later... hike on a short while to a good spot for another cowboy.After we found our spot we went back to some rocks to watch the sun go down on another fantastic day.You all don't know what you are missing..This is the life.More deer eating around us all night.Night..
Date: 2005-06-01
From: Redgate Fire Road(just off)

To: Elkwallow gap(Skyland lodge)
Miles today: 24.5

1st.June More deer during the night, morning started with nice temp & blue skies. Skyland lodge for breakfast. Shortly afterwards we saw a Copperhead in the middle of the trail. We pushed on for Thornton gap. Slip went(ran) ahead to order food.(he will do anything for food,in fact I think we all would by now) Got to Elkwallow gap just in time, slip had it sorted by then. We then got a hitch back to where we had breakfast this morning, shower and food.3 Cats was meeting a friend and we were getting him a ride and decided to go with him.. Amazing group of construction workers gave us a lift to the lodge. Found a deer tick on my leg, hope he was not there too long, A Woodpecker was a little loud during the night.
Date: 2005-06-02
From: Elkwallow Gap

To: US 522 [Ride to DC]
Miles today: 19.2

June 2nd. Left the lodge before 07:00. Said our goodbyes to 3 Cats. As it was Foggy we split up on Skyland drive so cars could see us.40min later I persuaded a woman going our way to give us a ride to within 8 miles of where we wanted to be. We tried to hitch the rest of the way over the next hour. No joy so walked the 8 miles on the road. Saw a huge turkey as we pushed out 4 mph to arrive back where we ate yesterday in 2 hours. Rain started so we got food quickly and set off. Hardly any breaks as we need to get to pick up point before 20:00. We left the park and the trail went back to normal, the deer also run off again when they hear us. Last 2 miles were in overgrown fields of grasses and shrubs. Arrived at the gap at 19:20. Ironfoot¢s friend arrived before 20:00 and we set off in his car. Wow! Forgot how fast cars can travel. Got to DC, checked into hotel, then dinner after 23:00. Slip did laundry so we could go sightseeing in the morning and finished at 01:40.
Date: 2005-06-03
From: US522 (ride to DC)

To: Washington (DC)
Miles today: 0.0

June 3rd.Happy birthday KT.Did not sleep well, believe it or not but the bed was too soft. We checked back into same hotel till Sunday. Ironfoot and Cam (his friend that collected us from the side of the road) arrived and we took the metro into town & wandered around. Ironfoot¢s parents joined us, They drove from South Carolina. Lunch and another of Ironfoot¢s friend Laura joined us. Then we were given a personal tour of South Carolina's Senator offices ¢ followed by a tour of the Capital Building. Managed to get into a museum but we were all very tired and the noise of all the normal people was frightening. Back to the hotel for a short nap, then back to town to an Irish bar to meet more or Ironfoot¢s friends. Finally got to hotel at 4am but realised we did not have any dinner( and a hikers gota eat) so we went to a diner. Sleep.
Date: 2005-06-04
From: Washington(DC)

To: Washington (DC)
Miles today: 0.0

June 4th Still woke at 6am. Went on an adventure by bus to a local supermarket to renew supplies, managed to get ice cream! Back to town beautiful sunny day, so did a grand tour, White House, Reflecting Pool, Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam & WW2 Memorials. We even fitted in a trip to see the Hope diamond (it¢s over rated) tired so made our way back to hotel for about 22:00. Chatted to most of our family before bed.
Date: 2005-06-05
From: Washington(DC)

To: Washington (DC)
Miles today: 0.0

June 5th.We checked back into the hotel till Monday. Lazed in hotel and headed back into town for mid day. Found a health food store where I got lunch and we sat on grass at Dupont Circle with all the locals. Met up with Ironfoot and friends in another bar they had been to a base ball game. Waited until it got dark to view the Memorial at night, which was fantastic. Just about getting accustomed to ¢normal¢ life, if you wish to call it that. Temp.90 today, nice not humid.
Date: 2005-06-06
From: Washington (DC)

To: Tom Sealock Spring
Miles today: 3.2

 June 6th. Start of week 11. Felt very tired this morning, hope it¢s not from the deer tick I picked off myself last Wed. Got our gear together and lazed by pool at hotel, last chance to use it and it was hotter than yesterday. Made our way by metro to where Cam works as he was dropping us back to trail after work. We got there a little early so ate in Ruby Tuesdays. Watched a girl who worked there being arrested.! It all happens when you are on the AT. Drive out of city and back to the woods hot and sticky, thunder storm to our right. Got to trail head at 8PM and decided to walk till we found a spot to camp. It was dark by the time we stumbled on a spot. Blair witch effigy on a tree. Spooky! First time we pitched tent since 21st May. Lucky its like riding a bike.
Date: 2005-06-07
From: Tom Sealock Spring

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: broken clouds

A very hot & noisy night. The tree canopy was moving all night, but no breeze down at ground level. Hot day sweat dripping off us (nice!) passed a gap with 4 beers in a stream, we share one and take one for later. Now I know its just 10:00 but we needed a cold drink. The next shelter had a resident Copperhead and we saw him warming himself on the rocks as we left, then on for 4 miles of long grass (tick country,great) enter a state park which is very pretty but all in the open, as I look at my self I realize that I am sweating like a boxer does after a fight, where is it all coming from. Get to Ashby gap and decide we will walk/hitch the 0.8mile to a store for a cold soda. Got a ride in less than 5 min,it was well worth it, and same on way back. Trail magic at the shelter, put inner tent up, hope it does not rain. Still quite hot.
Date: 2005-06-08
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Blackburn AT centre
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: few clouds

 Because of the heat we did not sleep very well. Start moving on trail by 07:30, if it stays this hot we will have to start hiking by 06:00am. Hot, hot, hot and we now start the "roller coaster" 10 ups and downs. Saw a beautiful copperhead snake. The first few ups are not too bad, don't know what all the fuss is about. Pass a bears den. We head for the Horseshoe Curve Inn for lunch. We stayed a while, but the 3rd beer may have been a mistake, but it tasted sooooo good in the heat 90f. Back on he roller coaster, this time it was interesting! We managed about 1 mph for 4 hours, then found ourselves at the Blankburn center. We are now in West Virginia state No.5. The couple at the centre cooked us dinner and more, as we had the bunk house to our selves. What a fab end to a hard day. They even had a solar shower with hot water. The best meal on the trail so far.
Date: 2005-06-09
From: Blackburn AT centre

To: Harpers ferry (Hill top hotel)
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: few clouds

Up lots during the night (thats what real food and beer does to you). On trail at 08:00. Got trail magic 6 miles on at gap, Queen Diva was making pancakes and her friend Betty had cooked over 10 dozen cookies. Finally at Shenandoah and Potomac rivers and enter Harpers Ferry (considered by many to be the halfway point), many civil war battles were fought near by. Sign into the ATC (Appalachian Trail Conference) head quarters, we are numbers 228 & 229 through so far this year. Checked into a hotel and went to the Post Office. Thanks to the Clarks for the food parcel. We chilled at the bar after a bus ride to do laundry and re supply. A quick thunder storm even went past while we were shopping (fantastic).
Date: 2005-06-10
From: Harpers ferry (Hill top hotel)

To: Dahlgren Backpack campground
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: scattered clouds

We had a great night sleep, could have stayed all day. Feel like I am developing a chesty cold... The fire alarm went off in our room after Ironfoot was in the shower but it was just our room. When we phoned reception they sent a maintance man "did you use the shower" cos that sets it off! Well we did not know that, how many hotel have such a unique feature?. He then pulled it from the ceiling leaning two wires exposed. Slip cut his foot on a loose tile and this time he said "did you get the floor wet "well no, actually we all had dry showers¢. The manager thought Slip was trying it on. As if any hiker would slash an inch on their foot on purpose!! Set off and did not get very far, we met up with 3 Cats and ate lunch. Finally, we left town after noon. Again very hot and humid. Nice walk by a canal for 3 miles, then straight up. Short stop at shelter then pass a park with a soda machine and water tap. Move on to campground where we got free hot showers. Best of all it was only a 0.2mile walk to a Country Inn. We had had a beer or two with Ironfoot & 3 Cats. When we got back, the place was packed with 30 scouts. Well it is the weekend.
Date: 2005-06-11
From: Dahlgren Backpack campground

To: Ensign Cowall shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: haze

SaturdayVery warm during the night, not to mention the noisy scouts. 40 min or 2 miles to Washington Monument state park. Hot & sweaty, knee not playing the game today. Down to Greenbrier state park for a swim. Knee felt a lot better after the swim for at least 5 miles. Back on trail and saw a big rattle snake. Stopped at Ensign Shelter and managed to order a Pizza. State number 7 tomorrow. .
Date: 2005-06-12
From: Ensign Cowall shelter

To: Caledonia State Park
Miles today: 28.0
Weather: broken clouds

Very hot so did not sleep well in the shelter. Big day past one shelter and on to Penmar Park where a WW2 vet chatted to us. We stop but can't put it off any longer so walk the 0.2 to Mason-Dixon line and into the North. Ironfoot and 3 Cats shake on the line. Into state number 7, Pennsylvania. It¢s Hot. Trail nice, rattle snake crossed the trail late afternoon, No rattle through. 3 miles of rocks that were sweaty, believe me rocks sweat. Met Mom, Pop & they were providing Trail magic, heir son Groovy is on the PCT. Chat for 30 min. Eventually get down to US 30 and walk to a pizza place. It¢s dark when we leave and enter Caledonia State Park. Set up our tents in the dark, and then set off for 2.8 miles to get a shower!!. Slip decided to use the girls shower as we only had one small bottle of soap, after all the park was empty, so who else would be having a shower.. except the two girls that came in 5 min after we did. So I had to smuggle him out, very amusing. Tired.