morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-06-25
From: VA 601

To: US 11 Atkins, VA
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: clear sky

Dear Toe nail Fairy,I've never written to you before, but I used to write to the tooth fairy a long long time ago. Anyways, I was hoping with inflation and all, that maybe $5 would be a fair price for a fine toe nail specimen. It's not black or anything, just had a hard life the last few months and finally kicked the dirt so to speak.Thank you for your consideration,JellybeanOn the trail again! I just can't wait to get on the trail again! It feels so good to stretch my legs out again. Though it was not a good idea to go as far as I did in my Chacos. I've got blisters on my heels! I stubbed my toe and lost the little nail. I decided to come back to the place I left off. It was hard to leave good company, but I've hiked this far in order, all northbound, from Springer, and I just might make it to Katahdin yet! so, here I am, way in the back of the pack. No thru hikers in sight! Yet, I'm still doing it. No yellow blazing yet! No blue blazing around, just a few side trips! OK, well, quite a few side trips. It's never a dull moment though. I really enjoy having Lost Yankee and Dog Tag and all their support! Bisbee is really happy to be back in the woods too! I hiked the last four miles into the Partnership shelter and then cruised on to US 11 where we stopped at Dairy Queen and got milkshakes. Rather than spend the night by the busy highway, we went back to the partnership shelter and parked on VA 42. Lexi and I went take showers and met a large group of section hikers. They had pizza and beer already ordered. The showers were cold by the way, verrry cooold!
Date: 2005-06-26
From: US 11 Atkins, VA

To: VA 42 O'Lystery Pavilion
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: broken clouds

Got an early start, crossed I-81 and headed across fields. Cows stared me down as I came through their midst. As soon as I got into the woods, turkeys flew everywhere, baby turkeys, and big turkeys. They really are big birds! I came across the Chatfield shelter and saw a note from "Wilderness" I think that was his name, anyways, I caught up to him shortly afterward. He is a section hiker with a heavy pack and boots. We exchanged photos and I moved on. I spooked a couple of deer in the narrow corridor of easement property, then Lost Yankee met me at VA 610. I went to see the cat house Chuck found (at least 40 cats in a fenced yard) before continuing. Lost Yankee provided ramen noodles at the North fork of the Holston River! A little sprinkle to break up the day and then the long ride back to Exit 54 where we met Jim Montgomery. He bought us lunch at Rhonda's Restaurant, then we hung out at the gazebos at Dairy Queen with a strawberry milkshake. I was planning to hike another 6.5 miles, but instead we headed for Exit 80 and Internet at the Flying J instead. It was probably best. It feels good to get caught up. (I have just roughed out the last week, so I'll fill in details as they come to mind!) I'm still doing it!
Date: 2005-06-27
From: VA 42 O'Lystery Pavilion

To: Walker Gap
Miles today: 12.4

Turtle Day! Found 3 no less. It was also an unexpectedly long day. Having goofed around all day finding giant green butterflies, salamanders, snails, catapillars, and lots of bugs, we showed up at a road crossing expecting to meet Chuck and found no one there. Trail angels had left peanuts and water jugs, but they were almost empty. It started to rain. We hudled under one emergency poncho with Bisbee and waited. After a while, we decided we were going to have to walk out. It was 6 miles back to my truck, It was only supposed to be 4 miles to the next road. So we went forward. (Hate to backtrack). The rain stopped for the most part which was real nice, then Bisbee chased off after a deer. I happened to see the fawn run the other way. I stalked up to with in 4 feet or so for a photo. We passed a wilderness road and thought there looked like fresh tracks, so we hung around and watched the fish in a nearby pond, then continued on. We found 3 box turtles between the pond and the shelter. The shelter was cool. It was a four sided with a swing, bunks, and a table inside! Nice views. We hiked down the hill and finally caught up to Chuck after a long 12 mile day.
Date: 2005-06-28
From: Walker Gap

To: VA 615 Laurel Creek
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: light rain

Found a Gypsy Moth trap and at a road crossing, I found the man who was checking on them. He gave me lot of information about them. I saw a bear cub! It was on the same side of the stream that had about 75 crossings. That got my adrenal going, I was glad to cross the steam again, but I saw prints in the mud. It was getting late, so I hurried. I crossed the stream again and again, hoping his mother wasn't around. He was just a little guy and he was running uphill, but in the same general direction I was. Anyways, I was glad to get to the truck.
Date: 2005-06-29
From: VA 615 Laurel Creek

To: VA 611
Miles today: 15.9

We found a restaurant in Bland for breakfast. It was hidden in the back of a Citgo station. There was an old Fordson tractor out front. At the Dollar Store, we bought gallon jugs for .60 and headed back to the trail. Chuck had to go get his van worked on in town, so he and Lexi went to Wallmart. Of all things, Lexi came back with a male and a female beta fish. Remember, she's 12. She has her own priorities. Now, how she plans to get them home on the plane, I have no idea. But, they did bring me a milkshake from Dairy Queen before we continued on. As we hiked down the road a guy in a pickup drove along beside us and talked all the way down the hill till we hit the trail again. It was a long afternoon hike till dark. Chuck hiked up the steep hill at the end to meet us and left a walmart receipt in the trail. I knew he was there.
Date: 2005-06-30
From: VA 611

To: VA 606
Miles today: 9.6

Met Spook, Chuck gave him a ride to bland. Ate lunch at the store on VA 606 during the rain. They have a nice little collection of taxidermy. It's right across from a log mill. One of the workers talked to us during lunch. We hiked in the rain. Saw a small box turtle, a deer and a fawn. Big turtles in the river. Awesome suspension bridge. We reached the VA 611 and headed for Baltimore. Stopping at the Flying J for dinner, laundry and internet.
Date: 2005-07-01
From: VA 606

To: Uncle John's House
Miles today: 0.0

Wow, Home cooked meals and air conditioning! We drove about 334 miles today to get to my Uncle John's House. Chuck followed with no air conditioning! Passed through Harper's Ferry and arrived in time for a real home cooked meal! Thanks Bette and John! We stayed up too late talking, but how wonderful! Uncle John has had lyme disease and lost a lot of weight. Bette is recovering from a broken foot, but both seem to be in great spirits! The reunion hike is still on! I'm going to do it!
Date: 2005-07-02
From: Uncle John's House

To: Uncle John's House
Miles today: 0.0

I'm a genius! Well, maybe not, but I got my Uncle John convinced! He took Uncle Chuck, Cousin Ron, and I geocaching to one of the caches he had not been able to find. Well, after just a little checking around, I reached under the sign and produced the coordinates to the final stage. I'm not sure if he was relieved to find it or more annoyed that he hadn't been able to find it! Anyways, we had a great time, tried to find a few more, some were probably mogulled. Ate lunch at Burger King and had a drink at one of the caches! We're busy planning the reunion hike. I'm still doing it! Happy trails,
Date: 2005-07-03
From: Uncle John's House

To: Uncle John's House
Miles today: 0.0

We're getting our stuff together, and planning to hike from I-40 just a mile or so up to Pine Knob Shelter, then head south to Harper's Ferry. We plan to take it slow and enjoy all the monuments and views, arriving Harper's on Thursday. We'll drive back to John's, shower and then head up to the reunion on Friday. Then I have to make more choices: A) Drive back to Southwest Virginia and hike to Maine. B) Start at Pine Knob and go north, then finish the Virginias after Katahdin. or C) Flip flop and go start in Maine about July 15th. Any opinions? Please use the guest book! Things to consider that I know about are: The flies may be bad in maine right now. My friends are close to Pine Knob right now. There's very few hikers in southwest virginia right now. My Uncle is willing to store the truck and give me a ride back to Pine Knob. Anyways, I've got a week to decide! I'm going to do it! Happy trails,
Date: 2005-07-04
From: I-70

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 0.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Reunion Hike is On! John (Slow Turtle), Chuck (Lost Yankee) and I waited for some of the heat to cool off, then shuttled vehicles to each end of our hike and then started up the trail. Well, first off we had to get a geocache, but then we headed up the trail! I left water bottles for thirsty hikers, but found them trashed by locals the next day. Anyways, the shelter was empty. Only four others were camped out next to the shelter. Not much water in the spring, but enough. I found a tick on the top of my head and then got a terrible head ache. I mean TERRIBLE, It made me wonder if they were related! It looked like a wood tick though, I hope so anyway. I took an Aleve and it did go away finally! I slept in my hammock and enjoyed the stars, This is going to be a good hike! I'm still doing it!
Date: 2005-07-05
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: Dalgren's Campground
Miles today: 5.1

Slow Turtle is his name, but he gets up early! He finally got me out of the hammock and I hiked without breakfast! We searched for caches and had pretty good luck, except one headed back the way we had come, so we left that one unfound! You would have to see it to believe it, but Chuck's dog, Kody, can sure pull him up the trail! And wrap himself around the trees too! We enjoyed the Washington Monument and I ran into Lady Scarecrow and her dog at the South Mountain Inn! That was cool! I went on into Dalgren's Campground and took a nice long hot shower! While waiting on the uncle's, I visited with the campers from Pine Knob. They were Adventist, so we visited quite a while. Anyways, when we were all cleaned up, we decided not to hike any farther, and instead, we went to dinner at the South Mountain Inn. That was probably the best decision of the week! Wow! Prime Rib was the special and they make killer margaritas too. Bill, you would be impressed. The vegetables were perfect, as was the rest of the meal! Not Mastro's, but darn close! It was awesome, we had no where to go, all the time in the world to savor the meal and it was cool inside to boot! Who said trail life was roughing it? Anyways, we got back to camp and it started to sprinkle. We met the OFC, Over Forty Club, and recommended the Inn! They took us up on it but they had to swim back to camp. I went to bed early. My hammock stayed nice and dry. A couple mean dogs came into camp, so Chuck put Bisbee in his tent. I guess it leaked a little bit!!! John's tent got a little wet on the bottom too! Anyways, it poured, it thundered, lightning flashed for hours! Then it started all over again. When it actually quit about morning, the trees were still dripping! OK, OK, so anyways, I'm still doing it!
Date: 2005-07-06
From: Dalgren's Campground

To: Gathland State Park
Miles today: 7.1

It quit raining! Thank goodness. We ate breakfast and packed up quickly in case it started to rain again! Then headed on down the trail. We had a couple caches today too! One at the Reno Monument was pretty cool! At the Rocky Run Shelter, I saw Minnie again! The cache was easy enough to find, but a steep climb up and down! This was a cool shelter! It has a swing in a little covered area, a flower garden with lilies in bloom, a separate cooking area, and a good flowing stream! We cooked up some ramen and tuna and then went on our way again. More caches and a hill climb, we were tired when we got into Gathland State Park. We plopped down at the pavillion where a couple were having "Date Night" after talking a while, Stan was cooking Salmon, Carrie offered me their left over quacamole and chips! I went to get water and when I got back, Carrie informed us that they were sharing their dinner with us! She whipped out the tinfoil for our plates, set the table with plastic ware and we had a feast of barbequed Salmon (Just perfect too), a gourmet type salad with a raspberry like tasting dressing, (To die for), some delicious pesto and a ginger treat of some kind. All way out of my league to try and do justice too, but I'm telling you, It was fabulous, way over board and so outstanding, I can't begin to tell you! We savored it to the fullest, then they offered seconds, can you believe this roughing it! Anyways, they were real pleasant folks who lived nearby, they homeschool four kids and are thinking of taking them on the trail in the near future! We listened as they played quitars and had a most pleasant evening. Then to top it all off, my friends showed up! The 3 blind mice, Timshel and some new folks as well, they agreed with us that we'd just camp there, but it turned out not to be the best idea. The traffic noise was horrible and I had mares all night worried about Bisbee trampling Timshel's tent! Anyways, I'm still doing it!
Date: 2005-07-07
From: Gathland State Park

To: John's House, Glen Burnie, MD
Miles today: 7.1

Adrenaline Day! I was up early, got my stuff packed and was out of the park before the crowds arrived! Set the mood for the whole day! Hurry Hurry Hurry. I raced from cache to cache all the way to the Ed Garvey Shelter. There, we stopped for lunch and I used up my soup. The shelter is impressive. Slow Turtle installed the handrail on the loft with the AT logo. The water source is a long ways away! Anyways, Slow Turtle planted a cache and as we were getting back on the trail, A uniformed park officer and another employee asked us about a guy named Leiutenant. We hadn't seen him, but apparently, he needed his meds and was in bad shape. Well, the adrenaline kicked in again, I hiked with them about 3 mph till they found the guy making his way slowly northbound. He seemed distressed, but he was walking and coherent, so we went on caching. The next time we came out of the woods, They had decided to walk him out. The employee carried his pack out ahead of him. I thought that was odd! Why not keep his pack near, but oh well, We found another cache, this one worked up quite a sweat, but we found it! Then back to the trail to check on Lieutenant's progress. He was coming along. I hiked hard and caught up to the employee and talked a bit. The pack was falling apart and was very heavy. I again offered my assistance, but was declined. Anyways, By the time I got to Weaverton Cliffs, I was really burning some calories. The view was terrific, but it was starting to sprinkle again. I got a photo and then found the nearby cache. Then I hightailed it down the zig zags to the parking lot. On the way down, I found a very heavy set of tent poles and huge heavy nails, a poncho, a bible, and a map. I had to assume it belonged to the Lieutenant, so I carried it down to the parking lot. I passed what I assumed was the medic and a searcher and they took the poncho. Then the wheeled litter started up the trail. I offered my services, but they seemed to have it all handled. As I suspected, there was quite a party going on! Fire trucks, rescue squads, a lunch wagon, a helicopter circling above, the whole shebang! I gave Bisbee some water and put my pack in John's truck, then dropped off the guy's stuff. They offered my a gatorade that really helped quench my thirst. Chuck and John soon followed and we went to get chicken at Cindy Dee's. We shuttle back to Chuck's car and tried in vain to find John's 100th cache. I guess it will have to be another day! Anyways, we made it to John's house for showers, icecream and some terrible news about London! So, It was a fun trip, but the news reminds me that life is so fragil. Enjoy it while you can! Anyways, I'm still doing it!
Date: 2005-07-08
From: John's House

To: Jim's House
Miles today: 0.0

Pork Chops? Yeah, that's right. I've been eating again!!! This morning John, Chuck and I got up early and headed for New York. Jim (Chuck's long time friend) invited us to dinner and a bed while we go to the Barber reunion. After a round of Margaritas, we sat down to a feast of pork chops, potatoes, gravy, and peas. I'm so stuffed I can't hardly roll away from the table, but it tasted so good I couldn't pass up a plateful of seconds! I don't know if I'll ever go home! This food on the trail has been so incredible! Anyways, we're enjoying a pleasant evening at their new house and wow, the deck alone would be so comfortable, it's like a fancy shelter all by itself. There's lots of room for the dogs to run and the inside is so clean and crisp! It's exactly the colors I would choose. OK, I'm not going to go on and on, I'm still on a buzz, and I could go to sleep right now, so, Happy Trails, I'm still doing it!
Date: 2005-07-09
From: Jim's House

To: Jim's House
Miles today: 0.0

Family Reunion at Heather's in Coudersport, PA! Lots of food! Lots of catching up! Lots of kids and dogs! Ron rolled down the hill with the kids. That was funny! You had to be there. Anyways, So another night at Jim and Pat's B&B. I'm going to do it!
Date: 2005-07-10
From: Jim's House

To: Don's House
Miles today: 0.0

If you're paying attention, I'm covering a lot of ground here. I left my truck at John's house, rode to the reunion with John, toured around NY with my cousin ron in his convertible and stopped by Uncle's Chuck's cabin. We visited many of our anscestor's old homes and cemeteries and had lunch at Earl's in Sardinia, NY. Then, later we all met at Uncle Don's again for a continuation of the Barber reunion. It was going to the dogs. Everyone brought a dog with them. A huge bull mastif kept trying to lick John's face. Ron tried to get him to sit in the convertible, but he was to big! We had a great time.
Date: 2005-07-12
From: Jim's House

To: Doyle Hotel, Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

OK, Tomorrow, I promise, I will be on the trail again! But for today's news. I pulled a impulsive move and got a tatoo of the AT logo on my ankle! Yeah, it hurt a little, but not anything to write home about! I figure after all these miles I'd better have something to show for it! Oh, and just for the logistics, I yellow blazed from just below Pearisburg in Virginia to here in Duncannon, because this is where the trail crossed the path to the reunion. It puts me back on schedule and gives me a chance to finish this year. I am going north to Katahdin from here and then I have two options; Finish the virgina section afterwards weather permitting; or finish it next summer and possibly joining John and his scouts in the Shenandoahs for a few days. Anyways, I am still on the trail. I'm hearing from Baltimore Jack that it is Timber Rattler Country. He just hosted a three day hiker feed last weekend. The place is jammed with hikers and I'm sippin a margarita while I type. OK, so I slurped it! I was thirsty! It's hard work all this lollygaggin! Trail Angels Don and Wendy "Hippy's parents" took me to the truck stop and back, and I met lots of new friends, a couple from England, Sal, and Minnie was in town. Sal's foot was not looking very well.
Date: 2005-07-13
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Peter's Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I crossed the Susquehanna River after a breakfast of biscuits and gravy and left the comforts of town behind once again. The trail was uphill, again, it was hot, humid, and I was thirsty. I met Rags sobo on the bridge. He kept saying how healthy my legs looked. At the shelter, I met Godspeed and aslam as well as saw Hopeful hiker again. I finished off someone's chocolate cheese cake and slept in the hammock where there was at least a little air movement.
Date: 2005-07-14
From: Peter's Mountain Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: haze

Today I hiked with Hopeful. It was nice to have someone to hike with again. it rained so it was a little cooler. At the shelter, I had to get off my feet. I hung my hammock again. It didn't seem that the group at the shelter wanted Bisbee around, so I went to bed early. It rained all night.
Date: 2005-07-15
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: scattered clouds

It was raining hard this morning, so I slept in and waited for a break. I caught up to Hopeful, Santa, Big Foot, Godspeed, Aslam, and more at the 501 shelter. It started to rain again just 100 yards from the shelter and I came in dripping wet. It was crowded, but I got a top bunk and Hopeful shared the rest of his pizza with me. He is a character! He reads a lot, talks a lot, and thinks a little bit differently than most! But, I think he's a good guy.
Date: 2005-07-16
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagles Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: moderate rain

Another wet smelly sock "Rainy" blister day! Hopeful laughed as I held out my poncho for Bisbee to get in out of a really bad downpour. The shelter had one spot left, but I gave it up and hung my hammock. Bisbee was not welcome in the shelter. I tried some of Hopeful's potatoe parmisan, but it wasn't enough. The dog is out of food, but we'll be in town tomorrow. A group of campers passed me today just as it started to really rain. I watched as two girls stopped to get out their ponchos. After a lot of searching, one pulled out a vinyl poncho still in the tough plastic packaging. She tried everything but a knife to get it open, gave up, and marched on in the rain.
Date: 2005-07-17
From: Eagles Nest Shelter

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: light rain

I slept in trying to wait out the rain, but finally wrapped up a wet hammock and into town I went. I saw Reading's famous Anthrocite when I got into town. Can Do Will Do pulled up beside me in a bright yellow pickup and handed Bisbee Hopeful's left over steak. He instantly won our hearts. He took us to Stroudsburg where I got a burger, fries, and shake at Burger King, then came back for me and took me to Cabella's. This you have to see! I've been to the Cabella's in Nebraska, but it was still amazing. Bisbee rode around in a shopping cart and caught a lot of people's attention as I looked at all the displays. Amazingly enough, they did not have the socks I was so desparately looking for. All I ended up getting was a bunch of postcards. Anyways, Can Do Will Do, took me to the Microtel where I snuck Bisbee into Hopeful and Baseline's room. Did my laundry and then played pool with Baseline at the pub. He even let me win a game or two.