morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-02-18
To: Easter
Miles today: 0.0

Holy cow, what a week! I had intended to make this entry on Ash Wednesday, but with two worship services and a funeral to plan, I just couldn¢t get to it. On Thursday, the organ company came to take out the pipe organ at the church and I met with the architects and did the funeral and helped with the organ removal. Then on Friday, it was all day with the organ company and other interruptions. So while February has seemed a long twenty-eight days, the last week has gone by fast. Forty-four days until I begin my hike.Folks keep telling me that this is the year I will finish the trail. At sixty-one, I don¢t feel as young or as hopeful as I once did. I believe that I will walk a lot of miles; but finishing, I just cannot imagine that. The time away will be nice though. I take off so little time that it will be hard for me to stay ¢gone¢. I bought "AWOL on the Appalachian Trail" last night and began reading it. David Miller is right. Getting up the courage to try a long walk is the hardest part. Missing one's family and friends will be hard and being away from work will be tough but staying on the trail will be the hardest part of all. Motels are just way too nice and it is hard to go back out to sleep on a board or the ground. I have done enough of the trail to know this and it will be my struggle.Well, we are full into Lent and I am confessing my sins.
Date: 2009-03-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I keep wondering if I will keep the journal up while on the trail. I just checked to see if my spell check will work from my Blackberry. It will. Today's sermon was on Moses looking across the Jordan River into the Promised Land. I wonder if I will ever reach the Promised Land or will I be like Moses and die before I cross over Jordan. I know it's weird to think like this, but it is Lent.
Date: 2009-04-04
To: Easter Sunday
Miles today: 0.0

Tomorrow is Palm Sunday, which means for a preacher this will be the busiest week of the Christian year. I have three services tomorrow and then every committee in the church has decided they need to meet with me one last time, so I'll have a full day. On Monday I have a noon communion service, on Thursday a Maundy Thursday service, on Friday a noon service of The Stations of the Cross and a Good Friday service and then on Easter Sunday a Sunrise service and three worship services. I don¢t know when or how but I need to repack so I can assure myself that I have everything I need and nothing I do not need. One week out and I know that I am not ready to walk for eighteen weeks. I will just have to take one step at a time and see how far I get. I have enjoyed reading other trail journals and am not sorry that I am missing the rain and snow. I believe that I will meet many of the folks I have read about and look forward to that. ONE WEEK OUT and ready to go.
Date: 2009-04-15
From: Mount Rogers

To: NRA Headquarters
Miles today: 20.5

I'm spending the night at the Baptist Church Hiker Hostal in Troutdall, VA. Jerry's Diner has computer access but I've had no cell service since I started on Monday. Have made 20.5 miles so far, but I know that I will never make Maine at this rate. I also know that I will need to get in shape if I am going to do this for four months. Thanks for the support and keep me in your prayers.
Date: 2009-04-18
From: NRA Headquarters

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

We are waiting on Steve Murphree to meet us to do a slack pack day. I have met Hungery, Hard Core, Stuned Mullet and others. The sad thing is, I will not see any of them again. They have all been out here for six weeks and are doing twenty mile days. Steve is here. GTG.
Date: 2009-04-24
From: Atkins, VA

To: Helvey's Mill Shelter
Miles today: 43.0
Weather: clear sky

Since spending the weekend with Steve Murphree and attending church with him, I have logged forty-three miles in four days. I spent the night in Bland VA and got a good night's sleep. It is so hard to sleep on the ground or the board in a shelter. My feet are torn up and I had planned to take a zero today (no walking) but instead have decided to take a nero (some walking but short). I will take a couple of zeros when I get to Pearisburg VA. I should be there by Tuesday the twenty-ninth. When I left Atkins VA, I had planned to only walk about eight miles, but because the trail passed through so much private land and cows are such curious beings, I did not stop until I completed twelve. On Tuesday, I slept at the Chestnut Knob Shelter at 4,409 feet and the wind howled all night. Going up, it was clear and sunny but the wind gusts nearly knocked me off my feet. Heard later that they were up to eighty miles an hour. What am I doing walking in this weather? On Wednesday, it blew snow all day and I thought I would freeze. Thursday, the sun was out with a light breeze and I got sun burned. Go figure. Well, back to the trail. Thanks to the Bland Library for the use of the internet.
Date: 2009-04-25
From: Helvey's Mill Shelter

To: wapiti shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

Walked ten miles on a beautiful, sunny day. I keep wondering why so many are in such a hurry? I'm spending tonight in a horse pasture and the mare has come over three times to check out my tent. I finally roped off the area with my bear cord and marked it with my scent. Hope that works.
Date: 2009-04-29
From: wapiti shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The last few days have been interesting to say the least. On Friday night and Saturday night, I tented with Catchup and Sawman. Catchup is a recovering alcoholic but on Saturday and Sunday he went on a binge and drank 30 beers. As I was leaving the campsite on Sunday morning, I asked him "so how's the recovery going?" He did not seem to appreciate my question. All kinds of folks are out here for different reasons. Then Sunday night, I slept in the Wapiti Shelter and ran three folks out with my snoring. I had asked them to wake me and I would move out, but none of them did. Last night, I stayed at Woods Hole Hostel. Michael and Neville are a young couple who now own the place. It was left to Neville by her grandmother because she had spent so many summers helping her run it. They have just done a remodel of the house which is a log cabin that dates back to the 1850s. It and the bunk house are built out of American Chestnut logs. Neville is a massage therapist and gave me my first-ever foot massage. It helped some, but it is off to the doctor tomorrow and then to the outfitter to look at new shoes.   As I have walked the past few days, I have become moved by just what a great gift water is. I have been out and have been looking for just a trickle to get some. I know how much it takes just to keep me going. We need water to quench our thirst, bathe our bodies and heal our tired, swollen feet. Water, when there is no easy tap and you spend hours searching for it, is without a doubt one of God's best gifts. No wonder that Jesus said "Just a cup of water given in my name." On Saturday night, Catchup walked three miles to bring back water for Sawman and me. Thanks, Catchup.
Date: 2009-04-30
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Back to the Trail
Miles today: 0.0

Today, I am taking my second zero and soaking my feet about every three hours. Hugh Alexander plans to join me next week for about eighty miles and I look forward to the company. I went to four outfitters yesterday, but none had shoes as good or as large as the ones I already have, so I'm sticking with the Lowas for now. Tomorrow, I plan to walk to the next shelter which is about five miles away. I will need to pick up the pace then, as the shelters are further apart on this next section. I have completed Southwest Virgina and will now begin the section through Central Virgina. This section is the most remote and least populated on the whole trail so I will be glad to have Hugh with me. I met four young men who have been friends since high school. They are walking the trail together. Two had lost their jobs and decided to use the time to walk. When the other two learned of their plans, they quit their jobs to join them. It reminded me that in life there is nothing more important then good friends to see you through. I talked to them about my friend Randy and how I miss him. Randy said, "In life a man is lucky to have friends, but to have a good friend is a rare and precious thing." I encouraged these young men to keep their friendship.
Date: 2009-05-01
From: Back to the Trail

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Just a word about zeros. A zero day is a day when no trail miles are walked. There can be any number of reasons for zeros. First and foremost is an injury, a fall or sore feet (as in my case). The second reason for a zero is to get one's mind back on the trail. Hiking every day without a break is boring and mentally fatiguing. A person needs the time away from the trail to get mentally ready to go back. Then, there are personal reasons for taking a zero; to visit with friends, to allow someone to meet you on the trail or catch-up with you, or to attend a family function, e.g. a funeral, wedding or birthday. I have never met anyone on the trail who has not taken a zero. While I had only planned to take two zeros, I find myself taking another to allow myself to heal. I am determined to be walking tomorrow.
Date: 2009-05-06
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Catawba, VA
Miles today: 40.0

Hugh and I have walked forty miles in five days. We are spending the night at the Huffman House, a B&B just east of the trail on Hwy 42. The weather has been nothing but rain, which slows you down because every step must be guarded. We have spent the last four nights in the shelters with Gutsy Rabbit, a nineteen-year-old who started the trail in 2008 and walked to Pearisburg, VA. I asked her how her parents felt about her being out here by herself. She said they worry, but she seems to me to be very cautious. Met a southbounder, The Honking Hiker, doing a boomerang. He started in Harpers Ferry and will walk to Springer. Then, he will go to Katahdin and walk back to Harpers Ferry. We also met a lawyer from Montana, Montana Steve, who was section hiking for about three months before he gets married in October. We also met a kid from Israel, Yanni Bear, who is over here hiking the trail. Each night the shelters have been full and folks have had to tent. Getting our clothes washed and a shower makes a soul feel so much better. Plan to be in Catawba by Saturday. Hope to post again when we get to Troutville.
Date: 2009-05-09
From: Catawba, VA

To: Lamberts Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: scattered clouds

We walked nine miles yesterday and 12.5 today. Tonight, we ate supper at The Home Place. It is so easy to overeat when you have been eating Ramen Noodles for weeks. Hiked over Dragons Tooth today and it was my hardest downhill in seven hundred miles. Will try to do ten-plus for the next two days to get to Troutville by Monday.
Date: 2009-05-13
From: Troutville, VA

To: Jennings Creek
Miles today: 37.3

Hugh and I walked a total of 93.7 miles in ten days. We crossed some of the highest and most remote mountains in VA and passed four significant landmarks on the AT. The first of these landmarks was the Audie Murphy Monument. Murphy was the most decorated American soldier of WW II and his plane crashed near this site in 1971. Then came Dragons Tooth, the hardest trail I have ever hiked. The third was McAfee Knob, a famous picture spot along the AT. Fourth was Tinker Cliffs, a large outcropping of granite with spectacular views of the mountains and valleys of VA and WV. Check out the pictures Hugh took. It was a good ten days and I look forward to spending the next week to ten days with my son, Kres. For now, I am just glad to be resting my feet and healing the insect bites and poison ivy. Thanks to all of you for following my time on the trail and for your prayers.
Date: 2009-05-17
From: Buchanan, VA

To: Jenkins Creek
Miles today: 23.2

Kres an I have walked 23.2 miles so far. We stopped at a shelter and met a father and son there. The father was headed back to the road and offered us a ride to Buchanan and we took it. We are skipping a section of trail that I have already done. We'll stay at the Wattsull Hotel tonight and back to the trail in the morning.
Date: 2009-05-18
From: Jenkins Creek

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 38.2
Weather: clear sky

Kres and I had a good day. We skipped a section of trail that I had already done (from the James River to Jenkins Creek) and walked another ten. We hope to do thirteen miles tomorrow. When we crossed the James, there were nine boy scouts and three adult leaders stranded on a small island. We later learned that they had all been rescued.
Date: 2009-05-20
From: Troutville, VA

To: Hy 60 Buena Vista, VA
Miles today: 17.9

Kres and I had a great day yesterday. We walked 13.7 miles and saw some wonderful vistas. The Rhododendron and Mountain Laurel were in full bloom and it was like walking through the Garden of Eden. We met about twenty-five north bounders who were all returning from Damascus, VA. and Trail Days. We stopped for lunch at Wilson Creek Shelter and met Single Speed, the oldest hiker I had met to this point. He was sixty-eight years old. Later that afternoon, I met Captain Jack, who is retired army. He shared with me that it was his wife's seventy-fifth birthday and he had just called to wish her a happy birthday. I asked his age and he told me he would turn seventy-six on the twenty-fifth of May. I told him that I had also missed my wife's birthday but I had had the good sense to send her flowers and it was not too late for him to do the same. At Black Horse Gap, Kres got to partake of his first trail magic. He shared it with me since there was only one Butterfinger and one Pepsi left.
Date: 2009-05-21
From: Hy 60 Buena Vista, VA

To: Spy Rock Gap
Miles today: 0.0

Yesterday, while washing my clothes at the Truck Stop of America, I asked a man if he was a trucker. He said, "No, I'm a driver." "So what is the difference between a driver and a trucker?" I ask. "A driver takes a bath and has teeth," he answered. So, with a good nights rest, a shower and clean clothes, it's back to the trail for me. I hope to meet Clay Britt in Montebello, VA on Saturday.
Date: 2009-05-23
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 28.6
Weather: broken clouds

Clay and I began our walk in Rockfish Gap. We are hiking south. Today we walked 11.5 miles and are spending the night on top of Humpback Mountain. I was able to walk 17.5 miles during the two days between Kres leaving and Clay arriving and I have not taken a zero since Hugh left. The day Kres left, I spent the night in the shelter by myself. It was not a fun night for an extrovert. Deer sound just like people when they walk around the shelter and the sounds they make sound like someone clearing their throat. At five-thirty, a skunk walked under the shelter and that was enough for me. I was out of there.
Date: 2009-05-26
From: The Priest Shelter

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: moderate rain

Clay and I have walked 39.1 miles in the past four days. We came out at Rockfish Gap which completes the second section of trail in VA. Tomorrow, we will start the Shenandoahs, a 107.1 mile section. On Monday night, while sleeping in the Maupin Field Shelter, we were awakened by the gnawing sound of a mouse. I grabbed my headlamp and there he was chewing on my shoe. I grabbed my shoe and sent him straight to mouse shelter heaven. Clay asked what I did with him, and I answered, "kicked him out of the shelter." The next morning, while I was eating breakfast, Clay pointed out that he was under the table at my feet and since I don't eat meat with my oatmeal, I let him be.
Date: 2009-05-27
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Back to the AT
Miles today: 15.0

Clay and I spent the night at the Quality Inn in Waynesboro, VA. When we went down for breakfast, the room was full of through hikers. It rained over two inches yesterday which ran many of them off the trail. We are waiting on a ride to take us back to the trail. I have corrected mileage to match the Data Book.
Date: 2009-05-28
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: overcast clouds

We walked another 7.4 miles today and plan to walk thirteen more tomorrow. Lots of folks here that ate breakfast with us this morning. They have all walked twenty miles. Rolling Stone, Brad, Samwise The Brave, Mr.Holloway, the Smith Brothers and David from Scotland.
Date: 2009-05-29
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Back to Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: broken clouds

Today I walked thirteen miles but Clay walked 17.4. Let me explain. We were to walk thirteen miles to the next shelter, but, about 1.5 miles into our day, Clay said "I need to hit the woods." I had no need to hang around for that, so I kept walking, thinking he would catch up. At the second road crossing, I waited forty-five minutes. Not wanting to wait any longer, I picked up my pack and started walking on, thinking surely he will be along soon. After two hours and no Clay, I thought, "now you've done it, Clay is hurt and you haven't even checked on him." Not long after that, he whistled to let me know he was back. "What happened to you?" I asked. "Well," he said, "about a half mile after I stopped, I saw a deer nursing her fawn right in the middle of the trail. I went to get my phone out to take a picture and after going through my whole pack, I realized I had left it in the shelter. I went back to get it. It was a good thing, too, because I had also left my billfold and car keys. But, on the way back to the shelter, I saw a bear. She just sat there watching me. I kept looking back and she kept watching. I turned the corner and looked back and she was up on her hind legs still watching. Too bad I had left my phone; two great photo shots and I missed them both."
Date: 2009-05-30
From: Back to Rockfish Gap

To: Back to Loft Mt.
Miles today: 7.0

Clay and I walked out yesterday and John Dull and I will begin our walk tomorrow. Today, I took a zero and washed my clothes and went shopping for supplies. The last night Clay and I were together, we stayed in an eight person space with ten people. It was just a little crowded to say the least. I was saddened to hear about the death of Fred Webb. He has been a good friend to Wanda and me since we arrived in Greenville. I find myself conflicted, in that I would love to be a part of his service, yet being on sabbatical means you are away and trust others to carry on. So I will miss being there and will pray for his family, especially Nell. Eighty miles of the Shenandoahs left to walk.
Date: 2009-06-03
From: Back to Loft Mt.

To: Big Meadows Campground
Miles today: 36.0
Weather: scattered clouds

John Dull and I have walked thiry-six miles in the past four days. It was good to be with him. We stayed in the shelter with Walk About from the Czech Republic and his friend, Rock Lobster, from Germany. Also staying with us was Aussi from West Virginia. I have caught back up with Papa Hugh and his grandson. We are sharing a campsite here at Big Meadows Campground. I saw a mother bear and two cubs today. The mother had killed a young fawn and they were all feasting on it. So goes nature in the wild. Thanks to all for keeping up with me and for your prayers. I have passed the nine hundred mile mark.
Date: 2009-06-04
From: Big Meadows Campground

To: Back to the Trail
Miles today: 9.0

I am off the trail for a few days. I came home to check on some things and plan to go back on Monday. I then plan to walk another six weeks or so and be back home by the twelfth of July. I have met some interesting folks on the trail: fathers and sons, granddads and grandsons, college friends and high school pals. But, I have met none more interesting then Lantheir, which is Elfish for waterfall. She is trying to hike the trail barefoot or as she likes to say, she is going Hobbit.   I know there are others out here for attention, but if that were not enough she is also cutting herself about the arms and legs.   It is hard to know how to help a person like this and about all we can do is pray for her.
Date: 2009-06-12
From: Front Royal, VA

To: Dick's Dome Shelter
Miles today: 34.7
Weather: scattered clouds

I have seen all the bears I care to see. I have had four close encounters and seen too many cubs. I have finished the Shenandoahs and have only forty-one miles to go before I reach Harpers Ferry, VA, the halfway point. I have been afflicted with "born-again Christians" for the past few days and have tried to keep my mouth shut. That's a hard thing for me to do. Well, I keep trying to remember that I am a pastor and that has a way of slipping out. I don't know which is worse, the bears or the BACs. I have also met many good folks who are trying to make decisions about their lives. My favorite advice is, "Boys and girls take my advice--pull down your pants and slide on the ice." Well, it doesn't mean much, but sometimes I think we struggle too hard with life and just need to do something that makes no sense at all. Like hiking the AT. I have walked 37.2 miles in the past four days. The information at the top does not match because I am bringing my mileage up-to-date
Date: 2009-06-13
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Manassas Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I spent last night at the Quality Inn in Front Royal. I have walked 10.5 miles today and hope to walk into Harpers Ferry on Wednesday. When I got to the shelter there were three snakes inside. They have obtained their heavenly rewards at the cost of one of my hiking sticks. Still, no one is willing to sleep in the shelter with me. Is it the snakes or is it my snoring?
Date: 2009-06-14
From: David Lesser Shelter

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 34.7
Weather: clear sky

I passed the one-thousand-mile mark today. Tomorrow, I walk into Harpers Ferry, WV. and then, I will be going home for a few days. I am hoping to get back before my time runs out. I have been hiking with Swif, Gram Craker, Rock-A-Mimi and Poptart for the past few days. They will all be long gone when I get back. Spent last night at the Bears Den Hostel; it is run by the ATC and is the nicest hiker hostel I have ever stayed in. About twenty other hikers were there including SkyKing, a stunt pilot who just completed the movie "Pearl." He also flew in "Top Gun." There are so many stories out here and I wish I could tell them all.
Date: 2009-06-17
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Home
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: light rain

I have arrived in Harpers Ferry, WV and will be leaving the trail for a while. I have walked about ten weeks and covered almost six hundred miles. I have had the opportunity to meet some great people and have been touched by many of their stories. I hope to be back on the trail someday soon and to one day complete the entire trail. Will keep you updated.
Date: 2009-06-26
From: Home

To: Back to the Trail
Miles today: 0.0

I will be going back to the trail on Sunday. Hugh and Jane Alexander and Clay Britt are joining me for a few days. I hope to be able to complete Maryland and reach Pennsylvania. My feet have almost healed. I have made a gravity filter that I hope will work for the entire group. I hope to be able to update from the trail.
Date: 2009-06-19
From: Springer mountain

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Aloha all,I am a late bloomer when it comes to online journaling and such. I am currently in Waynesboro VA. Started April 2nd at Springer mountain after a long flight from Hawaii. Just caught up to freebird and a bunch of thru's i know. I will be leaving out of waynesboro June 20th towards Harpers ferry. Aloha all and i will have more when i get this thing up and running.