morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-05
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I left Birmingham about 6:00 am and headed north to Damascus, my truck loaded down with the usual re-fill supplies, clean "town clothes," food, libations and the like. Lots of rain, but it was predicted - no biggie. Six and a half hours flat from Birmingham to Damascus, with stops. Faster than I thought, but 75 mph helps.Bama and Little Wing awakened to the smell of frying bacon from the Lazy Fox kitchen downstairs. At 8:00 am, they sat down to what Ginny (82 years young) calls her groaning board: homemade biscuits and sausage gravy, scrambled eggs, assorted fresh, sliced fruits (even kiwi and papaya), scrambled eggs made with half & half, bacon, sausage patties, baked apples and spices, baked pineapple (something new and delicious), strawberries, real butter, cheese grits (really thick with cheese), hash browned potatoes, orange juice, coffee and assorted teas. Sometimes she adds peach or blackberry cobbler and whipped cream if she's in the mood. But she will also handle special food requests if she knows about them in advance.Ginny Adams is widowed, but has two nearby sons, (one, Benny, is the local postman and is my age) and grandchildren. Bama and I originally met Ben, her husband, about eight years ago when we first did the Virginia Creeper rails-to-trails. Ginny was out shopping at the time. Ben died about three years ago, but Ginny has actually picked up speed with her B&B, in a 1903 Victorian home that was built by the local druggist when this area was the center of the local timber industry. She is quick-witted, funny and can only be described as a "hoot" - really someone you immediately feel kin to.The house is beautiful, with incredible floors and woodwork from the local forests, many antiques, lace curtains, etc. Maybe a little fussy for some of the younger and "crunchier" hikers who seem to relish the "back to nature," mode but just perfect for Bama and me. Laurel Creek is 50 feet from the back door and is great to listen to in the bed.Bama and Little Wing just walked around town, did some shopping and caught up with old friends they saw in town. When I arrived about 1:30 their time, Bama had moved from upstairs to the "honeymoon suite" on the first floor with the private bath. She was in the huge clawfooted tub and heard me come in. I met and talked with Ginny and immediately liked her.Some folks had moved out of Lazy Fox and Windtalker and Mom had come in, as well as Lone Star, more old acquaintances from before. Later, Bama, Little Wing and I (we couldn't find Kutsa in town) dodged the rain and went to Dot's for hamburgers, fries and to absorb some of the local culture. We took our food back to the Lazy Fox to eat. On the way back, we saw Oly walking down the street and stopped and gave him a ride to The Place - I never thought I'd get to meet him. He was nursing a sore leg for a couple of days and we all hoped he would be better soon. I also got to meet Outlaw at The Place and we also ran into Skunk and her boyfriend Pete - more homecomings. Long day, but good all around. Sleep was not hard to find this night.Bill
Date: 2006-05-06
From: Elk Garden (Hwy 600)

To: Bear Tree Gap
Miles today: 12.2

After another big breakfast, one that included the peach cobbler, Bama and Little Wing checked the weather and it was looking good. They got Kutsa a room for Saturday at the Lazy Fox when Lone Star left and the three of them decided to do a southbound day hike to pick up some miles so they would get a jump on Monday morning. While we were at The Place getting Kutsa, I finally got to meet Peter Rabbit. That was nice. Unfortunately, his hiking bud, Rusch Hour was not around at the time. Too bad, maybe later.I drove the A-team trio near to the Whitetop community, after a brief stop near Green Cove community through which the Virginia Creeper Tail passes (pictures later), and dropped them off on the top (elev. 4435). They began hiking back down toward Bear Tree Gap, about halfway to Damascus. The view was great and the weather cool and perfect. We figured I had about 4.5 hours to kill.I got back down to Damascus and decided to drive the 18 miles or so more to Abingdon - very pretty town and the classier, more cosmopolitan sister to the more rustic Damascus. Checked out the local shops and the main starting point of the Virginia Creeper Trial when Bama and I had started our 70 mile, two-day bike ride eight years ago. Back to Damascus, and another day of frustration tring to update the Trailjournals site, but the server was being worked on, and well, that just happens. No problem.I drove back to Bear Tree Gap and parked the truck and walked down the connector trail the quarter mile to the AT. While I was waiting at the junction, I spoke to a couple of thru-hikers, Heartfire and Catskill Eagle, both of whom knew Bama (I was beginning to wonder who didn't ). About 20 minutes later, and some butterfly watching, I saw Bama coming thru the woods. Little Wing and Kutsa close behind her. As Bama and I were waiting on them, up the trail came Rapunzel, another homecoming! Bama also said that she had run into Piper on the trail and was glad to see her again to say goodbye since Piper whould be going off the trail soon and back to work.After unloading at the Lazy Fox, we took the red wine and brie I had brought out to Ginny's Gazebo overlooking the creek for happy hour. Ginny joined us and the five of us sat around talking, snacking and sipping, which included some excellent blackberry wine someone had given Ginny.Later, Bama, Kutsa, Little Wing and I walked to the Old Mill restaurant on the creek about 200 yards from the Lazy Fox. Upscale, but homey, we all had steak and potatoes and salad. Yum. There was also live music there, but Bama and I were full and tuckered out and walked on home. Kutsa and Little Wing decided to stay at the bar and talk to some of the thru-hikers who had come in for the music.Again, sleep came easily.Bill
Date: 2006-05-07
From: Bear Tree Gap

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: moderate rain

Another breakfast from heaven at the Lazy Fox - I'll spare you the yummy details - this time Kutsa was with us and we also had pancakes. Couple of new guys, One Day, whom Bama knew, and a new guy named Roja (interesting fellow originally from the Netherlands, now a retired orthopedic surgeon living in Canada). We had lots of food left over (Ginny always fixes too much) so we called Oly to come over from The Place and join us. He was beyond thrilled. Bama says he can eat like a 15-year-old boy.Rain had slipped back in during the night, but it wasn't heavy, just a steady light shower. Nevertheless, the A-team Trio decided to finish off their day hike from Bear Tree Gap back to Damascus. Up we loaded and off we went. I dropped them off and headed back to town to look at real estate and explore. About 4.5 hours later, I got a call from Bama to come meet them at an ice cream shop where the trail enters town. Now here I was thinking they'd be all wet and cold and miserable and they wanted ice cream! I drove up there and we all decided to have a light mid-afternoon late lunch of sandwiches first. Little Wing and Bama then had fudge sundaes and Kutsa had a big double cone. Wow! These girls can do some calories! Of course, look at what they burn . . . Since we were about a quarter of a mile from the northernmost part of town they had previously walked, "Rules" required that they not skip any distance, go they walked the last quarter of a mile while I drove down and waited on them. Little Wing and Kutsa had to go to another B&B because Ginny had this father and son driving in from Indiana who were going to hike from Erwin to Damascus. But we made sure that if it was OK with Ginny, they'd come back for breakfast on Monday. Benny (Ginny's son) came by and we talked about real estate, locals and bears. He said there are many black bear in the area, which surprised me. Some even show up on his back porch a few miles outside town! A very large one was shot and killed by hunters last year very close to the ice cream/sandwich shop.Later, Bama, Ginny and I sat in her kitchen and chatted for a while, then it was time to start pulling our things together and get ready for the next morning. About 8:00 pm, the father and son drove in and talked for a while with everyone. Still raining, but not hard. It is much, much cooler - mid-40s. Benny, said this is called a "dogwood winter," or late cool snap in the spring. If there an early cool snap in the fall, it's called a "blackberry winter."Bill
Date: 2006-05-08
From: Damascus, VA

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

Bama and I got up early and starting packing up. Ginny had started breakfast early because the father had asked for breakfast at 7:00 instead of 8:00 so he and his son could make their 8:00 shuttle from Damascus to Erwin, TN. That was fine with Roja who was already up and packed.All was loaded and Kutsa and Little Wing walked over from their B&B to join us. Again, more food than seven of us could eat. We were feeling sorry for Oly who was over at The Place, where meals are not offered, just a bunk and a bath. As we are loading everything in the truck, up walks Oly who had come over to see if we had some room to shuttle him back up the trail southward so he could test out his leg. But unfortunately, we had no room and were going in the opposite direction.But fortunately, we asked him if he had eaten and would he like to come in and have some of what we couldn't eat. His eyes wildened to saucer-sized, and of course, he was delighted. We said our fond good-byes to Miss Ginny, more like "until we see you again." We left Ginny and Oly at the table eating and chatting.I drove the girls back up the 25 or so miles to the Elk Garden. It was misting, but not really raining. About two miles from the top we hit the clouds and the fog was very thick at this elevation. Rain suits on and pack covers in place and the A-team Trio sets off into the clouds . . . Back in Birmingham at 3:00 pm, another six-hour door-to-door. No bad weather, no traffic jams or bad construction tie-ups and no police. No call from Bama this afternoon, which means she has no cell signal, but the plan was to stop at Old Orchard Shelter - I assume that's where they are. The two hikes this weekend allowed them to complete the rough 24 miles uphill and continue on to Mt. Rogers. We had a great weekend, but I'm sorry that I won't be able to drive up to any more to meet Bama. From now on - and less often - I will have to fly to some nearby city and rent a car to join her. I do miss her a great deal, but I also want her to realize her goal and go all the way.Bill
Date: 2006-05-09
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, Bama tried to call me today around lunch time, twice. But dang it, I was in a meeting at work and had my phone on silent. Still no word tonight on whether they actually stayed at Old Orchard Shelter last night or where the Trio is tonight. I'm just glad she has nice and fun people to hike with! Note: not everybody you meet on the trail is a joy to be around .I just uploaded a bunch of new pictures tonight, so enjoy!UPDATE: They made it to Old Orchard Shelter yesterday. Shared the shelter with Outlaw, Goodtime Charlie, Mystic, Salt & Pepper (section hiker from VA) Windtalker and Mom, Kutsa, and other tented. . Bill
Date: 2006-05-10
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Chatfield Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: light rain

FINALLY got to talk to Bama! Boy, I've missed talking with her. The girls made it to Old Orchard as planned on Monday, but not until about 6:00 pm. Not much to report except they probably had enough time to do little but eat and go to bed. Tuesday, they set off for Trimpi Shelter.After the cold and fog and overcast from the previous day, the hike to Trimpi was clear and bright and warm. Even though they arrived at 3:00 pm and had time to hike on, it was such a nice day that Bama and Little Wing just wanted to kick back and enjoy the warmth and the view. Kutsa decided that she wanted to go on a little further and fond goodbyes were said all around. I'm sure she'll be missed. The shelter was very nice and they renamed it Trumpi Tower. Windtalker and Mom were also there and a young new guy named Marco Solo.Today Bama and Little Wing are going to stop at Partnership Shelter for lunch. The shelter is at the Mt Roger's National Recreation Center and there's a phone where you can order pizza have it delivered to the shelter. How sweet is that? Obviously, this is a prime spot for hikers to stop. Tonight they are going to try for Rural Retreat, VA, about 4.5 miles past Chatfield Shelter.More news if I hear from her again tonight.Update: Bama and Little Wing decided to stop at Chatfield Shelter. Bad weather is coming in for tonight and tomorrow and I think they decided 18 miles was enough. They can get settled and snug for the night.Bill
Date: 2006-05-11
From: Chatfield Shelter

To: Rural Retreat/Atkins, VA
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: light rain

Bama and Little Wing got to the Chatfield Shelter fairly early last night and decided not to push the evening by going the extra 4.5 miles into Rural Retreat, VA, a wide spot on US 11 that runs beside I-81. The shelter was very nice with room for 8, but there was only Bama, Little Wing and a young SOBO named Boy Floyd. Bama and Little Wing thought he was a very nice boy and he kept them entertained (at our age anyone under 30 is a boy - no disrespect). When they got there, they were a little foot sore, so they took off their boots and socks and soaked them in the cool creek at the site. There was also a privy (not every shelter has one and not every privy is nice - think Porta-Potty in the hot August sun) and this one had a door! Real lady luxury. Boy Floyd was making his mom an arts and crafts Mother's Day card which the girls said they would mail to her. Bama took a picture of him and said she would post it on her trailjournals site so his Mom could see it. Hold tight, Momma, it might be the first week of June before I can download it from her camera.This morning, the girls jumped up and took off for Rural Retreat and the Relax Inn Motel. It was a nice stroll through meadows and pastures with picturesque barns and farm houses. They thought they might run into Kutsa, who had stayed here too, but she was still ahead of them. Bama said Boy Floyd told them about The Barn, a local restaurant near the motel. They went and had breakfast and pigged-out - it was very good. Today, laundry and a little kick back. Talk about Bama heaven, they have HBO 1,2 & 3! She said she and Little Wing might just stay here a few days and watch movies.Tomorrow up and back on the trail to Knot Maul Branch Shelter, then the next day on to Bland, VA.Bill
Date: 2006-05-12
From: Rural Retreat/Atkins, VA

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

Bama and Little Wing got up to more rain and went to the local restaurant for breakfast. It's really been a luxury being able to call Bama in her motel room and actually chat, instead of quick notes on the cell phone before she loses the erratic signals out there in the boonies. I'm sure it was hard for the girls to tear themselves away from HBO and old movies, a warm bed and real bathroom. Bama said the motel staff were very nice and couldn't do enough to help out hikers. The night before, some of the other thru-hikers, including Heart Fire, whom Bama knew and I had met waiting on the Trio at Bear Tree Gap, got a shuttle into Marion, VA, about 8-10 miles away. Bama and Little Wing hadn't wanted to go out in the rain, so they ate hot dogs and ice cream from the next door convenience store.Not being ones to start off in the rain if they can help it, Bama and Little Wing hung around the restaurant for another hour or so waiting for the front to clear (I was watching the local weather radar for them from work). They drank coffee and talked to Heart Fire and Single Malt. The rain cleared and they were off to Knot Maul Branch Shelter. I heard on later that the weather had improved and Bama had a pretty good hike to the shelter, which according to Wingfoot's AT Handbook, featured a lot of up and down climbs over ridges as the trail headed northwest. This area of western Virginia is very close to Bluefield, WV and I know from the air, this part of the country looks like a giant, old fashioned washboard.Bill
Date: 2006-05-15
From: Bland, VA

To: Kimberling Creek Suspension Bridge
Miles today: 18.5

Bama and Little Wing had a lazy morning out of the motel since Danny and the shuttle didn't get to the motel until 9:00 am. Bama does NOT like leaving this late in the morning, but they were captive to the driver's offer, but still appreciative of the ride. Of course, Bama was up at her usual 5:30 am. At 7:15 am, Bama called to say she was headed across the highway to get some breakfast at Dairy Queen. Little Wing had decided to "eat in" and have her usual breakfast.She called back to say that Little Wing, Old Grandad, Old Drum and she were getting ready to leave for the trail. Later she called about 2 miles from the Jenny Knob Shelter to say that she and Little Wing were contemplating hiking on beyond Jenny Knob since it had been a pretty day and they weren't ready to stop after only 12 miles. There was a camp site area about 2 miles past Jenny Knob with water nearby but nothing else listed in Wingfoot's book within the days hike. I didn't hear from her late this evening, so I really don't know where they ended up.
Date: 2006-05-17
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: light rain

The hostel barn was full (and Bama said it WAS a barn), open on both ends which made for a breezy and cold night. The cooking area was also in the open air. The weather has been unseasonably cold - even the men were complaining. Bama and Little Wing found a old blanket and put it on top of the mattresses to save some heat before they snuggled into their sleeping bags. All was quiet until a hiker came to the house about 10:30 pm and about five more soon followed. They slept on Miss Tillie's porch; she didn't even know it until this morning.Bama and Little Wing had a great breakfast at Miss Tillie's hostel with fresh homemade biscuits, jams, coffee and teas, and juice. There were also bananas and fruit available - sort of a country Continental breakfast. It was a full table for breakfast (limited by Miss Tillie to 8 people) - Miss Tillie allowed the extra people (Trickster, What, etc) to sit on the couch and chairs and enjoy breakfast.Bama, Little Wing and Old Drum hit the trail and arrived in Pearisburg about 1:45 pm. They had about a mile to walk to get to the Holiday Lodge Motel and hitching was not successful so they hoofed it. On the way was a Pizza Plus restaurant and they stopped and pigged out. Bama said she drank four glasses of sweet tea (in the South, sweet tea is just not iced tea with sugar in it - if you're not from the South, you wouldn't understand).Afterwards they went to the Post Office so Little Wing could pick up a package and saw Miss Tillie and Nevelle there. They were kind enough to give them a ride back to the motel. This afternoon the girls are doing laundry and then going to dinner at Bella Vista's Pub which is next door to the motel. Then maybe a try at the motel's ancient computer, a little TV and then to bed.Bill
Date: 2006-05-18
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: light rain

Bama and Little Wing left the "luxury" of the motel and grabbed an early breakfast at Hardees on the way out of town. Old Drum said he would leave a little later. When I received my one brief call phone call yesterday mid-morning, Oly had just passed the girls when Bama found a phone signal.They were loaded up with five days worth of food which pushes Bama up into the 35-38 pound limit of her pack. Although Rice Field seems like a short hike, it is another straight up climb from the valley floor at Pearisburg, with a 2,000 vertical foot elevation gain. Once on top of this ridge - actually the VA/WV border - they stay on this spiny ridge for some 12 miles hiking up and down hills, gaining another 1,000 feet in elevation before finally descending to Pine Swamp Branch Shelter on the VA side. To do this in one 19 mile hike would be some more kind of a feat for anyone. However, I'm not putting it past Bama and Little Wing to try it. They're in great shape.Update: Well, they DID do the 19 miles and boy it was tough. The weather has been cold, windy, and overcast on these ridge tops. They arrived at the shelter and it was small and accomodations were less than ideal The girls met AbleJack and Chainsaw and they both were smoking in the shelter, so the girls set up their tents instead. Oly, and Comfortably Numb were in the shelter, and Snickers set up his tent. The next morning they set out for War Spur Shelter.Bill
Date: 2006-05-19
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Bama and Little Wing were happy to get away from the shelter and get moving to hike the cold out of their systems and get some more distance. About 2.5 miles past Pine Swamp Branch Shelter there is supposed to be a bridge over Stoney Creek but it has been out since Hurricane Jenny in 2004 (Wingfoot's book does not mention this). The local AT maintainers have posted a detour to get folks safely on the other side. Take detours and don't ford unless absolutely necessary.The girls schlepped on toward Baily Gap Shelter on rough terrain. It was another one of those 2,000 foot elevation gain climbs, almost always followed by an equally difficult 2,000 foot decent. A couple of miles past there they crossed VA 613 and there was Trail Magic! SuperDave (2002) had left a cooler of cold drinks and they were very much appreciated. Thanks SuperDave!They arrived at War Spur Shelter and were whupped (as we say in the South). Again the shelter accomodations were less that optimal, but they decided against the tents due to the cold and the wind - a decision they would regret (suffice it to say there wasn't a lot of sleeping done and you can't pick your shelter mates). A section hiker came over and shared a gallon of whiskey with some of the thru hikers, and they talked to around midnight.(VERY LOUD) Bama and Little Wing got up early to get away and maybe get ahead of things. Bama said she rather enjoyed making as much noise as she could this morning as she was getting ready to head out .Today they are headed for Niday Shelter, about 18.2 miles, and maybe the shelter experience will improve. Sad to say that some of the worse vermin in the shelters have two legs rather than four or six. Tomorrow they will reach Troutville and the home of Melody Blaney, who completed the AT in 1996 and now runs Wildside Adventures. At least here they will have a chance to finally get some decent rest and relaxation.Bill