morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-24
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Catawba VA
Miles today: 12.6

Since we had an "easy" day(ha,ha... read on...!) today, we agreed to have a leisurely morning and leave at 8 am. The highight of the morning was Dragon's Tooth, a skyscraper type rock, which no one in their right mind would climb. So,I took Skiman's picture on the summit of Dragon's Tooth. I, on the other hand, sensibly stayed at the bottom and prayed he wouldn't slip! Next we followed the AT down a very steep embankment,like a double black diamond on a ski slope. I commented to Skiman that the local trail crew needed to do some heavy duty maintenance. Next, Skiman asked if I had seen a blaze. I had not. We were off the trail, but not lost. The trail was too difficult to ascend for me, so I bushwahacked towards voices of day hikers. In the meantime, Skiman had ascended the trail and we called to one another until we found each other back on the AT. These first 6 "easy" miles took us 5 hrs, with our "little problem". Before we started the second half of the hike, we walked .! 4 miles to a grocery store for a hot dog, Gatorade and an ice cream. When we returned to the AT we emptied out packs into garbage bags and hid the bags in the woods to retrieve later. We hiked the next 6 miles, essentially with only a full platypus of water in our packs. When we arrived at the parking lot, 7 of us Thru Hikers were all hitching a ride to the Homeplace Restaurant in Catawba for an AYCE buffet. A woman driving a pick up with 2 children in the back seat stopped, and we all piled in the bed! There were all ready about 10 other Thru Hikers there. We compared notes about the Dragon's Tooth incident, to find out there were 3 other very experienced hikers that also made the same mistake. I felt so badly for the female who said she cried in the woods for an hour (with her dog), until the next lost hiker assisted her back to the trail. Anyways, we had a wonderful dinner and took a group photo on the front lawn. Skiman and I commented that his was a classy restaurant with locals dressed up, and here we were, no shower in 5 days, and not having changed our clothes in 5 days. I wonder why they seated us in the back room in the corner? When we left the restaurant,12 of us piled into a van after putting our packs and poles in the trailor they were towing. The kind driver dropped many of the hikers off where we left off, so they could hike a mile in to the shelter. Two others were dropped off at a campsite, and 4 of us chose to go to a motel. We were so grateful to this woman for shuttling us around and not accepting gas money. She was a wonderful trail angel. Richard arrived around 9 pm, after his flight was delayed an hour. It is wonderful to be with him and the three of us have a busy Memorial Day weekend planned.
Date: 2007-05-25
From: Catawba VA

To: Daleville VA
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: broken clouds

Richard dropped off Skiman and I at the Trailhead at 6:45 for our (almost) 20 mile slackpack. We were glad we started so early because it was an 85' day. The highlight was defintely McAfee Knob. It is at 3250' elevation and affords a panoramic view of the valley and mountains. The overhanging rock is what makes this spot so appealing to photograph. I remember the 2003 pictures of my Thru Hiking son there, sitting on the rock ledge. I wanted to call him in Seoul, Korea to say,"I'm here Kev!" but that's easier said than done! About 10 of us Thru Hikers were at the Knob at the same time, and we took turns posing for the memorable photo shoot and offering to take pictures for couples. We then hiked on to another beautiful spot, called Tinker Cliffs, where we had lunch. For those of you who have enjoyed the Marginal Way path on the Maine coast, the AT skirts the Tinker Cliffs at 3000' the same way. It was spectacular! Even without heavy packs, Skiman and I hiked at the usual 2 mph pace. Skiman started to feel as though he was geting a shin splint, and took his first vitman I, as they call it on the Trail. Richard hiked in the last 2.5 miles to meet us and we were able to walk right to our motel in Daleville, arriving 10 hrs after our start. After showering up, we returned to the Homeplace for another AYCE buffet. Yellow Shoes joined us, and his new puppy Chestnut is home with his wife, Carol. We had a great day and are ready to get to get early for a good nights sleep.
Date: 2007-05-26
From: Daleville VA

To: Daleville VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today Skiman and I started the day weighing in at the motel exercise room. In 12 days he lost 11 lbs! In the same 12 days, I lost an additional 7, to total 29 lbs lost. It was nice of Richard to bring me a new pair of hiking shorts and shirt that fit! I have hiked 2 months without taking a day off, averaging close to 13 miles/day. With my husband visiting, it was a perfect time for a "zero" day! In addition, the temp today was 91'. After our breakfast at the motel with Skiman, Jerry, Yellow Shoes, and 501, Skiman talked with us about taking some time off the AT for his shin splint to heal. His swelling had subsided from icing it, but now he needed to be off his feet. So, he made plans to take a 5 hr bus home from Roanoke at 1 pm. In the meantime, I was pampered with a manicure and pedicure (no polish!) and a massage. I don't think the woman who did my pedicure had seen so many callouses. She wasn't sure what to do about them and I told her to leave them! Likewise, the massage therapist said my back, hips, legs and feet were tight and crunched! We said good by to Skiman with the hope he will rejoin me in 9 days in Waynesboro, VA. Richard and I enjoyed going to a Craft Fair in the park. (no quilters though) So, now I am without my hiking partner temporarily, my ripped tent has been returned to the company for repair, and my repaired pack did not make it to this maildrop on schedule! Things come in threes! Other than that, I am blessed and on my way to another exciting week! Richard helped all the Thru Hikers staying at the motel by bringing them to restaurants, outfitters and the Post Office to get their maildrops. We are all so grateful for his help. Six of us went out to dinner together. We made plans to slack pack another 20 miler tomorrow. They are giving me a hard time because it is really 19.9, and the one we did yesterday was 19.8, but I like to call them 20 milers. We hope to leave around 6:30 and Richard will meet us at 2 pm. Three are continuing on to shelters. 2 of us will return to the motel. I want to get back asap to have as much time with Richard as possible before he leaves on Monday.
Date: 2007-05-27
From: Daleville VA

To: Bearwallow Gap
Miles today: 21.6

At 6 am my hiking friends arrived to put their backpacks in Richard's car. The plan was for them to get them at mile 16, where they would continue on the AT to a shelter nearby. Richard and I left the motel at 6:20 to walk across the street to the AT. We hiked together for a couple of miles. Richard walked on wooded trails, through farmland over a stile and dodged cow patties. It was a little hazy but there was still a lovely view. He then returned to the motel to follow to get his car and be our Trail Angel. I hiked alone for about two hours, missing my brother, Skiman. It wasn't long after that, that Yellow Shoes, TK Express and 501 came along. Richard was slacking for all of us today. We just carried water and lunch/snacks. 501 and I stopped at a stream for lunch where I soaked my ankle as a precautionary measure. The others went on to a shelter to rest. There was a cooler of Trail Magic full of soda, crackers, cookies, and all sorts of goodies. In addition, there was a baggie of first aid supplies attached to a tree with a bungi cord. We met Richard at mile 13.6 where he greeted us with cookies, donuts, Gatorade and water. We continued hiking parallel to the Blue Ridge Parkway with Richard meeting us about every three miles for "refills" until we decided to stop for the day. At mile 21.6, TK Express and Yellow Shoes got their packs and filled their water bottles to hike to the shelter, another 4 miles away. 501 and I got in Richard's rental car to return to the motel in Daleville. We were all so grateful to Richard for the opportunity to slack pack a long day on a beautifully maintained, shady, gradual trail. We commented that it might have been our easiest day of hiking. We made plans for Richard to slack pack part of the day tomorrow for 501 and me, prior to his departure for the Charlotte airport, to return to NH. Presently we are in a waiting room at the Roanoke Hospital with a Thru Hiker that needs medical assistance. This is a precautionary measure and we trust everything will be fine.
Date: 2007-05-28
From: Bearwallow Gap

To: Cornelius Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: broken clouds

At 6 am we were ready to leave the motel room for the continental breakfast in the lobby, when our phone rang. It was my son, Kevin (aka Tucker) calling from Seoul, Korea. We compared notes about Tinker Cliffs and the beautiful hiking terrain. We wished we were on the trail together. It is really cool having a son who Thru Hiked in 2003 and understands all aspects of Trail life. Richard and I picked up Two Dogs in the van and headed to the Blue Ridge Parkway to start our last slackpack with him. We hid Two Dogs full pack in the woods and placed two gallons of water under the sign that alerted hikers there was no water available at the next shelter. I started slackpacking north,for 7 miles. Richard drove south with Two Dogs and dropped him off at his starting point. He would be slackpacking north 8 miles before getting his pack out of the woods. Next, Richard returned to the motel to pick up 501 and dropped him off with his pack. This is the life of a Trail Angel, and Richard is the best! I met him at my 7 mile mark and he had a surprise for me. My repaired Gregory pack had arrived, yes, on Memorial Day! Carol from the Post Office called him to say it had arrived so in the parking lot I unloaded my loaner pack and repacked my repaired Gregory pack. We visited with Boy Scouts preparing for their trip to Philmont who had just returned from two days out. Richard and I said good by, and we shall look forward to our next reunion the end of June. As I hiked with my pack, the first time I'd worn a fully loaded pack in 3 days, I wondered if I preferred my loaner pack. I noticed features that were not as comfortable as my loaner pack. I tried to call Richard on my cell to tell him not to return the loaner, but I could not get a connection. As I continued hiking the remaining 8 miles uphill with my own pack I was tired from only 5 hrs sleep last night. My slackpack morning was 3 mph, and now I was back to 2 mph with 30 lbs. The rhododendrums are going by Spiderwort is now prolific in purple, blue and pink. I heard the first thunder an hour and fifteen minutes before I knew I would be at the shelter. I picked up the pace and wouldn't you know, there was a deer on the trail! The three men following me stopped to patiently watch the doe. I started feeling a few drops of rain. I arrived at the shelter 5 min after the rain started, and actually, the rain felt great.
Date: 2007-05-30
From: Matts Creek Shelter

To: Punch Bowl Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Three of the four hikers woke up at 5 am, and couldn't get back to sleep, so we all packed up and left by 6 am. The shelter we stayed at was a 835' elevation. 60 (age 24 female from NY) did a proper burial for the drowned mouse, then broke the cobwebs on the Trail, as the first one out. We said good by, since she was going to her Grandmother's nearby for a few days. When I crossed the James River, I regretted that it was at 7 am and no one was with me to take a dip, so I hiked on. I saw my second Eastern Box turtle, right on the Trail, as well as a buck and a doe. Some of the woods was just thick dead leaves. You had to be careful on the narrow sidetrail that you didn't step in the leaves that had no soil underneath. Another part of today's trail was a rocky cliff, but again the view was hazy with 80' heat. The third type of area we hiked through was solid purple rhododendrums and white mountain laurel. It was picturesque and fragrant. One of the landmarks today was a memorial on top of Bluff Mt, elevation 3372',to a little 4 yr old child who died in 1891, when he wandered 7 miles from school and was found on the summit, months after he was missing. Terrapin Fire is a new hiker friend who is a 34 yr old emergency room nurse from MA. She Thru Hiked the AT 14 yrs ago. She and I talked about when to take zero days as it relates to Skiman's shin splints and my achilles tendonitis. The goal is to have a healty balance of hiking miles and rest. The Punchbowl Shelter is at 2500' and has a marshy pond and a beautiful grassy area for tenters. We predict we will hear alot of frogs tonight. Silver Cloud, Two Dogs, Bird Dog, GW and two others are staying here. 501, Uncle Tom and others stopped by but moved on to a campsite 4 mils further. I have been told that Kimmie's ankle injury will take her off the trail for a few days. Regarding the crime, they know who did the shooting but have not apprehended the man. I heard from hikers that I was quoted on the Channel 7 Roanoke web site. It has been thundering loudly with only one big crack. No rain as of 7 pm, but the temperature is pleasantly cool
Date: 2007-05-31
From: Punch Bowl Shelter

To: Hog Camp Gap
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: broken clouds

The frogs were very noisy last night! I think I prefer owls. I left the shelter at 6:15, and for the first time I took a wrong turn where the blue blaze shelter trail met the white blaze AT. I knew it should have been a downhill walk to the road crossing, but I was sure the shelter sign was on my right yesterday. At least I knew my mistake within 10 minutes! This morning I hiked beside water until noon. It was a soothing sound to hear the brook next to the AT beckoning me in for a dip. At 7:30 it was 75' so by 9 my feet were saying thank you for the 15 min soaking. Since no one was around, I dropped my shorts to get them soaked, then pulled them back up. Next I took off my shirt and did the same thing, followed by my headband. I continued hiking as I dripped dry, which took 45 minutes. When I came to a footbridge with a deep pool, I couldn't resist! This time I went in with my clothes on and submerged! It was great to get my whole head wet. I arrived at the Browns Mt Creek Shelter at 11:30 to join Two Dogs, GW and Mr.Easy for lunch. Two Dogs pointed out the next shelter was .5 off the trail, which didn't go over well with us since we had a 1400' ascent to look forward to, followed by a 1000' descent. They want to go further than the next shelter to tent, but I do not have that option because I do not have my tent back from being repaired. When I got to the shelter sign, I figured I'd probably be alone tonight. But, ducktaped to the shelter sign was a note from Two Dogs saying he had an extra ground cloth I could use as a tarp. That sealed the deal, and I hiked two more miles. I was surprised that The Maine Train/Texas Franchise is also here at this campsite. The guys helped Two Dogs and me put up the tarp. It is not intended for heavy rain, but should take care of the dew. Two Dogs said if it rained, I could get in his one person tent with him. Regardless, I'm going in to Montebello to a hostel by noon tomorrow so I'll be fine. I am just grateful to be with the group and not have to do 12 miles before noon, just 10. So, I went to bed around 6, and woke up around 6:45 with rain starting and thunder and lightning overhead. It came down in buckets and started blowing in under the tarp. Before long, my sleeping bag was wet as were the clothes I was wearing. I yelled to Two Dogs and he answered, "Come on over." So I did! He gave me long john tops and bottoms and a rain jacket to replace my wet clothes. I brought over my ridgerest and dried it off to lay on top of it. The lightning continued to strike all around us. Uncle Tom checked in with evryone to see if they were all right. A large branch had fallen down from a tree, and he loaned me another pair of pants. Two Dogs and I tried to sleep the best we could in a one person tent, but as you can imagine it was comical and difficult. We debated who should sleep on the outside near the door to be able to get out to "P" more easily. I convinced him that I should, and i the end when I got up, he did,too..at 10pm, 2 am, and 4 am! In the end I got up for good at 4 am. What a night !
Date: 2007-06-01
From: Hog Camp Gap

To: VA56 Tye River
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was the first hiking day I really saw the sun rise, since I was up shortly after 4 am. By the time I packed up and had a cup of hot water to drink, I was ready to put on shorts and my sleeveless top to start hiking just before 6 am. I had 10 miles to hike, followed by 1.1 miles to meet the Dutch Haus shuttle for their free hiker's lunch, and then stay there for 2 nights. I saw one rabbit and two deer. The trail was fun, scenic and I was able to hike faster than usual. Two Dogs had left shortly after me, and we met at the shelter and hiked the last 1.5 miles out together. Several hikers had just gotten dropped off by the Dutch Haus shuttle and told us to hike down the dirt road 1.1 miles to meet our ride at 11:30. About 8 of us piled in the pick up truck. They stopped at the Montebello Post Office so I could pick up my maildrop and a few letters from family and friends. Lois fixed barbecue sandwiches, potato salad, chocolate cake and oranges for any Thru Hiker for free. However, almost everyone was going to be a paying guest. With only an hour break, we were back in cars for a 9 mile slack pack with 501, his friend from Boston, Carl, Two Dogs and me. However, first we had to go back 1.1 miles on that dirt road to get to the AT! This part of the AT was rocky and hilly. The four of us booked it and again went faster than my usual 2 mph pace. When we returned to the Dutch Haus, we had lemonade and sweet tea and met other hikers who had slacked different places. Lois prepared lasagne, salad, bread, ice cream and other great things for our dinner for 11. I received a phone call from my husband, Richard, than my Mother's health has taken a turn for the worse, and she is not expected to live more than a few days. We discussed my options for coming home when I am given the news that she has passed away. I will either ride with Skiman's family from VA or with Carl, when he returns to Boston after his visit with 501. I know this is a dificult time for my father and siblings and ask that you keep them in prayer. Richard told me that the hardest thing about having me leave on the AT last March was seeing me say good by to my Mother. I knew she would be called Home when I was on my Thru Hike. I felt blessed to have the chance to say good by to her. So, it appears I will be in Wolfeboro this week. I just don't know when or for how long.
Date: 2007-06-02
From: VA56 Tye River

To: Blue Ridge Parkway - Dripping Rock
Miles today: 15.4

I have decided to add a new statistic to my heading. You will notice after my daily mileage is my accumulative mileage. So, of the 2,174 mile Appalachian Trail journey, you can see what mile I have completed. We are all looking forward to the half way point, which occurs in PA, and now seems within reach. Today Two Dogs, 501, his visiting friend, Carl, and I slackpacked south. There were several good views along the way, but the highlight was seeing my first rattlesnake. Two Dogs said I almost stepped on him! He was about 4ft long, and I was surprised at how big a diameter his body was in comparison to the rat and racer snakes. His head was distinctively triangular.Two Dogs touched him with his hiking pole, encouraging him to coil up and rattle. He took a movie of him. I was spell bound, but at a distance! We saw many other Thru Hikers hiking north, including some who had been at the Dutch Haus with us. It was a little sad for me, because I know I will soon be heading home to NH and I will have lost my hiking family when I return. We are staying at the Dutch Haus again tonight, but hiking wise we are technically 25 miles north of Montebello. We will be in Waynesboro tomorrow. I spoke with my Dad today and my Mother continues to be sleeping comfortably with Hospice and family by her side.
Date: 2007-06-04
From: Rockfish Gap - Waynesboro

To: Riprock Paking area
Miles today: 16.5

At the motel's continental breakfast, we saw about 10 Thru Hikers including Yellow Shoes (Chestnut, his dog is at home), Ringmaster, Robo, Butch and Uncle Tom. We left our garbage bags of pack contents, my new clothes in a garment bag and 2 boxes to be mailed in the lobby for my brother,Skiman to pick up before meeting us on the Trail. He is bringing me to his home for an ovenight, before we drive to NH tomorrow with his wife and daughter. Some hikers pitched their tents in the parking lot to let them dry out. As the children went by in the school bus, I wondered what they thought was going on! Low Branch and Jen picked up Two Dogs and me at 7:30 to bring us back to the AT. Low Branch is going to stay at the same shelter as Two Dogs tonight, 20 miles into the Shenandoahs, but he was going out to breakfast with Jen before she returned home to Myrtle Beach, so we thanked them and said good by. The weather was great and the trail was graded nicely. We filled out our permit to hike in the park and attached it to our packs, as required. It was muddy in a few places from yesterday's heavy rain. The Mountain Laurel was like a beautiful pink rose garden. We saw one deer. At 10 am I got cell phone connection and called Dad in NH to check in. He told me Mother had died this morning, after he had visited her from 5-7 am. I thanked God for her life and for calling her home. Two Dogs was a compassionate friend and took good care of my need to share memories and be alone in prayer. We were pleased to see Barry Manilow and Batman later in the day. It had been about 3 wks since our paths had crossed. Around 2 it was a nice surprise to have my brother hike in to meet us. He had left Trail Magic for the Thru Hikers, and they thanked him as we hiked by. We followed him to the car where Two Dogs retrieved his garbage bag and proceeded to load his pack. It was great to slack the 16.5 miles today, and I was glad Two Dogs would only have to carry his fully loaded pack about 3.5 miles to the shelter. We said good by, with hopes that we will connect on the Trail within the next month. Skiman thinks we'll be back on the Trail together on Sunday. I will miss all my current hiking family but I look forward to renewing friendships with Hikers I have passed, like TK Express, Lynx, Waterfall, Hiker Nutt and Mountain Man.
Date: 2007-06-05
From: Riprap Paking area

To: Wolfeboro, NH
Miles today: 0.0

Today Skiman's family and I had a 12 hr drive from Fairfax Station, VA, through rain and hail in Hartford. to NH. We went to my Dad's apartment in Dover and had a wonderful visit with him, brother John from Michigan and sister Bonnie from South Berwick, ME. Next we continued toward Wolfeboro and met my brother Pete, his wife, Sue and my husband Richard for dinner. Calling hours, funeral, family lunch and dinner have all be organized. I have offered to speak at the funeral on behalf of the family.
Date: 2007-06-06
From: Wolfeboro, NH

To: Wolfeboro, NH
Miles today: 0.0

Today my son (1LT) Brian Bourque flew in from Fort Polk, LA, and my son, Robert Frazier his wife, Danica, and our grandson, Micah, arrived from Ellsworth, ME for the calling hours, 5-8 pm, in Dover. Our family was happy to have relatives from CA and DE, neighborhood, church and childhood friends stop by to express their condolences. I have been retired from teaching PE at 2 schools for a year, and was so grateful to my colleagues for attending the calling hours. It meant alot to me to have their support and friendship at this difficult time. My 87 yr old Dad enjoyed seeing all his friends and he did so well greeting and visiting with everyone. There was a display of pictures of my Mother, throughtout her life that guests enjoyed looking at, and lovely flowers around the casket.