morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-11
From: Troutdale

To: ...well you'll see
Miles today: 0.0

We woke and strolhed down to the rest. for breakfast. As we dicussed what to do today, Spuce and Squid came in...they had been there the night before and we didn't know it. Soon, we were talked into going ahead and hitching BACK to Damascus for trail days. JP needed gear, the party was calling and we wouldn't get much further anyway. Besides, I still had to plan out the WOOD'n MAID'N talent performance for us.We made signs and stood by the road, the fifth vehicle to pass picked us up....we stood there for 45 minutes...not a lot of vehicles passed. We crammed into the back of a Truck with a camper shell and a dog cage that took up 3/5 of the sapce...4 guys and their packs. It was a 45 min drive. Squid and I were GREEN by the time we arrived in Damascus...this guy thought he was mario A. on those turns and really enjoyed giving us the ride. It took awhile to shake the cobwebs from my head.Skip and Phil had gotten there right at the same time. The weekend had begun early. we sent JP to get gear and set up and the guys to the store...tent city was set and Skip and I hit the bar..Dots. by 5Pm, he had had enough of ole Domino and drinking, an early night for him. We walked around a greeted old and new pals, had burritos and spent some time at the camp.It was a great way to start off trail days....More to come...some grumpy guy is bitching about the computer and the sun is just coming up and shining in on the screen anyway. Check back for me to fill in the date gaps next week. Thanks for reading. Goodbye.
Date: 2005-05-12
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Ok, Im adding my version of the rest of trail days 2005. On this particular day, JP, Stilts and I were told that our tent was "in a flood zone" at Tent City and were keen to move it as it was SURE to rain at some point (and it DID).We moved over by Skip ad Spruce and commenced to enjoy thhe fun and games that i had bought at Dollar General. There was the "Fins Up, Snorkel Out" Drinking relay challenge in which I beat JP a few times and was then humbled by Tiny Dancer. There was the Darts For Drinks game and then came the Rafting the river excursion in which I had two dandy little kids rafts that could double as a Pool for a very small child. Others, i.e. Mouth, tried using their Thermorests as floatation devices. Somehow stilts came up with a raft and joined me as the only ones to FLOAT to a finish down at the festival where, the river conveniently went by. So, put in at camp, pull out at festival, drip dry and have lunch. Ah, Trail Days. JP's raft ruptured two minutes into the float, and Mouth and another hiker just walked the rocks down the stream until they found the river bank.Later that day...Baha Burrito and watching folks (if I can call them that) dance aroound the fire to the drum beats.
Date: 2005-05-13
From: Damascus, VA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

My days are all messed up cause it has been awhile since trail days so, bare with me...I want to jump straight to the Wood'n Maid'n performance. I have another entry that describes this but there was a Human Beat Box, an impending storm coming over the mountain behind us and a sixth place finish behind what? I'll let you use your imaginations on that. Actually, it would be more fun to read other peoples perspective on our show in their journals...all I can say is that the crowd was great and everyone was thrilled with the Spruce "Belly Flute' incident and the MINDLESS SWITCHBACKS singalong. I LOVED hearing the crowd go nuts and singing out, seems everyone can relate to those darned switchbacks...of the mindless variety.IT RAINED on our PARADE but, neh, that did not stop da hikers from taking the streets and engaging the town folks and each other in an all out water war. DUh, Damascus...WE WERE ALREADY WET. YOU WILL LOSE!!! So, off I went with my Mindless Switchbacks sign as a ready shield, and electric water gun and three backup water pistols; it was chaos... I took out a family that had set up a bunker in the back of a red truck...too bad for them that I am a Marine...I outflanked them and beat them with superior water power.We ended at the festival where carnage broke loose...I took a high spot on the hill, did a lot of watching. It was wet indeed.After that, we ate and dried..not necessarily in that order. (I know there are CC's in there somewhere..the typing is a Puzzle Plus...A Bonus..so to speak). Listed to some great music by some fantastic bands, watched as the floor ebbed and Bowed to the 04' and 03's dancing like crazy and a trip back to see the dwindling of the fire.I must add that I got a great chance to talk a lot with Wandering Bull and Stilts and become better friends with them. JP and I will surely always benefit from our bonding on the trail. And, as you can see from some of the other pics, I let him cut my goldie locks...but not them all.Did I mention the 200 people we crammed into the communnity room the day before to watch Lion King's AT video? It was a cool experience seeing things that I will soon see and being around all the other hikers as they watched as well. Just amazing that I am out here, that HERE even exists. I bet some of you didn't know it did until not long ago. A big ole long ass community of crazies. "If we weren't all crazy we would go insane." Jimmy Buffett- Changes in Latitudes.And so, On to Sunday where JP and I caught a ride back to TroutDALE Hostel...the LONG way. Hung over, tired and in need to just relax, I got my hair cut, we made Chili for Easy Does it and Easty from just the stuff in our packs (it was GREAT!!!) and then watched Napoleon Dynamite at the church (how approopriate). We hike tomorrow.
Date: 2005-05-14
From: Damascus, VA

To: Trail Days
Miles today: 0.0

Thank you Wyatt the MOUTH (of the South) for this freaking cool map! Ah Yes. Please visit his site. Later, I'll put an entry and tell you a story about him at Trail days 2005 in Tent City (only two tents away from mine) sitting "indian style" and puking on himself while sleeping and then crawling 25 yards to his tent and then repeating the act inside...he used his frisbee then of course (as a catch). Heck...I just told ya. More adventures later. Hello to all of you people I have met out here that are not thru-hiking but hike and read my trail journals. When I meet you it means the world to me and I know you'd all be out here too if you could. Oh, Jeff is doing fine. He hiked 21.5 miles with me on his second day. His first however, was a little different. More on that later. On On. Oh, if you all dont know it, my H3 "A Drinking Club with a Running Problem" Name is "Gator Hater." it's like a trail name with characteristics I can't explain.
Date: 2005-05-16
From: Damascus, VA

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

We hiked to Partnership Shelter today with the promise of food and a cool shelter experience. Along the way, we saw a Bus, in a field, so we stopped. On the bus, we saw a snake. A BIG Snake...the snake struck at a stick. The snake went up behind the "couch" on the bus. Others came along after us, they didn't see the snake...did I mention it was a BIG FREAKING SNAKE? The biggest I have seen on the trail.Anyway, we happily will call this day at the shelter the 3 P's. No, that is NOT Pink Panty Pulldowns (for those of you that know what those are), no this day would forever be called... Partnership, Paris and Pizza. You can only guess what that means...cause I'm not gonna tell ya. If you know....please keep it to yourself...this, at times, is a family site...BUT BE WARNED THAT I MAY NOT REFRAIN AT TIMES...due to this being a true testiment of what happens in my head and what I encounter on the trail.It's HARD typing on a laptop, under pressure with just a headlamp on. "In the Shelter; in the morning as the sunlight's brightly gleaming..." Jimmy Buffett- In the Shelter (yes, he actually has a song called that). Speaking of which, Jimmy, if you are out there, you should come hike a day or section with me. Might do you some good to have yet another wild experience under your belt. Who knows, it may even inspire a song or two like it has me.My latest Song: TOKEN ROCK BEDOn every Mountain is that token rock bed,it messes up your feet and it screws with your head.It mimics our real life; least that's what someone said...'cause on every Mountain is a token rock bed.On every Mountain is that token rock bed,when I get up from my tent yes, this is what I dread.I could go to work but I'd rather take it on instead...'cause on every Mountain is a token rock bed.On every Mountain is that token rock bed,Our shoes are all worn out, they have lost most their tread.pain makes me feel alive, it's better off than dead...'cause on every Mountain is a token rock bed.Domino "The Domino" (a symbol now [%]...like Prince) Ireland- 2005. All Rights Reserved (and that goes for MINDLESS SWITCHBACKS & HITCHHIKER BLUES as well as my latest- in development- called PURIST SOUNDS LIKE TOURIST. I'M A SUREST.Oh, and I WILL need a job when this is all over with. You'll see morer on this theme as I get closer to the end. THAT'S a HINT. HINT HINT.
Date: 2005-05-17
From: Partnership shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 11.0

Wow, alot to talk about. Just trying to keep up with it all until JP heads home this Saturday. We are currently at the Relax Inn near Atkins. I just caught two fish in the stream next to the hotel with a paper clip, hook and some thread. I will try to update my miles on the map as often as possible.Spring was definately in the air today. Everyone pray for "sunny springlike weather" for the next oh...4 months. If it could just rain three days ahead of me all the way to main. Tomorrow, I hit the 1/4 way mark. Yeah!!! Doont forget to check back when I add the entries between 5/8 and today to include Trail Days, the lyrics to two songs we- WOOD'N MAID'N- performed (MINDLESS SWITCHBACKS and HITCH HIKER BLUES), Jeff's trip (my version), the Grayson Highlands, AND.......my NEW haircut....You'll be SHOCKED!!!Cheers!
Date: 2005-05-17
To: Atkins
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Well, Atkins wasn't Atkins at all...Rural Route or something, but it had a hotel and JP's feet were falling off.... more Boring Virginia. We did see a fantastiic old schoolhouse and get a museumm tour, though brief. Once in "town" we ate at Rhonda's (special hello to my OTHER Aunt...Rhonda...we took a picture for you kid!), got a room and I, of course, hit this little red bridge to do some fishing in the creek...caught one...YES!Next day, back to Rhonda's for food before the trail and then off on our way.I must say, the road to Bland is just that...Bland and Rocky, and Bland and Rocky. For pete's sake...if you are gonna take us around God's Thumbprint for 10 miles, at least let us have a view of the place that doesn't last for .0005 seconds. I mean, this trail was so bad the MAINTAINERS have abandoned it. Blazes from the 90's, felled trees everywhere, freaking ankle breaking, soul wearing rocks Everywhere and no place, I repeat, no place to camp or take salvation. I would have loved to have gone down in that valley and seen the sights, met the people. I think this, at times, is the Appalachian National Ego Trail.... "Hell, we'll win the award for most feet related injuries this year..." you can hear the whomever is in charge of that section sayng to his men- wondering hinchmen as they turn their hearing aids up and point towards old maps. (no offense)Anyway, we set up camp anyway, narrowly escaping a storm that rolled in. This, after much "trail maintenance" of my own just to have a safe spot. Good thing too, cause when we got up and got going the next day, there wasn't another spot for miles.Someone HIKE up there and save that trail...or do what you are good at..RELOCATE IT! By far the most dismal trail maintained and second only to a few in total disatisfaction. This is a National SCENIC Trail...AND DON'T FORGET IT!!! It is NOT the National MOUNTAIN Trail...in fact, that word is not even used...so we don't have to HIT them all, while avoiding other, worthwhile paths of scenery. Cu Pea Shhh?Enough of that, so, how are you doing today? (Please feel free to talk directly to the screen, the guy in the next cubical will think you have a new, great hi-tech software or something) Tell me about your day? How was last night? REALLY? In that short of time? Get out... You have got to be kidding me? So why are you here you nutbag? Go on, go home. See, there, you feel much bettere now don't you?
Date: 2005-05-20
To: Bland, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Domino called tonight to say that he and JP are in Bland, VA. They can state with certainty that Virginia is far from being flat. Domino said he will be slackpacking tomorrow for a ways, back in time to watch the Preakness. I've been promised dual accounts of JP's adventure with Domino once JP returns home. In the meantime I've been uploading lots of photos, and there will be a lot more to come.Deb
Date: 2005-05-20
To: Preakness on TV
Miles today: 0.0

JP is going home. Last night, while sitting in a rocker out front of the hotel he said.."This shit is your gig...I'm going home. It was fun, now it's over. THANK GOD. ahhh....FOR ME!!!!! Sike..."I ventured out 14 miles to hike back after JP bought me a room for trail magic. He took along V3, who I will miss. V3 has now left the buiilding. I hope you find what you are looking for or already found it out here on the trail.WOW, did you see the Preakness (it's a horse race for those of you that don't know.) It was by far one of the Best Races I have ever layed my eyes on. I sat there in my hotel room with a Zima and was in as much shock as the announcers and the rest of the fans and viewers. Quick, Tevo. Quick, go to the website and see the race yourself. or, watch on 6/11 as they replay it before the Belmont Stakes (which, I will be in Waynesboro to watch).The night was fairly uneventful, I will miss my dear friend and thank himm very much for chosing to spend his valuable vacation with me on my journey. NOT EASY is it Bubba?Sunday, I awoke, packed and hitched a ride down with a local trail person and then another hitch out to the road I needed to be on. This guy grew Ginseng, so he said, and buys his wife's Christmas with the money he gets...hmmmm that's odd. Oh, and he is also a Prisoner Guard for the road Gangs. HmmmmmmAnyway, BIG DAY to day..I am going 22+ to Woods Hole. Nice hike during the day with a big stop at Dismal Falls where I caught the most Dismal Fish. Had a great time with this family that was there. They fed me and gave me beers. They wanted me to head to West Virginia with them; I told them I need to walk to West Virginia. On that matter, WV has a special place for me because it is in the Song "COUNTRY ROADS which was my grandmother's (Memma) and my favorite song. Hey, I am gonna float on the Shenandoah River too...I call it the Shannon Dougherty River...don't know why, just do. Anyway, I do plan on floating it once I hit Waynesboro.Hello to everyone. if you read my stuff, sign my guestbook."...the seas in my veins, my traditions remain, I'm just glad I don't live in a trailer..." Jimmy Buffett- SON OF A SAILOR
Date: 2005-05-22
From: Bland, VA

To: Woods Hole
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

A long day today indeed. After slacking 14 yesterday so that I could be back in Bland to watch the Preakness. I did it in 3hours 43 minutes. Yes, I ran some of it. But I did get to enjoy some Zima's, the Preakness and a quiet room to myself thanks to JP and his Magic. Also thanks to the "Quadra Steps" for the lift back up to the hotel.Now back to today, yes Sunday, the LONG day. had a early lunch and hitched to the SR that I had gotten out to the day before. 2 hitches is all it took. I learned about the Gensing crops of the AT that one guy said he works and sales "in order to get the good Christmas gifts fur my wife." So, on I went knowing I 'd prbably have to do some night hiking...little did I know that I'd hike until Midnight to get to Wood's Hole and have a very spritual occurance along the way. you see, you just dont know what the AT will throw at you at any given time. I came along Hopper and she told me that I cant miss Dismal Falls(sounds exciting huh?) So when I got to the Blue Blaze, there were the Bruces and they said they spent 2.5 hours there. I THOUGHT I'd just go take a picture but after a swim. watching someone drop their digital in the water, catching a Fish(the WORLDS SMALLEST CATCH on a Hook), Yogiville on beer and a Sanwick and an invite with a family back to West VA, 2 hours had went by and I STILL HAD 12 Miles to go. It was 5PM.At dark, I took the 1500 ft climb and was toddling along nicely waiting for the full moon to come from behind the clouds to help me along the way, it was a great night, I was listening to music and just plugging along. I was about 2 miles from my destination and traveling over those F*&%^&^%&%&* Rocks in what I now refer to as Mini-Penn (for the Pennsylvania Rocks)***song to follow*** and was about 30 seconds after just listening to "LET ME BE THERE" by Olivia newton John in which my Memma and I would sing when I was a child, when all of a sudden0as I was on the huge rock bed heading on a decline down- a branch grabbed my left foot, I was going down FAST. My sticks9the twins) flew and the first thing to hit was my head, just above my right eye. The only thing was, i landed on the softest area every and literally rolled to my back and stood back up. Not a scratch anywhere. In the song it says "let me catch when you fall..." THANK YOU MEMMA...Nice catch! A truly unique moment in my journey.Got to Woods Hole at Midnight and hit the rack with mice running across my sleeping pad. Ah..feet throbbing. Sleep take me away.
Date: 2005-05-24
From: Pearisbrug

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

well, Phoenix Rising is going to take Sunshine and I out 22 mile to hike back today.We got to the trail at 12:15PM after visting a guy at a house just off the trail that had a sign saying Trail Magic. Thanks to Hurricane Jeanne, the bridge that WAS there at the trailhead and a swift river was now gone. We debated taking the road down to an alternate route or Fjord'n? Well, we hung our shoes and socks around our necks and hit the river barefoot..we were gonna drive our cars at the ends of our legs, our FJORDS. Water=COLD. Current=Not too bad when using a stick. Sunshine went in first. I actually passed Sunshine cause I was in a hurry to get out ASAP. It was 25 yards into our 22 MILE trek but my favorite part of the day. Rain was coming down, sky's were dark and the winds and temps were NOT in our favor. But, what better to do on a miserable day besides HIKE, and HIKE, and HIKE, and HIKE. It was cool because I got to see many people I hadnt seen in a week or more. Nice to see my pal Serenity again for the first time in weeks (plural). Her hands were almost frozen. We made sure to tell each person of the alternate route and the trail magic at the river. We got word that Gypsy LuLu had never made it to the first shelter last night. Since we saw her leave town yesterday, we began to get worried. Later, whe we hadnt seen very many people that we knew were out on trail, we began to get worried and started talking about the situation. This is when I had my spritual/surreal moment of the day. I had JUST said to Sunshine' "..if I find out anything evil has happened to her, I will seek it out and stamp it out..." when, there, in the FOG covered mountain, stood Gypsy LuLu...about 8 miles from where we started. She said that she got out late and had a weird feeling so she went back into town to the Hostel. She realized that none of us saw her and was sorry, but thanks us for worrying about her. Hikers really do take care of each other out here.When we finally hit the road back to town, we had trouble following the blazes. You go for about a mile back towards town and then BAM, right back into the woods for about .1 of a mile. Then an easy hitch up to the Restaraunt and we were back with all those that Zero'd eating a nice meal. I had Meatloaf, in case any of you care.The last two nights, I stayed with TDS (Totally Different Subject), he is also an original Oklahoma Boy from Ponca City. Also met Walrus who is from Sand Springs in OK and graduated from Charles Page. Neither of them wanted to admit how jealous they were that I graduated from Union. Ha!
Date: 2005-05-24
From: Woods hole

To: P-Burg
Miles today: 10.5

Well, I left Woods Hole today for the short 10+ trek to Pearisburg. Had breakfast (well, a few biscuts and jelly and a sausage patty) with some of the guys and Miss Tillie at her Wood's Hole Hostel.She was an intersting lady and I learned much about her and some of the guys that were Hiking. Tillie campaigned for Carter...a huge influence in the "Peanut Brigade" as well as her son currently being the Mayor of a (not saying which) town in the Southeast.Heard a great story from Joe while hiking about Him, a first class flight, the late Willie Shoemaker, duct tape, a bomb scare and something to do with tackiling a guy that headed into the flight cock-pit.Had lucnh with Toolman on one of the most panaramic views on the trail near Angles rest and sang myself silly going into town on the swicthbacks. I heard that Sunshine was waiting up there for me so we could hike togther again. As soon as I hit town, Phoenix Rising gave us a lift to where she had just dropped off Sunshine. I was suppose to meet TDS to split a room ath the Plaza. I was pleasant ly surprised when I went to the Motor Lodge room that Sunshine was supposedly at and ther was TDS as well. He had gotten the room there intead. We all went to the restRont that was attached to the hotel and the food was FABULOUS! Great lunch was had by all. Tonight would be Pizza and Beer.Toolman and I listened to my IPOD sharing the headphones and enjoying DIRE STRAITS..There are a couple of songs on the Graetest hits album that are unbelieveable. i hear the lead singer has his own Blues band...I want to get some of that music. favorite songs are Romeo and Juliette and I LOVE the Sax on another song...listen to it...can you guess which one? No, not any of the popularized songs. I feel like I have gotten to know Toolman better the last few days.All was relaxing in town,,,except the COLD Shower...no hot water for me today.I LOVE MY IPOD!!!!!!!!! Again, Thank you to all that pitched int to get it.
Date: 2005-05-25
From: P-Burg

To: Pearisbrug
Miles today: 0.0

Staying here another night so that I can average 16's to get to Troutville this Sunday evening to meet Debra. The mtns are still looking gloomy with the rains and, after doing 22 miles yesterday back to here, I can afford to rest a bit. A bunch of us are heading to Blacksburg to see a movie this afternoon, probably see the new Star Wars but feel like I should wait and see it with deb. She said she doesnt mind if I see it. Thing is, I dont remember much abotu Episode II? Hmmm, well, we'll see. I am re-supplied for the 4 day hike. There are some reall cool things coming up, Dragon's Tooth and McAfee. Will have to wear my Dragon Sarong when I hike up to Dragon's Tooth."Life is just a tire swing." Jimmy B
Date: 2005-05-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I talked to Domino today from the top of McAfee Knob where he was enjoying the incredible, most-photographed view on the trail. It was really cool to talk to him knowing that he was standing on top of a mountain somewhere, and tomorrow I will be meeting up with him! In the meantime until he writes again, I recieved his mother's new contact information, which Domino wanted to share with anyone who might be interested in sending her a note:Ms. Delania WebbRolling Hills Care center Room # C-14801 N. 193rd E. Ave Catoosa, OK 74015-Deb