morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-05-04
From: Chatfield Shelter

To: US 11/ I 81. Atkins Va
Miles today: 4.5

I slept in a little longer this morning since I only had about 5 miles to go today to my meeting place with the Hane's in the morning. I had a great treat waiting on me that I wasn't expecting. I knew there was this old one room school on the trail but didn't realize I would come across it today.The neat thing is that there was good trail magic inside the school. I had a Pepsi ( it's funny that once you leave Georgia it's hard to get a Coke sometimes but Pepsi is the choice here) an apple brand muffin and an orange. I took several pictures and it was quite interesting to read what the punishment was for certain things. Not sure if this was factual but I can see where this would deter some of the things that go on in our schools today.I made it to Atkins at about 10:30 and headed straight to the Barn Restaurant and had the biggest breakfast I could order; 2eggs, 2 pancakes, 2 pieces of bacon , 2 sausage patties, 2 pieces of toast and a bowl of grits, and I cleaned my plate.The place I am staying is only one notch above camping but at least they had hot water and somewhere I could wash and dry my clothes. I was a little concerned when I first walked up because some undercover cops had a guy on the ground in handcuffs. The manager said they had been looking for this young man for several days and they spotted him walking down the road in front of the motel and he took off running but they caught him. Not sure what he was wanted for.I spent the afternoon resting and catching up on my journals. The motel advertised wifi but you have to be sitting in the lobby to connect to it so that isn't much help.I just returned back from the Barn again for dinner and added a few calories to my body to keep me going. In the morning Keitt and I will hike about 12 miles before Elise will pick him up. Hopefully they can give me a ride to a store where I can resupply and we can go somewhere for dinner. I will reach the 25% of the trail completed tomorrow. I am actually at 24.8% right now. My goal is to hike between 100 and 120 miles per week going forward.
Date: 2015-05-05
From: US 11/ I 81. Atkins Va

To: Va 42, O'Lystery Lavilion
Miles today: 12.2

Keitt and Elise Hane took an eight hour detour to come spend a day with me on the trail. Actually Keitt hiked with me today while Elise was proving a shuttle service to us and changing our motel room between towns.The weather couldn't have been better and Keitt and I started with breakfast at the Barn Restaurant and then we were off on a short 12 mile hike for the day. The highlight of the day was that Keitt carried our lunch in his backpack and we had subway sandwiches, cold drinks kept cold in a small ice bag, chips and some candy for desert. This was the best trail magic I have received on the trail. ( Richard and David- Keitt has set the bar pretty high)We made it to our pickup with Elise at about 3:00 and then a drive back to the motel where another hot shower was taken and then they drove me to the Dollar Store so I could resupply and then off for some dinner. We just returned to the motel and hopefully I will be off to bed shortly.In the morning Keitt will drive me back to the trail after breakfast and then they will drive to Columbia South Carolina where they will attend the college graduation for Miller and Andrew, 2 of their sons. By the way they have triplet boys. Robert the other son will be graduating soon also.I have really enjoyed getting to see them because they will be moving back to South Carolina from Baton Rouge due to a job transfer. It's a good thing because South Carolina is their home but they will be missed a lot.There is no way to pay back this kind of generosity so you accept it and hope you can do something for someone down the road yourself. Thanks Keitt and Elise.By the way I almost forgot to mention that I passed the 1/4 mile mark of the journey today.
Date: 2015-05-06
From: Va 42, O'Lystery Lavilion

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Keitt and I left the motel at 7:00 and went and ate breakfast at the same restaurant we had dinner last night. After breakfast Keitt drove me back to where we had left the trail yesterday. After saying good byes I headed back on the trail. I had a 20 mile day planned but was prepared to stop short if needed because I had a couple of big climbs to make.I didn't see many people in the trail today but did meet a very nice couple at the Chestnut Knob Shelter from Roanoke Va. They are out for a couple of weeks and then plan on going down to Georgia to hike for a month and then jump up to Maine to hike some and then back to Va to finish up.From the shelter there was a 6 mile section that didn't have any water so I loaded up on 4 liters and took off. This section was very rocky and just about did me in but when I got to the road I saw the Warrior Group and trail magic. They offered me hamburgers, hot dogs and any thing else they had. I took a hamburger and two hot dogs. After eating I felt good again and decided to try to go 4 miles to the next shelter. I made it at about 7:15 and got the tent set up and went down to the creek and washed up because I was very dirty.I hike a total of 22 miles today and now laying in my tent. The weather is warm tonight and hopefully it doesn't rain tonight.
Date: 2015-05-07
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Helveys Mill Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night was probably the warmest night I have seen and I started out sleeping in my sleeping bag liner and in my sleeping bag but not zipped up. I woke up a couple of hours later totally soaking wet with sweat along with my liner and sleeping bag. I had a problem then because I couldn't get back in the sleeping bag so I put on my dry clothes that I usually wear while sleeping along with draping my down jacket over my shoulders. That worked a while but I got a little cold later so I covered my legs up with the wet sleeping bag and it did warm me up. I ended up sleeping pretty good even with that major distraction.I only planned a 15 mile today because the next shelter would have been 25 miles and after a 20+ mile yesterday 15 was plenty enough. I met a few people I knew walking southbound today. They said they had someone shuttle then further north and were walking back to Damascus for Trail Days.The shelter I am camped at tonight was .3 miles off the trail and you have to walk another .3 miles to get water so not a lot of folks will stop here. I got my water about 1.5 miles before the shelter and carried it with me so I don't have to walk down the hill to get more.Tomorrow I will be shooting for about 20 miles so that I can get to the Woods Hole Hostel on Saturday night. It is one of the nicer hostels on the trail.
Date: 2015-05-08
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: Dismal Falls
Miles today: 18.0

I got a good night sleep last night and didn't want to crawl out of the tent this morning. I finally managed to get out and going at about 8:00 which is about my normal time to leave camp.Today looked like a pretty easy hike per the guide book and my goal was to get to Trent's Grocery at about mile15 to get me a burger. I got there about 3:00 and actually had two burgers, a large order of fries and a fountain Pepsi with 2 refills. I am not complaining about the heat yet because it really isn't that hot but I sweated so much today that my grey shorts turned almost solid white from the salt that my body lost.I mentioned yesterday that I carried my water up a big climb to keep from having to climb down .3 miles to get water at the shelter. What I failed to do was to look at today's plan route and see that it was 10 miles to the next water source. I had just over a liter and decided to take a chance that would be enough to get me there. When I took off this morning I was very careful to conserve my water even though I was very thirsty. When I got about 7 miles in I met this couple coming up the mountain and I stopped and talked to them for just a minute. I mentioned my water situation and the first thing that the man does is reach into his pocket and handed me a bottle of water. He refused to take it back. As I usually do I reached into my camera bag to give them one of my hiker cards and when the lady saw who I was she said I already have one of your cards. Come to find out is that they are Rick and Carol Lindamood who are the ones that provide the trail magic at the old school I visited the other day. The school is named the Lindamood School, I assume after their ancestors. This just goes to prove that God does take care of our needs, just isn't always on our time schedule.Back to the salt all over my pants and feeling pretty yucky from all the sweating I did. After leaving Trent's grocery with a full stomach I was headed for another 2.5 miles to Dismal Falls. I found a great tent site where I can hear the falls although I can't see them from here. After getting my tent set up I proceeded down to the falls and it's a great swimming hole. I read on Danny T.'s FB page where Terry Galbraith was mentioning memories of the McIntosh swim hole and I have fond memories of that place also. This place reminded me of Cedar Creek Falls, another place with fond memories. I stripped down to my pants and went right in and got myself a good cleaning, along with all my clothes I was wearing today. That was about as refreshing as anything that I have done while on the trail. I think I will sleep,just fine tonight.Tomorrow my target is to get to The Wood's Hole Hostel. One of the hostels that I really want to stay at.
Date: 2015-05-09
From: Dismal Falls

To: Wood's Hole Hostel
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up this morning knowing my destination was the Woods Hole Hostel but had a pretty good climb to make before getting there. About 1/2 up my climb I realized that my fuel source was gone. The gas tank was flat empty. I struggled to get up that mountain having to stop about every 50 yards to rest. I finally made it up but it was one of the toughest climbs to date and it shouldn't have been. I have to rest more and eat more. I weighed on some scales at Woods Hole and I have lost at least 30 lbs. My pants are about to fall off of me.A couple of good things did happen today. I ran into Ukalady who I had not seen since Day 4 of the trip and also Resolute who I last saw the same time I saw Ukalady. It's nice to see folks you haven't seen in a while. I made it to Woods Hole at about 2:30 and secured me a bed in the bunk house which are first come first serve. This is a really neat home and hostel owned by a young couple named Michael and Neville. It used to belong to Neville's grandmother but they took over when she no longer could manage. They make a great smoothie and serve dinner and breakfast although they didn't serve breakfast the day I was there. At dinner we all circled up outside holding hands and after a moment of silence we all went around introducing ourselves by name, where we was from and what we were thankful for. I am most thankful for my family and their support of me on this crazy journey.I also got to meet a man who has many talents including writing songs for one thing but come to find out he was Evan Wallach, circuit judge on the Federal Court of Appeals. You would have never known he held this high of a position by talking to him. He was just another hiker out for a few days to the rest of us. You never know who you might meet on the trail.The only downside to this hostel is no wifi and since I haven't been able to upload my pictures or journals for a few days I couldn't here either. After waking up I decided I would hike the ten miles into Narrows Va and stay at the MacArthur Inn on Sunday night.
Date: 2015-05-10
From: Wood's Hole Hostel

To: The MacArthur Inn
Miles today: 11.1

I woke up this morning and headed up to the main house where coffee was waiting for us. After a couple of cups I headed back to the bunk house where everyone was to pick a chore to do before we left. I picked organizing the games which took all of about 3 minutes and was ready to head out. Resolute and I decided we would share a room at the MacArthur Inn in Narrows, Va.I took off before him and it was amazing how much today's hike was better than yesterday's just from getting some carbs and calories in my system. It was only 10 miles and I made it in about 4 hours. No big climbs just a huge decent coming into town which means a huge climb when I get ready to leave town.There was a phone number to call to get a shuttle to the Inn so I called it when I reached the road and the gentleman told me he would be there in about 15 minutes. While at the road I visited with Ukalady for a few minutes before she took off.Well in a few minutes this truck pulled up with this man with the longest mustache that I have ever seen and told me to throw my pack in the back and hop in. This was Alan the owner of the MacArthur Inn. Alan is certainly a character but a super guy that makes you feel right at home. He purchased this old hotel a few years okay before it could be demolished and brought it back to life. It's an interesting hotel because you have shared bathrooms. It is very clean and they serve breakfast and dinner every day except Sunday. I highly recommend staying here. There is a restaurant, grocery store and Laundry just across the street. Alan calls this the Hotel California where hikers come but can't ever leave. After being here for a couple of hours I made the decision to Zero tomorrow and let my body rest and get re-fueled. Next Monday morning I will meet Cathy somewhere close to the Blue Ridge Parkway and spend some much needed time with her.
Date: 2015-05-11
From: The MacArthur Inn

To: The MacArthur Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

This morning I woke up and ate a breakfast of eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy, orange juice and a lot of coffee at the Inn. It was then time to review the guide book for the next few days to decide how much food I needed to buy. I decided I needed 3 days before I could resupply again on Friday when I get to the 4 Pines Hostel.I walked across the street and purchased my food along with some Donuts and a coke for later in the morning. Resolute went to do some laundry and I started trying to get all my pictures uploaded to my Flickr account. It has taken all day and I still have about 50 to get uploaded. It takes forever with slow wifi.The restaurant across the street is closed on Mondays and the Inn doesn't serve lunch but I was told there was a Burger King about a mile down the road. At about 1:00 I decided to take the hike to Burger King. What I didn't take into account was that I took off in wind pants, long sleeve shirt, crocs and a bare head. I was burning up by he time I got back and probably have a burned head also. I have walked over 600 miles without a sign of a blister and guess what: I have one on top of my foot now.I had a chance to talk to David and Richard to discuss last minute plans for their trip to come hike with me next week. It will be good to see friends from home.I spent the rest of the afternoon taking a nap and now getting ready for dinner at the Inn shortly. I have a 20 mile day planned for tomorrow and it's a big climb to get out of town but with everything I have eaten I hope I will be up to it.
Date: 2015-05-12
From: The MacArthur Inn

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: few clouds

I got up this morning and ate a big breakfast before Allan shuttled me back to the trail where he picked me up from. I didn't get started on the trail until a little after 9:00 and had a big day of 20 miles planned with a big 2,000 ft climb first thing. It was sort of a puzzle to find your way back to the woods. The trail ran down between some houses and then across a long bridge then across some river and then down through some steps right next to the largest cigarette filter maker in the world per Allan. Once you were in the woods you hiked right next to the landfill for quite a while. The climb didn't seem so bad and overall I had a good day. Everything is green and growing right up to the trail now. There wasn't any views to speak of and you felt like you were on this tiny narrow path surrounded by plants. I am glad I didn't run into a bear or snake on the trail because there would have been no way to go but backwards. Also for some reason in Virginia they don't seem to utilize switchbacks as often and force you to climb straight up. That is much harder to do.I made it to the shelter at about 6:00 and the only other person there was Neon. There was only one spot for a tent and it was very hard. She was going to wait on her friends and hike on because she doesn't like to sleep in shelters because of the mice. It was getting dark and she finally decided that her friends must have stopped short of the shelter and she was going to stay. I suggested to her that she should just set her tent up in the shelter and that way the mice couldn't get to her. You are not suppose to do this in case someone shows up late but I told her that at this hour if anybody showed up it would be her friends and they wouldn't care. She liked that idea. As soon as she was set up her friends came walking in but they decided to take the one tent spot and spend the night.I don't particular like sleeping in the shelters either but I slept fine and didn't feel any mice running over my body during the night.
Date: 2015-05-13
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: Stream at Mile 668
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: clear sky

I was up and gone by 7:15 this morning with plans of doing a total of 18 miles today. There was another big climb today at the beginning and at the end. The first climb seemed to take something out of me and then we had about 4 miles of nothing but walking on rocks and boulders. This is very tiring since you have to be very careful where you put each step so that you don't twist an ankle. After stopping for lunch I decided I was going to cut today short and camp next to a stream I saw on the map right before the second big climb of the day. I would rather tackle that climb first in the morning. I got here about 2:30 and found a perfect spot right next to the creek and with sound of the water rushing by I hope to sleep like a baby tonight. I am the only person right now but someone may show up before dark.
Date: 2015-05-14
From: Stream at Mile 668

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: broken clouds

I guess no one else decided to stop and camp here last night because there was no one else here this morning. This was a great camp site. Was packed and moving by 8:00 and I am thankful I waited until this morning to make this climb. I felt much stronger than yesterday. I was finally rewarded with a view after this climb. Kelly Knob was at the top and there were several folks camped here and was cooking some bacon when I came up. That bacon sure smelled good. I stop for a few minutes to take in the views and took advantage of having some cell service to call Cathy.Most of the thru hikers must have went to Damascus for Trail Days because there doesn't seem to be as many hikers on the trail the last few days. The ones you see are mostly section hikers or locals out for the day.Today we passed the largest oak tree on the southern part of the trail. It is named the Keffer Oak and is over15 ft around and 300 years old. It was pretty massive. I wished someone had been around to take my picture beside the tree so you could have a better perspective how big it really is.I am camping with a couple middle age brothers who are out thru hiking. One brought his guitar and can really sing. It's nice to listen to him. Tomorrow I hope to make it to 4 Pines Hostel so I can resupply for the next couple of days before taking 4 days off the trail to be with Cathy.
Date: 2015-05-15
From: Niday Shelter

To: 4 Pines Hostel
Miles today: 16.8

I woke up this morning to a very loud bird. You would have thought it was a rooster. I had a big day planned and got up at 5:00 and was on my way at 6:00 just as daylight was breaking. I was planning on doing about 23 miles and had a very big climb right at the beginning. I felt very strong on this first big climb and at the top there is a monument dedicated to Audie Murphy at the site where his plane crashed and he died. If you don't know he was the most decorated solider in WWII. I also had good cell service from there so I called Cathy to make sure she had seen all my messages about what to bring to me on Sunday.Right after the Monument the trail was very good and before I knew what happened I fell face first. No harm done except a small scratch on the elbow. I am still struggling with a sore spot on my heel from wearing the crocs to Burger King the other day.Today's hike takes you up to Dragon's Tooth which is a large rock outcropping that looks like a Dragon. There is also a 10 mile section with no water. I filled up with 3 liters of water thinking that would be enough but little did I know that I would sweat so much that I probably needed 6-7 liters just to replace what I lost. The climb up to Dragon's Tooth was a hike over rocks for about 4 miles and then the climb down was the toughest part of the trail that I have seen. It is like climbing down boulders one step at a time. At times there was rebar in the rocks to hold on to in order to be able to get down. It was tough and I didn't think I would ever get down to the bottom but I eventually did soaking wet.It was a 0.3 mile hike to the 4 Pine Hostel and I got there just before the bottom fell out of the sky. This hostel is a converted 3 car garage at someone's home. You just leave a donation and they have drinks, frozen water Popsicles, and a hot shower. The hot shower was great but they don't provide you with a towel so it a sharing deal that I wasn't real happy with but I guess getting a clean shower and drying off with a shared towel is still better than no shower at all.The other reason for stopping here was I wanted to go to the Home Place restaurant which is an all you can eat restaurant where they serve the meals family style but it was my luck that this weekend is Virginia Tech's graduation and the line was so long that it would have taken forever to get in plus most of the folks waiting were dressed much better than us so we ended going to the local grocery and getting a hamburger.Resolute who I shared a room with at the MacArthur's Inn decided to get off the trail today to go get his knees checked out. I got to meet his wife when she came to pick him up. I hope he gets better and I see him back on the trail real soon.It's only two days before I will get to see Cathy and I am so excited. Tomorrow I will try to do 16 miles and only about 10 on Sunday.