morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-07
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

I made a discovery today. When it gets really cold and I pull the drawstring on my sleeping bag so that only a small opening is there for my nose I cannot tell when it gets to be daylight. I woke with a start around 7:00 when I usually like to be already hiking. It was 32 degrees with high wind gusts most of the night. Brrr.It was hard to move in the cold as my hands kept getting too cold to do anything but I finally got going about 8:30. I was a bit disgusted with myself for not tenting when I saw the beautiful area others were in. I would have been warmer in a tent too. Oh well, it was a choice.There was blue sky, sun and beautiful country and I took a ton of pictures. This is very different country from most of the AT. It is open and has big rocks - it reminded me of many areas in the west. And I saw wild ponies today! First I saw about 6. Then I sat down while going over stone mountain looking at the view and when I turned around one was right behind me. Later I saw others and even a quite charming little brown and white pinto foal. Very Cute!I feel a bit like a piker hiker only going 11 miles. But it gave me time to bathe and wash clothes at a wonderful water source and get almost everything dry before bedtime. I also enjoyed talking with Cahoda, a same age female hiker staying at Old Orchard shelter with me. She stayed in the shelter and I in my tent on nice soft grass.I saw several short section or day hikers today and I met Gabe and Shadow, hikers finishing up a few short sections they missed the year that they thru-hiked the trail. I also kept running into Steve, the young thru-hiker I stayed with at Thomas knob, until I stopped and he then went on. I also met Spaghettio and Flower Elf, a mother-son duo section hiking.
Date: 2007-05-08
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Troutdale
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: clear sky

Last night was a lovely camp and it was nice to sleep on grass - soft. It was 43 degrees this morning - still cold but a lot better than 32. 10-11 mile days are very seductive though. I still did not get up very early. It was too easy to say, "Well, I don't have very far to go today." and roll over. I did eventually get up and get going.The trail was a walk in the woods today. There were no major views and no big displays of wildflowers, just a nice walk in the woods. The trail was good with not too many rocky or rooty sections. I actually put on my MP3 player and just walked. I got to the road by 1:00 - 10 miles gone by before I noticed. Not too long before the road was the only major really cool sight - a lovely waterfall. It was interesting too, to see the character of the trail change with the lower elevations and the days gone by as the trees are leafing out now.I am staying the night in Troutdale - about 2&1/2 miles from the trail. I did not have much luck hitching a ride at first and walked nearly half a mile before someone picked me up and took me to the post office to get my mail drop. (Thank you, Kathy! I got them all.) Troutdale has a Post Office, one resturant/country store, a Baptist church and a very few houses. I am staying at the hostel provided by the church. There are no bunks here but a spotlessly clean vinyl floor. There are showers in the back of the church complete with towels, washcloths, soap, shampoo and lotions. Cahoda, 2 section hikers and Sardine and Noodles with their dog Gunner are here. It was a very pleasant, restful afternoon. I washed clothes and hung them on a line to dry. (I usually try to wash at least some socks and sports bra most nights so I always have something clean and dry. With just a little bit of effort it is not necessary to have more than one day's sweat and grime on body or clothes when through hiking.Now it is time to sleep.
Date: 2007-05-09
From: Troutdale

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: broken clouds

We got up early and had breakfast at the resturant. The lady at the resturant gave me and the two southbound section hikers a ride to the trail head. Just as we left I found out that I could have used her internet if I had asked. She and her husband recently bought the place and are trying to be hiker friendly. They hope to put in a washer and dryer and also let hikers know they can use the internet. They were very nice and charged nothing for the shuttle to the trailhead. I hope they make a go of the place. Too bad. I did not know I could have used the internet yesterday when I had all that time. Journal entries will have to wait until I get home.I listened to the MP3 player again today. I really have not listened to it very much but today it seemed good to do so. I walked well and about the time I wanted to sit down and have lunch there was poison ivy all over everywhere so I just ate lots of GORP and sat on an occasional log without pooison ivy for a couple minutes to rest the feet. So I got to the shelter by 3:00.Partnership is a really nice shelter right next to Mt Rogers visitor center. It even has a hot shower in the shelter! And the town is close enough that we ordered pizza! Almost everyone ordered a large pizza. I only ordered a medium.I am a happy camper tonight as M&M, Swamp Fox and Blue Sky, Grasshopper, Tim, Scholar and a couple others caught up with me again. They were all about a day behind when I left Damascus but my three short miles days allowed them to catch up.Now it is getting dark and Swamp Fox says he is charging for the minute for holding his headlamp so I can see so I think I am done.
Date: 2007-05-10
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Davis Path Shelter
Miles today: 14.3

I was the first one up but I am never the first one out. It always seems to take me about an hour and a half to get breakfast and get organized and get out of camp.I hiked a good bit of the day with Swamp Fox and Blue Sky which was fun. I have really enjoyed getting to know them. The trail was a bit average for the most part but there were some nice views in a spot or two.On one peak I finally got cell reception and called Linda, who is picking me up in Bland and we settled on the time she would be there.Today, after going 8.8 miles we went by the Settlers Museum of Southwestern Virginia. They had very nice picnic tables under a pavilion and wonderfully clean bathrooms. There was also a nice display in their visitor's center about the imigration of the Scots-Irish and Germans to this area. They actually came down the Great Valley from Pennsylvania which was the magor immigration route, not west from eastern Virginia because of the barrier of the mountains. There were outbuildings and other exhibits but I did not go to them. I spent more time there than most of the other hikers who were happy to use their bathrooms and move on. They should have stopped and looked more. It was interesting. There is an old school there with the old desks too and the "rules for school" on the wall which included prohibitions against boys and girls playing together. Interesting.It got very hot the three miles past the museum to the road (Interstate 81) in the Great Valley. (By the way, Daniel Boone and his family traveled down this Great Valley.)It was 85 and very humid and my feet were killing me. And when I got to the road I found that the advertised Dairy Queen was not open. What a disappointment! However the truckstop was open. I took a two hour break in an airconditioned convenience store with a lunch booth. First I had a rootbeer float I made with a pint of vanilla ice cream and some root beer. Other hikers had already figured that was a good way to beat the heat and Dairy Queen disappointment and I agreed. Then I had a chicken teriyaki sanwich and then I had another pint of ice cream made into rootbeer float. That was dinner. Perfect!After 5:30 I left the cool of the store and headed out again on the trail. It was 10 degrees cooler but it still seemed hot. Grasshopper, Swamp Fox and Blue Sky and M&M and some others all stayed at a motel near the truckstop. They told me later that was a mistake as it was the filthiest place they ever saw. It got nothing but similar complaints from notes in the shelter register. Future hikers please take note. Don't stay at the Relax Inn in Groseclose.Tonight I am with 3 young guys, Sapra (a former Peace Corps Volunteer to Peru), Achilles and Tim. It was nice to chat with them. There was no water near this shelter but I "bathed" behind the shelter. It is amazing how much can get clean with one soapy bandana and one cup of water for rinsing. It still felt good to get "clean" before going to bed.It is late now. Time to sleep.
Date: 2007-05-11
From: Davis Path Shelter

To: Lick Creek
Miles today: 14.3

Today was a day of ups and downs. I was telling Kathy on the phone yesterday from the truck stop that I could pretty easily do 14 miles and get to camp by 3 or 4 in the afternoon. Today I have to eat my words. It depends on the miles. I was on the trail by 7:20 but did not get to camp until after 5:30 and I am plumb tuckered out.Partly it was the ups and downs of the day. Partly it was the heat - in the 90s. Partly it was a new blister on my big toe weeks after all blisters were a thing of the past. I was up early and left the three young men still asleep at the shelter when I left. The first 4 miles went by quickly and then I took a break at a stream and washed the clothes I had not been able to wash last night due to lack of water.Swamp Fox and Blue Sky caught up with me half way up the next hill and it was pleasant hiking with them as always. Then my feet started hurting and they went ahead as I had to start my routine of stopping to sit every half hour or so for a couple minutes to relieve the feet.We went through some farmland and pastureland today. I walked through a herd of cows, well, dairy steers, actually. There were some pretty views and a few pretty flowers too - phlox and lily of the valley. The Rhodies, Laurel and Azaelias were starting to bloom too. But it was really HOT! The heat just radiated up off the grass of the open pastureland.I caught up with Swamp Fox and Blue Sky for lunch under a tree and then I managed to get a thorn through my thermorest. NOT happiness. I also got a blister on the inside of my big toe. I was really struggling to the next shelter where I rested for a bit and put on some second skin. (Spenco second skin is the very best thing there is for blisters! It makes them comfortable right away!)I did finally make it to a lovely campsite near a large creek where Swamp Fox and Blue Sky and I were headed. I bathed and felt better. Swamp Fox even pumped water for me. He is a true gentleman.Tim caught up with us at the campsite and decided to hang out too. He is going all the way to Bland tomorrow and meeting his Dad and gettiing off the trail. We all enjoyed a campfire and conversation and now we are all in our tents. Tim has a hammock-tent. That seems to be gaining in popularity but I do not think it would be comfortable for me.Tomorrow we will be up early and off for another day on the AT.
Date: 2007-05-12
From: Lick Creek

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

It is my last night on the trail. I am here at Jenkins Shelter and it is only 11 miles or so to my pickup on the highway near Bland.I am a little sad as I think maybe Swamp Fox and Blue Sky and I miscommunicated or something as they are not here. Tim passed them and I did not so they must have gone down to Davis Farm campsite. I just hope they did not do so thinking I said that was where I was going.At any rate, M&M and Grasshopper are here and they too have been with me on much of the trail. I met M&M on my first night on the AT in the Smokies.Swamp Fox, Blue Sky, Tim and I all got up early today and were soon on the trail. After a little up and down we had a 2,000+ ft climb to the top of Chestnut Ridge. There were some wonderful views down into Burke Gardens from the shelter on the ridge, an old firecamp building, although the morning was hazy and the pictures probably won't come out well enough to do it justice.The four of us met up while hiking about 4 times for breaks and lunch during the day. Then Tim zoomed ahead and I had to do the frequent sit down thing for my feet and by the time I got to the shelter Tim was there but Swamp Fox and Blue Sky had disappeared.There was a lot of up and down ridge hiking today over big rocks. My feet were screaming by the time I got to the shelter. Usually resting off my feet for a couple minutes revives them for a bit but that last mile today nothing helped. They just screamed at me the whole way. But after resting and bathing and eating dinner I feel much better. There were pretty flowers today too, even some Ladyslippers. But there have been many less flowers ever since coming down from Mt Rogers and the Grayson Highlands.Tomorrow there are a couple of climbs and the rest is downhill. It will be sad to say goodby to trail friends and trail.
Date: 2007-05-13
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Bland, VA
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

I got up early as usual today, said good-by to M&M and Grasshopper and started down the trail. There were two climbs today as advertized but the trail was very nicely graded and even had a series of switchbacks. It seemed easy. Of course it did not stop my feet from hurting as usual but I controlled that pain pretty well with rests and percoset. I could not find a good lunch spot and just kept on going until only a half mile from the road where I was to be picked up.Then I sat down on a dirt road crossing in the shade and had a nice long lunch and rest. I had heard that Swamp Fox and Blue Sky were coming and I wanted to share a bit of food with them and also give them my last fuel canister since I was done with the trail. It was nice resting on my thermorest even if flat and saying good-by to hikers as they came out on the road.Swamp Fox and Blue Sky eventually did get there. They had gone down to Davis Farm campsite for water late yesterday and the site was so beautiful with such great views and the climb back up for half a mile seemed best to wait until morning. I am just glad I got to see them once more. Swamp Fox seems to like my jam so they finished that off and took pretty much anything I had left.As we were sitting there chatting, Linda Akers, my pick up person walked up as she heard I was sitting on the trail. We all got up together and walked the last half mile down a road. I took a few more pictures of a view.Linda volunteered to drive Swamp Fox and Blue Sky in to Bland too as they have a food drop at the post office they will have to get tomorrow (Monday). We all stopped at Dairy Queen across from the motel and I had a last milk shake for the trail. Then good-bys were said and I sang God's Family to them and climbed into the car and drove away with Linda.Linda is a wonderful woman and the drive both to her house and to Roanoke was longer than I thought. I really appreciate what you did in picking me up, Linda! I showered and became human and got into clean clothes I had sent to Linda. She also did my laundry so all my clothes would be clean going back. She drove me to Roanoke and we talked hiking on the way.After a Burger King dinner she left me at Shirley's house in Roanoke, one of her friends. The hospitality of both women was wonderful. They are true trail angels.
Date: 2007-05-15
From: Bland, VA

To: Puyallup, WA
Miles today: 0.0

Shirley fed me breakfast and lunch and we puttered around her yard in the morning raking leaves and whatnot. She used to hike the trail but her arthritis has made her stop hiking now. She is about 10 years older than me. Chatting with her was very interesting. She came up with a box for my pack so I did not have to do battle with the airlines about a pack with things tied on to it. That was very nice too.She took me to the airport and said good-by. And after a flight to Charlotte, and a flight to Atlanta and a flight to Seattle, my son picked me up and eventually I got home very late last night.So now my first 400 mile hike has come to an end. There are many things that call for my attention here. There are weeds to be pulled and the grass to be mowed and the rest of my garden to put in. There is Synod Assembly this weekend. I need to meet with Pastor Hang Mo whom I mentor and I am preaching this Sunday.The balls of my feet are still a bit swollen. I am rather jet-lagged and I found out I did loose about 8 pounds even if I ate like a horse the whole time. (I even had a wonderful guilt-free cinnabon in the Atlanta airport.) I will have to curb my hiker appitite though, or I will become two ton Tessie.My pictures are not as good as I wanted them to be but they will show the trip to me and others and bring back many memories. I wonder how all my friends of the trail are doing and many images of the last 34 days will float through my mind now and in the days to come. I wish them well and hope the trail continues to bring them both challenges and joy. Some I may see in the future when once again I will hike the AT for another 400 mile section.400 miles seems just the right length to me. Although I would have loved to go on, it was also good to get off. It was getting too hot for me and I do not really enjoy hiking in the heat. My allergies were kicking in more with all the grass going to seed and many things leafing out and growing. I will rest up and then go for my 400 mile hike in the Sierras in the late summer. I will try to do a journal for that trip too.As long as the body will hold up I will try to go on two 400 mile hikes a year. Who knows how long that will be. But while I can, I will hike and enjoy God's great creation and also those who also hike in it. Happy Trails to all!!
Date: 2018-10-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello to my trailjournals peeps. On September 8, 2017 I completed the Triple Crown of long distance hiking (Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail and Continental Divide Trail) as a long section hiker and aging adult at 76. The winter of 2017-2018 I wrote a book: Old Lady on the Trail. It is available on Amazon in Kindle or paperback. I hope you enjoy the read. I now also have a website: maryedavison.com.
Date: 2020-09-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

After completing the Triple Crown at 76 and writing Old Lady on the Trail, I didn¢t stop hiking or writing. I am now 79 and have walked on the American Discovery Trail (ADT) from the Atlantic Ocean to Nebraska and wrote another book: Aren¢t You Afraid? It is available on Amazon in Kindle or paperback. Come along with me to camp in the shadow of a pregnant camel, make new friends from strangers, and discover America. Along the way I reflect on fear and leaving fear behind: fear of strangers, fear while walking solo, fear of asking for what I need, fear of the unknown. On this walk half-way across America, as I leave fears behind, perhaps you will see ways to overcome your own.
Date: 2007-04-06
To: Atlanta
Miles today: 0.0

Ryan McMahon and I arrived yesterday in Atlanta. Ryan is from CT and I am from RI. We are friends from Plymouth State University, Class of 2006. We flew in from Boston after spending the night with my brother in Boston. Ryan's aunt picked us up at the airport and tomorrow morning is driving us to get on the trail to Springer Mountain.It is intimidating and exciting at the same time. We are anxious to get started.
Date: 2007-04-09
From: Stover Creek Shelter

To: Woody Gap Hostel
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This is Liz's mother, Nancy, piecing together short phone messages and some text messages. Liz and Ryan got a late start from Springer on Saturday and tented 4 miles into the AT. The next night they also tented but enjoyed the company and campfire on a father and daughter out for a few days. There was one other AT hiker camping with them. The following night they spent at the hostel at Woody Gap. What a deal! For their $15.00, they got a bed, linens, shower, breakfast and transportation to the PO to pick up their fisrt mail drop. Both Ryan and Liz were in great spirits.I am entering the miles from the last time I journaled because it seems that this web site assumes you will be making daily entires. They calculate total distince as a sum of the daily distance. So, they actually traveled 16 miles over 2 days or 8 miles a day.
Date: 2007-04-12
From: Sheep Rock Top

To: Unicoi Gap
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

I recieved a text message from Liz at 2:24 PM from Unicoi Gap, 50.5 miles from Springer. She said that she had rolled her ankle 2 days prior and had a blister on her pinky toe. They had covered 30 miles in 3 days so I have concluded that neither was debilitating.
Date: 2007-04-14
From: Addis Gap

To: Dicks Creek Gap/Hawassee, GA
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

We received a call from Liz as they were getting off the trail about 11:30 AM. It had not started raining but was getting to that point. They were hitching a ride on RT. 76 and our conversation was cut short because they had gotten a ride to town. (I am not sure what I thinking of the hitch hiking but Liz is very comfortable with it and is very happy she doesn't have to walk.) We heard from her an hour or so later and they had registered at the Hawassee Inn for the night. The Inn did their laundry and were very nice. Meanwhile, the storm was brewing. They had a buffet diner and got a good night sleep.
Date: 2007-04-15
From: Dicks Creek Gap/Hawassee, GA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Ryan's parents were traveling from CT (via Pittsburg) to Atlanta to visit Ryan's Aunt. They were arriving in Hawassee about noon. What perfect timing. Ryan and Liz were in a town, the weather was awful, and Ryan's parents were paaaing through. Good day to take off the trail. Tonight they are predicting possible snow! Liz said she is wearing long underwear, jacket, mittens and hat and it is still cold.Ryan's parents are driving them over to Blueberry Patch hostel to pick up their boxes. I hope there is not a problem since they have choosen to stay at the Inn for a second night.
Date: 2007-04-16
From: Dicks Creek Gap/Hawassee, GA

To: Standing Indian Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: few clouds

Liz's Mom again - Big day - Liz and Ryan crossed into North Carolina today! I had spoken to Liz and Ryan Monday morning and they were not sure if they were going to go 4.3 miles to Plumorchard Gap Shelter or 11.6 to Muskrat Creek Shelter. I was surprised to hear that they did 16.5 miles. They met up with Heather from Maine and Aaron from PA, and decided to push on with them. (Heather and Aaron want to be in Hot Springs for trail days 4/28.) They said it was evening and they were very tired by the time they arrived at the shelter.The wild life so far has been birds. No bears have been seen todate. There are many trilium on the trail.Liz's ankle is getting better. The swelling has gone down some. It is still cold at night but warm during the day. Liz's sleeping bag is doing a fine job at keeping her warm.
Date: 2007-04-17
From: Standing Indian Shelter

To: Big Spring Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: clear sky

Another long day. Ryan and Liz continued to hike with Heather and Aaron. By the way, Aaron is hiking to raise money for a cure for cancer. His web site is hikingforacure.com. He has a nice journal posted. Liz says that the terrain they are hiking is different than NE. There is no underbrush and so the woods seem much less dense. And for the past few days, the hiking has not been as strenuous as the White Mountains.
Date: 2007-04-18
From: Big Spring Shelter

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: clear sky

Liz and Ryan got to Rt. 64 about noon today. Rt. 64 crosses the AT at Winding Stair Gap 106.6 miles from Springer Mountain. People from the local Baptist Church were there (everyday apparantly) giving out pepsi, rice crispy bars, and candy. What a nice tradition. From there the got a ride to Franklin, NC and are staying the night at the Sapphire Inn which has a AT special rate which includes shuttle service. And tomorrow morning they will be shuttled back to the trail.They are making better time than I had thought so I am going to update the mail drop dates. We will be mailing 2 packages tomorrow priority mail and I hope they get to Fontana Dam before the kids do.