morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-06-10
From: Damascus, VA

To: Saunders shelter
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: light rain

We saw a fawn!!! It was so cute! It was so tiny! Bisbee sniffed it out about 15 feet from the trail and it ran around a little bleating and then right down the trail towards me. I was trying to get my camera out, but I was too slow. I could have reached out and caught it if I wouldn't have had my hands full. Then it passed me and Lexi and Chuck got a chance too, but missed. Bisbee finally left it alone and we moved on down the trail. Then we saw the mama! She was coming down the hill toward the baby. It was so cute! It was so awesome, I'm sure that was a once in a lifetime experience. Anyways, we had a great day, It poured for about 10 minutes, that's all. Lexi and I played a game a scavenger hunt and had a good time. Chuck overexerted himself again, but he's OK! We got to the shelter with plenty of time to cook up dinner and hang out. Lexi did cartwheels and backbends and backflips, climbed trees ran down to get water with the dogs. Guess she wasn't too wore out! Though it was hard to get her to wake up the next morning!
Date: 2005-06-11
From: Saunders shelter

To: Summit Cut
Miles today: 7.7

Yeah, try to get a 12 year old to get up early, NOT!!! I didn't really even try, if she needs the rest, she needs the rest. As long as she gets her miles in! We had a pretty easy day today except we found a snake on the trail. That kind of still freaks Lexi out. Otherwise, it was a good day, not too many bugs, no rain, good trails, and fine times. It's Lexi's turn for the computer so check out her site as Dog Tag. I'm still doing it!
Date: 2005-06-12
From: Summit Cut

To: Elk Garden
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: broken clouds

Slackpacking rocks! Uncle Chuck did the honors and delivered us back to Summit Cut for an easy day up and over White Top Mountain. It was uphill too, so we were really glad to have light packs. It was misty and kind of interesting like walking in the clouds. Lexi found another snake. This time a small brown one. Now I'm thinking the first one we saw was probably harmless like this one. Anyways, she's not nearly as freaked out now that Chuck explained how these ones are not venomous and don't bite! I don't know anything myself, just that I don't want to find one in MY sleeping bag! So, we got a little muddy, played a fun game of scavenger again and Lexi came up with some orange newt or salamander thing. She wanted to bring it home, but let it go about a half mile later so she could run and play in the meadow on top. That was definately the highlight of the day. The wind was blowing so hard I could hardly breath, the clouds were thick with moisture and the dog loved all of it! He ran and rolled and chased Lexi till she fell. That was funny, Lexi in all her Phoenix city girl style! So, Oh yeah, I almost forgot, I saw another deer! I'm still doing it!
Date: 2005-06-13
From: Elk Garden

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: light rain

We goofed around Damascus all morning doing laundry and such and finally started back on the trail about 3:00. It had been raining hard, but it was done by the time we got going. Chuck let Lexi walk his siberian husky and she fell on a slippery root sustaining quite a bruise on her left hip, but being a real trooper, she kept going. What a pleasant surprise when we arrived at the first bald! Several ponies and a foal. We took several photos and kept the dogs on leash. Bisbee was real curious as were the ponies. They sniffed at each other across the fence. But, we were tired, so we headed for the shelter. There were three people already there and at least 5 more coming. It had a loft so we were good! The wind was blowing and the fog was threatening to move in so I hurried to cook dinner. THEN it was the ponies moved in. It was cute at first, I took some video with Lexi's camcorder and lots of photos, then it became a game of keep the ponies away from the food. Bisbee learned quick to stay out from behind them and Kody too! They kept hid under the table. I eventually ended up standing on the table to eat my dinner! Then more hikers showed up, quite a few actually, the shelter filled up and tents started going up. I was glad to be in the shelter. Even though it's a lot harder than the hammock. I can just imagine the ponies chewing on it all night. They kept everyone awake licking the shelter floor and fighting amongst themselves. I got only a few hours sleep sometime during the night when they went away for a while. It was definately a unique experience! I'm still doing it!
Date: 2005-06-14
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: few clouds

The dawn's early light brought relief from the hard floor, the noise licking ponies and a kid and two dogs trying to sleep in the same space as I. It was a beautiful morning though. The ponies scored a shirt, some undershorts, the cork off somebody's poles, a hat, and a couple pair of shoes. The hikers scored ZERO! Well, anyways, it was a good choice to take our time through this beautiful section. We saw rock climbers, squeezed through FAT MAN SQUEEZE TUNNEL, pet more ponies, took lots of photos of the balds in bloom with flaming azaleas and rhododendrons. We ate lunch near a spring at Massie Gap and Chuck spotted a deer. Lexi and I went to explore and found another fawn! The sun did its work and we both ended up a little sunburned. But it was a most pleasant day to be on the trail. We arrived at Wise shelter pretty early, cooked dinner and met a couple southbounders on their way to Thomas Knob. We tried to warn them, but they pressed on! So, we took a nap under the trees and waited for the lightning bugs to light up! I'm still doing it!
Date: 2005-06-15
From: Wise Shelter

To: Fox Creek
Miles today: 7.6

Another bright shiny day, which is not necessarily a good thing for sunburns, but it sure is beautiful. The temps are great and the bugs are far and few between. Chuck says that the R&R is rocks and roots, though and not rest and relaxation! I have heard this is the most beautiful section in Virginia and I'm so glad it was good weather! Anyways, Lexi and I are having a great time. I have spent days singing every camp song I could remember, playing endless games of scavenger hunt, and now last night it was story telling around our imaginary campfire! Today we started a new diversion. She heard about a guy who lent his MP3 player to a girl that is now miles ahead of him. She wants to make money for one herself. So, she was thinking of ways to earn money. Her idea, Mind you, not mine, was to take a test at the end of her hike and get 10 dollars for every right answer. She's dreaming of course, but I made up practice questions for a couple hours as we walked along. Questions about hiking, gear, AT trivia, survival, animals, plants, you name it! It made us forget the pain of our sunburns, heavy packs, sore knees, ankles, and hips! Anyways, I'm still doing it!
Date: 2005-06-16
From: Fox Creek

To: Dickey Gap
Miles today: 8.5

Day of the Fawn! Today we started out just like any other day, (no day is like any other day) It was another beautiful day, though and just as we crossed the bridge into the woods, Bisbee broke loose and chased a little fawn down to the creek. Lexi and I ran down after him and broke up the battle. The fawn however didn't look to be doing too well. Lexi and I checked him over and he seemed to be OK except for a gash in his side. The organs didn't appear to be damaged so Lexi carried him back to the truck and I sewed up the gash. We put him back on the trail and he didn't move. Chuck thinks he died of fright. I don't know, but there was probably a lot more damage that we couldn't see. When we checked at the end of the day, the fawn was definately dead. It was real sad and Lexi is learning a lot about life and death on the AT. She's keeping a tighter reign on the dog, and learning about the responsibilities of owning a dog. I am finding there is a lot more to hiking the trail than just getting in the miles. We drove into Troutville to get lunch at the trading post. It was an interesting store. Half yard sale, half restaurant, half convenience store! There was a birthday party about to begin. The food was good though and we had peach cobler for desert. Then I drove to Sugar Grove for Diesel and water. We decided to park at the Mt Roger's Headquarters.
Date: 2005-06-17
From: Dickey Gap

To: VA 601 
Miles today: 10.5

Early in the morning, I went into the Visitor's center of the Mt. Rogers Headquarters and I mananged to find one of the items on the scavenger hunt! I pet a real bear! well, it was stuffed, but it was real, so I can cross that one off Lexi's crazy list! I bought another emergency poncho and got some VA maps, the Chuck drove us back to Dickey Gap to hike. The trail led through a farm and I managed to step in a big cow pie somehow. We explored an old schoolbus that someone had lived in and then met Chuck for lunch. He took us to the Sugar Grove Diner for hamburgers and milkshakes. We are loving these VA towns! Back on the trail, Lexi was starting to slow down. Her legs just refused to go! It took us like 6 hours to hike 5 miles or so it seemed. We were real glad to see chuck at the 601! Anyways, I'm still doing it!
Date: 2005-06-18
From: VA 601 

To: Gatlinburg, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Lexi's legs give out, so we took a break. Drove to Gatlinburg and checked out Ripley's Aquarium, The Believe it or not museum, and the Haunted House! Rode the trolley and more. I had told her how much fun the trail towns could be, and this looked like so much fun when I showed her the brochures at the visitor's center. It turned out to be a wonderful diversion. Chuck did not enjoy the traffic jam through Pigeon Forge though so he headed up to Newfound Gap to get some cool air. Lexi and I parked at the Trolley Stop on the north side of town and rode the 25 cent trolley to the aquarium, bought a 3 pack of tickets and entered the most awesome aquarium I've ever seen. It was jam packed with visitors, but we snaked our way through the seahorses and glowworms to get to the moving conveyor belt thingy that went under the shark tank. That was awesome! Huge hammerhead sharks, the saw heads, I don't remember all the names, but eels, rays, everything was swimming just inches from our heads! We pet the sting rays and ate icecream dots then we walked down through the town. That was an expensive walk with a twelve year old! Her dad told her not to come home with tattoos and belly rings, so of course for Father's day, we had to get tattoos! The airbrush artist even let us pose with the needle for full effect! We found the Believe it or not museum and saw wierd stuff like two headed calves and humans making funny faces. Yes, we did it too! they had a oneway mirror where the sign said "one in three have the gene to roll their tounge, are you one? so everyone stands in front of the mirror and makes funny faces trying to roll their tounge and then an hour later you find yourself at the end of the museum on the other side of the mirror laughing at the dummies trying to roll their tounge from the other side! It was hilarious! We laughed at ourselves all the way to the Haunted House! There, we met a man with no lower body or legs who asked Lexi to help him tie his shoes! The haunted house was great! They sprayed us with blood, chased us into each other and followed us with a chainsaw. When it was all over, we took the elevator down to the ground and when the door opened, there was the chainsaw dude! Anyways, we had a ball. We got some pizza and then drove up to Newfound gap to camp out in the cooler air. I'm still going to do it!
Date: 2005-06-19
From: Gatlinburg, TN

To: Bentonville, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Plans change quickly! I was planning to take Lexi to Dollywood today and called to postpone the Aqua Blaze for a week, but when I called in, The owner mentioned that the 3 blind mice, Linus, and Baby Steps were all going, I quickly changed plans. We ate breakfast at a pancake house and the drove towards Bentonville, VA to go "Aqua Blaze" the Shanendoah River. We got as far as the rest area just before exit 254 and went to sleep. The drive through Pigeon Forge is a real treat! NOT! Traffic was stop and go for over an hour I think. But, anyways, this should be fun! I'm still going to do it!
Date: 2005-06-20
From: Aqua Blaze 

To: Aqua Blaze 
Miles today: 0.0

Actually we paddled about 13 miles I think! But anyways, After finding the headquarters of Downriver Canoe Company, I sorted through our gear and we waited at the McDonalds in Shanendoah for everyone to gather. He had to go get the 3 mice from Elkton. We met Mustard seed and Swamp Donkey and ate breakfast then the van took us to the put in at mile 58 just below the dam. We repacked our gear into drybags and listened intently while the owner gave us the safety, what to expect, here's where all the dangerous things and the stores are located speech! Well, most of us were anyway. Some of us were putting on sunscreen, taking photos and catching up on news! It was wonderful to see the 3 mice again and I didn't even recognize baby steps! I felt so bad too. She recognized me right away! I'm just an idiot! Nate was there too. He goes by Timshel now. But he was in the Smokies with me too! I am so proud they are all still doing it! Lexi and I had to have help carrying our canoe to the put in. I was a little worried when he mentioned a couple hard portages, but we'll see! There were 14 of us, but two guys took off immediately and were never seen again. One of them was Lightning Rod and I guess they were going to try to do the whole 119 miles or something! So we had 5 other canoes besides ours. Moss and Sweep, Ziplock and Loon, Baby steps and Gravy, Linus and Timshel, Mustard Seed and Swamp Donkey. What a great bunch. I'm so glad we went this week! We soon found a rope swing and we watched as the group tried hillarious techniques to try to get the rope to the guys waiting on shore! Loon and Timshel both made amazing flops then Sweep tried from the canoe. What entertainment! We saw snakes in the water and water turtles. and we all bunched together for lunch like a floating party barge. Peanut butter and honey sandwiches turned out to be the staple of the trip. We found a perfect campsite about 12 to 13 miles later, complete with picnic tables, tire swing and a privy. I think it was compliments of a private family, but I'm not sure. We left it clean anyways. I cooked up some zucchini, mushrooms and carrots over rice, while Lexi ate mac and cheese. I'm sorry, but I thought the whole point was that the canoes can carry more weight, so I brought real food!!! Baby steps and Ziplock provided s'mores and Lexi discovered Gravy's ipod. We enjoyed the large two person tent and had a good nights sleep aside from the visit of a coon rummaging about in the canoes and chatting all night!
Date: 2005-06-21
From: Aqua Blaze

To: Aqua Blaze
Miles today: 0.0

First day of summer! I had heard that we were supposed to hike naked today, but I don't think anyone in our group thought it would be a good idea to canoe naked! I woke up early ahead of everyone, so I hooked up a fishing pole with a spiner and went out fishing in my canoe. The river was so calm and beautiful! I had no luck with fishing, but I did manage to throw out the spinner and watch as the line fed all the way off the reel. Oh well, I had two poles. We ate breakfast and headed off down the river. We had to portage to the right of a 24 foot dam. Everyone worked together and we got-r-done! Lexi put a pole in the river and caught a small bass just as we were taking out to get supplies at the campground. We walked up to the campstore to get water and ice. After hearing about the yucky taste from Mustard seeds filter, we decided to buy water for the week. It wasn't cheap though. There was only 1 gallon jug left after last weeks rush. I guess everyone had the same idea. We bought 15 dollars worth of 20 oz bottles (it was all they had left) and some ice and ice cream. Lexi dropped hers in the driveway, so she didn't get much! I heard last week there were some 23 boaters and that most of them only did like 25 miles. I have no doubt they had a great time! I enjoyed visiting with Mustard seed while Swamp donkey untangled Lexi's line time and again. We finished lunch and floated off again. We hooked up again for our party barge and then we tried making a train through the rapids. It worked OK, but it snaked around and the last two canoes got hung up between rocks! That was us! Anyways, Moss and Sweep got stuck a lot too! Mustard seed and Swamp Donkey left the group and went on ahead. Lexi and I tried to catch turtles for quite a while, but the only one she caught had two front legs missing. She named him Stumpy. It peed in the canoe so she set it loose at camp. We camped at a small rope swing around Egypt Bend (about mile 83) so I think we made 12 more miles or so. Moss found a metal rocking chair. Timshel adopted a dirty straggly dog. We roasted hotdogs and enjoyed the evening. I voted Baby Steps for survivor. She made an awesome fire! The dog kept trying to eat Ziplock's dinner. She pawed a hole in Sweeps tent! But she wouldn't touch the food Loon spilled on the ground. I guess Loon's trail food is getting old! Timshel climbed the rocks behind the camp and in general it was a pretty interesting day!
Date: 2005-06-22
From: Aqua Blaze 

To: Aqua Blaze 
Miles today: 0.0

We rode the SHORT BUS! After breaking camp, we had a hard portage over the dam. We carried the first canoe, then we paddled the rest right up to the dam and lifted them over the break. We managed to only break one bottle of beer and a cooler! Soon after that, we hung out where another stream joined the river, ate peanut butter sandwiches,then paddled on to Fort Stover. Along the way, we passed a whole bunch of kids in canoes. They were everywhere, going in circles. I saw an adult launch a squishy at one of the other adults and hit her square in the ear. We tried to get by and a few got hung up in the rocks trying to get around them, but it was pretty easy to keep ahead of them once we did. There was a sign on the river "Aqua Blaze" so we took our photos in front of the sign and walked up to the Fort. The owner said we could crash his place and bother him for a ride to town, but he wasn't home. We pet the dogs and cats then walked back to our canoes. We were quite dissappointed and had really looked forward to getting some more water, ice, and maybe an ice cream or something! According to our papers, there was a store about two or three miles down river and then a mile or so on the road. We headed there. (I think it was Bealer's Ferry) River mile 9 anyways, When we got there, all the kids caught up. They were taking out there for the day. I checked with the support team and they offered to bring their short bus back for us after they had delivered the kids! Wow! Now, we even have river angels! This was awesome! Even if I did give Dog Tag a bad time about riding the short bus! So anyways, George, the driver, came back for us in about half and hour and we all (except Loon) went into town about 4 or 5 miles. I was sure they had offered us a round trip ride, but a few were getting nervous thinking about the long walk back with heavy ice and whatnot! But of course, George was happy to give us a ride back. He wouldn't take any money, said he was being paid by the hour anyway. He has a home on the river or did have, and seemed to enjoy visiting with us. The store was small and we probably supplied the most business it had seen all week! But I got Dog Tag some more fishing line, ice, water, ice cream and some large zip locks for the big falls we were about to run! George took us back after some group photos in the short bus and we went on down the river. We found a small campsite near a rope swing. We had some help getting our tent set up just before it started to pour. Lexi and I ate a cold dinner and stayed in the tent till morning!
Date: 2005-06-23
From: Aqua Blaze

To: Aqua Blaze
Miles today: 0.0

Rope Swing Day! Yes, we all packed up and were about to head down the river when we saw the rope swing and decided not to leave it un swung. Loon and Timshel made a great display, both getting water up their noses, before I decided to try it. Wow! it was incredible! I even had time to plug my nose. The second time I biffed it good. Moss and Linus tried it, then we tried to coax Dog Tag for an hour before she allowed the rest of us to use the tree again! Sweep did an awesome job coaching, but to no avail, then she went shaky knees and all! It was a cool swing, best I've ever seen! And we did eventually decide to head on down the river. I didn't get good digital photos, because I had packed up good for the class II Compton Rapids. We found them a little less exciting than expected, but Moss and Sweep still had to bail water out of their canoe. We took a break and watched as the boyscouts dumped a couple canoes, then paddled the rest of the way to the last little obstacle. A 2 foot drop! We took out at a cow pasture just before it and debated where to set up tents. Some liked the pasture, some wanted to stay closer to the canoes. Eventually, all but Gravy moved up to the pasture. No cows in sight, we cooked dinner on some raised platform. Could be a butcher table for all we knew, but it was the right height and made cooking easier. Moss roasted marshmellows on the citronella torch. (Looked nasty to me). then we retired to the tent area. Dog Tag and I made a tent comparison and decided that Linus had the neatest two man tent and Sweep won the solo tent with her MSR Hubba. Even if it did have a duct tape hole from the dog! Somehow the conversation turned to the names for human waste and it's various forms. I was surprised to learn Dog Tag was the expert as her and some of her friends had looked up "Ghost Poop" on the internet! But anyways, we went to sleep eventually.
Date: 2005-06-24
From: Aqua Blaze

To: VA 601
Miles today: 0.0

Last day on the river. Planned to get up early to avoid the morning rush hour of the bovine kind. Sure enough, by the time we had our tents packed up, the cows came home! The last ones to break camp were nearly stared down by the lead bull. So, after picking up garbage strung around by some kind of varmit, we hit the river looking forward to the 2 foot drop, that once again proved to be just a little bit overdramatized! I enjoyed the pastoral views and the last little water fights before being met at the take out by Lost Yankee, Kody, and Bisbee. Since we weren't going to see Moss on his birthday, we had a tailgate party for him complete with margaritas. We drove back to our last stop on the AT via Walmart for some hot chicken and fresh fruit and the Flying J for laundry and showers. Ready to get hiking again tomorrow.