morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-04-28
From: Bland, VA

To: VA 606 (campground)
Miles today: 18.4

Starting at: Bland, VAEnding at: VA 606 (campground)Miles: 18.4Good day. The miles seemed to fly by. We found ourselves done with a long day at around 5:30 - that's an early quitting time for us lately. It helped that it stayed nice and cool throughout the afternoon, so we didn't have to take our usual siesta.It was beautiful today. Bright, clear blue skies. Everthing seemed green and growing. For the first time we were walking through waist high plants. Spotted several new varieties of flowers, and smelled some new smells. The dogwood is blooming, no less than spectacular. And there are these other blooming trees, with tiny white bell-shaped flowers tucked in with the leaves all along the length of every branch. When you walk by them, the smell is intoxicating and they are absolutely alive with the hum of bees.Ended the day at a campground just off a state highway with hot showers, right next to a small grocery store that cooks up burgers and such. Ah, the carnage of first and second dinner. You would be proud. The only thing that has us a little concerned is Sasha. Normally when we quit for the day she gets all perky and playful. But tonight she's acting kind of pissed off, like she doesn't want to have anything to do with us. We've really been cranking up the miles lately because we've fallen behind schedule, and it may be a little much for her. Arwen noticed at lunch she looks a little skinnier, so today we fed her pepperoni, cheese, extra soft dog food and vienna sausages (her new favorite). She's done so well out here; sure hope she hangs in there.Camera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net
Date: 2004-04-29
From: VA 606 (campground)

To: Pearisburg (motel)
Miles today: 0.0

Starting at: VA 606Ending at: Pearisburg (motel)Miles: 0Well today sucked. When we got up this morning it gradually became apparent that Sasha is in no condition to keep hiking. She seemed listless and tired. When we took a close look we found her back legs stiff and tight, unable to extend back hardly at all. Her back leg muscles are balled up tight. She's walking funny. And she has diarreah from the vienna sausages and pepperonies we fed her yesterday to fatten her up.At first we weren't sure what to do. We were still 24 miles outside Pearisburg. Didn't seem like she should be walking, even if we took it slow. We found out from a woman at Trents Grocery Store that there was a shuttle service in town, so we called the Holy Family Hostel in Pearisburg and Bill came and picked us up right away. We were checked into a hotel before noon.We talked over our options while we were waiting for our ride. It seemed to us that what Sasha needs is some rest, recovery, and then lower mileage days. The problem for us is that we don't have a choice on the mileage we're doing these days. We both made committments to our bosses to be back at work by September 1st. Even if things go great for us until then, it's going to be close. This time in Virginia is especially critical because it's some of the easiest terrain, and our best chance to do high milage daysSo we decided since we can't slow down Sasha needs to leave the trail. We could not call Jennifer because she was camping for the week. After thinking it through a bit we called my awesome and super duper wonderful uncle and aunt John and Pat in Asheville. They said Sasha could stay with them for a few weeks until Jennifer comes down for Trail Days!!We were going to rent a car and drive Sasha down to John and Pat but that idea went out the window. I walked a couple miles to the Ford dealer in Pearisburg that rents cars only to find out that I could only rent a car if I had comprehensive car insurance. We only have liability...I was very upset.Well my super duper awesome favorite uncle John drove all the way to Pearisburg to pick Sasha up for us...3 hours one way. Thank you soooooo much John!!!Sasha is off the trail and we will miss her, but in some ways it will make things a lot easier. We were carrying a lot of her gear for her and she needs a lot of special attention while hiking. But we really enjoyed walking over 500 miles with her.   I'm tired.... Camera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net
Date: 2004-04-30
From: Hwy 606 (slackpack)

To: Pearisburg (holy hostel)
Miles today: 23.9

Started at: Hwy 606 (slackpack)Ending at: Pearisburg (holy hostel)Miles: 23.9Well we needed to make up for the zero day we spent yesterday to get Sasha off the trail. We're trying to get to Waynesboro, VA by 5/14.The slackpack was good. Felt great to move so fast and be light on our toes. We did 16 miles by lunch! And we were done for the day by 6 pm.Today was a day of milestones: first day of hiking without Sasha, most miles in a day, passed the 600 mile mark, and tomorow is our 2-month trail anniversary.When we got into the hostel this evening, we found we'd caught up to most of our friends: Country, Ramblin Man, Satori, Camel, Flora, Fauna. We also met a ton of new people. Got a good town meal in us and even managed to waterproof our tarp before bed. Now for a good night's sleep. We have a long day planned for tomorrow - 19 miles - and no slackpack!Camera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net
Date: 2004-05-01
From: Pearisburg (holy hostel)

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Starting at: PearisburgEnding at: Pine Swamp Branch ShelterMiles: 19.6Long day. The trail seemed completely empty today. We didn't come across any other hikers all day except one day hiker with his dog (aw, Sasha we miss you). Had a nice lunch and a short nap, then a long rocky walk to camp.Guess our buddies back at the hostel decided to take it easy today. I think some were worried about the rain clouds looming. Rain is funny out here. Back in Houston we are quite familiar with the stuff. At any given moment, the skies may turn purple, black or green and the heavens may unleash their fury upon you. People in cars regularly get washed off of freeways in heavy rains there. Rain clouds in Houston don't **** around.In contrast, rain clouds out here are somewhat more coy. First they appear faintly in the distance. Then they darken. They hint at rain. They suggest. They imply. The wind may begin to pick up. Then the clouds seem to warn, to forebode, to threaten. Then... nothing. Then at some point a day and a half later, when you've convinced yourself that thse clouds are all bark and no bite, it happens. The skies open up and rain pours out like from a bucket. Rain gear, ha! Your only hope is that you happened to be passing by a shelter at the time. Only a roof will keep that water off you.So today, a lot of hinting and forboding from the clouds in the distance, but only a brief, refreshing sprinkle. -HeatherCan somebody do a little research for me about edema. Is it common for hikers to get it? Heather is periodically having a little edema (swelling) in her legs after a day of hiking. Tight sock liners were causing it for sure, but now it is happening maybe a couple times a week with seemingly no cause. I think her regular socks may be too tight also...we will get some new ones. Any ideas would be appreciated. -ArwenCamera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net
Date: 2004-05-02
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: light rain

Things that no longer phase an AT thru-hiker after 63 days on the trail:10. zits9. boogers - your own or other peoples'8. farts - neither sound nor smell7. that you and everything you own smells like vinegar from the delicate distillation of so many days' sweat and BO6. pulling a bright red asprin sized wad of ear wax out of your own ear5. rain...well sometimes that one can still bite4. pulling your shoe off to discover a blister the size of a sixth toe dangling off your pinky3. looking down at the picinic table during breakfast to see a mangled yet disturbingly recognizable severed roach leg next to your plate of oatmeal2. the daily realization that even though there is of course never a sink in the privy you are still eating with your hands1. the constant twanging of the ligaments in your legs at night, like someone is playing a mean banjoThings that do concern a thru hiker after 63 days in the woods:5. discovering an open bleeding wound the circumference of your pinky finger next to your dog's butt hole, and having no idea how it got there4. making it to the next privy in time3. when the knees be talkin, you be listenin2. the number of miles left to Katahdin divided by the number of days left till September 1st equals: holy crap! we better get moving1. running out if aqua mira two days from the nearest town...doh! Camera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net
Date: 2004-05-03
From: War Spur Shelter

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Starting at: War Spur ShelterEnding at: Niday ShelterMiles: 18.2[To all our faithful readers: It pains us to think that perhaps you have been checking back faithfully day after day for journal updates, only to discover with dismay that each day that passes we are yet another day behind in our entries. We won't make excuses. Perhaps we've been lazy. Perhaps we've been tired. Perhaps we've been distracted by the heat, the bugs, or the endless uphills. In any case, we intend to get after it and get caught up. So keep tuning in for more... -C1&C2]It was a pretty hike today, through rhododenron thickets and through rolling valleys. Saw the Keffer Oak, a huge 300-year old tree. After yesterday's short miles and long rest it was nice to get some miles in. It threatened rain all day, but we got to the shelter in plenty of time before it started coming down. When we got here we found Pez and LWOP cooking dinner. It's great to get to know a couple of hikers we've only met briefly or seen on TrailJournals. Camera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net
Date: 2004-05-04
From: Niday Shelter

To: Four Pines (hostel)
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: clear sky

Starting at: Niday ShelterEnding at: Four Pines (hostel)Miles: 15.9Today was a beautiful walk. Lately it seems we've been all business, cranking out miles as quick as we can. It was nice to take it a little slower today and enjoy the sites. We walked for a while along a high ridge in the warm sun, and I swear there must've been a dozen new kinds of flowers blooming. The most spectacular were the pink ladies' slippers. They look like nothing I've ever seen before. Then this afternoon we hiked Dragon's Tooth - an unxpected jutting rock formation that towers high above. We just hung out there for a while and took it in. Then we had a steep, hairy climb down the mountain and into 4 Pines Hostel, where we're enjoying pizza, beer and ice cream. Met a couple new hikers tonght: Roobi and Tarzan. And Satori hiked in this evening as well.We get up every day and do the miles. We smile everytime a beautiful vistaappears, but walk with blank faces for miles and miles in between...Camera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net
Date: 2004-05-05
From: Four Pines (hostel)

To: Lamberts Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Starting at: Four PinesEnding at: Lamberts Meadow ShelterMiles: 16.1Wow, another spectacular day. If only every day could hold sights like these. Then all that up would be worth it.Our first big up today brought us to McAfee Knob. It was a long, hot hike but well worth it. McAfee Knob is a shelf of rock, the highest point for many, many miles. It juts out into the air so that it gives you the feeling of being suspended high above the green valley below. Tinker Cliffs is visible across the valley from McAfee Knob, but to get there it's a long hike down and back up. Tinker Cliffs are cliffs of stone that wrap around the mountainside for a mile or two. You can walk along them, in fact the trail follows them. It's breathtaking to be hiking and standing so close to the edge of a mountain. It seemed like we could see forever.Then to top off such a great day, we roasted hot dogs in a fire at camp (4 each!). It doesn't get much better.Camera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net
Date: 2004-05-06
From: Lamberts Meadow Shelter

To: Daleville, VA (motel)
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Starting at: Lamberts Meadow ShelterEnding at: Daleville, VA (motel)Miles: 9.4It was a short hiking day into town, but the typical exhausting routine. All I wanted to do all afternoon was take a nap, but instead we were up till 1 am running errands and making calls. There's always so much that doesn't get done, it's amazing. It'll be nice to get back on the trail tomorrow and get back to some sanity.Camera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net
Date: 2004-05-07
From: Daleville, VA (motel)

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: few clouds

Starting at: Daleville, VAEnding at: Bobblets Gap ShelterMiles: 18.5[Yesterday we received the following email from Sasha. It was great to get an update from her on how she's feeling. We thought you might enjoy hearing from her too.]Hey Folks,I miss you, but I am feeling better. This place is GREAT! They have soft places to lie down (see attached photo, if you can), controlled temperatures, and another dog to play with. Actually, Fraser is kind of a nuisance, probably jealous of me cuz I get to lay on the furniture, but at least we get along. Mr. Horrocks made me eat some food today - he just wouldn't leave me alone until I did, so I finally gave in just to make him happy. But, actually, I feel a lot better now. And he gives me lots of yummy cheese, except it has stuff in it, little oval colored things.Yesterday, we went to that place where you took me and we saw that mean lady again [the vet]. I don't like it there - they're really obsessed with my butt - kinda weird, you know. Anyway, "Uncle John", as he prefers to be called, said he wouldn't take me there again if I just eat the little cheese balls he gives me. ok.Enough for now. I'm just gonna hang here for a while, cop some rays, read some books, etc. You guys can take a hike. And I'll see you at Trail Days.ruff love,SashaCamera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net
Date: 2004-05-08
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Starting at: Bobblets Gap ShelterEnding at: Cornelius Creek ShelterMiles: 18.3Today is a important day: our 5th wedding anniversary. So to celebrate we hiked 18 miles. No, just kidding. We hope to celebrate tomorrow at the Dutch Haus B&B in Montebello. Today was actally quite a sucky day. We like to finish our miles early so we have time to relax. Instead we hiked into the night, finished on a dreadful uphill and cooked in the dark. O well. Tomorrow will be a better day.In honor of our aniversary, I wrote the following poem for Arwen. Warning: some lines may be tainted with deliberate sentimentality and/or poor rhyming.Ode to the Man Who Brought Me Hot Dogs--------------------------------------Hiking the AT can be roughTo finish you've got to be toughIt helps when your manTakes ahold of your hand And says, "You can do it honey, you're buff."Whether I'm sweltering under the heat,Or bellyaching over my feetHe knows what to say,knows just the wayTo get me back to being upbeat.When I'm tired or hungry or down,When all I can do is frown,He sings a songOr dances alongOr reminds me of big meals in town.The other day I got grumpyBecause I was just so darn hungryHe knew just the trick:Cook hot dogs on a stickMmmm, they were juicy and meaty, not lumpyWith you I know I won't failThe miles have started to sailYou are a good manWho tells me "You can!"Whether at home or out on the trail.Today we've been married five yearsTo this I've gotta say "Cheers!"We've come a long waysSince back in the daysWhen we met over too many beers.Some things it seems do not changeThey cannot be derangedNow just as thenI love you without endAnd together we'll grow old and senile and strangeCamera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net
Date: 2004-05-09
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: VA 130 (Dutch Haus B&B)
Miles today: 19.9

Starting at: Cornelius Creek ShelterEnding at: VA 130 (Dutch Haus B&B)Miles: 19.9Well it was another long day but we were rewarded at the end with a hot meal and a proper roof over our heads.We had some beautiful hiking today. We walked through The Guillotine this morning, a unique rock formation reminiscent of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. It's two large boulders suspended over the trail (and your head) between two massive rocks. You can't help but wonder if the suspended boulders are gonna work their way loose and start rolling after you like in the movie. Thankfully this did not happen. At the end of the day we crossed the 710 foot Foot foot bridge. It's 710 feet long. It's a footbridge. And it's named for Thomas Foot, a long distance hiker. When we crossed the foot foot foot bridge, Earl of the Dutch Haus B&B was waiting for us. The plan is to stay there the next 2 days and slackpack. We are trying very hard to put in a lot of miles so we can get to Waynesboro before Trail Days. If we can do that then we'll only be 2 days behind schedule after Trail Days.The thing is, all these long miles can start to get you down after a while. One 18-20 mile day is not such a big deal, but 3 or 4 strung together can suck the smile right off your face. In order to get that many miles done in a day, your every activity has to be precisely calculated and orchestrated. You have to get up early, eat a fast breakfast, pack up quickly and get on the trail. You have to watch your pace carefully, not take too many breaks, and try to get 10 or more miles done by lunch. The same goes for the afternoon. The thing is you start to get real tired in the afternooon plus the heat is getting to you, so you want to take more breaks. But if you get to camp too late, you're hosed because you've got to collect water, cook, wash dishes, set up camp, brush teeth, *do your journal* and get your beauty sleep. If you don't get to bed on time one night it can throw you off all week.Do I sound like I'm whining? Sorry. These long days have kind of gotten me down today. It is so great to be a the Dutch Haus (even though we didn't get a private room tonight). She served barbecue chicken for dinner tonight and I literally almost shed a tear, I was so happy. I am also really proud of the progress we've been making. It feels good to know I'm capable of more than I thought. And it feels good to get back on schedule.Arwen is doing pretty good. He never seems to mind the miles. Except the new shoes he got in Daleville seem to be giving him trouble. His pinky toe has a blister on it so big it no longer looks like a toe. He calls it "shrapnel toe" because he says it looks like his pinky was hit by shrapnel.That's all for tonight.-C1Camera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net
Date: 2004-05-10
From: VA 130 (Dutch Haus B&B)

To: VA 60 (B&B)
Miles today: 21.1

Starting at: VA 130 (slackpacked)Ending at: VA 60 (B&B)Miles: 21.1So today was a pretty good day - certainly got lots of miles in. But we had to rush big time because we told Earl we'd be ready for him to pick us up after 9 hours. 9 hours! Are e idiots? That's a reasonable amount of time to finish 18 miles, but 21? Especially when you factor in lunch and breaks. We were hauling it towards the end of the day.Although we were rushed, today was a day of reunions with other hikers. It's amazing how many people are just within half a day's hike or so. Today we saw Nails and Dances with Scarf, DaveandMiranda, Dead Man Walking and LoveBug. We also saw Anna and Chris, a young couple we met in Damascus, who are hiking with their dog Bo. We sat and visited with them by the edge of a scenic stream while they cooked up balogne sandwiches. When we met them in Damascus, they hadn't yet taken a single zero day. They seemed a little tired and stressed. It was great to see them today, relaxing, enjoying a beautiful spot, with Bo in good health. Now we were the ones hurried and stressed. Funny.Tonight we enjoyed another great homecooked meal at the Dutch Haus, and we got our own private room. It even has its own bathroom! Quite a step up from midnight runs to the privy. Camera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net
Date: 2004-05-11
From: VA 60 (B&B)

To: Fish Hatchery Road (B&B)
Miles today: 16.3

Started at: VA60 (slackpacked)Ended at: Fish Hatchery Road (B&B)Miles: 16.3Well today didn't work out entirely as we planned. It was supposed to be an easy slackpack. Just 16 miles back t the b&b. Then we were going to hike out to the next shelter and hopefully still make it to Waynesboro by friday before Trail Days.Well, Arwen's new shoes are killing his feet. He's never been in this much pain on the trail. Four days of excruciating walking on heel blisters. Those are the worst because all your body weight and pack weight slams down on your heels with every step.So when we got back to the b&b we made the decision to head into Damascus early to get to the outfitter. At the moment we're in the middle of nowhere. This way we can get there early, get Arwen some shoes, have time to break them in, and give both of us a longer rest.Kind of a bummer that we've been working so hard to get to our goal of Wanesboro by TD, but now we're both looking forward to some much needed time off! The good thing is we have definitely gained some ground and are almost back in schedule. Camera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net
Date: 2004-05-12
From: Montebello 

To: Damascus (tent - Trail Days)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Started at: Montebello Ended at: Damascus (tent - Trail Days)Miles: 0Well we thought we were going to have to take a 5 hour bus ride from here to Abingdon and then hitch from there to Damascus, but we woke up to some good fortune this morning. Another couple staying at the Dutch Haus, Gucci & Pooch, was heading to Trail Days this morning and offered to let us stow away with them. Yay!Gucci and Pooch are a couple in their early 60's (at least Gucci is) who hiked the AT 2 years ago. They recently moved to Maine, whose beauty they extol enthusiastically. On the ride in Gucci taught Arwen everything he ever wanted to know about HAM (amateur radio) while talking to truckers from all sorts of places. They're a neat couple. When we got here we headed over to the Sidetrack and marvelled at all the hikers we don't know. It was great to see Nuffy, Grass, Uncle Ben, Cotton and of course Mountain Man once again. After getting some grub and some beer we headed over to "Tent City," a vast field where all the past, present and aspiring AT hikers gather. We had intended just to park our tent and then head back in to see what's going on tonight. But once we got set up we thought, "How 'bout a quick nap?" and now 3 hours later we can't move. Looks like that's it for us tonight!Camera 1 & Camera 2Heather & Arwenvaughan@pocketmail.comhttp://www.hobbithole.net