morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-14
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: US 19E, Roan Mtn, TN
Miles today: 15.8

It was hard to get going today (but I did). Opened the tent door to wind and the strong scent of pine in the air. Everything damp; a good chance for rain tonight. Crossed into Tennessee for keeps today at Doll Flats.At Carver's Gap I saw two ladies starting out of the parking lot; they caught up with me on top of Round Bald. They were mother and daughter--mother originally from South Korea--May Lynn and Lee Oswald from North Carolina. Mom want to thru-hike the AT. She gave me chocolate, apple, granola bar, and boiled egg.A middle school class on a field day came down the next bald. "Are you a thru-hiker? they asked. What is your trail name?" Met the teacher, Katy Sword, and one of her students, Jeremiah Baldwin. The class had a bus; they were taking some hikers, Ken and Preacher, back to Damascus.   I kept hiking; caught the Oswalds at Stan Murray Shelter. They shared their lunch of Korean food with me. Great food! I met Fly Boy and Keep the Change at this shelter. Continued hiking and reached US 19E at about 7:20 pm.Because of the threatening weather (100% chance of rain and flash flood watch), I looked for a place to stay. Found Mountain Harbour Hostel in the AT guidebook. Rooms above a horse barn--Me, On Purpose, Ghost, and Keep the Change shared the loft with 4 small beds.
Date: 2014-05-15
From: US 19E, Roan Mtn, TN

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

A Zero Day. Rained all day long, so used time to call Linda and the office. Spent a good amount of time on the porch; had some coffee and cookies. Mary, the hostel owner, is a great cook. Later went to town and ate at Bob's Dairy Restaurant (burger, fries, and vanilla shake), then went to a store for a few re-supply items. Shared a room at the hostel with Fly Boy.
Date: 2014-05-16
From: US 19E, Roan Mtn, TN

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I awoke with the sun trying to shine. Had a great breakfast at the main house with a young man named Tanner. It turns out he went to school in Lake Jackson, TX at the same high school as Laura (my son Daniel's girlfriend).   I hit the trail at about 9:10 am. It is a beautiful day to hike. Made it to Moreland Gap Shelter; three other hikers tenting. I am in the shelter by myself.   Not many hikers out now; they have all gone to Damascus for Trail Days. It is beginning to sleet; I can see my breath as I write.   Nutty weather...I made a good call yesterday by not hiking in the rain.
Date: 2014-05-17
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: broken clouds

Happy Birthday to Laura!Re-supplied today along the way at Black Bear Resort (appropriate considering what happens later!). 0.4 miles off the trail, and back. It is run by a nice family. Got some boudin sausage from Bob (the dad), who also gave me a tour of the place.A long hike today. I am in Watauga Lake Shelter with Ishmael. We hear crashing....two bear cubs and a momma bear ran through camp. They tried to climb the "bear pole" for our food; unsuccessful at first. Then 4 bears return; a little bear climbs the pole and tears down Ishmael's food bag (a metal mesh bag). We can hear the bears fighting over the food.   Little bear comes back and gets close to my bag; I can hear it ripping. Bears are not concerned about my whistle or the clacking trekking poles, just food.
Date: 2014-05-18
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: Vandeventer Shelter
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: clear sky

Got up to survey the damage from last night's bear excitement. A yearling had climbed the pole; got both of our bags. So we cleaned up the mess and packed it out. I was quite unhappy! Ishmael and I hiked 2 miles back to the road and hitched a ride back into town to the Dollar General to replace the food we had lost. We had lunch at Subway--a very good sandwich; then headed back to the trail. A guy who owns a hostel picked us up and gave us a lift.At Vandeventer Shelter with Ishmael and Leatherman. A little breeze, chilly. Leatherman smoked us out with his cooking fire. Hung our bear bags with a new sense of purpose this night.
Date: 2014-05-19
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: Campsite near Low Gap/US 421
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

Received Trail Magic today from a group of girls from a Baptist Church--soda and a pastry. We found/visited a monument to a man who lived in the forest. The stone marker read: "Lived Alone, Suffered Alone, Died Alone." I found this sad.A lot of walking today; trying to get to Damascus, where Ishmael's wife is going to meet him. Ishmael and I went a bit farther than we planned today....we wanted to stop at Double Springs Shelter, but there were just too many young hikers with their stuff spread out everywhere. I convinced Ishmael to push on and we found a campsite with Too Lumpy, a hiker from Michigan whom we met today.Weather okay. We hung our bear bags high in a tree down the trail.
Date: 2014-05-20
From: Campsite near Low Gap/US 421

To: Damascus
Miles today: 15.6

Pushed on to Damascus today and arrived there at about 6:00 p.m. I decided to stay at "The Place", a hostel run by the Methodist Church. $6.00 per night; hard wooden bunks. The caretaker was a hiker by the name of "Bayou". The rules included no pets, no smoking, no alcohol.   I had The Place to myself.....for awhile.Took a shower and went to eat with Ishmael at the Blue Blaze Cafe where we saw On Purpose. Both he and Chivo have been sick with the virus. When I returned to my modest lodging, Chivo had checked in and had the bunk above me.A lot of rules -- Lights Out at 10:00 p.m. (was one of those rules!).
Date: 2014-05-21
From: Damascus

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Ishmael's wife will be here today. We walked out to the Country Cafe for breakfast -- On Purpose shows up. Need to re-supply and re-gear today, so I get that done at the outfitters and the Dollar General. Ishmael then moves on to a Bed & Breakfast.I met a young man from the UK today who is riding his bicycle across the United States. Thomas and Simon from Germany move into The Place; Chivo moves out to a hostel. Dinner at the Blue Blaze--ran into Ishmael and his wife. Very nice people. I guess we missed the big party at Trail Days in Damascus -- I am glad.   I am looking forward to Linda catching up with me on the trail soon.
Date: 2014-05-22
From: Damascus

To: Campsite
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: moderate rain

Leaving Damascus, I stop at In The Country eatery and decide to sit outside. On Purpose stops by and talks; he crosses the road then Chivo is coming up the road. (Beginning to see these two a lot.) In this area the AT runs over the Virginia Creeper Trail.I met a hiker today named Katydid. But mostly I hiked alone today. I passed a shelter with a bunch of young kids--no hellos, nothing. I pushed on. I arrived at a campsite and there were On Purpose and Chivo so I decide to stay.Chivo is meeting his wife this weekend. I have made contact with Linda--she will arrive in Marion, VA on Saturday, May 24. Reservations at the Lincoln House B&B.
Date: 2014-05-23
From: Campsite

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: moderate rain

On Purpose and Chivo take off before me; I catch up with them before Grayson Highlands State Park. We hike together; it is raining a little. Grayson Park has a lot of Shetland ponies and cows roaming around, and some Longhorn steers as well. We pass through the Fat Man Squeeze. While stopped at a bench, two ponies approach looking for food. We obey the sign right in front of us that says, "Do not feed the ponies."Chivo takes off to the visitor's center to call his wife; On Purpose and I continue on to Wise Shelter. A tenter tells us there are some good camping spots a bit further up the trail, so we walk a little further and find a spot to make camp. It was a long day with plenty of rocks.
Date: 2014-05-24
From: Wise Shelter

To: Dickey Gap
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Nice camping last night--a little cool. We had been told of a meteor shower, but I did not see it. A troop of Boy Scouts came in during the night; On Purpose heard the tink-tink-tink of the tent stakes, but I did not hear anything.Oatmeal and Pop-Tarts for breakfast. I have to dry out my sleeping bag (moisture from breath and body) and also my tent footprint (ground cloth). On Purpose takes off before me. I tried to catch him all day, but could not find him. Called Linda on the top of Chestnut Flats and learn that her flight out of San Antonio was delayed for 6 hours. Since she won't be there to pick me up at Dickey Gap, she has made arrangements for my pick-up by our B&B people.I worked hard to get to the road on time. There is a couple there when I arrive--Canyon and Mrs. Canyon. They offer me trail mix which I cannot refuse. As I sit on the rail fence waiting for my ride, Mrs. Canyon also offers me their last Blue Moon beer....I explain I do not drink alcohol. Then a Jeep pulls up and "Sara" tells me she is my ride to the B&B. She and her son, Andy, have brought me a bag of treats that includes Gatorade! Refreshing! Sara is a 7th grade teacher; Andy is in the 6th grade. Sara's husband Jared is currently hiking the AT, just moving out of Vermont into New Hampshire.We arrive at the Lincoln House B&B in Marion, VA, and meet Betsy, the owner (Sara's mother). Very nice family; the B&B is beautiful. I highly recommend it! Linda finally arrives at about 9:15 pm. She is frazzled.
Date: 2014-05-25
From: Dickey Gap

To: Mt. Rogers Visitor Center
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: overcast clouds

So...the plan is for me to slack-pack while Linda is here. (Happy Dance)After Linda's late arrival last night, we got a late start this morning. Had a nice breakfast at the Lincoln House, and visited a bit with Betsy Sayers, the owner. Betsy is the great-granddaughter of the original owner of the house.Linda dropped me off at Dickey Gap at about 12:45 pm. As soon as she drove off, On Purpose comes out of the woods. Apparently we got onto different trails yesterday--I mistakenly took the horse trail and got ahead of him. No wonder I never saw him yesterday! Also met up with Bilbo at Dickey Gap; he is a nice young man I had met earlier on the trail. He had taken a weekend off to attend his sister's college graduation. On Purpose and I hike steadily today, arriving later than expected at Mt. Rogers Visitor Center. Linda is waiting across the road, enjoying Trail Magic from Blast (a 2012 thru-hiker) and his mother, Karen. They are grilling bratwurst, and have salad, chips, oranges, beef jerky packets to go. We missed the champagne!We take On Purpose to get a room at a motel in Marion, and there we find none other than Chivo and his wife, Dawn. At that point, Chivo and On Purpose declare it is fate that we are to hike together.On Purpose, Linda, and I have dinner at an Italian restaurant.
Date: 2014-05-26
From: Mt. Rogers Visitor Center

To: O'Lystery Pavilion
Miles today: 23.2

This is Linda and my 35th wedding anniversary. And a big hike day--the longest so far...23.2 miles. It is also Memorial Day. Linda is going to watch the parade in downtown Marion.Blast and Karen were still at the trail when Linda dropped us off. Although I had eaten a good breakfast, I still ate blueberry pancakes with them. Blast boiled some water for me to have a cup of coffee; the first 30 minutes I hiked with that cup of coffee -- never again!Saw two huge black snakes on the trail. I poked one with my trekking pole and he coiled up to strike; I then left him alone and he slithered off. The trail took us by the old Lindamood Schoolhouse. Encountered some Trail Magic--sodas, Reece's Peanut Butter Cups, Oreos. Very nice! The trail also passed through Atkins, VA, where we stopped at a gas station and bought Gatorade.Atop Walker Mountain, On Purpose saw a black bear. We were getting short on time to meet Linda; starting jogging downhill which was a mistake we later regretted (tired and sore legs). It was a long, winding drive from the O'Lystery Pavilion back to Marion.Linda and I had our "anniversary" dinner at Macados in Marion. Pretty good; too much food so took some back to the B&B.
Date: 2014-05-27
From: O'Lystery Pavilion

To: Walker Gap
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: light rain

This day we decided to have Linda drop us off at our "destination" -- Walker Gap -- and hike southbound back to the O'Lystery Pavilion. There was a light rain for about two hours. We got to see a lot of hikers heading north, and had to explain our slack-packing and why we were southbound now. It was a pretty uneventful hiking day; we were still quite tired from yesterday.Linda was there waiting for us at O'Lystery; she starting driving from the parking lot toward me and Chivo, when On Purpose was walking toward the car from the other direction. Got him excited for a moment as he thought he was being left behind...just a little trick on him.Got back to town, cleaned up, and we all went to the restaurant at Hungry Mother State Park where Linda treated us to a very nice dinner. We had an enjoyable evening; very nice young waitress.
Date: 2014-05-28
From: Walker Gap

To: Laurel Creek
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: broken clouds

Another uneventful hike. We heard thunder when we stopped for lunch; but when we hiked over the ridge we couldn't hear it anymore. We received Trail Magic at State Road VA 623 from a Lutheran Church -- jugs of water to refill our bottles.Hikers at Jenkins Shelter have the company of a dog that had been following them all day. Chivo wants to adopt it. Two young ladies say they will try to keep it around until tomorrow so that Chivo can buy a collar, leash, and dog food.On Purpose had cooled off in Laurel Creek; he is pretty worn out. We actually beat Linda to the pick-up destination today. When we got back to town and cleaned up, we all ate dinner together at Mi Puerto, a Mexican restaurant. We made the decision, with Chivo's lead, that we will take a ZERO tomorrow.
Date: 2014-05-29
From: Laurel Creek

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Linda will be leaving tomorrow. We had a leisurely breakfast at Lincoln House. It has been such a wonderful place to stay! We told Betsy as much, and we hope to be able to return to Marion again on a "regular" vacation and stay with her.I decided that I would get my hair cut, so we found a school of cosmetology downtown off of Main Street. All I can say is..."It's only hair; it will grow back!" We also went to a laundromat in order to wash my sleeping bag. Included in the wash was one set of clothing and my gaiters. After all was done, one gaiter had mysteriously disappeared. We search and searched, but I guess the theory of the sock-eating washer is true. Linda will order another pair and send them in a mail drop.We had an early dinner at Wolfe's BBQ, which was quite good. Then spent the remainder of the day getting everything together and packed up for tomorrow's return to the trail (for me) and Linda's flight home.
Date: 2014-05-30
From: Laurel Creek

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: light rain

Linda dropped us off at Laurel Creek and then she headed to Tri-Cities airport to return home. Long day today: 19 miles. The most eventful thing is we came across a bull snake that shook its tail in the leaves and sounded like a rattler. Scared Chivo...the snake coiled back and we gave it a wide berth. Saw Duck today for the first time since the Smokies; Deliberate has slowed down and is not with him. Camped in tent at the shelter. Not a good sleep for me--too much of a slope. Heard coyotes during the night; it sounds like they are all around us. There are several dogs in camp.
Date: 2014-05-31
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: clear sky

We hit the 600 mile mark today without too much excitement. Went off the trail .5 miles to Trent's Grocery. Had a microwave burger and waffle fries, and three bottles of Gatorade. Someone had dumped a dead animal right where we got off the trail--stunk to high heaven.On Purpose went to Dismal Falls--supposed to be a good swimming hole. When he catches back up with us all he can talk about is the overweight locals. He has pictures. Chivo and I are glad we didn't go.....Arrived at Wapiti Shelter...three guys from Georgia are there: Paul is a contractor, Treat is an architect, and Doc is a medical doctor. Another hiker, Turtle, doesn't look too good; he is having a hard time breathing.Set up my tent (found a good spot) and ate supper. There are caterpillars all over the place, and they are crawling onto my tent.
Date: 2014-06-01
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 7.2

Got up this morning and waited for the privy. Turtle comes out and I ask how he is doing; about the same he says. After breakfast, I am bagging my tent when I hear Doc talking on his cell phone to the 911 operator. Turtle is on his hands and knees near his hammock, pounding the ground with his fists. Doc has made the decision that Turtle needs to be evacuated. EMS is on the way--On Purpose and Chivo go down the hill to direct them. EMS arrives in a 4-wheel drive Kubota. EMTs pull out their equipment; EKG leader is attached. Oxygen content is 89. No one leaves the camp until Turtle is surrounded with help; he is having a cardiac event. Doc says probably a pulmonary embolism.Story of the Wapiti Shelter that we learn later: In the 1980's the shelter was located at another site. A man killed another man and a woman hiker. He shot the man; the woman was able to take his weapon from him, but the man used a large nail to stab the woman to death. He buried the bodies under the shelter. He was found out and sent to prison. When he got out of prison, he shot two fishermen, who lived. He was arrested; while waiting for trial, he died in jail. So the story goes....We arrive at Woods Hole Hostel, get a smoothie, and check into the bunkhouse. I try to sleep but the guy next to me snores like a chainsaw. On Purpose wanted to stop here for yoga and a massage. He gets the yoga, but not the massage.
Date: 2014-06-02
From: Woods Hole Hostel

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

Chivo is excited--he wants to get to Pearisburg to stay at a motel with a pool and a game room. He is actually giddy! On the trail, On Purpose and I encounter two day hikers. They offer us strawberries--delicious! They also have chocolate ice cream in a Thermos--a great idea. Close to Pearisburg, we come to a DQ so stop to eat. On Purpose gets a Flame Thrower burger (he later tells me he thought that meant it was cooked over an open flame)...tore him up.We walk to the motel only to find out they don't have any rooms. And, they have turned the game room into an open bay hikers' bed room. Chivo is crushed. We call the MacArthur Inn in Narrows, VA. They come to get us and a female hiker named Kate. On Purpose, Chivo, and I share a room. Terrible beds; mine squeaks all night. Again, very little sleep. We did our laundry and re-supplied at the local store.
Date: 2014-06-03
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Pine Swamp Shelter
Miles today: 19.7

Long, uphill hike out of town. While we are leaving town, we are waving at cars--some people wave back. It's a new path out of town. I read that it added 2.5 miles; I will have to find out for sure. We have an uneventful hike. When we get to the shelter, Pancho is there--a budding actor. We hike a little uphill beyond the privy and set up our tent (me) and hammocks (Chivo and OP). It's a warm, humid night with a chance of rain.
Date: 2014-06-04
From: Pine Swamp Shelter

To: Campsite past War Spur Shelter
Miles today: 13.6

We eat breakfast, strike camp, and walk down to the shelter. It begins to rain--we wait 20 minutes. Another uneventful hiking day. We see a small snake on one of our breaks, coming up out of a fire ring.We arrive at the campsite, set up camp, and eat. A lot of other hikers show up. It starts to rain while we are finishing supper; I throw all my gear into my tent. Man, we get a big thunderstorm and it rains most of the night. My tent performs well under the circumstances and I stay dry. Lightning flashes all night and I sleep well. Tomorrow, we are being picked up by Chivo's step-dad for some slackpacking.
Date: 2014-06-05
From: Campsite past War Spur Shelter

To: Footbridge, Sinking Creek, VA 42
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Quick breakfast of candy bars, granola bars, and Pop Tarts. My wet tent is strapped to the bottom of my pack. We have a steep uphill hike out of the campsite. Along the way, hikers are laying out their gear to dry. Crossing Sinking Creek, the water is flowing over the field. We have no choice but to wade right through it, and the water is ice-cold.We wait at the road for Chivo's step-dad, Hammerhead. When Hammerhead arrives, we go to Blacksburg, VA, home of Virginia Tech. We stay at the Days Inn and lay all of our gear on the grass to dry. We eat at the Waffle House, and then again at Ryan's Buffet.
Date: 2014-06-06
From: US 220, Daleville, VA

To: VA 311, Catawba, VA
Miles today: 19.8

Hammerhead drives us to Daleville, VA. We go to the Outdoor Trails outfitter, where my package from Linda is waiting. We hop ahead a bit this day and hike southbound from Daleville; the trail is pretty good. We run into a lot of northbounders who give us grief about slackpacking. We take pictures on McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs. Met a couple on McAfee--he is a pilot for US Air out of Roanoake; she is a school teacher. She got out of school by telling them she had a dental appointment. (!!Beautiful day for a skip!!)I developed a blister on the back of my left heel; I put duct tape on the spot, but the blister has burst. My blister was caused by the new Superfeet insoles I had put into my shoes. The insoles changed the dynamics of the shoe, and combined with the wear on the shoes after 600+ miles, a blister formed.We ate dinner at Texas Road House.
Date: 2014-06-07
From: VA 311, Catawba, VA

To: Footbridge, Trout Creek, VA 620
Miles today: 13.9

Hiking south again today. We tackle the Dragon Tooth Trail today...what a booger! Not much to see; another rock formation. Hangry and Doe had told us yesterday that this section of the AT was terrible. It was. I almost stepped on a 6 foot bull snake; scared me to death. And almost at the end of the day I stepped over another snake I never saw. On Purpose was behind me and jumped up in the air! I couldn't believe I stepped over the snake and never saw it. Hammer suggests we eat at The Home Place Restaurant -- all you can eat, family style. I am sent to ask how long the wait is. Man says 24 minutes; we are called in 5 minutes. Great waitress, great food; highly recommend. Back to the Days Inn.
Date: 2014-06-08
From: Footbridge, Sinking Creek, VA 42

To: Footbridge, Trout Creek, VA 620
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: clear sky

We are heading north again now. We pass the largest oak on the south AT -- 18 feet around, over 300 years old. Did not take any pictures..... We catch Honey Bun and her son Little Bun (Alex). It is a thousand foot climb out of the creek; big rocks on this part of the trail. On the last part of this section we climb Brush Mountain. We catch Pancho, who hikes with us for the ride to Catawba.The Audie Murphy monument is on this section of the AT. His plane crashed near the trail in 1971; he was only 46 years old. The monument needs a new Texas flag and I wonder if the Lytle VFW can work with the local VA VFW for a new one (?).We eat dinner at Cracker Barrel and move our lodging base to the Peaks of the Otter Lodge on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Date: 2014-06-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Zero Day.  We go to the outfitter in Daleville looking for shoes for me and On Purpose. Chivo washes our clothes at the Fire Department in Troutville. The outfitter does not have my shoes, but an outfitter in Roanoke does. So we go to Roanoake and I buy new shoes!!!After lunch we catch the Tom Cruise movie (don't bother to go see it). Get a banana split at the DQ, then return to the Lodge. It's nice; older but nice. I would re-visit.