morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-04-07
From: Elk Park

To: Highway 603
Miles today: 16.9

We ended up staying in Abington at a hotel because it was less driving to our slack pack area. The reason we left Lazy Fox was we thought we were going to Erwin, but there was a change in plans. It worked out better because our next stretch was going to be an easier route to the mountains. Today we started at Highway 600 and walked North. Before we started we left some fruit as trail magic. Except for older ladies walking together, we saw no hikers. The walk all day was beautiful as we walked through the Highlands. Rachel had walked this before. After about 3 hours of walking we came to 6 ponies standing by the trail. When I reached for my camera in my pocket one of them ran up to me because he thought I was reaching for some goodies. He was so aggresive that he knocked the camera out of my hand. I quickly recovered it and took a few pictures of the ponies. The one part of today's walk that was tough was some of the rock formations. They were hard on my feet. It was goat country and I am no goat. Much of today's walking was in the open pasture-like highlands. The wind blew so hard that we used one walking stick to keep our balance because the wind was trying to blow us over sideways. The wind kept us from stopping to thoroughly enjoy the surroundings. We waited until after we got down in the wooded areas and stopped for lunch. I enjoyed having a quick lunch with Rachel. Back on the trail I stopped at Wise shelter and signed the register. We finished the day off with a hard push the last few miles to get to our appointed rendevous with Marilyn and Elijah. It worked out perfect. Marilyn was just getting there and so we took a few pictures and helped Elijah with "Gooooo Lions." Did I mention he loves to make noise. It was the last night we were going to be together so we went to Bristol to Damon's. We were well excercised, well fed and all is well.
Date: 2006-04-08
From: Highway 603

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: light rain

I had an early breakfast at Cracker Barrel by myself and was off to Damascus. There I did my laundry, bought some new socks and picked up my mail. It was there I ran into Cedar Mo. He had to leave the trail more than two weeks ago with a leg swollen from a Recluse Spider bite. He was off the trail for ten days. I gave him a ride to the hostel caught him up on what I knew about Yatzee, Jolly Green Giant and Superman. After that it was back to the hotel to help everyone pack and get ready to head home. With the car packed away and ready we took care of some last details and went to get some breakfast for the family. From there we went to the trailhead at 603 for me to resume my thru hike alone. It was tough saying goodby to my family. They are my life. I will have to be sustained by the promise that I will see them in early May when I go to watch Rachel run the Flying Pigs marathon in Cincinnatti. It was late and I wanted to make a 16 mile day to a shelter. After futher study I found out later the most sensible shelter was 13 miles away. It was raining and the walk was nice and cool. It was just cool enough that I did not get hot. With my goal less aggressive I slowed down and took it easy. I arrived at Trimpi shelter at 4:30. There was no one there at the time. I had been doing the math on when Zama, lug, and Firefly had left Damascus and expected that it may be possible they would show up at the shelter tonight. About 6:30 they began to roll in. Even Tank made it. Zama and Lug led the effort to gather firewood (the shelter had a fireplace). It was great to have the fire because it was supposed to be a cold night. Now here we are, a group of hiking friends who did not know each other 5 weeks ago. The demands of the trail tend to pull people together in a strange friendship. I was glad they were all there, but I still miss my family.
Date: 2006-04-09
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: I-81 Budget Inn
Miles today: 22.2

It was cold last night. It is hard to believe I am in the south in April and freezing. It was hard to make myself get out of the sack. Las night it was hard to get to sleep. I have grown too use to soft beds. After a brief discussion about what lies ahead we decided to make lunch at the famous Partnership shelter. Is is an unusual shelter because it is next to the Mount Rogers visitor's center. Most shelters are a good distance from any road by design for safety reasons. But this shelter is near the road and the visitor's center has a phone. It is also close enough to a town to get pizza delivered. So we all ordered lunch for deliverly to the shelter. I ordered a medium pizza and a sub sandwich. The sub sandwich was for supper. So we got our pizzas and sat in the sun and felt human for a few minutes. During the day we ran into Braveheart. He is living up to his name. He has planters faciaites, which is quite painful. He was traveling with Messenger & Wise Panther. Wise is the father of Braveheart. It is the second father/son couple on the trail. I have noticed a real change in my walk on the trail. My body seems to be much stronger and mountains do not slow me down as much. Now the only thing limiting my miles is my feet. As they get tougher I anticipate stacking up a bunch of 20+ days. The bottoms are so tender at the end of the day that I can not stand to walk on them. The first hour in camp is spent getting my feet to stop hurting enough to do anything. I have also dropped some of my body weight, although I am not sure how much. This transformation is a large portion of why I am doing this. I am healthier than I have been since Air Force boot camp. On of my goal for this endeavor is realized. I have been told that for every hour that you walk you add an hour to your life. I believe it. I have already started working on when I will be able to see my family. May 7th for sure. My daughter Rachel and my daughter-in-law Marcia are running the the Flying Pigs marathon in Cincinnatti that day and I will be getting off of the trail to go and root them on. They have each done two other marathons and I would not miss being there. Tonight I went on past the shelter another 4 miles to I-81 to get to the motel. I had hopes of seeing the NASCAR race because I thought is was a night race, but I was wrong about the time. I usually watch the races with my son Garrett when I am home. I miss sharing that with him.
Date: 2006-04-10
From: I-81 Budget Inn

To: Knot Maul Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: clear sky

It was a crazy day today. I did not sleep well last night because I stayed up working on my journal and then could not go to sleep easily. I then got up early because Firefly and Scout were going to come in and take showers and do laundry. They showed up around 9:00 and took showers. They also started laundry and then we went to a restaurant for some breakfast while they waited for the washer to finish. Bacon, eggs, sausage, pancakes and toast beat nutrigrain bars and powdered milk. After breakfast we went back to the hotel. I got ansy waiting for them to finish their laundry and ended up leaving them to finish. Virginia is so much different than the other states that we have been in. There it seemed like it was just a big jumble of mountains everywhere with very little flat ground. But in Virginia there are ridges that run parallel with valleys in between that are green, rich farmland. It is beautiful. Today I walked for a long time in a green pasture, climbed over a ridge and hiked in an other green pasture. Some of the pastures and ridges we walked on were private property with Appalacian Trail easements. Apparently the government secures easements when it is impractical to purchase the land. In any event the AT is a congressionally authorized trail and has the right of eminent domain. It would be a shame to take over such beautiful land when it can have dual use. I was glad to see such cooperation. After crossing two more ridges we climbed up to the last ridge, where we would be staying the night. As usual the last couple of miles were unbearable and my body was still protesting because of the 22.2 mile day yesterday. Once at camp it was the usual six of Zama, Lug, Scout, Firefly, Tank and myself. I carried up from highway 81 a can of pop-in-fresh biscuits and scout carried a block of cheese. After the ussual Ramen and protein shake, Zama built a fire and we cooked the biscuits around a stick and stuffed them with cheese. It was a great treat around the fire. It was a great time as six people tried to share a moment and break up the boredom. It was another exhausting day. Bed time at 8:30.
Date: 2006-04-11
From: Knot Maul Shelter

To: Jenkins shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: scattered clouds

As usual I was the first out of camp. It was expected to be a hot day and I had a high climb so I wanted to get started early to beat the heat of the day. But to start it was a cold downhill for a while, but soon I got to the very high climb. By the time I got to the top of the hill I was glad I had started early. I walked the entire morning alone, because no one had caught up with me. I was moving quickly. Once I got to the top I walked along Chestnut ridge for a couple of miles to a stone, 4 sided shelter with a fireplace. Most shelters only have 3 sides and a roof, but this one was quite elaborate. I was short on water so I located the spring and collected water. About that time Firefly and Scout showed up, followed by Tank. The four of us sat out in the sun and took naps after a quick lunch. It was great to feel the sun. The view from the shelter over Burkes Garden was breathtaking. The locals call it the "thumbprint of God". I would have to concur. The view, the nap, and the shelter were to much for Tank to leave. He announced as we were leaving that he was going to stay and enjoy the whole experience. We understood, said our good byes and were off. It was extremely hot today and walking the ridge cooked the moisture out of us. Late in the afternoon Scout, Firefly and I were all short of water with no hope of getting any on top of the ridge. That is when we ran into a group that consisted of some locals who were rotary members and visitors from New Zeeland. The visitors were part of an exchange program with Rotary. We visited with them for a short time on the ridge and they offered to give us some pop and water at the truck. So we walked with them to their truck, got some drinks from their cooler and had a great visit with them. Once rehydrated we continued with the knowledge that we had only a few miles to go. At the shelter I did something that I have been doing when the opportunity is rigth. I take my sweat-stained shirt off and rinse it in a stream and use it to clean my upper body. It is not a shower, but it helps. Today I set my new tent up for the first time and sealed the seams. I am getting an itch for Pearisburg and town food. I am hoping that tommorow I can get to Bland and have a burger to tide me over. It is amazing how much we take for granted things like hot showers and the simple pleasure of a burger. This is a valuable part of the trail experience is learning to appreciate the simple things in life.
Date: 2006-04-12
From: Jenkins shelter

To: Stealth camp N of the Helvay Mills shelter
Miles today: 16.8

Today the gang would splinter more. Tank stayed behind at Chestnut ridge and Zama and Lug had to go to Bastien for a mail drop. Scout had a mail drop in Bland and I needed food. And Firefly had an itch to get to Pearisburg. So we were off on the trail for nine miles to the road that splits to Bland or Bastien. It was a very demanding hike today and my left foot was bothering me for the second day. I am afraid it may be tendonitis, but I am not really sure. I hope not because that just does not go away over night. Scout and I hitched a ride to Bland at the road, Zama and Lug went the other way to Bastien and Firefly pressed on at flank speed. In bland we ate at the only restaurant in town, a little corner of a gas station. I had a burger and a large salad. After that I made my trip to the store, visited with some locals who were quite inquisitive, and then Zama and Lug showed up from Bastien. There was no place to eat in Bastien and they also had a craving for town food so they caught a ride to Bland to eat and get organized. I think they may also have missed Scout and I. It was going to be a short mileage day, but at least I had food to get to Pearisburg. Once we were done in town we hitched a ride out to the trail. I still have not gotten use to hitchhiking. But backpackers have little choice. In this case Bland was several miles from the trail and we have a lot of walking to do as it is. We rely heavily on the help and generosity of the locals. It is part of the experience. I have not gotten a ride from anyone that I did not enjoy talking to and they seem to get a kick out of us strange people who spend all day walking in the mountains. Many of them have either hiked part of the trail or would like to. Once back on the trail it was a 4 mile hike to the next shelter. When we arrived I discovered that there was going to be a lot of people at the shelter and I still had a lot of leg left so I decided that I would move on and find a place to camp. Besides I now had sufficient food and was ready for the big push to Pearisburg. I needed to get there in time to get my bounce box so I could charge my camera battery and cell phone battery. I have been carrying my cell phone since Damascus to keep in touch with the office and my wife. I also plan to send home my winter sleeping bag and get my summer bag. I am 38 miles from Pearisburg and want to get there in 2 days if I possible. Tonight I called my wife for the second night in a row. That connection to home is essential to my morale. We refined the plans to meet in Cincinnati the day Rachel and Marcia run in the marathon. The plan is to take two days off the trail and drive to Cincinnati for the run and then get back to the trail. The thought of being with my sweetheart soon will sustain me. All is well and getting better!
Date: 2006-04-13
From: Stealth camp N of the Helvay Mills shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: light rain

Zama and Lug have decided to hang back because they can not leave Pearisburg till Monday. So Scout and I are off on a long day designed to get to Pearisburg by Friday night. This aggresive hiking has become more common for all of us. We have been told by the time we get to Damascus our days would get longer as we get stronger. Because there was no water at the place where we camped we were running low on water so we skipped breakfast until we can get to the next shelter and collect some water. So it was off to Jenny's Knob shelter, some spring water, and a solid breakfast. We were going to need it for the long day that was before us. After the shelter I crossed lickskillet gap. What is it about the south and licking. I have crossed several gaps, mountains, hollows and other obstacles that had some form of the name "lick" on it. If anyone can explain it please let me know in the guest book. Once across Lickskillet Hollow I climbed high up on a ridge and walked for what seemed forever. After that I came to a river with a cool suspension bridge over it. I used the river to rinse off my shirt and cool off. I ran into someone who told me that Firefly was way ahead of me. I was hoping to catch him at Highway 606 because he was leaving the trail there to get some groceries. The last few days I have been walking the tops of ridges. Today it was the valley, which meant I was walking along some intoxicating streams. The trail was fairly flat and that made the last 8 miles bearable. Scout caught up with me at the road and we leapfrogged the rest of the day. Once in camp I was dead on my feet. A quick supper and then Captain Kangaroo and his merry band showed up. Captain Kangaroo is from Australia and he has 5 other young people who travel with him. Tonight they are late getting into camp and it is quite noisy so I am going to sleep late. Tommorow means a long day followed by town food.
Date: 2006-04-14
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: moderate rain

With Pearisburg looming with a reasonable days hike by Friday night I spent most of the day mulling my options. My definite intention was to take Saturday off so I could be in Pearisburg on Sunday for Easter Services. With most of those two days off I was contemplating renting a car and driving home Friday night and returning Sunday after church. It would mean a 10 hour drive each way, but it would mean I could sit with my family in my church on Easter Sunday. For that to happen I needed to get into town by 3:00 so I could pick up my mail. That way I would be able to return late Sunday and be on the trail first thing Monday. I would also be able to get home at a reasonable hour. It did not work out that way. The 17 miles into Pearisburg took me until 4:30 and I was wipped. To drive when I was so tired was not a good idea. The descent into Pearisburg was dreadful. It was a 2500' descent in about 2 miles and I thought I was never going to get down. No matter how much I hike and no matter how good of shape I am in the ups and downs wear on you by the end of the day. Water had been an issue all day until just before I started down. There was a nice spring that I managed to get enough water out of. Once down Scout showed up soon after. There we found trail magic. Lockjaw's parents were there to see him that weekend and they brought food and drink for all the hikers. I had a pepsi and an apple, which hit the spot. Now I had enough fluid an nutrients to make a solid descision. I was not going to go home. Instead I checked into a hotel (Lockjaw's mom gave me a ride) and had a great supper consisting of a small pizza and a large salad. I wanted a quiet night to reflect, think and call my family. Scout went on to the Catholic Church, where they operate a hostel on a donation basis. Tomorrow will be a great day to relax and rest my poor feet. They have been good to me I have to be good to them.
Date: 2006-04-15
From: Pearisburg

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Yeah right! I thought I was going to give my feet a rest today. Shopping, post office twice, laundry, more shopping, and moving. And Pearisburg is spread out so I did a lot of walking. I decided to move from the hotel to the hostel for various reasons. So tonight I am in the hostel with Zama, Lug, Scout, and Firefly. There is also a very nice young girl whose trail name is Feather. Later Team Steve showed up and there is a guy named Mike who is not a thru hiker. Yesterday as I was walking the ridge there was a thunderstorm. It was Good Friday and the sky grew an errie black with thunder and lightning that shook the ground. It reminded me of the crucificion when the sky was black. That made me think about my walk for 5 months. At the end of 5 months of walking I will celebrate at Katahdin, likely with friends and family. I will certain do nothing spectacular like raise the dead or heal the sick. Jesus' ministry was a walking ministry. At the end of his walking tour he was executed. Back here in 2006. Today I bought some watermelon and Ice Cream for the gang, and we enjoy some great times. Tommorow Zama is going to make Brecky pie and we are going to have a real breakfast. This is too much. Clean clothes, showers, good hot food and fruit. How much can I guy stand?
Date: 2006-04-16
From: Pearisburg

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: broken clouds

New Friend. Team Steve and Feather. Feather got her name from her light weight pack. Team Steve is from Pennsylvania and Feather is from Atlanta. They are in the shelter with Scout, Firefly, and I. Zama and Lug had to stay behind and wait till the post office opened because there package did not come Saturday. I will miss having them in camp and hope they catch up soon. The day started with Zama and Lug cooking a great breakfast. I stayed in Pearisburg Saturday so I could go to church on Easter Sunday. So after breakfast I laid down to rest my tortured feet for a couple of hours. The guy who manages the hostel for the Catholic church came by to check on us and so I was able to snag a ride to the Pearisburg Baptist Church. I snuck in late at the back of the church after they had started. The people were friendly and I liked being there. After the service I slipped out quickly. I did because there is a certain smell hikers never get rid of. You can wash your clothes and take a shower and put your clean clothes on and you still stink. As I walked by the Episcapal church the poeple were just filing out so a friendly man flagged me down & insisted he give me a ride to the trail. Who was I to argue with a town council member. So he gave me a ride to the trail and it was back to work. Actually, with a late start I did not think I could make the shelter 18 miles out and there were severe thunderstorm warnings for tonight. I did not relish the thought of sleeping in a tent on top of a ridge at 4000' so I choose to stay at the nearest shelter, only about 7 miles out. Turns out the weatherman was wrong. The five of us watched a beautiful sunset and the ladies slept out cowboy (sleeping bag under the stars) and us guys slept in tents. Tommorow will be better.
Date: 2006-04-17
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Bailey's Gap shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: light rain

Last night I started out sleeping in my tent, as did Firefly. We were at the edge of a field that had tall grass and felt it would make a great cushion. The shelters are wooden floors. We no longer pay much attention to weathermen. Scout and Feather went cowboy. About 5:00 the thunder and lightning drove all of us in the shelter. I did not want to sleep on an open bald ridge with a tent that uses a metal hiking stick for a pole. I also did not want to pack and carry a wet tent. I was the last one in and beat the rain by about 10 seconds. And boy did it rain. Once in the shelter we discovered that Messenger and Braveheart had come in the middle of the night. In the morning we all slept in out of respect for the late arrivals, and because we felt like being lazy. By 8:30 we were all up and getting ready. Sometime in the morning the rain stopped. Today I had my first hot breakfast. I am now packing oatmeal and powdered milk instead of the nutrigrain bars. Again I was the first one out of camp. Soon after I was out of camp the thunder and lightning started again, followed by rain. I placed a call to my office while I walked. Soon Feather came up behind me and we walked together most of the morning. Firefly has told me he wants to be my son-in-law. But both of my daughters are married. I did inform him within earshot of Feather that I still am lacking one daughter-in-law. She got a kick out of that. Once I stopped for a snack she kept on moving to stay warm and I was back walking by myself. I was soon pased my the others when I had to stop and talk on the phone again. About 2:30 I arrived at a shelter, where Firefly, Team Steve, and Feather were resting. I dried off my feet and rested for a while. It had just stopped raining. By then I had traveled over 11 miles. But after a short rest I was off. With only 1 mile to go to the shelter we came to some trail magic. It was a cooler full of pop and containers full of ultra sweet treats. I passed on both because I had enough food and it was too much sugar with no nutrients. I did appreciate the thought, but the best trail magic is fresh fruit and other nutritious foods. Now we are at the shelter. We being Feather, Firefly, Team Steve, Scout, and I. Messenger has just arrived, but Braveheart was not so brave today. He wanted to stay dry so he stayed 4 miles back at the last shelter. Super and some social time and it is bed time. We are all cold and tired from walking all day in the rain. But rain is much need in Virginia right now. We do need to have water in the springs.