morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-04-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 11.8

Back on the Trail after 2 zero days in Damascus. I am short of my target by 5 miles today. Rita and I spent to much time goodbying this morning. I was not on the Trail until noon. I enjoyed the days off and the time with her. I think these days off really help me to repair. The walking I did do today felt easy. I felt good energy. I switched out some warm heavy clothes for some lighter ones. I purchased a higher temperature (30 degree) sleeping bag. I do not need the 0 degree until later. The bag is lighter. So even with 5 days of food my pack is "light". I weighed 167 with summer street clothes. So maybe 162. So I have put some weight back on or maybe at least stabilized. It is okay, Mom. It was good to see a dozen or so hikers I know in Damasacus doing what I was doing. Everyone wanted to says hello and tell their stories. Damasacus was a happy time for everyone. SL
Date: 2009-05-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 16.2

It was a pretty walk today. The AT shared the Virginia Creeper bike path for a mile. It is a rail to trail path along a nice mountain creek. No one riding today as it was raining. The wild flowers were everywhere today. It was similar to walking through the produce section of Whole Foods or Wegmans. Everything was there and freshly misted. Simply beautiful for miles. The trout lilies get best in show. The woodland floor at times was covered in little yellow dots. I climbed 2000 ft earlier and 1000 ft later to get near the top of Mt. Rogers, the highest point in. VA. The shelter near there sits at the edge of a fur forest and has views over a bald area to the south. A very nice spot at an elevation of 5400 ft. I am glad I kept one warm top layer. Not summer yet up here. During the night the wind blew strongly from the south making mornful noises in the fur trees. The shelter facing north was a place of safety yet the wind sent nice shivers up my spine and I covered my head. I slept well. SL
Date: 2009-05-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 16.0

I am at the Hurricane Mtn shelter. My pedometer went over 500 miles today. Another milestone and more evidence I can make the journey. I did not want to get up this morning. The clouds had settled on Mt Rogers. It was raining and the wind was still blowing. Rational thinking became the victor and I set out in the mist and wind at 0830. The Grayson Highlands which I traversed were nice but no views due to the clouds. I did get to see many the wild ponies. One preceded me for several feet walking along the AT. Maybe some summer day I will visit again. I started thinking about celebrating the 500 as I approached the location on Pine Mtn. It was still raining enough to ruin lunch without shelter. Maybe a very big and bushy hemlock tree would do. Fairly soon I saw the natural shelter of a rock out cropping near the Trail. Cool! I celebrated with a prayer of thanks for shelter and safe travels and then had lunch. Peanut butter sandwich. Chicken sandwich. Nuts, cranberries, jerky. Powdered gatorade and water. I thought how wonderful it would be if the rain would stop to maintain a celebratory mood. While stuffing all in my back pack the rain stopped. The sun came out. I did not need my rain gear the remainder of the day. I am thankful for small blessings. The timing of this one was to the second. SL
Date: 2009-05-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 19.7

What a good morning to sleep. Raining softly. I imagine a good cup of coffee and a sweet roll and my favorite chair with the morning paper. What a delight that would be. I rolled out of my bag and after the normal routine hit the trail and the rain. It rained off and on all day. The forest is getting spring green. All the trees are showing growth at 3000 ft and below. The mayapple and the ferns were on parade taday. Each day the scenery is different. I must credit my Mom for my interest in these Spring walks. I remember as a youth she would take me to the woods and the creek to see all the Spring happenings. I guess it stuck. At 19.7 today is my longest mileage to date. The terrain is easier than earlier. I was also trying to make the Partnership shelter where there is a nearby phone to order pizza delivery. I was thinking of pizza all day. It helped pull me along. Swift welcomed me with extras which he gave me as I made it under the porch and shook the rain from my hat. It was the best welcome possible for a tired and wet traveler. SL
Date: 2009-05-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 11.8

Rain, rain, rain. If you have an inclination toward hiking the AT in Spring, take this test. Pick a week where the weather forcast is 5 days of rain out of 7. Pick rain gear, food and other selected items and stuff all in a bag. You must be able to carry the selected gear and food around the house 3 times without dropping any or resting. You and your gear must remain outside from 0800 to 1800. You can work in the yard, walk the streets or just sit but no cheating under the porch. Trees are okay. You can retire inside for the evening, but all food for the week must come from your bag and be prepared outside. Use of a porch for breakfast and dinner is acceptable especially if the blowing rain tends to keep the porch wet. Lunch cannot be under cover. You are allowed to drape wet clothes on lawn chairs or tables to dry during the night time, but outside on the porch. The same clothes must be worn during each day throughout the week long exercise. Hope for warm weather so the clothes are warm and wet rather than cold and wet for morning donning. If you are still having fun on day 7, you are a candidate for a Spring hike on the AT. I remember nothing of my hike today. Flowers or views or streams? Not sure if it was easy or hard. I think after a certain amount of water, a time wetness relationship, all cognitive brain function is lost. I am staying is a cheap hotel in Atkins, VA. The roof works and that is the primary requirement. Tom Hunt, my mental faculties returned briefly as the sun came out when I crossed your rail line. I took a picture. I had dinner with Single Speed and Swift from Maine. Nice to see my friend SS again as well as a new fellow hiker who told us about Maine, the objective for us all. SL
Date: 2009-05-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I am taking a zero today. Atkins is not a great place to do it. Actually I am 3 miles east of Atkins at an I-81 crossing. There is a B/L/D restaurant with pretty good home cooking. Fortunately hikers can eat about anything and call it good and they want everything cheap. Maybe I mis-spoke. This is a great place to zero. The restaurant staff are friendly and are familiar with hikers. I did some math today for the remainder of my trip. I need to get the miles up to 15 per day average when hiking until I reach NH. Then 11 per day. I still plan to sprinkle zeros in here and there. Rain today. Ha, I was dry. Rain tomorrow predicted. Wet again. Thursday may be dry. SL
Date: 2009-05-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.9

If Gene Kelly had been here he would have gone hoarse with hapiness singing in the rain. My start is without rain. The birds are happy. The world is green, green, green. The drops start coming pretty hard and pretty soon. The birds stopped singing in deference to the sodden spirits of the hikeers or maybe they are hoarse also. I sang aloud a different song today. "There's and old black cloud hanging over my head. I am down to my last buck. There's black cloud hanging on the AT. Ain't no such thing as good luck. The mistique of Appalachia? The spirit, the nature, and all. Gimme a house with a big screen TV. I'll take my long walk in the mall." To get the full sensation, go sing it in the shower with your clothes on. I tented by a stream for the night. The rain started again after I was situated in my tent. All my gear is under cover. I am amazed that I can be as comfortable as I am in such a wet environment. In a tent, all alone, the rain is coming down. Nice feeling, for now any way. After a rainy night a few years ago Chris Moore said "a little camping in the rain goes a long way.". A sunny Thursday would be fine with me, Chris. SL
Date: 2009-05-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.9

And the rains came in Biblical proportions. So did the lightning and thunder. My tent glowed orange with each strike. One was so close the crackle of the electric bolt was suffocated by the immediate clap of thunder. All this happened about 0400. I awoke at 0700 and put on damp clothes from yesterday except socks. I determined I deserved at least one article of dry clothing. A mile into my hike presents a stream too swollen to cross witout fording. After some weak attempts to make a foot log, I just wade across. My previous wet socks are now my dry socks. Later I have to ford again. I said the rain was Biblical. I was lucky to avoid a heavy down pour during a lunch break at an intermediate shelter. A lucky bit of timing. Later I made a good decision to tent short of my destination. Heavy clouds caused me to work fast, jump into my tent and just beat another down pour. Out of necessity I have learned to rig a clothes line for drying in my tent. I am not sure how many more of these rainy days I can handle in reasonable comfort. For the moment I am doing well. SL
Date: 2009-05-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 20.0

I am awakened early in the morning. Still dark. Not sure if it is the clearing ski with a full moon shining or the heavy breathing. There are volumes of air. Whatever it is is big and hairy and close aboard. I cannot see outside my tent so I say "Hey" in the lowest most irritated voice I can muster. The thing starts moving. Away from me. That is good. It is crashing through trees as it goes. It must be a monster. After a few moments of quiet I go outside. I shine my headlamp around. There are 2 sets of eyes down the hill looking at me. The eyes seem content to stay where they are so I go back to sleep. After daybreak I hear the same noise. I ease out the tent and see a cow 10 feet away eating grass. The monsters are bigger at night. The weather was sunny today. The terrain was gentle so I hiked 20 miles. I am tenting alone about 6 miles north of the I-77 crossing. As I finish all my chores and am safely in my tent, Rip and the boys are up there throwing strikes. The rain comes. I relax and enjoy the audio. Better than any theater. SL
Date: 2009-05-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 13.3

The walk was pretty easy today. I walked long yesterday to set up a short day to better enjoy burgers and pizza at Trent's Grocery. I had some of both and 3 twenty oz sodas. They have a place to shower and wash clothes among some pretty run down camping trailers. Most of them are wrapped in ragged blue tarps. My tent looks first class alongside. The best thing is that I am joined by Mr Ed and Low Weight from New Zealand. They provide me the history and description of their country at my request. We are just sitting next to this horse lot in the middle of a want to be but deserted camping village having a beer talking New Zealand. SL
Date: 2009-05-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 23.9

This is a double day entry. I hiked to Sugar Run gap yesterday and was picked up by Tank Commander Brown and Bulldog Bob. Riding in a car at 60 miles an hour is a scream. Like a Disney joy ride. Especially with Bulldog Bob driving. He has a beer and chips for me. Hard to beat that. Simple things seem so special, like kids playing basketball on a playground as we pass. I wanted to stop and just look at them play. The lawns of the homes are so manicured and pretty as we arrive at the home of Bob and Mae Hoover. There is a beautiful view of the mountains I will be hiking over the next few days. For now I can just relax in the luxury of their nice home and their graciousness. It is a good break for me. I did not recognize how much I needed it. Mae prepared a nice home cooked meal for us. Dorine joined Tank Commander on this trip and has goodies for me for Monday's hike with BD and TC. We hike 10 miles together today and shared some old times. We met some of my thru hiking friends as well as two women thru hikers. I introduce myself and Lindsay and Bob as Tank Commander and Bulldog Bob. The trail name for Bob is a new idea and somewhat foreign. After chatting with Yogi and Double Shot a bit, Yogi says, "Er ah Bulldog drop the Bob". I then knew my name for him was on target. Bob exclaims, "But my name is Bob." His exclaimation is lost in the laughter. As we come down a steep hill into Pearisburg Bulldog complains his "hammies" are quivering. I did not ask for further explaination. A nice pasta dinner and conversation rounds out the evening. I sleep in the second home of my walk for a second night. It is all very special beyond what they can know or I can express. Walking 600 miles just makes my perspective different somehow. Thanks Bob and Mae. SL
Date: 2009-05-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.8

The day's preparations included Bob's strong hot coffee and Mae's egg omlettes. They were great hosts. Hard to leave but there is walking to do. Tank Commander Brown drove me 25 miles to the trailhead and escorted me for the first 6 miles or so. We crossed the New River in Pearisburg and ascended to 3300 ft. TC and I said goodbye as the Trail took a sharp turn to the northeast on a ridgeline between WVa and VA. The wild geraniums were numerous and facing toward the sun. As I walked North they each greeted me. We agreed our circumstances were most fortunate. Many white trillium had turned to a nice pink with age. The flower show continued for 7 miles along the ridge where I tented for the evening. All chores were done in time to enjoy the sun setting over WVa. SL
Date: 2009-05-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 17.6

I was slow today but I made my objective. Not many flowers today. It is interesting how plants have their own desired spot to grow. I took an extra stop at Wind Rock 13 miles into my walk. It is at 4000 ft and offers a 180 degree view. There is nothing but trees as far as you can see. I found a spot with a good back rest and a place to stretch my legs. I celebrated with a snickers and water and just looked at the valley below and the ridge to the west. It is awsome to see such an expanse of trees. Matt and Sunset share a campsite with me. They cook over an open fire. First time I have seen that. I retire soon after dinner. I am tired. SL
Date: 2009-05-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 18.2

I felt strong today. I do not know why. I was able to do two climbs with good energy. I lunched at a 300 year old oak tree on the Trail. I admired it and wondered how it avoided the lumberman's axe. It is in a fence line. Perhaps two good neighbors in times past spared it because of regard for his friend. My track the last three days must look like the route of a tacking sailboat making way to the northeast. I have been walking along the ridge line to the northeast and then dropping down to the southeast into the valley and up the ridgeline to the east. I had great views to the east today. The mountain ridges look like giant green waves cresting toward me. The view was so nice I stopped and took it all in for 30 minutes. I will continue zig zagging to the next ridge to the east I suppose until I get to the one along the Blue ridge Parkway. I plan a 4 day visit to see my family, Rita and go to my 45th high school reunion when I get to Rock Fish gap. SL
Date: 2009-05-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.3

We had an awsome rain last night. I was safe in my trusty tent. What a work horse. I ran out of fuel just as supper was prepared last night. So this morning my two packages of oatmeal went into cold water. They hydrated pretty quickly. I just imagined it to be an oatmeal shake. I followed that with two pop tarts and I was off. A tough uphill eventually lead me to the monument marking the location where Audi Murphy died in a plane crash. Then back down the hill going east to the next ridge. Views from this ridge were awsome. The ridge walk was finished with a series of rocks the size of houses called dragons tooth. It is hand over foot descending in my case. The upheavel of these sedimentary rocks from a horizontal position to near vertical took earth moving forces eons ago. Quite dramatic. Today's flowers included rhodedendron, flame azelea, mountain laurel and pink lady's slipper. It took a lot of work but it was a good show. My supper was cooked over an open fire with the help of Sunset and Matt. Nice to have help out here and you have to be resourceful. SL
Date: 2009-05-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 11.7

What a day! It started with a descent through rhodedendron (I wish I had spell check) in full bloom among big gray bolders that something had thrown about like dice with gnarled short leaf pine added as greenery. I was walking through a beautifully randomly designed garden. Toward the bottom I met 6 VA Tech students from China. They wanted to know the distance to Mcafee Knob. I told them 4 miles and added "you are going the wrong direction". After some sorting we were walking together north. They were all physics students. Gray, I had my questions ready and having received only partial answers on our hike together I asked the guy in front of me from Hong Kong about gravity. "Why does it work? I mean what is it anyway?" He did not have a ready answer but said the Swiss are spending a lot of money trying to find out. He did agree the universe is expanding but at a decelerating rate. I liked that answer. Expanding at an accelerating rate is scary. He explaind there is a lot of anti-matter out there creating gravitational forces to keep the universe from flying apart. So there is a lot of important stuff that we cannot see that keeps us together. Hummm. Good for trail contemplation. Do all these "trails" which we think of a separate merge somewhere in the great distance? I wonder? The view from McAfee Knob is wonderous. A feeling of being on top of the world is not an adequate description. The views in VA so far have been worth the price of admission. I am camping just below the Knob. I am sharing the site with Vanessa and Andrew from Richmond. They boiled water for my dinner as I am out of fuel. Vanessa gave me 2 big chocolate chip cookies for dessert. Also some other snacks. They hope to see the sun rise at McAfee Knob. I hope it is clear for them. It is now raining hard. No worries. I am in my tent. There is no experience like being in a tent in the rain. It is exquisite. SL
Date: 2009-05-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.5

The views in VA continue to be spectacular. After a 5 mile walk I am at the Tinker Cliffs. This ridge line is at 3000 ft and the rock out-cropping goes for a half mile. There is no one spot as awsome as McAfee Knob but there are so many places where you have the view of the buzzards circling beyond my reach. The Trail goes dangerously close to the edge. I hug to the right as there is a long way down on the left. It is then a long trudge of 10 miles or so to Daleville. I am so ready for a shower and some clean clothes and some non-trail food. The trail teases by letting me see my destination 5 miles before getting there. Mud Slide and Pudgie Pie arrive with me at the Howard Johnson motel where I can remove the accumulated dirt of the last 6 days. SL
Date: 2009-05-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I decided to zero in Daleville today. I think my body needs a rest day. There are many hikers here. Rolling Stone, Highlander, Lonesome Road, Ironman, Freeze, Sunset, David the Scot, Single Speed, Tord to name a few. More I know and do not know. Some are arriving here to continue their journey having returned from Trail Days in Damascus. It is quite a chatter at the HoJo free breakfast. I mostly rested today. I did buy fuel and socks at the outfitter and resupplied my pack with food for 5 days. I had a good pork tenderloin dinner with Single Speed at the Three Pigs BBQ. Good meal and good conversation. I feel rested as I retire for the evening. SL
Date: 2009-05-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 18.5

I glided along on the good grease of Daleville today. Sometimes I wonder if the boiler is okay but am pleased to learn the stoker just needs more coal. My energy was high and the footing was smooth. Both made the day pretty easy. The mountain laurel won the show today. I kept taking pictures because the following section was prettier than the previous. I reached the Blue Ridge Parkway 14 miles into my day. I felt welcomed by it as it feels like home to me. I visited the Parkway many times from Charlottesville. At one of the AT/BRP crossings I met Matt. He has just completed 19,000 miles on his individual USA bicycle tour and is going for more. He asked me if I was hungry. Silly question. He gave me a half loaf of Panera bread. We ate and talked sharing our individual adventures. I am in the Bobblets Gap shelter with Single Speed tonight. The crowd in Daleville has scattered so we have the shelter alone. Very comfortable. SL
Date: 2009-05-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 18.3

Another sunny cool day. Perfect for hiking. The effort to survive turns into time to enjoy. Right away on a ridge at 2000 ft there is an abundance of spider wort along the Trail. I normally see this plant by low country streams. But there it is in quantity with varying colors. Blue to purple to lavender to pink. Quite a show. In this area I meet Footnote heading south. Turns out he has only 7 miles to go to complete his AT thru hike which he started in Maine last June. He is a happy hiker indeed. His story gives me encouragement. Single Speed and I stop for lunch by Jennings Creek where "our" 20 something gang has formed a kind of Gypsy commune along the bank. Scarlet, Newt, Leon with beagle, Hellbender,Work Stay, Repunzel and others. The girls are thumbing for rides to a nearby grocery then substituting the boys to make the run. Their scheme works quite well for they have beer cooling in the creek, hot dogs, chips, fruit and ice cream. SS and I benefit by being offered a cool beer for lunch. I also get a couple bites of the Ben and Jerrys from a common spoon as it is passed around. SS and I enjoy the show while having our lunch. Then it is on to a tough 2200 ft climb to end my day. I am congratulating myself on another 18 miler with a finishing hard climb at my shelter for the evening when Captain Max comes sauntering in. He has traversed the same climb at 76 years of age and complains that the pull was a little difficult. I guess I am not so tough after all. SL
Date: 2009-05-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 20.9

I am tenting 1 mile north of the James River having walked nearly 21 miles. I needed to do some extra in order to hit my target of Rock Fish Gap and Charlottesville by 5/27. The James River is quite a sight cutting through the mountains. I thought of its importance to the Virginia Colony to get farm goods produced well inland to the coast for sale. The bridge across the James is the longest foot only bridge on the AT. I celebrated as I crossed as it marked the end of a long day and a pretty sight to boot. SL
Date: 2009-05-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.0

There is a cool breeze as I sweat my way up and out of the James River Valley. My grandmother, Mama Jobe, was always thankful for cool summer breezes. We do not think of them or give thanks for them much anymore. Too bad I think. I have been reading the Book of Acts in the morning or before bed. Near Bland, VA, over 200 miles south, there was a trail magic ice chest full of gatorade. I was thankful and took a long drink. On top of the ice, carefully placed, was one brown New Testament in a ziploc bag. I left it. A couple days later I went off trail for food and tented at Trent's Grocery. In the fairly dilapidated trailer park I was the only soul. On a picnic table was a brown New Testament in a ziploc bag. I took it this time. I was sort of afraid not to. I have previously read the Book of Acts. It seems clearer and more meaningful this time around. SL