morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-06-04
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Va. Rt. 60 Buena Vista Va.
Miles today: 11.1

As I've said before, the day that I go into town always starts on a high note. It had rained through the night and into the early morning but by the time I left Punchbowl Shelter at 7:45 it had stopped. The temperature was warmer than I expected it to be but started my hike in rain gear.Spittfyre, Jim and I were the first to leave this morning and we leapfrogged several times before stopping at the Brown Mountain Creek Shelter for lunch where I finished the last of my food. A pack without food is a much lighter pack! I refilled my water from the creek and attempted to clean the orange mud from my boots that I had picked up in the mile or so before the shelter. It had been an exhausting climb in 3 inches of mud that was leftover from the storms the day before. I was really beat and eager to take my first zero day in 2 weeks.Spittfyre and I arrived at Rt. 60 and were lucky enough to get a hitch the 9 miles into Buena Vista within 15 minutes.My gear is spread all over the motel room drying, my laundry is done, and initial phone calls and e-mails completed. I had dinner in a Mexican restaurant with Night Fever, Sparky, and Groundhog; my first Mexican meal since starting the trail.Tomorrow I'll re-supply my food for the 4 days into Waynesboro, go to the P.O., the library (so I can see the new photos on my website--they look different than the 1 inch square ones I see on the back of the camera), and the florist. It'll be a busy day, but I won't be walking 10-20 miles so hopefully my feet will feel somewhat rested.Oh, and I'll probably sleep late since I'm still awake at 2am. I drank a huge glass of iced tea with my dinner tonight. My body isn't used to caffeine, and now I'm paying for it.
Date: 2003-06-05
From: Va. Rt. 60 Buena Vista Va.

To: Va. Rt. 60 Buena Vista Va.
Miles today: 0.0

I finally fell asleep around 4am this morning! No more caffeine for this hiker.When I awakened and saw that it was only 7:00 I couldn't believe it. I guess that ensures me of a good nights sleep tonight.Today I walked all over Buena Vista, a wonderful historic town that has some great architecture and wonderful people. I visited the gun and archery store and the hardware store looking for butane for my Helios lighter. I love this lighter, but have a tough time replacing the butane in it. I can't send the can up the trail to myself because it's flammable, so when I find fuel, I just fill up and put the rest in a hiker box for someone else to use. I had a wonderful lunch in an Italian restaurant that bakes their own rolls. After lunch I purchased 2 of the rolls to eat on the trail. The library let me use one of their computers for over an hour, I had my hair trimmed in a friendly salon, and met some nice people at the florist. Jack's 51st birthday is tomorrow and I wanted to send him a bouquet of spring flowers to liven up his office, as if Erin, Cara, Nikki and Lisa aren't lively enough! Then I went food shopping to re-supply my food bag for the 4 day walk into Waynesboro.A wonderful local man named Mr. Williams was kind enough to shuttle me the 8 miles to Wal-mart late this afternoon so that I could pick up an MP3 player. I'm at the point in my hike where I need music. I'll send it home with him when he comes next week to visit and hopefully, Jeff, our oldest will download 4 hours of my music and send it back to me real fast.It's been a good day off. The errands are all complete, my backpack is packed except for the food that's in the fridge, I've spoken with numerous family members, e-mailed numerous friends, and after I have something to eat I'll hit the sheets early because tomorrow morning I am expecting Mr. Williams at 8:30. He'll take me by the Post Office to mail my bounce box, then drop me back off at the trailhead 9.3 miles out of town.I should have one more day of nice weather before the next wave of storms hit Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Now there's a surprise, rain is expected!
Date: 2003-06-06
From: Va. Rt. 60 Buena Vista Va.

To: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: few clouds

I awakened at 4 this morning, remembered something else that I wanted Jack to bring to me next week and sent him another e-mail. I was back to sleep by 5, up for good at 7.Mr. Williams was picking me up at 8:30 to take me to the Post Office and then back to the trail.Today is Jack's 51st birthday but my 2 calls to work and one to his cell phone were unsuccessful in reaching him before I left the motel, so I left a birthday greeting on his voice mail.Mr. Williams was right on time and we had a great chat on the way. He left me at the trailhead at 9:15. The familiar creaking of my backpack was my only company as I hiked. I didn't see another soul until the overlook at Cold Mountain.It was there that I met a really nice group of day hikers from Lexington. I enjoyed answering their questions and asked them to visit my website on Trail Journals.I broke for lunch on the bald at the top of Cold Mountain. I removed my shoes and socks, spread out on my z-rest pad and after lathering on the sunscreen I did something that I haven't done in 7 years, since I was diagnosed with skin cancer; I basked in the noon day sun. I ate my lunch, journaled and just enjoyed the breeze and the heat of the sun with the beautiful Virginia countryside as my backdrop.An hour later I was off again, headed to the Seeley-Woodworth Shelter for the night.The afternoon was lovely, not a single cloud in the sky. The trail took me along fields and through woods. The Mountain Laurel here has not yet bloomed, but by this time next week it should be beautiful.Late in the afternoon I stopped at the North Fork of Piney River to relax and get water. The area was so enchanting; running water, huge boulders, large old shade trees and the smell of pine in the air.Soon after the river, I crossed the Elk Pond Branch and then arrived at the shelter at 5:45. I've been out here for so long that it feels like I'm going home at night. I love to hear happy voices coming from the shelters as I walk up and was not disappointed tonight. Princess Hoot and Go For It were already here, discussing what was to be for dinner.I had carried 2 wonderful large rolls from the Italian restaurant where I had lunch yesterday with the intention of sharing with whomever was at the shelter tonight. I ate mine with macaroni, cheese and tuna and they with stuffing and chicken. It was a meal suitable for a queen.By 7:30 I was tucked into my sleeping bag. The storms are due to start up again tonight, so the next 3 days into Waynesboro should be wet ones. But I don't care because I have a reservation at the Belle Hearth Bed and Breakfast on Monday night and Jack is due in on Tuesday.
Date: 2003-06-10
From: Waynesboro, Va

To: Waynesboro, Va
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Start: Waynesboro, VaDestination: Waynesboro, Va.Miles: Plenty, they just don't count!Slept in: Bed and BreakfastThis morning Jim made me a delicious breakfast of fresh fruit, omelets, and sausage with coffee and juice. I ate so much the I didn't eat lunch!I walked around Waynesboro's downtown, ducking into several of he shops. I visited the library and looked at the new pics that Nathan had put up for me. Disclaimer***Poor Nathan had so much trouble deciphering my handwriting this time, and all of the picture #s didn't line up with the titles that I sent, so disregard dates and names if they are wrong and just enjoy the photograph; I'll fix it when I return! I've instituted a new system for labeling the pictures which will make Nate very happy I'm sure. Bob, my journal transcriber from Maine is probably very happy now that I use pocketmail instead of sending him written journals to transcribe.At 2:30 I heard a car door below my bedroom window; Jack had finally arrived. I ran down the steps, out the door and we met in the middle of the sidewalk and just clung to each other. Boy, was it good to see him!
Date: 2003-06-11
From: Waynesboro, Va

To: Waynesboro, Va
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Jack and I enjoyed another of Jim's marvelous breakfasts: waffles and fruit with whipped cream, scrambled eggs with cheese, and bacon. We ate so much that we didn't eat again until 2:30 in the afternoon.We had a great conversation with Carolyn while we ate and shared some of the pictures that Jack had brought from home.After breakfast we headed out to get some coolers and treats; we were going to do some trail magic of our own today. First stop, Wal-mart. I picked up sodas, Gatoraid, candy bars and crackers. Jack had brought 2 bags of apples that we added to our stash. Next stop, the outfitter for my new tent. They had the MSR Zoid 1 in stock and I got it along with the footprint.Off we went up the Skyline drive. I wanted to go about 20 miles north, thinking that the people I knew would be in that area. We chose the ---parking area where the AT ran next to the lot and set up our coolers of goodies.Although we didn't see one thru-hiker today, we did meet a nice couple from London who were in America vacationing for 10 days, Kiltwalker and his wife, 2 fellows from Rhode Island, Norm and Nick that we talked to for a long time, and 2 section hikers out for a few days. At one point we had 8 people at once standing with us drinking cold sodas and talking. It was an enjoyable afternoon even though I didn't get to see any of my new AT buddies and introduce them to Jack.We picked numerous wood ticks off of us while we were there. I guess ticks are going to be a problem in the Shenandoah's and I'll have to spray myself daily.Jack and I drove north on the parkway and stopped for lunch before heading south and back to the Inn for the day.I spent an hour at the library and then took what was left of our trail magic over to the YMCA and offered it to the hikers there. Lion King, Buzz, and Stepenwolf were there and helped themselves to the coolers.It had been a good day and we settled in early for the night.
Date: 2003-06-12
From: Waynesboro, Va

To: Waynesboro, Va
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After another of Jim's delicious breakfasts Jack and I headed out to explore the innkeeper's antique store in downtown Waynesboro. From there we went to Staunton to experience their historic downtown and had lunch in a nice cafe' while we were there. We've had sunny warm days since I got to Waynesboro, nothing like the days that I hike!Since I have to leave Oz tomorrow, I organized my food bag and waterproofed my boots this afternoon. Tonight I'll pack my pack and get it all ready to go.We did trail magic out of the trunk of the car today. The Inn is between the P.O. and the YMCA (where many thru-hikers stay) so every time we saw a hiker go by, we offered sodas, apples and candy bars.Our stay in Waynesboro has been a good one; the people are nice and everything a hiker needs is within walking distance.Tomorrow Jack will take me back to the trail and then head north on the Skyline Drive. I won't see him again until I get to Carlisle, Pa. Maybe next time he'll bring my dogs........
Date: 2003-06-13
From: Waynesboro, Va

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Jack and I ate our last fantastic breakfast at the Belle Hearth Bed and Breakfast before packing up the car and heading out to the trail. The only way our stuff would fit in his car was with the top down, the cooler up behind the seats, and my pack on my lap. It's a good thing it wasn't raining. We headed to the visitors center in Rockfish Gap and offered sodas and candy bars to the hikers we met there.We said our teary eyed goodbyes and Jack drove off while I walked in the direction of the trail. I stopped to talk to another group of hikers and waved as Jack went by, then watched him drive off onto the Skyline Drive.Atwannabe was there giving out trail magic and waiting for her old friends Leapyear and Spunky to come into Waynesboro. I would loved to have waited to see Leapyear (who started with me) and Spunky but they weren't due for an hour so off I went, north on the AT. They will catch up to me soon enough!At the .3 mile mark, I signed the registration form for the Shenandoah National Park and attached the tag to my pack. I was now official.Today's hike was a short, fairly easy hike. Jack and I had talked about the area where I would cross the Skyline Drive, so when I got to Beagle Gap, I was disappointed not to see him there. However I did meet a wonderful day hiker that shared her cell phone with me so that I could try to reach him. I also met a couple from Freehold, NJ that were camping at Loft Meadow Campground. I really enjoyed their company as we walked up the mountain.I had a trail "hat trick" today, I saw a bear only 2-3 miles into my hike, on Bear Mountain. I also saw a copperhead snake on the trail (that I walked around) and in the rocks after the second tower I saw the most beautiful black and gray rattler. Wow, spring has finally come to the mountains.I arrived at the shelter early, right before the first rain, and met Pace and Woods. Pace helped me put up my new MSR Zoid 1 tent since he had been an REI employee before coming on the trail. It looks great, all of my gear fits in with me, and I'm looking forward to trying it out in tonight's expected storm.Right now, the sun is shining, and it's probably 75 degrees. This is the brightest it's been all day!The shelter has filled with 10 hikers, most of whom had intended to go the 13 miles to the next shelter, but the threat of storms is just too strong, so they will stay, make dinner and enjoy the company until tomorrow, when we'll all head north once again.Happy birthday Last minute Mark and Makoshiko!
Date: 2003-06-14
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I awakened, looked at my watch, and was surprised that I had slept until 7. I wanted to get out early this morning, and if everything co-operated, do 20 miles to the Loft Mountain Campground. They have showers, laundry and a camp store. The restaurant where Jack and I had lunch on Tuesday is right across the Parkway. I could have clean clothes, a clean body and a good meal all in one afternoon.I stuffed my sleeping bag into its sack, got dressed and happened to look down at my watch again. It was 6am, not 7am! I closed up my tent, laid my head on my clothes bag and tried to sleep for another half hour. That didn't work, so at 6:30 I got up for good. Two of the section hikers that had slept in the shelter were up and packing, so I didn't worry about waking anyone up.On my way out the .3 miles to the trail I stopped at the spring and topped off my water bottle. It was already warm at 7:30 so I knew that I would need it.The sun was shining and the birds singing as I hiked. I only saw one day hiker all morning, and talked to a real nice older couple at an overlook who told me to be careful.I never did stop for lunch today. The ticks are everywhere, so I didn't want to just sit down in the woods. There were no hikers around at the road crossings, so I didn't want to stop there. So I just ate every hour or so and occasionally rested on large rocks. I didn't see any snakes or bears today, but I did see a deer. It was just 10 feet from me and not the least bit afraid.The sun was very hot today and the air humid, so I was thankful for the SNP terrain. I ran out of water on the blue blaze trail to the Blackrock Hut at 2:15 this afternoon; any sooner would have been a disaster.My first stop was the spring so that I could get water and down 800mg. of ibuprofen. My feet had been aching badly for the last 7 miles, probably because of all the rocks.After eating and resting for a bit I made the decision to stay where I was for the night. It was so hot and humid,and the sky would darken, threaten rain, then go back to a bright sunny day. If I started out for the campground it would take me 3.5 hours and I just didn't want to get caught in a thunderstorm again.Sweaty, hot, dehydrated hikers came in all afternoon. Only 3 went on, probably because they had a dog and there was already one spending the night at the hut.The bugs here are horrible: wasps, bees, big black ants, gnats, they've all come out of the woodwork in this heat. I finally tired of swatting constantly and retired to my new tent at 7pm. The rain has begun so the temperature should go down soon.I'm dry and thanks to this tent will stay that way all night. The 3/4 length Thermarest is worth the added weight, I slept comfortably last night and expect that I will again tonight.The dawgs stopped complaining when I took the ibuprofen and got off of them for an hour, so they should be ready to go come morning. It's a good thing too because the next hut is 13 miles away.
Date: 2003-06-15
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Loft Mountain Campground
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: light rain

When I left camp this morning, it was already so hot and humid that when it started to rain a short time later, I didn't put on rain gear.I hiked the 7.4 miles to the campground, intending to do laundry, shower and eat, then head out to the next shelter about 7 miles away. But when I went up to the ranger station to use the phone, the mountain became shrouded in a cloud so thick that I couldn't see 10 feet in front of me. I had no idea where I was or where I had to go to get back onto the trail, so I got a tent site and by the time my tent was up--the cloud had lifted but it was pouring and the temperature had dropped 15 degrees.I went down to the camp store to do laundry and met up with Scubaman whom I hadn't seen since before Hiawassee. We had a great chat while he waited for relatives to arrive and I waited on laundry.On my walk back to the campsite several hours later, I met up with Atwanabe and Spunky who would be picking up Leapyear that evening from his slackpack. They too had a campsite nearby. I haven't seen Toby since March 16th, the day after we left Springer!I made a poor excuse for a fire tonight, and Scubaman and I talked for a long time about life on the trail and the people we have met. Leapyear and the girls still haven't stopped by, so it's off to bed for me. 9pm, wow it's a late one tonight!
Date: 2003-06-16
From: Loft Mountain Campground

To: Hightop Hut
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

Slept in: Night 4, my tent! In the pouring RAIN.Last night around 9:30 there was a headlamp shining on my tent and a voice saying, "Journey, it me--Toby". I threw on my rain gear, we blew on the fire, and talked for 2 hours. Toby, or Leapyear as he's known on the trail, looks great and is having the time of his life out here. It was the first time I'd seen him since March 17th at Neels Gap; I was coming in, he was on his way out. He and Spunky are a few miles behind me, but it won't take them long to catch up.I was awakened by the singing birds at 5:10 this morning, way to early for having gone to sleep at 11:30 the night before. I was able to go back to sleep before long and didn't get up until 7am.There was a light rain so I had to pack up a wet tent, but didn't notice the weight because of being down to 2 days of food from 4 1/2.I went down to the camp store to get a bottle of orange juice before I left, but they didn't open until 9am. I called Jack at work to check in and wish him a Happy Fathers Day, then headed for the trail. The rain had stopped and didn't start up again until I was just about to Pinefield Hut, my planned lunch stop for the day.I took out my Thermarest pad, removed my shoes, and had a relaxing lunch with several other hikers. We waited patiently for the rain to stop, and in 2 hours, it did so off we went.I hiked out with Scubaman and our conversation helped to make the hills easier and the miles shorter. I waited with him at the Ranger Station for his Mom who arrived an hour later to take him to the Big Meadow Campground where they already had a site. He'll be slackpacking tomorrow, so I'll probably see him again.I hiked the last 8 miles to the Hut (as they are called in the Shenandoah's) alone and at one point the woods were so foggy and creepy that I expected those flying monkeys from the Wizard of Oz to come out at me. They're not real, right?I pulled in at 6pm, late by my standards, especially on a miserable night. The rain held off long enough for me to set up my tent and get water. I can't ask for much more than that! My dinner was Mountain House Chili and a big cup of hot tea which really hit the spot on this cold night. I'm settled in my tent while the rain pours on me from above. I'm so conditioned to get wet when it rains, that I'm still a little antsy in the new tent. When I awaken dry again tomorrow, I think that I'll be cured of that.I expect sleep to come quickly tonight after last nights reunion and late hours. That's a good thing because I have more miles to put in again tomorrow.
Date: 2003-06-17
From: Hightop Hut

To: Lewis Campground
Miles today: 14.0

Last Night around 9:30 as I was just falling off to sleep, I heard someone say my name. It was Leapyear again! His partner Spunky had gone home for personal reasons and he was on his own for the first time in months and feeling a little sad. We talked for a few minutes and then Toby went to the shelter to get out of the rain and I went back to sleep.It had rained hard through the night and because I hadn't tied out the fly on my new tent, some of my things got wet, including my sleeping bag. Because my tent site was dirt instead of leaves or grass, the tent was covered in mud that had splashed on it and it was a bugger to take down and pack up in the rain.The deluge showed no signs of slacking up any, so at 8:15 Leapyear and I headed out onto the trail. We hiked together for over an hour, then he left me in his dust as he is expected in Gettysburg to see an old friend soon. I enjoyed him while he was around!It wasn't too bad all morning, raining constantly, heavy at times, but the winds hadn't picked up and the temperature hadn't dropped YET. When they did, it turned ugly. I was soaked to the bone by then, and couldn't expend enough energy to keep myself warm unless I was hiking uphill. There are few times on the trail when I have wished for up hills and this afternoon was one of them.When I got to the side trail to Lewis Campground, I went in search of warm lodging but the cabins were all full.....of hikers! While I drank a cup of hot coffee, a fellow from the Campstore called a shuttler for me and within the hour I was at the Big Meadows Lodge, standing in a hot shower. Thirty five minutes later I emerged from the shower a new, warmer woman. It can be very frightening to be wet and cold and know that your gear is soaked also. It's difficult to start a fire with wood that has been rained on for 3 months straight, and all you want is to be warm and dry. I feel so lucky to be able to go to a warm shower and bed when I feel the need. Many hikers can't.I draped my room at the lodge with wet gear: sleeping bag, tent, pack cover, clothes, boots, and pack. What a mess I had to deal with, but with the heaters cranked up, and everything in order, I went down for dinner and joined Corn Patch and Jane whom I had met earlier in the lodge foyer.I lined up a shuttle back to Lewis Campground where I had gotten of for 7:30 the next morning due to the weather report that looked much like today's. I would still be hiking, but would have a warm, dry room for tomorrow night too and all of my gear wouldn't have to get wet in the process.