morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-14
From: Waynesboro, VA Ymca

To: BlackRock Hut, Va
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: clear sky

I woke up pretty early for me around 9pm and quickly called a trail angel named Sylvia who drove me into town back on Friday. She soon picked me up along with 2 other NOBO's named "Young~N~Dumb & DRE' ". I drank some coffee at the visitor center and got going. I was really excited. I registered for The Shenandoah National Park at the self-registration station on the AT. Now everyone has been telling me how easy the park trail were. I knew that was all relative, of course, to the rest of the AT. I was going to stop at every Skyline drive intersection with the AT to hopefully get some trail magic. So, I stopped at McCormick Gap with no luck. I then climbed up to Bear Den Mtn which had nice views and big balds. It also has alot of radar towers that warn of radiation hazards. I then went down to Beagle Gap where the Skyline drive meets the AT again. No luck here, either. Each time that I would stop. I would eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and drink alot of water to keep my energy up. 27 miles is a long way for me. I then got to the Calf Mtn Shelter. And to my surprise: there was "Tom, Dick, and Harry"! The were the 3 New Mexicans that I met at The Bryant Ridge Shelter. I could not believe they caught me! I quickly left and got down to Jarmen Gap. I ate another PB&J sandwich(#6). My feet were killing me again! I took some tylenol. It helped for about an hour as I climbed over Turk mtn. The trails are well groomed in the park and not at bad grades either; but, there are still rocks on the trail which were killing my feet! I walked into the night to around 11 pm crossing the Skyline drive several times and scaring up many deer along the way. The whole time, I was hoping to not run into any bears. I arrived to a full shelter and all the tent sites were full. I had to set my tent up on an awkward slope near the shelter(against park rules). I did sleep very well and warm. I also took two Ibuprofen.
Date: 2007-05-15
From: BlackRock Hut, Va

To: Pinefield Gap Shelter, Va
Miles today: 13.2

Alright, Alright, Alright.......as things go with me: I set a high goal of 4 days of 27 miles to get to Front Royal and on the first day out, I do a 21; so, I now have to do about 3 30's to get there. I woke up with the hope of still pulling this off! Even though my longest day so far is just 24 when I had the "mo" to keep me "mo"tivated! I woke up and got going pretty early for me; I left the shelter around 10pm. I ate alot; drank alot of water(as the water gets scarce from here); and drank alot of protein powder. I hiked a hot climb up to Blackrock. It was really pretty up here and an excellent place to drive right up to. If your too incapacitated to hike; come here and enjoy the view. Actually, you could drive the whole Skyline Drive and just be in awe all the time. I did the usual undulation that goes with the AT amid Bluets by the thousands lining the trail. I love the soft purple hue of these flowers. I got up to the Loft Mtn campground and much to my dismay the campground was closed! No trail magic, dang, I need some. I did wash out some of my clothes as I somehow went through Waynesboro and did not do my laundry. I have bathed often; but, I guess I did not notice my dirty clothes, until now. And according to "Snackbreak"; some men's body odor is attractive to her and other females. I think those are called pheramones. I ate and drank alot again. And yes, my feet are absolutely killing me. I did make it to the Pinefield Gap Shelter. For 3 miles before the shelter; I noticed that ever tree had been snapped off at the top. According to the locals, it is due to a big ice storm from November 2006. Im glad that I was not around then because they would have been falling all over the trail. When I got to the shelter; I decided to stay. I just could not handle any pounding on my feet. As I layed there that night, I had to re-group. I had to remember that I still had about 1250 miles to go and if I trashed my bones in my feet, I would not make it to Katahdin. I decided to give up an Front Royal and hitch-hike back to waynesboro to e-mail my friend that was coming to pick me up for trail days. I did not have her phone #; so, I had to get to an internet connection before Thursday night. And I dont know where one is north of here. And I am a guy that likes a sure thing. ANd the sure thing was that I could hike along the parkway 33 miles back to Waynesboro in 2 days or get a ride along the parkway. Oh, I am so good at rationalizing and intellectualizing when it makes life easier for me
Date: 2007-05-16
From: Pinefield Gap Shelter, Va

To: Blackrock Hut, Va
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

Alright I woke up and was getting ready to go and several thru hikers came into the shelter:"ranger, lost(female), trips, one of the riders on the storm". When Ranger came in; I told him my situation and told him that last night; "I had to see what condition, my condition was in!" After I evaluated his feet and saw that he had to lance a major infected blister on his right pinky toe; I knew that I was making the right chice of taking it easy. He did actually lance the thing in front of all of us....yuck. A bunch of gooey, red puss, came out. He said that I had ministered to him about taking it easy and he was going to stop here after only doing 13 miles. I said it is along way to Maine! Now, I thought that I would go up to the Skyline drive and get a ride right away. Nope, I walked 13 miles in the rain back to the Blacktop Rock where I saw the 3 sobo section hikers who were at the Pinefield hut. I told them what had happened and that I had 20 miles along the Parkway tomorrow. They gave me 2 tylenol Pm's and was soon in La, LA land........Before I went to sleep; I pondered why I did not get a ride. I think due to the rain; people did not want to get their cars wet inside. Also, I think alot of people did not know I was a thru hiker. I guess they thought I was a drifter. I hoped for better luck tomorrow.
Date: 2007-05-17
From: Blackrock Hut, Va

To: Waynesboro Ymca
Miles today: 3.0

I woke up and had a long conversation with "johnny mudd" and "Katerpillar"(both NOBOS). I like them, they are going to trail days. Johnny mudd sounds like Norm McDonald and I tried to get him to do Norm Macdonalds impression of Burt Reynolds on SNL trying out to be Darth Vader on Star Wars.(chewing gum as Burt Reynolds does)"uh...luke.....Im your father". He wouldnt do it. I told them my situation and trying to get to trail days. Johnny said, "you think too much." He is right. When trail days is over, Im going back to being my good old fashioned "Zero". Type B personality and taking my time and enjoying my hike; even more than I am. I will probably never be able to do it again? I got going and with in three miles; I got a ride from an hispanic college student named Lorena who was driving to Arizona via the National Parks. She said that she knew it was dangerous to pick up hitch hikers; but, she saw my legs and the big hill that I was going up and up and felt compelled to give me a ride. I told her that I was so thankful. I had to ride with my pack in my lap because her car was so full of her belongings. She dropped me off at the visitor center and I got a ride with a trail angel named Tom Brown. He was cool. He dropped me off at the library and I have been here ever since updating my journal.
Date: 2007-05-21
From: Pinefield Hut, VA

To: South River Fire Road
Miles today: 15.8

Woke up and broke one of my hiking poles. I collapsed them when I went to trail days. the first time on the whole trip. Never do it, with wall mart poles. I actually get alot of compliments on my poles; their condition, I take good care of them. Thank Goodness that "BIG" is somewhat of a gadget guy. He fixed them with using a stove and some tape. I was very happy. Hiking without poles would have been very difficult for me at this point. I would have cut a sappling down for a pole. Anyway, I got going. It felt great to be back on the trail! My feet did not hurt; my mind was clear; I was hiking with the power of steak and pork; and I felt no ill effects of my libationary lifestyle. I finally noticed how easy the trails are in the SNP. I took my time and ate everytime I stopped and drank some of "The Kool Aid that I was Packin'" As I walked: I thought about a comment left on my guest page, "Pride comes before the fall. You better watch out." Ok from my years of public life; I have learned that anonymous comments are best ignored as they are made by people without the character or confidence to be open, honest, direct, and respectful(the steps to building intimacy). Anyway, on the trail; things run through my head w/o even trying. So, Pride.....Yes, Im prideful; I think I deserve this...yeah Im the man! Just kidding; but, I think that my friends would say that I am a magnanimous individual. And I have fallen more times than most people have stood up. It is not about falling "grasshopper", it is about getting up. The good thing about me is "when I think about giving up; I believe losing has just become a way of life for me; and losing wouldnt be so bad at all; except I am always on a mountain when I fall!"(Merle Haggard) So, "when you are ready to snatch the peeble from my hand," come on out and identify yourself. Are you trying to help me or bring me down. Only my dad and several other people; have enough respect in my eyes, for me to listen to precautionary comments. Ill just keep pluggin'.......There is something going on with me right now, though. And it is very good! I feel charmed; lucky; rolling 7's and 11's; "living the life of Riley"; Zenful; watched over; filled with a joy that the holy spirit gives. And I am getting alittle welled up here....it's about time, im being blessed..ok gotta go........
Date: 2007-05-22
From: South River Fire Road

To: Big Meadows Campgound, VA
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: clear sky

Woke up after stopping at a fire road that went down to the south river falls. I tought about going down the 1.5 mile trip with a 1000 foot drop; but, I have been eating so much that I think that I am going to run out of food before I get to Harper's Ferry. So I have to stay on the AT. Had a great day hiking with no foot pain and alot of nice hazy views into the valleys. Alot of bugs coming out now. People are complaining about it being hot; but, 85 degrees with a nice breeze and low humidity is a paradise compared to a month from now when it will be 15 degrees hotter; no wind; and 90 percent humidity. I need to get way north before this happens. Got to Big meadows campground and took a shower and washed my clothes. I met "Grey Owl AT 02'" and he allowed me to camp at his campsite to save me 20 dollars. While there, I met a mother and her son and daughter. The mother was married; but her husband was not along for the trip. She was such a good mother. She takes her kids all around America teaching them about life and the outdoors. I was thouroughly impressed. While we were roasting marshmallows; the little girl "baby lion" wanted to go on "a scarey night hike"; so we did. We went about .2 miles until the little girl said that she was ready to go home then. After the walk; they went to bed and I went and laid down in my tent with a putried smoke from a chemically started and sustained fire blew into my tent all night. My head is still clogged up. As I laid there, choking, I thought that I just might be ready to settle down again. I really like children; I have good genes; "I come from a long line of love"; the right woman, right now, watch out: I might have to "hang up the saddle". Ive wondered if I could ever do this again? I think that I am close now.....very close.
Date: 2007-05-23
From: Big Meadows Campgound, VA

To: Mary's Rock, VA
Miles today: 15.8

Woke up at 8am when "quiet time" was over and all the RV's simultaneously started up to get their generators going. "Grey Owl" soon had his backpacker espresso machine going. I loved it. Then the mother from the night before hade her son chase bring me over a couple cups of coffee. They all came over and I forced down an oatmeal, grits, and protein powder concoction. I got everything packed up and wished I could justify staying and talking with me new friends; but, Katahdin calls. I did think about the comment the mother said to me. She said that she could tell that I was in a life transition and decisions should be made while we are feeling joy; as opposed to anger or confusion, etc. Another good day of hiking with alot of Sun, bugs, wind, sun, haze in the valleys, alot of people, deer, a bear, snakes, birds, chipmunks, cars & motorcycles along the Skyline Drive and alot of green. There are still several trees on top of mountains where the leaves have not entirely come in. Can you believe that! I have been needing my thermal blanket it as it as been getting kind of chilly at night. Yes, I still have holes in my therma rest(I know Pokey AT 06'). I was looking at a big day. I came to Mary's Rock and was going to go on; but what a stunning view! It was only around 7pm; so, I camped wedged in a crevice on the rock and layed in my sleeping bag and watched the sun go down and the clouds moved in. I thought it would rain on me, but, I did not. I slept under the stars. I slept in wierd positions on the rocks.
Date: 2007-05-24
From: Mary's Rock, VA

To: Little Hogback Mtn vista, Va 
Miles today: 17.0

I woke up and had to get going pretty fast as I was out of water; but, their was water at a spot called "The Panorama". I noticed that I was off of the trail. I walked about .1 back to the AT and went down for about 1.7 miles. I would not have stayed at Mary's Rock last night if I did not take a wrong turn. I am way passed going out of my way for vistas. Even though it was beautiful. I got down to the exhibit building called the panorama; but, it was closed due to asbestos contamination! I did get some water; cooked; lounged around; used the restroom; and was pondering staying in the shade the entire afternoon. That was until some young female came down off of the trail and filled up her water bottle and left back to the trail. She got me motivated and I got going up and over Pass mountain. I did stop at the shelter and drank more water. I was then on my way to the Elkwallow wayside. On the way there; I used my left foot to get a bug off of my right ankle and some old scar tissue in my leg popped in my knee. At least, that is what I hoped it would be. It hurt like "the dickens", though. I had surgery on this knee in 1998 and every now and then it will do this, temporarily hurting(I hoped). I did get to the wayside and met "farenheit" an "357 Magnum". "Farenheit" liked my story about trail days with the 8 ladies. I got going again after a big giant jetboil pot full of mac & cheese with a whole jalepeno thrown in to spice it up. I have been doing this since trail days. It is spectacular. The peppers will have me sweating, crying, and sinuses draining. My hunger has also went into the stratosphere. I need to eat something substantial every 3 hours with a snack about every hour. I will have to carry around 30 pounds of food at this rate! I stopped after the fourth hogback mountain on a rock again and made camp in my tent this time due to the bugs. It was close to a hang gliding launch site. I slept well; but, my knee really hurt and I was concerned. Was this the big tear or just scar tissue?!
Date: 2007-05-26
From: Brandon McCrary's House

To: Gravel Spring Hut, Va
Miles today: 2.0
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up around 8am and talked with Brandon's wife and daughter. His daughter is about 6 years old. She hopped up in my lap when I grabbed a book about North American animals and we sounded out the names of nearly every animal in the book. What a beautiful child. Brandon woke up and we went down to his store and I walked across town to the library to update my journal. Summer is definetly here! It was a warm walk. This was kind of an emotional update for me with the doubt about the knee; my ear hurting; and responding to the "Pride comes before a fall" comment. I want to let you readers know that your positive feedback after this comment was refreshing. I then walked back and Brandon took me back to The Skyline Drive where I had hitched in. We talked a ranger at the entrance gate to let us go in free as I was an injured thru-hiker. The Ranger, begrudgingly agreed. This saved about 20 dollars! When Brandon left, I told him that I would try to make it to a re-enactment in Old Bedford, PA on June 15th. I am still undecided. What a great guy Brandon is. He is one of the rare persons that has literaly no issues or emotional baggage. He said that he had a perfect upbringing and his life know is awesome. Good to see how about 1 percent of the world lives. In my first abnormal Psych course: the professor said, "no one is really normal." Brandon proved this hypothesis incorrect. He dropped me off and I walked down to the Gravel Springs Hut with a heavy pack and my knee was still not entirely stable; so, I decided to stay here and quickly put up my tent at a designated tentsite near the shelter. People began pouring in. 5 women from a hiking club from Michigan; Two dudes from Chicago; etc, etc. Eventually, a thru hiker named "Stealth Blue" showed up with a section hiker named Steffi. She had brought wine and whiskey and the party commenced and did not end until people in the shelter asked us to go to bed around 11pm. I felt kind of bad about keeping them up; but, in the SNP, you can only have a fire at the shelter. A thunder storm came through around midnight.
Date: 2007-05-27
From: Gravel Spring Hut, Va

To: Tom Floyd Wayside, Va
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up late as usual. Everyone else had left before I woke up. My knee felt alot better today. It still had a little soreness where the medial ligament goes down the inside of the leg over the knee area down to where it meets the top of the calf. Steffi is physical therapist assistant and she assured me that it was just a pull and would be fine. She said to be conscious of not twisting the knee. So, I walked a little like Frankenstein to not twist it. This was a liesurely hiking day. Alot of bugs; but, cooler today. Steffi and I got ahead of the pack that was going down to the Tom Floyd Wayside. We stopped at Oppossum's Rest and talked for a good while. I did some counseling with her about her current home situation which will come to light later. Soon Stealth Blue showed up and we went down to the shelter. When we got there, there was a guy named "MeatWad"(section hiker south). Like the guy on the cartoon: Agua Teen on the cartoon network. He even had the voice down. It was a little strange; but, he was a great guy. Eventually, "Salaam" showed up. He is just starting a thru hike and doing it in a flip flop from here north and then back to here, south to Springer. I like him alot. He just graduated from UT Austin and he is jewish. That is why he picked the name Salaam. In arabic it means something like good tidings, kind of like the hebrew shalom. He said it was to build jew/arab relations. He asked me to go thru his pack and I was able to get rid of about 8 pounds of unnecessary gear that he would have Steffi send home when she got back to Winchester, Va(her home). It soon began to thunderstorm right before dusk and I was quick to sleep. And then woke up when a section hiker had his daughters bring us a big pot full of rice and salmon. I was happy and was tempted to go hang out with them at their campsite as there was 3 attractive women down there and a nice fire; but, sleep came before I could move.
Date: 2007-05-28
From: Tom Floyd Wayside, Va

To: Trail Magic Womans's House, Winchester, VA
Miles today: 3.7

We woke up early. Steffi "Trail Magic Woman" woke up at daylight. She invited Stealth Blue and I back to her house for laundry, showers, and steaks. Stealth and I were alittle leary of this. She is married; but, here husband, "Hikin' Mike", had finished the AT in sections, several years ago. Therefore, we figured that he would understand. We got down to Chester Gap and got into her car. We went by the store and were son at her house listening to all types of music and getting clean. I played DJ most of the night. Hikin' Mike showed up around 6pm. He cooked the steaks when we he got home. OK, we are eating our meal and getting a little inebriated when Trail Magic Woman says to her husband, "Mike, I am going to go hike the AT with these guys!" I nearly choked on my steak. She had mentioned of possibly coming out and hiking; but, I did not know she would break it to her husband for the first time over dinner. I said that I had nothing to do with this. Her husband kind of glared for a minute and said, "we will talk about this when we are alone." Whew, I said thank you! The rest of the night was fun, We had a big fire and the neighbors came over. It was Memorial Day. The neighbors were kind of wondering how Trail Magic Woman would bring 2 "drifters" home. We all explained that when you hike with folks, you become very intimate very quickly. Kind of like being in the army or on a sports team; but, even faster. This is to do with all the common struggles and shared problems. Well, it came out around the fire that these two were in the process of beginning to get a divorce. Stealth kept telling them to stay together. Trail Magic Woman looked at me and said, "What do you think, Terry. Your a counselor?" I said that I had no opinion in the matter. The neighbors said that I was a smart man. Eventually, we slept out in the yard under the stars, except Mike. We all eventually came in, due to the bugs eating us alive.
Date: 2007-05-29
From: Trail Magic Womans's House, Winchester, VA

To: Manassas Gap Shelter, VA 
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: few clouds

When I woke up around 7am: "Hikin Mike" had went to work and "Trail Magic Women" and "Stealth Blue" were already awake. We got our stuff together and went and ate somewhere that I cannot remember where "for the life of me." We then went to the library; so I could check my e-mail and "trail Magic Woman" could set up he own Trail Journals account. I have not found where she is on the site, though. She soon dropped us off back at Chester Gap. It was a pretty warm day; but, I felt really good. My knee was all better! I was so happy. Got to the Denton Shelter and meet "Mountain Mike" and "Chef AT 96(female)". She goes by Louise now. She got to Front Royal in 1996 and went home because she was lonely. She said that she wished that she would have never went home. She was now going to Harper's Ferry, WVA to start section hiking to Katahdin. "Stealth Blue" showed up and we talked some. He said, "do you think that 'Trail Magic Women' will actually come out and hike?" I said that I believed so. Her and Stealth really had a connection that was purely hiking/asexual. I hiked on to the Manassas Gap Shelter with a stop at a trail magic spot that was empty. When I got to the shelter, I met a strange guy that was section hiking south. I think he was harmless; but, he was very slow and asked alot of questions about the trail. I then set up my tent and then went and talked to Louise for awhile. It was funny, she thought that I was talking to her to get some food. She said that you must be starving and started going through her foodbag. I told her that I just came from town and did not need any food. I said that I just preferred her company to the guy at the shelter. I soon went to my tent and went to sleep. The moon was nearly full and it was a beautiful night.