morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-03-09
From: Sky Valley, GA

To: Sky Valley, GA - Pleasant Mountain
Miles today: 0.0

Isn¢tit amazing how God sends you just what you need, just when you need it? OurTrail Angels, Susie and Al, have given us the PERFECT DAY!!!! It was honestlybetter than anything I could have imagined!!Westarted the day with a bread pudding and fruit (uh, Amazing.) We all got readyand headed out for some resupply and sightseeing. They live in a cozy mountainhouse, nestled in Pleasant Mountain (Seriously, someone pinch me because thismust just be a dream!!!) They drove us around their neighborhood which has justone incredible view after another. Then before heading into Franklin, westopped by a breathtaking waterfall which provided the perfect backdrop for agroup photo:-) The next stop was the outfitter, Outdoor 76 to get some suppliesand pick up our bounce box. Susie was shopping for some new hiking shoes andOutdoor 76 is THE PLACE to get them! They are absolute experts on feet and willspend as much time as necessary to make sure you walk out with the best shoesfor you. The salesman finally (2 hours later) let her settle on a pair andwe were on our way to the post office to bounce our box on up the trail acouple of weeks. Then we headed to Wally World to get our food for the nextthree days of hiking. I kept apologizing for all the places we needed to go andAl said over and over again that they really didn¢t mind at all and that I mustbe a slow learner since I felt the need to keep apologizing. Lol I¢m figuringout that I am not very good at receiving help from others. That is not a goodtrait, especially since I preach to my parents all the time that it¢s okay tolet other people help you! That¢s something I will definitely try to work onwhile I¢m on the trail! We finally finished all of our errands and then we headed to Highlands, whichis an adorable little town with lots of shops and eateries. We had a latelunch/early supper at The Ugly Dog and I chose the shrimp po¢boy sandwich. YUM!And just when I thought the day couldn¢t get any better, Susie suggested we godown the street for some Kilwins¢ ice cream. Oh. My. We got back to their house and got right to work repacking so we can be readyto go first thing in the morning. Now I¢m sitting in the recliner with my feetup and ice on my knee, hoping that the day off has been just what I need toheal up. I am sure it¢s what my heart and soul needed, and for that I canonly say THANK YOU to our new forever friends, Susie and Al. I am sure thatanyone that was listening in on our conversation probably thought we had knowneach other for many years. And when they listened to Next Step and Al banterback and forth, they would never guess we had only met the day before. What ablessing that our paths crossed and we will look to forward to future visitswhen we finish our hike, at their place or ours (wherever that may be). - WhichWayAnythingworth doing, is better done TOGETHER--Which Way and Next Step!
Date: 2018-03-16
From: Robinsville, NC

To: Robinsville - Pan Ran Motel
Miles today: 0.0

Not much happening here in the little mountain town of Robinsville. According to my count, there are two traffic lights. No movie theater, no bowling alley, no fun! There is only so much you can do to stretch out re-supply shopping, mailing packages, and cleaning gear. The highlight of our day was finding a great little place to eat on the outskirts of town (a whopping 5 minute walk). The Hub is an old gas station converted to a cafe/restaurant, featuring delicious burgers and bbq. Out back is a partially covered outdoor area with corn hole, foosball, and other games. Evidently the show "Moonshiners" films there, they have live bands and are packed in the warm season. While we waited for our yummy ¢Dragon Slayer¢ burger, Which Way whooped me in a game of corn hole (21-0). She ended the game by tossing all four bags in the hole in one turn. This AT hiking has put her confidence through the roof. Back at the room, we re-cleaned and re-packed our gear. Watching reruns of ¢The Office¢ now andAre waiting for hiker midnight. Ready to hit the trail in the morning.¢Next Step  Elevation Data:Ascent 0Descent 0Grade ¢ 0  Weather:Day ¢ 65 degrees / SunnyNight ¢ 48 degrees / Rain  Over the Horizon: Fontana Dam  Anything worth doing, is better done TOGETHER--Which Way and Next Step!
Date: 2018-04-24
From: DickeyÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Gap

To: Mt. Rogers National Recreation Area HQs 
Miles today: 14.1

There was an error with the entry on this day. From the photos we recall the following highlights:- Lots of wind and rain- Large Mayapple Colonies- Met Snow Angel (female hiker from Holland)- Passed Partnership Shelter (with its shower)- Hiked to Mount Rogers Recreation Area HQs- Hiker reunion on the Marion County Transit Bus- Lodged and re-supplied in Marion  Peace & Blessings - Next StepElevation Data:               Weather:Ascent ~ 2,670                  Day ¢ 60 degrees / Rain and WindDescent ~ 2,670                Night ¢ 50 degrees / RainGrade ~ 7.1Over the Horizon: McAfee¢s Knob
Date: 2018-05-09
From: Daleville

To: Daleville
Miles today: 0.0

What do you call a group of hikers? Wait for it.......................................................................................A Hobble! What do hikers do on Zero day? As little as possible. Unless, of course you are Which Way & Next Step. In that case you find something to do to fill the time void. Which Way tried unsuccessfully to sleep in this morning. I didn¢t even attempt it. After showers we caught an Uber to Cracker Barrel for breakfast. Then we caught a ride back to the Outfitter, where WW purchased the shoes that she picked out yesterday. While she was in there, I walked across the parking lot to Wendy¢s to get her a Coke Zero. When I walked in the door I was surprised to see Heartburn standing there. He informed me he had decided to stop hiking and was getting a ride home with a friend. I knew he had been contemplating this for days, but I was still saddened by the news. He said that he had already gotten everything he wanted from his post-retirement hike and was ready to move on to other things, not the least of which was his 7 year old son. Heartburn has been with us more than not from the beginning and it is hard to see him go. He indicated that Butter Knife (who is about 2 days behind us) was pretty sad about it as well. Which Way reached out to her later in the day. I also talked to Close Call today. He has been dealing with a knee injury since Roan Mountain and is currently at his home in Blacksburg waiting to get a doctor¢s assessment on whether or not he can continue his hike without doing any further damage. As far as we know, Spiritman and Finn & Happy Feet are still on the trail a day or two behind us.We quickly ran out of things to do on our Zero Day, so we decided to go see a movie in Roanoke (about a 20 minute drive from Daleville). I called our local Trail Angel, Homer, to see if he was headed that way anytime today. He said he was and would swing by around 1PM to give us a lift. The theater was located near an outfitter and I was able to find a new pair of hiking shoes too. We also had time to walk around the mall before the movie started. We felt a little out of place strolling through the mall, not to mention riding down the interstate or going to a movie. There was only one other person in the theater on a Wednesday afternoon. Which Way struck up a conversation with her when the movie ended. The sweet woman, Cathy, ended up giving us a ride back to Daleville. She said that her and her husband once hitchhiked across the country, so she knew what it was like to need a ride. Cathy dropped us at a pizza place about 1.5 miles from the Super 8. We walked down the busy US 220 to get back to the hotel, stopping at Kroger on the way to grab a few more resupply items. And that¢s what a ¢relaxing¢ day. for Which Way and Next Step looks like. Peace & Blessings - Next StepWeather:Day ¢ 80 degrees / SunnyNight ¢ 53 degrees / Partly Cloudy Over the Horizon: Shenandoah National Park
Date: 2018-05-11
From: Bobletts Gap Shelter

To: VA 614 - Middle Creek Campground
Miles today: 9.7

Today was about friendship and hospitality. After a short hike featuring great views along the Blue Ridge Parkway and a beautiful floral display, we hit VA 614. Just a short distance from the trail is the Middle Creek Campground, a popular resupply point. But for us, it is where we finished today¢s hike. An Army friend of mine, Curt Wesson, his wife, Susan, and their grandson, Christopher, had driven over 300 miles (from Columbia, SC), with a 32 foot camper in tow, for the sole purpose of seeing us and treating us to good food and relaxation. In my penultimate Army assignment, Curt and I served together as a Brigade-level command team. We formed a strong bond underpinned by trust, loyalty and complimentary leadership styles and built a lasting friendship. Command Sergeant Major Wesson had a knack for teaching through story telling. These stories were affectionately referred to as Wesson¢s Lessons. My favorite all time story was about the time he went to the county clerk to get a fishing license and ended up with a marriage license. I can¢t remember the ¢lesson¢ from that one, but it was a great story. Obviously, she was a keeper, as he and Susan remain together to this day. They make a great team, something I love to see. Curt picked Which Way and I up at the trail head and brought us back to their campsite. I asked him where he wanted us to set up the tent and he replied, ¢That won¢t be necessary, you two are staying in the queen bed tonight.¢ The royal treatment continued from there. We walked in the camper to greet Susan and she was waiting with pulled pork sandwiches and bratwurst. Of course, a cold Coke Zero was ready for Which Way. The other bookend on the meals was a delicious grilled steak served with a tasty salad, huge baked potato,corn on the cob and Texas toast. The hospitality did not stop there, as they continued to meet all of our hiker needs. Curt prides himself on having every tool and supply that might be needed on hand. He did not fail today. I even got a resupply of duct tape to wrap around my hiking poles. In between all of the hospitality, we sat back and listened to some Wesson Lessons. We even had a few (trail) stories of our own to contribute. Curt and I sat outside, huddled around his nifty little propane fire pit, catching up on old times and exchanging stories until well after hiker midnight. The unspoken Wesson Lesson of the day, hospitality can come on wheels (and hit a moving target) and enduring friendships should be celebrated. CSM Wesson is in the process of retiring after 32 years of faithful service. Kudos to him for a job well done and a big thanks to Susan for her selfless sacrifice over the years. Peace and Blessings - Next StepElevation Data:Ascent - 1,499Descent - 2,600Grade - 8.0Weather:Day - 83 / Partly Cloudy Night - 62/ ClearOver the Horizon: Shenandoah National Park
Date: 2018-05-18
From: Washington, DC

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0

The past two days were all about being available for our daughter and taking care of some unfinished Army business. It is an uneasy feeling to be removed from the trail in time and distance. But we had a productive trip and some much needed rest. The best part is that we were able to catch up with some family and friends. Cousin Bill fixed up some delicious omelettes to get our day started on Thursday. We eventually made our way to REI, to exchange Which Way¢s hiking poles and my damaged headlamp. We also picked up a replacement filter. Our favorite REI rep, Shay (aka Sassy) greeted us with a big hug as soon as we walked in the door. Sassy finished about 600 miles of the A.T. in 2015, but had to come off after breaking her arm on a fall. She returned in 2016 to finish the whole thing. She now has her eyes set on a couple of trails in Europe and eventually the PCT. We met Sassy in 2015 when she was conducting an AT planning class.We spent the rest of Thursday afternoon running a few errands before making it to some friend's house in Woodbridge, where we spent the night. Some other friends joined us at a Mexican Restaurant, where we shared good food and better company. Michael, Amy, Chris, Alisha, Josh and Amy, Jon and Rachel¢it was great to see you all and your kids!After Which Way took the cereal box away from me Friday morning we packed up the Tahoe and said so long to our host, Amy. From there we went to Fort Belvoir to tighten a few loose ends. Our last stop was at the ID card facility. Unfortunately, the line was out the door and we didn¢t have enough time to wait around. I called Carlisle Barracks, PA, an Army Post we will pass in 2-3 weeks, to confirm that they could assist, and we started our way back to Waynesboro. It rained hard the whole way back. I felt for all of the hikers out in the mess. The rain is forecast to continue for several days, so we will not miss out on all the fun.After returning to Waynesboro, we took care of some resupply and mailed some packages (bounce boxes) forward to Harper's Ferry, WV and Boiling Springs, PA. After returning the Tahoe, we realized we had time for a movie (one of Which Way's favorite things to do). We were able to hitch a ride with some local trail angels to and from the theater. It has been a good couple of days, but the trail is calling our name and Katahdin is not in Waynesboro. Must keep moving! The primary reason we got off the trail for a couple of days was to be available for our daughter during her surgery. Thank you for all of the prayers lifted up on her behalf and for the words of encouragement many of you left on our guestbook. I am happy to report that the prayers have been answered. Her surgery went well, the medical issue is behind her, and she is recovering just fine. Thank you, thank you, thank you...!Peace & Blessings - Next StepElevation Data: n/aWeather:Day - 78 / Rain Night - 64 / RainOver the Horizon: Shenandoah National Park
Date: 2018-05-21
From: Rock Fish Gap - Waynesboro

To: Black Rock Gap
Miles today: 20.0

Last night at dinner Dave offered to give us a ride back to the trail in the morning. Plod Along and Grandma Shorty stayed at the same hotel as us and I knew that they needed a ride as well. So I asked Dave if he minded shuttling them too. He picked the four of us up at 7:00 and we look the short drive back to Rockfish Gap. The Blue Ridge Parkway becomes Skyline Drive here and continues through the Shenandoah National Park (SNP). After walking a couple of hundred yards up the road and crossing I-64, the trail exited into the woods and soon came to a spot marking the southern entrance to the SNP. A registration station is located here for hikers to obtain a backcountry camping permit. The A.T. will continue through the SNP for approximately 103 miles. The SNP is divided into three districts and is home to over 500 miles of hiking trails. These trails served as our training ground in the years leading up to our A.T. journey. In a sense, we are back on our home turf.The trail surface was good for most of the day, with very little standing water. Although we ascended over 4,000¢, the grade was reasonable, making the hiking a little easier. However, Which Way was still dealing with a strained back most of the day. After passing over Bears Den Mountain and Calf Mountain it was time to stop for water and eat lunch. Plod Along and Grandma Shorty walked up just as we were finishing lunch. There was one other NOBO hiker getting water at the same spring. He was from the Harper's Ferry (about 150 trail miles north) and indicated that he may end his hike there. These were the only other NOBOs we saw all day. The trail continued with moderate ups and downs the rest of the day, intersecting with familiar trails like Riprap and Wildcat Ridge along the way. With daylight waning and rain threatening to move in soon, we decided to look for a stealth site in the vicinity of Black Rock Gap. With the help of comments left on the Guthook App, we were able to find a nice spot next to a stream about 150 yards down the Moorman River Road. Another tent was already pitched there, but there was plenty of room for two. The other tent belonged to Chewy, a 2017 thru hiker. We cooked up some yummy Mac-n-cheese for dinner and hit the tent at dusk. The rain did not start until later in the night.  Peace and Blessings - Next StepElevation Data:Ascent - 4,515Descent - 4,075Grade - 8.1Weather:Day - 75 / Mostly Sunny Night - 65/ Thunderstorms Over the Horizon:Harper's Ferry
Date: 2018-05-26
From: Haymarket, VA

To: Haymarket, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Our amazing hosts took great care of us today, starting with a delectable pancake breakfast that would satisfy an army of hungry hikers!!. The Huddlestons definitely have a great gift of making you feel like you¢re right at home. We all went to see a an early movie together, followed by steaks on the grill for dinner. The rest of the day was spent playing games and just enjoying being together. We did manage to get a few hiker chores done, to include re-treating our hiking clothes with permethrin and getting our resupply for the next few days. It was a good day of rest and family time, both of which were much needed. Peace & Blessings - Next StepElevation Data: n/aWeather:Day - 86 / Mostly CloudyNight - 67 / Thunder StormsOver the Horizon: Harpers Ferry, WV
Date: 2018-05-27
From: Compton Gap

To: VA 522 - Mountain Home Cabin
Miles today: 5.9

The combination of family, friends, and hiking made for an awesome day! We went to our Church in Manassas this morning. It was a blessing to reunite with friends and worship together. My cousin, Bill, drove over from Alexandria to join us. A group of us went out for Mexican food afterward. Jon and his daughter, Katie, joined our son and his wife in the hike from Compton Gap down to VA 522 (Mountain Home Cabin). Cousin Bill graciously offered to shuttle all of us back into the SNP. We said our goodbyes to Bill and commenced hiking at 3:30 p.m.The 6 mile hike was almost all downhill, so it didn¢t take us long to finish up. It was nice sharing part of our adventure with family and friends. After our friends took off, Which Way, our kids and I did a quick clean up and went into town for supper. The hostel owner had recommended the Blue Wing Frog...sounded interesting. It was a locally owned eatery that did not disappoint! Everything was made in-house, including all the breads. They even made their own ketchup and mayonnaise! We couldn¢t pass up a chance for dessert, so when we were all completely stuffed, we headed back to the hostel for a few games before bedtime. We¢ll all hike into Linden for lunch tomorrow and it will be time for our kids to head back home. It has been so uplifting to have them with us these past few days. Just what Which Way and I needed to re-energize us! Wonderful memories of our Sunday Funday!Peace and blessingsNext Step Mountain Home CabinDinner at Blue Wing FrogElevation Data:Ascent - 480Descent - 1,740Grade - 8.1Weather:Day - 80 / ShowersNight - 67 / Mostly CloudyOver the Horizon:Harper's Ferry
Date: 2018-05-28
From: VA 522 - Mountain Home Cabin

To: Tent Site - Thompson Wildlife Management Area
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Two hikers at our hostel requested that their breakfast be served at 6:30. That meant that Scott was at the hostel at o-dark-thirty working his magic. Unfortunately, the small kitchen was adjacent to the room we were sleeping in and there was nothing more than a curtain to keep out noise and light. Oh well. The four of us got our breakfast a little later and we were hiking by 8:30. It was neat having Patrick and Rachael hike with us for the first half of our hike. I must say that they got off pretty lucky, as the elevation change was minimal, the trail conditions were good, and the temperature was pleasant under cloudy skies. For the first couple of miles the trail skirted a fence that marked the boundary of a nature preserve and biological conservancy used by the Smithsonian National Zoo to breed endangered animals. A few miles into the hike we came to the Jim and Molly Denton Shelter, one of the nicest on the trail. The roomy shelter had a deck extending to the front with a large bench seat. There was also a separate pavilion for the picnic table. How nice! Oh, and there was a field shower too. Finally, a horseshoe pit was set up in front of the shelter. Of course, Patrick and I had to sling the irons before we moved on.A small section of the trail passed through meadows with chest high grass. About 8 miles into our hike we came to Manassas Gap, where the trail crosses under I-66. This is also where Patrick¢s car was parked. Less than 5-miles west of the parking area is a restaurant named the Apple House. We had been here many times before and talked about how we would visit it again when hiking the AT. Well, today was the day. The Apple House serves a good breakfast and lunch, but the specialty is their Apple Cinnamon Donuts, which are served fresh and hot. Delicious!Patrick and Rachael returned us to the trail a little before 2 p.m. They crossed the trail head bridge leading from the parking area with us and after exchanging some final hugs, they watched us walk up the trail and out of sight. It dawned on me that they had done the same at Springer Mountain. Mom shed a few tears as we walked away. It is always tough to part ways with loved ones. The air thickened as we continued on the second half of our hike. Although we were not hiking in rain, the moisture from the fog dampened the vegetation around us. We eventually came to an official tent site in the Thompson Wildlife Management Area. The spot was up a grassy trail, cut through some very thick thorn bushes and vines. It was a song bird haven and they chattered into the night.We had a great visit with the kids. So glad they were able to visit and even get a small flair of life on the trail. It was hard saying goodbye, but our time together gave us the boost of energy we needed to get us out of Virginia. Peace & Blessings!- Next StepElevation Data:Ascent - 3,660Descent - 2,790Grade - 7.6Weather:Day - 75 / Cloudy/Mist Night - 64 / CloudyOver the Horizon: Harpers Ferry