morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-05-17
From: Saunders Shelter

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: light rain

w/Sheriff, Swiss Miss, Can't Zip, Bent Frame, Krewzer, Fig, Blue and others10:05 PM ... Your Personality is Chafing at BestNow, when someone says "it's all down hill from here", I'll be more inclined to believe. Tonight, I'm sleeping on top of Mount Rodgers (or close enough to the last really big climb in Virginia. From here on out it's rolling ups and downs, more or less ... but we don't need to dwell on that right now.Today was another gentle day .. long, but gentle. I caught up to Bent Frame this morning at their campsite. He's always the last one to leave in the morning but I think 10 AM is some kind of record! I rolled with him through the rolling terrain, along the Virginia Creeper Trail and up Lost Mountain where we met up with Can't Zip and continued on for the rest of the day. Of course, it rained for a good 3 hours so we didn't have lunch 'til almost 4. But it cleared up and we saw some cows! Right on the trail so that was cool. The only downfall is that I started chafing on my inner thigh (as much as you want to know about that) so I had some pain today. But I fixed it all with smores that I lugged from Damascus ... gotta love smores cooked over an alcohol stove!Interesting thing - I met an older fella named Hawkeye this morning. He lives in Florida but he's originally from Vermont .... Burlington to be exact. The interesting thing is that he lived next to Fishman's house! Well, sort of. Apparently, Fishman built this huge house next to his, but he never really lived there. He just rented it out to friends or something. But I just thought that was kind of cool. All in all, it's been another day in paradise ... and I'm still giddy!Umba-Band: "The Promise" - Tracy Chapman ... well, I didn't really have this song in my head, but I just heard it on the radio and it's a beautiful song.
Date: 2004-05-18
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

w/Bent Frame, Can't Zip, Blue, Ursa Minor, April Showers, couple of others9:15 PM ... mmmmm, more smackin' goodWhat a wonderful day, seeing as how it started out kind of bad with me not sleeping a lick last night. I've figured out that my brain doesn't shut down sleeping in shelters because I'm so conscious about not bumping or disturbing others. To boot, we had a big snorer next to me. So I tossed and turned until around 1 AM. Then I turned on my radio and listened to that until around 2:30 when I got up to go to the bathroom and hurt myself ... that's right, I ended up slipping on a rock and landing on my back. I'm surprised the whole shelter didn't hear the "slid - thud - F*!K!". Of course, then it was hard to sleep on a bloody and bruised back ... anyway, the Grayson Highlands were gorgeous. I only saw one pony (the Highlands are famous for ponies), at first, but I saw 4 trotting down the road later on. Rolling, rocky, grass-topped mountains make wonderful hiking trails ... I walked with Blue through most of that until lunch at a shelter. Then it was pretty much back into the woods, after lunch, when Bent Frame and Can't Zip slowed us! Having fun with them today made the trail get in the way of hiking ... so I stayed with them for one last night, shared my smores with everyone, and enjoyed their company. Tomorrow it's back on schedule ... and I've got lots of incentive to start hoffin it. The thought of which still gives me a huge grin [grin] ... there it is. I'm gonna miss Can't Zip and Bent Frame and Blue .... it still amazes me how attached you get to people on the trail! I'll see them again, though ... it's a small trail. umba-band: "The Promise", Tracy Cha[pman ... my girl's on my mind all the time, now.PS Apparently, Fishman really liked Hawkeye's wife's potato salad and stole an entire bowl of it at a party of hers ... and he still has the bowl!
Date: 2004-05-19
From: Old Orchard Shelter

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: light rain

w/Geezer, Swiss Miss, Sheriff, Waldorf, Fly, Dreamcatcher, Don't Mind, Don't Matter, Bones, couple of others I don't remember.9:23 PM ... Hold the Anchovies, pleaseThere's just something not right about ordering pizza while on the trail ... or there's everything right, I'm not sure which. But the Partnership Shelter is famous for a couple of things. Getting pizza delivered is one, having a solar-powered hot shower is the other. I sure wish all shelters were like this, but more so I wish I could've called someone just to be able to say, "I was just waiting for my pizza to be delivered and ..."Another day in paradise, though. I humped out 24ish miles for my pizza so I deserved it. But I left some hiking comrades behind to do so ... and I know I'll see Can't Zip, Bent Frame and Blue again ... the trail isn't that big! It is amazing how attached to people you get out here. It must be the whole hiking bond, talking about poop, things that bring people together.It was really cloudy all day today, which gives the forest this funky, surreal look to it ... almost like you're walking in perpetual twilight. I figured out another reason why I don't like rhodendendrons ... it covers streams. You can hear streams and rivers but you just can't quite seem to see them. It makes hiking next to streams (one of my most favorite things) almost pointless ... almost. I got to swim under another waterfall today, too. The sky had just cleared and it got hot, so the timing was perfect ... until it rained right afterwards. But I'm getting used to our afternoon showers, just as long as they stop in time to dry my clothes before camp, plus they do feel really good.Like I said, another day in paradise. I've got a full belly, a place to sleep and people to laugh with ... just like home. I'm even starting to wonder if I could ever give this up ... let's not jump to conclusions.umba-band: "Hey Baby" - No Doubt - sung by Can't Zip this morning
Date: 2004-05-20
From: Partnership Shelter

To: I-81
Miles today: 11.6

w/Geezer, Waldorf10:50 PM ... People Don't Even KnowToday, I was standing on a ridge, overlooking the highway and the Relax Inn we were going to stay at with Geezer, when he said something very profound. "Look at all those cars. I bet you most of them don't even know this is up here." We stood on that ridge, looking down on civilization for a half an hour almost, hesitant to return to the hustle and bustle of city life ... well not almost, I think we were. I really didn't want to leave the sound of the breeze blowing through the trees, or the chirping of birds, or the babbling of brooks. I didn't want to give up watching the wind move the tall grass in waves. All I could think about was getting back to the woods the next day, to return to the simple pleasures that I am blessed to enjoy everyday. Strange how the trail can change your way of thinking. A month ago I couldn't wait to get home, and I still can't. But now it might be harder than I thought to leave.But it was a beautiful, sunny, breezy day. I walked over ridges covered with ferns that as they blew in the wind, would take on the appearance of one of those optical illusions. The black and white kind where you stare at them for a while and they move. I also got to see quite a few prairies that, again with the wind, moved like waves on the shore. I even saw an old school house that was part of a settler's museum ... just some of the random things you happen upon on the trail. Still, my favorite part of the whole day was standing on that ridge with Geezer, looking out over the land, behind to where we were and forward to where we were going, but mostly talking about our experiences on the trail ... and that is one thing I will never forget.umba band: Nothing ... I was very contemplative today.
Date: 2004-05-21
From: I-81

To: Knot Maul Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: scattered clouds

w/Sheriff, Swiss Miss, Statler, Geezer, Don't Mind, Don't Matter, Fly, Dream Catcher, Sweet leaf, Gator, Smoky Mountain Steve10:03 PM ... I'm missing the daytime Emmy's!?!What another beautiful, Virginian day. It got really hot around 3, but, since I left the hotel this morning, it's been nothing but sunshine, blue sky, and cool breezes. The sounds of civilization diminished just as soon as we got out of sight of the Interstate ... as always, it's great to be back in the woods ... damn, some late-comers just arrived in camp. I just don't know how people walk at night. Anyway, I did my two good deeds for the day before I left town. I saw a fellow hiker walking the wrong way back towards the trail, so I ran up to him to point him in the right direction. I also fed the motel stray cat ... apparently cats do like powdered milk. So, I was walking yesterday and I looked down to see one of my little toes peeking out to get some fresh air ... time for some new socks, I guess. I'll tell you one thing, if every day in Virginia is gonna be like it's been this past week, I may never want to leave! Unfortunately, tomorrow is the day I start making some tracks, which means leaving some people. But it's cool ... I'm sure I'll see them when I get back from my break. The trail has a weird way of throwing people back into your life when you thought you were lost.umba band: "Where's the Lvoe" - Blackeyed Peas
Date: 2004-05-22
From: Knot Maul Shelter

To: Jenkin Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: few clouds

w/Gator, Beater, Wife, Scarecrow, I Need A Hug, Goose, Spirit9:30 PM ... Bitter and Sweet?So, today I pushed on into unknown territory leaving those that I've gotten to know so well behind. But it's cool because I'll meet new people and catch up to those that are in front of me ... I just need to relearn how to get up and going at a reasonable time. This "leaving at 10" thing is really killin' me!But I'm alright with it all. I had a great day, had lunch on a hilly grassy area with a cool view, got my first glimpse at Virginia's farm valleys, did some cool rock scrambling that made me think of the boardwalk back home ... I even pulled a "Titanic" on a rock ledge ... "I'm the King of the World!". And I've been out here long enough that I can discern the rustling leave sound a small, fuzzy squirrelly type creature makes from that of a deer (I saw some today). Oh, and I've figured out that thick beards make great bug shields. Bugs just fly in and bounce off ... until they get stuck and you end up pulling bug parts out of your beard!umba-band: "Dirty" Christina Acquilera
Date: 2004-05-23
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: light rain

w/Skippy, Poppins, Gator9:18pm..."I love to count! AH! AH!" From river to ridges...that pretty much sums it up. 2 miles of wetlands where the trail crossed Little Wolf Creek 16 times...and I crossed every one laughing like The Count! Then it was up, up, up to the ridge and smooth sailing for the rest of the day. Being so far up and still being able to hear people mow their lawns in the valley is weird. Then I turned a corner and WHAM!!...I was assaulted by the sounds of I-77 on a busy Sunday aftenoon. Never even saw it coming. So I sat, had some lunch, wrote a little note to my lady, and watched the traffic...all the time thinking how wierd returning to land of the real will be when that time comes. Ah, it's too early to think about yet...instead I'll think on listening some classical music and going to bed.Umba-band:"my name is luka"-who was that chick, again?
Date: 2004-05-24
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Doc's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: overcast clouds

w/Caterpillar, Gator, Skippy, Poppins, Sunshine8:40pm...second dinner, he knows about that too, right? Ruffles may have ridges but so does Virginia. It seems that today was one long ridge, with the occasional dip into a valley so we could have, at least, a couple of climbs. I'm starting to miss the private farms and prairies, just for a change of scenery. On one ridge I could hear the creaking of conveyer belts, the reverse beeps of trucks and all of the other sounds of a factory. It made me almost feel bad for those working, while I'm just walking by on a whim. Then I went around a curve down a sidetrail to Dismal Falls, which contrary to the name, were not dismal at all. The falls were pretty big...complete with a swimming hole at the bottom with some rocks to dive of off! And a local dude named Russel even gave us a beer...a Bud Light never tasted so good. Which is sad...I've been in the woods for so long that I consider Bud a premium beer! The day ended with an hour and a half climb straight up to an overlook with a beautiful view of the valley below. Sitting there on the rocks, soaking in the granduer, made everything just right. Virginia even has toilet paper in their privies!Umba-band:"Mrs. Independent"-Kelly Clarkston
Date: 2004-05-25
From: Doc's Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

w/Caterillar, Skippy, Poppins, Gator, Bones2:12 PM ... Loungin' At the LibraryOh, man, we had a killer storm last night at the shelter! Thunder, lightning, torrential down pour, the whole shabang ... minus the hail. I got to enjoy most of it because I'm still not sleeping well. After 500 miles, my sandals are starting to give me problems, blisters and what not. Now I either have a whole boat load of bug bits or poison ivy all over my legs ... either way, I'm up half the night just itching. Mentally, I'm having the time of my life ... but this hiking thing really does a number on your body!On the upside, I've caught up to some people that I've been with before (Caterpillar, Skippy & Poppins), so now I'm hiking with some familiar faces and some new ones. Oh, and we've walked over like 40 billion brushy mountains! At one point, I thought we were going around in circles - going up and down the same damn hill. Turns out some people just aren't very imaginative.Pearisburg is definitely a cool little town. The 2 mile mudslide they call a downhill was just plain dangerous because of the rain last night. I think I slid down most of it ... backwards! HeeHee. Once we got in, we grabbed a shower and went to devastate the lunch buffet at Pizza Hut. Two words .... Dessert .... Pizza! That was at least half of my 20 piece lunch! The town itself is beautiful and it's people are friendly. Had a snowcone from the Bahama Sno Hut, did some laundry and what not. My girl sent me a lot of really cute stuff ... thanks, Hun! Oh, and they have a lot of big, nice, old-style southern homes! It'll be good, as always, to get back to the woods, though. But, until then, I'm gonna head over to the all sports bar for some beer with Cat. (It's 7 PM now ... I tend to get sidetracked!).umba-band: "Dead or Alive" - Bon Jovi
Date: 2004-05-26
From: Pearisburg

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: light rain

w/Caterpilla, Enigma, Gator, Bones, High Trailer, Restless7:59 PM ... Is It Clear Now?Coolest thing in the world! It started raining halfway up from town. It poured for awhile, then it let up as I rolled into the shelter to dry off and get ready for the night. A little later it got all foggy ... the wind picked up .... and the fog blew in so fast that we barely had time to take cover before we got blasted with wind and rain! It was really cool! Then it all cleared up again and now there's like 3 or 4 deer running back and forth across the field in front of the shelter. Yeah, it's great to be back in the woods!Sadly, I had to leave some friends back in town. Skippy's foot was still bothering her so she and Poppins stayed for another rest day. Cat, Gator and myself left them after we had lunch at Hardees. Like everyone else, though, I'll see them again. Until then, I'm gonna walk to the top of the field to take a gander at the view ... you can't get this kind of stuff at home!umba-band: "Hey Ya" - Outcast
Date: 2004-05-27
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: North of Wind Rock
Miles today: 21.3

w/Caterpillar, Gator, Party Girl, Shawn8:44pm....and there's fire shards everywhere Wow...that was interesting. Our fire just exploded, sending sparks all over the place...including my hair. Caterpillar would've gotten the worst of it if he was standing where he was a minute ago...but all is ok. Just a little added excitement for the evening! Anyway, after the storm last night, I thought we'd get more rain today...never happened. Everything was still wet from last night, but dried up with the sun being out all day. We did have some funky humidity, though. It wasn't cold, but you could see your breath...and it was hard to breathe, sort of. Virginia with all of its ridgelines is starting to get kind of tedious. It's still really cool. I just need a little something to break up the monotony. I did see a deer today...and it didn't seem to mind in the faintest that I was there. It even came up and sniffed me before it went on it's merry way. I ran over my first animal yesterday. This frog hopped out in front of me. I swerved to try to avoid it, but I got it. Really, I only kicked it and it just hopped away. But it still got me all shook up. And apparently, Caterpillar has "everything" in his pants...let's just hope he keeps it there.Umba-band: Aladin and JCS soundtracks (aahh, the memories)
Date: 2004-05-28
From: North of Wind Rock

To: Niday Shelter
Miles today: 23.1
Weather: light rain

w/Caterpilar, Gator, Bones, Kat, 2 other dudes10:02pm...we gotta take care of our own So I woke up to the pidder-padder of rain on my tent this morning. I think I'm getting to used to the rain. Putting on wet clothes in the morning never felt so right. In fact, I was putting on my socks and I think my feet are growing webs! It's been really rocky lately. Time seems to go a lot slower when you're looking down all day. I swear there's been times when I'd be looking where I'm going and I'd look up and I'd think I was in a different state! Maybe that's why people get the "Virginia Blues." Either that or seeing the same ol', same ol' everyday. I did get a reprieve finally as we walked through some beautiful pastures. I even got to pet some donkeys that followed me around until I left their pen! And I even hugged a 300 year old oak tree!...and then I ate some granola. I also saw a really cool neon-orangey, speckled gecko or salamander...you don't see them very often. But the wierdest thing happened today. We just met this dude named Shepard today and we got this message from him at a road crossing. Apparently, he got a note at the same road addressed to him saying that he had a family emergency. Man, that'd be freaky...just goes to show you that the trail really isn't that big. They will find you...and when thay do.....Umba-band: various tunes from "The Little Mermaid"
Date: 2004-05-29
From: Niday Shelter

To: VA624
Miles today: 16.4

w/Caterpillar, Gator, Bones, Evan, Bow, Scrubs, Prof. Pete, and a couple others8:18pm..."hey Momma's Boy, are you harshing my bus?" Sunshine, blue skies, nice breeze...no rain...it's been too long. Beautiful scenery, to boot. We walked along a great ridge covered with the smell of warm pine needles, dropped from the trees above, and we ended with a 360 degree view of the world from a rock spur called Dragon's tooth...which I climbed. And it was rock hopping all the way down...way too much fun, I felt like a kid again! (not like THAT ever happens) In between that, though, we saw a memorial to the most decorated soldier in WWII, Audie Murphy. Check this story out...it reads like a Rambo movie: "2d Lt. Murphy, commanded Company B, which was attacked by 6 tanks and waves of infantry. Murphy ordered his men to withdraw to prepared positions in the woods, while he remained forward at his command post and continued to give firing directions to the artillary by telephone. Behind him, to his right, one of our tank destroyers received a direct hit and began to burn. Its crew withdrew to the woods. Murphy continued to direct artillary, killing large numbers of infantry. With enemy tanks abreast of his position, Murphy climbed on the burning tank destroyer, which was endanger of blowing up at any moment, and used its gun against the enemy. He was alone and exposed to enemy fire from 3 sides, but his deadly fire killed dozens of Germans and caused their infantry attack to waver. Enemy tanks, losing infantry support, began to fall back. For an hour, Germans tried every available weapon to eliminate Murphy, but he continued to hold his position, and wiped out a squad which was trying to creep up unnoticed on his right flank. Germans reached as close as 10 yards, only to be mowed down by his fire. He received a leg wound and continued his single-handed fight until his ammunition was exhausted. He then made his way to his company, refused medical attention and organized his company into a counterattack..."There's a little more, but that's about the gist of it. But we decided to stay at the Four Pines Hostal...Gator's knee is giving him some problems. Oh, and we figured out that the Forest Service left Shepard that note...we found one at another road crossing today. Problem solved..I gotta go play darts.Umba-band:"someday"-nickelback
Date: 2004-05-30
From: VA624

To: US220
Miles today: 25.5

w/Caterpillar, Gator, Bones1:32am(monday, really)...southern hospitality Wow, what a wacky day. From a lazy start at a hostel, to a long break at some trail magic (Caterpillar kept hallucinating about it all morning..."is that trail magic?"), to busting out more than 17 miles after 1pm! But we decided to make a break for the highway after I talked to Barb Lambourne's sister, Luanne, who lives not too far from the trail in Roanoke, who said that we could all crash at their place for the holiday. After that it was a done deal. We had some great views from MaCafee Knob and Tinker Cliffs as well as some really cool rock ridges on the way down...we even did the last 10 miles in 3 hours to get to the road just before dark. But the Schrader's were cool enough to pick us up around 10 and drive to their house. We did some laundry and showered all the while entertaining them with stories and other bits of trail wit. It's always just wierd being off the trail, but Luanne and Dave and their hospitality have been top notch! And a full day of rest tomorrow will be well worth the insane 25 mile day we did to get here! Well, off to bed, as it took me alost an hour to write this...I'm so tired, I kept nodding off!Umba-band:that "I'm staring down the barrel of a 45" song
Date: 2004-05-31
From: US-220

To: Barb Lambourne's Sister's House (the Schraders)
Miles today: 0.0

w/Caterpillar, Gator, Bones11:59 PM ... Memorial Day Holiday!One of the best feelings, so far, on the trail had to have been waking up this morning hearing it rain ... and being able to go back to bed! I really do miss sleeping in. The hospitality of the Scraders has gotten nothing but better. They got donuts for us this morning, fulfilled our Memorial Day BBQ fantasy, and even drove us to the mall for shopping and a movie! I spent most of my day chatting with Luanne. They've just been way too nice to us. But we appreciate every bit of it. It's been great to relax with good people in a wonderful place!Got to talk to my girl tonight .. it's so nice to be able to distract her every now and then ... she's so cute .... only 12 more days.umba-band: "Hector! ... Hector! ..." - Achiles