morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-05-22
From: Staunton, VA

To: Staunton, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Another zero for SOS so that the shin can heal more...although trying to keep SOS resting is not happening! After breakfast we drove to Staunton again. SOS sat and rested (?) while I visited a fantastic fiber shop with spinning, weaving and knitting supplies...and yes, I did buy some small skeins of handspun yarn. We went to lunch at a Bistro where we both made good choices..SOS a pizza with 2 cheeses, pulled pork, carmelized onions, roasted red peppers, pinapple and BBQ sauce..sounds like a strange combo but delicious! I had a fried green tomato sandwich which was also wonderful. On to buy tickets for the Blackfriar Playhouse for tomorrow night. We took a tour of the Woodrow Wilson boyhood home and library. He actually only lived here his first year of life. His father was a pastor making $1000 a year and was offered a pastorate in Georgia for $3000 so the family moved when Thomas Woodrow Wilson was only 1 year old. An interesting fact that we learned was that Thomas (he changed to Woodrow when he got to Princeton) struggled with reading until he was 10 years old. As our guide said, it didn't seem to affect his success in later life! Back to the room for the evening of relaxing with ice on the shin. Hopefully SOS will be ready to hike tomorrow...we will see after a good night's rest! No road names for a few days because there haven't been any out of the ordinary...this feature will return when road names get more interesting!
Date: 2012-05-23
From: VA Hwy 56 - Tye River

To: 3 Ridge Parking Overlook
Miles today: 11.2

Up early so SOS could get a earlier start on the day. Off 30 miles to his start point at VA Hwy 56. On the drive back, I was on the Blue Ridge Parkway for part of the time. I enjoy this drive most of the time because there is little traffic...I rarely see any cars. The only part I don't like is when you truly are driving on the ridge and there are drop offs on BOTH sides of the road! I like to have a mountain on one side of me...it makes me feel safer especially when there are no guard rails. I stopped at the post office in Montebello and there was Lois from Dutch Haus. We talked briefly as she was off and running as usual. Back at my room, I decided to stay put all day and just relax with my knitting. I also did the laundry in the guest laundry. It was right across from the exercise room so I rode the stationary bike for 3 miles while the clothes were washing. Rog called and wanted me to pick him up at a different spot than we talked about in the morning. It poured down rain where I was but the good news was that it didn't rain on SOS at all! When I went to pick him up, I stopped at the Blue Ridge visitor's center which made me late to pick him up for the very first time! It was easy to find him in his bright orange shirt standing by the road...no guessing where the pick up spot was today!! I drove him back to our room where we both got ready to go into Staunton to the Blackfriar Playhouse. What a huge enjoyable evening!!!!! We saw a production of A Mid Summer Nights Dream. It was unlike any other production of this play that we have ever seen and was totally delightful in every way. The players provide music for 1/2 hour before the play and during the intermission. We had front row seats...in this theater there are audience members on all FOUR sides of the stage.The actors interact with audience members which added to the fun. Now we are back in our room and SOS has ice on his shin again...the jury is out on whether he will hike tomorrow or not. Stay tuned... Road Name of the Day is back since I was out and about in the mountains today...it is RUSSELL ROCK ROAD. I picked this for two reasons..one is that I liked the sound and the way it just rolls off your tongue. The other reason is to honor a guy named Russell who was in my rug hooking class at J.C. Campbell. He was the only guy in a class of 4 women and 1 woman teacher. He did a great job with his rug and incorporated lots of blue into his rug (which several of us didn't use and gave to him). I can't wait to see his rug because he was considering making his raven blue also!! Russell does rock!
Date: 2012-05-25
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Skyline Drive at 92.4
Miles today: 13.4

Dave and Anne Michel, who are friends from Fort Wayne, came to spend some time hiking with SOS. SOS and Dave did a 13+ day and Anne did a 4.8 day. I picked her up when she was done and we said goodbye to the guys for awhile. Anne and I went to Waynesboro to look around. It was lunch time so we found a wonderful little cafe called, Stella, Bella, and Lucy's. After our good lunch we walked around town and visited an art gallery. Got kicked off the computer so stopped right there for the night...continuing this morning. Anne and I had a good day exploring and the guys had a day hiking. We drove to pick them up and found the same two hikers that we saw in the morning...so they got more trail magic. Anne and I had resupplied in town so had lots of choices...including gator aid which is a new item for the travelling trail magic car. In the evening, we ate pizza at Pizza Hut and then went to a local theater which had two musical acts for the evening. We talked to some local people and enjoyed the evening (at least most of us did...) No road name for today...mostly drove on interstates...ugh...:-)
Date: 2012-05-29
From: Fisher's Gap - Skyline 49.3

To: South River Picnic Grounds
Miles today: 15.5

SOS and Pitchit left to have breakfast down the road and then get to their start spot. Anne and I went to McDonald's to get access to the internet and to our cell phones. We left around 10:00 and drove to Harrisonburg where we located yet another knit shop. We discovered that they have a Tuesday farmer's market so we went to check it out. We bought some wonderful locally made cheese and some delicious rolls with artichoke hearts and cheese in them. This was our lunch which we ate in the shade under a tree. We visited with several of the vendors. In the alley beside the parking garage, there were several small shops. One of them was a used book store which had a row of free books on the sidewalk. There was a copy of The Poisonwood Bible written by Barbara Kingsolver which I had just recommended to Anne so she got a free copy!! I also got 2 free books so I am set for a few days. Yeah! We finally got to our destination for the day (before we got sidetracked) which was the Frontier Culture Muaeum. It is a fascinating place with buildings from 5 different countries. Very interesting and worth while way to spend the afternoon. We picked up the guys 5 minutes before it started to pour down rain...good timing!...again.... We went to the Big Meadows Restaurant to eat. We enjoyed our meal and getting to visit for awhile. Back to the cabin after stopping at McDonald's to use the internet. The Road Name of the day is: GENTLE BREEZE WAY There was a gentle breeze at the museum while we were walking around...it was much appreciated because it was a hot day here. SOS here:Pithit and I were on the trail at 9:00 AM our best start ever. The sky was brilliantly blue and it was a great day for hiking. We already had breakfast and it set the tone for grazing our way up the trail. It was my best hiking day on the trail - the temperature was just rignt and the trail was excellent. It was flat and only a little up and a little rock fields all day!We were in a rhythm of hiking and eating all day long.We stopped at 11:00 AM Milan's Gap for a snack. Oh yes, we dined on incredible pretzels and baby bell swiss cheese. Trail Mama provided both; she knows what I like. We hiked for 3 more miles and stopped at Booten's Gap for an early lunch. Are you ready - this time we ate delicious leftover stromboli from my meal last night - hmmm hmmm good.Off to hiking again on an incredibly straight trail and you guessed it at 3:00 PM we ate one more time Pitchit's tuna salad on crackers, washed down with two drinks each and topped off with an ice cream sandwhich for me and a dove ice cream bar for Pitchit purchased at the Lewis Mountain Campground store. Relaxed there for about an hour and off to hiking again. Called Trail Mama and said we would be about an hour late.We arive at South River Picnic Grounds again because we hike against the grain again today at 5:30 PM dry and happy. By 5:45 PM it was raining a deluge and we were warm and dry in the car. It was a great hike and the miles keep adding up.
Date: 2012-05-31
From: Fisher's Gap - Skyline 49.3

To: Skyline Drive 31.2
Miles today: 16.1

After breakfast with the Michels, we had to say goodbye after spending a week with them. We had a wonderful time¢¦SOS and Pitchit mostly hiking and Anne and I mostly exploring the areas we were in although she did some hiking with the guys also. Thanks so much for coming you two¢¦ it meant a lot that you came all this way and stayed a while¢¦we love you!So we are alone again and off we went to the start spot. And once again I am behind the wheel and having to pay attention to where I am going¢¦.after a nice break when Anne drove and I just rode along! Today was a special day for seeing wildlife. On the way on Skyline Drive, we saw a tiny little fawn. She was walking along the side of the road beside the car and finally moved across in front of us and down the other side. After starting back on Skyline Drive to Luray, I had to stop for two cars parked and blocking the road. The reason turned out to be the cutest ever tiny baby bear cub. Mom was nowhere in sight but I remembered granddaughter Tessa¢s bear advice and stayed in the car and drove around the cub. She was just walking beside the road..one step to the left and she would have been on the road. I couldn¢t bear (no pun intended) to think about that so I took some pictures and drove on. This was close to Skylands Lodge so I stopped to look around. Rog called and said he would hike right past this area so we decided that I would hang out there for 3 hours and then have lunch together. I ate a scone, drank coffee (Starbucks, Amy, which is all they had so I put lots of half and half in it! ) and read a new book that I got in the bookstore in the alley in Harrisonburg for free. For all our UM friends, I forgot to mention the other day that Anne and I were at this same bookstore and they had a UM Book of Discipline for free! We didn¢t get it then but when we were back with SOS and Pitchit we looked for it and it was gone!! Pitchit was disappointed¢¦NOT!SOS showed up right on time and we ate lunch overlooking the mountains with huge windows to enjoy the view. I had hummus with roasted red peppers and SOS had his usual BBQ. Both choices were good. On SOS went to complete his days hike and I returned to our room in Luray where I plan to finish my book and postcards to the grandkids before returning to pick him up.I did finish the book and the postcards. SOS called with a change in plans. He wasn't sure where the pick up spot was so said to ask the ranger at the entrance to the park. When I talked to the ranger, she changed her mind two times but then decided where I should park the car...very close to the entrance. I parked and only waited about 15 minutes until here he came out of the woods right by where I was! We drove the 9 miles (yeah for shorter distances!) back to Luray, filled the gas tank for tomorrow and went back to our room. Here I am with tons of trail magic to pass out and no one to give it to. The ranks have really thinnned out and I saw no other hikers today. No road name today...didn't drive very far or see any interesting roads.
Date: 2012-06-03
From: Manassas Gap

To: Bear's Den Hostel
Miles today: 25.2
Weather: few clouds

Ate breakfast in our room and checked out. Took SOS to his start spot and then headed to find a new home. Decided to check out Bear's Den Hostel and I was glad that I did. I met Amy who was running the place while the two managers were gone for the weekend. After checking into a space, I asked Amy if she knew a church nearby. She said "why don't you go with me?" I said, okay and so off we went and went and went! We drove for 40 minutes and ended up at a "big box" nondemoninational church. They have 4 services and there were at least 500 people in the service that we attended...a little different from my usual small churches lately with 25-40 in attendance! I didn't know any of the praise songs and most others didn't seem to either. The pastor was very good...preaching on Forgiveness using the story of Joseph and his brothers from Genesis. The praise music and the sermon were the entire service except for one announcement about church camp. Amy and I then went to a grocery store where we got the ingredients for lunch. Since Amy is in charge of cleaning bunk rooms and common areas, she asked if I would mind cooking our vegetable stew for lunch. I was delighted to get to cook as I miss it and was afraid I would forget how by the time I ever get home!! So I chopped and chopped and stirred and made a great tasting stew. I also made kale chips in the oven. It made a huge bowl which I shared with the hikers....most of them loved the chips. Meanwhile SOS was hiking a 25 mile day!!!!!!!!!!! Crazy!! He got an early start at 7:45am but didn't get in until 9:00pm. By then I was pacing back and forth on the driveway and was very relieved to see him...his feet were sore...imagine that! I fixed him rice with veggie stew and we bought some Ben and Jerry's peach ice cream which we shared. Picture coming later and more from SOS...finally have a signal!! Road name of the day: SNICKERSVILLE ROAD This is a road near the hostel. I loved the name because of the Snickers part...I can not estimate how many Snickers Bars Trail Mama and SOS and Anne have passed out! Every hiker seems to love Snickers. Thanks to Tommy, Anne and Dave, plus SOS and I we have bought lots of them!!
Date: 2012-06-06
From: Cumberland, Maryland

To: Indianapolis, Indiana
Miles today: 0.0

We ate breakafast at the hotel and started on to Indiana. We made two main stops along the way...one to get a book on tape from Cracker Barrel...John Grisham's short stories...and one to tour the Fort Necessity National Park Visitor Center. It has a short movie and a wonderful large display of history. We arrived in Indianapolis a few minutes before our dinner meeting with the board of laity. It was good to see friends and relax for a little while. We had to walk several blocks to our car. It felt strange to be in all the hustle and bustle of a large city. I know for sure that I will miss the quietness of the mountains and small towns when this adventure is over On we went to our home for the next few days at the home of Ted and Lynn Blosser. They have been good friends for over 30 years and had invited us to stay with them when it was decided to have annual conference in Indy this year.We talked until late which is usual since we don't see each other often. Road Name of the Day: PIG'S EAR ROAD Rog found this one and wondered how it got its name. I said, "I know the answer to that...the road wasn't curvy enough to be called Pig's Tail Road."I can't get my pictures to load so will try again later...stay tuned!
Date: 2012-06-07
From: Indianapolis, Indiana

To: Convention Center - Indianapolis, IN
Miles today: 0.0

Ate breakfast at Ted & Lynn's and headed downtown to the Convention Center where we will be attending the annual conference of the United Methodist Church. The convention center is HUGE so while Lynn and I are waiting and waiting for Rog to park the car and come in...I get a call from him that he came in another door and is waiting and waiting for us...we finally get together and get registered for the conference. We went to find the camping booth so we can hopefully pass out some of the 100 AT maps to be put up in churches around the state. At 10:30 we went upstairs to help with the laity luncheon. There seemed to be more laity attending than in previous years. The afternoon was busy with seeing and talking to people and attending a session of the conference. A highlight of this time in Indianapolis was our evening meal with friends. SOS's hiking buddies had come to Indy to see us and share time with us. Trail Boss, Pitchit, Boots, Noisy Rod, and Wrong Way Wise were all present!! We shared stories, laughs, and good food at Buca de Beppos. TB had ordered a special dessert...a mile high 3 layer cake with coconut icing (see picture later when I can get it on here!) It was a very special time with 5 special guys who made a special effort to be with us for a short time. THANKS to all of you...we missed Buck and Pilgrim who were on family vacations. Keep cheering us on...we LOVE to hear from you.
Date: 2012-06-08
From: Convention Center - Indianapolis, IN

To: Convention Center - Indianapolis, IN
Miles today: 0.0

After breakfast at the Blosser's, we drove to the convention center. The display area at the convention is very nice this year. It is a huge space with more vendors than in other years. We were at the camping booth for awhile. A lady came up and we got to talking. She is from Corinth UM Church in Muncie. We told her that years ago we took the entire youth group from Corinth to Haiti on a missions trip. She said she had heard about the trip although she wasn't a member at the time. Later she brought two teenagers to the booth and one girl said, "My Mom was on that missions trip!" (how to feel OLD!) We have fond memories of that trip even though there was a water and electricity shortage going on. We got two buckets of water and a candle when we checked into our hotel. Also our bus caught on fire on the way to church. People were waving at us and we thought they were just being friendly!! We went to lunch with Tommy (the co-lay leader of NE District), and two camping staff. The young adult group was sponsoring a booth where you could get your picture taken with either Dave Letterman, Bishop Mike, or John Wesley. Rog put a tri corner hat on and we had our picture taken with John Wesley. We ate dinner that evening with Marsha Coyner and the Blosser's. The worship service on Friday evening was very enthusiastic. Bishop Mike was done with his duties for the evening so the 4 of us went for ice cream and talked for awhile. It was a good day!
Date: 2012-06-09
From: Convention Center - Indianapolis, IN

To: Fort Wayne, IN
Miles today: 0.0

The ordination service for deacons and elders was Saturday morning. This is always a moving service with family members and church members there to support the newly ordained pastors. The conference concluded with the approving of the appointments for the next year. We said goodbye to friends and headed for home. We stopped to meet up with Courtney who was in town. It was a short but good as always visit. He is coming to hike with us in July. We tried to talk him into coming to help at Grandma Camp since he is a kid magnet...but he declined the honor...with a smile...:-) On we went to my hair appointment at 3:30...we got there at 3:32. Heather came in special to cut my hair...THANKS, Heather! Finally got to the house about 5:00. We discovered that our friend Lisa is taking excellent care of the flower beds. THANKS, Lisa!...and Happy Birthday! We walked over to see old friends, Charlie and Lois from PA, who were in town visiting...what a happy coincidence that we were both in town at the same time. We sat on the porch and visited for awhile and then had dinner together. It is always good to see old friends and catch up on news. Daughter Megan with her 5 wonderful kids (all my 14 grandkids are wonderful...just for the record...)arrived about 9 to spend the night. Friend Penny came over also so we all decided to go to Zesto for ice cream. It was yummy according to the kids! Back at the house, we settled into our own bed for the first time in months! It felt good! No really cool names of roads in Ft. Wayne that I know of so will have to suspend this feature until I get back to the mountains!
Date: 2012-06-10
From: Fort Wayne, IN

To: Fort Wayne, IN
Miles today: 0.0

Breakfast was an interesting affair! Chloe wanted to squeeze some oranges for juice, Gabe wanted to fry an egg by himself, and everyone ended up in the kitchen...some on top of the island and it was a combined effort! I have an old fashioned hand orange juice squeezer which takes lots of muscle to use so at one point several kids and an adult were trying to press the handle down to get the juice out...it finally worked. Meanwhile, Gabe was cracking an egg by himself and working on his breakfast....and then he needed another egg...and then another but on the 3rd one we switched to cereal. He is a good cook in training! Eventually, we got everyone fed and dressed and off we went to Good Shepherd for the 11:00 service where our newest grandson, Caden Dean McCorkle was to be baptized. I got to hold him for a little while until my arms wore out. He is a Chunk!!...but beautiful and happy. All of our grandkids were in the pews surrounding us. Shep, our Good Shepherd lamb, came to church also and was passed around among the kids during the service. Caden was very cooperative during his baptism by Pastor Phil who preached his last sermon before retiring. Lunch was authentic tacos from George's International Grocery. They came highly recommended by Josh's family with good reason...they were delicious! Later in the afternoon, all of the grandkids and most of the adults gathered at Kreager Park so the kids could play in the splash pad and the adults could visit and we all had a picnic...very hot here but there was a breeze which helped. back at home, Rog and I worked on reorganizing and cleaning out the car. It is done so time for bed! Pictures tomorrow...maybe...
Date: 2012-06-12
From: Bellafontaine OH Comfort Inn

To: Greenbrier State Park in Maryland
Miles today: 0.0

Up and off from the Comfort Inn in Ohio and on to Greenbrier State Park in Maryland to get back on the AT. It is a long drive! We stopped in Uniontown, PA at Mount St. Macrina which is where the Good Shepherd Work Team is this week. We visited with Sister Carol at the Retreat Center where the group is staying. This is the same place that the group stays each year and where Rog and I have stayed when we have been with the work team. Sister Carol proudly showed us the beautifully redone chapel which was done 3 years ago. The group was out working but we left them a note to wish them well. We reluctantly bypassed the Eat N Park and the peachberry pie that is so good there. (My brother Bill remarked on Monday that we seem to be eating lots of yummy but not necessarily good for us food! So, Bill, I took that to heart and passed on my favorite pie!) Another stop was at Cabela's so SOS could get another pair of shoes. His leather hiking boots are very heavy so he purchased a pair of lighter weight low top shoes and will try them out tomorrow. While SOS was driving I was planning our next few nights stops...so we are camping!! We will be at this state park for two nights and then move on to somewhere to be determined and then will be at Pine Grove Furnace State Park this weekend. This is the park where SOS will take the 1/2 way challenge of eating a 1/2 gallon of ice cream! There is no internet at the park but this McDonald's (where we are right now) is only 4.5 miles so will be my "writing" spot for the next two days. The state park we are in is very nice with a nice raised spot for the tent, a picnic table, a grill, and two clothes line poles. We are also close to the shower/bathrooms so we have everything we need...plus quietness, trees, and only two other campers in tents. It will be a good night for sleeping...zzzz ROAD NAME OF THE DAY: PLEASANT WALK ROAD - because that is what I am hoping for SOS tomorrow!!