morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-23
From: Johns Spring Shelter

To: Stealth Camped
Miles today: 18.6

Today was a really good day. I was expecting rain and thunderstorms all day but had sun and warm weather instead. I was happy for the good weather because I was passing thru McAfee Knob and Tinker Cliffs, two places that I have heard a lot about.I got to McAfee Knob at around 9:00 AM and hung out for about 2 hours. I had the whole knob to myself. McAfee Knob is said to be the best view in Virginia and I would have to agree. What makes it really neat though is the big rock ledges that overhang the mountain.   It is kind of like a big stone diving board at the top of the mountain. I got some great pictures. From McAfee you could see Roanoke. I also saw the airport, which reminded me of when I visited the area with the SU crew. I remember flying into this small airport but circling a mountain before landing. I was trying to figure out what mountain it was but I couldn¢t tell. My next stop was Tinker Cliffs, which is a 12 mile cliff walk. On the way there I had a deer sighting one of which was a baby deer.... pretty neat!   I had lunch on Tinker Cliffs and had a great view over a bunch of farmlands. The only thing was it was so windy that I felt like I was going to blow away. It was about a constant 35 MPH wind.It was a nice ridge walk for the rest of the day overlooking towns and I think the lake I fished when I was up here last. It was so neat having this eagle eye view.The only bad thing today was my run with a diamond back snake. It scared the hell out of me. It was over 3 feet long and just chilling on the trail. I came to such a quick stop when I saw it. I nearly broke my ankle. It just sat there even when I threw stuff at it. After a couple minutes it decided to come towards me and I had to go backwards for about 15 feet before it left the trail. Hopefully I will forget about it because I was freaked out the rest of the day.I was going to set up camp right before town but then I heard about the Pizza Hut and ate all but 2 slices of a large sausage stuffed crust pizza. I hiked back into the woods for the night to avoid getting a hotel. It is raining out now and I heard my food bag fall out of the tree so I got to re-hang it before I go to sleep.JudePS I went over the 700 mile mark!!!!
Date: 2005-05-24
From: Stealth Camped

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I am officially 1/3 of the way to Katahdin!Mother Nature decided to rain on my parade though. The weather was calling for showers but it rained all day. I did laundry, got groceries and ate lunch in town before hiking today. Low miles today, nothing new to report. Sherm I hope you enjoy Slash and Velvet Revolver tonight and Sheri, I enjoyed listening to Bono sing, ¢Where the Streets Have No Names¢ from the show you went to. Burr, Rock on Dude!JudeP.S.I think I want a trail name now but I would rather get it from friends or family so place your suggestion in the guest book and I will choose one.Judacriss, T, Jude-alicious, Judy-pa-tootie are all exempt. I want something new.
Date: 2005-05-25
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a pretty easy day. I knocked out over 20 miles before 5:30 PM. The temperature was great for hiking at about 55o-60o.   It threatened to rain all day but never did! Not much excitement today. I saw 1 deer and have started to hike along the Blue Ridge Parkway. Despite being called a parkway, it is just a large road that is very scenic of the Virginia Mountains. The biggest news of the day was my boots are getting a lot worse. The sole is coming off both shoes but today the left sole tore down about a 1/3 of the shoe. I glued it with cement tonight so hopefully that will hold it over for another 100 miles until I get to the outfitter. Lowa better replace these because this isn¢t normal wear and tear.I was thinking even more about the trail name and I might just use several. Maybe I feel like ¢T¢ one day or lately I¢ve been feeling/looking like a ¢Dirt Rocker¢. I want a trail name(s) by the 12 way mark.            ------ Jude, T., Dirt RockerOh, by the way, I¢ve really gotten hooked on listening to N.P.R. I¢ve always been but have gotten much more interested in current events. I am also thinking about re-buying an IPOD so I can get audio books because I¢ve got an itch to learn. What¢s happening to me?
Date: 2005-05-26
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Campsite
Miles today: 23.5
Weather: clear sky

Not a whole lot going on today. The excitement of the day was when I almost ran into a deer. I was hiking along this morning and fiddling with my radio when I looked up and saw a deer ten yards from me on the trail. It didn¢t seem to care much and it continued eating. I stood there for ten minutes watching the deer eat so close to me. I was able to watch it¢s facial expressions, tail movements and other things you don¢t normally see.Anyway, my pen ran out of ink a couple days ago and I just found a pencil to write with and finish this up. Don¢t quite remember what else happened.
Date: 2005-05-28
From: Little Irish Creek

To: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: broken clouds

I decided last night that I am going to try to do 20 miles a day for the last 11 days to get me to Harpers Ferry. This way I can take a train into D.C. rather than hitch.I am starting to get bored of the same old routine out here. Can¢t wait for Klicker¢s party
Date: 2005-05-29
From: Seeley-Woodworth Shelter

To: Stealth Camped
Miles today: 24.5

Last night wasn¢t fun. I was warned in the register at the shelter that the mice were bad but I was too lazy to put up my tent. At about 1:00 AM I woke up to a mouse trying to nestle up in my hair. I was up ¢till at least 3:00 AM and I heard them running around all throughout the shelter. Not much else going on.......just listening to the Pepsi 600 before I go to bed.
Date: 2005-05-30
From: Stealth Camped

To: Waynesboro
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: scattered clouds

I banged out 17 miles by 3:00 PM today so I could get to Waynesboro. I am staying at a church hostel tonight and got a shower for the first time in 12 days...long overdue!!The shower and spending a night in town is great for my morale. I have been a bit down lately and maybe this had something to do with it.I have to do something with my boots. They are falling apart. Hopefully I will be able to get something figured out tomorrow. The sole is separating from the boot and peeling back. Not good.Enjoying electricity for the night!
Date: 2005-05-31
From: Waynesboro

To: Stealth Camped
Miles today: 10.0

Boy, did I have a busy day today! I had to run the usual errands, while in town today but also had to talk with Lowa my boot maker. They are shipping me a free pair of boots even though we determined my problems with the sole falling off is normal wear and tear. I hadn¢t realized but I was wearing a day hiker boot, which won¢t last as long. This may also be the reason why my feet hurt so much. Paula, at Lowa has been very helpful, Thanks!I am also getting a pair of Garmont shoes courtesy of Hane¢s neighbor, Bill who is with Garmont Shoes. I am looking forward to using the stiff-soled Garmonts when I get into PA where it is very rocky.Anyway, I also had to finish up some bachelor party plans and also figure out the train system into D.C. & Baltimore. I had to finalize my tickets for the Washington Nationals game I am going to next week too. Thanks for hooking me up Burr! So after all that and more I got back on the trail at around 3:00 or 4:00 PM. I was only able to put in 10 miles today so I will have to make it up over the next couple of days. It is fun having this challenge of doing an average of 12 straight days of 20 miles to get me to Harpers Ferry. I enjoy and welcome the challenge. It almost reminds me of my old sales goals and going about the means to reach them. No Blue Blazing in the hiking game!I really recharged the batteries in my head with this town stop. Even thought I was only there for less than 24 hours, it made a huge difference. I am not sure if I mentioned in yesterday¢s journal but I didn¢t shower for 12 days and it was just nasty. That alone made a huge difference.Today was an enjoyable hike. Had a deer sighting, but even better was a bunny sighting. Haven¢t seen many rabbits on the trail and this little one was just so cute.I got another letter from Uncle Paul. Thanks; you are tied for 1st place with Hane on the mail drops. Thanks so much!...Especially for not mentioning the A.T. murders in this letter. I was freaked out for a while with the last letter because there was a murder 20 years ago in the Pearisburg area and the guy just got out of prison and I was in the area when I got your letter.No bears yet, but hopefully a friendly encounter soon!
Date: 2005-06-01
From: Stealth Camped

To: Stealth Camped
Miles today: 27.3

So, I just saw the most amazing thing about a mile back. As the sun was going down on the day I was pushing on looking for a place to set up my tent. I had already seen many deer on the day but the count was rising from 7-8-9 and then 10 & 11. #10 was a doe and #11 her newborn feeding from its mother. This little baby ¢Bambi¢ deer with the white poke-a-dots couldn¢t possibly have been more than 10 lbs. It was the size of a small puppy.When I came upon them, the baby was standing under its mother nursing. This all took place about 20 yards from me. It was just so amazing to see something like that.I ended up seeing either 14 or 15 deer on the day. The above encounter overshadowed an encounter earlier in the day.   I came up upon 2 deer. 1 was a doe and the other a button buck. They like so many of the deer in the Shenandoah¢s aren¢t afraid of humans. I got so close to these 2 that I was probably within 10 feet. I even tried to feed them leaves and they came a little closer in an attempt to eat them but then backed off. Pretty neat, but nothing compared to the baby and its mother.I also forgot to mention that I snapped a few pictures of the baby nursing but they didn¢t turn out well because of the lighting. I felt bad because the flash was going off and it scared the mother. I stop taking pictures and walked away because I felt bad for interrupting this most amazing encounter.I also came across some great Trail Magic today. A couple miles before the deer sighting I walked up to a shelter full of southern hikers getting ready to eat dinner. They invited me to eat with them and boy was it good. They were at the store in town earlier and bought fried chicken, potato salad, coleslaw, grapes and some kind of dessert.   We washed it down with red wine! It was so good and unexpected but again greatly overshadowed by the other event. Well, I have written enough today. I have to get to bed.
Date: 2005-06-02
From: Stealth Camped

To: Big Meadows Campground
Miles today: 24.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Not much going on today. It rained all day and I just put my head down and hood up until I got to Big Meadows. Big Meadows has a lodge with restaurant and bar so I thought I deserved to take advantage of the amenities after the miserable day. I did see two big turkeys today and about a 12 dozen deer. It is amazing how tame the deer are here in the Shenandoah¢s. I walked within just a few feet of several deer again today.I forgot to mention that I had my 1st fall a couple days ago. I guess I have done pretty well because most Thru-hikers have already fallen a couple times. Anyway, I was just about to enter the Shenandoah¢s when I lost my footing. I slipped on a rock and began to stumble. I have done this many times and recovered but this time not only did I not recover but my full pack and body picked up momentum for about 10 feet until I went down. I ended up on my butt with my back and pack facing north. I banged my knee pretty good and I was shaken up. Luckily ¢Mouth¢ was hiking with me and he helped stabilize me from rolling down the hill. It took about 5 minutes to regain my composure and get back to my feet, but I am glad to say that I am fine.I have completed over 900 miles!!5 days till my break and I will also be over 1,000 miles then!
Date: 2005-06-03
From: Big Meadows Campground

To: Pass Mountain Hut
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: light rain

Another day of bad weather. Well, it wasn¢t as bad as yesterday but there was no sign of the sun. I saw a bunch of deer again two of which were fawns. It¢s so neat seeing these little Bambies!Forgot to mention yesterday¢s lunch. Because it rained all day, I found protection from the elements in a campground bathroom. It¢s amazing how much you appreciate walls and a roof even if you are eating lunch sitting on a toilet when the weather isn¢t good.Hoping the weather clears up tomorrow!
Date: 2005-06-04
From: Pass Mountain Hut

To: Tom Floyd Wayside
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Another milestone today as I finished the Shenandoah National Park. I am now less than 60 miles to West Virginia and 1,000 miles!!!I was one of the very few that made it thru the Shenandoah¢s without seeing a bear. Oh well, I still have over 1,000 miles to get the chance. I did see another fawn today and got some decent pictures. I also saw a nice 8-10 point buck with velvet late today.   I am kind of confused now because I must have seen almost 50 deer in the past week and none had antlers. I just assumed they hadn¢t grown their antlers yet, but why did this one have a big rack?Keep on keeping on!
Date: 2005-06-05
From: Tom Floyd Wayside

To: Dicks Dome Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: light rain

Not much going on today. I had to make a quick stop into Front Royal to resupply. I was in and out of town in a couple hours.The only thing really to report was how hot & humid it was today. It was nasty! I am already dirty and smelly and then throw me into this environment and it only gets worse. It was hotter than the Group Sales Room when I would strip down to my boxers at my desk. (I¢m glad Debbie never came back because I think that¢s an HR violation). It was hotter than Buff McGruff betting on an 8 High in a game of Texas Holdem. It was hotter than a ticket to Sing-a-Long Santa. It was hotter than Stacy¢s Mom. I dropped it like it was Hot.....and it was. If Paris Hilton was here she would say ¢That¢s Hot¢.Alright it¢s still soooo humid so I¢m going to go put on my scuba gear and get to bed.Scuba Steve
Date: 2005-06-06
From: Dicks Dome Shelter

To: Stealth Camped Watauga Lake 
Miles today: 17.0

I had to stop short today because a storm blew in at the end of the day. For some reason I feel safer sitting in my tent rather than hiking when a storm comes thru. I now have to do 22 miles into Harpers Ferry tomorrow. Can you believe I just said that? I am only 22 miles away from Harpers Ferry, the psychological halfway point. Anyway I could bang out 22 miles easily but I am really concerned with my boots. They are in shreds and its making hiking very difficult. I have had them glued and taped up many times but they just keep getting worse. All I need is just 22 more miles out of your guys...please!!I might end up walking into Harpers Ferry barefoot. I just counted the miles and realized my boots have been messed up since McAfee¢s Knob, which was 320 miles ago. I need new boots!!!!!Well, it was another disgustingly hot and humid day. Multiply everything I said yesterday by two. Burr, I know your buddy at the Nationals said I had to take a shower before the game but I don¢t know how much good it will do. We¢ll see!I did try to cool down and clean up a little this afternoon by lying naked in a little stream. Quite a site!All I know is I severely contaminated the water down stream! But guess what? I still stink and feel nasty.Last but not least, I took a trail name today. You can now call me Jude Dirt. A lot of people think my trail name was Jude when I introduced myself so when OC1 found out it was my real name he came up with chops. I had been thinking Dirt for a while because my chops are natural white trash facial hair just like Joe Dirt (hopefully you¢ve seen the movie) so, together we came up with Dirt Dirty Jude Dirt. I like That!!Keep on keepin on!
Date: 2005-06-07
From: Stealth Camped

To: Shenandoah St., Harpers Ferry, WVA(cowboy camped)
Miles today: 22.4
Weather: clear sky

Milestones, anniversaries and a few days off.At about 9:00 AM today I finally stepped out of Virginia and into West Virginia. I spent over 500 miles and almost 14 of the trail in Virginia and I was sort of sad to leave. I really enjoyed this state especially the Shenandoah¢s, McAfee Knob, Dragons Tooth and Tinker Cliffs. I am also happy to move on.Just several miles later I also hit another huge milestone.... 1,000 miles!Can you believe it? I¢ve hiked 1,000 miles!I pushed on a few more miles to Harpers Ferry, WVA that is only .1 mile short of Maryland (just a quick walk over the Potomac River)It was pretty cool to hit these milestones on June 7th. June 7, 2004 was also a BIG day. It was 1 year ago today that Tampa Bay Lightning won the Stanley Cup. I have a lot of time to think while on the trail and it was really nice reminiscing on that very special day and season. H, I¢m serious, I will call you every year on June 7th because we walk together forever. (I called H this morning at 7:00AM to remind him we walk together forever.) It¢s 10:17 PM right now, which is right about when Khabby made that last save, and the Lightning became Stanley Cup Champions.Between the milestones, anniversary and also my break that I have just started, I have a lot of thoughts running through my head. I am taking the next four days off and will be in DC for the first two before flying up to Manchester, NH and driving over to Syracuse with Klicker for his bachelor party this weekend. I am really looking forward to the time off. I also think it will do my body a lot of good. Well, I need to get going. The owner of the Outfitter was nice and said I could sleep on the balcony of the store. It is getting late and I have an early train to catch to DC.Dirt
Date: 2005-06-08
From: Shenandoah St., Harpers Ferry, WVA(cowboy camped)

To: Washington DC
Miles today: 0.0

I took the 6:00 AM commuter train to DC this morning and got in around 7:30 AM. It was neat to just watch people getting to work. They were all dressed up in their shirts and ties and brief cases rushing to catch the train. Once they were on the train many people got some extra sleep during their long commute to DC. They rushed off to work and I leisurely toured the city. I went to the Air and Space Museum and then to a Washington Nationals vs. Oakland A¢s game. It was a good game and I had a good seat. Thanks for hooking me up with the ticket Burr!That¢s all for now.
Date: 2005-06-09
From: Washington DC

To: Merrimack, NH 
Miles today: 0.0

What a day for the wildlife sighting! I saw my first bear along with giraffes, elephants, tigers and lions, hippos and even my favorite animal the orangutan. All right, I wasn¢t hiking today. I went to the Washington Zoo where I saw all of these and more. I also checked out the White House, Capital and Washington Monument all from a distance.   I also spent a good amount of time at the Museum of American History. I really liked the museum and wish I had more time to see it. I took a train in the late afternoon to BWI for my flight to Manchester, NH. I got in late tonight but it is good to see Matt and I am looking forward to the weekend!
Date: 2005-06-10
From: Merrimack, NH 

To: Syracuse, NY
Miles today: 0.0

Matt and I drove over to Turning Stone Casino today and met up with Fox. We had dinner at the casino buffet...........what else is new.We pretty much sat around, drank beer and gambled for the night.Dan and the General got in around midnight and we gambled some more until sometime in the middle of the night. I only lost $40.00 tonight...not bad
Date: 2005-06-11
From: Syracuse, NY

To: Syracuse, NY
Miles today: 0.0

It feels like it¢s been quite a while since I have been hiking. This has been great for my feet. I had a couple little foot injuries in addition to the normal soreness so these days off have been great.As for today, the rest of the guys went golfing. I slept in and got some needed rest. We took a H2 Hummer Limo to Syracuse and had dinner at the Dinosaur. After dinner we went to a few bars in Armory Square and up on the Hill at Marshal Street. Unfortunately Faegan¢s was closed but we settled for Chuck and Maggie¢s. We finished the night with a little toast out on the Quad.Unfortunately I went back to the casino and lost more money. I should have just gone to bed.
Date: 2005-06-12
From: Gulf Rd

To: Crystal Mt Campsite
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: haze

Note to self, NEVER hike the day after a bachelor party!I did less than 4 miles but that was all I could handle. Matt dropped me off in Dalton, Mass today and I am going to hike over 175 miles north to Hanover, NH where Hane is going to pick me up. I am going to do this section, which includes all of VT, and then visit Hane for a few days before Matt¢s wedding.I did not get started until about 6:00 PM after driving for a couple hours, getting groceries, fuel and packing my backpack. It is just as hot and humid here as it is in the South.Dirty Jude Dirt
Date: 2005-06-13
From: Crystal Mt Campsite

To: Wilbur Clearing Lean-to
Miles today: 15.6

I got off to a late start today as I slept till 9:30 AM. It was very much needed and I am finally refreshed from the weekend. I did feel a little out of shape from the time off but I should be back to normal tomorrow. The story of the day is the black flies and mosquitoes. I have hiked over 1,000 miles without a bug bite and I got about 10 or so just today. It is bad up here. I wrote in an entry not too long ago, about how it doesn¢t get much worse than the heat and humidity but I guess it can get worse. It is just as hot and humid but now I have to deal with all the bugs biting me.Despite this, it has been a pretty good adjustment back into the hiking world.
Date: 2005-06-14
From: Wilbur Clearing Shelter Lean-to

To: Congodon Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: moderate rain

It rained most of the day today. It was a welcomed relief from the heat and flies. With everything though, you have your negatives and positives. On the bad side, I have rubbed my hips and thighs pretty raw from my wet clothes and pack. It hurts pretty badly. I am hoping it heals over night.I also entered Vermont today. I have noticed the terrain is more difficult than what I was previously hiking. I am hoping I will be able to make it to Hanover in time for Hane to pick me up. I am going to need to pick up my pace. Not much else going on.
Date: 2005-06-15
From: Congodon Shelter

To: Caughnawaga Shelter
Miles today: 18.7

The rain and mud continued today making my opinion of VT not that good. On a better note a cold front came through during the day dropping the temperature from the 80¢s to the 60¢s. The lower temperature also kept those nasty biting flies away!I also saw two cute girls on the trail...a first.I was hoping to stay at the shelter with them but it was full. Instead I am at this very old shelter with a man and his two boys.The boys don¢t seem to be happy out here in this cold wet weather. Oh yeah, it was funny watching this guy try to start a fire. Not going to happen in this weather.Keep on Keepin on!Dirty Jude Dirt