morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-04-09
From: SAMS GAP

To: ZERO DAY IN ERWIN TN
Miles today: 0.0

WE AWOKE AND WENT DOWN FOR THE COMPLIMENTARY CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST. WE THEN RETREATED TO THE ROOM TO GO THROUGH THE FOOD BOX AND PUT TOGETHER A TENTATIVE PLAN FOR THE NEXT FEW WEEKS. WE WENT DOWN TO THE LOCAL OUTFITTERS (UNCLE JOHNNY'S) AND SAW BOHDIE AND SUNSET SCREAMER WITH TISH THE DOG. SUNSET SCREAMER WAS UPSET BECAUSE SHE WAS HAVING TO LEAVE TISH WITH UNCLE JOHNNY. TISH WAS NOT CUT OUT TO BE AN AT THRU HIKER. WE THEN ROAD INTO TOWN TO MISS JANETS HIKER HOSTEL AND SAW SENATOR, EZRA, VAPOR, YARD SALE, GERONIMO AND ICE MAN. WE THEN WENT TO SONIC FOR A PEANUT BUTTER MILKSHAKE- IT WAS GREAT! WE THEN WENT TO FOOD LION FOR BAGELS AND WENT BACK TO THE HOTEL FOR A NAP.   WE WENT TO THE RIVERS EDGE RESTAURANT FOR DINNER. IT WAS A GREAT LITTLE DIVE THAT WAS RIGHT ON THE NOLICHUCKY RIVER. GREAT CHARACTER DESIGN WITH A LIVE BLUEGRASS BAND. REASONABLE PRICES AND GREAT FOOD. WE SAW BONES, BUTTER EL JEFFE, AND SKEETER FEEDER AT THE HOTEL. IT WAS NICE JUST BEING TOGETHER. WE WENT TO BED LATE AND ROSE EARLY 05:00. AFTER A TEARY GOODBYE, LUMBERMACK WAS BACK ON THE TRAIL AT SAMS GAP BY 08:15
Date: 2005-04-10
From: SAMS GAP/ZERO DAY

To: NO BUSINESS KNOB SHELTER
Miles today: 18.25
Weather: few clouds

SAD DAY AS MY SUNSHINE HAD TO DROP ME OFF AT SAMS GAP TO PICK UP THE TRAIL AGAIN. AS I WATCHED HER PULL AWAY DOWN US26 I REALIZED ONCE AGAIN HOW MUCH I LOVE HER. WE HAD A WONDERFUL 1 AND 1/2 DAYS IN ERWIN. AFTER SOME LONG MILE DAYS IT WAS NICE TO GET SOME MUCH NEEDED REST. IT WAS A BEATIFUL DAY TODAY FOR A WALK IN THE WOODS. AS I WALKED ALONG I NOTICED THE MOST FRAGILE LOOKING LITTLE FLOWERS STARTING TO BLOOM. SOON THEY WILL MAKE THE FOREST FLOOR LOOK LIKE ONE SOLID BLOSSOM. ONLY GOD CAN MAKE SOMETHING SO FRAGILE SURVIVE IN THIS WILDERNESS. I CROSSED BIG BALD AND BIG STAMP AT 5500 FEET ELEVATION. NO TREES UP THERE, JUST A BIG GRASSY AREA WITH 300 DEGREE VIEWS. THREE YOUNG BOYS ON A WEEK LONG HIKING TRIP WHO I HAD MET EARLIER WERE SITTING UP THERE ENJOYING THE VIEWS. I HAD ONE OF THEM TAKE MY PICTURE. I DID NOTT TARRY LONG, I HAD MANY MORE MILES TO MAKE. SEVERAL MORE SMALL CLIMBS WITH VIEWS OF US26 AS IT RAN ALONG THE TRAIL FOR MILES. I THOUGHT ABOUT HOW KELLY AND I WERE ON THAT HIGHWAY JUST A FEW HOURS EARLIER AS SHE TOOK ME BACK TO CONTINUE MY JOURNEY NORTH. I DIDN'T MAKE AS GOOD OF TIME AS I HAD HOPED BECAUSE OF SHIN SPLINTS ON MY RIGHT LEG. ALSO TIRED, NOT MUCH SLEEP LAST NIGHT. GOT TO THE SHELTER AT 17:30 ONLY TO HAVE TO WALK BACK DOWN THE TRAIL TO FILTER WATER. WHAT A BUMMER. ATE SUPPER AND NOW IN THE SACK. SHORT DAY TOMORROW.
Date: 2005-04-11
From: NO BUSINESS KNOB SHELTER

To: CURLEY MAPLE GAP
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

UP AT 0700 AND ON MY WAY. EAGLE FOOT CAME BY ABOT 0730 HEADING OUT. HE WANTED TO GET INTO TOWN. ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL DAY AFTER A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP. ONLY PLANNING ON A 10 MILE DAY TODAY TO CURLEY GAP SHELTER. A FEW UPS AND DOWNS FROM THE SHELTER DOWN TO THE NOLICHUCKY RIVER WHERE I ARRIVED AT 1100. WENT IN TO UNCLE JOHNNY'S OUTFITTERS FOR A COKE AND A BREAK. THERE WAS TISH, SUNSET SCREAMERS DOG. UNCLE JOHNNY HA TAKEN HER IN AND ALREADY CARRIED HER TO A VET TO GET HER CHECKED OUT. I WAS GLAD TO SEE SHE HAD A GOOD HOME. AFTER A SNACK THERE I CONTINUED NORTH TO CURLEY MAPLE GAP SHELTER. A STEEP CLIMB BACK TO 3100FT FROM 1700FT. ARRIVED AT THE SHELTER AT 1345. HAD A SNACK, FILTERED WATER, HUNG UP MY WET CLOTHES TO DRY. HUNG UP MY ROPE FOR MY FOOD BAG, NOW I AM GOING TO TAKE A NAP. BONES CAME BY BUT WAS GOING ON FURTHER TO CAMP. PACE (WHO I HAD NOT MET BEFORE) IS HERE ALONG WITH THREE YOUNG BOYS WHO ARE SECTION HIKING. ELLEN (NINJA) AND SHANE(SEITH) CAME IN. I HAVE NOT SEEN THEM SINCE FONTANA. I CALLED KELLY (SUNSHINE), IT WAS GOOD TO HEAR HER VOICE. SHE IS DOING FINE. ONLY FOUR IN THE SHELTER NOW BUT ELLEN SAID THERE ARE MORE COMING BEHIND THEM THAT MAY COME IN LATER.
Date: 2005-04-12
From: CURLEY MAPLE GAP

To: CLYDE SMITH SHELTER
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: light rain

UP AND ON MY WAY AFTER A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP. IT'S CLOUDY AND A LITTLE COOL.NOT MANY VIEWS TODAY JUST A STEADY CLIMB UP TO UNAKA MOUNTAIN. I REACHED CHERRY GAP SHELTER AT 1345, ATE A QUICK LUNCH AND TOOK OFF TOWRDS CLYDE SMTIH SHELTER. IT LOOKED AS THOUGH IT MIGHT CLEAR UP, BOY WAS I WRONG. ABOUT 45 MINUTES LATER IT BEGAN RAINING HARD. THE WIND WAS BLOWING HARD AND IT WAS COLD. I DID NOT WANT TO TURN BACK SO I CONTINUED ON TOWARDS CLYDE SMITH SHELTER WHERE I FOUND TWO OTHER HIKERS. A COUPLE NAMED PIXIE AND PINE DRAGON FROM WASHINGTON STATE. THEY HAD HELD UP HERE SINCE IT STARTED RAINING. AFTER WALKING ABOUT 100FT TO FILTER WATER, I FIXED SUPPER (MAC & CHEESE WITH TUNA). I NEEDED THAT HOT MEAL TO WARM ME UP. I AM NOW IN MY SLEEPING BAG WARM FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE THIS MORNING. LOOKING FORWARD TO A GOOD NIGHTS SLEEP AFTER A 21 MILE DAY.
Date: 2005-04-13
From: CLYDE SMITH SHELTER

To: MOUNTAIN HARBOR HOSTEL
Miles today: 20.0

AWOKE SEVERAL TIMES LAST NIGHT WITH A HARD RAIN EACH TIME. RESTED GOOD BUT GOT COLD. FIRST TIME I HAVE SLEPT COLD- MAY HAVE BEEN BECAUSE IT WAS SO DAMP. UP AT 0700 WITH WHAT LOOKED LIKE A NICE DAY STARTING OUT. SUN WAS BREAKING THROUGH WITH SOME CLOUDS DOWN IN THE VALLEY. DAY STARTED OUT COOL BUT WITH ROAN MOUNTAIN COMING UP I KNEW I WOULD BE WORKING UP A HEAVY SWEAT. IT TOOK ME LONGER TO SUMMIT ROAN MT. THAN I THOUGHT AND IT HAD STARTED TO RAIN SOME, MAKING ALL THE NEW GROWTH ON THE FOREST FLOOR LOOK SO GREEN. AFTER PINE DRAGON AND PIXIE HAD TOLD ME ABOUT WILD RAMPS AND HOW THEY SPICED UP NOODLES I FOUND MYSELF GLANCING LEFT AND RIGHT LOOKING FOR THEM. I SAW THEY WERE EVERYWHERE. I DECIDED TO GO FOR TENN. HIGHWAY 19 INSTEAD OF STOPPING AT THE SHELTERS. BIG MISTAKE, I WS CAUGHT ON TOP OF THE LAST BALD WITH A COLD DRIVING RAIN AND STRONG WINDS. I HAD MY RAIN COAT ON BUT NOT MY RAIN PANTS. I WAS NOT EXPECTING THAT KIND OF WEATHER. MY CLOTHES WERE SOAKED INCLUDING MY BOOTS AND SOCKS. MY HANDS WERE GETTING NUMB AND I COULD NOT SEE THE TREE LINE. I REMOVED MY BOOTS AND PUT ON MY RAIN PANTS. MY FINGERS WERE SO NUMB I COULD HARDLY TIE MY BOOT LACES. I ALSO REMOVED MY RAIN COAT TO PUT ON MY FLEECE SHIRT TO STAY WARM. I MANAGED TO GET MY GLOVES ON ENOUGH TO ALLOW MY FINGERS TO WARM UP. I HURRIED DOWN THE MOUNTAIN SKIPPING OVER ROCKS AND BOULDERS IN ORDER TO GET TO THE HIGHWAY BEFORE DARK. I ARRIVED AT THE ROAD AT 2005 AND TRIED TO HITCH TO TOWN. NO LUCK. I REMEMBERED THAT THE THRU HIKERS COMPANION SAID THAT BUCKS WAS ONE MILE WEST SO I STARTED WALKING. I SAW A SIGN THAT SAID HOSTEL SO I TURNED AND GOT A BUNK WITH CHILI, SALAD, CORN BREAD AND SODA FOR SUPPER ($5.00). A WHOLE POT OF CHILI! STAYING HERE TONIGHT. STILL RAINING. COULD NOT CALL MY SUNSHINE- NO PHONE SIGNAL. HOPE IT'S DRY TOMORROW. 20 MILES TODAY- STAYING IN HOSTIL WITH BONES, BRAD, NESTLIE, SUGAR BEAR, SNOW FLAKE, DEEP SEA, AND PACER.
Date: 2005-04-14
From: MOUNTAIN HARBOR HOSTEL

To: MORELAND GAP SHELTER
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: few clouds

RAINED ALL NIGHT LAST NIGHT WITH ICE ON THE DECK THIS MORNING. I COULD SEE SNOW ON THE MOUNTAINS I WALKED ACROSS YESTERDAY. TODAY STARTED OUT NICE, SUN SHINING - A GREAT DAY FOR A WALK. MARY FIXED A GREAT BREAKFAST FOR SEVEN OF US. TERRY DROVE US TO THE STORE FOR A RESUPPLY AND THEN BACK TO THE TRAIL. WALKED OFF AND ON WITH JEFF AND NOAH WHO STAYED WITH ME AT THE HOSTEL LAST NIGHT. THEY ARE HERE WITH ME AT THE SHELTER TONIGHT. IT'S COLD HERE AND I AM TIRED. TALKED TO MY SUNSHINE AND SHE IS DOING WELL. BONES HIKED ON TO THE NEXT SHELTER.
Date: 2005-04-15
From: MORELAND GAP SHELTER

To: WATAUGA LAKE SHELTER
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: clear sky

UP AT 0700 WITH A BREAKFAST OF POP TARTS. I LEFT THE SHELTER WITH JEFF AND NOAH PREPARING TO LEAVE. THEY WERE GETTING OFF TO GO INTO TOWN. BEAUTIFUL DAY WITH A LONG WALK BESIDE A RIVER. MET BONES AT LAUREL FORK SHELTER. I HAD LUNCH THERE AND SOON BEGAN THE LONG CLIMB UP TO POND FLATS- GREAT VIEWS. I STOPPED AND TOOK SOME PHOTOS. GOT TO WATAUGA LAKE AT 1600 AND TOOK A BREAK BEFORE CONTINUING ON TO WATAUGA LAKE SHELTER 1 AND 1/2 MILES FURTHER. I CALLED AND TALKED TO MY SUNSHINE, SHE WAS AT WALMART. THE LAST 1 AND 1/2 MILES TO THE SHELTER WERE BESIDE THE LAKE UNITL YOU GOT TO THE SHELTER- A SMALL CLIMB. BONES, SKEETER FEEDER AND A COUPLE MORE I DID NOT KNOW WERE THERE. ONLY 16.8 MILES BUT TIRED AND READY FOR SLEEP. MAY HAVE LONG DAY TOMORROW.
Date: 2005-04-16
From: WATAUGA LAKE SHELTER

To: CAMP SITE NORTH OF DOUBLE SPRINGS SHELTER
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: clear sky

LEFT WATAUGA LAKE SHELTER AT 0749 WITH AN INTENDED DESTINATION OF A CAMP SITE ABOUT TWO MILES NORTH OF DOUBLE SPRINGS SHELTER. BEAUTIFUL DAY WITH MANY GREAT VIEWS WITH MOST OF THEM HAVING THE LAKE IN THEM. THE TRAIL WAS GREAT WITH MANY UPS AND DOWNS NONE OF WHICH WERE VERY HARD. SAW BONES AND FLIP AT THE FIRST SHELTER WHERE I TOOK A BREAK, BONES, BRAD, NESTLIE AND MYSELF COMMITTED TO HIKE ON BEYOND DOUBLE SPRINGS ABOUT TWO MILES AND CAMP TONIGHT. THIS WOULD ALLOW US TO GET INTO DAMASCUS EARLY ENOUGH TO GET SETTLED AND GO TO CHURCH TOMORROW NIGHT. BONES AND I ARRIVED AT THE CAMP SITE ABOUT THE SAME TIME. I PITCHED MY TENT AND PUT ON DRY CLOTHES, THEN ATE MY SUPPER( PACKAGED CHICKEN BREAST, PEANUT BUTTER ON A BAGEL, CHOCOLATE AND WATER). I CALLED MY SUNSHINE AND MOM AND DAD. THEY WERE GLAD TO HEAR FROM ME AND I WAS GLAD TO BE ABLE TO TALK TO THEM. PLAN TO GET AN EARLY START TOMORROW. READY FOR SLEEP NOW. 24 MILES CARRYING A 45 POUND PACK IS A LOT OF WORK FOR AN OLD MAN.
Date: 2005-04-17
From: CAMP SITE NORTH OF DOUBLE SPRINGS SHELTER

To: DAMASCUS VA- THE PLACE
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: overcast clouds

UP AT 0700 AND OFF AT 0800. SLEPT COLD LAST NIGHT AND DID NOT GET UP AS EARLY AS PLANNED. LEFT CAMPSITE HEADING FOR DAMASCUS. GENTLE UPS AND DOWNS. HAD TO STOP FOR WATER AT US 421, NOT MANY VIEWS SO NOT MANY PICTURES. TOOK PICTURE OF MT RODGERS PARK SIGN AS I ENTERED VA. GOT TO DAMASCUS AT 1430 AND WENT TO "THE PLACE" HOSTEL, OWNED AND OPERATED BY THE METHODIST CHURCH. GOT ME A BUNK SPACE, TOOK A SHOWER, AND GOT SOME RESTAUARANT FOOD. CALLED KELLY, MOM AND DAD, TONY AND WENDY, AND CHRIS. WENT TO THE DAIRY KING AND GOT A HOT DOG, FF, AND A MILKSHAKE. WENT TO CHURCH AND MET SOME VERY NICE PEOPLE. MR AND MRS TUTOR CARRIED ME TO THE FOOD STORE WHERE I GOT A 1/2 GALLON OF BRYERS ICE CREAM AND SOME CHOC. SYRUP. I ATE HALF OF IT AND GAVE THE REST OF IT TO DUBOIS FROM MAINE. CALLED KELLY AGAIN, I REALLY MIS HER. GOOD DAY TODAY WITH GOOD MILES AND NO INJURIES.
Date: 2005-04-18
From: DAMASCUS VA- THE PLACE

To: ZERO DAY IN DAMASCUS
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

AWOKE TO A BRIGHT AND SUNNY DAY AT 0745. A ZERO DAY TODAY AS I STAYED IN DAMASCUS AND TOOK CARE OF LAUNDRY, FOOD NEDDS ETC. DID LAUNDRY FIRST AND AS CLOTHES WERE DRYING I WENT TO DAIRY KING AND HAD BREAKFAST. EGGS, BACON TOAST AND PANCAKES. CALLED KELLY AT WORK AND TALKED TO HER WHILE DOING LAUNDRY. ALSO CALLED ROY CROWDER. I SAW A CROWDER TRUCK COME THROUGH TOWN YESTERDAY AND THOUGHT ABOUT ROY. HE WAS GLAD TO HEAR THAT I WAS ON THE TRAIL. WENT TO POST OFFICE AND PICKED UP FOOD DROP AND RETURNED TO THE HOSTEL TO SEE WHAT I HAD AND TO MAKE A LIST OF WHAT I NEEDED FORM THE GROCERY STORE. WENT BY THE OUTFITTER TO GET SOME ALCOHOL FOR MY STOVE THEN TO THE GROCERY. I HAD TO WALK ALMOST A MILE TO THE GROCERY, WHAT A CHORE. CAME BACK TO THE HOSTEL AND LAYED OUT MY FOOD, BAGGED IT UP AND WENT FOR PIZZA. I HAD A 10 INCH SUPER SUPREME AND FOUR GLASSES OF PEPSI. TRYING TO STORE UP SOME CALORIES FOR NEXT SEVERAL DAYS OF WALKING. TOOK A SHORT NAP AND LOOKED THROUGH MY MAPS AND MY HIKERS COMPANION TO SEE WHAT'S COMING UP. VAPOR AND I VISITED FOR A WHILE AND TALKED ABOUT BEING OUT WHERE WE CAN ENJOY GOD'S CREATION. WENT DOWN TO WHERE I COULD GET A PHONE SIGNAL AND CALLED MY SISTER LUCILLE AND TALKED A WHILE. WENT BY THE LIABRARY CHECKED THE WEATHER ON THE INTERNET, WENT AND GOT A MILKSHAKE AND CAME BACK AND CALLED KELLY. WENT AND GOT ICE CREAM, CAME BACK AND CALLED MOM AND DAD AND KELLY. GOING TO BED EARLY SO AS TO GET AN EARLY START TOMORROW.
Date: 2005-04-19
From: ZERO DAY IN DAMASCUS

To: VA HIGHWAY 601
Miles today: 18.25

UP AT 0530 AND READY TO GET BACK ON THE TRAIL. LEFT "THE PLACE" HOSTEL ABOUT 0615 HEADING OUT AND PLANNING TO STOP BY DAIRY KING FOR BREAKFAST. WHEN I GOT THERE THEY HAD NOT OPENED UP. ONE OF THE LADIES INSIDE SAW ME AND LET ME IN. I HAD EGGS, BACON , HASH BROWNS, AND TOAST, AND PANCAKES. WAS IN THE WOODS BY 0730 HEADING NORTH TO VA 601. THE SHELTERS WERE NOT SPACED RIGHT FOR ME TO GET THE MILES IN THAT I WANTED SO I CAMPED AT VA 601. ANOTHER HIKER (FOREVER NORTH) IS CAMPED ABOUT 100 YDS AWAY. I WANTED TO GO FURTHER BUT I WAS NOT SURE I COULD FIND A GOOD PLACE TO SET UP MY TENT. IT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA TO CAMP NEAR A ROAD CROSSING BUT I DECIDED THIS WAS MY BEST OPTION.I PLAN TO MAKE 23 MILES TOMORROW. I WANT TO AVERAGE AT LEAST 20 MILES A DAY NOW UNTIL I GET TO NEW HAMPSHIRE. THE TRAIL TODAY WAS GOOD WITH SOME GOOD UPS AND DOWNS. NOT MANY GOOD VIEWS BUT WALKED THROUGH SOME PRETTY WOODS. GOT TO VA 601 ABOUT 1600 WITH PLENTY OF TIME TO HANG UP MY CLOTHES TO DRY AND FIX SUPPER (CHICKEN FLAVORED NOODLES WITH PACKAGED CHICKEN BREAST). LOOKED STORMY FOR A WHILE BUT IT PASSED BY. TRYED TO CALL MY SUNSHINE BUT NO SIGNAL. I WILL TRY TO GET A GOOD NIGHTS REST AND GET AN EARLY START.
Date: 2005-04-20
From: VA HIGHWAY 601

To: OLD ORCHARD SHELTER
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: clear sky

LEFT MY CAMP SITE ABOUT 0730 HOPING FOR SOME PRETTY WEATHER AND GOOD TRAIL. GOD BLESSED ME WITH BOTH. UP WHITE TOP MT. FIRST WITH APROX. 2000 FT ELEVATION GAIN. GREAT VIEWS FROM THE TOP. I CALLED MY SUNSHINE FROM THE TOP AMD TALKED A WHILE TO HER. THEN DOWN TO VA600 AT ELK GARDEN. THEN CAME MT. RODGERS. THE CLIMB WAS NOT BAD BUT THE ROCK SCRAMBLE WHICH CAME AT THE TOP WAS MORE THAN I EXPECTED. ABOUT 6 MILES OF BOULDERS AND ROCKS WORKED ON MY FEET AND SLOWED ME DOWN. I WAS HOPING TO GET TO VA603 BUT OLD ORCHARD SHELTER WAS AS FAR AS I GOT. 22 MILES TODAY, HOPING FOR 24. GREAT VIEWS MOST OF TODAY WITH ABOUT 1/2 OF THE WALK ACROSS BALDS. DID NOT SEE ANY WILD PONIES ALTHOUGH THE BALDS HAVE THEM. I COULD NOT CALL KELLY TONIGHT- NO SIGNAL. TIRED AND GOING TO BED NOW. MET GREG AND SOPHIE FROM ENGLAND HERE TONIGHT.**note from sunshine who is entering this for lumbermack: more entries will follow tomorrow night as i have time to enter the data- not enough time in a day! check back all who are keeping up with lumbermack's journal as i will be updating through 4-30-05 hopefully by tomorrow night.
Date: 2005-04-21
From: OLD ORCHARD SHELTER

To: PARTNERSHIP SHELTER
Miles today: 24.0
Weather: broken clouds

OVERSLEPT THIS MORNING, 0700 WHEN I GOT UP , AND I WANTED TO GET AN EARLY START. PACKED UP AND ATE QUICK. ON THE WAY A LITTLE AFTER 0800 WITH PARTNERSHIP SHELTER AS MY GOAL. THAT WOULD BE A 24 MILE DAY. GOOD WALKING BUT LOTS OF ROCKS. MY FEET ARE STILL SORE FROM THE ROCKS IN GRAYSON HIGHLANDS YESTERDAY. DUCT TAPE ON BOTH FEET AND MOVING OUT. I MUST AVERAGE 2MPH TO GET TO PARTNERSHIP SHELTER BY 20:00. NOT MANY VIEWS TODAY, BUT I DID TAKE A FEW PICTURES. STOPPED TWICE TO FILTER WATER. ARRIVED AT PARTNERSHIP SHELTER AT 1845. GOOD TIME TODAY, AVERAGED OVER 2MPH. THE ONES HERE HAD ORDERED PIZZA, SENATOR SOLD ME 2 SLICES AND SOME PEPSI FOR 5 BUCKS. I DID NOT FEEL LIKE COOKING TONIGHT. CALLED KELLY, I MISS HER. GOING TO BED NOW.
Date: 2005-04-22
From: PARTNERSHIP SHELTER

To: 2 MILES SOUTH OF KNOT MAUL BRANCH SHELTER
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: scattered clouds

LEFT PARTNERSHIP SHELTER ABOUT 0800 PLANNING TO MAKE 25 MILES, THAT WOULD NOT BE. HARD CLIMBS, SORE FEET, AND POURING COLD RAIN WHICH STARTED ABOUT 1330 NIXED THAT. AS I CROSSED US11 I SAW A RESTAURANT AT THE INTERSECTION OF THE A.T. AND THE HIGHWAY. I STOPPED IN AND GOT A 1/2LB CHEESEBURGER AND FF. I NEW IF I MADE KNOT MAUL BRANCH SHELTER I WOULD NOT WANT TO COOK. AFTER THE BURGER I SET OUT IN THE POURING RAIN IN HOPE OF MAKING THE SHELTER. AT 19:30 I CROSSED A ROAD AND THERE WAS A RURITAN PICNIC SHELTER. I KNEW THEN I COULDN'T MAKE KNOT MAUL BRANCH SHELTER, IT WAS STILL 2MILES FURTHER. I SET UP MY TENT IN A ROW OF PINE TREES OUT FROM THE PICNIC SHELTER. BY THE TIME I ATE MY TUNA IT WAS 21:00. I TRYED TO CALL KELLY BUT THERE WAS NO SIGNAL. ABOUT 00:00 MIDNIGHT I WAS AWAKENED BY THUNDER WITH LIGHTNING POPPING ALL AROUND WITH ME LAYING ON THE GROUND WITH ALUMINUM TENT POLES ALL AROUND ME. I GRABBED UP MY SLEEPING BAG AND GROUND PAD AND DASHED TO THE PICNIC SHELTER. SIGNS WERE ALL AROUND IT SAYING "NO TRESSPASSING" "NO CAMPING" "PRIVATE PROPERTY". SO I SPENT THE NIGHT SLEEPING ON TOP OF A PICNIC TABLE. THE WIND WAS BLOWING THROUGH THE SHELTER SO HARD I COULD FEEL MY SLEEPING BAG FLAPPING. I SLEPT COLD PART OF THE NIGHT. I KNEW I NEEDED TO GET UP AND OUT OF THERE BEFORE DAYLIGHT- I DID NOT WANT TO BE ARRESTED FOR CAMPING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY. I SURE HATED TO GET OUT OF MY WARM SLEEPING BAG AND PUT ON COLD WET CLOTHES. BUT I DID AND WAS OFF BEFORE DAYLIGHT.
Date: 2005-04-23
From: 2 MILES SOUTH OF KNOT MAUL BRANCH SHELTER

To: JENKINS SHELTER
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: overcast clouds

RAINING AND COLD TODAY WITH CLOUDS AND NO VIEWS. MY DESTINATION TODAY WAS JENKINS SHELTER. I STOPPED AT KNOT MAUL BRANCH SHELTER FOR WATER AND THEN I WAS OFF. MY FEET ARE STILL SORE AND THE COLD WIND AND RAIN MAKE WALKING HARD. WHEN I REACHED CHESTNUT KNOB I WAS COLD WITH MY HANDS AND FEET NUMB. I MANAGED TO GET MY GLOVES ON. ATE A CERAL BAR, SOME JERKIE AND TRAIL MIX AND SET OUT LOOKING FOR BETTER WEATHER DOWN AT THE LOWER ELEVATION. NOT SO! IT BEGAN TO SNOW AND SLEET WITH THE WIND GETTING STRONGER. ALL AFTERNOON SNOW, SLEET AND WIND WITH THE TERRAIN GEETING MORE RUGGED WITH ROCKS AND MANY UPS AND DOWNS. I FINALLY REACHED JENKINS SHELTER AT 1830 COLD WET TIRED AND HUNGRY. STICK, SELENE,AND TURTLE WERE HERE DRY IN THERE SLEEPING BAGS TRYING TO STAY WARM. I CHANGED INTO DRY CLOTHES, COOKED MY NOODLES AND AM READY FOR BED. NO PHONE SIGNAL SO I COULDN'T CALL KELLY. FORECAST FOR TOMORROW IS COLDER WITH MORE SNOW. I WILL HAVE TO GO INTO BLAND VA TOMORROW FOR RESUPPLY, I MAY STAY OVERNIGHT DEPENDING ON THE WEATHER.
Date: 2005-04-24
From: JENKINS SHELTER

To: BLAND VA
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light snow

AWOKE SEVERAL TIMES LAST NIGHT COLD. I HAD ON TWO PAIR OF SOCKS, FLEECE PANTS, POLY LONG SLEEVE T-SHIRT, FLEECE PULL-OVER SHIRT AND MY FLEECE BLANKET WRAPPED AROUND MY FEET INSIDE MY SLEEPING BAG. I WOKE UP SHIVERING AND PUT ON MY FLEECE JACKET. I COULD TELL IT WAS SNOWING ALL NIGHT, I COULD FEEL THE SNOW AT TIMES ON MY FACE. THE FRONT OF THE SHELTER WAS FACING INTO THE WIND. THE SNOW WAS BLOWING INTO THE SHELTER. I HAD TO GET UP ONCE DURING THE NIGHT AND THE TREES AND THE GROUND WERE COVERED WITH SNOW AND SLEET. AT DAYBREAK I WAS TRYING TO DECIDE WHETHER TO STAY IN MY WARM SLEEPING BAG OR GET OUT AND PUT ON THE SAME WET COLD CLOTHES WHICH I HAD WORN FOR 5 DAYS. I HAD TO GET OUT , I WAS OUT OF FOOD AND IT WAS 11.5 MILES OF COLD SNOWY WET TRAIL BETWEEN ME AND RESUPPLY IN BLAND VA. I HAD TO GO TO THE PRIVY FIRST THING, COULDN'T WAIT UNITL I GOT TO TOWN. I FOLLOWED THE SIDE TRAIL DOWN TO THE PRIVY. IT HAD NO DOOR, WALLS OR ROOF. YES, JUST A TOILET SEAT ON TOP OF AN OPEN PIT. EVERYTHING WAS SNOW COVERED AND COLD. I HESITATED SITTING DOWN AFRAID I MIGHT STICK TO THE FROZEN SEAT. OH, THIS DAY WAS NOT STARTING OUT GOOD. GOT BACK INTO THE SLEEPING BAG AND ATE A POP TART AND CEREAL BAR FOR BREAKFAST. THEN THE CHORE OF PUTTING ON COLD WET CLOTHES. WITH ALL THIS DONE AND PACK PACKED UP I WAS OFF TO THE TRAIL. THE TRAIL CROSSED THE SAME CREEK 12 TIMES IN 5 MILES. EACH TIME IT GOT DEEPER AND WIDER. AT FIRST I TRIED STEPPING FROM ROCK TO ROCK IN ORDER TO KEEP MY FEET DRY. AFTER STEPPING OFF ROCKS SEVERAL TIMES AND ALMOST FALLING IN TWICE, I JUST STARTED WADING THROUGH. MY FEET WERE ALREADY WET. WITH WATER INSIDE MY BOOTS AND SNOW COVERED OUTSIDE, I TRYED TO WALK FASTER TO STAY WARM. IT WAS SNOWING AND SLEETING SO HARD AT TIMES IT WAS HARD TO SEE THE WHITE BLAZES ON THE TREES MARKING THE TRAIL. AT 1330 I REACHED THE ROAD TO BLAND VA COLD WET AND TIRED. I HITCHED A RIDE TO THE HOTEL WHERE I GOT A ROOM AND A HOT SHOWER. THEY HAVE NO LAUNDRY FACILITIES HERE OR ANYWHERE ELSE IN TOWN. I HAVE ALL MY WET CLOTHES HANGING AROUND THE ROOM DRYING. SO TOMORROW MORNING I WILL PUT THIS CLEAN BODY BACK INTO DIRTY CLOTHES AND HIT THE TRAIL AGIAN. I HAD A GOOD LUNCH AT THE DAIRY QUEEN. CHEESEBURGER FF, AND PEPSI WITH MANY REFILLS. A KIND COUPLE GAVE ME A LIFT TO THE IGA GRAOCERY DOWNTOWN TO RESUPPLY FOR 4 MORE DAYS. A FATHER(CHRIS) AND SON (STHEPHEN) GAVE ME A LIFT BACK TO THE HOTEL. I WORKED ON MY MAPS FOR THE NEXT 5 DAYS OF HIKING TO SEE WHERE KELLY COULD PICK ME UP ON FRIDAY. THERE ARE NO ROADS WHICH THE TRAIL CROSSES EXCEPT FOREST SERVICE ROADS AND MY MAPS DON'T SHOW WHERE THEY INTERSECT MAJOR ROADS. WE MAY HAVE TO SLOW DOWN ENOUGH SO KELLY CAN MEET ME AT US460. I WENT TO SUBWAY FOR SUPPER AND THE MANAGER GAVE ME A BIG CUP OF BRYERS ICE CREAM FOR DESSERT. BACK AT THE HOTEL NOW WAITING FOR KELLY TO CALL. WILL GO TO BED EARLY TONIGHT. FORECAST FOR TOMORROW IS FOR MORE SNOW.
Date: 2005-04-25
From: BLAND VA

To: VA 606- TRENTS GROCERY
Miles today: 18.8

18.8 MILES TODAY FROM BLAND VA TO VA 606. CAMPING AT TRENT'S GROCERY. THEY RENT TENT SPACES FOR $5 AND THEY HAVE PIZZA AND HOT WINGS. I COULD NOT RESIST.WHEN I SAW THIS IN THE THROUGH HIKER COMPANION I JUST HAD TO GET TO VA 606. BESIDES, I NEED TO GAIN SOME WEIGHT. AFTER EATING, I WENT AND SET UP MY TENT. FLYING TURTLE WAS HERE(I MET HIM ,SELENA, AND STICK AT JENKINS SHELTER). I MET CARLTON AND PURPLE ROSE (HIS WIFE AND ZIG-ZAG WHO ARE ALSO CAMPING HERE IN A CAMPER VAN- ZIG-ZAG HAS HER TENT). PURPLE ROSE AND ZIG-ZAG ARE SECTION HIKING AND CARLTON IS FOLLOWING WITH A VAN IN SUPPORT. HAD A GOOD DAY TODAY AFTER LEAVING BLAND. I GOT A HITCH BACK TO THE TRAIL AFTER BREAKFAST AT SUBWAY. WHEN I AWOKE THIS MORNING, THE SUN WAS SHINING- WHAT A GREAT SIGHT. I CALLED KELLY WHEN I GOT BACK TO THE TRAIL. SHE ENCOURAGED ME. I JUST FELT BAD AFTER THREE DAYS OF RAIN, WIND , COLD AND SNOW. AFTER I GOT STARTED BACK WALKING, LOOKING AROUND AT GOD'S CREATION AND ENJOYING THE VIEWS, I FELT BETTER. WHEN I GOT TO THE TOP OF THE FIRST MOUNTAIN, I COULD SEE A FARM DOWN IN THE VALLEY WITH HOUSE, BARNS FEILDS AND A BIG SILO. I TOOK SOME PICTURES OF IT. AS THE DAY PROGRESSED, I COULD STILL SEE THE SAME FARM DOWN TO MY LEFT. THE LAST THING I SAW TO MY LEFT BEFORE COMING DOWN TO VA606 WAS THAT FARM. I SPENT ALL DAY- 18+ MILES CIRCLING THAT FARM. SO I DID NOT MAKE MUCH PROGRESS NORTH. JUST MADE MILES. THAT IS WHY THE A.T. IS 2175 MILES LONG FROM GA TO MAINE, IT DOES ALOT OF WINDING AROUND. TRYED TO CALL KELLY FROM PAY PHONE BUT SHE WAS NOT HOME. COULD NOT CALL FROM CELL PHONE- NO SIGNAL. TIRED NOW AND FEET HURT- GOING TO BED.
Date: 2005-04-26
From: VA 606- TRENTS GROCERY

To: DOC'S KNOB SHELTER
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

15.5 MILES TODAY FROM VA606 TO DOC'S KNOB SHELTER. CLOUDY MOST OF THE DAY. UP AT 0645, CARLTON HAD HOMEMADE COFFEE READY WHEN I GOT UP. WOW, SO GOOD TO HAVE COFFEE IN THE MORNING. I ATE BREAKFAST (BAGEL WITH BUTTER AND POP TART WITH COFFEE!) PACKED UP TENT (TENT WAS WET WITH CONDENSTION AND DEW FROM OVERNIGHT). CARLTON CARRIED HIS WIFE PURPLE ROSE AND HER FRIEND ZIG-ZAG TO THE TRAIL CROSSING AND CAME BACK FOR FLYING TURTLE AND ME. I STARTED HIKING FROM VA606 AT 0839 WITH DOC'S KNOB SHELTER 15.5 MILES UP THE TRAIL AS MY DESTINATION. I JUST TOOK IT EASY TODAY, ENJOYING THE VIEWS AND TAKING SOME PICTURES. I WANT MY BODY TO BE ABLE TO PUT ON SOME WEIGHT BY BURNING LESS CALORIES AND TAKING IN MORE. THE ROCKS IN VA HAVE ABOUT TORN MY FEET UP. I KEEP STUMPING MY TOES ON ROCKS AND ROOTS LOOKS LIKE I WILL LOSE AT LEAST 3 TOENAILS. MY BIG TOE ON MY RIGHT FOOT LOOKS REALLY BAD. ARRIVED AT THE SHELTER ABOUT 1636. FILTERED WATER, PUT ON DRY CLOTHES, HUNG UP TENT AND WET CLOTHES TO DRY. THEN I COOKED AND ATE SUPPER- MAC AND CHEESE WITH TUNA AND BAGEL WITH BUTTER. CALLED KELLY BUT NOT A GOOD SIGNAL SO WE COULDN'T TALK. WILL TRY AGAIN TOMORROW IN PEARISBURG. TIRED NOW -GOING TO BED.