morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-05-16
From: 4 Pines Hostel

To: VA 311
Miles today: 5.9

I didn't sleep very well last night and the rooster started up at 2:00 am and didn't stop until daylight. I was planning on doing a 16 mile day today, go over McAfee Knob (probably the most photographed place on the AT) and then in to Daleville on Sunday.Things have a way of working out different than you planned and I have learned that you have to be flexible here on the trail. As soon as I started I could tell that I wasn't recovered from hiking over Dragon's Tooth the day before and there would be no way I could make 16 miles today. After 6 miles I knew I would be at a road crossing where 4 Pines Hostel would come pick me up. I gave them a call and they came right over and picked me up.David Howell and Richard Leggett are coming to hike with me next week and all along I have wanted them to climb over McAfee Knob with me. In my book David is a professional photographer and how sweet would it be for him to take a picture of me sitting on the edge of the Knob. Today there are hundreds of locals climbing up to the knob and I probably would never get a chance to be alone to have my picture taken anyway. So I decided at that point to end my hiking until next Friday when they get here to hike with me. I also talked to Eddie at the hostel and he said that they could park their car at the hostel while they are hiking and could arrange a shuttle to pick them up when they are ready to go home. It's amazing how God can always pull a plan together if you will just be patient enough isn't it.I came back to the Hostel and shortly a few other hikers joined me and we decided to try the Home Place Restaurant one more time. We talked Eddie into taking 4 of us over at 3:00 when they opened and when we got there there were cars everywhere but we decided it would be worth the wait. Sam I Am went in and hollered back to us that we could be seated just like that. I wonder if they look at these poorly dressed folks and just want us in and out as fast as possible. There was a time that I would have been very uncomfortable dressed like I was when everyone else looked like they had just come from a wedding but it didn't phase me one bit. It was actually graduations going on at Va Tech and Radford College so that is where most folks were coming from. It was delicious but I felt like we let the hikers down since we couldn't eat very much. This is an all you can eat restaurant where you are served family style.After dinner it was back to the hostel where we ended up with a full house before it was all over with. Those here tonight were Sam I Am ( girl not the other Sam I Am that I know), Shiny, All the Way, Short Bus, Lost and Found, and some others I didn't know. One hiker was having to end his hike after finding out his sister only had a couple of more weeks to live. He was busy trying to make arrangements to get home. How Sad.
Date: 2015-05-17
From: VA 311

To: I-81
Miles today: 0.0

Well this morning I didn't have to be in a hurry because when Eddie at Four Pines Hostel has time he is going to run me over to a motel next to I-81 so Cathy can just hop off and get there easy. At about 10:00 he had to make a run to pick someone up so he told me to come on and we took off. We picked up Lost and Found who was planning on hiking all the way to Daleville but wasn't feeling well so he only walked the same 6 miles that I walked yesterday. When we got to the hotels I had a choice of 3 so I went to the unnamed upgrade hotel and walked in with my pack on and asked if they had a room. I realized it was still morning but the clerk looked at me and said she didn't have anything and wouldn't know until 3:30 if they had a room. I believe they didn't want my business, maybe my looks had something to do with it. I won't ever know but will always wonder but that chain will never get my business again. There was a Burger King right down the street so I walked in and ordered breakfast and had a seat. I called one of the other hotels and asked if they had a room and they did and said I could check in at 12:30. I asked the folks at Burger King if I could sit there for a couple of hours and they were very welcoming to me. I told them what I was doing and assured them I wasn't a homeless person. (lol)While waiting I used their wifi and got all my journals updated. I also ordered lunch and then headed up to the hotel where I had a room. I got checked in and took a long hot bath and then tried to take a nap but I couldn't go to sleep. Cathy made it here at about 6:30 and I immediately was ready to go get something to eat. We took off with me driving which was a little strange since I haven't driven anything for over two months. After getting lost a couple of times we found a restaurant and had a nice dinner. It was then back to the hotel for a good nights rest.Since I won't be hiking again until this Friday I will wait and post a summary of my off days in one journal. Just know I am enjoying my visit with friends and Cathy and stocking up on the calories while my body tries to take a rest also.
Date: 2015-05-21
From: I-81

To: I-81
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Cathy and I have had a great visit with each other and with good friends. On Monday afternoon our next door neighbor when we lived here, Tonda Bowers came by and we had a great visit with her. On Tuesday morning we headed over to Lynchburg to our good friends Russ and Carol Minerich's home where we spent two nights. Russ had to work but Carol took us all over Lynchburg showing us how it has grown since we moved from here about 20 years ago. We had a great visit with them and last night we had the opportunity to go and visit Gary and Joan Wooldridge who is a good friend and former co-worker and have dinner with them and Carol. Gary and Joan along with Russ and Carol are such great people who despite their situations have the most positive outlooks of anyone that I know. I can't believe I complain about the weather some time.It was a great visit and I am so glad I got to see each of them. I am in the hotel room trying to get packed back up and can't wait for Richard, David and Logan to get here in the morning although it will be sad to say goodbye to Cathy.The weather has cooled off today but is suppose to warm up again next week but I think tomorrow will be a perfect day to climb McAffee Knob.
Date: 2015-05-22
From: I-81

To: Campbell Shelter
Miles today: 4.4
Weather: clear sky

This morning Cathy and I slept in and checked out of the hotel at about 11:30 and moved over to Burger King to wait on the guys to get here. I got a text from Richard saying they were stuck in traffic so Cathy went ahead and left and I waited on the guys to get here. They finally arrived and we drove over to Four Pines Hostel where they left their car and Eddie will come pick them up next Wednesday morningWe started hiking about 3:00 and made it to McAffee Knob at about 5:30 and it couldn't have been better. The weather was perfect and the views were to die for. This is probably one of the most photographed places on the entire trail and I have two excellent photographers hiking with me. David and Logan took a lot of pictures and then they surprised me with the ultimate trail magic. When Keitt had come hiked with me he brought me a subway sandwich and a cold diet coke for my lunch and I had challenged the guys that Keitt had set the bar mighty high. They came through with a bottle of wine, two types of cheese, crackers, blue berries and a pear. It would be hard to out do that trail magic.After finishing up the trail magic we headed on down the trail to the camp site where we got our tents set up and Logan got us a fire started. The weather is great and I think we will have a great evening.
Date: 2015-05-23
From: Campbell Shelter

To: mile 720.9
Miles today: 8.5

I slept pretty good last considering that I was using my summer quilt for the first time and was concerned I might get cold but didn't. The guys all have trail names now: Richard - Right Now, David - Ultimate Trail Magic and Logan - Midnight Sun. We were up and going by 9:00 this morning with a thought that we might make it to Daleville but we were all so tired that we made about 8 miles, found a beautiful look out and was able to squeeze all our tents into a very tiny spot so that we could spend the night here.David and Logan have taken some awesome pictures so far. I forgot to mention that yesterday I met Resolute's cousin at McAffee Knob. I am still amazed at how much of a small world it is out here. I haven't seen many thru-hikers but there are a lot of local folks out for the weekend.Tomorrow we plan on getting to Daleville for lunch and then hiking on until we find somewhere to camp for the night. The weather was beautiful again today and should be the same again tomorrow. I think the guys are beginning to believe I have this kind of weather and views every day. I keep reminding them this is as good as I have had it since getting on the trail. There are several hikers that I started with in Georgia who are right behind me and I hope to see them in the next few days.
Date: 2015-05-24
From: mile 720.9

To: Mile 729.6
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: broken clouds

We woke up to a beautiful morning from the great camp site we had found the night before. Our plan today was to make it to Daleville to resupply our food and eat at the 3 Pigs Barbecue Restaurant. I saw last night on Facebook where Sam I Am was only about 2 hours behind us yesterday so I kept an eye out for him all day. Just before we reached Daleville he caught up with us and I was happy to see him. I haven't seen him since about the third week of the journey but have been following him through Facebook and you tube.It took us a little longer than we wanted it to since we were hungry but we made it and all had a plate of barbecue pork with a blue berry cobbler with ice cream to finish it off. After eating all of that we were almost to full to want to go and buy our groceries.We finally made it over to Kroger's to bought our groceries and re packed everything so we could get a couple more miles in before the day was over with. I had to buy 5 days worth of food so that added over 10 lbs to my pack.We hiked a couple of miles until we found this cow pasture to camp in for the night. It has a nice view but we have to be careful where we step. We also purchased a bottle of wine and shared that sitting around our tents. What a nice way to end the evening.The weathers continues to cooperate and the views have been terrific. We can't wait to see what tomorrow brings.
Date: 2015-05-25
From: Mile 729.6

To: Wilson Creek
Miles today: 9.1

Woke up this morning without being taken over by any cows although we saw them headed our way as we packed up. Everyone is getting better at getting packed up and we were off and going by 8:30 this morning. We only had to travel about 100 yards until we reached the 1/3 mark of the trip. I have now walked over 1/3 of the way to Maine. It was neat that David, Richard and Logan was with me at this milestone and Keitt was with me when I reached the 1/4 mark. I need someone to come when I meet the 1/2 way point.Today started off with a 1000 ft climb but overall it wasn't to bad. The guys may tell you something different. We didn't really have any great views but it was if we were walking in a park with mountain laurels blooming everywhere. The weather was again great with a wind most of the day. We were headed to a shelter to camp but came across this sweet campsite next to a creek. We set our tents up and Logan ( Master Fire Builder) got us a fire going. I took the liberty to get myself a bath and wash all my clothes. I think the guys thought the water was just a little cold but also took the opportunity to get cleaned up also. I have clothes hanging everywhere drying.I almost forgot to mention that after I had posted my journal last night we had a beautiful site of thousands of fireflies in the pasture where we were camped. Tomorrow we will be hiking next to the Blue Ridge Parkway and will camp close to an Outlook on the Parkway where the guys will get picked up on Wednesday morning. I will surely miss them.
Date: 2015-05-26
From: Wilson Creek

To: Bobblets Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: overcast clouds

This morning Richard woke up with a little stomach bug that had drained all his energy but he managed to make it through the day and was feeling better by the time we went to bed. While we were packing up Sam I Am came by and stopped and talked with us for a little while before moving on. We got started on the trail at about 8:30 and stopped at the first shelter to get some water. There was a deer just hanging around the shelter that had no fear of humans. We all got a couple of pictures of her.It was then back to hiking. We had a destination that we had to get to tonight so the guys can get picked up in the morning. It was a little more humid today but for most of the day we had a breeze blowing that pretty much kept us cooled down. Today we were walking next to the Blue Ridge Parkway and had to cross it several times during the day.We made it to the shelter late in the day and didn't have many options on p,aces to set up our tents plus it sounded like we might get some rain so we made a decision to sleep in the shelter tonight. There were only row other folks here tonight. China Rock and a man from Daytona who is out hiking for a couple of weeks. We ate dinner and we're all in bed by 8:30. I hate to see tomorrow come because the guys will be leaving me. I have had such a great time and will hate to see hem go.
Date: 2015-05-27
From: Bobblets Shelter

To: Cornellus Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: light rain

We were up and going early this morning since the shuttle was going to be at the pick up point at 9:00 am and we had about a mile walk to get there. We made it and sit around for about 30 minutes before Eddie showed up. It is always sad when someone has to leave. If it hadn't been for David, Richard and Logan coming when Cathy left I probably would have been crying all day that day. We said our good byes and I took off hiking so I wouldn't become homesick. By lunch I had covered 10 easy mikes and decided to push for 18.5 miles today. The only problem with that was that I had a 2500ft climb at the end of the day. I made it but I bet I lost 5 lbs of water due to sweating so much.The first thing I did when I got to camp after setting up my tent was to get into some dry clothes. I cooked dinner and in my tent by 6:30. I am tired. That is the most miles I have walked in two weeks.
Date: 2015-05-28
From: Cornellus Shelter

To: Matts Creek Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up hoping I could do a 17+ mile day. The map,didn't look that bad but it ended up being some tough climbs today even though hey we're not huge. The humility felt like Baton Rouge today and that just zaps the energy right out of you.There were no views to speak of today but I met the Happy Hikers, a group of ladies that belong to the Natural Bridge Hiking Club and go hiking every Thursday. This club also maintains a large section of the trail and my hat is off to them. They do a great job even weed eating parts of the trail. A couple of the ,aides have connections to Louisiana so they were interested when they found out I was from Baton Rouge.I also met a girl that goes by Duck who is from North Walker , Louisiana and whose mothers has been following my journal. Thanks Duck's Mom. I also,saw Syd the Kid and Fry today. Had not seen them since Hot Springs.In the morning I will cross the James River Foot Bridge and hopefully catch a ride into Big Island to the H&H Food Mart to pick up some food and maybe eat a meal while there. I had hoped to get one of my friends from the Big Island Paper Mill to come pick me up but everyone that I had a phone number for is on vacation this week. I worked at this mill in 1995-1996.It took me forever to get a phone signal today but I was able to confirm a reservation at the Three Springs Hostel for Saturday night. I have heard good things about his place so we shall see.
Date: 2015-05-29
From: Matts Creek Shelter

To: Punchbowl Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

This morning I woke up and made the two mile trek to the James River Bridge. This is a foot bridge that stands the James River. Once I crossed the bridge I did something for the first time on this trip and have done it only once before in my life. I stuck my thumb out and hitched a ride into Big Island. The first car that came by stopped and this nice lady gave me a ride to the H&H Food Mart. She works in Lynchburg three days a week and was headed to work. She had a nice car that I hated to get in since I was so sweaty and foul smelling but she didn't mind. She told me I looked good compared to some hikers she gives rides to.The food mart has a restaurant so that was my first stop to get breakfast. There were a couple of older gentleman eating that was asking me a lot of questions about the AT. After breakfast it was next door to buy some groceries to hold me over until I get to the Three Springs Hostel on Saturday night.Once complete with that chore I sat outside and borrowed some electricity from them charging my phone and then it was back to sticking my thumb out. This time I wasn't as lucky and had to wait at least 30 minutes for someone to pick me up. I was lucky enough to get picked up by someone that had retired from the Big Island Paper Mill where I used to work. I think his last name was Reynolds and used to work in the E&I shop. He went out of his way to get me back to the trail head.It was then 11 miles with 3 big climbs to get to my destination tonight. I made it after several breaks to cool off. The temp is not that hot but the humility is awful. Once I got to camp and set the tent up, cooked dinner and cleaned up a little a terrible thunder storm came through. Tomorrow I only have 11 miles to hike before I get picked up to go to the Thee Springs Hostel for a hot shower, clothes washed and a home cooked dinner and breakfast. When I called and made reservations and told her my trail name she asked me if I wanted her to cook beans for dinner. I told her to cook them because I sure would eat them.I will cross the 800 mile mark to tomorrow and hope to reach the 1/2 way mark in about 3 weeks.
Date: 2015-05-30
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Three Springs Hostel
Miles today: 8.9

Today I only did a little over 11 miles to get to where I will be picked up to go to the Three Springs Hostel where I will spend the night, get a much needed hot shower ( it's only been 9 days other than the quick splashing in the brook the other day) , eat a hot dinner and breakfast and relax this afternoon. This hotel came recommended to me and I will have to say it is one of the top ones I have stayed at. I felt like I received the royal treatment since I am the only guest tonight. Anyone close to this area should check it out. I was also able to resupply here. My next stop will be in Waynesboro on Wednesday evening where I will probably take a zero on Thursday. I haven't had one of those lately either.After the storm last night the humility was awful this morning and I was drenched within the first thirty minutes of hiking. After a few miles I came across 3 men who were working on maintaining their 3 miles of the trail. They were from Lynchburg and best of all had some trail magic with them. They gave me a gator aid, orange and a huge chocolate bar. The last mi,e of the trail was pretty steep and by then I was worked out but I got to the road where I was going to be picked up I saw trail magic again. This time it was Curuso who I had hiked with in the very beginning and again just the last few days. I saw him last a couple of days ago and knew his foot was bothering him and he had decided to get off the trail. His wife had come to pick him up and they had some great trail magic. This is the first time I have had trail magic twice in one day. Sam I Am was there also and he made a You Tube video while I was there.Tonight for dinner I out did myself and hate three hamburgers, a green salad and some potato salad. I was full after two but since I told them to cook me three I felt obligated to eat it. You know I must have been full because I turned down desert.Tomorrow I am going to do something that I have resisted up until this point. I am going to slack pack for the first 7 miles. Slack packing is where I will only carry a day pack with water and some snacks and then Three Springs Hostel will bring me my pack at a road crossing after the seven miles. There is a 2,000 ft climb at the very beginning tomorrow and after how hot I got today I think I need a little break. This should help me make the climb a little easier. There is one more large climb on Monday but then the trail gets a little easier as we travel next to the Skyline Drive through the Shenandoah National Park and head towards West Virginia.
Date: 2015-05-31
From: Three Springs Hostel

To: Three Springs Hostel
Miles today: 6.3

This morning started off great with a huge country breakfast cooked by Oma. It might have been a little too good. I mentioned yesterday that I made the decision to slack pack today and that was a very good decision because of the huge climb I had to make. My plan was to hike about 15 miles with a little over 6 of those being with only a day pack. As we pulled up to the trailhead Sam I Am was just getting dropped off and decided to slack pack with me. It felt great at first to not be carrying a heavy pack but I think I let it go to my head and tried to go faster than I should have and got overheated very quickly. I felt nauseous and had to stop several times to cool off. I made a quick decision that I was going back to the Hostel tonight.On the other hand Sam I Am decided to carry the pack of someone that I don't remember their name up the mountain for him. I don't believe you could provide or receive any better trail magic than that. Way to go Sam.When Oma met us with our packs she brought each of us a very cold gator aid. I told her if she had room tonight I wanted to go back with her. She did and I spent the entire afternoon napping and trying to get re-hydrated. I am feeling better now and 3 other folks just showed up and we are having pasta for dinner. One of the folks who just came in said she was following my trail journal. It is always nice when I meet someone that I don't know but they know me from my journal.Say a prayer for me that I get out of this heat and finish up Virginia. They call this the state where a lot of folks get off the trail due to the Virginia Blues. This state has so many miles and after a while there isn't any more milestones to reach in this state other than the West Virginia border and Harper's Ferry which is the mental 1/2 mark although the actual 1/2 way mark is still about 100 miles after there.