morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-08
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: light rain

I woke up this morning and told Foreigner "It's not raining" with the most gleeful tone in my voice. It is so nice to start hiking without rain. It never did rain today! Yahoo! Headed down the mountain to Dennis Cove. Stopped for pizza, snickers ice cream, and hot chocolate at the Laurel Fork Lodge. They used to have a hot tub, but not anymore. Headed back up the trail. The falls have lots of water, but of course it's too cold to swim. At the lake, I met Nifty and Funk, soul dust, steve. They hitched in and got hamburgers and hashbrowns and charcoal. They offered us a hashbrown. Yummy! I'm hungry. I walked to the shelter and made dinner. Got one of the last spots in the shelter. It's small. Caveman apparently was filming the Laurel Creek Falls when he accidently found Johnny Appleseed washing up. There were some newlyweds, and two older brothers at the shelter. The conversations of Age of empires and bodily functions had me laughing so hard, I had tears in my eyes. Poor Damp Dan was holding his hands over his ears saying "oh please, just make it stop!". Such is the nature of shelter life. Burner and Nifty and 3 other guys camped at the trail juction are planning to hike the remaining 40 miles to Damascus tomorrow and so will be getting up at 3:00am. I think I'll sleep in.
Date: 2006-05-09
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 40.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Yes, that's right! 40 miles. I can't believe it myself. I am usually so self controlled, intelligent, and responsible! But, I couldn't sleep last night. I just tossed and turned. When Burner and Nifty got up at 3:30 and left at 4:00, I tried to go to sleep, but couldn't. Finally, I got up and at 7:00 I headed down the trail. By the time I passed Damp Dan at the road crossing about 3 miles later, I had decided to go ahead and do the whole thing. The weather was perfect and I just felt good. I passed Vandeventer Shelter at 9:30, Iron Mt shelter at 12:05, and Double Springs, where I was originally going to stop at 3:05. I stayed there about 10 minutes and left Foreigner a note, then back on the trail. I passed Abington Gap at 6:15 and arrived in Damascus at 10:15. Burner and Yankee were staying at the Place and so I took a shower and crawled into a bunk. It really wasn't all that bad. No blisters, knees still work, feet are sore but not too bad! I saw a deer and a grouse today, and lots of new flowers and a wild magnolia tree in bloom, thanks to a note on the trail from Baltimore Bill. Sunny with clouds, not too hot, no bugs. All in all a perfect day!
Date: 2006-05-10
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Taking a zero. This is just such a nice town. Ate breakfast with Burner at Cowboy's while doing laundry. Picked up my mail. My hammock which was supposed to be at Hot Springs, finally caught up to me. While I was there, a reporter took photos of Burner and I getting our mail and is writing an article for some newspaper on traildays. My 15 minutes of fame, and I am in my best hiker garb with hair gone wild. Oh well! I need a haircut, but the hair salon is very busy here. So, I'm playing on the internet instead. Dined at Sicily's with quite a big group. 6 guys waited like half an hour for the rain to stop before leaving the restaurant. Went to Bajas afterward. Yankee, Burner, and Foreigner. Stayed at the Place.
Date: 2006-05-11
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Actually, I rode 17 miles on the Virginia Creeper trail. It rained about half way down, but it was awesome! I'm still in Damascus. More and more people keep coming in that I've met along the way. Oh, and I'm a celebrity! Burner and I were interviewed at the post office yesterday and today we're on the front page, photo, quotes and all. It's on the wall at the Place Hostel and I will probably have a mustache and heavy eyebrows by dinner time. It's really hard to leave here. The forecast is four days of showers and I really want to see the Grayson Highlands in fair weather, but you know... Hikers Hike. So we'll see. I'm staying tonight at least.
Date: 2006-05-13
From: Lost Mt. Shelter

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Lots of magic today. Woke up to sunshine. Always a welcome sight. The scenery is beautiful. Found trail magic at VA 603 with egg & Sausage bisquits, pepsi and and orange, then again at Thomas Knob. Larry and Boat? carried 3 quarts of ice-cream to the shelter in blue ice. It took us a while to thaw it out enough to eat it, but we managed. Found the ponies finally and a lost dog. At last I have reason to carry my pump. The spring at Wise shelter was not looking too appetizing. Met up with Lone Wolf at the shelter.
Date: 2006-05-14
From: Wise Shelter

To: Trimpi Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

Wow! It really rained hard last night. Thunder, Lightning, the works, but it's nice and sunny again this morning Saw 2 deer right off and ponies at the scales. Eating my first wild strawberries. Then the rain started again. off and on. Foreigner is calling me "Dr. Zortman" I think his medications are a bit off. Saw Hong Kong again at the road to Troutdale. Bluebird and Chuck Norris are southbound back to Damascus. And, caught up to Yankee again at Trimpi. Just when you think you'll never see someone again, there they are! Something about night hiking and taking the wrong trail and now he's drying out and taking a zero! The shelter's almost full. Well, there's four spaces left, but a couple section hikers from Maine, well just one of them, seems to require a lot of space. So, I traded spaces with a hiker named Blazer and apparently, he now thinks I am high maintenance. I guess I'm just not as touch deprived yet!
Date: 2006-05-15
From: Trimpi Shelter

To: Atkins - Relax Inn
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: light rain

Well, my light weight summer bag was just not quite up to the task last night. It was cold. I wanted to get up at 3:00am and get hiking. I waited till 6:30! As I went by Partnership shelter, I stopped to check the journal, and I found where Lost Yankee and Dog Tag Girl and I had signed in last year! Boy, were we moving slow back then! It was dated like June 25th! It was fun to see it though. I needed food and was hoping there'd be snacks at the NRA headquarters, but there was nothing I could afford, just some high dollar trail mix. So I hiked in to Adkins. I left a note for Foreigner and got a room at the Relax Inn. Burner and Chewy were sharing a room and we ordered dinner from the pizza delivery! Tour of Itally was not bad! Yankee is still hiking from phone to phone. Foreigner's on a mission to make Pearisburg by the 21st to meet his girlfriend. Burner's running to get away from himself and I'm trying to hike with a soloist. I should write a book!
Date: 2006-05-16
From: Atkins - Relax Inn

To: Atkins - Relax Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, I am going to torture myself and take a zero day! Yankee moved out, Foreigner moved in. It's hiker roulette. Foreigner's on ice packs and bed rest, Burner's got shin splints, I'm anxious to get going, but I don't want to leave. The four of us watched "Anchorman". It's hard watching Burner and Yankee go on without me. I know it's not a race, but how will I ever catch up! I'm going back for trail days, and none of them are. I always thought I liked being alone, but not anymore! I'm no Jeremiah Johnson. The trail family I have adopted since NOC is now officially disbanded. Foreigner will wait here for Josee. Haven't seen Mulligan. I'm on my own again!
Date: 2006-05-17
From: Atkins - Relax Inn

To: Chestnut Knob Shelter
Miles today: 22.9
Weather: light rain

Ate breakfast with Foreigner. He is so sweet. Anyways, I hiked out with Blazer following me, took a wrong turn, but caught up again. Saw 3 deer, Lewis and Clark are eating good tonight! There are lady slippers! After meeting Woodstock, Real, No falls, and Dancer at Knot Maul, it started raining. I forgot to get water before getting to the waterless shelter and thankfully, Contagious, was kind enough to give me 2 cups for cooking my ramen. I saw where Yankee had signed in and Burner had been here for lunch. I'm content to stay in the shelter for a rainy windy night. Contagious and two others shared the cold drafty shelter by cuddling in the corner!
Date: 2006-05-18
From: Chestnut Knob Shelter

To: US 52/ Bland/ Damascus
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: light rain

Left the shelter in the rain at 7:30. Caught up to Baltimore Bill. Talked to him a while, a naturalist and retiree who had hiked in 1998 and 2002. This is his 3rd thru-hike. There was a blue blaze trail to avoid a bridge that was out and shortly after that there was trail magic, a cooler of juice, and a picnic table. Guess who's there cooking his lunch. Yup, Yankee! We talked as we hiked to US 52 at Bland, couldn't get a hitch, so walked 2.5 miles into Bland and got a blizzard and chicken basket at Dairy Queen. Called a Shuttle from Aaron at MRO. Not 10 minutes later, a trail angel came in and offered me a ride. I had promised Aaron I would be there though and so paid the money and made it back to Damascus for trail days about 9:30 pm. It was pouring down rain the whole way. Got a shower and a couch at the Place Hostel. Met Fred from the smokey's there and we talked quite a while. I'll be tenting on the lawn at The Place by the the Baptist church. Hope to see lots of old friends!!!
Date: 2006-05-19
From: US 52/ Bland/ Damascus

To: Trail Days
Miles today: 0.0

Great breakfast at Cowboy's. Mail drop. Bought 2 books by Model T, He signed them for me too! Read some of the Ghost Whisperers, It's really good so far! Baptist church checked my fat content, cholesterol, and a whole bunch of other stuff. Checked out the venders. Hangin' out with Fred and Gator. We went to the spaghetti dinner at the Bingo Building, Chili at tent city, Ice cream and the movie appalachian impressions. That was really cool! So much to do.
Date: 2006-05-20
From: Trail Days

To: Trail Days
Miles today: 0.0

Still at Trail Days, AT Hugger bought breakfast for Fred and I. I'm getting my packa resealed, Leki's straightened, mail sent home. Got a special Trail Days Cancellation from my favorite postmaster "Jerry". Waiting for the talent show and hiker parade. It poured down rain all night. The Baptist Church did a medical screening and I'm good to go! Tomorrow I will be helping build a new shelter or something like that with the hard core crew. Then they will get me back to Bland on Tuesday. That's the plan for now anyway. I should be in Pearisburg by Thursday or Friday. Bluebird sang "The Sparrow" and Mudbogger juggled leki sticks for the talent show. Chuck showed up while I was watching the talent show. Dennis, Tina, Cody, and Joe all came to watch the parade. Signed the banners for last year and this year. Threw water baloons, got Chuck's shirt all muddy! then they treated me to Dairy King! Went to the park to listen to the band. Great to see you guys! Went to Dot's with Fred for dinner and back at the Place, Crutch and gang was scheeming how to make a great big pool of ramen noodles for noodle wrestling or something. I don't think it ever happened, but anyways, There was quite the band of musicians playing the fiddle and bango on the porch until the wee hours of the morning and it made for a very wonderful evening.
Date: 2006-05-21
From: Trail Days

To: Hard Core
Miles today: 0.0

Actually I hiked about 6 miles hauling lumber to build the new shelter at Mountaineer Falls. Many hands made light work, but I still have bruises on my shoulders! The shelter went up before our eyes. Saw lots of people from last year: Slaphappy, Linus, Timshel, Rambling Man, and met lots more. It was a good decision and I'm so glad I got to be a part of it. The crew was put up at Kincora, but I surrendered my bunk and chose to sleep in my hammock down by the river. Best night's sleep yet on the trail! Bluebird and Librarian also set up hammocks and enjoyed the sounds of the river.
Date: 2006-05-22
From: Hard Core

To: Hard Core
Miles today: 0.0

Again, I probably hiked another 4 miles to get to the section of trail near Low Gap near Cherry Gap Shelter. I chose to carry a pair of clippers thinking there would be lots of pulaskies and mcclouds, but someone needed them farther up the trail so I ended up sharing a pulasky with Pixie. It worked out great, we both got to take a break. It's hard work digging out rhododendrons and clearing duff! But we made and impressive swath of trail we are proud to call our very own. Even fine tuning it with our bare hands and rocks. I also got to paint a new white blaze. Very Special! It's a southbounder. Back at the hostel, we signed up for showers, lined up clear down the driveway for soup, went to the back of the line and went through again for garlic bread, spaghetti and salad. It was wonderful! I headed up the line for seconds! then got in line again for banana splits in a cup. Finagled a spot on the floor upstairs for the night, got my shower and laundry done. Saw Roni from Dick's Creek Gap. He had just hiked in. He is the one that saved me from two wild boars. Or, at least may have. Finished off the evening playing Mafia.
Date: 2006-05-23
From: Hard Core

To: Jenny Knob Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: clear sky

Camo gave me a ride back to Bland. We stopped in Atkins to see if Foreigner was back on trail, but got no info. 5 of the Johnny K Clique went to 623. What a windy back road to shuttle into, but whatever. I was tempted to rehike the 12 miles to Bland, but then thought better of it. Instead, I went with Camo back to US 52, where he dropped off some Dr. Peppers. It was 12:30 when I started hiking again. Good weather, good trail. Found the mudboggers, Dirt Diva, Compass Rose and Johnny Appleseed at the shelter. Even found a yellow sleeping bag to add to my cushion for the night!
Date: 2006-05-24
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: clear sky

Wow, I'm finally on new ground. Last year I got as far as VA 606 before I ran out of time and shuttled up to my family reunion in PA. Stopped at the Trent Grocery for ice cream, pepsi and a hamburger. Then took the side trail to Dismal Creek Falls. It was such a nice day. I am not in a hurry these days, so I spent 3 hours laying out in the sun. Russell, a local, gave me a mountain dew and loaned me his aqua socks so I could jump off the rocks. The water is not quite deep enough. I touched bottom, but no biggie. I read my book and dried off, then hiked to the shelter. Found the mudboggers who were moving on, Sticks who I had met at Sam's Gap and Johnny Appleseed. As we were eating dinner, I got the biggest kick out of the Mud Bogger brothers. They have one large pan between them to cook with and they eat out of it too. Not unusual, I eat out of my pan too! What cracked me up was that they kept bumping their heads as they each were trying to eat out of the same pan at the same time. There was some mild cursing that went one, but they seemed to work it out and managed to finish their dinner. I'm telling you, these guys are pair! I don't know if two brothers could be more joined at the hip than these! They get along amazingly well under the conditions!
Date: 2006-05-25
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Hiked in to Pearisburg with Sticks. Found Damp Dan waiting for his ride. Pearisburg is not a trail town. It looks like a trail town, but really it's not! Got a 44 oz pepsi, and a room at the Plaza Motel. Waited till 6:00 before I could do laundry, which translates, can't do anything else because I have no clean clothes. Did get to the grocery store afterwards to get food. Bought way too much, because I was starving, and then watched TV.
Date: 2006-05-27
From: Pearisburg, VA

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

Well, I planned to get out of town today! The weather cleared up and so two days in Pearisburg is really a stretch for me! But, that's not what happened. Anyways, Soda Pop, B-main and ______ wanted to cook breakfast, so we made a bunch of food! I walked into town with my pack. As I mentioned before, it was Giles County Bicentenial and their was a living history going on with civil war re-enactors, covered wagons and all. They had a camp set up on the lawn of the historical building. I had asked Fred to check Rite-aid for my camera card and they gave it to him. The problem was, I couldn't catch up to Fred! I mailed some more stuff home, including the poncho I never used from last night and got a ride to the trailhead. I ran into hikers that told me Foreigner was right behind them, so I waited. It wasn't too long and we were re-united! It was so good to see him. The ladies from Woods Hole Hostel gave us a ride back to town. We stashed our packs at the Plaza, and got a Blizzard and free pizza. Foreigner is now going by Montreal. He say's no one understands him the way he pronounces it, so he changed his name. And besides, now he doesn't have to tell them where he's from! I went back to the hostel. Got a ride at the very end. Boy, this is a great hostel, but it's too far from town! I was hoping to find Fred with my camera card, and guess what, half of them decided to stay another night. Soda Pop and B-main had already left town when they made that decision so that will mean the Johnny K club had shrunk to just Johnny K, Fred and now me. We'll see anyways, They'll try and catch up. We went to Wendy's for another loaded potatoe!
Date: 2006-05-29
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I'm back to my routine! I'm up early and out of there, with a quick hi, goodbye to Johnny K and Montreal and hiked out by myself. Hurricane Jeanne had taked out the bridge, so I finally got to ford a stream. I'm a river rat at heart, with no idea why I'm hiking instead of rafting or kayaking, but anyways, Montreal caught up while I was drying my feet and he offered to straighten out my hiking pole. I had bent it the firt day after I bought it in Erwin, then had it replaced in Damascus, then bent it again. I had missed him. It was good to hike with him again even though it wasn't the same as before. When we got to the next shelter, I waited for the Johnny K club and he went on. He can't hike with me, he want's to be like Mulligan and Sticks and others who are solo. It's his dream and he doesn't want to be part of a group. Besides, he says his girlfriend doesn't like the idea of sharing rooms. I can understand, but I don't have to like it! There are still times when being a girl can sure be an inconvenience! So, I waited to hike with the Johnny K club, Chuck Norris, Fred and now Kenny, Julia and Spitball. My new unofficial family. And to think all this time, I really thought I was so independent! I sat in the sun on some rocks overlooking a nice view!, Picked up a croc that looked like one of Kennys. It was. Talked quite a bit with Chuck Norris. Then ate dinner at War Spur Shelter. I waited with Chuck to see if Johnny K and Fred were going on or staying. Soaked my feet in the stream and pumped water. Shast and H-bomb were staying. Montreal, Kenny and Julia had moved on. I was torn again. How am I supposed to hike my own hike and still enjoy "it's the smiles, not the miles" There are smiles ahead, and smiles behind. So, I hiked my own hike. I had more miles in me, so I went on ahead. I was feeling good. I really flew down the trail. On one of the steep uphill, I came across a very timely ice cold cooler of grape sodas. It was absolutely delicious! I got in to the next shelter before dark and set up my hammock. Everyone else was in bed or almost. Not much conversation anyway.
Date: 2006-05-30
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: Trout Creek / VA 620
Miles today: 21.3

On schedule with another early departure! Almost forgot my camera bag though. Pumped water with Montreal and we hiked together most the day. It was beautiful pastures and one of the road crossings had a bag of oranges in the tree. I ate one right away, it was delicious and took another for lunch. Apparently, the night before had been a trail magic feast and this was the left over. I missed the big Keefer Oak, forgot to watch for it, but I did find Soda Pop and B-Main still packing up camp just past the trail magic. They had to tell us of the wonderful magic last night! Took the .3 mile hike down to the haunted sarver Hollow Shelter to eat my orange. It was a steep trail and it was already a long day of climbing. I didn't see no ghosts. Anyways, by the time we got back to the trail, more of the family had arrived and opted to eat their lunch "Up top". Pumped water and soaked my feet at Niday Shelter. I missed it, but I guess Old Spice set up his hammock for a nap and the tree fell down and barely missed him. Thought about taking a nap, but moved on instead. At VA 621, I couldn't resist. I had to soak my feet again and this time I soaked my shirt too. It's getting hot and I was soaked with sweat anyway. Pumped more water. The trail now moves from one ridge sideways to another and the climb seemed endless. The southern exposure had lots of pine trees and the scent was overpowering. Finally reached a bench near the Memorial and Hi-fived Montreal. It was really a long day and I was ready to stop when I saw there was a swiming hole at Trout Creek. Montreal stopped as well. I don't think he was planning on it, but I think he knew I didn't like road side camping. Spitball and Old Spice made it to the creek and we went swimming. Washed our clothes, set up camp. Cooked my ramen on the bridge. Kenny and Julia set up camp too, but rather reluctantly. Apparently, She had had some cars shine them near roads before. A neighbor came down the trail with her dog and said we would be fine. Though during the night a car did stop and left it's lights on for a long time. In the morning we found a tent set up across the road!
Date: 2006-05-31
From: Trout Creek / VA 620

To: Campbell Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: broken clouds

On the trail early. No rain last night, but thunderstorms came as we started over Dragon's Tooth. There was some awesome rock scrambling. Caught up to Dancer. Took lots of photos. Found trail magic at the first road crossing. Blue Gatorade and delicious peanut butter bars. Ate a Peanut butter sandwich, then went to town. I bought hotdogs for tonight's camp and had a couple hotdogs with chilli and coleslaw, ice cream, orange soda, stocked up on ramen and candy bars. Hung out with Kenny, Julia, Dancer, Spitball, and Old Spice. Montreal had headed out already. I found a nice rock to sun dry and took a long break. Then came to another road crossing. Catawba, I think, Julia and Kenny caught up and she sweet talked a car into a hitch into town. We pigged out again. I had banana pudding, Yummy, and vanilla milk. Then got a gatorade and a 3 meat sub to go. I almost hitched out the wrong road, but then ended up walking up hill a mile back to the trail. McAfee knob was spectacular! Dancer and I had it to ourselves til Sleep Walker showed up. He took my favorite photo of the whole trail, at least so far! I look incredibly small posed on an outcrop of rock over this huge valley. Kenny, Julia and Spitball joined us for a awe inspiring afternoon of walking along the ridgeline. At the shelter I found the mud boggers. I dug out the hotdogs. Montreal was pretty excited about the hot dogs and collected fire wood and started making a fire. The Mud Boggers joined in and then there were too many firemakers in the camp. Montreal retreated to his tent. I offered him half my sandwich. He has funny ideas. He didn't want to eat it unless he paid me half! I finally convinced him by calling it trail magic. And it sure was good! I had eaten really well all day, with what, two town stops, trail magic and I was really quite happy to share it with him. By then the mud boggers had a fire going and I think all the hot dogs disappeared! I had set up in the shelter and it was a good call. The thunderstorms commenced. The edge of the shelter even got wet!