morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-04-16
From: Pond Flats campsite

To: Horselog Hollow campsite
Miles today: 15.9

Day 47Start: Pond Flats campsiteDest.: Horselog Hollow campsiteMiles: 15.9Total miles: 430.8We had a very rough day, all I can say is that it was lousy for both of us. I did not like this trail today. My feet hurt, the boots are definitely too big, and my pack was not sitting right so my back and shoulders were cramped. Tommy's pack was heavy, we bought enough food for 7 days because we shopped hungry, so his back hurt, too. The profile appeared to be "flat" but was "slightly" uphill for over 2 miles. It was a great day until then...Met a southbounder named Spoon, started Aug 25th but got off when VA had bad snow. Met a hubby & wife team with their 4 and 5 year olds from Gorham, NH out on a 10 day hike to Damascus. The boys even carried little packs, the older one was sitting on the ledge writing in his journal for kindergarten. What?? We didn't know how to write in K!! As I write this my wonderful hubby is giving me a foot and back massage. It's his turn when I'm done writing, so good night all.~Wolf CookieI am beginning to dislike Mr. Donald Desrosiers. For those not familiar with the ATC map set, Donny has done all the elevation profiles on the maps we have used so far. Our reaction when we complete the trail to Donny might be similar to the beer commercial where a guy, such as Don, keeps putting notes in beer bottles and tossing them out to sea. Another guy stranded on an island, Wolfcookie and I, keeps getting the bottles with the first guys message & address. When the island guy finally gets off the island he shows up at the other guy's house in a cab and punches him. Thats basically how Wolfcookie and I feel right about now. Damn map profiles! We met a former thru-hiker named Geek, he hiked with a cat, who told us to throw the map profiles away because you're mad if they are wrong and you are even madder when they are right. I have also started to dislike resupplying. When we get to town my pack is feeling pretty light since we have eaten all of the food. Then we buy more food and my pack gains about 20lbs. The first day out of town is always the hardest and we usually try to eat the heaviest items first for dinner that night. Time to hit the sack, its after 9pm. We may try for our second 20 mile day tomorrow. Our first was on Wednesday going into Kincora. Night all, ~DancesP.S. Thanks to "The Slackers", Charles & Nancy, for the Trail Magic.
Date: 2004-04-17
From: Horselog Hollow Campsite

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: clear sky

Day 48Start: Horselog Hollow CampsiteDest.: Abingdon Gap ShelterMiles: 19.0Total Miles: 449.8Long hike today! The weather was great all day. We met the Slackers again today.They really reminded me of Grandma Gerow and Jack. They hiked 1300miles of thetrail last year. This year they are section hiking with a huge camper. Each daythey park their truck at a road crossing and leave a cooler full of soda forthru hikers. We have stopped at their truck the last 2 days for a soda andlunch. They are doing the section hiking for one more week and then they willstart to thru hike just like us. They are section hiking until the weather getsnice.Tonight we were fortunate enough to spend the night at the shelter with a groupof boy scouts, www.troup237.com. They are a good bunch of boys who provided uswith some good entertainment, water, really, really sweet ice tea(yum!), andlemon pudding. We also learned about some of the local trail stories from thescoutleaders.We also met a guy on the trail who was hiking with a goat. Yes, I saidgoat,g...o...a...t. The goat, Buddy, seemed to really like Wolfcookie. Buddystarted to follow her down the trail. We had to turn around and walk back downthe trail a little bit so his owner, Kelly, could call him. Kelly would whistleand the goat would grunt back. Finally Kelly yelled, "Buddy", and Buddy wentbounding down the trail after him. It was really a site to see.Thats it for tonight. Wolfcookie doesn't feel well so she is going to sleepwithout writing tonight.Tomorrow is Damascus! Showers, laundry, restaurant food, yum! yum!~Dances
Date: 2004-04-20
From: Damascus, VA.

To: Saunders Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 51Start: Damascus, VA.Dest.: Saunders ShelterMiles: 9.4Total: 469.2Not a bad hike, all in all. The time in Damascus was nice, 2 nights, but just too busy. Seems that being around other hikers is distracting while in town. Stayed at the Lazy Fox Inn, a small b&b, run by Ginny Adams. She was so sweet and put on the BEST breakfast, even if it was too early for me! We both got new "shoes", Dances got boots and I got trail runners. Money down the drain, I tell you! Started out feeling pretty good for both of us but didn't last long, seems we both got sized short so the shoes are too small. LL Bean to the rescue again...4 pairs, 2 for each of us in different sizes since we're having so much trouble. Poor Tommy now knows what I've been going through with my feet, not that I would wish this pain on anyone. Hope it gets better! Caught up to Willow & Sweet Cheeks & MC and 2 section hikers. Brought subs in from town, Subway ran out of lettuce and green peppers. Had lunch at a dive, thinking it was a country restaurant. Waitress had a smoking butt hanging out of her mouth the whole time and the local drunk wanted to dance, I signed a napkin for him since I'm going to be a famous singer someday...But, I did get Tommy to dance, pack on and all! Can't wait to get back to the Lazy Fox this fall if we're in C'burg!~Wolf Cookie
Date: 2004-04-21
From: Saunders Shelter

To: Campsite 2.5 past Lost Mtn
Miles today: 9.1

Day 52Start: Saunders ShelterDest.: Campsite 2.5 past Lost MtnMiles: 9.1Total: 478.1We woke to a beautiful morning today. We slept till 9am and never left the shelter until 10:30am. It was nice knowing we only had 6.5 miles planned for the day. We were very relaxed after a great nights sleep. We hiked a few miles to reach the trail intersection with the Virginia Creeper Trail. There is a good flowing stream there that we had lunch at before heading down the trail.~DancesSeemed a waste to do so few miles when there was so much daylight left so we pushed past the shelter to shorten our miles for tomorrow. The crew camped past us somewhere up the trail so we had a nice quiet evening. Never seem to get to bed early when we're with a group or in town. Virginia is better hiking than what we've had before it, there are a lot more level sections and better graded ups and downs. Nothing too exciting, although some of the terrain looked like New England. Oh, and we, or I, actually, encountered a large snake. Possibly poisonous, maybe a copycat of a cottonmouth. Almost stepped on it while walking to a spring, it was maybe a foot off the trail. One loud shriek and I ran back down the trail! Really freaked me out for the remainder of the hike and I was walking with eagle eyes after that. Guess I should feel lucky I didn't step on it and that it chose not to bother me anyway. Still scary though...~Wolf Cookie & Dances
Date: 2004-04-22
From: Campsite 2.5 past Lost Mtn Shelter

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 53Start: Campsite 2.5 past Lost Mtn ShelterDest.: Wise ShelterMiles: 14.8Total: 492.9We added 5 miles today to start catching up. The terrain was lousy, lots of rocks, stepping from 1 to the other. Very bad for the feet. We went through Grayson Highlands today, home of the feral Virginia Higlander pony herds. Heard they would be really curious, looking for a handout but it isn't true. We did feed them whatever we had but some weren't interested. There was a pregnant one, very pushy, who'd come running every time we'd play with another. There were 2 babies, one looked like a little bison, the other was so small and cute, maybe 4 weeks or a bit more. I really enjoyed it, something you don't get to see often. Can't think of anything else!~Wolf CookieP.S. We forgot to mention banana bread and zuchini bread (and a strawberry rhubarb pie when we come through town...) for mail drops, we'll provide another address somewhere in VA. The Pearisburg address is our names, C/O General Delivery, Pearisburg, VA. You'll have to look up the zip online or at the PO, and can only use PO when mailing. Night!
Date: 2004-04-24
From: Trimpi Shelter (Tent)

To: Econo Lodge, Marion/Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

Day 55Start: Trimpi Shelter (Tent)Dest.: Econo Lodge, Marion/Partnership ShelterMiles: 10.6Total: 523.5Whoowee!! What a rough day! Burn has himself a pole and fishing license so he tried to catch our lunch. Also with Castro. All the guys emptied their pockets, took off their boots, and walked into the river, the freezing cold river...I tried my hand at a little fishing but caught only 1 measily snail! Needless to say, we had bologna and dogs for lunch. The Heat was unbearable! With no tree cover it hits into the 80's by 10 or 11 am and lasts until 5 or later. Wearing lots of Spf 50! Dances also seems to choose these days to run out of water...We had intended to stay at the Partnership Shelter, the Taj Mahal of the AT tonight but when we got to the visitors center to order pizza (the shelter also has hot showers in warm months and a washroom sink), we decided to hitch into Marion with Burn & Castro and bring food back. Dances and I went around front to beg a ride from a departing family when I spied the section hikers from the shelter, keys in hand, debating on where to go. Hmmm, they said, we can't figure out if we should go with Plan B or Plan E! Plan B is for beer and then back to the shelter and E was for Econo Lodge. We worked a plan to go too and they'd bring us back in the morning. We checked in and all went to Walmart, of which I am suffering withdrawal. Then on to the AYCE Chinese Buffet, back to the hotel with Yuengling Black & Tan and a bottle of Boone's Farm. Did you know that's still the cheapest stuff? Only $3.49!~Wolf Cookie
Date: 2004-04-26
From: Atkins

To: Atkins
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Day 57Start: AtkinsDest.: AtkinsMiles: 0Total: 535.1Today we took a big 'ol zero. We talked to Tom's parents. They are driving to Florida for Tom's cousins wedding. We all decided to try to meet somewhere. The original plan was for Wolf Cookie and I to hike today and the parents would meet us out in the boonies on a forest service road where the AT crosses. Well when we woke this morning it was still raining so we called the parents to see if they left yet. They hadn't and we decided it would be easier for them to find us if we stayed put in Atkins since it is right off I-81. So the parents started driving and we spent the day hanging out with other hikers and drying gear.We met Kent and Kate who did not have trail names. They are now Hiker Ken and Funk Barbie. Kent liked his name better than the Ted Nugent name someone else tried to give him. Funk Barbie got the "Funk" because she asked if we didn't mind if she went to dinner with us without showering. She didn't really smell bad but we joked with her about it since Kent, Wolf Cookie and I had already had our showers. The Ken and Barbie part is because they are engaged, Kent has brown hair and Kate has blonde. Fun names, who knows if they will stick. We had lunch with Kristy, Bandicoot, Mouth, Applepie, Hiker Ken & Funk Barbie at the Barn Rest. The food as well as the company of the other hikers was great!After lunch we hit the Dairy Queen for dessert. I am not sure what is up with all these southern fastfood places but they all seem to be out of the food we want. A&W in Erwin ran out of beef patties and hush puppies, Subway in Damascus ran out of lettuce and green peppers (plus charged us 9 bucks for 2 six inch subs), and DQ in Atkins ran out of almost all ice cream but soft vanilla. What gives...?The parents actually made it from PA to Atkins at about 10:30pm. We were surprised to see them show up tonight since we thought they wouldn't be here until tomorrow. We had a good visit but they were tired from driving and headed to bed early. Tomorrow we are driving to Bland to pickup new LlBean boots from the PO and hanging out with the parents for another zero day. We will probably be 3 days behind schedule but should make it up in the next few months.~Dances
Date: 2004-04-27
From: Relax Inn, Atkins, VA.

To: Parents Hotel
Miles today: 0.0

Day 58Start: Relax Inn, Atkins, VA.Dest.: Parents HotelMiles: 0Total: 535.1Boy what a rough day, hee hee...Slept in, showered, made plans to meet up with Xena and Bloody Cactus in Bland since we were headed to the PO there. Loving this pocketmail when it works, that's how we knew Xena and Bloody were just up the road. Went to PO, no boots, what's up with the "next day" delivery? Turned out that USPS mail isn't picked up on Sat. at LlBean. Hmmm, news to us. Headed to the Big Walker Motel to meet Xena & Bloody, been since Hot Springs, NC that we were all together. Decided to all head to lunch, via the Gary & Linda express. 3 hikers in the backseat, Wolfcookie on the floor since the rest of the van was full of wedding attire. We went to Sagebrush Rest. Wolfcookie thought it was the same as one in Round Rock, TX where sister Roweena lives, but not sure it was the same afterall. Didn't have the good soups and stuff...? Linda wanted to be a "trail angel" so her and Gary picked up everyones lunch bill. Xena was hankerin' for a movie so we drove to the "nearest" theatre in Bluefield, WV, only to learn that the 1st showing was at 7pm...it was only 3pm when we got there. Since it was our first mall trip in over 60 days, Xena and Wolfcookie were given 2 hours to "do" the mall...2 hours later...Xena & Wolfcookie are decked out in wrist bands sporting X's for Xena, and W & C's for Wolf Cookie. Wolfcookie also had WC earings and necklace. Both girls are transformed with purple & white striped hair!! This was after they had tried on prom gowns & accessories and the latest in trailer trasht-shirts, with camera in tow. See the results of their "merriment" in the photo section.Dropped Xena & Bloody (who are now a couple) off at the hotel where Camera Crew, Sasha (the dog), and Satori were just arriving. Haven't seen all of them since Damascus, VA. From there we went to a hotel and just hung with the parents and watched movies.Thanks to Mom & Poppy for taking care of us poor, funky hikers and for the choc. chip cookies (which we shared with other poor, funky hikers)!!~The Wolf Cookie Couple
Date: 2004-04-28
From: Atkins

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: clear sky

Day 59Start: AtkinsDest.: Knot Maul Branch ShelterMiles: 13.9Total: 549.0We had a long day, time wise, and even night hiked a little. Turned out that,although not mentioned in the book, there was a camping ban for over 7 milessince the trail was located on personal property easements. There were signsstating "there is no camping permitted for the next X miles", but they didn'tmention that the mileage was from road to road and continued much further thanwas implied. @#$%^We ended up catching "the gang" - Honey Pie, Hoss, Wandering Nunn, Wounded Knee,Ichabod, and Rex. A nice surprise for us, thinking they were way ahead. Got new boots from LLBean today, 4 pairs between us in different sizes to seewhat fit best. We spent the morning with Gary & Linda, went to Walmart to resupply, and weredropped off at the trail around 2 pm. G & L headed to the wedding in Florida,without us, sniff, sniff.... That's about it for today!
Date: 2004-04-29
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Campsite south of Jenkins
Miles today: 17.6

Day 60Start: Knot Maul Branch ShelterDest : Campsite south of JenkinsMiles: 17.6Total: 566.6We had alot of beautiful views today, marred only by the fact that we were up ona ridge in the hot sun with no tree coverage. Have you ever really stopped tothink about what simple leaves on a tree actually do in the scheme of things?Let us tell you, they are important little buggers, even when they're barely inbud! I think we have a new appreciation for trees.Dances had a bit of sickness tonight. While coking dinner he got what he thoughtwere chills but it was actually a really hot temp. It only lasted a few hoursbut he felt lousy enough to have me check the map for an emergency "exit" offthe trail should he feel worse. Kinda scary...We ran short on water today, only to discover that there is no water on the VAridgelines. Had to walk in the dark for a while to be able to cook and gethydrated. That really wasn't much fun, lots of rocks, steep declines, etc. Endedup being a pretty late night, especially with tired, aching feet.~Wolf Cookie
Date: 2004-04-30
From: Campsite 1 mi. so. of Jenkins

To: Campsite 4 so. of Helveys Mill
Miles today: 10.4

Day 61Start: Campsite 1 mi. so. of JenkinsDest.: Campsite 4 so. of Helveys MillMiles: 10.4Total: 577.0After such a long day yesterday, we slept in this morning. We packed up and hit the trail at 10:30. It was a quick mile to Jenkins shelter. Took the packs off, got water, ate breakfast, checked the register. Met another nobo, Hawkeye from PA. The highlight of today's hiking was crossing Little Wolf Creek 12 times! For two miles the trail and stream crisscross each other. Were warned by a sobo that a lot of nobos recommendedtaking the alternate highwater route. Were told the water was waist deep in some spots. Being the adventurous people we are, the normal route sounded good. It turns out the water crossings were not that deep. Our feet never even got wet. The walking was a little tricky in a few places but there was no need to take the highwater route. We had to add a few rocks to the crossing in a few sections to keep from getting our feet wet. At one point we were pretending we were on survivor and you had to cross the stream in the fewest rock jumps possible without slipping and getting a boot wet or falling in and drowning. As it turned out, Wolfcookie won the immunity challenge...Dances took too many steps, had to backtrack halfway across one crossing and almost fell in. The weather was great today, cool, partly sunny, and breezy. We cut our hiking day short after setting down for a break at 5:30pm. The spot was so beautiful, the sun was peaking through, and the views were great. We debated about going the next 5 miles to the shelter or just staying put. Since the boots were already off and we didn't want to be cooking dinner after 8 or 9pm again we decided to set the tent up and cook dinner right where we were. It was very relaxing.~DancesWhat he said...~Wolf Cookie
Date: 2004-05-01
From: Campsite @ 577 miles

To: Dismal Falls campsite
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 62Start: Campsite @ 577 milesDest.: Dismal Falls campsiteMiles: 22.0 (possibly 23!)Total: 600.00Our biggest day yet! It wasn't too difficult but Wolf Cookie was following Sweet Cheeks, who hauls BUTT! Dances found it hard to keep up! You can go further when you're in conversation with someone, especially if they're faster than you.Woke early, hoping to get off to a good start. Were passed by 1 hiker before we were "awake", 2 before Wolf Cookie was out of the tent, and 3 more while breaking camp. We hoped they were weekenders but every single one were thru hikers, all before 8:30 on a sat morning. The hiking was pretty decent today. We never meant to do 22 miles, just wanted to reduce the mileage for tomorrow, which was supposed to be 22, now we only have 14, if we want to stop "early". The fewer miles into Pearisburg on Monday, the better!We are camping at the waterfall tonight with Sweet Cheeks, Willow, MC, Burn, & Castro. Burn had to have beer so he packed in a 12 pack...It's gonna be a late night...~Wolf Cookie
Date: 2004-05-02
From: Dismal Falls Campsite

To: Wood's Hole Hostel/Jeff Wood's C'burg Apt
Miles today: 12.0

Day 63Start: Dismal Falls CampsiteDest.: Wood's Hole Hostel/Jeff Wood's C'burg AptMiles: 12Total: 612.0We were up late last night, what with Burn just having to make corn bread on the fire and making sure there wasn't a drop of beer left! We had intended on going past Wood's Hole hostel but after getting poured on and soaked through, we figured it was better to call it quits and head to the hostel. There is a shower but we learned that when it was hazy or clouded, the water stays cold, being solar powered. There were a few "bad kharma" hikers at the hostel who weren't wet and they weren't very kind to us. Thanks to Happy and Slick for being thoughtful and decent human beings! Good thing we were at the hostel. We checked our pocketmail and Tom's supervisor was in Blacksburg and checking out trail crossings trying to find us. He said call anytime so we did! Mike and Linda, a coworker drove out to the hostel to get us. It was nice waving good bye to the bad kharma hikers, knowing that we were headed to a nice hotel and a restaurant....We went to Paul and Glenda's for dinner. Tom started feeling really ill before we left their place so we rushed out. When we dropped Linda off, Tom got out of the car and got sick in the bushes, which really worried me. By the time we got around the block to Jeff's apartment (who was on vacation) Tom had a high fever and was hurting all over. We put him to bed after a bath and hoped he'd make it through the night....-Wolf Cookie
Date: 2004-05-05
From: Jeff's Apt., C'burg, VA

To: Jeff's Apt., C'burg, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Days 64-66 Start: Jeff's Apt Dest.: N/A Miles: N/A Total: N/A Monday 5/3Tom woke on Monday still feverish after a really rough night. I contemplated taking him to the ER or calling an ambulence, his condition just didn't seem right for an adult. I always remember hearing people say that adults shouldn't vomit so it worried me that he had. In the morning the fever was better but Tom had no strength and just felt horrible. He stayed on the couch and I tried to get organized, drove to Pearisburg to get our mail drops (we had 3 awesome boxes!), and talked to my sister Sam. Not too much exciting about the day.Tuesday 5/4Tuesday was better for Tom but we went to a local doctor anyway to make sure he didn't have anything that shouldn't be ignored. He gave us some anti-vomit pills in case it happened again or in case the incubation period wasn't past for me and I might get sick. Cheery thought, that one! Went to all the outfitters looking for a new Wingfoot book since our pages didn't make it into the mail drop. Although we don't feel Wingfoot does the best job in his detailing, it's better than nothing! We got an ATC guidebook even though we had one at home since we needed to know where the water supplies were and how many miles between shelters, etc. Crappy book, after using Wingfoot's.Mike Christenson, Linda, Jeff & another guy (sorry, can't remember his name!) came over and the guys grilled steaks and chicken, Linda made a broccoli salad, I made maggi salad and fresh strawberry shortcake with the berries that Cher Bear sent from SC. Tom was able to eat and dinner was excellent! I need to remember to get the recipe from Linda one of these days - typical woman for ya!Wednesday 5/5Can't really remember much about Wednesday. Had a haircut, and even though I told the girl it just needed to be functional and that I wore a hat or bandana most days, she finished off my cut with this basic phrase: "I clipped your bangs so that you can have a little flip and feather to add style when you wear a bandana or whatever". What gives? Where was Katie, my stylist, when I needed her?!?Had dinner at my favorite steakhouse, Texas Roadhouse, with Annette & Jeff. Thanks, Annette, for dinner, it was great. We, I say we, worked with Annette when we were in Blacksburg, VA back in 2002. She was my shopping partner and we'd all cram in our teeny apartments to have dinner or hang out. Can't wait for Line 2 this fall!!! No more shopping/working at Peebles, they closed the local store...bummer, Tom's bank account will have to suffer from another store......-Wolf Cookie