morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-06-18
From: VA Rt 621

To: Daleville
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Slept in till 8am, went to the lobby for continental breakfast, back to the room to continue drying gear. Called Irene and talked with her for a bit, and before I knew it Ron was here. It was only 10:30 am! He had left home at 3:30am!Ron & I sat outside by the pool and let the tent and fly dry in the sun. Then went to lunch at a Coffee Shop and I had the most delicious salad and Ron had a great sandwich. Went to the outfitters and I got a coffee press for my Jet Boil, along with a down pillow (it's only 5 oz). I usually use my clothing bag for a pillow and that has worked well till all my winter clothes were sent home. Now my clothing bag is just about empty at night and it is as flat as a pancake - so I splurged. We'll see how the down pillow works.Both Ron and I were very tired at this point, so back to the motel for a wonderful 2 hour nap, then to the food store for some supplies. Met and started talking to 2 hikers (Wheels and Cookie) in one of the aisles in the food store and found out that they needed a ride to Dragons Tooth trailhead tomorrow. We'll pick them up at 8am. They were so happy.Back to the Mexican restaurant for dinner and then organized my next drop box, packed my backpack and to bed. Late night - 11pm!
Date: 2009-06-19
From: VA Rt 621

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: light rain

After a yummy breakfast at Cracker Barrel we picked up Wheels and Cookie and their dog, and also Walking Home. Dropped them off at the trail to Dragons Tooth on VA 311, and Ron and I were at my trailhead by 9:15. Another goodbye to my hubby (these are very hard) and I was back on the trail. The weather is very warm and humid, and soon I was climbing 1500 ft to another ridge. Thank goodness for switchbacks, even with them it was a steep climb to the ridge. Stopped at the Audie Murphy monument and sat on the bench for awhile. Audie Murphy was the most decorated veteran of WWII. He died in a plane crash near this site in 1971.Soon thunder began to rumble so I continued on. Thank goodness it did not rain. The day became very hot and humid and I was drenched in sweat. So apparently I am going to be wet on this hike, and I may as well get used to it. It's either rain or sweat, or a combination of both!The .3 hike off the AT to Pickle Branch Shelter was very pleasant, but the shelter looks dismal. It was built in 1980 and does not look like it has been worked on since then. The picnic table is falling apart also. I got here early, as the hike was only 8.8 miles. The next shelter is 13.9 miles away, so that is too far to go, and my map does not show any campsites before Dragon's Tooth shich is 4 miles from here. Oh well, just one night here, sure hope someone else shows up.By 7:30 no other hikers had arrived. The bugs were feracious, and the shelter looked even worse in the waning daylight. There were no level campsites as the shelter was located on a slope. Some campsites were way up a hill, however the water source was in the other direction down a steep hill. So I set up my tent in the shelter and by 8:30 was ready for sleep.I woke up at 10pm to the voices of 2 hikers coming down the hill to the shelter. We said our hellos, they started cooking and I fell back to sleep.
Date: 2009-06-20
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Johns Spring Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: broken clouds

Today started with a slow hike, and I mean slow since it was steep, to Dragon's Tooth. The last part of the hike to the top was rocky. Thank goodness there were dayhikers at Dragon's Tooth, because there was somebody there to take my picture. I had lunch with Super Glue and he told me about his plans to live and work on his grandmother's dairy farm in Maine after completing his hike.The descent down Dragon's Tooth was tortuous as the rocks were huge and unrelenting. I fell once and landed on my right butt & palm. I was sore for the rest of the day.It was a slow hike to John's Spring Shelter. I was able to get a cell phone signal and was able to talk with Lee and Shirley Allen. Today was their surprise 40th Anniversary party. Congrats dear friends Lee & Shirley!At the shleter I met up again with Chinese Tourist (he's not Chinese) and Super Glue. They are the two hikers that came into Pickle Branch Shelter late last night. They had a quick snack and then moved on. Other people at the shelter were a Dad and his two college-aged sons. Also met another section hiker from Michigan.I was exhausted, so I had a quick dinner and then went to bed. The bugs were bad tonight.
Date: 2009-06-21
From: Johns Spring Shelter

To: Lamberts Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: scattered clouds

I was excited about today's hike, as I will get to see the iconic McAfee Knob! This is a huge slab of rock that juts out over a very long drop into the valley. I got to the knob at 10:00 am. Since I was hiking alone I waited until someone came along to take my picture on the knob. The day was clear, sunny and very windy.At 10:30 a dad, his daughter and their dog came up the trail to the knob. Mac brought his daughter Kathryn up to McAfee Knob as it was her 9th brithday! I took some pictures of Mac and Kathryn, and then Mac took my picture on the knob.It was a pleasant day for a hike, and the strong winds kept me comfortable.   Soon I was at Tinker Cliffs, which offered stunning views of the valley and distant mountains. Tinker Cliffs is a 1/2 mile long cliff walk, which sounds scarier than it actually is. The wind was whipping up on the cliffs, which are named for deserters of the Revolutionary War who hid in the mountains, and repaired pots, and pans. Thus the name Tinker Mountains.I got to Lamberts Meadow Shelter late in the afternoon, and set up my tent in the shelter (the bugs were horrid). There were other tent sites down the hill by the stream, but the bugs were worse down there. I had a nice evening with Bill, Joe and Grant, the dad and his two sons from Maryland.
Date: 2009-06-22
From: Lamberts Meadow Shelter

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Happy 32nd Birthday Darrell!!I called Darrell from the top of a mountain, and sang a lovely rendition of "Happy Birthday" to him. We had a nice chat, and since I had a good cell, I called Ron. At the end of our conversation I told him that I was beginning to get discouraged. I am hiking along each and every day now, and it is getting lonely. I must say that Ron is my biggest cheerleader, and he was very encouraging and motivating. I told him that I might be better suited to section-hiking rather than a long distance, 6 month hike. I did feel better after talking with Ron, and the hike was very pleasant again today. The weather was sunny and breezy, and I had great views when I got on Tinker Ridge. The hike down off the ridge became quite warm as the winds subsided. I did mistakenly get off trail after crossing under some gigunda power lines. I got to a road and could not find any blazes. Thank goodness two men who were driving down the road in an SUV stopped and showed me where the trail was located! Thanks guys!!As I hiked down the mountain into Daleville I went through a very sunny, warm and rocky area. I am certain that I heard the rattle of a rattle snake as I passed an especially rocky area. I looked carefully to make sure it wasn't on, or next to the trail, and then just kept walking. I got into the Super 8 in Daleville by 2:30, showered, washed my clothes and tried to take a short nap (couldn't sleep). Soon there was a knock on my door, and I was pleasantly surpised to see Schoney. He and Magilla had just returned from their 4 day hike, and asked if I would like to join them for dinner. Of course!! Mexican food and a Marguarita!!Before dinner we stopped at the outfitter as I needed more bug spray. Schoney and Magilla had encountered black flies north of Daleville. I wanted to be prepared for those very nasty flies.
Date: 2009-06-23
From: Daleville, VA

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

Today was supposed to be a short hike, so I didn't leave the Super 8 until check-out time at 11:00 am. It was warm and sunny and soon I was crossing under Rt 81. Finally I am on the southern side of Rt 81! I got to Fulhardt Knob Shelter in the early afternoon to find that the water cistern was bone dry. Well, it was not a difficult decision to move on. There was no way that I could stay at this shelter without a water source, as I only had about 2 quarts of water left.I passed a few section hikers that were heading south, and I got to Wilson Creek Shelter by early evening. The water source was quite a distance down a steep hill, but at least there was water at this site. Thank goodness that I had purchased more bug spray because the bugs were very pesky again. I was in bed before two other hikers arrived. Then, even later Tully arrived. I was so happy to see him. The last time I saw him was on the way into Pearisburg. Seems that he had gotten off the trail to go to a wedding in New York state. He had just gotten back on in Daleville late this afternoon. He is hiking very fast to have gotten to this shelter this evening.The weather was very warm and extremely humid during the night, and I did not get very much sleep.
Date: 2009-06-24
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: I'm not sure anymore
Miles today: 0.0

Today I figuratively hit the wall! I was up and out of camp by 7:15 this morning, and hiking quite well, seeing as how I did not get much sleep last night. All was well until I began to intersect the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP). The first thing I saw was hordes of motorcycles heading south on the parkway. That really started me thinking about Ron, and really missing him. Within 1/2 hour I was on the phone, crying, leaving him a voice mail that I wanted to come home. I was miserable. Soon Tully came by and had a long chat with me. He was sympathetic, and said that perhaps I had the "Virginia Blues". He was very supportive and provided me with advice and suggestions.I then called Irene and had a long talk with her, as well as I could between the sobs. She and Armie were also very supportive. When I called Ron again he said that he had packed the car, and was getting ready to leave. I will continue to hike north, and he will meet me at an overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway.I need to go home for a bit, and decide how I want to proceed with this hike. Being away from Ron for long periods is very difficult.
Date: 2009-06-30
From: I'm not sure anymore

To: AT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Jersey Girl is heading back to the trail and will be back to hiking tomorrow. Ron will be meeting her at more stops along the way. I will post journal entries when I get them. Note that there will be quite a long period of no journal entries starting July 16, when I leave for the John Muir Trail with Armie (unless Jersey Girl can get some computer time). -editor
Date: 2009-07-02
From: Blue Ridge Parkway milepost 92.5

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: light rain

Yes, I am back on the trail again! It seems that when I am on the trail lately my thoughts keep returnign to home and I realize how much I miss Ron and all my "home" stuff. Then when I'm home, I'm missing the trail. Talk about being conflicted! So Ron and I have come up with a plan to help with my dilemma. He will meet up with me once a week, if not more often. Thank goodness I am getting closer to home, so the ride won't be too long for him.Ron dropped me off this morning at the same location on the Blue Ridge Parkway as where he picked me up last week. The day started out cool and partly sunny, then got overcast and humid, and then by early evening the sun was shining again and there was a gentle breeze. All in all it was a grest day for a hike.It was a solitary hike again today, as I did not see any other hikers. I did meet a trail maintainer who was fixing water runoff trenches. This was right after I left Jennings Creek, and was climbing Fork Mtn. She said that she was pleased to see a "mature" (translation "older") woman hiking the trail. She said that she is 65 years old, and keeps thinking about hiking the trail, but has not set a timetable for that as of yet.I ended my day at Bryant Ridge Shelter, which is one of the nicest shelters I have seen on the trail. It is even nicer than Partnership Shelter in my book. This shelter has 3 levels, a covered wrap-around porch on two sides, and can sleep 20+ people. At this point (5:15pm) I am the only one here. Hopefully someone will arrive later. If not, oh well! I'm planning on getting to bed early tonight anyway, as tomorrow starts off first thing with a 2,240 ft climb to the top of Floyd Mtn!8:00 pm - A section hiker arrived after hiking a 20+ mile day. John, a 20-something, from south of Atlanta was great company, and a welcome addition to this huge shelter. I don't particularly like being alone all night, so I was pleased when he arrived.
Date: 2009-07-03
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

After a somewhat slow start this morning I began the 4-1/2 mile, 2,240 foot climb to the top of Floyd Mtn. It was a beautiful day with slightly overcast skies and a strong breeze.After the climb, I stopped for a quick lunch at Cornelius Creek Shelter and then continued on towards Apple Orchard Mountain. As I climbed this 4,225 mountain I came upon 3 trail maintainers weed-whacking the vegetation along the sides of the trail. These were the only people I saw on the trail all day!Imagine my surprise when I got to the top of Apple Orchard Mountain and saw a huge white sphere, atop a square building, with satellite dishes on the side!! This structure was an Air Force radar base. Not exactly what you would expect to see on the AT!The rocky descent off the mountain led me to the Guillotine, which is a large boulder stuck right over the trail, wedged between 2 boulders. It was kind of freaky walking under that huge rock!The gnats at Thunder Hill Shelter were horrendous, so I set my tent up inside the shelter, as it seemed like I was going to be the only one there for the evening. But at 8:00 pm, 2 section hikers Maya and Frem, arrived. I was already in my tent for the night as I was exhausted. I climbed out of the tent, said a quick hello, and retreated back to my sleeping bag. The weather was chilly this evening and the winds were increasing.
Date: 2009-07-05
From: Matt's Creek Shelter

To: Glasgow, VA
Miles today: 2.0
Weather: light rain

I woke at 5:00 am to hear the gentle patter of rain falling on the shelter roof, and thought to myself "I'm sure glad that I set my tent up inside the shelter last night" (since I did not put the fly on over the tent). I then turned over, and went back to sleep.I woke again at 6:00, 7:00, 8:00 and 9:00 to pouring rain. Not just regular pouring rain, but the rain that is coming down so hard that it looks like a white-out. When I woke at 7:00 I pretty much decided that I was not hiking the 12.9 miles to Punchbowl Shelter because it did not seem like this deluge was going to stop any time soon.I crawled out of my tent at 9:00 and brewewd a nice strong pot of coffee using the French Press with my JetBoil pot. I love my JetBoil French Press!! Then I sat on the shelter floor (which was quite clean), leaned my back against a support pole of the shelter and drank a great cup of coffee while reading the book "Julie and Julia", and watching the rain. After a bit, I realized that today I was happy, I mean "really" happy. Having the time to sit, relax, watch the rain and read a good book, rather than eating a hasty breakfast, packing up and quickly getting back on the trail, just felt right. Sitting in this shelter, at this pretty location, looking out a the woods getting washed in the pouring rain gave me the time to really reflect on how I want to hike the AT.So today, I have decided to truly "hike my own hike", and take my time to really enjoy both the trail and my life at home. I will hike out to the trailhead, go into Glasgow, call Ron and tell hime that my thru-hike has now morphed into a different type of hike. I will section hike, taking my time to really enjoy the trail without feeling that I need to rush, and push on to reach a predetermined conclusion. I'm not sure exactly how I will continue, but I feel so right with this decision. I finally feel at peace with this hike and this trail.I will continue to update this journal as I travel the AT, and am certain that I will be hiking more this summer and fall. Stay tuned dear friends and family.
Date: 2009-07-22
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

I have limited time to input entries to my journal since I am at a library. The format for my journals will return to normal when Irene returns from vacation.- hot and humid day- nice and easy start to day on bridge over the Delaware Water Gap.- started to hit the rocky trail at Sunfish Pond- mosquitos!!- camped at Mohican Outdoor center with Jim Dandy, Bee Man, Goodwill and Y-Knot.- did I mention the mosquitos??Misquitos out on the trail, how odd (-ed - We had our share of the buggers on the JMT as well, Natrapel works OK if you put so much on that you can't see your skin anymore. We planned our campsites at higher spots where they weren't as bad, not as easy to do in NJ where the high point is under 2,000ft!) Now back to Jersey Girl...We began our day with an awwesome breakfast at the diner in DWG, then Jim Dandy, Bee Man, Goodwill & I headed out of town over the I80 bridge over the Delaware Water Gap and into NJ. The day was hot & himid but the trail was really nice (no rocks) until we got to Sunfish Pone. the hike from Sunfish Pont to Mohican Outdoor Center was very rocky and tough on the feet. First thing Jim Dandy and I did at Mohican was to have an ice cream. We then set up our tents in a very buggy area. I then took a shower at the lodge and we were able to eat a dinner in the main room of the lodge. this was great as it helped us escape from the misquitoes.I told Dave, the caretaker, that I had taken beginning and intermediate backpacking classes here at MOC in 1999 & 2000 and that Bob Crowley was teh instructor. I related that I learned a lot from Bob and then off to bed for the night.
Date: 2009-07-23
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Brink Road Shelter, NJ
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

- hot and humid again- rocks- Catfish Fire Tower, nice views- mosquitos- Brink Road Shelter... mosquitos were unbelievable. Ate dinner in tent!After breakfast Jim Dandy and I headed out on the trail. The day was hot and humid already. We met Y-Knot, Bee Man and Goodwill at Catfish Fire Tower for our first snack of the day. The trail was rocky the enitre day, which made it tough on the feet. I sweated through the whole day, while constantly swatting mosquiotos and trying not to stumble on all the rocks. We quickly set up our tents at the mosquito-filled Brink Road Shelter, got water, and I dove into my tent to eat dinner. The mosquitos were storming the tent as I sat in relative peace, protected by the glorious netting of my tent.
Date: 2009-07-24
From: Brink Road Shelter, NJ

To: Rutherford Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

- hot and humid- mosquitos are rabid. Started using DEET!- Sheer rockface trail to shelter, fell on my butt!!- Rain, rain, rain- Mosquitos!!Another hot, humid, rocky day of hiiking. I had to start using bug spray with DEET to try to repel the mosquitos. It helped for a while but I sweat if off in short order and the mosquitos continued to feast.This was another day of rocky climbs and descents, but the worst was the descent into Rutherford Shelter, which was .4 miles off the trail. We don't usually go that far for a shelter, but it was our only choice and it had a water source.The start of the descent was a sheer rock face that was wet. Sure enough, I fell on my butt going down. the impace was painful. And to add insult to injury I continued to descend into a fairly marshy area (more mosquitos) before gettin to solid ground at the shelter.I quickly set up my tent along with Bee Man and Goodwill. Y-Knot and Jim Dandy soon arrived. Unfortunately Jim Dandy had taken a nasty fall and had a gash over his left eye. After cleaning and closing his wound with butterflies we all had something to eat and went to sleep.
Date: 2009-07-25
From: Rutherford Shelter

To: Unionville, NY
Miles today: 11.4

- High Point State Park - fabulous views- Hot and humid- Ended the day at the Mayor's home in Unionville, NY. What a wonderful oasis for hikers. Love this place. Saw some of my old hiking friends.- dinner on the patio- major lightening and thunder storms during night. My tent held fast!!
Date: 2009-07-27
From: Vernon, NJ

To: Greenwood Lake, NY
Miles today: 15.1

- Hot and Humid- Slack-packed today- Entered New York today!!!- Trail in NY kicked my butt. Huge boulders the size of semi trucks, and they want us to climb over every one of them- Thank goodness for Ron, met us at the end of the day with all of his goodies again.- dinner in town at a great restaurant with the whole group
Date: 2009-07-28
From: Greenwood Lake, NY

To: Orange Turnpike, NY
Miles today: 10.2

- slack packed again today!!!- hot and humid- mosquitos- some great views- Anton's on the Lake is "The Bomb", and the place to stay when coming by Greenwood Lake, NY. These people are the greatest, and will help you slack-pack for quite some mile. Stop in to see them, they are lovely!!
Date: 2009-07-29
From: Orange Turnpike, NY

To: Palisades Interstate Parkway, NY
Miles today: 13.2

- Another tough day...- same weather- same bugs- more rocky climbs, one after the other- great views- great company, hiking with Braids, Jim Dandy, and Y-Knot. - slack-packing is fabulous- Another great night at Anton's on the lake. Y-Knot says I'm getting soft.- Actually with all the rain and humidity, I am not only getting soft, but also supple!!! So there!
Date: 2009-07-30
From: Palisades Interstate Parkway, NY

To: Palisades Interstate Parkway, NY
Miles today: 0.0

- A wonderful "zero" day after hiking for nine days straight.- I rode with Trisha to take the others to the trailhead this morning, then she took me on a road tour of the area. Absolutely beautiful. We even stopped at a pilgrimage site in Sloastsburg that I used to go to as a child!- Ron drove up to take me out to dinner!!!!- He also brought me some vegetable salad from Stash's in Linden, NJ, and that is a HUGE treat!!!
Date: 2009-07-31
From: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center

To: 1 mile north of NY 301, Canopus Lake
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: light rain

Jim Dandy and Braids called me from the Graynoor Spiritual Life Center last night. I had zero'd yesterday, so I was still at Anton's on the Lake in Greenwood Lake, NY. They encouraged me to jump ahead and meet them at Graymoor this morning, so that I could continue to hike with them. So Ron and I got up early this morning and drove out to Graymoor. The grounds of this center are expansive, and lovely. Looks like someplace I would like to visit in the future.Not surprisingly it began to rain shortly after we arrived at the picnic pavilion where Jim and Braids had spent the night. Actually it was pouring! Ron found this quite humorous as he was going to be comfortably dry on the way home, while I was hiking in the rain, again!! Y-Knot had left about 1 hour prior to our arrival, as he was meeting his wife at a road crossing about 12 miles north.As we began hiking the rain was coming down so hard that the trail became a waterfall and a stream combined! It rained on and off all day. The sun actually came out a few times today, but the rain eventually won out at the end of the day. We found a nice campsite next to a fast-flowing stream about 1 mile north of NY 301. The site was perched on the mountain above Canopus Lake.Today is the first time that I have hike in totally swamped boots. My feet were sloshing around in so much water inside my boots that I think water was squirting out the top with each step. My feet looked like prunes at the end of the day.