morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-06-06
From: Grayson Highlands State Park

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

06/06/03 Home. Temporary delay in hike due to injury. Wilson and the Pinewoods crew arrived in the Grayson Highlands late on Thursday evening (They had some problems with the bus). When I walked from the camp ground to the parking lot on Friday morning, they were a sight for sore eyes! I was mighty glad to see them. The crew included Jeff and Philip Marona; Mike, Ben, and Tyler Marshall; John and Guy McNaughton; Bill Funches; Ryan Spear; David Anderegg Jr.; Seth Bush; and Wilson. They left to hike a loop trail up in the Highlands, while John and I stayed with the bus. They received a good sampling of the weather that I have been hiking in for the past two months. It rained, the wind blew, they had fog, it was cold, and they had hail. They did get to see the wild ponies, and they did hike to the top of Mt. Rogers (Highest point in Virginia). On the way home, we stopped in Damascus and spent the night in "The Place" hostel. This gave the guys a "taste" of what hostel life is like. We had a great trip home. They are a bunch of great fellows!Jay and Carol, my brother and sister-in-law, were still at the house to welcome me back. They changed their airline tickets when they found out I was coming home. We had a terrific visit. It was really neat to see them. My daughter Melissa was still here, too, so I got to see her and meet Baby P before she had to return to Sicily. My son Thomas and his family and my daughter Debbie and her family were at the house, also, so we had a big time together. It was quite a "home coming," and I enjoyed it immensely.   It was like Christmas! I went to the doctor. He examined the knee, took x-rays, and had an MRI done. Guess what? It was not my knee after all. I have a fractured tibia in my left leg. The fracture is at the top of the bone, so the pain was radiating out from the knee. The knee is sound, and the doctor says the tibia should heal in about six weeks. I have to wear a special brace and walk with a crutch or a cane during this time frame. The doctor says that once the leg heals, I can hike again. He feels confident that I can get back out on the Trail this year (He¢s a hiker, too). That¢s the situation. My hike is now on hold until the leg heals. That¢s all for now. More will follow.
Date: 2003-07-09
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

07/09/2003 Home - Planning for return to the Appalachian Trail.I left the Trail in the Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia. This is a beautiful place, and my favorite site so far. The meadows with their scattered wildflowers are gorgeous. When you hike up to the meadows, they look like a scene from Sound of Music - you just know Julie Andrews is going to burst out in song. :} The Highlands are also known for their wild or "free roaming" ponies. This year there were several new foals scampering around their mothers, and this just added another delightful aspect to these wonderful mountains. Of all the places I have been on the AT, this is one I would encourage everyone to see for themselves.When I left the Trail, I knew I would be back, I just didn't know when. Well, my leg is healing very rapidly, and I finish with physical therapy soon. My plan is to return to the AT on or about July 21. My good friend and hiker par excellence Sam "Footsteps" Varney will be traveling and hiking with me as we traverse New Jersey and New York and maybe some of Connecticut.The old AT is calling me and that's where I want to be. The great adventure will resume soon. Stay tuned.
Date: 2003-07-22
From: Home

To: Winchester, VA
Miles today: 0.0

7/22/03 departed home¢¦destination Winchester, VAYahoo! The Big Adventure is back on schedule ¢ let the game begin! I am returning to the Appalachian Trail and completing my thru-hike. The excitement is once again making me giddy :). It will be good to be back on the trail once more. ¢On the trail again¢¦¢ Sam ¢Footsteps¢ Varney is traveling with me and will spend about six days helping me hike across New Jersey. When he leaves to return to Pensacola, I¢ll be hiking alone. Sam is one of my best friends and a tremendous hiker. Being with Sam for six days on the AT means we¢re going to cover some ground ¢ he hikes!Most of the day today was spent driving in the rain (rain ¢ what else is new). Rain was my nemesis back in April and May, so I hope this is not a harbinger of things to come.We drove as far as Winchester, VA today. That¢s 900 miles from home and within ¢striking distance¢ of Delaware Water Gap, PA, which is our intended destination. Stay tuned¢¦.
Date: 2003-07-23
From: Winchester, VA

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

7/23/03 Winchester, VA   destination Delaware Water Gap, PAWe got off to an early start this morning and made it to Delaware Water Gap in about 4 hours. No rain, but we did have a lot of heavy cloud cover. I sure hope this part of my hike is not hampered with rain as much as my first section was.We parked my truck and took Sam¢s to reconnoiter the area and find our road crossings. We had originally planned to hike all of New Jersey and New York and maybe some of Connecticut, but the death of Jack Dasinger, a close friend of Sam¢s, has caused us to change our plans. We will now hike across New Jersey before he has to return home. Jack and Sam were members of a bagpipe band and Jack¢s death has increased Sam¢s duties and responsibilities, hence his early return home. Jack and I backpacked across Maryland last year, with Sam providing our morale and logistical support. Jack seemed to truly enjoy the sense of freedom and adventure that backpacking offered. He was a neat guy, and I know Sam will miss him.We have all of our landmarks located, so we¢ll start hiking in the morning. Right now, we are at the Mohican Outdoor Center. I am staying in one of the bunkhouses, and Sam is sleeping in his truck camper. We hope to get an early start in the morning and knock out the section between Delaware Water Gap and the Mohican Outdoor Center. Ah, the excitement of life on the Trail, it¢s wonderful. Good night to all.
Date: 2003-07-24
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: broken clouds

7/24/03 Depart Mohican Outdoor Center¢¦ Destination Delaware Water Gap   10.3 milesRain, yep rain. It rained a good part of the night last night. It wasn¢t raining this morning, but we did have a dense for covering the forest floor like a damp blanket. With the fog, we did not have any views for most of the day. The fog did lift when we arrived a Sun Fish Pond, and we were greeted with a beautiful view of the pond with the Appalachians as a backdrop ¢ a great Kodak moment. The hike around the pond took quite a bit of time because of all the blueberry bushes. Umm, the blueberries were ripe and delicious. :) What a feast we had.The hiking was not all that strenuous. We did have some rocks and some ups and downs, but the grade was easy walking. I can tell from my feet and muscles that I have been off the Trail for a while. This week with Sam will get me ready for what is to come.As we hiked into Delaware Water Gap, we ran into Thoreau. I haven¢t seen him since Damascus. He was doing great and looking forward to Katahdin. It¢s going to be wonderful to see the hikers that are still on the trail ¢ Constant Motion, No Pepsi, Moth Man, Muk Tuk, Blip, Vic, and all the rest.Tomorrow, we plan to hike the section between High Point State Park and Unionville, NY. That puts me that much closer to achieving my dream of thru-hiking the AT ¢ awesome! I¢ll close on that note and leave you with this thought:¢Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.¢ Ralph Waldo Emerson
Date: 2003-07-25
From: High Point State Park (NJ 23)

To: Unionville, NY (NJ 284)
Miles today: 9.8

7/25/03 Departed High Point State Park (NJ 23) Destination Unionville, NY (NJ 284) 9.8milesThe hike out of the Park wasn¢t bad, but we did hit some rocks before we had hiked a mile. The rocks are hard on your feet and ankles and really slow you down. We hiked, climbed, and clawed our way through the rocks. When we got to the top of the ridge, there was an observation platform that gave us a spectacular, panoramic view of the mountains and the beautiful New Jersey countryside. We could also see the monument to the military personnel who have served our country so well, which is also marks the highest point in New Jersey.Oh, yes, yesterday afternoon we saw Constant Motion at the parks headquarters. She heard I was back on the trail and stopped at the headquarters in hopes that our trails would cross. The timing was amazing; we were coming in as she was walking out. We talked for quite a while as she brought me up to date on her hiking and on some of the other hikers we both know ¢ No Pepsi, Papillon, Moth Man, Dirt & Kelsey, Jimmy & Andrea, Muk Tuk, and Sleepy & Mud Turtle. She had been hiking with Mellow Yellow before she hurt her ankle. She was off the trail for a week and is trying to catch him again (She will!). I told her I was driving up to Katahdin and hiking south once we completed New Jersey, so I would see her again.Sam and I also ran into Loser while we were at the parks headquarters. He is making good time without really trying. As we hiked today, we saw several deer, squirrels, and all kinds of birds. The deer watched us but never seemed to be alarmed at our presence. Except for the rocks, the hike today was enjoyable, especially since there was no rain. Another great day on the AT comes to an end. Good night all.
Date: 2003-07-26
From: Culvers Gap (US 206)

To: High Point State Park (NJ 23)
Miles today: 14.4

7/26/03 Departed Culvers Gap (US 206)Destination High Point State Park (NJ 23) 14.4 milesCamped last night at High Point State Park and drove down to Culvers Gap to hike back to the park. We encountered more rocks today. The rocks are certainly a hiker¢s bane in New Jersey. My feet and ankles are definitely paying the price.Early this morning, we spotted some wild turkey ¢ a big tom and 4 or 5 hens. We tried to get some pictures, but they proved to be very elusive creatures.The day was sunny and warm. A great day for hiking, and we enjoyed it except for the rocks.As we hiked in to the park and reached the trailhead, we were greeted with some wonderful ¢trail magic.¢ Peter and Silver Lining had an ice chest full of cokes, water, and fruit. They also had several bags of chips that they were offering to the hikers as they came by. Thoreau and Night Owl were already there when Sam and I arrived, so we had a grand time drinking ice cold cokes and talking ¢trail talk.¢ Our many ¢thanks¢ to Peter and Silver Lining. We are camping at the Mohican Outdoor Center tonight. Stryder and Blip are also camping here. This is my first meeting with Stryder, but I met Blip back in Damascus. I also got to see No Pepsi at the camp store. He looked great and was headed off to spend the night with a friend. I believe he knows people in every state through which the AT passes. Ate some more wild blueberries tonight and picked enough for breakfast, too. This was a long tiring, but good day on the mighty AT. Time to hit the sack. More later.
Date: 2003-07-27
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Culvers Gap (US 206)
Miles today: 17.9

7/27/03 departed Mohican Outdoor Center, destination Culvers Gap (US 206) 17.9 miles.We knew this was going to be a long day, so we carried extra water. The hike started in rocks and stayed in rocks pretty much the entire day. Then, to top off the rocks, it rained slightly. So, we had rocks, rain, and a long hike today. At one point, we even lost the trail in the rocks and had to backtrack to find the AT again.We did see a lot of wildlife today. We walked within 50 feet of a doe resting beneath a tree. She didn¢t get up, but she did watch every move we made. Just a short distance past the deer, we spotted two black bear cubs. We knew their mother must be near, so we picked up the pace and cleared out of the area. Later, we saw a porcupine along side the trail. When we stopped, he skinnied up a tree. We also saw our first rattlesnake today. It was a small one, but it still gave me a start.We found more wild blueberries along the trail and some wild blackberries, too. Such discoveries always slow you down. :) Today¢s hike was long and tiring, but still enjoyable. We go to bed tonight as tired but satisfied hikers. See you tomorrow.
Date: 2003-07-28
From: Unionville, NY (NJ 284)

To: Vernon, NJ (NJ 94)
Miles today: 10.8

7/28/03 departed Unionville, NY (NJ 284) destination Vernon, NJ (NJ94) 10.8 milesRocks and more rocks. New Jersey definitely has rocks. We saw some more wild turkeys today; a tom, a hen, and several chicks. We also saw two garter snakes. The treat today was wild raspberries and blackberries. Met Mr. Pumpy and Niagara again. We passed them near a big pond. The rocks have been rough but the countryside has been beautiful and the wild berries delicious. Time to hit the sack, I¢m tired. More later.
Date: 2003-07-29
From: Bellvale, NY (NY 17A)

To: Vernon, NJ (NJ 94)
Miles today: 15.3

7/29/03 departed Bellvale, NY (NY 17A) destination Vernon, NJ (NJ94) 15.3 milesThe hike today was long and hot. We had more rocks, too. We had several spectacular views, especially the one from Wawayana Mountain. Today¢s wildlife sightings included a buzzard, up close and personal, and chipmunks. We passed Mr., Pumpy, Niagara, Stockcliff, Killroy, Chilli Willie, Spitz, Lucky Lucy, Slip, Trip, and Bob. Ate some more wild raspberries, blackberries, and blueberries. The climax of the hike was the view from Wawayanda Mountain ¢ awesome! The heat and the rocks took their toll on us. By the end of the day, we had slowed down considerably. Sam drove me back up to NY 17A and then headed home. I have the sense of being alone again, just like I did when he left me down in Georgia. He is a great guy and a special friend. So long Footsteps and happy trails to you.
Date: 2003-07-30
From: Bellvale, NY (NY 17A)

To: Hardwick, VT
Miles today: 0.0

7/30/03 departed Bellvale, NY destination Hardwick, VT ¢no miles¢I had some more thoughts and general observations on our hike through New Jersey that I wanted to write about. The New Jersey countryside was really unexpectedly beautiful. The rolling pastureland under an azure sky was like something from a post card ¢ it was picture perfect. I had no idea New Jersey could look like this. As Sam and I hiked, we crossed the pastures, climbed over fence stiles, trod through wild blueberries and raspberries, and tread carefully over narrow footbridges. We also walked over an extensive wooden walkway that traversed a large expanse of bog and bamboo grass. All in all the New Jersey hike was a unique experience. Now, onward to Maine and Katahdin.
Date: 2013-06-09
From: Home

To: Atkins, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Wow! I get to add to my thru-hike miles as I pick up in Atkins, VA, hike the rest of the beautiful state of Virginia. Foot Steps may be with me for some of the hike (hope so) as he has already done Virginia and experienced the "Virginia Blues." Come on along with me as I start on this great AT adventure!More later as the hike begins..............
Date: 2013-06-11
From: Atkins, VA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Staying with Foot Steps tonight and tomorrow. Will pick up my AT hike on Thursday from Atkins, VA. Looking forward to it as Foot Steps and I recalled some shared events from our past hikes on the AT. The sky line and the beautiful sunset beckon me to the Trail. Come on along and enjoy the hike.More later.
Date: 2013-06-12
From: Lebannon, VA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Spent a couple of days with Sam (Foot Steps)and Martha. They are great folks and truly epitomize "Southern Hospitality". Foot Steps hiked much of the AT in 2001 before an injury caused him to leave the Trail. He is a good friend, a real mountain man, and a gifted writer. Check out his T Journal at WWW.Trailjournals.com/footsteps.
Date: 2013-06-13
From: Atkins, VA

To: Crawfish Valley camp site
Miles today: 6.3

Waved goodbye to my wonderful wife and our grandson, Robert. My wife is a true blessing, and I thank the Lord for her. It was hard to watch her drive off.Started hiking with overcast skies and a brisk breeze ¢ great hiking weather.   Passed the headwaters of the middle forks of the Holston River and an old settler¢s cemetery.   Spotted my first critters as a ground hog ran up the trail and a white tailed deer jumped up from a group of bushes. The mountain laurel is out in full bloom and it is gorgeous. Right after I stopped for a snack, it began to rain. I had just enough time to put on my hat and put the pack cover on my pack before it started to pour. As an old timer once said, ¢you have to hike in the rain if you¢re going to get to Maine¢. Well, I¢m hiking in a down pour and the trail is like an ice skating rink it is so slippery. Because of the rain, I did not stop to rest and stressed my right knee. It started to hurt. Hiked past Crawfish Valley because I did not want to set up camp in the rain. Made it to VA Hwy 42, crossed, hiked about a mile, but could not go any further. There was a big open spot with a cooler containing cokes and another one containing PB&J sandwiches (Trail Magic :-}). The rain stopped, Praise the Lord, so I set up camp and went to bed after I took some Ibuprofen for my knee. More later so stay tuned.
Date: 2013-06-14
From:  camp site

To: Knot Maul
Miles today: 1.3

Rained last night and I found that I have two small drip spots in my tent. I covered my head with my rain hat and my mid-section with a plastic garbage bag (thank you, Martha) and stayed dry. Had leg cramps during the night but my knee did not bother me. It did start to hurt as I climbed Old Bushy Mountain, so I decided this would be a short day, and I would stop at Knot Maul Shelter for the rest of the day and rest my knee. Met several hikers at my campsite and at the shelter. All of them were young people but very gregarious and fun to talk with. Chris, a young section hiker, just stopped for lunch. He is headed for the Smokies and hopes to get accepted to Ohio State in the fall. Got a nice campfire going. All my gear is hanging in the trees so it can dry and I¢m resting my knee. More later, so stay tuned.
Date: 2013-06-15
From: Knot Maul

To: Chestnut Knob
Miles today: 9.1

More hikers came in last night and enjoyed my campfire. Met Axel (Dr. Seuss), Happy Feet, and a mother and two daughters who sleep in hammocks and are called ¢The Hammocks¢. The hike today crossed some fantastic meadows with gorgeous views. No critter sightings today but I did see all kinds of tracks in the mud on the Trail. Met Old Brushy Mountain yesterday (Foot Steps is right about that one) and will meet him again later. Hiked all the way up to Chestnut Knob Shelter and passed the spring where you are supposed to get water. Had to make a decision to either hike north another 1.3 miles to a questionable water source or hike back 1.8 miles to a natural spring. I chose to go back since I knew the water would be good (Old Foot Steps would have kept going north). Decided to camp near the spring and have plenty of water for tomorrow. A retired Army guy is camped about 150¢ from where I am. We met at the spring and talked about Army life. He was an ordinance office and lives in Kansas City. No campfire tonight because I¢m camped in a meadow. The night sky is awesome and it is getting cold so I¢m headed for my sleeping quilt (already have my long johns on) Good night all. More tomorrow.
Date: 2013-06-16
From: Campsite

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 11.8

Woke up to hazy sunrise on this Lord¢s Day. Nice breeze blowing. It is wonderful to be out in the Lord¢s creation. Wonderful views from the meadows ¢ small towns, farms, and row after row of mountains. Made it to Chestnut Knob shelter and took in the view of Burke¢s Garden. It had a real significance for me since Foot Steps just took me through there. I think I stood in the same spot he did when he was doing his thru-hike. Made good time until around noon when my knee started hurting and the band-aids had rubbed off my blisters. The old saying ¢No Pain, No Rain, No Maine¢ is true. Went over lots of rocks today. Pennsylvania is famous for its rocks but I do believe Virginia could give it a run for its money. The day has been hazy with light rain on and off. My goal was the shelter since I did not want to sleep in the rain again. The last 3.8 miles was pure misery with my knee hurting and my blisters being rubbed raw. I was one tired and hurting hiker when I arrived. Three guys out for a section hike, the pastor I met earlier, and a young married couple are all here. Most are tenting (in the rain?) but we all ate supper together. Got my bed made, my long johns on, and headed for bed. Sweet dreams.
Date: 2013-06-17
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Laurel Creek
Miles today: 4.8

Rained hard last night and I was thankful to be in the shelter. Just me and a hiker named George were in the shelter. Bear warning was posted but we had no problems. The privy at the shelter was wide open with a 360-degree view of mother nature ¢ very interesting. Made some adjustments to my pack before I started this morning and it made all the difference in the world. My sack rides so much easier on my shoulders ¢ no gouging. Since it is 12 miles to the road to Bland, I decided to stop at the Laurel Creek Camp site and hike to the road on Tuesday. The creek is beautiful, with lots of little falls. Took a bandana bath in the creek and it felt so good! Camping here with Mark, Colton, and George. Mark, and Colton, are father and son, George is their cousin. They are doing a section hike before Colton leaves for college. Met a husband and wife, he¢s a music teacher and she¢s a nurse, who are out for their annual summer backpacking trip. Will hike or catch a ride into Bland for a short-term resupply and eat some real food. My knee is much better but now my hips are really bothering me and the blisters are still sore. Oh well, that¢s life on the Trail. As Foot Steps says, ¢We¢ll take what we can get and don¢t mind a bit.¢ Time to fix my supper and climb in ¢bed.¢ ¢The great man is he who does not lose his child¢s heart.¢ ~Mencius
Date: 2013-06-18
From: Laurel Creek

To: Bland, VA
Miles today: 6.9

Rained most of the day so all the views were clouded over. Just as I made it to the Laurel Creek Campsite, the rain stopped momentarily. Quickly set up my tent and bedroll, then went down to the creek to fill my water bottles and take a bandana bath. The rain just barely started as Mark, Colton, George and I started to fix dinner. We ate dinner in a drizzle, then it stopped again. Decided to build a campfire, that¢s if I can get wet wood to burn :o). Built a small of paper from my ¢garbage bag,¢ placed a bunch of very small twigs around it, lit the paper, and wazoo ---- the paper was so damp it would not burn. Decided to pour a little of my stove fuel on the pile and bingo, we had a campfire. You could hear the water boiling out of the wood. Started raining again, so headed for my bedroll. Rained hard off and on all night long. Raining when I broke camp ¢ my tent must weigh an extra 3 lbs because of the water. Rained all day as I hiked to Hwy 52 and into Bland, VA. Staying at the Big Walker Motel ¢ ah, out of the rain and a hot shower ¢ awesome. My boots are starting to fall apart ¢ the toe rand is separating and the sole has separated on both boots. Will have to duct tape them until I get some new ones. Went to the library and ordered a pair from Sierra Trading Post and will have them delivered to the post office in Catawba, VA. Ate a foot long sandwich at Subway and a hot fudge sundae at DQ ¢ life is good :o). Met a guy named Bubba who will shuttle me back to the trail (5.7 miles) in the morning. Headed for a real bed tonight ¢ Blessings untold!¢He is wise who can instruct us and assist us in the business of daily virtuous living¢ ~Thomas Carlyle