morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-05-30
From: Campsite at 848.5

To: Rockfish Gap 861.9
Miles today: 13.4

My last night in the hammock was definitely not what I had wanted. I was hot and just couldn't get cooled off. I vented the underquilt as much as I could and still was hot.   It's a 20 degree quilt and while I know a 40 or 50 degree quilt would help, it just not money I can afford to spend.  I finally just gave up and sat under the tarp about 5am.   I had breakfast and started walking.    The terrain was fairly easy and I made good progress.  The mostly downhill gave my heels a much needed break.  Goat was up early as well and passed by quickly.  Not far before the trail to The Rocks, I saw Goat stopped on the trail.  She said she saw a bear fall out of a tree when the limb broke and she had waited on me.   We walked forward and saw him sitting on the ground at the top of the rise.  I was able to get a couple of picture before he walked further away down the back of the hill.   I was able to keep up for a little while with Goat but of course that didn't last long.  My fear finally eased and I enjoyed noticing all the red efts that were out and about.  Under one bush along the side of the trail, I saw three in very close proximity to another another.  I ate a snack while walking and finally made it to Paul C. Wolfe Shelter.  I stopped for another snack and then started up the last small climb.  I saw a fascinating flower or fungus.  I am not quite sure which.  It was completely white. The stem, the leaves, and the petals.   Absolutely no chlorophyll at all.  I took several photos and hopefully will be able to figure out what it is.  I stopped by the small graveyard and then stopped at the chimney as well. I started not feeling well after eating a tortilla with cheese but kept going hoping to get to the Gap quicker.  The last mile was done in what seemed like an instant.   At Rockfish Gap, Goat was waiting and was such a sweetheart to have gotten me a coke while she waited.  Another group of hikers had called a shuttle from the list of volunteers, and he was kind enough to take Goat and I to the Quality Inn.  After getting all checked in for my first double zero, we showered and splurged on Dominos Pizza.  We went ahead and walked to the Laundromat and got all clothes all clean. I finally found a scale and was disappointed to see that in walking 860 miles, I have only lost 7 pounds.   I was glad to see I hadn't gained weight though. The evening was spent relaxing and trying to ease my heel pain. My heels and feet were bright red.   I iced them and tried to figure out a plan. **Photos/Videos on Facebook -- Mickie Blair (Dicey Willow)
Date: 2017-05-31
From: Rockfish Gap 861.9

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Breakfast in the hotel lobby was a wonderful waffle.  Around 9am, we walked to the post office and got packages.  We ran into Toro and Rip.  They had rented a car to go to Richmond REI for new shoes, and they gave us a ride to the outfitters.  I picked up socks, fuel and body glide for me heels.  They waited on us and took us back to the hotel.  They are wonderful guys and I am so glad to have meet them.  Dew is also back on the trail and will hopefully catch back up soon. I miss his entertaining wonderful nature.   We planned our food and then walked back to Kroger a few hours later.   The walk down wasn't bad, but the walk back was hard carrying bags of groceries.   The redness on my heels and feet were already much better.  I took a little trip to the ACE hardware and bought a huge bucket of Epsom Salts for baths and foot soaks.  After just one soak, my feet/heels felt and looked so much better.  I got all my food together and then started packing up my hammock stuff to send back.   The box with the tent stuff (other things plus tent) weighed 6 pounds.   I am hoping when I take the hammock box (with the other items in the tent box) that it will weigh more.  I am hoping to shed at least a pound by sending the underquilt back and only having my top quilt.    For dinner, I ate a spinach salad and then goofed off on the Internet for a while.    Right before bed, I took soaked in the tub with Epsom salts.  As much, as I thought I would enjoy it staying in the warm warm for even 15 minutes was hard.  Afterwards though, my muscles and feet felt much much better.  **Photos/Videos on Facebook -- Mickie Blair (Dicey Willow)
Date: 2017-06-02
From: Rockfish Gap - Waynesboro, VA (861.9)

To: Calf Mountain Shelter (869.6)
Miles today: 7.7

I am not sure why it's so hard to get motivated on the mornings that I am heading back to the trail. Today was no exception.  My mind was filled with doubts about even continuing, and my body just didn't want to move.  I know that I didn't want to stay in Waynesboro forever, and I know that it's just too painful to go back to Atlanta.  The trail at least throws in enough physical pain and exhaustion that it is the lesser of all the evils.  Even though walking day after day is arduous at least I know that I am accomplishing something.  I am seeing beauty I have never seen before and feeling a peace even if it's only for a fraction of a section at a time.  I am hoping that peace will last just a bit longer each time. An amazing trail angel picked us up from the hotel and dropped us at Rockfish Gap.  We walked the road for a few minutes before heading back into the woods.  I stopped at the self registration kiosk and filled out a permit for SNP and then up I went.  The trail was a slow climb up and was for the majority peaceful.  I crossed Skyline Drive for the first time and when looking to the left, the road seemed to end in the sky.  I found that most appropriate.  I walked by blackberry bushes covered in tiny fruit just starting to emerge.  I am hoping that my timing will allow me to have a few as I go north.  I am definitely not going at a fast pace so fingers crossed!The grass on both sides of the trail got taller and taller.  I felt as if I was shrinking!  I know ticks are bad this year and I am hoping that by keeping a close eye on myself I won't end up with the dreaded Lyme disease.   I saw a tiny fawn walking with its mother and was in awe.  I hope that it grows up big and strong.  The only other wildlife of the day was a rabbit munching in the tall grass right beside the trail.  I took photos for a while before he finally hopped off.  We got to Calf Mountain Shelter and I took my time setting up my tent for the first time since Hot Springs.  I did a pretty good job on site selection and tried to arrange my new house while I waited for dinner time.  My heels were in surprisingly good shape and I was starting to feel a bit more at ease about being back on the trail. After dinner, we watched as people put their food up on the bear pole.  I didn't want to look like a fool since it was my first time.  When my turn came, I tried and tried but I just wasn't tall enough!  A kind gentlemen finally helped and was an early riser so he could help me get it down in the morning.   Darkness finally came, and I zipped up the tent.  I arranged for a bit longer then finally decided to try to sleep. **Photos/Videos on Facebook -- Mickie Blair (Dicey Willow)
Date: 2017-06-03
From: Calf Mountain Shelter (869.6)

To: Blackrock Hut (882.6)
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

My first night back in the tent went pretty well.  I only woke up a few times.  I was surprised that a couple of those times I woke up laying on my stomach.  I have never been a stomach sleeper but apparently my body needed that position. I was fully awake around 5am but I knew getting my food bag down would be impossible.  I took a trip to the privy and then waited by the pole to see if anyone tall enough could help.  Unfortunately everyone else was still asleep.  As the sun began to show its weary head, more people started moving around.  Through my "window" on the head end of the tent, I notice a "tall" guy heading to the food pole.  I escaped my tent and managed to make it in time for him to get mine down as well.  It took twice as long to get packed up and moving.  Once I was finally walking, I focused on just getting to the days end.  My thoughts were spinning and my sadness was blooming until out of the corner of my eye I saw movement in the trees above me. On top of the hill, three or four deer were munching away.  One stared directly at me, then appeared to shrug his shoulders and keep eating. On closer inspection, all of them were boys.  I assumed male deer tended to be loners but this group was obviously well acquainted.  Once I finally gave up taking pictures, I went back to walking.  The day seemed to go by slowly and I felt as if I crossed Skyline Drive a million times.  The sounds of cars and motorcycles never seemed to stop.  I ended up counting my steps just to keep my mind from drifting.  I did run across several new flowers blooming and stopped to photograph them.  I am looking forward to unlimited battery life and internet one day to look them all up.  After crossing Skyline Drive yet, I finally climbed the last hill of the day then descended down to Blackrock Hut.  The ground in the area is pretty much rocks.  I finally found the least rocky tent pad and set up for the night.   On my search for a home for the night, I noticed someone had moved a big rock over to the bear pole behind the shelter.  I had my fingers crossed this would help my reach!After dinner, I decided to give it a try. I was so happy to hang my food on the hook with no assistance.  Shortly before dark, the whippoorwills started their song.  Louder and louder.  It is absolutely amazing to hear.  I would much rather hear them than roaring motorcycles.   **Photos/Videos on Facebook - Mickie Blair (Dicey Willow)
Date: 2017-06-04
From: Blackrock Hut (882.6)

To: Campsite at 898.3
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was Day 100 of walking.  I was up and walking while everyone else seemed to still be sleeping. Some mornings I just really don't want to walk but I know that progress is imperative.   My first climb of the day resulted in an awesome view from Blackrock.  I was happy to see mainly mountains, a blue sky and the wispy clouds of the morning.  I didn't see any asphalt or man made developments.  On the way down Blackrock, I was dodging inchworm dangling from their shimmering threads all over the trail.  I tried to take pictures but the slight breeze made it very hard to keep the photo in focus.  I did have a good time though. Always up for a challenge.  Several people had mentioned a bobcat roaming around the trail near Dundo Campground.  I was on high alert but of course I never caught a glimpse of him/her.  I was hoping for a photo.  Goat who came through an hour or two later did get to see it though.  Small up and downs all days were exhausting and I felt like I crossed Skyline Drive a dozen times.  Around Loft Mountain Campground, the trail exploded with people and I tried to hurry through.  A few hundred feet past the second Frazier Discovery Trail intersection, a noise I have never heard before stopped me in my tracks.  It was loud and urgent.  I scanned around and found the source.  On the side of the trail was a large rattlesnake announcing his presence.  I of course started taking pictures.  He was slow to move into the taller grass but I kept an eye on him.  A group was coming down from the campground for a morning stroll but when I told them about the rattlesnake they decided to head back to their RV at the campground.  Once it quieted back down the rattlesnake decided to cross back over the trail and head in the other direction.  More ups and more downs and we finally arrived at Simmons Gap. We were going to get water there and then try to find a place to camp.  Unfortunately we couldn't find much close, but Goat left her pack and "ran" up the mountain for about 0.3 and found not only a cleared Campsite but also a water source.  We loaded up our packs and headed up.  We camped with a few others and waited on the predicted rain.   **Photos/Videos on Facebook - Mickie Blair (Dicey Willow)
Date: 2017-06-06
From: Campsite at 911.0

To: Big Meadows Campground (924.8)
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: broken clouds

Up early, I started the day with the climb up Baldface Mountain.  It was quiet and I was the only human around.  I was excited to reach the top off the first hill of the day. I kept thinking one down only a million more to go.  As I was walking down the trail, I saw movement ahead and immediately stopped.  A very large bear was digging around in the grass that lined the dirt about 20 yards in front of me. I stopped and banged my poles and started talking. Not yelling.  He moved a couple of steps to the side of the trail and continued to forage. He glanced at me a couple of times but kept chowing down on leaves.  He moved a log and ate some bugs maybe.  I tried talking more and banging more. He didn't even look up and went to the other side of the trail.  He plopped down on the ground, rolled for a minute, then moved a log with one paw while still laying down.  He rolled back toward me and was laying down digging with one paw. I took a photo was when he raised up for a bite of something good.  I kept trying to get him to move further away from the trail so I could pass but he ignored me.  I finally walked sideways by while he continued to eat.   After I was a down the hill, I was finally able to relax a little and kept walking, but every dark stump in the woods become a bear and I was of course jumpy.  The rest of the day, I saw no other bears but deer were plentiful.  They were also completely unbothered by my presence.  We stayed at Big Meadows Campground and enjoyed some trail magic from an awesome group of people out camping for the week.  **Photos/Videos on Facebook -- Mickie Blair (Dicey Willow)
Date: 2017-06-07
From: Big Meadows Campground (924.8)

To: Byrds Nest #3 Hut (938.8)
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The group of campers were planning on more trail magic for breakfast but I was packed up and walking before most people were even up.  The day was overcast and the forecast predicted afternoon rain.  I hadn't sleep well at the campground because of a street lamp directly over my tent as well as music playing until 3:30am a few campsites over.  My goal was to get to camp as soon as possible and try to go to bed early. The rain held off for almost 12 miles but as I crossed the bare area around Jewel Hollow Overlook the sky opened up.  I managed to get rain gear on before I was completely soaked.  Trudging along in the rain I finally got to Byrds Nest #3 Shelter.  I stood in the shelter for a few minutes and made an attempt to be social with the few other people there.  Of course, I failed miserably and decided to set up my tent during a period of only light drizzle.  After my tent was set up, I made the very long, very wet walk down to water.  My ankles and feet were hurting badly from trying to hurry so it was slow going down and even slower going back up.  I managed to eat dinner early and finally headed off to bed.  **Photos/Videos on Facebook - Mickie Blair (Dicey Willow)
Date: 2017-06-08
From: Byrds Nest #3 Hut (938.8)

To: Thornton Gap, Luray, VA (942.0)
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: scattered clouds

I woke up in the clouds but managed to convince myself to start walking.  We had arranged a shuttle into Luray for a resupply and then planned to stay the night in town before heading back out.  I had heard there was an amazing view from Mary's Rock but knew the clouds were probably going to still be too low and thick.   When I reached the trail up to Mary's Rock, I dropped my pack and went up anyway.  I took my camera and remote and was hoping to take some photos while I waited on Goat to arrive so we could let the shuttle know our eta at Thornton Gap.  Once at the top, I could see the sun trying was just starting to make its way through the clouds.  Little specks of blue skies started to appear.  I set up my camera and was almost ready to try when Goat arrived.  I am extremely self conscious so my original plans were laid aside for just the typical pictures.  I took pictures of Goat as well.  At that point the temperature was rising, and my camera started to fog up.  Most of the pictures didn't turn out at all. Looking back at that moment now (I am writing this much later), that was the moment I realized that this trip wasn't going to turn out like I hoped at all.  I followed Goat down the mountain on the rocks.  Like every day, I kept turning my ankles as the my feet and head throbbed.  I had a hoped an amazing set of picture would renew my hopes.  Once at Thornton Gap, we were picked up and taken to the hostel.  I sat up my tent outside and hid away until the resupply trip.  Once back from that I again holed away in my tent after trying to be social for a while.  At the campfire by the house, I could hear laughter and conversation.  Not long after that though, I heard a noise that sent me into a complete panic attack.  I know I am being vague but I don't want to be judged or made fun of for being "so sensitive".  To most people this noise is just there occasionally, most people don't even bat an eye.  After a while, I managed to calm down.  In my heart at that moment, I knew it was done.  The trail would not hold the answers and the hurt in my heart would never go away.  Regardless of how far I walk, I will always have those memories fresh in my mind.   After sitting in my tent for a while, I made one last trip to the house.  My ankles and feet were hurting so bad at that point, I was able to focus on that pain instead of the internal demons.  **Photos/Videos on Facebook - Mickie Blair (Dicey Willow)
Date: 2017-06-09
From: Thornton Gap, Luray, VA (942.0)

To: Campsite at 951.3
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: scattered clouds

The morning started with coffee and trying to convince myself to even move.  I did eventually get up and got packed up.  We were dropped off at the trail around 9:30 and started up.  I moved slowly and kept sitting down.  I kept trying to find some little thing to focus on and divert my attention from all the physical and mental pain.  After another break, I found what I was looking for.  A swallowtail butterfly.  She was on a bush.  Her left wings were fully expanded.  Her right wings were still crinkled as she fought to stay hidden in the leaves.  She would flutter and try to fly but with only half of what she needed she couldn't take off.  Logically, I know she had just emerged from her cocoon. Logically, I know that she eventually her wings would fully expand and she would fly away.  But I just saw her as broken.  Only half of what she needed to be. As the birds flew overhead, I knew that this one was probably one of the ones that would never feel the freedom of flying.  I sat there for an hour trying to keep the birds from their tasty snack.  It occurred to me finally that I could sit there for hours or days but I still could not protect or keep her safe.  I have pretty much failed at saving myself and I sure as hell couldnt save her.   I finally just walked away crying tears for her and for me as well.  I finally arrived at our chosen campsite near the Range View Cabin.  We sat up our tents and I found a tree to hang our bear line.  We were sitting around the tents when we heard rustling in the woods.  A young bear was no more than fifty feet from us.  We talked and made noise but he only slowly moved away.  He crossed the trail underneath the paracord for our food. He stopped and sniffed the rope before moving on.  I am pretty sure he was making notes for later.  I took down the rope and moved it further away.  We ate dinner in the middle of the trail away from the tents and then bedded down for the evening. Not long before dark we heard more rustling directly behind the tents.  Luckily it was only a deer was foraging for supper.  **Photos/Videos on Facebook - Mickie Blair (Dicey Willow)
Date: 2017-06-10
From: Campsite at 951.3

To: Tom Floyd Shelter (966.8)
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I was excited to see our food still hanging proudly in the morning.  After breakfast the walking began.  It was my last day in the Shenandoahs and I was ready to be done.  The day was a long one and my foot was still swollen from the day before.  I tried all day to ignore the pain in my foot but the more I focused on not coming down to hard on my right foot the more times I rolled my left ankle in.  Every single step was carefully planned.  I tried to take as many pictures as I could but they all just seemed so dark and bland.  A reflection of my mood, I am sure.  Towards the end of the day, I crossed Skyline line for the last time.  The descent out after the Shenandoahs was absolutely nothing but rocks.  I could I manage to find a way to get down without basically putting all my weight on my poles.  I was terrified I would snap one and go tumbling down.  Goat caught up right after I was down.  Eventually I made it to the shelter.  The trip down to the water at Tom Floyd was long and rocky, but I eventually succeeded.  I had a hard time finding a way to set up my tent.  The tent pad was rocky and had huge holes in it.  Eventually I just made due.  Dinner and bed were my only remaining chores for the evening.  **Photos/Videos on Facebook - Mickie Blair (Dicey Willow)
Date: 2017-06-11
From: Tom Floyd Shelter (966.8)

To: Dicks Dome Shelter (984.9)
Miles today: 18.1

I tried all day to refocus my brain on letting go of my expectations.  I tried to convince myself that I could walk through the horrible physical pain and block out everything else by harnessing that.  I pushed myself to keep walking and walking.  By mile 16, I was stumbling and just trying not to fall.  I turned my left ankle so many times I lost count and my left middle three toes lost all feeling.   We finally arrived at Dicks Dome Shelter right before dark.  I laid in my tent and watched the fireflies light up the sky.  I basically cried myself to sleep as my head and feet throbbed. ** Photos/Video on Facebook -- Mickie Blair (Dicey Willow)
Date: 2017-06-12
From: Dicks Dome Shelter (984.9)

To: Campsite at 997.8
Miles today: 12.9

The entire night before and all morning was spent dreading the beginning of The Roller Coaster.  I loaded up and starting walking.I made it to Sky Meadows State Park fairly early and was greeted by rabbits everywhere.  They hopped and bounced pretty much every where I could see.  It was an absolutely beautiful area and for the first time in quite a while I actually felt a little piece of calm enter my soul.   That was replaced a little bit later with dread as I climbed the first hill of the Roller Coaster.  The second brought more of the same.  At Morgan Mill, I ran across amazing trail magic and got to sit for just a little while before moving on.  Not long after, I came across a beautiful stream.  There were a couple of flat areas for tents.  I decided to just call it quits.  I took off my pack and sat on a rock by the stream.  I removed my shoes and sat for at least 30 minutes with my feet in the ice cold water.  When I finally got up, they were ice cold and only slightly blue!   Goat arrived, we sat around for a little while.  I found a limb for the food and attempted to hang our food.  When pulling it up, I slid off the edge of a bank and landed hard on the all of my already painful right foot.  I managed to get up without letting the food bag fall to the ground.  I was actually pretty proud of myself for that.  The owls started to talk and the raging of the water in the stream instilled a little bit of peace and I tried to prepare for more of the Roller Coaster.  **Photos/Videos on Facebook -- Mickie Blair (Dicey Willow)