morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-02-27
From: Stecoah Gap

To: Yellow Creek Gap
Miles today: 7.6

¢It is better to take many small steps in the right direction than to make a great leap forward only to stumble backward.¢                            - Old Chinese Proverb quotesThanks to those of you who sent my daughter birthday wishes. If you haven't, please leave a comment on her blog if you have time. Go to www.rockettium.net. The click on 'Blog.' Scroll down through the blog and look for the end of an entry and then click on 'Comment' to leave a message. Thanks!Yesterday when I checked the weather forecast for Saturday and Sunday the weather promised to be fair and relatively mild, so I called Hike Inn and set up 2 days of slackpacking - Stecoah Gap to Yellow Creek Gap on Saturday and then Yellow Creek Gap to Fontana Dam. Fahmah had just gotten into Hike Inn and was up for the slackpacking, so he would join me.I was just tired of fighting the snow and the blowdowns and wanted something a little easier. Not having a big pack would make going over/under/through the blowdowns simpler and a nice warm shower and bed would be most welcome at the end of the day.This morning was fair and full of promise. Jeff and Fahmah picked me up in Robbinsville. I left my pack in the car for Jeff to take on back to Hike in, taking only the lid as a fanny pack.Fahmah and I set off up the hillside. Immediately we had to work through blowdowns. Since we didn't have our packs we spent a little time where we could to move some of the blowdowns off the trail. Obviously we couldn't do much, but we figured that every little bit would help.I still wasn't feeling great, so the few steep sections took me much longer than usual. We hit even more blowdowns later in the day, but at least there wasn't as much snow at this elevation.We saw one dayhiker while we were out. We spoke most often about the conditions in the Smokies and what each of us planned to do. Fahmah talked about hiking in with Knee Deep, with whom he'd done some hiking over the past few days. Part of me wants to keep on, and part of me worries that it's beyond what I should be involved in, especially feeling kinda punk and worn down.In the early afternoon the clouds rolled in, and the wind began to blow even more. I was very glad when we got down to Yellow Creek Gap. Fahmah called Jeff, and in a little while we were back at Hike Inn getting cleaned up.Nancy took us down to Robbinsville where we could get dinner and then brought us back. I turned in early since we were set to go out again in the morning to finish up the section to Fontana Dam.It hadn't been a great day of hiking, but it did provide some small progress northward.
Date: 2010-03-01
From: Fontana Dam

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

If there¢s something strange In your neighborhoodWho ya gonna call?GhostbustersIf there¢s something weirdAnd it don¢t look goodWho ya gonna call?Ghostbusters      - GhostbustersAfter a good night¢s sleep I reviewed my plan to get off of the Trail ¢ but only for a little while. I thought I might get a shuttle back to the NOC and wait there for a couple of days. From there I would get a shuttle to some transportation center or other and find my way down to Tampa. My husband would be there for a weekend meeting and I could see him for a while and wait for the weather along the trail to warm. (That¢s right. I¢m in Florida visiting a man, but, no, really! - I¢m hiking the Appalachian Trail!). The plan still sounded like the best option for the time being, given the options. Continuing on through the Smokies was not really a reasonable plan for me. I had talked to Bluff Mountain Outfitters in Hot Springs, NC. The report from there was that trail conditions were bad. I¢d really rather not go home and break the rhythm ¢ such as it is ¢ of the trip. I don¢t want to fall back into the routine of home life and fail to return to the Trail.I called Dave and Robin to let them know my decision, and within a couple of hours Robin had picked me up and we were tooling down the highway to Hiawassee. Yep. After being out on the trail since January 31st, I was in Hiawassee, GA. 66 trail miles from Springer Mountain. Talk about slow! At least Dave and Robin haven¢t assigned me a new trail name. ¢Bad Penny¢ and ¢Boomerang¢ come to mind as possibilities. However, Robin says she will need my Social Security number so she can claim me as a dependent on next year¢s taxes. (Thanks once again, Dave and Robin!)I stayed in for the afternoon and reflected on my decision. I felt I had made the right decision and was content for the most part. Still, there is a bit of me that is galled to have to put a hold on things. But patience IS something I¢m hoping to learn on the trail, and here is a good lesson. (Next time I¢ll be more careful about what I wish for.)The other lesson is that I shouldn¢t call Ghostbusters if there¢s something strange in the neighborhood. I¢ll just call Dave and Robin if it don¢t look good.
Date: 2010-03-10
From: Fontana Dam

To: Fontana Dam
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

A good vacation is over when you begin to yearn for your work. -        Morris FishbeinI¢m getting restless and feeling like I should be back out there hiking. But it¢s not quite time yet.I¢ll consolidate a week and put it into this one update, for now, at least.I had 3 nice days with Dave and Robin. We ate, walked along a lovely river (that I¢d like to visit again in warmer weather), ate, read, did errands, used the computer, ate, talked, laughed, and ate some more. I also learned to play dominoes. Then, in a vicious, cut throat game with good players (after a delicious dinner!), I came in dead last. It was lots of fun even if I was clearly outclassed in terms of play.On Thursday morning (3/4) I was getting ready to head to Atlanta so I could join my husband on his business trip to Florida. I figured to meet him there, warm up and let the Trail do the same. Then I¢d resume the hike ¢ either at Fontana Dam where I left off, or somewhere after the Smokies, then flip when I get to Katahdin. That¢s when my husband called.Angus had taken our dog out to stay with his parents. It sounded like it would be a good setup for all involved. Kai would get more exercise and human contact than in Champaign with Angus gone so much. My in-laws could enjoy doggy companionship without having to worry about a long-term responsibility. Angus would be freed from dog-duty and could work all the long hours he wants.Unfortunately, Kai didn¢t get the memo on how this would work. (My mother once said that Kai would be a fine dog¢¦. Well, we¢re still waiting.)Angus wouldn¢t have time to go back to New Hampshire to get the mutt, and I was kicking around waiting for the weather to break.   So we made a new plan.I ended up going to Florida for our weekend together and then flew back to Illinois today (3/10) to get our car. Tomorrow morning I leave for New Hampshire (via Rochester, NY where our daughter is) in order to bring the dog home. After I get back and attend to a few other details and repack, I plan to go back to hiking.It¢s been great having time to relax, but I need to get back to work ¢ and soon.
Date: 2010-03-25
From: Champaign IL

To: The trail
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain. Dolly Parton Today finally arrived, and it was FINALLY time to return to the Trail.Angus and I left Champaign IL in the morning and stopped off to have lunch with our son Ethan in Terre Haute, IN. When he had to go back to classes at Rose-Hulman we headed on. It was good to see Ethan and to get a look at the Human Powered Vehicle project that he has been working on. I hope his team does well at the competitions in April and May.I was getting pretty excited about returning to my hike. I had taken almost four weeks off to let winter run its course and to go fetch the the dog back from New Hampshire. Now it was time to drive through the wind and the rain to get back to work. When it wasn't raining I could see the dark line of storm clouds chasing us from the west.While we were driving on 25E in Kentucky a lovely double rainbow appeared with the road ahead anchoring one leg of the rainbow, leading us on. I hoped I would find my pot of gold back on the Trail.One more night in a motel on the road and then I will find out. I wonder what it will feel like to walk in the rain instead of plowing through snow drifts, but at least this way I have a better chance to see rainbows.
Date: 2010-03-28
From: Denis Cove Road

To: Denis Cove Road
Miles today: 0.0

(in a high, muffled voice)"Oil."                        - Tin Man - Wizard of Oz When I tried to get out of bed this morning all of my muscles ached. Even ones that hadn't bothered me when I started way back in January. After I finally got to my feet I had to do the hiker hobble to stagger about the room.Angus left to go back to Illinois. I waved goodbye to him and wished desperately that he didn't have to go.I didn't do much all day. Watched some bad TV, took a long hot shower and did some light stretching. I watched the rain pelt down and was glad I was inside, given the way I was feeling.Maybe I'd be up to following the Yellow Brick Road - or the White-blazed Trail in a day or so.While I didn't feel up to skipping off with a scarecrow and a Kansas farm girl, I did make it over to the IGA to get some dinner.PS. I forgot to mention in yesterday's post that I saw my first butterfly for 2010.
Date: 2010-03-29
From: Denis Cove Road

To: Denis Cove Road
Miles today: 0.0

Although my legs were feeling much better today, my intestines were still giving me fits. So I took another zero, including a trip to the drugstore. I hope this medicine helps.During the afternoon I mended some of my clothes and reorganized my gear. I wasn't able to get a hold of Bob Peoples to ask about a ride to the trail tomorrow, so I'll call in the morning.
Date: 2010-04-04
From: Damascus VA

To: US 58, Straight Branch
Miles today: 16.9

Angels can fly because they carry no burdens.       - Quoted in The Angels' Little Instruction Book by Eileen Elias Freeman, 1994My shuttle from Damascus to Summit Cut was to pick me up at 8:00. Cowboy's, where I could get coffee and breakfast would open at 7:00. The plan was to grab a quick breakfast and hurry back to finish getting ready - brush teeth, fill water bladder and so on.I was just getting back to the hostel when Bill, the shuttler, showed up. He was half an hour early. I scurried around and got everything together and then taped my feet up, and then we were off.I was glad to be starting a little early as I was a bit worried at being committed to hiking 16.9 miles. I wouldn't have my pack with me, which was the point. But that would mean I wouldn't have the backup position of simply stopping. This would give me more time.I started off well. Without the pack I felt almost like I was flying. My balance seemed better. Climbs were much easier. The feet didn't hurt as much.The temp was cool enough, and the sun was low enough not to be an issue. Life was good.I made good time and then the AT joined the Virginia Creeper Trail, an old railbed turned bike trail. The going got even easier. I hurried on, even breaking into a shuffling trot from time to time.The AT headed back uphill, splitting off from the VCT again. I followed it on uphill past a pretty little pond (see photo) and climbed some more and passed a shelter.It got hotter and hotter. When I passed any water I would dip my hat in the trickle and let the cool water run down my back. And i remembered to apply sunblock.From there the trail wound down and down. Long before I could see the rushing stream below, I could hear it. I got and treated more water from a feeder stream. I could see the VCT across the main stream. Many people were biking along it.Crossing a road, the trail immediately began to climb once more. By then my feet were very tired and I had slowed dramatically. I still had no burden to weigh me down, but I found the last few miles to be hard. The AT joined the VCT one more time for the last mile into town.Once there I was disappointed to find the Dairy King closed so I couldn't get the root beer float I'd been hoping for. Ah, well.I noticed that many flowering trees had blossomed in the warm sunshne. Trees that had been only budding just two days earlier were masses of flowers. Just in time for Easter, too.My feet were really complaining when I got back. I discovered the old blisters were worse and that I had a crop of new ones, I changed Monday's planned shuttle to Tuesday, instead.Perhaps the pack will feel lighter then.
Date: 2010-04-05
From: Damascus VA

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

¢As soon as coffee is in your stomach, there is a general commotion. Ideas begin to move...similes arise, the paper is covered. Coffee is your ally and writing ceases to be a struggle.¢               - Honor© de Balzac (1799-1859)Since I had already spent 3 nights at Dave's Place, I needed to move over to The Place, another hostel in Damascus, run by the Methodist Church. I wanted to spend the day not hiking so as to give my feet another day to heal from the high miles I had done the day before.I also used the day to catch up on journalling. I found the coffee shop a great place to do it. I had both breakfast and a late lunch there while I typed away on my little keyboard. It was nice to have a nice latte at my elbow as I wrote.Laundry was also on the agenda. It's so nice to start out with clean clothes.Shlep and I were joined for dinner at Quincy's by Gerta, a hiker from Germany. We lingered over dinner and talked and laughed. Finally I had to go and pack up so I could leave in the morning.
Date: 2010-04-07
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Old Orchard Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

"Adversity is like a strong wind. It tears away from us all but the things that cannot be torn, so that we see ourselves as we really are."                                  - Arthur Golden The wind through the trees made quite a racket during the night. It didn't realy reach the scale of howling, but it sure was more than whispering. I woke up a number of times during the night; I assume it was because of the wind.I had planned to leave early in the morning to try to beat the worst of the heat and the sun's rays. Unfortunately for that plan the ponies came back, including one with a young foal. Check out the video if it's up. Too cute to walk away from. So I got later start than I had hoped.By the time I did get moving the wind had really picked up. It felt like some big change in the weather was coming. I hoped to make it across the highlands before whatever it was came in.The area was rockier than I had expected. Giant fins of rocks jutted out of the ground and had to be climbed over to move down the trail. The landscape was rugged and vast.The wind increased even more, with the gusts sometimes causing me to stagger off the trail. While the scenery was remote and beautiful, I was happy when the trail led me back down through a wooded area and over streams.I arrived at Wise Shelter and had the place to myself. Within a short time, however, it seemed like there was a party going on. Thruhikers, section hikers, springbreakers and dayhikers were all represented. Lots of trail talk and trail stories. Eventually we all went our separate ways - or stayed at the shelter. I continued on north, my eyes on Old Orchard Shelter.On through the woods I went until I came to The Scales, a large open area that included horse enclosures. The area got its name from the fact that there had been scales here for weighing cattle at their high-country weight - before transportation to town.Several horse riding trails criscrossed the AT. At each of these crossings there was a "gate" for hikers to go through. Each was like a chute that doubled back on itself in a hairpin. It was easy for a hiker to shuffle through, but it was too small for a horse to make the turn.After I left The Scales, I slowed down dramatically. My feet were threatening a general strike, and my knees were considering a solidarity strike in sympathy. I minced my way downhill, wincing at every step as my feet hit rocks and roots.I finally made it to the shelter. The water source was flowing well and was piped. It was a few minutes walk away, but it was very nice. I had dinner as the sun set. The wind had calmed, and I could hear different birds calling and twittering. Then as it was nearing dark there came a high-pitched song, high, piercing, and oh, how very sweet. A fine ending for the day as I climbed into my sleeping bag.I woke up about 2AM with the wind gusting and clouds moving in to hide the stars.
Date: 2010-04-09
From: Troutdale VA

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Make new friends, but keep the old.One is silver, and the other's gold.I was looking forward to meeting Kinnickinic. We had arranged for her to pick me up at Jerry's Kitchen and Goods at 7:30. I was waiting at the door before the restaurant opened at 7. I was ready when she arrived.She took me to the Wellness Center, a very nice fitness center, and while she attended to a few things, I swam some laps (sidestroke, as the whip kick really hurt my knee) and soaked in the hot tub. When Kinnickinic finished her business she sat next to the hot tub, and we chatted and swapped trail stories for a long time.Eventually we were both hungry, so we had a nice lunch at a Japanese restaurant. Again we lingered and talked and talked. A few errands and then she took me on a driving tour of her neck of the woods. It was a good day for driving.Before it seemed possible it was time for dinner. We went back to Jerry's and shut the place down. We were the last customers, and we were *still* talking when the staff turned the sign to "Closed" and started sweeping up. We took the hint and left. But first we made arrangements for her to slackpack me for a couple of days. I was looking forward to making some miles without the burden of a heavy pack to blister my feet or strain my knees. I hoped the plan would work.When Kinnickinic dropped me off back at the hostel, who should be there but Gerda, the German woman I had met in Damascus and again at Wise Shelter. She and I talked for a while. She commented on how swollen my knee was. I applied some ointment and took some ibuprofen and went to bed.
Date: 2010-04-10
From: Groseclose VA

To: Groseclose VA
Miles today: 0.0

"How beautiful it is to do nothing, and then to rest afterward."- Spanish ProverbThis was not a very exciting zero day here in Atkins. But sometimes that's the whole point of a zero day. To rest and recuperate.To that end, I rested, iced my feet and knees, kept my legs up much of the day. And I did laundry. And I ate. The Italian Beef at the Exxon station was very good, and the portions were generous. The tropical smoothie wasn't bad either, but not as good as the smoothie at the coffee shop in Damascus.Kinnickinic called, and we set up a plan for tomorrow. I will hike from here south to Partnership Shelter, and she will drive me back here to the Relax Inn in Atkins, VA.
Date: 2010-04-13
From: Groseclose VA

To: VA Route 42
Miles today: 11.8

As I lay awake in the early morning hours I thought I heard a loud rumbling, as if of thunder. Then I realized that it was all in my imagination, but it seemed as if I could hear the pounding of boots as the hikers behind me, who had been pent up by the bad weather in the south, had broken free and were racing up the trail. I pictured myself in a Western running from the stampede, about to be engulfed by the herd. Desperately seeking cover, I look for a large rock or a downed tree to hide behind. The dust kicked up by the pounding boots nearly blinds me as I continue my plodding northward. Perhaps *my* trail legs will turn up soon.I headed up to the Exxon station for breakfast and found a few hikers, including Gerda, already there. As we talked over breakfast it sounded as though she'd like to slackpack the section, too, as the 14 miles to Knot Maul Shelter was more than she wanted to do, yet there wasn't a good option that was shorter. So I called Kinnickinic to find out if she would shuttle us both. She readily agreed.I started off north, and Gerda went back to the Relax Inn to make arrangements and to lighten her pack for the day. Since she hikes faster than I do (doesn't everyone?), I was sure she'd catch up to me in no time.The white blazes led me under I-81 and then across a dewy field. I clambered over a stile and into the woods. From there began the climb up Brushy Mountain. I paused at the Davis Path Campsite. It used to be a shelter, but now only the floor remains as a platform. Not long after this Gerda caught up to me and we hiked on more-or-less together. After we reached the top, we began the long winding descent to Crawfish Valley. We took a boots-off break at a little stream, and I soaked my feet in the frigid water and had a snack.The day was growing quite warm, but the climb out of the valley was easier than I expected as the trail was well-graded. We met a dayhiker, Tracker, on our way up. Going back down the other side we left the wilderness behind and entered an area of farms, cow pastures, and small woodlands. Some stiles and road crossings marked our way. I remembered hiking this stretch two years ago when I met a couple from Massachusetts and their friend, also section hiking. Like that day, today was warm and sunny, with spring well along here at the lower elevations.Gerda and I finished at the pavillion on VA 42 and waited for Kinnickinic to pick us up. She did, and we had a nice dinner at a Mexican restaurant in Marion. She dropped us back off at the Relax Inn. I worked on packing up to hit the trail, and readied a box of extra food and odds and ends to mail myself in Catawba, VA.Then off to dreamland before returning to backpacking. My feet and knees were somewhat better for the break. I hoped they would stay that way.
Date: 2010-04-16
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Va 615 Laurel Creek
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: broken clouds

Gerda and I were up before the other two hikers and had breakfast. We were on the trail at 7:20. We made good time getting down to the road. The trail was easier than yesterday and the weather was nice and cool.The night before I had not been able to get any bars so as to call the motel to make a reservation and schedule a shuttle. I had, however, been able to email Angus. He tried to schedule the shuttle, but they wanted a call from the road when we were actually there. When we got down to the road there were no service of any sort. Gerda and I discussed our options. Neither of us wanted to continue for now. There would be no water for 10 miles or so, it would be hot and sunny, and all we wanted to do was to take it easy. We started walking along VA 615, a small road with very little traffic. After we had walked for a while, I was able to get an email to Angus, who arranged the rest. Gerda and I plopped down in the shade of a pine tree next to the road to await our chariot in the shape of an old blue pickup driven by "Bubba." Not too long after that we were checked in and showered, some clothing handwashed and drying. The DQ down the hill and across the road was calling our names. Mmmmm. A rootbeer float.It felt wonderful to be clean again and not sweaty. The feet and knees were happy not to be walking very far. We had arranged a truce - today we would take it easy, and then do a short slackpack the next day, and a longer slackpack the day after. It wasn't ideal, but it was a way to keep moving north without certain body parts going into a fullfledged mutiny. I hoped.