morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-10-23
From: Matts Creek Shelter, Virginia

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter, Virginia
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: broken clouds

10/23/2011Time:   6:00 p.m.  DISTANCE TRAVELED:  22.7 Miles FROM/TO:  I hiked from the Matts Creek Shelter to the Bryant Ridge Shelter. WEATHER:  It was cool and foggy this morning, but warmed up into the upper sixties by afternoon. The sun was out most of the day after it burned through the fog. MEALS:  I had two Honey Buns and 24 ozs. of Kool-Aid for breakfast. For my first break, I had another 24 ozs. of Kool-Aid, a Luna Protein Bar, and a Zone Bar. On my second break, I had 24 ozs. of Kool-Aid and a Protein Bar along with another Zone Bar. When I got into camp, I drank 60 ozs. of Gatorade and munched on a Zone Bar and a Luna Bar while I made my dinner which consisted of two packages of Pasta Sides Cheddar Broccoli. I also drank another 48 ozs. of Kool-Aid with my dinner. ROAD/TRAIL CONDITIONS:  For the most part, the Trail was in good shape. It felt like I was going uphill all day. The trail was narrow along the sides of the mountains. SHELTER USED/SLEEPING QUARTERS:   I¢m spending the night on the first floor of the Bryant Ridge Shelter. PEOPLE MET, HIKED WITH OR SEEN:  I hiked alone all day. I came across two young girls (17, 18, 19, or so) who apparently thought that they were far enough away from people and civilization to disrobe. Later I met Lightening¢n¢Thunder, Virginia Trail Angels who would like to do a thru-hike one day. I promised to get them the title of a book I recommended.** ANIMALS SEEN:  I¢ve seen the usual squirrels, birds and dogs, and I heard an owl. MONEY SPENT OR SAVED:  I¢ve spent no money today. Yahoooo! MAIN CONCERN OF THE DAY:  I stayed focused all day on getting my miles in. SPECIAL NOTES:  I could have made 28 miles today before dark, but why?? If I knew I could catch up with some friends, then yes, but I have no way of knowing. The log here at the shelter says that Double D planned on going into Buchanan. That means I might meet up with him tomorrow when he¢s coming out of town and I¢m walking by. SUMMARY FOR THE DAY:  I got up this morning and got myself ready to go, and then I headed out into the chilly fog. The first fourteen miles were uphill, and then the rollercoaster trek began. I took a break after 10 miles. When I started to hike again I encountered the two young women ¢ definitely ¢free spirits.¢ I simply said ¢Good Afternoon¢ and kept right on going. Later I came across two Trail Angels. They had some questions about hiking the Trail, and we talked for 20 minutes or so, then I continued on my way. I took another break at a shelter at about the 14-mile mark. I had one more 800 foot climb, and then the rest of the day was ¢downhill.¢ Right. Nonetheless, I made it to this shelter around 5 p.m. So, all-in-all, I hiked 22.7 miles between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Not bad. Now I¢m off to read for a bit before bed. TTFN **  Long Distance Hiking  Lessons from the Appalachian Trail by Roland Mueser
Date: 2011-10-24
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter, Virginia

To: Fullhardt Knob Shelter, Virginia
Miles today: 26.9
Weather: broken clouds

10/24/2011Time: 7:30 p.m.  DISTANCE TRAVELED:  26.9 Miles FROM/TO:  I hiked from the Bryant Ridge Shelter to the Fullhardt Knob Shelter. I¢m still in Virginia. WEATHER:  The weather was good for hiking. It was cool and mostly cloudy all day. MEALS:  For breakfast, I had a Honey Bun, a Granola Bar, and I drank two cups of instant Cappuccino. For my first break, I had 24 ozs. of Kool-Aid, a Luna Bar and a Protein Bar. For my second snack, I had another 24 ozs. of Kool-Aid along with two more protein bars that were like Zone Bars, and another Luna Bar. The third snack was water, a Zone Bar, and another protein bar. I had a fourth break and ate another Zone bar, and I washed it down with water. My dinner consisted of two packages of Pasta Sides Alfredo noodles, 24 ozs of Gatorade and 20 ozs. of Kool-Aid. ROAD/TRAIL CONDITIONS:  The A.T. had 3 or 4 downed big trees to climb over today. The trail is also leaf covered, and I suspect it will remain that way for some time. SHELTER USED/SLEEPING QUARTERS:  I¢m sleeping tonight inside the Fullhardt Knob Shelter. PEOPLE MET, HIKED WITH OR SEEN:  I have hiked alone all day, and the only people I saw were from the overlooks on the Blue Ridge Parkway. ANIMALS SEEN:  I saw a deer today, but that¢s about it. MONEY SPENT OR SAVED:  No money spent today. J MAIN CONCERN OF THE DAY:  I¢d like to say that I was focused on making my miles today. Instead, I was fixated on catching some other sobo¢s I know. They are either really fast, faster than before, or I passed them. We will see after I reach Daleville. SPECIAL NOTES:  I get really grumpy when I¢m tired, hungry and thirsty. I even yell at mountains! I know I can do big-mile days, but it kills the fun of the Trail. SUMMARY FOR THE DAY:  I got up late, ate, packed up my things, and was on the trail by 9 a.m. Then I walked, walked, walked, walked, had a break, walked, walked, walked, walked, had a break, walked, walked, walked, had a break, walked, grumbled, walked, walked, grumbled more, walked, walked, yelled at the damn mountains for being mountains, took a time-out and a break, walked, walked and, finally, made it to camp. ** I¢m off to read a bit, then get some sleep.   ** [Transcriber¢s note: I can¢t believe he actually wrote that! LOL]
Date: 2011-10-25
From: Fullhardt Knob Shelter, Virginia

To: Daleville, Virginia
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: clear sky

10/25/2011Time:  DISTANCE TRAVELED:  4.1 Miles FROM/TO:  I hiked into Daleville, Virginia, from the Fullhardt Knob Shelter. WEATHER:    It was cool today, but mostly sunny all day. MEALS:  I had 20 ozs. of Kool-Aid for breakfast, along with a Protein Bar. For my first ¢break¢ I drank a half gallon if orange juice, and ate some cheese. I had lunch at Pizza Hut and had two salads before eating a BBQ pizza which I couldn¢t finish so I took it ¢to go.¢ My next snack was left-over pizza and a liter of Dr. Pepper. Then, for dinner, I finished the pizza and drank a liter of Gatorade. I followed that with a pint of strawberry and banana yogurt, and intend to drink a half-gallon of milk throughout the rest of the day. ROAD/TRAIL CONDITIONS:  The Trail was well-maintained and well-marked. SHELTER USED/SLEEPING QUARTERS:  Tonight I¢m sleeping in a bed at a Howard Johnson¢s. PEOPLE MET, HIKED WITH OR SEEN:  I hiked in alone, but when I got the H.J., I ran into the sobo¢s I¢ve been running to catch up to, but they were leaving town today. ANIMALS SEEN:  I saw no animals worth mentioning today. MONEY SPENT OR SAVED:  I have spent $130 on a room, resupply and food for my ¢near-0.¢ [pronounced ¢near-owe¢ meaning near-zero-mile day] MAIN CONCERN OF THE DAY:  I had only getting into town to rest on my mind today. SPECIAL NOTES:  1.                 A half-gallon of OJ on an empty stomach is bad;2.                 Now that I¢ve rested half the day, I¢m bored; and 3.                 Never, and I mean NEVER, go shopping hungry. SUMMARY FOR THE DAY:  I walked into town. I spent money. And I did nothing.
Date: 2011-10-27
From: Pickle Branch Shelter, Virginia

To: Laurel Creek Shelter, Virginia
Miles today: 22.5
Weather: light rain

10/27/2011Time:   6:15 p.m.  DISTANCE TRAVELED:  22.5 Miles FROM/TO:  I hiked from the Pickle Branch Shelter to the Laurel Creek Shelter, in Virginia still. WEATHER:  It was overcast today, with storm clouds threatening. The sun peaked through a few times, but just enough to tease. It was also a little on the cool side, even for hiking. Later, there were scattered showers, and then rain into the evening. MEALS:  I had a bad breakfast. I ate the last four hot dogs, and a Balance Bar, and drank 40 ozs. of Gatorade. At my first break, I had 20 ozs. of Gatorade and two protein bars. One was a Zone Bar and the other a Balance Bar. I had to stop and take another break because I hit a wall. I had 40 ozs. of Gatorade with one bottle of 6 Hour Energy drink mixed in. I would have one more break before I made it to the shelter, and it consisted of a Power Bar, a Zone Bar, and 40 ozs. of Gatorade. When I made it into camp, I had 40 ozs. of Kool-Aid and two Knorr Sides. I mixed a ¢Fiesta Sides¢ Taco Rice with a ¢Rice Sides¢ Cheddar Broccoli, and then spread the combination on tortillas. I¢ve felt dehydrated all day, so I¢m working on two liters of water as I write. ROAD/TRAIL CONDITIONS:  The trail was rocky today. There are also a lot of altitude changes in southern Virginia. The fallen leaves make the trail somewhat dangerous. SHELTER USED/SLEEPING QUARTERS:  I¢m staying in the Laurel Creek Shelter tonight. PEOPLE MET, HIKED WITH OR SEEN:  I hiked alone all day, and met no one. ANIMALS SEEN:  Today I¢ve seen cows, deer, birds, fish and, of course, the ever-present bugs. MONEY SPENT OR SAVED:  No money spent today. MAIN CONCERN OF THE DAY:  Today I was primarily concerned with making my miles ¢ 29 or so. But I ¢hit a wall¢ metaphorically speaking. It was beginning to rain, and I would have to do the last mountain in the dark with the help of a head-lamp. So, with the fallen leaves already making the path slippery, and the rain making things wet, I decided that crossing that mountain at night wouldn¢t be my best choice.  SPECIAL NOTES:  I am catching up with some sobo¢s that passed me. Yay!  SUMMARY FOR THE DAY:  I¢m tired ¢ you¢re on your own.  ¢Night.
Date: 2011-10-28
From: Laurel Creek Shelter, Virginia

To: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter, Virginia
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: light rain

10/28/2011Time:   6:42 p.m.  DISTANCE TRAVELED:  18.5 Miles FROM/TO:  I hiked from the Laurel Creek Shelter to the Pine Swamp Branch Shelter. WEATHER:  The weather sucked!! It was misty when I got up, then it started to sprinkle. Before long, an icy rain began to fall that then turned to snow. After a while it turned back into just a steady rain, before long, the temps cooled once again and an icy rain began again. MEALS:  I had oatmeal, a Honey Bun, and 20 ozs. of Gatorade for breakfast. When I stopped to rest the first time, I ate a Power Bar and drank 20 ozs. of water. For my second break, I drank 20 ozs. of water, and ate a Luna Bar and a Zone Bar. The next break I had was when I got to the shelter. There, I had 20 ozs. of water, a Luna Bar and a Granola Bar. For dinner I made two Knorr Rice Sides that I spread on what was left of my tortillas, and I drank 20 ozs. of Kool-Aid and 10 ozs. of water. ROAD/TRAIL CONDITIONS:  The trail was just rocks and more rocks, and covered with wet leaves. It was steep in some places, too. SHELTER USED/SLEEPING QUARTERS:  I¢m sleeping in the Pine Swamp Branch Shelter tonight. It has a fireplace inside and, yes, I have a fire going. PEOPLE MET, HIKED WITH OR SEEN:  I hiked alone, but came across a young couple, Forrest and Brianna, hiking south for a month on the A.T. ANIMALS SEEN:  Today I saw a mouse, an owl, and some birds. MONEY SPENT OR SAVED:  I¢ve spent no money today. MAIN CONCERN OF THE DAY:  Today my main concern was the weather and how to cope with it. SPECIAL NOTES:  My mom jinxed me when she said that with my luck, winter would come early. It has. SUMMARY FOR THE DAY:  I got up this morning and walked through wacky weather. The End. LOL No, it was a wet but OK day.
Date: 2011-10-29
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter, Virginia

To: Pearisburg, Virginia
Miles today: 19.2

10/29/2011Time:  8:05 p.m.  DISTANCE TRAVELED:  19.2 Miles + 1 Mile FROM/TO:  I hiked from the Pine Swamp Branch Shelter into Pearisburg, Virginia, then from the city limits to the Holiday Motor Lodge. WEATHER:  It was a snowy today. The day started with a light snow, but as I got closer to town, it warmed up enough to start melting, and it became a snow shower. MEALS:  I had oatmeal and Kool-Aid for breakfast, and Gatorade and a Power Bar for my first break. When I stopped again, I drank water and ate a Balance Bar. My third break was just water; and on my fourth break, in town, I had two grilled turkey burgers, fries, and a Dr. Pepper at Hardee¢s. For dinner I had four Hot Pockets, some dried fruit, chips with hot sauce, and a Cherry Pepsi to drink. I also downed four ¢sissy¢ beers. ROAD/TRAIL CONDITIONS:  The trail I travelled today was snowy, wet, rocky, and all up and down like a roller coaster.  SHELTER USED/SLEEPING QUARTERS:  I¢m sleeping tonight in a bed at the Holiday Motor Lodge, a/k/a Bates Motel #2. PEOPLE MET, HIKED WITH OR SEEN:  I hiked alone all day. I did pass a nobo section hiker named ¢Snake.¢  ANIMALS SEEN:  I saw no animals to speak of today. MONEY SPENT OR SAVED:  I¢ve spent $89 on food and lodging today. MAIN CONCERN OF THE DAY:  Today I was just focused on getting to town, and getting some new shoes. My feet are hurting more and my ankles are giving me more and more trouble as my shoes give out. SPECIAL NOTES:  You get what you pay for as far as motels and lodging go. SUMMARY FOR THE DAY:  I got up and got myself fed, said my good-bye¢s to Brianna and Forrest who had also spent the night at the Pine Swamp Branch shelter, and started hiking about 8:45 this morning. I got into town at 3:15 in the afternoon. I walked on to Hardy¢s, where I ate, and then I walked further to the motel and got a room. I showered, then walked across the street to the Food Lion and picked up some food. I had my dinner back in my room, watched some movies, and called my mom before settling in to write my log. Now I¢m off to bed.
Date: 2011-10-30
From: Pearisburg, Virginia

To: Woods Hole Hostel, Virginia
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: overcast clouds

10/30/2011Time:  8:27 p.m. DISTANCE TRAVELED:  10.3 Miles +2 Miles +.5 Miles FROM/TO:  I starting hiking the 212 miles from the motel to Walmart, but caught a ride for the last half mile from one of the owners of the Woods Hole Hostel. I left my gear with her, and after going into Walmart, I slack packed to the hostel. I picked up the Trail at the end of town and hiked to the road the hostel is on, then down that road a half-mile to get there. WEATHER:  It was 30 degrees when I started out this morning, but as the day went on, it became warmer. MEALS:  I had some Cherry Pepsi, chips, and dried fruit when I got up this morning, and then stopped at Hardee¢s for breakfast. There I had two Monster Biscuits, Hash Rounds, and a Pepsi. I drank a 20 oz. Pepsi as I hiked, and ate a Snickers bar. At the hostel, I snacked on some chips until dinner, which consisted of veggie soup, pork chops, rice and fried veggies, with water to drink. Then we all had an ice cream cone for dessert. ROAD/TRAIL CONDITIONS:  For the most part, the trail was nice except for the mile or so of rocks . . . under snow and ice . . . that twisted your ankles. And let¢s not forget the Rhododendron bushes/trees that were all weighed down with snow and ice and leaning over/across the pathway. As it warmed up, and they thawed, and brushed against my face, my head, my body, I felt like I was walking miles through a damn car wash! I guess some hikers would call it a ¢bush-whacking.¢ SHELTER USED/SLEEPING QUARTERS:  I shared a room with two other thru-hikers in the house at the Woods Hole Hostel. PEOPLE MET, HIKED WITH OR SEEN:  As always, I hiked alone. There were two other sobo¢s at the hostel, Sundowner and Columbus, and I met the owners of the hostel, Neville & Michael. ANIMALS SEEN:  I¢ve seen no animals to speak of today. MONEY SPENT OR SAVED:  I¢ve spent about $80 on food and hiking boots, not to mention the cost of the hostel, which will go on tomorrow¢s bill. MAIN CONCERN OF THE DAY:  I¢ve had no concerns, no worries, today. SPECIAL NOTES:  Nope. None. Not a one. SUMMARY FOR THE DAY:  I slept in this morning, and when I got myself out of bed, I cleaned and packed up, checked out of the motel, and started off to Walmart to buy new hiking boots. About a half-mile from the store, a lady offered me a ride the rest of the way. Turned out that she was Neville, owner of the hostel I was planning on spending the night at tonight. She waited for me at Walmart, then dropped me off at Hardee¢s and took my gear for me on to the hostel so that I could slack pack the rest of the way. After having breakfast, I hiked the rest of the way. When I got to the hostel, I took a nap, ate, and did my laundry. Now I¢m off to bed.
Date: 2011-10-31
From: Woods Hole Hostel, Virginia

To: Jenny Knob Shelter, Virginia
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: overcast clouds

10/31/2011Time: 6:47 p.m. DISTANCE TRAVELED:  20.6 Miles +.5 Miles +1 Mile FROM/TO:  I hiked the half-mile from the Woods Hole Hostel to the Trail, then I hiked to the Jenny Knob Shelter, with a side trip of a half-mile each way to Trent¢s Grocery. WEATHER:  Today it was mostly cloudy and cold. Around 5 p.m., it drizzled for a bit. MEALS:  I had breakfast at the hostel, which consisted of eggs, toast, coffee & cranberry juice. For my first break, I had a Balance Bar and a 20 oz. Cherry Pepsi. My next break was at Trent¢s Grocery, where I had a bag of BBQ chips, two 20 oz. Pepsi¢s, orange candy, and a Bacon Swiss Burger. When I got to camp, I drank a 20 oz. Pepsi that I had packed in, along with two Chicken Rice Sides. I also had some chips and salsa. ROAD/TRAIL CONDITIONS:  The trail was fast today. I thought about doing 30 miles, but lost momentum when I went to the store. SHELTER USED/SLEEPING QUARTERS:  I¢m spending the night at the Jenny Knob Shelter. PEOPLE MET, HIKED WITH OR SEEN:  I hiked alone most of the day, but caught up with Gunther who had been hiking with Sponge & Splake. We hiked into the shelter together. ANIMALS SEEN:  I saw the usual . . . squirrels, chipmunks, dogs, cats, a butterfly (it was lost, I¢m sure!) and some deer. MONEY SPENT OR SAVED:  Well, the hostel ran me about $48, but when all was said and done, including $7 for cooking fuel and $20 at the store for food and pop . . . I¢ve spent about $75 today. MAIN CONCERN OF THE DAY:  Today I just had in mind how well I was moving, I even considered shooting for a 30-mile day.  SPECIAL NOTES:  I remember slipping and slamming my lower leg, just above my left ankle, into a rock while walking into Pearisburg yesterday. Now its swollen and hurting. I was hoping the new shoes would help. I¢ll have to keep an eye on it. SUMMARY FOR THE DAY:  I got up. I cleared my bedding. I packed my bag. I paid my bill. And I hiked. Now it¢s off to bed with me.  Happy Halloween My Friends.
Date: 2011-11-01
From: Jenny Knob Shelter, Virginia

To: Jenkins Shelter, Virginia
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: clear sky

11/01/2011Time:   7:45 p.m.  DISTANCE TRAVELED:  23.8 Miles +1.2 Miles FROM/TO:  I hiked from the Jenny Knob Shelter to the Helveys Mill Shelter, which was .3 of a mile off the Trail, and then had to go another .3 of a mile for water. After that I hiked back to the A.T. and continued on to the Jenkins Shelter. WEATHER:  It was sunny and cool all day. MEALS:  I had a 20 oz. Pepsi and oatmeal for breakfast. On my first break, I finished a bag of chips and salsa, ate a Power Bar, and drank some Gatorade. My next snack was Gatorade and a Balance Bar. When I got to camp, I snacked on a Power Bar and a 20 oz. bottle of Kool-Aid. For dinner, I had two Knorr Rice Sides, Creamy Chicken flavor, 20 ozs. of water, and 20 ozs. of Kool-Aid.  ROAD/TRAIL CONDITIONS:  For the most part, the trail was nice and I was able to travel fast. There were a lot of downed trees to step over or go around, but they didn¢t seem to slow me down. There were a few places that weren¢t marked well, but I managed to stay on the Trail. SHELTER USED/SLEEPING QUARTERS:  I¢m sleeping in the Jenkins Shelter tonight. PEOPLE MET, HIKED WITH OR SEEN:  I hiked with Gunther on and off through the a.m., and then on my own in the p.m. ANIMALS SEEN:  I¢ve seen the usual today . . . deer, squirrels and bugs. MONEY SPENT OR SAVED:  I¢ve spent no money today. MAIN CONCERN OF THE DAY:  I was focused all day with making my miles in good time, and I did. It was still a long day. SPECIAL NOTES:  Rocks around a fire pit can get hot enough to burn you if a fire has been recently burning.  SUMMARY FOR THE DAY:  I hiked all day . . . The End. I was up at 6 a.m. and on the trail by 7:30. I was at the shelter and made camp by 5:15 p.m. My cell phone has no signal here.
Date: 2011-11-02
From: Jenkins Shelter, Virginia

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter, Virginia
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: clear sky

11/02/2011Time:  8:00 p.m.  DISTANCE TRAVELED:  19 Miles    FROM/TO:   I hiked from the Jenkins Shelter to Knot Maul Branch Shelter. I¢m in Southwestern Virginia. WEATHER:  It was cool, and the skies were clear all day. MEALS:  For breakfast, I had some oatmeal, with Kool-Aid to drink; and a Balance Bar with a 20 oz. Gatorade for my first break. For my second and third breaks of the day, I had a Balance Bar and 20 ozs. of water each time. When I got to the shelter, I snacked on a Zone Bar and drank 40 ozs. of Kool-Aid while I set up camp, then made two Chicken & Broccoli Rice Sides for my dinner, and drank another 20 ozs. of Kool-Aid while I ate. ROAD/TRAIL CONDITIONS:  The trail was good. It was my injured leg that gave me grief. SHELTER USED/SLEEPING QUARTERS:  I¢m sleeping in the Knot Maul Branch Shelter tonight. PEOPLE MET, HIKED WITH OR SEEN:  I hiked with Gunther in the morning, then hiked alone the rest of the day. At the shelter, I met up with Sundowner, and later, Gunther showed up, as did ManParty and Lush. ANIMALS SEEN:  Today I saw deer, a mule, a horse and, of course, the usual bugs. MONEY SPENT OR SAVED:  No money spent today. MAIN CONCERN OF THE DAY:  Today it was hard to focus on anything but the pain in my left leg. It was hurting very badly until I took the ACE bandage off.  SPECIAL NOTES: No special notes today ¢ not a one. SUMMARY FOR THE DAY:  What can I say . . . I hiked all day. J
Date: 2011-11-04
From: Chatfield Shelter, Virginia

To: Troutdale, Virginia
Miles today: 21.6

11/04/2011Time:   DISTANCE TRAVELED:  21.6 Miles FROM/TO:  I hiked from the Chatfield Shelter to Troutdale, Virginia. WEATHER:  The day started off rainy, but after lunch the rain stopped, and by the time I got into town the sun had popped out. MEALS:  I started my day with oatmeal and a Pepsi.  On my first break I had a Balance Bar and some Kool-Aid, and on my second break I drank water and ate two energy bars ¢ a Balance Bar and a Power Bar. When I got into town I had an appetizer platter, a baked chicken sandwich, two Pepsi¢s and a Zone Bar.  ROAD/TRAIL CONDITIONS:  The trail was awesome today. Even with the rain, I made great time. I even stopped at the VisitorCenter for a half hour and read. SHELTER USED/SLEEPING QUARTERS:  I¢m sleeping tonight in a bunk at the Troutdale Baptist Church Hostel. PEOPLE MET, HIKED WITH OR SEEN:  I hiked alone all day, but came across three nobo day-hikers. ANIMALS SEEN:  Today I saw cows, birds and squirrels, and that¢s about it. MONEY SPENT OR SAVED:  I spent about $30 in food when I got into town. MAIN CONCERN OF THE DAY:  Today I just wanted to make it into town to rest my leg. It hasn¢t hurt as badly today as it did yesterday. SPECIAL NOTES:  Sometimes being human is a downright inconvenience! SUMMARY FOR THE DAY:  I got up this morning while it was still dark and packed up my gear. By the time I ate breakfast and headed out on the trail in the rain, it was 8:30. I had planned on being at the VisitorCenter in three hours, but made it in just over two. So, while there, I noticed an interesting book, bought it, and sat right down to read for about 30 minutes. It was a nice break. Then I got back to the trail. I hit the road to Troutdale at 4:00 and walked about a mile before I caught a ride. I was dropped off in town at the store/restaurant. I ate and was here at the hostel by 5:30.   TTFN