morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-04-17
From: Doc's Knob Shelter

To: Pearisburg, VA - Holy Family Hostel
Miles today: 7.8

Today¢s hiking was quite enjoyable, an easy walk except for one short stretch of straight up. Reminds me of North Carolina! Thankfully it was short and I¢m in a lot better shape now so it wasn¢t bad at all. I met a group of college students out for a day hike when I was pretty close to town and some of them asked me how much longer the trail was? I said it goes 600 miles to Georgia, so it depends how far you are going. I don¢t think this was the answer they wanted to hear. These students have a college class that you can take for credit about the AT...seems a bit strange. One guy was wearing these giant headphones while he was hiking, seems a bit odd that you'd take a class about a hiking trail but entirely miss the point of a leisurely outing with your friends in the wilderness. Whatever. Capt Hook and I got some sweet trail magic. As soon as we came into town a guy started honking at us and asked if we needed a ride anywhere. He took us to the post office and then the hostel. His name is Melvin and he just cruises around and picks up hikers. Very cool.After that I went to the library to check email but the library wouldn¢t let me reply to any. Sorry to my friends, I¢m not ignoring on purpose. Then off to the dollar store and the Laundromat, then I hitched a ride to Wal-mart. It was only half a mile but I didn¢t feel like walking. The people at Wal-Mart were crazy friendly! I probably could have stayed and chatted for hours if I had nothing else to do. I took the bold step of only getting cold food and throwing out my pop-can stove. I¢m tired of cooking and cleaning my pot. If I want something hot I¢ll cook over the fire.Then it was off to Wendy¢s for a little ill-fated attempt at lunch. As soon as I ate the meal I immediately felt sick. When will I ever learn that my stomach and town food don¢t agree. Anyway, a few minutes later I lost my cookies (or in this case hamburgers) on the grass in the Wal-Mart parking lot. I felt like a bit of a freak but my stomach felt a lot better. THe teenagers working at Wendy's were watching me through the drive-thru window. I think I put on a good show. No more town food for this hiker. At the hostel right now are: Capt Hook, Deja Vous, Kung-Fu, a south bounder whose name I do not know, Moon Pie and another person I think. It is relaxing. I like it.Thanks to my mom for getting my new pics up. I look slimmer; it was kind of crazy to do the comparison from the first and last picture. I¢ve actually gained a bit of weight because all of my fat has been converted to muscle. For all of you kinesiology types out there my resting heart rate before the hike was 70 BPM, now it is 60! How¢s that for cardiovascular health improvement. Thru hiking seems to be the best get in shape plan out there. A lot better then that no-carb diet! Plus this way you can eat all the junk food your stomach can hold. No willpower required. Some people really impress me with how much they can eat in town. It is mostly the guys I guess. The girls seem to eat smaller meals. Nap time. Zzzzzzz¢¦JB ¢ ¢Tell It Like It Is¢¢¦
Date: 2004-04-18
From: Pearisburg, VA - Holy Family Hostel

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 7.3

How hard it was to leave town! The hostel was so relaxing and I was leaving some cool people behind. I went to the Catholic Church that sponsors the hostel and it was interesting. I¢ve found the churches that have no association with hikers except the random walk-ins to be a lot friendlier. I knew that if I didn¢t set a time goal for myself that I would never leave. So I decided on 2:00 p.m. Deja Vous decided she would come with me, which was good because together we were strong. Capt Hook tried his best to convince us to stay but we resisted. It was about 2 miles to the trail and we got a hitch after about 3 minutes. We asked the girl if she picked up hikers often and she said no, she only picked us up because we were 2 girls. It¢s one definite advantage to being female!The hike today was tough, straight up! My legs aren¢t use to these big climbs, especially with a full load of food. (12 pounds worth!) My days of diet hiking are over. It was also really hot today, which made it harder. I was thankful to only do 7 miles and be done for the day.Deja Vous and I were hiking together for about the last 2 miles or so and we saw a crazy deer. Usually on the AT you only see the back end of deer as they are running away from you. This deer stood on the trail in front of us grazing on some grass, and then it started walking towards us! We kept on walking and got within 10 feet of it when it finally ran away. I wonder how long it will survive without the instinct to run away?The shelter is on top of a ridge in a beautiful clearing. The sunset was amazing, blood red, falling behind the mountains in the distance. It brought back memories of Korea. However, the bugs were horrible here and I think next town stop all of us plan on buying some DEET!Here tonight are Deja Vous, Kung Fu and The 3 Lost Boys, who went to school together in Georgia. It¢s getting dark and that means time for sleep. Good Night.JB ¢ ¢Tell It Like It Is¢¢¦
Date: 2004-04-19
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Wind Rock Campsite
Miles today: 20.1

Today was a very enjoyable day. It was long and hot but I felt like walking. I¢m always happy to get away from town! I hiked 12 miles to the next shelter by 12:00 and then I stopped for a couple of hours and ate, took a nap. It was nice to beat the heat of the day. Then I hiked four miles to the next shelter and had a break, then hiked another four miles to a campsite. It is quite close to the road but I feel safe because Deja Vous and Kung Fu are both camping here as well.Everyone is in awe of my hammock. It happens every time I set it up. People come on over to inspect it, to lay in it, to take a picture. I just wish I could be more comfortable in it. Last night at the shelter there was choice of a chorus of snoring and that is all the more reason to use my hammock more. My hope is that the more often I sleep in it the more comfortable it will be.Anyway, not much more to say.JB ¢ ¢Tell It Like It Is¢¢¦
Date: 2004-04-21
From: Sarven Hollow Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 15.7

I had a little run in with the rocks today and it appears to be an even draw. I was walking along enjoying a beautiful morning when one of my hiking poles got caught up in my legs and I went down. I went face first onto a pile of rocks. I was initially in shock, hardly believing it happened. Then I checked my limbs and was thankful to see no broken bones or deep cuts. I have assorted bruises and cuts on one forearm and elbow, both shins and one knee that is quite painful. Then I sat on the rocks for a few minutes crying and feeling sorry for myself. It was not a happy time. Then I ate a Rice Krispie treat and sucked it up and kept walking.Then my shin and knee stared to really hurt so I ended up taking some Tylenol and it felt a lot better. It is the first time I have had to take a painkiller on the trail, pretty good for almost 700 miles, I think. I got to the next shelter at 10:30 and to my surprise Deja Vous was there! She had slept in and was going to take an easy day and hike only 10 miles. I stopped for a 3-hour lunch/nap time and in came Preacher and Pi, two ladies flip-flopping who are heading south from Harper¢s Ferry. It was good to see some new faces. How different their hike will be from mine, only seeing people for a night at most. I saw a snake today. Actually Deja Vous saw it first and I saw Deja Vous watching something on the trail. It was on the trail but appeared to be going nowhere fast. We threw some rocks at it but it didn¢t move so I poked it with my hiking pole. It started to hiss at me but then it slithered off and we walked on.Deja Vous and I expected to have the shelter to ourselves tonight but 2 section hikers are here. We were looking forward to a girl¢s night so it is a little disappointing.Last nights rains made the forest come alive. It seems like leaves have appeared on trees almost overnight, grass is sprouting and for the first time I can remember seeing wildflowers in abundance. I love wildflowers, so beautiful, so perfect, God's gift to us. It feels good not to be walking through a dead forest; I think it was sucking the life slowly out of me.JB -- ¢Tell It Like It Is¢¢¦
Date: 2004-04-23
From: Catawba Mt Shelter

To: Campsite...
Miles today: 16.0

Last night at the shelter it was just me and the mice. Quite a few of them by the sounds of it. It was quite unsettling. When I¢m with other people I usually wear earplugs so I don¢t really hear the animal activity but when I¢m on my own I like to hear what¢s going on. Maybe the mice know that when there¢s only one person they hold more power.Today¢s hike was awesome! Beautiful scenery, definitely some of the nicest of the trip so far. I got to the famous McAfee Knob as the morning was just beginning. It¢s a big piece of rock jutting out into the nothingness over an amazing valley. I felt humbled at the spectacular places God created for us to enjoy. I took a couple of timed pictures, hopefully they work out.Then the trail took me to Tinker Cliffs, another great view and awesome natural wonder. Huge rocks! The trail followed along the edge and it made for some great walking. I took a little unintended detour and was walking in my happy land for a good while until I realized I wasn't on the trail anymore! I went back the way I came and wondered how I could not have seen where the trail went...I should stop making fun of people who get lost on the AT.Now I sit at the shelter 10 miles before Troutville doing my usual 2.3-hour lunch break. The weather has turned from sunny to hot to rain to thunder and lightening to sunny again. I will probably hike another 8 miles or so and then camp in the trees. I have a mail drop at Troutville and knew I could kill myself to get there today before the PO closed but I¢ll just go in tomorrow morning.Logistics what to do? Carry 8 days of food from Troutville to Waynesboro or stop in between and hitch to Glasgow? I know carrying 8 days of food would be torture for the first 2 or 3 days but hitching into Glasgow could be a hassle. Usually the answer is quite obvious but this one is a toss-up. I guess I have until tomorrow morning to decide.JB ¢ ¢Tell It Like It Is¢¢¦
Date: 2004-04-24
From: Campsite...

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: scattered clouds

(TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE: So you have a better idea where TILII is I will post her daily info and then fill in her thoughts as soon as I can. HH)===============================================================Well it seems that my logistical decision from yesterday has been solved for me. The only issue is that now I feel like I'm carrying a dead body on my back or a load of bricks or a tuba. As a little side note, one guy actually carried a tuba! I think it is crazy but hike your own hike, I guess. Maybe it worked for him though because now he is famous.So I got a hitch into the Troutville PO, expecting a package from my parents and maybe one or two other people. The lady brought me a pile! A big-ass pile of 6 packages to be exact. I was a little overwhelmed. Thank you so much to:--The Browns (Capt Hook's parents) from Centerville, Ohio.--Jim "Hotfoot" from Clearwater, FL.--Joe, AT 93' from Castle Creek, NY.--Socks from Bethel, CT.--Peter & Judy from Port St Lucie, FL.--Mom & Dad in Canada.You guys are amazing! Due to your kindness and generosity I did not have to go to the grocery store to re-supply for the next stretch to Wanyesboro. Your notes and letters of encouragement encouraged me. I am happy that you are all enjoying reading my journal so far. Some people even sent me the ultimate in backpacker fare; Mountain House and other assorted dehydrated backpacking foods. Mmmmmmmmmmmm my first of the trip so far. I'll have to light a fire to do it all up but I don't mind as long as there is no rain.I sat in the corner of the post office getting all of my goodies organized. I felt a little bit like a sideshow or circus attraction because everyone looked long enough that it bordered on being rude. Perhaps the good people of Troutville, VA. aren't used to homeless vagrants.Then I hitched to the old Mickey D's for some tasty grease and it actually gave me a lot energy. Even going up the big hill with 30 pounds on my back I felt like I had some power. Now I sit at a shelter, contemplating life and thinking about getting my act back together and walking a bit more. It is only 1:30 and even by my standards 8 miles is pretty feeble, 13 sounds a lot more respectable. The original plan was for 20 but due to the massive food bag plans have been downsized. Perhaps I will do a few more miles later in the week when my pack weight is less. I got the lady at the PO to weigh my food bag: 14 pounds! Out of control.I am at the shelter now, hanging out with Deja Vous, eating a freeze-dried black bean and rice meal and writing in my journal. Ann a section hiker just showed up. Deja Vous asked me to put in a plug for her because she wants some food, so check out her journal too. She's excited that I just wrote that for her. It's peaceful, how nice to be free of testosterone for almost an entire day.My meal is making me sleepy. The sun is going down and my body knows that it is time to sleep. I like that my body is on nature's schedule and not attuned to artificial lights. It feels healthier. TV just sucks the life out of you!JB -- "Tell It Like It Is"...
Date: 2004-04-25
From: WIlson Creek Shelter

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 20.7

Today was a non-descript day. I asked Deja Vous if she wanted to write my journal entry for today but she has nothing to say either. I hate reading in other people¢s journals, ¢no entry for today¢, so I won¢t say that. Instead I¢ll just babble on about not much at all!I walked 20 miles through the fog and had no views. My feet are tired because my shoes are wearing out and I think the cushioning is breaking down. I didn¢t want to take my radio/MP3 player out of my dry bag because it was wet outside. Some days are boring but at least it is 20 miles closer to Maine. There's a couple sectioners at the shelter who are heading South and one of them left his packcover a way back on a stump. Now he has no rain protection for the stuff in his pack, including his sleeping bag. I find it moderately entertaining. He'll never make the mistake of not lining his pack with a garbage bag again! A good thing about today is the awesome shelter! The best of the trail so far, an elaborate 2-story affair, with a stream not 10 steps away. Sometimes the water source is 12 a mile down a hill and that¢s never a happy time.Anyway, hopefully I¢ll feel more inspired tomorrow.JB ¢ ¢Tell It Like It Is¢¢¦
Date: 2004-04-29
From: Brown Mt Creek Shelter

To: Seely-Woodworth Shelter
Miles today: 15.8

After spending 2 and 1/3 days alone I saw signs of life as I approached the shelter¢¦ clothes hanging on a line and a tent that looked like Pilgrim Souls. It was not his tent but 5 men and a lady out for a few days. The lady warned me of out of control snoring so I set up my hammock a good distance away. I am a bit overwhelmed by all the activity around me. The guys started making comments about women in Canada not having the vote yet. I ignored them because it did not dignify a response, although black people having the vote in the US would have been entirely appropriate.Anyway today¢s hike was very enjoyable, a good climb in the morning but then easy hiking the rest of the day. I stopped about halfway at a spring and had a little nap for a couple of hours and then kept walking. The weather was beautiful, sunny and about 70 degrees - 16 miles or so is the perfect distance. I¢m not really tired at all but I feel like I¢ve made some good miles.The guys here have now given me some of their extra food and heated water for my dinner of Turkey Tetrazine, so they have improved their standing in my books. However, I¢m not sure what they think of me now. We all had Mountain House dinners and they threw their garbage in the fire pit to burn. They saw me packing mine away and said, ¢why don¢t you just throw it in the fire pit?¢ I said that the foil lining does not burn and it pollutes the shelter area. The silence was quite awkward!! Good times on the AT. Leave No Trace means not leaving piece of foil in the fire pit~ It¢s not even my country and I look after it a lot better than many Americans I see out here. Then again, I probably should be more tolerant because maybe they just do not know proper backcountry etiquette.I was so happy to see the 3 Lost Boys show up at the shelter at 7:00 pm or so. Familiar faces make me happy. They¢re all super-cool guys and really fun to be around. Hoss¢ aunt and uncle met them at a road crossing with a feast of homemade goodness, so they brought me a package of cookies and brownies. I consumed it all in about 5 minutes. I was ravenous and EXTREMELY thankful!JB ¢ ¢Tell It Like It Is¢¢¦
Date: 2004-04-30
From: Seely-Woodworth Shelter

To: Dutch Haus Bed & Breakfast
Miles today: 11.7

I got tired of being hungry and tired of being dirty. I got to the road where I could go right to hitch to a little store to resupply or left to an awesome B&B. I decided to go whatever way I got a hitch. As it turned out, there was no traffic so I went to a random little house and asked to use their phone.When people talk about the Appalachians you always hear stories about people eking out an existence along them. While I have seen glimpses of this, in some of the towns of Georgia and North Carolina this was my first first-hand experience. I went to one house and asked to use their phone...little kids were running around in dirty clothes, mangy dogs and people who'd obviously never been to a dentist abounded. They didn't have a phone. I offered them $10.00 for a ride to the hostel. They didn't have a car. Their neighbors had neither a car or a phone as well. I was astounded that people live like this in North America. In Canada, not that the social welfare system looks after everybody, but most of the poor are in the cities and homeless, not dwelling in such rural landscapes. It was an interesting glimpse into a part of America I didn't realize actually existed. Anyway, I eventually found someone with a phone and I phoned the B&B and they came to pick me up. How sweet is that. Lois did my laundry for me, I took a luxurious shower, ate a delicious (and free to thru-hikers) hamburger lunch, checked my email and trail journal, phoned my mom and now wait for dinner. This place is awesome. It¢s only been open for 3 years but I have a feeling it will be a can¢t miss place in a year or two, along the lines of the Blueberry Patch or Miss Janet¢s. Almost forgot, it¢s called Dutch Haus. If you¢re in the area make plans to stop. There really is such a thing as free lunch with no strings attached because they have it here!Anyway, my thinking went that I could either take a shower and do laundry and check email in the comfort of a beautiful B&B or I could run around Waynesboro and do all the same stuff with much more stress. Plus I can eat delicious non-junk-food meals. That makes me happy. Sunshine and Red Dog are here and that¢s about it.News about Trail Days: I won¢t be there. But my mom is coming to Washington from the 12th to the 19th and I¢ll go hang out for all or part of that time and enjoy the luxury of a real bed and a continental breakfast! I am very excited, very very excited. Words cannot contain my excitement over this little almost 12 way done AT vacation. I love hiking most days but I think I¢ll like hiking even better after an extended trip into civilization. One thousand miles will be a long time in the wilderness.JB ¢ ¢Tell It Like It Is¢¢¦
Date: 2004-05-01
From: Dutch Haus Bed & Breakfast / Tye River

To: Paul Wolfe Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 24.9

Today is Saturday and being Saturday I met a lot of people including 4 Boy Scout Troops. There seems to be 2 different types of people: the ones who think it is the coolest thing that I¢ve walked this far by myself and the ones who say ¢what? This far alone, are you crazy? You for sure won¢t make it by yourself.¢ I like the first kind. How am I supposed to respond to the second group? By saying ¢you¢re right, I am crazy, I¢ll take the next flight home to Canada.¢ Anyway, today was a long day. I know a lot of you, when you saw my mileage thought to yourselves, what¢s up with that? That¢s not Tell It Like It Is¢ style. Logistically the options were not good and now that I have a schedule to meet my mom in Washington. I knew only doing 9 miles to the first shelter would be trouble. It¢s raining quite hard now so camping would have not been so fun either. So 25 it was, although I have hardly any food, fresh legs from yesterday and nice weather until about 4:00, so it really wasn¢t that bad. I don¢t think I ever want to do it again though. I guess it is nice to I can do it if I have to.I got to this beautiful shelter and came across 2 dads out with their teenage boys. They got water for me and fed me veggie burritos until I could eat no more. It was sweet. The last hour or so when I was walking it started to pour, so I was drenched plus I was really tired. I didn't feel happy at all and was not really capable of sustaining conversation at first, I think I kind of scared them...maybe they just felt sorry for me! Plus I got an offer of the trail mix from the Boy Scouts and I took about 20 Hershey kisses from a nice lady, Trail Magic, so sweet! I love it. I think that is what made my 25 miles not so hard, so many nice people to talk to.Guess what I saw today¢¦ a big turtle! Probably the size of a small football. It was just hanging out in the middle of the trail. I almost stepped on it before I noticed him. I poked him a bit with my stick and he hid inside his shell. It made my last hour of walking in the rain happy. I had a smile on my face the whole time.Waynesboro tomorrow!!!JB ¢ ¢Tell It Like It Is¢¢¦
Date: 2004-05-02
From: Paul Wolfe Memorial Shelter

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 5.0

Trail magic, so much of it today! I walked an easy 5 miles to Rockfish Gap and went over to the Visitors Center and whom did I run into but Heald. He was getting out of Gnome¢s truck. (Gnome thru-hiked the AT in 2001.) Gnome was missing the AT so much he decided to just cruise around and help out hikers. Heald told me where the hikers were staying so we went over to the Quality Inn and found Red Beard and Haiku who were just leaving. I found out where the 3 Lost Boys were staying and invited myself in for the night. There¢s a free campground here but it¢s supposed to downpour tonight. Gnome took some of us to the Wal-Mart where I resupplied. Then Hoss and I went to the Outfitters. We called the Cookie Lady who gave us a ride. She's a supper nice lady who does some shuttle services for hikers but won't take any money for it. Amazing.I went a little crazy! My poles have deconstructed so I¢m just going to throw them in the garbage. I bought a Go-Lite umbrella to use in the rain. I got a pair of liner shorts and a new waterproof stuff sack for my food. However, the big purchase was a new sleeping bag. The Mt Hardwear Phantom, only 1 pound, 1 ounce. It¢s a 45-degree bag so hopefully it doesn¢t get too cold. It is so light!! I think my pack minus food and water is about 12 pounds or so now. I have a feeling walking will be easy. I¢m also getting rid of my smartwool socks and just carrying an extra pair of liners, I got at Wal-Mart today.The 3 Lost Boys are the coolest! So much fun to hang out and watch TV with them. They¢re all pretty relaxed and easy-going, so it¢s perfect to spend time in town with them. I¢ll be sad to go to Washington and fall 4 or 5 days behind a lot of the people I¢ve been hanging out with. That's the way it goes I guess though...lots of other people are taking time off for various reasons so I have a feeling I'll into a lot of them at a later date. Shenandoah Nat¢l Park tomorrow; Land of Easy Hiking, frequent stores and restaurants and trail magic from picnickers. I can¢t believe that I¢ll be at the 1000 miles mark in 9-10 days; CRAZY!!JB ¢ ¢Tell It Like It Is¢¢¦