morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-04-03
From: Upper Laurel Fork Hostel, TN

To: Pond Flats Campsite
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: overcast clouds

The hostel at mile marker 405 was really nice. The man doesn't advertise his hostel much, mostly word of mouth. I don't even know the name of it. Prices were reasonable and the pizza was good.I started out hiking in the rain this morning. It stopped raining about 11 am and warmed up, and that dried me off. I stopped at Moreland Gap Shelter for lunch and to resupply my water. When I crossed Dennis Cove Road, a family just back from a 12 mile hike at Laurel Falls, gave me an orange creme soda in a cold bottle. It was really good. We chatted for about 20 minutes, and then I thanked them and left. The trip down into Laurel Falls was very rocky and steep, but the falls were beautiful. Tomorrow, I have a very special meet up. Since I left Erwin TN, I have been hiking a very specific hiking scheudle, calculated to the hour, to be at mile marker 426.5 at 10 am tomorrow morning.Have a good night.
Date: 2014-04-04
From: Pond Flats Campsite

To: US 321 To Hampton TN
Miles today: 3.4
Weather: light rain

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY GRANDSON KYLE, G. AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SON IN LAW STEVE, B. AND MY SECOND GREAT GRANDCHILD, A BOY, BRANTLEY SKOTT, WAS BORN EARLIER TODAY.Yesterday, after walking by Laurel Falls, I visited the Laurel Fork Shelter. I didn't really care for the shelter, and because it was such a nice day, I decided to move on to Pond Flats, a little more than three miles further north. It was all up hill. I went from 2186 to 3706 feet in elevation. Pond Flats camp site is near the top of the mountain, and because it was the end of the day, it seemed to be forever before I reached the campsite. After setting up camp, I was glad that I made the effort to get here. It was a nice breezy night, the stars were out, with cool temperatures, and birds that refused to quit singing just because it was dark.Last week in Erwin TN, I made reservations for a hotel for the entire weekend.Last night in my tent, before I went to sleep, I washed up, and put on my best going to town clothes. This morning I was up at 6:45 am, and packed up my camp, and started hiking at 7:30 am. I needed to be at route 321 , Hampton, TN by 10:00 am.It took me less than two hours to get to route 321. I was there only 20 minutes, when the prettiest shuttle driver I have ever seen drove up and whisked me away into our weekend together. I was so happy to see Nancy and she knew I would be hungry, so to hold me over until she could get me to a restaurant , she brought me my favorite cheese crackers. We have been together all day doing town chores together, and I am so happy to be with her again.We plan on having a nice weekend and then I will get back to the trail Tuesday and start my trek towards Harpers Ferry, our next meet up.Good night
Date: 2014-04-05
From: US 321 To Hampton TN

To: US 321 Road To Hampton TN
Miles today: 0.0

Zero DayIt was great being with Nancy today, off the trail, and recuperating. Nancy had the coordinates plugged into her GPS to pick me up yesterday, but they were slightly off, and she did not exactly come out to where I was waiting. So she was traveling up and down the roads looking for me and She finally said to herself, " I'll pull over and ask that older man where the trailhead could be, and where my husband could be waiting. "Well, that older man was me. To my wife, I have lost a lot of weight. She thinks I am way too skinny. I eat a lot out here, and I predicted I would go down to 165 from 186 pounds, but I feel great and eventually she will get use to it. I told her it's only temporary. Once I get home in September, I will slowly drift back to my normal weight, unless of course I take up long distance running. We went shopping and the movies, and have had some good meals in the local restaurants. It's good to be back with Nancy.Take care all
Date: 2014-04-07
From: US 321 Road To Hampton TN

To: US 321 Road To Hampton TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Zero DayNancy and I are enjoying what time we have left together. Tomorrow, early, she will take me back to the trail head where she picked me up. She will head north, and I will head north, up the Appalachian Trail. Our time is over all too fast. I will meet up with Nancy again around May 15th to June 1st at the psychological mid- way point of Harpers Ferry, WV. Harpers Ferry is approximately 595 walking miles north of here. I'll be back on the trail tomorrow, renewed, and ready to do a lot of hiking.See you back on the trail.
Date: 2014-04-08
From: US 321 Road To Hampton TN

To: Iron Mountain Shelter, TN
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: broken clouds

I hate good byes. Especially when I am saying good bye to the people that I love the most.Back at the trailhead where Nancy picked me up, we were hugging each other, as Nancy was saying a prayer for us to have safe journeys to our destinations. Even though I was crying, I heard every prayerful word she said, which made me sob more.As she pulled away, she tooted her horn, and off I went. I was hiking fast, because I had a lot of emotional energy to burn off. I was one mile into my hike, near the Watauga Lake Shelter, and my eyes were still tearing up. Eventually, the tear drops stopped, and I settled into reliving every moment that we spent together from Friday morning to Tuesday morning.Ten miles into my hike, I stopped at Vandeventer Shelter to have lunch.I am presently at Iron mountain Shelter. I got here early, and I normally would have moved on, but I would have ended up with about a 24 mile day, and I didn't want to do that much mileage my first day back.I will be in Damascus in several days. I need to go to an outfitters to get new tips on my hiking poles. I tried to have it done in Johnson City while I was there with my wife, but the outfitters there couldn't get the tips off of my poles.I have eaten, and hung my bear bag. Time to read the Bible, and then go to sleep.Good night.
Date: 2014-04-09
From: Iron Mountain Shelter, TN

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter, TN
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: scattered clouds

This morning, while cooking breakfast, it began to drizzle, and it rained until noon.There were four of us in the shelter last night. One guy came in very late, about 10 pm, but he was quiet as he cooked his supper by headlamp, and then got into bed. When I left the shelter at 8 am, with raingear on, he was still fast asleep, so that I never did get to see him.As I was walking along this morning, I was being hit with hailstones for about 15 minutes. That is a first for this journey. They were only about one eight inch in diameter.Approaching TN Road number 91, there was trail magic waiting for me. I had a Pepsi and a cherry pie, provided by the local Baptist Church. Thank you local Baptist Church.The picture above has an interesting story. The man who lived there was a local, from around here. Then one day, he decided to become a hermit. He lived for many years in these near by mountains. Once a year, he went to town, to buy his supplies. No one is sure why he decided to be alone. Some say his wife died and he was badly grieving, others say, that he was avoiding the law. One year, he didn't come to town for his supplies, so some concerned folks went looking for him. They found him, dead, in his cabin. I believe that he died around 1923.After noon, the sun came out, bringing with it a light breeze, so my pack and I dried off while walking.I am now camped in my tent, about one hundred yards from the shelter.Tomorrow, around 1 pm, I will be getting into Damascus, VA. The zipper on my hiking pants broke, so now I need to get new ones. That's OK. The ones that I have on now are baggy, because of the weight that I lost.Bible time.Good night.
Date: 2014-04-10
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter, TN

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: clear sky

I was up at 6 am, packing my gear, and cooking breakfast by headlamp. It was a good night for tenting. I hiked ten miles into Damascus.The first order of business, was to get my hiking pole repaired at Mt. Rodgers Outfitters (MRO). They repaired it for free. While there, I bought a pair of hiking shorts, and some snacks for the trail. MRO set me up with a private room in their hostel across the street, called Dave's Place. They gave me the honeymoon suite. It has two beds, maybe that's why they call it the Honeymoon Suite.Next on my list was lunch. After that, a shower, and off to a place called Crazy Larry's, to get my laundry done. While waiting for my laundry to finish, I had another lunch at Subway. I then went to a second outfitters and found a pair of long hiking pants to replace my old ones. Since leaving home, I have gone from a 34" waist to a 32" one, and even then the pants are a little loose. Finally, I ended at the Dollar Store for resupply.All of my chores are complete, so now I can relax.Georgia, Done! North Carolina, Done!Tennessee, Done!Welcome to Virginia!!Three states hiked, eleven more to go.The hike through Virginia alone, when completed, will comprise almost a quarter of the Appalachian Trail. There are approximately 544 miles of the AT going through Virginia. That is more than the combined total of AT miles in Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee.I passed through this trail town before, while on vacation in 2009. It happened to be the day after The Trail Days Celebration that the town hosts every May. Walking through the town takes only about fifteen minutes, but this town is known for being the Friendliest Town on the AT. One other good thing about being in Virginia, is that when I finish hiking through this state, it will be time to see Nancy again.I plan to get up early tomorrow and hike to the Dairy King. They open at 7 and serve breakfast. Afterwards, I will continue walking the white blazes right down the main street and back into the mountains, where I will continue this most amazing journey northwards on the Appalachian Trail.Good night.
Date: 2014-04-11
From: Damascus, VA

To: Campsite .3 Miles North of US 58, VA.
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I was up at 6 am, packed, and on the way to the Dairy King for breakfast. It was on my way out of Damascus.I will have to agree, it was a very friendly town. I have two examples of how friendly they were, to me. First, as you already know, The Mt. Rogers Outfitters fixed my hiking pole for free. Then, when I asked the manager of the Dairy King what time he opened for business in the morning, he told me 7, but if I were to come in earlier, not only would he open, but he would also cook my breakfast. At 6:45, that's exactly what he did. Everyone in this town was kind to me.Good weather, today, for hiking; sunny and warm. I was hiking on the Virginia Creeper Trail several times today, where the AT and The Virginia Creeper Trail intersected.Currently, I am camped by a stream, about 30 feet off of the AT, for the night.Tomorrow, I will hike through one of my wife's and my favorite hiking areas; The Grayson Highlands State Park. My thoughts will be of her, especially if I am lucky enough to get close to the wild ponies. My wife loved our hike up Mt. Rodgers, the highest mountain in Virginia. In the State Park, we were surrounded by ponies several times. I will try to take as many pictures , for her , as possible, of the scenery and her favorite; the ponies.Good night.
Date: 2014-04-12
From: Campsite .3 Miles North of US 58, VA.

To: Grayson Highlands, North End, VA.
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

I was up at 6, and left camp about 7:15. I am glad that I saved the hike up White Top Mountain (5150 ft. high) for this morning. With a good nights rest, and a big breakfast, the hike was made easier than it would have been, if I had added it to the end of yesterday. The views from White Top were incredible.When I hit VA. Road 600, a trail angel couple, who had just pulled into the parking lot, asked me," Are you a thru hiker?" The lady was Cover Girl, and when I said, "Yes ",she invited me to have chips, doughnuts, and bananas. Of course, I accepted. I recorded their names on my phone, but the recording was all scrambled. I think his name was Razor Back, but I am not sure. Sir, if you are reading this, please sign my guest book, and tell me your trail name again. I would like to put your picture in my blog, but I want to get the name correct. Thank you.It was a day for reminiscing. Grayson Highlands did not disappoint. From the moment I entered the Mt. Rodgers area, I pretended that I was hiking with my wife. I walked the exact same path that we hiked together in 2011. The Grayson Highlands State Park is beautiful. If you ever hike up Mt. Rodgers from the park office area, you will discover that the views leading up to the mountain are just fantastic. But don't expect any vistas from the top of Mt. Rodgers, because there aren't any. You cannot see out from the mountaintop. The views are only on the way up, before the last half mile approaching the top.After I ate lunch at Thomas Knob Shelter, I went searching for the ponies. I only saw one pony this afternoon. He was right on the hiking path, so I went around him and took his picture from the front.Earlier, as I was hiking up White Top, there was an older gentleman hiking south (Wild Turkey), so we struck up a conversation. He told me, that if I didn't want to stay at Wise Shelter, I could go one tenth mile further, and there would be a grassy area where I could camp.This is a nice area, some Boy Scouts are here, and also a few families. It made me happy to see so many people out today, using their parks.I am glad that I remembered what Wild Turkey said to me, because just as I was putting up my tent, three ponies came grazing by. The picture above, was taken just a few feet from my tent. Maybe tonight, they will stop by and visit, and scare me senseless.So, I was able to get my wife the pony pictures that she desired, after all.Today, I broke the 500 mile mark.It was a wonderful day in the neighborhood.Good night.
Date: 2014-04-13
From: Grayson Highlands, North End, VA.

To: Trimpi Shelter, VA.
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: broken clouds

I did not have any pony visitors during the night.By 7:15, this morning, I was on the trail. The day was warm and sunny, so I hiked in hiking shorts for the first time. I used a privy at the park entrance for my changing room. I am always on the lookout for trash receptacles, so I can dump my trash.At Hurricane Mountain Shelter, I ate my lunch, and because I had a phone signal, I was able to send yesterday's journal to my wife. We were also able to talk for awhile.As I was hiking along, I suddenly came upon a tree decorated with colorful Christmas balls. Several miles ago, I stopped to set up my tent, but the place didn't feel right to me. It was too isolated, and too far down in the valley. So, I headed for this shelter, called Trimpi Shelter. There are two people about thirty yards away, in their hammocks. The wind is blowing hard at times, and the hammocks are swaying.I have eaten, cleaned up, and hung the bear bag, now it's time for bed.Good night
Date: 2014-04-14
From: Trimpi Shelter, VA.

To: Marion, VA.
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Someday, I too, am going to be a trail angel. From my personal experience, I know how meeting a trail angel can just make a hikers day better. His spirits are lifted while he is so far from home. I think of it as the love that you would get from your own family. It also reminds me of the goodness of the American people.I believe the Lord wanted me to meet the trail angel couple pictured above. If I had been five minutes earlier entering the parking lot, I would have missed them. But they were there, too, and they reached out to me.Their kindness, and the food they offered, helped make my Mt. Rodgers-Grayson Highlands day, a most memorable one. Thank you trail angels.Last night, at 11:30, five hikers arrived at the shelter with their headlamps on red. They apologized for waking me, but they were very quiet as they prepared for bed. I recognized one of them, his name was Rambo. We shook hands. The last time that I saw him, he was going to do a fifty mile hike into Damascus to see family. I don't know the outcome of his hike, but when I see him again, I'll ask him. The only time that I ever did a fifty mile hike, was Fort Hood, Texas. I was told that I needed to "out walk" Charlie.I was up this morning at 6, and I tried to show the five hikers, who were still asleep, the same respect that they showed to me last evening. I was as quiet as I could be, and left the shelter at 6:30.My destination was the Mt. Rodgers Visitors Center. From here, you can call a Marion Transit Bus to take you into town. While I was standing there, a nice fellow said, " Hop in, I am going right by your hotel." Turns out that he owns an Exxon gas station that has been in his family since his grandfathers time.I didn't think that at this late hour, I could get all my work done, so I asked for two nights at this hotel. While doing my laundry in the Laundromat, I overheard people discussing the upcoming storm. I knew nothing about it, but they must think it will be a bad one, because they were all going to the store to stock up.Everywhere that I want to go here, I need to call the transit bus people. I'll probably end up doing a lot of walking.Good night.
Date: 2014-04-15
From: Marion, VA.

To: Marion, VA.
Miles today: 0.0

Zero DayI decided, while in Marion, that I would walk everywhere that I needed to go. I estimate, that I have walked 12 miles total. Walking is easy without the pack.I did all the town stuff, laundry, shopping, Verizon store, eating, and just plain feasting. I tried to go to Mass, but I was the only one who showed up, even the Priest didn't make it, so that didn't work out. Back in the room, I continue to ice my knee, and thankfully, it's almost back to normal. I have enjoyed making a few phone calls and talking to family members, too.Tonight, my wife is having dinner with some of my children and grandchildren. There are six under four. I just talked to them, and they sound like they are having a lot of fun.Tomorrow morning, the transit bus will pick me up in front of the hotel, and take me back to the Mount Rodgers Visitor Center, where I will restart my trek north.Good night.
Date: 2014-04-16
From: Marion, VA.

To: Crawfish Trail Campsite, VA.
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: clear sky

The Marion Transit Bus, picked me up in front of my hotel, at 8:45 am, as they said they would.The bus driver's next stop, was at the hotel up the road. One passenger got on, and so the two of us were on our way back to the trail head.His trail name is Patriot. He carries a flag. He was a Marine for ten years. He explained, to me, that he hurt his knee badly, on the rocks, in the Grayson Highlands. There were a lot of rocks around Mt. Rodgers. He went into Marion, to see the doctor about his knee, but the doctor couldn't do anything for him, so he told him that it just had to heal. The doctor said," No hiking for three weeks." Patriot answered the way most athletes would," I can't sit around and wait for this knee to heal." So he took two zero days to nurse it some, and he was going back on the trail to see if he could hike on it. He said that he would be able to figure it out within a mile. If it still hurts, and he can't hike on it, he said that he was going back into Marion, and get the Greyhound Bus back to his home state of California. This was his second time with a knee injury. The first time he had to get off the trail in Erwin, several years ago.He is a fast, young, hiker, and because he didn't pass me today, I fear his knee hurt so badly, that he had to leave the trail a second time. If I am wrong, and I find out he's still hiking, I'll let you know. It made me realize how fortunate I am , that I can hike on my knee while it heals.The trail went right by The Barn Restaurant pictured above. It was 3 pm, and I thought that I would go in and eat tonight's supper now, and when I got to my campsite tonight, I wouldn't have to cook. So I did.After leaving the restaurant, I passed under I-81. My thoughts were of my wife, because she took I-81 home, last time I saw her.I am stealth camped tonight, in my tent, near the AT. I did not have to cook, because I am still full from eating at the Barn. It is really cold tonight.Have a good night.
Date: 2014-04-17
From: Crawfish Trail Campsite, VA.

To: Walker Gap, VA.
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: broken clouds

I walked through a lot of farmland, this morning, and I walked past cows for the first time since starting this thru hike.I stopped at the Knot Maul Branch Shelter, and ate my lunch. To get to the next shelter, Chestnut Knob Shelter, I had to hike up a mountain for four miles.The Chestnut Knob Shelter is fully enclosed, has a door, and is made of concrete blocks. Most shelters are three sided and made of wood. As I went past, I looked inside and it was nice. It sits at the very top of the mountain (4310 feet), and it is windy up there. One bad thing about this shelter, is that it does not have a water source, and this is unusual. This shelter does have an excellent view of the Virginia farmlands below. Still, I kept on moving down the other side of the mountain.I am camped part way down the mountain at Walker Gap. A trail maintainer spotted my tent and came over to chat with me. He gave me all kinds of information about the next one hundred miles of my hike. I thanked him , and I finished eating, read my Bible, and now it's time to say good night.Good night.
Date: 2014-04-18
From: Walker Gap, VA.

To: Mile Marker 586 Past The Powerline,VA
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: overcast clouds

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY NIECE PATTY P.This morning, I was sound asleep when my alarm went off, and I didn't hear it. My backup alarm woke me up five minutes later.The trail maintainer that I spoke with last night, said that he was doing trail maintenance from VA 623 to Jenkins Shelter.I finally caught up to him about two miles before the shelter. He was putting up signs about bear activity in the area, as well as clearing the trail.Not many choices for good tent sites in this area. I am in a tent spot between the trail and a cliff.I am about 45 miles from Pearisburg, VA , where I would like to go to resupply and do my town work. I have heard, however, that all the hotels may be full, because a lot of construction workers are there doing a pipe job. I may have to go elsewhere.Have a good night.