morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-09-09
From: .5 south of Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Kincora
Miles today: 6.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, today marks the anniversary of Ed Ryon's death. My heart goes out to him!! Anyway...do you know we woke up and we set out only to be about .5 miles away from the shelter we so desparately tried make it to the day before. Our packs our lite as we have maybe one meal left. We decided to go to Kincora, a hostel run by Bob and Pat Peoples. We knew we could resupply, get a shower, a real meal, etc. Sure enough we made it there and what a neat place. When we got there no one was home. A sign greeted us at the front door, "Welcome, and make yourself at home" We waited on the front porch anxiously for the owners so we could get a hot shower, boy did we stink!!   A couple pulled up of whom we thought to be the oweners. A man got out and said, "How would you'll like some "trail magic"?" I tell you I have heard about trail magic and I suppose everyone has a different definition of what "trail magic" is. To me, it is when anything or anyone catches you at a moment when you really need to be uplifted. This fellow's "magic" was food. He brought us sodas and junk food. His name was Jim, trail name "Mango" and he hiked the whole trail in 4 months this past spring and summer. He was around 60/65 years old and he reminded me so much of Bill Ryon. He had the same mannerisms, talked similar, had gadgets, took pictures, it was very comforting to have a Bill Ryon right there with us. His wife, "Jane" reminded me of Tom's mom (a younger version) and that too was nice! Finally, the owners arrived. Bob and Pat. Bob from Boston and I believe Pat was from Vermount. Great people!! Pat reminded me of Karin's mom. Very strange how those three were in one. It made me feel very at ease!! Well this is where we met Tim. Tim is a 62 year old republican (the 3rd 82nd airborne retiree we have met) Very nice guy. He hiked from Harpers Ferry to Kincora in April and May and then injured his knee on his way down the Pond Wilderness just north of Kincora. He was back, with a knee brace to finish what he started. More on Tim tomorrow.
Date: 2006-09-10
From: Kincora

To: zero day
Miles today: 0.0

We took a zero day today!! It was nice. We took a walk down to the river and then spent the day getting to know the Peoples and Tim. Tim decided he would take a trial run with his brace. Bob told him if it didn't work out we could get a machette, wack off the bum leg, and give him the trail name, "Stump" I could not stop laughing!! That Bob had so many stories. He and his wife have been running the hostel there for 10 years and have had over 12,000 hikers stay there. You meet all kinds of folks on the trail, from all walks of life. We are not hiking in the prime hiking season so we haven't met as many but we sure have met some characters. Bob is also a trail maintainer and knows the Tennessee section like the back of his hand. Tim got back from his trial run and decided he would now walk a mile or so with his pack on. Mind you, his pack must have weighed 70 lbs. We knew he wouldn't be able to make to Georgia, much less out of Kincora. He was back shortly and decided he should head back on the "Dog" to DC. He spent the rest of the day just giving me a hard time, in good fun!! He spotted that I was probably a liberal or on the left somewhere and we started talking politics. Tom stayed out of this conversation as he always says, "my daddy didn't raise no fool" Funny, working in a jail has changed some of my political views or hardened me I guess. That's another story. We stayed up with Tim and Bob telling stories. Bob was telling us of the next shelter where a murder took place, I knew we weren't staying there.
Date: 2006-09-11
From: Kincora

To: Campsite
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Well Bob drove us to 321 so we missed a section today, the section where Tim blew out his knee. We thought it would be a good idea to skip as Tom's ankle is swollen and my knee is hurting. We walked around Watuga Lake, boy was that beautiful, walked over the damn and up the mountain. We stopped at the shelter where the murder was. (a domestic thing, not trail related, except that it took place at this shelter) We only stopped here because there was a clan of about 8 from Kentucky. Interesting crew! I refer to them as the "Darlings" I don't know if you'll remember the clan that used to run into Mayberry every now and again... you know they played blue grass with Andy Taylor. This crew was friendly but a little homely. The view of the lake from that shelter would knock your eye balls out. Unbelievable!! You know I wanted away from there as soon as possible. So off we went and made it to a nice campsite with a great spring!!
Date: 2006-09-12
From: Campsite

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: broken clouds

It looked like rain today so we decided to make it a short one. I had heard the day before that there was a Bear and her two cubs in between here and Damascus so I was very alert. I thought I was coming across her so I began to make a lot of noise, bang my treking poles, sing, scream Tommy's name. Went around the corner and there was not a bear but a fellow by the name of Mike. We exchanged a few words, strange guy but nice and off we went. We got to the Shelter early but decided we would stay as a bad storm was coming. Mike came in a couple hours after us. Mike is from Fla. originally, he owned a palm tree nursery and lost everything after hurricane Charlie. He was able to sell what he could and lives in a tent near Damascus, VA. Mike is now a homeless fellow and lives off of peanut butter and corn flakes. There was a bit of sadness about Mike. Tom and I shared food with him and of coarse I was wanting to get as much information as possible. That counselor in me I guess. Well Mike is a good guy, smart and interesting, but very sad! It rained like hell this night and in the shelter with the mice again!!
Date: 2006-09-13
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 19.3
Weather: moderate rain

It was pouring this morning and Tom did not want to go anywhere. I made him get up as I wanted to get on to Damascus get our package and get a shower. When it rains it makes your clothes smell worse!! And we stunk bad!! Plus nothing against Mike but I needed to get away from him. He reminded me of some of the homeless clients at work and that's what I have been wanting to get away from. Well we made it to Damascus. This was the easiest hike we have done yet. Flat and flat!! We got to "The Place" a hostel run by the church, nice and clean. Damascus is a cute town really!! We finally meet "Wayback" Wayback is a fellow who has been a few days ahead of us since we started. I have been tracking him through the shelter journals. He is heading to Bueno Visto just south of Montebello. I hope we see him on our way up. He is a nice fellow. We had dinner with him and a girl named Laura who is heading south by her self to finish up the entire AT.
Date: 2006-09-14
From: Damascus

To: zero
Miles today: 0.0

Well another zero day as our package was not here when we arrived yesterday. Plus I wanted to catch up on the journal and give our bones another rest. "Wayback" left today, I sure hope we see him. It's nice to know someone else is headed our way. Most people we meet is in passing, southbounders. Ok more on the journal when we make it to Pearisburg. We love you all!!!
Date: 2006-09-15
From: zero

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Ok before I talk about this day, I have to mention the 3 people that dropped by "the Place" before we left Damascus. If I didn't mention, "the Place" is the hostel we stayed in. First, there was Larry. Larry is a fellow who likes to check on the Hostel to make sure all is well. He once hiked the trail as he was running from the Law. He didn't mention the crime. He stated that he was facing a lot of prison time. And I know from working in a jail that most criminals are proud of their crimes or capers. The ones they usually don't mention are ones they are not proud of. So I didn't ask Larry as he didn't want to mention it. He said he ran for 3 years in the AT and finally found the Lord, "up on those hills" and turned himself in. He just got out of prison last year and lives in Damascus. Nice fellow really. Then there was Connie. Connie is older woman who broke her ankle hiking. She came back to Damascus to bike the Va. Creeper Trail. She and I talked part of the night of her daughter in law who is addicted to drugs and left Connie's son raising the kids. Ok so I still have that counselor in me. I think I have a sign on my head. I talked her into going back into Al-anon and let go of her deep seeded resentments. Wonderful woman she is. Later that evening walked in "Freebird" He just summitted Katahdin a week previously. We talked about a fellow named "Poseypicker" who Tom and I had met back in May when we hiked Maryland with Erin. He had a lot of good stories and helpful information about the trail. It has been a joy meeting all of these folks and hearing their stories. So anyway... we left Damascus and ventured off to the Lost Mountain Shelter. We hiked part of the Va. Creeper Trail which many people like to bicycle up and down. We passed many folks this day. The weather was beautiful. Lost Mountain shelter was a nice one. Actually one of the cleanest we have encountered. A couple of young boys were hiking south from Maine. I call them boys but I guess they should be referred to as young adults. They were about Owens' age. They have been hiking 30 and 40 mile days. I can't even imagine seeing anything hiking that many miles. To each his own. Hey they are young, they can handle it. We then met "the General", this young man was hiking in a pair of Teva sandals. He reminded me of Owens' buddy Mike Ursic. Nice kid, he informed us of a yellow jacket nest in the trail. I continue to feel truly grateful for the kind hearted, helpful, and loving people we have met. It truly is a breath of fresh air, especially after working in an enviroment filled with sadness, fear, grief, hate, and emotional and spirtual destruction. Let me move on....
Date: 2006-09-16
From: Lost Mountain Shelter

To: Thomas Knob Shelter
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: clear sky

Well here we go heading up to Mount Rogers. Mount Rogers is the highest peak in Virginia at 5750 ft. There is a side trail off the AT that takes you to the viewless summit. It was viewless, all you could see were trees. This part of the trail takes you to the area known as the Grayson Highlands. Well, this place is absolutely beautiful. Those words can not describe the feeling I felt looking around at the never ending mountains. Well... we arrive at the shelter and what do you think was there next to the shelter? No, not a snake, not a bear, but 2 wild miniture ponies, a mama and her miniture foal. They were so cute. I got some pictures. Oh I should tell you that I did not bring my digital so if you are interested in the pictures you will have to wait till my disposables are developed... There were rocks behind the shelter and you could see mountains for miles. What a site to see!! Thomas Knob has a loft and Tommy and I slept up there as we knew it would be cold and we would be enclosed and stay warmer. It was cold and we did stay warm.
Date: 2006-09-17
From: Thomas Knob Shelter

To: Hurricane Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: few clouds

Did I tell you that Tom has been hiking with out his glasses? They get fogged up and he can't see so he just takes them off. I tell you he is a trooper!! I am not so sure he was ready for all this and he just never complains. He keeps on moving. I know his ankle has been bothering him!! I keep asking if he wants to get off and he says, "let's just keep on". I have to remember, some of you won't believe this, but it's not all about me!! I am thankful that he is here with me and seems to be enjoying himself despite how difficult it has been. Tom likes to be home on the couch watching CNN. He likes to walk with me everyday, but I don't think he ever wanted to hike the Appalachian Trail. He's a good dude, I can't tell him enough how much he means to me. Ok you all don't need to hear all that sappy stuff. Well... today's hike was difficult but awesome. The Grayson Highlands have been the best part of our trip. Tom and I both decided today that this was the most beautiful part that we have encountered thus far. Man!!! This place will drop you on your knees, it is gorgeous!! So we arrived at the Hurricane Mountain Shelter at around 5 p.m. and there sits a man who is actually quite famous in the AT world. His name is Lee, trail name EZ1. EZ1 is on record as the oldest man to hike the Appalachian Trail. He was 81 when he did his 5th hike of the AT. He has hiked it all the way through 2 times and section hiked it 3 times. He is 83 years old now and is on his 6th hike. He now hikes a week a month. Boy did he have some stories to tell!! I just got the biggest kick out of him and both Tom and I were inspired by his energy and enthusiasm. Well I got a picture of me with EZ1 and just feel priveleged to have met him.
Date: 2006-09-18
From: Hurricane Mountain Shelter

To: Unknown
Miles today: 14.6

We actually set out to go to the Trimpi Shelter today but when we arrived there, guess what? No water!! Well we knew we couldn't possibly make it 10 plus more miles to the Partnership shelter so we moved on till we found some water and then got off the trail some to pitch the tent. It was this night that Tom fainted. I think his blood sugar was low. They say you burn 4000 calories a day hiking and there is just no way you could eat that many calories. Maybe some do but I just can't imagine how. I was a little worried but he wasn't out long and I mixed him up some emergenC and made him some dinner. He was fine. Not one complaint out of him. Well he then built a fire and I was hanging the bear bag and there stood two fellows with shot guns. I was a little startled but not scared really. I asked if they were hunting and they replied, "NO, it's not hunting season" then I was a little scared. So I then asked, "so, what you doing" they stated, "oh, we are shooting squirrel." "Dinner", they said. Well, off to bed we went and boy did imagination roll that night. Again, we woke up and do you know we woke up to guess what? RAIN!! My all time favorite. WE knew we probably only had about 8 or so miles to the Partnership shelter so off we trucked....
Date: 2006-09-19
From: Unknown

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: scattered clouds

We made it to the Partnership shelter. It is there we met "Oddjob". Oddjob is a young man who is travelling from Harpers Ferry to Springer Mountain in Georgia. He informed us that "Wayback" was there and told him that he would probably meet us today. Do you know we missed "Wayback" by 15 minutes. If you do not remember, Wayback was the fellow we met in Damascus that we have been following since the beginning. We know we will catch up to him again. Let me tell you about the Partnership Shelter. Boy this was like the Marriot of shelters. There was a hot shower, a sink around back, an enclosed privy and 100 yards away, Mount Rogers Headquarters which had a pay phone where you could order pizza and it would be delivered right there!! WOW!! What a place. Tom and I were in heaven. We hadn't had a shower since Damascus. We cleaned up, went to the Headquarters and ordered pizza and family cinna sticks. Just so happened that if you ordered a large pizza you could get another large for 99 cents. What the hell, why not get the second one. Hikers really shouldn't order food or shop. But, guess what? We ate the whole pizza plus some of the second. While we odered the pizza, waited for the pizza and began eating the pizza there was a guy in the parking lot in and out of his car. He had a bike on a rack and a huge back pack on the ground. He seemed very confused. He came over and asked if we would advise him about his backpack. Funny, he told us he had hiked the whole trail from Maine to this point and was getting ready to do a section hike to Damascus. We thought why would this guy ask for advice from a couple beginners such as us. Interesting, we thought, as this guy had several oranges in his pack, a half gallon of milk, a bunch of books, 4 days worth of clothes, a big flash light and who knows what else. We thought, "Is this guy for real?" Perry Hill was his name, Perry was a retired criminal attorney from Ontario, Canada. We offered him some pizza and gave him our 2 cents worth about the weight in his pack. All I could think about was backpacking with Nancy and her s'mores. Well Perry slept in a tent. Actually he never slept and when we got up he was packing his stuff and said he decided not to go afterall.
Date: 2006-09-20
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Davis Path Shelter
Miles today: 14.6

We left the Partnership about 8 am. Really nice hike today but it was cold. We hiked the entire day with our jackets on. Before we crossed I81 there was a truck stop. We sat there and pigged out on Pamento Cheese sandwiches. A sandwich that Tom and I were both familiar with. My mom used to make them a lot but I never really liked them as a kid. I really am not sure I like them now but let me tell you this particular sandwich was absolutely delicious!! We sat at that truck stop for a good hour just grazing on whatever looked good. And that would be everything and anything. We figured we better head on to camp. We were about a mile or so before the shelter and there was a sign that said, "Fill up at this spring fed pond, next water source is contaminated, DEAD COW!!" Sounded scary to me. I wondered if a cow died in the water source or what? I guess all that mattered is that we just fill up enough to make it through the night and part of tomorrow. So we did and off to Davis Path Shelter we went. The wind was picking up and the chill was kickin' in!! That night we froze our asses off!! Fact is, that was the first frost that area has seen this year!! DAMN it was cold. We survived though...
Date: 2006-09-21
From: Davis Path Shelter

To: UNKNOWN
Miles today: 37.0

We woke up that cold morning and busted out early. We had no choice, we knew that was the only way we could stay warm. We were going to try to make it to Chestnut Knob Shelter, about an 18 mile or more hike. Well up Big Walker Mountain and down from Tilson Gap we headed. On the way down, it was a bit rocky and the leaves are beginning to fall. So it sometimes it is hard to see the rocks under the leaves. My two numb toes (they have been numb for about 2.5 weeks) seemed to have feeling but I wish they were numb again as the feeling was not good. And Tommy's ankle was really hurting him. We got to rt.42 after about 10 miles and we decided we would hitch a ride into Bland and get a motel room. Tom needed to rest his ankle and I needed to just bang a hammer on my toes so they would become numb again or just fall off. Little did we know 42 is not a very well travelled road. Fact is, we walked all the way to a town called Ceres, about 5 or 6 miles from the trail. We decided we would not turn back and just have faith that somehow, someway we would get to Bland. I think four cars passed us, a couple of motorcycles and a 2 dump trucks. Our thumbs were out to all and no ride. We were in the Ceres town limits and school was letting out. A fellow pulled up in a van and I just knew this man was sent to us. He stopped and said, "give me 10 minutes, I am picking my grandkids up from the bus and will drop them off and come back and take you to Bland" And he did. Randy Moler was his name, Randy was a retired equipment operator at Reagan National Airport and his wife retired from the Pentagon. They moved away from Manassas Va. down to Bland County Va. to get away from the DC metro area. Randy could tell Tom was hurting and began telling us of the many hikers who came off that mountain that he has taken to town, the hospital, the bus station, etc. Randy was truly a savior!! It is so relieving to know that there are still many wonderful people in this world. Randy is certainly one of them. We checked in to the big WAlker motel at 4 pm., got cleaned up and walked across to Dairy Queen for some grub. Dairy Queen seems to be real popular around these parts. We debated our plan. Should we get back on the trail or try to hitch it to Pearisburg, where a package awaited us and hit the hostel up for a two or three day rest for Tommy. I will move on to tomorrow. Let me first say we didn't hike 27 miles this day... we hiked about 17 and got a ride for another 20.
Date: 2006-09-22
From: UNKNOWN

To: Unknown
Miles today: 45.0

Well, we decided we would try to hitch. Tom's ankle needs a rest and we certainly don't need an injury. We set out about 9 am, we were going to hit up the Bland Square restaraunt for some breakfast, and then walk and stick the ol' thumb out and see what happens from there. Do you know that Randy just happened to be driving by and with him was his wife Myra. What a wonderful couple they are!! Randy said that he could tell by Tom's walk that he would have difficulty making it to Pearisburg. He said, "hop on in, we'll take Myra back on home and then I will drive you to Pearisburg" He took us back to Ceres, a place I thought I would probably never see again, showed us his 59 acre farm and Myra gave me a tour of her quilting house. You just can't even imagine how grateful we felt, how grateful we were. Hell, you can't imagine how grateful I am now!! Anyway... Randy took us to breakfast, then off to Pearisburg we went. He drove us all the way to the hostel and even stopped by the post office so we could pick up our package. We couldn't thank him enough!! We decided to rest there and then hike out on Monday to head off towards Catawba to visit with my old college friend Mary McCurley, her husband Greg Johnston and there two girls Olivia and Fiona. Well when we got to the Family Church hostel we called Mary and she insisted that she would come pick us up tomorrow so Tom could rest.
Date: 2006-09-23
From: Pearisburg

To: Salem,Va.
Miles today: 67.0

Mary picked us up at 1 pm. Tom wanted to be sure I was not upset at him for missing this section. I assurred him it was no big deal... the trail is not going anywhere and that would give us reason to come back and visit Mary and we could all hike back down to where we left off near Bastian Va. Again, you guys may find this hard to believe, but it is not all about ME!! AM I Saying this? We are blessed is all I have to say. Mary's husband Greg is an Acupuncturist and Herboligist. When we arrived to Salem Greg told Tom he would take him down to the office and hook him up with some needles. Man, it is good to see my dear friend Mary. I haven't seen her in about 8 or 9 years and this was the first time I met her beautiful children. They have been treating us like a King and Queen!!
Date: 2006-09-24
From: Salem,Va.

To: none
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day and Tom is getting acupunture as we speak... He also was given some herbs to carry with him. We will head out tomorrow, and check out McAfee's Knob. Hopefully we can make it to Dad's in about 10 days. For those of you who do not know my pop lives right close to the AT at the Wintergreen Resort in the George Washington National Forest. Wish us good health and I hope to update you when we make it to Pop's. Much love to all!!
Date: 2006-09-25
From: Catawba

To: Lamberts Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: broken clouds

Well here we are again. Mary dropped us off at 311 in Catawba. We ventured off to the infamous McAffee's Knob. Beautiful view! I got a picture of Tom on the frequently photographed overhang. We then went on to Tinker Cliffs. More spectacular views!! Just an awesome day and nice hike. We stopped for the day at Lamberts Meadow Shelter, where we met "the Schoolmaster". The schoolmaster is a retired teacher who loves to hike, usually with his wife but he was on his own tonight. We built a nice fire and had good conversation. Turns out that the Schoolmaster will be in Shenandoah Park the same time we should be hiking through so we hope to meet up with him again.