morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-06-25
From: Fish Hatchery Road/Montebello, VA

To: Harpers Creek Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Yesterday was the embarassing moment at the Dutch Haus Bed and Breakfast.   When I was on the internet doing trail journals and was waiting patiently for other hikers to finish the use of restroom. For a few minutes, I kept glancing at this door. I was too lazy to go upstair. So, When I finished the use of computer, and checked the restroom door again, finally the door was half opened. So I rushed into the bathroom. What I saw the first thing was hikers shorts, underwear and shirt on the floor. I said to myself, this is not the private home, and they were supposed to pick them up before leaving the bathroom. So, the bathroom was extreme hot.   Obviously, someone had just left the shower. I wondered why having a real hot shower during summertime. So, as I closed the door and keep observing the clothes left on the floor and then lifted up the toliet seat, proceeding to take my manhood out of my short to urinate. I noticed something was wrong in the picture. The bathroom is getting hotter. I slided my eyeball to the left, then suddendly looked at the shower and the water is still running.   Apparently, the shower slide doors are foggy white, a bit harder to see through if not too close to it. I then tilted my head left a little more and was startled to learn that a hiker was cornered himself or herself to the wall and he/she is waving at me to let me know that someone is still in the shower. I was shocked and quickly, dropped my manhood in my shorts and immediately left the room, and quickly went to 2nd floor bathroom and proceed to urinate again but after checking to be sure no one is in shower.   I believe he was in bathroom with someone, maybe doing some flings and someone left, didn't shut the door enough. He or she were unlucky that a hiker who happened to be deaf, can't be able to hear anything, that include running water. Anyway, today my intended destination was to go to Maupin Field Shelter, which is about 19 miles north of Fish Hatchery Road.   When I arrived at road crossing, just before Tye River, which is about 8.8 miles south of Maupin Field Shelter, and there was a trail magic.   Lumpy and friend, was providing hearty meals and drinks.   At first, Lumpy opened the ice chest, and what I saw were bunches of Sam's Choice cola and Miller High Life beers. I thought, who would want Sam's Choice.   So, I pluckered Miller High Life out of ice chest. After first beer, I asked for more. Ended up that I drank too much, and couldn't hike further like that. So I hiked up 2.2 miles to Harpers Creek Shelter. Glad that I made it there. Trail magics are unpredictable and sometimes altered your travel plans but beers are sure worth the fun anyway.
Date: 2005-06-26
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up in the morning, no hangover. Hiked the diffculty terrains at the beginning of the day, and easily sped down the downhill for the 6 miles to the last shelter of the Central Virginia section. Thank God there was no trail magics along the trail because this was 22.3 miles and arrived at the shelter at around 8:40pm. If there was one, I wouldn't make it to the shelter until midnight.Tomorrow, WAYNESBORO, VA! NO zero or nero, but just doing some errands like internet and Post Office. Then YMCA for free shower then go back on the trail, entering Shenandoah National Park.
Date: 2005-06-27
From: Paul C. Wolfe Shelter

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: clear sky

I got up a bit early and left the shelter at around 8am. I approached Fishin Fred as he was hiking southbound. I was a bit baffled on why he was hiking south bound and was not doing slackpacking. It turned out that Fishin Fred thought he was hiking north, but he hiked south.   I laughed for a bit, and we hiked around 1/2 miles to Rockfish Gap. I told Fishin Fred that I will resume hiking after the errands in Waynesboro, VA. Fishin Fred believed I will be vacuumed to the town lifestyles. I disagreed. At regional office, There were a list of trail angel that provide free rides between Rockfish Gap and Waynesboro, and got a free ride. When I got in the town, and I did all of errands including eating all you can eat buffet at Chienese Restaurant.   After some resupply shopping at Kroger, I went to YMCA to do repack, but on the way to YMCA, I saw Sal Paradise as he was walking on the another side of the street, and I yelled Sal! He looked at me and walked across the street. We exchanged some news and I looked at my watch and realized its bit too late to go back on the trail because it was almost 5:45pm. Sal asked where I plan to stay and I assumed the plan changed and plan to stay at the tentsite not far from YMCA where most hikers stayed. Sal offered me to join him at the motel for no charge after I told him I don't have much money.   While walking the road leading to Quality Inn, I realized that Fishin Fred might be right, I am being vacuumed back into the town's lifestyles. Anyway, I had some beers and went swimming at the pool. I was disgusted on the way they don't keep the bathhouse clean. The men and women's bathroom were flithy, and both toliets were backing up. All of the mess were in the toliets that I couldn't pee in it. Those toliets were worse than all privies I went since I started at Springer Mountain. I wondered why they called themselves Quality Inn. After deciding not to use bathroom, just because of awful and foul smell, and the human wastes are still in both toliets, and the flushings were not functional. Yes, I admitted that I tried to get in women's bathroom because I couldn't use men's. It was dark, at around 10 o'clock in the evening. I really have the urgent to pee so badly and I saw a pot with alive and colorful flowers along the pool fences and forgive me, I peed in it. Its not my fault. Yes there were beautiful living flowers in it. I hope those flowers liked the taste of Budweiser. I felt better after that.
Date: 2005-06-28
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

In the morning, Sal Paradise tempted me, after he saying that he is planning to stay another night.   I don't want to hike thinking that how lucky a guy is enjoying a vacation in Waynesboro. So I ended up staying another night.   Later in the afternoon, my friend, Taz (Jeanna Vincent) arrived by pick up truck and she ended up staying with us in the same room.   We chatted for a while and went swimming. We chatted all night. It is great to have Jenna as a friend. Such a nice girl.
Date: 2005-06-29
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

As sun came, I woke up realizing I am not up for another hiking day. I felt so lazy and realized again that Fishin Fred was definitely correct. So, Sal Paradise told me he will leave for hiking today. So, I plan to set up tentsite by the YMCA. So, I went to have a free continential breakfast provided by the hotel. I chatted with Taz after Sal left.   Taz and I went to swim the pool the last time before we go to the tentsite. Taz was tempting to stay for another night in the motel. I told her I would have help her with the rent but my check won't comes in until Friday. We agreed that I will pay her a bus ticket to Washington DC for the room. She rented the room for two nights. She took real care of me, fed me cuz I was broke. Actually I was planning to eat the instant noodle. Anyway, we decided to wait until Friday when my check arrived and we will go to Washington DC. As Taz is going to her home in Maryland and I was planning to spend the 4th of July weekend in DC with friends.
Date: 2005-06-30
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Other zero days,as we are enjoying the non hiking day. Everything stays the same except that Taz told me Quality Inn finally cleaned the mess in both pool's bathhouse. And, Taz had invited in many of her hiking friends. Everyone talking to each other as I was watching TV and in silence. Actually, everyone usually forget about deaf people and didn't bother to talk with them. I would like to share a fine example of a situation about my favorite ASL translator, Debbie Lindsay. She learned how it felt to be deaf when she became so sick with very bad sore throat. With severe throat sore, she couldn't talk but She particpated in the dinner with her family and no one bothers to talk with her because she couldn't talk and she realized how it was felt like to be deaf except that her sickness last only a day or two, while we, the deaf people suffer this for the lifetime. I almost decided to rent another room so I don't feel like only person in the sahara desert. The weather and lack of funds leave me with no options but make me to stay in the crowded room with all hearing hikers. I went to sleep early so that I don't feel like a fool, sitting and look like a dummy.
Date: 2005-07-01
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Washington DC
Miles today: 0.0

I got up at around 6 in the morning and went to the convenience store to buy donut, a soda and a lottery ticket. It turned out that I won $3.00 for the $1 lottery ticket. I made a good 2 bucks profit. I went back to the hotel, and re-pack everything. Its funny that when I was trying to take my trekking poles out of the mess of several trekking poles, Jenna was trying to tell me "SHHHHHH" that I was making too loud. As a deaf person, you cannot know tone of the sounds and those hearing people acted like my parents, tell me to be quiet. Yeah, I could felt something foolish but I was used to it and tried not to make another round of noise, so I decided to leave the room so that I don't make any noise. I stayed at the hospitality room to wait for Jenna to finish the packing and then we went to Greyhound bus waiting area.   The bus came late.   We got on the bus and we arrived Union Station at around 2 in the afternoon. I was so surprised to see my friend, Lisa Goodwin waiting for me. I told her I would be in Union Station but didnt expect to have any pick ups or guests on Friday as I was planning to loitering around Washington DC and stay at Gallaudet University.   I treated Jenna a pizza lunch because she took care of me in Waynesboro. Lisa and I chatted for a while and she told me we walked past Lisa, and she never recognized me because I have beard. She never really noticed me except Jenna and I had backpack on. She then decided to re-check her observation on me and got me by looking at my eyes. She said that I really look like caveman.   Anyway, while the converstation, I realized that I had left Jenna out for very few minutes and I knew that I might could have caused her to feel like only person in the sahara desert. I just thought maybe she realized how deaf people felt like when we were left out.   Anyway, Jenna finished her meals and we exchanged byes and hugs as she left. Lisa and I went to her car and she wanted to move her car out of 2 hours parking limits and she founded a parking space. We checked the parking meters and it said 2 hours limit until 4pm and she paid the 1 hour cuz it was 3pm. She said the parking should be free after 4pm. I told her that there is a sign over there that we should check it to see what the regulation is. She said, nah, lets go and we went stroll around the National Mall, which was filled with festival vendors. At around 5:30pm, we returned to her car and discovered that her car was towed.   We went and read the sign and indeed, the sign said that parking is valid only until 4pm and tow away zone after 4pm to 6:30pm Lisa was panicked and we flagged down a federal police cruiser, (US Capitol Police) to make a call for us and the police officers willing to help because we are deaf. And, it sure amazed me that towing was relocating her car to the next street and unfortunately, Lisa found a ticket in the windshield.
Date: 2005-07-03
From: Washington DC

To: Washington DC
Miles today: 0.0

Touring the Washington DC gave me a great experience as a thru-hiker. Talking with curious people in the bars.   I left last night and stayed in DC all night and morning and all day today and night. I went to Eastern Market Saturday night, then walked all the way to Gallaudet University and slept in the playground outside. BUM? Nah, I learned how to survive sleeping outside from thru-hiking techinque. In the morning, I went to near empty Gallaudet University and slept on sofa.   I got up at 9 in the morning, then walked all the way to Union Station, then took subway rides to Dupont Circle, then after that, walked all over DC, from Chinatown to Georgetown, that include George Washington University, Washington Monument, Lincoln Memorial. During the walk tour, did some bar hopping.   After that, I finally got to metro, I forget where, but I was totally tired and buzzed. I got to the metro about 75 minutes before closing time. When I was in the station, I sat, and waited for the next train, but I fell asleep, missed the first of last three train, then I stay awake and waited, again fell asleep, I missed 2nd of the last three train, and I was very mad, because I just wish I can felt it coming but indeed, I fell asleep and missed the last third train, I was sooo pissed and now I am full awake, why awake after missing all three? I went and took the last train but not to Braddock Station but to Rossyln Station, and took taxi there. I wrote down and said, to the Braddock Station but need to go to ATM first to get cash for the fare. It turned out that the cab driver got lost and took me to the rural suburban with houses. I told BRADDOCK STATION, not BRADDOCK ROAD, and he keep asking other people for direction, and finally, found a station, for hour and half, which it take only 15 minutes to take there. Then I said, ATM? Then finally, we have to leave station to look for ATM, The first ATM we got to, was temporary out of service, and then 2nd ATM inside 7 and 11 convenience store is closed, then we went a bit farther and found the 3rd one and paid the driver 20 bucks and finally I walked from Braddock Station to my friend's house where I was staying.   I arrived around 2:30 in the morning. If not for sleeping in metro station, I would be home around 11:20pm.
Date: 2005-07-05
From: Washington DC

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Lisa Goodwin took me to the Greyhound Bus Station. Something happened at the bus station. When I approached the window, there was a black lady behind the counter. I wrote down the destination I plan to go to. She typed on the computer. While waiting, I was chatting with Lisa on my left side. So, the lady apparently lost the patience, wrote down the note and flash the note and it said if I wanted the bus ticket, then I better pay attention to her. I told her, I am deaf and I can not hear her at all. I told her that the best way to get my attention is to wave the hands. She was extremely pissed and pointed at the note again. It seemed that she doesn't care about waving hands. I said okay, I put my hands on side of my face, as it was blocking my view on both sides. She said that's not funny. I told her, I am watching her. She again said not funny. At last, she is ready to kick me out of the bus station or refuse to provide service. I realized, how unfortunate that I am being deaf and how unfortunate that people like her never understand the limitation. So, there is a window counter that is about 6 inches higher than the platform where I flip up my finger underneath it and she can't see it but can be able to see me ,and Lisa and the another customer on my sides, laughed so hard. Actually, I was pissed because she can't tolerate my limitation. After the incident with the lady, I got in the bus. This time, without Jeana Vincent, the bus arrived at a bus station, one stop before Waynesboro. Everybody stand up and departed the bus. It had me confused because I am the only person in the bus. I can't hear the bus driver over the PA and I have to walk up to the driver and asked if I am staying ont he same bus. He said yes. So, I arrived Waynesboro and walked to the campground next to YMCA where I stayed for the night.
Date: 2005-07-06
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Struggling with mild-depression, getting the idea of being isolated again. I just realized how I really miss the socializing and the use of Sign Language as a communication. I enjoyed several days off talking with Lisa because we communicate in sign language. I just don't feel like hitting the trail today and decided to waste another day.
Date: 2005-07-07
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: light rain

Almost decided to take another zero, but overcame it and went to YMCA and had someone there to call for trail angel to pick me up. It wasn't more than 15 minutes to wait. I got a ride to the Rockfish Gap. I started hiking and last only 7 miles to Calf Mountain Shelter in the Shenandoah National Park. The weather doesn't look good because of the remanants of tropical storm Cindy hovering over Shenandoah. It wasn't really rainning. The ugly weather had cut my hiking distance short today.
Date: 2005-07-08
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

Got up early, I didn't sleep good with all of the worries about falling behind. I calculated the mileage I need to do before reaching Katahdin. I realized that I need to make up miles. I talked with other thru hikers who were staying in the shelter. He told me to stay positive and we will make it to Maine. During the sleep, I woke up almost choked with someone who farted really bad. I couldn't breathe. It was third times in the morning.   I even don't want to know who did it. During hiking, I saw deer and they don't appear afraid of humans. More deers are sighted in Shenandoah National Park.
Date: 2005-07-09
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Got up early as I am trying to leave early to make up big miles. I took the food bag down. I took the food out of the bag, and noticed butter leaks. I was like, oh no, I forget to tight the cap. So, I took all food out of the bag, and it caught my eyes. It apparently that raccoon have clawed the food bag, but the bag wasn't showing any shredding or holes, but it actually punturced the Parkay liquid butter, powdered Kool Aid, peanut butter. The butter still leaks and I put the butter in the ziploc bag. I left early and stopped at the campground about 7 miles north of Blackrock Hut. I relaxed there, another thru hiker arrived and we chatted. I purchased some beers. We are attempting to hike 20 miles today. Three female section hikers arrived and we chatted. We changed our mind, we hiked to Pinefield Shelter, 13 miles north of Blackrock Hut so we can chat with those three cute section hikers. When arrived at the Pinefield Shelter, we played frisbee for a while. Then, I chatted with one of section hiker, named Polo, all night before she become terrified when a dog growls at nowhere in the dark forest, and I went into the forest with the dog to see what was there. I can't see anything, then went back to sleep. She don't know what was in the forest. Maybe a raccoon or bear?
Date: 2005-07-10
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Bearfence Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Still in Shenandoah National Park. I saw snake today on the trail, was eating on a live mice. I poked at the snake to try to get it off the trail. It was black snake. So, Snake left, but didn't ate the mice. I observed at this mice closely. It stood up and gasp for some air. The mice survived. I guess I can consider myself a hero. So, I arrived at the campground, just about .7 miles south of the next shelter. I was pissed off that the campground store closed at 6 instead of 7 as the book mentioned. I was bit hungry and don't feel like to cook. So, I left and arrived at the Hut. I saw a register book stories about resident bears been sighted around the shelter and the last spotted was in the same day in the morning. Oh well, I didn't see one but hopefully I would.
Date: 2005-07-11
From: Bearfence Mountain Shelter

To: Thronton Gap, US211
Miles today: 25.6

I got up early. Hiked a couple of miles to the third campground so that I can eat hearty lunch. After that, I hiked as fast as I can trying to get to either Pass Mountain Hut or stopped for a rest at motel in Luray, VA's motel. about 1 mile before arriving the road, it was getting dark and almost totally dark. I barely make it without using the headlamp. My hips start to bleed and the scalps between my legs were very bad. It was because of sweating I had during the 25 miles hike. My water tank ran out when I got to Thornton Gap. I decided to hitchhike instead of continue to Pass Mountain Hut. It was 30 minutes and no luck. Finally a state trooper stopped and with flash lights. I was relieved and explained to the trooper that I am out of water and wouldn't go up to Pass Mountain Hut without water and its dark. The trooper gave me bottle of water. And brought me to Budget Inn in Luray. I was fortunate to have the trooper instead of a passerby cars. It was because the woman wasn't in the office when we arrived. You need to make a call using the phone hanging on the wall by the office to get a room. I can't use phone, but the trooper called using his CB in cruiser and the woman finally walked from her house toward the motel. And, got me a room. It was about 10:30pm and not much people out that night.
Date: 2005-07-13
From: Luray, VA

To: Luray, VA
Miles today: 0.0

IN the morning, I packed my pack, and went to library. I checked whiteblaze.net the first thing. I was distraught to learn that some members thinks I am not for real and try to scamming out the members money. It build my stress even worse. I never have the idea of scamming people for money. Its not me. I realized I need to put stop to this and replied to the Whiteblaze.net that I don't want money and I would try and hike back to Harpers Ferry. I already learned that Bank of America will expediate the replacement card to Harpers Ferry within 2 or 3 business days. Normally they do in 7 to 10 business day. So, I logged off and walked back to Luray Chamber of Commerce where there is a guy named Bob Jenkins, that normally shuttle hikers back to trail. I asked him if he don't mind shuttle me for free cuz I don't have cash. He said he is NOT going to shuttle anybody today but that I have to wait until tomorrow morning. He is the one that already make my stress huge and finally I decided to abandon the thru-hiking and went back to the library and get a hold of my friend to pick me up. Yes it was sad because I never plan this. I will go back and start all over again later but not next year. I am planning to travel first then I will try thru hike again. Thank you everybody for reading my trailjournals and your support. I enjoy doing trailjournals sometimes along the trail.
Date: 2005-03-12
To: Dry Run
Miles today: 0.0

It is hard to believe it has been a month and a day since my last day at work. (Hi Y'all!) It is just as hard to believe it is only a week before I start my hike on the 20th. The weather was great so we drove the 2 hours to the top of Springer Mountain and hiked the .9 miles to the start of the AT. I can't believe I didn't bring my camera. Visited with some people at the top and then had to check out the shelter. It looked full. Didn't get any names but maybe in a week I'll hear about the group with the guy with the blue hair. I wish them good hiking.-Tim