morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-09
From: Campsite North of Va. 601

To: Wise Shelter, Grayson Highlands State Park
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: clear sky

Our day began with a steady, but do-able climb to Buzzard Rocks, where we were treated to a 360 degree view. For about a mile we were surrounded by boulders the size of cars and rough ridges on horizons in all directions. From there, we crossed a valley full of springs, wild flowers, grasses, mosses, deciduous trees, and more rocks. My imagination is limited by what I've seen. Places like this help me understand a little more what we lost in the Garden of Eden. The valley led up to Mount Rogers, the highest point in Virginia. As we ascended, the wood became predominately evergreens, filling the air with their scent. Flowers were red, blue, purple, yellow, and white. In areas we began smelling ramps (we think they are the same as leaks to those of you in Michigan) which other hikers picked and used to spice their lunches.    Coming off Mt. Rogers, we entered another boulder field, some so tall we had to wind through them like a maze. Finally, we crossed a gate into Grayson Highlands State Park. Again, rock formations stood out amont the grassy meadows. Throughout this section there is a herd of wild ponies. It really seemed like we were in an old western movie. Yee haw!   When we finally reached the shelter, and began eating dinner, we were joined by a group of southbounders who are doing a short stretch into Damascus for Trail Days. They thru hiked Maine to Georgia in '04. On a trip to Pearisburg last fall, we met two of the gusy (Sweet Fish and Gnome Sherpa) at the our friends, the Smiths, house). It was quite a surprise, and good to catch up and connect again. All in a day on the Trail.   "And God said, 'Let water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.' And it was so. God called the dry ground 'land', and the gathered waters he called 'seas'. And God saw that it was good. Then God said, 'Let the land produce vegetation: seed-bearing plants and trees on the land that bear fruit with seed in it, according to their various kinds.' And it was so. The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning-- the third day." Genesis 1:9-13
Date: 2005-05-10
From: Wise Shelter, Grayson Highlands State Park

To: Troutdale Baptist Church Hostel
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: light rain

Last night was one of those beautiful starry night, where the blackness couldn't be more black and the contrasting stars couldn't be more sharp. The moon was only a sliver. Many people hike on night that clear, and many like to "cowboy camp", with only their sleeping bag under the sky's canopy. What beautiful back drops God has created for us to live within!   For some reason, we were both able to wake up early and get on our way as the sun was breaking over the ridges. It was another great day going through grassy meadows with more wild ponies. Eventually, through, all good things come to an end. As we re-entered the wooded ridges that we're more accustomed to, we heard thunder sneaking up behind us and knew we were about to get wet. Within minutes, the storm was on top of us. As the thunder cracked, Hopeful's eyes were saucer-sized as she looked back at me! Lightning was striking the mountain just above us, rain came in sheets, then stinging hail, and in less than 15 minutes it was all over. We were drenched, but actually quite comfortable, considering the circumstances.    Within an hour, the sun was back out and we were catching a ride with Scuba (an '04 thu hiker) into Troutdale. Here, the Baptist Church allows us to shower, do laundry, use the phone, and spend the night. The girls have a sleep over in the church, the guys are in a bunkhouse out back. We're with Gypsy Lu Lu, Touk, Firefly, Snowbunny & Hairball, Epic, Free Rad, Lion King, Tree Trunks and a few others. When we are in places with electricity, our days become less structured by light. The lights inside allow us to stay awake after sunset and before we know it, its past our bed time.   "And God said, 'Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night, and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth'. And it was so. God made two great lights-- the greater light to govern the day and the lesser light to govern the night. He also made the stars. God set them in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth, to govern the day and the night, and to separate light from darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening, and there was morning-- the fourth day." Genesis 1:14-19
Date: 2005-05-11
From: Troutdale Baptist Church Hostel

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

I think God must have known that I'd be writing about day five of creation today. First, we woke up to roosters crowing, and by the time we hitched a ride up to the trail (typical back of a pick up fashion), we heard birds of all kinds greeting us. All day, whether in the cool morning, or hot afternoon, on ridges or in valleys, we heard the sounds of singing birds. There's a bird out here that even sounds like R2D2 from Star Wars (at least we think so!).    On this trip I've noticed the diversity of birds around us. Just as I mentioned all the colors of flowers a few days ago, we've noticed similar creativity in bird coloring. So far, the Scarlet Tananger has been our favorite. We've heard owls, the pounding of grouse, watched vulchers and hawks ride the wind currents, and had mother geese hiss at us. We even saw a turkey hunter, but no turkies yet. Unfortunately, we don't see as much of the underwater world while out here. Although, just today, while crossing a river, we saw a sign about river life, displaying the food chain below water level. We were reminded that what we see in the woods is only the beginning.   "And God said, 'Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky.' So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. God blessed them and said, 'Be fruitful and increase in number and fill the water in the seas, and let the birds increase on the earth.' And there was evening, and there was morning-- the fifth day." Genesis 1:20-23   Because we're heading to Damascus for Trail Days, we're pacing ourselves to end up where we can hitch a ride back. That means our milage has been less, in hopes of making it to Atkins and highway I81, but not beyond, by tomorrow night. That leaves us in Partnership shelter tonight, which has a ranger station 0.1 miles away. At the station we used the phone to order pizza. We're full after splitting a large, stuffed crust pizza from Pizza Hut. The shelter also has running water, including a shower. This shelter is one that everyone remembers and is a must stop for most thru-hikers. We're a little sentimental this evening, since some of the people we're been with for several weeks will head back to Damascus for the festival with us, but others will move on and we may not see them again.
Date: 2005-05-13
From: Atkins, then 

To: Trail Days, Victorian Inn Bed & Breakfast
Miles today: 0.0

And now for our favorite day of creation. On day seven, God rested. One of the Ten Commandments goes on to say, "Remember the Sabbath and keep it holy (or set apart)". We keep learning that any rules or guidelines that God has established are not things he made up just for the fun of it. We trust that, as our Creator, God knows what's best for us and what our bodies need. He knows that our bodies can't hike, or go to work, or school, or do whatever we do everyday, without rest. Here in Damascus, we've been set up with a Bed and Breakfast for Trail Days. After the last 6 days of hiking, we're going to rest. We expect our knees to feel better, our foot swelling to cease, our shoulder muscles to loosen up, to catch up on sleep, and we want to focus on one another instead of the hike. For that reason, to make this a true Sabbath, we're not going to write any more today!!   "By the seventh day God had finished the work He had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all His work. And God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it He rested from all the work of creating that He had done." Genesis 2:2-3
Date: 2005-05-15
From: Trail Days, Victorian Inn Bed & Breakfast

To: Knot Maul Branch Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: light rain

Hopeful is writing today... We started our day, like yesterday, with an incredible breakfast served by Linda at the Victorian Inn B&B. The bed there couldn't have been more comfortable and we're thankful to Jerry & Linda for hosting us. It is a block of off the main street in Damascus, a perfect spot for being in the middle of the Trail Days activity, yet having a place to escape. And we need to "escape" several times on account of rain. Several storms passed through over the weekend and we were especially thankful not to be in our tent. After breakfast today we went to church at 1st Bapstist-- the church that has fed and served hikers in generous and creative ways all weekend long. We felt really encouraged after being able to sing songs and worship with the people there. The pastor's words reminded us of a quote from a man named Jim Elliot that goes something like this: "He is no fool who give what he cannot keep, to gain what he cannot lose". After church we caught a church van shuttle back to Atkins where we had gotton off the trail on Thursday to head back to Trail Days. It was time to re-enter the woods. We were excited to be hking again, and the rain cleared just as we unloaded our pack from the van at about 2 PM. We wondered if it would be tough to do the 14 miles we had in mind before dark, but it turned out to be no problem at all. We're reminded that we are in much better shape than we used to be! Highlights of the hike were the flowers. The rhododendrun blossoms are just starting to open up at lower elevations, and I saw flaming azalea in the woods for the first time. Cows were the animal highlight of the day. They are funny animals! This is probably exactly what they were thinking about us as we tramped through their pastures much of the afternoon. It was a wonderful day to hike. The partial clouds kept the sun from beating down and the temperatures comfortable. We arrived to an empty shelter, but with lots of people tenting (there were mouse sightings in the shelter even before dark, and plenty of droppings to confirm their activity). So we're in our tent as well, definately more because of my insistance than Red Wing's! Some new faces tonight (Lost 'n' Found & Sunshine, Smokestack & Mother Natures), some fairly new ones (Slap Happy, Dorthy w/o Toto) and old ones (Epic and Free Rad), who we were surprised to see again since they didn't go to Trail Days. Instead, they were held up because of Free Rad's foot problem, which rest seems to have helped for now. I don't mind the woods, even after our wonderful accommodations at the B&B. There is no where else that I want to be right now!
Date: 2005-05-16
From: Knot Maul Branch Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Red Wing:   We were blessed today to have both sunny skies and cooler temperatures. We're in a situation which is new to us. Last night there were fewer hikers than normal at the shelter, today we only saw four others hikers while walking, and now, tonight, there are only three other people in the shelter.    We're in the middle of a long section between towns, which means we have a lot of food to carry. Between the food weight and hiking 19 hilly miles, we're really tired. In fact, it was one of the more tough days that we've had in a long time, perhpas mentally as much as physically. But, we did it! As it grows dark, we can see and hear several deer walking through the wood, just outside the shelter.   Tomorrow, we're meeting the Palmers (good friends who used to live in Michigan) in Bland, and spending the evening with them. We're excited to see familiar faces and catch up.
Date: 2005-05-17
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Bland, VA
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Shortly before falling asleep last night, the mice again became a problem. First, they were in my backpack, then I looked over and saw three at once. Finally, Free Rad and Epic Flop had a mouse run bettwen them, which panicked, and then ran back and forth before finding its way out of the shelter. That was all we needed to see. We were out of there, all four of us. Only Slap Happy bravely stuck out the night with the mice. We set up the tent in the dark, and fell asleep without mice nightmares.   This morning, we woke up with good stuff on our minds. Flat terrain, town food, a bed, and friend from home. So, eleven easy miles later, we stepped off the trai and met James Palmer at a road crossing. James, Gretchen and their nearly one year old daughter, Ella, are on vacation and have come to visit us for a day or two. We ran our town errands together, ate our pizza, cut my hair (Hopeful keeps getting better with the shaver), and were able to share what's new in our lives with one another. We're still undecided on whether we'll hike out tomorrow or stay another day. Either way, we hope to do trail magic and have the Palmers meet some of the hikers with whom we spent nearly two months now.
Date: 2005-05-18
From: Bland, VA

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

It's been awhile since I've slept as hard as I did last night. Sometimes it's worth the money to stay in a hotel, just for the good sleep. After a relaxing breakfast at the hotel, we did some grocery shpping this morning and drove up to the where the road crosses the tail in time to catch hikers coming through. In less than 3 hours we were able to serve 15 hikers with Oreos and milek, fig bars, fruit, and other random goodies. Hopeful and I were excited for the opportunity to share a little bit with the friend we've met. I think that the Palmers were able to get a glimpse of the trail community. Tex, Mapman, Padre, Louisville, Grace, Mr. Sweepers, Curly, Patch, Spicy, Stats, Mud Pumpkin, Mother Nature, Smokestack, Brownie and Souleman all passed through.    Next, we took off with the Palmers to a spot where we could have a short walk to Dismal Falls (because a zero day isn't complete without miles that don't count). Whoever named Dismal Falls undersold them. They were actually quite beautiful and fun to climb on and around. Ella got to try sitting in her baby pack, and we're sure that she'll be a future hiker!    On our way back through Bland, we picked up Grace, Spicy and Camel (who we just met) and brough them back to the hotel with us to provide a nice night off for them as well (plus, splitting the cost of the room helped us justify spending another night!). Palmers were such great chauffers, allowing all eight of us to cram in to their van (including smelly gear), and driving us to the various places that people needed to go. The time we have spent with them ahs been a real encouragement to us. A little taste of hoem goes a long way out here. We don't realize how much we miss family and friends until we see them.    In closing, we want to say thank you to our church family in Lake Ann. Without your help, we would be unable to afford trail magic for those around us. We appreciate your generosity, and we know that others do too.
Date: 2005-05-19
From: Bland, VA

To: Riverside campsite, just beyond Dismal Falls
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Here's Hopeful's journal for today: WILDLIFE COUNT TODAY --1 deer (a relatively big one, most deer we see seem small) --1 black rat snake (4 ft+, who would not move off the trail to let us by) --1 porcupine in a tree (I never realized their front teeth are so big) --Lots of bugs (I guess it comes with the warmer weather) --Still no bear (which is good when we hang our food bag at night, but disappointing for the sake of the wildlife count! Maybe we'll be able to add bear to the list when we get to Shenendoah National Park in a few more weeks.) It was hard to say good byes to the Palmers this AM. Being with friends who know us so well was awesome. They were really thoughtful, bringing us little surprises, and being willing to hang out with hikers for a couple of days during their vacation. Thank you, Palmers! We loved playing with Ella, especially since we rarely get to see little ones along the trail. It's hard to get out and going after showers, beds and good friends, but once we got hiking we felt great. After good "town" food, and rest, we did more than 20 miles without feeling completely spent at the end. In fact, we had hoped to do a marathon day, since the next shelter was just past the 26 miles mark for us. The rain, however, had other ideas. We had to stop where we are now and put up the tent because the thunder and rain came. We got to wrap us dinner, thankfully, before it really let loose. It IS a great spot, right along a river. I'll never tire of sleeping near the sound of rushing water. It's soothing, even while it's so wild. Bluey (from Austrailia!) has joined us nearby. I've been thinking of my students and co-workers back at West Senior High a lot this month, as graduation appoaches and spring makes everyone start to dream of summer vacation. I'm writing some graduation cards this week, including ones for my senior cousins (special congrads to Billy Halbower and Katie Hutchison!). One student sent me an Irish Blessing via email awhile back, and I think I'll copy it here as a way to close this evening:May the road rise up to meet you,May the wind be always at your back,May the sun shine warm upon your face,The rains fall soft upon your fields, And, until we meet again,May God hold you in the palm of His hand. --Irish Blessing
Date: 2005-05-20
From: Riverside campsite, just beyond Dismal Falls

To: Campsite south of Angel's Rest
Miles today: 19.5

We woke up this morning in a damp tent and to slightly clearing skies. All night we had showers and occasional thunderstorms. After our time off the trail, we feel like many of our hiking crew are a day or two ahead. So, we're hoping to hike some longer days through this section in order to see some of them again. The day was cool and overcast, and our terrain is fairly flat (a relative term out here), which made the miles fly by. We stopped at a sheler late this afternoon and decided to make dinner and move on. Just as we were heading out, the rains started up again and have been on and off ever since. It's nice to be to the point in our hiker where a little rain doesn't get us down like it once did. Tomorrow we hope to hike the 2 1/2 miles into Pearisbury, pick up our mail drop with resupplies, mail home our cold weather gear (bulky sleeping bags, mostly), have lunch, and get back out of town with our wallets intact. Hopefully the rain will stop. The pull of trail towns is much less when the weather doesn't tempt us to stay in a motel.    We thought of the Smith family a lot today (whom we visited last fall in Pearisburg, but have since moved to Kentucky). It was fun to revisit some of the trail spots we had explored with them. If you're reading this, Smiths, Pearisburg won't be the same without you there!
Date: 2005-05-21
From: Campsite south of Angel's Rest

To: Campsite north of Pearisburg
Miles today: 7.0

This morning was an exercise in efficiency. We got up at 6 AM, ate a cold breakfast (generally we cook oatmeal, today it was breakfast bars), caught an incredible sunrise overlooking Pearisbury, hiked 2.5 miles to town (mostly downhill), got our mail drop from the motel we had sent it to, hitched a ride to the post office, and mailed home our cold weather sleeping bags/clothing, all before 10 AM. Bluey, our Austrailian friend whom we've been hiking with for th past couple of days, invited us to use his motel room to take showers. We made our necessary phone calls before having lunch with Tony Collins a friend and pastor here in Pearisburg whom we met through the Smith family (mentioned yesterday). Note to self: Don't go to an All You Can Eat Chinese buffet and plan on hiking out of town on the same day. Eight hours later I'm still regretting the decision. Anyway, later Hopeful bought groceries and I felt like "hiker trash" when I set up the tent and layed all our gear out to dry in the grocery store packing lot. Residents of hiker towns must be accustomed to odd sights since I didn't even seem to turn heads as cars drove by my pathetic looking set up. Eventually, we got out of town for under $30, wallet intact, mission accomplished. We climbed out of town this evening and made it nearly to the top of the ridge before setting up camp with Marcello and Trip. They had a fire going even before we ever showed up, and have been good company all night. There's something about ending a day around a campfire. In the same way that reading before sleeping helps me to unwind at home, good conversations, decaf coffee, and an open fire prepare me well for rest on the trail. The night promises to be clear and the moon is almost full. Beautiful!
Date: 2005-05-23
From: Pine Swamp Branch Shelter

To: Campsite near Sinking Creek
Miles today: 22.0

I'm tired, I'm wet and I'm cold, so I probably won't be writing a whole lot about today. It was another great one, we were out early and were lucky enough to get some trail magic (sodas and chocolate sitting out for us along the trail) all before 8 AM. Unfortunately, the new shoes that I had sent to me in Pearisburg (my other pair I sent back to North Face because lace eyelets broke), haven't been as great as I had hoped and "my dogs are barkin'" (trail term for "MY FEET HURT!"). So far, four blisters, one aching arch, and the balls of both feet feel bruised. Anyway, the day started with a big climb before allowing us to coast along a ridge for a few miles. After lunch, we climbed for most of the afternoon. We ate dinner at the last shelter back and figured we'd hike on a little further and see if we could night hike under a full moon for a few miles. Well, we didn't make it too far and the rain and wind came. In fact, the moon never showed up. We figured it would be better in a tent than showing up wet at the shelter after everyone was already sleeping. So, here we are, tired, wet, and cold, crammed in our tent on uneven ground, hoping for the weather to pass by morning. It's moments like this that I realize that I have a selective memory. I don't remember feeling like this on my last thru-hike.