morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-05-15
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Camp site near Watauga Lake
Miles today: 11.9

I got a good start today and felt strong. It was very damp from the rain overnight. I made good time to Laurel Falls. Beautiful area walking down into the river gorge with high stone walls, thorps and ferns. The falls are pretty with 3 huge drops and lots of water so the noise is BIG! I was focused on the falls and not the Trail so it took me close to 15 minutes to figure out where the NOBO Trail actually went. I found my was to the blue blaze trail into Hampton. I probably should have skipped the side trip but I had my heart set on breakfast and I needed a few supplies. The place I wanted to go for breakfast was closed but there was another cafe where I enjoyed the eggs, bacon and toast. Thanks to Les who paid for my breakfast and for th hitch back to he Trail after the Dollar Store! Good luck to Jake on his European adventure and his Academy aspirations.Today was the one big mountain, Pond, between me and VA. I walked most of the way up with the Hard Core team who were getting to work. Saw Lumpy from Neels Gap. Nmrt Dhaa Whaa He and Baggins. Big thanks to these fks for the trail maintenance work!The mountain was beautiful. Sone of the mountain laurel in bloom. Also saw some wild azaleas n bloom. Sat on Watauga Lake and talked to G. What a nice treat to hear his voice. I do miss you!Later, walking along the lake, I cMe around to a cove and it was one of those perfect settings. I could just picture a house on the hillside overlooking the cove with the lake surrounded by the mountains; a doak, 2 chairs, a chilled bottle of wine. Phew! I knew the homesickness would hit eventually...I knew I wouldn't make it 6 more miles to the next shelter so I was n my tent for the night in a site over the lake.Hike on!Scribbles
Date: 2011-05-16
From: Camp site near Watauga Lake

To: Double Springs Shelter
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm exhausted and it's floppy cold tonight. The sun never really came out today so it never got warm; plus, with last nights rain and today's on and off rain, everything is damp. Cold and damp make for CHILLY.Do glad to be in the shelter. Sorry to be negative today. I didn't sleep well last night between the rain and that nasty pasta side I had for dinner. NO more eating that crap.Ok. I'm done now.I got up and out early. It was chilly and the best thing to do is move. I made good time, ate regularly and finished almost 20 miles before 17:30. Tomorrow is 18.3 and the terrain looks even better than today so I'm hoping for a good quick home. I am almost out of food. When I get to Damascus I'll have spices left and maybe 1 candy bar.Good day. The woods are so beautiful with more leaves appearing and the greens getting more lush. Saw more rhodo in bloom. Also the purple flowers and the plants that will be the tiger lilies and wild orchids. Oh! And wild azaleas. Lots of springs popping up wth all the rain. The woods look so pretty with the leave glossy and dripping and the trunks darkened. Many many more of the really fragrant lemon ferns along with honeysuckle - smells wonderful.I saw a huge deer this morning.Thanks to the Nelson Chapel Baptist Church for the Trail Magic! God's Blessings!Hike on!Scribbles
Date: 2011-05-17
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Damascus - Victorian Inn
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: light rain

Fast day. I started out in the fog/cloud about 6:30 and set foot in Damascus at 14:05. Tracey picked me up immediately - thanks so much, I'm sure I looked like a drowned rat- he gave me a quick tour of the city then dropped me off at Quincey's for lunch. That salad with a blowl of pinto beans with cornbread and a beer to wash it down was good!It took me a couple of tries to get a room. I thought by the Tuesday after Trail Days the crowds would be gone. The bad weather kept folks in town. I got a room at the Victorian Inn for which I was very grateful. I was able to shower, dry out my gear and get my clothes laundered at the laundry mat. Crossed the TN/VA line today. Yippee! No more NC and TN. 3 states down and 11 to go. VA is a big one and will take a month to complete.For the most part it was easy walking today. There were lots of downed trees from the storm so it was a bit of an obstacle course and, because of the rain, gloppy and gluey mud. My boots are filthy and wet. I wore my skort with my long janes and within a couple of hours my so ks were soaked from the water on the long grasses lining the Trail. I stopped around 10 and changed my socks. I literally poured water from my right boot. I left this boots on the porch of the Inn. Hoping to find a way to dry them before I have to wear them again.No critter activity today and visibility was really minimal. I did see Mountain Laurel in bloom in the lower elevations and severL large wild azaleas.Toto was at the shelter where I stopped to change my socks nursing a knee problem. I convinced him it wasn't raining just dripping from the trees. Once he took off it was like he was rocket propelled, that knee didn't hold him back.Damascus is a cute town. Buoy could buy just about any property you would like to have. Almost all the B&Bs are for sale. Guess the hiker community isn't enough to keep than going any longer. Too bad.It's way past hiker midnight.Hike on!Scribbles
Date: 2011-05-18
From: Damascus - Victorian Inn

To: Damascus - Hikers Inn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Chilly but no rain this morning. I was awake early as usual so I got all my stuff ready to be packed up on e I do my resupply. Linda was to deliver breakfast at 8 am and nothing is open before then so I was stuck in the room. I had not been a get wi-fi so I didn't want to finsh my book. I wT he'd the news and Dr Phil...what a hoot he is. I hope people remember he is entertainment and don't take him seriously.Breakfast was nice. A great homemad walnut bread, fruit cup and cut up watermelon along with a nice pot of tea and yogurt that was ok.I went to the $ store. They had practically nothing I would eat. I need a real grocery. I went over to the outfitter caus I wanted new insoles. After 500 miles I figured that was a good time to replace them. I met up with Rolling Stone who told me Cuban, Slo Goen and some other folks had come in last night and that M&M were trying to catch me. They had been to Trail Days Nd gone back to Kin Ora to hike the part they skipped.I dis meet up with the gang, who were all taking a zero. I went to the library to check my schedule and saw I had a zero planned in Damascus. Sweet! So I got to rest my tummy some more and not be in the cold and rain. The Hikers Inn had a bed for me - in the house instead of th bunk room. Paul and Lee are great! He did the Trail a few years back. She baked homemade chocolate chip cookies. Yummy! I had only 1. Still not craving the sweets. I found a coffee shop with wi-fi so I was able to download 2'new books on my Kindle - l love that thing! Never would have thought I would. It's great on the Trail. Also found the real grocery. Almost a mile walk and they didn't have couscous.I've been eating regularly and I feel ok. My tummy is still 'talking' so I'm still careful what I eat.Hike on!Scribbles
Date: 2011-05-19
From: Damascus - Hikers Inn

To: Lost Mountain
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: light rain

Pretty walk today. The VA terrain is similar to NC/TN - rolling hills; the soil is sandier. And, there are long leaf pines here so parts of the Trail are cushioned with the needles.The best part of the day was the blooming rhodos. I hit a section that was infull bloom - first tunnel of blooms. I did get a few pics. Very pretty with every color from almost pure white thru lite pink, magenta and purple. Not many other flowers - a few of the red star looking variety.Lots of water today. The river, multiple streams. I like the sound of the water especially accompanied by birdsong.A small section of the Trail goes along the VA Creeper Trail. It's a wide rail-to-trail initiative. Seems nice. Hikers and bikers use it.I was doing ok till mid-afternoon. I lost all energy. I finally had a snack and was able to make it to the shelter. I have no appetite. I fixed the mash potatoes and tuna and ate about 2/3 then went to bed. My stomach hurt so badly I was just praying it would pass. Thankfully it did and I was able to fall asleep.Big crowd at this shelter. Met Journey here. She said it's mostly high school grads hanging back from TD.Prayers for my stomach.Hike on!Scribbles
Date: 2011-05-20
From: Lost Mountain

To: Thomas Knob
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: broken clouds

A reasonable day. Not taxing. I'm still having an issue with no energy. And, no appetite. I seriously tried to eat more today and to eat stuff I wanted. So, no hot dinner - I couldn't face the mash potatoes or ramen noodles. Every pack of ramen I pur based I gave away. I had one of the packs of tuna salad on crackers with an apple sauce; basically the same thing I had for lunch except at lunch I had a fresh apple.It was pretty today. A mix of overcast and sunny. I saw a pretty sunset from the rocks behind Thomas Knob Shelter. Surprisingly, there are only 4 people in the shelter. It holds 16. Fine with me.The walk today had some challenging climbs. For the most part it was rolling hills. Beautiful woods, a lot of the park like setting with very tall trees and little ground cover. Insaw ramps, violets, amwhole patch of lady slippers, lots of the white flowers and mountain laurel ready to bloom. No rhodo in bloom. Had a nice lunch spot with PF, Cuban and Slo Goen, on the side of a bald with a mountain view and a piped spring.I passed at least a dozen SOBO section hikers today. It is Friday. One guy from Canton; small world.Plenty of water from springs and streams. Pretty birdsong, they are still singing.Should be plenty of stars visible tonight as it is clear and cool. It will make that middle of the night privy run worthwhile.God Bless!HIke on!ScribblesP.s. I finished 'The Paris Wife'; great book.
Date: 2011-05-21
From: Thomas Knob

To: Hurricane
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

Crossed 500 miles today! Wow, exciting!Today was an absolutely beautiful day. Started out clear and fairly; turned out sunny and warm. The terrain was great. Rolling and not too difficult until the last 2 miles at the end of the day. Great vistas. Lots of creeks; butterflies; birdsong. Saw the wild ponies at Grayson Highlands. Walked thru the field where they were. The herd I moved thru had several babies. One appeared barely old enough to stand. Kind of cute.Went thru the Fatman Squeeze. A rock tunnel thru a huge rock formation. That was interesting.Had lunch at the Scales, a cattle corral, with Slo Goen and 2 of his friends: Keychain and Zen. Got a mandarin orange from Keychain - great Trail Magic! The time to relax helped with not pooping out later. What really made a difference was taking a break to soak my feet in a stream before the 2 mile climb. I haven't done that in weeks and it feels so good. Just like new feet!I slept well last night in the loft at Thomas Knob. Hurricane is a nice shelter; just a few years old and well built.I took a picture of a flame azalea this afternoon. Very pretty.I felt strong today. Got to say this was my best day since I got sick. Praise God!Praying for this to be a cinstant. Also praying for the women at LASP; today was Kairos. Hope it went well - Carol and Diane, too. Danie was also on my mind. G and Jake always on my mind...Hike on!Scribbles
Date: 2011-05-22
From: Hurricane

To: Partnership
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

In at Partnership for the night. This is the shelter where the pizzas are delivered. Let me just say, the delivery is not very fast but it is very convenient cause hitching is not easy from here.It was very warm last night. Probably the warmest night so far. There were snorers and wigglers in the shelter. I know better but with rain...First thing this morning Slo Goen announced he is going home tomorrow. He's been 500 miles and has other commitments.VA is beautiful and it was an absolutely fabulous day. 2 great days in a row.Sounds like thunder rumbling and looks like there could be rain tonight. Rain at night is fine.The Trail today was good. Similar to yesterday, mainly rolling with a few good uphills just to keep me on my toes. My pack is fairly light cause I'm way down on food. I'll be going into Atkins tomorrow for resupply - just a few days to get me to Bland.I saw more rhodo in bloom along with mountain laurel.Very interesting woods. Goes from dense with lots of ground cover - really can't see the ground - to park like setting with tall trees and virtually no ground over to dense rhodo and mountain laurel so thick a person could not walk thru. The ridges are mostly rocky. No views cause all the leaves are on the trees.I had lunch near a babbling creek after walking thru a cow pasture and crossing a river which had Trail Magic provided by the Valley View Baptist Church Youth Group. They did an ex ellent job - lemonade or Gatorade in big coolers with cups; bottled water; 2 kinds of bread; apples; homemade cakes; packaged little Debs; tissues, toothbrushes, and leInadequate packs. TM is sonspecial and appreciated. Big shout out of thanks to these folks!At times today there was a carpet-like blanket of moss on one or both sides of the Trail. When I went thru a thick rhodo tunnel it was so cool, quiet and inviting I wanted to stop and camp right there.I saw lots of butterflies. I've never seen them in flocks like this. Very pretty and enchanting,'like Disney only real. Also wild roses and strawberries, may apples (not yet blooming) and yellow and purple wildflowers.I felt really good today. Praise God!Listened to Ray Boltz this morning and had some God moments.Was hoping for cell phone service. Missing G and wanted to at least text. Maybe tomorrow in Atkins.Blessings to all. Many of you have been on my mind and in my prayers these past few days.Hike on!Scribbles
Date: 2011-05-23
From: Partnership

To: Crawfish Trail
Miles today: 0.0

In for the night at Crawfish Trail campsite. Praying for no rain. We had a heavy thunderstorm last night. Happy to have been in the shelter.I did more miles today than I thought. I started out early so I could reach Atkins by lunch time and do resupply. Mission accomplished although it cost twice what it should have shopping at an Exxon food store. It's ok. It was convenient: got food and was able to hike out easily. No hitches needed.Another beautiful day. VA really is very pretty. The Trail was a bit steeper today. I had to work to get up some of those hills. I'm so much stronger than I was. Still having the afternoon slump. Not sure how to cure that. I am a morning person. I'm thinking as the days get longer and hotter I may be taking mid afternoons off for lunch and siesta; maybe that will help with more energy. We'll see. No worries.Lots of rhodos in full bloom. Actual tunnels of the blooms, so beautiful. Made me think of weddings and how pretty that would be for an aisle...as if.I walked with Journey today. We met a few nights ago and had a chance to walk together and have lunch. She is from NO. Very interesting. She started a non-profit after Katrina to raise funds to replant trees by walking the AT. Her partner is very artistic and has an opening in NYC on 21 June. Cool. It was really nice to talk with her...an adult. She's got a foot problem so she is getting a ride to Woodshole.I saw a grouse today. And, there was an ascent today that reminded me of Bly Gap. The slope along that stretch was very steep and it was very dark in the gap. Amazing how the Trail hugs the slope and the mountain just drops away to nothing alongside. Lots of water crossings and walking along and crossing the Holston River.Hike on!Scribbles
Date: 2011-05-24
From: Crawfish Trail

To: Chestnut Knob
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: thunderstorm with light rain

I got an early start and ran into Possum. I knew she would pass me eventually. She told me about a new tapas restaurant in A'ville which I was able to tell G about since I had cell service when I got to Chestnut Knob Shelter were I am for the night. He is headed to dinner with Danie and Chris. Good for them!Many fence stile crossings today - walked thru cow pastures with actual cows. Too funny. There was one protective mama cow - she came toward me when I crossed the stile and watched til I was a good distance away. Two older calves were playing further on and ran from me. Have I said VA is beautiful? Just saying. Very pretty farmland. One place along the river, wildflowers -2 colors of purple and yellow irises; nice. Lots of birdsong. Even when the rain started. I love it - like they are welcoming the rain.Had some awesome Trail Magic today. God is so good! I was just thinking about TM and there ate two coolers. One had drinks and the other had PB&J sandwiches, necko crackers and nutter butter cookies! I grabbed a sandwich, Gatorade and nutter buyers. Ended up being my lunch cause the rain came had for about an hour. Thanks Lab Rat and your spouse!! And than You, Lord, the answer to my wish for jelly! How cool is that?!Tough uphill this afternoon - another Bly Gap type stair sequence and then the grassy k ob listed as open ridgeline.Chestnut Knob is a fully enclosed shelter. Probably was a ranger station. Full house - bunk space for 6 and we have 3 on the floor. Glad I was in early.Short day tomorrow: 10 miles then 12 on Thursday to get to Bland. May get a room or hike back out to the next shelter depending on how long it takes to do laundry, pick up the package, send out a package and resupply. Sounds like a spend th night.God bless!Hike on!ScribblesTough u
Date: 2011-05-25
From: Chestnut Knob

To: Jenkins
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: broken clouds

Mid-morning break on a rock outcrop. There were probably views from here before all the leaves came on the trees. It's ok. I've got a beautiful bunch of magenta rhodos coming into bloom and the sun peeking out of the clouds.It was blustery all night. Some rain. I was grateful to be in the shelter.Pretty walk along the ridgeline which does not mean it was flat. There were lots of ups and downs - some quote steep.Not sure what the weather is going to do today. Not sure what I'm going to do. I'll de IDE when I get to the first shelter whether to stay or go to a tent spot closer to Bland.The Jenkins Shelter was in a terrific location. Nice piece of property, stream close and not a climb. I had it all to myself for almost 20 minutes then almost everyone fromlast night showed up. That was fine. Anyway, I decided to move on to the camp site. River is a across the road and most of the group from last night moved here as well. Lots of new names: Ass Trumpet, Cookie, Bootlegger, Whisper who is a naturalist and foraged all day for his dinner; also Shaun and CJ, they caught mud bugs in the river which they are going to cook.No cooking for me. I sold my almost full canister to Cookie at lunch for $3.I'm doing 19 miles tomorrow; by-passing Bland and going to Trent's on Friday. I have 2 days food and don't need to waste a day.Afternoon walk was good. A big up, ridgewalk and down. VA likes to go straight up and the decents are the same.Not much color or birdsong this afternoon. Hot and humid. Little breaths of breeze. It's humid tonight. Praying for no rain.Hike on!Scribbles
Date: 2011-05-26
From: Jenkins

To: Jenny Knob
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 50 and start of week 8!Wow! I didn't even realize I had hit the 50 day mark. Quite an accomplishment if I do say so myself.The day started nicely with very pretty birdsong. It was a bit later start than I've been getting cause, down by the river, I was obviously on the darkside of the mountain and the light didn't get to us as early. No problem. I thought I was doing an even 20 miles today; didn't happen. .8 clicks short. Again, no problem. I'm within 7 miles of Trent's which I want to go to first thing then hike out to Dismal Falls. I'll decide after that whether to try fo closer to Woodshole or do the whole 12 miles on Saturday. Either works.Beautiful mountain laurel blooming. Also azaleas.I totally get the whole 'walking with Spring' concept. Feels like I get to see the n©w leaves and flowers all over again and again.Saw more critters today: frogs - 2 small and 2 big; a good sized turtle, a out as big as my whole hand; a small turkey; lots of centi- and mili-pedes; squirrels, chiplunks, butterflies.I'm thinking about doing a bump box but can't decide if it's more trouble than it's worth. It seems like I would be just as even, $ wise, by giving away the extras then paying to ship them. Probably 6 of one, half dozen of another.And, G, bless his heart, was able to get my pack issue resolved. A replacement is on the way to Woodshole. Yea! I was feeling frustrated cause REI wasn't helping ND I felt G didn't understand my urgency. It's hard for those not living the AT experience to understand that pinning down a spot for a delivery is hard; especially with holidays. He worked it out. I'm grateful. And, I'm blessed to have him as my partner and support.Possible storm coming in.Hike on!Scribbles
Date: 2011-05-27
From: Jenny Knob

To: Woods Hole Hostel
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: clear sky

Crossed the 600 mile mark today. Ssomehow that doesn't seem as significant as 500. I'm thinking 750 will be the next big one.I'm at Woods Hole sharing a room with Possum and Middlebury. Middlebury's husband is coming for a visit tomorrow - what a great place!It rained overnight. Not a big deal as I was in the shelter. Slept ok. The group there were early risers which was fine with me. I was up and away fairly early. My intentions were to go to Trent's grocery for resupply. What a bust. Very disappointing. I got a few snacks and a hot ham and cheese sandwich which I ate there cause it was raining. I skipped Dismal Falls cause the weTher was rather dismal. The first shelter was too early to stop. I intended to go tod the fire tower. Thought I could either sleep in the tower - wouldn't that be neat - or nearby on a flat spot. God had other plans cause I didn't find the tower. I was tired and being eaten by nasty flies. God Nd I were having an interesting conversation. Next thing I knew I was within 2 miles of Woods Hole, where I needed to be to get my new pack. I arrived n time to take a shower before dinner. Possum was happy to see me and there were several others there I knew: Clean Shaven, Hot Dog and his dad C4, Daydreamer and Pickles. Met Baby Ruth, Feather, DC, Tiara and Pebbles.Very neat old place. Thank You Lord for knowing best and bringing me here safely!Hike on!Scribbles