morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-05-19
From: Roan High Knob

To: US 19E
Miles today: 15.2

Up at 6am to patch up the feet for todays hike. One hiker, a dentist, left here about 5am. I think he was in a rush to get off this mountain. My feet are a little sore when I left about 7:30. At three miles my left foot was killing me. I have gotten blisters again on the left heel also. I'm at my wits end with the pain in my feet. I know Dave, Jeff and Doug have put alot of time into these boots last week but something just isn't working. I don't know what I'm going to do. Each step today is agony. Sometimes I would kick a tree or a rock to distract me from the pain. I don't think I can continue the trail with all this pain. I can't let that happen. I miss my partner, NaviGator. It's hard not having her with me on this hike we planned for so long, but it is still great having her following me and being my support system. I don't want to dwell just on this pain today. This area is very beautiful and picturesque. I walked down into a valley where a red barn had been reassembled into a shelter. The history in this area dates back to the civil war when troops marched thru enroute to Kings Mtn. Spectacular views. At Dolls Gap I came upon a herd of Texas Longhorn cattle grazing. The horns on the bulls were massive. Each horn being 3-4 ft in length. The trail took me within 50 ft of these beautiful creatures. I was to meet NaviGator at 19E. When I got there all I could think about was taking the boots off. It was at least 20 min before I could walk 10 feet. NaviGator wasn't there so I hitchd a ride into Roan Mtn where I waited at a payphone until she got my message and called me back. We stayed the night at Mountain Harbor B&B. The new owners, Terry & Mary, are making a hostel above the barn. It is very nice and has every comfort a hiker could want and the surroundings are fantastic. We wish you great success. Dinner at a local diner in Elk Park,NC was great. The area is definetly a place for all to consider getting off the trail. LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-05-20
From: US 19E

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Moutain Harbor B&B0 milesHad a bad night sleeping because of the pain in my big toe on the right foot. Today is a 0 day and we plan to go to Boone, NC to see if we can find a pair of shoes because I can't go back on the trail with my boots. We had a good time in Boone, but no luck with boots. We stopped at a grocery store for a few things and Navi cooked a great shrimp dinner. Navi also called Tracy and asked her if she would let Ivey, our granddaughter, spend a few weeks with us. Tracy was excited to have time for herself and that we would get to spend time with Ivey, she is really a sweetheart. I soaked my feet and planned my food for the hike. It was a nice relaxing day and I feel ready for tomorrow. LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-05-21
From: US 19E

To: Moreland Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: clear sky

I was up early patching my feet as usual. Navi got up and made me a nice breakfast. When I put on the boots I couldn't beleive the pain again and then the boot flew across the room! Navi suggested I try my old boots. They were tight and hurting so then she said," cut the toes off where they are hurting." I did and it felt great. No Pain! I can't believe how good my feet felt. I made it to Moreland Gap shelter and felt like I had enough energy to keep going. It was a great hiking day. The smells of the forest seemed to smell even sweeter. I enjoyed Jones Falls where I met Cliff Dancer and Bearbait taking a break. What a great dayLIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-05-22
From: Moreland Gap Shelter

To: Kincora
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: few clouds

I had a nice night in Moreland shelter and I spent it alone. Yesterday was such a good day. Only 6.1 miles to Kincora. My feet still feel pretty good. I left by 8am and took less than three hours of hiking. I ran into Pat Peoples walking her dog on the trail. When I got to Kincora it wasn't full yet so Navi won't have any trouble getting a bunk. When Navi got here I told her about the hike and thanked her for helping me make the right decision to change the boots. Navi told me Crazy Legs & Tall Tales would be coming as she had their packs and they were slackpacking(carrying daypacks) the 23 miles. Sugar Plum was also slackpacking from Walnut Rd where Navi dropped him off. We rode to Elizabethon with Pat when she went to church. Doc Narly was with us also. We went to a chinese restaurant for a snack, then we went to Winn Dixie and bought hotdogs, buns and sweet corn to feed the hikers back at the hostel. I grilled the dogs, Navi boiled the corn and everyone loved it. We had just enough. Even Crazy Legs and Tall Tales got to enjoy it when they came in at 8pm. Then it was time to turn in. Navi read a little and I went to sleep. LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-05-23
From: Kincora

To: Watuga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

I was up early in order to take my last shower for 4 days. When I went downstairs I noticed Tall Tales sleeping on the deck, Crazy Legs had slept in a bunk upstairs by us. Doc was also up early doing his thing, smoking. I got the rest of my food together while Navi slept. When I made coffee Navi got up and decided to make breakfast for me & Doc. Doc donated hamburger meat so we had hamburgers and home fries. I know "burgers for breakfast", but hikers will eat anything anytime. I plan to hike only 10 miles to Watuga Lake shelter stopping first at the Lake to have a picnic dinner with Navi. The hike to Laurel Falls was great even though it was raining most of the way. After Laurel Falls the hike was pretty nice and the rain had cleared. When I got to the lake I saw Navi setting out the food. She had potato salad she had made and a rotisserie chicken she had got for only 2 bucks and sweet tea. We invited another hiker, Dave, who we had met at Kincora. He is hiking sections of the trail that he needs to do to complete the AT. He thanked us and was on his way home with a side trip to Mammoth Caves in Kentucky. Navi & I plan to go there one day. We missed it on our road trip in 2003. A storm moved in so we went to the truck to hang out for awhile till the storm blew over and then it was time to say goodbye again until Damascus. She said she might try to catch the musical Cats in Johnson City which I thought was great. She deserves it. I went on to the shelter about a mile away and met Crazy Legs & Tall Tales. A little later Doc Narley and Ohio Whistler came in. Two other hikers from Kincora were here but moved on. We all ate and talked for a while and then turned in for the night. Another great day on the trail and the surprizes that go with it.LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-05-24
From: Watuga Lake Shelter

To: Iron Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 13.7

Forgot to put in my earplugs last night so Tall Tales snoring wouldn't bother me, but they weren't needed. He might have been worried about getting hit in the head with a boot. Long story. My destination today is Iron Mtn shelter and my feet are still doing fine. Doc was up as I was leaving at 7:30 but Tall Tales & Crazy Legs were still sleeping. Our privy was pretty interesting, a plastic chair with a hole cut into the seat. A real portable potty! Made good time to the next shelter where I had lunch. Had grat views there. The terrain has been pretty good with the highest ascent being Iron Mtn at 4,125'. I saw a couple of snakes along the way. I got into camp early and picked my spot for the night. Before too long the gang was all here. When it came time to hang our food bags Sugar got his line caught up in the tree. He carries a magical wand in his pack. Really!! Anyways boy did we all laugh as he tried to get that line down with the magic wand. We had a fun night joking around. Nice hiking day. LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-05-25
From: Iron Mtn Shelter

To: Abingdon Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: scattered clouds

I was up early as was Doc. He said he didn't sleep well last night. He gave me some coffee which was great, I usually don't drink coffee on the trail. I was on the trail at 7:40 and to Double Spring shelter at 10:43 and feeling pretty good so I took a break for about an hour. Today saw my 3rd snake on the trail on the way to Shady Valley, TN. The trail crosses 421 and I was thinking how nice it would be if Navi was waiting there for me. Sure enough as I descended into the gap I looked to the right and I saw the Tundra. I yelled out "Navi" and she yelled back, "Hey Ole Man" It was great to see her there. She said she had been there since 9:30am, it was now around 2pm. She had given Everglade a ride to the trailhead so she could slackpack into Damascus. She is waiting for Tall Tales & Crazy Legs to continue hiking north with them. We sat and talked awhile. Navi had got to see Cats and she said she enjoyed it. I'm glad she got to do that. While I sat there I consumed about 1/2pound of potato salad, a peanut butter & jelly sandwich, 8 Oreo cookies and a Snickers bar. That's after I had already eaten a Go-Lean bar, a Snickers, a bag of trail mix and 4 big bites of my cheese block for lunch a little while ago. A hiker can never get enough to eat! I have probably lost 15lbs or more by now, but I feel great. I think my miles per day will be picking up. I had to get moving again because I wanted to be at the shelter by at least 5pm. No one else had came down the trail while I was there and Navi said she would only wait another hour for the others. I did manage to get to the shelter by 4:40 and feeling great. Ohio Whistler came in followed shortly by Tall Tales & Crazy Legs who said they had some great Lemon-ade from Trail Mama NaviGator. They said SugarLum would be here soon but moving on as Navi had taken his pack and he was slacking on in to Damascus. Doc came in and was happy to be here. We decided to pitch our tents to avoid a noisy shelter. Doc camped out also but he doesn't have a tent so I told him if the weather got bad he could get in my tent because there is plenty of room. At about 4am I could hear the thunder in the distance getting closer. The lightening got real intense as the storm drew closer and closer. Then the wind hit and the rain came down in buckets. I was waiting for Doc to come knocking but it didn't happen. When we got up after the rain passed around 6:30. Doc said he stayed dry but had almost came knocking. Doc and I got under the cover of the shelter to get ready for the hike into Damascus. Doc left at 8am and I followed at 8:10 with Tall Tales & Crazy Legs still sleeping.   LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-05-26
From: Abingdon Shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

8:10am and on my way to Damascus, feeling happy, feeling good. My feet saying they are ready for anything. I felt I was moving pretty fast and my feet were humming. I took a break about 1/4 mile from a water blue blaze. After 15 min Whistler came down the trail. He couldn't believe I had passed him. He passed me up and I caught up to him again in about 10 min. We only had about 3 miles to go or maybe 21/2. As I was going along Doc Narley came up behind me moving pretty quick. We hiked into Damascus together just talking all the way, before we knew it we were there. In Damascus by 11:30am. Doc went to the post office and I headed to the Hiker Inn but Navi wasn't there, so I headed over to the Side Track Cafe to see if she was there. I met Suzanne the owner of the Hiker Inn and she said she was at the library using the internet. Back at the Hiker Inn Suzanne invited us and some other hikers for lunch. We had BLT's and an awesome salad with the greens being picked straight from the garden with homemade Italian dressing. Thanks Suzanne for your hospitality. We relaxed for the rest of the afternoon. We met Tall Tales, Crazy Legs and Everglade for Pizza then we joined Doc, Superstitious and SugarPlum at the Old Mill to see the VW Boys, a bluegrass group. Their show was actually an impromtu practice session and included some local musicians as well. One of the musicians was also a magician and he turned my $20 bill into a $1 then turned it back to a $20. He also did other tricks and was really very good. The music was great and we all enjoyed it.   LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-05-27
From: Damascus

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I decided to take a down day here after looking at the miles and figuring I would be in Atkins on 6/1 and since I was taking a down day on my birthday logistically it makes sense. The day started with coffee from Suzanne. After my shower I soaked my feet which are looking real good. I also got a chance to put the tent out to dry when the sun came out for awhile. In the evening we went to the movies in Abingdon to see Troy with Tall Tales, Crazy Legs, SugarPlum, Everglade, Superstitious and Mack the Knife. Mack had a truck so we were able to get everyone there. It was a good time. I'm glad I took this down day.LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-05-28
From: Damascus

To: Lost Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I heard it storming early this morning maybe around 4 or 5 but I went back to sleep until 6. I looked outside and it was still raining but that won't stop my departure. I patched my feet just a little and was just about ready when Suzanne brought me a cup of coffee and said breakfast would be ready soon. Meals are not included in the bunk price as she is not a B&B but she is very generous and a very good cook. Thanks again Suzanne, your the hostess with the mostess! Navi got up and sat with me at breakfast along with Suzanne and Judy, another hiker. When I got finishd it was time to hit the trail. Navi said she might see me tomorrow at Grayson Highlands with Ivey. I think that will be great. I said goodbye and headed out in the rain. I really don't mind the rain. My packs feels a little heavier because I have alot of food. The terrain was nice today and it stopped raining after awhile. I made it to Saunders shelter in good time about 11:40 which was already 9.4 miles and only 6 to go. When I reachd Lost Mtn shelter I saw Slow Train, Colorado Pete and the Whistler. It was 3:40 pm. Slow Train had gotten off the trail because of illness about 3 weeks ago. I'm glad he's well and back on the trail. After I had my dinner Crazy Legs & Tall Tales came in about 30 min later Doc. The three of them are tenting in back of the shelter. I'm glad we're all here tonight. It's been a nice day even with the rain which the made the trail real soggy. No views today, hopefully tomorrow. Hope Navi got Ivey ok and that Tracy is ok driving back to Florida this weekend. Can't wait to see Ivey and wish I could see Tracy. LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-05-29
From: Lost Mtn Shelter

To: Wise Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: broken clouds

Noisy night in the shelter. It was Slow Train, Colorado Pete, Slow Barbara, Scott, Whistler and myself. Three of them snored. Thank God for earplugs. We were all up by 6am getting ready for a nice hiking day. Colorado Pete and Slow Train were out first and I wasn't far behind. Doc was up at 6:30 and when I was ready to leave at 7:15 Tall Tales and Crazy Legs were awake. We will meet in Troutdale because I'm going to Grayson Highlands and Wise shelter. It's nice not to have to cover the pack for a change. The sun is out and everything in the air is smelling sweet. Virginia also has nice and well maintained trails so far. After 5 miles I got some views. Whitetop was awesome. I got a picture of myself, Scott and Slow Train by propping the camera on a rock. Then I had 8 more miles to Thomas Knob shelter. There are many hikers out being it's a holiday weekend. No wildlife in site. The trek to Thomas Knob was really nice and I made good time. I only stopped for water and to sign the register. The privy there was pretty cool. As I got into Grayson Highlands State Park I couldn't believe all the people. When I was traversing the rocks a gentleman was standing there and asked if my name was Ole Man. He told me that Navi, Ivey and Tracy were at Massie Gap waiting for me. He also said he saw another hiker who looked like me but it wasn't. I thanked him and started climbing as fast as I could go. Luckily I didn't fall and break my neck. When I got to the gap they weren't there so I went the 1/2 mile to the parking lot to find they had left already. I'm disappointed I didn't see them, I even missed the ponies grazing in the highlands I was going so fast. Oh well!Colorado Pete is the only hiker here with me in the shelter. It's been very peacful here except for a group of boys the hikers call "hoods in the woods" camping nearby. Troutdale tomorrow and I"ll see Navi and Ivey.   NaviGator says:This was the first trail I was on since 3/29, .5miles to Massie Gap and back.Sorry that we missed Ole Man, two southbound hikers told us they had seen him earlier about 2 miles back. They described him to a tee including his watch he always wears attached to a belt loop. LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-05-30
From: Wise Shelter

To: VA 16
Miles today: 16.1

Today is starting pretty good with hot oatmeal for breakfast and a fresh banana that Doc brought in last night that some other hikers had given him. He also had cookies, other fruit and goodies. Thanks Doc for sharing. I was on the trail at 7:30 and I have to say again that Virginia has awesome trails so far. At about 1/2hr into the hike I was startled by a large doe on my left about 500ft away. After that I saw a large cat run across the trail. At first I thought it was a fox but the head, body and long tail says it was a moutain lion very rarely seen anywhere. Wish I could've gotten a picture but it was in a hurry to get away. I made it to Old Orchard shelter in good time 10:10, had a quick break and moved on. I went on to VA 603 and Fox Creek where I got a picture of the falls. It was a steady ascent up Hurricane Mtn in the rain as I pased Fox Creek. What a storm! The trail was very slick but I managed not to fall. As I was hiking I kept wondering if Navi and Ivey would be at VA 16 to get me. Before I knew it I was at the side trail to Hurricane campground off VA16. I thought about going to the campground but had the feeling I should go on to the highway. Little did I know it was going to be an ascent for .8 mile. Then as I was near the end I heard the sound of a little voice and as I came around a curve I saw Navi, Ivey and Tracy! What a nice surprize. We went to the Troutdale Baptist Church hostel. First thing I did was take a shower so Tracy would give me a hug. They had brought a chicken dinner and a birthday brownie for me so we shared with Doc, Whistler and Santa. Ivey had a great time playing in the hostel. The hostel is a great and much needed place for hikers to come to after leaving Damascus. The Pastor's wife Mary Riggins came in to greet us and said our family could sleep together in the back room. There are separate sleeping and shower facilities for males and females. What a great day.LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-05-31
From: Troutdale

To: Partnership shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: light rain

I was up at 6am having coffee and doing some journaling and thinking about yesterday. Ivey had a real good time playing. She found a plastic jump rope and took one end of it and pretended it was a microphone and she sang into it for about an hour. I played with her with a bat & ball then Santa played with her. Tracy got up and we got to chat a little before she had to get ready to leave and I was getting ready to hike to Partnership shelter. Navi & Ivey took me to the trail, they will meet me at Partnership shelter in about 7 hours. I made good time to Trimpi shelter at 10:12. I signed in at the shelter so Crazy Legs and Tall Tales might read it, then head for Partnership shelter. The trail is nice and wide but very soggy again from the rain. It stopped raining for a little while at least till I got to the shelter at 3pm. When I got there I met a deaf hiker in the shelter who knew who I was and we finally communicated that Navi had trouble with the truck and went for help! I went to the ranger station and they said she had a dead battery and that they had given her a jump but she had left maybe to get the truck checked out. When she came back she told me that she had left the lights on for 11/2 hrs. It seems ok now. Since Partnership shelter is just off the parking lot of Mt Rogers Headquarters Vistor Center Navi & Ivey are staying here. A popular thing to do at this shelter is order pizza from the payphone in the parking lot. By the time we ordered our pizza more hikers were coming in and ordering pizza. The table in front of the shelter covered with pizza looked like a restaurant. After everyone had a full belly it was dark and some of us were turning in. Ivey did really good, I thought she might be scared but she snuggled right into a sleeping bag with Navi and went to sleep. What a day with a nice ending. This shelter had a shower, a sink in the back and somewhat of a sundeck. This is the Marriot! LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-06-01
From: Partnership shelter

To: Atkins
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Had a great night of sleep. I got up and got my gear together, had some coffee and something to eat then said goodbye to everyone. I'll meet Navi at Atkins. Some of the inclines were pretty good and just past VA622 I saw another deer. At some point in this hike wouldn't mind seeing a bear. After almost 2 hrs of hiking I came upon Chatfield shelter where I met Tarzan, he had stayed at Partnership as well. We both had lunch and then headed for Atkins. At about 21/2 miles from Atkin I came into a meadow at an elevation of about 2,900 ft. The views were amazing. I could see where I had to go. I got to the road and headed for the truckstop where I was supposed to meet Navi when a young woman came up to me and asked if I was looking for Navi and said she was at the hotel across the street. I got to the room and Ivey was sleeping. I took a shower and rested awhile when there was a knock on the door. The young Indian couple who manage the Relax Inn brought me a large piece of choclate strawberry cake and wished me a Happy Birthday. The world really does have alot of nice people. We went for dinner to the Barn with Tall Tales and Crazy Legs. When I went to pay for dinner I was told TT & CL had payed for my birthday. Thanks again! It will be nice to take a zero day for my birthday and do something with Navi & Ivey. What a wonderful day.LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime
Date: 2004-06-02
From: Atkins

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Got up and it looks like we might have a nice day. I think we will go to Damascus to ride bikes on the Creeper Trail, an old railway line. We went to the Barn for breakfast with Tall Tales & Crazy Legs. We said "see ya later" as they were leaving for the trail. They seem to enjoy time with Ivey and she loves the attention. We went to the Bike Station in Damascus and rented bikes. I towed Ivey in a carriage attached to my bike. We were shuttled up to White Top Mtn for a 17 mile downhill ride back to Damascus. The gravel trail is flat with a few bumps. Ivey wasn't sure she was going to like it at first but settled in after a few miles. We made several stops along the way. The scenery was beautiful, the day was perfect. We had lunch at the Creeper Trail Cafe in Taylor Valley after 10 miles. One of our favorite places was near a farm, rolling hillside up to the mounains. Near the trail was a bog that was created from beaver dams. It looked like a postcard. The AT goes on the creeper trail for a short distances and there we met a family who are thru hiking, Mom, Dad, two girls and a boy. I'm sorry but I can't remember their names. They were having a great time. What a neat thing for a whole family to do. We had AYCE Chinese for dinner and I pigged out. I got phone calls from Two Step and Paulette(my sister) to wish me Happy Birthday. I also recieved BD cards from friends and family. My sister Denise sent homemade fudge which was delicious, my mother-in-law sent peanut brittle. Thank you everyone for remembering me on my birthday and for your support. It's been a wonderful birthday.LIFE IS GOOD Paul & Jaime