morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-06-03
From: Harvey's Knob overlook

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Only a couple of views from the Blue Ridge Parkway but they were spectacular. We slackpacked the first 6.5 miles from Harvey's Knob Overlook to Bearwallow Gap then picked up our packs after lunch and headed north. We were shuttled by Homer Witcher who is one of the trail maintainers in the area. When we got back to the packs, another shuttle driver gave us cokes for lunch. Can't get enough of them on the trail. The afternoon was warm and by the time we were about two miles from the shelter it started pouring the rain. Bacall took a hard fall today and has a swollen arm and knee. It looks gross, but she says it doesn't hurt. I guess we'll know tomorrow whether or not to see a doctor. I would have whined all day after that. She's tough! When we stopped at Jenning's creek for a break you could see lots of trout. Sure wanted a fishing rod. After we settled into the shelter, a huge thunderstorm with lots of lightning came through. Great for sleeping.
Date: 2008-06-04
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: few clouds

Climbed the whole day over Apple Orchard Mt. at 4,225 ft. We will not go that high again until we get to New Hampshire. "The Priest" is coming up in a few days and Maintop and Cold Mt are above 4k in the next few days, and then not another 4K until Mt Moosileuke in the Whites. We started climbing as soon as we left this morning and basically never stopped all day, so we decided on a short day and got here about 3 PM. We saw a couple of deer today and some fairly rare yellow Lady's slippers as well as an abundant display of blue and purple spiderworts. The rhododendren and laurel continue to decorate the woods also. We went under "The Guillotine" which is a large boulder suspended between two boulders and looks like it could drop on you at any minute. Bacall's bruises are not bothering her so I guess she's going to be OK, but they make me want to puke!
Date: 2008-06-05
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Summer hit with a vengence! We are at the shelter trying to cool down after walking all day in 90 degree plus temps. Today's highlight was a refreshing skinnydip in Matt's Creek, but now it seems like it was ages ago. We saw some great views and crossed the beautiful James River. We also got into an area with lots of Soloman's seal blooming along with some columbine and even a Jack-in-the-pulpit. We are alone at the shelter, but we put up the tent without the rain fly hoping to cool down and keep the bugs away.
Date: 2008-06-06
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Punchbowl Mt Crossing on the Blue Ridge Parkway
Miles today: 9.2

9.2 hot, miserable, uphill miles to the parkway where we got a shuttle to Buena Vista and a gorgeous cool room at the Budget Inn. Last night the temps stayed fairly high and today it was again in the mid 90's so we decided discretion is the better virtue and high-tailed it to a good ole air conditioned room. There were some nice views of the James River, Lexington, and Buena Vista from the top of Fuller's Rocks. We also saw a mama turkey with poults and the memorial on Bluff Mt to Little Ottie Cline Powell who at 4 years old in 1890 went into the woods to gather firewood for his schoolhouse and never returned. His body was found 5 months later and 7 miles away, and that spot is marked with a permanent memorial. Already had a good hot shower and a subway sandwich!
Date: 2008-06-08
From: Budget Inn

To: US 60
Miles today: 10.9

Hot & humid slackpack. Still mid-90s, so too hot to hike, but we did anyway. We got a shuttle from Mr. William back to Punchbowl crossing and hiked to US60. This was a nice, easy trail, mostly alongside Brown Mt. Creek where a community of freed slaves had farmed until the forest service bought them out in the 1920s. The area was beautiful with lots of rock walls still remaining along the creek. Hopefully the hot spell will break soon and we can get back on the trail, but for now its another night in the air-conditioned motel room.
Date: 2008-06-09
From: US 60

To: Greasy Spring Rd
Miles today: 10.2

Another easy slackpack day. Good views from the balds on Tar Jacket Ridge and Cold Mt. of surrounding mountains. At Hog Camp Gap we saw several hikers who were camping in the meadow and hanging out enjoying some party time and trail magic sponsored by a former thru-hiker. Most said they were either not hiking at all or doing short days due to the heat. The hot spell is supposed to begin breaking tomorrow, so I believe we can leave town then.
Date: 2008-06-10
From: Greasy Spring Rd

To: The Priest Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: clear sky

Took a looong break on top of Spy Rock to enjoy the 360 degree view of mountains everywhere. The trail today was pretty easy even though the temps were in the low 90s. The little boulder climb up Spy Rock was a blast and the rock itself is a stone mountaintop where the Confederate soldiers would be on lookout for those D___ Yankee troops. You would have been able to see campfires from there in almost all directions for about 50 miles. This was a nice and easy day back on the trail, but it is going to be hard sleeping tonight knowing how soft that bed was.
Date: 2008-06-11
From: The Priest Shelter

To: Dripping Rock Overlook
Miles today: 20.1

Magical day! After a nice cool night that included a short thunderstorm and all-night wind, we started out and immediately had a cute raccoon climb a tree right beside us. We came down The Priest Mt. to the Tye River, which is a good sized river and there were lots of fish that enjoyed small pieces of our dried pineapple. We sat there for quite a while watching them by the dozens tear into the bits we threw. Then we came to the Mau Har trail, which was our favorite blue blaze from before, and once again we enjoyed the countless waterfalls and sloping cascades. It is simply magnificient! Words just cannot properly describe the beauty of about 50 such back-to-back waterfalls. At least two are about 30 feet tall and the others much smaller. At the bottom of several of these falls are nice, deep, clear pools. After the Mau Har it was back to the AT to Cedar Cliffs, overlooking the valley about 50 miles across. On the way we came through an area that is being devastated by caterpillars. They have denuded the trees and left the forest floor littered with leaf debris. Its amazing the amount of destruction that is going on. Also before Cedar Cliffs, we could hear a lilting song as we came around a boulder curve and came upon a young Native American woman hunkered on a rock ledge above the trail, singing. She stopped and we exchanged hello. She had a bag full of green plants near her so I asked what she was gathering. She said, "Actually, we have just finished gathering Stinging Nettles." I said, "Ouch" and Bacall said "Why?" The young woman replied that they are valued for their medicinal properties. Now, we don't know who the "we" was in the gathering since the mountainside was wide open and no one was anywhere to be seen, so I guess it was some spirit sister or such. Maybe our niece who has been researching our Indian heritage could enlighten us a little. Anyway, she went back to singing when we said our good-byes.HEY! We just had a bear come into camp! I yelled at it and it took off running. It was coming straight for the food bags that are hanging about 15 feet high about 50 feet away. I wish I had thought to get a picture before chasing it off. How exciting - as long as it doesn't come back in the night.
Date: 2008-06-12
From: Dripping Rock Overlook

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: few clouds

Today was a fairly easy day to the Quality Inn in Waynesboro. We went over Humpback Mt and down through an area that had the remains of an old cabin and old rock walls. We had a few good views and walked along a pretty creek. Here we had a good ribeye steak and a hot shower and are ready for some mindless TV and bed.
Date: 2008-06-13
From: Rockfish Gap

To: Waynesboro Quality Inn
Miles today: 0.0

Zero Day! Eat, Sleep, resupply, eat, swimming pool, wash clothes, eat , REPLACE BOOTS - yes, they only had about 1000 total miles, but I had already reconstructed them with Shoe-Goo in Damascus, so- byebye boots, hello new trail shoes. Oh, yes, Bacall went to the doctor about her big growth on her arm from the fall a week ago. Doc says it will go away in about a month, but in the meantime get used to it. She has now named it Sam.
Date: 2008-06-14
From: Waynesboro Quality Inn

To: Woods near Riprap area
Miles today: 15.4

Nice easy trail all morning with very few views except for Bear Den Mt. which had about 25 TV/Radio/Cell phone antennae. we crossed a few nice meadows and even heard a Bob White calling. This afternoon consisted of walking in two separate thunderstorms with downpours and lightning. The trail became a muddy little creek. When the third round of boomers started we decided - enough - and pitched camp in the woods about 5 pm. We are just cooling our heels and waiting for night to fall.
Date: 2008-06-15
From: Woods near Riprap area

To: Little Roundtop Mt.
Miles today: 21.4

Yes, 21.4 Fantastic miles! This was an easy, eventful day. We started the day about 5:15 a.m. by scaring off a bear that was digging where I peed in the night about 12 feet from the tent. Then, up the trail a little way a turkey ran across, then we saw two deer beside the trail and neither ran, just kind of sauntered off. We stopped at Loft Mt Wayside for a good lunch and brought some with us for supper. There were some really good views, and I was able to keep a phone signal lomg enough to wish my Dad a happy Father's day. We are camping beside Daisy and the Professor on the top of the mountain in a nice spot that a deer was standing in.
Date: 2008-06-16
From: Little Roundtop Mt.

To: Lewis Mt Campground
Miles today: 14.1

Extremely tiring miles today to a gorgeous cabin. We started the day with a deer just a few feet from the tent and before we quit hiking we saw 8 more. They are so tame here that they just stand and watch you walk by. we had a couple of great views from rock outcroppings of the many untouched mountains and the farms in the valley and the small towns. This area has the most lush undergrowth of any area yet. You cannot see very far into the woods. Anything could live here, including Sasquatch! We had planned to tent camp here, but as soon as we got here the skies opened up in a torrent so we decided to rent a cabin and fortunately, a beauty was available.
Date: 2008-06-17
From: Lewis Mt Campground

To: Big Meadows Campground
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: clear sky

Easy, gentle miles through lush woods to an absolutely beautiful little cabin. We saw several deer along the trail including a mama and a little fawn that could only stagger stiff-legged. We got to watch it nurse mama while she was lying down and when she stood. The pretty little spotted baby was all frazzle-haired and couldn't have been over a day old since it could hardly stand. After a good lunch, hot shower, laundry done, and a terrific (but expensive!) supper, we are ready to start the firewood in the fireplace and chill for the evening.
Date: 2008-06-18
From: Big Meadows Campground

To: Pass Mt Hut
Miles today: 18.8

Lots of up and down with plenty of rocks, but also plenty of beauty. Little Stony Man cliffs were right on the edge of the valley far below. We had a dozen or more great rock outcroppings with marvelous views of the Shenandoah valley . There were numerous deer along the trail, including another mama and fawn, and also several big bucks with velvet antlers. We stopped for lunch at Skyland Lodge with Bulldog for another terrific meal. The whole day has been chilly and we are in the tent now trying to warm up and listening to the rain. Mary's Rocks on top of the mountain were a terrific jumble of boulders. Here at the shelter with us is Bulldog and a very nice Amish man and his three sons out for a two week section hike.
Date: 2008-06-19
From: Pass Mt Hut

To: Woods past Hogwallow Gap
Miles today: 18.1

Awesome, beautiful, fun day! The morning hike was easy and cool and we stopped at Elkwallow Way Station for an early lunch and then brought a second lunch and a supper with us from there.We had view after view of the valley from many rock outcroppings. We also saw a bear! Yes, we were walking down the trail with Bacall ahead and she rounded a curve and came face to face with a bear about 30 feet away. She stopped and pointed and said in a high-pitched voice, "A bear! A bear!" (I think she also peed on herself from excitement!) I looked around her and the bear was just standing there with a look on it's face as if to say, "What a disgusting display! Haven't you ever seen a bear before?" Well, I grabbed the camera and the bear slowly turned to walk away as I snapped a picture. It looked even more disgusted and walked about 30 feet into the ferns and sat down with a look that said, "Well, are you about done? If so, would you please just go on so I can get on my way? Get moving or its hiker fondue for supper." Well, naturally I snapped one more (see attached) before we headed on up the trail and left it alone. Just before we got to this spot it started raining and thundering so we grabbed the first spot that we came to thatwas big enough and level enough for the tent. We are just listening to the wind, rain, and radio and waiting for dark.
Date: 2008-06-20
From: Woods past Hogwallow Gap

To: US 522
Miles today: 8.4

Another magical day! Easy miles then a ride to Front Royal.We stepped out of the tent this morning to find 3 deer casually browsing about 20 feet away and they just ignored us as we packed up. Occasionally they would look up and twitch their ears at us and then go back to feeding. Then, on down the trail we saw "Bubba" bear. We heard some crashing just off the trail and looked over to see a huge bear climbing a skinny, dead tree. The limbs were breaking as it went up and we saw it hanging by one front paw for a couple of seconds and then that limb broke and the bear fell to the ground with a loud thud. It immediately took off running and crossed the trail in front of us, then stopped for a look before going over the ridgetop. We figure it had to be one of those "Here, hold my beer and watch this" moments. His buddy "Clem" was in the bushes, holding his beer for him and laughing his head off. The rest of the walk was nice and easy and when we got to the road to Front Royal, there was the truck from the Quality Inn where we were going to stay anyway, letting off some hikers so we got a ride back to the motel for another terrific day. We will miss the Shenandoahs and their easy trails, nice cabins and plentiful restaurants.
Date: 2008-06-21
From: US 522

To: 1 mile north of Dick's Dome Shelter
Miles today: 16.1

In the tent trying to cool down after working hard most of the day. Nekkid Hiking Day! Yes, for several miles this morning. Never saw another hiker during that time. Saw one spike buck (yes, he too was naked), a 5 foot black snake (also sans clothing) and a rabbit (wearing a rabbit fur coat). Other than that no other animals, no views, just woods walk with a 1500 foot climb. We walked through the area that was patrolled by Col. Mosby and his Grey Ghost soldiers during the War of Northern Aggression. You could almost feel their spirits still lurking among the trees, guarding the homeland.
Date: 2008-06-22
From: 1 mile north of Dick's Dome Shelter

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: few clouds

Up and down, up and down over the roller coaster, a series of climbs and descents back to back. just a sweaty day with hard work over rocky trail. This place is great! Hot shower, hot pizza, cold cokes, soft bunk! What more could you want? How about Ben&Jerry's ice cream? Yes, that too. I think I'm going to explode. We even started out the day with wild strawberries - what a treat! Weight loss so far - Bogie 31 lbs, Bacaall 36 lbs.We feel great.
Date: 2008-06-23
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Harper's Ferry - Comfort Inn
Miles today: 19.6

Only 2 views today of the surrounding towns from the top. A couple of hard climbs this morning and then just woods walk all day with oodles of rocks thrown in. We got here just before a thunderstorm opened up and had a huge pizza and spaghetti with salads delivered to the room. Just resting our feet for the rest of the evening.
Date: 2008-06-24
From: Harper's Ferry - Comfort Inn

To: Harper's Ferry - Comfort Inn
Miles today: 0.0

Zero Day! We still walked about 4 miles around town doing the tourist gig, viewing the Park Service museums and displays and the really old houses and churches. We walked up to Jefferson Rock to see the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. We also resupplied and got our picture in the ATC 2008 thruhiker book along with all of our buddies. Enjoying some downtime from the trail.
Date: 2008-06-26
From: Harper's Ferry - Comfort Inn

To: Dahlgren Backpacker camp
Miles today: 18.2

The morning was easy and the climbs were well graded and short. Terrific trail all day except for the rocks aggain. can't seem to get away from them. We had two good views of the farms below. There are some real beauties with big farmhouses, silos, big barns, and nice pastures. When we got here to this camp, we were able to get a hot shower and then we walked a short way to the Old South Mt Inn for an elegant dinner. The Inn was built in the 1700s and has operated ever since. They even claim that George Washington stopped here before he was president. Tonight we had filet mignon and all the works. I'm really on a roll, haven't cooked in two weeks, but I think that's about to come to an end unless I can find another restaurant tomorrow. Today's animal views included deer, a mink, several ducks and geese, groundhog, and lots of squirrels. We had a real treat with lots of ripe black raspberries.Today we left West Virginia and entered Maryland. This place has historical markers everywhere regarding the War of Northern Agression. We stopped for lunch at Gathland which has a huge arch monument to war correspondents. South Mt, where we spent most of the day walking has some great rock formations all down the ridgeline for miles. Neat place.
Date: 2008-06-27
From: Dahlgren Backpacker camp

To: Ensign Cowell Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: clear sky

Flat, rocky trail most of the day with a couple of climbs and a couple of views of the towns to the west and farms to the east. We went by the first monument ever built to George Washington, near Boonesboro Maryland. The town's people all got together and built it themselves out of rock from the area in the 1830s. Its really quite impressive. We saw a baby fawn curled up on a grassy field near the monument and it stayed put while I took pictures from 6 feet away. Most of the day was gorgeous but very humid. In fact, Bacall was sweating so hard the gnats had tiny little innertubes, rafting down her face. When we got here we realized the shelter was only .2 miles away from the road, and a town was 2.5 miles away, so we called a pizza place and had food delivered to the road. It was great! I didn't have to cook again! We knew this was our place for the night when the very second we stepped under the roof, the skies opened up in a drenching downpour for about an hour. Again we stayed dry. Again we are blessed!
Date: 2008-06-28
From: Ensign Cowell Shelter

To: Tumbling Run Shelters
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: clear sky

Hot, humid miles. We are in the tent without the rainfly trying to cool down. We left Maryland today and entered Pennsylvania. The trail was pretty easy and along the way we stopped at a terrific place where they hangglide called High Rocks (kinda makes sense since you don't really want to hangglide from low rocks!) It had a beautiful view of big farms and towns across a vally about 30 miles wide. We also went through a really pretty county park called PenMar on the state borders. We crossed the Mason-Dixon line, so we are officially in yankee country. We'll keep our heads down! We got a little trail magic at one of the road crossings - and again from the shelter caretakers when they came in with apples and cokes.
Date: 2008-06-29
From: Tumbling Run Shelters

To: Fayetteville-Rite Spot Motel
Miles today: 9.6

Not many views today. Only one nice one from Chimney Rocks. The rest was just woods walking. We got to Rt 30 and got a ride to the Rite Spot motel for a room. Did laundry and a small resupply. Decided to take it easy for the rest of the day.
Date: 2008-06-30
From: Fayetteville-Rite Spot Motel

To: Iron Masters Mansion PA 233
Miles today: 19.6

Slackpack from Iron Masters Mansion back to the motel. Super easy trail and good temps. No views at all today, just woodroads and woods walking all day long. Since we were SOBO today we passed several of our hiking buddies that were just a little ahead of us. Great fun talking to everyone again. Back for another hot shower, good meal and soft bed.
Date: 2008-07-01
From: Iron Masters Mansion PA 233

To: PA 94 Holly Inn
Miles today: 10.9

Easy woods walking to PA 94 where we got a ride to the Holly Inn.Yeah I know short day and another bed and hot shower but we're spoiled!But hey they are having Karaoke at the tavern later and we gotta go do the Sonny & Cher thing--"I Gotta Chew Babe"! Nothing but green woods walking among millions of moths cluttering the woods. The caterpillars had done the work on the leaves earlier and now the gypsy moths are everywhere.This inn is another very historic place, having been here over two centuries. The stonework is excellent. This inn was even used in the War of Northern Agression when a wounded Confederate soldier was left here while the remaining troops were on their way to Gettysburg-15 miles away.
Date: 2008-07-02
From: PA 94 Holly Inn

To: Boiling Springs - Gelinas Manor
Miles today: 8.8

Great trail today with a couple of climbs and a fun rock scramble with a view of the Cumberland Valley. We also had miles through beautiful farmland with big silos and big crop fields of corn, wheat, oats, and soybeans. When we got to Boiling Springs, we walked alongside the Yellow Britches Creek which is full of large trout - catch & release only, but they sure looked like dinner! We spent an easy afternoon walking around town and eating ice cream beside the lake and feeding the ducks and geese. Had a great dinner at the Boiling Springs Tavern, built in 1832, of local stone and with a huge stone fireplace. Quite a relaxing day. Our B&B, Gelinas Manor is a gorgeous Victorian era (1870) home.
Date: 2008-07-03
From: Boiling Springs - Gelinas Manor

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: broken clouds

After a big breakfast of eggs Florintine, homemade gingerbread, grapefruit, and a beautiful presentation, we finally got back on the trail and headed out through big farm fields. The whole day was pretty and even included trail magic at a road crossing. We met up with several of our buddies when we got here including Peregrin, Brushstrokes, Tetris, Cayenne, Tailgate, Zephyr, and several others. We are now in the tent cowering from a horrendous downpour and just awaiting sleep. On the way here we had a fantastic view of the valley full of small farms and scattered towns. Wow! That lightning bolt hit something close. Hope it wasn't the privy, which is truly an awesome outhouse! I could take up residence there.