morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-03-08
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: Graig Creek Valley Route 621
Miles today: 7.3

Clocks ahead last night. Slept in late. Got up and out at 10:00. Stomach not that well. Didn't feel like eating. It was hot again 75on mtn,83 degrees today in Roanoke. Long haul out of the shelter S and E went left to VA 42 to hitch to Catawba for the drop. They actually did well and spent the night in Newcastle in a B and B. I continued along the ridge (great views) then up to Sinking Creek Mtn. This is a continental divide, to the east the water flows to the Atlantic ,to the west the Mississippi and Gulf of Mexico. Hiked 7.3 miles , I was sore, tired ,and not feeeling well, legs are giving out. I went down to VA 621 (not even on the map) and hitched to VA 311. I got a ride from a guy who took me all the way to Salem VA  to a Day's Inn (Sorry Sue). I went on White Blaze, E mailed Hobbit and called the Captain. Hoky Poky saw my post on White Blaze and wrote back and is picking me up tomorrow after work to take me to the trail. What an amazing resource. Took lots of calls Joellen, Jamie, Dad , Kathie. I got a Subway and some soda. All is well- stomach getting better. Watched UNC and Duke on TV and am resting the legs. Temp here at 11:00PM - 72 degrees. Happy Trails Peace PS Got some nice feed back from The General and Southside Thanks
Date: 2009-03-09
From: Graig Creek Valley Route 621

To: Audie Murphy Monument
Miles today: 2.0
Weather: broken clouds

Got up early 6:30. Lots to do in Salem town. They had a good breakfast here. Met a townie who took me around to check my phone and get supplies I got a ride to the Verizon store. The phone is gone. Then to Wal Mart (Sorry Richard et all) for some supplies. Womans namw was Trail Angel Bonnie. I am at the hotel now making phone calls and taking care of business. I have to check out at 1:00 PM. Bonnie has agreed to take me back to the store to buy a throw away phone. also to the PO to send some stuff home. I bought a Subway for dinner and breakfast tomorrow and went to K and W for a late lunch. I will eat dinner at the tent site. I will hang out here until pick up at 5:50 PM Hokey Pokey from Roanoke has agreed to take me back to the trail. Hokey Pokey picked me up. Wjhat a great guy. He took me to the trail head and would npot take a dime. He even agreed to pick me up in Dalesville and take me to the Home Place on Thurssday. for the AYCE. It is a hiker place. I hope that it works out. I will try and catch E and S but they will be days ahead. A couple of nights out then to Daleville/Troutville at the I 81 interchange. All is well. I am feeling better. Just returned from the store and got a temp cell. The price was not too bad.Ate at a K and W. Remembrances of Myrtle Beach days. Going to get a Subway and wait for my ride. I began my hike at 6:20 and climbed part of Brushy MTn until dark 7:20 or so. I pitched my tent and called Joellen on my new phone. Didn't get much sleep in the motel I guess I am used to tents after Fla and the trail. Happy Trails Peace Note Tomorrow I will hike a mile or so the Audie Murphy memorial. Murphy (No relation) was the most decorated soldier during WW II. He died in Bushy MTN in a plane crash in 1971. You may have seen him in a war or cowboy flick when you were young. Got to the trail at 6:20. Tented at the side of the mountain at 7:20.
Date: 2009-03-10
From: Audie Murphy Monument

To: North Mtn. Trail-VA 624
Miles today: 14.0

Today was the best yet. Thanks to the rest. Today we slayed the Dragon. (Dragons Tooth) The Temp finally broke last night in the tent. ihad a great night sleep. It cooled down. It toon 45 min to break camp because I had carried in breakfast. Left at 8:35 I climbed to the Murphy Monument in 50 min. Continued to Pickle Branch Shelter for a shoprt lunch, privy break and stayed 30:00 min. The log ther was interesting It had last years hikers signed in 4/16 Bad Hummas, 4/17 Southside Yes Southside, 4/21 Napalm, 4/22 Riley, 4/30 Phoenix, and on 5/7 The one and only General What a treat reading the log. Continued on and mt 5 Strings and Earl Gray 5 Strings carried a Banjo on his threw in 07. You know what hikers do when they hear banjo music?? Hike faster LOL. Climbed the Dragon's Tooth (2:45) Quite a climb. Great views. Lots of day hikers comming up from VA Tech, Had to stow the poles on the way down and go hand over handdown to 624. But it was a good day. I hiked to a general store and had some dinner to go and called home. As i hiked to the tent site i met two women from MA on the side of the trail tenting form Montgomery ?? MA. One went to Liberty College. I hiked on a while so as not to disturb them and picked a later site. In the tent @ 7:00 relaxing. Notes: Had to stop twice today to change my bandage on the heal. Not sure why no trouble the past few daysLeaves Damn leaves. Lots of leaves on the trail because of little traffic so far Sometime the leaves are as deep as my knees. Very dangerous situation because you can never be sure what is under foot. I most dislike the twigs that get caught between my legs and try and trip me. Need to be careful here.Rocks-- Lots of rocks coming dow dragons tooth Rock Climbing DrillsDragons Tooth Should be called Dragon back Going up the hill was like climbing a dragons back one hill afte the other When will I see the teeth?? It seemed like never Good Night Lots of PUDS. Also the
Date: 2009-03-11
From: North Mtn. Trail-VA 624

To: Lambert Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

Ye.sterday I slew the dragon Today I took the Tinkers (Tinker's Cliff) Not the best night's sleep for unknown reasons. Up at 7:30- tried to get out by 8:30 but Mother Nature, a change of bandage (again), and another rookie mistake- losing water during the night from my camel caused a delay until 9:00. How many mistakes is that?? Nice in the AM, however. I met 5 Chineese students from VA Tech headed toward McAfee ,the problem was they were going the wrong way, so I helped them out and kind of hung out with them to the knob. We ate lunch at a spring and took a break at a shelter, and when they arrived at the top, they waited for me for a while even though it looked like rain. We took photos of each other and I used their cell phone to call home. Nice group of kids. Two other women were there on a day hike with their dogs. It is interesting how many people take dogs on the trail. Ive seen at least 10 this past week. McAfee Knob is spectacular. The views were beauuutiful (Sue) They reminded me of the views we see on our day hikes with Johnny, Carol, and Sue up in NH. Great vistas,mtns. for miles,valleys,little towns- the whole thing. Everyone should get to hike this and many do. Went up to Tinker'ss Cliff for more spectacular views and a great look back at McAfee. This was the end of the trifecta says the Captain (Dragons, McAfee, Tinkers). For my money, I would omit or include the Dragon but add Kelly's Knob to the mix. I enjoyed the views there. The Tinkers were pot and pan repair people who went around the country fixing pots. My mother used to tell me to stay away from the tinkers and gypsies who lived over on Grove Street, so I knew a little about them. Here on the ridge the Tinkers would go to hide from the patriots during the revolution. They must have been Tories. It was mostly downhill after that to Lambert Meadows Shelter for the night. Very cold night- probably the second coldest. The bag works. In at 7:00 and reading Grisham for the night. No dinner tonight- stomach not right. I will eat in the AM.Happy Trails PeaceNote It was supposed to rain today but it held off. Sprinkled a little for a while Lucked out Cold Night Cold AM
Date: 2009-03-12
From: Lambert Meadow Shelter

To: Dalesville VA VA Route 220
Miles today: 9.4

About 94 miles to date a litttle over 10 per day-much less than usual Got mail from Hobbit, Ron Beatty, and Janet Mooreman on my journal. Very cold last night. Got up early to get to town. Left camp at 8:05 after having some breakfast. Moved quickly and met a retired State Trooper from VA (Norm Gregory) who I also met yesterday on a day hike. Got to Daleville at 12:35 and checked into a Ho Jo's at a great rate (39).   Nice hike but they are predicting snow, yes snow for tomorrow with rain. I am doing a laundry and writing this. Guess who is here?? Erin and Steve and the dogs. Erin's foot is bad. May be broken -stress? I am trying to make the connection to go to the Home Place tonight. We will see. I need to go the outfitter before it closes today. Got to the outfitter, the UPS store, the bank, and home in time for Don Hoke Hokey Pokey, aka Hiker head to pick up Erin, Steve, and myself and re do our route by car showing us the ridges and knobs we hiked as we traveled down to Catawba to the infamous Home Place Rest. There we ate family style, lots of food. Tonight was BBQ night so we got pulled pork? beef? with our chicken, beans, mashed potatoes,gravy,.cole slaw, apples, beans etc. etc. All you could eat with soda and cobbler and ice cream for dessert for $13.00. The place is a trail tradition and without Don we would have missed it. We returned to find out that the next three days are going to be miserable. Sleet and snow tonight and tomorrow,then rain and cold. Wow. Have to make some decisions tonight. We will see. All is well. Tomorrow, I need to go to the market to re stock and do a few errands before leaving (if I leave). There is a good breakfast here . So that will be first. Going back to the room to sew my pants. Called Joellen, Dad and Kathy Didn't realize it until it was over but Tommy's game was on TV here Comcast. Always something on the trail. All is well. Happy Trails, Peace, Squire.
Date: 2009-03-13
From: Dalesville VA VA Route 220

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: light snow

Did not sleep well in the motel. Up early-6:30 breakfast here with Erin and Steve. Hiked to Kroeger's for mole skin,OJ,a sandwich, camera and Snickers. I returned and packed to leave. Temp is 32 down here and snowing with light snow on the ground as well as some sleet. Should be an interesting day. Rain is predicted for next three days. Steve and I are on the way out (10:00 AM) in the rain / snow. Erin is getting a ride from her sister to Chesapeake and hopes to return. Steve and I left in the snow. We stopped at Fulhardt Knob Shelter and met a thru hiker "Noname" whostarted in December. He was taking a zero day,smoking cigaretts and drinking Wild Turkey in a freezing cold shelter bundled up in his sleeping bag. We chatted but did not drink and moved on to Wilson Creeek Shelter for the night. All is well. Arrived at 4:55- 7 hours. It was very, very, very cold.Hung the gear out to dry but we will see. Had my sandwich and water from Kroeger's, did some planning and was in the bag by 6:20 PM. Hands are cold and it is hard writing this. Happy Trails- Peace- Squire
Date: 2009-03-14
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Jennings Creek, VA 614
Miles today: 16.9

Got a good night's rest.Cold. the bag is working well. Up at 7:30 and had the rest of the grinder. Got going at 9:00. Snow was on the sides of the trail and on the trail covering the leaves. It rained all day. Yes, all day again - cold. Steady but no real downpour. My shoes and socks were soaked.My rain gear kept me fairly dry until the very end. Had to stop only once to fix my blister. (Won't go away) Steve left to hitchike on the Blue Ridge Parkway after about 6 mile. I continued on in the rain to complete the 16.9 to get to Jennings Creek VA 614 where I could hitch to where Steve was headed. I ran across two guys from Phily at Cove Mtn Shelter where I took a break. Good hike day 16.9 -in at 7:30. Getting stronger. Crossed the Parkway four times and had some good straight away. Tried to hitch to the hotel about 5 miles in Arcadia but few cars. Walked at least a mile, then finally got a ride. Nice guy, He took me to the hotel-Wattstull Motel and Rest,two miles up from Buchanan VA at I 81. Steve was already there, It took him two rides, one from some ladies who had thru hiked the trail (Amoeba). We dried out as best we could ,then went down the hill to get a bite to eat. Note: Raingear held out fairly well. Snow on top of the mountains and very wet. hHnds hard to warm because there were no real climbs to get the blood going. Didn't mind the hike except the visability was very bad on th BRP,and I missed some good sights at the overlooks More rain tomorrow. Tough climbs expected. More later.
Date: 2009-03-15
From: Jennings Creek, VA 614

To: Cornelius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: snow

Better night's sleep than usual in the Motel but still up at 6:00. Packed, showered. Steve got up late. We went to breakfast and got a late start- 9:45. Fortunately, we got a ride to the trail head by the chamber maid, Marie, who turned out to be the mother of the owner. We started the hike at 10:10. Today was all uphill for the first hour plus then a ridge line , then a stop at 12:30 at a two level shelter for a snack and ,of course ,to get out of the rain. (Bryant Ridge Shelter). Oh, did I mention that it is raining again? It rained all day and visability was about 20-30 feet. I met two guys going SoBo who were from Mass. Little and Big Brother. (Westfield MA) We chatted for quite a while. After Bryant the climb was long and continuous without stop (3560) to Floyd Mtn. Then to the shelter @ 4:00. There was a day hiker there who had come down from the Parkway which was close to the shelter. His name was Mark. We chatted about scouting while I waited for Steve. Steve was slow today and got in 1 hour 20 min later. I was a bit worried but all was OK. I had supper, some couscous that Erin gave me and a Power Ade. Called Joellen- she was having tea wit Karen Oh, the tape on my blister stayed on for the first time since I started. My boots are also falling apart at the heel.I went to bed early, and did not have the best night's sleep. Steve didn't sleep after 10:30.Note- I forgot to mention my poles went bad also. The spring broke, so I took them to the outfitter in Daleville (Mark). He fixed them and gave me the new part for free. Good to buy good equipment with a guarantee when you are on the trail right Johnny D!!!Happy Trails Peace
Date: 2009-03-16
From: Cornelius Creek Shelter

To: Matts Creek Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Rain Rain Go Away. The Good and the Bad -no Ugly The Good - Tomorrow I cross the James River 150 miles from Pearisburg -more than half way on this section. I am fit amd moving well with no real aches or pains The Bad - The weather and missing what I am sure would have beeen Buena Vistas. This is our fourth day of rain or snow and dense fog. No fun. No sights. Fri we awoke to snow- then rain, Sat the same, Sunday and Mon the fog came in as well. Today it was a downpour at 2:00 Pm as we approached the top of High Cick Knob. It continued to pour until we reached the shelter at 6:00 and continued most of the night. Again, we got soaked but still had dry sleeping bags and a dry set of clothes to sleep in and hike the next day. We are getting good at rain. So far we have had freezing water bottles, 6-8 inches of snow to trudge thru, a heat wave at 75 degrees for two days, and now 4 days of rain and dense fog. Oh well. Actually, I hiked well in the fog and rain. Got going at 8:35 and had two big ups. In fact, the Apple Orchard Mtn (4225) is the highest mtn from here to Mt Moosikauke in NH.. Then at 2:00 Climbed High Cock Knob (great name) and as I got to the top dense fog , blowing wind, and driving rain (Sound familiar New England hikers)so I had to put on the rain gear and stop to wait for Steve so that we could descend together. The trail was hard to follow here (poor marks and fog). We descended in the down-pour and opted not to pitch the tent which was the plan. We pushed on to the next shelter instead 3 miles further than the tenting site. Steve hung in there today. He had a great hike. At the shelter there was a stream, but now it was a small river. I had to traverse it on rocks with the pack using the poles every step of the way. The water was rushing over the rocks. I did't care about getting wet since my boots and socks were completely soaked, but I did not want to fall into the rushing waters. Steve came down about 15 min later and I helped him with the crossing. We got into dry gear and cooked dinner. 8:00 Pm now. Warm and in the bag. I am not worried about the wet stuff because tomorrow we need to hitch to Glasgow to get a mail drop for Steve. So tomorrow only 2 miles to the road, then a hitch to Glasgow to dry out for a night. Happy Trails Peace
Date: 2009-03-17
From: Matts Creek Shelter

To: US 501 VA 
Miles today: 2.2

Happy St Patrick's Dat to all. Got up to better weather. No sun yet but no rain. We cooked some coffee, and I went out before Steve. I figured that it would be a tough hitch with the two of us on 501. I hiked beside the stream and came along to the Foot Bridge over the James River. It is called the Foot Bridge because a fellow and his wife named Foot actually got the state to put in the pilings for the bridge. It is the longest foot bridge on the AT and very nice. The hitch was to be about 6 miles. It took a while to get a ride to Glasgow to get the mail drop. A great guy named Walt Edwards picked me up and was I lucky that it was he. We got there at about 10:00 and went to look for the motel. Guess what. It was closed down foever and it was the only one in town. So what to do. I left a note with the postmaster on Steve's box to call me and activated my emergancy cell and Walt agreed to take me to the next town down the road about 12 miles to Buena Vista VA. What a trail angel. Now I was about 18 miles from the trail and would need to hitch out tomorrow down 501. But that's tomorrow and another day in the adventure. Also, I wanted to make the connection with Steve. Would that happen??   I checked into a motel, if you want to call it that, and got to drying out and doing a laundry. There was a Subway next door and a Dollar General down the street and a library 2 miles away. What meore did I need? Steve called . The PO in Glasgow was closed for lunch. (Damn federal workers) but he would hitch to Buena Vista when he could. I left the key under the mat and walked to the library. Here I sit taking part of a 0 day (Actually,I hiked 2 miles) with the sun out, of course. The day is beautiful. I am not even checking the weather. I met Steve and we went to Dollar General to restock. On the way out to dinner we met Heavenbound. I had hiked with him last year. We sheltered at Docs Knob and in Pearisberg together. We ate, with his recommendation, at a Mexican joint after checking out a local place that had corned beef and green beer. We did not seem welcome there. Lots of green hair ,plastic hats etc but the musc was country western. The Mex place was excellent. We returned to the hotel and Heavenbound came over we watched some of the Capitals game on TV , made some calls and hit the hay. Not a bad nights sleep. Note The James River crossing is the lowest point on the trail bt Harpers and Springer. The lowest is at Bear MTN Bridge on the Hudson in NY The plan for the rest of the trip is two days out then in to Montebello, two days out, then in to Waynesboro, then 4 days in the Blue Ridge. That should get me done by the 27th or so. Then the trick to get to Front Royal and DC. All is well. Happy Trails Peace
Date: 2009-03-18
From: US 501 VA 

To: Punch Bowl Shelter
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: clear sky

Up at 7:00- on the shuttle at 9:00. A guy named Mr Williams will take us the 18 miles to the trail for a fee. Started the hike at the James River Footbridge @ 9:45. Today was gorgeous. Mild temps and sunny. Finally. We climbed from 659 to 3372 to Bluff Mtn. and on the way we stopped for a snack overlooking the James River. We could see the footbridge in the distance and Steve noted how far we had hiked. The distance traveled by mtns has always amazed me as well. The vistas were great and the hike enjoyable. I meandered kicking the dry leaves all day. On Bluff Mtn (Photo) there was a plaque to a boy ,Ottie Cline Powell (a touching site), who in 1891 went into the woods to get firewood for school and never returned. His body was found 7 miles away on the top of the mtn 5 months later. There was an interesting shrine for him. The hike was uphill but enjoyable and the day was fun . Got to Punchbowl Shelter @ 3:45. Steve shortly after. Ate the rest of my Subway, planned, and wrote. Tomorrow more uphill.Note At the stop had to adjust my blister bandage again Heaven bound had written a note in the log at the shelter about Ottie. Seems he had a brother Ottie who died from typhus in 1946 going from Poland to the Russian Zone in the Baltic. He says, "He died for us that we would have a glorious future. I will see Ottie again." Very touching. He also spoke of the incident to us when we met yesterday. Ave atque Vale Peace
Date: 2009-03-19
From: Punch Bowl Shelter

To: Cow Camp Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we climb. Fairly cool night. Up and out at 8:10. Nice day to start . Crossed an interesting suspension bridge today in the AM over Pedlar River @ 10:30 Took a break @ Pedlar Lake Road and Brown Mtn Shelter. Proceeded over Route 60 and up Bald Knob 4058 feet- quite a climb today 990-4058 feet. Just before the knob, it started pouring again, got windy, cold ,and foggy. A front had moved in. Had to don the rain gear and hike over the top to the shelter in the fog. No vistas again. The earlier hike went along the Brown Mtn Creek for two miles. I enjoy hiking along the creek and this was fun. In addition this area was full of stone walls, foundations, and chimineys. A community of freed slaves dwelt there from the Civil War to 1918. There are archeological digs going on all around the area. Real historical . We met Freebird a SOBO. We met a forest ranger at Rt 60 putting up prescribed burn signs. They are not starting until next week. This is the second time that I almost got detoured because of these burns. The forest service seems to do two things: burn land and build forest roads. Happy Trails Peace Note Blister is much better. No pain. Boots are giving out. Steve's Vasques arefalling apart and my Garmonts- same thing.
Date: 2009-03-20
From: Cow Camp Gap Shelter

To: Fish Hatchery Road Dutch Haus B and B
Miles today: 12.5

Up early- very, very cold -the water froze in the bottles last night Shelter was very ,very cold. Steve slept little. He was cold in his bag and awake at 10:30 and did not get back to sleep. Out at 7:30 and up to the trail at 8:00 Tough .6 miles up to the trail from the shelter. Climbed early ,then level with some small ups and downs all the way to the Fish Hatchery Road. It was a 30 minute walk down the hill to get picked up bu Lois of Dutch Haus. We saw the scenery we missed yesterday on Cold Mtn. Cold Mtn is actually a bald and Bald Mtn is not. This was Steve's first bald. If you remember, there are lots of balds in the South. They is pasture land on the top of the mtns @3000 feet or so. No one really knows why they are there. There is a lot of speculation but no real info. Sitting at the Dutch Haus in house robes typing this waiting for our laundry. We will eat here tonight, have breakfast and head to the hills, literally. This is a must stop on the trail.It is not disappointing. The General, Hobbit , Halfway, Stagger Lee, and many others recommended it. So long for know. Happy Trails Peace