morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-11
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Matt's Creek Shelter
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Wow...what a tough day for me. I hate being a wet blanket, but God allows us to have good and bad days. I have always felt the bad days help you appreciate the good days all that much more. I've been on the trail for about 68 days now and this day ranked about 66 or 67 with 1 being the best. It was just a killer day for me for some reason. For one thing it was nearly a 23 mile day, it was high humidity and in the mid- to upper-80s, there was a lot of climbing and the descents were steep and rocky...especially the last several miles of trail for the day. I fully believe some of the trail sections were longer than advertised in the trail guide too. They took me WAY too long based on my experience to date. When I FINALLY got to my shelter I knew that this day ranked very close to the worst of the trip. But...with a little rest, some companionship (Iceman was already at the shelter), some food and fresh cold water, the difficulties of the day started to fade pretty quickly. It was not ALL bad either...there were some interesting things to see, some beautiful views, and some neat people to meet along the way. When I was on top of Apple Orchard Mountain I met a group of kids and their leaders from a church home for kids. The leaders seemed excited that a thru-hiker showed up and asked if I'd come over and talk a bit to the kids. They wanted to put a little perspective on the 1-mile hike the kids had just done (and were evidently complaining about). You should have seen their eyes when I told them I had started hiking in Georgia and had complete about 750 miles since 5 March and had about 1400 miles left to go. They asked a lot of good, ensightful questions. That was a bright spot in the day...I really enjoyed talking with them. Cheers...357 Magnum
Date: 2007-05-12
From: Matt's Creek Shelter

To: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: light rain

Don't you just love contrast? Especially when yesterday was such a difficult day for me...today was a mirror opposite. I had an awesome day today. First, I slept VERY well since I was so bushed. The terrain, temperature, humidity...everything was so much better for me today. It was a little overcast, which actually helped keep the temps down some, yet there were still great views available throughout the day. I had hiked over 20 miles, was feeling great, and was looking forward to the last couple of miles to get to my shelter, when I popped out on a forest service road and was greeted with trail magic. What a way to cap a great day. Please take time to find the picture and read about the trail magic provided by Flash and Hot Flash. They were great fun to visit with.
Date: 2007-05-13
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter

To: Dutch Haus B & B
Miles today: 18.1

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!!!   I had originally intended to stay at Seeley-Woodworth Shelter, but a lot of the folks I was hiking with (not to mention Flash & Hot Flash) were talking about the Dutch Haus B & B. It wasn't that much farther, I had gotten all my socks wet (at least damp), it was 5 days since I had showered...all indications were pointing to the logic of heading on down to that B & B. So....I did....and boy am I glad. I had a great time there. I was able to get my laundry done, get cleaned up, have a GREAT supper and breakfast prepared for me, socialize with a lot of great people in a comfortable environment, and get a really good night's sleep. I had made the right choice on that one...Cheers...357 Magnum
Date: 2007-05-14
From: Dutch Haus B & B

To: Maupin Field Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: clear sky

Wow...another great day! I had so much energy today, I could hardly believe it. I think that Chicken and Pasta dinner last night and the Pancake and Egg breakfast this morning may have had something to do with it. In well under an hour of hiking I was at one of the most beautiful views (Spy Rock) I had seen this trip. It was most special because of how much of the horizon you could see around you. And the day went up from there. And it wasn't that the hiking was flat and easy. There were several major climbs totalling around 6,000 feet, but the trails were well graded and maintained and the weather could not have been much better. Doesn't sound much like my entry of a couple of days ago does it? Please see the photo and write-up of my stop at the Tye River for lunch. This was definitely one of the best days I've had on the trail to date. I'm so thankful I have been given the chance to be out here and do this.
Date: 2007-05-15
From: Maupin Field Shelter

To: Waynesboro, VA (Tree Streets Inn B & B)
Miles today: 20.8
Weather: clear sky

Wow...another gorgeous hiking day. And to top it off, I know I'll be in a town and will be taking a zero there tomorrow. There were a lot of great overlooks today, but I elected not to take photos because there was a good bit of haze today. It's funny, you can see a lot more in person than you can capture in a picture when there is a haze. I saw deer several times today. Once I got between a doe and her fawn (several weeks old). The doe remained calm, but the fawn acted pretty nervous and was crying for its momma. I moved out of the way and the fawn made his way over to mom pretty quickly. The deer were not very concerned with me being there. They generally just walked a few yards off the trail and watched me pass. I stopped at a spring on the BRP and got some water and ate a snack. As I was setting there Earl, from the Dutch Haus B & B, drove by beeping and waving at me. What are the odds we'd both be at that spot at that time? I made good time all day and got to my "exit point" at about 4 PM. Turns out the guy working at the visitor's center where I went to try to get a ride into town owns the B & B, so I hung around for an hour til he closed the visitor's center and rode "home" with him.
Date: 2007-05-17
From: Waynesboro, VA (Tree Streets Inn B & B)

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Mmmmm...Pancakes and Kielbasa for breakfast at the B & B. Ran to Kroger one last time to get a few "fresh" supplies to use up on the forst couple of days on the trail (bread, neats, cheeses, etc). I knew it was only going to be a 7 mile day, so I took my time getting to the trail head. Got going about 10:30 AM. No rain today, but a 40% chance for tomorrow. We'll see!
Date: 2007-05-18
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Blackrock Hut
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: moderate rain

There wound up being 9 people in the shelter last night and I was the only thru-hiker. That is the first time something like that has happened. I guess I shouldn't be surprised because a LOT of the trhu-hikers have left the trail headed for Trail Days in Damascus, VA this weekend. Plus...the SNP is a very well used section of trail by weekenders and section hikers. There was plenty of room for all. One guy was from Canada and another from Australia. There was another from the UK that moved on up the trail for the night. It must have been international day on the trail today. I had a great time visiting with all these newfound friends. It started raining just before dark last night and rained all night long...we really needed it. It has been pretty dry and nobody wants the water sources along the trail to start drying up. It is especially nice when the long soaking rains occur during the night. However...this one just kept on going into the day today. But, the 13 miles hike today was a very easy one and I got to my hut by Noon. I was glad because I'd rather sit in a hut and watch the rain than keep hiking through it all day long. We've got 10 in the shelter tonight (many the same as last night) plus two new ones tenting outside. Once again, I'm the lone thru-hiker. The weather forecast I got before leaving Waynesboro was way off...not only are we getting a LOT more rain, but the temps have really dropped. But...now I'm warm and dry in my shelter for the night. Life is good!!!
Date: 2007-05-19
From: Blackrock Hut

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: clear sky

Ahhhhh...the sun is out this morning...cool, but sunny! Great hiking weather! I met another scout troop this morning. It always does my heart good to meet these young men (and their leaders) out on the trail. They offered me breakfast, but for some unexplainable reason I declined. I still haven't figured out why I did that. Maybe it is because I knew I'd be at the Loft Mountain Wayside (restaurant) before long. As a matter of fact, I got there at about 1030 and stayed for about 4 hours. I ate, soaked up some sun, ate some more, soaked up some more sun, ate some more...well, you get the picture. It was a glorious day. I saw the same scouts again there later that day, plus some of the hikers I had met in the last couple of days. It was a lot of fun just hanging out there eating, resting and talking to passers-by. I finally took off in the mid-afternoon and finished off my 13+ mile day. I still got to my shelter before 5, which gave me plenty of time before dark to get ready for the evening in camp. I also met a new hiker in camp tonight. He is totally blind and is out by himself testing out a "talking" GPS system he is developing to help him hike the entire trail in the future. We talked quite a bit and I left him with my contact info just in case he wanted me to join him on some of the more treacherous parts of the trail. Another hiker did the same. I was really humbled to see him getting around out there on his own...makes me appreciate even more how blessed I really am.
Date: 2007-05-20
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Lewis Mountain Campground/Cabins
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was sort of a ho-hum day on the trail. The trail was pretty much a continuous roller coaster, which normally is no big deal, but I was anxoius to get to the cabins where I would be meeting Kim today. It seems when there is a special treat at the end of a day, that day on the trail is spent thinking more about getting there than just hiking. In short...I was glad to get the hiking behind me today and get to my rendezvous point. I hit the camp store right away when I got there. I wound up having 5 ice cream bars, a V-8, and a can of pringles in the span of a couple of hours. I needed a little something to hold me over until Kim got there and we could go out to eat together. She got in about 6 and we got ready soon after and headed to Big Meadows for supper. She met Cascader and Retread (two section hikers I had recently met) there that night.
Date: 2007-05-21
From: Lewis Mountain Campground/Cabins

To: Skyland Cabins
Miles today: 0.0

Had a great zero day with Kim just getting out and about in the SNP and surrounding towns. I was originally going to hike about 17 miles today and meet Kim at the Skyland Cabins, but then realized how stupid it was to spend my time that way while Kim was here. So...two zeros instead of just one...bonus! We did hike to a couple of waterfalls today...the pics are on Kim's camera so I can't load any just yet.
Date: 2007-05-22
From: Skyland Cabins

To: Skyland Cabins
Miles today: 0.0

More like yesterday today...loving my time with Kim. Back to the trail for me tomorrow and back on the road to Ohio for Kim. We went to Luray today and I used the internet at the library to update my journal. We got my laundry done at a local laundromat and ran some other errands, then just knocked around town for a while. There were lots of neat little shops, but many were closed the day we were there. We eventually headed up to Front Royal, then on over to Winchester, VA. I had pasta at Olive Garden for supper...got really carbed up before hitting the trail again. As we were going back to the room, we saw a bunch of deer and one bear cub. I've been in the woods for literally hundreds of hours and see my first bear in a car on the Shenendoah national Parkway. (just to be clear...I was in the car, not the bear) Until next time...cheers...357 Magnum (Dan)
Date: 2007-05-23
From: Lewis Mountain Campground/Cabins

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: broken clouds

Slept better last night. Kim and I packed up then headed to breakfast at Skyland. As we were eating I was telling Kim I was wondering how Beach Bum was doing, and where he might be. As I was saying that I looked up and there he was headed right for us. Kim couldn't believe it. We chatted a bit. I was glad to hear his calf muscle was doing great. He mentioned he was meeting 1st Wife soon at Ashby Gap and if I was anywhere around they's be happy to come pick me up. I thanked him but didn't think I'd be far enough along because I had to go back to Lewis to start today. After breakfast, Kim took me to Lewis...we got some pics, said our giidbyes again, and I hit the trail while she hit the road. I hiked about 9 miles to Big Meadows Wayside and stopped for ice cream and a cold soda and still got to Rock Spring hut well before dark. I kind of like having all these restaurants and stores along the trail in the SNP.
Date: 2007-05-24
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Gravel Springs Hut
Miles today: 28.4
Weather: clear sky

Thanks to all of you who have been praying for me on my journey. As you can see, I hiked 28.4 miles today. My feet and shins are in great shape...better than they have been in over a month. I had just planned on doing about 14 today, but got to my shelter at about 1 PM and decided to do more miles. I had even stopped at Skyland for breakfast again (Kim and I ate there yesterday). By the time I got to Elkwallow, the last Wayside in the SNP I was asking myself why I had decided to do so many miles. But...after a hamburger, fries, a couple of cokes and some ice cream I was feeling better again. I headed out to finish the last 6 miles and got to my shelter at about 7:30. That is later than I like, but still well before dark. Beach Bum was there, so we discussed the possibility of me meeting up with him and 1st Wife near Ashby Gap some where. We were headed for the same shelter the next day, so I told him I'd decide for sure tomorrow night, but it was looking pretty appealing to me.
Date: 2007-05-25
From: Gravel Springs Hut

To: Jim & Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I got a pretty early start today, so I was at the Front Royal road crossing (13 1/2 miles) at about 1. I decided to hitch into town for lunch instead of hiking during the heat of the day. (Sounded like a good excuse to me) I had KFC for lunch and was standing out front talking to Kim when Mike and Bronco (Ridge runner and friend) drove by. They saw me and asked if I needed a ride back to the trail head. I said yes! They ran in to CVS, so I did too...I bought a pint of ice cream to eat before I hit the last 6 miles of the trail for the day. When I got to the shelter, Beach Bum was alread there. We made our plans for the next day. He'd rendezvous with 1st Wife in the AM then come pick me up after lunch further up the trail. Then they'd deliver me back to the trail the next morning...at least that was the plan...
Date: 2007-05-26
From: Jim & Molly Denton Shelter

To: US 50, Ashby Gap
Miles today: 14.7

Wow...it was warm ;last night! I wound up getting out of the shelter and slept on the picnic table just to get some air flow. Turned out to be pretty nice once I got out there. I got up early and hit the trail at about 6:45 because I knew I'd have to move to get to Ashby Gap by the planned rendezvous time. I surely didn't want them waiting there for me. I moved quite fast today, averaging about 3 MPH even with some short breaks. I saw Missionary Mike and his buddy and got water while I chatted with them. I actually got to Ashby Gap almost 2 hours before Beach Bum and 1st Wife were supposed to show up, so I walked 9/10 of a mile down the road to a restaurant and had a quiet, delicious, relaxing meal while I waited. Life is good! They picked me up right at 1:30. In the meantime, I got a message on my phone from my good friend Perry who was visiting DC from Colorado. He said he couldn't make it over to see me today, but that he had all day tomorrow free. Sounded like a great reason to zero in Winchester to me. Somehow, 1st Wife had already gotten me reservations for 2 nights instead of one...kind of scary! So...the plans were changed that quickly and I was going to get to see more of my friends. Anyhow, they took me to the hotel, I got my shower and the three of us went out to eat AYCE seafood that night. From there we went to Starbucks for coffee and dessert...it don't get much better than that. I really enjoy hiking the AT, but I really enjoy town/hotel life as well. The one makes you appreciate the other all that much more.
Date: 2007-05-27
From: US 50, Ashby Gap

To: US 50, Ashby Gap
Miles today: 0.0

Wow...not your typical day on the AT! When Perry arrived from DC, he had an offer he wanted to throw out and just see what I thought. He said I didn't have to make my mind up right away...just to let him know in the next couple of hours. He said "Ashley has an extra back stage pass to the PBS production tonight. If you want to, I'll take you back to DC and you can go with us to the Memorial Day Celebration on the Capitol lawn. You will be able to go back stage to meet Colin Powell and have your photo taken with him." I said...LET'S GO! What an opportunity! We went and got some lunch and got me a new shirt to wear in DC. Luckily I didn't need to be "dressed up" because I was going to be with the backstage production crew. We headed for DC and the traffic was unbelievably light. We got right to the Washington Hotel in downtown DC with no problems at all. I visited with Ashley a little, we had drinks on the roof of the hotel (see pics), and Perry and I took off for a quick walk over by the White House before time to go to the Capitol Building. For a while it looked like a huge thunder storm was going to spoil the whole event, but it passed just in time. I got to meet Colin Powell back stage and get my picture taken with him. I milled around on stage for quite a while taking pictures, but when it was about to start we headed out in to the audience area. We stayed until after Colin Powell made his speech and we left. Perry still had to drive me all the way back to Winchester and return to DC. What a good friend! When I got back to my room, the PBS special was still on TV. It seemed really strange to watch the end of a show I had just been at in Washington, DC. What a wonderful day!!!!!! Thanks Beach Bum, 1st Wife, Perry and Ashley for making it possible.
Date: 2007-05-28
From: US 50, Ashby Gap

To: Bear's Den Hostel
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Met Beach Bum and 1st Wife for a continental breakfast at the hotel. We ate together then they took me to Ashby Gap so I could hit the trail again. I felt well rested and all carbed up again. I saw a deer about 200 feet into the woods...a sign of a great hiking day ahead. It was warm and humid and lush in the woods I was hiking through. It didn't take long until I was soaked, but still feeling good. A couple of hours in to the hike, I came to the sign marking the beginning of the 13 mile "roller coaster". There are supposedly 13 major ups and 13 major downs with lots of twists and turns in a 13 mile stretch of trail. I got to Bear's Den Hostel at about 2:30, so the trail must not have been that bad today. Still about 5 miles of the roller coaster to go tomorrow. This hostel is in quite a distinct building...you'll have to read the caption with the photo in the photos section. I turned in kind of early because I knew I wanted to get to Harper's Ferry as early as possible tomorrow and it was almost 20 miles away.
Date: 2007-05-29
From: Bear's Den Hostel

To: Harper's Ferry, WV
Miles today: 19.9

I got a good night's sleep and was on the trail by 6. So far, so good. The rest of the roller coaster wasn't all that bad, but it sure did feel good to get on some level ground for a while once it was done. I went through Snicker's Gap today...that is where Perry and I had been two days before getting AT pictures. I got to Harper's Ferry at about 1:30...plenty of time to get everything I wanted to do done befire things started closing for the day. I stopped in at the AT HQ first and got my picture taken. I was hiker # 132 for the year. I went to the Hilltop Hotel and got a room and showered, then changed in to my town clothes. I headed straight for the post office. They didn't have anything for me, so I left a forwarding order to have everything sent to Deleware Water Gap in PA. I had been expecting a box and a few cards and letters from friends and family. I suspect Memorial Day may have slowed things. I headed rfom there to the library to update my journal. I was on just a few minutes and the maintenance man showed up to work on all the computers. He was supposed to be done in 1 hour, so I went and got a bite to eat. When I came back he still had a lot to do with them and wouldn't be done until a few minutes before the library closed. I headed a mile up the road to the outfitter in town. They were suppposed to have internet and were open until 6. That would give me a little time to get some updates done. When I got there he said they took the computer out last year. I gave up and went to get some frozen custard. Hey...BIG MILESTONE today. I completed over 1,000 miles of the trail today. I got supper at a little Italian place...really good...and headed back to the room to turn in.
Date: 2007-05-30
From: Harper's Ferry, WV

To: Dahlgren Back Pack Campground
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: clear sky

I'm beginning to think I'd better just get out of Harper's Ferry as quickly as possible. The restaurant in the hotel I stayed at seemed like and Abbot and Costello routine. They were 45 minutes late opening, then once I did get seated I had to fight for everything. I got the wrong food, but I ate it anyhow because I wanted to leave some time today. Long story short...by the time I got to the ATC HQ, where I was going to try to update my journal one last time, I was already way behind schedule. I decided to give up and leave Harper's Ferry ASAP. As I was leaving town, I met a reporter from the Washington post doing a story on the new AT Visitor's Center in Harper's Ferry. We talked a while and he snapped a bunch of photos of Aquaman and me. Turns out we may be in a Washington post article in the very near future. It was nice hiking leaving Harper's Ferry. I walked down through the historic part of town, across the potomac foot bridge, and followed the C & O Canal Towpath for several miles before climbing back up into the mountains. At about the 11 mile point, I came to a state park with soda machines. It was a perfect time for some snacks and a couple of cold sodas. I got to my campground (which had showers) and got cleaned up. I walked up to the Old South Mountain Inn and had a great supper, then went back to the campsite, readied myself for the night and slept under the stars (on a picnic table). Life is good!
Date: 2007-05-31
From: Dahlgren Back Pack Campground

To: Free State Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 13.7

Fairly short day today, but this hostel looked like the perfect opportunity to stop early and work on my journal...and it was! I've just about caught up and it is not quite 6 PM. I had a good hiking day, with several nice views along the way. The rocks were pretty troublesome in several long sections, but from what I understand I'd better get used to it. PA is notorious for rocks. I've been at the hostel for several hours now...got my shower, got my laundry done, ate up some leftover pizza in the fridge, drank several cold sodas and finally have my journal updated. Other hikers are starting to show so I had better get off here and let them have it the rest of the night. Until next time...Cheers...357 Magnum