morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-04-30
From: Boone, NC, 19E - Day 42

To: North of Mountaineer Shelter, TN, Vango - Day 43
Miles today: 12.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Breakfast courtesy of new Trail Angel John: eggs, sausage, grits, toast, coffee, milk and orange juice. A real hiker meal! We arrived at the trailhead at 11:00am for a late start. John was immediately asked for a ride, so he agreed to take the hiker on to Roan Mountain . Thanks John!!We hit the trail. It was an enjoyable hike with no hard climbs, through fields, around a cemetery and a church, with beautiful views all around. There is even a bench situated at a beautiful view, as noted in our trail guide. Jones Falls was a nice place for a break. Mountaineer Shelter was our lunch break at 3:00pm. At 5:00pm, still a ways from our destination, it hit me: I was HUNGRY, in spite of having eaten 2 hours earlier. I grabbed a snack and hurried on. My first experience with Hiker Hunger! Our destination was Vango Hostel. ForgetMeNot waited to show me the blue blazed trail to the Hostel. I know I would have missed it because it was very hard to find. Thanks, ForgetMeNot!!We had the nicest time at Vango! We set up in the bunkhouse for $5! It was small, but had all the space we needed. ForgetMeNot tented to try her tent in the rain and she stayed dry. The evening ended with me being able to play the piano outside on the deck!! Scottie, the hostel owner, had some music I could play and we had a lot of fun.Jones FallsOur overnight stay on Apr 29 was in view of Grandfather MountainLunch break at this shelter, Mountaineer - Photo by Crazy Legs, 2013Tic & Berkeley's photo - Blue Blaze Trail to VangoRanger's photo of Vango HostelForgetMeNot & Southpaw in Vango BunkhouseThe Vango Bunkhouse
Date: 2016-05-01
From: North of Mountaineer Shelter, TN, Vango - Day 43

To: Dennis Cove, Kincora, TN - Day 44
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: moderate rain

I'm Loving the Hostels! At times it may be a bed in a corner, or in a 10 x 10 shed, but that's all I need.We hiked out of Vango Hostel with our goal being the famous Kincora Hostel. It was again, such a beautiful hike thru rhododendrons and water falls, very easy. We arrived at Kincora at 3:30. We sat around and talked with other hikers and Bob Peoples, the owner of the hostel. We knew there was a 5:00pm shuttle to Elizabethton for resupply, so we were glad we made it in time. (This is where Lipstick and I received the phone call regarding TwinkleToes needing a clinic in 2008)ForgetMeKnot and I slept in the tree house instead of the two story hostel. Bob Peoples built it one day when he was bored. It was very nice, slightly bigger than a double bed, with enough space to store your pack and walk around a little bit. Over 20 hikers stayed here tonight. Bob Peoples, a true trail legend superhero. After his hike 20 years ago he bought property and now maintains the trail nearby. He is a true trail angel to the hikers that come through. One of the quotes that is told in the area is "when Bob Peoples builds a switchback, an angel gets its wings." He runs a trail maintaining program each May called Hardcore Kincora. Many hikers during the season help on this huge project. During the hike today, I hiked over the trail that I helped dig at Hardcore in May, 2013, however, I could not find my spot, very disappointed. I discussed this with Bob and he said I definitely hiked over it.There had been a fire and hikers had to redirected, this reopened a week ago.Figgy's Photo- Inside KincoraSweepers 4/20/16 - KincoraLooking up at the Tree HousePhoto by Clutch - 404 miles North of Springer (where I started!)
Date: 2016-05-02
From: Dennis Cove, Kincora, TN - Day 44

To: Vandeventer Shelter, TN - Day 45
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: moderate rain

Bob offered a 9 mile southbound slackpack from Watauga Lake back to Kincora. Five of us did that slack pack and decided to slack 5 more miles. It was a beautiful hike over Pond Mountain and by Laurel Creek Falls. ForgetMeNot and I soaked our feet at Laurel Creek Falls. So at 2:00 he took us back to Watauga Lake and we hiked 8 more miles, 4 miles past Watauga Dam. Southpaw set up camp because of a threat of a storm coming in. I elected to hike on because ForgetMeNot had already passed. She expecting us at the Vandeventer Shelter. It was a very hard climb, however, not as tough as when I hiked it in 2007 with Silver. They have added 15 switch backs where I nearly quit. I fondly remember Silver coming back and stating, you will NOT quit! So I hiked on. After that mountain, the hiking was much easier!We arrived at Vandeventer after 7:00pm with a threat of a storm. Since the shelter was full, I set up the tent behind the shelter in high winds. I was safely in the tent getting warm, when the storm hit. This was the first hard rain test for my tent. I was dry and warm all night.Jill and ForgetMeNot at Laurel Creek FallsSouthpaw's View Over Watauga DamWatauga LakeRododendrumsRacoon Just North of Kincora, 2008
Date: 2016-05-03
From: Vandeventer Shelter, TN - Day 45

To: Double Springs Shelter - Day 46
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: moderate rain

Lunch was at Iron Mountain Shelter. ForgetMeNot was waiting for me at the TN/VA border. We arrived at Double Springs Shelter by 6:00pm. Since the shelter was full, we camped on the hill and met 2 very nice section hikers Jeff and Craig from Morgantown, WV. Breakfast has been cereal with vegetable protein added. However, this makes it look unappetizing but Craig was interested and I shared some with him. He liked it and put some in his oatmeal.Sunrise photo at Double Springs Shelter by Smooth Sail'nWoody's photo of Double Springs ShelterLady SlippersIWOX in TN and ForgetMeNot in VaHiker rightlane in the CenterOatmeal With Vegetable Protein for Breakfast
Date: 2016-05-04
From: Double Springs Shelter - Day 46

To: Damascus, VA - Day 47
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I got another late start with the goal of 13 miles today, with a short hike in to Damascus the next day. I arrived at Abbington shelter at 2:00. I was very pleased to hike the first 8 miles at rate of 2 mph. I anticipated that we would arrive in Damascus by 7:00pm at that rate. However, I was able to hike 2.5 mph and reached Damascus by 6:15! (Cathy says WooHoo!). ForgetMeNot waited for me at the TN/VA border for a photo op and we hiked the last 3.5 miles together. All we talked about was having pizza!When we arrived we took more photos and headed for the pizza place downtown, Bo Bo McFarlands. When we got there it was closed but Right Lane was across the street and rushed over. He was headed for the other pizza place a half a mile away. I ate more pizza in one sitting than I ever have in my life and I was still not full. A nice addition was a salad bar, so we had salad too! When we left, we joked about trying to hitch a ride, Yogiing. We crossed the road and immediately got a ride with Nanca a new trail angle who moved to Mountain City and was traveling home from work. She and her husband are future thru-hikers so she was excited to give us a ride. Her husband just accepted the Pastorate at Mountain City. She dropped us off and we headed to The Place, which is the hostel maintained by the Methodist church in Damascus. There were at least 20 other hikers settled in. They opened up a new room for us and we were the first to use it. The room upstairs with 2 showers in it is now closed off. We know several of the hikers here so it was fun catching up. We plan to take a zero day tomorrow doing laundry, going to the Outfitters (look at stuff). I need new boots!Trail Legend, Baltimore Jack passed away yesterday at the Hospital near Franklin. I saw him when I was in Franklin near the Budget Inn while riding by. I walked over but to talk with him but I couldn't find him at that point. When I was in Kincora, I was surprised he wasn't there as he normally travels with the bubble (the Thru-hikers of that season).News from the Home Front: Tim says when he's sad, he gets a Happy Meal. However, he is planning to contact the Law Firm of Estes, Garman, & Right to sue for false advertising!IWOX at Damascus SignForgetMeNot at Damascus SignThe Place 2015 photo of O'Ryan2008 Lipstick photo of Miss Janet, Baltimore Jack and Racoon
Date: 2016-05-05
From: Damascus, VA - Day 47

To: Damascus, VA - Day 48
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Please note that we are adjusting the mileage today to make the total correct. I woke up early so I called Cathy and we caught up on the journal and had a great time chatting and reminiscing about our hiking adventures in 2008. That year we ended our hike in Damascus so we both knew the Trail here well. Mojo's was our breakfast destination. I was pleasantly greeted as I entered by none other then Nanca's husband! She had described us to him and he had also seen us in town the day before. It was great to meet Con and chat with him for a while. Of course we were still missing Southpaw, so we wandered around town hearing reports that he had arrived. Finally we found him at Crazy Larry's, another hostel. We needed laundry done and it seems that Crazy Larry's is the only place in town for that. So we had to wait over 3 hours for clean clothes. While waiting, I walked around town trying to find a piano to play. None of the Churches were open and no one had a lead on any, but it was fun trying. Limey was still in town after a double zero and caught up with him for supper at BoBo McFarland's. Susan, his wife was in town too and we enjoyed meeting her. Tomorrow we will leave Damascus, only to be back in a week for Trail Days. I look forward to a great reunion!Damascus is the home of the annual Trail Days festival, and is known as Trail Town USA due to the convergence of four scenic trails in the town, including the Appalachian Trail, U.S. Bicycle Route 76, The Iron Mountain Trail, and the Virginia Creeper Trail. Damascus also is on the route of the Daniel Boone Heritage Trail and the Crooked Road Music Heritage Trail. The Trail Days festival is held around the middle of May each year and draws in excess of 20,000 tourists, making it the largest single gathering of Appalachian Trail hikers anywhere. (From Wikipedia) Susan, Limey and IWOX
Date: 2016-05-06
From: Damascus, VA - Day 48

To: Damascus to Lost Mountain Shelter, VA - Day 49
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Since Southpaw was at the north end of town, we hiked there around 9:30 to get started. Just then, a hiker came in to put her old pack in the hiker box. ForgetMeNot was interested in the pack since she is using a borrowed pack. It fit!! Crazy Larry agreed to hold it for her to pick up next week.Today's hike began with a section on the Creeper Trail, a nice flat walk. Then into the woods we went with a couple of long climbs, returning to the Creeper. Back to the woods, then a third time to the Creeper, this time, for almost a mile!! Intermittent rain hit all day, twice changing to sleet. Arriving at Lost Mountain shelter late, I did not expect a spot and it was full. But I set up in a nice spot in the woods and slept great!Lost Mountain Shelter photo by RainbowPhoto by Earl GreyOld Drum's Photo of the Creeper Trail 5/2016Lou's Creeper Trail Photo
Date: 2016-05-07
From: Damascus to Lost Mountain Shelter, VA - Day 49

To: Thomas Knob Shelter, VA - Day 50
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: clear sky

Broke camp and on the trail at 9:18. Southpaw was not pushing for an early start. We had a new experience: Slack Magic! Southbound slackers carried snacks and drinks for us. Thanks to Victory, Lucky, Doug, and Little Santa. Doug is the hiker who helped me over the triple blow-down days ago, so I was glad to see him and get his picture.At Buzzard Rock, a hiking club was having lunch. Inquiring where they were from, I learned that some were with the Oldtimers who hiked Roan Mountain 8 days before! That was the day I asked at least ten southbounders to greet Chicken Feet by name. Four of these hikers today were there. They said everyone had fun with my idea. When I saw Limey, he said, "Chicken Feet was a trail celebrity that day! Everyone greeted him by name and some even gave him snacks." Many thanks to the Oldtimers!Elk Park has a beautiful climb and you can see several hikers in the picture. At some point today, there was snow on the mountain. I arrived at Thomas Knob Shelter and it was full. ForgetMeNot said there was one space way in the back on the second floor, but I elected to tent. Hard winds blew all night, with intermittent rain, so I did not sleep well. Maybe I should have taken the shelter spot. Buzzard Rock and Hiking ClubView at BuzzardHiker "orange circle". Saw Her at Roan MountainSNOWElk ParkThomas Knob Shelter photo by KagePoppa's Photo of the View Behind Thomas Knob Shelter
Date: 2016-05-08
From: Thomas Knob Shelter, VA - Day 50

To: Old Orchard Shelter, VA - Day 51
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: scattered clouds

I hardly slept at all. The wind blew all night, sometimes almost lifted the tent. Rain was intermittent but the wind blew the rain into the tent. My intentions to get up early were busted when I looked outside to thick fog and mist. So I gave up and tried to sleep. Finally giving up, I decided to make coffee. Limey was tenting next to me so I told him to get his coffee cup ready. "ARE YOU SERIOUS?" I love doing Trail Magic while hiking. I served Limey's coffee to him in his tent. When we sent the picture to his wife she replied, "IWOX, don't spoil him!" Sorry, Susan, I have been a Trail Angel for nine years and a thru hiker for only 7 weeks. Hiking began at 9:00am. The fog continued. Then the winds began at the top of the mountain. We estimated over 50 miles an hour. It was difficult to keep from being blown off the trail!! Visibility was low but the rock scrambles were a lot of fun, except that Southpaw had his first fall. We're glad it was minor. When the fog finally cleared, the views were spectacular! Then we hiked right by the famous ponies of Grayson Highlands. A great day of hiking ended with a spot in the Old orchard Shelter, and a nice fire built by a nice young section hiker, Gray Straps.Limey Gets Coffee in Tent!IWOX at Fat Man SqueezeForgetMeNot at Fat Man SqueezeWhimsy's photo of Trail to Old Orchard ShelterOld Orchard Shelter photo by Diesel
Date: 2016-05-09
From: Old Orchard Shelter, VA - Day 51

To: Trimpy Shelter, VA - Day 52
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Again, I did not sleep well. Maybe because we go to bed so early and are in bed over 11 hours. Cell service was non existent at the shelter so I stopped at the first mountain top to call my Mom to wish her a belated happy Mother's Day. Since power is an issue with this phone, I try to conserve energy a lot. At the first road crossing, I got a banana as Trail Magic from a maintainer. Chatting with him, I learned his girlfriend works at Shenandoah National Park and knows my friend Mark, who also works there. Mark graduated from Sanderson High School with me in Raleigh, NC. So I sent a trail message to Mark.Today, the terrain was gentle so we arrived early at Trimpy Shelter and secured our spot.Aubrey the Trail MaintainerTempi Shelter photo by DenmarkMeadow Near Trimpi photo by Karen EdwardsComer FallsThe dishes have been piled up so much that Bob Campbell washed them for Tim! Angel at home?
Date: 2016-05-10
From: Trimpy Shelter, VA - Day 52

To: Partnership Shelter, VA - Day 53
Miles today: 9.8

Today is our 41st Wedding Anniversary AND From the home front, Tim thanked me for ten of the best years of his life! We wanted to resupply in Marion, but to accomplish that we would have to hitchhike 6 miles. Then the best option would be to catch the Marion transit bus back. So we needed to hightail it 10 miles to meet the schedule. On the trail at 7:00am, this was the earliest start yet. 11 hours of sleep helped. I made the 10 miles by 11:40 am. A hitch was secured in record time. We got our groceries at Walmart, then headed to McDonalds. Southpaw ate a Big Mac and two large chocolate shakes. I started with a quarter pounder, then could not resist getting a shake too, but only a medium.ForgetMeNot was able to find all of her favorite vegetables at Ingles. She is a very healthy eater! We were back at the Partnership Shelter for a nice, relaxing afternoon, waiting for a birthday party for Lucky in the evening. The party was fun, with a game of Charades, followed by campfire stories. A great day on the Trail! ForgetMeNot stopped to look at a salamander, then a snake slithered in and ate it!!!Welsh Nomad's photo, trail on way to PartnershipShuttle from MarionDulcigirl's 2016 Partnership Shelter Photo
Date: 2016-05-11
From: Partnership Shelter, VA - Day 53

To: Campground at 547mi - Day 54
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

We left Partnership Shelter and had lunch at Chatfield Shelter. We agreed to meet at Settlers Museum. There was an old player piano and it was horribly out of tune, but I played it anyway. The lady that worked in the museum had fun with that. She took videos and said she was going to put that on their Face Book page. Southpaw thought it sounded like a saloon even though I was playing a hymn! When we arrived in Atkins, Southpaw had a 1 lb hamburger, 2 half lb patties on one bun. Then we proceeded to hike what the book said was 4 miles, but we did it in less than 2 hrs. Don't think it was correct, but it means we have now hiked one fourth the way!Last thing for the day, we came upon an old shelter with a privy. It looked like a tree had fallen on the shelter and they did not rebuild it. There was No water source, maybe water source had dried up, another reason not to rebuild. We ended up at a camp ground at 547.2 miles and had a nice time with a little bit of rain.Class Act's 2014 Photo of our Lunchspot, Chatfield ShelterIWOX at the piano at the Settlers MuseumView from Settlers Museum photo by Medicare Paster 2007Farm Near Atkins, photo by Frankenstein
Date: 2016-05-12
From: Campground at 547mi - Day 54

To: 2mi short of Knot Maul Branch Shelter, VA - Day 55
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: overcast clouds

We left the dry camp after a short rain shower, heading for route 42 where Tim would meet us 2mi short of Knot Maul Branch Shelter to take us to Trail Days. What he didn't know was that there were five other hikers going also so it would be two shuttles. Stopping for lunch at the first road crossing, we received trail magic of sodas and snacks. Eight of us arrived at route 42 and waited for Tim. He arrived only 20 minutes late but had been delayed on the interstate for over an hour. I was walking down the road to get a signal on my phone because 5 hikers were waiting for a ride. He knew he was within a mile and just then Zobbie stuck her head out the window, Tim thinks she smelled me! We packed five hikers with gear in to the car and Tim drove us off to Damascus. I set up our 4 person tent. I then set up office, going thru 2 months of mail. We received a second round of trail magic when a local gave us more sodas. After supper the rain started and mostly lasted all night. I slipped and fell on the way to bed so I was covered with mud. The biggest discovery of the night is that the family tent leaks! There was water everywhere. I did not sleep a wink! First Railroad CrossingTrail Angel Tim Shuttled 5 Hikers and Gear in 2 Trips!
Date: 2016-05-13
From: 2mi short of Knot Maul Branch Shelter, VA - Day 55

To: ZERO Day in Damascus - Day 56
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I got up at 5:30am, I've never gotten up so early! Everything was in such bad shape, I just wanted to get up and pack up. Fortunately, there was the covered Ruritan Club Picnic Shelter right at the trailhead, so we picked up the tent, carried it over to let it get dried out a little. I wanted to get to Damascus by 9:00am to help make sandwiches for the ALDHA reception. We didn't make it by 9:00, but ForgetMeNot and I did help set up. This is the fourth year in a row that I have helped. The reception was great, served over 250 hikers. Most of the rest of the day was spent walking thru the park, looking at displays, vender booths and talking to friends.The BEST surprise of the day was my son Logan! I was told he wasn't going to make it and that I would receive his Mothers Day gift from him in Damascus. HE was my gift! For supper we had Mexican food at Hey Joes. After supper, Southpaw, ForgetMeNot and I went to the Ministry. I wanted to look up my friend Jeff and Linda. We had planned to go to the music in the park, however, the music was so great we stayed there and danced with a group of people. Funny thing is, it was Southpaw who was dancing with 12 ladies, like swing dancing. Tim was laughing and saying you better not put this in the journal! "Of course it's going in!"The weather was nice, mid 70's, a GREAT day at Trail Days.Logan Surprised MeReunion With Con and Nanca
Date: 2016-05-14
From: ZERO Day in Damascus - Day 56

To: ZERO Day in Damascus - Day 57
Miles today: 0.0

The task for today was to get a shower, clothes washed and get my hiking poles serviced. I was in line before 8:00am and waited for more than an hour. We turned the clothes in at 7:30 and were told they'd be ready by 4:00pm, provided by the One Way Ministry, resources from many Baptist churches. I turned in my poles before the shower, had my feet washed and massaged while waiting, ahhhhhhh. I spoke to one of the doctors at the Ministry, I asked his opinion about me switching to low hiking boots, trailrunners instead of my high tops, heavy boots. He said there is a risk of changing from something that works to something we don't know if it works. He said I couldn't injure my ankle anymore but the change may cause discomfort in hiking.All of us went to the library, worked on little projects. Chicken Feet came in to town. We haven't seen him in 3 weeks, he's way ahead us. Many hikers leave the trail for a short time to travel south to enjoy the Hiker Reunion/Trail Days and then return where they left off north, usually by Sunday or Monday. We were in the Hiker Parade, got sprayed with water hoses, buckets of water and super soakers. It has threatened rain, but no rain so far!It was great seeing so many people at Trail Days, including Twinkletoes, Many Waters, Mountain Goat, Lucky and Little Santa, Bearcharmer, One Step, QTips, Whiplash, Training Wheels(Molly), Sweets, Legs and many more. Little Santa and One Step thanked me for giving them my Trail Days speech which made them decide to come. Chicken Feet also said my text to him got him here. He was able to talk to the Z pack vendor and get his pack completely adjusted for a better fit. The day ended with supper at The Yellow Deli then more fun at the hiker prom. Tonight we stay in Damascus and attempt an early start back to the trail tomorrow.Hiker Parade Photo by Gearbomb, 2010TwinkleToes Holding the Parade SignHiker Parade photo by Lipstick, 2008Hiker Parade 2016 from FBHiker Parade 2016 from FBBear Charmer and JillCatfish Jon's photo of Vender AreaDancing FunForgetMeNotEIGHT YEARS AGO, the four of us, Tim, Jill, Cathy, EdTrail Days, Mill Restaurant