morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-05-31
From: Doc's Knob Shelter

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

A late start, as morning showers made the shelter all the more comfortable. Mysteriously and wonderfully, when we reach Pearisburg we caught a hitch quick. ¢Trail to Door Service¢. As we left I was speaking with a native, and we began to part, I asked if he was heading past the pool, he offered to take us to the top of the hill, straight to the hostel.At our hostel, Sampson and my food drop awaited us. We had lunch and dried our feet. We left to make phone calls at Save-A-Lot. As we were about to leave a lady asked if we needed a ride anywhere¢¦. Yo?!?! Straight back to the trail.The moon was a lamp unto my feet, as we pressed North in the dark. We made it to a camp site, but moved onward down the trail. As we entered the Rice fields, I wondered if we¢d find the shelter. A light off to the side, ah a fire. Is it locals out for Memorial Day? I shout, ¢Hey is that the AT shelter?¢ It was. We setup and go to sleep tomorrow would be a big day.
Date: 2004-06-01
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Wind Rock Campsite
Miles today: 21.3

Across the open field blew the wind all night. My hammock became a freezer, and my summer bag wasn¢t keepin¢ me cozy. Ah well, up at 7am on the trail 8:30am.Most of the day was walking, with a few highlights. First, shortly after a break Sampson and I came up on ¢Nightrider¢, stopped in the trail. He pointed to an eastern timer rattlesnake. [YJ: If I ever get around to posting it, he has a great picture of this snake] It was approximately 6¢ ahead of him. The snake¢s rattler hanging over the trail. As we stood talking and looking at its plump belly, others arrived. The snake coiled and prepared for a defensive attack. Thankfully the cold air that kept me up also limited the snake¢s strength.Later I saw a deer and a pheasant startled me. I also scared Big Tree twice.Sampson and I made camp about nine. Dinner under my HH rain fly. Sleep.
Date: 2004-06-02
From: Wind Rock Campsite

To: Sarver Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Sore feet and tight muscles this morning but I¢m still glad I did a twenty mile day.The final miles to the shelter were a top a ridge. And there were dozens of peculiar rock mounds. The shelter log book had various hypothesis of what the rocks were. The shelter also had a whiny cat begging for food. The shelter was a newer one and had a great setup with a bit of an outlook.
Date: 2004-06-03
From: Sarver Hollow Shelter

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: few clouds

Today we are to meet Sampson¢s friend Mona¢¦. I had a few dreams which I remembered, but another brisk night kept my sleep restless. I went to sloop five liters of water and it took me nearly a half-hour.The trail took us along a boundary (?) ridgeline. The views stretched left to right for miles. Then the AT dropped down and we arrived at the first shelter past Sarver Hollow. We took lunch early b/c the data book reported few water sources the next nine miles.Late in the day I went off the AT 50 yards to the Audie Murphy Monument. Mr. Murphy was the most decorated soldier from WWII and died in a plane crash near the monument.We arrived at VA620 about 6:30pm. Mona was there so we waited.Mona arrived approximately 7:30pm and the trio hiked a mile to Pickle Branch Shelter.
Date: 2004-06-04
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Catawba, VA
Miles today: 11.9

Rain showered my dirty body and allowed my shoes to become sponges for my feet. We all passed by Dragon¢s Toot. The trail near it was rocky. In two separate places bent metal rods were secured in the rock face as a ladder to secure passage.We arrived at VA311 and got a hitch to the PO and then the grocery. Our driver own/worked at the store and sadly informed us of no lodging. Except, he said, the four pines hostel. So a short walk and we made our way past the AT¢s road crossing at VA 624, which we had crossed 6 miles before VA311.We moved in and settled in Mr. Martin¢s garage dreaming of AYCE at the Homeplace restaurant. The trio hitched to dinner. (FYI, IMHO girls get hitches quicker than males.). As I left from the truck bed, my rain softened hands left behind some skin. Even in some stinging pain the fried chicken, mash potatoes, roast beef, beans, mac/cheese, blueberry cobbler all tasted delectable. I was wearing a wind shirt and running shorts with my wet shoe tongue sticking through the laces, as a endless parade of people came in ties with sport coats or skirts and a blouse.
Date: 2004-06-05
From: Catawba, VA

To: Lamberts Meadow Shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: broken clouds

Mona, Sampson and I left the garage in a mist others saw the rain clouds and decided to stay and play darts. We walked about 34 mile to VA311 and tried t hitch. Mona didn¢t like hitching process, but after another ten minutes a friendly face pulled over. Enigma, who Sampson and I hiked with south of Damascus, was on a few zeroes with a friend. He picked the three of us up and took us to the AT crossing at VA311.By the time we had gone a few miles, the sky was clearing and the sun was coming out. When we reached McAfee Knob nothing but a beautiful cool breezy day awaited us. The view from the knob was great and scary when standing on the edge.After lunch, I felt as if I was being pulled so I left behind Sampson and Mona and hiked ahead. At a few views I stopped and waited for 5-10 minutes but then would leave them behind again. When I came to Tinker Cliffs, I stopped and removed my pack (I¢ve found deep listening distracted by physical exertion) and sat up the rocks.There I sat looking and listening. Ridge lines came from the left and right and swung out in front of me. Two ridgelines made a cozy for a smaller third mtn, and faded into the horizon as the snaked away from me. I say a hawk/eagle/big bird trusting the winds to carry it. In all of this a few reminds and new truths were granted me.Truth is like looking for someone in a morning fog. Knowing who you are looking for is more important than knowing where to look. For the fog of the world and self and evil hid the person truth. Calling out truth will come to you, simply be prepared to meet truth.
Date: 2004-06-06
From: Lamberts Meadow Shelter

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: light rain

Jordan ¢ the only other thru-hiker with us at the shelter ¢ arose before us. He had a small radio. He let us all know that Reagan had died and that the weather forecast sounded promising.We made town by 1:00pm. Mona drove us to Kroger and back to Econo Lodge. Where I¢d do laundry and take my first shower in seven days.
Date: 2004-06-07
From: Daleville, VA

To: Daleville, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: haze

Sampson awoke and informed me of a sore throat. Ah ha! The first sign of strep throat. The closest hospital was in Roanoke, 20 miles away. Several calls to family friends we left to go to a church by Kroger. On our way to the UMC, a car pulled over.The car¢s driver was Homer. Homer had shuttled Mona Thursday night and was the local trail maintainer. He had thru-hiked with his wife and two kids earlier this century.After telling him our situation he took us. Thanks! Wow! Kindness overflows! The wait was long so Homer took me to pickup his other car (a MG) and gave me his keys.I picked up Sampson and we returned the car after 1) I accidentally exited at a truck weigh station, 2) I made a wrong turn exiting 15b, and 3) I didn¢t accurately record Homer¢s address.
Date: 2004-06-10
From: Daleville, VA

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: few clouds

Today is Thursday but on Tuesday evening Sampson decided it was in her best long term interest to go off trail until July. So her mother came Wednesday. This morning we drove to Glasgow PO for Sampson¢s mail, my ID (thanks Peder) and Gearskin.Back at the Econ-o-lodge I¢m hit with a torrent of emotion. I don¢t know what they were. Goodbyes? Back to Trail? Alone? VA?I crossed VA220 (?) to south so I could cross on AT. I had lunch at Wilson¢s Creek and read Ps 23. I dropped a book at the shelter and pressed onward.My feet are sore I think my inserts have died. I hope I sleep dry and well in my HH.
Date: 2004-06-11
From: Bobblets Gap Shelter

To: Marble Spring Campsite
Miles today: 30.5

Up and out of camp by 7am, back on AT after short blue blaze by 7:15am northward march. The trail was nice and rolling until Jenning creek. A disadvantage of waking and walking first on the trail is the number of spider webs that strike my face. When I crossed Blue Ridge, 2 miles in I saw a fuzzy brown, low riding cat sized mammals scurry into the under brush. Neat.I learned from one-leg that past Jenning¢s creek was up and more ¢ he wasn¢t wrong ¢ on my first up, I met up with Big Tree. Short of Bryant Ridge Shelter ¢ a fancy two story ¢ I had lunch. I came to realize during the day that I¢d need to be in Glasgow before 11am to get my bounce box. Er! I didn¢t want to zero on Sunday. Well I¢ll hike and see what happens.Up some more, the climbing was wearing me down ¢ when I noticed my muscles cramping (i.e. anaerobic??). I started going from blaze to blaze for a break. Some flat spot teasers, as more climbing awaited all the way to Thunder Hill Shelter.Past an amazing rock structure ¢ Guillotine ¢ I made it to a road crossing. There a local hiker ¢ Loon ¢ hosting dinner. Yum! Lasagna. After I ate, I sat and thought about the PO, I prayed as I listened to rain and thunder from the shelter ¢ Yes! Go! So out into the rain I pressed onward about 7pm. The rain let up to reveal glowing colors of sunset through trees.I made it to the campsite, welcomed by Fugitive and Podini. I was in bed at 10pm.ThirtyThirtyWow
Date: 2004-06-12
From: Marble Spring Campsite

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Out of my hammock at 5:05am, I didn¢t sleep well but that wasn¢t important now. Packed. North by 6:15am across a very impressive foot bridge, I hitched to Glasgow with Rooney Tunes and the Fugitive. I was in the PO by 9:30am.I took care of chores, feeling my body tire throughout the mid-day. I was glad to call home after my emotionally taxing past two days. My dad and brother are to meet me 40+ miles into SNP. I look forward to that. The phone rang busy at Sampson¢s on all attempts extending over an hour.I stuck out my thumb and Keytone yelled to me form the other gas station. His dad took me to the trail. Now I¢m forcing myself to rest.
Date: 2004-06-13
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Hog Camp Gap
Miles today: 26.0
Weather: broken clouds

Little bug (Two wing and teeth?) started biting in the morning around 5am. Also I was becoming cold. I used a bandana to cover my face and kept my hat pulled past my eyes.Today for lunch ¢ saltines and honey. Yum! This meal makes me think of Bill Knapp¢s and then I sit reclining remembering good times with my brothers.Now about sweat. How much do I sweat? First the scene, an average warm day, average terrain and me wearing my shorts and no shirt with my pack a bit off my back. First I sweat enough that the cuts on my hands sting from the salt. Second the paper in my waist belt pouch becomes wet. Third, my sleep pad inside my pack is wet. At the end of the day #4 my nylon umbro shorts saturate and drip #5 after my arms I can rub my triceps and see the salt collecting on my hands.It is raining? I got into camp in a misty cloud. The grass collected moisture and made my feet wet. Then I bivied near a tree which would also drip on me. I think sometime in the night it did rain, but I stayed dry enough to sleep okay in the low temps.
Date: 2004-06-14
From: Hog Camp Gap

To: Priest Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: light rain

Yesterday I had decided to dry fro 11am shuttle to the Dutch Haus in Montebello, VA. My dream was to take a shower.I awoke around 6 and packed up my damp gear. I was eating as I went (this wasn¢t a bright idea, as it takes about 30 min before food energy is available, so I was low ¢E¢ for a while on my feet). I made Fish hatchery road by 10:30am doing the file 2.5 miles in 40 minutes. I blue blaze down to the pick-up point. Gee-Wiz I though I never make it, the blazes kept going and going.Well I did make it. From someone returning to the trail I learned that a campgrounds near Dutch Haus has cold showers ¢ Yea!. Carl (thanks) picked me up and took me to the camp shower. When I finished I went to the camp store and waited. I called my mom and also left a message with Sampson (I was glad I had the right phone number).When I arrived at the Haus, I was greeted by name ¢ I didn¢t think anything about it, but Carl asked if I was expected. The lady of the House revealed that my mom had called to thank them for providing me lunch.I was the only one at the pickup so I got leftovers from breakfast and spaghetti and meatballs. Thanks.! The place was very comfortable, I could have easily stayed.Back on AT at 2:20pm, I was glad I struck to my plans. Freedom can be great, but never following through with an idea can be taxing toolSo, late June in VA is the time to bring large groups on the AT. I saw a group of Girl Scouts and an adventure school of boy yesterday. Tonight there is a group of girls on an eleven day outdoor trip at the Priest shelter camp area.I awoke during the night to find someone else was in the shelter.
Date: 2004-06-15
From: Priest Shelter

To: Mills Creek
Miles today: 29.7

A few steps up the blue blaze from the shelter I turned around to use the privy. Will, laughed at the irony. My plans for the day were to hike two shelters and have lunch then hike past a third and camp doing 25 miles.I had lunch as planned. It started to rain. Should I stay or should I go? If I wait for the rain to break I will get wet feet in any grass I walk through. So why no walk in the rain and at least put some ground away with the showers. That is what I did.Around 4:30 I crossed Reeds gap, and who was there ¢ YoVo. I talked a bit then mental anguish began. See YoVo was going to stay??? To Waynesboro and said it was 19 miles. What? I¢m not that close. Crap did I miss a section? No. No. I kept running through my head my day over the priest and three ridges. Yeh, one part was porrly blazed, but did I skip something? No, crap, No.About this time I came to a fork and poorly blazed trail. Left/right? I followed left and came up to a blaze I look down trail and saw other blazes. I should have taken a right. I went back to the fork.I started up the rock pile easily 20 feet of hands, pulling, and balancing rock pile. Yep. There¢s a blaze on the top most rock.Now back to where I found my error, I took out my data book. Yes, Woo-hoo, I can¢t count, but didn¢t miss a section. There were only two shelters before my planned finishing place. What an elated relief.I made it to my goal early and pressed on to the last shelter to town. I caught up with Gadget on the way.I¢ll sleep in tomorrow because I¢m nearing (near zero miles) in Waynesboro, VA.
Date: 2004-06-16
From: Mills Creek

To: Waynesboro, VA
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: light rain

Having tried to start by 7am or earlier each of the past 5 days, I found it challenging to take it easy. I made my way to US250 at 10:30am. Someone was dropping off to the trail and I was offered a ride.Waynesboro is working and succeeding at being a very hiker friendly town. The YMCA has $2 showers and free camping. Someone had a bike for hikers at camp. Because of my large right foot blister I bike to lunch at subway. It was delicious and rejuvenating. I went to Kroger, shopped then made some phone calls.I tired to nap, but I got up before the rain dumped like buckets. I rode fast to the YMCA to register for camping and ask about swimming. The rain stopped after a relentless 15 minutes.My stuff was dry? Nope, only some. So I hung stuff to dry.
Date: 2004-06-17
From: Waynesboro, VA

To: Black Rock Hut
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Dew fell and everything was wet again. On the trail at 9am ish. I felt slow the whole day.The shelter was only attended by males. The conversation was humorous and lewd. First listening to a 62 year old get advice from a 73 year about dating reminded me of high school. Second was junk talk.
Date: 2004-06-18
From: Black Rock Hut

To: Harrisburg, VA
Miles today: 24.8

I¢ll meet my dad today.I¢m up and moving by 7:20am. Will my feet make it?I feel slow again. I find it odd, my body goes but my mind is slow.The day was okay, minus my five visits to privies/catholes.Afternoon showers kept me tucked in for a long lunch while under a shelter.I saw my first bear, well I think. A large dark blob of shadow ran away crashing through the woods. Grins!By seven I made it to swift run. The pay station attendant informed me that my Dad had entered. I decided that a town stay would be good for my foot.To Harrisburg, dad and I found lodging at motel 6. I showered before eating a steak at Applebee¢s. Afterward I got some peroxide and rubbing alcohol and gauze to clear and pad my blister. Sleep drug me to bed immediately upon returning to the room.
Date: 2004-06-19
To: Yellow Jacket
Miles today: 0.0

Yep. I'm way behind. Almost 2.5 weeks worth of journals. On May 12th, Casey entered Damascus, VA. Stayed in town for a couple of days, and then made a surprise visit back here in Columbus for my son's baptism. As such there appears to be a gap in his journal from 12-May until 16-May.I hope to get 17-May thru 3-Jun up this weekend without photos. I'll add those back in later.
Date: 2004-06-19
From: Harrisburg, VA

To: Bearfence Mtn Hut
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Up with the sun, we weren¢t leaving until nine. At nine I was going to the outfitter to try socks and shoes. Breakfast at Bob Evan¢s and then we searched for a free clinic. Before we found the clinic, I go some over the phone medical advice from Dr. and Mrs. Lawrence. Thank you.New socks and to the trail, Dad and I started north around 10:20am. Dad was leading and nearly running. All his prep energy seemed to scurry out of him. I jogged in front of him to slow us down.I expected afternoon showers, so we took a late lunch at a campground. We made it to Bearfence Hut (shelter) without rain.The shelter was bustling. Dad started a fire in the stone fire ring. Conversation drove from topic to topic with little rest. Les of NY asked me questions about hiking the trail.When we arrived, we spoke with Golgi. Dad told him that I was thru-hiking. I told Golgi that if we stayed he¢d hear my life story.
Date: 2004-06-20
From: Bearfence Mtn Hut

To: Rock Spring Hut
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

Temperatures dropped so low that I covered up with my poncho to capture evaporative heat loss. Dad and I had breakfast. We started up the blue blaze to the AT when we had gone approximately 1000 yards, Les reported seeing a bear just minutes prior to our arrival. Bummer.We were hiking to Big Meadows for lunch. Along the way I listened to Dad tell stories of Mom, Grandpa, Tony and Corey. [YJ: What, nothing about Jamey?] I really enjoyed hearing tales that were cherished by him.We had lunch at Big Meadows. The hut (shelter) we planned to reach was just five miles away, so we napped in the sun. Afterwards we had pop from a vending machine, then called home from a pay phone. The area where we called from was also a meeting place. A Dawg, Swan, Ursa Minor, the Carters all were there too.Dad and I continued north and made it to the shelter without rain. Dad couldn¢t finish his first dinner, so I had my two and his second.A woman out for the weekend is a pediatrician, so I asked her to look at my foot. Now I can tell Mom I had a doctor look at my blister.[YJ: Here is the original entry for this date Casey posted while on the trail...]The word on the trail is that DINGLE'S MOM is the 'P.O. Maildrop Angel of the YEAR'.Congratulations on this life achievement.
Date: 2004-06-21
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Range View Cabin
Miles today: 23.5

Dad and I pack up and left. We made a road crossing before 10am, so we went onward. Shortly after we took a side trail to Little Stony Mtn parking. I decide to press and let my Dad hitch. He was to meet me at Pinnacles Picnic Ground. Just as I left Dad got a ride south on the parkway.At the pinnacle, I waited 10 or more minutes. Waiting Dad and I had lunch accented by chips and salsa from home. I filled my food bag, extra food was offered to others breaking at the pavilion. I was sad to say good-bye after a grand weekend.I had to put away miles to be on schedule to meet Hannah tomorrow. I stopped at Mary¢s rock. Great views, but a hazy sky skewed the horizon. I passed Thortons Gap and definitely saw a bear. A little bear tumbled away off to my right. It stopped and turned atop a log back towards me. A few miles later I heard a crashing from a tree some fifteen feet away from me. When recognized the sounds with there maker ¢ a bear ¢ I saw its body tense to move. Ah! Where would it go, thankfully it ran away, again the bear stopped a ways away and looked back. This one was bigger than the last one. I continued north cautiously as the bear seemed to be walking north too. A third bear hung in a tree and pulled leaves into its mouth as I walked by.No cabins had people in them, so I was put out to find Range view bustling. I loaded up on Five liters of water and went north. I setup camp in falling lights. As I made dinner large shadows moved on and across the trail. Bear? Phew! A pair of deer. Sleep!
Date: 2004-06-22
From: Range View Cabin

To: Linden, VA
Miles today: 26.5

Up and out had 15 miles done by 12:30pm. I caught the Jesuit Duo at Tom Floyd wayside. With their company I took a long lunch. The Duo (Scarecrow and I need a Hug) left as I finished packing.Alone again, the weather rained and poured, I was wet all over. When it stopped I changed my socks and tried a new experiment of putting my shoe inserts inside plastic bags. My hope was that my dry socks wouldn¢t soak in water from my shoes.The experiment went wrong when another shower made me wet again; but the bag kept my feet clean when I walked through a muddy section of trail.I walked a few hours with the J. Duo and pressed on to Linden.My final three miles flew by and my face a grin as I came into the light from the long green tunnel to see someone smiling at me.
Date: 2004-06-23
From: Linden, VA

To: Ashby Gap
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: light rain

The plan was for me to pack twenty and Sampson to slack. We met Sampson¢s Mom after twelve miles. We had lunch, Sampson evaluated her condition. I was tired but I¢d do whatever. My mind must have given my body the okay to rest. I was willing (wanting) to stop.We found a seven mile option but when we arrived Sampson and I said ¢ eh, let¢s go to MA. So we started the drive back.The morning had been fun. I was glad Sampson was back. I hiked in my Chaco Z2s and had only minor issues. Sampson was strong and enjoyed her new trail runners. A highlight of the morning was when Sampson asked me if I¢d like to try the Maryland challenge [YJ: Sometime called the 4-state challenge]. It was about the only objective I had planned to accomplished on my thru. The Maryland (MD) challenge is to hike the whole state in one day. The AT in MD last approximately 40 miles, plus a few to get to anywhere useful. Wednesday I¢ll be giving this a try.
Date: 2004-06-27
From: Ashby Gap

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 3.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Eight and half hours in the car and Sampson and I were back to the AT. We packed, and with Goodbye¢s to here mom went north.My pack felt heavy also my knee ached after being cocked all morning in the car. The terrain was not a challenge, but my mind had to adjust to my new shoes length and fit.Today I had been weak and fatigued, now in camp after dinner I fell stronger. My plans are for early nights to set me up well the MD challenge.Sampson looks really good in here new trail runners which accent her calves and ankles. [YJ: Damn, get a hostel already!]