morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-10
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I'm taking a zero at a B&B in Damascus. I have a lot of chores to get done, and I'm still recuperating from my little nose dive several days ago. At least that is the excuse I'm using for taking today off.The B&B is awesome (Montgomery House), and right in the middle of town, so I can "hiker watch" as I sit on the porch doing my chores between snacks. It is a big old brick bungalo, that is representative of most old southern homes inside and out with a dark cool interior filled with antiques, and a warm inviting landscaped yard.The hiker's are starting to arrive for the "Trail Days' festival this weekend, but I'm leaving first thing in the morning. The woods are whispering my name and it is time to move on north. It will be pretty cool to kind of have the woods to myself as the other hikers party in town, and then stumble out on Sunday.I bought some new shoes this morning. The owner of the outfitter actually spent two hours with me fitting my shoes and inserts. He was amazed at the shoes and inserts I was currently wearing, and asked "Someone actually sold you these?" The shoes and inserts were 3 sizes too big, but I explained it had been to protect the toe initially. He said he was amazed I had made it as far as I had with feet intact. He also said this was a large part of the foot pain I was feeling.I love my new shoes. The colors match all my outfit colors (very important). They are going to take some getting used to though. They are very tight, and even a little sore. He said to expect pain for the first few days b/c the correctly fitted shoes were going to readjust my instep, but after a week or two, the difference would be incredible, and the majority of the pain should go away. I wanted to drop down and kiss his toes! I'll see how it goes. They certainly can't hurt much worse.Alright...quick story. I'm sitting on the porch of the B&B. Group of 3 young hikers walks up. Conversation goes something like this below.Hikers: "Is there a TV inside?"Me: "Yes"Hikers: "Can we watch it?"Me: "I doubt the owner will let you if you are not a guest."Hikers: "Is she home?"Me" "Yes"Hikers: "We are going to ask anyway." (Hiker walks in front door)Needless to say the owner was polite and suggested other public locations to watch TV. Now is it me, or did this take a heck of a lot of gall? I don't know, maybe I'm just a little old fashioned.Anyway, I'm off to the grocery store with the owner. Cheerio.
Date: 2005-05-11
From: Damascus, VA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

"Maria's Optimum Address" Subject : G.R.U.M.P | | | Inbox I was tired around 7:30P, but was right above a road, so I headed down the hill. As I rounded the bend I saw Grump.   Grump is a thru-hiker, and one of the moreinteresting and colorful characters hiking. I've passed him a few times, andalways stop and speak.GRUMP stands for "Grinning Retired United Methodist Pastor." Grump is 65, and ifyou passed him on the streets of any large US city, you might think him ahomeless person. Then again, you might think that of any thru-hiker.I headed back down the hill this morning and found Grump packing up hisincredibly large external frame backpack. He was dressed in a pair of baggieblue jeans, denim jacket with artificial fur, and a knit hat. He carries cannedgoods and no sleeping bag. He carries a blanket, and when it gets to cold hejust packs up and hikes.Today Grump was excited. His wife was coming to pick him up for a two daysabatical. Grump had the biggest grin I had seen on his face yet. I wished himwell, chatted a bit, and headed for Damacus.The hike into Damacus was hard. My feet hurt so much, and for some reason theyjust don't apprear to be getting any better. By the time I hit town I wasfrustrated, hobbling, and had been out of water for the past 3 hours.I came around a corner as I headed towards Main St., and there next to somepublic restrooms was a beautiful site....a Pepsi machine! I put in my dollar,pressed the button...nothing! This had to be some cruel joke! I pressed everysingle damn selection....NOTHING. Here is my favorite part. The woman workingin the Damascus, VA "Welcome Caboose" strolls over and announces "That Pepsimachine ain't working." "Ain't been working for a while." I stood there dumbfounded, muttered maybe you should put a sign on it, then turned around andattacked the machine. I rocked it, beat it, cursed at it, and got neither Pepsior money. It's a good thing there was no contact number on the machine!I headed for my nightly accommodations muttering "Welcome to Damascus." Evenmore than that Pepsi I needed a shower.
Date: 2005-05-11
From: Damascus, VA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.0

Leaving Damascus was tough! The Montgomery B and B was awesome, and the breakfasts were fantastic! Suzie and Gains were fantastic hosts that made you feel comfortable and right at home.If you ever get the opportunity, visit Damascus, VA. It is a beautiful little manicured southern town, and its claim to fame is the Virginia Creeper biking trail which leads up into the mountains. Take a much needed relaxing weekend break and visit Damascus and bike the Creeper trail. I plan on returning. I sound like a dang infomercial I know, but it really is worth it.I hiked past my scheduled miles. I'm trying to double time it to Pearisburg next Friday to see M., Lee and Jaqueline. There is some tough climbing, so it's going to be tough, but I'm hoping to make it a day early so I can get cleaned up since I will have been out 10 days.I'm camped in a really nice spot by a river tonight. I flip flopped out of Damascus all day with Cup, and he is tented about 20 yards away. He is a really nice guy from Maine on his second thru-hike. He is a very strong fast hiker, but we ended up in the same spot tonight. Company is nice in the evenings, and Cup is funny. He makes me laugh.It's almost 8:45....15 minutes til hiker's midnight.Night all.....
Date: 2005-05-12
From: river

To: Thomas Knob
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Right now I am sitting on the set of the "Sound of Music," otherwise known as"Buzzard Rock." This place is absolutely beautiful, and the sun is out makingit a perfect day. I have views in every direction, and from what I hear it onlygets better.I must have passed 30 day and section hikers today. They were all on apilgrimmage to Damascus for Trail Days. Of course this meant a slow day for mesince I had to stop and chat. I try to be as friendly as possible since thereis always the chance that one of them may have a soda. Today I was out ofluck....but not really.I arrived at Thomas Knob shelter just before a pretty big thunderstorm hit. There were two students from UNC that had packed in steaks, potatoes, and cornon the cob for the hikers. Thanks Bryant and Smith!It is messy out, so I'm in the shelter tonight. There is one other thru, and 11section hikers here for the evening. I've already been warned there are a lotof snorers, so I have my earplugs ready to go. I've a feeling I'll be up andout pretty early in the morning.Night all....
Date: 2005-05-12
From: Thomas Knob

To: Hurricane Shelter
Miles today: 16.0

The Grayson Highlands were totally socked in this morning. I spent about a half hour with the Grayson ponies, which more than made up for the lack of views. They were a little skittish, but fairly friendly for the most part. My hand outs of granola made them even more friendly. The UNC guys even took pictures with my camera of the ponies gathered around me sniffing and nibbling on me.The day cleared as I left the Highlands on the other side of Pine Mountain, and was beautiful when I stopped in at Old Orchard for lunch. Two father's and their 3 sons stopped in as I was packing up to leave, and I felt for them. All of their packs most have weighed 70 plus pounds except for the youngest, and they were only out for two days. They could not believe they had only hiked a mile and a half up from the road. I think they were also frustrated to learn they still had 2.5 miles to go to the scales/corral over Pine Mountain, and not the 1.5 they had anticipated.It started raining and thundering just as I arrived at this shelter. I was going to go a few more miles and camp, but since everyone is at Traildays, and I'm the only one at this huge shelter, I'm going to stay. I will have to get up pretty early to do the 6 miles into Troutvale before the PO closes at 11AM, but I don't think it will be an issue. I have to make sure I get there early, b/c sometimes getting a hitch on the rural southern roads can be tough.Here is a "do differently" for the day. Once these new trail runners are worn out I'm going back to my mid-weight boots. The rocks wear my feet out so fast in these shoes. I also get tired of constantly scanning the ground to make sure I step properly. I'm in decent shape now, so the weight is really no issue.I also miss my gore-tex. I like just sloshing around, and this dang trail is always wet.So more power to the wearers of trail runners, but I want to look up and around again, not constantly study the ground.Gotta get to sleep early.
Date: 2005-05-13
From: Hurricane Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I'm sitting on the Troutdale, VA, Post Office trying to figure out how I'm going to get food. My package did not show up, I have no food, the closest grocery store is 25 miles away, and my next food drop is 6 days up the trail.I called the Foxhill B and B up the road on the Post Office phone. The PO employees were super nice, and went out of their way to help. The Inn did not answer, so I left a message and am seated on the PO steps waiting for them to call me back. The Post Master (is that what they are still called?) said he would come get me. I guess I will stay there tonight, and see if they will take me to the grocery store for a shuttle fee. That means I'll loose a day in an already tight schedule, which won't have me in to Pearisburg til Saturday. Bummer...I hate it when a plan does not come together.I must have looked rather pathetic sitting on the curb in front of the post office b/c shortly the PO employee came out with another older gentleman, and said "This is my good friend John. He is going shopping over the mountains in Marion and said you can go with him." I was amazed. He was going to take my dirty hiker self to the grocery store over 20 miles away, wait for me to shop, and bring me back. I jumped up, thanking them both repeatedly, and gingerly climbed into John's Limited Edition, leather upholstered Buick, trying not to get mud on anything. The car looked brand new. John was super nice. He and his wife had retired to the area 10 years earlier.We went to the store and then stopped at Hardees to eat. John would only let me buy him coffee, and refused my offers of gas money.He insisted we go back to his home where his wife called the B and B, and I learned I could not check in until 3PM. They invited me to stay with them for the next 3 hours where I sorted food, chatted with them, and watched "This Old House." They gave me soda and tried to get me to wash clothes, but they had done enough so I waited to do my clothes at the B and B.Around 3PM John took me over to the B and B. I still find it amazing that they were willing to do all of this for a total stranger.
Date: 2005-05-15
From: Troutdale (Fox Hill Inn)

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: moderate rain

The B and B (Fox Hill Inn) was fantastic! The rate of 35 for thru-hikers wasdecent, especially since they charge 85 for regular guests. The views of themountains from the house were amazing, and the full breakfast was great! Iwould highly recommend this establishment run by former hikers Mark and Janet.The hiking today was excellent again. I was flying along doing well over 2 mph. I arrived early at the Trimpi shelter for a quick snack and met Flash. Hethru-hiked in 01' and informed me that he was 64 and had made it fromPartnership in 4 hours. He said this with a little grin, and I believe itimplied a slight challenge, so I grinned back, said "4 hours huh?", jumped up,and took off. I'm not competitive in the least. Just under 4 hours for me. Ha! :-)The day couldn't end any better. I'm in the incredibly nice Partnershipshelter. There is a group of hikers here from Wesleyan College. They are agroup of Directors and Administrators out for a short section hike. They have avan down the road, and they just asked me if I wanted to go into town fordinner. I am in thru-hiker heaven! Real food two nights in a row! Dinner was was great and so was the company. They were a fun group of people. We got back to the shelter, had a couple of beers (my first while hiking) andnow I'm off to snooze.
Date: 2005-05-16
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Relax Inn
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I had breakfast with the Wesleyan group (Peg Leg, Pez, Pojo, Sherpa, Revlon,Deenie). Pez makes great Russian Tea, and it was nice to sit and chat for a fewminutes before heading down the trail. Thanks a lot you guys, and have a greathike!The temperatures have dropped, it is perfectly clear, and it is beautiful hikingweather. I'm meeting friends and family in Bland on Friday, so I have to scooton down the trail. I did hear there is also a Dairy Queen on the trail, so mystep is a bit quicker. So far Virginia is my favorite state, and section hikersare my favorite hikers! :-)I got to where the AT crosses I-81 in the early afternoon, and got a room at theRelax Inn for the evening. I'm still on schedule with my itinerary, and righton schedule to reach Bland by Thursday. My feet are very sore b/c of my newshoes, so I decided to stop a little early for the day.I've not seen any other hikers for the last couple of days, other than thesection hikers at the shelter last night, but I did run into Jack-a-roo at lunchtoday. I had assumed he was days ahead, but he said he went to Traildays. Jack-a-roo is an older gentleman from Japan. He is a freelance writer that alsowrites regularly for a Japanese magazine equivalent to the US NationalGeographic. He has hiked the John Muir trail 3 times, and carries a laptop inhis large backpack, hopping from town to town and internet connection tointernet connection downloading articles and pictures. Jack-a-roo claims mypicture was in his last article.   Somewhere in cyberspace and Japan, I am acelebrity. I don't see him often b/c he is a really fast hiker, but he pops upevery now and then with his camera. Well, one of his 2 or 3 cameras.Time to scoot. Night.
Date: 2005-05-17
From: Atkins, VA

To: Knot Maul
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I stopped early yesterday and stayed at the Relax Inn. I was feeling a littleoff and had no energy. Today is no better. I feel like I'm hiking in kind of afog, my throat is scratchy, and I have a headache. Just like all the otheraches and pains though, I'm hoping to just walk it off.It is a beautiful day with nice hiking through rolling fields that lead back upinto the mountains. I wish I felt better b/c right now I'm just putting my headdown and climbing up.....going down....climbing up...going down. You get thepicture.I finally met Scholar at the last shelter. I had seen her on trailjoirnals, andshe started about a week before me. I think I do a few more miles a day, sodon't know if I'll see her again, but it was nice putting a face with the name.On a side note....for those of you with the misconception that VA isflat...well, it is not. Don't get me wrong, it is far more gentle than GA andNC, but flat it is not. It is kind of like riding the "pre-teen" rollercoasters at the amusement parks. Lots of little ups and downs that give you agood workout. I'm shooting for a little over 15 sluggish miles today. We'llsee how it goes.I poked along all day and finally stopped at a little over 14 miles. I arrivedat the second shelter to the sounds of banjo plucking. Visions of deliverancedanced through my head as I peeked through the Rhododendrons. It was a group ofvery nice section hikers out for 4 days. I also met a 2000 thru named "FunkyMonkey (nice guy) and a current thru "Baseline."I sat around and chatted with everyone at the shelter while I made dinner, andthen headed back up the hill to my tent. Only 3 more days til Friday. I'm very excited about seeing everyone!Sweet Dreams.....
Date: 2005-05-18
From: Knot Maul

To: Woods
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: light rain

On this hike I'm always reminded that there are few places untouched by man onthis trail, but on days like today I wonder if there are not some onlyremembered by a few.I climbed over 1,500 feet and was rewarded by rolling fields and a small springfed pond on the ridge. I wandered up the trail gazing around at what lookedlike stone wall remnants, and more recent rotting posts. This land had beenused at some time, but it appeared now it was just the home for hundreds ofbirds, a multitude of flowers, spectacular mountain views, and a meanderingtrail. I come upon these places every so often, and always wonder who used this land. Who settled in this beautiful spot and then moved on to other places. I'm surefew other places could be as beautiful.Virginia is a beautiful state, and today has just been another in a long run offantastic hiking days. I have a dang cold, but that is ok, b/c I've learned tojust block out the aches and pains, and to focus on my next meal, and where mynext Pepsi is coming from if the other things try to push their way into myhead.I'm taking an hour for lunch today in this. awesome location. It's probablygoing to be a long day with 20 miles, so I have to let the tootsies rest or theywill give me hell later on this afternoon. I was going to stop for lunch at thenext shelter, but this is a far better spot.It was a perfect day. The afternoon was a little rocky and my feet are verysore, but that's alright b/c I had an awesome reward! As I came down off theridge onto a dirt road I heard music. I had met "Funky Munky" the day before. He had thru-hiked in 2000 and was hanging out with some other hikers. He hadparked on this road with two other section hikers and had trail magic. He had acooler full of Budweiser and PEPSI! I chugged down two Pepsi's, thanked FunkyMonkey repeatedly and took off powered by my sugar and caffeine.There were other hikers showing up, but they were mostly grabbing the Budweiser. When they began to sing and dance, I figured this was my cue to depart the festivities. I'm guessing everyone probably camped by the road for the evening. I did about 3 more miles, and scooted off the trail a little before dark andsetup in a nice soft bed of leaves, although at a slant I'm sure will have merolling aroung all night. Oh well.....Did I mention my feet are KILLING ME!!! It will definitely be a 3 Ibuprophennight.Sweet dreams...
Date: 2005-05-19
From: Woods

To: Methodist Church
Miles today: 0.0

I didn't stop hiking last night until about 8PM, so this morning when I woke upmy feet were still aching from yesterday, so I didn't stop at the Jenkinsshelter. I just kept my head down frowning at my feet and plodded on down thetrail.I reached the top of Brushy Mountain and plopped down for a break. Jack-a-roosoared over the Summit, stopped to chat, and then got on his cell phone for aninterview with a Japanese radio station as he strolled down the trail. Technology is amazing.About an hour later Cricket came up behind me, and asked me if I was going tothe breakfast. I had no idea what he was talking about. It appears at the lastshelter there had been a notice stating the Methodist church was shuttlinghikers to breakfast between 9-11:30AM on Mondays and Thursdays. It wasThursday!We came down the trail and over the footbridge by the waterfalls. I lookedacross the bridge and there were two older gentlemen standing by a pick-up. "Want some breakfast?" they said. It was an amazing breakfast. They took us (Jack-a-roo was there also) to alittle white country church where there were 8 or 9 older women cooking in thebasement. We were waited on hand and foot with about every type of breakfastfood imaginable. It was fantastic! They had pancakes, three or four differenttypes of casseroles, cakes, muffins, fruit, and numerous other desserts. It wasgreat! They have been doing this for about three years now. Excellent trailmagic!The magic fueled me the seven miles over the mountain into Bland, VA veryquickly where I hitched a ride in with Cricket.The motel is not very hiker friendly, but that is no problem since I'm spendingthe next two days off the trail with family and friends before getting back onSunday.Everyone have a good weekend.
Date: 2005-05-22
From: Bland, VA

To: Woods
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I already miss everyone. I got back on the trail this afternoon, and feel as ifI never got off. This weekend literally flew by in a rush. It was fantasticseeing my brother and his family. My nephews are THE cutest babies in the whole world. They will probably alsoend up being war buffs like their Daddy and mama, as they are already visitingwar memorials. We spent Saturday visiting the VA WWI Memorial. I'm not toomuch of a memorial kinda person, but the landscaping was sweet, and it was greatspending time with everyone.I trudged up the hill behind Cricket (this part inserted by Cricket) watchingher piston like chiseled calves pound up the mountain in font of me. Alright....honestly, I was too busy leaning over my poles bitching about thethirty pounds of food I ate over the weekend to really notice anything otherthan the fact that she was moving up the hill, and I was huffing to keep up. Three days off can definitely be felt.Cricket lives in Charlotte with her husband and sons, and she thru-hiked the ATin '97 and the PCT in 2000 so I did not feel so bad having to breathe a littleharder. You have to give credit where due though. Although she is active inrunning and biking, to have not hiked much and then come out here and chug rightup and down the hills with me is pretty impressive.We made it to the first shelter, where I informed her we had to go check theregister, and headed down to it as she fussed b/c it was a quarter mile off thetrail. I really just wanted to visit the privy, but did not tell Cricket.A quick stop, and back on the trail. We are now camped up on a little knob witha cool view of the valley.PS...Glenn, Cricket says kissie kissie kissie and she misses you, and give theboys a big kiss and hug for her.
Date: 2005-05-23
From: Woods

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I knew something was wrong last night when I ate like 4 bites of my dinner and then gave the rest to another very happy hiker. I woke up totally congested with a splitting headache this morning and within 2 hours was sick on my stomach.Cricket and I began hiking with about 17 miles to get into Pearisburg. Her feet were all chewed up from the long miles the day before and I felt bad. We should not have done 20 miles right out of the gate. I should have given her a couple of days to readjust. She is tough, though, and said she was fine, but I could tell she was in pain. Regardless, she kept up the pace, did not complain, and we made it to Pearisburg, VA by 6PM.It was a miserable day. Temps were in the 40's I would guess, and it rained on us all day. We could not really stop before we had to get right back up moving again b/c it was too cold. We stopped for lunch, but had to change clothes to try and warm up, and were moving again in 45 minutes.My head was splitting and I was completely congested, hacking my way down the AT. By the time we made it into town, I had a pretty good fever going on. Let me tell you what, we were a pathetic pair. It was nice though, to have someone to whine with about our miseries and the crappy day as we limped and hobbled down the mountain. The comic relief took the focus off our pains, and made the time go by a little faster.We both feel pretty rough, so we are taking a zero tomorrow to rest and get our chores done, and then heading out the next morning.Sweet Dreams......