morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-06-15
From: Pearisburg

To: Stony Creek Valley
Miles today: 22.2

We decide to get a local shuttler named Don Raines to take us 22 miles up the trail and hike back to Pearisburg. The hike appears simple enough, up, ridgewalk and down. Yeah right. A long hard up with a exciting addition of a local trail angel named Captain who lives right on the trail across the river. He has a zip line that you propel yourself across the creek to his house and get ice cold sodas on his back porch. He also allows tenting for free. We stop and have a great treat riding the zipline across the creek, laughing and having fun for a change. Captain wasn't home but his Border Collies welcomed us. We each got sodas petted the dog and went back across the creek back to the grind. The next stop was Pine Swamp Shelter where we looked through the shelter log for updates of our trail buddies then a small snack and on we go. The trail went up 1500 feet from there to the crest. We finally got to "ridgewalk" which is hiking with little or no elevation change. It was nice! Half Left and I were looking for a place to sit and eat lunch when I looked up and said "What's that?" A bear! Running across the woods about 50 yards away. He was fast as can be, not wanting to stop and check us out, thank God. We picked a nice rock near the siting and ate lunch, excited about the event.We continued on and on and on seemingly forever then finally a landmark. Across a field where Rice Field Shelter sits. We could see West Virginia for miles! We had been strattling the border between Va and WVa for many miles today. It is our 5th state but we won't count it until we get to Harper's Ferry, WV.Still having 7 miles to go we move on. It was a grueling 7 miles, our feet were tired and a lot of the rest of the hike after the 2 mile. Descent was winding through the woods of Pearisburg and crossing the bridge over the New River. At the end, our feet were sorer than they have ever been, 22.2 miles also our first 20 mile day. My shoes I bought in Hot Springs are worn out. Don gives us a ride to a small outfitter in Pembroke and I purchase some hybrid trail runners. Tomorrow the test.Mexican food for dinner and early bedtime.
Date: 2010-06-26
From: Sinking Creek Valley, VA 42

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 293.4
Weather: few clouds

Sorry for the delay in posting, we have not had computer access or phone service for quite a while. We are now in Front Royal, VA getting ready for an "Aqua Blaze" trip. We plan to canoe part of our AT hike from Luray, VA to Front Royal hense the play on words. The trip is 40 miles but only 28 miles of trail. We will be floating with the current on the Shennandoah River in a canoe. Leaving tomorrow and returning Tuesday PM. After that, we will be heading toward Harpers Ferry, WV and taking a break for our class reunion back home in Jacksonville Beach, FL. After our break, we will hop forward to Cheshire, MA and continue our quest to summit Katahdin in plenty of time for the closing, Oct 15. After our summit we will shuttle back to Cheshire and hike southbound to Harpers Ferry, completing our thru hike. I have lots more to say and will update this afternoon, we are heading to the canoe outpost to discuss our trip.Thanks for following us!!!I updated 6/25. We will be in the water for 3 days and then back on the trail hiking from Front Royal to Harpers Ferry. I hope to update along the way with my Blackberry. Wild Poodle and Cahoda will be meeting us in Cheshire MA on the 19th of July along with Low Key and probably a few more hikers who like our plan. Katahdin closes for winter the beginning of October. With our plan we will summit about Sept 7 and hike SOBO from Cheshire to Harpers. Please continue to sign the guestbook, your entries are read to our group and appreciated!Get off the couch and hike...
Date: 2010-07-03
From: Front Royal, VA

To: Harpers Ferry, WVA
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Sitting here on the porch of the Towns Inn in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia overlooking the junction of the Shenandoah River and the Potomac Rivers. It's a beautiful morning, nice breeze and the sun is shining without a cloud in the sky. The trek to make it here before July 3 is complete. We skipped one section which we will hike in October on our way home. It's only a little over 100 miles. All of us are excited about our small break before flip flopping to Mass. Half Left and I are heading to DC for the fireworks along with Low Key who has decided to join us. Cahoda went to Jacksonville and Wild Poodle is bunkered down with us at the Towns Inn. Everyone is a little apprehensive about the break since we all have our trail legs. We are staying at a local campground in our camper back home where there are lots of hiking trails. We plan to walk everyday with packs to keep our "legs". The hike from Front Royal to here is rocky, with lots of summitting uneventful crests (no views). We camped at Sky Meadows State Park which is 1.7 miles off the trail. We stopped by Bears Den Hostel for showers and to relax in the hiker room with "Mrs. Pinkie Jones" of all people. There is a TV with DVD player so we watched Lion Kings video about his 2003 hike. It sure brings back memories seeing the trail behind us on tape. We made it here yesterday seeing lots of hikers we've met on the trail, Roam, solo, Buttons, Not Yet, Alex, Cameron, Baltimore Jack, Poptart and a few others. Many of them are headed to a guy named Bonzo's who let's hikers stay tenting for free while tenting.When we get home, I will update the photos and videos.Thanks for following us!!!See you on the trail...
Date: 2010-07-04
From: Harpers Ferry, WVA

To: Washington, DC
Miles today: 0.0

All of us road the train to DC. Low Key shared a room with us at the Capital Hilton. Half Left is very excited about seeing DC and the firework show tonight, of course so am I! The train ride was really interesting because for a long way, we followed the C & O canal towpath, a bike path that runs from Cumberland, Maryland to DC. A few years ago my son, Jesse and I rode the path with trail angel Allen, Brent and Paula. It is a must do for anyone interested in a fairly easy downhill bike ride on a pretty level path. The tow path originally was built to carry goods on barges using mule power. There are locks still existant along with the lock houses where the operators lived. Water is available as well as camping and resupply in towns that are right on the path. It brought back many memories of the trip.We arrived in DC and caught a taxi to the hotel. We were all hungry so we immediately looked for food, a Chinese restaurant where all of us enjoyed the food. We were anxious to see the mall and the White House which was only 2 blocks from the hotel. Half Left was amazed at the location of the famous house. Right in the middle of everything, he said "Does the President really live there?"After a few photos we walked WAY around the White House because of construction on a nearby building. On the mall side of the house the area was blocked off because of the fireworks, so was the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, all fenced off for firework viewing later. We took photos from a distance and caught a rickshaw bike ride uphill back to the hotel. The heat was as hot as we have been in, record heat I'm sure! Brent told us it is 10 degrees hotter in DC than back home in Florida. So we relaxed in the hotel room until it was time to walk to the fireworks. Walking also to the fireworks was millions of other people. What a change from the few people we see on the trail and in the trail towns. Many, many foreigners, more than Americans. We stopped at the White House lawn and found us a spot where we would be able to see the show coming over top of the roof. The show started about 9:15 and lasted about 45 minutes. It was a show to be remembered! Half Left was thrilled at the amount and size of them. We recorded them on the camera and took photos (which never come out). We headed back to the hotel with big smiles, really enjoying the time we had.
Date: 2010-07-05
From: Washington, DC

To: Washington, DC
Miles today: 0.0

Waking up in the morning, knowing we had to leave today, we packed our stuff and left the packs in our friends room. I was hungry so we went to the restaurant in the hotel and priced the breakfast buffet, $22.50 each. Well we will skip breakfast and get the free coffee. We planned to take the tour but after checking the price on it, $35 each we decided to get an unlimited Metro pass for $9.00 which we could also use to get to the train station later. Our first stop would be Arlington Memorial Cemetery. On the train it only took us about 20 minutes to get there. Of course everyone in Washington was also there standing in line for the tram tour at the cemetery. In the heat we decided to pay the $7.50 for the tram to take us around and also narrate the trip. Half Left and I enjoyed seeing the Kennedy's grave sites, eternal flame, Rough Riders monument, Challenger and Columbia monument, USS Maine's mast, the changing of the Guard on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers, Audie Murphy's grave site and the enormous display of graves so elegantly placed in straight lines as far as you could see. It was a somber moment knowing all these men and women died for our country but we were glad they are resting in such a beautiful setting for us to see.After we left the cemetery, we took the train to the Pentagon. Half Left's brother works there and he wanted to see it. Of course we couldn't go inside but got to see it and the memorial for the people that died on the 9/11 attack.The tour for the cemetery took quite a while so we were running out of time. We went to the Pentagon City mall and ate lunch at Harry's then left for the hotel to gather our packs for home. The train was leaving at 7:30PM so we said our Goodbyes and heading to the station. The train arrived on time and off we went. The train was packed, not a seat left yet it was roomy for passengers.
Date: 2010-07-06
From: Washington, DC

To: Jacksonville Beach, FL
Miles today: 0.0

Arrived in Jacksonville on schedule to Cahoda's smiling face. We had asked her to pick us up since she was here, it was good to see her. We are staying in our camper at a local campground for the duration of our stay. Lots of stuff to do and get ready for our next jaunt on the trail.More later...
Date: 2010-07-08
From: Jacksonville Beach, FL

To: Jacksonville Beach, FL
Miles today: 0.0

Camp is all set up back home. We have been in town all week and thoroughly enjoyed it! The class reunion went well except it it HOT down here and I think the AC unit for the FOP lodge wasn't working. All of us couldn't find a cool spot anywhere. We saw lots of people we haven't seen in a long time. One classmate came all the way from Alaska to see everyone (Carl Anderson). My BFF DonnaMarie came in from Maryville, TN, Kathy a long time friend came in from Columbus Ohio. What a treat to see everyone!!!Uploading photos to this site is ridiculous!!! I have been working on it for hours and only have a few posted. Sorry but it is out of my hands.I think I may post them on another site and post the link because there isn't enough time in the day to waste.Confirmed train tickets to Massachusetts for the 18th, can't wait to hike again. We won't be able to stay in towns much so I'm not sure how the updates will be. I have my Blackberry and will at least post how things are going.More later...
Date: 2010-07-09
From: Jacksonville Beach, FL

To: Jacksonville Beach, FL 
Miles today: 0.0

Not long after we arrived home, Half Left had to insist we golf. We play normally about twice a month, it has been 3 1/2 months since we have been on the course. Our son Jeffrey joined us at the local course in Atlantic Beach, Selva Marina Country Club. Money is tight so we choose this one because of the price and proximity to our camper. After hiking and not picking up a club in so long our game was so so. Driving is one of my strengths so the drives were pretty good but the irons, yuck. And so was Half Left's game. He had a hard time with the irons. It was hot and not much of a breeze so we felt at home just like hiking in Virginia and sight seeing in DC. For lunch, we ate sandwiches we brought from home, they were mighty tasty.It took the normal 4 hours to play with none of us breaking 100. I wasn't surprised because golf is a sport you have to practice.Half Left had a smile all day as well as Jeffrey, he is glad to spend time with us. We will be getting Hannah for 5 days and then back on the trail the 20th. Our train leaves out the 16th for Hudson, New York where Low Key will pick us up.
Date: 2010-07-17
From: Jacksonville Beach, FL 

To: Jacksonville Beach, FL
Miles today: 0.0

One of the happiest moments on the trail for us, signing the register at the Conservancy and getting our photo taken!!! Numbers 627 & 628 for 2010. We are so proud of our hike, the miles have brought us new friends, new places to come back to see and many moments that are unforgettable. People that are also etched in our minds forever. I have been looking at our pictures on the computer it makes memories of our great hike dance in my head. It makes me happy and sad, because we have some sad news to report about our progress getting back on the trail. After going over our budget, we have decided we wont be able to continue to hike the trail. I studied the area we had planned to hike and found it much more expensive than the south. Hostels charge $85 and up for a double, shelters charge $8 pp, hotels and inns charge as much as $150 and the huts $85 pp. We knew when we left the trail to come home money was an issue but had hoped to send our food in mail drops to alleviate that expense and stay in our tent or in shelters. The only other expense would be showers and laundry. We were certainly surprised that shelters that have always been free charge $8 per person and the huts charge $85 per person. Hiking through the Whites would add about $250.00. It is a sad sad decision but we would not be able to even make it home after summiting Katahdin. I plan to continue our journal and update everyone on the rest of our groups progress. We have spoken to Low Key and Wild Poodle who plan along with Cahoda to carry on without us. Low Key can send photos that I will post and Wild Poodle will send an email that I can post about their progress.Half Left's employer welcomed him back and wants him to start Monday. I will keep the journal updated and do sales for our screen printing company. Thanks to everyone who have cheered us on, thanks to all the trail angels who have helped us and thanks for following our journal. Iron Maiden wants to join us filling in our Virginia gaps and sectioning with us when we continue our hike. We still plan on hiking and completing the trail in sections. And someday we will thru hike starting again in Georgia. It wont be anytime soon but we love the trail and the people! We will be trail angels in the southern part of the trail and helping with some trail maintenance when we can. Please continue to stay tuned for updates of Cahoda, Wild Poodle and Low Key and bits about our homecoming.
Date: 2010-07-22
From: Jacksonville Beach, FL

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I hope everyone isn't as sad as we are about being off the trail. I have been working on our photos from the first 1000 miles. They will be on shutterfly. I am still working on them so please keep checking back.http://allrighthalfleftat2010.shutterfly.com/Wild Poodle, Cahoda and Low Key should be heading north from Cheshire. They will stay in contact with me and I will post updates.Half Left and I rented an apartment in Jacksonville Beach, he and I have started back to work, boo hoo.Hope everyone keeps hopes up for us to thru hike one day. We still plan to fill in gaps to satisfy our need to be on the trail and will certainly post those journal entrys.Thanks to everyone as always.
Date: 2010-08-14
To: New Hampshire
Miles today: 0.0

Wild Poodle and Cahoda have crossed the border into New Hampshire. They are steadily on the trail and seem happy and destined for Katahdin.Half Left and I are saddened this week by the passing of his father. We went to visit him Wednesday. He had worsened since we saw him the day before. We all took turns saying to him our thoughts of how much he meant to us, we also held his hand and gave him warm hugs. His condition continued to deteriorate and he passed at 2:35pm on Aug. 11 in the presence of Tom and his sister Vonnie. All the rest of the family were also present and were able to say a prayer together. We are so blessed to have had this extra time with him. Had we been on the trail with the girls, we would have missed the opportunity to give our love to him and spend the last precious weeks with him. The services are next Saturday, he will be cremated and buried at the National Cemetery in Jacksonvillve, FL.We have been helping Tom's mom with things at the house this week and mourning the loss of a wonderful man. RIP Clyde Porter, Sr.This is the latest email from the girls, I hope you all enjoy.Message from Wild Poodle:Hi everyone, This will have to be a very short msg just to let you know that we're ok and very happy to have made Hanover, NH! We arrived yesterday and took pictures at the VT/NH border which is on a beautiful bridge. Baltimore Jack who lives here was hanging out at a local coffee shop, greeting us thru-hikers as we arrived. He was like the hikers chamber of commerce answering our questions and giving good advice. The AT goes right through Hanover. We wanted to stay in town as had errands and resupply from the P.O. We left our packs at the DOC (Dartmouth Outdoor Club) and found a free night's stay at the Phi Tau co-ed fraternity house. Got hiker free pizza (one slice each)...of course, we ate more. Found Ben and Jerry's ice cream and felt at home. Rest of the day we visited Hanover. Everything revolves around Dartmouth. It is a beautiful, old campus. Coincidentally, it happens to be Fun Summer Week here for the students. Were having block parties, loud music blaring from frat houses, games on the green, etc. We found a dorm custodian who allowed us to wash our clothes in their basement...even set us up in their lounge with TV and popcorn - amazing! Today, a big breakfast, last minute CVS shopping and then we're hiking out. Next stop is Glencliff, NH. Hopefully we'll have some pictures next time. Love, Barbara/WP
Date: 2010-08-18
From: New Hampshire

To: Lincoln
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

We have been busy with family getting ready for the services for Tom's father. I got an email from Wild Poodle this morning. She and Cahoda have joined up with one of the fellow tenners, Croft. So neat to know they have met and grouped up. I never got to meet her but corresponded before the start of our hike with the Tenners group. Here is the message received today.Message from Wild Poodle:hi everyone, made it to glencliff, nh. we (now a grp of 3 - me, cahoda & croft - from chicago) hiked moosilauke mtn yesterday. summit was beautiful. spent 2 hours up there. spectacular views! no cell phone reception since hanover. we're definitely in the whites now. big, big rocks. hike out in 5 minutes for 2 days. next stop lincoln. hope to get longer msg out then. we are all ok. sending greetings and love to each of you. nh is rugged! In glencliff stayed at funky but fun hostel called welcome hikers. spread out a bit like standing bear. had great movies to watch. Love, barbara/wp
Date: 2010-08-25
From: Lonesome Lake Hut

To: Lincoln, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

During out thru hike attempt we met lots of fun people. I have been keeping up with as many of them as I can. EZ Hiker was summit-ting yesterday. Low Key is back home in Western Mass, Red Baron got injured and is at home in New Jersey, GipCgirl the Aussie stayed at Green Mountain house last night but has to return to Australia on the 15th of Sept. She wont be able to finish this year and is sad about that. Last I heard, Dune is still on the trail, Croft one of the Tenners is hiking with Wild Poodle and Cahoda, HD Mama is still on the trail and should summit soon. Baltimore Jack is back home in Hanover. Moss is still hiking. Some of these people have a trail journal, check the current list.It helps me so much to follow them just like I did in 2009. It really makes me feel like I am right there. We are still missing the trail and the people. My feet still hurt if I walk barefooted. Hopefully someday they will heal and I can walk the beach without my crocs. Everyone have a great week.Message from Wild Poodle:whoops, i realized in the night that i had mistakely listed this town as glencliff. that was the last town we were in. the present location is actually lincoln, nh. also allright is still keeping her journal on trail journals and is following cahoda and my adventures on the trail.
Date: 2010-09-08
To: Andover, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Tom and I tailgated with Paula (aka Iron Maiden) and her husband Brent for the Jaguar game on Sunday. You would think our conversation would be about the game but oh no. Paula and I can't get our minds off talking about the AT. We want to go and meet up with the girls on their way back to Virgina when they fill in the gap between Cheshire Mass and Harpers Ferry. Tom of course says it's okay if I go but you can hear it in his voice that he wants to be able go but his job wouldn't let him. At least we can all live in the shoes of the girls and trail friends still out there. Onward bound... Wish we could see you on the trail Message from Wild Poodle and Cahoda 9/12/10:hi everyone, last msg from gorham, nh. since then have had little cell svc and this is first hostel since gorham with a computer. we have been in maine for over a week. in that time we have finished hiking the whites and have hiked the mahoosuc notch and the mahoosuc arm. both very difficult and mentally terrifying to us until actually hiking them. the notch is a jumbled pit of giant square bolders which you have to climb over, crawl through and many times push your backpacks through as you craw under the rocks. it took us 6 hours to finish it. we helped each other and did well. as we emerged from the notch, the sun was setting casting a beautiful golden light over use. we felt it was an omen and congratulations for completing this task. it was getting dark so we decided to cowboy camp ( just sleeping in your sleeping bag). i heard thunder twice and told cahoda that we had to put our tents up immediately. and we did in the very small flat spaces we were lucky to find. we did accomplish this even with a flat root poking up in my tent's bottom. didn't poke through! next day we hiked the arm. at the summit we met the blind hiker mike hanson (bulldog) and his photographer hitchcock (trail name). it's amazing that he has hiked this far. if you are interested their web site is www.hansonatcampaign.com. they have seemed to be at the same places we have been so we have become acquainted. the past two days we have slackpacked from andover. we are now 246 miles from katahdin. tomorrow we hike out with full pack. belated birthday greetings to margot and georganna. special thoughts to pauline and tony. we have experienced the most wonder response from the people along the trail. we are well. my knees are carrying me on. this is good. i have a pint of ben and jerrys mudpie icecream waiting for me so will sign off now. my love and best wishes to each of you. barbarap.s. i do remember you cupcake. tx for encouraging words!