morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-04-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

April 9 (Wednesday)This is a 0 day for me. I had a good night at the Standing Bear Farm Hostel, hosted by Curtis and Rocky. It was a very nice place, just a bit primitive. The only facility is an outhouse. I rose at 7 a.m. I did my laundry in a tub with a washboard with a hang ringer. There was a dryer, thank goodness. I have a little swelling in my knee; but I am really feeling good. I got supplies and got some good rest.Last night, I attended my first AT Branding. They took a hangar and made an A-T symbol and put it in the fire and branded Coma on his leg. Coma was the only one crazy enough to do it; but we all enjoyed ¢his¢ experience.
Date: 2008-04-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.0

April 10 (Thursday)I got up at dawn and was on my way by 7 a.m. It was a sunny, but cold day. I climbed up to Max Patch, over 4,600 elevations. The view from the summit-- which is gained by one of those much-steeper-than-it-looks-from-the-trailhead type hikes-- is superb: at arm's length, the grassy earth falls away with 360 degree views just beyond; it seems a short stride would plummet you to the floor of the Tennessee Valley. The view, phenomenal!!I made camp about 2 miles past Roaring Fork Shelter. It was a long hard day of hiking, going 15 miles. I am ready for my sleeping bag.
Date: 2008-04-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 4.0

Sat April 12I hiked only 4 miles to Hot Springs, NC. I stopped at a diner for breakfast and had an omelet ¢ wow, it was good! I stayed at the Magnolia B&B, shared it with Coluso & Shiloh. Very nice place!I washed my clothes at the laundry mat; it is always nice to have clean clothes. I went to the outfitters¢ store as I needed a new heavy duty food bag and some supplies.   I also bought a kilt to wear when the weather gets warmer. I bought some bananas, oranges and apples ¢ I am craving fruit. I ate them all in one afternoon!   I bought my honey a gift and had it mailed to her. I had to hang out my tent and gear to get dry. I caught my journal up and planned my trip for the week. The ¢nero¢ day went so fast.
Date: 2008-04-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.7

Sunday April 13I hiked 14.7 miles today, climbing to over 3,700 feet. The weather got colder and colder. I am so glad I ate a good breakfast with homemade food at the B&B before I left. We heard that a bear stole a hiker¢s meal bag from his tree last night.I got some magnificent pictures today. It started snowing around 6 pm so I decided I better set up camp. Within 30 minutes the tarp on my tent was completed covered with snow. It is cold, I am sleeping with every piece of clothing I have with me.I am tired and not in the mood to face a bear tonight so I hope that bear leaves me alone tonight.
Date: 2008-04-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 8.5

April 14, 2008 (Monday)I hiked 8.5 miles to Little Laurel Shelter where I stopped to stay the night. There was about 4 inches of snow and so very windy by the time I got there. I could not light my stove because of the wind, so I ate some pepperoni and cheese. I got into my sleeping bad and tried to stay warm.
Date: 2008-04-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 22.7

April 23, 2008I have been out of cell phone coverage so no calls to my wife mean no information for her to input into the blog. On Saturday, April 19 I came down to Erwin, TN and met my wife for a weekend. Our dear friends, Chris & Tim, drove Cherie to Erwin for this visit. It has been 7 weeks since I left on this journey; it was just wonderful to spend time with my ¢family¢. So April 19 & 20 were 0 days. The next 120 miles are tough terrain. I had a good day today, making it to Cherry Gap Shelter; that¢s 12.2 miles today.April 21 and 22, 2008These were some crazy days. All in all, I hiked only 10.5 miles.April 19 & 20, 20080 days
Date: 2008-04-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 13.5

April 24 (Thursday)Last night I camped about 1 mile past Cherry Gap, it was a noisy night with lots of critters making noises. I broke camp at dawn. Water sources are getting scarce so I filled up all my water bottles. Wow! My backpack is heavy. I climbed some big mountains today. I am enjoying the good weather. As I came out of Iron Gap, there was a Trail Angel ¢ Mango. He had me sit down in a lawn chair ¢ nice!!! He served me root bear, crackers and oranges. What a wonderful surprise! Mango told me if I can get to Hughes Gap around 6:30, he will be coming through there about that time. He would pick me up and take me to his home for a hot shower and a nice dinner. He will then bring me back the Hughes Gap in the morning. Well, I made it at 6:00 p.m. to Hughes Gap. Mango picked me up and 2 other hikers ¢ Mud and Retread. He had to roll the window down on his car because we all 3 spelled pretty badly. Mango gave me some of his clothes to wear ¢ mine were put in a bag and kept outside. He had no washer as this is second home for him. Mango made chili, it was delicious. After dinner, I read Walt Whitman¢s I Saw in Louisiana a Live-Oak Growing. It was a good day, I hiked 13.5 miles.
Date: 2008-04-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 8.1

April 25(Friday)I had a great night sleep and nice shower. Mango fixed us breakfast fit for a king. This means I saved 2 days of food!! Mango drove us back to Hughes Gap to finish our journey. This was the Ultimate in Trail Magic. Thank you, Mango!!!Over Roan Mountain today. This is one of the mountains that had worried me. It was a hand to foot climb, many ledges ¢ very dangerous. I had to go very slow. I went to elevation of 6,285, just an amazing view from the top. I stopped on the top and rested, ate a little and wrote some poetry. What a beautiful place. The weather was turning cold and clouds were rolling in. I had to get on my way so I can get to a shelter before it rained. I made it to Stan Murray Shelter about 6 p.m. The rain is just starting. I only hiked 8.1 miles today and a very hard 8.1 miles. My body is aching ¢ tough hike.
Date: 2008-04-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 10.0

April 26 (Saturday)This morning I sat on top of Hump Mountain. There were long-horned steers and horses romping around. I had panoramic view of the world, simply amazing. A marooned colored squirrel scampered by. There is so much spring beauty here. Today I came down the mountain. Every step was important, slow hike down, jacked rocks. I camped just past Apple House Shelter, hiked 10 miles today. I had a hard night sleeping; my broken toes were swelled and paining. I am one week away from Damascus ¢ one of my goals!! Katahdin here I come.....
Date: 2008-04-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

THE ARTISTBy James DavisHe paints his soulAs the images brush on the canvas colorsBright reds and yellows, purple and goldsMaddening it seems to expose one¢s passionOne¢s deep inner thoughtsFilling the tooth of the canvasAgeless in time.As generations view the canvas into the futureMounted on generic walls in life¢s museumsThe stirred clayThe salvation of primitive manThe expression of lifeJubilantly telling the storyUnlocking the secret formula of true beautyAs dreams unfold the brush strokesWhimsical motions of genius.The paint pieces of earth organicThe artist mixes the perfect recipe unlike any other colorThe possibilities unlimitedThe artist peeking into his soulStealing a glimpse of the unknownHe reveals a piece of our lives andAs we view the painting and critique itWe will feel the need for this artWe lust for itIt wakes up our emotion andWe become interconnected to this object.Like the moon and the starsThe sun and summer daysLike the smell after the rainLike the endearment of our childhoodToy boats set adriftTo have loved so deeplyMelancholy makes you sillyAnd for the first time you were alive and awakeYou understand meaning and purposeIt all makes sense and you realize that the artist can captureThat feeling, that awareness, that moment,That sequential thirstThat passion for love, for understanding of one¢s self.And for the pure Artist sitting at his easelDirecting the lightMixing the earthly paint relentlesslyUndaunted by the criticsPainting day and nightPainting through the painFeeding his desire with courageGives it all away and slowly dies from insideAs his life dries on the canvas.One of my poems that I wanted to share with all of you.Brush Strokes
Date: 2008-04-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 10.0

4/27/08 (Sunday)It was a nice day for hiking. I walked with the deer; I stayed down wind so they would stay close. They are such beautiful animals. I feel like I am in the forest of the Lord of the Rings ¢ high Spruce trees, pine needles a foot deep. Nature is just undisturbed here on the trail. I can really see the terrain changing as I get near to Virginia. Cell phone coverage is very limited now. The rains began about 4:30 so I quit early and I stayed outside of the Moreland Gap Shelter tonight. Mileage only 10 miles today.Happiness keeps You Sweet, Trials keep You Strong, Sorrows keep You Human, Life keeps You Humble, Success keeps You Glowing, But Only God keeps You Going
Date: 2008-04-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 20.2

April 28, 2008 (Monday)It pounded the rain all night. I had been in my tent since 7:30 pm last night, I was really ready to get moving. Rain or no rain, out I went to break my camp. It was a cold rain all day and another careful hike with slippery rocks. My backpack is so heavy with my wet tent weighing it down. My target today was to get to a hostel so I can dry out. It was 8 p.m. before I reached Laurel Fork Lodge, that was 20.2 miles today. I had no water source for the last 7 miles. I was really thirsty when I arrived at the hostel and hungry. I may take a 0 day tomorrow. I am done in today.
Date: 2008-04-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Aril 29I am so, so glad I dug in and hiked last night to get to this hostel at Laurel Fork. The tornados that hit Virginia played havoc on the weather here. I am thankful I was not on the mountain last night. It was only 35 degrees here today. I had to resupply so I hitched a ride to the grocery store; and that is all that is here, a grocery store. I dried out my sleeping bag and washed my stinky clothes. I had time to write in my journal and charge up my cell.I hate to take a 0 day when I am so closed to Damascus; but I am thankful for this hostel with the bad, bad weather.I will be up at dawn and on my way tomorrow. I am told I am going into snow again. Here I come Damascus ¢ 14 of my journey will be done!
Date: 2008-04-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 13.5

April 30, 2008I packed up my gear last night as my tent and all had dried out. I went to bed at 8 p.m. ready to get to Damascus. I rested really well. Up at 6 a.m. The weather today is nice and cool and sunny. I stopped at a giant waterfall that is just outstandingly beautiful and then there were many trails. Not sure which one to take. So I looked at my cell phone, I had 1 bar ¢ I called my wife to get over my stress of being lost. Now I am laughing at myself. I am so close to Damascus. I must get there healthy ¢ that is my next goal. About a half an hour later, I find the AT trail. Then half way up the mountain, I cannot find the AT trail again ¢ there are so many trails ¢ which way do I go. Tried one way and then the other, another hour lost; but I find the right trail. I came up on Watauga Lake ¢ how beautiful. I took some pictures. I stopped for the night at the Watauga Lake Shelter about 6:30 p.m. I hiked 13.5 miles today, not bad for getting lost twice. At least the weather was nice. I only saw one hiker today. Then about 8:30 tonight, a hiker came to the shelter to spend the night. I will face Iron Mountain tomorrow.
Date: 2008-05-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 13.6

May 1, 2008I had a good night sleep last night. It was very cold and I was glad I was inside the ¢lean two¢ shelter. Another hiker, ¢See the Land¢ was his name, came in to the shelter about 8:30 last night. He was 32 years old, started out from Springer on March 15 and is originally from Maine.I climbed to 3,900 elevation with rough terrain ¢ rocks and rocks and more rocks. It took every bit of my energy today to get to the ¢top of the world¢. I stopped in the ¢heavens¢ to eat my lunch of cheese and sausage. The weather is sunny and cool. I hiked 13.6 miles today and made it to the Iron Mountain Shelter where I camped for the night.
Date: 2008-05-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 19.0

May 2 - FridayI had no water for 5 hours yesterday so I will have water today. The weight of the water is tremendous. Wow! The terrain is tough, like a roller coaster ¢ I am sure I am paying the price to get into Damascus. Ha! Ha! The weather is good, cool and sunny. I hiked 19 miles today, camping just 6 miles from Damascus. I am out of food, just power drinks.
Date: 2008-05-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 6.0

May 3 ¢ SaturdayI broke camp early, so excited to get to Damascus. I hiked the 6 miles and arrived. The town was such a disappointment. It had an outfitters store and a Dollar Store and a Subway. Not much to this town. All hostels were full, everyone staying in as it is storming today and to storm tomorrow. I found a church hostel to stay at. It has a bunk bed and a shower. The Subway sandwich tasted great! No cell service here, so I purchased a telephone card and used a phone booth to call my wife. I went to the outfitters store and picked a package from wife (thank you) and a package from George at the Great Outdoor Provision Company. Wow! Thanks, George, for the goodies. My body is so tired.
Date: 2008-05-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

May 4 (Sunday)I sure did rest good, no coyotes crying. I am taking a 0 day to let my body heal. I went to church this morning at a quaint country church with a young pastor who delivered a powerful sermon. I went to the Outfitters and purchased new boots. I think 500 miles was good for 1 pair of boots. I also had to purchase a new backpack. On to do laundry. I am feeling good and ready to go to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.
Date: 2008-05-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 6.2

May 5 (Monday) I hiked up the mountain out of Damascus. I was ill all day and night, so I only made 6.2 miles. I made camp early.May 6 (Tuesday)I felt much better today. I hiked 20 miles today. The day was beautiful and the scenery awesome with beautiful mountain streams with trout playing. The cell service is nil. I camped at dark just past Lost Mountain Shelter. I was very tired, ate a bit and went to sleep.
Date: 2008-05-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 16.0

May 7 (Wednesday)When I woke this morning and climbed out of my tent, there to my amazement was a herd of wild ponies. They were all around my camp site. I grabbed my camera and took lots of pictures. They were not bothered by me being there; so I walked a little closer and petted some of them. What a wonderful experience. I climbed Mt Rogers today and camped past the Thomas Knob Shelter. I had a good hike of 16 miles.
Date: 2008-05-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 20.9

May 9 (Friday)Up at dawn, I hiked 6 miles to Hurricane Gap where I reached the road to Sugar Grove where I needed to go to resupply as I am totally out of food. It is still raining today, a cold rain. A man in a pick up truck gave me a ride into Sugar Grove, another ride in the back end of a pick up; but it was a lot better than walking. After I resupplied, a man named Shane took me back to Hurricane Gap. I really appreciated these fellows giving me rides. I made it into Partnership Shelter about 6:30 tonight. I had 20.9 mile day ¢ Yea!!!
Date: 2008-05-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 13.0

May 10, 2008 (Saturday)I hiked 11 miles today to Atkins, VA from Partnership Shelter. It is late day and it has been raining all day. I have a cold so I think I am going to spend the night here; there is a motel and a gas station - not much more here. I need to rest and get over this cold. The only hot food at the gas station was hot dogs so hot dogs were great. I am ready for a hot shower to warm up.
Date: 2008-05-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

May 11, 2008 (Sunday)What a miserable day, dark all day with vicious storms, hard rain the entire day. I decided to take a 0 day today. I am staying at a small motel. The only place to get food is a Shell gas station so hot dogs it is. Tornados touched down around us here. So glad I held up here; as I cannot image what it would be like to be on the mountain in this terrible weather. The winds here in the gap are 40 miles an hour; the winds on the mountain would be at least 60. With rain for 2 solid days, the creeks would probably be now up to my waist to cross. I have been fighting a cold since Damascus. This 0 day will be good for my cold and my body.
Date: 2008-05-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

May 12, 2008It is till raining and cold. We had hail today. It was just too rainy and windy to leave for the trail today so another 0 day here in Atkins. I wrote some poetry today and continued to take my cold medicine, feeling so much better. I am so ready to hit the trail. I will leave tomorrow ¢ no matter what.
Date: 2008-05-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.2

May 13Another gloomy day with heavy winds and cold. The terrain and climb are both difficult. I came across a man sitting in the middle of the trail, he had pulled a tendon and was waiting for someone to come and get him to take him back to Atkins. Two other hikers passed by me; they told me they had been held up for 2 days in a shelter during the tornados and storms. I hiked 14.2 miles today to Knot Maul shelter. I was all alone at the shelter. Animal noises woke me up around 4:30 am.
Date: 2008-05-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 8.9

May 14Up at 7 with overcast skies and very windy and cold. It took me 8 hours to hike 8.9 miles with the last 4.5 miles straight up. I stopped at the Chestnut Knob Shelter about 2:30 to rest and eat some lunch. The sky turned black and storms came; so I stayed at this shelter for the night. I did not see anyone today except a tall, tall deer who was very thin; he roamed around and checked me out. I really did not want to stop so early; but the storms were set in for the night.
Date: 2008-05-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 10.0

May 16 (Friday)Thursday night I stayed at the Jenkins Shelter. My right leg is hurting from straining it in the mud so I hobbled into Jenkins Shelter. Another hiker came into the shelter later in the evening. He asked me if I had seen Brush Strokes; I was so surprised and told him that I was Brush Strokes. He was from Wilmington where he is a locksmith. We had a lot to talk about, so nice to see someone from home. He was doing a section hike, going south.I was up at 7 and started my hike, my leg is much better. It is another dark and rainy day, and I am cold and soaked to the bone.I came out on a 2 lane road about 4:30; a lady picked me up and took me into Bland, VA. She was nice enough to take me to get some supplies and dropped me off at the Big Walker Hotel where I stayed the evening ¢ hot shower!!! I did 10.0 miles today.
Date: 2008-05-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.2

May 17 (Saturday)I left about 10:30 this morning, waiting for the rain to subside and did 14.2 miles to Jenny Knob Shelter. I had sunshine today, still cold. Light is affecting the color of the leaves with new growth on the trees. The forest is changing so. I have many visions for my paintings. I can see another storm coming in for tonight. So I am staying here for the night even though it is only 5 p.m. The water supply is down, down over the hill.
Date: 2008-05-18
From: Jenny Knob Shelter

To: Wapiti Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: light rain

May 18 (Sunday)I hiked 14.2 miles to Wapiti Shelter up to 4,000 ft elevation. It rained all day. The shelter was full, so I tented. It was pitch dark by 7 pm when I arrived at shelter. I jumped into my sleeping bag. It stormed with loud thunder and hard rain all night. My sleeping bag was wet ¢ miserable night ¢ so cold and wet.
Date: 2008-05-19
From: Wapiti Shelter

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: overcast clouds

May 19 (Monday)I took a fall over a tree limb and feet went out from under me ¢ twisted my back. Not feeling very well. It is so muddy from all the rains. Nothing I have is dry.I am calling all these rocks ¢ mine fields ¢ jumping all around always hoping to land on a flat solid rock that does tip over with me,I found the town of Pearisburg at 8:30 in the dark - falling, literally, down the mountain, hanging onto small trees to keep my falls at a minimal. It was so very dark, very dark, walking around this town in the rain trying to find the Holy Hostel. After about an hour, a man who works with the Division of Wildlife drove by and picked me up and took me to the Holy Hostel ¢ I would have never found the hostel? Thank you!!!I hiked from Wapiti Shelter to Pearisburg, 17.6 miles and then 3 miles around Pearisburg.
Date: 2008-05-20
From: Pearisburg

To: Pearisburg
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

May 20, 2008 (Tuesday)I slept on a cot last night at Holy Hostel, it was so nice. My body hurts all over, it is all re-arranged. My knees feel like they need to go down another 6 inches to lock into my knee caps. I went to PO and got a package from my honey. Thank you so much ¢ I love you big! I was able to launder my clothes. I went to $ store to get some pain medicine. I ate a nice breakfast at local caf©. Coffee was so good. I rested on the cot most of the day. I ate at Pizza Hut with some other hikers (section hiking-southbound) for dinner. It has rained all day today. I surely hope that it does not rain much tomorrow, I want to get started early.
Date: 2008-05-21
From: Pearisburg

To: Rice Field Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: few clouds

May 21, 2008   Up early here at the Holy Hostel in Pearisburg. It rained all night and is still raining. About 9:30 the rain slowed so I left Pearisburg. It took me over 2 hours just to reach 1 mile outside of Pearisburg at the trail head ¢ this hike up out of Pearisburg is a killer. It was a dark and gloomy day, threatening rain. I arrived at Rice Field Shelter at 3 pm and staying the night here as it is very windy with black skies, getting ready to stormI hiked 14.2 miles today. I am very pleased with the day. I am really hoping for sunshine tomorrow.
Date: 2008-05-22
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Bailey Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: few clouds

May 22, 2008Sun is shining, what a nice day! I was able to take off my down vest and jacket. Trees and trail are wonderful. On top of the bald, I can see for about 40 miles, the streams the towns ¢ spectacular site. I stopped at Pine Swamp Branch Shelter for lunch. The roof had blown off during the storms last week. My next stop will be Bailey Gap Shelter, but I hear from southbound hikers, I will have to take a detour as the bridge was washed away this past weekend. So glad to have my maps.
Date: 2008-05-24
From: War Spur Shelter

To: Laurel Creek Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

May 24, 2008I hiked 14.6 miles today. I hurried as my wife was to pick me up on Rt. 41, just down from Laurel Creek Shelter around 7 p.m. As I was coming off the mountain, there was a meadow with donkeys. I petted and talked to the donkeys, they were so tame. My wife flew from Wilmington into Roanoke and picked up me up a little after 7. We went to Blacksburg to Comfort Inn. On Saturday evening, we went to a fine Mexican Restaurant with great food and great service.
Date: 2008-05-25
From: Laurel Creek Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

May 25, 2008I am so used to being up at dawn that we rose at 6 p.m. to eat a nice breakfast; I cannot get enough fruit and milk. Blacksburg is a very clean town with a unique downtown and very nice people. We got supplies for my next trek. Then we went to the movies ¢ we saw the new Indian Jones movie and ate movie popcorn and movie candy bars. It was the ultimate. We had a nice mid-day meal at Texas Steakhouse. Of course, I had a nice steak ¢ very tasty!! We then watched the race on TV. 0 day.