morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-06-25
From: Wise Shelter

To: Troutdale
Miles today: 16.1

Started the day with band aids and duct tape on each heel. Left the shelter at 7:35am and finished up at 2:35pm. We made it to Troutdale and had a late lunch with Jerry at the trading post and then paid him to shuttle us to Marion. Going to take a zero on Thursday to heal up a little and to stay on schedule for Billy (a friend from church) to meet up with us. Had pizza tonight, got a shower and washed clothes, and got to talk with the family. Life is Good. Actually life is sometimes very hard and unkind but God is always good. Even, or especially when we don't understand it. 'Pod out for now.
Date: 2008-06-27
From: Troutdale

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

Hit the trail ready to go at 7:50 and had the miles done by 1:30. The walk was pretty easy and there was really not much to look at today. The shelter here is AWESOME! Shower, privy, lots of room. Big daddy and I are in the loft and Red Flag and Bellows are downstairs. The NRA center is great as well. Easy water access, cold sodas, and candy bars! Hitched a ride to the "sugar Grove Diner" and had a late lunch. It was awesome...fried chicken, homemade mashed potatoes, pintos, and biscuits...my my! We're going to have to alter our plans a little as Davis Path shelter is "no more". taking an easy day to Atkins and we'll make up the miles on Sunday. Hello to my wife and girls, love and miss you bunches, IPOD.
Date: 2008-06-28
From: Partnership Shelter

To: Adkins Va
Miles today: 11.5

Short day today. Had planned to go to Davis shelter but they moved it. Actually the left the pad but took down the shelter. Since we're shelter hopping this trip we had to make a change. The first 6 miles today were slightly up and the last 5 were pretty easy down to the interstate.(I81) We left at 8:15 and arrived at I81 at 12:45. We got some lunch at the "barn" (excellent by the way) then checked in to the "relax inn". Not extravagant but it'll do. Got a shower and washed some clothes and resting up for the next 2 days (15 and 19 miles). Not really much scenery...just roots and rocks and trees. Oh well, I guess the real mountains we've come over so far have spoiled me when it comes to breath taking views. I'm sure things will change as we get further north. Hello to my family, love you guys and miss your smiling faces. You are truly gifts from God! Hearing the TUNE, 'Pod.
Date: 2008-06-29
From: Adkins Va

To: Knot Maul Shelter
Miles today: 13.9

Got started about 8:30 and finshed up around 2:45. I did get a chance to talk to my wife and girls this morning just before they left on a mission trip to Mississippi. The walk was uneventful. Some ups and some downs and not much to really catch your eye or imagination. After we got to the shelter we had to walk another .4 miles one way to get water. Started to rain shortly after 3pm and stopped around 4:30. With everything soaking wet we thought it would be a good idea to tell Dig Daddy that he couldn't start a fire with everything being so wet. Oh the fun we had watching him go to work. Very dtermined. In the end we had an enormous, very hot, fire that really made the night comfortable. Our plan is to wake up early about 4am and do some night hiking. We'd like to get 19 into Jenkins shelter by lunch then after some rest get another 11.2 to bland. Never done a 30 mile day. We'll just have to see how thing work out. I'll take it howvere it comes...flexology is the key! Looking forward to seeing Billy and finishing up in Pearisburg with him. Guess that's all for now, tomorrow is going to be a long day. 'Pod out.
Date: 2008-06-30
From: Knot Maul Shelter

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: light rain

Didn't make it at 4am like we'd planned. Woke up and it was pouring down rain so we decided to sleep in a little longer. Finally left about 7:15 and arrived just as the rain did about 4:15pm. The walk was a lot more difficult than I had anticipated. More steep ups than it looked like on the map. Anyway, it's over for today. It's also colder at night than I thought it would be. If I had it to do over again i'd bring my sleeping bag and leave the "blanket" at home. Cold is not good. Big Daddy was also really give out after the walk today. I don't think I've ever seen anyone go to sleep that fast. Literally we had not been in the shelter for more than 3 minutes and he was huddled up in a blanket and asleep...oh well, what can you do. Tomorrow Billy is supposed to join us. Hopefully we'll meet him in Bland around lunch time. Tomorrow is my wedding aniversary...19 years and still going strong! Happy Anniversary Sweetheart! We should be in Pearisburg by Friday pm. Looking forward to some real food in town as well as shower and clean clothes. Hearing the Tune, listening for the suttle Harmony, 'Pod.
Date: 2008-07-01
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Bland Va
Miles today: 11.5
Weather: clear sky

Happy Anniversary to my darling wife!Left the shelter around 7 and arrived at the road to Bland about 11:15. Got a ride into town with Walter Byrd. He's a public transportation man and was taking some ladies into town from a meeting hall near the trail. On the way into town (when the ladies learned my trialname was IPOD) they asked us to sing something for them. So we sang 3 or 4 hymns and they really seemed to enjoy it. The walk itself was uneventful...again. I know that can be a good thing but I'm really missing the scenery that we've been blessed with up to this point. Picked up Billy today and helped Red Flag and Duck Soup with some food and a shower and a ride back to the trail. It's interesting the bonds that form out here. A common goal with common obstacles seem to bring people together. 3 more days and only 42 miles left for this section. Planning a short day tomorrow only about 12 or so. IPOD.
Date: 2008-07-02
From: Bland Va

To: Va 606
Miles today: 18.6

Good day! Our first day out with Billy and we added 6.5 miles to the agenda. Not on purpose of course. When we got to Jenny Knolb shelter there was no water. So we had to press on. We walked to Va 606 then another .5 miles to the convenient store. Billy was a real trooper. He's already in very good shape but still hiking is a different kind of "fit". Great Idea to keep moving! Cold Mt Dew, M & M's, and they had a shower we used and tonight we're actually sleeping on the back porch. Is God good or what. We had the opportunity today to see a large(guestimate around 250-350 lbs.) black bear! Close..at least close enough for me. Probably about 30-40 yards. Big Daddy was leading and he stopped suddenly...I said, "what are you doing, you'll get enough rest when you're dead". He said, "there's a bear up there on the trial". Of course we really didn't believe him until we saw the animal. Awesome. When the animal finally bolted it left us all with a new level of respect for this animals awesome power, speed, and quickness. Also saw some large deer today that seemed to walk with us for about 3 minutes before bolting off into the woods. Cool day, a little long but I'm feeling surprising good. Doesn't that just figure...getting my trail legs with only 2 says left on this section. Oh well, Ipod out.
Date: 2008-07-03
From: Va 606

To: Doc's Knolb Shelter
Miles today: 16.1

Got up and had a great cheese and egg biscuit with tomato and a cold diet pepsi. My ole my! Life is good. Actually as we've discussed...life is tough but God is good. Made the miles pretty easy today. Just as I'm getting into real trail shape the section is almost over. Oh well, thats ok. I'm ready to see my family again and I'm looking forward to our summer plans together. Billy is hanging in quite well but having a little trouble with the rocky downs. Tomorrow is only about 8 miles down and into Pearisburg. We'll be there by lunch and who knows maybe a Pizza Hut buffet. Not sure if I'll come back for more, We'll just have to see. Life's too short and I really don't want to miss any more of my daughters' "growing up". It's a little selfish to keep going away for weeks at the time. I'll know if it's right when the time comes and either way...it'll be ok. 'Pod out.
Date: 2008-07-04
From: Doc's Knolb Shelter

To: Pearisburg Va
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: overcast clouds

The hike is over for now. In a way i'm relieved, in a way sad to leave. The trail has such a strange alure to it. It's really hard to explain. The walk today was very steep and down into Pearisburg. It's been great to share more time with Big Daddy. Our friendship has probably grown beyond that word...more like brothers i'd say. He's a great friend and we've certainly seen our share of "things" together. Having Billy along was really a treat. Most everything was new to him and it was exciting just watching him react to what he was experiencing. Maybe next year I'll make it back. Until then my prayer will be that God continues to reveal Himself to me in ways that I can understand and incorporate into my life that those around me will see the difference He has made and is continuting to make in my life. Hoping the hear the Full Orchestra, 'Pod.
Date: 2009-05-10
From: Pearisburg Va

To: symms gap meadow
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: overcast clouds

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times...part 4. Can anyone who knows me believe that I'm back on the trail again? Big Daddy and I hit the trail again in Pearisburg and hopefully wil go to Montibello Va. Approx. 187 miles for this section. Our wonderful wives brought us up on saturday. we ate out at Carrabas for Mother's day and they dropped us off this morning around 9:45. It's always hard for me to leave my wife and girls. They are the best and we share a wonderful love of God and each other. As for the trail, we were welcomed by about 1700 feet of ups. Man am i out of shape...I'm not even sure that round is a shape after today. Oh well, we made it to our planned spot for the day around 3 ish. Set up camp, and relaxed. Soon we were not alone. Bison, Bahama Dave, goof, mr buffaloman and Sunnuke have joined us. They have been basically together since Springer! Pretty amazing. They seem like nice guys and we should get to know them better over the next week or so. Tomorrow should be a fun day of ups and downs. We're shooting for 16.4 and another night of camping. After that we'll probably be at shelters (still campiing) until Daleville. It's getting late so I'm going to do some reading and then turn in. The sunset was fantastic tonight! Love to all my girls, 'POD out.
Date: 2009-05-11
From: sims gap meadow

To: Campsite, Spring
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: overcast clouds

What can I say about today? I did get a good nights sleep last night...that's about the extent of what I would consider good about the hike today. It started to rain about 5am and really never stopped until about 3:30. Breaking camp in the rain is never fun. Then walking in it most of the day really bites. The trail was very wet and the streams were overflwing which made crossing them an adventure to say the least. My footware for this section is the "Chaco" sandle. This made for a very wet, squishy day. I should have learned from Big Daddy...he's also wearing chacos but this trip he decided to put in a pair of waterproof socks to wear on days like today. Oh well, live and learn. The miles today(16.4) were hard for me. Everything was wet, the hills seemed too big (they were average...1000 to 1650 foot climbs)and the last 5 miles was one gigantic rock scramble. My feet feel like hamburger. Big Daddy did get a fire started once we got to the campsite. A fire always makes things seem a little brighter. Here with bison,goof,mr buffaloman, and sunnuke. It's about 8:45 and I'm glad to be in my tent and sleeping bag...finally warm and dry again. I still am unsure of why I continue to come back out here. Today was definitely no fun at all. Hello to my girls. I love each of you dearly. I know that you're praying me through. I didn't have a cell signal tonight so I couldn't call. Too bad for me...it really helps when I can hear your voices. Tomorrow is a new day that will bring new adventure and new challenges. 'POD out.
Date: 2009-05-12
From: Campsite, Spring

To: sarver hollow
Miles today: 15.9

It was a beautiful day for hiking. The weather was sunny and 70. The hike itself was ,once again, difficult for me. We went down for awhile then up 1500 ft. then down again, then up and down then finally up 800 feet to the shelter. I did get to talk to my wife today. Always good. Big daddy stopped to have a quick snack so I decided to try to get through. I had a good signal and got caught up a little. I'm beat, this is harder than I remember. Although we were passed twice today by other hikers who obviously were not having the same issues that we were. Feet hurt. I prayed most of the day for healing and to be able to get to the next shelter. I removed all the duct tape that I had applied and went with 2 pairs of socks. The last 3 miles or so seemed to be better. I don't always understand exactly how but I know God loves me and I believe that He always has my best interest at heart. Even when I don't understand it. Camping tonight with bison,sunnuke, goof, mr buffalo man and 2 others whose names I can't remember. Guess that's it for now, got to get some rest. 'POD out.
Date: 2009-05-13
From: sarver hollow

To: pickle branch shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: broken clouds

The weather was great again today! Started the day out with a 270 foot climb out from the shelter! The terrain was very diverse today. The first part was ridge line over bolder fields some of which were angled about 20 degrees. Not fun. Then we went downhill about 1500 feet so that we could...you guessed it go back up 1500 feet. We did get to see the Audie Murphy monuement and then we got to...you guessed it right again...go down another 1500 feet and then up about 600 to the shelter. Oh well, that's just life on the AT. My feet were great today...thank you girls for praying. Today was a hard day on my knees. I hurt my right calf muscle at the top right out of the shelter and pretty much had to drag it along for the next 16 miles. The left knee started hurting on the last big down. Hoping that a good night's rest and some vitamin I along with fervent prayer will have me ready for tomorrow. Starting out with the number of miles that we've planned may not be the smartest way to go. We can do the miles but at what cost to the body? It's hard to enjoy the hike when you're constantly hurting. Hello to my wife and girls. I love you all dearly. Would love to hear your voices but once again...no cell signal. 'POD signing out.
Date: 2009-05-14
From: pickle branch shelter

To: campbell shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: broken clouds

What a day! The weather was once again excellent. The knees were certainly a factor but God got me through it. The hike to Dragon's tooth was insane. In fact, I renamed it the "cliffs of insanity". Very steep ups and expecially downs. It would not be hard to buy the farm there if u know what I mean. After the down we decided to alter our plan and go to the store about .4 miles away. Great Idea! I ate most of a whole pizza and about 80 oz. of Mt Dew! Big Daddy had a huge burger and helped me finish off the pizza and also had about the same amount of Dew. This little side venture really revived us. With new found energy we decided to do 10 more miles and see Macafees Knob and tent just passed it. The Knob was unbelievable! Everyone needs to come and see this view. IT's only about 3.7 miles off of Va311. Words can not possibly descirbe the beauty and the sense of awe you get as you get to take part in this special places beauty. You certainly get an idea of just how big God is and just how smaill we all really are. The cool thing is He still loves and hears me when I call. Ended up in the shelter tonight just me and BigDaddy. Got to talk to the family and check in on things...always good for me. Tomorrow is about 15.4 miles into daleville and a much needed zero for the Podman. 'Pod out.
Date: 2009-05-15
From: campbell shelter

To: Daleville,VA
Miles today: 15.3

Slept in the shelter last night and it was a good thing...it rained all night. The only problem was the mice. Not that they are going to harm you but having them run around all night gnawing on things is a little disconcerting. Also we had drank so much Mt Dew that we couldn't seem to get to sleep. We both finally dozed off around 2am or so. We got up and hit the trail to Tinker's Cliffs around 8. The cliffs were impressive but our view was very limited by the fog. The hike itself was not so bad but looking at it in the AT guidebook you'd think that it was up to tinkers cliffs and then mostly downs all day long into Daleville. WRONG. Ups and downs all day long and for the two of us straight off the couch and on our 6th straight day on the trail...well let's just say I was very glad to get through today. My left knee hurt all day, especially on the downs. We're in the super 8 now and will be taking a 0 day tomorrow. Hopefully healing. It was nice to eat real food again and to drink lots of sweet tea. We're going to have to rethink the next 6 days of walking. We need to get 94 more miles in during that time frame. Nice to get a shower and to wash clothes. I almost smell like soap...ok well I did say almost. Pod out for now.
Date: 2009-05-16
From: Daleville,VA

To: daleville va
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Ah a zero day! Nice to have a day to relax and recouperate. Had a chance to catch up on emails and calls and was able to pick up a couple of knee braces from CVS. Had some more great Mexican food (we did that last night as well when we first got into town) as well as a stop at Pizza Hut. I'm looking forward to getting back to the trail and getting this section done. Looks like about 94 more miles to Montebello and our car. Here's hoping for good knees and feet until then. ipod out.
Date: 2009-05-17
From: daleville va

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Back to the trail today. We stopped at bojangles for a chicken biscuit then stocked up at Kroger and hit the trail about 1pm. It rained most of the morning but stopped just before we hit the trail. God is good. Well He's good all the time not just when things seem to go my way. The walk itself was average in terms of difficulty and good in terms of terrain...not many rocks, boulders, or roots. We arrived at the shelter around 6, had supper and a short conversation with a couple of new acquaintences...ancient ruin, black cat, and acadian(I think). Bison and rest of the herd are starting back where they left off at VA 311. I doubt we'll see anyomre of them this trip. It all goes well friday we'll do about 19 miles into Montebello and leave the trail for awhile to take care of some of our accounts back home. Started getting cold after dinner so we turned in to our tents. I'm nice and toasty in my bag journaling and wondering what Im going to do for the next 3 hours. I do have a cell signal so at least some of the time I can talk to the family. Hello girls, I love each one of you greatly and continue to pray that God annoits you for His purpose, protects you by the power of His name, and continues to reveal Himself to you in ways you can understand. Love you all bunches, IPOD.
Date: 2009-05-18
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Jennings Creek
Miles today: 16.9

Overall the trail today was the easiest yet. Now, having said that we found a way to make it a little more difficult. How...well we conveniently missed a turn just after an early lunch and proceded to walk approximately 1 mile in the wrong direction...downhill I might add! So we backtracked, found the trail and proceded to our campsite for the evening. The last 1.5 miles was very steep downhill and after 17 miles or so it really took it's toll on me and Big Daddy. My left knee was screaming. We got to the campsite, which is right beside VA 43, about 5:15. Numerous people came to fish during the next 3 hours or so. We tried to get a ride into town (4Mi) but everyone just seemed so...we'll just say no was willing to help us in the slightest. Oh well, God must have a better plan 4 us tonight. Although I personally liked the idea of hot food and real Mt Dew! Oh Well, I did have a cell signal long enough to talk with all my girls. Always a great pick me up for me to hear their voices. Tomorrow promises over 4000 feet of ups in 3 separate climbs. We'll just have to take it one step at a time. It's about 8:30 now and I'm going to read some and then try to get some rest. I finished Galations last night and I think I'm going to start Ephesians tonight. Love to all my girls, IPOD.
Date: 2009-05-19
From: Jennings Creek

To: Thunder Hill Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: scattered clouds

It was a cold night! Makes it hard to get up and put on our wet clothes and get going. We knew our day way going to be mostly ups, as it turned out it was all ups! Over 5600 feet of ups to be exact. Thankfully we only had 14 miles scheduled. We left about 9:15 and arrived around 5:15. We did have some trail magic right out of the gate. Another thru hiker had left a cooler of soda and yet another had left some candy bars. Thanks to both of you it really made a difference. We took our time and rested at the shelters along the way and on top of Apple Orchard Mtn, which is kind of a funny name because I couldn't find a single apple tree anywhere. The weather today was perfect once we got moving this morning. It really cools down fast in the evenings and we were in our tents by 7. That really makes for a long night. I think that this time of the each day is the worst! I'm not much on being alone. I did have a cell signal just long enough to say hello and send a quick text message. Mariah, I did receive yours but could not respond. Oh well, miss you all and love u bunches, Pod out.
Date: 2009-05-20
From: Thunder Hill Shelter

To: US 501, Wildwood Campground, Big Island VA
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: scattered clouds

What a great day for a hike! The weather was absolutely perfect. We got up and hit the trail about 7:25 and rolled up to us501 at about 1:45. The day was mostly ridges and downs with the exception of "High Cock Knob". This little intruder was about 750 feet up, which is not that high I know but it is pretty much straight up and come get you some. Oh well, what do ya do? Just keep walking. The end of the trail today was classic prayer answered. We had prayed for a ride from 501 to the campground (4.7 miles away). We arrived at the road and at first weren't exactly sure which way to go, we saw a car pull into the parking lot up the road so we walked up to have a look. There we found our trail angel...Ken. Ken not only stays at the campground but also was glad to offer us a ride and to offer us a cold Mt Dew! R U kidding me...life is good! He also took us to supper tonight and has agreed to take us to breakfast and then on to the trail in the am. How cool is that? We spent the rest of the evening talking with Terry and Donna Farmer, the owners of the campground. They were very nice and we enjoyed the conversation. Good to get the clothes washed as well as the body. Getting ready to call the family and get some rest. Tomorrow is a 20 mile day and it starts with a 2000 foot climb. Pod out.