morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-04-26
From: Rice Field Shelter

To: Bailey Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: light rain

Captain's log...Yeti told me to start off like that. Had a lack of a good starting sentence.   Today started off like any other day. You hear one zipper open a sleeping bag and you crack open an eye hoping they just have to go to the bathroom and it is really not morning yet.   But, then you see the light outside of the shelter, you know....it's almost time to get up. But maybe everyone else will stay asleep and it's just one person up. But, no again, another zipper goes and bags start to rustle and you're up. It's morning. Poptart time. But,first pack everything.This morning I took my time, crumbled and crushed blueberry poptart and put it in carnation milk chocolate breakfast. Poptart cereal....mmm good.But, when we finally started hiking the rain began and what I thought were just "town blues" returned. So, I guess I have early Virginia blues. No big deal, just keep walking. My music wasn't helping, but Swansons had an instant cheer up quick fix. He has a new radio that gets in TV and he let me listen to The Ellen Degenerus Show for an hour. It was awesome walking on a mountain in the rain yet listening to a talk show I'd normally me in my livingroom watching. I couldn't have been happier. It definitely sucked the blues right out of me.We had to ford our first river today due to the bridge being out. I was up to my knees in quick moving water praying that I didn't slip and soak my entire world. I chose to go barefoot and could feel how slippery the rocks beneath me were. But we made it without incident, Granite, Yeti, Swansons and I, at least. Thumper, Pebbles and Snake took the detour trail on the road. Probably a smarter choice.Oh, and we saw our first box turtle today up on the ridge. And I can't help but wonder how does a creature so slow and stumpy get all the way up on top of a mountain? He wouldn't poke his head out to greet us, but he did pose for a few pictures.Walked 16.5 miles today, but it felt more like 10....Virginia ridge lines are very good to us. 21 tomorrow, hoping for some more ridge walking and turtles. Fording a river once a day would be nice too...cools your feet off.
Date: 2006-04-27
From: Bailey Gap Shelter

To: At the Keffer Oak
Miles today: 18.3

We have an open field, the stars and cold beer. Oh, and of course, our Lipton dinners. What a wonderful way to be living right now. No work in the morning, just walking.Today turned out to be an amazing day. It started out foggy and damp but the sun finally did make an appearance and we were able to make the most of it.We rambled along for most of the day, taking a nice long lunch break before starting our big climb up to our 2nd Kelly's Knob of the trip. Georgia's Kelly's Knob was nothing compared to VA's. Swansons and I took the side trail to the actual knob and we were very glad we did. It was a bunch of boulders hanging over a cliff and you had to leap over deep crevices to get to each one, and you got a beautiful view of a valley below. Plus a picture of Kelly (Kurly) on Kelly's Knob. Rock on!It wasn't until the next shelter that the real planning of the day kicked in . We were supposed to do 21 miles total today up to the next shelter but we all decided we wanted to tent so we decided to look for a spot a little short of the next shelter, by the big old oak tree. But, the best part about this plan was that before the tree we came to a road which led to a town that had a grocery store which meant beer and snacks! So, we decided when we got to the road, two of us would hitch out and bring back goodies for everyone else then we would hike a mile for a campsite.We didn't think it would be easy, but oh how easy it was! Two college kids from NY rode up and wanted to take pictures of us thru-hikers hiking along the trail for their class. Well, in exchange for pictures, Swansons and I got them to drive us down into town for beer. (We also bought them a sixer of Corona). They were awesome guys and even tried to settle our Unicorn dispute on whether they are magical or not.So with beer distributed throughout our packs, doritos, and OJ for the morning we thanked our new friends and hiked out to find a prime campsite.And, here we are, once again not sure if we are on a farmer's land or not but pretty sure it is national forest. We have beer and stars. Tonight, it's Pebbles, Snake, Thumper, Jeabus, Swansons and I, oh and Jackson, Jeabus' dog. Very awesome time all sitting and talking about trail life.Hopefully, tonight and tomorrow will bring us more of this awesome weather. For now, it is way passed hiker midnight (9:00PM) and I must pass out.
Date: 2006-04-28
From: At the Keffer Oak

To: Pickle Branch Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: scattered clouds

This morning at about 6AM I heard a cow moo. And, suddenly I remembered where we were. Camping in the middle of a field covered in cow patties. I envisioned us all opening up our tents to find old Bessy chomping some grass with all her friends right next to us. I also imagined them charging us as we tried to put the tents away. The cows out here are like that.   Snake will tell ya. So far, the next two hours I drifted in and out and with every moo tried to gauge how close they were.To my surprise, However, when we did finally arise, there were no cows to be seen. Bummer.   It would have made a great story.We walked some very awesome ridge line today. Almost the entire way we were treated with spectacular views of Virginia's green mountains and farms. I tripped many times as I got caught up looking at the view and not where I was going. These trails have been the best so far. Taking breaks on giant boulders overlooking a world of green is the best way to do the trails.Almost 700 miles today. 20 miles short. Almost half way through Virginia and soon to be Trail Days and parent's weekend in Harper's Ferry. Two great things to look forward to! We all need a morale booster. I think VA blues have gotten to us a little bit. We need to recover and get in gear. It feels like we have been out here so long and yet we still have so far to go. It's exciting and depressing at the same time. I hope Lipton comes out with more flavors for their sides or we are all going to go insane by Maine. We are going to have to start being a lot more creative with our meals if we want to stay sane....even poptarts are becoming old. But not blueberry...blueberry will never die. Long live blueberry poptarts. Oh, and Lipton can make, say, penne and vodka sauce side? Or a hamburger helper type dinner? Much appreciated.
Date: 2006-04-29
From: Pickle Branch Shelter

To: Daleville, Virginia
Miles today: 12.6
Weather: clear sky

It felt like we hiked a thousand miles today. Really, I think we did. I'm not positive, but Wingfoot may be off on this one. Don't get me wrong, it was a gorgous, gorgous, awesome, amazing, totally cool hike. But, it seemed to take forever. The rocks and the climbing and the day-hikers, so many obstacles for one to take on! Plus, my MP3 player kept shutting off on me and I got stung by a bee! Insanity!!Today's hike was probably one of my favorites, next to the Grayson Highlands. Virginia's ridgeline is gorgous and today's section just offered never ending views and challenging little climbs.   Plus, Dragon's Tooth, which was amazing. Swansons and I climbed up to the very tip of the tooth and for me it was exhilarating because I was so scared. On either side of us there were cliffs and nothing but two feet of rock holding us in place. I would have chickened out if it wasn't for Swansons.But, climbing up and down over and around big cliffs and rocks all day can make for slow miles and hurting feet. That's why it was perfect that we had the Homeplace Restaurant for dinner. Which is an AYCE (all you can eat) and the best damned food I've ever had in a long while.Granite's mother is also here visiting and she got us all hotel rooms for the night in Troutville. We got showers and a hot tub! Granite, her mom, Pebbles and I are sharing a room and Thumper, Snake, Yeti and Swansons have another room. Boys and girls... very cute. Thank you to Granite's mom for doing that for us. Tomorrow we are going to slack the remaining 20 miles to Daleville and leave our stuff in our hotel room. Such a nice life we have! Who would want to got back to the real world after this?
Date: 2006-05-04
From: Daleville, Virginia

To: Daleville, Virginia
Miles today: 2.1
Weather: clear sky

After 3 zero days in the Travelodge, 3 days in bed or in the bathroom dealing with something crazy going on in my stomach, 3 days of poor Swansons waiting on me hand and foot and not being able to eat...we thought that maybe, just maybe, we could actually hike out today.So we spent all morning getting ready and cleaning up, then headed out. First stop, Outfitters for a new platypus. My pack felt like a hundred pounds on my recovering back. 3 days in bed only to get up and throw 40 lbs. on your back..fun. But we were anxious to get back out there and be ambitious. We were aiming for 18 miles. OK. I was ambitious. Seeing as I stll couldn't eat a full meal without feeling sick and my pack still felt like it weighed 100 lbs. But, I'm stubborn. So, we hiked out of town with high hopes. Though I quickly became discouraged when after about a half mile I began to feel dizzy and everything started to move in slow motion. We got 2 miles before Swansons convinced me to give it up and go back to town for another night. My legs were like lead. So, I gave up being stubborn. I needed to get a full meal in my stomach before tackling this crazy backpacking thing.We hitched back into town and got another room, then finally a real dinner. Spaghetti and meatballs at the pizza place. It gave me energy I'd been lacking and a stomach ache. But, I'll sacrifice one for the other.Tomorrow a good healthy breakfast and I'll hike like old me again, or like new me. Or at least, I'll just hike....hopefully. But for now, it's another night in a comfy bed and TV. Rough life we lead.   But we miss the trail. It's time to get back out there. I'm starting to miss being dirty!
Date: 2006-05-05
From: Daleville, Virginia

To: Wilson creek Shelter
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: overcast clouds

It's good to be back! It is so nice to finally be back out in the woods and finally be feeling better.We slept in until 9 and then made our way to the continental breakfast, which was awesome. 2 bowls of fruit loops, a piece of french toast, bagel with cream chees, and OJ. Yeah, I knew I was feeling better.We got sucked into the TV before leaving and actually didn't get out until 11:00 AM. TV is much more addicting when you are in the woods most of the time. Ellen Degeneres Cinco De Mayo Show, very captivating. But we finally snapped out of it and began humpin all our gear down the road and tried to grab a hitch to the spot we had left yesterday. It didn't take long before a very nice but odd guy picked us up. It's funny to think of all the different people who have picked us up while we've been hitchhiking. That could be a book alone. "Tales of the Appalachian Hitchhiker".   Or some crazy title...Always an adventure.So, the first 3 miles of today's hike sucked. I mean really sucked.   My body had gotten way to used to lying in bed. We almost stopped at the first shelter for the night. But after a good break there I felt stronger and more rested. My body was starting to face the fact that it was going to have to switch back into hiker mode...and on the next 6.2 miles it proved that it could do just that. I felt like my old self again and my pack suddenly didn't feel as though it weighted 100 lbs. It only took a few miles to work the kinks out and sweat the sickness away. By the time we got to the next shelter, I was actually starving. Happy Dance!! We decided to not press the new presence of energy and just stay here for the night. Save the big miles for tomorrow.I ate my entire dinner and half of Swansons' raspberry crumble which was supposed to serve 4. And Gummy bears! Hello hiker appetite..My old friend!!It is cool to be out among new faces and meeting new people. New stories to be heard and told. But we do miss our little gang. Hope none of you guys get my plague!!Tomorrow we are shootin' for 20 miles and hoping for no rain. We are in the shelter tonight with Dr. Jones and Rosie, two thru-hikers we have not crossed paths with before. Like I said before, new stories are awesome! Sometimes it's cool to get behind a little and see who's comin in after you.
Date: 2006-05-06
From: Wilson creek Shelter

To: Bryant Ridge Shelter
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: clear sky

Everything was alive today except my MP3 player. That died today, officially. Time of death approximately 8:00am..cause of death..unknown. The stupid little thing. But even though it died, everything else was good and flourishing. The flowers were in full bloom. I smelled my first mountain laurel flower today, very good. Everything was green, a perfect breeze was blowing, and the forest was teaming with wildlife.I saw a deer first thing this morning near the shelter. Swansons and I saw a box turtle again up on the ridge. That blows my mind. I saw a baby black racer and about 6 or 7 lizards. We also went swimming with Dr. Jones and Rosie and saw fish and frogs everywhere. No bears, though. It was a great day for my music to die because there was so much to be heard in the woods. We were scaring off wildlife left and right as we walked. There was a constant scurrying and crunching of leaves.As we sat by the river before our last 4 miles of the day, I watched a group of monarch butterflies. They were all fluttering around a dead friend on the ground. It was very sad but touching the way they would swoop in and hover over their lost friend before flying back to rejoin the group. I could have sat there in the sun watching them for hours. But, as usual there was hiking to be done.We are in an awesome shelter tonight. Two levels with a porch and picnic table! And the best part of all, the water source is right smack in front of it! I don't think I have mentioned it before, but usually at the end of the day when you get to the shelter you have to go and refill water for dinner and what not. But the thing that stinks is that the water is usually down hill about 200 yards, less if you are lucky. But always down hill. Not fun at the end of a long day to have to lug all your water up a hill. So it is a luxury to have it right there. So close we can hear it. It will put us to sleep tonight. Makes me want to just set up camp here for a few days. Well, that, and that we have a big climb tomorrow that I am not looking forward to at all.They are calling for rain tomorrow and I'm actually hoping for it to keep us cool thru all the climbing. Just spare me the lightning and thunder.Tonight we are here with Dr. Jones and Rosie, Casey Jones and Doodle and two section hikers. Smiles Alot and I'm bad, I can't remember the other guy's name. But all really cool people. Got to get good hard sleep tonight. 22 miles on the agenda for tomorrow with 3000 ft elevation change in the first 10 miles. that means big breatfast in the morning! Poptarts, don't fail me now!!
Date: 2006-05-07
From: Bryant Ridge Shelter

To: Matts Creek Shelter
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was by far, the shortest feeling 22 mile we've ever done. It rained almost all day. But the cool thing is that it made us move our butts and we did the last 13 miles without a break.There seemed to be alot of climbs today which made me very thankful for the rain. If it had been hot and sunny I don't know if I would have made it. I would have made it, but I would have been a lot more grumpy.So we hiked up Floyd Mountain in the rain, then Apple Orchard Mountain in the rain, then over a few knobs in the rain. And here we are, dinner ws amazing, but I am too tired to write....
Date: 2006-05-09
From: Punchbowl Shelter

To: Buena Vista, VA
Miles today: 11.3

We somehow seemed to have landed in Buena Vista, Va instead of a shelter..say..oh..about 17 miles or so from where we set off this morning. It all happened so fast. There was a road crossing and about an hour's worth of hitching and a nice old lady who I think was lost. But we just got caught up in the moment and ended up in town...really.It all started last night when a couple of section hikers told us about a very strange guy they ran into at another shelter the day before. Apparently he was out being a survivalist and asking them all about where they hike and how often they get separated. The guys weren't too keen on him and we thought he sounded a bit odd too. But you meet alot of odd people when you walk all day every day through forest and towns. So we didn't worry too much about him, just decided to steer clear of the shelter he had shacked up in.This morning we had pretty much forgotten all about it. We had to, another section hiker during the night had a family of mice move into the bottom of his pack. They even went so far as to build a nest out of his socks. Creepy guys take back seats over baby mice still clinging to mom being dumped out of a guy's backpack. It was hilarious. One of the greatest sites I'd ever seen!After all that commotion, Swansons and I set off with hopes of about a 17 or 18 mile day to a campsite. It was a cool morning, but finally a bit warmer and damp but finally not raining. And it was a very smooth hike, not too many climbs.Then we met the creepy guy. He was sitting on a rock beside the trail, reading. Pretty normal stuff. We exchanged "hey, how ya doins" and kept hiking. Since he had been seen North of that spot 2 days ago I figured he was hiking southbound. But when Swansons and I stopped at a spring for water about a mile later he appeared quickly behind us with the hood of his sweatshirt pulled down over his eyes. All part of the adventure..He hung out and talked with us about how he was out here for 9 days and now he wants to take his bike and ride to a freight train then hitch a ride. Usually I would be like, "yeah man right on, do your thing!" But something in my gut was not sittin' right with this guy. So we started off again. And instead of sitting around a campsite tonight constantly looking over my shoulder I figured I'd feel more comfortable letting him hike beyond us or whatever he was gonna do. And I thought, hey, good excuse to dry out in a motel room and eat junk food. It was meant to be, seeing as we were 4 miles from US60 which led directly to Buena Vista. Had to do it.So we saved the big climb for the early morning. Even have a shuttle lined up for 7:30 am. Swansons isn't happy about that part. I'm sure the creepy guy was harmless, but sometimes a girl's gotta go with her gut. Now, we just have to walk more miles. But what else is new.
Date: 2006-05-11
From: Buena Vista, VA

To: Montebello, VA
Miles today: 16.3

Things are progressing along slowly here in central Virginia. We keep meaning to get on out of here but the trail keeps working against us. We spent the night in Bueno Vista meaning to get a ride early the next morning back to the trail head. However, Swansons woke up in the middle of the night with a few issues. Apparently he hadn't escaped the stomach virus that had been my birthday present. So we ended up taking a zero in Bueno Vista while he rested up. A day spent watching mindless movies and eating...eating so much.This morning we were ready to get out of there and hike. We had planned for a 20 mile day and even bigger day tomorrow.The day started great. It was pouring rain, foggy as all h-e-double hockey sticks and windy. But we were optimistic.   We hiked up and along the ridge for 13 miles without a break. I'm sure it would have been a gorgous hike with awesome views, but the rain and fog kept pourin' in. By the time we reached the shelter for lunch we were soaked through. But still happy to be in the woods again. Then it happened.I was reading the register and everyone who had signed it spoke about how they were going to the Dutch Haus in Montebello. This lovely place we have heard raving reviews about for a few days now was only about 5 miles from where we sat. They had thru-hiker discounts, internet access, dinner, breakfast...all the good stuff.This would only put us behind 3 miles of today's goal and it would be warm and dry. Now I know, we just spent two days in a hotel but I hate missing out on must see stops on the trail. It's not just about walking in the woods, but about the culture and the different people and towns. It's all a part of the adventure.   Besided, Swansons eyes lit up like a little kid when I mentioned it.So it was agreed and we set off for our first Bed and Breakfast. It actually stopped raining as we set off, but just as we were in seeing distance of the house the skies opened up on us once again. Just made us even more happy that we chose to head in.We were greeted with fresh lemonade and towels. And also a few friends we met a few days ago. An awesome place the Dutch Haus. Dinner was incredible and dessert was twice as good. They have movies and TV's and VCR's in every room. Swansons and I are watching Home Alone as I write this. We have been spoiled and this place is going to be hard to leave in the morning after pancakes. But we are here to walk in the woods..or at least get out of central, VA so we can get a little closer to Maine.
Date: 2006-05-12
From: Montebello, VA

To: Rusty's Hard Time Hollow
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: overcast clouds

This is a record for Swansons and I. We have traveled 35 miles in 3 days and have not spent a single night in a tent or a shelter any of those three nights. Although, here at Rusty's it is close enough to a shelter. But a shelter with culture and sodas! And the best damn peanut butter and jelly sandwiches I have ever had. Blueberry jam is the way to go.This morning at the Dutch Haus we were greeted with hazelnut coffee and breakfast consisting of blueberry pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage and fresh fruit. There could be no better way to start the day. The hike started out awesome as well. Earl drove us as close as he could to the trail head and we hiked the rest of the way up the forest service road before getting on the AT.Our first stop of the day was only a half mile in at Spy Rock. We had to climb up the rocks, which is very refreshing when you are used to hiking all the time. The view off the rock was amazing, and it actually wasn't raining so we could see! Did I mention that the sun was actually out?After Spy Rock the hike was nice along the ridge. However, once we climbed the Priest Mountain it seemed for the rest of the day it was either way up or hard downs. So the day seemed to drag on for awhile. My knees have begun to protest the downs alot more than they used to, but they are just going to have to learn to deal.   We still have alot more downs to conquer.The hard day pretty much laid in stone for Swansons and I that we would make the all important stop at Rusty's Hard Time Hollow tonight. It is one place on the trail you cannot pass by. It has been a Hostel for as long as I have been alove..and it is the most interesting place I have been to yet.Rusty is a great guy with a great sense of humor! Swansons and I played endless pingpong and we all sat around talking and enjoying the cool atmosphere or Rusty's.We are with Moaf, Freebird, Uber Dude, Saspirilla, Crumbs, 4 Today, and Low Key here. And hopefully there will be some major pancakes in the morning! Extra long day tomorrow into Waynesboro, but this stop was worth every extra step we'll have to walk tomorrow.(Side note: I keep forgetting to talk about some of the wildlife we've seen lately.)Today we saw a huge barn owl by Maupin Shelter. It flew out right in front of us, and was incredibly silent as it took off. Definitely the coolest sighting yet.