morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-06-04
From: Matt's Creek Shelter

To: Peddlar Dam Bridge
Miles today: 17.1

Its hard waking up sticky and dirty and knowing you've got to do at least 17 miles, but we had promises to keep and miles to go....oh you know the poem.We were pretty lethargic and we weren't really moving quickly. We only saw one person all day. Pod and Rhody got off for a break in Big Island and Newt left earlier. Early in the day, we went over the James River Foot Bridge. It is the longest foot-use-only bridge on the AT. Its not named that because its a foot bridge though. Its named for a man that has the last name Foot. He and his wife were the first to thru-hike the American Discovery Trail which goes across the US and he also thru-hiked the AT. Apparently, he was a member of The Natural Bridge Club that helps maintain a large section of the trail. That was probably the most interesting part of the day.It dragged a bit, and when we took a break at Punchbowl Shelter we were pretty tired, but we had miles to go...I had to have some coffee mid day 'cause I was getting sleepy and Tailgate wanted some but it was so hot she was afraid she would dehydrate. She's a smart girl. We continued on through tick ridden territory and were getting close to the bridge by dark, but it seemed to take forever. We couldn't find a campsite even though they were supposed to be there, so we camped under the bridge and I spent the night a bit paranoid especially after Tailgate's dad texted her that there would be tornadoes in the area.Good news, though. We didn't do less than 17 miles and we were going in to Buena Vista tomorrow. Yeah!Cayenne
Date: 2008-06-05
From: Peddlar Dam Bridge

To: Buena Vista
Miles today: 6.9

Tailgate and I agreed that we have never been more ready for town as we were for Buena Vista. The locals pronounce it Bee-you-nah Vista which offends my SoCal sensibilities but I was still glad to be headed there.We think there may have been a relocation of the trail because we had no idea where we were during the first 3 miles of the day. The guidebook said that we should go by the dam and some road but we never passed either. We got to the road that leads to Buena Vista by 11:30, so we were happy about that.We weren't sure how we were going to get a ride into town. New Guy who we thought was way ahead of us sauntered up about 30 minutes into our hitch wait and a half our later a lady with a dalmation took us all to town. It was even hotter in town. The pavement was like a frying pan, and we had plenty to do before we could settle down in air conditioning. The resupply and various blister purchases for Tailgate didn't take too long though and we settled in. I have now become obsessed with Top Chef. I don't know why I do it to myself. I love watching them make this food, but I get so hungry and then nothing seems to satisfy me 'cause it looks nowhere near as scrumptious as what they cook. I can't help watching it, though.The weather is calling for 7 full days of over 90 degree weather. Joy!xoxo Cayenne
Date: 2008-06-06
From: Buena Vista

To: Hog Camp Gap
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: scattered clouds

This day can only be blamed on a bunch of thru-hikers from 99 (Pop, Redneck), a guy named Crutch, and Baltimore Jack. We tried to do more miles but they were not having it.It took a long time getting a ride out. Finally, after over an hour, this woman that hikes and rode her bike across the US stopped the car and made room for us. She was a sweety and kept asking us if we needed anything and apologized that she had to stop at her house. We were so happy she came along.We got started late but we were still planning to do at least 14 miles when we passed through a field full of people and trail magic. It looked like a mini Trail Days and it was a Vortex of Slack that sucked us in. We even saw fellow thru-hikers getting out of cars that shuttled them here from miles back on the trail. Some of them were 70 miles behind us. That night we were fed barbequed chicken, pulled pork sandwiches, beans, and grilled squash. It was all insanely good. There were at least 5 coolers filled with sodas and beer. We had to stay.Tailgate also got the opportunity to meet the other Tailgate. He has been ahead of us the whole time. They had a show down and I'm pleased to report that our Tailgate is the winner! We are now ahead of the other Tailgate on the trail. We decided to add those 7 miles onto the next few days and get up at 5 in the morning.Cayenne
Date: 2008-06-07
From: Hog Camp Gap

To: Tye River
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: clear sky

We didn't get up at 5am, but we did wake up before six and we were able to get hiking by 6:45 am. We were pleasantly surprised by the terrain. We went over some balds early on and it was nice to have a change in the scenery.We had a longish break at Seely-Woodworth Shelter and then pushed on. It was hot but there was the occasional breeze so we were able to move at a good pace. The terrain stayed pretty decent until we descended the Priest. The Priest has 4.8 miles of downhill and 36 switchbacks. It is no joke. Our feet took a real beating. Luckily, the Breeze (a thru-hiker) kept us company during the unpleasantness. Talking to him was a good distraction.When we made it to the river campsites we set up the tent and then jumped in. It felt great to soak our feet in the cold water. When we got out to make dinner, I noticed that I had a leech on my leg. Now, ever since the movie "Stand By Me," I have been terrified of leeches. This is the second time I've had one on my leg. The first was from a pond on the farm where we live. I was really shocked about this one 'cause I didn't know you could get leeches in moving water. GROSS!It was a pretty good day, though, and we were able to sleep without the fly on and share the campsite with good company: Pod, Rhody, and the Breeze.Cayenne
Date: 2008-06-08
From: Tye River

To: Dripping Rock Parking Area
Miles today: 15.4

We woke up to a big climb. Now I've said this before, but I really mean it here. Big, Big, climb. I have hiked the 3 ridges before, but I went down them. Today we went up.. We went up for 6.3 miles, and it was hot. Really hot. Tailgate wanted to take the Mau-Har trail which cuts off a few miles, but I was stubborn, and I regret it. A few miles from the summit we stopped at Maupin Field shelter where we learned that many others had taken the blue blaze. Darn it! While we were enjoying a nice break with Rhody, Pod, and the Breeze. A baby copperhead decided to fall from the roof of the shelter, use Rhody to break his fall, and then settled right next to him. Rhody just stood up and said, "Hello there." I would have screamed.As we hiked on, it grew hotter and hotter. We had to ration our water, so we were really happy to get some Gatorade trail magic from Bilge Rat. It was perfect in this heat. After a bit it got super rocky and this put a damper on our plans to do 24 miles. The gypsy moths pooping all over our sweaty skin was also not so swell. It was actually super gross 'cause it sorta sticks.We were getting closer and closer to our farm, so eventually we decided to have someone pick us up and take a couple zeroes there. A nice woman that was driving on the BRP gave us a ride to Charlottesville and then our friend Pele (GAME 04) picked us up there. I can't wait for the fresh veggies from our garden. We may even get to slackpack a day.xoxoCayenne
Date: 2008-06-11
From: home

To: rockfish gap
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: broken clouds

today was a nice day. cayenne and i slackpacked the section from dripping rocks to rockfish gap with noah, edmund and pele. it was a pretty nice hike and it was really great to have a chance to hike with some of our friends from home. on the way back to the farm we stopped at our favorite pizza place in c-ville before heading back to the farm. tailgate
Date: 2008-06-12
From: rockfish gap

To: calf mtn. shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: few clouds

we worked this morning moving the basketball floor at UVA (our old job) to help out our crew and make a little more money. it was nice to see dennis and the UVA crew too. then pele dropped us off at th etrailhead--but not until after we had some chinese AYCE. yumm--the ming garden is cheap and tasty.hiking to the shelter was a nice hike--we started about 5:30 and got to the shelter well before dark. oh and the ticks have come out. cayenne pulled 2 off of her today. tailgate
Date: 2008-06-13
From: calf mtn. shelter

To: loft mountain campground
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: scattered clouds

welcome to the shennandoahs! this was our first official day in the park, the terrain today was pretty nice, and the forrest looks a little different than the other onces we have come through--more like a jungle than a forest really.we stealth camped near the campground--hoping that since it was getting on dark a ranger wouldn't come by and tell us to move. just as we were cooking dinner ranger ben came over and joined us for the sunset. what a nice guy! and he didn't ask us to move either.the summer bags, new water filter and alcohol stove are working pretty well. thanks to ez for letting us borrow your cook pot--it's great!!tailgate
Date: 2008-06-14
From: loft mountain campground

To: powel gap
Miles today: 11.2

wow. today was one of the scariest weather experiences that we have had! we were hiking along and started to hear thunder. uh oh. we decided to put our pack covers on and just as we did the thunder and lightning really picked up. then, like we've never heard it before--the a WALL of rain came rushing through the woods--it sounded like a train crashing though the woods. then the lightning was striking closer so we ditched our packs and poles and grabbed our pads and crouched on then huddling beneath some small standing trees. finally we understand what the thinker went through back in georgia. wow. we stayed there for about 20 minutes praying that we wouldn't get fried, and we didn't. but we did get soak, and were a bit freaked out.sigh. so we walked to powel gap and i sat down to literally wring out my socks. while we were deciding on what to do--hike on and risk blisters on some already beat up feet, camp or go to town--we heard another wave of thunderstorms coming our way.ranger debbie drove by and wisked us away to elkton where we stayed at the elkton motel. storms in the mainstream--in a house or car are one thing, but when you're out in it--it's a totally different experience.tailgate
Date: 2008-06-15
From: powel gap

To: country view motel
Miles today: 0.0

yes. we're zeroing in elkton. i picked up some epsom salts to nurse my sore feet and cayenne is having some stomach problems. also, we just really wanted a day where we didn't have to do anything for once. so here it is in the lovely help from susan and bob from the country view motel. we're so ha[ppy to be here.tailgate
Date: 2008-06-16
From: country view motel

To: lewis mt. campground
Miles today: 14.5

kennedy (daisy) finally caught up with us!!!! oh it was soo good to see him--we camped with him our very first night out back in georgia at hawk mt shelter and hiked with him for a day. we just adored him but knew that he was behind us just by a few days. it was soo good to see him after 890 miles!!oh man!! another midday thunderstorm. we were so spooked by the last one that when we heard the thunder we decided to really hustle. we knew there was a picnic area just about 2 miles ahead--so we literally jogged with our packs on (not easy to do in case you're wondering) determined to stay dry and safe. so we got to the picnic area and ducked into the bathroom. and there we stayed for 3.5 hours. ha ha!! it was great. we had lunch on the bathroom floor, cayenne took a little snooze, and then kennedy rolled up and he hung out with us for the rest of the time. it was quite a sight for the day hikers that just wanted to come in and pee after the storms passed we headed on to the shelter with kennedy, and we were dry!!tailgate
Date: 2008-06-17
From: lewis mt. campground

To: pinnacles picnic area
Miles today: 21.0

we hiked all day with kennedy. what a treat!! we love his sense of humor and it has just been so nice to catch up with him. also, we've sort of been in this pocket without any of our close friends, and we have started to feel a little lonely wihtout them. and kennedy has really lit us up. we had lunch at the wayside and saw pixie and holler!! oh man it was good to see them too!!today was a day of animals. first of all, the deer in this park are so incredibly tame. and they're EVERYWHERE. kinda cute. so we saw a lot of them today. we also saw some bears. kennedy was just ahead of us and cayenne and i stopped for a quick break. when we started up a agin looked up and saw a mama running. we stopped and watched her usher her two little cubs up a tree and then stay hunched down at the base of the tree just watching us like a bouncer at a club(as kennedy said). we took a few steps forward and then a few steps backward, thinking that the bears would just take off--as the usually do. this one wasn't moving though, and the trail that we had to walk on would take us right by them. what do we do? cayenne suggested that we jump the barbed wire fence that was fortunately beside us. walking through a horse poop pasture seemed like a much better idea than confronting this large mama. so we did, and we made it out ok. but it was pretty intense. the mama didn't take her eyes off us until we were out of its sight. then, we stopped to have dinner at the skyland lodge (we cooked our dinners at the "employee only" picnic tables) and a raccoon kept coming around sticking its cute little nose up in the air and trying to get a piece of something. i tried to scare it away verbally, but it was just so tame. so (cayenne and kennedy will have a slightly different story) i picked up a few handful of pebbles and threw them at it so that it would leave--first though, it just stopped to smell the rocks to see it it was anything edible! then it left for a while. so the three of us hiked from skyland to the pinnacles picnic area in the dark--and it was a lot of fun. we rolled in about just before midnight and went to sleep. what a day!!!tailgate
Date: 2008-06-18
From: pinnacles picnic area

To: elkwallow gap
Miles today: 13.9

oh wow, the cayenne, kennedy and i were all draggin a bit today. we had planned on doing 23 miles--but we only had 6.5 hours of sleep and were moving slow. we had a lovely lunch break at thorton gap and met the professor. when we got to elkwallow wayside we ate some food and drank some beer and decided that we were just too beat to go any further--and it was starting to thunder and rain (big surprise there eh?) so we camped at the picnic area not far from the wayside--and once again, it started to rain pretty hard and cayenne, kennedy and i found ourselves hiding out from the rain in the women's bathroom. ha ha--it was pretty funny, but when the rain slowed up a bit we set up camp and went to sleep.oh!! and we saw another bear and cub today.tailgate
Date: 2008-06-19
From: elkwallow gap

To: visit with dad
Miles today: 0.0

we took today off--my dad came down from PA and picked us up at elkwallow wayside. we went to front royal and he spoiled us royally. he took us out to eat--several times, cause we're hungry hikers!! resupplied, did laundry, went to the outfitter and stayed at the super 8. we had a lot of laughs and really enjoyed his company. hope you came next time mom!!oh but alas, parting with kennedy this morning was sad. we so enjoyed hiking with him for a few days and now he's ahead--and then is going to DC so he will be behind us again! catch up daisy!!tailgate
Date: 2008-06-20
From: elkwallow gap

To: gravel springs hut
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: broken clouds

we had breakfast and ran some last minute errands with dad this morning. oh it's always so hard to leave the hotel room. we had a decent walk to gravel springs hut and we got there and did everything we needed to do and actually got into the tent BEFORE dark. i can't remember the last time that happened.tailgate
Date: 2008-06-21
From: gravel springs hut

To: jim and molly denton shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: clear sky

good bye SNP!!! oh man we are happy to be out of this park. you know, we both think that the shennandoahs were highly romanticised. yes, there are sections where the path is wide and flat and the grade is gentle, but there are also sections that are (as cayenne would say) suck-tacular. and the rocks--the ARE there--don't let anyone tell you that there are no rocks....cause for about 18 miles straight, we walked over rocks. ugh. there are things to be missed about the park though, cayenne loves those little cement markers that constantly tell us where we are, and i love the water spigots everywhere. regardless, we're happy to be out.oh, we got to rt 522 today and it started to thunder. sigh. it's our plight i guess. suddenly we starting thinking about that AMAZING chinese buffet that dad took us to in front royal--it had sushi AND ice cream all for 10 bucks. oh, it was early enough in the day that we decided we would try to get a ride but only for about 10 minutes. sure enough--a few minutes went by and a sweet sweet guy, mark, came by and picked us up and dropped us off at the AYCE. ooooh we were so happy to eat that again!! then we met a nice couple at the restaurant that agreed to give us a ride back to the trail. it just meant that we had to hike "buffet belly" which is what cayenne called the feeling of hiking up hill with a 35 pound pack after stuffing our faces. oh but it was worth it.we hiked on to the shelter and got there before dark. oh it was saa-weeeet!! and this shelter is amazing!! there's even a shower! tailgate
Date: 2008-06-22
From: jim and molly denton shelter

To: rod hollow shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: few clouds

the trilogy rolled into the shelter last night and it was real cool to see them again!! we all hike to rod hollow shelter today. again, we had an afternoon thunderstorm and got wet. ugh.we camped at rod hollow shelter with some boyscouts. :/ they were relatively nice, but they were doing all sorts of pushups and pullups to impress us? or each other? i don't know--it was amusing at least.tailgate
Date: 2008-06-23
From: rod hollow shelter

To: bears den hostel
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: scattered clouds

the rollercoaster--seriously. there is a section of the trail called the rollercoaster. everyone talks about how by the time you get there "it's nothing" because you are so strong and a hiking machine. wow--it really sucked!! ha ha. maybe it wouldn't have been too bad if it was not littered with rocks and boulders--but we were moving pretty slow through it--and it was hot. so we got to bears den hostel--about 8 miles shy of our planned destination for the day. and it began to thunderstorm (that is 7 out of the last 10 days--thunderstorms). we decided to buy a soda and sit for a few minutes and then just decided to stay the night. and we were glad we did--even though it was a place we hadn't planned on staying. it's a hostel run by the PATC and it's really gorgeous.tailgate
Date: 2008-06-24
From: bears den hostel

To: harpers ferry!!
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: clear sky

GOODBYE VA!!! oh we made it!! we were so glad that we stayed at bears den last night. we got up at 5--started hiking by 6:30 so that we could knock out this day and get to the ATC headquarters before they closed for the day at 5pm. and it was a rough day. the end of the rollercoast was of course still rocky and not very pleasant. then there was a stretch that wasn't too bad, and then shortly after the blackburn center the rocks appeared again and just kept getting progressively worse, and WORSE. wow....it is SOOO rocky. are we in PA yet? geesh! what a surprise those rocks were. it was a rough 20 miles, but we were so proud of ourselves--we made it to the ATC at 4:45!! and signed in. cayenne was number 415 and i am number 416. so that means that 414 people have already come through harpers ferry and officially signed in at throughhiking NOBO. supposedly there are still about 200 or so behind us. oh it's so good to be here, to be out of VA and to have crossed the 1000 mile mark!!so we leave the ATC and start walking around looking for a place to stay when we see this van that is COVERED with AT and hiking stickers. a guy comes down and cayenne recognizes him. it's bonzo!! she hiked with him briefly in '06 in the smokies. we chatted for a few minutes and then he invited us to stay with him. wow what a treat. we waited for him to finish work and hung out with his amazing dog, rio. then we piled into his sweet van, grabbed some food and beer and hung out with him at his house all night. oh it was such a joy to meet and hang out with him and his friend JB. when we meet people who are just raw and really real out here and are so comfortable to be around, it really just fills us with so much joy. thank you thank you thank you thank you bonz 'n rio. tailgate
Date: 2008-06-25
From: harpers ferry!!

To: Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

We actually got to sleep in until 10am. It was great. Bonzo came and picked us up on his lunch break, and we headed back to town to do the usual- post office, journal updating, fuel, etc. We had to say goodbye to the heavy gortex boots for now (its too darn hot), and Tailgate's sweet Dad helped us buy new trailrunners. We'll see if we can live without the ankle support.We thought we'd hike out to the first shelter, but as usual the chores piled up and the clock kept ticking. Bonzo drove by while we were stuffing our food bags, and offered to put us up for another night. He also suggested we eat at the chinese buffet. We were sold!The buffet was yummy. Bonzo's buddy Josh came along, and we all had fun chatting until 2 hours past hiker midnight. Josh make sure you sign the guestbook. We need your email. -Cayenne
Date: 2008-06-26
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Dahlgren Backpacker's Campground
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: broken clouds

We got going at 6:30 am...sorta. The trail takes you over a railroad bridge and along a towpath for about 2 and a half miles out of WV. We moved like molasses along those very flat miles. Ah, the packs are always so heavy when you leave town.We spent the day leap frogging Ravon and her husband Sandy. Ravon is a tiny, 65 year old woman, and she is a powerhouse. We can't get over how easy she makes it all look, and we've been camping with her from time to time. I loved when she said, "This is my husband, Sandy, he'll be my entertainment for the next 3 days."The terrain in Maryland is nice. We took many a break and still made it to camp at 5:30pm The free hot shower at the campground was even nicer. We camped with Bogey and Bacall. Apparently, there is a 5 star restaurant very near the campground and Bogey came over to tell us all about his dinner there. Trouble was, we were eating Mac and Cheese, so we weren't very enthusiastic listeners.- Cayenne
Date: 2008-06-27
From: Dahlgren Backpacker's Campground

To: I70
Miles today: 5.1

Last night, we realized that Tailgate had miscalculated the miles when she told her parents the day that we'd meet them in Caledonia. We thought we had to do 18-20 miles every day, but apparently, we only need to do 10's. That's better than 30's though.We got up late, knowing we were ahead of schedule, and took it nice and slow. We had a long lunch at Pine Knob Shelter when the weather decided to get Biblical. We're mostly used to this by now, but today we were not in the mood. We decided to walk back a 1/2 mile until the storm subsided and hangout at the famous biker bar. Apparently, Zephyr, Perregrine Trail Dancer, and Brushstrokes all had the same idea. Well, Tailgate and I ended up being quite a hit at the Dogpatch Tavern, and the boys we're buying many a round. Thanks Jim! It started to get late, so trail angel Carl offered to give us a ride to the Super 8 (where we lucked out on an amazing discount). Carl also picked us up at 11am and drove us back. What a sweety. - Cayenne