morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-04-15
From: Ash Gap

To: Carvers Gap
Miles today: 2.9

We knew we didn't have far to go today so we took our time getting on the trail. The sun was shining and it was the beginning of a beautiful day. The campsite where we stayed last night was really a lovely spot with many flat areas for tents among the trees. Places always look more inviting in the morning's sunshine than they do at dusk.   Ash Gap itself is a flat area in between Roan and Beartown Mts. so immediately the trail began to climb steeply once again. It was an interesting trail - up rocks, around trees, up steps made of tree roots, curving and twisting up the mountain. In places, the melting snow created stretches where the trail was total deep mud and in a few places we walked in last week's snow that was tenaciously hiding out in the cool shade. It was a perfect day and the heat generated by climbing was cooled by the snowy woods.   We reached the area called Roan High Bluff which is where the grand Cloudland Hotel once stood in the late 1800's. An information board shows pictures of the hotel in its heyday and explains how it stood directly on the TN/NC border. In fact, a line was painted down the middle of the dance floor and also the banquet table so guests would be careful to keep their alcoholic beverages in TN where they were legal and out of NC where they were illegal. Today, the area is a grassy lawn with a nearby parking area at the end of the auto road to the summit.   We talked to a lone cyclist who had biked to the top, but the road was closed so there were no cars. It was warm and the air was still...so hard to believe we were up over 6,000 ft.    We didn't stay long but kept on going - down an old road, past a standing fireplace and chimney that had seen active duty a long, long time ago. The trail was wet with draining snow runoff and we stopped at one especially flooded spot to build a water dam of rocks and trench the spill of water over the side of the hill, down and away. Since we weren't in a hurry it was fun to do some trail maintenance.   Perhaps we were busy watching where we stepped on the wet and sometimes muddy trail but somehow we missed the sign for Roan High Knob Shelter. We would have liked to see this 4-sided shelter that was once a caretaker's cabin, but before we knew it we were down at Carver's Gap where we were to be picked up.   One of the cars in the parking lot was a bright yellow SUV with Backpacker magazine written on the side. There was a kayak on the roof and bicycles on a rear rack. A Road Team had stopped to meet up with a hiker. When Greylock greeted and spoke to them they gave us oranges, apples, Cokes and the latest issue of the magazine. Thanks Backpacker! We met 3 women hikers who had spent the night on Round Bald and were headed home. It was fun talking hiking, explaining equipment, and sharing ideas. Hikers always seem to be the nicest people!   Our friend, Danny Bogue, arrived promptly and drove us to their town house in Blowing Rock, NC. where we'll Zero tomorrow.   Thank you, Lord, for the hospitality of friends like these who encourage us with their thoughtfulness and their generosity.
Date: 2003-04-16
From: Carvers Gap

To: Carvers Gap
Miles today: 0.0

We're in Blowing Rock, NC. at the charming townhouse of friends Betty and Danny Bogue. Danny had met us yesterday at Carvers Gap and brought us here where we had dinner together and walked to town for some delicious ice cream cones (and we all know how thruhikers love ice cream!).   He left for home in the morning so Greylock and I had the day to ourselves. It was a perfect walk-around-town day and we took full advantage of it. We went out for breakfast and then located the outfitter, the hardware store for alcohol for our stove, the post office, the supermarket, and the Subway to get subs for tomorrow's lunch.   Betty came up this evening from their home in Hickory with two friends, Lora Beth, and Marilyn. They will all hike the next section with us from Carvers Gap down to Elk Park, which is about 13 miles.    We've gotten a food drop here with Easter goodies from Kristy and Todd, and a box of trail bars made by Jeff and Joan along with cards and a picture of granddaughter Paige. Thanks so much!    This is a cute town and one we've enjoyed visiting, like Hot Springs and Erwin. One real benefit of hiking the trail is the chance to experience the unique Southern flavor of each one of these places and we're already making a mental list of the ones we'd like to revisit some day.    Thank you, Lord, for a comfortable bed, for the soothing music of the creek outside the bedroom window, and for warm Southern hospitality.
Date: 2003-04-18
From: Road crossing at 19E

To: Campsite Near Walnut Mtn. Rd.
Miles today: 11.4

Our day started with a slice of life from "Small Town America". Betty, Greylock and I went to Sonny's, the local grill on Main St.: 3 tables for 4 and a counter, the "in" place for the locals. As we began eating, the front door opened and an elderly man stepped in alone following his daily routine. Immediately everyone began singing Happy Birthday to him as he just stood there smiling. When the song ended he walked over to the counter where a birthday cake was waiting for this special customer and friend, made for him by the waitresses. Seemed like Mayberry, but it was Blowing Rock, NC.   In a light rain Betty drove us back to Rt. 19E and we said our good-byes and resumed our "Walk in the Woods". Within minutes we realized that it had stopped raining so off came the rain jackets and they stayed folded up for the remainder of the day. In spite of a pessimistic weather forecast, the rain clouds blew east and we hiked all day in mostly cool temps with occasional sunshine. It was great!   The trail had been recently relocated and this section is lovely now following green meadows overlooking lush valleys and winding upward through pastures filled with wildflowers. There is evidence of many hours of work on this section with new log bridges and many places where log steps were built into the hillsides.   As the trail nears the Elk River a side trail took us to Jones Falls, a spectacular cascade of water falling at least 70 ft. and thundering today with the extra volume of water from yesterday's and last night's rain.   Along the river we walked, noticing the muddy color of the water as little streams joined it and it widened out to 40 ft. across. A pretty camping area sat at a horseshoe bend in the river but we still had a few more miles to go.   The trail now climbed up and out of the narrow river valley and we stopped for the night at a campsite just beyond a road crossing. It's surprisingly cold tonight. We've had a dinner of tortilla turkey/cheese wraps and a delicious soup mix from Enertia Foods called Mackenzie Chowder and we're exhausted from carrying too-heavy packs again after picking up one of our food boxes.   Thank you, Lord, for the unexpected good weather today and for beautifully maintained trails.
Date: 2003-04-19
From: Campsite Near Walnut Mtn. Rd.

To: Dennis Cove, Kincora Hostel
Miles today: 11.7

In AT hiker lingo, PUDS means pointless ups and downs. Today we certainly had the ups and downs although there was a point. We had to go down off each hill to cross a stream and then we went back up. The good news was that the hills were only minor ones; the bad news was that the streams were in little ravines and the trail up and down each one was steep. More bad news was that there were MANY of these streams.   So up and down we went, meeting Eli at one of our rest breaks. His trail name is Eli because his real name is Whitney and he's a thruhiking newspaper reporter from Nashville.    We had lunch at Moreland Gap Shelter with Eli, Gambler, Ben, and Drifter. Gambler and Ben had just gotten food boxes so were loaded with food and were trying desperately to share. We had just gotten food so we weren't interested and actually wished we had less, too. In talking to Drifter, we discovered he had been the recipient of our trail magic last year in Massachusetts when we put out a cooler of soda and candy each day on the trail.    After lunch we had 6 more miles to go. White Rocks Mtn. was a different kind of climb since the trail went up a steep poorly marked dirt road that led to a radio tower on top. As we hiked down the other side, a thruhiker came up from behind and we stepped aside to let him pass. As he did, I recognized him from his Trail Journal picture.    "Skeemer?", I said. He turned and looked at us.   "Yes! Greylock and Scamp?"    Now we had never met before, but it was fun to recognize and be recognized all because of Trail Journals and our use of the register stickers with our pictures on them. We reached Kincora at 6PM and Eli had told Bob that we were coming, so the whole group waited until we arrived and then we all went in to town for dinner at an AYCE Chinese buffet. Bob Peoples, who runs Kincora, took a head count of those planning on being here tomorrow because he and his wife Pat put on an Easter dinner each year for whoever happen to be here.   We've decided that we'll slack pack the next 9 miles north, so we'll be part of the group.    Thank you, Lord, for the good weather that continued today and the chance to stay here at Kincora.
Date: 2003-04-20
From: Dennis Cove, Kincora Hostel

To: US321
Miles today: 8.9

"He lives! He lives!   Christ Jesus lives today.    He walks with me and talks with me   Along life's narrow way."   (describes the A.T. doesn't it?)   "He lives! He lives!   Salvation to impart.   You ask me how I know He lives?   He lives within my heart."Happy Easter! We've had a wonderful Easter at Kincora Hostel in Hampton, TN. and hope you've had a special day too!   Our day began with an 8.9 mile hike N -> S on the section of trail north of Kincora. Bob shuttled Fido, Greylock and I to the trail crossing on US321 and we started back to the hostel, hoping to be on time for Easter dinner at 2 PM.   Switchbacks wound gently all the way to the top of Pond Flats (3700') and we met Eli, Skeemer,Gambler, Ben and Drifter hiking north. The trail down the south side of the moutain was extremely steep with hardly a switchback so we were thankful that Bob had advised us to do it in reverse.   The trail along the Laurel Fork river was gorgeous and on this perfect sunny day we were tempted to linger, but Easter dinner was waiting back at Kincora.   Pat Peoples had made a delicious array of special dishes - ham, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, broccoli cheese casserole, green bean casserole, jello salad and rolls, ending with strawberry whipped cream angelfood cake. Thanks so much, Pat!   Bob Peoples is unique among hostel hosts because he also is a trail maintainer so he knows the trails well and has worked on many sections we've hiked over. He regularly goes out with volunteer work parties to build privies, bridges over streams, or steps up steep eroded places. Thank you, Bob!   Thank you, Lord, for caring folks like Bob and Pat Peoples who service the hiking community in such a vital way.
Date: 2003-04-21
From: US321

To: Iron Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: moderate rain

The forecast for today was for occasional showers. They began as we left the hostel at 7:30am and continued until noon when we were glad to take our rain jackets off. Somehow, one gets as wet under a rain jacket from perspiration as if it wasn't even being worn... wet and cold in these temps.   Bob dropped us off at Watauga Lake and the trail skirted the shore for several miles, passing Watauga Lake Shelter. We stopped for a quick break and next to the shelter someone had placed a plastic patio chair with the seat cut out and on the back was written "Porta Privy" for a joke (or maybe not?). The shelters in TN don't seem to have privies so I'm looking forward to VA where most do.      We came to the Watauga Lake Dam and crossed it in cold wind and rain. From there, the trail rose up to a ridgeline overlooking this huge lake where we stayed for the rest of the day.   At noon we had lunch at Vandeventer Shelter which had a nice view of the lake which winds around and stretches out of sight behind the hills. The sun came out at this point and for the rest of the day it was just beautiful...sunny with a cool breeze. Our goal was to reach the next shelter and the trail was a good one with many level spots, so we arrived here at Iron Mountain Shelter having done our biggest mile day yet - 15.6!   Small World Dept. - One of the hikers in the shelter, Dag of the couple Dag and Mag, remembered talking to Greylock last summer when they hiked through New England and stopped at Bascom Lodge. He even remembered that Kristy and Todd hiked the AT last year and wanted to know how they did.       The shelter is full, so we're tenting under the trees along with another hiker. The wind was blowing right up until the sun went down but it's quiet now.   Thank you, Lord, for the dry trail this afternoon and for the opportunity to see parts of this great country that we never would otherwise.
Date: 2003-04-22
From: Iron Mountain Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: light rain

Winter temps were the norm today as we hiked 15.9 easy miles from last night's shelter to tonight's. Although it looked as if it might rain at any minute, it never did which is a very good thing.   The winds that blew grew increasingly icier as the day went on, and if it had ever started raining, we would have been freezing. By the time we finally arrived at Abingdon Gap Shelter we found the hikers already here huddled in their sleeping bags at 4:30pm. When hikers are cold and they've put on all of the clothes they have with them and they're still cold, they get into their sleeping bags to get warm. Sometimes they even manage to cook dinner next to them on the shelter floor without getting out of their sleeping bags.   Dag and Mag were here as well as Fido and Drifter. We elected to set up our tent outside on the grass because it stays much warmer in a tent than in the shelter which is only 3-side and open across the front. Especially so in this case, since the shelter faced the gap from which the wind could kick up during the night.   So here we are warm and cozy in our down sleeping bags and planning on hiking the 10 remaining miles into Damascus, VA tomorrow. Yes, Damascus is in Virginia! That means that 3 states will be behind us. We'll enter #4 tomorrow.   Thank you, Lord, for this trail that stretches across 14 states from Georgia to Maine.
Date: 2003-04-23
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

Damascus, VA - "The friendliest town on the Appalachian Trail" lives up to it's reputation. This is a quaint little trail town with a big heart for hikers.   We flew down the trail this morning covering the last 10 miles into town in record time. Our motivation - a reservation at The Maples Bed & Breakfast, packages at the P.O. and outfitters, and of course, real food.   The trail wound down from the hills right onto a town street that had a welcoming sign and lovely park with picnic tables, benches, garbage cans and rest rooms...all things that weary hikers can use.   Walking down the main street and looking at our little town map we were greeted by a local pedestrian who asked if she could help us locate anything. We said we were looking for the post office and she pointed out just where it was. Everyone that passes on the sidewalk says "Hello" and even the library has a sign in the window that says it's the "Friendliest Library on the Trail".   We got a package at the P.O. and then walked a few blocks to The Maples where we were each greeted with a hug (no kidding!) from an elderly man with a gray ponytail who seemed to be the caretaker. The owner, Miss Sarah, was apparently out, so he gave us the grand tour of this beautiful home, answered all our questions, and made us feel welcome.    Across the street is the Methodist church with it's hostel "The Place", and down the street one way is the Side Track Cafe and the other way is the laundromat. Actually in this small town everything is within easy walking distance and most convenient. That alone makes a town hiker-friendly.   Every year, Damascus hosts a weekend celebration of thruhikers, called Trail Days, complete with a parade, bluegrass concert, vendors of outdoor gear, and special events planned for the entire weekend of May 16 -18. The town will be overflowing with thruhikers who have come here to meet old friends and relive trail memories.    Dinner tonight, we decided, would be a lasagna dinner at the Italian restaurant. So with full tummies and weary bodies we're ready for bed but will be up early because Miss Sarah serves breakfast promptly at 8 am. We met Miss Sarah later this afternoon and judging from her stern but cordial manner, we best not be tardy. :)    Thank you, Lord, for the friendly folks in Damascus, who make such an effort to make hikers feel welcome here.
Date: 2003-04-24
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Zero Day in Damascus   Last night's dinner, although it was delicious, didn't agree wih me so most of my Zero Day here in Damascus was spent in bed and/or the bathroom.    Greylock ran around doing the errands that we had planned - he's such a sweetheart. He consulted the outfitter to see if a lighter weight pack was in order for him but they came to the conclusion that his Dana Design pack was the best one after all.    He went to the P.O. and the Arcadian Shop from home in Pittsfield, MA had sent my replacement boots and they arrived today. I love my Lowe Renegade hiking boots but they were beginning to delaminate around the front. Thank you, Steve!   Next, he visited the market looking for a few supplies we wanted, and lastly he went to the "Friendliest Little Library on the Trail" to get online.   By this time I had sufficiently recovered to walk with him up the street to Dot's where he got some dinner (and I had tea), then we returned to the library where I had a chance to use the computer. The librarian had been working on a large bulletin board by the front door and had it all decorated for Trail Days.   It's supposed to rain tomorrow, we hear, so the intensity of it will determine whether or not we stay another day.   Thank you, Lord, that I was in such a comfortable place to be sick rather than out somewhere in the woods.
Date: 2003-04-25
From: VA 859 N>S

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Today's agenda depended on the "weather" and "whether" - "weather" as in the forecast, and in spite of the predicted rain would it hold off, and "whether" as in whether I would feel well enough to hike and whether I could keep food down since I hadn't eaten since breakfast yesterday, and then that eventually came up.   The answer to all 3 questions was YES! The day seemed overcast but bright, I felt MUCH better, and I sampled all of Miss Sarah's delicious breakfast treats and felt fine. She really has an exceptional breakfast. Today's was egg/cheese/sausage casserole, bread pudding with lemon custard, cooked apple slices, cheese grits, biscuits & apple butter, blueberry muffins, and cut up fresh fruit. She's an excellent cook and the table was out of a magazine. Actually the whole house is and we highly recommend The Maples to any others passing through.   Russ, the charming older gentleman with the gray ponytail who greeted us when we first arrived, offered to drive us 15 miles north of Damascus so we could hike south back here without our big packs. He was a thruhiker himself years ago and his trail name was "Siyo Yona" which is Cherokee for "Hello Bear" :} He's a cancer survivor and his connection to the trail now is through the hikers that stay at The Maples. He loves the Lord and his prayer before breakfast each morning is truly precious.   He loaned us a daypack and dropped us off at the AT road crossing near the Virginia Creeper Trail. This is a very popular bike trail that follows an old railroad bed down the mountains and for a ways the AT joined it. Several bike riders went whizzing by before the AT separated and we went over the mountains and back to Damascus.   It never did rain and was a lovely day. When we got back to town we went out to eat at the Damascus Old Mill and had a delicious dinner at a table overlooking the river, thanks to Russ who made our reservation. It was special and marked the end of not only a great day, but a great stay in Damascus.    Tomorrow morning Russ will take us with our packs, back to the same place on the trail to continue north this time.    Thank you, Lord, for Russ and his obvious love for You. He's been such a blessing and a help to us.
Date: 2003-04-26
From: VA859, White Top Laurel Creek

To: VA600, Elk Garden
Miles today: 9.2
Weather: broken clouds

Today ended up being a tough day but it did have a great beginning. Miss Sarah made a wonderful breakfast as she does each morning, and on this day there were 9 guests at The Maples. Then Russ drove us back up the mountain to the spot where we left off yesterday.   It seemed as if we walked uphill for hours. We had to climb Whiterock Mtn. and there weren't many switchbacks. At almost the top, suddenly it began to shower so we quickly put on rain jackets. Within 10 minutes the sun was shining, so we again stopped and put them away.    As we reached Buzzard Rock (5120'), a large rock outcropping, thick mist drifted across the mountaintop and obliterated any views we might have seen. With it came an icy wind. We hurried off the rocks.   The trail dropped down a little and within moments the sun was out and we were walking through a warm grassy field. As we reached the end and crossed Whiterock Road, we felt sprinkles so stopped and once more put on rain jackets.   This time the sprinkles turned into a hard rain which soon mixed with hail. I was wearing my new boots which have Goretex and supposedly didn't need rain proofing when new. Within a few minutes though, I could feel cold water seeping into the left one.    We walked quickly trying to keep warm and came to a road crossing with a flat camping area. After talking to a section hiker coming the other way, we decided to put up our tent and stay right there for the night. We cooked and ate dinner under the overhang for a sign telling about the Jefferson National Forest which we are about to enter, since it was still raining.    We were wet and cold so got into our sleeping bags in our tent to try and warm up. It's working very slowly.    Thank you, Lord, for a spare dry set of clothes, dry warm sleeping bags, and our cozy tent. Please send us sunshine tomorrow.