morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-06-14
From: Grace Lutheran Church Hiker Hostel

To: The Town park
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

We got up early and ate breakfast. I had a very healthy breakfast of Pop Tarts, Cereal, Muffins, juice and coffee. Those of us going to church were allowed to leave our packs at the hostel until after the service. I attended the Lutheran church service, located above the hostel, in the morning and went to do laundry afterwards. At a hiker box at the laundry I found many boxes of Mac-n-cheese so I grabbed 5 to add to my menu! I wandered around the town and read many historical markers which always interest me. My shoulder was bothering me so much that I finally cried uncle and went to the hospital. I was examined and x-rayed and found, much to my relief that nothing was broken. They gave me some oxycodone or something like that for the pain. They wouldn't do an MRI as my insurance company only covered emergency room visits out of state. I got something to eat at the Kroger grocery store deli at a great price before going to the park and Pavilion where the tenting area for the hikers was located. The hostel was closed on Sundays. There was a lot of talk about how a hiker had been dragged out of his tent in the morning and had it burned down before I had arrived which had caused quite a stir. The hiker's tent was replaced and things were worked out during the day. I cowboy camped under the pavilion on top of a picnic table when everyone had gone to bed. The pain pills made me nervous so I gave them to a hiker who was having a lot of problem from a serious sprain and decided to stick to safety meetings which seemed to work very well for the degenerative spinal disorder and for the shoulder injury. I like that safety material even worked for sever pain as they aren't addictive. He in return, seeing that I participated in safety meetings gave me a small bagful to help me out. I returned to the park after eating and a hiker was entertaining everyone by skillfully playing the banjo. I partook of a beer or two and sponsored a safety meeting before I went to bed.
Date: 2015-06-15
From: The Town park

To: Grace Lutheran Church Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

Everyone was up early and having an early morning safety meeting and I joined as I was sore from sleeping on the picnic table. I took my time packing up and took my time as I walked to the Kroger grocery store and bought breakfast at their deli. The prices, quality and quantity were all great and so was the coffee!I spent another zero in town at the library where I finished reading a book which felt good after going a long time without holding a physical book in my hands. The library has a good way to raise money, and got a bit of mine by selling coffee! For a $1.00 donation you get a 12oz cup and get to choose from several different flavors. I then visited the Salvation Army where I bought a change of clothes for camp as I had lost my spare clothing bag at a shelter when I was packing up one morning. I didn't discover the loss for about 40 miles which was much to far to go back. It was very frustrating as the pants were a $100 pair of Exofficio with bug repellent in! Walking around I though about the name of the town. Waynesboro was named for Anthony Wayne, an American Revolutionary war hero. Through his fearless acts of bravery in the face of superior forces he was nicknamed Mad Anthony! It is so amazing walking on such historical grounds as I hike the Appalachian Trail! During the day I was hit hard by a phone call from my brother saying that my father had passed away the night before. He hadn't been in any pain and had just passed away in his sleep. I walked and thought about all that he had taught me and I was glad that we had reconciled during our trip to Florida. On my way back to the hostel for the evening, I hit the grocery store for supplies and my and dinner. We watched Interstellar, a very good science fiction movie before going to sleep.
Date: 2015-06-17
From: Blackrock Hut

To: High Top Hut
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: broken clouds

I was up and after breakfast was soon on the trail. We had been awakened by a loud and rowdy bird at about 3:00am! I went out and tossed a rock near it and it called in reinforcements and soon there were several raising a fuss! It was up and over Blackrock Mountain with numerous crossings.Today was a mix of trail and road hiking to get the best views from both on my way to the High Top Hut. I stopped in at the Loft Mountain Store as a part of my roadwalk and picked up a 6 pack of trail magic for the shelter - getting cans for the compactability and weight. Then it was over Loft Mountain and the Ivy Creek overlook to the Pinefield Hut to the Shelter for a snack break. The views and the wild flowers were incredible. I'm maintaining a 20 mile per day pace and am making good progress which I will need to continue in order to maximize my trip dollars. The hike to Weaver Mountain and Hightop Hut involved more road crossings and walking at points to catch some views. The road actually was the trail at one point which was moved to make the road, therefore most of the good views of the park are, unfortunately on the road. I shared the beer at dinner and was invited to a safety meeting which I really needed due to the miles that day as my shoulder and back were screaming by now. A note about the "safety meetings" - The safety meetings are working very well as a pain management tool and. I have kept to taking just 2 puffs, 3 if the pain is very bad in order not to build up a tolerance to it or to become dependent on it. I for the most part just use it once a day before bed or more if I'm having a lot of pain and after monitoring it carefully over time I have become a firm believer in the practice of Medical Marijuana. Seeing it used on the trail in a responsible manner, I am now for legalization in general after seeing some of the statistics from California where DWIs and prescription overdose deaths have dropped by 20%-25% since its legalization over 10 years ago. I use it for the medical benefits but cannot deny that I am adverse to the pleasant feeling that result from the few puffs taken. At first I was concerned that I would want more and more, but that has not happened at all and I am glad that I didn't take the opiate painkillers, with the chance of addiction as long as I have had to use pot. The privy was cool as it had a translucent plastic or vinyl sheet which allowed light into the shelter which was amplified by painting the inside of the shelter white. I went to bed with my headphones on low volume to be able to hear if anything was going on around the shelter for awhile before going to sleep.
Date: 2015-06-18
From: High Top Hut

To: Rocksprings Hut
Miles today: 23.9
Weather: overcast clouds

It was a beautiful day as I made my way to the Rocksprings Hut. It was up and over Hightop Mountain and over the Saddleback Mountain. I stopped at the Wayside diner/store for breakfast and a 6 pack of cans, before moving on. The pancakes were as large as the plate and were all together, over an inch thick and were served with sausages on top! With that and coffee I was soon full and satisfied. While I waited for my phone to charge, I talked with a hiker and his wife who had bought me breakfast as trail magic. They were driving the Parkway and camping on their vacation. They were contemplating a thru-hike so I was plied with questions about my journey while I ate. Then it was off and I read the signs at the kiosk outside of the diner about the park and the differences in the park over the 4 seasons which was interesting. I had heard rumors about some ninja/commando raccoons who would grab branches and rappelled down to the bear poles and thus pillage the hikers food like little raiding Vikings! The ATC had the branches trimmed and the pole greased to prevent further raids so we were confident about hanging out our food. I went down to the spring for water which came out of a huge pile of rocks and then went below to clean up in the icy spring water. In the late afternoon I started hearing someone say "BEAR!" "BEAR!" in an urgent voice that carried. Soon others took up the cry and I walked around the back of the shelter to see a yearling bear cub began to approach the shelter causing great consternation. It was about 2' tall while walking and left us wondering where mamma was. They tried making noise to scare it off and I blew my whistle and taking out my headphones, cranked up P.O.D. to no effect. I finally picked up 2 hand sized rocks when it was 50' away and lobbed them on each side about 5' from the cub. The rocks landing simultaneously in the dry leaves and twigs made a loud noise, the rocks landing nearby finally drove the cub away. (without actually hitting him/her) We all slept a bit uneasily that night wondering if the cub would return, possibly with its mother. A Washington lawyer who had rented the cabin behind the shelter came and visited us for awhile and had a beer with us and a safety meeting wile we talked. Soon it was time for my iPod and bed and I was soon asleep.
Date: 2015-06-19
From: Rock Spring Hut

To: Gravel Springs Hut 
Miles today: 28.4
Weather: light rain

The Shenandoah National Park was living up to its reputation for the sheer beauty and majesty. I was up and eager to see more of this national treasure and was soon putting boots down the trail towards a new day. My first climb of the day was to finish climbing and go over Pass Mountain with the huge pile of rocks along the trail. I climbed on top of one mountain of boulders and was rewarded with a stunning view of the valley. I then pressed on, stopping for the views at Beahms Gap Overlook. Then it was off to the friendly Neighbor Mountain and stopping for a snack at the Jeremy's Run Overlook. Taking an early lunch at the Elkwallow Wayside where I wallowed in a huge double burger, fries and blackberry cobbler with icecream on top, it was all washed down with a good stout IPA! I carried 2 beers with me for dinner at the shelter, tucked safely in my pack. I had to get a new set of headphones a back up for mine. During my climb I was happy not to see any rattlesnakes enjoying the view at the Rattlesnake Point Overlook, so I was able to enjoy the view myself. Going hog wild with my hiking I flew over the Hogback Overlook and then on to the Little Hogback Mountain, stopping briefly to soak in the view. Soon I was at the Gravel Springs Shelter where as I was setting up. Going to the source for water I noticed that the sore feeling on my toes was the fact that the skin was being worn off somehow as I washed up! I put some ointment on letting it air out in my camp sandals. Joining in with some of the other hikers, I started collecting firewood and soon we had a merry fire going and a safety meeting commenced as we discussed the pros and cons of campfires. I cooked dinner and had one of the beers while sharing the other with the sponsor of the safety meeting. I put my food in the bear box at the shelter and then visited until dark. I heard that the Mountain Home Hostel was a must for thru-hikers so I planned to make that my destination the next day. Today was my longest day so far with over 28 miles! Then it was time to pop the headphones for my music and nightly devotions before going to sleep.
Date: 2015-06-21
From: Mountain Home Hostel 

To: Mountain Home Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

I decided to give it another day for my foot to heal and so the owners graciously allowed Storybook and I to perform a work for stay for the lodging. After a huge breakfast of homemade pancakes, yogurt and coffee, we cleaned up the kitchen. We were to clean up which included sweeping, vacuuming, cleaning the bathroom, stripping and changing the linens on the beds that were slept in along with towels. We also were to be greeters and pass out lemonade and cookies, make cookies, greet the hikers and let the hikers know what was available as far as food, lodging and services. All of which we were happy to do and had fun doing so. Whenever I had the chance after the cleaning was done, I would sit and elevate my foot and put ice on it. Later in the day I was able to make a run to the grocery store and Laundromat in Front Royal, for a few items and wash my clothes. While there Storybook, myself and another hiker went next door to the icecream parlor where they make homemade icecream of unique flavors. I got pineapple, mango and pecan while the owner told the male hiker with us that the hiker would like the habenaro icecream, which he did! We went back to the hostel and I did back massages and a foot massage to hurting hikers. My foot was doing much better with the fresh air of wearing my sandals. A great day all together. Then we enjoyed the evening with another tour of the house, which I helped and played tricks. There was a tiny room that they found while cutting a door and I explained that there was, written in black paint on the red walls, the saying "REDRUM" and a few even caught the reference! I wanted to get to bed early as to get an early start on the trail before it got to hot. I listened to music as I plugged in my phone and charged the last battery along with the iPod so I would be good to go for a week in the woods. Then it was off to meet with the sandman which didn't take long.
Date: 2015-06-22
From: Mountain Home Hostel

To: Manassas Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: broken clouds

It was a late start that morning as I decided that I couldn't leave without their trademark breakfast to get me started. I was off around 9:00 and I decided to take a short day to break in my new boots, rather than suffer the blisters of a long days hike.I started walking to the trail and was asked by another hostel to the trail. Then it was uphill along nice trails with a bountiful harvest of black rasberries and black berries. The flowers along the trail were very aromatic and beautiful. The trail was very narrow in many places as the foliage on both sides were pressing in upon the trail. There were grapes, black raspberries and black berries. I soon made it to the Jim & Molly Denton Shelter which stood out as being very neat looking. It had skylights, bunkbeds, a large front porch, with benches and a double person wooden lawn chair. Nearby was a covered cooking pavilion with a picnic table and firepit. There were many thorny berry bushes that poked and snagged on clothing and skin! Fortunately most of them had berries to make up for the inconvenience. Walking along I saw a plaque on a tree stating that the next 28 miles between Manassas and Snickers Gap was the western boundary of Mosby's Confederacy and the base of the much feared (by the Union) Mosby's Rangers, Led by COL John Singleton Mosby. Here I was walking through historical ground again! There was a board walk and a number of bridges along the way and I loved the orange lilies growing everywhere along the trail. I met a tortoise on the trail today. It was right in the middle of the trail and just stood there looking at me with expectation and anticipation. I was so surprised that I broke off a piece of the granola bar that I was eating and gave it to the tiny yogi who quickly devoured it before moving off the trail. I wonder if it had done this kind of begging before or if this was the first time. (Alternatively and more probably, s/he was terrified when I popped up and froze, hoping I wouldn't see it and was surprised by the snack!) I was the first at the shelter so I went to the water source and filled up and then rinsed off in the cool water. There was a bad smell from the privy at the shelter but it soon went away as I set up in the shelter. Superfeet and Pepi Longstockings soon arrived at the shelter and got set up. Pepi Longstockings was having back problems so I did some work on her back and her back popped like a bag of Rice Crispies cereal! Pepi Longstocking had a beautiful brown butterfly with orange and white spots flying around her. She impulsively put out her hand and it flew right up and landed! It was there for so long that we took pictures and I took a video as well. It was a pretty awesome moment that we would all remember. There were heavy bands of rain that night and the wind was blowing something fierce at times. I managed to sponsor a safety meeting with them and drowned out the storm with my iPod before drifting off to sleep to the sound of rain on the metal roof. My feet had done well and the shoes weren't causing any problems so far.
Date: 2015-06-23
From: Manassas Gap Shelter

To: Rod Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I was up early and off through the mud. Then it was by the Trico Tower and by the odd tiny shaped Dicks Dome Shelter where I stopped in for a snack break. I was picking berries of many types as I climbed many puds (pointless ups and downs) and across areas where camping was prohibited, like the Sky Meadows State Park. There was a lot of rain that day so I called it early at the Rod Hollow Shelter. I got set up in the shelter and then went down to the source and filled up my water. I rinsed off in the stream near the shelter to take the sweat off and refresh myself. At the shelter there was an older hiker who had a know it all attitude and seemed to look down on all others. As other hikers came to the shelter he kept making snide comments and we ignored him in reply. I cooked dinner and turned in early to listen to the iPod before going to sleep listening to the rain.
Date: 2015-06-24
From: Rod Hollow Shelter

To: Sam Moore Shelter
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I was up and decided to delay my start due to the heavy rain outside. I ate a leisurely breakfast with coffee and watched the rain. It was after 10:00 before I was underway and I had started the day with a safety meeting as the humidity had my back and shoulder flaring up with intensity. I noticed a difference right away how hiking after a safety meeting affected me. I seemed to have more energy and the trail flew by under my feet. I entered the famous "Roller Coaster" and began the many ups and downs. Along the way another tortoise raced ahead of me down the trail as if pretending that I was the hare in the story! I saw a note that Smiles had lost His Hiking poles at the Jim & Molly Denton Shelter and was looking for them. The flowers and berries were flourishing in the rainy conditions and I supplemented my diet with fresh red and black raspberries, strawberries, blueberries and grapes by the handful, relishing every juicy bite! I was getting tired when I rolled into the Sam Moore shelter and decided to call it a day. The rain had cleared up and it was hot when I arrived. The shelter is a log cabin with concrete between the logs to seal them up. There was a firepit directly in front and the stream was past that a little further on. There was a taped off area past the shelter with a warning that there was a wasp/hornets nest to be avoided as some hikers had been stung there. Taking heed to the warning, I kept clear of the area as I had no desire to see the nest or to be stung. Since I was alone at the shelter and it was hot,I took a bath in the stream and washed my clothing as well in the cold water. Feeling much refreshed and invigorated with the cold water numbing my pain, I returned to the shelter. Hanging up my clothes to dry, I went to a separate pavilion where the cooking area was located with a covered picnic table and ate dinner. I put together a fire after dinner and had a safety meeting while watching the fire. No one showed up at the shelter which didn't bother me. At first it had freaked me out a little but after nothing happened I became more confident with each incident. I would play my music without the headphones to alert any wildlife that I was present before going to sleep to the music of crickets and frogs.
Date: 2015-06-27
From: Harper Ferry's Hostel

To: Harpers Ferry's Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

I was up before breakfast and got my laundry started. Breakfast was awesome! There were eggs, sausage, fruit and chocolate chip pancakes, juice and Starbucks Coffee!! Now this is the life! I was stuffed like a Thanksgiving Day turkey and I was glad that I wasn't hiking after that. It had rained furiously all night and there wasn't going to be a break in the weather today, and possibly tomorrow as well. The hostel is a wonderful place and is part of a worldwide network of hostels. They surprised me by saying that the food in the fridge was free and pointed out that there were frozen burgers in the freezer along with ice cream and the makings of banana splits, both of which I took advantage of for lunch! There was a whole cabinet full of free resupply which I partook of to replenish my food supply. I played chess and watched movies for the afternoon. That evening I got a ride from the Half App trail angels to town where I was able to trade in the Walmart boots where David Little had sent me a money gram to help me on my way, and for a new pair hoping that the first pair was just a defect. I also finished resupplying what I couldn't find in the hiker box at the shelter. It was a great day and I felt my strength returning as I rested up. There were trail magic beer and safety meetings during the day as hikers showed up wet and bedraggled from the epic storm howling outside. I made burgers again for dinner and then played more chess before heading off to sleep. It was a good day, but no news from the wife.
Date: 2015-06-28
From: Harper's Ferry Hostel

To: Herper's Ferry Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: mist

Another day of monsoon and squallish rains! The wind howled with rage outside as we rested warmly inside with wonderful company. Wanting to help out, I jumped in and helped with breakfast by making pancakes. I had huge stacks of plain, blueberry, strawberry and chocolate along with some super pancakes with everything in them! I took my coffee and retired to the back porch to watch the rain to let the food digest and safety meeting. I know that we need the rain but everything seems to hurt when the humidity level goes up. They were a smash and I made a plethora of flapjacks to an endless loop of starving hikers! Soon though the line ground to a halt as the hikers collapsed on couches and chairs in a food coma to recuperate and digest. I still couldn't get in touch with my wife which was starting to worry me as she always has her phone on her. There wasn't a whole lot to do with the rain the way it was so we contented ourselves with conservation and board games to pass the time. I had leftover spaghetti for lunch and burgers and a sundae for dinner. I got a food care package from Lady Unicorn which topped of my resupply and had me ready for the trail. I found that there were some extremely good chess players in a group of teenagers that arrived during the day and I had my but handed to me on a silver platter numerous times that afternoon along with a few ties and a handful of victories. I did better when it came time for some games of Scrabble which I either won or came close to winning. I washed my sleeping bag along with my camp clothes and rainsuit. I dried everything but the rainsuit which I hung out to dry to protect the water proof material.Soon it was time to call it a day and I turned in to lay down with my iPod before going to sleep.