morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-04-26
From: Rich Mtn Fire Tower

To: Little Laurel Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: moderate rain

Breakfast under HH.Not a matter of staying dry, but getting a little wet.Insight to be a patient packer.Rolled my right shoulderMudJacked kneeI have no legsLunchPeacock[YJ:"Peacock"]Am I in Nirvana?Rain breaks about 2pmLittle Laurel ShelterThinking Burritos (Indigo)[YJ: Really, that¢s how the entry looks. I¢m not making this up.]
Date: 2004-04-27
From: Little Laurel Shelter

To: Flint Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Burr! Slumber¢s watch revealed that the temp. was around 46F meaning it was most likely colder during the night. Breakfast to trail.A breeze carried shivers through my tee-shirt and shorts covered skin. At lunch I put on my cap and mid-weight top. Prior to lunch we crossed a rocky crest line with an alternate bad weather route. Moments before ascending I had noted a few snow flurries. Sampson said the route reminded her of New England [YJ: She is from Mass, went to school in Hanover, NH]. I think this line was called the Blackstack Cliffs, whatever it was there we had amazing lookouts with clear visibility in 360 degrees.At dinner I sadly learned I was down to one dinner for the next 3 nights. With the available light I read and tucked into my bag for warmth. I¢m wearing nearly as many clothes as I did on Blood Mtn.[YJ: 3/31/04 --> 04/01/04]Birds chirping, leaves wrestling, Sampson reading in her bag beside me and Indigo at the picnic table writing.
Date: 2004-04-28
From: Flint Mtn Shelter

To: Low Gap
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: clear sky

1 month on the approach trail/AT today.Awoke to a cold morning, I tucked my head back into my bag. While in there I tried to get my right shoulder to rest properly after yesterday¢s roll out.Finally out of my bag, Sampson and I dreamed of a meal at Sam¢s Gap. As we hiked the ten miles there I stripped to a t-shirt as the sun and rising temps put the heat on.Sam¢s Gap took the AT under US23 a strange realization a rose in me. This hwy could be taken north back to my home outside of Toledo. Suddenly I didn¢t fell as far away as I considered my self to be.We never caught a hitch at Sam¢s Gap, so I ate what I had for lunch and napped a bit by the side of the road. The late afternoon trail brought us to Low Gap where there are six of us camped out. Hopefully the temps won¢t fall below bearable HH levels.
Date: 2004-04-29
From: Low Gap

To: No Business Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: broken clouds

Morning led to Big Bald and a fantastic view. A brief conversation with local day hikers and I went on my way to lunch.Fishermen Fred, I¢m sorry but ¢Father Ounce¢ is not referring to a drug habit. At the same shelter, a daughter/father pair was talking to Sampson and me. They made mention of some guy they heard of up trail who doesn¢t talk on Tuesdays. It was a strange sensation to hear myself talked about to me.Afternoon carried us over several streams tucked in switch backs. Spivey Gap had wonderful water for reflection. Dinner tonight was made possible by the caring offerings of Wife and Beater who had an extra Lipton Side.
Date: 2004-04-30
From: No Business Shelter

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: moderate rain

Early morning and fast packing set my mind up for a quick pace into Erwin, TN. Six miles passed in two and a half hours. Standing on blacktop again, Sampson and I crossed the bridge to take the Whiteblaze out of town. Once a few steps on the far side of town we started hiking to Miss Janet¢s. Twenty-five minutes then a quick hitch and we were down town.Visiting Miss Janet¢s, Sampson secured a bunk and I went on a ¢homeless list¢. To PO to get our drops, then a shuttle to Pizza Hut AYCE (all you can eat) lunch. I easily consumed 25 plus pieces. The afternoon became a haze of failed napping, grocer re-supply and me securing a bunk when Nancy took off with here visiting husband.Pizza still setting we made an elaborate salad for 9:30pm dinner [YJ: "Big Salad"]. Thankfully the full house had tired people and few stayed up past midnight.
Date: 2004-05-01
From: Erwin, TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After breakfast of raisin bran, I jogged to the grocery store in a drizzling. Jogging was great, but didn¢t wear me out. So I wrote post cards and sat with Scarecrow and I Need a Hug after their recently arrival for lunch and conversation.Dinner bloated me with two burritos [YJ: "Burrito" and "Ate Two"] from the delicious Erwin Burrito Company. Five of us (add Indigo) brown bagged our drinks [YJ: "Brown Bag Beer"], a first for this in my lift.A zero day, night called for little sleep to me so I was up. The about 3:00am, I broke my internet disconnect to edit my online journal until 5:00am.
Date: 2004-05-02
From: Erwin, TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Breakfast with Miss Janet [YJ: "Miss Janet..."], was abundant pancakes with ice cream plus eggs, then a welcoming introduction of all those around the table. Then a group photo led me to pack up.Worshipped at the Presbyterian Church down the street and I talked with the Reverend at the lunch provided afterward.Sampson and I decide to go to Hot Springs ¢ I was in search of Body Glide -- and free stuff from Backpacker Mag demo. Plus a grill out with Baltimore Jack. He did you know that Baltimore Jack isn¢t from¢¦. Never mind. Sampson raised a point on Friday that has stayed in my thoughts as I evaluate my trail town experiences. Are the towns part of the hike or just a necessity?In Hot Springs, I missed the demo, but I purchased a few items at Bluff Mtn Outfitter. Then went to hiker box at Elmer¢s and found a free pair of new Thorlos from the demo.Probably won¢t be back to Janet¢s place until late.
Date: 2004-05-03
From: Erwin, TN

To: Cherry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Warm night beneath bridge. Meet a section hiker called the Eye, No Worries of Tazmania and Minus one of Grand Rapids, MI passed. Snow flurries fell over Beauty spot. Unaka forest partly reminded Night Owl (who we passed slack packing) of the Black Forest in Germany.Pita Man did his work over a campfire, amazing focus and dedication.
Date: 2004-05-04
To: Yellow Jacket
Miles today: 0.0

The 24-April entery is the last you'll see for quite some time. I'm leaving town for the next 10 days. I wouldn't expect a new entry until after 16-May. I also have some digital photos to post as soon as I get a card reader.I'd have to guess that Casey should be arriving in Roan Mtn, TN (and/or Elk Park, NC) either tonight or tomorrow. This puts him on track to make it to Trail Days 2004 (in Damascus, VA) on time (May 14-16).
Date: 2004-05-04
From: Cherry Gap Shelter

To: Roan High Knob Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: clear sky

Ice on trail in shade.My knees serenade downhills.Sun is warmLunch at Clyde Smith ShelterDozed in SunCold at highest shelter on ATGreat dinnersSleeping on second floor.Prayer with Jesuit Duo and SampsonSleep
Date: 2004-05-05
From: Roan High Knob Shelter

To: Apple House Shelter
Miles today: 14.7

I awoke hearing the wind howling, getting out of my down bag didn¢t seem inviting. A chilly breakfast. Packed hiking. Well what I thought was rain, seemed to be a cloud I was in.Over mountain Shelter (an old barn) was amazing mostly because of its view. Breathtaking! Jesuit duo, Sampson and I had lunch, basked in the sun and napped.Climbing Hump mtn (a bald) presented an image of climbing into heaven (FYI: as of now I don¢t think this possible).My second day in a row of silence has brought several rewarding insight. Thanks Holy Sprit.
Date: 2004-05-06
From: Apple House Shelter

To: Some campsite
Miles today: 12.4

The last to leave Apple Mtn Shelter Sampson and I made our way NOBO. A few snack breaks amongst ????? forest canopies and we then arrived at Joan¢s Falls [YJ: "Jones Falls"]. A length break was taken. By way of a uncleared (?) path we went up to the falls and each stood in the fridged water a bit. Then we waited to dry in the sun that had climbed beyond the crest of the falls. This was thin place, which is where the temporal and eternal worlds have a thinner veil than elsewhere.The end of the day came when my body stopped. Yup. Stopped, sometimes called ¢hitting the wall¢ or ¢bonking¢. I was stopped by my body. Dazed and fading I setup my hammock by the side of the trail and ate though I wasn¢t hungry. Through my stupor I made my mom a mother¢s day card and went to sleep. This event was a bit scary and certainly vexing. I simply don¢t like thinking (discovering?) I am ill prepared.
Date: 2004-05-07
From: Some campsite

To: Kincora Hiking Hostel
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: clear sky

Today was part of an experiment Sampson and I had a hard time finding drink mixes with sugar. So I put my hands on a packet of instant Jello. After lunch, I made up a 34 L water and the whole packet of Jello. 5¢¦4¢¦3¢¦2¢¦Ahhhh ¢ in a cloud of crystalling sugar veiling my head I floated to Dennis Cove, leaving behind Sampson and the Jesuit Duo. What a weird buzz!?!?
Date: 2004-05-08
From: Kincora Hiking Hostel

To: Kincora Hiking Hostel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Last night I arrived at Kincora a mystical hostel of hospitality. One of my favored experiences of hostels or town stops is meeting up with past hiking companions ¢ those ahead or behind. Yeh and bathing, plus endless plates of food at China buffet [YJ: ¢AYCE China Buffet¢] are nice too.This morning¢s appetizer, to breakfast prepared by Sampson, was wonderful conversation. Certainly made possible by the absence of a television.Later in the afternoon, Rocket, Sampson and I went for a dip in a swimming hole 0.3 miles NOBO off an unmarked trail. The brisk water limited my time in the mostly shaded pool beneath some falls.By a phone conversation today, I was pleased to learn that my close friend Ben is planning to join me on the trail for a week sometime in June. I also learned of a cool opportunity to work in Guatemala after finishing the trail.Hiking has physical, geographical, emotional and spiritual ups and downs. Thankfully hindsight reveals these to be other than PUDS (Pointless Ups and Downs). Hence, life is good, because it is free. For freedom I was set free.
Date: 2004-05-09
From: Kincora Hiking Hostel

To: Watauga Lake Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: few clouds

So last year my brother Yellow Jacket and I did forty miles SOBO into Damascus, VA. Along the way I questioned some ¢03 thru-hikers for the first hand information. I met ¢Loser¢. And now last night I was sitting in Kincora with T-bird and Loser. Fancy that. We planned to talk as I normally haven¢t slept well on zero nights but some Benadryl put me out.The Jesuit Duo and Sampson (FYI: We realize this is misspelled. [YJ: now in Sampson handwriting] actually it isn¢t misspelled and it is my name, although it is true that I adopted it for myself and added my own touch. OK, I misspelled it.) hiked to Laurel Falls breaked then had lunch at the lake.Scarecrow and I had some wonderful conversation. One question we discussed was ¢Can one experience the abundant life a part (without) going to, being and, going through the cross?I carried 18 Snickers and plenty of food.
Date: 2004-05-10
From: Watauga Lake Shelter

To: Iron Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 13.7

8:00am on the trail after a humorous breakfast. A few thousand feet of elevation gain and the ¢Tennessee Turnpike¢ would start following the lunch break at Vandeventer Shelter.Today¢s hike carried with it many length conversations allowing the mild foot pace. I¢ve had plenty of energy with my latest food consumption plan. I¢m nearly carrying too much.The planning surrounding Trail Days has been a bit tricky. Sampson and I are going to hike to Friday and hitch back some thirty miles past Damascus. The Jesuit Duo, part of ¢Odd Quad¢, are going to stay Wed to Saturday. We hope to meet up again by Tuesday.I¢m excited that my Dad is planning to join me on the trail in June. So the last few days I¢ve been thinking of a gear list for him. Possible I¢ll buy a light-weight tent for his use and mine afterwards.Thunder and raindrops settle six of us into the shelter. Mapmaker pressed onward. Now after dinner skyes are clear so reading and writing occupies most peoples attention.
Date: 2004-05-11
From: Iron Mtn Shelter

To: Abingdon Gap Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: light rain

I almost pooped in my only pair of shorts today.Oh and it was raining during the run to the climatic finish.Crashing through the woods behind one of the AT¢s original shelters, I finished the task.Today I set my personal record of eating five Snickers bars in one day. Man, this takes work to eat so much, but I haven¢t bonked as I had last week.Stopping at Abingdon Shelter to eat Sampson fell asleep and rain started, so we stayed.
Date: 2004-05-17
From: Damascus, VA

To: Lost Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

Mom and Dad dropped Sampson and I at the PO. A few hours of chores [mail drops, learning how to pack my brother¢s pack, ¢¦] 10:30am, put my feet back on the AT in front of the Methodist church.At US 58, Sampson and I had lunch. We met a University Religion class breaking on their eight day out. The class, taught on the relations between religion and pilgrimage. We separated and met again as Saunders shelter. It was too early to stop so we pressed on to Lost Mtn Shelter.After four zeroes, it was pleasing to have the body respond to work again. Yes, hiking the AT is work (W=Fd). But I¢m having a great time. All round challenging ???? rewarding all the more.
Date: 2004-05-18
From: Lost Mtn Shelter

To: Massie Gap
Miles today: 16.7

For the third Tuesday in a row I picked up a piece of someone missed placed and returned it to them. Today it was Paradox¢s ball cap.Sampson and I took a lengthy break a top (blank) [YJ: Casey forgot to fill in the location]. I sat in silence as she read Galatians aloud. It was a challenge to pay attention with all that was going on. Her reading, the view, a hawk flying, past, present and future. I hope I never forget that moment.Most of the day was under threat of rain. The clouds never really burst open, but at points it seemed as if I was walking through a heavy fog. This fog rolled in as we breaked at Thomas Knob Shelter. Pressing onward into the Grayson Highlands we were approached by a mare [YJ: Wild Ponies roam this area]. Offering no food, we stepped forward and took a picture of a colt that was hiding behind its Mother¢s legs. We passed several other herds.As we considered where to camp for the night, a voice cried in the wilderness. ¢Hey you guys¢. It was T-bird (¢03 thru).T-bird, Boiling Plate and Karma where cooking up trial magic. Sampson and I moved in¢¦in¢¦in to what? We had to setup a few tarps and watched as dinner was prepared. As we settled into sleep we listened to ponies settle as well.
Date: 2004-05-19
To: Yellow Jacket
Miles today: 0.0

I'm back from LA. Father Ounce was off the trail this past weekend for a surprise visit to my house for my son's baptism. He brought Sampson along as well. Very nice person.I retro-added pictures to entries 4-14 thru 4-24. And I'll be adding a journal entry, or two, tonight.
Date: 2004-05-20
From: Yellow Jacket

To: Partnership Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: scattered clouds

The finale of the day was the shelter. Sampson and I paced our way, taking a two hour lunch when four other hikers past us, then in home stretch to pizza. Yeh. That is right. The shelter is 0.5 miles from Mt. Roger¢s visitor center where a pay phone is used to order a large veggie pizza plus pineapple.As we waited, I took a shower. Then I inquired about bicycle touring with YOVO. Later the conversation was YOVO studies concerning the One Church. Sampson and my interest, along with basic knowledge allowed the teacher to go into greater detail. His thoughts were as tasty as the pizza. Yum!
Date: 2004-05-21
From: Partnership Shelter

To: VA683
Miles today: 11.6

Several times the trail left the shade of the forest and was under the sun for some time. So after lunch I felted drained and started coughing as if I was going to regurgitate my food (ie vomit). I made it back into the shade and sat a bit. This experience was a little unnerving.Today also begin the weekend presence of Todd, Sampson¢s friend. He has cross-country cycle toured, so I began to pick his brain, and dream of riding.The three of us arrived at VA683 and I decided to stay at the village motel. Moving in, we each showered and did some laundry. Dairy Queen¢s siren song wooed Sampson and therefore Todd and I to its doors.Back in RM113, I hang some van (?) aroma trees to hide the stench of smoke. Dinner was made on the sidewalk, and then we discussed a variety of topics concerning our shared faith.
Date: 2004-05-23
From: Yellow Jacket

To: Jenkins Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: light rain

Animals: small black snake with a read head, maybe six inches. Toads in trail and around shelter a mondo one.Lunch at Chestnut Knob with a wonderful view of valleys below. *** CRACK *** Thunder¢¦ ah¢¦ well I go soaked¢¦rain stopped, so wet tired I stumble into Jenkins.
Date: 2004-05-24
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Helveys Mill Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Up and out, Sampson and I had eaten, deciding to pass some posted trail magic so we¢d have time in Bland, VA for our chores. But we came to VA 615. Pat ¢ our future shuttle driver ¢ convinced us with the line that the UMC shuttled to town as well.I¢m glad we went to New Home UMC. The casserole these southern church ladies had made was delicious. Even better was the home made apple butter. Yum! The servants of Christ attention to the hikers was humbling. As Alan, the pastor picked melodious guitar sting, accompanied by his thing floating voice, I began to ear. In the presence of the Kingdom of God, I could not hide anything and remade free.By dropping the appropriate info to our host, Sampson was compelled to accompany the pastor in song. Standing alone outside the dining area, in the sun, again Grace brought me humble to tears.After the meal, Pat, shuttled us to Bland, we were saddened at the PO that our summer bags hadn¢t arrived. A quick re-supply and we returned to the trail to finish the day, shortly after crossing over I-77.
Date: 2004-05-25
To: Yellow Jacket
Miles today: 0.0

I'm all caught up with his journals. Seems as though Mom has a week's worth she forgot to give me during her last visit. I'll get those along with another batch from Casey this coming weekend when he comes back to Columbus for a friend's wedding.As you can tell I have been adding pics to each of the entries as well. Casey typically has 3-8 pics for each day. Since it is a pain in the ass to upload photos, I pick out the "best" photo for each day and make it the inset photo.I'm sure many of you have figured this out already, but for those that haven't...If I have a photo of an interesting item mentioned in the day's entry, and I have bothered to upload the pic, it will be referenced like [YJ: "Photo Title"]. You can find these additional photos off of the "Photos" link to the left. They are sorted by date, so just jump to the date of the journal entry to find the "extra" pics.
Date: 2004-05-25
From: Helveys Mill Shelter

To: Kimberling Creek
Miles today: 16.2

The event of the day involved Sampson who was delusional tired. So at lunch she set up her tent and napped. There wasn¢t any reason to press on if she was going to end up sick again.After she awoke we decided to move on because she felt stronger and we wouldn¢t be stretched to get in Pearisburg to meet my parentsThe rain started after passing Ursa Minor, Big Tree, blue, Swap, April Showers. We pressed on to Kinberling Creek across a very visually and mechanically intellectually stimulating suspended foot bridge.We setup camp. As more wet fell from the sky. As I made my dinner the skies opened, rain droplets air raiding camp and splattering sand up on me as I sat under my hammock. Lightening came closer as I counted the delay of thunder. The shortest was 0.5-1 second.
Date: 2004-05-26
From: Kimberling Creek

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

¢My throat hurts a little¢, Sampson reports first thing. ¢Maybe I should get this checked out before it gets worse.¢ So began our Wednesday morning.We decided to attempt to hitch to Pearisburg. After breaking camp we walked about a mile to a gas station and tried to reach the pastor of Round Mtn UMC. Who had offered assistance to all hikers if it was needed. We never go through.I walked over to a group of men shooting the breeze. There I inquired of the quickest route to Pearisburg. Now informed Sampson and I rested on a bench. As we waited one of the men, Howard, offered to take us the first leg of the way.At the intersection of 100 and 42 was construction. A gift from God. See only one lane was available so traffic was temporally stopped ever so often. We walked up the row of stopped cars with our thumbs protruding. Score! Another ride. In the bed of a truck going 40 mph in the rain. Half the distance to town, we were dropped at a road crossing the hwy. A five minute wait and another car picked us up the final car took us to the hospital where Sampson received a prescription to address her tonsillitis. Walking to Rite Aid, we were picked up by Emily and Rachel, whose family recently moved there from Canada. We left them at the store, only to be hunted down by Emily. Their plans changed and they offered to take us to the Hostel. What amazing people.Holy Cross Hostel was nestled behind the church and community retreat center. The hostel was an old barn with a fantastic view of rolling mountains and farm fields. There was a blue blaze out the back which crossed a field to Wally World [YJ: aka Wal-Mart].Rain stared, stopped and returned. Thunder and lightening accent Virginia dreams.
Date: 2004-05-27
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Columbus, OH
Miles today: 0.0

Up early I go out for prayer and devotions. The day continues as Sampson takes a nap, I call from town to find out my parents¢ ETA.The morning passed relaxing in the sun. What? My parents found the hostel and were early. Back to Bland VA to pick up my poncho liner package. [YJ: I¢d like to congratulate our mother on what a great job she did re-routing Casey¢s package to the IGA in Bland VA. The gear he ordered was shipped via UPS to a PO. UPS cannot deliver to a PO. UPS called her asking what to do with the package. Using the guides Casey gave her she had the gear delivered to the local IGA store in Bland, VA. We were never able to tell Casey the gear was in town, so he left without it. Funny thing was he was standing next to his package in the IGA while on a payphone.]Now back to Columbus, Ohio with my girl beside me.
Date: 2004-05-30
From: VA606

To: Doc's Knob Shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: light rain

My parents returned Sampson and me to where we had left off. We all had chips and salsa before two of us headed North and Mom and Dad headed home.Slip and slide trail made possible by daily rain showers. After Blue blazing to a falls and returning to the AT, we passed many a brook, creek and stream. Rain started our morning seven plus miles. We took lunch at Wapiti shelter. The rain ceased and we continued onward.Thumb¢¦Thumb¢¦ I stopped inspect my pack. As I looked up I saw something move. Ahead in the trail stood a young deer, staring back at me. I stood recalling some Psalm. Huck Finn approached behind me startled the deer from the trail. Later today I saw my first rabbit of the year.The shelters in Virginia have been well constructed and Doc¢s Knob is no exception. The great news at Doc¢s Knob is that the spring isn¢t a long trail in and of itself.