morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-09-30
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Yep another zero. The rain is sooo crazy. Though even crazier is Paul Bunion and Rootsrock who are going to hike in the downpours. We decided that we would stay at this lovely shelter another day. There is a caretaker who resides by the shelter and around lunch time he offered to run to town and buy us a pizza. YUM! perfect!We rested and read our books. My blisters still hurt...but at least they got one day of rest right?
Date: 2010-10-01
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: clear sky

The trail is flooded today. Completely. Parts of it are like a water fall. All journal entries of springs and water sources being dry are no longer true. Praise the lord because we have had trouble with water sources lately. My blisters HURT! UGH! Very unhappy feet.Mo made us lunch at a shelter - ramen noodles and beef jerky - while I rested my feet. There was construction going on at the bridge going into Port Clinton so we had to scramble and bushwhack to get to the trail a different way. Then Mo took off running to make it to Port Clinton before the post office closed. We made it! While hanging out outside of the post office, the barber across the street invited us to free coffee! It was so yummy...I of course changed into flip flops as soon as possible to avoid hurting feet any longer. While at the barber shop we met a guy named Rich who came in for a hair cut. He offered to give us a ride to the Cabela's. He then joined us for dinner at the Cracker Barrel! So wonderfully yummy. We also made a stop at the dunken donuts where we purchased enough donuts for breakfast for the next several days.Thanks Rich for being such an awesome trail angel! We slept at the pavilion in PC for free...
Date: 2010-10-02
From: Port Clinton

To: Eagles Nest Shelter
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: few clouds

Mo got new shoes yesterday and since we had such blister problems with my new ones we decided we both shouldnt have feet issues and we are only going 7.7 to the next shelter. We spent the morning at the barber shop where we got to listen to live local music and drink more coffee. We ended up eating lunch at the Port CLinton Hotel. Pretty decent bar food. We are pretty much alone at the shelter tonight even though we saw a ton of people camped out along the way. I hiked very, very slow with my sore feet and the evil PA rocks.
Date: 2010-10-03
From: Eagles Nest Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: few clouds

My feet still hurt so bad. I think that my superfeet may be causing some of the issues so I removed them today and I was able to walk a bit better for the first 2/3rds of the day. But by the end was pretty much in tears. Made it to the shelter, which is pretty cool. Fully enclosed with a sky light. Coooold night though.
Date: 2010-10-04
From: 501 Shelter

To: Rausch Gap
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: light rain

Woke up to rain. lots of it. 70% chance of rain almost all day. But we had to hike...By lunch time I was soaked to the core...so we decided to hitch into town and go to McDonalds...I changed out of the soaking wet clothes and Mo and I chowed down on a ton of McD's. That'll make you feel better. I called the Best WEstern next door and asked if we could use thier coin laundry to dry our clothes...and they let us! Perfect. So we were fed and dried and my feet weren't hurting quite as bad and we headed back out to the trail. The young couple who picked us up and took us to town said they picked us up because I looked like a ten year old girl...haha...
Date: 2010-10-05
From: Rausch Gap

To: Peters Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 18.0

BEtter day today. Not as wet. Feet doing a bit better. The shelter is HUGE! with the picnic table on a covered porch and wind screens for bad weather. Nice. We did our 18 miles by 4:30. WOW! So we set up camp and relaxed the rest of the day. We made some beef stew for dinner. Mo had to go down a STEEP trail to get the water. Though its flowing great! We passed by an old coal mine settlement today and a trail to the cemetary for it. The terrain is definitely getting better and my feet appreciate it. Mom is sending my chacos back to me and i get them in a few days! Can't wait.
Date: 2010-10-06
From: Peters Mtn. Shelter

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: light rain

IT WAS SO COLD LAST NIGHT. Our coldest yet. Mo and I had to snuggle close all night to stay warm enough to sleep. Made it to Duncannon for lunch at the Doyle. Then decided to stay and have dinner and wash our clothes and take warm showers and just relax. We got to hang out with the owners Pat and Vickey who are so wonderful to us hikers. Pat is an amazing chef and made us some great food. Pat even drove me to the grocery store for some resupply. Slept in the green room...
Date: 2010-10-07
From: Duncannon

To: RT 11
Miles today: 18.0

Got a late start today...had some tummy issues this morning. But we recieved a great phone call just before we headed out. We met Steven Reist near Mt. Washington in the Whites in NH. He is section hiking the trail and as we got to talking there, he offered us some trail magic once we got near where he lives in PA. So I had called him a couple days before and he returned the call this morning and offered to pick us up and take us to dinner. So we made it to RT 11 and Steven and his wife, Kim, picked us up and we drove to Boiling Springs to the Allenberry Inn and Playhouse. We got to eat at the AYCE Buffett and Steven and Kim even got us a room at the Inn. So wonderful!
Date: 2010-10-08
From: RT 11

To: James Fry Shelter
Miles today: 20.0

The room at the Inn we stayed at was wonderful! So snuggly! Its so nice to get hot showers before hiking. We slacked this morning from RT 11 back to boiling springs, picked up our stuff at the Allenberry, ate lunch at their restaurant then, visited the ATC and outfitters, and picked up my CHACOS! at the post office. NO MORE EVIL BLISTER SHOES! Bought new socks at the outfitters and new socks are wonderful.HIked all the way to James Fry shelter...
Date: 2010-10-09
From: James Fry Shelter

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: clear sky

Made it to the Pine Furnace State park where Mo attempted the 1/2 gallon challenge in honor of making it HALF WAY! He chose Peach Ice cream and ate it in 20 minutes. I'm so proud! HAHA. I opted not to attempt the challenge and instead at two chili dogs, fries, two scoops of cookies and cream ice cream and a large coca-cola. We visited the official and new AT museum at the park and we were able to talk to several people there about thru hiking. Made it to the shelter where some other section hikers were hanging out too. Slept well...not too cold.
Date: 2010-10-10
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: Deerlick Shelter
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: clear sky

Long day. We stopped at a pizza restaurant and enjoyed some yum supreme pizza for lunch and got some to go for dinner tonight. We are trying to do some large miles to make it to Harper's Ferry in time to catch the train to DC. We did well today even though we had to night hike about 30 minutes. Ran into Paul Bunion again at the shelter. Was fun catching up and swapping stories.
Date: 2010-10-11
From: Deerlick Shelter

To: Ensign Cowell Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

I guess we pushed too hard yesterday. Only 14.5 when we were aiming for 20+. Mo took a nap at lunch. We moved slow...Oh well..chance of rain tonight so stopped early at a shelter. We will have to do 25 to get close enough to Harpers Ferry to catch the train. TONS and TONS of icky stinkbugs everywhere.
Date: 2010-10-12
From: Ensign Cowell Shelter

To: Ed Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: clear sky

We did it. 25 Miles. Night hiked for a little bit again. Shelter is full of stink bugs...so we tented even though we were the only ones at the shelter. Got to see tons of civil and revolutionary war stuff along the way today. Nothing too exciting today.
Date: 2010-10-13
From: Ed Garvey Shelter

To: Harpers Ferry & DC
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: clear sky

We made it to Harpers Ferry. The MENTAL half way point. We are in the south again and to celebrate we got to order SWEET TEA for the first time since on the trail. It was so delicious. We caught the train to DC where we got to visit Late Bloomer, i.e. Pamela King, who we met in Vermont as she was section hiking with her daughter CHickweed.Pamela lives in Capitol HIll in DC and we are staying here for a few days. A nice break from the trail after making it so far. She met us at Union Station and took us home where she fed us bean soup for lunch and spaghetti for dinner.
Date: 2010-10-14
From: Harpers Ferry & DC

To: DC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

GREAT homemade breakfast thanks to Pamela! After breakfast Mo and I visited the CATO institute which is a Libertarian Think Tank and we went there to listen to a book preview lecture thing. It was very interesting and we got a free lunch out of the deal too. Visited Barnes and Nobles and walked around for a little while. I took a nap. Then we met up with Chris Armstrong, one of Mo's buddies from highschoool/college. Enjoyed a great dinner at a burger place and then joined PAmela for a concert at the Library of Congress.
Date: 2010-10-15
From: DC

To: DC
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Pamela made us her famous Swedish Pancakes for breakfast this morning. So yuummmyy. Then we had lunch at a burrito place before we met up with Chris again for a private tour of the Capitol. He took us to a room that was Ted Kennedy's private office before he died. We did a self guided tour of the Library of Congress then visited the Air and Space Museum and one of the ARt museums. Pamela made us Snitzchel for dinner...so wonderful. And her husband Tom made it home from a work road trip and joined us for dinner and dessert. Our last night in DC. Back to the trail tomorrow.Thanks PAmela and Tom for the great hospitality and wonderful trail magic. You two are true trail angels!
Date: 2010-10-17
From: Blackburn Trail Center

To: Piney Knob
Miles today: 15.0

Got a late start this morning. But we enjoyed sleeping in. Today began the 'rollercoaster' section of virginia. 10 up and downs with no views. In the middle though we passed by the bears d, a very cool hostel we planned on staying at but it just didn't work out with our miles. They had a package for us that mom sent there and we picked that up and bought a pint of ben and jerry's ice cream and relaxed for over an hour enjoying lunch and watching a movie on the AT. After lunch we took off again but with so many up and downs we didn't move very fast. Ended up picking a cool spot on top of the 7th or 8th up and down called Piney Knob or Ridge. Its such a beautiful night we didn't even put up our tent...just cowboy camped under the beautiful stars!
Date: 2010-10-18
From: Piney Knob

To: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Cowboy camping was awesome last night, but unfortunately we were visited by an unwelcomed racoon...when we woke up , micah's gaiters were missing and his pack had been torn into, you could see the bite marks! Right before lunch I was hit with some major uncomfortable tummy issues. Had to take a nap at lunch at Dick's Dome shelter. Fortunately, i felt better after the nap and was able to get 21 miles in today. We did have to night hike till 7:30 but it was worth it so we only have to hike 6 miles tomorrow to meet Steve Bliss!
Date: 2010-10-19
From: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter

To: Hwy 522, Front Royal
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: clear sky

We slept in until 8, which was pretty welcoming. Super excited because we hiked 6 easy miles and then met up with Papa Bliss, who we hiked with in Maine, Blissful's husband. He treated us so well! We went to our first real mexican restaurant since we started the trail...YUM!!! Then we napped, did laundry, and then took off to visit Monticello - Thomas Jefferson's house. We did the tour of the house and walked about the grounds. When we were on the way down to see his gravesite, up the pathway walked a guy dressed just like TJ. He was there as a TJ impersonator for a film/documentary that was being shot while we were there. Papa Bliss cooked us a wonderful meal - its so great to have fresh home cooked food!
Date: 2010-10-20
From: Hwy 522, Front Royal

To: Tom Floyd Wayside
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: light rain

I got sick again this morning with some tummy issues while we were at Walmart resupplying - so Papa Bliss and Mo took me back to the Bliss house where I ended up taking a 3 hour nap. Rainy morning so we didn't have to hike in the rain. Mo made me a grilled cheese and some chicken noodle soup for lunch. Then we took off and went back to the trail. only hiked 3 miles to the first shelter so we just took it easy...we enter Shenandoah National Park tomorrow!At the shelter we met another SOBO - sasquatch...he started after us, we are getting passed lately by super fast SOBO's...
Date: 2010-10-21
From: Tom Floyd Wayside

To: Pass Moutain Hut
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: clear sky

Woke up feeling much better than yesterday. We were able to get in some big miles today, even after stopping at the Elkwallow Wayside for lunch. Its nice having restaurants right on the trail. We entered the Shendandoah National Park today. Its very beautiful and we are here in peak Color for fall foliage. We saw a bear this morning and several deer. At the shelter tonight is 3 section hikers, thier dog, Junebug the husky, and a guy we met back in Glencliff, NH, Lion King. He has hiked many a mile all over the US and made documentaries of his thru-hikes. He plans on beginning the Florida Trail on Jan 1. in the middle of the night I had to get up and use the little girls room - when finished I heard a strange noise and turned around to find a very large animal silouette. After seeing the bear this morning, of course the first thing that comes to mind is BEAR. Each step I took, it followed. I just knew it was after me. Then the moon hit it just right and it turns out it was just the largest Buck I have EVER seen. We tried to get a picture but to no avail. It just walked past me to some green grass to graze. Didn't even care we were there.
Date: 2010-10-22
From: Pass Moutain Hut

To: Stealth Camp near Black Rock
Miles today: 17.5

Wanted to get in BIG miles today - but then we found another trail side restaurant...and this one had a wait...and it was frigid outside...and warm inside. So we waited for a table and sipped on some Starbucks in the lobby. Ended up with a great window table and ordered our first Fried Chicken since we started the trail. Then we were passing by Big Meadows campground. Mo decided to go ask some people if they had cola he could buy. we ended up meeting some great people who gave Mo a soda and invited us to dinner. YAY FREE FOOD! Hikers love free food. It was so great. So our 27 mile day ended up being about 17.5 and we stealth camped about 1/2 a mile past the campground where we had dinner on a great stealth spot near a beautiful overlook. There was a full moon! It was so beautiful. Very coooold day, but great overall.
Date: 2010-10-23
From: Stealth Camp near Black Rock

To: Swift Run Gap
Miles today: 19.0

Last night we slept under a beautiful full moon. Then we hiked about 19 miles today to meet our friend No Pants at Swift Run Gap. We met No Pants in Massachusetts at the Washington Rd. crossing near the cookie ladies house on the way to Upper Goose Pond Cabin. He and his hiking buddies have been section hiking the trail. When we met them at the road they offered us food and drinks, which we happily accepted. No Pants gets his name because he doesnt hike with pants on - just a speedo and a long shirt. He is awesome. He picked us up at Swift Run Gap and took us to his home where we cleaned up, did some laundry and snacked until we joined his friends Dick and Lois for a wonderful dinner. After dinner we stayed for some live music, and then because we are hikers who fall asleep early, we called it a night and went back to the house and crashed. Crazy connection. Turns out No Pant's, whose real name is Andy Huggins, his brother (Dorman Huggins) worked with Micah's dad at Dunwoody Baptist when Mo was a baby. In fact, Mo and Dorman's daughter were baby dedicated on the same day!
Date: 2010-10-24
From: Swift Run Gap

To: A Spring by a side trail to a closed wayside...
Miles today: 15.3

No Pants took us to a great breakfast place that served AMAZING bagel sandwhiches and home fries. Great way to start a hiking day. YUM! Lots of good calories. When he dropped us back off at the trail he was wearing his UGA jersey! GO Dawgs!We hiked about 15 miles to a side trail to a spring that also leads to the Skyline Drive to a Wayside where we could buy dinner. Unfortunately we made it there 15 minutes after it closed...so sad! There was a huge no camping sign by the spring area where we were hoping to stealth camp, so we slept there anyways...we didn't put up the tent so technically we weren't camping right?
Date: 2010-10-25
From: A Spring by a side trail to a closed wayside...

To: Calf Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 22.5
Weather: light rain

Today we met another SOBO...LowStep. We got to hike with him most of the day, but as he is a SOBO who has caught up with us, he probably will be passing us, so we take time with new SOBOs as precious. Kinda rainy today. But maybe the water sources will have some good water. At the shelter is Paul Bunion who we haven't seen in a while. also is a NOBO who is finishing up a section he had to skip to reach Kathadin in time. It was fun having so many people at the shelter to hang out with. We cooked a yummy dinner tonight but I was so afraid it was going to attract bears. We fried up some country ham and ate it in wraps with stuffing. Delicious but I just knew we would be visited by a bear enticed by the smell.Fortunately - no bears came.
Date: 2010-10-26
From: Calf Mountain Shelter

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 6.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Slept in this morning and we hiked the 6 miles to Rockfish gap where we met up with another section hiker who volunteered to take us in for a night. We met Brucce Bowman in Pennsylvania for about 15 minutes at a lunch break at a shelter. We were headed south, he and a buddy headed north. At lunch Mo noticed a really awesome AT tatoo and struck up conversation. Turns out that Bruce and his wife Nancy hiked 1600 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail for thier honeymoon - the only reason they weren't able to hike the whole thing was because it was 1980 and Mt. St. Helens exploded...therefore they weren't able to hike the northern portion. Since Mo and I are on our honeymoon Bruce said we had to stop by and meet Nancy. So when we got to Rockfish Gap we were picked up by Bruce and taken to his house where he showed us the pot of bean soup and homemade apple pie and other goodies for our lunch. He showed us around the house and left us there to make ourselves at home until they both returned from work. We napped and ate and showered and did laundry and played on the internet. It was wonderfully relaxing and rejuvenating. When the Bowmans returned from work, Nancy prepard a most amazing homecooked dinner and we all chatted and reminisced about hiking the trail, swapping stories and enjoying each other's company.
Date: 2010-10-27
From: Reed Gap

To: Rockfish Gap
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: light rain

This morning Bruce dropped us off at Reed Gap and we hiked north back to Rockfish Gap, slackpacking the whole way. It rained off and on and I am so thankful that yesterday Bruce took us by the outfitters where I purchased some waterproof socks to wear with my Chacos. they worked pretty well, at least my feet werent sloshing or as cold as they sometimes get when it rains. My rain gear on the other hand did not keep me dry...so I bought some stuff at the outfitters to re-make them water proof and applied it after we hiked. We met another SOBO - John. No trail name. Talked for a minute in passing then continued North to rockfish gap. Enjoyed another great meal with the bowmans, who once a month or so prepare meals for a Young Life leadership group who were over tonight. We were very appreciative of a hot shower after a rainy day.
Date: 2010-10-28
From: Reed Gap

To: Priest Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: clear sky

This morning Bruce took us to local breakfast place, Weasies, where we ate a very large breakfast, then hit the trail again. We only were able to go 15.4 miles to the Priest shelter. Suddenly we have large climbs again, which we haven't had much of lately. We hiked down the 3 ridges then up the Priest - 3000 feet. Very cold and blustery. Made it to the shelter right at dusk and discover John, the hiker we met yesterday, sleeping in the shelter. Mrs. Bowman made us sandwiches and cookies to go for lunch, which we enjoyed so much. Its always refreshing to eat real food on the trail. At the shelter is was so cold that we made large fire and cooked our dinner right in it. SO windy at the shelter tonight.
Date: 2010-10-29
From: Priest Shelter

To: US 60
Miles today: 20.9

Was very cold last night - first time water had ice in it when we woke up. Not fun. Had some beautiful balds we hiked over today. Decided that we needed to resupply in Buena Vista so we pushed to the road before sunset and hitched into town. John met us at the road and rode in with us. We ended up spliting a room at the budget inn and eating a ton of food at burger king and resupplied at the gas station. Nothing too exciting today - but some good views - check out the pics on facebook of Cole Mtn.
Date: 2010-10-30
From: US 60

To: Johns Hollow Shelter
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: overcast clouds

So the hotel advertised a continental breakfast on the weekend, and since it was saturday we made our way to breakfast. All we found was cofee and some donut sticks. hrm...fancy.So we had burger king for breakfast and then tried to get a hitch back to the trail. It took almost an hour before someone volunteered to take us there. Finally on the trail at 9:50 and we needed to go 20 miles. So we took off. Fortunately we had several miles along Brown Mtn Creek which allowed us to make some good time. Along the creek used to be a settlement of freed slaves and there are still ruins of thier homesteads. At the shelter we are joined by John and an actor. The actor, Ray, gave us some food and was just out testing new gear. Had a great time.
Date: 2010-10-31
From: Johns Hollow Shelter

To: Corneilius Creek Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: broken clouds

WHAT A DAY! We started at 8:30 with a long way to go. We were making ok time and thought we would make it to the shelter before dark...until we ran into three kids randomly in the woods. they were 17, 8, 2 years old. They said that they had wandered off from their family, accidently taking the wrong trail. But they claimed they were alright as they had spoken with their family and the rangers were on the way to get them. So we hiked on..then we turned around. I used the 17 yr old's cell phone to talk to the rangers and told them their exact location. Turns out the rangers had no idea where they were. Mo and I ended up hiking them back to the rangers about 1 mile south. we gave them some food and water as it turns out they had been wandering for a couple of hours. Afterwards, the rangers informed us that the 17 yr old was autistic with asbergers and they were very thankful we found them and helped them out. We hiked over Apple Orchard Mtn. at sunset and had to hike the last 3 miles in the dark - not too fun. On Apple Orchard Mtn we met some students that go to Liberty who took some pics of us with the sunset behind us. By the time we made it to the shelter we were BOTH completely worn out. we built a fire, cooked dinner, and went straight to sleep. Just us at the shelter tonight.
Date: 2010-11-01
From: Corneilius Creek Shelter

To: Bobblets Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: clear sky

Yesterday's big hike left us worn out for today too. But we did make it to the shelter before dark. we made a big fire and good dinner. We realized we dont have a lot of food left to make it to daleville for our next resupply...Looks like we will have to ration a bit.