morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-06-11
From: Harpers Creek Shelter

To: Rockfish Gap, Waynesboro
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Up early and out by 6 am. Long 22 miles. In at 7 pm at Paul C Wolf shelter. Met Fizz and Stitches, a father and 3 sons Amish group, Micro and HTC came in and then Tetris. I am alone in the shelter this morning, they have all rushed to town - Waynesboro¢. As I work on my journal, I see a quote from the Companion - ¢Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature¢s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn¢s leaves.¢ - JOHN MUIRVery close to my own feelings. On the way to town, I missed a photo opportunity. A fawn was laying down in the trail with its backside to me. I got my camera out and went to step sideways to get a profile. It¢s eyes spotted me and jumped off the trail leaving me pictureless. Also no snake pictures for my grandson William. Got to Rockfish Gap (850.5). I walked to the visitor center. When I walked in Fizz had already called for a shuttle. The driver was a woman with 3 dogs. She took us both and drove us all around town, showing the YMCA, the Lutheran church, and the restaurant Weezees with AYCE pancakes, the park and the library. She dropped me off at the YMCA. I went in for a shower and a free hiker gift bag with toothpaste, toothbrush, soap, shampoo, candy bars, floss, moleskin and fruit by the foot. After getting showered I went to Weezees for lunch of burger & fries. Then on to the library to check my trail journal. I called Spirit Walker and talked until my battery got low. Got a ride to Pizza Hut for food and beer. Walked back to the Lutheran church for supper and sleep over. They have internet, wide screen TV and a full stocked kitchen. Also a great hiker box. Staying there were Ularu and Slayer from Maine, Bone Lady and Wild Oats, the sisters, The Professor, Sonny & Cher, Double D, Bulldog, Brush Stroke, Stitches and Daisy. The volunteers were wonderful.
Date: 2008-06-12
From: Rockfish Gap, Waynesboro

To: Calf Mtn shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Got up at 7 am and had breakfast in the well-stocked kitchen. Did some more internet, but we had to be out by 9 am. Called a shuttle that Bone Lady had used into town. Bill Gallager got there at 9:30.   Bone Lady and Wild Oats had gotten a ride with a couple guys that were talking about Aqua Blazing some of the trail. Bill took me to the Rockfish Gap Outfitters. I got a small waist belt for my backpack and a new platypus hydration system.   While I was getting all of this, Bill was shuttling Bull Dog and others back to the trail. Finally I was done and Bill took me. It was lunchtime so I told Bill if he would take me to Applebee¢s I would buy his lunch. Then he took me to the trail head and I noticed I had lost my cell phone pouch and figured it had fallen off at the outfitters. We said goodby and I started hiking up the road. I found some shade and re-packed my new supplies. While I was there, Bill drove up. He had gone back to the outfitters and gotten my cell pouch. THANKS BILL!! I walked to Calf Mtn shelter (857.5) Double D, Bone Lady, Wild Oats, Daisy, Sonny & Cher, and 3 section hikers (a father & sons). The entertainment that night was jeering and watching each other try to hang our heavy food bags on the new Shenandoah metal post designed bear bag hanger. Very funny! I ended up using my bear line over a limb because I couldn¢t do it.
Date: 2008-06-13
From: Calf Mtn shelter

To: Loft Mtn shelter maintainers cabin 
Miles today: 0.0

Up early in order to get to Loft Mtn (877.9) for beer & burgers. Got a little lost in the campground and finally found the campstore. Bone Lady and Wild Oats were just leaving. BullDog was there washing his clothes, Sonny & Cher had just arrived. I had a beer and a bag of chips and BullDog got us a ride to the Wayside restaurant. I had a burger & beer. We then decided to walk up a fire road to camp close by so we could go back in the morning for blueberry pancakes and blackberry milkshakes. ¢Thru hikers only think with their stomachs¢. We met Tammy and her dad, the shelter maintainers at a cabin and they let us camp there for the night.
Date: 2008-06-15
From: Loft Mtn shelter maintainers cabin 

To: Smith Roach Gap 
Miles today: 0.0

Sonny & Cher decided not to go to breakfast so BullDog and I went. BullDog got back on the trail and I decided to go back to the camp store and shower and do laundry. Started hiking around noon. Called my wife Patti from a couple of mountain tops to get our meeting place decided upon. After many attempts, we decided to meet at the Swift Run Gap Gate. As I got closer, I decided I was running out of time. My wife, her sister, and brother¢in-law had arrived and I was still 6 miles away. I stepped out next to the SkyLine Drive at Smith Roach Gap and held my hand up as a car went by. The car turned around at the next turnout and came back. It was a park ranger. I told him I was trying to meet my family for Fathers Day and they had driven all the way from Maine. He generously give me a ride to the gate. Thank you Shenandoah National Park!!   After a long greeting with wife, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, we drove to Luray for the night. Found a nice place called the Mimslyn Inn. It was very late on Sunday, Fathers Day, so everything local was closed at 8 pm. We decided to drive to Harrisonburg for dinner. Found a Texas Roadhouse and it was great. Our waitress reminded us of our niece Lexa. Her name was Miranda and she took my trailjournal e:mail info and said she would look me up. Patti and I really liked her. Back to comfortable beds at the Mimslyn.
Date: 2008-06-16
From: Luray 

To: Harrisonburg zero day
Miles today: 0.0

Monday up at 9 for breakfast ¢ nothing to rave about. Patti left the desk clerk with a few suggestions.   Packed up to head for Luray Caverns.   They were great. It must have been a great experience for the discoverers. Then drove back to Harrisonburg and got a room at the Country Inn & Suites after checking out many others. We settled in and had some drinks, snacks and watched Tiger Woods in his playoff until a lightning and thunderstorm with hail took out the satellite and interrupted the ¢finale¢. We got ready and went to Outback for dinner.
Date: 2008-06-17
From: Harrisonburg

To: Bearfence Mtn shelter 
Miles today: 0.0

Packed up some and went to Cracker Barrel for breakfast. Then back to finish packing and went to an outfitter for a new tent, raincoat and nalgene bottle. Off to Skyline drive and Smith Roach Gap about noon. After a tearful goodby I headed north again and Patti and family headed for Foxwoods Casino in Ct. I hiked to Bearfence Mtn shelter (904.3) I got there late and only 3 other hikers were there. Serene ¢ a 60 year old man from P.E.I. , and ¢Low¢, a young man I started with at the Dalonega Hiker Hostel. ¢Low¢ came to Atlanta by bus and his pack got lost by the bus company. He had to wait 3 days for it so he started after I did. Larry, a section hiker going North was also there. Because I had a big lunch I hadn¢t bothered to eat before. My wife made ¢tropic surprise¢ cookies and I shared them that night.
Date: 2008-06-18
From: Bearfence Mtn shelter 

To: Rock Spring Hut 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

¢ I got up late the next morning and so had Serene. Low had left early and said he wanted to get some miles in. Larry had also left. As Serene and I were packing up, a doe and fawn came in the campsite. We got some good pictures of them. We both left around 10 am. I hiked 8 miles to Big Meadows wayside. It was around 2 pm. I ordered a bowl of chili, 2 beers, a cheeseburger, fries, and a blackberry cobbler with ice cream and coffee. At lunch I met Halfway and Bluebird, a father and daughter from Va. Halfway says that the Shenandoah¢s are the Disney World of the A.T. Where there is a concession every 10 miles and the deer and the bear come out to pose for your camera. After eating I got fuel at the gas station. Then back on the trail. About a 12 mile in I saw a bear and got 2 good photos of him. I got to Rock Spring Hut late so did not set up my new tent. I saw Serene, Halfway, Bluebird and Larry. Also some college kids section hiking so I offered the rest of my cookies. They seemed to like them. They left me 2 for breakfast. About an hour after I got in, Peregrine came in. She had caught up by slack packing and getting new and lighter gear. I had done 11 mi and she had done 15.
Date: 2008-06-19
From: Rock Spring Hut 

To: Pass Mtn shelter
Miles today: 0.0

Peregrine woke Serene and I up early to get to Skyland Wayside for breakfast. We had to hike 5 miles before noon. We got there at 9:30 and I ordered Apple French Toast, a side of bananas, a fruit smoothie and a Happy Hiker, which was eggs benedict with spinach and tomatoes on toast. I called my daughter, Ericka, at work to ask some questions about my granddaughters birthdays and her boss Margo answered. She asked where I was. I told her I was in a fancy restaurant having breakfast. She says she doesn¢t think I am really on the trail!! We were sitting with Halfway and Bluebird, so we all left together and hiked towards Pass Mtn shelter. We stopped at the Pinnacle for pictures and by the time we got to Mary¢s Rock   (928.0) it was thunder and lightning, rain and wind and hail. We then started quickly down the mountain saying something like ¢Hail Mary Full of Grace¢. It stopped raining long enough for us to set up our tents at Pass Mtn shelter campsites. It then came in with DOUBLE lightning, thunder, wind and more hail! Ist night with new tent.
Date: 2008-06-20
From: Pass Mtn shelter

To: Hogwallow Gap 
Miles today: 0.0

Got up early to pack up all our wet things. We hiked to Elkwallow wayside for lunch. Then hiked toward Hogwallow Gap when a family of three told us about a bear up in the woods that had been watching us. We got some distant, but good pictures. We did 17 miles to Hogwallow and tented out. Peregrine got up in the middle of the night thinking she heard a bear.
Date: 2008-06-21
To: Front Royal
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

When she told me about the noise she heard the next morning she said it ruined her bear story because I got up to look in the night and found it was a buck snorting. We then got up to do 8 miles into Front Royal. Then hitched into town with a nice lady to took us to the Comfort Inn. We got cleaned up and went to lunch at the Soul Mtn Restaurant. I had a sausage wrap. I did laundry and fixed my foot wound and leg and arm bites and rested. The motel has a shuttle back to the trail in the morning so I will re-supply tonight.
Date: 2008-06-22
From: Front Royal

To: Dick's Dome Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: few clouds

6/22/08 - Out of Front Royal - waited a long time for a shuttle. He finally came at 10 am. He was due at 8:30. Rode to the trail head with Peregrine, Bluebird, Halfway and Serene. Started up the trail going by the National Park Zoo. I saw no exotic animals. I did see a wild bear running away from me very fast! At Jim & Molly Denton Shelter we met Robert George, the Ridgerunner. We talked a long time. He gave Serene and I a lot of advice on the trail. Thank you Robert George. We then went to Dick's Dome for the night. We met a SOBO section hiker named "Flying Feet", a recovering lawyer that rejected his partnership due to insurance fraud ethics. Rock on Flying Feet!! Peregrine came in later and we all stayed in this little dome shelter. 15 miles.
Date: 2008-06-23
From: Dick's Dome Shelter

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: scattered clouds

6/23/08 - I got up early and left before the others. I hiked through another thunderstorm. The lightning got pretty strong on the Bears Den Rocks. The hostel looked pretty good to me when I got there, like a castle mansion. (991.0 mi) It looked as good inside as it did outside. Our hosts were Redwing and Hopeful. I ate my ice cream first and then had pizza. I called home and then called my hiking buddy Power Mike. Then I called my old boss Cathy because my phone is working much better now.
Date: 2008-06-24
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Blackburn Trail Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

6/24/08 - Got up on Tuesday morning and Georgia Bob was making pancakes. We ate a lot of them. They helped me get over the Devils Race Course. On the Devil's Race Course I took pictures of two mountain rattlesnakes.   My first ever. I also took pictures of the Virginia-W.Va State line. I'm finally out of Virginia! After Rod Hollow, we started on the "roller coaster", a 12 mi up and down rocky corridor, finally getting into the Blackburn Trail Center - 9 miles. We got there at 1:30 and rested. The caretakers, Eric and Tina fixed us supper- corn on the cob, mashed potatoes & hot dogs. Very nice. I finished working on my journal.
Date: 2008-06-25
From: Blackburn Trail Center

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

6/25/08 - Up at 5:30, saw Slow Train, EZ DoesIt & Bearbait leaving. I packed up and out at 6:15. Went by and took pictures of the 1000 mi mark. The trail was rocky into Harpers Ferry. I don't know how the people that do the 4-state challenge do it?!? Virginia, W.Va, Maryland & Pa in one day - 40+ miles. We got into Harpers Ferry & took some pictures crossing the Shenandoah River with my phone and sent them to Patti. Then went to the ATC Visitors Center. I got my pic taken and got my number - #421. Bearbait, Slow Train & EZ Does It were there as their train to DC was 3 hours late. Stitches was there offering rides. Also August & Poppins came in and Cayenne & Tailgate were there. Then we checked in at the Town's Inn, went to the outfitters and then across the street to the Secret 6 Pub. The secret 6 were six men that financed John Brown's army to start the Civil War. There was a lot of history in Harpers Ferry. I would like the chance to visit again. After we ate, we checked in to the Town's Inn B&B. While we were getting our beds set up Serene & Brush Strokes told me that Baltimore Jack was going to have Trail Magic set up in Duncannon for the 4th of July weekend. We think we will make it there by then. Rested and then got more food and went to bed.
Date: 2008-06-26
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Crampton Gap Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

6/26/08 - Up at 6:30 to catch a ride to the Country Cafe for breakfast. Bill, the manager of the Town's Inn, gave us a ride and picked up Peregrine at the Comfort Inn. We had a good breakfast but had to walk back to where we stayed. I packed up and went to the outfitters to get new shoes. Montrail, hardrocks and new superfeet insoles and some bug spray. I had decided on these new shoes with the help of Brush Strokes who raved about his. Also, Baltimore Jack was working at the outfitters. Because of my shoe buying, we were getting a late start, so we decided to get some lunch down across from the train station. Then we walked across the train foot bridge from W. Va into Maryland. We took some pictures of the train tunnel and some technical ledge climbers. We then started down the C & O tow path. We took some pictures of turtles in the old canal. Also a pic of a herring in the Potomac. Brush Strokes, Serene and I caught up with Peregrine at Ed Garvey Shelter. We then hiked together to Crampton Gap Shelter. We tented at the upper camp sites for convenience. Serene was complaining more about his shin splints in his legs.
Date: 2008-06-27
From: Crampton Gap Shelter

To: Pogo Memorial Campsite
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

6/27/08 - I slept late and all had left. I got ready and started hiking. The trail was very rocky. I got to Dahlgren Backpack campground at noon. As I was eating lunch, Slayer came in. She wanted to take a shower so I watched her pack while I ate. Then I took a shower - it felt great. I left and walked to the Old Washington Monument and took many pictures. Somewhere on the trail after that I called Patti at the Gilberts. I wanted to wish Trina a "Happy Birthday". When I hung up I noticed a message so I called my voicemail. It was Peregrine and she said Serene's legs were worse. They had gotten him an ATC shuttle to Duncannon to see a doctor. A thunderstorm was coming in so they had taken shelter across from the entrance to Greenbriar State Park at a place called Dogpatch, a biker bar. I crossed I-70 and after getting lost for a few minutes, got there just as it started raining heavy. I only had $5 cash. The bartender said they didn't take credit but there was an ATM by the front door. Because of the thunderstorm, it took me 1/2 hr to get $40 out of it. I finally could get some food and beer!! I ordered a Rueben and a beer!! I talked to Cayenne & Tailgate, two girls from Va. for a few minutes. Brush Strokes & Peregrine got a ride to a motel. I left and hiked to Pogo Campsite for the night. 17 miles.
Date: 2008-06-28
From: Pogo Memorial Campsite

To: Devils Racecourse Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

6/28/08 - I got up early and hiked to Wolfsville Rd. My feet were wet from the grass & puddles. I went down to the Free State Hostel to get a shower, wash my clothes and lunch. Fizz was just leaving as I got there. I had the place to myself so I updated my trail journals. It was the first time I had a computer to myself. It rained a little while I was there, to justify my long computer time. I left at 2pm and walked to the Devil's Racecourse Shelter. I saw the GeorgiaBoy there. I set up camp up on the hill with him. It was a long way down to the shelter. Later Cayenne & Tailgate came in. Then a large thunderstorm came in and it rained most of the night. This gave me a chance to catch up on my journal. Maybe I'll be in Pennsylvania tomorrow!!
Date: 2008-06-29
From: Devils Racecourse Shelter

To: Tumbling Run Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

6/29/08 - I got up late and all had left. I stayed up until 10:30 pm last night catching up on my journal. Everything was wet from the night before. As I was eating breakfast, I noticed my food supply getting low. I didn't mind because it makes my pack lighter and I'm in an area that is easy to get a meal or re-supply. I finished my breakfast of gatoraid with oatmeal and salami with peanut butter. The trail to "High Rock" was very rocky and difficult. It was worth the trip. I took some pictures of it. The trail to Pen Mar County Park was a little better. I got there around 10 am. GeorgiaBoy was there. We talked to some people while we waited for the concession to open. The bands were setting up and there were many seniors getting their chairs picked out. After my burger and fries, I said goodby to GeorgiaBoy. This was his last day hiking. I took a few pictures on the park and then walked to the Pa State Line, taking a pic of myself with the meager sign post, and also the Mason Dixon Line marker. The trail was fairly easy to Rt16 to Waynesboro, Pa. I hitched a ride to Wal-Mart to re-supply. The guy that picked me up said he would be out in 20 min. if I wanted a ride back to the trail. I guess it wasn't meant to be. The checkout lines were busy and I got in back of a "price-check" and then a payroll check cashing problem. When I got out he was gone. I put my groceries in my pack and started back. On the way out was an Applebees so I went in for some good food and a drink. The bartender was very nice and said her dad always wanted to thru-hike. It looked like it was going to rain again, so I took my time. The sky cleared up and I got back out on Rt 16, but turned the wrong way to get back on the trail. I had walked about 1/2 mi when a guy in a Saab pulled up and asked where I thought I was going. I told him and he corrected me and told me to get in and he would take me back to the trail crossing. Such nice people. If I have learned anything on this trip, it is how nice and caring people are to hikers. It make me want to pay it forward! Back on the trial and just before Deer Lick shelter, I met Sherpa Dan sending in his GPS location to his family. We talked a bit and then moved on. I met a section hiking couple with a small dog. At Antietam Shelter, there was a man & woman and three young children swimming. We talked about hiking a while. I repacked my food, cooled my feet with the kids, and then moved on to Tumbling Run Shelter. I set up camp and spent the night. Sherpa Dan was there and a couple of section hikers. It started to rain.
Date: 2008-06-30
From: Tumbling Run Shelter

To: Quarry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: scattered clouds

6/30/08 - Got up late. Everyone had left. I found a tick on me from the day before, so I did a body check and dug three out. I decided to wear long pants and socks today. As I was packing up Peregrine came by. She gave me an update on Serene. Then Bearbait, Slowtrain and EZ DoesIt came by. I hiked with them for a ways and then fell behind. Then I passed Peregrine who ws talking to the Jersey Girls who were slack packing backwards. Then I passed Slowtrain, EZ DoesIt and Bearbait taking a break. I set up for lunch on Chimney Rocks and called home. That's when I heard that my friend Sherwood had died. I then called Mike Young to talk to him about it. Then I went to Caledonia State Park for soda, food & ice cream, and to charge my phone. That's where I met Ravon. I took her picture with Peregrine at the shelter. Then I hiked up to the shelter and found it to be the nicest one yet. Flower pots hanging neat and clean - well kept. It seemed everyone caught up that night. Peregrine, Brush Strokes, Ravon, Slowtrain, EZ DoesIt, Bearbait, Cayenne, Tailgate, Trtris, August,Poppins and CousCous. We all talked a long time and CousCous and August had a chess match. 13 miles today.   We will do 17 miles to the Iron Masters Mansion Hostel. Took pictures of a rhododendron tunnel.
Date: 2008-07-01
From: Quarry Gap Shelter

To: Iron Masters Mansion
Miles today: 17.0

7/1/08 - Up late, but not the last one out. Hiked along with Cayenne and Tailgate. Had lunch with them and Tetris at Toms Run Shelter. Took a picture of a box turtle and a chipmunk on a log. Then a pic of Tailgate with the Pine Grove Furnace sign. Also the group doing the 1/2 gallon ice cream challenge, and the Iron Masters Mansion Hostel. There was a reporter and a photographer from the Harrisburg newspaper (Patriot News) at the Pine Grove General Store doing a story on the 1/2 gal challenge and they interviewed all of us, including myself. They took a lot of pictures and gave Slowtrain and Cayenne a ride into town for supplies. The reporter also was going to get Tetris some things at the outfitter and leave them in Duncannon for him. Such nice people! I had a couple of beers and talked to Ravon for a while in front of the store. After that, I went to the Ironmasters and checked in. After cleaning up August had made spaghetti and shared it with me. Then Ray, the inn keeper, gave us a tour of the underground railroad and mansion. Did some trail journals and met Grampa Joe who had started May 1st, and Fast Hiker and Economan, a section hiker from Iowa.