morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-04-11
From: Wise Shelter

To: Dickey Gap
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: overcast clouds

More balds with spectacular views, more summits over 5000 feet, more encounters with wild ponies, more mountain streams and falls, more sunshine and 80 degree weather, more intriguing conversations with other hikers, more trail magic by Nomad (free salad with avocados and tomatoes), more quiet moments hiking on the trail. . . ho-hum.NOT! None of this gets old.I like my identity on the trail. I like being greeted by Caribu, "Hey Sparks!" (Or Pumpkin Pie, Mott, Witch Doctor, Roland, Tarzan, Dove Tail, Man-Child, Rash, Gummy Bear, Coffee Pot, Shutter Bug, Not-it, Cricket, Chris and Clarissa, Rosco, Moxie, Camero, Passover, Ember, Nickelodeon, and many more.) I like walking down the trail while carrying on meaningful conversations that stop and start with different hikers all day long. I like how this linear community of hikers looks out for and cares for one another. I like how there is no competition or rivalry; everyone wants everyone to succeed. It feels like I am still in the woods, but I am actually writing this from a hikers-hostel that is located in a field behind the Troutdale Baptist Church. This small, well-kept two room hostel has wooden bunk beds (no mattresses) and sleeps 8. You can take a hot shower in the back of the church and use the porta-potty outside the hostel. Troutdale is very small. There is no store, gas station or restaurant, and this appears to be the only church. We needed to hitch-hike 3 miles to get here. The pastor's wife picked us up as she coming home from work. And she is taking us back to the trail at 7:20 am tomorrow morning. Hoosier and I are especially pleased to be spending time with two other thru-hikers around our age tonight with whom we connect well. I am writing this while sitting on the hostel porch, and it appears from the clouds that are forming that the predictions of overnight thunderstorms will be correct. The pastor tells us that the weatherman has warned that tornadoes could be a part of tonight's storms. It is good to be inside.
Date: 2013-04-12
From: Dickey Gap

To: State Route 672
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: broken clouds

A huge storm did rumble through last night, and the morning brought intermittent rain. We were thankful to be comfortable and dry in the hostel. Since we only had a short distance to go this morning, we deliberately set a leisurely pace and hiked with Mott, who is about our age. I cannot explain to you how much I enjoyed talking with Mott. He has been on the trail since February 6, but he has had to take 15 zero days to recover due to foot issues. He was even trapped alone in a shelter in the Smokies for nearly 72 hours during one of the huge early season snow falls. Mott is a southern gentleman who is a great story teller. He speaks in a slow deliberate manner with lots of pauses, knowing that stories don't have to be rushed out here. His own personal story is very private and I felt deeply honored that he shared it with me. he has taken a sabbatical from a high stress job with lots of responsibility in order to hike the trail in an effort to recover from a significant personal tragedy. We felt the kind of quick connection that the A.T. makes possible. I look forward to spending more time with him down the trail. The three of us came a wooden covered box that said "Trail Magic". Opening it we found packaged dinners and tunafish and a note from the Valley View Baptist Church Youth Group that said "Help yourself; It's free!" Their note asked us to sign their guest registry, and said that they served 1,000 hikers last year. Good stuff!Hoosier and I were picked up at a road crossing by Kevin, a special friend of Hoosier's from when Hoosier was called 'Pastor Clapper' and pastored a church in Indiana. Kevin was eager to do something special for us and had carefully planned things out. From reading our Trail journals he knew about "Trail Magic". So Kevin had filled his trunk with orange juice, grape juice, apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, stuff to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and meat sandwiches, etc. The timing was perfect as a group of ten hikers we know well were there right at that moment. What joy to see their eyes light up as Kevin opened his trunk and to able to serve them. They moved on after eating, but Camero was staying at a nearby shelter, and there were others that we knew who were close behind. So we left all the the food we still had with Camero and as we drove off with Kevin we could imagine the excitement when Camero sees the others and yells, "Trail Magic!" Thank you, Kevin!Kevin drove 2 hours to do all of this and is now providing very special trail magic for Hoosier and I. In fact, he is spoiling us. He took us to Walmart to resupply. We are staying with him at a Hampton Inn tonight. And he is treating us to dinner and breakfast before we head back to the trail tomorrow morning rested and refreshed.
Date: 2013-04-13
From: State Route 672

To: Atkins, Virginia
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Hoosier and I hiked the first 10 miles of our day alone. We didn't see anyone. Then, surprisingly, Dovetail, Caribou, and Rash came up to us from behind (they had taking a "nero" day and also had gotten a late start). Suddenly, the whole day changed. Within minutes it was agreed upon that Hoosier and I would do bigger miles than we had planned in order to stay with them in Atkins that night. The afternoon flew by with fun conversation. The hotel in Atkins is very close to where the trail crosses the road. You can pile 4 smelly hikers in a room for $30. But it is not a place you would ever take your wife to. In a hotel like this you feel like it might just be cleaner and safer to sleep in your smelly sleeping bag on top of the bed rather than to crawl in between the sheets. We walked a third of a mile to the local Red Barn Restaurant, that despite it being a Saturday night was nearly empty. The food was okay. Our waitress offered us pie for desert and Hoosier said he would like Pie a la mode, Our waitress responded that she didn't know about Pie a la mode but if he'd like she could put some ice cream on his pie We laughed and talked together, then talked outside our rooms until way past "hiker midnight." Being with other hikers energizes Hoosier and I, and I am learning to relax and have fun. These guys like us, and we feel honored by that. Maybe it's because they can tell we like them and enjoy being with them. Dovetail and Caribou (2012 high school graduates) wear huge smiles. They are so happy. Rash, a good old southern boy provided the day's life-lesson. During our meal an older "hill billy" was sitting in the far corner of the restaurant. After awhile he began strumming on his guitar and then sang. There were about 7 people total in the restaurant. After the man's first song, Rash enthusiastically applauded, and so we all joined in. Then quietly, Rash turned to me and said, "Little things like that can make someone's day." Rash was consciously being kind. I like that, and I want to think like that. After a few more songs, Rash even went over and gave the man a $5 tip. The waitresses loved the way we were treating this him. . . he was not an entertainer and I'm quite sure he spent a lot of time just sitting in the corner of that restaurant and was probably simply overlooked most of the time. Miscellaneous notes:Perfect hiking weather today, mid 60's with bright sunshine.The creeks and mountain streams are swollen and rushing fast. The water is so clear. We made multiple creek crossings, usually by hopping over on several rocks. There are just a few buds on the trees. I mention this only because I expect to see major changes in the next 10 days. Soon everything will be turning green. Today is the first day I noticed any bugs. That, too, is bound to change in the next 10 days. The last 3 miles of the day were hiked through fields around the edges of farmlands. It was an enjoyable change of pace.
Date: 2013-04-14
From: Atkins, Virginia

To: Knot Maul Shelter
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: overcast clouds

The food was very plain at the Red Barn Restaurant, but the breakfast conversation was lively. Dovetail, Caribou, and Rash joined Hoosier and me, and soon Blue Moon joined us as well. His is recently retired and was glad to share stories, swap info and share his thoughts on the trail and life. 15 minutes down the trail Dovetail and Caribou came up behind Hoosier and me. We enjoyed a brief conversation and then, with big smiles, and blue grass music coming from the small speaker attached to Caribou's backpack, they moved on down the trail.Our mileage today wasn't as high as some recent days, but our bodies are telling us that it wasn't an easy day.The most unique hiking experience of the day came as we climbed over barbed wire fences. The "stairs" over the barbed wire are like two steep ladders leaning against each other over with the bard wire in between. They were tricky to navigate while wearing a backpack and carrying hiking poles. We did about 10 of them today, since the trail went right across several private farmers fields (of course with the farmers approval). Signs are posted indicating it is private property and asking you to stay on the trail and not stop and linger. We all noticed the small, wild flowers that are blooming in many places. We caught up with Mott and Pumpkin Pie at the shelter at the end of the day. There are eight of us here including Dovetail, Caribou, and Rash. Everyone else is staying in the shelter, but I prefer setting up my tent and having a little bit more "private" space. The plan right now is for everyone to end up at the same shelter tomorrow night. The sharing is great. It just doesn't get much better than this.
Date: 2013-04-16
From: Jenkins Shelter

To: Bland, Virginia
Miles today: 11.7

Today is the total opposite of yesterday. Yesterday I got a bad night's sleep; last night I slept great. Yesterday it was cloudy, damp, and gray all day; today the sky is clear. We have had sunshine and temps in the upper 70's. Yesterday the trail in the afternoon was unexpectedly hard; today the trail was unusually kind and forgiving. Today we again (for the 4th time) experienced trail magic provided by Fresh Grounds. He had his usual tarp up, signs posted, hot coffee, hot dogs, snacks, a gregarious and generous spirit, and bold love for the Lord. Hikers love him.When we came to a road, we were able to hitch a ride into town with an old, retired, Pentecostal minister. His laugh was hearty and rich as he drove 6 of us (all crammed into his car) into town. The town has no laundry mat, so the hotel staff suggested that we wash our stuff in the bath tub and hang it out front to dry. You can't do that at Holiday Inn. The concern today is for Hoosier's leg. He had a very bad night, and was in extreme pain on the trail today . . . even having to stop at times. His wound from the barbed wire does not appear to be infected, but there is uncertainty about that since his leg is even more swollen and ugly black and blue. He suspects that he may have pulled a muscle as a result of not walking with normal strides because of the open wound. The 8 weeks that I have to hike is quickly coming to an end. The goal is for me to finish my hike at McAffee Knob. That is a very special, highly photographed spot on the trail. Hoosier has charted a course for that to happen, but my primary concern is for his health and that we don't do anything to jeopardize his thru-hike.
Date: 2013-04-17
From: Bland, Virginia

To: Route 606
Miles today: 18.6

Hoosier hiked today with a very swollen and painful leg because he is tough as nails. He was stubbornly determined that he was not going to get separated from this group. Additionally, it helped that Mott's wife drove some of our gear to where we are staying tonight so Hoosier was carrying 1/3 of his normal load. I know the hike was painful for him, but at the end of the day he is both tired and encouraged. Our group of 8 hired Bubba to shuttle us back to the trail this morning. He drove a pickup truck, and we all piled in with our packs. Six of us were in the pickup bed, and we laughed uproariously at what the drivers must have thought of the "hiker trash" in the truck.I determined that I would hike with Mott today since i wanted to share more with him. I was surprised, as we headed down the trail, that Dovetail and Caribou said they wanted to hike with me for a while. So the four of us bunched up together. I asked them if I could bore them with my life story. And so, with their encouragement, I shared my story with its ups and downs. Then Mott and Caribou each shared parts of their own personal journeys. Our meaningful conversation continued all day. People and relationships make this trail/journey the special adventure that it is. A little more about the actual hiking: It rained overnight and was overcast for most of the day, but only showered briefly. The trail and terrain was kind and forgiving . . . and easy day by AT standards. There were a lot more visible buds on the trees and leaves in the lower elevations. Tonight we are at the Woods Hole Hostel a 100 acre isolated Hostel located 1/2 mile off the Appalachian Trail. The young earthy owners, Neville and Michael, incorporate Animal Husbandry, Organic Gardening, Bee Keeping, Yoga, Massage Therapy, and much more into a unique experience for the Appalachian Trail Hiker. Meals are eaten together as a family experience. The meals are gourmet worthy and feature homegrown organic vegetables and local foods . . . and HUGE helpings. Homemade bread is baked daily. It was neat to see how tired and hungry hikers enjoyed gathering in the kitchen and working together under Neville¢s supervision and direction. There are about 20 thru-hikers staying here. I'll never be able to describe how special this place is with old, well-kept log buildings; incredibly healthy food; homemade Amish soap in the hot shower; etc., etc., etc. I encourage you look it up at www.woodsholehostel.com.Several in this "group" have told me that they want to summit McAfee Knob with me and celebrate with me my own "Mount Katahdin." I cannot express what that means to be. I know it might not be possible, and it is still more than a week away. But even if they are not able to, the very fact that they want to is a priceless gift.This journey continues to amaze me, and it exceeds all of my expectations.
Date: 2013-04-20
From: Pearisburg, Virginia

To: Bailey Gap Shelter
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: broken clouds

Late in the day, at a road crossing, I met a mom who was helping her son hike the A.T. She said that he has limited time, so she is supporting him by preparing his meals, carrying his equipment, and arranging for lodging each evening. That way her son, Inertia, can carry a small pack and achieve big miles every day. I met Inertia briefly this evening when I was already settled in the shelter and he hurried past. It's neat what this mother and her son are doing, but he is having a very different experience out here than I am. He probably will never see the same person twice. My experience has been of meeting interesting hikers that I then have spent day after day hiking mile after mile with so that we have formed special friendships. I have met people who I will never forget. It was very emotional for me to say goodbye last night and again this morning to Hoosier and to the group we had been hiking with, since most had decided to stay another day in Pearisburg and I was moving on. I was glad to be able to spend the day hiking with Mott and Pumpkin Pie. Clear skies, brisk winds, and cool temperatures caused me to wear my gloves for most of the morning. Upon leaving Pearisburg, we ascended to a ridge line that extended for 15 miles. There were few significant elevation changes and no roads of any kind in this section. The terrain was forgiving as we stayed at or around 3,500 feet. For almost the whole stretch, we had terrific views of the beautiful valley and farm lands to the west. After 20 miles, Mott and Pumpkin Pie were picked up and shuttled back to Pearisburg for another night. Again, it was an emotional goodbye. For the first time I was alone. It helped that Rash's girlfriend, who picked up Mott and Pumpkin Pie, also brought me two large Hardee's hamburgers to enjoy. I sat on rocks along the stony creek and enjoyed my dinner as I watched the water tumbling over too many mini-waterfalls to count. After hiking another couple of hours, I got to the shelter and wondered who I would know, but the only other person staying here is a section hiker who had just started. Then 30 minutes later, Blue Moon came in. It was great to see him again and to catch up on the news of people we both know. Hoosier will know what I mean when I say, "I'm still singing when the evening comes."
Date: 2013-04-24
From: Lambert's Meadow Campground

To: Wilson Creek Shelter
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: clear sky

It sounds at least a little impressive then when I end this hike two days from now (as scheduled) I will have hiked 751.7 miles of the A.T. (plus the 8 miles of the approach trail). It does not sound impressive at all to tell you that today I passed the 1/3 mark of the trail. That's all I have done...just one-third of the trail. Today, by hiking a little over 20 miles, I hiked just short of 1% of the trail. I share all this as a way of tipping my hat in advance to all who will complete a thru-hike in 2013 (having endured the worst winter weather in 40 years) and all other thru-hikers of previous years. What they will have accomplished is really something special. You all have my respect as you "hiked your own hike." This is a good time to thank the many thru-hikers who accepted me as one of their own. The thru-hiking "club" is pretty exclusive, and they usually don't let section hikers in. But I started with them and was on the trail longer than at least 50% of this year's wannabe thru-hikers, so I felt accepted even though most knew that my hike would be ending after 8 weeks. There are too many names to mention every one. Thank you to all of you. Someday I hope to come back, and I'll start at the beginning again.I am very pleased that at tonight's shelter Blue Moon and I caught up with 10 thru-hikers that we hadn't seen in a couple of weeks. It's good to be with them. I enjoyed the conversation and the birthday party for Witch Doctor. (He is a great guy who was given his trail name by friends because this Fall he begins medical school to be a osteopathic doctor.) This group is the lead "bubble" group so-far for this year. It was cool that as we approached interstate 81 and a more congested area the trail kept us in the woods. We could hear the traffic, but we couldn't see it. The trail still was a peaceful place. I need to remember to take time to step away from the "fast lane" when I get home and make sure I renew my soul in peaceful places. I'm sure my dog, Abbey, will be happy to help me with that goal.At the major road crossing, a bank sign said it was 74 degrees at noon, and the sun was out. During the last 2 miles of our hike, we had a good rain. But it cleared up quickly. I enjoyed hiking all day again with Blue Moon. We discovered that we have a love of baseball in common.
Date: 2013-04-25
From: Wilson Creek Shelter

To: Cove Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: scattered clouds

It rained hard for a period of time during the night and was very windy. But we awoke to a great day for hiking with an abundance of sunshine and cool temperatures. Gobbling turkeys gave me my morning wake up call. Blue Moon and I were again on the trail early. The morning miles were forgiving, and we made rapid progress. For about 7 miles of this morning's hike, the A.T. roughly paralleled the Blue Ridge Parkway. We couldn't always see it, but it was never far from us. The parkway is not very busy this time of year. All morning long we counted six cars, eight motorcycles, and over 30 bicyclists. It was a real treat to have lunch with most of the group from last night. We sat on the asphalt at a scenic view area for the parkway, and basked in the warming sunshine. Chris and Kasandra (Wide Load and Moose) ate tortilla shells with peanut butter and corn chips on them. They plan on celebrating their second wedding anniversary on Mt. Katahdin on August 13th. Blue Moon and the group were pressing on to another 20+ mile day, but I had just 6 miles to go to the shelter I am staying at. This shelter is three miles from where my sister will pick me up tomorrow morning when my scheduled time on the trail is finished. I chose to say goodbye to Blue Moon and group when lunch was done. Again, that was hard. It is amazing how quickly friendships form on the A.T. I wanted to hike slowly and alone this afternoon. I prayed out loud and sang as I hiked. I enjoyed the signs of spring that are all about: the yellow butterflies with black markings, the unfolding minty green leaves, the white and purple blossoms that add a splash of color to the woods, the numerous salamanders. I stepped close to a black snake that was right on the edge of the trail. He was longer than my hiking pole, so he was at least four feet long and fairly thick. He let me photograph him before I moved on. After seeing him, snakes were on my mind so that I jumped a little whenever I heard leaves ruffling or a salamander would cross the trail.I hiked two tenths of a mile past the shelter in order to climb up on a large rock that gave me a full view of the valley. I sat there for a long time, and even prepared and ate my last Mountain House dehydrated meal while sitting there.Thru-hikers keep track of each other and trail news by writing and reading the trail journal entries that are in a notebook in each shelter. What I backtracked and got back to the shelter, I found the following entry in the shelter journal: "SPARKS- We enjoyed time on the trail together since the 700 mile mark, and I appreciate that you were there to share some of the best the trail has to offer--camping by Babbling Brooks, McAfee Knob, the amazing views from Tinker Cliffs, good chats as we hiked along. Thanks for your patience to walk at my pace. Thanks for our new friendship. As they say, 'see you down the trail.' -Blue Moon."I feel sure that Blue Moon and I will stay in contact.
Date: 2013-04-26
From: Cove Mountain Shelter

To: Jennings Creek, Route 614
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: clear sky

I slept well in the shelter last night (four of us here) and awoke to another crisp but beautiful morning. Two deer wandered close this morning to say hello as I packed up and ate breakfast. The morning hike was all downhill to the valley and creek where my sister picked me up and I am headed home. No part of me is glad that my journey on the A.T. is done. I have not tired of trail life or grown bored in any way. My body has continued to respond well to the rigors. If situations were different, I would continue on in a heartbeat. Each day on the trail has been a gift, and I treasure the memory of each one, even those (or maybe especially those) that were most challenging. I have felt fully alive emotionally, physically, and spiritually. I have loved being SPARKS. Most of all, I will miss the A.T. community. I have met so many interesting and kind people. Our shared experiences have brought us together in a way that I find rare off the trail. It has been great.