morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-04-24
From: Stony Mtn; Horse-Shoe Trail

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: broken clouds

Fahmah learned a new word today! PUD - Klip was familiar with it, but Fahmah hadn't heard of the meaning until today. However, he was very familiar with what it was referring to. They were, again, on the part of the trail that he had hiked with Jack on over that 2007 Thanksgiving weekend. As they climbed up the trail up one hill, then down and then seemingly reversing direction to hike over to another hill and down then reverse and back in the original direction??? Fahmah remembers Jack's grumbling and complaining and grunting and groaning about the "pointless ups & down".....ah yes....memories!! They miss the Warthog. They got in to the shelter to find weekend hikers, Mother, Father & Daughter all set up. Shortly after Fahmah & Klip came in, another 3 people showed up. Fahmah jockeyed for his place next to the Father and Klip set up in his spot. The Father warned Fahmah that he snored. Klip knew that Fahmah had his own weapon and warned him to "blow off a couple" so when the Father breathed in he would choke from the bad smell and stop snoring!! Well, that didn't work. Once the snoring started, it kept both Fahmah and Klip awake. Klip finally gave in and took his tent out and set it up in the rain to sleep outside away from the noise. That's the trouble with shelters when there is a "snorer" in the house. "FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-04-25
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: Swatara Gap, Pa. 72
Miles today: 6.1

The guys hiked out to Pa. 72 from the shelter. They stopped to cross the road and met a couple stopped aside the road. They talked for a while. The couple asked them where they were headed, and they said to "Maine". They offered the hikers a ride in to town. This was near Lickdale, PA. They took the offer of the ride and ended up at the Day's Inn in Lickdale where we had our Thanksgiving Dinner that weekend in 2007!! That place has had a lot of business from us in the last few years!! We also stayed there when we were on our way back down to Tennessee just a few weeks ago. There has been rainy weather with a predicition for more tomorrow, so it will probably be a zero tomorrow. They were running short of food as their drop is in Port Clinton and they are taking longer than planned. Fahmah's thoughts were with his family all day today. We all got together in No Attleboro for an Anniversary Mass for Jimmy. April 30th will mark a year from Jimmy's passing. We all miss him so much. He would have been proud to have you all there for him."WE MISS YOU! HERE'S TO YOU, JIM"
Date: 2010-04-26
From: Swatara Gap, Pa. 72

To: Swatara Gap, Pa. 72
Miles today: 0.0

On my way to the gym this morning, I received a call from Fahmah. He needed proof of insurance! What for? They were going to rent a car and go to Cabela's for the day. Klip wanted to get a jacket like Fahmah's...the Montbell ultra-light down jacket that we got for him at Neel's Gap in 2007 for his birthday. There is nothing like it! I gave him Priscilla's number at Heritage so she could get it faxed to the car rental company. I guess it was accomplished because Fahmah called this afternoon and they had been to Cabela's. However, they didn't have any of the jackets that Klip was looking for. He will look elsewhere. But Fahmah got to show him Cabela's, a gigantic sporting goods store in Hamburg, PA, near Port Clinton. They have acres & acres of store. A mountain covered with stuffed moose, elk, deer, rams, huge wild cats of different kinds...just about any kind of animal you can imagine in a setting that looks as natural as you could imagine. There is another section that has several walls of aquarium with all kinds of fish swimming in their natural habitat. It is really an incredible store. Fahmah said he did see some boots he would love to have for working in his garden! He will order them when he comes home. I guess they had a good day."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-04-27
From: Swatara Gap, Pa. 72

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Got a ride back to the Trail from the Hotel and started on their way. The weather wasn't bad. It was sunny with some clouds off & on and windy. The hikers could see Rt. 78 from the trail today. There was a menu there where they could order pizza from a local pizza shop and have it delivered. That was good as Fahmah & Klip were running low on their meals, as they took longer to travel these miles than they had anticipated. Fahmah had a Steak&Cheese Stromboli. Don't know what Klip ordered. There were several hikers at the shelter. They met Tic, from Austin Texas, who had been at the Doyle, but they had missed seeing him. He caught up at this shelter. There was also a hiker, JP, who was from Brunswick Maine. Tic writes in his journal that he saw Trek on the trail today. It is a relief to me to have so many other hikers on the Trail now. I wasn't comfortable when they were traveling alone, the old geezers!! They have a couple more days and they will be in Port Clinton and have their next food drop waiting for them at the P.O."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-04-28
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagles Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

Fahmah & Klip had a long day of hiking today. Fifteen miles. When they finally got there, they found the privy was locked!! Yikes. They had been the last one's out of the shelter this morning. There were 4 in the shelter tonight. The 501 Shelter was fully enclosed, so despite the low temperatures, at least they were closed in last night. This shelter is open and the temperature is cold again and it is windy. It will be a cold night sleeping."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-04-29
From: Eagles Nest Shelter

To: Port Clinton Hotel, Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 7.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Rocks, rocks, and more rocks. That's what you can expect in northern PA. If the trail went straight, it might miss a rock pile, so they bend the trail to make sure it goes over as many rock piles as they can make it go...does this sound familiar, Jack??The hikers made it in to Port Clinton today. It had been very windy & gusty all day, although the temperature wasn't that cold. When Fahmah called me he said they were staying at "The Doyle"? I was totally confused.....I said do you mean "The Port Clinton Hotel?" Oh, yeah, that's what I mean, but it's about the same as the Doyle! They had rooms for $49 each with just a double bed. For Fahmah, that seemed too expensive so he was heading to the Pavillion. They had just spent to cold, wet, windy nights in shelters. Klip would have none of that for another night. They ended up at the Port Clinton Hotel, and I am glad he insisted. They picked up their drop at the Post Office and had their dinner. I believe he told me Tic was there again and a hiker named Free Man from Lewiston Maine. Fahmah's favorite spot to be in the world is Maine, so he is always happy to meet people from there.They decided their next stop and where I will send their next food drop is in Palmerton. This section of the Trail will mean a lot to Fahmah. Our son Jimmy walked this section with him, from Port Clinton to Lehigh Gap. He was able to spend some quality time with Jim when it meant so much. We are both thankful for the wonderful memories we have of the time we spent with him there. Even though he commented about how much Dad & I argue and bark at each other....we had a wonderful time. They walked, I shuttled!"FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-04-30
From: Port Clinton Hotel, Port Clinton, PA

To: Windsor Furnace Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: clear sky

Fahmah & Klip got a late start today. They left around 10:45, after waiting for the candy store to open.They had enjoyed an unbelievable meal at the Port Clinton Hotel last night. Just mentioned because he was surprised because it was so good.It was a solemn day for Fahmah. His thoughts were with all his family and in his own memories of his time with Jimmy. All the good memories from family camping trips, fishing, hiking, volley ball and even of the last night spent with Jim when he was so sick. That time, for Tony, was a gift. Time to be with Jim when he needed his help, time to hold him in his arms and care for him. As Fahmah hiked today, he was planning, in his own words, what he wanted to say in the journal and would be writing it tonight if he could. Would Jim have been disappointed in his Dad for taking the time off in March when the snow was so deep? Would he have thought his Dad was a quitter for giving up on his goal of making a "straight through - GA to ME" this year? Of course not!! He knows that, but he feels bad that he could not have accomplished it, for Jim.When he stopped to rest for lunch, he was on a mountain top overlooking Rt. 78 and Cabela's. He realized how thankful he was, out of the hustle & bustle, not a care in the world; so unlike all those he was watching. The AT has a way of drawing all these thoughts out in a person. A chance to appreciate the solitude and the wonder that nature offers.Fahmah misses all of you very much, and "WE MISS YOU, JIM"
Date: 2010-05-01
From: Windsor Furnace Shelter

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: broken clouds

I didn't hear from Fahmah today. And something I forgot yesterday. I was sitting at the computer when the door knocked. I went to the door to find the local florist standing there with a lovely bouquet of baby's breath, white carnations, and three beautiful, huge red roses. I was very surprised and looked the card. It was "to Ma from her two sons on the Trail" (Fahmah & Klip) Believe me, it would be pretty hard for them to be my "sons" but it was terribly sweet of them. When I did hear from Fahmah, he told me the flowers were because I take such good care of them! The 3 roses represented me, him & Klip! They are a riot. Besides, Klip told Fahmah that Sunday was Mother's Day and he wanted to make sure I got flowers. Today was a busy day for me, baking apple squares for Johnny's First Communion on Sunday and getting ready for Frank's retirement party down on the Cape. Frank has retired from the Air National Guard after 26 years of dedicated service to our Country. He has been over seas several times; Bosnia, Oman, Iraq, and I know other places I can't remember. We are so proud of his service and all that he has accomplished in his life. He was recognized along with others from the Guard Units at Otis at a wonderful reception that his Mom, Debbie & Tom, Dianne & Sue and I attended. I stayed at Tom & Debbie's for the night to go to Little Johnnie's First Communion on Sunday. "FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-05-02
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Wish we had photos now!! Fahmah called me while I was at the Bocci Club after the Communion. He was all excited because he had just seen another black snake. It slithered behind a boulder. He watched it as it slithered around and then went to the other side. His tail was still visible on one side while his head came out on the other. It was surely 6 feet long!! He got to talk to Matthew to tell him about it and he spoke to Johnny to congratulate him on his First Communion. Jessica was outside with me and Grandpa got to talk to her too! They were stopped for the second time that day. They had left the shelter around 8:45, stopped for lunch around 11:15 and called me around 2 p.m. It was so hot that Fahmah had his shoes off and his socks hanging in a tree to dry out while he rested.After the party, I headed up to Tewksbury to attend a wake for Joan's mother. She had passed away earlier in the week and her wake was Sunday. I met Jim & Alice there and we saw Bob & Joan and their family. It was good to see everyone, but sad because of the reason we were together. We are sorry for your loss, Joan.Fahmah called me while I was there. He had been caught in a rain storm and got soaking wet. Luckily he had his pack cover on. It was warm enough, so he walked on in his soaked shorts & shirt. They were at the shelter and Tic & JP had come in also."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-05-03
From: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter

To: Bake Oven Knob Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

More rocks!!!! Also saw a copper head today. The hikers are tenting tonight. The shelter was full and they could hear that they were a roudy group and heard whooping and hollering most of the night in to the morning!! Tenting had been a good choice."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-05-04
From: Bake Oven Knob Shelter

To: The Jail, Palmerton, PA
Miles today: 7.7

By the time their walking was done, they had walked more than 10 miles!! They were caught in 2 showers today. As they walked out to the Lehigh River Bridge, they got instructions to walk in to town. It was 1 1/2 mile walk in on a blocked off road marked "closed". As they were walking toward the hostel they met a gentleman on the street. He asked them if they were thru hikers and gave them directions on how to get in to the Hostel. They introduced themselves & thanked him and he introduced himself as the Mayor!!! They had left around 7:30 a.m. and arrived in Palmerton around 2 p.m. They dropped their packs in the Hostel, after checking in. You have to show your ID, name, address & Trail Name. It is actually in the basement of the town hall. They went to pick up the food drop at the Post Office which was way at the other end of town. On their way back, they asked a construction worker where the closest place was to get a beer! He said "if the other two haven't already drunk it all" it's that way. When they got there, Tic & JP were also there...."the other two"!!! "FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-05-05
From: Palmerton, PA

To: Filbert B&B, Danielsville, PA
Miles today: 5.0

They only did 5 miles today, but it was a tough 5 miles. All up hill, up & over the mountain from Lehigh Gap to Little Gap. They also got a late start from town. It was a beautiful view as they climbed with the view of the whole town spread out below. Because of their late start, at Little Gap they decided to take advantage of the Filbert Bed & Breakfast. They called for a ride, but had a 20 minute wait. When they got to the B&B they found a beautiful old, circa 1800, home just full of antiques and a general store still stocked with antique stuff (of course, not open). Now there were two more "antiques" to inhabit the house!!! They had the whole place to themselves for the night.They were offered a room with a queen bed. The woman said, "that should be enough room". Fahmah said, that was okay, he would blow up his pad and sleep on the floor. She said "that was no way to experience a bed & breakfast" and made up two other rooms so they would each have their own. They will need to be up at 5:30 a.m. though, because she will have breakfast early, at 6:30, because she has an early appointment she has to get to. There was information in the home of a movie having been filmed there for the History Channel. The home had been owned by McGivney, who founded Knights of Columbus. It was a very interesting place to stay."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-05-06
From: Filbert B&B, Danielsville, PA

To: Leroy Smith Shelter
Miles today: 10.8
Weather: broken clouds

Fahmah was impressed today with the way trail maintenance had handled the rocks. They had filled in between with some flat stones that helped a little with the walking. Klip wasn't all that impressed. There were still way too many rocks.They met a hiker on the trail named Sweet Potatoes. Someday I'll know the story behind that one, but didn't get it tonight.Fahmah was walking along and kicked a bunch of grass along the trail. A tiny litte bunny came out from behind the grass and just sat there. Klip was able to get his camera out and get a picture. I can hardly wait to see the photo. While we are in Virginia, we will transfer his pictures to cd so I can upload them to the journal. I will get what ever ones that Fahmah took before he broke his camera then too. I guess we will need to invest in a new camera for Fahmah so we can have pictures of the rest of the trail up to Maine!!It will be just a couple of days to New Jersey. I will be heading to pick them up on Wednesday to head down to Trail Days & Hard Core. They will be in New Jersey by then. It will really be good to see Fahmah & Klip and spend some time with them."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-05-07
From: Leroy Smith Shelter

To: Kirkridge Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: broken clouds

The rocks today were "hellish". The hikers went over a spot called Wolf Rocks. Fahmah took a spill and fell in between the rocks. He hit his butt pretty good and got a gash in his shin. He is okay but decided he would take an ibuprofen tonight (that is real unusual for him....he kind of refuses to take anything). They have some special company at the shelter tonight. Dave & JB have caught up with them. I have been following their trail journals since they started, but Fahmah had met them at the Fontana Lodge, just before the Smokies. They went through just a couple days after Fahmah made his attempt. They made it, but it was real tough. Well, I have been following their journal and knew they weren't far behind, but I was surprised tonight to find they had caught up. It was a great reunion for the hikers and I even got to talk to them and tell them how impressed I am with their progress. It will be a pleasure to welcome them to New England! They have been hiking with Uncle Frank, another hiker Fahmah had met before the Smokies, and they were expecting him into the shelter any time. The weather will be a little cold tonight. I hope they are warm enough in the shelter. Tomorrow they should get in to Delaware Water Gap, a town where they can stay inside and replenish, both mentally & physically.Tomorrow is another day. "FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-05-08
From: Kirkridge Shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap, PA
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: few clouds

Fahmah & Klip hiked in to Delaware Water Gap today, but unfortunately, didn't make it in time to get to the Post Office to pick up their drops. They walked to the Presbyterian Church of the Mountain Hostel to stay for a couple nights till they could get to the P.O. Dave, JB & Uncle Frank would be there too. They were also surprised to see Tic again. JP had finished his section hike and was no longer with him. Another younger hiker, Muffin Mittens, was also there. He was going to meet his sister from Denver who was coming to hike with him for a few days. Fahmah & I discussed what I would bring with me when I come on Wednesday to pick them up to go to Trail Days. The weather had been very windy and questionable today. Tomorrow would be a zero, but when they hike again, it will be just over the Delaware River Bridge and Pennsylvania will be behind them. New Jersey, here we come. It is now just a little over 894 miles to Katahdin."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-05-09
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA

To: Delaware Water Gap, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I was awakened this morning with a call from Fahmah. He wanted to wish me a Happy Mother's Day. He was waiting for Klip to get ready for breakfast. The other hikers had left the hostel and were back on the trail. I had a lovely day with our kids and their mother. They took us out to eat for Mother's Day. Thank you, Kids, for the lovely meal, the gifts and for including me in the celebration.Got another call this evening. Fahmah & Klip even celebrated Mother's Day by going to a very nice restaurant and having the "Mother's Day Special" meal. Fahmah said it was really delicious....a lovely rack of lamb with twice baked potatoes and vegetables. He was impressed and said I would have enjoyed it there too!!We made plans for where they will be on Wednesday when I get there and talked more about what I should bring. They will be back on the trail tomorrow and cross in to New Jersey.When we finished our conversation, Fahmah had plans to call his "Trail Mom". I hope he was able to reach you, Robin!!! Hope you had a great Mother's Day too!And, Happy Mother's Day to all of you out there reading & following our journal. Thanks for your support & encouragement."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-05-10
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: broken clouds

Tonight the hikers camped at the Mohican Outdoor Center. The showers were open but there was no soap. When they had stopped at lunch to eat, they saw a water snake hanging out on the beach at Sunfish Pond. This was the section that Fahmah walked with Jimmy and they had done a 15 mile hike that day. They talked with Jack today and confirmed that he will definitely be at Trail Days. It will be so good to see him."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-05-11
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Brink Road Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: clear sky

It was a lot of miles today for the two. The distance between shelters is greater the more north they go. It was raining and tough walking. Klip got up close and personal with a huge papa bear on the trail. Got some awesome photos (I don't think I would have stopped to take them, but he did!) then he raised his poles and shouted obsenities to make him turn and walk away. Thank God he turned away! "FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-05-12
From: Brink Rd Shelter

To: US 206 Culvers Gap
Miles today: 3.4

It was just 3.4 miles in to Culvers Gap, but it was a tough 3.4. It was raining again and cold. At least they would be at a Motel and have a nice hot shower and comfortable bed. They stopped at the Deli across the street from where they came off the trail and got a sandwich and drinks then headed for the hotel. I left from Massachusetts around 11:30 to go out to meet them at the Forest Motel. It was about a 6-hour trip. When I arrived they were in the Motel and had the owner turn the heat on to warm up. It was cold out there. The motel had very few extras...no coffee pot, but I brought my own, thank Goodness. There were two beds, a full size & a twin with hardly enough room to walk around them. But, it was warm and comfortable, so what more could we ask for?After I arrived and settled in, we headed back across the street to Kevin's Steak House for supper. Great steaks!! Good meal!! Good people!! Had a lovely view out the window of the lake where there were a couple guys out fishing. It was great to be with Fahmah again. I really missed him. Tomorrow we head to Virginia....Trail Days!!"FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-05-13
From: US 206 Culvers Gap

To: -----
Miles today: 0.0

We got up, packed up, signed out and went to breakfast down Rt 206 to a diner. Klip got a call from the Forest Motel. I had left my insulin in the fridge.....again, thank Goodness she called! After we ate, we headed back to the motel, picked up the forgotten treasure, and headed off. We hadn't planned a particular schedule, so, after a stop in Delaware Water Gap post office to pick up their drop I sent there, and after they gave me a tour of the Presbyterian Church of the Mountain Hostel they spent 2 nights in, we headed off to VA. By the time we got to Daleville/Troutville, it was time for supper and to find a place to stay where they could do laundry before Trail Days. We stayed at a Travelodge there. We had dinner and did laundry and went to bed."FOR YOU JIM"