morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-09-02
From: Sages Ravine Campsite

To: Mrs. McCabe's in Salisbury
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: broken clouds

Ct. has been far more welcoming than I had anticipated. Mrs. McCabe is a wonderful lady and has made me feel quite at home. Salisbury is small, but has a good grocer and a coffee shop with free internet. I will probably spend the morning there catching up on my journal.Mrs. McCabe drove me to the next town over to do laundry and I ate an enormous stromboli while I waited. At the grocer later, I met Tree House, a fellow Southbounder, headed back to the woods for the night. Another passes me.I'm a little short on fuel as I left the pull top on the bladder open a little and it leaked all over inside my pack. It evaporated - but no one sells fuel here. I've got my backup esbit tabs till I get to Kent - and I really need a new water filter too.
Date: 2007-09-03
From: Mrs. McCabe's in Salisbury

To: Sharon Mountain Campsite
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: clear sky

I spent the entire morning at the coffee shop doing Internet business. Everything is all good to go except for this new health insurance the university has is place - or at least I think it is in place - I'm not getting a bill for it and it should have gone into effect three weeks ago. I suppose a long, hold-laden phone call is in order some day this week since Thaggard is not answering my emails. I did however figure out how to get from Pawling to Southfields via public transport.I still managed 13 miles arriving around 6:30 and there was water! YAY! Ct. has ben dry as a bone. This is a little puddle between two rocks that doubles in volume once you scoot all the toads out of it. I'll take it. All the water sources indicated on the map from the river to here have been dry.Today's theme was a labor day car race in the valley. Hot shot cars, old and new are all over the roads and the race could be heard from every point on the trail. I hit Hang Glider's view at about 5 and could see the track below but the races were finished...better for sleeping.Trail magic today near Falls Dam - had a budwieser and some poptarts. There was no name or trash bag there. I discovered from the couple tenting nearby - Escalator and R man that the Angel was Fed Ex, a Nobo who summited on 6/30! I'd been reading his journal before I left but unfortunately missed him in the hundred mile wilderness somehow.Saw two rattle snakes today - I thnk the guy said they were timberland rattlers. They were green and black and fairly small and docile. Didn't move an inch.
Date: 2007-09-04
From: Sharon Mountain Campsite

To: Stewart Hollow Brook Lean To
Miles today: 12.4

Interesting hike today with some fun steep climbs and good viewpoints. The last bit to the lean to was right along the Housic River. I made a stop in West Cornwall - a mile in I saw a sign that said the covered bridge was 4 miles. That's really all I wanted to see - and maybe score some fuel. I just hit the gas station before town and got some gas line solvent which apparently can be used in alcohol stoves - we'll see - and headed back to the trail.I caught up with a new Sobo - Pierrette - who I'm calling Piroette because it's easier to pronouce. She's a French Canadian lady doing the last 1/3 of the trail - the middle third. We're in the lean to alone this evening.
Date: 2007-09-05
From: Stewart Hollow Brook Lean To

To: Mt Algo Lean To
Miles today: 7.3

Ended up taking a nero today in Kent. That wasn't the plan, but after making a few calls I realized I wouldn't have another decent town stop till Unionville about a week away. I was unable to score a shuttle from Pawling to Southfields and the Tuxedo motel in Southfields is booked. This means that I have to get from a lean to to a train station to NYC to the bus station to Southfields and then to a lean to (closest one being 10 miles in). So, no having fun in NYC or Southfields or Pawling, for that matter. I think I'm walk into the Wingdale Metro North stop from the Wiley Shelter - there is supposed to be a "green trail" that goes right into town - but these trails aren't always so well marked. Get the 9:50 train; get to Grand Central at 10:40; take the subway to Port Authority and get the 11:30 bus to Southfields; start hiking to the trail head at about 1 and then go the 10 miles to the shelter. There is supposed to be a cooler with Tom and Susan's number about half way. I think they offer hiker's shelter and shower. Hopefully, this is true and I'll spot it.Anyhow, I decided to spend the day in Kent with Pirouette. I did laundry, got a couple days of food, got real fuel, charged my phone, got my mom a pretty darn cool Bday gift and mailed it off. And I'm here now at the library working on the journal. We met two other Sobos at the laudromat - Dungeons of Doom - I think and I didn't get the other name. We will all be at the Lean To this evening which is only .3 from the road - but it's a mile back up to the trail - I wished all these extra miles counted.Well, we're going to take our clean bodies and clothes to a restaurant and dine before hiking back. Next update will probably be from Unionville in a week - I'll get to report on if all the tales of its people and mayor are true.Wish I could have been at the big Labor Day celebration at Kathy and Gary's - I know everyone must have had a blast - I was thinking about you yesterday.Oh - and Kristin - I plan to be your way around October 1st. I'll call about a week before and let you know when for certain. Can't wait to see you.
Date: 2007-09-06
From: Mt Algo Lean To

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: broken clouds

I had a good hiking day - a little groggy after too much beer at dinner in Kent. A former thruhiker sat down with us and offered to drive us to the trail head; so, we drank on and hiked up in the dark a third of a mile and drank a little more. As it turns out, the Kent liquor store gives free beer to thruhikers - go Kent - my new favorite trail town. So, Dr. Doom, Dirty Ernie, Pirouette and I had some fun.Took a wrong turn at the Bull's Bridge turnoff. Went about a mile out of my way. When I finally found it though, the bridge was really cool - covered, from the 1700's, used several times by General Washington. The best part was that pedestrians had right of way. So, we walked right down the middle and took our good ole time. Dr. Doom and I had microwaved burritos and sodas at the general store and pushed on.Tomorrow is my stressful travel day. Hopefully, I can score some headphones somewhere. Off to sleep early.
Date: 2007-09-07
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 79.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Wow - long day. I decided to backtrack to Wingdale this morning - hoping for a hitch. No such luck. I walked the entire four and half miles to the train station with a quick stop at Adam's Diner along the way - classic greasy spoon. Had some time in mid town - drank some Starbuck's and had a cream cheese pumpkin muffin - mmmm. I went to two book stores searching for "The Good Fairies of New York" - a fantasy about immigrant fairies living in the netherword around us. No luck - even though I've heard several reviews recently on NPR - the last five bookstores haven't even heard of it. I thought it would suit the mood for this section of the trail - it's almost passed. Still trying to get into this Zane Grey western. I did however, score a set of headphones and can listen to the radio again. I ripped up my last pair by having my foot on the wires as I hoisted my pack on.Got a bus to Southfields. Walked to the deli and ordered a big canned beer and a roast beef sub for dinner later and hit the road. Got a hitch right away to the trailhead from a firefighter named John - thanks John! There's a nobo section hiker here with me - old familyparent - or something like that. The nightly chorus of tree frogs are as maddening here as they were in Ct.
Date: 2007-09-08
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Wayanda Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

Got my period today - so, I been feeling pretty lousy. My knees have been hurting - probably from all the road walking yesterday. And it was SUPER hot today. It took me 8 hours to do 12 miles today.   There were some stunning views and some challenging walks along the ridges. I usually stopped for breaks in the shady valleys where it was cooler. Occassionally there would be a cool breeze out of no where and I'd find myself stopping and facingthe wind - just like in that movie shot in China where the rice paddy workers stand up and face the cool breeze. Green Flash showed up a bit ago. He's covered in poison something. He brought a few beers that he found along the trail- actually trying to clean up a local party site.It's raining - finally - after three weeks of dry weather.
Date: 2007-09-09
From: Wayanda Shelter

To: Mayor's House, Unionville 
Miles today: 17.1

Great hike - great views - hot as hell - especially the extended raodwalk. I got to Unionville at about 3:30 and hung out at the general store waiting around for the mayor to magically show up and take me home with him as the legends go. Nothing happened. I resolved to head on to the secret shelter a couple of miles onward. The folks at the store were cool and made me a rockin' turkey sandwich.On my way, walking through town, and a voice comes from an upper story window with a fan in it. A face with a cigarette was asking me if I was a through hiker. I said yes. He said, we can offer you a shower and laundry. I honestly didn't know what to make of this. I said - I thought that was the mayor's job. And he said, I'm Butch, the mayor's right hand man. He told me to wait by the gazebo in the park and he'd be right down. Why not.Butch drove me to Dick's house. Along the way he told me the rules: I was not to wash dishes, I was to make myself cometely at home, and I had to be willing to pose for a picture. I could certainly do that. Within an hour, I was showered, hanging out in the requisite terry cloth robe while my clothes were being washed, and drinking a black velvet manhattan. Dick made an awesome garlic shrimp and vermecelli dish with baked squash and brocolli. Man oh man - that was a seriously good meal. I watched the game, slept in the guest room with flannel sheets and down pillows and woke up to a piping hot breakfast of eggs, bacon, toast and coffee. The mayor couldn't eat or drink anything due to a Dr.'s appointment - but, cooked for me none the less. What an awesome host! Thank you Unionville! What a fabulous treat for thru-hikers - you've got real gems in your mayor and his second in command. I promise to send my Springer summit photo to add to your albums.
Date: 2007-09-10
From: Mayor's House, Unionville 

To: Mashipacong Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

It was hard to leave the mayor's place in the rain this morning...it was so dry and cumfy. The first 8 miles of the trail rocked. The last four were just rocks - this is where the imfamous rocks begin - hordes of jagged rocks - OWW! I don't get my heavy boots back till my mail drop in Delaware Water Gap.I'm at a waterless shelter tonight - I don't like that at all. It makes me feel really insecure. Water is so important and lately so scarce. It's going to be a thirsty morning - no water again for 8 miles.I'm at the shelter tonight with Emily and Murphy, both from the Tampa area. Murphy has been in the national press recently because he's hiking with two prosthetic legs...quite a feat. They seem to be pretty cool folks - it's good to catch up with Sobos that I've been reading about in shelterregisters for months. I can put some faces to the names. The mayor's photo album was really cool for that reason also. Trail names are not gender specific and I was quite surprised by some of the faces I saw.It's supposed to rain tonight and tomorrow - then, lovely and cool the rest of the week. I have short days planned for Mohican Outdoor Center and the Delaware Water Gap. Woohoo.
Date: 2007-09-11
From: Mashipacong Shelter

To: Brink Road Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: light rain

Hiked in the rain today. I was really good - cool- no bugs. It was slippery though and unfortunately the view from sunrise mountain was obscured by fog and clouds. Stopped at noon for lunch at Gyp's Tavern in Culver's Gap. I had wings and fries - i'd been fantasizing about Fried Chicken the previous night - good enough. Hiked a can of beer to the teensy weensy lean to a few miles further. Emily and Murphy are here again tonight - they decided to call it an early day and we played a game of Farkel. I actually won for the first time - finally!Oh - I did a little dance with a snake today - we just couldn't get out of each other's way. It was black and brown and red and about 3 feet long.
Date: 2007-09-12
From: Brink Road Shelter

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Split up with Emily and Murphy today, They had 26 impossible (for me) miles in mind. The trail was pretty level, but rocky as anything...tough going...my feet and knees were ready to stop. This is a beautiful spot on a glacial lake, unappealingly named Catfish Pond. I've been wanting to visit this spot since I was an AMC NY-NJ member - they have quite a few events here thoughout the year. The paying guests have a mess hall, cabins, canoes, kayaks, ets. As a thru-hiker, I scored a soda, Twix bar, tent spot and a shower for 3.50. I'll take it. Oh - and half a key lime pie. I could have used the beach - but, it's too cool for that today. Saw some deer here and another snake. On to DWG for a nero tomorrow.
Date: 2007-09-13
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Church on the Mount, Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: scattered clouds

It was a gorgeous hike into town today. The weather was perfect and the trail smooth - relatively. I did walk through a virtual quarry for about four miles, but otherwise very enjoyable. Passed another glacial lake called Sunfish Pond - clear and glistening - reminiscent of Maine. Got my mail drop - complete with my heavy boots (to take on these rocks), hand washed laundry in the hostel sink, showered, and hit the town. Murphy and Emily are still here and they've caught up with their buddy Whiskers, also from Tampa. They are splitting a room (and a case of beer) at the motel. Two Step, from Ohio, and Tree House, who I met a the grocery store in Salisbury, is also here at the hostel.I ate well today. Got the special at the bakery - hot dag and slice of apple pie for 1.49. Also sprung for a raspberry crumbcake for breakfast.Visited the gang at the motel and then hit a really nice spot for dinner by my self. It was called Antelao's - and bring your own bottle establishment. I had the garlic flan over roasted eggplant and red pepper sauce; then the cioppino... WOW ...perfectly cooked shrimp, scallops and haddock. I wish I had been hungrier.
Date: 2007-09-14
From: Church on the Mount, Delaware Water Gap

To: Leroy Smith Shelter
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I had a great night's sleep at the hostel - thanksPresbyterian Chruch on the Mount! Got my mail drops off, ate my crumbcake and took to the trail at about 9:30. Two Step was still asleep and Treehouse was off in town. The trail was uneventful with the exception of all the rocks. It is unbelievably level though - the only ups and downs are the gaps which pop up every 15 miles or so. Anywho - I pulled my first 20 with a full pack today and I'm damn proud. It's about time, I guess.I called Mom to wish her a happy birthday. She still hasn't figured out how to get on this trail journal. Maybe someday.Murphy and Treehouse are also here tonight. Murphy broke a foot on the rocks today, but had a replacement part ready to go. The lean to is old and there are lots of bugs - odd looking ones and familiar ones - like ants.Just was concked pretty hard on the head by an acorn. Sure to be a lump tomorrow.
Date: 2007-09-15
From: Leroy Smith Shelter

To: Jail House Hostel, Palmerton
Miles today: 16.0

Crazy hike today. It started out like regualr PA, rocky, level, nondescript. Then, suddenly, I hit the fallout zone. It looked like a meteor had taken out about four miles of mountain top. The trees were all drift wood stumps and the entire landscape was an ashen grey. It was very eerie. At one point a couple of gliders went over - really close and perfectly silent. This section turns out to be a superfund site - but I don't know the details.Coming down into town was intense - a mile-long rock slide. I haven't seen terrain like that since New Hampshire.Still I made good time, after a late start waiting out the rain. I huffed it the two miles into town and found the police station. The doors were locked, but I pushed the emergency button and they rang me in. The officer on duty xeroxed my ID and registered me at the station. Then, I was escorted to the basement where the town lets thru hikers stay. Local businesses and girl scouts have put together care packages for us too. Thanks Town of Palmerton for taking such great care of us! Showered in the gym, resupplied, and ate at the Palmerton Hotel - French Dip and a Rail Ale from Erie PA. Have to be back in my cell by 10 p.m. curfew.
Date: 2007-09-16
From: Jail House Hostel, Palmerton

To: Allentown Hiking Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: broken clouds

Well, it is Sunday and the breakfast place didn't open till 8 - and the trail angel Duane was supposed to pick me up at 8. He didn't show, but I caught an immediate hitch by a nice fellow named Steve - thanks Steve! The hike today was beatiful. The raptors are migrating - so, there are a lot of bird watchers out and about. I hung out with the local audobon society for a while at a overlook where they had a plastic owl impaled on a pole for bait.Arrived at the shelter at 6 or so after stopping at the Blue Mountain Lodge for a Prime Rib Sandwich. Got a beer to go as well.Fortunately, I also tanked up on water because there is nada here at the shelter. There is supposed to be a second spring way, way down the mountain, but I gave up the trek when it started getting too dark. I probably lost a half liter in sweat during my failed quest. I should be able to make to the next spring tomorrow. My body seems to be needing less water lately - that's good.
Date: 2007-09-17
From: Allentown Hiking Shelter

To: Ye Olde Backpacker, Port Clinton
Miles today: 22.6
Weather: clear sky

Was chilleee this morning. The shelter is really well built though and not drafty at all - nice work Allentown Hiking Club - thanks! Yes, there were lots of rocks again today. And, I had to go down into three gaps, but they were less than 1000 ft each. No food stops to break up the day - that's probably how I managed these big mile. Finally scored some water after 12 miles - everything is dry!A nice gentleman name Moosekiller picked me up right at the trailhead and drove me to the town gazebo where hikers can sleep. Treats and Castle were there, also Sobos, taking a zero. They are a couple, young and quite lovey dovey.I called the hostel, and Steve, the owner of the outfitter came to pick us all up. The room was very small storage room with bunked cots next to a noisy highway, but free is free.I had hoped to stay with Megaphone here - but, she actually hasn't moved yet and is finishing up her last week of work in Winchester. Oh well, maybe we'll meet up at the ALDHA gathering.Murphy was here earlier today, but moved on. He is definitely clocking some miles. Emily and Whiskers have fallen behind me somewhere.Enjoying lots of takey outey right now and rewatching Little Miss Sunshine.
Date: 2007-09-18
From: Ye Olde Backpacker, Port Clinton

To: Eagle's Nest Shelter
Miles today: 8.6
Weather: few clouds

Scott shuttled me around to the laundromat and grocery store this morning. He's a great guy and a good friend to hikers. I hope his new outfitter business thrives.Hit the trail at about noon after eating some left over Chinese. Then, I had more left over Chinese for dinner tonight. My pack should be about two pounds lighter tomorrow. I sure hope so because my left hip has be hurting all day. I must have stretched something in the wrong direction. Or I suppose it could be joint related. I don't have enough experience with hip pain to know the difference. In any case, I intend to take it easy for a while.Treats and Castle were here for dinner and then took off to stealth camp somewhere with water. Fortunately, I fully tanked up on the way in.
Date: 2007-09-19
From: Eagle's Nest Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: clear sky

Damn nice shelter - shower house with well water, fully enclosed with a skylight, bunks, chairs, nice. Only 2 of the 6 water sources today were good. The Hertlein campsite was a gorgeous spring - five foot wide clear pool. It made my mouth water.Got another latish start; the cold mornings are keeping me in my bag longer. My hip didn't begin to hurt until mile 10 or so today. I hope that means it's getting better.Looking ahead, I'm going to have to race to the Post Office in Duncanon on Saturday if I want my mail drop. That should be interesting.Folks can have pizza delivered here to the shelter - but, if you can believe it, I'm not hungry.Whiskers and Emily showed up around 10:30 with a case of beer. Please let me get some sleep. Oh news - Emily threw her shoulder out of joint near the Superfund site. They've been shuttling forward to hostels and are going to try hiking again tomorrow.
Date: 2007-09-20
From: 501 Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: few clouds

Still trudging along through the PA rocks. Emily and Whiskers made it here tonight too. I thought about pushing on and then remebered my hip (which didn't hurt today) and decided to stay put. This shelter is built in/on an old stone foundation and is fairly subterrainian. There is water here - but, I hauled my usual 4 liters up from the gap just in case it was dry. So, another development - my ankles have a hiddeous rash. It looks like poison, but doesn't really itch. Besides, it's isolated to the area under my socks and nowhere else. Maybe I'm allergic to something? Passed the 1000 mile marker today - YAY! 2 days till Duncanon!
Date: 2007-09-21
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: Peter's Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

It felt like a really long hike today even though I got to the shelter around 4:30. I think it's because I had to haul my 4 liters for 8 miles uphill through the heat and humidity. This should last me till Town tomorrow. there is water nearby...300 odd steps straight down the mountainside. No thanks.I have to do 11.6 before noon tomorrow. I called the Doyle hotel to make reservations - they don't accept them. The owner Vicky said that Murphy had already come and gone. It's only been 3 1/2 days since town, but I feel like I'm just coming out of the 100-mile wilderness - give me a bed and a shower!MGreat Shelter - fitted logs, balcony, porch with an awning. If there were just some water...
Date: 2007-09-22
From: Peter's Mountain Shelter

To: Doyle Hotel, Duncanon
Miles today: 11.3

I was up at 7 and on the trail at 7:45 and despite the unforgiving terrain, made it to the Post Office at 11:30. That's some serious milage - I was moving it. It was really humid too - sopping wet when I arrived. I'm glad it was all over before noon because it got incredibly hot today.Already here was whiskers and Emily, who hitched in last night. Also here was Tortuga, a sobo about my age, trying to recover from a cold. Immediately had a beer and ate a pulled pork sandwich, showered and then took a nap.Spent the remainder of the day attacking my three drop boxes and resupplying. I found a hair salon on the way back from the hardware store and scored an 8 dollar dry haircut. I lost about four inches and it feels great. There's just enough left over for a ponytail.All of my gear cleaning, resupplying, planning, boxing etc, is finished. Nothing but relaxing and catching up on the internet tomorrow.