morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-07-21
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA

To: Mohican Outdoor Center, New Jersey
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: light rain

Started:Delaware Water GapFinished:Mohican Outdor Center, NJSleeping:HostelMiles:10.5Total Miles:1290.0Miles till Katahdin:884.6BYE PA!!! You old rock infested pain in the butt! Hello NJ. So, where's the beach?Oh, the feeling a gang of us had as we crossed the Delaware and reached the shores of NJ. Elation is a word that comes to mind. It regenerated us. We were laughing again, talking about what was to come. We didn't mind when the rain came. We laughed at the rain. It felt cool on our skin, like a shower on a hot day should. We hiked on rocks knowing they would soon be a bad memory, so we skipped on the rocks, we hopped on the rocks, we bounced on the bloody rocks. Our hike was only a little over 10 miles today, but we were hit by a huge thunderstorm just before reaching the hostel. I was soaked to my skin as lightning crashed over my head. It was the flash-bam kinda storm where you couldn't count to one before the ground shook. I admit I was praying. I am now snug and filled and catching up on my emails. I will be off early tomorrow. I have a 17.9 mile day to complete. Happiest of happy trails to all of you! Bluebird.
Date: 2006-07-22
From: Mohican Outdoor Center, New Jersey

To: US 206, Branchville, NJ
Miles today: 17.9

Started:Mohican Outdor Center, NJFinished:US 206, Branchville, NJSleeping:HostelMiles:17.9Total Miles:1307.9Miles till Katahdin: 866.7'Twas a hard day for me. I need to take time to rest my feet during my hikes. I plan to give it a try tomorrow. Rod came up from PA to visit. He plucked me off the trail & out of the rain for a good meal and an air conditioned room. There are no words to express how good it feels to clean and dry your soaking wet cloths and know you won't have to slide back into clingy, wet clothes in the morning. Rod you're my hero!This was the second day we were hammered with heavy rain. It feels good while it rains, but when the rain stops...the bugs...ohhhh the bugs. I have so much Deep Woods OFF on my skin I can taste it when I eat. Nasty! It was good to shower that stuff off my skin. Still pressing on toward the mark. Still excited.Still bluebird!
Date: 2006-07-23
From: US 206, Branchville, NJ

To: High Point Shelter, NJ
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Started:US 206, Branchville, NJFinished:High Point ShelterSleeping:ShelterMiles:16Total Miles:1323.9Miles till Katahdin:850.7Nicest day in weeks. I walked solo today and put in at a shelter this evening with Lonestar. She and Black Snake may be planning an 18 miler tomorrow. I simply cannot do it.I did some foot rest today and it seemed to work. Every hour I stopped and rested my feet for 5 to 10 minutes. If they began to hurt at all, I stopped for 5 minutes. When I ate lunch I took off my shoes and socks and rested ME and my feet for an hour, and so on till the hike was done.I came into the shelter later than the others, but my feet feel better than they have in weeks (after a full days hike) I am a happy hiker.Bluebird Reports:Huckle-berries are ripe now, in New Jersey. Tasty eating!
Date: 2006-07-24
From: High Point Shelter, NJ

To:  Route 94, Vernon NJ
Miles today: 18.9

Started:High Point ShelterFinished:N.J. 94 VernonSleeping:St. Thomas Episcopal Church HostelMiles:18.9Total Miles:1342.8Miles till Katahdin:831.8Started:High Point ShelterFinished:NJ 94 VernonSleeping:St. Thomas Episcopal Church HostelMiles:18.9Total Miles:1342.8Miles till Katahdin:831.8Did you ever have one of those days, that started out good, but ended shabby? In my desire to catch up with Lonestar and Black Snake, I have managed to get to a level of exhaustion that ended in a melt down of tears. I had promised myself to proceed to Katahdin doing no more than 14.5 days. I found that by resting my feet every hour and taking a long lunch, I could keep severe foot pain at bay, but for two days now, I have pushedmy feet well past 15 miles, getting in late at the shelter, hostel, whatever, eating in the dark, getting a late start in the morning and...well you get the picture. No time to relax or commune with friends, just hike, eat and sleep. Today I pushed to long and fast. An 18.9 miles day got me to the road outside Vernon by 8:45pm (after sundown) NO ONE would pick me up, so I tried to call a taxi. While I was talking, my phone went dead! (grrrr) I started a near 2.5 mile death march to Vernon. The shoulder of the road all but disappeared and I had semi trucks grazing my ear as they passed by. In an effort to preserve my life I dashed for a small indent on the side of the road to pull my headlamp from the side pocket. I planed to put it on my head so cars could see me as they wizzed by...ignoring the poor thru hiker. I pulled out my head lamp and the lid popped open. The batteries exploded out of their sockets and (because it is now pitch black) I can not find them. I start to cry, which only further impedes my my abilit to see. I begin to pull out the contents of my pack to find reserve battries. My tears have turned into sobs and I'm mumbling beneath my breath...fine, fine, okay God there must be a reason for all this crap, but for the life of ME I CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT JUST NOW!! Suddenly Micheal (not the angle, but an angle all the same) appears in a convertible something or the other. He askes if I'm going to the Episcopal Church Hostel. I say, "Actually I'm crying right now, but that was was my plan. Off we go with my nose dripping and the wind in my hair.I have decided that tomorow will be a ZERO DAY!
Date: 2006-07-25
From:  Route 94, Vernon NJ

To: Rt. 94, Vernon NJ
Miles today: 0.0

Started:Finished:Sleeping:St. Thomas Episcopal Church HostelMiles:0Total Miles:1342.8Miles till Katahdin:831.8ZERO DAY...I did NOTHING!Editor's Note: Don't let that "Zero Day" talk fool you. Bluebird had to do her laundry, walk to the shopping center to eat, make phone calls home, check and send email messages, check on her website, re-supply, and plan her itinerary for the next 4-5 days. This last 4 months has been no vacation. Bluebird is working harder than she has ever worked her life and is feeling the stress of hot, humid days and new terrain that asks her to lift her knees to her chin hundreds of times a day.She's weary but her sense of humor and awe of nature are still intact. She could use all the support you can give her right now as she works through the next hundred miles or so. Email her at Bluebird@pocketmail.com or sign her guest book, you can't imagine how important that is to a thru-hiker. When I was on the trail in 2003, I read and reread the encouraging messages that friends, family and total strangers sent my way. There were times that this support was the only thing that carried me up the trail~Journey
Date: 2006-07-26
From: Rt. 94, Vernon NJ

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: clear sky

Started:NJ 94 VernonFinished:Wildcat ShelterSleeping:Tent Miles:17.3Total Miles:1360.1Miles till Katahdin:814.5Solo day...hiked alone and into the shelter alone for the evening. I can hear an owl off in the distance and the heat of the day has finally subsided to a tolerable temperature for sleeping. I spent a good deal of time thinking about loved ones today, as I walked. Important for you to know...you are always on my mind.I've pitched my tent in the shelter to protect my body from the misquito hordes! These blood sucking bandits have resorted to taking their pint through my clothing. We all think we're tired from the heat, but it's really low blood volume!!!Trail angels have been leaving water at shelters and roadsides for the hikers. This is a Godsend. There aren't words to discribe how it feels to be out of water, miles from a water source, and find gallon jugs of spring water to fill your water containers. Thank you, thank you, thank you!Ran into a few angels (with a pug dog) who left water, cokes, and chips here at Wildcat Shelter, yummy...Tomorrow I plan a short hike with a trip to the falls and a jump in a lake. Not a bad plan if I say so myself!FYI: South Bounders (SOBO's) are beginning to appear on the Northbounder (NOBO) horizon. I spoke to The General and Saucey Dog at the shelter before Wildcat today. Guys finishing school and having an adventure before they get a REAL job! Saucey Dog is on trail journals. Give him a goodluck from Bluebird.Now to bed...
Date: 2006-07-27
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: NY Rt. 17, ETA Education Through Adventure Hostel
Miles today: 9.9

Started:Wildcat ShelterFinished:N.Y.17 ETA Education Through Adventure HostelSleeping:HostelMiles:9.9Total Miles:1370.0Miles till Katahdin:804.6Oh my goodness was it like 150 percent humidity today??? I was on top of one of a number of mountains and I was convinced I was this <.....> close to HEAT EXHAUSTION!I called it a day at US 17. There is a great new hiker hostel that is not yet in the books. ETA is offering a hostel where presently there is nothing for hikers but but miles of physically hard hiking at the hottest time of the year. We are talking screened bunk houses with cots, a lake with swimming and canoeing, shuttle service, slack packing, dinner, showers and towels! the list goes on. They will come and pick you up at least three different trail heads. I am pleased...can you tell? Two more SOBO's today. I guess we'll be fighting over shelters soon. NOBO's RULE!!!Had a nice rain this pm and the cold front promises for an evening of cool air and better sleeping conditions. Oh, and there's a breeze. Yes!
Date: 2006-07-28
From: Hudson River Bear Mt. Bridge

To: Graymoor Spritual Center-Franciscan Way
Miles today: 6.3

Started:Hudson River Bear Mtn. BridgeFinished:Graymoor Spiritual Center-Franciscan WaySleeping:TentMiles:6.3Total Miles:1394.9Miles till Katahdin:779.7THIS WAS AN ASOLUTELY PERFECT DAY!I am taking the AT 101 course in the Power of Positive Thinking!The sun will come out tomorrow, but only if there is a cool breeze and no humidity! My feet are not hurting they are just saying, "Hi and I love you" with every step I take!I am not sweating perfusely I have just taken a cooling shower in my clothes to save money on laundry!I am not spending more time resting than hiking. I am being called on by God to take a census on the number of deer in the woods of NY. (Presently 3 doe, 2 fawns, 2 buck (with antlers in velvet) I will not have to do 15 mile days in Vermont and New Hampshire to make it to Katahdin in time. Tomorrow the ATC will plan to shorten the AT by 200 miles by eliminating all switchbacks from NY to ME and I will only have to do 10 mile days enjoying unlimited zero's.I suddenly feel MUCH better...a bit delusional, but much better.Bluebird
Date: 2006-07-29
From: Hudson River Bear Mt. Bridge

To: NY Rt. 17 ETA Education Through Adventure Hostel
Miles today: 18.6

Started:Hudson River Bear Mtn. BridgeFinished:N.Y.17 ETA Education Through Adventure HostelSleeping:HostelMiles:18.6Total Miles:1388.6Miles till Katahdin:786.4Last night a few hikers were communing about where their heads were concerning the trail. It's hard to journal about the negative aspects of the AT and a thru hike, but to neglect to write about it, in my journal, is a misconception of exactly what a thru hike is. You read the registers and the sacastic humor is thick. People are not happy right now. The register entries are either F this and F that, or trying to make light of a near unbearable situation. It reminds me of a marathon racer hitting a wall. A GREAT BIG A.T. WALL. People are digging in at hostels and camp grounds, for days, hoping for a spark to reignite them. The joy and expectation at Springer is being tested and we all begin to feel the preasure. We are unable to trek the miles we used to walk. Some wonder if their sick. Our insides feel odd in the heat and humidity, our bowels have gone bizerk, our feet fight our resolve and we find ourselves either pounding our poles into the dirt or just sitting down on the trail and weeping, crying, bawling! So, I take a hot shower (thank you God) and regroup. I called my transcriber, Journey this evening to run few things by her. She's been here and done this and her input is very important to me. Also, Virginia my email trail angel continues to inspire me and am so grateful. Then, of course Rod's continued suport, inspite of his own needs, my mom's encouragement and friends, "You get em attitude" lifts me. So bluebird can fly inspite of the circumstances. Thank you, thank you, thank you all!With deep apreciation,Your Bluebird
Date: 2006-07-30
From: NY Rt. 301, Canopus Lake

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: broken clouds

            Started:NY 301 Canopus Lake Finished:RPH ShelterSleeping:HouseMiles:7Total Miles:1413.8Miles till Katahdin:760.8I have died and gone to heaven...Walking Stomach called from Kent, CT today and offered a slack pack for a couple days. According to her the heat index in the city is going to be 107, probably less in the woods, but still record high. They are saying humidity will be at 70% Just another day on the trail!! Editor's Note: To donate to Children's Miracle Network in memory of baby Aaron and in honour of Blurbird please contact:               Rick Gates or Mary Lou Smith            717-534-4209 or mlsmith@hersheys.com
Date: 2006-07-31
From: RPH Shelter

To: NY Rt. 301, Canopus Lake
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: clear sky

            Started:NY 301 Canopus Lake Finished:RPH ShelterSleeping:HouseMiles:7Total Miles:1413.8Miles till Katahdin:760.8I have died and gone to heaven...Walking Stomach called from Kent, CT today and offered a slack pack for a couple days. According to her the heat index in the city is going to be 107, probably less in the woods, but still record high. They are saying humidity will be at 70% Just another day on the trail!!
Date: 2006-08-02
From: RPH Shelter

To: Hoyt Road
Miles today: 14.4

Started:RPH ShelterFinished:Hoyt RoadSleeping:HouseMiles:26.8Total Miles:1440.6Miles till Katahdin:734.0Oh my gosh...is it hot enough for everybody!!! NO GLOBAL WARMING MY KEESTER!!Tuesday the 1st we managed over twelve miles and Wednesday the 2nd (today) over fourteen miles.We have been very careful to drink lots of water mixed with electrolite suppliments. Heat exhaustion and or heat stroke are the issues. Most hikers realize the potential for both, they are very careful and guarded against over- doing it. This heat wave has put alot of people behind their intended schedules at this point on the AT, but we're encouraged by an amazing amount of help by trail angels and alumni, thru & section hikers of the AT, like Walking Stomach (Elaine) and Sherfoot (Anne) I could not be making the miles I'm making, in this heat, without their generousity and help.I also want to take a moment to say how touched I have been by all the emails of encouragement I have received lately. I can no longer get the emails transferred from trailjournals to my pocketmail, but my mother and my transcriber "Journey"have been copying and sending them to my pocketmail address.I love to answer my emails, but it has become increasingly difficult. Please understand if I don't get back to you. I do read every email. They make laugh & cry, they encourage and inform me. They are wonderful and I love every single last one of them!Thank you all. Tomorrow we march into Kent CT. and join in with the local festivities. BIG SIDEWALK SALE!
Date: 2006-08-03
From: Hoyt Road

To: Kent, Conn.
Miles today: 11.5

Started:Hoyt RoadFinished:Kent CTSleeping:HouseMiles:11.5Total Miles:1452.1Miles till Katahdin:722.5I passed the 3/4 mark on the AT today. I am feeling so much better in spite of the weather. Yesterday the heat index was a whopping 113. Today was also intense, but being able to slack pack allowed us to get some miles in that would have been impossible with a full pack. Lonestar and I saw a black squirrel. I've seen them before in Canada, but according to our host they are rare in CT. How neat is that!Today when the heat was really pounding us down, we stopped at a brook and did what would compare to a bird bath in an effort to cool down. It was the strangest sensation. I would saturate my barn hankie with cold water and pour it down my arm. As the water dripped off my fingertips it was remarkably warm (like hot) and we'd ben hiking in shade. At times I could feel my heart beating in my ears. A very good time to slow down.Tomorrow is our last slack day with Elaine and Ann, then we will head north with full packs. The thunderstorms have given us back more favorable temps and I for one, am overjoyed.
Date: 2006-08-04
From: Rt. 341

To: West Cornwall Road
Miles today: 15.9

Started:Rt 341Finished:West Cornwall Rd.Sleeping:HouseMiles:15.9Total Miles:1468.0Miles till Katahdin:706.5The cicaidas(sp?) and the crickets sing their night songs as I enjoy the first, truely cool night air I've felt in weeks. Nohumidity, no heat. I am so thankful for the break in temperature. I have my sleeping bag over me and it's not sticking to me!!! Wonderful, marvelous, fabulous!I ran into a number of hikers today...they were smiling! Probably because they were finally able to breath.Tomorrow, Salisbury, CT. with even better weather on the horizon.
Date: 2006-08-05
From: West Cornwall Road

To: US 44 Salisbury, Conn.
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: clear sky

Started:West Cornwall Rd.Finished:US 41 SalisburySleeping:Maria McCabes HostelMiles:17.5Total Miles:1485.5Miles till Katahdin:689.1It's different to be hiking with someone again on a regular basis. There's less inner conversation with myself and more focus on miles, planned pit stops and destinations, etc.Lonestar has been healing up from a hair line fracture of her rib and it's become a great yogi tool for extending the fantastic slack given to us by Elaine and Annie from Northern NY into and past Kent CT.Lonestar Update: She bought me dinner tonight! She loves Frosted Flakes, she hates watches with alarm clocks on them that go off in the morning at the shelters, she has dreams about bats in her hair. Now folks...I am litterally falling to slepp as I try to write this so...........
Date: 2006-08-06
From: US 44 Salisbury, Conn.

To: Jug End Road
Miles today: 16.9

Started:US 44 SalisburyFinished:Jug End RoadSleeping:Maria McCabes HostelMiles:16.9Total Miles:1502.4Miles till Katahdin:672.2I am so tired. My body is beginning to beg me for a long sleep.Trying to catch up with someone is difficult. Lonestar and I are trying to hook up with Blacksnake. He's been hiking on and off with her since early June. We did 18 mles today over three mountains. Beautiful, but what a beating the body took.I simply can not keep my eyes open to journal tonight.Saw a young porcipine this evening at dusk. That was cool.
Date: 2006-08-07
From: Jug End Road

To: Tom Leonard Lean-To
Miles today: 10.9

Started:Jug End RoadFinished:Tom Leonard Lean-toSleeping:ShelterMiles:10.9Total Miles:1513.3Miles till Katahdin:661.3The only problem with slack packing is the first day after you stop slack packing. The pack has a weight your body has forgotten and it does not like it being there at all. You once again are reminded of what gravity does and your feet stand cemented to the ground. Ten miles walking feels like twenty and you swear never to slack pack again...until someone offers it... again Shorter miles today, because my right foot can simply not handle a fast pace hike anymore. I need to start earlier tomorrow and take plenty of rests. I want to make it to Upper Goose Pond Cabin tomorrow.Cookie lady, blue berries and pancakes have my name written on them.
Date: 2006-08-08
From: Tom Leonard Lean-To

To: Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Started:Tom Leonard Lean-toFinished:Goose Pond CabinSleeping:HostelMiles:21.1Total Miles:1534.4Miles till Katahdin:640.2Loooooooooong Day to the cabin. This was to be the rejoining Lonestar with Black Snake, but no snake to be found.Over 21 miles, in an effort to shorten the daily average of miles left to get to Katahdin. Lots of South Bounders (SOBO'S) now.Weary from my hike, but the weather was perfect. (Longtime since I could say that)Another 1st since the Shenandoah's...a campfire. Yep, the nights have cooled down enough to cause hikers to build and enjoy the warth. Everyone is feeling better. This is good! PS: Took a dip in Goose Pond...yummy!
Date: 2006-08-09
From: Goose Pond Cabin

To: Pittsfield Road
Miles today: 10.0

Started:Goose Pond CabinFinished:Pittsfield RoadSleeping:HostelMiles:10Total Miles:1545.4Miles till Katahdin:629.2I loved hiking today. I walked alone,a steady breeze, a terrain ever changing, marshes, lakes and pine covered ridges with soft needled paths under foot, stones, rocks and boulders to climb, smells of soggy earthen bogs and crisp pine scent, frogs, salamanders, snakes and daddy long legs everywhere, just everywhere. I walked alone and thanked God for returning my joy for the woods. I thanked Him for so many things. I feel so blessed words can hardly discribe all I feel. It's hard to remember how tortured I felt only a short time ago...the heat, the humidity, the bugs...It does, however, give me something against which I can measure the joy I feel now. My joy is greater as a result of all I have endured.A special thanks to all who took the time to remind, to encourage, to help me look ahead. I'm ahead now... and tonight, with the stars shining, the moon full, I curl up in my sleeping bag inside my tent, because it's actually cold outside! Yes!
Date: 2006-08-10
From: Pittsfield Road

To: Dalton, Mass.
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: few clouds

Started:Pittsfield RoadFinished:DaltonSleeping:HostelMiles:9.1Total Miles:1555.0Miles till Katahdin:619.6Lots of inner talk today. As I walked, vivid memories of my sons life played out in my mind and once again I found myself in tears. I realise there are things I wished I'd done or hadn't done or did or didn't do. The trail has an odd way of helping us face our real selves...our real intentions and work through them in a way that asks us to forgive and accept ourselves. That can be bittersweet. Tomorow a short day and then a long needed rest, before I continue on. Nite all! EDITOR'S NOTE: If you would like to donate to the Hershey Corporation's Children's Miracle Network in Aaron's memory or in honor of Terry, please contact:                                  Rick Gates or Mary Lou Smith                              717-534-4209               or email Mary Lou at mlsmith@hersheys.com
Date: 2006-08-11
From: Dalton, Mass.

To: Cheshire, Mass.
Miles today: 0.0

Started:Dalton, MAFinished:Cheshire, MASleeping:HotelMiles:Total Miles:Miles till Katahdin:Short hike into Chesire to Diane's Twist for two large servings of ice cream. I bought the first cone, then Rod bought the second after arriving from PA for the "pick up" and road trip to the Glimmerglass Opera near Oooperstown, NY. where we plan to surprise the pants off my singing sister, Dot. I see at least two full days off my feet. I am hoping the inflamation and swelling to go down enough that the trail rests easier on my tooties!Lonestar suggested I pay a visit to a clinic or emergency room to see if they could suggest something to help with the pain. Rod agreed it was a good idea and we stopped at Berkshire Medical Center, where Dr. Dodge assessed the problem and gave me some good advice like, "Don't get cortonzone shoots, they will only make the tendons more brittle." More elaberate stretches were in order and a foot sling was devised and given to me to stretch the right foots achilies (sp?) tendon during the night, wnile I sleep.After driving on...for two hours, trying to find lodging, we put in at a hotel that looked like it charged by the hour...HEY I was exhausted. After dinner at a local haunt we had luke warm showers (no real hot water...I love places like this) and a good night's sleep. Yawn & zzzzzzzz!