morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-29
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Old Palmerton Police Station Hostel
Miles today: 25.1

Memorial Day. We are quite blessed to have those that we honor in remembrance.It was nice to be able to get out of bed today and not be freezing my butt off. Today the hiking was very rough. I told Rocky and Bollwinkle before we headed out that I felt as if we hadn't seen the true rocks of PA yet. And I was right. Today was the type of day that once could injure themselves so badly that you'd be sent home.Rocks, rocks, rocks, and more rocks. Well, more like steep, no grip boulders that you had to scrable across. I am convinced that it was by the grace of God that I didn't get hurt today. I fell down off some rocks I was balancing on and had enough reflex quickness to land on another rock's edge, like a cat falling from a ladder to the floor. It was like a 4 foot fall. I honestly don't know how I came through today withough losing a drop of blood. That you God!It was real hot today too, but that didn't bother me that much, being a Florida boy and all. I'd say the hardest part of the day was Razor's Edge, where you walk across a boulder field, balancing on the edges of hundreds of boulders. One slip and you are going to go crashing down onto other huge, sharp boulders. But I made it through alive.I came into the shelter that Rock and Bollwinkle were resting at and I just looked at them and threw down my poles in disgust. They laughed and joined in on the complaining of how difficult the terrain was. So we all made it to our final shelter but then Bollwinkle had the idea of going one more mile to a road where we'd hitch into town and stay at an old police station building that now allows hikers to stay one night for free. So we pushed on and were hitching in no time.A guy picked us up in a very small, over packed, car but somehow 3 guys, a dog, and 4 packs crammed in to this thing. The guy dropped us off in town and we headed over to the old station. There was a certain way you were suppose to register at the new police station but no one was home. So we kind of just found an open door at the old station and went in. The irony is quite thick. Braking an entry at an old police station. We could very well be visiting two police stations in one night if y ou catch my drift.Not too many restaurants were open but the food mart down the road had hamburgers so we ate there. We all each drank a 2 liter bottle of coke too, we were craving it all day. Back at the hostel I called Keri, Mom, and Dad. After that I took a wonderful, hot shower and then it was off to bed.coconut donuts, french roll pastry---peanut butter---cheeseburger x7, sobe energy drink, 2 liters of coke - convience food mart
Date: 2006-05-30
From: Old Palmerton Police Station Hostel

To: Leroy A. Smith Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: scattered clouds

We all went to bed way too late last night. We probably hit the lights around 12:30am. But then the dog, Trucker, kept me up as he licked every inch of his body, loudly.We went to breakfast at Bert's steakhouse and just relaxed, knowing we had a short day of hiking today. So we ate, did some internet work, I then mailed a letter to Keri, and then hitched back to the trail and off we went.Today I had to climb the hardest climb south of New Hampshire. Honestly, it wasn't that bad. Sure, you had to scramble up the rock face at times using your hands instead of poles but the hardest part of the day was the heat. It was over 100 degrees easily. At 11am in town when we left it was 97 degrees.So hiking after that huge, "hard" climb was pretty rough. I'm so sick of rocks. Nothing like twisting your ankle everytime you take a step. It's my favorite thing in the world. So even though we did short milage today I needed more water than ever. But there wasn't any springs anywhere. There was one but it was .6 miles off the trail and I wasn't about to waste my time there. So with about 3 miles left in the day I come to a road and am in dire need of some water. So I start praying that Goud would fill my water bottle. Well, I soon flagged a guy down for a hitch but turns out he had a jug of water in his car. Amen! That enabled me to get to the shelter.I'd been reading a book recently about the 10 commandments, specifically the 4th command to remember the sabbath and to keep it holy. The sabbath is supposed to be observed on the 7th day of the week, in the traditional sense, but years ago the Catholic Church changed it to Sunday. If we are to be true protestants then we should observe the sabbath on Saturday, all this according to the book. I'm not exactly sure where I stand on this subject. In the Bible we can see different people taking joy in keeping God's commands. But were they nailed to the cross along with Moses law of ordinances? Surely not, because we still follow the other 9 and have no problem with them. But why are we ok with the switching of the Sabbath, and for that matter even working on it. These are all things that I've been thinking about, I have a clear as mud understanding of it all. But, I am after the truth, I don't care what that looks like.At the shelter I met a guy named Dent who actualy went to Montreat in 2000. Also, this random guy come in walking his four dogs and then gives us a 15 minute lesson on depleted uranium and how the ammunition the military is using is going to make us all die an early death. He talked so fast and never took a breath. This guys was a bit nuts. When I asked him about his college degree he only said he was a LSD burnout and never graduated, figures. Tomorrow, The Delaware Water Gap. I can't wait to be done with Pennsylvania.farmer's omlett, pancakes x2, chocolate milkshake - Bert's steakhouse---philly cheese steak - restaurant---mexican rice with chicken - mountain house
Date: 2006-05-31
From: Leroy A. Smith Shelter

To: Presbyterian Church Hostel
Miles today: 20.2

Last day of the month, last day in Pennsylvania. Ahh, how sweet a sound. I think it's safe to say that I absolutely hate the rocks in this state. It would have been wonderful minus the rocks.Got an early start today, was hiking by 8am. It was a lot cooler today, probably close to perfect hiking weather. But, there were rocks. Lots of rocks. Seems like PA is trying to give us one last go before we leave this beast.I ran into Hansel and Gretel, a German couple that hikes South everyday from one car location to the other. It's always a fun conversation when I talk to them. I'm reminded of how "to the point" Germans can be. No small talk, just give me the facts. Well, that rings true in most the Germans I know anyways.Today I finished hiking around 5pm. Not bad for a 20 mile day with a 40 minute coke break. I pulled in to the Presbyterian Church Hostel and found Gaul, Groundhog, Rocky, and Bollwinkle already there. but I guess I was the first to raid the hiker box because I found a can of Red Bull in it. I love those Energy Drinks, whatever kind they are. They just taste so good.So I took a shower, called Mom and Keri, then Rocky, Bollwinkle, Gaul, and I all went down to Dough Boy's Pizza to celebrate completing this sucky state. In what seems to be a tradition in the making, Rocky, Bollwinkle and my self each ordered a 2 liter bottle of coke and easily finished the whole thing, along with our dinners.After dinner we all went our separate ways. I headed over to the bar for a celebration beer and also to catch some NBA playoffs. But, I ended up talking to Keri some more instead of watching TV, which I enjoyed, of course. Tomorrow, I have no clue what my plans are besides going to the post office to get my new down vest, compliments of Seour Hawk, and to bounce ahead some of my fleece gear. All in an effort to lower my pack weight.applie pie, french twist---peanut butter---large strombolli, 2 liter coke - Dough Boy Pizza
Date: 2006-06-01
From: Presbyterian Church Hostel

To: Presbyterian Church Hostel
Miles today: 10.5

Did not sleep good at all. I woke up so tired. And that's with the ability to sleep in till 7:30am. So I went to the post office and bounced forward my fleece items and got my long underwear in exchange. I also got a letter from my sister. She's going to have a busy summer. And she's a junior now in driver's ed, geez! But she's doing amazingly well and is maturing in the Lord which always warms the heart.So I got hiking finally and about a mile into my I realized that my down feather vest package didn't come in. Crap! So I would either keep hiking and do a big day or do a short day and try to get back into town in hopes that tomorrow it would be at the post office or at the very least I could fill out a forwarding address form. Well, I didn't really get to decide because my skin muscle began to feel like I pulled it. It hurt so bad, like someone cracked me in the in the shin with a bat. So I started praying very hard that God would provide a ride back to the church hostel. I mean, it was going to be a hard hitch because there was no main roads.My first shot at getting a ride was at the Mohican Outdoors Center - and God provided! A guy named Marshall worked there and lives right near the post office and the hostel. How awesome is that! Rocky and Bollwinkle pulled in soon after and wished to get a ride with him as well but he said he had no room. This had to be a gift from God.So at 5pm he gave me a ride and we pulled in to the church just in time for their hiker dinner they do every Thursday night. And what a feast it was. It was like Thanksgiving all over again. But I couldn't get off my mind of how hard it was going to be to get a ride tomorrow back to the Mohican Outdoors Center. I didn't know how God did it, but He did.I went to the bathroom, knelt down and prayed for God's provision and 20 minutes later I had someone that was going to take me up there tomorrow. How amazing is that! I mean, this Outdoors Center is in the middle of nowhere and no one lives close to it that went to that church and no one has any reason to go up there, ever. God is good. Now if only my vest is at the post office tomorrow all will be perfect. But I can't complain at all now, I'm overwhelmed.left over strombolli---turkey sandwhich, coke x2 - Mohican Outdoors Center---potluck at church - Presbyterian Church
Date: 2006-06-02
From: Presbyterian Church Hostel

To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: light rain

It felt good to be able to sleep in. I didn't get out of bed till 8:30am. Funny, I used to consider that waking up early, but now I consider it sleeping in. I'm sure my Mom is laughing now.So I went to the post office to see if my down vest came in. Nope. So I filled out a forwarding address form and then went back to the hostel and packed up. Around 10am my ride showed up and drove me to the Mohican Outdoors Center. I'm amazed that I was able to get a ride. It was surely God's doing, and I thanked him wholeheartedly for that.Hiking today was hurried. I got a late start due to my ride and was only hiking by 11am. Not a good time to start, considering I had to go 20 miles today. And to make things worse, it rained all day. But to top everything off I had to hobble the whole way because of a pulled muscle near my left shin. Not fun. I did see 2 black snakes however, and they were huge. Other things of interest was a section of trail that was littered with catapillars. They were everywhere, and ended up all over me. They had eaten the majority of the leaves on the trees and bushes as well. But I pushed on with only a couple of stops: one for water and one at Gyp's Tavern, a self proclaimed hiker friendly place. But lunch there was nothing special nor friendly.So I ended up making it to the shelter just before 8pm. Rocky and Bollwinkle were there as well. I'm so ready for a break. Tomorrow is going to be a fun day. A lady named Jenny has been following my trailjournals for some time now and her and her husband invited me over to their house for the weekend, and I gladly accepted. I look forward to meeting them and their son. I also can't wait to go to church. It's been some time now since I've been able to go. God, please heal my body and help me to continue on.donuts---hamburger - Gyp's Tavern---rice, beans, macarroni with gorp
Date: 2006-06-03
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: Jenny's House
Miles today: 14.3

I was hoping that since it rained all last night that there would be nothing but blue sky in the morning, but I was dead wrong. I even waited till 10am to start hiking in hopes that it would let up a little, but it didn't. So not only did I have to put on cold, wet hiking clothes, I had to enter in to the rainforest once again. The irony is sick. the other day I prayed my heart out for a bottle of water and yesterday and today it rained enough of the stuff to fill up a couple of oceans. Oh, and there were rocks today as well, lots of them. And yes, I fell and bad things were said followed by repentance.But today was the day I got to meet Jenny and her family and get out of all this mess. So I pushed on. But it was so hard. I limped the entire way due to the almost unbearable pain in the muscle by my left shin. The miles seemed to creep by in anticipation of being done. Soon enough though, I arrived at the end of my hike for today and was soon greeted by a car from which the blessed words spilled out of, "Would you happen to be Messenger?" I acknowledged my name and was then quickly greeted by "The Jenny" that I had only known through two phone calls and a handful of emails.After I changed in the woods I went back to the car and properly met Larry, Jenny's husband, and soon after that we were off for home. This was such a treat for me, they even brought me snacks and coke! It was funny, on the ride home I realized that Jenny knew everything about me due to my trailjournals but I knew hardly anything about her or her family. I didn't even know what they looked like until I saw them in person. Jenny has seen picture of me and everything, so not fair. But again, I found it very funny, yet so cool.So the ride home I tried to fill in all the gaps for Larry and Jenny that are left out of trailjournals, things like background and what not. It was so enjoyable to see someone so interested in something I was doing. So we got home and I met their son Justin, great guy with his head on his shoulders. So we ate dinner and just hung out for a while. Later, the guys made their way to the Xbox for a few rounds of blowing things up. I'm really glad my day off is tomorrow because my leg is in some bad shape. God, you knew this was going to happen, what's the plan? After hitting the internet for a while I then called Keri and then hit the sack.donuts---peanut butter---stuffed shells, salad
Date: 2006-06-04
From: Jenny's House

To: Jenny's House
Miles today: 0.0

Today I got to go to the family's church, Tenth Presbyterian. It's located in downtown Philly, which was cool to go through, probably more because I can now say I've been to Philly. So today was the day I was finally going...oops...nevermind...I'm omitting this part of the journal. I hope it kills you all in wondering what this section contains, but you won't ever find out. WWWWHAHAHAHAhahahahaha <--- (evil sounding laugh)The church service was great, it was on the Last Supper. One of the things that really stuck out to me was the singing. Sure, there was over 1,000 people in this amazing building with awesome acoustics and a 7 piece brass ensemble in the loft, but once everyone was singing the hyms it was as if the building shook. It was really something wonderful to be a part of.After the service we went home and ate lunch. Then the guys played a little more Xbox, their mission being, since it was Sunday, to pass on Bibles to those in need in North Korea under the guise of the U.S. Millitary. I jest. This family is real cool. I've only known them for about two days now but I feel so comfortable around them. I mean come on, how comfortable must you be in order to talk openly about chafing problems. I rest my case.So Justin, Jenny, and I experimented with my new poncho tarp out on the lawn, it worked pretty good. Later on, Jenny and I went through all my gear and she took notes on everything. She really wants to do some sort of hiking on the A.T. and her time is soon coming. And she'll do it, I can tell. All one needs is the drive and she has plenty of that. Later, they treated me to dinner at a Japanese Steakhouse. Yeah, those places are like the best places in the world, they are sure taking care of me.So the whole family is in Karate, something I know nothing about. So to help remedy that I was given some sweet private lessons when we got home. I will admit, I felt a bit out of place initially but soon I found myself mutating into a martial arts machine. I joke. But it was fun. I even got to use sticks as weapons.So tomorrow I have a doctor's appointment of which I've been reminded of over and over again all day long, at the expense of my dignity, because, supposedly, the doctor I'm seeing tomorrow about my chafing is 28 years old and is beautiful. It makes good comedy. All I can think about is this dirty hiker walking up to a supermodel doctor, dropping his draws and saying, "Check out this wicked chafing." If there are any single guys out there I'll let you use that pickup line, free of charge.baked eggs---steak, peas, parmesian pasta---steak, chicken, veggies, rice, shrimp, salad, sherbert - Bonzi
Date: 2006-06-05
From: Jenny's House

To: Jenny's House
Miles today: 0.0

I decided to take another zero day today because my leg hurt so bad. My ankle looked like Momma's ankle, being as swollen as it was.Regardless of it being another zero day, I had to wake up early because today was...(que the doom's day music)...dirty hiker goes to supermodel doctor day.So Jenny drives me over to the clinic and I get checked in, fill our the necessary paper work, and then after a short wait I was ushered off to a small room to wait my turn for the doctor to visit.Now, I'd been in those rooms before. It usually gets pretty boring in there. You run out of stuff to read and then pictures on the wall that were once interesting to look at are now grossing you out. So, being as bored as I was, I decided to snoop a bit. The drawers are always full of things. So usually you can hear people walking around outside in the hall so getting caught snooping is usually never a problem. Well, this doctor must have been trained in the art of stealth and I had only seconds to shut the drawer I was peaking in before she opened the door, preceded only by 3 quick knocks. But since I have cat like reflexes I was never caught in the act.The doctor was a young lady who seemed rather shy. She seems real young to be a doctor. She was pretty, I guess, in that Princess Diaries type of way, but Keri has her beat hands down. Regardless, I had a female doctor working on my nether region.She first examined my leg and said that she thought I strained the muscle casing and gave me IB-profren for that. But with the rash and chafing she declared war. She took one look and then wrote me 3 perscriptions, she really wanted to nuke the stuff. So it turns out that I'll live, though my wallet got a lot lighter.So after a quick stint home, Jenny and I filled my perscription, got some mountain house at Dick's sporting goods, then got some groceries at the store. Jenny was very kind and paid for my food. This family is just giving me one blessing after another.So we got home and Justin and I played Ghost Recon for a bit before I updated my trailjournals. Later, Larry came home from work so we all ate dinner together before he had to head out for night school. For the rest of the night I tried to figure out how to fit everything I had into my new backpack. Jenny and I talked through the 90 minute process. She's a very to the point person, and I think that's great. We talked about a lot of things that had depth to them which is always fun.Later on, Larry came home from school and told us about the funny events of the day. I won't say anymore besides "The Moneeeey".So we figured out the plan of action for tomorrow and then the guys ministered to the North Koreans one last time, it was bravery at its best. I'm gonna miss this place. I hope that we all stay in contact and don't just face apart as the miles grow between us. They are truly a God fearing and loving family. It was very refreshing to be around them during my stay.apple jacks, pop-tart------bean and rice burritos x3, salad, chips
Date: 2006-06-06
From: Jenny's House

To: Pochuck Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: light rain

Well, today I get back on the trail. I thought it wouldn't be as hard but it just seems any time off makes it hard to get back on. Kind of like enjoying lunch break but then having to go back to work. Same idea but multiply the severity by 1,000 and that's close to how I feel. I did, however, sleep in today.I was able to wake up at 8:30am, take a shower, then packed up all my stuff. I was able to cram it all into my new pack and it felt good too. So I ate breakfast and then it was almost time to leave. I got a picture of "The Ministry of Defense", which consisted of Larry, Justin, and myself. After saying goodbye to Justin, Larry, Jenny, and I took off for the A.T.I used to hate long car rides but out here I love them. The ride was two hours long and I enjoyed every bit of it, well, all accept thinking about how I was moments away from hiking again.So we got to the tail and started hiking. Jenny ended up hiking 7 miles with me while Larry met us at the road crossings to checkup on us. She loved every minute of it. But the part I enjoyed seeing is Larry's face when we met up with him. Jenny would ask if she could go a little further and he said of course. He loved enabling Jenny to have a good time, even if it meant he'd sit in the car for hours on end, he loved the fact that what he did brought joy to his wife. Now that is love. I want to be that unselfish, to where that type of attitude is a natural, unforced, outflow of my being.Larry is good. He even brought us lunch. But soon we came to our last road crossing and was time to say goodbye. I thanked them for everything and then they drove on home. As their car passed I flat out was hit by how much I'm going to miss them. I got choked up and tears poured from my eyes. They did so much for me and just renewed my spirit with their fellowship and all the things we would talk about. They were a great encouragement to me.So I finally made it to the shelter. The leg hurts but I'll live. Tomorrow I might try for 24 miles but we'll see. Thank you God for blessing me.apple jacks, pop-tart, green tea, coffee---cheeseburger, fries, chips, pepsi---chips