morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-17
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: Alex Kennedy Shelter
Miles today: 25.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Allright, what a day man. I get up early; walking and enjoying theearly morning peace and solitude and I come around a corner andhear a loud growl. Two HUGE dogs; the one in front seamed a littleupset. I didn't take his morning meal so why he was mad at meis a good question. I backed up; grabbed my hiking pole and waitedfor the charge. The one in back didn't seemed to interested and bothtook off the other way. A dream maybe?? The true halfway point is here; Pine Grove Furnace with the ice cream challenge. The store was closed but there was hope; @ PA 34 thereis a country store with ice cream and food. Smile on my face I arrivedthere in mid afternoon and chilled for a while; the usual. Shorts,Paladin and JR showed up and I watched them do the half gallon challengewhile I ate hamburgers and everything else in the store. How somebodydid eat a half gallon in 4 minutes and 30 seconds is beyond me. Great day; hiked till dark and another great day on the AT. "Sweet memories,   I never thought it would be like this,   reminding me,   just how close   I came to missing,   I know that,   this is the way for me to go,   you'll be there    when you know   what I know"    RUSH    Peace ya'll
Date: 2005-05-18
From: Alex Kennedy Shelter

To: Darlington Shelter Area
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: clear sky

   The sweet Cumberland Valley!! Here in Pennsylvania, you come outof the mountains and into a huge farm valley. The ATC bought 90 or soproperties so the trail could shoot thru the valley to the next ridge.Farm, flat hiking and a little different. I can't see coming thru hearin mid summer.   Got to Boiling Springs, ate some grub. The B's , Shorts and myselfchillin. Hard to get going. Very lazy day.   More food @ I-11; a great diner. Great food and great prices.Man, I ate about a little of everything and took some in my packfor the road.   The highlight of the day was Saratoga the horse. The trail went across some private land and there were two beautiful horses grazingnearby. When I walk across private land I mind my own business and getto the other side. So once I got across I stopped and whipped out the camera and took some pictures. One horse came over real quick; laterlearned he was a show horse from the past and his nickname wasHollywood. The owner came out and told his story; a showhorse thatwon many contests in the day. Make a long story short, I got a picturewith Hollywood. What a cool horse.   Flowers are exploding; life is good on the AT.   Take care everybody!
Date: 2005-05-19
From: Darlington Shelter Area

To: Doyle Motel/ Duncannon
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: broken clouds

   Sitting here in Duncannon; drinking some beer and playing somepool with Scarecrow, Shorts, Paladin, the B's, Will and Amy and others   Have to make this short; hiked into this awesome town early. Stayingat the Doyle and heading out in the A.M.   Brother Don is coming into town for a day and looking forward to seeing him.    Gotta go; time for Pizza. You all will understand. Food first andthen journal second.   Bye bye and Peace!!
Date: 2005-05-20
From: Doyle Motel/ Duncannon

To: PA 325/Clarks Valley
Miles today: 17.5

   Allright, got out of Duncannon, which is a hard thing todo. Man, what a place. The Doyle Hotel is a blast and withrain and mist hanging oustside it was tempting to stayand take a zero.   Had an awesome breakfast across from the Doyle, a place calledGoodies I think. The B's were stayin another day and will meetthem down the road a bit.   Saw some bear scratching marks on a couple of low trees today,so maybe I will see one soon. Locals have said the next 100 milesor so might be a good chance to see one so we will see.   Halfway thru the day I met up with a dude named Rexdog who washeading south. He had done the thru hike in 02 I believe and hadthis section left to finish his hike. Congrats to him and what away to end a thru hike; @ Duncannon and the Doyle. Sure hehad a few beers @ the Doyle.   Anyway, met my older Bro Don @ 325; great to see him. He was inthe area to see an old college friend. Going hit a few sportsbarsnear Harrisburg and take a zero Sat. Trying to catch up with newsfrom home; that world seems so far away.   The rocks of Pennsylvania are starting to show their face; enjoying it though. Good times climbing over and around; love thatstuff.   Life is good!
Date: 2005-05-21
From: PA 325/Clarks Valley

To: PA 325/ Clarks Valley
Miles today: 0.0

Taking a zero; don't know where I am @ but taking a zero! Somewhere close to Harrisburg, Cumberland County somewhere. Beautiful day out; Don and I are going to take in the town,eat some food, try and catch a little sports somewhere. Will be heading out early in the A.M.(Some college hear is having graduation so the place is a madhouse). Peace to all!To Mom or Dad- - - In my next drop; send some more music tapes. I'lllet you choose............THANKS
Date: 2005-05-22
From: PA 325/ Clarks Valley

To: William Penn Shelter
Miles today: 24.3
Weather: overcast clouds

   Bro Don dropped me off where I left off @ PA 325 on Friday. I did find out where the h*** I was @ yesterday; outside of Harrisburgin a sleepy little town called Carlyle (think I spelled that wrong).Dickinson College is here and it is a cool college town. PennState is 70 miles nearby.   Can't say enough about the day spent with older Bro.....wentto a sports bar and sat on a bar stool all day; sipping on Molson'sand doing the usual with Don. We covered about every topic youcan think of from the demise of Randy Johnson's fastball to thevery meaning of life. We had the whole place to ourselves; a verypeaceful and cool afternoon.( Plus got a chance to rest the feetand such). Sounds like you came out here bro and opened someold doors with an old girlfriend from college; and closed someother doors. 20 years is a long time; I've been there before.It is a shame that sometimes grudges or lack of communication can cause long rifts like that. (The Who and Stevie Ray blastingin the car was sweet!!!!} Anyway, the clouds cleared; the sun appeared and the hikingwas a gas. The B's are a day back or so and it seems I am ina void at the moment. But on the AT, that changes quick. Up here in the William Penn Shelter ( I think he was the dudewho founded Pennsylvania or something like that). Have the secondlevel to myself and the eyes are getting heavy..................- - Tom , heard they closed your base down????? What the f*** isgoing on????? Hope things go smooth and will call you soon.....
Date: 2005-05-23
From: William Penn Shelter

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 29.0
Weather: light rain

   Let's see, like usual just got up and started walking north.One of the million of cool things out here is the freedom to justwalk; with really nowhere or noplace in mind to arrive at. Mostof the days out here I don't even plan much until late inthe afternoon; then mother nature or my body speaks. (Or the B'shave a plan)   Speaking of the B's, I am going to chill @ Port Clinton andwait for them to catch up a bit. I am not sure where they are at;should see them soon.   Rocks, rocks and some more rocks. The Pennsylvania rocks geta bad name from a lot of hikers. They really are no worse thenthe rocks in Missouri; the Tom Sauk Trail has lots of anklebenders. The thing about these here in Penn is that sometimesyou may be walking on nothing but rocks; some pretty jaggedand huge. My shoes are getting shredded; but they are protectingthe feet which is a good thing. Having a little game with therocks; I count how many I can hop on until I jab my foot or touchdirt. What a gas!!   Make a long story short I got to Eagle Nests Shelter, about 9miles from Port Clinton. Why stay here?? The trail is dry andPort Clinton has food and beer. In other words, time to go.Laughing, stumbling and almost falling down that last hillI finally got into town @ dark. Walked by the fire station anda few boys were having some cold ones. "What are you looking for"they asked and I said some food and drink. Next thing I knowI am @ the Port Clinton fireman's bar and grill, drinking somebeer and having pizza. Thank you guys for the hospitality andfor the beers you bought me.   Scarecrow and Paladin were also here; they stumbled into the barand then we slept @ the town Pavilion.   Life is good!!
Date: 2005-05-24
From: Port Clinton

To: Hamburg
Miles today: 0.0

   This day was so crazy and fun; another typical cool day on the AT.   Went on the Yuengling Beer Tour today; a gentleman from Port Clinton took myself, Scarecrow and Paladin to the tour in Pottsville, PA. Lo and Behold, guess who shows up....... Tripodwith 8 or so other thru hikers from all over the trail. KBand SB where in that crowd and we all freaked. They wherepicked up @ the 501 shelter; I'll be taking a zero so theycan get to Port Clinton.( Good to see Hippie among others;what a trip!!).   If this it too confusing for you all then don't worry becauseit is for me. I have a hard enough time trying to remember whichway is north and which way is south   Right now I am here in another sleepy town called Hamburg; lotsof small restaurants and eatery's. Pennsylvania has some greatsmall towns; ones that are alive and really cool. Someone told methat Pennsylvanin is #1 in the country with the number of peoplewho are born here and also live their whole life here. I cansee why; pretty cool place.    Take care!!   "Still,   halfway up the hill   my fingers may bleed,   but I've got to get there   still,   standing on the hill,   my spirit's released   but I've got to get there   still"   Geddy Lee   Peace
Date: 2005-05-25
From: Hamburg

To: Hamburg
Miles today: 0.0

You know, taking a nice stroll into Hamburg today I realizedsomething really cool. No longer do I notice all the noise andconfusion; the signs saying buy this, sell this, eat here, gothere, stop here, join this, vote for me, read this, drivethis, watch me, slow down here, etc. The sounds of the windand the sounds of the trees moving with the wind; the smellsof spring (one of the senses that has gotten a lot stronger,the sense of smell), watching the birds and animals move about.The AT is in me; 100 percent in me and that is a good thing!! Relaxing today; going to check out a bookstore here and someof the cafe's about town. Heading out in the A.M.; Jerseyis around the corner. There is some kind of a Nor-eastern frontstalled up here; cool and misty. Thanks for the support and what is up Grunt?? Good to hearfrom you man. " Kathy I said as we boarded    a Greyhound in Pittsburgh,   Michigan seems like a dream to me now,   it took me four days   to hitchhike from Saginaw,   I've come to look for America".   Simon & Garfunkel
Date: 2005-05-26
From: Hamburg

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: overcast clouds

   The B's made it in yesterday afternoon; I was playing some pinball@ the Microtel and I hear that voice......"they even let hiker scumin here". They had hiked in from the last shelter I believe.   The usual was on the menu; watched some tube; swapped some storiesand got some ice cream across the street.   While @ the ice cream place, lo and behold who comes on in butWill and Amy. Will is going home to a summer camp job and both aregetting off the trail. Great kids; they plan on finishing thetrail next year I believe. Good luck guys and hopefully we canstay in touch.   Late, late start. Myself and the B's had a huge meal @ the3'C's diner in Port Clinton; went to the Peanut and Candy shopwhich was really cool. Got to the Ecksville Shelter late and setup tents in a field next to the shelter   Not much else to say; great day and what a beautiful eveningto tent. The caretaker @ the shelter warned of bears; wouldn't thatbe cool. Tired of mice getting the food; the bears need to get theirs too. Peace
Date: 2005-05-27
From: Eckville Shelter

To: George Outerbridge Shelter
Miles today: 24.2
Weather: few clouds

   Man, walking on the rocks in Pennsylvania is quite the thing. It ain'tthe big ones you can see but the small ones that you can't see. We didsome really cool rock climbing today @ the cliffs and Bake Oven area.(And I mean some two hands and both legs type of climbing).    The whole area here is a result of glacial movement many yearsago in the area. The glacier inches forward; stops and retreats leavingthese huge piles of rocks and boulders in places you wouldn't evendream of. Being this is the furthest point south on the AT of thelast movement the rocks area very jagged and point on all directions.It is almost like God or whoever took a pile in his hands and said"I'll drop some here; a little there and have some fun".   Did some more night hiking and was a great night for it. SB isfeeling sour; sore throat and the such but she is a trooper man.Got to the shelter @ about 10:30 or so; greeted by two growling dogsthat finally came around and became friends of everyone.   Good night................................
Date: 2005-05-28
From: George Outerbridge Shelter

To: PA 33/ Wind Gap
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: overcast clouds

   What a crazy day; little bit of everything. Knew that Palmerton wasclose and that means a few pancakes; eggs; juice; potatoes; toast;milk and a little bacon. Hiked into town and while walking downmain street a gentleman pulls over and offers a ride to the diner.On the way he explains the mining history of this area; I knewof the zinc clean up and the lead problems of the past around here.News travels quick on the trail and drinking the water out of springsand such is frowned upon. But from what he said things have cleanedup a bit since they had the problems.   Two beautiful Russian Orthodox Catholic churches reside in this town. Dad,I know you will appreciate the pictures when I get them up. One ofthe churches is closed; has the old pointed towers(I forgot what theycall them). Lots of history here for this old mining town.   Anyway, was to meet the B's in town but we didn't cross paths. Gota ride out of town and climbed out of Lehigh Gap. Man, what a climb.1000 ft. of pure rock climbing in a half mile; exposed and just plainfun. What wasn't so fun was the heavy cold rain that hit that afternoon.Tripping over rocks and singing in the rain as they say I made it toWind Gap.   Ahhh.........laying here in an old motel; feet sore a bit and bodysore a bit. Life is good.............................................   **What is up Wells and Kado.........we wonder where you guys are@ ............you b******!!! Keep trucking my friends.      "it's a great day to      throw your head back,      and kiss it all goodbye".            The Cure
Date: 2005-05-29
From: PA 33/ Wind Gap

To: Delware Water Gap
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: scattered clouds

   Sitting here @ Tripods house in Jersey; don't know how I gothere No, really got to DWG; Tripod sent his crew out to pick upmyself and Bill, another thru hiker from Kentucky. Once againTripod picked up hikers from all over for a Memorial Day bash@ his house across in Jersey somewhere.   (Dude, thanks for everything. All the rides; food ; beer andlaughs man).   Going to take it easy for a few days; need some new shoes as minegot ripped in Pennsylvania. Even with all the rocks I loved the hikingthere. Challenging it was; but something different. The towns and thepeople in this state reallly stand out.   Got to go; will be in DWG area for a few; waiting for the B's andresting a bit. (And the B's were @ the bash, what a trip).   Take care!!
Date: 2005-05-30
From: Delware Water Gap

To: Deleware Water Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

   To everybody out there; have a cool and fun Memorial Day anddon't forget those who have sacrificed themselves for the better goodout there; whatever that may be.   Chillin here for a few days; going to relax and enjoy the weatherand good times.       Hello to Harry ( trail rat); loved your state man. And goodluck to your Vikings this year. Pennsylvania was a gas; great peoplehere man and thanks to everybody for the rides and smiles. Everyhandshake and every pat on the back helps everyone out here.      Almost went to see that Star Wars movie last night; and speakingof Darth Vader and the such hopefully my beloved Oakland Raiders will put some beatings on some people this year. Maybe they canwin one more for the old man.      Anyway, hello to Tom, Jackie, Mara and Ryan out there in So.Cal. And hello to everyone else!!       **From on of the best concerts I ever saw;         the overlaying dreamlike guitars,         and the clarity and musical talent**      "It's a perfect day,      for dreams come true,      for thinking big,      and doing anything      you want to do".      The Cure
Date: 2005-05-31
From: Deleware Water Gap

To: DWG
Miles today: 0.0

   Hey, taking it easy for a couple; good time for a little breakand a chance to check out the area.   Did a couple of day hikes today; one along the Deleware Riverand also took a road back up to a killer view that I saw comingdown the AT Sunday. Relaxing, dreaming, thinking and just plaingoofing off!   Thanks for the goodies Mom and Dad in the drop; love thosecookies and thanks for taking care of all that stuff.   Life is good on the AT!!
Date: 2005-06-01
From: DWG

To: DWG
Miles today: 0.0

   Finally got a chance to see Stars Wars; not a crazy fan ofthe series but it is very entertaining. Took a bus from DWG tothe Stroud Mall. ( Man, that was a trip. Once again all the peoplewere a little freaky). But once the lights went down and I dippedinto my extra large popcorn, things were cool. Good movie; notto sure what was going on but entertaining.   Leaving in the A.M.; into to Jersey and onward to Maine. Man,just the word Jersey is kind of weird. This whole thing is flyingby. What happened to May?? Looking @ some of the earlier pictureswith the snow and ice seems like a dream.    Having a blast; the B's are in town and talk to you all sometimedown the road in New York! (Did I say New York)??      "three little birds, on my doorstep,   singing a melody so pure and true,   this is a message for you".   The great Bob Marley   Peace
Date: 2005-06-02
From: DWG

To: YMCA Campground
Miles today: 18.1

   Allright, enjoyed the couple of days off; good for the bodyand soul.    When I was @ the mall yesterday checking out Star Wars, itoccurred to me why walking the AT is so relaxing. Needed to usethe bathroom in the mall; walked to the first one and it was closedfor painting. Cool, no problem. There has to be another facilityin the mall. Asked a security dude and he pointed down to the otherend. Ten minutes later I get to the second one and it is closed forcleaning. Almost laughing my a** off I asked another employee ifthere was a tree or bush outside. I'm serious; he got a kick outof that. 20 minutes later I found an open bathroom @ the Searsautomotive store. Ahhhhh............relief. And people wonderwhy we are so happy out here in the woods. Here comes the urge;turn and do your thing........no questions and no holy searchesfor a bathroom.   Anyway, great day again; met up with Hippie as she is out fora week or so chillin. We got to the YMCA camp area; and while waitingfor the B's a group of a hundred or so kids came stomping by. Theywere amazed with our journey; spent some time talking to them aboutthe trail.    Life is good......................
Date: 2005-06-03
From: YMCA Campground

To: Mashipacong Shelter
Miles today: 19.8
Weather: clear sky

   Jersey baby, hiking in New Jersey. When you say New Jersey I knowthat most people think of bright red lakes with tires and cars floatingeverywhere. How wrong you are. This part of Jersey is beautiful; nicelakes and great views everywhere. It is the Garden State; many rollingfarms and flowers everywhere. Cool stuff.   Hippie, the B's and myself hooked up and hiked all day. KB and SBare seeing snakes everyday out here. One thing that is missing isthe copperheads; supposed to be some out here but I have yet tosee one. Also bears are everywhere in Jersey and New York; butstill haven't seen one. One local explained the abundance of bearsup here. They didn't allow hunting of black bears for years; I thinkhe said last year they opened it up again so maybe that is whythey ain't around.   The humidity is starting to roll in; summer is here. Mid afternoonit started to sprinkle which turned into a solid downpour by thetime we got to the shelter. There was a group there allready; and in that group was baby! Pretty cool; a section hiker was takingher baby (named Cody) out for a day or two. Can't say I have spenta night @ a shelter with a baby and probaby won't again. (At leastthe baby didn't snore)    Goodbye and sweet dreams.   "sleep comes like a drug,   in God's country,   sad eyes and crooked crosses,   in God's country"         U2
Date: 2005-06-04
From: Mashipacong Shelter

To: Jim Murray Cabin Area
Miles today: 12.2

   High Point State Park; that is where we spent this great dayon the AT. It is a state park in Jersey next to the trail witha beach; showers; food; swimming and everything else. So you knowthe B's and myself (Hippie was to meet us further up the trail)could not pass this up. After a couple of burgers, some ice cream,cheese fries, a hot shower, some swimming, some laying on the beach,and more cheese fries we had to head on five or so hours later.I almost talked them into camping there   There is a lot of lakes and parks up this way close to the AT andyou know I will try and find them all. A lazy day indeed and smilesall around here. We finally got walking and made it to the "secretshelter". A really cool place kind of donated by a gentleman namedJim Murray I believe. Great tenting area; great evening. To top itoff Tripod was there with a few beers and some KFC.    Trying to tent as much as I can with the weather warming up; anotherhumid and warm day out here.    Take care and follow your dreams.
Date: 2005-06-05
From: Jim Murray Cabin Area

To: Close to NY/NJ line
Miles today: 21.4

   Hello and what a cool day. The B's and Hippie and myself are tryingto stay together but it can be hard sometimes. The group vs. individualthing can be tough. Everybody who knows me well knows that I tendto go all different directions sometimes. And out here on the AT thatis a good thing. We try to plan things (KB and I get a laugh outof that) but you wake up and go and make decisions as you go. I callit freedom; the most beautiful thing there is.   Hitched into a country store today; took a break from the heatand humidity. We all ate and drank everything in sight; sat @the back table and almost drained the place of all it's food.   The only problem is going back into the heat. Reminds me a lotof my biking trips; feels good to down a few cold ones and tonsof food but you know the first few miles out in the heat you payfor it.    Got to a Ranger station late in the day. Another cross roads;there was an idea to go to a drive in but we all hiked on tilldark. Found a cool spot near the NY/NJ state line and set up camp.      Eyes are getting heavy, talk @ you all later.   "catch up with the sun   but it's sinking,   racing around    to come up behind you again,   the sun is the same,   in a relative way,   but you're older"   Pink Floyd