morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-05-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: moderate rain

Broke camp this morning and left the campground around 0715 hrs. Headed flown the road and to the trail head. 1.2 mile walk before even hit the trail. We went from 950 ft above sea level to 4200 ft. And more than once we dropped down to go back up. Was a good day hiking but a long hard day. Saw my first bear today. Small cub which I scared and it went running through the woods. Also had a deer jump across the trail about 50 ft in front of me. Lots of small lizards on the trail and they move at least 100 mph. LolLots of thinking today about home and the house. Gonna have to get it in gear when I come home and finish up bunch of projects that are hanging. Kinda feel a little guilty that I not be home to help Andrea with her projects and stuff. Tons of motorcycles on the Blu Ridge Parkway today. Made me think of all the folks heading to DC for the demonstration ride and weekend in DC. Life is good on the trail. Warrior Hike 2014........HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-05-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: moderate rain

Broke camp and headed north around 0730. Nice easy day of hiking with cool breezes and temps. Stop along some outlooks and took some awesome pics. Was great having service in the middle of nowhere. Camp by a nice running stream. Met a couple out hiking with thier two young children. One is 4 and the other 19 mo. They are so cute. Lots of thoughts thru the brain today. Normally would be in DC with Rolling Thunder for the long weekend to pay respects to our fallen brothers and sisters. Oh well. There is next year or maybe this fall. Thought today about people that we have met and wonder if they are still on the trail. Nothing but respect for anyone who tries this and doesn't finish. Not judging them at all. Another good day on the trail. Warrior Hike 2014.......HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-05-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 13.7

Good day of hiking. Crossed the James River foot bridge today. Took a break there and relaxed on the sun for a while. Took our time and hiked into camp around 1730 hrs. Pitched camp and fixed chow. Boy Scouts were in the shelter and camp site. Was nice to see them and thier leaders working well. Hiked with Viking and Scout. Two R's showed up and hiked with us for a while. Was great to see him again. Life is good on the trail. Warrior Hike 2014.......HOOAH SGM
Date: 2014-05-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Crossed the 800 mile mark today as we hiked in Beuna Vista pick up point. Evac was there with beer and pizza for us. We came to the park and the sites were horrible. They let us move to the river and the VFW came and cooked us a great dinner. They took us into town and we picked up some gear. One lady took our dirty laundry home and did it for us. Sitting by the fire tonight relaxing for a whileLife is good on town tonight. Warrior Hike 2014....... HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-05-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

26 May 14 milesLeft campground in Buena Vista this morning after they cooked breakfast for us.Local newspaper reporter used to live in Wendall MA back in the 70's. Some tough hiking today with huge elevation loss and gains. From 910 to 4000 plus. Great views along the way too. Lots going thru the mind today. Thought about myDad a lot. Remembered how 44 yrs ago today I was sworn into the National Guard. Though about my brother Brian Romines who gave all in Iraq in 2005 when he was killed on a convoy we were both on. Thought a lot about all those who have paid the ultimate price since it all began here in MA ack in 1775.   Gave a lot of thought to my 42.5 yrs service in the guard. All the birthdays , anniversaries, schools and etc that I missed. Not sure if I ever told Andrea and the girls how sorry I was to miss all of those and more. It wasn't easy for them having a father and husband that was gone so much with drills, summer camps, and deployments. And even thou I don't always show it I knew Andrea and the girls had my back.For that I thank all of you. My closing thoughts are: I was damn proud of being a Guardsman and a soldier. Proud to have served the United States of America and her people. My only regret is I miss being with the troops. The question I always ask myself is, did I make a difference and did I do enough. It's Memorial Day 2014 on the trail.Warrior Hike 2014.....HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-05-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: light rain

Broke camp this morning and nobo. Hooked up with Double "R" around 1030 and hiked with him for rest of the day. From Texas but worked inGreenfield fora while and owns summer home in Maine. We talk about family a lot and our grandchildren. Told him bout my 3 little ones at home. He agrees time spent with them is important. Told him how I need and want to be a part of Chloe and Masons lives more than I have been. Also this is the second time this has come back around so it needs to be addressed by Jenni and me. We made it to camp in time and as I finished setting up my tent a thunder storm came thru. Sat in my tent bone dry and am doing this as it is passing over. If you are thinking bout backpacking long or short distance do yourself a favor and by a double tent. You and you gear will fit nicely in it. We also climbed our last 4000ft mountain today until we hit Stratton in Vermont. Life is good and a little wet on the trail tonight. Warrior Hike 2014......HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-05-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.7

Another good day of hiking with Double R. We enjoy each other's company and have a lot in common. He owns a Harley but I won't hold that against him. Lol. Had a e mail from my sister today. Good to hear from her and she still loves me. We never been real close or anything. Maybe it's time we work on changing that. Double R and I talked today about keeping lines of communication open with folks. Even if it's me who makes the first move. We talked about religion today. This is the third time it has come to me. Don't know what's there but will find out some time soon.   Talked about our grandchildren today and family. He is planning a bike trip cross country with his grandson next summer if all goes well. Doing okay here but body is starting to get tired and worn. Having pain in left hip and can feel it grinding sometimes. Will play it by ear. Such the life of a hiker. Life is good on the trail.Warrior Hike 2014.........HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-05-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Double R and I woke early and thought it was raining. Was totally covered in clouds. Everything was soaking wet. Broke camp and headed north. Began to rain and trails were in good shape. Litte climbing here and there. Moved right along. 12 miles by 1130hrs for us. Found a listing for free rides at trail head. Steve picked us up in 10 min and brought us into town. Hostel didn't open till 1700. I am in the Quality Inn. Not much thru my brain today. Busy concentrating on staying on my feet today. Some places were slippery as hell. Life is good on the trail. Warrior Hike 2014.....HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-06-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Just to let you all know that I have had a set back and have left the trail to get looked at.I fell hard on the rocks back when we had that real bad rain storm. I came down on my left hip and elbow. Shook it off and went on my way. Since then the pain in my hip has really gotten to the point where I have a hard time walking uphill or downhill. And as those of you that hike, the downhills out here are killers. The Priest really did a number on me the day Double "R" and I came down it.Thought day or two of rest and being off it would help but nothing seemed to help it. Have doctors appointment in the morning and hopefully they can find whats wrong and plan the attack on it from there.Will keep ya all posted when I find out.If its to the point that I can't go back out there, I will be very disappointed but also be very proud of my miles hikes and what I have been able to accomplish and focus my brain on.Its about the journey and not the miles. And for me it has been an awesome journey.Life is good. Get out there and enjoy it.Warrior Hike 2014.......HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-06-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Saw doctor yesterday. Nothing broken or chipped. Just bad bruise. Start PT this morning. Hoping to be back by the 15th of this month. Miss the trail so bad..Adjusted my mileage to reflect what it should be.Home and taking it easy.Warrior Hike 2014.....HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-06-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well, my injury seems to be coming right a long and I am following the program that the doctor has given me. The pain is less and less as time goes by. I am planning on returning and joining the rest of the Warrior Hikers on Fathers Day.Once again I find myself not sleeping a lot since I came off the trail. I still think bout lots of things. Not as clear as I do on the trail but I still think a lot.Today is the 70th anniversary of D Day. The day many fought and gave all. They fought and won. They helped save and change the world. We owe the Greatest Generation a debt which we can never repay. Thank you my brothers and sisters.Today also marks 9 yrs that my friend and brother SGT. Brian Romines was killed in Iraq. He was part of our convoy escort as we were heading back to Abu Grauib Prison from Anaconda. I think about him everyday. I wear a KIA bracket in honor of him. I also wear it so I will never forget. When I get back on the trail I will walk and I will think about him. Maybe I will find the answer to a question that has bugged me for 9 yrs. Why him and not me. I would have switched places in a heart beat with him. He was only 19. Anyhow.Life is good and I am on the mend.Warrior Hike 2014.....HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-06-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Back on the trail after a two week rest and healing of a bad hip bruising.Andrea and I came to PA and hooked up with the other Warrior Hikers. We were treated to a BBQ with the folks from the ATC Museum. Was a good time.We were then brought to the Marine Corp League in Chambers burg for a few drinks, sharing of brotherhood and then took part in a Retreat Ceremony that they do daily from Flag Day till July 4th. They rotate it around town to different locations.Lost a lot of hiking capacity being off the trail for 2 weeks. Feet have blisters on them once again and skin is peeling off. It will come back.Was sad to see the Mrs SGM drive off that evening after the BBQ. I so bad wanted to yell for her to come back and ride back home with her. Its hard to let go of the ones ya love.Anyhow, its good to be back on the trail. When I sit in my tent at night, its like I have never left. I missed it so, but I miss home and my family too.When I left, my family had done me right and made me proud.Life is good on the trail.Warrior Hike 2014.......HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-06-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: clear sky

Big day today. Officially past the half way point this morning. Quite an accomplishment. I still have 200 miles to come back and do. Stopped at the store at the museum where hikers do the half gallon ice cream challenge. I passed. I did mine when I was home. Thought about certain people today and just how small and controlling they are or want to be. Unreal. But anyhow these are people I have removed from my truck and that's the way it goes. Not much else came to mind today. Just hating the rocks on the trail. I swear god dropped all the left over rocks in PA went he built the world. Life is good on the trail. Warrior Hike 2014.... HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-06-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 12.0

Slept on the trail last night after pounding down 17+ miles yesterday. Hiked 12 miles today into Boiling Springs. Was a good day of hiking. We are at a Warrior Hike supporter by the name of Scott. He has opened his basement up to us for the evening. We have a huge flat screen TV, hot tub and shower.Didn't really think about much today except who you can count on as your true friends and the rest are just phonies and were never really friends to begin with.Again as I put it, its about who you keep in your truck and who you want in your life and who you don't.Life is good on the trail.Warrior Hike....2014 HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-06-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: clear sky

Left Boiling Springs this morning after a great evening at Scott's house. We proceeded to hit the valley and head north. Travel was flat and made great time. Stopped at the ATC farm and ate lunch there. Started to rain so stopped and took short nap. Then moved on in the rain and made it to the shelter. Spending the night in the shelter. It stopped raining after a while and now the sun is out. Thought about lot of things today. Biggest thing today is the up coming events this weekend. After last weekend with the BBQ with the ATC folks which was painful for us we don't want a repeat performance of it. I be trying to keep an open mind but it's hard. They take and put us on a pedestal and make us something out to be that we're not. We did what was asked of us and that's all. Will wait and see what happens. If it goes the wrong way it will continue to take away from what the hike is about to turning into a commercial. Not what I be looking for here. Will have to make a decision when that happens. Shelter a camp are full of thru hikers. First time in a long time I seen this many. Some old friends and lots of new one. Some will go into town with us in the morning.   Life is good on the trail. Warrior Hike.....2014SGM
Date: 2014-06-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

Spent last night in a shelter since it was there when I arrived. Was also raining so I made the choice. Met a family from Kentucky who is hiking nobo. She home schools the two daughters as they hike. Met Scott at two miles iny the hike and he had coffee and sandwiches from Micky Ds for us. Also brought three friends to hike with us. Hiked and saw some great views. Got into town and Mary picked us up. Went to the Doyle for lunch. Old hotel in town that is just the way it was when they built it. Some of the guys stayed there. Fire trucks took as for a ride thru town twice while we were heading to events. Was pretty neat. Met Rob from last yrs hike. Was finally good to meet him. Fred showed up in town and hung out with usThat's all for now. Life is good on the trail. Warrior Hike 2014......HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-06-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: broken clouds

Left Duncannon at 1230hrs today. Spent the night at Mary's place. She cooked us a huge breakfast and then we packed up and went downtown for Trail Day I was the speaker for Warrior Hike and spoke for about 10 min. Short and sweet then we headed north. Most of the crew were tired and under the weather so it wasn't a huge hike today. Will hit it hard tomorrow. Ran into my ole hiking partner " double r" today. Was good to see him. Had just had a tooth pulled and took extra day off the trail to make sure he was ok. Thought bout few things today. Thought bout Andrea and the great job she doing holding down the fort alone once again. She is a remarkable woman when she wants to be. Glad she has stood by me thru it all. Life is good on the trail. Warrior Hike 2014....HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-06-22
From: 5 miles north of Duncannon PA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: broken clouds

Broke camp this morning and headed nobo. Cowboy camped side the trail with Viking, Big Foot, and Stich. No water at the site so we carried extra water for 13 miles. Thought bout lots of things today. Viking and I talked about the final day of this journey come Sep. told him I am scared for that day. We have 81 days till we summit and soon it will start to fly by. Something wonderful is coming to and end and I don't want to see it end. Thought bout how good it will be to see my family when we hit Greylock next month. Even tho I just saw them I miss them all so much. My hip is doing fine and no pain at all. I stretch it all day long when I take a break. The feet are doing better. I am back to the shoes the program gave us and with insoles I am walking okay. Life is good on the trail. Warrior Hike.....2014.      HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-06-23
To: Lickdale, PA
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: broken clouds

Hiked to Rt 72 and got a ride from a Marine Vet. At the days inn showered and cleaned. Getting ready to resupply for five days. 76 miles to Walnutport PA for our next event. Then we are only 39 miles from Jersey. Hiked with Viking again today. Was good time. Started out be getting the hell scared out of us both as artillery fire from Indian Town Gap let loose first thing this morning. Brought back memories of great times. Then we could hear the ranges firing later in the morning. The religion thing and God came back to me this morning. I thought about the fact of where I am and can do everyday. Walking through this beautiful country side and seeing it all. We saw bear triplets this morning. Mama was no where to be seen but we best feet anyhow. I thought about myself and how my injury and health are doing fine. If God hasn't had a hand in that I don't know what he has his hands in. We are going shopping for 5 days worth of food. Food bag will be heavy for sure. Life is good. Warrior Hike 2014.......HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-06-24
To: Hertline campsite. mile 1195.2
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: heavy intensity rain

Left Days Inn this morning. Saw a soldier sitting in his van at Dunkins and asked him for a ride 2 miles up the road. At first he said no but when we told him we were both vets he said get in the back of the van. Awesome. As we hiked nobo we could hear the artillery firing on Indiantown Gap. Sound of freedom even though it did freak me out when the first round went off. Hiked with Viking all day and met few other hikers along the way. Damn rocks here are horrible. Slows us way down. Just get tired of having to step on them. Pain in the ass. Thought about lots of things today. Andreas health came to me. Glad she is getting her hip fixed. It's been way to long. She has put it off for over a year. Hoe she also gets the paleo diet thing squared away. She needs to eat healthy and get healthy. I want her around for a long time. She ado needs to be there for her children and grandchildren. Also thought about in another week we will be in NJ. Then moving right along checking off states. I like it but again it will be bitter sweet. Anyhow, life is good on the trail. Warrior Hike 2014....... HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-06-25
From: Hertline campsite. mile 1195.2

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: broken clouds

Broke camp and headed nobo around 0715 hr. Cloudy and humid but no rain.obe right along knowing today was gonna be a long haul. I swear PA collected all the rocks the rest of the world did not want. They just reach up and grab your souls of your boots and mess you up. Went pass the 1200 mile mark today. Another accomplishment for sure. Even though it was surrounded with rocks. Thought again more about homel and all. Excited to know as much as I don't want this to end, I wanna come home to my family. This journey has made me realize just how important they really are to me. That also goes for my extended family too. Sitting in the Port Clinton hotel right now. We hiked 18 miles today and got into town ahead of the bad weather. Quite a few hikers here for the same reason. I been giving my feet a good rub down. Haven't had feet hurt like this ever. Damn rocks. It's pouring and thundering out right now. Bad storms for next three hours or so. Good to see so many hikers tonight. Some I have known since I started this journey. Others I met tonight. It's cool to run into people you thought were ahead of you but their not. The bible comes and goes and is always moving north. Out bubble don't move as fast as others because of the events we have to make. Kinda upsets me at times. Some days I think of going rougue and just skip an event and just push on. Thinking bout the 4 July event due to the fireworks. Time will tell. Hiker appitite is coming back. Killed bucket of 18 wings then a Oreo Sunday to top it off. Will be starving in an hour.   Did I tell you bout the rocks here in PA?Not much else to talk about. Millions of thoughts go through my brain everyday that I hike. Need to find the switch and turn it off for a while. Life is good and very wet and rocky on the trail right now. I did talk about the rock didn't I?   Lol. Warrior Hike 2014......HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-06-26
To: Eckville Shelter. 1228.5 miles
Miles today: 14.8

Left the Port Clinton Hotel this morning an headed nobo. Made good choice getting a room last night. Tremendous thunderstorms for four hrs last night. Rivers are running high today. Tough climb out of town today. Huge hills and more rocks. Did I mention the rocks? Met some old friends along the trail today and made new friends.Viking and I talked today about people we don't need or want in our lives anymore. Told him how I cleaned house months ago and just dumped them. One of the Warrior Hikers is fast getting ready to be dropped from my list. Have found out several things and my thoughts have been confirmed. He is so childish. I stay away from him. Not much else today. Oh ya, saw my first copperhead snake today. Was sunning itself in the rocks today. See, damn rocks are good for something. Some guys have seen huge rattlers on the trail. Care taker of the shelter just passed out cool pops. Awesome. Ice cold and tasty. Savoring the flavor for sure. I am sleeping in a 6 bed shelter that is owned by the state of PA. Sent a email to Days Inn Hq for being treated like dirt and told no hikers price. We met a female hiker who got the hiker price. I wasn't happy at all. Life is good on the trail. Warrior Hike 2014.........HOOAH SGM
Date: 2014-06-27
From: Eckville Shelter. 1228.5 miles

To: View Entry
Miles today: 7.0

Hiking today turned very painful as my left foot was hurting with every step. The rocks did all they could to make the seven miles I hiked a very hard earned seven miles.Viking and I came out to a road and there was a pub in sight. Went there for something cold to drink. Another hiker I met the day before was leaving the trail and heading home. We talked and I said I too needed to get off the trail and get my foot looked at.Anyhow, after going to the ER, having treatment for severely infected blister on my left foot I was told no prolonged walking for three weeks.So for all that followed my journey and offered words of encouragement I say thank you. For those that read a posted negative comments on what I wrote, all I can say is you didn't have to read my journal. If you never hiked the AT or anything like it you have never felt the emotional roller coaster that one goes through. I wrote about how I felt and what passed through my mind that day.Life is good and its good to be home.Warrior Hike 2014.....HOOAHSGM
Date: 2014-02-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: snow

Over the years I have hiked a lot on the AT. One thing that always remained constant was my excitement and enthusiasm for starting another hike. In 2010 a health issue took most of my energy and stamina. I have been working hard to regain what I lost. Physically I'm not where I was five years ago, but I am close enough to go hiking. Now the years are passing incredible fast. I'm 71 now and I hear the mountains calling again. I approach this hike with the same excitement and enthusiasm I had in the past. The heart is more than ready, but will the body and head buy in for another AT hike. Stay tuned and we will find out together.
Date: 2014-02-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I don't plan to buy a lot of new gear. Same pack, tent, stove, and sleeping bag. It has all preformed great so I see no reason to change. If I can preform, as well as, my equipment I will be ok. I did buy a Sawyer water filter. In the past I used a Steripen and it worked ok. It seems like the Sawyer might be more efficient.