morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-06-07
From: Stony Man Parking Area

To: Jeremys Run Trail
Miles today: 15.5

Today was sunny and in the 80¢s. The terrain was excellent. However, the heat and our painful legs and feet slowed us down. I felt like I was hobbling. We are working toward Terrapin Station Hostel where we can have at least a partial day of rest. We hiked between Stony Man Parking Area and where the Jeremys Run Trail goes off to the left. We found a flat spot and pitched our tents. The sunset was beautiful. It is hard to remember a time of being more tired in my life. Physically this is hard word day in and out. Though I still feel very lucky to be able to do it.
Date: 2005-06-08
From: Jeremys Run Trail

To: Compton Gap Trail, Terrapin Station Hostel
Miles today: 15.9

The day was full of good and bad. The good was seeing my first wild black bear. This area of trail is so full of wildlife. Deer, rabbits, snakes, butterflies and all kinds of birds. I¢ve loved seeing them. The bad today has been the bugs. The black flies have been flying directly into my eyes. I can¢t tell you the struggle I had getting them out. And deer ticks were everywhere. I pulled three off my legs. Swamp Fox had a few as well. (None on his butt that I know of, smile.) The heat wave also continued today. The heat really slows the hiking. Along with the foot pain I¢ve been dealing with. We hiked from Jeremys Run Trail to Compton Gap Trail. It was an additional half-mile hike to the Terrapin Station Hostel. I was grateful for the shower and laundry. Sowega, Draggin, Jersey Fresh, Pacer, and Deep Sea were also here. It was great to see lots of hikers again. You see so few thru hikers on the trail now. I¢m planning a day of rest and to cook a feast for everyone tomorrow night. I¢m pooped now and need a full night of sleep.
Date: 2005-06-09
From: Compton Gap Trail, Terrapin Station Hostel

To: Flint Hill, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Today is the day Swamp Fox realizes his weight is down to 135 pounds. I have been struggling with my weight on the trail the same as I did off the trail. After my wonderful three-day stay with Brain Patch and Mandy my weight hit the trail high of a ten-pound weight gain. All bad! I have been cutting back and have managed to lose most of it. Swamp Fox has felt bad stuffing his face in front of me so he has lost way too much weight. I think I convinced him to keep shoveling. A pint of Ben and Jerries will be good for starters. Mike (owner of Terrapin Station Hostel) was awesome today. He brought Swamp Fox and I in to the grocery store, outfitters, liquor store, and out to eat at Jalisco Mexican. The Mexican food was some of the best. I was able to get new shoes. They were on sale too. We resupplied with groceries and bought stuff to make American chop suey. It came out pretty good between Swamp Fox and I working together. Then after dinner Mike took us to Griffin Tavern in Flint Hill, VA. Sowega, Jersey Fresh, and Frank also went. They had a game of bar trivia, which was fun to watch the other play. (I¢m useless with trivia.) There was also music, which was awesome. I continued to pick ticks off myself. The deer ticks are so small and they seem to be everywhere. Today was a much-needed day of rest. My knees are so stiff. Getting started once I¢ve been sitting is actually humorous. I must looks 80 trying to walk. I¢m hurting less today. Good sign I hope.
Date: 2005-06-10
From: Flint Hill, VA

To: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter 
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a nice relaxing 12-mile day. Mike shuttled Frank, Swamp Fox and myself to Manassas Gap and we slack packed back to Campton Gap Trail. Tonight will be my last night at the Terrapin Station Hostel. We had two good ups, with the weather in the 80¢s. I have learned new meaning to sweating. The Jim and Molly Denton Shelter was beautiful. We had lunch there. Mule joined us and we helped him find the hostel.
Date: 2005-06-11
From: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter 

To: Rod Hollow Shelter, Sky Meadows State Park
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we began at Manassas Gap VA55 and hiked to Rod Hollow Shelter. It was a hot, muggy day. I was pretty slow up the first long up but improved as the day went on. I saw a long black snake today. It was in the middle of the trail. I screamed and jumped backwards running into Swamp Fox. It slowly slithered off the trail. We also hiked through the back section of Sky Meadows State Park. It was all open fields. I was bumming they didn¢t allow camping. What a spot to watch the stars. Swamp Fox and I hiked the last half hour to rod Hollow Shelter in the dark. He was way upset with me for keeping him hiking until after dark. But he was over it about a half hour later, after he got settled. We stopped at the blue cooler with trail magic from 6 Funk and Dizzy. The trail magic was at a perfect time. We were so tired. The soda, candy bars and fruit were awesome. Thank you very much. Freeze Dried came to the shelter. Nice to see someone we know. Plus two section hikers were here.
Date: 2005-06-12
From: Rod Hollow Shelter, Sky Meadows State Park

To: Bears Den Hostel
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was a challenging day on a few fronts. First was the heat. It was over 80 degrees and the air was stagnant on all but the peaks. I was slower than usual. We hiked from Rod Hollow Shelter to the Bears Den Hostel, over the majority of the roller coaster. We had eight climbs that were minimally switched backed. They were not huge climbs but it felt like they would never end. And today I confirmed another rumor I¢d heard and that was that B Money has left the trail with a hurt foot. I was so sad. There was a group of us (six) that hiked together for what feels like a lifetime. To see people from the group leave is difficult. I¢m not sure why it is so hard. Juke Box and B Money are gone. Tom Cat and Sowega are ahead. I miss them all. I called my husband tonight. I get homesick at times. Guess tonight is one of them. It is hard to be away from home, family, friends, and all the daily things I do and love. I won¢t be gardening or quilting this summer. No time sitting at waters edge watching my kids swim. No bugging my husband to take time off to play with his wife. As much as I miss my life as I knew it, I am committed to being fitter and completing my hike. This is hard work as well as fun. I feel like I can be a kid out here. I can look for fun at every turn. See new places, meet new people, and wander with a mission.
Date: 2005-06-13
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: Blackburn A.T. center, Harpers Ferry 
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: few clouds

Today we hiked from Bears Dean Hostel to Blackburn A.T. center. We crossed from Virginia into West Virginia. I¢m always excited to enter a new state. Quinn and Caption Patagonia caught us today. We had lunch with a man from England ¢ named English. I saw more hikers today than I¢d seen in a long time. It was fun to catch up with everyone. Swamp Fox was having a difficult day with his right knee. It is swollen and I¢m concerned he may need to get off the trail for a while. I offered to get us a ride to Harpers Ferry to get it checked out. We could hike this stretch afterwards. He refused. He wants to walk into Harpers Ferry. Stubborn man. The Blackburn Center is beautiful. We slept on the porch, which is a huge wrap around porch. There are views into Washington DC from here. They fed us a nice spaghetti dinner and we enjoyed a relaxing evening. I fell asleep at 8 something. Just couldn¢t keep going. We arrived here around 4 PM. By 4:30 the sky opened and it poured; huge thunder and lightening storm. It was awesome to watch it from under cover.
Date: 2005-06-14
From: Blackburn A.T. center, Harpers Ferry 

To: ATC offices , Harpers Ferry, WV
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: haze

Today we hiked form the Blackburn A.T. Center to the trail to the ATC offices in Harpers Ferry, WV. I am psyched to be over 1000 miles; in West Virginia, and registered at the A.T. office! All exciting stuff. Today was near 100 degrees. Hiking was a dripping experience. I was glad to be in town and have a bath. Swamp Fox was actually giggling as we entered Harpers Ferry. This is a huge landmark. Swamp Fox¢s keen is worsening. It is swollen and he struggled to enter town. We got a list about the town from the ATC. And called the first doctor on the list when we reached town. The office had an automated phone system and we couldn¢t get an appt. that day (but did get one the next morning). We called the Hill Top Inn and made reservations. It was a short walk from the ATC. We ate the buffet at the Inn and rested our exhausted bodies. The inn is historic and I think beautiful. I love the stonewalls.
Date: 2005-06-15
From: ATC offices , Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Charlestown
Miles today: 0.0

First thing we got an appt. for Swamp Fox at the doctors. The doctor¢s office seemed efficient. They tried to drain his knee without success. Then sent him for an x-ray. The x-ray machine was at the hospital in Charlestown. We have no car. The bus doesn¢t go there. We had challenges to say the least. We went back to ATC and a Trail Angel offered to take us home for lunch. I asked him if he would also bring us to the hospital ¢ which he did. We had an awesome lunch. The Angel did our laundry, took us to Wal-Mart, and the hospital. The x-rays were done fairly fast. We walked the 12 mile to the courthouse for the bus. We arrived just in tome to see the bus drive away. Pout. A woman on the street let us borrow her cell phone to call the Angel. Bless all these awesome people to offer a hand. The Trail Angel came and picked us up again and took us to the outfitter. We could walk back to the hotel. Later we ate dinner at the Secret Six with Bluey and Audrey. Bluey is from Australia. Then they offered us a ride into Washington DC the next day. Since Swamp Fox had to rest his knee we accepted. Yay!!
Date: 2005-06-16
From: Charlestown

To: Washington DC 
Miles today: 0.0

Seven AM we loaded into Audrey¢s car and off to Washington DC we went. She was great, telling us what we were driving by. We went to the Vietnam Memorial first. Swamp Fox found the names of four friends he lost in the war. There was a letter by the all that started ¢Dear Grandpa, My name is¢¦.¢ It was a really sad and introspective start to the day. We went to the other memorials, The American History Museum, and the Art Museum. Lunch was in a sub level between the buildings of the Art Museum. It was good. Then we were off to catch the MARC train back to Harpers Ferry. Graybeard was waiting for his train. So awesome to see him again. Freeze Dried was on our train. Dinner was in a small dinner/bar in the old section of Harpers Ferry. Some hikers, Angels, and tourists joined in talking with us. It was a busy and fun filled say. Swamp Fox¢s knee is slightly improved.
Date: 2005-06-17
From: Washington DC 

To: Potomac River, Ed Garvey Shelter 
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: scattered clouds

There were decisions to be made regarding Swamp Fox¢s knee and rather or not to hike. He called the doctor to ask about the x-rays. He does have fluid in his knee but no fractures. The doctor told him to rest it, naprosyn, elevation, and wrap. He found a tighter kneed brace in the hiker box at the ATC. Once he knew nothing was broken he decided to hike the two miles to the hostel and see how it went. We hiked over the Potomac River and into Maryland! Into another state! We also enjoyed hiking through the old section of Harpers Ferry. What beautiful stone buildings. People very friendly today. A mason told me I was beautiful. I took it as a nice compliment. When we were on the C and O canal Towpath a woman and her daughter offered to help us with our packs. I asked her to just help with Swamp Fox¢s pack because of his knee. She carried it on her wagon behind her bike for a mile. So nice they offered to help. Really sweet people. When we reached the turn off to the hostel, Swamp Fox decided to continue to the first shelter. We are at the Ed Garvey Shelter with seven other hikers. This shelter is beautiful. My husband sent me a new stove called the MSR superfly. I cooked with it tonight for the first time on the balcony of the shelter. It worked so well. I enjoyed cooking with it. Thank you Muffin.
Date: 2005-06-18
From: Potomac River, Ed Garvey Shelter 

To: Turners Gap, US40A
Miles today: 11.1

Today we hiked from Ed Garvey Shelter to Turners Gap, US40A. We camped at the Dahlgren Backpack Campground. I can¢t get over all the thru hikers we are with. We must have been in a pocket earlier. This camping area is full of tents and thru hikers we had not previously met. I was missing seeing fellow hikers, so this is all good. We passed several Civil War Monument sites today. I¢m getting an education. Dinner was at the Old South Mountain Inn. I had pork chops, veggies, baked potato, and rolls. Real food was so yummy. Also in the morning a wonderful woman approached us at Gathland State Park and offered us food. She had orange juice, granola bars, best ever gorp, apples, and bananas. I used my banana for a peanut butter banana sandwich for lunch. It was so good. Today was an awesome food day. Swamp Fox is very discouraged about his knee. Half the hike seemed quite painful for him. I¢ve offered to do fewer miles and slow down; but he doesn¢t want to. I identified an oyster mushroom today. It is edible but I haven¢t tried it.
Date: 2005-06-19
From: Turners Gap, US40A

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we hiked from Dahlgren Backpack Campground to Ensign Cowall Shelter. Both this shelter and the Ed Garvey Shelter have been very nice. Maryland trails have also been well cared for. It was a fairly easy hike today. There were a few rocks to contend with. The majority of the trail was wide and easily graded. We stopped at the US40 road and went to the Greenbrier Inn ¢ Dogpatch Saloon for lunch. It is a biker handout. I had my usually cheeseburger. Yummy. Swamp Fox¢s knee continues to be an issue. The rocky areas kill him. Though ¢ so fat- he continues to want to hike. Dinner included oyster mushrooms and I had raspberries today. Yee-ha.
Date: 2005-06-20
From: Ensign Cowall Shelter

To: Maryland ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Pennsylvania border
Miles today: 9.7

Today we hiked from Erisign Cowall Shelter to the Maryland ¢ Pennsylvania border. Swamp Fox¢s knee continued to hurt him so, we¢ve taken it slow. We stopped at Pen-Mar Park for dinner. O¢Connor came along shortly after. She was ordering pizza so we ordered a second dinner ¢ smile. Then Hareball showed up so we hared. Swamp Fox and I left to Scout out a campsite. Hareball followed shortly. We found a site right next to the Maryland ¢ Pennsylvania border and started to set up our tents. Hareball can along but she didn¢t like this site so she moved on. Snowy Man and Thumper did the four state challenge and they joined us. LB or Lost Baggage was here too. Tomorrow is naked hiking day. O¢Connor said I can take pictures.
Date: 2005-06-21
From: Maryland ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Pennsylvania border

To: Caledonia State Park
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: overcast clouds

I awoke with excitement; looking forward to naked hiking day; and the longest day of the year. Swamp Fox and I knew the naked hikers would sleep in. So I slept in. I found out later that he walked back from the state line where we camped to the Pen-Man Park to check on the bathrooms. They were locked. The whole morning his right knee was killing him. He told me before the picture taking of the hikers at the Mason-Dixon line that he¢d be leaving the trail today. I had all I could do to make it through the pictures without sobbing. He has been the best friend and hiking partner I could ever ask for. I miss you Swamp Fox. I cried most of the morning. I tried not to but I couldn¢t sop. He hiked with me to PA16 where he planned to hitch to town and figure out transportation home. I wanted to stay until he got a ride but I couldn¢t stop crying. I knew I wasn¢t helping him so I quickly left into the woods. I felt so bad that I couldn¢t be of help. There were so many hikers on the trail today. The trail gives you what you need. Swamp Fox was so good to me. He gave me some gear that we have shared. He gave me some food to keep me from needing a re-supply right away. Hareball fed me chicken for lunch. I don¢t think I could have mustered up lunch. The help was welcomed. She and I played tag all day, catching up to each other. It helped me get through the day. I think I was trying to out hike my sadness. Just before US30 there was trail magic with soda and dried fruit. There was my dinner. I arrived at Caledonia State Park at 7:30 PM. The snack bar closed at 7 PM. The pool was locked up and I couldn¢t find anyone to ask about camping so I hiked on. I arrived before dark at Quarry Gap Shelter. O¢Connor, LB, Oatmeal, and Hareball are also here. The shelter is beautiful. There are even hanging flowers and a bench. I did have trouble finding where the trail crossed the road a few times today. At Mentzer Gap Road there were parts of three dead dear rotting. That was really hard right after I left Swamp Fox.
Date: 2005-06-22
From: Caledonia State Park

To: Iron MasterÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Mansion
Miles today: 17.3

I got up a 6:30 AM. Swamp Fox would have been proud of me. I was ready to leave before 8 AM but it was pouring. I waited until it slowed down to a gentle rain. I hiked by myself but O¢Connor, LB, Snowy Man, and Thumper passed me back and forth. I had lunch with O¢Connor, LB, Oatmeal, and Jax Mom. Jax Mom hiked in to Birch Rum Shelter with peaches, sandwich stuff and drinks. It was all good. Thanks. I passed the midpoint on the trail! I now have less left to hike thank I¢ve done. Tonight I¢m staying at Iron Master¢s Mansion. It is a beautiful old building. The shower was awesome. I continue to miss sharing the little things with Swamp Fox. I saw a salamander, turtle, and frog. I used to point them out to Swamp Fox so he wouldn¢t step on them.
Date: 2005-06-23
From: Iron MasterÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs Mansion

To: Next to a field
Miles today: 23.5

I have set a difficult goad for myself to be at PA225 Saturday at 12 noon. There is going to be a chicken BBQ hosted by New Heart and I want to go. Today I set out from Ironmasters Mansion at 7:20 AM. Hareball asked me to awaken her when I got up. She wanted to share wine at the half way sign since we hiked so much of the early trail together. We arrived at the sign early. Drank wine and took pictures. I knew today would be tough so I wanted as early as possible start. I hiked with Hareball until just after lunch. I had far to go and she wanted a nap. I arrived in Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania at 6:45 PM. The town was friendly. I ate dinner at Anile¢s Pizza with Mello, O¢Connor, LB, and Thumper. Then I was off to hike some more. The evening was beautiful. The sky pink was peaceful. I hiked from 8:15 PM to 10:30 PM. I saw some rabbits scurry as they heard me coming. A few deer galloped across a freshly mowed field. The farmlands were awesome. A bat swooped down at me. The thing that spooked me were the spiders. They kept jumping on me. Yuck. At 10:30 I slept a couple of hours next to a field. Then I was ready to hike some more.
Date: 2005-06-24
From: Next to a field

To: Doyle
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: scattered clouds

I couldn¢t sleep well so I started hiking at 1:30 in the morning though the farmlands. I was glad to do it when the sun wasn¢t out. It was over 90 degrees today. It made hiking difficult. I stopped at 5 in the morning and slept another 1.5 hours. I tented in the woods and it was easier to rest there. I hiked all day after that. Wilderness Bob hiked with me for a short time in the afternoon. New Heart also joined us as we entered Duncannon, PA. I asked him if he could drive me to the BBQ tomorrow and I¢d hike back to the Doyle Hotel. He agreed. I am wiped after another high mileage day. I did get lost briefly in a cow pasture during the night. Otherwise the day was uneventful. O¢Connor and Thumper met me at the Doyle. I have my own room for the first time in I can¢t remember. The bar is fun. I used the internet and relaxed with Gray Beard over cheese burgers. I also got groceries and laundry done. Busy day.
Date: 2005-06-25
From: Doyle

To: PA225
Miles today: 8.5

I made it to the chicken BBQ. New Heart picked T Bone and I up and brought us to PA225 for lunch. It was delicious. Plus they had whoopee pies. Then I hiked back to Duncannon. The southern corner of the ridge was confusing and I ended up going in circles for probably three miles. Thank God for Slow and Steady. She helped me figure it out. She is an incredible woman. It was nice to spend a little time gabbing with her. I¢m back at the Doyle tonight. It has been over 90 degrees all day. Impossible to drink enough. I¢ll be leaving early in the morning to get shuttled back to 225.
Date: 2005-06-26
From: PA225

To: PA225
Miles today: 19.4

Today had an interesting beginning. Charlotte was supposed to pick me and another couple up at 6 AM to shuttle us. The other couple cancelled for themselves and decided to hike out for Duncannon. I got up at 5:30 AM and was out front waiting at 5:55. I waited until 6:30 and still no shuttle. I was discouraged and decided I better try and hitch my way back to PA225. It took 20 minutes and two very nice guys picked me up and took the time to find the trailhead. They were awesome. I stopped for water and a break at Peters Mtn Shelter. The shelter was beautiful. There was some incredible rockwork done to get down to the water source. However you had to be a mountain goat to get to it. I got to hike with a day hiker for about an hour after lunch. That was nice to have someone to talk to. The rest of the day I hiked alone. It was over 90 degrees again. Every movement takes such effort at that temperature. I wanted to make it to Rausch Gap Shelter. But I was so tired and darkness had set in. I decided to tent right next to the trail. Three night hikers passed shortly after I got settled. I was glad to be done for the day.
Date: 2005-06-27
From: PA225

To: William Penn Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: light rain

Today I hiked from one mile before Rausch Gap Shelter to William Penn Shelter. It was cooler today. Only over 80 degrees! It rained slightly in the afternoon. The heat is much harder to cope with than I could have imagined. It makes the decision I made easier to flip flop a confirmed good choice. I ran into an 80+-year-old section hiker today. He is somewhere around 100 miles to finish the trail. His granddaughters were out hiking with him. Amazing health. There was a trail angel at PA443 that gave me an ice tea and peanut M&Ms. Yummy. He worked in public health. I enjoyed talking with him for a long time. Gray Beard is here with me at William Penn Shelter. I think many others headed on to the 501 Shelter to order pizza. I enjoyed cooking dinner, gabbing with Gray Beard, and relaxing. My feet and legs are in need of rest. They really hurt today.