morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-07-08
From: Delaware water gap

To: Blue Mountain Lakes Road
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: broken clouds

7.8.13 Monday day 99Delaware water gap - blue mountain lakes road17.8 miles - 9.5 hoursOn way out of town, ran into Toast & Rusty Ramps holding cardboard with "PHILADELPHIA" written in 76ers font, on way to hitch hike on interstate ramp to visit family. Hope we can cross paths again.Crossed Delaware river on interstate 80 bridge into New Jersey. No welcome to NJ sign or border marker. There is a Mile 0 marker on the road median on the bridge. Feels like there should be some significant display to show border crossing - none. Also as you approach visitor center there is road sign above to the left, swerving car picture with "when wet" below. Pretty cool, you enter new Jersey already you see reference to NJ native Bon jovi. That visitor center is closed for this season. If you are a National Parks Passport holder looking to get a rubber stamp for Delaware water gap, will have to go off trail to other visitor center that is open. Up gradual climb to Sunfish pond, we run into Funky Town swimming & sunbathing lakeside. Cascade, Day man, Bootless, Scherwin, Goodfella, Shackleton, Fire Hazard, Rise & Shine, Button, Hugs are there. Patchouli & Barbarosa show up hang for a while then move on, Seahawk & Sugar Rush walk up & swim also. Water is comfortable room temperature. Feels good after hiking hot sun. Funky Town boom box blasting local classic rock station. What a nice surprise, catching up with them & relaxing swim. Hiked on through the forest of rocky trail up to nice Kittatinny Mountain summit with panoramic view of PA & NJ. Turkey vultures glide around above, Delaware river below. Right before reaching road to Mohican Outdoor center, I spot two cans in the stream below the foot bridge, RR pulls up, i point them out he goes down pulls out 2 Keystone cans, we sit roadside, Prost! Magic Scout, Seahawk, Sugar Rush ask if we packed out the beers, "no we found them in the stream" i said. Apparently they crossed the bridge a few minutes before me without seeing the trail magic. "are there any more beers in the stream?" They asked. No sorry. I joke back "If this is Keystone, I wonder what Keystone Light tastes like". Pushed on through more small rocks arrived by late afternoon at trail magic!! Hosted by Sandy, the awesome mom of Fire Hazard who brought beers, chicken, salad, cupcakes, breads & more for dinner. Everyone at the pond was there enjoying dinner sitting on lawn chairs Sandy brought, nice gathering, great meal & conversation, thank you Sandy & Fire Hazard!!Set up tents nearby, RR went to get water after dark, ran into a bear!
Date: 2013-07-09
From: Blue Mountain Lakes Road

To: Culver gap
Miles today: 10.6

7.9.13 Tuesday day 100Blue mountain lakes road - Culvers Gap10.6 miles - 6 hours100 Days on the Appalachian Trail!!! Passed by funky town as they ate breakfast & played games at trail magic spot, some of them saw bear in the area late last night & again early morning. Small cliff climb to start morning, looks intimidating, not so bad though. Sunny humid again. More rocks in forest to navigate through. Couple of short climbs to nice rocky top viewpoints in the sun. Stay clear of Brink Road Shelter if possible, mosquito swarm there, swamp in from of shelter, water source is slow flat spring, hard to collect water with platypus bag. Get water way before shelter or after@ gap. Also half mile past shelter another swamp, more mosquitos, have long sleeves & spray. Button passed us after the swamp when we took a short snack break, said she saw large bear not too far back. Down to Culver gap. Trail magic of beer, candy & snacks. I think it may have been from Cliff note & mom, thanks!! Hitch to Branchville from Sam heading to Newport, history major in her early 20s, collects old mechanical typewriters including 1938 one in a case in the trunk, she actually uses them to write in cafes, many others like me stop & ask about them & are fascinated some still choose to use vintage machines. super friendly local Jersey girl, aspires to do traveling out of state, out of country, hope you get your chance soon! thanks! Yellow Cottage Deli, my 1st NJ deli experience, had the capicola, ham, provolone sub, made to order, fresh sliced by hand, excellent! Pastries there awesome too. Their specialty is the Brown Derby, looks great but we were full already. I stay the night in the motel across the street so my trail mates can trend to injuries. The motel sign got knocked off of its steel posts during hurricane Sandy, today it still sits at the base of the posts in the parking lot, waiting to be repaired & hung back up. Thankful we stopped here, rainy night, avoided wet tents & mosquitos@ shelters.
Date: 2013-07-10
From: Culver gap

To: high point state park
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: light rain

7.10.13 Wednesday day 101Culvers gap - high point state park14.3 miles - 7 hourshitch to trail head from artist Gary who works @ Peters Valley arts crafts store nearby, he last was at Sunfish pond 25 years ago! Thanks! Passed by the Trail Spirit up to shelter, many mosquitoes again along the way. it rained on slightly.   Up to Sunrise pavilion, perfect spot for lunch & to remove shirts to hang dry in the sun and breeze. I learned that this may be the spot where there had been a suicide by hanging some years back. Next shelter there are water jugs provided by trail maintenance club since good sources are hard to find around here. I ring out my shirt, lots of sweat. More rocks & mosquitoes all the way to High Point state park. Trail magic from Cliff Note & mom again, thanks ! Hitch from painter Ivan from Port Jervis, NY. chicken & spaghetti dinner. Rest & recuperate.
Date: 2013-07-11
From: port jervis

To: port jervis
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

7.11.13 Thursday day 102Port JervisZero dayDecided to do zero day due to injuries, not me but my trail mates. I could use some sleep though, time to rest my feet and fill up my belly too. Same routine, resupply, laundry, journal, eat local foods, call home, drink local beers, drink domestic beers, drink imported beers, sleep.
Date: 2013-07-12
From: port jervis

To: port jervis
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

7.12.13 Friday day 103Port JervisZero dayTrail mates decide another zero day is necessary to heal up. I go along with it but am having some concerns about the frequency of these single & double zeroes. It really kills average daily millage. Also I'm not crazy about all these motel stays, seems cost per day average has shot up recently, especially here in the north, cannot afford to keep going at this pace! We did go to Tom & Arlene diner in town, old 50's style diner, mom & pop restaurant, i love these kinds of small town eateries, truly hidden gems, wish there were less chain restaurants & more of these, alot more heart & character in these diners. I had their Meannie burger, half pound Angus with 4 cheese slices and bacon, excellent! Other entrees looked good too.
Date: 2013-07-13
From: high point state park

To: NJ 94
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: light rain

7.13.13 Saturday day 104High point state park - NJ 9420.6 miles - 9.5 hoursTried to hitch out of Port Jervis this morning for an hour, alot of dirty looks & no ride, boo! Finally called cab, $15 to go 4.5 miles, dang !! Super foggy, misty poor visibility. Started up gradual climb, alot of knee high slippery rocks to navigate, got to wooden lookout, no view, further along is New Jersey highest point, a white tower that resembles Washington monument at edge of ridge marks the spot. No view out to be had today. We met a retired couple who were "high pointers", people who travel top the highest elevation point of all 50 states, heading to Connecticut next. Cool & fun hobby. Slow descent through wet rocks. Whole lot of mosquitoes again today. Overran the entrance to 'secret shelter' for lunch aka the Murray property. We pushed on lunch at Wallkill river then around Wallkill nature reserve, looks like reclaimed farm land. Into swamp area with wooden plank foot bridges to walk over mud water. Kind of a steep rock climb up Pochuck mountain. Descent to Pochuck creek boardwalk, pretty wetland area, sit watch birds hop fly off & on marsh grasses. Cool view of wetland with ridge in the background. Across more swampland via twin plank footbridge to railroad tracks, then across private cow pasture to NJ 94. We get a hitch from the owner of the pasture who was really nice. I put my sweaty dirty insect repellent stank on his leather front seat and muddy up the floor mat, I apologize, he was humble, says he is used to it after several years. Took us to saint Thomas episcopal church hostel in the basement. I recognized this place from Appalachian Impressions movie. Common sleeping area, dining room & kitchen next to it with shower & laundry in back, $10 donation, can't beat it. Rosy Eagle, Hey Whitey, Zen Master, a Czech couple with a dog & Gravy are there. After cleaning up, across street to Paesano eatery for some Jersey style Italian dinner, food is excellent, service is friendly, locals eating there knew we were hikers, asking all sorts questions, also very friendly. Back to hostel before lights out.
Date: 2013-07-15
From: NY 17A

To: Harriman state park
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: broken clouds

7.15.13 Monday day 106NY17A - Harriman State ParkGotta Ride from Rami hotel owner back to trail, great service from him, thanks !! For those hiking next year, though we enjoyed our short stay here, I'd recommend Greenwood lake instead of Warwick, there are more stores, restaurants etc. also the hot dog stand on NY17A mentioned in the book may be out of business. Hot humid as expected, as we climb we can hear canon fire at a distance. Lots of rocks in trail, slows u down annoying. Water sources not so good or frequent around here.Thank goodness Hikeman and other trail angels bring water jug trail magic to a couple of trail heads. Blueberries everywhere, still small & green though. lots of raspberries but most ripe ones already scavenged by hungry hikers in search of calories by any means necessary. Also guide mentions little dam lake, we were looking forward to possible swim to stave off heat however upon arrival it is not exactly ideal swimming hole, actually, calling it a lake is a bit generous, you'll see what i mean. Later, descent to Harriman state park entrance is pretty steep, alot of stopping & big climbs down. Stop & turn around to take photos once on a while, looks pretty cool & steep. Not terribly hard but still a memorable descent.Hitch from Sean, Hopi Native American from Arizona, took us 4 miles opposite direction into Harriman town so we don't have to hitch as it gets dark, thanks! American Budget inn, Dinner@ TGI Fridays, good food & drink but forgot how pricy Friday's is. We gotta do better job minimizing these town stays moving forward.
Date: 2013-07-16
From: Harriman state park

To: Beechy bottom brook
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: broken clouds

7.16.13 Tuesday day 107Harriman State Park - Beechy bottom brook12 miles - 8 hoursRide to trail head, tightened laces and adjusted pack straps in parking lot. tall grasses with morning dew line the trail, we see a head with hat walking out of forest towards parking. When he clears the grasses we see has a dog in front, gets in his truck & goes. We get going, in the middle of trail is a fresh pile of number two! this is not uncommon for local dog owners to walk dogs on trail then not clean up after. Not cool. If you see someone do this, call them out on it. I did it near Boilling Springs, awkward confrontation but necessary. Harriman state park terrain is notably less rocky easier terrain. there are some large steep boulder climbs with a blue blazed side trail going around. We arrive at lemon squeezer, narrow crack in large boulder where the trail goes thru. Need to walk uphill leaning to the left, not so difficult, but the sides of pack scrape against walls, i went thru no problem. RR is larger than I, had tougher time, towards the end the walls are only 4 feet tall so he climbed out of squeezer asap. further down is Lake Tiorati a third of a mile off trail, we go there for lunch break, nice small beach, picnic area, soda & ice cream vending machines that accept credit cards. We chat with Rosy Eagle there. Later we arrive at visitor center between Palisades parkway, have a bathroom & snack break there too, more vending machines. Water from spigot there was super brown, something wrong so we did not fill up. Back on trail found stealth camp just past beechy bottom brook, which was pretty shallow & slow flow, i built a dam with hole at top in order to collect water faster. Steamy weather, get sweaty from lying in tent. I remove rain fly for somewhat better air circulation. So many mosquitos we sit in tent & cook right outside tent screen, opening zipper enough for arms to fit to reach stove. Hot food makes me sweat more. Pretty uncomfortable. Poor sleep too, alot of animals walking around, had to check bear bag twice at night since alot of noises, Bearanoia.
Date: 2013-07-17
From: Beechy bottom brook

To: fort Montgomery
Miles today: 7.7

7.17.13 Wednesday day 108Beechy bottom brook - Fort Montgomery7.7 miles - 4 hoursEarly start to avoids heat, partly because we all could not sleep & were up early anyway. Climb up west mountain was a good workout, not so difficult but a bit steep. Nice views at top, also strong cell coverage, down near palisades yesterday no service. Climb up bear mountain some steep steps and rock faces with good views. I was in direct sunlight for alot of this so everything got sweaty. Approaching summit are flat soft groomed gravel walk ways. We rest near vending machines, we see alot of cyclists here as this is also on their trail. The large brick tower is closed so we cannot go to observation deck but view from protruding rock is good, can see Hudson river valley and mountains going to the right. Some big guy & his photographer friend are up on the rock with me, he asks a bunch of thru hiker questions & wants to do it someday. His friend snaps photos as we talk. He reveals he drives a Subaru legacy. As we part he says he wishes he had calves like mine. Caught off guard i just say thanks. This dude could probably bench 400 by the looks of it, i don't think people would notice his calves first anyway. After initial descent many stone steps down, Neon passes me as she flies down steps. Walk half way around lake Hessian to concession stand, i get Nathan's hot dog fries coke. We go under road to pool, ready to pay $2 entrance, girl sees our packs & says you guys are free go ahead. Free is good!! Swim was so refreshing & fun, awesome change of pace. Sunning then swimming, repeat. Almost as relaxing as napping. Other hikers are here, they leave for bus to NYC for a few days escaping heat wave hiking. I remember watching YouTube video of last years most popular thru-hiker named Fatherman, his group also swam at this same pool. He posted 100 or so good videos of life along the trail. Trail continues past pool into zoo, we walk thru to bear den, lowest elevation on trail is right here. At zoo exit we are picked up by section hiker Upstate who did 1st hundred miles with us. We take scenic tour of Westpoint military academy. Beautiful campus on Hudson. Lots of history & tradition here. Upstate graciously welcomes us as guests tonight. Offers me an Omegang Abbey Ale, i accept! Cooks up awesome hand made beef-venison cheese burgers, grass fed streaks, moist bbq chicken breasts all on charcoal Weber grill, he's got skills & plenty experience, this i know about. Not easy to get it perfectly done. Great food, drinks, conversation with him & his wife. Full stomach, bed to sleep on in air conditioned house, what an awesome end to a most memorable day!Special hello to Delores, mother of hiker Olive Oyl, thanks for the message and for checking on me, I'm still moving along & doing well. Heat wave seemed to delay me from posting journal entries frequently.
Date: 2013-07-18
From: fort Montgomery

To: clarence fuehnstock state park 
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: light rain

7.18.13 Thursday day 109Fort Montgomery - clarence Fahnestock state park18 miles - 11 hoursNice views of Hudson river valley as we cross over on the Bear Mountain bridge. Westpoint off to the left, NYC about 34 miles to the right. We are now at the 1400 mile mark. The climb up looks intimidating from a distance but you don't go to the top of that mountain, trail goes other way easy climb. For me, crossing the Hudson marks the start of notably softer terrain, like me, many grow tired of the hard, rocky slow foot punishing trail like we've seen for quit a while. Still rocks going forward but also fast dirt paths are becoming more common again. Exit the forest and cross over NY403 and arrive at the Appalachian Market store, stop here for a snack break. The are making fresh Italian Ice and packaging them up as I walk in. So many colors and flavors i select a few to try out. Gravy and Flavor Saver arrive, not feeling so well from all the heat lately. Up & down in forest, nothing so exciting, just a peaceful stroll.We arrive at road crossing, sit at trail head rest & snack, hang wet sweaty shirts in sun to dry. Car passes on gravel road, stops, woman opens window asks if we need anything, we say were ok. 5 minutes later she's back from other direction, stops, her & daughter come out.Trail magic from Jenn & daughter Kaylen. She has box of all sorts crackers snacks cookies. We take a few, she gives pop ice sticks which we eat before melts & frozen water bottle, came in handy to solidify our Snickers & cheese. Lives nearby, help out hikers passing by frequently, we sincerely appreciate it, especially in this dangerous heat, thank you!Lots of flies in the eyes late afternoon, very annoying n distracting, big relentless swarms of them today, worse than I've seen up to now, constantly waving hands across face. We get to road finally, New York Steve picks us up, brings to state park, offers to come back in morning to return us to trail, wow thanks! Park has showers, toilets, electrical outlet, utility sink however sign says water not potable high sodium. I ran some thru filter but still did not like taste. aqua mira iodine won't help. Bring in water or walk out to lake. Another warm night, sleeping directly on pad.
Date: 2013-07-19
From: clarence fahnestock state park 

To: ny55
Miles today: 19.3

7.19.13 Friday day 110Fuehnstock state park - NY5519 miles - 11 hoursTrail Angel Joe cooked us breakfast egg & hot dog sandwich. Former elite Vietnam war veteran turned successful businessman turned early retiree, comes to park every 2 weeks to help & feed hikers, awesome friendly trail angel!! On one occasion he helped a malnourished and dehydrated hiker for several days back to health. New York Steve returned to the camp this morning as promised and gave us ride back to trail. 100 mile marathon runner multiple times. He will do thru hike next year. Thanks for the ride, good luck to you New York Steve!! Climb to Shenandoah mountain summit where a 9-11 flag painted on rock face as remembrance of all victims. Later, RPH shelter is rather different, made of painted hollow blocks, has garbage can & garden, water from pump smells bad. Day gets hotter as we go along, everything soaked with sweat again. Like a ghost town today. Trail descends down to NY52, we decide to hide our packs behind the rocks nearby and take a right on the road, 0.4 miles to Mountain Top Deli - Flavor Saver, Hey Whitey, Kodiak & Angus are there. Got a honey maple ham sandwich & cherry Italian ice, excellent. Air conditioning in the store feels so good. So hot today again, zaps strength quickly. People getting irate over heat wave, drains spirits and motivation also. Some using zeroes in nyc, some yellow blaze ahead, others quit and go home. After 2 hour break, we find our stashed packs and push on slowly but a surely. Trying to limit our speed so we don't over exert in the heat. Make it to NY55 & head to Poghquag to escape hot humidity at Pine Grove motel. I allow my pack to air out on the sidewalk for a while. Friday night & so drained i find myself watching rerun of shark tank on tv, then episode of what would you do? Dang pretty lame, need to get energy back quick. When i fetch my pack from outside, I can see remnants of salt on the back from the dried out sweat. Purposely drank alot to replenish all the lost fluids. Stretched out the quads and hamstrings then off to bed.
Date: 2013-07-21
From: 10 mile river shelter

To: Kent
Miles today: 8.7
Weather: light rain

7.21.13 Sunday day 112Ten mile river shelter - Kent8.7 MilesCool sunny morning for a change. Privy has real brass door knocker on it, pretty high class, inside is sasquatch air freshener hanging in the corner. Outside on path back to trail are rusted out old fashion farm plows. Climb uphill back into NY, hike the hilltop then descend back into CT. We reach CT341 before noon and take a right turn off the trail and into Kent, passed by boarding school. Looks like Harry Potter school. Main street is boutique stores. We have good ice cream at Annie Bananie shop. Local teens dressed like you would think a stereotypical CT person would. Walked around town, looked at boots at outfitter. Vanessa Redgrave was from here as is Kyra Sedgewick, wife of Kevin Bacon. Ted Danson, and Seth Macfarlane went to school here. I was told by a local woman that the 1st Family Guy episode was after Superbowl, whole town watched as they were proud of young local Seth Macfarlane making it big. Seth's old headmaster was appalled after seeing his show due to edgy crude humor. Also, a cheesy 70's horror movie called I Spit on Your Grave was filmed in the forest and river nearby. The gas station no longer exists but the cabin does. Also a Wes Craven horror is in the works nearby, if not done already. Dinner at upscale Fife & Drum restaurant really good pork chop tomatillo salsa with cheddar jalapeno grits. Nice pretty town, friendly locals, very Connecticut look and feel to it.
Date: 2013-07-22
From: Kent

To: falls village
Miles today: 25.1
Weather: light rain

7.22.13 Monday day 113Kent - falls village25.1 miles - 12 hoursA friends parents drop us off @ trail head outside Kent, say goodbye then they go off to lay out trail magic 12 miles ahead. We see Occupy and his dog coming down to the road, we tell him Kent is to the right not far down the road. Sunny morning not hot humid as yesterday. Over the fence style with oval Appalachian Trail sign next to it and into flat grassy field. Easy climb to ridge top, further ahead another lemon squeezer but not as narrow as real one. Steep decline down rock steps & then large boulders. at bottom we run into Professor, he will be doing short day. We continue along next to Housatonic river 4 miles. Up hill then down to trail magic cooler we knew would be at the road, Angus is there we sit chat. South bounder The Bear comes by, he's the first Sobo I've met. Further down a sign warns to use bypass if stream water level is high. We see it is low and are able to cross no problem. Long bumpy hike all the way to US7 bridge over Housatonic, turn left next to school, into the forest along the railroad tracks and finally into Falls Village. Set up camp in small lawn behind Toymakers Cafe which is closed today. Mr. Dallas and gang arrive and fill up the rest of the lawn. Historic Falls Village Inn is a block away, it is a fancier place and food is expensive there so we opt to grab some sodas from the store across the street (which by the way is not marked in the book, so it was a welcomed surprise) from it then make dinner on the picnic tables next to our tents. I hang my shirt on a ladder leaning on the barn. An electrical outlet on the barn side has someones iphone charging, i wait for it to free up then charge up my phone. An old rail car is on display down the block. Also there is an old church that now serves as an antique book store. Well after everyone is in their tents for the night, a light rain begins and continues on after midnight.