morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-09-08
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: Shenandoah Campsite
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

We were disappointed to miss our first chance at a New York deli this morning. The guide said when we came to a particular road intersection if there was a school bus parked there it was really a hot dog stand and deli. It wasn't there. We were disappointed. So we stopped at Morgan Stewart shelter and ate our sausage and cheese instead. It was good sausage, though. Hickory Farms brown sugar and honey turkey stick. Good stuff. And what a nice shelter area. Kudos to the maintainer.At our next deli opportunity a few miles later I sat with the packs and Roo while Soaring and Owl walked .3 mile up the road to the nearby store. They came back with ice cream, sodas and chips. It was worth the break.At the store Owl had met the trail maintainer for the next section and they had chatted awhile about the trail. As we started up the next hill the trail did switchback just as he said. Then suddenly we came upon a flock of pink flamingos. The plastic variety. Owl said, 'Well, the maintainer said there would be some surprises.' I suspect some folks would complain that it detracted from the 'natural environment' of the trail, but it made us smile. We took a picture.Not much else different on the trail after that. We stopped briefly at the RPH Shelter before heading up our final hill for the day. It was a different shelter and may have been a good place to stay for the night. But we've got another big day planned tomorrow so an extra mile today was a good thing.We stopped at Shenandoah campsite. We've got it to ourselves and it's pretty nice. A nice level, mowed lawn to pitch our tents on, water from a pump, clean privy...can't asked for much more. Roo loved it! As soon as we took her pack off she started running circles. I don't know where that burst of energy comes from at the end of the day. I sure don't have one! But considering we just walked 18 miles, I'm feeling pretty good. Now to keep it up.Rabbit, Owl and RooJoshua 1:9
Date: 2008-09-11
From: Bear Mountain Circle

To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: scattered clouds

9/11 9:45AM we walked out onto the summit of Bear Mountain. It was quiet. There were small groups of people sitting on the rocks talking quietly among themselves and looking at the view. We stopped and looked at what they were looking at. It was the NYC skyline off in the distance. On 9/11. It was very sobering. Everyone was sitting or standing quietly, talking quietly as if it were a spontaneous memorial right there on the mountain top. Soaring and I talked about where we were when. We stood around for quite awhile before moving down the mountain.The rest of the day was tough. It didn't seem like it should be but we all struggled with making the miles. Bear Mountain, West Mountain and Black Mountain looked like nothing on the map but they beat us up. Water was non-existent on the trail today so the big goal was to conserve as much as possible. Luckily the temperatures were kind to us.We met several people, some northbound section hikers, two guys scouting out a nice day hike for some city group, a young family from Belgium and a couple with a dog Roo wanted to keep. It was pretty busy out here for a Thursday.Seemed as if we were never going to get into camp, but we finally did around 6PM. The shelter here is rough looking and there is no water or a privy, but still it's a beautiful area. It has large open spaces with lots of trees and huge rock formations and good tent spots. So we've got all we need for the night...well, not really. We really needed water, but we're making due. For now, some sleep. Tomorrow in search of water.Rabbit, Owl and RooJoshua 1:9
Date: 2008-09-13
From: Delaware Gap

To: Blue Mountain Lakes Road
Miles today: 17.0

I didn't feel like writing last night so now I find myself trying to remember what happened more than 24 hours ago. After all these months of walking it can be tough to remember specifics of the day. For me anyway, Owl remembers the most amazing details. But you¢re stuck with my memory for today.We are slackpacking two days to avoid the rain in NY and found ourselves in the sweltering heat of the Delaware Water Gap section of New Jersey. Slackpacking is still a good idea.Owl and I dropped Soaring at the parking lot near the bridge first thing in the morning. Without a detailed map of the area it was a trick but we managed to find our way up a small park road to Millbrook-Blairstown Road where we parked the car and started walking. While driving we passed a bear, several deer and a hunter carrying the largest bow I've ever seen. I don't know what hunting season it is that such a powerful looking bow is called for but we decided this would be a good day for Roo to wear her orange vest. She doesn't like it. She's like a little kid being forced to wear a nerdy outfit to school. :o)The walk was simple, not much elevation change, but we could tell we were nearing the rocks of PA. There were plenty to be had here and they were still wet and slippery from the night¢s rain. Even though it wasn't too hard our pace was slowed some by the rocks, especially around Sunfish Pond. We were warned several times by passing hikers to beware of the snakes around the pond's rocks. We walked carefully watching the rocks and did see two fairly large snakes. One was a black snake, the other we were unsure of. Owl got a picture to identify it.We ended this section of the day by 2:00 and decided to get in another few miles, finishing for the day at Blue Lakes road. Then it was off in search of a place to stay for the night. In the nearby small town we found a Stewarts Root Beer stand. Didn't know Stewarts did food, but it was pretty good. And the girl behind the counter was very friendly. She gave us directions to a nearby campground.When we pulled into Harmony Ridge we thought we might be in the wrong place. It looked to be a nice RV camp, but when we asked at the office they said yes, they have tents sites. Also, very nice people. We got showers, laundry done and a good night¢s sleep.I went to sleep mulling over the options for the next day.Rabbit, Owl and RooJoshua 1:9
Date: 2008-09-14
From: Blue Mountain Lakes Road

To: Deckertown Turnpike
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: clear sky

We had a tough choice to make today, do long miles today and get back to Harriman late or short miles today and resupply for the next section. Short miles today would mean longer miles the rest of the week. We decided on longer miles today.I also decided to do support today again. (yes, I'm keeping track so I can make it up another time) These 19 miles need to be done quickly and Owl and Soaring can move much faster than I can. Also I was concerned about Roo. She woke me up several times during the night licking her paws. I thought the rocky terrain may have hurt her feet yesterday. A day of rest would be good for her.We packed up and drove back to Blue Lakes Mountain Road. Soaring and Owl got out of the car. Roo was in the backseat making her pouty, sleepy face. When Owl and Soaring disappeared into the woods she suddenly realized she wasn't going and she threw a full blown tantrum. Barking and shaking and all upset. I couldn't believe it. She was mad at me all morning.We met back up with them at noon at the half way mark. I had told Owl if she would like for me to hike the second half with her I would. Soaring's speedy pace is sometimes too much for her and she wasn't sure she could do 19 miles. Turned out to be a really hot day and Soaring's pace was a little slower.They both looked overheated when they walked in. I wasn't sure they would want to keep going, but they were determined. There is a lookout point that intersects the trail in about four miles. They decided to take Roo along for that short part. It's really too hot for her to do eight miles. I'll meet them there with cold drinks. And I'll let Owl finish the day's story.Owl...The four miles we walked with Roo were pretty easy, but it was sufficatingly hot, I can't imagine how hot it was for Roo.We got to where mom was with the car and all jumped in, yay air conditioning.We drank the soda's mom had brought us and refilled our water and started the last 3 miles. It finally cooled down a little and we were finished in an hour. We drove around a bit, before going back to the Econo Lodge we had stayed at before for the night.Rabbit, Owl and RooJoshua 1:9
Date: 2008-09-15
From: West Mambasha Road

To: Prospect Rock
Miles today: 11.0

We finally met the goat today. We first heard about him at the monistary from John. He told us about his and Joshua's encounter with the hiking goat. Then in Ft Montgomery a gentleman at the PO said we just missed the goat. He'd been there just a couple hours earlier. And hiking over Bear Mountain a northbound hiker said 'You wouldn't beleive what I just saw!' 'A goat?' 'yea, how did you know?' :o)Today hiking above Greenwood Lake we came into a clearing and there he was, Alibaba with is traveling companion, Shephard. We stopped and had a nice long chat with them.Roo wanted to get to know Alibaba, but he just didn't trust her. I let her get close but she wanted to lick his face and he just wasn't into puppy kisses. He backed off and hid behind their tent.They were an interesting pair. They hiked north from the Smokies to Vermont, over to the ocean and are heading back south. Their intent was to stop in towns and do work to barter for food. Quite a unique hike...and an adventure.We had really planned today to be a nero. We had to return the rental car, do some small resupply and we hoped for a good breakfast before hitting the trail. We figured after twenty miles yesterday we would do a short five miles and stop for a rest. We got all the to do list done by 9:30 and reached Wildcat Shelter by noon. We stopped and ate our sandwiches and decided it was much too nice a day not to get some miles in. So we hiked on. We didn't really have a destination in mind. The next shelter was twelve miles and we didn't expect to make it that far.At 17A we read there was a creamery near the trail. Since we were ahead of our plan we decided to check it out. We went with the same plan we had used before, I sat with the packs and Roo while Soaring and Owl went in search of refreshment. We didn't know what this place was so I justed asked them to bring me a soda and some kind of ice cream. After awhile Soaring called and said I had to come check it out for myself. She came back to the trail to sit with Roo and the pack and I walked the .2 mile to the creamery. The ice cream was amazing! And they only sold sodas that they made. I had a Vanilla Cream Soda that was incredible. Definately worth the stop!So we had a relaxing day enjoying the surprises of the trail...goats, ice cream and sodas. We ended by crossing Prospect Mountain, very rocky and rough on the feet. We couldn't make it to the shelter before dark so we stopped early enough to give us plenty of light to hang our food bags.We just entered New Jersey, bear country. That seems so strange, but they say there are a lot of bears around here. We saw three over the weekend while slackpacking, tho two of them were while driving around. It's definitely time to be carefulGetting the extra miles in today was good. It means the rest of the days this week won't be too tough. We have a plan for just how far we need to go before meeting Greg on Thursday. He's coming to the east coast for a school next week and plans to hike with us Friday, Saturday and Sunday. We're so excited to get to see him again! Just three more days.
Date: 2008-09-16
From: Prospect Rock

To: Pochunk Shelter
Miles today: 17.0

We were disappointed this morning to start hiking and realize we had not come as far as we thought we had. We thought we were near Long House Creek but it turns out we had not crossed Prospect Rock yet. It was discouraging because we thought we had been hiking at a good pace. Today we hoped to get to Pochunk shelter. It would mean a 17 mile day. The entire day was intersected by road crossings. We crossed a different road almost once a mile. It gave us a pretty good marker for our pace. We did really well until be started down Wawayanda mountain, the steep downhill stairway slowed us up some.We also took a break at NJ 94 to go to a local produce stand for some drinks and ice cream. I got the brown ice cream, the little boy next to me got the green ice cream. :o) And we picked up a couple oranges for breakfast tomorrow. That will be a nice change.The final push of the day took us down a very steep Pochunk Mountain. I suspect there is more steep to come before we see the end of Pochunk. Tonight my feet are very tired. I was thinking today that if the rocks of New Jersey are beating me up, how will I handle Pennsylvania. Hopefully I'll toughen up quickly. Owl on the other hand still has amazing feet. :o)Roo is doing well. Lately her biggest problem has been the squirrels. I don't know what is going on with the squirrels lately, tho I suspect it's mating season. When we were driving last weekend several times I had a squirrel run out in front of the car and do that back and forth little dance they sometimes do in the middle of the road. They are acting just as crazy on the trail. More than once a squirrel stood up on a log beside the trail, shook it's tail at Roo and chirped at her. I don't know what that means in other animal's languages, but in Golden Retriever Puppy language it means "Let's play tag, you be it and see if you can catch me!" At least that's what Roo thought. She actually did very well controlling herself when I said 'leave it'. Only once did she actually go after a squirrel and then only half heartedly. It easily got up the tree. Then again shook it's tail at her. Crazy animals. Roo's now sound asleep. Being a trail princess is hard work.Now it's off to bed. We are toying with a possible nero into Unionville tomorrow. We'll see how rested we feel in the morning.
Date: 2008-09-17
From: Pochunk Shelter

To: Lott Road, Unionville, NY
Miles today: 5.0

We rose to a cool morning. The plan for the day was to head down the mountain and into Unionville. We had heard about the Mayor of Unionville and how he takes good care of hikers. Soaring had his number and planned to call him around 9AM.Owl, Roo and I took off walking. We had gotten down the hill and were starting across the three flat miles when my phone rang. It was Soaring saying Dick, the mayor was leaving at 10:45. We needed to make it in by then. That was a tough one for Owl and I, but Soaring could do it easily. So she set off at her top speed to make it to Unionville.As we passed through the Wallkill River area we first saw three swans, then in another area there were four more. Seven swans a swimming! We may have to revisit Owl's hike song. We also saw several ducks and a blue heron. After that it was a lot of road walk, nothing special.Just as we came to the road for Unionville a truck pulled up. The man inside said 'That was good timing.' I said 'Are you Dick?' 'No, I'm Butch, his secret service agent.' :o) As I'm getting in his truck I'm thinking 'I can't believe I'm getting in this truck.' We've come a long way in these months.We couldn't have been made feel more welcome. This hostel was started last year and was known as The Mayor's House (which it is), but this year they changed the name to The Outhouse. I'm not sure that's very complimentary to such as comfortable rest stop. They gave us a bed, shower, laundry, internet access and dinner. Tomorrow they will feed us breakfast and give us a slackpack. Dick, Butch and the other gentleman who lives here, Bill are all incredibly nice people. This was an excellent place to stop for a nero. We just keep meeting the neatest people in the most interesting places.Just as we were about to sit down to dinner the phone rang. More hikers coming in for the night. Butch got a very strange look on his face as he talked with them on the phone. 'You've got a what?' Our friend Alibaba, the goat, his hiking partner Shepherd and another hiker, Superman joined us for the evening. It took Roo awhile to settle down from such excitement, but now she is sleeping sounding with a goat nearby chewing his cud. Yes, interesting people.
Date: 2008-09-18
From: Lott Road, Unionville, NY

To: Deckertown Road
Miles today: 14.0

Dick drove us this morning to Deckertown Turnpike so we could slackpack back 14 miles to Unionville. The trail in this area was very pretty, nice rolling terrain, quiet woodlands and open pastures. Owl, Roo and I made it back to Unionville, by the general store to pick up a sandwich and back to Dicks before 2:30. Good time for us.That gave us a second nice restful afternoon to regroup, shower, do laundry, etc. Four other hikers arrived while we were out so the house was bustling when we got in. Dick fixed an amazing dinner and we had some great conversation. This evening we watched the 'required' video. Dick has this video of Britain's Got Talent show where a young man singing opera wins. I can't believe I've already forgot his name, something Potts. It's very inspiring and really touched Dick's heart. He uses it to encourage the hikers who stay here.Later in the evening he gave me a tour of all the artwork in his living room. He has quite a few very special meaningful pieces that friends, family and hikers have given him. I think tho that hikers would fall under 'family' for him.I was expecting Greg to arrive late this evening but I got a call that he decided to wait and drive up in the morning. Nic is coming with him to hike with us for the weekend. I'm disappointed Stella can't make it, but it will be fun to have Nic along. They should get here about 9:00 in the morning and we will head down to Delaware Water Gap to hike. Hopefully the rest of the weekend will be as beautiful for hiking as today was.
Date: 2008-09-27
From: Deckertown Road

To: PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: fog

I did so well keeping a daily journal for the entire hike up until Pennsylvania. Mostly because our hiking has been sporadic since we got here. Owl's cold really knocked her off her feet. Just when she's starting to feel a little better we got another downpour of rain. We thought today would be better. Yesterday the rain chances for today were only 40%, but by morning it had risen to 90% with some pretty serious thunderstorms on the radar. We definitely have a running theme for our hike. You would think we would get used to it, but really we hate rain.Greg came back up this weekend to hike with us again. He couldn't talk anyone into joining him this time. Go figure. I dropped Greg, Owl, Soaring and Roo at the trail head and will meet them at each road intersection. I'm concerned that if a thunderstorm does kick up it won't be such a good idea for Owl to be hiking in it. She is getting better, but she's not 100% yet.Despite missing sections of PA that we will have to find a way to make up, our hike is coming to an end. A couple of weeks ago we looked at our upcoming maps and realized that we should be able to finish in time for Greg and I to make it to our high school class reunion. We planned accordingly and bought the airline tickets to return home to Colorado. We had one or possibly two days of leeway worked into the plan. We didn't plan on a cold knocking us off for so many days. It was a real struggle at first realizing we were going to have to do a makeup hike in this section, but we are so ready to finish this and go home that we've decided we are okay with it. Hopefully in the next few days we will be able to do a few Pennsylvania miles. Either way, we are heading to Harper's Ferry soon.
Date: 2008-09-28
From: Shepherd Road

To: Duncannon
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light rain

We hiked even tho it felt more like swimming at times. I was glad it was only a fifteen mile section. With the rain on the slippery Pennsylvania rocks and fallen leaves added on top, it was a day to be careful with walking. I did pretty well. It was in the last five steps down onto the road leading into Duncannon, just as I started to say to Owl, 'Be careful these rocks will be slippery' that I slipped. Of course Owl had no problems with the steps and Greg was there to help me up. I thank God daily for my family. Don't know how I'd survive without them.We planned to go into Duncannon to have dinner at the Doyle but it turns out you have to be eighteen to go inside. I remember hearing something like that about some place on the trail but I didn't realize this was it. Oh well, so we missed the amazing french fries, we had a terrific ice cream sundae down the street instead.We've scrambled up our Pennsylvania hike. During the two days it was pouring rain we moved south and did the flatter, less rocky areas west of Harrisburg. Now that we are supposed to have a couple of drier days we moved back north the hit the section just before Duncannon.We decided to stay two night at the KOA at Twin Pines. We rented a camper cabin, it's nice to be in a dry place. And we were able to get our laundry washed and dried. It'll be good to start out dry in the morning, hopefully with some sunshine.
Date: 2008-09-29
From: 443

To: 325
Miles today: 15.5

This was a very pretty hike. I kept wishing we had hiked it yesterday while Greg was with us, but I'm not sure I would have appreciated it as much in the rain. We passed through a couple areas with ruins from old communities, Cold Spring and Rausch Gap. The trail wasn't near as rocky as other areas and in one section we actually walked around the boulder fields. That was different! The weather was perfect, sunny skies, cool but not cold temps. It was a good day to hike.The leaves are beginning to change. I think that may be the one thing I've been disappointed with (not counting all the rain) was that we didn't see the fall colors. I expected the leaves in New England to change earlier as we walked through, but so far the woods are mostly green and we are almost done hiking. We are heading to Kentucky for the reunion this weekend and The Weather Channel says their leaves are changing, so we'll get to see some color. I suspect we've missed the aspens in Colorado too.Tonight our friend Karen is coming up from North Carolina to hike a couple days with us. I have to say I'm impressed that she has worked this out. From the first of the hike she has talked about hiking with us, but being Mom to five, it's gotta be hard to get away. Thanks to Glenn for taking care of everything so she could join us. The next couple of days are good sections for her to hike. Tomorrow is a long mile day, but there is an easy out half way through. The next day is an easy ten miles and we are done with Pennsylvania. Yeah! Now if this beautiful weather will just hold on.