morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-06-01
From: Garvey Shelter

To: Picnic Shelter, Washington Monument St.Pk
Miles today: 12.9

Happy 1st day of June! Tomorrow it will be three months since we hve been out here, and today we definitely celebrated...we meant to do 20 miles but, as you can see from the mileage, we barely made that....It all started yesterday when we met this guy, Sleeper. We had heard Tricycle and Bonesaw talk about him, but we had never met him before. Well, yesterday, we had the pleasure of staying the night with him, and this morning we began our hike together with the same plan in mind. Hitch out to the restaurant, eat great...then get back out on the trail, and for the most part, that plan played out. We got to the road crossing nice and early, before 11 AM and stuck out our eager little thumbs for a 2 mile hitch into town.Well, about 35 cars went by and we began to get very discouraged until a very wonderful lady picked us up and graciously drove our butts into town. And we were in heaven!! There were two pizza shops and a liquor store right next to each other. We had it made.We ate deluxe cheese steaks, tater tots and pepperoni pizza, oh, plus onion rings. We also had one pitcher of pepsi and three pitchers of beer between the three of us. And we still had 9 miles to hike! But, Sleeper had a great idea. We would get a ride back to the trail and chill and take naps for the hot part of the afternoon. Then, hike out to where we needed to be after it cooled off in late afternoon.I was so excited! I haven't taken a real nap since college and the prospect of doing so in a field in the middle of the day just thrilled me. So, we got a lift back from one of the pizza place gals and set up shop at these camps sights where we could rinse off and lay in the grass.I read for an hour and took a solid nap. Sleeper taught Swansons how to play real chess. All while we sipped on red wine that Sleeper had purchased in town. Perfect afternoon.At 530pm as we packed up to hike our last 9 miles we met a girl named Hindsfeet, a new thru-hiker we hadn't met yet! She was on her way to meet some friends a few miles up for a few days off. So, we hiked out with her about a mile and thunder began rolling and we came upon a picnic shelter to take cover under from the lightning.Here is where Sleeper and Hindsfeet introduced Swansons and I to the fine world of Euchre, a crazy card game that is not recommended when you've been hiking in the heat and drinking wine all day.Swansons, Sleeper and I decided to hold up at this picnic shelter for the night but hindsfeet had to move on. Hopefully, we will meet her again.The three of us are relaxing still with our wine and hiking stories in front of one of Sleepers HOT fires. Big day tomorrow---26 miles.And I lost my lucky bandana today...not cool.Will have to find luck elsewhere.....I love this trail.
Date: 2006-06-02
From: Picnic Shelter, Washington Monument St.Pk

To: Pen-Mar Park
Miles today: 21.7

This morning, Swansons and I discovered that light sleepers and snorers don't mix, and a snorer can really be enough to drive you insane, no matter how highly you think of a person. (Cause, we do love you Sleeper!)We poked and prodded him with what we alled the Sleeper Stick, and this man would not wake up. He just went on half snoring, half growling and snarling. Swanson decided a bear could crawl up into his hammock and start knawing on his foot and poor Sleeper would sleep through it. Then, he'll wake you up at the crack of dawn all well rested and there you are just having fallen asleep because you were up all night beating him with trekking poles. Sleeper is the man!But, we got up with him, knowing we had 26 miles to walk. It was a beautiful, foggy morning and we started it out right. Even took the time to head off on the side trail .25 miles to see Annapolis rocks. No view with the fog but a few good photo ops with Sleeper.Lots and lots of rocks on our last day in Maryland. And my ankle actually behaved itself. We also had a snake day. We ran into a big king snake after lunch and Sleeper showed us how to handle them and how nonagressive they were. Swansons got to hold his first snake. Then we saw a baby snake and the white rabbit from Alice in Wonderland. A literal white rabbit ran across our path. It was kind of wierd.We got a popsicle from some awesome dayhikers as well, then hightailed it 10 miles to the state line. Pen-Mar Park is where we planned to not stop, we had a few miles left to do. But Scott, a section hiker who we had met a few nights ago was waiting there with word of pizza being able to be delivered to the park. The rain was coming down, thunder was in the distance and people were hanging. We were sold. We're so easy. We figured we did 22, that's pretty damned good. Scott is brilliant. Scott wanted to make sure he got in my journal, So I want you all to know how cool Scott is. He let me use his cell phone. Thanks Scott!!We are sleeping in a picnic place in Pen-Mar Park with a direct skyline view of Pennsylvania and the sound of the rain all around us. We have made new friends tonight and caught up with old ones. Tomorrow we will officially be back in the north and I am so happy to be so close to Jersey. We have almost walked all the way home only to walk right passed it. It's an awesome feeling.There are bugs, we are hot, our feet do hurt and there are so many mountains yet to climb..BUT..everything tastes amazing out her, smells amazing..the people are some of the greatest I've ever met and I've learned so much! The two biggest lessons learned this week: Deer have distress sounds which all this time I've thought was a bird...AND...I shouldn't bypass the lemon lime popsicle for the berry because the lemon lime popsicle has amazing potential.
Date: 2006-06-03
From: Pen-Mar Park

To: Quarry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: overcast clouds

First day in Pennsylvania. And we felt very welcomed here,when we woke up this morning to dense, dense fog and rain coming in on us playing the role of alarm clock. Swansons and I wanted to hitch into town real quick so that we could get a few extra items to get us to Duncannon.We had a first happen for hitchhiking today. We had our thumbs out for only about 10 minutes when not 1 but 2 people pulled over to give us a ride. We couldn't believe it! W e actually had to choose a hitch instead of praying for one. Unfortunately, we chose the crazy driver, but she did offer to come back and pick us up when she was thru shopping. That was incredibly sweet of her but we graciously declined prefering to walk or try our luck with another hitch. She had a very small car and drove way too fast in the rain. Not a good combination.So we ate and drank lots of coffee as we fielded questions concerning our thru-hike adventure, then a bit of food shopping. Our luck in Pennsylvania kept growing when Swansons sparked up a conversation with a man outside the Food Lion and he offered to take us back to the trailhead. 2 hours round trip and we were back on the trail, amped on coffee and ready to run.For some reason, Swansons and I really motored through today's hike and actually had all 20 miles done by 4:30 PM even with the town stop. We were very proud that Pennsylvania's notorious rocks hadn't slowed us down yet. And my ankle was even more sturdy on them.Tonight we have a great group at the shelter. Tofurkey, Trump, Sleeper, Lou, Elizabeth, Scott and Swansons and me. Sleeper bought kilbasi and bagels at the food store and treated us all to some nice grilled sandwiches. A perfect end to a long day. The temp has dropped tonight and I am actually cold.So it is very important that I immerse myself completely into my sleeping bag at this moment.
Date: 2006-06-04
From: Quarry Gap Shelter

To: Iron Masters Mansion Hostel
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: light rain

Today we stepped out into a sort of "point of no return" time, at least in our heads....or just my head. We've hit a major, almost wierd milestone today. The craziest thing is that we are now in Pine Grove State Park, Pennsylvania...and we walked here....from Springer Mountain, Georgia.   Walked 1,088.2 miles. Kept on through root canals, blisters, stomach viruses and sprained ankles. I am in awe of just how cool this feels!We hit the half way point today, and we celebrated as many thru-hikers before us have celebrated. The tradition is to eat a half gallon of ice cream at the Pine Grove Furnace Camp Store. Any flavor you like, and if you finish it you get a spoon and get to sign the book, like all the other crazy people before.I chose chocolate chip mint and Swansons had peanut butter cup (which I would not recommend).   Tofurkey also joined the fun with cherry jubilee. I finished first and surprisingly did not feel sick. Tofurkey was next, although she did get sick afterwards. Then Swansons, and I give him the most credit because he had peanut butter cup...that is heavy stuff! But, we did it and we were proud. An hour later we were all eating burgers. The appetites never end out here. It is an awesome sight.Now we are holed up in this beautiful old mansion and just enjoying life. The hike today was perhaps the easiest 17 miles ever. Swansons and I were done by 1:00pm. We are showered, and the best thing is we are washing clothes for the first time since Front Royal...I know, pretty bad. Especially since we have experienced our hottest days yet this week. Oh well, so it goes....tomorrow we set out for the second half of our expedition....Adventures in the North.
Date: 2006-06-05
From: Iron Masters Mansion Hostel

To: A Doll House in Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 19.4

Tonight, Swansons, Tofurkey, and I are sleeping in a dollhouse...literally. In some wonderful family's backyard in Boiling Springs, PA. Boiling Springs is awesome.We got a late start out of Pine Grove Furnace this morning. We were up late talking with Donna the caretaker. She was showing us the secret rooms under the house once used for the underground railroad. We were mystified by the history in that beautiful mansion. It was very cozy being there and Donna was very sweet.So, this morning we took our time, plus my stomach was not happy with me this morning after the 1/2 gallon challenge yesterday and all the other disgusting things I ate, like a cheeseburger, sub and spaghetti with chili on top.The first part of our hike was slow going. We had to stop at the half way marking and take pictures of course. Then, we decided for lunch to hit up a little general store, right off the trial for a good ole healthy turkey sandwich and some tums.   Plus, a 1/2 gallon of green tea. We felt better after lunch and began to enjoy the PA boulders we were climbing over and squeezing through as we travelled the ridgeline. It is alot of fun to have to hop around and actually use your arms to pull yourself up on things.After the rocks ended the farmland began and we walked for two miles through a farm right into Boiling Springs.The people of Boiling Springs are some of the friendliest people we've met so far. Everyone is waving and telling us good luck. A guy eating at the pizza restaurant bought us sodas and gave us a note to give to a bartender at the tavern saying he was buying our beers. We were blown away by his generosity.We made a stop by the ATC (Appalachian Tril Conservancy) and there we found a flyer saying that thru-hikers could stay in this family's backyard or in their dollhouse for free. Which is how we ended up here. It was raining, thunder was rolling in the distance and we looked soaked and pathetic. These awesome people directed us to their giant play house and here we are, our own private shelter in someone's backyard. Nothing could be better.
Date: 2006-06-09
From: Duncannon, VA

To: Duncannon, VA
Miles today: 3.3
Weather: scattered clouds

And the saga continues....I am beginning to think the trail hates us. We are here, back at the Doyle and feeling just like the locals by now.   We are even getting pool lessons now. But we did hike out this morning, I swear.   We actually did 6.6 miles, northbound, then southbound.Last night everything was cool. The swelling on my spider bite had gone down and we were all ready to beat feet out of Duncannon this morning. However, the swelling was back and the redness had grown. But of course, I ignored it. We ate a great breakfast,then, it was back on the trail. In my shoe I could feel the swelling instantly, as soon as we began hiking back up the mountain. By the time we had made it back up the ridgeline, my shoe was extremely snug so I had to take a look at it.Well the look didn't go over too well with me or Swansons and we decided it was stupid to take a chance of infection. And, also, we thought, a second opinion was in order. So back to the Doyle it was.Vicky and Pat, the owners of the Doyle were on the ball the minute I told them what was up, and 45 minutes later I was in Harrisburg headed for the ER. We didn't even have to ask for a ride, it was automatic. I couldn't have asked for a better place to be while all this was going on. Vicki drove our butts to the hospital and picked us up when it was all over.I was poked and prodded at the hospital and the nurses oohhed and aahhed. But that was pretty much it. It's 2 days off the foot and one more visit back there and we'll be good as gold to hop back on the trail. Too bad we have to climb back up that little guy again.On a different note, we saw a gigantic rat snake today climbing a tree. Stretched out he had to have been about 6 feet long and 4 inches in circumference. We watched him hunt around the tree in awe for a few minutes before resuming our trek back to Duncannon. I feel badly for the baby squirrels or birds up in that tree today...The adventure continues....we'll get to Maine...eventually...
Date: 2006-06-10
From: Duncannon, VA

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Saturday morning brought us down another notch when even after a trip to the ER, my "Spider foot" was worse than ever. We were headed toward our 4th trip to the ER in total on this crazy journey of ours.   What happened to the hiking??Mom and Dad came and took us to the hospital. There was no way I could stop my mother from getting involved in this now. To make a long story short, ended up that I need to take at least 5 days off and two new antibiotics for the infection to heal in my foot. Next thing we knew, we were in my parent's car on the way home. It just seemed to make more sense rather then spending all our money in a hotel waiting for the damn foot to heal.So, we've been home for 6 days and are shipping back out tomorrow morning. It has been a little too comfortable for us to be home. It's time to get back into it. I'm actually nervous about going back, feels like the first day in a new school. There will be a whole new group of people out there, which is scary and exciting at the same time.But Swansons and I bought some new head phones, I got a new lucky bandana and soccer shorts and Swansons got no waves to surf while we were here. We are ready to roll.The foot is in tip top shape, we think. But does anyone really know how to tell if a poisonous spider bite is better?   No more numb feeling, so that's a good sign.Being home was a very good thing all in all. It gave us a little boost for the second half of this trail. We hadn't planned on coming home at all, but I'm glad that we did. Even though it's hard to leave. But we know it's time to get back into the woods. I miss my poptarts and lipton dinners believe it or not.
Date: 2006-06-16
From: Home

To: Peter's Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: clear sky

Finally, back out on the trail.   And it just about felt exactly like the first day of school. I was all nervous and there were all brand new people around us. But we were excited.We could tell that our bodies had relaxed a little too much while home. My feet were hurting within the first hour. Not cool when you are used to being in very good hiking shape. But, hopefully, tomorrow we'll be back up to it.Hiking the first two miles sucked because we had already done it...redoing even the slightest bit is a downer when every mile counts, and you still have a thousand miles to hike. But it was a beautiful day and we took our time, navigating the rocks cautiously. The terrain was very forgiving on our shocked feet, thankfully.Tonight we find ourselves at the most crowded shelter we've seen yet. Crowded with all thru-hikers and we actually ran into two old friends from before the Smokies, Guiness and Tortoise. It was cool to see a few familiar folks. I guess it is always bound to happen when you are out here for as long as we are. People get off for all different amounts of time at all different places. So, when there's a crowd you're bound to know someone.As for the foot, it held up perfectly today. Despite the still present pins and needles in certain toes, the swelling is all but gone and barely even a bruise remains. I love antibiotics.I want to thank everyone who stopped by or wished me well while I was home getting lazy again. It is nice to see how many people care. Even for a little old crazy spider bite.We are happy to be back out in the woods. Swansons is lying next to me playing his little nintendo game boy...so you know we are really getting back to nature. I'm actually excited to curl up in my sleeping bag again. It's been too long.
Date: 2006-06-20
From: Shartlesville , PA

To: The Pavilion, Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: few clouds

It seems we are going real easy on the miles lately...but I keep hearing my mother's words echoing in the back of my head. "It is not a race". So, we are easing back into it, and today was an awesome hike day.First off, we didn't get up until 9:00 AM which was a plus. And then we ate breakfast across the street and sipped on coffee for half an hour. We tried to find a taxi service or something to take us back to the trial. We knew it wouldn't be an easy hitch. But, our efforts turned up nothing and we packed up and headed toward the interstate to try our luck with the old thumbs. Well, we didn't even make it to the on ramp before a man in a van pulled over for us. We weren't even trying for a ride yet. It turned out to be Menonite/Amish? man and his wife. Plus their very adorable baby boy. They were very happy to take us back to the trail head. And they told us all about how they were building a new home and on their way to look at counter tops.Then the religion questions began and Swansons and I were stumped. What religion did we practice, and what did we think about the direction in which human kind was headed? Did we believe in Darwinism? Was the internet and music destroying us? Swansons and I were caught off guard...we must have looked like deer caught in head lights. Our answers were something like "Uh Well, you know...uh...well religion...uh..and then we were saved by the trail head. For a second I thought he was going to press down the power locks and trap us until we had a deep religous conversation. But he only smiled and handed us his card saying if we ever wanted to discuss things and were in the area to give him a call.We thanked them vigorously for the ride outwardly, but inside we were thanking them for letting us off easy. Religion is a touchy subject and not something I want to get into with strangers, who are giving me a ride out of the kindness of their hearts.That was how our day started. The great thing came when we began hiking and we discovered a new way to pass the miles. I've begun telling Swansons stories mainly from episodes of my favorite TV show and in order of the seasons...complete with commercial breaks. Swansons seemed to enjoy it and it made the rocks and the miles fly by this afternoon. This may keep us busy for at least a week. Then we will have to devise a new plan.No animals today to report, and no strange bites or injuries. We are in Port Clinton right now sleeping in the town pavillion that allows thru-hikers to spend the night for free. Tomorrow morning we plan to hit Cabellas which is a giant outfitter and have a little fun before a nice short 15 miles hike. We saved money and didn't go down to the local pub for dinner and beer with everyone else, and we are very proud of ourselves for it. However, we did lose a few bucks to the soda machine's guilty pleasures.
Date: 2006-06-21
From: The Pavilion, Port Clinton, PA

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: broken clouds

Everyone must go to Cabela's outfitters in Hamburg, PA.   It is amazing. Especially if you are a hunter or like dead animals displayed everywhere. It's a zoo of dead animals, with some camping equipment. And a great breakfast buffet, breakfast perogies.We had to walk on a crazy highway 2 miles to it, fearing for our lives the whole way. But it was well worth it just to do some gawking at hundreds of dead elk, deer and bear...plus everything else on four legs.We spent some time at the hunters heaven then headed out on a random bus for an excellent resupply at a lovely grocery store. And I'm sad to announce that I've had to give up my morning poptarts. I have gone with Spongebob cereal for now. The poptarts and I have decided we need some time apart. But, it will be OK, we will work things out one day. But it will be awhile...We got a hitch today from an interesting man. He said he was a preacher, but I'm thinking mafia? All the signs were there..He's from Jersey, he drove a black lincoln town car with tinted windows and black leather interior, and there was a sword in his trunk. He spent the whole drive telling us about how he paid for his house in cash and his brother is a millionaire. He was awesome and let us know that God led him to us and God will always lead people like him to us. The rides we have gotten lately....I don't quite know what to think..The hiking was great today however.   98% rocks..but we climbed to the pinnicle which was the best damn view we've seen in Pennsylvania yet. We've also met some new people today and are staying at this very cool shelter with a caretaker. Swansons, Tortoise, Grey Fox, Freefall, and I are hanging in this great shelter with padded bunks and lights. Too luxurious!   What a day!
Date: 2006-06-22
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Bake Oven Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Here we are finally at this tiny little shelter...we've spent half the day battling the rocks, and the other half spending too much time at a road side restauarant right off the trail. Now I am spent. But it was a decent day. We had rain in the morning, making us lazy to get up very early.But the best part of the morning was the discovery that my favorite Jersey station is coming in on my radio. I got to listen to it for the first time since I've been out here, and it held strong all day long. It is great to be so close to home.We walked along these cliffs today that were literally like a knife's edge. It was beautiful to see all the farms down below us. But, unfortunately, the rocks begin to wear on you...despite the views and the Jersey Guys on the radio. My ankles especially love the rocks.