morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-06-03
From: Duncannon

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 125.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I am back on trail after going home for a week to conduct a wedding and see family. In the last six days I hiked 125 miles; tough miles. Hot, humid, buggy, rocky and alone miles . I am now in Port Clinton and taking a zero to deal with blisters, buy new boots and hiking poles, resupply and rest. At the hotel breakfast this morning Smooth Sailin' showed up along with 3 thru hikers I had never met; Olde English(from England) ,Chippy(from Brazil) and Eleven (from DC) . We all shared trail stories. Olde English , Chippy and I had an interesting conversation about how hikers seem to get along so well and care so much for each other even with such extremes differences. A couple of thoughts were that although we are so diverse we all share a common and undisputed goal and path to get there. What if that were true of life off trail at our places of employment, in government, and most off all in the church? What a wonderful world that could be!Going back to the 125 tough miles. It could not have been done without the help I received from Iceman. Iceman lives over an hour from the trail. After reading my journal entry about trying to catch up with friends he spent 3 days driving to the trail and slack packing me in order to help me catch up with them. . He even took me to his home one night and had me back to the trail at 6:30 am the next morning. He was a real trail Angel giving trail magic! I hope to find some thru-hikers to hike with. I am comfortable hiking alone but I am getting bored with Hoosier. He is starting to repeat himself even though I keep telling him that he already told me that.Only around 75 miles to go and Rocksyllvania with be behind me and I will be entering New Jersey. I am sure there are no rocks there!
Date: 2013-06-04
From: Port Clinton

To: Ecksville shelter
Miles today: 15.0

The next 3 days are rumored to be the rockiest Pa. has to offer. During my hike I have been reading the Psalm which corresponds to the number of days since I began the hike. Yesterday was Psalm 94. Verse 18 reads, "When I said my foot is slipping ,your unfailing love, Lord supported me". On the 18 th day Psalm 18 addressed this same theme. Verse 33 states, "He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, and sets me upon the high places," and verse 36 reads " You enlarged my path under me so my feet did not slip." These verses are very encouraging to me. I have recently heard of more hikers I have hiked with who are now off the trail due to leg, ankle and foot problems. The rocks are taking a toll. All these hikers made it through the brutal winter in the Smokies. They are tough hikers. It is only by the grace of God that I am still on the trail. I am asking God to enlarge my path, help me not to slip, get me up the high places and to give me the feet of a deer. It only takes one misstep out of over 5 million to join the ranks of the injured who are off the trail.
Date: 2013-06-07
From: Ecksville shelter

To: Wind Gap mile mile 1,,274
Miles today: 60.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Every thru hiker is saying the same thing, I can't wait to get out of Pa. It's the rocks. Usually mileage is determined by how your energy is holding up. Not in Pa. It is determined by how much more of a beating your feet can take. My new boots lasted three days, just 60 miles before the rocks cut the rubber toe up. No wonder Pa. Is called "the state where boots go to die". Last night it started raining, rained hard all night and was pouring down this morning as Push Up and I headed out . He got his name Push-up because he started the hike doing Push-ups in the morning in order to keep his upper body in shape. That lasted 3 days too! We hiked 4 miles to a road and the. and then a mile and a half into Wind Gap to a convenient store. We were soaked. In the store an Irishman named O'Reiley started talking to me about the trail. At that moment I made a decision. I asked if he would take me to a motel near the trail. He took me to three before we found one that who would allow me check in at 8 am. He said that if I was unable to check into one he would let me stay in his warehouse which is near the trail. He was a real Trail Angel giving Trail Magic. This has happened all through Pa. The rocks may be frustrating but the people have been fantastic. I want to thank John in Chambersburg, Frank near Boiling Springs , Iceman from Lancaster and Greg ,his father and daughters from Berwick who drove over an hour to Palmerton to take me out to dinner. Thanks also to the city of Palmerton for allowing thru - hikers to sleep in the now closed county jail. Thanks also for letting me out in the morning!And a big thank you to the Irishman O'Reily who drove me all around Wind Gap in the rain until he got me out of it. I may never want to walk in Pa. again but I will always remember the warm welcome I recieved.
Date: 2013-06-08
From: Wind Gap mile mile 1,,274

To: Delaware Water Gap. mile 1,2990
Miles today: 16.0

Tomorrow morning I will leave Pennsylvania in the dust (or should I say in the rocks). I repaired my boots with shoe-goo as there was not a hiking outfitter in town. Hopefully, the glued shoes will get me through New Jersey. Pennsylvania was tedious and irritating. I hiked most of it it almost alone and my feet got pretty bruised and battered along the way. I have done a lot of thinking about what Pennsylvania has to teach about the journey of life.Pennsylvania is a part of everyone's life journey. We all face lonely, difficult, and painful times. However, there is no way to reach our goal (our spiritual Mt. Katahdin) without going thorough difficult times. In Acts 14, Paul encourages the believers in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra to continue in the faith and reminds them that only through many hardships shall we enter the kingdom of God. I have had the privilege of hiking the 17 miles from Iconium to Lystra in modern-day Turkey. It is not easy terrain and even today is a dangerous place due to wolves. John Mark turned back from going there. Paul did not turn back and was even stoned in Lystra and left for dead. However, it is also where he met Timothy his son in the faith. Good came out of extreme difficulty.I believe that is the take away for me from Pennsylvania. Only by going through the hardships of Pennsylvania will I reach Mt. Katahdin and accomplish the goal of becoming a thru-hiker. There is no avoiding Pennsylvania. It is a part of the designated trail. There is no avoiding the difficulties of life either. It is part of our journey and only by going through them will we reach the goal of being a faithful follower of Jesus Christ. He faced a few difficulties of his own!
Date: 2013-06-11
From: Delaware Water Gap. mile 1,2990

To: Unionville, New York mile 1,341
Miles today: 51.0

New Jersey has been kind to the feet. Although there are rocks, there is usually a place to put your feet on dirt between them. The new challenge has been rain. Lots of rain; ten inches In two days and four more inches due Thursday. Still I love New Jersey. It 's such a relief from the rocks of Pennsylvania I have had a great time camping with with a couple guys. Sweat was a part of a group I was hiking with. He went to New York City for a few days so is behind our group as well. It was good to see a familiar face. He has seen several bear and rattle snakes. I haven't seen any.Last night I slept in a shelter with a very experienced section hiker. His name is Vanderveg which is a German word for "wanderer." It was just the two of us in the shelter and we talked way past hikers midnight(8 p.m.) telling tales from the trail. It was one of my favorite nights on the trail. My water purifier broke and he gave me his! Thanks, Vanderveg, wherever you are.I am currently in Unionville, New York, a village of around 600 a half-mile from the trail. I have set up camp in the village park. They graciously allow thru-hikers to do so and even provide a Port-a-John, which is luxury. Now, if only I could find a way to get a shower. Several days without showing reminds me of the people's statement about dead Lazarus; he stinketh by now!Today I saw a turtle crawling down the trail. I got to thinking that even a turtle could complete the trail if it were committed. That seems to be a key to completing this hike now, COMMITTMENT. Seems Jesus had quite a bit to say about commitment too such as counting the cost of being a follower of His on the path of righteousness.
Date: 2013-06-13
From: Unionville, New York mile 1,341

To: mile 3177
Miles today: 36.0
Weather: moderate rain

Unionville, New Jersey, was a hiker-friendly town. Butch, who checks hikers in who camp in the village park was very helpful and knowledgeable. He was extremely proud of his town and seemed to run it. New Jersey started off easy but the trail soon got into some rocky balds. I did a long 27-mile day and stealth camped. Either a deer or a bear stealth camped with me and visited my tent at 1 a.m. I yelled and turned on my headlamp. It snorted and ran off. Thanks, Vander Veg, for the instructions on what to do at such times.Today I started hiking at 5:30 a.m. and had only made 10 miles at 11 a.m. It was very cold, windy, and rainy. At times the trail was a foot deep in water and the rocky balds were very slick. Nomad was in the area so he picked me up and took me to the home of a thru-hiker I know who is currently off the trail with injuries. Nomad also took me to REI and I now have new boots and new pants that fit my scrawny body.Recently a friend jokingly called me a hobo. I think there is some truth in the statement. Both thru-hikers and hobos live off what they carry on their backs. They have to trust that their basic needs will be met. It reminds me of that turtle I talked about in my last journal entry. Check out Hebrews chapter 11 and what are called the heroes and heroines of the faith. I think you will see they lived like hobos and turtles. It is actually quite freeing and builds faith.
Date: 2013-06-14
From: mile 3177

To: the trail
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

The weather report says the rains should end late morning. So I am headed back to the trail. The next 10 miles are some of the most difficult of the trail thus far so it will be a short mileage day; 6 or 11 to the shelters. Water will be plentiful! I came up with these facts on box turtles: Average. speed- .2 miles per dayAverage lifespan-40 yearsMiles per year- 53 Average miles walked in a lifetime- 2,120Distance of Appalachian trail- 2,185 65 miles short!!!!Blew my whole. illustration!!
Date: 2013-06-15
To: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center mile 1406
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

This evening I arrived at a ball field on the grounds of The Graymoor Center run by a group of friars who allow hikers to camp there for free. It is less than a half-mile from the trail. They also provide port-a-johns, water, electricity, and a solar shower. The Graymoor Center is a part of the Franciscan Order founded by Francis of Assisi in the 1200s. The order is noted for its hospitality.Scripture has much to say about hospitality. Probably the best-known verse on the subject is found in Hebrews which states that we ought to be hospitable, for in doing so, we may unknowingly hosts angels. Well, if you had smelled me before the cold shower you would know I am no angel, unless perhaps a fallen angel. Another verse pertaining to hospitality says that when we give even so much as a cup of cold water in Jesus' name it is as if we did so to Him. I know that is the motivation of the friars and should be ours as well.
Date: 2013-06-16
From: mile 1425

To: mile 1425
Miles today: 19.0

As I was hiking alone today I suddenly saw a familiar face and heard a familiar voice. It was Samson. I had not seen him since a brief encounter at a road crossing near Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania. We gave each other a big hug and hiked the remainder of the day together. It was a hot, humid, and tiring day, but tonight as we ate supper, talked, and went to bed we both agreed that the day went much easier together. We will hike together a couple days. He is then taking a couple days off to spend with his wife in New York City.
Date: 2013-06-18
From: mile 1425

To: Kent, Conn. mile 1463
Miles today: 38.0

Today I entered Connecticut and was greeted by lots of mud and mosquitos. I was also welcomed by a timber rattle snake on the trail who was kind enough to let me know he was there before I was within striking range. I am in Kent , Conn. waiting to be picked up by a woman I met at Mt. Katahdin. in 2007 . She became a Facebook friend and is giving me housing for the night. She is a teacher at Newtown where the Sandy Hook School shooting took place so has been through a lot. It is really interesting getting this far up the trail. Since entering New York people often ask I am a thru- hiker. They congratulate me and almost stand in awe. This has surprised me. I have always been told that people up east are somewhat cool and aloof. I have found the opposite to be true.I feel like a seasoned hiker now. Earlier when asked if I were a thru hiker I would answer that that was my intent. Recently without realizing it I began to say,"yes I am".I realize I can be off the trail tomorrow with an injury . Still, I think I can truthfully say yes because it defines who I am. I believe the same holds true spiritually. After years of following Jesus. Christians should have the confidence to state "yes I am a follower of Jesus on the path of righteousness and I am committed to finishing well".
Date: 2013-06-19
From: Kent, Conn. mile 1463

To: kent
Miles today: 0.0

I had a professor once say,"never underestimate the power of a brief encounter". He then proceeded to give examples from scripture where Jesus had brief encounters with people which proved to have profound implications. Nicodemus, Legion, the woman at the well and several people he healed as he "passed by" are just a few.I am writing this inside a warm cozy home in Connecticut due to such a brief encounter. in 2007 I hiked the states of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. On the last night before completing the hike I and several other hikers talked around a campfire. A young woman was there and was interested in some of the things I shared concerning spiritual issues. We exchanged email addresses, later became Facebook friends and now here I am in her home. Kristin and her boyfriend Michael picked me up from near the trail, fed me supper, did my laundry, gave me her car for the day and even made arrangements for me to get a massage from one of her friends. Tonight they will take me back to Kent ,Connecticut where I will return to the trail very refreshed. All due to a "brief encounter" .So what is the takeaway? Every encounter we have is important and can have profound implications! Let's not underestimate the power of a brief encounter.
Date: 2013-06-21
From: kent

To: mile 1500
Miles today: 37.0

The break from the trail was wonderful! however I mam now back on the mosquito infested trail getting water out of a stream and ate raman noodles with spam for supper.All this reminds me of some statements C.S. Lewis wrote about life.He said that half the people's think life should be like staying in a luxury hotel and the other half think it is more like a prison. The first group are very disappointed and the other half are pleasantly surprised. He. also stated that God gives us some refreshing Inn's along the journey of life but would encourage us not to confuse them with home. I am grateful for the brief refreshing break I had from the trail but know that most of this journey will be spent in the woods with the mosquitoes! Even that's not a prison!
Date: 2013-06-24
From: mile 1500

To: mile 1545
Miles today: 45.0
Weather: few clouds

Massachusetts is beautiful! The Mosquitos seem to think so too and apparently like deet.Still, I have really liked Massachusetts; especially Great Barrington. I arrived 3 miles from town having just passed through 4 miles of swamp, walking in 6 inches of black muck and a million skeeters. It was blistering hot. I decided to walk to a local restaurant just a half mile off trail. I was shocked to find that hamburgers started at $14. I continued walking to town. That is when Rob and Bruce picked me up, took me to a grocery store, then to a hostel ,took a shower, washed and dried my clothes, slept indoors and was taken to a wonderful church service the next morning. Then Rob and his son Jordan took me back to the trail ready to take on the mosquitos.Last night I was back in the woods, lit up by a beautiful moon, which more than made up for all the skeeters.I am going to hike shorter miles for a few days since I passed Rash by a day who got off to do some fishing. Also, Samson is around 30 miles behind me. I told him I would cover less miles if he would hike more. He gets the better end of the deal,because he will outrun the mosquitos.
Date: 2013-06-25
From: mile 1545

To: mile 1565
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

The last two days I have been hiking easy 10-mile days so that Samson and Rash can catch me. I have been meeting other very interesting hikers and enjoying the journey. I've had time to take a swim each day and chat with section hikers. Two men I spent the last couple nights with (Uncle Noll and Oatmeal) were both a delight to meet and spend time with. I am camped in Cookie Lady's yard. She lives 100 feet from the trail, gives hikers free cookies,and for a dollar three hard boiled eggs ;right from her chickens. You can also charge your phone in her garage;which is huge! Trail Magic has been abundant in Massachusetts.
Date: 2013-06-26
From: mile 1565

To: dalton, Mass.
Miles today: 11.0

Jericho and I hiked into Dalton together this morning. We were both amazed at how quickly the 11 miles went by due to our continual conversation. He is a follower of Jesus so, to quote the comment made by two hikers on the road to Emmaus "Did not our hearts burn within us as He walked with us along the road." We hiked into Dalton, ate breakfast and then said farewell. Jericho is hiking on and I am staying in Dalton for the night. I need to do laundry, take a shower and get civilized. I was pleasantly surprised to find hear Rash would be arriving tonight and will be my room mate for the night. We have hiked together off and on for hundreds of miles but have not seen each other for several weeks.Vermont is coming soon. It is said all that we have covered thus far has been preparation for the next three states. When I arrive at the border of Vermont I will have completed the entire Appalachian Trail. In 2007 I hiked Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. However, that only qualifies me to be a 2,000 miler. The trail must be completed in one calendar year for a hiker to qualify as a thru- hiker. So, I will be continuing on. I pray for lungs for the uphills and legs for the downhills. The adventure continues!
Date: 2013-06-27
From: dalton, Mass.

To: cheshire, Mass
Miles today: 11.0

I love the trail in Massachusetts ! Every couple of days it comes near or even into a quaint New England village. The trail goes right through the small village of Dalton and past excellent sandwich/coffee shops. Today will be another short 11 mile day to Cheshire.The trail meanders through 11 miles of beautiful woods then right into town. That means I do not need to carry much food so the pack is lighter. Rash and I will be together this evening and I am hoping Samson catches us tonight so that we cam climb Mt. Greylock together Friday and enter Vermont together on Saturday. I really like hiking throughout the day in the woods then enjoying the comforts of town life and other hikers company in the evening. Tonight I will be camping on the grounds of a Catholic Church that opens its grounds to hikers. They provide a wonderful ministry to hikers .
Date: 2013-06-28
From: cheshire, Mass

To: Adams, Mass
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

We(Brightside , Hobbitt , Snowfrog and I ) hiked together over Mt. Greylock today. It is considered the introduction to the big mountains ahead. Rash did not hike as he is living up to his name and is dealing with a really bad case of heat rash. It was fun hiking with people who are new to me ;especially Hobbitt. She is just out of high school and full of life and joy. She is alive! Much of the day she hikes without shoes. She seldom ever wears shoes! She runs cross country without shoes. Today I bought new insoles for my shoes to protect my tender feet.Today I also came across a section hiker that I met 6 years ago on the trail. it was a great reunion. Tomorrow evening we will be sleeping in the home of another person I met 6 years ago on the trail. Life on the trail is a great adventure with uncertainties we don't usually face in normal life. Where will I sleep, where will I get food where will I find water? These are all a part of everyday life on the trail. it is amazing and a faith building experience to see how God provides for our daily needs and more in ways we never imagined. It's a life of faith.
Date: 2013-06-29
From: Adams, Mass

To: bennington, Vt.
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: light rain

Today I will complete the AT as a section hiker. In 2007 I hiked the states of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine while on a sabbatical. The first 500 of the 600 miles I hiked alone. Well, that is without human companionship. God was my constant and very real companion. I believe that was the journey I was meant to be on at that time. However, for the last 100 miles my friend Sooner joined me and we have great memories of our hike together. Hiking alone and with a friend had different purposes and benefits.This hike has been different. The first two months I had the companionship of my good friend Sparks. We met and hiked with many others and this whole journey has been a communal experience. I did hike most of Pennsylvania alone, which I did not like (nor Pennsylvania!).The last couple days I have met up with and hiked some with Snowfrog. We shared a shelter in Virginia. I am currently hiking with Rash, Brightside, and Hobbit. Samson should catch us in a few days and I hear Bean is not far behind. Mot, Punkin Pie, Gummy Bear, and Joe the Hiker are over 100 miles ahead. I will hopefully see them again after the hike back in "the real world." All this reminds me of the journeys of the Apostle Paul. He is constantly sharing whom he is with, where other companions are and how their missionary journeys are going. He longs to see them and they long to see him. The Christian life is a life lived in relationship with God . However, we are brought into a community with others who are on the same journey as followers of Jesus. We need time alone with God but we are not called to a solo journey but to a community of fellow pilgrims who are on the same path. I wonder who I may meet today?