morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-03-31
From: Spivey Gap, US 19W

To: Sam's Gap, US23/I26
Miles today: 13.4

Up early & Fahmah got ready to leave for Spivey Gap one more time. This time, he would hike south back to Sam's Gap. It would be a long hike, with Big Bald & Little Bald in between. I would be waiting at Sam's Gap at 4 and wait til he got there. He came out a little after 5 which wasn't bad. The weather had really improved and the sun was shining. He had found snow still on Big Bald, but just on one side of the trail. Nothing to worry about. He said he saw the strangest thing along the trail. There were hikers just stopped along the trail at several different spots. Not at the shelters or campsites, just sporadically, as though they were there to monitor his progress on the trail. It was a little weird, actually. I told him he was sounding paranoid. From the top of Big Bald, he also looked off to his right and saw a community of large homes, like a gated community, just sitting there in the middle of no where, which he also found kind of weird. Oh well, who knows!! You would think it was him reading the creepy books I've been reading this week! Back to Johnny's for supper & to plan for the next day. We decided on the Mexican Restaurant for dinner. We would pack up and leave for Kincora tomorrow. We settled up with Johnny before we left for dinner. Fahmah had bought a new head lamp & waterproof spray for his rain gear the day before.Dinner at the Azteca was surprisingly delicious. I had the fajitas I had been thinking about for a few days and he had a Mexican flavored rib eye. Both proved to be quite good. The only thing left to be desired was the guacomole, it was awful..but what could compare to that we got in Cancun??? Nothing! As we drove back to Johnny's Fahmah said "I really am in the mood for something sweet. I wish there was an ice cream place around here." Just then we drove by the Dairy Ice and I pulled in quickly!! We went up to the window and you had the option to mix & match all the flavorings for milk shakes or sundaes you wanted served over soft-serv ice cream. Fahmah got a Hot Fudge & I chose to mix & match, pineapple, strawberry & banana.........yummy!!! Just the perfect way to top off our dinner. And they were playing all the "oldies" over the loud speakers. Good memories all around."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-04-01
From: Sam's Gap, US23/I26

To: Kincora Hostel, Hampton TN
Miles today: 0.0

We slept in a little today. More thru hikers came in. I think I saw a couple I have been checking on in TJ but didn't get a chance to say hi. I think they find it a little strange to see a short, fat old lady staying in a hiker hostel, especially in her nightgown coming out of the bathroom. It would leave me speechless too!!We packed everything back in to the car and headed up the road to Hampton, TN to Kincora. Fahmah's 70th birthday is on the 5th. I promised him an apple pie and brought everything I will need to make it. Since Kincora has a stove with a working oven, I will be able to make it up there. There was nobody at the Hostel when we arrived. There had been a few hikers since we stopped on our way down. We decided to do a little "Hostel Magic" and did a little cleanup while we were there. It is up to the hikers to clean up after themselves when they use the hostel, but it sometimes leave a little lacking! After the cleaning was done, I started peeling apples. I made enough for 2 pies, one to take to Harpers Ferry for the birthday celabration, and one to share with Bob & any hikers that were at Kincora over night. Around 4:30 or so, Bob & Forest Phil & Greg came back from trail maintenance that they had been doing all day. Phil & Greg were from the Pa/Md area (just where we were heading). They had come down for a couple days of hiking and topped it off with trail maintenance with Bob. Forest Phil has been involved with trail maintenance in his area and has worked at Hard Core with Bob since it started. Phil & Greg were going to clean up and go to town for dinner. Fahmah went with them. I wanted to get the pies baked & done, so I ate my left-over fajitas from Erwin (ew!) When they got back we sat down to coffee and warm apple pie. We got to sleep in the "executive suite" tonight, because we were the first to claim it! We shared some great conversation and listened to stories from Bob & Phil until it was late...we had to get to bed...they were tired...but one more story....and then that reminded of one more....it was wonderful. Tomorrow would be off toward Harpers....but stopping at a motel, away from Tennessee mountain roads."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-04-02
From: Kincora Hostel, Hampton TN

To: Front Royal, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Up early in the morning. We were all leaving today. Phil & Greg wanted to get an early start and were heading to the Copper Kettle for breakfast. They were all packed & ready but were chatting with Bob. Fahmah packed the car and got ready too, and by the time we were ready, they were still there and we chatted some more. We all decided to have breakfast together. Greg helped Fahmah by carrying down the bins & cooler while he packed it up. Thanks for the help, Greg! Thanks, also, for the directions to EMS for Fahmah's rain gear!! Perfect directions. We had a great stay at Kincora! Left a couple pieces of pie for Bob and made plans for Hard Core after Trail Days. We'll be back.After breakfast with Phil & Greg we headed up Rt 81, through Virginia up to Front Royal. The closer we got to Harpers, the more expensive the hotels, so we chose Front Royal. This is the town where the Sky Line Drive ends and the AT comes back down just outside of town. We chose the Super 8, with a coupon from the Motel Discount book we got at the visitor center at the rest area. Not a bad room at all. We ate dinner at Dean's Steak House. Fahmah walked in and said, "gee, this looks familiar". Back in 07 he, Klip, Jack & Zardoz ate there when they were in town. More good memories!We were looking forward to catching up on the news, but Super 8 only had basic cable, no Fox News! "FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-04-04
From: Harpers Ferry, WVA

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Happy Easter to all!! Dad was so happy to talk to all of you while you were at Frank's. He really envied that you were going to play volley ball without him. He would have loved to be there for that. Our thoughts were with all of you. Hope you all had a great day. We share with you all an empty space in our hearts. Know that we love you all very much.We had a quiet day. After showers, we went to the restaurant next door for breakfast. Breakfast was huge. I ordered grits and they served them in a large soup bowl, enough for 2 at least! But it was delicious. We didn't even have any lunch. We walked across the footbridge over the Potomac, which is also the Appalachian Trail right next to the rail road tracks. There had been a cat on one of the pilings in the middle of the river and we were checking to see if the cat had been rescued. We had heard that it had or at least they tried. The weather was gorgeous. We also stopped for an ice cream as we walked. From the parking lot where our car was parked, there were stairs that walked up the side of the hill, then to street level, then up from the street to the Town's Inn. There are 50 stairs in total. We all got quite a bit of exercise walking up and down those stairs over the weekend, but Fahmah got the most. I lost track of the number of times he went up and down and back to the car and back. It got to be supper time and nothing was really open that we hadn't been to already, so we decided to eat out. We took the car, but everything was closed up tight by the time we left and because it was Easter Sunday. We ended up at Walmart & getting stuff we could heat in the microwave for supper. It was simple and we were going to have Fahmah's birthday celebration with Asti & Pie later on.We had our supper in the Friendship room. We had the hostel to ourselves at this point. We invited Karen & Donna (a lady staying at the Inn for the past month-used to manage Ironmasters Mansion in Pine Grove Furnace State Park, PA.) to join our celebration and help us sing happy birthday to Fahmah. We all sang Happy Birthday and drank our bottle of Asti Spumanti and ate the pie. My only regret was I forgot to bring candles...but 70 of them would have made a terrible mess of wax!!! Both Fahmah & Klip have their bags all packed and are ready to hit the trail in the morning."FOR YOU JIM" We miss you.
Date: 2010-04-05
From: Potomac River Footbridge, WVA/MD Line

To: Ed Garvey Shelter, MD
Miles today: 6.9
Weather: clear sky

Fahmah & Klip were up and showered before I even woke up. I think they were ready to be on their way. We were going to go out for breakfast, but when we got to the restaurant, they were closed on Monday. We went next door to the Seven-Eleven and bought breakfast sandwiches for the microwave. We had orange juice in the cooler (poor Fahmah...another trip down & up those stairs). We ate our breakfast and before I knew it, they had their packs on and we were ready to head out. We said our thanks to Karen as we left & brought the final stuff to the car and I walked the two of them over to the foot bridge (AT). We took some final photos and gave big hugs and wished a big Happy Birthday to Fahmah. They are on their way to Mama K. I will be back down second week of May for Trail Days & Hard Core at Kincora and see them again.I set my GPS to the address of the first hostel (The Free State Hiker Hostel) they will stop at in 3 days and left Harpers Ferry. I delivered the first box then set the GPS for the second address...Ironmasters Mansion in Pine Grove Furnace State Park, PA. I delivered that box around 12:30 and dreaded the rest of the trip starting so late back to Massachusetts. I was pleasantly surprised that Rt 81 was only 8 miles away and I got on at mile 38 on 81 just 8 miles south of Carlisle. That was great. I arrived safely at home around 8:30 p.m. just in time to catch "24", my favorite tv program at 9:00. My feet were swollen and I was very tired, but God brought me safely home once again. I was happy to have my own bed once more. I had heard from Fahmah earlier that they had stopped a little sooner than they had planned. They were both tired and sore for the first day out. Klip was afraid he had a touch of gout in one foot. He asked me to call when I got home no matter what time. But he called me again when I was in Chicopee and knew I was safe. They were going to sleep and he felt safe knowing I would make it home and said I need not call. "FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-04-06
From: Ed Garvey Shelter, MD

To: Rocky Run Shelter, MD
Miles today: 9.1
Weather: clear sky

This shelter is pictured in the ATC Companion. It is a brand new shelter with 2 floors, a nice porch & camping area. There is a terrific water source over by the old shelter area. The water source at the last shelter they stayed at was also excellent. They didn't get quite as far as anticipated, but they are doing great. Klip is still wearing his sandals, due to sore foot, but they are fine. Fahmah said the temperature must have hit 90. It was very hot. Now they will be glad for temps to return to normal. The night before they spent the night with 2 other hikers, Lefty & Poncho, names from an old Willie Nelson tune. It will take them an extra day to reach the next hostel in Smithsburg, but they will be okay. I couldn't believe that Knee-deep was at Kincora just 12 hours after we left and Second Stage was there within a couple of days of us being there. We were so close, I would have loved to meet you. Perhaps one day. Knee-deep, Toeman, Dave & JB, you guys are going so fast, I am sure you will be catching up to Fahmah & Klip before you know it. Be sure to take some time to visit when you pass by!! Best of luck to you all on your journeys. Trek, thanks for checking in on us. You are going to be up there too, before you know it.Hope to see you all at Trail Days & Hard Core 5/14-17, our chance to "give back". There is a great article in the Journey magazine this month about Hard Core and Bob Peoples & others that do so much to keep the Trail maintained. One exists for the other!! It is amazing what difference 3 weeks off makes on the trail. All this nice weather makes for boring reporting!"FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-04-07
From: Rocky Run Shelter, MD

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: clear sky

As Fahmah & Klip were leaving the Rocky Run Shelter this morning, they had a visitor. It was a 5 to 6 foot long black snake. He slowly slithered down the side of a tree and headed over to the privy. It posed for them to take some great photos! Will post as soon as I get them. It was another hot day of hiking. Glad to get in to the shelter. After they had their dinner another hiker came in. His name was Mark and he brought them each a milkshake. They enjoyed that very much. Thanks, Mark!Tomorrow should be a short hike in to the Free State Hiker Hostel."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-04-08
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: The Free State Hiker Hostel, Smithsburg, MD
Miles today: 8.0

The guys left the shelter around 8:00 in the morning. It was 8 miles in to the Hostel. Tough miles, with a short up, but it was steep, then there were a couple of really tough sections with lots of rocks...rocks and more rocks with some easy hiking in between. They got in to the hostel around 3:30. It was only .03 miles to the hostel from the trail. Very convenient. The bunk room was set up really neat, bunks 3 high, but plenty of head room. There was a basket on each bed with sheets & towels all coordinated. There were plenty of items available for sale for snacks & drinks with prices clearly marked. They were given a sign-in sheet so they could write down all the items they purchased so they could pay all at once. Fahmah was impressed. There was even a phone for hikers to use for calling their support. Klip will need to resupply so will be a zero tomorrow."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-04-09
From: The Free State Hiker Hostel, Smithsburg, MD

To: The Free State Hiker Hostel, Smithsburg, MD
Miles today: 0.0

Today was spent going in to town for resupply. There was a conveniently posted phone number for a person that does shuttles in to town for resupply. Fahmah & Klip were taken in to Waynesboro to Walmart for all that they needed and then set up with the shuttle for a slack pack for tomorrow. Cell service was sketchy, but Fahmah got thru by walking up the hill behind the hostel. The day off was good for them. They will be back on the trail tomorrow."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-04-10
From: The Free State Hiker Hostel, Smithsburg, MD

To: Pen Mar Rd, PA
Miles today: 10.1

They were picked up for the slack pack. It was a relatively easy day of hiking, with the normal (for PA) sections with rocks. Crossed the Mason- Dixon line and MD/PA state line. Klip is wearing his boots again, but had to snip a piece out so it would not rub his foot too much. "FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-04-11
From: Pen Mar Rd, PA

To: Tumbling Run Shelter
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: clear sky

Fahmah & Klip made it to Tumbling Run Shelter. Today was our grandson, Colby's, first communion celebration. I spent the day in Middleboro for the celebration and did not get to talk to Fahmah for his update. He did call at our daughter's house and spoke to Colby to tell him how proud he was of him. We tried to talk, but had a terrible connection and kept getting disconnected. Updates will come tomorrow."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-04-12
From: Tumbling Run Shelter

To: Rocky Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: clear sky

It was chilly getting up this morning. Fahmah said it was 42 degrees, but felt colder. They went over Chimney Rocks and got some great photos. They didn't make it as far as they thought they would. Caledonia State Park doesn't open til Memorial Day so they couldn't stay there and the next shelter was further than they had time to walk. There have been vultures following them along.....looking for one of the hikers to drop to have a feast? That is morbid!Klip threatened his shoes with more cutting, so they started behaving and his foot is feeling better in them.Because of the spacing of the shelters, tomorrow will be a long day. They will need to walk about 13 miles to the next shelter. They plan an early start."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-04-13
From: Rocky Mtn Shelter

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: light rain

The guys had to stretch themselves today. Because of the spacing of the shelters, they had to walk 13 miles to reach the next shelter. They saw the first of the through hikers that had made it through the Smokies. Toeman & Knee-deep were the hikers Fahmah started to enter the Smokies with, but Fahmah turned back. Well, Toeman caught up to them and passed by today. He said he had been crossing paths with Trek along the way, so he must be nearby as well, but Fahmah didn't see him. These guys are incredible hikers, doing 30-mile plus days. We pray you have a wonderful, safe hike to Maine!The weather has been cooperative for the hikers now that they are out of winter. Fahmah & Klip are keeping their hike age-appropriate. They hike their own hike. Their favorite motto "it's about the smiles, not the miles"."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-04-14
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: Tom's Run Shelter
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: clear sky

It was another uneventful day of hiking in PA. Some section hikers stopped at the campsite and had their eyes on staying at Ironmaster's Mansion. When they found out the Fahmah & Klip also planned to stay there, they moved on rather quickly. Fahmah decided to call Ironmaster's and found that they were completely full with a group of students from a local school. They would be unable to stay there the next night as they had planned. I had dropped off a box for Fahmah there on my way home that they would have to stop & pick up before moving to a shelter further up the trail. But they are accustomed to adjustments in plans. Ironmaster's Mansion will be closing at the end of this month for some renovations. We don't know how long that will be so be sure to call ahead if you plan to use that hostel."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-04-15
From: Tom's Run Shelter

To: James Frye Shelter
Miles today: 10.9

Today the hikers walked in to Ironmaster's Mansion to pick up the box I had dropped there for Fahmah on my way home. It is a beautiful old brick mansion, kept very nicely and a great set up for a hostel. There is a general store down the road within eyesight where Klip went to a machine and got them cokes for a boost. The store was not open for the season yet (Mem Day to Labor Day), but in the summer they offer nobo hikers an opportunity to join the "half-gallon club" by eating a whole 1/2 gallon of Ice Cream to mark their 1/2-way point. They passed the midpoint mile marker....the real half-way from GA to ME on the trail today. They walked on a few more miles to the James Frye Shelter, also called "Tagg Run" for the old shelters it replaced. "FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-04-16
From: James Frye Shelter

To: Mt Holly Springs, PA
Miles today: 3.2

Short miles today. In at Mt Holly Springs, staying at the Holly Inn & Restaurant. Time for a good meal & shower. Update for the hikers following: Holly Inn is a great place to stay. It is often missed because of the Iron Master's Mansion, but it is an excellent choice to stay. They offer both lunch and dinner. They even have a band on Friday nights. They give a free ride to and from the trail. If you are in the area, May 1st is Caribbean Night!!Both hikers are feeling fine. Klip's foot is better. Their plans for the next drop will be at the Doyle Hotel in Duncannon. There will be thunderstorms tonight, so it is a great time to be inside. "FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-04-17
From: Mt Holly Springs, PA

To: Backpacker's Campsite, Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 8.3

Boiling Springs is the home of the ATC's mid-atlantic office. Lodging in Boiling Spring is limited, so the hikers stopped at the Backpacker's Campsite just before town. As with most hostels on the AT, there is a railroad very near with trains going by all night long. In fact, they had to wait for a train to cross to get to the campsite. They saw many hikers on the trail today. Mostly section hikers & weekenders, almost all women. One poor soul had been caught in the thunderstorms last night without rain gear and was soaked. Another of the thru-hikers from the Smokies passed by today. They saw Tim (UK), aka The Gent, and a message from Trek today puts him at the Bear's Den Hostel just short of the VA/MD state line. I just checked on Uncle Frank. He was in the Waynesboro, VA area on the 15th and was with Knee-Deep. Knee-Deep took the weekend off but is nearing the MD border too. It is so cool to see them making such good time. Fahmah & Klip had dinner in town, Fahmah had chicken, broccoli & fettucini in alfredo sauce...said it wasn't quite like mine at home. That's not usually something he would order out, he must be homesick! "FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-04-18
From: Backpacker's Campsite, Boiling Springs, PA

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

The hikers made some good mileage today. They thought it was going to rain all day, as they saw the cows laying down. Someone had told Fahmah that when the cows laid down, it was going to rain....when it didn't he thought he had been lied to. Anyway, they booked it to the shelter. They were back to the mountains so lots of ups & downs. There is a privy at the shelter that is named "the Taj Mahal"!! Hope he got a photo of it. By the way, sorry for no photos for a while. Fahmah seems to have broken his camera and keeps forgetting to send the SD card home to me. I will remind him when I talk to him next. They saw Natureboy, a thru hiker that also made it through the Smokies before Fahmah attempted. He has now caught up and passed Fahmah as of today. Also, remember the story of the vultures that have been following the two old geezers, just waiting for a chance for a meal? Well, Fahmah found a wing feather of a vulture and put it in his cap near his ear!! They didn't see a vulture for the rest of the day!And finally, I posted an update regarding the Holly Inn on that page for hikers that are following!! Check it out."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-04-19
From: Darlington Shelter

To: The Doyle Hotel, Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: clear sky

The "famous" Doyle Hotel. Over 100 years old, an original Anheuser-Busch hotel. Its old but it still alive....just two old hikers I know. The walk in was long, high climbs and long downs. They walked along the side of a hill with so many rocks where they felt if they sneezed it would have caused a rock slide. They saw another thru hiker names Taximan. And you know what, they didn't see any vultures today either! Finally they arrived at the Doyle, cleaned up and went for supper. Fahmah had scallops, fries & hush puppies with clam chowder and salad!! Enough for a hungry hiker. Tomorrow will be a zero."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-04-22
From: Clarks Ferry Shelter

To: Peters Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: broken clouds

Today the hikers walked over the footbridge at Rt 225. This was a spot that brought back memories of Thanksgiving weekend in 2007. When Jack & Fahmah were hiking, this is where I picked them up after a day of slack packing. It was in the parking lot on the north side of the footbridge. They had a tough hike up and over Table Rock. They made it in to the shelter finding the water source was down a blue blaze trail, 300 steep rock steps down and back up."FOR YOU JIM"