morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-06-13
From: Uncle Kelly's House

To: Blackburn AT Hostel 1,650
Miles today: 14.1

Woke up at 7:00 to cloudy skies but no rain. Very warm temps today, probably above 80. It was great! I left my uncle's house with my sister who was dropping me off at the trailhead at VA605. I got to the trail around 9:00, said my goodbyes, and took off at a slow pace. My ankle is still hurting and I was taking it slow so I wouldn't roll it. I stopped at Sam Moore shelter for a break. This is a really nice shelter but there were several notes in the register about a big, hairy spider living there. Some called it a tarantula, but I don't know about that...I hiked a bit further and ran into Slow Ride and Tadpole. Took a break with them at an overlook, then moved on, planning to go 17+ to the shelter. I heard thunder around 3:00. Started raining lightly before 5:00 and I was about a mile from this hostel that Tadpole had told me about. I stopped. This is an awesome hostel run by the PATC. There is a bunkhouse with 4 double bunks, a house with a huge porch where the caretakers live, and a carriage house and two privies. They have an outdoor solar shower. No thanks. I was so surprised when I got here. EZ Does It is here! I haven't seen him for a long time! Pez, Tadpole, Slow Ride, Casey, and Rocky are here as well. Good to see Rocky again. He was off the trail for 7 days with his girlfriend. That's why we met up again. Bill and Sarah run the hostel this year. It changes from year to year. They cook dinner almost every night. Tonight we had spaghetti, green beans, garlic bread, and a warm chocolate brownie for dessert. Outstanding! They are such nice people and have a cute little girl named Kye. Not sure about that spelling. It is beautiful here and they have a great view. I am 3.5 miles short of the shelter. I will have a very hard time getting to the post office by noon tomorrow. I am getting up at 5:00 with Casey and Pez.My right leg is cramping because I think I did not have enough water today. I did not have much of an appetite today either but dinner was excellent. No cooking, no dishes! The trail was not too bad today even though I was on the roller coaster. This is a series of ups and downs but they are short, some are steep. It was pretty rocky which was hard on my ankle. The trail into Harper's Ferry tomorrow should be easier. The roller coaster is done!I'm going to make some calls on the payphone, get water, and go to bed. The roller coaster and the heat kicked my butt today but I am in good company tonight and looking forward to Harper's Ferry tomorrow. Hope I catch up with some people that passed me while I was at my uncle's house living the good life.Crossed over into West Virginia today. It feels great to finish the fourth state. West Virginia is only about 3 or 7 miles, I can't tell which. Depending on where I stay tomorrow, I may finish state number five.Goodnight Oscar. Glad you are feeling better little buddy.
Date: 2003-06-15
From: Harper's Ferry Hostel 260

To: David Wayne's House, Boonesboro
Miles today: 15.9

That hostel is awesome! Slept great, the caretakers are great and spoiled us with snacks and lemonade. One of the biggest advantages is it is right on the AT. We walked out the door and on to the trail. My legs and ankle felt sore and I was going pretty slow at first. The weather was supposed to be bad but was just cloudy and really humid. I was sweating bullets and it was running off my face and arms within minutes and the trail was totally flat. I was hiking with EZ Does It. We found water and Gatorade by a sign before we even went a mile. We split the Gatorade and moved on.The first part of the trail was along the C&O Towpath along the Potomac River. Lots of people were running or walking on the path which would have been really pretty except for the stagnate water in this huge ditch to our left. It was between the railroad tracks and the path, then there was a strip of wooded area then the Potomac. I kept thinking about West Nile and walked faster.Today was an A+ hiking day. We took a break at Weverton Cliffs and had a great view then ate lunch at the Ed Garvey Shelter which is new. I give it and the privy a 10. This is one of the nicest shelters on the AT and it has THE nicest privy so far. We ate with Strappy and her boyfriend who is visiting her for a few days. We moved on after lunch and took a break at Gathland State Park. Lots of history here and a soda and juice machine! EZ and I had a juice, then along comes The Geezers, Strappy, and some other people. The other people were out for Father's Day doing trail magic! They brought sodas and nectarines for us. It was a man and his wife and their three year old daughter Meg. Very nice family and we really appreciated the magic! We took some pictures and left the park. Sweet Ass, Strappy, EZ, and The Geezers camped at Dahlgren campground which is the only camping spot on the AT with showers and flush toilets. I went on a little further to the road and called David Wayne who is my stepmom's son. He lives near Boonesboro. I had never met him but he agreed to take me in for a night. He showed up at the South Mountain Inn Restaurant (not hiker friendly, too fancy) and got out of a car that drove on. The road was closed so he hitched a ride for a mile! We walked back to his car and went to the house which is beautiful and has a beautiful yard and garden. I met his wife Jae and his youngest daughter Kelly. They were all so nice. Jae did my laundry and David Wayne fixed dinner. We had chicken, mashed potatoes, salad, and fresh strawberries from the garden. It was all good and I had two pieces of chicken and two helpings of mashed potatoes. I had already had a shower. We talked a while and played with Chism and Max, the dogs, and called my dad for Father's Day, then went to bed. I slept on flannel sheets! Loved it! Their hospitality was wonderful and they said I am welcome to stay there on the drive back from Maine. I might just do that so I can see then again and see Boonesboro. It looked like a nice town.Today was good - very good. Goodnight Oscar.
Date: 2003-06-16
From: David Wayne's House, Boonesboro

To: Washington Monument State Park 1,500
Miles today: 15.9

Woke up this morning around 5:30 at David Wayne's house. He's a postman so he works early. I ate a breakfast of bagels and more fresh strawberries from their garden, then he dropped me off at Washington Monument State Park because of the road closure. I skipped another 1.5 miles of trail. I walked up to the park and used the payphone to call my friend Missy in Pittsburgh. We were going to try to get together but it didn't work out. I talked for a long time and EZ showed up. He used the phone and I walked up to the monument. It was a really nice monument and had a great view. I met EZ on the trail and we headed out. We stopped for a break here and there and met up with Dreamwalker, Kiwi, and PacMan. Ate lunch at a campsite on a bunch of rocks with those guys, then we hiked on through a lot of rocks! My feet were really hurting when we got to the shelter where I intended to stay because of my hurting feet, even though I wanted to go on. When we got there, there was a strange guy there covered in soot with a patch over one eye and gloves with no fingers in them even though it was warm out. He creeped all of us out. The Geezers left almost immediately and EZ and I stayed and cooked dinner before heading on. I think the guy was harmless, he made sense when he talked and didn't say anything weird, but I was creeped out. We think he was homeless. Before EZ and I left, Sweet Ass showed up and came with us to find a campsite.We hiked about 1.5 miles further and are now camped in the woods on what I believe to be private land. We aren't sure. Hope the owners don't do a night patrol. They will never know we were here in the morning.It is nice to be in my tent again, but this thing is heavy - six pounds! Sweet Ass has an MSR Zoid 1.5 that weighs in less than 3 pounds and is pretty roomy. I may bite the bullet and get one to finish this trip. I could use it in the future, but I think I would keep my REI because it is so great for two people. I think I can also get rid of my pack lid and put the stuff I keep in there in my pack. I need to lighten up. My feet are killing me and I don't think it is the new shoes. They are very comfortable. I hate to spend the money on a new tent, but I have got to lighten up some more.I am camped here with EZ Does It and Sweet Ass. We have a good time together. Sweet Ass has a great sense of humor. He has a degree in history and loves all the historical signs and sites we've been seeing lately along the trail. He said he rarely reads fiction and always carries books to read on the trail. If you met him and talked to him for only 15 minutes you would be as shocked as I was to learn all this. Very interesting guy and very funny. My ankle feels better, but not 100%. My left foot I believe has a stone bruise on the bottom in the center. I thought it was a callus, but it has gotten worse. I'll have to get something to cushion it at the next stop. Other than that, I feel good. We hiked all day in the sunshine and temps never got above 75. Perfect hiking day and my spirits are good.Goodnight Oscar.
Date: 2003-06-17
From: Campsite 1,300

To: Tumbling Run Shelter 1,120
Miles today: 15.5

Guess what I did today? I hiked in the rain. Imagine that. We heard the forecast was supposed to be sunny and warm through tomorrow. Whatever.I slept okay last night but my allergies were bothering me a little. My throat is scratchy which is a bad sign. I got up around 6:40, ate breakfast, packed up, and was on the trail with Sweet Ass by 7:50. We hiked all morning together until we got to Pen Mar State Park. We met up with The Geezers and EZ, Big Red, Pez, and Booble. We ordered pizza from the payphone and ate it under the pavillion. Great lunch. I also had two sodas. After lunch, my feet felt a lot better. I hiked with Sweet Ass and Booble most of the way to the next shelter where we met up with EZ and Big Red. There were five of us and there were five beers in the stream! Thanks trail angels! By this time the rain was light but steady. We took a long break, then hiked the last 1.2 miles to the shelter. I am sheltering with Strappy, Big Red, Mono and Tortuga, The Geezers, and Sweet Ass. EZ and Booble disappeared over the hill to set up their tarps and never returned. It is still raining and in the 50's. Hiking today was very comfortable but the temps are starting to go down.We finished Maryland today and moved into Pennsylvania. I am so excited. I am on state number seven out of fourteen. I am almost halfway. I feel pretty proud of what I have done so far, but I have a long way to go.Goodnight Oscar.
Date: 2003-06-18
From: Tumbling Run Shelter 1,120

To: Quarry Gap Shelters 1,455
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained all night and there was supposedly thunder and lightening but I never heard it. I stayed warm, though. I was in the non-snoring shelter and it was great.We had a very productive day today but a surprisingly quiet one. I hiked all day with EZ, Sweet Ass, and Booble. For some reason, I was always the second one in line. EZ was the leader. If the other two were in front of me, they would just leave me in the dust so they walked behind me. We didn't talk much today for some reason but Sweet Ass took a fall on some mean rocks. He was okay but Booble was behind him and never offered a hand. He will never live it down.Pennsylvania rocks are not so bad so far but I am anticipating much worse. Today's hiking provided no views but that was not our main objective today. We were on a mission to get to US30 to Taormina's Pizzaria and Hinckle's Grocery. We made it there around 1:00, I think. For lunch I had stromboli, salad, breaded mushrooms, and a huge Coke. For dessert, I had Denali Moose Tracks ice cream. After lunch, we went to the store and I got some snacks and Double Stuff Oreos - a whole package. Then we walked back to the pizzaria and Booble and Sweet Ass got another milkshake. They guy working there gave me the extra.When we left the pizzaria, I asked these two high school kids to give us a ride to the trailhead and we rode in the back of their truck. Then we went uphill. Not good after ice cream. We made it to the shelter in record time, though. Two point five miles in one hour.This shelter rocks. There are two shelters again, and I claimed mine to be non-snoring! There is a covered breezeway between the shelters with a picnic table and a bamboo shade you can pull down if it is raining. There is also a covered porch, firepit, and a great privy that is pitch dark but clean and has TP. This shelter is clean, has a great stream, and a little stream in front that has a rock wall built up. The best feature is the two flower pots at each corner of the shelter filled with petunias. The "Innkeeper" whose real name is Jim takes care of this place and it is great! I am in the shelter with Booble and Sweet Ass. EZ Does It and EZ Money are in the other and Mono and Tortuga are tenting. The Red Baron just got here. He is out for one night. I don't know where he will end up but he carried a GALLON of lemonade and two packages of cookies up here. EZ just made a very rude comment and pissed me off! He is in the dog house! Today was great. I am having a much better time since I have slowed down a bit but at some point I will pick up the pace. I really want to finish at the end of August or Labor Day. I had a good day, good food, good company, good shelter.Goodnight Oscar.
Date: 2003-06-19
From: Quarry Gap Shelters 1,455

To: Inronmaster's Mansion Hostel 820
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: light rain

It rained all night. No surprise there. This morning was warm, cloudy, and we made it to the hostel before the rain started. I hiked with Sweet Ass all morning listening to his stories from high school. He was quite the trouble maker. Then Booble joined us and we took a break at a brand new shelter called Birch Run. It is beautiful and could probably hold about 18 people. We hiked on to the next shelter for another break, then on to the Pine Grove Furnace State Park for a cheeseburger, chips, and soda. The state park is where the half gallon challenge takes place. We are exactly one mile short of the official halfway marker, so thru hikers will try to eat a half gallon of ice cream in one sitting. Today, three people in our group attempted it and only Booble succeeded with a little help from me. I ate some of the peanut butter in his chocolate peanut butter ice cream. We got to the state park around 3:30 and the hostel doesn't open until 5:00. We sat around and ate for a while and then the rain came. Sweet Ass had just left to go on to the shelter. He has to meet his family in two days.This hostel is very cool. It is in a mansion next to the campstore and used to be part of the underground railroad. It can house over 50 people, has four bathrooms, huge kitchen, common room, a basement with laundry and ping pong, and a huge chess board in concrete in the backyard. There is also a volleyball court and a lot of books and board games. The bunks are so-so but I am glad to be in a bed with a pillow. I am here with EZ, Booble, Pez, Strappy, and Andy who I have never met before. There are also a couple of families here because this hostel is part of Hosteling International. I have to check the laundry and go to bed. We are doing 19 miles tomorrow. This was a good day. Very good day.Goodnight Oscar.
Date: 2003-06-20
From: Inronmaster's Mansion Hostel 820

To: Alec Kennedy Shelter 950
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: 0

Well, well, well. I woke up this morning after a fitful night's sleep on the worst hostel bed imaginable, got ready to hike 19 miles, went out on the porch of the hostel with Booble, and proceeded to sit there until 11:30 watching it rain. Pez and I played checkers, Booble and I got a burger and a coke next door, and we just had a great time on the porch. Then we left in the rain. Iron Toothpick (Andy) had already gone, so it was just Strappy, Pez, Booble and me. I hiked the whole day with Booble in the rain, until the afternoon when it finally stopped. Today's hike was easy, mostly flat, and not too many rocks. No views though. Since it was raining, our mission was to just get to the shelter. When we got there, Pez and Strappy were tarping, and EZ Does It, Sweet Ass, Dr. Thunder and Banana, Gazer, and Nightwalker were in the shelter. Iron Toothpick put up his hammock to make room in the shelter. That was very cool.We passed the midpoint marker about a mile north of the hostel. I am over halfway there and it feels great. We also passed the 1,100 mile marker. Awesome. I feel great.
Date: 2003-06-21
From: Alec Kennedy Shelter 950

To: Darlington Shelter 1,170
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: light rain

Today was the first day of summer. It rained and never got above 60 degrees. What's up with that? It was also naked hiker day. I didn't see any. I'm okay with that. I did not get naked myself. I'm sure other hikers are okay with that. I woke up at 6:30 and was on the trail by 8:00. No rain yet. Booble and I hiked the 4 miles to Boiling Springs. It was 9:40 AM. We checked out the ATC Regional office, I got a free donut from the volunteer there, then we went next door to the outfitter so Booble could get fuel and he bought a hat - a black, crushable, water resistant, felt hat. It looks really good on him. Next, we had coffee at the cafe with Pez and Strappy and Gazer who has hurt his back. Then everybody but Gazer moved over to the Boiling Springs Tavern and we had lunch and beers. This took way longer than I anticipated. We still had about 15 miles to go, it was raining, and it was 3:00 when Booble and I left. We hiked across a flat valley, the last 6 miles of which was mostly ankle deep mud, then climbed up to the shelter. About halfway up, there was a rock bench, so we sat there to admire the view, then got to the shelter around 9:00 PM. It was almost dark. This was a great equinox.The town of Boiling Springs is very cool. Had I known how cool, I might have planned differntly. When you enter town on the trail, you cross the river where people were trout fishing, then you walk by a lake surrounded by beautiful historic homes and geese and ducks and swans. We walked right by the ATC office. Very nice town, very hiker friendly, and worth a visit. The tavern and cafe were both excellent too. I am in the shelter tonight with Pez, Strappy, Booble, Kneepad from Salisbury, Maryland, and Iron Toothpick. I don't know what happened to EZ. Sweet Ass got picked up today and will be back on the trail tomorrow. We have 12 miles into Duncannon, and it is mostly flat. After all that mud today, I can't wait to shower and wash my shoes! I sank ankle deep in it and was covered from the knee down - literally. I love mud!
Date: 2003-06-22
From: Darlington Shelter 1,170

To: Duncannon PA, Doyle Hotel 385
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up at 6:00. It was cold and rainy. You're not surprised? ME EITHER! Hiked into Duncannon,PA with Strappy, Pez, and Booble, and checked into the infamous Doyle Hotel. It is an old Anheiser Busch hotel and is being renovated. It is cheap, not so nice but a great place to stay. We met up with Iron Toothpick, Kneepad, and Sweet Ass when we arrived. Strappy and I shared a room since we are the only females. After we all took showers (the bathrooms are in the hall, by the way) and did laundry, we got a shuttle to the store then came back to the hotel. Everybody was hungry and we went across the street to The Pub. My appetite is slowing back down again. I had some jalepeno poppers and a turkey club, and we all shared pitchers of Yeungling beer brewed right here in PA. I spent a few dollars playing music on the jukebox. I really miss music. The owner of the pub really spoiled Strappy and me. He gave us a free pitcher and a pin that says Appalachian Trail 2003. Cool.The Pub closed at 8:00 so we went across the street to a pizza place, had more to eat and drink, and left around 11:30. I had a great time with everybody and laughed till I cried at some of the stuff we talked about. This was a great town stop. Goodnight Oscar.
Date: 2003-06-23
From: Duncannon PA, Doyle Hotel 385

To: Peters Mtn Shelter 1,180
Miles today: 11.4

Woke up at the Doyle Hotel around 6:30. What is wrong with me? Everybody got up and messed around a while getting packed up, going to the post office, etc. The main thing we all noticed was the sun was shining and it was really warm outside, probably high 80's. We were so excited but not very motivated to leave. Sweet Ass, Booble, Iron Toothpick, and myself ended up going back to The Pub to eat lunch and listen to more music! Then we wandered back to the hotel and people started wandering toward the trail.Booble and I left around 1:30 and took our time doing the two miles ut of town that were TOTALLY FLAT. It took us an hour! We were so tired. We saw a bear today! Booble and I saw a small one on the trail about 30 feet in front of us and it took off running downhill. I was psyched. Later we hooked up with Pez and Strappy at the first shelter. There was a homeless guy there muttering to himself. He was harmless enough but odd. He ended up going to the next shelter and tenting. Since we got to PA, strange people have been coming out of the woodwork here in the woods!I didn't get to the shelter until 8:30. By the time I got water it was dark already. The walk to get water was a steep downhill with a lot of rock steps. It was a seven minute walk down to the water and by the time I got back up I was soaking wet from sweating and needed water! I ate dinner and went to bed. It was so warm and nice outside. I slept pretty good until the bugs started to bite in the morning. I think it might finally be summer.Goodnight Oscar.
Date: 2003-06-24
From: Peters Mtn Shelter 1,180

To: Campsite 970
Miles today: 17.5

Pez woke up really early this morning around 5:30. Why does this happen to me? I was sleeping so soundly. I was up and ready to go by 7:20. Once again, the sun was shining and it was warm. I didn't even have to put on long sleeves this morning. I left and hiked alone for about an hour, then I saw Strappy who I cannot keep up with and Booble caught up to me. Had a snack later and Sweet Ass caught up. We all hiked together until we reached the campsite which is about 100 yards before the shelter. There is a creek, fire ring, and really great tent sites.I am camping with Pez, Strappy, Sweet Ass, Booble, and Beekeeper who is keeping to himself. Pez got a nice fire going, dinner and dishes are done, and for the first time on this entire trail, I am not putting up my rainfly. I am tired today, more than usual. I am cutting this short and going to relax.Goodnight Oscar.
Date: 2003-06-25
From: Campsite 970

To: 501 Shelter 1,460
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Slept pretty well in my tent, except for the dew that fell on me. Woke up around 6:45 out of a sound sleep. Got ready to rock and roll and hit the trail by 8:15. I walked faster today than I have been but I don't know how. My quads are sore for some reason. I haven't had sore legs since day five so I don't know what's going on. Ben Gay it is tonight!The walk today was easy going for the most part and the day was sunny, hot, and slightly humid. I'm okay with that. After I crossed under I81, I ran into Sweet Ass. We hiked together and Booble caught up about 3 miles before the first shelter. We stopped there for a very long lunch and left at 3:30 to do the last 4 miles to 501 shelter, which is very close to a road.When we got to the shelter, Pez, Strappy, and Sweet Ass hitched into town and got sodas. I put up my tent and took a solar shower. It felt awesome even though it was less than room temperature. I will sleep good tonight after that! We had dinner and now time to roast marshmallows!I am tenting with Strappy, Pez, Beekeeper, Booble, Sweet Ass, Right On and her dog, Brown Dog, Eli who did 30 miles today, and Sweet Ass. The fire is calling. I'm still wearing shorts and short sleeves and lovin it!Goodnight Oscar.