morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-06-26
From: Peters Mtn Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: overcast clouds

June 26 On to Rausch Gap ShelterIn the PM, the trail shifted over to Sharp Mountain, SE of the Harrisburg water supply (De Hart Reservoir). Tomorrow we will make a similar shift, again to the east -- to Blue Mountain.The area we are in now was mined for coal many years ago. Makes for nice hiking path on lanes formerly used for mining operations. Some portions, however, are very rough and rocky. We all enjoyed the day and had a nice "round robin dinner" (shared each other's food). John said I spoiled mine by putting tuna in it. Ha - greenhorn. I fixed broccoli and rice with ground beef, mixed veggies, and Parkay. So what's wrong with a little more protein? Adam fixed rice and chicken, Sox fixed noodles and veggies, and John fixed Fettuccine Alfredo. All in all, it was pretty good.John hiked with Adam a lot today while Sox went out front as always. I think Adam showed John a lot of plants that they used back home in NC. Was glad to see them together like that. Adam had us chewing on Bay berry leaves and making tooth picks from green birch twigs.I told Adam about Santa Anna going to Washington after the Texas Revolution and how he met up with a pharmacist named Wrigley and he invented and sold a product made of a tree gum. It was designed to discourage kids from chewing tobacco. We call it chewing gum today.You run into a lot of stuff out here on the trail!
Date: 2004-06-27
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: '501' Shelter (BIRTHDAY PARTY)
Miles today: 17.4

June 27th - 67th BirthdayToday is Sunday and we are on the trail by 6:30. Under the circumstances, this was as good a birthday as anyone could expect. At first break, son John delivered nice card from Mary Ann and family gift - A Suunto 'Vector' watch with altimeter and other electronic doodads. This thing is great. Its got every thing on it except roller skates. Knowing elevation is most helpful.(Since I am editing all his Journal entries, I might add that we also gave him a new pair of Merrell hiking shoes since he had worn out his others. Mary Ann)During the day we got to cover a few rocky sections so John had a chance to get an introduction to the PENNSYLVANIA ROCKS. Actually the real 'rocks' are mostly after Port Clinton. The night before was cool but weather was perfect for hiking.Ended the day at the '501 Shelter'. John used his cell phone and ordered two pizzas and diet coke. Smooth move on his part. Instant friends! We had 13 people present and we all had hiked together since Duncannon. They sang Happy Birthday and ate pizza for birthday cake. Only thing missing was candles.   Good cell phone connection. Got to talk to wife, Mary Ann and church friends: Dianne, Larry, Ann, and Bill. I called Mark and Noel. Slept well, knowing that all is well.Covered 17.4 miles. Total distance is 1179.0 / 995.1 to Katahdin.
Date: 2004-06-28
From: '501' Shelter (BIRTHDAY PARTY)

To: Eagles Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

June 28 - John's Return to Sugar Land, TXWe left the 501 Shelter at 6:30 and made good time. Encountered some boulder stretches and some rocky trail but all in all we traveled at normal speed of about 2 mi/h. Very pleasant hiking conditions this morning - no rain and about 75 degrees. We stopped several times to pick and eat blueberries.Arrived PA 183 crossing at 11:15 and John was able to confirm arrangement with Heather (Doyle morning cook and shuttle driver).After John left, I went on about 6 more miles to the Eagles Nest Shelter. It's been widely noted that I look a little like Willie Nelson with my beard and red dew rag. Have had a good time with that - even singing old Willie songs. Hope John does not tell Mary Ann about my "On the Road Again" tattoo.Used my new watch to advantage this AM. Was able to confirm arrival at the Hertlein Campsite. Something almost magical occurs when you have to be at a certain place. Sox says I was keyed-up this morning. Think that was just because John and I were ready to hit the trail before she was ready to go. (Actually she was just being nice to let us go out together)Don't honestly know how we were able to get thru rocky sections at the same speed as other smoother parts of the trail.
Date: 2004-06-29
From: Eagles Nest Shelter

To: Hamburg, Pa (Turned down by Port Clinton)
Miles today: 9.3
Weather: clear sky

June 29 - Port Clinton AlmostWalked down PA 61 to Hamburg, Pa and stayed in the Microtel. Sharing a room with Adam. We went across the hi-way to see big Cabella Store Complex. Picked up a Cabela Cap to replace the ATC Crew Cap lost in Virginia. (That loss was caused by starting to wear the dew rag) Willie Nelson, etc. There really is no tattoo.Our main job is to get in the calories. Ate at both Burger King and Wendy's then we each brought back an extra hamburger and milk shake for late night snack. Three hamburgers in one day. That ought to help.Got my mustache caught in my teeth today. Now that's a new kind of pain.Talked to family again by cell phone. Got to talk to new granddaughter Leslie today. And another first - First time to be refused a hotel room. Told Adam I guess we now know how so many black folks felt when they were refused service. Reckon that experience at Port Clinton could be more voluble than immediately obvious.Oh, by the way, If you have not already looked, I recommend you read SOX's journal at this same site. I've never seen it but I bet it's pretty good. And besides, you will get another view of some of the same events. She, Adam, and I are dedicated to helping each other realize our quest to reach the top Katahdin. We will do it. Only about 10 weeks from today!
Date: 2004-06-30
From: Hamburg, Pa (Turned down by Port Clinton)

To: Eckville, PA.
Miles today: 14.5

June 30 - To EckvilleAte like pigs at the Microtel continental breakfast. Late start but very fine day. Great weather. Covered 14.5 miles for totals of 1217.9 walked and 956.2 to go.Got cleaned up really good at the motel. Tented out at Eckvillle. Ate pizza again as some ordered delivery to the shelter again.Lost my Gerber knife. Used it at lunch but must have fallen out at some rest stop. I will just buy another one at Delaware Water Gap and then kiss Pennsylvania goodbye.
Date: 2004-07-01
From: Eckville, PA.

To: Tripoli Camp Site
Miles today: 13.3

July 1 - Eckville to Tripoli Camp SiteWe are controlling our progress to enable pick-ups at the Delaware Water Gap Post Office on Tuesday. If you, dear reader, have kept up with my saga to date, you will find this next development hard to believe.I lost my pocket knife today. Not the special Swiss Army one, mind you, but the single bladed Gerber I was so fond of. Even thought I tied it down with a safety cord it got away somewhere between Eckville Shelter and Dan's Pulpit (a 1650' elevation vista on blue mountain)This sad loss was almost balanced out by the special observance of a water bar and trail work site where I helped set a stepping stone. A marvel of trail work and engineering, we stopped to take pictures and certify the quality and splendor of the path. On hand to participate in this special celebration was Palm Tree, retired CPA from Florida, and Boony, Civil Engineer and registered Professional Engineer with a degree from Georgia Tech (he is a bonafide rambling wreck and heck of an engineer, etc). Palm Tree and Booney exclaimed that this was one of the most memorable HIGHLIGHTS of the whole Appalachian Trail. This was a rare photo opportunity and of course we covered it like a blanket. -- It's not every day I get to walk on a part of the trail that I actually helped to rebuild. (September 2002).
Date: 2004-07-02
From: Tripoli Camp Site

To: George Outerbridge Shelter
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: few clouds

July 2 - Short Day to George Outerbridge ShelterCaribbean black beans and rice for breakfast. Good sleeping weather last night and no condensation in tents or under tarps. I ate leftovers for breakfast. Last night we fixed tacos with dehydrated ground beef. Sox's husband, Paul sent her a 16 OZ. package and she wanted to use up the 'heavy stuff'. Used my beans and rice..Did 10.9 miles today and totals are 1242.1 with 932.0 miles to go.Climbed over major rocks. Even dangerous! Place called 'The Knife Edge'. Interesting and challenging. See pictures. Tomorrow is a major day with longer distance and big climb out of Lehigh Gap.
Date: 2004-07-03
From: Lehigh Shelter

To: Leroy Smith Shelter
Miles today: 16.7
Weather: clear sky

July 3 - Thru Lehigh Gap to Leroy Smith ShelterUp and going down the trail at 6:15. Saw more Blueberries on top of Blue Mountain at north side of Lehigh Gap than ever before. Also noticed two varieties. One type is almost black in color. Bushes were so full you could pick berries 4 and 5 at a time. We ate gobs of blueberries.But most exciting was the climb out of the gap. This was the first real rock climbing on the trail so far. In some places, there was no choice but to step on little 2" ledges and use your fingers in cracks to pull yourself up. Got pictures. It was real exciting.On top, we crossed an area that is part of one of the Super Fund sites. Its a place where early zinc mining had caused a lot of damage. The Mountain environment is recovering now.Saw a type of tree that reminds me of the Aspen. Think it may be a type of Birch. Incidence of conifers was fairly high at upper elevations. We traveled the whole way without resupplying water because of the contaminated terrain. No problem. Great day.
Date: 2004-07-04
From: Leroy Smith Shelter

To: Kirkridge Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: scattered clouds

July 4 - Sunday and Hard day on the Rocky TrailLots of rocks on the trail. We just about concluded that the local maintaining clubs have the idea that the main essential for trail maintenance is to gather rocks and distribute them along the path. The second essential is to put toilet paper in the privies and that's about it. They must not teach grade school kids here to color inside the lines. The white blazes look a little fuzzy - and it's not all because the trees are growing them out of shape.I played a couple of tunes on the tin whistle to celebrate the 4th of July.Don't know exactly how it fits in but the music program for the evening included the old standard, "Cockles and Mussels". That one is always a crowd pleaser - well at least it's frequently requested by fellow hiker, Boony. We also included "The Rakes of Mallow", "The Irish Washerwoman", and Saint Patrick's Day - none of which seem to have much connection to Independence Day. (I call it thru-hiker license) Anyway I did play Yankee-Doodle Dandy and I even omitted my famous rendition of The Londonderry Air (Danny Boy).Great time was had by all and we even got to see and hear fireworks from the Kirkridge Shelter......By the way, during the day, about lunch time, Adam and I met this guy from Scotland, 'Voyager'. He said they celebrate the 4th of July in England too because they were glad to get rid of the pesky colonists. (Might have been tongue-in-cheek report). He also told us that the tea tax had already been repealed by the time the colonists held the Boston Tea Party. Problem was, news had not yet arrived by ship to America.See how educational hiking the AT can be?
Date: 2004-07-05
From: Kirkridge Shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: light rain

July 5th - Into Delaware Water GapOur Plan is to spend tonight and tomorrow at the Ramada Inn, then move across the Delaware River and tackle New Jersey.Won't be much for us! Want to soak our tired and bruised feet and get resupplied.After leaving the last shelter in Pennsylvania (Kirkridge Shelter), we had only 6.4 miles to town. About Totts Gap we found lots of blueberries. These were even more plentiful on Mt. Minsi.Again we found lots of blueberries along the way - and some raspberries too. About half way to town, we passed by a group of girls in a circle.   Looked like they were having some kind of study. Later they told us they were part of a girl's camp group.Down from Mt Minsi to town, we passed thru a rather large Rhododendron forest and it was covered with white blooms. Got several pictures. The rocks were different in appearance. More reddish-brown and green colors and somewhat softer than the hard sandstone and shale of recent days. The trail still had enough rocks to feel similar to other rocky Penn sections.Our friend, Strider, finished the whole trail with the section to town. He and friend, Blip, from the area met us at the trailhead with cold cokes. (Nice) Even better they furnished transportation to get clothes washed and to make a supply run to Wal-Mart.Rest of the day we will nap and eat. Simple rest is good. Tomorrow we will pick up mail drops and prepare to leave town. Other than that, it will be mostly eating and sleeping. Our feet need the rest.Total mileage is now 1279.0 and only 895.1 to Katahdin.Buy the way Blip's journal can be found on trailjournals.com under AT for 2003 because she thru-hiked last year. If you have time, go look it up and sign her guest book and thank her for me. She was a big help today in getting our resupply business done. Trail magic takes various forms but I can tell you for sure it is alive and well.Oh, and thanks to all for your continual prayers for 'travel mercies'. Among other things, our hiking weather has been marvelous.
Date: 2004-07-06
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Delaware Water Gap, Pa (Zero Day)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

July 6th - True Zero DayMailed forward excess food to Fort Montgomery, NY. Priority mail drop for DWG was sent to Kent, Conn. I got alcohol fuel topped off. No repairs to damaged hiking poles (they really have character after the Penn Knife Edge incident when I bent the mid section of my left pole when overbalanced). I should take a picture of my poles.Spent day trying to do as little physical activity as possible. I did a lot of eating and sleeping. Adam and I are sharing a room and have watched some TV. Played tin whistle a little to learn more Irish tunes. Before Maine I will know all the hornpipes and other tunes that are in the little book that came with my set of whistles. (I play mostly on the one pitched in D). Made phone contact with family and friends. I have the best support from all of them. Mary Ann and I decided to postpone getting together here for 43rd anniversary. We plan to celebrate it at a later date.Good rest after walking over rocky paths. Will be ready to tackle NJ tomorrow.
Date: 2004-07-07
From: Delaware Water Gap, Pa

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: scattered clouds

July 7 - 1st Day in New JerseyEntering the woods soon after crossing the Delaware River was breathtaking. In two ways - First there were a couple of porta-potty units that were very ripe near the trail head. You could smell them 200 yards away. But secondly, the path starts up beside a mountain stream and its sight was so beautiful and striking it reminded me of some kind of commercial that might be on the back page of Outdoor Life or something. See photo.New Jersey is very beautiful so far and the trail is lined with plentiful blueberry bushes. We stopped for lunch at a natural alpine lake (Pan Fish Lake) and again the sight of it will make you wish to climb 1000' or so just to see it. Water is crystal clear.Saw two rattle snakes today, one green and one was black. The black one was coiled up beside a tree on the right side of the trail. I got within about 2' of it before it started moving and rattling. Man it scared me. I let out a yelp and jumped backwards, falling to the ground. Bruised the base of my left thumb on a rock. Got picture. He was a mean looking devil! Also saw a big black snake and, believe it or not, saw my first grass hopper. Pan Fish Lake had lots of frogs and saw quite a few big tadpoles - about 4" long.Total miles today only 10.5 with totals now at 1289.5 walked and 884.6 to Katahdin.Adam has bruises on his feet and is soaking them on ice this evening at the Mohican Outdoor Center lodge. I am tenting out. It's raining tonight. Was able to cook on the front porch of the lodge, use the bathroom, and get water supply there. Also stored my food there for the night.Plan to get an early start tomorrow as we will do 20.9 miles.
Date: 2004-07-08
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: scattered clouds

July 8 - New Jersey Day 2 - Lost BuddiesI am shocked by the quick turn of events. Adam's feet are not good enough to go on this morning. He has decided to stay at the MRC and allow at least one more day of healing before going on the trail again.Sox told me this morning that she wants to stay at the MRC at least one more day also. She plans to sit quietly and contemplate whether to continue on to Maine.I bid them both goodbye for now and will look forward to hearing whether they will decide to continue. Hope they decide to go on.Due to changes I sort of stayed linked up with Palm Tree and Boonie.Hiking with Boonie at the end of the day, we missed the turn to Gren Anderson Shelter and ended up camping in the woods. Distance for the day was 21.3 miles and totals are now 1310.8 hiked and 861.9 to go.
Date: 2004-07-09
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: Murray Property
Miles today: 17.9

July 9 - Second Day Without Adam and SoxJuly 9 - Second Day Without Adam and SoxHiked the whole day with Boonie. Stopped and ate lunch at the New Jersey High Point State Park Headquarters Building. Picked up a little food from the hiker box there. (It was left by Palm Tree).Ended day at Murray property. A very nice place furnished by prior thru-hiker. Its an old homestead place near the trail with a well water supply. Cooked and enjoyed a fine dinner but did not sleep too well. Decided to sleep on the porch of the building and the space was too limited plus mosquitoes were a little pesky.Did 17.9 miles for total 1328.7 hiked and 845.4 to go.
Date: 2004-07-10
From: Murray Property

To: St Thomas Episcopal Church Hostel
Miles today: 13.6

July 10 - On to Vernon, New JerseyHiked most of the day alone and enjoyed it quite a bit. Had some good climbs and a few rocks but a lot of really nice flat trail. Hooked up with Boonie for the last half of the afternoon.   Just thinking about all those stone fences gets to me. They are so old and so hard to construct. Its makes you realize that this really is a walk thru history. Just can not stop wondering who built all those fences. They run out into the woods at the most unexpected places. Seeing a lot more of them as we move further north. Last night I asked fast hiker, 65, about the changing color of trees in the fall. He is from New Hampshire and says the 2nd week of October is usually the prime time. Plenty of time for me to finish the trail before then.The woods were quite varied in appearance along the path today. Passed thru quite a bit of swampy marsh land. Actually went for miles on foot planks, a special suspension bridge that was interesting. How long has it been since you walked thru a cedar forest and smelled the special fresh aroma of it?..........Well that's too long neighbor. Got to go thru cedar patches twice today.At one point I passed thru an area on the mountainside where it looks like they stripped mined for coal many years ago. The trail was level and smooth there for about a mile as it seemed to use the old coal rail bed.The trail goes around Walkill National Wildlife Preserve. It is a large boggy wetland area that is supported by Ducks Unlimited. Very cool. I saw muskrat and a grey fox. A little earlier got pictures of a couple deer.Now hiking the same schedule as Boonie and Palm Tree. We decided to cut the day a little short in order to give our feet a chance to heal from the rough trail of recent days. Went to Vernon, NJ and stayed at the St. Thomas Episcopal Church Hostel. Went out and ate pizza this evening. Weighed on the hostel scale and seemed to have gained back a little. That's a good thing. Now at 153. About 8 weeks back I was at 148 pounds.We all attended a Saturday worship service at 5:00. Guess I'll be Episcopalian this week. Hiked only 13.6 miles for totals of 1342.3 hiked and 831.8 to go.Tried eating a half package of Raman Noodle without cooking it along with my lunch today. Its a way of adding carbs. My food bag weighs too much. Guess by the time I learn how to control food, the whole hike will be over. Should have it down to size by the time I get to Fort Montgomery, NY. That will be 3 days from now.
Date: 2004-07-12
To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: light rain

July 12 - Destruction DerbyHiked all morning with friend, Bob, school teacher from New Jersey. I named him T-bird. He wanted to know how I came up with that name and I explained it was because he is a tough old bird. Anyone who can do the rough miles he has been doing has to be a tough old bird. He is sectioning as far as possible in the month of July. He lost his hiking partner due to a knee injury.And I lost Bob right after lunch together. He decided to slow the pace by going to Arden, NY for a night's stay. A fine fellow but having been out for less than two weeks, he was not up to doing our pace.Started raining about 3 PM and drizzled all afternoon and evening. The PM hike was truly exciting. By far the most difficult terrain of the trip so far. Went up Green Pond Mountain and thru the Lemon Squeezer, a tight place between two very large boulders. Due to slick rocks, I fell about 3 times, scratched my hands, legs, and bunged up my left elbow. Gathered water from a stream because there is no spring at the shelter. Dinner was good. The weather turned very cool and seemed like fall. Four regulars were together at the Fingerboard Shelter. Palm Tree, Mouse, Boonie, and me, Tree Frog. Boonie always tents out.
Date: 2004-07-13
From: Fingerboard Shelter 

To: Fort Montgomery
Miles today: 14.2

July 13 - To Fort MontgomeryLeft Fingerboard Shelter at 6 AM in rain. Had to get to Post Office before closing at 5:00 PM. Terrain was mixed - some very rough spots and lots of slick wet large rocky spots.Ate lunch on West mountain. Took only 20 minutes for lunch with no break in AM or PM. Multiple paths on mountain top and similar scenery made me unsure that I was traveling the right direction. Feared I was going wrong for about 2 hours. So much looked like I might have traveled it in the opposite direction in the rain!Finally confirmed I was going North all along and still had enough time to get mail if I did not stop. Reached Post Office at 4:30. I picked up new glasses frames sent by Mary Ann.From PO got trail angel ride to motel. Girl was a school teacher who wanted to help hikers.  I took a shower and washed out socks and also doctored up the cut on left elbow.   We ordered in Chinese Food for three - Boonie, Palm, and me. Watched a little of the Baseball Allstar game and went to bed.
Date: 2004-07-14
From: Ft. Montgomery, New York

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Trail News & Itinerary on 7/14 Today, Wednesday, 7/14, Palm Tree, Boonie, and I (Tree Frog), are leaving Fort Montgomery. Our schedule for the next few days follows.7/14 - 6.3 miles, Graymoor Friary7/15 - 11.7 mi, Clarence Fahnestock Park7/16 - 16.0 mi, Morgan Stewart Shelter7/17 - 16.6 mi, Wiley Shelter7/18 - 12.7 mi, Kent, Ct (B&B)7/19 - 13.6 mi, Caesar Brook Campsite7/20 - 15.7 mi, Limestone Springs7/21 - 12.8 mi, Laurel Ridge Campsite7/22 - 12.7 mi, Great Barrington, MaSOX AND ADAM, I have missed you more than you probably realize. It was fairly easy for me to go on from the MRC but I have been bothered by our separation more than I ever imagined. Please write and let me know of your decisions about continuing on to Katahdin. If you want to propose a recovery plan where we can link up again, please report that and I will respond. I have no way of communicating with Adam, except possibly thru you, Sox.Best of days to each of you. I was so tired last night, I asked Mary Ann to write a similar message, inquiring about your plans and expressing my sense of loss due to our separation.