morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-06-27
From: Port Clinton

To: Eckville Shelter, PA
Miles today: 14.7

News from Cub: A good wake up was real good in the Port Clinton pavilion! The night was real hot. The morning was real cool. Luckily, a good breakfast place called 3Cs was close by! It was worth a short walk for Pepsi and two pancakes! We all packed up and ventured out to find the White House that allowed hikers to use the garden hose for water. The man who owned the house talked to us. His name was Fred, and Fred gave us all Pepsi's! After the 20-minute talk with Fred, we set out for the Nit Shop. Despite the name, the shop had lots of candy! Each of us got a Gatorade and a bag of candy. It was about noon when Boots ushered us out of the shop and back to the Appalachian Trail. Only about ten feet down the trail, Boots found a great spot to swim. So now we spent at least 30 minutes swimming in the river. The river was surprisingly shallow in the middle! So now we were swimming and walking in the middle of a river. As soon as we got out and back on the trail, there was a huge Up. Sadly enough, we got to what we thought was the top, only to realize there was another Up on the ridge line! After going down the hill, there was a spring that we all ate lunch at. Then we continued up, flat, and down. The entire way down, Commando told us stories about her childhood. Then we reached the first shelter - Windsor Furnace Shelter. We had a big debate whether to go on or to stop. The problem was that if we stopped, we would have about 25 miles tomorrow which none of us were anxious to do. So we just continued walking . . . but then it started drizzling. Quickly, the trail turned to rocks. When it starts raining on rocks, rocks get slippery. Boots almost slipped and nearly fell twice. There was this great view called the Pinnacle. It was the greatest outlook on the whole Appalachian Trail. Then we continued once more on our slow but moving walk. My shoes were wet but my feet were dry. The Trail went downwards. It was a nice, sloping down. Unfortunately, the nice, sloping down got my feet wet. I then started jumping in puddles, because you might as well have fun in puddles if your feet are wet! Then it got real miserable because it started to pour down rain. We still had like . . . another mile until the shelter! Boots and our newly named Snake-Eyes were ahead, so that left Ba-dunk-a-dunk, Commando, and me together in the torrential downpour. Commando was laughing because I would get miserable, see a caterpillar and bend over happily to get a closer look. Finally, after walking in rivers of muddy, gross water, we came to a road with a sign that said: Eckville Shelter. Happily, we walked down the road to the shelter. Sadly, the shelter was full. So we crossed the road and set up tents. Then we crossed the road again to re-constitute shepherd's pie to eat! Then Boots squeezed in the shelter, so Ba-dunk-a-dunk and Snake-Eyes slept in one tent while Commando and I slept in our tent. Just as we set out across the street to go to sleep, the rain stopped! Which is good because now we could be dry when we clambered in tents!
Date: 2013-06-29
From: Allentown Shelter

To: Palmerton Jail, PA
Miles today: 18.8

We are in a jailhouse. No lie. The police processed us, copying our licenses and making is fill out forms. Duly processed we proceeded to the basement of he local jailhouse for a free night in town. It's so incredible of this town to be so receptive to hikers. Smart besides, as we plan to lay down some $ for the vast quantities of food that we will soon consume. What a beautiful day filled with people of generous spirits. We had a very difficult hike today, mostly consisting of razor blade rocks and bouldering on high ridges where we dodged snakes as we tried to grab handholds. Yes, poisonous snakes....copperheads and rattlesnakes. Luckily the rattlesnakes make a sound and Shelby (Jack's mom)told us if you smell cucumbers then copperheads are around. Sure enough this has been true. She also told us to wear dryer sheets on our heads to keep gnats away. Maybe Shelby is trying to tell us something about our reeking smell. Walking through the woods with these is also a good deflector for predators....we just look insane. Okay, listen to this. We were totally out of food and then water. Absurdly the spring was dry though we've been continually rained on until today when it reached 91 degrees. We were getting fairly desperate when miracle of all miracles we found trail magic. It was the best ever! I almost wept with relief. They had at least 20 gallons of fresh water, loaves of bread, jars of p & j, tuna, loads of tastee cakes, apples oranges, granola bars, I could go on and on. They even had toothbrushes, lip balm, first aid stuff, antiseptic wipes....thank you to those amazing, thoughtful and generous souls out there.
Date: 2013-07-02
From: On the Trail Five Miles Past Palmerton

To: Wind Gap, PA
Miles today: 14.6

What a crazy few days! The rain and rocks are relentless. We are soggy, pruney and water logged. Our boots are squishing and falling apart. We've been in quite a predicament. We stayed in a jailhouse in Palmerton. They kindly provide a space for hikers in the basement. It is a strict one night policy. That first night Boots got very ill. After sleeping in and still being sick he and I hiked to the local hospital. They were so kind and helpful. They put an IV in and did lots of tests. They decided it was food poisoning. He was told to take Tylenol and drink a lot. We stayed in the jailhouse a second night. The next day Boots was no better. We had to get out of the jailhouse so we decided to leave. Since we were facing what is often thought to be the hardest section of the AT, definitely south of New Hampshire we decided there was no way Boots could do it. It is a extremely steep climb up boulders, laden with snakes. We hated to leave Boots but knowing my husband, Toby, was flying in to see us we decided Boots could rest and wait for a pick up. After climbing the infamous rocks in the rain we got to a ridge. Wild flowers were everywhere, an explosion of colors. Ripe blackberries and blueberries were scattered among the flowers. I was blissfully happy cramming the sweetest, tastiest berries in my mouth, hardly noticing the torrential downpour. The phone started ringing. I struggled to get it out of the waterproof bag. It was the hospital. One of Boots tests came back showing he had a serious bacterial infection. He needed antibiotics right away. As the rain continued to pour and the coldness set in I panicked and tried to call Boots. His phone was off. The good people of Palmerton hospital(Kelly) called the jailhouse and got someone to walk down and wake Boots and get him to call the hospital. They got him antibiotics and promised me they'd look after him. Of course he hasn't called his dad or I. We are trying not to worry, after all after where he's been the past few years this is much safer. Still tomorrow will come none too soon. This trail really zaps you.
Date: 2013-07-03
From: Wind Gap, PA

To: Toby's Arms at Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 15.3

Thanks to all the people who have written in. I can't figure out how to answer you directly so I'll do it here. Will update on Boots on tonight after we get him back. Snake Eyes got his name because he can really spot the snakes, thank goodness. Everyone please pray for this incessant rain to end. We are positively soggy! Wettest June ever someone told us.Sitting in a parking lot waiting for Toby. We got into town around 8:30 pm. We walked to two restaurants and they said they were closing. No one took pity on 4 hungry hikers. The bugs are eating us alive and it looks like rain. Sigh! Luckily we ate a lot in Water Gap. We even hiked out subs and doughnuts. Heard from Boots who is alive and well. Toby will get him first. I suspect Toby and Boots won't be here until midnight. Toby's plane was very late. Saw a huge bear coming into town. She just watched us go by. Hope she doesn't visit town!Snake Eyes just took his socks off and I thought we were near a dumpster of rotten food. Toby rented a minuscule car which he's sure to regret when he gets a whiff of us. Happy Fourth tomorrow. Hopefully we can climb up to an overview and see some fireworks. Good night.
Date: 2013-07-04
From: Mountain Rd at Lake Rd, Delaware Water Gap, PA

To: Time with Dad(Blueberry) - Mohican Outdoor Center 
Miles today: 10.1

It's amazing to sleep in a bed. And have a bathroom at hand, and a TV, and covers, and everything that people who sleep in houses think is normal. However, on July 3 when we first entered this Red Carpet Inn, we were all so tired that we couldn't even think about how great this place was. After waking up to a wake-up call in the Inn, a breakfast at a local place was amazing! Well, lunch really, because we all slept in late. 10:30 is considered very, very, very, late for us, considering that we sometimes leave at twelve, but still. For hikers, it's considered VERY late. After breakfast, we had an hour . . . . and hour drive to the Appalachian Trail, starting where we left off. Since my dad had come, we had a rental car and Boots decided to slack-pack us. Then Snake-Eyes stopped hiking because he wanted to rest his blistered feet. When we started out, it was a long walk on a very noisy and hot bridge. Basically, we were by civilians. My dad kept commenting on how he thought the Appalachian Trail was supposed to be more greenery, no cars, almost no people, and quieter. When we finally got to the quiet, greenery, no cars, and almost no people zone of the Trail, it was a fast up. A quick up. A horrific up. Not really, but it was an up. Of course, I took the day backpack in the city, then my dad took the second shift, then CoMOMdo, and then Ba-dunk-a-dunk. We were walking. . . . and walking. . . . and walking until we found this pond called Sunfish Pond. A sign several feet before the actual pond said that Sunfish Pond was a glacier lake and is so acidic that only several fish can live in it. It also said to not swim in it. We rounded the corner, wishing that we could swim when we found my dad, shoes off, on a bench, feet in the water and watching a bullfrog sitting on a rock intently. When we arrived, we had at least 100 pictures of this single bullfrog, at different angles. Then we left. I wanted to swim in that shallow part, but we didn't. As we went on, Ba-dunk-a-dunk found a spot that she wanted to swim in, and we all stopped and snacked. As we continued we found more, and better spots to swim at. Finally, we started a downhill. Snake-Eyes had taught me that if you have momentum and fast footing and quick judgment, you make it down the hill really fast. Which is what my dad and I did. I ran down the hill and dunked my head in a stream, then stood up to see Boots and Snake-Eyes. They had come to pick us up and had left the car to hike the short distance to us. They said hello, and drove us to Taco Bell (gross!) to eat.YOUR TRAIL JOURNAL TODAY WAS DONE BY. . . . . CUBBY!
Date: 2013-07-05
From: Camp Rd near Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Route 206 @Upper N Shore Rd, Branchville, NJ
Miles today: 18.0

Blueberry here with the Flip Floppers. 18 miles on my second day!?! Are they trying to kill me? On the ups I get left behind, but I can pickup a lot of momentum on the downs. I keep moving, cannot afford to take a break with the Flip Floppers, but they always catch up. On all the peaks there are blueberries everywhere. Blackberries too. but they are not quite ripe yet, but occasionally we found some good ones. Cub never gets tired and is invariably out in front followed closely by CoMOMdo. I can almost keep up with Badunkadunk - I think she has slowed down to keep me going. Today we saw a big black mamma bear and her three cubs. Then later I saw another mamma with her three cubs cross the trail. Still later there were some bears in the thicket on the ridge that scared Badunkadunk and had her running to my side. We also saw a big rattler and lots of gnats, flies, and mosquitoes. We hiked on into the night and it was pitch black when we finally got to Boots and Snake eyes.-Blueberry
Date: 2013-07-06
From: Route 206 @Upper N Shore Rd, Branchville, NJ

To: Deckertown Turnpike, after Mashipacong Shelter
Miles today: 9.3

Blueberry's last day hiking with the Florida Flip Floppers for a while. We stay close together. Lots of singing and sweating. The beauty and serenity here is only interrupted by my heavy breathing, aches and pains, and utter exhaustion. And did I mention the swarming bugs, always close by to keep us company. Nonetheless, being together in the great American outdoors is good for the soul. Very Appropriate for Fourth of July weekend. We are grateful to be a part of this beautiful land, and also for the freedom we have to enjoy it. Speaking of freedoms, it is also nice to be free of all the trappings of our modern life. Our path is clear and we march on. The past three days have been wonderful, but I am glad this is my last day hiking for awhile. I will miss my girls and I am already planning my next trip to see them. I do so love my Florida Flip Floppers and I am so proud of how far they have gone and how far they will go. CoMOMdo - making dreams reality.-Blueberry
Date: 2013-07-11
From: Wildcat Shelter, NY

To: As close to Fingerboard Shelter as we can get
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: light rain

And then there were three! The girls and I are totally on our own now. It is weird and we miss everyone but we are proud to be doing just fine. Since I know Boots will never take the time to read this so I will admit that we were laughing ourselves silly trying to hang the food bag so the bears wouldn't get it. Badonkadonk threw the weighted rope up to the branch, catching every thing but the branch. When we finally got it over and hoisted the bag the branch broke and hit me in the head. The girls and I fell on the ground laughing. Then Badonkadonk got bark in her eyes throwing the rope. We all had to pull with all our might to lift our weighty bear bag. Later Cub tripped over the line but it held. We were high fiving ourselves anyways. I tried to stay in the hammock but the Mosquitos carried me off in their beaks. We heard coyotes howling. At the end of our hike yesterday a bear was happily strolling down the AT in front of us. We started singing and he surprisingly left the trail. Beautiful day with two nice creek swims. Cub loves all the frogs we see in the creeks. Cub also has a tendency to run into trees on the AT. Keeps us all laughing. We also name our falls. I had the most until Blueberry came and did some unique rolls. Today Cub and Badonkadonk tied me, Cub doing a side fall like an artistic pose and Badonkadonk going for the rock butt slide appropriate to her nickname. Sadly we heard today that our good hiking buddy friend are off the trail due to JDs broken foot. Hopefully they'll be back on in a couple of weeks and we will catch them on the flip. Gotta go eat some ice cream. These dairy farms are great!
Date: 2013-07-13
From: Fort Montgomery, NY

To: Hemlock Spring Campsite
Miles today: 2.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Though this isn't exactly kosher since I'm writing on Shabbot(we are in a hotel so I have a connection), we have been able to keep kosher on the trail. I was able to make a lot of beef jerky and now Blueberry has taken over. We eat dried hot dogs, salami and marinated beef jerky. Of course we hope the gnats and bugs we inadvertently swallow don't count against us. Perhaps it is G-d's way of getting protein down our gullets. It is very difficult to get enough nutrition. I got really tired the other day so we came into town to eat and buy more fatty foods. We saw a Dr. Oz episode in which he explains the ways in which food company's addict you to their products by stimulating the brain's propensity to want sugars, fats and salts. Well since that is largely what we need on the trail and what we eat we will probably turn into real butterballs when we get back because we won't be able to turn those desires off! Badonkadonk says she wants to parlay her 14ber fit trail body into a marathon or triathlon body. Lets hope we can. I may be permanently hobbling when I get off the trail! Yesterday we saw the New York City skyline from the top of the mountain we climbed. Awesome sight! We are close to Westpoint. They must be having their summer exercises because bomb blast and gunfire has been our constant company for the last few days. We continue to see bears,deers and snakes. The heat, Mosquitos and gnats are ever present. Altogether I can say this is much harder than I expected but somehow we manage to keep going. It is surprising and amazing how much we can subject our bodies to and how magnificently it responds and supports our crazy dreams. The girls want our next adventure to include beaches and water. So my other dream has been to go to the Gal¡pagos Islands, hummmm, who knows?!
Date: 2013-07-15
From: Just Passed Dennytown Rd, NY

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Today we started out late. We woke up later than usual and packed up as if we were in no hurry. We were already hot and sweaty even though we hadn't even started hiking yet. We started out needing water and we took about 10 steps on the trail and found water. We stopped and filled up and finally we started our hike for the day. About 2 miles into our day we found an amazing waterfall. It was just what we needed to cool in. We laid in the waterfall and got massages from the white water. CoMOMdo loved it. We ate lunch there and then we set off again. A few miles after we saw signs for a lake swim and concessions. We were hoping it wasn't far off the trail. As we were walking along the trail we saw some hikers' backpacks and a hiker sitting there. It was the split to the lake and the hikers' left their packs on the trail and hiked down to the lake so we did the same. As we were getting ready to go down there we talked to the girl. She and her boyfriend were from Germany and they were hiking with a Israeli guy and it was his birthday today. We told the girl we would sing Happy Birthday to him in Hebrew and she said that that would be great. When we got down to the lake we saw him and sang Happy Birthday to him in Hebrew and he was very surprised. We talked to him and he seemed excited that we were Jewish and knew Hebrew. We also got Hebrew National hotdogs at the lake's concession stand which was such a surprise to us. The lake felt great and really cooled us down for the rest of the day. Gnats are really annoying us and getting in out eyes and noses and down our throats. I put our deet spray on to get rid of the bug and it melted my sun glasses. (Imagine what it does to your skin if its doing that.) Anyways we finally got to the shelter today (for once faster than we thought) and there were all these people here and there was trail magic. They had burgers, veggie burgers, all sorts of different salads, bunch of drinks, and cookies. Today overall was a great day. -Badonkadonk
Date: 2013-07-17
From: Telephone Shelter, NY

To: Just passed shelter at Ten Mile River,CT
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: overcast clouds

We made it to Connecticut. It was dark when we stopped and we missed the signs for the Ten Mile Shelter. We are camping right by the Ten Mile River. Hot with lots of bugs. By tomorrow morning we will have hiked 600 miles. As of now, we only have 1,587 miles more to go.
Date: 2013-07-18
From: Telephone Shelter, NY

To: Pond Mt Natural Area, just before Skiff Mt Rd, CT
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: light rain

A beautiful trail angel mom just gave us an air conditioned ride into Kent, CT. We landed at Annie Bananies Ice Cream Shop and Grill and Backpacking Outfitter and Boutique and Local Artist Shop. We love it! Can I just say HOTTER than any kitchen I've ever worked in...I'll never complain again, Ethel! Heat, Mosquitos and gnats....day and night, relentlessly enshrouding us 24/7. We did however watch a gorgeous heat lightning storm, see a bright moon in a star speckled sky and woke up next to a cascading waterfall. CT is beautiful. Looks like small towns dotting the AT. Usually the local business owners pretend to not notice our smells. They ask lots of questions and seem very interested in the girls. The cheer us on. We think Cub is probably the only 12 yr old thru hiker and Badonkadonk may be the only 17 yr old. Heck, maybe I'm the only 50 yr old mom!Had a funny thing happen today. About a mile up the trail from our camp we had to climb through a fallen tree. It was a challenge because the still green and leafy tree took over the whole ledge that narrowly led us along the path high above a river. As we climbed through it Cub spied an AWOL guidebook. It is the lifeline of a hiker. She picked it up and hiked it into Kent. When we got to the ice cream shop our hiker buddy, Woodman, was siting there eating. We had our happy greeting time and then he asked if we'd happened to notice a book. He lit up when Cub ran and got it. So everyday I think of two kids books that reflect the train. The first an most obvious is The Little Engine That Could. All day I have to say,"I think I can." When a mountain is straight up and it feels like I'm in an oven and sharp rocks are everywhere I cannot shut down and cry, I have to stay positive, especially for the girls, and keep going. The second book is The King, the Mice and The Cheese. This one because every problem you fix out here leads to another, usually bigger one. It makes ones problems take on a new perspective. Gotta go hike 7 more and it's already 4pm