morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-05-30
From: Bear's Den Hostel

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: clear sky

Today was a day of photo ops.  The hike to Harper's Ferry would find me crossing the 1,000 mile mark, crossing a border and leaving Virginia behind and having my picture made at the ATC (Appalachian Trail Conservancy) headquarters as the 288th hiker to come through this year.  I couldn't resist looking to see what number I would have been if I'd gotten here with Blue and Steve-o and it would have been 172....so about 110 people passed me while I was home.....gives you some idea of the amount of traffic in a week and a half.....and also a hint that I might be a wee bit competitiveNitrous Oxide and I hiked together on and off all day, and I might nominate him for the 2012 class superlative of "most likely to brighten your day."He's a really fast hiker but moderated his pace to encourage and entertain me most of the walk into West Virginia.  Thanks Nitrous!The other person I need to thank is Jeff, a section hiker I met in GA.  He contacted me and said he'd booked the bunk room at Towns Inn, and there was extra space for me if I needed a place to stay in Harper's.  So, free lodging and unlimited ice for my ankle, not to mention great company.  Thanks Jeff!
Date: 2012-05-31
From: Harper's Ferry

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: clear sky

I slept great and was thrilled to find out the Towns Inn serves breakfast at 6:00....no question about starting after breakfast.  I was surprised, after leaving Harper's, that the AT stays on the C & O Canal  trail for three miles.  It's a trail that goes to DC and my friend Marko and I have ridden our bikes on it.  It was really pretty cool  walking along the Potomac, realizing how close I still am to home.  The temps were much more moderate, so it was a nice hiking day.  I stopped at the first shelter I came too, for a snack, and found Renassance Man there.  He'd taken a week off, to go home to KY, so I was pleased we were on the same basic schedule again.  It was strange being in Maryland instead of Virginia, but it looks like I'll be in PA tomorrow so I don't have to worry about getting use to it.  We went thru a lot of parks and campgrounds that dealt with civil war history, so that was pretty interesting.  There's even a shelter nearby named Antietem .  I got my first Maryland trail magic...a cooler by the trail with grapes and raspberries...not a lot of calories but delicious.  It ended up being a quiet night at the shelter with me, Renassance, Nitrous and a south bounder.  There hasn't been one full shelter since I got back on the trail.
Date: 2012-06-01
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: Deer Lick Shelter
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I can't believe it's June!  Woke up to a windy morning and the forecast for rain, so I left early.  The wind blew all day and it was overcast but didn't rain until I was about a mile from my destination.  That's the kind of rain I don't mind.  The shelter where I'm staying is interesting because there are two, small, three sided cabins, side by side and each sleeps four people.  It looks like a small hiker village. There were a few momentous events today.  We entered our seventh state (PA) and crossed over the Mason-Dixon line leaving the south and sweet tea behind.  I also had a note in  the shelter journal informing me Cave Man completed the four state challenge.  It took him a little over 15 hours to do the 43 plus miles.  I'm so proud of him.  He's the only one from our class that I personally know who has done it.Another quiet night with a real storm finally blowing through.  Looks like the temps might even be more pleasant tomorrow.  My ankle is holding in there.  I think it might feel  a bit improved!
Date: 2012-06-02
From: Deer Lick Shelter

To: Birch Run Shelter
Miles today: 23.2
Weather: broken clouds

It was a beautiful day of hiking.  We've heard a lot of negative things about PA and the rocks, but so far it's been great.  I walked ten miles and got my first Pennsylvanian trail magic.  The group I was hiking with had high hopes of getting food at the concessions stand (at a park the trail goes through)  but found out it doesn't open until June 8.  We were demoralized until we turned a corner and found a couple grilling hotdogs for hikers.  They were wonderful....the couple and the hotdogs.  I ended up at a very nice shelter with seven other thru hikers staging ourselves for the half gallon ice cream challenge tomorrow at the 'official' half way point....Pine Grove Furnace state park.  The challenge is not only consuming the half gallon but doing it more quickly than your fellow hikers.  Most of us crave ice cream on the trail....but we may not after tomorrow.
Date: 2012-06-03
From: Birch Run Shelter

To: Pa 94...Holly Inn
Miles today: 20.3

It was a pleasant ten mile hike to Pine Grove Furnace Park where the half gallon challenge would take place.  We passed the official sign marking the actual half way spot....mile marker 1090 and made more pictures.  I continue to be impressed with PA.  We walked through groves of blooming mountain laurel, the shelter where we stayed was ultra nice and there are trail maintainers all over the place.  I know we've just done 1/5 of the state, but so far so good.  Nitrous Oxide and I made it to the site of the  eating contest first,  and I chose my flavor; chocolate.  A by-stander commented that I'd never be able to eat it again, after the challenge,  but I believed it would be impossible to make yourself sick of chocolate.  I proved myself right by consuming my half gallon in 32 min. enjoying the chocolately flavor through out. (traditionally it should be done in under an hour) I even had a grilled cheese and coke after.  There's something about being out here that makes me crave dairy products.  My 32 min. record didn't last long 'cause Squid Worm finished his carton in 19 min.  He was the champion of our group of seven.
Date: 2012-06-04
From: Pa 94...Holly Inn

To: Pa 94...Holly Inn
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up at the Holly Inn, in Holly Springs,  PA, where Nitrous Oxide and I hiked  after the challenge.  I had a resupply box here, and Nitrous needed to do laundry and a small resupply to make it to Thursday, when he will be getting off the trail for a wedding.  I had planned a zero for today, just to ice and rest my ankle, but he pushed on to get in as many miles as possible before his break.  I hated to see him go,  because;  1.  He and I are both planners (an unusual and at times vilified thing on the trail)  and 2.  I enjoyed his company.  He's a deep thinker and notices things others miss....however,  he is terrible with names.  Happy trails Nitrous...until we meet again.I've realized something after a week back on the trail and one thousanId plus mile.  I'm finally figuring out 'what' my hike is.  The mantra out here is 'hike your own hike.'.  We all give lip service to the phrase, but most of us feel like there are right and wrong ways of executing a thru hike.  Some feel like having a schedule of where you will go each day and a finishing date is ludicrous,  but the schedulers can't believe there are folks who never look or plan more than one day ahead.  Some people are 'purists' and will walk every mile of the white blazed trail that marks this years official AT path.  Others will blue blaze (take trails that divert from the AT;  usually cutting off miles or going around difficult sections)....or they will yellow blaze ( walk to a road and catch a ride to a different part of the trail)....or even aqua blaze (use a boat, canoe or kayak to paddle around parts of the trail).   I guess what I've figured out about 'my' hike is that as long as I and my fellow hikers are honest and have a positive attitude about our experiences, what those experiences are comprised of doesn't really matter.  I have a schedule and can't divert from the white blaze trail without feeling like I've let myself down, but after talking to a group that aqua blazed the Shenandoah, I realize they had a ball and made some of the best memories of their entire trip.  Just because I won't color outside the lines doesn't mean others shouldn't.  When I complete this adventure,  if I can look at the 'finished product' and feel good and satisfied about what I've accomplished,  then 'I've hiked my own hike'.
Date: 2012-06-05
From: Pa 94...Holly Inn

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 23.1
Weather: broken clouds

Left Holly Springs at 7:00 feeling refreshed after a day of rest.  It was a cool crisp morning with pretty moderate terrain other than the 'rock maze' which ended up being what a fellow hiker described as AT whimsy.  The path  could have skirted the rocks, but trail blazers chose to take it through every crack and crevice.  I did feel a bit like a 'mouse' in a maze.  The trail eventually wove through fields and pastures and emerged in the quaint town of Boiling Springs, PA. I like when the trail goes through towns.  I was able to get some fuel for my stove and some brunch at the 101 Cafe without much effort.  I had the best egg sandwich and cup of coffee I've had on the trail.  A local couple, Jeff and Joanie, asked me to join them while I was eating and  asked questions about the trail.  They were incredibly nice and I enjoyed having the company.  After three cups of coffee I pushed on and the trail continued to be extremely flat.  There really wasn't any climbing until I got within a mile of the shelter.  PA continues to be a very pleasant state.  It was a quiet night at the shelter.  Tipsy and Fetch we're the only hikers I knew, but I met Duffer, Blanket and Bean.  Supposedly, this shelter has a marauding porcupine we have been warned to beware of.
Date: 2012-06-06
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Peter's Mtn Shelter
Miles today: 22.6

I've decided my new goal, as the weather gets warmer, is 10 by 10...ten miles by ten o'clock.  I was able to do it this morning which allowed me to arrive in Duncannon, PA in time for brunch (egg sandwich, again)....this time at Goodie's restaurant.  I've concluded Duncannon and Boiling Springs are alter egos of each other.  Boiling Springs is picturesque with clean streets, cute cafes and most likely a country club.  Duncannon is a bit shabby, has  great diners and at least three 'gentlemen's clubs.  I thoroughly enjoyed both towns.  After taking a tour of The Doyle hotel with Blue Fox, I hit the trail again.  (The Doyle is one of the original Anheuser-Busch hotels, more than 100 yrs. old.  It is looking its age, but is a favorite with hikers.)  The shelter I ended up hiking to is probably the biggest one I've stayed in so far...it sleeps 20 people.  It ended up being a reunion shelter.  I found the Gun Runner there along with Caveman and Drop out.  Dora, Fresh and Wonder showed up too and they played their traditional euchre card game.  I watched in the hopes I can learn.  It was a fun night with a great group.  Duffer and Badger came in later,  too.
Date: 2012-06-07
From: Peter's Mtn Shelter

To: Raush Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: few clouds

Today was the most moderate 18 miles I've done so far.  The trail was flat and smooth.  The weather was perfect, and after only hiking for a few miles I saw my first Pennsylvanian bear.  He was much larger than any bear I saw in the Shanendoahs.  Because of the distance between shelters, Rausch Gap was really my only choice of where to stay, so I got to the shelter early and relaxed.  It ended up being another fun night with another fun group.  I got to play euchre, for the first time with Dora, Fresh  and Wonder...won one, lost one.  It was lots of fun.
Date: 2012-06-08
From: Raush Gap Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Got up early to another beautiful day and after a few hours of hiking met up with Gorp and the Gun Runner who had hiked on yesterday and ended up at the Day's Inn in Lickdale. It was great to hike with people for a while, and the day went by really quickly. Today,  I got to the shelter early enough to take a shower in the solar shower.  It was pretty cold but worth it to get clean.  The other cool thing about the 501 shelter is that you can order buckets of chicken, from a local restaurant, and they deliver after 8:00.  It ended up being a full shelter so there were a lot of buckets of chicken!  We also got fries and salad.  It was incredible!  What a great stop!  What a great shelter!
Date: 2012-06-09
From: 501 Shelter

To: Port Clinton Pavilion
Miles today: 24.1
Weather: clear sky

Well, I finally experienced the Pennsylvania rocks and according to hikers up ahead this is just the beginning.  A friend made the comment that PA is bi-polar....one minute smooth and agreeable, the next unstable and painful.  I'm beginning to agree, but I'm still enjoying seeing and experiencing everything.  I did think today that thru hiking is sort of what I imagine the life of a truck driver might be like.  We carry cargo everyday....stop at a truck stop (shelter) or budget hotel at night....socialize with our fellow travelers....eat food that isn't particularly good for us....pass through beautiful country, barely seeing the views because we've seen so many beautiful views....and sleep soundly in a small space because we're exhausted.   I made it to Port Clinton and hiked to a pavilion the town allows hikers to sleep under for free.  I also got a burger and fries at the only restaurant in town.  The pavilion is huge and the only people here are me, Dora, Wonder,  Fresh and a guy named Ghost.  Ghost is from Detroit and played hockey in college.  He and I were lamenting not getting to watch the Stanley Cup finals tonight.  I'm for the Kings...he's not.
Date: 2012-06-10
From: Port Clinton Pavilion

To: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter
Miles today: 22.2
Weather: clear sky

Up and out early.  I don't think Wonder, Fresh and Dora want to do many twenty mile days without Squid Word, (they're trying to give him a chance to catch up) so I doubt I'll see them after today.  It was  great to hang with them for a while and cool to learn how to play euchre.The trail was more moderate, the first part of the day, so I made my 10 by 10, however, the last ten miles were tougher terrain.  Rock hopping feels sort of like doing a football tire drill for hours...I feel pretty strong at first, but it eventually wears me down.  The shelter was a welcome sight.  When I got here, Glasses was taking a nap, so I went to the stream, down the hill, and just sat in it.  The highs got in the 90's, so it was great just to cool down.  When I got back to the shelter lots of people began showing up...Old Blue Eyes, Gato, Rook, Froot Loop, Phoneix, Honest Abe, Chicken Little, Critter and GG.  It was a full house.
Date: 2012-06-11
From: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter

To: PA 873 Fine Lodgings
Miles today: 17.4

Another beautiful morning and it seemed like Pennsylvania had taken her meds until I got to 'the Knife's Edge'.  I think the name paints a pretty good word picture of what that section was like.  I still made good time and found myself at PA 873 intersection earlier than planned, so I called the hotel where I was staying to come pick me up.  There was no answer so I began walking the three miles into town. It was hot and I really wasn't excited about walking on the road, but I'm not comfortable hitch hiking, so when I spotted a man in a red pick-up, by the road, I headed for him.  I asked if he knew the hotel I was going to stay at and he said sure, with raised eyebrows.  He let me jump in the back of his truck and took me right to the door.  When we got there he wouldn't take any money, but I understood the raised eyebrows.  I thought I'd been staying in budget hotels on this adventure, but this is a whole different level of budget.  It is hiker friendly and has a great location...food nearby, laundry and post office....the unusual thing is almost everyone that stays here, stays here... I mean they live here and pay rent each week. It's a bit of a rough crowd, but I shared my left over pizza with a older guy named Sonny so hopefully he's got my back. I plan to be up and out early.  There's a 70% chance of rain tomorrow but I'll go rain or shine this time.
Date: 2012-06-12
From: PA 873 Fine Lodgings

To: Leroy Smith Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: light rain

I discovered last night that the proprietor at my negative star hotel (a phrase my friend Mary came up with) couldn't take me back to the trail until after 8:00.  I decided to get up my regular time and see if I could get there quicker hoping to get on the trail before the rain.  I packed up and walked down to the 24 hour convenience store to get coffee and while asking for directions a knight in shining armor, named Steve, offered to take me there.  I was thrilled and got on the trail around 6:30.  That gave me three hours of hiking before the soaking rain began. I was pretty driven to get to the shelter because I knew with the rain that it would fill up.  I got there in plenty of time and met  Bambowie, who had zeroed there, and found Glasses taking a short day because of the rain.  The rest of the afternoon hikers showed up and we ended up fitting nine people into a six man shelter.  At least six people kept pushing on, in the rain, to a town four miles away, when they saw the shelter was full.  Gato, Stray dog, Instigator and her husband, Old Blue Eyes and U-Haul all got a spot.  We settled in because the rain never stopped and discovered how glasses got his name.  It seems he carries a packet of four D glasses with him and he gave me and Gato a pair.  Wearing them, when everyones headlamp is on, produces some cool psychedelic images.  Bambowie had a radio, so he played some pretty bad music in the background.  What could have been a terrible night really ended up being fun.PS:  Today was my 28 wedding anniversary....
Date: 2012-06-13
From: Leroy Smith Shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up early, relieved that the rain had ended, and Gato and I were the first out of the shelter.  We played cat and mouse most of the morning (Gato means cat in Spanish) and the day went by pretty quickly.  It was my last day in PA and there were at least eight miles of infamous rocks, in the beginning, but then the trail smoothed out, and it was a pleasant hike into Delaware Water Gap.  Glasses caught up to me, just as we got to town, and we walked to the Church of the Mountain Hostel; a cool hostel the local  Presbyterian church runs for hikers; donations only.  I'd planned to stay there but got a text from some friends, who live in NJ, offering to put me up for the night and fix dinner.  It wasn't difficult to make the decision to push on across the Delaware bridge to the New Jersey side where they picked me up.  It was a Mary Poppins night;  practically perfect in every way.  I loved where they lived....New Haven....loved showering and doing laundry at 'home', and Blake fixed a delicious meal;  curry, salad. pita bread and Haagen Das ice cream for dessert.  I can't think of a better way  to begin hiking in the Garden State.
Date: 2012-06-14
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Gren Anderson Shelter
Miles today: 31.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up early and found Doug awake and in the kitchen fixing breakfast  just for me (at 4:30am).  I had eggs over easy, bacon, an English muffin and coffee.  Indescribable! It was an hours drive, back to the trail head, so we left around 5:30 and I was on the trail by 6:30.  I wanted to get an early start because I planned to do at least 25 miles.  The only glitch, in my perfect morning was discovering I'd left my phone in New Haven.  There was no way to go back for it, so we made plans for Doug to mail it to my husband who could then bring it when he visits me in CT.  I was a bit down about not having it, because I not only didn't have a phone, but no camara or watch either, but  I eventually got into my Que Sera Sera attitude and began to notice what a beautiful state New Jersey is. After only a few miles of hiking I met up with the Gun Runner and we hiked together the rest of the day.  He had decided to do a 30 plus day and because I was really enjoying New Jersey (and the company)  I decided to push on too.  We stopped at noon and discovered we'd already done 18 miles, so the next 13 didn't seem that daunting.  After ten more miles, Gun Runner discovered the trail was supposed to come within a few yards of a steak house/pub.  We thought we deserved a treat so hiked there arriving at 4:10.  We discovered they opened at four and were only open Wed-Sun.  Thank God it was Thurs.  and we hadn't arrived too early. I took off my backpack and was rummaging around for my money when I found my phone!  I couldn't believe it.  I'm beginning to think the Gun Runner has good Karma.  I got my burger, fries and three Cokes....amazing!  And with our bellys full we hiked the last three miles and arrived at the shelter discovering that the Mary Poppins day wasn't over.  A trail angel, named Snores, was at the campsite and had two cold drinks chilling in the stream he said we could have.  He was one of the nicest guys I've ever met.  He had great info about shelters, water sources and kept pulling treats out of his backpack to share with us.  It was a great day and I love New Jersey!  The bad thing is we hiked almost half the state in one day.
Date: 2012-06-15
From: Gren Anderson Shelter

To: Jim Murray property
Miles today: 18.3

Up and out early...said thanks and good-bye to Snores, then the Gun Runner and I pushed on.  It was another beautiful day in New Jersey.  The goal today was to push to what many hikers call the hidden shelter.  It's the Jim Murray property and consists of a cabin with power (so you can charge your phone) and a hot shower....two things worthy of a pilgrimage.  Fourteen miles into the day we came to park headquarters where I had a resupply box.  It was a very nice facility and we got a free Pepsi from the High Point hiking club. We also got bags of candy Snores had left for us.  That helped with the last six miles and we got to the shelter around 2:00.  The shower was actually hot and I was able to hand wash my clothes and hang them out to dry.  Some section hikers (Nina and Ian) showed up and they were cool to talk to and visit with.  They do 500 mile sections of the AT every year and live in Atlanta.  We also got to meet Jim Murray, the owner of the cabin, who was an extremely nice guy.  It looked like we would be the only ones to discover the 'hidden' shelter, but right around dark, Gato and Glasses showed up.....two of my favorites!