morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-05-16
From: Harper's Ferry, WVa

To: Dahlgren Backpackers Campground
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Day 8 I woke up early and went to the veranda overlooking the river junction to take a sunrise photo. I had a cup of Java and even read the Washington Post. By 7:30 I was really hungry; but they don't serve at the hotel. But...."The Country Cafe is very good...Just go one block left to the Main St and then right and it's right up the street" RIGHT! How about 1 1/2 -2 miles up the street. OK the pancakes were good and a delightful couple from Baltimore gave me a ride into town so all ended well. I picked up my food drop from the AT office and had my picture taken for their register. Harper's Ferry has lots of shops and historical museums that would probably warrant a day's visit. When you leave HF, you walk for 2-3 miles along the C&O canal towpath beside the Potomac and it was full of Orchard Orioled, Baltimore Orioles and Tenn Warblers.I even saw a mother Wood Duck and her babies. As I was watching; 3 young hikers joined me. Two graduated from high school in Knoxville-Toaster and Metric and one was 21 and working on a horse farm in Lex, Ky for the Sheik of Dubai. It was good to see another hiker; but they blew right by me when we hit the hills. I caught them at lunch and then again at Gathland park. It was an extravagant home, outbuildings, and a tomb built by a civil war correspondent who became wealthy-for a while. He died nearly destitute in Philadelphia and was buried there instead so his grand mausoleum is called the lonely tomb. These kids actually get out a soccer ball and run and play whenever they stop to take a break...Oh to be 18. We motored on to Dahlgren Backpackers Campground where they actually have showers and bathrooms. The guys had bought hot dogs so we build a campfire and had a great time together.
Date: 2005-05-17
From: Dahlgren Backpackers Campground

To: Pen Mar Park/ Mason Dixon Line
Miles today: 23.0

I slept really well last night. It must have been the campfire and the hotdogs. The walk was smooth this am and we stopped to look at the original Washington Monument(1827) Then we went to a tavern across from Greenbrier State Park for burgers and Sloppy Joes. We had to wait over an hour for Donnie and Ellen to come and open up. It was a biker bar and they truly looked the part. I don't know who had more tattoes; but her shorts showed more of them. Her leather vest said " It is only Kinky the first time". We shot some pool and ate our lunches and then Metric and I took off about 1 pm with 19 miles still to go. We made great time thru most of it in spite of some really tough rock pile scrambles. We pushed harder the last 10 miles and arrived at the Sunset Pavillion with literally seconds to spare as the big orange sun dropped down behind the mountain horizon. What incredible timing! We walked no more than 5 min across the RR tracks and we were at a sign for the Mason Dixon Line and the Pa state line. There was a clearing to our left so we set up camp and cooked our dinners while we waited for Toaster and Corey to arrive.. It is dark now and I hear footsteps; but see no head lamps.   I don't like the sound of that.
Date: 2005-05-18
From: Pen Mar Park/ Mason Dixon Line

To: Fayetteville, Pa
Miles today: 17.0

Day 10 Well the footsteps went away and we slept well. Turns out that Toaster and Corey slept on the benches of the Sunset Pavillion. They definitely put a scare into a couple of young lovers who showed up later in the night at the park. I took my first wrong turn in a long time today. There was a trail directly across a road and white "blazes" on the trees; but they turned out to be property markers or logger's marks. I went 1/2 mile before it petered out.ARRGGH! Toaster and Corey did the same. Only Metric saw the correct path; but the white blaze had been obscured by a downed tree.. Much of the trail was the best yet. Wide, level and lovely woods; but Pennsylvanians are very proud of their rock piles so every so often you do a boulder scramble up the hill to a rock formation that you have to pick and jump your way through. There were no views and then you do another boulder scramble back down to the lovely smooth path. And then you do it again. It was slow going and hard on my legs. finally we got to US 30 and walked the 1/2 mile to Tuarnmino's Pizza. That was so terrific and almost made the rocks seem worthwhile. Fayetteville was not a good trail stop since the laundromat was a mlle away and there wasn't a grocery store within 4 miles but I slept well.
Date: 2005-05-19
From: Fayetteville, Pa

To: Iron Master's Mansion Hostel/Pine Grove Furnace St
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I was amazed at how dry I was last night. I drank almost 6 liters of water before my lips moistened up. I will have to be much more careful about my fluid intake. This cool weather can be deceiving. I had a big breakfast and hitched a ride back to the trail with Mr. McLure; one of the patrons. 75 yrs old and just as spry and kind as could be. He warned me to watch out for the copperheads and rattlesnakes up on the sandy ridges above Caledonia park so I really had my guard up but it was too cool for them so I didn't see any. This was easily the best day of walking so far. After the climb out of Caledonia itt was flat and smooth all the way to Pine Grove Furnace State Park. I met a couple of thru hikers slack packing south so I hope to see them when they go back to the north. The park was closed except for the hostel and I was the only one there since the youngsters decided to go on 7 more miles. I got to pick out some tunes on their baby grand piano and I was surprised how good it sounded. They also have a Baltimore Oriole who wakes up the caretaker every morning around 6:30.
Date: 2005-05-20
From: Iron Master's Mansion Hostel/Pine Grove Furnace St

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: moderate rain

Day 12 The first half of the day was very cold and very wet. I could feel my temperature dropping between snacks and the warmth and energy coming back as they would kick in. Still the trail is good and everything looks so green when it's wet. I jumped one deer and a couple of thrushes; but the rain keeps the animals pretty quiet. Of course, now I'm at the Tagg's Run Diner finishing a great meal of fried chicken(all home cooked meals are by definition GREAT)I just passed the official halfway point of the AT. I know that I should be excited; but I am honestly a little intimidated to think that all that lies behind still lies ahead. I got a break in the rain after lunch and I reached the last shelter at 3:30 so I elected to press on in to Boiling Springs. What a quaint town. It has a spring that is so forceful that it appears to bubble and boil and the water is absolutely crystal clear. It feeds a lake that is in the center of town and they've stocked it with trout and mute swans. I caught up with my 33 amigos and we spent most of the evening in a great little coffee shop. A woman with two golden retrievers came in and loaned Metric a blanket for the night since he has been cold in his summer bag. I swear it could have been Eleanor Hutton's sister.   We camped behind a B&B and it was cold and a bit damp; but much better than the official campsite right beside the RR tracks. The trains are very frequent and very noisy there.
Date: 2005-05-21
From: Boiling Springs

To: Duncannon/ Hotel Doyle
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: clear sky

It was a cool and damp morning and I got up early to take pictures of the mist rising up off the lake. We had breakfast at the coffee shop and Corey just learned that his grandmother died so he'll have to leave the trail for a while. He apparently had some issues with her in the past and only recently began to write to her as Grandma so he is a bit choked up. You just never know when it is going to be too late to say the right thing to someone. The hiking out of Boiling Springs is dead level through fields and wood margins for 11 miles so I made good time. I did some more rocky tops when I hit the mountains and finally broke clear on a ridge with a view down on Duncannon sitting on the side of the Susquehannah River. It was really gorgeous. When I got to town; it was very old and not too well cared for. The Doyle was built in 1905 by the Anheuser Busch people and now is a hiker hostel and local tavern hangout. Vickie; the owner tends the bar, makes reservations was wide open and nice as could be. She gave us a room in the front turret on the 3rd floor with a great view of the town and the river. We drank beer and Evelyn came in and she danced with me and the other patrons until we finally retired to get some rest.
Date: 2005-05-23
From: double zeros in Carlisle, Pa

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Evelyn and I left Duncannon Sun a.m. and toured Boiling Springs and then Carlisle, Pa. We loved Carlisle so we booked a downtown room for two nights and found a fabulous restaurant. The Empire. I had Indian spiced salmon with chutney on minted cous cous for lunch and on my birthday I had venison on pear/ parsnip puree, parsnip ribbons and red currant sauce. WOW! On my birthday we toured Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Evelyn not only saw a Cerulean warbler and a Balt. Oriole; she found the Oriole's nest.
Date: 2005-05-24
From: Duncannon/ Hotel Doyle

To: Yellow Springs Village
Miles today: 25.0

We arose early in Carlisle, drove back to Duncannon for breakfast and saw a whoe pack of hikers at Goodies. Hippy Longstockings was with Tripod and Senor No/BS was with 4 Cheeses and Malar. Evelyn and I said our goodbyes and planned another visit for 2 weeks. I've planned back to back 23's to meet Lauren at the 501 Shelter on Thurs a.m. So far this a.m. I've just had one climb up from the Susquehannah to the ridge crest and now I'm going pretty well along the ridgeline. I stoped by the Peter Mtn Shelter and met 2 guys and a girl. The girl, Vievel Kneivel was pretty nice; but the boys barely spoke. I think they were tired of the bad weather. I also met Slowly But Shirley beside the trail. She was done for the day and setting up camp in a fairly rough spot. I gave her my water and made sure she had food. Boy..Lots of sad hikers.   I pulled into a clearing called Yellow Springs Village and set up camp around 7 pm. It sounds like there should be lots of birds here in the am.
Date: 2005-05-25
From: Yellow Springs Village

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 23.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Oh What a cold night! It was my first night with my summer bag and it was freezing. My watch read 48 and my bag is not warm enough for that. I hiked almost an hour this am before I was warm enough to stop and eat my breakfast. The day was cloudy all day with some pretty challenging climbs. The highlight was a Blue Winged Warbler. I met Joel, Lauren and Root at the 501 Shelter which is really more like a hostel than a shelter. Joel drove us into Pine Grove for pizza and they treated me to dinner. He also brought me a warm bag to use for the week. It is so good to be with them again. We did nearly 400 miles together in Va last year.
Date: 2005-05-26
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagle's Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

What a good night's sleep. A belly full of Stromboli and pizza and I still woke up hungry this am. Stretch was up early and itching to get on the trail. We said our goodbyes to Bean and we were rolling by 7:30. Stretch and Root led the way and I swear she walks like she hasn't missed a day off the trail. We planned 14 miles for the first day's walk and now we're having lunch less than two miles from the shelter so we may go on.   We went to the shelter for water; but Stretch has a "hot spot" on her heel so we decided to stay here. Tomorrow we'll head into Port Clinton.
Date: 2005-05-27
From: Eagle's Nest Shelter

To: Port Clinton, Pa
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: scattered clouds

We planned to hit Port Clinton for lunch and then head on to a shelter; but the outfitter that we had mailed my food drop to was closed for renovation and fortunately will be open in the am from 10- 3. So Stretch called her brother who lives near Reading and we are spending the night at their house and restarting tomorrow.   It'll be a nice visit for Lauren and I can't refuse a shower and real food.
Date: 2005-05-28
From: Port Clinton, Pa

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Lauren's brother Jason picked us up and we bought chicken,BBQ sauce,corn on the cob and Klondikes for supper. Lauren and I slept on the front porch and we thoroughly enjoyed their hospitality. In the a.m. we drove to the Shady Maple Smorgasbord to join their family get together. On the way you see lots of Amish in carriages and Mennonites on bicycles. Amish wear only black; Mennonites can wear colored dresses.   The Smorgasbord seats 1200 people, the buffet was nearly 150' long and there was a line out the door. WOW! they make 10 different kinds of pancakes and I had peach and blueberry and, of course, another plate or os of eggs, biscuits etc. We then returned to Port Clinton, picked up my food drop and hit the trail. It was a big long climb up out of town followed by lots of rock scrambles. We got up to Pulpit Rock and had a nice vista with a little tree that looked like real life bonsai. At that point it began to rain and we had a steady downpour for the next 3 1/2 hours. fortunately the last 2 hrs were forest roads so we made good time. The Eckville Shelter was full so we tented across the road. Thankfully the rain stopped just as we arrived so that we were able to cook and eat and warm back up. It really is a lovely area. Ai still remember some of it from our honeymoon 28 years ago.
Date: 2005-05-29
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Bake Oven Camp
Miles today: 17.0

We had a dry night afterall, but I had a lot of condensation in the a.m. we spent the whole day under gorgeous blue skies doin rock scrambles. This apparently goes on until we reach NY. I would say perhaps, aother week. SIGHStretch had shoe/foot problems today that really made her miserable and we tried different lacings and socks; but finally took a knife to the heel faric and that relieved the pressure and she was good to go again. Tonight we are in a trailside spot. It was really a beautiful bed of knee high rabbit ferns....and rocks.
Date: 2005-05-30
From: Bake Oven Camp

To: Trailside Campsite
Miles today: 15.0

This will be a complicated day. The first shelter is too close and I think the next is too far and water is very scarce. We hiked 9 miles to the Geo Outerbridge shelter and there we met Lee Dech, a local who hikes to find the stones he uses to make arrowheads. I watched him make the first stage of one and then we weaded down to Lehigh Gap. The climb out has been called the Death Climb and it is well deserved. We were literally tossing our poles ahead and then rock climbing up the side of the mountain. I cannot imagine doing it in wet weather. We gained 1000' in the process and the crown of the mountain is the most desolate and barren scene you could imagine. It is a superfund site because factory pollutants killed the trees years ago. Now the soil is all gone and it is nothing but rock. Once we were on top it levelled out and we were tooling sown a dirt road when a rattlesnake not 2' off my side of the road shook his tail and we both left the ground. What an adrenaline rush!   I've never heard one before or seen one so close; but there was certainly no question about who it was. I don't think I hit the ground for 5-6'. there were more trees as we cleared the mountain and the walk was still very rocky; but it soon became apparent that the climb had taken its toll.Stretch spotted a campsite off to the side and we called it quits around 5 pm.Luckily so; because we had just set up our tents when a cold and windy thunderstorm hit. She invited me over to cook in her tarp and she was jealous of the food that Evelyn had dehydrated for me and signed with a Bon Appetit and an I Love You.   I Love You Too!!!
Date: 2005-05-31
From: Trailside Campsite

To: Wind Gap, Pa
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Wh had a short walk today to Wind Gap, Pa and it's a good thing because there was no water to be had the whole way. I gave my last cup to Root and he found a couple of puddles along the way. We made it just under 6 hours and we are chilling in a motel to let the soreness work out of our legs. Tomorrow we'll do 16 or 17 to Delaware Water Gap and spend THur with Joel at their cabin near there. Root chased something this a.m. and tore off his backpack and now he' limping so we'll see how that plays out tomorrow. We had a huge lunch, a huge dinner, and I still woke up at 4 a.m. and started eating PopTarts. I must be a bit behind in my nutrition.
Date: 2005-06-01
From: Wind Gap, Pa

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: scattered clouds

We got an early shuttle back to the trail from the motel owner and we both started off terribly. It was rough and rocky as before and we both felt that it was getting the way of our trying to get to the Delaware Water Gap to meet Joel. After about 2/3 of the trek, the rocks finally gave way to smoother trail. The highlights today were Stretch getting a good look at a Prairie Warbler, a Great Crested Flycatcher and a Woodcock. We also waved at a guy in a glider and he actually saw us and waved back. As we entered DWG; a guy asked us what the most difficult aspect of the trek was for us. We both had trouble finding a clear single answer until we had walked and talked about it a bit more. And what we came up with is tha we miss the easy life. Eating when and what you want; sleeping comfortable after a shower, and saying warm and dry inside when it is cold and wt outside. And doing it day after day and missing all those easy things for several months into the future. But Hey...we volunteered for this.
Date: 2005-06-02
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Lake Wallenpaupack
Miles today: 0.0

Joel picked us up at DWG and we drove up to their cabin on the Lake and Stretch's mother Mary Ellen was already makeing chicken and dumplings when we arrived. We stayed there the next day and had a great tim. Joel and I kayaked to an island and stood out in the water to the depth that it was still warm; but we weren't brave enough to really swim out into the cold part.
Date: 2005-06-03
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Camp Ken Etiwa-Pec
Miles today: 17.0

We drove back to DWG for breakfast at the Diner and saw half a dozen hikers and even Woodchuck Logan. He is great! He sat with us and kept us company during breakfast. Inevitably though; I had to leave them and resume my hike and they drove back to Philly to work. I so enjoyed my week with Stretch and Root. I think we make a really good team.The Pa rocks finally receded somewhat and I walked a normal ridgeline looking down on the trees and lakes of Jersey. You wouldn't believe how beautiful this part of the state is. It rained off and on all day; but it wa little more than a mist so I was never cold or wet per se. I was trying to decide whether to do 25 today or tomorrow when I was caught by Traction and Daytripper and they were going to this camp so I joined them. There are two screened cabins with two cots in each so I took one and they took the other. I think it was a good idea; because now it is raining a bit harder.
Date: 2005-06-04
From: Camp Ken Etiwa-Pec

To: High Point Shelter
Miles today: 26.0
Weather: clear sky

I had a couple of surprise guests last night just after dark-Sweet Cheeks and 4 Cheeses. I think they must be a love interest because they elected to both sleep in the other cot. You have to e in love to share that small a space with a sweaty stinky hiker. I got up early this am and walked as best I could through the fog and over the rocks. Yes the rocks are back! They were slick as glass and I even went down fairly hard once; but nothing broke so all is well. all morning I was feeling weak and dizzy and I'm eating candy and snacks and finally some tuna with Ranch dressing and that seemed to do the trick. I made it to a tavern at noon and loaded up on a "Jersey cheese steaksandwich" and a Caesar salad and felt alive again. i kno't think I ate enough last night. It has taken me almost 5 hrs to go 11 1/2 miles UGH! My pace was better in the afternoon and I saw another bear with 2 cubs. Still the rocks make it slow and it was the warmest day yet. I had just passed the last stream when I caught my water tube on a limb and lost most of ot. now I had over 6 hot miles to go to the next water. The trail ran near a parking lot and a motorcyclist gave me water and then a half mile later I found 6 gallons of water left by a trail angel. I was so happy I could have cried. My goal was High Point State Park with restrooms, showers and campsites; but typical for the day, it was closed and I had to go on to the next shelter and set up my tent in the dar, I was going to say that this was the worst day ever; but I met Buzz at the shelter and I think he's feeling even worse. His knees hurt from the rocks and he' homesick. Poor guy. maybe we'll hve a better day tomorrow.
Date: 2005-06-05
From: High Point Shelter

To: Unionvile, Ny
Miles today: 7.0

I was surprised how long I slept. I wasn't on the trail until 8 am and again I felt weak and dizzy the way I did yesterday. I ate candy to no avail so I stopped along a stream and drak as close to 2 liters as I could and that realy seemed to help. This is the first smooth woodland trail I've been on in nearly 2 weeks and I'm loving it. A lot of this area is marsh and they have done a massive job of building boardwalks through it for hundreds of yards. When I came down the last hill; Evelyn was there waiting for me with Buzz in the car. He was in much better spirits today thanks to the better terrain. Evelyn and I will take a zero tomorrow in Vernon.
Date: 2005-06-06
From: Unionvile, Ny

To: Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 12.0

Evelyn and I had a nice day off yesterday and ran our errands; but today we are shuttling to Unionville, NY and hiking to Vernon, NJ together. The first of the hike was wooded and Evelyn found a small garter snake almost immediately so I took the lead for a while and we saw lots of Orioles and other good birds including a Blue Winged Warbler. Then we came to Wallkill Bird Sanctuary. The trail follows the edge of the reserve and we picked up Warbling Vireo, Green Heron, and Killdeer. After that; we did a fairly steep and rocky ascent up Mt Pochuck and turned in to the shelter for lunch so that she could see what one looked like. I was in first and there was a black bear at the shelter; but Evelyn didn't arrive in time to see it before it ran into the woods. I was very disappointed for her; but she was more than pleased to have missed it.   We had our lunch and then did some rollercoaster hills on top f the mountain and finally began our descent towards Vernon. I could tell that she was tiring and she was having to be careful of her knees on the step-downs; but she just took her time and didn't complain.   What a trooper! Finally we hit the valley and found it to be a huge marsh. They have built the most remarkable boardwalk through it that goes for nearly a mile.   At last; we were done and quite done in at that. We showered, had some wine and cheese, and then went for dinner at Cafe Amore about 20 min north in Warwick,NY.