morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-07-17
From: Culvers Gap

To: Florida
Miles today: 0.0

How quickly the real world is forgotten when you are out on the trail! You forget about, or don¢t worry about time, and being at a certain place at a certain time out there. Off the trail it is get up at such and such, go here, be there, make sure you are on time or early. Always a question of time. That is how today went. Had to get up early so we could get to the Newark Airport, in time. That trip was uneventful. The airport was a zoo, even for that hour of the morning. It is hard to describe how it hits you, seeing all these people running around, makes you want to stand in a corner and hide. When all you see is, at most, 10 people all day long, day in and day out huge groups tend to freak you out a bit. The boarding went smoothly as did the flight. I arrived in Orlando where I was met by my brother. Off to the hospital we went. He had no update for today yet because of the early hour and because the ICU had only certain times family members could go in. He said I may not even be able to go in until the next TIME window. We got to the hospital and I found out that my sister had arranged for me to have the time to see my mother. Fearing the worst I walked in and was pleased, very pleased to see she was in a lot better shape than I expected. We talked for a bit and then the nurse kicked me out. I did find out she would most likely be moved out of ICU later that day. I caught back up with my brother, sister, and aunt and everyone was amazed at the progress my mother had made overnight. We waited until the next visit time and after that my sister and I headed to her house. Tomorrow I am going to take care of some the ¢business¢ ends of the accident and try to get the ¢ducks in a row¢. Looks like I will be back to the trail on Wednesday or Thursday. I am also going to post some pictures while I am here. Will try to do that later tomorrow.
Date: 2005-07-19
From: Florida

To: Florida
Miles today: 0.0

Geez! Poison ivy takes a long time to clear up. My wrists look like I have contracted some deadly disease. I did figure out how I got it though. From my poles. The way it is positioned on the wrist it looks like my poles straps gave it to me. This means I must have dropped them into a batch of ivy without noticing it. From that point the straps picked up the toxin and rubbed it onto my wrists as I walked. Thank goodness it doesn¢t itch to badly! Just looks bad. I finally got the chance to see my mom¢s car. Talk about a circus trying to do that. I brought all the required documents with me and one of the workers walked with me, to the south lot where the car was. As I approached it I was thinking that this car wasn¢t going to be on the road ever again! All I have to say is WOW! The impact area was the driver side rear door. You couldn¢t tell it was a door anymore. It was bent into a V shape and pushed inward, almost to the middle of the car. The car frame was bent, the trunk area was beat up, etc. All I could do was think just a foot further up and my mother would have been killed. The way that impact was nobody would have survived that hit! The crazy thing is that we still don¢t know what happened. My mother doesn¢t remember and the police report isn¢t done yet. I have tried to get it for the last couple of days and I have been told that the officers have three business days to complete the report which means it should be ready on Wednesday. This means my sister will have to pick it up. We did find that the other vehicle was a van but that is all we know. This info came from an inadvertant comment from the woman at the police department when I was trying to find out what company towed the car and to where. I am ready to get back out on the trail. It was nice to see family again but I have some unfinished business out there and I am itching to go. I'm sure the few days rest did my feet and legs good, as well as the rest of the body, so I should hit the trail with all cylinders firing. I will head back north tomorrow and be on the trail early Thursday morning. Mileage will depend on how my trail legs are. I will go as far as they will let me!
Date: 2005-07-23
From: Vernon, NJ

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: clear sky

It was a stuffy night. No circulation and quite warm in the hostel. At four AM I couldn't take it anymore so I got up. What do you do at 4 AM? You go wander around in the 24 hour A&P supermarket and that's what I did. I was amazed at the difference in temperature when I stepped outside. It was nice and cool. I thought to myself that it might be a good day for hiking. The leg felt a lot better this morning. Still a little tight but I think it will do fine in the long run (famous last words!). I killed time until the diner opened. I drank my morning coffee and looked at a newspaper. First time I have read the paper in awhile. Amazing how the news never changes! After the morning coffee I packed up and headed for the road. It was around 7:30 so I figured hitching might be a little tough but I would try anyway. Fifteen minutes later I got a ride. From a woman! I was shocked that a single female would stop and pick up a scruffy hiker. Come to find out she was familiar with the hostel and hikers. I was right about the weather. We have not had a day this good in a long time. No humidity and in the low 80's. Perfect! I moved along and came to the first shelter around 10:30. A-Dumb and No Show were just getting ready to leave. I had first run into these guys back in the Shennies. We have been bouncing around each other ever since. I hung out there till around 11:00. Just before I left the ridgerunner came in. It was A-Train. He had hiked in '03 and I had followed his journal. It was good to meet him. He told me of the ice cream store that had not made the guides. That was a good thing to know and would be a nice treat before the end of the day. At 1:00 I crossed into New York. Another state down! Six to go. New York greeted us in her own special way. An up and then a walk across a rock ridgeline. The rocks were pretty smooth, having been worn down by glaciers, ages ago. The views were great and from one spot I could actually see some of NYC. The lack of humidity made that possible! I moved along the ridgeline, really enjoying the day, the leg letting me it was there every now and then, when I came to an "oh wow" spot. Haven't seen one of those for awhile so I sat and had a late lunch and enjoyed the view. I ran into Charlie Brown when I got to the ice cream place. What a refresher that was plus I was able to get water. Water is still an issue out here. A lot of the sources are dry or very weak. Thank goodness for the trail angels that leave water at some of the road crossings! After ice cream I wlaked the remaining two miles to the shelter. I was pretty tired even though the mileage wasn't that bad. I set up my tent, made dinner, and read for awhile. Scholar and Free Radical rolled in and set up camp. We congratulated each other on another state down and talked about tomorrows plans. After that I crawled into the tent and was asleep before it was totally dark.
Date: 2005-07-24
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: William Brien Mem. Shelter
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I must be getting lazy. Not getting up till around 6:00. Taking the time to make a cup of coffee. It must be the cool, early morning temps along with the low humidity. We haven't had a lot of those days lately so when we do you want to enjoy them. Soon after leaving the shelter area I came to a road crossing. Normally this is nothing to talk about but this time something, I consider, unusual happened. A car passed by and then I started across. I saw the cars brake lights come on and then the reverse lights. I stopped ad waited for the vehicle to get to me. The window comes down and the guy driving asks me for directions to the parkway! After I choked back my laugh I told him no. He said thanks and took off. I stood in the middle of the road wondering about what just happened. I mean, I know that if I were driving a car, the first person I would stop and ask directions from would be a person just stepping out of the woods and looking the way we do. Not! Pretty amazing! I walked along, albeit, none to fast. The terrain has become what we forgot about while walking the ridgelines for hours on end. All of a sudden we are climbing numerous hills, the kind that go up and down, without switchbacks. It has been fun "hiking" again even though my legs haven't been used to that kind of climbing for awhile. Around 2:30 I hit Harriman State Park. This weekend there had been another hiker feed planned for here called, Fat Fest. This one is put on by the hikers of '98. I had not planned on pushing to get here and since this was day two I figured that things would be winding down. I still headed to it because I might be able to see a few people. Sure enough, the feed was all but over but a lot of people I knew were there. Stilts, Clearwater, Domino, Seeker, Rawhide, Bubble Toes, Thatch, Freedom and more. Most of them were at the park, hiking wise, and a few were only a little behind or ahead. It was great to see everyone again. I took a break there and after a couple of hours made the move to the next shelter which was four miles up the trail. About two miles up I ran into Serenity, Free, and Poet. I knew they were in the area and it was really good to see that trio again! The four of us hiked into the shelter and set up camp. Clearwater and Free Radical were there but Stilts had pushed on past. We all talked about what a rude awakening the change in terrain has been to our bodies. We all believed that the days of real big miles are gone. This puts a cramp in my plan for the day after tomorrow. I was going to push for a 25 or so day. Don't think that is going to happen. I did find out today that Brownie and Souleman are off the trail. It was sad to find this out but it was due to injury. I will take you up on your offer when I get further north, Brownie! It's getting late. Time for bed. I have noticed that it is getting dark a lot earlier these days. We are almost into August!
Date: 2005-07-27
From: Mountain Top Market

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: few clouds

It was nice to be able to sit and enjoy a cuppa joe before I left this morning. I sat in the chair, in front of the store, till close to 7:00. I was planning on another 24 miler so I had to get moving though it was tough to do. I said goodbye to Professor and Hillbilly and off I went. The walking was a lot better today tha it has been for the past couple of days. The heat and humidity however, was oppressive. Talk about draining every ounce of energy out of you! The trail passed by Nuclear Lake. Nice looking lake but it makes me wonder when you see a name like Nuclear Lake. From there, the trail wound through some marshy areas and I started thinking about how glad I was that I wasn't hiking that 12 mile section around Boiling Springs today. That section was all field and in this heat you would melt! Guess what? 45 minutes later I hit fields! Not 12 miles worth but a few miles worth. Karma, that's all I have to say about that! The air in the fields was so stifling and the humidity so high you felt you were breathing air from one of those mist making machines and, of course, I hit them around noon. I was real glad to get out of those fields! Later in the afternoon the weather began to change. The wind picked up and you could tell we were going to get a couple of thunderstorms. Sure enough, they hit, but they were quick and it was refreshing. I don't think any hiker out there today complained about that one. However, an hour later, things went downhill fast. It got real dark, almost night kind of dark, and the wind had really picked up. I was thinking that this was going to be big and bad! I knew I was close to one shelter so I checked the distance. Only 1/4 of a mile! I literally started a fast walk/jog. I did not want to, in any way, shape, or form, be caught in this one if I didn't have to. I made it to the shelter just as it started and it was a doozy! I was never so glad to be near a shelter as I was then. It lasted for a long time. Lots of thunder and lightning and a lot of rain. It is still raining some as I type this, 2 hours after I got here. So, I am staying in a shelter for the first time in a long time. I might even have it to myself. It would be a 25 mile day for anyone leaving RPH Shelter. I will have a 12 mile hike in the morning to get to Kent so I want to get up early so I can get out of here.
Date: 2005-07-28
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Stewart Hollow Lean-to
Miles today: 20.5

What a difference a day can make! It was a cool morning and the humidity was gone. Looked like it was going to be a good day to walk. I had breakfast and enjoyed the early mrning stillness for awhile. I did end up having the shelter to myself but I found I slept uncomfortably, not to mention, I had a sore back from the platform. Funny, how a platform can give me a stiff back in the morning but the ground doesn't. I packed up and headed out. First goal of the day was Kent in order to resupply. After four miles I crossed into Connecticut! New York is behind me and Connecticut only has 50 miles worth of the AT in it so I should be done with it this weekend. I arrived in Kent around 11:30. It's a nice little town, in that New England sort of way. Definitely geared for the tourist trade but not in a gawdy way. Quaint little stores including a coffee shop, bookstore, deli, and more. First place I went to was the post office where I got my last food maildrop from myself. From here on out I buy along the way. I'm not sure I am real happy about that. The prices up here are getting progressively higher the further north we go! After getting my food sorted and everything repacked I headed back to the main part of town. By the library, I ran into Sleeveless and Africa. We caught up on things and then I went to get a cup of coffee. I sat outside on the bench, drank my coffee, and watched the people. Here I am watching people and they are watching me. You know they have no idea I am a hiker. Most probably think I am homeless. I always have an inner smile when I run into these situations! After a couple of cups, very strong cups, by the way, I figured I'd better head back out. I put on the pack and just as I was leaving I ran into Brother Buzz. It had been awhile since I had seen him. His wife was joining him for a few days of hiking through CT. Only one more climb for the day but the downhill after it was a killer. Once more, I can't see how I could have done it without my poles. It was a rock scramble and climb, except in reverse. I really do like doing those. Adds a little variety to the day. I hit the shelter area around 6:00 and set up the tent and ate. I was tired. I think these 20+ days have worn me down some. Tonight will be an early night.
Date: 2005-07-29
From: Stewart Hollow Lean-to

To: Belter's Campsite
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Walking along a river always seems to make any day enjoyable. The early morning fog hovering over the river, creeping into the trees and then disappearing. The sound of the water rushing through areas of rapids only to be come a gentle gurgle as it continues its journey past them. That is how the day started. From there, I walked through a few more fields, took a couple of ups and then came to the road crossing that led to Cornwall Bridge. It was still pretty early and I was dragging a bit today so I decided to head into the village to get a cup of coffee. Cornwall consists of just a few stores, one of which is a package store. I had heard rumors about that place but it was coffee first and then I would check it out. It was a typical general store and everyone there seemed to know everyone else. I got my coffee and sat outside on the front porch to drink it, again, watching the people. After my coffee I went to the package store and found the rumor was true. Sign the hiker register and you get a free Fosters Lager or beer of your choice. I accepted the Fosters and signed in. Now, in my book, it's never to early to have a brew but today it was. I packed it away to have with lunch or dinner. You can always get them cold by letting it sit in a stream for awhile. I had planned on a 22 mile day today but, like I said, I just didn't have it in me. I decided to do a 15 instead. In CT, you cannot camp unless it is a designated area. I'm sure you could stealth it if you wanted to but the campsites and shelters were spaced around enough where you didn't have to stealth. I trudged along, my mind drifting all over the place and my eyes just watching the foot placements. There were a couple of good views where I rested for a time. I finally arrived at the campsite at 5:00. i must have been going slow if it took all day to do 15! I set up, had dinner, and cracked open the Fosters (which I had cooled). It was refreshing! When it was done I crawled into the tent to read. I even found a ballgame to listen to on the radio. How I am picking up Baltimore Orioles station I don't know but it wash fun to listen to for a change.
Date: 2005-07-30
From: Belter's Campsite

To: Laurel Ridge Campsite
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: scattered clouds

I had a surprise this morning. Just as I was getting ready to go Socks comes up from further down the camp area. She had stayed here last night but was out of eyesight. We talked awhile and for the rest of the day we crossed each other's path as we hiked. Last time I had seen her was back in Duncannon! The weather has been holding real well since the big storm the other day. It has been getting hot but the humidity hasn't been to high. This makes for happy hikers! I crossed over the Housatonic River via an iron bridge. The bridge is sort of a landmark in the area and I took the obligatory photo. Shortly after the bridge I came to a nice little swimming hole. I took the opportunity to clean up a little. Rinsing clothes out in the river just doesn't quite take care of the funk, of course, washing machines don't either. The clothes I am hiking in and with, will not, see to many days after I am done! I caught back up to Socks and we hiked into Salisbury, CT together. She had to do a little resupply and I wanted a cup of coffee. As I was sipping my second cup, Socks came by, ready to head out. I told her I would catch up to her in awhile. She left and soon a southbounder came by. We have started to run into a lot more southbounders lately. Usually we will stop and pass on info about the trail, and they do the same. Kind of wierd that they still have a real long way to go and we are coming ever closer to the end of our trek! I moved on and I did catch up to Socks. We crossed into Massachusetts together. Ten states down, four to go! MA greeted us with a nice downhill into Sages Ravine. What a really cool area! I told Socks I would see her soon, since she was going to camp there for the night, but I wanted to get a few more miles in. A few more is all I did. I didn't want to venture another big climb till the AM. We made our first climb over 2000 feet above sea level since somewhere back in Virginia. Tomorrow I have two more in quick succession. The trail has also turned north. For the longest time we were moving on an eastern route, especially in PA. We go straight north for awhile from here.
Date: 2005-07-31
From: Laurel Ridge Campsite

To: Tom Leonard Lean-to
Miles today: 19.1

The day started with a couple of tough, but fun, climbs. The first was over Race Mtn. The trail followed the ridge/cliff line to the top. It offered some excellent views into the surrounding valleys. After that the climb took me over Mt. Everett. This had a bit of a rock crawl and some excellent blueberry picking. The wild blueberries are a lot smaller than the ones you see in the store. If you have ever bought Betty Crocker Blueberry Muffin Mix, that is the size of the berry you find out here. I would stop and gather a handful and munch on them. The next time I run into a good batch I am going to collect them in a baggie, then add some sugar packets to it and create my own sweetened berries. I made good time today and when I hit the road to Barrington I made the decision to head that way and do some laundry. I have felt like such a grub the last few days that laundry sounded so appealling I couldn't wait. I finished the laundry, had a cup of coffee at the bagel shop and headed back toward the trail. Just before I reached the trailhead I ran into Lightning Rod. Another person named correctly! He has been hit twice by lightning, in his lifetime. He was thinking about waiting till the approaching storm blew over. Wonder why! I waited awhile and then moved out. Should have waited longer! The storm hit as I was climbing up the mountain. Nothing like walking into a thunderstorm and going for the highest point while you're at it! On the way, I bumped into Newburg and Noodle. I have seen them occasionally during the previous couple of weeks. Looked like we were all heading to the same shelter which we did arrive at, all nice and wet! I really don't mind walking in the rain but the thunderstorms do freak me some. I couldn't imagine being Lightning Rod, being out in one, especially when he is carrying two trekking poles and an external frame pack! I decided to stay in the shelter instead of setting up the tent because the call was for more rain during the night and I was being lazy. It was as I was laying there that I realized that I had crossed the 1500 miles completed mark! Less than 700 to go but they will not be an easy 700! Feets don't fail me now!