morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-07-04
From: 4 miles south of William Penn

To: Woods Near Eagles Nest
Miles today: 20.0

Lord get me out of PA! The rocks are a little rough, but the giant patches of poison ivy reaching out to grab me are just down right scarey!!!! I hike with my poles up in the air, trying my best to stay in the middle of the trail as I dodge these mutant poison ivy vines! Ugh....I slept hard last night. I had spent the previous two nights in The Appalachian Inn next to the exit door, and The Doyle which was an adventure in itself, so it was nice to crawl into my tent and get a good night's sleep. I have finally crossed the threshhold where I sleep better in the woods than I do in towns. I will say though, that a river is no comparison to a hot shower. NOTHING is better than a hot shower....except maybe a Pepsi.I stopped in at the 501 shelter for lunch. It is the only shelter I've yet to visit with a caretaker. Rumor has it you can order pizza from the shelter also. Wag Daddy was there having lunch also. He is a young fella doing the trail in 88 days. He actually started on May 15th. I'm betting on him to finish, but it will be close. He had a great attitude.Peanut was zeroing there. Her husband was sick in their tent with the flu. Great place for them to zero.I'm going to try to make it to Eagle's Nest or close to it. I would like to get to Port Clinton in about 10 tomorrow. My feet are already sore from these thousands of little pointy rocks though, so we will see how it goes.I'm a couple miles from Eagle's Nest give or take, so I'll have 12 into town tomorrow. This is good since I need to get my chores done. I hope to get out early Wednesday, but it really depends on when Kara Lisa arrives. I met her, her husband Mark, and their handsome dog Sirus in the Shenandoahs. They were doing a two week section and doing big miles, so I don't think she will have an issue keeping up. She is going to hike with me for about seven days, and is practicing for her own thru-hike.There were a lot of day and section hikers out today. I walked slowly across any roads or parking areas I crossed, in hopes one of these hikers may have a cooler with Pepsi's.....nothing. Oh well, I'll be in town tomorrow, and I'm sure there are many sodas with my name on them.Night John Boy
Date: 2005-07-05
From: Woods Near Black Swatara

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: light rain

The hike into Port Clinton was pretty uneventful. It started raining on me, and I made excellent time jogging to outrun the thunder and lightening. Excellent time until I hit the climb down into Port Clinton.The climb down was pretty wet and steep enough to make it pretty sketchy. I busted my fanny THREE TIMES, and have enough trail rash and bruises to have several people ask what happened. A railroad employee was driving by as I came cursing out of the bushes over the tracks in the rain. I just grimaced and headed for soda. I'm sure I was a lovely sight.I limped up to the Port Clinton Hotel, and walked through the front door into the bar. I felt like I was walking into the "Cheers" set as all the regulars around the bar peered at me. I felt like a big dirty, stinky piece of trail trash. I got my towel, key, and soap from the bartender and headed straight upstairs for a shower. The room was simple and clean, but the shower was a little scarey.I went back down to the bar after the shower for lunch, and the BEST cheeseburger and fries I've had on the trail. The burger was HUGE. The food there was fantastic, and I watched through the evening as they packed out their dining room and pulled a big dinner crowd all night.I hung ou at the bar for a while with three other hikers...."To Phat," "Mule," and "Super J.". Caralisa showed around 9P, we chatted about the hiking plans for the next day, and I headed on up to bed.All in all, a very good day.Ciao
Date: 2005-07-06
From: Port Clinton

To: Gold Spring
Miles today: 12.0

Leaving town was hard today......for the first time. There were several hikers I'd not seen in a while and would have enjoyed visiting with for a while. They were all coming in to town as Caralisa and I were leaving. I saw Crazy Legs and Papparazzi, and was really excited to see the couple from TN, "Whitewater" and "Nurse Ratchit" who I like a lot. They are a day behind, but hopefully they will catch up over the next few days.We hiked until about 8P since we did not get started til about 2P (you know how I like to chat) and did about 12 miles into a very nice spring. We are now camped on a hill above for the evening. Hopefully it will not rain tonight. I did hear we are supposed to get "Cindy's" rain on Friday.....ick.Night all.....
Date: 2005-07-07
From: Gold Spring

To: Woods near Bear Rocks
Miles today: 19.0

Caralisa is over in her tent evaluating her new blisters. We did 19 miles in the rain today, so I think they are a little sore. It is supposed to poor buckets tomorrow, so she may end up suffering a little. I feel badly for her. She keeps annoucing from her tent "I've found MORE blister!"Caralisa had a rather eventful first full day. She received her official trailname "Chickenhead." She told me her husband lovingly refers to her as "bird face," but I got confused later and refered to her as "Chickenhead." She is also wound tighter than I, and I told her that when she gets excited she runs around kinda like "a chicken with it's head cut off." Going forward she is "Chickenhead."Chickenhead also got stung twice today by yellow jackets as we hiked, and last night she had a bear wander around her tent.The bear was not a big event, but it was poor Chickenhead's first night out alone in her tent. She was camped about 25 yds. from me. I heard mister bear walking by right at dark, but did not want to scare Chickenhead, so said nothing.Suddenly I heard Chickenhead announce she saw a very large animal very close, and it looked like a bear. I told her it would be ok, the bear would not bother her. Chickenhead began to make lots of loud noises banging her poles together. The bear only hung out a bit, and then left.It rained heavily at some points today, and is supposed to be worse tomorrow. I think there is some tropical depression coming through. Hopper told us 2-4 inches tonight. Chickenhead has a new tent. It will be interesting to see how it holds up. She decided to save weight and only brought 5 of it's 13 stakes. Hmmmm.....We hiked about 15 miles to the Blue Summitt restaurant. It is right next to the trail. We decided to stop for lunch around 2:30, and did not leave until around 5:30. Part of the reason was the weather, and the other was Hopper pulling up in the parking lot. I saw her and dragged her in to chat a while.We finally made it out of the restaurant and back onto the trail. We are now lashed down, and waiting on the torrential downpour.Night night....
Date: 2005-07-08
From: Woods near Bear Rocks

To: Palmerton, PA
Miles today: 9.0

I woke up this morning and it was POURING. It had started raining around midnight, and there did not appear to be a near end in sight. My tent had also sprung a few leaks, so I was a little wet.I threw on my jacket and went to check on Chickenhead in her tent. She was relatively dry, but ready to head into town. We checked our maps and headed for Palmerton, through what I had learned was tropical depression Cindy.It rained the entire morning, and within thirty minutes we were drenched. To add insult to injury, we were hiking over the famous PA "rocks." In a few places it was just a boulder scramble, and that isn't a lot of fun on wet rocks in ridge runners with no tread. It was a long wet morning, but we finally reached the last shelter out of town, and stopped to take a quick break. Chickenhead went to get water while I checked the register. Around the corner came Spike. Spike is great. He is an older gentleman and a man of few words, but very interesting to hike and chat with. We followed Spike on down the mountain to the road where Hopper was waiting for Spike.Chickenhead and I hitched in to Palmerton in the back of a pick-up truck seated on top of a pile of manure. Chickenhead insisted it was mulch, but I still think it was manure. Then again that could have just been my pack. It has been washed many times, but will clearly have to be burned when I'm finished.We are staying at the Palmerton Inn. Again, another inexpensive hotel with a bar and restaurant under the rooms. The room is big and looks like a dirty gear store with wet stuff spread out everywhere. Hopefully it will be dry by in the morning.We are headed out to do what hikers do best....eat. Goodnight.
Date: 2005-07-09
From: Palmerton, PA

To: Woods near Leroy Shelter
Miles today: 16.0

First thing to note....Chickenhead is no longer Chickenhead.   We were informed today that the name Chickenhead in Eubonics is far from positive, so she is keeping the old name Rite-aid.Today was tough on the feet. The rocks were non-stop. I learned today though, that after Fox Gap the glacial deposits stop, and the rocks are very much minimized. The climb out of Palmerton was more like technical rock climbing than backpacking. I ended up just putting my poles up and just climbing hand over foot. At one point I went the wrong way, and clung to a ledge trying to figure out how I was going to pull myself up and over with this thirty pound pack. I saw the blazes going a different way, but it was too hard to climb back down, so I unhooked the pack, slung it up, and climbed up after it.During the hike I noticed a helicopter hovering over and landing on the top of the mountain. A thru-hiker (a woman) had become disoriented and confused while climbing, and was being medi-vaced to a local hospital. I hear she had been pretty scared while climbing, and I'm sure this did not help the situation.The hiking went fairly quickly and I decided to set up camp near Chuckles and Gotta Go. By the time it was dark, there were about four other tents and tarps setup in the area. I made dinner and chatted with Gotta Go and Chuckles, a super nice couple from TN. Riteaid ate and chatted with us also. It was a pleasant evening.Time for bed. Night...
Date: 2005-07-14
From: Ridge Past Mohican Center

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

I finally made it home today using our fine northeast transportation system. EZ dropped me off at the Holiday Inn last night in Wayne, NJ, where I cleaned my wounds and worked to find a way home. I had someone coming to pick me up at 7PM tonight, but I am not exactly the most patient person, and wanted to get home asap so I could get things done at home and for the rest of my trip.This morning I caught a bus at the local mall to the Port Authority in New York City. From there I walked 8 blocks to Penn Station. In Penn Station I caught a train (that was delayed of course) to Stamford, CT, where I'm now waiting on my ride.Most notable through all this was security, or lack of it. Considering the recent London bombings, I thought this was rather interesting.In the Port Authority, I could not find a single police officer to ask a question. I finally found one outside on the sidewalk, and he was less than thrilled about answering a question. I thought the lack of police officers in the Port Authority was amazing.Penn Station had the same lack of police presence. I don't believe I ever saw an officer in the hour I sat waiting. Never once, neither while boarding or when my ticket was punched on the train, was I ever asked for a picture ID.As I sit here in the Stamford train station, I'm watching several "Copstat" security guards. Their duties appear to be comprised of chatting, checking out the butts of all women entering the station, and talking on their cell phones. They have not moved from their spot, and one continues to stand facing the wall as he chats.Don't get me wrong, I know the police can't be everywhere, but to see NO police in 2 of the busiest transportation hubs in this part of the country is a little suprising. Maybe I was just missing something. Maybe they were discreetly placed out of sight. Hmmmm...Time to head to the house. No more entries til I return to the trail.
Date: 2005-07-14
From: Branchville, NJ

To: Woods
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: light rain

Origin: Branchville, NJDestination: WoodsMiles: 97/14/05ShelterIt was hard getting back on the trail today. I'd gotten off late Wednesday and gone home for three full days. I'd stayed in my bed, in my house, and seen my beautiful labrador. I miss everyone at home.I hesitate to say this b/c I know other hikers may hunt me down and throw large rocks at me, but I miss work. I went in to pay a visit on Friday, and it was nice to see everyone. I felt as if I had just walked out the door a few weeks ago. I thoroughly enjoy hiking, but I also enjoy the work I do and the people I work with.I got back on the trail in Branchville after a large lunch at Jumbo Diner. Actually, I went across the street to Sunset Grille, b/c I thought I had seen Sleeveless. An older gentleman out front introduced himself as Goat as he went inside. He immediately walked back outside and said "You must be Mayfly." "Sleeveless is inside, and saw you.". I said "yes" and walked inside to say hi and chat a little. I was introduced to Goat and his wife, with whom Sleeveless had been hiking. Sleeveless looked good after her raccoon attack, but she looked very tired.We left the Grille and headed up the trail. I charged on ahead, and within a mile was drenched and had to stop b/c I was so hot. I guess 3 days in air conditioning requires one to reacclimate. I swear the humidity had to be at 100 percent. I cooled off and headed back up the trail. I think the others stopped at the first shelter since Goat had taken a bad fall on the rocks earlier in the day. I headed to the next shelter about six miles further, arriving around 7:30. The ridgerunner for this section was staying there, and since we were the only ones there, and it was raining, I decided to do a rare shelter stay instead of pitching my tent. The ridgerunner (Navigator) was a nice guy, and we chatted for a bit while I ate dinner.It's dark now, and time to sleep. Ciao.
Date: 2005-07-15
From: Michipacong

To: Secret Shelter
Miles today: 15.0

Try hiking in baseball cleats. This is what it is like hiking in my new trail runners. Without a shadow of a doubt, they are the most uncomfortable shoes I've ever worn! They are new shoes by Lowa, and even my super feet don't help. The treads are just too much for the flimsy upper shoe. This is only the second day though, and I'm going to give them a week.It is miserably hot and humid. Right now I'm in a field with my shoes, socks and tent spread everywhere trying to dry, while I eat lunch. Nothing is really drying well though b/c the humidity is so high. It is supposed to break tomorrow and I sure hope that is correct. The ridgerunner listened to his radio, and said they are calling for a heat index of a hundred degrees today.....ugh. I hope the forecasters are wrong about the heat index.It appears the forecasters were correct about the heat. That, combined with being soaked from getting rained on all day, and my god awful new shoes, resulted in a low mileage day. I'm also getting off Friday evening to take my shoes back on Saturday morning. I will get back on after I get a different pair of shoes.Honestly, today was not much fun. I can say, probably for the first time, I really did not enjoy being out here today. I think a lot of the reason can be attributed to the shoes. I've not had my feet hurt that much in a long time. I had to sit about once every two hours, and took at least 6 ibuprophen.. Friday seems a long ways off.....The secret shelter is nice. The fella that owns the property has built a shelter with a hot water shower and even electricity. He is a former thru-hiker that has done this for the hikers.I'm going to go to sleep early, so that I can get up early and try and beet the heat.Night all.......
Date: 2005-07-19
From: Secret Shelter

To: Vernon, Nj
Miles today: 12.0

I thought I was going to drop! My feet hurt as badly as they did the first two weeks of this hike! My new Lowa trail runners are the most uncomfortable shoes I've ever worn. If you have climbed in softball cleats, then you will know what I'm talking aboiut.Vernon, NJ has a hostel, and Goat and Buffet caught up and let me know they were going in to the hostel, renting a car, and going to replace Goat's boots. At this point my feet felt as if they were going to fall off, and I decided to tag along and do the same.We hitched in to the hostel at the Episcopal church to stay for the night. The hostel was the basement of the church and we had to sleep on the floor, but we had shower and laundry facilities, and unlimited/free internet access. It was a nice facility, and the church only requested ten dollars as a donation.We had about 10 in the hostel for the night. The next morning we rented a car and headed for CT where I got some replacement shoes and Goat got another pair of LOWA. We all switched to gore-tex, and I can tell you that I'm already happier. For the first time in about two weeks, my feet and socks were not soaked within about 30 minutes of beginning my hike. THAT is the highlight of my hike for this section.There were 13 people at the hostel last night. Maximum was 12, but one refused to leave. Oh well...all you can hope is these types of attitudes don't ruin it for the other hikers coming up behind. You see it a lot amongst some groups of hikers. Several hostels closed down this past year. Some due to comparable attitudes.Sleeveless and I got permission to tent. I thought that since it was cooler, it would be nicer outside. Wrong. Between the woman screaming opera in the church, and the back-up alarms from the all night construction across the street, I got very little sleep. The grass was nice and soft though, and it was very comfortable.
Date: 2005-07-21
From: Vernon, Nj

To: View Entry
Miles today: 17.5

I got up early this morning, with Goat, Buffet, and Sleeveless right behind me. We had breakfast and went to return the car in Hamburg, NJ. We were on the trail by 8:00AM. There had a mail drop in Greenwood Lake, and they were thinking of stopping there. It would give them around 18 miles. I told them I would not be stopping there, and wanted to do at least 20. I need to be in Peekskill by Saturday at lunch, and it is 52 miles away. I'm pretty tired from lack of sleep, so we will see if I even make the 20.Writing on this Blackberry is not helping me achieve my goal of 20, so I'd better scoot. I'm really just procrastinating,,,something I'm actually very good at doing at times. Gotta go.....I did not make my goal of 20. I did enter NY state today though. I would have made 20 had there not been an icecream creamery when I got to the road. I went down with Goat, Buffet and Sleeveless, and had a Banana Split for dinner. We then came back up to the trail and found some decent camping spots in the woods about 30 yds. from the road. They all have to hitch in tomorrow to pick up packages, and I did not feel like hiking further since it was late after I finished my icecream. NY state had some pretty strenuous climbing today. There were sections where I just threw my poles up and climbed the rocks. It was constant ups and downs. There were also some beautiful views of Greenwood Lake. I would love to have a house on the lake, and a boat.Time for bed all..........
Date: 2005-07-23
From: Piorati Park

To: Piorati Park
Miles today: 0.0

I decided to hang out at "Fat Fest" yesterday in Piorati Park. I had hiked into the park the night before and camped. I was going to leave this morning, but decided to stick around, eat, and see if any hikers I'd not seen in a while showed up. I had not been to Trail Days, Trail Fest, or the Duncannon Feed, and decided Fat Fest would be my token trail social event for the hike.Fat Fest was put on by "The Class of 98," and they did a stellar job. There was tons of good food and drink for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and the same the following day. I really just relaxed and greeted incoming cohorts. I saw Navigator, who I had not seen since Hot Springs, NC. I thought he had gotten off trail, but he is still persevering. The Gypsy sisters and Domino showed up, cheery as always. I also got to see Pumpkin, who I had not seen since the Shenandoahs. Pumpkin and I relaxed and played Gin Rummy for a while and just chatted a bit.All in all it was a nice relaxing day. It was good to see everyone, and get an idea of where a lot of people were on the trail. I was really suprised and the number that had left the trail. There were quite a few that I thought would definitely get up to Maine. That's alright though, I hope they enjoyed their own journey.Late afternoon a friend picked me up and we headed for my house about an hour away. I was going to spend the evening there, and head back to the trail in the morning. It will be my last visit home until I finish the hike. The time away from the trail always goes so quickly b/c of all there is to do when you are off....washing clothes, resupplying, organizing gear, updating schedule, etc.I'm excited that I'm finally entering New England. The heat has been oppressive, but I'm hoping most of this will end in the next couple of weeks. I also have Deet now, which will help combat these vicious insects. They are just chewing me to pieces! It's b/c I'm so sweet!I better finish packing up and wrapping things up to head back. Have a good day!
Date: 2005-07-25
From: Piorati Park

To: Woods near Piorati
Miles today: 2.0

Leaving home was very hard today. I stayed an extra day, and don't plan on getting off the trail for any more zeros until I reah Katahdin. I packed my winter gear to ship, ordered another hipbelt, and mailed my next three packages.I miss home very much. I love being out here, but the things that are most important are waiting for me at home. Not a day goes by that thoughts of home don't wander through my mind. I really am the luckiest person out here. My home support and patience is 100 percent, and I never take that for granted or don't completely appreciate it.I better hit the sack. It is supposed to go up to 95 degrees tomorrow, so I will have to get up very early to beat the heat. Goodnight.