morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-06-22
From: Bear's Den Hostel

To: David Lesser Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: few clouds

I started the day with pancakes and coffee that Hopeful had left for us to make if we wanted. Of course, thru hikers love pancakes with syrup especially with leftover Ben and Jerry's ice cream. It was a good night¢s sleep with no snorers in the woman's bunk room. I was on the trail by 7:00. Realized I had not looked at the new map. The roller coaster was still going. I had four more hills to climb and descend before ending on top. Once up there, it was pretty easy walking. I connected with Willow and Long We True, we stayed together up to the David Lesser Shelter. We hit another mile stone...the 1000 mile mark. It seems just a few days ago when I passed the 900 miles with Chicken Little. Unbeknownst to me I guess there has been some kind of marker at each 100 mile interval. We could not find one for the 1000 miles so the three of us made one. The first one we constructed out of rocks, stick and ferns. For the second one we found a lot of white rocks that we arranged on a large boulder. When we got to the shelter, Willow and Long We True were debating staying or hiking the nine miles to Harpers Ferry. They decide to go on, as they were able to call someone that they knew and could stay. Since I would not see Mando (remember him) until late tomorrow, I decided I would rather be out in the woods than pay $85.00 at the Comfort Inn. This was a beautiful shelter with an individual tent pad that had a bench next to the level area. The shelter was constructed out of hand hewn large beams with a balcony and wooden sofa. There was a separate cooking pavilion with a fire pit. I decided to tent so I could get an early start. It¢s looking like rain, so better get my stuff put away. I had a dinner of tuna 3oz. with mayo (two small packages) and six Oreo cookies. Hung my food bag and headed for the tent as here comes the rain. I think I am on a final approach for some airport. Hope all those passengers are having a good time. Just as I was to climb in the bag, my cell phone rang and it was Mando. He was in Harper's Ferry! To think I could have hiked into town. Well I will just have to get an early start tomorrow. Fly right, Ravon
Date: 2008-06-23
From: David Lesser Memorial Shelter

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

There were rumbles of thunder during the night, but my tent was mostly dry when I got up. I was on the trail by 6:00 as it is a go-to-town day. The AT in this section goes along the top of a ridge as a narrow corridor between urban communities. I still saw deer and one yearling black bear trying to live in this confined space. I met Pipeline, a thru hiker in 2000 who comes out and hikes 400 to 500 miles each summer. He's from Pennsylvania and said don't be too concerned about the rocks. Glad to hear one person had encouraging words about those dreaded rocks. At any rate, you have to walk through the state to get to Maine so might as well take what the trail has to offer. What a thrill it was to see the Shenandoah River and walk across the bridge into Harpers Ferry. I grew up in Maryland, but had never been to this quaint historic town. There were geese sunning on rocks that were in the middle of this wide, but shallow river. The trail goes around the outside of the town. There is a blue blaze through what was Sutter College, but is now administrative buildings for the National Park Service. It was so interesting to walk down the tree lined side walks and read what role this area played in our country's history. There was an open field that had been a place where both Union and Confederate troops had set up their tents. The college, although never integrated because of segregation laws, was the first college that allowed blacks as well as other nationalities to come and learn. At the ATC (Appalachian Trail Conservancy), a small one level stone building is where all hikers go to register. It is psychologically the half way point for thru hikers. Peter and Margaret, who were workers there, were so friendly and really made you feel proud for how far you have hiked. I couldn't stop grinning as they took my photo for the 2008 class of thru hikers. I was #392. Saw lots of hikers that I knew. Finally, was able to reach Mando on the cell phone. He thought I would not be in town until noon. Must have had wings on my boots as I hiked the nine miles in under four hours. He met me at the ATC and got to meet Chaco, Toe Socks, Low Impact, Long We True, and Willow. Time to go get some town food. Fly right,Ravon
Date: 2008-06-24
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

The history of Harper¢s Ferry stems mostly from the story of John Brown. He was part of a group of fourteen men. Eight of them were white, and six were black.  The town had a foundry and an armory that held 100,000 guns. The fourteen staged a raid to capture the armory and all the weapons with the intention of arming a slave rebellion. The raid was foiled by a soldier named Robert E. Lee and his men. Brown was captured and hung in Charlestown... down the road. Shortly after that the Civil War started.  Harper¢s Ferry is at the confluence of the Potomac and the Shenandoah Rivers. Both are broad shallow looking rivers at this point, but they have been known to flood. The houses are mostly civil war era built steep along the rocky hillside in rows.  There was a college here, and many of the original buildings are now offices for the Park Service. You¢ll see pictures here later. Unfortunately, we came into town during the week.  Most stores, businesses and eating places were open only until 5:00.  On the weekends they stay open later.The town has only 300 residence. There is one main street, High Street. All the buildings are on extremely steep hills right on bedrock.  For example as you enter the Outfitter Store, the bottom floor is exposed rock with a spring coming out of the back wall which meanders through the lower level of the shop. The main part of the store is on the second floor.  There are laid up slate rock walls everywhere.  No mortar was used and you can see huge boulders built right into the wall. More about Harper¢s Ferry tomorrow. Fly right,Ravon
Date: 2008-06-25
From: Harper's Ferry

To: Harper's Ferry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

As zero days go, I was able to do all the usual chores.  This time it was mixed in with some sightseeing. We were staying at the Town's Inn. It is a remodeled cute B & B run by Karen Johnson and her helper Bill... very nice folks. From our room on the third floor I was able to see the vintage train station. Amtrack, local commuter, freight, and coal trains run all day and night. I love to hear the train whistles. This town has been a crossroad for transportation for a very long time. There was only one choice for dinner. It was right across the street and called The Secret Six. It had a great deck that looked up at cliffs where Peregrine falcons would fly. Their outside deck looked down on the train station.  The secret six were a part of the town¢s history. They helped finance and organize John Brown¢s raid. Never heard if anything happened to them or was it just John Brown who was hung. Harper¢s Ferry is in West Virginia, but on the other side of the Potomac is Maryland and on the other side of the Shenandoah River is Virginia. The AT takes you across both rivers and around Harpers Ferry. We did a stroll on the trail past Jefferson's Rock. This is where Thomas Jefferson stood and was reported to say, "This view of the confluence of the two rivers was alone worth coming across the Atlantic Ocean to see." One place we passed and I would loved to gotten inside was the Catholic church. I could tell the stained glass windows were old and beautifully done. As we walked through town, we would run into other thru-hikers... Long We Tru, Willow, Cayenne, Tailgate, Dr. Zoom, TUIT, Buzz Lightyears, Sunny, Cher, Sunshine, Hoot, Opah, DD, Fizz and more. Even saw the three scout masters of Troop 797 and a few of the scouts. Baltimore Jack was helping out at the Outfitter Store.  Everyone was happy to be out of Virginia and headed to Duncannon for the 4th of July trail magic. Time to pack up and get ready to hike tomorrow.  Fly Right,
Date: 2008-06-26
From: Harper's Ferry

To: Crampton Gap Shelter
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: broken clouds

Time to get back on the trail.  We departed at 7:11 with a forecast of thunderstorms and 90 plus degree temperatures. We walked down High Street and crossed over the Potomac River on a footbridge. The old stone stanchions for the historic bridge were still in the river. For two miles it was a wide and level path. This was the old C & O canal where mules would pull boats through the canal. On the other side of the path was the Potomac. Occasionally a train would run parallel to the canal. We did have a 1000 foot climb up Maryland Heights to the ridge. It really wasn't too bad of a climb. Halfway up, on top of the Waverton Cliffs, you were rewarded with a spectacular view. Cayenne and Tailgate were also there. The view was of the two rivers and the surrounding area. The trail was wide most of the time so we were able to make good time. The plan was to stay at the Ed Garvey Shelter.  It was an unique structure that looked like it was built out of Lincoln logs with sloping outward walls, double level, a back door from the second story with a ladder and real glass. I would have loved to stay here, but it was only 11:00. The next shelter was four miles up the trail. Off we went.  Mando was doing great for his first day back on the trail. The AT goes through Gathland State Park.   It's always a pleasure to have flush toilets. The added treat of a soda machine makes it even better. One very nice teenager working in a Christian group restoring picnic benches gave me sixty cents so I could get a soda. He was a trail angel, but I didn't get his name. The park had civil war signs depicting several battles. There was one very impressive monument to war correspondents. Our shelter was only another half mile.  It turned out to be very small so we tented on a tent pad. Fly right,Ravon
Date: 2008-06-27
From: Crampton Gap Shelter

To: Dalgren Backpacker Campground
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: broken clouds

We knew it was going to be a low mileage day. We started with coffee and an oatmeal breakfast listening to the birds.  It may have been a short day, but plenty of elevation climbing up to Lamb's Knoll.  Parts of the trail were rocky, but most was wide enough that we could walk side by side and talk. The Dahlgren Campground turned out to be a small open meadow that had raised gravel tent pads. It was my idea to put the tent on one of these pads. Mando had reservations and for good reason. At 4:30 a heavy thunderstorm hit us. It didn't take fifteen minutes for Mando to be proven right. Our tent pad was becoming Lake Whoa Be Gone! I was trying positive thinking, but Mando wasn't buying it. He declared, "We are moving the tent." It was more like dragging it with everything still inside...good thinking Mando. The rain let up and we were able to get a hot shower at this state run park. Just 300 yards from the campground there was a five star restaurant on the highway called The Old South Mountain Inn. It was founded as in Inn in 1755 and had been popular in George Washington's day. It was the best meal I've had on the trail so far...hot crab dip, Caesar salad, soft shell crab, baked potato, and we topped it off with a triple berry pie.  The trail could use a few more of these experiences. Fly Right,Ravon
Date: 2008-06-28
From: Dalgren Backpacker Campground

To: US 17 - Free State Hostel
Miles today: 13.9

Today we had big miles to hike. It didn't rain again during the night, but still the tent was damp. We tried to wash some of our socks and shirts. These were still wet... another lesson learned. Only wash one pair of socks or you'll be carrying heavy wet cloths. It's not the low humidity of the west. Mando was good at getting on the trail.  Considering this is not his perkiest time of day, he did a great job. Went past a beautiful old chapel built during the Civil War. Climbed a ridge to the Washington Monument. It is now a state park. The monument is not nearly as big as the one in Washington, D.C., but it was impressive in its day. . It¢s a big a beehive about 75 feet tall of native stone built in 1827. There is a circular stairway that goes up to an observation deck.  We climbed up to see a nice a panoramic view of the Maryland/Pennsylvia countryside. We later found out that two other thru-hikers had spent the night on the observation deck of the monument.We had breakfast under a roofed picnic area. Ate our peanut butter and jelly on bagels as we watched a deer and bunny pass by. Again the trail was a wide path through the woods. Mando got a kick out of trying out the umbrella. It seemed like a good concept, but hard to work in an overgrown woods. It would be great on the Pacific Crest Trail to keep you out of the sun, but questionable in the woods.Annapolis Rock was a half mile side trail overlook that we thought might be fun to go see, but Mando is seeing the wisdom of not doing extra miles, despite his Annapolis heritage. We were both ready for the climate controlled hostel. The Free State Hostel is hosted by Ken, who thru-hiked in 2006. His family lived downstairs in a very nice home that they designed next to the trail. As we sat outside the hostel, cooling down from the hike, a big blacksnake came around the corner and slithered right toward me. He was probably six feet long. I just sat there and he veered a foot or so behind me, heading for a drainage ditch. I didn¢t bother to move out of his way. Upstairs was the hostel.  One large room had eighteen triple layer bunk beds. Each had a laundry basket with your linens, pillow, and towels.  This room had a very quiet air conditioner. There was also a gameroom, bathroom, and eating/laundry room. You could order from a nearby restaurant that had more than your normal pizza. Also available was a nice modern flat screen computer. The hostel was a welcome change from camping in the rain the night before. Ken took pictures of all the hikers, which he used as a screen saver on the computer. Fly Right,Ravon
Date: 2008-06-29
From: US 17 - Free State Hostel

To: Deer Lick Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: clear sky

My new trail angels extraordinaire are Sandy¢s brother and sister-in-law Bobby and Judy Stephens. They drove from Laurel, Maryland to shuttle Mando to Dulles Airport. We went out to breakfast at the Dixie Cafe in Smithsburg. I loved the two pancakes, two eggs, two sausages topped off with a homemade cinnamon roll and lots of coffee. They took me to a grocery store to resupply. Then it was time to hit the trail. Judy kept saying, "I can't believe we are just leaving you here all alone."I really wasn't planning on going 14.7 miles. It just happened. It was too early to stop at 2:30 Devil¢s Racecourse Shelter, so I hiked on. Never saw the Mason-Dixon line. This is the boundary between Pennsylvania and Maryland, created as a compromise in 1850 as the division of free and slave states. Mason and Dixon were the surveyors of the Line. Anyway I was now in Pennsylvania....another state down. I am now in the seventh state and halfway to Maine. I did climb the highest mountain in Maryland at 1880 feet.What made this day special was the scene I came upon as I hiked out of the woods into Pen Mar County Park. It's was Sunday afternoon at the park with a pavilion complete with a dance floor. A full dance band was playing on a stage and a circle of seniors was doing a circle dance to the music. The sun was shining and families were having picnics. I took a few photos and thought I probably looked out of place with my big back pack. I also noticed that there was a very floral fragrance in the air. Knew it was not coming from me so decided I'd better move out in the open a little ways from the dancers. There was a food stand about to close, but not before I was able to order a pulled pork sandwich, french fries and a coke. People would see my pack and wanted to know if I was thru-hiking. They had an AT sign, but the mileage was 980 to Georgia. This was way off as I was at 1052.3 to this park. After the food, I felt like hiking, but thought of just finding a place to tent. It was uphill from the park and no real place to tent. I just kept going until I decided I might as well try to make the shelter. I was power walking to Deer Lick Shelter. Everyone was settled in at 8:30. Decided to tent. No sooner did I have my water and my tent up when the rain came down in buckets. It rained all night.Fly Right,Ravon
Date: 2008-06-30
From: Deer Lick Shelter

To: Guarry Gap Shelter
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Tried to get going early, but when it rains it slows down everything. Seems like we are getting a lot of wet weather. The trail is still not too bad. There are definitely more rocks. I can see that it will be a major issue not too far in the future. It was a better day for hiking. Some kind of front came through last night. It was a little cooler and not quite so humid.The best event of today was Caledonia State Park. The AT goes right through this lovely, peaceful park with a shallow stream running through it. There is also a swimming pool that several hikers took advantage of. I was able to set up my tent and dry it. All of us spent money at the concession stand. I had a cheeseburger, french fries, coke (something I¢d never drink at home) and an awesome chocolate shake. You might have guessed that we are all obsessed with food. When you are hiking this many miles, you can eat anything...a first for me.The Guarry Gap shelter is the Taj Mahal of shelters, complete with hanging potted petunias. There are supposedly no mice at this shelter because the caretaker has a pet cat that he brings to the shelter to mouse when he waters the plants. There are two shelters very small, but each is newly painted and very clean. Peregrine and I took one side and later Tetris joined us. In between the log sleeping areas was a picnic table under a roof that had a tarp you could roll down in bad weather. There were little added touches such as wooden ducks on the beams, welcome signs, outside lights with no bulbs (I heard there used to be solar panels until he had to remove them because it was not historic). My favorite was reading material in the privy (How to Build a Privy). Since I had all the food I needed at the park, I passed on dinner. Crawled into my bag and watched the rain. All the hikers were crowded around the picnic table telling stories and finding who was ahead or behind. It was like an AT sitcom listening to the conversations. Lights out for me.Fly Right,Ravon
Date: 2008-07-01
From: Guarry Gap Shelter

To: Iron Master Hostel
Miles today: 17.3

Peregrine was my alarm clock. She was up at 5:00 and on the trail by 5:45. It took me until 6:00. At first, the trail went through a rock field. I thought, here we go with the infamous rocks of Pennsylvania. As it turned out, there really weren¢t that many. I thought it was one of the easiest seventeen miles I've hiked.We went by two shelters - Birch Run and Tom's Run. So far all of the shelters in PA have been very well maintained. They are of the old vintage, but clean. Today is a very momentous occasion. I now have hiked halfway to Maine physically. I knew it should be at mile 1088, but there was no sign. There was a ruin at this mile marker right where I calculated the 1088 mile point should be. We did not know what the ruin was. It was the front of a three story building. It could have been an old hotel or military garrison. Peregrine and I took each others photos and decided this was the halfway point for 2008 for us. Not that much further to the Pine Grove Furnace State Park. The Iron Master Hostel is an old red brick mansion with white shutters. It was built in 1827 that was once a station of the underground railroad. The manager gives tours and shows you the secret room they lived in while there. A porch with two barn swallow nested in the beams and an easy chair made it a very pleasant afternoon. Next door is the general store and the site of the half gallon challenge. Brushstrokes, Bearbait, Slow Train and Easy Does It were taking the challenge. This is where you try to eat an entire half gallon of ice cream in one sitting. Brushstrokes finished first. Everyone else was having a hard time finishing theirs. Ravon was very happy with a single scoop of butter pecan in a cone! The Iron Master Hostel is a little rundown, but they are trying to make it hiker friendly. Slept in the woman's dorm with Peregrine and Poppins. We each had the lower half of a double bunk bed. Another great day on the trail.Fly Right,Ravon
Date: 2008-07-02
From: Iron Master Hostel

To: Alex Kennedy Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: broken clouds

I sat in the kitchen and had an actual sit down breakfast with Peregrine. We were on the trail by 7:00. The Iron Master Hostel is in the Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Right away we saw how the park got its name. There is a huge stone beehive-shaped iron furnace. They would make charcoal from the trees in the area by piling them in a huge pile, burning them to form charcoal. This in turn was burned at 3000 degrees to help make iron. I find it interesting when they tell you how the ruins were used and show illustrations of the times.Next stop was a beach and swimming lake. It was early so no swimmers, but the mist was rising from the water. I was able to get some nice shots of reflections of the trees surrounding the lake. Finally we got to the midpoint marker. It was just north of the park. Although the actual trail mileage changes from year to year, this sign has stayed here. It reads 1069 N and 1069 S. It is a handmade sign created by Chuck Wood "Woodchuck" who hiked in 1985. This year it would be 1088. Still it was a nice sign and we documented it with a photo.Peregrine was meeting friends and going into Mt. Holly Springs. I continued another five and half miles to the Alex Kennedy shelter. It was a real boulder scramble of 600 feet over Rocky Ridge and two other hills. At one point I had to take off my pack and lower it down a steep rock. It reminded me of the canyon country in Utah. Not too bad, but I was glad it was a short distance. You can tell the rocks are going to get more intense.The Alex Kennedy Shelter was not one of the nicest shelters. There were very few level spots for tents. I still tented, but felt like I was sliding downhill all night.Fly Right,Ravon