morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-07-16
From: Palmerton Jail

To: 3 miles past Little Gap
Miles today: 8.2

Last night was an absolute blast. We are really paying for it today, though. We all got up and went for breakfast. While I was waiting for my order, I noticed it was 11 am. That means I didn't get up the exposed cliff before the hottest part of the day. Groovy is not going anywhere except back to bed. I went to the grocery store for some tea and Kool-Aid. They give free apples to hikers ¢ a very hiker freindly town. Mr. Pumpy and Niagara are hitching ahead a town to get a mail drop. They've hitched so much of the trail it doesn't matter anymore. All my life I've played practical jokes and they usually end very badly. I may have a problem with this because I can't seem to stop. While Niagara was at the library, I stuffed his pack with 10 paperback novels. When he came back, he added a bunch of food so it got even heavier. I thought for sure he would check out why it weighs 5 pounds more. He didn't. He just put it on his back and headed off to the wilderness. After he left, I got to thinking about his reaction when he finds he's been carrying a library on his back. I can't imagine him taking it very well at all. I've made the decision that it will be best for all concerned if a few days go by before I run into him again. I think I can out hike him but he may catch up to me in Delaware Water Gap where I plan to do laundry and other town chores. Also, he is a professional yellow blazer, and can appear anywhere. Around 3 pm, I decided I better get on the trail. I walked to the edge of town and waved by thumb in the air. It took about 3 minutes to get a ride from a soccer mom. The hike out of the gap is very rough. The strip mines and the smelting of heavy metals to the north have killed most of the vegetation. Without vegetation, the rain has washed away all the soil leaving only large rocks. As you get to the top, you can see the extent of the devastation from the furnaces. Up the side of the mountain, almost every plant is dead and gone. Right between the furnaces and the ecological disaster lies Palmerton. It is no wonder their kids act retarded. Actually, it was kind of like walking on the moon. I had to walk for a while until the forest came back again. I found a good spot to camp but it is very buggy. I am finally getting good at hanging my food bag so bears don't get it. I have only about 900 miles to go. I think if I push it and don't take many zeros I can get done by September 19th which is Jess's birthday. If everything goes well, it is certainly possible. Well, good night.Peace,Dutch
Date: 2003-07-17
From: 3 miles past Little Gap

To: Kirkridge Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: clear sky

Today was tough, but I needed to do a 20+ day. It is hard on the feet but good for the morale. I haven't done a 20 for quite some time and I had to make up for yesterday's late start. Tomorrow is my last day of hiking in PA. I'm going to try to hike in and out of town. I need new tips on my hiking poles and to retrieve my mail drop. There are many reasons for me to push hard. One being Niagara with 5 pounds of the worst literary works I've ever seen. I'm hoping for a good night of sleep tonight.Peace,Dutch
Date: 2003-07-18
From: Kirkridge Shelter

To: Mohican campground
Miles today: 16.9

Big day, big day. I got up early so I could get in and out of town today. Getting done with my 7th state is huge. The trail smoothed out and there were less rocks. I saw something move up on a small hill so I circled around it on a dirt access road. It was a flock of wild turkeys. I'm pretty sure I got a good picture of one in flight while another is coming out of the bushes. The rest of the 7 miles to town were quite uneventful. I could see New Jersey across the Delaware River. The first thing I could see was a toll booth. I will not be speaking very highly of Jersey. Most of society¢s problems can be traced back to California, Texas, and, most of all, New Jersey. The highways are filled with toll booths because no one spends time there; they are just trying to get out. Also, all the mosquitoes are bred and raised in Jersey swamps so they are getting thick. Delaware Water Gap is a pretty cool town. The local church has a hostel and there were a lot of hikers there. I met my first south bounders. I paid $7 for breakfast at the local cafe and wasn't filled up. The local bakery gives a free doughnut and has a special - a hot dog and a piece of apple pie for $1.49. I went to the post office and got my mail drop. There wasn't much food in it and I'm glad for that. I still have plenty of food from Port Clinton. The shower at the church was grand. Around 4 pm, Indiana Slim and I hiked out. I wanted to test my new Asics shoes so I really pumped it hard out of there. Indiana kept right up with me and soon I took a break to inspect and bandage up my feet. Then when I got hiking again, I saw Indiana talking to some day hikers. He said something about a rattlesnake, but I thought he was talking about one we passed. Then, as I was just about to pass them, I saw it. It was a 3 foot rattler all coiled up ready to strike. I got a photo and then we poked it with sticks till it got off the trail. I still enjoy poking the wildlife with sticks. Before I was a thru-hiker, I, much like you, enjoyed reading Trailjournal.com. In the beginning of the year, there weren't many hikers except Bono and Rocket. I would check everyday to see if they updated their journal, and get frustrated when they hadn't. I got my first taste of trail life from them since they started around January 1st. Rocket got off some time ago, but Bono was very slowly making it up the trail. I've joked that I would catch him because he is so slow. I saw him at Trail Days but didn't stop to say hi. I got to a campground none too soon since it was raining hard. I went into the lodge and was talking to Skittles and one of the workers. As it turns out, the worker used to be a hiker but started working here for some income. He hiked early this year, so I asked if he got to meet the legendary Bono or Rocket. He replied that he was Bono. I couldn't believe it. He is such a hero of mine, and if you read his journal, you will find out why. So I did it, I caught him even though he started 3 months earlier. Tomorrow I will be getting some trail magic from a reader. Like I said, big day.   Peace,Dutch
Date: 2003-07-19
From: Mohican campground

To: Rt. 206
Miles today: 17.9

I was chilly last night. Good thing I was inside. I soon have to face facts and realize that my fleece sleeping bag liner is not going to keep me warm. I'm hoping as I go north I can change to my 15 degree bag quickly. It really doesn't weigh much, it¢s just too hot. I inspected my feet for blisters. One big one on the back of my right foot. Because of it, plus the fact that my socks and shoes are very wet, I started the day in my Tevas. I had sewn loops on my socks and gaiters so I can hang them off my pack without worrying about them going AWOL. The weather was just great for hiking. The skeeters seem to be enjoying it, too. At lunch time, I put my shoes on after bandaging my feet. MG taught me a few things about bandaging blisters and she is an expert by now. I really don't know many of the hikers today. If I push a little harder, I think I can catch some of the people I was with before taking time off. I did some math and I am really doing great as far as time goes. I want to get done September 19th. It means 866 miles in 61 days. That is less than 15 miles per day on the average. I can't believe 866 miles to go. Wow. I am starting to have mixed feelings about getting done. It is like a good book. You want to find out what happens, but you don't want it to end. I got to rt. 206 where there is a bakery on the trail. I was able to call in some trail magic. A reader from around here told me to drop him a line when I got in the area. Jim, Linda, and their son Luke have been very nice. I got my 3rd shower in 2 days. My clothes are clean, and they fed me some great cheeseburgers. How nice of them to invite me into their home. Jim and I will hike together for a while tomorrow. Tonight I sleep in a nice big comfortable bed. Peace,Dutch
Date: 2003-07-20
From: Rt. 206

To: High Point Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: scattered clouds

What a great night of sleep. I had a nice big bed and woke to the smell of bacon frying. Jim made me breakfast as I got my gear together. Linda soon joined us. I had sewn the Velcro back on my gaiters with her sewing machine. I owe them many thanks for their hospitality. Around 10, Jim dropped me off at the trail. It is a nice Sunday and there are many day hikers out littering up the woods. The rocks are still bad and I keep banging up my new shoes. I made it to the highest point of New Jersey. There is a huge monument that looks like the Washington monument. Since nothing good has ever happened in New Jersey, they had to find a reason to make a monument. It must have been a low point in Jersey's history when they made the High Point monument. Peace,Dutch
Date: 2003-07-21
From: High Point Shelter

To: Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 18.9

It was a good night of sleep. Here in the skeeter capital of the world, you can't pack up and get moving fast enough. I met a father hiking with his two daughters. His girls are about 9 and 11. They have section hiked states already. They¢re doing 50 miles on this hike. How awesome it is for them to share real experiences. I hiked to the secret shelter. It isn't really a shelter or a secret for that matter. It is really a cabin with electricity and showers. There is a shower inside and out. I was all alone, so I used the outside one. Some very nice person built and maintains this place for hikers. It isn't listed in any book and doesn't appear on any map so the secret doesn't get out. Actually, forget I mentioned anything about it. It really doesn't exist. The father and his daughters showed up as I was leaving the fictitious shelter. From there, I went across a lot of stone walls. There is evidence that before this area was forested it was farmers¢ fields. There are also many road crossings. At one road, I took a left and went into Unionville, NY. We are right along the border of NY and NJ. In Unionville, I ran into Slim. We went to the local pub for cheeseburgers and a couple beers. Some guy bought us yet another beer bringing us to a total of five. There is a hostel attached to the pub that costs $3 - not a bad idea. I couldn't stop this early, so we hiked on. We decided to go to a free church hostel in Vernon. The trail goes through New Jersey swamps so they built a board walk for about 2 miles over it. We finally got to the road but it was still a 2 mile walk to town. With a huge storm pressing down on us, we hoofed it as fast as my sore feet would go. We just made it before it rained, and boy, did it rain. This is another great hostel with laundry, TV, shower, and Internet service. It turns out I do get poison ivy. The evidence is all over my leg. I did catch up to Elf who owes me an ice cream cone. She made a bet with me way back that the second ingredient in a Slim Jim wasn't mechanically separated chicken. What a sucker bet. Since we made the bet, there has been interest accruing on the ice cream cone and now instead she must hurl her virginous body into an active volcano. I need some rest for my feet, so I may take a zero tomorrow. Goodnight.   Peace,Dutch
Date: 2003-07-22
From: Vernon, NJ

To: Long House Creek
Miles today: 8.2

It rained really hard last night. The power went out a couple times and there was quite the lightning show. I had a tough time sleeping so I did my laundry. Everyone is just asleep on the floor. I just went about my business, stepping over them. I also ran a load of towels for the church. I forgot to mention that yesterday I stubbed my little toe while hiking in my Tevas. I broke it. I know because I've done it many times. It is now all black and blue. I've hiked on it before and it is nothing compared to all my other pains. Everyone was getting up slowly but I slept in till 10 am. I still can't sleep well on hard surfaces because of my thin foam pad. When I finally did get up, Slim, Morph, Moonshadow, and I went to a bagel shop. It's only the three thousandth bagel I've eaten. I still enjoy them and hope I don't lose my appetite for them. Everybody went to the pizza shop for all you can eat pizza. I checked it out and it was just cheese pizza. Instead, I wondered to the grocery store and ate at their salad bar. It was excellent with a lot of variety. I got everything I needed except I forgot Deet. When I got back, CNN said the Eiffel Tower was on fire and smoke was billowing into Paris. I watched it until they finally showed live footage. It was nothing but an electrical fire. I then saw everyone had already left for the trail. I tried to hitch but it is impossible when there is no place to pull over. There really wasn't enough median strip for me to walk safely. There was a stand just past the trail that sells ice cream so I stopped for a sundae. I talked to the father and his two daughters there. They are going to go to the hostel. After a nice conversation, it was time to hike for real. The hill out of this valley is the hardest we have seen for awhile. Slim caught up to me so we went looking for the shelter that everyone was going to stop at. We never found it and wound up past it. I sure wasn't about to hike south for it. We kept going until nightfall, then set up camp at a stream. It took us forever to hang our food bags. You have to use extra caution here because they have a huge bear population. Soon after we reached the safety of our tent and hammock, a strong thunderstorm rolled in. So far it has only been raining at night. I hope it stays that way.Peace,Dutch
Date: 2003-07-23
From: Long House Creek

To: West Mombasha Road
Miles today: 14.1

It rained until 9am, so we got a late start. Slim and I went across the New York/New Jersey line after one mile. Another state done, and boy, I'm glad to be out of NJ. You can't pump your own gas in NJ. It must be dispensed only by men from Pakistan. They are the only ones qualified. We hiked over a bunch of rock peaks with good views. They tell me you can see Manhattan on a clear day. Today is definitely not clear, but it didn't rain on us. Around noon, we found an ice cream stand. It is impossible to hike past an ice cream stand. As I tried to eat my sundae, an elderly woman from Whales came over and talked forever about the trail. Her brother is blind and also lives in Whales. He supposedly knows everything about the trail. As we were leaving, we saw a bunch of hikers coming in. I told them their ice cream machine was broken. After seeing their disappointed looks, I had to admit I was fibbing. It turned out to be really humid today and I stopped quite often to take a break. I am getting bit up bad so we decided to hit a convenience store/ deli. It was 0.6 miles off the trail so I was taking a chance they'd have Deet. They were closing just as we got there, and they were all out of Deet. We asked a guy who thinks everything that has ever happened is a conspiracy and that the government is trying to enslave us and the rest of the world. He lives close, so I asked him if we can set up in his yard. So that is where we ate. We may get breakfast at the deli in the morning. My legs are covered with skeeter bites. I¢m not making the miles I thought I could through here. I am having serious doubts I can finish by September 19th. Well, goodnight.Peace,Dutch
Date: 2003-07-24
From: West Mombasha Road

To: Beechy Bottom Brook
Miles today: 16.9

It rained again last night. Again, it stopped just in time to wake up. Slim and I got pancakes at the deli. The owner likes hikers and adds another pancake to the stack. When we got back, Bob came out to talk. And he can talk forever. He has Neil Young's hairdo. He is quite radical in his thinking and possibly not quite all there all the time. We hiked out with our bellies all full of pancakes. The terrain is very hard here. I was getting worried I was out of shape or something. Everyone was complaining, though, that they weren't making good time. The water situation is horrible. All of the streams look like birch beer. I get water from faucets whenever possible. So far I have been lucky with regular stores. Today there was a lake with a public beach. I was able to fill up with water and get a shower. Gazelle showed up as I got out of the shower. I haven't seen her since Duncannon, PA. Her spider bite is all healed and she is still way too pretty for Loser. BMW is filming a commercial here. They didn't want me in it, though. It never hurts to ask. There was a section of the trail known as Lemon Squeezer. It is a seriously hard climb up rocks that narrows to about two feet. I almost got stuck. I really don't like it when they put us through impossibly hard and dangerous climbs. Isn't walking from Georgia to Maine hard enough? Do I have to do it with a broken leg? New York has been much harder than I expected. I now have less than 800 miles to go. I am beginning to see south bound hikers now. They leave Maine in June, so I am only seeing the fastest ones now. One guy said he left June 19th. That means he did 800 miles in 35 days. It seems impossible. Well, I will try to get up early because tomorrow should be a big day. Goodnight.Peace,Dutch
Date: 2003-07-25
From: Beechy Bottom Brook

To: Denning Hill
Miles today: 14.9

I got going early because I have town chores today. The days are getting shorter so there is less time to hike. I went up two good size hills, the second being Bear Mountain. It was a lookout during the Revolutionary War. It is on the Hudson River just before West Point. There are a bunch of military camps here and I could hear ordinances exploding all day. There were a bunch of tourists, mostly Japanese, at the lookout. I also found a soda machine: 12oz can for $1.00. I ate lunch and realized how light my food bag is finally getting. I have been carrying a full food bag since Port Clinton. Now, just as it gets empty, I get a mail drop. Not bad timing. I went down to the town of Bear Mountain. It is really an inn and a big park on the Hudson. I am only 32 miles from New York City. I'm walking across the little flap of skin that holds the city to upstate New York. The trail for the most part is forested, but there are roads, and they are busy and sometimes jammed. My mail drop was there right on cue. I also saw Play there, and Mello Yellow. We all swapped what food we are tired of. I scored a bunch of Kool Aid. It is amazing how little I need now to be really happy. A cheeseburger and a shower make me ecstatic. I then went to Fort Montgomery for some fresh food and badly needed Deet. It was a long hot walk and hitchhiking is out of the question around here. I was able to find a deli and a gas station. They had what I needed for entirely too much money. The walk across the Hudson and up the next hill was stifling. It suddenly feels muggy, plus my pack weighs a ton since I re-supplied. I took a bunch of breaks and I thought I would never get up the hill. I must find a way to dehydrate Italian hoagies because they weigh a lot. I finally made it to a monastery. Not to join; they cater to hikers. Everyone was enjoying their prepared free dinner, but all I was interested in was the shower and eating my 3 pound hoagie. Indiana Slim and I hiked out of there to put on a couple more miles. Wherever we are we can always hear traffic. Ahhhh, the sounds of nature.Peace,Dutch
Date: 2003-07-26
From: Denning Hill

To: Taconic State Parkway
Miles today: 17.2

I got up early to get some cool morning hours in. It is supposed to be in the 90s for the next two days. Around 1:30, I took a 2 hour nap in my hammock. There is no point in trying to put on miles in the middle of the day. I soon passed a large lake with a beach. I wanted to stop and get a shower and a burger. Instead, I chose to keep going to get in some miles. I have had a shower almost every day since PA. I am going to try to pull at least a 20 tomorrow. Better get some sleep. Peace,Dutch
Date: 2003-07-27
From: Tactonic State Parkway

To: Hammersly Ridge
Miles today: 20.1

I got up early and tried to do as many miles as possible. I hurt all over - especially my poor feet. I am 6 miles from Connecticut in Dutchess County, New York. Tomorrow I will get to Kent, Conn. I have a mail drop there, plus they have a badly needed gear supplier. I need new socks and tips for my hiking poles. If I get there early enough, I can do all my town chores tomorrow then leave early the next day. I stopped hiking early but I did 20 miles and I am tired. It is hot and humid. They keep promising rain but it never came. Well, goodnight.Peace,Dutch
Date: 2003-07-28
From: Hammersly Ridge

To: Kent, Connecticut
Miles today: 17.9

I had a lousy night of sleep. I pitched my hammock wrong and I kept sliding toward my feet. I felt like I was going to fall out the slit all night. However, I was too tired from hiking to do anything about it. There was also a real bad thunderstorm and I could hear tree limbs falling all around me. I got out early, despite the lack of rest, to get to town as early as possible, do all my town chores this evening, and hike out tomorrow. I felt really sluggish and never really got going. I didn't make bad time but it seamed to take a lot of effort. There were some pretty big hills and it has been rocky for as long as I can remember. I left New York and entered Connecticut. Wow, I am in New England. I am also 2/3 the way done. I finally hiked the 18 miles to a highway that takes me to Kent, Conn. Just 0.8 miles to town and then the fun begins. Even when I am tired, town energizes me. First stop will be the post office. I got there at 5:45 and they closed at 5:00. Unbelievable. Well, on to the grocery store. As I walk in, I noticed all the lights went out. They close at 6:00. What a crazy town. I go to the hostel to find out they aren't doing it this week because of a book sale. So I didn't get my mail drop or re-supply and I have no place to stay. I don't want to walk the 0.8 back to the trail because I will just have to come here in the morning. I found a bunch of hikers in the same predicament and we decided to stealth camp. Stealth camping is camping someplace you're not supposed to. I suggested behind the post office since there is patch of woods there. We went and checked it out. We found a nice spot where local kids go to drink beer. As we were setting up, a police car shined its spot light on us but never saw us. I don't think anyone will bother us. Most people don't like the woods at night so we just have to get up really early. Well, need some good rest. Peace,DutchA new day will dawn for those who stand long, and the forest will echo with laughter.
Date: 2003-07-30
From: Silver Hill Campsite

To: 0.5 mile past Housantonic River Road
Miles today: 16.1

Today just dragged by. I am not making good time at all, but neither is anyone else. I haven't seen anyone that was in Kent yesterday. I guess everyone is moving as sluggishly as I am. I have less than 700 miles to go. I am on schedule to meet Jess on Friday. I am also on schedule to get done on September 19th, but we'll see about that. I stopped at a town called Falls Village. I got a salad and a couple cheeseburgers to go. I was able to talk to Jess also. I haven't spoken to her for quite some time. I'm going to sleep early because I have a big day tomorrow and the next. Goodnight. Peace,DutchA new day will dawn for those who stand long, and the forest will echo with laughter.