morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-05-24
From: Swatara State Park

To: Fort Dietrich-Snyder
Miles today: 20.3

Another cold breakfast made our departure from the little pine grove much quicker this morning. Out "the door" by 6:30 we went under I-81 for the last time in less than a mile. Then we went up onto a ridge where we made a neat botanical discovery. It is possible to have one plant representing 80% of the plantlife in an area. This particular plant was poison ivy. It grew so thick, encroaching on the trail that it made safe travel difficult. You had to walk the trail as if on a tight rope so as not to brush the ivy. Only difference is that if you fall natures version of a net is the same plant you are trying to avoid touching. Needless to say this section slowed us down a bit and we reached William Penn Shelter at 10am. There we met two weekenders who asked me if I needed any food. My response was that I would be lying if I said I "needed" food but that does not mean that I don't desperately want food. He seemed to think that was reason enough and gave us a bunch of snack food. We also ran into Boof at this shelter and walked the next 5 miles with him to another shelter. Here we had lunch and admired the four wall sructure with running water, sky light, solar shower, and left behind food! We acquired two backpacker pantry items and a number of bars from this offering. In a week full of hot, muggy, and buggy days; today took the cake. So adverse were the conditions that Birdman became lightheaded and painfully slow moving after lunch. After a few rests we made it to a campsite that had a swimming hole. We went down to the dam and stripped our boots and shirts off. I used the rope swing and birdman dove from the dam wall. We both discovered the temperature of the water to be a tad chilly and were out in around 2 seconds. Refreshed and borderline hypothermic we redressed and hiked on. Birdman has miraculously managed to get some blisters in the same boots he has worn this whole time and needed to make use of the mole skin. Hiking through a float valley we made it about 3 miles to a spring where the ominous thunder and rustling trees scared Birdman into setting up the tent. No sooner did we have the tent up and our stuff safely packed underneath did the skies open up. We only had to wait 30 minutes in the tent before getting out to cook dinner. Worked out well and we were ready for bed by 9pm.PA birds: 3 New species: 0PA list: 82
Date: 2009-05-25
From: Fort Dietrich-Snyder

To: Port Clinton
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: broken clouds

The day has come, to get a visit from the other half of the family. Knowing Mom and Francie would be in town you would think the hiking would go fast. Unfortunately our boots had different plans. After serving us well for 1200 miles I think that they were upset because we planned to switch to new boots in town. So they decided to start giving us blisters. Birdman's heels rubbed so bad he had to hike 10 miles in crocs over PA rocks. My boots gave me blisters on both sides of 7 out of 10 toes. On a lighter note we hit the 1200 mile mark and the weather was sunny and warm. While hiking the last few miles we were joined by a man who seemed a bit odd. When we ran into our second rattlesnake of the trip next to the trail, the man freaked out. His exact words were..."Don't mess with it. It can hear us, it feels our heat, it wants to kill us." I almost burst out laughing but held back until he moved on. We got down to Port Clinton around 2pm and had timd to gorge ourselves at a candy shop before the girls arrived. At that point we all went to Taco Bell for a little lunch and then to Cabella's to explore. We loved taking pictures of all stuffed animals...I made sure to take close ups so I could convince people I'd seen these things in the wild. After Cabella's we went back to our B&B and got cleaned up for dinner. Drove to Kutztown to find a place to eat and ended up at a nice bar with all you can eat wings. Went home tired from the repast. Talked for a little while with the big sister and went to sleep.PA birds: 6 PA list: 88
Date: 2009-05-26
From: Port Clinton

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 15.4
Weather: moderate rain

Ironically got no sleep at the B&B but it worked out well because I got up early and dealt with a lot of my forms for Bates College that mom had brought up. Read the paper and also got on the internet. When the other three came down at 8:30 we had a nice breakfast as a family. After that as usual it was time to pack. We were out the door by 10:30, made a quick stop at a grocery store and a rite aide (for some small items) and parted with the girls around 11:30 outside the Port Clinton Hotel. Once they'd left we went into the hotel for more food and a little ESPN time. Finally went out into the rainy cold weather to hike around 1pm. Got through the tough up out of town easily as the rain makes you not want to stop. Had a quick break at the first shelter. Went up and saw the foggy cold versions of "the best views in PA" from the pulpit and the pinnacle. Ate a bagel/tuna lunch and practically ran the last 5 miles in the pouring rain top get to the shelter. Luckily it was a special shelter in someone's backyard that was completely enclosed with electric lighting and bunks. The 5 other people already there had kindly warmed the pace up for us. There was also a spigot for water and a flush toilet. We had a nice dinner, met a thru whose journal entries we've read for a long time named Peanut. She was a nice woman from Massachusettes. Also were helped out by two section hiking girls from West Chester University who volunteered to share a bunk so that Birdman and I could each have our own bed. Slept great.
Date: 2009-05-27
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Bake Oven Knob Shelter
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Oke up to Spokes and Hot wheels silently packing up. They are even earlier risers than us. Got out of the bag around 6:30 and we had a cream of wheat breakfast while talking to Peanut. Dawdled a bit in the packing as it looked pretty dreary outside. Eventually left around 7:40 to walk through the fog and cold. Good thing was that the miles were flat and relatively smooth. We made it to the first shelter 8 miles away by about 11:30. We had lunch there and were joined by Postman and Mowgli. They informed us that Cabot was behind us as he had taken a bunch of days off to go see the NCAA ultimate frisbee tournament. we also found out at lunch that Michael Forgash was planning to come meet us later in the day with dinner on the trail! We hiked with clear purpose and came out onto PA 309 where the EA Senior Hike starts every year. Next to the parking lot there is a B&B/restaurant that was unfortunately closed. We sat on the porch for awhile, hoping that they would come out and offer things to us, but it was to no avail. With 5 miles to go to the parking lot where we would be meeting Michael and loads of time, we meandered for the last part of the day. Stopping to see the knife edge where the seniors have lunch and bear rocks. There were no views and the rocks were rather slippery but it wasn't too bad. We got to the Bake Oven Knob Parking Lot an hour before Michael, so we sat and curiously watched as group after group of college age kids would drive up totally unprepared for hiking and just walk up the trail. They wouldn't come b9k for at least 45 min but there was no way they had a view. We were delighted when Michael pulled in right on time. He brought us all sorts of great things and set up a tail gate off the back of the car. Sitting in chairs we ate philly cheesesteaks and cookies while catching up on todays inquirer and this weeks Sports Illustrated. Homemade cookies were also included. Talked for over an hour with Michael. Couldn't thank him enough for the trail magic. We got back on the trail around 8pm to hike the last mile. Met up with Cabot at the shelter and gave him a sprite we had saved. Caught up on the last month of trail news with him and we were all in bed by 9:15.
Date: 2009-05-28
From: Bake Oven Knob Shelter

To: Leroy A. Smith Shelter
Miles today: 23.6
Weather: light rain

Having slept at the same spot where the EA seniors stay on their hike we were surprised to get to the next shelter in only 3 hours. The section that had taken me all day and seemed like forever was done by 11am. We had a snack at the shelter with Peanut and Cabot and then headed down to the bridge to cross the Lehigh River. Crossing bridges always takes forever because pop has to stand there with the binoculars up for at least ten minutes trying to glimpse some rare duck. So I reach the other side and find a PA State Police car practically blocking the trail that goes along the road. I went to walk around the back when the officer rolled down his window and asked the infamous question..."You a thru hiker?". After responding yes he then smiled and said "well where can I take you?" I ran and got pop and the trooper drove us to a nearby Burger King waited for us to order, and then took us back to the trail. I'm not sure what was more funny: the fact that he had to open the doors for us (because they don't want the convicts jumping out) or having Cabot look horrified at the sight of us rolling by in the back of the police car on the bridge. The trooper was so nice he then took Cabot to town. After 6 whopper juniors we then hiked up a very steep mountain that had no vegetation because of contaminmation from an old zinc mine. Ironically this hike afforded the best views yet in PA...until it started to rain and the fog moved in. The rest of the days hiking was miserable because the trail consisted of 100 percent rocks. It was foggy as well and we were in down spirits by the time we reached the shelter at 7pm. Made dinner while talking to some section hikers and were in bed when Cabot rolled in at 9pm.PA birds: 3 PA list: 91
Date: 2009-05-29
From: Leroy A. Smith Shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap, PA
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: overcast clouds

After a granola breakfast we set off for our first stop of the day which was Wind Gap. There pop got rid of a few ounces of trash (it all counts) and got a soda at the motel. Went up pretty fast out of the gap and then we were back on a slippery, rocky, PA ridge in the fog. Ate lunch with a father daughter pair of section hikers from Maine named Pace and Chase. Hiked with them in the afternoon when the weather cleared out and the trail turned into a flat road. Excellent views of the Delaware before we dropped down steeply to the town. Picked up a mail drop at a nice inn and decided that it was too pricey...and went over to the church hostel. There we could get a shower and a lawn to set the tent up on for $3 each! We had some time to kill before meeting friends of mine at 6pm so we went to check out the town. Went to what is referred to as the best bakery on the trail and got amazing pieces of pumpkin and stawberry rubbarb pie. Added canolis and hot dogs and we were happy campers. Got back to hostel just in time to see John Lloyd and Truett Dwyer rolling in. Had dinner with the two of them at a nice Grill in town and then talked well into the night. Hostel was relatively full for the night with Cabot, Spokes, Hot Wheels, Myco Polo, Sam, and a section hiker named Allan there as well.
Date: 2009-05-31
From: Rattlesnake Spring

To: Mashipacong Shelter
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: clear sky

A very interesting way to do big miles today. Woke up early and hiked without breaks until we reached first shelter around mid morning. Had a quick snack here and then raced down to NJ 206 because we were set up to meet a trail angel there. Sure enough after twenty minutes sitting at Gyp's Tavern on Kittatiny Lake the guy showed up. We sat there talking to him for over an hour and he gave us great advice on places to stay from here on out. As arranged he then took us to a grocery store to get a few odds and ends that they did not have in DWG. Turns out he is also a big birder that competed in the Birding World Series in NJ. So pop had a great time talking to him and getting advice. He then took us to the Jumbo Land Diner where he bought us a delicious meal that included burgers, sweet potato fries, banana splits, and other wonderful things. Ended up spending a total of 6 hours with him before getting back on the trail at 6pm. Realized we had over 8 miles to go and decided it would be smart to just start with the head lamps in our pockets. We hiked up to the top of Sunrise Mountain (ironically around Sunset) and had a great view of PA and NJ. There was also a pavillion up there and some folks enjoying the view (knowing they had 20 yards to there car). We pressed on with it really getting dark and unfortunately the section of trail we did was rather rough. Not only was the geology similar to PA but no one seems to have clipped brush back in about five years. Luckily it was well blazed but the going was slow. We ended up getting to the shelter around 10:45 pm and setting up the tent as quietly as possible. I also cooked a little dinner and then passed out.NJ birds: 19 NJ list: 47
Date: 2009-06-01
From: Mashipacong Shelter

To: Pochuck Shelter
Miles today: 19.6

Slept in a little bit as our trail angel friend from yesterday came to meet us again for breakfast at the road not to far from the shelter. At around 8am we met him and went back to the diner for a great breakfast. We got back on the trail around 10 am. Thanked him again for his kindness and hiked into Highpoint State Park. The weather was nice and clear but the trail was pretty rough. Stopped briefly at the big lodge along the road and then pushed on. There is a great observation deck right next to the trail that has a 360 degree view that includes the Highpoint Monument. It was very cool because we could see PA to the west, New York to the North, and Jersey to the east. To the south we were able to see our last three days of hiking from the Delaware Water Gap. We ate lunch on the deck and then set off. The afternoon was pretty flat but with lots of road crossings. We walked on the Jersey side of the New York/New Jersey state line. Birdman had a good time because we walked through some boggy areas with lots of water bars. They were great for birding and easy walking too. We then went through a bunch of farm fields (over some more stiles) and passed close to Unionville New York. Although we elected not to go into town. We did walk down the road to the "End of the Line" Gas Station where the nice woman behind the register invited me into her office to use the internet free of charge. I was on for awhile doing college stuff and Birdman got impatient and hiked on to the shelter that was 4.3 miles away. I left just as it was getting dark and got a guy to give me a ride back down to the trail head. With the head lamp on I walked along some paved roads and then around a huge man made body of water on dirt roads. The walking was easy and I got a really cool dusk photo of the the ridge across the valley reflected across the water. Got to the shelter around 9:45 pm cooked dinner for dad and went to bed.NJ birds: 19 New species: 1 (Common Goldeneye)NJ list: 66 Trip list: 134
Date: 2009-06-02
From: Pochuck Shelter

To: NY rt. 17a (Bellevale Creamery)
Miles today: 21.6

Doubled up on breakfast this morning as we have been getting treated so much we have extra food. Hiked down from Pochuck Mountain and into a large swamp where there was a nice boardwalk to take us across. Despite the easy walking birdman moved rather slowly (as it is tough to walk with binoculars up to your eyes). When we got to NJ 94 we followed our trail angel friend's advice and went to Heavenly Hill Farm. We split a peach pie and looked around the place that even had a petting zoo! Decided we had to get hiking again after about an hour. We went up a steep incline to get to the top of Mount Wawayanda. At the next road crossing, as planned, we met our trail angel again and he drove us to the hostel in Vernon NJ. We did laundary and a little more internet before going out to lunch at an italian place. Got uncomfortably full before hitting the trail again at 3 o'clock. Hiked to first shelter and talked to Spokes and Hot Wheels there. Then went on to enter NY state! The first few miles in the state had nice views but were really up and down and rocky. Got to first road crossing of the state around 8:15 pm and could not pass up the ice cream place down the road. Watched a beautiful sunset while eating two bannana splits. Didn't want to hike anymore so we camped on the lawn by the ice cream shop.NJ birds: 11 New species: 2 (Green Heron, Marsh Wren)NJ list: 78 Trip list: 136NY birds: 10 NY list: 10New Jersey birds: Northern Rough-wing Swallow, Double-crested Cormorant, Yellow Warbler, Hooded Warbler, Warbling Vireo, Indigo Bunting, Gray Catbird, Song Sparrow, Red-eyed Vireo, Cedar Waxwing, Black Vulture, Americal Redstart, Eastern Phoebe, Eastern Wood Pewee, Acadian Flycatcher, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Black & Whaite Warbler, Ovenbird, Scarlet Tananger, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Black-throated Blue Warbler, Great-crested Flycatcher, Prarie Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, Eastern Towhee, Turkey Vulture, American Crow, Blue Jay, Northern Cardinal, Black-capped Chickadee, Worm-eating Warbler, Pileated Woodpecker, Ameican Robin, Field Sparrow, Whipoorwill, Mallard, Great Blue Heron, Chipping Sparrow, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Pine Warbler, Black-throated Green Warbler, Common Grackle, House Sparrow, Eastern Bluebird, Barred Owl, Barn Swallow, Red-winged Blackbird, Brown-headed Cowbird, Common Goldeneye, Tufted Titmouse, Hermit Thrush, Veery, Brown Creeper, Canada Goose, Yellow-throated Warbler, Wood Thrush, American Goldfinch, Northern Mockingbird, House Wren, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Willow Flycatcher, Chestnut-sided Warbler, Downey Woodpecker, Chimney Swift, Killdeer, Wood Duck, Blue-winged Warbler, Magnolia, Wabler, Carolina Wren, Swamp Sparro, Marsh Wren, Green Heron, Alder Flycatcher, Northern Flicker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Bobolink, Hairy Woodpecker (78 species)
Date: 2009-06-03
From: NY rt. 17a (Bellevale Creamery)

To: William Brien Shelter
Miles today: 21.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Woke up early to leave our public sleeping location near the creamery. Decided we'd wait until the shelter 2 miles away to have breakfast. Our first day of hiking in New York was tough! There were constant ups and downs and a lot of steep scrambling. In Harriman State Park the trail creators seemed to either have it out for the thru-hikers or don't know what its like to hike with a full pack. In an attempt to make there section of trail "interesting" and memorable they directed the trail straight up rock faces. At one point we went into a tunnel of sorts that I thought was cool until I realized the walls were getting closer together and my shoulders were starting not to fit. A normal reaction would be to turn sideways and slide through, but with a pack that doesn't work. I first tried to carry my pack in front of me which made me realize just how heavy it is. When my upper body gave up on that idea I decided if I put the pack above my head I could slide it up onto the ledge above and get myself out after that. The plan worked but I then had to drag Birdman's pack up and watch him struggle through the lemon squeeze. All in all a tough day. None of the shelters in NY seem to have water so we stopped at a public state park picnic area to cook dinner under a roof out of the rain with a available water spigot. Talked to some nice bicyclists and left for the shelter at about 7pm. The 4 miles got a little more difficult in the dark again, but we found the shelter alright and had it to ourselves.NY birds: 22 NY list: 32
Date: 2009-06-04
From: William Brien Shelter

To: Graymoor Spiritual Center Shelter
Miles today: 15.3

Found an unpleasant surprise when I woke up this morning. I had thought the shelter we were staying in was neat because the back wall was all one rock in the hill side. Turns out that when it rains as it did all night water runs down the surface of the rock. The sleeve of the fleece that I use as a pillow case was very good at wicking water off the wall and into my pillow (soaking the majority of its contents. So after ringing things out for quite some time I set off into the rain with a heavy pack. The day got better from there as it cleared up. We ate lunch on a sunny outcropping that overlooked Bear Mountain (our next stop). Bear Mt. was a tough hike but there was a cool stone viewing tower and museum at the top. At the bottom the trail went through a cool little zoo where we got cloe up looks at all the animals we should be seeing in woods. Got to the road and hitched into Fort Montgomery. We were planning to stay in town but after eating at the little deli and picking up our mail drop we elected to head out. Crossed the Hudson on the Bear Mt. Bridge and climbed to the top of Anthony's Nose which gave us a nice view of the river. Hiked another five miles with a quick stop at a convenience store that was right on the trail. The shelter we stayed at is on the property of a monestary. It was a neat little pavilion next to a baseball field. It had electricity and a clean water source. There was a nice hispanic family playing soccer on the field, which was lucky because pop realized he'd left all the maps and guide book at the convenience store. They were nice enough to give him a ride so he wouldn't have to walk back. Slept in the tent for the night because the wonder of electricity seemed to attract every mosquito in NY. Oh well.NY birds: 12 New species: 1 Herring GullNY list: 44 Trip list: 137
Date: 2009-06-05
From: Graymoor Spiritual Center Shelter

To: NY 52 (Mountain Top Deli)
Miles today: 23.9

Woke up with a light rain falling on the tent. Went into the little pavilion and cooked our breakfast. While eating a nice man walking his dog came up and chatted with us. At the end he wished us good luck and said a prayer for us. It rained all day today nd there were no views to speak of. We did have a nice lunch backdropped by a small waterfall, a pine grove, and a serene pond with yellow flowering water lilys. Late in the afternoon we reached RPH Shelter and talked to some section hikers. Birdman wanted to stay and order pizza (as the place was near a road) but I convinced him to stick to the plan and head on. Unfortunately the last five miles were also the toughest of the day as we went over two mountains after crossing the Taconic Parkway. We hit the road and went down to where we knew there to be a hiker friendly deli. The owner said we could sleep out back so we ordered some food and went next door to the pizzaria to order some more food! Set up the tent just as the rain was stopping around 8pm. Went to bed damp and stinky though.NY birds: 6 NY list: 50