morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-06-04
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Doyle Hotel, Duncannon, PA.
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The woods have turned into a jungle and the wetness from last nights rain made walking seem like it was raining. Crossed about 3/4 mile of chest high, very wet grass. I was soaked all over again. Made it into town and checked into the hotel at 1:00 P.M. This hotel is 100 years old and looks it. It is basically for hikers and has a big sign that welcomes us. To stay here is to step back in time. The fixtures, beds and every thing here are very old. The rooms have radiator heaters that have been here since the beginning. The stairs squeak when you walk up them, and they have a community bathroom on each floor that everyone on that floor uses. It is an experience that I have been anticipating since the start of this hike. I've read so much about this place and it is every thing they said it was.Went to the P.O. and picked up a package from home contain a very light weight sleeping bag and pillow. I may regret the change in sleeping bags. Shipped my 25 degree bag and last piece of fleece home. I am now dressed for summer. Not a problem while you're walking, but may be at 4:00 A.M.. I hope I am not premature in this but I am trimming all the weight I can from my pack. Still struggling with my food weight and I think that's because being hungry when I grocery shop makes me over buy.The local supermarket offers a shuttle service to get groceries. It's free and they make out from it. A good idea actually. Good for the store and good for us hikers.One more thing. The total mileage shown above is incorrect. I goofed somewhere in my math or something. The actual total for this spot on the trail is 1132.1 and since I have 17 miles to do in the Smokies after I reach ME, my total should read 1115.1. Not a bad number for having hiked all or part of 69 days. Still think I can finish by first week in August unless something unexpected happens.
Date: 2008-06-05
From: Doyle Hotel, Duncannon, PA.

To: Peters Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 11.4

Nice easy day. Some rocks but not too difficult. At PA325, we, the General, Jukebox, Cuda, and Black Beard were invited for lunch and drinks. Incredible how this happens. Mike Fogarty flagged me down as I walked the bridge across the highway. They had lots of food left over from a memorial day party and gladly shared it with us. We spent almost 2 hours with them. The remainder of the walk took us through some rocks where we were told there were lots of rattlesnakes. Jukebox said he heard one, but I did see or hear anything.The shelter is a beautiful design with a loft, but the spring is down a steep slope with more than 300 steps to climb on the return. It took us 17 minutes to make the trip. Nearby to this shelter is a small shelter that Earl Shafer, the first AT thru-hiker in 1948 built. It has a dirt floor and lots of character.
Date: 2008-06-06
From: Peters Mtn. Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: mist

Easy day with elevations minimal. More big rocks in rattlesnake country. I kept a close lookout as the vegatation has grown over the trail in many places. Still didn't see any.Arrived at the shelter about 4 P.M. Ate a snack and rested. Cooked supper about 6:00 P.M. The General and Jukebox arrived later and tented nearby. The book says this shelter sleeps 12 but that's about twice what it would actually.Stomach feeling queezy. Hit the bag early about 7:30.
Date: 2008-06-07
From: Rausch Gap Shelter

To: PA 443 Greeen Point, PA
Miles today: 4.6

A very bad night. Started getting sick early and by 8:00 P.M. was vomiting. This went on for several hours so I rolled up in my poncho some distance from the shelter so I wouldn't disturb the others. Stayed this way the remainder of the night. The diarreah started later on in the night.Went back into the shelter about daybreak and crawled into my sleeping bag. Stayed there until almost noon. Left the shelter shortly after noon. Couldn't eat or drink anything. Had to stop and lie down several times as the nausea is much worse when standing. finally could take no more and pitched my tent early. Can hold nothing on my stomach. Feel dehydrated and very weak. There is a lady from Boston/Denver and her dog Buddy camped nearby. She rescued him from a pound.
Date: 2008-06-08
From: PA 443 Greeen Point, PA

To: I-81 underpass
Miles today: 1.8

Have gone far as I can go. Very nauseated and the diarreah hasn't gone away. Still cannot eat and am getting weaker in this heatwave that this part of PA is under. The daytime temp is between 95 and 100. Decision made to leave the trail and get help. Walked 2.3 miles on a side trail to Lickdale, PA and checked into a motel. Bought some Drammine at the campground store and got some Gatorade to replenish some fluids and minerals. Called Janice and went to bed at 2:00 P.M. The drammine partially settled my stomach and I ate a small amount of food later in the day. Haven't felt this bad in a long time.
Date: 2008-06-09
From: I-81 underpass

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Checked out of the hotel and took a taxi, ($35.00) to Lebanon, PA. The doctor diagnosed Girardia, a bacterial infection of the digestive track. He did not confirm this with lab test but prescribed antibotics and other medications to stop the nausea.Had a soup and sandwich at a coffee shop a few blocks away and am now at the town library. Not sure what to do at this point. Too weak to hike and it may be several days before I will feel like it. Had an invite from a young man who works at the coffee shop to go to his mom and dads for the night. He was a southbound thru-hiker last year and said a lot of people help him and he would like to pass it on. Not sure if I'll take him up on it or not. One thing for sure, I can't stay in the library.This heatwave is something! 100 degree F outside. No place to escape it. Even hot in the library.
Date: 2008-06-16
To: Zero Days
Miles today: 0.0

I thought I should update this journal since it's been a few days since I left the trail. I am still sick. Spend most of each day on the couch. Can't seem to shake this nausea and have another doctors appointment tomorrow. May have to go back on antibiotics or maybe what I am experiencing is normal and you just have to give your system time to purge it. The worst thing is that I can't hold my 4 1/2 month old grandson for fear of passing it on to him. He is so cute, and we have another one in the oven. My daughter-in-law in Chatt., TN is due in January.We did have a great fathers day. My kids are so thoughtful and caring. They really make my wife and I feel special.
Date: 2008-06-22
From: I-81 underpass

To: Wm. Penn Shelter
Miles today: 6.9

First day back on the trail. Arrived here at the I-81 underpass at 6:00 P.M.. Drove my pickup truck back to Lickdale, PA and put it in storage until the hike is over. The drive was 930 miles, but it still beats the joys of taking Greyhound.Glad to be back hiking and on the trail but I am weak from being sick and still having bouts of nausea, but less frequently as the days go by. My doctor sent another round of antibiotics and nausea pills with me to use in case I get sick again.
Date: 2008-06-23
From: Wm. Penn Shelter

To: Eagles Nest Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Up early and on the trail shortly after 7 A.M.. Caught up with Capt'n Jack Sparrow and had a nice reunion. Seems he had taken a furlough from the trail and we came back about the same time.The trail became very rocky and PA began to live up to it's reputation of being the rockiest state that the trail passes through.Felt nauseated late in the day and took a pill to settle it. Did not eat much supper. Nothing sounds good.
Date: 2008-06-24
From: Eagles Nest Shelter

To: Trail to Blue Rocks Campgound, PA
Miles today: 18.1

Felt much better today and my energy is picking up. Stopped in Port Clinton, PA and had a very large bacon cheesburger and fries. Had enough to carry out for supper.The rocks are much worse north of Pt. Clinton. I took a wrong turn at one point and crossed a larger boulder field, then had to cross back to find the trail. The rocks ranged in size from about 2 feet square to the size of a refrigerator. Capt'n Jack was waiting on me at a picnic table not far away.Pitched my tent where the trail splits off to the campground. No one here but me. Got seperated from Capt'n Jack.
Date: 2008-06-25
From: Trail to Blue Rocks Campgound, PA

To: Trail to B.R. campground to New Tripoli Camp
Miles today: 19.0

Good nights sleep but woke up cold about 4:00 A.M. My fleece blanket is very light in weight but affords little comfort when the temp drops into the 50's. To offset this I put on my wind breaker which helps.The trail goes near a hawk santuary but to see you have to take a 2 mile side trail. I opted against it. Making miles is more important now since I have been away from the trail a total of 40 days since the start.Saw two young lovers enjoying each others company upon some rocks. Later in the day I ran into Chewbaca, dad and cousins at a road crossing. They were bringing him back to the trail from some days off. They had cold watermelon and it was really refresing. They carried me down the road to Eckville where I got a shower. Nice but they do not last long in this heat and humidity. Clean clothes don't stay clean very long either.
Date: 2008-06-26
From: New Tripoli Campsite

To: Camp near Delps Trail
Miles today: 19.0

Left camp with little water thinking I could get some near the next shelter, but the water was 1/2 mile down a steep grade. Dedided to try and make the next spring 6.8 miles away. A big mistake in judgement. I ran dry, very dry about 4 miles into it and was saved from being very thirsty by wild blueberries. For the next two hours I ate them constantly.Crossed the highway near Palmerton, PA about 2:30 P.M. and got a couple of soft drinks and candy bars for the trail before climbing Blue Mountain, which is touted as being the most challenging climb south of New Hampshire. Its was very steep, not vegatation and dangerous. There was a blue blaze trail around it but I took the white blazes. It was interesting to say the least. The lack of vegation is from zinc smelting in the 20th century. The site was closed down and declared a superfund site in 1982.Ran out of water again late in the day and a couple of day hikers gave me two cans of seltzer water. They said it would make me burp and it did. But was refreshing.
Date: 2008-06-27
From: Camp near Delps Trail

To: camp near Wolf Rocks
Miles today: 17.1

More rocky trail. Consuming much more water in the hot weather and having to manage it closely. After lunch went into Wind Gap, PA for resupply, do laundry and bathe. While my clothes were drying I bathed in the mens room. I'm sure they would have kicked me out if they had know it. Left town at 7:30 P.M., rather late. Should be in NJ tomorow.
Date: 2008-06-28
From: camp near Wolf Rocks

To: Spring near Sunfish Pond, NJ
Miles today: 17.4

Good bye PA. Helloooo NJ. Glad to be putting another state behind me. As I crossed a large boulder outcropping known as Wolf Rocks, there was a very large rattle snake sunning himself. His eyes were glassed over indicating he was getting prepared to shed his skin. Took some pictures before he started to depart. As he slid over the rock, I picked him up, by the tail of course, to see how long he was, which was about 42 inches. Stopped in Deleware Water Gap, PA for a burger and met a very nice guy named John from L I, NY. He told me he quit a very nice paying job because the work was boring.Later passed Sunfish Pond, NY. This beautiful lake was formed by a Glacier. Also had an opportunity to hike a few miles with a local young man who is a Marine. He told me he had been in Iraq and had been involved in securing the airport at Mozal. Another interesting note, I normally do not have much trouble with dogs, but in one week I had two incidents that were close calls. First a girl had a mized breed that tried to bite me at Bake Oven Shelter. I had to stick my hand down its throat to prevent it. After that he settled down. The next was while I passed a man with his dog near a water spigot. His dog bit me on the boot. When I told the dogs owner, he said, Yeah, he sometimes does that. Guess he has a thing about shoes". Duh.
Date: 2008-06-29
From: Spring near Sunfish Pond, NJ

To: US 206, Branchville, NJ
Miles today: 21.6

Today was a day for seeing bears. I had heard that they were plentiful in NJ. I jumped two out of a blueberry patch early on and one of them stopped about 30 feet away and looked as if to say, 'These are our blueberries, you go to Kroger'. Later in the day I was trying to mock some crows and suprised a very large bear lying behing a rock near the trail. When it jumped up it scarred me out of my wits. I'm am glad it ran away. It was in the 35o to 400 pound class.
Date: 2008-06-30
From: US 206, Branchville, NJ

To: Trail to Jim Murray property.
Miles today: 21.3

The trail is very wet from the rain last night and my boots are soaked. Stopped early at the highway crossing and went into a place named Joe to Go. The proprietor was unfriendly to the point of being rude. I left without purchasing anything. Read later in the shelter logs the he had others like that. Stopped at a beautiful pavilion on sunrise rock and raxed for awhile while my pack dried out.Jim Murray allows hikers to use his bunkhouse and shower for no charge. I tented on the lawn.NJ is like a huge wash board, steep and rocky. Not much fun.
Date: 2008-07-01
From: Trail to Jim Murray property.

To: Warwick Turnpike
Miles today: 19.3

Took hwy 284 into Unionville, NY and ran into Butch who works for the mayor of the town. He offered to carry me to the turnpike and slack pack back to the mayors house where I could spend the night, shower and have a good meal. I took him up on it. The walk was great with only your lunch and water to carry. The day went fast. Some of the trail in this area crosses marshes national wildlife refuges. There are raised boardwalks which are beautifully constructed. One boardwalk runs for over a mile.At NJ hwy 565, I stopped at a house to fill my water bottles and had the pleasure of meeting the Schultz family, except for the dad. Mom and 4 kids were getting ready to go swimming. They were very interested in my hiking from Georgia, and gave me a bottle of cold water before I left.
Date: 2008-07-02
From: Warwick Turnpike

To: W. Mombasha road, NY
Miles today: 16.6

Good Bye NJ. Helloooo NY.The mosquitos have gotten horrible and attack with a vengence even in the middle of the day! Have to dive into the tent as soon as it is up, and keep the screens zipped tightly. This creates another problem with heat and it is about 10:00 P.M. before it cools off enought to sleep.Yesterday was boardwalks and today is rock climbing. Every mile gained is earned. Hope this changes soon.
Date: 2008-07-03
From: W. Mombasha road, NY

To: Beech Bottom Brook
Miles today: 16.9

Another day of rock climbing. Elevations are not too high, but they are steep and challenging. The trail goes through Harriman State Park, NY and it is beautiful with its glacial effects. One place is known as the lemon squeezer and you have to take off your pack to get through. Went to the park H.Q. for ice cream and soft drink. Saw a thru-hiker whose trail name is Recurve, because he shoots a recurve bow. We have a lot in common as I also like traditional archery. Also saw Vagabond and his friend Pigeon. Haven't seen him since we hitched a ride into Front Royal, VA before I got sick and had to leave the trail for two weeks.
Date: 2008-07-04
From: Beech Bottom Brook

To: Canopus Hill Rd.
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Rained again last night. Packed everything up wet. That is the only drawback to tenting. Otherwise I prefer it over the shelters, and lately I have not wanted to sleep in the shelters. One reason is the mosquitos.The climb up Bear mountain wasn't bad like I had heard it was, and once down the north side I was treated to some wonderful food at the park by Peanut's Uncle and cousin. Walked thru the Zoo on the way out of the park.My socks have worn thin in the heels and I am getting a large blister on my left heel because of them being wet and tender for several days.Took a nasty fall today coming down the mountain into the park. A lady had given me some peaches in a plastic bag and I slipped on a rock while trying to eat and walk. Didn't get hurt but lost one of my peaches.
Date: 2008-07-05
From: Canopus Hill Rd.

To: NY 52 Stormville, NY
Miles today: 19.5

The trail in NY is finally leveling out and can make some miles without so much hard work. Previously it was a lot of ups and downs. Stealth camped last night just south of the highway and walked to Danny's Pizzera for supper. Ordered a large, 18" super-supreme pizza so I could have some left over for the next day. Smart thinking aye? This pizza wieghed in at about 5 pounds, no kidding. The chef couldn't believe I ate over half of it. We hikers have a voracious appetite.
Date: 2008-07-06
From: NY 52 Stormville, NY

To: Near Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: light rain

Slept good on all that pizza. Walked down to the same area this morning at 6:00 A.M. had breakfast, and hung out with the locals. What I've discouvered on this hike is that small town America is the same wherever you go. People are the same, and basically nice.It has been hot and humid lately and hiking is not much fun. Be glad when it cools off. Today the trail took me past Nuclear Lake which until 1972 was a nuclear research facility. The lake is very pretty and the water is not contanimated. Have read a lot of jokes in the shelter logs about it however. One person, The Padre wrote that after swimming in it, he could hike at night without his headlight because he put off a glow. You need a sense of humor on the trail as you are under extreme exertion much of the time and it would be easy to be short with people and no one needs that.
Date: 2008-07-07
From: Near Wiley Shelter

To: .5 miles north of CT 341
Miles today: 13.2

Good bye NY. Helloooo CT. Left camp early and stopped at the Country Market in Bull Bridge, CT for breakfast. Lots of history in this area and it is said that George Washington crossed this bridge, (a covered bridge) many times during the Revolutionary war. Later in the day stopped in Kent, CT to do laundry and pick up supplies. Kent is very pretty town with gayly paint buildings and houses. They have crosswalks for pedistrians and the motoris actually stop and let you cross. Had a very large double bacon cheeseburger, fries and large strawberry shake. The whole deal was $15.00. Kent is a .6 mile walk from the trail. When leaving the highway onto the trail the first 200 yards is across a beautiful pasture filled with cows which give all you strange looks. I needed to shoo one off the trail so I could pass and she wouldn't budge so I had to walk around her. She had the "duh"? look.
Date: 2008-07-08
From: .5 miles north of CT 341

To: Pine Swamp Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: light rain

Hard earned miles today with many climbs. Reminds me of Virginias roller coaster. Can't understand why they routed the trail in CT over every bump and every rock outcropping which has a valley view, but they did. Tenting just next to the shelter. The mosquitos are horrible. Lots of water in CT and that provides a breeding ground for the trillions of mosquitos. The locals say it is a bad year for them, which means there are more than normal.
Date: 2008-07-09
From: Pine Swamp Shelter

To: CT 44, Salisbury, CT
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: light rain

Trail eased up some today. I stopped in Falls Village for breakfast but nothing was open. The only cafe closes on Wednesday, and just my luck, this is Wednesday. Made my on the Salisbury and called Maria McCabe at the suggestion of her friend Pat Miller whom I met in Falls Village. Maria picked me up at the trail/road crossing about 2:30 P.M. and carried me to her home. She rents rooms to hikers for $35.00 per night. You get a good nights rest, plus shower, and breakfast, which you have to cook yourself. She also carried me to the laundrymat, and grocery shopping at no extra cost. Maria is a delightfully funny lady and has a lot of stories to tell. While she was shuttling me around, she took me to the cemetary and showed me her husbands and boyfriends graves. They are next to one another. She puts live flowers on both there graves and makes funny jokes. About 8:30 P.M. a semi-tame mother fox came into her back yard. Maria feeds her raw chicken, which just happens to be a foxes favorites. The fox has a liter of babies under Maria's barn.
Date: 2008-07-10
From: CT 44, Salisbury, CT

To: Solgremond rd, MA
Miles today: 19.6

Good bye CT. Hellooooo MA. Glad to put another state down. Have completed 10 and have 4 more to go. Total trail miles should read 1504.5. As I said before, I did not major in math. Finally got a break in the weather. It has cooled off and the humidity has subsided. Only drank half as much water as I have been the past week or so, and the walking is much more pleasant. But today there were 4 steep climbs. They were in order, Bear Mtn, CT. The Lions Head, CT. Race Mtn MA. and Mt. Everett, MA. The views from these peaks was spectacular. I think the weather made it even more so as a cool breeze was blowing. The air is so clean I believe I could see for 50 miles.
Date: 2008-07-11
From: Solgremond rd, MA

To: Homes Rd
Miles today: 4.7

Bad day. Started getting sick early. Fever, chills, aching, headache and stiff neck. Took some Ibuprophren and set up the tent. Stayed inside all day and repeated the Ibu about every 5 hours. Felt rough ! Borrowed some water late in the day as I was down to about 4 ounces and did not feel like going after some.
Date: 2008-07-12
From: Homes Rd

To: Shaker Campsite
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Feel some better but still have some fever and aching. Also very weak. Don't know what it was but I suspect it was my body reacting to a mosquito that I inhaled into my right lung the day before. Don't know what else it could have been as I had no other symptoms. Glad it is about gone. Knocked a hole in my milage.
Date: 2008-07-13
From: Shaker Campsite

To: Bald Top
Miles today: 17.1

Pass by Upper Goose Pond and the cabin today about noon. There are lots of ponds in Mass. In fact there is lots of water here. Some of the ponds occur at odd places, line mountain tops and look just like our swamps back in TN. Met an interesting couple today, Larry and Ellen Denkis who live nearby to Lee, MA. We talked for some time while I rested and they then carried me to Lee for a restuarant break and resupply. Ellen gave me a chocolate bar an trail mix. I stayed in town too long and didn't make it back to the trail until after 4 P.M.The place where I am camped is so neat and there is a nice breeze blowing. I turned my tent to take advantage of the wind direction. But the radio is saying rain late tonight.
Date: 2008-07-14
From: Bald Top

To:  Crystal Mtn.
Miles today: 18.1
Weather: clear sky

Woke up to rain some time in the night and closed the tent fly. I love to be camped in a tent with a light rain falling. That is the most comforting sound.Was in no hurry getting up this morning. The walking today into Dalton, MA, where I am now in the Library was not a hard walk. The trail goes thru town and the only other stop when I leave here is to get a milk shake and maybe a burger, then on to my camping place. I do not normally use the camp grounds choosing instead to stealth camp. I like being alone when I sleep.Anyway, after today I will have 1559.1 miles behind me and another 614.9 to go. My goal is still to summitt Mt. Katahdin, ME on 8/21. Wish me luck as I have to average 16.2 miles per day for the next 38 days, with no days off, to do it.