morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-06-26
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Elkins Park, PA
Miles today: 15.0

Today we were all really tired for some reason, Mudbug and I taking naps and breaks all the time. Disaster befell Mudbug when I challenged him to try and leap a gap between two rocks on a famous rock outcropping called The Pinnacle. After I did it, he had to. He made i, but he hyperextended his ankle when he landed and immediately sat down, cueing me that something was wrong, though he denied it. He later admitted that the rest of the walk was excruciating.We met up with NED and Ginken and waited for my mom to pick us up. We were planning on spending 1.5 days in Philadelphia and then heading back out. Bondi was also with us but he just needed a ride to the train station.My mom showed up with hot dogs and sodas, which we ate happily. There was a funny moment where I actually drank hot do water because she had brought them in a large thermos with a nozzle. I assume it was Powerade or something and tipped it into my mouth. Imagine my surprise when hot, meaty water spilled onto my tongue. Eww.Bringing everyone back to the house was surreal. Everyone looked so out of place to me there. I kept thinking I would wake up in the shelter next to them and say "I had this really weird dream that you guys were at my parent's house." I mean, these are the people I live outside with. It was like two worlds colliding.Luckily NED, Ginken and Mudbug hit it off with my parents really well. We go pizza and ice cream and had a good night. It's funny - Mudbug and I have started smoking cigarettes now and then. Actually a lot of people do on the trail. I'm not sure why - we wouldnt do it in society. BUt my parents smoke every once in a while too so I don't think they were overly shockd. Everyone retired to real beds in a real home for probably the first time in 3 months.
Date: 2008-06-27
From: Elkins Park, PA

To: Elkins Park, PA
Miles today: 0.0

Had a pretty lazy day, went to the grocery store to resupply and Ginken/NED/Mudbug went to bed early. My mom made a good dinner for everyone.My best friend Jordan and our mutual friend from high school, Aliza, came to see me. Jordan made the drive up from DC. I knew we were gonna be up all night so I just committed to it, and sure enough I didn't get to bednuntil like 4:30am. We stayed up all night on my patio drinking and playing songs.Oh, earlier in the day Mudbug and I went to Aliza's house and had a fun jam session with drums and electric guitars. A good day.One problem - were taking an etra day because Mudbug's ankle is realy messed up from that jump. Also - I had to get my toenail cut out AGAIN because the hospital before didn't do it right, so now that needs to heal.
Date: 2008-06-28
From: Elkins Park, PA

To: Elkins Park, PA
Miles today: 0.0

We went to the Won Buddhist temple in my neighborhood, which I've been going to for about 6 years. We showed up late so the guys didn't get to experience much but it was good to see everyone there.Then we went to the city and went to the liberty bell, to a punk rock flea market where I saw my friends James and Gabe, to a restaurant where I met my friends Rachna and Vivek, and finally to the art museum and Boathouse Row. A good day but I think it dragged on a bit for NED and Ginken.We got harmosicas for GInken and Mudbug , so I hopefully we'll all be jamming from now on.
Date: 2008-06-29
From: Elkins Park, PA

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Took yet another day because Mudbug is still limpin.However, NED and Ginken decided to go back to the shelter tonight, so we are sleeping near Eckville Shelter even though we're not doing any hiking today.So my dad drove us back to the trail and we set up our tent. Had fun meeting new people since we had now dropped back into a different group. At night there were some pretty intense thunderstorms.
Date: 2008-06-30
From: Eckville Shelter

To: New Tripoli Campsite
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: few clouds

Only had 13.3 miles to do today, and Mudbug and I got up decently early, like 8:30am, but we were dragging all day and didn't get to camp until 8:00pm. We took a ridiculous amount of breaks and even took a nap in a shelter. This is what it's like getting back on the trail after a long break, I've learned.Providence provided for us when a boyscout troop leader, Jeremiah, offerred to give us a ride to a local convenience store. We got ice cream and bought subs and juice for Ginken/NED. Jeremiah was beyond and nice and gave us free beer and even gave us $5 each for "spending money." I've never had a ride give me money but he wouldn't let me not take it. So many thanks to Jeremiah of Troop 89 (I believe).So we hiked out and got Ginken/NED up, who were, as we predicted, crawling into bed at 8:00pm. Of course they liked the presents we brought and we got them to stay up 2 more hours singing songs. I forgot to say that I switched to wearing Chacos sandals on the trail (picked them up at my parent's house), which Mudbug is wearing as well, and according to NED we were references as "The Sandalboys" several times that day.
Date: 2008-07-01
From: New Tripoli Campsite

To: Palmerton, PA
Miles today: 11.8

Today is Ginken's birthday (I finally know the correct spelling of his name), and unbeknownst to him Mudbug and I hiked up he trail a bit last night and assembled rocks on the trail to form the words "HAPPY BIRTHDAY GINKEN." He was pretty surprised and happy to see that when he got up and started hiking.When we got to the road at the end of the day there was already a trail angel waiting there for us to give us a ride to the hostel for free.We went out to dinner for Ginken's birthday, ate ice cream, took showers and went to bed.
Date: 2008-07-02
From: Palmerton, PA

To: Leroy A. Smith Shelter
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: scattered clouds

We had to get up really early this morning to get a ride back from the trail angel. I do not enjoy getting up early these days.Today was pretty hard, but the beginning at least was fun. The part just north of Palmerton is probably the hardest thing I've encountered so far - it was almost like rock climbing or at least advanced scrambling. So that was fun, at least for Mudbug and I. Then the rest of the trail was just rocky and crappy - somehow we're all totally beat and ready for bed right now.Oh, we ran into our friend Bound, going south for some reasons I do not remember, then she's flipping back up north when she gets to a certain point, so we should see her again.
Date: 2008-07-03
From: Leroy A. Smith Shelter

To: Kirkridge Shelter
Miles today: 13.8
Weather: broken clouds

Haven't slept in a shelter in forever, but here we are, except Mudbug who is hammocking. Apparently thunderstorms tonight...Today we hiked a bit until Wind Gap, PA, where we went to MacDonalds, got some snacks, and got back on the trail.It's time to divulge a running joke between Mudbug and I - the choice of apparel of "Dad's." We will often point out "dads" in town. Here is the description of a stereotypical dad:-Hawaiian shirt/patterned shirt-Visor or cap-Sandals with knee-high socks-Fannypack-Dockers pleated khaki shorts w/belt or plaid shortsUsually we rate based on the shirt, which usually feature a variety of graphics like sailboats and palm trees. So today Mudbug and I went to K-Mart and picked up dad clothes. We got awesome shirts - they're synthetic so you can wear them hiking, and mine has the following stuff on it: ukuleles, surfboards, palm trees, beaches, and a variety of automobiles, like a yellow Mustang. So we're rocking the dad look now. We also have funny dad hats with a brim all the way around. We only have 6 miles until we hit New Jersey. This last part of PA has been hard. I hate to sound like all the people in the registers who seem to have lost the ability to add original comments and just repeat "I *hate* these PA rocks!" over and over...but I do think I've finally fotten really tired of the rocks. The huge rocks I actually enjoy - the ones you can hop from point to point on, relying on balance and precision - the small to mid-sized ankle rolling, toe-stubbing rocks and horrible. I hate having to walk 15 miles when you can't even walk naturally, you're just constantly navigating obstacles. It's mentally and physically tiring.In other news, I saw my first bear since the Shennies today. He/she was HUGE - I scared it when I stepped on an unstable rock which made a clanking noise and it bolted away. I can differentiate deer from bear by sound pretty easily now, and this thing just took off in an earth-shaking run.
Date: 2008-07-04
From: Kirkridge Shelter

To: Backpacker Campsite
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: light rain

Did 6 miles into the town of Delaware Water Gap for a little rest and mealsw, then headed back out to do another 5 miles.While we were in town, Mudbug and I met a guy dressed like Jesus. I don't know how else to say it. He didn't have long hair, but he had a long, unruly beard and wore a homemade, biblical-era robe. He spoke very softly and peacefully. The only gear he had was a painter's tarp with a pole. He carried his food in a plastic shopping bag. No sleeping bag, no pack. He's only been hiking for about 60 miles and only plans to do about 50 more, but I guess his plan is to just evangelize. Apparently he road walked from Philadelphia to North Carolina before. He actually manages to come off as only somewhat crazy but mostly nice. It's funny - I was just thinking last night that this trip has challenged me most intellectually in the realm of faith and religion. What do I believe, and what to do with people who want you to believe what they do?
Date: 2008-07-05
From: Backpacker Campsite

To: Brink Rd Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

Did a bit of a bigger day today because NED and the rest of us want to catch up a little since we've been doing smaller days.Not much to report except that I'm farther behind on journal entries than I ever have been (5 days). So unfortunately, I don't remember many details. I do remember feeling really bad for some reason, everything was stiff, I could barely turn my neck, we got rained on, stuff like that. Ginken/NED were worried about lyme disease but I seem to be ok now.
Date: 2008-07-06
From: Brink Rd Shelter

To: Mashipacong Shelter
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: light rain

Did a shorter day today but got the best unintentional trail magic ever - as we approached a covered picnic area on the top of Sunset Mtn we heard live music playing and people singing and realized we had run into The Folk Project (folkproject.org) - an NJ-based group who were getting together in the woods to jam, eat, talk and enjoy the scenery. I love unexpected surprises like this. I love that on the AT it is conceivable that one will accidentally stumble upon a jovial troop of folk musicians. They joking asked where *my* instrument was, then freaked out when I brought out my ukulele. Needless to say, had quite a good time eating, jamming and laughing for at least an hour or two. A plug for one of the women there - she makes an instrument called a Strumstick, good for folk and great for backpacking because it is amazingly light. Check it out - strumstick.com.
Date: 2008-07-07
From: Mashipacong Shelter

To: Mayor's house in Unionville, NY
Miles today: 14.3

Today we woke up and tried to get to Unionville early because we had heard so many tales of the hospitality of the mayor there. They're all true. Yup - the mayor himself picks you up (hilarious because the pickup point is a laughably short distance of a few blocks, and we're thru-hikers), tells you to "throw your shit in this piece of shit" (referring to a derelict Jeep, a friend's poor substitute for his prized Prius), and takes you to his beautiful home, where you get a padded bunk in the basement and where the rules are:1. Jiggle the handle on the toilet so it doesn't run2. Do not attempt to wash any dirty dishes3. Your first beer is free, every additional beer costs a quarter4. You live in the house and have access to everything, just treat it as your own5. If you use a word in excess of 4 syllables, you will be charged a quarterNeedless to say, we had a great time, the mayor and his friends Butch and Bill are great guys, even if they razz you playfully now and then (you just make fun of them back). Free meals, free beer, free stay - a great time at a great place.
Date: 2008-07-08
From: Mayor's house in Unionville, NY

To: Mayor's house in Unionville, NY
Miles today: 17.3

My 100th day on the trail...This morning I was informed that I was required to play for the mayor because Ginken had told him I'm good and the mayor is a fan of folk music. For some reason "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" in the Hawaiian style of Izrael K was requested. So I played for him and he enjoyed it immensely (I do believe I saw the old boy tear up a bit), then I, just out of curiosity, asked if people ever stay two nights. He said sure - they did slackpacks. I said that was too bad - Ginken/NED had already left for the trail and they would love to slack from here. So the mayor says no problem - I'll go get them and bring them back. Sure enough, 30 minutes later he returns with them and we have a pretty good day slacking 17 miles, happy with the thought of returning to the mayor's home for a second night. There was one stipulation though - I had to play a concert for the mayor and everyone that night, which was fun. There were quite a few people there: Ginken, NED, Mudbug, Lady Cluck (darling of the Appalachian Trail), Sampson, Superchunk, Captain Jack Sparrow, FlashDance (first southbounder from Katahdin we met), and Sunbeam. Another good day. Oh, I'd just like to note that NED and I are taking Mudbug's patch - he intentionally skipped 1.5 miles of the trail today and is unrepentant.
Date: 2008-07-09
From: Mayor's house in Unionville, NY

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: moderate rain

Today we said our goodbyes to the mayor and Butch and Bill and got shuttled up to where we began our slack yesterday, but this time hiked north with our normal, seemingly heavy packs.There was an ice cream place 0.1 miles off the trail, which we stopped at after about 10 miles, Mudbug and I waiting there for a while for NED/Ginken to catch up.We also officially left NJ and entered NY for good today. The trail was hard today - lots of rock scrambling, climbing and rough terrain, but there were a few miles of easy stuff to compensate. Did a short day and got to camp early. The mosquitoes are bad here, I'm using the time to sit in my tent, catch up on journal entries (which I had fallen behind on), and read my book - The Monkey Wrench Gang by Edward Abbey.
Date: 2008-07-10
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Green Pond Mtn
Miles today: 11.0

The tortoise and the hare strike back...had a pretty interesting day. Good views, including one of NYC, and good hiking, but we ran out of water and all the water sources were dry. So Mudbug and I hitched into town, which took forever on NY17, got some food at Wendy's and went to Walmart where we got fabric and a marker to make hitchhiking banners that read "Hiker to Town" and "Hiker to Trail." Here's where the problem began - we got a ride back quickly and easily (I was anxious to get back as we had 4.5 miles to do and it was already 7:00pm) - but we had them drop us off way too early, accidentally. We got off at this train station knowing we had to cross the tracks, then wandered along them for a mile looking for the trail, then a mile back when we gave up, then realized we had 2 or more miles to road walking on an unhitchable road to get back. Needless to say, it was dark by the time we got to the trail, so we walked about half a mile from the road and camped, hoping to catch Ginken/NED tomorrow.
Date: 2008-07-11
From: Green Pond Mtn

To: Bear Mtn Bridge
Miles today: 17.5

CRAZY DAY...Mudbug and I couldn't wake up early as planned because there were so many animals walking around we couldn't sleep, so we got up late, then got delayed again by the discovered of a large, pristine lake - our first chance of the trip to swim, which was tons of fun. Then we got water at a commercial lake 0.3 miles off the trail where there were people picnicking and stuff, then took off at a good pace and got into Bear Mountain, NY around 9:00pm, so it was almost dark. We got some trail magic in a bag - a bottle of rum and some chocolate left by section hikers. The trail, amazingly, runs right through a zoo, which was closed, so logically, we split the bottle of rum, drank it all, hopped the fence into the zoo, saw some bears, coyotes, porcupines, etc. We actually hopped over the bear fence for a bit - in hindsight, perhaps not the best move, strategically speaking. Then we hopped back out, drank two six packs at a gas station in Fort Montgomery, talked with the locals a bit, and split a $100 cab ride in the middle of the night into times square in NYC. Then we met two girls in a Subway (the sandwich place), one of whom was a street performer on stilts, the other who was a stripper. They let us sleep on the floor of their apartment in Brooklyn.
Date: 2008-07-12
From: Bear Mtn Bridge

To: New York City
Miles today: 0.0

Last night Mudbug and I fell asleep at 5:00am and we woke up this morning at 8:00am, only 3 hours of sleep. We left to meet NED/Ginken at the hostel in Harlem. I didn't wait for them but tooko off to see my friend Genevieve in Brooklyn along with Bound, a fellow thru-hiker also staying in the hostel with us. We had Indian food, then went back to her apartment where she made really good Chai tea and I slept for about three hours. I don't think I mentioned this but Mudbug and I ran into a hornet's nest the other day and had to break into a full run to get away, but we both got stung. I never thought I was allergic to bee stings but I can't think of what else would have caused my foot to swell to comic proportions. It's going down now, Genevieve tried to tend to it and Bound gave me some anti-allergy type pills.Then I went back to the hostel to find everyone asleep. I tried to wake Mudbug so we could go out but to no avail. So I just settled in to sleep with everyone else...
Date: 2008-07-13
From: New York City

To: New York City
Miles today: 0.0

Today everyone else went to explore the city but I wanted to see my friend Doyeon from Korea who now works at the Won Buddhist Temple in Manhattan (I met her when she was training to become a minister at the Glenside temple near my parent's house). She didn't know I was coming so I really surprised her when I just showed up in the middle of service. A world-renowned pianist was there he played on the piano a bit, it was really amazing. I believe his name was Dong-Min Lim.Then Doyeon and I walked around Central Park for a while and had a good time - I introduced her to Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream, which she did not like.Then I used her computer to take the plunge and start committing to the next part of this journey - I bought a one way plane ticket to New Dehli, India. I also bought a ticket to take me back to California after the trail (my parents just sold the house and are moving back).Then Doyeon and I parted ways and I went to meet Mudbug, Mr. Bones (I'm the original, I insist), and Stubbs (also in town). We saw "Hancock" in a movie theatre which I thought was decent. Then Mudbug and I met a really nice Russian comedian and went to see him and some others perform. It was OK but I wish we had seen more of him since he was the funniest then we went back to the hostel and slept.
Date: 2008-07-14
From: New York City

To: Friar's Campground
Miles today: 6.3

Today everyone left on an 11:15am bus but I had to go get more vaccinations done for India. So I went and did that, then got something to eat, then met a guy in the bus station named Robert who has been to India 4 times, so we talked for a bit while waiting for our buses. So now I'm on the bus, about 3.5 hours behind everyone else.Caught up with everyone, Ginken/NED's daughter Stevie is hiking with them now, we all stayed up late singing songs...
Date: 2008-07-15
From: Friar's Campground

To: Canopus Lake
Miles today: 11.9
Weather: clear sky

Kindof a depressing day - it was like this: Circumstance (back with us), Mudbug and I were all sitting on the ground taking a long break. I said, jokingly, "Hiking the Appalachian Trail kinda sucks." Then Mudbug said "It's been sucking for me since New Jersey." Then I, a little more seriously, said "I'm actually kindof tired of this, I don't want to hike." And Circumstance said "I wish I was home." Then we all looked at each other and burst out laughing. No, I'm not entertaining thoughts of quitting, I never have. No, I don't hate the trail, I love it and this life, but today was our emotional/mental lowpoint. We laughed because it felt so good to just admit it. It seems taboo, like you always have to pretend that you're loving it, but it was good to see that everyone was feeling the same. People are really down right now. The hiking is hard for everyone. A lot of people drop off here. Apparently NED almost quit yesterday, she said she's tired of this. Don't tell anyone though. We're soldiers now...gotta trudge on...
Date: 2008-07-16
From: Canopus Lake

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: clear sky

Not much to report, still haven't caught Ginken/NED, had a much better day today than yesterday, mentally. I had a good day hiking alone and I think I needed that, I got reconnected with the trail and hiking was much easier. I think I just needed some alone time. Just me and Circumstance here now - Mudbug appears to have gone ahead to catch NED/Ginken.
Date: 2008-07-17
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Didn't think we were gonna catch NED/Ginken today, but tyep, there they were at the WIley Shelter when Circ and I rolled in. Their daughter Stevie was still with them, and for some reason I played a horrible version of a song for her to send to a friend, whose manager is also Christina Aguilera's manager (this, I guess, is my ticket to stardom).
Date: 2008-07-18
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 12.7

Went to Kent, CT today - on the way we stopped at a nice country market that was 0.4 miles off the trail. I got a ride from a man and a woman named Princess Laughingbrook - apparently the chief of the local Indian tribe. The trail passes through an Indian reservation, though I didn't see anything. It must just be part of the land owned by the Indians. We camped illegally in back of the town hall building because there was nowhere for us to stay (the church had a sign saying it no longer allowed hikers to tent there). The next day was Stevie's (Ginken/NED's daughter) birthday, so she, Mudbug, and I headed to the bar where we found Circ, who we had lost, drinking with the ridgerunner. Long story short, we all got wasted. Drank wayyy too much and stumbled back to town hall, accidentally waking up Ginken/NED, couldn't stop laughing, etc. Kent is not a town with a hiker-friendly feeling.P.S. - yay! New state - Connecticut.
Date: 2008-07-19
From: Kent, CT

To: Stony Brook Campsite
Miles today: 7.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Mudbug, Circ and I were so hungover today, we only did 7 miles. Surprisingly, we woke up early but then we just dragged all day. Camped at Stony Brook campsite, right next to a large river.[I'm writing this in the future...to this day Mr. Bones and Stubbs still reference this day as the day they found me laying on my sleeping pad in the middle of the trail, looking up at them and asking why they were hiking upside down. I haven't drank anything more than a very small amount since.]