morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-05-11
From: Byrd's Nest Hut

To: Elkwallow Wayside
Miles today: 11.8

It was a day filled with luck. We awoke to the sound of rain on the shelter roof but since we did not have a big day in front of us we decided to stay in the sleeping bags until the rain stopped. This ended up not taking very long and since there was no water at this shelter breakfast was not an option, so we hiked. Because the rain had stopped we covered the 3 miles to the road pretty fast and then waited only 20 minutes or 30 cars for a pickup to stop and offer us a ride. The man was very nice and he showed us around Luray VA before recommending a breakfast place. We decided food was the priority and went to the restaurant as our first stop. They had great food at good prices so I put away quite a bit including choclate chip pancakes and my first scrapple on the trail. After the meal we went to the post office to pick up our mail drop. We sorted out the food and I packed it into my pack making practically double in weight. The outfitter was closed so it was time to go to the caverns. We first made a detour to Dominoes and got two orders of cinnistix. We walked with our thumbs out as Luray Caverns was a mile out of town and sure enough in less than 5 minutes a man and his wife pulled over and offered us a ride. We got to the caverns and had a blast during the self led audio tour. The caves were fascinating and a nice change of scenery. Plus we left our packs in a storage room and consequently felt like we were walking on air. After the caves we used our tickets to see their classic car museum and then got fresh fudge. Before trying to leave town we needed groceries and some lunch so we went out to the road to try and get a hitch to the walmart and McDonalds down the road. A woman in a big van pulled up to ask directions to the zoo and since we had heard about the place she gladly gave us a ride. When we got to McDonalds she gave us a handful of cash to get lunch with! We tried not to accept but she was insistent. So we ate our fast food, got our groceries, and then had a short wait to get our fourth hitch of the day from a woman with a station wagon full of plants and people. But she squeezed us in and took us all the way back to the trail. We only had a mile to our original destination which was a shelter. However, when we got their it was only 4:45 and the weather was so nice so we decided to go a little further and camp near a spring. Unfortunately all of our good luck for the day ran out and it got cold and started to pour. We decided that we would walk until it let up or until we reached the wayside where we planned to have breakfast the next morning. We reached the wayside first and even though it was closed we were able to use the breezeway to dry off and cook dinner. By 8pm the rain had stopped so we went off into the pines nearby and set the tent up. It was really cold so we immediately got in the sleeping bags and went to sleep.VA birds: 1 VA list: 96
Date: 2009-05-12
From: Elkwallow Wayside

To: Compton Gap Trail
Miles today: 15.2

When we woke up the sun was out so we took the opportunity to dry out a bunch of our gear in the parkinglot of the wayside. While I was cooking breakfast there a ranger came by and clearly didn't like where we had camped, but we disarmed him with pleasant conversation. We packed up and then waited for the wayside to open at 9 am. It was a great food store and short order counter. Having already had some breakfast I ordered chicken tenders, fries, and a blackberry sundae. It was delicious but at 10 we decided it was time to hike. The first 6 miles to a Hut were fairly easy and we had a nice lunch there. Saw no thrus the whole day but ran into a bunch of day hikers struggling uphill as we were flying downhill out of the park. We had read that there was a nice inexpensive hostel near where we had planned to camp. It was called Terrapin Station and we went there to find comfortable accomadations and lots of food! Watched tv and got a little internet time. Cooked our own dinner on the hostels burner and then ate a half gallon of choclate chip cookie dough ice cream. With full bellies we slept well.VA birds: 1 New species: 1 Black-billed CuckooVA list: 97 Trip list: 107
Date: 2009-05-13
From: Compton Gap Trail

To: Dick's Dome Shelter
Miles today: 19.2
Weather: broken clouds

Will start with a happy birthday to WD-40 today! We would like to let you know that we are going to make our move to catch up soon. Had a good nights sleep on the aero beds in the hostel. In the morning we ate breakfast while watching sportscenter. In addition to our cream of wheat breakfast, I also had fruitloops and vanilla milk from the hiker box that was delicious. We packed up and were out the door by 7:30. It was a short walk to the first shelter where we found hungry, Tex, and Sarah. After catching up with them we set off and left the national park. Shortly there after we came upon a big fence which our book told us was an enclosure for the US Zoological breeding grounds. We hoped to see rare animals during our 2 miles on the fence but only saw deer that had snuck in. We stopped at a very cool shelter for lunch that had a solar shower, slept 14, had a porch, a adirondack styleb bench, and an awning covered picnic table. Upset that we couldn't spend the night there we continued on to another shelter for a late afternoon snack and then 4 and a half more miles to the final shelter that really is shaped like a dome. We decided to tent as the shelter is small but had a good talk with Retro over dinner.VA birds: 2 New species: 2 (Common Yellowthroat, White-eyed Vireo)VA list: 99 Trip list: 109
Date: 2009-05-14
From: Dick's Dome Shelter

To: Bear's Den Hostel
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: broken clouds

Got off to an early start today leaving only twenty minutes after Retro. Had easy hiking in the morning with no views but a nice trail through Sky Meadows State Park. Got to our lunch shelter around 10:30 but was hungry all the same. Spent about an hour and a half there before we entered what is referred to as the AT Roller Coaster. It is a section of trail that continuously goes steeply up and down for 10 miles. Not only that but the trail is very rough and rocky, often wet in the valleys, and affords no views. It was an unpleasant experience despite the fun sign at the start. I was fully tired by the time I reached Bear's Den. Luckily this is a very nice hostel with a great hiker deal that includes Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream, a pizza, soda, shower, laundary, and a bunk for $25. Also had some community sweet potato casserole! Been talking alot to Night Light and Crow Puncher from Maine who are unfortunately getting off the trail in Harper's Ferry. Spokes and Hot Wheels are also in for the night. Plan to watch Jeopardy and then some Disney movie before going to bed.VA birds: 5 New species: 3 (Swainson's Thrush, Northern Waterthrush, Kentucky Warbler)VA list: 104 Trip list: 112
Date: 2009-05-16
From: Harper's Ferry, WV

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

Got a little lie in at the Dayton's as we were in no rush to get out the door. Came down and had a wonderful breakfast with an eight egg omelette. Talked for quite some time and finally got ready to leave around 11:30. Took some pictures with our hosts and then went off to the post office to mail our bounce box. The next stop was the grocery store, and then a little subway. We got dropped off back in Harper's Ferry and it was time to start hiking. The first three miles off trail were along an old canal tow path right next to the river. It was flat as can be and we got to see lots of turtles, Great Blue Herons, and a family of Wood Ducks (with 19 ducklings!). Then the trail went up onto sout mountain. We stopped into the shelter we were originally going to stay at but decided it was to early to quit and went another four miles to the next shelter. Place was packed with nboy scout troops but we managed to find a tent site a ways away from the action. Started to pour as pop set up the tent but I elected to stay dry cooking under the shelter roof. After dinner on our way back to thje tent we ran into Tekla who we haven't seen since Hot Springs! A nice reunion.MD birds: 33 New species: 1 Prothonotary WarblerTrip list: 117West Virginia bird list: Northern Cardinal, Blue Jay, Eastern Towhee, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Common Raven, Ovenbird, Scarlet Tananger, Blackpoll warbler, Great-crested Flycatcher, Eastern Phoebe, Brown Thrasher, Indigo Bunting, Red-eyed Vireo, Gray Catbird, Hooded Warbler, Northern Flicker, American Goldfinch, Eastern Wood Pewee, Cedar Waxwing, Pileated Woodpecker, American Crow, Acadian Flycatcher, Black & White Warbler, Brown-headed Cowbird, Tufted Titmouse, Worm-eating Warbler, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Swainson's Thrush, Carolina Wren, Morning Dove, Blue-headed Vireo, Wood Thrush, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Black-throated Green Warbler, Yellow-billed Cuckoo, American Redstart, Carolina Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Turkey Vulture, White-eyed Vireo, Prarie Warbler, Fish Crow, American Robin, Magnolia Warbler, Downey Woodpecker, Great Blue Heron, Mallard, Common Grackle, Black Vulture, Chimney Swift, House Sparrow, European Starling, Baltimore Oriole, Warbling Vireo, Rock Pigeon. (55 species)
Date: 2009-05-17
From: Crampton Gap Shelter

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: clear sky

After pouring most of the night the rain mercifully stopped when we got up. Packed up the wet gear and got on the move. The weather was cool and breezy all day long. At the first shelter I was so hungry that I decided to eat our lunch at 10am. While sitting there Birdman discovered an interesting fact from the companion. At the next road crossing there was a high class restaurant that served brunch from 10 to 2. So we got on our way and were joined by Tekla for Brunch. The food was amazing being highlighted by lamb and pork roast, choclate mousse, and crepes! I ate until I felt like I would never be able to move again. Unfortunately we had 12 miles of hiking left and had to stagger off. Maryland trail was pretty smooth and we even went on a path right through someones yard where they had a register for us to sign. Later we got up on to a ridge and had a great view from Black Rocks of WV, MD, and PA. After that it was all downhill to the shelter where there were nice flat man made tent platforms. Had a good time talking to Tekla and three new guys who started in VA finishing there 2003 thru hike attempt.MD birds: 6 MD list: 39 Trip list: 117
Date: 2009-05-18
From: Ensign Cowall Shelter

To: Rocky Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 24.7
Weather: clear sky

A 7 am start powered by poptarts the hiking was fairly easy in the morning. We went through some nice meadows and fields before coming to Pen Mar Park. There I hoped to get some snacks but the store was closed. Instead we got drinks from a misloaded pepsi machine that gave you any drink but the one you pressed! They were still cold and delicious.the weather was cool, breezy, and sunny again today making it a great day to cross the Mason Dixon Line into PA! Great to be on home turf for awhile. Ate a lunch that did not fill me up and hiked on. Had a pretty long day but the trail conditions were not to bad. At the final road crossing we read in the book that there was a bar to eat at a mile and half down the road. We called to see if any one there might come get is but when there were no takers I stuck my thumb out and got the first car to stop. Got to the bar and each had a bacon cheeseburger with fries. Got to watch a little ESPN before going out to hitch back to the trail. The second hitch only took four cars. We got back to the trail hiked up to the shelter, said hi to some other hikers; and then set up the tent, made our trail dinner and hit the hay...or down.MD birds: 9 New species: 2 (Yellow-throated Vireo, Blackburnian Warbler)PA birds: 18 PA list: 18 Trip list: 119Maryland bird list: Great Blue Heron, Black Vulture, Turkey Vulture, Baltimore Oriole, Warbling Vireo, Wild Turkey, Great Crested Flycatcher, Blackpoll Warbler, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Common Grackle, Worm-eating Warbler, Canada Goose, Fish Crow, American Robin, Northern Cardinal, Indigo Bunting, Scarlet Tananger, Prothootary Warbler, Wood Duck, Song Sparrow, American Goldfinch, Blue-gray Gnatcatcher, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Cedar Waxwing, Carolina Wren, Eastern Wood Pewee, Red-eyed Vireo, Tufted Titmouse, Yellow-throated Flycatcher, Acadian Flycatcher, White-breasted Nuthatch, Ovenbird, Blue Jay, Eastern Phoebe, Wood Thrush, Northern Flicker, Swainson's Thrush, Black & White Warbler, Eastern Towhee, American Crow, Broad-wing Hawk, Barred Owl, Hooded Warbler, Black-throated Blue Warbler, American Redstart, Yellow-throated Vireo, Blackburnian Warbler, Hermit Thrush, Barn Swallow, Field Sparrow. (48 species)
Date: 2009-05-19
From: Rocky Mountain Shelter

To: Ironmasters Mansion Hostel
Miles today: 22.9
Weather: clear sky

Got u¶ early but took our time getting going and left around 7:40. Left before Tekla but figured that he would catch up to us pretty quick. About 3 miles in I underwent the biggest temptation to go home yet. We crossed PA Rt. 30 (aka Lancaster Ave)! The thought that I could turn right and be home in a mere 120 miles was tempting. Realized I'd come this far...I better go on to Maine. Shortly after that we went through a beautiful park with picnic tables and a free pool...that unfortunately doesn't open until Memorial Day. Tekla caught us here and for the rest of the morning we huffed and puffed trying to keep his pace. At around 11am I couldn't fight off starvation any longer so we stopped for lunch on the porch of one of the private cabins that are for rent. Tekla lent us some buns to complete our tuna salad sandwich. After that we yet again chased Tekla all afternoon at an impossible pace. We stopped once at a shelter to get some water and talk to Postman, Mowgli, and Gumby. Then it was off again, motivated by the hope that the half gallon challenge (of ice cream) would await us at the Pine Grove Furnace Genera Store next to the hostel. In our rush we did stop however to take pictures in front of the unofficial shrine that marks the midpoint of the trail! Only 1089 miles to go...wow, were practically there already. The day turned for the worse after that as the store that serves the ice cream was closed. Dejected and hungry we went up to the hostel and checked. Immediately used the kitchen to cook our dinner, a section hikers extra dinner, and all the community food available. Tekla being the culinary arts graduate was in charge. We were his humble assistants. A mere two hours later we sat down and chatted for awhile with the other guests. Then it was back to the kitchen to have Tekla make us Choclate Chip pancakes. Bedtime came shortly after with the plan that we would wait around until 9am the next day and eat our half gallons for breakfast.PA birds: 19 New species: 1 House WrenPA list: 41 Trip list: 120
Date: 2009-05-20
From: Ironmasters Mansion Hostel

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 19.4

I woke up around 7:30 which I decided was enough time to catch an hour of sportscenter and pack up before the store opened. I needed to keep myself distracted so I wouldn't snack before the contest. When the time came pop and I excitedly went down to the store with Tekla and waited eagerly for the man to open the door. Pop even wrote in the little register how excited he was. Only problem was the guy didn't show up...we waited a half hour before deciding we needed to get hiking and we would have to do the contest elsewhere. In a foul mood I ate some Cheeze-its and got hiking. The plan was to go 8 miles to the Green Mt. General Store and eat the ice cream there. The hiking was easy as we followed an old rail bed. We got to the road, turned up at the store and let the games begin. Tekla had chosen to forgo the half gallon for two massive subs but pop and I were determined. We had planned to get simple ice creams that would go down easy; so pop got Strawberry but I couldn't control myself in front of the cooler and went for Moosetracks Mint Choclate Chip with Fudge Cups. Out of the gates I was the significant leader but just like the tortoise and the hare I'm sure you know what's coming. I got to about halfway and realized how heavy each bite was starting to feel. The ice cream started to taste like choclately tooth paste and I was losing my zeal for the competition. I looked over at Birdman to see if he was displaying the same symptoms, but he was just calmly scooping away. I capitulated only a few minutes later wanting not to even look at let alone consume the last quarter of my carton. I watched with admiration and a touch of jealousy as pop scooped the last bites into his mouth. He bragged for a minute, we took some pictures... And then went to get sandwiches. By the time lunch was over I was ready for a 5 hour nap not 11 more miles of hiking. We left around 1pm and went over a few rocky hills. Having talked to our friends the Brownolds, we had arranged to meet them in Boiling Springs around 6:30. Staggering along we thankfully came down into the Cumberland Valley where the trail flattened out and zigzagged across some big fields. The town of Boiling Springs was quaint and pretty with the spring fed lake in the middle. David and his son Seth, just back from Israel, met us outside the ATC Regional Headquarters. We went to a nice Tavern for dinner and had a good time catching up. After the meal they dropped us off at a B&B that let us tent in the backyard for a buck. Slept well on the lush grass and a full belly.PA birds: 16 New species: 3 (Yellow Warbler, Alder Flycatcher, Ruby-throated Hummingbird)PA list: 57 Trip list: 123
Date: 2009-05-21
From: Boiling Springs, PA

To: Cove Mountain Shelter 
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: clear sky

Woke up at the B&B and realized that the only problem with the arrangement was that we did not have bathroom facilities available to us. So we packed up quick and hurried down to the Getty Gas Station to use there bathroom. While in the little store there we ran into an older man we had met a few days before named Caribou. He offered to drive us with his friend down to a nice lttle breakfast place. We thought that sounded better than the assorted pastries and joined up. The place we went had great prices and great food. Afterwords we thanked Caribou and Rooster for the ride and sat down at the Regional office again to talk to Spokes, Hot Wheels, Boof, Mowgli, Gumby, and Postman who had all just rolled into town. We picked up a canister at the outfitter and then set off into the beautiful (and sunny) Cumberland Valley. It was flat as a pancake and only hot when we were in the sun. We saw an immature Bald Eagle around midmorning and stopped at 1pm for lunch in a little oasis of trees. Still walking flat we came to a river that looked very tempting to swim in. We resisted though because we came to a rest area with a spigot emitting cold water that covered our needs. After about 13 miles the good times stopped rolling and we went up on to a ridge fast. The nice thing was that there was a beautiful view from the top of all the ground we'd covered that day including crossing 4 highways. As it was 5:30 by now we decided to cook dinner at the first shelter we came to which was not where planned to sleep. At 6:40 we left knowing we had 7.3 miles and some vertical left to cover. We shouldN't have dawdled through the easier part of the day. The temperature was great but when the light grew dim and eventually it got dark the rocks became a problem. Luckily the trail was well marked and we stumbled into the shelter around 9:15. Talked to Boof for a little bit and then went to bed on the little bunk bed set up in the shelter.PA birds: 11 New species: 3 (Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Blue-winged Warbler, Orchard Oriole)PA list: 68 Trip list: 126
Date: 2009-05-22
From: Cove Mountain Shelter 

To: Peters Mt. Shelter
Miles today: 14.4

Boof woke is up in the shelter but it was good to get an early start as we were headed into Duncannon for the morning. With the plan to eat breakfast at a place in town Birdman couldn't wait for me to get ready and left 20 minutes ahead. The 4 miles to town were very rocky but it also came out to a nice ledge that overlooked the Susquehanna and the town. On the way down I almost missed a sharp turn in the trail and thought to myself "wonder if Birdman missed this". Sure enough a litte thing called Karma had rewarded him for his impatience. Being a purist I ran into him hiking back up the trail to find where he'd missed the turn. I lightly declared that I would meet him at breakfast and pushed on. He was about 15 minutes late to another good meal. After that we needed to do a few things. Pop got a haircut (not the beard) and picked up a package at the post office which contained our new Steri-pen which we use to purify water and the company happily replaced for free. I meanwhile went to find super glue and duct tape to fix my boot where the sole was falling off.we met up at the hiker friendly Doyle hotel. Grabbed a spot of lunch, got some internet time, and left around 1pm. The hike out crossed two big bridges in the blazing sun and then went up steeply onto a ridge. At the first shelter where we took a break we met a young man named Drop Off. Having inquired into the name I learned that his parents had woken him up to go to breakfast. Drove him 3 hours and left him at the trail with all the gear they had prepared. They said hike for a month and you will be ungrounded! The rest of the hiking for the day was pretty flat but rocky and we arrived at Peter's Mt. Around 7pm. Found Spammy, Boss, Earl, and Spammy's parents there. Had a great time catching up before tenting and going to bed on a hot night.PA birds: 8 New species: 3 (Black-capped Chickadee, Great Egret, Forster's Tern)PA list: 75 Trip list: 129
Date: 2009-05-23
From: Peters Mt. Shelter

To: Swatara State Park
Miles today: 23.5

Had a poptart breakfast before going back over to the shelter to say goodbye to Spammy, Boss, and Earl. They are visiting home for a few days and will likely be behind for a while. Took some picks, congratulated Earl (dog) on his 825 miles as he will not be returning and departed. Hiking was flat and downhill for the first 6.5 miles to a road crossing. It was here that we ran into a few day hikers who recognized me from the Episcopal lacrosse shirt I wear. It turns out that one of the mens' names was Jim Christie and his brother was an EA alum of '66. On top of that he lives on Mill Creek Road not 400 yards from our house...small world. Shortly after that talk the trail followed along an old mining road that made the hiking easy. We stopped for lunch around noon. The trail continued to be easy all the way to Rausch Gap Shelter where at 4:30 we decided to have a spot of dinner. We used the troughed cold spring water right in front of the shelter to help our Vanilla Pudding "pud" for dessert. I had to mention this because it was some of the best pudding I have ever encountered. Energized by our meal we decided to hike a few more miles and see where we got. Saw lots of Memorial Day weekenders camping as we went along and also ran into Boof setting up the tent. We ultimately went 5 miles and found a nice pine grove off the trail just inside the state park. It is so hot in this tent that the sleeping bag may never come out of the stuff sack. I'm currently spread eagled in underwear and sweating from typing the journal. Birdman as usual is asleep in any conditions...and snoring.PA birds: 3 New species: 0PA list: 79