morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-07-15
From: near Carlisle, PA

To:  By a solid water source not noted in my guidebook
Miles today: 10.0

Baseball is 90 percent mental, the other half is physical. Yogi Berra   Hiking in the heat is 98% mental.   I'm soaked, my feet can't wait to get into my Crocs and my pack feels like it weighs a ton, even though I tossed some unwanted food.   My legs felt heavy earlier today.    It's too hot to write so here's a synopsis of today:   Things I liked: butterflies, ferns, mushrooms of all colors, cornfields, waving at trucks on I-81 until one blew the horn, cold water, a piped spring, an unexpected water source, laughing, my music, pouring water on my head, my umbrella that became a parasol, a stream to wash my dirty legs in, my book, the beautiful trail and good snacks from my pocket.    Things I didn't like: a horsefly that bit me and that it was a little hot out.    I packed in a Sprite so I'm gonna enjoy that now. It's all good when you finally stop on a hot day. Tie Dye PS. It's later now and I also like my tent without the rainfly. I can see the trees and stars. I don't really like that a black snake was hanging around here.
Date: 2013-07-16
From:  By a solid water source not noted in my guidebook

To: Duncannon, PA, US 22/322, Hotel Doyle
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Beer is proof that god loves us and wants us to be happy. Ben Franklin      Beer, Gatorade and water sustained me today. The central PA heatwave continues, and this forces us to keep hydration as the #1 priority.   We walked over rocky trail and in rising temps right into the bar at the Hotel Doyle in Duncannon, PA. The place was packed with thristy hikers.   The Doyle is one of those iconic places--the AT goes right by it and most hikers stop in, at least for a while. We set our packs down and joined the crowd at the bar. Vicki and Jim, who run the place, set us up with schooners of Yuengling and baskets of fried chicken, fish, fries and hush puppies.    Duncannon is a rust belt town, and the Doyle has seen better days. The multi-story building has wrap around porches on the second floor and guest rooms are available on the third. The catch is -- no air conditioning.   You'd think we would skip this spot in favor of almost anything else in the middle of a heat wave. However, other options included a campground at the river or a couple of motels on a busy highway several miles away. After a couple of schooners we opted to stay. At least the rooms had fans.    I took a shuttle to the local market and did laundry at a laundromat.   It was blazing hot, but resting in a room without air was not happening. The only A/C was in the bar, so we headed back there for dinner. It was packed with locals in for happy hour. We hydrated with more schooners and ate dinner.    Late night chat with other hikers occurred on the second floor porch as it was cooler there than inside. It was gonna be a long night. At least there was a serviceable shared bathroom with shower. Let me be clear: serviceable included cobwebs everywhere, a fair amount of dirt on everything and bags of trash that had not been removed.   Only hikers would embrace this place.       I set myself in front of the fan in my room and hoped for the best. It's all good when a 22 oz. schooner goes for $3.50 in the air conditioned bar at the Doyle. Tie (Extra pix)
Date: 2013-07-17
From: Duncannon, PA, US 22/322, Hotel Doyle

To: On the way to Pine Grove, stealth camp site 
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: broken clouds

If you are going through hell, keep going. Winston Churchill   Heat wave, day three. No surprise, last night was a low sleep night at the Doyle. Got up early and walked out of town, trying to take advantage of the morning hours.       We stopped in at a gas station to stock up on Gatorade and water. You can keep items cold inside your pack by wrapping them in unused clothing and burying them under the first layer of your stuff. Just keep the refrigerator door closed (pack top) and things stay reasonably cold. It's a huge bonus on a hot day like today to have something that's even slightly cold.    I crossed the beautiful Susquehanna river outside of town. The AT is on PA State Game Lands in this area and lots of other trails cross it. We hiked until early afternoon. It was very hot when we stopped for lunch. I lay on my ThermaRest and napped as it was too hot to hike and I hadn't slept much last night.    After this respite, we walked on. It was sweat city, carrying my pack in the heat. We actually sat in a creek for a bit to cool off.   We hiked into the early evening, eventually making camp after finding a water source. I wasn't hungry, but made a mac 'n cheese dinner to keep the calories going. It didn't seem much cooler when the sun set. I used my tent with the footprint only, no rainfly. This kept the bugs out and allowed for some ventilation.    I was tired out, and fell asleep at hiker midnight (8 p.m.). It was still so hot. It's all good? Just too hot.Tie(Extra pix)
Date: 2013-07-18
From: On the way to Pine Grove, stealth camp site 

To: Pine Grove, PA
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: light rain

Dear Lord, if you pick 'em up, I'll put 'em down. Hiker's prayer      It never really cooled off much after sunset last night. I was wide awake at 1:30 a.m. after a few hours of sleep. I heard Alex stirring then came the query "Sister, you up?" "Yep, you?" "Uh huh"   "You up for a night hike?"       Brilliant. No one is sleeping anyway, and it's not gonna get any cooler so we might as well move on. He made coffee and I packed up in darkness. After a cuppa and a handful of nuts and granola I was ready to go. Headlamps on, we made our way slowly.    We started hiking around 3 a.m. and it was probably the coolest part of the day. No bugs, either. We were determined to reach a town to escape the relentless heat. Neither of us had slept much for two nights and the forecast was still bad--no real break in this weather pattern yet.    We could have gone to Lickdale, PA, from Swatara Gap, but opted to go further for better services in Pine Grove. We needed to resupply and there were more options there. Night hiking takes care, but my headlamp lit the way and it was better to make progress than to lay in my tent, sweating.   Things were OK until sunrise. Then the fun began.    We had miles to go and the gnats swarmed us. Applying bug spray was marginally effective. Frequent applications helped, but when I hit a sunny patch of trail , my skin wouldn't sweat right. Ick and double ick. I was also trying to eat food as I walked, but was not too thrilled with another protein bar. I forced it down. I had an apple and I enjoyed that.       I am also down one trek pole. On the hike into Pine Grove Furnace the other day the bottom section of one pole wouldn't tighten up correctly. It's broken, and I'm trying to contact Leki about a repair. Still waiting to hear from them.         After many hours of hiking we eventually reached a road that would take us to Pine Grove. We were going to town and to the air conditioned world. It was blazing hot again and we were beat up from the rocks, gnats, heat, DEET and from lack of sleep.   Comfort Inn, here we come. We will stay two nights, as tomorrow's forecast is the same as today. Ick, ick, ick.    Pizza, McDonalds, a shower and sleep are on my agenda. I'm not going outside again today.   No way. It's all very good in air conditioned Pine Grove. Tie
Date: 2013-07-19
From: Pine Grove, PA

To: Pine Grove, PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Needs vs. wants. The essence of hiker behavior. We choose to live in an environment reduced to the bare necessities. A tent. Food. Minimal clothing. A lightweight stove. Water filtration gear or purification drops. A sleep system. Most carry a few luxuries--mine include a towel, baby powder, a real tweezers and a Kindle or a book. A phone used to be considered a luxury, but not any more.    By the time you've covered 1100 miles you've been exposed to many opportunities to opt for more luxuries (wants). Towns beckon. Trail magic spoils you. And so on. What happens, and I've seen it many times, is that sometimes needs and wants get confused. Behaviors that would never occur in one's other life surface.    At the hotel in Pine Grove a hiker arrived from home, having nursed an injury for three weeks. She came to meet a couple of hiking friends, but wanted to resume her hike at Delaware Water Gap, a distance of about 100 miles further up the AT. Many hikers are at the hotel, revising plans and making decisions about going forward in the heat. Some are arranging slack packs. Others talk of jumping ahead to DWG. The arrival of a hiker AND CAR causes antennae to go up. Cars are great! You can get stuff easily, can go places to hike without your pack or can shuttle forwarrd--suddenly wants become needs. But how to obtain this? One must connive, convince and connect with the car/hiker.    In this instance, the car/hiker ended up with five other hikers who wished to get to DWG and continue hiking there. Her car, however, could only fit three + packs reasonably. Plus, there is the issue of what to do with the car once at DWG. Long term parking? This requires arrangements to ensure safety and availability to leave a car for a few months.      Where to stay? The hostel there only accommodates arrivals on foot. No one had thought this through, but hikers are a determined lot. Wanna get to DWG? Just put all six in the car. Parking? Not my problem. Car/hiker will be stuck with five friends on the way, and zero at the destination. I've seen this in action many times. We want what we want, feel deprived (didn't we choose to hike, tho?) and the heck with someone else's reality.    Last I heard, the group of six all piled into a single room for another night while details were being worked out. Rooms are expensive and one pair had been there since Wednesday. A shuttle of three to DWG one day and three the next didn't happen. Grumbling abounds.....   This dynamic is played out over and over in many ways. Wants vs. needs. It's all good with AI on the crossover. Tie
Date: 2013-07-29
From: Hike Interruption

To: Hike Interruption
Miles today: 0.0

Alex and I stacked family matters back to back. After logging over 2500 road miles in these two weeks, we are exhausted but ready to get back to hiking.   He lost a beloved member of his extended family and we traveled to the Midwest for the gathering to celebrate the life of a special person.         As that process was concluding, I learned that my mother was critically ill. We drove to Northern VA to attend to this crisis. After helping there for two days, Alex returned to his home in the south.       We will regroup on Sunday, 8/4, and make a plan for the next part of this hike.       It's been a long couple of weeks. I spent a little down time in another stylist's chair.       It's all good when families are together, helping one another.       Tie      (Extra photo. Go back once using "previous")
Date: 2013-07-31
From: Hike Interruption

To: Hike Interruption
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

You know what? Stopping hiking is sorta complicated. In our case, mail management was an issue. We had packages waiting at the Port Clinton and Delaware Water Gap post offices. Some had been held since mid-July. I had the DWG post office forward a package from home and another from Leki (yeah! my trek pole replacement parts) to my brother's home in VA.    The other two were trickier. One was our bounce box, mailed from the Boiling Springs PO using regular mail services. The other was Alex's new shoes. They'd been sent to the Port Clinton PO via UPS. Normally post offices won't accept UPS packages but the Port Clinton PO did. This was great, because Alex was due for new hiking shoes and had been waiting for them. He'd developed a sore shin on the last long 20 mile day into Pine Grove and wanted to avoid more miles in his worn shoes.    I took another road trip to pick up these boxes. There is a huge Cabela's outdoor store close to Port Clinton so I stopped in to try on some new shoes too. My boots are nearly gone--so sad for me and my difficult feet, but they've served me well for the first half of this journey. The round trip took a while and I passed underneath the AT on Route 70. I waved and honked.    I miss hiking.    It's all good at the US Postal Service. They're great!Tie(Extra photo)
Date: 2013-08-01
From: Hike Interruption

To: Hike Interruption (sigh)
Miles today: 0.0

Never, never, never, never give up.   Winston Churchill   I've been a non-hiker for nearly two weeks now. I'm losing my trail legs. I actually miss mac 'n cheese. I really miss my tent. There's not much I don't miss except maybe the gnats and skeeters. But, I'll get 'em--been buying DEET and permethrin spray to treat my gear. Also got a few other necessary items and will pick out some new shoes (gulp--my feet are hoping for the best).    Here's hoping that I'll be back hiking again within the week.    It's all good when you dream about the AT.    Tie
Date: 2013-08-02
From: Hike Interruption (sigh)

To: Hike Interruption 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

This is what you shall do: be loyal to what you love, be true to the earth, fight your enemies with passion and laughter. Edward Abbey      I am struggling with the reality of endless traffic and congested roads. Ick, ack and double that. Today I was making good time on my return trip from the Port Clinton PO. Around the bend, however, the highway was a mess. Accident ahead. I pulled off at the nearest exit and realized that I was very close to the Dogpatch Tavern. Alex and I had walked there and had enjoyed lunch on a hot day. So. Off I went.    The bartender recognized me, even with the short haircut. Wanted to know where Alex was and demanded a full update. I obliged over a beer and some excellent chicken fingers. Hanging with the bikers in the tavern was much better than hanging out in traffic!!   It's all great at the Dogpatch.    Tie.
Date: 2013-08-03
From: Hike Interruption 

To: Return to the AT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I am returning to my hike with new footwear. Here's hoping that the change will be a good one. A couple of housekeeping points: 1. I'm going to keep this series of entries brief to catch up.2. I am hiking northbound. No flip-flop.3. For my ease, I will add all the mileage to the entry on 8/10/13.4. Maine will be there whenever I arrive.5. This is shaping up to be a long first thru hike. I've established a hiking style and plan to stick with       it as it works for me. 6.   I'm ever grateful for all the positive input and support I've received. THANK YOU!It's all good when you can hike another day on the AT.Tie
Date: 2013-08-04
From: Return to the AT

To: Return to the AT
Miles today: 0.0

We received help from Kelly to get back to the trail. It was more complicated than I expected, but it had been over two weeks since I'd hiked. Reorganizing my pack, breaking in new shoes, adding a couple of new gear items and getting food were on my agenda.   Returning also meant breaking in "new" trail legs.   Ack.It's all good, even when your legs and feet are hurting from lack of use.Tie
Date: 2013-08-05
From: Return to the AT

To: East Stroudsburg, PA
Miles today: 0.0

I have been blessed along this entire journey with the help of many wonderful people.   The best trail angels ever have to be Olive Oly's parents.   O2 and I hiked together way back in the beginning. We've kept in touch periodically. She is from East Stroudsburg and her parents are the kindest and most thoughtful trail supporters.      Her parents slacked us from Delaware Gap into NJ. It was an hour drive one way to meet up after our hike and bring us our packs. They accommodated our schedule, dropped us off in the morning with fresh muffins, bananas and cheerful well wishes and brought us plenty of fresh water at the end of our day. They understood everything about hiker needs and we are so grateful for their help. Walking without our packs gives us more time to get our legs back.    It was a wonderful day for me, too, as I finally hiked into NJ. It's been a long time coming.   Alex and I send our thanks to two amazing people.   Wow, you guys are the best of the best!It's all good and then it gets amazing with trail angels like O2's parents.Tie
Date: 2013-08-06
From: East Stroudsburg, PA

To: A few miles beyond the Mohican Outdoor Center, NJ
Miles today: 0.0

Walking into Jerz required walking around some noisy construction activity in PA. That's my final image of that state--and I'm happy to walk over the bridge and to return to NJ after moving away last summer. Yes! The land of good bagels and pizza, interesting politics and amazing beauty along the AT's route in the northern part of the state.   It's all good in New Jersey.Tie(extra pix)
Date: 2013-08-07
From: A few miles beyond the Mohican Outdoor Center, NJ

To: AT in NJ
Miles today: 0.0

It's great to be back and following the white blazes again. I've missed hiking. It's taking a while to get my trail legs back and my pack seems heavy. Actually, it is very heavy. I am going to go through it carefully and ditch anything I'm not really using.   It's all good.Tie
Date: 2013-08-08
From: AT in NJ

To: Sunfish Pond, NJ
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

The area around Sunfish Pond is beautiful. New Jersey has some very scenic trail and this part was a favorite of mine. Along one side rock cairns had been built up over the years.   It was eerie but also strangely beautiful. No one else was around and the skies were overcast, adding to the mood.   We've seen a few other hikers, and a couple of SOBOs. We'll see more and more of them as we head north. I realized that this hike was about the journey early on--way back in April sometime, after I thawed out from the initial ice age portion. I don't want to go north and become a southbounder. I'm happy to take my time, as I've done thus far, and enjoy every day. Yes, for me every day is a good day because I'm still here. Each day is a gift.It's all good, and Maine will be there when I arrive.Tie(extra pix)
Date: 2013-08-09
From: Sunfish Pond, NJ

To: Branchville, NJ
Miles today: 0.0

It rained again and our gear was wet. More rain was forecast so we headed to town to dry out overnight. Branchville, NJ is not what I'd call hiker friendly but we found a place to eat and then headed to the dumpiest motel yet. This place was a pit, but at least it was a dry pit. It rained hard all night and guess what? I slept better than I have in years. Amazing to wake up at a normal morning time and to feel rested. I have forgotten what that feels like.   I caught up with my BFF and she became our trail angel for these two days. Whatever I needed. I am so blessed with this forever friend.   She is prepping for company but took time out to give me and Alex a two day slack, an overnight at her home, fresh homemade chicken noodle soup and the best girl talk conversation in a long time. I've missed her so much and we spent time catching up on the many changes in our lives.   The extra days of slacking are allowing us to regain the legs but also to break in new shoes. I picked up Alex's new shoes when I was off the trail and we have been checking hot spots and taping any potential problem areas. He has taught me so much about foot care. He takes better care of his feet than any hiker I've met thus far. He has put thousands of miles on his feet, so I'm learning from an expert.It's all good when you have a BFF who is willing to drop everything for you!! BEST!Tie
Date: 2013-08-10
From: Branchville, NJ

To: Chester, NJ (home of my BFF)
Miles today: 154.6
Weather: moderate rain

Well, it's raining again. Big rain. The trail is a river. My umbrella is on it's last legs. I'm so happy to be out here again. Love the trail. Love my new shoes. Love hiking. Even love the rain because it's not cold. Better this than the heat wave.   No complaints. : )   Onward.It's all good.TiePS. Alex and I are still experiencing sore legs and feet. Anyone out there know of possible help for continued slacks into NY? We have been able to alternate pack days and slack days, and it helps tremendously! Headed to Vernon, NJ next......
Date: 2013-08-17
From: Chester, NJ (home of my BFF)

To: US 9 and NY 403
Miles today: 63.3

I'm not dead yet. Monty Python   I'm nearly 2/3 way through this amazing journey. I've recently hiked on boardwalks and rock slabs, in beautiful forest and a through a zoo. Crossed the Hudson River on a fantastic day and enjoyed the view up the river. The bridge was beautiful, too.    I've got a new umbrella and my Salomons are working out well. The parts for my trek pole arrived so that's 100% again. All is well. Very well.    I've loved the nicer weather I'm experiencing in NY and NJ. Stopped in Vernon, NJ and Warwick, NY. Liked both towns, especially Vernon, which is very hiker friendly. The church hostel there was fantastic.    My trail strength is returning. My legs are pretty good but my pack still feels heavy. Getting the cardio and body strength going is taking a little longer. No worries -- for me, this is how this hike is shaping up. It looks to be a seven monther, at least. That's fine with me. I'm enjoying all of it! It's gonna get colder but already the bugs are less bothersome. Hoping the high heat is gone for good. That last mountain (what was the name?) isn't going anywhere and I'm headed that way. Should be in CT in a few days.    I've seen some SOBOs and will see more. Right now I'm right next to the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center. It's run by the Franciscans. From my tent I can look up and see a large dormitory building on a hill, just above the trees. With the glow of this morning's sunrise, it reminded me of a Tibetan monastery. Beautiful.    I've been too tired to journal daily and I miss writing but something's gotta give. Walking, cooking/eating, making and breaking camp, planning the day's path--all these things take most of my allotment of daily energy at the moment. I'm going to try to update periodically and post photos with lengthier captions. (Although my phone/camera has been acting up lately also, resulting in fewer pix than I'd like. I have an iPhone4 and am in total phone envy of Alex's new Samsung Galaxy. It's far superior).    So that's my story. I'm lovin' my hike and look forward to every day. It's all good. Tie (Extra pix)
Date: 2013-09-15
From: Campsite near Rt. 41, Salisbury, CT

To: Killington, VT
Miles today: 204.3

If one does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away. Henry David Thoreau   It's beautiful in New England right now.   I'm so glad I'm here. Forget rain, forget rooty, rocky & slippery trail. Here's mud in your eye.    It's all good.    It's all amazing.    It's all truly exceptional on every       level -- and for me, that goes far      beyond the surface, deep into a      very personal place.       Adventure is worthwhile in itself.    Amelia EarhartTie(Extra pix)PS. More posts coming......