morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-05-28
From: Dicks Dome

To: Bears Den
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Dicks Dome to Bear DenIt sounded like rain last night but the storm is avoided. The tent is dry but my stuff is all over the place in the morning. The camp is quiet and the air cool. The birds are still singing when I finally get outside my tent. They¢ve been singing since before the light. I start my doxycycline today. Hope the side effects won¢t be bad. I start walking late, almost reluctantly. It¢s hot and humid. The sweat hangs like a wool sweater. It is absolutely a miserable day to be outside, let alone hiking with a pack. Oh boy did I call it. The hike is hot and humid and the trail is suffocating. I can¢t breathe, I can¢t walk, and I am in trouble. I reach the highway and get walking down to Doc¢s to have some food and drink. I need to use the restroom many times. I finally make it to the Bear Den and catch Flick, Golden Boy and Ninja! I have had many problems today; I lost my cell phone and then found it. I¢ve pulled many small ticks off me. I am now showered, fed and my laundry is in. I am whole again. I have the will to go on again. I look forward to the next section which will take me out of Virginia and into Harpers Ferry. I loved Virginia. I saw winter turn into spring and spring turn into summer. I watched the leaves come in, I watched the wildflowers bloom and walked in the perfumed forest. I have walked with wonderful companions and made close friends. I have fallen in love with Virginia. It has been a long journey through the state, I have made many changes and have experienced much. I will miss Virginia. Thank you Virginia, you are beautiful. The adventure gets better every day.I thank you all for your patience with the lag in communication. I thank you all for your Guest Book entries.Peace, Love and Bacon Grease
Date: 2007-05-30
From: Harpers Ferry, WV

To: Ed Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Harpers Ferry to Ed Garvey Shelter 7 miOur new group consisting of Golden Boy, Flick, Ninja, Flick¢s sister Audrey and Stinky meet at the ATC office where a photographer from the Washington Post talks to us and takes many photos for an article on thru hikers and the ATC. After we say our goodbyes to Flick¢s parents (who are planning a motorcycle ride through the park) we walk down through the historic town and out into the shade of a large tree before heading out over the river and down a towpath along the river. It¢s hot, we break along the river, then continue up along the ridge climbing into nice forest to the Ed Garvey Shelter. Here we pick our spots and settle in for the night. Another group called the Night Riders are here along with Spence and two section hikers. I make a nice campfire which Golden Boy thinks is too large. It¢s still hot so maybe he¢s right and I am sweating. I am ready to rest again and go to my bag.
Date: 2007-05-31
From: Ed Garvey Shelter

To: Dahlgren Backpack Campground
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Ed Garvey Shelter to Dahlgren Backpack Campground 11.1 miI wake to a slow starting group. Everyone is asleep. After cleaning up the firepit and stacking the remaining firewood. I get organized to get going. The hike is through nice forest along a ridge, gently rolling toward the Gathland State Park. The park has restrooms, big shade trees and drink vending machines. Since it¢s going to be hot, a long break begins and doesn¢t end until late afternoon. It¢s hard to get going in the heat but we hike on in the shade of the forest, so it¢s not too bad. We hike apart, arriving at White Rock Cliff where we reunite and break. Flick and Golden Boy practice climbing up the cliff, then we decide to hike again. About an hour and a half later we reach the Dahlgren Backpack Campground and settle in. The campground is to the left of the trail and is a clearing with 6 picnic tables and firepits. There is a building with flush toilets and showers. We are set. A shower tonight and a good rest before starting out tomorrow.
Date: 2007-06-01
From: Dahlgren Backpack Campground

To: Annapolis Rock Campsite
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Dahlgren Backpack Campground to Annapolis Rock CampsiteI start the day with a long shower. I am clean! Everything is packed but we aren¢t leaving camp. It¢s a long time and no one is motivated to leave. Golden Boy and Stinky are hitching out to get Stinky to her car in Waynesboro. Spence and Ninja decide to hitch into town for pizza or something like that. Flick, Audrey and I hike on. The are is nice, then you find yourself walking between backyards and across an interstate, then under a bridge by another interstate. It¢s not my favorite section. We stopped at the old Washington Monument and climbed up for the great view. It¢s a nice park. We took a break at the Pine Knob Shelter and hiked on, deciding to check out the Annapolis Rock area. We found a nice group campsite and chose our tent sites. We then went to a cliff and cooked dinner. The scenery was nice. A large cloud was expanding in front of us. It appear to be a thunderhead. We head back to our camp and secure everything. I am in my tent listening to the approaching thunderstorm. The thunder and lightening gives us a good show and promise of cool rain. The show becomes active, more intense, then a soft rain comes. I lie her wishing the storm would five us as much as it can. Please bring a cooling trend. The rain continues falling through the dense foliage. The drops increase in size and the drumming becomes louder. With this the air begins to cool, bringing comfort and relief. Tomorrow we will hike to Waynesboro. Tomorrow I will strive to get up earlier.
Date: 2007-06-02
From: Annapolis Rock Campsite

To: PenMar Park
Miles today: 0.0

Annapolis Rocks Camp to PenMar Park 16.2 miIt did rain pretty hard last night and my tent has some dirt and mud splashed up on it. The tent is wet but it stuffs easily and I am off again. Walking out of the camp area I stop to see the view, then press on. The rocks are slippery this morning. It is humid with no breeze. It doesn¢t take long to reach the Ensign Cowell Shelter where I get a great break. It¢s still humid and the song birds are happy and singing. I think I¢ll have an early lunch and write in the shelter register. Flick and Audrey, Spence and Ninja have caught up and are breaking also. There are a lot of day hikers on the trail today. Golden Boy should be dropped off back at Dahlgren and he will try to catch up today. I hike out alone and run into a rocky stretch. The section requires full attention and good balance. There are some sections where there are many rocks and the trail is not obvious. It¢s blazed pretty good so I am able to navigate and eventually break free into some more reasonable trail. About 5 pm I break out of the forest and into the park. Someone is having a wedding so it is culture shock to walk out of the forest with a pack and and shirtless and encounter many dressed up people wearing dresses and tuxedos. The thru hikers sit on picnic benches and watch the surreal scene. PenMar Park is very nice with a pavilion over looking a scenic vista. We are excited to get into town. Gregg and his wife Nina, who we met at the Jim and Molly Denton Shelter, offered trail magic when we reached here. We had called ahead and advised about our schedule so we were in luck. Gregg sent his son to pick us up. When we arrived at Gregg and Nina¢s home we were quickly welcomed and made to feel at home. Gregg had planned a feast for us. He even arranged for vegetarian food for the vegetarian friends. The rest of us ate steak, potatoes, salad, chocolate cake and ice cream. We also drank much wine and beer and sat out having a great time. We took care of all our chores except food resupply and rested well.
Date: 2007-06-03
From: Pen Mar Park

To: Waynesboro PA (Penn Mar Rd)
Miles today: 202.1

Mrs. BW reporting. BW, Flick, Flick's sister and friend, and Golden Boy (there maybe some others too) are staying at a trail angel's house today off the Penn Mar Road in Waynesboro PA. They met this family at a shelter earlier in the hike and were promised a ride and accommodations when they got to this point. So, of course they did not pass up such hospitality and have had a lovely day. While BW was in Harper's Ferry he and his travelling buddies were interviewed and photographed by a reporter from the Washington Post. The article appears in today's issue and can be seen online. Apparently Bushwhacker was edited out as no mention of him nor any photo appears. Was it the beard?? There were 3 photos that accompanied the article, I posted one of Flick and his sister on the previous Harper's Ferry journal entry.I will be entering the missing days' notes in the next week, but I caught up the mileage total with this entry. They will be hiking through PA in the next week and I will be meeting with him on Tuesday, at which time (weather permitting) Taken and grandson Eli will join him on his hike for a few days. I will follow along with the car and with 2 younger grandsons. We are hoping to meet BW around Boiling Springs or maybe at Pine Grove Furnace State Park for the ice cream challenge.Zero at Waynesboro PABreakfast and food resupply were on our list today. Gregg gave us the weather report and it isn¢t good. Rain is forecast and begins to fall. We decide to zero. Flick¢s sister Audrey is picked up by her parents and they drive home today. The had driven south through the park on their motorcycles. They seem happy. Audrey was an excellent hiker, very strong and competent. We had a good time. Stinky is staying with us and returning home tomorrow. I promised Stinky a shout out so: YO YO YO Stinky is in the house! Stinky and her sister Lindsey drove us to and from Trail Days and spent a wonderful weekend there with our group. We called our campsite ¢Camp Quiet.: Stinky will help us out again tomorrow by driving us to the trailhead, then probably drive home. We plan a dinner tonight. Golden Boy us the chef tonight and cooks up a pasta dish with shrimp and sausage. We all join in and become sous chefs for the night. It¢s a great dinner and we sit around the dining room table enjoying the food and company. Gregg and Nina¢s generosity and love is very amazing and much appreciated by all. Gregg talks about having us at his lake cabin in the Poconos. It¢s just amazing. Everyone is happy and looking forward to passing another good time in the Poconos. We resupply today and the plan is to let this weather system pass, then start back tomorrow morning.
Date: 2007-06-04
From: Waynesboro PA (Penn Mar Rd)

To: Tumbling Run Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Waynesboro to Tumbling Run Shelter 8.2 miI am first up, calling Lynne early to find out about her plans. Last night late she told me about a complication she had to work out. Our a/c air handler had started sparking last night and smelled like it was on fire. It broke down. She had to have a repairman come at 10pm on a Sunday night, and it has to be replaced. She is leaving this morning so has had to make arrangements for the repair to be made while she is gone. Good thing it broke before she left! Lynne, Taken, Eli, Bentley and Zane are driving today and we will meet Tuesday afternoon. Taken is planning to hike with us for a short while. I hope she likes this section. We will soon reach the half way point and I am excited. We are driven to PenMar Park and get organized and pick up water. We say goodbye to Stinky, who is driving back to Ohio, to Spence who left the house to m eet a friend and go to Pittsburgh, and to Gregg who is going home. We all thank Gregg for his hospitality and head out singly into the forest. My pack is heavy today and I have difficulty getting the juices flowing. The sweat flows freely but I need time to loosen up and embrace the hike again. It¢s always hard when you take time off and leave town with a full, loaded, heavy pack. The trail is nice through this section. The rocks are slippery from the rain and moisture. I walk alone until I arrive at the first shelters. We break at Deer Lick Shelters then hike out stopping just past the Antietam Shelter to play with Flick¢s Frisbee. We then hike into the Tumbling Run Shelters where we move into the ¢snoring¢ shelter. There¢s two very nicely maintained shelters here, one is for snorers, the other is for nonsnorers. They comfortably hold 4 people each. There¢s a picnic table between them and clothes lines behind each. We are staying. Dinner and conversation are enjoyed and thena small fire is made and we sit talking and tending to reading, planning and getting ready to rest. The floor of the shelter has just been sanded and varnished. There are no bugs or mice and we sleep soundly. I call Lynne and she is on her way planning to meet us tomorrow afternoon.
Date: 2007-06-05
From: Tumbling Run Shelter

To: Quarry Gap Shelters
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Tumbling Run Shelters to Quarry Gap Shelters 12.2I wake to the songbirds and the singing creek. It is very peaceful here. As I go out to the picnic table to write this I can hear the bugs flying around in the distance and the sound of the caterpillars munching in the trees and their poop dropping like raindrops. We will leave soon and will walk up to Chimney Rocks, then down to Caledonia State Park where I will meet my family. The walk through the forest is pleasant and I enjoy it as we head towards the park. Flick and Golden Boy stop to climb boulders and different rock formations and I forge on through many rock fields. Ninja went ahead long ago so we didn¢t run into her all morning. I cross the highway and soon enter into Caledonia Park where I see Ninja waiting at a picnic table. I call Lynne to obtain her location and find out she is close, about to enter the park. I walk over to the parking lot and see her pulling in as I arrive. Perfect Timing! Ninja waits to tell Flick and Golden Boy where we are. They arrive soon after and we plan on going to the Pizza restaurant. I shake down my pack getting rid of my rain pants, my long johns, a pair of socks, my vest, a long sleeve shirt, and an insulated mug. We spread out Eli and Taken¢s gear on the picnic table and get them ready to hike. It was done in a flash. We then moved on for pizza. Lynne¢s car was stuffed so Flick, Ninja and Golden Boy decided to walk. Lynne said she would make two trips, but they started off walking as Ninja was starving and it was a short walk down the road. We drive and order our lunch and then Flick and Golden Boy arrive without Ninja, who had decided to walk ahead after they had taken a wrong turn. After lunch, Lynne drives me to the state distributor center where I procure a case of lager. We all meet back at the park, and Taken and Eli gear up. We hike into the forest after saying goodbye to Lynne, Bentley and Zane. They have met a trail angel family who has invited them to spend the night at their home, Smell the Roses. We only have to hike around two miles to the shelter where we will spend the night. Taken, Eli and I stay on the right side of the shelter, we have a firewood gathering and then a nice campfire. I am happy to have Taken and Eli with me. As we go to bed, Taken and I talk late into the night. I try to catch her up on all the trail gossip and group dynamics. There are many funny stories to tell and many issues that I try to explain. I wonder if it all sounds strange and crazy. I know we are living on the edge in the forest and many things don¢t make sense. Taken understands because she too has been here and knows that Trail World is another dimension
Date: 2007-06-06
From: Quarry Gap Shelters

To: Toms Run Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Quarry Gap Shelter to Toms Run Shelter 13.6 miThis morning I wake with Taken and Eli at this beautiful shelter. We have a morning fire and enjoy its warmth while eating breakfast and getting ready to start our hiking day. Eli is full of energy waking Golden Boy by throwing the Frisbee at his tent. I enjoy the day with Taken and Eli hiking through beautiful southern PA forest. The mountain laurel is blooming and the morning is filled with the sound of song birds singing their welcome to our guests. The trail gently rolls and is a pleasure to walk on. At a road crossing with a parking lot we come upon Lynne parked there with drinks and we trade Taken for Lynne. Taken takes Bentley and Zane and Lynne takes the pack and equipment and joins us on the trail. Lynne and I walk close and talk while soaking the beauty in around us. Eli runs ahead to walk fast with Golden Boy and Flick. We arrive at the Toms Run shelter and are the only ones there. We enjoy dinner and a campfire and then go to bed. It was a wonderful day getting to walk first with Taken and then with Lynne.
Date: 2007-06-07
From: Toms Run Shelter

To: James Fry Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

Toms Run Shelter to James Fry Shelter 10.9 miToday I walk with Lynne through a beautiful PA forest with many blooming mountain laurels and other fragrant flowing plants. We pass old stone remains of a large building and explore the area then walk on past several cabins along the trail. We arrive at Pine Grove Furnace state park and find the grocery store where the 12 gallon ice cream challenge is attempted. Golden Boy, Flick, Eli and I take the challenge. The ice cream cools me to the core even though it is a warm day. I am shivering when I finish. I complete the challenge in 27 minutes and receive my 12 gallon challenge wooden spoon. I was planning on eating lunch but feel full of ice cream. After a nice break we go to the swimming lake where there¢s a nice sand beach. The batch appears popular with local families and there is the sound of happy swimmers filling the air. The water is cool at first but turns out to be perfect and very refreshing. From this point Eli continues walking with me, Flick and Pythagoras. We stop at the half way marker for photos and and high fives and then continue. Flick has carried hot dogs and when we arrive at the shelter we cook them over the campfire. Eli and I set up the tent and retire for the night.
Date: 2007-06-08
From: James Fry Shelter

To: US 11 Footbridge
Miles today: 0.0

James Fry to US 11 FootbridgeEli and I wake to a camp mostly vacated by early departing hikers. Flick is here and we break camp. Flick leaves ahead of us and Eli and I continue on. We decide to walk to a general store where we enjoy hamburgers for breakfast. Lynne and Taken pick up Eli here and we go on to Boiling Springs where we sit in the shade enjoying the ducks and swans at the lake. The spring fed lake is cool and we wade to keep comfortable. By the Rt 11 footbridge Lynne takes me to an outfitter where I replace my tent stakes then resupply for the day so I can hike to Duncannon tomorrow. Lynne, Taken, Bentley and Zane drive off leaving me at the Super 8 for the night. I feel like everything is dirty and smelly after so many hot days and I prewash my clothes and then do my laundry. I wash my pack in the bathtub and then organize all my freshly cleaned equipment. Golden Boy and Flick stay in another room and we agree to meet tomorrow at seven for breakfast. We plan on an 8am departure. I get a few hours sleep since I am up late finishing with my chores.
Date: 2007-06-09
From: US 11 Footbridge

To: Duncannon PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

US 11 to Duncannon 17.6 miWe meet for breakfast and I am packed and ready to go. I start out by myself enjoying an early start and cooler temperatures this morning. The walk takes me across the Cumberland Valley then back into the forest and up a nice ridge. Up aways I reach a nice rock bench with an excellent view back across the valley. You clan see way back from here and I sit in the shade enjoying a nice break. This is a special view point. After talking to some hikers for awhile I continue my hike passing the side trail to the Darlington Shelter. The forest is pleasant today. The Gypsy Moth caterpillars are aggressively denuding the forest. I can hear the sound of falling leaf parts and caterpillar poop hitting the ground. In places the oak trees are without leaves and the sun bakes the forest floor and me. I am glad that I picked up a new hat since the doxycycline has made my sensitive to the sun. I am sad that the caterpillars are killing the forest and wish something could be done. I encourage everyone to talk this up with the ATC and the PATC maybe they can lobby to have these pests sprayed before we lose many beautiful trees. Please contact your representative in DC and see if something can be done. I continue north reaching the trail to the Cove Mountain Shelter. It¢s steep down and after awhile I give up on the shelter and turn around heading up the steep trail finding a nice cliff woith a cool breeze. This is my late lunch stop and it is perfect for refueling and resting a few minutes. The next stop is Hawk Rock where there¢s a great view of Duncannon, the river and surrounding area. The air is clear and the view is long range. I set off for my final push reaching Duncannon around 5. I walk into town heading for the Doyle where I hope to find a glass of ice water. I¢ve been thinking about the ice water for the last 5 miles. Vickie welcomes me with a glass of ice water at the door. This is a wonderful stop. Vickie and her husband Pat couldn¢t be nicer. It is a pleasure to be here. I get my picture taken for the photo album and look through this year¢s album and then last year¢s. I find my old friends and find myself reminiscing about each face and remembering sweet times we shared. I find my own photo from last year and the only thing that¢s changed is my longer beard. I am wearing the same shirt and glasses. I know I¢m a fool but I think I look better this year. Maybe it¢s because I was not feeling well last year at this spot. The night is filled with many characters and much fun. A local singer entertains the bar and much singing, laughing and fun is had by all. Late night I retire to my room. I love my place.
Date: 2007-06-10
From: Duncannon PA

To: Duncannon PA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Duncannon - 0I wake early and start working at catching up on my journal. I hear someone trying my door, then footsteps walking away and down the stairs. Later I go to the Goodies across the street for breakfast. I am full again. The next section is where I began getting sick last year. I had a bad attitude last year and I am trying to be positive this year. The shuttle to the grocery store leaves at 4pm today so I am going to zero today and leave early tomorrow. That way I won¢t have to deal with the afternoon heat today and I can enjoy another ¢Doyle Day.¢ I will resupply to Port Clinton then worry about what to do when I get there. I talked to DaBear and he might join me in NJ so I am excited about that. Sublime came in to the Doyle and advises he has the new 12 gallon challenge record of 3 minutes and 48 seconds. The previous record was 4 minutes and 14 seconds. He thinks he has it for awhile Congratulations Sublime. Vickie came into the pub and extended the hours again tonight. The place is packed with thirsty hikers. I am back in my room and all organized for a good start tomorrow. This place is special. Thank you Vicki, Pat and Pam for your hospitality and love of the hiker community.