morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2017-06-08
From: Pedaled River Bridge

To: VA 60. Burma Vista, VA
Miles today: 6.8
Weather: clear sky

Decided my knee hurt bad enough that I should rest it.  I got to the highway and tried to hitchhike for a few minutes. Then a car drove in letting out some hikers, and the lady driving offered to give me a ride.  Got a hotel.  Kind of a crummy place, but close to food and groceries.The hike was pretty painful this morning on my knee. I caught up to tango hombre and easy-going and hiked with them some. Hiked above a reservior and along Brown Mountain Creek for several miles. Very nice. This area had been a settlement of former slaves. Did not see any ruins, but there were some information signs.So I am going to zero tomorrow and rest the knee. Anytime I start walking it is really tender and weak. Once I get going then it just is the pain.  Will be a long day sitting in the hotel but I do need to do this.
Date: 2017-06-09
From: VA 60. Buena Vista, VA

To: Reeds Gap. Royal Oaks Resort
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Taking a zero day today and hoping my knee gets better. I have been putting some ice on it and this morning it did feel a little bit better. It does not hurt as much when I first step on it after getting up.Looking at my AT guide, I decided to skip the next 35 miles of the Trail because they are a difficult section with limited ways to get off should I have more knee problems. I called a shuttle driver and he took me up to the Royal Oaks resort near Reeds gap.  I have a better room here but not a restaurant. Watched a couple movies and rested.Tomorrow I plan to give it a try hiking. Trail is near the Blue Ridge Parkway all the way to Waynesboro in case I need to pull up again.  Right after  Waynesboro is the beginning of Shenandoah national park.  I've been looking forward to that section. It's quite disappointing that I was feeling so well and now have this problem. Just hope that I can get through this and keep on going.And to add another bummer to this post, I heard from White Beard a couple days ago and he is now off the trail.  Back home in Tuscaloosa. He was planning on three days rest in Daleville and get back on the trail. But he got sick again. White Beard is a great hiking partner.  I will miss his wise ways and calm personality.   Picture is from a different day. Have hiked on and off with Disciple.  He's from Washington Illinois.  His daughter is day hiking with him while family visits. She is  Pristina because she likes to stay pristine / clean.
Date: 2017-06-10
From: Reeds Gap. Royal Oaks Resort

To: Humpback gap parking lot. Blue Ridge Parkway
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: clear sky

First thing this morning I asked people around the resort to give me a ride the 3 miles to the trail.  Proprietor had said he would give me a ride but he was not there yet.  About the time I found a ride, he showed up, so got ride with him.  Oh the ways of the south!  Reminds me of manana in Mexico.  The hike started out OK. But the pain built up after a while.  Hiked with Disciple and Kurdog quite a bit.  My best case plan was to do four 12 mile days and get to a camp store to resupply.  Then go on four more days to meet mom and dad on Saturday.  But after about 8 to 10 miles I decided I needed to get off again and rest my knee.So I found a side trail to the BRP. Asked a father and son from NE Ohio if I could get a ride to Waynesborough and they said yes.  Wife / mother also with them. They graciously took me by a motel I thought I wanted to stay, but no way!. Then came on into Waynesborough and they dropped me off at the Quality Inn.  They were my trail angels today. She is planning on hiking a portion of the trail sometime in the near future so we all had a good talk about trail.  Thank you again if you read this.Stayed in the room rest of night. Knee got very tight and it was difficult to just walk around the room and down the hall to get ice.  Just had some trail food from my pack and rested. Staying here tomorrow night for sure and will decide what to do on Monday morning. At this point I do not plan to hike on Monday.  Learned a lesson that one day is not enough rest.
Date: 2017-06-11
From: Waynesboro, VA. Quality Inn

To: Waynesboro, VA. Quality Inn
Miles today: 0.0

My knee loosened up a little bit by morning. I limped to the breakfast and sat with a number of hikers. Several of these hikers were like me with injuries and taking time off the trail.  One guy name Teach is going on two weeks. This made me feel a little better knowing that I am in the same boat as others. Most of these people were middle-aged.  So I'm past the mental part of not hiking for a while.  Now I just have to get my physical body back in shape.  Kept up the icing and resting through the middle of the day. Watch some golf on TV and kept up with the news. Walked a few blocks later in the afternoon to the grocery store and a discount department store. I had broken my belt buckle earlier today doing some stretching exercises. Replaced my belt.  Can't go without a belt as my pants would literally fall down.Had a pizza and some pasta delivered. Ate most of that and settled in for the night.  So goes the end of my exciting first day in Waynesboro.  Thanks to all of you who are checking up on me and my condition.
Date: 2017-06-12
From: Waynesboro, VA. Quality Inn

To: Waynesboro, VA. Quality Inn
Miles today: 0.0

Knee is getting a little bit better.  Yesterday evening when I walked to the store it did hurt more than what I want to live with. So this resting still has to continue. Not as many hikers at the breakfast this morning . Sat with Skip who is hiking on today.  He's younger and not dealing with  significant injuries. Before Skip left he brought me his leftover beer which I appreciate.Decided I should go to see a doctor and make sure there is not anything rest won't heal. I called a couple people who will give rides in Waynesboro.  Tom picked me up in his Corvette. Best ride I've had on this trip!  On the way back from urgent care, I called a couple others and John picked me up. He also gave me a tour of the town.  Both were great retired guys who enjoy helping hikers and promoting Waynesborohas as a hiker friendly town. Bottom line from the urgent care was that there is nothing significant and I just need to rest and ice. So that is good.  Now just have to deal with the time. Had more breakfast when I got back.   Saw Chip there. Matt and I hiked with Chip a little last week.  Wow that's Chip and Skip in the same Walked downtown Waynesboro for supper at a bar and then visited the restored movie theater that was having an oldies science-fiction movie. Had a good supper and a nice visit to the movie theater.  Did not stay for the movie though.  Not to my liking. Back to my room and watch the NBA finals game.Knee needs more time. Walking is still not comfortable at all.
Date: 2017-07-03
From: Hamburg, PA Rt 61

To: Reservoir Rd - Hamburg Water Works
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: few clouds

AT Mile:  1223.2Amy and I left Philadelphia this morning. Drove up to Pottsville and visited Yeingling brewery, the oldest in the country. Was a good tour in a small and authentic brewery.  Still family owned by the fifth generation of same name.  At Hamburg I got on the trail with about a half a pack. Had a good work out with some climbs and some Pennsylvania rocks. Hiked a while with Wander.  We caught up on some people that we both knew including Claudio and Old School. I did pretty good at taking it slow.  Bottom line is that I felt good all around including left leg and knee. Amy picked me up about 6 o'clock. I got cleaned up and we went out for a nice meal. Last one together for a while.  Now for a little bit about what happened the last couple weeks when I was off the trail. Not very exciting but here you go.On Father's Day June 18 my mom and dad came to Waynesboro,VA and picked me up.  My knee and leg had not gotten any better during my stay there. We spent a couple days in the area and stayed in Front Royal. Toured around the Shenandoah National Park and ran into several hikers that I knew.  Disciple, Kurr Dog, and Tengo Hombre,among others.  Then we went to Washington DC and spent a day seeing a lot of sites.  On the 21st, I flew to Chicago and back home to Sandwich.  Sure was nice to be home with Amy, in my own bed eating lots of good food, etc. Being home seemed to turn the corner on getting better. Went to the doctor couple times and he help me out with various things. So then my thoughts were on how to get back to the trail. Since Amy had planned to come to Philadelphia and meet me, I decided to travel with her and get back on the trail, after spending time in Philly with our friends the Harrington's.  Nice visit with them and seeing many sites around the city, including the Magic Garden (picture) which was all mosaics built from discarded materials on the south side of Philly.  On the 3rd we left Philly and traveled north to Hamburg, and here I am back on the trail feeling good and ready to continue heading north on the AT.
Date: 2017-07-04
From: Reservoir Rd - Hamburg Water Works

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: broken clouds

AT Mile 1232.6Forgot to say yesterday that I did skip ahead about 400 miles.  This is about where I would have been had I not had to start.  So this will put me on track to finish in Maine near end of September.  I will decide later about filling in those 400 yellow blazed miles.  Amy dropped me off about eight.  She had to get back to Philadelphia airport.  Did pretty good pacing myself today.  Stopped for a while at pulpit overlook and then on to Pinnacle rock where I had lunch of left over pasta from dinner last night.  Actually got out stove to heat up since I have extra time.  Morning was lots of rocks but afternoon on smoother trail. Eckville shelter has a caretaker in neighboring house.  Flush toilet and an outlet to charge from.  I'm tenting across street with three other tents.  A couple from Germany, Mud and Antique.  Also a section hiker who is a HS teacher in DC.  Nice day. Warm in evening.  Knee / leg still good.  Went to sleep to sounds of fireworks in the distance.
Date: 2017-07-05
From: Eckville Shelter

To: Stealth camp site past PA Rt309
Miles today: 12.3

AT Mile 1244.9Ate breakfast with a couple section hikers going southbound. Got out of camp about eight.  Had a good dose of Pennsylvania rocks for the first few miles. That included some rubble to walk over and then some big furniture size rocks to hop across.  Smoothed out for quite a while after that. The reputation of Pennsylvania rocks is real, but not that much to handle. I do have to be really careful about every step.Took a good break every hour and tried to eat more than I did yesterday. I had intended on stopping at the Allentown shelter at 7 1/2 miles. Got there about 1 o'clock so decided to go on.  Set my sights on the Blue Mountain restaurant.  Arrived about 4 o'clock and found out they were not open on Wednesdays. Thankfully it was just a couple hundred yards down the road.  They did have a faucet outside so I filled up with water. Water on this stretch has been scarce.  Have to plan ahead.Went on about a mile and found this campsite so decided to stop rather than a go on and push myself too much. Having a nice night here by myself and will be going to bed early. Temperature is pleasant.  Was a breeze earlier, but now I has died off.  Not many other hikers that I saw today.
Date: 2017-07-06
From: Stealth camp site past PA Rt309

To: Palmerston, PA. Berts Restaurant Hostel.
Miles today: 13.0

AT Mile.  1257.9Light sprinkle started when I got up.  Packed quick and all stayed dry.  Made coffee and breakfast and on trail by 7.  Easy hiking for a while then really got tough through Knife Edge and Bear Rocks.  More of the famous PA rocks.  Then easy and again hit rocks over Bake Oven Knob.  Stopped at a shelter for lunch.  Mud and Antique there.  And Trooper.  Rest of day was normal rocks and a big down hill at end.  Decided to go on to Palmerston today to set myself up for tomorrow.  A giant climb that is extremely steep is first thing, plus I had to come to town for resupply.  Other thing is no water for about 15 miles.  Hitchhiked to town a couple miles.  So here at this hostel with Berries and Loki about my age from MI.  Also Nobody, Gormet, Alex, Mud, and Antique.  Decent place and close to store and food.  Hope to get a ride back to trail in morning.
Date: 2017-07-07
From: Palmerston, PA. Berts Restaurant Hostel.

To: Delps Trail Junction
Miles today: 9.6

AT Mile 1267.5Started raining about 4 AM. Came down hard for a while. Woke me up from my bunkbed with real sheets. All of us in the bunk room got up about seven and surveyed the rain which was still coming down steady.  In no hurry to get back to the trail but the forecast looks like clearing late morning. I got my things put together.  Then had some breakfast at the restaurant which our bunk room was connected to. Some of the hikers are going to stay for a zero today, but I'm going to hike on, along with Nobody and Alex.  The owner of the restaurant is giving us a ride back to the trail. She's a fun lady who we talked to a lot last night at dinner. A real joker.  she told us her name was Lucy. Turns out it's not Lucy it's Tracy. She and the rest of the servers had a big laugh on us last night and this morning over this, along with some other things. You can tell she appreciates the hikers by what she does with her bunkhouse, rides etc. So I recommend Berts restaurant for food and a bunk overnight.  Overnight for hikers that is.  I do not think others would appreciate as much as I did.The rain did stop.  First thing was the much anticipated rocky climb out of Lehigh gap. There was a lot of steep climbing.  I strapped my poles to the backpack so that I would have my hands free to grab rocks and pull up. A couple times I was actually scared. The pack on the back really makes you off-balance.  But overall it was easier than I thought, mainly because the actual amount of hand climbing was less than anticipated. Made the mile climb in just under an hour.  Forgot my white blaze prayer at bottom so prayed at the top that I had safely made the climb.Next was the 4 mile bypass around the Superfund site which is a cleanup of zinc mining I believe. Smaller trees were growing but mainly it was just scrub vegetation. It was hot and humid today after the rain. After that was routine hiking over Pennsylvania rocks but little technical stuff. I stopped at this campsite and had a nice night. About dusk threatened rain, but has not yet.  Water is still scarce.  Carried water to last me all day and overnight. Have a source in the morning where I will fill up and have the same situation tomorrow.All for now. Got a little long tonight. Leg and knee still feeling good. I am practicing the recommendations from Dr. J, including rolling my muscles, massaging some pressure points, and deep breathing.  And oh yeah, I am taking it slower and resting more during the day.
Date: 2017-07-08
From: Delps Trail Junction

To: Hanns Overlook campsite W of Wind Gap, PA. 
Miles today: 9.5

AT Mile 1277Nice morning.  Cooler.  Had planned to hitch hike about a mile down a paved road to a hostel for water but it was not well traveled so went on.  Will have to make it to next shelter where water is long way down a side trail. Hiked with Yenzer for a couple miles. His name is slang for some folks near Pittsburgh with a certain accent.  He was from Pittsburgh but did not have the accent.  Later I texted friend Polly in Philadelphia who is from Pittsburgh to ask if she is a yenzer.  She replied 'Absolutely Not!'  So I think I get it now!   I got to shelter and did the half mile side trail to water.  Filtered 4.5 liters and back up hill to shelter.  Had lunch and drank a liter.  So will be carrying 3.5, almost 8 lbs. But need for tonight and day tomorrow.  Not sure of available water until where I want to camp Sunday.  Nice campsite tonight.  Was joined later by Hooba Hooba.  Young guy from Lyon France.  I had been there once on a Caterpillar trip so at least knew it a little.  Had supper and talked a little.  Rest of chores and bed.
Date: 2017-07-09
From: Hanns Overlook campsite W of Wind Gap, PA. 

To: Campsite just north of Kirkbridge shelter
Miles today: 10.5

AT Mile 1287.5Cool again this morning.  Hiked down into Windgap and then back up again. Got a little water from a trial magic jug.  Rocks are still really bad.  Very annoying.  Slow going.  Will be glad to get out of these rocks in a few more days. Fortunate that I had planned to go slow because I am being more careful. I'm afraid if I had wanted to make more distance I would be more at risk to fall or twist an ankle.  This way my feet are the only thing getting sore.  The more technical rocks with climbing and scrambling are actually a nice break from the flat trail scattered with rocks.  They say it happens to every through hiker at least once..... I climbed up wolf rocks to the Overlook. And proceeded to head right back down the way I came up. I was going south back the way I had come!  With the level terrain and all these rocks everything looks the same. No landmarks. When I saw a couple day hikers that I had spoken to before, I knew something must be wrong and asked them. Sure enough.  We all had a good laugh. I turned around and 10 minutes later I was back where needed to be again.  Found the right way and went on across the rest of Wolf rocks.  Much more interesting hiking the rocks this time.Lots of day hikers at Wolf Rocks also. Went on north to the parking lot where they were coming from and on to a shelter for water, just a short distance to where I am camping. Short day tomorrow into Delaware Water Gap. Will stay at hostel at a Presbyterian Church. Then meeting Gustafson's there on Tuesday.
Date: 2017-07-10
From: Campsite just north of Kirkbridge shelter

To: Presbyterian Church Hostel. Delaware Water Gap PA
Miles today: 6.1
Weather: clear sky

More rocks but easy hike into DWG. Met some day hikers including a large organized group of retired folks (I suppose that includes me too) that I impressed with my long trip etc. Got to hostel about 11. Talked to a few hikers including Easy Going and Chip who I've known from before.Showered and went for lunch. Had hot dog and pie special at a diner and then same thing again. Stopped at a bar and grill and had a couple and then back to hostel for an almost nap. Out for pizza later. Ate with Roo and 77. My age. Hope to see more of them.Pretty good hostel. Big crowd though. Maybe should have tented in the yard.
Date: 2017-07-11
From: Presbyterian Church Hostel

To: Millbrook Rd. NJ
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: light rain

Slept pretty good in the hostel. Rained overnight. Got up about six and packed up things. Walked to the diner only to find out they were not open on Tuesdays and the bakery did not open until eight.Went on down to the convenient store for a cuppa coffee and sat with hiker Compass. He was from Lancaster County PA and grew up as an Amish. Still a practicing Amish and is now hiking the AT.  Another inside into the diversity of hikers.Got a nice Danish at the bakery and then back to the hostel. Hiked on out. First thing was to cross the Delaware river on the interstate 80 bridge. Interesting walk into New Jersey with trucks and cars going by me at 70 miles an hour as I walked. Did a little road walking after the bridge and then into woods and climbing into New Jersey.  Big climb and rocky trail to start.  Hiked  past Sunfish Pond. Stop for a quick rest with a day hiker named Hoot Al. His name is Alan and he is from Boiling Springs PA.  Does a lot of hiking on the AT in Pennsylvania.  Also hiked a while with Stretch Armstrong.  Made contact with the Gustafson's who will meet me at Millbrook Road.  Hurried up a little bit to get there. Sure was nice to be picked up by a nice air-conditioned car.  It has been hot and muggy today. We drove on down to Delaware Water Gap. Checked into the Holiday Inn Express and to a nice supper. Took daughter Cara and her friend Shannon back to hotel and then Cherri and Carl and I went shopping for my resupply. Then did some laundry back at the hotel and a nice bed to sleep in tonight.  As always is a great to be met by friends and treated to good food and hotel.  They had driven down from Portland Maine today and are driving back home to Sandwich tomorrow.
Date: 2017-07-12
From: Millbrook Rd. NJ

To: Culvers Gap US 206
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Had a nice breakfast at the Holiday Inn. Gustafsons took me back to the hostel in Delaware Water Gap. Jungle Jim picked me up as I had requested and shuttled me to Millbrook Road where I left off yesterday.  There was some trail magic there.  I had some strawberries and watermelon and talked to a few hikers. Hiked on out and was pretty steady most of the day. Hot and humid as it was yesterday. Trail is getting a little bit easier, not as many rocks is PA. Caught up to Roo at a water source.  Then hiked on.  Just missed a couple bears as I was catching up to her. I had my music on and I think that is what made me not see them.  Got to go less on the music so I can see the wildlife.  Roo and I stopped at the Brinkman Shelter. Had another lunch there and filled up again with water again. We decided to hike on to the road 4 miles farther and into a bar where 77 had reported was a good stop. It started raining soon after that. Hiked on and to the bar just as the rain opened up. Had a good burger. Sat outside by a lake. Reminded me of Wisconsin. Decided to hike on when the rain let up not long after that.  Just a short while and found a campsite. Hot, damp, and lots of mosquitoes, but settled in for the night in tent.
Date: 2017-07-13
From: Culvers Gap US 206

To: High Point Shelter NJ
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hot overnight. But slept decent.  Got going later than Roo and 77. Caught up with them at first shelter. Lots of ups and downs and plenty of rocks still.   We set our sites for High point park,  1 mile before shelter we will camp at.  Park has a beach with showers and concession stand!About noon I was near a road crossing/trailhead and a guy asked me if I would like some milk. And to talk to his camp group about thru hiking.  I said sure and did a quick five-minute overview, kids asked a few questions.  Was nice to talk to them. They were all type one diabetic's at a summer camp.  Drank my milk and also was given a turkey sandwich which I enjoyed too.  Made remaining miles to the park. First stopped at the visitor center and were given a free Pepsi. Waited out a rain shower. Then hiked on to the beach. Took a shower and got some food. I've found that you can dry yourself off with two bandannas. Today is about the hottest so far.  Humidity is the killer. Drinking lots of water and praying for a breeze at top of each rise.  Tomorrow's forecast is cooler. And I hope less humidity.
Date: 2017-07-14
From: High Point Shelter NJ

To: Pochuck Mtn shelter. 12.4 mi Shelter
Miles today: 12.4

AT Mile:  1350.4Started raining about 4 am.  I ended up staying in tent until about 10 o'clock. Had some breakfast, did some reading, slept some more, and got anxious to go. Rain let up a little, so I packed and headed north. Rained on me for the first two hours.  Sometimes heavy. Stopped at a place after about 5 miles called the Murray  cabin. It's open for hikers.  Nobody was around but the cabin was open. I signed the log and then was able to dry out my tent on the front porch even though still raining.  There was a breeze. It was a good stop to dry out and have lunch. I got to the Pochuck shelter about 6:00. Just a couple other guys here and it's still wet with rain in the forecast tonight. I ended up sleeping in the shelter.  Not great, but no wet tent in morning.  Today was day of rock walls and board walks. I must've walked over 25 rock walls. Of course they are in rubble condition now but I'm sure at one time they were functional.  And maybe they farmed in this area so the rocks were piled up out of the fields.  And the boardwalk over the swamps are numerous.  Have to be careful with these as they are very very slippery,but better than walking through the mush. I had read that New Jersey has a lot of swampy areas that the AT goes through.