morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-05-29
From:  Harpers Ferry, Va.

To:  Caldedonia State State Park
Miles today: 59.5
Weather: overcast clouds

It is May 27. Today I hiked to the Ensign Cowall Shelter. I hiked 25 miles today. I passed through Gathland State Park, saw the Reno Monument at South Mountain, the Washington Monument, and many civil war museums on the A.T. This was the area in West Virginia, and Maryland that I thought I might have trouble staying focused on my hike. I know that the National Battlefield of Antietam is not far from here. Antietam was the bloodiest single day for American lives lost in history. I am a big Civil War buff. It is May 28 and I hiked to Rocky Mtn. Shelter. It is only a couple of miles from Caledonia State Park. I passed by Pen Mar Couny Park in Maryland. I am now in Pennsylvania. At the Md-Pa state line is also the Mason-Dixon Line. I met Calf today. He is a hiker from Germany. There are a lots of people here at the Rocky Mtn. Shelter but I don't know any of them. Pa. is known for its rocks on the A.T. Made it to Caledonia State Park, Pa. on May 29. Called Ugly Coyote. Hi Everyone, This is Mrs. Dreamwalker. Dreamwalker called me and asked if I would post something for him since a computer is not available to him. On May 29,2011 he was at Caledonia State Park in PA where a friend (Ugly Coyote) he hiked with in North Carolina came and picked him up and took Dreamwalker to his house in Littleton,PA for a couple days of rest. The people Dreamwalker meet on the AT are amazing. Ugly Coyote drove 30 miles to get Dreamwalker and to take him to his house, took him out for breakfast and will be taking him back to the trail on May 31,2011. Dreamwalker stayed with Ugly Coyote and his brother for two days. Amazing people! Thank You Ugly Coyote. He is really looking forward to his next town, it will be Pine Grove Furance State Park, PA which is the half way point (1,092.8 miles)and also where they have the half gallon ice cream challenge to get in the half-gallon club. The challenge is to see if you can eat one half gallon of ice cream. Well anyone who knows Dreamwalker knows that is not a challenge at all for him. He can eat double that with no problem. He is really excited to get there. Dreamwalker is doing great,he has lost 20 pounds but still going strong, still enjoying his journey. He seems to enjoy everyday and find something positive in each day even when it rains. Well I will close for now. Please keep Dreamwalker in your prayers.With Love and Prayers for all of you,Mrs. Dreamwalker
Date: 2011-05-31
From:  Caldedonia State State Park

To: Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: few clouds

I enjoyed my stay with Elmer (Ugly Coyote) and his brother Harold. I took a 0 day in Littlestown, Pa. where Elmer and Harold live. They have been so nice to me. On Memorial Day Elmer made me breakfast, and we went to his sister, Carol's house, where his family gathered for Memorial Day. Elmer says he wants to go to New Zealand to hike. I hope that he is able to. Left Caldedonia State Park on May 31 and arrived at Pine Grove Furnace State Park. Pine Grove Furnace is the halfway mark on the A.T. Here I met Buffalo who I had hiked with me in N.C. He has hurt his foot doing the 4 state challenge. This is where a hikers hike through 4 states in one day. I hope he will be able to go on. Did the 1/2 gallon ice cream challenge. It was no contest. I told the thru-hikers that I would eat another 1/2 gallon if they would buy it. They talked it over, but they saw the eagernest in my eyes and decline. They would have lost. I also pass the 1/2 way marker on the A.T. today. It has been a good day. I have hiked 22 miles today. I ended the day tenting a couple of miles pass Pine Grove Furnace Park. I also took pictures of the A.T. museum, and the Ironman's Mansion Hostel at Pine Grove Furnace Park which are icons on the A.T. Keep me in your prayers. God hears all our thoughts. DreamWalker
Date: 2011-06-01
From: Pine Grove Furnace State Park

To: Boiling Springs, PA.
Miles today: 19.2

Left Pine Grove Furnace Park and have arrived at Boiling Springs, PA. on June 1. Before getting into Boiling Springs, someone left a pack of can soda on the trail. They weren't cold, but tasted so good. Boiling Springs is where the ATC Mid-Atlantic Regional Office is. I stopped here to call home, but the pay phone had been taken out. I have found that the A.T.C. here is not as helpful as the one in Harpers Ferry, W.V. I got my water, and found some Ramen Noodles in the hiker box. A hiker box is where hikers leave items they no longer want. You can fine all sorts of items in the box. Other hikers can pick from this box. In Erwin, Tn. I found aluminum foil to make me a new windscreen for my stove. Hiker boxes can be found at hostels, post offices, and many other places along the A.T. I am tenting at the Garmanhaus B&B. Lizzard is here with me. She is a thru-hiker. They charge $1 to tent in their yard. I bought 2 days of food at the Getty's Mart, which is enough to get me to Duncannon, Pa. on the A.T. My feet have been giving me problems. I will start taking better care of them at night. I have been cleaning my feet at night with my stove fuel, (Heet) since it has alcohol in it, and letting my feet dry out by taking off the duct tape on my feet. Duct tape has many uses for a hiker. I wrap my hiking poles with duct tape, that way I only carry what I need. It is all about the weight that one carrys on a hike. I can tell that the fungus on my feet has started to go away. I should of had a better foot care plan. I have learned to do better. It has been 90 degrees today, so I am going down to Children's Lake here at Boiling Springs and soak my feet, swim, and have dinner by the lake, with the ducks and geese. Dinner tonight is Cheese n Macaroni, cheese crackers, cookies, a Snicker candy bar, and Cherry flavoring in my water, followed by 1/2 gallon of ice cream at the Getty's Mart. After all the hardships on the A.T., I know that I am very fortunate to be hiking this trail. I have looked for the beauty on the A.T. and have found it at every bend of the trail. Life is not about how many breathes we take, but what takes our breathe away. DreamWalker
Date: 2011-06-03
From: Boiling Springs, PA.

To: Duncannon, PA.
Miles today: 25.7
Weather: clear sky

Left Boiling Springs to the Cove Mtn. Shelter. I got here at 5:30pm. It was a 27 mile day. Here the A.T. crosses through the Cumberland Valley. Water is scarce because you are crossing Pennsylvania farmland. I passd the Pennsylvania Turnpike, went over the I-81 overpass, and at the Scott's farm the A.T. u-turns under the Conodoguinet Creek Bridge and heads North. At the Scott farm I got water and had lunch. Moving down the A.T. you cross the Tuscarora Trail. The Tuscarora Trail is a 260 mile trail that was created because of fears that the A.T. would be closed by private landowners. I am the only hiker here at Cove Mtn. Shelter. Duncannon is only 4 miles from the Cove Mtn. Shelter but my body needs to rest. I have taken some Advil/Ibuprofen for my pain. Advil or Ibuprofen is a must have for hikers. It relieves the pain and discomfort from hiking, so you can have a good night sleep. Arrived at Duncannon, PA. Mailed letter to home, had breakfast, picked up mail drop at the Doyle Hotel. The Doyle Hotel is over 100 years old and is widely recognized as an icon on the A.T. Also had 1/2 gal. ice cream at the Uni-Mart on High St. Yeah! Porter and Pace are here at the Doyle. They bought me a soda. They said Deva is with her parents. She has been hiking with them since Timber went to Trail Days in Damascus, Va. Timber and Deva were hiking together. I hiked with Timber and Deva out of Georgia. Timber was a hiker from Germany. They said he never came back to the trail. To much partying is something that can drive a hiker off of the A.T. Trail Days in Damascus (May 13-16)is hikers getting together and celebrating. It is one big party. Leaving Duncannon on High Street moving on down the trail. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers. Remember the homeless need a hand up not a hand down. Put your trust in the Lord God Jehovah and Jesus Christ. The rocks of Pennsylvania are hard on my feet but God will see me through. DreamWalker
Date: 2011-06-05
From: Duncannon, PA.

To: Port Clinton, PA.
Miles today: 68.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I arrived at the Peter Mtn Shelter from Ducannon. The bugs are bad. I've been using Deet for the bugs. My shoes have a slit on the bottom soles. I am using shoe glue on my shoes. The shoe glue works really well. Sniffer is here with me. He is a hiker from Maine. He is going home on the A.T. The next day I tented at William Penn Shelter. I had a fire. There is thunder in the distant. Have arrived in Port Clinton. I picked up my maildrop at the post office. I got a hitch to Hamburg. I have had no problems hitching a ride from the A.T. to towns. I am going to get another pair of boots at Walmart and ice cream. They also have a Cabelas here. Cabelas is an outfitter. I went there to shop but they are a little pricey. In Hamburg I saw Sniffer. He let me take a shower in his hotel room. The pavillion at Port Clinton is where I am staying. It is an open structure, and is free for hikers to stay there. It has a outhouse. Water can be obtained at the Port Clinton Hotel by way of a water spigot. There are 5 other hikers here. I do not know any of them. The pavillion is okay, but because of all the bugs around the river, I will get back on the A.T. in the morning. I had planned to take a 0 day here. A hiker needs to learn to adjust, adjust, and adjust some more to be successful on the Appalachian Trail. Take care and keep me in your prayers. DreamWalker
Date: 2011-06-07
From: Port Clinton, PA.

To: Palmerton, PA.
Miles today: 42.1

Left Port Clinton around noon. The other hikers had left so I swept the Pavillion floor and took out the trash to the curb. On the A.T. hikers are aware of the concept Leave no Trace. This is where you leave the area you found the same as you found it. I passed Pulpit Rock and the Pinnacle before arriving at Tri-County Corner where I camped at Dan's Spring. I had a good night sleep. I always sleep better by myself in my tent. My new boots have been amazing after walking on worn soles for over 50 miles. I wasn't sure I was going to make it to Port Clinton, Pa. But as always, God walked with me and saw me through. At Pulpit Rock there also is the Astronomy Club of Lehigh. They have telescopes and buildings on the site. At the Pinnacle there is a panoramic view of Pennsylvania farmland that is said to be the best view on the A.T. of Pennsylvania. It has been hot, in the 90's. Water has been scarce. Before leaving Dan's Spring I cameled up on water. The next dayI hiked to Knife Edge, Bear Rocks, over the Lehigh River Bridge and hitched into Palmerton. Palmerton is a EPA Superfund site. Here in the Blue Mtns. and the Kittatinny Ridge, water on the A.T. in questionable because of zinc smelting that has affected water quality. Will be staying at the Borough hall in Palmerton. It is a free hostel to hikers. There are a lot of hikers here. Enzed is here. She is a hiker from New Zealand, and the only one I know. Here at Palmerton I did internet,showered,wash clothes,ate at Subway and had ice cream. I also cashed my traveler check for $50. I get a traveler check in my maildrops. When I planned for this trip, I decided $500 in traveler checks and a credit card would see me through. I use this method so I don't incur no ATM fees. It has worked well for me. I hope to be on the trail early to climb the rocks of Lehigh. Keep me in your prayers and know that prayers are answered by Jehovah God. I have seen his miracles many times in the mountains. DreamWalker
Date: 2011-06-09
From: Palmerton, PA.

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 36.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got up early and got a ride to the trail from Palmerton. I wanted to get over the Rocks of Lehigh before it got to hot. I got a lot of ticks on me in this area. I stopped a couple of times to remove them. I am tenting about 2 miles pass the Leroy A. Smith Shelter. The ground was too hard for my tent stakes, so I used my hiking poles so my tent could freestand. There is a nice view from here. It was nice to have a short day with plenty of daylight left to see. The next day I passed the town of Wind Gap, Mt. Minsi, Lookout and Council Rock on the A.T. Today I arrived at the Delaware Water Gap on 6/9. The Poconos is at the southern end of the Delaware Water Gap. It is a small town on the A.T. by the Delaware River and I-80. I am entering this at the Pack Shack. The Pack Shack is an outfitter here at the Delaware Water Gap National Recreational Area. I am staying at the Church on the Hill hostel. Sniffer and other hikers are here with me. The church members are providing dinner for the hikers tonight. Sniffer lost his wallet and I gave him $20. I hope he can stay on the trail. I took a 0 day and checked out the town. I ate at the Village Farmer and got ice cream at the Gulf Mini Mart. I also picked up my maildrop here. Tomorrow I will leave Pennsylvania, and go into New Jersey. I will be glad to leave the rocks of Pennsylvania. Yeah! I have gone 1285 miles since leaving Springer Mtn. Keep me in your prayers. DreamWalker
Date: 2011-06-19
From: Ft. Montgomery, N.Y.

To: Kent, Connecticut
Miles today: 63.4

Left Ft. Montgomery over the Bear Mountain Bridge and up Anthony's Nose Mtn. to the Market on the A.T. where I got supplies. Then I hiked to Graymoor Spiritual Life Center where I put up my tent. The center has a shelter, water, and cold showers for hikers. You take a blue blaze trail off of the A.T. to get there. The next day I went pass the Clarence Fahnestock State Park, up Shenandoah Mtn to the RPH Shelter. Silver Fox, Sniffer, One Grey Wolf, Legion, and Enzed are here with me. You can order food from this shelter. I had pizza and root beer soda. Next day I hiked to the Wiley Shelter. You pass the Taconic State Pkwy., Mt. Egbert, Nuclear Lake, West Dover Road, and the Appalachian Trail RR Station. You can take the Amtrak into New York City from the train platform. The station sits right on the trail. At West Dover Road in the purple house lives Ron and Holly Champion. They allow hikers to use their water from a spigot. I had lunch and cleaned up there, before moving on down the trail. Also on West Dover Road you will find the largest Oak Tree on the A.T. It is said to be over 300 years old. From the Wiley Shelter I hiked the 13 miles pass Ten Mile River, over Indian Rocks to Kent, Connecticut. I arrived in Kent on 6/19. There was a motorcycle rally going on. A man in a pickup truck named Rafter Jack, gave me $10 to buy a soda. What trail magic. I will give the money to the homeless. In Kent I ate at the IGA Market, where I re-supplied, and took care of my feet. A long hike is very hard on ones' feet. I saw Sivler Fox in Kent. His sons are putting him up in a room with dinner for Fathers Day. I tented out of town. Tomorrow I will go back to Kent and use the library before getting back on the trail. I am 1458 miles from Springer Mtn. and 722 from Katahdin. I am still in good spirits and looking forward to the journey. My trail dates for New Jersey are 6/11-6/14. New York 6/14-6/18. Take care and keep me in your prayers. God listens to our prayers. Go far, only my going far, can we know how far, we can go. Fear keeps us from going far. When we lose that fear, all things are possible. DreamWalker
Date: 2011-06-21
From: Kent, Connecticut

To: Salisbury. C.T.
Miles today: 33.4
Weather: broken clouds

Before leaving Kent, make sure you have bug spray. The bugs can be terrible here on the A.T. by the Housatonic River. Leaving Kent along the "river walk", you come to the Mohawk Trail. The Mohawk Trail is the former route of the A.T. I hiked to the Caesar Brook Campsite where I put up my tent. Here I met my first south bound hiker since leaving Georgia. The next day I hiked pass West Cornwall Rd., Mt. Easter, the Hydroelectric Plant where I got water, and ate at the picnic area, the Iron Bridge over the Housatonic River at Falls Village, Ct., Prospect Mtn., Rand's and Billy's View before getting to Salisbury. At Rand's View you can see the Taconic Range from Lion's Head to Mt. Everett and Jug End. I arrived at Salisbury, C.T. on 6/21. I re-supplied at the LeBonne's Epicure Market. I will need four days of food to get to Cheshire, Massachusetts. I talked to Sheila at the Town Hall which has a phone. It has been a long day. The weather was hot. I went back to the cemetery that I passed and put up my tent for the night. Don't forget the homeless for they are people too. Rafter Jack made a donation to Rev. Larry Rice while I was in Kent, C.T. Take care and keep me in your prayers. DreamWalker
Date: 2011-06-26
From: Salisbury. C.T.

To: Cheshire, MA.
Miles today: 78.5

Left Salisbury on 6/22 and got water at the Riga Shelter. I left Connecticut and entered Massachusetts. Hiked through Sages Ravine, over Race Mtn., and Mt. Everett to the Glen Brook Shelter. Me and German Shephard are the only ones here. It has been raining most of the day. The next day I hiked Jug End, passed Shays' Rebellion Monument, hiked along the Housatonic River, over East Mtn., and The Ledges to the Mt. Wilcox North Shelter where I stayed the night. At the Mt. Wilcox South Shelter I met a person whose acted strange to me, so I moved on to the next shelter. This has been the only time on the A.T. that I felt uneasy. It has rained most of the day. Silver Fox and four other hikers are here with me. The Shays' Rebellion Monument was about a farmers' tax revolt led by Daniel Shays against the Federal Government in 1787. Arrived at Upper Goose Pond Cabin on 6/24. JoAnn is the caretaker here. JoAnn made us blueberry pancakes the next morning before I and other hikers left the cabin. I met some naked hikers going to Dalton at Finerty Pond. That felt strange. I hiked to Dalton where I stayed at Thomas Levardi house on 83 Depot Street. He is a nice fellow who has opened up his house to hikers. Silver Fox and I slept in the same room. He took me and other hikers to an AYCE buffet in town. A hiker never gets enough food it seems. As usual I made myself full as a tick. I tell myself I won't do this when I get to trail towns but that never works. The body crazes those calories. The next morning I ate at Angelina's Subs before leaving Dalton on High Street, back to the A.T. I have arrived in Cheshire, MA. on 6/26. I have only hiked 9 miles from Dalton but because of the rain, I will stay here. It is Sunday so I have to wait till tomorrow to get my maildrop. I am staying at St. Mary's Church. Father David Raymond heads the Church. They let hikers stay for free. Earl Grey is here with me. I saw Silver Fox, Coyote, Puddle Duck, German Shepherd, Pipe, and CropDuster but they have moved on. It has been raining for the last 4 days so everthing is wet or damp. It is nice to be in a dry place for a change. I took a shower, cleaned my clothes as much as I could, and found Sprite soda and Butter Pecan ice cream at the Shell Convenience Mart in town. I will eat down my food bag since I will get a maildrop here. I am on the computer at the firehouse in Cheshire. The Chief is letting me use the computer. That is trail magic. I have about 18 miles before I get into Vermont. That should be sometime tomorrow. Tomorrow I will summit Mt. Greylock. There is a monument on top. I'll get a picture of that. Take care and know that God walks with me on this journey. I have seen his miracles first hand. Keep me in your prayers. DreamWalker
Date: 2011-07-02
From: Cheshire, MA.

To: Rutland, V.T.
Miles today: 122.8

In Cheshire I got new hiking pole tips in my maildrop but did not receive my food maildrop. I bumped my food drop to Hanover N.H. The post office was very helpful. Left Cheshire and hiked to Mt. Greylock before arriving in North Adams on 6/27 where I re-supplied at Price Chopper Supermarket and took a shower at the YMCA. I also had ice cream at Friendly's. I met a nice lady who let me tent in her yard. Greylock is topped by a war memorial, paved road, and Bascom Lodge. Greylock is Massachusetts' highest peak (3491 feet). Left N. Adams to the Congdon Shelter. I have entered into Vermont. At the Vermont-Massachusetts state line, the A.T. joins the Long Trail for 105.2 miles, to "Maine Junction" at Willard Gap. Vermont is also home to the Green Mountains. The next day I went up Glastenbury Mtn. to the Story Spring Shelter. At Glastenbury firetower you can see the Berkshires, the Taconics, Mt. Stratton and other points of interest. At the Story Spring Shelter with me is The Colonel and a group of boy scouts. My feet and shoes are giving me problems. I'm doing my best to hold on. The next day I arrived in Manchester Center, Vt. and slept in the park. It has been raining a lot. The A.T. is very muddy. There is a saying on the A.T. No Rain, no Pain, no Maine. My third pair of shoes have failed me. I am now on my 4th pair. On 6/30 I arrived in Manchester, V.T. The next day I went to the Greenwall Shelter. On 7/2 I arrived in Rutland, V.T. after passing the Clarendon Gorge Suspension Bridge and Killington Peak. On Killington Peak there is a ski lift and snack bar. You can see the White Mountains of New Hampshire and the Adirondacks of New York from here. I am staying at a hiker hostel. The hostel owner is Aysce. You can do work for stay here at its Back Home Again Cafe'. There is a Walmart superstore here in Rutland, that I will be taking advantage of. Yeah ice cream. I spoke to Sheila from a phone at the hiker hostel. I am at the library in Rutland. I will take a 0 day here and eat, sleep, wash my clothes and lift up my spirits. Rutland is a nice town that has all services one would need. I am 487.9 miles from Katahdin. I am having some feet problems but have taken steps to fix that. On the A.T. you have to adjust, adjust, and adjust somemore. Keep the homeless and me in your prayers. Know that all things are possible with God help. DreamWalker