morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-05-27
From: I-70 foot bridge

To: Mason Dixson Line
Miles today: 18.0

We did it! We have crossed The Mason Dixon Line and are now relaxing in the promise land, AKA PA! My wife (AKA Mother Teresa) has an Aunt and Uncle that live here in PA. They have agreed to pick us up often including some slack packing multiple times while passing through PA. For you new readers, slack packing is when you hike with only what you need for the day like food and water. Others help you do this by picking you up and dropping you off, or driving your pack forward for you to hike to. We plan on taking 2 zeros here including one this Thursaday so Sunshine can ride the roller costers at Hershey Park. She made it very clear at the beginning, that this was one of the must do's while here. We enjoyed a great feast and a refreshing swim this afternoon. We also made an emergency stop at DQ for ice cream on the way to their house. Zig Zag dropped us off at the trail by 7:00am and we easily made our leasure 18 miles by 2:30pm where Uncle Bob and Aunt Karen picked us up. The trail started out easy and level with a great tread, but the last few miles were steep down and very rocky. Not bad though, we had a great day. It has been very humid the past 2 days, but I will take that over rain any time. Rain looked like a certainty last night as the thunder rumbled in the distance, but it never did rain.   I enjoy the heat. We were hoping to see our friend Ninja today who is a ridge runner (back country trail ranger) in Maryland, but some how missed her. I'm giving Sunshine the night off from journaling, so she can get a good night's sleep.
Date: 2012-05-29
From: Quarry Gap Shelter

To: Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: broken clouds

5/29/12 "Today we hiked 17 miles. We hurried to Pine Grove Furnace State Park where Uncle Bob, Aunt Karen and  Ice Cream were  waiting. Dad completed the Half Gallon Challenge ( it's an AT tradition at the half way point) and I ate a 1/2 pint. We are now half way done with the AT and the Triple Crown... our goal. Then Uncle Bob and Aunt Karen drove us to their house where we enjoyed a swim in the wonderful pool. After our swim, a crazy storm came out of no where! I am so glad to be inside tonight!"                  ¢Sunshine:-)
Date: 2012-05-30
From: Pine Grove Furnace State Park

To: Boiling Springs, PA
Miles today: 20.0

May 30.  To Boiling Springs, PA.  20 miles.5/30/12  "Today we hiked 20 miles ON TRAIL.  Plus all the distance at Hershey's Amusement Park.  We hurried to Boiling Springs were Uncle Bob and Aunt Karen were waiting. For lunch we had Lebanon Baloney Sandwiched and cheese sticks (AWSOME!!!). Then we went to their house, ate dinner and After that we went to HERSHEY PARK!!!! Dad and Uncle Bob did there thing (Dad's back can't handle roller costars)  But my second cousin Casey was there. So Casey (15 years old) and I went on ALL the major roller costers. It was A LOT of fun!! It was great spending time with another girl.  The Park was very empty so we NEVER waited more than 5 minutes in line"!              ¢Sunshine:-)  I am so sorry, I forgot to thank our service members past and present for their sacrifices on Memorial Day.  We especially remember the people who gave their lives for our freedom that can easily be taken for granted.  We also thank and pray for the families of the people who have lost a husband/wife, father/mother, Son/daughter,  brother/sister, grandson/granddaughter, or friend to give us so much.  Thank you to all the vets that were injured, and suffer daily, while protecting our way of life.  Like Billy Ray Cyrus said best "all gave some, but some gave all"! It rained fiercely last night, while we were safe and warm indoors.  What it difference it makes!  It was so much cooler today with very little humidity.  Much of today was familiar territory. We came out to visit 2 years ago and day hiked some of this section.  On that hike 2 years ago, Sunshine tripped and cut open her knee.  She still has a large raised scar from it.  We reminisced, then she ran through that familiar rocky stretch of trail as if to prove her triumph over it.  She said it was good training for the Cross Country team this fall.Yes, we went to Hershey Park tonight for 3 hours.  I can't do roller coasters so her cousin Casey went with her.  We zero tomorrow and plan on enjoying the water park much of the day.  I'll probably fall asleep on the lazy river while Sunshine rides more coasters with Teresa's cousin Lynn.
Date: 2012-05-31
From: Boiling Springs, PA

To: Hershey Park, PA
Miles today: 0.0

May 31.  Zero 5/31/12    " Today we rode a lot of Roller Costars. It was a lot of fun!! It was not that crowed so we got a lot of rides in! We spent ALL day riding Roller Costars. My favorite one was Sky-rush.  It went up steeply and then went down at 75 miles per hour! It twisted and turned, but very smooth. The only downer was that the restrainer tightens up at the top of the hill so you feel like it is breaking your thighs. Today was awesome!!!"                 ¢Sunshine:-)We zeroed today at Hershey Park.  I don't do roller coasters so Sunshine rode them with a cousin.  I told them to meet me at the water rides when ever they were done.  I did some kiddy rides ( I was the only one on most) on the way to the water when I realized that there were no kids on the kiddy rides because they were all on the scary roller coasters.  I tried to nap on the lazy river, but kept waking up when my head bumped the wall.  So I jumped in the wave pool to cool off, then laid down for just a moment on the beach chairs, enjoying the beach music and caned beach sounds (sea gulls, fog horn, ect.). I woke up an hour later as red as a lobster.  Suffice to say, It was a great, relaxing day.
Date: 2012-06-01
From: Hershey Park, PA

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: overcast clouds

June 1st.  To Duncannon, PA. 25 miles.6/1/12     "Today we hiked 25.6 miles. We got up early and ate Cold Cereal. It was AWESOME!! Uncle Bob and Aunt Karen then drove us back to the trail. We hurried so we would beat the evening thunder/lightning storms, and rain. We went half way for the day we ate Lebenon baloney sandwiches, sugar cookies, and drank Kapriee suns!!! 6 miles out we hit our first PA rocks. It was not bad. It slowed us down a little, but not much(9 mins). Then Uncle Bob picked us up and we went to buy Ice Cream!!!!!"                   ¢Sunshine:-)What a great day.  Thank you David (one of our awesome readers) for hiking in to meet us. It was great to meet him and the sodas by his truck were refreshing too! PA seems to have a pattern of sunny mornings and rain storms (really heavy ones!)  in the late afternoon.  We have adapted a schedule that seems to work well.  Uncle Bob and Aunt Karen drop us off at the trail around 7:00am.  We hike for 20 miles or so, they pick us early afternoon, we swim in the pool, then eat dinner once the storm comes in.  It's feels like we are part time hikers for now.  How can we do this each day you ask? The AT cuts around their town in a semicircle so there are like 7 places where the trail is within 1 and a half hours from them and some as little as 20 minutes.  I forgot to mention two days ago that we walked through 1.5 miles of tall grass next to the grain and corn fields outside of Boiling Springs.  By the time we got to town my eyes were almost swelled shut.  By bed time I couldn't check emails because my vision was so cloudy.  This was still very fresh in my memory today, so I wore my Buff as a face mask for the 12 miles of field traversing.  This cut back on my pollen intake.  It worked beautifully and I only had a slight reaction today.The guide book warned us of 6 miles of "very rocky trail", but it was not bad at all.  It didn't slow us a bit.  We were eating ice cream with Uncle Bob in Duncannon by 3:00pm, just as today's storm began.  Perfect timing!
Date: 2012-06-02
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Hwy 325
Miles today: 18.0

2 June.  To Hwy 325, PA.  18 miles. 6/2/12    "Today we hiked 18 miles. We got up at 6:00am and were on the trail by 7:00am.  We hurried all day and we ate our sandwiches in the afternoon. Aunt Karen and Uncle Bob picked us up at 2:00. We are now relaxing and going to swim with the neighbor kids ALL afternoon!!"                 ¢Sunshine:-)  Another great day in PA!  We started bright and early in Duncannon this morning.  The town was abuzz with preparations for their Trail Festival.  Our friend Beacon would have caught up with us last night, but stopped short at a shelter because of the incoming storm. Good call, because there was a severe thunder storm and even a tornado sighting.  We hope to see him soon.  Sunshine's missed his company.  The hikers we met on the trail today still seemed a bit rattled from it.  The storm was done when we began, leaving behind a cool sunny morning with a gentle breeze and no humidity!  If our elevation profile was on a heart monitor screen, our patient would have been flat lining yesterday.  Nice and flat!  Today's EKG had a quick 1,000 foot gain and then resumed it's flat pattern.  There were some rocks that slowed us a bit, but nothing bad.
Date: 2012-06-04
From: Urgent Care 

To: Orthopedic Physician
Miles today: 0.0

6/4/12  "Today we went to the Orthopedic Surgeon. He took off my temporary cast and asked me questions. He asked me were ALL the pain was. He also asked if I felt dizziy or sick, and how I fell. Then he gave me my cast. He was very kind. Then we left."                   ¢Sunshine:-)We got a good nights rest Dispite the uncertainty of what today might bring. We got an appointment first thing this morning with the Pen State Pediatric Orthopedic center (very well known as the best in the area) in Hesshey, PA. The doctor was very assuring and excited to hear about what Sunshine does. He assured her that it was not a bad break and with the water proof cast, she could resume hiking as soon as she felt up to it. He suggested not using a sling for long to improve her balance. She needs to keep the cast on for 4 weeks, but now some how she is proud of it and wants it in the Katadin picture at the end as a badge of honor. I think she actualy feels tougher now. Plus it's a great place for her to collect hiker signatures. Beacon is still with us and we will be discussing a restart plan this evening after dinner.
Date: 2012-06-05
From: Orthopedic Physician

To: Hwy 183
Miles today: 22.0

5 June.  To PA 183.  22 miles.  Only 987 miles left!!!6/5/12   "Today we hiked 22 miles. My arm felt ok. Every 4 hrs I had to take ID PROFEN for pain and swelling, but it's not bad.  It was VERY wet. But everything was ok.(and Beacon doesn't know how to slack pack, ha, ha.  He accidentally brought his tent)   Then we went back to Aunt Karen and Uncle Bobs house. I will miss them when we leave!  After that Ninja came over, we talked for a few hours."                     -Sunshine:-)Today went very well.  It was our first day back with Beacon too.  Sunshine enjoys chatting with him.  It stayed nice and cool all day. In fact after hiking for 2 hours, I noticed that I could see my breath.  It was just a bit cool while eating lunch, but the perfect temp while walking.  The trail was wet and muddy, but nothing we couldn't deal with.  There were quit a few rocks, but they came and went.  We slowed down our pace and are sticking with 20's for a while until Sunshine regains her balance well using only one trekking pole.  She really did great despite the cast, she's a real trooper!  She almost seemed excited for the extra challenge.  You can see the pride in her eyes as she holds her cast like a trophy.
Date: 2012-06-06
From: Hwy 183

To:  Reservoir Rd. 
Miles today: 20.0

6 June.  To Reservoir Rd.  20 miles.6/6/12    "Today we hiked 20 miles. We woke up early and left quickly. We we saw a lot of people that we knew today! Then we went to Port Clinton where Beacon got his package wile we pigged out.       My arm was 100% awesome all day until 4 miles away from our ending point for the day. So I put it in a sling and it was fine."                   ¢Sunshine:-)Another great day.  While looking at the elevation profile, we noticed a very steep drop into Port Clinton.  I assumed it would be a climb down the rocks using both hands like we have seen a few times before.  Also Beacon needed to pick up a box at the PO in Port Clinton.  We were going to hit the PO just at the beginning of a 1.5 hour lunch break and Sunshine wanted to see Blue and Maineiac who passed us while we were at the doctor.  Sunshine, who is always included in our planning discussions (she really pays attention to the route) suggested we hike the same route, but south.  This fixed all our problems.  It would be easier to climb rocks one handed up, Beacon would hit the PO by 10:00 and Sunshine would see Blue and Maneiac (yes that's spelled right, she's from Maine).  Plus she is of course collecting thru-hikes signatures.
Date: 2012-06-07
From:  Reservoir Rd. 

To: PA 309
Miles today: 21.0

07 June. 21 miles to PA 309 Blue Mountain Summit. 6/7/12  "Today we hiked 21 miles. We woke up VERY early and then went to the trail. It was a long car ride. After that we talked with Beacon for a few hrs as we hiked.  When we got to the top of the mountain, we ate sandwiches and snacks. I'm going to miss sandwiches for lunch.  After lunch, we hurried to the road. Dad and I got there just before it pored."                   ¢Sunshine:-)  Like Beacon says, "this is Gentlemen's Hiking" because it's down right civilized.  There are park benches, picnic tables, privies, shelters, and stores right off the trail.  Of course our PA support has made it even more luxurious. Tonight is our last with Uncle Bob and Aunt Karen.  We will all miss them horribly, they were so kind and generous.  They really made us feel at home.  Bob said he'd miss us too because he'll have to find his own breakfast each morning now that Karen is't hosting us any more.  They picked us up from The trail 9 times!  But most importantly they made us feel loved and Sunshine really needed that.  Not to mention what a hardship it would have been to get Sunshine the proper medical care without their time, transportation, and contacts.  Can you imagine trying to hitch into two different doctors offices in a unknown town.  Thank you Uncle Bob and Aunt Karen!    Today was wonderful.  We were on abandoned road beds most of the day.  Many hikers don't like road walking, but we love it (of course we only hike roads when it's official trail)! We especially appreciate road beds here in PA because there are some sections of trail riddled with rocks.  Beacon says "Pennsylvania is where shoes go to die".  But seriously, we have really enjoyed this state and are sad to be leaving it soon.  They weather was perfect!  Nice and sunny, but not too warm.  Just as we came out to the road, it began to sprinkle.  We rushed to the restaurant 100 yards to our west and stepped under it's over hang just as it began to dump buckets.  Beacon, however wasn't as lucky.  He was in that down pour for his last half hour.
Date: 2012-06-08
From: PA 309

To: Smith Gap Rd
Miles today: 26.0

8 June.  26 miles to Smith Gap Rd.             6/8/12  "Today we hiked 26 miles. We saw Aunt Karen and Uncle Bob for the last time. While saying good bye, Dave (who's trail name is now Iceman, I named him) drove up and said he would sack pack us. All day he met us at every road and gave us and other hikers ice cold soda!!! The day went by fast!!! We left our gear in his car.  Thanks Iceman!!! Then Drop n Roll met us at the road and gave us homemade Lasagna!! Now we are spending tonight at her house!!"              -Sunshine:-)Before we talk trail, I would like to wish my beautiful, loving, wonderful, patient, and supportive wife Teresa (trail name: Mother Teresa) a happy 16th wedding anniversary. The picture I posted is not from our wedding, it is from a friends wedding a few years ago.  She actually becomes more beautiful with each year that passes.  I truly am married to my best friend.  I love you Teresa!   So, by now everyone has probably heard of the 4 state challenge, the Maryland Challenge, and let us never forget the 1/2 gallon ice cream challenge.  We have a new one now that we might just own.  The Pennsylvania Slacker challenge. That's right, by tomorrow night, we will have successfully hiked all the way through the entire great state of PA with nary a day of carrying a full pack.  That's right we only spent one night on trail in PA and even then we only carried the barest  necessities, leaving most everything at Uncle Bob's!  As Sunshine mentioned, Iceman (he brought her ice on the day she broke her arm, without knowing she would need it for that) slack packed us all day!  That means we hike the trail, but with only lunch, snacks, and water.  We didn't plan this, he just showed up!  We were putting on our full packs for the first time in days wishing they were lighter, when he arrived.  Thanks Iceman (David)!  Our Friend Drop and Roll (she hiked with Ninja, PCT 2011, who we visited with the other night), will be slacking us tomorrow!  Talk about civilized hiking!  The weather was perfect!  Mostly sunny.  The trail was quite steep, using our hands at times for a short section, but the rest was nice and flat.  Well as far as sea level goes, we are still in the north PA rocks.  Our feet are getting pummeled, but nothing we can't handle.  Especially with 6 lb packs.
Date: 2012-06-09
From: Smith Gap Rd

To: Deleware Water Gap, PA
Miles today: 24.0

9 June. 24 miles to Delaware Water Gap.6/9/12   "Today we hiked 24 miles. We woke up super early and packed for the day quickly. Drop-N-Roll made us French Toast!!!!! It was incredible!! Then we hiked. We hurried until mile 8. After that Drop-N-Roll met us at a road and gave us sandwiches!!! Then she hiked a few miles!!!  We went to an ice cream shop to wait for her!!!"              ¢Sunshine:-)  As long as we are going down memory lane, I thought you might enjoy this picture of Butterfly at 6 mos. and Sunshine at 3 years old.   The magic continues!  Drop N Roll (DnR) was able to join us for about 5 miles this afternoon. We were telling another hiker that we would be back to full packs tomorrow when DnR says with a grin "not necessarily, I could slack you again tomorrow".    It was overcast all day, with threats of rain.  However, It never did rain.  We have on good authority that the rocks stop here.  Ha, ha.  I'll believe that one when I see it. There was an 8 mile section of constant rocks today, but the hoagie sandwiches at lunch made up for it. PA really is a beautiful state.  We will truly miss it.    We caught up to Scout, Biscuits, Switchback, and SID about 8 miles out, so we enjoyed hiking with that group for the rest of the way to town.  It's nice to hike in groups at times. The mood was very festive.  We made the ice cream lady very busy for a while.
Date: 2012-06-10
From: Deleware Water Gap, PA

To: Brink Rd shelter
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: clear sky

10 June.  25 miles to Brinks Road.  6/10/12  "Today we hiked 25 miles. We slept in. About half way for the day we met a family who is section hiking the whole AT in 4 years!! We talked a lot. One girl is almost 12, the other girl is 10, and the youngest is 7!!!!!!! Now we are in the shelter having fun together!!!"                  ¢Sunshine:-)  Ok, we are hiking for real now.  No more pampered hiking for us.  Drop-N-Roll slacked us and met us for lunch with all sorts of sugary goodness.  Then, she drove ahead to the road by our shelter for the night.  Turns out that the road was blocked so she parked 3/4 of a mile and had most of our gear hauled in for us by the time we arrived in the newly arrived rain.  Yep, we're back to the rain game again.  Actually we stayed pretty dry all things considering and though I love the luxuries we had bestowed upon us in PA, we are excited to be in fellowship with the wilderness once again.  Thanks again DnR we will miss you!  One of the coolest things happened for Sunshine today on trail.  We ran into an entire family hiking.  They are section hiking the AT over 4 years.  There was Farmer Chef, Momma Bear, Hinny (12, G) Skeeter Bait(10, G) and Moe(7, B).  All These kids walked 25 miles today.  We were impressed and walked half the day with them.  Sunshine loved talking and walking with the girls.  Sunshine and Hinny were making plans for a 2018 PCT Thru-hike by the end of the day.  I was happy to see her get a little girl time in.  So far Jersey is proving to be a bit more work with small rolling hills and almost as many rocks as PA.  There were several beautiful views through out the day.  We hope to put in some 25's over the next few days so we can get to our Zero in NYC! Statue of Liberty, here we come!
Date: 2012-06-11
From: Brink Rd shelter

To: Unionville, NY
Miles today: 26.0

11 June.  26 miles to Unionville.   6/11/12  "Today we hiked 26 miles. It was rough. Dad had bad allergies.  But we talked to the family we met a lot of the day. It was awesome to talk to all of them, especially the girls!!! They are very cool and amazing people! Sadly 5 miles from our camp spot, they stopped for the day:-(. Also we ate pizza and pop tarts, and drank soda!!!"                  ¢Sunshine:-) It was a long day.  So I'm just going to tell the facts here.  Sorry if some folks think I should omit the unpleasantries, but thru-hiking (like life) has good and bad moments. I want my readers to hear our entire experience.  The difficult moments only make the amazing ones even sweeter.    We rushed 4 miles to get to Joe to Go for a breakfast sandwich, but when Sunshine asked to use the rest room, he said he didn't have one.  When I asked, mostly out of curiosity, if he was required to have a customer RR at a restaurant, he kicked us out!  I told this story to some locals we met further up the trail and they say the local cops hate him because he has an altercation with a customer requiring their intervention at least once a week.    We met the family again today on the trail.  I've renamed them to the 6 bears.  Mama, Papa, Big, Middle, Little, and Baby Bears.  They hike one week a month.  Sunshine enjoyed walking with the girls again.  It's fun to hear the chatter going down the trail.  It has been a good thing.  I was feeling very lethargic all day and just did't feel well in general.  I finally realized that my allergies were getting the best of me.  I didn't have the usual problems because my face was covered, but the grass was rubbing my legs causing sever irritation.  I'm so happy Sunshine Doesn't have allergies.  I was beat by the time we arrived to High Point State Park, so I took a long nap.  Beacon got to town before us and discovered that we were allowed to camp in the city park.  When we arrived, he was in the gazebo with a large pizza, and drinks.  It was the perfect end of a long day.  How sweet the evening/night was!
Date: 2012-06-13
From: Greenwood Lake

To: New York City
Miles today: 21.0

6/13/12 "Today we hiked 20 miles. It was not a very fun evening(the morning was INCREDIBLE!!!). We had lots of climbing to do, and I only had one good arm. In addition to that, dads feet were tore up from being wet for days, so he was in pain and we were hiking FOREVER! Other than that today was awesome!!! A few miles in we had AWESOME trail magic!! They had soda and pancakes!!! Thanks B team!!!"               -Sunshine:-)
Date: 2012-06-15
From: NYC

To: NYC
Miles today: 0.0

We had a great day! Cowbear and the Punisher are great hosts and tour guides! We rode the boat to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Both places were fascinating! We saw many of the sights down town as well, and the people watching was amazing! I could have spent the whole day sitting on the sidewalk just watching the local color. Thanks you two for the memories. We would have never been brave enough to stay in town by ourselves. We have so much fun reliving the PCT with friends! Sunshine will give you her perspective on the City tomorrow, I gave her the day off journaling.