morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-06-18
From: PA 183

To: Port Clinton, PA 
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: few clouds

On the trail by 8 A.M. thinking that it would be a fairly easy day. I did not finish, however until around 4 P.M. It was not a real difficult trail but I think it was a combination of just having tired legs, being obnoxiously rocky, and the extreme heat that just sapped me. The bugs also added to my discomfort. Someday soon I think I will just take a zero day and let my legs rest!The trail, as I said, was just full of small rocks that were in every direction; many of which were facing straight up, almost like a sharp edged knife that would impale you if you tripped and fell on them. Many, many times I would trip and stumble, but fortunately would remain standing.Nothing really eventful happened today. Port Clinton is a nice little town that the AT goes right through. There is a pavilion that hikers can stay at if they desire. There are a couple of couches in there with a couple of mattresses, picnic tables, etc. Many hikers just put there tent up inside the pavilion. Our crew opted for the Microtel which is located right across from a huge Cabela's, and a Cracker Barrel just right up the street.Dorothy wanted me to be sure and make a stop at the Port Clinton Motel to try there huge plate of French Fries. However they are closed on Mondays. Perhaps tomorrow as we hike from the north to the south back in to Port Clinton.I am very tired and will close this off and hit the hay! Tomorrow is Hawk Mt. Rd. to Pa.183. Best to all of you!
Date: 2007-06-19
From: Port Clinton, PA 

To: Hawk Mtn RD, Eckville
Miles today: 15.2

Started at Hawk Mtn. Rd. around 7:45 this morning and finished around 2:30 this afternoon. The trail was very nice especially walking from north to South. The first three or four miles were mostly uphill and a road walk. After that it was good trail with very little elevation change and only a few (well, more than a few) rocks. Some really nice views were available, around the pinnacles and the pulpit rocks. I saw a huge black snake at the pulpit rocks. I grabbed the tail a bit and boy did it take off! Ha! This was the only snake seen for two days! Must be getting close to the state line. Yep only around 61 miles to the gap and so long Pa.Met Bonnie Carolyn when I arrived back at the van. She was needing a ride to Reading so she could get home for a wedding. Symbol agreed to take her and off to Reading we went. It is about 19 miles from here. What a beautiful city. The architecture on the buildings was so unique. Bonnie Carolyn was so appreciative.We then went and got Dragonfly's truck and headed for the Port Clinton Motel to eat! Dorothy was right! What a great place to eat! A huge plate of fries with gravy and a Philly Cheese Steak that was gigantic! We all really enjoyed it!Tomorrow we are doing short miles, kind of breaking the trip to Palmerton in half. I need to go to the outfitter and see if I can get new points on my Leki sticks. They are worn down to nothing.Ok, until tomorrow, have a great night!
Date: 2007-06-20
From: Eckville Shelter, Hawk MT. Rd.

To: Pa 309, Blue Mt. Summit
Miles today: 11.5

Today was the first step of the 24 miles into Palmerton. We felt that it would be a lot nicer to do it this way then to try and fight the rocks for that many miles. And it was sure the right decision! Rocks all over the place and it made for extremely hard walking. It was a lonely walk, pretty much by myself as I just cannot make real good time over the rocks. I think I have just too big of feet to fit between the rocks and I cannot get a foothold very well.Many that I have spoken with out here have mentioned that they have the blues. Me too, I think. It is knowing that you have passed the half way point and realizing that man I still have that many miles to go! I think also that about this time there are feelings of homesickness, missing family and friends and conveniences like your own bed, etc. And you do! I do and for this day especially. It is something you just have to work through and re-focus to get the second half finished. That is my challenge as I write this. Re-focus and get to Katahdin! It will be done!Keep me in your thoughts, ok?Tomorrow I will go on into Palmerton. Another short day, but I expect plenty of rocks. This is the place where I met Dorothy upon coming out after retiring in 2005. So when I reach this destination it will be somewhat familiar territory until Gorham N.H. And soon I will be out of Pa. and into N.J.Goodnight!
Date: 2007-06-21
From: Pa 309

To: Pa. 248, Palmerton Pa.
Miles today: 13.6

Wow! The trail was really good today! Got a nice 7:45 A.M start and was back to the parking lot by around 1:15 P.M. There were several boulder climbs like the knife face that made for a challenging trail and the views were magnificent. There were not many ugly rocks on the trail either.And blueberries!! They are ripe and very tasty.Just a much better day today. Got my first look since 2005 at the big climb over Lehigh Gap today. Man it is just as ugly as it was back then.Palmerton, in case you did not know is in the vicinity of the Zync mining companies that spewed the gases and fumes over the mountain sides creating enough of a disaster to be labeled an EPA superfund site. Most areas are unvegitated even though restoration efforts have been tried.Ok, I am tired and ready for sleep. Goodnight!Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-06-22
From: Palmerton,Pa.

To: Palmerton,Pa.
Miles today: 0.0

Today was a zero day in Palmerton. My legs are tired and needed some time off.I will be hiking alone for a couple of days so I will take the time to go through my pack again and see if I can further lighten the load. Whatever I feel I do not need I will mail back home or put into a bounce box to use on up the trail.Not much to say today. Toorrow I will begin the beast of Lehigh Gap. Wish me luck!!Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-06-23
From: Palmerton, Pa., Lehigh Gap

To: Wind Gap, Pa 33
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: clear sky

My pack was lightened some but still felt very heavy as I climbed over the rocks to the summit of Lehigh Gap. I knew though from 2005 that once up there the trail would flatten out and be pretty nice. Guess I have been slacking so long that I had forgotten what my pack felt like!At any rate, the trail and rocks were not all that bad and I made it through to Wind Gap a little after 5 P.M.Nothing really exciting about today. Lots of memories though about Dorothy's problems up there on 05 and how I felt on coming back out here after retirement. We did sixteen miles that day and my legs had not become "trail legs" yet. It was also very hot and humid and later in the year. This time though, i felt much stronger, the weather is much cooler and nicer, and I am more prepared to go over this section. Sure glad to have it over though!Pa. is almost finished! Tomorrow will be a 15.6 mile day into the Delaware Water Gap. I do not remember it being too difficult, but then again, it seems like you tend to block out those rough sections. So we will see and I will keep you posted!Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-06-24
From: Wind Gap, Pa.

To: Delaware Water Gap, Pa.611
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Great day for hiking! I am heading for the Delaware Water Gap and soon to be into New Jersey! Pennsylvania has been actually very nice (Gee, I bet you never thought I would say that, huh?). Seriously the rocks didn't really get bad until the last few days. The trail today was rocky to begin and the climb up from the gap was breathtaking (literally), but the last few miles going into the Del. Water Gap were very nice and easy. Old logging road walk most of the way. I met up with Castanets along the way. Somewhere above Lehigh Gap he fell and blackened his eye and opened a gash on his head that required 5 stitches. He is doing all right though and just laughs about it.I also caught up with Symbol, Spunky and Dragonfly and we hiked together into the gap. We arrived there around 5 P.M. after stopping numerous times for wonderful views. Dragonfly and Spunky headed on home as this was as far as they were going. I set up my tent at the hostel and Symbol joined me in his van a ittle later.Tomorrow we will hike to the Mohican Outdoor center. Dorothy and I stayed there in 05, found it to be very comfortable and cheap, so I am staying there again. Short miles tomorrow, but the day after will be over 18 miles into Culver's gap.I feel very good and very strong. No blisters or ailments, so I am very thankful!Have a wonderful night and day tomorrow!Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-06-25
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: broken clouds

Last night I slept really well inside my tent in a little grassy area behind the hostel. The hostel was full inside and even their little shelter that Dorothy and I stayed in was full, so the tenting was my only option. It was very peaceful and relaxing.I awoke around 6 and Symbol and I headed for breakfast at a little restaurant not far from the hostel. Great food and service. Then we headed for the bakery next door and bought fresh donuts (still warm) to take back to the hostel for the other hikers. We just happened to have a couple ourselves!On the trail around 9 and crossed the bridge into New Jersey. Lots of bears in this state they say. We saw several in 05 and I expected to see some this time also. I was not disappointed! Soon after passing Sunfish Pond I spotted my first one about 25 yds. from me in the blueberry bushes. It was a small one but paid me no attention as I walked by it. Number 2 bear was almost at the end of the trail just before the road leading to this great Appalachian Mountain Club hostel. So the bears are still here. Most likely I will see more tomorrow.As I passed Symbol today he gave me his camera to carry back to the van as it looked like rain. When I got to the van I must have laid it on top of the car, forgot about it and drove off. I searched and searched, walked the road, but no camera. I feel really bad about this, so this kind of ruined an otherwise wonderful day.Gotta go as it is getting late! Keep thinking of me out here and Dorothy back home! She tells me she is coming to Katahdin to meet me. Sure hope so! I would very much like for her to summit with me.Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-06-26
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: N.J. 206 Culver's Gap
Miles today: 17.9

What a miserably hot and humid day! Temperatures and humidity both probably in the 90's. I went through six liters of water and still felt dehydrated. Then when I got back to Mohican (hiking south today from Culver's Gap) I drank 3 Snapples to further get me rehydrated.The trail was very rugged and unkempt all the way through it seemed. Grassy areas that were always knee high and sometimes waste high. Often it was very difficult to follow the trail because you could not see it. The ticks were horrible and the flies were pesty all day and especially when you stopped. Oh yes, to add to all of this was the constant searching for bears. I saw a big one walking the trail in front of me right after the pump just up from the YMCA camp. It was walking the trail very uncaringly. I banged my sticks together and he ran away.Symbol saw two bears, Gorilla was ran out of his camping area as two showed up to greet him, and Castanets was confronted by one at the YMCA shelter. He said it was growling and pawing the ground and that they backed away, detoured around to the beach, and were able to get inside the shelter finally. Also, as I was waiting for Symbol at the Mohican road I took a little walk to see if, by chance, I could find his camera. As I approached a big curve in the road another huge bear crossed in front of me. I stopped and watched him until he started growling and then I backed off until he crossed the road and went back in the woods. I watched him for probably twenty minutes or so. They are wonderful, magnificent creatures, but you sure have to be careful with them. Several of the hikers are grouping up together, until they get out of Jersey. I think this is a good idea. I was very nervous at times going through the berry patches by myself.The trail had numerous overlooks, but when you were open on hot slab rocks you did not stay there long enough to enjoy them.Started around 8 this morning and finished by around 4 this evening. I am still seeing rocks, and I know from past experience that they will not let up. Each day out here is so full of different challenges that you must cope with, only you! It continues to be one of the best things I have done and yet the hardest, most physical, and mentally challenging thing I have done. Emotionally it is difficult also. There are times when walking alone for hours, when your mind thinks of home, grandchildren, friends, family and it really takes its toll on you.Oh well, 866.4 miles to go! I will make it, I wil stay focused, I will face and meet the challenges that are put before me. Katahdin, here I come!!!!Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-06-27
From: U.S. 206 Culvers Gap

To: Culvers Gap
Miles today: 0.0

A zero day today to kind of get caught up on things and get out of the horrific heat and humidity. It was very, very hot and I am thankful I was able to be in out of it. We did get a chance to do our laundry and also to go through the SD card and label 155 pictures. I have it and receipts ready to mail to my daughter.Last night we had a major storm here. Lightning and thunder and rain all over the place. Hopefully this is the start of a cold front that will cool things down some. Tomorrow we will hike from Culvers to High Point State Park. Goodnight!Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-06-28
From: U.S 206 Culvers Gap

To: N.J. 23, High Point State Park Headquarters
Miles today: 14.3

We did it again! We made it to the car just before the big storm hit! How lucky can a person get? It poured the rain with lightning and thunder, etc, knocked power lines down and did some major damage to a little town just south of here. It just started to rain as we exited the woods.The trail was difficult with lots of rocks, ups and downs, and the heat and humidity just zapped my energy. The rocks were extremely slick from the storm last night and the humidity of today. I only fell twice and Symbol slipped once. No injuries though!Not a lot to say today. I am really tired and need some rest so am going to hit the hay! My best to all of you!!Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-06-29
From: N.J. 23, High Pt. St. Pk.

To: N.J.284, just outside of Unionville, N.Y.
Miles today: 9.8

Such a paltry amount of miles today, huh? Actually though I got a lot done that will enable me to get bigger miles over the next few days. My mail drop in Greenwood Lake, New York would have fallen on a weekend. That meant the post office would close by noon and I would have to wait until Monday to get the new maps that Emily sent. So the morning was spent running there and back.Started the trail around noon and arrived here around 3:30 P.M. It was a nice refreshing trail with few rocks, few uphills, and one you could make great time on.We passed the High Point monument marking the highest point in New Jersey. They say you can see all the way into New York City from the top of the monument. Couldn't go up though as it was closed for repairs. Doubt if I would have anyway, as chances are there would be many steps to climb. I have done enough climbing as it is.Raspberries are ripening! Yummmm!! I saw a bunch of them as I walked through the fields and woods.We are camping this evening in the Unionville park with numerous other hikers. Can't really name all of them but the caretaker says this is the most he has seen this year. This is the same park Dorothy and I stayed at in 2005. We celebrated my birthday here with two hostess cupcakes and a pint of Ben and Jerry's. Think I had pistachio then just like I had this evening.Also went to the only restaurant/bar in town again just as in 2005. Hasn't changed a bit. Still poor, but this time they had free pizza!!!! The whole bunch of us hikers were there and boy did we gobble up the pizza!!!I am trying to be in Ft Montgomery on Monday as my friends from Kirtland want to come and see me. How wonderful that will be. I will take them on a short hike to give them a taste of the trail.It is bedtime and around 20 scheduled for tomorrow. Best to you! Goodnight! Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-06-30
From: N.J. 284

To: Warwick Turnpike
Miles today: 16.5

Today was a wonderful day of hiking, very full of memories from 05. We hiked from N to S today so I got a little different perspective. The biggest memory was coming down over the mountain where I had my retirement papers notarized. Then there was the parking lot where the Ridge Runner picked us up and took us to the hostel in Vernon. The trail was very nice today with the typical rocks but I guess I am either getting use to them or better able to endure them because they did not really bother me! Imagine that!We saw another bear today. A momma and her two cubs. Amazing! N.J. has bears all over the place. I have heard or read that the population of N.J. bears is at least 1 per square mile. I think they need to do another survey because I think it is more than this.We stopped about half way at this great farmer's market where they had homemade ice cream and some cold drinks. I also bought an apple to eat along the way. Climber and Fire Marshall were also there enjoying the ice cream. We all had "Java Chunks"! Very, very tasty!Toward the end, we met up with other hikers that we had stayed with in Unionville. They were enjoying some sodas left by a trail angel.Oh yes, some other memories included the great board walk through a wetland area, crossing a huge suspension bridge, crossing another wetland wildlife area and the road walk that eventually led us onto the road where our car was parked. It was much much cooler this time, than when Dorothy and I walked it in 05.Ok, I am going to bed. Another big day is ahead tomorow! Goodnight!Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-07-01
From: Warwick Turnpike

To: N.Y. 17, Arden Rd., Hariman State Park
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was a very brutal and tiring day. Lots of ups and downs and lots of rock climbs. There was even a ladder we had to go up in order to reach the next level of rock ledge. The views were great once on top. Many times I looked at huge lakes and ponds from viewpoints on top of the mountain.Funny, I do not remember anything about this section. Rocks were every bit as bad as Pa., maybe that is why I do not remember.About half way through the hike, there was a creamery where I endulged in a waffle cone and a very cold root beer. Boy was that delicious!We came upon a buzzard on a nest today also. It did not care for us being there and really tried to intimidate us by spreading its wings to their maximum length. I have a picture of it so maybe Emily will post it on this site.I finally arrived at Hariman State Park around 6:15 P.M. totally spent. It has been a very hard day and I am tired and ready for sleep. Goodnight! Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-07-02
From: NY 17, Hariman St. Pk

To: NY 9D
Miles today: 19.3

Today was a very enjoyable day of hiking. The weather was incredible and the hike, although long, was not difficult. All day long I walked pretty mich alone, seeing very few other hikers. In fact I did not see anyone until i was doing the roadwalk up Bear Mountain. It was there that I met Flaxseed and his sister. They had lost the trail. I told them that the trail went up the road and the last I heard was the sister calling for Flaxseed to come out of the woods.The highlight of the day, (besides having my friends from Kirtland coming to see me), was an experience I had with two deer I met right on the trail.I guess you get really crazy when you walk by yourself for long periods of time. But when I saw these deer I just started talking to them very softly, telling them how beautiful they were and that I meant no harm to them. To my surprise, the more I softly talked to them, the closer they came to me. They got to within 5 feet of me and I headed on down the trail. They then followed me for a while. It was as if they understood my oneness with them. What an experience!I arrived around the Bear Mountain Inn around 3:30 P.M. My friends arrived around 4 so it was great timing! It was truly wonderful to see them.Tomorrow they will hike with me for a few miles. This will be good as I know of no other way for a person to understand the trail, than to walk and experience it personally. Looking forward to tomorrow!Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-07-03
From: NY 9D

To: US 9, NY 403
Miles today: 5.1

After a great evening with my friends we started hiking around 9:30 A.M.They all did quite well. The trail offered a little bit of everything. A tough uphill to begin with, rocks to climb over, a black snake that startled the daylights out of Kevin, blueberries to sample, etc. The trail just never ceases to amaze me. We finished around 2:30 P.M. and headed for Chili's. They were on the road around 4 P.M. I really hated to see them go and it would have been very easy to go with them. But I must stay focused.Tomorrow I will do another 12 or 13 miles, not many, but I need to rest my legs a little more.Barb, Kevin, and Wendy, thanks for coming to see me. It means so much!Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-07-04
From: U.S. 9, Peekskill N.Y.

To: N.Y.301, Canopus Lake
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: light rain

I started today at U.S 9 and 403 this morning by around 7:40 A.M. I remembered a lot of this section from the 05 hike. Greymore Friary was just a very short hike from where I began. As I approached the trail crossing the Friary, a deer greeted me on the trail. She was beautiful, again not afraid, and dressed in her beautiful dark brown coat. She looked very healthy and was enjoyed browsing the foliage. Certainly one of my favorite animals to see.Not long into my journey I ran across another hiker whose trail name was Soho, Sharon from, of all places, Jackson, Ohio! That just happens to be around 20 miles from where I was raised, Chillicothe, and where many of my relatives and friends still live. She knew several of them. What a small world!She had just started at the Friary and was headed for the RPH shelter. This was not a small undertaking for her first day out-about 17 miles! She was not carrying a tent and said she had to make the shelter. She said her age was 64. I hiked with her for a while and then moved on. Sure hope she made it before it started raining. It poured right after I got to my destination with some really strong thunderstorms.I took a really hard fall about half way through my hike today after stepping on a stick and having it trip me up. I landed on, what else, rocks. My arms are skinned up along with my left knee and leg. I also must have taken a good rock, if there is such a thing, in my left chest area as my ribs are really sore. My knee did not want to straighten out and I remember that my first thoughts were, "Well, I guess my hike is over." I laid there for about 15 minutes in a cold sweat and finally forced my leg straight and got up and went on. All part of the adventure, I suppose. A.T. scars to remember. My guess is that I will have more to display as I continue to Katahdin!Otherwise it was a good day, although it was difficult on the uphills getting my breath due to the rib injury.I finished for the day at the state park around 2:30, stopping at the concession stand and grabbing a burger and drinks, just prior to the heavy rain. Staying at another motel due to the severe weather. Life is Great!Toto