morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-06-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 17.5

Seventeen miles is never a "gimme" but is was not too difficult today. The Trail went along a 1,500 ft ridge line for most of the day with one excursion to the valley creating a need for a 1,000 ft climb midday. The Trail is nice here but it gets to be boring. There is little that I have not seen previously. The spring flowers are gone and the summer flowers do not bloom in the woods. There is evidence of coal mining in a previous century. There are piles of rubble here and there but the scars have healed nicely. I mostly trudge on just trying to make the miles. New York City is on my mind. I imagine walking Fifth Avenue with my back pack wearing a little dirt from 9 states. Now that has to be cool. SL
Date: 2009-06-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 17.4

Today's walk was similar to yesterday. Along a 1500 ft ridge with one drop into the valley at Swatara gap where the Trail passed under I-81. The following section on the ridge was very weedy with a lot of rank poison ivy and briars creeping into the trail. The Trail could disappear in a month here with no travelers. Not a pleasant section. Thankfully after a couple of miles the weeds turned into expanses of fern going as far as I could see in every direction. Thirty minutes prior to the shelter a storm rolled in causing me to don rain gear. The 501 Shelter is a good one totally enclosed with wooden bunk platforms. There are screens on the windows which are welcome since the mosquitos have been active lately. There is even a sun shower but it is under the trees so it never gets sun. I used it anyway. It felt like the cold water of the Creek coming through the hose. Very refreshing. Once inside the real storm came through. The sounds were raw with no muffling like being in a barn. The large central skylight allowed us to see the lightning and the heavy rain pelting the roof. Four hikers arrived during the storm thankful to have the dry and safety of this place. SL
Date: 2009-06-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.1

The coolness of the day was a blessing and I am thankful. Having the chance to miss the very hot weather by being a north bounder is reason enough to make that choice. Hiking in the hot is worse than hiking in the cold I believe. The path was flat today with some areas of rocks. I understand from some of the local section hikers at the shelter that the really bad Pennsylvania rocks are later. I hiked today with Blessed, a young minister from Massachusetts. It was good to exchange trail stories with another and hear about mutual trail friends. I imagine it to be sort of like a gam for sailing ships at sea. I only have 8 or so miles to walk to make Port Clinton where I will meet folks from Corning tomorrow. I will be glad to see them. These meetings along the way have made such a positive difference in my hike. I am fortunate. SL
Date: 2009-06-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 8.6

It felt like Sunday today. This is unusual. For the most part every day is the same on the Trail. This morning I did not leave the shelter until noon to better rendezvous with the folks from Corning. I even had a second cup of coffee just like home. I did some reading in my Companion and planned my entry into NYC. After 8 miles of taking it pretty easy, I saw Jill Palmer, Ed Lewis and John Brown huffing it up the steep hill leading south out of Port Clinton. I think this half mile is as steep as any I have seen so far on the AT. I think they were relieved that they could now turn around a go down toward the car. We make it to our hotel after greetings with Evie and Tom who are waiting at the car. Some folks are smarter than others. I am truly impressed that these friends drove so far to help me make this journey successful and enjoyable. After washing my clothes, giving me cookies, taking me to dinner and sharing a hotel room (John only) I am even more so. I slept long and soundly. SL
Date: 2009-06-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.2

I arrived after dark at an unplanned camp site, but it was a good day. We had a great breakfast at the Cracker Barrel. Sure beats oatmeal in a tin cup. Then the Corning crew patiently accompanied me with my scurrying for groceries, new boots and an outfitter visit. My feet were thankful for John's suv to get these tasks completed. The world is built for cars. Not for walkers. We hiked about 5 miles together skirting town then into the woods with Tom Palmer taking the suv to a side trail exit from the AT. The only problem was we could not find the exit after a few miles of hiking. With a good map posted in the parking area and cell phone telepathy, Tom from miles away was able to divine us to the blue blazed exit trail. A bit awkward. Usually the guys on the trail have the map. I said goodbye to my relieved friends mindful of the help they had given me. I had lunch with Grits who had just passed us and then began to finish the remaining 10 miles. A nap at Pulpit Rock with a great view of the PA farmland put me in jeopardy of arriving at the shelter in darkness. I missed the shelter but found some other campers in a flat area with water. So all is well. I am focused on NYC now and the people I will see there. The anticipation pulls me on. SL
Date: 2009-06-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 17.4

Today turned into a wet one. I left my unplanned camp spot and made it to the first shelter for lunch. T Toe and Sparky arrived to avoid an impending thunder storm as I was leaving. I knew I needed to keep going to make my target. The rain came along with one close aboard lightning strike. My spirits are dampened enough to seek shelter at an intermediate BandB. I was on the front porch calling their phone trying to make a reservation for now. Pretty pitiful. A wet guy trying to get into the dry, but no one will answer. The machine says, "Leave a message." I continued after which the sun came out. I was now glad those so and so's did not answer. I arrived at the Bake Oven Knob shelter, my destination for the evening. It is very old and small containing one woman with a very big dog. I decided to tent although it was getting dark fast and the rain was coming. With my tent up I went down the hill in almost dark for water. The sky opened and the rain came making it even darker. Finding the path was difficult. The first spring is dry and I cannot find the second one. It is dark and my headlamp is in my tent. As the big cloud bank moves on there is enough light for me to find the second spring. I have tried to remember every detail so I can find my way back to my tent. I am drenched but my tent is dry. I strip leaving my wet clothes outside taking as little water as possible into my only refuge. Bit by bit I recover and went on to sleep a very good sleep. SL
Date: 2009-07-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 12.8

I think about the B and B where I will relax tonight. Other things interrupt my longing. Blueberries. They are everywhere. I stopped and picked enough to get a flavorful taste. Later an Irishman was picking and packing. Picking blueberries and packing a pistol on his hip. I tried not to notice the gun. He said he picks 100 quarts each season. A lot of berries. As I go down one mountain I see a rocky crag in the sky across the Lehigh River and hope it is not the Trail. The struggle on this rock scramble is "throw away your pole away" difficult. I was looking for hand holds to keep me from tumbling down on the jagged rocks below. It looks like a scene from the West. This rocky climb introduced me to a section of 4 miles of desolation caused by zinc smelting until 1980. Even now there are areas with nothing but rocks. No trees. No water. It is dramatic and terrible at the same time. The nude hillsides can be seen for miles. With a bit more walking I am at the trailhead and Kathy, the BandB owner, shuttles me home. It is an old country store with an attached big house. The store is still filled with products from yesteryear. I am set. I even get to enjoy Italian takeout for dinner. The meat ravioli hits the spot and will hold me until tomorrow. SL
Date: 2009-07-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.4

After a wonderful french toast breakfast prepared by Kathy of Filberts BandB, I Pennsylvania rock hopped up another boulder scramble. Do you know why there is so much good farmland in southeastern PA? After God created the world, he extracted all the rocks from the PA lowlands and strowed them along the AT from Boiling Springs to the Delaward Water Gap. Any thru hiker will attest to the truthfulness of this reality. I arrived at Wind Gap with some vinegar left. My left heel feels much better after purchasing "green feet" inner soles in Harpers Ferry. My right knee feels stronger than when I began the hike. Maybe stronger muscles in the area help keep the joint stabilized. The soles of my feet are constantly sore. They feel better each morning following rest. Sometimes I wonder if they will keep springing back. Looking at today's effort, I think my Hooke's constant is holding in there. Pete, the owner of my motel for the eveniing, took me to the grocery and for pizza with beer at Sal's. Great meal and very thoughtful logistical support for hikers by Pete. There are some helpful people in the world. SL
Date: 2009-07-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.6

This was my last hiking day in PA. I am glad to be moving on and I hope the rocks of the last week stay behind. The Delaware Water Gap is a milestone equivalent to Damascus and Harpers Ferry. Another big state completed, less than 900 miles to go and I begin New England. I was excited coming down the hill seeing the Delaware River and I-80 which I have travelled many times to Manhattan. I am staying at the Dear Head Inn tonight. For those counting, yes it is 3 nights in a row in a private room with a flush toilet. It is part of my re-entry training. I am getting ready for NYC. The social norms of the Big Apple compel me to seek these remedial experiences. I have hiked 10 days without a zero and plan to continue to Bear Mtn without a day off. That would make 17 days. This is beyond my practice, but I am trying to arrive this coming week-end. We will see. SL
Date: 2009-07-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 17.0

It was a good hiking day. I had breakfast with Brown Cow and Mama Brown Cow at the BandB. Mama had finished a section with her son. Our trail talk engaged all around us. They were full of questions and generally inspired by our effort. Underway I quickly met a young couple from Ithaca, NY who hiked the Trail in 2005. We hiked together to the southernmost glacial lake, Sunfish Pond. It transported me to the Adirondacks as it looked so similar. With a few rest breaks and mingling with day hikers the 17 miles passed pretty quickly. I was given food or drink from 3 different parties. Who said they are not friendly in Jersey? The last group, a trio of young men who graduated from Middlebury, gave me a PBR. The contents and the red, white and blue script spoke of the 4th. We talked while overlooking the valley about the geology of rock we were sitting on as one of the guys is an earth science teacher in DC. I would like to take his class and learn more about this important topic which needs to influence our legislative process. I continue to find that turning a few pages past the cover reveals an educated thoughtful hiker. My evening was completed by watching the fire works from many towns in NW Jersey from my ridgeline camp. They were firing away. Red here. White there. Miles from each other. I could see them all. It was a good day. But there was also sadness from remembering the cycle of events beginning 1 year ago today. There were moments of reflection to that time and the loss that quickly followed. Yesterday and today like salt and pepper in a bowl maintained its own flavor and did not influence the flavor of the other. SL
Date: 2009-07-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.3

Today was my day for bears. Yesterday's couple from Ithaca said I would see one. The first bounded down a tree right on the trail and sauntered along it the same direction I needed to go. I cautiously proceeded after it was out of sight. Maybe 15 minutes later I saw another about 15 yards from the trail. She woofed at the little one and stood her ground. I did not see the cub. Only the parting wave of blueberry bushes as it scampered in the direction mama had indicated. After the brief effort to direct the cub to safety she constantly looked at me over a bush like the neighbor on Tim the Toolman. I could see only her ears which looked like little furry disk antennae trained on me. I moved on after trying to make a photo. I was able to get a burger and fries at a bar and grill on a pretty lake in Branchville. Many locals were there. Roy bought me a beer in exchange for trail stories. Three miles later and I tented for the night. Ranger from Knoxville is also here. We talked briefly but the mosquitos chased us into our respective tents. Time for bed anyway. SL
Date: 2009-07-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 20.1

I hiked the first 11 miles to the High Point State Park with Ruffio from Orlando. He is about my age and doing a long section. We had good trail conversation and together had a good pace so the miles were quickly over. I find this happens when talking with someone. Ruffio is apparently one of the lost children in one version of Peter Pan. He was named by his wife. I think she is making a statement. The State Park had a grill at their lake swimming area. These positive surprises are emotionally uplifting. They even had a board for thru hiker sign-ins and some simple free trail food. I ordered a dog, burger, fries, pepsi, gatorade and later had ice cream. While sitting on the deck by the grill, wandering flesh outside the confines of too small swim suits paraded by. It was hard to miss even if I tried. With some determination I walked twenty miles to the Mayors in Unionville to get a free dinner, breakfast, laundry and shower. This was all in his private home and shared with 12 other hikers. Unbelievable support for the thru hikers but a bit chaotic. I am thankful, gave a donation but ready to leave this morning. SL
Date: 2009-07-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 16.9

Before leaving for the Trail I resupplied at Horler's general store which looks like a house. The front porch with rocking chairs offered a comfortable place to be while I made a few phone calls and ate my 2 donuts and coffee. Only the large noisy dump trucks spoiled the otherwise relaxing time. I hit the Trail at a late 10. There is a lot of low land with standing water in NJ. The mosquitos have been thick and I wore my head net a portion of the day. There are many board walks across these wet expanses. Quite pretty in places. At one point there were 4 women with easels and paints. They were in straw hats and their paintings were in progress. I asked and then took their picture. They admired my activity and I theirs. I hope they had shelter as a thunder storm later blew in filling my boots and wetting my newly laundered socks. I stopped at the first shelter to change socks as I did not want to walk all day in wet ones. My toe next to my big one looked angry again. I pressed on the nail and fliud like that from a hamburger under the pressure of a spatula came squirting out. I doctored it with a band aid and hand wrung the wet socks dubbing them "washed and spun dry". Later I took my first fall cutting my right wrist. These rocks ARE slippery. ALL of them. I preach to myself. After over 1300 miles one got me. The cut was minor. My pride suffered. At camp I quickly set up my tent and get all the necessary stuff within the confines of the screen for safety from the mosquitos. I can finally relax, nurse my wounds and listen to the harmony of a fresh storm providing another rain shower. SL
Date: 2009-07-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 12.1

Another state is behind me. 8 down; 6 to go. The NJ/NY line is on a ridge overlooking the Greenwood Lake. The breezy blue sky day has chased all the mosquitos away. The view is very pleasant and similar to those along the Finger Lakes near Corning, NY. The large house size boulders did require scrambling to summit and there were many of them. Two miles before camp I stopped at Bellvale Farms Creamery for a quart of ice cream and 2 root beers. That gave me the energy needed to make it to camp on a low enerrgy day for me. I spent the evening rehearsing tomorrow to assure I get to Bear Mtn Bridge on July 10. I am tired. I can afford no mistakes like extra miles to get water which is scarse around here. SL
Date: 2009-07-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 18.4

It was a hard fought 18 today. The designer of this Trail section was a sadist. There are names like Agony Grind and Lemon Squeezer. There was one obstacle so hard that they put up a sign for a detour. "Easy Way". My pride would not let me do it with a woman hiker behind me. Especially when she said, "I will take the hard way," with a lilt of delight. I hiked 4 more miles than I had originally planned. So now there are only 10.1 miles to Bear Mtn Bridge where my son will meet me. Kind of like the Tour de France it has been the Hike de New York. The race was won today. The hike to the Hudson will be a formality and a victory lap of sorts. Since Harrisburg, PA I have hiked 16 days averaging 15.3 miles/day. I have made it to NYC, the skyline I saw from a mountain top earlier in the day. And with a few zeros, visits with Jason and family, food and support from other friends, Lincoln Center with Rita, I will be more than ready to do the remainder of this walk. SL
Date: 2009-07-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 10.1

I was paid back with interest yesterday. Very early in my hike I found a nice flashlight on the trail obviously dropped by a hiker. I retrieved it with the hope of finding the owner down the trail which I did. A very appreciative high school student from Auburn, AL. Well my kindness was passed on by him and no one knows what route it took from there, but it circled back to me yesterday. Brown Cow from Rochester came up behind me and extended his hand with my Blackberry which I had left at trail magic water stop. Wow! My Blackberry has more information than my brain. It would be impossible to duplicate without a serious delay in my hike. My visit in NYC would have been compromised with activities to try and recover. His simple act of kindness meant so much to me. I think that is often the case. A simple act for the giver means so much to the receiver. Thanks Brown Cow. The New York section was tough again today. No big mountains but almost continuous ups and downs. It was exciting to top a mountain and see the Hudson River to the south. I paused awhile to take it in and reflect on arriving in this place all the way from Georgia. Then my last pull of the day up Bear Mtn only to go immediately down into a park and a zoo with lots of people having a great time. It felt good to be celebrating inside weaving through the happy folks. I phoned Jason my location and we quickly met at a quiet spot. He had a cooler full of food and drinks and a lawn chair. Paula and Steve arrived shortly thereafter with another cooler of food. I told them I expected no thru hiker on the Trail was being supported so lavishly. Fresh friut, water melon, soda, beer, hero sanwiches, chips, brownies, hostess cupcakes. I just sat in the chair and ate. It was wonderful. SL
Date: 2009-07-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 6.4

The previous 3 days were zeros in Manhattan. I needed some time off. Maybe not 3 days but it was a great break. Central Park on Sunday after a great City breakfast with my son, his wife and my two grand daughters. We watched the radio controlled sail boats on the pond and rode the carousel. A musical at Lincoln Center. A dinner and visit at Carmines with Frank and Linda Rosato and their son Joe with his girlfriend. And I shared all these experiences and events with Rita. It was a very special time for me and I am sorry it ended. Following train, taxi and limo rides, my short hike started where it ended on 7/10, Bear Mtn Bridge. Crossing the Hudson River is always special to me. I always get a little tingly. Even in 2009 the development of the environs around big NYC has not subsumed the geographic drama of this river. I could look at it for a long time and not get bored. Supper was hot dogs and ice cream at a convenient store. I am camped with several other hikers on a ball field at the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center. There are cold showers for the brave. Tomorrow the hike resumes in ernest again. SL
Date: 2009-07-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 11.8

I had planned a 17 today and a 10 tomorrow. Instead I saw the opportunity to do a 11 today and a 16 tomorrow and get a grill meal and a shower at Canopus Lake and State Park. Easy decision. The Trail was pretty tame today. There were many old stone walls in the woods. Some sections were toppled proving what Frost said to be true, "Something there is that does not love a wall". In one place there was extensive rock work creating a road bed maybe wide enough for a narrow gauge railroad. Whatever it was it made for easy hiking. I arrived at the Park Office 10 minutes before the grill 1/2 mile away closed. The attendant was nice enough to call and ask them to stay open a bit for a hungry hiker. Just to confirm the notion, I ordered a bacon cheeseburger and fries over the phone. All worked to my benefit including a gift of an orphan basket of chicken tenders. Maybe the best deal was the hot shower which I used to wash myself and my hiking clothes. They will not be dry by tomorrow but it is warm and they will dry quickly once underway. SL
Date: 2009-07-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 10.5

Today was the day for trail magic. After a brief thunder shower I lunched at the RPH shelter which is converted from a cabin. Storyteller and I enjoyed the porch although the rain had stopped. We struck out together and quickly found a cooler of coke and plums. I had both although my lunch was quite satisfying. I was not as excited as earlier in the hike to experience the magic and I chasened myself a bit. Later while crossing a small paved road a woman in a car stopped and asked if we wanted ice cream and beer. We hesitated as we were on our way to a deli 1 mile away. She said she would fix something better than the deli. Yes we said. She fixed pasta with fresh tomatoes and basil. Very yummy. I had 6 more miles to go but that was put on hold when she offered dinner, showers, laundry and an evening out at the local coffee bar. It turns out Amy and Bill are great friends of hikers. Bill completed a thru hike in 1999. Well the rum mango smoothies were much better than the karoke but the atmosphere was very relaxing. As Storyteller and I went to the bonus room above the garage for the evening, Amy promised an egg breakfast at 0700. This is all unbelievable but it is true. Trail Magic at its best. SL
Date: 2009-07-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 13.3

I feel like I have slowed to a crawl. Circumstances have been stacked against me. Last afternoon the rum smoothie lotus blossom was too aromatic to miss. Tonight a thunder storm with ground lightning came yhrough just as I arrived dry at Telephone Pioneers Shelter. I had planned to hike another 4 miles, but my aloneness and the pleasant dry space of the shelter caused me to call it a day. I really have to double down now to meet Tom Hackett and his daughter Kate in Cornwall Bridge in two days. I can do it. The weather is predicted to be good. Portugese Grasshopper going south said the terrain will get interesting in a few miles. All this will work to pull me on. SL