morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-06-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Last night a bunch of rangers came through our site looking for Blotter. They said they were trying to return his ID, but they didn't know his name. Real smart rangers. In the morning Blotter was not around. We asked around and found out he had been arrested for walking on his bar tab, although 2 patrons saw him pay his tab. Anyhow, the rangers had already made up their mind about the "kid with the mohawk". Pretty sweet rangers they got at Big Meadows. Probably couldn't tell their ass from a hole in the ground. Hiked on to Skyland Campground and then camped beyond at a dense area. Been kind of bumed lately.
Date: 2005-06-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up with a plan to push big miles. We did 25 but fell short of original goal. Stopped at Elkwallow Wayside for a burger. Pushed to Compton Peak and I'm camped on a cliff ledge here. Looks like it might rain and there is not much cover plus I'm cowboying. But the lights in the valley look cool.
Date: 2005-06-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Started and finished the Rollercoaster today. It consists of 10 ups and downs in a row. It wasn't as bad as all the hype made it sound. Stopped at a really nice shelter called Bears Den. The nice lady that runs it gave me some leftover lasagna for lunch. Had dinner at another restaurant on the trail later and finally wound up at the Blackburn AT Center. The guy running it is really nice and gave us a few sodas as well as a place to sleep. Harper's Ferry tomorrow.
Date: 2005-06-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Rolled into Harpers Ferry today and got a room at the Hilltop Hotel so we can get on the train early in the forning for DC. Went down to the Potomac River to swim and cool off. Hit the Secret Six for dinner. Look forward to DC tomorrow. The room is crowded and hot. I need to get some space i think.
Date: 2005-06-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Left DC. Got back to Harpers Ferry and met up with the whole crowd except Blotter. He is pushing ahead for a while for a wedding. Dleeping down by the River.DC was a really good time. We saw all of the Smithsonians, a lot of cool artwork and saw all of the big memorials, monuments and the White House. Traveling in the city with everyone was kind of slow. Sandy and I broke off when we could get get some space and checked out some of the local color. A couple of guys had friends that took us out at night. We didn't always get the warmest reception. Sandy has a goofy mustache and some places wouldn't let us in because of our appearance.
Date: 2005-06-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Got going early. Hit the 7-11 in town for supplies. As I was walking back a Trail Angel named Bluemoon offered to le me do my laundry in his house. So Sandy and I went over and ended up sticking around all day. He made us cheeseburgers for lunch and steaks for dinner. We watched movies and hung out in the A.C. Songline hung out too. Everyone else pushed out. A guy named Toolman got sick of carrying his guitar so I offered to buy it. Now I'm the proud owner of a trail guitar. Things are looking up. Big miles tomorrow.
Date: 2005-06-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hiked 20 miles today with Sandy and Songline. It was a super hot day but things were a little bit more easy going. There was a soda machine early in the day but none of the parks in Maryland have trash cans. Part of the trash free park system. So you buy a soda in the 90 degree heat and realize after the fact you have to pack out the trash. We're at the Devil's Racecourse Shelter. The guitar is ok despite torrential downpours. It's so nice busting it out when I sit down for a break. It's raining right now. Hopefully it will clear by tomorrow.
Date: 2005-06-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up and got going at around 7:00. It was nice out but wet and muggy from all of the rain we had yesterday. Caught an easy ride into town. We saw Smokey on our way in. He has decided to get off the trail so he can apply for school this fall. This news really took me by surprise. We got our packages from the post office and were then shooed away by the local cops. They must have a tod to do in Waynesboro.
Date: 2005-07-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Shot up to Fayetteville by noon. A nice guy named Bill picked us up and took us into town. Since there was no bar in town he opened his home and fridge to us. Then he went back to his job teaching English to troubled youth. We hung out for a while and went down to the local Italian Restaurant for some food. We walked to the laundromat and cleaned clothes. It was so incredibly hot. We decided to hitch to a biker's bar named Bobby A's. A car came skidding to a halt in front of us and asked us if we needed a ride. The driver and passenger were about our age. For some reason we got in and the driver floored it. They were in hysterics. They said they were going to take a quick detour and he goes off the road over parking dividers at 50 MPH, spins out, flys back onto the road nearly hitting a biker. Both are in hysterics. Then, the driver rips off the rearview mirror. He locks up the brakes again while speeding down the road, this time in front of the place he rented the vehicle from. Finally, they say they're going to let us out because they need to take the car back. We scrambled out and as they pull out into traffic, the car stalls. We just kept walking up the road in the other direction. Another vehicle picked us up and aside from having to dust a 12-pack of Budweiser bottles off the back seat, it was a much better ride!Bobby A's was cool. We talked to a sweet Biker named Rusty. He owns a bike shop and showed us his '58 Maxwell House Blue Panhead. We chilled for a while at the bar and Boost and Tron (Brian Kormann and Brian Maxwell) walked in. I was so happy to see those dudes. They are taking us to Cape Cod for the 4th of July weekend, so I'll be off the trail until the 9th.Take care y'all.
Date: 2005-07-10
From: 1/2 Way Point

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up and was hiking by 6:30 a.m. Met a guy named GQ today. He is pretty funny, about my age. We passed the official 1/2 way mark today. There is a campstore that sells ice cream and there is a challenge to eat an entire 1/2 gallon. I chose neopolitan and failed. After our 20 miles we cooled off with a dip in the local swimming hole and found a decent campsite.
Date: 2005-07-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Got a slow start this morning. Met up with the Sundance Kid. He was behind because he got off the trail for a while too. Feeling really bummed about the hike. So far to go and it is so hot. Trying to find motivation. Made it the 20+ into Boiling Springs with GQ and Sundance Kid. GQ is meeting a buddy. Boiling Springs is sweet. They let us shower at the local pool and we have a place to stay for a buck at the Garman House. Going now for a little Italian. Met Bubble Boy. He is a cool dude from Chicago.
Date: 2005-07-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Trent and I got a nice early start into Duncannon this morning and caught Sundance and Bubble Boy as well as some others. There is a run down hotel called the Doyle that a lot of hikers stay at. The Doyle also has a bar and a lot of hikers congregate there. My mom sent me a package of goodies and food which was wonderful and appreciated more than she'll ever know. I also got a new pair of boots from Merrell which is great because mine are falling apart. After all of our business was taken care of we went to the bar and GQ and Rat Race talked us into splitting a room with them for $9.00, so we decided to beat the heat and have a couple of cold ones with the new group of hikers we've been walking with. The Doyle also served me up a killer pulled pork sandwich.
Date: 2005-07-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hiked out of Duncannon after some phone calls. Granite Gear is going to send me a new back pack. Congratulations Mike on graduating from school. I'm proud of you buddy. Sorry I couldn't be there.Got out of town by noon and did 17.5 to a little spring and campsite. Camped with Sundance and Blaze.
Date: 2005-07-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Got going early and hiked into Swatara Gap where we stopped for a break. Then someone had the bright idea to hitch and get a cold iced tea, when a fellow named Rick stopped to pick us up. He drove us into town, and we scored Subway. Then he offered to take us to his house so we could shower and have a cold beer. As we pull up to his lot, we see a beautiful log cabin and go nuts. He and his 2 roommates Phil and Mark are renting it while they work on the election campaign for John Cassey for US Senate. They have a staff of about 15 right now, but that will increase in 16 months as election day rolls around. Anyway, the guys are super cool dudes. They made us dinner and we had some cold brewskies. They offered to let us crash overnight which we couldn't refuse. We watch the Dave Chappelle Show which cracked me up. We had a great night. Thanks guys and good luck!!
Date: 2005-07-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up in the AC and almost forgot where I was. Rick, Phil and Mark made us a great breakfast and we hung out for a while because it was pouring outside. After another quick stop at Subway, we were back on the trail at 4:30. A little late. We only made it 7 miles to the 1st shelter as it continued to pour rain outside. Rick, if you can hear this, come take us back to the beautiful log chateau. I'm not made for this sort of weather!!
Date: 2005-07-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

A little better weather-wise today, but still a scorcher. We pushed 24 miles into Port Clinton thinking that we would be able to get a cold drink when we got in. As it turned out, Port Clinton isn't much of a hiker town. In fact, they didn't even have a gas station, restaurant or hotel. As we walked in, a guy named Jon invited us into the local firefighter's club for a few beers and it ended up being a really good time. Harp, the bartender, served up a mean lager. And we stayed there for a while talking with some of the Port Clinton locals. They have a cold smoked salmon fillet as a bar snack that is pretty good. After drinking at the bar, we went to the town pavillion where they let hikers sleep over night. It would have been pretty nice but there was an interstate about 20 feet away.
Date: 2005-07-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It was hot today. Pushed out of Port Clinton to the Eckville Shelter. It is located behind a house that is owned by the Park Service. There is a fridge in the back with sodas and ice cream sandwiches. Camping out in the yard to beat the heat. The wetness and new boots tore my feet up. I have 10 blisters symetrically spread across my feet. Did 15 today...felt like 25.
Date: 2005-07-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Got a super early start today and went into Palmerton. It was really nice and cool. Scored a super easy hitch into and out of town today. Got subs and some more food to push into Dolanare Water Gap. Took a nice snooze at lunch. Pushed all afternoon into Palmerton and really shot my feed. Did 24.9 today. Sundance and Sandy were right ahead of me and walked past the last Little Debbie in a little bag of trail magic. Ha ha! Had a few beers and went to the old town jail. They offer it as a place for hikers to rest. The Girl Scouts made little bags with hiker items in them.
Date: 2005-07-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hiked into the Delaware Water Gap today. It was a beautiful hike because the humidity had dropped way off. Kind of seemed like a fall day. Sandy, Sundance and I met Karen, the pastor for the church that runs a youth hostel in town. Talked to some day hikers as we made our way into town. Arrived at the hostel mid-afternoon and GQ and Ra-Ra were about to head out. Blotter had already taken off that morning. We did some cleaning and got dinner, a few beers and hit the hay.
Date: 2005-07-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Alright, I took a zero today against my better judgement. Sandy and Sundance persuaded me to rent innertubes and float the river with them. I tried with all my power to persuade everyone to move on, but the prospect of lounging on the inner tube knocking back cold Yuenglings was too great to resist. It was a little damaging to my budget, but was a great memory. We played my Ipod through these little portable speakers that Trent acquired. After the float we grabbed a bite and went back to the church gazebo to crash. My feet are feeling a lot better, so tomorrow we should be going strong.
Date: 2005-07-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

After waking to a huge lightening storm I headed down to the post office, boxed up my guitar and sent it home. The neck is cracked and I'm afraid it might be lost. We hiked out of the gap up to a glacial lake called Sunfish Pond. It was beautiful, deep and blue. The signs said no swimming, but the Ridgerunner said he really couldn't tell us not to swim, so we broke a few rules. It was worth it! After the swim we pushed to the Mohican Campsite and met Stephanie Cohen, a reporter for a Newark, NJ newspaper. She interviewed us for a story she is doing on the AT and then treated us to burgers and beers. We camped back at Mohican for free.
Date: 2005-07-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Got going early again and it was hot from the get go. Most of the day is a blank. It was just too hot to think. It rained mid-afternoon and then the sun came back out and turned everything into a sauna. My feet got soft and started to tear. We got to Highpoint right as it started to rain again. Hitched to a Ponderosa that is now shut down. We sat on the curb moping when a lady started a conversation. She offered to take us to the trail but when she found out we were going to camp right there, she insisted we go back to her house. On the way we listened to her husband's rock band. We went back to her house and met David Healey, Carol's husband. They let us take showers and Carol made us a huge pasta dinner. She also washed our clothes. We stayed up late talking. David showed us his Mickey Mantle bat and a Nazi sword. We're going to push out of here early tomorrow so we can get to Vernon, New Jersey. We are meeting the reporter from the newspaper and a photographer there.
Date: 2005-07-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Got up and had breakfast with the Healeys. Carol made us eggs and toast and coffee and gave us all kinds of snacks. David took us back to the trail. It was almost chilly out so we got a great start and did a solid 20 to Vernon. We arrived at 6:00 on the dot to meet Stephanie and the photographer. It's hard being a thru-hiker with all of the publicity and such. It is kind of like being a rock star. We talked with the press for a while and went to the inn for a drink and played the juke box. A firefighter told us we could sleep in the pavillion behind the firehouse. We walked over and laid down for the night. A huge front end loader rolled up and scooped up a load from a nearby gravel pile.
Date: 2005-07-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

The construction lasted all night and frazzled my nerves. It would get quiet and you'd fall asleep and then a piece of heavy equipment would roll through and startled you awake. We got up and had some coffee and checked out of the youth hostel while Sundance and Sandy made some phone calls. We got a hitch out from the guy that runs the hostel. We are all so tired we are hiking to the top of the ridge and camping. Hopefully, we'll get some good sleep and get an early start tomorrow.
Date: 2005-07-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up and was hiking by 6:16. Saw 4 bear by 10:00 a.m., a mother and 2 cubs and another while I was doing number 2. Talk about being in a vulnerable position!! It was a solid hiking day and the terrain was really pretty. Tried to get to the outlet mall so Sunny D could get new boots, but people in NY are not the most hiker friendly. Camped by the road so we can get another early start tomorrow.
Date: 2005-07-31
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Got up early again to beat the heat and hiked to Bear Mountain State Park. It was so hot and there was no water, but a ranger gave us an ice cold gallon jug of water. We cruised down the mountain and there were a tone of people from the Big Apple picnicing, but no one offered us any food. We got a couple sandwiches and a ride from two girls that were on their way to work at 7:00 on Sunday night. They were rather vague when we asked what they did, but the lingerie labels in the back seat said a lot. We crossed the Hudson on the bridge and camped up the Ridge near West Point.
Date: 2005-08-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

4 months on the trail and a little over 1400 miles down. Still have over 700 miles to go. This thing is long! Met up with Blotter at the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center. It was good to see him after over a month apart. We all hiked together to Canopus Lake and swam. We also met with Fester and Jude from Springer Mountain. We all camped at Canopus Lake. They let Thru-Hikers camp for free and Blotter scored hot dogs and beer. It was a triumphant reunion!
Date: 2005-08-02
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hiked by myself for most of the day. Did a solid 24 and Sundance and I went into Pawling where there was a free place to stay at the Edward Murrow State Park. The shower was broken so that was kind of a bummer. Sandy didn't show up. I think he is hiking behind us with a couple of new folks. I'm sure I'll see him tomorrow.
Date: 2005-08-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up early and had pancakes. Got a hitch to the trail and got going. Did 12 miles before lunch. Sunny D and I stopped to wait for Sandy at 10 mile River and swam. The water felt great. I took a nap and a couple of hours later Sandra showed up. We hiked a couple of miles to a little tavern and had a couple icy cold beverages. Turned out Sandy hung around a deli til noon. So we could have made it to the post office by 5:00 but the laziness of the day took hold and we are going to head into Kent for our mail drops tomorrow. It's supposed to be another hot one tomorrow.
Date: 2005-08-04
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up on the side of a hill and the bugs were already humming around my tent waiting for me to emerge. We hit the trail quickly and hiked 8 miles to Kent. Beat the heat of the day in Kent. Went to the post office and the grocery. Blotter Sandy and I bought sandwich fixins. Not Guilty said we could hang out in his air-conditioned room while we ate. Watched a Russian submarine movie where everyone kept getting sent into the nuclear reactor to make repairs and woould return and collapse with lesions begining to form on their faces. It really bothered me.Earlier in the day we were getting a cup of coffee and a woman approached and gave Sandy, Holdon, Tracker and I each a five doalar bill. She said, "I'm enjoying watching you guys enjoy life." It was sucha nice gesture and it came completely out of the blue. Got out of town with Blotter, Sundance and Sandy. We were hiking up the hillside when a group of hornets decided we were a threat. SO we all had to run uphill with freshly resupplied packs on our backs. Ended up hiking into darkness camping somewhere along the Housatonic. Early rise tommorrow. 26 miles into Salisbury to meet up with Steve and Boost.
Date: 2005-08-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up separately and hiked solid miles to lunch at the mountainsix cafe. Met a guy on the trail today named milkman. Rode out a mid-afternoon thunderstorm while at the cafe. Met a nice guy who was riding and got caught in the rain as well. He bought us a cup of coffee and we talked for a while. Made it to Salisbury at 7:30 and scored a hitch to buy some beers. Saw a few other hikers in town and stopped by the local tavern to chat it up. SItting around back on the trail waiting for Boost and Steve to show up. Planning on having a chilled out dat Tommorrow.
Date: 2005-08-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Steve and Boost showed up Late last night. They woke us up and we helped them set up in the dark. We were all sleeping in a line right down the trail off of the road. We rose early and went to a diner for some breakfast. It was a beautiful morning. Picked up some food and sodas and set up to do a little trail magic in the afternoon for the hikers that came through. Set up right after Mount Everett. To-Phat, Jude, Sequened Sisters, Godspeed, and Azlon all came through. Magic hat around the campfire tonight.
Date: 2005-08-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up and Steve and Boost took Sandy, The Sequened Sisters and I out for breakfast and then began their long trip home. Thanks for coming out guys it was a fun time. Sandy and I watched the car pull away and started walking back to the site that we camped at during the previous night. We jumped ahead to catch people with the trail magic as they came through so now we had to catch up. At about that moment it occured to us that it would have been much smarter to stash our packs up past Mount Everett where we left from earlier. But now we would have the pleasure of carrying them over yet another mountain. Caught up with a guy named moonshine a little past the shelter and decided to camp in a nice pine forest. Going to try to catch up with Sundance tommorrow.
Date: 2005-08-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hiked with moonshine for a while today. He is a really funny kid. He has enough one liners to keep you entertained for miles. made it to the road and decided that the motivation was lacking and could only be remedied by pizza. Right as we were about to walk down the road I looked up the trailo and saw sundance readying himself for a hike. I got his attention and he ended up comig along. SO we walked to a vegetable stand with the intent to hitch a ride. Ended up eating some plums and deciding to get back on the trail although there was rampant talk of securing a hotel room for the night. I was trying to avoid getting sucked in and in the end we made it out and went to the Tom Leonard lean-to. This put us in striking distance of Upper Goose Pond which is a shelter/cottage situated on the shore of a lake. It has a canoe and the caretaker reputadely makes pancakes in the morning.
Date: 2005-08-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Walked for a while by myself today. It was a bit hazy and just kind of a blah day. Made it to the Upper Goose Pond lean-to. Blotter was there and it was good to see him. Sundance, Blotter, Sandy, and I took outa canoe this evening. Watched the sun set. Blotter is meeting an old friend of his tommorrow. She is going to slack us about 20 miles. It will be a nice change. Oh yeah, we're meeting her at a McDonald's so that will be quite tasty.
Date: 2005-08-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I woke up to the smell of pancakes and coffee this morning. We took out the canoe one more time this morning for old time's sake. Hoofed it to the road that McDonald's is on and met up with Betty. She seems really nice. She is going to slack us for a few days and maybe hike with us. She even brought a pizza to the cookie lady's blueberry farm for lunch. That is some quality. Ended up in Dalton tonight. there is a nice guy named Tom Levardi who's house is situated right on the trail. He lets hikers stay there for free. He often greets hikers with a sunday as they come around the fence into his yard. Tonight there are a bunch of hiker's around drinking some brewski's and enjoying a pleasant late summer evening. Planning on maybe slacking south tommorrow with Betty. Should be about 10 miles but it is supposed to be nice and it will be fun to take it nice and easy.