morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-07-22
From: Technical Dificulties Leroy A. Smith Shelter

To: Campsite overlooking Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: broken clouds

I now know what everyone was complaining about thre PA rocks. Yesterday andtoday have been the worst hiking days yet...there was just no relief from therocks embedded in the ground most often on end or on edge...the foot neverhaving a flat place to land for30 miles of hiking...yuck! Hopefully there willbe relief after we get into NJ, but there's no promise. I don't know if I can even begin to desribe the pain, anguish, and frustrationthat walking on those rocks created. I started walking slowly because my feetand ankles were sore from yesterday. First I ws picking the flatest spotspossible, hour after hour, but you can't make any time hiking that way...so Itried to pick up the pace not really caring where I put my feet down. Pointyrocks poke into the bottoms and pushing them first twisting one way, thenanother..twist, stab, pinch, twist, stab, pinch, all day, hour after hour. Atone point I was so tired of walking on these rocks and whining to myself thatthis really took the fun out of hiking, and on, and on....I stopped myself andsaid "Suck it up! You're tougher than this! Just get hiking...or maybe you canlevitate over the rocks."I did get through them somehow, but I would never, NEVER hike them again!I'm going to rest and read tonight. We're camped on a bald overlooking theDelaware River...beautiful spot.Step lightly
Date: 2007-07-23
From: Campsite overlooking Delaware Water Gap

To: Pocono Inn, Delaware Water Gap, Pa.
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: moderate rain

My pocketmail device is broken and there doesn't seem to be an easy fix and getting the pocketmail people on the phone isn't easy. Guess I'll be handwriting my journal for now and and mailing the pages to Dennis who will type them on to the web page. We hiked quickly in to town breaking camp at 6:30 AM . . . staying just ahead of the rain. The hostel was packed, so we decided to get a motel room (actually 2 rooms). There are no grocery stores in DWG so we had to get a taxi to Stroudsburg to resupply and do laundry. Cold rainy day . . . good day to be in town. Step lightly.
Date: 2007-07-24
From: Pocono Inn, Delaware Water Gap, Pa.

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

We saw our first glacial lake today. Looks just like lakes in the Adirondaks for me . . . felt like I was home. So serene, so beautiful. Others said it looked like Maine, so I know I'll love it up there. Today was a short day because we were leaving town. Instead of doing zero's, we're trying to get to town early on one day and leave late morning the next. I felt well rested. Virginia, thanks for the goodies. How did you know I was wondering if they made lemonade in those single serving sizes? I love lemonade . . . just perfect. And the jam, and the other things I'm always scrounging around for. Everything was good, and muchly appreciated by all. We three now have a group name! We've been trying to come up with something . . . Three Amigos was the best we could do. And today Copperhead named us as she passed and we were resting: the Three Snoozes! It fits us because we rest often. Step lightly.
Date: 2007-07-25
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Campsite at vista overlooking Kittatinny Lake, NJ
Miles today: 18.9

Breakfast: Bagel toasted, cream cheese, jamLunch: Sausage, smoked gouda, crackersDinner: townBroke 1300 miles today! I can¢t believe how quickly and easily I hiked an hundred miles now¢¦ like it¢s nothing. NJ is much prettier than I expected. The AT goes along a ridgeline so there are great views and it¢s fairly easy walking. There are still rocks though, but not as bad as PATonight a group of us (EZ, Thumper, Yonder & Janet, Jungle Jim, Snake Charmer, Just Jim and someone else who¢s name I can¢t remember) hiked to Culver¢s Gap where there was a tavern purported to be hiker friendly right on Kittatinny Lake. I got a burger and perogies¢¦.mmm good! EZ and Thumper decided to stay at a nearby motel but I¢d rather sleep outside so I hiked on. I found the most beautiful hilltop overlooking the lakes and facing west so I could see the sunset. It was a hot day so the cool night air is feeling good. The view is spectacular and I¢m loving life!! After 4 months of living outside, I still can¢t get enough of it. I like the feeling of cool breezes brushing over my skin, looking out over the mountains, hearing the silence and smelling the fresh air¢¦not to mention the taste of water fresh from the mountain spring. I don¢t know how I'm going to go back indoors. Civilization is too fast, too hectic, too noisy. Nature moves at a much slower pace. My nerves are frazzled around fast cars and noise¢¦I¢m much more serene up here on this mountain.Step Lightly.
Date: 2007-07-26
From: Campsite at vista overlooking Kittatinny Lake, NJ

To: High Point State Park
Miles today: 13.3

Breakfast: bagel bread, cream cheese, jamLunch: PB&J on bagel breadDinner: Concession stand ¢ sauerkraut and sausage and peppersI slept well last night up on my exposed ridge. It was just the most beautiful evening alone. I got up at 6:30 and was king before 7¢¦ I¢ve gotten much faster at getting packed up in the morning. I walked a couple of miles t o the next shelter to get water and have breakfast. The plan was for all 3 of us to meet at the end of the day at a shelter. I hiked all day alone¢¦ it was the hottest, most humid day yet. And because I was short on water, I couldn¢t keep my bandana moistened as I usually did. Had to save water for drinking and didn¢t want to run dry. I came to the High Point State Park Headquarters just as they were closing but I was able to fill my water bladder. I decided to wait here for EZ and Thumper to see what they wanted to do. I knew that group of young girls from the local camp were going to be at the shelter so I wasn¢t looking forward to camping there, and in this park you aren¢t allowed to just camp anywhere. Yonder and Janet showed up (a couple from NC that I first met while with Dennis in Harpers Ferry¢¦ and Janet grew up in East Rochester¢¦small world!!) and they were thinking of going to the park beach for a swim and dinner at the concession stand. I was hesitant because it was a mile one way, 2 miles round trip¢¦2 miles not getting me closer to Katahdin. But they convinced me to join them, and I was glad I did! While hiking to the beach, the ranger stopped and told us we could camp at the picnic pavilion if we were gone by 8:00. Sweet! Shower, swim, food and free camping with bathroom facilities and running water!! After we had showered and eaten I got a call from EZ telling us they were staying at the state park because they could sleep in the pavilion¢¦I said I know, we¢re already here!!Step lightly
Date: 2007-07-27
From: High Point State Park

To: Pochuck Mtn. Shelter
Miles today: 14.1

B: Bagel cream cheese and jamL: TownD: Knorr Veggies and Pasta (Spanish rice) and Spanish chicken breastToday was another hot and humid hike, but the terrain was more meadows than woods, very pretty views.We went into Unionville, NY for resupply, I¢m back in my home state!!! I¢ve walked from Georgia to New York, and even I can¢t believe it!Resupply is the one thing I hate most on this adventure. Very 3-4 days figure what you need/want to eat for the next 3-4 days including all condiments etc¢¦ But don¢t carry too much weight will kill you, don¢t carry too little or you¢ll go hungry. And decide quickly while wandering the aisles of a grocery store (or convenient store) that you¢ve never been before¢¦ I just hate it! (Note from Dana- while typing this for mom, I just chuckled because this sounds just like how gramma felt about going grocery shopping, hmm like mother like daughter!!!)But I love living outside ¢ can never get enough of it. To feel the air flowing across my skin is the best feeling in the world. The hardest thing for me when this trek is over will be going inside. Long 18 mile day planned tomorrow. We want to cover 115 miles in the next week to get toe Kent, CT where my sister is picking me up for the weekend. I¢m celebrating my 58th birthday on Saturday and back to the trail on Sunday.EZ¢s son is joining us to hike the rest of the way to Katahdin with his father. He¢s flying into NY on Sunday morning, the 5th and then they¢ll be hiking on. Thumper is going to hike ahead while EZ and I are off the trail. He¢s meeting his wife and daughter in MA for a day and a half. Vicky, his wife, is driving up from Florida, picking Brenda up in NC on the way. They we are all going to regroup to finish the hike together. Such logistics but it¢s working. Tonight the water source for this shelter was back down a very steep trail a half a mile. Thumper and I hiked back down without our packs but with my 6 liter bucket. The hike back up was very difficult and we were all sweaty and tired when we got back. A little while later, Thumper hears ¢thump, swoosh¢¢¦didn¢t the bucket collapse and spill all of our hard earned precious water across the ground? We¢ll have to ration what we have till we reach water tomorrow. Sad story, eh?GoodnightStep Lightly
Date: 2007-07-28
From: Pochuck Mtn. Shelter

To: Cascade Brock
Miles today: 17.2

I¢m back in NY...home, almost! We¢re pounding out the miles so we can be in Kent, CT Friday night. We have to 16s and 17, every day this week to make it. Today we got side tracked for 2 hours at a Farm Market. They had ice cream, pastries, fresh fruit and vegetables. I had a milkshake to start¢¦ I do need my calcium, don¢t I? Then I bought corn, cut it off the cob and cooked it at the picnic table. Was that ever good!B: bagels, cream cheese, jamL: corn cut off cobD: angel hair pasta, olive oil and parmesan¢¦. Blue berries for dessert!We had a near catastrophe today when EZ¢s pack shoulder strap broke. Thank goodness Thumper had a large needle and dental floss (he was a dentist). So using a leatherman to push the needle through the pack material, we managed to sew the buckle back on. Good thing... don¢t know what he would have done otherwise. He¢s just lucky to have us around, as we are him!Last night we got quite a downpour¢¦lasted 3-4 hours. My tent mists inside when it rains. Condensation forms on the top and the force of the rain causes the droplet to break free and mist me. Great fun. EZ¢s tent got it much worse when he got flooded and many things got quite wet. Thumper had a wetness problem too. We string a line up at the farm market and got everything dried out nicely.Step Lightly
Date: 2007-07-29
From: Cascade Brock

To: John and Susan's house, Monroe, NY
Miles today: 11.6

Virtual Hikers...just want to update you on where I am and what's happening with my journal entries. I am in New York state near the town of Monroe. Local people have taken us into their home for the night...shower and clean clothes...how simple life is!I am keeping my daily journal on paper and sending it to Dennis so that he can transcribe it up here. We'll do that until Pocketmail sends me a new composer which doesn't appear to be happening very quickly. Keeping my journal on Pocketmail was much easier than trying to lie on my belly in a tent, find a flat surface to write on, and write on damp paper. Then find a place to store the paper so that it doesn't "melt" ourt here until I get it mailed to Dennis.By this weekend I will be 2/3 of the way!!! Yippee! I'm taking a zero on Saturday for my birthday. My sister is picking me up in Kent, CT and Dennis will come down to her place in Springfield, MA for the weekend. Looking forward to it!!Your patience is appreciated and all missing journal entries will be posted as soon as we can. The are stored on my Pocketmail and we just need to find out how to get them off of it onto a new one...whenever they decide to ship one to me.Step Lightly.Updated 8/8/07:There are a lot of rocky ridgelines in NY but no views-the trees are higher. And some of the rock faces are quite steep and difficult to scramble up. My shoes are not trustworthy, sometimes slipping and causing me to fall. They also have been voted ¢Most Blown Out Shoes¢ on the trail. People are taking pictures of them. Tonight Thumper and I are staying at this couples house near Monroe, NY. They provide trail magic and water and offer their house to hikers who want a place to shower, launder and sleep. We¢re delighted! EZ stopped about 3 miles back and put up his tent. We got work from other hikers but don¢t know what¢s wrong. Sure hope he¢s all right. All we can do is keep hiking and connect up next week. I¢m going to get some sleep and enjoy this bed.Step Lightly
Date: 2007-07-30
From: John and Susan's house, Monroe, NY

To: WM Brian Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: few clouds

Had to get going early this morning because John shuttles the hikers back to the trail on his way to work¢¦ at 6:30 am! Thumper and I got dropped off at the deli to get coffee and breakfast then walked the .5 mile back to the AT.About 7:30 we met up with Rex, Loose Bruce, Maryland Edge, and Peach¢¦ they¢re 3 pharmacists and the 4 one¢s dad taught it¢¦we hiked with the on and off all day. Fun group!We had some serious rock scrambles today. One, the Lemon Squeezer, we had to toss our packs up to Rex so we could fit through a right place. Another rock climb, the Agony Grinder, had an ¢easy way¢ blue-blazed trail¢¦but we said no, we¢re going up and over. Again Rex climbed up and all the guys handed him their packs¢¦ when I came up, I decided it was climbable with my pack on, So I did it! And the guys all applauded my rock climbing skill¢¦they decided it was my shoes!This Harrismas State Park is so beautiful¢¦it¢s been one of the prettiest hikes we¢ve been on for quite a while. There are large, whale-sized rocks that only the back is exposed for long ridge walks. There are large erratic rocks, tall trees, rolling hillsides¢¦beautiful.Step Lightly
Date: 2007-07-31
From: WM Brian Memorial Shelter

To: Graymoon Friary
Miles today: 15.2

These NY hills are tough. My legs are like rubber all day with every step being hard work. I need a rest, that¢s for curtain, Today¢s trail went right through a zoo! (If you get here after 4pm, you have to wait until morning to continue on the trail!)We crossed the Hudson today too¢¦on the Bear Mtn. Bridge, what a beautiful view!We also had to go into Fort Montgomery for re supply. The book said it was 0.8 miles into town, well that was to the edge of town, but the grocery store was another 2 miles. We hiked to a mart didn¢t have what we needed. I chatted up a Hershey Ice Cream sales rep who passed me as I was sitting hot, tired and forlorn on the store stoop. He offered to drive us the 2 miles to a real grocery store. I asked if he could also take us back to the Bear Mtn. Bridge because otherwise we were going to have 3 miles now to walk back... He agreed. Trail magic, see what I mean?At the Graymoon Friary tonight they put us at the ball field. The best part is there is a cold shower¢¦felt great after a hot, sweaty day. Quite a crowd here tonight: Turbo Turtle (she was sick today), Lifesaver, Bobcat, Peach, Rex, Loose Bruce, and Maryland Edge (with Thumper and Me)I¢d write more but I get too uncomfortable writing in my tent. I want my Pocketmail back!B: Cherry TurnoverL: PB&JD: Burrito: tortilla, chicken, rice side, taco cheese and scrambled eggsStep Lightly
Date: 2007-08-01
From: Graymoon Friary

To: Fahnestock State Park
Miles today: 11.9

Hot, hot, humid day.Legs wont pick up.I can¢t do this¢¦no energy.This is tortureNeck is getting chapped from the wet Bandana.Every step is work.Oh my god another climb.Nothing left to give.Total and utter exhaustion.I know this will passI just have to get some restThis birthday weekend!!Turbo Turtle (who¢s gotten a cold), Life Saver, thumper and me, decided to come to this state park today even though it was a mile off the trail.1. Couldn¢t get a hitch2. Grill closed down at Concession stand3. Water murky and warm, we had to swim inside roped crowded area.4. Campsite between 2 busy roads, so no peace and quietBut other than that, a lovely spot to camp. At least it was free!There have been so many beautiful stonewalls throughout the months of hiking, but today we saw the most in one area¢¦walls in all directions¢¦wide walls with heavy boulders in them. Who built these walls? What did they contain? How did the build them?Plod on!Step Lightly
Date: 2007-08-02
From: Fahnestock State Park

To: Campsite near I-84
Miles today: 13.2

Too hot to make many miles. We¢re going the best that we can. The heat and humidity just sap the energy from my body.I was so excited to see EZ again today. He¢s been trucking to catch up... he did about 18 yesterday. When Thumper and I walked into the RPH Shelter, there he was sitting. Imagine the surprise on my face!!He had passed us when we took a blue blaze trail for water. It¢s good to all be together again. We¢re doing a 2.5 zero this weekend. Tomorrow we get into Pawling, NY where EZ and I are renting cars. He¢s using his to pick up is son, Aaron, at the airport. I¢m using mine to go to my sister, Barb¢s, for the weekend.Thumper will hang out with EZ and rest. We all need it. Today at the shelter I mentioned how hard the hiking had become, much harder than when I started. Just about everyone said they felt the same way. I guess there was some comfort in that.The tingling on the bottom of my feet has gotten worse. My toes and the balls of my feet feel like I¢m walking on shards of glass. Only ibuprofen helps to stop the sensation. Strange!Too hot, too uncomfortable to write more.Step Lightly
Date: 2007-08-03
From: Campsite near I-84

To: Pawling, NY
Miles today: 11.1

We hoofed it today because we were going to town and 2 zero days! But I didstop to take a swim all by myself in Nuclear Lake, and it was delightful giventhat this was another high 90's day with 90% humidity. When we came out of the woods at the road crossing, we were met by EnterpriseRent-a-Car so we could get our cars. I was renting one to drive to mysister's...and EZ was renting one to drive to NYC to pick his son up at theairport...we have wheels! The guys got their car first and headed out to therestaurant I had picked out for them to take me out for my birthday, at theirrequest. When I got there, don't I find EZ being taped and interviewed abouthis hike...Thumper said he'd been interviewed too. These guys are beginning toget swelled heads and calling themselves "Bob" Redford and Paul Newman (who aresupposed to starring in the movie "A Walk in the Woods").Lunch was fun and they sang me "Happy Birthday"...I got the end of it on video,too. These guys are good to me and I'm lucky to have gotten hooked up withthem.The vehicle I ended up getting is a honking pickup truck...just the thing topick up hikers with! When I went through Kent CT to get to my sister's, I raninto some hikers at the outfitters. Little Bug Shoe and her twin sister,Scuffles were there. Little Bug Shoe had not been feeling well and came to townto see a doctor and get tested for lyme disease. No one would see her, so theydecided to hike on to MA where they have an uncle who can help them get medicalhelp...so I gave them a lift back to the trail.Then I proceeded on my journey to my sister's in Springfield, MA...but I gotlost (no white blazes to follow, I guess) and I almost ran out of gas (the guygave me the gas in the tank, so the truck wasn't full) because eastern CT is sorural there are no towns and no gas stations...imasgine my panic when I don'treally know where I am and the empty tank light comes on...and you're worriedabout me in the woods!Everything worked out: I found out where I was and I found a gas station...andeventually I got to Sis's house...and Dennis did too!Step lightly
Date: 2007-08-04
From: Pawling, NY

To: My Sister Barb's house
Miles today: 0.0

I never have a day off, even on my birthday. I have so many chores to get donewhile in town and today was no different. Dennis brought his laptop so that Icould pull my photos off my camera, label them, and put them on a flash drive to send to Dana. He also brought a bunch of CD's so that Icould load my iPod with new tunes. And lastly he had my replacement Pocketmail (not a new one, but it will do for the last couple of months). I did laundry and repackedfood from what Dennis brought from home. My sister, Barb, fed me well, too. We had a huge fruit salad, something I'vebeen craving...and veggie pasta...to die for! Thanks, Barb, I feel wellnurished, now!Step lightly
Date: 2007-08-05
From: My Sister Barb's house

To: Motel in Danbury, Ct.
Miles today: 0.0

I spent this morning finishing up all my chores...the pictures and loading themusic took many hours these last 2 days. This afternoon I had to say goodbye to Dennis once again...this time for 2.5 months. It takes a strong man to wish his girlfriend to have a good time while sending her off to join to other men for the next few months...and Dennis did just that. I hope he knows he has nothing to worry about...my heart belongs to him!I joined up Thumper and EZ Duzit and EZ's son at their motel in Danbury thisevening. EZ's back is not doing well and Aaron has jet lag...also EZ's 2 person tent did not arrrive timely, so they will be leaving town later tomorrow. Thumper and I will take off first thing, turn in the car, and get a lift to the trail. We're planning only a 12 mile day tomorrow, so that will begood...because our packs will be heavy with the resupply. I'm anxious to get back hiking and finish this journey...only 743 miles to go!Step lightly
Date: 2007-08-06
From: Motel in Danbury, Ct.

To: Campsite at Ten Mile River
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: light rain

Thumper and I turned the truck to Enterprise and got a lift back to the trail. Ilana tried to drop us at a trail crossing a couple of mles ahead of where wegot picked up, but we said "no go"...we wanted to go back to the Dover Oak tree, the largest on the AT. Today was an easy hike, but it's always hard getting back into it after a couple of days off. EZ Duzit and his son were staying in town until UPS opened so they could pick up their tent, and then they were going to catch up to us this evening since we were planning only a 12 mile day. We got a voicemail from them around noon saying that Campmore had shipped the wrong tent...a single person, not 2...they are going to have to wait another day for them to overnight another one. That stinks!I have new shoes today and my feet have grown. I didn't get blisters, but mytoes are hitting the tip especially on the downhills. I called Dana and askedher to order me a larger pair and have them expedited to Salisbury CT forThursday...all done! My support team for this hike are amazing and I can'tthank them enough for all they do for me!!!!!! Dana and Dennis, thank you fromthe bottom of my heart!Nine states down, five to go...I crossed into CT today!Tonight I'm camped near the Ten mile River and am enjoying the sound of thewater flowing...just delightful.Breakfast: town foodLunch: Summer sausage, smoked gouda cheese andcrackersDinner: Green beans, angel hair pasta, pesto paste, olive oil, fresh garlic andparmesan cheese...mmmm! Pudding for dessert!Step lightly
Date: 2007-08-07
From: Campsite at Ten Mile River

To: Stewart Hollow Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 15.7

Too hotToo humidTo hike.Too tired To write.I crossed the 2/3 mile marker today:1450 miles! Almost there!!! The heat and humidity are killing me. I'm ready to call it quits. I have noenergy to hike in this weather. My body gets overheated very quickly becauseheat causes me to have hot flashes so then I get even hotter and I can't getcool fast enough. I'm lying in my tent at close to 9 pm and my face is drippingwet from a hot flash...I can't take this!!! Even the wet bandana isn't enough,and besides, it's chapping my neck from being moist all the time. When willthis weather break????Tomorrow we're going to do only12 miles, I hope...Step lightly