morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-06-21
From: Beahms Gap, Shenandoah National Park

To: Virginia Route 602
Miles today: 23.1

This was a mild day weather-wise. Started out by having breakfast at the Elkwallow Wayside Store and Grill. This is the last of the concession areas before leaving the Park.We ate lunch at the Skyland Lodge which has a nice restaurant and tap room. This lodge is also part of the Shenandoah National Park system.Before setting up camp for the night, we were treated to Trail Magic from Tennessee Rebel who brought out Kentucky Fried Chicken, cole slaw and biscuits.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-06-22
From: Virginia Route 602

To: Virginia Route 55
Miles today: 9.6

The one notable place we passed on the Trail today was the National Zoological Park which was formerly a military reservation.Today we only hiked 9.6 miles which allowed us to take the afternoon off. After securing a motel room in Linden, Virginia, T2 and I got a ride to Washington, DC from Red Rocket who works in DC (about 65-70 miles). She dropped us off at the Air Smithsonian Museum where we spent some time. After that we went to see the Vietnam War Memorial and the Korean War Memorial. T2 is a Marine vet and I'm an Army vet. We hooked up again with Red Rocket and she gave us a ride back to our motel in Linden.When we got back to the hotel T2 spent some time sorting through the items he received in a mail drop from his wife, Jackie. He said that as soon as my head hit the pillow I was out. Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-06-23
From: Virginia Route 55

To: Virginia Route 605
Miles today: 19.7

We hiked about 19.7 miles today. The hot and humid weather is coming back and sure makes it harder to hike. We hiked "the roller coaster" which was 3 ascents and 2 descents.We have set up camp for the night and getting ready to enjoy hot dogs from Trail Angel, Tennessee Rebel.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-06-24
From: Virginia Route 605

To: Keys Gap, West Virginia
Miles today: 20.5

Once again, this was a long day of hiking and climbing rocks including the Devils Racecourse which is a boulder field with a stream below it. Water sources were very limited today so I was glad I carried plenty of water when I started.We stopped at the Bears Den Hostel hoping to buy ice cream and gatorade at the concession bar inside the hostel. This is a large hostel which can accommodate approximately 50 hikers on a single night. The concession bar was not open so we waited about an hour for the caretaker to arrive. We laughed when the caretaker did come as his question to us was "would anyone like ice cream and gatorade?" We then spent another hour sitting there with each one devouring a pint of Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia ice cream. A group of four section hikers going North to South arrived and were talking about the miles they still intended to hike that day - 25 miles - no, maybe 20 miles - no, maybe 15 miles - no, maybe 10 miles. After eating their ice cream and learning they could have dinner there, they decided they had gone far enough and would just stay and spend the night.Finally left Virginia after 544 miles. Hiked to Keys Gap at West Virginia Route 9 and were picked up by Pokey(hontas) who had reserved a rental house for us from the PATC (Potomac Appalachian Trail Club). Those staying at the house were T2, Miss Wiggy, Pokey, Coops, Sawbuck, Blossom, Tiger Lil and me.We had pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad, beans, and tossed salad with cookies and brownies for dessert ¢ Trail Magic provided by Pokey. Thanks Pokey! Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-06-25
From: Keys Gap, West Virginia

To: Dahlgren Backpack Campground, Maryland
Miles today: 23.9
Weather: clear sky

We started out the day with cut-up cantaloupe for breakfast before Pokey shuttled us back to the Trail. After about 4 hours of hiking, we made it into Harpers Ferry, West Virginia and stopped back at the house we had slept at last night. We met Pokey there and she provided cold cuts for lunch and then drove us to the ATC (Appalachian Trail Conference) Center where we had our pictures taken and looked around the store. Everyone gets their picture taken at Harpers Ferry which is part of the tradition of the Trail. My number was 433, T2 was 431 and Miss Wiggy was 432. This gives us an idea of the number of hikers who have come through Harpers Ferry to date. Supposedly, there are about 1360 that registered at Springer Mountain, Georgia for thru-hikes in 2005 as of June 5.After finishing at the ATC Center, we hiked out of Harpers Ferry via the C&O (Chesapeake & Ohio) Canal Towpath.   We made it to Dahlgren Backpack Campground which has hot showers available. This is unusual to have showers on the Trail. The South Mountain Inn is .2 miles away and we walked there for dinner. The Inn has a very nice restaurant that will allow hikers to ¢come as you are¢ for dinner.   Hiking to this Inn in Boonesboro, Maryland from West Virginia lets us tick off another state on our list. Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-06-26
From: Dahlgren Backpack Campground, Maryland

To: Pen-Mar Road
Miles today: 23.6

Early in the day we passed Washington Monument State Park which contains the original Washington Monument, a stone structure approximately 50 feet high which is still lit at night and quite impressive.   Passed Pogo Memorial Campsite which was dedicated to a young volunteer Trail Maintainer who lost his life at an early age.   Landed at Pen-Mar Park where they had a concert in progress with a band playing live music from the 50¢s, 60¢s and 70¢s. The Park was crowded with mostly senior citizens who come out every Sunday during the summer to enjoy the band. While there, I had a chance to talk to Lanny Carbaugh who shared with me some history of the AT. Lanny who was in the Boy Scouts was part of a group that re-established the 30-mile section of the Trail from around Harpers Ferry, West Virginia to a little past Pen-Mar Park. Lanny told me that in 1954 the Cub Scouts had spent approximately two weeks remarking the Trail which was something I wasn¢t aware of. Based upon what Lanny told me, I think we can thank the Cub Scouts nationwide for re-establishing the Trail which has been grossly overgrown with brush.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-06-27
From: Pen-Mar Road

To: Caledonia State Park, US Rt. 30, PA
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: broken clouds

This was another long, hot day of hiking and we were glad we brought plenty of water. We stopped at the Antietam Shelter on the AT which has water with a stream flowing right in front of the shelter. The water is contaminated from an underground source and the water was undrinkable. A lot of rocks along the way made today¢s hike very difficult. We did have Trail Magic from Pokey(hontas) who stopped with soft drinks.We hiked into Caledonia State Park where my wife, Judy, arrived with Trail Magic for supper. She brought fresh baked turkey, pasta salad, veggies, grapes, zucchini bread and lemonade. She came out to spend a couple days with me while I continue hiking and then to take a couple days off the trail for days I had previously hiked.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-06-28
From: Caledonia State Park, US Rt. 30, PA

To: Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: scattered clouds

T2, Miss Wiggy and I got up early, had breakfast at the Shippen Place Hotel and then headed out to hike. It was a very hot and humid day and the terrain was very rocky. We finished about 7 PM and then headed back to our hotel in Shippensburg. We grabbed cold cut subs at the local convenience mart and then hit the sack.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-06-29
From: Pine Grove Furnace State Park

To: US Route 11
Miles today: 27.4

Today was the usual long, hot and humid day of hiking with rocks a¢plenty. I also had a couple rain showers along the way.T2 and Judy drove out to meet me and sent a message along with 2 young hikers from South Carolina - MudPumpkin and Stats - that they were waiting for me at the Trailhead.It was late when I got in, so T2, Judy and I stopped at Burger King for a fast supper. Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-06-30
From: US Route 11

To: Susquehanna River, US Rt. 22/322
Miles today: 19.0

This was a day of chores, laundry, grocery shopping, and e-mail. It's hard to believe that one could spend a whole day running errands.We T2, Judy and I shared pizza at the local pizza place in Shippensburg ¢ large pepperoni for $5.99.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-07-01
From: Susquehanna River, US Rt. 22/322

To: Yellow Springs Village Site
Miles today: 23.7

More chores today and had CD's made of the many pictures I've been taking. Later T2, Judy and I drove up to Cabela¢s Outfitters to look into heavier soled shoes as my trailrunners cannot handle the rocky terrain. The three of us ate lunch at Cabela¢s. We drove to the Market Cross Pub & Brewery for dinner and then returned to our room to watch TV while T2 called his wife.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-07-02
From: Yellow Springs Village Site

To: 501 Shelter; PA Route 501
Miles today: 22.5
Weather: scattered clouds

We drove to Gander Mountain to check out odds and ends for the Trail. T2 and I spent some time organizing our gear. I also spent time working on updating the Trail Journals and showing T2 and Judy the recent Trail pictures I had developed. I enjoyed conversations with Kimberly and the grandkids and Courtney and Jonann today. Signing off now as it¢s getting late and we need to go eat dinner.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-07-03
From: 501 Shelter; PA Route 501

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 23.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Enjoyed last day with my wife, Judy, who heads home tomorrow.We got to participate in Trail Magic provided by Coops and her family who brought baked ham, corn-on-the-cob, potato salad, home grown and fresh picked green beans and potatoes, cantaloupe and watermelon. Those sharing in the Trail Magic were T2, Miss Wiggy, Tiger Lil, Hi Hills and her husband, Franklin, Judy, John, Dave, Jim, Bag O'Tricks (a Trail maintainer), Padre and Vapors and myself. A big thank you to Coops, her sister, June, and family friend, Leroy the cook.There are some section hikers heading out of Port Clinton with us tomorrow and will be with us for the next 3 weeks - Hi Hills, John, Dave and Jim. It's always good to have company.Stopped at the outfitter in Harrisburg today to purchase a better pair of hiking shoes for dealing with the many rocks I've been experiencing in Northern Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia and now Pennsylvania. Looking forward to hiking with them tomorrow to see how they handle the rocks.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-07-04
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Eckville Shelter, Hawk Mountain Road
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: broken clouds

Coming out of Port Clinton, Pennsylvania, we had a 1000' elevation climb. The Trail then leveled off for awhile. Although there were a couple springs along the way, the water was unreliable.We stopped for a break at Pulpit Rock which had a little view but nothing great. At Pulpit Rock, there was a cleared area with 5 buildings which were owned by the local Astronomy Club. Most of the buildings had telescopes for viewing.We continued on our hike to Hawk Mountain Road where we tent camped by one of the buildings owned by the Appalachian Trail Conference.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-07-05
From: Eckville Shelter, Hawk Mountain Road

To: Blue Mountain Summit
Miles today: 12.7

Today we hiked past Dan's Pulpit at 1650' and then descended and passed the Allentown (PA) Hiking Club Shelter. Ran into Nimblefoot from Northern Wisconsin. Enjoyed walking and talking with him most of the day.Our hike ended on Blue Mountain Summit where we tent camped.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-07-06
From: Blue Mountain Summit

To: Little Gap
Miles today: 19.5

The Trail stayed fairly level for about the first 15 miles and then we dropped about 1000' into Lehigh Gap. We had to then climb out of Lehigh Gap and tent camped at Little Gap which was another 1000' in a short time.Today was a long day with a lot of rocks but my new shoes are working well. It was a good time to have bought the new shoes with reinforced soles for walking on the rocks.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-07-07
From: Little Gap

To: Fox Gap
Miles today: 24.0

Today was a long day with almost 24 miles of rocks. Only 1 descent and 1 ascent with the rest being level but hard because of the rocks. Didn't see anyone else the entire day.We hiked to Wolf Rocks which is an area of very large rocks and we were hiking it just as we were starting to lose light. Wolf Rocks was the southern limit of glaciation along the AT route during the last ice age.We set up our tents at Fox Gap and it rained hard all night.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-07-08
From: Fox Gap

To: Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: moderate rain

It was raining this morning when we got up. We put the tent away wet and started hiking. Although today's hike was short (7 miles), it was very wet with a little bit of climbing and more rocks. It rained hard the entire day with the Trail being under water. We got off the Trail early today and grabbed a motel in Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania. We also took time to catch up on laundry and journals.Had hamburgers for dinner at one of the local restaurants. I'm sharing the room tonight with Hi Hills, Miss Wiggy and T2.I received a care package from my CURRENT favorite sister-in-law with 3 different kinds of cookies and shared them with the other hikers. Thanks, Carol, and I dub you "Trail Angel of the Day". Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-07-09
From: Delaware Water Gap, Pennsylvania

To: Blue Mountain Lakes Road
Miles today: 17.8

We had breakfast in town this morning before heading to the Trailhead. We saw a photo in the local paper showing a hiker arriving in Delaware Water Gap yesterday who was drenched from the heavy rain.I forgot to mention that when we hiked past Lake Lenape yesterday we saw a memorial for a young marine who had passed away. The memorial was placed here as it was one of this young man's favorite spots to visit.Shortly into our hike this morning, we crossed the Delaware River on the Interstate 80 Bridge taking us out of Pennsylvania and into New Jersey. We have now hiked through 7 states (Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania)out of a total of 14 states. We took a short break at an actual vehicle rest area at the Delaware Water Gap Information Center which is right on the Trail. Today was another very hot and humid day. We stopped at Sunfish Pond where some hikers waded to cool off and sponge down while others sat on shore and rested. Sunfish Pond, just inside the New Jersey border,is very pretty considering there weren't a lot of great views back in Pennsylvania or the end of Virginia.We continued hiking past the Catfish Fire Tower and Rattlesnake Spring until we came to Beaver Pond. This pond is gorgeous and filled with so many water lilies. We finally made it to Blue Mountain Lakes Road and set up our tents hoping for a temperature cooldown or breeze for sleeping.Until tomorrow...
Date: 2005-07-10
From: Blue Mountain Lakes Road

To: Deckertown Turnpike
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: clear sky

I hiked most of the day today with MoFo (John) from South Carolina and really enjoyed his company. We climbed the fire tower (1500') at Culvers Gap and took photos of the surrounding area. We could look out and see Connecticut and knew we would be in that area in about 3 days. We also stopped at the Sunrise Mountain pavilion for a short rest. This was a very nice pavilion with seats with backs around the perimeter where you could rest and enjoy the views.We met TrailPoke (Dave) and hiked to Deckertown Turnpike. There was a second fire tower we climbed and again took pictures. We also ran into two thruhikers on the Trail, Walrus and Pathfinder, and talked to them a couple times.Until tomorrow...
Date: 2005-07-11
From: Deckertown Turnpike

To: County Rd 565; Glenwood, NJ
Miles today: 22.1

I was on the Trail before 6 this morning and it was already hot and humid. I slept on a large rock last night and used bug netting over my head and face. The mosquitos still found ways to bite me.At night, we hang our food and anything else with specific odors in trees in what we call a "bear bag". I had forgotten to put my pouch containing my vitamins in the bear bag so hung it separately on a tree where I knew I could find it. When I woke up this morning, my vitamin pouch was gone.   I stopped at High Point State Park and climbed to the observation deck. There I took a couple pictures of the views and the High Point Tower. Later on I passed Coops. There were barbed wire fences on the Trail so I had to cross them via stiles (wooden steps) and then hiked on the paved Ferguson Road. The Trail follows the New Jersey-New York border for several miles.There were 3 streams in a row that I crossed via footbridges. Couldn't get water because the streams were all contaminated. Took Lott Road about a half mile into Unionville, New York to a country store and purchased 2 Gatorades. I drank one in the parking lot of the store while I ate my lunch and then drank the second one walking back to the Trailhead. The temperature got up to 95 with great humidity so I stopped at Pochuck Mountain Shelter to rest. I was in need of water but none was available. After hiking a couple miles past the shelter, I found a metal box containing water that was left by Trail Angels. At this point, I was starting to feel overheated so decided to get a motel in Vernon, New Jersey for the night. The owner of the Appalachian Motel picked me up and took me to his motel where I was able to rehydrate and cool off in the air-conditioned room.Until tomorrow...
Date: 2005-07-12
From: County Rd 565; Glenwood, NJ

To: Warwick Turnpike, New York
Miles today: 9.5

Two of my daughters, Courtney and Jonann, and my wife, Judy, came out to spend my birthday with me. Both girls hiked with me in the morning and Courtney hiked with me in the afternoon. We ran into Walrus and Pathfinder and talked a little. We stopped for lunch at Heaven Hill Farm and ran into T2, Miss Wiggy, Hi Hills, Tiger Lil, Ten Bears and Donkey Kong. I was asked to join T2, Miss Wiggy, Hi Hills and Tiger Lil in presenting our version of the "Beaver Song" to my daughters and Judy. I noticed that my family was splitting their sides laughing.Courtney, Jonann, Judy and I split a tomato pie (crust, tomatoes and cheeses baked pie style) and it was very good. We also split a cantaloupe for dessert.We actually used umbrellas to shade ourselves while crossing a large open field. The umbrellas did help some but it was still so very hot.During the hike, we ran into Ms. Priss and Bug (a really nice young couple) and Mister Clean. I had met Ms. Priss and Bug previously when they helped take photos of me and I had forgotten to take their picture. This time I was able to get their picture along with Mr. Clean.Time to get off the Trail and feed my girls. They are also begging for a shower.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-07-13
From: Warwick Turnpike, New York

To: Lakes Road
Miles today: 13.7

After hiking in the heat and humidity again and getting a shower, my family and I drove into New York City. We rode the subway into Chinatown and the girls spent time buying purses for friends, family and themselves. We cleaned up at the hotel and then went to dinner at a sports bar in the Times Square Area of New York.It was a long, exhausting but special day with my family.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-07-14
From: Lakes Road

To: Arden Valley Road
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: moderate rain

I was able to work on business items and spend time with my family in New York City since I had hiked ahead on this section.The girls went shopping and looked into the windows at the NBC Studio (the Today Show), window shopped at Tiffany's and Trump Towers and brought back sandwiches on baguettes for lunch. I continued working and then took a power nap while the girls continued shopping. We ate hot dogs and sausage dogs from the street vendor for our supper. We took a walk through part of Central Park. Can't believe how big Central Park is. The information sign for the Park indicated there is a castle on the grounds, ice skating pond (from the movie "Serendipity" - the girls tell me), carnival rides, trails and so much more. We stopped for an ice cream while walking back to our hotel in Times Square.Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-07-15
From: Arden Valley Road

To: Old West Point Road, Graymoor Friary
Miles today: 19.5

We left New York City very early and headed toward the Trailhead where Courntey and Jonann spent another day hiking with me. The girls thought they were hiking a straight, flat Trail but found out there was a lot of rock climbing - even straight up and down the mountains. I affectionately gave Jonann the Trailname of "All Fours" and Courtney the Trailname of "Butt Slider" after I observed their hiking styles.The girls enjoyed their time on the Trail and now consider themselves "Section Hikers" since they have done "small" parts of Georgia, Tennessee, New Jersey and New York. They did say they don't think they will ever consider thruhiking the Trail as it is so much harder than they expected.We went to our hotel, took showers and ordered a pizza. Courtney was a little freaked out when she found a tick on her while showering - not a deer tick.Thank you to family and friends who sent "Happy Birthday" notes and cards. And thank you, Kimberly, Todd and grandkids for the cookies and birthday presents. Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-07-16
From: Old West Point Road, Graymoor Friary

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: light rain

Judy and the girls are heading home to Indiana today. I thoroughly enjoyed having Courtney and Jonann hike with me. They dropped me at the Trailhead and I started hiking with Red Rocket and Trail Heifer heading north out of the Graymoor Friary. Later in the day, we caught up with T2, Miss Wiggy and Coops at Canopus Lake at Clarence Fahnestock State Park where we stopped and cooled off in the water. We hiked on to RPH Shelter and set up our tents.I was surprised with a birthday cake by my fellow hikers. The cake was shared with T2, Miss Wiggy, Red Rocket, Hi Hills, Trail Heifer, Coops, Walrus, Pathfinder, MoFo, Allegheny, TrailPoke, Tiger Lil, Donkey Kong and Ten Bears. Ten Bears carries a Trail guitar in his pack. Allegheny borrowed the guitar and started playing and singing gospel, country and 50's and 60's songs. He entertained the group close to an hour and a half. What a great night!Until tomorrow.....
Date: 2005-07-17
From: RPH Shelter

To: Hurds Corner Road
Miles today: 19.9

Today we found another nice lake - Nuclear Lake. Some hikers stopped to cool off in the lake but T2 and I chose to continue hiking. It started raining so we stopped to eat lunch at the Telephone Pioneers Shelter. It stopped raining about the time we finished eating, so we moved on.Towards the end of the day, we stopped at the Appalachian Trail Station. This station is a stop on the Metro-North Commuter Railroad which goes to New York City on weekends only. We had our picture taken on the train platform. We found a pavilion about a half mile off the Trail by the old water tower at Hurds Corner Road. We set up our tents there as we were concerned about the predicted rains.Until tomorrow.....