morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-09-25
From: Near West Chairback Pond Trail

To: Sidney Tappan Campsite
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: scattered clouds

September 25 --There had been a very light rain overnight and I was awakened by a heavy machine, making its way through the woods, that sounded like a tractor with a wood chipper, moving slowly, ever closer. It wasn't enough to jump start me however, I felt tired from my cold, the chafing of my upper legs and surronding areas now a comfort factor that required application of vaseline, and I considered taking a zer0 day rather than face walking in the rain all day. That changed when the bright sun made leaf shadows on the tent wall and I reevaluated the itinerary and would shoot for a September 30 summit. Once I got off of Chairback, ~2300'+, the only peak between me and Mt Katahdin was White Cap Mtn, 3654', and cold, chafing and fords be damned, I was locked in. I soon packed up and was on the bald of Chairback Mtn with typically beautiful views of changing leaves. Distinct groves of trees could now be discerned, red maples, yellow birches, darker yellow beeches with the pines typically following streams, all amoung the beauty of lakes and ponds, giant puddles among the 3-D landscapes. It was a nice steep climb off Chairback, on large boulders at times, one that I realized would soon end, and with thoughts like that, there was no reason to hurry. I soon passed through Gulf Hagas, a pretty section of a steep slate gorge, popular among locals, and followed Gulf Hagas Brook up hill for miles to Gulf Hagas Mtn, 2683', where the sun was setting low and the cold wind was blowing in the clear sky. I soon reached my destination, Sidney Tappan Campsite, one tent already there, and I set up very close to the trail, fetching water at the very small spring about 0.2m downhill in the dark as the evening turned from chilly to cold, and I enjoyed my hot dinner before snuggling in for the night.
Date: 2009-09-26
From: Sidney Tappan Campsite

To:  Cooper Brook Falls Lean-To
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: clear sky

Septermber 26 --A cold night, with crystal clear sky, billions of stars, and a cold morning, 35 degees, bright and sunny, a great way to start up West Peak, Hay Mtn and White Cap Mtn, all within the first 4m of the day. White Cap held a spectacular 360 in the cool morning, and a feature of the ME maps is to indicate the direction of the outlying mountains, this one included Mt Katahdin, it was exciting, I broke out the compass and oriented the map to identify the big peak, but as always for me, they all look big as I am a poor judge of distance, so I snapped a few photos in the general direction hoping to capture it and identify it later. Again it was a sad descent off White Cap, I had become pretty good at climbing up/down mountains over the last 6 months and now it would soon be over, inn fact, this was my final official descent, coming off Mt Katahdin would be after completion. The miles of bumpy downhill that followed passed typical pretty ponds and streams as I arrived at dark at the Cooper Brook Falls Lean-To, the tentsite just before it, where I set up with headlamp. I took the short, steep trail to the brook where the lean-to sat on its shore, the falls just upstream. There I saw Ox, and the lean-to was full of others, Many Names, et al, I assumed, difficult to tell with everyone wearing headlamps. I returned to the tent, pleased at the day's progress and my waning cold and chafe problems, looking forward to the flat terrain of the next few days that would lead to the final night in the woods.
Date: 2009-09-27
From:  Cooper Brook Falls Lean-To

To: Wadleigh Stream Lean-To
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: light rain

September 27 --The weather had warmed considerably and with it the sky was overcast, the air damp, still cool and comfortable for the flat terrain. I made my way across Jo Mary Rd, one of the few access roads in the wilderness where a large pickup truck was parked, and shortly after I caught a whiff of lingering 2-cycle exhaust, then heard voices, then came upon a trail work crew of 4 repairing puncheons. I asked of one the weather forecast and she summed it up in one word, rain. My experience was that women on the trail give a more accurate answer, I should've asked the guys. There was a second crew at Antlers Campsite, where I took a short break. It was a beautiful spot, the tentsites are right on Lower Jo Mary Lake in the tall pines, with a rocky shore and small jetty. I was making good time over the virtual flat land, crossing occasional tote roads and old logging roads, puncheons, through an old woods section with huge pine tree stumps and some lying giants, nearly 3 feet across. Crossing one old road, barely a path now, I found a pair of metal crutches leaning up against a tree, just as I did crossing ME17 days ago. This time I looked around for someone nearby who may've crawled into the bushes for a little privacy, or was it 2 guys on crutches racing GA->ME? It was midafternoon when my luck ran out and light drizzle forced me to initiate my new pack cover which I bought while in NJ on my Grafton Notch break. Even in the dreary grey the beauty of the near peaking leaves dominated the lake shores and landscapes. The path of fallen yellows and reds nearly glowed in the dim, fading light, layered thick enough to cover the ornery roots always waiting to trip or slip. Following the root laden shoreline of Nahmakanta Lake for the final mile of the day, I arrived at the Wadleigh Stream Lean-To where I found the same group I had been sync'd with, Many Names, Big Fish, Ox, Firecracker, Natty Bump, all settled in the shelter. It would soon be dark and I set up quickly, after a brief chat, they offered me shelter space, between the lean-to and the nearby, quiet, small stream. I settled in as the light rain, accumulating on the tree branches above, dropped big splats, like small handclaps, on the tentfly.
Date: 2009-10-04
To: Hopatcong, NJ
Miles today: 0.0

October 4 --IT IS OVER! Mixed, the walk has ended, too soon, too late, still mulling, still sinking in, the effect of the last 6 months, people, places and things, like the earth's core, will take forever to cool, and continue changing to different from yesterday, I hope that I've absorbed enough environment to keep me charged for the next 20 years, or sooner, when I suspect I'll need another dramatic jump to the metabolism, we only spent 100m, 7dys, in the wilderness, Moses 40yrs, it works wonders, get the picture? Whatever it is that you have, it is twice as much as you need.
Date: 2010-01-23
To: Whitefield, NH
Miles today: 0.0

January 23, 10 --The journal transcription from the hand written version has been completed and I've moved the journal to "2009 Completed Hikes". My last entry was for March 21 which lists the foods I concocted for the trip. While developing the menu, I had nutrition in mind as a balanced, fiber rich diet, and I pondered how I would make up the calories. It turns out that I didn't, and by Hot Springs, NC I had lost 18 lbs, and by Erwin, TN I had lost a total of 24 lbs. Staring in the mirror at Uncle Johnny's Hostel I saw the bones of my upper chest all too clearly, and it was after that moment that I began to add as much fat as I could stomach to my diet at every opportunity, in the form of french fries, pop-tarts, peanut butter, and primarily Little Debbie cakes that offered the most cal/$/ounce, a 450cal, 79c, 3oz Chocolate Brownie was typical. A few weeks into the journey I began to crave green food, esp broccoli, and more than once I stopped just before days end to pick dandelion leaves to mix with my instant mashed potatoes. I met several hikers in the southern states who knew how to identify ramps, a kind of wild onion, that added flavor to the potatoes and rice. I never grew tired of the food that I had prepared, in fact, I looked forward to every meal, but I never hesitated to gobble up extras that I came upon along the way. Thank you for your comments and patience!
Date: 2009-03-30
From: Amicalola Falls State Park

To: Neels Gap, GA
Miles today: 40.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Hello from the trail!Random songs that have been in my head while hiking without the aid of my MP3 player: Ryan Adams - Magnolia Mountain & Easy Plateau, BoyzIIMen - I Do, Big Daddy Weave - Let It Rise.NEW blog. Come on in to dat der website...and if you care about saving trees and lives...TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT MY SITE!Thanks
Date: 2009-04-04
From: Neels Gap, GA

To: Hiawasee, GA
Miles today: 81.4

I hitch-hiked for the first time...Yes, it's safe. It's common along the trail. Didn't even have to show any leg.UPDATE: New Centro Blog (via my cellphone)You know the routine...leave your muddy boots at the door! 2200miles.com-Chris
Date: 2009-04-08
From: Hiawasee, GA

To: Franklin, NC
Miles today: 78.5
Weather: clear sky

Bipolar hiking! How to hike in 70 degree weather one day with a sunburn, and then hike in sleet and snow for the next two days...try not to let THAT mess with your mind. NEW Blog! Finally uploaded some pictures!!! YOUR TASK THIS WEEK: 1.) email me (chris@2200miles.com) questions about the AT/World Vision/the meaning of life/etc, and I'll update the FAQ page with them and 2.) use the "Invite People To Join" tool on our group page to...well...invite people to join the group! At this point, I don't even care if your boots are muddy, come on in! 2200miles.com
Date: 2009-04-17
From: Franklin, NC

To: Gatlinburg, TN
Miles today: 97.0
Weather: clear sky

BEAR SIGHTING So I saw bears two days ago...however...it was from the comfort of a Toyota Prius whose kind owner volunteered to give me a ride into Gatlinburg before I had even asked. I had seen this same scenario about a year ago. You descend on a windy road from Newfound Gap into Gatlinburg, and halfway down lots of cars pull off the road (or just park and block it) and everyone hops out of their car to take pictures. In this case, two little black bears, one in a tree, the other looking up at the road as if to say "take one step closer and I'll climb up a tree too..." they looked harmless. Still looking forward to that first REAL encounter with a bear. May it be peaceful for both of us, the bear and I. NEW Blog. NEW Gallery. RESPONDED to all posts on the Facebook Group wall. Still working on responding to emails and blog comments...sorry... Thanks for inviting friends to the website, it's encouraging to see the email list grow and the facebook group get bigger! I can't wait to find out which readers end up hiking the trail in the years to come as a result of reading about my adventure it could be you... You can probably smell my boots from wherever you're sitting...www.2200miles.com
Date: 2009-04-27
From: Gatlinburg, TN

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 135.2
Weather: clear sky

Okay I've been sweating like people worried about getting the Swine Flu... Um...so did we just skip spring and head straight to summer? Less than a week ago I woke up to a nice dusting of snow on the ground and shelter roof...today...possible record high in the 80s. Again...the great bi-polar experiment continues. And what's this with a Swine Flu? I don't even know what that means. It's so weird to read the news after living in the woods for a week. Drudgereport.com headlines normally say it all, and I'm always expecting something economy-related. So this one was a surprise. Sorry, I guess this is a real problem...I think I forget when I read traumatic headlines around the world about death and war that each of those deaths has a funeral with mourners, caskets are carried, the ground has to be broken, they have to be burried, all of which costs money and takes time...YIKES. I'll save the heavy stuff for the blog. NEW BLOG (with TWO AMAZING YOUTUBE CLIPS). NEW PICTURES of PEOPLE (not just nature...I hear those were getting boring). My blog is air-conditioned and flip-flop season is here. Come on in. I have a feeling it'll be another long one. 2200miles.com
Date: 2009-05-05
From: Erwin, TN

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 123.8
Weather: light rain

4/27 4.2 miles, left Erwin, as usual had to leave town.4/28 17.2 miles, only planned 12.8, took a 2 hr break, then pressed on. Today marks the end of one month = 370.1 miles total. First time sleeping away from a shelter.4/29 18.4 miles, saw 2 deer! Sleeping in a barn that¢s used as a shelter, beautiful view!4/30 18 miles, windiest morning, left NC for good! Very different after mid-day. More trees with leaves, great smells, amazing Jones Waterfall, staying at a 3-level shelter.5/1 15.6 miles, staying at Kincora hostel tonight. Good pace today, easier ups/downs. Ate a whole pizza from Little Ceasar's.5/2 17.5 miles, tough day, light rain. Tried double inserts in shoes, heels hurt a bit, but pretty comfortable overall.5/3 32.9 miles, so tired. Happy to be here in Damascus.5/4 0 miles!!! Blueberry pancakes @ Cowboy¢s, coffee @ Mojoe¢s, lunch @ Subway, dinner @ Quincy¢s pizza. Staying at ¢The Place.¢5/5 0 miles!!! Working on blog, considering gear exchange for summer weather.
Date: 2009-05-15
From: Damascus, VA

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 138.6
Weather: light rain

5/6 15.8 miles, left Damascus, rained most of the day. Not as depressed as usual to leave town 5/7 17.3 miles, didn¢t rain, yet the trail was mostly a river today as it continued to rain hard last night. Saw cows and ponies today. I like the change of walking through fields.5/8 20 miles, rained all morning, then the sun came out. Most parts of the trail were still a stream.5/9 22.2 miles, staying at a cheap motel tonight so I can resupply. Woke up to lightning and hail last night.5/10 14 miles, got a ride this AM to church, then a ride from church to groceries, then back to the trail!5/11 19 miles, rained all morning, foggy cold afternoon. Patches of blue sky and sun towards the end.5/12 23.8 miles, pain all day. Nice sunny day, though.5/13 6.5 miles, couldn¢t walk any farther, leg hurts too bad.5/14 0 miles, waiting for Jason to pick me up from Trent¢s grocery. Overheard fantastic talk of a hay bale falling off someone¢s trailer and crashing through an angry neighbor¢s fence.5/15 0 miles, back in Damascus, resting¢¦. Trail Days Festival ahead!
Date: 2009-05-21
From: Damascus, VA

To: Pearisburg, VA
Miles today: 24.3
Weather: few clouds

5/16-5/17 ¢Nero,¢ spent both days resting as much as possible and partaking of some of the Trail Days festivities5/18 13.9 miles (+.9 blue) Leg hurt again towards the end of the day. Staying at a hostel.5/19 0 miles. Had a foot/leg massage last night at the hostel. Going to alternate heat/ice for a while. Hope it¢s ready to go in the morning.5/20 10.4 miles (+2.3 blue and town miles) staying here in Pearisburg for a few days, then Baltimore for a few days. Decided to leave the trail for a week and rest at a conference with some friends.5/21 Nero. Library¢¦Walmart¢¦Mexican food¢¦Subway¢¦and made myself a t-shirt I¢ll post the pic later!
Date: 2009-04-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

This entry is for practice. Start date is May 2 so I have 12 days to get ready, 4 days work, 3 days getting my ship in order and 4 days travel to Harpers Ferry in West (by god) Virginia. This will be KZ and myselfs third year on the trail and maybe we can finish it this year. I would like to say Happy Trails like Roy & Dale but it seems a lot of people use that so my saying is going to be "age is just a number"
Date: 2009-04-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We are at Harpers ferry WV at the comfort Inn. Ready to jump off tomorrow.Monday drove to shawnee Ok. Kz & I pulled a trailer with equipment to TN.Bobcat T300 and attachments about 11 to 12 thousand lbs. Tuesday to Lexington Tn. Dropped off truck trailer and equipment at Daughters house met Pat and Linda. Had dinner at Sparkys pizza buffet with Ethan, Buster and old whats his name (Stephen). Sister Pat and Linda (friend from Ar Kansas) are going to be our support team this year. Pat has a new Class B Motor home with all the whistles and bells plus things nobody can even guess about (at least I can't). Wendesday to Christiansburg Va. and then today here to Harpers Ferry.. Lots of rain on the trip and cloudy the entire time. KZ the ever ready bunny (just keeps on going) seems to have maybe not delivered all the Easter baskets and ate them himself or maybe he is carrying extra batteries?? Oh well we are both ready to hike. ( I havn't walked for six weeks thats what happens when you have to work.)Age is just a number
Date: 2009-05-01
From: HARPERS FERRY

To: ROCKY RUN SHELTER
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

STARTED @7:30 AM AT SHELTER AT 2:30. COUPLE OF HOURS OF RAIN. THE TRAIL WAS NOT VERY HARD A COUPLE OF UPS BUT OK. TOOK A NAP WHEN WE GOT TO THE SHELTER. THIS SHELTER WAS NEW AND VERY NICE. WE HAD IT ALL TO OUR SELFS.AGE MAYBE MORE THAN A NUMBER
Date: 2009-05-02
From: ROCKY RUN SHELTER

To: FREE STATE HIKER HOSTEL
Miles today: 15.4

PAT & LINDA PICKED US UP AT A ROAD CROSSING AND TOOK US THE THE HOSTEL AND THEN PICKED US UP AND TOOK US TO TOWN FOR DINNER. WE WORE OUR RAIN GEAR FOR THE AM AND WE HAD SHOWERS. TODAY WAS A LITTLE HARDER I THINK BECAUSE WE HAVE NOT BEEN TRAINING. PACKS ARE HEAVY HILLS ARE STEEP THE WEATHER WAS GREAT FOR HIKING NOT HOT. KZ TRIPPED AND CUT HIS EAR AND FACE ON A ROCK. TOMORROW WE PLAN A SLACK PACK DAY (WHAT A WAY TO GO)I FEEL OLDER TODAY BUT I DON'T THINK THE NUMBER HAS CHANGED HAPPY 50 SISTER BECKY TOMORROW.
Date: 2009-05-03
From: FREE STATE HIKER HOSTEL

To: TUMBLING RUN SHELTER
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: moderate rain

WE DID A MOSTLY SLACK PACK TO ABOUT A MILE FROM THE SHELTER AND PAT ANGLE AND LINDA MET US AND WE SWITCHED TO OUR LARGE PACKS AND HIKED ON TO THE SHELTER. A YOUNG COUPLE HOT PANTS (AUSTIN, TX) AND LOBSTER LEGS (CHICAGO, IL) WERE JUST LEAVING SO WE OCCUPIED THE SHELTER THEY VACATED. THERE WERE TWO SHELTERS AT THIS LOCATION AND BOTH HAD A CLOTHES LINE BUT SINCE IT RAINED ALL DAY THERE WAS NO SUN TO DRY OUR CLOTHES. AP AND LINDA HAD KENTUCKY FRIED CHICKEN AND COLE SLAW WAITING FOR US AT THE ROAD. THE ALSO GAVE CHICKEN TO JAKE AND CRAIG WHEN THEY CAME THRU. JAKE STAYED AT SHELTER NEXT TO US AND CRAIG HIKED ON LATE. TODAY WE CROSSED THE MASON-DIXON LINE INTO PEN. WE HAD A SOGGY LUNCH IN THE COLD AT PENMAR PARK REALLY PRETTY. MARYLAND WAS VERY EASY HIKING IN THAT THERE WAS NO BIG UPS THAT HAVE BOTHERED US IN THE PAST. THE EVER-READY BUNNY (KZ) MAY HAVE GAINED WEIGHT BUT HE IS STILL SO MUCH BETTER AT THIS THAN ME MAYBE I WILL GIVE HIM THE EDGE BECAUSE HE IS SO YOUTHFUL BUT THEN IT IS I WHO SAYS AGE IS JUST A NUMBER????
Date: 2009-05-04
From: TUMBLING RUN SHELTER

To: QUARRY GAP SHELTER
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: moderate rain

WE STAYED IN THE BAG UNTIL 7:20 AM. THERE IS JUST SOMETHING ABOUT NOT WANTING TO GET UP TO HIKE IN THE RAIN AND MUD ALL DAY BUT YOU FORCE YOURSELF TO THINK IT HAS TO GET BETTER. MAYBE THATS LIKE GOING TO WORK WHEN YOU REALLY DON'T LIKE YOUR JOB FOR WHAT EVER REASON. IT RAINED ALL NIGHT AND IT SEEMED COLD. I REPLACED MY SLEEPING BAG WITH A 40 DEGREE BAG (I DID SAVE A FEW OUNCES OF WEIGHT) AND SPENT PART OF THE NIGHT COLD. I DID REMEMBER I HAD A CACOON WHICH IS A NYLON SACK THAT ADDS ABOUT 8 DEGREES OF WARMTH TO THE BAG AND I USED THAT LATER THAN I SHOULD HAVE. ALL OF OUR GEAR IS GETTIN WET AND MY SPIRITS ARE A LITTLE DAMP ALSO. JAKE WAS AT THE SHELTER WITH US ALONG WITH BUCK & TOM FROM MI. CRAIG WAS THERE WHEN WE GOT THERE BUT HE MOVED ON. CRAIG IS A GRAD. STUDENT FROM THE BOSTON AREA. WE HAD TWO UPS TODAY OF COURSE THE FIRST AND HARDEST WAS WHEN WE LEFT THE SHELTER.I WISH EVERYONE HAD A CHANCE TO DO THIS TRIP.
Date: 2009-05-05
From: QUARRY GAP SHELTER

To: PINE GROVE FURNACE ST. PARK
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: overcast clouds

NICE DAY TO HIKE OVERCAST AND FOGGY. MET TWO NEW HIKERS HIGHWAYMAN AND TWEETY.JUST A WALK IN THE WOODS TODAY. AT PINE GROVE FURNACE THERE IS A LARGE HOSTEL WITH 50 PLUS BEDS AND ONLY ONE SHOWER AND STOOL. AP AND LINDA MET US JUST AS WE ARRIVED AT THE HOSTEL (NO CHECK IN UNTIL 5 PM) AND WE ARE THERE AT 2 PM. AP DROVE US TO CARLISLE TOOK HIGHWAYMAN AND TWEETY WITH US TO APPLEBE'S REST. AND THEN WE CHECKED INTO THE BEST WESTERN. AP TOOK THE OTHER TWO BACK TO THE HOSTEL.PINE GROVE FURNACE IS AN OLD STYLE STEEL MILL FROM THE DAYS THEY USED CHARCOL FOR FUEL AND LIME TO PURIFY THE IRON ORE. I SHOULD SAY IT WAS A IRON FURNACE AND NOT A MILL. VERY INTERESTING ALONG WITH A REALLY NICE PARK.
Date: 2009-05-06
From: PINE GROVE FURNACE ST. PARK

To: ALEX KENNEDY SHELTER
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

HAD CONTINETAL BREAKFAST AT HOTEL AND THEN SLACK PACKED ABOUT 13 MILES TO WHERE AP AND LINDA MET US AND WE TRADED DAY PACKS FOR HUGE PACKS AND DID THE LAST TWO PLUS MILES. GOOD DAY TO HIKE. I MUST TELL YOU THAT KZ SWAM A CREEK WHEN HE FELL OFF THE LOG HE WAS WALKING. HE REALY WAS NOT SWIMING HE WAS JUST PRETENDING WHEN HE FELL IN. JAKE, BUCK & TOM WERE AT SHELTER. CRAIG SHOWED UP BUT HE WENT ON. AT NOON TODAY WE WALKED OFF THE TRAIL SHORT DISTANCE TO A DELI AND HAD LUNCH. WE ARRIVED AT THE SHELTER EARLY AND I TOOK A LITTLE NAP AND WAS KILLING TIME BEFORE FIXING MY DINNER WHILE THE OTHER GUYS ATE AT THE TABLE. AT SIX WHEN I STARTED DINNER THE RAINS STARTED AND IT RAINED UNTIL ABOUT MIDNIGHT.AGE IS JUST A BIG NUMBER.
Date: 2009-05-07
From: ALEX KENNEDY SHELTER

To: US 11 MIDDLESEX
Miles today: 0.0

THE WHOLE SHELTER WAS ANTICIPATING GETTING TO BOILING SPRINGS FOR BREAKFAST WHICH WAS ABOUT 4 MILES. WHEN WE GOT THERE WE FOUND OUT THERE WERE NO REST. OPEN FOR BREAKFAST HOWEVER AP AND LINDA WERE THERE AND THEY TOOK US TO ANOTHER TOWN FOR PANCAKES EGGS COFFEE SAUSAGE. JAKE TOM AND BUCK HAD TO GO ON. WE LEFT OUR BIG PACKS WITH PAT AND SLACKED TO OUR DESTINATION. NICE HIERLANDKE THRU CUMBERLAND VALLY. WE WALKED THRU FARM FIELDS REALY PRETTY.WITH ALL OF MY SPELLING ERRORS IT IS OK BECAUSED AGE IS A BIG NUMBER FOR SOME.TOMORROW WE ZERO
Date: 2009-05-08
From: US 11 MIDDLESEX

To: ZERO
Miles today: 0.0

AP TOOK US ON A TOUR OF GETTYSBURG WHICH WOULD HAVE TO BE A MUST IF YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT THE CIVIL WAR. (I DIDN'T BUT DO NOW) WE HAD LUNCH @ THE DOBBIN SPRING HOUSE TAVERN. LOCATED IN THE BASEMENT OF A OLD HOUSE: ROCK WALLS THREE FIRE PLACES AND A LIVE SPRING. GOOD DAY. WELL TOMORROW WE ARE NORTH BOUND AGAIN WITH OUR DAY PACKS. (HOW TOUGH COULD IT BE?)
Date: 2009-05-09
From: US 11 MIDDLESEX

To: DUNCANON
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

WITH ABOUT 6 MILES TO GO KZ FELL AND HIT IS HEAD ON ROCKS. CUT HIS LIP BLACKED HIS EYE AND BRUISED HIS LEG ALL ON RIGHT SIDE. I TOLD HIM HE WOULD NEED STITCHES OR LIVE WITH HAIR LIP FOREVER. AP & LINDA HAD WALKED THE TRAIL THRU TOWN SO WE WENT BACK TO THE VAN. THE NEAREST HOSPITAL WAS AT HARRISBURG SO WE WENT THERE. WE WERE ABOUT 3.5 HOURS GETTING HIM FIXED UP. WE THEN GOT LOST IN THE INNER CITY OF HARRISBURG (PRETTY SCARY FOR US NON CITY DWELERS). SPENT NIGHT AT A HAMPTON INN VERY NICE AND A GREAT BREAKFAST. DINNER AT ARBYS.KEEP ON HIKING OR NOT (SOME PEOPLE PREFER A CAR)
Date: 2009-05-10
From: DUNCANON

To: PENN ROAD 325
Miles today: 0.0

NO BIG EVENTS TODAY. MET BIG TURTLE AT A SHELTER (PRETTY SLOW I GUESS) MET MUDFLAP AND GALATICA BOTH HIKING SOUTH WITH TWO DOGS. ONE OF THE DOGS HAD A SORE WHERE THE PACK WAS RUBBING. I OFFERED FREE ADVICE THAT IS USED TO TREAT HORSES BUT THEY DIDN'T LIKE THAT. (I DIDN'T TELL THEM TO SHOOT THE DOG) FRIJOLE AND SQUIRE ARE AHEAD OF US. SPENT NIGHT AT LESS THAN SUPER 8 HOTEL. KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY OR MAYBE JUST AVOID THE ENEMY
Date: 2009-05-12
From: SWARTARA GAP

To: PEN 183
Miles today: 20.7

GOOD DAY FOR A HIKE KZ HAS SLOWED DOWN TO WATCH THE TRAIL MORE CLOSELY PLUS HIS BIKE INJURY HIP IS STARTING TO BOTHER HIM. 11 MILES TO 501 SHELTER WHERE PAT AND LINDA MET US FOR LUNCH. THE SHELTER HAS BUNKS FOR 12 AND IS LIKE A CABIN. CHEMICAL TOILET AND CAN GET PIZZA DELIVERED. IT HAS A HUGE SKYLIGHT SHAPED LIKE A PYRMID. PAT AND LINDA LEFT TRAIL MAJIC FOR THE HIKERS.SLACK PACKING IS GOOD FOR?????         ME.
Date: 2009-05-13
From: PEN 183

To: PORT CLINTON
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: light rain

VERY STEEP DOWN INTO PORT CLINTON OTHER THAN THAT A GREAT DAY OF HIKING.PAT AND LINDA MET US AT PORT CLINTON XING. WE WENT TO CABELLAS LARGEST STORE. I BOUGHT NEW SUN GLASSES. SPENT NIGHT IN MIROTEL AND HAD DINNER AT LONG JOHN SILVERS.HIKING IS GOOD FOR????????