morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-04-17
From: Eagles Nest Shelter

To: Microtel Inn-Port Clinton Room 105
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: light rain

Happy 60th Birthday! And what a birthday celebration dinner I had last night. We started off with fried shrimp wrapped in bacon. This was followed by frozen shrimp in cocktail sauce, followed by filet steak medallions [marinated of course] shis-ke-bobed over a hot fire of glowing coals, followed by chicken and pasta with Alfredo sauce, and GORP and chocolate for dessert! The guys also had a liberal amount of bourbon and coke.   They had prepared a massive amount of firewood, cleaned out the old ash, and rebuilt the fire ring. We had a great time of it ¢ staying up way too late, trying to identify all of the constellations, and sitting around the roaring fire until time and temperature drove us into our bags for the night. What a way to celebrate my 60th birthday!   After a sad farewell to The Three Companions this morning, and a fond adieu to Papa Eh! I started out on yet another great hiking day in the cool of the early morning. It was a glorious hike- only 8.8 miles ¢ so I lollygagged and delayed and took numerous breaks ¢ lying out in the warm sun with my boots and socks off at one of the pipeline crossings.   I met numerous hikers similarly enjoying the day and, after a steep descent into Port Clinton, met a couple who were out reconnoitering the trail in anticipation of a future hike. They very kindly offered me a ride here to the Microtel Inn, the hotel in Port Clinton being closed on Mondays, as predicted by So Slow.   I am now showered, laundered, fed, stocked up on goodies, and post birthday calls from wife, daughter, and son. All is well with the world and I am looking forward to ¢the sixties¢ They were pretty good the last time ¢ the 1960¢s ¢ so lets see what is in store for me this time around.   Plan on a hike back to Port Clinton to the PO in the morning, and then working on plans for the next section to Delaware Water Gap. Papa Eh! ¢ who seems hard to impress ¢ was impressed by the difficulties of this stretch, and also gave ominous warnings of ¢the first 30 miles in New Jersey Eh!¢ including a vertical 30 foot rock wall requiring real climbing skills coming out of DWG.Thought for today-      Accept true generosity and charity ¢ it is given in a spirit       Of love and compassion. Return the gift in the same spirit,      Even if it is only your most sincere thanks!
Date: 2005-04-19
From: Microtel Inn-Port Clinton Room 105

To: Microtel Inn-Port Clinton Room 105
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Quiet day. Spoke with KT again at Burger King breakfast time. Another beautiful day. Watched the election of Pope Benedict XVI on CNN ¢ we shall see what we shall see. Took a nap in the afternoon and had ¢Hi Tea¢ ¢ coffee and a bagel- at the local Dunkin Donuts. Waxed my boots with Sno-Seal. Quiet relaxing day.   Forecast is good for Weds. and Thurs, then rain Fri. Sat. Sun, then cloudy Mon. and Tues.   Plan to start into a reportedly difficult section in the morning. Will pack the bag and head off into yet another adventure on the AT in the morning
Date: 2005-04-20
From: Microtel Inn-Port Clinton Room 105

To: Windson Furnace Shelter
Miles today: 5.4

Crowned with the stubble of early spring leavesThe trees nod their heads in the late evening breezeMet with So Slow in the lobby this morning. Her feet are giving her problems and she is thinking about what to do next. She also met with Fred and Papa Eh!   Took a deliberately late start in anticipation of a short day. Hiked along PA61 back to the white blazes and then started up a stiff ascent of the Blue Mountain. It seemed particularly tough today; maybe because of the lay over, the zero day, the heavy pack of resupplies, and a realy hot sun. My thermometer read 80+ all day long.   The top of Blue Mountain is not unexpectedly rocky, and it seemed to me that the trail did a little roller coaster up and down along the top. I took a break at Pocahontas Spring and met two ladies SOBO day hiking ¢ Feather and Altoids. All of the springs are running well, even the Minnehaha Spring, which is described in my book as ¢unreliable¢ The under story is turning green, though the canopy has yet to change. Now is the time for the flowers, but I have only seen purple Phlox so far.   It was an extremely pleasant hike, but a very hot and thirsty one. This could be a difficult section in the middle of summer, especially a dry one. Just before reaching the shelter I met with Quilter, who had attempted a thru hike last year. She had met another Irishman on that hike and when she heard from Feather and Altoids that there was an Irishman up ahead she rushed up to me in hopes that I was her lost Irish friend. Hopes dashed! We did however hike on here together.   I cooked lunch- an almost unheard of event for me- and took a long afternoon nap. I feel good so far and we will see what the evening and night brings. Will try for a cell signal later. Thought for today-¢The moving finger writes And having writ moves on And all your poetry and wit Can¢t call it back Nor all your tears wash out A word of it¢
Date: 2005-04-22
From: Allentown HC Shelter

To: Bake Oven Knob Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

A large group of college students arrived last night and tented out near the shelter. They were gone when I set out at 6AM. They had left their food bags very professionally hung, many from complex arrangements of ropes between adjacent trees, but no sign of them or their tents. Wherever they went, it was early and silent.   The day was cold and I was thankful for the rain jacket and gloves as I stepped out to greet the rising sun on a nice broad even graded descent to the road ¢ as forecast by Shamrock. Then it was a pleasant, but still cold and overcast, walk up to PA309 where the Blue Mountain B+B is just off the trail. I thought of calling in for a ¢second breakfast¢ but it looks a little bit upscale, and the sign said that the restaurant was not open today.   North of the road, while I was having my midmorning break, Jig and Shamrock caught up with me NOBO today. They were staying at the Inn at Palmerton, and were there when I called to make my weekend reservations yesterday. They hope to complete this section today, so I don¢t think that I shall be seeing them again.      After passing the New Tripoli Campsite, the trail started to get a lot more difficult ¢ more rocks, and bigger rocks. Not the same problem with blow-downs that I had yesterday, but the boulder fields were difficult and extensive.   The Knife Edge offered a real challenge. The trail runs along the very edge of the crest of the rocks ¢ literally a knife-edge. It was sharp, high, exposed, windy and scary. The whole thing is only about 200 yards long, but it was a difficult sharp, rocky, tightrope all the way. I was happy to get past it.      From there on it was ¢just¢ the same old ankle-twisting, boot-destroying, loose, sharp, fist-sized rocks. Alternating with large boulders the size of cars. After passing The Cliffs, it improved briefly down to Bake Oven Road. At this stage the overcast sky began to spit cold rain and I covered up the pack.   After crossing the road I anticipated a straight run on here to the shelter. Not so! The rocks returned with a vengeance at Bake Oven Knob, with a steep ascent up to the Knob, and a similar steep descent down on the other side. All in all a rough 10 miles today.   This shelter is small and spring #1 was dry ¢ surprise! #2 had water in it however, so I am currently all ensconced in my sleeping bag. It has turned very cold, and it is raining intermittently. I made myself some hot chocolates and will make dinner in a little while. Got a poor signal and left KT a message ¢ I hope! Am realy tired after the 10 miles.Thought ¢      Every stone that you turn      Changes the future
Date: 2005-04-24
From:  Palmerton-Parkside Inn, Room 5

To: Palmerton-Parkside Inn, Room 8
Miles today: 0.0

Rained all night and much of the day, dull overcast and cold here, so little opportunity to explore the town. Spent he day lounging and sleeping and relaxing.   This afternoon Jig and Shamrock dropped by to visit. They did the section north of here today and said that the climb out of the gap was very, very difficult. They also told me that they too had met with the same Boy Scout Troop yesterday and that they had exactly the same reactions that I had. We had a pleasant afternoon hour drinking tea and eating munchies and talking AT. It is true that only someone who has done it can realy understand what it is that you are talking about.   Will start early in the morning and see how it goes, but the plan is to camp at one of the springs and then head on to the motel at wind gap, We will see!Thought for today-   There are no bad days   But some are better than others.
Date: 2005-04-26
From: Delp's Spring

To: Wind Gap - Travel Inn, Room 105
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

The early morning sun lent technicolor radiance to a single strand of cobweb stretched across the trail.A good night! Had a great conversation with KT lying in my sleeping bag in my little tent on a rocky mountaintop in Pennsylvania, while she sat at our kitchen table in Oak Park. I just love it!   No rain during the night, so I had a dry tent to pack and was off in the cool of the early dawn. The sun was soon out and it turned into a glorious day with temps in the 60¢s, I hiked in summer rolled sleeves mode. The hike was pretty much rocky today, but no big ups and downs ¢ just hard to get into a rhythm. Was soon at Smith Gap road and soon passed the sign to Leroy A. Smith shelter. Lots of signs, directions and distances at that intersection.   On the next section of the hike, I met with Obie Wan, SOBO, on his first day to complete his PA sections. He was going for a 20+-mile day all the way into Lehigh Gap ¢ certainly more than I am capable of, in a single day. He told me that the forecast is for rain tonight and tomorrow, but good Thurs, and Fri. He also told me that the section North of Wind Gap is very difficult, with a lot of loose rocks, and very slippery when wet. I have decided to heed his advice and to zero here tomorrow ¢ Weds. ¢ to let the rain pass on over.   I arrived at Wind Gap PA33 after loosing my way on the descent. The PA Gaming Commission uses white splotches of paint to mark the Game Land boundaries. In theory it should be easy to distinguish between the rectangular 2X6 inch AT blazes and the irregular ovoid splotch of the Game Land Commission. However with weathering the AT blazes can easily look like an irregular splotch also. I soon realized my error and retraced my steps to Lookout Rocks, where I had missed the AT double blaze, warning of a change in direction of the trail.   It was then a long and hot hike to downtown Wind Gap. The motel is located close to the freeway and is a good two miles from the trail. They have promised an early shuttle back on Thursday morning however.   I seem to be taking a lot more zero days here in PA. In truth the going is tough, and even after just 10 miles. I feel quiet tired, often to the point of exhaustion. My feet ache at the end of the day and I welcome the zero days. PA is tough.      So now I am showered, fed, stocked with goodies for the zero day. No need for laundry yet. Spoke briefly with KT. Am tired, but feel OK. Should arrive in Delaware Water Gap on Friday. PO is open Saturday morning. Obie says that there is another Hotel in DWG that was open last fall. The Ramada Inn is closed because it had six feet of water as a result of the recent floods. We shall see.Thought for today ¢¢The more a man posses over and above what he uses, The more careworn he becomes¢. And the heavier his pack!Knowledge is all around usAll we have to do is look.
Date: 2005-04-27
From: Wind Gap - Travel Inn, Room 105

To:  Wind Gap - Travel Inn, Room 105
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I certainly picked the right day to pull a zero. It rained all night long and I awoke to more rain, dull dreary sullen skies, cold and windy - a real ¢Irish Day¢ But the forecast proved true and the rain cleared in the late afternoon and we were even treated to a short burst of sunlight prior to the sunset.   I also found a place to stay at DWG ¢ The Deer Head Inn ¢ open only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, so my zero day here fitted into that schedule exactly.      Forecast is good for tomorrow and the difficult miles between here and Hawk Rocks ¢ ¢The toughest in PA¢ according to Virginia Tortoise and ¢Difficult¢ by Obie Wan¢s standards.   Feel good ¢ had a long talk with KT.No thoughts today!
Date: 2005-04-29
From: Kirkridge Shelter

To: Delaware Water Gap - Deer Head Inn, Room 21
Miles today: 6.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was;- Cool and dry- Level and graded- Light and comfortable- Pain Free- Enough Water- Good spot to sleep- Good Company- A Good Day!At about 5:30PM last evening Thomas arrived. He is finishing a 60-mile section tomorrow at DWG. Tom teaches English to children with special educational needs and is a realy neat guy. In his time he has been a professional photographer and an art critic also. An active bicyclist, canoeist, and sailor, Tom is an interesting conversationalist and self-described ¢active environmentalist¢ His current interest is in ¢Micro-trash¢ ¢ that is the teeny weenie tiny little pieces of trash that can be found ¢ although generally unnoticed ¢ at any shelter. Thomas believes that any degree of trash, including micro-trash, encourages ever more trash in a vicious cycle. He collected a vast array of micro-trash, from what I thought was a reasonably clean shelter. He examined twist-ties, small pieces of tin foil, plastic, paper, and even metal, with the excitement, interest and care of a professional archeologist. Tom believes that the trash and detritus of a civilization can tell us a lot about it.   After a quiet and moonlight night, visible from the sleeping bag, we both slept late. A morning fire was started at Tom¢s instigation, and I was soon on my way, leaving Tom to forage for even more micro-trash.   A great day to hike with splendid views from Nelsons Vista and Lunch Rocks. At Tott¢s Gap the trail follows an old woods road ¢ wide and smooth and well maintained ¢ almost all the way to Mount Minsi. Excellent views of the Delaware River to the right. I met two young men from Trinidad living in New York, on the descent, and then a whole series of day hikers with a wide variety of leashed and unleashed dogs. A nice descent into DWG followed, with excellent views from Lookout Rock and Council Rock. Took some photos at Lake Lenape of a memorial to a young man [did he drown in the lake?] and I was soon hiking into DWG to the sounds of the noon church bells ¢ followed by an extended carillon.   Saw Tom walking by as I was eating lunch at the Trailsend Caf©, and we both explored the town while I waited for the Deer Head Inn to open. Tom got a bus ticket back home and we spent an interesting hour in the bar at the Sycamore Caf© where Tom was at the receiving end of a convoluted conversation from a very drunk lady ¢ at 3PM! ¢ who wanted to reassure him that she was ¢not a whore¢, that she had just had her hair done differently recently! Upon discovering that I was Irish, she informed me that so was her husband and that we were all a ¢useless lot¢   Bid a fond farewell to Tom and checked into the Deer Head Inn. Am now showered, fed, and have collected my box from the PO. Spoke with my daughter Julia ¢ today is her birthday. No laundry here.Thought for today ¢   In order to properly formulate a question   You have to have some idea of the answer
Date: 2005-04-30
From: Delaware Water Gap - Deer Head Inn, Room 21

To:  Delaware Water Gap - Deer head Inn, Room 21
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I am writing this sitting on my bed in Room 21. Out of my window, under a dark and rainy sky, I can see a white blaze on a nearby telegraph pole. My side of the house faces the trail as it passes though the edge of DWG, so I can lie in bed, watch TV, and still feel that I am still on the trail. A very wet and blustery day ¢ a good one for a zero! Have started a tentative plan for the next stage to Fort Montgomery, to arrive on May 9-10, so I should be able to pick up my son from college on the 12th. I will have passed through New Jersey and be into New York by then.   Spoke with KT. The forecast is better for tomorrow and I hope to take a trolley tour of DWP
Date: 2005-05-01
From:  Delaware Water Gap - Deer head Inn, Room 21

To:  Delaware Water Gap - Deer Head Inn, Room 21
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Slept late. Had Sunday brunch at the Trails End Caf©. Rain ended and it turned into a nice sunny afternoon. Went on a trolley ride to view historic DWG area, and enjoyed the experience very much.   Met with John who started in Harpers Ferry 16 days ago. That means that he has done in 16 days what took me 30! He is staying at the Church of the Mountain Hostel, which is right next door to me, and it is Very Nice Indeed! He is a forensic psychologist and we spent an interesting hour talking in the hostel, and we hope to have dinner at the Inn later.   I figure 9 days, 8 nights, to Fort Montgomery, with one 19+-mile day!Forecast looks reasonable.No Thoughts today!
Date: 2005-05-03
From:  Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Brink Road Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: broken clouds

Had a long chat with KT on the cell last night, and slept well in a heated hostel. Finally figured out how to set the alarm on my watch and was on my way early in a cold morning with frost on the grass.   Started with a gradual ascent and my own private sunrise. At the 1480 feet viewpoint I had a spectacular view of the valley off to the east, still shrouded in fog and mist, with the headlands rising out of the mists like ships on an ocean. The trail was still rocky but had excellent views to the east as the sun began to melt the frost-frozen grass. After arriving at Catfish Fire Tower, the trail flirts with an access road, as it descends down to Millbrook-Blairstown Road. Took some photos of Beaver Pond ¢ old tree stumps in the center hint at recent formation.   Even though it was rocky, the trail here is certainly much better than PA ¢ I even saw some packed black dirt trail today. There are still some startling surprises though, such as the sudden and unexpected rock climb over a 50-foot rocky escarpment at Crater Lake, that requires hand and foot work to get over. However the trail planners have no problems using old wood roads on this section, and I was able to make good time on these.   The only people I saw all day long, were a class of schoolchildren and their teacher, out for a day hike. They passed me as I was getting water from the pump at Blue Mountain Lake Road.    It got very cloudy this afternoon, and threatened to rain, but so far has only sprinkled. Got here to the shelter in mid-afternoon. Very old shelter but Desperado has left trail magic cookies and candy, in the bear box. Got a cell signal at the privy, which is unenclosed, and has a good view ¢ in every sense of the word! Spoke briefly with KT.   No one else here, and not many entries in the register recently, except for Thin Man who passed thru yesterday.Thought for today-         When the student is ready         The teacher will come.
Date: 2005-05-05
From: Rutherford Shelter

To: Glenwood - Apple Valley Inn
Miles today: 19.1

The Longest Day ¢ On ¢Cinco de Mayo¢Arose early and was back on the trail North by 5:30AM in anticipation of a very long day, in the pale weak, washed-out colors of the pre-dawn, with a finger-nail moon still in the sky. A blood red private sunrise lit up the morning, giving a correct forecast of yet another glorious day.   I was soon at High Point State Park, but the observation platform, failed to reveal the promised vista of New York City, because of the morning mist. Bypassed High Point Shelter and then began one of the nicest hikes that I have had so far.   The trail becomes smooth and flat or downhill, for miles. It travels by streams and meadows ¢ I love both ¢ through the New Jersey countryside and along the New Jersey/New York border. It was just glorious, and I made excellent time. There are a number of road crossings that come up with the regularity of a Swiss watch, with very nice ponds, and puncheons, and bridges, and little swamps ¢ almost all of which have boardwalks or puncheons.   I was a little concerned when I came to the Walkill National Wildlife Preserve ¢ the main trail was closed, because of work along the dyke, and I was sent on a well-marked detour around the involved area. I don¢t know if it added or reduced the total miles.   Then it was a steep and rocky ascent of Pochuck Mountain and on to Country Road 565. As I was hiking on in to Glenwood, a lady, whose brother had thru hiked ¢ spontaneously stopped and gave me a ride on here to the B+B.      What a day ¢ 19.1 miles in less than 10 hours, I can hardly believe it. I don¢t think it could have happened except for that long flat stretch in the middle.      Have showered, eaten at the local Deli, and plan on 4 days ¢ 3 nights ¢ to Fort Montgomery. I am tired!! Thought for today-      Live THIS Day!