morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-07-04
To: Palmerton Pa
Miles today: 0.0

   Well , where do i start.! I left Duncannon , Met Fuzzie . We walked together for 2 days . the third day i did a 35 mile day . Could not really believe it. checked the milage twice( made it to 501 shelter ) I got to catch up with 151 and Caribou and his wonderful dog Yalu ( Caribou you truely are a wonderfull person and i'm glad i got to meet you .. Next day i was only going to do a 17 mile day ( eagle nest shelter ) , but got to the shelter before 2 PM took a nape and moved on. ( Met Freeman and snoopy ) they were leaving. Made it to Port Clinton for the night . It was a 23 mile day . I need to stop doing these long days and beating my self up. >> Pa. is known as the granite state , well let me tell you it's also know to AT hikers as the BOULDER & ROCKS ,on my foot path state ! ! !    Now the nice part , leaving Port Clinton i had the pleasure of walking with Snoopy . She is as i found out from Florida also , and lives about 20 miles from me . We have walked together for 3 days now. Nice having someone to talk to . Shes pretty and very witty . making to day pass quickly. The last day before coming in to Palmerton , we were low on water ( the trail is dry ). They are having a drought up here. The last day was not fun ! with Boulders and large rock outcroppings to transgress, being hot , dangerous , and short on water. And JUST who did put all these rocks and boulders on the path (AT). Joan and Kristy have been doing a great job keeping me informed and resupplied . Ladies your the best. Mom i love you ! ! I'm glad Mee is not on this part of the trail. But i do miss him . He is my best bud. !   In a couple of days i will be getting off the trail ( just for 10 days) to do the Erie canal bicycle ride . Looking forward to the meeting of old friends ! Hank i kind of like my long beard . Gives me a biker look , and i'm not going to cut my hair either ( will grow it long and ware it a pony tail ) LOO LOL . OH life is good . I'm down to 195 Lbs . I've lost alot of upper body mass. My X large shirt , looks like a tent on me ! But i can redo that on my next adventure .. Oh yes next year i will be paddling ( canoeing the Mississippi river) from it's head waters to the gulf of mexico . I can take more gear with me , to make the trip easier . No hard ship camping there . any body want to join me , it will be fun . !!<> Now back to the serious parts . life on the trail is very rewarding ( yes it's very hard ) This is not what i really expected . I've met so many wonderfull Hikers and help full people . And thats what makes this trip rewarding . Yes   Heather i'm talking about you . Kristy & Chris as well .   And then theres Joan who is in a class all by her self . I look back and think that with out your help I would not still be on the trail. There are count less others who have crossed my path and been there when i needed help. to you i can only say Thank you so much . Again to everyone thank you so much !!      Nobo      one step at a time                                       Ga. <>   Warrior <> Me.
Date: 2010-07-09
From: Rochester Ny

To: Albany and Buffalo Ny.
Miles today: 0.0

Well i left Palmerton , with the wonderful help of Denise and her son Braun . And made it to Stroudsburg Pa, in time to get the bus to Rochester NY. The trip was long but fun ! Yes i'm Yellow blazin but the trail doesn't come this far west. All is well !! I will go back to Palmerton Pa. and do the trail where i left off. When i finish my time here on the bike ride ! I do miss the trail already ! And most of all the wonderful people that i have met on the trail. My hosts Hank and his lovely wife Carol , have made me feel like family ! and taken very good care of me ! It will be funny driving a truck for the next week . And eating food that i didn't cook or boil water for ! Again it's because of the wonderful people that i have met on the trail and off that have helped me as i have traveled ( who have made it such an enjoyable Trip ) Again all i can say is thank you . I will be off the trail for 10 to 14 days ( helping with the Erie canal bicycle ride ) then back to palmerton Pa.   I will not be able to write til i get back from the trip . So this will be it for a while . And to the person who left the mean and very untrue comment , i really feel sorry for you. But thats life . You weren't even nice enough to leave your name ( real name ) ! oh well the world has so many wonderful people in it , i don't have time to worry about one sick or sorry low life . ! Enough said ... Thanks again to all the great and wonderful people ... There are now just to many to name you ' all ( remember i'm southern )   So please know that i'm thinking about and thanking you !!      Nobo                         Ga. <> Warrior <> Me.
Date: 2010-07-20
From: Albany and Buffalo Ny.

To: Back to Palmerton 
Miles today: 0.0

   Well where do i start . This was the best week ever ( Erie canal ride). It was adult summer camp !! I got to see all my cycling family . Dee,Amy,Susan ,Laurie,Rick,Sam, Jessie,Cliff,Martin,Keith , Tracy,Mike and Jack Mike and Steve . Barb ,Val,Burton,Alex...And then there is Jane!! . And yes My wonderful friend Hank. It was a hard week but relaxing . i needed to take the week to heal, and didn't realize it . I'm feeling great now , so it's back on the trail. I'm starting where i got off. ( Bake oven shelter). I miss my friends already! But i need to finish the trail. I'm looking forward to seeing and being with them again next yr. There were 2 new additions dan and his sister claire.      Mom i love you , Hope your doing well. Wayne and Diane thank you for the nice Email. And now that leads me to Hank and Carol. My short stay there w/you was great . Your wonderful friends . Thank you so much . I have gain just a couple of pounds while i was off the trail. ( say hi to Frankie when you can ) . And to all my friends who have helped me , do this adventure or while i was on the tail , THANK YOU .... Now it's back to business .... I'm Warrior again hiking the AT.....   one step at a time   Nobo   WARRIOR PS   Snoopy i will call you when i can ,   And hello Joan . thank you
Date: 2010-07-28
From: Back to Palmerton 

To: wawayanda Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After staying at the Mayors house ( great place ) it's onward again for 3 days . Did a little evening hiking ( not really comfortable doiing that ) . i made it to the shelter very late . got a good nites sleep . I set my mouse trap out and after 4 kills --- said enough is enough . and just didn't reset it !. In the morning i called Linda ( who i know from doing the Erie canal bicycle ride ). she lives real close to the shelter . Well she picked me up and took me to real food , then a great shower and good company !!!!!! She and her family as well ( Austen & Kelly ) Were great hosts . Just plain made me feel like family !!!! took me around resupplied and to meet people .. after a great meal .... it was off to bed to another good nites sleep .. and then in the morning it's back to the trail .... i will say that it is getting harder to make my journey north .. The trail is nice to hike , there are no big boulders like in Pa.   It's just lonely now . not meeting as many hikers . Just a few South bounders . Linda and her family ( trail angels ) are whats it's all about , Such great people , who help make this adventure ,what it truely is ,( a wonderfull experience !!!! ) thank you so much .. Again to all the people who have helped .... I can only say thank you ......I'm Nobo       One step at a time                                                            Ga. <>   Warrior   <> Me.
Date: 2010-08-04
From: Leaving Ny. 

To: View Entry
Miles today: 16.0

   Hi to everyone . I'm in Connecticut , I checked in to a hotel with Slow go and White chocolate .A bug got a hold of me . and i have been sore and very tired . Slept 18 hrs. straight . yes i'm sick !!. now it's slow going til i feel better. Any one in Connecticut or Mass.. Leave me a message Please or your address or phone number on my E-mail . Barb i don't have your Address . My email is PAS971@AOL.com . I'm keeping my head up, and smiling , because things will get better. It just sucks being sick on the trail. I don't think it's from a tick . I have been checking my self . But then again there could be one of those little buggars hiding on me . Got to get going out of town , the shelter is 4 miles yet . Thanks everyone ... Warrior
Date: 2010-08-05
From: Hospital in Salisbury Ct

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well i'm some how going to Albany Ny. The hospital here did tests. Yes i have several things wrong . Lyme and bad water comtamination (sp). I'm not feeling very good . they are worried about the infection going to my replacement Knee !!!   so am i ( lol lol ) . I just could not walk any more ! I'm not eating as well as drinking . And yes that's bad .I'm still trying to smile BUT that's hard to do when you keep running off trail to use the bath room ( lol lol ) Tree !! People here have been nice but it's really not a trail town . I will stay here one night and Yellow blaze to Albany . Wish me luck everyone ..Warrior    Just waiting
Date: 2010-08-09
To: going home 
Miles today: 0.0

      Well i made it to Albany , and now to Rochester ( Ny) ! The Northeast near the trail really lacks public transportation , to say the least . After hitching rides for 2 days i made it to Pittsfield ( was slow going ) . I actually got a ride on the Peter Pan Bus Line , ( not joking ) . And i arrived in Albany 2 and 1/2 hours later. Took the bus to the hospital spent the whole day there . and . after much soul searching , Had to come to the fact that my journey has come to an end . My mind still wants to HIKE but the body says different , as well as the doctors here !.. I think i have pushed my self to far! The lyme disease going untreated , the stomach illness, not letting me keep anything down .And my knee replacement not holding up now ! Was just to much.....      I was still having fun and hiking with good people , and making lots of new friends . I can only say it wasn't ment to be .    I'm staying with my friends Hank and Carol , and will figure whats next . yes i still have my beard , but have lost alot of weight . as well as strength. and that has bothered me . I turn 60 in less than a week , and i don't want to see life from a rocking chair . But i am alone now in life ! and that bothers me !!       Of the four ladies in my life , one is my mother , who has always been there for me . The second wants to be in my life but we both know that it's not ever going to happen . The third who i wanted in my life ( but messed things up ) doesn't even care if i'm alive now ! . And the fourth who came back into my life , really can't be with me .....   so .... It's back to square one ... Things have a funny way of working out ..I've been blessed with so many good people as friends ( wonderful people ) so I'm going to keep my head up, smile . keep an open mind . and keep moving on .. it just will not be North bound now . .... And to everyone who helped.... thank you . they say that life is a journey in it self . so lets see where it goes ..........      Thanks to all . Warrior
Date: 2010-08-10
From: I'm home

To: A better state of mind !
Miles today: 0.0

      Well i've been home now for almost 2 weeks . Yes i have post trail depression . ( bad ) . i can't seem to shake this ! My mind wanted to continue but the body just could not go ! I really did have a great time. I met so many wonderfull people . and had the adventure of a life time ( for now ) ! wait til next yr. I'm deciding about having surgury on my right ankle in dec. i really don't want to do it ... we' ll see.    I've spoke to snoopy and Itchy balls at least 3 times a week . Hank ( itchy Balls ) Joan said to say hello . I have been riding my bicycle and keeping the weight down . I went to churh sunday , No one realized it was me !! LOL LOL    Hank in Rochester And Al Hastings thank you for all your help and kindness .. And Joan and Kristy i could have not gotten where i did with out your great help .. I've decided to get my water gear ( canoe ) ready and go on the Withlachoccee river to get away from people . Hank ( itchy balls ) wants to go also . Snoopy your invited . Mee has been a real pain .. the weather here is ok . nothing to write home about ( wait a minute i am home ) lol .. but least it's warm here . I can go swimming . I can't get over the feeling of being anti social .towards non hikers ...Unless you have walked the walk .. don't try to talk the Talk ( trail ) . I need to get some structure back into my life again ..    Jess and Doris i have been watching to weather up there .. real close to harvest time ..    WELL ENOUGH RAMBLING . THANK YOU EVERY ONE .    i will be writing all of you a thank you e-mail .. .. i need another adventure to get me back on my feet . and Heather .. pet the boys for me ! ( yes there real dogs .)... bye for now warrior .. if you leave a message leave your e-mail so i can get back if i don't have it ..
Date: 2010-04-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

The bug for getting back on the trail has bitten. I am planning to restart at PenMar Park on the Pa/ Maryland border and head north. Which is where i stopped on my 2007 hike from Springer Mountain. At that time it just felt like the right thing to do to stop and head home after 3 plus months. I missed my wife and home and famliy and was ready for a rest. I was never sure at that time if i would ever come and try to finish or not. I will be turning 64 years old and don't want to regret not having finsihed the trail or at least to have tried.Will be starting this year on the 10 or 11 of May and will see what what adventures might unfold.
Date: 2010-04-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It is getting closer to the time to go. Have been digging out the old back pack, and all the other hiking stuff from the closet and basement and where ever else.The sleeping pad is an inflatable mattress and doesn;t seem to hold air so will have to replace that. The old tent was a home made tarp with a hanging screen on the inside. The screen is full of holes patched with duct tape....so will replace that. Every thing else seems in good shape and ready to go back on the trail "as is".Just not sure if i am ready to go. Have been doing some trail conditioning and the biggest hill that is anywhere nearby is about 200 feet vertical. So that will have to do. So i will just have to to go "as is"
Date: 2010-04-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

It seems that when i started on the trail in 2007 it was the fashion to carry a stone from Springer on the trail. I guess the idea was that it would bring you good luck??? Reading the jouranls lately that doesn;t seem to be happening. Maybe everybody is being enviromentaly correct ( and i wasn't) or they just don;t want the extra baggage.I still have a small stone from Springer that i carry and like to think how far is has alreay come. Actually it is a quite a small stone or maybe even smaller like the size of a pea. It is so small i had to put it in it's own special little box so not to lose it.If i am fortunate enough to make it to Mount Katahdin later this summer will have to make a big decision to leave it there or not??? Lot of attachment to a small stone.
Date: 2010-05-10
From: Pen Mar Park on the Pa Ma border

To: tumbling run shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: clear sky

After spending 5 glorious days with my wife in Washington DC we boarded the Amtrak train headed west, home for her and to Harpers Ferry for me for the start of my adventure. The train ride was only an hour to Harpers and time came to soon to leave. I stood on the RR platform and watched it disappear out of sight. Already I was wondering my I am doing this??? (still not sure what the real answer is). Don't know if i will make it all the way to Maine or not but will have to see what the future has in store for me.Since in 2007 i had finished hiking at PenMar Park I got a car shuttle from the hostel keeper to the start. \My hiking strategy is to hike slow and hope to get in shape as the miles go slowly by.So far the Pensylvania rocks aren't any worse than expected, the goal was Tumbling Run Shelter. What lay ahead was a cold nite. So far so good.
Date: 2010-05-11
From: tumbling run shelter

To: Rocky Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 6.6
Weather: light rain

It was absolutely cold last nite. The therometer on the shelter read 39 at 7:00 in the morning. Woke up in the middle of the nite to put on the long johns and jacket and crawl back in the bag. Slept pretty good with just my nose sticking out.The new Nero air mattress is a little bit narrow and seem to keep rolling part way off, will have to figure a way to solve that somehow. The sky was complety over cast and foggy on starting to hike. Stayed that way until about 10:30 when the rain started, the nearest shelter was another hour and half away so decided to stay there even though it was only noon. Good to be dry but everything was cold and thorougly damp.
Date: 2010-05-12
From: Rocky Mountain Shelter

To: Quary Gap shelter
Miles today: 5.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Morning woke with extreme cloudy and damp and soggy, even the sleeping bags felt wet and heavy...so the sleeping was kind of cold and clammy. Hiking by 7:30 am while the the other shelter hikers slept on. Encountered several huge piles of refrigerator sized boulders left helter skelther by mother nature. Some times the trail took you over the top and other times around them...kind of fun navigating.,At the next road crossing the guide book mentioned the restaruant and motel a short way down the road. To tempting to past up. Turns out the motel was full but after a good meal ...so back to the trail for the next shelter. Turns out im glad i did because Quarry Gap shelter is the prettiest of any of the shelters on the entire trail.. can you imagine hangin potted plant of the eves and cleanest shelter!!!! All this with the babbling brook running right along side.
Date: 2010-05-13
From: Quary Gap shelter

To: Toms Run Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Another completely gloomy day with overcast and fog and looks like it could rain any minute but doesn't. Several young and fit thru hikers passed me up like i was standing still, turns out they had started at Springer mountain GA in early March and walked in 2 feet of snow in Smokies.There is mountain laurel all over the sides of the trail but it is just starting to bloom and the best color wont be until the next week or 2 i think. The calves of both legs are aching and the lower muscles of the calves seem tighter than a drum.. the bottom of the left foot is a bit sore as well.Looks like the inside of my hiking shoes on the upper rear edge is beginning to fray so that will be the next problem. Not usre how good New Balance shoes are now, my opinion has changeds. I was the only hiker in the shelter last nite....but i did have company which i discovered after moving in..... a small mother wren already had set up her nest in the other end of the shelter up in the rafters and she was fluttering back on forth until it was dark feeding her babies.
Date: 2010-05-14
From: Toms Run Shelter

To: Pine Grove Furance
Miles today: 3.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Up at usual which is turning out to be 6:30 am and walking soon after.Today was why not stay in town day!! Iron Masters Hostel in Pine Grove Furance State Park was closed for repairs. There was a notice that the Mount Holly Springs Motel in Holly Springs would shuttle for the nites stay......so why not.Feels good to be full and clean.
Date: 2010-05-15
From: Pine Grove Furance

To: Penn Hwy 94
Miles today: 10.3

Beautiful day for a walk!!! Sunny, 75 degrees with just a little breeze. Couple of boulder scrambles to work around and thru ....alot of fun. Quit after 10.3 miles to camp near a little creek and pine carpeted floor. I didn't want to get to Boiling Springs to early as i want to stay at the Allenwood Inn and Resort for a hiker special of $25.00 including breakfast.Shoes are giving me some trouble. The fabric on the inside of the heel is wearing away as my foot works up and down and i dont want to get blisters. Seems like the nearest outfitter or shoe store is in Port Clinto another 105 miles away hope they make it.Time to call Barb. No flys or mosquitoes yet but wonder when they will come
Date: 2010-05-16
From: Penn Hwy 94

To: Boiling Springs
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Slept OK in the tent. The air mattress seems to move around on the slppery floor of the tent and never sure if my feet are going to be sticking out the door or not when i wake up in the morning.Couple of nice climbs but slow and easy is the motto.. also nother coule of boulber scrambles.Staying at the Allen berry Inn and Playhouse in Boiling Springs for hiker rate of $25.00 including a hot breakfast. Regular rate is way, way higher so can;t pass this one. Supper with a couple of section hikers.
Date: 2010-05-17
From: Boiling Springs

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Allenberry Inn was great place... highly recommend it to anyone hiking or not.You don;t get to Maine unless you hike in the rain, so that means it misted all morning and rained all afternoon. Wet. Headed to the shelter and found a spot open for another sleeping bag. By 5:00 the shelter was full and at 8:00 another hiker showed up and was squeezed in. The 3 section hikers were fun.finally saw some wild life, 6 deer in an old corn field. Probably about the same size as the ones in Wi, so reminded me of home.
Date: 2010-05-18
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Duncannon, Pa
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: light rain

Rained all nite but in the shelter is sounded kind or relaxing, but the rain contiunued ALL day. It was comforting to know that i was headed to a dry place for the nite and being wet wasn't a real pain. Staying at the world famous Doyle HOtel...at least famously known to the AT hikers. The Vicky and her husband were great caretakers of the hikers. Did all the usual chores of one load of wash ( just about every thing that i have along) and a hot shower. Good food and fun visiting with the other hikers.
Date: 2010-05-19
From: Duncannon, Pa

To: Peter's Mountain shelter
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Heard a story last nite in the hotel about the Darlington Shelter. The story goes that back in 1985 the former shelter at that site had a husband and wife hiker team staying for the nite. They were found murdered apparently being stabbed to death by a rouge bum hiking the trail that wanted they money and equipment. The rest of the story goes that he was easily caught and thrown in jail.Since the Peter's Mountain shelter is a large one with room for 20 and 13 actually staying for the nite I slept pretty good. The only problem was the the VERY loud snorer. The was also an added bit of commotion later during the nite as one of the section hikers was trying to wake up his partener and find out if he was OK. He had to keep yelling and asking if he was OK and had to drink. Turns out the heavy sleeper was having a diabetic attack and needed to raise his blood sugar. Turnned out OK
Date: 2010-05-20
From: Peter's Mountain shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: clear sky

Beautiful and suny day for a walk!!! for a change!! Couldn't get a cell phone connection to home, there seemed to be plenty of bars for reception but every time i tried calling the the message " call failed" came up. Seemed that no matter the top of which hill i was on the phone always came up with the same message.."call failed" frustating. thought if i got closer to the interstate that the system might work, but after too many miles it still would;t connect. Not being able to talk to home sort of spoiled the whole day. What does " call failed" really mean???My mole skin patch on the inside of my shoes is coming off again soo will have to tend to that before tomorrow. The good new of the day is that is a Cabels' Super store in Port Clinton so new shoes. the bad news is they will have to be broked in and am not looking forward to getting blisters.