morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-06-11
From: James River

To: Shenandoah National Park Southern Entrance
Miles today: 75.0

Had a great week filled with all sorts of trailmagic. Taking a zero in Waynesboro to watch team USA beat england in the world cup.A special thanks to these people for their help in trailmagic and rides: Adam in Catawa,John H. For cooking dinner for us, Dustin and his crew for jumping off the James river bridge,Flash and hot flash for snacks, and rick angle husband of HD momma for again giving us another ride.Also thank you to Jack A. For taking us to a cookout and being an amazing man.Please look under mrs. Joy in trailjournals to find out comments about "the motley thru" whom is cerveza, bear blaze, funky monkey, and I Also pictures and comments from me about my tent at www.lightheartgear.comOverall, great week with many swimming holes and trailmagic. Will get to see my sister this coming week!
Date: 2010-06-18
From: Shenandoah National Park Southern Entrance

To: Skyland Resort
Miles today: 60.0

It has been a great week thus far. My sister Sara came to pick me and the gang up in the Shenandoah's for a breather and to watch the World Cup! GO USA... We also were able to pick up Lorod from the trail! This week has been just alright. The hiking has been slightly better but little rewards. Very little views and still no damn bears... I talk to people who see up to five beas in one day and I don't see any. My plan is; if I don't see one by the weekend I will wake up early and hike from around 4 a.m. to 9 a.m. in hopes to catch a bear in action. Currently staying at a nice hotel with a big comfy bed! The Shenandoah's is hyped as you can carry less food in your pack (food is the bulk of your weight) cause you can purchase food at campground stores and restaurants along the way. However, these foods items are not cheap and the restaurants lure you in with burgers and leave your belly full and mind far away from hiking. As of right now, I am not a fan of the Shenandoah National Park. It has a lot of wildlife and protected land, but is similar to the Smokies with people in their cars just driving through the park. In the Shenandoah's the A.T. runs close to Skyline Drive the MAIN and only road so you hear cars alot and most of all the views come from the road and not the trail.... Also, with all the rest stops and campgrounds, this brings humans. These normal people in society seems to either treat us like we are famous or like we are trash. This means we either get a lot of questions about our journey and people are impressed or humans look at us like we are dirty trash.   From here I will push to Harper's Ferry and take a much needed break with friends and family. From there things will be different for the Motey Thru Cru. Some are on schedules and others have family they will want to spend time with. Overall, I am still enjoying myself and in great shape mind and body! VA has given me the a lot to think about and shown how difficult this trail can be mentally. I have added a few photos and will try to get more videos up by the weekend. Someone needs to get the hitch hiking video in the hands of lay leno, or someone in the tv industry..... Also, have been very blessed with some near misses. I almost fell face first down a rock stairs... Almost, stepped on a Copperhead and got bit.. and I am sure many others.. Thank you to the man upstairs.Quote: Courage is not the absence of fear; it is the ability to continue in face of it.
Date: 2010-06-20
From: Skyland Resort

To: Terrapen Station Hostel
Miles today: 45.0

Finally, out of Shenandoah National Park. Did 25 miles today just to leave the soundof Skyline Dr. Though, the wildlife is abundant in SNP the sound of cars all day is notall that pleasing. I am planning the next two days around the World Cup and team USAI will find that game somewhere Wed. Morning off trail. Also, am pondering the idea of a flip flop. Going from MD to ME to hike south and would be hiking home.This would get me out of the heat and great time to finnish. Just a thought right nowSaw three bears in the last two days! Hope everyone is doing well.
Date: 2010-06-22
From: Terrapen Station Hostel

To: Bear's Den
Miles today: 35.0

Today, after hiking 19 miles in 94 degree weather and starting the "Roller Coaster" I am glad to have made it to the Bear's Den. What a great Hostel. It is basically, a stone house! Here you can stay and get a shower, bed, pizza, and ben and jerry's for under $30.00. After drinking 10 liters of water and sweating out atleast 8 liters this place is amazing! Today, was one of the worse days on the trail. The roller coaster is a 13 mile stretch of ups and downs. Straight up and straight down. Sunny and 94 degrees makes it even worse. Its not the heat that kills you. Its the bugs flying into your eyes while you are going down hill that will kill you. I am excitied due to the fact I will get to see the USA play in the World CUp tommorrow!!! And after that I will be in Harper's Ferry to see my family and take a break. I will also decide if I will flip flop or not. After the heat this week; it will be hard to say no and also the chance to walk home will be fun as well. Will have more photos and videos this weekend! Can't wait to see my family!Quote: One of the most tragic things I know about human nature is that all of us tend to put off living. We are all dreaming of some magical rose garden over the horizon instead of enjoying the roses that are blooming outside our windows today.
Date: 2010-06-25
From: Bear's Den

To: Harper's Ferry NP
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: clear sky

HOME HOME HOME!!!!! 1,000 MILES.......   I made it home after walking over 1,000 miles from GA to MD!! The roller coaster ride is now in the past and cheese burgers and home cooking is in the present. It has still not quite hit me that we or I have hiked over 1,000 miles yet. The last week on the trail was sprinkled with kindness. We were able to see the USA soccer game from the house of a nice lady. That evening after hiking just 8 or 10 miles after the game; we got a free spaghetti dinner from Blackburn AT trail center. From there we stayed the night and then hiked to Harper's Ferry (after a pizza stop mid-day at a road crossing) to meet my sister Sara who picked us up and had COLD drinks ready. From there we all went to the Appalachian Trail Conference Headquarters to get our half way photo taken! Now, I have brought Funky Monkey, Cerveza, and Bear Blaze home to relax and take some much needed time off. I will take them into Washington D.C. and we will bum around the house and city of Baltimore. I am so lucky to have such a nice warm fun and loving family to bring close friends home to! I am trully bleessed! Enjoy the new photos! I have to get back and continue to try to gain weight over this break!
Date: 2010-06-26
From: Harper's Ferry NP

To: HOME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Hello all from home with family! I have been off the trail since Thursday afternoon and am recovering from the last 1,000 miles just fine! I went into Washington D.C. yesterday with Cerveza, and Bear Blaze and was able to meet up with my two friends Andrew and Nicole! BB and I got to see President Obama outside the Whitehouse which was pretty cool as well. My family and I talked the girls into staying an extra day to recover and rest so all the home cooking and love worked to get the girls to stay longer. I have choose not to flip-flop and continue North. Reasons are due to bad timing to hike from Maine with Black Fly season in full force and I would like to say that I walked GA to ME! Please check out these two websites as my pictures and comments have been published.My tent company Lightheart: http://www.lightheartgear.com/comments.htmlA story published on National Public Radio website: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128148071"If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading or do things worth writing"
Date: 2010-06-30
From: HOME

To: PA border
Miles today: 40.0

Well, I am off to meet the gang at the PA border. I skipped this section as I did the MD section four days before leaving to Springer as a warm up. My mom and sister will join me and we will do trail magic for the hikers tommorrow for part of the day at High Rock! We will have chips, hot dogs, colas, fruit, cookies, and more for all the hikers on the trail.I have been off the trail for almost a week and am hungry to get back and head north of the Mason Dixon Line! Thank you all for following me in the first half of my adventure and I will continue to update the journal as much as I can and post pictures and more funny movies. Thank you again and for some check those mail boxes!"My beard alone has experienced more than a lesser mans entire body" The Most Interesting Man on the Planet
Date: 2010-07-04
From: PA border

To: Allenberry INN and Playhouse
Miles today: 55.0

Hello and happy 4th to all. So, far PA is very easy and offers easy hiking. However, this last week had cooler temps than the expecting future of five straight 95 degree days.. Also, hearing water sources are all dried up and there are stretches up to 25 miles without water. Not the most encouraging hiking conditions."In modern society, where the accumulation of possessions is encouraged, it is a confounding task to pare everything down to the bare essentials"
Date: 2010-07-07
From: Allenberry INN and Playhouse

To:  Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 25.0
Weather: scattered clouds

HOTT HOT and HOT.. Did 24 miles in 24 hours yesterday from afternoon hiking to early morning hiking. Under heat advisory till 8 p.m. When at 8 p.m. It will be 96 degrees. The girls and I are taking a zero as the heat is bad and there is no water sources for the next 17 miles. Seeing snakes everyday now along with rocks all over the trail. However, today like everyday is a day to be thankful. I am thankful to have all the people in my life! Hello to my family, friends, and hikers.Tomorrow, I will hike on as I only have 140 miles of PA and I can't wait to get out.
Date: 2010-07-11
From:  Duncannon, PA

To: Pine Grove, PA
Miles today: 30.0
Weather: clear sky

Hello to everyone!! Alive and well here in Pine Grove, PA... Thank goodness for some rain yesterday to help the water situation. The trail has been easier but never easy. However, the rocks and real bad terrain is here for the next straight week. It will be until sometime next week when I will be very happy to be out of PA and into NJ!! I slipped on a rock yesterday and smashed my foot onto another rock. I think it turned out to be not as bad as I expected. Just a little bruise but it is on the ball of my foot where I feel every step. The rocks in PA are sharp and take no prisoners. Have a funny video of being "rattled" at by timber rattle snake so look for it next week. Posted three pictures today but many more to come. As for the hiking, central PA has not offered much to speak about. Open corn fields, little views, and small towns. Hard to think I am pasted the Mason Dixon Line in these areas. Hope everyone enjoyed mail drops to friends and family. As for me I will continue walking North to NJ to see Lorod, Cosmic, and the GoNzO Family!!!! C. Howell give me a ring sometime brother!"When I swim dolphins appear" "My mother has a tattoo that reads SON"
Date: 2010-07-12
From: Pine Grove, PA

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 125.0
Weather: few clouds

Dehydration, Lime's Disease, Fever, Weak, and Sick.. Take your pick as I seem to have all the symptoms.. While in Palmerton, PA I was thankfully talked into going to a hospital to get checkout by Bear Blaze. All the local family practices and clinics were closed (imagine that) so I went ot the local hospital ER. There I was informed of a 101 degree fever and possible dehydration. I also insisted to get check for Lime's Disease as I seem to have 5 of the eight symptoms. They took my blood and did a full set of test. I was even checked for strep throat. Everything came back and looked fine. I was given an IV and fluids along with a percription of antibodies. I will not know the results of the Lime Disease test for another couple of days. I have no rash or embedded ticks that I know of so I feel good about that. I am taking some time off this weekend and will get to see my mom and sister also!! Will resume hiking from Delaware Water Gap in NEW JERSEY (no longer PA)!!! on Tuesday. Also, might be rejoined by Mr. LastOnTheBus soon! Fans, children, pets, supermodels, and other people don't worry about Gonzo! I am feeling better already!" Keep on Keepin' on people"
Date: 2010-07-13
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Sorry, for the scare of the last journal entry. I am feeling much better already after a day of rest. I am currently at Delaware Water Gap in PA just outside the NJ line. I will resume hiking Tuesday from here. Right now, Bear Blaze, Cerveza, Power Nap, and I are taking a day to relax. A few of us went to Funky Monkeys better halfs house for a cookout and spend time with fellow hikers Lorod and Hollywood. The last few days and weeks have been quite interesting. Slept through a rain storm that created a flash flood near our camping area. We have been blessed with rides from people to get to markets to get supply. While in Port Clinton, PA I went to the post office to get a mail drop from home and the postmaster offered to give bear blaze and I a ride to Cabela's Outdoor World. Located in Hamburg, PA is the Biggest Outdoor store in America. However, funy how through all the stuffed animals and camo clothes we didn't purchase anything but food from the cafe for lunch.While at hospital the owner of the fine lodging hotel offered to pick us up and take us to the pharmacy and anywhere we might need. This trail has shown me good faith in all people. I would write more about the hiking experience but PA hasn't given me much to write about. Though, I am excitied about being in the Northeast. I have added photos and two videos for everyone. Wish my friends and I luck as we have hiked over 1,200 miles and have around 950 to go!Next journal entry will be from the trail!
Date: 2010-07-23
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: HighPoint State Park
Miles today: 40.0

Hello from New Jersey! So, far I have seen a bear and rattlesnake everyday and camped out lakeside! Sorry but will be a short entry today. NJ has been very nice with many views. However, it is very rocky still and difficult climbs and depends. The trail is very populated in this area which I have not seen in months it seems like. A sweet woman saw us at a state park and took lastonthebus, bearblaze, sandman, and I to her house to feed us pizza icecream shower laundry and beds amazing people you will meet on the trail. Hope everyone is doing well as I am feeling and doing good!"Have you ever heard of chocolate gravy"
Date: 2010-07-27
From: HighPoint State Park

To: Monroe, NY
Miles today: 39.0

Helllo everyone! This last week has been the most interesting week on the trail. I was only in New Jersey for a few days and have more memories from this last week than I do for the whole state of PA. NJ offers amazing views, snakes, BEARS, and all the blueberries and rasberries you can eat! First night we (everyone pictured) camped out by Sunfish Pond! The next day we got a cabin at the Mochian Outdoor Center and picked a gallon of rasberries and blueberries, got picked up from a trail angle to get food to cookout with, and went swimming in a spring fed pond where the water was crystal clear! The next morning was greeted with LastOnTheBus and we hiked out to Crater Lake to camp again by a very clear lake! Then, bear blaze and I camped out on sunrise mt. and were almost struck by lighting!! Serious, the closest I have been to lighting it was a real flash bang.. The next morning I saw the biggest bear I have ever seen a full adult male black bear from about 50 yards away. He just looked at us and kept doing what he was doing. THEN, after hiking 14 miles on the hottest day in NJ a woman pulled up to the parking lot where we were taking a break and getting water offered to take us to her home to feed us pizza pies, laundry, shower, ice cream, and a bed to sleep in so.... We took her up on that offer. She said her son had hike out west and told her of all the good people of helped him during his hike and this is her way of giving back to all those who helped her son! Amazing lady.. ThEn, we hiked 10 miles in a storm to stay at the Mayor's house (home/hostel) in Unionville, NY and it was quite an experience. And after staying the night there we hiked to meet Funky Monkey at Cosmic Jackpots house to feed us amazing dinner and spoil us.. So far the "North" or "Yankees" have shown niceness but in very weird ways i am not used to. At the mayor's house you do not call anyone "sir". That would be a type of example. Also, everyone seems to have a small attitude but it is a good thing! I kinda like it. For me...... I am off to explore New York now and then to CT, MA, VT, NH, ME! Wish me luck and i will try to update this journal as much as possible!"Paul Potts anyone"
Date: 2010-07-28
From: Monroe, NY

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hello!!! First off thank you to Cosmic Jackpot and Funky Monkey for all their help and for being awesome. This week I finnished New Jersey and entered New York. So, far the terrian has gotten better and the rocks are over with for now. So, people the rocks don't end in PA they continue throughout NJ. Very excitied to be in NY and am close to seeing a good friend of mine! However.........I took a detour this week to see family and friends. My sister's birthday and my best friend were in Washington D.C. this week so I thought I would surprise them by showing up! After, convincing bear blaze to join me in my adventure we took off to New York City! Thanks to Funky Monkey, we were dropped off right by NYC and stayed a night in NYC in Times Square after a late arrival. Woke up the next morning and took a bus to Washington D.C. did some sight seeing, jumped on a metro, then took a cab to Andrew and Nicole's house for dinner! There we surprised everyone and took in a lot of laughs and exchanged stories! The last 48 hours were quite an adventure but very well worth it! It was good to see great friends and family! Now, I walk back into the woods of New York with 800 miles to go!!!Riddle "What gets wetter as it dries?"
Date: 2010-08-04
To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 68.0

Hello everyone from Kent, CT!! Hiked out of New York today and met "the professor" and he provided trail magic for us by taking us into his house and providing everything possible! Great guy and I am thankful to have met him. New York was a little difficult with many hills to go up and down and down and up. The heat is cooling down a bit but not much. I am hiking with LastOnTheBus Sanman and BearBlaze and am really enjoying it. CT is beautiful thus far! However, it looks like I will be out of CT and into MA by the weekend, Slowly starting to hike back to a normal pace of 15-20 miles a day. PA really did take its toll on my body. I will try to upload photos and funny videos the next couple of days. I do have a great video of a monster Timber Rattler that is a must see. For now I am off to take a much needed shower and eat as that is all that hikers do when they are not hiking.. Love to my family and friends back home and to my puppies brutus and Ole Mr. Benners.
Date: 2010-08-12
From: Kent, CT

To: Great Barrington, MA
Miles today: 45.0
Weather: broken clouds

Hello everyone from New England in the state of Massachusetts. This is my first tome in the New England states area and I have to say it is a change. The towns the trail goes through are small quaint expensive towns. The foods and stores are good but service seems to lack a bit. However, this adventure is not about the towns it is about the trail. The trail has been slowly getting more streanous and the great views are back. CT was an okay state but seem to lack rewarding views and good water. MA has been right off the bat harder and very rewarding. I am down to the last quarter of the trip and am starting to get sad as I have really enjoyed my friends out here. The woods up here are full of evergreens and mossy rocks that gives you a deep forest feel, but you are always around roads of some sort. A big thank you to the professor and his trail magic. Also, thanks to maria in sailsbury, CT for housing us and being very nice. I can feel my body getting tired but there is no quit inside of me and am slowly feeling better as the mountains are getting bigger and views are better. Things are going good and life can not get simpler or better. Love peace and chicken grease. Tonight there is a meter shower so the gang and I will watch it from Mt. Wilcox!" Most of the shadows of life are cause by standing in our own sunshine"
Date: 2010-08-20
From: Great Barrington, MA

To: Bennington, VT
Miles today: 117.5
Weather: clear sky

Hello from Vermont! Life can not get better than Aug. Weather in VT. The trail has been very well. MA offered a good Mt. Greylock but it showed the path of bigger better mountains! Staying at a good pace I should summit the first week in Oct. I am excited very morning and can't wait to hike. I am with the best group of people I could ask for. Vermont is home of the Vermont Long Trail that runs through 102 miles of the Appalachian Trail so the trail is busy with hikers. I am seeing south bounders heading to GA everyday. The last few weeks the trail has given us ponds everyday at elevations of 2,500 ft. Just great! I have great pictures to share. Should be able to update my journal often for the rest of trip so please look forward to more stories from the trail! Also, friends and family be looking in the mailboxes! In the famous words of Limp Biskit " I am gonna keep on rollin baby"Hiked through 11 states and have 3 more to go
Date: 2010-08-23
From: Bennington, VT

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 52.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Hello to all from Vermont. The last couple of days have been real chilly and wet. So, that comment about the beautiful weather in VT can be taken back. The other day it rains for over 24 hours straight. I arrived at a shelter after being rained on for the last five miles at 2:30 p.m. and after hiking 9ish miles we stopped for the day. The rain kept on going throughout the night and into the next day until around noon. Yes, we didn't leave until noon that day! BUT life is good on the trail. The town of Manchester is great. You are surrounded by mountains at every view. I have been hiking with Sanman, LastOnTheBus, and Bear Blaze. My sister came up to Manchester to visit us and take care of us. She has been great! The trail in VT has given me a lot of great views and challenging roots and mud to conquer. However, I am ready to get out of VT and head into NH and get into the White Mountains.Though we are this far into the journey, people are still getting off trail due to injuries or lack of interest. People seen to still get burned out on the trail. I have taken my time and enjoyed almost every min. I am projected to finish and summit the first week of October! I have met a lot of people doing the Vermont Long Trail and Southbounders on the Appalachian Trail. The Long trail hikers seem nice but the Southbounders are either real nice or assholes depending on how past NOBO's have treated them. It's quite interesting as Southbounders have finished the hardest section and seen the best views of the trail already, BUT have only around 500 miles under their belts while Northbounders have over 1,500 miles and are well quite conditioned mentally and physically. Needless, to say it is always interesting to meet SOBOs cause you never know what kind of attitude you will get. To those that are not quite as nice I tell them to look forward to the cornfields in PA while I am climbing over MT. K!Don't forget that if you are interested in tracking me via satellite please copy and paste this link:http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0KtoFHSI7sqHubDGZ6g3Fh83Qo2DpqqbjPlease check for more photos and videos