morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-07-08
From: Delaware Water Gap PA

To: campsite at mile 1307.4
Miles today: 17.8

I shed a few tears this morning. Tonight all is well. I was not comfortable with Jimmy going in search of my missing InReach (GPS). After Houdini tried unsuccessfully to find it yesterday, he and I had agreed that now that my AT&T cell service was fairly reliable, it wasn't as critical that I have it. If either of us decided I should have the InReach further up the trail, we'd buy another one. Jimmy, however, was on a mission. He'd gotten the GPS coordinates from Houdini, and with his phone map app, he was "excited" (his word) about trying to find it. It meant he'd have to drive back to that portion of the trail and hike in 1.5 miles. I felt if anyone should go looking for it, it should be me. He was going above and beyond, but was insistent. I told Jimmy and I Believe how I was feeling, and they convinced me it was what Jimmy truly wanted to do. So I gave Jimmy some gas money and relented. While this was going on this morning, I was also trying to work out the logistics of a short visit with my brother and sister-in-law, Rich and Doreen. They were heading from Maine today on their way to Mississippi, and wanted to meet up with me. I wanted to see them, but was feeling pressured by the miles I have to walk, wanting to keep up with I Believe, No Name and Salty Hat, and not wanting to hold them up. I hated to tell Rich and Doreen that I didn't think meeting up now would work, but hiking I decided has to be my priority. In the end, they did not leave Maine early enough this morning to get to me, so we agreed we'd see each other on their return trip. Balancing family and the trail and figuring out logistics is difficult out here. Once I'd talked to Jimmy and I Believe, texted Rich, and shed those few tears, I felt much better. I Believe, No Name, Salty Hat and I were excited as we crossed the Delaware River into NJ. NJ has it's own rocks and hills, but I saw a side of NJ I'd never seen before: forest, beautiful views of hills and countryside, wild blueberries, and a bear!Tonight I'm tenting at a state park. Geo, Longbow, Little Spoon, Squanto, Kozi, Bison, and others are here. Longbow's girlfriend, Elaine, drove from CT with a complete hiker feed for us all. She made delicious spaghetti with homemade meatballs and sauce and eggplant parmesan, along with salad and breads. Thank you so much Elaine and Longbow. It was awesome!I am writing tonight listening to rain pounding on my tent. I love being in the tent during a thunderstorm. Oh, and Jimmy found my InReach!!!!! Amazing! It was partially hidden under some underbrush just off the trail. Jimmy, you are my trail angel who keeps on giving. Thank you so much.
Date: 2014-07-09
From: campsite at mile 1307.4

To: campsite at mile 1323.4
Miles today: 16.0

I woke up this morning to my first encounter with slugs on my tent. I've read other hikers' accounts of slugs, and knew it was only a matter of time before I would add it to my list of trail experiences. I must say they are gross and the slimy trail they leave is disgusting. I felt a little better though after Geo said he discovered a slug in his camp shoe this morning only after he put his foot in the shoe. Longbow's girlfriend, Elaine, not only fed us all last night, but she brought muffins, bagels, juice, and watermelon for breakfast this morning. We were well carbo loaded for hiking when we hit the trail at 7:50. Thanks so much for the trail magic Elaine and Longbow. The trail was wet in the morning from last night's rain and it was humid, but surprisingly mosquitoes and gnats were not an issue. I've yet to use my head net, but carry it for the day that I will need it. I Believe and No Name have worn theirs a couple of times. We refer to the head net as the lunch lady look. I've removed three attached deer ticks the last couple of days, the dreaded nymphs no less, but they've not been engorged, so feel fairly confident I've removed them within the 36 hour window. No Name, Salty Hat, Geo, I Believe, and I slacked eleven miles before coming out to a road crossing and meeting Jimmy. After not being able to connect with my brother and sister-in-law yesterday, I was pleasantly surprised when Jimmy said he met Rich and Doreen this morning. They had talked to Houdini, knew where I would come out of the woods, and stopped this morning at the little local store where Jimmy happened to be with Longbow, inquiring if anyone had seen Flinch. I missed Rich and Doreen by about three hours (they needed to get back on the road), but what a hoot that they met Jimmy and Longbow. Rich and Doreen left me a note and some trail magic. Thanks guys for the trail magic and making the effort. Hopefully, we'll connect on your return trip. After lunch at the local diner, we hiked back out for another five miles. The trail was drying out, until it got wet again along with us, thanks to an afternoon thunderstorm. It was a wildlife bonanza today. I saw 2 bears, 2 raccoons, 5 deer, and a multitude of rabbits. Tenting tonight with the fireflies at Stokes State Forest. I think I hear thunder in the distance. I hope it stays there. Thanks Jimmy for drying out my tent today.
Date: 2014-07-10
From: campsite at mile 1323.4

To: Unionville NY
Miles today: 17.7

Stokes State Forest campsites have showers and flush toilets, so I was up at 5:30 luxuriating in the shower (well not really). The shower is on a timer and the light a sensor, so I spent as much time pushing the restart button on the shower, and moving back under the sensor to turn the light back on every time it went off, as I did washing. My towel is a thin, quick dry one, about 10 in x 10 in. I rung it out several times to dry off (well it didn't really dry me off). Still it always feels wonderful to be clean, even though it is always short lived. We had leftover muffins and bagels from Elaine, and Jimmy stopped so we could get coffee before dropping No Name, Salty Hat, Geo, I Believe and me back at the trail. We slacked 9 miles this morning over NJ rocky PUD's (pointless ups and downs) before meeting up with Jimmy at High Point. We spread our wet gear to dry on the parking lot before driving into Port Jarvis for fast food. It was 1:15 when we got back to the trail for round two. Going into towns for lunch is a great way to break up the day and give our sore, tired bodies a breather. In the afternoon we hiked some out of the woods through fields and bogs along boardwalks. It was a nice change of pace. Jimmy has been here for 2 1/2 weeks now and has spoiled us. It is great to be able to hike without burdensome packs, get daily trail magic at road crossings, and have him drive us into towns for meals and errands and to campsites for sleeping and an occasional shower. Soon Jimmy will go home to TN and I will again carry all my worldly possessions on my back. In the meantime, Jimmy, thanks for taking such good care of us. I know you love doing it, but just know I appreciate everything you have done for me. We are hiking along the border between NJ and NY and were in both states today. In two days we will be done with NJ. Tonight we are tenting at a park in Unionville, where thru hikers are permitted to tent for free. There is a porta potty and a hose for water. So civilized! Jimmy and Longbow bought hotdogs and fixings and cooked them up on their stoves in the gazebo. Little Spoon, Squanto, Kozi and others are here. The gazebo was full of hikers. Thanks Jimmy and Longbow. It is past hiker midnight, but the teenagers that are playing pickup basketball on the park court just outside my tent are oblivious. I wonder want time they will quit and go home. I'm thinking the spotlight will be on all night.
Date: 2014-07-11
From: Unionville NY

To: Wawayanda State Park (mile 1358.4)
Miles today: 17.3

Today was a fun day on and off the trail. I was packed up and at Horler's General Store at 6:45 to get breakfast. The store is modernized, but has a retro feel which took me back to my childhood growing up in a small town. I sat out on the store's porch drinking coffee and eating the best breakfast sandwich I have had on the trail. I did not need to resupply, but the store has a good selection for a small general store, and is walking distance from the trail. I hiked in a big familiar bubble today with No Name, Salty Hat, I Believe, Geo, Longbow, Little Spoon, Squanto, Danielson, and Kozi. I'm really enjoying the terrain in NJ. We walked in fields, .8 mile on a boardwalk over marshes, past ponds, through a cow pasture, in mud, over footbridges, up and down gentle hills, and up steep rock steps and boulders to a beautiful view at the top of Wawayanda Mountain. We stopped at Heaven Valley just off the trail, for homemade ice cream, and ran into trail magic at 2 different road crossings (thank you Kitchen Sink). Jimmy drove us into Warwick for lunch and a stop for homemade chocolates at a local B&B. We then hiked out for another 6 miles where we saw mamma bear with her 2 cubs! It's still exciting to see bears in the wild. I am tenting tonight at Wawayanda State Park with No Name, Salty Hat, Geo, I Believe and Jimmy. The rest of the bubble is at the drive-in in town where thru hikers can tent for free and watch a movie. The movie doesn't even start until hiker midnight. I'd never have made it.
Date: 2014-07-12
From: Wawayanda State Park (mile 1358.4)

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 11.6
Weather: scattered clouds

It didn't rain last night, but I packed up a wet tent anyway from the dew, and a damp sleeping bag and pad. Jimmy drove No Name, Salty Hat, Geo, I Believe and me back to the trail and we were hiking by 7:30. We hiked over a number of boulder fields and stopped for photos at the NJ/NY border. By the time we reached Jimmy at the road crossing, my legs were tired from the rock climbing and it was hot. Jimmy is going home tomorrow, and he and I Believe decided to stay overnight at a hotel in Greenwood Lake. We all considered doing the same and making it a short day, but hotel rooms were expensive and didn't have the amenities we needed (laundry and computer), so No Name, Salty Hat, Geo, and I opted to hike on 2 more miles to the shelter. We had lunch at Murphy's Pub, then dried out our gear in the CVS parking lot. There was more boulder scrambling this afternoon, this time with a full pack. Rosie and I will do fine. I'm in my tent early tonight to avoid the mosquitoes. Tomorrow, I'll hike a little slower to give I Believe time to catch up with me. It's exciting to have crossed another state line today. One of these days I'll cross into ME. I'm beginning to realize that day will actually come. In the meantime, I just have to keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Date: 2014-07-13
From: Wildcat Shelter

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

I'm exhausted and don't really have the energy to use my brain to blog tonight. It was a grueling day today and totally unexpected. I grew up in the Albany, NY area and went to college for 2 years on Staten Island, NY, but had no idea how hilly the state is this far south. The trail today took us over steep ups and downs, including some hands and feet boulder scaling. One rock climb required taking off my pack, handing it and my poles up over my head (to a German hiker whose name I don't know), so I could then haul myself up and over. There will be lots of this in New England I know, but today was a rude awakening, especially after the easy terrain in NJ and all the slack packing. I was also carrying 2 liters of water most of the day packing to a fear of too little water. We passed trail magic twice where gallons of water were left for hikers to refill. I had Jimmy in dry PA and had the good fortune of not having to be concerned about water. He was always there to resupply us.I talked with I Believe several times today to give her updates on our progress, let her know what the trail and water situation was like for her up ahead, and to check on her whereabouts. I took more frequent and longer breaks (I ended up needing them) hoping I Believe would catch up, but it became clear as the day went on that she wouldn't be able to do the 2 miles we did yesterday after we left her, plus today's miles. It was just too slow going and demanding. I played leap frog today with Longbow, Little Spoon, Danielson, Squanto, Kozi, and a German couple. No Name and Salty Hat eventually got ahead of me, but Geo and I stayed within sight of each other much of the day and hiked into the shelter together. I'm tenting tonight with No Name, Salty Hat, Geo, and Not Worthy. Tomorrow will be a 15 mile day to get into Fort Montgomery for a zero on Tuesday at the Holiday Inn. It's 7:30, early even for a hiker to go to sleep, but I'm ready.
Date: 2014-07-14
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: Fort Montgomery NY (mile 1399.2)
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Fingerboard Shelter to Fort Montgomery (mile 1,399.2)It rained overnight, but my tent this morning was actually drier then it has been when soaked with dew. No Name, Salty Hat and I were packed up at 6:15. After yesterday's exhausting day we wanted to get a head start on the day hoping to salvage some of the end of the day at the hotel. With good water sources hard to find, we decided to walk .3 mile to Lake Tiorati about a mile into our hike, where we knew there were restrooms, a spigot, and vending machines. I cameled water, shared the powered Gatorade I was carrying with Geo and No Name, and packed out 2 liters of water. Today's ups and downs were numerous, but for the most part not technical, nor as steep, so much less fatiguing. The last climb of the day, up and down Bear Mountain was pleasant. The trail was a dirt and gravel footpath with stone steps that led up to Perkins Memorial Tower, a stone tower overlooking the Hudson River. It was too overcast to see the NYC skyline.Cell service which has been good recently, was not so much today. I ended up leaving voice messages for I Believe, and once it started raining, knew she would have her phone tucked away, and not even get them. I was able to talk to her in the morning. She was doing well, had stealth camped overnight, and was still planning on getting to the hotel by day's end. It started to rain lightly at the top of Bear Mountain, so Geo and Not Worthy started down. No Name, Salty Hat and I followed shortly thereafter. The rain started to pick up as we descended. At the bottom of the mountain, the trail took us THROUGH a zoo. It was disturbing to see caged animals and such a stark contrast to my life over the past 4 months. We had an almost 2 mile walk to the Holiday Inn Express on a busy 2 lane road and it started to pour. We were getting soaked, but in high spirits and stopped for a photo op on the highway with the mountains and the Bear Mountain Bridge over the Hudson River behind us. To capture moments like these is why I carry a waterproof camera. The drains in the road could not keep up with the rain, so as cars passed us we were deluged with water. We were laughing hysterically, because that is all you could do. We got to the hotel and I used a few napkins to dry my face and hands off enough to sign in. I dumped my pack and all my wet clothes on the bathroom floor, not wanting to get wet hiker smell on the rug. The room was cold so I turned off the AC, and turned on the heat even though it was warm and muggy outside. Once showered, dry and feeling human again, No Name, Salty Hat, and I walked next door to the BBQ restaurant. I'd been unable to reach I Believe, but Jimmy called, had been tracking her from his phone app at home, and was working on getting her a ride to the motel from the base of the mountain. I Believe got to the hotel before 8:00. A dry bed is going to feel so good tonight.
Date: 2014-07-16
From: Fort Montgomery NY (mile 1399.2)

To: campsite at mile 1412.3
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

It rained overnight and into this morning, so we stayed at the hotel until checkout time. By this afternoon the sun was out. The forecast for the next 3 days is mostly sunny, in the low 80's and no rain, great hiking weather for mid July. It's been humid, but it could be in the 90's. I'd done most of my packing up last night, so I had a relaxing breakfast in the hotel lobby this morning. I didn't sleep well last night, but felt rested anyway having zeroed yesterday. Yesterday I resupplied at the Mobil station next door to the hotel, and ate lunch and dinner next door to the Mobil station at the Barnstormer BBQ. I had a pork sandwich, chili, and blackened salmon, all good. It was all about walking as little as possible yesterday. I iced my feet 3 times. It can't tell you how good that feels. Uphills, Roots, Hoops, Cupcake and Sprinkle Berry were staying at the Holiday Inn too, and Uphills offered to give us a ride back to the trail. Geo and Not Worthy had headed out earlier on foot and by taxi, so it was No Name, Salty Hat, I Believe and I who piled into Uphills car. Thanks so much Uphills. We met up with Longbow, Little Spoon, Squanto, Danielson, Kozi, and Geo at the zoo where we had gotten off the trail 2 days ago. We leapfrogged most of the day. After a steep climb out of Fort Montgomery, the trail for the most part was a pleasant mix of fairly gentle ups and downs, mixed in with an occasional steeper rock climb. After all the rain, there was mud, standing water, and running water. The trail looked like a stream in some spots.I'm a morning person and like to get miles behind me before lunch. I was surprised how much energy I had into the late afternoon and early evening today. I obviously wasn't as tired because I didn't start hiking until late morning, but I actually felt good when I got into camp at 7:15. No Name, Salty Hat, and Kozi went ahead, and Geo stopped earlier for a peaceful night in the woods by himself. I am tenting tonight by a stream with I Believe, Longbow, Little Spoon, Squanto, Danielson, and Sunny. Danielson and Sunny made a fire and I sat around it with the guys after dinner. I've not been at a campsite with a fire in a very long time. It was a great way to end the day. Thanks Danielson and Sunny for making the fire.
Date: 2014-07-17
From: campsite at mile 1412.3

To: stealth campsite at mile 1427.9
Miles today: 15.6
Weather: broken clouds

I Believe and I were packed up and on the trail at 7:40. There were rocks in the morning (aren't there always?) and when we stopped for lunch it seemed like we should have done more than 7.5 miles. We took what was billed as a .2 side trail to the concession stand at Canopus Lake. Longbow had caught up with us and the 3 of us agreed, the blue blaze trail (green actually) had to have been at least .3 mile. It was worth it though. I had a fine cheeseburger and fries and 2 Gatorades. We sat at a picnic table for a good hour which felt wonderful. Rather than hike on, what I wanted to do was go lie on the beach at the lake. I had one of those days where I am tired of walking all day, every day. I feel so much pressure to do miles, because it is mid July, and I want to be done by the end of September at the latest. That means long days of up and down endless hills and mountains. I'm tired of it and my body is tired. In 2 days I should be in CT and pass the 2/3 mark of this journey. I need to hang in there. So I did not go lie on the beach. I slung my pack back on and kept walking. We stopped for a break late afternoon at Ralph's Peak Hiker Cabin, a unique AT shelter. The grounds were lovely, the cabin had individual bunks, and it was clean and bug free. It would have been a great place to stay for the night, but again, we needed to push on. I'm tenting tonight with I Believe, Longbow, Little Spoon, Danielson and Squanto.
Date: 2014-07-18
From: stealth campsite at mile 1427.9

To: stealth campsite at mile 1444.8
Miles today: 16.9

Yesterday, I didn't want to be a thru-hiker. Today was another day and a fun one. I Believe and I were invited to a private home for a hiker breakfast this morning. Bill, a former thru hiker and his wife Amy invite hikers to their home for a place to sleep, shower, and have a meal. Thank you for being so welcoming and generous, and Amy for cooking a delicious and filling breakfast of eggs, bacon, waffles, and coffee. We were there with Kozi, Hopper, Bismark, Chuckles, and Kentucky. Having a good breakfast makes a huge difference in my energy level, and the terrain today was conducive to faster miles with relatively few rocks, elevation changes of only a few hundred feet, and stretches of flat dirt, open fields and a boardwalk. We caught up with No Name and Salty Hat mid morning and hiked with them the rest of the day. After our lunch break we stopped further up the trail for trail magic, soda and chips left by another former thru-hiker, Comanche. Interestingly, along with the trail magic, he left a lengthy note of encouraging and motivational words, just what I needed to hear. The trail does provide. Thanks Comanche. The miles went quickly today because I felt strong, the terrain was kind to us, and Salty Hat keeps me laughing. We stopped at NY 22 at the Appalachian Trail train stop where I sat feet from a train traveling probably 70 MPH go whizzing by. It gave me a rush. The 4 of us had pizza delivered to the Garden Center around the corner. The owner, a former thru-hiker, let's hikers tent and use the water spigot. We were there after closing time, but during business hours hikers can also use the restroom and shower. We ate our pizza in the gazebo, then opted to hike on through a cow pasture to our stealth campsite, pitching our tents literally on a blue blaze trail.