morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-06-29
From: Medina New York

To: Kirby Orchard
Miles today: 0.0

After arriving at Shawns I stayed awake long enought to eat diner then I crashed out on the couch. Upon waking I packed up and headed out the door while everyone slept. I wanted to be able to take my time leaving. Medina holds a lot of memories for me. I walked past the building I used to take jessica for dance classes. The old hardware store that I would get supplies and talk with the store clerks. The park where I used to play with the kids and get gallon jugs of water filled because we had no plumbing in the old stone house. Finally I sat under the bridge that Cass and I used to jump off of into the Canal. Part of my soul will always find a home in Medina.the hike out was pleasant. As is becoming a habit I stopped at the lift bridge and chatted with the operator. We looked up the weather and it had a twenty percent chance of afternoon showers and the radar looked clear. Well no sooner did I leave him then it started to rain. By the time i got to Kirby Orchards outside Albion it was sporadic with lightning and thunder thrown in for my amusement.Karen Kirby was not home when I arrived but I was greeted by Doug...who I mistook for a farm hand. He showed me around and offered me the pool..cider...apples and cherries.by the time I set up camp Karen was home. After a pleasant conversation I headed to the pool for a much needed soaking of my ankles.....as soon as I sat down the skies opened up once more. I wouldn't have minded so much but my tent was open. So into the cave I went. Now I love my tent but when it rains I get dripped on. Not so much from the rain but from the condensation. So I just layer down wrapped in nothing more than a towel and went to sleep. No sense in getting my dry clothes wet. Sometime in the night I put on my pjs and slept soundly till this morning. After a quick drying in the sun I headed off.
Date: 2014-06-30
From: Kirby Orchard

To: Brockport
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

The orchard was great. A word of caution...dont stick an unsealed bag of ripe cherries in your food bag. The cherry juice was everywhere. So I did what any sane hiker would do. I liked the juice off of everything and then ate all the cherries to avoid a repeat. The day was very hot...for Western New York and yes humidity does count. When I got to a town that really doesn't even exist I took a lazy break. No sooner did I lay down than a women came out of her house. I thought for sure she was going to be upset. Instead she asked a bunch of questions. It seems she...like a whole lot of women had just read Wild and she wanted to desperately be a Trail Angel. Who am I to deny such a request....bring it on oh lady of the halos. She brought me out a mango fruit pop that was a frozen delight. Score one for Wild....in fact two. Nancy in Amherst had read it as well.After melting in my shoes and slinking into the shade beneath bridges to recover I finally made Holley. A seemingly nice town if you want to follow the treasure map....seriously they have a treasure map....into downtown. Now I have heard it said that hikers are lazy.....and I wont deny that a two mile round trip to look at an old church sounded like fun....but a fixing diner and w ritting some poetry didnt require much physical activity. When it cooled down to 88 degrees I went back on the trail and headed for Brockport. I am unsure if the downtown has camping features so I am about a mile out in some lush grass and shade. I hope to enjoy my time in Brockport and resupply on snacks...all out of goodies and who wants to hike without a bag of goodies to pull out while resting. Wegmans here I come....I miss Wpop cream soda.
Date: 2014-07-01
From: Brockport

To: Spencerport
Miles today: 0.0

So I should have followed my instincts and just hiked into Brockport. They have a really nice set up for boaters and cyclist. Not sure how well hiker stench would go over. Either way I saved a ton of money by sleeping outside of town.....good advise to all hikers. I would have dropped a lot of money on pizza and beer. As it was coming in at 0700 the only place open was the welcome center and a coffee shop. Free crappy coffee trumps expensive coffee every time. I met a man and his two kids who had cycled from New Jersey to Niagara Falls and were heading home. They decided to take a train from Rochester. It seems that a sore ass is okay on the way to a destination but less so on the way home. I chalk it up to the two teenagers and there ability to whine and bitch to get their way.Now is at Adams Basin....not a real town just a bridge with a B&B. Filled up on water and charged up my battery. Heading into Spencerport where Shawn is picking me up to go camping for the Fourth of July at Darien Lakes. Oddly Darien Lakes and I have a long history. As a kid it was my version of Mecca. Girls in cut offs and bikini tops....an amusement park to give me thrills and concerts to entertain. I saw Robert Palmer there in the 80's. ...I was so upset that he didnt have dozens of women dancing like in his videos. Since the forecast is calling for thunderstorms. .like the one raging right now...getting off trail for a few days is not so shabby of an idea. I will have shawn drop me back off in Spencerport after the Fourth. That should allow me to make it to the locks in Rochester to camp then enough time to hike out of the urban environment. After all camping is great when your chief nemesis is a raccoon or mosquito. Its another thing altogether when you are sleeping on the streets of a big city.
Date: 2014-07-02
From: Spencerport

To: Darien Lake
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I came of the Trail in Spencerport and went back to Medina to spend the Fourth with Shawn and his family. As a bit of background, Shawn and I have been friends longer than I have known anyone. He and I have remained true when the chips have fallen for both of us. His friendship and love have helped me through many trying times. I would like to think that I have been there for him as well. I have been away for so long that his children and I do not have the bond of family, but this visit has allowed me to be a part of their lives.   We spent the day at Darien Lakes, an amusement park, a place with fond memories of my childhood. The kids and I had a blast. I was able to relax and enjoy the rides, getting soaked, thrilled and jostled as befits an amusement park. I even went on the Ferris wheel, and it was that same wheel that taught me fear when my son Kyle tried crawling over the seat as a toddler. In all it was a great day to spend time with kids that should know me as Uncle Scott. But we cant change the past, if we could, parachute pants would have never been a fad.   I received a call from a reporter,Rachel, out of Rochester, who wants to do an interview about the thru-hike of the Canal. Awesome, anything that I can do to help promote hiking the canal would be a great way to give back to the hiking community and help the small towns along the route.
Date: 2014-07-03
From: Darien Lake

To: Medina
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I awoke with an email from Chris Bolt, a radio reporter from Syracuse. He wanted to do an interview today for his show. Again, Awesome. I just worried about sounding like an idiot or coming across as someone that I am not. I managed to resupply my prepackaged meal and sort out what I needed and what I could send home. By the time Chris called for the phone interview I had downed a few cups of Chocolate Raspberry Truffle Coffee..........cant people just drink coffee anymore? Anyway, the interview went well, from my perspective at least. I hope that I represented myself and the PTNY well. If not, I will probably never know and can live on with the delusion of doing a good job.   I havent heard back from Rachel about doing the tv interview, I think she might want to wait until I am in Rochester. Not a bad option really, but I dont like the notion of waiting around in the urban expanse of Rochester. As it is, I am worried that making it through Rochester will land me sleeping on the streets and land me a night in jail....something for which I warned my kids might happen. Not that I want a trespassing citation, but it might give me street creds..lol.   Medina is having there Farmers Market on the canal front today, despite the heavy rain. So I am off to resupply some snacks and mail off extra rations to Syracuse. Oh, I also will get post card stamps so I can mail out little notes to my kids and friends. I always hear how great it is to get post cards...now if only the kids would remember to mail me out some home made goodies.   So far the plan is to chill here in Medina, celebrate the Fourth with Shawn at Darien Lakes and hit the Trail early on the 5th.
Date: 2014-07-05
From: Spencerport

To: Pittsford
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I had a great Fourth of July at Darien Lakes with Shawn and his family. Early this morning I had him drop me off in Spencerport. Wyatt didnt realize I wasnt coming back. Poor kids ducked into the van and cried. The Trail from Spencerport was fine until Rochester. Then horrible graffiti and poorly maintained trails followed. I did come across two white crosses. One by a gorge and another by the interstate. Soon afterwards a woman asked me if I know where a young man leapt to his death along the canal. I could only think of the cross by the gorge. What a damn shame. The trail was very nice through the Genesee river valley and the park where it crosses the river. Many lovers were picnicking today. I just hiked on and on. I had planned to stop at Lock 33 but the weather was great and the sun was too high to make camp so I pressed on to Lock 32.....a whole 1.3 miles. Pretty area if you can get past the interstate and the railroad. The sound of the lock...as it shoots water out of its poorly aligned doors sounds like a waterfall. A pleasant way to be lulled to sleep.I hope to make it to Macedon tomorrow but I might get held up crossing The Pittsford in the morning. I think they are having a festival...or atleast coffee and bagels.
Date: 2014-07-06
From: Pittsford

To: Macedon
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Leaving the Lock the Erie Canal is nice and smooth. The hike was pleasant except for my left leg. Somehow my tendon from my calf to thigh was strained. It made walking unpleasant....much less with a pack on my back. As the day progressed I figured it would stretch itself out....nope. By the time I was into Rochesters Genesee River park it was still hampering my step. I made the mistake of not filling up on water when I had the chance. On to Fairport....where I was able to avoid the high end eateries and got water out of a spicket ment for boaters. Not very tasty...or rather it had a distinct taste of rusty pipes. Out of town and the trail became brutal....flat as always but without any shade eventually the canal opened up to the size of a small pond and the trail left its side to wander around through a poor neighborhood stuck between the canal and very busy railroad tracks. Once through the depression era homestead the path went under a few miles of power lines and swamps before coming into Macedon. By the time I arrived I was spent and ready to get out of my shoes and into bed. Since there was no lock operator to ask about water I did what came naturally and just took the water from the hose. I set up my tent on tender feet and crashed. Mmmm sweet sleep followed.
Date: 2014-07-07
From: Macedon

To: Newark
Miles today: 14.0

I crashed out last night and woke up to rain. No problem. I dont mind hiking in the rain. Especially with the Go Lite umbrella strapped to my pack. The trail from Macedon to Palmyra was nice but confusing once in Palmyra. Once again signage would be helpful. I walked around Palmyra hitting up a Mormon bookstore for postcards then getting Chinese food for lunch. When I headed down to the harbor I found a tour bus of Mormons eating bagged lunches. I tried to sneak bye them but a kind old sister snagged me.....I could never refuse a Sister. Especially when she offered a second lunch and a seat with her friends. I got the typical questions about hiking and when I mentioned that I was from the area they stopped any missionary working on me. However when they left I got handed half a dozen apples. Who the hell wants to hike with six apples? Well it turns out I hiked with the apples. Couldnt let them go to waste.....besides I love apples. The hike from Palmyra to Newark is by far the prettiest section of the Trail. Just beautiful. The Trail skirts the top of several hills and is covered with shade trees. It was like a paved version of the A.T.....except it was more than six inches wide.Newark reminds me more of Lockport than any other Canal town....but its service center is awesome. Free showers and laundry. On top of WiFi, water and power. Not to shabby. I do feel exposed out here camping on the lawn. Its in a busy area thats just out of the way enough to cause trouble. But I will do fine. Now if I could get rid of this blister and chafed thigh I would be rocking.
Date: 2014-07-08
From: Newark

To: Lyons New York
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I made the road march from Newark to Lyons only to find that a new trail had been made. Nicely done and beautiful.I briefly stopped at the Lyons dry dock and headed into town to meet up with Mark DeCracker. He and Carol showed me around the Trail of Hope. A delightful trail through the local woods and gardens. It is geared for people with disabilities a and is a worthy endeavor. I was able to help a group of young men to construct an outbuilding....I mostly stood around showing the boys how to use tools for the first time. One poor girl used a saw for the first time and just light up. I shared a few of my poems with Carol and Mark and afterwards had a nice cold beer while a thunderstorm raged outside. Thinking the storm had passed I headed out of town along the old Erie Canal. Only to get pummeled moments later. Mark came to my rescue......so much for being the big hiking bad ass. His Pastor and wife kindly took me in...fed me and washed me up....well I did the washing of myself and she did the washing of my laundry. We had a night of pleasant conversation. Then this hiker passed out on clean linen and comfy pillows.
Date: 2014-07-09
From: Lyons New York

To: Savannah New York
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: moderate rain

This morning was all about blueberry pancakes and fresh coffee. Then drying out my tent while talking theology with a Pastor. Then off to the road I marched.....only to be sidetracked back to the Trail of Hope. After hanging out and getting my picture painted on a mural.....so very cool. And sharing Flutterbye a few more times....I went back I to town to get an ankle brace. It was $34. Not wanting to spend that much the pharmacist gave it to me at cost... $25. She could not resist my Southern Charm.....or my limp....I am not sure which. Carol then dropped me back off at the trail. I was able to hike along several miles of the second canal expansion which was a small swamp. Complete with birds...frogs..squirrels and lots of bugs. The ground saturated my shoes and ruined my feet. I was able to enjoy the last apples from the Mormon Sisters while huddled under my umbrella in another downpour while at an old Lock. Traveling on the canal brought me to some construction. A new culvert was being installed on the trail...very nice. Not so nice was having to backtrack a total of three miles.afterwards it was all road marching in the rain. First to Clyde....a village with a real town square complete with a bandstand....and a haunted house. Then on to Savannah. When I got here I asked the locals about where I could pitch a tent. They pointed me to Veterans Park....an abandoned lot between two buildings with grass and a tombstone plaque. I am honestly more worried about being harassed by the locals here then anywhere else so far. Two young girls came over to look at the homeless guy in the park....me. lets hope that the bar across the street doesn't see me too.
Date: 2014-07-10
From: Savannah New York

To: Port Royal New York
Miles today: 11.0

Short entry tonight. I road marched to Port Royal. Its a dead town that just doesn't want to give up the ghost. I made it to the library then when I was cooking up some late lunch...the only real meal I cook anymore. ...I was approached by two ladies who thought I was a homeless man. It turns out I was on the ground of the American Legion. Well they invited me and now its many many free Labbats Blue later. I spoke with the Mayor and he is cool with me pitching my tent in the city park. If I make it that far......wow....free beer ......does it get better?
Date: 2014-07-11
From: Port Royal New York

To: Jordan New York
Miles today: 0.0

I was shivering once again when I awoke. But atleast I didnt wake up with a hangover. My tent was soaked with dew necessity dictated I take some time to dry the fly in the sunshine filled parking lot. When I got there the sunrise was beautiful. Steam was coming off the canal and the sun was right between the banks in the distance. That is the kind of thing I love to see...not the hundred bug bites on my legs and arms. But bites heal. The days hiking was pleasant. I made it to Weedsport. ...not named for plants but for three brothers who bought up the canal front land. The grocers had everything I needed.....blueberry pop tarts and lemonade.....oh and a roastbeef sub. While eating the sub the townsfolk must have thought I was crazy. I was listening to tunes and just smiling. It was a great day. The trail out of Weedsport was a bit confusing but navigable. When I made Jordan I was surprised to see that the old Lock was getting all prettied up with a fair amount of trimming of the bushes and trees. I took the time to help the road crew by sawing logs under a maple tree. Although the Lock was nice the little town of Jordan was even better. The fire department dished out some water..bandages and humor. Since it was still early I headed out....only to find out that the next two towns aren't really towns but hamlets. So my water supply is minimal. I am camped out early to rest my blistered right foot and back....the canalside is too buggy so I am up a road a bit on the roadside. Here is hoping to no drunk drivers tonight.
Date: 2014-07-12
From: Jordan New York

To: Syracuse
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I have been looking forward to getting to Syracuse this whole trip. I made it to the very nice Camillus Museum in time for a very warm welcome.....and lunch.talk about timing things right! I enjoyed the hospitality so much. They really made me feel welcomed. After touring the museum Mistook me on a tour of some of S yracuses sites for the canal and dropped me back off on the trail. I hiked another five miles to Green Lakes State Park. There water and bagpipes awaited. As I was hiking down the canal I could hear bagpipes playing.....so I followed the music. A woman aas practicing in the parking lot of the park. So is at and listened while drink enough water to make my eyes float. I have been a bit dehydrated over the last few days. In fact. I stuck out three times asking for water. One lady said " I am sorry but I can't" when I asked for water from her hose.....sorry? She ment....get away you bum! I really believe that most people are very kind. I just scared this lady by my appearance. She is not used to seeing hikers....or bums.Right now I am very concerned about the thunderstorm that is coming. It has all sorts of advisory to seek shelter.....I am going to try to find shelter.
Date: 2014-07-13
From: Syracuse

To: Out of the Rain
Miles today: 0.0

When I went to sleep the night before I was certain that I would awaken to horrid thunderstorms. When I woke to clouds and some rumbles I was lucky. I packed up quickly and went to the park office at the Green Lakes State Park. I put out some calls in hopes of finding shelter from the storm. Mark DeCracker really came through for me. He put me in contact with a local artist, "Corky". He came by and scooped me up from under clear blue skies. The only thing worse than weathering a horrible thunderstorm huddled in a leaky tent is to wait in safety for a storm that never comes. Well Corky and I went back to his studio....a house he bought next door to his home. Very convenient for a morning commute. We had a great night discussing many aspects of the human condition and mans amazing history. That and drinking beer. More Labbats Blue.....now I know where the phrase "I love NY" originated.....in the bottom of a bottle of Canadian Beer.I am still having issue with a blister on my left heel.I had to drain it a second time last night. This time I used a needle instead of my knife. The massive blister on the bottom of my right foot seems to be healing nicely....more than a blister it was a large section of skin that pulled away from my foot...without any fluid build up....since it was lacerated. At least knats weren't crawling through it this time.I am hitting the trail back at green lakes and heading to Rome....New York.
Date: 2014-07-14
From: Syracuse

To: Chittanango
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Woken up to dreams of Mayan Priestess giving me a back rub....it was Corkys cat kneading my leg. I will take what I can get. After a hot shower and a cup of java it was time to hit the Canal. But first a stop at EMS for new socks. My favorite socks...FITS finally bit the dust. Who can ask more than a thousand miles from a pair of socks? So new Darn Tough socks make up my third pair. I made it to Chittanango just as a thunderstorm rolled in. So thanks to the Rotary Club for such a first shelter andfreshly painted picnic tables that I stuck to when I sat down.Linda came out to deliver the greatest trail magic of the trip. Homemade cookies...Cold Pepsi and chips. Not to mention package from home. A package that must have weighed ten pounds! I had to end up sending most of it to North Adams. A task Linda was kind enough to offer. I enjoyed Linda's company as we talked the future of Thru-hiking the Erie Canal and how people live such fearful lives. Stranger danger is great for five year olds...but as adults we need to be more accepting of others andknow that we are all in this crazy life together.My goal tomorrow is to follow the yellow brick road...seriously...there's one in town here. Then hit the Canal and make a run on Rome.