morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-07-07
From: Caledonia State Park

To: Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Miles today: 19.4

Tented at Caledonia State Park last night and set my alarm for five. Made it to Warren¢s van before 7am and put my things that I wouldn't need for the day in a trash bag inside the van. Hiked out at 7am, an early record for me. It was humid but an easy hike. Stopped at a shelter for lunch and soon after crossed a road where a sweet couple were cooking hamburgers and hot dogs for the hikers. I had a cheeseburger, chips, and two huge iced cups of Pepsi. Thank you Trail Angels! With two lunches I hiked fast and got to Pine Grove Furnace State Park at 4:30pm where we are cowboy (without a tent or other shelter) stealth camping. Should be an interesting night. At the general store I had a fruit smoothie and another Pepsi. A hiker¢s wife came to pick him up for a few days and she brought homemade chocolate chip cookies and zucchini bread and gave each of the hikers a bag to take with them tomorrow. It was another hiker¢s birthday and there was velvet cake for all to share. I was so full that I didn't make dinner. The Ironmaster¢s Mansion Hostel is here and they are showing an AT documentary. I "bathed" in the park restroom sink and went up to watch the movie. As soon as I sat down I realized I had already seen the documentary in Damascus at Trail Days. It was still light out so I walked around the park and took pictures. So I'm sitting in the park shelter waiting for dark, then we can get our sleeping pads out of the van.
Date: 2015-07-08
From: Pine Grove Furnace State Park

To: Trindle Rd, PA 641
Miles today: 23.4

Hiked to Green Mtn. Store that was just 0.2 miles down from a road crossing. Had a cheesesteak sandwich with marinara sauce, which didn't sit too well when I started back up hiking. It rained for about an hour and quit. Hiked two rock mazes, but it was easy. Later walked through a corn field. I missed a turn and walked down another corn field until it came to a stop with nowhere to go. I retraced my steps and found the turn I missed. Then the sky opened up and it poured. Tabasco was now hiking with me out of the corn fields and into the town of Boiling Springs. We stopped at a tavern and I had a bowl of soup to warm me up. The waitress took a double take when I stuffed the linen napkin up under my shirt to dry off; probably thought I was going to steal it! Then hiked a few more miles in a mud slide. Of course! The day I put on clean socks! Unfortunately nothing dries out overnight because of the humidity. I'm camping right between a corn field and a little two lane highway. Last night it was on the floor of a picnic shelter between the tables.
Date: 2015-07-09
From: Trindle Rd, PA 641

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 21.5

Hiked a few miles this morning and stopped at Middlesex Diner in Carlisle, PA. Stopped in Duncannon, PA, tonight. Had a beer at the Doyle Hotel then on to our hotel for a good night¢s sleep and laundry. Rain and rocks and wet clothes have produced three blisters on my toes, which made the hike very painful. There is no way to have dry feet walking through mud. Hope everything dries out tomorrow.
Date: 2015-07-12
From: Swatara Gap, Lickdale, PA

To: PA 183, Rentschler Marker
Miles today: 20.7

I came across a group of people who were all dressed in black with a movie camera set up. Location was on a rocky cliff. I stopped to chat and learned they were making an indie horror film. Long day today. I¢m too tired to brush my teeth and hair or wash up. I have my feet elevated on my pack for a while and then I¢m going to fall asleep right next to the highway traffic.
Date: 2015-07-13
From: PA 183, Rentschler Marker

To: Port Clinton, PA
Miles today: 14.8

The AT Expedition hikers all started out early this morning. We were serenaded all night by the semi-trucks gearing down on the interstate that we camped right next to. While hiking, the five hikers in front of me walked by a rattlesnake coiled up sleeping right on the trail. I stopped because I thought it was a turtle I was about to step on! I let out a yell and we all got a picture. Ended at the pavilion in Port Clinton where we will say goodbye to all the good people who let us tag along with them for the last seven days. It was great to slack-pack for a week. We put in a lot of miles with them and it was a good week.
Date: 2015-07-14
From: Port Clinton, PA

To: Hawk Mountain Rd, Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 14.8

Stayed at Port Clinton Microtel last night and left our stuff there this morning. We will slack today, while Mudder parks his camper about 40 miles north at a campground. He¢ll come back for us in his truck, take us to Port Clinton to pick up our stuff and to Walmart, then back to the camper, which will be our base while we slack-pack in the vicinity. Later, we¢ll move our base farther north.
Date: 2015-07-16
From: Bake Oven Knob Rd

To: Little Gap Rd, Danielsville, PA 
Miles today: 13.7

Very steep rock climb through Lehigh Gap. Today¢s rock climb was a piece of cake using all the muscles I've developed on this hike. There were a couple times I didn't know where to put my feet but with Advil below me she could point out places to use. At the top is a Superfund site so we could see the valley below for a long time. It was a zinc mine and very little vegetation. But there were lots of gooseberries and blackberries. We had a Fabulous pot roast dinner with real mashed potatoes and peas. Thanks Lu for the recipe.
Date: 2015-07-17
From: Little Gap Rd, Danielsville, PA 

To: Wind Gap, PA, PA 33
Miles today: 15.4

As of today, I have hiked over half of the total 2189.2 miles of the AT!!! Pancakes for breakfast. Easy hike today. Overcast and no humidity. My feet are healing up. Only one view today. Stepped over a slithering black snake and was very thankful I didn't gig him with my pole.
Date: 2015-07-18
From: Wind Gap, PA, PA 33

To: Fox Gap, PA 191
Miles today: 8.6

Short hike today so we could experience the local Poconos¢ Wurst Festival, enjoying the stuffed cabbage and potato pancakes. Another hard cider and I may enjoy the polka bands... ¢The Poconos¢ Wurst Festival is back with even more wursts, wieners, kielbasa, pierogies and brews! With both Polish and German themes, the event will feature 3 stages of music, traditional costumed dance performances, pig and 'hot dog' races, and plenty more!¢(Two men walk into a bar. You would think at least one of them would have ducked! -thanks, Nancy)
Date: 2015-07-19
From: Fox Gap, PA 191

To: Mohican Outdoor Center, Camp Rd
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: few clouds

Finished PA today. There were a lot of day hikers on the trail once we got into NJ. It was sunny and hot today with pretty views. Today¢s highlight was in Delaware Water Gap where the trail passes right by an old soda fountain and ice cream place called Zoe's Ice Cream Emporium. Of course we stopped and I enjoyed a wonderful root beer float, for National Ice Cream Day. (Energizer Bunny arrested, charged with battery. - thanks, nancy)
Date: 2015-07-20
From: Mohican Outdoor Center, Camp Rd

To: Culvers Gap, Branchville, NJ
Miles today: 17.6

The day started with dropping the Orr's, Wings, Sweaty Yetti, and his dog Bandit off at their trailhead. We hiked the Kittatinny Ridge today and had beautiful views of the farms in the valley below. There were lots of lakes and ponds too. We were going to take a dip in one but walked right past the trail leading to Crater Lake. It was hot today but I didn't mind skipping an extra mile for a dip. Now if there had been cokes there I'd have gone! Had an early lunch provided by a group of women from a local hiking club. They were cooking up hamburgers, hot dogs, and had deviled eggs, fresh fruit, cookies, Snickers, chips and soft drinks. Thank you Trail Angels from the Huntingdon Hiking Club. Came upon a restaurant by a lake. We were going to have a beer there after our hike. We waited and waited and left when we realized the only cook was also the only waitress and the only bartender. But it would've been nice to sit out and have a cold beer.
Date: 2015-07-21
From: Culvers Gap, Branchville, NJ

To: NJ 23, near High Point State Park
Miles today: 14.3

Stopped at a shelter where trail angels had put jugs of water for the hikers in the bear box. Ended today at 5pm. Had steaks and veggies cooked on the grill and are now at the movie ¢Trainwreck¢. Two hikers took a photo of a huge bear that was eating at a dumpster outside a restaurant last night. Picked up a newspaper last night and saw an article on the front page about a man who died from a rattlesnake bite. (A smile is a light in the window of your face to show your heart is at home. -thanks, Nancy)
Date: 2015-07-22
From: NJ 23, near High Point State Park

To: County Road 565, Glenwood, NJ
Miles today: 16.8

Started out with the view of a veterans memorial that looks like the Washington monument and a rocky trail. Stopped for lunch on a footbridge over a stream with lots of crawdaddys swimming in it. The rocks ended and we had a great hiking day with cooler temps and no humidity. Hiked through the Wallkill Reserve and ended the day back on rocky trail and a view back to the war memorial. It was cool to be able to look back and see where we had hiked from. Hiked by a house on the road with a pig sculpture and the owner was sitting in his garage and invited us to sit for a rest and gave us a bottle of water. We had a great dinner waiting back at the camper. Mudder made Advil¢s crock pot recipe for ham and potatoes. Ended the day sitting on the Delaware River where NJ, PA, and NY all meet. And FaceTime with Mike!
Date: 2015-07-23
From: County Road 565, Glenwood, NJ

To: NY 17A, Bellvale, NY
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: light rain

Walked on boardwalks this morning and moved right into rock scrambling. Beautiful views of Greenwood Lake. Sat on the rocks and enjoyed the views and cooler temps. Climbed an aluminum ladder up a rock face - check out the photo! After hiking we stopped at the Bellvale Creamery for ice cream, then had pizza in Unionville, NY. I'm out of NJ!
Date: 2015-07-24
From: NY 17A, Bellvale, NY

To: Arden Valley Rd
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Woke up with pain in my left arch. Hiked up and down rock scrambles all day. Stopped for a lunch break and took some Vitamin I which worked for five more miles. Had five more miles to go but decided to quit early today. I like climbing the rock scrambles, it's a lot of hands on rocks, so I didn't use my poles today. One of my new poles is frozen and won't collapse and it sticks up high in my pack and gets hung up in the overhead tree branches. Not a good thing! Yesterday Mudder made inserts for his shoes out of a piece of memory foam from his pad. He hiked 1.5 miles and they didn't work, it's still too painful for him to hike. I know he's missing the trail. I have poison something on my arm that's spreading but it doesn't itch. That's a good thing!
Date: 2015-07-25
From: Arden Valley Rd

To: Perkins Memorial Dr
Miles today: 14.9

I started the day with a phone call to Mike to wish him a happy birthday. He came and spent four days with me over the 4th of July but now I am getting too far away for a weekend visit. The states in the north have had great cell phone service, off and on the trail. It's great to be able to talk to him just about any time. Today¢s hike was beautiful. I'm really enjoying NY, it is so pretty and green here. And the trail is really well maintained. Some of the climbs have rock steps making it safer but not necessarily easier because they are so high. Went through a rock formation called the Lemon Squeezer. The highlight today was getting a fudgesicle from a vending machine at Lake Tiorati. And it took a credit card, too! Then we took our packs off, removed our shoes and socks, emptied our pockets, and plunged into the water. Ahhhh! It was so nice. The rest of my hike felt like I was in my own little air conditioned room. The park was full of picnickers and the smell of foods cooking on the grills. The woods were full of day hikers and it's cool to see all ages out enjoying the many trails here.
Date: 2015-07-26
From: Perkins Memorial Dr

To: South Highland Rd
Miles today: 16.4
Weather: clear sky

Pouring rain when I started this morning so waited it out. I so wanted to take a zero on this dreary Sunday! But it cleared up and was a beautiful day. Didn't start hiking until 10. Hiked up a mile on Bear Mountain to Perkins Memorial Tower. There were lots of people there, sitting along the rocks enjoying the views. You can drive up the mountain too and cyclists and motorcycles are very popular up on the hilly windy roads. Again, it¢s the weekend and the state parks and woods are full of people out enjoying the day. After the tower I had a two-mile hike down to the Bear Mountain Recreation Area and Hessian Lake. The trail goes through a playground then follows a path at the edge of the lake. I have never seen so many picnickers. Like the park yesterday, the grills were going and the smell of food wonderful. I would move past a group of people who had their music playing onto the next group who had their music playing. But nobody's music was blasting or trying to be heard over someone else¢s. Ahead sitting on a bench was Mudder, who met us for lunch. NY parks are great - they have concession stands. So I had a hot dog, fudgesicle, and a Coke. We then all walked the AT path that goes right through a zoo and finally saw a bear. I said at the beginning of my hike that the only bear I wanted to see was the one at this NY zoo. We crossed over the Hudson River and Mudder left as we continued up the trail. Finished the hike today and it started pouring rain. We stopped for dinner at a Texas BBQ "joint". It was a small building with picnic tables. You ordered at a window from inside the building and reached across the window to a food truck to get your food. It was very funny because it was pouring rain and there was no cover overhead between the building and food truck. Another good day.
Date: 2015-07-27
From: South Highland Rd

To: NY 52, Stormville, NY
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Trail magic pizza and soda provided by Mudder. Saw Pockets, Ganoot, City Kid, and her dog Keb. I haven't seen City Kid since the Partnership Shelter at Mt. Rogers. And we had pizza there, too! She got off the trail in Daleville, VA, and is section hiking now. Good hiking day and dodged the rain again. After lunch above Canopus Lake, we skipped the .2 mile trail down to the lake. I was too full of pizza to justify a downhill and uphill back to the trail just for a fudgesicle. The beach was almost deserted, what a difference - the weekend throngs of picnickers and day hikers were back to work. I have really enjoyed NY.
Date: 2015-07-28
From: NY 52, Stormville, NY

To: NY 22, Appalachian Trail RR Station
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Started early today and finished at 3:30. Sun rays were so pretty coming through the trees. Stopped for a few minutes at Nuclear Lake, but didn't take a dip because I was trying to get done early to have some rest time. It was very hot and humid today. Passed a guy who was laying in the grass resting, said he had just done two hard miles. I asked him how long he had been on the trail. He said he just started today. Oy vey, he's got a few surprises ahead; he was SoBo. His name was 506, he just learned about trail names from a hiker he had met named Be4. He thought it was an apt number so he named himself 506, which was his address. I haven't seen Be4 since VA and he is a scientist whose name is the element from the periodic table called beryllium. Some trail names are very clever, some need an explanation. One name I really liked was a young woman named Haulin' Oats. I wonder how many hikers are still eating oatmeal after 4 months on the trail! Passed a station right on the AT where trains to NYC stop on weekends, but we will catch one two miles down the track. I got a package from Mike with a dress and sandals to wear to NYC tomorrow. And I also got an iPod shuffle with new tunes from Chris, my favorite brother! Thank you so much guys! I love you!
Date: 2015-07-29
From: NY 22, Appalachian Trail RR Station

To: NY 22, Appalachian Trail RR Station
Miles today: 0.0

Spent a zero day in NYC. First stop Grand Central Station. Second stop Sephora to put on makeup! Had dinner with Paul (Spot of Tea) and his girlfriend, Lisa. Spot started his hike on the AT the same day as Mudder, Advil, and I and was a lot of fun to hike with. We miss his humor on the trail. Thank you for letting me stay at your apartment! I slept great until the city woke me up! Mudder, Advil, and I went to a play called ¢Fish in the Dark¢ starring Jason Alexander from Seinfeld. The play was ok, but I slept through part of it. I've seen better plays at the Raleigh Little Theater! But hey, I got to see a play on Broadway. Check that off my list. I am ready to go back to the woods.
Date: 2015-07-30
From: NY 22, Appalachian Trail RR Station

To: CT 55, Gaylordsville, CT
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: scattered clouds

Good morning New York City! Awoke to the sounds of these heavy machines breaking through NY granite. Went to a deli across the street and met the omelet nazi. I was going to order a western omelet. There were two options: roll and platter. When it was my turn to order I stepped up to the counter and asked him what a roll was. (Now this may have been a dumb question but in my mind I couldn't imagine putting an omelet on a roll). The guy reaches behind him, grabs a roll, shows it to me, puts it back on the shelf, and yells, "next"! He who hesitates in NY doesn't get breakfast. I grabbed a banana and tea and walked out. Sat on the steps of St. Michaels Church and ate, then went inside for some prayer and meditation time. Walked to Paul's office and gave him his key back and then on to Grand Central Station. Got back on the trail and was immediately greeted with trail magic. A woman and her daughter were handing out watermelon slices. Had a fast downpour then it sprinkled off and on; enough to keep me soaked for the rest of today's short hike. Check out the photos!
Date: 2015-07-31
From: CT 55, Gaylordsville, CT

To: River Rd north end
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Only 888 miles left for me to hike! I found the perfect rock that fit me like a recliner. Check out all the photos. (Q: Why did the ants dance on the jelly jar? A: The lid said ¢twist to open¢. -thanks, Nancy)
Date: 2015-08-02
From: Near Housatonic River

To: Guilder Pond Picnic Area, Mt Everett Rd
Miles today: 20.0

Beautiful hiking today. Had rock climbs, waterfalls, and gorgeous views on the ridgeline. Saw several SoBo hikers. Saw Riga who I hadn't seen since the Shenandoah¢s. Enjoying the new music my brother sent me. The campground we are at this week is very family oriented and had daily planned activities. It¢s fun to see the kids playing in the evenings. Last night they set off Chinese lanterns. There is a swimming hole and if I can finish a hike early enough this week I may get a swim. It really cools down in the evening now. Check out all the photos.
Date: 2015-08-03
From: Guilder Pond Picnic Area, Mt Everett Rd

To: MA 23, East Mountain Retreat Center
Miles today: 16.8

Today's hike had a little of everything I have done all in one day. Had rock climbs, ridge walk with spectacular views, trail along a river, walked along cornfields, through pastures with stiles to climb over, and boardwalks over the swampy areas. I had just sat down on some RR tracks to eat some lunch when a hiker came out of the woods and said he was going to "the grill" for lunch that was just .4 miles down the road. I waited for Advil and we decided it was worth the extra mileage. We got to the road and a van stopped and asked if we wanted a ride. They were also hiking and have two cars so they can slack-pack. They said the grill was closed but took us to a place further down the road that had ice cream. We ate and were able to hitch a ride back to the trailhead. We finished our hike quickly because there was talk about a t-storm coming, but it never came. Mike is sending me a new pair of boots. The ones I have came apart after less than two months. But REI & Merrell have a good warranty so they will replace them. Thank you, Mike, for keeping me in shoes! I had fun on FaceTime with him in our closet at home while I "shopped" for clothes and shoes to wear in NY. I keep him busy sending me packages. He's great support and I miss him!
Date: 2015-08-04
From: MA 23, East Mountain Retreat Center

To: US 20, Lee, MA
Miles today: 20.7
Weather: scattered clouds

The woods were very quiet today. It was so peaceful. Often in the NE states you can hear low sounds of traffic but today the birds were even quiet. Got a soaking rain just as I finished eating some lunch. Didn't last too long but later when I had about four miles left to hike, a storm with thunder and lightning came up and then rain and finally the sky let loose with some hail. Advil and I took cover under some low evergreen branches but it was cold just standing so when it slowed down we hiked on as fast as we could. The trail was a muddy river in some spots, reminding me of the storms in the Smokies that made very slippery slopes. With two miles left to hike, the rain stopped but I was out of steam after pushing so hard in the storm. It was a long last mile. And I was very happy to see Mudder¢s truck, signifying the hike was over for today. And a hot shower was waiting for me.
Date: 2015-08-05
From: US 20, Lee, MA

To: AT on Gulf Rd/High St
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

An advantage of being driven to and from the trailheads each day is driving through the many charming towns along the way. Today I snapped a few pictures of the town of Stockbridge as we drove through. I would love to come back here with Mike. The Norman Rockwell Museum is here but closes too early to get to see it. The woods today had a lot of downed trees - looks like a hurricane went through. The highlight today was going to the Cookie Lady's house. I came to a road crossing and there was a sign just to the right saying ¢fresh eggs¢. When she is home, she gives out free cookies. She also sells boiled eggs for $0.35 and drinks for a dollar. There were 6 or 8 hikers sitting at the picnic table in her yard enjoying the eggs. You go to the door and tell her what you want, pay her, and she goes inside and gets it and brings it out. I asked for a Diet Coke. She said, ¢I don't sell diet drinks - you hikers need all the calories!¢ She is right. She also gave me two handfuls of free homemade chocolate chip cookies to fill the cookie basket she keeps on the table. She was so sweet. She was wearing a t-shirt saying Give Peace a Chance. What a wonderful woman.
Date: 2015-08-06
From: AT on Gulf Rd/High St

To: Rockwell Rd
Miles today: 15.2

Beautiful day today. Cool temperatures and a honey bun with my breakfast gave me some great energy for the short hike today. Plus knowing we would finish early helped me hike a bit faster. Had lunch on The Cobbles, outcroppings of marble with views of Hoosic River Valley, Mt. Greylock, and the town of Cheshire, MA. The trail went through Cheshire (pronounced ¢chesh-er¢). Where the AT and a bike path meets sat the sweetest place called Diana's Treats. So we stopped, of course, and had ice cream. Finished the hike today by going through a corn field and then started up Mt. Greylock. Mudder picked us up and we drove to Pittsfield, MA, and had a great dinner at Flavours of Malaysia. I was so hungry I could have eaten two plates of their delicious chicken satay. I'm eating a lot lately, but always seem to want more! Got back to the campground early and sat by the pond and called my friend Debby to wish her a Happy Birthday. I've missed out on many birthday celebrations for family and friends this summer. I will have to have one big party for you all when I get home!