morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-07-30
From: Washington Monument Park

To: Pine Knob Shelter 
Miles today: 3.8
Weather: light rain

I was the first person awake in the bunk room at Tumbelina¢s place. My left hip and low back have been painful for about two weeks now. She has a large area rug in the middle of the room, so I decided to do some yoga. It helps.  Tumbelina drove us back to Washington Monument Park. She parked near the big Partridge Family bus to let us out. That same lady who was so kind to us yesterday nearly flipped her lid today. ¢YOU CANT PARK THERE!¢ Good grief! I explained she¢s not really parking we¢re just getting out. Poor lady was frustrated to stroke level in the less than 3 minutes we were there. I apologized several times.  The terrain was more of the same as yesterday. Mostly wide smooth and fairly flat. There were a few rock scrambles but not bad.  Soon we hiked right on up to a Washington Monument. A stone tower of sorts used by the Union Army as a signal station during the civil war. It was built in 1827 and dedicated to the memory of George Washington.  Within minutes of leaving the monument the sky became overcast. We had already planned to stop at the first shelter anyway, but the weather just solidified that notion. First there were sprinkles only, but then buckets of water was coming down out of the sky.  Only 3.8 miles into the day, and it looks like Pine Knob Shelter is Home for the night.  Hugs and I have giggled a lot about this NERO! The physical strength it takes to hike 3.8 miles with a full pack! (Tongue-in-cheek). Today is Papa Big Swig¢s birthday!  I hope he has the best day ever!  Happy birthday dear! I guess I¢ll take a nap. Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-08-01
From: Raven Rock Shelter

To: Pen Mar Park
Miles today: 4.7
Weather: moderate rain

Today is a special day...it¢s extraction day!(as Hugs calls it) Papa Big Swig will be picking us up at Pen Mar Park this afternoon! It¢s been a whole month since I¢ve seen him.  Hugs and I took our time getting out of camp this morning. We had less than 5 miles to reach our extraction point. It should have been a zip zoom hike, but the rocks were grueling. Every single step had to be taken cautiously. It took an extra hour to reach our destination.  The only wildlife through this area was squirrels and spiders. There was also an abundance of mosquitoes! I hate using deet but I had to do it today. I did find myself in a little pine forest. It smelled so clean and fresh.  At least that was a little something pleasant as I slowly picked my way through the rocks. It was there where I trusted my footing on a slanted rock too much and nearly bit the dust. I managed to save myself, but even a save doesn¢t come without pain.  Papa Big Swig texted me that he was at the park and going to start walking my direction with the dogs. I was smiling the rest of the way. In order to move forward I had to step right then step left over and over again. Still smiling though as I anticipated a greeting from home.  Eventually I popped out of the woods into the park. No Papa Big Swig. No dogs. Where was he? I called his cell phone and he said he was southbounding to meet me. Hmmmmm, he had taken a wrong turn somewhere. About 20 minutes later there he was with my two favorite 4 legged people!  My back and hip have been hurting for a good while, and getting worse, so Papa Big Swig took me to a walk-in clinic. I was given treatment but was also told to end my hike. Not just take a break, but end it. We are in a hotel tonight. I plan to slack pack tomorrow and give my body a break. Papa Big Swig will slack me all the way to Maine if that¢s what I want. I¢m taking him up on that offer as much as he possibly can. After all, I¢m accustomed to having pain. I didn¢t come this far just to quit! My boots will be back on tomorrow Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-08-03
From: PA 233

To: Shippensburg rd 
Miles today: 16.1

It was a 1hr 45minutes drive to our starting point this morning. That made for a late start at 10:25am. Just as we stepped out of the SUV it began to sprinkle.  The sprinkles really only lasted about 5 minutes. We both took off our rain gear and enjoyed hiking below overcast skies. There were a couple of rocky areas, but over all the path was soft and wide. I give credit for that to all of the soft pine trees around me. They were scattered throughout the entire forest today. These are the softest pine needles I¢ve ever felt, and the scent is just lovely. During wet rainy days I like to look at the mushrooms. They seem to be the happiest of everything in this weather! Today I found the coolest purple mushrooms. They are edible and they are called Deceivers. I saw them in all different shades of purple and stages of growth.  I had another detour today. A small section was closed due to flooding.  I¢ve never followed Red Blazes before, but that¢s what was there. They took us to a park area where we stopped at a pavilion for lunch. It was nice to have a real picnic table and a roof.  We were able to hop back on trail right there. I think mileage wise we probably added about a half mile only.  A very short distance up the trail Hugs called out for me to come back. She had a tick behind her ear. We¢re both permethrin treating our clothing tomorrow. This will be my third time.  At 3:30 the rains came again. This time they stayed, and poured and poured for over an hour.  We found refuge at Quarry Gap Shelter. Wow! This place was amazing! The ¢innkeeper¢ Jim Stauch takes his job seriously. I cannot say enough good things about this shelter.  The rains passed and we hiked on through lots of standing water. It¢s been like that for several days already anyway. My feet look like prunes!  I finally lost my first toenail. Not bad for 1095 miles! We popped out of the woods at 6pm and made our way to the parking area where Papa Big Swig picked us up. He was delayed in traffic so we decided to take a look further up the trail. We¢ll be heading into a beautiful pine forest when we start back. It was there where I saw the fattest little porcupine running away from us down the trail. I¢m not sure I¢ve ever seen a porcupine in the wild before. Tomorrow we¢re taking a trip to REI for my next pair of boots. I can¢t believe I have over 500 miles on this pair already. I¢ll be taking a zero. Papa Big Swig and I will be having an early anniversary celebration!  My new boots will be on Sunday morning. Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-08-04
From: Ferry Boat Campground 

To: Ferry Boat Campground 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

a planned zero took place today. Papa Big Swig spent the entire day driving us around.  First stop was the Post Office a town over. Hugs and I both had shipped/bounced some of our things forward to avoid carrying them through the rain.  We had Red Robin for lunch! I ate a burger, fries, and a salad. We all split a huge piece of Mud Pie for dessert...extra whipped cream!  Then we drove into Maryland to an REI. I needed new boots. I didn¢t realize how badly I needed them until today. It¢s true you get about 500 miles per new pair. I bet my feet will be happier with me when I¢m hiking tomorrow!  It was past supper time when we got back to the campground. By the time I put away my new things, and prepped for tomorrow¢s hike, dinner just didn¢t happen. String cheese and Doritos for me. Ms. Thelma¢s Apple cake for dessert! Hugs and I are definitely the caboose of thru-hikers. Most of our remaining bubble flipped up to Katahdin from Harpers Ferry. We haven¢t seen a thru-hiker in days.  I will be slack packing the next two weeks. I¢m thinking I should make it to New York in that time. From there Papa Big Swig will drive Hugs and I to Maine. I AM flipping. After I come back down from Katahdin I plan to hike south back to New York where I will complete the trail. It¢s a bittersweet thought. Needless to say Papa Big Swig and I did not do much early anniversary celebrating. Our day is Monday, so we¢ll see what that brings.  Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-08-05
From: Shippensburg rd 

To: Old Town Road
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: clear sky

Our hike started in that beautiful pine forest! The terrain was great! Papa Big Swig bought a fanny pack for me yesterday. It has a water bottle holder on each side of it. Perfect for a day hike! I really enjoyed having nothing on my back. Hugs took the lead just as the trail had turned into a creek. She said these slippery rocks are what scare her about falling...right then, down I went! No injury again. There¢s no rain predicted for today but the sun has a lot of work to do before things will be good on trail again. Somewhere down there in the mud and bugs we passed the 1100 mile mark! Officially I have now walked a farther distance than I have left to go! We trudged on through the mud beside a rushing creek for several miles. My new boots have that well used look already. The mosquitoes were the thickest I¢ve ever seen! Bug nets on today!I ran into a couple of SOBO¢s who said they were thru-hikers. They were two middle aged ladies, Doodads and Burpee. We talked quite a while about what to expect heading south. They asked good questions. Then Hugs said something which resulted in their response of having been on trail for only 35 minutes! Oh my! They are section hiking the A.T. and just started today at the park we were heading into. Hugs and I had a giggle over that a little later on!  We hiked right on in to Pine Grove Furnace State Park. This is where the half gallon ice cream challenge takes place. I ate a hamburger only and called it a day. The burger was extremely tasty!! Right up the road was an A.T. Museum. It was a nice little museum with a great children¢s section! Hugs and I met a lovely lady there named Iris. She dreams of thru-hiking....I hope she gets to do it one day!  Shortly after leaving the museum we did meet a real SOBO, trail named Skip. He will finish his hike at 3 Little Pigs in Daleville VA. Free banana pudding! What a great ending! The terrain was fantastic today, but lots of my hike was just miserable because of the unbelievable amount of mosquitoes! When I was holding my trekking poles and swinging my arms while walking, I could literally feel the mosquitoes bouncing off of my arms and hands. It was horrible!  The only wildlife today was birds. I hope they have bats in Pennsylvania because there¢s a smorgasbord of skeeters for them tonight. I¢m not looking forward to coming back into them tomorrow.  I did cross many creeks and footbridges the last couple of miles. Thunder was coming from the south, but no rain fell. I popped out onto Old Town Road first and paced back and forth while waiting for Hugs. I couldn¢t even stand still because of the mosquitoes. When she got there we began walking in the direction Papa Big Swig would be coming from.  Boots will be back on tomorrow!Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018) Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-08-06
From: Old Town Road

To: TCO Outdoors 
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: overcast clouds

We started our hike back in the mosquito haven. We both sprayed good with repellent and put our nets on right away.  It was not quite as bad as yesterday, but still unbearable.  We started out going UP. The first climb was about 1150ft. The whole morning was up and down like that with similar climbs. Rocksylvania is beginning to show up here and there. I had several climbs where I threw my poles up then pulled myself up. If I had been wearing a pack I would have definitely had to drop pack and throw it several times. My back is so grateful that Papa Big Swig is willing to slack pack me like he is. Speaking of Papa Big Swig, today is our anniversary! Happy Anniversary Dear! Cheers to many more!!!It¢s a scorcher today. Somewhere in the low-mid 90¢s. All of the animals must be taking refuge in highly shaded areas because the only sign of wildlife today was a grey toad....and of course the gross amount of mosquitoes.  Just as I was coming down from Center Point Knob (1099ft) Hugs sent me a text. She was a good distance behind me, and she was sick. I offered to go back but she declined. After vomiting and resting she managed to continue.   I sent a text to Papa Big Swig that we will be ending early today. We were 2-3 miles from Boiling Springs PA, and he could pick us up there.  Very shortly after texting I walked out of the woods into a field. Most of the rest of my hike into Boiling Springs was like this. I loved it! Corn fields on both sides of me felt like home. A trail jogger came past me and turned to say ¢happy anniversary¢!  He had stopped to help Hugs when she was sick. She must have told him today is my anniversary. Most folks on the trail are like this. Super nice! I made it into Boiling Springs well enough ahead to enjoy some history. This town is known for manufacturing iron. I got to see an old iron furnace. It¢s made of stone, and the size of a two story house. I¢m going to have to research Boiling Springs, because it¢s obvious there¢s a bigger story than I was able to see. Papa Big Swig picked us up and drove 12 miles to an outdoor archery place so I could buy more Sawyer picaradin insect repellent.  I¢m sure I was bitten by at least 30 mosquitoes today. Hugs is even worse. Since I got back to the campground early I treated all of my clothing with permethrin. I treated my new boots too. Because on top of the mosquitoes outside we had a tick in the camper!!! On a positive note Papa Big Swig and I are getting a date night for our anniversary! Ice cream and a movie!  Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018) Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-08-08
From: PA rt 850

To: Duncannon PA
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: overcast clouds

As soon as we hopped out of the SUV this morning we saw a deer grazing in a field on some big round hay bales. That field was the start of my hike today. She saw us coming, and gracefully made her way into the woods.  Once I made it to the woods my hike started UP. 1328ft elevation to be exact. The heat index is high right now, so my clothing was soaked from sweat before I was 1/4 way up. From the top I crossed over a grassy area with a view to another mountain. The fog was still low when I was up there so it was only a partial view for me. There was tall grasses and various flowers on each side of the narrow path. Bees were busy flying from flower to flower. One of them somehow went in my boot and stung me through my sock on my ankle. This is not the first time that¢s happened to me. I wonder what looks so inviting to a bee inside my boot?  I was in the lead today and left to my own thoughts. It¢s crazy the amount of things that go through my mind. Today I was thinking of dad.  He was a grateful person. He took care of everything he ever owned as if it it were the last one on earth. He NEVER complained. Even when he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. I remember he looked up at mom and said ¢I¢ll do my best to fight this, but if it doesn¢t work out, it¢s been a good life¢. I NEED to be more grateful. I¢m not guaranteed anything in this life but I¢ve been blessed far beyond what I deserve. I¢m working on true gratitude. I was walking along watching chipmunks scurry around. My chirps and tweets were making me happy, when I just happened to look up to my right. There, just going over a Ridge, was the backside of what I believe was a bobcat. I¢m going to research and find out if they are around these parts, because I feel pretty confident it was.  Just as I passed a brown toad, I came to my first real Pennsylvania View! I¢m very much enjoying PA, even the rocks that stuck around all day today.  Hugs and I enjoyed a snack near the view before taking off again. I was a little ways ahead when I came around a bend in the trail to find a young deer munching on the leaves and berries growing beside the trail. She wasn¢t afraid of me. I took several pictures and backed up to wait for Hugs. When Hugs arrived she was still there. As we walked towards her she just moved a little further down the trail. Eventually she stepped off to the side and let us pass. It was an awesome experience. Before long we popped out on to a road leading us to Duncannon Pennsylvania. There was a nice hikers mural painted on one of the buildings downtown. Sadly that¢s the ONLY positive thing I have to say about Duncannon.  Papa Big Swig texted me that he was waiting for us at our pick-up location already. It was 2 miles away. We had spent a lot of time with our deer today and were behind schedule. He just drove over and picked us up. It was a short day, but a good one!  Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-08-10
From: PA rte 645 

To: PA 443 
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was a planned leapfrog. That means we skipped a section and jumped ahead. In this case it was 15 miles. Tomorrow we will continue with our leapfrog then we¢ll go back and pick it up on Sunday. It¢s nice slack packing, but planning drop-offs and pick-ups takes some creativity sometimes.  I will say, my back is feeling much better! Slack packing, meds(just finished them this morning), and the chiropractor have all been helping. I¢m grateful for that! Lookout Katahdin here I come!  The trail started out much like a Forest Service road today. I checked and rechecked my Guthook¢s app to make sure I was REALLY on trail. I was.  Early on we ran into a couple of NOBO¢s. This leapfrog thing let us see that there really are others out there! Today we met Sticks and Spills. They started at Springer on April 13. I felt a little more okay with my location knowing that. We came to a clearing in the woods near a view. There was a big log just the right height for a sit upon and a fanny. Two guys were there. I never caught their names, but they are brothers who are section hiking Pennsylvania. Hugs and I were both heading to the overlook when one of them warned us of a Copperhead. Yay!!! All I needed was a picture of a Copperhead to complete my photo mission. There it was!!! I sat on the log and had a piece of leftover pizza for lunch. Orange flavored Tang washed it down. With a full belly I took off for the last half of my hike. Rocksylvania reared it¢s head again! Somewhere on those rocks a familiar face showed up. It was Noteworthy! He stayed in a shelter with us just outside of Harpers Ferry. He plans to flip up to Katahdin after his hike today. We may see him somewhere up there again. Eventually the rocks became a narrow dirt path with lush green ferns on both sides. I watched a tiny toad hop into the ferns as I was walking towards it.  The path came down to a road crossing that eventually took me to an iron bridge. It was built in 1890 by the Berlin Iron Bridge Company. The craftsmanship was exemplary from the iron beams to the wooden walkway. There was one last little hill to go over before I reached Papa Big Swig. I had the pleasure of hiking through a rhododendron tunnel on the way. No blooms, but I loved the canopy.  Another great day! Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018) Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-08-11
From: PA rt 183

To: PA rt 645
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I didn¢t sleep much at all last night. When I finally did fall asleep a storm came rolling through. I love a storm, but my dog does not. She made sure we were all awake.  At first I thought today would be an unplanned zero. Hugs and I were both on board for that, but we knew we needed 10 more miles to make our weekly goal.  It has rained so much in Pennsylvania that last nights storm had turned the trail into a flowing creek. The first mile I hiked through water ranging from ankle deep to mid-shin deep. Needless to say my feet, socks, and boots were drenched all day.  There was a historical marker on the trail today. A local explained that I was hiking right on the borderline where the French & Indian War took place. The marker identified a site where a fort had been. It was used as a lookout for enemies. I¢ve enjoyed my history lessons along the way.  So Hugs and I very carefully made our way up the creek. We both had several missteps and near Falls. Hugs came up with a mission statement for the day ¢to stay upright¢. We both managed a fall free day!  Our lunch break was at a View today. It was located exactly on the 1200 mile mark. Don¢t get too excited, I¢m not really at 1200 miles yet. Remember I have to go back and make up that 15 mile gap from this week¢s leapfrog. I¢ll be doing that tomorrow. I¢ll also post my 1200 mile view tomorrow and celebrate!  After lunch the trail became pretty rocky. Rocks require much more attention, and wet rocks require laser focus! Hugs had the lead for a while. We kept our eyes down as we walked and talked. Our conversation turned to Big Kahuna. We sure do miss him.  Suddenly, without warning, there was a crack of lightning and a boom of thunder. Within seconds it was pouring rain. The thunder and lightning continued right along with it. I¢ve never had such a big storm just pop up from nowhere like that before!  We both put on our rain gear and continued UP. This storm hit just as the terrain changed from rocky to rockier. Undeterred, we stayed focused and climb right up to the top of that mountain amidst the storm. We are two tough women!  45 minutes later the sun was back out as though no storm had ever been. I came to a misty view where a very young Amish couple were sitting on the cliff looking out. I took a picture of the view then hiked down and through ferns and toads.  Wet boots will go back on tomorrow Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-08-13
From: Silver City Campground 

To: Silver City Campground 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up with back discomfort this morning. Our new campsite is only 1 mile from a local chiropractor. He saw me bright and early this morning.  It was pouring rain and Hugs had already suggested a zero anyway. We¢re past due for a day off. So here it is...an unplanned zero. We already have a zero planned for Wednesday or Thursday and it¢s still going to happen because of a needed REI trip. We¢ll have to figure out the mileage. Speaking of mileage, as of yesterday I am officially past 1,200 miles!!! Woot-Woot!!!  I¢m slow as molasses, but I¢m moving! Today¢s plan is to relax and ice my back for the rest of the day.  Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018) Where¢s your faith?