morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-07-06
From: WAYNESBORO

To: CALF MOUNTAIN SHELTER
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: scattered clouds

ATE AT MINGS AFTER THE SHOWER SHAVE LIBRARY POST OFFICE STOP. TRAIL ANGEL AT MINGS HELPED ME OUT WITH A RIDE TO THE OUTFITTER AND TO THE TRAILHEAD. THANKS FOR THE EXTRAS AS WELL. THE ONLY THING WRONG WITH THE SODA I TOOK WITH WAS IT HAD ZERO CALORIES, CARBS, AND SUGAR. IT WAS GOOD NONE THE LESS. I HAD A GOOD LAUGH. HIKED 7 MILES INTO THE CALF MOUNTAIN SHELTER AND FOUND LATE LUNCH HANGING OUT. MOMMA BEAR AND TWO CUBS RAN ACROSS MY PATH ON MY WAY THERE. IT WAS COMICAL TO TRY TO HANG OUR HEAVY FOOD BAGS AFTER STOPPING IN WAYNESBORO. LATE LUNCH CLIMBED THE POLE AND I HANDED THEM UP TO HIM. TOO HARD TO HANG IN THE DARK. HAD A NICE FIRE AND ENJOYED MY STAY.
Date: 2009-07-07
From: CALF MOUNTAIN SHELTER

To: BLACKROCK HUT
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

ARRIVED AT THE SHELTER TO FIND A SHELTER FULL OF YOUNG KIDS, ABOUT 15 OR SO WITH THE YOUNGEST 10 YEARS OLD DOING A THREE DAY HIKE. I THOUGHT THE SHELTER WAS FULL BUT THEY WERE TENTING UP THE HILL AND THERE WAS ROOM IN THE SHELTER. WATER WAS A SLOW SLOW TRICKLE HERE BUT I MANAGED TO FILL EVERY BOTTLE. I WENT OUT TO GATHER FIREWOOD. I PUSHED ON A DEAD TREE AND IT BROKE OFF BY SURPRISE. I WASN'T READY. I FOUND MYSELF FACE FIRST ON THE GROUND AFTER IT BROKE. I SCRAPED MY THIGH AND NEARLY HARPOONED MYSELF ON THE STUMP. WHOA, I WASN'T EXPECTING IT TO BREAK. IT BROKE ABOUT A FOOT AND A HALF OFF THE GROUND. I HAD A NICE FIRE. THIS WAS A ROUGH SECTION. I MET RUNNING CLEAR AND RABBIT FOR THE FIRST TIME. THEY JUST STARTED BACK ON THE TRAIL AFTER AN INJURY FORCED THEM OFF FOR A FEW WEEKS. I MET UP WITH LEMONHEAD WHO I HAVEN'T SEEN SINCE THE KINCORA HOSTEL. HE'S YELLOW BLAZING BLUE BLAZING AND ALL KINDS OF BLAZING. HE WOULD ARRIVE HERE AT THE SHELTER WITH WOBBLER WHO CLAIMS HE HAD GIRADIA BUT I DOUBT IT. HE SAID HE WASN'T TESTED FOR IT JUST GIVEN ANTIBIOTICS AND WAS ALL BETTER. BUT WHATEVER.
Date: 2009-07-08
From: BLACKROCK HUT

To: HIGHTOP HUT
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I WAS GONNA JUST DO THIRTEEN MILES TODAY BUT I FOUND OUT THE YOUNG KIDS WERE GONNA DO 21 MILES SO I SAID IF THEY'RE DOING 21 SO AM I. THEY PLAN ON HIKING ABOUT THREE HOURS IN THE DARK. THEY ARE LED BY THREE 20 YEAR OLDS WHO GET PAID TO HIKE WITH THE KIDS. THEY'RE A NICE GROUP, THE KIDS ARE WELL BEHAVED. I RAN INTO TURTLEBACK AT THE HIGHTOP SHELTER AS WELL AS THE ANGRY HIPPY AND HERB. THERE ARE SEVERAL OTHER SECTION HIKERS HERE. WE ALL HAD A GOOD CHAT. I GOT A FIRE GOING. NO ONE BELIEVED THE KIDS WERE GONNA MAKE IT BUT I WAS OPTIMISTIC. EVERYONE WENT TO BED AT ABOUT 9:45 AND I WANTED TO STOKE THE FIRE TO DRY MY SHIRTS OUT. I SAW TWO LIGHTS OUT IN THE WOODS THEN THEY WERE GONE. I HIKED DOWN THE TRAIL UNDER HEADLAMP TO GET SOME WOOD AND NOT MAKE NOISE AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE PARADE OF LIGHTS CAME HIKING IN. IT WAS THE KIDS. GOOD JOB I SAID, NEED WATER, HELP SETTING UP, I WILL GIVE YOU A HAND. THEY HAD IT UNDER CONTROL. I TOLD THEM MOST CAMPSITES WERE TAKEN AND DON'T WORRY ABOUT WAKING EVERYONE UP THEY ALL JUST WENT TO BED. THEY SET UP THEIR TARPS AND WERE QUICK TO BED. NICELY DONE GUYS. STAYED UP, DRIED MY STUFF AND CLIMBED INTO MY SLEEPING BAG.
Date: 2009-07-09
From: BLACKROCK HUT

To: BIG MEADOWS CAMPGROUND
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: light rain

I WAS ONLY GONNA DO 13 MILES TODAY BUT I WAS HIKING WITH RABBIT AND RUNNING CLEAR. I FOLLOWED THEM. WE WERE ALL GONNA STOP AT THE NEXT HUT BUT WHEN WE GOT TO THE MARKER RUNNING CLEAR DIDN'T READ THE MARKER CORRECTLY AND WE PASSED UP THE HUT AND THEN WE HAD TO HIKE ANOTHER SEVEN MILES TO THE BIG MEADOWS CAMPGROUND. I WOULD SEE SEVERAL BEARS RIGHT BEFORE WE ARRIVED AT THE CAMPGROUND. WE SHARED A CAMPSITE AT BIG MEADOWS. THE TOURISTS ARE PILING IN HERE GETTING READY FOR A WEEKEND OF CAMPING HERE IN THE SHENADOAH NATIONAL PARK. I MET UP WITH SARGE AND JADE AND CHARLIE THE CHEF. I CAUGHT UP TO THEM HERE. THEY STAYED WITH US AT THE CAMPSITE AS WELL. SARGE AND I WOULD HIKE UP TO THE CAMPSTORE AND GET A FEW SUPPLIES. I WOULD LATER GET A WARM SHOWER HERE AT THE CAMPGROUND. A SKUNK ROAMING AROUND AT OUR CAMPSITE ABOUT SPRAYED JADE. A DEER WALKED OVER MY HEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT WHILE I WAS TENTING.
Date: 2009-07-10
From: BIG MEADOWS CAMPGROUND

To: BIRDS NEST #3 HUT
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I GOT UP EARLY BEFORE THE SUN CAME OUT AND TOOK MY LAUNDRY UP WASH. I PUT MY LAUNDRY IN THE MACHINE AND POURED MY SOAP IN. I THEN WENT TO GET CHANGE FOR MY BILLS. THE COIN MACHINE ISN'T WORKING. I KICK THE COIN MACHINE. THEN I TOSS A TRASH CAN. THEN IT DAWNS ON ME. I GO OVER TO THE POP MACHINE AND PUT IN MY DOLLAR BILL AND HIT COIN RETURN AND WALLA. 4 QUARTERS. I DID THAT A FEW TIMES AND WAS ABLE TO DO MY LAUNDRY. I ALSO TOOK ANOTHER HOT SHOWER. I FINISH UP AND HEAD BACK TO MY TENT. THE OTHERS ARE JUST GETTING UP. I PACK UP MY THINGS AND SAY MY GOODBYES. RABBIT AND RUNNING CLEAR HAD PREVIOUSLY PLANNED ON MEETING SOME FRIENDS AND CAMPING A NIGHT IN SHENADOAH NATIONAL PARK. I TOLD THEM I WOULD SEE THEM UP THE TRAIL IN A FEW DAYS WHEN THEY CATCH ME. I WOULD HIKE OFF AND RUN INTO FRENCHIE FOR THE FIRST TIME AT THE ROCK SPRING HUT ENTRANCE. I WOULD ASK HIM WHO WAS AT THE SHELTER AND THEN HIKE WITH HIM FOR A MOMENT BEFORE I TOLD HIM I WAS GONNA TAKE A BREAK AND I WOULD SEE HIM UP THE TRAIL. I HIKED ON CROSSING SKYLINE DRIVE NUMEROUS TIMES AND WOULD HIKE TO THE STONY MAN CLIFFS AND THE HIGHEST POINT ON THE TRAIL IN SHENADOAH NATIONAL PARK. I TOOK A FEW PICTURES UP ON STONY MAN CLIFFS. IT WAS A NICE VIEW STANDING ON THOSE CLIFFS. I THEN HIKED ON. IT WAS A LONG DAYS HIKE AND I WOULD FEEL IT. I KNEW I HAD A WAYS TO GO. I ARRIVED AT WHAT I THINK IS THE BYRDS NEST PICNIC SHELTER. I KNOW I CANT STAY THERE SO I HIKE ON. I HIKE ON KNOWING MY DAY IS NOT OVER. I GOT A WAYS TO GO. ALL OF A SUDDEN I ARRIVE AT A STRUCTURE. I FIND A REGISTER IN IT. IT SAY S ITS THE BYRDS NEST HUT. I SAY TO MYSELF, OH NO, I HAVE A LOT FURTHER TO GO. I FIND OUT THAT THEY TURNED THIS SHELTER INTO A HUT AND I WAS ALLOWED TO STAY HERE. AN OASIS IN THE WOODS. WHAT A GREAT PLACE ALTHOUGH THE WATER SOURCE WAS SO FAR DOWN A HILL. I'M SURPRISED. I'M ALSO RELIEVED. NOW I HAVE TO DECIDE WHAT TO DO. SHOULD I HIKE ON ANOTHER 4 MILES FOR A FEW MORE HOURS. I DECIDE THAT THIS IS SUCH A NICE SHELTER AND I'M BEAT. I'M STAYING. LATER THAT EVENING I MEET ZEN DAWG FOR THE FIRST TIME. HE DECIDES THAT THERE IS STILL DAYLIGHT AND DECIDES TO HIKE ON. SHORTLY AFTER A LOCAL COUPLE DAY HIKING SHOW UP HIKING SOUTH. THEY TELL ME ABOUT THIS NEW HUT. THEY ALSO TELL ME ABOUT BEAR ISSUES HERE AND THEN HIKED ON. LATER ON CHARLIE THE CHEF, SARGE AND JADE HIKE ON IN. SARGE SAWS ALL THE WOOD I HAD GATHERED AND WE HAVE A NICE FIRE. A SECTION HIKER NAMED CARTOON HIKES ON UP AND THE FOUR OF US STAY THE NIGHT. THIS WAS A PEACEFUL EVENING AND A MUCH NEEDED BREAK. LOVED THIS PLACE. THIS WAS A PLEASANT SURPRISE. THE LITTLE STONY MOUNTAIN CLIFFS EARLIER IN THE DAY WERE SPECTACULAR. WHAT A VIEW.
Date: 2009-07-12
From: GRAVEL SPRINGS HUT

To: JIM AND MOLLY DENTON SHELTER
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: broken clouds

I HIKE OUT OF THE WOODS AND I GET TO THE ROAD THAT GOES TO FRONT ROYAL. I CROSS THE ROAD TAKE MY BACKPACK OFF AND SIT DOWN AND LOOK AT MY HANDBOOK. I THEN SEE A JEEP PULL UP ACROSS THE STREET. I LOOK AT MY HANDBOOK AND AFTER A WHILE I LOOK UP AND SEE THE CHINESE TOURIST HOP OUT OF THE JEEP. HE YELLS FLETCH. OH WOW. ITS BEEN CLOSE TO 400 MILES SINCE I LAST SEEN HIM. HE OFFERS ME SOME LEFT OVER PIZZA THEY HAD IN THE BACKSEAT OF THE JEEP. THAT PIZZA HELPED OUT. HOPE YOU AND YOUR GIRLFRIEND HAD A GREAT TIME IN FRONT ROYAL. I MEET HIS GIRLFRIEND AGAIN AND SAY GOODBYE AND THEN HIKE ON. FULL OF BOY SCOUTS. SHELTER WAS FULL AND CROWDED WITH SOUTHBOUNDERS BOYSCOUTS AND SECTION HIKERS. NICE SHELTER, DIDNT USE THE SOLAR SHOWER, TOO COLD FOR ME. NICE TO BE ABLE TO GET WATER HERE. SARGE,JADE, AND CHARLIE THE CHEF, ZEN DOG, AND SOMEONE ELSE I WILL HAVE TO REMEMBER ARE HERE. CAUGHT UP TO ZENDOG AFTER HE STOPPED IN FRONT ROYAL.
Date: 2009-07-13
From: JIM AND MOLLY DENTON SHELTER

To: ROD HOLLOW SHELTER
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: scattered clouds

LONG DAY BUT DID A GREAT JOB. I STOPPED AT THE MANASSAS GAP SHELTER AND MET THE SODFATHER WHO TRADED ME SOME CHOCOLATE FOR SOME DEHYDRATED REFRIED BEANS. HE HEATED SOME WATER AND OFFERED ME SOME COFFEE. I DECIDED THAT WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA. WE HUNG OUT AND I HAD A CUP OF COFFEE. I STOPPED AT THE DICKS DOME SHELTER NEXT FOR A LUNCH BREAK AND ZENDAWG ARRIVED AND HAD LUNCH AS WELL. THE CHINESE TOURIST STOPPED IN TO GET WATER. I WOULD THEN HIKE OFF TO THE ROD HOLLOW SHELTER FOR THE NIGHT. I GOT LOTS OF PICTURES. ARRIVED AT THE ROD HOLLOW SHLETER TO FIND SARGE AND JADE AND CHARLIE THE CHEF HAD HITCHED UP THE TRAIL AGAIN HERE. I STARTED SEEING DOG PRINTS AGAIN AND WHEN I GOT TO THE TRAIL CROSSING I REMEMBER THE CHINESE TOURIST SAYING HE WAS GONNA GO TO THE NEXT SHELTER. I DEBATED FOR A MOMENT THEN DECIDED TO HIKE TO THE SHELTER. I GOT HALF WAY THERE AND STARTED CROSSING A STREAM. I SLIPPED AND ONE FOOT WENT IN. I THEN SAID THAT MAKES UP MY MIND AS I WOULD NOT WANT TO HIKE ANY MORE TODAY. I GET TO THE SHELTER TO FIND BOTH SARGE AND CHARLIE THE CHEF. THEY TELL ME THEY WERE THINKING I WAS ABOUT DUE TO SHOW UP. CHARLIE THE CHEF TOSSES ME A PIECE OF CANDY. I MET WALKING HOME AND SON AS THEY WOULD GET HERE LATER IN THE EVENING. ZENDOG IS HERE AND THE CHINESE TOURIST HIKES IN AND DECIDES TO STAY. THE SODFATHER WHO I HAD MET EARLIER IN THE DAY HIKE IN. A SHELTER FULL OF THRU HIKERS. WHAT A GREAT TIME WE HAD. WE ALL CELEBRATED. CHINESE TOURIST THANKS FOR THE TRAIL MAGIC. NICE TO CATCH UP TO YOU YESTERDAY.
Date: 2009-07-14
From: ROD HOLLOW SHELTER

To: BEARS DEN HOSTEL
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: scattered clouds

BOILING SPRINGS IS WHERE I WILL PICK UP MAIL IN ABOUT A WEEK. INTERNET IS REALLY SLOW HERE SO UPDATE IS NEAR IMPOSSIBLE. I WILL TRY AGAIN IN HARPERS FERRY. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL THE TRAIL ANGELS ALONG THE WAY. YOU'VE BEEN A BIG HELP. NICE TO MEET SUCH FRIENDLY PEOPLE ALONG THE WAY AS WELL. THE BEARS DEN WAS CERTAINLY AN AMAZING PLACE. MET A LOT OF NEW FACES THAT COME UP BEHIND ME. THIS HAS BEEN A WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE. MET HOT CHOCOLATE, MEMO, AND FATHER HERE.
Date: 2009-07-15
From: BEARS DEN HOSTEL

To: HARPERS FERRY
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: clear sky

IM IN HARPERS FERRY. IM BROKE BUT SOLDIERING ON. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME ON JULY 28TH I WILL BE 41. THE ROCKS WERE BRUTAL IN THAT SECTION BUT BEAUTIFUL. I WILL TRY TO UPDATE LATER, IM HEADING UP THE TRAIL TO A FREE SHOWER AND CAMPSITE 17 MILES FROM HERE. ITS 10 OCLOCK. IM THRU HIKER 680 I THINK. THANKS TO ALL WHO HAVE SHARED THEIR EXPERIENCE WITH ME, ITS BEEN A PLEASURE. NEXT STOP BOILING SPRINGS, LOOKING FOR MY MAILDROP THERE.
Date: 2009-07-21
From: ALEX KENNEDY SHELTER

To: COVE MOUNTAIN SHELTER
Miles today: 25.5
Weather: broken clouds

THANKS BECKY. THAT WILL HELP SO MUCH YOU COULDNT EVEN IMAGINE HOW MUCH. IM STILL MOVING NORTH 65 POUND PACK ONCE AGAIN. THANKS DAD. COVE MOUNTAIN WAS TOUGH. GOTTA RUN INTERNET IS IN HIGH DEMAND FLETCH OUT
Date: 2009-07-25
From: 501 SHELTER

To: PORT CLINTON
Miles today: 23.7
Weather: light rain

PUSHED ON TO PORT CLINTON. HEADED OUT EARLY ABOUT 7 AM. PASSED UP MANY NAMES AND LAKE 2 LAKE AFTER GETTING IN A GROOVE. LONG DAY AHEAD, GOT TO GET THE MILES IN. THIS WAS A PRETTY SECTION AS I MOTORED ON. CAUGHT UP TO RABBIT AND RUNNING CLEAR. TRAVELED WITH THEM TILL LUNCH. HOT CHOCOLATE CAUGHT UP STOPPED HAD A SNACK AND MOTORED ON. MANY NAMES AND LAKE 2 LAKE KNOWN AS THE HIKING POLES PUSHED ON. WENT ON AND STOPPED FOR A BATHROOM BREAK, TOLD THEM I WOULD CATCH UP. SAW THE HIKING POLES EATING LUNCH AT THE SAND SPRING TRAIL AND TOOK A PICTURE, THEY LOOKED SO CUTE SITTING THERE. PUSHED ON AND WENT BY THE NEXT SHELTER AND AFTER AWHILE HOT CHOCOLATE CAME FROM BEHIND. WE CHATTED AND HIKED TOGETHER TILL WE MET UP WITH RABBIT AND RUNNING CLEAR. THE ROCKS WERE BRUTAL TODAY AND TOOK A TOLL ON MY FEET. I MOTORED DOWN TO THE ROAD AT PORT CLINTON WHICH WAS REALLY STEEP, MORE LIKE STEPS. MET TIMBER AND LEPRACHAN THE 2ND, YES TWO LEPRECHANS ON THE TRAIL. THEY WERE HEADING TO A TACO BELL AS SOON AS THEY COULD BIND ONE. THATS WHEN ME HOT CHOCOLATE, RABBIT AND RUNNING CLEAR MET UP AND HIKED INTO TOWN. STOPPED AT THE OUTFITTER THE YE OLE BACKPACKER. GOT TWO FUDGICLES AND A CANISTER OF FUEL. THEY TOLD ME I HAD A UBER PACK AND WHY HASNT IT FAILED YET. BE PREPARED FOR IT TO FAIL. HEY THANKS YOU JERKS, THATS WHAT I WANTED TO HEAR. PICKED UP MY MAIL DROPS WHICH I HAD GOT THEM TO GET AT THE POST OFFICE. THEY SAID I WAS LUCKY I GOT THEM. ONCE AGAIN. JERKS. I THOUGHT THEY WOULD WANT ME TO COME TO THEIR STORE. AFTER HEADING INTO THE FREE CAMPING AT THE PAVILION WE FOUND THAT CABELAS WILL COME GET YA FOR FREE FROM HAMBURG AND SHUTTLE YOU TO AND FROM THERE. THERE IS FAST FOOD AND SUCH THERE. MORE ABOUT THAT LATER.
Date: 2009-07-26
From: PORT CLINTON

To: ECKVILLE SHELTER
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: moderate rain

HEADED OUT OF PORT CLINTON AFTER DISCOVERING A DEEP BLISTER ON MY LEFT FOOT I CANT GET TO. PACK IS WAY HEAVY. AFTER HIKING OUT OF TOWN I FOUND THE OUTFITTER SOLD ME A CANISTER OF FUEL THAT DIDNT FIT MY STOVE. YE OLE BACKPACKER SHOULD OF BEEN NAMED THE OLE CRAP PACKER. AFTER FINDING OUT, I STORMED OFF KNOWING I MIGHT FIND A DOZEN CANISTERS IN THE NEXT SHELTER. HOT CHOCOLATE MADE THAT MISTAKE AS WELL BUT WAS ABLE TO RETURN HIS BEFORE HE LEFT TOWN. GUESS WHAT I FOUND IN THE NEXT SHELTER I STOPPED AT. ANOTHER ONE OF THOSE FULL CANISTERS. I LEFT PRT CLINTON ONLY TO HAVE IT RAIN ON ME BRIEFLY AND I PUT ON MY RAIN GEAR. AFTER HEADING UP THAT MOUNTAIN IT STOPPED SO I CHANGED OUT OF IT. IT STARTED TO RAIN BEFORE THE NEXT SHELTER SO I STOPPED TO TAKE A BREAK AND WAIT IT OUT. THE SUN CAME OUT AND I HEADED ON. BOY DID MY FOOT HURT THAT DAY. ARRIVED AT THE ECKVILLE SHELTER AND BOY DID THIS DAY SEEM LONG. CHINESE TOURIST, SON, MANY NAMES AND WIFE LAKE 2 LAKE SHOWED UP. THEN BURNING MAN, PHOENIX RISING. RUFIO PUSHED ON. THE CHINESE TOURIST AND SON DECIDED TO STAY DUE TO A WEATHER FORMING UP. CHINESE TOURIST TALKED THE CARETAKER INTO HEADING INOT TOWN TO GET ICE CREAM, SODA, CHIPS, CHOCOLATE MILK AND WE JUST CHOWED DOWN. WHAT A GREAT EVENING.
Date: 2009-07-27
From: ECKVILLE SHELTER

To: PALMERTON
Miles today: 25.1

HEADED UP OVER THE CLIFFS, KNIFES EDGE, BEAR ROCKS AND BACK OVEN KNOB, WATER WAS REALLY SCARCE AND I MADE IT BARELY WITH JUST A HALF A LITER. SUFFERED SEVERE CHAFFING. THE ROCKS WE CLIMBED WERE QUITE AMAZING. RUNNING CLEAR AND RABBIT WANTED TO GET ME TO PALMERTON FOR MY BIRTHDAY SO THEY COULD BUY ME DINNER. WHAT A GREAT NIGHT. NOT ONLY DID I EAT A LOT OF CHINESE FOOD. AFTER MAKING A PHONE CALL TO RUTH, AND MY MOM. I GOT INTO THE BAR ONLY TO HAVE THE WHOLE BAR SING ME HAPPY BIRTHDAY WITH CHEESECAKE WAITING FOR ME. WHAT A SPLENDID EVENING.
Date: 2009-07-28
From: COVE MOUNTAIN SHELTER

To: PALMERTON
Miles today: 0.0

SPENDING MY BIRTHDAY IN PALMERTON PA. THERE IS A LOT OF THRU HIKERS WHO HAVE MET UP HERE AND WE ARE ALL FAMILY. PLANNING ON LEAVING MAYBE FIRST THING IN THE MORNING TO TACKLE THE HARDEST CLIMB SOUTH OF NH. TOO MANY PEOPLE HEADING UP TO THE SHELTER WHICH ONLY HOLDS EIGHT. MAY LET THE BUBBLE BURST SOME BUT HAVE GREAT COMPANY HERE. PALMERTON ROCKS AND IS DEFINATELY A GREAT HIKER FRIENDLY TOWN. MAIL DROP WILL BE UNIONVILLE NY IN ABOUT A WEEK. TONS MORE PICTURES MAYBE LATER TONIGHT.P.S. THANKS FOR THOSE WHO DONATED TO MY TRIP TO HELP ME GET TO MAINE. THANKS DAD, KRIS, AND REBECCA. THANKS FOR THE MAIL DROPS AS WELL RUTH, MOM, AND KRIS. THAT HELPS AND I CERTAINLY APPRECIATE IT. THANKS TO ALL THE TRAIL ANGELS ALONG THE WAY. SHOUT OUT TO EARLYRIZER AND ICEY. THANKS FOR THE MAGIC. THAT WAS A FUN SECTION THRU DALEVILLE. ANY TRAIL ANGEL WHO WISHES TO HELP MAY DO SO BY EITHER MAIL DROPS OR DONATING TO MYPAYPAL FLETCH68@NETZERO.NET TO HELP ME GET NORTH. THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL YOUR HELP. MOVING NORTH TOMMORROW IN THE WICKED WEATHER. FLETCH OUT
Date: 2009-07-29
From: PALMERTON

To: WOLF ROCKS
Miles today: 15.6

TORNADO IN POCONO. WET SLEEPING BAG AND WET TENT. THE HIKING POLES AND RABBIT AND RUNNING CLEAR SAID THEY WERE PROBABLY GONNA SPLIT A MOTEL WITH ME TO SAVE MONEY AND SO I HIKED PAST THE SHLETER AND I THINK I DID 20 MILES. I WILL HAVE TO RE CHECK THAT. FOUND MYSELF WITHOUT A HOME WHEN THEY WENT ON TO DO 31. I SHOULD OF STAYED BACK AT THAT SHELTER. GUESS THE TORNADO WAS CLOSE BY. MY TENT COLASPED ON ME.
Date: 2009-07-30
From: WOLF ROCKS

To: DELAWARE WATER GAP
Miles today: 20.4
Weather: broken clouds

POT LUCK AND TRAIL MAGIC. THANKS JIMMY FOR ALL THE TRAIL MAGIC. I MET JIMMY RIGHT DOWN THE TRAIL ALMOST AT THE HOSTEL. HE GAVE ME SO MUCH FOOD TO TAKE WITH ME AS WELL AS MAKING ME SANDWICHES AND GAVE ME SOME DRINKS. HEAVEN. NICE GUY. NICE BMW CONVERSION. THAT HELPED ME OUT SO MUCH. WHEN I ARRIVED AT THE HOSTEL TURNS OUT THAT THE TOWN FOLK BRING A POT LUCK FOR HIKERS EVERY THURSDAY NIGHT IN A ALL YOU CAN EAT STYLE ATMOSPHERE. THEY WANT HIKERS TO MINGLE WITH THE PERISHONERS. THE FOOD WAS GREAT. LOTS AND LOTS OF IT. GOT LUCKY. THEY TOLD ME A F2 TORNADO TOUCHED DOWN CLOSE TO WHERE I CAMPED OUT LAST NIGHT AFTER BEING LEFT OUT ON WOLF ROCKS IN THE COLD. DRIED OUT MY TENT AND SLEEPING BAG.
Date: 2009-08-01
From: HOSTEL

To: BLUE MOUNTAIN LAKES ROAD
Miles today: 17.8

SHELTER IS SPACED 25 MILES SO I TRIED BUT DECIDED TO HIKE .8 OF A MILE OFF THE TRAIL TO THE OLD YMCA CAMP. THEY HAVE A FEW SHELTER THAT ARE RUN DOWN BUT I DIDNT HAVE IT IN ME TO DO 25 ON THIS SCORCHING HOT DAY. CLIMBED THE CATFISH FIRE TOWER ONLY TO FIND I WAS TRESPASSING WHEN I GOT DOWN. MET ALOT OF PEOPLE ALONG THE WAY. IM IN YANKEE COUNTRY NOW.
Date: 2009-08-02
From: BLUE MOUNTAIN LAKES ROAD

To: KEN ETIWA PEC
Miles today: 0.0

ZEROED BECAUSE IT WAS RAINING WHEN I WOKE. THE SHELTER I HAD PICKED OUT OF THE TWO BEGAN TO LEAK REALLY BAD SO I SWITCHED TO THE OTHER ONE AFTER I MOVED EVERY BUNK AROUND AND STOOD THEM UP ONLY TO FIND IT DRIPPING ON MY FOREHEAD. THE OTHER SHELTER LOOKED WORSE BUT LEAKED LESS. I FOUND ANOTHER USE FOR SEAM SEALER. THE SCREENED IN SHELTERS SCREEN WASNT ATTACHED SO I ATTACHED IT WITH SEAM SEALER. ERIC SHOWED UP, NICE GUY, WET AS CAN BE AND MISERABLE AFTER HIKING IN THE RAIN. HE GAVE ME HIS FOUR CLIFF BARS CAUSE HE DIDNT LIKE THEM. LOOKS LIKE HE CARRIES A HEAVY PACK AS WELL.
Date: 2009-08-03
From: KEN ETIWA PEC

To: RUTHERFOOD SHELTER
Miles today: 22.3
Weather: broken clouds

LEFT ABOUT 7:30 AND HIKED IN A BEAUTIFUL DAY ALL THE WAY TO THE RUTHERFOOD SHELTER. THE MOSQUITOS DIVE BOMBED ME SO BAD ABOUT AT THE BRINK SHELTER THAT THERE WAS ABOUT 20 OR SO ON ME AT ONCE. I HAD TO DROP PACK AND RUSH TO THE DEET. THATS THE WORST I EVER BEEN HIT BY MOSQUITOS. IT HAPPENED TWICE THAT DAY. THAT IS THE WORST FEELING. THE RUTHERFORD SHELTER WAS PRETTY BAD AS WELL. HAD TO BUNDLE UP IN MY BAG AND SPRAY 100 PERCENT DEET ON ME. STOPED AT A PLACE JUST OFF THE TRAIL AT A ROAD CROSSING IN KITTANY CALLED JOE TO GO AND GOT ME TWO HAM AND EGG SANDWICHES WITH FREE COFEES FOR 2.99 EACH. TWO DONUTS FOR A BUCK A PIECE AND A SODA AT .75 CENTS. HE HOLLERED AT ME FOR BRINGING MY PACK INSIDE AND NOT PUTTING IT ON THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING. GUESS THE FRONT WASNT GOOD ENOUGH. GREAT SANDWICHES THO. MILK WAS 1.50 A PINT AND GATORADE WAS 2.00 FOR A SMALL ONE SO I PASSED ON THEM. OFF I WENT. STARTED TO SEE TICKS AGAIN EARLIER IN THE DAY. WATER IS FAR IN BETWEEN. SCARCE RESOURCE HERE IN NEW JERSEY. GUESS NEW JERSEY HAS MORE BEARS PER MILE THAN ANY OTHER STATE. SEEN ONE THE OTHER DAY BY THE LAKE AS WELL AS A DEER AND A BEAVER. THE BEAVER WAS ABOUT 2 FEET AWAY FROM ME. INTERESTING CRITTER.DREAMCATCHER HAD PASSED ME BY IN THE MORNING WHILE I WAS AT THE BLUE MOUNTAIN ROAD AND ARRIVED 15 MINUTES BEFORE ME. IT WAS JUST HER AND I WHEN I WAS ACTUALLY EXPECTING BURNING MAN BUTTCHINZ AND BIG CAMERA. THEY NEVER MADE IT.
Date: 2009-08-04
From: RUTHERFOOD SHELTER

To: UNIONVILLE NEW YORK
Miles today: 11.4

GOT A EARLY START AND HIKED WHAT WAS HORRIBLE TRAIL CONDITIONS DOWN LOW BUT THE HIGH GROUND WAS GREAT. THE VETERANS MONUMENT LOOKED AWESOME AT THE HIGHEST POINT IN NEW JERSEY. I WAS FEELING LIKE I COULDNT GO ON ANYMORE TODAY AND JUST FELT LIKE GETTING OFF THE TRAIL WHEN I GOT STUNG BY A BEE OR SOMETHING IN THE LEG. BOY DID THAT HURT. GLAD THAT WASNT A SNAKE. TOOK MY MIND OFF OF WANTED TO ABANDON THE TRAIL. THE HIKING CONDITIONS WERE SWAMPY AS I HAD TO NAVIGATE THROUGH MUD AND FLOODED TRAILS. I DONT KNOW WHY THEY WOULD CALL THAT A TRAIL DOWN THERE. A TORNADO HIT THAT AREA AND KNOCKED DOZENS AND DOZENS OF TREE DOWN. BIG ONES WHICH WERE CUT UP YESTERDAY. IM AT THE MAYORS HOUSE IN UNIONVILLE AND I'M LOVING IT HERE. THIS MAY BE EXACTLY WHAT I NEED. A SHOWER LAUNDRY INTERNET AND A BUNK. FREE DINNER AND BREAKFAST AND SODAS ARE FREE. MAY ZERO HERE TO REGROUP AGAIN. THE FOOD DOWN AT THE STORE IS SO OVER PRICED THE MAYOR MAY TAKE ME INTO A NEARBY TOWN TO A WALMART. A BOX OF CEREAL IS ALMOST 5 BUCKS. SODA IS 1.00 A CAN. A SNACK CAKE IS 1.39. A FOOT LONG SUB IS ALMOST TEN BUCKS. IM REALLY FRUGAL. JUST KNORR SIDES ARE WHAT I PLAN ON BUYING. THEY'RE ABOUT 1.75 THERE. MAYBE I CAN GET TO A WAL MART AND BUY THE 88 CENT ONES. I MOSTLY EAT THEM AT NIGHT AND OATMEAL IN THE MORNING. DONT EAT LUNCH JUST SNACKS IF I HAVE THEM. CRACKERS PACKS ARE .89 CENTS A PACKAGE. IM HUNGRY ALL THE TIME. MY LEGS NOW ARE WORKING AT MACHINE LEVEL ACCORDING TO MY BOOK. GLAD TO BE AT THE MAYORS HOUSE. DINNER WAS GREAT. INTERESTING NIGHT SO FAR. MANY HAVE CAUGHT UP TO ME AGAIN DO TO MY ZERO'S. WENT TO THE BAR DOWN THE STREET JUST TO SEE IF THEY HAD ANYTHING TO EAT CAUSE IM STARVING. TURNS OUT THEY HAVE A GREAT BROCCOLI HAM CHEESE CASSEROLE FOR 4.95 AND IT WAS A LARGE PLATE FULL. GUESS THE BAR WAS OPEN AFTER ALL. MY BOOK SAID IT CLOSED AT NINE. TWO INTOXICATED GALS WERE SHOUTING OUT SUGGESTING THE COUNTRY FRIED STEAK DINNER BUT THE BARTENDER SAID THE CASSEROLE WAS A HEALTHY AND FILLING PORTION. AFTER THE TWO GALS LEFT SHE FED ME THE DINNER AND I MUST SAY IT WAS A LARGE PORTION. A FEW LOCALS SHOWED UP AND I HAD SOME CONVERSATION AND BEFORE I LEFT I WAS GIVEN THE DINNER FOR FREE BY THE BARTENDER AND A GREAT CARE PACKAGE TO GO. AHHH THE TRAIL MAGIC. ENJOYED MY CONVERSATION WITH THE BARTENDER LADY, THE NEW YORK FIREMAN, THE COLLEGE STUDENT, AND TONY THE AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN. LEFT ABOUT MIDNIGHT. ITS WEIRD HOW A DOWN DAY WILL TURN INTO A GREAT DAY AS TIME ROLLS ON. THE MAYOR REQUIRES ALL TO WATCH A VIDEO OF BRITAINS GOT TALENT OF A OPERA SINGER NAMED PAUL POTTS SING HIS AUDITION OF NESSUM DORMA AND A VIDEO OF A 60 YEAR OLD WHO HIKED THE TRAIL A YEAR OR SO AGO. HE WANTS US TO REMEMBER THE SAYING "VINCERO" WHICH MEANS "I WILL WIN" OR "I SHALL WIN".P.S. HEY RAMBLE ON. SEE YA UP THE TRAIL. PLEASURE TO MEET YA. SEE YA SOON IM SURE. FLETCH OUTP.S.S. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA
Date: 2009-08-05
From: UNIONVILLE NEW YORK

To: MAYORS HOUSE
Miles today: 0.0

GRANDMA IS ILL AND HOSPITIZED I'M WISHING FOR THE BEST BUT I KNOW THE SITUATION. I WAS HOPING TO GET TO NEW HAMPSHIRE BEFORE THIS HAPPENED. I HOPE YOUR DOING OK. LETS HOPE FOR THE BEST. HAD A SANDWICH DOWN AT THE DELI AND IT WAS A GOOD ONE. WALKED TO THE POST OFFICE WHICH IS WITHIN WALKING DISTANCE. ENJOYED MY DAY OFF. IVE EATEN SO MUCH FOOD HERE I COULDNT EAT ANOTHER BITE. THE HOSPITALITY OF THE MAYOR, BILL, AND THE OLD MAN WHO'S A DIE HARD YANKEE FAN WERE SPECTACULAR.
Date: 2009-08-06
From: MAYORS HOUSE

To: WAWAYANDA SHELTER
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: clear sky

LONG TREK TODAY, STOPPED IN AT THE FRUIT STAND ON NJ 94 THEN IT WAS UP, UP AND UP TO WAYANDA MOUNTAIN. DANG THAT WAS QUITE THE CLIMB. MET SOME GREAT FOLKS ALONG THE WAY.