morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-06-26
From: Bears Den Hostel

To: David Lesser Memorial Shelter
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: few clouds

1009.4 miles                                                   6//26/05 Sunday                                                            Day 74 Sunny & Hot   "Pizza Makes A Great Breakfast"Good night of sleep. Very comfortable bunkbeds. Got myself a frozen pizza for breakfast and yes it did taste great. Said goodbye to Drifter and Bear Can they were going to hike 20 plus miles to Harpers Ferry. Bear Can is taking a few days off and go to Washington D.C. Drifter is done. I have a short day today and that is o/k. After the long roller coaster hike yesterday a easier day is o/k. Hiking today was good. It is still in the high 90' for temperature and humid. The heat and I don't get along to well. If you stop to take a break the bugs are all over you so I try to just keep walking. Not much to see today in the woods most of the day. We did cross into West Virginia then back to Virginia again a few times today. No animals-have'nt seen many deer since the SNP. Got to the shelter late today but I did not leave the hostel until 12:30 p.m. At the shelter the water was 1/2 a mile away all down hilltoo. I miss Lightning he usually gets the water for us at the end of the day. Lightning did sign the shelter register at 12:33 a.m. So he is off to do the challenge.         Good luck we hit 1000 miles today.
Date: 2005-06-27
From: David Lesser Memorial Shelter

To: Ed Garvey Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: broken clouds

1025.2 miles                                                   6/27/05 Monday                                                            Day 75 Sunny & Hot   "Bugs Do Bug You!!"O/K night of sleep once I set up my tent in the shelter. It kept the bugs off of me. Out early as possible. Lots of chores to do in town and I got to find a icecream shop. Today is Tomatoe Heads last day. He is going home also. I know of two other hikers that has had as much as they can take. They say that we are down to about 25 to 30% of all the hikers that started out on Springer. Got to town around lunch time easy hike in. We did hike near the Shenandoah River today. Got lunch-went to the outfitters to do some shopping [Thank you EMS]. Found the Appalachian Trail Conference Office building to pick up my drop box. Called home to talk to Sister Buzz. I felt bad I could not talk to long. Off to find the post office so I can send our bounce box ahead. Got there just in time they were closing. Got my icecream and headed out of town. Had 7 miles to go to the shelter and it was already 5:00 p.m. When I got to the shelter there was a group of boy scouts and they were feeding all the hikers. A great treat to end the day.
Date: 2005-06-28
From: Ed Garvey Shelter

To: I 70 Greenbriar Campground
Miles today: 16.0

1041.2 miles                                                   6/28/05 Tusday                                                               Day 76 Sunny-Hot   "Washington Was Our First President"   O/K night of sleep-It is still hot and humid at night on the trail at 8:30. 4 miles to Campton Gap and yes they have a soda machine I can taste the root beer already. A few ups and downs not bad. I did enjoy seeing a lot of Cival war history stuff today. They have done a nice job showing where the battles were and the history of the battle. Also today passed by a rock tower the towns people built as a memorial for George Washington. Did see a deer and fawn today which I had not seen in a while. The trails are getting more and more too empty. I think a lot of hikers have dropped out. Saw two guys today that are going home. They said they have had enough of the trail life. Water today was hard to get. We are not getting the rain. I hate to say it but we do need some rain. Tonight we were going to stay at Pine Knob Shelter. Got there to find out they closed the shelter. I guess a racoon chased and bit someone and they have not found the racoon yet. So tonight we are staying at a local camp ground. Life is good in Maryland about 20 miles till we get to PA.   Camping with Snot Rag and Lite Foot tonight.
Date: 2005-06-29
From: I 70 Greenbriar Campground

To: Devils Race Course Shelter
Miles today: 13.6

1054.8 miles                                                6/29/05 Wednesday                                                            Day 77 Sunny & Hot Good night of sleep. Only one thing at 7:45 a.m. they decided to mow the grass so up early. Took my time getting packed up. I had a 2 plus mile hike just to get to the trail then 13 plus miles to the shelter. Just the average walk up and down through the woods. Had a lot of rocks on some of the ridges. Saw a few day hikers. There is a lot of them hikers that have gone home more than anyone could know. Today is day 77 and by far it is the hardest thing missing my loved ones. The days and miles are going by very fast. Today Lite Foot is going home for a few days so it is Snot Rag and I still hiking. Today at the end of the day we had one heck of a thunder and lightning storm come through. It then rained the rest of the day. Set up the tent-got water-made dinner and the daily chores. Going to try to get to bed early tonight. Love you all. We did climb the highest mountain in Maryland today all 1600'.    I did forget to tell you we have now hiked GA-TN-NC-VA-West VA and MD. 6 down 8 more to go.
Date: 2005-06-30
From: Devils Race Course Shelter

To: Tumbling Run Shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: few clouds

1068.0 miles                                                   6/30/05 Thursday                                                            Day 78 Hot & Humid   "Trail Magic Records Today"Great night of sleep. The rain all night kept me sleeping. Rain. We need it. Word on the trail is a lot of springs in PA are drying up, and today we hiked into PA. I did see a neat box turtle on the trail today. It is amazing how they go into their shell. So I waited until it came back out. Lightning did make it to PA. So he did 50 miles in 21 hours, and made the 4 state challenge. Well today was not the normal day. We got to the State Park looking for ice cream and it was closed. The Park worker said he was not supposed to open it but he did so I got my ice cream. Hiking down the trail and I came across a cold soda. Got to our shelter for the night and a lady came up with a bag of soda-apples and grapes for us. That means 4 trail magics today. Life is good. Today Wag Daddy [a young thru hiker] came up to me and asked if I was Brother Buzz - he then handed me a letter. On 6/15 Bear Can and Drifter gave him a letter for me. It took him 15 days to catch me. He took my photo too. He says everybody is talking about me on the trail.          I don't know if that is good.
Date: 2005-07-03
From: Ironmasters Mansion

To: Alec Kennedy Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

1113.0 miles                                                      7/3/05 Sunday                                                               Day 81 Sun & Hot                                                                     Tenting Great night of sleep. Clean body- clean sheets and sweet smelly hiker always sleeps good. Snot Rag and I had a feast for breakfast-egg and cheese omelet and pancakes. We were so full we waited till almost 10:00 a.m. to head out hiking. Had a few climbs today then the trail went on a ridge full of rocks. It was neat how the trail went through the piles of rocks and we even got a few views today. Passed by a little store on the trail and Snot Rag called home. So while I was waiting I got some ice cream. The trail was empty today and at the shelter there is only one other hiker here. We had a little 4 th of July cookout tonight we packed in hot dogs and beans. I am missing the cookouts so maybe in October we will have a 4 th of July cookout at our house. Trail life has been good. I do feel very bad for my wife at home. I will be home before you know it and we will get our normal life back again. I can not thank you enough for letting me have this great wish come true.
Date: 2005-07-05
From: Darlington Campsite

To: Hotel Doyle-Duncannon,PA
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: light rain

1142.6 miles                                                   7/5/05 Tuesday                                                            Day 83 Rain-Rain                                                                  Hotel   "We Are Getting The Needed Rain"Good night of sleep-On the trail by 8:30 to rain. Well the PA rocks have started. Word has it that a lot of the trail in PA has sharp rocks to walk on. Today I did get to hike on them. Fun and more Fun. Summer is here again the hot heat-humid and even better black raspberries. The bushes were all over the place today so I had my fill of them. Did see a few day and section hikers out here today. I have decided to hike into Duncannon PA today and stay the night. There is an old hotel that is supposed to be pretty neat. So off to the Hotel Doyle I go. 11.4 miles today not bad. Got myself some pizza and a salad. Walked around town a bit not much to see. Back to the hotel. Worked on and cleaned up some of my hiking gear. Then I called home and got to talk to Sister Buzz. Dos'nt sound like much is happening around Sandwich. Had some trail magic today-A drink and some snacks. Sharing a room with Navigator tonight. Just heard the couple out here hiking PB&J from Vermont is getting off the trail PB is going to have a baby. Well that is all for now.         Stay tuned for more trail info and stories
Date: 2005-07-06
From: Hotel Doyle-Duncannon,PA

To: Peters Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

1153.9 miles                                                7/6/05 Wednesday                                                            Day 84 Sun & Hot                                                                  Shelter   "Bees Fly Very Very Fast"Good night of sleep. Around 10:00 last night the skies opened up. We had rain for 3 hours heavy rain. I am glad that I did decide to stay at the hotel last night. Would not have wanted to be in my tent. I ended up calling Sister Buzz again last night- I miss her. She is such a wonderful person. I am trying to get her to come out and hike some more with me. Well Lightning should be getting back on the trail today. I am about 30 miles north of where he will be getting back on. He will catch up to me in no time at all the way he hikes. Had some fun today went into a out house today did the usual spider check. Then when I went out. The door slamed and a swarm of bees came after me. I got stung 3 or 4 times not good. Then on the trail I saw 2 good size black snakes. Almost stepped on one. Did hike on a lot of rocks today but that is PA. Only 11.3 miles today going easy. I know when Lightning gets back we will be doing big miles again. So I am enjoying these easy days. Great shelter tonight. Hiked with Knees and Snot Rag today. Off to do my chores and dinner. Tomorrow I have a18 mile day to get to a shelter with water so off to the old sleeping bag I go. Have fun.
Date: 2005-07-07
From: Peters Mountain Shelter

To: Rausch Gap Shelter
Miles today: 17.5
Weather: haze

1171.4 miles                                                   7/7/05 Thursday                                                         Day 85 Cloudy & Rain   "Here comes The Rain"Good night of sleep. Last night as I was getting ready for bed 2 over night hikers offered us some food so we had to help them out. Snot Rag and I ate a pound of hamburg it was great. Out of the shelter early to get through the miles today. Got to walk on more rocks and one good climb but it was good. Snot Rag and I hiked together we are the same speed. The miles go by much better if you are walking with someone. Ate lunch by a nice creek today. Good day hiking today. Word on the trail is we are going to get a big storm tonight from the southern storm. So I am staying in the shelter. We just had to do a little work on the shelter because the rain is already coming in. Full shelter tonight 7 of us. Bear Can is here tonight. She said D.C. was good. Other hikers are Pumpkin-Scared Of The Dark-Chipmunk and Hit Man. Hope all is o/k on the Cape. How's the summer? Hi Beach Reality how is North Shore Blvd?            Good night to all-See yah.
Date: 2005-07-09
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagle's Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: scattered clouds

1203.9 miles                                                   7/9/05 Saturday                                                               Day 87 Overcast                                                                  Tent   "Less Than 1000 miles To Go"Not a good night of sleep. In the shelter 8 of the 13 hikers snored. So the noise went on all night. Lots of wood was cut last night. Ouch last night about 11:00 the shelter door opened and in came Lightning he hiked 35 miles to catch up to me. What it would be like to be young and able to hike long days. Into Pine Grove PA this morning for food resupply and breakfast. Had eggs and pancakes and they are great. Got a ride back to the trail and hiked on. Not to far in I got to see my first snake with a rattle on its tail [you know a rattle snake] it was cool looking about 3'-4' long. I yogi'ed a apple and grapes out of a day hiker today. The rocks were not as bad as I thought they would be today so the miles went by o/k. Into Port Clinton in the morning. Will be staying over night so we can pick up our mail drop at the post office on Monday. It will be good to get a shower and do laundry and yes a real bed to sleep in. Life is good. We now have less than 1000 miles to go about 980 miles so the count down is on. I will be back plumbing before you know it. If it was not for your plumber you would have no where to go.
Date: 2005-07-10
From: Eagle's Nest Shelter

To: Microtel Inn,Hamburg,PA
Miles today: 9.3

1213.2 miles                                                   7/10/05 Sunday                                                               Day 88 Sunny-Hot                                                                  Motel   " A Kid In The Candy Store"Great night of sleep in my tent. No worries just sleep. Up early to get into town. 10 mile walk today lots of rock - one big down into Port Clinton. Saw a few hikers on the trail. There does seem to be fewer of us out here. lightning almost stepped on a rattle snake today-he said it scared the sh-t out of him. He put a note on the trail to warn other hikers. We see a few notes most of them to tell us about bees. Did get a few more views of the farm lands. When I came out of the woods into Port Clinton you enter into a rail road yard it was nice to see they kept it old looking. Then I just had to hit the candy shop-A&W root beer barrel candy-the shop was an old fashioned type store. I then started to find the motel. Well it was not easy. I was looking for it and a car pulled up and asked if I was Brother Buzz-Lightning sent the car out looking for me. Sweet a ride! Nice motel . Clean hiker-Life is Good. We got a ride to the local store for food resupply-so I will be eating good for the next four days.
Date: 2005-07-11
From: Microtel Inn,Hamburg,PA

To: Windsor Furnace Shelter
Miles today: 5.4
Weather: clear sky

1218.6 miles                                                   7/11/05 Monday                                                               Day 89 Sunny-Hot                                                                  Shelter   "Great To Call Home"Great night of sleep-So happy to have talked to my wife. Life is good!! I love her so much forever. Up early had breakfast at the Inn then into Port Clinton for our mail drop. Small post office great lady working there very hiker friendly. Thanks to my wife back home for taking care of our mail drops. I would not be out here hiking without all her help-taking care of the homestead. Thank you so much. O/K the hike today all 5.5 miles of it. I have talked about water and shelters. For the days to work out we did the short day today and now we will have 16-18 mile days to get us out of PA. with water and shelters. Tonight at the shelter there is Wallis-Pellet-Scared Of The Dark-Cuppa Joe so far at 7:30 p.m. dinner and chores are done. Now we are going to sit back and relax some. The lightning bugs are out tonight I have never seen so many in my life. It is neat. The trail has been good. My feet are o/k. My boots will have about 200 miles left in them they are getting worn.    Maybe EMS will set me up with a new pair.                  Sleep tite.
Date: 2005-07-12
From: Windsor Furnace Shelter

To: Allentown Shelter
Miles today: 16.5

1235.1                                                         7/12/05 Tuesday                                                            Day 90 Sunny & Hot                                                                   Tent   "PA Is One Big Rock"O/K night of sleep it was a shelter. Out of camp around 8:30 a.m. Had a few climbs today. The bad thing today was the rocks and more rocks and more rocks. PA is a state I would not like to come back to. They need to send in a crew to work on the trail and throw all the rocks into the woods and clean up the trails. The first 8 miles was not bad. I stopped at a club run shelter for lunch break and I got 3 sodas and a ice cream for dessert. Then after lunch the fun started. A good climb up to get up on the ridge then for 8 plus miles it was all rock . Small rocks, big rocks just rocks. It really slows you down. Finally got to the shelter. To find out it was 1/2 a mile to water and then 1/2 mile back not to much fun at the end of the day. Got the tent set up tonight I need a good night sleep. They say maybe rain tonight we need it bad for the springs. Only 54 miles left in PA and then we will be in New Jersey. About 72 miles in New Jersey then New York for about 89 miles. Into Conn and Sister Buzz will be hiking again I was so so HAPPY when she said she would come down and hike with us.       Good day in the woods-Hope yours was good too.
Date: 2005-07-16
From: Church Of The Mountain Hostel

To: Mohican Outdoor Center
Miles today: 10.5
Weather: overcast clouds

1299.3 miles                                                   7/16/05 Saturday                                                         Day 94 Hot-Sunny-Humid                                                               Tent   "Why Does It Have To Be Hot"Great night of sleep-Had a fan blowing on me all night. Slept to almost 9:30 a.m. Lightning took off early to go shopping in the town next over. I walked down for breakfast and a food resupply at the gas station. Called my wife to find out all about Sandwich-sounds like not much happening. Miss you all. Got my journal and post cards up to date. Went to the post office and mailed the post cards. Cleaned up some of my gear. Life is good. I called Sister Buzz again I am happy so happy to talk to her. got a few donations this week for Make-A-Wish Foundation of Mass. Thank you all so much. We have raised about 8,800.00 so far. Lightning was going to do his hikers challenge today. He has to eat 1 lb. of oreo cookies and a pint of milk. Good luck. We started our hike at 5:00 p.m. today I am glad we only have 10 miles today. Just the regular hike in the woods. Saw a lot of people out today it is the weekend. Saw a few deers. Staying at a AMC camp. They let thru hikers camp for free. Wish they did in the Whites in N.H. Lightning showed up later and he ate all the cookies and milk.            Good night to you
Date: 2005-07-18
From: Brink Road Shelter

To: Rutherford Shelter 
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: scattered clouds

1328.9 miles                                                   7/18/05 Monday                                                         Day 96 Hot-Cloudy-Rain                                                               Tent   "If Bugs Bite Us Why Can't We Bite Them"O/K night of sleep I ended up setting up the tent in the shelter so the bugs do not bite all day. The humidity is really getting to me. I am trying to drink more water but water has been really hard to get. By the end of the day I am weak. Well now the trail in N.J. I think so far it gets my vote for the worst maintained trail. So you cannot see rocks and roots that easy. I have taken a few good slides but no falls. The over growth on the trail also holds water from the rain so you get very wet while you hike. The trail is more up and down not the flat lands we were on. We will be getting to more climbs the closer we get to New England. The blueberries and raspberries are out and ready so I make a lot of stops to eat today. Our shelter tonight is 1/2 mile off of trail and most of it is down. N.J. shelters are old and dirty and the Rutherford Shelter tonight is real bad so we set up our tent. We are near a pond so the bugs and frogs are bad. Off to the tent to relax and get away from the bugs. Having fun in N.J. went out for breakfast today with a ridge runner Bruce.
Date: 2005-07-19
From: Rutherford Shelter

To: The Secret Shelter
Miles today: 9.5

1338.4 miles                                                   7/19/05 Tuesday                                                          Day 97 Hot- Humid-Rain                                                                  Shelter      "Today Is A Secret Day"O/K night of sleep-The nights are staying hot just like the days. Up early to try to beat the heat. On the trail at 8:00 a.m. We got a short day today but it still felt long with the heat. Had rain on me 2 times on the trail and still raining now at the shelter. Trail was good today still more rocks than I thought there would be. Hope to hike away from them soon. Did pass some south bound hikers today. Walked in the farm lands with cows and corn fields. I could go for a feed of corn on the cob. We went to the High Point Monument today and I climbed the monument all 292 steps of it. The Monument is built on the highest point in NJ 1803'. Neat to see it. Breaks up the day some not walking all the time. Tonight we are at the Secret Shelter. It was built by a AT thru hiker and he lets hikers use it for free. Hot showers too. A clean hiker. We got here around 2:00 and Lightning was bored so he hiked to the nearest town and back 4 plus miles to get us subs for dinner and some cookies. Tonight so far is Bear Can- Stilts- Lightning and I.            Talk to you later
Date: 2005-07-20
From: The Secret Shelter

To: Vernon,NJ. St Thomas Church Hostel
Miles today: 15.7

1354.1 miles                                                7/20/05 Wednesday                                                            Day 98 Sunny-Hot                                                               Hostel      "Now I Feel Like An Egg In A Frypan"Great night of sleep- Had a fan blowing on us all night. Up early trying to beat the heat. The hike today was good- A lot of flat land. Went through a few housing developments which was different walking by all these houses. Then got to a 2.4 mile board walk above wet lands. It was neat walking on it but it was out in the hot sun for all 2.4 miles. I do not do well in the sun but I am a New Englander and I made it. Got to the town of Vernon NJ. Or the road going to it and I was to meet Bear Can there because she will not hitch by herself but she was not there. So I got a ride into the church. Great hostel the church is great to the hikers- showers- laundry- Internet- phone and a gas grill to cook on. The hostel is full 12 of us. 6 of us all went food shopping for dinner and Stilts cooked dinner and we had a meal fit for a king. The church choir were having a singing practice so everyone had songs to eat dinner by. Got to call my wife and talked to her until my phone card ran out. I miss her so much. I love her with all my heart.          I miss you all too-Be home soon