morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-05-10
From: My crazy head.

To: My crazy head.
Miles today: 0.0

My twin sister (not identical) sister Candace lives in Japan now. She is the one who sent me Rascal, the little red panda toy that earned me my trail name.Candace and I both lived in Seoul for a year until she moved to Japan. She was my built-in friend for so long, it was hard to be apart from her. I was able to visit her a few times, but it got even harder to keep in touch once I moved back to the states and the time difference set in.But now that I am on the trail it is even WORSE. I never have phone service, let alone phone service at a time when she is awake and free to talk. Sorry, Emmy. She has been so supportive of my hike. I was so sad when I noticed that Rascal was missing at Old Orchard Shelter. I felt like a connection to my sister had been cut. It was so nice to put that red panda sticker on my phone at Kincora, like some of the international twin threads had been woven back in place.Yesterday mom and Dan brought me something amazing. Actually two things, but the first is the most important. Candace is an incredible artist. A while ago, she was experimenting with making her own rubber stamps. So one day while hiking, I was thinking about her and stamps and hiking. A lot of establishments along the trail have stamps which can be used to stamp the AT passport book. I don't have the passport book, but try to collect stamps in my journal. Unfortunately I keep getting distracted or forgetting to ask about stamps when I visit many places. So I had been thinking about stamps.A brainwave hit (it does happen occasionally)! If Candace could make me a red panda stamp of my own, I would have the COOLEST way to sign trail registers.So I asked her to make me one!And boy did she deliver! She HANDMADE a stamp and sent it all the way from Japan so that I can use it on the trail. It is so cool! Mom and Dan and I hunted around and found a red stamp pad to use with it. It is perfect. Seriously, look at it. She also sent me what will be used as my new bandana. It is even the perfect color to match Bertha, bright sky blue patterned with crisp white clouds. It won't stay so nice for long, but what's the point in just letting it sit around unused somewhere?Mom and Dan also brought another red panda toy that Candace won from a claw machine when I visited her last year. It is bigger but that just means it will be more prominent. So now I can carry her with me on the trail in many ways.Thanks, Emmy!
Date: 2015-05-10
From: My crazy head.

To: Bland, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Another miracle day.After I came home from my internship in Maine at Acadia National Park (after Korea), I moved back in with mom and Dan to save up for my AT adventure. We got into the habit of attending Taco Sunday at the local restaurant. Mom and I would always get chicken taco salad, a bargain at $5 (and if you haven't been able to tell by now, I am super cheap so I was all about Taco Sunday). The night before Trail Mentor Alexa and I hit the road for Georgia, we attended one last pre-trail Taco Sunday.Today, we happened upon another bizarre example of the weird magic of the trail. Just as our tummies were rumbling for lunch, we passed a Mexican restaurant in Marion. "WE CAN HAVE TACO SUNDAY!" I cried. Even off the trail, my mind is always on food. And do you know what that Mexican restaurant had?! YOU GUESSED IT. TACO SALAD. $4.99. Sometimes I think the coincidence is too much. It is scary. So we enjoyed our taco salads (not quite as good at home but I will NOT complain about any taco salad), and they even brought out a cute fried ice cream Mother's Day dessert for mom, and Dan had churros for the first time. It was great.This morning Dan also bought me new, non-chafing shorts so that I can have two complete sets of hiking clothes (imagine that!). Now I can stream wash and dry one set while I wear the other. So now he is my pizza-taco-ice-cream-watermelon-yogurt-miracle fairy. Maybe we should just call him the trail fairy. Remember how I told you no man has ever treated me as well as Columbo did, with some non-romantic exceptions? Well Dan is the number one exception now. I will have to bake the man about 800 pies over the course of the rest of my life to make up for it. Or make a lot of Korean dumplings and bibimbap, he likes those, too.Best of all, out of all the things Dan has done, he brought my mom down to spend Mother's Day with me. There can be no greater gift than that of time with a loved one. Seriously. I was nearly skipping with happiness all day, and it wasn't just because I wasn't weighed down by Bertha's 600-pound food sack and numb-toed from my horrible shoes (I have been wearing flip-flops all weekend, it is like toe heaven). It is Mother's Day but it ought to be Hiker's Day, I am definitely reaping the majority of the benefits.I keep telling Dad that he needs to visit me, too. I miss him. But, at least, I think he will be able to pick me up when Candace visits and I will get some quality time with him then.I am so thankful for family.
Date: 2015-05-22
From: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter

To: Spy Rock
Miles today: 18.5

It is already so late! Past my bedtime, but I must record! Today, I hiked. Cold morning, big hill... you know the drill. Six Strings slept on the shelter table after arriving late. The men who slept in the shelter complained of the cold, but I slept SO well in my tent.Despite the cold, it was a nice, sunny day. Chris and I have been talking more the last couple of days, on easy stretches of trail when I am not gasping for air or ten miles behind. It is nice, to talk a little, and get to know him, particularly since I spend like eight hours a day following behind him on the trail.We had planned to hike to The Priest Shelter but decided to stop earlier. It would have been 22.5 miles to get there, which is kind of stupid since we have been putting in long days all week and are tired. As the afternoon wore on, it made more sense to just carry full water bottles up here (there is no water source nearby) and camp.Super amazing awesome decision. We are at a gorgeous rock outcropping. With a gorgeous campsite. And I am sitting next to a fire (which Chris is diligently tending), and the sunset was amazing, and a woman nearby is playing her violin. So much better than a crappy shelter. Especially since I would have had to climb uphill to get there at the end of the day.I don't know if the evening could be more perfect. Maybe if I'd had pizza for dinner. Maybe. Or chocolate cake. I would like some chocolate cake. I am kind of hungry. Are you surprised?I am so thankful to be here. Also thankful that all my chored are done, so I can slide right into my sleeping bag when I am done enjoying the fire.
Date: 2015-05-25
From: Devils Backbone Brewing Company

To: Waynesboro Hiker Pavilion
Miles today: 5.1

Red Panda might be in serious trouble. After ten minutes of hiking this morning, we stopped to take off our jackets. As I swung Bertha off, I heard a snap and the shoulder strap in my hand was much looser. Huh. I went to reattach it. There is a metal piece that fits into the backplate like a button in a buttonhole. It hasn't slipped out like that before. Weird. I ran off to pee then came back for a second look.BERTHA HAS BROKEN AGAIN. There is a HUGE crack in the backplate. I don't think I can hike with her in this dire conditon. She has been in rough shape lately... maybe it was only a matter of time until the abuse of 860+ miles on the trail took its toll.At the same time, a pack shouldn't just BREAK like Bertha has been doing, slowly declining into some sort of horrible pack-sickness or something. My pack was one piece of gear I counted on NOT having to replace on my thru-hike.Luckily I was already close to town. Only about 4 miles left. Bertha was actually relatively light. She held almost no food, only a tuna packet and trail mix (minus dried fruit and M&Ms which I had eaten out of it yesterday). And less than two liters of water. Somehow we made it without further incident. Stupid Bertha. Always causing problems.Best of all, it's Memorial Day! I can't even call Granite Gear! And even if I could, they wouldn't be able to fix or replace my broken pack or broken pack parts for DAYS. I might actually have to buy a whole freaking new pack.A very kind trail angel gave us a lift into town, and I am keeping an eye on our laundry while Chris and another hiker eat breakfast across the street. Seeing as I just had to pay car registration and mom and Dan are getting new tires for my car today, I opted for the more budget-friendly option of eating my tuna packet and trail mix for breakfast rather than diner food.Hopefully the outfitters can give me some advice on my pack problems. Bertha and I are not on speaking terms today.
Date: 2015-05-25
From: Waynesboro Church Hostel

To: Waynesboro Hiker Pavilion
Miles today: 0.0

I really love grocery stores. Fresh food! So many options! I just ate two ice cream bars and half a cantaloupe. And a bag if pretzels. And more! I cannot believe how much I can eat. It is SO GROSS.It is sad how thrilling a trip to the grocery store is now. Is this what my life is coming to? That going into Kroger is the best part of my day makes me wonder about my mental state... However, more good news is that they had duct tape for my heels and a new phone charging cord. The connection on mine seems to be going bad. My tablet is almost totally dead and my phone is low. Might not be good news for this week.Also I got more M&Ms to mix into my trail mix because clearly I have not been providing myself with enough.Happy Memorial Day!!
Date: 2015-06-05
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: Deer Lick Shelters
Miles today: 22.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Today, I hiked. I thought. I hiked. I greeted passersby. I talked to Funk. I hiked and hiked and hiked. And I thought. A lot. Another good introverted day of rain, introspection, and soul-searching.I crossed the Mason-Dixon line and bid goodbye to Maryland. Bring on the rocks, Pennsylvania. This panda can take it!Tomorrow, I am going home. HOME. Just the word makes me want to cry.I am so grateful to be going home.
Date: 2015-06-07
From: Home

To: My bed
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

I woke up at 11:30 to pee.I couldn't fall back asleep because I was hungry.ME, HUNGRY. GO FIGURE, RIGHT?!It is like a curse I can't escape now. Very time I stop moving, I feel like I should be eating. No wonder my butt is chubby.Gotta eat more veggies tomorrow. No cookies! (Ha. Haha. Hahahahahah. I am totally going to eat like ten cookies at least, but for now I will try to convince myself that I will be good.Now that I have had my midnight snack and am digesting, it is back to bed. My bed is so comfy... but it is weird to be sleeping in it. Also my winter flannel sheets are a little warm. But still, time to try to sleep! Sweet dreams, trail friends! I will be dreaming of the wilderness tonight.
Date: 2015-06-19
From: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter

To: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

My new rain jacket matches my umbrella (which miraculously isn't totally ruined yet)!Also, sorry for posting late and out of order. I am going to try to keep a gap of a day or two between posts (post Tuesday's entry on Thursday), because it is a little freaky to post my camp location to the world of internet strangers every night (although I am sure you are all wonderful people
Date: 2015-06-21
To: My crazy head.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Swollen Toes (to the tune of Jingle Bells)Hiking down the trail,To Katahdin, all the way,Over the rocks we go,Wincing all the way.My chafing butt stings,Damp all day and nightWhat fun it is to sleep outsideWith bugs and slugs tonight!Swollen toes, swollen toesTake me all the way!Oh what fun it is to trip my wayNorth on rocks all day!
Date: 2015-06-27
From: Little Dam Lake

To: Arden Valley Road
Miles today: 3.3
Weather: light rain

Red Panda feels sick from eating too many M&Ms. They were just sitting there, waiting to be divided and placed into mail drops, tempting me with their sugary-coated goodness....Only 3.3 miles were hiked this morning, with a couple of good, steep rock climbs. I got to play my new least favorite game! I call it "What's that white spot: blaze or bird poop?".Seriously, some of these blazes could use a fresh coat of paint, especially on the huge, flat rocks.After I hit the road, I hopped in mom's car and headed home! We made a pit stop at the grocery store for a wet-wipe bath in the restroom ("She smelled SO BAD." Mom later told Dan) and a snack purchase.All the way home, I kept pointing out the trail to poor mom. "Mom, look, there's the trail!", " There's a blaze over there!", "The trail must go that way.", "MOM, WE'RE ON THE TRAIL RIGHT NOW!".She puts up with me so well.When I got home, I found MORE GIFTS. Every day is like Christmas since I started the trail. Candace left a beautiful linen hand towel printed with a tent, fire pit, and bicycle on my bed. And on the kitchen table, I found an envelope addressed to "Red Panda" in beautiful handwriting. Who would write to me as Red Panda?!So I opened the mystery envelope to find a card and gift from Mel, who has been reading my journal since mom told her about it. She shared some amazingly kind words which brightened my day. Exhausted and almost about to crash after a week of hiking, and trail magic even managed to follow me home. Supportive words mean more than all the hot dogs I have been given over the last three months combined. Thank you!After gift discovery time, it was imperative to take a shower, so poor mom didn't have to suffer my stink anymore. I finally got to shave my pits! And scrub my wounds (which had some black flies flitting around them this morning, disgusting).And then, chores and shopping, more chores, and making of Korean dumplings for dinner (my belated Father's Day gift to the pizza fairy... sorry it was so late). And the consumption of about 350x as many snacks as a person should eat in a day.And now, it is time to crash! My soft bed (and PILLOWS) are calling to me. I probably won't be able to sleep because of all of the sugar in my bloodstream, but hey, I'll be comfortable!
Date: 2015-07-04
From: Home!

To: Home!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Today was prep day for tomorrow's party. Also, prep day for hiker friends that will be crowding mom and Dan's house with me afterwards (awww yes, post-picnic hiker slumber party is in the works!). Fresh linens were put on beds, laundry was done so the washing machine will be free, floors were vacuumed so they can be dirtied again.I made pasta salad for tomorrow, organized goods to gift to hikers, cut veggies, and filled coolers. I also made cookies and only ate a dozen...Although I haven't been hiking for the last two days, my body seems confused. I am still hungry. All the time. Will this curse never end?!"There's no way I'll fit in that dress." I keep telling my mother. My ceaseless appetite is my curse. My body just feels WEIRD all the time now. I can't explain it. I really need sleep for energy, not food. But food is always there, so I eat it... I did sleep late today, but it's NEVER ENOUGH. There is never time. I can sleep when I'm dead, right?All of last week I was so tired, though. I wish that being home was restful, but it usually isn't. There are always too many things to do. Especially this weekend! I have totally filled my own calendar by planning the picnic.Less than a week to the wedding now. I have been doing mile math to plan out my route for the week, so that I can make plans for someone to pick me up on Thursday night. Picnic this weekend, wedding next weekend... home is treating me well, and the timing is EXCELLENT.I think that many of my favorite trailfolk will be passing through Falls Village just in time for the picnic. Somehow it worked out almost perfectly.Tomorrow morning, vehicles will be loaded with chips and soda and CLIF bars and the Aussie Legs, and MAGIC WILL HAPPEN.Thanks to everyone who plans to attend! And to those who can't, but still have worked to help make it a success, thank you too! It warms my heart, chilled by my return to real life, to be reminded that there are amazing people EVERYWHERE, who are willing to take the time to buy PopTarts for smelly hikers, even when their own lives are in serious turmoil.
Date: 2015-07-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Can anyone enlighten me as to what this creepy thing is?!Update: Apparently it's a Dobson Fly. Thanks, Havana! I have no idea how I have lived here my whole life and not had more encounters with these things. I am kind of thankful for that.Update update: Sorry for posting out of order. I wanted to know what the bug was. Picnic post is now previous to this one.
Date: 2015-07-11
From: Home!

To: Home!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

After my 8 AM updo, my face painting, and squeezing into THAT DRESS (it was uncomfortably tight, but I sucked it in and survived), I looked like a whole different person. Neglecting my farmer's tan, my scarred legs, and the fact that I could barely cram my chubby, engorged toes into my classy heels, I didn't even look like a hiker. I actually looked PRETTY, instead of pretty grubby.I certainly didn't feel like a hiker, though I did ache for the trail as we drove to the wedding, the trees calling to me through the car windows. But this was a party not to be missed.And what a party it was! Matt and Jer were resplendent in their wedding attire. The day was gorgeous, sun shining and loved ones gathering. Tears were shed and vows were read, and at the end of the evening I pulled 54 bobby pins out of my head (I counted).Seriously, my hair was so fancy. Her provided her bridesmaids with professional hair and makeup services, knowing that most of us (and definitely me) would have no idea how to do either ourselves. Seriously, I can't even do a French braid without a mirror and half an hour. My mom has braided my hair about twelve times since I came home from Korea, as if I am a five year old. I'm okay with it.I ate delicious food, chatted about the AT with friends and relatives of the bride and groom. I linked arms with my handsome groomsman partner as I walked down the aisle. Mom and I danced as the evening wound down, enjoying the last moments of party. It was a fine day (and night). I was so tired when I got home that I barely managed to brush out my hair, plastered with hairspray as it was (seriously, it was like someone poured rubber cement over my head), before falling asleep. I didn't even SHOWER, and usually I am all over any opportunity to bathe.Congratulations to my wonderful, amazing friend and her equally wonderful and amazing husband! I am thankful that I have been able to share this day with them, and that I may even get to see them again when I pass through Vermont on the trail. I am also really thankful that I got a double chocolate chip cupcake at the reception, not going to lie...
Date: 2015-07-12
From: Home!

To: Home!
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day, busy day. Lots of chores had to be done. Very few related to the trail (besides the usual bleaching of water bottles, airing out and cleaning of gear, etc.)I have an unhealthy addiction to candy. I miss the trail. Tomorrow, the hike resumes. I am thankful for my family. I am thankful that they are patient with me, especially when I am impatient with them. I am thankful for Taco Sunday! I am thankful that today was productive, even though I wish it could have been spent doing funner things with my favorite people.
Date: 2015-07-30
From: Beaver Brook Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Thanks to Carol and Eddie and my pizza fairy, I enjoyed a comfortable and delicious evening after South Kinsman Mountain nearly crushed my soul (it also gave me disgusting soggy feet, sore knees, and a sense of accomplishment).Here is the story behind the shirt, written by Carol. Please note that I am not the only one who is struck with the ravenous desire for delicious carb crust topped with cheesy goodness when even just contemplating a hike...Saturday we were headed to REI in West Hartford to pick out ultralight mess kit for Eddie when we stopped at Cumberland Farms in Burlington to get sodas. Eddie grabbed his coke and was walking to the cashier when he turned the bottle around and discovered the name on the bottle (Danielle)! And of course because there was a hint of hiking by going to REI, we had to order a pizza for supper.
Date: 2015-07-31
From: Franconia Notch

To: Lincoln
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I always go back and forth and back and forth about speed on the trail.When I hike, I want to hike all day.When I take a day off, I want to lay in bed and gobble down snacks and candy all day.Slowing down is hard. Starting again is even harder. When I stop, I eat too much to move. My body stiffens up and I don't even want to walk down the hallway to put my clothes in the dryer.I also want to go to sleep even earlier than usual... but there are always too many things to do (and people to hang out with!).I don't know how to plan for Katahdin. I feel like I want a plan. I want to know when I'll get there. But how can I know how fast to go? How fast I will want to go? How fast I will be able to go?Of course, it doesn't really matter. I will get there when I get there. But it will be one of the biggest moments of my life. That climb, the moment I see that wooden sign, rough and worn and barely legible after thousands of wistful strokes and kisses from thru-hikers completing or beginning their epics, or day hikers (like me, a year ago!) hoping to glean a bit of that magic from a brief touch of the sacred surface.Katahdin is in my future! But when! Do I want to know?! Will knowing make it easier? If I knew the date, would I anticipate it happily, or dread it?The date will be remembered for the rest of my life. The anniversary will be a spark in my heart, a yearly reminder of the journey that scarred my hands, wrecked my legs, stole my toenails, made me chubby, brought me amazing friends, taught me to love strangers, helped heal my heart, and made me a better person (I hope!).I don't know when I will get there. I don't know if I should try to get there at a certain time.There are no answers, just more questions!I enjoyed another break today. In life, I am afraid of wasting the time that I have. I know that I often do waste it, and I hate that. So I am spending time with people I love, in the mountains. Someday they may be gone. Someday, I may be gone. So today, we are together, and I am enjoying it while I can.I am also enjoying too many snacks. I LOVE SNACKS. I use my hike as a glorious excuse to indulge in carbs and candy. Uncle Fran called tonight and asked about my butt obsession. I am sure you are all sick of reading about my butt. BUT IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER.Whatever the Katahdin date ends up being, it will be my last day of having a "good reason" to munch M&Ms, so I might as well enjoy it while I can, right? Dan keeps saying, "You've made it this far, so you must be doing something right." And as much as I hate it, I know it's better to be gaining pudge than to be wasting away and weak.If I can hike the entire freaking Appalachian Trail, I will be able to lose the extra pounds afterwards.Of course I say that now, but will complain about my fat butt again tomorrow But for now, my trail mix bag has been refilled with a ratio of about 1:4 almonds:chocolates.I am thankful for my mom and Dan, new Merrells and new socks (thanks, Dan!!) snacks and barbeque sauce. I am thankful for beautiful weather and beautiful people and happiness.
Date: 2015-08-01
To: The Lodge at Lincoln Station
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Farewell, sweet Merrells. Thou has served me well. Go, now, to your temporary interment, down the rubbish chute at the Lodge at Lincoln Station, before reaching your final resting place. May you find peace in your next wilderness, that of the American dump.Mine heart is with you always. Your service and sacrifice will not be forgotten.