morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-07-11
From: Shana's house

To: Fingerboard Shelter, NY
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: scattered clouds

The family (my daughter Shana, son-in-law Mark, and grandkids Joe, Jacob, and Jessica) was ready to hike! We packed up sandwiches, fruit, cookies and headed out. Shana made sure everyone had water bladders or backpacks with water bottles. I wasn't sure what to expect since the maps showed "Eastern Pinnacle" and "Cat Rocks". I thought they might be too difficult...but no! They were up and over the rocks like it was nothing. Jacob expressed a bit of concern at first, but then he took off and loved it! Then did the whole two miles to the shelter and signed the register. Then, as Jacob put it, I "hiked north on the AT, while they went home to their AC". I am extremely proud of them. Four miles all together! Over rocks! Wow!!!I hiked on, coming to a waterfall. I wish I had known that it was flowing, because they would have loved it. I climbed up the rocky trail next to the waterfall, then followed the brook for a bit, till the trail turned off. It was great!Then the trail became the trail once again. Why is it that climbing over rocks was fun with my family, but a chore alone? I was determined to get to at least NY17. It was hot and I was getting grouchy by the time I got to the Fingerboard Shelter. I really dislike the NY law about camping only in designated campsites. They are way too far apart here! Plus this shelter has no water. How can a day go from so great to so terrible in just a few hours?
Date: 2010-07-12
From: Fingerboard Shelter, NY

To: Graymoor Center, NY
Miles today: 20.6

I was really looking forward to getting past Bear Mountain today. The heat was terrible. I got to the soda machines at Arden Valley, only to find the electricity off. Bummer! I decided to do some roadwalk and avoid a few climbs. I got to the Bear Mtn Zoo in time for a late lunch. Eddie from Germany came in right behind me. After lunch and a pushup icecream, we headed back out. Eddie went ahead while I rested after one big climb. When I got to the road where you turn up to Graymoor, a car pulled up. Brother Lou said I looked tired, so he drove me up to the pavilion. He explained that at one time hikers could stay in the monastary and have meals with the friars. Unfortunately, rude hikers ruined that for the rest of us. Now we can camp at the pavilion and order meals from the local deli. There is a cold shower and two outhouses. Hikers must have been especially rude to upset the Franciscan Friars who have a reputation of welcoming strangers. Sad...Anyway, Brother Lou gave me a V8 and drove me up to the pavilion where Eddie was waiting. I hung up my hammock, ordered dinner, took a shower, and visited with the other hikers who arrived. It was a pleasant ending to a not so pleasant day, a nice place and I recommend it.
Date: 2010-07-13
From: Graymoor Center, NY

To: Fishkill, NY
Miles today: 18.0

I was up early to do the miles to the RPH shelter. But talk about hot and humid. By 9am, I was already exhausted and soaking wet. I walked on till I could get lunch at a nearby deli. Even that didn't help my attitude. I decided to do some road walk to avoid some more NY rocks. That didn't help either. I am not being true to myself or to my hike. Frustration. I sat down and cried for a while. What am I doing out here? It is not fun. The loneliness is driving me crazy. I hate the rocks, I spend most of my time wondering what my purpose out here is. Yesterday was 7 months since Frank died. Tomorrow is my 63rd birthday. Emotions were all mixed up. I don't want to quit, or the whole last 4 months will have been a waste. I need to get off for a few days and take a rest. So I got a ride up to Hwy 84 at Fishkill. I checked into the Holiday Inn. A real Holiday Inn, not an Express. My room is beautiful. As a new Priority Club member, I got 10% off my dinner, a free drink, and free breakfast. How about that! Things are getting better.I called my friend, Heartfire for a pep talk. You see, we share a common desire to finish this trail. We have both gotten off the trail and been disappointed. She understands my frustration. She told me what I needed to hear... to take several days off, rest, and get back out there. I can do this! I am not hiking just for myself, I am hiking for all those reading my journals too.
Date: 2010-07-14
From: Fishkill, NY

To: Fishkill, NY
Miles today: 0.0

Happy Birthday to me! Feeling much better today. I woke up early, about 6am, as usual. My internal clock still works. I had my free breakfast and used the business center to update my journal. Today I'll spend the day enjoying the town of Fishkill. There's a lot of history here, all the way back to the American Revolution. I may see a movie this afternoon. Anyway, today I'm going to relax and get rejuvenated. There is a Crackerbarrel nearby, too. I'll call friends and family. It's going to be a great day!
Date: 2010-07-15
From: Fishkill, NY

To: Pawling, NY
Miles today: 17.2

Wow, finally some good trail in NY! The trail between NY52 and NY55 was great! I'm not sure if it was because the trail was nice, because the weather was cooler, or because I was rested from my zero, but this was one of the nicest days in a very long time. I had my mouth set for a hot dog at the Elite Hot Dog stand on NY55. Unfortunately, it wasn't there. I hiked on to the crossing for Pawling and walked down to the Edward R Murrow park. I put my pack away, then walked down to town for food. The first deli I found turned out to be a spanish deli..?? I got a couple of tamales that were unlike any tamale I ever ate. Anyway, around the corner I found another deli, this time with sandwiches. Back at the park, I put on my suit to go for a swim, but found a "no swimming" sign down by the lake. So I took a cold shower in the outdoor shower, read my book , and waited for more hikers. None came. I put my hammock up in the pavilion up the hill, read a bit more, then went to bed.
Date: 2010-07-16
From: Pawling, NY

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 16.9

I woke up thinking "oh, great...it's Friday and I have mail in Kent!" If I don't get it today, I have to wait until Monday. I knew I couldn't hike all the way to 341, so I decided to hike to Bulls Bridge and take the road into town. The weather was pleasant for hiking. Kent is a cute, touristy, yuppy kind of town. There are little shops everywhere. There are no hostels or motels, only "Inns" and B&Bs. Eventually, I decided not to spend the money on an Inn, and hiked up to the last shelter which was only .3 of a mile from the road. I saw Fig and SuperMax, whom I hadn't seen since Bear's Den back in VA. They are headed into Kent tomorrow, while I hike on. Oh, by the way, I'm now more than 2/3 of the way. This is my tenth state, with four more to go. A friend mentioned hearing a Miley Cyrus song that seemed to be for me. I haven't heard it, but here are the lyrics I found (written by Jon Mabe and Jessi Alexander...I can almost see itThat dream I'm dreaming butThere's a voice inside my head sayin,You'll never reach it,Every step I'm taking,Every move I make feelsLost with no directionMy faith is shaking but IGot to keep tryingGot to keep my head held highThere's always gonna be another mountainI'm always gonna want to make it moveAlways going to be an up-hill battle,Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose,Ain't about how fast I get there,Ain't about what's waiting on the other sideIt's the climbThe struggles I'm facing,The chances I'm takingSometimes they knock me down butNo I'm not breakingI may not know itBut these are the moments thatI'm going to remember most yeahJust got to keep goingAnd I,I got to be strongJust keep pushing on,There's always gonna be another mountainI'm always gonna want to make it moveAlways going to be an up-hill battle,Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose,Ain't about how fast I get there,Ain't about what's waiting on the other sideIt's the climbThere's always gonna be another mountainI'm always gonna want to make it moveAlways going to be an uphill battle,Sometimes I'm going to have to lose,Ain't about how fast I get there,Ain't about what's waiting on the other sideIt's the climbKeep on movingKeep climbingKeep the faith babyIt's all aboutIt's all aboutThe climbKeep the faithKeep your faith
Date: 2010-07-17
From: Kent, CT

To: Pine Swamp Lean-to, CT
Miles today: 17.5

The trail out of Kent was interesting...it takes you across a field, then up into the mountains, then a deep descent back to the Housatonic River. When I got to the River Road, I realized I could have just followed that out of Kent. Why does the AT insist on going way out of the way??? The River Road is marked as AT and is a wonderful shady walk along the river edge. The AT follows it for several miles, but I couldn't help wondering why not the whole way.... Oh well, such is the AT.Eventually I took the road into Cornwall for lunch. I stopped at the package goods store, where my handbook promised that I would be refreshed for signing the register. While there, a couple asked if I would like a shower at their home. Of course, I accepted. After lunch and a shower, they dropped me back at the motel in Cornwall. Unfortunately, being the weekend, the only room left was $125... I decided to walk over to the Housatonic State Park. Tent sites there were only $13 according to my book. When I got there, I was informed that the price was $30 for out of state residents. It was late enough, and I was tired enough to pay that, but then I was informed that they didn't allow hammocks! What? My hammock does a lot less damage than a tent! Whatever...So I climbed back up the mountain and hiked to the nearest shelter. It was nearly dark when I got settled, but it had been, all in all, a very nice day. Great trail along the river, trail angels, and food.
Date: 2010-07-18
From: Pine Swamp Lean-to

To: Salisbury, CT
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: clear sky

About 3am, I was awakened by flashing lights. It was like I was back in a club from the 70s and strobe lights were everywhere... It took a while before I realized that this was lightening. Then I heard the thunder, and the rain started. What a storm! This was the biggest thunderstorm I've ever been in. My tarp kept me and my hammock quite dry. My trees stood the storm well, although a number of others didn't, as I would discover when I hiked on. I woke up in the morning with a strong desire to attend church. It's been a while. At the first road I turned toward town. I expected to find a church somewhere along the way, but there were none on the way to town. Furthermore, there weren't any when I got to town... I went into a cafe to ask for directions. Sitting there was a man in a collar. "I bet you can tell me where to find a church", I said. "I'll not only tell you, I can take you", he replied. Thus it was that I ended up at Trinity Episcopal Church in Lime Rock, CT. Father Walt was the visiting priest for the day, and I was very lucky to find him. The service was a blessing! After church, a lady named Jane asked if I would like to have lunch with her. I had a lovely visit with her, as well as her son and granddaughter visiting from Belgium. Then it was back to the trail.I arrived in Salisbury just in time to meet Maria McCabe who takes hikers into her home. Rocksteady and Mini Muffin were already there. Maria took us to do laundry and get food. Then we settled in for the night.
Date: 2010-07-19
From: Salisbury, CT

To: Glen Rock Shelter
Miles today: 14.2
Weather: scattered clouds

I was later than usual getting out, since I had to enjoy breakfast and say goodbye to Maria. Then it was down the road and up into the woods again. First came Bear Mountain. I passed a camp group of about 20 kids hiking up for the day. At first they were a little hesitant about letting me through, but I left them in the dust... LOL! Soon I came to the brook and ravine that divide Connecticut and Massachusetts. The trail stays on the CT side for about a mile, then crosses and welcomes you to MA. So I entered my tenth state. Next came the slow climb up Race Mountain. This is a nice, even climb. Finally, near the end of the day, came Mount Everitt. Now Mount Everitt is the kind of mountain you want to do in the morning when you are fresh. But I had to do it now to get to the next shelter. So climb I did.Wow, I did a three mountain day! And it felt good!!! I passed up the Hemlock Shelter which didn't have good water, for the Glen Rock Shelter nearby. It promised "a reliable stream to the left". What I found to the left was a dried up stream. So I went back to the stale, sitting water at Hemlock and filled my bottle for the night. I walked back to the Glen Rock Shelter, put up my hammock, and cooked dinner. After dinner, several other hikers appeared with empty water bottles. They searched better than I had, and found good water well below the shelter (not to the left). I knew that I would get good water for morning there. Everyone else stayed at the Hemlock shelter, but I camped at Glen Rock, alone again, naturally.
Date: 2010-07-20
From: Glen Rock Shelter

To: East Mountain Retreat Center
Miles today: 20.0

Rain during the night left everything slick in the morning. I filled up my water headed out. The mountains were foggy and I was slipping a lot. My upbeat spirit from yesterday disappeared. I climbed up the Jug End in a foggy funk. Then the fog cleared and I headed down. Talk about steep! Rocky! Not fun... So went my day. I ended up outside Great Barrington at the East Mountain Retreat Center.No one really talks about this hostel. I'm not sure why. It is a place for spiritual retreats, usually churches. Hikers are allowed to stay for $10. There are bunks with mattresses, a shower and restrooms, laundry, and a hot plate for cooking. You can order from the pizza place, as well. I found this place wonderful! There is a library of books to read. After a shower, I ordered vegetarian pizza and picked a book to read.
Date: 2010-07-21
From: East Mtn Retreat Center, MA

To: Houston, TX
Miles today: 0.0

There is a lot to fill in about what happened up to this point, but I'll just do a quick summary. After a phone call telling me that my aunt was dying, I decided to take a quick trip home. At first I planned to leave out of Boston, but at the suggestion of Rev. Rose from the Retreat Center, I caught the bus from Great Barrington to Manhattan, then flew out of JFK airport. It was an interesting and expensive bus ride, taxi ride, and two leg plane trip, but I am now in Houston at my niece's home. My sister will drive me to Brenham today. I'll help my parents make the funeral plans and see my aunt. I still have a car in New Hampshire. So I will be returning to Massachusetts next week and continue hiking north. Thanks for all the encouragement.
Date: 2010-07-27
From: Houston, TX

To: East Mountain Retreat/MA
Miles today: 0.0

It has been a strange week here at home. I had my Directv turned off while I was hiking so I had no TV. I don't have my computer access either. So my entertainment has been DVDs. I watched two of Lion King's and one by Windtalker and Mom. All made me homesick for the trail.The "family emergency" was my aunt. She passed away on Saturday night. We got the call while I was on the phone with Kinnickinick. She is an older and wiser hiker than I and she suggested that I might want to consider flipping. So in between making funeral arrangements, I began to think about that possibility. I have done nearly 1520 miles in 131 days... about 12 miles per day. I have about 660 miles to go. If I do 12 mpd, that is 55 days. But since it will be NH and ME, I am afraid that it may drop to less miles per day. That would put me into October. Several thoughts... Katahdin would be easier in August, but would it be as satisfying ending in Massachusetts? I'd see more people if I flipped, including all my friends who have passed me, but I would have to worry about getting the maps I've already mailed ahead. So I'll be starting in Massachusetts and heading north for now. If I feel pressed, I'll flip. I'm still hoping for someone to hike NH with me.
Date: 2010-07-31
From: East Mountain Retreat/MA

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: clear sky

I walked down the long driveway to Hwy 23, then the mile to the AT. At the parking lot, I tried one last time to catch up with On the Loose. Braids was meeting her and they would be doing some slackpacking and I was invited. I had left several messages last night to no avail. But this morning she answered! Unfortunately, she was 26 miles ahead of me, so my hopes of slackpacking with her and Braids today were gone. I started hiking with a bit of a bad attitude.The weather was fabulous! The heat wave had disappeared and now there was almost a slight chill to the air. The trail was covered in pine needles. Somehow rocks and roots seem nicer surrounded by pine needles. My attitude soon got better. At 10 miles I was at the Shaker camp site, but it was barely 12 noon. I decided that I could do the whole way to Upper Goose Pond Cabin. I met my first SOBO hiker of the season, Yah, a young man of about 20 or so, who started at Katahdin on June 2nd. We talked a bit, especially about his name, then went our ways. On I hiked, arriving at the cabin around 6pm. There were a bunch of hikers there that I hadn't seen since back in Virginia! I was exhausted, cooked dinner, and went right to bed. PS. The next morning I found out that they had chicken and somores for dinner after I went to bed. I was too crashed to even notice.
Date: 2010-08-01
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: The Bird Cage, Dalton, MA
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: broken clouds

I headed out of the cabin and soon crossed the MA Turnpike. Then sitting at HWY 20 was a car with a man in it. "You AT hiking?", he asked. When I said yes, he asked if I would like a slackpack to Dalton (over 20 miles). I realized that with the slack, I could actually do the 20! Of course I wanted to! He introduced himself as Rob Bird. I have heard of the Bird Cage for years. Rob opens his home to hikers, at his discretion, and will not accept one dime! He won't allow his name or address to be placed in the guide books, since he wants to do the inviting.More great weather, and great trail today. I walked and walked, and I thought and thought... here are some of the random things I thought about today:1. If a profile shows the terrain flat, it is not, that is just the average of the PUDS (pointless ups and downs)2. The number of gnats is directly proportional to the number of ferns in an area. Ferns and gnats go together like peas and carrots, as Forest Gump would say.3. Sunglasses can keep more than the sun out of your eyes. (see #2)4. Don't open your mouth to breathe, use your nose. (see #2)5. If you hear a rustling in the brush, it is probably a chipmunk. (They are the most prolific animal on the trail - I saw over a dozen today)When I got to town, I stopped at the Shell Station like Rob had told me. He came right away and drove me to his home. There were already three hikers there, and more arrived all evening. One surprise was Cowgirl and Rock&Roll who had come in from Boston and were heading back up to Vermont.
Date: 2010-08-02
From: The Bird Cage, Dalton, MA

To: Cheshire, MA
Miles today: 9.3

I talked to On the Loose last night hoping to make arrangements to meet this afternoon. But they were also in Dalton! We agreed to meet this morning for breakfast.So around 9am, we loaded up Braids car and headed to breakfast. Braids took my stuff to drop at the hostel in Cheshire where we will be staying the next two nights. I hiked from Dalton to Cheshire today, then tomorrow, they will drive me up to North Adams, where I will slack back to Cheshire. Loose and Braids will hang out here and relax tomorrow. Today was a very nice, short hike. One little climb out of Dalton, then ridges till the Cobbles, a marble overlook of Cheshire. The weather was nice and I am loving MA. As I came into town I met three more SOBO hikers, this time women. Hiking together were Oosy (I think) and Little Bear. Both were young women, one white and tiny, one black and muscular. At the ice cream stand I met Mother Goose. She is an older, multiple time AT hiker out for a SOBO this year.I am in awe of them being here so soon! The hardest part of the trail is over for them, and just beginning for me.
Date: 2010-08-03
From: Cheshire, MA

To: North Adams, MA
Miles today: 14.5

First of all, the Mason Hill Wayside Hostel in Cheshire is wonderful! For $25 you get a bunk with good linens, a cushy pillow, and quality bedding. The barn/bunkhouse is decorated with antiques, and has a full kitchen, bath, and library. The ambiance is fabulous! So, On the Loose drove me up to North Adams for my SOBO slack today. We stopped at McDonalds for breakfast, then Walmart to resupply. (That way we are ready to go tomorrow) She dropped me off right at HWY 2 and I walked up the street that leads to the mountain. I climbed up 6 miles to the summit of Mt Greylock. I expected the climb to be dreadful, but it really wasn't. At the summit, I was surprised to find the Bascom Lodge and restaurant. I ordered a hummus and eggplant sandwich, which was amazing! After visiting with several other hikers, I headed back southbound toward Cheshire.SOBO flips are always neat because you see all the folks that you didn't know were right behind you. The climb down was interesting because it didn't seem like a climb down at all. There are ridges and ups too, so it wasn't unpleasant at all. The weather is still breezy cool and I love Massachusetts! Tomorrow I'll be heading into Vermont. Wow! Three states left...
Date: 2010-08-04
From: North Adams, MA

To: Gongdon Shelter, VT
Miles today: 14.5

We awoke to rain, but it stopped before we were through packing up. Braids dropped On the Loose and I off in North Adams, then headed home (we thought). She actually went north, hiked to the shelter we planned on staying in, and left trail magic for On the Loose. She had to hike 8 miles up and down steep rocks to do that! Anyway, the rain made everything wet, slick, and muddy. I had to go slowly to keep from falling. It took longer than I expected to get into Vermont. I passed Grover who was hiking South, and he said he had left trail magic at the first shelter. When I got there, the strawberries and donuts were all gone, but I had some Oreos. As I was leaving, On the Loose came in. I hiked on, but began to get concerned that I would be late getting to the shelter. I was able to pick up speed once I realized that my muddy shoes were going to stay that way and stopped worrying about them. The mud is so deep in some places that it almost sucks your shoes right off your feet! No wonder they call it "Vermud". I was so tired when I got to the shelter, that I didn't even hang up my hammock, but laid out my sleeping bag and slept in the shelter. It has bunk-like sections, so I chose one. I cooked, ate, and passed out just about the time On the Loose arrived.
Date: 2010-08-05
From: Congdon Shelter, VT

To: Bennington, VT
Miles today: 4.5
Weather: haze

We planned on hiking 19 miles today so On the Loose could make Manchester Center for her mail on Saturday. I was up and hiking before 7am. By the time I reached the first climb, the rains began. It was a slippery, slick hike down the steep rock steps to the highway. As I neared the highway, On the Loose came up behind me. She said that she wasn't feeling well, and wanted to go to town. I was sooooo glad! I sure didn't want to hike. We hitched a ride to town, where we found "Likely". He told us about a place to stay that welcomed hikers. We went over, but decided we needed a room to dry off (and a bathroom) rather than staying in the garage with other hikers. So we said goodbye to "Cuetip" and "Trinket". After eating lunch at Friendly's, we caught a bus over to the motel. We showered, watched tv, and slept most of the afternoon. Fantastic! We'll take it slow to Manchester Center now, and On the Loose will get her mail on Monday.