morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-07-15
From: Chittanango

To: Oneida
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

So far I have managed to do more walking in cities getting the business of hiking done then hiking.....not really true, but it feels like it, so that makes it my reality. I woke up to a flat air mattress. Now I know some hikers love their little blue mats but I love my UL Big Agnes Clearview. Its 2.5 inches thick when holding air. That is nice for a big guy like me. When it doesn't hold air its pretty useless. Fortunately Big Agnes has a great return policy, but I had to wait for Utah to wake up and get to work. While I was waiting I went to the Yellow Brick Road....sidewalk really. But I wanted to take a picture with my pack on the Yellow Brick Road so I could send it to Mark DeCracker....that was two miles of hiking just for a picture. I was also able to weather a storm in a Subway filling out Post Cards, BTW, it is so much cheaper to buy prestamped post cards at the post office then individual cards and stamps. After filling out the cards, I decided to hike on out of town and call Big Agnes while on the Trail. So while I was huddled up under my umbrella in a light rain, I was able to get BA to send me out a replacement, to North Adams....so no comfy sleeping pad for two weeks.I made the hike to Canastota along a very thin Trail, reminded me of the A.T., must be people around here don't use the Trail. By the time I got here, BA had already processed my return and had a return shipping label waiting to be printed. At least I can send off the defunked mattress and not have to carry the weight for two weeks. So into the Library I went, this time instead of being treated like a homeless vagrant the librarians fell all over themselves trying to help.....thank you Wild! Glasses of water, free printing and conversation. They even found out where to mail my package from in town. So off I go.....
Date: 2014-07-16
From: Oneida

To: Oriskany
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Well the last 24 have been interesting. After Rollin out of Oneida I made Durhamville last night. I couldnt find a place to pitch my tent. Nobody was at the church or the fire hall. So I went across the street to ask a lady if she knew anyone with the fire department.....it was a safe bet. Her cars all had EMT decals. She checked with the commissioner and got me permission and water. Nice score as water is in short supply in CNY. Well as I was lying naked in my tent drying off the sweat she came over with a friend who she had told about my journey. She had brought me dinner and snacks....and more water. Awesome. Then as I was dozing off I got another visitor. Bob Allen had heard about me from a Facebook post to all the fire department. He came by with drinks and apples....people in NY love apples. He also extended an invitation for breakfast. Well he showed up an hour early.....once again as I was naked in my tent changing clothes......I am starting to think that the cosmos has a sense of humor when it comes to fat men being naked. We went to Dennys for coffee and pancakes. Bob is a disabled vet as well and a hell of a car guy. With two hot rods in his garage....though he showed up in a Caprice. Anyway cant have your pancakes and eat them too....sort of speak. After breakfast he slack packed me to Rome. I flew....literally jogging down the trail. I do not jog. Maybe it was the coffee or getting a full pack of my back. Once in Rome I did as Romans do.....drive. The canal trail through the city was all road walking. Once through the city it was back on trail. BTW...Rome is doing a great job of making new trails with blacktop. Of course their timing is horrible. The cyclist are only two days behind me. The trail from Rome to Oriskany was beautiful and may be the last I see of the expanded canal. The canal trail from here follows more road....fucking great. But when it does follow the canal its the barge canal. I have been walking it an hour already tonight and its nice to see real water flowing. Not the swampy beauty of the expanded canal of CNY or even the well formed banks of the canal in WNY.I am hoping to meet up with the PTNY cycling crew friday night. But will probably be eating their dustall day friday.Oh on a side note....I am an idiot. I mailed my damn charge cord for my battery home. So I will have to pick one up in Utica tomorrow. So why is today titled Ghost Story? Well while hiking to Oriskany I was struck with an idea for a poem...about a ghost story in two parts. First what a traveler might experience and second from the perspective of one of the participants in the tragedy. So I am work in on it. After all this area is said to be haunted with the ghost of Revolutionary soldiers and Irish canal workers.
Date: 2014-07-17
From: Oriskany

To: Lock 19
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

The started great. The sun was shining and I felt wonderful. I had camped in a great spot to see the sunrise. As I was moving up the Trail I was attacked by a swarm of mosquitoes. It was all I could doto sswatch them and walk faster. Some ladies had given me an Off repellent wipe but I didn't use it. I dont want the chemicals on my skin if I can't wash it off later. So I suffered through a mile of being eaten alive. Then I stopped at a picnic table and went through my pack. I ate everything that was weighing me down. I even donated the left over cookies and nutella to a work crew. I set out along the route and started road walking. I did manage to find a big lots for a charger. After a few miles my blister on my left foot was incredibly painful. My ankle swelled up too. Bjt I cant use the ankle brace while I have this blister. As I marched down the road like a good little hiker I witnessed an obese person. ...I couldn't trell its gender. It was on a motorized lazy boy....sort of.it was linked up to fifteen Big Lots shopping carts. I wonder if it brings them home when it shops and just returns when they add up. Either way its was a good four miles back to big lots. After a quick break under a tree while drinking some lemonade I hit the road again. I got to Lock 19 about 1700 hours. Dave the lock master let me charge up my cell and battery. Nice lock.....like all the rest. I should have kept going but feet were sore. The sunset is spectacular. I have the run of the place and walked around barefoot. I am meeting up with the cyclists tomorrow night. Rohan...the transportation guru will pick me and then drop me back off after breakfast. ....so goes the plan.
Date: 2014-07-18
From: Lock 19

To: Canajoharie
Miles today: 0.0

Nothing like waking up to a tent full of dew....teach me not to close my rain fly. A cup of coffee and a bagel from the lockmaster and I was soon forgetting about dew or even the tent. Just pure coffee bliss. The day was full of road marching. Not much fun. However for about two miles I walked with a cyclist who had started in Minnesota and was heading to Massachusetts to work on a co-op farm as an intern.....more like slave labor. I learned more about sustainable farming then I care to recount. But it was nice to chat instead of singing old Michael Jackson songs. Then what fun I had when I had to once again backtrack a few miles because of faulty signage. It turns out pedestrians weren't allowed to go the way cyclist were allowed. It resulted in a major detour. But netted me a free soda in Herkimer. This guy came up to me and asked if I was hiking....no shit was it the backpack or the walking stick that gave me away? Anyway for half a mile or so he went on about how the world is going to hell and how nobody helps each other anymore.....not my experience...but he thought so. He then offered to buy me a drink....disproving his argument. The hike of Herkimer was fine once I figured out the map was off by a block. The countryside was beautiful and hilly. My thighs finally hadwork to do. I met up with the cyclist horde...500 cyclist riding the canal. I have been looking foforward to getting to meet them. I stayed in Little Falls for a bit with them before moving on to the I tent city in Canajoharie. It reminds me of Trail Days..except the cops aren't harassing them and they are clean with massive tents and coolers of beer and goodies. I even yogied a hard cider and a game of eucher. Then I got a call from Drew about free dinner in town. Needless to say I ran to the bus lest they run out of food. 500 cyclist can eat like 100 hikers. Meeting with Drew and staff was nice. We talked about the hike and some of the improvements that could be made to the guide book. Then just hiking in general. Made it back to tent city in time to field some calls from the family and get some rest. Breakfast is served early and Drew asked me to say a few words. Nice honor. Btw...the blisters are better and walking was not nearly as painful as yesterday.
Date: 2014-07-19
From: Canajoharie

To: Auriesville
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: broken clouds

I was not about to miss out on an endless supply of fresh fruit..juice..and coffee. Not that my bladderthanked me later. During breakfast I gave a short speach about Thru-hiking the Erie Canal. It was well received and netted a few questions afterwards. Then more coffee....and helping to pack upcamp. I did yogie a ride to the trail head. Then off I went. Well rested fed and caffeinated. I put in twelve miles before taking a break. No siesta today. But my ankles were killing me. After downing a few pills to ease the pain I put in another six miles. Mostly due to ths Biesty Boys and Bloodhound Gang. I feel a bit sorry for any on who bad their windows open along the trail. I will need to stop in Amsterdam tomorrow to pick up some Monkey Butt powder and snacks. But I am still on track to finish the trail on Thursday. Anyone in Albany willing to put up a hiker for two days?
Date: 2014-07-20
From: Auriesville

To: Rotterdam Junction
Miles today: 0.0

Well I slept so soundly that the alarm had no effect.....could be the ear plugs. Today was really boring. A lot of road marching. Though it had some nice high points. I saw a beautiful mix of wild flowers along the road. Two small birds gave a crow a hell of a time for coming to close to their nest. I stood in awe as an aerial dog fight took place. The more I see of nature I am convinced that small with large numbers trumps large and solo. When I got to Pattersonville I approached three older guys drinking beer....my intentions were pure mind you....just to get directions to lock nine. I cant be faulted if they offered a few beers before pointing out that the road went straight and that I couldn't miss it. I also resupplied my water there. Then headed out of town to the Canalway Trail. There I met a stoner who was drinking next to his mountain bike. After talking a bit he reached into his wallet anf hands me a fiver. ..with explicit instructions to have a beer on him. No problem. That I can do.The sun is setting over a swampy section of the expansion canal. Looks incredible. I hope to never grow tired of sunsets. Sunrises could be ten times better...but I dont ever see them. Maybe if they happened a little later in the day?
Date: 2014-07-21
From: Rotterdam Junction

To: Lock 7 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

A few first for me today. I saw my first beaver...and skunk. But what really caught my attention were the incredible numbers of chipmunks. Every where I went there were chipmunks. The young ones must be moving out of momies den. The hike was nice and hot and dry. Once again no public water. I yogied water from a few locations. But when I got to Schenectady two road crew workers gave me the water they had in their lunchboxes. Wow. A bit later when I went into the YMCA I was treated like a leper. I just asked to use the restroom. I even explained I was hiking and not a bum. But the women at the counter turned the I noses up at me. A lot different from the YMCA along the A.T. it occurred to me today that I have not done laundry since Lyons or taken a shower since Syracuse. I had thought to rent a room and do laundry but I couldnt find anyplace along the trail. so instead i spent some money on what every hiker needs even more than clean clothes or shampooed hair. Pizza and wings. And they delivered to Lock 7. I admit that i could have eaten my veggie soup and noodles.....but it was calling out to "Pizza....Pizza" so who am i to deny the callings of the universe.Here at Lock 7 I met Aaron. He looks like a typical Jersey Shore kid but with a steady job and grown up problems. It was nice to give him someone to use as a sounding board. He just needed to talk his problem through. No need for me to solve his issues.oh...I was contacted by a reporter from Rochester about the hike. So another story about the Erie Canal being a great long distance hike may be in the works. In the mean time i am only two days from Albany, still without a plan on where to stay in town....i wonder if the Governor is home?
Date: 2014-07-22
From: Lock 7 

To: Watervliet
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Wow. After the feast last night I expected to sleep like the dead. Instead I was up early. Bright eyed and bushy tailed. Shared some coffee with the Lock master and gave him the 2 liter of pepsi. I hit the trail early because the heat was due to just keep rising. And it did. By the time it was noon I was drenched and parched. I went into a park to get water and should have just stayed and went swimming. But I wanted to get to lock one. Well the signage was an issue. There were no signs for the lock. So I missed it completely. Instead I kept hiking into Green Island...which is not an island but a tiny community squished inside a ring of interstates. On I kept going until Rite Aid called to me with the promise of off brand drugs and cold drinks. I was just in time to witness a disgruntled customer shouting racial slurs inappropriate to the race of the manage. If you are going to curse at someone at least you could correctly identify his race and gender. Otherwise you will come across as an idiot as well as a racists. Anyway. I spoke with the police officer about putting up my tent on the trail once it leaves town and goes down the Hudson. He said it should not be much of an issue. I am waiting at the near by McDonald's until it gets a little later before setting up camp.Update: I hiked down to the bike path. When I arrived I met a group of fisherman who were spending most of their time drinking to the good old days. After yoging a few beers and water they told me of an old pier that would make a great camping spot. So two of them walked me down gave me a few beers and a grapefruit. ....seriously a grapefruit. So now I am camped out on an old concrete pier. Fantas
Date: 2014-07-23
From: Watervliet

To: Williamstown MA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

The hike into Albany was quick. I made it to the PTNY HQ buy 1000. Meeting with Drew and the crew was a great time. I shared a few stories and then drank a gallon of water and coffee and scarfed down a bagel. After briefing the team on items that I thought might warrant attention I set out to explore Albany. Nice city....if you like cities. I wanted to find a place to do laundry and take a shower. No real luck with that. I was directed to the mission but it had a thirty day admission. No one stands. They pointed me to a drop in center. By the Tim I walked all the way across town again I was to late cor laundry and was having to wait a few hours for a shower.....I did pick up a clean shirt! Nice blue polo. Then it was back across town to the bus station where I caught a bus. However...it seems Peter Pan stopped going to North Adams. Instead I am heading to Williamsville and having to hike twenty miles to North Adams. Just friken great. The bus doesn't even get into Williamstown until close to 2200 hours. I hope I can find a place nearby where I can pitch my tent or a cheap motel. Then I will figure out getting to North Adams tomorrow. Still need that shower and laundry though.I arrived at the bus terminal in Pittsford. Only to find out that I could have taken a city bus to North Adams for $4.50. Except I dont have any cash since my debit card didn't work in Albany. How much easier would it have been to arrive in North Adams today with enough time to get a room and hit the post office in the morning. Instead I will have to find some cash and trail to get into North Adams tomorrow. Its just one of those things that I hope to look back on and laugh because right now I dont find it humorous. I did med a young college girl here who was having an even tougher night with her travel plans. I atleast was able to help her charge her cell. Then she gave me $20 Incas my card wouldn't work tomorrow. Wow. People amaze me all the time.....take the custodian here at the station. He could have had us all sitting outside in the cold rain waiting for our bus. Instead he offered us all shelter and electric hook ups. And I am sure it made his job more complicated. Nice people everywhere. ...we just need to train ourselves to see them.
Date: 2014-07-24
From: Williamstown MA

To: North Adams, MA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Last night, after getting dropped off at the most expensive hotel in town, I decided that $200 a night was a bit too much for me. So looking at my map I noticed there was a cemetery just a block over. I figured the dead wouldn't mind some company. So I walked on down the road and into the wide open cemetery, there wasn't even a no trespassing sign, it was like the Fates aligned. Not wanting to disturb the crowd, or alert the neighbors, I kept my headlamp off and completed my camp set up in the pitch black. I didn't even sleep on a grave, I was off to the side. It was a bit creepy at first to be honest, but I could just imagine how much more uncomfortable my wallet would be $200 short.I have managed to get a lot done today, from hiking into North Adams, to taking care of my mail-drop, drying out my gear, doing laundry finally and taking a shower. The nice folks at Planet Fitness allowed me to come in and be a guest. When I say the dirt just ran off me for twenty minutes I am not kidding. THe only problem is that my skin was shedding under the dirt. So I had to really scrub the old skin off, yuck.About the only thing that I really need to do is get a new pair of shoes, but I have had no luck in town. The one athletic store has nothing in stock that fits what I need. I should have pre-purchased several pairs of sneakers, but I didn't have the money or inclination. I was really unsure if I would like just using the cross trainer sneakers. But I love them. I could take a bus to the next town over....thirty minutes....and check out the mall, but there are no guarantees that I could get there and back today. I may be able to push these shoes a few more weeks. The tread is okay, the materiel is holding up fine. I may just see about buying new insoles. Damn I am tired, I should find a cheap hotel or another hiker to split a room with and get some real rest, but I really hate spending the money so needlessly. After all I am clean with clean clothes and aside from some snacks resupplied, I just need to head for the hills.
Date: 2014-09-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

After getting off the trail at the end of November I've been in Wyoming helping my daughter train for her first Ironman to be held in Chattanooga, Tennessee September 28th. Now that she has started to taper her training leading to the event I plan to head East this weekend, meet Ned the Fed in Nashville on Sunday and start South from where I stopped last year at Fontana Dam. Ned and I had planned to start my thru hike together in Maine last summer but on the first day he was seriously hurt by a falling boulder and was unable to continue. So instead of starting the trail together we will finish the trail together. One thing I learned in my five months on the trail last year is always count on your plans changing. Another thing I learned is a thru hike is a great goal but I found myself sometimes so focused on putting in the miles that I wasn't appreciating the journey which was ironic given my journal signature ("The journey is the reward."). I would not deviate from the White Blazes! This really struck home one beautiful day when I was charging down the trail and I noted in the guide there was a waterfall some distance from the trail. God forbid I would head down a blue blaze to see a beautiful waterfall. Well, you know what happened, I missed a turn and ended up at the waterfall and it was beautiful. It really became a lot less important to thru hike the trail.
Date: 2014-09-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Hiking the AT SOBO last year I came in to the Liberty Springs campsite just before dark and had to pitch my tarptent on the trail because all the flat spots were taken. After a long day (26.90 miles) needless to say I wasn't happy. Stopped in North Adams, Mass and ordered Warbonnet Blackbird 1.1 dl, Mamajamba tarp, Mamba TQ and Yeti UQ. Never looked back and never had a bad nights sleep for almost 1500 miles when I got off the trail at Fontana North Carolina. Love the Bird but decided to take a WB Traveler this trip (going lean). Really looking forward to a week or so in the woods. Hike on.
Date: 2014-09-11
From: Nantahala Outdoor Center

To: Cold Spring
Miles today: 11.7
Weather: light rain

It was a toad strangler today. Thought I was swimming not hiking but cleared in the afternoon long enough to get things wrung out before it rained all night. Oh well it is what it is. Met a 73 year old hiker (Loner Bohner). Has hiked the trail twice and is out doing some section each year with his friend Just Joe. Update on Ned. Ned developed a stiff neck and it has really hamperedhis ability to hike. So for now he is going to hang with Holly and support me.
Date: 2010-03-07
To: Preparations
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

My airline ticket is purchased for an April 6th arrival in Atlanta. The folks from the Hiker Hostel will pick me up at the MARTA North Springs Station and drop me at Springer the next morning. This weekend in Manchester has been in the 50's and I'm thinking AT. Is winter over?   I'm planning on a long, leisurely hike north. '09 taxes are filed. I have no dates to be anywhere. I have no planned mail drops. I have myself, my gear, and 6 months to Maine. The retired life has many benefits including the chance to fulfil a lifelong dream.    I will discuss my gear on the next prep entry and also try to comment on the good and bad points of the items as the hike unfolds. Think spring.
Date: 2010-03-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It's already the end of March and I'm still working on the 'honey do' list around the house. The hike plans are going well. All gear has been tested and packed, and tested and packed. Most of my gear is well used but a couple items have required more attention. These new items include a Steripen water purifier and an alcohol stove. Both have been used until I'm comfortable with them. I entered most of the larger items in the 'Gear' section today and will update them my remaining gear this week.
Date: 2010-03-30
To: Prep
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Okay, just a week until I land in Atlanta. The pack and all gear less clothing is cleaned, packed, sharpened, charged, seam sealed, and ready. Tomorrow I will finalize clothing and food and then kick back and enjoy Easter with family. It's happening - the Appalachian Trail - a dream/fantasy that's been with me since childhood. I grew up in central Massachusetts where my dad had a family business that required a trip or two each year out to Syracuse, NY. A brother and I would ride with our father when he made the drive. It was a thrill for a little kid to get up early, ride in a big truck on Interstate 90, and spend time 'working' like a grown-up. When we passed under the AT I-90 walkway, dad would answer our questions about what the AT was and this would lead to talk about his scouting days and camping, backpacking and life out of doors. I couldn't wait to grow up enough to go camping with the scouts and maybe, just maybe, hike the Appalachian Trail. Even the name was exotic and challenging. I'm grown up enough and hitting the trail next week.