morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-07-05
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

AHHHHH.... Another zero! :-) Went to NYC today... Sensory overload! Might sound odd coming from a person that has hiked 1300+ miles, but the city was too spread out to walk. So, we kept our "tour" of the city to within a few blocks from Grand Central Station. Still had a blast though! :-) I can't say thanks enough to Katie and Al for heling us out, they have really made me feel welcome. Well, it's back to the trail tomorrow! Still hoping my stomach stuff will go away.
Date: 2005-07-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 6.3

Did short miles because the free food was too inviting! Sat in front of the trailside museum/zoo until it opened at 10 this morning and wandered through there for a while. (Had to hit the White Blazes! :-b) Nothing spectacular today, but it's great to be on the trail. We are at the Graymoor Friary tenting out on the soccer field. This place is well known by thru-hikers. So, it is worth the short day. Dinner will be served in about 40 minutes or so. Great dinner! Afterwards got a tour by Brother Daniel. A lot of history here, it was great to kinda be in a learning atmosphere. Only 4 people for dinner here tonight; There were 14 people here last night. The Odd Couple was here last night, so we're still trailing them by a day. More people here now, so I'm going to converse.
Date: 2005-07-07
To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.2

Another day being really ambitious and planned on almost 18, but felt the laziness that is often felt after a zero and short day and stopped on a vista just over 14 miles. Slept in this morning, so we got a late start (which is becoming the norm) :-) There is a project going on at the RPH Shelter tomorrow, so we may stop in and see if any help is needed. Saw 1/4 of the way and his sister yesterday and passed them today. They are going slow so it won't bother his hernia. (Props because he's still out here hiking!) Cooked and ate parmesan lipton at the vista overlooking a beach on a lake. Stayed cloudy and cool today, but it might rain tomorrow because of the tropical storm moving north. Still having a blast out here with Radio. Can't wait to meet up with more of the crew from Baxter in teh Whites! All for now, G'nite!
Date: 2005-07-08
To: View Entry
Miles today: 4.7

Really short day! Came across the RPH Shelter and Tim & Kevin were setting up to do some trail maintenance. So, we decided to stay and work (when it wasn't raining.) They also fed us enormous amounts of really good food! :-) We were able to place 3 waterbars with hope it will curb the water erosion. Felt really good to do trail work again! I really miss it because such a great feeling of accomplishment comes over you when you can see your work function. It is raining, so we were able to see the water being diverted off of the trail. It was awesome! I've also managed to eat enough food to sustain a normal person for at least a week. AHHHH... It's a great feeling to be almost full! :-b Well, there's more on the grill an I can't miss anymore of the hilarious conversation.
Date: 2005-07-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 21.0

Left RPH Shelter this morning after an incredible breakfast sandwich. Tim also gave us a hershey bar and some cookies! Thanks to Tim & Kevin! Walked 5 miles to a deli where we got a pint of cappucino ice cream each. As well as some gatorade (they had my favorite! Strawberry kiwi! :-b) Took awesome breaks today and may have spotted the Catskills on the horizon. Passed Nuclear Lake and thought of a friend of mine. (Didn't swim in it though!) Made it to the Telephone Pioneer Shelter and ate dinner, but felt so great that we decided to continue. Saw the AT stop for the NYC Train, in the middle of nowhere! Crossed some fields and watched a beautiful sunset make the clouds pink & Orange. I wish every day out here could be like today! :-b So glad I've got Radio here to share it with me. Sleep calls! Stopping just shy of Kent tomorrow.
Date: 2005-07-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 17.0

Do I dare start another journal with "today was a ... Day?" Well, I will anyways! Insert "long" into the blank. Not so much milage wise, but time wise. Slept late and didn't get out until 9. Got sidetracked by a cooler with snacks then hit the first shelter. Passed our first southbounder! Wow, is he cruising! Second shelter was beautiful. Walked along 10 Mile River for a while, then got sidetracked by a road that would lead us to ice cream... Strawberry Cheesecake to narrow down the flavor... YUMMY! Made a quick call home and hit the trail again. Took a 1/2 mile detour after missing the turn off... OOPS! But still made it to the Mt. Algo Shelter. There were 2 Long Trail Ales in the stream, so we drank them. Another night with Bluelight & Bootz. Off to Kent tomorrow for our mail drop.
Date: 2005-07-11
To: View Entry
Miles today: 13.9

Long day, short time to write... Exhausted. Got mail drop in Kent, CT. Oh yeah, failed to mention state #10 yesterday! Hooray! THanks Mom for sending ads of steaks from my favorite restaurant back home... I'll get you back when I get home!!! (HAHAHA) Set it up to be at the picnic tomorrow. Camped with Thunder and Swifty. I know this is short but oh well.
Date: 2005-07-12
To: View Entry
Miles today: 11.6

More rested today. headed out from camp early this morning so we could get to the cookout faster. Haven't mentioned it yet, but were in New England now. We'll be in Mass. tomorrow! :-) Took a digger today in a fall that Radio says took forever. Rolled my ankle and said "Hello" to the rocks below. Only put a tiny (and I mean tiny) scratch on my knee. :-) Saw a driving school type set up from a vista today and watched a truck spin out a couple of times on a wet pavement circle. Now we're camped at the iron bridge where the cookout is set up. Ate hot dogs & watermelon (:-)) when we arrived and then a thru-hiker from '97 (Lewis) took us to a waterfall/swimming hole! Jumped off of a rock cliff about 15 feet high or so into the water. It was SO nice! Had a cold shower outside (with clothes on... they needed it too!) earlier in the day. So, that's like 2 showers in one day!!! Privy, Walkie Talkie & Mama Lipton brought this cookout together and it's been wonderful! Camped here with Thunder, Swifty, Clockwork Orange, Raj, Retro and a couple of other hikers I just met today. Can you say tent city? Mama Lipton jsut dropped off someice cream and I can't refuse it! - Must go get some before it's gone!... Ice cream good! It's 7:40 and I am cashed... G'nite.
Date: 2005-07-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.0

Overcast all day, so it kept it cool! :-) Talked to Privy, Dave and Walkie Talkie this morning... What a cool group! Headed out about 8:30 or so and made the campground in really good time. Plan on resupplying in Great Barrington and doing laundry tomorrow. Not sure if we're in Mass. The guidebook says we are, but the AMC CT Map says we're still in CT. If we are in Mass, WAHOO! State #11! 3 more to the Big K! :-) The mosquitos and flies are getting really bad and they're about to drive me insane! We picked up some bug stuff last town though. We'll be in Vermont next week! WOW! Only a few weeks until the Whites and until we see Adam and Julie! :-) Well, enough for now. (Oh Yeah, also over 2,300 feet for the first time in a while)... Radio got stung again today, so we're tied 3 bee stings each... bedtime!
Date: 2005-07-14
To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.9

Met the hiker Michigan last night. He left 4 days before us and recently had to take 3 weeks of... Wow! Made excellent timing this morning! I can really tell we're in New England! The make-up of the forest and rocks... I can't wait for Maine! :-) Discovered a very important bit of information today: Wet rocks aren't always slippery and dry rocks do not always provide traction! Also... Tree roots are ALWAYS slippery! We also ran into Airbus, who we haven't seen since Pearisburg, VA area. He had to take a few weeks off back at home... All these people taking weeks off and still catching us, is this a hint??? We're shooting to be in Vermont by next week. (Where I'm hoping the mosquitos won't be as bad.) Massachusetts has to be the WORST state as far as bugs go, but it's beautiful! We stopped in Great Barrington to do laundry, eat and get our stupid filter replaced again! (We're on filter #4 now... The MSR Sweetwater is NOT a good filter for long-distance teks!) Enough for now, my bed calls!
Date: 2005-07-15
To: View Entry
Miles today: 16.3

Today has just been one of "those" days. The mosquitos are driving me insane. I find myself thinking more and more about just finishing and getting on with my life. I think of home and convenience more and more, and I miss both dearly. I think that things will get better again. (As soon as the mosquitos die!) Anyways, we hit up a pond today and took a long break there. Miraculously, the bugs weren't that bad, so we soaked it up. Now we're camped with Florida, Shortcut and A Wilderness Camp and the bugs are bad. It has started to rain and we didn't get the tent taut enough on this platform, so the water is creeping in from the ends. Tomorrow will be better though, a short day to a cabin... I think I'll try to sleep now, both of us are tired and ready for bed.
Date: 2005-07-16
To: View Entry
Miles today: 9.9

Got a soggy start this morning but better than yesterday! Got to the cabin at 11:30 this morning and we've been relaxing and swimming since then. For some reason there are hardly and bugs here at all. It's magnificent!!!!! :-) :-) Yesterday was a hard day mentally but days like that are necessary so the good days seem that much better. Lately the trail has been an emotional rollercoaster. We've come SOOO FAR, but we've still got a lot left. Sometimes it is hard to even comprehend that we've walked over 1,500 miles from Georgia... Wow, what a long trip it has been. To think back on when we were on top of springer mountain seems AGES ago. I am still having a blast out here, and I still can't wait to get to Maine! Dinner soon... Finished eating dinner and now I'm sitting next to the pond. I don't know if my appetite has gone down or if my stomach is having a strike demanding better food. But I haven't been hungry the past few days. Oh well. I got a chance to look at Grampy's (the caretaker here) scrapbook from his hike in '01/'02 and it really gave me the inspiration to look ahead and be super excited! :-) Also, a high point for the day, we saw 72 of those little orange newts (eastern newts) which is an incredible number! Our record before was 7 in one day. Just met a hiker "Wag Daddy" from Grand Rapids, MI that started on May 15th! WOW! 2 MONTHS after we did... That's incredible! Well, enough writing for now, got to enjoy the scenery.
Date: 2005-07-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 20.6

Lot's from last night went on after I put my journal away. Saw Draggin' for the first time since Hot Springs, NC. That was really exciting because he started on the same day we did, and it was just a big confidence boost. Then late at night some intoxicated youth came into the cabin (around 10 pm... really late!) Claiming that they were going to get us all wasted. Needless to say he left and we returned to sleep. So, onto today, we had pancakes for breakfast (Thanks sooo much Grampy!) Also got hooked up with pepperoni and crackers from some long-distance section hikers and got cookies from Julie(Thanks!) Started to rain today, but we ducked into the first shelter in time to wait it out. Slipped off of a bog bridge into the muck below... Fun! Saw a sign for the Birdcage a few miles before the second shelter (where we intended to stay), but decided to push onto Dalton to stay with Rob. Got a shower and getting laundry done. SItting in some cotton clothes now (It's so great!) listening to Porter, Morel, Radio and Rob pass the guitar around. Picking up the maildrop here tomorrow. Naked Son is also here tonight. Well, exciting day and I'm ready to pass out!
Date: 2005-07-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 9.3

Short miles today because we stayed up last night. Free place to stay (away from mosquitos for 3 nights in a row! :-) ) here in Cheshire. Went to Draggin's place and talked for a while. Julie came over and we all went to eat chinese and then went to the EMS in the mall. (Sorry REI! I'm still loyal though! :-) Buford is #1!) :-) Weird to be in Draggin's house, after so long I've considered the quarterdone my home away from home. Not going to write much because I'm going to try to get some sleep... VT in a few days!!! :-) Big thanks to Julie and her class!!! Thanks for following our trip, sorry we couldn't meet you. You guys (& girls) rock!!!
Date: 2005-07-19
To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.6

Left Cheshire this morning and had a long steady up to the top of Greylock. Ment Stumble, a southbounder from my hometown! Even went to the same high school! Weird!!! Made it to the top of Greylock and there was a snackbar there... A hamburger and an onion ring (and cake! :-)) Later we were ready to to leave. Thunder was rolling, and a guy that works there suggested staying at the hostel there because the storm was going to be nasty. We left anyways hoping it would hold out long enough until we had a good forest canopy over our heads. It ended up sprinkling for a second then nothing else happened. :-) Now we're at the Sherman Brook Campsite just shy of the Vermont border. Planning on Bennington Thursday morning... YIPEE!!!!
Date: 2005-07-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.0

What a beautiful day today! Slept late this morning (almost 8!) and didn't start moving until 10:15. :-) The mosquitos are almost non-existant... WHAOOOO!!!! Cool breezes all day long... I love Vermont! The trail has been really marshy in spots, but it's fun to hop around on boulders. Got one of those AT postcards that showd the whole trail and realized how far we've come... WOW! :-) We're camped at Harmon Hill, Just short of Bennington. We're planning on taking an easy day tomorrow. We're got less than 600 miles to go!!! (Still in shock!) Hoping to catch a sunset, but the black flies emerged as we escaped to the tent. They are hitting the top of the tent, and there are so many of them that it sounds like it's raining. Well, I'm going to relax now... Oh yeah... Met tons of southbounders today and one of them (didn't catch his name) that knew me from REI... Small world...
Date: 2005-07-21
To: View Entry
Miles today: 1.8

Nice day today! Made it to town early (a hitch from a guy who knows our old boss from ME!) :-) Went to McDonalds and ate a disgusting amount of food, but that's not out of the ordinary. :-) Met several super nice locals here, a really cool town! Went swimming in an actual pool, NICE! The town had a midnight madness thing where all the shops were open til midnight. We got to ride bikes to the Mexican restaurant, it was really fun. They also have the painted moose here. So we got a couple. Well, just talked to Julie & Adam and things are set. Off to sleep now....
Date: 2005-07-22
To: View Entry
Miles today: 1.6

Well, we found out that our milage average must drop if we want to arrive in Glencliff on the 7th, so we are adding a few (really) short days. We also found out that the Samples are playing a live show in the Rutland on the 30th, so we're taking it (really) easy so we can catch the show. :-) It's a hard life! We checked out the library a few times today and I was able to contact Leki about my poles so I'll be getting new mid-sections in Hanover. :-) Went to the outfitter; Natures's Closet, and checked out a few bikes. We rode to a park to play frisbee golf, but were disappointed when there were no frisbees. Then we went to the Blue Benn Diner and ate lunch, before heading back to the outfitter and returning the bikes. To make the bike experience a bit more humorous, Radio got one with a severly distorted back tire... Not funny to him because it would rub the frame and made it hard to go. We saw a lot of the painted moose in town, moosefest 2005. Caught the shuttle from the outfitter to the trail and hiked to the shelter. Staying in the shelter because the rain picked up a little bit and the bugs don't seem to be bad... Yet anways... Going to crash out for the night now....
Date: 2005-07-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 12.8

Milage was a little more respectable today. :-) Left the Melville Nauheim Shelter by 8:30 or so and hit Hell Hollow Brook. Aside from being a funny name for a brook, it also marked 1600 miles! :-) Got the the Glastenbury Mountain fire tower and was speechless because the view was so magnificent. Tallest mountain at 3,748 feet since Virginia. Met more southbounders today, which is becoming a usual. We are camped at the Kid Gore Shelter that has a beautiful view of the valley below. Actually got chilly after dinner, so retreated to the tent. Tired after today, so I'm going to sleep now.
Date: 2005-07-24
To: View Entry
Miles today: 15.1

Set out this morning on a mission. A few Sobo's mentioned a cooler filled with Cokes about 8 miles up. We made it there in time for lunch and drank some Powerade and ate candy! :-) Many thanks to Magic Rat & Emily! Then we climbed up Stratton Mountain and talk to Gene and Hugh, some caretakers up there. Also got to go up in the firetower and see more breathtaking views :-) Descended to Stratton Pond and we're in the shelter now. (In our tent because of bugs) Paid $5 each, but we get two other shelters furth north for free! Split 3 dinners here and could still eat more! My hunger just keeps growing! Short 10 mile day tomorrow (Yay!) :-)
Date: 2005-07-25
To: View Entry
Miles today: 10.6

Intended to camp shy of town today, but the McDonald's was calling. :-) Ate 3 double cheseburgers, medium fry, side salad and 2 apple pies... mmmmmmm... :-) Radio ate the same plus 2 McChickens. :-) Ran into swifty in town (hadn't seen him since CT) and he said that he had a friend "Hammer" in town that had a hostel. So here we are, what a wonderful place! Felt very welcomed here, and even had a big diner with sweet potatoes, salad, bread and meatloaf. I don't think it would be possible to consume as much food as I have today in a normal day at home! Got to do laundry & shower here too! I'm like a brand new hiker! Talked with folks from home and it felt good to hear news from home. Well, it's bedtime! Thanks sooooo much to "Hammer" and his parents and his sister, one of the best unexpected trail magic instances so far!
Date: 2005-07-26
To: View Entry
Miles today: 10.6

First off, I would like to thank Hammer and the Fish family again because it was so Great! A short day of milage equals in the tent with all chores done by 5:08... WOW! :-) Pulling a shorter day tomorrow, but it's okay because we've heard there is an excellent swimming pond there! :-) There were two good climbs today, first up Bromley. It was beautiful up on the observation tower. There was also the Ski Patrol building that was really cool. Then we descended and ascended up Peru Peak, no views like from Bromley though. And now we're at the Griffith Lake tent site. Swifty moved on to the next shelter and Steady Step is here camped with us. Just missed Dead Animal by a few hours on top of Bromley, but he left us a message in the Peru Peak Shelter. Yappy is off the trail now and he is continuing on for the both of them. I'm really going to miss Yappy and her "krazy" Patsy Kline. I hope that her Mom will get better. Who knows, maybe we'll see her on the CDT in '07. :-) The Odd Couple also left us a "Where are you two?" note in the last register. I hope we summit with them so we can have the "All or Nothing" cribbage game. Off to bed...
Date: 2005-07-27
To: View Entry
Miles today: 9.6

Got a late start this morning. It really stormed last night! Quite a light show with many loud rumbles. Also heard what I thought were two moose go by close to camp. Stuck my head out of the tent, but all I saw was dark forest. Relatively easy today compared to yesterday. Had to make a stop into Danby because I'm having a bad reaction to some black fly bites and I needed some Benadryl. Took a while to get a hitch, but we made it. Stopped at a gas station/general store/food place and got a large cheese pizza, a couple of cokes and some bbq chips. :-) (and the Benadryl!) I took ta Benadryl before the pizza was ready, so when we were eating I was falling alseep between bites. Got a a hitch back to the trail by the married couple that run the hardware store. Only 2 miles after that and we were at the pond. Saw Steady Step there, but all of the tent platforms were taken so we went to the shelter. Met up with PB again (Nobo long trail hiker) and also met a couple heading south on the AT. Started to rain so we didn't go swimming. :-( Well, I'm off to sleep..
Date: 2005-07-28
To: View Entry
Miles today: 13.2

Hiked in GREAT weather today! My head is still in a fog from the Benadryl though. Helping a little so I can't complain. Stopped just shy of the shelter to hitch in ad get some ice cream, then back to the trail. We're at the Clarendon Shelter with some LT sectioners. PB and Draggin just walked up. We may have successfully convinced PB to watch the Samples play in Rutland. Good fire going, but I'm too tired to stay up. Longer miles tomorrow...
Date: 2005-07-29
To: View Entry
Miles today: 14.5

In a shelter with PB and two other long trail hikers. Everyone else either felt the town pull or moved on. Talking with PB here, what a cool guy! We (Us & PB) are headed into Rutland tomorrow to catch the ethnic festival and the Samples! :-) Also get to drink some more "Otter Creek" Beer that is brewed in Middlebury, VT. (It's so good!) Went over Killington today and took the .2 mile side trail to the peak. It was really steep but worth it for the beautiful views and good cool breeze. Only fell once today... WAHOOO! Getting tired....
Date: 2005-07-30
To: View Entry
Miles today: 1.9

What a great day! Short mile into town then we stuffed our faces with McDonald's (Yes, I know, We're sick!) Checked into a motel with PB. Went into D-Town Rutland for the Ethnic Festival. Sampled numerous food types and it was great! Then the Samples played and it was a GREAT show!!!! I've missed music so much out here and that really hit the spot! Even cought a DVD that Sean threw into the crowd. :-) Well, it's late now and I must go to the pillow that is calling me! :-)
Date: 2005-07-31
To: View Entry
Miles today: 10.0

Short, but hard, day. Left downtown after breakfast from.... of course... McDonald's. :-) Saw PB's sticks by the trail with an RIP sign. :-) Took the AT at the Maine Junction and headed east. Ran into Warren Doyle this morning. We've been hearing that he was quickly approaching. His group left out on April 30th... WOW! Now we're at a shelter with a few section hikers and 4 other thru-hikers (Motorin', Free Heel, Dark Helmet and Lobster.. All March starters... Hooray!) We're planning on 15 tomorrow and if the terrain is like it was today, it won't be easy. I'm still having a blast out here. Going to see live music really eased my eagerness to get home to my music. It's been great hiking with Radio because he's a walking (and carries his own gear :-)) Radio! Cooled off a good bit and it may rain tonight so we're in our tent in the shelter (nobody else was stayin in here!) Good night! (Also saw Unkown and Sowega for the first time since "Soweva" AKA Southwest Virginia) :-)
Date: 2005-08-01
To: View Entry
Miles today: 13.7

Miles went by slowly today. Went to the lookout which is a house (kind of) on private property that is left open for hikers. Also had a ladder to the roof and there was a viewig platform up high with stunning views. The Warren Doyle group caught us and we are staying with them in the red barn. Dan has opened his barn to hikers and it's awesome! Has a radio and lights. :-) Dan even gave us a ride to a pond where we went swimming. Upon arriving here we went to a farmer's market and got some sausage and a huge bagette of bread (and some free cheese) and had a wonderful snack. We then split a quart of milk and each had an ice cream cone. :-) Then nacho pasta (lipton) for dinner. Not really hungry, but not full. Sick, huh? Well, got some guitar playing going on now and I'm going to enjoy it... Oh yeah, just passed the 1,700 mile mark! :-) Wahooooo!!!!!