morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-05-13
From: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center 

To: RPH Shelter 
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: clear sky

Today I decided to try and work out this New York deal. So, I mentioned it to the group, Felton is in, Donk will be in Kent Conn., and sadly Trailfoot will have to push forward with his quest. I think it will be a really neat experience. Backing up. This morning we did a quick lap around the Friary. It was all very impressive and made us all feel more spiritual. Walking this morning was fun. It was cold, but pretty. I guess the only thing left to say is that I did finally complete my Half Gallon Challenge. We met a guy named Greg who offered (after we told him how much we liked ice cream) to go pick us up some and met us at the shelter. He was surprised when we asked for 4 12 gallons. But we all finished. Only Felton and I were sick. Oh well, no more ice cream for a while. RPH Shelter is incredible. It is pretty much a small house. Met Janice, the trail angel who stocks snacks, who is really nice. Had a soda and chicken noodle soup for dinner. But I do hope this ice cream buzz wears off so I can sleep. My next few journals should be interesting.
Date: 2008-05-14
From: RPH Shelter 

To: Route 20 Pawling
Miles today: 17.3

Well, we said goodbye to Trailfoot as he packed up and headed out at 6:00 sharp. I, however, stayed in bed until 8:30. Not something I plan on doing very often. After a short morning hike, it was lunch at a deli. Ran into a couple people who said they talked to a thru hiker who twisted his ankle and was doing a short day. It was Trailfoot. So we ran back into him in the evening.Sasquatch picked us up, took us to the grocery, gave us ribs, and let us sleep out in his pool house. Nowhere else can you barely know someone and have them be so hospitable. It was unbelievable. The trail really does restore your belief that people are good. I¢ll have to remember to pay forward all of the favors people have done for me on the trip. I¢m sitting here thinking about tomorrow and going into the city. It is going to be a much-needed break from the daily routine and walking (although I¢m sure I¢ll be walking when I¢m there). I can definitely say I¢ve been feeling a bit down about putting in the miles every day. Just wondering if it will ever end. So I can¢t wait for the restorative. Notes:-Thank you so much to Sasquatch and his family for sharing a meal and for all of the running around. Often times makes me feel guilty. But I know I¢ll do the same for someone at some point.
Date: 2008-05-15
From: Route 20 Pawling

To: New York City
Miles today: 0.0

Got an early train out of Patterson, (with a lift form Sasquatch) and I haven¢t been so excited or nervous about something in a while.   But I feel like I am inept to handle things in the city. It took me ten minutes to decide what to eat for breakfast at the train station. But I managed to be able to read (still) and got my train ticket and it showed up when the board said it would. Riding into Manhattan I had to go by about 60 miles of woods and lakes. Everyone looks out the window. I, however, was more interested in the luggage rack, the seatback ticket holder, and the faces of the people who were seated around me. Pulling into Grand Central Station I couldn¢t really see where I was, until I walked up 42nd Street and looked up. I was so excited, happy, smiling and trying to stay out of the way. It was neater than I had imagined it. The enormity was clear, but the hustle and bustle seemed totally manageable and it wasn¢t long before I felt like I fit right in. Today was all about seeing the sights from a walkers point of view. Things I saw:-Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island-¢The Globe¢ of the World Trade Center-The WTC site-Wall Street-Financial District-Trump Building-Empire State Building-Road to Brooklyn-Walked back across the Brooklyn Bridge-Time Square-Chinatown-Little Italy I did a ton. Then found a hostel with an open bed and was in bed by 9:00. (Too bad it is 85* in here) There wasn¢t much to choose from so I am lucky to have found a bunk.Notes:-I did the 2 Quarter Pounder Challenge in Time Square.-Metro and public transportation are awesome.-Everyone has headphones in, all the time.
Date: 2008-05-16
From: New York City

To: NY 22
Miles today: 2.4

Second day in New York City was supposed to be about sitting in Central Park and taking it easy. But it¢s raining, so I had to find more stuff to do. Filled my time by walking museum row, the Guggenheim, the Met, and then hit Best Buy for new headphones. Went to Union Square and hit Starbucks and Barnes and Noble (4 stories) to stay out of the rain. This kind of made me want to hop a train home. I experienced a day of normality and it was great. Continued on and walked New York University, went to Yankee Stadium in the Bronx and back to Grand Central Station. Not having a place to stay tonight I decided to bum around 42nd Street until I took a late train (9:00 pm) back to Pawling. 3-mile road walk and 2 miles to a Garden Center porch where I could get out of the rain and sleep. The walking was all done by 1:15 am. So, it was kind of a crazy day. But I suspect life on the trail will resume back to normal in a couple days. I really did love NYC. I can¢t believe how at home and surprisingly safe I felt. I probably would have felt more out of place shaved and in my normal clothes. But as a hiker/backpacker/traveler, I was fine. I do want to return and go in the museums. I couldn¢t because I didn¢t have a place for my pack (it was too big to check) but that¢s alright because there are some friends I missed in town anyway so the return trip is already being planned.
Date: 2008-05-17
From: NY 22

To: 10 Mile River Lean-to
Miles today: 9.6

After 3 hours of rain splattered sleep, I heard a very rude noise. It was a rooster 20 feet away perched on the handrail giving its morning wake up call. So, at 4:20 am that rooster almost became a great snack. It crowed for over an hour. Just out of my reach. That really was a bummer. But at about 7:00, I got started on my way toward the next shelter and away for the Garden Center and that dang rooster.When I got to the shelter 5.5 miles later around 9:00, I realized I couldn¢t make it to Kent before the post closed even though it was only 15 miles away. So I had all day today and tomorrow to get to Kent for mail and new shoes on Monday. (My shoes blew out after 5 days, so Golite said they would ship me 2 new pairs, great customer service).I have to say, hanging around about 8 miles from Kent, Conn. all day has been really nice. I¢ve got to reflect on my NYC trip, read my new book, and catch up on journaling, oh yes, and on sleep. I figure one more day of this and I¢ll be ready to cruse for a while and get closer to the goal. I can already feel the passion for hiking creep back after a couple days off. So I¢m glad the post worked out the way it did.
Date: 2008-05-18
From: 10 Mile River Lean-to

To: Mt. Algo Lean-to
Miles today: 8.4

A killer 8.4-mile day. No, today was awesome but happens to be the last of my little vacation from being a thru-hiker. So much happened though. First, ran into a bunch of Yale students training to be wilderness guides for groups of in-coming freshman. Nice folks. Next, the shoe story. So I went into Kent really just for a meal (1.1 miles each way) but swung into the outfitters for see if GoLite really sent me shoes. They did, two pairs. So for the rest of the day I carried my huge box around, not being able to mail it ¢til tomorrow. Then it started raining so I carried a wet box around.Back to the shelter (negative .3 ¢ my first negative miles, not including tracks through town) and met some folks there. Then ¢Just Hiking¢ showed up with news about Double Cheese and Trailfoot. I guess Trailfoot got on a train headed for Michigan. So that hit pretty hard. First casualty I¢ve known. Then a thru named Travis showed up. March 2nd starter so he¢s been chasing us for some time. He also brought news about a bunch of guys I haven¢t seen or heard from in months. So it was all really wild. I¢m glad I took these days off. It let me know I was still part of the trail community. So hearing all this today will help push me along for the next few weeks. Notes: Trailfoot off the trail is a huge surprise and shock to the hiking system. Maybe it¢s not true¢¦ he would pull that.
Date: 2008-05-19
From: Mt. Algo Lean-to

To: Pine Swamp Shelter
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Easing back into this hiking thing, and I will say that it was a wonderful day. Breakfast in Kent, got the shoes squared away (1 set to Dalton MA, 1 set home) and even finally got to check Yahoo email (47 unread, mostly junk). The trail was a fair trail and I got to ford a stream. Aggravating at the time, but fun looking back¢¦ kind of like hiking in general. Right now I feel like I may be able to do this thing, but it all changes so fast. Thinking about hikers ahead, I realized there are about a dozen. Not too many. And I got an email today confirming the exit of Trailfoot. I still think it¢s a joke. (He planned on doing that in Harpers), but the trail is rough sometimes. I also hear there is some movement of a couple thrus onto different trails and stuff. So maybe I¢ll eventually meet some of the people I¢ve read about for so long.Notes: - The water here is totally suspect. Not used to drinking yellow bug run-off. We¢ll see how it goes. - Got my stride back today. Totally zenned out for 2 hours. It was awesome. I once again feel like a hiker. New journal posting and photos for 5/8 added today.
Date: 2008-05-20
From: Pine Swamp Shelter

To: Hemlocks Shelter
Miles today: 29.0
Weather: overcast clouds

It¢s funny how I¢ve always heard I¢d be surprised by each state. It never fails. As soon as the border is crossed, something changes. Today I made it into the 11th state of the trip, Mass. And it really was a bit challenging. There were some steep climbs pretty much on rocks with a stream flowing over them. And actually making it back over 2000 ft above sea level is kinda nice. But the most surprising thing about crossing state borders is how thru hiking the AT always sucks. Each state has its own way to punish you. Other things that happened. Almost went cliff jumping over some falls about 80 feet. But the 50 deg air and water temp changed my mind. Also went hunting through a cemetery for a water spigot. Eventually I did find it and was glad it wasn¢t a hand pump well. But it did hit me that I never thought I¢d be looking for water to drink in a graveyard. The trail has its way. Settling back in taking the last leg(ish) one day at a time.Notes:-        1500 miles. Crazy. 95 days I think. (I¢ve been out here for a long time).-        Made 16.2 miles by lunch. About 12:30. That was pretty good walking this morning.
Date: 2008-05-21
From: Hemlocks Shelter

To: Mt. Willcox South Lean-to
Miles today: 19.8

With the threat of ticks being so bad through Penn on up, I am very surprised to find my first one today. And when there¢s one, might as well be more. There were a couple, but they were the large ones, and were not attached. So I am ok. But I really, really don¢t want to get Lyme disease. I guess I¢ll have to start taking more precautions against them. Also, walked a swamp, looked down and was totally covered in mosquitoes. This is the first they¢ve been out. But it really freaked me out. So I ran about a mile to keep them from landing on me. It worked.On the up side, just after the mosquito incident, I ran into the Corn Crib for some over-priced soda and snacks. Always good to calm down, which brings me to why I really had to calm down. Crossing a bridge, I smashed and grinded the back of my hand between me and a bolt. My hand was instantly paralyzed, I dropped my poles, sat down, and it hurt so bad I wanted to puke. Eventually it only swelled up a bit. But is very sore. Also had lunch and was swarmed by flies. Dozens. Felton, six feet away, was not. This is bad news for me. Apparently bugs like me today.
Date: 2008-05-22
From: Mt. Willcox South Lean-to

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

All I can say is that I feel so guilty for stopping short today. But I really shouldn¢t. The plan was to go 24.6 to October Mountain Shelter but after good miles this morning, lunch sitting in the rain, it only being 48*, and needing water, I decided to go into the Upper Goose Pond Cabin. (.5 miles off the trail, burning at least 30 minutes of the day is a big deal). I looked inside and saw a fire roaring. Stepped in and met the caretaker. Warmed up, and I asked Felton if he wanted to go on. It came down to a coin flip. So, no more miles after 1:30 today.The way we are going, it really doesn¢t matter because we¢ll make up the miles in 2 days. I just can¢t explain the guilt. It¢s just that underlying drive that pushes me up the trail. Can¢t really turn it off when it¢s on. So, today I sat by a fire and read for hours. So relaxing. Also, I forgot to mention the pancakes in the morning. That was the kicker. Bit it did come down to fate and that penny landing on tails. Notes:-Decided not to canoe around the pond. Too cold.-I also hope we can make it out of here at a decent hour. Going into Dalton tomorrow.
Date: 2008-05-23
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Tom LevardiÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs 
Miles today: 20.6

Without any real plan for the day, I left Upper Goose Pond Cabin knowing I would at least make it into, and probably through Dalton Mass. The day was beautiful and I totally zoned for the whole morning session. I started thinking about finding an apartment, how I was going to decorate it (seriously) and what I would and wouldn¢t have in it. On the have list, a good stereo with all the non-battery powered music I could ever want to listen to. A bookcase with all of my books in one place. Easy to reference. On the not have list, #1, a TV. It seams that TV just sucks the hours right from the day. I¢ve spent so much time reading and talking to people, I really feel these skills are lost as a result of TV. So, I won¢t have one.After a good afternoon push, I make it to Dalton. The first thing I did was knock on Tom Levardi¢s door. Not sure about staying in town, Tom made the decision much easier with ice cream, a meal, and a shower, and stories of all the hikers he¢d seen during his 25 year run allowing thru-hikers to stay with him. It is really a strange (but incredible) thing that happens on the trail. People, like Tom, who open their homes up to total strangers. They are not of this planet. It seems like this is the only place there is that there's trust among people without ever previously meeting. It is an experience that most people never have, and is not understood without being there. But anyway, thanks, Tom, for your tolerance of hikers and your hospitality over the years.
Date: 2008-05-24
From: Tom LevardiÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂs 

To: Wilbur Clearing Lean-to
Miles today: 20.3

Surprisingly, after a great previous day, good rest and meal I made it out of Dalton at a good time without accepting offers to slack pack. (Holding strong). I guess the fact that Felton had to make it to the next town (10 miles) to get maps from the post office before it closed at 11:30 am pushed us along. In Cheshire, I had some ice cream paid for by a man I met on the trail that morning. (He handed me 5 bucks and said go get ice cream¢¦Trail Magic). Super nice guy whose son thru-hiked in 2004. Anyway, I also had soda, home made chili, and hot dogs. Leaving Cheshire for the ascent up Mount Graylock I was fueled up, pumped up, and I totally dis-respected the mountain by running (jogging) up it. I passed maybe 20-24 people going up as well. That was a good feeling. I felt like I was superman on the same steroids Barry Bonds was using when he broke the home run record. Made it up the 3,400-foot mountain averaging over 3 miles per hour. On top was a slew of people. Dozens of day hikers and weekenders out for the holiday. It was neat seeing this many people using the trail. But we knew it would be a day to camp. Around Wilbur Clearing Lean-to, there were probably 30 people camping. After a debate of moving on between Felton, and me we decided to stay and hang out with all of the people instead of doing more miles since we¢d be camping either way. But it was a good choice and I found a good spot for my tarp and read my book for and hour. We had a chance to have breakfast in Dalton, lunch in Cheshire, and dinner in North Adams at Chinese Buffet. But are saving the buffet for lunch tomorrow during our resupply.
Date: 2008-05-25
From: Wilbur Clearing Lean-to

To: Seth Warner Shelter
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: clear sky

At around 2:10 AM, I hear a ton of commotion coming from the other side of the shelter. Not sure what it was, I easily fell back asleep. But in the morning Felton mentioned that he saw a porcupine rummaging around. That¢s not the type of thing I want walking upon me while I sleep. But pretty cool anyway.Hit the resupply in North Adams, Mass. Laundered and ate at the Oriental Buffet. And I¢m not sure if I am hurting or helping business by saying this (probably neither) but it was the best Chinese I¢ve had on the whole trail by far. So I highly recommend it. I hope they like hikers.The black flies really came out today. I guess that was Vermont¢s big surprise. 12th state, many bugs. Because I had eaten so much at the buffet, and the pack was heavy, I ended up taking a half day, building a massive fire, and seeking refuge from the flies.
Date: 2008-05-26
From: Seth Warner Shelter

To: Kid Gore Shelter
Miles today: 25.9
Weather: overcast clouds

I can¢t even tell you how much I don¢t want to write this evening. And it¢s not because it was a bad day, or boring. It¢s because if any small portion of skin is exposed to the air, the little flies land and bite it. They are ruthless. I inhaled 3 today. Probably killed a hundred. Then there¢s the Deet. The plastic ruined my pack on top (turned the waterproofing into goo) and is no doubtedly giving me cancer. But there is no other option. Breathing bug-less air is not even possible. So I¢m turning to the outfitter in a day and a half for a Bug Haven (bivy). I hope this gives me the no-fly zone I desperately need for sanity.At lunch I first lathered up with Deet. And being in the woods, can¢t wash hands. So tried my best not to consume it while I had 12 minutes to calorie pound. If given a choice between peanut butter and honey wrap or a nice bite of thigh covered in Deet, the fly picks the leg every time. Also had no water today for lunch. So afterward it was a six-mile run on a ridge with the sun beating down. Really, really thirsty. No fun.The morning was nice. Started at 5:20 and the bugs came at about 9:00. 22 miles by 1:30 PM and an afternoon nap. Also crossed over 1600 miles today. I¢m really getting up there and am pumped for the toughest sections to come. Notes:- Vermont traks are really nice. Probably one of my favorite sections.- I got bit 4 times on my writing hand during this journal. But if I would have used Deet, the plastic pen would have melted and the paper probably would have caught on fire.
Date: 2008-05-27
From: Kid Gore Shelter

To: Stratton Pond Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was about pushing hard on a body that was not working properly. I woke up feeling similar to how I felt 3 months ago around Lake Fontana. All I wanted to do was lay down on my couch at home, eat soup, and watch moves all day. My stomach was really cramped up and I had a bad headache. But I left Kid Gore Shelter and walked 4 miles to the next shelter feeling terrible the whole way. Then I decided even though I wanted to stay, I was sick of slapping flies so I moved forward on the trak. The only problem was that a huge mountain was in the middle. So after several hours of grueling miles and stops for expelling the contents of my stomach (which was nothing but water), I finally made it up and over Stratton Mountain and to a shelter. That was all I had.For the rest of the day I lay down, swatted flies and occasionally threw up. Really unpleasant, but at least by making the miles today, I can go 10 tomorrow into Manchester, get more rest, and more importantly, watch the new Indiana Jones movie. Being a hiker a on sick day is really not fun at all. But it does feel good looking back that I didn¢t burn a zero day.
Date: 2008-05-28
From: Stratton Pond Shelter

To: Manchester,VT 
Miles today: 10.6

An early morning and 10.6 miles later, I was sitting in Manchester, VT for breakfast. Today was an awesome day, really unusual. I spent a bunch of time at the outfitter looking for bug protection. Didn¢t find what I needed. Ate a lot. Even though food still didn¢t agree with me. But the really wild things were watching Indiana Jones and playing a round of golf. Indy was fun, totally engaging and the time flew. But he most fun I had was at the motel. There was 9-hole pitch and putt course that I played twice with a borrowed 9-iron. It was just crazy to think I was in Vermont playing a round of golf. Makes me want to get back to real world stuff at home. Another thing I did was swing into the Skate/Snowboard shop called Podium. It had a ton of snowboarding historical stuff including Ross Powers Olympic medal (gold and bronze) boards from past Olympics. That was neat because I remember watching those games and Ross Powers very well. It is strange because Stratton Mountain is a major ski destination. So I¢ve walked from the South into ski resorts¢¦ also a neat feeling.
Date: 2008-05-29
From: Manchester,VT 

To: Manchester, VT
Miles today: 0.0

I¢m fairly sure this is the most unexpected and craziest day I¢ve had on the trail. Day 104 was one to be remembered. First of all it is my Dad¢s birthday. So Happy Birthday Dad. Don¢t have anything for you unless you want pinecones or rocks. Maybe a round of golf when I get home.Next, I got a call from Ohio State University saying I had been accepted to their medical program. Totally shocking. So now I have to make a choice from the trail involving my future. Not the best place to be¢¦or maybe it is. I just wish I could get to a computer and research more. Oh well.Then after messing around all morning, it was a quick hitch (offered ride standing in front of the outfitter. Thanks Kiera) and back to the trail. But I wasn¢t feeling that well. My stomach still cramped as it had the past few days, and after a couple the kiwi in a fruit bowl I had for lunch. Four tabs of benadryl and a call home, and I was walking three miles south, down a mountain I had just climbed to get help and go back to Manchester. Waiting for me at the trailhead was officer/emt Greg to give mea lift to a health center. (Thanks for not freaking out and calling the rescue squad mom¢¦borderline sarcasm). But after getting to the clinic, I started getting better, and decided not to see a doc. Then back to the same motel, same room as last night for some sleep, close to help if I need it. Lastly, I got a phone call saying my grandpa had an accident while roofing and lost a finger. What a day. I think, and hope he is doing well because I had just talked to him right before it happened. But I¢m thinking about you grandpa.That¢s it.