morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-06-04
From: Unionville Rd. Crossing, NJ

To: On top of Wawayanda Mtn. , NJ
Miles today: 14.2

It's so easy to slip out of trail life and back into being Patty's husband. Even though we're doing trail maintenance tasks together (laundry, shopping, internet, journal, etc.) I feel like I'm with her in my "other" life. It's a nice respite from the trail. We had our usual morning breakfast meeting followed by the aforementioned chores, then to the library, out to lunch and then time to hike. We'll be having dinner with the "Big Wolf Gang" on Tuesday, so I'll see Patty again in only a few more days. Still hard to say goodbye. Patty has been so supportive and encouraging, despite the additional work she has had to do in my absence, and the loneliness. I'm truly fortunate to have someone so dear as mi esposa. I ran into "Food Bag" (from WoodsHole Hostel in VA) southbound, who had injured his achilles tendon and was yet again attempting to complete his hike, this time from home in NY. Had dinner at Heaven Hill Hill Farm, followed by killer peach pie alamode. Hiked to the top of the mtn. at darkness and stealth camped off the trail on a full stomach. Not a lot of miles today, but it was hot, I got a late start and really wasn't motivated (the usual array of excuses...).
Date: 2005-06-05
From: On top of Wawayanda Mtn. , NY

To: Island Pond, Harriman S.P, NY
Miles today: 27.5

Woke up at 5:00 and had cinnamon buns from Heaven Hill Farms for breakfast, then broke camp and was on the trail by 6:15. Had a reasonable nights sleep, but tossed and turned some (heat, maybe?). Felt pretty good to start and had a nice full day to get to my planned destination, Fingerboard Shelter in NY. As the morning wore on, the constant ups and downs of NY, combined with the heat and humidity wore me down. Just after noon I got to the Rt. 17A crossing in NY and met Iceman, Seneca and I can at an ice cream stand. We all reveled in the cold treats and delayed hiking as long as we reasonably could. Then we started back out in the heat, hoping for about the same final destination. After realizing we probably wouldn't make it, we revised our plans some. Ice Man and I went on together, and just as we entered Harriman State Park, came across Pilot (thruhiker from NJ) and two local friends (section hikers), and Patio, a hiker doing trail magic for the afternoon. He was great with Stew Leonard Choco Milk, Mango Madness, sodas, cookies, beer, anything a thruhiker could desire. Patio suggested a lakeside campsite just in side the park, and we all jumped on the idea. We went swimming at sunset, rinsed sweaty clothes in the lake, cooked dinner and camped under the stars. I like Pilot and his hike timing is very similar to mine, so we'll probably see each other a lot on the final leg to Maine.
Date: 2005-06-06
From: Island Pond, Harriman S.P, NY

To: Graymoor Friary, NY
Miles today: 23.1

Woke up to the beauty of our lakeside site just after 5:00 and wished I could have a leisurely day here, swimming and basking in the sun. But the trail beckons, and I was on it hiking by 6:30. Hiked a mile off the trail to the rest room area for the park to fill my water containers for yet another hot, sweltering day of hiking. Don't want to run out of water in this heat, and I've been going through about twice the usual amount. Ice Man & Pilot caught up to me soon after and we hiked together some. Both are faster uphill, but I can keep with them on level trails or downhills, so we did OK. Ice Man had't been feeling well and dropped back early on, and then Pilot left me in the dust (and heat) going up West Mtn. I saw him on top of Bear Mtn. later, where I called Gene & Lydia and Patty. Then I caught up again with Pilot at the zoo (where we both saw our first Black Bear on the trail, since the trail goes through the zoo, it counts...). I had a few sodas and ice creams at the snack bar and we headed across the Hudson. Just as we neared the halfway point, ominous clouds and thunder ROARED in from the west and we just made it across in time to cover up for the rain that came, along with thunder and lightning. It was actually nice to be cool once again and I found my hiking pace picked right back up in the rain. We pushed the pace hard into Graymoor and made it just before 6:00, after a couple of tough climbs and rough terrain beyond the bridge. I was a little disappointed by the setup at Graymoor (although happy to have a shelter over me), as it was an open pavilion (no wind protection), a dark, dingy cold-water shower, no lights and way off in the corner of an isolated, damp sports field. Oh well. Tomorrow I push for RPH shelter early to meet Patty for our dinner party. Thruhikers like dinner parties!
Date: 2005-06-07
From: Graymoor Friary, NY

To: RPH Shelter, NY
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: few clouds

It was cool and damp to start the day, but it warmed up quickly once the sun came up. I was up and out by 6:15 and managed to maintain a decent pace through most of the day. The terrain seems to be geting a little less rocky, but still lots of moderate elevation ups and downs. I had to keep presing so that I arrived early enough to meet Patty, and I was able to get in by 3:00. I had a cold-water "commando" shower from the well pump, did some laundry and finished just in time for Patty's arrival. It felt odd to set up at the shelter and then go off with Patty, then returning later to sleep. Pilot arrived just as we were leaving and decided he would stay there as he hadn't had as good a day as some and was fed up. Patty and I had a fun drive to Mt. Kisco (after a little unplanned exploration of most of Westchester County) and then had time for cocktails before the gang arrived. We went through paperwork, did some shopping, swapped boots for shoes and other maintenance tasks. Had a great time seeing everyone and then Lydia guided us through the back roads to the Taconic Pkwy, where Patty dropped me by 10:30. Brought ice cream bars back for Pilot and said my goodbyes quickly, as we'll be seeing each other again in three more days. Looking forward to going home Friday for my longest break of the trip!
Date: 2005-06-08
From: RPH Shelter, NY

To: Wiley Shelter, NY
Miles today: 25.6
Weather: clear sky

Was on the trail by 6:45 with great ambitions of doing a 36 mile day so I can make Great Barrington by Friday. The continued hot, humid weather combined with still-rocky, tough climbs put an end to that plan by noontime though. I had to continuously stop and cool off, and just didn't have the energy to do it, even after a night of town food. Also made a few phone calls (to delay hiking), which slowed me down, but the HEAT was the real hike killer and I just couldn't get my speed up. I'm a little disappointed that I won't make it to Great Barrington on Friday, as it would have been cool to be in MA when I returned to the trail next Monday, and it would have made it easier to get home by bus. I know Patty will gladly drive up to retrieve me, but I want to try and save her all that time in the car, because she'll have to take me back Sunday nite also. I'm thinking it will probably be Salisbury at the White Hart Inn, so I cna have lunch and cocktails while I wait on Friday. I had hoped for maybe 30 today, but some late-day thunder and shower activity pushed me into the nearest shelter, a little earlier than I had hoped for and shorter mileage. Pilot came in soon after, so at least I have company. Maybe a good night's sleep will help give me energy tomorrow, along with a lunch visit to Kent, CT. It's still almost 50 miles to Salisbury, so I have to put up some decent miles tomorrow, regardless.
Date: 2005-06-09
From: Wiley Shelter, NY

To: Bread Loaf Mtn, CT
Miles today: 24.1

Started about 6:15, my usual for the past few days. I'm glad to get hiking before it gets too hot, as it's been for the past several days. Pilot likes to sleep a little longer, but he's faster in the heat than I am. I made pretty good time to the next shelter where I met Roaming Gnome and a woman with two children section hiking. Good for her! Then it began to get HOT, and I felt myself starting to melt and slow down. I dragged into Kent CT just after noon and had a deli sandwich, 1/2 gallon of Lemonade and cookie/brownie/ice cream for dessert. Need something for extra energy and to cool down, so the desserts should help. It was nice in the A/C stores, but even in the shade outside, it was dreadful. It was so oppressively hot I just couldn't get back on the trail until almost 3:00, when a slight breeze picked up and made it feel a little more tolerable. I saw Pilot & Gnome in town, so they are probably just behind me. I hiked to each peak, hoping to get reception so that I could call Patty about tomorrow pickup, but no luck. I had to go past the campsite at dusk and walk the road into Cornwall Bridge to a pay phone. Joe Annicelli, a PCA buddy who moved up here last year, will pick me up and take me to the train, so I'm set for tomorrow. I need to be at the White Hart at 3:30 and I'm covered. Choco milk and cookies washed down with PB and cheese for dinner and a short night-hike to a stealth campsite by about 9:30 and I'm done for the day. Going home tomorrow!
Date: 2005-06-10
From: Bread Loaf Mtn, CT

To: Salisbury, CT
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: broken clouds

Up at 4:30, one of my earliest starts yet. HAVE to get to Salisbury to meet Joe, who is generously going to drive me to the Wassaic train station. HAVE to get home tomorrow evening! Started out with a couple of fairly tough climbs and got lost on one of them due to poorly marked trails, a not-uncommon occurrence in CT. Got to a vantage point to see Lime Rock race track at just after 9AM and saw some of the SCCA guys practicing. It was cool to see it from above the corner by the uphill. Lots of track noise in the surrounding area for several miles though. I can see why people don't want race tracks in their back yards! It stayed overcast a lot of the morning, so the heat was better than it's been, and there was even an occasional breeze. I was able to move right along and made good time into the White Hart, so I was able to clean up a little and change, have lunch and a cold beer and still be ready for my pickup. Joe was characteristically reliable and got me to the train in plenty of time, and before long I was in traffic on the LIE. It felt odd to be home, but also comfortable, and I'll be glad when the hike is over and it's for good. In the meantime, I'm enjoying the treat and am anxious to get back to finish this epic undertaking. I'm really looking forward to New England, the Presidentials, Maine and Katahdin. That's where my hiking roots are, that's where the scenery is and it's the final leg. I'm 2/3 there sothis is the big push, but I also want to take as much time as I can to enjoy this part of the trip, but still finish on July 20th.
Date: 2005-06-11
From: Salisbury, CT

To: Salisbury, CT - Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: haze

It's easy to be home, even after more than 2 months on the trail. I feel as if I almost haven't been away, but I still have this inner desire to get back to the trail and finish what I've started. I can already feel the excitement of summiting Katahdin, maybe even a sadness that the adventure is over. But I've got almost 700 miles still to do and I'm ready to get back to it. Had a nice day relaxing at home, breakfast meeting in bed followed by chores and errands, a dentist appt. and a long planning session for the rest of the trip. Like Pilot, I've now got a detailed itinerary of daily destinations and mileage to get to Katahdin on July 20th. There is a slight cushion built in just in case, but there is still no fat on the bones. Can't wait 'til the day I return home from the trail for good, but I'm sure there will be some mixed emotions too. I had my "dream dinner" last night as I requestesd from Patty. Swordfish steak, onion mashed potatoes, asparagus and apple caramel drizzle cake alamode. Some wine, a couple of Cosmos and a beautiful sunset with my darling wife and partner. And people wonder why I want to get finished and leave the trail? Tomorrow we're having some friends and family over for a "Hiker Visitation Party" and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone. Any excuse to ger together with your best friends and family is a good one. Then it's the last-minute flurry of getting provisions, gear packed and back to CT to finish the journey. The last 30% is coming up, and I feel ready to do it.
Date: 2005-06-12
From: Salisbury, CT - Home

To: Salisbury, CT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

My best zero day yet! Woke up to a pancake breakfast served in bed, the Sunday paper, a ride in the sports car and a get-together with about 25 close family and friends. Tough to top this one! Susan and Richard arrived early from visiting out east and we had a chance to spend a few minutes catching up. I was running around some doing last-minute errands to get ready to return to trail life. Had a nice afternoon catching up with everyone, with plenty of good food and drink to get me energized for hiking. It was great to be home, very comfortable, as if I'd never even left. But I still have this unfilfilled objective to work on, finishing the AT, and I'm ready to get back to it and get it done.Patty drove me up late and I called to reserve a room at a local Salisbury resident's home, who takes in wayward hikers. It's raining some and I don't want to start out soaked in the morning. Bring on Ma, VT, NH & ME!
Date: 2005-06-13
From: Salisbury, CT

To: Sheffield, MA
Miles today: 23.0

Got up at about 5:30, washed up, ate my trail breakfast, called Patty and headed out just after 7:00. It's gonna be another hot one I'm afraid, with no relief in sight for the heat and humidity. I'm carrying a full water load, which only adds to the weight, but I need every drop I can carry. I spent some time taking photos and enjoying some of the views on Lion's Hear and Bear Mtns., and then chugged along as best as I could in the heat. The early terrain was a little tough, but after lunch it became easier. Met a few day and section hikers and mid-day called friends Don & Judy Reinauer (from Huntington) who live in the area now. Come to find out they live in Sheffield, so I stopped a little earlier in the day than I otherwise would have and Don came over to pick me up. He happened to have the day off and generously invited me to stay with them, rather than in a hot, buggy shelter. Tough choice, huh? AND, they made fresh pizzas at home, had cold beer, sorbet and Don even bought me my customary chocolate milk in town. Life is good sometimes. Had a very nice evening catching up with them and hoping they may yet return to Huntington, despite how much they love it here and how beautiful their home and property are. Life takes us in mysterious directions sometimes, if we're open to letting it.
Date: 2005-06-14
From: Sheffield, MA

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin, MA
Miles today: 26.6
Weather: light rain

Got up about 5:30, washed & packed, and at about 6:15 Don took me to the local and appropriately named breakfast place, the Sunrise Diner. My usual blueberry pancakes, sausage, eggs. hash browns. I think Don was astounded at the amount I put away, and he said even the waitress rolled her eyse at my order. But I finished every bite. Had a wonderful visit with Don & Judy and they were spectacular hiker hosts. Another hot, humid day of hiking, although there was an occasional breeze and a mid-day shower that cooled things off for a few hours at least. I was able to hike better in the rain since it cooled off, but it warmed up again soon after and I felt just as sluggish & slow again. I had a lot of irritation around my waist and crotch area from the sweat and salt that soaked my nylon hiking shorts. I may have to cut the liner out, as it seems to retain the moisture and make the problem worse. I kept the pace up as best I could through moderate terrain and made it to the cabin about 7:00. It's a charming little cabin near a lake, so I went swimming in the last of the daylight to rinse myself and my clothes off. Saw Ice Man and Scarecrow, and met several other section hikers. Mary Pat was the caretaker staying there for the week and was very nice. She seemed to really be enjoying the time there with her dog Maisy. Tomorrow, I'm hoping to make Dalton and stay at an under-the-radar hostel Scarecrow told me about.
Date: 2005-06-15
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin, MA

To: Bird Cage Hostel, MA
Miles today: 20.6

Got a pretty good night's sleep in the bunk room, despite the heat and the other hikers rustling. Slept in just my sleeping bag liner and it was just right for the hot night, which cooled off some in the early morning. Mary Pat made us pancakes for breakfast, an unexpected surprise (to me, anyway...I guess she had told the others before I arrived). I got underway a little after 7:30, but had a reasonable hike into Dalton, so I wasn't too concerned about the time. It stayed a little cooler today, so that also made the day much easier to hike in. Even the mosquitos cooperated and layed low. I got into town just after 4:00, which is early for me, got my requisite cookies and chocolate milk and then found my way to the hostel. Rob Byrd invites hikers to stay with him because he enjoys the company and variety of hiker personalities, and is extraordinarily generous with his home and time (especially considering that he himself isn't a hiker, even...). A hot shower, a bed and a roof over your head mean so much when you're on the trail...it's the height of hiker luxury. Hooked up with Tofu & Figaro (haven't seen since Pearisburg VA), Ice Man, Roaming Gnome, Paladin & Dave. Talked with Patty and she may come up unplanned this weekend to VT, if we can coordinate a meeting place. I seem to be missing her more as the end is nearing and it will be nice to see her if we can work it out.
Date: 2005-06-16
From: Bird Cage Hostel, MA

To: Williamstown, MA
Miles today: 23.3

A little late getting going this morning to allow time to go to Rob's recommended breakfast place. Had two egg & ham sandwiches and got going about 8:45. I'm getting going later each day it seems, which keeps my mile count lower, but hopefully that will pick up when I'm back in shelters/camping with less distractions. A long road hike out of town, and then some gradual climbs/descents into Cheshire MA, where I found a nice little sandwich/ice cream shop on the trail for a mid-day calorie fill up. Saw Gnome & Ice Man in town, but got out before them. Both are planning to stay on top of Mt. Greylock in the hostel there, but I want to get more miles in and go to Williamstown. It was cool/foggy/drizzly most of the day and it began to rain hard when I got to the top of Greylock. The climb itself was pretty easy, with moderate slope over a long distance, and I was in a good mood for hiking, despite the rain. It was nice just to be cool and have no bugs. I missed the snack bar closing on Greylock and settled for a Peach Snapple as my afternoon treat, before beginning the steep descent into Williamstown. It was slippery in the rain and took me a while to get down and I got to Rt. 2 just before 7:00 PM. I hitched to the Maple Terrace Motel (Dave recommended it, but they denied the lower rate he said he paid) and checked in. The sweet, young girl trainee (Nicole) at check-in said she would come in in the AM to give me a ride back to the trail. Had only a fair dinner at the diner across the street, since it began to POUR rain and I didn't want to walk all the way to the other restaurant choices. Talked to Patty late and are still trying to work out plans to meet in VT over the weekend. More rain forecast for tomorrow & Sat. Oh well...
Date: 2005-06-17
From: Williamstown, MA

To: Bennington, VT
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: light rain

Went across the street to the diner again for breakfast before the 7:30 continental breakfast at the motel. Can never get enough calories on the trail. I talked to Patty and we decided to meet TONIGHT in Bennington VT, since there are no really good trail crossings beyond that for later in the weekend. That gives me an incentive to hike hard to get into VT, even though I got a late start and it's still drizzly out. Nicole from the motel was very sweet and took me right to the trail as soon as I was ready to leave. The climb out of town, in fact the whole day, was moderate terrain and I made pretty good time without too much exertion. I stopped at the shelter about 7 miles in to look at the log and met a woman named Christina who was hiking the Long Trail, but having so much fun she was going to keep on the AT. She had moved to Scotland 5 years ago to teach elementary school on an island there, and was back for the summer. Tofu & Figaro were there with her the night before and I caught up with them at the end of the day, along with Skirt and her dog Tiger Lilly. I talked to Christina so long that I had to hustle the rest of the day to meet Patty at 5:00. The hiking was pretty easy once I got up on top but there weren't too many views from above unfortunately. We all arrived at the road crossing minutes apart and piled into Patty's car to drive into Bennington for an evening of comfort, good food and supplies. It was a nice and unexpected surprise to see Patty this weekend, since the plan wasn't to see her until Hanover NH next week. We're going to see Dave & Sue Taylor there and stay with them, which will be lots of fun, seeing people you know along the way. I'm a little behind on my itinerary now, but should make it up later in the week with a cushion I have built in. It just means more hiking then and less fun, but a tradeoff well worth it to see Patty.
Date: 2005-06-18
From: Bennington, VT

To: Kid Gore Shelter, VT
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: light rain

No breakfast meeting this morning, a break from our usual routine. We drove to the local breakfast "hot spot" and I had my usual HUGE trail breakfast of Blueberry Pancakes/Eggs/Sausage/Home Fries/Toast/OJ. Sent some postcards while I had the time and access to a mailbox. , then to the library to update my journal online. Took a sandwich out of town and got going about 12:30. Our goodbye wasn't too bad this time. I guess we're getting better at it. Had high hopes of getting in at least 19 miles even with the lates start, but I started running out of steam. Passed "Skirt" and caught up with "Paladin" just after Glastonbury Mtn. The view from the fire tower there was spectacular. We hiked together for a bit and pulled into Kid Gore Shelter about 6:30, finding "Roaming Gnome" there already. I decided to cut the day short and stay here instead of going on 6 more miles. The view was great, the shelter was nice, the company was good. It was the right choice, as the next day I met some of the hikers staying at the next shelter, and they were a motley crew. The trails were all flooded today, and it was near impossible to stay dry, or even pass in places. I managed to avoid getting too wet, but I didn't get the sense anything is being done to improve drainage/erosion/runoff in these sections of the trail. Kind of a "that's just the way it is" attitude. Inexcusable in my mind. I'm going to get up very early tomorrow and try to make up some of the mileage deficit so that I can be more at peace. We'll see how far I can go with Bromley there.