morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-08-08
From: Goddard Shelter, VT

To: Stratton Pond Shelter,VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

8 August 200519 miles hiked todayfrom Goddard Shelter,VTto Stratton Pond Shelter,VT(It's rather goofy to insist on adding 'VT'---Vermont! Wow! I'm kinda proud.) I got sick.I am better now.Perhaps subconciously I felt guilty for not adding enough drama to the pages of trailjournals, or for neglecting them completely as we waltzed through Conn. and Mass. Anyhoo, I am now in Vermont (whoops, hollers, penny whistle tootling and other joyous noises are appropriate at this time.) In fact, we've been in Vermont for four days now and are just creeping along nice and slow. I took a special little field trip to the hospital. Yes, that's right: HOSPITAL. They gave me a very cool mask that made me look quite dangerous and a posh little room with the most welcoming bed I've been in for a long time. As most of my symptoms met happily with rest, I was bound and determined to enjoy that little hospital bed. It was a good thing I wasn't dying because everything took so long. First the nurse and the explanation of the magical 'Call Nurse' button, the basic check and a run-down on the hospital gown. Forget being miserable though, she was so interested in the curiosity of having! hiked here from Georgia, that she peppered me with questions too. And then I was left for an hour until the doctor whirled in. He asked a few more intelligent questions regarding why I thought I had Lyme as opposed to SARS or something else. I declined a IV twice and other than that I can't remember much of that conversation. He was my only ticket to antibiotics on a Saturday though and I dearly wanted them. Well, after he dissapeared, I plumb fell asleep until the girl came in to take blood for testing. Then another nap and a urine sample, only to be followed by more sleeping... ...unfinished update due to continued exhaustion.
Date: 2005-08-09
From: Bennington, VT. A Call Home From the GypsySisters

To: Bromley Mountain, VT A Phone Message From LuLu
Miles today: 0.0

1635 miles hikedHello, This is GypsyLuLu,and I'm feeling better. It's beautiful here in Vermont. I'm trying to send a pocketmail to you, but the pocketmail is acting a bit stinkery. So I'm going to try to keep writing on it, I haven't been, but I'm going to. Cupppa Joe is going to be staying at the same place we're staying at tonight,so we might surface in his journal,who knows. We also met a southbounder who might write about us in his journal. His name is uhhhhhhhh Stumpknocker. Life is good. We're in Manchester Center, VT. We saw Sherlock (Henry)today and it's his 28th birthday today. He's trying to keep it a secret, but we wish him a Happy Birthday! I teased him because Clearwater is going to be turning 30 in a couple of days and plans on hiking 30 miles that day. Sherlock is not hiking 1 mile today. He is sitting in the bookstore happy as a fish among an ocean of fish (books). I love you all so much. And thank you for thinking and praying for me. Probably one of the reasons I'm feeling better along with these antibiotics! Be well and I'm going to get a ride bsck to the trail and climb that mountain. We're going to sleep on top of Bromley Mountain tonight. Bromley, Vermont. Love you all and talk to you later. GoodBye
Date: 2005-08-09
From: Bromley Mountain, VT A Phone Message From LuLu

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Still have no entries written for publishing. Last night I tried to start writing about the hospital but it all came out strange. I know these meds don't have weird side effects, but I still fell just a couple degrees off; skewed, if you will. The team is joking that I was given the wrong meds because I've been so happy and blissed out over every aspect of Vermont---rather, I've been chatttery-verbal about it. I have been starting to write songs as I walk. Sometimes melodies alone, but mostly folksy rambling lyrics. They're all awful but I love them. Most unfortunately for the listenership and the posterity of my collection, I seem to forget these songs pretty quickly. Vermont is incredible and I'm sometimes just tempted to lay down and be built up around like Wendy in Neverland. All said, I'm much better.    We're in Manchester Center, Vermont at the moment (3:30 9 August) Only a few more miles to the top of the mountain where our day ends. It's been great to be in town. The bookstore was splendid! Touk and I got to see Henri and wish him a happy 28th birthday. He wants it to be hushed down so as not to cause a stir in the hiker family. Crazy friend of ours! I teased him that Clearwater is hiking 30 miles on his thirtieth birthday on thursday...where's the action, Sherlock?    Much love!The pay phone is finally free.LuLu
Date: 2005-08-10
From: Bromley Mountain Ski Patrol Building

To: Little Rock Pond Shelter
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

10 August, 2005Bromley Mountain Ski Patrol Building17 miles today to:Little Rock Pond Shelter517.4miles left to go Clearwater laughed:"After the black water in New York and the red water further north, This is the first time that I'm drinking pondwater."Yeah, we all are. Toasting in tomorrow with pondwater. Yumm! Tomorrow is Clearwaters thirtieth birthday and Mouth turns twenty-four. My birthday was such a smashingly wonderful time and I've whisked together instant cheesecakes for others but here I am, stuck in the awkwardness of being caught unprepared, like a lazy girlscout. Nothing for either of these friends who have been such a part of our hikes. Touk and I are plumb out of even granola bars, which to be sure is a stretch of imagination as a birthday cake but really, they would be more convincing than our thai ramen soup.   The mosquitoes are particularly ravenous tonight. Navigator just rubbed bug repellant in his eye and I arose from my sleeping pad like a mother. Calming voice, water and silk scarf in hand... Turns out Nav doesn't need a Momma and was fine. "Well don't be so dramatic next time!" I said, sounding even more like a mother.
Date: 2005-08-13
From: Little Rock Pond Shelter

To: Stratton Mtn. Vermont/Brownies Ski Cabin
Miles today: 0.0

Brownie's Ski CabinStratton Mtn. VermontZero miles hiked today Violent shouts explode from the other room as another hiker comes to bankruptcy and ruination in the timeless game of Monopoly. They've been at it for quite awhile and at this point in the game, the chaff has been blown away for sure. I am a self-professed bad sport at Monopoly and automatically sift myself out of the mix when that game is on the table. Anyways, I'm tired and ready for an early bedtime.   Tomorrow we hit the trail again, just fifty miles shy of New Hampshire. Our food bags are heavy with fresh stocks of oatmeal and granola bars, cheese and rice, etc... all the normal sorts of food that we take for granted as long as it lasts and then mope over the empty food bags and wish for more food - any variety; Poptarts, mac&cheese, peanuts, we eat it all. I resupplied yesterday and have almost all of my laundry washed and ready to go. Basically, we're golden for the rest of the state. I've begun to worry a little bit over the reassimilation into real life after the trail. It is a full plate to fill my days with such simple responsiblities such as food, shelter, water, laundry, communication. Can I handle real life and all it's plastic problems?
Date: 2005-08-20
From: Hanover, NH

To: A Letter Home to Hekaber
Miles today: 0.0

(Hekaber is Rebekah age 10, left behind by the GypsySisters)Dear Hekaber, Oh my! Into the shelter for lunch and we aren't intending on leaving until tomorrow morning. Everyone has been snoozing the afternoon away, bundled up in their colorful sleeping bags, little cold noses sticking out into the unfriendly cold air. It rained through the night and has continued to pour down all through the day. Ughh! Cold and damp makes me think of our cozy kitchen. I never imagine the mess or stress - just hope for some good music. Jacob drying apples and mmm...they smell scrumptious! Mom is sitting down with a mug of tea. Samuel has made tons of it and I can just sit down alonside you and Mom & Sam, drinking tea and being lazy; just enjoying each others company. I assume that you are peaceful and have forgiven Mom for painting that nose on Columbine. I still can't wait to see her. Those sorta frustrations can just drive me crazy but they make the best memories. Anna(Touk) just woke up and sneered at my letter, "You know that she's not going to be able to read that!"(Sigh!) I haven't been very good on the letter writing front at all lately. This blank sheet of paper has been folded in my Bible for weeks and weeks. So, maybe you want to know who is here with me. So far, there are seven people here. CuppaJoe, myself, Touk, Mouth, Linux, and a southbounder Canute. We're a merry gang of people. I saw so many hikers in Hanover yesterday. We etched a four-square court in the middle of the green and played endlessly - so much fun! All the hoity-toity upper crust of society would click-clack past, trying not to look like they were watching or at all jealous of how happy and carefree we were. Then you have the Dartmouth students with their backwards caps, rugby shirts, and leather briefcases(or perhaps a bag of golfclubs). The girls all dress trashy in silly little skirts that Touk calls "dust ruffle skirts" or floppy pajama bottoms with words across the bum. Good Grief! Dartmouth is a decent college and lovely too, but I laughed so much at those students. None of them played 4square with us either which automatically subtracts fifteen "coolness" points. You know how to play 4square don't you? Good fun it is! Sunshine is right behind me too and I would almost cry to leave her behind again. She is one of my closest trail friends. I love you so much! And miss you terribly. I'll be home soon. Your sister, GypsyLuLu (Margin Drawing saysSo, what is the answer to this problem? I can't think of anything to write or draw! The frustration is this, I still have all this pent up creativity and don't know how to get it out of my fingers and onto paper. Crazy! Another silly little thing, I've begun to really miss my sweaters and skirts and sandals. It all comes from loathing the same clothes that I've worn for five months straight. At first I thought I'd make a quilt block out of the fabric-Now I just want to burn it. I've gotten quite tired of drawing, so here's what I'm gong to do. Turn this little sketch into a letter just for you-my little sister. LuLu
Date: 2005-08-21
From: North of Hanover, NH

To: An E-Mail Home From the Touk
Miles today: 0.0

Hey Mom and Dad and Family...Your second daughter here wanting to let you know that the gypsy sisters are once again confirmed to be lazy and after seventeen miles in ... 3 days (I told you) we were thirsty and hungry so we found a ride back into Hanover this morning with the rest of Team Group Squad.. Cuppa joe.. Linux, Mouth, Tink, gypsy and me..So I thought what a great time to write you guys and tell you that we are enjoying ourselves despite the rain and stink and how much I loved the drop box.. Samuel I really think your picture is the most lovely think I've seen in a while... very dinotopia ish.. very cool!!!!Mom we ate some energy bars this morning and think they are the bomb.. they are great!!! we rewrapped them in plastic and they are awesome! I also wanted to send a highest thank you for the yogert covered pretzels... oh wow.. I've been trying to save them and eat them one by one to make them last but they are so good!!!! I forgot how much I craved them at the beginning of the trail..and remembere the moment I saw them.. unfortunately Gypsy didn't get many.. oh well.. She's taking happy pills she'll be fine. (general concensus) We are two days from Glencliff which puts us there on tuesday/// but I have a hunch that we will roll in Wednesday so that gives my jacket time to arive and all will be well... The whites are looming ahead and then maine... oh boy.. Hello's to all the kilted barbarians at home...Boys.. There are two white blazes in the movie Last of the mohicans.. one is when Uncas, Chingachgook and hawkeye are just tracking the mohawk warparty and cross a river its on a rock.. and I couldn't find the second but its somewhere at the end... its filmed in North Carolina and on part of the AT... cool huh!!!Bekah bo backpack/./.. hope you and mom are getting along I miss you a ton.. ps.. Bekah don't let mom transcribe this on trailjournals.. theres a name for people who get their trail experience from the internet.. they are calls E-hikers... that would be mom..Dad and Mom I miss you two and hope to see you after about 400 miles trail and however long it will be for us to get home.. Gypsy and I are thinking of going to the Gathering in PA and getting rides home from there.. plus.. chance at coming home with either Sherlock and Circuit rider.. or Redwing and Hopeful.. who are all ahead of us by the way but it might work.. if not we can easily find a ride to the gathering and from there work our way home or just hit a bus station.... Take care family I'll see you soon... love Touk.//.
Date: 2005-08-27
From: Franconia Notch

To: Garfield Ridge Campsite
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

27 August, 2005Franconia Notchto Garfield Ridge Campsite(9.8miles) Mmmnn... Delicious sleep. After a confusing faux pas last night that added some extra-curricular mileage, we all cowboy camped (quite illegally) in a wonderful little spot on the Pemigawassett River. I fell into the sleep of giants; full of dreams but deep and restful. There in the hummocky forest, we all started yawning and waking up with the morning. Sleeping bags scattered among the almost-forgotton stuff sacks and backpacks. All the shades of orange and yellows, purple, red and greens. So much for stealth camping; we resemble a motley crew of raggle-taggle Rom. Good grief!   Up and up! I realize that this may seem familiar; up, up, up... Well, it seems familiar to me as well. Some of that ascent was pretty serious climbing, thought I'd die...didn't. Drama though as we climbed through the sub-alpine bramble. All of a sudden, there were the mountains behind us and it was glorious to see. I rummaged out my camara and took some pictures of Touk, Cuppa and Tink as they came into view. 'If I could just get a little higher, I could get a really good picture,' I popped up and bashed my head royally on a petrified root. So, as the gang oohed and  hhed over the view, I moaned and groaned ond pressed my head. Blood dripping down my face and off my chin. Blood on the stones and on my Leki poles. Ahh, the wonders of the freely gushing head wounds. Spectacular! I scrambled up and over the last few boulders and was tended over by the communal efforts of everyone but my sister, who worries not a bit about my survival-yay or nay. I was fine, of course. Just livening it up a bit. Flavoring the tedium of 'up' with a little drama. Three inch gash on my head, Yowza! Pretty impressive!   Enough of that drivel! We had heard of rain and clouds and nastiness for days but today! brilliant blue skies as far as you can imagine, cool breezes, warm sunshine, happy hearts. Up above treeline we climbed, turning around and gaping at the mountains behind us, mountains that we had hiked and were leaving behind. And then, the mountains ahead, and to either side. Thruhikers can eat huge quantities of food but this, this was a feast for the senses.
Date: 2005-08-27
From: Garfield Ridge Campsite

To: Whitewall Mtn.
Miles today: 0.0

August 27th, 2005from Garfield Ridge Campsiteto camping at Whitewall Mtn.10.1 miles today, 352 left to go Cuppa left early this morning. I squinched my eyes shut and pretended to still be sleeping. He was off to find the sunrise and play catch-up in his journals.    Once I'm awake in the morning, I'd rather start hiking than linger around the shelter or campsite. Lingering is the art that I've been perfecting on the actual hike. That perfect root that reaches out and provides exactly what I need to get up and over some monstrosity; this is a perfect place and time for a lingering moment, gasping for breath and just full of the moment, pure thankfulness. Ah yes, lingering. The word strikes anxious thoughts in my Mother's mind: "Will my daughters ever come home?" Perhaps not, if this trend of lingering continues. May I just mention that there couldn't be a better place to savor the exposion of senses. The Whites!!! Yeah!!!   A second dazzling blue-sky day. The peaks on that spiney Franconia Ridge still overshadowed me as I scrambled on through the mountains. These actual mountains are massed stacks of wee little mountains. Scramble up and up and up, then down, down, down... [repeat several times.] Incredible views though. I can't get over how awe-inspiring this part of the world is. 34here really aren't words.    Galehead Hut created a pile-up of hikers, all waiting for hot zuppa. I forget the name of the young guy who was on duty as cook. He was pretty laid back and allowed us to come in and dish up second and third bowls of mushroom soup while he was kneading the bread for dinner. Starting at eleven o'clock, most huts have a steaming vat of soup ready. $2 buys a bottomless bowl of the stuff and encourages fools like Mouth and me to see how much we can put away. End result was Mouth-8, LuLu-6 (although I bet I could have kept going if they hadn't run out of soup.) Gluttony? Yeah, maybe. I was hungry for dinner though, only a few hours later.   It's sorta humbling to be sitting in a puddle of my own sweat, still recovering from the climb and then, bouncing past me go several kids. Or maybe it's a family with grandma in tow, looking as sturdy as wicker furniture. [sigh] I shouldn't take it personal. Most of these folks have hiked up on alternative trails and thier presence isn't at all meant to belittle my arduous climb. It's a little stretching to have to SHARE with other people, but once you get used to the idea; Lah,dee,dah! No big deal. There are so many mountains here, so many trails and so much beauty! I'm suprised that it hasn't been exploited more. Instead, there is a system of trails that are worth great pride, well maintained by volunteers and caretakers; truly a model for any treasured wilderness area. I think all of the trails here predate the Appalachian Trail. The AT runs along other, older trails like Fishin' Jimmy Trail. In fact, it can get downright confusing for a silly girl who's gotton used to just following one lonely trail.
Date: 2005-08-29
From: Crawford Notch

To: Lake of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: fog

29 August, 2005from Crawford Notchup, up, up, and up some more to Lake of the Clouds Hut(11 miles) Chess games are being reassembled in the after-dinner ruckus. Coffee is being poured by the Croo and Biscuit has just unveiled a special treat of Pineapple Upside-Down Cake for the sixty-something people that are here. This huge number doesn't include the thruhikers who swell the place by an extra 17 bodies. Yes, we are here ©n masse tonight, hungrily waiting for leftovers. My belly growls, echoing this desire. Cuppa Joe leans across the table and simply says; "It's nice to be inside." Yeah, it is. I'm already in my town/sleep/dry clothes and have almost forgotten the wet, all-pervading dampness of the day. Not quite though.    Today wasn't 'nice' at all but was notable nonetheless. We're firmly set on top of the Presidential Range and summit Mount Washington tommorrow. Mouth and I were throwing this back and forth earlier today as we scrambled over Webster. For the course of the months spent planning, and the actual time spent hiking these 1800 miles; Mt. Washington and the Whites have seemed like a Mecca we will never see. Spoken of in hushed tones, sorta like Katahdin when we're being serious. Katahdin for that matter! Wow! We're getting close but Mt. Washington tommorrow!!! Craziness!!! Now that we're here, it just feels like yet another stinking, extra biggie mountain. I cried throughout the first two thousand feet of elevation just like a normal mountain climbing experience. Many halts and stops and then, all of a sudden; my feet just start going and I walk and walk without stop. The air smells sweet of that vonderful sub-alpine yumminess. Breezes cool my hateful thoughts and nasty, sweaty body. This is my favorite part of the mountain. Then, of course, comes the tromp above treeline and then the summit. All glorious indeed but that green, storied, stunted forest of evergreens is my favorite.   Mount Washington! Wow!   I really miss Sunshine. Word on the street is that she's not so far behind us, toting her own laughing, lighthearted caravan of Stick, Camel and Romer. Blast! I really wanted to share this with those crazy friends too. [sigh] This is not to belittle the blokes I'm hiking with. There is a intimacy that has grown between the lot of us, a camradarie of sorts. I really hope to summit the big K with the lot of them; Cuppa, Tink, Mouth... Then of course there are the Honeymooners and Hitman, Cheek and Peas, Easty, Goosebump, Thrifty, Longhaul; all here tonight, all part of the family -if you will. For Domino and Stilts and the Pod; all behind us, I do hope they catch up. For some folks, they prefer the solitary wilderness experience. For me, I get my solitary moments in that endless deep green tunnel and then, I want to share it with everyone. Okay LuLu, enough gushing already! Tomorrow is Mt. Washington. Hurrah for the sweet gift of life. Hurrah!   Did I mention that it's lightning and smashing thunder outside? Yeah, well, Welcome home to the appalachian trail. We'll see what tomorrow holds.
Date: 2005-08-30
From: Phone Call Home-Summit Mt.Washington

To: Mt.Washington
Miles today: 0.0

Mt. Washington Summit 6,288 feetTuesday, Aug. 30, 2005 10:00amFUN! FUN! FUN!Just had a phone call from the Gypsy Siters from the summit of Mt. Washington! They camped at Lakes of the Clouds Hut last night and LuLu said "an Angel Moment" has occurred for them to get to the summit and see more than just clouds and rain. They are both healthy, happy, and Touk mentioned that they had a great breakfast so she's estatic about that. Here is the Mt. Washington Web Cam site: http://www.mountwashington.org/cam/deck/index.php#So as we were talking we found out when the next web cam photo would be shot and they ran up and got in the photo. GypsyMomma, Dad, and Gyspy Sibs all got to gather round the computor and watch. We are so proud of all of the hikers and my Gypsy Girls too. Prayers to you all for safe footing and good water to drink. Love Gypsy Momma
Date: 2005-08-31
From: Mt. Madison 

To: Pinkham Notch
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: fog

31 August, 2005Mount Madison to Pinkham Notch(8 miles) "Okay, Hurricane Katrina will be here this morning...Y'all have a great hike and be safe."   Serena the naturalist at Madison Hut had no qualms at sending us out this morning like it was the same dazzling weather that we had on Frankonia.