morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-09-10
From: Wyman Road, Monson

To: Leeman Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 6.0
Weather: clear sky

Into the 100 Mile WildernessUpdatedWe may be out of touch for a while as we go deep into Maine's back country.For your entertainment during our radio silence please enjoy our Appalachian Trail "I Am the Appalachian Trail" Contest Video by clicking on the link below.I Am The Appalachian Trail! VOTE FOR US!Find us on the Appalachian Trial Conservancy Facebook Page and VOTE for us! Woke up for Shaw's all you can eat breakfast, French toast, eggs made to order, potatoes and meats (which we skipped). I couldn't sleep at all last night. It's as if sheets bother me. I was in a bed by myself so it was lonely. No little heater bodies next to me.Sherpa took us to Greenville to resupply for the infamous 100 Mile Wilderness. We spent nearly $200 on groceries for a 6 to 7 day hike. We also had to stop at an outfitters and get one of my pole tips replaced. Buddy Backpacker went with us. He loves hanging out with the girls. When we got back to Monson we went to the gas station store to get the super high calories buns we need. We also got Haddock sandwiches (not lobster) which were yummy.It was a blinding white snow sky, cold and dreary. We were told rain and hail were coming. Since we were only going 6 miles to Leeman Brook Lean-to we hung around Shaws all day letting the kids play. Badonkadonk tried some hide and seek but eventually went in to talk to hikers. One of whom was hiking with his best friend who won Survivor. Badonkadonk can't remember the name but he had to quit the trail because of some foot problem. So my take on it is... The AT is harder than Survivor!!We dragged ourselves to the trail at 4pm and banged out 6 miles with no rain. Buddy, D and Sherpa hiked with us. No one was at the lean to so we had it all to ourselves. We even got a Skippy John Jones bedtime story!
Date: 2013-09-16
From: Crescent Pond?

To: Abol Bridge and Campground Store
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: overcast clouds

You cannot imagine our joy in knowing we were hiking towards family. We felt like we were running. I ate everything I had so my pack is light. We kept hoping Blueberry was hiking towards us. Of course we had no service which heightened our anticipation of where they were. Little did we know that Blueberry was possessed by getting his mom a lobster. Their search made them late for us. When we got to the Abol Bridge at a out 3:00, after a 19 mile hike/run, I finally got a signal. I called and found out they were about an hour away. Luckily we had a little shop to buy snacks and beer in and restaurant to order from. We talked to fellow hikers while we waited. I saw the car from inside and took off running, the hiker shuffle forgotten. The girls were right behind me. I flung he car door open and dove on top of Blueberry. He was laughing and crying. Grammie had the girls kissing and hugging her. We all switched places and I hugged a misty-eyed Grammie and the girls gave their dad lots of loving. It's like taking a long cool drink after a desert hike. Ahhhhh!We returned to town and went out to eat (after a quick stop at McDonald's) at the only town that had lobster. Cub's eyes almost rolled out of her head when the whole steaming red crustacean appeared. We stuck to fish quite happily. I can also attest to the drink ability of Katahdin Red. Perfect end to a big hiking section. Sleeping inside was heavenly as well.
Date: 2013-09-17
From: Abol Bridge

To: Katahdin Stream CG, Baxter State Park
Miles today: 10.3
Weather: clear sky

We decided to sleep in until 8:00am and take an easy day. We downed a huge breakfast in which I personally ate a cheese pastry, bowl of Lucky Charms, a navel orange, a waffle with a stick of butter and drenched in syrup plus 5 cups of coffee thick with cream and sugar. I was hungry by the time we got to the trail an hour later. Before we left Sherpa came by and met Grammie and Blueberry. We planned to meet for dinner tonight with Buddy and D.We tried the ranger station first because we heard that if we didn't register in time we couldn't summit tomorrow. The ranger told us midweek at this time of the year was no worry. We just registered after the hike at the end of the day.We got to the trail at about noon and finished by 4:30, and that's with a newbie hiker! Blueberry hung in there and hiked it all with us.We took a long break on a huge rock in a river with waterfalls cascading down. I tried to show Blueberry what a experienced hiker like myself knows, specifically how to gauge if a river is flowing too rapidly to ford. I picked up a stick and threw it in the quickly flowing water and ran next to it. If you can't keep up with it you probably should not cross the water. In demonstrating this I forgot to notice the end of the massive rock we were on. My dry boots and socks slid into the water and my bottom slammed down so hard my family was sure they felt a tremor. I broke the fall with my hands and bottom, nearly going over the waterfall. So much for looking like a pro hiker. Everyone stared, suspended, until I did my usual relief laughter. I'm always so happy for not being seriously hurt that I manically laugh. Cub loves this and added gleefully to my laughter. My bottom is so sore and bruised. My wrist turned black and are very sore. My right arm has a radiating pain but I'm climbing Katahdin even if its broken. I'm hoping I just have a sprain. So close and being silly could cost me the summit. No way! Grammie was able to find us. We went back to the hotel and found Buddy and D. They'd hiked 17 miles and were hungry like us. Grammie treated us all to a huge dinner celebration at Scootic Inn, the lobster place from the night before. We had a great time. Grammie and Blueberry were enamored with Buddy Backpacker, Sherpa and D. Suddenly Buddy got quiet and started to tilt. He was going to sleep, demonstrating what we all felt like. Cub rode in the jeep with Buddy and we all went back to the hotel for a good snooze.Katahdin tomorrow...hard to believe it. I hope I can sleep I'm so excited, nervous and eager to go!
Date: 2013-09-19
From: Millinocket, ME

To: Syracuse, Enroute to Rock Fish Gap
Miles today: 0.0

It's the rare Flopper that flips in Rock Fish. We are currently flipping back to Rock Fish Gap near Waynesboro, Va. We will take a brief side track to the wedding of good friends in Ohio. The groom is one of Blueberry's fellow USF student, his peep so to say. The bride is a vivacious and wonderfully life passionate young woman. We are thrilled to be able to celebrate their big day with them. We plan to hit the trail as soon as we can. We have a lot of miles to go by November 11th. My parents are meeting us and will be slack packing us for the week. We can't wait to see them. We haven't seen them since we left. My mom and dad have helped Blueberry with our vast and varied needs. Mom got our summit flip flops and beach floats. It will be a big change to be hiking home and in the Souh again. We are excited about finally getting good biscuits and grits and southern hospitality. I do have to say we met generous and kind people in every State. This part of the country is filled with selfless people with good hearts that care about dirty, stinky, weary hikers. We are driving 16 hours to Ohio. Our feet and my arm needs a rest. We are having trouble sitting here. We haven't been so still and it's making the three of us stir crazy. Our bums hurt from sitting. The car seems to be moving so fast it's making us nauseous. We are still eating like crazy people just shoving it in like some kind of food contest. We also have no ability to hold our wastes since we've spent 4 months immediately relieving the need. Blueberry won't just pull over and let us use a highway bush. Getting back into the real world is going to be tough. We are looking forward to the woods right now. No shaving, deodorant, toilet paper(haha), shampooing, waiting in lines, but lots of junk food, candy and quick high fat meals, comfy sleeping bags and close togetherness on the trail! We miss each other in a unique and special way. We've become so reliant on each other it's hard to be separated. Good thing we have 857 more miles to go before we sleep!
Date: 2013-09-20
From: Syracuse, NY Enroute to Flip

To: Warren Ohio via Niagara Falls
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Still in a car....arrggghhhh! Our bums are screaming at us to get up and walk! The chaos of the world is making us look for the trail! We side tripped to Niagara Falls to show it to Cubbie who'd never seen it. Sarcastically and appropriately she looked at the rapidly flowing water and said, "Hey mom, don't try that stick trick". (Referenced story in earlier journal). Leaving NF we found a 7 Eleven for a slurpee celebration! 4 months on the wagon my slurpee withdraw was painful. My body rejoiced as the familiar fluid entered my veins. I warned Blueberry that bathroom breaks need immediate attention. For some reason he pulled into a small strip off the interstate out of Niagara Falls to see some turbines. Grammie and I were sure it was some kind of Passive-Aggressive behavior. I was bursting so I just got out and took a Nature break by a scraggly, hardly private bush. Blueberry was shocked and ran as far away from me as he could. My discreet mother-in-law decided to lay on the horn, notifying everyone that something was afoul. It was so fun to emerge from the bush knowing everyone knew what I was doing. I am so past caring. I think I'm part animal now and it feels so free! I tried to put on mascara and I felt like a kindergartner. I was clumsy and awkward. My lashes are so much longer and fuller. Guess the 4 month break from all makeup did the trick. Also Badonkadonk and I can't understand why but our skin and hair are better than ever. We have no split ends and our hair is soft. Our faces are blemish free and smooth. Weird because we always have a layer of dirt and grime on us. When we take our weekly shower we are amazed at how black the wash cloths are. Cub and I do have lots of leg and arm boo boos. It's from all kinds of things like bugs, falls, sticks, etc. Nothing serious. Sitting here we are evaluating our bodies. They actually feel worse for the attention. My feet have bumps and pain. My wrists ache and I know that if I was on the trail I wouldn't even give it a second's notice. Crazy!Hoping Blueberry takes me out for a date. I will be wearing my 22 year old son's jeans because my mom sent them up thinking they were mine. Haha Boots! My skinny bum in your jeans! I look like a rapper. Gonna be lookin real sexy for my first date in 4 months! Boots, just "Embracing the Suck" and rockin your favorite jeans.
Date: 2013-09-21
From: Warren, OH

To: Wedding in Warren, OH Enroute to Flip
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I realized that all of our Florida Flip Floppers fans haven't heard from me in awhile so here are some words from the Badonkadonk.The last 1,328 miles have been such a journey and adventure for me. New Hampshire is one of the hardest states on the AT but personally for me our surroundings in the White Mountains made up for all of those tough ascents and descents. The first time realizing this was when we were hiking on the Franconia Notch. We got above tree line in the alpine zone and all you could see for miles was beautiful green mountains with no sign of civilization. I also loved it because we were always able to see the path of the next mountain we were gonna climb.It was so amazing the whole time I was just wowed and I "ahh"ed and "ooh"ed the whole time. The beginning of Maine was pretty difficult. The hardest mile of the AT took us about 3 hours but we made it fun and just took our time so no one got hurt. I think it would have been a blast if we didn't have our 30 pound backpacks on. We got the best trail magic in Maine and that was one thing that made Maine not so horrible. Once we were in the 100 Mile Wilderness it was easy but it rained the whole time we where there. It was not enjoyable. out sock and shoes where soaking wet the whole time and my feet where like prunes. The sky was a white blitz the whole time and at one point I noticed little snow flurries. The last 30 to 40 miles i just wanted to get out of the wilderness and dry off inside somewhere. We were so lucky to have Buddy Backpacker, Dion, and Sherpa. We couldn't have gotten out of the Wilderness that fast with out the help from them. We had a blast with them. I was really excited to get to Millinocket. I was so happy to see my dad and Grammie. It was really sweet of them to drive all this way to come and drive us back to VA. Climbing Katahdin was so much fun. It was great to do it with my dad. Blowing up the floaties at the end of our climb really topped off the end of our northbound hike. I'm really excited to go back to VA and start the second part of our thru hike. I really hope the weather is sunnier and warmer and that this is no rain. I can't wait to see Mammaw and Poppop and I hope we can really get in a lot of miles so we don't have to come back during Thanksgiving break. If you haven't seen our song for the ATC contest here is the link and please make sure you vote!!!!!!!!!!!http://j.mp/19Gd80T
Date: 2013-09-22
From: Rockfish Gap North Side, VA

To: Rockfish Gap South Side, VA
Miles today: 0.3
Weather: scattered clouds

After a sad goodbye to Blueberry at the Pittsburgh airport we continued on with Grammie to Rockfish Gap in Waynesboro,VA, our original starting point. We wanted to start hiking right away but it was already evening when we arrived. We decided to do a short hike up our original bit of the AT. At the top of this trail we buried a cache. It was a time capsule in which each of us placed an item. We duct taped it shut and buried it. At that time the Florida Flip Floppers were the three of us, Boots, Whoops!, Lord of the Flame and Really with a drop off by Blueberry. I won't say what is in it because we hope to have a big AT party in December. The cache will be one of the games we play. We plan the party daily. It's fun to dream about celebrating with all of our family and friends. We were surprised at how easily we found it and how deep we buried it. It was thrilling to be back in a familiar place. We talked about all of our endearing memories of the start of our adventure...our nervousness but also excitement, the fun we had with our four traveling buddies and the overly heavy packs we started with. We are very different hikers now, more confident, thinner and way more muscular. We marveled at how an 7 day mile killed us and now we can easily do 20s. We walk so much faster and don't have to stop as much, especially when going up. We believe anyone who wants to lose weight should hike the AT. You can eat everything you desire, no matter how fatty or bad for you it is, and still lose weight. You also gain muscles, a peaceful soul and a weird tan. Our tan is a line on the thighs where our compression shorts end, white lines on the back of our hands where the hiking pole strap rests, raccoon eyes from sunglasses and lovely crew sock lines. We will be so sexy on the beach. Haha, not my goal. Today Cub said he couldn't wait to get back on the trail. We miss our rhythm. =
Date: 2013-09-24
From: Reeds Gap

To: Fish Hatchery Road
Miles today: 19.8

My sweet parents get up at 6am on this their vacation. They eat breakfast with us and then drive us to the trail. We returned to Reeds Gap and headed to Fish Hatchery Road. We met up with our two SOBOs again, Night Walker and Bear Bell. It's so nice to know they are here with us. At lunch we met a friendly Forest Ranger hiking up to inspect the shelter for repairs. We had a really interesting conversation with him he told us we probably wouldn't see any bears. Driving out later today we did see a mama bear and a cub right next to the road. We went through all of Maine and saw a mouse and a deer and some squirrels. Today we saw several deer and a mess of squirrels and the bears. Ahhh, it's good to be back in the South. We find the woods very open and spacious. The beauty is sweet and simple whereas NH and ME were a stunning kind of beauty. One feels homey and the other feels intimidating. We love both and are happy for the changes we have seen. There are still a lot of wild flowers about. The leaves are just beginning to change colors. The girls have never witnessed a Fall so this is exciting. The overlooks show rolling hills and picturesque farms, red barns with silos and fields spotted with cows. The 100 Mile Wilderness gave us spectacular views of Nature with nary a sign of mankind. It took us 1 1/2 hours longer than we estimated. I guess ups are still up! The switchbacks really take a lot of time but do help my lungs recover on the ups. They are far less strenuous but still time consuming. The weather is the perfect temperature, around 70 and fairly sunny. Hoping to continue on our 20 mile days and get home by mid November. Wish us luck.
Date: 2013-09-25
From: Fish Hatchery Road

To: Reservoir Road at Lynchburg Reservoir 
Miles today: 23.1
Weather: clear sky

Today we started bright and early at Fish Hatchery Road. It was a long climb continually up a rocky road to get back to the AT. We did about 2 miles that didn't count and today is a 23 miler on the AT to the first available pick up road. When we got to the top of the road, at the AT junction there stood a thru hiker we had just climbed Katahdin with! We originally met him at the Welcome Hikers Hostel in NH. He had 100 miles left to do and we caught him going North on his last 40. It was a happy time and so weird to see him down south with us. We soon caught up with Bear Bell. He hiked most of the day with us. He is interesting to talk to. He is from France and has worked in the USA for the last 6 years. He is going back to France but decided to hike the AT first. He got stung several times today by bees. I think he ended up with 6 stings. We felt so bad for him. We didn't get any and the bees kept swarming him. We theorized it was the honey peanuts he ate earlier or pollen from some flowers he knocked into. Poor guy. We had a easy day with little ups and downs and then a huge 8 mile down for the most part. We arrived shortly after our 5:30 ETA. We repeatedly belted out our special call to my mom. When there was no reply I thought we might have a problem. The girls and I have been sitting here for over an hour. They cannot find us. Its getting dark...
Date: 2013-09-26
From: Reservoir Road at Lynchburg Reservoir 

To: James River - North Side, Va
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Guess we left everyone hanging. Yes, we were found. Blueberry was able to talk my parents down a winding gravel road towards us. We had coats and headlamps so we set out to meet them. I never saw such a look of relief on my parents faces. We were just dandy, after all we have been living in the dark woods for four months and we knew we were headed for a hot meal. We took hours to sort through our food and pack. My parents brought boxes and boxes of stuff for us, both food items and other camping things like batteries, toothpaste, etc. After the chaotic packing we headed out to eat. We told stories about the trail, laughing and having a good ol' time with my parents. We didn't settle down to sleep until near midnight. I painted my boots again. It gives me some color to look at as I hike. I painted "Springer" on one side with an arrow forward and "Katahdin" on the other with an arrow pointing backwards. I also added a "Home Sweet Home" on the toe. We feel so close yet we have 750+ miles to go. I have mixed feelings. I feel excited to be going home. I miss Blueberry, family and friends but I also feel melancholy about this dream being over. I have loved being with my kids out here. We are bonded in a way we will never be again. We are a close, efficient team that supports and shares everything with each other. My relationship with the girls has a freedom I won't be able to have at home. The inside jokes and the intense reliance on each other makes for a closeness that gets lost in the regular world. I know this has deepened our bonds yet something will be lost when we leave the woods. Still, the memories and stories will give us joy and remind us that we experienced something very unique together. We continued to hike on and off with Bear Bell. He is the first Flip Flopping Frenchman! He is a wonderful conversationalist which makes the miles fly. He is also quick with his humor so we love laughing with him. It's also nice to have a guy around since the woods have so many less people than when we were NOBOs. Sad to see my parents go. It is amazing that anyone would take the time and spend all the money it takes to slack pack us. It meant a hotel for a week, gas and huge food bills! Love and thanks to Mammaw and Poppop.
Date: 2013-09-27
From: James River - North Side, Va

To: Thunder Hill Shelter, Va
Miles today: 14.6

With our heavy packs back on our backs and many ups today, we did not get as far as we hoped. We got to Thunder Hill Shelter around 5:30pm and decided to stop for the night.Just before sunset another hiker comes strolling up and to our great joy and surprise we realized it was Whoops - my oldest daughter and badunkadunk and cub's big sister! Yahoo! She brought up candles, challah, and wine as well as Subway sandwiches for a wonderful Shabbat dinner. Oh happy day!This is Blueberry and at least the last paragraph is how Whoops and I planned it. I do know she found CoMOMdo, but I had to guess at the rest....Blueberry was right... Whoops! did show up and gave us so much pure joy and happiness. I was shaking from excitement. We haven't seen her since June. When the girls heard her say "hey!" they jumped up so fast and ran to her. Whoops! brings a jubilant energy and glee to any group. Surprisingly we were at Thunder Hill shelter with a group of hikers, one section hiker, two weekend hikers, and five Thru hikers. What a surprise to have so many hikers together. We were all aware of how unique this was. Whoops!'s addition of food and drinks and exuberant conversation made for a party atmosphere. We had a fire and later slept in the shelter. One of the thru hikers, Trashcan, is a sweet young man we met in New Hampshire when we were northbound and he was heading South. Fun to see him again. I can sleep great tonight because my little chickies are all here with me. Sigh of happiness.
Date: 2013-09-28
From: Thunder Hill Shelter, Va

To: Camping Just Off Parkway Drive
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: broken clouds

Whoops! decided to work on her school work instead of hiking with us. This way we could move fast and she could get us food and drink. We packed up and hiked to the blue Ridge Parkway to cook Cream of Wheat for breakfast. We had a late departure so we need to book it to make a 20 miles before dark. Sadly ups are still up! The terrain is still squeezing our lungs and hurting our calves. We thought it would be a walk in the park but are finding this far from the truth. Though we haven't had the slick planks, mud and labyrinth of roots we do have sections of rocks similar to Pennsylvania, tilting narrow ledges and PUDs. We are happy to be slack packing! We finished around 5:30 pm. Whoops! found us and found a place off the road to put the tents up. We popped them up and then headed out for dinner. Whoops! had asked about the best restaurant in Buchanan. She was repeatedly told to go to the Copper Restaurant and Lounge. The owners are so wonderful. They love hikers. They aren't in AWOL so we need to remedy that. They cook old family recipes. We can attest to the deliciousness of their apple dumpling with ice cream. Badonkadonk and Whoops! slept in a tent together. It was heartwarming for a mom to hear them chatting away. It was my lullaby and I fell easily to sleep.