morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-08-17
From: Rangeley, ME hostel 1,600

To: Spaulding Mtn. Lean-to 3,140
Miles today: 18.7

Last night I ended up sleeping in the hostel anyway. I met Bob who was staying in the hostel and I learned he was the only one actually staying in the bunkhouse. He was helping to build the new hostel and is sort of in charge of the crew. He said he would sleep in his truck. I wasn't going to pass on a bunk with a mattress and he was pretty insistent that I should sleep in there, so I packed up my tent and slept in the bunkhouse - alone. I didn't sleep that well though. I think I had eaten too much and had too much caffeine. But I woke up at 5:30, got up at 6:00, and Grumpy drove me to the trailhead at 7:00. I hope I can break this habit when I have 7 weeks off the trail before I go back to work. The first two miles to the shelter were easy. That was good because I needed a privy in a bad way after all the fruit I ate. Big mistake. I ran into Homerun at the shelter. He stayed there last night. I left before he did but he caught up with me at the top of The Horn, our second peak today. The first peak was Saddleback Mtn. The climb wasn't all that steep but holy cow I thought it would never end! The views going up it were amazing and you can supposedly see Katahdin on a clear day. The day started clear but about five minutes before I summited the clouds rolled in. I couldn't see anything up there. The Maine ATC puts these great signs on top of all the peaks so you know exactly where you are and when you've reached the top. Thanks MATC! It was cold up there so I hiked on and Homerun caught up with me. Took a couple of pictures up there, hiked on and took a break on Saddleback Junior. The view by this time was amazing. When people said Maine had the best views, they were not kidding. By this time it was already 1:00 so I ate lunch.Homerun hiked with me to the next shelter, we got some water, and moved on. Eight more miles to go. We stopped at a logging road where Detective Friday and Damp Dan were camping for the night. I had been waiting to meet Detective Friday. He is friends with my good friend in Tucson. Small world. We talked for a while then hiked to the shelter.Homerun has a really heavy pack - the heaviest I have seen so far. We talked a lot today and I found out his sister lives in Tucson! He has to go there on his way back to Washington State so we hope to get together. He is a very interesting person. He worked as a tech for AT&T, but hated it. He likes to paint, sold everything he owned except for his truck in order to do this, and has no idea what he will do when he finishes the trail. We talked about food mostly today. We are both obsessed with it now. Today was a great hiking day and I enjoyed hiking with Homerun and having company for a change. I am in the shelter tonight with Ranger Rick and Mailer. Homerun is tenting and there is no one else here. Mailer is section hiking Maine and hopes to thru hike next year. It is cold outside already and I am ready to sleep. I will have to use earplugs tonight. Ranger Rick snores and can evidently sleep through anything. Gotta get a new tent pole.Goodnight Oscar.
Date: 2003-08-18
From: Spaulding Mtn. Lean-to 3,140

To: The Widow's Walk B&B Stratton,ME
Miles today: 13.5

Last night it rained, today was perfect. Clear blue skies, temps in the 70's, breeze blowing. I have had dry shoes and feet for 5 days. Awesome! Today was a town day, so I was pretty excited. Homerun and I hiked together all day today and were on the trail by 7:30. First, we climbed a mountain I can't remember the name of, but it was unremarkable, then we went up to the peak of Sugarloaf Mtn. a couple of miles later. We took a side trail up to the summit because there is a huge building up there skiers use in winter, but it is open to hikers in summer. It has electricity, hardwood floors, a wood stove, couch, and picnic tables. The building is pretty nice, but needs to be cleaned. We got great views from up there and we even think we saw Katahdin. It was worth the side trip just for the views.Next, we climbed Crocker Mtn. which has two peaks. This was a bit more of a challenge. Then it was all downhill for about 5 miles to the road that would take us to town! On the way to the road we fantasized about what food we would eat in town - pizza, steak, burgers, ice cream, etc. Homerun was really going crazy with these food fantasies and he was like a little kid he was so excited. Too funny. We got to the road at 3:30, hitched a ride in the back of a pickup truck from a really nice man who seemed to pick up hikers all the time, then went to the post office. I got my maildrop and Homerun and I walked down to the Widow's Walk B&B which seems to cater to hikers. The owner's name is Mary and she is so nice. The resident Golden Retriever is Red who is eleven years old. I instantly fell in love with him. There was only one room left so Homerun and I are sharing a room with twin beds. Strange how I met him two days ago and he has never seemed like a stranger to me. Even stranger is how I am washing his bandana and his underwear with my laundry! After we got settled into the room, we took showers and Homerun took our tents out to dry, then we went to dinner at the Stratton Diner. I had a 10inch pizza, chocolate shake, cottage cheese (I know, weird) and a big glass of water. Homerun on the other hand had a huge cheeseburger and onion rings - as an appetizer! Then he ate an entire 10 inch pizza. Amazing. Patience sat with us at dinner for a while. She is an Orthodox Jew and couldn't eat anything on the menu because it is not kosher. I don't know how she could stand to watch us eat. That is discipline. Healer and Bareback also came in while we were eating. Healer, if you recall, has been ahead of me for some time. He was off the trail for a few days so I caught up to him. He is doing well and like me, will summit soon! I was thrilled to see him and wonder if he could heal my poor feet. Man they hurt right now. Only 12 more days and I will be finished and begin to heal.I am in the laundramat washing clothes. Feels good to be clean. I still need to make phone calls and organize my food drop, then off to bed in a real bed with cotton sheets. I am so full right now I am miserable. Awesome.Goodnight Oscar.
Date: 2003-08-19
From: The Widow's Walk B&B Stratton,ME

To: Safford Notch Campsite 2,240
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Got up at 6:30 this morning. Felt great to sleep in a bit in a real bed! I had a few things to do and joined Homerun at the diner for our first breakfast of the day. I had an English muffin with bacon, egg, and cheese and a chocolate shake. Excellent. Then we went back to the B&B and had bacon, eggs, toast and juice which was also excellent. Mary, the owner, took us back to the trailhead around 9:30. I called Eureka while we were in town and they are going to send me a new tent pole free. Awesome.Our first climb was to a lean-to and wasn't bad. We saw Juke there who I had met a long time ago one rainy day. She is doing a flip-flop. We had lunch there and made some slow progress afterwards. We climbed Bigelow Mtn which is 4,145 feet. Not a rock climb but challenging. Homerun and I were pretty tired so we stopped early at this campsite, five miles short of our goal. I didn't care. I was exhausted.We have a nice campsite. Detective Friday and Damp Dan are camping here as well. Detective Friday knows my friends Adrienne and Jack in Tucson. I knew he was out here but never dreamed I would catch up to him. He is a retired police officer from Maryland. Great guy.Homerun built a fire for us to cook on because we are both low on fuel. I ate two cookies and some M&M's for dessert and could have eaten more. Today was great hiking weather once again. Hope it sticks around a while. Goodnight Oscar.
Date: 2003-08-20
From: Safford Notch Campsite 2,240

To: West Carry Pond Lean-to 1,340
Miles today: 12.2

Got a late start today. I didn't get up until 7:15. I think we started hiking around 8:30. We only had one climb today and that was Little Bigelow and was no big deal. After that, the last 8 miles were pretty flat and pretty easy. Homerun and I hiked together again. Seems I have put the brakes on since I began hiking with him but we have a good time. I wrote a few days ago that this trip was no longer about having fun and seeing the sights. I was wrong. Homerun is a lot of fun. I am way more relaxed about hiking and my schedule, and not so set on finishing on the 30th but I will finish within a couple of days of that. Maine is an incredible state with amazing views and great little towns to experience. The people of Maine are some of the friendliest anywhere on the trail and the towns are very hiker friendly. This has forced me to slow down and enjoy the last leg of this journey and so has Homerun. I couldn't have met him at a better time.We left a shelter today, did a few miles and hit a road. What was sitting there but a cooler filled with sodas and candy bars! This is the first trail magic in a long time and it really hit the spot. I had a soda and a lemonade and loved it. We got to this shelter and Detective Friday and Damp Dan were there. We were tired and we decided to stay. Once again, I am short of my goal and don't care. My feet are thanking me. Tomorrow we go to Caratunk. I had not planned to stay there but plans change. Seems like a great place and my feet will appreciate it.Goodnight Oscar.
Date: 2003-08-21
From: West Carry Pond Lean-to 1,340

To: Caratunk House B & B
Miles today: 14.0

Once again, we slept in today. Homerun and I did not get up until 7:00. I can't figure out who is the bad influence on whom because, before we met, we were both hiking by 7:00! We only had 14 miles to do by 3:00 so we could catch the ferry across the Kennebec River. We started hiking around 8:30. The terrain was pretty flat, lots of rocks and roots, but I managed to keep up a pretty good pace. We passed three ponds (lakes if you ask me) and all were beautiful. The ponds (lakes?) here are plentiful and remind me a bit of Lake Tahoe. Some have small sandy beaches, the water is clear, and they are surrounded by pine and fir trees. I do believe Maine is the most beautiful state on the trail in my opinion. I definetly see what all the fuss is about.Today was our sixth day of incredible hiking weather. I am a bit sunburned once again and am really enjoying the not so hot Maine temps while I hike. We crossed the Kennebec around 3:00 and walked the .3 miles to the B&B. This is a beautiful place to stay on a quiet street, with hospitable owners who cater only to hikers. The loft has real beds with real linens and each bed has a quilt on it and a towel. There are also two private rooms that share a huge beautiful bath. We are staying in the loft which has a TV, VCR, and lots of movies and books. They have a well equipped store with ice cream, sodas, and hiker food for resupply. They will cook you a burger if you want and they shuttle hikers to a nearby restaurant and brewery for dinner. We are going there tonight. There is also a dog named Bailey who is very cool. I love this place and am so glad I decided to stay. I am here with Homerun, Damp Dan who is from Massachusetts (and has already hiked The Long Trail in Vermont in 1989 and 1991), Detective Friday, Ranger Rick, and Hungry Hiker who is from Isreal. I am only 151 miles from the summit of Katahdin. This journey becomes more real every day. I have always been amazed at people who have thru hiked the AT. Soon I will amaze myself. Goodnight Oscar.
Date: 2003-08-22
From: Caratunk House B & B

To: Pleasant Pond Lean-to 1,320
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: broken clouds

I just don't understand it. I have put the breaks on so close to my final destination. I am having fun and slowing down! I woke up this morning at 6:30 for breakfast at 7:00 and Homerun and I had every intention of doing at least 15 miles. Caratunk House sucked us into a vortex of laziness on this beautiful, warm, sunny day and we didn't leave until 2:45. Before I go any further I have to tell you about dinner last night. Paul, the B&B owner, took us to Northern Outdoor resort and dropped us off at dinner. I was with Detective Friday, Damp Dan, Ranger Rick, and Homerun. I ordered the beef stroganoff with pasta. Holy Cow! This was by far my best meal on the trail. I don't know what they put in that sauce but it was truly outstanding. The best part of it was I could eat it all and not feel guilty! For dessert I had strawberry shortcake. Good, but I've had better. After dinner, we went back to the hostel and watched a movie then went to bed. Homerun can eat more than anyone I have met on the trail so far. Here's a run down of yesterday's food intake for this guy:Powerbar, Snickers, granola bar, package of cookies, Quaker Oats bar for breakfast. Sunchips, two cheeseburgers, two sodas, Gatorade, ice cream, two popsicles for lunch. Chicken cordon blue, French onion soup, garden salad, baked potato, bread with butter, strawberry shortcake for dinner. He finished my dessert too. When we got back to the hostel he ate a pint of Ben and Jerry's Cherry Garcia. Impressive. He's lost 40 pounds, by the way.Today we were so lazy. For breakfast we had French toast, potatoes, eggs, fruit, and blueberry muffins and OJ. Outstanding. My compliments to the chef. After breakfast I got water, packed my bag, and laid down on my bed to watch a video about the Pacific Crest Trail. No, I am NOT thinking of thru hiking that one too, but the other three people in the room are - Ranger Rick, Homerun, and Hungry Hiker. At 9:30 we took our packs outside and proceeded to order up some cheeseburgers and I had my third Mt. Dew of the day. My train had officially been derailed! We sat in the yard all day watching southbounders come in, had a milkshake later, and Crow stopped by so I talked to him for a while. He is at the shelter with Homerun and myself tonight. We went to the store, sat in the yard some more, then decided at 2:45 to begin hiking our 6 mile day. I don't care. I am only one day behind and I am having fun again. Met two southbounders today from Arizona - one from Tucson and the other from Bullhead City. The one from Bullhead City found out the lock on the bathroom door doesn't work the same time I found out - when I walked in on him! Too funny.This trail will surprise me until the end. I am at a shelter with a great pond/lake in front of it. I hear motorboats right now. Not exactly a wilderness experience, but a beautiful place anyway.Goodnight Oscar.
Date: 2003-08-23
From: Pleasant Pond Lean-to 1,320

To: Horseshoe Canyon Lean-to 880
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Got on the trail early today at 7:40. We only had two mountains to climb and neither one was difficult. Nothing to write home about, but there were some nice views. Today was cold, about 60 degrees, so we didn't stand still log enough to see any views. We took a couple of breaks for lunch and snacks and almost froze to death. I had to put on long sleeves every time we stopped. About 5 miles before the shelter, we found trail magic again from Spike and Hopper. Awesome. There was that same cooler of sodas and candy bars. Outstanding. It couldn't have come at a better time. After all that sugar, Homerun and I made excellent time and I did a three mile an hour pace for the last three miles.Today was a bit cloudy and it is drizzling right now. I am tenting with Homerun and Detective Friday. Damp Dan and Crow are in the shelter. We are all going to Monson tomorrow which is the last trail town before Katahdin. Can't wait to see it. I have read so much about this trail that seeing this little town will be like visiting a really famous place. Goodnight Oscar.
Date: 2003-08-24
From: Horseshow Canyon Lean-to 880

To: Shaw's Boarding House Monson ME 1,240
Miles today: 9.0

Town day. For some reason, that didn't motivate us to get up early. I got up after 8:00 and we were on the trail around 9:15. This was an easy nine miles and seemed to go pretty quickly. I thought about food almost the whole time but I tried not to talk about it. Seems to make me more hungry. Homerun and I did have a lengthy discussion about BLT's though.When we got to the road it was about 1:15. Took half an hour to get a hitch into Monson. We were freezing! I know it couldn't have been over 50 degrees. We got dropped off at a small market, I ate a bunch of junk food, then we walked down to Shaw's, the most famous hostel on the trail. Now I know why. We got settled in and "unpacked" so to speak, and dinner was at 5:30. There was a full house here with about 30 people, north and south bounders both. Dinner is family style all you can eat. Homerun and I sat with our trail angels, Spike and Hopper! They are from Palm Springs, CA and she is a teacher and he is retired. For dinner we had baked chicken, new potatoes, green peas, corn on the cob, salad, and brownies for dessert. I couldn't even eat the brownies. I tried to keep track of how much Homerun ate, but after he ate six ears of corn I was in shock and lost track. After dinner I did a few chores and walked to the store with Detective Friday, Damp Dan, Ranger Rick, and Homerun. We were an odd looking crew, let me tell you. Friday had his rain gear on and Ranger Rick and Homerun were wearing long johns - and nothing else! They all bought pints of Ben & Jerry's. I was still miserable from dinner so I just got some juice. We walked back to the hostel and I went to bed. So nice to have a clean shower and cotton sheets.I picked up my maildrop packages here and had quite a few. My birthday is the 26th, so I had cookies from Rob, a huge card signed by my family that my sister sent, and some mango and other treats from my friend Steve in AZ. Thanks everybody for thinking of me and wishing me well. Only 114.5 to go!The Shaw's are an older couple who, with the help of their son, run this huge operation. Bunkhouse, private rooms, another house across the street, and two family style meals a day. Amazing. I had no idea this was such a big operation. It will be cold tonight and I am glad to be indoors.Goodnight Oscar.
Date: 2003-08-25
From: Shaw's Boarding House Monson ME 1,240

To: Shaw's Boarding House
Miles today: 0.0

Not going anywhere today. Woke up at six for breakfast on a zero day. What's wrong with this picture? Breakfast is AYCE family style. I ate with Spike and Hopper again. I had scrambled eggs with cheese, bacon, homefries, and three pieces of French toast, and all the OJ you can drink! It was all good! I have to tell you what Homerun ate. Four each of eggs, bacon, ham, sausage, French toast, and four servings of potatoes. Holy Cow! I am amazed.I saw Ultreya today! He is the man I hiked with for a while in VA and is from Montreal. He summited yesterday and had to come through Monson to get to Montreal. He stopped by the hostel and looked great. He was so excited and I was excited for him. I was so happy to see him again.Today I did a lot of laying around, read my guestbook which has some interesting entries to say the least, and went to the store and got a huge pastrami sandwich for dinner along with chips and a soda. I couldn't finish it. Homerun ate a huge hamburger, 12 inch pastrami sandwich, and a whole bag of pork rinds and a quart of Gatorade. We both just finished pints of Ben & Jerry's. This madness to my eating has to stop when I finish! Tomorrow I enter the 100 mile wildernes, then the next step is Katahdin by Monday. I am excited, nervous, anxious, happy, elated, etc., etc., etc. My dream is about to be over and my goal soon accomplished. I am overwhelmed. Thanks to everyone who has supported me along the way. Thanks to everyone who is reading about my experience and signing the guestbook. This journey has been more amazing because of all of you. I did not do this alone. Goodnight Oscar.
Date: 2003-08-26
From: Shaw's Boarding House Monson ME 1,240

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-to 930
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I am 33 years old. I spent my birthday hiking 15 miles. This was one of my best birthdays ever. I woke up at Shaw's around 6:00 for breakfast. I had two eggs, two blueberry pancakes, two servings of potatoes, lots of OJ, and it was all excellent. What a great way to start a birthday. When I came down to breakfast, I saw Dharma Bum and Suds at the table! I had not seen them since southern VA probably. They skipped a section from Andover to Monson because they have to finish by the 3rd.I went to the post office and mailed my bounce box home. This is the last trip for that box. I was so excited. Homerun and I left Shaw's around 10:00. I said goodbye to Shreck and Deysman, but I bet I'll see Deysman again. He's been popping up everywhere since VA. We hiked the easy 15 miles to the shelter and went under 100 miles today. Only 99.4 to go. How exciting! Temps were warmer today and the clouds in the sky this morning soon turned white and fluffy so we had no rain.Detective Friday and Damp Dan are here. They expect to summit on the 3rd. I am hoping to summit on the 31st, but we'll see. I am not in the hurry I once was.When we got to the shelter, Homerun and I cooked dinner and he had a surprise for me. He bought some brownies at the store because he thought I should have cake on my birthday. That was awesome! Very sweet of him and one of the best birthday presents I have ever received. He remembered my birthday better than I did.Goodnight Oscar
Date: 2003-08-27
From: Long Pond Stream Lean-to 930

To: Pleasant River Campsite 630
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: clear sky

This morning was tough for some reason. I didn't get up until 8:00 and didn't get on the trail until 9:30. Seems like the closer I get the lazier I get. We had a couple of easy climbs before our first break where we ran into Dharma Bum and Suds. When we sat down, the skies were clear. Within half an hour we were getting rained on. Maine weather changes rapidly, but this is the first time I've walked in the rain for well over a week. The temperature dropped too and when we stopped at the next shelter I was freezing. The four of us left there and hiked another four miles to a road before the river where there was trail magic! We had sodas and whoopie pies! I had never heard of whoopie pies until I got to Vermont. They have two chocolate cookies with cream in between and they are truly outstanding. Homerun and I had our fill and walked on to find a campsite. Damp Dan and Detective Friday camped there by the magic and Dharma Bum and Suds camped somewhere in between. Homerun and I got a great campsite near a creek that feeds into the river. We didn't get here until 7:00 so we had time to set up and cook but then it was dark. This is probably the best campsite I have had on this whole trip. I am really tired and I took a Benadryl for my bug bites. That makes me really sleepy so I am cutting this short. Goodnight Oscar.