morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-06-13
From: Edward B. Garvey Memorial Shelter

To: Ensign Cowall Shelter
Miles today: 24.8
Weather: overcast clouds

June 13Ensign Cowall Shelter24.8 miles, mile 1040.4 on ATA grey cool day that was good for hiking but kept me in a sort of funk. I thin I still am catching up on lost sleep. It will also help when I actually reach,somthing about having gone 1,000 miles and still not being half-way done. Itwas a big day for history and free food today. Whent through several Civl Warbatle sites with lots of displays explaining what went on. In addition, went to the first Washngton Monument which was put up here in the 1820's. it was there that I ran into a couple that were finishing up a four day hike and they ofered me the pick of the food they had not used. A few more mile on there were some trail angels with a cooler of drinks including beer and hamburgers. It is pretty flat here in Maryland but in a few spots its rocky and aparently that is what most of Pennsylvania is like.
Date: 2004-06-14
To: Antietam Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: light rain

June 14Antietam Shelter16.5 miles, mile #1056.9 on ATWell took it easy today. First I slep in till 6:30, I have been getting up with the sun at 5:00, than I did not even get hiking till 9:00 am. The big event of the day was crossing the Mason Dixon line into Pennsylvania. I am nowofficially out of the South and so feel much closer to home. Right before thestate border there was a park. It was a hot and humid day and it is opresive to hike in the early afternoon. I stopped and the park as it had a soda machine and I had heard one could order pizza there but the phone was locked up. A guy came up and introduced himself as a trail angel and asked me if I needed a ride anywhere. I was i the middle of eatting the heavy hard salimi I have been carrying for the last several days so I said I was OK. We talked for a while and he said "come on...I drive you to town, I thought for a second and asked "Can I get ice cream". I had no idea how big a town we were in but he drove me to a big grocery store so while I did not want to carry more food on my back, I went wild. One pint of Ben&Jerry's, a container of fresh mixed cut fruit, bananas, 1 cup of coffe and a large botle of Gatorade. Iinhaled almost all of that and got back on the trail. Within half an hour ofhiking the afternoon monsoon arrived. It felt nice to hike through the rain tobe cooled off and at least feel a litle rinsed off. It looks like Tank is onlyone day ahead of me so if I push I just might catch up to that guy. So try toget to be early and get a bunch of miles befor it gets hot
Date: 2004-07-13
From: Hudson River Valley

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 24.3
Weather: overcast clouds

RPH Shelter24.3 miles, mile 1413.3 on AT Well it is never plesent to have to break camp in a downpour. I stay comfy anddry for as long as I could but it was a mess. I rained all morning so no sights. About the middle of the day a guy called Poney Express zoomed by me. He hikes30-35 miles per day and the only reason I had gotten ahead of him was that hehad taken two weeks off. I was pushing myself pretty hard just to get my 24done before dark. The one thing I did run into again today was lots of deernone of which were particularly scared of me. Well I finally made it to theshelter and it was full some folks already asleep but several new thru-hikingfaces. I did catch up with King Alabar who I guess has been going slow due toknee problems.
Date: 2004-07-14
From: RPH Shelter

To: Telephone Pioneers Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Telephone Pioneers Shelter16.6 miles, mile 1429.9 on the ATWell a low key da I slept in a bit and than there was a deli less than half amile off the trail which I reached by 10:0 AM. Since I had the rest of the dayto do just 11 miles, I settled in at the deli. I had breakfast and bought thenewspaper. Shortly after I had lunch and than the pizza place next door openedand so I than had some pizza. While I was tempted to continue eatting I hadfinished the paper and so moved on. I had met some of the folks in the shelterof last night this morning. There was CNN an older couple from Tennesee , andCool It, as well as Chris who was doing a section hike from NYC to Maine. Chris had picked up a trail that I had never heard of the Long Path, which starts right at the George Washington Bridge and runs into the AT before heading off into Upstate New York. Than in the afternoon I ran into Ponderer. I had last seen him in mid-April. Ponderer had started in the Shendoah's headed south to Georgia and than was heading from the Shendoah's to Maine. he had mentioned when we first met that he is planning a 50state bike tour and we never got the chance to give him my advice on longdistance bike trips. So that blew another hour. So at that point I neded toget a bit serious about hiking having spent a good third of the day eatting andtalking. Lot of up and down and geen woods there was the interestingly namedNuclear Lake hat I had to get water from but no nuclear power plant to be seenand I do not appear to be glowing which is a good sign. Well tomorrow I shouldhit Conneticut and the two thirds mark. It will be bnice to be in New England
Date: 2004-07-15
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: Schaghticoke Mtn Campsite
Miles today: 18.5
Weather: scattered clouds

July 15 - Schaghticoke Mtn Campsite18.5 miles, mile 1448.4 on ATThe weather continues unsettled the was clouds, sun, hot, humid, cool, dry, fog,and rain all at one point or another today. I did not sleep great last partly because little critters kept rustling around the shelter. It did lead me to getting gonig particularly early in the morning. I was out of bed by 5:00 and rolled out of camp by 6:30. Of course, it helps that we were three miles from another deli and a fresh hot cup of coffee. Needless to say I cruised. More eatting and lots of coffee. In New York most of the streams have been dry but as we got closer to the Conneticut border there seemed to be water. I was still moving pretty fast when I came down a big hill to Ten-Mile River. It is a beautiful little river about 30 yards wide where I hit it. I dunked my head several times, boy it is nice to feel bit clean. Than I sat down on a big rock about a third of the way out in the river and soaked my feet and enjoyed my lunch. there were quiet shallows on one side of me and ! as I sat there I watched small fish bolt between the rocks and even a crayfishsneak out. I turned to look to the other side of the river and right across onthe far bank a doe and a young fawn were drinking in the shallows. It was awonderful place to sit and relax and it zapped my energy fro moving fast. I had already paired down what I was going to do. I had to pretty much drag myself the last 5 miles. It was great that when I started hiking that I followed the Ten-Mile River until it emptied into the Housatonic River. The Housatonic made me really feel close to home as I know it from my time in Western Massachusetts.The last three miles were all up hill and as I reached the top of the mountainthe trail passed through a large patch of brambles. There stretched out right in the middle of the trail was a large Timber Rattle Snake. The was no going around the snake so I pointed my trecking pole twards it. It flicked its tongue at me several times and thin it rattled! which I have to say I have never experenced before. Finally the snake moved off the trail and into the brambles but now I could not tell where it was. So I used one pole to pook at the brambles on the snake side of the trail while with the other pole I beat back brambles so I could move up the trail as far from the snake as possible. Several time I heard the rattle as I poked to the left when I finally heard no more rattling I quickly scampered up the trial to safety. More than I wanted at the end of the day and more danger than I expected to come across here in sedate Conneticut.
Date: 2004-07-16
From: Schaghticoke Mtn Campsite

To: Stewart Hollow Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 9.8

July 16 Stewart Hollow Brook Lean-to9.8 miles, mile 1458.6 on ATWell a nice easy day, but also a town day with plenty of chores to do. I sleptin again till 6:00AM and took it easy for the three miles into Kent, CT. Kentis definitly one of the small, old money Conneticut towns. Lots of artgalleries and expensive shopes, but they have a history of being hiker friendly, and they were. I got in and headed right for breakfast where I ran into Stretch, whose family was up visting him. After two full breakfasts and reading the NY Times, another luxury, I headed off for the essential task of doing laundry and shopping for food. Than it was off to the outfitter for some gear and they supposedly had a shower that hikers could use for a charge. I was very disappointed to find out that they no longer had a shower. Putting clean clothes on a dirty body is just much less fun. Well by that time it was time to eat again and so I met up with "Cool It" we had lunch and headed out of town. There were a couple big climbs and one nasty down, down precarious rock steps, but the last several miles of this casual day were on flat ground along the beautiful Housatonic River. Camp was also along the river and as soon as I put my pack down I headed for the river. While it may not be the cleanest river it was cleaner than me and I waded out to the knee deep section and fell back into the river and enjoyed a good dunking. It is nice to have a short day when your not exhausted and rushed to get everything taken care of before dark. Tomorow I will need to crank, 22 miles, as I want to met up with friends and get a ride back home to Boston on Tuesday, for another 4-5 daysoff to organize my life for after the AT.
Date: 2004-07-17
From: Stewart Hollow Brook Lean-to

To: Limestone Springs Lean-to
Miles today: 22.3

July 17 Limestone Springs Lean-to22.3 miles, mile 1480.9 on ATWell it is amazing what one can do with a good nights sleep and some coffee. Igot a bit of a late start but there was another few miles of flat ground alongthe river with some wonderful views before the morning fog burned off. I knew Iwould have to keep up a good pace to fit in a stop for lunch. After a few hours I ran into Stretch and we hiked together the rest of the day. I go faster with someone right behind me and stretch has a long stride so he pushed and I pulled. We made 10 miles before noon and took a break. CN'N and Chill Out caught us. there and we talked for a bit before I said my goodbyes as they were not planning as long a day as I. While taking that break we met our first two SOBO's, or south bounders who had left Katahdin June 14th. The afternoon was a lot of nondiscript forest but Stretch and I kept up a wide ranging conversation.We cut back down to the river and the main objective of the afternoon, a cafe,and inhaled some burgers, fries, and some apple pie a le mode. We then ran into another SOBO, really makes one feel like you are getting close to the end. There was suppoed to be a shower that hikers could access at a hydroelectric plant on the river but again the information was wrong and I had to go without. But just below the upper dam of the plant were some water falls and I dunked myself in the brisk water and felt revived for thelast three miles to camp. There was a good crew of thru-hikers already there King Alabar, and Hobbes, as well ad Cmander who was out section hiking, and theConneticut Ridge Runner who had hiked from Springer to Damascus and so knew abunch of people who were behind on the trail. So there was plenty to talk about that is till the rain and thunder rolled in. Hopefully it passes quickly, but tomorrow should be a bit shorter and we are only four miles from a town with a coffee shop.
Date: 2004-07-20
From: Jamaica Plain

To: home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Home0 milesFive zero days I won't bore you with the details. I lined up work for /ctoberand paid my bills through September a lot of eattng and drinkng with friends. Iwas really worried about my knee as it did not start felinf better until todaythe fifth day after the fall. It is OK to walk on but bending it to much hurts.Espically geting in and out of a car, but I don't have to do that on the trail. I got a brace for it and that helps. Off to Central Massachusets to see frinedsand than tomorow I will get a ride back to the trial with Carl a friend from mywork on polio eradication.
Date: 2004-07-25
From: home

To: Tom Leonard Lean-to
Miles today: 5.5

Tom Leonard Lean-to5.5 miles, mile 1512.8Well woke a bit hung-over but a fun evning of good food, drink company andconversation. Tim dropped me of nd there was time to read the Sunday paperbefore Carl picked me up. Had fun taking with him about the trail and a bit ofserious conversation about getting rid of polio in the world. But Carl wantedto see the trail. I had already decided that I would skip 5.5 miles and comeback to it in September as I did not know how my knee was going to do and itwould be a late start to try to make the next shelter. I am not cheating I willget back to these miles if my knee lets me get to Katahdin. Well Carl walkedwith me for a mile or so and than we said our good byes. It felt wird to beback on the trial a bit of longig to be home again, but that begain to faidafter a few miles. My knee feels prety good we will see if it is happy in themorning. I will need to take it easy and see what it can handel. The shelterwas empty and very buggy. There are two tents set up bu! t the residents are already asleep. The register is full with no new entriesin almost a week so I am not sure whether there are any familiar thru-hikersaround. But I am glad to be back. I would be incredibly diappointed at thisstage if I could not finish for whatever reason.
Date: 2004-07-26
From: Tom Leonard Lean-to

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: clear sky

Upper Goose Pond Cabin21.1 miles, mile 1533.9 on ATIt is amazing how much better I sleep out here in the woods. I only hiked 5miles yesterday but I was out by 9:00 PM and woke feeling really rested at 5:00AM.They say doctors make the worst patients and I guess I am a shining example. Ihad told myself that I would take it easy on my knee but I didn't. I felt goodmost of the day every once in awhile it gave me a little twinge of pain but itreally felt good. I had done 15 miles before 3:00 and so I pushed on. BesidesI wanted to make it to this cabbin. They are talking about a lot of raintomorrow and the idea of a place with four walls sounded great. There is acaretaker here and he is going to make us coffee and pancakes in the morning.In spite of pushing myself a bit hard it was a good day. First thing in themorning I found out that the two tents that were set up belonged to Polar andPilot. I had not seen them since Virginia. Pilot was still asleep I thought theywould catch me but I guess I moved better than I expected. I saw a few southbounders or SOBO's durring the day. Than tonight I found Reale and "JoeFlamingo" Reale I last saw in Southern Virginia and Joe Flmingo not since NothCarolinia. The country was nice rolling hills nothing to steep or slippery andI guess tomorrow is flat. I can take it pretty easy for the next few days.
Date: 2004-07-27
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Kay Wood Lean-to
Miles today: 17.6

Kay Wood Lean-to17.6 miles, mile 1551.8 on ATThe cabbin was nice Wayne the caretaker and his two children invited us all toenjoy smores at the campfire. The cabin itself had gas lighting which made itquite homey, so I stayed up late talking. I slept like a rock last night, noneof us thru-hikers moved before we were called to breakfast at 6:30. Pancakes and coffee made a fantastic start to the day. There had not been much rainovernight and I left the cabbin in a light drizzel. It was a highlight of theday crossing over the Mass Turnpike. For years I have seen the sign, for theAT, and the walkway when I drove on the highway. But it was a great feeling tonow be a hiker looking down at the cars. I walked with Rael and Joe on and offthrough the day. There are many beaver ponds in these parts some with niceviews and some just being swamps. The high point of the day was a stop at the"Cookie Lady" House. I guess this couple has been offering cokies and access to water for thru-hikers for many years. I was a little concerned when I passed two SOBOs who said no one was home and there no cookies. I needed water anyway so I walked up to the house. There was a dog sitting out front who semed quit standoffish. As I started to fill my water bottle a car pulled up the drive. It was Roy who is the cookie Man. He offered me cookies, which were quite good and three other hikers pulled up. there was only six more miles to the shelter but it started to rain quite seriously. As itgot wetter I slowed down, I was worried about another fall. as if I am notcarefull my knee lets me know that while it tolerates walking it is stil nothappy with me. Luckily, this is a big shelter and only four of us hear tonight, plenty of room to hang wet clothes and cook under cover. It feels like it is going to be a cold night but tomorow breakfast in town!
Date: 2004-07-28
From: Kay Wood Lean-to

To: St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Cheshire MA
Miles today: 12.3

St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Cheshire MA12.3 miles, mile 1563.8 on ATIt was a cool night last night but not uncomfortably cold. I woke up at myusual early hour and was out of the shelter before anyone else stirred. I wasof course spurred forward by the thought of coffee. I was not disappointed. Iran into a SOBO who reccomended Dott & AL's Cafe which was right on the trail. The place was a little old greassy spoon that was well attended by locals. Since at most I was thinking about a 17 mile day the was ample time to have aluxurious breakfast and read the paper. Than I figured why not do laundry andif I blew enough time I could even have lunch befor headding on, so I did. Itwas 12:30 before I ran out of things to eat and excuses to stay. By then I hadalso convinced myself that I was not going any farther than the next town, which was only eight miles away. The church here lets thru-hikers stay in the church hall for the night. On the way I ran into almost a dozen SOBOs who reccommended the hostel, and told me where to eat. I am surprized no one else staying here tonight, perhaps later
Date: 2004-07-29
From: St. Mary of the Assumption Church, Cheshire MA

To: North Adams, MA
Miles today: 14.0

North Adams, MA14 miles, mile 1577.8 on ATi though it was going to be a tough day going up Mt. Greylock which is certainly the hight mountain we have had to hike up in som time. It ended being a nice gradual walk and a very pleasent day. Close to the top I ran into a British family who were on oliday and we talked quite a bit about the trail as we got to the lodge at the top the husband offered to buy me a cup of coffee and I sat down with them and gave them some suggestions about things to see in the Boston area which was their next destination. I could not decide whether to stay at the hostel at the top of the mountain or to continue into town. There is a road to the top of the mountain so a good bit of tourist traffic, and I hung out and people watched for awhile. I finally decided that I want to get down into town. I spent a couple mounths during medical school doing rotations in, North Adams,and Williamstown the two towns that lay at the base of the mountain to thenorth. After all these days of hiking over unfamilliar it is comforting to be in a place you know. Unfortunately, it is a much steaper hike down and I took one good slip which was the real test of my knee. I got to the bottom and was exhausted so as I walked down a residential street I asked about the nearest motel and made a bee-line to it. There was a grocery store across the street and I pretty much wet wild with eatting. Not a long day but still climbing up and down almost 3,000 ft does build an appetite. I also made the decision that since I was ahead of schedule I would take tomorrow off.
Date: 2004-07-30
From: North Adams, MA

To: North Adams, MA
Miles today: 0.0

North Adams, MA0 milesIt is nice when I can sleep in. I thnk I crawled out of the motel by 9:00 androlled acros the street where I picked up food coffee and the newspaper and blew an hour or two reading the paper. Than I hitched into town proper. The guy who picked me up was an elderly gentileman but he had grown up and lived for many years on the New Jersy Shore not far from where I was raised. Norht Adams is an interesting town a little depressed and a little quirky. There used to be a large textile mill and when the plant closed the town fell on hard times but five years ago they turned some of the old mill buildings into the Massacusetts Museum of Contemprary Art. Because of the size of the mill the place has the largest gallery spaces in the country. I have wanted to come out hear for awhile so there was no missing the oportunity. I highly reccommend comming to see the place if you have the chance. Monumenal spaces with interesting, challenging, beautiful, tought provoking work. Definitly a nice break from the trail. i got a ride back to my motel from a couple of young college students who were interested in international health. So all in all a very pleasent zero day. Tomorow Vermount and some very familliar territory
Date: 2004-07-31
From: North Adams, MA

To: Congdon Shelter
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: light rain

Congdon Shelter14.1 miles, mile 1591.9 on ATI figured 14 miles I was in no particular rush. There was a breakfast placeright next to the motel, they had the best homefries that I have ever had. Igot a nice ride to the trail head. Then stopped at a nearby grocery store andate more breakfast and more coffee and read the paper. the weather seemed to be threatening rain bt it held off. It was a big moment for me to reach theMassachusetts/Vermont Border. Twenty five months ago I stood at the same placeabout to begin my Long Trail hike. It really brought back a rush of wonderfulmemories. Not only did I enjoy that hike so much but the seeds of this hikewere sewn than. So no really for this first time I was travelling on a pieceof the AT that I had been on before. Vermont really is very beautiful, there is little spectacular about this southern part but it is very lush with every hue of green imaginable to be seen, as well as countless little mountain streams. Of course, with that lushness comes mud and the trail is thick with deep pools of mudd in which to sink, put that is the price you pay. With my lazy pace late start and frequent breaks I pulled in to the shelter a bit after seven. The place was crawlling with people, weekend hikers, section hikers, north bound Long Trail hikers, and south bound thru-hikers. I was seemingly the only north bound At thruhiker. The rainheld off until right before I got to the shelter than it started but stopped after a few minutes. Iam ttempting the faits by setting up my tent, and thunder has started since I started this entry, so it could be an interesting night.