morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-06-07
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Zero DayI am packed and ready to go. Yesterday, my Son-In-Law George, made me a Stromboli to bring home with me so I ate it for lunch. Thanks George, you are a good cook. Thanks to all my family, I appreciate what you did for me yesterday, it was fun.I did a few more chores around the house today to earn my keep. My wife and I will be going out tonight and tomorrow she will take me to the airport. I will see her again in about 625 miles.Stay tuned, I think the real adventure is about to begin. My southbound pre hike prayer is the same as Prep Journal #16. Thanks Lord for this opportunity. I will do my best to enjoy this once in a lifetime journey and to pass on the joy of my adventure to others.Thanks for following along.
Date: 2014-06-08
From: Home

To: Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Zero DayI was able to go to church this morning before my wife drove me to the Philadelphia Airport. Check in was quick, so we didn't have much time together before I went through security. I will miss my best friend. I am coming back to her as fast as I am physically able.The plane ride was an hour and a half. It will take me almost three months to walk back.I didn't have any problem with my pack because I tied down all the straps. I put everything inside my pack including my trekking poles, and I checked it through in Philadelphia. When I went to baggage claim in Bangor it was there waiting for me, all in tact.I am still in Bangor for the night, and I have resupplied with ten days of food. Presently, I can't get it all into my pack so I have a little rearranging to do. All this food is needed for the 100 mile wilderness.Tonight I had a large dinner and have recently managed to put seven pounds back on my frame. This should help me with the sore shoulders for awhile. I have been wearing my new boots and my feet feel great.Good night.
Date: 2014-06-09
From: Maine

To: Maine
Miles today: 0.0

Zero DayWhen she was little, she used to enjoy arm wrestling her dad. I would tie a rope around my hand and with her brothers and friends she would pull on the rope and I would arm wrestle them to the tabletop. She enjoyed playing running bases with her dad, and she really enjoyed racing me. She was in the audience the night I won the Delaware Bodybuilding State Championships.We hiked up Pikes Peak twice, so anyone that knows Jacki would not be surprised to know that she wanted to hike up Mt. Katahdin and start off the southbound hike with her dad.Jacki has been like a trail angel. She flew up to Maine from her home in Melbourne, Florida before me, and she rented a car and picked me up from the Bangor Airport. We went to supper and then she took me to the supermarket to resupply my food.Today I finished resupplying at the outfitters. I needed a gas cylinder, deet, lighter, matches, and camp soap, so now I think I am all set to hike.Jacki and I went to Baxter State Park to check out the trail head and to get information about the procedures we must follow to gain entrance. We plan to be in line tomorrow morning at 6 am. We should be hiking, or as they say here climbing, by 7 am. Our round trip should be around 8 to 10 hours. I am hoping that weather isn't too bad, but it's supposed to rain during the day.After Baxter we went to supper and then to a Bed and Breakfast where we will spend two nights. Wednesday morning Jacki will take me back to the base of Katahdin and I will start hiking south.There isn't any cell phone service near Baxter except possibly on top of Katahdin. I hope to call my wife from there. Now that I am a south bounder, only the mileage hiked down Katahdin will count.A reminder that once I start hiking south, you may not hear from me until I get through the 100 mile wilderness which could be up to 10 days.My Droid Razor bit the dust yesterday. It won't stop resetting and couldn't be repaired. I now have an I-Phone 5 S and am trying to learn this phone as I go along.Time for bed, I need to get up at 4:30.Good night.
Date: 2014-06-10
From: Maine

To: Katahdin Stream Campground, ME
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: scattered clouds

WHEN YOUR HEART GETS RESTLESS TIME TO MOVE ALONG, WHEN YOUR HEART GETS WEARY TIME TO SING A SONG, BUT WHEN A DREAM IS CALLING YOU, THERE IS JUST ONE THING THAT YOU CAN DO. YOU GOT TO FOLLOW THAT DREAM WHEREVER THAT DREAM MAY LEAD. YOU GOT TO FOLLOW THAT DREAM TO FIND THE LOVE YOU NEED. (Elvis Presley)Jacki and I were up at 4:30 am. We were not going to present for breakfast so the Bed and Breakfast owner had our breakfast in the fridge waiting for us. We ate our blueberry muffins, juice and apples on the way to Baxter Park.The park gates open at 6 am and we were there waiting by 5:45 am.We put on our day packs which had the necessary survival items, signed the register, and we were hiking upwards toward Baxter Peak by 6:45.Thirty minutes into our hike it started drizzling and continued to rain until we were nearly finished back at the bottom.The total round trip time was nine and one half hours. Four hours up and five and one half down.The rain made it a very hard climb, even harder because of the slippery rocks. You will notice I called it a climb. I was corrected yesterday at the outfitters when I called it a hike. No truer words were ever spoken. I agree, it is a climb. Every muscle in my body was aching and my knees were just about out of service. I could barely walk at the end. Before I left Baxter Park, I registered with the Park Ranger for my return hike tomorrow. I will pick up where I left off today. When I exit the park ten miles later, I will turn my in my copy so they know that I have gone from the park. Jacki will return to the airport at that time tomorrow, and journey to her home in Florida. Thank you so much daughter Jacki, I am going to miss you.Jacki did well and she led the way down. When we returned to the car we were soaking wet and cold. We turned the heat to maximum and turned on the heat to the car seats as well. It is almost an hours drive from Baxter Park to our B&B and we were still wet upon arriving there. My very kind daughter gathered up our clothes and went to the laundromat where she washed and dried them. The hot shower was great.Tomorrow I return to my journey and I will soon be heading into the 100 mile wilderness. I will connect with you the moment I can. I know this south bound journey will be just as exciting as my north bound journey was. Thank you so much for coming along with me, I appreciate it greatly.Good night.
Date: 2014-06-11
From: Katahdin Stream Campground, ME

To: Hurd Brook Lean To, ME
Miles today: 13.4
Weather: overcast clouds

I forgot to mention in yesterday's journal that I carried my grandchildren's beads: Julie, George, and Grant, for 1216 miles and placed them at the Mt. Katahdin sign. I also carried a pebble from Springer Mountain to Mt. Katahdin and placed it there.In addition, I brought Jack Fussell's bracelet for Alzheimer's and placed it at the sign, too. He asked me to do this when I met him at Amicalola Falls State Park.One more note on Jacki. It is a testament to her fitness level that with no hiking training she was able to climb up and down Mt. Katahdin with a constant smile on her face. She keeps herself in great shape.Jacki had me back at the trailhead by 9 am. I thanked her, told her I loved her, and set off down the trail crying.At the first stream fording, while still in Baxter State Park, I managed to lose one of my water bottles and also my prescription glasses. For two days I could not read any print. I am writing this on 6-13-14.I replaced my water bottle at the Abol Stream store.At my second stream fording I was wearing my Waldies and slipped in the rushing water. The current took me 20 feet down stream until I caught a rock and pulled myself to my feet and walked out.I have decided that I will do all my water crossings with my boots on from here on out. It's safer and better footing. My Waldies will still be my camp shoes. I will just have to endure the wet feet.I stayed at the Hurd Brook Lean To. I was the only one in the shelter but one other person (Chris) was tenting.Good night.
Date: 2014-06-12
From: Hurd Brook Lean To, ME

To: Wadleigh Stream Lean To, ME
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: light rain

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY SISTER MARIANThis morning while eating breakfast, I saw a bull moose. He had a large rack of antlers. When I first saw him he looked huge, but he just quietly wandered away.I ate lunch at the Rainbow Stream Lean To and then moved on.It rained all day today and I was soaked when I arrived at the shelter. I ate, hung my bear bag, and put on warm clothes, then got into my sleeping bag.I have noticed along my journey that people either forget or purposely leave behind items they don't want to carry. I have noticed eye glasses at many of the shelters where I have stayed. I started praying that I would find a pair of glasses so I could read my guide book and write my journal. Upon arriving at the shelter tonight, I started looking for a pair of eyeglasses. No eyeglasses, just a pair of sunglasses.I saw another moose tonight, a cow trying to get my food. It was too high but I was afraid that she would try to knock the tree down to get it so I blew my whistle. It ran off but returned sensing no threat.I need my food more than the moose does, so I advanced toward the moose blowing my whistle and banging my hiking poles together. It left never to return. For their size the moose are amazingly quiet when they are walking through the woods.It was raining hard as I fell asleep.Good night.
Date: 2014-06-13
From: Wadleigh Stream Lean To, ME

To: Potaywadjo Lean To, ME
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: moderate rain

It rained very hard last night and was still raining when I got up this morning. As I was cooking breakfast, I looked up at a shelf and saw a pair of eyeglasses. I put them on and was able to read all of the small print that I have been unable to read for the past two days. I don't know why I didn't see them last night. Now I am in the shelter trying to remember events so I can put them in the journal.My clothes did not dry during the night, so I put damp ones on this morning and set out in the rain. It rained until about noon. I decided to advance just one shelter and get in early to take advantage of the sun and dry out my clothes and gear.My gear and clothes are trying to dry but it is raining again. I am warm and dry.After I fell in the water, I put my phone away because I couldn't see to write so I don't have pictures. Now that I can see again, I will start taking pictures.Today is Friday 06-13-14 and I have completed my journals and brought them up to date. Maybe tomorrow I can get back to normal writing now that I can see the keys.Good night.
Date: 2014-06-14
From: Potaywadjo Lean To, ME

To: Easy Branch Lean To, ME
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: broken clouds

I am starting to catch up to and pass southbounders. I met a father son hiking team that is going to Georgia.I stopped at Cooper Brook Falls Lean To for lunch and then continued on.Just before getting to the shelter tonight, I had to ford the east branch of the Pleasant River. Had to put on dry clothes when I got to the shelter. My clothes are hanging all over the place.It has rained every day and night that I have been hiking. More rain tomorrow.Good night.
Date: 2014-06-15
From: Easy Branch Lean To, ME

To: Carl A. Newhall Lean To, ME
Miles today: 10.8

HAPPY FATHERS DAY TO ALL MY FAMILY FATHERS AND ALL FATHERSToday's big climb was White Cap Mountain (3650 ft.). When I arrived at the summit, I had cell phone service and was able to send my brief journals to my wife to edit and send in. No pictures because I don't have the battery power to spare.I am starting to catch up and pass some southbounders. When about six southbounders saw me on top of White Cap with my phone out, they all called their dads to wish them Happy Father's Day. White Cap Mountain was very windy and cold.My feet are a mess and I have to come up with an answer before they fall off of me. They have been wet since Jacki dropped me off at the trailhead. When I get into town, I am staying there until I get eye glasses, a case, and a foot solution. I will probably start carrying more socks and I'll buy Crocs for fording the waterways. Every day I have to ford a stream and I am using my hiking boots and that's not good. It keeps my feet wet all day and they are getting blistered. I have to do better here on this. Before I left home I told my wife I was going to Maine, the water state. I was correct. This is the water state. A hiker said to me yesterday that nothing ever dries here, and it's true. It's too cold and humid for anything to dry.It was a short hiking day today so I could wash and try to dry my socks, and dip my feet in the cold stream for awhile.I am in my tent tonight. I wanted to be in the shelter, but it's full. I just didn't want a moose trashing my tent. Every moose I have seen so far has been around a shelter.Have a good night.
Date: 2014-06-16
From: Carl A. Newhall Lean To, ME

To: Cloud Pond Lean To, ME
Miles today: 16.8

It didn't rain last night so I was able to leave my shoes out to dry in the breeze. My socks were still a little damp, so I put them in my sleeping bag with me and they dried.It was nice all day, sunny and warm, so everything had a chance to dry out.I had to ford the west branch of the Pleasant River and my shoes became wet again.I had a lot of mountains to hike today starting with Chairback Mountain.I ate lunch at the Chairback Mountain Lean To. While performing first aid on the open sores on my feet, a ridge runner stopped by. She had a water fording shoe in her hand, and while cleaning the shelter she found the other one so she gave them to me. Another answered prayer. Now I don't have to ford rivers in my hiking boots and my feet will return to normal.I am in a shelter tonight with three other people. I am the only one still up.Good night.
Date: 2014-06-17
From: Cloud Pond Lean To, ME

To: Leeman Brook Lean To, ME
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: scattered clouds

TO THE FRIEND WHO SIGNED MY GUEST BOOK AND SAID THAT I MIGHT SEE HIS SON (ROBO) IN THE 100 MILE WILDERNESS, I DID MEET HIM AT ABOUT HIS MILE 7, MY MILE 93. A VERY POLITE AND HANDSOME LAD. I KNOW YOU ARE PROUD OF HIM.The day started with my being very tired. After all those mountains I hiked yesterday, I was not able to get any good sleep because of the loudest snorer I have ever heard. Someone who was tenting 20 feet away said that even with earplugs in his ears he could hear him.As I write this, I am 3 miles from the end of the 100 mile wilderness, and tomorrow morning I will get to ME 15 and get a ride to someplace, don't know where yet, for food, a bath, and clean clothes.I made three water fordings today. My feet are improving even out here in the wilderness. At one of the water fordings there was a dead moose. A ranger was passing by me at that moment and he said many moose do not survive the winter. I also saw two small snakes today.The 100 mile wilderness was tough. Many steep climbs and descents. I am glad I had my deet and bug net because I used them every day. There are so many ways to get hurt here, you always have to keep your head in the game. You have to watch every step and try not to lose your balance by tripping or slipping. There were a lot of good views but I couldn't take pictures because of my low cell battery.The town of Monson is to southbounders what Neel Gap is to northbounders. People will be going into Monson and sending stuff home because their packs are too heavy. Many of the shelters are loaded with stuff people are leaving behind.A little rest and food and I'll be good to go again.They say when northbounders hit New England, especially New Hampshire, it's like hitting a brick wall. Northbounders have done 90% of the trail and 10% of the work. In Maine and New Hampshire, you will complete 90% of the work and 10% of the trail.They made a believer out of me.Good night.
Date: 2014-06-19
From: Monson, ME

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Zero DayI enjoy coming into the Appalachian Trail Towns for rest and recuperation. It gives me something to look forward to as I hike the miles of the trail. The hostels are OK and I have made some good memories there, but I really enjoy visiting small town America.This town is a tourist attraction with a lot of hikers, fishing, boating, and snowmobiling. It's a place where outdoorsy people come to enjoy the outdoors with the Maine Mountains in the background.Lots of restaurants, ice cream stands, gift and art shops, and candy shops, and everyone is in vacation mode.The lake above is huge up close and there is a cruise ship that cruises the lake for eight hours while the ship's captain narrates.This particular lake is the largest in New England.From what I have seen of Maine, it is a beautiful state.Tomorrow I return to the trail ready to get to work. I'll let you know what adventure was waiting for me.Good Night.
Date: 2014-06-20
From: Monson, ME

To: Horseshoe Canyon Lean To, ME
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: broken clouds

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY GRANDSON BRANDON R.I was up early so that I could make the three quarter mile walk to the family restaurant that serves good home style cooking. I purchased the local newspaper to read while eating, something I do in every town. I enjoyed the meal and made the walk back to the my motel.The shuttle driver, trail name Pie Lady, had me at the trailhead at 9:15. The terrain was mostly level today, but I did have to make one stream fording . My new Crocs worked well.I met up with Chris and Andy who were dropped off from Shaw's by their shuttle driver.There are four of us in the shelter tonight. It's me, Chris, and two sisters I just met.Tomorrow will be a big hiking day for me with a river to ford and two mountains to climb so I better say goodnight.Bible time.
Date: 2014-06-22
From: Pleasant Pond Lean To,ME

To: West Carry Pond Lean To,ME
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I was hiking by 6 am. I positioned myself six miles from the Kennebec River by staying at the Pleasant Pond Lean To.At this time of year, the Kennebec River Ferry Service only operates between 9 and 11 am. This ferry service is the authorized contractor that paddles you across the river in a canoe. You are not allowed to wade across because someone drowned several years ago while trying. They open the floodgates upstream at a hydro plant and they say you can't even get across faster than the water level rises. They make you sign a waiver and you wear a life preserver before you get in the canoe.So I arrived at 8:45 after a six mile hike and was the first person across at 9 o'clock.After the water crossing, I hiked the rest of the day with Andy and Megan (no trail names yet).We ate lunch at the Pierce Pond Lean To and then hiked the ten miles to this shelter.Like the other lean to's in this area of Maine, there is a pond to the front of the shelter. You can swim in it if you can take the cold water, and it's also our drinking water supply.I am in my tent tonight. I hope I sleep well because tomorrow I have a few mountains to hike, one of which is 4000 feet plus. As I get closer to New Hampshire the mountains will be getting taller.Good night.
Date: 2014-06-23
From: West Carry Pond Lean To,ME

To: Horns Pond Lean To, ME
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: scattered clouds

I was hiking at 6 am because I had a lot to get done today.I hiked eight miles and had an early lunch at Bigelow Lean To. I needed energy to hike Little Bigelow Mountain(3010) feet, Avery Peak(4090) feet, and Bigelow Mountain West Peak(4145) feet.From this height the views of the Maine Mountains were fantastic. By the time I got into the shelter I had hiked 13 hours.Today I saw four moose, two ran to the left and two ran thirty yards to the front of me and just stared at me. It was hard to figure out if they planned to charge me or not, but after I blew my whistle they left galloping down the path. They sounded like horses running.Time for bed.Good night.
Date: 2014-06-24
From: Horns Pond Lean To, ME

To: Stratton, ME
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Time for resupply and rest in Stratton.While reading the Bangor Daily News at breakfast this morning, I noticed an article about a rescue team with a Blackhawk helicopter that had to had to airlift a sixty year old man who had fallen twenty feet on Mt. Katahdin. He could not walk and had to be airlifted out. This type of rescue work is what my son John does. He is in the Air Force Special Forces (Para-Rescue) and I have always been very proud of him. He is currently studying to be a mechanical engineer.I checked around, and there aren't any church masses here in this area during the week.After I showered and did laundry, I was so tired that I napped for an hour. This is a first for me in a town. The exertion and work in the Maine mountains has left me very tired.The next moose I see I will try to react fast enough to get a picture. I have seen a total of six moose (one bull and five cows) while others haven't seen any. I am an early riser on the trail and I am usually hiking while others are sleeping. That could be why I am seeing the moose, because it is early in the morning.For the last four days the weather has been sunny and warm. It rained a little today while I was in town and may rain tomorrow.When I am high up on a mountain top looking down on the landscape below me, I am absolutely amazed at God's creation. This is the payoff for hiking; this is the reward for my effort, seeing the world as God first made it. Looking down on the valleys and lakes, everything seems to be in its proper place, everything seems to fit.I wish you could be on the mountain and see what I have been seeing. I wish you could be here and feel what I have been feeling. I just wish you could see the wonder of it all.Good night.
Date: 2014-06-25
From: Stratton, ME

To: Stratton, ME
Miles today: 0.0

Zero DayToday was a day for resting and eating as much as I could while in town.I went back to the laundromat to do the second half of my wash and had an interesting conversation with a retired couple who were vacationing in a nearby campground with their camper.They get into their camper and just travel, not sure where they are going to end up, but they said that they usually end up in some pretty nice places. They stay away from home for about a month and then return home only to leave again when they get the urge. It sounds like their camper is pretty modern. They said everything is remote controlled.Back to the trail tomorrow.Good night.
Date: 2014-06-26
From: Stratton, ME

To: Crocker Cirque Campsite, ME
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: scattered clouds

The shuttle lady had me at the trailhead by 9 am. It was still drizzling after having rained all night. I knew the forest was going to be wet and it was. By the end of today's hike, I was once again soaking wet. Pretty slippery hiking today from all the rain. Traveling was slow.The mountains that I needed to get up and over today were The North and South Crocker Mountains (4228) feet. I read of another rescue in this morning's paper. Someone had to be rescued off the North Crocker Mountain on Tuesday. He was sick and dizzy and he felt like he needed to sleep, so he relayed this information to the folks at the hotel where he had stayed and they called rescue services. After they rescued him, they took him to the hospital.For safety reasons, I am staying at this campsite tonight. Two northbound hikers who went past me said that the river ahead, that I will have to ford, had washed away the footbridge and it's pretty rough. The second hiker said that he was almost swept away. The river is one mile from here but hopefully there will be less danger by morning. Later in the afternoon, I will need to ford another river just before I get to my destination shelter.The sun came out around 4 pm and I think I will have warm, sunny weather for the next several days.I saw my first deer in Maine today.I am travelling through he area where a lady hiker disappeared last year at about this time. She was never found and they are still looking for her.It's time for me to read the Bible.Good night.