morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-05-26
From: Glasgow

To: Brown Mountain Creek Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: broken clouds

Woke at 5:45am. Cleaned up the trash around the shelter and put it in the dumpster. Want to return the kindness they showed to us in town. Had to take a dump so bad that I couldn't walk. Had to drop one right behind the old abandoned gas station. Had to clean it up with a brown paper grocery bag. Glamorous life isn't it.Ate a sausage, egg, and cheese biscuit with Michigan. He couldn't finish his so I kindly offered my assistance. Wrote in my journal and Stretcher and Tree came in. We talked about jumping again from the bridge before leaving. Ate another biscuit for a grand total of 3. Craving orange juice. Talked to 151 about New Orleans. About Zydeco. Parades and the town he lived in. He offered to show me around one day. Listened to his music and told each other about our favorite bands. Getting restless and decided to go on without BooBoo, Cricket, and Michigan. They got a ride to the local dinner for breakfast. Watched a large group of hikers try to hitch a ride. I'd talked to Amy the night before. She works at the grocery store here. She got married to a 21 year old, when she was 14!!! What!? She gave Tree, Stretcher, Alkaline, Nannerpuss and me a ride back to James River. Nannerpuss was in the back of the SUV with all of our packs. We listened to Amy's mix CD. She was self-conscious about her selection, but we didn't care it'd been so long since we heard music. Music is such a novelty now! Listened to Sheryl Crow's "Favorite Mistake" with my arm out the window and my hand sailing through the breeze. A bunch of hikers are making up for not jumping off the bridge yesterday. I'm not feeling the need so Tree and I hike together out of town. He's a really great person. Smiles a lot and he's very happy. He worked in Maine for NOLS teaching canoeing. He's upbeat and charismatic. He's encouraging and always seems to see the positive side of things. Reminds me of Lish.Views from mountain tops today were few and far between. Green tunnel. Talking helped pass the time. Feeling energetic and happy though. A little melancholy about missing the Dog Pound. Took an extended break at Punchbowl shelter. Tried taking a nap but couldn't sleep with the deer flies chewing on my flesh. Pedlars footbridge announced 5 more miles to the shelter. I'm pretty tired. Hungry and ready for camp. Large lake, hoping for a swim. There's suppose to be a swimming hole at the shelter. Creeks, rivers, squirrels, trees, rocks and not much else to write about on the way to the shelter.Set up across the river from Tree, Greendog, Alkaline, and Nannerpuss. The Old Farts (4am boys) are at this shelter tonight. Didn't feel like swimming or rinsing off in the water. Loving my quart jar of peanut butter! I've increased my PB intake! Couscous delicious! Haven't had any in a while. Boars Head sausage! Tent smells bad. Almost think the moldy smell resembles a rotting fish. To tired to care. Out before I could roll over once.
Date: 2010-06-07
From: Gravel Spring Hut

To: Jim and Molly Denton Shelter
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Southpaw told a funny story last night about his exgirlfriends relatives. His ex's father was Japaneseand his ex's mother was Thai. Southpaw is American, Georgia to be exact. Southpaw got the cold shoulder from Dad. The guy wouldn't even acknowledge his presence in the room! Haha! He wouldn't even look at him our make eye contact. I had to ask what Thanksgiving was like over the course of his four year relationship with the Thaiwanese girl. Southpaw said, "They're all vegetarians. They made a tofurkey! When the whole family gathered together the only non-asian dialect people in the room were the four American boyfriends of the four daughters. We sat there as they made no attempt at disguising the fact that they were berating the American boys in the room. They even pointed their fingers at the one they were talking about."Met Upchuck and Botonist. I told Botonist that I'd been looking for her! I jokingly told her that I had a multitude of botony questions. She's not doing so well though so my questions will never get answered. They're doing a sectino hike. She's having severe foot issues, so I suggested that they leave their packs somewhere hidden and drive their car back to get them.Trog and Limestome were pretty loud when they packed up this morning. We came in late again so I wonder if they're paying us back. I hope not. It's summer and it's way to tempting to walk late into the darkness to avoid the heat of the afternoon.The clouds today looked like a giant bird with outstretched wings flying over the Shenandoah valley. Michigans rant about how we "OWN THIS PLACE!" was slightly ironic because of the "OVERLOOK CONSTRUCTION AHEAD" sign right behind him. There was even a crane in the background. It still felt unreal. The wind was ripping and made me feel so good! I felt so alive and happy at that moment because the sun was cool and the view was spectaular!Walked past the places where the view from Hogback could be seen. Huge clouds still rolling in from behind the mountains in the west. Not as pretty as this morning because it's later and the color isn't the same. The wind was powerful yesterday! Definitely anticipated a large amount of heavy rain,
Date: 2010-06-10
From: Blackburn AT Center

To: HARPERS FERRY!!!
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Got an awesome letter from Lish. Even more wonderful was the strawberry devils food cake!"A dreamer is one who can only find his way by moonlight, and his punishment is that he sees the dawn before the rest of the world" - Oscar Wilde"A single event can awaken within us a stranger totally unknown to us. To live is to slowly be born" - St. ExuperyIf there's one thing that I've learned on this trail, it's to work with what is given to you. Running hurts. Getting wet is inevitable. Being hot isn't fun. Being cold isn't either. So walk slower. Take cover when it rains. Rest when it's hot, walk when it's not. Simple solutions. You might as well not fight them, so it's best to join them and relish the good parts.So many times I've wondered how something will turn out. I can't stand waiting to find out, but I'm starting to see that the unexplainable is the fun part. Sticking your thumb out and hoping. Believing in something beyond your ability to understand. That's the fun part."If there's a solution to the problem, why are you worried about it?" - Dali LlamaI believe I can do this because I've started believing in hope. Something will reach out a hand and give you what you need to leap out on nothing but that, hope. I use to be scared of it. I'd run from it because when it lets you down, it's hard to take. I've started to notice that if you weather the good and the bad the same, well there's just no telling what you can get use to. Even the uncontrollable unknown. Some random stranger just might show you around, give you the shoes off his feet, or pick you up when you can't stand it anymore.All those trees didn't get to where they are because they were stiff. Well, unless you're a White Pine!
Date: 2010-06-13
From: Harpers Ferry

To: Pine Knob Shelter
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: scattered clouds

The rain literally stopped as soon as I¢d settled in for the night. Definitely worth sitting that storm out! Bad one! Slept in. I guess I was tired from being in town. I sleep the best when I¢m in the woods on the cold hard ground.Southpaw passed by as I was eating breakfast and packing up. Saw him again at the State park. We drank coca-colas and I shared some food with him. My pack is HEAVY! Roadrunner came by next. Nothing about him is fast though, as his name would suggest. He wanted a picture to send his family on Sunday. He made the most lack-luster face imaginable for that photo.Got restless and took off just as another boy scout group came along. They¢re everywhere! Stopped for water and a break at Rocky Run shelter. Very nice new shelter. Looks like a log cabin. The Maryland club are of a different caliber of craftsmanship than NC. Beautiful red wood varnished finish. A slick polyurethane treated floor that you could play basketball on. Rainbow Monkey here. He smells of pettulli. Not very social.Read some more Ishmael. Enough to absolutely blow my mind. I¢ll save the book for you to read, but it left me feeling nauseated. I felt like some kind of truth hit me so hard that something inside of me broke. I could barely keep walking it upset me so much! I love this book!When I finally did leave the shelter, it was mostly because of the bugs. Sweltering heat today. Very humid. My stomach is upset from all the town food. Lucky for me, all these bass wood tree leaves are around. Lish calls them ¢Toilet paper¢ trees. I have toilet paper, but I¢m conserving it since I can use these leaves! Hit the restrooms and woods at least 5 times until I got to the Washington Monument. Some people celebrated their freedom one 4th of July weekend by making a tower to honor old George.Passed a lot of South Bound section-ers and tourists today. Stopped at Pine Knob Shelter and ran into Mr. and Mrs. Limestone, Rainbow Monkey, and Southpaw. Tired and still feeling sick, I had a little appetite. Ate but felt like I might not hold it down.Ishmael still on my mind heavily. Went to sleep at 5pm and slept well. I awoke to the sounds of Roadrunner talking on the phone and unpacking his bags. He skipped all of VA and you¢d think he didn¢t learn a bit of hiker etiquette. Put in my ear plugs and he wasn¢t the least of my concerns the rest of the night. Woke up in the dark and couldn¢t stop thinking about that book. Finished the book and wrapped up in my fleece blanket.
Date: 2010-09-17
To: Katahdin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Sooo weee come to the ennnnnd of the roaaaad! Yep, I'm giving away the ending before I can even tell the story. It's a happy one! Hell yeah it is! I'll be working on updating this thing the whole way while I'm at home. I'll do it all at once in the next couple of days. I'll be back!
To: Saying Goodbye to my Sweet Bales a Boy
Miles today: 0.0

As is always the case, life interrupts life, so to speak, in that I have had to put the hike on hold for the past few weeks because of my sweet Chihuahua, Bailey. 14 years old and such a joy in my life, even now, words fail me to really describe the love and devotion that I have for my pup.He has been a part of my life since he was a mere six weeks old, along with his brother Guiness, who passed over on Divine Mercy Sunday 2009. Bales a Boy has been my steady rock of love, a tireless crusader in all things of joy and I have been so blessed to have him for almost 1/3 of my lifetime.It was clear by June 1st that I would have to make the decision that crushes the heart; the decision to have him put to sleep. He was in pain and his quality of life was diminished to the point where I knew that the most selfish thing I could do was to keep him here on earth for myself instead of releasing him from the hurt. Out of respect for my daughter Josie and her wonderful husband Brett, whose birthday was June 1, I elected to have the final deed done on the 2nd.For those of you who have yet to experience pet euthanasia, it is tantamount to ending the life of one of your own children; at least it is for me. Having lost a daughter at childbirth, I don¢t make this statement lightly. My dogs are such an important part of life and have been the main source of comfort for me, especially after my horrific divorce, that to decide to end and complete this lifeline of love is the ultimate expression of love in itself. I could not bear another moment of Bailey¢s pain and illness, things that could not be corrected due mainly to his advanced age.For me, I have my faith in knowing that Bailey has already arrived in heaven, already playing with his brother Guiness and with my brother, Stephen, all awaiting the moment for me to join them. I kept telling myself, as I buried Bailey next to Guiness on my property, that this is just a body and his soul is free. Just the body that I held, just the empty shell of the little man I loved for so many years. It still hurts. And then, I am reminded that even Jesus cried over the death of Lazarus and it is not a reflection of my faith being weak but the real grief of such a loss. Bailey is now completely healed, surrounded by complete love and all is well. Life goes on.
To: The Night Before Jitters ~~~
Miles today: 0.0

So, it¢s the night before I leave and I have to say that I am a wee bit apprehensive. I have filled all of the requirements of equipment, pack weight and food, I¢ve completely cleaned my small cottage (I had no idea the absolute filth that collected behind large appliances) put utilities on hold, clipped the dog¢s nails, boxed up my mail drops (it¢s as though my life has been reduced to 11 large flat rate boxes), attended a spectacular graduation party (alas, it was high school, no alcohol served) and watched as much telly as possible (confession: terrible weakness for Sex and the City and America¢s Next Top Model AND anything on the National Geo channel) while I did my final load of laundry and hugged on my pups. And I am wicked worried. What if I¢ve made this huge mistake in thinking that I could do this? What if I make a complete fool of myself in front of a shelter full of people who can obviously see that I¢m the newbie (because I¢m starting in the middle and yes my pack is too clean to belong to a thru hiker) and they¢re all going to use me for the nightly entertainment as I struggle to set up my hammock because setting up on a Florida trail between two palmetto palms is completely different than between two, I don¢t know, whatever trees in Maryland and what if I get struck by lightening like that poor girl did last week on Max Bald Patch or what if I turn out to be completely irresistible to a bear ~~~ because I left a Snickers bar in my pocket ~~~~~~~~~ the list goes on and on and on.See how powerful the mind can be? And solid proof that this hike, this journey, this wonderful adventure is much more mental than physical. Because I know how to put one foot in front of the other, I know to take my time on any incline and I know enough about the AT to at least fake it with the best of them. Ah yes, my usual MO is at work again. I, for whatever reason, detest leaving when I have a trip. I psych myself into wanting to stay home in the familiar with my pups and my remote and 24 hour access to my computer. I have done many, many trips and it never fails that I wish I had never put all of my plans in place. But, once I¢m on the road, it all evens out and I get into the groove and start to enjoy myself. By the end of the second day, I kick myself for thinking that I wanted to stay home.Then again, this will be my first extended trip and I have to say, I don¢t know how anyone who is involved with another has the courage to walk out for such a long time. I mean, I¢m just leaving my two dogs and my friends. My daughters live elsewhere and I¢ve lived quite alone for some time now. I am used to being my own best company. But if I had to leave someone that I loved for four to six months, I¢m not sure I have the gonads to do it. So kudos to all you hikers who are on the trail with half your heart beating elsewhere. I am in awe of you.
Date: 2010-06-17
From: Pine Knob Shelter

To: The Free State Hiker Hostel
Miles today: 8.0

~~~ Bone Pac's Awesome Hostel ~~~Kristina and I took off together and you could not begin to imagine the boulder fields that were called (Trail). It was a beautiful sunny day today; my nose and face are burned and yes, I put my sunscreen in my side pants pocket for tomorrow. But OMG the rocks and boulders ~!!! And everyone tells us that Pennsylvania is SOOOOOOO much tougher than this. Kristina, my new hiking buddy, is 24 this week, a lot of fun and a good hiking companion. She started out in Harper's Ferry the same as I did to do a flip flop and if things work out well, we should be good company for each other for the rest of the trip (so all of you who are worried that I am hiking alone, take note that I have company now).I had my first mail drop sent to the Free State Hiker Hostel which is the second floor of this house and it is fantastic. I highly recommend anyone who is hiking to come here. When you get to Wolfsville Road, instead of crossing the street to continue to Ensign Cowall Shelter, turn left and walk down the road a quarter mile and on the left is the Hostel. Ken and Jennel Berry own the house and turned the upstairs into a hiker hostel with its own entrance in the back complete with 17 bunk beds built with sturdy wood, each with a laundry basket of sheets, towels and a blanket. It has a game room, washer and dryer, shower and computer plus a fridge where you can buy cokes, Gatorade and ice cream. Everything a hiker needs. Ken (Bone Pac) is a Physicians Assistant who hiked the trail to raise money for a free clinic that he volunteers at once a month. I even read his story in the Ocala Star Banner. Never would I have thought that I would be staying at his house.Laundry is done, journal is done and going down the road for KFC and a little re-stocking. This is was excellent decision. Lorod is here, having finished up laundry and is waiting for friends to take him out and even Celebrity was here earlier before heading out after scarfing ice cream.My nose and cheeks are red, my feet are swollen, when I get up from the computer chair I can barely move and I've lost a total of seven pounds in four days due to the hike and losing my appetite. And I love every minute of it.Life is good.
Date: 2010-06-18
From: The Free State Hiker Hostel

To: Falls Creek
Miles today: 11.7

~~~Stealth Camping with 30 Boy Scouts ~~~Breakfast this morning was leftover pizza, a killer breakfast at Little Antietam Creek. I tend to stop at any rushing water to take a break, soak my feet and force down food. And the view was just wonderful. Maryland, for those of us who start in the middle, can be a real downer. I researched that most of the way to PA was mild with fairly even surfaces. NOTHING could be further from the truth.It was not hiking, but boulder climbing. Seriously, there were stretches of Trail that my feet never touched ground. Very slow, requiring extreme concentration and the additional 30 pounds on my back just added to the fun. To make things worse, the blazes were not always within sight and you sometimes had to stand on a rock and look around for the direction to go.However, once it was over, it was a feeling of accomplishment.Sometimes, the hiking forces you to stealth camp, which is is what I did at Falls Creek. Set up the hammock and moseyed over to a father and son who were also out camping. Neil Price and his son Ben from Gettysburg, were wonderful to have around. Not only really good company but they had set up their tent in front of a fire ring and had a roaring fire going, chasing away any bugs and setting the mood for the evening. Later on, a group of Boy Scouts came thru and decided to camp on the far side of this clearing and they started a HUGE fire! Big enough to concern me a bit; Boy Scouts do love their fires. It was a quiet evening and got a bit cold during the night. Used my vest that I was using as a pillow and warmed up. The sound of the rushing water put me to sleep.
Date: 2010-06-19
From: Falls Creek

To: Tumbling Run Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: clear sky

~~~An Iguana Hiking the Trail~~~Kristina (Rocket) and I were the last ones to leave. Neil and Ben had packed up everything by the time we rolled out of bed and I thought it best to just let the group of Boy Scouts carry on ahead of us, so we took out time breaking camp, hiking out at 0930, a really late start.Met Avatar on the trail, a very nice hiker. I like to stop and say a few words to everyone I meet, get their names, hometown, things like that. Made it to Deer Lick Shelter for a lunch break, about an hour with Nesta and Squash, other hikers. I have to say that cold mountain water is the best!!Walking down the path and I greet Cyron and he has this beautiful iguana riding on a towel on his pack. Her name is Moe and she is a real sweetheart. She's in her own harness and seems to be enjoying herself. You can look up Cyron and Moe under Iguana Thru Hike on Youtube.Stopped at another wonderful mountain stream to soak our feet, eat a snack, dunk our shirts and bandanas and treat some water. Made it to Tumbling Run Shelter and there is all these hammocks strung up all over the place. Another Boy Scout Troop, earning their 50 Mile Badge. Squash and Nesta, and a couple, Corey and Mary (Knees and Curio) ate dinner and moved on for some night hiking. This pup, however, is way to inexperienced to night hike. Hung the hammock up, including the tarp as it looked like it might rain, and hunker down. Another beautiful night.
Date: 2010-06-21
From: Quarry Gap Shelter

To: Tom's Run Shelter
Miles today: 13.6
Weather: overcast clouds

~~~My Favorite Shelters Are Directly On the Trail~~~So today, I made it to Tom's Run Shelter. The AT sometimes does this absolutely wonderful thing and routes the Trail so that it passes straight thru the shelter area, which is a huge plus to hikers as they don't waste any steps on a blue side trail to find water or the shelter. There was a mountain stream right on property so I had a chance to wash up and treat water before a group of Boy Scouts and another group of boys came in to hunker down. Lorod eventually showed up and found a sweet spot for his hammock. I choose a shelter away from a tree that had a lot of bees so the boy's group got the other shelter. At twilight, up walks Freeman, a lovely young man who started in Georgia in March. Freeman, which is his actual name, is a botanist who is carrying a small library of books and is a vegan carrying a wide range of special foods. He looks about 21 but is actually 37 and resembles Mark Hamil of Luke Skywalker fame. Nice guy. We took over the one shelter, Lorod was in his hammock and the rest of the boys were scattered throughout. A quiet night.
Date: 2010-06-23
From: Alex Kennedy Shelter

To: Allenberry Resort and Playhouse / Boiling Springs
Miles today: 4.0

~~~The Allenberry Resort is a MUST STAY PLACE~~~Had a lovely hike into Boiling Springs. You know, you read these journals and everyone talks about how wonderful the days are that you hit town and you think to yourself, jeez these people are on a hike; what do they need to go into town for?? Let me tell you how fast you can hike when you know a cold beverage and clean clothes are at the other end.Boiling Springs, PA is a really lovely town. Picturesque, the AT goes by this pond and lots of trees and benches and all the ducks and swans. I parked myself on a bench and made a few phone calls before going to the ATC Regional office where I knew I could get some denatured alcohol for cooking. Freeman and Jeramiah came in close behind me, having stopped somewhere to swing rope into the water. Not much available within walking distance, so I went to a gas station to get more Gatorades and a can of Pringles. Then, I walked down the road to the Allenberry Resort. A really beautiful place, much, much nicer than any hiker deserves. It's the type of place they have weddings at, but they also have a hiker's special for $40. Having a room again was surreal in a way. Turned the air conditioner on to full and took a long, long, shower, The only downside was that their laundry facilities were only available from 7-11pm, so I watched tv in the room until I could go down in my pink kimono to do all my laundry.Met Rabid and Timber, 151 and other hikers here. Got a vegetable pizza that I could only eat two slices and had a quiet evening alone. I missed the camaraderie of shelter life. BUT, clean body and clothes are a real plus. This is a lovely place. Look it up online. They treat hikers very well.