morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-08-31
From: Bemis Mtn Lean-to

To: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: moderate rain

Red Wing:    Maine is made out of one big rock. Sometimes we walk up the rock, and sometimes we walk down the rock, and sometimes (very rarely and for very short distances) we walk on flat parts of the rock. Because it's so rocky, the places with soil only have a layer a few inches deep. This leads to a lot of tipped over trees and a lot of water, as it is unable to soak into the ground. the storms from Hurricane Katrina have been blowing through since late last night. It was tough to get motivated to leave the shelter. When we hiked today, we faced a trail that was often filled with 6-8 inches of water from side to side. We had to take extra care stepping on roots or going up and down slick rock faces. We didn't spend much time looking at scenery today since our heads were down to avoid the driving rain. We did pass a couple of ponds, however, including the one near tonight's shelter.   We pulled into the next shelter soaked and pretty ready to stop for the day. Chris and Alisa (a couple, section hiking, who we had met at the Cabin), were here when we arrived. Mayfly and Pappa Razzi have since joined us. The shelter leaks in a couple of spots, so Pappa Razzi, with some assitance, engineered a way to get a tarp over part of the roof. Additionally, a college orientation group has come to the site and is tenting outside. This is the hardest rain we've had yet this summer and to see the 11 students wander off to their 3 tents made me feel pretty bad for them. They are keeping their pack in the shelter, at least, and hanging wet clothes along with ours. While the amount of clothesline and clothing hung out is impressive, we're sure that nothing is going to dry overnight. Both Pappa Razzi and Mayfly are on the trail journals website, be sure to check them out if you want to know more about them. Please also pray for Hopeful, as she is coming down with the same cold/flu bug that I had last week.
Date: 2005-09-01
From: Sabbath Day Pond Lean-to

To: Rangeley, ME / Gull Pond Lodge
Miles today: 9.4
Weather: broken clouds

Red Wing:   When I was young, my neighbor and I used to love going "swamp walkin'". To do this, we would get to one side of our neighborhood swamp and try to cross it without getting too wet. Today, I was thankful for my early childhood experience, as I counted on my expertise for hiking the AT. A conservative estimate would put at least half the trail under water. At one point, the trail was kne deep and there was no way around it. We tried staying dry for a little while, then we gave in to the inevitable and just sloshed through the Trail.       We eventually made it to the highway and caught a ride ino the Gull Pond Lodge, a thru-hiker hang out run by Bob O'Brien, along with his two dogs and a cat who were also happy to welcome us. Bob is a fun man. In his seventies, Bob keeps himself busy by taking care of hikers, providing beds, giving shuttles around town and to the trailheads, and providing breakfast. He owns a valuable piece of property on Gull Pond (which is really a lake in our Michigan minds) and hikers are free to relax on the dock or take out a kayak. Bob's hospitality is great, but his sense of witty humor stood out to us as a truly unique gift.    When one of his dogs got into the garbage, Hopeful asked if she could help (she meant cleaning up). Very quickly, Bob responded, "Sure, you hold the dog, I'll shoot it." Yet, if you saw him spoiling his dogs, you would crack up too at how far he was from being serious. A few minutes later, Pappa Razzi made a comment about the number of hikers he ran into when he revisited Gorham, NH.   He said, "I never knew there was such a large pack, right behind me." Bob responded by saying, "Really, and yet you've carried it all this way!"   It has been a fun day of messy hiking, being locked out of the hostel initally with Mayfly, experiencing a small town where every local seems to know every other local, and getting to know Bob. Rangeley has everything a hiker could ask for.. library with internet, P.O., coin laundry, grocery and restaurants, all within walking distance. It even has moose tracks painted on the sidewalks to lead you from one business to another.    Unfortunately, Hopeful has started to come down with the same cold that I've had for the past two weeks. We hope we'll be able to get better before we ge to the hundred mile wilderness, the stretch of trail leading up to the "Big K" (Mt. Katahdin).
Date: 2005-09-02
From: Rangeley, ME / Gull Pond Lodge

To: Poplar Ridge Lean-To
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: scattered clouds

Hopeful:   Today we continued the trend of covering a comfortable and relatively shorter distance than earlier in the hike, and hiking with Pappa Razzi. Stats and Mud Pumpkin passed us outside Andover, and Mayfly jumped ahead to Stratton to try to meet her deadline. We hope that some of the crew behind, including Hairball & Snowbunny, Bug & Ms. Priss, Train & Raindrop, Pumpkin and other, may still catch up, but nor do we want to come to a standstill or focus on that. We can't push the finish date back too far because I have to start teaching school again on October third. Tomorrow that will be just a month away,a nd I feel excited and nervous at the same time. I think I'll always get nervous for the first day of school, no matter how many years I teach! This time I'll not only have a late start when I take over for the sub who will begin the school year for me, but I'm sure that I'll also be experiencing a little "culture shock", stepping from the Trail back into "real life". The key for me will be to slim way down my "to do" list for my first couple weeks at home, and let some things go that I'd love to do right away (such as resettling in the house, visiting tons of people, sorting our pictures, emailing everyone we've met, etc. etc.)      But back to our day on the Trail... it began at Bob's, where he lays out a continental breakfast. Last night we enjoyed hearing the loons on the lake through the open windows of the lodge. We watched Hurricane Katrina coverage this morning, which brought tears to my eyes. Bob and Wendy (the lab) took us back to the Trail and with Pappa Razzi we climbed Saddleback Mountain on a beautiful, sunny day. Our lunch spot at the top was worthy of a two hour break, and resulted in a bit of sunburn. We overlooked Rangelely Lake, and many others in the distance. The abundance of blueberries on Jr. Saddleback Mtn. detained us further as we had a relaxed hike down to Poplar Ridge Lean-To.       Since the skies looked clear, we put up our tent for the first time in a week or so. Chris and Alisa were there, so we got to spend one more night with them before they wrap up their section hike. Sudafed is quite a drug. Although I'm sick, I was able to keep hiking and enjoy it all. As we eat, drink and settle down in our dry adobe, we're praying for the people along the Gulf Coast.
Date: 2005-09-04
From: Carabassett River Campsite

To: Motel in Stratton, ME
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Red Wing:   Yes, that's right, don't laugh at us, we're in town again. The woods seem to only be a place that we go to visit between nights in town. I'm not really sure why we carry a tent anymore, we've only used it two or three times in all of Maine. On other nights, it makes for a good pillow, but a heavy one at that.    We said goodbye to Dan and Janelle and hiked this morning over the Crocker Mountains and hitched into the town of Stratton. There we planned on grabbing lunch and a package of food we had sent to ourselves, making a few phone calls, and heading back out to a campsite a few miles out. The plan was corrupted when we heard that there was a crew of hikers behind us trying to catch up and that they weren't as far back as we had thought. Pappa Razzi was easy to convince of our plan to stay. He himself said, "If we only had one or two more, we might be in a group, but as it stands now, we're in a hiker void." So, he too has gone back to "operation stand stall" as we take most of a day off to let those behind catch up. This time has not been a loss, however. We first went grocery shopping and bought fresh foods to make dinner and breakfast in the kitchen facilities available at the hotel. We've barbecued, hung out with other hikers in the hostel are of the motel(they're heading south), and I've completed my fantasy football draft online. I pity those who will pour hours into studying and trading for players, only to fall short of my team "Red Wing".    The hostel offers free internet access AND free long distance phone calls. We're talking with our parents, trying to give an ETA for Mt. Katahdin, since they'll be meeting us there in order to take us home. We're actually staying in a private motel room since it's the same price for two of us to have hostel bunks as it is for us to have 2 double beds in our own room (although we'll probably just use one... it's bigger than the space we sleep in together in the tent!). We look forward to more opportunity to get a little healthier, and allow those behind to close the gap a little more.
Date: 2005-09-05
From: Motel in Stratton, ME

To: Horn Pond Lean-To
Miles today: 5.1

Hopeful:   What a good day! We had another night inside last night (they seem to be frequent lately), but I woke up feeling almost 100%, so it was well worth it. My sore throat and stuffiness seem to be gone. We're thanking God for that.   One thing that is really important to Red Wing and me in our marriage is starting the day by praying together. Sometimes it works better than others. At home we meet on the couch before the first one has to leave the house. Red Wing has his coffee in one hand and we talk with God about anything and everything, as well as really connect with one another. I think we've mentioned that before. What brings it to mind again is sitting in a comfortable spot in the hotel room this AM, Red Wing with coffee in hand, and a chance to pray while we weren't walking. It was wonderful. It made me look forward to that part of getting home.   We'll be done in about two more weeks!! I have a lot of adrenaline tonight. Stratton was probably our second to last town stop on the AT (Caratunk is inbetween, but we're not sure that it counts as a town). I find myself wanting to savor moments and not take them for granted as I may have tended to do just a little day after day for over five months. Tonight I marveled anew at the fact that once camp chores are done for the evening, there really is nothing else to do except hang out, read, write, or sleep! Often, I only have enough energy left for the "sleep" choice. At home I always seem to have some other task I could be doing, and I have trouble stopping.   Another thing we're "ooing and ahhing" over are the countless stars on this clear, cold night. It IS awesome to be out here, and I don't want to fail to appreciate it, especially these last couple of weeks.   We made no rush to get up this AM,a nd then cooked a killer omlette breakfast with Pappa Razzi. The guys did laundry while I spnt time online updating our journals. Fig and Just Visiting came in later on and gave us more news of hikers in the vicinity. Esoteric Ninja and Two Trackin' arrived as well. About 3 PM we got a ride back to the trail head with the motel owner, Don. Pappa Razzi set out at a good clip for our five mile hike, including most of the elevation gain up to Bigelow Ridge and this shelter/campsite. As we were nestling in our sleeping bags (did I mention that it's cold tonight?), who should walk in but... HAZY SONIC! We haven't seen him or his wife, Firefly, since the middle of May in Virginia at Trail Days. She had to get off the trail in August to begin Air Force training, but he's still hiking and we were so happy to see him again! Unfortunately, he has a deadline to keep, and only stopped for dinner. He hopes to night hike another 10 miles or so (hats off to him!). He wants to make Firefly's graduation in Florida in 10 days. We're still enjoying our "drag the feet" pace. It really allows time to reflect on all we've learned, sense some closure, stop and talk with whomever we see, and prepare for the transition to home.
Date: 2005-09-07
From: Beach at Flagstaff Lake

To: Pierce Pond Lean-To
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: clear sky

Red Wing:   Today was our first 15 miles day in almost two weeks. In that way, "Operation Stall" has been effective (we've stalled). However, too many others have slipped by without us seeing them, and others who we've been hoping to see again haven't caught up yet. In this way, the people aspect, "Operation Stall" has failed us. Today, we switched programs and are now basing our miles by tomorrow's breakfast. Within a half mile of this shelter is Harrison Camp which serves breakfast to anyone who cares to reserve a spot at the table. To meet our food based goal, we needed to hike 15 miles today.   Our tentsite was especially beautiful and wet this morning. Having slept on the beach, we awoke to loon cries, a bald eagle flying overhead, mist over the lake, and sun lighting up the ridge of Little Bigelow Mountain. On the downside, our tent has rarely been more wet than it was this morning. The cold temps overnight caused a thick dew to cover everything. Our tent still isn't fully dry, which adds additional weight to my pack.   Thehike began with the easiest climb we've had in weeks. Seven hundred feet in all, and it was gradual. From there, the elevations ungulated within 200 feet for the rest of the day. Our lunch spot was a beach on East Carry Pond. In 1,900 miles, we'd seen less than 10 lakes. Now, in the past week, we've been seeing 2-3 lakes per day. When we finally arrived here at Pierce Pond Lean-To, we made our breakfast reservations and then followed a trail that led us by gushing waterfalls. We, along with Pappa Razzi, jumped in the pond for a very refreshing swim. It was nice to spot the leeches only after we finished our swim. It's now post dinner, and as I've been sitting here writing we've been listening to loons, and have even heard a moose nearby. At first, we heard splashing in the cove, then we recognized that the sound was foot steps in the water, very large and loud steps. We hiked toward the sound, and as we got to the shoreline, we heard the moose running out of the water across the cove (it was too dark to see) and then run up the hill, snorting every few seconds. Maine truly is an amazing place to be.
Date: 2005-09-10
From: Near Daughty Pond

To: Monson / Caratunk
Miles today: 1.4

Red Wing:   Who knew that going back to Caratunk would be so good? When we woke up this morning, there were so many details up in the air. We didn't know if we could catch a ride to the hiker gathering in Caratunk (a town we left two days and 37 miles ago. We had no idea where we'd spend the night (Caratunk? Monson? 100 mile wilderness?) We had no idea who we'd be with. All of our hopes came to work out perfectly. The three of us (Wheatons and Pappa Razzi) got up really early for what would be a very short hike. Our plan was to make it to Monson before anyone there might be heading toward Caratunk. We succeeded. We ended up being shuttled by the Pie Lady (who used to run a hostel in Monson) and arrived at the "White Blaze Fest" taking place at Ferryman Steve's place as the first of the incoming hikers were showing up. In all, we've seen nearly forty hikers and had a full day of reconnecting, eating, and all together good times with some people we've met throughout the hike. Whiteblaze.net is sponsoring the event. Thanks to all who are volunteering. We'll be camping in the yard with our full stomachs. Some are staying up the road at the Northern Outdoors Center. Pappa Razzi, Red Blaze, Fig, Just Visiting, Baltimore Jack, Blister Sister, Leviathan, Proteus, Buttah, Origami, Sam I Am, Drifter, Lion King, Two Trackin', Esoteric Ninja, Train, Raindrop, Bug, Ms. Priss, Hairball, Snowbunny, Clockwork Orange, Scared of the Dark, Pumpkin, Rollergirl, Wildcat, Paul, Stranger, Wilderness Bob, Professor Nutbag, Ug, Troll, Anchor, Oblivious, Legs, AT Troll, and surely some others who I'm afraid I'm forgetting are all here. After being in the hiker void for so long, this has not only been fun, but also a real reminder of why we're out here. It's the people.
Date: 2005-09-11
From: Monson / Caratunk

To: Monson / Shaw's Boarding House
Miles today: 0.0

Red Wing:   We didn't go to bed until almost 11 PM last night. While that sounds early to many at home, that was quite late, most were already asleep by then. That's one of the changes that happens while out here. Sundown and the few moments thereafter are called "Hiker Midnight", and within an hour of sunset (about 7 PM these days) we're all asleep. Anyway, most were awake beyond hiker midnight so we all slept in until about 7 AM. There's no such thing as enough coffee for a crew like we had this morning. Around nin o'clock, AT Troll and the crew from White Blaze served up breakfast for us and the great event was soon over.   Blister Sister had her car there and wanted it here in Monson. She is hiking so we were thankful for her offering it to us to drive back to Monson for her. It was a full load. Five hikers, five packs, plus all the extra clothes and equipment for Blister Sister, Baltimore Jack and Lion King, but we made it just fine. We were surprised to see that nobody had arrived in town since we left yesterday morning. We guess everyone slowed down to cruise into Caratunk in time for the get together. To add to the ghost town feel, even Pappa Razzi is no longer with us. For weeks, he (like us) has been waiting for hikers behind. He ran into some of his group in Caratunk and chose to hike out with them, rehiking the last 37 miles rather than going into the wilderness and Katahdin without them. The crew we drove into Monson with was trying to finish the last 112 miles in six days, so we chose not to hike out with them, besides we hadn't showered or cleaned laundry in seven days and it would be another eight days before we had another opportunity to do so. This afternoon, while picking up some food, we ran into Circuit Rider and Sherlock, our friends from home who are also thru-hiking this summer. We were able to eat dinner and do laundry with them while catching up for the first time since Trail Days in May. In seems that every time we cross paths, Hopeful and I walk away encouraged and reminded of God's love for us and the hikers we're with. It sounds like they, too, are on the fast track to Katahdin and we won't be keeping up with them.    When we returned to Shaw's (the hostel we're in for the night), there was a message for us saying that Hairball, Snowbunny, Bug, Ms. Priss, Train and Raindrop all took a zero day in Caratunk and will not catch up with us. Obviously, we would love to hike this last stretch with all of them, but we know a lot of good friends who did leave Caratunk today and should catch us in the 100 mile wilderness. We're anxious to get hiking soon and hope to finish with some hikers from the awesome group that should be arriving here tomorrow evening.
Date: 2005-09-12
From: Monson / Shaw's Boarding House

To: Leeman Brook Lean To
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: clear sky

Hopeful:    Entering the 100 mile wilderness... TODAY! The wilderness is the final stretch of trail before Baxter State Park, home of Mt. Katahdin.   We will reach the top in about 117.8 miles. It should take us a week, if all goes according to plan. While there are logging roads and now a hostel along the way, this is as remote as the AT gets. Our parents plan to meet us in Baxter State Park on September 19th, and we'll be back in Michigan (weather permitting, God willing) on the 21st. We may not be running around with lots of energy right away, but we'll be home! This is the last update we'll be able to put online before the finish, so we'll just have to keep you in suspense. We're excited to wrap it all up, and soooooo thankful for all of it, and all of you.       We took time in Monson this morning. We're updating our journal, calling home to make arrangements for our ride back to Michigan, doing our shopping, and hiking a few short miles out of town. It sounds like Buttah will be joining us, and several more hikers will be leaving town in the next day or so we'll have some good company for this last leg of the hike. Love, Hopeful & Red Wing
Date: 2005-09-13
From: Leeman Brook Lean To

To: Cloud Pond Lean To
Miles today: 16.1
Weather: broken clouds

Red Wing:   Last night we had some mouse problems. As I was reading while laying on chest and elbows, a mouse ran on the shelter floor between my elbows, my book, and me. So, again, we set up the tent inside the shelter (there were no flat spots nearby, and Buttah, the only other occupant, was a good sport about it) and slept free of mice. Hopeful's hiking skirt wasn't as lucky, the mice found tootsie rolls in the pockets and chewed a hole in it. Stupid mice! (Hopeful's note: Stupid me! I forgot all about the tootsie rolls. The greedy rodent ate all NINE of them.)   The day was typical Maine. We had three river fords, several waterfalls, and rock ledges overlooking miles of undeveloped forest. Best of all, we pulled inot the shelter around 5 PM and set our tent up on a small penninsula that overlooks Cloud Pond. As we were unpacking our packs, Hopeful spotted a moose on the shoreline to our left. It was a fully grown cow. We watched off and on for about half an hour before it walked out deeper into the water and then swam across the pond to the shoreline to our right, where it stayed for another half hour. What an amazing way to finish a day. We cooked dinner up at the shelter with mary, Richard, Paul, Many Names and Buttah.    It's unbelievable to us that we're now less than 100 miles from finishing. We've said it all along and still stand by it. If we hike all this way and the experience doesn't change us, then it was a waste of time, energy, and money. We certainly believe that this summer will leave a mark on our lives.
Date: 2005-09-14
From: Cloud Pond Lean To

To: Carl A. Newhall Lean To
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: few clouds

Hopeful:   The moon is waxing right now, and it rose early again last night. The skies stayed clear until morning when a cloud cover rolled in for the first part of the day. Overall, however, the weather remains fabulous, with very comfortable hiking temperatures. No moose this morning, but still an awesome spot in which to wake up. We ate our oatmeal sitting close to the pond, what was left anyway. I accidentally tipped the pot while toting it to our breakfast nook. We climbed Third and Fourth mountains, rather uncreative titles, and also Columbus and Chairback mountain. The damp air made for slick rocks and we both took and unexpected spill that drew a little blood. We'll have some scratches and scars to bring home with us, but are thankful that no damage has been anything serious. Toward lunchtime, the skies cleared a little.    The only river ford today was shallow and tame. Being near the Gulf Hagas trail area, we saw several day hikers and drilled them with questions about the weather forecast. Would the rumored rains come tonight? General consensus was that perhaps they might. So, we canceled plans to go to a campsite further on, and opted for a shelter. The best part is that Buttah, Paul and Many Names had also decided to go no further, and greeted us as we arrived, along with Henry, a section hiker.      The stream below applauds as we lay here in the darkness that covers at only 8 PM. We all find ourselves rather reflective as we count on one hand the days until we'll finish this AT experience. There are 78.6 miles and five or less hiking days to go. As the daylight became dusk, then dark, we sat outside the shelter and talked. It started with funny stories, such as Paul eating the ice cream off a Ben & Jerry's store floor in Vermont, after it had fallen off a kid's cone (yes, he really did!). Much more than stories, we were more in the mood for discussing what we've learned, and how the AT community has impacted us. It's good to be thoughtful, and real. I will miss quiet, unhurried times like this.