morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-10-07
From: Mark Noepel Shelter 

To: Cheshire MA 
Miles today: 4.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Decided during the night, while listening to rain and looking at the forecast, that I would get a hotel for the night.  I have a mail drop coming at the 711 mile mark which will take at least 6 more days.  Got up when the rain slowed down.  Packed up and went to the shelter to talk for awhile.  I really enjoyed talking with 2 older woman who had done a ton of hiking.  One tried an AT thru hike 2 years ago but got hurt and is now hiking different fun trails.  It¢s funny that the whole rest of the group there, 15+, were all headed North.  I left to do my 5 miles to town.  The rain did stop and it got warm and humid and foggy.  I could tell this would have been beautiful without the fog.  We walked by a fast moving stream, through wild flower fields, corn fields and town.  When we got to town I had planned to take the bus to my hotel since it stops right at the AT kiosk, however the bus doesn¢t run on Sun or holidays - Ug.  I tried Uber but there were none so I got a taxi.  I did enjoy Cheshire though watching a running race on their bike path.  There were a ton of bikers and dog walkers too which were fun to see.When I get to the Econolodge I was told dogs were only allowed in smoking rooms and I could not check in until 2.  I was fine with that because I planned to do laundry there anyway but then I was told dogs aren¢t allowed in that part.  So I went to restock on food.  After I was done I came back, checked in and took a shower.  Then I went down to do Landry and was told the machines were not working.  I ask if I could use theirs and was told they¢ll get back to me.  Now it¢s after 5 and I¢m irritated since I still don¢t know.  I decide to hand wash and hope they dry.Then I walk over to Petco to buy Rusty another bully stick.  He really enjoys playing with one while I set up the tent.  He knows it¢s his special treat though doesn¢t really chew it.  He flips it around and pounces on it.  It¢s fun to watch him but somehow he lost it 2 nights ago.  Unfortunately Petco closed at 6 so I try Homegoods which has them and has dried figs which I have to buy too.  Once again I¢ll have a heavy pack from too much food but also nice for hiker hunger.Then I go back to the hotel to eat some microwave burritos which really are tasty and some great MA beers: Hobo Life, a session IPA, Wobbly POP, a New England IPA , and Tangerine Cream Summer Wheat.  Also enjoying watching our old Clemson qb doing great with the Texans.
Date: 2018-10-08
From: Cheshire MA 

To: MA 8&9 Dalton
Miles today: 9.0

This morning did not work out well for me.  First the complementary breakfast was not open at 7 like it was suppose to be but instead at 8.  Then my cab that was suppose to pick me up at 9 was not there when I went out right before 9.  I waited until 910 then tried to call and realized my phone was in airplane mode.  Switched it back and saw the cab had called and then texted saying it was leaving at 8:58.  I called and he did apologize but said since I did not answer his call he thought I was running late so took another call and would be back.  He finally got back at 1030.  Urg!   I start my hike which went another mile through a cute Cheshire neighborhood.  I realized I left my glasses at the hotel, dummy, but I would be walking through another town with stores in 9 miles so it¢s not that bad.  It was drizzling but warm so an OK hiking day.  It is muddy but not ankle deep like Vermont.  The leaves are really pretty in spots too and we do get a couple nice views of the Hoosic River.   We get to Dalton which is really a pretty town and really decorated for Halloween.   Rusty really enjoys sniffing everything in town which makes walking slow but still fun seeing the new towns.  Once again I forgot that it¢s Columbus Day so their hardware store is closed.  I walk back to their 2 gas station convenience stores and they don¢t have readers.  Then I go to Kelly¢s Liquor store as a last resort and they call the towns general store which is open but doesn¢t carry readers either.  They suggest Walmart which is 2 miles down the road.  Right next door to the liquor store is the Shamrock Village Inn with an Appalachian Trail Hikers Welcome sign.  I walk over to check if they have vacancies and they do and they love dogs and have a special hikers rate!  I throw my bag in my room and Uber to Walmart where I buy 2 readers.  Then we head back to Kelly¢s and ask the guy that works there to pick 4 good MA beers: Clown Shoes Chocolate Somdrero, Fort Hill Brewery Fresh IPA, Aeronaut Hop Hop & Away and Springdale pearyly wit.  Then we go back to the room and I shower, order Chinese food, enjoy playing on my phone and watching TV.  Best of all MNF Redskins/Saints tonight!  HTTR!!!Not a fun game for us skins fans however I do like Brees and loved to see him celebrate with family and fans - definitely a fun stadium!  Loved 3 of the 4 beers though iffy on the Springdale pearly wit.
Date: 2018-10-09
From: MA 8&9 Dalton

To: Mile 639.7 Up the hill from a brook near the powerlines
Miles today: 18.6
Weather: broken clouds

Woke up this morning in my nice cozy hotel and ate breakfast and made coffee. It¢s hard to get going early from a hotel but I did get started around 8:30.  Had a pretty walk through the town and looking at the Halloween decorations. I saw some flipfloppers camping in Jacob¢s back yard. The nice guy let¢s hikers camp in his yard for free and use his bathroom and charge electronics. It was an OK hiking day. Started off drizzly, foggy, humid and warm. It was pretty though but muddy and slippery. We past by a rocky mossy part in the fog and it reminded me of the witch stories I read that took place in MA along time ago. I can¢t remember exactly where they took place but this looks like a perfect spot for it.Once again all the views were fogged in. The sun did peek out for awhile which was nice. Around 530 I stopped to camp and found a perfect spot up a hill from a brook.  Someone has set up a camp there with logs and a rock ring fire. The camp overlooks the powerlines and has a pretty view though by the time I set up and made dinner it¢s too dark to take a pic. I did get a sunset pic of my tent and Rusty though it doesn¢t show how pretty it really is. We had a nice night enjoying the weather and camp spot hoping it stays clear for tomorrow.
Date: 2018-10-10
From: Mile 639.7 Up the hill from a brook near the powerlines

To: Mt Wilcox South shelter
Miles today: 17.8

Woke up to a beautiful pink sky. Packed up a nice dry tent and started hiking around 7. Its so nice to hike in sunshine! We walked by streams, over footbridges, and actually had some mountain side views which were beautiful. We walked through a cow field. The cows started to come towards us and Rusty started to get excited. I was very happy the cows stopped approaching. About noon though it became warm, humid and buggy. Also the terrain shifted to saturated ground. There was a field that we walked through with boards put in to be able to walk through the tall grasses. Part of the boards were ankle deep underwater since it had been raining so much here. It was actually pretty to walk through but I hate soggy shoes.About 4 I decide to stop at the Mt Wilcox South Shelter. The next shelter is 5 miles away and I want to actually sleep in a shelter since it is suppose to downpour at night. Brain, a flipflopper, was there when I got there and said he didn¢t mind Rusty staying in the shelter. Dogs are not suppose to sleep in them which is why I don¢t usually.  This shelter is 3 sided and consist of 2 wooden bunks and a loft. There is also a picnic table under the roof. Rusty and I took the other bottom bunk which is the size of a full size bed. It is perfect for us. I was a bit worried about Rusty chasing something in the middle of the night so I did keep his leash on and tied to me.  We made dinner at the picnic table and Brain gave us 2 packs of chicken since he is leaving in the morning. He is just getting over a stomach issues from drinking untreated water and has a broken foot. Also he works for a volunteer group that is being sent to FL to help with the hurricane clean up.  Jungle Cat, currently out hiking for 10 days and a 2016 thruhiker, joins us and starts a fire which is so nice. He is an ultralight backpacker and cooks his meals on an open fire. He¢s from Maine but currently works and lives in NYC. He tells great hiking stories. It¢s funny because I was stressing about staying in a shelter but end up having a great night.  Brain did eat and start feeling better and actually now is going to town tomorrow for a zero day and then will decide what he should do. It¢s hard leaving a hike when feeling good. We go to sleep around 9 and I do have a hard time falling asleep. For some reason my tent makes me feel completely safe but being in a shelter without that thick tent wall doesn¢t.
Date: 2018-10-11
From: Mt Wilcox South shelter

To: The Hemlocks Shelter
Miles today: 19.7
Weather: overcast clouds

It started pouring in the middle of the night so I was very glad I stayed in the shelter. Also Rusty never growled or barked and really was content there. I woke up around 7 and start packing up quietly though everyone else does get up. I enjoy eating breakfast with everyone.  We start hiking around 8 and it¢s already warm, humid and foggy. The hike starts off muddy for the first couple miles but then we go through a pine forest with nice terrain. Then it starts drizzling. We stop at the Tom Leonard shelter for coffee and Rusty¢s breakfast and to get out of the rain. I try Brain¢s suggestion of adding Nutella to my coffee - yum!When we star back up the mosquitos come out in force and I stop to dig out my deet which I apply generously. A mosquito actually bit me through my shirt It starts down pouring at noon during which time we do a long pasture walk and then a long walk beside the Housatonic River. When it pours in the green tunnel it doesn¢t seem as bad. We have 11 miles to go to get to the next shelter and there is no way I would set up in a downpour so we start walking fast.  We walk at least a mile on rock ledges that would have great views if the weather was clear but now just make for slow going cause they¢re slippery. I definitely plan to come back and hike the MA AT because I¢m missing so much. We walk through cold shin deep water because the paths are so flooded. Fortunately the air is warm though I am chilled by the time we reach the shelter. I¢m shocked 3 people are here since I saw 0 people hiking today. Bees Knees is here though and I¢m really happy to see her. She zeroed with family for the weekend which is how I caught her. Golden girl, who I met on Moosilauke, is here too and a guy that is section hiking.  I get water then dry off Rusty and feed him. Then I dry off and put warm clothes on. Now I feel great and can enjoy talking to everyone and snacking. Next I make dinner then set up in the loft since the bottom bunks are taken. I carry Rusty up and keep him leashed so in the middle of the night he doesn¢t fall off the ledge. I don¢t really think he would but it made me nervous without the leash.  The poor section hiker has the untreated water sickness and gets up all night to puke. I feel horrible for him and really will be careful about treating my water though I am already. It¢s still pouring out too which makes it even worse for him. I really have a terrible night of sleep but know how lucky I am not to have the bug.
Date: 2018-10-13
From: Limestone Spring Shelter

To: Caesar brook campsite
Miles today: 14.6

It starts raining around 6 so decide I¢ll wait till the rain stops or until noon to start hiking. I¢m averages 2 mph including breaks so will get to the shelter around 5 since it¢s suppose to be a 10 mile day. I finish reading my book, make coffee and Nutella and brush Rusty in my tent. I also look at my upcoming hike and see there is one more campsite before my hotel stop but would make today a 14 mile hike. It¢s still drizzling at 11:30 but I do need to get moving so I pack up. I look around to see if I can find the sock Rusty decided to play with last night and I fortunately find it. I need to buy Rusty another toy or bully stick. At the end of the day while I¢m setting up the tent, Rusty needs something to play with so he doesn¢t steal my clothes to shake and throw around. It¢s funny to watch but annoying when it¢s your stuff and you just want to finish setting up so you can relax.Walking that 1/2 mile uphill to get back to the trail is really pretty. I did not see it last night but it¢s right beside a waterfall.  The walk is very enjoyable today. Surprising but the puddles and mud are easy to avoid today and my feet actually stay dry. I do need to buy new insoles though because even when dry, they¢re bunching up in the front of my shoes causing the tips of my toes to blister. These are the same type of shoes I wore through Vermont so I¢m surprised by the insoles. The only difference is that these were soaked for awhile so maybe that ruined them.  Once again I love the variety of paths in CT. We walk over the Housatonic river and see a huge loud waterfall. We also come to a hang glider view though there are none out. We do see and hear a little car race track. I also saw a tiny Red Spotted Newt! I saw all the instagrams posted of these on #trektheat but was afraid it was too cold for them now.We get to the shelter at 4:45 and have 3.3 miles to the next campsite. I decide to keep going but will walk fast to get there before dark 6:30. We walk fast and enjoy it. The sunset light makes for a pretty color in the woods. We arrive here at 6:15 which really is too late. By the time I set up the tent and get water it is completely dark. We make dinner in the dark finishing around 8 which is late for me nowadays. Also I did forget my tent is still wet so did not set up early enough for it to dry. It is still cozy though.
Date: 2018-10-14
From: Caesar brook campsite

To: CT 4 Cornwall Bridge
Miles today: 2.6

Woke up and got moving around 730. So happy we did the extra 3 miles last night - really ready for a shower and clean clothes. It was cold and foggy but my shoes and socks were dry so much easier to get moving. At one view point the sun looked like it was going to come out but didn¢t until after I got to my hotel.  There were two places the streams were running hard. One I could rock scramble over but Rusty was afraid to try. The other I took my shoes off and put my lovely orange crocs on and walked across in knee deep water. Both I carried Rusty. There is a pic of him waiting at the first one because I did not realize that one would scare him. He does rock hop or swim across most but the rocks were far apart and the water was loud and rushing.We got to the road around 9 then had a mile of road walking to my hotel. On the way I stopped and bought a sausage, egg and cheese bagel and some meatballs for Rusty. Hiker hunger is real! We were able to check into our hotel, the Hitching Post Motel, early. The owner was extremely nice and let me hang my dripping tent over his bushes, of course it rained early this morning though did stop before I got up.  I showered then went to the liquor store for some CT beers, thru hikers get one free beer so I end up with 5, and then the convenience store for lunch and dinner: muffins, salad, chili, salsa, chips and cheese. By 1 we are eating lunch in bed watching the skins game - perfect almost zero day.  I took a pic of the 4 beers I tried which were all tasty.  I left the free one in the fridge for someone to enjoy.One bad thing though I found about 10 ticks on Rusty though none on me.  Rusty is on tick medicine though so when they bite him they do die but still terrible to see.  Lymes is the scariest part of the trail for me.
Date: 2018-10-15
From: Hitching Post Country Motel

To: Hitching Post Country Motel
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up this morning planning on hiking but it was raining and suppose to rain all day so decided to take a zero.  Tues-fri are suppose to be sunny and cold so way better to hike then.  Fortunately my room was available so did not have to move.  I enjoyed a nice lazy day.  At 10 I left my room to get a couple more beers and food for the day.  It¢s a tiny but friendly town.  I helped the hotel owner move some plants inside since there is a frost warning for tonight.  They¢re from India and live at the hotel.  They grow lots of herbs and vegetables.  The inside of their  house is really nice - wide open with a couch like bench swing.  Love seeing different fun styles.I plan on stopping tomorrow in the next town, 1 mile from the trail, to buy insoles.  Fortunately there is a bookstore there too so I can get a new book.  I realized today there is not much on TV during the weekday.  I did enjoy say yes to the dress though.  Also I need a book for at night in my tent.  At 4:30 I decide I better get more food since the only food store here closes at 5.  It worked out great since they do an end of the day hot meal which was stuffed shells and corn bread and was very good.  Now back to getting ready for tomorrow then lounging.
Date: 2018-10-16
To: Schaghticoke mt campsite
Miles today: 14.3

Left my hotel around 830 but then had a mile of slow, so Rusty can mark everything, road walking to get to the trail. Perfect hiking day - sunny and cold. Also nice varied terrain: some hills with nice views, beautiful and great name Caleb¢s Peak, and about a 5 mile flat walk beside the beautiful Housatonic River.  The AT crosses over a road about a mile from Kent CT where I was stopping to buy insoles and a book. When I got to the road a couple guys were getting ready to leave and I asked for a ride. Fortunately they said yes and drove me right to the store Sundog Shoes. I talked to the owner who recommended a replacement insole that fit perfectly and was less then $20.  I appreciate that he didn¢t push the more expensive insoles and that he gives thru hikers a 10% discount.  Next I went to the book store where I bought the book someone recommended the Alchemist. Then I stopped at the deli and got a burger and fries. While I was sitting and eating a guy ask if I want a ride back to the trail when I¢m done. I gladly accepted! Anthony gets food and joins me on the patio. He¢s from the area and told me a lot about the upcoming trail. I did not realize I was 3 miles from NY. The AT does switch back from CT to NY a couple times. Once again I love meeting interesting fun people and it seems hiking really encourages that. We stop by the pharmacy so he can pick up a prescription and I can get more vitamin I and candy. On the way back to the trail we drive by the Kent Welcoming center where there are places for hikers to take showers and charge their electronics. I see the famous hiker Wild Bill who hikes with 2 black Shepards and carries a 70lb pack which includes the dogs¢ food. He has hiked the AT 17 times.  Then Anthony drops me off at the trail and we hike the 3 miles to our campsite. We get there around 530 but it does get dark be the time I setup and get water. Rusty eats his dinner and decides that my food isn¢t worth staying up for so goes to bed. I¢m not hungry but do enjoy a hot tea, trail mix and candy before going in the tent at 8. I need my warm quilt!
Date: 2018-10-17
From: Schaghticoke mt campsite

To: Telephone pioneers shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: light rain

Once again hard to leave my cozy tent but a beautiful sunny cold morning. Started with some great hilltop and ledge views. Then walked by ten mile river on a nice wide path. Entered NY to find trail magic, peppermint patties, at the welcome sign.  Then crossed through pastures with one full of cows and calves. Rusty started barking and one of the huge momma cows started towards us as if to protect her calf. She intimidated me though not Rusty so I picked him up so he would stop barking. She stopped moving towards us once he stopped barking which was a relief.I knew we were coming to Native Landscaping which had a food truck so I was excited for an early real dinner but when I got there at 330 they had already shut down - bummer! Also my phone was almost dead. I had planned on eating and charging my phone at the landscaping place - so disappointed too that I could not take pics until tomorrow after charging my phone. Right after the landscape place we walked over a beautiful boardwalk that went through taller than me ornamental grass. At one place there were 2 Adirondack chairs and at another 2 benches to enjoy the view. Really an awesome boardwalk. I got to the shelter around 5 and there was a fire going which really made me happy. I love campfires!  There were 2 guys already here: one I had met Shocktop and the other, Felix the cat, is a section hiker and he is the one that started the fire. Felix and I started talking about how pretty and different the trail had been. He had taken pics so sent them to me and I did include them in the pics section.I set my tent up and Rusty went to bed while I went back to the shelter to make dinner and enjoy the fire and company. It was a beautiful view there too. Then Rusty came back out but really needed to sleep so I went back to my tent. Cleaned up and changed to jammy clothes and then wrote my blog and started reading my book. I can hear trains and traffic in my tent which is different.
Date: 2018-10-18
From: Telephone pioneers shelter

To: Shenandoah tenting
Miles today: 18.1

It rained briefly in the middle of the night but my tent was mostly dry in the morning so fine to pack up. The sun had just risen when we got out of the tent and it was beautiful. Once again was a cold beautiful hiking day and varied terrain. The weird thing today was that while walking on the side of the hills looking at the beautiful NY country you could hear traffic though could not see it. Eventually though you do go down and cross the interstates.  We stopped at the Mountaintop Market Deli, .4 miles east of the trail, to get the meatball sub I was told was the best (yes it was!), a Brooklyn Lager and meatballs for Rusty. I met Firegoat and Prospector there. Prospector treated us lunch too - awesome trail magic! The deli was great to hikers. They had a picnic table out back, a place to charge your electronics and a water spigot to fill your bottles.  We sat out back enjoying the sun and telling hiking stories. Firegoat started nobo in May doing 20-30 miles a day but then met up with Prospector and his friend and got pulled in their fun vortex. Prospector and his friend ran out of money so ended their nobo hike in NJ.Firegoat loved the slow fun hike but because Katahdin closes 10/22, Firegoat has to flip up there and then will head back here south. Prospector drove here to give Firegoat a ride and to hike Katahdin with her. Prospector has a great gross trail name story. At the beginning of his hike when he was digging a hole to bury his poop he dug up someone else¢s. Gross! So he was given that lovely name reminder.After a nice leisurely entertaining meal they drove me back to the start of the trail. It was a nice hike to my campsite. We went through a spot that looked like a bad storm had hit it probably a couple months ago. Flowers had grown out of the toppled tree roots and really looked pretty. The AT crews here really did a great job of moving or cutting the fallen trees out of the path.  This campsite is great too. There is a pump here but the water is considered contaminated so someone brought a case of water bottles to use. Also at many of the trail heads there are jugs of water so you don¢t have to use water from streams. The streams run through cow pastures so aren¢t considered safe either. I think with a filter it should be fine but I do need to ask first.Also this campsite has picnic tables, a fire pit and plastic chairs.  I am too lazy to start a fire though.  We do have a nice Ramon bomb dinner then a hot tea and honey. I do start getting cold so finish my tea in the tent with my warm quilt wrapped around me.