morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-06-01
From: Bear Mtn, NY

To: Greymoor Spiritual Life Center
Miles today: 7.2
Weather: scattered clouds

The hikers called me from Greymoor. Had gotten in a little late. There were other hikers there. It was funny. While talking Fahmah mentioned the other hikers and I just happened to think, Lil'Buddha was in Harpers Ferry during Trail Days, where I had a chance to meet him. He should have been up to Fahmah by now, so I asked him, "have you seen Lil'Buddha yet?" To my amazement, he said, yeah, he's here!!! How'd you know that? Weird, I don't know. There was also a hiker named Tink who had been following our Trail Journal. Wish them both well on their journey to Katahdin!!"FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-06-02
From: Greymoor Spiritual Life Center

To: NY301, Clarence Fahnestock State Park
Miles today: 11.8

The entries will be sparse from here. I have been real busy preparing for a trip to Texas with my sister to visit my sister & brother who live down there. I will be gone from the 3rd to the 8th and will not have access to the journal.Fahmah called me every day while I was there but I failed to take good notes and my memory just isn't what it used to be. They have been plodding along, not as many miles as they would like to make each day, but they are getting there. It will be no time and they will be in Connecticut."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-06-03
From: NY301, Clarence Fahnestock State Park

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: haze

I spent the night at my sister's and we got up at 1am to head in to Boston for a flight at 5am to Texas. Rec'd my call from Fahmah at around 10pm, after I had gone to bed with his daily report. We only spoke a moment so no news. Arrived in Texas around 9:30am. The visit with my family is great, but news from Fahmah is scarce."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-06-04
From: RPH Shelter

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: clear sky

I received two calls from Fahmah today. One in the morning as he was stopped for a snack. He had left early because he had planned to walk the extra distance in to Stormville for a mail drop I had sent there. Because of the way things had worked out, he still had enough food, so he decided to skip the P.O. and meet Klip at the deli the opposite direction for lunch. So he had time to kill. He would call the P.O. later and have them bounce the box to Salisbury, CT for pickup later. That way I won't have to rush to send a pkg as soon as I get home. So it worked out great.He called again later that evening when they were at the shelter. As we talked, a scarlet tanninger landed on a branch very near him. What a beautiful bird that is!! A little gift from God."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-06-06
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: NY22, AT RR Station
Miles today: 3.1

The weather was awful, it had been days since a shower and they needed a good meal and comfortable sleep. They got a taxi ride to the Dutchess Motel and spent the night there. Did some resupply and laundry to head back to the trail the following day."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-06-07
From: NY22, AT RR Station

To: Ten Mile River Lean-to
Miles today: 9.6

THEY ARE OUT OF NEW YORK!!! They crossed the line today. They are staying on the Ten Mile River. This is right near the confluence of the Housatonic & Ten Mile Rivers. They were there just as a hatch was going on and the fish were jumping right out of the rivers where they joined. It was exciting for Fahmah."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-06-08
From: Ten Mile River Lean-to

To: CT341, Kent 
Miles today: 8.7

I heard from Fahmah while I was eating dinner with my sister on the way home from Boston. We had left my brother's around 5am. We had a wonderful visit at both homes with all the family down there. The trip went without a glitch anywhere along the way, even Boston went smooth ("slick as snot some would say") But I was tired. It was good to hear Fahmah's voice, but he was very happy!!! Apparently Quicktoez had called them and he knew they would be in Kent. He somehow located them at the Outfitters or Post Office and helped them through their errands. He then took them to his house, just outside of Hartford, and treated them to a delicious supper and they planned to stay overnight there, maybe two nights!! Quicktoez was a fellow hiker in '07 that walked with them through the Smokies up to Damascus, VA after Trail Days. He also met them on the trail in Maine and walked with them for a week and came to our family camping at Sebago with us. He is a great friend and enjoyed meeting and playing horseshoes with Jimmy. They were around the same age.Thank you so much, Quicktoez, for your hospitality!!!"FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-06-09
From: CT341, Kent 

To: CT341, Kent (still at Quicktoez' House)
Miles today: 0.0

They went to an Outfitter's and Fahmah bought himself a new pack cover. It is an Osprey to match his pack. He sprung for the steaks for supper and they were going to grill them at Quicktoez.They were all still having a great time when I talked to Fahmah and teasing about going to Hooters for supper....or was that after supper???? or was that teasing???? I don't know their exact plan for getting back on the trail. They may have stayed at Quicktoez another night, depending on the weather. Haven't heard from Fahmah yet. But what ever they did, they have New York behind them and they are heading to Katahdin, via New England!!!   Home!!! "FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-06-10
From: CT341, Kent (still at Quicktoez' House)

To: Stewart Hollow Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 7.0

Got a late start leaving Quicktoez. Thanks for the great visit and all that you did for Fahmah & Klip. They (and their old bodies) needed the rest. It was great to be with you again. Heard from Jack and he wishes he could have been there as well!!! The steaks last night were awesome; natural, local beef bought at Whole Foods. Fahmah says that is the way to go for steaks in the future! Anyway, back to the trail. They had a nice walk today. Just as they were getting in to camp, they saw classic photo shot.....an Osprey sitting on a dead tree overlooking the river just waiting for a chance to grab a fish! It was classic."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-06-11
From: Stewart Hollow Brook Lean-to

To: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 10.0

Our hearts were heavy today as our thoughts were with our Jimmy. Today would have been his 46th birthday. Happy birthday, Son. Rest in Peace.I did my own walking today. Last year Fahmah & I got involved with the American Cancer Society, Relay for Life in our area. Our team, the Heritage Hikers, a first-year team, collected over $9,000 for ACS in 2009. I stayed involved for this year. The theme of the Relay this year was "Making More Birthdays". Ironic it took place last night & today, Jimmy's birthday. Anyway, our team did great again this year. Even though we had rain and drizzle all day today, everyone's spirits were high and we had a successful event.Fahmah experienced another Lemon Squeezer today on the trail. He used to be paranoid about going through spots like that, but hasn't had any problems this year. Probably because he is so skinny right now, he slips right through."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-06-12
From: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-to

To: Limestone Spring Lean-to
Miles today: 12.3

It was a long walk to the shelter tonight. There were more showers and wet weather today with some breaking sunshine. Tomorrow they will go in to Salisbury.   The ridge-runner for this section was at the shelter and made for some interesting conversation with the hikers. The ridge-runners are assigned a section of the trail and walk that section back and forth and are there to help hikers, providing them with information about food storage, campsites, and fire safety information and any other info that might be helpful."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-06-13
From: Limestone Spring Lean-to

To: US44, Salisbury CT
Miles today: 3.4
Weather: clear sky

It was a short trip in to Salisbury. They were to stay with Maria, a lovely, 80-year young, Italian lady that Klip had stayed with all the times he has been on the trail. When they arrived, Maria's rooms were all full, but she helped them arrange rooms across the street. It was beautiful there and they were treated like royalty, as Klip had told Fahmah they would be. They were able to clean up and have laundry done. Maria always hangs her clothes out on the line and dries them in the sunshine. They talked of slack-packing the next day. Klip & Fahmah brought Maria with them when they went to dinner. They laughed and teased and had Fahmah blushing like a school boy. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall to hear the conversation!!Fahmah had flipped a package from Stormville up to the post office here. They picked up the package and got supplies for Klip."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-06-14
From: US44, Salisbury CT

To: US44, Salisbury CT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Well, the slack packing today didn't happen. Maria had other hikers to take out and had difficulty locating the road and it got too late to take Fahmah & Klip out. They used the day to finish up resupply and cleanup and just a relaxing day and got ready for the trail tomorrow. Fahmah walked around the perennial garden, recognizing flowers while Klip helped Maria hang the laundry on the line. During this time, I found out that Fahmah's voice mail was full and nobody could leave a message for him. Jack was trying to reach them and Debbie and others had tried to call. Just so you all know, his voice mail is empty now. So you can leave a message if you want. "FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-06-15
From: US44, Salisbury CT

To: Sages Ravine Brook Campsite
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: clear sky

CROSSED THE MASSACHUSETTS LINE TODAY!! Well, the hikers are in Massachusetts. Today's hike took them over Connecticut's Lions Head and Bear Mountain, the highest peak in Ct. but not the highest ground, which is instead on the flank of the nearby Mt Frissel, whose peak is actually in Massachusetts. Then a steep and rocky descent into Sages Ravine. It was a tough hike, but beautiful. When they got in to the shelter, the caretaker was there and gave them chocolate chip cookies after their meals. When Fahmah called we talked and made plans for me to meet them when they get to Lee, Ma. That should be this Friday or Saturday. I will stay overnight and we will go to eat at the same restaurant we went to in '07. That was a great place, I just can't remember the name of it. Also, Jack is coming up to hike with the guys and will be coming around the 24th or 25th of June. I am going to bring his vehicle back to my house along with Pretty Girl, his beautiful little rough coat Jack Russell terrier. She is going to be my guest while he hikes with the guys. The "geriatric crew" will be together again!!! Now Klip will have someone besided Fahmah to pick on! The Warthog returns!!"FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-06-16
From: Sages Ravine Brook Campsite

To: Glen Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 6.7

Fahmah called me from Race Mtn. He was sitting at the top of the 2365 ft mountain looking down at the valley and over at Mt Everett (2602 ft). There was a river in the valley that looked like the veins in one's arm or something. It was a beautiful site worthy of photos, but the batteries in the camera were dead and Fahmah couldn't take a photo.Batteries are on the list of supplies I will need to bring them this weekend when we meet, along with Klip's winter sleeping bag back. The nights in New England have been too chilly for him with his warm blood. He called again from the lean-to. It was very chilly and even though it was early they were waiting for the sun to go down a little and were going to hit the sleeping bags early."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-06-18
From: Tom Leonard Lean-to

To: Mt Wilcox, South Lean-to
Miles today: 5.3

The hikers were treated with Trail Magic today. Mr. Toon was set up along the trail near Benedict Pond providing a banquet for them. They had breakfast sandwiches of eggs, ham & cheese and hotdogs and hamburgers. Sodas, beer, apples, brownies & cookies to top it all off! It was fantastic. Mr. Toon has been doing this since 2005. His son, Rooney Toon, used to do this, but he passed away so his Dad continued the tradition. It was a real treat and very much appreciated by Fahmah & Klip.The call today made final arrangements for our meeting tomorrow. Fahmah needs a food drop and I haven't seen them for quite some time, so I need a Fahmah-fix. I will pick them up at Goose Pond Rd. We have rooms reserved on Laurel Lake at the Quality Inn. This is in Lee, MA, just a couple hours from home. We met in Lee in '07 and had dinner at the Salmon Run restaurant. It was a great meal, so we decided to do the same this time.The 14 miles of yesterday tired the guys out and the weather wasn't cooperating, so they decided to make short miles of it and stop early. They got in real late the night before and got a late start this morning."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-06-19
From: Mt Wilcox, South Lean-to

To: Jerusalem Rd, Tyringham, MA
Miles today: 7.7

I left the house at 9am to meet the hikers around noon along the trail. I got there around noon, but the hike was a little more difficult than they anticipated, so they arrived a little after 1pm. I noticed that both of them had dropped a weight since I saw them last. Fahmah looked like a wild man. I will have the photos posted this afternoon. He had me bring the clippers so I could give him a buzz cut for the summer. He sure looked scraggly!! And that wasn't all. He had had a fall in the morning...tripped over a root and pushed down face-first by the heavy pack as he fell. Those of you who are familiar with the Trail, will recognize "Anthony's Nose"!We had a nice room at the Quality Inn with a balcony overlooking the lake.   They bathed, I cut Fahmah's hair & beard (be sure to check out the Before & After photos), we shopped, and did their laundry. After dinner at the Salmon Run, which was delicious, we went for an ice cream on the way back to the Motel, then we sat on the balcony until the bugs chased us in. It was an enjoyable evening. They were due for a comfortable night's sleep. Sunday was Father's Day. We enjoyed our coffee on the balcony as we watched the muskrat swim in the lake. We had a delicious breakfast at Joe's Diner in Lee. Fahmah & Klip decided that they would not wait till Jack came to get the truck. They both needed a little slack-packing time. Fahmah decided to come home with me and take care of a couple odds & ends around the house & for the truck & then go back out to Tyringham with the truck. Klip plans to walk while Fahmah is home. Their meeting spot is yet to be determined. Jack will be coming up in a week. It will be like old times!!! The Tres Amigos returns!!!"FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-06-20
From: Jerusalem Rd, Tyringham, MA

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: few clouds

We dropped Klip off and he walked in to Upper Goose Pond Cabin. Fahmah & I headed back to Central Mass and home. The cabin is right on the lake and has bunks for sleeping. He will continue to walk until Fahmah comes back on the trail. They will meet in Dalton or Cheshire when Fahmah returns with the truck."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-06-21
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Becket, MA
Miles today: 11.0

Klip spent the night at Upper Goose Pond Cabin. He walked today to Washington Mtn Rd, Beckett and is staying at the Cookie Lady's blueberry farm. Fahmah is at home with me getting the truck ready to take back to the trail for a little while so they can do some slackpacking and save their hips and knees a little. "FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-06-23
From: Dalton, MA Shamrock Motel

To: Dalton, MA Shamrock Motel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

A zero for Klip in Dalton. Fahmah taking another day at home and working in his garden trying to clean up the mess of weeds that have grown. I have pulled some of them, but just can't keep up on my own.We came back to Templeton on Father's Day and I left the following day with my sister to go to Booth Bay Harbor to see her daughter & family who had rented a beautiful home right on the harbor. They were just 10 minutes from the beautiful Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens where we spent the whole day on Tuesday. We returned to the house, had dinner and watched "The Blind Side" with Cheryl and then went to sleep. We were all exhaused from the walking all day, but it was so worth it!!"FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-06-24
From: Dalton, MA Shamrock Motel

To: Mason Hill Farm Hostel, Cheshire, MA
Miles today: 8.7

Fahmah finally headed back to the Trail to meet Klip. They waited there until we heard from Jack. He called from Delaware and said he would arrive real late. Fahmah suggested he call Quicktoez and meet up with him for the night. He was having a hard time finding a hotel that would take Pretty Girl, his cute little rough coat Jack Russell terrier. Anyway, he did call Quicktoez and arrived at his place around 11:30. He would continue up to my house the next day. Thanks, again, Quicktoez, for your generous hospitality for the hikers. The reunion was great as well as hospitality. "FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-06-25
From: Mason Hill Farm Hostel, Cheshire, MA

To: Old Adams Rd (slack pack)
Miles today: 4.1

Fahmah & Klip took a nero today. They did a short slack pack from the hostel today just so they would not stiffen up. Jack was to arrive at my house around noon (it turned out to be around 1:30) and we were to drive to Greenfield where we would meet Klip & Fahmah. Pretty Girl will be my house guest for the summer while Jack walks with Fahmah & Klip. "FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-06-26
From: Old Adams Rd (slack pack)

To: Mt Greylock, Summit Rd
Miles today: 4.2

They all stayed at the hostel again. Now they have the truck to do slack packing. They will split up for their walks, crossing paths 1/2 way through and the one that drops off will be picked up at the other end. This is how they finished up the trail in '07, but this time there are 3 of them so only one has to walk alone during the day. Another hiker was also staying at the hostel, Gram-Cracker. She joined them for the hikes on Greylock. Jack, because it was his first day back on the trail, got the downhill on the first day, starting at the summit and walking down hill, south. I believe that Klip walked with Jack and Fahmah & Gram-Cracker walked together up hill.The weather has been quite cooperative making the hikes pleasant.They spent the afternoon/evening at the local pub watching the US play soccer at the world cup. Too bad it ended in disappointment!!!!"FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-06-27
From: Mt Greylock, Summit Rd

To: Ma/VT State Line 
Miles today: 10.4

The hikers did the other side of Greylock in the same format as the day before, Gram-Cracker with them. Then they set-up and walked the distance all the way to the Ma/Vt state line. When they finished, Gram-Cracker continued on to meet her hiking partner at the next shelter. The remaining "tres amigos" or the "geriatric crew" whichever name suits......headed back to the Mason Hill Farm Hostel for another night. They will make their plans for the trek in to Vermont. Another state behind them, only 3 more to go!!!It was sad that while they were in Greenfield, they missed seeing Galilee Man when he passed them by. He will, by now, be way ahead of them. Fahmah was hoping to see him and wish him a safe trip as he meets his goal of completing the Trail in 60 days. "FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-06-28
From: Ma/VT State Line 

To: Ma/VT State Line 
Miles today: 0.0

This was an eventful day. When the hikers returned to the hostel last night there was another hiker there that had been diagnosed with advance Lyme's Disease. They talked at length about Lyme's disease and then again in the morning at breakfast they talked about it. The hiker went on his way up the trail. Later in the day a couple that Fahmah had seen in Maryland cam in to camp. The husband was suffereing from a nasty bite that could possible have been a tick bite. Shortly after a younger hiker, Sly Ding-a-ling (from Canada) came in and also had a nasty looking bite that all the hikers agreed should be checked out. Fahmah was glad he had his truck. He packed the couple and the single hiker in and they headed to the Pittsfield hospital. All the discussion from the prior night made them all so aware of the danger they figured it best to be checked.The discussion on the way to the hospital was about bears. None had yet been seen in Mass. They were traveling on Ma Rt. 8, very rural, when all of a sudden a huge bear(Fahmah guessed about 400 lbs) came across the road, from the left to the right and trotted down the road ahead of them for a time then in to the woods. Then, just between Cheshire & Lanesboro, another bear was sighted. This one was smaller, probably last year's cub. It was so coincidental, since they were just talking about it.Fahmah left the hikers in Pittsfield at the hospital and went back to the hostel. With all the tests they knew it would take some time there. They kept Fahmah's telephone number in case he could be more help.It made for an interesting day."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-06-30
From: County Rd.

To: Melville Nauheim Shelter
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: broken clouds

The night was chilly at the shelter. Breezy & cool. It was a 1.8 mile climb. It takes a little planning using the truck, but Klip & Jack walked south today, while Fahmah walked north. Jack drove the truck back up, met Fahmah and they all walked to the shelter. Another crisp, clear day for hiking. The weather has really been cooperating. Not so, the forecast after the 4th will take us in to a heat wave, so they say."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-07-01
From: Melville Nauheim Shelter

To: Goddard Shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: light rain

The hike would have to be split for a two-day hike. Fahmah dropped Klip & Jack at Stratton-Arlington Rd. They walked south to Goddard Shelter. Fahmah took the truck back down to trail head, Rt 9, Bennington. He walked to the Goddard Shelter and met Jack & Klip there. This was one of the best shelters they had stayed in in a long time. The shelter slept 10. There were 2 lady hikers there. One was from Milton, Ma. Klip was sure to tell them about Fahmah's creeping therma-rest!!! There were a lot of chuckles."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-07-02
From: Goddard Shelter

To: Stratton-Arlington Rd
Miles today: 12.2

The guys finished up their hike and went to the store to pick up a few supplies. While in the store, Klip began to feel dizzy and passed out in the aisle while looking at labels (without his specs on??). They were all concerned for Klip so they went to a motel for the evening. He continued to feel nauseous so Fahmah gave him an alka-seltzer to settle his stomach. It didn't work too good but he made up his mind to sleep on it and see what would happen in the morning."FOR YOU JIM"
Date: 2010-07-03
From: Stratton-Arlington Rd

To: Stratton-Arlington Rd
Miles today: 0.0

In the morning, Klip still did not feel good and decided it would be best to go to the Hospital to get checked out. It was a very wise decision. Within minutes they had him hooked up with an IV. Most likely it was dehydration causing an attack of vertigo, but there was a full day of fluids and tests that went along with that. They went in early in the morning and he wasn't released until 8 that evening. While in the hospital, they met a lady, 93 years young, in the bed near Klip. Just earlier this year she had done some painting in her house. She was very energetic and in great shape for her advanced years. Her son had hiked the AT and actually met his wife while hiking. They have walked it 4 times since getting married. Klip finally left the hospital, after they had spent the day there, I am sure laughing, joking and doing a little rabble-rousing throughout!! There is never a dull moment when the three of them are at it!They will make plans for tomorrow overnight and see what is next."FOR YOU JIM"