morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-08-19
From: Logan Brook Road

To: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: broken clouds

Before I knew it, my alarm was going off once again...after a very short night of sleep. But that few hours was soft and sweet! I told Linda she gets the comfy bed award at her house. Greg had coffee waiting and was cooking bacon when I hobbled downstairs. Linda asked if I would like some orange juice. Oh yes!!! These are my kind of people. To round out breakfast, I ate scrambled eggs and a toasted bagel. Yep, my kind of people. I left a box of food oversupply I didn't need to carry for these 3 days, so I might just end up going back, we'll see. Greg and I left in his truck, and on the way through town found a spot where I had enough 4G to post journal entries. Glad to have that chance. Then he drove me out into the "wilderness", and we successfully found the Logan Brook trailhead, where I had left off 2 days before. As I prepped to heave my pack on, he had a thought: what if he could leave a bunch of my heavy gear further up the Trail for me. We studied the map and found that Jo Mary road, 13.8 miles ahead, would work perfectly. He offered, I happily accepted. Have I mentioned lately that I really, really like to slackpack? This brought my total miles of slacking the 100 mile wilderness to 59.5. Over half of it! We came up with a plan on where he would both hide and mark my bag of stuff so I could find it once there. I think he was really having some fun, to tell you the truth. I bounced down the trail all morning, able to cruise quickly. I continued to early afternoon, and then like a kid on a treasure hunt, found my gear at the designated spot. Lying on top was a can of sprite and a full sized snickers bar. Greg, you are the salt of the earth, just as Rob said! My biggest regret was having no cell signal to text my thanks, and the successful pickup. Later on down the trail I happened upon the couple from south Carolina I had spoken with 2 days ago section hiking the wilderness. Very nice to see them again, and we chatted briefly. I arrived at tonight's shelter around 5:30, and lingered while gathering water at the spring, chatting with other hikers, and leisurely eating my mac n cheese supper. I've opted for the shelter tonight over a tent, which I may regret because of bugs...but it seemed like it might be cooler than a tent. The Trail was a super nice cruising surface most of today. I've heard that will change tomorrow. But today was a welcome break.
Date: 2015-08-20
From: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to

To: Rainbow Lake Campsite
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: light rain

Today's hike was just a hike, mostly walking in woods, and mostly on ruts n jolts trail. The going was slower than normal. My pack seemed heavier than normal. I had a lunch break and chatted with Fourteen, who had also been at the lean-to last night. I leap-frogged all day with Wanderer, who I found out is trying to finish tomorrow in order to start classes at Ohio State on Monday. I gifted him with a buckeye candy, and wished him success. I didn't have enough daylight to follow him to the next lean-to another 8 miles up the trail, or Abol bridge, today. Nor did I have the energy. Instead I stopped at this campsite on a lake, with a good spring, and put up my tent for the first time in weeks. It just so happens I set up right next to Fozzy's dad, who is out to meet, then summit with his son and Trix. He had already gathered wood and stacked it for a campfire, which I enjoyed with him (and later Chopsticks, a section hiker I'd met earlier today) after taking a dip in the lake to rinse off 2 days worth of sweat...yikes! and got nipped by a crayfish on my foot!!!Now I'm listening to the buzz of insects against my tent, attracted to the light of my cell phone screen. Must be time for sleep.
Date: 2015-08-22
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Farmington, Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today I could have slept til noon, and it wouldn't have mattered. Of course, I awoke at 5 out of habit. After tossing for an hour I gave up and decided to update my trail journal, since it was too late last night, and I couldn't keep my eyes open. The rest of the day was spent catching up on emails, hanging around, doing some laundry, hanging around, and drying some gear, which hung around. I rode in the rumbling blue truck with Rob and Cheryl to their camp on a nearby pond...rustic, but wow, what a location...up and down very bumpy roads. I rested, made a phone call to a friend, ate good food, and then enjoyed sitting around a camp fire in Rob's back yard, enjoying ice cream, conversation, laughter, s'mores (funny, this is how I had always pictured it might be on the Trail, but almost never was), and stories. A warm bath has me sleepy, after doing just about nothing most of the day. Hopefully, I will have more Moxie on the day I summit (still to be determined), both the character trait and the drink. I hadn't heard of nor tasted this Maine specialty until just a few days ago; it has a flavor of its own, something like root beer with licorice tones. Some people say a mixture of root beer with Dr. Pepper, but being a Pepper fan myself, I consider it a distasteful suggestion, thank you very much. In any event, I took a can of Moxie along with me both of the long days I slacked through the 100 mile wilderness, and I'm not certain, but I think it added a little extra kick to my steps.
Date: 2015-08-23
From: Farmington, Maine

To: Farmington, Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

It was another restful day of waiting for "clearance" to get out of this "holding pattern" so that I can finish my hike. Rob is still occupied with numerous duties. Although it dawned sunny this morning, the clouds soon rolled in, and then rain came this afternoon. In fact, rain is expected to be around for the next several days, making it difficult to plan for "take-off" to the summit, and also my trip back to Ohio. Should I just go ahead up the mountain and be done, regardless of the weather? Or should I visit the coast in the meantime and climb on a fair weather day? Perhaps a coin toss will be in order...Meantime, I went into town today with some different wheels, also stick shift (a bit trickier this time), to visit the local coffee shop. Unfortunately, it was closed today, so I ended up at Dunkin', followed by Walmart, just for something to do. Ok, so maybe I'm bordering on boredom??? From one extreme to another. Just like the AT.
Date: 2015-08-24
From: Farmington, Maine

To: Farmington, Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

This morning I woke up at...you guessed it...shortly after 5. I believed the cause of that particular ailment was the nearly 5 months hiking regimen that instilled it in me, but my younger daughter has informed me it's merely the onset of old age. So that settles it: before I turn myself in at the nearest care facility I must sail off to see more of the world. In this case, the coastal visit wins out, since I've seen enough of the woods for the time being and require wide open spaces. Although I've been looking at maps and drifting around online, I'm not certain exactly where I'll end up tomorrow, or tomorrow evening, or the day after that. You see, the AT has taught me a few lessons after all...I will know the right place to land when I come to it. For those of you who are solely interested in wilderness hiking, you may take recess for a couple of days while I wander outside the box a bit. I see ocean tides and perhaps a lighthouse or two in my near future. But never fear, I will return in due time to finish what I've started. In the meantime, I suppose I have come one day closer to being the all-time record holder for multiple zero days after having entered Baxter park. My name is Outlier, after all...
Date: 2015-08-25
From: Farmington, Maine

To: Southport, Maine
Miles today: 0.0

I ventured out from Farmington today in the Jeep, heading for the coast. I hadn't planned on stopping in Augusta on the way, but a highway detour made it necessary, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to stop in at Starbucks on my way past, for a free venti that was going to expire in a few days. From there I drove to Popham Beach...not the state park, as Rob had advised, since I could park free further down by the old fort remains. Great tip, cos! I walked through the architecturally cool old structure first, then wandered along the coast barefoot, blissfully taking in the wildness and the ocean scent. I talked a local fisherman into taking a few photos of me, then continued on, admiring artfully arranged seaweed washed ashore and sea birds bathing in the pools left by the outgoing tide. Eventually, I returned to the Jeep, only to discover I'd left the headlights on (the day was gray and misty), so the battery was dead. I called upon my AT "begging" skills I have acquired, and started going up and down the road there asking complete strangers for assistance. Soon I had found a women with a set of jumper cables she was willing to lend, and then a couple to jump me, who "just happened" to be conveniently parked right next to the Jeep. Minutes later I was on my way back towards Bath, where I stopped for a while in a cafe to read a chapter while sipping a latte and snacking on a slice of key lime pie. After "window shopping" through several stores and galleries, I left Bath, heading for Southport, where I'm staying the night at a very very modest but clean water front motel. Suppa (as they say in Maine) was eaten at the local wharf pub: lobster tacos. It was a nice little sampling of Coastal Maine, which I will continue tomorrow.
Date: 2015-08-26
From: Southport, Maine

To: Farmington, Maine
Miles today: 0.0

The rain overnight made the air super-humid this morning. Fog masked the views of the waterfront near the motel, though the boat horns penetratedthrough it. I lingered in my room for a while, since the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens didn't open til 9am. Just as I arrived in the parking lot, it began to rain hard...but soon that ended and I was able to wander quite a while before the crowds came. The colors were extra vibrant due to the wetness, and the misty air added a sense of drama and mystique. Everything was well designed and well kept, and it was easy to see why this venue comes so highly recommended. Leaving the gardens, I drove to the next peninsula east, to visit the rocky coastline and Pemaquid Point, where there is a lighthouse to visit. The long, grooved pattern of the rocks reminded me of some of the ridges I recently hiked in the Hundred Mile Wilderness, only these were being pounded by the surf. Next I drove to Rockport, where I stopped at a roadside seafood stand to have a crab cake sandwich...followed by some browsing and shopping in Camden. I'm so glad I was able to enjoy these past two days, when the weather was not good for hiking, climbing, or having nice mountaintop views. Tomorrow afternoon Rob and I will head to Millinocket to spend the night. I plan to summit Katahdin on Friday.
Date: 2015-08-27
From: Farmington, Maine

To: Millinocket, Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

The short, sweet entry for today is this: Rob and I packed what we needed, did errands and work today, loaded the car, got to Millinocket, had dinner, and went for a few supplies. The tiny bottle of pink champagne is chilling. The weather forecast is for clear, blue skies tomorrow. I've hiked nearly 2200 miles, and am as prepared for this as I can be. Katahdin, here we come!
Date: 2015-08-29
To: Farmington, Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I'm continuing to rest and recover and reflect. Since I took nearly a week off trail before summitting Katahdin, you might think I've already finished with that stage. Not so. A thru-hiker's feet and knees have taken an incredible beating over the course of 2200 miles. My feet hurt, every day. When I get up in the morning, they don't want to wake up. They are stiff and sort of numb. They are tender on the bottom. It isn't injury, it's just overuse. Same with the knees. It's tough to stand and walk across a room. Stairs are daunting, especially down. Word on the street is that these things take time. Maybe 6 months before feeling "normal" again. After lifting myself up, over and down the boulders yesterday on Katahdin, my right shoulder that got over - extended when I fell in NH, got stressed again. My elbow that was skinned down to bone is healed on the outside, with a scar, but still hurts on the inside. The good news is that I have eaten myself silly since arriving at Rob's house, and have put on so much weight that I think I'm now heavier than when I began my hike. Also, most of the scrapes snd bruises are gone from my legs. I am getting better sleep at night. I am starting to relax, physically and mentally. And tomorrow I'm heading home! I had a bit of free time left today, and an available jeep, and wanted to go for a long walk outside, somewhere that wouldn't hurt...so I returned to the coast to stroll on the sand. It was sunny and breezy, and I was able to spend a long time thinking things through my head, instead of picking my way along, trying to judge the safety of each step. I'll let you in on some of those thoughts when I get the chance. Many thanks for all the positive emails and congratulations!
Date: 2015-09-01
To: facts and figures
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

For those of you who may be curious about the numbers...Push the "stats" button to see how many days I hiked, a breakdown of miles, averages, zeros, etc. I know I seemed to be quite a "slacker" towards the end of my hike. This was to save my feet, my back, my sanity! But put into perspective, of the 127 days I was actually hiking, only 20 of them included slack-packing. The other 107 were full pack. Believe me, I noticed!!! Miles hiked with slack-pack were 299.3, while 1889.9 were fully loaded.As for my "figure", I started out weighing 111 pounds. I dropped at one point to 105 pounds. My average hiking weight was 108 poinds. By the time I finished hiking Katahdin, I weighed 113 pounds, thanks to the wonderful food I got in Maine, especially at Rob & Cheryl's house!The trip cost me roughly $5503.67, or just a little over $1100 per month. That includes food, lodging, park fees, gear replacements/fixes/additions, mailing costs, host/hostess gifts, travel costs, shuttles, etc.Speaking of gear replacements, that was primarily trail runners, at 4 pairs (I started with a partially used pair that I didn't count).As for initial gear cost, I will put that at around $2000. Thanks to the generosity of some very special people (you know who you are) the trip costs were offset by cash gifts of $620. Many, many thanks for that!!!!!Of course, I cannot possibly add up the amount saved due to the unbelievably incredible gifts of trail magic and hospitality and free rides along the way. As the Visa commercial says: priceless.
Date: 2015-09-02
To: some questions answered
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Q: what have I been doing since I've been home?A: going for long walks...it seems as though it's my default setting, and what I do best*** playing Bach and Beethoven on my newly tuned baby grand...I'm not really much of a pianist, but it's somehow become a bit of a relaxing outlet***Trying to re-connect with loved ones and friends...though this is difficult due to their busy schedules: I don't have one yet***Becoming reacquainted with my car, my house, my neighborhood, and the surrounding area and stores...there is a definite readjustment to all.***Going through mail, piles and boxes of leftover odd gear, sorting stuff***eating foods I haven't even thought of in a long timeQ: What were 3 best things/parts of hiking the AT?A: number one was the shared hiking experience with my trail buddy through the NH Whites and into Maine. Number two was the trail angel/trail magic "phenomenon"...it's everything good and wonderful that anyone has ever said about it, and so much more. Number three, for me, was the days when I was able to "cruise" the trail, one with nature, beauty, the Creator, my body firing on all cylinders, heart singing.Q: What were 3 worst things/parts of hiking the Trail?A: number one was bad/rough/poor trail conditions...when you have to give all your attention to staying upright and in forward motion, there is no room for enjoyment or thoughts of anything else, and I found it exhausting both mentally and physically. Number two was multiple days in a row of wet weather: rain is ok so long as there is a dry - out opportunity, not so much if there isnt. And three would be poor AT&T cell service at the worst possible times...and therefore inability to communicate as needed.Q: What almost caused you to go off the Trail?A: severe Plantar fasciitis around the 2 month point, my fall in NH, the departure of my hiking buddy in Maine.Q: what convinced you to keep going?A: 1. support and help and encouragement from fellow hikers and readers and friends and family, 2. my reasons for being on the Trail in the first place, and 3. My stubborn determination in spite of everythingQ: were ticks a problem?A: not for me. I had one tick, one time, and got it off as soon as I found it.Q: was it scary on the Trail?A: no. Well, yes. But only from the standpoint of being afraid to fall and hurt myself. I did fall many times. Those were primarily small scrapes and bruises, mere slips. Q: how did the Trail change you?A: very good question. It did change me. I'm still pondering on the how part. I will honestly try to answer that one in another post...for both the person who asked it, and for myself.
Date: 2015-09-03
To: answering that question
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

For years, I enjoyed what I considered to be THE one and only real mocha, once a week, at the local Caribou. Then one day, Caribou in Northeast Ohio no longer existed. Before I started on the AT I discovered there was one remaining Caribou in Ohio, inside a grocery in Findlay, of all places. I wanted to go over there and "reunite" with an old favorite, but always, there were reasons of practicality not to do so. A few days ago, my daughter, a fellow fan, mentioned it, and asked if we could go. I said yes. What does that have to do with the question at hand? Well, this: before the AT I asked if it was practical, if it was reasonable, if it was logical to drive more than 2 hours across the state for a cup of coffee. Today I ask, "why not?"...and then get in the car. The AT has changed my perspective a bit. If something is possible, and you want to do it, then it's probably worth it. Don't sit around looking for reasons to talk yourself out of it. Obviously, there are limits to this...but I'm pretty happy I went today for that delicious cup, with the added bonus of a free museum exhibit and my daughter's company besides. Which brings up another "change". Before the AT, I would most likely have come home from a trip and started putting things in order, reorganizing my home and life first of all. Since the AT, I am very much wanting to re-connect with the people that matter "back home" first of all...let the stuff fall as it may, for now. Of course, there are trivial and temporary ways I've been changed, too: my sense of smell is much more defined...I move and walk differently...I have very odd deep tan lines...I don't care to be on a set schedule, especially when it comes to food; I am used to eating when I'm hungry, at any odd time of day or evening...going for a walk requires far more than a half hour, which hardly seems worth it...I am tired suddenly and often. I suspect these will probably return to the way they were before long. But you never know.
Date: 2015-09-04
To: Good friends
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I got the chance to visit some good friends this afternoon, and then the visit extended to a supper invitation. The hugs from this cutie next to me were good medicine for my soul. It seemed that she, along with her family, understood hiker time quite well; they knew that a half hour visit wasn't going to cover enough ground, and that a slow savoring of each other is best, in a real family setting. It reminded me of some of the trail angel experiences I had while I was hiking; the sharing and the giving of time for one another. Of course, that happened sometimes on the Trail as well, among the hikers. When it did, it was rich and wonderful. Other times, though, that oft-heard and repeated phrase echoed along the trail: "Hike your own hike". I believe the original intent of that line was to allow for differences in the modes and styles with which individuals approached their thru hikes. That's a good thing. However I feel it has somehow evolved into more of a "do whatever you want to, whenever you want to, to whomever you want to and wherever you want to" sort of thing. I'm sad about that, honestly. There's a dog eat dog mentality out there, an each for ones own philosophy, that fails to take into account that what you do affects others, and the Trail is made up of more than dirt and stones. It is a shame that so often, the hike that's chosen doesn't include care, or compassion, or patience, or generosity, or trying to walk in someone else's shoes (not literally, of course...ouch!) or learning their story, simply because there are miles to be hiked that day so it's look out for number one. It's too bad when what is left behind at shelters is trash and belongings someone didn't want to carry out and carved names and initials, simply because "hike your own hike" to some people means making your own rules and doing your own thing. So today was a reminder (to myself, as well) that freedom means the allowance to do what is good, and kind, and responsible, and sacrificial, and honest, and loving. Even on a hike.