morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-10-23
From: Galesburg IL 

To: Galesburg IL
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

Spent the past two days substitute teaching at GHS. I love subbing! The kids are great, and I ALWAYS have a good time.  I haven¢t done a thing with my pack yet. I do have a solid plan now for my return to the trail. We will leave Illinois on Saturday and drive back to Paducah.  We¢ll stay in Paducah a few days. The twins birthday party is Sunday, and we will trick-or-treat with all of the grands on Halloween. We even have costumes!  The morning after Halloween we are flying down the highway as fast as we can to the trail! I¢m hoping to be ¢boots down¢ on the 3rd of November. Papa Big Swig says depending on traffic and time it might be the 4th. I¢m hoping for the 3rd.  I¢ve been texting with Hugs while off trail. She misses hiking, and she misses her tramily. Selfishly, I wish she would come back. My photo today is of a frog I met in the 100 mile wilderness. He was in a little puddle near the big falls. I saw a lot of toads, but only a few frogs. I love all creatures... big or small!  Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-10-25
From: Galesburg IL

To: Galesburg 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Appointments appointments appointments! Yesterday I saw the eye doctor. I have ordered new glasses to replace the ones that were claimed by the trail. I¢m not sure how long it will take to get them in. I¢ll continue wearing a pair from a few years ago until then...better than nothing.  I also saw the chiropractor. This is my second visit since being in Galesburg. I¢m squeezing two more visits in before I leave.  The last thing yesterday was an appointment at the body shop for my vehicle. In Maine the SUV was a victim of hit and run. There is no way the other driver couldn¢t have known it happened as my entire quarter panel needs replaced. But, no note was left for us, and we¢ll never know how it happened.  Today I have a doctor appointment for a work physical, I¢m seeing the dentist to get my teeth cleaned, and I¢m teaching CPR at a local nursing home. I need to start hiking again so I can get some rest. Haha! Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-10-27
From: Galesburg IL

To: Paducah Ky
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The week in Illinois was a busy one. Last night I had family from far and wide and a few local friends surprise me with a little get together held in my honor. Me?!? I¢m not worthy...really I¢m not.(but it was so much fun) Papa Big Swig pulled a big one right over my eyes! It was really nice visiting with the ones I love and miss. I¢ll see you all in the Spring! I taught my last CPR class this morning at the nursing home. Papa Big Swig loaded the SUV while I was teaching. I quickly visited my favorite neighbors from both sides, and now we¢re on the road to Paducah.  There¢s lots of activity happening in Paducah this week. The twins¢ birthday party is tomorrow. LASER TAG!!! Somebody¢s going down! Then trick-or-treating on Wednesday with all the grands! Stay tuned for some Blue Raccoon & Papa Big Swig costume photos. I¢ll be helping my daughter with party organization tonight as soon as we get there.... probably until the wee hours of the morning. She throws awesome parties for her kids!  Thursday morning me and Papa Big Swig will be trail bound! It feels like forever. I also feel like I¢m going soft already. It doesn¢t take long for that to happen. My plan is to only hike 10 or 12 miles the first day back. I¢ll camp out and do another 10 or 12 miles the next day. Easing myself back into it.  Today¢s photo is of me summiting Saddleback Mountain after cowboy camping the night before.  It was a rough night! I¢m hiking in my sleep thermals and shorts!  We were getting off trail that day, so I didn¢t care.  Pretty sure I just wanted to get to the extraction point with my wet gear/extra heavy pack!  Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-10-28
From: Paducah Ky

To: Paducah Ky
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I had another great day with family! My daughter hosted a houseful of kids and adults for the twins birthday party. Papa Big Swig and I had a blast. My son-in-law missed the party because he stayed in Lexington with our grandson Josh for his state football finals. Josh¢s team finished second in the state. I¢m impressed by that alone, but there¢s a cherry on top! Josh was named defensive MVP! I¢m 2 sacks and 10 tackles proud!!! We only have a couple more days with the kids before I head back to the trail. As ready as I am to start back hiking, this visit has been nice. One of my readers mentioned micro-spikes. They¢re going to be necessary now. I¢ll be stopping at REI on my way back. Thanks for suggesting them.  Today¢s photo is of the trail at Greenleaf Hut. I love the pines with snow on them. It¢s so pretty! Winter has not hit the Midwest yet, but I¢m ready. Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-10-31
From: Paducah Ky

To: Paducah 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Trick or Treat was changed to yesterday due to expected bad weather. Today is predicted thunderstorms starting at 10am. Papa Big Swig did not get to trick or treat with us. He went back to Illinois to pick up my SUV from the body shop. He says it looks great!  Today I¢m getting my big pack ready. We¢ll leave early tomorrow morning and finally be heading back to the trail! Yay!! It takes a couple of days to get there, but I¢m ready.  My first night out is predicted to be a low of 30 degrees. Not worried. Love my Big Agnes down sleeping bag! I¢ll be warm and snug.  Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-11-02
From: Cincinnati 

To: Vermont 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

We left Paducah yesterday and stayed at a hotel in Cincinnati last night. I tried Skyline Chili for the first time yesterday. I guess it¢s famous in Cincinnati. It was just ¢okay¢ for me.  I¢m so excited to get back on the trail! So much so that I was up before the sun! Both Papa Big Swig and I are ready to get this last 14 hours of driving/riding behind us. I was able to order micro-spikes from REI yesterday. I had them shipped to our hotel in Vermont. I may have to hike a day or two without them before they arrive though. I¢ll just continue to be careful...as usual. I¢ve changed my hiking plans for tomorrow. I¢m going to do a NERO, then 14 miles the next day. This way I can slack pack. Sadly my knees are still pretty rough, as well as my low back and left hip. I¢m just going to nurse myself along for this final stretch. Something else new is that we will not have the camper. Most campsites are closed for the season now. Papa Big Swig will be staying in hotels, and sometimes tenting with me. I told him I would be ok on my own, but he¢s not having that. I got a good one! Today¢s photo is of me by a cairn watching clouds roll away and the sun come out. I was coming down from Katahdin where it had been a grey abyss. At this moment I was following Cairn piles to Abol Slide Trail. It was a difficult, tedious descent, but our best views were from there that day. Boots on tomorrow! Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-11-03
From: NH RT 25c 

To: NH route 25A
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: heavy intensity rain

I woke up this morning in our hotel room at the Comfort Inn in White River Junction Vermont. I had the hotel breakfast and began getting things together for my slack pack NERO today. I am SO disorganized! I left a lot of things in the camper which is now parked at my sister-in-law¢s in Georgia! Ugh!  So off I went with no pocket knife, no ear warmer, no rain poncho, and only one contact lens. It wa a 40 minutes drive to my starting point. I was pleasantly surprised to still see colorful leaves on the trees. It made for a beautiful drive and reminded me of a Thomas Kinkade painting.  During the drive I saw a ¢moose crossing¢ sign, and my mind immediately went to my tramily. I really do miss them. We text regularly, but it sure isn¢t the same. Papa Big Swig pulled up to my start location. Seylor and I soon found ourselves going UP. I couldn¢t believe it, but I was short of breath! It wasn¢t even a true mountain! I think it was about an 1200 foot elevation gain. No more two weeks off trail!  Last night¢s weather forecast called for rain all day, but this morning it had been pushed back until noon. That meant I was able to enjoy myself without being wet for a while. The forest has a new look now. Not just parts of it, but the entire forest floor is carpeted with leaves! It¢s so pretty to see. The higher I went, the more bare the trees became, and the thicker the carpet. At one point Seylor and I stopped in our tracks as a wind made it snow leaves all around us. I wasn¢t quick enough to catch it all, but today¢s photo is the tail end of that moment.  It wasn¢t raining this morning, but last night¢s rain had left things good and wet. There were creeks where I¢m pretty sure they normally are not. I was crossing on a log and slipped right off. I didn¢t fall, but my boots were soaked. Once again I felt cool water rushing over the top of my boots and down to surround my feet. I said to myself out loud ¢welcome back¢! Then I giggled a little. Seylor on the other hand just traipsed right through every creek, puddle, or muddy bog she could get her paws into. After two days in a vehicle, she was tail wagging happy out there just being a dog. The rains came when o had about 45 minutes of hiking left. I pulled out my fancy Packa rain gear and sloshed on. Sometimes it sprinkled and sometimes it poured, but I just loved whatever I got. It was down to a sprinkle when I popped out onto the road where Papa Big Swig was waiting. He was prepared with towels for both Seylor and I. I¢m calling this little NERO a great start getting back on trail! Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-11-12
From: USFS 10

To: Mad Tom Notch Road
Miles today: 12.2
Weather: overcast clouds

With a short hike planned for today I slept in a bit. That made for a late start, but it was nice because the sun was out in full view. The temp was in the 20¢s, but I felt warm. The air was still and it was a perfect day for hiking.  Rocks Rocks Rocks. I think this is the ¢white Rocks¢ section. It¢s rightfully named!  I hiked beside Big Branch River. Rushing water was music to my ears as usual. Soon I crossed a nice wooden bridge and hiked right up to Big Branch Shelter.  It¢s a small but nice shelter with a good picnic table out front. I sat there a few minutes and enjoyed the river. From there I began a 3.5 miles ascent up to Baker Peak 2762ft elevation. On the trek up I realized I heard no gunshots this morning. This must be a protected area.  The nice thing about being at a high elevation is that everything is frozen over.... until it¢s not. And that my friends is how one ends up with a boot full of bog! At the summit I sat down and ate my lunch. I could see icy slabs on the descent so I just put my micro-spikes on right then. I¢m so glad I did! Those things are a game changer! I was thinking to myself that it¢s nice the Long Trail is here too. In this area I had plenty of footprints in the snow making it easier to stay on trail. Until I realized I wasn¢t. UGH! I blindly followed those footprints right on down a blue blaze! 0.5 miles there, 0.5 miles back and no credit for it. Once I was back on trail I found myself on a very long boardwalk. It took me past a beautiful iced over lake. It was completely still, no water moved.  Eventually I crossed over 3 wooden bridges to Peru Peak Shelter. From there I started going UP. My journey UP took me through a snow covered pine forest. It was one of those LIGHTS ON moments. I had to take a photo. I reached the top of Styles Peak at 3380ft elevation to see the most spectacular view!  The climb up had been challenging trudging through the snow with heavy boots. So glad I did it! It was only about a mile going back down the other side. I beat Papa Big Swig to my pick up location. It was a short wait.  Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018) Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-11-13
From: Mad Tom Notch Road

To: VT route 11/30
Miles today: 5.5

I have a planned NERO today. The NERO is mostly due to weather, but laundry needs done, and we¢re moving our lodging a little further south. I¢m making ground! It was pointed out in my guestbook that I¢m now past 1900 miles! I didn¢t even realize. Thanks for keeping track Jay! It was 12:30pm when I finally got on trail. There were a few fat snowflakes still falling and wetness from the trees, but no real precipitation. Seylor joined me for my NERO. We started out going UP. Snow had fallen overnight, then the rain turned it into a thick deep slush. My calves felt every upward step I took. I was working so hard on that first 2.5 miles of UP my body began to overheat. Before I was a mile in I had to stop and shed some clothes. Much improved!  Before I knew it I had reached the top of Bromley Mountain at 3263ft elevation. It was a little surreal as I came to the summit.  I could barely make out a broken down concrete structure in the mist. As I got closer I could read the lettering directing me to turn right. It was a bald up there and the snow was whipping around making visibility low. As I hiked past the concrete structure I slowly began to make out the remnants of a ski slope. I was on a ski slope! I¢m not a skier, but even I could tell the powder was perfect.  I hiked past a building and what¢s left of a ski lift. Then I went right on down the slope. It was easy hiking, and lots of fun!  I could clearly picture that mountain full of life with smiling young people skiing down that slope. I was a little saddened that it is no more.  The A.T. took a right turn back into the woods. It was a steady down for a couple of miles to the parking area where Papa Big Swig waited.  Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018) Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-11-14
From: USFS 71 

To: VT route 11/30
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: light rain

Last night I planned for a long hike today. For logistical reasons I chose to flip and go it Northbound.  It was 18 degrees when I hopped out of the SUV in the Green Mountain National Forest.  I began hiking in the snow.  The bogs were a little more frozen than yesterday. That was nice, but they were still slushy enough to make my boots heavy.  I had fun this morning looking at all the different animal tracks in the snow. I recognized deer tracks, and thought I possibly saw porcupine tracks, and maybe some kind of a cat. There must be some wild cats around here. I came to a nice wooden bridge and crossed a creek. From there I started UP for my only big climb of the day.  A fallen tree was across the trail. I was debating if I should go over it or under it when I heard a raucous to my right. I looked up to see a beautiful moose! He was huge! A gorgeous chocolate brown color. I just watched him trot away into the woods as I thanked God for blessing me with that special moment. I continued on my 4 miles journey UP to the peak of Stratton Mountain at 3940ft elevation.  I hadn¢t gone far before I started seeing moose tracks in the snow. Shortly after that I came across a big old pile of moose poop. Looks like my moose was going SOBO until my presence ruined his plans. With about 2.5 miles left to go the incline significantly increased. This snow really makes a difference in the amount of physical effort it takes to climb.  The summit was worth every ounce of effort I put in! Pretty awesome! All of the pine trees were covered with ice. It was really a sight to see. There¢s also an excessively tall fire tower up there. Just like the pine trees, it was covered with ice too. I chose not to climb. It was 3.1 miles down from the summit to Stratton Pond Shelter. That was my planned lunch stop.  On the way down I was texting with Papa Big Swig. My socks were wet and my feet were cold. I told him tomorrow I¢m bringing an extra pair of socks to change into at lunch time. So I arrived at the shelter at 1pm. I was starving and cold. Dropped pack and began to pull out my food. I was thinking how nice this shelter is when I looked up on a bunk platform to see a completely dry pair of long men¢s socks! Oh yes! The trail provides!  I left there with a full belly and happy feet!  It was mostly a downhill hike from there. A couple of hours later I crossed paths with Billy. He¢s the Long Trail hiker I met the last time I did a NOBO flip. He¢s doing well. I suggested he stay at the Stratton Pond Shelter tonight. I hope he did. Soon the sun began to set behind the mountains. I snapped a photo before the colors disappeared.  I switched my headlamp to on and night hiked the last hour. As always, Papa Big Swig was there with a hug and a soda! Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-11-16
From: The Berkshire Hills Hotel

To: The Betkshire Hills Hotel
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Nov 16I woke up this morning still in pain. My left hip and low back hate me. Both of my big toes are rubbed raw from wet socks, and my knee is swollen again. Ugh! Papa Big Swig firmly put his foot down. He refuses to let me hike this morning. I only have 14 miles left of Vermont. I guess today won¢t be the day. It¢s a big bummer for me, but I really didn¢t put up much resistance. We found an awesome Chiropractor in Williamstown Mass. However, she¢s moving her office to North Adams this weekend. Anyway, her name is Dr Quevillon(Dr Q). She¢s amazing! I¢m just throwing it out there for folks who live in the area. Two thumbs up for her, and her holistic approach! I¢ll be spending the rest of today relaxing. Tomorrow morning Papa Big Swig and I are heading to Paducah to spend Thanksgiving with the kids and grands.  I have such mixed feelings about this. With a two days drive there, two days drive back, and a few days there, I¢ll be at least a week off trail again. This is the final time I¢ll be off trail until I finish.  As usual I¢ll journal a bit while I¢m gone. I have exciting plans for my return! I¢ll tell you about that tomorrow. Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018) Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-11-17
From: The Betkshire Hills Hotel

To: Ohio
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

Riding in a vehicle is one of my least favorite things to do, but here I am...doing it. I just as well make the best of the time, so I started planning my next seven hiking days. I¢m super excited for them! When I return to the trail, I¢m taking one day to slack pack the rest of Vermont, then I¢m full packing again! Papa Big Swig has some business in Florida, and I¢ll be on my own for 6 days. I¢m really looking forward to it! This will all be new to me. I¢ve never camped overnight in these weather conditions before. Though I am considering ¢shamping¢.(Shelter camping) Adding to my challenge is the fact that NOBODY else is out there right now. I¢ll be completely alone.  We¢ll see just how good my survival skills really are! I feel like I have a good plan. I¢m limiting my miles each day. This means I¢m basically hiking from shelter to shelter. On day 3 I¢ll be in a town. If there is lodging I may stay one night there. I can re-supply and do laundry before I head back out. I still need to research hotels/hostels.  Big Kahuna is on the Cape. It¢s a bit of a distance, but he¢s my emergency contact. It¢s very nice having him available, but I don¢t anticipate needing a thing. I think I¢ve got this! Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018) Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-11-18
From: Ohio

To: Paducah KY
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I woke up this morning in a hotel somewhere in Ohio. Papa Big Swig grabbed us an early morning Starbucks and we were soon on our way to Paducah.  I spent some time in the vehicle reconfiguring my hiking plans. I realized I cannot get off trail where I thought I could on my slack pack day. This pushes me 3 or 4 more miles south. Fine by me. I¢m also now considering finding someone in or near Cheshire Mass willing to work with me on some slack packing. The ¢ins & outs¢ on the trail all around Greylock are great!  Decisions decisions...Richard Loesche asked about the location of my finish. The finish line for me is Greenwood Lake NY. That is approximately 241 miles.  I got this! Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-11-20
From: Paducah KY

To: Paducah 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

So the decision is made that I will definitely try to slack pack around Greylock. Thanks to one of my readers Dean, I did find David Ackerson¢s phone number and will give him a call tomorrow. Praying he can shuttle me!  My waterproof boots have arrived here at my daughter¢s house. Hopefully I¢ll be able to keep my feet dry now. Even still, anything can happen. I could slip off a log at a water crossing, step in a bog, or snow drifts can be over the top of my boots. For those reasons Papa Big Swig thinks I should try wearing waterproof socks too. Tomorrow I¢ll go through my pack and make sure I¢ve only got what I need. I have a tendency to carry things I can do without. I¢ll also make sure I¢m really 100% winter ready. I¢ll line my pack with a contractors bag to help keep wetness out. I¢ll also make sure I¢ve got my layers as right as I can get them. I¢m finding layering more difficult than I expected in this colder weather. I¢ve worn long johns a few times. They¢re great in the early mornings when it¢s bitter cold, but by noon I¢m usually sweating. It¢s not easy or convenient to take off your bottom layer. I¢ve actually never stopped and taken them off, I always just deal with the sweat. Not sure I¢ll want to get that sweaty when I¢m out there for several overnights. Sweat now means freezing later. Other than that, we¢re getting ready for Thanksgiving. We bought three turkeys today! I¢m looking forward to a great big meal with my precious family! I am so blessed! Thankful and blessed. Tiday¢s Photo is of my granddaughter Charley Faye. She¢s giving the hiker peace sign...just like Nama does. Until Next TimeBlue Raccoon (2018) Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-11-24
From: Paducah 

To: Paducah
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light snow

November 24I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I¢ve been enjoying my kids and grands, and thinking about my final leg on the A.T. Many thanks to my readers who suggested David Ackerson. He and I have a plan. Even better, Big Kahuna is coming for a couple of the days! He¢ll hike in with me a little each day, then go back to the car so he can pick me up at the end of my day. He is THE BEST trail brother ever! EVER! Transitioning back into the real world has been in the forefront of my mind. This is not going to be easy. I did some Black Friday shopping with my girls. Ugh! I just couldn¢t believe that I used to feel the need to be a part of that madness. It was horrible! Everybody is being inundated with mind altering garble. I won¢t ever go again!We¢re doing family photos today, and a big dinner tomorrow. Papa Big Swig and I will be on the road right after dinner. Speaking of photos  Today is a Picture of our old girl Gypsy Rose.  She didn¢t seem to mind the spectaclesI plan to finish up Vermont on the 28th! Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?