morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-08-30
From: Kent, Connecticut

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today, I spent most of the day with my father. We went to the Eye Doctors to straighten out my mangled glasses, visited my old work place, went and met my friend Julie for an Indian Buffet (I had to stop for a hamburger on the way, my tummy is just screaming for food), and went to the EMS that I used to work at to exchange my pack, and poles. Stopping at Starbucks, and Friendly's (REESES PIECES SUNDAE!)on the way home. I was exhausted and went for a nap and took it easy for the day. Finding my wallet in the mail, Thank You Curly Dan!   I also recieved some bad news. Boomhouser had to get off the trail due to his fathers health. I couldn't help but to feel a little ache for him. I emailled him and wished him well. I'm disappointed that I was unable to hike with him, I didn't even get a chance to appoligize to him in person. I was hoping that me and him would get a chance to chat around a fire, being from two differant world. The great thing about Boomhouser was that he was just an uplifting soul. He just knew how to tell a story and bring laughter into anyones heart. I'm really upset that I didn't get a chance to see him and appoligize. I think about calling him to see if he is okay, but our last run in was not that joyfull. My heart is saddend and my prayers are with his family.
Date: 2003-09-21
From: The Cabin Shelter

To: Route 25a
Miles today: 0.0

Happy Birthday, Julie! I saw her today, with a lot of other great faces!Today, I woke up around 6:00 and was out of the cabin by 7:30. I hiked up to some great scenic rock views and just looked around and thought "isn't that nice," but it didn't touch me like the views once did.Am I truly getting burnt out from hiking? Or am I just so accustomed to a life style on the trail? I just can't help to wonder why Katahdin is no longer important to me. Alicia asked me today what is important to me. I really don't know anymore.I hiked 10.2 miles by 11:30 am and met up with Dennis. What a great sight that was. He drove down from Maine with his mom to "get away" and come see me. It was so great! We went to eat at a small restaurant called the Garlic Cove. I had a piece of lasagna, onion soup, and hot cocoa, yummy!!! Then we found a place for laundry, had ice cream, then went to North Conway to go shopping. I bought a new, lighter ice axe. I know I won't use it on this trip, but I was looking for a smaller lighter axe all last year and this was love at first sight for me. So I couldn't resist.Then we drove to Pinkham Notch to meet up with Julie, Kenny, and Derek for dinner. They also brought Alicia, Julie's co-worker. I felt great to eat and be around familiar faces.I tried breaking the news that I've been thinking about getting off the trail. No one supported that topic. They all pretty much said they would be upset. I only have a month to go, and I'm almost done.At this point, I could only think of a conversation I had with Mooky. He said when he was in Maine, he came across hikers that we miserable and are just hiking to finish the trail. I don't want to end my trip that way. I'm going to sleep on it tonight and the rest of the week.   If I'm not enjoying the trail, I think I'll hitch home.Maybe I'm just pushing my body too hard. Maybe tomorrow will bring a bit of happiness. Solitude. Now I know how I would react.
Date: 2003-09-23
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today I did zero. It rained so hard and I would have a steep descent. I feel so anti-social. I feel like I have a hard socially. I'm going out tomorrow and give myself 7 days. I called my sister today, tried to explain how I feel but couldn't. I called my Uncle Ronald. He is going to notify Lillian on if he can come up. Denny offered to come get me if I decide to get off. And I called Boomhouser who has this pecial talent to cheer people up. I didn't get any Hemmingway in my mail drop yet. I tried to call Chad from Delaware Water Gap. I just left a message.
Date: 2003-09-24
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Camped 1 mile South of Eliza Brook Shelter on Mt. Wolf.Today I didn't get the miles I wanted to. I missed it by 1 mile.I went above tree line for the first time on this trip today. The trail I took it slower than I should have in daylight. I just hiked a really relaxed pace. It caught up to me in the evening. The trail was wet, boggy, and just flooded my past 4 miles. Not fun. My feet got muddy, cold, and wet. I put on my dry socks. I hope that will heat them up tonight. I'm in my hammock and I'm worried about getting cold. It's supposed to have a 40 degree low tonight. But with me being at a higher elevation, I worry. My bag is rated 40 degrees. I put on my dry long underwear and put some of my extra clothes in the bag. I hope this works. I think I'm so tired I'll just sleep anyway. Today I ran across a guy doing the IT (International Trail Quebec-Key West). His name was Crash Test Dummy and the blood marking on his legs can confirm the name fits. He was I guess a trail angel. Someone who comes when you need them. We ate dinner and just talked. He lifted my spirits. I have to remember to get his email address out of the shelter register. He is running low on trail funds, so I told him I'll mail him a food drop when I'm back to working. It was nice to sit and have dinner. Well I'm going to fall asleep now. PS fleece notesLate Entry--Pack Rat from the hostel lent me a fleece. I was very thankful this evening.
Date: 2003-09-25
To: Lonesome Lake Shelter
Miles today: 0.0

Thank God I had the fleece. It kept me warm last night. I'm going to need to call for my 20 degree bag to be sent to me.I woke up this morning and just wish I could leave. But the harsh reality was that I was in a valley between 2 mountains and nowhere to go. I woke up really early but just laid in my tent until 9:00 am. Then I finally got my courage to go out in the cold and packed up. I was not much in the mood for cooking. Plus my water was low, so I just ate gorp. Then I went on. I stopped at Kingsman Pond Campsite, met up with a family from Penn. I talked to them, playing 21-most-thru-hiker-asked questions, which I really don't mind, plus they gave me crackers, cheese, and gorp! Yummy! Then I went to the Lonesome Lake Hut.Lonesome Lake Hut--the name just seemed to fit. Plus, I thought the little break will help cheer me up. I was wrong. Instead, I'm writing while a group of 40 children are eating. My day not improving. Nor my spirits. Rain...Buttercup
Date: 2003-09-26
From: Lonesome Lake Shelter

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

11:00 am. I blue blazed to Mt. Lafayette Place Campground. I cut about a mile off the trail. And might hitch back on. I did my work for stay at Lonesome Lake Hut. They had me wash walls down with bleach. I wasn't able to hike out until 9:30-10:00. I'm miserable! I'm going to call me sister now. Maybe I'll take a bus home.I hiked down the trail in tears. Mentally, I can't take it anymore. I won't finish on Katahdin. I'm cold. My feet wet x 3 days. And I'm freezing at night.
Date: 2003-10-03
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

I woke up in the Barn Hostel this morning. The air was cold and I could see my breath. Do I go home I thought, the bus leaves around 8a.m. to Boston. The temptation was there, but I'm 16 miles from Maine. My heart is broken, its like a realationship that is going sour, my emotions are going in every direction. I'm torn...I went to breakfast at Duncan Donuts with Flying Bear and Laughing Bird this morning. It really felt good, I snapped out of my isolation/withdrawn state of mind. Mentally I'm feeling better, but physically this cold is kicking my butt. But allmost all the hikers caught a cold. Oh yeah, breakfast. Laughing Bird gave me the news that Flying Bear, Curly Dan, Pilgrim, Seamus, and herself were planning on doing a Flip-Flop (going to Katahdin and hiking south the the point they flipped). This stirrs more heartache in this batch of butter.I origanally did not want to Flip Flop, I kind of wanted to end my hike at Baxter State Park. I know it most likely won't be on Mt. Katahdin, but Baxter is fine with me. The news of them flip-flopping broke my heart, do I go northbound and hike alone in the cold or do I end in Gorham and have the company of others. I want to cry. Then I remember that Espy and Bluebird are still on the trail. I ran into him and he also decided to flip, bummer. Now if I do decide to go Northbound, I would be alone with just the chance of catching up to True North and Little Red Ravine Pants who already have 2 full days on me. If they are hiking 15mile days, I would have to do six 20mile days to catch up. Its hard, mentally and physically. Plus they do more then 15miles a day so it would take longer to catch up. I am surounded by hikers again, and happy. But this loneliness still lays in my heart. I'm heart broken. I once loved this trail so much. I still want to hike but don't know how far or how long I really want to go. I want to go North Bound but then I'm sure to be alone. Its starting to get cold out and darker faster, so the urges to cook diner is getting harder. Also waking up in the morning is getting more difficult everyday, getting out of the warm sleeping bag knowing that you have to hike in the cold. Katahdin has turned into a beast that I hate more everyday. Katahdin is no longer the beautiful mountain she used to be, but a miserable beast haunting me more everyday.
Date: 2003-10-06
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well, my broken heart is healing. I've met up with ESPY, Puffdaddy and Pilgrim at the barn. I called Paddler in Maine to come pick us up with plans to hike the 100 mile wilderness and see the BEAST, Katahdin. But my heart is still telling me to go back and north bound it. I guess I really want to still be on the trail, and I will try to finish. I will just climb katahadin while I'm in Maine, because there will be no chance of me climbing it when I finish at Baxter.My Gorham-Flu (yes, the flu affected many hikers and now has a name) is almost gone, just a little congestion left. My spirits are risen, and I would be back on the trail, but I must wait for some gear from home to hike comfortable. My funds are widdling down to pennies, and I have to be more conservative. No more Surf and Turf meals, massages, or motel room stays for me. I slept in the car ride yesterday pretty much the whole way up here. Pilgrim came knocking on the motel room door delivering the news the Two Dogs dog Izabell was hit by a car. So Paddler and I went and brought her to the vet 2 hours away. I think the dog is going to be okay. I pray that the dog will be okay. I think she will now finish her hike, a tough ending but with the miles she has done I'm sure it was a great journey in her heart.   I have to call my mom tonight and get my retro-EMS backpack. My first one that is so basic that it is basically uncomfortable. But it will hold up to the winter additional weight that I must now bear. I'm also am going to get a warmer jacket, pants, and questioning a pair of fleece pants. I dread the additional weight but I will need it to be comfortable. I think I might even get my ice-axe, I think that might be a little overkill, but it will make me feel more comfortable knowing it is there. I can look at the axe and think 'I AM A WARRIOR! I AM AN TOUGH AND INDESTRUCTIBLE!' Okay, so basically I will feel like a badass.   I know at this point I will be the last of the know North Bounder Thru-hikers, for I haven't given up. I also know that I will be in the snow and colder temps. But I will try, I will climb, and I will give it the best I got. A compass in one hane and a map in the other, for if show covers the trail I will find my way. My way back into a tough cold world that lies ahead!ps. thanks sis for signing my guess book and the others in the past week, it warmed my heart knowing that i'm getting cheared on. Thanks to Boomhouser for listening to me whine and encouraging me with e-mail. I really have felt like I was just being a whiner and a CANDYASS! (trail joke, Bill Bryson is a CANDYASS is a joke at traildays, because he didn't finish the trail).
Date: 2003-10-08
From: Leeman Brook Lean-to

To: Shaws Boarding House
Miles today: -7.0

I'm lost my faith on finishing this thru-hike. I tried skipping ahead to Munson and thought that hiking with others would cheer me up. Puff-Daddy, Epsy, and Pilgrim where great to hike with. But the truth of the matter was that my heart wasn't there. I couldn't go on knowing that I would have skipped a onehundred plus mile section, it was not the thru-hike that I had planned. The weather getting cold and my exhaustion is getting to me. Hiking has lost the charm that it once had. My heart aches, for it has shattered. I'm in a low, and have turned around to go back. Back to Munson I went, back to Shaw's I found my self. Seven miles in the wilderness, and then seven miles out of the wilderness. Durning the retrack, I found myself sitting on a rock, asking myself what would make my heart happy. One word, one name, and my heart was free and I smiled in side. I looked up at the sky and for it was blue. A bright blue that I have not seen much of these past 5 months, I thought this would be a beautiful day to end. As my heart shattered I found a little piece that was left behind was a bit of joy. A relief entered me and my blood pumped free. Is this the end or a new beganning I asked myself. With the pressure off and rest on the way, I had a tear in my eye. For this was my hike and noone can take it away from me. I have recieved so much from the trail. More then I could ever give back. I have walked in all the states from Georgia to Maine. If anyone want to criticize me go right ahead, but if you hiked the distance that I have you would appreciate the effort and understand the pain. I have drove my friends crazy for I have been so indecisive to no end. For my broken-heart has driven me insane. I loved the trail, but hated the beast. The beast of Katahdin haunting me everystep on my way. I was all of about 290 miles away, worrying of the weather, of the miles, of the hunger, of the pain. Now that I have let go ot the Beast for my heart is free. Free of worry, of the hunger, of the lack of health that my body brings.
Date: 2003-10-11
From: Shaws Boarding House

To: Bangor, Maine
Miles today: 0.0

What happens after you decide too finish? I don't know. I've been off the trail and took a lot of zero days before making my choice. I thought that I would sleep a lot, and get some spunk back in my everyday life. But here I am, still heartbroken, still exhausted, still hungry, the truth of the matter a part of me is still on the trail. The other part of me is in a pair of jeans, with perfume on. For I'm not with either parts.My mom is supposed to send me my heavier pack and some regular clothes (meaning other then nylon, wool, and fleece. Who ever thought cotton would be a big treat? Everyhour I think about returning to the point I left off at. Then I think of the shorter days, then my winter gear. I think of how I don't have a job, or where is my next appartment going to be. I think when is the next time I'm going to do the trail, yes that is a thought in my head. I guess not finishing will eat me up inside. Do I go back and finish while I'm still a hobo or do I plan for another year. I still have alot of working out of otherthings as well, like making my heart smile again. I guess I have to learn to deal with pain, because it seems no matter where I am I leave pain to fallow. Maybe this trip is a payoff for all the pain I've caused to others, so it took two ATs to break my heart in one year.
Date: 2003-10-12
From: Bangor, Maine

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Its funny how much of a routine I put myself into. It seems now writing is a bigger part in my life then ever. I really got in the habit of a journal. I kept one before the trip but it was never everynight. Now it is a part of my daily night routinel, I suguest trying to keep one sometimes. There pretty entertaining going back through.Have you ever look in the mirror and said "Who is that looking back at me, and what do they see? How do I look in their eyes?" That is what I feel like right now. I don't know who I am anymore. I'm not sure I ever did.Today, I went to Acadia Park and Bay Harbor in Maine. It was beautiful, yet depressing. I always thought I would go there with the someone special in my life, kayak the ocean, laugh in the rupture of the waves crashing on the rocks. I guess sometimes things aren't always as you've planned them in your head.I guess to some degree I'm having a hard time not finishing the trail. I guess I thought I would be happier off the trail. But the happynes is taking it's time to come back to me. Even today when I was on the mountain looking down at a small bit of the ocean, watching the clouds rolling quickly above my head I just felt a little isolated.   I thought jeans, lipstick, and unlimited supply of indoor plumming would make me feel better. The truth is it hasn't. Maybe 'm just in a bad mood, but thinking tomorrow will be a better day is really starting to get played out and old. Well, I'm going to try to battle this Yet another sleepless night.nights,Buttercup
Date: 2003-10-13
From: West Mountain

To: Graymore Friary
Miles today: 12.2

Today I hit the lowest point of the trail at Bear Mountain. It was very touresty. The trail went through an outdoor zoo, with animals seen o th trai. Then I crossed the Bear Bridge. Which is an big iron bridge under construction, so it was very loud and stinky. The hike out of town was steep, but thank goodness it was short. I made it in time for th Greymore Friary dinner list. The dinner was very simple. Fish soup, salad bar, chicken atties with french fries, a seledction of juices, milks, breads. They asked if I had enough food to get me to where I was going. The answer was 'no', so they let me pack out two peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on rye. Yummy!(rye bread is non-existant in the southern states.)After an half of hour of not eating enough food, I walked around. This place is nice but has not been kept up with the maintance needed. That saddend my heart. Thre were alot of great attracions to me. A Holy Chaple thatwas small and quant. The Stationary of the Cross, which was set up outside with an outside alter (yes I brought my Rosiery Beads with me), a prayer garden with a little fih pond whic I plan on going to in the morning after Mass. Thee was also an church which I didn't enter because I couldn't figure out the right door to get in. Maybe I will see it tomorrow. This place give me a wrm feeling, but I felt tired as soon as I stepped ont it's ground.
Date: 2003-11-05
To: Breaking Free
Miles today: 0.0

Wow, what a past few weeks. I always thought after the trail I would want to see all my friend, and would be very social right after. But the truth be told, I went into hiding. I didn't call my friends at home right away. I just wanted solitude, for I needed to find a balance. I was a stranger to myself physically and mentally. I my heart was sad, and I just had a hard time to smile and get motivated. I was still lost in the mountains with a torn out heart. For my pulse was week. Day by day, I was getting out a little more. A phone call here, a trip to the store, then finally lunch with my best friend. I was getting cured. Dancing in my kitchen to a memory, thinking of how many more I have yet to make.There is life back in my blood giving me a stronger pulse for life. I've learned so much on the trail. But I think the two biggest things I've learned were"To let go" stop holding on to the past for I have a whole life ahead of me. "Its okay to quit" Walking off the trail and my dream was one of the hardest choices I had to make in my life. But I was not enjoying myself and I was unhealthy in more then a physical way. Toward the end I didn't smile for days, I just kept crying and pushing. Pushing to a self distruction. I've learned if your in a situation that is causing you more harm then good, walk away! For every end there's a new beganning. Life after the trail. Its left me with a brokenheart but a sense of accomplishment. I survived five and a half months in the woods. I traveled crossed country by foot and now by car. I definitly feel closer to my family.I decided to work a simple job at an outfiter for the holidays, then I'm going to look for a job back in the medical field. I do think about relocating on a daily basis. I sometimes think of Penn, Co., and now my oldest sister is pushing for Ohio. I'm going to take it one day at a time.I'm in the process of bringing my Dad to visit my sisters. One in Dayton,OH, and the other in Boulder, CO. Yes another dream getting done. We are traveling in my little 1986 Honda. Nothing fancy but time to reunite with the people I've spent most of my life with and are a special part of my life. Family, even though its not perfect it's mine and I love them and I'm very proud of them. I thought of them everyday on the trail.The thru-hike didn't only leave me a broken heart. Like every broken heart there was love. The trail was amazing! The people were great. I went to places I never knew where there. I met great people from different places Cowboys, City Slickers, Country Folks from Maine to Seatle, Texas to Wisconsin. The trail has tought me lessons that I think was met to be learned. It was my hike and I wouldn't of changed it in any way. It didn't go as planned but it was an experience of a life time. I was blessed.I love and thank you all, for sharing my life!Kisses out to all my trail angles and thru-hikers! Buttercup AT2003 GA--->Gorham, NH. Peace, love, blood, sweat, and tears! Hike on! Happy trails too all!
Date: 2003-11-06
From: Breaking Free

To: Boulder Colorado
Miles today: 0.0

I always thought of moving to Boulder,Co after my thru-hike. But now the decision was made for me. I was driving out to bring my father to see my younger sister. I don't know why, but I really thought my old beet-up Honda would make it. The car never-ever gave me any greif. But it died. Yes time to hang up those keys forever and say good-bye to my little red "shoebox". She died right at on Rt 70 just as I entered Colorado. Somehow I was able to cost off an exit ramp, missed the motel parking lot, but made it to a service station's lot (saving me a towing bill). Me and my Dad got a room, and my sister picked us up this morning. My banking account is down to under $100. Not enough money to make it home. Even if I did make it home, I don't live in a area where I can get easily around to work. Not a good bus lines is the small cities in Connecticut. My sister has been asking me to move out here for three years. Now the way things are it makes sense to stay. Everything in this town is walking distance or bus distance away. The cost of living is cheeper. I don't have money to go home, and if I did how would I get to work. The bike on windy, icey roads does not sound to safe. Wow, when I stepped foot on the AT I didn't know where I would end up. But I had faith in the long run things would work out, and I still believe. Out of all the things this trip has brought me, I've learned that my faith will keep me going. And now onward with my neverending adventure. I can't wait to see what is next!