morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-07-06
From: 10 mile river shelter

To: Stewart hollow
Miles today: 15.7
Weather: overcast clouds

In which I go into Kent for lunch and receive more trail magic. Today started out with more tough climbs. Connecticut is very pretty so far but still with rocks and steep climbs up and down. The initial walk was along the Housatonic River which was raging after the passed days rains. The water was churning brown, white caps graced the surface above the rocks and the current was incredibly strong dragging large tree trunks down the river. It was very beautiful and I stopped for a brief break on Indian rocks to enjoy the view from above. It was pretty sedate from up there compared to below along the river. I leap frogged a lot of people today most of whom stayed at the shelter last night.I came down to the road crossing into Kent with Mike around lunch time. Stark and Twist were ahead of us and already enjoying a cool one with their friends. More trail magic. There were two coolers full of ice cold drinks and a few cookies. I grabbed a pepsi and Milano cookies and pulled up a chair on a nice rock. Mike and I talked while we waited for Al. Once he arrived Starks friend who thru hiked last year gave us a ride into Kent. Sweet. 0.8 bonus mile I don't have to walk and my feet were talking to me.He dropped us off in town and on his recommendation we went to JP Gifford for lunch. A bunch of Harley riders have taken over the town this weekend. It's a pretty upscale community and I felt a little underdressed in my shorts and back pack. We sat outside at a table in the sun. Then Mike panicked, he couldn't find his wallet! He looked everywhere in the store and at the counter. We looked everywhere outside. No where could we find it! Ugh. So we sat a little while longer so Mike could make some phone calls. After which we went to the outfitters for a brief resupply of bars and to get our fill of ice cream.We walked back to the trail and continued on for the last 7.4 miles of the day at 1615. It's gonna be a late night. We were immediately greeted with a long climb up, followed by a view or two and an incredibly steep descent over steep stair steps. That part was rather unnerving at times. At some points I had to scoot down on my butt and hold on to the rocks. The last 3 miles were a flat walk along the river again which was infested by none other than mosquitos.I set up camp, ate and promptly climbed into my bed. My knee is still a little tender and my feet hurt a lot today. The road walk was pretty miserable on my feet today. Can't say that I enjoyed that much. Glad that is done. I feel like a different part of my body is beginning to fall apart daily and it's protesting. Ugh. Off to sleep I go.
Date: 2014-07-07
From: Stewart hollow

To: Bearded Woods Hostel
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: overcast clouds

In which I was reunited with an old friend and escaped the rain.This morning was sunny, warm and surprisingly humid. It sounded as if it rained last night but my tent is dry now and I won't argue with that, less weight to carry. Al and Mike made the decision to go to the hostel tonight and I decided to join them. We had our pick up point all arranged.I had a great flat walk along the river for a few miles then the roller coaster began. Connecticut has been tough like NY, more ups and downs steep rocks. There have been a few river views and the river has provided great white noise. Water was plentiful, the rivers, brooks and creeks swollen and flowing from the rain. It's amazing how I take water for granted in "normal" life, such a precious commodity. I found a great little spot by a creek and enjoyed a little quiet time there. By lunchtime I had only walked 7 or so miles, still 7.5 to go for the day which seemed like a daunting task considering the terrain from this morning. The morning has been a lot more difficult than expected not only from the ascents and descents but also from the humidity. It's totally sapped the energy from me even though I've eaten and hydrated well.At a road crossing we made the call to be picked up earlier than expected as we weren't sure we could make it to the pre arranged pick up point by the time we said. So we called and all is well. More time to relax later.So Hudson came and not only picked us up early but also greeted us with cokes! We got to the hostel and he gave us a tour, from there we unpacked, showered, did laundry and relaxed on a coverage porch. It was so delightful. I had and iced coffee and an Klondike bar. Yum. There likewise was a full house and a great bunch of people whose company I enjoyed.And guess who was also staying here? Speck! Hudson went to go pick up some more hikers. When he came back I was sitting on the porch watching the world go by. Out of the car walks a female who looked familiar. It was Speck! I had the pleasure of hiking with her for three days way back starting from Springer Mtn. So awesome! It was really wonderful to catch up with her again. I certainly never expected that! Was so awesome seeing you Speck!Rain and thunder blew through this evening. It was also awesome to watch it from under the shelter of the porch while enjoying a great meal and the fellowship of others. This was a little slice of heaven. The meal was delish too...salad, chicken pomodora, pasta, bread and chocolate cake with ice cream...and a root beer!What a great day. I've got a full belly and a soft, dry bed. What more could I ask for.
Date: 2014-07-08
From: Bearded Woods Hostel

To: Brassie brook shelter
Miles today: 21.2
Weather: overcast clouds

In which I crossed the 1500 mile marker and I'm hungry.I'm just plain and simply hungry! I'm likewise too tired to cook dinner and crackers and nuts just aren't cutting it. Today was a long day and I'm also tired. Two miles and I'll be out of Connecticut. If I wasn't so beat I'd go walk it now just to have it done. But that'll happen in the morning. I'm ready for a new state and happy I crossed the 1500 mile marker.I keep meeting new and interesting people daily. I'm told there is a big bubble behind us still. I met Spider Man today as we took a break before a very big incline. Come to find out he lives not very far from my home town. Bear Juice was at the shelter. Bee Man from Neviss was there and eventually Mike and Al rolled in. I also had the pleasure of briefly meeting Lint as he is hiking the AT for his 3rd time. He's already double, triple crowned and currently walks 30-35 miles days with his ultra light pack. That's just amazing to me.I got a little ahead of myself here. Let me back up briefly. Breakfast this morning was delicious feast. Ham and cheese omelets with English muffins and fruit. I got an early start which was good because there were three big climbs for the day and many little ones with only an occasional view. It's still been humid but I've escaped the rain so far today, still a chance tonight though. My feet really hurt and I have a new blister. I think I'm ready for a little break!Tomorrow is a big descent into Sages Ravine!
Date: 2014-07-11
From: MA 41

To: Tom Leonardo
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

In which it's hard coming back from a day off.I only walked 10 miles today and I am cooked! I'm tired and I've had enough fun for one day. I've seen no one all day and I'm feeling the blues. I miss the comaraderie of hiking companions. I'm at the shelter all by myself again and I'm not enjoying that either (even though it is beautiful and serene). I'm over being alone every night, even though I enjoy my alone time hiking. I've been in these barren pockets with no one around, then I'll hike with a few people for a few days, then it's back to the pockets with no people around. This is something I never expected would happen but it seems to be a pattern I've been repeating. The mosquitos have been atrocious today and have eaten me alive, DEET and all. They have been in my face and ears. I actually think they like the DEET. I have even conceded to wearing my bug net they are so bad. I've eaten more than my fair share of them too. Okay, enough whining. On a good note my new shoes have done well so far today. My foot hurts a little but not too bad, so that is a successful day.And I'm going to stop right here.
Date: 2014-07-12
From: Tom Leonardo

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: few clouds

In which I met my first SOBOs and see the supermoon.A roller coaster met me today as I left the shelter by 0800 and it was a pleasant walk over all. Many ups and many downs but nothing too terrible. The forest floor ranged from soft pine needles and roots, to rocks and roots. The mosquitos were once again insane and I am covered in bites. I also pulled my 2nd tick off of me tonight. It was crawling on my arm.I finally made it to Upper Goose Pond Cabin by 7pm. It's been a long day but this place made it worth it. I even saw another porcupine when I was hiking in. All the camping areas were taken so I claimed a bunk upstairs in the bunk room and settled in. This is a beautiful little place. I then went down to the pond and dock and I finally got my first swim of this hike. It was so peaceful by the water. No one was down there but me. The water was crystal clear and calm, the sky cloudy, the breeze cool and water surprisingly warm. I walked right in to the pond clothes and all. It was so refreshing. It felt great to splash in the water, float and just be. I could see the fish swimming around me and a boat floating around the bend. This is the way life should be. I feel so clean tonight. That is also a great feeling.After my swim I went back up to the cabin and cooked dinner. I met Lucky Bastard (LB) when I was walking by Wilcox shelter earlier today. We hiked briefly together and took a lunch break at the same stream. He also is here tonight along with Little Bird. We all were talking earlier that it was about time we start to see SOBOs. Well as we finished dinner tonight in hike two hikers, Towey and Spoons. And guess what? They are hiking SOBO. Was great talking to them a bit and hearing about their hike so far.This place is filling up fast. There is a caretaker who is here during the week. He has a buddy here who is celebrating his birthday and hiked in 4 half gallon containers of ice cream for everyone. How cool is that. Rumor has it also that there is coffee and pancakes in the morning too.The supermoon is coming up tonight so I went down by the other dock to check it out. I had to leave because the mosquitos were so bad again. I went in to my bunk and journaled for a bit. I can see the bright light of the moon peering in through the window above my bunk. I never actually saw it rise due to the clouds and bugs but it's light is illuminating the room. It's fun just lying here in my bed listening to the chatter and conversations below. Entertaining!
Date: 2014-07-13
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Cookie Lady's house
Miles today: 11.1
Weather: clear sky

In which I feel like an unstable elephant in a china shop.It was an early morning as coffee and pancakes were served at 0630. I happily indulged in both. Then I leisurely packed up my stuff and meandered on to the trail around 0830 which felt really late.I got to walk over the Mass. pike and see the sign for the Berkshires. Then before RT. 20 there was trail magic, a protein bar which I grabbed for a snack. Perfect timing. Right before there a beaver ran across the trail in front of me away from the stream towards the highway. Those things can run!After that it was a climb up Becket Mountain and a few little climbs thereafter. The elevation profile was relatively flat but the terrain was a challenge. There were roots all over and rocks reminiscent of Pennsylvania. Made me shutter. I had to really watch where I stepped and placed each foot. That takes a lot of concentration and I felt like I was staggering everywhere. I was bumping off trees and waddling down the trail. I was tripping on rocks and trying to recover without wiping out. My foot was also killing me and walking was very painful especially when I stepped on a rock the wrong way. It just hurts.Rain was rolling in too. It was just a matter of time before the heavens open up. I already hear thunder rumbling in the distance. Little Bird, LB, Ginger and Gilligan and I all stopped at the same shelter for a lunch break. From there they were headed in to Dalton. Little Bird and I were going to stop by the cookie lady's house and decide whether to stay or hike on.When we got to the cookie lady's house no one was around. Do we ring the bell or just wait around? We signed their guest book, filled up our water bottles, stared at the sky and grey clouds and sighed a lot. Neither one of us was motivated to hike on much further, especially with the threat of rain. Then Ron (aka Mr. Cookie lady) came riding by on a motor scooter. We watched him ride down the driveway and eventually he came back. We introduced ourselves and he brought us out cookies which we polished off quickly.The cookie lady now joined Ron and we asked if we could camp in their yard. That was confirmed and we scoped out spots to set up. We did so just in the knick of time. The clouds were gray and the wind was blowing. I'm really grateful to be here and set up before the rain came down and it did. One of their chickens greeted us and was following up as we set up. He also allowed us some good photo ops.The rain was now pouring down. Thank heavens for Little Birds tarp over her hammock. We both sat under it and cooked our dinners and talked for a while watching the clouds and rain blow through. We put our food away in the old house across the field as we were warned that bears do wander through. I crawled in my tent and the rain has begun again. I'm enjoying listening to the rain dance across my tent and the crab apples ping as they bounce off my tent. I'm so glad to be off my feet and under cover. My feet had me in tears a few times today, so glad to have them propped up at the moment.
Date: 2014-07-14
From: Cookie Lady's house

To: crystal mtn camping area
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: broken clouds

In which town and food motivate my hiking.I really enjoyed my unexpected stay at the Cookie Lady's house and was privileged to meet both Mr. and Mrs. Cookie Lady. What gracious people and wonderful hospitality they provided. The timing was right on cue as it began to pour down rain and thunder shortly after we set up camp in the their yard while one of their chickens checked us out and provided a photo op. There was a nice protected area under the crabapple tree which dropped apples on my tent all night. Scared me the first couple of times they dropped and pinged on my tent. That will show me to pay more attention to where I set up!I got going around 0800 and had a pleasant walk to a view. Felt great to take a break because my foot is misbehaving. The sun was warm as I sat on the rocks and was treated to a sneak preview of Mt. Greylock once the cloud covered passed. I could likewise see all the wind turbines lining the ridge across the way over by Jiminy Peak. That was really cool to see where I was a year ago. I ate my clif bar then discovered the blueberry bushes. Score. There were tons of huge, blue, ripe berries beckoning to be picked and eaten. So I did just that. Actually I gorged myself on them. They tasted phenomenal! Fresh fruit, delish! I had a hard time peeling myself away from the blueberries, but I did and I hiked on with Little Bird. We paused briefly at the entrance to the next shelter for a quick break and now on to town.Dalton and the hope of food was calling my name. The first restaurant I planned on visiting was out of business! Oh no! Next possibility was the ice cream shop next door, not open yet. Bummer. Strike two. So we walked further into town and found Angelina's. That was worth the wait. I feasted on an Italian sub, cherry coke, chips and a vitamin water to go. I paid for eating all of that too on the 1.5 mile climb up to the campground. Oh why did I do that? My stomach was hurting! I just can't eat that much food at one time any more! Little bits all day long I got. I will have to remember this as I pass through town tomorrow in hopes of another meal before I climb up Mt. Greylock.But the food was so good. And so filling I don't even feel like eating dinner tonight. So I ate a brownie instead. Gotta have my chocolate.Well, the storms have held off today so far and I'm glad for that. I saw a porcupine earlier and some garter snakes. The chipmunks are abundant and the squirrels are chattering loudly. Just my bedtime lullaby!
Date: 2014-07-25
From: New York

To: Massachusetts
Miles today: 0.0

In which I'm practicing patience....impatiently.Well, where to begin....My journey so far has taken me to Massachusetts and I'm loving every minute of this fantastic journey. However, my trek is temporarily on a hiatus due to cellulitis to my toe and foot. I'm on my second round of antibiotics and willing myself to heal. I'm not doing too well in that department but I'm hopeful and hanging in there anxious to return to the trail and finish this thing!So, in the meantime, I've been enjoying the hospitality and company of my gracious aunt and uncle in New York. What a blessing they have been! And on a selfish note, I love spending time with them. They have been part of my journey leading me to the AT.I've gotten to eat fruits and veggies fresh picked from the garden, to be sheltered from a few storms and have the pleasure of watching them roll through, to read 3 books and all the magazines I can find, to play with the dog and swim in the pool, to listen to the coyotes yip in the field across the street and to identify the birds I've been hearing in the forest and continue to hear. Oh, and most importantly eat too much ice cream and unfortunately gain a little weight. I've planned and obsessed about the next leg of this journey all I can. Now it's just time to do it.I went for a 3 mile walk packless yesterday up and down hills. Today I'm headed out for another walk in a nearby state park with roots and rocks. Next step hopefully will be back on the trail tomorrow. But.....time will tell. One step at a time. So for now I will head outside to enjoy another beautiful, cool, sunny day where any day spent outside is a great day. So even thought that doesn't find me hiking on the AT today I will be outside enjoying the day where I am counting my many blessings that continue to surround me. And that sounds like a great place to end this.Enjoy your day to the fullest where ever you are and whatever you are doing!
Date: 2014-07-28
From: Melvin Nauheim

To: Kid Gore
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: clear sky

In which Vermont continues it's welcome.I fell asleep to the sound of rain and woke up at 0400 to it pouring again. The thunder was sounding off in the distance and very slowly rolled in over head by 0730. The rain continued to gush so I stayed in my tent listening to the storm roll through. I emerged from my tent at 0830. The rain briefly stopped in order to break down camp then began to fall as I ate breakfast under the shelters' cover.By 0900 I was blue blazing down the Appalachian trail which was no longer a trail but a mud pit and stream. There was no way socks, shoes or feet were going to stay dry today. I was rock hopping and jumping over, through and around mud puddles right off the bat. Then shortly thereafter I quit avoiding the puddles. I just started sloshing through the mud puddles like a kid. There was nothing clean or dry on my body and my feet got pretty torn up today. By the time I got to Goddard shelter for a lunch break the skin had eroded off three toes on each foot. They were red, raw and sore. The shoes and socks came off for a break but were torture to put back on. My toe is not happy again either.I climbed up to the top of Glastenbury fire tower after leaving the shelter. That offered a 360 degree view of the most remote section of wilderness on the Long Trail. White clouds were drifting about, green was the color of the forest, patches of blue water were intermixed in the green forest. Occasionally there was a glimpse of blue sky. The view was a real treat which I savored. I got my pictures but didn't linger as the threat of storms was still present and I was standing on a very tall, metal tower. Not a good place to be in this weather.Onward...One last stretch to the shelter for the night. Thunder was growing closer. The trail was a stream and filled with conifers smelling like Christmas. Everything was green and wet. It was very pretty and yet again quiet. Then I look down at the side of the trail. I see poop. Not uncommon out here but not your ordinary coyote, deer, rabbit or owl poop. This poop is gumball size pellets in big piles all over. Then I realize that it belongs to moose! Wow! I can't wait to see one out here. That is on my list of things I want to experience. And there is plenty of poop littering the next 4 miles of the trail. I kept scanning the forest in hopes of spotting one but no such luck today.I actually got to the shelter at 1630 in time to claim a space, set up, collect water, change out of wet clothes and settle in for the night before the rain likewise settled in for the night. There was a beautiful view from this shelter. It looked as if the brush had been cleared which revealed mountains off in the distance with a lake placed in the gap. Beautiful when you could see them otherwise white clouds and sheets of rain blew through intermittently obscuring the view. The temperature has really dropped. It's really a mess out there. By the end of the night we have 7 hikers crammed into the shelter trying to stay warm and dry. It's been a great night to be under cover!