morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2016-06-19
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

My first stop today is church with my mother - at her request. There is a new priest who expounds at length and church is longer than expected. My aunt meets us after church for brunch; Melody will meet us there. It was a pleasant morning.In the afternoon Melody and I have a picnic at J&D Winery. There is music from 1400 to 1700. Salami, cheese, and wine from the venue - everything else was purchased yesterday at the supermarket (bread, fruit, and an antipasti plate). The solo guitarist stopped only once the entire afternoon for about 5 minutes (apparently to move his car). We were about the last to leave.Where do you go after a picnic? If you're close you go to the Springhouse - for ICE CREAM! I did have a slight problem; it came out strawberry, not raspberry. I'd questioned it when the clerk started to hand it to me but was assured it was "raspberry." My sense of taste said otherwise. Small pieces of the berry in the ice cream confirmed my belief. The other employees agree with me when I return. The second serving is correct - Raspberry. I don't know why I'm craving raspberry. Maybe it's because I've seen so many of the berry bushes in bloom.The end of the evening is another DVD movie with Melody. "The Way" must be a good movie - I didn't fall asleep this time either.
Date: 2016-06-20
From: Home

To: Home 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Once again I'm out early. Hopefully this will continue, I'm back to the trail soon. This time I'm off for lab work, a blood sample for the completion of the doctor's visit. I know where I can go early without an appointment. Then I go for coffee and something to eat. I'd been fasting since after ice cream yesterday - not a good thing after "hiker hunger" has set in, AND it's not easy either. I'd reached in the frig more than once last night only to return what I had taken out. Coffee and the "old guys" was followed by a trip to see Paul, the soon-to-be new top boss where I worked. My latest postcard hadn't arrived but the second one was sitting on his desk. (He did say the postcards he gave me were the best gift he had given anyone FOR HIM.) There was last stop at the end of today - my favorite pizza. I must be slowing down - we brought 2 pieces home.I then tried to repackage several resupply boxes. I did get 3 done. It's after midnight, not hiker midnight, really late and I'm just tired.
Date: 2016-06-21
From: Home 

To: Oneonta NY
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

There will be no trail miles today. We leave for Maine; we also leave 45 minutes later than planned. And I've added a detour for a lunch stop en route with Jim and Gina. I'd a breakfast item in mind from the Buttonwood. When we arrived I found that breakfast was only served until 1400. My watch indicated I still had several minutes. The breakfast cook apparently had a different watch (or was in a new time zone) and was gone. So I had a true lunch, a pleasant lunch, with an old friend (guess I don't truly have many of those - something to work upon - and previously noted). Lunch and visit over, we continue across some areas of my home state I have not travelled. This turned out to be a thoroughly enjoyable drive, even with minor road construction. I do need to allow Melody a break. She has been doing all of the driving. And the roads, now in New York, are bumpy. They post signs that read: BUMP. There are numerous such signs along the route we're traveling. Based on the condition of our route, the Empire State should simply save money and post one sign: THIS IS A BUMPY ROAD - REALLY BUMPY. There is a medium sized plastic container (a small trunk if you will) that is referred to as "camp-in-a-box." A call to a campground on our route, a short diversion from our route, and the tent is up in minutes. I even have a reference to a good local restaurant. We check first, by phone, and discover they are closing as we speak.Welcome to rural America, where streets "roll up" as street lights come on. Another suggestion is obtained. It of course is further away. The restaurant was very nice, the food was good, and it definitely wasn't crowded. There was one couple sitting at a table when we walked in; we were the last customers in the place. This was before 2100. We were the absolute last customers in either bar or restaurant to leave. We left before 2230. We returned to the campground. I was going to haul the air bed (really an air bed, not mattress) to the rest rooms to inflate it, but there was an electrical service next to the site. It worked and madam's air bed was inflated in about a minute.Within the half hour I was probably asleep.
Date: 2016-06-22
From: Oneonta NY

To: AT Lodge
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Yet another day without trail miles. I slept in until 0630. Then I dozed again until 0720. Melody now asked what time I wanted to leave. I told her 0700. She just laughed; she knew, but asked what time it was anyway.Off to Maine - adventure Part Deux. Destination: AT Lodge, Millinocket, ME. It's still a long drive, another 8 hours without stops. But we do stop for fuel every half tank and add break time to that. Once we cross into Maine it is also raining, sometimes downpours. We arrive about 1830 and check out our room. For a lodge/hostel, this is a very nice facility. We find dinner at the Scootic In. Then close our evening at the Blue Ox Saloon. The "Sox" were playing baseball, both of them. Tomorrow there are things for me to do. But that's tomorrow. Tonight sleep.
Date: 2016-06-23
From: AT Lodge

To: AT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

It's been a while since posting, but it's easily explained - no signal, no WiFi, no posts. And there has been no signal, at least not on my phone. Nor do I expect any signal for the duration of my Maine journey. There may, however, be times when WiFi is available. I suspect those to be few and far between. Today is just another day in the journey. I have to pack; this will be a light trip, up and down the same section of trail. So it does not matter which direction one is hiking, there is no option but to hike both. Breakfast this morning was at the AT Caf© - probably no surprise there. The daylight starts early this far north and I was the second customer today. The other was obviously a regular local. After breakfast I took a slow stroll down the main street. All I notice are storefronts without merchandise. There is obviously more to this observation. But it is so early few are around to ask. I also do some supply shopping; the grocery is out on the highway, a newer store, as are all others on that road. Back to the lodge and pack that backpack. It's now about dinner time and I've had a suggestion from one of the locals, River Divers restaurant with a view of Katahdin at Twin Pines. Dinner was pleasant, the view wonderful. Tomorrow up that mountain. But, as usual, that is for tomorrow - for tonight sleep.
Date: 2016-06-24
From: Katadhin Stream Campground

To: Katadhin
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: clear sky

Okay, so today ir's up - and down. First, a drive into Baxter State Park. A scenic drive of about 16 miles, just to the park entrance. Then, of course, an entry fee - cash only - since I'm not a Maine resident and don't have Maine vehicle registration. But finally on to Katadhin Stream Campground, the base of today's segment. I'd been cautioned by BoulderDash that I should find someone to hike this segment with; he'd seen me going across Lehigh Gap - probably not the smoothest hiker on downhill rock scrambles. But I'm on my own. And off I go. The first miles aren't too bad, just up, I'm still below tree line. Just before that point find two issues: a) there are 3 older hikers pulling on warmer gear, jackets, hats, gloves, and b) 3 younger hikers are already on their way down and reporting wind gusts. So I now have first-hand information, and, I know those older hikers know "stuff." On with all the clothes I have with me; an extra layer over what I now have on, gloves, and a warm cap.Then I'm above tree line. Nothing new, more rocks, some with rebar drilled in, some without. I'm right behind the older guys, who remind me to let them know if they are too slow and I need to pass. Need to pass, really! I'm just trying hard to keep up. And the wind is gusting, sometimes to the point that I find it easier on all fours. I'm not standing and leaning into "space." That is illogical.But I/we ( me and them) finally get to "the top." And I'm relieved, but little else. This isn't the start for me, not the end, not even the mid-point. Just a point on a map. There are others celebrating the end, and some, the beginning. Me, I'm just here. The views are fantastic. I do understand why this has been chosen as a terminal point. But I don't feel celebratory, just relieved I've made it this far. And, I remember that I will have more difficulty going down than I had coming up. Up is always easier for me.So - without too much more reflection, I start back. And it is more difficult. I'm cold, really cold. Just less than shivering; it wasn't like this when I started. So I go slowly and cautiously. Finally I'm back at the tree line. And at least one older hiker remarks about my condition. His comment was to the effect that I looked hypothermic. He probably wasn't far off, I kept getting colder. But I also was at tree line. I spent a good hour just below that point, in a protected spot, eating my lunch. And everything else I'd brought for snacks. At the end I felt better, warmer, more comfortable. I then continued down for another half hour. Warmer, I removed the extra clothing layer. Finally (yes, it does take longer to hike back, the park service knows "stuff") I did make it back to the campground. And about right on schedule Melody returned to transport me to Abol Bridge Campground for the night.
Date: 2016-06-26
From: Abol Bridge Campground

To: Rainbow Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

Another campground breakfast, which really is quite passable. There's a little of everything. And enough so I feel very satisfied when I leave the table. A lot of food probably. But I've a 15-mile day planned. There are no clouds, the sun is already out, and it's still humid.I say my good-byes to my wife. Melody wants to know where the trail goes. I tell her, very honestly, that I haven't looked at a map for weeks - I'm just following white blazes. Also that the trail probably goes back over the river. (I've looked at the guide, it is a river, the Penobscot River. Just like Major Houlihan's boyfriend.)I go back out the rear of the campground, through the pavilion. And within ten minutes I'm back at the front of the campground, lined up to cross the river, again. Melody isn't there; I thought maybe she'd wait, but no, I don't even see dust in the air to the east, her route.Just like the song - over the river and through the woods... Not looking for grandma however. Looking for Rainbow Stream Lean-to (They are lean-tos in Maine, not shelters. Same basic structure, different terminology.). More roots however. Maine seems to have as many roots as Pennsylvania had rocks, which is quite a lot, all across the trail.Wasn't much to comment, one last view of Katahdin shared with a group of teenage boys on a 50-mile trek. Beaver ponds, or was it only one, long and narrow, I don't recall seeing a distinct division.Then a circus. I can hear them for at least a mile, about 25 minutes, before I actually see them. I would have thought there were 30 people coming. There were only 11, teenage girls; the boys I hadn't heard until I walked into the clearing. These girls were obviously not happy about being in the woods. And they wanted their leader, and anyone else within an air mile, to know it. I could hear them after passing for another 20 minutes.I get to the lean-to about 1500, not bad considering my later than usual start. There is a prone figure in the shelter. I'm not even considering disturbing him. The lean-to has a "baseball bat" floor. Not my sleeping preference. The hammock will be fine. The floor of the lean-to is constructed of small logs, about 3-inch diameter, laid side by side, like the inside structure of a corrugated box.I do go to the shelter to cook dinner and find "Spider Man" awake. He remarks on the comfort of the floor even with his pad, not very comfortable. We discuss why the floor was designed as such. The conclusion are simple; very easy construction and when built hikers were probably using pine boughs for insulation. Laid properly, the boughs likely filled the gaps as well.We are the only two here for the night. There's a breeze at my elevation behind the shelter which minimizes the bugs.
Date: 2016-06-27
From: Rainbow Stream Lean-to

To: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to
Miles today: 18.2

Another pleasant day. I get an earlier start (still not quite my 0530-0600 start) but I'm on the trail by 0700. I need to work on starting earlier, the temperatures are just cooler. And I'm planning an 18-mile day. Moving along, I need to clear the 100-mile wilderness in no more than six days. I've food for five and a half days. And I like food. Monson, here I come.Another unremarkable day. Long stretches of trail crossed by numerous roots. And they must have found some rocks because I found them in the trail as well. Roots and rocks. I thought Pennsylvania was tough, not elevation changes, just hiking. Maine is proving as difficult.I have lunch at Wadleigh Stream Lean-to. The floor is the more normal board construction. There seem to be only two baseball bat lean-to's. I fill up on water. I'm drinking way more than I had been. This is not the weather I'd anticipated, but, on the other hand, it's not raining, or worse, snowing. I guess either is possible.Potaywadjo Lean-to is in a nice clearing. I find an open area for the hammock. Breezes are very welcome, anything to assist in keeping the mosquitos and black flies at bay. And I'm not in the peak black fly season. I do wonder what the protein and calorie count is for each black fly. When you're sucking air on a grade... But night is here and daylight comes early; I plan another long stretch tomorrow.
Date: 2016-06-28
From: Potaywadjo Spring Lean-to

To: East Branch Lean-to
Miles today: 19.5

I get that same start again this morning, 0700. I've got to get out of this habit. I know I don't hike as fast as the 20-somethings. I can't start late AND cover high miles (at least what I think of as high miles). I left without breakfast. So, as planned, I stop at Jo-Mary Road for breakfast. There are two hikers there. One is in a tent at roadside; the other is standing on the bridge talking on his cell phone. I need water - again, so it's down to water's edge. I took breakfast with me. I suspected it woul be cooler under the bridge. I was right. When I return to the road the female is breaking down the tent. Her dog wasn't hiking well and she'd called for a shuttle to get the dog to the vet. The guy was off and moving.Next stop, Cooper Brooks Falls Lean-to, and lunch. About four miles, more roots, more rocks. More humid. There are numerous swampy areas, stagnant water, and a corresponding increase in bugs. But the next lean-to was right above the "falls" (I think Rapids more accurate). There is a cooler breeze. At least it's cooler than me moving through the air. Lunch is quick. I've miles to go and have dallied long enough.I get another ten miles and cross West Branch Ponds Road. Back into the woods, about two miles to go. I step up on a root with my right foot and step over with my left. Somewhere in that movement I slip... Not a big slip, I don't fall, I just land on my right foot with the leg locked. AND I immediately know what happened. AND it isn't good. At a minimum I've pinched a nerve. One that has been pinched before. Spasms... Hold the trekking poles... Don't fall... It's roots and rocks. It's also about a mile and a half to the lean-to. The spasm subsides. I go slow. Very slow. But forward. I get to the lean-to about 1700. I don't set up. I find the nearest spot to water. And I get a cool soak. Dinner is late.Decisions need to be made. I've medication for this issue. But it makes me dizzy. Can I hike dizzy? How fast can I go? How far can I get? I have dinner conversation with three other hikers (names unrecorded, medication had been administered). There are radical elevation changes ahead. To reverse direction I'll be mostly down grade, or flat. The trail will remain constant in composition.I'll sleep on it. Make my decision in the morning.
Date: 2016-06-29
From: East Branch Lean-to

To: Cooper Brooks Falls Lean-to
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: light rain

It rained last night. Not hard, not long. But enough to make everything wet. More standing water. And I probably didn't sleep well. I know I was awakened by my back multiple times. No spasms...just sharp pain.More medication. Breakfast. Decision.From conversation last night there is more traffic on Jo-Mary Road than West Branch Ponds Road. I know I saw, or heard, at least four private vehicles at Jo-Mary Road; I saw nothing at the other. And Jo-Mary is a point at which hikers can get a mid-wilderness supply pick-up. Several hostels offer this service. Fill a 5-gallon bucket with your supplies, tell them when you'll cross Jo-Mary, and they will give you a location for your bucket. Take your supplies, leave your trash. Sounds to me like I'm more likely to get a ride from there.I don't plan on returning there in one day. I'll make it a 2-day trip. I go light on water; it's the heaviest thing in my pack and there is water everywhere. I can take my time and make more stops. I'll probably need them.I make the eight miles in about six hours. No spasms. Just the recurring pain. It doesn't ever go away...just peaks and ebbs.I find a spot right by the stream. And after dressing suitably take a cool, no, cold thermo treatment at the base of the "falls." Clouds roll overhead. It's going to rain again. The soak is over. I set up for rain. No canopy tonight, I tighten up everything.I get into the hammock right after dinner. And it rains immediately. Hard. For a short time I thought I might have picked the wrong spot. Water was draining down the rocks on the side of the tarp. I'd pitched the tarp to the base of those rocks, if the rain was brief I'd have a canopy to the top of those rocks. But the water flowed away from the hammock and everything stayed dry. Sometimes dry is good.I don't know how long the rain lasted. After set up and dinner, more medication. I fell asleep pretty quickly after that.
Date: 2016-07-02
From: Monson, ME

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 0.0

Another day in Monson. Breakfast doesn't change; it's the same every day. My routine isn't going to change either. Light stretching, breakfast, serious stretches, book/read with more intervals of stretching. Medication, nap.Dinner. The BBQ has ribs. They only have ribs one day a week. The pulled pork was excellent. I hobble there. Fortunately I get there just before the bus. This must be a notable place. Short on service, you find the bartender, place your order, leave your name, and they "holler for you" when your order is ready. The other day I'd had to pay when I placed the order. Today I don't pay until I'm done eating. They weigh each rib order; you pay by the pound.The bus crowd nearly fills the inside; there is outside seating. But inside is cooler and I'm not hiking. Not too far anyway. I've not had sharp pains for the last two days. I'm going to give it a test. Put on my pack and shoes and hike about 6 miles. A fair test, on asphalt. Smooth. If this works, I'm back on the trail.Well, I almost made it. I. Think I got about 4 1/2 or 5 miles before I noticed an increasing pressure on the lower right side in my back. Same place but not the sharp pain. No spasms. I was just comfortable to loosen the hip belt and put the weight on my shoulders, like a rucksack. And hobble back.This does not bode well. But I stretch, and medicate. A long hot shower followed by bed. I don't fall asleep quickly. Someone is celebrating the Fourth of July. They did celebrate last night briefly. Now again tonight. Apparently someone has a carbide cannon, or something similar. It's loud, it's frequent, and tonight it's continuous. I know they are not celebrating Independence Day. Or maybe they are celebrating the independence they have to disturb my slumber efforts. Independence bought for and brought to them by the efforts and sacrifice of people they never knew, never met... People who were proud to live free and understood the price, the cost...I'm on my soapbox again. Maybe when I read this I'll make edits. But probably not. This is my journal and I am privileged to complain about those who challenge my sleep.
Date: 2016-07-03
From: Monson, ME

To: Monson, ME
Miles today: 0.0

I was awakened this morning by a throbbing right foot. My back is stiff. I was awakened by the back at least once. But this foot just looks swollen. And I'm correct, my shoe won't fit, not even close.Stretch. Breakfast. More stretching. But the foot is swollen.Time for more decisions. It's time to seek medical expertise. Home. Research shows it costs twice as much to fly to Pittsburgh as it does Washington, D.C. The flight time is about the same. So, Melody will meet me at Reagan. And we'll drive from there.I'd planned on dropping the medication. But one more for today.Another book, more reading, intervals of stretching. I'm not giving up. A nap.I figure I'll have a very early dinner, the BBQ is just too good. I'm there before 1500. And the sign says: Closed, Out of Food. Really? Out of food? Not possible... I start up the ramp but that sign blocks the ramp completely. It's there for a reason. Two guys just put the tailgate up on a pickup after putting in the last of three very large coolers in the truck bed. I'd watched them as I walked/hobbled up the street. And the bartender is coming out the door. She repeats the sign, in case I can't read maybe. I don't know. But she reminds me tomorrow is a holiday, the BBQ is normally closed on Monday, and they cooked extra because of take out orders. AND they still ran out of food, not even an single order of dessert is left. That was at 1400, an hour ago. She's now absolutely right, anything that might have been left has now been eaten by staff.Back to the restaurant/hostel. More live music. But also rain. No one is sitting outside. So it is crowded. The food is still good. I spend about three hours at dinner, or at least until the music is done. One of the group comes over and thanks me for being the audience. And it was a unique trio. Guitar(s), no drums but brushes on music stand, an oven rack played/strummed with a drum stick, banjo, and accordion were all featured in one combination or another. Back to the hostel through the rain. More stretching. Another long hot shower. Off to bed early.And who walks in, Swiss Miss. I thought I'd seen the backpack on the other bed before. Like looking at the emblem on a Victorinox knife. Immediate recognition. We chat for quite a while. She goes for a shower and I try for sleep. Someone celebrating July 4. Again. Glad I won't be here tomorrow. Each day is getting longer. About an hour and a half tonight. But it finally stops. I had to explain it to the Swiss Miss who thought fireworks were tomorrow.But they stopped and I can sleep.
Date: 2016-07-04
From: Monson, ME

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0

So...Today it's a shuttle to the Bangor Airport, then a flight to Washington, DC.I do have a cell signal today, at the airport of course. It's about the only time ATT has been found. Verizon should do their ads in Maine. And Melody locates me quickly and, of course, is on time.The night is spent in Frederick. Rain. Not much fun driving in rain. Especially at night. Especially on a holiday. And therefore I'll be home on Tuesday. With nothing else to do but try to figure out the back and foot issues. The best laid plans...