morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-07-03
From: Stokes State Forest

To: Stokes State Forest
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Slept until 8:30 and had a bit of a sluggish morning. Almost put the instant coffee powder in my oatmeal, which was a sign of a slow brain. Paid some bills online, cleaned out some of the junk email from the VTel website, and answered a couple of emails. I was standing in the doorway when a man walked over and offered me wood. He and his family were leaving, and he wanted to share it. Turns out Jason Wade is from Waterville, VT. They were here for his wife's grandmother's funeral. Betsy Williams was, he said, one of the original Rosie the Riveters, and she lived a life of volunteering to help others. He said he really values relationships and that the visit, even though for a funeral, was wonderful for giving his children the sense of family connection.About 11:30, I called the park office to see if someone could give me a ride out to 206. I wanted to add a bit to the food supply and to get a burger and beer at Gyp's Tavern. Didn't find food, but a nice guy in the sports shop (hunting and fishing) gave me a Bic lighter. He didn't have them for sale. I had given my spare to Cabbage Patch and was concerned the one I have been using would run out of gas.The AWOL guide says hikers wanting to go to Gyp's should not go in the bar but to the patio in back, which I dutifully did. When I said to the two women out there that I am a hiker, one said, she couldn't imagine hiking the trail. "I am 69," she said. I told her when I had started, and she shook my hand, wished me well, and said, "God bless you." Then she said to go on inside. I sat at the bar, ordered a local beer and a burger, and listened to the banter among three obviously regular customers. I had a second beer to get me through the end of the Wimbledon Federer/Wawrinka match, and walked back toward the park. Just inside the entrance, one of the maintenance guys stopped and offered to take me to the lean to. Said he had heard about me from Norman, the fellow who drove me earlier.I did begin to wonder about the forecast when the sun came out in an apparently cloudless sky, but I took advantage of it and moved my clothesline outside. Had a nice chat with Leigh and discussed plans for our August trip to see Sydney and Madeline at camp -- my second planned off-trail time, the third being between Katahdin and Virginia.The sun lasted maybe 90 minutes. Since 5:30, four good thunderstorms have rolled through. The chimney above the wood stove is dripping, but I have no way to do anything about it -- just move my stuff away from the hearth and tell the park people in the morning.
Date: 2014-07-04
From: Route 206, Branchville (Stokes State Forest)

To: Highpoint Shelter
Miles today: 16.0
Weather: broken clouds

Ride to trail at 8:10, hiking by 8:25Rain, sometimes heavy, and windyStopped at pavilion on Sunrise Mountain about 11:20 (5.1 miles) to wring out socks and eat. Met White Rabbit and Ramblin' Rose.Walked fast to get feeling back in fingers and toes. Would in many ways rather walk in cool rain than hot sun, but my poor sodden feet probably don't agree.Rain stopped in mid-afternoonMet SOBO section hikers, Thundering Tortoise and Snacks, both older women who were delighted to hear about my hike and wished me well. Gave them my trail journal address. Snacks is going to do the 100 mile wilderness later this month with a friend and hopes to finish the trail by the time she turns 70.Went up on platform for view of Highpoint, which I had forgotten has an obelisk, a mini Washington Monument. Good views all around.White Rabbit and Rose are tenting nearby, as is a SOBO section hiker, Machine from Ohio. He will have done the trail from GA to CT when he finishes NJ.Sherlock and Cyclone are in the shelter, along with DblR.I hope for an early start to make the 18 miles to Vernon.
Date: 2014-07-06
From: Vernon, NJ (St. Thomas's Hostel)

To: Waywayanda Shelter
Miles today: 5.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I got up early, enjoyed a couple of the pastries left for us the day before, and headed off to the A&P, which had a Starbucks. I had coffee and a chocolate croissant. White Rabbit came in, unable to avoid the goodies before he and Rose headed out. I found most of what I needed, and headed back to St. Thomas for the 10 AM service. Given that it was a holiday weekend, the congregation was small, but the singing was good, and I was glad for a chance to be in church and for the Eucharist. Coffee hour was lively, and folks were very friendly. Enjoyed more pastries and coffee. I packed up, and Doc Whittaker gave me a ride to the trail. He has a two-year contract as priest in charge, and he travels back and forth from his home in Alabama, where he and his wife have some businesses. He had served as a chaplain after 9/11, and then as a chaplain for the State of New Jersey. I enjoyed my brief time with him.Shortly after starting up the trail, I met Heather, who liked my story, wanted to take my picture, and said she would someday like to hike the trail. I liked her enthusiasm. She would do fine out here.Since I planned a Nero day,with only 5 miles to the shelter, I hiked slowly up almost 1000 feet. Lots of people were out for day hikes to see the view from the top of the mountain, and I chatted with several. On the way down the other side, I was walking along looking at the trail when I heard sudden crashing through the brush. I had surprised a bear, who took off, then sat down about 50 feet away. I couldn't get the camera out and zoomed before it took off again.Sherlock and Cyclone came along as I got near the shelter, and we arrived together. No one else was there, and we found tent sites. They are an enjoyable young couple who work at a country club on Jupiter Island, FL, he as a chef, and she in the retail store and as director of a kids camp at the country club during holiday times.We were sitting at the picnic table when Kentucky and Copperhead arrived, telling of two bears they had seen. Copperhead, a young red headed guy, seemed freaked out by what he said was a 400 pound bear. Kentucky, a woman completing a thru-hike she had to give up last year because of a stress fracture in her foot, said it was the first time a bear had not run off when people made a lot of noise. Rather, it seemed to start towards them on the trail. She realized, though, that it was moving toward another, smaller bear, probably being territorial.Later, we all saw two bears circle the shelter, but they seemed to have no interest in us. Our food definitely went into the bear box for the night.
Date: 2014-07-07
From: Waywayanda Shelter

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: broken clouds

Left at 7:40Made fairly good time initially, but the trail became more difficult. It was 4.1 miles to the NJ/NY state line, where I signed a log and took some photos. A bit further on was Prospect Rock, which I think is the highest point on the AT in NY. Good views. I stopped for a snack at Furnace Brook, and Kentucky, Sherlock, and Cyclone caught up to me. They stopped also, and we all wound up hiking together for the rest of the day, Sherlock in the lead, then Cyclone, Kentucky, and me as the caboose. Our goal became the Bellvale Creamery, which has homemade ice cream and is just .3 off the trail. Before the creamery, we had to navigate some pretty good rock climbs, including one with an aluminum ladder. The AWOL guide says, "Despite the unimposing profile, rocks, abrupt ups and downs make this section challenging." It was. We stopped again to eat at Cascade Brook and then pushed on the next 2.9 to the turn up a road to the creamery. I had a large cup with coffee and Bellvale Bog, very chocolate. We spent about an hour there -- met Po and Lady Bird -- and then headed back to the trail. We had just 2.1 to the turnoff for the shelter. The first mile was easy walking, but then came more rock climbing -- the Eastern Pinnacles and Cat Rocks. A challenge for tired legs bearing a backpack. But we all made it safely and got to the shelter about 5:15. The shelter area has numerous tent sites, so we got set up and found places for our bear bags (there was rotten food in the bear box). Space Cowboy, who is doing sections by leaving his bicycle at the end of his planned hike, driving to the beginning, hiking to the bike, and riding back to the car, arrived an hour or so after us and tented near Kentucky. Two older men came in and set up hammocks quite close to me. They said they were testing out gear for a possible thru-hike. I spent some time talking with Gran, an 82 year-old woman who has just 290 miles left to finish. She is hiking with one of her sons, who is carrying most of the gear. She told me she had smoked and been a couch potato until 30 years ago, when she began to run, encouraged by a grandson. She eventually quit smoking and built up to running marathons. She did her last 10 years ago, but continued hiking and running half-marathons. Quite amazing. She has done most of Maine, but not the part closest to NH. She said her family says she can't do Mahousuc Notch, but she seems determined.Our group plans to hike together tomorrow to the Fingerboard Shelter. Weather is an issue. It was in the mid-80s today, and there are predictions of storms for the next couple of days. We hope to beat them to the shelter, but there is the possibility of bailing out at Southfields.
Date: 2014-07-08
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: light rain

I left at 7:40, figuring the others would catch up, because they are faster. My first stop was Fitzgerald Falls to get water. Happily, it was much clearer than the tea colored stuff we had found at most streams. The area clearly has lots of visitors, and to control erosion, stone steps had been put in for hikers, including those on the AT. Kentucky caught up to me first, and then Sherlock and Cyclone. I am enjoying hiking with them. All have good senses of humor. I am the oldest, Kentucky, who used to live in Georgia and Kentucky and now lives with her mother and two rescue Huskies in Indiana, is 50, and the couple are probably in their early thirties. Sherlock, who smokes a pipe, and who I have dubbed Sherlock the Snake Spotter, usually leads, followed by Cyclone, Kentucky, and me as the caboose. The hiking was difficult, with some steep ups and downs and more rock climbing challenges. At one point, we all needed water, and the only source was .4 down a road. We all dropped our packs, they kindly suggested I stay and watch them, and they went off for the water. Then, a bit over 4 miles from the end, we came to Route 17 and wonderful trail magic -- many full gallon jugs of water provided by Hikeman. As we were filling our bottles, a man with a light pack came along and asked if we were interested in more trail magic. Of course! And as we were going out to the road with him, Hikeman drove up. We were able to thank him, and we followed Paddy-O to his truck in a parking area in Harriman State Park. Hikeman drove around and joined us. Turns out they both do trail magic in the same area but have only met a couple of times.Paddy-O had quite a truck full of goodies, from hot dogs to all kinds of soda to Little Debbie's, chips, batteries, first aid supplies -- just about anything a hiker could want or need. We had a great time talking with both of them -- while we ate and drank. I had three large cups of root beer with ice, two Little Debbie's, and I can't remember what else. They were both very encouraging, both clearly love the trail and hikers, and both want to give back some of what the trail has given them. Hikeman, who is 72, told me, "You will make it. You may not be the fastest, but the AARP pace will get you there." I love it. Now instead of saying I am slow, I can say I am walking the AARP pace. Paddy-O plans to be doing trail magic in Vermont in 2-3 weeks. He says he loves Vermont.We reluctantly left our trail angels to head up a long climb, then navigate the Lemon Squeezer -- two rock walls close together and on a slight left leaning angle -- and finally get to the shelter. Because the weather report was for thunderstorms with possible hail and high winds, the others elected to stay in the shelter and convinced me to join them. I always worry about my noisy air mattress and knew I would not sleep well.
Date: 2014-07-09
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: Fort Montgomery, NY (Holiday Inn Express)
Miles today: 15.4

KidsDid not sleepThunderstorm not as bad as predictedLeft early -- on trail by 7:25Pretty hilltopWest Mountain -- I called it no mercy mountain, because the trail was wide, eroded, rocky, steep and relentless. Had views of Bear Mountain, and we worried it would be more of the same. But it wasn't. Much trail work and many rock steps, both on the up and downhill sides. We got to the top and got drinks from the machines before heading down. The trail goes through the park and past a lake. There is also a large pool. Lots of people picnicking. We missed the zoo, because it closed, so we took a blue Blaze trail around it to the end of the Bear Mountain Bridge. A thunderstorm was brewing, and we did have some rain, but it turned out not to be heavy. Wish I had not put on my rain jacket, because to save time, I wound up walking all the way to the hotel with it on. We tried to find a tax, but the numbers were all for companies too far away. A long slog on Route 9W to the Holiday Inn Express.We got showers, did laundry, and ordered dinners to be delivered. Sherlock and Cyclone are vegetarians and ordered from an Italian place. Kentucky and I both ordered from The Park Restaurant -- strip steaks with fries and veggies, plus a cheeseburger to split before bed time. Excellent, and I even got a beer delivered with the food.
Date: 2014-07-10
From: Fort Montgomery, NY (Holiday Inn Express)

To: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center
Miles today: 6.4

Nero day.Left at 10:30 by taxi to the park, where we walked again along the lake, but this time went through the zoo. The lowest elevation on the AT is at the bear den -- 120 feet.Crossed bear Mountain BridgeNow in my home part of the country Steep climb upAll anticipated the Appalachian Market and deli, where we planned to resupply and get goodies, I ate a pint of Ben & Jerry's (Half Baked) and got an enormous "Funky Chicken Sandwich" to take up the hill for dinner.Ball field at GraymoorMet BamboopsWaterproofed tent bottomsLeisurely eveningMany people
Date: 2014-07-11
From: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center

To: Fahnestock State Park Campground
Miles today: 13.8

Slept wellSaw SiestaOn trail at 7:25Kentucky caught up on top of Canopus MountainLunch at Dennytown Rd.Met Ace, section hiker from Pittsfield (Harper's Ferry to VT border) who went to St Michael's College and is now in grad school. Blue Jay and SpotRush to get to concession standClosed but nice employee let us in to get what we wantedHe stayed and chattedLong trek to campsites, which are very close to Taconic Parkway. Kentucky worked on blisterThe former ski area in the park is I learned to ski and ride a rope tow
Date: 2014-07-12
From: Fahnestock State Park Campground

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 14.0

Did not sleep well and thought about getting up at 4, packing up, and heading to the bathrooms at the beach area for a shower and an early start. But I did finally fall asleep and woke to the alarm at 5:30. Checked with Kentucky before heading out. She is worried about her knee, which she thinks she might have hurt in walking differently to favor the blister. She said she may find a way to get off trail. We exchanged contact information. If there is a way, we'd both enjoy hiking together further on.Did the long road walk to get back to the beach and then the green blazed trail to the AT -- probably an extra 0.7 mile. Hiked to the RPH Shelter, where a group from the NY/NJ ATC were camped for their annual maintenance weekend. They had breakfast goodies and cold drinks. Made us feel very welcome. Dave talked about how he became involved after he retired, and I met Ralph, for whom the shelter is named. (He is thru-hiker 311.) He told me the storyLeft and hiked on. Missed Kentucky.Beautifully maintained trailTrail crew building steps and bridge. Thanked themTrail magic from Bill, who offered a pint of B & Js. He took me home, showed me where I could shower, find a beer, and find the B & Js.Bill, VA Tech, bridge building, AT 1999Met Amy, who insisted I have chiliThey were headed to a crew party at RPH. I said I'd love to go but wanted to meet my friends at the shelter. Bill dropped me off at the trail at 5:55, and I made the 2.3 miles in a bit over an hour.SnickersSet up tent, got water, hung food, and called Lee. She reminded me of the "super moon," and it is lovely.
Date: 2014-07-13
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Route 22 (Native Landscape Garden Center)
Miles today: 10.9

7:30 startGood time to County Route 20, cloudy and not so hotTrail Magic from Miles from Nowhere and Side TrackedDover OakCyclone has LymeHeard about 3 PM event with Warrior Hikers at Native Garden Center from Zig Zag, who is doing slack pack sections to finish. Recommended Bearded Woods Hostel.Boardwalk with benches and Adirondack chairs -- one facing north had "Maine" carved in the back, and one facing south said, "Georgia."Arrived at train station as things were beginningMet Soaring EagleMachine, Big Foot, CosmoTwo Eagles, Gatorade, patchEventMama GooseCamped at center between road and tracksVery close quarters - fine until Safety First and partner set up tent between usWalk to deliHot
Date: 2014-07-14
From: Route 22 (Native Landscape Garden Center)

To: Schaghticoke Campsite (CT)
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: light rain

Did not sleep much until after 2 AM or so. It was hot, and my bug bites itched. Finally took an allergy pill for the itching. The alarm went off at 5:30, and I packed up. I ate a muffin from last night's deli trip and figured I'd stop up the trail to have my oatmeal and coffee. The hike began with an uphill walk through fields, so my boots got soaked from he dew on the grass. Humidity must have been 90%. Ugh! The trail continued uphill to Hammersly Ridge through the Pawling Nature Reserve and then descended gradually to Hoyt Rd. Near the CT border. Stopped for a sandwich at the Wiley Shelter and left a note in the log for Cyclone to give the Lyme a real humdinger of a wallop.The local DAR had set up to serve lunch to the Warrior Hikers at Hoyt Rd., and they invited thru-hikers for sandwiches, fruit, cookies, etc. I made a turkey, cheese, and tomato sandwich and enjoyed some cookies. The man I had met yesterday who maintains the first 5.5 miles of the trail in CT was there. I later saw his stone step handiwork.The rain began shortly after I crossed into CT (hooray!) but was light for a while. I debated rain gear, decided I didn't want to cope with dripping clothes, and put it on. Because I had some pretty good climbs, I wish I had just gotten wet. I wound up pretty wet from inside anyway. Both Ten Mile Hill and Schaghtikoke Mountains were steep and rocky. After Ten Mile Hill, the trail crossed Ten Mile River near where it joined the Hoosatonic, and both were roaring. I did get a lovely view of mist, clouds and hills from Indian Rocks. The harder rain had stopped, and I mentally begged the weather gods to hold off until I had my camp set up. Finally got to the turn-off and climbed over a tenth of a mile to the sites. Everything was wet, but I found a flat spot that looked like rain would run off rather than flood the tent and got set up. The mosquitoes were voracious, so I cooked outside rather than in the vestibule. Did a feeble bear bag hanging, mainly for rodents, stripped and put all the wet clothes, rain gear, etc. in the vestibule, and zipped myself inside.
Date: 2014-07-15
From: Schaghticoke Campsite (CT)

To: Route 341, Kent (HOBO and Anita's house)
Miles today: 3.2

Rain overnight, but not hard, and just dripping from the trees in the morning. It is still warm and very muggy. I packed the dry clothes on top so I could change in Kent. Given the weather report, I thought I'd call a B&B after their breakfast time to see about a room. I started out in rain gear with shorts and a dry tee shirt. But no rain, and I was roasting, so I stopped and switched to yesterday's wet clothes. Much better. About 10, I turned off airplane mode to call the B&B, and got texts from Lee and HOBO. Evidently she had posted on FB that I had hiked in the rain and everything was wet. HOBO sent a weather warning for today, and he offered to pick me up and take me home for the night. Wow! I called him and said I'd be in Kent and would love to have a visit. Anita will get off work earlier, so she will drive up from Bridgeport. Amazing trail angels. (We had hosted HOBO in Killington last year when he came through on his AT thru-hike, and he has been very helpful and encouraging to me.)I got into Kent and went to the outfitter, which shares space with Annie Bananie's Ice Cream. Not sure if he is the owner, but the man I spoke with agreed I could change in the rest room and leave my pack while I did errands. I started with two scoops of ice cream. Then went to The Villager Restaurant for a delicious Mexican Burger. Walked to the PO for my drop box and the IGA for other supplies. Saw Puddin' on the way. Flounder is still below par with his Lyme Disease, so they went to the Fife and Drum last night and are zeroing today. Stopped at the wine store for a gift for my trail angels, and headed back to the outfitter. Still no rain, but it is certainly threatening, and the Weather Channel on the TV here is full of reports about severe storms. Got my next collection of maps in the drop box, so I can now plan from here. I want to include the Bearded Woods Hostel, and it looks as if that will work. Hudson will pick up from three locations, each about 12 miles apart.Anita arrived about 4:45 and drove me to their apartment in Bridgeport. Both she and HOBO are working for the Bridgeport Hospital,which owns the apartment. They still consider Maine their home. We had a great conversation about the trail and her support for HOBO's hike while he was on this part of the trail. What fun to get to know her a little better. After I showered, we put my laundry in the machine, HOBO hung my rain fly to dry, and they took me to dinner. The trail conversation was great. We talked about how the trail is an equalizer and how it does change people, HOBO shared stories of his hike, and we compared experiences. I have been organizing my pack and lamenting, as I usually do, the added weight of the food resupply. But I know I'll eat it down and start the whole cycle over again. We head back early in the morning. HOBO and Anita offered the chance to zero, but tomorrow's weather looks like it will be dry by afternoon, so I need to get back to walking!