morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-07-23
From: Maggie's House, Tyringham, MA

To: Crabtree Cottage, Lee, MA
Miles today: 0.0

Today was an unexpected zero, but I¢m completely content with it. Leon was obviously not fully recovered from yesterday when we left Maggie¢s this morning. He was putting up a pretty good show on the walk back to the trail (yes, more miles to walk! No one even knows the miles I hike just getting to the trail or to town, fetching water, etc.) but I saw through it and couldn¢t stand to see him miserable later on tonight. We only had 10 more miles to Lee, so I decided to make them up later and take a zero with him. The relief on his face told me I had finally made the right decision. He once again got to experience my amazing hitching abilities- the first car that drove by stopped for us! We spent the afternoon figuring out a reservation mishap, and finally wound up at the charming Crabtree Cottage to meet my mother. The evening turned out to be beautiful with clear skies and a cool breeze. Go figure. We had a great dinner with my mom. She, like Leon, is pretty into the trail gossip, so we got everyone caught up.The awful thing about today is that I learned my cat died at home last week. It's strange how these thins affect us. I've had far worse phone calls in my life, but this had me pretty upset. Casey was one of the comforting things I always look forward to going home to. I know I¢m in a safe place when he's climbing on my head while I try to sleep or walking all over the keyboard or book in front of me. I had joked about missing him so much that I could put a basket on my pack and hike with him. I think its all a part of missing my home and family, but I really do miss him specifically as well.Perhaps too much on my cat, but its part of what everyone must endure by following my journal. At least I had the day with Leon and the evening with my mom, so I couldn¢t dwell on it so much.Good night,Chardonnay
Date: 2006-07-24
From: Crabtree Cottage, Lee, MA

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin, MA
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: clear sky

I¢ve had this problem getting out of towns lately, and I always have low miles on my day back out. I have a harder time getting my engine running these days. I bet Lindsay can remember the days I used to insist on leaving town by 10 am. Hah! Some miles are better than no miles, I guess.My mom and I had a great breakfast at the B&B, then spent the rest of the morning doing my trail errands. I felt badly that she came all that way just to eat, sleep, and drive me around, so we did what we do best...went shopping! Not just any shopping, but bargain shopping at the outlets.Despite having such a nice weekend with her and Leon, I had been looking forward to getting to bed tonight. I seem to get worn down in town. It's always hot and noisy and busy and I wind up with a headache. Even if I get tired of the trail, I¢m still able to appreciate things like the night noises (whippoorwills, frogs, wind) and the fresh air. This is my world now, and even when I¢m frustrated with it I can't help but notice just how much I've adapted to it, especially when I compare it to town.Cheers,ChardonnayP.S.: I meant to talk about this the other day, but there was too much going on and I forgot. Besides being taken in by a stranger, the other exciting part of my day was walking through a forest of Jewelweed. Lindsay had shown me this plant ages ago leaving the Smokies. It looks metallic under water, which is cool enough. It is also supposedly good for treating and preventing poison ivy. But today I learned that it also produces a flower! Oooh the icing on my cake, a little yellow hanging flower. I was glad that Leon got to see some of the surprises the trail throws at you. I tried to impress him with my knowledge of a little plant called Golden Root, which is gold at the very end of its root. I picked one to show him, but he's colorblind and didn¢t believe me, I think. Blast!
Date: 2006-07-25
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin, MA

To: Tom's House, Dalton, MA
Miles today: 20.1
Weather: clear sky

I know, I claimed I wasn¢t going to do big days anymore, but it was worth it today and really wasn¢t that much effort. Well, I guess that¢s all relative...20 miles is still plenty of effort! Perfect weather, cool and breezy, and 4 miles of flat terrain. Hoorah!I forgot to mention it the other day, but there is loads of Clintonia on the trail. It¢s in the blue berry phase.But more exciting tonight is that I wound up at Tom's house. There are no official hostels in Dalton, but two undercover ones. How crazy...a destitute hiker one moment fending for myself in town; clean and fed, wearing cotton and watching the evening news the next. I'm so lucky! The plan is to slackpack (hike without my pack) over Mt. Greylock tomorrow, then wind up back here. I¢m a bit nervous to put myself up to 23 miles without the security of my pack, but I should be much faster and finish in plenty of time. I must not forget my toilet paper, though!Good night,Chardonnay
Date: 2006-07-26
From: Tom's House, Dalton, MA

To: Tom's House, Dalton, MA
Miles today: 23.8
Weather: clear sky

I¢m pooped! 23 miles, pack or no pack, should not be underestimated! I didn¢t get back to Tom's house until about 8:15 tonight. My biggest problem was that by hiking south, I passed by all the dozens of northbound hikers ahead of and behind me. I can be a bit chatty, and that¢s probably why I got in so late.There isn¢t much else to report. Mt. Greylock was a bit of a disappointment. It was full of people who drove to the top and it was too hazy for any views. I can¢t wait for the Whites!Cheers,Chardonnay
Date: 2006-07-27
From: Tom's House, Dalton, MA

To: Congdon Shelter, VT
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: haze

Welcome to Vermont! I got hailed on about an hour into the state. Delightful.It was sad parting ways with Tom, but I guess I had to get out of Dalton. What a great trail town, though a bit of a trap for hikers. I heard of some people staying two weeks! I got to watch three episodes of ¢Sex and the City¢ last night. Unheard of.Not much else is going on. I have a couple visits with my mom coming up. Can I really be in Vermont? I've been looking forward to these states the whole trip, and here I am. My "to go" miles keep getting smaller and smaller, though 582 more is still a lot of miles no matter how far you¢ve come!So tired. I sure hope I don¢t have Lyme disease. I think it¢s just the last two days sticking with me.Cheers,ChardonnayP.S.: What a muddy trail. It¢s been relatively dry all week, but I sink into the trail up to my ankles. I did see some moose tracks, so am hopeful I¢ll see one.
Date: 2006-07-28
From: Congdon Shelter, VT

To: Goddard Shelter, VT
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: light rain

Today was another up and down day. I feel like I battle with myself at least part of every day, but I do seem to win out by evening.I got a late start but still felt tired. Ugh. I crossed route 9 in Bennington around noon and just sat there staring at all the cars driving east. A few right turns and I¢d windup in my parents' driveway. I'm sure one of those cars could get me to Keene. I continued hiking and took a break when it started raining at the next shelter. I was busy whining about how tired I was when Hot Springs showed up. Boy those guys catch upto me fast! Donkey was a bit behind because he hiked south for a while this morning on accident. At any rate, I set off into the rain, and a mile ahead I got hit with morePennsylvania rain. I immediately pulled out my map to find the next road. I swear, I was ready to go home for the night. Blast, no roads! Some days we cross road after road, but today...nothing! So on I hiked. Hot Springs was my saving grace. He caught up with me and I upped my pace to keep up and chat with him. I made it to the shelter a full 45 minutes earlier than I would have at my normal slog, and now I¢m warm and dry. There is something to be said for revving up my endorphins and getting to camp earlier. Maybe I should try to hike faster from now on.There were a lot of section hikers in the shelter when we got here tonight. They said they had room for one more person, but I quickly informed them we could get at least 3. We fit another 4. There¢s always room for another on a rainy night.I know that I always say this, but if I can just get through this week until Hanover, NH, then I'll be okay. I may even take a couple days off. It¢s all a big mind game, and I can¢t help but take it day by day, week by week.Good night,Chardonnay
Date: 2006-07-29
From: Goddard Shelter, VT

To: Stratton Pond Shelter
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: light rain

I started this thing four months ago! Insane. I don¢t think I¢ve done anything for this long in my life. Even semesters in college were shorter than this.The rain stopped today, but the trail was a mud pit and my feet got ripped up. It doesn¢t look like the trail ever really dries out here. I did have a good hiking day, however. I think hiking with Donkey and Hot Springs gets me to speed up, which means more enjoyable hiking and less time doing it. We even got in a couple games of yahtzee today! We also hiked over Stratton Mountain, just missing a free ride on the gondola this evening. The last time I was at Stratton I was skiing with Buzz and her sister Meghan. What a different perspective today was. I'm camping at a GMC shelter down at the pond, and it really was a beautiful night. Unfortunately I'm in the shelter and the bugs are keeping me busy swatting at them. It¢s like that alligator game at arcades where you bop the heads as they pop out. I could bop all night!It¢s probably my last night camping with Donkey and Hot Springs this week until we get to Hanover. I'm meeting my mom in Manchester tomorrow, and I could not be convinced to turn down a hotel room and hike 20 miles with them!Bed time!Cheers,Chardonnay
Date: 2006-07-30
From: Stratton Pond Shelter

To: Barnstead Inn, Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: clear sky

I'm apparently on the B&B/Inn tour these days! If I seem a bit spoiled since my arrival into New England, it's because I absolutely am. My mom said she¢d meet me in Manchester today, and as tempting as it was to blow through town and hike another 10 miles with Donkey and Hot Springs, I decided to get a room at the inn and take my mom up on her offer. I guess the hiking on idea wasn¢t so appealing to them either, because they hunted me down and we played yet more yahtzee in the room, then played even more while gorging at Friendly's until 6 pm. Ooooh I love Friendly's!I didn¢t consider the food thing very well, because my mom and I went to a steak house for second dinner. Amazingly, I couldn¢t eat any more...so I had a martini! Just as good. The real treat was that my uncle, aunt, and two cousins also drove out to meet up with us just for an hour or so. Really, the support I have is amazing. I managed just a couple bites of their dessert. My whole family is pretty into the trail. We saw a hiker on the street in the dark and my aunt turned the car around and tried to find him to see if he needed a ride. It was like hunting down a wild animal! Alas, he got away. We¢ll go hiker hunting another day.I'm zonked and Sex and the City is on again!Cheers,Chardonnay
Date: 2006-07-31
From: Barnstead Inn, Manchester Center, VT

To: Little Rock Pond Shelter, VT
Miles today: 20.2
Weather: scattered clouds

The AT must have made me into one tough cookie, because a couple months ago I was scared out of my mind the night I stayed at a shelter alone. Now I've sprawled my things out everywhere and even pitched my tent inside the shelter! There will be no crying tonight.Vermont definitely has some climbing, but maybe the grade is easier or I have my hiking legs back after those flat Mid-Atlantic states, because I'm rocking the climbs. I¢m serious; today was probably my easiest 20-mile day ever. Also, with all these visits I¢m only carrying a few days of food at a time, so my pack is comfortable. At any rate, I feel good. My brother Brandon seems convinced that I can make it, short of some injury. He told me to be careful not to trip. He knows me well; I¢m not necessarily renowned for my grace!There¢s one piece of gear I always forget to mention: my iPod. Some people claim you should be listening to the birds and the wind, but they haven¢t been out here for four months! Anyhow, I thought of it today because someone came up behind me and I didn¢t hear them. They got a nice show of me bopping around with my trekking poles to some Springsteen this afternoon. One time I was hiking in the rain and "Zippadee Doo Dah" came on. I had to stand and laugh for a moment. So yeah, I recommend a little music to get you through the tough spots. I should have downloaded some books on tape so I could learn while I hike. But I'd rather dance.Gorgeous day.Cheers,Chardonnay
Date: 2006-08-01
From: Little Rock Pond Shelter, VT

To: Cold River, VT
Miles today: 16.0

I take back everything I said yesterday about easy climbs. I stunk today! But who can blame me? My suggestion to gain your sympathy is to put a stair stepper in a steam room and work out for 11 hours. No no, not the sauna. We want a nice wet heat so you'll drip all day. You can stop sometimes for a snack, but you have to stay in the steam room.Gross!Just so I don¢t leave everyone thinking I¢m a big whiner (though I guess its well-known by now) I¢ll close with two nice thoughts. Bunchberry is out with its clusters of red berries (too late to catch the flowers). Also, I walked through a gorgeous spruce forest tonight. I love it! All spooky and open and squishy on the feet.Good night,Chardonnay
Date: 2006-08-02
From: Cold River, VT

To: Cortina Inn, Killington, VT
Miles today: 16.9

Spoiled girl, I¢m at another hotel! My Aunt Tami picked me up on the trail today with my two cousins Karri and Joshua. How amazing to be carted around to do my chores instead of hitching. We went out for steak and met up with my mom and another cousin, Krystal. If you think that Buzz and I go way back, then Krystal and I go wayyyy back! I¢ve known her my whole life, and she's known me all but the two months of hers before I was born. Good company all around, and I thank everyone for making the trek on a weeknight. I think Aunt Tami felt it was well worth it, especially after she finally hunted down a hiker and lured him into her van with cookies and the promise of a ride to a motel. Success!I hiked over Killington today, another place I used to ski at. I thought it would be extra special because I used to use Killington as a reference to gauge horizontal visibility at the observatory. I had visions of waving to Tim at 10 minutes before the hour. Okay, so it¢s well out of waving range, but there was no visibility anyhow. Maybe he sensed me through the clouds, perhaps broke a sling psychrometer at that very moment in my honor.Finally, I had some trail magic today from a guy who actually hiked this year! April 1- July 20. Insane! It was a new concept to consider someone who hiked at the same time as me being finished, and that maybe one day I'll be finished too. It made me slightly sad (only slightly) to think of being done, so I asked him if he felt the same. Nope. I swear, he looked pained thinking back on it! I guess it can¢t be much fun doing 20-30 miles a day.Cheers,Chardonnay
Date: 2006-08-03
From: Cortina Inn, Killington, VT

To: Wintturi Shelter, VT
Miles today: 16.8

My day started out slow and uninspiring. Long breaks, steep climbs, general lack of ambition on my part, and an upset stomach. I finally managed to pick up the pace and was rewarded. There¢s a lookout spot 0.1 miles off the trail that I decided to check out on a whim. I tell you, views on the trail are few and far between, and I haven¢t had one decent view my whole time in Vermont. It¢s either overcast or too hazy. Anyhow, this place was a cabin on private property with an observation tower on the roof. I could see all the ski mountains to the south, Camel's Hump to the north, and some of the mountains in New Hampshire to the northeast. I felt like I was back at the obs, coding cloud layers and judging visibility. What a gorgeous evening. Whoever owns the cabin, thanks so much for sharing with us! That¢s really some trail magic.I¢m getting very excited for New Hampshire and my birthday and some cooler weather!Cheers,Chardonnay
Date: 2006-08-04
From: Wintturi Shelter, VT

To: Regency Hotel, White River Junction, VT
Miles today: 16.1

It wasn¢t so ridiculously hot today, but I still had a tough time hiking. I'd try to speed up, limit my breaks, attempt to get somewhere, but no such luck. I probably would have pitched my tent somewhere earlier if I hadn¢t had to meet Leon, but I knew there was a hotel at the end of my day. I was ready to fall over when he finally met me, but I replenished my energy at the China Moon Buffet. What a great place to make up for lost calories, as well as boost the self esteem. I think we weighed 200 lbs. less than anyone else there. Someday in the near future I won¢t be able to keep eating like this, so I'd better enjoy it while I can!I've certainly been in a hiker lull lately with big groups ahead of and behind me, but just me hiking alone in the middle. A lot of people were smarter than me and took off a couple days during the awful heat, and now they¢ve resurfaced. Notable is Bare Bear, who I met my second night on the trail and haven¢t seen since entering the Smokies! I didn¢t even recognize him he's lost so much weight. I forget how much the trail has changed all of us.The plan is to slackpack into Hanover with Leon tomorrow, then take the weekend off.Cheers,Chardonnay
Date: 2006-08-05
From: Regency Hotel, White River Junction, VT

To: Chez Pinney on Lake Winnipesaukee, NH
Miles today: 9.9

Happy birthday to me! It¢s been a fabulous day all around. I turned 23 and hiked to my home state all in one day! Leon and I had a really easy slackpack (he sorted out his problems from his last hike and highly recommends Patagonia underpants!) and made it into Hanover around noon. Woohoo! I felt so far from home the whole time in the south, and it was pretty exciting to walk across the Connecticut River into New Hampshire. Leon¢s parents met us there and we had a great lunch with big milkshakes. Really, there are no milkshakes in my non-hiker life, so I need to gobble up these things now! We left some trail magic, some wine, pudding, and starburst (illegal, I know, but I thought it appropriate to leave some chardonnay!) just before the border to welcome everyone to the granite state. Live free or die, right?!We finally made it to the lake and had a salmon dinner with my parents and beat them at two games of Cranium. It¢s just such a relaxing place, a good interim for me to take time off but not be in some busy hot town. Hey, there's even a privy in the backyard if I don¢t feel ready for a flush toilet! I may spend some quiet time on the lake before I head further south and dig into the real world later in September.Overall, a lovely day. Thanks to everyone for the birthday gifts and wishes.Cheers,Chardonnay
Date: 2006-08-06
From: Chez Pinney on Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

To: Chez Pinney on Lake Winnipesaukee, NH
Miles today: 0.0

Zeeeeero! It has a nice ring to it, no? I couldn¢t even walk far if I wanted to, since I'm on an island. The plan was to go to Hot Springs' house for the night so all the normal people could get back to work for Monday morning, but the lake is too tough to resist! We¢re staying for one more night with my brother and his girlfriend, who are taking the week off, and Leon has called in (again! oh dear) so he can drive me back to Hanover in the morning.It was a perfectly lovely New Hampshire day on the lake. Most people on the trail know where I¢m from because I talk about it a lot, and I've been reminded why I love it so much. I did some floating and water skiing. Leon is better at floating than water skiing.Cheers,Chardonnay
Date: 2006-08-07
From: Chez Pinney on Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

To: Moose Mountain Shelter, NH
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: haze

I¢m sure I¢ve mentioned it a million times, but I¢ll say it again; this is such a mental hike. I waffled for a bit, deciding if I should take 4 days off and go to Boston with Leon or hit the trail in Hanover. Time off now, or finish sooner? It¢s always a dilemma for me, and as I approach Katahdin I remember that there is an end in sight and soon I¢ll have to join the real world. I decided to plug on and found myself leaving Hanover today.I showed up at the shelter where I had planned on cooking dinner, then moving on a bit...but everyone was there! The whole crew: Jangles and Baro, Shasta and H-Bomb, Mouse, and Donkey. Hot Springs will catch up tomorrow. So I decided to make a lower day of it and camp with everyone. Good decision, as they had packed up stuff for s'mores! I¢m not sure if I¢m capable of staying with a group, but it¢s good to catch up with everyone and maybe it will keep me motivated.Cheers,Chardonnay
Date: 2006-08-08
From: Moose Mountain Shelter, NH

To: Hexacuba Shelter, NH
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: broken clouds

Ooooh what a beautiful day! It was crisp when I woke up and though the sun was shining, there was a cool breeze all day. I¢m sure the visibility was at least 100 miles since there was little haze. I beat Donkey and Hot Springs at Yahtzee (yep, they're still obsessed) at a break at a firetower. I tell you, it¢s good to be in New Hampshire.I did accidentally do a roadwalk today. I saw blazes along the road and thought it was fishy that they were so faded. I even asked someone where the AT was and they said I was on it. Really, I tried to find the trail! At any rate, I wound up paralleling it for a couple miles. Maybe one day I'll drive back to Lyme, NH, and make it up. Donkey and Hot Springs couldn¢t find the turnoff either and wound up taking the road as well.The shelter tonight is pretty neat, a big hexagon. It was nice to hang out with a fire and eat hot food, since I never wanted either during all the awful hot weather. I met a guy who came across my trail magic that I left. He said it came at just the right time because he was thirsty, so he drank a whole bottle of wine! Way to fuel someone's alcohol abuse problem, Chardonnay!Time for sleep.Good night,Chardonnay
Date: 2006-08-09
From: Hexacuba Shelter, NH

To: Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 14.7

This is really one of the most uninspiring hostels I¢ve been to! There must be a farm nearby because all I smell is manure, and you can pay $10.00 to either sleep on a stained mattress or pitch your tent. Town trips, laundry, and showers are extra. I was completely out of food and missed the post office where I had a mail drop waiting, as well as the town shuttle, so I ate everyone else's leftovers. Mmmmmm!The weather was exceptionally nice today, but the hiking wasn¢t great. I am extremely excited to be in the Whites, though. I¢m having my mom send me my leggings and gloves again, because it keeps getting chillier. I hope it doesn¢t get much cooler before they arrive on Mt. Washington!As excited as I am to have Leon hike through the Whites with me in a couple days, it's also stressing me out a bit! How to get him back to his car, how far we'll even make it, how to manage without staying at huts since he isn¢t a thru-hiker and can¢t do work-for-stay. Eeeeeek! He¢s really the easiest person to plan trail visits with, but it's really pushing me. The truth is that I¢m a planner by nature and I always seem to find something to stress myself out about, even in the most relaxed situations. I guess everything will work out.Sleep time. I have a big day over Moosilauke (yes, Mike, it's on the trail!). It¢s my first time above treeline for the whole trip! How crazy to think I¢ve been hiking for almost 1800 miles and haven¢t stepped above treeline once.Cheers,Chardonnay