morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-07-08
From: Unionville, NY

To: Unionville, NY
Miles today: 0.0

Today was great! I had a great breakfast made by Bill and then hung out for a while. I was then rushed to the dentists office, and poof part of my tooth was taken out and the rest was patched up. A costly adventure that is for sure, but much cheaper than I had expected. We'll call it a small victory and the cost of hiking. After the appointment I was a bit numb but traveled around the country side with Butch. We ran some errands and I was able to pick up some more snacks. THen back to the house. I took a nice long nap. I really love naps and wish I took more during my days. After I woke up I enjoyed the company of the new hikers who came in. I met Captain Jack and Foot Loose who is a SOBO. My first SOBO thru hiker of the year. I started to feel a bit slow, but he is 2 months out, and I am hopefully two months away from my destination. THen the Slackpackers returned. Bones, Mud Bug, No Eye Deer, Jenkin, Lady Cluck, Sampson, and Superchunk all returned happy but tired. We ate a wonderful dinner of chicken soup and salad. THen we all listened to some great music and then listened to Bones play his ukulele. I really love live music so this really was a special treat. We all hung out and even sang along to a few songs. How lucky am I to have enjoyed such a wonderful day. Also crazy news on the weight front. I had started my hike at my largest weight ever. As my training was eating and enjoying the company of good friends. I knew I would get in shape, the trail has a way of whipping you into shape haha. I also knew that women usually don't lose a lot of weight but maintain and sometimes even gain weight. But it is all muscle as we loose our fattyness. I look back at pictures of myself and am amazed! I have lost at least 20lbs and am very happy with how I look. The scales bring smiles to my face. But no need to worry, I am still stuffing my face with all sorts of snacks when ever I get the chance. I love having an excuse to eat huge calorie meals. I know when I am done with the trail I need to change my eating habits for sure haha. I had my mom ship my chacos to me and thus the pink crocs have been sent home. After seeing so many folks rocking the chacos and getting their sweet tans, I got jealous. I now am going to be rocking the beefy chacos. I have gotten rid of many other pieces of gear including my pocketmail. It worked great for a while, but I got sick of fighting it. Plus mine was older and a tad more heavy. THus I am very happy that I got a real bargain on it at 99cents. I still have the "Beast" my old pack. Lately it has been left much less than capacity. I often think of getting a new pack, but why this late in the game. THe beast and I have put in huge miles together and so we must continue the fun. ROck onThat's about it, life is good still and that is that.I am so glad I am here experiencing all the cool things I have been able too.Yay,SUN BEAM
Date: 2008-07-15
From: Unionville, NY

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 10.0

Yes that is right, I have finally made it to NEW ENGLAND. I can tell because people smile more and well there are beautiful rivers and streams everywhere. I am here for a bit getting my sweet package from Elliott (thanks dude!) and then going off with Brown Bag and his Bro to hang out for a day, a bit north of here. I will update more soon, I swear. I am very much excited to only have 5 more states and 750ish more miles left of the trail. It is actually bittersweet. I am also getting very excited to hit up my dad's house in NH for a few days... oh I must make it to NH first hehe. Be well, big smiles!
Date: 2008-07-16
From: Kent, CT

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 0.0

That's right I took another lovely zero today. After being kidnapped by Brown Bag and his family yesterday, we found a sweet campsite to set up and relax. My zero was filled with yummy food, swimming, and of course good company. Plus Brandon (BB's Brothers friend) brought his guitar and rocked out for us. It was a lovely day to spend being lazy and not hiking. Zeros are very important sometimes that is for sure. At this point in the game that is exactly what I needed for the day. Tomorrow I am going to dilly-dally around town for a bit charging my mp3 player and getting my food in order. Then poof I'll be back on the trail. This time it will be the big push towards MASS! These "smaller" states really fly, and although it is supposed to be really hot the next few days I'll rock it. I am very excited to be in New England.Huge thanks to Brown Bag's crew: Justin, Kelly, Brandon, and of course Lilly the dog. Your hospitality and kindness will not be forgotten. Thanks for the good times and good tunes.Happy Trails,Sun BEAM
Date: 2008-07-21
From: Laurel Ridge Campsite, MA

To: Tom Leonard Lean-to
Miles today: 19.1

Today was a rough and long day. I was very excited to reach Laurel Ridge last night just in time to make myself dinner and set up my tent before the rain. It was a nice rain, not to hard but just enough to make sleeping great. I was joined by a couple from NJ out for the night. I slept in till about 8, trying to get my tent dry before I headed out. From there it was a crazy, crazy day. UP to Race Mountain, down and up once more to Everett Mt. From there I made it to the Hemlocks Lean-to for a much needed lunch break and rest. It was a pretty humid day, the kind of day that makes big miles hard. I read from some SOBO's that water for the next section is sparce so take extra. I did, I took 3 liters. It was a nice section of trail from here, lots of ridge lines and lots of views. I also met my first ridgerunner of the section MILKMAN. Then poof up to the "Jug End." After the views of the Jug End it was downwardness till a large bit of valley walking. It wasnt bad by any means but it seemed to drag on. Finally the big climb up East Mountain. It was nearing the end of the day, I was getting tired and I was running low of water. IT was around this time that I started to lose focus. It's hard to be positive all the time, and although I try today was rough. I reached the "top" of East mountain several times, those false summits can do you in. Then it was getting late and my head lamp batteries are low. So many things started dragging me down. It seemed to take forever to reach the shelter and eventually I passed a section hiker who just set his tent up in the trail because he had given up on finding the shelter that night. I pushed on in search of some water and dinner, luckily about a half an hour later I made it. I was welcomed in by the section hikers and very happy to rest. It's the hard days on the trail that make the easy ones much easier. We need the rough and tough days to keep us grounded. Several of my hiking partners may gasp to know that even I, Sun Beam have "bad" days. (GASP!) haha
Date: 2008-07-22
From: Tom Leonard Lean-to

To: Shaker Campsite
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: scattered clouds

After yesterdays struggle, I decided to take it easy today. Make the push over Mount Wilcox and camp at Shaker Campsite. I slept in, took my time and enjoyed the walk. I stopped at Benedict Pond for a while watching the families play. It was a great day. I made it to the brand new Mt. Wilcox South Shelter and took a 3 hour break. The weather was cooler today, and the clouds seemed to warrent rain. I decided to try to go while the weather was good. The thunder rolled in just as I aproached Mt. Wilcox North Shelter, I didn't mind getting wet. The thunder continued and the skies grew darker. Luckily it wasn't until I reached the campsite that I knew I was going to get wet. I rushed to put up my tent on the wooden platforms, but after getting a bit frustrated I flung it onto the ground and finally got it set up. I ran with my gear inside just as the heavy downpours began. The rain was so hard it was getting me wet inside. Outside my shoes under my vestible became a dam for the raging river that started to flow around me. I could not believe the rain that was falling. I had not had a good rain event in a while, I guess we were due. It was quite interesting to watch, but worrysome as how I would keep everything dry. The rain finally lessened up around 20 minutes after it began. I was able to make myself some dinner and get my place set up before the next wave hit. I did get some quality reading in, which always makes for a good night. Before I went to bed, I heard some gunshots which seemed much closer than I liked. Sometimes its the unexpected sounds that you hear that get you thinking about life. (I made it alright
Date: 2008-07-23
From: Shaker Campsite

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: moderate rain

Another easy day into the much talked about Upper Goose Pond Cabin. It was a nice relaxing walk in the rain. There was water everywhere. My tent which normally weighs 2 lbs was now about 5 from the water and dirt it collected last night. We have been so lucky with weather that I wasnt used to the hassel of the rain. The trail was a muddy mess. I was very soaked and dreaming of a fire the whole walk to the Pond. It was beautiful. It made me remember why I love New England. The cabin itself was very inviting. There was a raging fire in the fireplace when I arrived and I was welcomed in by Carrie and her husband, the caretakers of the week. I found a bunk, and dried out all of my wet things near the fire. I didn't really move from the chair by the fire all day. It was right where I wanted to be. Brown Bag had zeroed there and much later Sunkist and Kyonite showed up too. It made for a good evening. I was happy to have a roof over my head as the rain and thunderstorms carried on all night.
Date: 2008-07-24
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Tom Levardi's (Dalton, MA)
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: heavy intensity rain

It was still raining when I woke up this morning. I was happy to be warm and dry. I had no intentions of hiking very far, let alone to town. I ate a yummy breakfast of blueberry pancakes and slowly got everying in order. I didn't leave the comfort of the cabin till 10:30. Just as I left the cabin a tree fell right by the trail. Yikes, so many down trees everywhere. The trail itself had become a river, and in someplaces lakes. Everything was so over saturated that It was very hard to stay dry. I did alright Till I took my first fall in the mud, ripping my rainpants. The sun tried to come out as I passed over I-90 remebering the last time I was the one driving on the road below. Then more mudfest, lots and lots of mud. After the initial cursing of falling in the mud and water up to you calf it became much easier to embrace the situation. Once you were soaked there was no reason to avoid the puddles. I felt as if I was 5 again, splashing and splooshing in the puddles. SOme normally small streams became so flooded it was almost easier to just walk through the water than chance slippinng in off a rock. Sunkist had to carry Allie over one of the streams as the little dog surely would have ended up down stream. I really enjoyed the trail today. It was one of the best days I've had in a while. You really couldnt help but laugh at the redicoulusness of "bridge" placement or the rocks that were supposed to help you safely across being submerged. I had a smile on my face most of the day, even though my boots and socks were both filled with water and mud. I also stopped at the Cookie Lady and Man's house where I bought a coke, and ate yummy homemade cookies. A huge thanks to Roy and Marilyn for the wonderful hospitality. Your house was the sunnyest thing I saw all day. I also got talked into just walking right into town rather than stopping at the shelter 3 miles from town. I am sure glad I did, I walked straight down into town to Tom's house where He invited me in to shower and get cleaned up. He also drove us to a sub shop so we could get dinner before it closed. A truly awesome trail angel! Thanks for everything TOM!! A good nights rest was much needed after the past few days. Now the push towards VT, and eventually NH and a few days of the trail with my dad and his wife. Keep on Smiling,SUN BEAM
Date: 2008-07-31
From: Tom Levardi's (Dalton, MA)

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today we got very spoiled. My dad came to pick us up (Brown Bag, Sunkist, Kyonite, and the puppies.)First we ate all the Friendly's we could eat and then my dad came and we were wisked to Sunapee, NH for a little much needed R and R. Real beds, yummy food (like good old Brats!), and a little bit of boating. Ah yes, life is good The weather the past few days has been a bit soggy, which is okay.. we've really lucked out in the weather department this whole season. It will be great to dry out, and live in a bit of luxury for two days. I am excited to get back on the trail and finish the last quarter of our trip... yup seriously we are 3 quarters done wooo wooo!! Here is a link to some photos... http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2144601&l=98482&id=5801258http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2129713&l=e0d52&id=5801258Be Happy,SUNBEAM
Date: 2008-08-10
From: Manchester Center, VT

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: clear sky

Holy Cow, I've made it to NH! Only two more states left to hike and 441.2 miles! Which means I have already hiked 1735 miles.... sadly the toughest parts are yet to come. I've really enjoyed the last few (dry) days in VT. I was able to get some beautiful views and meet great SOBOs. Plus I ran into an old friend! J. Bird (who is doing a flip flop) was hiking with a couple and as I started talking to them I said "Excuse me" and ran over to J. Bird for a big hug! I have not seen her since GA, and we started the hike together before she got hurt. It was SOOO wonderful to see that she was back out hiking and feeling much better. Heck she has already hiked the hardest parts of the trail! So here is the picture of us meeting up on the trail. Some other good news would be possible employment for after the trail.. I sent my resume in for my dream job on Monday, and got a call setting up a phone interview for Friday.I hope it works out, and that my finishing up the trail wont mess up my chances. I will tell them that I cannot start till October so I have no pressure to finish up the trail in any near time. I love taking my time and enjoying it. It is sadly almost over, bummer! Cross your fingers for me I am once again back at my dads, it was going to only be for a night, but Sunkist got sick and thus as she zeroed to get better... I zeroed because I could haha. I know these will be my last zeros for a time so I am okay with taking them. I will probably be hiking with a bunch of folks I have not seen in a while once I get back to the trail. For some reason this past few days I have been able to get by with out eating much from my food bag. I lived off amazing farm stand food and a great deli... I even ate a pie, a coke, and 2 scoops of choco Ice Cream all in under 10 minutes.. that was yummy! I'm very excited for the Whites, and what is yet to come. I am ready for the challenge... and I am ready to rock the AT I hope everyone is well, and happy. Life is good here...SUN BEAM
Date: 2008-08-18
From: Hanover, NH

To: Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 0.0

Soo... I am in no rush to finish this hike haha... and thus it has taken me over a week to get to Glencliff. So just out of Hanover at the Moose Mountain Shelter I ran into Brad and Aggie once again! It has been nearly 2 months since I've seen them. After we all had lunch at the shelter Brad came up with the wonderful Idea to head back to his mom's house. So we hiked down to the Lyme Road and Brad's mom Sue picked us up and drove us to her house. Where we showered and ate like kings... oh and watched mad Olympics. SO i had my first phone interview with the school of my dreams out West... they asked what I thought about relocating.. haha I am all about it! And although short, I have to call them when I am done hiking and set up a real all day interview in MT. Then as Brad's mom came home from work it started to rain... she more or less sweet talked us into staying.. so we did... much more lounging on the couch and Olympic watching. Finally we rolled out on Saturday (it started to storm, but we waited it out.) From there we hiked up Smarts Mountain for a beautiful view and then pushed to Hexacuba Shelter where we met up with Sunkist and Kyonite again... a snack packer reunion! It was pretty cool. And since we have been taking our sweet time hiking... sloooowwly. I am both excited and nervous about the Whites... but very much ready to see how they are. I am sure I'll have some great stories when we reach the end of the big old WHiteS!much love,sun beam
Date: 2008-09-08
From: Glencliff, NH

To: Rangeley, MAINE
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Well Holy Cow, I've actually made it to MAINE! I have 220 miles left of this amazing journey. I am still in no particular rush to get it over with. I am truly having such a great time. The North East is perfect, and I am very happy to be back in my second home... MAINE. The Whites were pretty awesome. I was fortunate to meet a great family out on the stretch from Mt. Layfyete and Mt. Garfield. Moonshadow, S. Forecast, NIM, and myself got to frolick along the ridge with a 8 year old, a 10 year old, and their mom. Meeting our new friends will always be a bright spot in my memory of the trail! I had pretty much flawless weather up until I got to Lakes of the Clouds Hut. It was very blustery and semi rainy. I thought it was wonderful though as I only hiked the 5ish miles up from Mizpah Hut and did a work for stay. The wind blew all night, it was great to sleep in the dungeon and be warm. After sweeping up the guest quarters in the morning I headed off into the fog and wind for the summit of the North East's biggest Peak... Mount Washington. Every now and then on the way up the wind would blow the fog away and I could get a glimpse of the peak. By the time I actually reached the summit... I had a bit of a view. It was really awesome! The view down towards Madison just got better. From the Whites we crossed into Maine and then hit the Mahoosuc Notch. It was soo much fun. Large boulders everywhere and even a few tight squeezes through small caves. I hiked this part with Bound, Sunkist, Kyonite, and of course the two crazy beagles. We laughed so much because of the Allie's "spider pig" like tendencies. It really was fun, and I can't wait to some day do it again with a day pack haha. Other than that the mountains have been bigger, and thus have amazing views. The climbs are well worth it and all is well. I am just really enjoying myself. Unlike many others who are ready to have their hikes be done... I wish it would last longer. I have been taking my time more than ever, taking easy days and enjoying all that the trail has to offer. What is the rush anyway? "Real Life" is so rushed as it is... trail life should be simple and enjoyable. So thus... when I do finally finish the trail (hopefully by October 1st haha) I will be happy with how I hiked it. Never Yellow Blazing... and only one slack pack. Other wise I have hiked all the trail and hauled my full pack the whole time. I am happy with how I have choose to hike this trail. And I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to have hiked it. Still Loving the Adventure...Sun Beam!
Date: 2008-09-10
From: Rangeley, MAINE

To: Stratton, Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Hello again, this time from another hostel. I was planning on continuing on up to Horn's Pond Lean-to but, everyone else said they were going to stay... and thus... I did too! I pounded out over Saddleback, Sugarloaf, and the Crockers this past few days. UP next are the Bigelows... (which I did last year for a shakedown hike.) I now have less than 200 miles to go, and tomorrow I'll hit the big old 2000 mile mark. I really cannot believe that this trip is comming to an end. Several folks I have hiked with have recently summited, which is pretty unfathomable. My time is coming to an end out here... but I continue to enjoy every minute of it. It has been getting pretty chilly out here at nights, and thus I am having my dad send me my super warm puffy jacket. I also bought a super rad bean's vest from the local thrift shop today. My sleeping bag has been extra comfortable and amazing, and very hard to get out of in the mornings. The weather during the day has been perfect for hiking. All is well.. still rockin out here and Yay! Ready for bed here, much past hiker midnight. Be well.. SUNBEAM
Date: 2008-09-15
From: Stratton, Maine

To: The Forks, Maine
Miles today: 0.0

Today I finally crossed the Kennebec River via a rockin Canoe. Other than recently crossing the big 2000 mile mark... life on the trail has been nuts. I am getting freaked out that this amazing trip is nearly over. Tonight Brown Bag, Sunkist, Kyanite, Moonshadow, S. Forecast, and I all got a super rad cabin at Northern Outdoors Center up in the Forks, ME. We got a good deal and were very happy to have beds tonight. This is our second to last town stop.... so we splurged. We ate like kings for dinner and are playing a bit of pool and watching Monday Night football. We are planning on summitin' the Big K on Friday the 26th or Saturday the 27th... Crazy... ahh!! Maine has been beautiful, we pass several amazing ponds each day... if it was a tad bit warmer I would definitely be swimming that is for sure. (sorry again that my updates are very weak in information... updating is rough, when all we want to do is relax... ) I do still appreciate your readershipBe Well,SUn BEam
Date: 2008-09-23
From: Sand Beach - Lower Jo-Mary Lake

To: Pollywog Stream Stealth Campsite
Miles today: 17.6

I sure woke up ready and refreshed this morning to a beautiful foggy sunrise over the lake. Although early it was fairly warm which made it much easier to get going. After breakfast and getting everything packed up I tore myself away from the lake to the next shelter. After a quick second breakfast and foot care I was off. Pretty much right after leaving the shelter I hit MAGIC! Not only was there an amazing cooler filled with cold soda and dum dum lollipops but there was one aw inspiring views of Katahdin! (see the picture) Several folks and myself took in the view, it really is starting to be fall here in New England. The colors of the leaves are really starting to pop! After a half an hour or so at the lake I moved on. I ate lunch at another lake (so much water) where I ran into two former UMaine Professors out canoeing. It was fun to talk with them for a bit. Then Achilles, Kyanite, and Sunkist showed up to share the beach for lunch. It really started to hit me that this trip is nearly over. It was a great place to spend an hour, from there I moved on up and over the last mini climb before the big K. We got another view of Kathadin and all was well. I had the best of intentions of pushing on to the shelter tonight, but Sunkist and Kyanite convinced me to stay at a nice spot here by Pollywog Stream. We had a fire and joked around. I even was able to trade some snacks (a snickers and some chewy sprees) for another dinner. When my Mt. House was gross I made another dinner and thus am now one short. All is well, and all are happy!I heart the trail,SB
Date: 2008-12-03
To: Photos from the trail.
Miles today: 0.0

Hello,So while hiking I took over 2,500 photos in a 6 month span. I needed a great way to share them and preserve them as they were all digital. So while on the trail a wonderful lady told me about a company who helps create really awesome photo books. It took a little while, but I am truly happy with how it came out. As an added bonus they allow others to check it out too for free. Don't worry you will not be asked to buy anything. THis is just to show you some of my pictures, The Trail through my eyes if you will. I sure hope you enjoy it as much as I do.Just use the link below and then type in the id and the password below.http://www.mypublisher.com/bookshelf/index.php?assoc=bksdownBook ID: 830339 Password: 2377057 Cheers,SunBeam.