morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-08-02
From: Mt Algo Lean-To

To: Stewart Hollow Brook Lean -To
Miles today: 7.3

Another scorcher today. Spent most of the day in Kent, eating. Despite the heat, I couldn't resist cooking up some hot chocolate to go with my Skor candy bar I packed in as a treat. Listening to some Dispatch, and Alkaline Trio right now to keep spirits up. Spending more and more time alone as the numbers dwindle. I've always considered myself a loner, but at the end of the day, sometimes all I want to see is a friend's smile. A social loner? Only a theory for now. And speaking of theories, I checked my message board today and had yet another request for a continuation of My American Dream. I should have just written it down before because hundreds of miles of thinking about it has questioned every last idea, but that's part of the reason for keeping a journal I guess. To refer back to what you were thinking at a certain point in your life and see what you've learned or how you've changed since. The part of this dream I've struggled with the most is that it sounds like a damn fairy tale whenever I get more than a few sentences into it. Why not just sum it up as "happily ever after"? Ok, so here's what I've got so far: I want to build my own house and I want it to be rustic. I hate the sterile hospital feel so many new houses have. Maybe homey is a better word than rustic. I also want a car that is fast, fun, and practical, like a WRX, but in the other bay of the garage that I built, will be a little European convertible that only runs a couple sunny Sundays a year. I want to live within an easy drive to as many of the outdoor sports I enjoy. I want my pen to write smoother. No, wait, long term. I want a job I'm good at that is also rewarding. I want this to stop sounding so lame. I want to fall in love. If that last one comes true, all other plans will probably go right out the window. I can only hope.
Date: 2004-08-03
From: Stewart Hollow Brook Lean -To

To: Limestone Spring Lean-To
Miles today: 22.3

Wow, crazy miles today. I was out of camp a little after 7 this morning for the first time in months. I had 10 miles done by 11:30. Hiking in the morning was really refreshing before the heat of the day. Even had time to stop at Great Falls and watch some crazy (crazier than me) kids jump off this massive cliff. Met Ashley and Amanda from Wolcott who were with some assholes who kept throwing trash all over the place which really pissed me off.   Ashley had matching neon green bathing suit, belly-button ring and tongue ring. That pretty much sums it up right there, hehehe. She had brown eyes and Amanda had something different that I never figured out, probably because of the neon green reflection. They were nice though and gave me some food. I gave them this website so maybe I'll be hearing from them in the guest book.
Date: 2004-08-04
From: Limestone Spring Lean-To

To: Sages Ravine Brook Campsite
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Happy four month anniversary to me. I skipped going into Salisbury to celebrate partly because I missed the turn closest to town and partly to save money. I spent a long time up on top of Lion's Head, took a nap, indulged in the last of my Skittles, then I got caught up in reading a book I found at the last shelter about theories of relativity and quantum physics. Sent my brain for a loop, but slowed me down enough to miss hiking in the hottest part of the day. Came over Bear Mt in nice cool air, but even if it was hot it would've been a piece of cake.
Date: 2004-08-05
From: Sages Ravine Brook Campsite

To: Prospect Lake Campground
Miles today: 11.0

Met up with my parents today, flawlessly, despite the fact that I was obliviously running over 2 hours late. Thankfully, we have the same genes, and therefore, run tardy to the same extent. Hadn't seen my Dad since May 24th or so. It was thrilling to come walking up on them on my first day in Sweet Home Massachusetts. Also, got to see Gordon and Mike, which was a great surprise. Gordon cooked up some rib eye steaks that were incredible. Way better than going out to eat. And tomorrow is sausage and eggs! Mike and I went for a gorgeous sunset paddle around the pond. I'm going to miss Maine this year. Hopefully, next year all our schedules will coincide better. I talked to my Dad about the fizzle of "My American Dream" and how I left everyone hanging to begin with. He compared me to a person in the Gold Rush whose dream never came true. I guess by definition the title I chose for it, sealed its fate without even realizing it. I just got sick of thinking about the future and where I'd rather be. Seems kind of pointless. On another note, I've been thinking about breaking points, and how everyone must have one. I came out here in part to test my limits, in some ways hoping to fail. To ground me. But all I've done is blow the roof right off of anything that was holding me back. At anytime, anywhere, we all have limitless possibilities. My American Dream is to continue to enjoy the most amazing experiences that so few choose to undertake.
Date: 2004-08-06
From: Prospect Lake Campground

To: Tom Leonard Lean-to
Miles today: 10.0

Had a crazy morning trying to run around and get all my errands done in time for my parents to get on their way home so they could do their errands. Said good-bye to Gord and Mike after they came to the outfitter store, and like so many goodbyes, it went without mention of when I'll see them again. Sometimes it's better not to try and make some dumb guess. Went out to lunch at Milton's which was pretty good. Posted a schedule on my message board as to when I'll be on Greylock. Hopefully, some of my friends can make it out and I can see their smiles.
Date: 2004-08-07
From: Tom Leonard Lean-to

To: Shaker Campsite
Miles today: 11.2
Weather: light rain

I'm in a ten mile slump. I can't seem to do much more than 10 for 4 days now. Tomorrow won't be any different as I'm thinking of sleeping at Upper Goose Pond Cabins. Very uneventful day of hiking. Only saw day hikers. Must be the weekend again. Spent a couple hours reading the Tropic of Cancer at the last shelter. Might be the first book I finish that "wasn't worth it", as my mom says.
Date: 2004-08-08
From: Shaker Campsite

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

Only hiked about a half a day today. Got here at like 3 and decided to chill. Rumor is they'll make blueberry pancakes in the morning! This is such a beautiful lake, it doesn't deserve to be called a pond. I took out the canoe for a solo paddle around. Found some animal crackers in the hiker box that made a nice snack for the voyage. The weather the past few days has been incredible, almost chilly. It feels like April, or October, but I'm sure it's only temporary. I should be hammering out miles, but I'm crawling. This trail has been wearing away at me for so long now. I can't quite place what I want to do. I'm taking for granted everything out here. Well, not everything. but the novelty has surely worn off. Am I bored? Tired? It's not that I want to go home or that I even want to leave. I guess I'm just not enjoying myself as much anymore. Must find a way to remedy this.
Date: 2004-08-09
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Kay Wood Lean-To
Miles today: 17.6

Had blueberry pancakes this morning, but we were all quite disappointed to learn that we each only got 4. I don't know who sets the limit, the AMC or the caretakers but if you're going feed hikers, do it right!! Hiked through some evergreen forests today that smelled like Maine. I wish I was there right now, relaxing after a fantastic day of sailing. Laughing with my aunts, uncles and family over a lobster feast. Shoulda, coulda, woulda. It won't be the same alone there. Are people only drawn ahead by an enjoyable experience in the future? What if you have nothing to look forward to or you were always looking forward to something else? I have to keep reminding myself that every painful, wet, mosquito bitten step is what I dreamed of before I came out here and dreamed of being home.
Date: 2004-08-10
From: Kay Wood Lean-To

To: St Mary of the Assumption Church Hostel
Miles today: 12.3

Went into Dalton today to check for messages and eat. Found out there are a bunch of people coming out to see me. It's going to be great to see these people I haven't seen in 4 1/2 months. Spending another night alone here, hardly see anyone anymore. I splurged pretty big today and ate lunch in Dalton, then hiked to Cheshire and ate dinner there. I think that's the first time I ate an entire large pizza by myself in one sitting. It was damn good.
Date: 2004-08-11
From: St Mary of the Assumption Church Hostel

To: Bascom Lodge
Miles today: 7.7

Hurried up the climb this morning thinking Theresa would be up here waiting. Turns out I read here message wrong and she's not coming until tomorrow. No big deal, just a little confusion. Had a great surprise when the woman at the front desk told me my aunt had called and left her credit card # again to treat me to food and a night's stay. Had a great dinner here with people I hadn't even expected to see. Stickman showed up which was insane. I haven't seen or heard anything about him since Hot Springs. Great to see him and catch up on trail gossip. And it's always good to see Swann and Ursa Minor who also showed up. Wonderful fire place here with comfortable chairs to melt into.
Date: 2004-08-12
From: Bascom Lodge

To: Wilbur Clearing Lean-to
Miles today: 3.3

What a great day. Woke up to a huge pancake and eggs breakfast and then lounged around until Brad and family showed up. They came bringing tons of food and treats and my fly rod from home. Sat around sorting my food and caught up on old news while we waited for Theresa and Leo to get there. Then headed down the mountain to get some grub. On the way down, I glanced at a pick up we passed and was 90% sure it was my Uncle Nickle who I heard might drive out to see me. So I told Brad to turn around and chase him down. Caught up to him and I was right! Talk about luck. He came into North Adams with us to go out to eat. Somehow, we picked the worst place I've eaten at yet on the trail, hahaha. It was still so much fun to laugh with all of them and hear their stories. We went grocery shopping and then back up the mountain and just like that, they were gone. A brief but much needed visit. Leo stayed a couple of hours longer and we had some good conversations. Many about life and money and school, that we rarely agreed on, but more or less just debated about. Way too many things running through my head. I need to stop trying to make all these decisions and stop being afraid of doing something wrong. This trail has definitely taken its toll on me. I'm tired. Tired of self deprivation. Tired of being uncomfortable. Tired of this trail. But at the same time, still completely stubborn about staying out here. There's so much more to see and I've come so far. I know there are good things to come and only 7 weeks left. I just feel like I'm treading water out here now. Maybe VT will bring a renewed spirit. Leo's last advice to me was "Don't think about how good girls smell and how soft they are! Now that's all I can think about.
Date: 2004-08-13
From: Wilbur Clearing Lean-to

To: Congdon Shelter
Miles today: 17.1
Weather: mist

Finally got some respectable miles done. Entered the mud puddle they call Vermont. It rained on and off all day and made the entire trail a muddy river. Everyone's talking about how moisture from a hurricane is supposed to hit us in a couple of days. That could be messy. Might do big miles tomorrow. We'll see if the sun comes out.
Date: 2004-08-14
From: Congdon Shelter

To: Story Spring Shelter
Miles today: 23.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Crazy miles today. Might be the longest for the rest of the hike. Had to remind myself that I still have it in me even over mountains and through mud. We're supposed to get slammed by the remnants of Charlie tomorrow, which could influence how my day goes. I just noticed that the Batenkill River runs through Manchester center Could be the first good chance to try out this fly rod I've been lugging since Greylock. I'm loving these New England woods. Lots of scrubby conifers, everything is covered in mosses, and finally some crystal clear ice cold water again.
Date: 2004-08-15
From: Story Spring Shelter

To: Spruce Peak Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: overcast clouds

So the hurricane never showed. At least for now. It was supposed to rain from midnight till noon but there wasn't a drop all day. Maybe it's just delayed, but talk about bad weather predictions. Turned out to be a great day of hiking. More cool temperatures that are great for what August could be. That's about it...town tomorrow.
Date: 2004-08-16
From: Spruce Peak Shelter

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: light rain

This was a nice day off after pushing those big miles. The mud has just been chewing up my feet. It gets into my socks and acts like sandpaper on my skin. Stickman offered to let me crash in his hotel room which was just awesome. I haven't been in a real hotel since New York. Went fishing today after all my errands were done. I didn't get much more than an hour in when it started to pour on me. It was still great to get back into that peaceful rhythm it brings. Came back here to the hotel with a surprise hitch from Duke and his friend Dave. Then went out to eat at the Chinese Restaurant here and dropped $30 on dinner, but it was well worth it. One of the best meals on the trail. Laughed so hard with those guys, it hurt. After dinner, I called home and had a horribly stressful conversation about my student loans. How I've missed the first two payments and I need to go through this whole deferment process. The fact that school costs so much really pisses me off. I owe like $8,000 and don't have anything to show for it. I might as well have gone and bought a brand new Kia, and then I'd at least have a shitty car to show for all that money. Our country is so focused on convincing kids they won't make it anywhere in life, if they don't go to college. They say it opens up so many more opportunities for you. BS I say it traps you even more than not going to school. By forcing you into focusing on making the most amount of money from your job just to pay off your "education". There is no higher education after 6th grade, maybe even earlier. After that, it's just spitting out information. But now I'm caught in the loop. I have no financial assets, no degree and some large loans. So, I go back to school to defer them more and just increase them? I get a job and begin the 6 years it will take to pay them off? If I don't go back to school, I'll have nothing to show for all that money. I wish I'd realized what I was getting myself into by "trying college". For now, I'll just have to factor it into my budget. What a screwed up system.
Date: 2004-08-17
From: Manchester Center, VT

To: Baker Peak
Miles today: 12.8

I'm laying in a small wedge in the rocks on top of this beautiful peak in Vermont. Cowboy camping as they say. The group of us (Swann, Ursa Minor, Blue and Stickman) just watched an amazing sunset and now the moon's sliver is chasing the sun over the horizon. It's going to be a perfectly clear night and I might even get to see some Persiades. I don't know how I'll ever go back to work after this hike. Being out here makes me think, "screw money, there's no happiness in the pursuit of it. Life can be so simple".
Date: 2004-08-18
From: Baker Peak

To: Greenwall Shelter
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: clear sky

Unplanned short day today. We all had a rude awakening at 4:30 this morning when it started raining on us. I escaped from the peak to the woods and set up my tent. The others just started their day really early. I went back to sleep and caught up on the sleep I'd lost in Manchester. Then even after I started hiking, I kept taking breaks. The longest one was at Big Branch shelter where I went fishing and caught my first two trout of the trip. A small 6" brown and a 7" rainbow. That made carrying my fly rod all worth it. Hopefully, I can make up some miles tomorrow and still have time for the Whistlestop Cafe and fishing in the Mill River. I just have to get out of bed in the morning. It's harder than it sounds.
Date: 2004-08-19
From: Greenwall Shelter

To: Cooper Lodge
Miles today: 20.9
Weather: light rain

I did everything today, very productive. All because I got up at 6. I was able to go to the Whistlestop Restaurant for breakfast by 11. Then I fished for a couple of hours in Clarendon Gorge and still managed to hike up Killington for a total of 21 miles by 6:30. A long day but a good one. I caught two more trout in the river, a couple of Brookies, the biggest being 9". Picture perfect fish. Brook trout are by far the most beautiful of the trout species. Tomorrow I'm going to try and call Bruce from the pay phone at the top here. Don't know any news about whether he's going to be around or not, but I could always hitch. Easy day tomorrow and for the next 3 days as my Dad is coming up to hike with me. Don't think we'll be doing big miles. Oh yeah, saw my 5th bear today, running away as always, but it was very unexpected. A nice surprise.
Date: 2004-08-20
From: Cooper Lodge

To: Rutland,VT
Miles today: 6.3

Met up with my uncle here at Rt 4. I wasn't exactly expecting him to be there, so I showed up a little late. It's so tough to plan meetings. Had a great afternoon getting cleaned up and going out for lunch. Then we had a big pizza party and I got to see my cousin, Ira, Aunt Meg and Uncle Terry who I hadn't seen since starting the trip. I last saw Terry when I was taking my first steps onto the trail in Georgia. It was just awesome to see all of them and sit around in a comfy living room and catch up. Now it's way too late though and I'll pay for it tomorrow.
Date: 2004-08-21
From: Rutland,VT

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

Woke up to pouring rain this morning. Not a good motivator for leaving an apartment for the woods. Went out and had a superb breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon and cheese, potato skins, plus a side of pancakes of course! Then drove to Pomfret to drop the car off and on the way back realized it was lunch time. So, more food! We stopped at the Inn at Long Trail to have sandwiches and say Hi to Swann, Ursa, and Blue. Then, finally, we said goodbye to Bruce and started hiking at 2:30. The good part is it had stopped raining by then. Looks like we're in the clear now, but you never know. My Dad struggled a lot on the steep uphills. I never had anyone else to compare my hiking to except other thru-hikers. I didn't realize what kind of shape I was in until today. Hopefully, he won't be too stiff or in pain tomorrow after sleeping. Should be a great day.
Date: 2004-08-22
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: Mauri Wintturi Shelter
Miles today: 9.9

Nearly perfect hiking weather today, 70 degrees, dry, and sunny. It took us like 8 hours to hike 10 miles, but we stopped a lot and moved at a leisurely pace. Felt like we were crawling at times, but it's a different hike when you have someone to talk to the entire day. Had a comfortable warm fire after we reached the shelter and had a lot more daylight hours to cook and relax. I lost in our cribbage game, but escaped being skunked by one point. So glad my Dad is able to hike some with me, physically and schedule-wise. Already treasuring the memories we're creating.
Date: 2004-08-23
From: Mauri Wintturi Shelter

To: Cloudland Shelter
Miles today: 9.8

Nice hiking day out to the car. Headed for the General Store in South Pomfret and had a tasty lunch on the picnic table near the babbling brook. It was tough to say goodbye to my Dad, mostly because I knew it was a return to solitude. Didn't see another thru-hiker going either direction all day. Made me realize that one thing I miss most out here are personal constants. People who I can count on seeing everyday and are waiting to go to dinner with me after class, or waiting at a road crossing to eat lunch together, or expecting a call from me after work to ask each other how our day's were. As much as I think that I easily get bored of the same thing day after day, I also know I need some things to stay the same. Now that I've moved to such an independent lifestyle where I'm so responsible for my well-being, I want a place of my own. Somewhere to call home, to return to between adventures, to friends over for a beer or maybe an entire meal (hahaha) There's something deeply comforting in having a place to return home to. So, anyways, I'm spending my 3rd night alone in a shelter on this hike, and to top it off, it's raining. Stops raining for my Dad to start hiking, and starts as soon as he leaves. Go figure.
Date: 2004-08-24
From: Cloudland Shelter

To: Happy Hill Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: broken clouds

Got up at my usual late time this morning. Hiked to the White River and spent a few hours fishing. Caught an 8" trout and had fun wading around up to my waitst. Fell once and split my elbow open, but not too bad. I'm only 5.3 miles from NH. Twelve states down, 2 to go. The end is approaching fast and it scares me a bit. In part because these are the hardest sections of the entire trail and in part because I don't know where to go with my life after this. I'm trying to welcome the unknown though. Even with no planning, I'm sure life will pull me along gently until I find another adventure to leap towards.
Date: 2004-08-26
From: Hanover,NH

To: Velevet Rock's Shelter
Miles today: 1.5
Weather: clear sky

Met up with Doc who has friends with a house on the CT river. Had a big reunion party which was so awesome. Went off the biggest rope swing I've seen in my entire life. I don't even know how to start describing how much fun the whole experience was. From cramming 7 people with packs and a yellow lab into a Volvo, to getting pulled over for an illegal U-turn, to canoeing at 11pm with Travis and Swan's daughter Theresa (Cygnette),to just sitting around the campfire with some of the best people in the world. Top it off with good weather and you've got yourself the perfect day. And I must say, Hanover is the best town to go to college in, hands down. There's an incredible Outdoor Club at Dartmouth with the river and mountains close by, not to mention the most picturesque campus in New England. Too bad it's only available to the elite. What I was afraid of came true though, everyone I've been looking forward to seeing that was behind me just blew right by. I got to see them all for one night and now maybe, not for the rest of the hike. In some ways, I don't want to force myself to finish directly on my birthday when I could hike with my friends and summit with all of them. It just seems so perfect that this trip will end in a culmination of all those aspects to create the biggest day of my life thus far. How many people have finished their thru-hike on their twenty first birthday? I've gotta hike it my way. Besides, these people are friends for life. I WILL see them again. I'll leave this entry with a slight variation of a line from my first journal entry of the entire trip. I can't believe I'm in New Hampshire.
Date: 2004-08-27
From: Velevet Rock's Shelter

To: Moose Mtn shelter
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: clear sky

Decided to hike only half the day today. This shelter was just too nice to leave. And I may be guilty of a little pink blazing, but that never hurt anyone. Spent the afternoon reading and relaxing by the fire. It's not like I'm in a rush to get anywhere!
Date: 2004-08-28
From: Moose Mtn shelter

To: Smarts Mtn
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: light rain

I'm trying something new tonight; sleeping in a fire tower. Pretty windy up here and the forecasts call for scattered thunderstorms tonight. If one rolls through, this could be the scariest night of my life. I should be safe though, right? Lightning only travels around the outside of metal structures, I hope. It's not like this tower hasn't been hit hundreds of times before. I don't even want to think about how LOUD that would be!