morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2013-07-27
From: The Toymaker's Cafe

To: Sages Ravine Campsite
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: light rain

Day One Hundred and Forty One - (15.1) The Toymaker's Cafe to Sages Ravine CampsiteWe slept in this morning knowing that the cafe didn't open until 7am. We were packed and ready to eat by then. The cafe was awesome! The food was amazing and the place had a comfortable feel to it, none of us wanted to leave. I asked if they were Toymaker's and it turns out he remodels vintage motorcycles, very cool! When we couldn't delay any longer we slowly picked up our packs and walked out of town. It turns out that we hadn't missed much by not having a shower, it was just a shower head off the side of a building in full view everyone driving by. We planned on being in Salibury for lunch but had eight miles and a big climb before then that turned out not to be too bad. Salibury was fun and much more hiker friendly than Kent. We sat and ate at an outdoor cafe and then resupplied at a grocery store that had everything we needed. The sports store had more of what a hiker would want than the outfitter in Kent. After our little shopping spree we stopped at a coffee shop before skipping town. Iced cappuccino yum! We left town for an even worse climb than this morning but again we were surprised that it didn't seem that bad. All of those little ups and downs from yesterday seemed way worse than today. We cheered when we arrived at the 1500 mile mark and there was a group of girls out camping who cheered us on as well! Next stop was at the top of a mountain with a view for a food break before we went down what we had been forewarned was a steep, dangerous pile of rocks. Wrong! There were rocks and it was steep but it was nothing like what we had to do the other day coming down to the Housatonic River. When we were almost at the Connecticut/Massechussets border we met Glen one of the ridge runners for the area and then as we arrived at this campsite we met Machine (who thruhiked last year) and is the other ridge runner. We are all set up not far from the stream, I can hear it from my hammock now. It is late and already dark but today has been a great day! I think we should have breakfast and lunch in different towns along the trail everyday! Good night world!Trouble
Date: 2013-07-29
From: Jess Treat's House

To: Jess Treat's House
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Day One Hundred and Forty Three - Jess Treat's HouseZero dayThe forecast was rain and we were all exhausted so it was an easy decision to stay. We went out for breakfast, bought more food and later went out for dinner. It was the perfect zero day, Jess's house was very relaxing and everyone felt at home.
Date: 2013-07-30
From: Jess Treat's House

To: Shaker Campsite
Miles today: 17.6

Day One Hundred and Forty Four - (17.6) Jess Treat's House to Shaker CampsiteWe woke up and enjoyed our last few minutes of the comforts of town. Bomber dropped us off back at the trailhead an we were off. It felt so good to be hiking without my pack today! We all quickly realized that without our packs on we needed to spray our backs, the mosquitoes were relentless. Once we were doused in deet we started the climb, it wasn't that bad but I was tired by the time we got to the top and I kept lagging behind. It was a really nice hike though and it was kind of nice to feel like I was in the woods all by myself. I even started hoping for a bear sighting since Melkie was up ahead with everyone else. Every couple of miles they would stop for a break and wait for me but I always ended up behind again. We hiked by Benedict Pond (it's really a lake) but again the only one doing any swimming was Melkie. We plan on swimming tomorrow and we had all just had showers so no one wanted to stop. We stopped for lunch at the next shelter, there were really two shelters an old one and a new one so we went to the new one an when we left we found Kodiak at the old one by himself. We continued on making great time without our packs and hiked through an old pine forest. When Bomber met us at the last road crossing with our packs he told us that some of the oldest trees on the Appalachian Trail are in that pine woods that we just hiked through. He also brought trail magic! He brought cokes, a pizza and watermelon! Thanks Bomber! After the feast we put on our heavy packs, said goodbye and headed up the trail to the Shaker Campsite. There was old stone foundation that was cool. It is the actual site of a shaker community and the trail register box included information about the history of the place. It is still light outside but I am so tired. Good night world!Trouble
Date: 2013-07-31
From: Shaker Campsite

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

Day One Hundred and Forty Five - (9.9) Shaker Campsite to Upper Goose Pond CabinI heard Two Socks packing up and even though I thought we had all agreed to sleep in I got up and started packing. Soon we were hiking away from the smell of the coffee that was brewing near Zenmaster and Canadian Bacon 's tent. We hiked through woods, marshes and fields before coming to the big climb of the day, we even made it across the duelling boards of death unscathed in a swampy section. The climb was manageable by taking short breaks on the way up. Two Socks stopped for a food break and to wait for me when he thought we were at the top but I knew there was more up to come. When the big climb of the day was done I relaxed a little knowing that the worst was already over. For some reason I had to keep stopping to eat, I has so hungry and I was losing steam. Even though we were half a mile from our destination I stopped yet again for more food. Finally we arrived at Upper Goose Pond Cabin, we made it before noon and were the first hikers to arrive for the day. This place is amazing! It is a house with a big veranda that sits overlooking the lake. There are canoes here that we can use and it is so peaceful here. The upstairs of the house has been turned into a bunk room but I will be hanging my hammock since dogs aren't allowed inside. I'm pretty sure I will sleep better out here away from the snorers anyway. The privies have   Two toilet seats, one for each function and I just happened to be here when they were taking the soil out of one of the composting boxes and it really did just look like dirt, it didn't even smell. Anyway, Canadian Bacon and Zenmaster arrived about ten minutes later and soon we were all down on the dock relaxing. I think somebody has been feeding the fish because they were all gathered around the dock waiting for us and would nibble at our feet if we put our feet in. Melkie was really curious but always swam in from the beach so he never got close to any of them. It was too hot for me on the dock I soon retreated to my hammock for a nap but got interrupted so many times that I gave up and went and sat on a rocking chair in the veranda. After a few hours of relaxing I actually felt restless and thought about just hiking on but how could I not stay here this place is heaven! It got even better when Kodiak said he was going into town and would bring be back food! He came back with coke and cheeseburgers! After dinner I caught upon my journal and now I am about to sleep. Good night world!Trouble
Date: 2013-08-01
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Kay Wood Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: light rain

Day One Hundred and Forty Six - (17.6) Upper Goose Pond Cabin to Kay Wood ShelterI tried to sleep in but it just didn't work out, breakfast wouldn't be ready until 7am. I slowly packed all my stuff up and headed to the cabin. Coffee was ready and soon I was eating blueberry pancakes. After cleaning up, we were hiking north again. Today was supposed to be relatively flat but really it was a day of small ups and downs and we were all tired out long before the day was over. We stopped at The Cookie Lady's house for cookies and coke. While we were there a SOBO thruhiker arrived and misinformed us of the trail ahead. Up until today I have really liked meeting the southbounders as they pass us and exchanging information about the trail but today I just wanted to go back and find that guy and tell him off. The last six miles seemed to go on forever, we finally arrived at the shelter at 7pm and set up camp. I am so tired that I am sure I will be asleep soon. Good night world!Trouble
Date: 2013-08-02
From: Kay Wood Shelter

To: Cheshire
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Day One Hundred and Forty Seven - (11.8) Kay Wood Shelter to CheshireWe woke up and headed to Daulton for breakfast it was the fastest three miles we have hiked in a long time, funny how food motivates! While we were sitting in the cafe eating someone came up and gave me a hug. It was Miss Janet! She had seen Melkie outside and knew she would find us. She is such an amazing lady, she brought us in trail snacks and offered to help us however she can for the rest of the trip. After breakfast we went to a convenience store to resupply, it didn't have everything we needed but we realized that we would be walking through Cheshire later today so didn't worry about it. While we were hiking up and down hills that didn't show up on the elevation chart in the AT Guide it started to rain. I didn't mind the rain but it made the rocks and roots so slippery and I was happy to see the road coming down the hill. We had a little road walk to an ice cream shop in town where we ate as much as we could until the rain stopped. There was a church up the street that allows hikers to stay the night so we walked to the church and made ourselves at home. While we were hanging out Sparky and Orange Peel arrived and set up camp in one of the Sunday School rooms. We realized that if we were to spend the night indoors we would also like to have clean clothes and showers so we called around and found a hotel that allows pets over in the next town. Next we called Miss Janet and asked for help! She picked us up and dropped us off at the hotel and made plans to slackpack us tomorrow. She is so awesome! I text Sparky and asked him if they wanted to slack as well, they are in! we are going to have a great day tomorrow! After taking turns having showers and starting the laundry we headed across the street to a Chinese buffet (we had been talking about going out for Chinese food for a few weeks so this was perfect). By the time we finished there it was already late and we still had to dry our clothes. It turned out to be a late night but we knew that we could sleep in a little in the morning. Good night world!Trouble
Date: 2013-08-04
From: Bennington

To: Bennington
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Day One Hundred and Forty Nine - (18.4) BenningtonMiss Janet slack packed us again today. She arrived at 9am but by the time we picked up Sparky and Orange Peel and Oatmeal and Thunderfoot it was closer to 10am by the time we got to the trail. Within minutes of hiking we came across Aquablaze and Grinch so of course I stopped to talk. I didn't catch back up to everyone until the top of the first mountain that included a rock scramble. We hiked another few miles and arrived in Vermont! Our twelfth state! The Appalachian Trail and the Long Trail are one and the same for the next one hundred and five miles so we should be seeing lots of hikers again. We stopped at the welcome to Vermont sign to take pictures and then hiked up the trail. We hadn't gone very far before we found what the Vermont section of the trail is famous for - mud! Hikers call this state Vermud and I can see why and we have it easy compared to the hikers that were here a few weeks ago. It is much drier now. Oh and for the record rocks and roots still abound in Vermont but even with the rocks, roots and mud it was a nice hike. We followed a stream for a bit and went through swampy areas balancing on more duelling boards of death. When we made it to the sixteen hundred miles mark today we all yelled out a cheer! It's starting to feel like we are close to the end and there is suddenly talk of the Whites and Katahdin but for now we just finished the Birkshires and are entering the Green mountains. It's hard to stay focused on where we are now when we are so excited for the Whites ahead. As we left the last shelter break of the day I'm sure all of us individually were daydreaming of what was ahead. The last stretch was easy and enjoyable until we started the descent. It was steep, rocky and brutal! I was hurting by the time I got to the bottom but I had a surprise waiting for me! I was almost at the trailhead when Canadian Bacon hollered up to me that we had a ride waiting and when I got to the bottom a section hiker had passed out a couple of beers and offered to take us to town. While we were in the car he said that he had a cabin in Lincoln,NH and gave us his number so that we could stay with him when we get there! Thanks! We were dropped off downtown so that we could resupply and then headed back to the hotel where we cleaned up and had pizza delivered. All of our feet were sore and we realized that we had made really good time today. I had the chance to talk to Steve a trail angel who has been reading my journal and is planning on thru hiking when he retires. It's been a long day and I still won't be able to sleep for awhile, Two Socks is making us crack up and I don't see him stopping anytime soon. Good night world!Trouble
Date: 2013-08-05
From: Bennington

To: Bennington
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Day One Hundred and Fifty - Bennington Zero DayWe woke up and started packing up. Zenmaster went next door to the convenience store to buy breakfast and I soon followed. We both stopped to talk to the hotel manager and when we were all back in the room he came over with an offer we couldn't refused! We are staying another day! I put my town dress on and started to make new plans for the day. First we did laundry and then Al gave us a ride to a sports store where I bought a new rain jacket and then he dropped us off at another plaza and Two Socks got his haircut. Next we stopped at the dairy bar for ice cream and then headed to the movie theatre and saw The Wolverine. Canadian Bacon found her Katahdin outfit, she wants the green unitard outfit that the viper mutant wore. I want a Superwoman costume or a Zena costume, I think it would be hilarious! When the movie was over we walked outside and Al was there waiting to chauffeur us back to the hotel, how awesome is that! So many people have helped us along the way, I wish I had kept track of just how many people have helped me. Back at the hotel Two Socks decided to go out for dinner, Zenmaster and Canadian Bacon were just going to cook one of their camp dinners and for once I wasn't hungry. We ended up just hanging out in the room and watching a movie.Trouble
Date: 2013-08-06
From: Bennington

To: Kid Gore Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: overcast clouds

Day One Hundred and Fifty One - (14.4) Bennington to Kid Gore ShelterWe said farewell to Al and Annie who invited us to spend time with them in Key West (Pine Key) and took a few group pictures. Al also offered help of we had any problems in the next forty miles. Steve (his trail name will be Hocus when he hikes the trail because of all the trail magic he does) brought us fresh apple doughnuts that were still warm and said that he would take us back to the trail whenever we were ready. On the way back to the trailhead Steve told us about hikers ahead of us and some of the other hikers on trailjournals. We said goodbye to Steve and started hiking. We found the Tribe who had just reunited all hanging out any the bottom of the first climb. After briefly talking to them (it was too cold to not be moving) we started up the hill. It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be but I really wish the rocks and roots would go away! The whole day felt like an up. The trail was covered in mossy roots, it looked pretty but was annoying to try to walk over. It was so cold that when we stopped for lunch I put my thermals and my down coat on but then took them off at the next up because I didn't want them to get sweaty. After climbing a steep rock step hill we came to a shelter where we took a longer break. I put all my warm stuff back on and took out my sleeping bag and tried to fall asleep in the sun. It didn't work though because people kept arriving first was Mowgli, then Mama Goose and then Animal. Eventually I put everything away and finished the last bit of up to get to the fire tower, I was so tired that I decided not to climb it but kept on going aiming for the next shelter. A section hiker had told us that this next shelter was awesome and had an amazing view, we were so disappointed when we arrived at an old, dilapidated, dirty shelter. There was a view but we certainly wouldn't call it amazing. We set up anyway, all of us staying in the shelter (we never stay in shelters) and started eating. I couldn't eat enough food and I will have to ration what I have to make it last with the way I have been eating. I should really find a way to capitalize on this as a way to lose weight, eat as much junk food as you possibly can, then eat more and still lose weight! It was so cold that we all got into our sleeping bags as soon as we were finished eating. It's not really bed time yet but I am still going to sleep. Good night world!Trouble
Date: 2013-08-07
From: Kid Gore Shelter

To: Stratton Pond
Miles today: 15.0

Day One Hundred and Fifty Two - (15) Kid Gore Shelter to Stratton Pond ShelterI woke up early this morning and discovered the amazing view, the sunrise was spectacular and the clouds in the valley with the mountains in the background made the perfect picture. No one else was up so I went back to sleep. I think the only one who wanted to hike today was Melkie but eventually we all got up and started packing. It was hard to start hiking today but once we were on the trail the miles seemed to fly by. We stopped at the first shelter for a break and made plans to meet at a road for a lunch break. When we got to to road I joked about trail magic and we decided to start our big climb and have lunch a little later so it would give us a break from the climb. We crossed the road and got back on the trail and guess what Zenmaster found? Trail magic! I didn't believe him at first because I had just been talking about it but he picked up a couple cans of soda and I was a believer! Thank you anonymous trail angel! We started the climb and the first part turned out to be really gradual it wasn't until after our lunch break that it got steeper. Near the top (there were many false summits) we came across several Vermont Youth Conservation members working on the trail. Thanks! We continued on to the top and took a break before climbing the Stratton Mountain fire tower. It had an amazing view! I could see the windmills that we were close to a few days ago and a huge lake, on the other side I could see ski hills and in the distance the huge mountains that I think I will be climbing in the weeks ahead. I tried to take pictures but it just isn't the same as what I could see. Zenmaster called up to us from below that we should keep moving so down we came. It felt like we were making great time going down the mountain but we all wanted the day to be over by the time we arrived at the shelter. This shelter has a caretaker who arrived in time to collect money (the Green Mountain Club charges a $5 fee per person to stay here). The shelter is bigger than the shelters we have seen recently but there doesn't seem to be anything special about this place that would warrant the fee, maybe I'm missing something! A shower would be nice! But seriously the place wasn't even taken care of, There were maggots in the wash pit, no duff in the privy and the shelter was dirty with garbage on the floor that I ended up packing out so that Melkie wouldn't get into it. Anyway, I didn't want to stay in a shelter again my hammock is much more comfortable so I am camped out nearby. Good night world!Trouble
Date: 2013-08-08
From: Stratton Pond

To: Green Mountain House Hostel
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: light rain

Day One Hundred and Fifty Three - (10.7) Stratton Pond Shelter to Green Mountain HouseI packed everything up before heading to the shelter to eat and soon we were heading north again. As soon as we were out of earshot of the shelter I heard how lucky I was to be in my hammock and not in the shelter with the snorers, loud talkers and midnight movers. We stopped at Stratton Pond and took a group picture and then headed in a general downward direction for the rest of the day (and that rarely happens)! We made great time without having any big climbs and just before we came to the final trailhead of the day we met three day hikers who were from London, Ontario. What are the chances of five Canadians randomly meeting on the Appalachian Trail? At the trailhead we had to hitch hike into town and the first guy to pull over only had room for two so Zenmaster and Two Socks hopped in and left us girls to work our magic. Within minutes we had a hitch and soon we were reunited with the guys at Mountain Goat Outfitter where we all spent money on winter gear. I can't believe that I need winter gear in August but it is getting colder. We were all hungry by the time we left the outfitter and headed straight for The Bakery Works a cafe that had awesome grilled paninis and fruit smoothies. Next up another outfitter and then a grocery store. By the time we were done with town stops we were tired so we called Jeff at Green Mountain House and he came right away to pick us up. He seemed professional and very business like at first telling us about the hostel and he gave us a tour of the place when we arrived. It was so nice to have someone explain things to us, often at other hostels its the other hikers telling us where things are or how the place works. This place was awesome! It is a whole house for hikers with a complete kitchen, living room, computer and even a phone that you can call anywhere in North America. He has a bunk house in the back of the yard for people with dogs. The bunk house was perfect and it was nice to be able to keep Melkie somewhere and not have to worry about him. I had a shower and then relaxed in the living room and talked to Jeff who told lots of stories about the trail. I think this is my favourite hostel! Canadian Bacon made us an amazing dinner and even though my stay comes with a pint if Ben & Jerry's I was too full to even think about it. I started to watch a movie with the southbounders who are here but it got too late and I ended up just going to bed. Good night world!Trouble