morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-06-25
From: Vermont 11/30 

To: Underhill, Vt.
Miles today: 0.0

** To Mike Bailey- my thoughts are with you everyday out here; hang   tough man, which I know you will............      Taking a couple of zero days in the great metropolis of Underhill,Vermont. Up here @ KB's parents pad; lets see what we did today. Aftergetting up here last night late, had a few beers and crashed. Scarecrow,Shorts, the B's and myself went to a local swimming hole. I sat backwith my six pack and watched the "Kids" run around and jump off cliffs.Brought back memories of float trips in Mo., heading to Johnson Shut Innarea after floating all weekend and cliff jumping back in the day. (This old man was content top just to sit and watch this day in Vermont)   The hightlight of the day though was the flying dog who stopped theshow while jumping off the cliffs after sticks. Great times!!   Had a late bonfire with more refreshments; hit the sack with a smile.   Life is good!!   ** Thanks to the Manzs for taking me in again......appreciate      everything as usual!!
Date: 2005-06-26
From: Underhill, Vt.

To: Underhill, Vt.
Miles today: 0.0

Another zero; will keep this short and simple! While the "Kids"went off to play and do some water skiing I decided to sit and relaxthe bones a bit. Watched Braveheart, Dumb and Dumber , and the SixthSense while spending some time with Frank the dog. Frank is a pugthat has endless energy; quite the trip he is non stop and a coollittle dog. Not much else to say; planning to get back on the AT late tomorrowsometime. Nice to take a break; still a lot of hiking to do with sometougher stuff coming up. We are all feeling great and the breaks arekeeping the body together. Almost forgot, we all watched Forrest Gump in the evening......... Peace. "the AT is like a box of chocolates,   you never know what you are going to get".
Date: 2005-06-27
From: Underhill, Vt.

To: Bromley Shelter
Miles today: 2.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Yes, it is not a misprint.........we did 2 miles today. And how coolis that?? Very cool. Getting out of Underhill was tough, we all lagged a bit. Of courseon the 2 hour drive back to the trail we had to stop for food about every 15 minutes or so A&W, grocery store, Friendly's, and aboutevery where in between. Speaking of Friendly's, as we got closer to Manchester and the trailhead where we were picked up a few days before, the skies started toget darker and darker. The plan was to hike up for a few hours; getto the shelter and cook some steaks that KB had packed up. We wentinto Manchester to get some more grub @ Friendly's and the skiesunloaded. Man, haven't seen so much rain in a while. Flash floods inthe streets and lightning all around. Driving in KB's 1950 Volvo,trying to find Friendly's was a trip. And by the way dude, that caris awesome! The rain passed on; we hiked a couple miles to Bromley Shelter andcooked our steaks. Everybody had a different method; the B's did theirsin a pot; Shorts used the old Boy Scout method on a rock in the fire;I stuck a branch thru the middle of mine the old cave man way and Scarecrowchopped his up into pieces and cooked his on a stick. It all came outgreat.........living it up on the AT. (I think Snuffy, a section hikerwas a little bit shocked with the whole ordeal) Anyway, laying here in my tent, full belly with a smile and the eyelidsare getting heavy so till next time..................................... "freak out,   give in,   doesn't matter what   you believe in,   stay cool,   and be somebody's fool    this year,   what is rightous   what is bold,   so I'm told.......   Who wants that honey,   as long as there is some money......   Who wants, that honey??"   Smashing Pumpkins
Date: 2005-06-28
From: Bromley Shelter

To: Little Rock Pond Shelter
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: clear sky

Only one thing to talk about today......finally I saw a black bear!!Of the million things cool about the AT, seeing a bear was somethingon top of the list for me. The three critters I wanted to come across@ the start of this trip were a rattlesnake, a bear and a moose. I was packing up my things early this morning; clearing out my tentand I heard some rustling in the trees and undergrowth about 40or so yards to my left. It didn't sound like much; thought it mightbe a racoon or something smaller because it was the usual stuff youhear everyday out here. So I turned around and went back to packing andthen I heard a faint crash. Turned around and very queitly between twotrees this medium size black bear appeared. Man, how cool!! I couldn'tbelieve it.....finally. After I wiped myself, I made some noise sohe, or she would notice me. (Didn't want to suprise the dude) About maybe30 yards away the bear was moving it's nose in all directions, trying to get my smell. (Or maybe the steaks from the night before). SlowlyI stepped back to get my camera and as soon as I made a noise it dida 90 degree turn and took off down the hill. Damn, I yelled, come backfor a picture at least!! No picture, but there is another witness.....#11, another thru hikertenting in the area saw it heading down the hill towards the water source.So this is no fish story; and no I wasn't drinking any beer. I'm surethe bear freaked......all night it was smelling steaks and then comesupon me, who smells like a trash dump. Anyway, took a swim in the Little Rock Pond with Scarecrow late. Rainedagain and it is starting to get humid a bit. Walking thru a lot of mud,sweating in the heat but who cares.......I saw a bear!!!!!
Date: 2005-06-29
From: Little Rock Pond Shelter

To: Claredon Shelter
Miles today: 13.2
Weather: moderate rain

   Rain, rain and more rain. We really haven't had a bunch on this journeybut it has come hard the last three days. I was up early as usual; had toput up the tent in front of the shelter las night because the mosquitoswere everywhere. Kind of hard to sleep with mosquitos biting your a**all night. The B's have a free standing tent and put theirs up in theshelter. Shorts braved thru it some how.......   The walk to Vt. 103 was wet, muddy and full of heavy rain. Loving itthough....it feels great. A thru hikers shower in the woods we call it,cleans off the grime from the clothes and body.   I made it to 103 around noon or so and a half mile west is this placecalled The Whistle Stop. Now, this must be a great place because peoplewere telling me about it down in Virginia. I remember hikers telling me"hey Snowdog, when you get to Vermont check out The Whistle Stop @ 103"....... (I can't even remember what shelter I stayed in last night Scarecrow reminded us all and what a great place. They really caterto hikers, huge portions of food and little extras we apreciate. I orderedmy second meal of grilled cheese and they put some ham on it, no charge.Asked for a meduim ice cream cone and it was 2 feet tall.....great grub. By the time the B's arrived with Shorts it was starting to get humidand hot. We hung there for 3 to 4 hours; let the heat die down a bitand the B's and myself hiked on. Scarecrow and Shorts hung in Clarendon;we'll catch you guys down the road. Hiked out to Clarendon Shelter (man, what a climb out of Vt. 103)and came upon an all girl 4H club group in the shelter. KB and myselflooked @ each other; spending a night in a shelter with 10-12 girls,around the junior high age might be a night with no sleep. But tothe credit of the two leaders the girls were in bed right after duskand it was a very quiet night. Also, thanks for the noodles and othergoodies that the 4H club gave to us; very sweet indeed. Laying here, listening to the light rain pound the roof and headinginto dreamland..................................................
Date: 2005-06-30
From: Claredon Shelter

To: US 4, Vt.
Miles today: 16.4

Mt. Killington.....what a cool climb! We haven't done a climb likethat for that long since Virginia it seems. Told by the B's thatthis is a big ski area for Vermont. What is really neat about the climbs up here is you can start in the valleys with hot and humid conditions and there is always a pointon the way up where you cross the temp. zone. The first part of thisclimb I must have lost 100 lbs. of water. But halfway up you crossthat line and the cool upper air hits and man how great does thatfeel?? Speaking of sweating, it seems KB and myself are the ones who aredoing all the sweating   SB justs hikes along, maybe one or twobeads of sweat may drop off her while she smiles; probably enjoyingwatching us two sweat boxes suffer. The trail up in this area has a Lord of the Rings type feeling to it;mossy, ferns, tall birches, hanging trees, etc. Very cool indeed.... Got to US 4; SB's parents were there to pick us up. Heading up tosouthern Maine for the July 4th weekend. We are going to take 3 or4 days up here. I'm actually going to play some golf Saturday....haven'tswung the sticks in a while so all this hiking in the woods shouldcome in handy Fireworks, beer, waving the flag and remembering allthose who sacrificed so I can enjoy this trail and the freedom thatcomes with it; should be a great weekend. Will be back on the trailon Tuesday; in New Hampshire next week..... Goodbye for now from the Portmouth's Area, just north of Boston...... **Shorts--the B's found your sock.....send Scarecrows guidebood and wewill send your sock No, really, let us know where you want us to sendit to man..................
Date: 2005-07-01
From: US 4, Vt.

To: US4, Vt./ July 4 bash
Miles today: 0.0

   Allright, this is the plan..............going to chill up here @KB's Grandparents house for the 2nd, 3rd and July 4th. Will be backon the AT Tuesday.   Taking a little break; their place is up in southern Maine, aboutan hour or two north of Boston I believe.    Life is good..........................................
Date: 2005-07-02
From: US4, Vt./ July 4 bash

To: US4, Vt./ July 4 bash
Miles today: 0.0

   Man, what great times up here. KB's grandparents have a little placeon a lake and people are everywhere. We picked a spot in the back yardto tent; very nice.   Actually played some golf today; a scramble of some sort. Dan, KB'sdad, recruited myself and Ed, SB's father, to hopefully come away withthe title this year. Now, I haven't played golf in a while (which reallydoesn't mean much anyway) but it was the usual. The good news wasI didn't hurt anyone. The bad news was I was very consistent......alwaysin the woods Actually, it was all good, didn't play to bad. Maybe if they would put a white blaze on the green I could hit itonce in a while........   Well, you get the idea.....lots of fun and food to go around.Wiffle ball, some swimming and a good chance to air out my tentand smelly sleeping bag.   Will get pictures up of the 4th weekend soon.......   Until later.................................................
Date: 2005-07-04
From: US4, Vt. / July 4 bash

To: US4, Vt. / July 4 bash
Miles today: 0.0

   Happy July 4th to everyone!! Hope everyone had a great and safe4th.   They have this 4 mile running race here every July 4th; KB andDan had been talking about getting in it last week. Yesterday thetalk was going around again and I was in! So, KB (who runs @ college),Dan, Cathy Gelinas, Liz (KB's mom) and myself hopped in Herves (hope Ispelled that right) car and headed to the races.    Now, I do run a lot in the winter but biking is what I wouldrather be doing. Never have I run for time so this was going to becool. The race was @ 8 AM; SB is also a runner in college butcouldn't get up early enough to go.   Nothing like hearing the gun go off and watching hundreds ofbouncing heads in front of you. Looked like a day @ the races withbobble heads. First thing I realized about this was don;t fall downbecause there would be probably hundreds of footprints on my back.Was a cool time; did around a 33:20 or something like that which isdecent enough, and I didn't throw up!! (KB was in the 27's; we will   There are pictures we will post of this wild and crazy weekend; headingto the AT in the AM and moving on to Maine.   Don't want to bore you with more zero talk; want to thank everybodyfrom SB's parents to KB's parents and everyone else for the greattime and hospitality................want to name everyone but youknow who you are.    Thanks again and getting sleepy here...................................   **Hello Grandma...happy fourth!   "Ventura highway,   in the sunshine,   where the days are longer,   the nights are stronger   than moonshine,   You're gonna go,   I know........   America**The website for the race results is - www.coolrunning.com/results/05/me/Jul4_29thAn_1_set1 or go to just www.coolrunning.com and try and find it.. Dave Manz(KB), Dan Manz(KB's dad), Liz Manz(KB's mom), Cathy Gelinas and Snowdog.....I think mine was 33:20 or something like that.
Date: 2005-07-05
From: US4, Vt. / July 4 bash

To: Story Brook Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

O.K., onward we go! I am rested and restless @ the same time; theweekend was a blast. KB, SB and myself were taken back by SB's momto the point we left @ VT. 4. After saying our byes, we headed on. There is something still veryspecial about taking those steps into the woods, the unknown. It issomething that I can't always get in everyday life; the excitement of notknowing of what is around the next corner. Every step is a new stepand that is cool. We soon came upon the Maine Junction which is where the Long Trailheads up to Canada and the AT heads toward New Hampshire. Hard to believethat Canada is only 165 miles away on the Long Trail. Soon enough the drizzle turned into mist and then the mist turned intorain. Vermont is a really great place for hiking; soft pine needle floorsand beautiful rolling mountains. For most of the time here the fog andmist has been rolling off the green backdrop giving great views anda really cool vibe. Decided to tent; love that tent. A few hours after laying down I heardthunder in the distance. Soon that thunder wasn't so distant so Itore down the facilities and headed into the shelter. Stayed dry butthe no see ums and the mosquitos kept us all company throughout thenight. SB woke up in the middle of the night screaming; true story....shethought there was a huge rabbit in her sleeping bag You want thefull scoop you need to talk to the B's; I am staying out of this one Life is good!
Date: 2005-07-06
From: Story Brook Shelter

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: light rain

Moose sighting!! Yea, I saw a moose and it was cool. Problem was hewas gone by the time I blinked. About half way thru the day I was talkingto myself (a usual pastime out here) and the moose jumped to my leftand took off into the trees. It counts as a sighting but until I canget a picture I won't be satisfied. Another funny animal story today was this crazy bird. Walking alongI kept hearing this loud squawking above me. There are so many birdsup here making noise and singing their songs that it is hard to pickone out. But this dude kept flying from branch to branch; following meup the trail. At first I figured a nest nearby but this went on fora half mile or so. I kept stopping and talking to it laughing as I went.If you really look for it some of life's smallest things can keepyou entertained for hours.   Climbs are getting steeper; I will miss this place called Vermont.Very cool place; every climb gives a postcard view. Almost like theMisty Mtns.; however you may picture that. Imagine hiking straightup thru dense pine forests; then getting to the top in a light mistand fog surrounded by tall grass and wildflowers.   Anyway, long day but another beautiful and peaceful day on the AT.Sitting here listening to the rain pound the tin roof above; each drophitting a different pitch on the music scale. Almost like it's ownsymphony.   Tired eyes, so until later.............................................      *Trail Rat- - got your message man, will stay in touch afterthe journey here and talk some trail talk....& most jobs do s***!!
Date: 2005-07-07
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: Hanover, N.H.
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: overcast clouds

   Man, did it rain last night. By far the hardest and longest rain onthe trail yet. But, the B's and myself were in a shelter; made for somegreat sleeping. (And SB didn't find anymore rabbits in her sleeping bag!!)   Speaking of dreams, we all agree since this journey started the dreamshave become more odd. The sleep can be really deep out here; very peacefuland quiet and add in the fact you are exhausted @ day's end. Some ofthe places my mind has taken me the last 4-5 months in my sleep has beenpretty wild. Sometimes people and place I haven't thought about in years.Very cool stuff.......   Nice hiking today; this weather system that has been dropping rainon us is slowly moving on. Our old friend the sun made an appearance todayso hopefully he will hang for a while. Of course when the sun is outthat means our old friend the mosquito likes to play. Stopped for lunch@ a shelter today and that lasted about a minute as soon as a squadronof squiters landed on my body. And there is always that one that hasto land inside your ear   Came out of the woods about 2 miles from Hanover; the trail takes youthru some backroads all the way to Hanover. Crossed the Connecticut Riverand into New Hampshire; very freaky indeed. Stood there for a whileand took in the moment. How did we get here?? New Hampshire seemedlike a distant planet back in Georgia but now the White Mtns. arearound the corner. Can't wait for the Whites; should be cool.   The B's and myself are here in nearby White Junction; having a fewcold ones and sharing some laughs. Going to take in some of Hanover(think we would leave without hitting the Ben & Jerry's?) Culture shockcoming into town.....Dartmouth College is here and so are the summerkids.    Heading back on the AT sometime tomorrow...............Helloto everyone and the B's say hello to Frank.....................   "truth is the key we must turn,   love is the flame we must burn,   freedom the lesson we have learned,   do you know what I mean,   have you eyes really seen?"   Bernie Taupin   Peace.
Date: 2005-07-08
From: Hanover, N.H.

To: Velvet Rocks Shelter
Miles today: 1.5
Weather: light rain

   Can you all tell we are trying to stretch this journey outas much as we can?? We chilled today around Hanover, which is areally cool town. Took in a movie (Cinderella Man) which was anothergood one.   Let's see, went to Ben and Jerry's @ least 5 times it seemed.Wandered in a daze; checked out the shops and small street stores.We were actually on first name basis with the transit driver, Chuckthe bus driver. We drove him nuts yesterday because we had no cluewhere we wanted to get off. But he seemed to get over it and waspretty cool today, making sure we found what we needed.   Last night was Molson, some great Chinese food; a little TV;and some laughs. We can't let SB forget the rabbit she seemedto find in her sleeping bag earlier in the week. Of course I nevertold the story one night a month ago or so when I thought somebodywas shining a flash light in my tent. I woke up and yelled @thin air.......it was just the full moon shining in my tent. ThankGod nobody heard that one!!   Anyway, after some Subway late we hiked out to the nearestshelter. Here I am , in my tent with a huge smile......lovinglife out here as usual.    Take care!
Date: 2005-07-09
From: Velvet Rocks Shelter

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: moderate rain

   Rain, rain, rain, rain, rain, rain.......and did I say rain??Man, the rain feels good but no views today. It was a shame becausewe had a cool climb to Holts Ledge today but nothing but fogand mist. What was cool though was the one view where it seemedthe cliff dropped into nothingness. A wall of fog and probablya huge drop.   The choice @ this point @ night is whether to tent and avoidthe mosquitos and get wet or sleep in the shelter and get bit allnight. I love to tent as much as possible and the tent has beenholding the rain out pretty well. Yet, there is that one bugthat always sneaks into the tent and buzzes around your ear untilyou smash him into oblivion. Sometimes it takes a while butusually Mr. Mosquito loses......   Starting to meet some southbounders....those who started north@ Mt. K and heading to Springer. Most still have the smile and thatis a great thing to see. There is nothing like an AT smile; nothingfake about it and bright as sunshine. People out here don't smilebecause they want something from you......it is true and pure. We need to bottle some of this stuff and spread it around a bit.   In my tent again......drops from the trees falling on my tentas I fade off into never never land...........   "dragonfly singing a dragonfly song,   anybody want to sing along   a little off key...."   Peace
Date: 2005-07-10
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Hexacuba Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: clear sky

**Dedicate this day and beauty to Mike Bailey.....hang in there man**   There is a sun after all!! Great to wake up to a sunrise...of coursetoday I woke up @ sunrise and then layed around for a few. We arecutting our miles back a bit, the B's and myself are enjoyingthe climbs and the views.....I think also knowing the journey ison the backstretch so to speak.    The climb up to Firewardens Cabin was a heavy breather. Climbed upanother fire tower and I was on top of the world in the middle ofall this beauty. Green everywhere; clear skies; bright sun witha cool north breeze. Sat up in the tower steps for a bit and feltalone and @ peace with the world. Everything here makes anythingelse seem eons away.    Now, on the downside of the climb was a different story. Mudis everywhere in parts up here and this 4 mile stretch was amud pit. Got some pictures on the way of everything, includingthe mud.   The B's and myself got to the shelter, which lived up to itsname. A hexagon shaped shelter......I thought it had a great vibe.Tenting again.......listening to the wind blow thru my tentand being exactly where I want to be.    Follow your dreams!!   " I get home, @ five o'clock,   get myself an ice cold beer,   wondering why there is   nothing going on down here,   seems to me, I could live my life   a lot better then I think I am,   that's why they call me the    working man."   RUSH
Date: 2005-07-11
From: Hexacuba Shelter

To: NH 25
Miles today: 14.7

   The lights are going out here @ the hikers welcome shelterwhere we are staying tonight.   Got to keep this one short so here is the day in a nutshell.   Mosquitos, mud, sunshine, smiles, toes being stubbed, moremosquitos, more mud, good times, Liz came down from Underhill andmet us for lunch and a little shopping (thank you!!), moremosquitos and more smiles   We are @ the base of the whites......heading up to 4500tomorrow and onward to the presidentials. I am very hyped...most thru hikers look forward to this time. I love the climbsand the views will hopefully be there. Speaking of views we had a great one on Mt. Cube today. That was before the mudand mosquitos   Hello to Mom and Dad...Tom and Jackie and the kids....andthank you Mike Ditka for the message......   Also the B"s and myself hope things are cool with Tripod,Hippie, Grunt the the rest..   Good night!!