morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-05-27
From: Graymoor Friary

To: Dennytown Rd
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: light rain

It was one of those mornings where I just didn't want to get up and walk; so I didn't! Instead, I spent the time playing Su Doku, catching up with my journal, and took a long walk up to the Friary. The Friary is a Franciscan order. They had a really small but incredible beautiful chapel that we went inside to see. The grounds of the Friary contained a lot of small gardens such as a Sept 11th memorial, an old reflection pool that now is empty, and small shrines. The place looks rather dilapidated due to lack of monetary funds, however, the new building that houses the Friars, cafeteria, the administrative office, and several oter functions looked nice. There was also a nice ecclectic bookstore, and all the people we met there from the nons, brothers, and helpers were all wonderful people. Thank you Brother Leo for the homemade banananut bread that you gave to us. It was afternoon before Dodger and I finally got going. We had 12 miles and 6 hours of daylight. After two miles we stopped at a great viewpoint, and the sun felt so good that we spent almost an hour there. This was the only good view of this section so now we could concentrate on just hiking - or so we thought! ATTACK!!!! HELP!!! The mosquitoes were everywhere and they were HUNGRY. I couldn't even stop for a short water break without getting eaten alive. The deet only seemed to work for about an hour and after the last resort of hiking really really fast failed we made the decision to camp to get away from those blood thirsty bugs. Only 8 miles got done today but it was a lot of fun visiting the Friary.
Date: 2006-05-28
From: Dennytown Rd

To: Clarence Fahnestock Statepark
Miles today: 3.7

Up early to pack up the tents and were gone by 6:00am. We wanted to be at Clarence Fahnestock Statepark by 8:00. It was an absolutely gorgeous walk to the park, too bad I missed a lot of the scenery as I was almost running the trail - not to be on time but rather running for my life trying to escape the flying herds of mosquitoes. Do those bugs never sleep? Arriving at the park I called my friend Stefanie and then took a nice long hot shower Maybe Stef would actually let us in her car now that we were halfway clean! To make time go by while waiting for Stef, Dodger and I walked to the "beech". There breakfast consisted of a burger and fries - the best fries I have had on this trail. THey were beer-battered fries, which should explain why they were so tasty. Just as we got back to the campground Stef pulled up and she really did let us in her car and took us to her new home in New Haven, CT.
Date: 2006-05-30
From: New Haven, CT

To: New Haven, CT
Miles today: 0.0

Matt had taken the day off from work so he took Dodger and I to a couple of outdoor stores in pursuit of Shoe Goo. We couldn't find any. Around the corner from the downtown outfitter was an old cobbler store. The entire store was filled up with old shoes and all kinds of repair materials such as paint, thread, and shoe laces. There was barely room enough for two customers. As I looked around the first thing I noticed behid the old fashioned counter was a tube of Shoe Goo hanging from an old cluttered shelf. Shoe Goo is a thick black paste that works especially well on leather and rubber soles. Back at the house it was boot maintenance time. All clean and dry the gue got applied to the front of the boots. My boots didn't need much, Dodger's however, were in a more depressing state with the sole flapping quite a bit. Now we just needed a good constant pressure - the quick crimp was applied making it look like a kind of hood ornament. Now I just hoped that the crimp could be removed again and not being apermanent attachment to the nose of the boot!
Date: 2006-05-31
From: New Haven, CT

To: New Haven, CT
Miles today: 0.0

Dodger went to hunt down some breakfast and managed to procure a dozen donuts, while I updated my trailjournals.com. The "hood ornament" from Dodger's boot was succesfully removed and Dodger then took to Weather proof our boots with Sno Seal. We are now ready for more rainy days!!!
Date: 2006-06-01
From: New Haven, CT

To: New Haven, CT
Miles today: 0.0

Thinking about moving in here with Stef, Matt, and Riana. Hot showers, a matress, clean clothes, good company, and awesome food - what more could you possible want? I should feel pretty content but instead I find myself getting pretty restless, wondering what I am missing out there on the trail. However crazy it may soundbut I now long for the wilderness with the many miles to walk, the rain that soaks you, the hot sun, and the wild life. However, it is not all bad there is the adventuresome miles with splendid scenery, the rain cleans the air and can at times produce the most magnificent rainbows, and the bears, moose, snakes are fantastic sights you soon find yourself looking forward to. In short my adventuresome feet are getting itchy after a few days of deluxe R&R.
Date: 2006-06-02
From: New Haven, CT

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: overcast clouds

The last few groceries were bought at Korean, Chinese, and Polish stores. Not quite sure what we got but the wrappings are very colorful! Stef drove us to Hartford Airport where Daniel, a young friend of mine, was flying in. Daniel was going to spend the next 8 days on the trail with Dodger and I. From the airport we went back down to Clarence Fahnestock Statepark in N.Y. There we got "kicked out" of the car with the friendly message of "better not get hurt - give me a call if you need anything". Those Germans are so tough on the outside! It sure had been a lot of fun visiting with Stef and her family - Thanks. The moment we start back on the trail the sky turns grey - an effect that never seems to fail! We walked briskly in the hopes of arriving dry at the shelter. Along the way we met another thruhiker, Mark. The RPH shelter was nearly full as we arrived so Daniel and Dodger decides to set up their hammock and tent. This was the first time for Daniel to hang up his hammock but he did really well (he was still in it next morning - above ground!) Time for yet another new lesson for Daniel - cooking on an alcohol stove. The stove only got tipped once setting the table temporarely on fire, a little food got spilled, but at least, what was left in the pot wasn't burned It was quickly getting dark so I went inside the shelter where I had found an available top bunk - now I just needed to figure out a way to get up there. At the shelter were Top, Ed, Where Is She, Mark, and the three of us. We all had a good time
Date: 2006-06-03
From: RPH Shelter

To: Morgan Stewart Shelter
Miles today: 9.0
Weather: light rain

It rained all night into the morning so Daniel and I were talking and having breakfast until Dodger got out of his tent, where he had been reading to avoid the rain. At 9:00 we were the last ones out of the shelter. Walking down the trail crossing N.Y. 52 the three of us got caught up with Top, Ed, and Where is She, as they returned from a good breakfast at a Deli. Here came the rain again - it was a torrential rain. Daniel who had earlier walked at a 1.5mph pace went all the way up to 2.3mph. We reached the shelter completely soaked. warm dry clothes felt really really good. The rest of the evening was spent trying to play cards with shivering hands!
Date: 2006-06-04
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Telephone Pioneers Shelter
Miles today: 7.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Daniel had decided upon his new trail name: Taniel. What more was that this newly broken-in hiker just LOVED to put on cold wet clothes!!! The only thing that wakes you up faster than a cup of coffee out here Just three miles after leaving the shelter we reached N.Y.55 and 0.2 miles down to our right was a mobile hot dog stand. It didn't take long for Taniel to order two chili dogs and a root beer It was a nice break in the hike. Today we even managed getting to the shelter without getting drenched. The shelter was small and there wew lots of other hikers so Taniel put up his hammock. A little smoke from the firepit inspired Taniel to get a fire going ad with great determination and persistency he managed to get a good fire going even though everything was wet.
Date: 2006-06-05
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: Ten Mile River Lean-to
Miles today: 13.0

Once again it had rained but with a good night's sleep, some breakfast, and putting on wet clothes we were ready for the day. Watch out for here we come wet, filthy, stinky, but all in great spirits. Three miles down the trail after crossing a tiny AT "railroad station", which looks more like a tiny soda stand! we took a right onto N.Y 22. Just a little ways down was the Mountain Deli where Taniel and I met up with Dodger again. Leaving the Deli first Dodger, then Taniel, and finally I left a little while after them. This way Taniel had a chance to navigate the trail by himself but with the safety of having someone both in front of and behind him. Half a mile below Wiley Shelter we encountered some great trail magic: A cooler with cookies, brownies, juice, water, and granola bars. There were even a few chairs upon which we comfortably could sit while enjoying this nice surprice. After reaching the Wiley Shelter Taniel went straight ahead while Dodger and I hung back for a little while thinking we would catch Taniel soon. Crossing Hoyt Rd we passed from N.Y. into CT. Not too far from the Ten Mile River Lean-to and we had yet to see Taniel. He must have flewn. "Private Property" "No Trespassing" those signs hung on every second tree now but where were the white blazes? Time to backtrack. 20 minuttes later, Ahh, there was the trail! In a brief moment of inattention I had missed a 90 degree turn. When finally arriving at the shelter Taniel's only comment was a dry cool "What took you so long?" Dodger and I just looked at each other and laughed "well, not everyone can be as fast as you Taniel!!!" The shelter was really nice with a meadow in front and the river flowing close by. We played cards, told stories, and had a good time.
Date: 2006-06-06
From: Ten Mile River Lean-to

To: Mt Algo Lean-to
Miles today: 8.4

Today Taniel was about to embark on his first solo hike as he did not want to take a sidetrail into Bull's Bridge. It was like a parent watching the child go of to school alone for the first time. Taniel knew how to follow the white blazes, what to do if he lost track of them, there were no confusing road crossings, and we would be behind him after a little while, and yet, I felt that little pang of anxiety mixed with pride. The Ten Mile River was a gush of power streaming by Shagticoke Mt. creating a lot of white water. At one place I sat on a rock very near the edge of the water right where two huge boulders caused the stream to narrow making the currents incredible fast. The water would run between the two boulders and then hit a third one sitting in the middle of the stream sending cascades of water high up in the air. It was mesmerizing to watch. On the way back to the trail a lady stopped us and gave us two sandwiches. She couldn't eat her lunch and having hiked herself she knew the appetite of a thru-hiker. Once again Taniel had beaten us to the shelter even though Dodger an I did about three miles an hour (which is fast). Dodger then took Taniel into the town of Kent, while I stayed at the shelter and watched our packs. As they came back a couple of hours later they had brought with them ground beef so we had hamburger steaks with mashed potatoes and a Dr Pepper - What a feast
Date: 2006-06-07
From: Mt Algo Lean-to

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

Yak, rain again. The high hopes for a sunny day in the trail town, Kent, were quickly being washed away. The rain was a steady drizzle, which almost had us soaked as we entered the city limits of Kent. Things to get done: Post Office, outfitter, and then the library. The owner of the outfitter gave us a couple of pints of ice cream as we sought shelter from the rain on his front porch. Taniel and I finally left town at 13:00 (Dodger had already left). It was still raining and by now it was no longer just a drizzle. After walking only two blocks Taniel and I were both soaked. Back out of town at the trail head Taniel and I split ways. He headed north on the AT, while I went back south to Mt Algo. While at the post office I had asked to borrow Dodger's knife but he had been unable to find it. Thinking it was left at the Mt Algo shelter I went back that way just to check. I looked all over the shelter and at the cooking area - but no knife was to be found. Casting a last glance back on the shelter before leaving my eyes caught something shiny on the outside wall. There, stuck into the wall was the little knife. I must have been the happiest soaked hiker on the trail that day. I couldn't wait to tell Dodger what I had found. Northbound in the rain again. An hour later I caught up with Taniel and together we crossed Caleb's Peak and down the wet, slippery, and treacherous rocky St Johns Ledges. Taniel slipped on a rock but nothing serious happened. Finally we reached the Housatonic River. The last two miles were easy but I was so cold and wet that it was all I could do to just keep walking. Meeting us with flowers in a Nalgene bottle at the shelter was Dodger. He had been on quite an adventure. In gathering a bouquet of flowers he had seen some yellow wild Iris down at the steep muddy river bank. He picked a couple but as he walked up the mud gave in and took Dodger down - all the way down into the river and under the cold water with pack on and flowers in hand. He had just now arrived back at the shelter and was nearly hypothermic so we all just started scrambling to get on warm clothes and get into our sleeping bags. Slowly we started coming back to life as we laughed at Dodger telling how he fell in the water and lost 6 Milky Ways and a pound of Cheese but still managed to keep hold on the flowers What was really amazing was that all the clothes and the sleeping bag were still dry. Hurray for the trash bag that lined the inside of the pack.
Date: 2006-06-08
From: Stewart Hollow Brook Lean-to

To: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 10.0

So nice to wake up and it is NOT raining. Dodger took off fast as he was going to Cornwall Bridge, whereas Taniel and I took off in a more moderate pace just meandering down the trail. Before long we came to what used to be a small Guinea Brook. It was no longer just a little trickle but rather a swift running stream. Where the trail normally crossed the brook there now were white water. Scouting the stream we found a spot further upstream that looked promising for crossing. As we still were completely soaked from yesterday's rain we stepped right into the water with our boots on giving me the shivers running down the spine as the cold water gushed into the boots. We unbuckled our packs and started walking across with me being upstream breaking the current. The water reached up to the middle of our thighs at the deepest and we had to concentrate so not to slip on the rocks with the current pulling on our legs and feet. Two more steps...one more step... phew! We had made it to the shallow water without falling. It had been exciting crossing the cold water. No bridge had been built there as the land is privately owned, thereby prohibiting the AT from placing any constructions in that area without permission. Guess no permission had been given. Up and up the hill we went and at the top we met Pickwick taking a break (we first time met him at Mt Algo Shelter). Soon after the ridgerunner Storyteller came along with bad news. Dodger had forgotten about a maildrop in Kent so he had gone back to get it, which meant we wouldn't see him tonight and maybe not the next either. The last mile of the day was a really tough uphill and a part of it went between two big rocks leaving only a narrow crack through which you could wedge yourself and your pack through. The shelter was nice but rather buggy as there were a big pond a little further behind the shelter.
Date: 2006-06-09
From: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-to

To: Limestone Spring Lean-to
Miles today: 12.8

Taniel and I got up early as this was going to be a long day for him. At least the rain had stopped by now after pouring down all night. Today we hiked together over Mt Easter before crossing over the Housatonic River for the last time. The iron bridge we walked across was made by the same company who built the bridge over the creek in Swatara Gap, PA (Waterville Iron Bridge). Half an hour later we got to the great falls where we spent quite some time taking pictures and looking around. Time to get going again as we had one last mountain to climb - Prospect Mt. On the very last stretch a hiker came walking towards us - it was Dodger. He led us the steep way down to the shelter. A little water fall was runiing along the trail going to the shelter making it a really neat walk. The shelter is about 0.5 miles of the trail but it sure is a great place to spend the night. Taniel put up his hammock as he wanted to enjoy it one last time on this trip before leaving to go home tomorrow. While I got dinner ready Taniel took a nap and Dodger did maintenance on some of his gear. We were going to have homemade trail pizza I think Taniel ate more that night than he did combined on all the other nights out here.
Date: 2006-06-10
From: Limestone Spring Lean-to

To: Riga Lean-to
Miles today: 7.5

It had rained hard all last night and was still doing so this morning so neither Dodger nor I were in any great hurry but at the first break in the rain Taniel came to the shelter to inquire about our departure - he was ready to go home. 10:30 we left after it finally quit raining. I was just wondering how it could be that every single time that Taniel had put up his hammock it would start raining? Maybe it would stop now as he was going home? On our way to Salisbury Taniel picked a nice bouquet of flowers for his girl friend back in Nashville. Coming into town we bought some cookies and milk, which we enjoyed while sitting on a bench infront of the small but rather upscale grocery store. A guy with his three children stopped by as we were sitting there and asked if we would like to take a shower and get our clothes washed? We thankfully accepted the offer, especially since Taniel was about to get on a plane to go home to Nashville this afternoon. After 9 days in the wet muddy woods we didn't exactly smell like roses! All clean Taniel made it to the post office where Jig Saw was awaiting him. He was shuttling Taniel to the Hartford Airport. We said our good byes and there went Taniel. It had been a fun time hiking with him - just felt sorry for all the rain he had to endure. By now it was late afternoon so I only made it to Riga Lean-to. Lots of hikers there but most of them were in tents. I quickly joined the "kitchen group" and prepared a feast. 1 lb of ground venison cooked up as hamburger steaks, boiled red potatoes, marinated mushrooms, and all of that topped of with Bernaise Sauce. Uhmm! Thats all I can say - with my mouth full Later on two other thru-hikers came in: Feather and Firefly they were headed north too.
Date: 2006-06-11
From: Riga Lean-to

To: Glen Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 10.1

Time to set a new record - I didn't leave the shelter til noon! Slept in, cooked breakfast, worked on my journal, cooked lunch, and then packed up. After a couple of hours of walking Dodger and I got to the state line between CT and Mass. Only 3 states left to walk across. A short while after passing the stateline we got to Sages Ravine. I could have spent all afternoon there looking at the waterfalls, however, it quickly got cold down in the gulch. But it certainly was beautiful sitting there watching one of the many water cascades and the creek. On top of Mt Everett I met Goldilocks and his father both visiting the trail after their thru-hike last year. "just out airing the gear" they said while munching on two subway sandwiches in the cold wind. That just gave me the motivation to make it the rest of the way down to the Hemlocks Lean-to where I could cook dinner. On my way into the shelter I found some trail magic in the creek: two cold beers The shelter, however, was already full so I went on down to the Glen Brook Lean-to located just 0.2 miles further north on the trail. This was a much older and smaller shelter but the surroundings were that much prettier. The shelter was sitting on a hill side with big spruce and pine trees all around. THe floor of the forrest was soft with the thick layer of needles. With two other hikers in the shelter it was absolutely filled to its maximum capacity (although there is always room for one more if it rains.) Before falling asleep I had a can of "sleep medicine" from the creek - ahh - it was really good and tasty.
Date: 2006-06-12
From: Glen Brook Lean-to

To: Tom Leonard Lean-to
Miles today: 14.3

Time to get up and get rolling - up and rolling I did. I rolled (tripped) right over the edge of the shelter floor and two feet down unto the "patio" from where I continued off that edge and down unto the forrest ground - of course it was all done in the best Hollywood style! Standing up and looking at where I had fallen from I was amazed I didn't get hurt. There were a big tree stump and lots of rocks on both the patio and the forrest ground. I can only think that the reason why I didn't get hurt was because I was only half-way awake as I tumbled down, thereby my body was relaxed and didn't tense up during the fall. Well, since I was fully awake now it seemed a good thing to get started packing up. The two girls had been awakened too and started packing up also. The trail was easy and had no great change in elevation until we had to go down from Jug End to Jug End Rd. After crossing the road the mosquitos seemed to have found us but they weren't too bad - yet! That quickly changed. After crossing Mass 41 the mosquitos seemed to be everywhere. It was like walking into a thick fog og mosquitos and they were hungry - VERY HUNGRY! Normally a mosquito can fly about 3 miles an hour so I took to walking fast, then faster, and before long a jog turned into a full on run. Eeverytime I swiped my arm I would end up with three or four mosquitos in my hand! They werestressing me out because no matter how fast I walked/ran they were constantly buzzing around my head and biting on my elbows and behind my knees. I was only seconds away from insanity as I finally reached a road. Pheeeww, I was completely exhausted from the mental and physical stress of being under constant mosquito attack. Sitting there next to the road resting up a car pulled over and the driver asked if I needed anything. I said thank you to the offer of cold drinks and 5 minuttes later the guy returns with cold Gatorade, Fig Newtons, and Cheese Crackers. Thank you so much. The trail had just turned from its worst to its best. Not too much further and Dodger and I crossed US 7 where we took a left to go visit the Corn Crib. The place is a nursery but welcomes hikers by selling ice cream and a few other treats. All that was left now was a trip over East Mtn. Up there the mosquitos were bad too and upon arriving at Tom Leonard Lean-to I sat up my tent inside the shelter just to get away from the mosquitos. It was a rather nice revenge to be able to sit inside the tent and say ha ha to the mosquitos buzzing around outside (unfortunately, I am sure they get the last laugh as at some point I would have to exit the tent!)