morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-09-01
From: Forest Service Road 10

To: View Entry
Miles today: 21.3

w/Swix, Squatter, Bumpo9:04pm...reapin' the consequences I can't remember the last time I was on the trail by 7am...oh yeah, it was this morning! It was nice, though. The birds were chirping, I took a wonderful naked swim in Little Rock Pond, naked...did I mention I was naked? Boy was that invigorating, being all naked and stuff. But it all went downhill from there. I met Swix and Squatter as they were coming down from the shelter and they were happy to hear that I was hoping to join them for a while...and then they were even more happy to tell me their plan: 18 today (well 20 for me since I walked 2 miles to catch them), 22 tomorrow and 26 on Friday...all so they can meet a friend for the weekend to hike with through Hanover, NH. But they are picking up mail on Saturday and then they're doing 10, 13, 10...which is cool. So, I'm going to see if I can't handle that. The pros? I don't have to worry about being stuck in Hanover waiting for my mail, I get some rocktastic companions in the Whites, and, if I hang with them long enough...I'll be done the 30th of September, less than one month from now, and I could be back in the arms of my wonderful girl...aaawwwww . And I couldn't talk to her tonight (damn Verizon!) so I won't be able to hear her voice until Monday, maybe....that'll be weird. We'll see if I can survive...that'll be a pro, too. The cons are the normal pains of going too fast and too far...only for a little while, right? For now, I'm off to dream about the piney sights and smells I experienced today...and probably twitch in my sleep .In my head? "You can dance if you want to...you can leave the whole world behind. And if you can't dance, well then you can't dance, and then you're no friend of mine"...I wish I could dance.
Date: 2004-09-02
To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 21.4
Weather: clear sky

w/Swix, Squatter, Spirit Al, Canadian Goose, Undetermined, Sumac9:21pm...chillin' like a penguin Yeah, I really should start to write down thoughts that I have during the day so I can write about them at night. Come to think about it, I think I had that thought yesterday...I just forgot to write it down. It's just that I can never remember all the stuff I do in a day. Not that it mattered today...I was in a blah-spacy mood because I still don't sleep well. I know I hiked over Killington Mountain this morning, then went up and down. Then I had a sandwich snack and a Mountain Dew and I was ready to go up and down more at the end of my day. Still, we have one more huge day before our "rest weekend" when Swix's friend hikes with us. I need a rest. Another cold night here in Vermont...I can't wait to get my wintery stuff back in a couple of days. I could've used them the past couple nights. Oh well, a little cuddling among hikers is OK in emergency conditions...right?In my head?...people should bring back old timey names for kids... like Mulva or Minnow. And this might be the longest I've gone without being able to talk to my girl...[shaking from withdraw]
Date: 2004-09-03
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: VT 14
Miles today: 26.3

w/Swix, Squatter, Chuck, Evolina11:46pm...slam me, please Well, one of the longest days of my life is over...we made it to the rendevous point to meet Swix's friends. Quite honestly, I've been so tired all day, and the terrain has been so difficult, that I really don't remember much. In fact, we climbed so many long, steep hills today that my lower back hurts from leaning over. To top it all off, we got a trip to Denny's...mmmmm, Lumber Jack Slam and coffee... But to keep me going all day (and I'm man enough to admit this ) I daydreamed about my girl and all the memories I have of her this past year...making "eye-poking" jokes; trying to get her to do my make-up...every night...for two shows; playing bumper chairs; watching how beautifully she dances; "maird"; her making faces at me while I was on stage; coincidently being sat in the "love seats" in the theatre...twice; playing tag when we should be building sets; tandom sledding; talking, alone, in a sparsely lit theatre on a vintage couch; driving her around because she "lived so close"; snow angels in Central Park; rolling spring rolls; distracting doggie-walks; birthday coffee; " chatting" until 3am; walking her home after the cast party...just a few memories that bring her beautiful face to mind, and all of which brought us together. Yeah, I'm missing her, big time, right now .In my head? See above....
Date: 2004-09-04
From: VT 14

To: Happy Hill Shelter
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: overcast clouds

w/ Swix, Squatter, Chuck & Evolina, Riles9:05pm...waiting for the tired to stop The first of our relaxing days...4 whole miles! But we also drove into Hanover, NH to get our mail...and I smiled when I got a blue warm shirt that I knew my girl has been wearing as a night shirt ...yeah, I'm a dork! But the town was really cool...all Ivy League and Dartmouth-y and everything. Too bad it's also really crazy with the holiday and all! Two words...nut & house! But I still can't wait to walk through it tomorrow...seeing as how we barely walked today. Oh man, was my pack heavy! I got some fresh veggies and some humus and tortillas and made wraps for dinner! We don't get that very often...well worth the effort. So now my pack isn't quite big enough for all of my stuff...but I'll work it out. For now, I just want to hear the voice of my beautiful girl...so I'll see if I can't do just that...I sure do miss that one!In my mind? some Dashboard Confessional song...for the 3rd day!
Date: 2004-09-05
From: Happy Hill Shelter

To: Moose Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 16.8
Weather: overcast clouds

w/Swix, Squatter, Chuck & Evolina, Dig Dug, Backdraft, Traildawg9:54...only two more left I was finally able to hear my girl's voice again after 4 days...not that long of time, but it seems that the closer I come to finishing, the more I miss her. But I talked to her and then dreamt about her last night (yay! talking AND seeing her in one night ), then got up this morning and now I'm officially in New Hampshire...the second to last, and the second to hardest leg of my adventure. Walking through the Ivy League town of Hanover was pretty cool. Since we had been there yesterday, I didn't feel that I had to see everything again, but I still couldn't resist the lure of stopping for a little while. So I stopped by Lou's for some Sunday morning brunch. Arguably the best place in town because it had a line out the door...well, that and it was the holiday weekend. But I was able to just walk up to the counter and sit down...sometimes it's good being one. I sat next to this really nice couple, Rick and Marsh, and we talked about everything from the trail to tennis...they even bought my breakfast! Those random acts of kindness are always the best!...thanks you two! Afterwards, I got the rest of my errands done and started to catch up to the rest of the crew who had left much earlier but weren't planning on going far...but went 10 miles instead. No worries, 10 miles after 3:30...I was there by dinner time. But I have to admit that these past couple of days have been kind to us, and by that I mean all of us hikers. All weekend, I've heard lot's of stories about other acts of kindness from other hikers coming through here. It just says something about the people around here...so far some of the nicest, most unselfish yet! I guess the only thing that would've made today better would've been talking to my girl, but, alas no cell service...I even smiled, again as I put on my blue, cozy shirt . Oh well, the beer that the others packed in might suffice...but not so much. In my head? A poem by Robert Service called "The Lure of Little Voices"...it does a good job explaining some of my reason for enduring this trip.
Date: 2004-09-06
From: Moose Mountain Shelter

To: Fire Wardens Cabin
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: scattered clouds

w/Swix, Squatter, Traildawg, Dig Dug8:50pm... Nothing ends the day better than a 2 hour climb up a mountain...yeah, but not so much. It was totally worth it, seeing the sunset over the mountains from the firetower. I even wanted to sleep up there, but I was too late and others already claimed that spot as their own. No worries...a good dinner, a beautiful sunset, a clear, star-filled sky, what more could a guy want? Well, maybe a cute girl, but we can't have everything. I felt bad for Swix today, who had to leave his friend Chuck who hiked with us these past couple of days. I remember what it felt like when I had to leave people who visited me...but it was a different ballgame back then. That's what he said, too. It's really wierd, Dig Dug looks EXACTLY like Trey! Uncanny. New Hampshire rocks so far. We've seen some great views today, some more alpine-type marshes...always cool to see that kind of water on the top of a mountain...yeah, I'm a dork. I'm going to have to get used to doing big miles again, if I'm going to stay with this crew. I want to...I just need to listen to my body...I just gotta stay happy-smiley. Not really a huge problem there. In my head? poetic-concoction-type stuff..heheeeeeeehehehheee
Date: 2004-09-07
From: Fire Wardens Cabin

To: NH25 (Hikers Welcome Hostel)
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

w/Swix, Squatter, Traildawg, Rowboat, Gorbachov, Lion King, Chicago Rob, Sunshine, Blues Brothers, Slow Poke, and maybe a couple others.10:14pm...why can't I just be happy?   And so it is that I come to another crossroad, not knowing which way I should go. Down one road, I have some rock-tastic people to hike with leading to longer days and getting done quicker. Down the other, the "more relaxed, have more fun" pace I set for myself when I came back. I guess my road has always been dictated by the people I'm with...so the first road is the one I've been traveling down. But I'm tired. I think I've exhausted my 20+ days from Virginia to Connecticut...they just aren't in me any more. This must be what it feels like to be old!   Talking to my girl tonight helped out a lot...that one always has the knack of soothing my fears. And for making me laugh, even when I don't feel like it..., there it is. Well, she's always right.   As always, I think I'll just let it fly...we'll see. Anything, can happen when I walk out tomorrow...anything.In my head? damn, are my dawgs barkin'!EDITORS NOTE: Chris forgot to add he only has 398 miles left to go!
Date: 2004-09-08
From: NH25 (Hikers Welcome Hostel)

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: overcast clouds

w/Swix, Squatter and too many other people to list...like 40 of them!10:35pm...my feet hurt like whoa! That's it...today is the last long day that I'm doing on this trip. I'm done getting into camp while it's dark, I'm done a couple extra miles when I'm spent...I'm done. Although, the climb up Mt. Moosilauke, our first mountain in the Whites, was pretty cool. Didn't get to see much because of the crap weather, but the exposed, above tree line, rocky landscape we did see was worth it...that and knowing there'll be others just as cool. Climbinmg down was another story. It took us 4 miles to get up and only 1.5 to come down...and we went straight down! There were handholds and waterfalls and wooden steps attached to the rock somehow...I didn't want to think too much about it seeing how they were all that was keeping me from falling to my death...or at least a severe mangling! Those were the only highlights. Then it started to rain...until we got to the shelter full if people. So I got to pitch my tent...in the rain. Not a good night...so I wish you all a good night...In my head? back to my old schedule...no doubt about it...how can feet hurt this much!?!
Date: 2004-09-09
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: I93, North Woodstock, NH
Miles today: 8.8

w/Swix, Squatter11:05pm...always a late town night Ahhhhh, the comforts of towns. The best when you're soaked to the bone and cold. It was still raining this morning, but packing up a wet tent in the rain, knowing you're heading into a town, somehow makes it all better...well, almost in my foul mood. My feet hurt so much last night, I could barely sleep...oh well, what can you do? So, I climbed a big mountain in the rain and gusting wind. It was wild too at times when there were no trees...being blown all around, having to lean into the wind and walk side ways, what a trip! We even stopped by our first ut for lunch. All you can eat soup, cocoa, and baked goods for 3 bucks! It made it kind of hard to finish our last 3 miles...well not as hard as the raging, river we had to ford! Nothing says fun like wading through waist-deep water, fighting to keep from being swept downstream...which almost happened to me, by the way! It was all worth it for the motel, the hot tub (considering how we spent all day griping about being wet!), and the excellent burger and beer at the Woodstock Inn, they brew their own. I had a nut-brown...mmmmmmmmm, was it good. Almost as good as talking to my girlie...that was more relaxing than even the hot tub. But now I must relax in a bed...something I miss only slightly less than my girlie .In my head? hot tubs make my feet feel nice!
Date: 2004-09-10
From: I93, North Woodstock, NH

To: woosin' out in North Woodstock, NH
Miles today: 0.0

w/Swix, Squatter11:10pm...is that a lazy bug bite?   Wow, I just can't believe how fast time can fly by in a day. We woke up today, packed up our crap, went to the local greasy spoon for coffee and breakfast, came back...and decided to wait out the weather.   Yeah, we decided to stay. The weather looked pretty nasty high up where we were supposed to go today, and we thought it'd be unwise to expose ourselves (as it most often is) to those elements with no cover...being above tree line and all. Besides, we never would've made it to where we were going because we would've left too late. Yeah, whatever we needed to tell ourselves. So we unpacked our crap and went back to sleep...well only for a little nap. Then I took a shower, had some lunch and went down to the coffee shop to do some...well, stuff. Crafty-type stuff...that involved glue...and that's all you're getting .   But while we were there, we found out there was an interesting band playing tonight called "Girlyman", so all three of us bought tickets and went...after Swix and I had yet another fine meal at the Woodstock Inn, of course.   And they were really good. Apparently, they've just been signed to an independent label owned by one of the Indigo Girls, so they'll probably be really famous soon...and we saw them first, sort of. Really though, it was just nice (and sort of a tease) to be able to feel "normal" for a change and do "normal" stuff, like hanging out at a coffee shop, drinking beer at a bar (something I'm not all that unfamiliar with), and going to see a band play at night. It really gave me the itch to be done, we just gotta do it...do it...onto the Whites!In my head? loving being able to call my girl two nights in a row...and getting excited for a Disney marathon!
Date: 2004-09-11
From: I-93

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: clear sky

w/Swix, Squatter, Ishmael, and like 25 actual paying guests8:50pm...Helen Keller jokes anyone? Wow! So, today is what I've hiked 1,800 miles for...kick-ass views!! Hiking up to the top of Lincoln and Lafayette Mountains, along the Franconia Ridge...more than 5 miles of trail above tree line with 360 degree views of all the other mountains around! We spent almost 2 hours up there taking in the sights and talking to the 40 billion people out hiking today. And they even had some rememberance-type stuff for 9-11..."Flags on 48", flags on all the peaks over 4,000 ft. What a great way to start the White Mountains and just gorgeous weather to boot...NATURE ROCKS!! But nothing tops off a great day like turkey and gravy and bread and hot cocoa...we're staying at one of the AMC Huts. Normally reserved for $75 a night (dinner and breakfast included), they allow thru hikers to do some work in return for all the amenties of staying there...not a bad deal, if you ask me. I don't really like being told where I'm allowed and not allowed to stay while in the Whites...but if they're all like this, I'm not going to mind. But I gotta sleep. Our choices are inside on the floor or outside somewhere...yeah, outside, I choose you! Shooting star attack, NOW!!!....In my head? I'm down to weeks now!
Date: 2004-09-12
From: Galehead Hut

To: Ethan Pond Campground
Miles today: 11.8
Weather: broken clouds

w/Swix, Squatter8pm...ever watch flies have sex? It's going to be hard to get back to real hiking after the Whites. What with all the lunches and dinneres from the huts and the easiest 11 miles we've seen since Virginia! That's alright though, this is one of the most beautiful parts of the trail and we've earned the right to enjoy it. And I thoroughly enjoyed the gorgeous sunset over Ethan Pond tonight, as well as sleeping on the porch at the Galehead Hut, last night, watching shooting stars all night long. Anyway, we'll make up for it tomorrow with a 14 mile up-hill climb on our way to Mt. Washington, the highest point in New Hampshire. Staying up there tomorrow night should be one of the many highlights...we'll see. Bedtime....In my head? The last two kisses from my girl were great!
Date: 2004-09-13
From: Ethan Pond Campground

To: Lake of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: broken clouds

w/Swix, Squatter, Dingle, Skirt, Gorbachov, Cherokee, and all the other paying guests plus the crew9:49 pm....just hangin' with the crew Another day in paradise. Although it rained for a little last night, we awoke to only partly cloudy skies and just a little bit of chilliness. Perfect weather for a day of climbing...which turned out to not be as tough as we thought it would be. Yeah, it was like 5 miles uphill, but it just didn't seem that bad...maybe it's all in retrospect. But we were at the Mitzpah Hut, drinking cocoa and eating soup before we knew it...and after that...whoa, watch out! The skies cleared and we had 9 miles of beautiful cloudless exposed ridgeline all the way to the Lake of the Clouds Hut...damn...it's all I can say. It's great being on top of the world. We even got our first cloudless view of Washington...and I was disappointed. Sure it's the highest peak in the Whites, but it's also the most commercialized. The summit sports a parking lot, post office, snackbar, theatre...there's even a train that carts people to the top so they don't have to walk! We'll see...it's probably not as bad as it seems and I've seen enough beautiful summits that one bad one won't hurt. It's just sad. What wasn't sad was the comaradery with the hut staff over dinner. Another satisfied evening, and the crew is hilarious! Yeah, good times. Not much left in the Whites...but I'm not going to think about that yet. It's been wonderful so far, and we're up and over Washington tomorrow. I just want to enjoy this part while I can. Nothing beats a sunset from the top of a mountain!...it just kept getting redder and redder. It just wouldn't quit!....oh man...oh man... Another testament to the smallness of the trail...a lady that was kind enough to give me a ride to Walmart way back in Duncannon, PA is staying here tonight! We played cribbage, too . Aahhhhhhh, whoa to getting back to real hiking. In my head? GIT 'ER DOOONE!10:10pm...I just got in from a brief stroll outside...the Milkyway stretches ALL the way across the sky! It is soooo bright out there...can it get any better?
Date: 2004-09-14
From: Lake of the Clouds Hut

To: Lake of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

w/Swix, Squatter, Mystery (sobo), Bernie, Flava Flav, Garland 59:37pm...there and back again, a hikers tale So, the trail still has a way of throwing fun your way. Last night we had a freaking great time with the crew at the Lakes (and my tabletop bed afforded me one of my best nights sleep...even with being able to watch the stars through the window ). When we left this morning, some of them were planning on spending the day at the top of Mt. Washington...like us on our way to the next hut. So, when we were at the summit, enjoying the views, eating the food, relaxing (we only had 7 miles planned for that day ), we saw them and ended up talking for a while, playing frisbee, and laying in the sun. Turns out they had fun with us too. Long story short, they invited us back to the hut tonight for sushi and sacki...and we'd be fools to not accept! Sooo, we ended up walking BACK down Washington the same way we had come up only a couple of hours earlier to swim in a freezing cold alpine lake, relax some more, watch a helicopter drop off some supplies, and eat some sushi...as their guests. Man, what a blast! We helped them with dinner a little bit (complete with dressing up...I sported a very homely brown dress and brown wig...very Bosnian ), ate some sushi and joked and laughed all night, along with the other thru-hikers that came in. It's times like these that make going back to the hiking life so tough. But it's also these fun times that I'll remember the most...special thanks go out to Annie, Elexa, Anna, Gabi, Ben, Dan and John, the most rocktastic Crew this side of the Whites! The Northern Lights even came out as a little dessert to top off the night! Not too colorful, but there none the less...although Swix and maybe even Squatter got a little bit of dessert themselves . Great day...great place...great people...great everywhere!In my head? everyone else has someone tonight but me!...i miss my cutie .