morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-07-30
From: Wawayanda Shelter

To: Wildcat Shelter
Miles today: 12.1
Weather: scattered clouds

When I woke up Grizzly Bear and Infrared had already hit the trail. I was just getting started down the trail when I met two day hikers, Sue and Sandy. We had a good conversation about my journey and they shared their desire to hike the trail someday. They went in the opposite direction from me so they could see what the shelter looked like. In the meantime I took a blue blaze trail to the state park center to resupply my water.I would like to have met up with the ladies to maybe hike together with them for awhile but I had no idea if they were ahead or behind me. Rather than wait, I continued on thinking what is meant to happen will happen.I soon came to a road crossing but I could not find the reentry location to the trail across the road. I first looked to the right and no luck and I was just starring to check to the left and Sue and Sandy caught up with me and showed me the trail. As I had hoped, we hiked together until they came to the side trail that led to their car. They offered to take me to the grocery store and bring me back, but I declined since I was only on my second day of rations and had sufficient supplies.Their companionship added joy to the morning hike. The distraction also made the time fly by. I hiked another mile after they left and arrived at the NY-NJ state line. It was on a high point in the top of the mountain and made a good place for lunch. After lunch it was only a short walk along the ridge top to a site indicted to be the highest point in NY on the AT.The ladies picked a good time to exit the trail, because from there on, I had a lot climbing up and down on rocks. At one point, someone had stationed an aluminum ladder to ascend the cliff. The positive part about all the climbing was having to use my "wounded knee" more. I was learning I could bear more weight on it as I stepped up the higher rocks. At the end of the day it actually felt better. The stretching proved to be good for it.
Date: 2014-07-31
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Fingerboard Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Everyone left the shelter and I took advantage of the "peace and quiet" to write a journal entry and mostly to sit back, relax and look at the view out of the front of the shelter. I received an email from Sandie whom I hiked with yesterday. She said I had inspired her to hike the AT. Here is what I wrote back to her about the moment I was in sitting in the shelter, "Thanks for your posting. Just reading your note has made my day for today. Everyone has left the shelter this morning and I'm just sitting here looking off down through the green forest. The wind is sighing in the tree tops and the leaves on the bushes are quivering in the gentle breeze. Occasionally the sun pops through the clouds and changes the shades of green. A voice says I should be making miles but the dominate voice for the moment says this feels good. Let's stay here and be present in the moment. I did until 1:00PM and then finally got moving and felt energetic".There were a lot of cliff crossings today. Remarkable was the Lemon Squeezer. In order to get past a cliff I had to take off my pack and drag it through a narrow passageway between two rocks. There may have been a bypass, but I was not going to let this stymie me. The difficulty was preventing my claustrophobia from overpowering me. And it didn't help any because it was getting dark.After the Squeezer I estimated I would have a half hour of night hiking to reach the shelter. When I didn't reach it at my expected time I thought I had passed it up (the turn offs haven't been very visible lately.)I retraced my steps to a known location and discovered I had turned back ten minutes too soon. I miscalculated the distance from a brook I had passed. So instead of arriving at 9 pm I arrived at the shelter at 11:00. This is latest I have been on the trail. I was not upset, just happy to finally find my resting place.
Date: 2014-08-01
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: West Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 8.4
Weather: broken clouds

I stopped at the Palisades Parkway Visitors Center but had a total of 0.8 extra miles for the round trip. I filled my water jugs, used a real restroom, and bought a can of cold Coke which I drank immediately, plus two Snicker bars for a future energy crisis. As I was leaving, a man motorist going into the center asked about my hike and then offered to take me to the store and bring me back to the same location. I declined, because I still had enough supplies for 3 days. But I did not turn down the offer of a cold can of Heineken. I thought about the story of the man who drowned in a flood and went to heaven and asked God why he had not saved him and God replied I sent a boat and a helicopter. I hope that is not going to be my story since I turned down offers for a ride to the store for the past two days.Since I only had 9 miles to go today, I was the first to arrive at the shelter. I took off my pack and sat down on my sleeping pad and savored the can of Dutch Brew Original Recipe Heineken while watching for the storm to come across the Hudson valley several miles off in the distance.I felt like a solder as I went to bed tonight, because my thoughts were, "tomorrow I will march on the Hudson". I also wondered if I would enjoy a view that George Washington had also savored in the 1700's.
Date: 2014-08-09
From: Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter

To: Belter's Campsite
Miles today: 15.2

I listened to the nerve-calming music of the flowing Housatonic to lull me to sleep during the night. I slept well but was still not 10 precent on energy. I got a break from climbing with a three mile river walk.Climbing Pine Knob hill was also pleasant with a sweet aroma of pine.Later, I walked through a meadow of Queen Ann's Lace and some pastel colored flowers.By evening, I got my second wind and was able to go an additional 3 miles to a campground closer to my next day's destination--Salisbury.
Date: 2014-08-10
From: Belter's Campsite

To: Cobble Road .2 East Salisbury, CN
Miles today: 9.9

I enjoyed more breaks today. I had been thinking I had left the Rufus-sided towhees south of here but suddenly this morning as I neared a bush I heard the familiar "Tweeet--tweeet." I was able to watch for a minute as it continued to talk to me from the safety of the bush two feet away. Juncos have been called the hikers friend but I have added the Towhee to the list. If nothing else, it is a friendly presence that says everything is going to be all right.I enjoyed a field with acres of goldenrod flowers.The highlight of the day was popping out the woods after crossing a mountain and being treated to a view of a grassy meadow in the foreground, knobs in the middle ground and layers of mountain ranges in the distance. I compared this view to looking at Cade's Cove with the Great Smokeys in the background.The experience was enhanced by sharing it with two day hikers who came by. We spent minutes chatting about the buzzards and hawks soaring on the thermals over the valley.I had extra energy today to cruise along the river walk and climb the major mountain before Salisbury. The hydroelectric plant, scenes along the river as well as the falls up river below the impoundment area made for an interesting walk.It was a relief to be welcomed into Maria McCabe's home with a cold coke and the chance to shower and change into clean clothes.She took us to Lakeview so the others could do laundry and I could eat at Mizza's Pizza Restaurant. I throughly enjoyed my Albanian Salad of vinegar/oil, olives, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and topped with chunks of feta cheese.Back at Maria's I listened for an hour to story after story of her experiences with hikers over the years before retiring for the night. She could write a book but many of the things are too personal to publish.She was speaking German (as well as English) so I asked because Maria sounded more like an Austrian name to me. She is from an area of present day Italy that was once part of Austria. (Her now deceased husband was from the US). She has a friend visiting her from Italy who speaks mostly Italian but some German and English. It was interesting overhearing their conversation as the Friend said something in Italian, and Maria responded in German. Since I know some German, I caught the gist of the German side of the conversation but was lost with the Italian. Maria is so well loved by hikers, that many return just to visit her, or show up for her birthday from miles away.
Date: 2014-08-11
From: Cobble Road .2 East Salisbury, CN

To: Sages Ravine 
Miles today: 7.8
Weather: light rain

Maria dropped me off at the trail almost 24 hours to the minute after I got off yesterday. She provided the eggs for breakfast but we had to cook own breakfast and make our coffee. I went to grocery at 9 AM and got the things I needed. I was tired out yesterday so I added some broccoli to the food bag. I did without my stove last week as a trial run and did fine. I have tuna, carrots, nutter butter, peanut butter, peanut M&M, nuts/dried fruit, tortilla, honey, granola bars, cheese, carnation instant breakfast, pudding and pie filling and blueberries.I climbed two mountains today without being worn out. I have replayed all the variables and don't know any one thing that made the difference. I had rest, ate fresh vegetables, some meat and eggs, and fresh fruit. Before I left I had a can of soda and a fresh tomato with vinegar and oil. My clothes and I were both clean. I finished some trail journal entries.I climbed the first mountain at a pretty good rate because I was fresh. When I got to Bear Mountain I slowed done and played "Mother May I." "Mother" said take 5000 baby steps. I responded "Mother may I?" and she said yes, but be sure to not take any giant steps unless it is absolutely necessary. At first the 0.9 mile climb was gradual but soon I was walking on the solid rock of the ridge spine all the way to top. I had sensed that my two hills may be higher than my climbs lately. There were no mosquitos and I found blueberries for first time since early NY when they were at their peak there.Upon reaching the top of Bear Mountain, I read the monument which said the highest point in CT--2,354 ft and had my thoughts confirmed. If I am correct in glancing back through the guidebook, it was first time above 2000 feet since midpoint in PA.Before starting down, I got a drink of coke and took out one trekking pole. I needed one hand to hold on to rocks with . The descent down the Bear was a bear. It took longer going down than up because I had to descend rock ledges very methodically. I had to pick a route over the ledges that would take me all the way down to the next level.It was not as scary as the ledge last week because each section was shorter with space for rest in between and I had graduated to another skill and nerve level.I made camp before dark, had dinner and competed this post. As I passed a group of teenagers today who asked me how long I had been hiking, I noticed today made 5 months since starting in GA. I also crossed the border of a new state for me--MA and passed the 1,500 mile mark. I should rise early and get miles in before the mini-monsoon arrives late tomorrow.
Date: 2014-08-13
From: Tom Leonard Shelter

To: Mount Wilcox South Shelter
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I checked the radar early in the morning and saw two storms-- on across Long Island and the other near Albany. One gave us a bit of rain but mostly missed us. Since the watch was effect until noon, I decided to wait it out.Some of the hikers put on rain gear and set out. About 8 AM we got our share of the storms as another passed right over out woods. It was raining pretty hard for half an hour and then suddenly a large boom of thunder sounded over us. It was just as if the sky burst with the lightening bolt and buckets of water started falling. The shelter yard became a little creek. It took little imagination to know what the trail would be like to those who had ventured forth. This deluge brought a number of flood warnings for our area.I passed the time by having breakfast and lunch and in between watched the rain and read the rest of Cindy Ross's adventure of through hiking the Pacific Coast Trail. She and her companions braved deep snow drifts to get through the last stretch to the Canadian Border. I highlighted the sentence, "The ones who will make it are the ones who have the passion, the dream to reach the end." I wondered "Do I still have the passion?" The miles are not passing as fast as they should be and winter is coming to Big K (Mount Katahdin) pretty soon. Here I sit with with a nero or zero day."I hit the trail and got in five miles to the next shelter. The water had all drained from the trail, but I could see places I would have been wading in ankle deep streams formed on the pathway. I had hoped for a few more miles but the overcast skies were bringing an early end to daylight for the day.
Date: 2014-08-14
From: Mount Wilcox South Shelter

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: broken clouds

This morning and tonight have been cool enough to wear my insulated jacket. I didn't need it on for hiking because I warmed up as soon as I got moving. I felt more energy hiking partly due to the cooler weather.I met Smiley and Moonshine at different times today. They were both young ladies thru hiking from ME to GA. They stopped long enough to exchange names and say some encouraging words about the beauty I had ahead of me. I reflected about some people I have met that have a special spark about them, evident even with a brief encounter. Those encounters added some energy to my hike.The route today crossed mountains, went up hill and down dale through meadows and hardwoods, but mostly evergreen forest. I even went through a brief rock/boulder part making me think I was back in PA.I sat on a large rock at the top of a climb for an afternoon hydration break and set up an app on my phone. (I am trying the Dropbox app to save my photos. My phone memory is full.) Chef passed by and I said wait a minute--you are NOBO and he said yes. I just realized I wasn't sure which way was north (on the trail) so I noted the way he was going and followed soon after. We passed and re-passed each other at water breaks and ended up at the Upper Goose Pond Cabin together. He is not a chef but did say he has applied twice. I suggested he reapply after the hike and add the Appalachian Trail through hike to his resume.It's dark now but still pretty noisy downstairs as some hikers are enjoying a reunion with each other for the first time in awhile.A story I heard more than once was about the hikers excursion to NYC. Some stayed with friends and others just walked around all night in Times Square. The story was that two hikers who had not seen each other since Virginia were walking around and both said hey look, there's so and so. They were amazed that in a city of millions they ran into each other. They both noted seeing several thru hikers as they explored NYC.The Pond is actually a fairly large lake. This evening the wind was calm and I see a perfect reflection of the opposite shore on the water.
Date: 2014-08-16
From: Mass 8, Mass. 9 Dalton, MA

To: Crystal Mountain Campsite
Miles today: 4.7
Weather: overcast clouds

I spent the day in Dalton getting a shower at the community resource center, having breakfast at the restaurant across street, picking up mail at the PO, using WiFi at the library to download photos, going to the laundromat and the general store. It took some walking between places plus the internet was slow so it was 4 pm before I was ready to leave town. I had a late lunch with milk and brownies. Then for dinner at the campsite I had the rest of the milk which I mixed with pudding mix for a milkshake.I bounced (mailed) my stove, cooking pot, 5 degree liner, and extra battery to the Killington Post Office for an approximate ETA of 8/25. ( Killington, VT 05751) . I have faired well for two weeks sans cooking. From home, Marcia sent some cold weather gear: gloves, an ear covering head band, Mylar sleeping bag, insulated long underwear and an extra short sleeve t-shirt. I am going to try getting by with a 45 degree sleeping bag and rely on the extra layers of clothing for colder temperatures. (I have already encountered upper 40's in August).Debbie sent brownies, tuna, almonds, M&M's and Clif crunch bars. I haven't seen those before. A family from CT invited me to sit with them around the fire they had going. We gazed at the glowing embers while sharing experiences of hiking/backpacking. (That makes two families from CT who shared their gift of hospitality.) I went to bed tonight with another warm memory to add the treasure of my AT adventures.
Date: 2014-08-17
From: Crystal Mountain Campsite

To: Wilbur Clearing Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: overcast clouds

I made it to Diane's Twist in Cheshire in time for lunch. I had a roast beef sandwich, homemade pasta and three cans of Pepsi to get fueled up for climbing Mount Greylock. My plan was to take it slow and easy with the expectation it would be a long climb.Since today was my Dad's Birthday, I planned to spend a lot of time reflecting on him as I hiked but I kept forgetting. (Partly because I had some hiking partners for awhile.) Cindy Ross dedicated her book "in memory of my Daddy who took me on my first walks in the woods." I have to give my Daddy credit for taking me on my first walks in the woods also.The strangest thing happened. I made scheduled rest breaks and I was coming up on one in 3 minutes but was just passing a nice level spot and debated with myself to stop or go the extra little bit. I was going to get out some M&M's for a boost for the main climb up mount Greylock. I stopped and as I putting my pack down over next to the woods, I saw a banana lying in the sticks and leaves.Of course. It didn't take me long to decide to eat it, thinking this is real trail magic. A banana would be the best boost imaginable.I started thinking about how it got to be there. My first story was that it fell off a tree growing on Mount Greylock but it looked a lot like a hemlock tree. ( I have found a few apples under apple trees ). After a while I remembered the date again and my Dad. That's when I decided my Dad had something to do with the really magic trail magic. Mavis Staples sings a song "what are they doing in heaven today?" and goes on to image what it might be. I knew what Daddy was doing in Heaven this Sunday afternoon--having the best laugh ever.
Date: 2014-08-18
From: Wilbur Clearing Shelter

To: Seth Warner Shelter
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: clear sky

I didn't want to get up this morning and face the real world--just lay there in dreamland. Eventually I got up, had breakfast and broke camp but seemed to take awhile. I had wanted to do 20 miles by starting early. However, the main goal was to cross the Vermont border. That is where I feel like the real New England starts.Elijah, my grandson called me and said "God bless you" and also Marcia which cheered me up.To reach my destination, I had descend to the Hoosic River Vally and climb the next mountain. I estimated about 2000 feet of climbing which seemed harder than yesterday with Mount Greylock.I shared the state line crossing with four young people from Vermont who are setting out to hike the Long Trail to Canada. They also had started late today and tented in the same shelter that I am at for tonight.Be stopping early (5:30PM) I may have time to journal some. The next shelter is too far to get to before dark and includes another climb. I will try to rise early again tomorrow and get in more miles. It helps that I am in the shelter rather than in tent so I can get on the trail sooner. We will see, but the sleeping bag is so cozy when it's in the 40's
Date: 2014-08-22
From: Vermont 11 and 30

To: Lost Pond Shelter
Miles today: 14.8
Weather: moderate rain

I supplied the blueberries for pancakes this morning. I offered to buy some Vermont Maple Syrup from Jeff, our Green Mountain House host that he brought from his kitchen, but he would not accept any payment for it. The 4 SOBO's made the pancakes. (Only name I got from them is Captain Morgan.)It rained a lot during the night, so the trail was a combination of mud, puddles, and mini-streams. I remember not too long ago everyone was complaining of the rocks littering the trail--no place to step on dirt. Today, we were begging for more rocks and roots to step on to avoid mud and water. It didn't take too long to give up and not worry too much about where to step. Just not in 3" of mud hopefully. I have been lucky with the weather, because yesterday and today are the first days my new shoes have been really soaked and muddy.I ran into Momma Bear near the top of the ski slope. Too bad the lift was not running. The top of the hill was shrouded in fog. It looked like what I imaged the scene would be like in the Pyrenees near the start of the El Camino Trail. I've read about that trail in two books.I was thinking a few days ago that it had been awhile since I had seen a daisy, but there was a single daisy blooming near the top of the slope. I saw one more near the end the day also. (Daisies remind me Wilma is praying for me.) Momma Bear said she also likes daisies.I saw Worm today, Mayor and his dog, and met Skunk Bite here at the shelter. Also Momma Bear came into shelter here tonight. I was planning on going at least 5 more miles today, but thought it better to stop while I was ahead.I have observed that jewelweed or touch-me-nots are still in the blooming stage and I am yet to finch a ripe pod to touch it and watch it burst. The blooming stage for the jewelweed has keep the same pace as me as I have walked north.Another plus for my stop tonight is the sound of a roaring brook to listen to while I sleep.