morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-07-09
From: Hanover, NH

To: West Hartford, VT
Miles today: 9.8

This morning I did all of my town business. I went to the Dartmouth College library, which was definitely the nicest one so far!!! Then I resupplied food and then I set out this afternoon with Tara and Irma. They are both Southbound thru-hikers. We starting hiking and after about a mile we crossed over the line into Vermont!!! Another state behind us!! I'm not really sure where Matthew is, but I think he is around Glencliff, New Hampshire today. He is doing pretty good. I think he hurt his ankle one day, but it's getting better. I will write about him whenever I find out where he is. After crossing over the border, we walked on roads for about 1.5 miles before we finally got back in the woods. We went on to Happy Hill Shelter and stopped and ate dinner. I ate some Ramen noodles. We also had to check out the privy because we heard that it was the most photographed privy in the world. It has been in National Geographic. It was pretty cool, it was in the shape of a gazebo. After eating, we walked on and the trail went through downtown West Hartford, VT. We stopped for a snack at a store and while we were sitting on the porch, a guy walked by and asked where we were staying tonight. We told him that we weren't really sure and he invited us to stay in a cabin behind his house. So we said sure! We went over there and they had beds for us and they grilled us hamburgers and gave us chips, cokes, and ice cream!!!! We also got to watch a movie in their living room!!! They did all of this for free! Really nice people! We didn't get to bed until late but today has been a great day!
Date: 2003-07-10
From: West Hartford, VT

To: Big Red Barn
Miles today: 12.6

This morning I woke up a little later than usual. The couple who let us stay in their cabin offered to cook breakfast for me so I went in and ate with them. They cooked scrambled eggs, sausage, and toast!!! It was a great way to start the day!!! I got another late start today because I stayed for a little while. I walked for about 2 miles and then stopped for a break in a meadow on top of a small mountain and Tara, Irma, and Walt came up. We listened to Walt play his guitar for a long time and I took a really long break there. Irma decided to stay a little longer so me and Walt and Tara went on. The trail in Vermont is awesome!!! It is pretty flat and it's a dirt trail instead of rocks and roots!!!! I love it!!! Around 7 o'clock tonight we came to VT12 Highway. We walked over it and stopped to eat supper. We noticed a sign that said there was a big red barn about 100 yards away that we could stay at for free. So we walked down there and we went in and decided to stay there. They had mattresses and a radio for us! Me and Tara decided to hitch into Woodstock, VT for some pizza and Dr. P!!! After getting the pizza, we had to find a ride back. So we walked to a gas station and walked around to people who were pumping gas and asked for a ride!!! It was a little embarassing, but you have to do what you have to do!! After asking about 6 people, one guy told us that we could sit in the back of his truck with all his paint supplies and he would take us. So we hopped in and he gave us a ride back. This barn is really huge and it's really nice of these people to let us stay. Great day again!
Date: 2003-07-11
From: Big Red Barn

To: Stoney Brook Shelter
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: moderate rain

I woke up this morning to the sound of a loud rain!!! It was pouring down outside!!! The barn was really nice and it was very hard to get started in the rain!! Getting started in the rain is like jumping into a pool with your clothes on, it's hard to do initially, but once you do it, you're fine. After stalling for awhile, me and Tara and Walt decided to head out. Right at the start of the day, we walked over a river on a bridge and when we looked up at the end of the bridge, we saw a bunch of cows staring at us. They were blocking the trail, so we had to push through about 15 cows to get by. It was a big change from what we're used to in Maine and NH!!! I love walking through all these cow fields and hay fields! We hiked on in the rain and we went about 7.5 miles and we stopped to eat at a cabin on top of a mountain. We got really cold in there because we were wet and when you quit walking, you get cold quickly. So we started back walking to warm up. We got to Stoney Brook Shelter and decided to call it a day and I plopped down in my sleeping bag and got warm!!! It felt really good! Hopefully the rain will quit by tomorrow!
Date: 2003-07-12
From: Stoney Brook Shelter

To: Cooper Lodge Shelter
Miles today: 16.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Today has been a really good day. I left this morning around 6:45 and heading south. I got to a road crossing after about 5 miles and kinda got lost for a little while, but I found my way back! I can't stand getting off the trail out here because it makes you feel like you are wasting so much time! Oh well, I guess it's part of it!:) I had to go into Rutland, VT today to pick up something at the post office and since it's Saturday, the PO closes at 12:00. I had to walk over 10 miles before 12 to get there! I got to the road and caught a shuttle into town and got to the post office at 11:50!!!! I was very excited to make it! I also got to eat at Subway! YUM!! I got a foot-long pizza sub and chips and a drink! Very good treat! I then went to the library for awhile and the grocery store and after going into the grocery store, I came out and sat on the sidewalk to repack my bag. While I was sitting there, a lady walked up and asked if I needed a ride back to the trail. I said sure and she gave me a ride. Her name was the Hiking Gnome and she hiked the trail in '94. It's amazing how these things work out! After getting back on the trail, I had a much heavier pack from all the new food! It's worth it though, I'd rather carry extra weight and not be hungry than not have enough food! I crossed Maine Junction today, which is where the Appalachian Trail meets the Long Trail. The Long Trail goes from the Canada-VT border down to the MA-VT border. The AT and the LT are the same trail for about 100 miles in southern Vermont. I walked on after getting back from town and hiked up Pico Mtn. and then up Killington Peak. I stayed at Cooper Lodge tonight, which is just a shelter that has 4 walls. It used to have windows, but not anymore. The wind is very strong up on the top of the mtn. and it blows stuff everywhere! There is also a very brave mouse in this shelter that isn't afraid of much. I better be extra careful of my food! I hiked up .2 mile to the peak and watched the sunset tonight. It was beautiful. It's amazing how God can make so many different colors in the sky at one time!
Date: 2003-07-13
From: Cooper Lodge Shelter

To: Greenwall Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: light rain

I left Cooper Lodge this morning around 6:30. I started off the day with a climb down Killington Peak to Governor Clement Shelter. I took a rest there and another hiker gave me some cornbread and chips!!! Yummy! I love all these surprise food gifts! After leaving there, I continued on through all of these Vermont forests! Sometimes I feel like I'm walking through a tunnel of green because everything here is SOOO green! I walked on to Clarendon Gorge, it had a really cool suspension bridge to walk over and I got to rock on it for awhile and I did a few flips on the gables. It was pretty fun. After the bridge, I climbed up Bear Mtn. and down again and then made one final climb up to Greenwall Shelter. I'm staying at the shelter with Tara, another southbounder I've been hiking with some, and a guy who is hiking the Long Trail. I also passed a stream today and it had cokes sitting in it!!! There was a note from the Hiking Gnome, the lady who gave me a ride yesterday to the trail, that said to take a coke or two!!! I got two Dr. Thunders and they were great! Trail magic is awesome!
Date: 2003-07-14
From: Greenwall Shelter

To: Bromley Mountain
Miles today: 21.6

Today has been a great day! I left this morning and climbed up White Rock Cliffs. At the top, people had made lots of things out of rocks. They made thigns like peace signs, crossed, arches, and all sorts of things. It was a cool sight! I walked on and walked by Little Rock Pond, which was beautiful. I kept going and came to a road crossing. At the road, a lady came up and asked if I wanted pancakes!! I couldn't hardly believe my ears! I said yes mam and she cooked me 5 pancakes out of the back of her van! She also had 100% pure maple syrup from Vermont and she gave me a coke and an apple and chips afterward!!! There are some extremely nice people in this world! After I finally pulled myself away from the food, I continued on. I then climbed up Baker Peak, which had great views of surrounding towns and mountains. I then climbed Peru Peak and Styles Peak. I went downt to Mad Tom Notch and got some water and then made one final climb up Bromley Mtn. There is a cabin on top here that is used in the wintertime as a warming hut. They allow hikers to stay overnight in it so that is where I am tonight. It even has a phone in it!!!! I called mama and she said that Matthew is staying at the big red barn near Woodstock, VT tonight. That's the same place I stayed. She also said that the same person that gave me a ride into Woodstock, VT gave him a ride too!!! I thought that was pretty cool! I'm staying in this cabin with a guy from Athens, GA who goes to UGA and we talked about Georgia for awhile! Tara is also here tonight. I love these shelters with four walls and this one even has windows! Great day!
Date: 2003-07-15
From: Bromley Mountain

To: Stratton Pond Shelter
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: scattered clouds

This morning I started off by climbing down Bromley Mtn. 3 miles to a road. Tara needed to go into town to the PO, so I decided to go also. We hitched in with an ice older lady and she went to the PO and I got a few snacks and then we hitched a ride back to the trail with a guy in a Jeep Cherokee. I sat in the back with two huge dogs and they were trying to lick me the whole time! When I got back to the trail, I had dog hair all over me and my pack! But, atleast I got a ride! I stopped at Spruce Peak Shelter to eat some tuna in a tortilla. That's one of my new favorite meals! You don't have to cook it and it tastes great. I just get the chunklight tuna in packs and some tortillas and yum yum! The terrain between Spruce Peak and Stratton Pond was very flat! I decided to stay at Stratton Pond Shelter tonight because it was very nice! I stayed in the loft of the shelter and there were lots of people here tonight. It's supposed to be a fee site, but the caretaker wasn't here today, so I didn't have to pay!!! The mosquitos have been pretty bad this past week. Maybe they'll go away soon. I ate Easy Mac for supper tonight and then Tara had some broccoli from town and she cooked that for me and it was very good! One of my other favorite little treats is Smarties. They don't way much and they taste great! Today was my 50th day out here. I can't believe I've been in the woods for 50 days! I started off this trip with absolutely no hiking experience, I've definitely learned a lot during these past 50 days. I've learned how to wash clothes in a laundromat, cook, and lots of other things!
Date: 2003-07-16
From: Stratton Pond Shelter

To: Goddard Shelter
Miles today: 19.4
Weather: light rain

I woke up this morning to the sound of a hard rain beating down on the shelter roof! When I heard it raining so hard, I just went back to sleep!:) After I woke up again, I heard it still raining, so I decided to read my book for awhile. After awhile, I decided I better get up and get going. I didn't get started until 9:45 today. I dont' mind hiking in the rain at all, it's just hard getting started in the rain! I started off the day with a climb up Stratton Mtn.(3,936') When I got to the top, there was a firetower that normally has great views, but with the rain, I just kept going. I kept going and I stopped at Story Spring Shelter for a break and there was a northbounder there. I ate my food and we talked and I was about to leave and he offered me some spaghetti! I couldn't refuse so I stayed and ate some more with him! It was very good! I left there and walked a little over 4 miles and came to a road and I saw a cooler and donuts there! More trail magic! I couldn't believe it! I stopped and drank a coke and ate some donuts and a banana and there was a note there and it was from Just Visiting. She is the same lady that fixed me pancakes the other day! I continued on and went to Caughnawga Shelter for a rest. This is a very old shelter that is one of the original shelters built in the 20's. It's very little but it was really cool. I continued on up and over Glastenbury Mtn.(3,748'). On my way up the mountain, it got extremely dark and I could barely see. It was only 5:00 so I knew the sun wasn't going down, so I knew it was about to flood! About 5 minutes after it got really dark, the bottom fell out! It FLOODED for about 40 minutes! I didn't mind though, atleast it cooled me off. I got to the shelter around 6:00 and I put my stuff down and cooked supper. I tried hanging my clothes up to dry to no avail. I haven't had clean clothes in over 10 days. I guess I'll go to the laundromat tomorrow in Bennington. My white shirt is brown and my white socks are black with mud! That's one of the joys of the trail, you don't have to worry about being clean!
Date: 2003-07-17
From: Goddard Shelter

To: Congdon Shelter
Miles today: 14.4
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up this morning and had my daily morning ritual of cooking my oatmeal and then packing up and start hiking. I left around 6:30 and headed South. I started out in a heavy fog and went over Little Pond Mtn. I then went down a pretty steep descent to a road. I had to go into Bennington to resupply so I hitched a ride from a guy in a truck into town. My first stop was the laundromat! I couldn't believe how good my clothes smelled after getting them out of the washer and dryer!!! My white shirt was actually white again! It was amazing!:) I also got to play pinball and PacMan while waiting. After washing my clothes, I went to the post office and picked up a maildrop that mama had sent. It had some WONDERFUL rice krispy treats in it that were very marshmellowy!!!! My favorite!!!! I then went to the library for awhile and then I called home and then I went to Dominoe's Pizza. While they were cooking my pizza, I went and bought some food for the next few days on the trail. After eating, I headed back to the trail. A guy with a canoe on his truck stopped and picked me up and gave me a ride back to the trail. As soon as I started hiking again, I went straight up over a 1,000' up rock stairs up to Harmon Hill. After I got up to the hill, it was pretty flat over to Congdon Shelter. It was also very muddy. The mosquitos have picked up again too! I'm glad I still have my 100% deet! It sure helps! I'm staying at the shelter tonight with about 4 other people. I ate some freeze-dried lasagna tonight for supper and wrote some postcards and then went to sleep!
Date: 2003-07-18
From: Congdon Shelter

To: Wilbur Clearing Lean-to
Miles today: 17.1

I got kinda a late start this morning. I left about 8:30. I climbed up Consultation Peak and then back down to Seth Warner Shelter. I took about an hour long break here and it started raining again here. I then started back hiking and I got to the Massachusetts/Vermont state line!!! 3 states down, 11 to go!:) I've got 3 long states done now and the next few are pretty short. I stopped at the state line and ate some Ramen noodles. I then came to another steep, rocky descent down to MA State Route 2. I was walking across the Hoosic River and I saw a guy with his two grandchildren on it. I started talking to them and I asked where the closest gas station was and he said about a quarter of a mile and he offered to take me to it in his car. So I said sure and I went and got a snack and then he brought me back to the trail. After taking a break to eat my snack and Dr. Pepper, I continued on and I immediately had a 1,000' climb and then it leveled out and I made it to Wilbur Clearing Lean-to. I'm staying with another guy named Mark tonight. He had a fire going when I got here and that really helps keep the bugs away. Plus, I stuck a stick in the ground next to the fire and hung my shirt and shorts on it to dry them out. They got a little too close to the fire and my shirt turned brown a little:), and they also stink a little more! Oh well, another smell out here! Great day today!
Date: 2003-07-19
From: Wilbur Clearing Lean-to

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 20.3
Weather: clear sky

I woke up this morning and I cooked my oatmeal and ate some pop-tarts and packed my pack all without getting out of my sleeping bag.:) When I finally got up and put my pack on to start walking, I was kinda stiff. After about half a mile I was feeling fine though. Just goes to show me that I should walk around a little bit before I start hiking! I started out with a hike up Mt. Greylock, Massachusetts highest peak. It's 3,491 feet high. It was pretty cool on top. It had a WWII memorial and a lodge that had a snack bar in it. I went in to get a snack and I met Nanowolf. He's another Southbounder that's been ahead the entire trip. It was great to finally meet him. We decided to hike together for awhile. He's from North Carolina and he just graduate from NC State. It feels good to be around somebody else that talks kinda like me for a change! After leaving Mt. Greylock, I hiked down and then the trail went through downtown Cheshire, MA. I stopped at a Shell Station and got a roast beef sandwich, Doritos, a rice krispy treat, a banana, and a Dr. Pepper. I then walked through a cornfield and came out the other side and then I was at the post office. Me and Nanowolf stopped to talk to two northbounders who were sitting on the bench for awhile. We then continued on. I had another climb up to The Cobbles, which is a rocky viewpoint that had great views of the valley and the surrounding mountains. I then went another 9 miles or so and came to Dalton, MA. The A.T. also passes through downtown Dalton. I had been told by the other northbounders to go to the Shell Station here and ask for Rob. So I found the Shell Station and asked the guy how to get in touch with Rob. He called Rob for me and Rob came and got me and Nanowolf and took us to his house. He is letting us stay here in a bed, he gave us a hot shower and towel, he gives us cokes, he does our laundry, and he lets us use his computer, all for FREE!!!! This is real trail magic here! So I'm debating on taking a zero day here tomorrow. I'm going to get to go to church in the morning!!! After that, I haven't decided if I'm going to stay here again or go on. I also got my first shower since New Hampshire tonight!!! It felt REALLY good! I didn't get a shower the entire state of Vermont!:) Doesn't really bother you though when you're out on the trail. I called home and found out that Matthew is at some kind of Bluegrass Music Festival somewhere in New York. He is going back to the trail tomorrow and starting hiking again. Great day today!!!
Date: 2003-07-20
From: Dalton, MA

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

I woke up this morning and went to church. I went to the local Methodist church. I loved the music there and I am really glad I got to go again! After church, I was planning on heading back out to the trail, but Nanowolf convinced me to take a zero day here at Rob's house. Rob took us to a grocery store where I resupplied food and he took us to Burger King!!!!! After that, he took us to the Berkshire Mall and I ate again at Subway! Zero days can be fun!!!:) This afternoon, we sat around and watched a movie about Indians. I went to sleep during part of it though! Late this afternoon, Morning Moose and Catatonic got here! It was good to see them again! Rob took all 7 of us thru-hikers to an Italian restaurant tonight. I ate spaghetti and sausage! We had a great time relaxing and eating! I found out that they don't like to give people much ice in their drink up here! I asked the waitress for some ice and she gave me a cup and I poured all the ice in my cup and she just kinda stared at me weird. Apparently, she thought that cup was supposed to last the entire table! She then said, "I'll bring the rest of you some more ice!" Oh well, atleast my drink was finally cold!:) After eating, we went and got some ice cream and then went back to Rob's and some of the hikers played his guitar and we listened and sang. Today has been a great day of rest and relaxation!
Date: 2003-07-21
From: Dalton, MA

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: haze

I left Dalton this morning around 8:00 and got back on the trail. It took me a couple miles to get warmed up after my zero day! Most of today has been pretty flat walking! I love it! I stopped at October Mtn. Shelter and ate my usual tuna in tortilla with Bright Side, another Southbound hiker. We walked on together after that and crossed over the Massachusetts Turnpike(I-90). It's always weird comming out of the woods and seeing an interstate! We went on to Upper Goose Pond Cabin. I went swimming when I got there and it felt great!!!! I love swimming and I haven't gotten to do much lately, so I had a really good time in the pond. This cabin has a caretaker and it's really nice. We pay 3 bucks and get a mattress and pancakes in the morning!!! There was a big thunderstorm tonight and me and Bright Side, Nanowolf, Morning Moose, and Catatonic sat on the porch and watched it. We all love thunderstorms and we were rooting for some of that loud, cracking thunder!!! Everytime one would come, we would all shout! We had a good time out there and the storm was great!
Date: 2003-07-22
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Tom Leonard Shelter
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: moderate rain

I woke up this morning to another thunderstorm! I thought, oh no, I have to walk in this mess! I got on up and packed and then went downstairs for my pancakes!!! They were excellent!! About the time I was getting ready to leave, it quit raining!! I was very happy about that! Morning Moose and Catatonic are taking a couple days off, so I said bye to them and headed out. I walked a long ways and didn't stop until 3 o'clock to eat. I stopped at South Wilcox Shelter with Bright Side and Nanowolf. It started raining after we got in the shelter! By the time we wanted to leave, it quit again!!! God is SOOOO good!!! We found some drinks in a stream along the way and that was a great treat too! I saw two adult deer and a baby deer this afternoon. The mosquitos have been horrible today so I haven't stopped very much at all. I got to Tom Leonard Shelter around 6 PM. I cooked some Mac & Cheese for supper. Very good!! A northbounder named Neil from Scotland is staying here tonight and I love hearing him talk! He has a really cool accent.