morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-07-13
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: Graymoor Friary
Miles today: 20.6

After the changes to my plan yesterday I wasn¢t quite sure where today would take me but I guess I just needed to get started and work it out as I went.The first stop was just a couple of miles along the trail where a visit to a State Park promised soda and ice cream for breakfast. On top of this there was word of a big cook out being hosted by some previous thru hikers.We arrived to the remnants from last night¢s revelries at the cookout and were offered breakfast but I didn¢t feel like hanging around so grabbed a soda and continued on my way. Before I left I had the chance to speak to Strappy, tadpole and Big Red and they mentioned a friary as a potential camping spot. I¢d heard about it before but didn¢t realise that I could get there today ¢ it would be a decent effort but I had got up early and I had timeon my hands. It looked like a plan was coming together.The afternoon¢s walk was both up and down and included some good and bad...The good was my first view of the New York City skyline. The guidebook mentions that it is possible to see it from quite a few places along the trail in this part of New York State (provided the weather is good). From the previous spots I had seen nothing but today there it was. I have never been to NYC and I was chuffed to see it there in front of me. The next road I crossed said it was only 34 miles to the city but, perhaps unfortunately, my plans were elsewhere.Particularly unfortunately as they involved going both over Bear Mountain and through Bear Mountain Inn Park of whatever it¢s called. They were crawling with people and cars and turned into places to be endured amongst the commotion. Bear Mountain is another of those mountains that the US has seen fit to build a road up ¢ so everyone drives up, walks about for 5 minutes and drives down again.I hurried to get out ¢ walking quickly through the Trailside Zoo (a very small affair) just to get held up again.We had to cross the Hudson River by way of Bear Mountain Bridge but when I got there I was told that State Police had closed it to pedestrian traffic. The guy suggested I hitch across but that offended my sensibilities about walking the whole trail. I knew it would be OK in the circumstances but I decided to wait anyway. Apparently a ¢jumper¢ had climbed one of the bridge¢s towers.I don¢t know what happened ¢ hopefully all is well but around 6pm we were given the OK to walk across. It would still be possible to make the friary just provided I kept moving.I arrived weary and relieved at 8.30pm with time to set up and eat before bed.
Date: 2003-07-14
From: Graymoor Friary

To: Shenandoah Tenting Area
Miles today: 17.5

I don¢t know what it is these days but I just don¢t know how I¢ll feel from one day to the next.After last night¢s late finish I was in no particular rush to get going this morning and even took an early break to read when I came across a bench by a small lake. A good general rule is to never pass up a bench, even the ones that aren¢t placed exactly where you might ideally like.Anyway ¢Cowboys Don¢t Cry¢ is just too rivetting a read (as I¢ve said before ¢ you don¢t get much intellectual stimulation out here, so any is a boost). I dragged myself away leaving the last couple of chapters for lunch.Things were, however, ominously getting harder and shortly after lunch with not even two thirds of today¢s miles behind me my feet were really buzzing. This often happens close to a planned zero day ( I have one planned two days from now) and wonder whether it is psychological that the last couple of days before seem such a chore. Or is it perfect timing because I really am getting run down. My money is on the former.Anyway, I was bushed and stopped very early to eat dinner but by then (4.30pm) I was desperately in need of both a rest and an excuse.I went to the Shenandoah Tenting Area for water but once I got there it didn¢t take long to realise I was here for the night. It was a lovely evening (now that I had stopped) and this place had everything I needed ¢ water, a covered table and chair bit and lovely flat lush grass to set up my tent on.I sat and just stared into space, breathing deeply, relieved to have ended the day so perfectly.
Date: 2003-07-15
From: Shenandoah Tenting Area

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 26.9
Weather: scattered clouds

It seems that whatever I expect the opposite happens.After the tough preceeding days I was a little concerned about the 18 miles planned for today. As a result I made an early start and cracked on through the first 6 miles to another deli for a break and snacks. I spent an hour recharging my batteries and stuffing my face.   The morning¢s fast pace continued into the afternoon and I started mulling over the prospect of going a further 9 miles to the next shelter. I was sure I had the time but would my body revolt?However, a wrong turn and 40 minutes and about 1.5 miles of energy wasted seemed to have settled the issue but I kept banging on and it was still tantalisingly possible. I don¢t know why but I was really feeling good ¢ perhaps the idea and the challenge were driving me on.I arrived at my planned, or rather originally planned, destination at 4.45pm and it was decision time. 9 miles to go in 4 hours. I could do it but my biggest concern now was some ¢chaffing¢ at what you might euphemistically describe the bottom of my spine or more accurately refer to as my backside. However, it was no time for quitters, the camping didn¢t look appealing and I really wanted to give it a go.I think with hindsight I was lucky as the walking was really flat and easy and I wasn¢t under the pressure of falling behind schedule. I even had time to stop and eat at the Appalachian Trail Railroad Station (it¢s quite something) and with the waistbelt of my rucksack untied and my hands cushioning my tender rump from my pack I rolled into camp at 8.15pm.It was good to be finished, to have those miles behind me and to meet Thor and Boat again.I got comfortable in my tent, turned on my radio, broke the tuning wheel on my radio and found that once again I had got lucky to jam the tuning on about the best radio show I have had the pleasure of listening to out here. I dozed off and on enjoying the tunes and finally switched off well after midnight.Who knows what tomorrow will bring.
Date: 2003-07-16
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 12.7

Another town day today but more importantly a reunion with me old mucker Mike.A bit of background info to bring you up to date: On the 4th of July I read an e-mail from Mike saying that our paths wouldn¢t be crossing on the trail as he had got off at Harper¢s Ferry but that I should give him a shout when I got near his folks place in Connecticut. Well, that time has come and I called from Vernon, when we agreed to meet in Kent today.I still had 13 miles to go to make that rendezvous and, needless to say, it was an absolute nightmare. The trail went up , down, up ,down, appeared to be going in circles and seemed unnecessarily rocky. My ETA slipped from midday to 1pm to 1.45pm to nearer 3pm. My heart sank and my mood was black. You don¢t rest so as not to waste time but then you slow down because you are tired.I was a forlorn figure trudging into town and, not for the first time, was reliant on Mike coming to the rescue. We got to his folks place (very nice) and set about putting right the wrongs of the morning. A shower and some chat paved the way towards a few Guinesses, meeting the family (including dogs) and then sitting down to dinner.Mike was a pretty nifty cook with just the whisperlite on the trail but here he excelled with the full range of household appliances on hand. Special mention goes to dessert ¢ the spice cake (and I¢m not just saying this) was top notch.After dinner drinks consisted of the bottle of McCallans we had carefully selected that afternoon and had carefully demolished by the wee small hours.p.s. Today was the first time I have been in a car of any shape, size or description since Front Royal ¢ a total of very nearly 500 trail miles.
Date: 2003-07-17
From: Kent, CT

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 0.0

Woke up bright and early this morning but perhaps not exactly bright eyed and bushy tailed. The hint of the after effects of last night¢s drinking was slowing me down just a tad. Thankfully, however, today turned into pretty close to the perfect zero day.After some breakfast, while watching the Open golf, and a trip to the bookshop we were off to the first day of the Grey Fox Bluegrass Music Festival. It was a much bigger affair than I had imagined and was fairly shocked when we arrived and I looked up at all the deck chairs stretching way back up the hill in front of the stage. We found a spot to put our chairs (not too easy) and I settled down to a day of doing absolutely nothing.It¢s fair to say we were woefully inadequately prepared for the day ahead but I think that¢s what made it perfect for me. A lot of zeros are either spent running around like a madman or sitting twiddling my thumbs bored, but trying to convince myself that at least my body is recuperating. Today¢s was different. There was nothing I could do (as I had taken nothing with me) but I had something to occupy me (lots of good music). That said, I would certainly have benefitted from taking some different/additional clothes as we went from blisteringly hot (not a cloud in the sky) heat to a cool evening and frankly a pretty chilly night (certainly not a shorts and t-shirt kind of night) but hey! you live and learn.Over ten hours of music provided lots of good entertainment with particular highlights being The Reeltime Travellers, Dry Branch Fire Squad, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver and Peter Rowan¢s Texas Trio.We called it a day at close to midnight and Mike drove me back to another night in a warm bed.Oh yes, and the winner of the Band of the Day goes to Doyle Lawson for a good mix of old time bluegrass, some kicking fiddle stuff, gospel harmony singing and a nice line in music hall presentation. Good Stuff indeed.
Date: 2003-07-18
From: Kent, CT

To: Stewart Hollow Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 7.0

Oh well, all good things must come to an end, but not before I had the opportunity to polish off the remains of Mike¢s spice cake. It was then once more time to pack up and leave for the trail.Mike drove me into Kent and a visit to the outfitters for a new pair of socks (I now have two pairs) and a new pair of shoes. I think the fact that it was raining made me plump for the gortex ones. The down side of this being that I¢ll need to be careful breaking in the shoes and now I¢ll need to carry my sandals again.One last town meal at the chinese and then Mike dropped me off at the trail. No tearful farewells as I¢ll see him again in Hanover at Kelly Joe Phelps so it was just ¢Thanks and see you later¢.It¢s funny how things change. It¢s raining today and it really lowers my motivation. In the early days this would have just been business as usual but now after a couple of weeks of sunshine I grudge the weather. I plodded on, head down evaluating my new shoes ¢ ever mindful of blisters and hot spots. Unfortunately I wasn¢t being mindful of a low limb across the trail. I say limb as it was far too solid to be described as a branch. (It was truly a rare limb , a rattling limb.) I was reminded of it by a loud crack and white flash. It¢s been a while since I last banged my head on a shelter and this certainly reminded me why it¢s not a good idea.It was only 7 miles to the shelter and despite the late start I got there early and set up camp. Dinner was rounded off by some german equivalent of Jaffa Cakes that I had picked up in town ¢ quite acceptable but not as good as the real thing. Next I had a bit of a bear bagging disaster.I always hang my food these days and once you get into the habit it¢s no hassle, or rather it¢s usually no hassle. I had considered myself to be becoming quite proficient (2 throws maximum) but tonight my ego got well and truly bruised. A dozen throws would be a wild underestimate but at least Bag abd Jauniata got a laugh and I got a lesson in humility.Nick and the Grayhounds arrived later. The Grayhounds said to say ¢Hi¢ to everyone.
Date: 2003-07-19
From: Stewart Hollow Brook Lean-to

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

Woke to rain but I was too tired to care.   Bottom line was that I wasn¢t moving ¢ after 2 nights of going to bed at 1am I had some sleep to catch up on.My plans metamorphosised as a result of my tardiness (along with the excuse of having new shoes to break in). Yes, I¢ll do a whopping ten miles today , or at least I will once I get up but right now it¢s time for just a little more sleep.Well I finally got up at 9.15am and eventually got going at 10.45am.I broke no records today, taking two long breaks to catch up on writing these journals.The good news on the shoe front is no real problems; so far, the bad news is that I¢m getting a little knocking of my toes coming downhill and the left foot is exhibiting similar symptoms to those my boots gave me but so far so good I guess.The short day meant I arrived at camp early and the dusk bugs forced me into my tent and the conclusion that camping is really boring if you spend time alone in your tent.Oh well I¢ll read a couple of chapters and I¢ll catch up on a few more hours sleep.
Date: 2003-07-20
From: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-to

To: Limestone Spring Lean-to
Miles today: 12.3

Gathering of the Clans today as I met Jeff of the Black Douglas.Jeff and his sister were hiking with Shaka and Aloha who seem to have just about taken up residence in one of the nearby towns. I took it Jeff and Jill were the children of the friends they were staying with but never did get that confirmed.Anyway Jeff seemed to be particularly concerned over my lack of a Trailname. ( a bit like one or two of you who have made entries in the guest book). He enquired as to what the McKenzie Clan Crest was and when I told him it was a mountain in flames he suggested ¢Mountain Flame¢. There have been a few other suggestions over the past months but I¢m happy to stick with ¢Neil¢ and given it¢s how everybody knows me I think it will see me through to Maine (all going well).I met quite a few people today and stopped and chatted as I was in no particular hurry. Mr Ed, Squecky ¢ a southbounder from Surrey and another couple I didn¢t get the names of. This was nice but I¢m still a couple of days behind with this journal and I had hoped to get bang up to date. Oh well there¢s always tomorrow.In the afternoon I passed a nice waterfall place with people jumping in and swimming. It all looked a bit daredevil to me so I just sat and watched before carrying on into camp.Here tonight with Gazer again as our paths continue to cross since Kent.One of the problems of these short days is that I do tend to get into camp earlier and as I still find sitting round camp mind numbingly boring I inevitably end up going to bed early.
Date: 2003-07-21
From: Limestone Spring Lean-to

To: Laurel Ridge Campsite
Miles today: 12.8
Weather: light rain

I remember speaking to Red Beard in the Shenandoahs and commenting that nothing lasts forever to which he replied ¢well nothing lasts a thru hiker¢. It appears in the case of my pants he was right.Today in Salisbury, and for reasons of decency, I bought myself a new pair which I hope will see me to Kathadin. Now before anyone back home has disturbing visions of me walking through New England wearing only tartan y-fronts let me put your mind at rest by pointing out that they call ¢trousers¢ ¢pants¢ over here (and Mars Bars are Milky Ways).Anyway, now suitably attired I could go about my other business which mainly consisted of buying food before I decided to treat myself to a decent lunch at the local restaurant, hoping that no one would object to my somewhat rich smell. Happily ensconced at the bar I munched and slurped my way through steak and chips and two pints of pale ale. I then, for probably the first time in the trip, decided to be a tourist and not a hiker and shouted up a third but definitely last pint.With just the right level of muscle relaxant running through my veins it was time to get going. I knew it was unlikely that I would now reach my planned destination but there seemed to be plenty of options so I just headed off to see where I ended up and this turned out to be the Laurel Ridge Campsite.However, now I want to recall something I once read about how the most innocent of items can cause the most unlikely of accidents - things like trousers (pants) or hats. Well to that list I would like to add bear bagging stones. You see when hanging a line I usually tie a stone to one end and then throw it over my intended branch. Well the stone can swing dangerously close to your head if you are not careful. So to avoid just this I throw only a short line and the stone then swings up and away over my head. Only tonight instead of swinging up and away on the arc of a circle it flew down and towards (more like a parabola). Anyway, suitably bemused I only moved to the side in time for it to crack into my right collar bone about an inch below my chin.At first I laughed then I thought hold on a minute that really hurt. I¢m OK but it goes to show that this trip won¢t be in the bag until I reach Kathadin.And remember be careful the next time you reach for that hat....
Date: 2003-07-22
From: Laurel Ridge Campsite

To: Tom Leonard Lean-to
Miles today: 19.1

What a storm last night.Not long after I shut up shop for the night and settled down to some more ¢Hitchhiker¢s Guide to the Galaxy¢ all hell broke loose. The rain thudded down and there seemed to be more lightening than there was dark sky. At least one of the thunder cracks just about made me jump from a lying position.However, I was snug and warm and dry so what else to do but fall asleep and hope that it would be dry in the morning (and maybe wish I had a perspex tent to fully view the show). After one more storm just before dawn things were relatively dry when I ventured tentatively outside although the rain had once more made the rocks somewhat slippy. I wouldn¢t say that my new shoes have me sticking to them like a mountain goat ¢ more slipping off them, looking like a goat.I had a lot of miles to do today and knew that at least some should be reasonably easy throught the valley. Although this proved correct there was a sting in the tail (or more accurately nose) as they were miles infested with ravenous mosquitoes.Somewhere today I passed 1,500 miles but no matter how much I tried I just couldn¢t think of any musical accompaniment for the event. I thought that it should feel like more of an achievement but I keep thinking about the 670 or so miles to go and thinking ¢bloody hell, that¢s a long way¢. If the weather is nice, I have nice short days and the bugs stay away it ought to be a piece of cake but my biggest dawning realisation about the trail is how it challenges you to adapt by throwing different and new problems at you.I just don¢t know what lies around the corner. For example, first it¢s pack weight and getting used to the day to day, then it was all the rain, then your body starts to hurt, then perhaps you get separated from friends, then it was the heat and lack of water, now the bugs. Each one seems like a big obstacle to face and when you get smug about having it beat, a couple of weeks later there is a new hassle to adapt to and who knows maybe the next one will be one too many. I don¢t think so but you never know.The Grayhounds are here again tonight and 3 guys heading south. I¢ve passed a handful of south bounders on the trail and guess I¢ll be seeing a few more over the next couple of weeks.
Date: 2003-07-23
From: Tom Leonard Lean-to

To: Shaker Campsite
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: light rain

Today¢s short easy day along with yesterday¢s crossing of the 1,500 mile mark has put me in a bit of a reflective mood about being out here on the trail.Just at the moment I think the trail has more or less run its course ¢ although each day is enjoyable in itself the overall trail maybe has a bit of a been there, done that feel. I guess if the trail was only 1,500 miles long and I was packing up to go home today then I don¢t think I would have too many complaints.Maybe it¢s just the culmination of a few things that just make some of the day to day less appealing. For instance I¢m getting pretty close to losing my appetite although I know I need to keep eating as much as I can. It¢s just that when I walk around the supermarket there is so little that seems appealing (even the all sugar diet gets old after a while). Another thing is that I have now gone over 600 miles being ¢independent¢ and maybe I¢m just ready for a little more companionship. In the early stages interdependence was the norm (particularly but not exclusively with Mike) and then when I was left to my own devises I really enjoyed the change and the freedom (and still do in many ways). It¢s not that I¢m alone and don¢t spend time with good people recently. I¢ve been lucky to cross paths with Pastor John, Gazer and the Grayhounds. Maybe I¢m just missing the folks back home and all the water that has flown under the bridge with them (after all it¢s been over 5 months since I flew the coup).All that said though I¢m content enough. The short days are nice and I¢m making progress towards my ultimate goal. I don¢t think I¢m man enough to jack it in now and what do I really have to complain about when all 8 tent pegs go right in with just one firm push and when the Grayhounds (and friend) have just made me a cup of steaming hot tea. Thanks Lads!
Date: 2003-07-24
From: Shaker Campsite

To: October Mountain Lean-To
Miles today: 18.7
Weather: light rain

Well this is my 100th day on the trail since I said ¢goodbye¢ to Springer Mountain.I¢ve made good progress (anyone who can¢t work out my average daily mileage should go and sit in the corner and I¢ll be along to see them later) but really it¢s just another day (as it turns out a reasonably challenging day), no doubt with lots of trees.As it was I made quick time this morning and had the luxury of dilly dallying throughout the afternoon. This section of the trail was awash with little orange lizard things. I¢ve been calling them salamanders but I don¢t know for sure what they are. I¢ve seen them on and off for a long time now but nothing like in these numbers. I remember the first time I saw one I thought someone had left a plastic toy on the trail for a jok but then it moved. Oh well, I tried not to step on them and just hope that they eat mosquitoes.Mos of the afternoon was taken up talking to myself. I realised that today was the first day of the first test in the England v South Africa Cricket Series. Being unable to tune into Test Match Special I thought I¢d make up my own commentary:JA        Oh Victor has jsut arrived wearing, well how would you describe it? A sort of fuschia swirlly sort of shirt. Did you pick that up in the Carribean Vic?VM        Bath High Street actuallyJA        Well I never! Is it all the rage down there then?VM        The Young Farmers seem to like themJA        Oh well as long as you don¢t get any of that lovely cake we¢ve all been eating on it.VM        Cake?JA        Yes, a quite wonderful Spice Cake sent in by a M Hoffman.VM        Oh! I¢ll have to look that outJA        So? What is the score anyway?VA        Oh about 200 and something for 3JA        Did you see the band in the hotel last night then Vic?And so on ..... Sports commentary cricket style.   I do miss it!