morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-09-12
From: Katahdin Ironworks Rd

To: Logan Brook Rd
Miles today: 14.9

Slept great in my tent and was on the trail early. First thing was fording the West Branch Pleasant River which had very slick rocks. After a successful crossing everyone took off at their own pace. It was a gorgeous day, cool and sunny. The woods smelled sweet like cotton candy. Another day of up and down four mountains but so much easier than yesterday¢s hike. From White Cap Mtn. I could see Katahdin for the first time - just a 6-day hike to get there! Hikers are all making their plans on where to stay in Baxter State Park which is where Katahdin is located. There are a lot of rules and regulations regarding climbing Katahdin. If the weather is bad, they will close it to hikers, but my plans are to summit on September 18. I finished hiking early today. The rest of the 100-mile wilderness gets easier.
Date: 2015-09-13
From: Logan Brook Rd

To: Jo-Mary Rd
Miles today: 13.8

Light rain ending mid morning but it stayed cool and overcast all day. The green moss covered rocks on the woods and the early thick fog made the forest look enchanted. I expected to see a door on a rock open up any moment and a gnome pop out! Had a small mountain to climb called Little Boardman. Had a stream to ford and one of the Doyles got her foot lodged between two rocks. There was a good sized rock just behind her and she was able to sit back and wiggle her foot loose. Got to admire this woman who has her wrist in a cast and wearing a sling. She has good people helping her over the rough spots and stream crossings. This stream had a lot of tanin in it so you couldn't see the rocks below but just feel for them. It wasn't very deep at all but I'm always happy when I have someone crossing at the same time as me. Had lunch sitting on the small beach at Crawford Pond. So peaceful! The rest of the day was easy peasy and when I got to the campsite there was trail magic! Three couples who knew each other from hiking with the Doyle Expedition in 2010 came to the road where we were camping tonight with soda, juice, fruit, and baked goods. Thank you trail angels!
Date: 2015-09-14
From: Jo-Mary Rd

To: Nahmakanta Lake
Miles today: 14.9

Trail was mostly flat today. There are signs posted for snowmobile trails throughout the spruce and fir forests. It feels so remote here as I sat on the sandy beach on the shore of the Jo-Mary Lake. That's an unusual name considering I can hardly pronounce most of the names of the ponds here. And by trying to say the names one surely shows that "you're not from around here, are ya?" Give it a try: Kokadjo Pond, Potaywadjo Ridge, Nahmakanta Stream. Just past Twitchell Brook looking east to Pemadumcook Lake there was supposed to be a view of Katahdin but I couldn't see it today. Forded the Tumbeldown Dick Stream and hiked along the boulder strewn Nahmakanta stream, finally fording it too. There was an alternate high water trail here but I didn't take it. I was meeting up with the Doyles again tonight to camp but not one out of the fourteen of us had listened or remembered Warren's directions to the campsite. We even had a reminder given us by SOBO Boomerang Bob this afternoon when we passed him, as to where we were to go to find the van, which carries all our gear. So when I got to a gravel road everyone was there, not one of us knowing where to go! A couple hikers went one way while another went the other direction to search for the van while the rest of us just stood around, half laughing and half worried that out of ALL of us, not one really knew which way to go! When they came back, finding nothing, most of us decided to hike further, there must be another road. And there was! And there was the van, less than a mile from where we all stood around trying to read our maps and holding our phones up in the air to get some kind of signal!! It was a really sweet campsite at the edge of the Nahmakanta Lake. So beautiful. A few of the hikers that had chosen a different route found us about half an hour later. I vow to video Warren tomorrow morning while he gives us our instructions. Because when camping with the Doyles, the parked van can be a little off the trail. Mudder came to the campsite in a car that he rented. Last Friday he had to drive to Bangor to catch a flight to PA to attend a funeral. (This is why we caught up with the Doyle Expedition - to hike and camp with them for five nights through the Wilderness). On his way to the airport "Big Red", his truck, broke down and had to be towed. It wasn't going to be fixed for a few days so he rented a car when he got back from PA. A hiker named Happy built a huge bon-fire tonight so it was a great ending to the day. Plus I have a really nice tent site.
Date: 2015-09-15
From: Nahmakanta Lake

To: Pollywog Stream
Miles today: 8.5

Left the campsite at Nahmakanta Lake at 7am. Today is my daughter Rachel's birthday. I sat among the rocks on the way up Nesuntabunt Mtn. and was able to get enough cell signal to call Rachel and wish her a Happy Birthday. It's always so good to hear her voice! The boulders on the trail are covered with moss and have ferns growing out of them. The woods are so silent. Today is also the day I had picked as my summit day when I did two mock itineraries at home before beginning my hike. So I wasn't too far off in my guessing but I still have to go back and hike in VA the miles I missed when I got off the trail sick and went home. When I got back on the trail then, I started back on at where Advil was. I asked Mike to send a note to some hiking friends at home, asking if anyone wants to hike those remaining miles with me as soon as I get back from Maine. It was pretty cool to see Katahdin today from the mtn top. I took lots of pictures and sat for a good long while thinking it just didn't seem real that I was finally this close to finishing. It was a 16 mile line-of-sight distance from Nesuntabunt Mtn to Katahdin. When I got to Wadleigh Pond Rd. there was a note tied to a rock with an orange ribbon lying on the ground. It was detailed directions to where the Doyle van would be parked today! The van carrys our tents, food and extra water. Boomerang Bob was making sure we didn't have a repeat of yesterday in case no one was listening to Warren's directions this morning and he had left the message for us. He is so thoughtful! He hikes southbound and always has a smile and a minute to chat as we meet and pass. Ha, I actually videoed Warren this morning as he recited the directions to where the van would be parked. As I hiked around the edge of Crescent Pond there were several canoes tied to trees in the woods with their owners¢ name on them. It's a two mile hike to the nearest road so these fishermen can be assured of some peaceful fishing out here. But hey, it's the Maine woods, and it's very isolated and quiet here. It was a beautiful warm sunny day and my hike today was short. I must have been flying because it was hours before any of the Doylies got to the campsite. I came to the logging bridge and sat down and had a great lunch of my usual tuna. It just tasted especially good today, sitting in the full sun with the Pollywog Stream rushing below me. I had some wet clothes so I laid them out on the road and let them dry. Then I found a really sweet campsite right at the edge of the stream. Good sleeping tonight! Since I had lots of time to set up camp, I enjoyed sitting with the Doyle Expedition for the last night. I'm thankful that Warren and his expedition let me join up with them through the 100-mile Wilderness. I'll be back in the camper tomorrow when Mudder picks us up at Abol Bridge.
Date: 2015-09-16
From: Pollywog Stream

To: Abol Bridge
Miles today: 17.5

Set out at 6:30 this morning. I was all packed up this morning when one of the Doylies came to my campsite to see if I was ready to start. I hauled my stuff to the van and everyone was gone. Only one left was the van driver, waiting for me to put my gear in it so she could start her drive north, park the van, and start her hike south back to her car which she then drives north to tonight¢s campsite. No matter what time the Doylies tell you they are leaving the next morning, you can bet they are all raring to go at least 15 minutes earlier!   Today¢s hike passed by lots of water in the way of streams, bogs, ponds, and lakes. The best part was sitting on Rainbow Ledges and enjoying the view of Katahdin. I sat down here for a while, again feeling so grateful for all this hike has given me and feeling so happy I was going to make it! Stopped to rest at the Hurd Brook Lean-To. It is one of the shelters that has a baseball bat floor! Dorf, a hiker from Germany was here and we hiked together the rest of the day. It was very unusual to have somebody to hike with but it made the afternoon pass by quickly. I had met Dorf earlier in the day at the first shelter I came to this morning and he was with another thru hiker who was going to go all the way to Katahdin today. That would be a 30 mile day! Hope he made it. Lots of streams and ponds today. Hiked along Rainbow Lake and Little Beaver Pond. I could hardly contain the happiness I felt as I came to Golden Rd and then crossed the Abol Bridge, which crosses the Penobscot River. Katahdin is in full view here. There is a campground here and Peggy and I met up at the camp store and restaurant, called The Northern Restaurant. A few of the Doylies were already here as well as quite a few other hikers. I enjoyed a hamburger, fries, and a beer at a communal table where hikers came and went while Advil and I waited for Mudder to arrive with the camper. As I enjoyed the food and conversations, I can't begin to describe how content I was, so happy knowing I was going to make it to Katahdin. I'm going to be there in just two more days! And I am again so grateful for Advil and Mudder, and knowing God¢s hand was in all of this adventure! When Mudder drove up to the restaurant we were sitting next to a big picture window looking out. You should have seen the look on one hiker¢s face when we said our ride is here! He remarked that he had no pity for us and Advil just quipped back, "well we weren't asking for your pity!" as we got up to go. Most hikers we know are by now aware that we are in a camper, but to actually see the Big Red Dually towing our 37' home, well it is a pretty impressive sight! We camped here at the campground at the edge of the water looking out at Katahdin looming ahead. So beautiful.
Date: 2015-09-17
From: Abol Bridge

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 9.9

Left the campground this morning and hiked to the boundary of Baxter State Park. Not far in, we caught up to the Doyles and sat for awhile on rocks next to a rushing stream. It was a warm and sunny day. Crossed a footbridge at Katahdin Stream and had to ford two forks of the Nesowadnehunk Stream. Say that three times! There was a short side trail to Big and Little Niagara Falls but I kept my almost perfect record of skipping side trails for views. I'm rarely tempted to add more mileage to my day¢s hike unless it's under .2 miles. Came to a parking area and sat and had some lunch. When I got to the Katahdin Stream Campground I didn't see Big Red, Mudders truck. So I pulled up my Guthook app to make sure I was at the right spot. Then I heard someone calling out my name and looked around the parking lot and there he was sitting in a different truck. While we were hiking he had gone to the town of Millinocket to do laundry and ran into Warren Doyle. Warrren asked Mudder if he was going to drive his dually truck into Baxter State Park? Mudder said yes, and Warren just said ¢humpf¢ and left. Being a perceptive guy, Mudder took this as a warning and called the park office and found out that "No, you can't drive that big truck in here!" So he's sitting in the laundromat wondering how he can get to us to pick us up at the end of the day when a guy steps out of a truck in front of the laundromat. Quick thinking Mudder went outside and asked this perfect stranger if he would like to swap trucks for 24 hours and explained the situation. The guy agreed and that's why he was driving a different truck when he came and got us! We drove into Millinocket, also giving Dorff a ride, checked out the Ole Man's Gear Shop at the Appalachian Trail Lodge and I bought several AT decals to plaster all over my car when I get home. I was also able to book the last room at the lodge, because of a last minute cancellation, for Airlock and her husband who needed a room for tomorrow night. We ate dinner at the Scootic Inn. The town is getting ready for a festival over the weekend called "End of Trail Days". We are planning to stay at the campground at Abol Stream again tomorrow night and will head to Bangor Airport on Saturday, where Mudder and Advil will drop me. Be home soon Mike!!
Date: 2015-09-19
From: Mt Katahdin

To: Bangor, ME
Miles today: 0.0

Goodbye Maine. We packed up the camper and I gathered up all my gear to fly home. We drove to Millinocket for breakfast at the Appalachian Trail Cafe. Then we drove to the airport in Bangor where I was going to try to get an earlier flight out. Said a quick goodbye to my hiking buddies who were traveling down the coast of Maine and on to the Boston airport, where Mudder will drop off Advil to fly home. The flights to RDU were all booked so I checked into the hotel across the street and had a very relaxing day and a luxurious sleep.
Date: 2015-09-20
From: Bangor, ME

To: Cary, NC
Miles today: 0.0

Flew home on Sunday. Mike and Sara, my daughter, met me at the airport. Sara even had my other daughter, Rachel, on Facetime on her phone. As I was hugging the stuffing out of Mike who I hadn't seen in two months he swung me around and there were our friends holding placards spelling "Kansas" and holding balloons! They made it a great homecoming and Audrey, thanks for bringing Captain Morgan! I went home and immediately unpacked everything and did laundry. Then I got special seating in "Mike¢s" recliner and watched the Carolina Panthers game with Mike and Sara (they won). We had an early dinner and then I got my bags repacked to leave with Mike in the morning. Ahhh, sleep in my own bed for one night. Tomorrow, Mike and I head to Buchanan, VA, and I get back on the trail to do the miles I missed when I got off sick in June. In June, I also took time then to fly to Illinois to surprise my best friend Carla at her retirement party. We have known each other almost 40 years and I just couldn't stand the thought of her partying without me! It was a good call and I don't regret the extra time off the trail knowing I would have to finish the miles after Katahdin. Plus my amazing husband offered to spend two weeks dropping me off on the trail each morning and picking me up at the end of the day. He will be working remotely while I hike. Is he awesome or what? He continues to amaze me with his support. Thank you, Mike. I will hike fast.
Date: 2015-09-21
From: Cary, NC

To: Buchanan, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Mike and I drove to Buchanan, VA, and checked into the Wattstull Inn. It rained most of the drive. We weren't in our room long when we had a knock on our door. A SOBO hiker named Plank from CT heard from the front desk that a hiker was here. He asked for a ride to his trailhead in the morning. We were happy to give him a ride. Mike and I went to the grocery store in Daleville then returned to the inn and picked up Plank and we all went to dinner at North Star in Buchanan. Plank said he met a couple of north-bounders and asked if I knew them, Airlock and Penguin. Yes, I do! I told him Airlock summited on the 18th, same day as me. And I met Penguin on a pre AT shakedown hike we did in the Birkehead Wilderness in NC. She summitted a couple weeks ago. He probably doesn¢t know that he met two of the most awesome women on the trail. He also went to U Conn and hiked with Warren Doyle when Warren was a TA there. Small world on the trail. I always enjoy talking with other hikers. But most of the SOBO's don't seem to have time for chit-chat. Thank you Plank for dinner! I'm excited to spend the next two weeks with Mike. We will stay in three different locations over the next two weeks as I hike in VA. And we will be eating out every night and exploring the small towns we stay in.
Date: 2015-09-22
From: VA 652, Mountain Pass Rd

To: Blue Ridge Parkway, Harveys Knob Overlook
Miles today: 14.6

First day back on the trail and I'm whistling Dixie, happy to be south of the Mason Dixon line. We dropped Plank at his SOBO trailhead in the dark this morning. I set my alarm for 5 thinking I needed to stay on the same schedule as the last month. Well, it was too early, the drive was short and it doesn't get light until 7!!! I won't make that mistake again. The hiking was easy today and I was done before 3. It rained lightly for a few hours in the morning and stayed overcast all day. I crossed paths with Plank around lunchtime and asked him how hiking in the dark went. He said the fog made hiking worse than the dark! Sorry! The days hike started with a 1,000 foot climb out of Troutdale. I made two long stops at the shelters today, Fullhardt Knob Shelter and Wilson Creek Shelter. When I got to the first shelter it was so very strange not to see Advil sitting there waiting for me. Miss you girl! I hiked fast because it was so flat compared to what I had been hiking in the northeast! The trail crossed the Blue Ridge Parkway three times at overlooks. At Harveys Knob Overlook people were sitting in chairs with binoculars counting hawks that were migrating. It was a good day made even sweeter when I got near the end of the trail and there was Mike walking up the trail to greet me. Went back to the hotel and drove to Buchannan for dinner at The Fountain. It's a combination pharmacy/fountain grill reminding me of Ashworth¢s at home. Watched the movie Pleasantville on tv from bed! Sweet! I couldn't believe we found a movie that Mike hadn't seen. A good day.
Date: 2015-09-23
From: Blue Ridge Parkway, Harveys Knob Overlook

To: VA 614, Jennings Creek Rd
Miles today: 12.1

What an absolutely gorgeous, easy day. Started about 8 this morning and stopped at Peaks of Otter overlook on the BRP waiting for the clouds to roll away. But too antsy and got on with hiking. Mike had a conference call from 3-3:30 so I knew I could take my sweet time hiking today and I did. Loving the first hint of color in the trees and on the trail when it¢s covered with red or yellow leaves. It's a feast for my eyes after spending the last month looking down at mud, rocks, and roots. When I reached Bearwallow Gap I met a SOBO section hiker who started in Boiling Springs, PA, and was hiking to Springer. We sat on some rocks and talked for a good long time. After eating a snack I hiked on to Cove Mtn shelter and stopped for a late lunch. While there, Sprinkle and Rain stopped to eat lunch, too. They are SOBO and started at Harpers Ferry. They're from TX. They have been married 37 years and started their hike on their anniversary. We talked for about an hour then we moved on. Next stop was Jennings Creek where Mike was picking me up. I was there for about 15 minutes before him so I timed my hike pretty well. There were three fishermen in Jennings Creek which is listed on my AWOL guide as a swimming hole. It was a beautiful day but not hot enough to dip my feet in. Mike had another 5pm work conference call so I jumped in the shower before we went to Buchannan for dinner. We ate at Brink of the James Bistro on the James River. It was warm and sunny so we had dinner outside. The stars are out tonight and I'm looking forward to another dry day tomorrow.
Date: 2015-09-24
From: VA 614, Jennings Creek Rd

To: Blue Ridge Parkway 76.3
Miles today: 13.7

Today's trail started at 951' and climbed to Apple Orchard Mtn at 4225'. This is the highest point going north now until Mt. Moosilauke in NH. Glad I've been there, done that! The rest of my miles in VA will stay under 4000'. About three miles into my hike I came to Bryant Ridge Shelter. It's a double decker that sleeps 20. It's definitely one of the coolest shelters I've seen on the trail and I took a bunch of pictures of it. I met a SOBO and stopped and talked awhile. He took a picture of me with his tiny dog, named Esso. Stopped for lunch at Cornelius Creek Shelter. Later the trail leads you underneath a huge boulder lodged between two rock walls via some rock steps. This is known as the Guillotine. Sounds scary but it wasn't! Mike picked me up at a Blue Ridge Parkway crossing. We drove to Peaks of Otter Lodge for dinner. It was such a pretty evening and we had views of Sharptop Mtn. from where we were seated in the restaurant. It was a strenuous hike today and as I looked out the window I thought, I sure hope I don't have to climb that tomorrow! I am going to sleep so good tonight!
Date: 2015-09-25
From: Blue Ridge Parkway 76.3

To: US 501, VA 130
Miles today: 14.9

No views at the overlooks today. Easy mostly downhill hike in the rain and fog. The colors were very pronounced today. All the ferns are turning yellow and the forest floor is full of red leafed oak seedlings. Passed by three SOBO hikers. Crossed the James River Foot Bridge, the longest footbridge on the trail. When I got to the parking area where Mike was picking me up he wasn't there so I sat on a guardrail and waited and waited. Amused myself by taking pictures of snails. And waited. The drizzle would stop and start. After 45 minutes a fire truck went by with its lights flashing. That was a little unsettling and I couldn't see either way down the curvy road. I didn't have phone service so I had to stay put. After one and a half hours he pulls up. A logging truck had overturned and the road he was traveling on to get me was blocked off. He had to backtrack and find an alternate route. I was very happy to see him! We ate dinner at the North Star again.
Date: 2015-09-26
From: US 501, VA 130

To: Blue Ridge Parkway 51.7
Miles today: 10.9
Weather: light rain

When we left the hotel this morning we met three cross county bicyclists. One woman had spent 6 years in Afghanistan and was biking the Atlantic to the Pacific. The other cyclists were from UT and hiking cross country on a tandem bike, bringing awareness to homelessness as they talked to people about "breaking the cycle". Another rainy day today. After hiking mostly down yesterday means I go up today! Started at 680' and climbed to Bluff Mtn at 3372' then Punchbowl Mtn at 2850'. I must be closing in on the hiker bubble going south. I passed thirteen SOBO hikers today. Two young men named Spoon and Footlose, from Texas, started at Katahdin. They plan on reaching Springer in Nov. They're going to have a gorgeous hike, seeing the leaves change. Today was rainy and foggy so no views of the surrounding mtns. Mike picked me up on the BRP at Punch Bowl Mtn Overlook. I bought a hair dryer to blow dry my hiking boots. My waterproof boots. HA! No such thing. Drove back to Buena Vista and had dinner at Todd's BBQ then shopped at the Amish Cupboard. I bought the best-ever fried fruit pies and the worst Whoopy Pies. And a lot of other yummy hiker junk food. It's Sat. night and thought we'd go to a local outdoor bluegrass festival called "Nothin' Fancy Bluegrass Festival" and enjoy the local musicians. They wanted to charge us each $40 to go in. That wasn't happening. So back to the hotel to watch tv in bed. Which really means hit the pillow and fall asleep!