morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2014-06-21
From: Tent at Glen Brook Shelter

To: MA Hwy 23 Great Barrington
Miles today: 16.0

What a great time I've had the last two days hiking with my daughter Kady. Sometimes I just turn around and smile just to see her behind me hiking along. After my hiking for nearly 4 months and 1500 miles, to have her here hiking is almost beyond my belief. She has done great, although her feet have gotten a little tender. I hope she can make it through tomorrow, her last day. This morning, we broke camp and started out about 7:30. We had only gone about 30 minutes when I took a wrong turn and got us off the trail. We were talking and I wasn't paying attention and got on the wrong trail. After about 10 minutes we realized it, and then had to turn around and hike back to the AT. The bad thing was, hiking back was uphill. I felt bad for Kady having to hike extra because I messed up. I guess that's the way it is sometimes. Others pay the price when the guy in charge goofs up. Anyway, we got back on the trail and had a great morning hiking. The weather again was great, and we had some wonderful ridgeline views. At mid morning we hiked into a small town and ate breakfast at a creek side diner. It was very relaxing and it made for a fun morning. This afternoon we met up with Handsome Dan again and another section hiker named Alaska. The four of us hiked together all afternoon, and then they joined us to come back to Bearded Woods. We had another scrumptious dinner tonight made by Big Lou. We all agree, this is the best hostel/B&B on the AT. I wish I could keep shuttling in and out of here, but tonight is my last night. It been great here, but in the morning, we will leave for good. So long sweet stay! Later on . . .
Date: 2014-06-22
From: MA Hwy 23 Great Barrington

To: Main Rd Tyringham, MA
Miles today: 12.0

Well, I finally had to tear myself away from Bearded Woods. Last night I spent my fifth night there, and I just couldn't make sense of it for Hudson to shuttle me anymore. However, he is coming in the morning here to the little village of Tyringham to pick up Kady and take her back to the Hartford airport. It has been so special having her here to hike with me, and I am thankful to have Hudson taking her back to the airport. This may sound like an advertisement (if it doesn't then I'm telling a lie), but the Bearded Woods Bunk and Dine is the best accommodations on the AT. The value is amazing! So this morning when Hudson dropped us off at the trailhead, it was sad to say good bye. Handsome Dan(HD), Alaska (a section hiker from, yea right, Alaska), Kady and I started off together. HD was hiking 19 today so he took off. The plan is that I will meet him tomorrow in Dalton and we will hike together and share room costs for the next few days. Kady and I hiked 12 today, so we did not push it and really enjoyed our last day. She has done great with only a little sore feet to show for 3 days of hiking. To come out here and do over 40 miles with no prep is pretty doggone good! We had good weather and good trail all day and made it to our B&B at about 3:30 this afternoon. I was glad for the down time and watched Vandy make it to the College World Series finals by beating Texas. Tomorrow morning I'm leaving out at 5:30 with the plan to do 28 miles tomorrow. I'm calling this next section the Big 10. I'm hoping to hike 200 miles over the next 10 days so I can be in Hanover, New Hampshire on July 4th to meet Bean along with good friends Bob and Debbie Dray. Bob is planning to hike together with me in the White Mountains which most would say are the toughest part of the trail. So when the sun comes up ma±ana, I've got to be hitting it!Later on . . .
Date: 2014-06-23
From: Main Rd Tyringham, MA

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 28.0

Today was the first day of my "Big 10". It will be the longest mileage, 28 miles, that I have planned for the rest of the hike. The trail was very hikable for most of the day. Some areas had rocks and roots that slowed me down, but overall it was a good day. It seems like everyday the bugs are getting a little worse. I put on repellent, but then sweat it off. I have a headnet, but I just hate wearing it. We'll see, I may get it out tomorrow. Today I hiked by several active beaver ponds. It is amazing how these animals are master engineers in building dams and creating their ponds. God has certainly gifted them with just the intellect and physical tools they need. I heard a beaver today slap it's tail on the water and then saw the water where it dove under. I didn't actually get to see the beaver, but just seeing their work is pretty amazing. I am hiking with a friend named a Handsome Dan for the next few days. We are going to try to share room and shuttle expenses between here and Hanover, NH. I'm thankful to have him to hike with and hopefully we will be able to encourage each other for the next 175 miles.
Date: 2014-06-24
From: Dalton

To: Williamstown
Miles today: 23.0

Day two of the Big 10 is done. Today was a good hiking day, but I am really tired. We hiked up Mt Greylock the highest point in MA. I hope I can keep up the long days, but we'll see. My feet are getting a little banged up and with the long miles there is not much time for recovery. I'mleaving pretty early in the morning, so I think I'll make it short tonight. Later on . . .
Date: 2014-06-25
From: Williamstown

To: VT 9 Bennington
Miles today: 19.0

Today was definitely a day of events. Let me number them in chronological order. Event #1 We (Handsome Dan and myself), left Massachusetts behind about two hours into our hike this morning. We are now in Vermont! Vermont! Can you believe it? Vermont sounds like it should be close to Maine! Know why? Cause it is!! Just three states to go. Eleven behind us! Wow! Event #2 This afternoon we went over 1600 miles. My daughter Summer and I have hiked many miles of the AT in GA, TN, and NC. She is now the mother of two wonderful little grandsons of mine and cannot join me on this hike. So, I asked her to get the boys to help me celebrate 1600 miles. I think they did an awesome job!Event #3 I went swimming in the creek for the first time. I was so hot, and it looked so good. Know what? It was! I jumped in and it was refreshing! The only problem was that the bugs ate me up getting my clothes on and off. (If you're wondering, I kept my undies on!)Event #4 Ten minutes after getting out of the sparkling mountain stream, I fell face first in the mud. I mean I actually dove into a muck puddle! I was walking along and there was a big muck puddle and I went to step around it. The was a large rock on the right side of the muck and when I stepped on the rock it was slightly angled and just wet enough that it threw me to the left face first into the muck. I was covered in this black muck. Face, shirt, pants, hands, arms, and legs. Handsome Dan was a couple hundred feet behind me and when he walked up he couldn't believe his eyes. After he realized I was okay he just laughed and said something about, "You dirty thru hikers!" and walked on. So it's been quite a day. We are in Bennington, VT tonight and went to an excellent Italian restaurant with a couple of section hikers we have met on the trail the last few days. They are called Flip and Flop. They drive up from Tennessee and Kentucky with two cars and do a section hike every year. They shuttle themselves and have a great time. We had a wonderful time at supper and hope to see them on the trail tomorrow as they hike south. It's been a fun day on the AT!Later on . . .
Date: 2014-06-26
From: VT 9 Bennington

To: USFS Road 71
Miles today: 20.0

Splish, Splash! Squish, Squash! Splash, Splash! Squish, Squash! That's what we heard all day today! Last night it rained all night and at times it was hard. Today, the trail was at times a stream and at times a bog. Sometimes the water was over my boots, and sometimes the mud was over my boots. It was definitely the wettest and muddiest day I've hiked on the AT. I'm told it is a foreshadowing of what's coming. Odd thing today, I seemed to have a really good spirit this morning and really enjoyed my hike despite the sloppy trail. Then this afternoon, I kinda played out, and I was just ready to quit hiking for the day. This afternoon we (Handsome Dan and myself) experienced some amazing trail magic. Steve LaBombard is a trail angel who lives in this area. He had contacted me a few weeks ago and said when I was in this area to call him. Well last night a gave him a call, and today he picked us up in the middle of no where. It was on a gravel forest service road that then took us almost an hour just to get back to the main road. He then brought us back to Bennington, took us to our hiker's hotel, went to dinner with us, took us shopping, and then brought us back to our rooms. All this simply because he wants to support us as we hike the AT. What a trail angel!! He plans to help us again tomorrow. Blessings on him!!Later on . . .
Date: 2014-06-27
From: USFS Road 71

To: VT 11 Manchester Center
Miles today: 20.0

(Sorry I haven't been able to journal for a couple days. The cell coverage from here on out may be a little sketchy.)Have you ever seen an angel? This is what one looks like if you are a thru hiker. Steve went way over the expected for Handsome Dan and me. He shuttled us an hour each way and then took our gear another hour so we could slack pack big miles. What a trail angel! Again, it's people like him that make the AT great! Friday was a great day hiking. It was day 5 of the "Big 10". I've done 28, 23,19, 20, and 20 miles so far. Half way but a long way to Hanover. Later on . . .
Date: 2014-06-28
From: VT 11 Manchester Center

To: VT 140 Wallingford
Miles today: 26.0

Saturday we hit the 3/4 mark of the AT. That would be mile 1641. HD and I got a little creative and came up with our own way of expressing it. You know, you do get a little crazy out here on the trail! (It helps to be a little crazy out here on the trail. Maybe a lot crazy!) This morning the trail started out going up Mt Bromley first thing. When we got almost to the top, the trail followed a ski slope. Then when we got to the top there was a ski lift. It seemed odd to see a ski lift on the AT. Sometimes I wish they'd fire that thing up and let us ride it up the mountain instead of hiking! I guess that'd be cheating, but it is a nice thought!The trail was fairly hikable today and we got in some good miles. Day 6 of the "Big 10". Just gotta keep it rolling!Again, thanks to all who message me in different ways. I would not make it without your encouragement!Later on . . .
Date: 2014-06-29
From: VT 140 Wallingford

To: US 4 Rutland
Miles today: 24.0

500 miles seems like a long way! And yet, when I look at it in light of 1700, I've hiked over 3 times that much. Sometimes I get weary when I think how long I've been hiking, but then, I have to get the right perspective and I know with God's help, I can complete this adventure. Today the big push was to get up Mt Killington. It was a 7 mile climb. It was not real steep, but it went on and on and on! Again today the trail was very hikable with many smooth stretches. There were a few spots with rock climbs, but most were fairly short. Tomorrow our hike will be slightly shorter, and then the next day we should see Hanover. I keep trusting my legs will hold up and my mind doesn't give in. I feel fairly strong, but on the long uphill climbs I'm starting to feel it. I plan to take a zero the first day I'm in Hanover while I wait for my wife and friends to arrive. I keep telling myself just two more days and I'm there! So, as my friend WB says to me, "Keep On Walkin'"Later on . . .
Date: 2014-06-30
From: US 4 Rutland

To: VT 12 Woodstock
Miles today: 23.0

June 30Before my hike began, one of the things that I had hoped would happen as I hiked the AT was that it could be a shared experience. I believe that has happened. From the dozens and dozens of responses to this journal, to the personal messages through other social media, it is evident that many people are following this adventure. I am most thankful for the support and encouragement from my family. Today, Bright Burns is helping her grandfather celebrate crossing the 1700 mile mark. Bright holds the special place in our family of being our first grandchild. She is very creative and her name really does describe her. Thanks Bright!Today was day number 8 of the"Big 10". We are making our way through beautiful Vermont. We had a steep and relatively long uphill today right from the start, but much of the trail again today was level and clean. The long daily miles are making my legs tired, and my pace is starting to slow on the uphill climbs. Handsome Dan, who I've been hiking with for the last week, is 20 years younger, and it shows in his stamina. I cannot keep up with him, so we are separated for most of the day and just connect at lunch and at the end of the day. Still, I'm thankful that he has joined me on this "push" for the last week. Lord willing we should get to New Hampshire tomorrow and he is excited to about getting to his home state. He plans to take a few days off to be with his family over the July 4th holiday. Tonight I am staying at one of my most unique places since the inception of my trek. I am in a barn. Not just any barn! This is a huge, old barn that is across the road from a man who is hiker friendly. We are in the 3rd floor loft, tenting on the floor. The reason I set up my tent was to keep the mosquitoes from biting. They have really been bad the last few days. Tomorrow morning I hope to leave early and make the final push into Hanover, NH. Later on . . .
Date: 2014-07-01
From: VT 12 Woodstock

To: VT-NH Border
Miles today: 22.0

IT IS DONE! The Big 10 is done! And oh am I glad! This afternoon Handsome Dan and I crossed the Connecticut River and entered New Hampshire. That makes it 12 states behind us and only 2 more to go (although most say they are the hardest 2). We had been pushing for the last 9 days and today we made it. My body and mind are ready for a break after going 205 miles in 9 days. I won't have a stretch like that again during the remainder of my hike. I guarantee it!! Handsome was heading home tonight for a couple days (he's from NH just about 2 hours from here), and I am in the hotel waiting for Bean and Bob and Debbie Dray to arrive tomorrow from TN. After spending the night last night in Dan Quinn's barn, we got started about 5:45 this morning. The hike today was absolutely beautiful. If I hadn't been so tired, I could have enjoyed it more, but it was outstanding. Several times the trail brought us into fields and then wove back into the woods before breaking out on a ridge view. The trail had almost no rocks and was often covered with pine needles which made it feel like carpet. There were a couple short steep climbs, but generally it was rolling and easy. I think it was a setup for the next section! Tomorrow I take a break so I think when I wake up in the morning I'm just gonna smile, role back over, and go back to sleep. Probably won't work like that, but it's a nice thought tonight!Later on . . .
Date: 2014-07-02
From: VT-NH Border

To: Courtyard by Marriott Hanover, NH
Miles today: 0.0

Taking an example from Genesis, ". . . and on the 10th day he rested." Today was a day of relaxation. It was kinda odd not getting up and hitting the trail, but it was sure nice to enjoy life at the hotel. I had a good breakfast, went to a mall that had an LL Bean and Eastern Mountain Sports stores (the hotel has a shuttle service which is great), and took a two hour nap. One thing I haven't talked much about is food and hunger. I am amazed how I can eat a big meal before going to bed and wake up in the middle of the night starving. My body just uses up everything I put in. I think my weight has leveled off, although I haven't weighed myself in a couple weeks. I've lost about 30 pounds since starting. I'd love to keep some of it off! Guess all I got to do is find me a mountain, put a pack on my back, and go up and down for 10 hours. That ought to keep it off!Tonight, I'm waiting in the hotel for Bean and my good friends Bob and Debbie Dray to arrive from TN. Bob is coming to hike with me for the next week or so through the tough White Mountains. Debbie and Bean will meet us several times to shuttle us to accommodations. I can't say enough about how thankful I am that they are coming. Bob and Debbie have been our friends for over 25 years. I built their house when they first moved to Murfreesboro, our kids carpooled to school together, and our families share a love of the Lord Jesus Christ. But two years ago, our lives were bonded together in an even deeper way. Bob is a urologist, and discovered I had bladder cancer. He performed initial surgery, and guided Bean and I through the entire process of Neo-bladder surgery and recovery. The amazing thing is, he did it not only as a doctor but as a friend and a brother in Christ. Bean and I will always be grateful that God put Bob and Debbie in our lives.Bob and Debbie are from this area, and Bob went to Dartmouth College. The AT goes right through Dartmouth. Three months before I began my hike, I saw Bob and Debbie and told Bob I had decided to visit Dartmouth College this summer. He looked at me kinda funny and said, "You are?" ""Yep," I said, "and I'm going to walk there." He looked at me for a moment and then said, "You're going to hike the AT, aren't you?" I said, "Yes, and I want you to do it with me!" I had hoped he would be able to hike this section with me and now, thank God, he is! I will say this, if after I have hiked for four months he comes up here and " kicks my butt" on these mountain trails, I ain't gonna be happy about it!Later on . . .
Date: 2014-07-03
From: Courtyard by Marriott Hanover, NH

To: Goose Pond Rd
Miles today: 15.0

What an amazing and wonderful way to hike the AT! This morning Bob, Debbie, Bean, and I went to breakfast at Lou's in downtown Hanover. Then Bob gave us a quick tour of Dartmouth College from where he graduated in 1975. Bob and Debbie's daughter, Sarah, graduated from Dartmouth in 2000, so they also had a more recent connection. Then the girls dropped Bob and me off at the Connecticut River bridge leading into New Hampshire where a Handsome Dan and I had ended our hike two days ago. Together Bob and I walked through Hanover and on north into the NH forest. The trail had a couple pretty good climbs today, but the trail was very hikable. Bob did great for his first day ( although that didn't surprise me), and we were able to finish the 15 miles by 4:15. It was so enjoyable having him to hike with, converse with, and share our great God's creation. The girls were there waiting at the road in the car with cold Gatorades! Wow! Now that's how to hike! After coming back to the hotel and getting cleaned up, we went out to eat at Jessie's. I've eaten there the last three nights and it has been good every night. The food and the fellowship were awesome, and what I had hoped for ever since I knew Bob, Debbie, and Bean were coming. I am so blessed to be able to enjoy this hike in this way. Thanks God!Later on . . .
Date: 2014-07-04
From: Goose Pond Rd

To: NH 25A
Miles today: 19.0

Today was the first real taste if New Hampshire hiking. We climbed 3 small mountains in our hike today and each of them was pretty tough. The trail up and down the mountains had a lot of rock steps, and the fact that there was a heavy rain last night contributed to the difficulty. A lot of the trail was a creek. Or maybe, a lot of the creek was a trail! Bob did great for his second day, and we are going to do well hiking together for the next week. Again, it was such a treat to have the girls pick us up at the end of the day. I think I could get spoiled to this! Today I had an allergic reaction to some insect repellent that I had sprayed on my shirt. I hope it doesn't make my shirt unwearable. I have worn the same shirt every day I have hiked on the trip, and it'd be a shame to have to switch now. Bean is washing it multiple times to try to get the repellent out of the shirt. I guess we'll see tomorrow. Later on . . .
Date: 2014-07-05
From: NH 25A

To: NH 25 Glencliff
Miles today: 10.0

Today was a relaxing day with my sweetheart and the Drays (Bob and Debbie). So far, this time with the three of them has been all I dreamed it would be. Bob and I have been able to enjoy hiking, as well as enjoy being with the wives. This morning we started at 8:00 and had finished the 10 mile stretch by 12:15. The way the roads hit on the AT, we either had to do two short days or a very long one with Mt Moosilauke at the end of the day. We decided to break it up, enjoy the wives today, and tackle the big climb when we were fresh in the morning. It's almost a 4000 foot climb covering 6 miles with a tough descent.We are staying the next couple nights in Lincoln, and today they had a big Fourth of July parade. A lot of folks and small town America fun. I thank my God to be living in this country where we can live free and hike boldly! Moosilauke here we come!!Later on . . ..
Date: 2014-07-06
From: NH 25 Glencliff

To: NH 112 Kinsman Notch
Miles today: 10.0

Have you ever heard about the "Big Dog" and then when you come face to face with the "Big Dog", he ain't so bad? This morning Bob and I started out hiking up Mt Moosilauke thinking we were in for a big time climb. We were determined to just take it slow and steady and not get overwhelmed with the mountain. The farther up we went the more we were convinced, "We can do this!" When we reached the summit, we were both surprised and thankful that it had not been as hard as we had expected. The views from the top were spectacular. It was a beautiful, clear day and I'm sure we were seeing mountains a hundred miles away. Coming down the north side was a bit of a challenge. There was a lot of rock hopping and several places where wood cleats had been drilled into the rock. At a few places there were rebar handholds and handrails. The last half of the trail down the mountain was beside a gushing stream. There were numerous cascades and waterfalls. It was truly awesome and I only wish there were some way to capture that beauty and sound in pictures. Again, the wives picked us up and brought us back the short distance to the hotel. We cleaned up and relaxed a while before going out for Italian. Another dream day in a hiker's life!Later on . . .
Date: 2014-07-07
From: NH 112 Kinsman Notch

To: I 93 Franconia Notch
Miles today: 16.0

Thanks to Decker John for helping Papa celebrate hiking 1800 miles. Decker John holds the distinction of being the first boy baby in our family, and he has been a special young man from the first day!Well, the White Mountains took a bite out of me today. I have to say, that at one point this morning, I was spent. The 16 miles that Bob and I hiked today took us almost 10 hours. That's a little more than 1 1/2 MPH. This afternoon we were dealing with rain, but the steep, rocky trail is tough and slow going. Today we went up Kinsman Mountain which is the steepest mountain we've climbed this week, and my knees are starting to tell on me. I hope tomorrow to be a little smarter, and take a few more breaks on our hike. Again, it is so amazing to have Bob to hike with and then have the girls to enjoy the times with in the evening. They have made a tremendous commitment and sacrifice to be here and I am sure going to miss them when they are gone! We are praying for good weather tomorrow, as the Franconia Ridge that we will be on is said to be one of the "best views" days on the whole AT. Later on . . .