morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2004-07-31
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: Ten Mile River Campsite
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: light rain

Last night's weather was fine for sleeping but neither Ursa Minor nor I slept well. Ursa was awakened by the latecomers; I was on a slight tilt. But just as in the real world, it makes no difference; morning arrived and we had a job to do. At 8:00 we were gone, a little later than usual. Within 30 minutes we passed by Dover Oak, purported to be slightly larger in circumference than the Keffer Oak I saw months ago back in VA. Chris, Elly and Kurt came by shortly and we engaged in the usual Kodak moments. A short ways further up the trail we were amazed to see 40 or so wild turkeys in the trees beside the trail. The day's hike started out very nicely!Next stop on the day's tour was the Appalachian Trail/NYC Metro train station. We had passed the platform by three minutes when I heard the choo-choo so I dashed back for a picture. We were making a half-mile detour to Tom's Deli when I ran back. At that moment a local hiker emerged off the trail and we yogi'd a ride from him. Not only did he take us to the store; he hung around and gave us a return ride. I wonder if these trail angels realize how much we appreciate their assistance. One mile/30 minutes seems pretty insignificant in the larger picture of 2175 miles/six months. But to us and our feet a saving of an extra mile's walk is huge. Thank you Gary (and dog Cody) for your good deed; you are another entry in our "people to remember" logbook.We lunched at Wiley Shelter where we met a mother and daughter hiking together. It was their first day out and they were pretty beat after climbing a hill which we were about to descend; but it was heartwarming to see them sharing the experience. On to Hoyt Road and the New York/Connecticut border!! More whoops and hollers, high-fiving and we continued the northward trek bringing us to this great locale.After a brief visit with the ridgerunner at the shelter, we moved on down by the river where we've set up our tents. At completion of that task it took one New York nanosecond for us to indulge in the refreshing coolness of the river. Knowing we had dry clothing for our short hike into Kent tomorrow, we took the opportunity to rinse not just ourselves, but our clothing as well. Now we no longer smell like "hiker trash", it's "river trash" perfume instead. We surely feel better. Rooster and Ski Bum have arrived. Following a sudden rain shower which briefly marooned us in out tents in our dry clothes we ventured out to cook and enjoy our meals, let the sun set, and crawled back into our tents for what we hope will be a full night of relaxing sleep.Ursa Minor's toothache has been greatly reduced but we are both anxious to have the situation remedied with a root canal procedure on Monday. Tomorrow is a short-mileage day followed by a zero. Gosh, perhaps I'll sleep a little later in the morning. Don't place any bets on it though.Boy, did that river bath feel good!
Date: 2004-08-01
From: Ten Mile River Campsite

To: Home of Greg - Bristol, CT
Miles today: 8.6

No matter where or when, I simply cannot sleep past 5:30 a.m. So it was up and at 'em, out of camp by 7:15, enroute to Kent, CT, a short 8.6 miles. The route gave us a couple lovely vistas but we didn't linger. We were both anxious to get to town.At 11:30 we emerged onto CT 341 and received a ride from a fellow hiker with whom we had chatted earlier in the morning. The local outfitters did not have the couple items which we needed so we grabbed a bite to eat while waiting for Greg to arrive. This being a Sunday, we cannot retrieve our maildrops from the post office; that errand will wait till tomorrow or Tuesday.It is a joy to see longtime friends re-unite. To hear their tales of days past is a real source of entertainment, too. I've spent most of this evening laughing. Ursa's month-long craving for Taco Bell bean burritos has been satisfied. It's unanimous: Life Is Good. Or it shall be after Ursa's root canal in the morning!
Date: 2004-08-02
From: Bristol, CT - Home of Greg

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Once again we're a part of the real world. But that's not all bad. The dental work was completed successfully; a superb breakfast followed; then a stop at the library and local outfitters and we're home again. My time on computer was spent researching new footwear and backpack. For my feet I'm convinced my only option is New Balance. The 803 trail runners I'm using now have worked but they're wearing quickly and don't have the toe protection or firm sole this terrain requires. I'm very serious about dropping weight in my pack. The lighter my pack the easier my journey and the less chance of injury or accident. It appears I can drop as much as three plus pounds by making a switch to a GoLite pack. I simply am uncertain as to which one.Two telephone calls produced two purchases. On the way to Dalton, MA are a pair of 1100 New Balance shoes and a GoLite Trek bag (one pound, fifteen ounces). Fingers are crossed and prayers are said. All I can do now is wait and hope these were wise and satisfactory purchases. As a fellow hiker quipped, "By the time I reach Katahdin I should have the perfect gear and be ready for a thru-hike!".A town stop always involves some chores, but it's so much easier and relaxing to do them at someone's home. Laundry is one of those duties. But that's done, our gear is strewn out in Greg's backyard to dry and we are looking forward to an evening of great conversation over dinner in Hartford tonight. Greg's friend Anne is playing hostess and Greg intends to be the grilling chef.Some things in the real world are mighty nice too.
Date: 2004-08-03
From: Bristol, CT - Home of Greg

To: View Entry
Miles today: 11.4

Slackpacking rocks!! Before we could hit the trail we stopped in Kent for our post office maildrops. My Melaleuca order has not arrived, the second order I've made which has failed to show up. This is odd.Today's hike was the most blissful and tranquil walk I've taken in 1450 miles. After a serious rock climb and descent we strolled for a few miles along the Housatonic River. I photographed three fly fishermen in waders, a family of Canadian geese, a blue heron, a red pine forest, and a few miles of rock fences, concluding the day with an ice cream treat enroute back to Bristol. The rock fences fascinated me today. Most are four feet high, about six or seven layers of rocks of all sizes, some as large as three or four feet across and six inches high. The amount of man-hours and manpower required to build these must be inconceivable. One hundred years ago this land was 20% woods, 80% farmland. Now it is reversed: 20% farm, 80% woods. So we are talking 100-year-old (or more)fences, still standing but no longer marking boundaries of any sort, simply standing in place while the forest encompasses them into its landscape.We arrived at our agreed upon rendezvous point on time. Greg hadn't arrived. Seeing that we had chosen a gravel road off the main drag we wondered whether he had difficulty locating it. A sign on the trail indicated a parking lot one half mile beyond and off the trail. Leaving Ursa at the road, I hoofed it "up" (of course) Bread Loaf Mountain and the blue-blazed trail leading to a parking lot to see if I might find him there. At the top was planted another sign ".5 to parking, .1 to summit". Since I was there I thought I deserved a bit of a view. It was insignificant, unimpressive, and I started backtracking.I was to blow my whistle if I found Greg, the signal for Ursa to chug on up. If he appeared on the road, he was to honk his horn. At the junction of the blue-blazed summit trail and the AT I started hearing a strange bird. I was intrigued until I heard the bird holler "Swan!". Greg's truck horn wasn't working, but their lungs and whistling were in fine shape. The generosity of this individual is endless. Bristol to Kent is a good hour-long drive. He has now traveled this route three times and has agreed to slackpack us yet one more day. I find his friendship truly amazing and feel honored to be here in his home.Supper: grilled burgers for them, veggie sandwich for me. The cuisine last night at Anne's was incredible, complete with raw and grilled veggies, corn on the cob, and rice. The leftovers came home with us and complimented this evening's meal beautifully. Thanks Anne!Off to bed to get rested for another workday on the trail in the morning.
Date: 2004-08-04
From: Home of Greg - Bristol, CT

To: View Entry
Miles today: 11.2

Ursa's tooth pain from the root canal is diminishing, making our hiking miles much more enjoyable - for both of us!Once again Greg drove the distance times two to deliver us to the trail where we ended yesterday and to retrieve us 11 miles further north. He and Anne spent the day in the area enjoying the good weather. At 3 p.m., our planned meeting time, we emerged from the woods and we waited, and waited, and waited. An hour later, they appeared. The road curved around to the right and the trail continued across it, passing through a small meadow and some woods before it emerged to cross the road once again. So .6 mile up the trail, and around the road's curve out of sight, sat Greg and Anne for an hour. Greg finally asked a hiker coming through if he had seen us. "Yup, sitting on a curb alongside the road right around the corner" was the reply.A good chuckle or two, more cold refreshments, another drive through beautiful Vermont country and we are returned to Bristol for our final night.Ursa and I showered off our day's grime and treated Greg and Anne to an evening meal at an Italian restaurant. Now it's time to repack and get psyched for some real backpacking tomorrow.One mystery has been solved. Melaleuca has been shipping UPS unless the order goes to a post office box in which case it is shipped USPS. Their computer recognizes "P.O. Box" and chooses USPS. However, the computer wasn't told "c/o General Delivery" is also post office. So my two orders were refused and returned to the company. Of course they accepted responsibility and have given me financial credit. So glad that is cleared up. In the 14 years I've been a customer I've never had a shipping problem. Now I should have a constant supply of bars all the way to Katahdin.
Date: 2004-08-05
From: Kent, CT

To: Brassie Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 15.4

And we're off -- full packs, back in the woods heading northward to Maine. Greg has been just awesome. I can never repay the kindness but I will pass it on to others as opportunity presents itself. Thank you so very much!Ursa's toothache pain is receding but the knee on which she fell right before Kent is not doing quite so well. She's wearing a knee wrap but I know she's hurting. We did a full 15 miles today and are glad to be putting our feet up for the day.As always, bidding farewell to good, loving and caring friends is difficult. The gifts of time, transportation, shelter and food given so willingly and generously by others, sometimes total strangers, will never be forgotten. Times spent in their presence perhaps may be the most vivid and cherished memories of these entire six months. After being on the receiving end, I do believe I shall be spending a good deal of my life "doing unto others" as a reminder of blessings given me during this trek.The day's hike was interesting, longish, and physically satisfying. I can't write more because I'm tired and need some sleep. Tomorrow's terrain is purported to be much more challenging with a bit of excitement as we cross into Massachusetts!
Date: 2004-08-07
From: Egremont Inn, South Egremont, MA

To: Tom Leonard Lean-to
Miles today: 10.0

Happy day! #1) my funk has dissipated and I'm smiling again; #2) Ursa Minor's knee is improved; #3) we caught up with Blue and begged a ride with her from her parents to the trailhead; and #4) I'm back in my tent. What a difference a day makes!We knew Blue was taking a zero day here or close-by with her parents. The front desk told us they were in room #26, twenty feet down the hall from our room #31. Last night I left a note on their door "Blue -- room 31 ". By using her trail name I knew she'd respond. 8:30 a.m. -- no response. Hearing no stirring in her room we passed by and went down to breakfast thinking they certainly would be coming down. Wrong again. Back to our room from where we then telephoned -- no answer. I made an inquiry at the front desk -- they were still here and had reservations for two for 5:00 dinner. Only two?!! I couldn't believe she'd leave without responding to my brief note. Soon Ursa Minor knocked on her door. They were there -- only they weren't Blue's parents! Whoops. Blue, with her Mom and Dad, had been there one day and night earlier. I started thinking it probably was a good thing I didn't sign my note "Swan and Ursa Minor". These folks would have thought we'd landed from another planet.All's well that ends well. I found Blue's cellphone number; she answered my call and enroute from Lennox to the trailhead they stopped for us and gave us the much-desired lift. Thank you Richard and Karen. It was a pleasure to have met you. It's an equal joy to reunite with Blue and spend another day in her company out here on the AT.Today's terrain was 100 times easier, and the knees and ankles stayed happy. We kept our mileage low as we are ending in Tyringham tomorrow night (14 miles) for a Monday morning maildrop retrieval. Tents are set, supper consumed, water filtered, and food bags hung. The air is cool promising another glorious night for sleeping. Indeed that is next on my agenda. It's been a great day and I'm a very happy camper/hiker. Goodnight World.
Date: 2004-08-08
From: Tom Leonard Lean-to

To: Cobble View B&B, Tyringham, MA
Miles today: 14.1

Another early awakening for Swan, but instead of stirring too loudly and rousting Blue and Ursa Minor out of dreamland I enjoyed the quiet solitude while watching the morning's sunrise. The peacefulness of this Sunday calm spoke to me with assurance of God's love and continuous care as I walk this path of unknowns and uncertainties. The threat of debilitating or repetitive injury continuously looms over me throwing me into a web of fear which is difficult to overcome. I treasure opportunities of meditative thought and contemplation to sustain my confidence and spirituality. This morning was one of those rare and beautiful moments.And -- after the moment passed, I went back to bed! Finally at 7:15 I rolled out for good. By 8:20 we were back to the business of walking to Maine. It was a magnificent day. The weather remained cool, no rain fell, the terrain was soft and friendly to our feet, and the companionship of Blue once again is refreshing and delightful. Welcome back to our hike, dear friend!We're sharing a room in the small village of Tyringham. We chose this locale for a maildrop, as it is only .9 mile from the trailhead. It has no grocery, no restaurant, and probably no bar or liquor store. But we are happy. Lynn has given us a lovely suite with fully furnished kitchen facilities. Unfortunately, it's still hiker cuisine tonight, but for some reason it tastes different when served in glass bowls and on glass plates!I'm sitting in the large backyard at a patio table but the mosquitoes are starting to eat me up. So I shall retire to our lovely suite and see if perhaps I can pull in an NPR station on the radio. "What do you miss the most?" someone asked me. "No, not playing piano, as all might think -- but hearing classical music", was my response. I miss the healing and nourishment music gives my soul.
Date: 2004-08-09
From: Cobble View B&B, Tyringham, MA

To: October Mountain Lean-to
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: clear sky

Late start today and I was bummed. Only one of my two maildrops arrived and mail wasn't due until 10:00 or 10:30. Blue and Ursa Minor were so gracious, agreeing to wait with me for a box that may or may not arrive. It did. Alan gave us a lift .9 mile to the trailhead and finally, at 10:45, we stepped back into the woods.Upper Goose Pond Cabin is a favorite overnight stay for thru-hikers. I believe the all-you-can-eat pancake breakfast is a strong determining factor! As seems to be par for the course we passed by during the wrong time of day to take advantage of the cuisine, canoe, and ambiance. The tumultuous thunder of traffic on I-90, the Massachusetts Turnpike, reminded me that life as I knew it still continues and, once again, I shall be a reluctant contributor to such noise pollution in a short two months. US 20, Jacob's Ladder Highway, had me within five miles of Jacob's Pillow, home to the renowned dance festival for professionals, where my daughter spent a summer. (Did you know then, Cheryl, that your Ma would be passing by so close?) How diverse our individual missions. I hope the beautiful Berkshire Mountains inspired your soul and art as they have mine.Considering I was the cause of a delayed start I was relieved the terrain and weather were ideal: not too tough, not too hot. The woods are swampy in this area; the skeeters are plentiful and have the inane ability to locate the one spot of exposed skin with no repellent. However I've not needed anything more potent than Avon's Skin So Soft.Late start means late arrival but we reached the shelter and had our tents set before dark. Supper was cooked and eaten by headlamps at the shelter. After stumbling around going the wrong direction for a few hilarious moments, we have located our tentsites and are crashing for the night. I promised to exercise self-control and remain in my bag until after 7 a.m. The air is cool; the woods are hushed and dark. I'm comfortable, at peace, and have quieted my thoughts and fears for a few hours. Sixteen miles closer to Katahdin.
Date: 2004-08-10
From: October Mountain Lean-to

To:  Shamrock Village Inn, Dalton MA 
Miles today: 11.8

Pittsfield Road, a mere 1.2 miles up the trail, led us to the home of "Cookie Lady". The shelter registers have a multitude of entries from southbounders who enjoyed her generosity and cookies, and those of northbounders greatly anticipating the treat soon to be theirs. We were no exception. But once again, we met only disappointment ~~ she wasn't home! We lingered, filled our water bottles from the spigot, signed the journal and lounged around the picnic table for an hour, but to no avail. Onward to Maine -- cookieless. Up and over Warner Mountain which was less than spectacular, up and over Day Mountain, across a road or two, over the railroad tracks, down Depot Street, past Tom Levardi's house, and we were in Dalton at this motel. As instructed we stopped at the Shell station asking for Rob as rumor had it he was a trail angel extraordinaire. The most inviting aspect was the opportunity to slackpack the next 20 plus miles. Once again, we lost out. Rob is overwhelmed with SOBO's and can't go both directions. "But," he added, "phone Tom". Which we did. After maildrop retrieval from the post office, a long walk to and from the laundromat and pizza place, it was confirmed: Tom would slackpack us to the top of Mt. Greylock tomorrow. Yippee!Blue is meeting up with a friend tomorrow and will slack herself as far as Cheshire, returning here for a second night. Ursa and I will continue on to the summit for a night at Bascom Lodge. It holds promise to be a great day.
Date: 2004-08-12
From: Bascom Lodge Hostel -- Mt. Greylock, MA 

To: Holiday Inn -- North Adams, MA 
Miles today: 6.3

1:30 a.m. ... we were still hearing this pesky mouse, still near or in my pack. I could take it no longer. I dumped the contents of my bag ... no mouse. Between a counter and the wall the munching and scratching continued. Aha! Found it and a bag of Twizzlers someone had dropped back there. The mouse escaped under a door to another part of the garage and the candy went out the door to the outside. Peace and quiet was restored and we all slept soundly.Breakfast was served at 8 a.m.and we were all there, on time and starving. After all, supper was a long 14 hours ago! The place was fogged in -- so much for our view of five states from the tower. The rain started falling. The wind was whipping. Stickman was the first to venture out. Sheriff was met by family and driven off to oblivion for a zero day. Rooney also was met by "second family" and planning a zero. Ishmael was feeling punk and taking a zero here in the garage. Ursa and I braved the elements and departed at about 12:30. Naturally, we climbed to the top of the tower to get a close-up of the fog, descended and spent the next 10 minutes trying to find the trail!It was a wicked descent on wet slippery rocks. But in true thru-hiker form we simply put one foot in front of the other, persevered and made our way down into the sunlight and moved forward. By the time we reached North Adams we were a muddy mess. Mt. Greylock was great fun; I only wish we had been graced with a view. However, I must add, a rainstorm with gales of wind on a mountaintop is quite exciting to watch -- from indoors!At 5 p.m. we were to meet still more of Ursa's friends from the past. Kathie and Simone are our delightful companions this evening. The Holiday Inn is our abode for a couple nights. We celebrated the reunion with a bottle of wine, took our token showers, did the requisite laundry duty, and treated ourselves to a marvelous meal on the restaurant's patio downstairs. The night lengthened, the laughs were plentiful, the cuisine delicious and the nocturnal parade rollicking good fun.Thanks for the evening girls, but now this Swan needs to sleep. We get another slackpack tomorrow!!
Date: 2004-08-13
From: Holiday Inn -- North Adams, MA 

To: Holiday Inn -- North Adams, MA
Miles today: 18.4

Mud, mud, mud -- that was today's menu. Wisely, Kathie protected her car with a blanket and newspapers when she retrieved us at day's end. We did a north-south slackpack today, which always feels a bit odd. In no way is it "cheating" however, because we still traverse the same miles; in the final tally will have "walked the entire trail".Actually, I had a most marvelous, exhilarating day. The woods are gorgeous in all weather. We had a very steep rocky climb the first 30 minutes, we had mud, we had rain, we had flat pine needle floor, we had rocks, we had climbs and descents. Did I mention we had mud?!! After today I'm convinced New Balance will not allow me to return my 1100's, which, by the way, are feeling great! I hope that continues to be the case under the weight of a full pack. I failed to mention yesterday that Rooney and family delivered our packs from Greylock Peak to the Holiday Inn. Our sliding down these rock descents was much less precarious with daypacks. Thanks Rooney!Two highlights of today: # 1) crossing the Vermont/Massachusetts border. Of course we were traveling backwards, but it didn't diminish the volume of our traditional whoops of joy and high-fives. The photo op was a little lame: a poor unreadable sign which proclaimed the start of The Long Trail (Vermont to Canada) as opposed to declaring the crossing of a state border.#2) We saw a moose. Stickman had waited a half-hour at a pond thinking it the perfect environment for a moose sighting. One never showed. Less than an hour later we paused there for lunch and there he was! Being a little distant from us he didn't startle and rush away. He stared at us, we at him, he did his munching, we did ours. Twenty minutes later we continued on with our lives, he did the same, all of us disappearing into the woods. Can't wait to tell Stickman. Another day, another dry luxurious evening indoors, more food, conversation, and it's off to dreamland. We're hoping for an early morning rise to start making our way through Vermont, state #12.Today at one of the register posts I read the following:One EARTH,One UNITY,One LOVE,   and MIRACLES are possible.......