morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-09-05
From: Andover, ME

To: Maine 17/Casa de Scatters
Miles today: 13.3

I must have fall on slick rocks today and died, because I am in heaven. Cheesy line? Yes, but I can't think of any other way to sum up where I am right now.   I left Andover this morning, planning to sleep in the woods tonight but had an utterly marvelous change of plans. I've written before about my trail friend, Scatters. Well, Scatters family has a house near Rangely, ME. She apparently asked her mom about this early on and she hs been hosting many of the hikers that Scatters met all summer. I was invited, both by Scatters and her mom, Donna, when we met on Mt. Washington. I've been really excited about this visit, but planned to go in from Rt. 4, the main road to Rangely, tomorrow. At lunch today I found out that Tripper and Wizard age going in today from Rt. 17, the road to Oquossoc, and slackpacking between the two roads tomorrow, thus staying at Donna's house for two nights. They suggested perhaps I should do the same. I was hesitant to call Donna and basically invite myself for a second night but when I did she gave an instant "yes" and assured me that I was welcome. We three hiked down the utterly hasty descent off Bemis mountain ljust to climb back up to the road. All our worries ended there. Scatters' dad, John was there to pick us up. He told us about the area as he drove us to their home on a pond. (Dodge Pond, I think). The landscape we drove through astounded me as it looks exactly the way I pictured Maine!It is more beautiful here. Son we pulled up in front of a stunning lake house and were greeted by a very welcoming Donna. I was led to my very own bedroom upstairs, with a large comfy bed, down duvet, fluffy pillows and a window overlooking the lake. We each took marvelous showers and I'm not quite sure why but I feel cleaner than I have in weeks, maybe months. We threw our clothes in the laundry and went downstairs to crackers, cheese and grapes, chips and salsa and mojitos. The entire evening has been delightful.Donna and John are both wonderful people and their long time family friend, "Aunt" Margaret, also came over for dinner. We had lamb stuffed eggplant, a chicken and broccoli bake, fresh salad, fresh bread and apple pie for dessert (with the flakiest crust ever). We sat for a long time eating, drinking wine and talking. I learned tons of new stuff about Tripper and Wizard, including their many travels and Cape Tribulation, the bed and bed and breakfast and tropical fruit orchard that they own.The whole evening has been amazing and I feel SO at home here! Enormous thanks to Donna and John for a wonderful refuge from the hard trail life. I really am in heaven here!
Date: 2010-09-06
From: Maine 17/Casa de Scatters

To: Maine 17/Casa de Scatters
Miles today: 13.1

What a wonderful day! It started with an incredible breakfast of a perfect soufle, sausage and toast from chef Donna. We started our slackpack around 10 and it turned out to be one of my favorite sections so far ----fairly easy, pond after pond and amazingly beautiful. There was moose scat every where but still no moose. Early in the day I came to a magical spot called "The Beach," a small sandy beach with a couple; tiny tables and benches. Red Hat and Snow White were there and we had an idyllic break.   When we call Donna to adjust the pick up time we found out that Stucco and Boss were just behind us and were also headed to Donna's for the night. They arrived just a few minutes after we did and it was a delightful reunion.   We stopped for a quick resupply on the way "home" and it did seem like home. We came back to the same bliss as yesterday and we have had yet another amazing evening. We miss John's light company since he had to return to Philadelphia this morning, but we have greatly enjoyed Donna, Margaret and neighbors Bob and Jo Ann.   I awoke in my cloud of a bed this morning to the sounds of loons through an open window and look forward to more of the same tomorrow.   Oh yeah, tonights dinner: pork roast stuffed with dried fruits, fresh green beans, wild rice, salad, bread, artichoke gquiche and for dessert two types of strawberry-rhubarb pie, strawberry ice cream and fresh fruit.
Date: 2010-09-07
From: Maine 17/Casa de Scatters

To: Poplar Ridge Lean To
Miles today: 10.7
Weather: overcast clouds

Today kicked my tail, but in a good way, I suppose. 209.3 more miles and supposedly only 3 hard, mountainous days.   It was hard leaving Donna and the lap of luxury this morning but I had good energy and nutrition after an amazing breakfast....a big bowl of cereal with a banana, followed by bacon and egg stuffed crepes with cheese sauce, toast and fresh fruit. I slept until 6:40 this morning and awoke, once again, to loons.   Donna drove us to the trail and I truly couldn't thank her enough. These last two nights have been so incredible! I doubt we'll be going close by at all, but I'm hoping maybe Mom and I can stop and see Scatters there on the way home.   I took my time this morning, enjoying a fun jaunt through "The Caves" at Piazza Rock. I followed the crazy blue blazes that took me in a zig-zag route over, under and through the caves created by giant boulders. Think Mahoosuc Notch, but shorter, more fun and without a pack. it was great! I also sat for a while at the beautiful Eddy Pond before starting the seep climb up Saddleback Mountain. Saddleback was tough but the views were extraordinary. I was above tree line for about 3 miles.   I've enjoyed a relaxed evening as I got in around 5. I'm a bit nervous for what looks to be a very hard 14 tomorrow so I need to get to sleep soon to rest up. So close to the Big K!
Date: 2010-09-08
From: Poplar Ridge Lean To

To: Crockers Cirque
Miles today: 14.2

Despite the rain today was a good day. Most of the trail was lovely and I made much better time than I had expected. I was all nervous about the 14 miles in tough terrain but I was in before 4:30. I also decided instead of zeroing in Caratunk I'll spread out my rest and zero into Stratton tomorrow. I had planned to go in for a mail drop and resupply and then head back out but I called this afternoon and made a reservation at the Stratton Motel and Hostel. I was going to get a $20 bunk but I've decided I've had such people overload lately that I decided to spend the extra $25 for a private motel room instead.   We had buckets of rain overnight, some during the morning as I hiked and then significant clearing in the afternoon. It is raining again so I'm sitting here finishing my dinner in a very peaceful little spot under my hammock. A bunch of us were sitting in a central area cooking and chatting when it started to rain. Others, like me, had a fair bit of stuff not under cover so we all ran off to pull everything in. It's actually nice now to have the solitude.   Only two more days of hard climbs! I can't wait! I'll tackle Crocker tomorrow and then Bigelow on Friday. Another HUGE milestone today.....less than 200 miles to go!!! Woohoo! It's getting so close. Exactly two weeks from this moment I should be sitting with my Mama!   Oh, also had a very cool moment today with a woodpecker. I heard him and stopped and it felt like we were the only beings in the world. Moments later I came upon Sauerdough watching the same type and found out via his cool bird watching app that it was a Black Backed Woodpecker.
Date: 2010-09-09
From: Crockers Cirque

To: Stratton ME
Miles today: 7.3
Weather: moderate rain

Yay, town! I was up and out fairly late today, but the 7 miles to town weren't too bad. I was pretty slow going over south and north Crocker Mountains but then cruised fairly well the rest of the day. We walked in misty wetness after quite a bit of rain fell overnight. About a mile before the road the bottom fell out of the sky.    I got to the road soaked to the bone. I stood back to let Tripper and Wizard hitch but then a truck stopped, there was room for me too. As of right on cue, Sauerdough came out of the woods right at that moment and was able to hop in.   When I got to the Stratton Motel where I had reserved a single room, Susan the owner told me that Red Hat was there and offered for me to share her room. I was delighted. I had a yummy lunch of fish and chips and a beer and then headed down to the post office. I got all of my chores done quickly and have been able to just lay around, chat on the phone and watch TV the rest of the day. It has been the perfect rest. I got a pizza from next door for dinner, had my half of a Margarita flavored malt beverage six-pack and devoured a B&J's New York Super Fudge Chunk.   My journey also seems so much more finite now. 2 days and a zero to Caratunk, 2 days and a zero to Monson and 7 days to Kathadin Camp Ground and then Kathadin itself. Wow!
Date: 2010-09-10
From: Stratton ME

To: Little Bigelow Lean-To
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Today was long and exhausting but rife with milestones. I have hiked 2000miles! I am also finally finished with butt kicking hard trail of southern Maine. Though really western Maine. There are still more mountains to come but from here on out they are the exception.   The weather today was awful.......cold, rainy and windy. Parts of Bigelow were above treeline and it was brutal up there, totally socked in and I had to dig with my poles to keep the wind from blowing me over. I wasn't particularly worried about the 15 miles but there's no way I could have hiked another step. There's probably more to say about today but I'm just too darned tired. I had one of the best breakfasts of the trail at the Looney Moose in Stratton.
Date: 2010-09-11
From: Little Bigelow Lean-To

To: Pierce Pond Lean To
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Today was about as perfect a day on the trail as you can get, except that Braids wasn't here. My missing B aside, it really was incredible. I hiked with Lttle Aspen and Toothpick most of the cay and our conversation made the time fly. About 1.5 miles we came to the trail magic we had heard about. For three days once a year, Hydro, Walkin Home, Old Fhart and Mad Mike come to the same spot on the same weekend for some killer magic. They had a big tent with tables laden with goodies. There was a porta potty, coolers full of juice and sodas, coffee and giant grills. This morning they were cooking toasted english muffin sandwiches with egg, ham and cheese. Someone handed me a plate with two and they were delicious. The tables had all sorts of snacks and fruit, maps, essential hiker supplies and more. They said if we didn't see something, ask. I took that to heart before I left and asked for nail clippers. Hydro quickly produced a pair. This may sound a bit silly but clipping my nails was pretty exciting. Often now I get to do things for what I know will be the last time of my thru hike. I don't carry nail clippers with me so I have to either wait until there some in a hikers box or hostel bathroom, or do it with the tiny scissors on my knife. This time will definitely lat me the remaining 12 days so it's one less repeated chore for me to worry about.   These guys were amazing! WE sat around the fire chatting about the trail as I ate my second breakfast and drank a Diet Pepsi. I didn't mention besfore but right when I walked up someone called my name. Hydro said "Are you On the Loose, who lives out west?" He said he has been following my journal. I was honored and felt a bit like a celebrity. Hi Hydro!   I awoke in my hammock this morning at precisely 6:17. Literally 30 seconds or less from when I looked at my watch s sharp, piercing orange light hit the side of my hammock. I peered out over the solid part, through the mesh. The sun had just peeked up over the horizon in a cloudless sky. I knew then that it was going to be a good day.   The trail today was wonderful. We went overt two small humps but the rest was almost completely flat. Seventeen miles is still seventeen miles and I 'm still tired, but it was glorious to be able to make good time again. We went by pond after pond and walked through mossy forest. At East Carry Pond we took our shoes off on the sandy beach and waded in the clear water. Brave toothpick went for a swim. We all took a long break there. During a relaxed lunch break 4 miles earlier we listened as loons called out.   The weather was amazing all day and the misty, wet cold seems eons away. Pierce Pond is beautiful. The sunset was muted but lovely. This day really has been spectacular.   And if all that weren't enough, tomorrow there'll be pancakes!
Date: 2010-09-12
From: Pierce Pond Lean To

To: Northern Outdoors (Caratunk ME)
Miles today: 4.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Hurray for zeros! I'v been here at Northern Outdoors for most of the day with a great group of folks....Little Aspen, Toothpick, Red Hat, Saurerdough and Master Chief. I took a shot shower and a nice long knocked-out-cold nap.   The magic of yesterday continued through last night and this morning. The whole shelter awoke around midnight when the mice were going crazy in Sauerdough's food bag. This is not a good think of course, but as I lay there awake I realized I had to pee. Getting up to go pee lead me to sit for several minutes on a rock right on the pond. I doubt I will ever forget this moment. The sky was completely clear and the stars were vibrant. The big dipper was positioned as though someone had just used it to scoop out a big ladle of water from the pond and the stars reflected off the water. Although I grew up star gazing in the country I don't think I've ever seen so many stars at once. It was spectacular. As I lay in my sleeping bag a few minutes later the loons called out into the night.   This morning held a FANTASTIC breakfast at Harrison's a camp in the middle of the woods less than a mile from the lean-to. Six of us went for the famous 12 pancake breakfast that I've heard about for years. As it turns out these weren't just pancakes. They were some of the best pancakes I've ever had. Some were plain, some had strawberries, some blueberries and some crisp apple. I had mine with link sausage and I was one of only two in our group of six to cleanmy plate. It may sound disturbing but I took a distinct pride in that.   Just before reaching Caratunk we crossed the Kennebec River on the famous white blaze canoe ferry. Yet another iconic AT experience. It was just as cool as I had hoped and I even go to paddle.      We all got to the road together. Red Hat and I had just begun to hitch when Kim, who works at Northern Outdoors, stopped. She had an SUV with a rolled up inflatable raft and a paddle taking up much of the cargo space. Regardless, with her encouragement we managed to fit all six hikers and packs in. Thanks Kim!   I'm splitting an indoor lodge room with Toothpick, Little Aspen and Red Hat. The day has been great and relaxing with clean laundry, family phone calls and lots of good food and beer straight from the Kennebec River Brewery. We even ended the day with some family guy pinball and some fierce air hockey competition. (Meaning that Little Aspen kicked my butt). Northern Outdoors is great.
Date: 2010-09-13
From: Northern Outdoors (Caratunk ME)

To: Bald Mountain Brook Lean To
Miles today: 14.7

Only 136.5 miles to go. I'm sitting here cozy in my sleeping bag as the rain falls outside. Today was a very, very strange day. I didn't sleep well last night and awoke in a bad mood. Then a great email from Braids cheered me right up. I spent about half an hour looking for a replacement camera battery and charger. Mine is all of the sudden acting funny and possibly not charging. I'm not quite sure what's going on and whether it's the batteries or charger, but I decided that instead of continuing to worry I'd just order both and dish out the money to have them shipped quickly enough to get to Monson. This was a fantastic plan until I couldn't for the life of me find both for sale from one company. I eventually gave up and this frustration put me back in a bad mood. Breakfast was delicious but then when It started raining outside I was planged solidly back into a crappy mood. It is very difficult to look outside into the cold rain from inside a nice warm lodge and convince yourself to put on boots and gaiters and go out in the stuff. I'm an AT thru hiker, though, so of course I did just that. But I sure as heck didn't have to like it.   The shuttle van from Northern Outdoors dropped Sauerdough and me at the post office where I picked up lots of great eidrrom my sweetheart and a fantastic care package from Storm. There were all sorts of awesome edibles, knee-high black socks with florescent skulls on them. Love it !!! Storm, you're amazing.   I still had no interest whatsoever in hiking but of course I did. I listened for a while to A Home at the Enof the World, my current audiobook and soon found myself feeling much better. We had a steep climb up Pleasant Pond Mountain but I found that when I don't have to go up and down mountains constantly I actually enjoyed the climb.   Here's where the really weird part comes in: After starting down off the mountain I got in almost a hiking trance. Although my watch told me I'd been hiking for an hour it easily could have been five or six. I began to feel like I wasn't even there but was maybe dreaming or watching a stranger hike. I felt that way until I got to the shelter. The whole afternoon felt completely surreal. Although I've been hiking for over 6 months this was a first for me. It was incredibly strange.   The whole hike today was beautiful and my experience of that beauty during the surreal afternoon was almost more acute.   I got to the shelter and got a bit more grounded. There are only five of us here tonight.....Master Chief, Sauerdough, Little Aspen, Toothpick and me. I've been handing out with these guys for several days now and when we all got in it really felt like family. I'm still awfully excited to stop hiking and go home, but there are a lot of things I'll miss about the trail.
Date: 2010-09-14
From: Bald Mountain Brook Lean To

To: E Branch Piscataquis River
Miles today: 15.3

A dam good day.   It really was. I saw my first moose of the hike and the day was riddled with evidence of hard working beavers.   The morning climb up Moxie Bald was much easier than expected. We were in the clouds on top so had no view, though supposedly from there you can see Kathadin. I'm still waiting for my first view of that beauty. The weather was better today. It poured early this morning while we were still in the shelter but it rained pretty lightly off and on throughout the day. For part of it we even got sun.   On the other side of Moxie Bald I got to Moxie Bald Lean To right on Bald Mountain Pond. As I set down my pack, Little Aspen quietly called me down to the water. A moose cow and calf were walking on another part of the shore about 40 yard away. It was so cool! Master Chief arrived in time to see them, too.   On the way to Horseshoe Canyon Lean to things got interesting. A beaver had quite recently built a dam, turning a portion of the trail into a lake. We all took off our boots and for about 30 or 40 feet we waded through water up above our knees. I had to hike up my skirt and tie it in a knot. WE also had our first actual river fjord shortly thereafter, over the West Branch of the Piscataquis River.Little Aspen, Toothpick and I all got to the lean to by 3:00 and decided to hike a little closer to Monson. We are camped now next to the East Branch of the Piscataquis where yet another beaver has recently appeared. According to Strider (Game 2003), who was here refilling his wondesrful cooler of trail magic (sodas), the dam is very new and has only been closed fully within the last 3 or 4 days. It's incredible to watch how small beavers can drastically change the environment. The three of us are all hoping to hear them work tonight. It's been a great long evening here, free of rain and rich in laughter. We each enjoyed a soda with our dinner and are looking forward to a zero tomorrow.......our last town stop. A big thanks to Strider for the soda and fun conversation.   Little Aspen just reminded me at the newly made pond we had to wade thrugh we saw a clear beaver track in the mud.   Today was a good day and I'm super excited for tomorrow!
Date: 2010-09-15
From: E Branch Piscataquis River

To: Monson, Me
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: broken clouds

I am in Monson! It seems so surreal. I'm not sure that I ever fully let myself believe I'd make it this far. A mere 114.5 miles, 8 days, lie between me now and the end of this long, arduous yet richly rewarding journey.   I am at the Lake Shore House, a wonderful place. I got in with Little Aspen and Toothpick around 10:00 this morning. I got mail from from my dad and Braids, both with amazing letters that made me cry. I feel completely seeped in love and support and have grown progressively more giddy to be here the longer I have been in town. Tonight I am carefully combing through my pack, taking out every little thing that I don't need in the next 8 days. One week from today I'll be in Baxter State park hugging my mama. Tomorrow I head into the 100 mile wilderness, on the very last leg of this journey.This is HUGE !!!
Date: 2010-09-16
From: Monson, Me

To: Long Pond Stream Lean-to
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Less than 100 miles to go! I have 99.4, to be exact. I wish I could say that the first day in the 100-mile wilderness was magical and perfect, but it wasn't. It wasn't awful, either, though. I spent much of it in a grumpy mood. I felt like there was this whiny kid inside me screaming, "I wanna be done NOW!" I had it in my head for the past few months that once I got to the the wilderness, I would just float from there to Katahdin, that the miles would practically hike themselves. As it turns out, that is not the case! Today's miles were pretty hard, and we have two more hard days ahead of us. On top of the regular hardness, my body is telling me that it's done hiking. I seem to keep hurting worse than the day before, and my toe numbness/tingling keeps getting worse. On the up side, I've decided that a week of heavy ibuprofen usage is not likely to hurt me, so I'm taking it much more frequently than before, when I tried to only take it at night, and even then only when I hurt really badly. All this whining aside, I made it, and only have seven days of hiking left. There was a lot of beauty today! Moss everywhere, ponds galore, an occasional view of the surrounding landscape. We stopped for a while at Little Wilson Falls, which was spectacular. Slate splintered into sharp right angles made it almost look more like an artist's sculpture than a natural formation. Hiking with Little Aspen and Toothpick definitely helped me have a good attitude. I'm going to miss them like crazy after the trail. We had one ford today- Big Wilson Stream- in mid-thigh-deep water. The other ford- Long Pond Stream- we were just barely able to rock-hop across. We all got to the shelter before the rain started, and there's a fun group here. It amazes me that I can meet new NOBOs in the 100-mile wilderness, but here they are. I'm here tonight with five people I just met yesterday or today. Red Hat is also here, and she brought me a Coke left by Lion King. Thanks to you both! That will be delicious in the morning!The rain right now is soothing and makes me especially glad that I'm in the shelter.Oh! I almost forgot- breakfast this morning at Shaw's was delicious! The eggs, bacon, sausage, and potatoes were all good, but the streaming hot blueberry pancakes were definitely the highlight. So good! I had five. I agree with Catfish (GAME '08) that staying at the Lake Shore House and having breakfast at Shaw's was totally the way to go. Mmm...In six days, I'll be getting ready for bed after lots of Mama hugs!