morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2011-06-26
From: Shenandoah National Park

To: Family Reunion with the Fairfax Family
Miles today: 15.0

This entry is the continuation of the Guardian Angel entry dated 6/24/11 and should be read subsequently thereafter ........ While continuing to canoe north on the picturesque and history laden Shenandoah River, daylight began to wane after paddling a 20 mile day. As darkness crept closer I became very concerned about finding a suitable location to put in for the night. The majority of river bank was either inhospitable or posted private land. The few campsites that existed were reservation only and have been booked solid many months in advance. Panic was looming with the onset of darkness and I began to contemplate sleeping in the canoe moored along the river bank; no doubt a treacherous option.........While searching the distant banks looking for a suitable location, I noticed some floating trash and decided to paddle over to it and hoist it aboard. At that moment, my Guardian Angels provided a Shenandoah River Park Ranger with whom I shared my plight. Being sensitive to my dilemma, he described a remote campsite available for hikers and explained it's accessibility via the river.......Upon arrival at the point of debarkation, my Guardian Angels provided Anna Fairfax quietly meditating nearby. Her tranquility was a perfect match for the serenity of the river. I withdrew from the canoe as quietly as possible so as not to disturb her, but to no avail. Anna befriended this wayward traveler, and her mother Elizabeth extended an invitation to their campfire for dinner. Thankful once again for my Guardian Angels, I gladly accepted........The evening unfolded wonderfully as we shared hotdogs, corn on the cob, smores and a verity of treats. Our commonalities were so uncanny and numerous that the only explanation for them must be my guardian angels¢¦.here are a few:¢¦¢¦Their names were Elizabeth and Anna, the names of my mother and mother in law¢¦¢¦The Fairfax Family invited me to their family reunion the same weekend my family 600 miles away was having a family reunion¢¦¢¦.Mr. Fairfax¢s first car was a Chevy Vega & he works for Verizon, my wife¢s first car was a Chevy Vega & she works for Verizon¢¦¢¦..Mr. Fairfax hitchhiked across the USA in 1976, and I hitchhiked from NJ to WV in 1976. Embracing these coincidences sent by my Guardian Angels, the following morning I asked the Fairfax Family if the date 8/28 (my birthday) had any significance, and of course it did; It is the birth date of Mr. Fairfax¢s mother¢¦¢¦.A little Twilight Zone music please.
Date: 2011-07-04
From: 1000 Miles

To: Harpers Ferry
Miles today: 10.0

Do not "adjust" your website! Yes, that is Peter (aka Brother of the Wind) fishing on the Potomac River; which must mean he's not hiking! After reaching the illustrious half-way mark on the Trail, he literally came down "off the mountain" and spent three days in Harpers Ferry with me. How lucky is that! Anyway, so as to keep my husband moving (I swear he hikes in his sleep!), I suggested a simple canoe trip down an eight-mile section of the "lazy" Potomac. Well, anyone who knows Peter, also knows that there is NO WAY he would be in a boat and not have a fishing rod nearby! No problem, right? Well, not really......you see the problem is, if someone is fishing and reeling and casting and reeling, than that someone is most definitely NOT rowing!! Thereby, leaving the rowing up to the only other person in the boat; pretty obvious as to who that was, right? And remember that I said earlier that this was a "lazy" section of the Potomac? Well that means, virtually no current to help us (me) along! No big though, 'cuz Peter was smiling that ear-to-ear smile he always has on when he's catching fish. And boy, did he catch fish; just look at the picture! Our Innkeeper had lent us a tackle box and not surprisingly, Peter caught fish on each lure provided, several times!! Once Peter recognized that his wife, who would rather have a leisurely afternoon Tea at the Plaza, had enough of the rowing, he graciously took over and finished canoeing the rest of the way, with some minimal help from me. Note to self, "no more canoeing trips down lazy rivers, unless there are lots of other people to do all the work!"
Date: 2011-07-05
From: Harpers Ferry

To: West Virginia
Miles today: 16.0

West Virginia is State No. 5 out of 12. For some reason, thoughts of John Denver are conjured up in my mind. Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River and Country Roads taking me home are all welcome images. If anybody sees Mountain Momma, let her know there are a lot of hungry hikers that would love a home cooked meal!
Date: 2011-07-06
From: West Virginia

To: Summer Solstice
Miles today: 10.0

On the Appalachian Trail, June 21st is a very VERY special day. It is the Summer Solstice, which is the longest day of the year. Ok, so what's the big deal you might ask? Could it be that the first day of Summer dims a hiker's memory of cold nights? ....... Sorry faithful followers, but no....... Could it be that with cherished extra daylight, hikers get to walk a few extra miles? ......... Absolutely not!!!!!!........How about the combination of added warmth and extended sunshine that offer a better wet clothes drying opportunity? ......... Well that's a nice thought, but negatory mon frere........June 21st on the AT is held in the highest esteem because it is Hike Naked Day! Yes, its 'hike in the buff day', aka 'take the birthday suit out of the closet day,' or 'just go for a hike au natural day.' So now, you might be wondering about my participation......Well walking 3 miles, crossing 2 roads & passing 3 hikers will settle any disputes. What proof do I have?..........About now the accompanying photograph should make some sense¢¦¢¦ My closing suggestion - leave your shoes on!
Date: 2011-07-16
From: Summer Solstice

To: Shanandoah National Park
Miles today: 15.0

This rock and its precarious perch is called 'The guillotine' and the Trail passes directly beneath it. Rumors state the rock was an inspiration for a scene in an Indiana Jones movie. He is seen running away from the rock and we have to walk under it. Tomorrow I will lasso a truck with a bungie cord. Let's see what Hollywood does with it.
Date: 2011-07-18
From: Shanandoah National Park

To: Flip Flop
Miles today: 15.0

A very popular saying among Hikers is, "hike your own hike." That means everyone walks at their own pace, takes breaks when they need them and creates their own schedule; even if it requires temporarily omitting a Trail section to "summit" Mt. Katahdin, Maine, before the October 15th Park closing..........At the confluence of mid-July and the half way point (1090 miles), all Hikers evaluate their progress to make sure they can finish before the deadline. If they suspect their progress is insufficient, a Hiker may skip over PA to ensure ¢summiting¢ in the calendar year they started........For me, due to prior time commitments in September, my finish date is compromised and it has become necessary to jump ahead 200 miles, to make sure I finish before the October 15th deadline. I will then complete the 200 miles in mid-October, with the benefit of completing my journey by walking through our front door, which is a quarter mile from the trail in Sussex County, New Jersey.......These route changes are very popular among hikers and are called flip-flops.
Date: 2011-07-19
From: Flip Flop

To: Bear Mountain, NY
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: moderate rain

New Jersey and New York are known for their abundance of wild berries. Hikers can literally reach out while walking and grab a handful. This cache of wild raspberries and blueberries was collected in about 20 minutes. Using my Grandmother's recipe of a little sugar and some heavy cream, I created a desert dubbed Red, White & Blue. The name is a tribute to the land of the free and home of the brave.
Date: 2011-07-20
From: Bear Mountain, NY

To: Understanding Magic
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: light rain

This journal entry is dedicated to Justus, his grieving family and to Trail Angel, Paddy O. He has helped many hikers understand..........the day began brutally hot and if it weren't for the gallon jugs of water placed strategically along the trail by anonymous Trail Angels, this story would have turned down a path far too consequential to contemplate. The high heat of the day, combined with trail sections so difficult they have been bestowed names such as, Ardin Mountain, Agony Grind and Lemon Squeezer, left this Hiker completely exhausted, dehydrated and on the verge of succumbing to despair. As I came down the mountain to a State picnic grove in search of water, I tried to relate the complex buildings and tables before me to the description of the facilities in the AT Guide Book. Bewildered and confused, totally exhausted and alone, the setting became surreal.....Then, in response to the prayers of my family, friends and guardian angels, a black pick-up truck rolls slowly past me and the driver announces "trail magic." At first, I didn't comprehend, I mean the phrase "trail magic" just did not compute. How could this be, that in suburban New York City, far from the trail, and with astronomical odds, how could a total stranger just appear, who was compassionate enough to understand the concept of trail magic?.....Actually, the question is rhetorical, and has been answered in the previous sentence...........Sent by nothing short of divine intervention, a Trail Angel named Paddy O provided Gatorade for re-hydration; then, cooked me 2 sandwiches on his portable stove and even had desserts available. He was also extremely knowledgeable about Sinatra and the NY Yankees (my favorite subjects), and coincidently played John Denver's ¢Almost Heaven, West Virginia,¢ which I had written about a few days earlier.......Paddy O is a previous Appalachian Trail Thru Hiker and he has an incredible story about the magic of the Trail. His experience and dedication to "paying it forward" have helped me (and others) to understand our journey. I am forever indebted.
Date: 2011-07-26
From: Understanding Magic

To: Somewhere in New York
Miles today: 20.0

Woke up, got out of bed, dragged a comb across my head.....Day 111 on the Trail started out as mundane as the Beatles song, ¢A Day In The Life.¢   Walk, walk, walk and wrestling with the record breaking heat, which would continue, collecting its physical and mental toll, was the plan for the day. With the exception of a NY deli within a half-mile of the Trail, there was not much to get excited about.....During a routine check of my Smart Phone, an e-mail bearing the subject line "BED, SHOWER, FOOD," caught my eye. As luck would have it, the message was sent by a Nameless Trail Angel and his wife Bluegrass, who have been following my journal. Knowing I was passing through their area, they reached out and opened their home to a tired, dirty & hungry Hiker.   (Simply amazing, but I do not have the literary talent to describe how I felt.) Later that afternoon and after walking 18 miles to a predetermined rendezvous point, Nameless picked me up from the Trail. While driving the 40 minutes home, to the ¢Oasis on the Trail,¢ Nameless inquired almost magically "Do you like beer?"......Nameless and Bluegrass maintain a vegan household and despite my being slightly apprehensive at first, the Tofu Chili and the Medley of Noodles, Broth & Vegetables, dubbed simply "Food," were so deliciously awesome, I had double helpings of each.   Oh yeah, Nameless is a home Brew Master, so guess what we drank?.....In the morning, Nameless and Bluegrass made an energizing breakfast concoction that visually resembled scrambled eggs and I could feel my body absorb the nutrition as I ate three helpings.......Later, while back on the Trail, the euphoria of my good fortune became my companion. I¢m not sure if it was the exceptional company, the vegan cuisine or just a good night¢s sleep, but the remainder of the day proved to be one of the best on the trail so far. It was magic.
Date: 2011-07-27
From: Somewhere in New York

To: Great Barrington, MA
Miles today: 20.0

As a Hiker it's always nice to take a vacation away from the Trail. Yes, the Trail is work, and it is hard work. Lisa decided to drive the 4 hrs from NJ to Great Barrington, MA to meet me for the weekend. We had a great time together. On Friday night, we saw legendary 60's folk singers, Barry McGuire and John York, give a concert. McGuire recorded 'Eve Of Destruction' played the lead role in 'Hair' on Broadway and hung out a lot with the Mamas & Pappas. York was a member of the Byrds. The two hippies played a lot of 60's era songs and ended with a tribute to Mama Cass. It was a wonderful show.......and on Saturday night, Lisa got her first chance to perform Trail Magic. While driving around town, I suggested we go past the Trail head to see if any Hikers needed a 5 mile ride into town. Sure enough, we found Bubbles and Trucken, 2 twenty-something Hikers that were tired, hungry, and hot. Lisa offered to take them back to our hotel, let them shower and then decided to treat them to a fine dinner at a Japanese Hibachi restaurant. It was gratifying to watch the Hikers absorb the magic and to watch Lisa dispense it. As Dino says in his song, "How Lucky Can One Guy Get?"
Date: 2011-07-31
From: Great Barrington, MA

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 22.0
Weather: light rain

As you can imagine, hiking the trail is not always packed with excitement; and sometimes, walking through the green tunnel can be downright boring. To help pass the time, and to maintain sanity, Hikers often resort to various mind games. Counting steps, listening to audio books or singing songs are all very effective ways to create mental diversions from walking. I often find myself singing aloud, with music playing through my headphones. The theme from the movie ¢Rocky¢ is especially inspiring, when there is a big mountain to climb.......one day while listening to the soundtrack to "West Side Story," I was singing vigorously and with exceptional animation. ¢How do I know,¢ you might wonder? Well, just as I rounded a corner, I came face-to-face with two women Day-Hikers walking in my direction. The look they gave me was a combination of absolute horror and bewilderment. Well, thinking quickly, I just pulled the bandana off my head, gave them a limp wrist wave and performed a most delicate pirouette. There was nothing else to do but just continue down the trail with a little extra spring in my step singing "I feel pretty, oh so pretty, I feel pretty and witty and gay.........¢
Date: 2011-08-05
From: Dalton, MA

To: Vermont
Miles today: 22.0

The last thing you want to see at the end of a 20 mile day is a 300 ft climb. In order to have sufficient energy to make the assent, Hippy Kippy and I decided to take a half mile detour to a roadside diner called the Whistle Stop. Generous portions of chicken parmagine and ale supplied the carbohydrates and attitude adjustment we needed. Our timing was perfect, and we were able to scale the mountain and make camp before the mosquitoes made a meal of us. There is a lot to be said for getting into your sleeping bag at 8:00 with a full belly of food, drink and contentment.
Date: 2011-08-10
From: Vermont

To: Vermont Border
Miles today: 18.0

A particularly difficult section of the Appalachian Trail begins in the town of Dalton, MA and starts out with a somewhat gradual assent through very thick Mountain Laurel. The Trail remains somewhat uneventful for about 2 miles then abruptly morphs to a near-vertical climb up Mount Greylock, which is the highest point in MA (3491 ft). On top of the mountain, there is a tall Monument that was originally intended to be a lighthouse on Cape Cod, but for some reason in 1909, a decision was made to erect a ¢beacon light¢ in western Massachusetts. Nobody seems to know why, but the popular opinion of the Hikers is that the Commonwealth (don't call it a State), of Massachusetts can justify selling sodas for $3.00 apiece. I believe the Monument was located there to create an excellent photo op. Hiking onward and upward. Left, Right, Left....
Date: 2011-08-21
From: Vermont Border

To: New Hampshire
Miles today: 400.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Mileage adjustment. Today, Sunday 8/21/11, after completing 8 miles, I find myself sitting out severe thunderstorms at the Hikers Welcome Hostel in Glencliff, NH. Luckly, I opted not to attempt the 3800 ft climb up Mt. Moosilauke, the first mountain of the White Mountain Chain. It is said that the Whites are the most picturesque and the most difficult to climb. Daily mileage is oftin reduced to 7 to 12 miles per day over the difficult terrain. Tomorrow we'll let the day unfold and see what the wind blows across my path.
Date: 2011-08-23
From: New Hampshire

To: Foot of the White Mountains
Miles today: 15.0

A few weeks ago the following question appeared in the guestbook, "What piece of equipment would I definitely bring and what would I definitely not bring?"..........well, since the question was posed, I have conducted a poll of numerous thru-Hikers and can now answer the question.......First of all, basic equipment such as backpacks, shoes and sleeping bags, etc., are considered necessities and hence not considered part of the survey....... The single piece of ¢optional¢ equipment (by a wide margin), seemed to be a Smart Phone, with extra batteries. I myself concur, since my Smart Phone is also my camera, typewriter, iPod, Kindle, audio-book and internet access for weather, journal entries and aerial maps.......The question about the piece of equipment not to bring, transformed into what equipment was initially brought on the trail and then sent home after being deemed unnecessary or troublesome. After polling thru-Hikers, there was a tie. Many Hikers initially carried solar chargers for phones, etc, but sent them home during the first few weeks. They seemed incapable of supplying an adequate battery charge. A very close second deals with the various methods of water purification. Virtually all water filters that require hand pumping or battery operated ultraviolet light have been abandoned, but remain popular with Hikers out on the trail for only a few days. The most popular method of water purification remains chemical treatment and a product called ¢Aquamira¢ leads the pack..........Hopefully, this information is helpful to all you aspiring thru-Hikers. Any questions please don't hesitate to ask.
Date: 2011-08-25
From: Foot of the White Mountains

To: Mt Moosilauke
Miles today: 20.0

The White Mountains, without question, are the most difficult terrain since Georgia. On August 22nd, more than one week before Hurricane Irene, I climbed Mt Moosilauke with Buffalo Bobby, Trolley Stop, Guardian and Double Check. I was the youngest of the bunch, and accepted the pre-requisite ribbing in stride. The Trail began with a 3500 ft ascent next to and parallel to a waterfall which ensured the Trail had ample slippery rocks. Eventually, the waterfall petered out, but the Trail continued upward and wet slippery rocks were soon accompanied by mud, that was much deeper then ankle high boots. The mountain's summit above tree-line (elevation 4802¢) greeted our party with dense fog, 50 degree temperatures and 70 mph winds. Can somebody Google the wind-chill factor for me please? Needless to say, we didn't linger long and quickly began the 4 mile descent to the Welcome Hiker Hostel, in Glencliff, NH; our final destination for the day. Over dinner, we discussed our applications to National Geographic Explorer.
Date: 2011-08-29
From: Mt Moosilauke

To: North Conway, NH
Miles today: 100.0
Weather: light rain

Q: Have you ever wondered what a hiker does during a hurricane?.......A: A whole lot of nothing. I first heard of Hurricane Irene on Friday afternoon, when a caretaker at the Zealand Hut in the White Mountains, NH announced the forest was being evacuated. Yes, evacuation of the forest! My strict instructions were to hike to the nearest road (a day and a half away) and seek shelter for a few days. While getting to safety my thoughts were primarily with Lisa and our home at the Jersey shore. Thanks to friends for helping us out with storm preparations......I eventually made it to a hotel and rode out the storm. On Monday, a day after Irene, many of the roads in the area are closed due to washed out bridges. As of this writing, the road leading back to the trail will remain closed for many days. Stay tuned.
Date: 2011-08-31
From: North Conway, NH

To: Mt Washington
Miles today: 20.0

Since Irene, much has happened. After being forced out of the mountains due to evacuation, I was forced to spend 3 days in a hotel room watching the weather channel. Luckly, other hikers and a local diner were nearby. After the hurricaine, we learned the road back to the trail was washed out. Luckly we met a local former hiker that gave us a 40 mile ride to a point further north on the trail. We (Trolly Stop, VA; and Buffalo Bobby, NJ) were then forced to walk south bound for a few days so as to not miss the majestic Presidential Mountain Range. Looking at the photo, we walked from right to left over Mt. Madison, Mt Adams, Mt Jefferson and finally Mt Washington. The views were spectacular, but are not included here. Hopefully this pictorial denial will encorage some of my followers to visit the White Mountains on their own.
Date: 2011-09-01
From: Mt Washington

To: Eliza Brook Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

Sometimes, if overnignt rain is possible we may elect to sleep in a shelter. This particular one was brand spanking new. Without electricity, and with campfires prohibited in the White Mountains, there is not much to do once it gets dark. In this photo, Trolly Stop and I are taking advantage of cell phone service before bed. The time was 6:30 pm. He was answering e mails, and I completed reading Treasure Island (Kindle App on Droid)by Robert Louis Stevenson. Getting 10 plus hours of sleep at night is a bonus. We were preparing for some tough hikes through the White Mountains in the days ahead.
Date: 2011-09-02
From: Eliza Brook Shelter

To: NYC
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: overcast clouds

While hiking through the White Mountains of New Hampshire, one cannot help but feel grateful for the opportunity to experience the best America has to offer. The physical exertion of climbing hand over hand to the top of a mountain and the reward of spectacular views from the summit, combine to yield a comforting sense of patriotism......This week my journey entails a deviation from hiking to attend my nephew's wedding at the Biltmore estate outside of Asheville, NC; another example of the best America has to offer. Traveling from NH to NJ requires a connection in NYC, and what better way to pay homage to America then visiting Ground Zero on the 10th anniversary of 9-11? This photograph of the Freedom Tower was taken on Labor Day 2011.
Date: 2011-09-15
From: Northern New Hampshire

To: 500 Miles Left
Miles today: 100.0

This photo was taken in Vermont, just south of the New Hampshire border. It is called the ¢Mad Hatter's Tea Party¢ for reasons soon to be revealed; but first a description of the setting........ From left to right: An official Trail Register mounted inside a wooden box supported by a 4x4 wood post........Next to it on the ground is a Tupperware container with a guestbook provided by The Mad Hatter............A plastic chair........In the center is a tree with a double white blaze indicating a turn in the Trail and a sign that reads "Katahdin 500 miles"..........a white trash bag hanging from a tree limb..........and finally, a blue cooler with ice cold sodas.........The setting is along the Trail, a good distance from any road or side trail..........A Trail Angel named ¢The Mad Hatter¢ keeps the cooler well stocked, and provides the chair for relaxation. What better way to celebrate 500 miles remaining, than to rest in the chair, drink a soda and read comments from those that have walked before?