morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2012-08-21
From: Hwy 3 & Interstate 93

To: Mt. Lafayette
Miles today: 6.4

A note before writing: I have been trying to get an internet connection for 3 days now...they seem to be few and far between and there is NO cell reception or internet at the campground where I am staying while SOS is hiking toward Mt. Washington. SO I am finally in a library that is only open today from 2-5 so I must get lots of pictures loaded and write several days worth.While Margo started packing up the room, I drove SOS a little over a mile to the start spot and the start of a 3 day separation for us. SOS was going to be staying up in the mountains at the huts and Margo and I would be in a campground. We waved goodbye and I went back to the hotel to meet Margo. We both drove the 34 miles to our campground. When we got there we were informed that we couldn't check in until 3 o'clock. We decided to go in Margo's rental car back 10 miles to the Mt. Washington Resort. It is a huge place that is beautiful everywhere you look. We wandered around and finally decided to sit on the big porch with the gorgeous view and have some lunch. We shared a baked brie and fresh fruit plate. It tasted as good as it looked. Downstairs we looked around in the shops and just took in all the atmosphere in this delightful place. When we got back to the campground, there was FM, Medicine Man, White Wolf, and Pants sitting on the porch. I asked if they needed anything and they did!...a ride back to their trail head. So we piled them all into Margo's rental car which is a Dodge Grand something...it has lots of space for hikers and is brand new. FM showed us how to put all the back seats down in case we need to turn it into a hostel for hikers!! He also gave Margo a trail name..Margo Polo...a take off on Marco Polo. Medicine Man asked me where SOS was and I said I don't know..he said, you never know where he is...I said, yes, I do...he is in the mountains! About this time, Tator Tot wandered in and after greetings,hugs, and catching up on news, the 5 of them walked into the woods to their next destination. It was good to see them all! Margo and I decided to have peanut butter/jelly (she brought us some red raspberry jam) sandwiches for dinner. After dinner we read awhie and then turned in for the night. No road name...I have been up and down these same roads for days it seems and there are no interesting names...
Date: 2012-08-22
From: Mt. Lafayette

To: Galehead Hut
Miles today: 6.7
Weather: clear sky

Be advised that if there is nothing written for a day or even two it is because I have NO internet connection. I have not been in an area like this one. Our campground has no cell phone reception and no internet reception. I have not talked to SOS except briefly last night because Margo and I went down the road 20 miles for dinner. We had to drive 30 miles to the nearest gas station. Living in this area would take some getting use to.... We went back to the Mt. Washington Resort and had lunch again. I went to the tiniest post office ever in the lower level to buy more postcard stamps. We tried to find an internet connection with no luck. You can NOT use the one at the resort unless you enter your name and room number and since I didn't have one I couldn't get on. I even asked at the desk and they couldn't figure out how to help me or where I might get a connection! After going back to the cabin, we both read on the porch and then decided to go our for dinner and hope for a cell phone connection so I could talk to SOS. We headed down the road to the Spaghetti Shed. We shared a meal of pasta with roasted broccoli and chicken. Their loaves of bread were unusual and very good. I did finally get to talk to SOS. He reported a good day on Tuesday. He got into the hut in time to eat and was going to bed early. Wednesday the going was rougher for him but he made it to the next hut in time also. He hadn't seen any of our hiker friends because of the back tracking that he did...but once he is done then he will go to the other side of Mt. Washington since he has already hiked it. Driving back from dinner we went thru a small town which was having a concert in the park. The music sounded great so we stopped just in time to hear the end of the last song! By the time we parked and got out of the car, everyone was leaving...bummer! Back in the dark to get ready for bed...I read awhile with my headlight on because there is only one light in the cabin...a bare bulb right in the middle of the ceiling. Of course, with the headlight on all flying insects in the room found me so I didn't read long.A FUNNY STORY: While at the restaurant, there was a young family with 2 little girls eating beside us..one little one about 5 and one 3. Mom was encouraging the 3 year old to eat her spaghetti. She wanted dessert. So she got down from her chair and was half way across the room when Dad noticed and said, "what are you doing?" She said in all seriousness, "I am going to the kitchen to tell them I want ice cream!" Dad, while trying to swallow a laugh, told her to come back to the table and that someone would come and ask them if they wanted ice cream!   A girl who knows her own mind and isn't afraid to go after what she wants!!!!! She got her ice cream.
Date: 2012-08-23
From: Galehead Hut

To: Crawford Notch
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: fog

Margo and I spent the day doing "housekeeping" kinds of things. We both did some laundry at the campground...only $1.00 for wash and $1.00 for dry...wahoo! Then we decided to go walking in the stream near the campground. Margo wanted to walk IN the water which was full of rocks...so I followed her but with my shoes and socks ON...not too smart but it saved my feet and they will dry! The water felt very good.. After our cooling off walk, we drove way too far to get gas. We tried to find some fresh veggies and fruit but no luck with either. We did find a deli which had great sandwiches for lunch. Our destination was the library in Bartlett which is only open from 2-5 so we arrived shortly after 2 and stayed until 5. I had a miraculous connection to the internet so got lots of pictures put on and the journal up to date for those of you who were wondering if we were okay! We are...ready to be done but fine otherwise. Back at the campground...just as we drove in...there was SOS who got a ride back from his end spot so I didn't have to drive there..only 3 miles...:-) After he cleaned up, I took him for a short walk (just what he wanted to do...) down to the see the stream and rock beds nearby. Back at the campground, Margo was collecting items from nearby to make a centerpiece for the picnic table where we were going to eat dinner. We grilled hamburgers and had a good meal sitting outside our cabin. Of course, if you have been following this journal, then you know what SOS wanted next...a strawberry milkshake! So off we went down the road to the ice cream stand where half the county had the same idea! Finally we got the ice cream, ate it all, and then went back to sleep in our cozy cabin.
Date: 2012-08-26
From: White Mountain Hostel

To: White Mountain Hostel
Miles today: 0.0

This was a great day for SOS to zero...Tim was zeroing also so Margo, SOS, Tim and I headed off to church after breakfast at the hostel. We decided on a United Church of Christ (this is the denomination I attended as a child). What an incredible experience...the pastor just exuded welcome with his eyes, his voice and his words! It was "hymn Sunday" so we got to sing lots of old favorites before the service started. The whole theme of the day was the wonder of God's world and how we need to worship while enjoying the wonders that surround us...a perfect message for hikers. He talked about the beauty of this area/state and talked about some of the people who settled this town (Gorham, NH). A young lady who works for the Forest Service and is very concerned about the environment gave a powerful testimony about how she has no doubts about who created the wonders of this area/world. A local man had brought lots of tomatoes, zucchini and squash in to give away or for a donation...so we all bought some for dinner. We were invited downstairs to visit and have refreshments. We talked to many interesting people and enjoyed the treats...especially the watermelon...Tim and Rog's favorite fruit. After church it was off to Walmart (there is NO full service grocery in this town) for a few items for dinner and then to the ice cream shop where we all indulged...see photos when I get them on..we all considered this lunch. Back to the hostel where the hikers took naps and Margo and I read and talked to other hikers (Peach and Overdrive are here!...also Medicine Man and Father Man came in)and then it was time to fix dinner. Dinner was brats on the grill, potato salad, macaroni salad, fresh tomato/zucchini salad, chicken, rice pudding and blueberries...a sharing of Tim's groceries and ours. The leftovers went on the sharing table inside for other hikers. SOS and I drove into town to the McDonald's to catch this journal up and saw Frenchie and Slingshot...hitching so we picked them up...hadn't seen them since the half way point! SOS took them to the grocery and then to the campground while I worked on the computer. All for now...
Date: 2012-08-27
From: White Mountain Hostel

To: somewhere in the mountains
Miles today: 13.0

This will be short...I am exhausted tonight...moving day is stressful while I try to figure out where to go and where to stay. SOS left the hostel to hike with his big pack for 3 days and 2 nights. He will hike with Headnout. Margo and I packed up our cars and left the hostel. We headed into town to the post office and discovered a laundromat right nearby. We did our laundry there. A lady also doing her laundry was knitting. We talked knitting for a long time and she told me about another knit shop close by...tomorrow. We ate lunch from our cooler sitting by a stream behind the McDonald's. I made several calls looking for a room and finally chose one. We drove to the Town and Country Inn and checked into our room. SOS called to check in and told me about a concert in the next town so that became our evening plan. We ate dinner in the dining room and then headed to Berlin, NH to the art center for the Monday night Celtic concert. The group of 3 men was very good...they sang and played violin, guitar and penny whistle (excellent job on this little instrument). Back in the dark with only one mishap when we got on a one way street...we did a U turn...and on back to Gorham to our room. All for now...I hope SOS and Headnout are not getting wet....sometimes in rains here and not there...SOS here:HeadnOut & I are getting rained on in our tents. It is 2:00 AM; hopefully it will stop in the morning.The terrain is totally different from the Whites. The boulder hopping is nearly gone - a lot of pointless ups & downs & still slow going. Will be going through a rough stretch tomorrow Mahoosic Notch. The stretch is 1.3 miles long and is known for its difficulty. Will try to give you a picture but pictures do not always show how difficult it really is. Good night, I hope it quits raining.
Date: 2012-08-31
From: South Arms Road

To: East B Hill Road
Miles today: 10.1

SOS got a shuttle again today with another hiker named Nice Lady...he asked if I cared if he hiked with her....my response was "not if she lives up to her name!" (She does seem very nice...) So another whole day stretched in front of me... so after my shower, hair wash & dry and laundry, I decided to go to the Red Hen Cafe for breakfast just like yesterday. This time I took my book and read while I ate. I asked advice from the waitress about going to a town called Rumford which was 15 miles away. 15 miles away in Maine is different from 15 miles away in Fort Wayne because of the curvy roads but I got there in about 25 minutes with a few stops to take pictures of interesting things (at least I think so). I went straight to the library in Rumford...an 8...only 2 semi-comfy chairs in the whole place. I read awhile, talked to TagnAlong, and left in the rain. I didn't feel like exploring in the rain but did drive through the downtown and didn't see any place I wanted to stop. No coffee shops, no antique shops, no art galleries, no "Made in Maine" shops, no history museums or any museums did I see so decided to just go back to my room. One stop on the way back at a country store to get milk to go with the zucchini/oatmeal muffin (doesn't that sound healthy?) that I bought at a little bakery on a side road. The rest of the day until SOS got back was spent reading Elizabeth Gilbert's book, COMMITTED, which I got free at one of the libraries I have been in lately. I like the way she writes and enjoyed the first book of hers that I read, EAT, LOVE, PRAY. Peach and Overdrive showed up so I invited them to go to dinner with us. The 4 of us went back to the only restaurant in the area...The Red Hen Cafe where I ate breakfast. The place was packed...it only has 7 tables and 6 bar stools. We got there a little before 6 and didn't get seated until 7 and served until 7:30 but the food was good! SOS had his favorite lasagna and I had baked Haddock. He then had freshly baked raspberry pie which he brought back to the hostel and had with the milk I bought earlier.Up in the room for planning and journal writing and to bed...the hostel is full tonight and so is Pine Ellis, the other hostel in town, so lots of hiker friends here and hopefully down the road as we finish up this Hiking for Him! (can't remember my road name and don't want to get up to look...:-)
Date: 2012-09-02
From: Maine 17

To: Maine 4
Miles today: 13.7

What a wonderful day!! The weather was great and even though it was moving day, I had a great day. When I dropped off Nice Lady and SOS at the trailhead, I drove on to Rangeley which is the next town. I stopped in town and went to the quilt shop, the bookstore, and a deli. On the way out of town, I saw HeadnOut hiking along the road so picked him up. He was heading to the IGA so we went together. He needed to go back to the same trail head where I just was...11 miles down the road. I drove him there and about .5 mile from the trailhead, he pointed out a driveway with a sign and lots of flowers and said I should check out this spot for housing tonight. WOW, was I ever glad that I did! What I found was a little piece of paradise in the woods. Steve and Catherine live here 6 months of the year....in a little house that is 12X16. They have a sleeping loft and a "guest sleeping loft". Catherine makes jewelry so has her work bench and jewelry display case in there also. The cooking is done in the kitchen hut which is another much smaller space that has a stove, cooler (they get BLOCK ice from IGA..I didn't know anyone sold block ice anymore)and storage for some food. They have flower beds, garden and herb beds in the yard. There is a small A frame with 3 sleeping pads that they rent to hikers so I took them up on the offer of a sleeping space. They bath in the stream in a hollowed out place where the water is deeper. The privy comes with a large window, books and hand cleaner. I followed the path to the stream and sat on a rock just enjoying the peace of this magical place. Steve came along to offer me hot tea which he then delivered and offered wild salmon which was delivered on a beautiful plate that friends had made. I walked along the stream and settled back on the rock for a while. Catherine and I talked a long while and then I went to pick up my hikers. Atlas and Cheeks came out of the woods so Trail Mama got to give out some trail treats. They had passed SOS and said he would be along shortly so I decided to hike into the woods to meet him (since I knew for once which way to go!) I didn't find him but did have a very pleasant walk on an uphill path that crossed a small stream...it had a sign that said Enjoy the Journey (I later found out that Steve had put it there!) When my hikers came, I drove them back to Steve's house and they were as impressed as I was. Steve fixed us a wonderful meal of pasta with vegetables that ended with cookies made by Catherine. Steve heated water for SOS and Nice Lady to bathe down by the stream. I felt like royalty the way we were being treated...a small table and chairs with a tablecloth from India (where Steve lives 6 months of the year doing charitable work with deformed children) and real plates and silverware. We all talked for a long time and then retired to our sleeping hut on pads on the floor. A totally delightful day!!! Lots of pictures in photos now that I have an internet connection...none available in "paradise".
Date: 2012-09-03
From: Maine 4

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

Another great day! We woke up in our sleeping hut and prepared for the day. It was difficult to leave this "paradise" but we all had to move on so after goodbyes we headed to the trail head which was only .5 of a mile away. I dropped off my hikers and headed to Stratton, the next town on the trail. When I drove into this town (I was told by a towns person today that it is really a village...not big enough to be a town.), I came to the Stratton Motel right away so stopped at the office to see Susan, the owner. She wasn't in so I waited in the car until I saw the cleaning lady. I talked to her and she said I could have room 1 so I moved in. Over to the cafe across the street to collect some info and get some coffee. I got both and then walked around the village...that took a short while. The grocery was pretty well supplies so I bought a few things for the next few days that I will be alone here while my hikers are sleeping out in their tents. I talked to some hikers and worked on organizing (an ongoing job) and knitted another hat. When I was talking to a hiker, he asked what I do while I wait on SOS. One thing I told him was that I like to knit..he said...go down to the other cafe and there is a list of knit shops! Well, I went straight down there only to discover that the list was quilt shops...not knit shops. When I saw him later, he asked if I found the list and when I explained...he said...oh, quilt shops, knit shops, aren't they the same? SOS called about 6:30 and was done with a difficult day...he sounded very tired. Several of our hikers friends are at the shelter where he will spend the night and I will spend the night here...alone. That has been the real unexpected down side to this adventure. We are both having adventures but not together...so soon we should be able to get back to being together which is where we like to be!
Date: 2012-09-04
From: Poplar Ridge Lean To

To: Spaulding Mountain Lean To
Miles today: 8.0

An interesting day...several more hikers came into town. I went out to the car at one point and left the key turned to the on position (the car was hot inside and I was going to be in there for a little bit and wanted the windows down)...so then I got distracted by a hiker who came along to talk and left the keys in the car in the on position. When I came back out a couple of hours later to go to the antique store about 4 miles away, the car was dead!! Great...so I went down to the office to talk to Susan...she wasn't in but a hiker I didn't know jumped up and came out to help. His car has the battery in a strange place so he didn't think he could jump the battery. Meanwhile, I was unloading the back of the car to get to our jumper cables...quite a job! Next I went to the store next door and asked if someone could help me...a lady shopping said, I will be right over to help. Over she came....then Cheeks and Atlas and 2 more hikers all to give advice and one to hold the ladies car hood up since her hood holder was broken. We accomplished the mission of getting my car started so I thanked everyone and let my car run while I put all the stuff back in the back...except for the jumper cables which are now living under the front seat...just in case I have brain freeze again and run down the battery!I walked down to some shops and then to the library. It is very small...just one room with only a rocking chair in the kids corner. That is where I sat to read until SOS called and I had to go outside to hear him. He was stopped for the night at a shelter instead of his tent because heavy rain is expected for tonight. Back at the room, I was reading when there was a knock on my door and there was HeadnOut. We talked a little then he went off to do his laundry and we agreed to meet later for dinner. At dinner time, we discovered that there was only one place in town to eat so we went to the bar across the street. Many hiker friends were there also so we all ate and visited. Tim and I decided to cross the street to a general store that advertised ice cream. When we got there and asked about the ice cream, the young lady working there said, "Ice cream is done"...we said..What??..is there a season for ice cream here? She said, yes, no one wants ice cream in the winter time! Well, we left incredulous to find out this news about ice cream in this town!! First of all, it isn't winter yet and second of all there isn't a "season for ice cream" in Indiana that I am aware of.So back at the room, I read and knitted and went to bed...
Date: 2012-09-06
From: Stratton, Maine

To: Stratton,Maine
Miles today: 0.0

A zero day for my hikers...so we went across the street to the cafe which decided to open today after being closed for several days. Nice Lady and SOS did some serious planning for the rest of the hike in Maine. We went to the grocery to get a few items so that they would have adequate food for some time they will have to spend out in the woods while I stay at the motel/hostel in Stratton. We decided to drive to Rangeley because SOS lost one of his Crocs in the raging stream yesterday and we were looking for another pair. We stopped at the IGA in Rangeley and met Big E and DK. Trail Mama offered them brownies and a ride...they took me up on both! Back into town to drop them off at the laundry and then find some lunch. The Red Onion looked like a good choice since we could sit outside and the weather is fantastic! It was a good choice and we all enjoyed a good meal. We found a pair of Crocs but they had Red Sox logo on them and were $40 which seemed like way too much for another pair that might go down another stream! We checked several more stores and no luck so back to the Pine Market where we heard they had some on sale...well, they were all gone...so SOS is now Croc-less! We visited the beautiful..inside and out...Rangeley Library. It is an 11 on my scale of 10. (it would have been a 12 except for the rodent cutouts running up the wall in the stairway...yikes!) We then went in search of ice cream...a tough job around here since after Labor Day it seems most ice cream places close down. We found some and sat by Rangeley Lake in the beautiful weather which is in the 70's...my kind of weather! Back to Stratton where I took Wooly to the laundromat and we both did some laundry while SOS and Nice Lady continued with their repacking for the days ahead. We all snacked on things in our little refrigerator, watched a little TV and settled in for the night. Road Name of the Day: MUGWAMP ROAD Rog found this one today....we have no idea what it means...SOS here:We took a zero today to plan the rest of the hike. It would have been a nice day to hike; instead we enjoyed the incredible Maine outdoors while we aired and dried out all our hiking gear. Our gear was so wet from yesterday that our windows in our motel room were wet from condensed water.For the third time on the AT it rained so much yesterday that I was able to pour water from my boots ! Rain is part of the adventure. Rain fills the low places in the trail with gigantic puddles (a little boys delight) and because we are in mountainous terrain begins to cause small, medium, big and gigantic waterfalls wherever there is a depression going down hill. In fact yesterday when we climbed the 4,220 foot summit of Sugarloaf Mountain, we climbed up a waterfalls.