morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-07-28
From: Kent, Conn.

To: Stewart Hollow Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 7.0

I awakened at 5:20am like I usually do and turned MSNBC on the tv (like I usually don't do). I love watching the news when I'm in towns.At 7am I went downstairs and had tea while I read the newspaper. Laurel came in at 7:30 and we had a short chat before I left for the P.O. and supermarket to run errands.When I returned, it was time for breakfast on the back patio. Madison, the Inn owner's chocolate Lab joined me. After breakfast, it was back to town for more errands.While I was out, I met up with Leapyear who had lost his partner, Spunky, again. Atwannabe was in town from Ohio and was shuttling Leapyear around. We went to lunch, then Atwannabe took us to the trailhead outside of town. At one point, I realized that I didn't have my platypus so Atwannabe gave me her brand new one that she had in the car. She really saved me!Leapyear and I hiked off across the field and into the woods. He hiked slower than usual to stay with me so we could talk.At about the 3 mile mark, Leapyear was in front and I behind 5-6 feet when he kicked up some yellow jackets. I walked into a low cloud of them but didn't realize it until I felt something "bite" me on the leg. I stomped my foot thinking it was a big ant and looked down to see bees all over my legs and socks. They were stinging me all over and I was doing the "swat the bees dance" in the middle of the trail. I kept moving farther from the area where I had been stung, swatting all the way.When I had gotten them all off, I threw off my pack and dug out my Benadryl, still dancing all the while because the stings hurt so badly. I wolfed down the Benadryl and then put cold water on the stings to try to help. It didn't.We hiked on through the afternoon, stopping occasionally for snacks and water. When the benedryl kicked in it was tough for me to keep going, I just wanted to lay down and sleep.At 5:30 we arrived at the Stewart Hollow Brook Lean-to. With me are: Martha Graham, Gumby and Loa, Leapyear, Green Turtle and a south bounder named Morning Moose. I"m laying in the shelter in my fleece bag, writing in my journal and the others are talking and laughing. Every now and then I add my two cents. Great bunch of people, they are.I hiked 7 miles today in my new Asolo mid weight boots, purchased in Kent yesterday. Actually, they feel quite good.I didn't get to take the 2 days off that I originally planned to take, but with the low mileage today and 10 or so miles a day into Salisbury, Ct. I should be good to go.Jack has ordered me gel insoles and plantar fascia supports. They'll be in Salisbury when I get there. I'll experiment with them to get the right combination of footwear, insoles, supports, mileage per day, and speed that will get me to Katahdin in one piece and with my sanity intact.
Date: 2003-07-29
From: Stewart Hollow Brook Lean-to

To: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-to
Miles today: 10.0

The 2nd benedryl that I took to lessen the effects of my bee stings before going to bed knocked me out for the night. When I awakened late at 7:10am, my stings were itching which I took as a good sign. Only 2 of them were swollen so I was in great shape.My left foot was less swollen this morning than it has been in a week. I was so happy to stand up and not feel like I was walking on a sponge.Leapyear and I were only going 10 miles today so there was no big hurry to get out. We finally left the shelter at 8:30 and took our time hiking along the trail by the Housatonic River.We met 3 SOBOs today; Rig and 2 brothers. It's fun finally meeting the people that started at Katahdin in June.We stopped for lunch up on Pine Knob and met a day hiker with 2 large dogs, and a group of 4 day hikers. Everyone had questions for us about our adventure.There were some killer hills today, getting us in shape for the Whites.I'm trying to be disciplined about doing low miles, so 10 miles was all I wanted to do today. Tomorrow I'll do 10 more, then 4 into Salisbury on Thursday. I have boxes to collect at the P.O., laundry to do, a small amount of re-supply, and I'll probably spend the night and take a zero day on Friday. By Saturday I should be ready for doing more daily miles.My feet have been more comfortable in the last 2 days with the slower pace and low miles. Oh happy days.
Date: 2003-07-31
From: Limestone Spring Lean-to

To: Salisbury, Conn.
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: light rain

I pulled my tent fly over me during the night but remained cold until I awakened for good at 6:45am. I ate an energy bar while I packed my things and headed out onto the .5 mile blue blaze trail back to the A.T. The climb up took me 15 minutes and when I reached the trailhead I met up with Dutch who had already been hiking since dawn.We walked together for several miles and chatted about his upcoming "vacation" of several days from the trail, our spouses, and the mutual friends we knew. Dutch stopped for a break and I went on ahead.I could hear a lawn mower in the distance and when the smell of freshly cut grass reached me, I was instantly transferred back to the cottage I love, surrounded by the hemlocks, flowers and wildlife that fill my days when I'm home. I remained homesick for the rest of the day.When I reached Conn. 41 I turned off the A.T and walked the .8 miles into Salisbury. Right before the historic downtown, I came to Maria McCabe's home. Maria is a lovely, feisty woman who has lived in Salisbury for over 30 years and enjoys sharing her home with hikers.Maria took me to the next town so that I could do my laundry, took me to the local thrift store to look for a blanket to add to my fleece liner until my 20 degree bag arrives, and took me to the bank. We got along famously, chatting about everything under the sun while we did errands. When we arrived back at the house, Maria and I ate tomato and cucumber sandwiches while she told me her story of meeting her 1st husband in Italy during the war and marrying him when she was only 17 years old. She came to the USA 2 months later.Three more hikers showed up tonight and after showers, Maria drove them to the local Chinese restaurant. She'll collect them when they're finished.I walked into town, bought some Luna and Harvest bars, had a sundae at the local ice cream shop where I saw Sketch and Gazelle, met Gazelle's parents then walked back to the house. We sat on the back porch and watched the grey fox that comes nightly to eat the fruit, veggies and chicken that Maria had put out for him. A humming bird was feasting on some flox in the garden. I didn't even know that they ate after dark.I'm snuggled into a tiny bedroom with a twin bed on the west side of the house, so it's a little toasty in here now, but it'll be a nice break after being so cold for the last 3 nights.Tomorrow I'll take a day off. It's supposed to start raining tonight and through the day tomorrow. By Saturday I hope to be back on a schedule of 15-17 mile days. I've asked my feet to go along with my plan.
Date: 2003-08-01
From: Salisbury, Conn.

To: Salisbury, Conn
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today I finished my re-supply, searched for batteries for my camera, with no luck yet again, went to the library, and took Maria to lunch for her 74th birthday. My Mom would have been 74 this year too and would have been the perfect hostel owner. She would have liked nothing better than having a steady stream of people coming through her home!With me here tonight are Morph, Cornpatch, Mountain Butterfly, Tom for Short, and Seneca Lou.We all went for ice cream downtown while Maria joined her family for a birthday celebration, then when we returned, shared a toast to Maria, then Mountain Butterfly for their birthdays.It was a good zero day, but I'm anxious to get back on the trail.
Date: 2003-08-02
From: Salisbury, Conn

To: The Hemlocks Lean-to
Miles today: 13.4

Morph, Cornpatch, and I left Salisbury at 9 this morning following coffee and some picture taking with Maria.We walked the .8 miles down Rt. 41 then turned onto the trail and headed up the hill, beginning our day with heavy packs loaded with enough food to get us to Dalton, Mass. in 4-4.5 days.Lunch was taken at Sages Ravine by a beautiful creek, just as the sun peaked out from behind the clouds. I dined on crackers with Vermont cheddar cheese and pepperoni slices.The afternoon was tough. We climbed Bear Mountain, followed closely by Race Mountain, then closed the day with Mt. Everett. My butt is sore from all of the climbing. I should be in good shape for the Whites if the terrain stays like this.While resting on top of Race Mt., we met Biscuit, a thru-hiker that started in May.The blueberries are fantastic right now and some part of every day is spent picking and eating the juicy little guys.We arrived at the shelter around 5:30, collected water, soaked my aching feet in the creek, and made dinner.Some ferocious storms are do in tonight and we were happy to be in before they started. I just hope they blow through before I have to walk out of here tomorrow morning.
Date: 2003-08-04
From: Tom Leonard Lean-to

To: Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 21.3
Weather: light rain

Miles: 21.3!It was a very long day; Morph, Cornpatch, and I left the shelter at 7:45am andarrived at the cabin at 7pm tonight. I'm tired, my feet are killing me and I'mgoing to bed. More tomorrow.
Date: 2003-08-05
From: Goose Pond Cabin

To: Pittsfield Rd. House of the Cookie Lady
Miles today: 11.0

Start: Upper Goose Pond CabinDestination: Pittsfield Rd. House of the Cookie LadyMiles: 11Slept in: HouseThe journal entry for Tuesday the 5th was lost somehow in the magic of mypocketmail. Too bad, it was a good one. If found, I'll replace this impostorwith the real one~J.
Date: 2003-08-06
From: Pittsfield Rd. House of the Cookie Lady

To: Dalton, Mass
Miles today: 9.6
Weather: light rain

We checked with the Cookie Lady's husband to see if there was anything we could do for him before leaving. Cornpatch had done what mowing there was to do the afternoon before and it was too wet to pick blueberries. These 2 people are so generous to open their home to us and take us out of the rain.I am still amazed at the generosity extended to us by complete strangers. Of course some just think that we're stinky, unemployed do nothings, but that's their loss I guess.Morph, C.C., Chicken Legs, Leaf, and I leapfrogged all day and ended up in Dalton together at Tom the trail angel's house on Depot Street. Tom is another person that takes hikers and bikers into his home. He won't take any money for running us to the laundry and restaurants, so we treated him to dinner.I slept on the living room floor. C.C. wasn't feeling well and took a bedroom. He as running a fever when he went to bed. Morph was out in his tent, testing it for water soundness, Freeway slept on the porch and Leaf took the couch.I watched the 11:00 news and weather before going to sleep. I'll try to get to the shelter 2 miles before the summit of Mt. Greylock tomorrow. The thunderstorms are not due until after 5pm. Let's hope he's right.
Date: 2003-08-07
From: Dalton, Mass

To: Mark Neopel Lean-to
Miles today: 13.7

The Berkshires cradled me and rocked to the sound of the earth's heartbeat.I left Dalton alone this morning and hiked the 13+ miles to the shelter mostly by myself, sometimes chatting with south bounders and also my fellow north bounders.Morph had decided to zero because of the chance of thunderstorms, C.C. had gotten a job for the next 2 weeks, Chicken Leggs and Leaf were zeroing. I was anxious to get to Bennington; Jack is due on Sunday.Today was the first time I've had to myself for a while and I enjoyed having my thoughts as my only company. I stopped at Gore Pond for lunch around noon. I was really taken by it's beauty. The black water perfectly reflected the big gray boulders that lined one side of it's shoreline. There were yellow flowered lily pads, the remains of numerous gray, weather beaten stumps sticking out of the water, and 2 bull frogs serenaded me while I ate.I arrived at 5pm to find the shelter empty and toyed with the idea of going 3 more miles to the top of Mt. Greylock and Bascom Lodge where I have a box waiting and could have had a shower and bed, but instead I hung in there and shortly Midway showed up for the night followed closely by Pace.I didn't have to cook tonight, I had purchased a big hoagie roll and some cheddar cheese and pepperoni from the General Store in Dalton. I made half the roll for lunch and half for dinner. Quick and easy! Midway gave me a Rice Krispie Treat for dessert so I was a happy camper.Tomorrow looks like a 17 mile day if I want to stay in a shelter because of the rain (and I do) so I'll be up and out fairly early, stop at the Lodge for my treats (thanks Karen), and head into Vermont. Wow, Vermont!
Date: 2003-08-08
From: Mark Neopel Lean-to

To: Mt. Greylock, Bascom Lodge
Miles today: 3.1

I awakened this morning to my left foot being more swollen than it ever was, so I hiked to Bascom Lodge and checked in for the night, thinking that I would keep it up for the afternoon with ice on it. After checking in I was told by the young girl at the desk that there's no ice here!The highpoint of my day came when I opened my mail drop box from my truly generous friend Karen in Boston who has taken it upon herself to be a great supporter of my adventure. The box was filled with Bert's Bees goodies, cookies, chocolates, food bars and dried strawberries. I have sampled just about everything throughout the day and it's all delicious. My plans for re-supplying tomorrow have changed, I'll be eating like a queen on my saunter into Bennington.I spent the afternoon reading either in bed with my foot up or in a chair in the lodge with my foot on the coffee table (totally acceptable here, it's weathered, old, dirty furniture).Before dinner I climbed the War Memorial Tower at the summit and as I looked South from where I had come, tears welled in my eyes and spilled over at the sight of what I have accomplished so far. I walked to the North side of the tower and looked out at the Green Mountains of Vermont and tears fell again, for the mountains where I am headed are a whole lot bigger than what I've been doing!After a great dinner I was telling Tim, the chef how surprised I was to find no ice at the Lodge and he disappeared downstairs and returned with a small bag of cubes for me. Boy do they feel good.Tomorrow I plan to do the remaining miles that I would have done today, then Sunday I'll hike into Bennington, Vermont and will still beat Jack there.
Date: 2003-08-09
From: Mt. Greylock, Bascom Lodge

To: Bennington, VT. by way of Williamstown, Mass
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

My plans for the day changed when I didn't sleep well and awakened with my left foot still swollen. I couldn't even do my toe stretches for fear of harming myself more.I decided to walk the 6 miles into Williamstown to the outfitter and find a ride into Bennington, Vt. from there.The lovely couple, Bob and Raye, whom I had met at dinner, asked how I was doing and when I told them "no better" they offered to drive me to Williamstown this morning and I accepted their offer. Strapped to the top of their car were 2 kayaks. Now that's my kind of retirement!It took longer than I expected to find the outfitter, but my trail angels were patient and gracious. By the time they had left me, I felt as if I had known them for ages. Thanks you two, I really appreciated your help today!The outfitter put me in touch with a photography studio and I was able to finally replace my Olympus C3000 batteries, and the Williams Inn where for $5.00 I could take a shower and use the pool and sauna to my hearts content. It was also where I purchased my bus ticket to Bennington.The last time I rode a bus, I was 13 years old. My best friend Pam and I rode from Barnsboro, NJ to Pitman, NJ, a mere 5 miles for .25! My ticket to Barrington, 10 miles away cost me $11.00. I guess some things have changed since the 1960s.Tampopo was on the bus to Bennington also, so we hunted for a cheap motel together and were successful in finding a place very close to the downtown.Dinner was at the Chinese restaurant downtown. Tampopo had lost his hiking partner earlier in the day, so we spent the evening going over an itinerary that would allow him to catch up with a friend that was a few days ahead. It's so difficult to lose the person with which you've been hiking. Everything changes, and you have to get used to hiking differently. The benefit is that it forces you to get out there and meet new people. That's been the best part of my hike; I hike at a pace that allows me to meet new people all the time.
Date: 2003-08-10
From: Bennington, VT. by way of Williamstown, Mass

To: Bennington, VT.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I spent most of the day with my feet up, iced, and watching old movies on tv. Both feet are still swollen after 48 hours of not hiking, and continue to be a main concern. The little buggers.Jack arrived around 4pm after an 8 hour drive from home. We had dinner at the pub downtown, then went for a ride, first finding the AT trailhead 5 miles out of town, and then getting ice cream before heading back to the motel.First thing in the morning I'll call a local podiatrist and attempt to get an appointment for today or tomorrow.
Date: 2003-08-14
From: Peru Peak Shelter

To: Greenwall Shelter
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: clear sky

I awakened at 4am to the sound of chewing. It sounded like it was coming from my pack that was hanging on a peg in the front of the shelter. I didn't think that I had left any food in it, but turned my headlamp onto the pack from my comfy sleeping bag. The noise stopped. I turned off the light and went back to sleep. At 5am I was again awakened by the mouse. This time the chewing seemed to be coming from the 4 food bags hanging on the mouse ropes that just happened to be hanging over Pace's head. If a mouse had chewed through the rope, dropping the bags onto Pace's head, he would have been killed instantly. We were only one day out of town and everyone's bags were very heavy! This time I got out of my bag and checked on the food. No mouse. The chewing was coming from up on the roof. He probably had an acorn up there, and he was driving me nuts.We were all up for good by 6:15 and Stripe and I hit the trail by 7:30. It was a gorgeous day, day two of sunshine!The trail was still very wet, but not as wet as yesterday. No rain is predicted for tonight or tomorrow so we're happy campers.Our first break was at the top of Peru Peak, 3,429 feet above sea level. We sat and chatted with Pace and ate a snack or two. The clouds below us were passing between the mountains, the sun, shining and the wind blowing. It was breathlessly beautiful, calm and peaceful.For lunch Stripe and I stopped at the Lula Tye Shelter near Little Rock Pond. When finished, we walked the trail along the pond and enjoyed the clear water and great view. There were many people there that had to hike in almost 2 miles from a forest service road to use the pond. I can see why they did, it was a very special place.The almost 15 miles went very smoothly today and I was pleased with the way my feet were behaving. This morning I had removed the "arch supports" that Jack and I had added Tuesday and I also had to remove the pads for the balls of my feet. They wouldn't stay where they belonged and were causing more discomfort than I had without them. Because the forest floor was so wet, it's soft, and the trail was easy to walk on until the last 3 miles. It was a constant downhill with many, many rocks and I started to get very uncomfortable about 2 miles from the shelter, but hung in there and made it by 5pm.Pace, Sprite and I are the only ones here. It's 7:30 and getting dark already. The temperature is supposed to dip into the 50s but with my 20* bag back, I'll be warm and happy. A few mosquito's are biting but as the temp drops, they'll disappear.By listening to my new radio tonight, I learned of the power failure from NY to Michigan to Ontario and wondered if Jack knows how to stop the burglar alarm from making those annoying beeps after the power goes out. My guess is he doesn't.
Date: 2003-08-16
From: Campsite just past Governor Clement Shelter

To: Rt. 4 Killington, Vt.
Miles today: 9.5

I had a great night's sleep by the roaring creek last night. The sound reminds me of the pond overflow in front of the cottage and was very calming.Skittles was up and out by 6:30 this morning, trying to make it to the Killington P.O. by closing time at noon. I'm not sure he made it.Sprite and I were on the trail by 7:15 and Pace was close behind us. We had a big climb up Killington and I had my first taste of chilly weather in a long time. We were socked in with fog and the wind was whipping through the trees. We didn't bother taking the side trail to the summit, there was nothing to see in the fog.The trail rose for 4 miles, sometimes steeper than others but almost always littered with rocks and roots. It was quite beautiful, just tedious. You don't get to enjoy the forest around you when you can't take your eyes off the trail for fear of tripping and falling. I've done my fair share of falling in the past 2 weeks!Pace passed us early on, he's young and strong and does the miles easily. Pace is a fellow that most often hikes alone, but is friendly to everyone. He's very insightful and has a peaceful nature about him. Many times I've come upon him sitting on a rocky summit or the side of a pond deep in thought and enjoying his surroundings. I enjoy his company, and again miss the days when the house was filled with Jeff and Justin and their friends.We met up with Takereasy at the Cooper Shelter and enjoyed his company and very interesting outlook on life while we ate our snacks.The 3 of us continued on to Rt. 4 taking the old AT which is now called the Shelbourne Pass Trail. I was able to save a mile or so on my aching feet, and since it was the old AT, I was comfortable taking it.We arrived at the Inn at Long Trail at 12:15 and had no problem getting a room. Since the AT was relocated, it now crosses the Trail a mile from the Inn (instead of crossing at the parking lot of the Inn), and the Inn sees less hiker traffic. That's too bad because it's a wonderful place both to visit and have something to eat. There was Irish music in the Pub last night which sounded good from my comfortable seat in the great room.I did a load of laundry, hopped a local bus to the convenience store a mile away and re-supplied, called home, and answered e-mails. I am still amazed at the number of people that support me through my guest book and e-mails. There's nothing like coming into town, putting my pocketmail device up to a phone and getting the instant boost that I get from my messages.I didn't head to bed until 10:00pm, very late for hiker standards. Tomorrow the Lodge will make my breakfast for me and then I'll head out onto the trail and do 15 more miles.