morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-07-17
From: Rusty's Old Time Hollow

To: Rusty's (Zero day)
Miles today: 0.0

zero day in paradiseThe sound of roosters(lots of them)woke me up this morning. I lay there listening to the various roosters. Surely they were trying to out do each other with their wake up calls. It was not long before I smelled the pancakes cooking. Rusty had told us last night he would cook breakfast for us this morning. There is such a difference in food cooked on a wood stove. The pancakes were the biggest and fluffiest ones I have ever had. They were covered in butter and I covered mine in peanut butter and syrup. The edges were crunchy and brown, the way they are when cooked in a cast iron pan on a wood stove. I made a big cup of hot peppermint tea, along with some real sugar. HMMMMM...what a great breakfast. I wrote a couple of mails on my pocketmail before the call from the garden just overwhelmed me. Rusty has planted 600 pounds of potatoes, and the bugs were having a field day. I took an old stick and went by each plant, smacking the fat juicy bugs off the plant and down into the furroughs between the rows. The hot sun baked them to a crisp rather quickly because they are too fat to climb back up the mound of dirt pulled around the plants. All of the hikers here pitched in today to work around the house. We picked up the hundreds of cans flattened in the driveway. It is a custom to throw the cans into the drive way to be flattened. Then as the northbound hikers dwindle down, he picks the cans up and recycles them. Some of us took turns mowing the grass in front and back. We were rewarded by pints of cold ice cream from the little store up the road. All of us sat around eating from the two containers of ice cream. You would think that we could have gotten bowls for each of us.Things like this change out here on the trail. You see nothing wrong with eating after each other. It does not take long to finish off the ice cream. We all head off to different directions. I grab my silk liner to help ward off the bugs and lay down in the swing on the back porch. I am lulled to sleep by the sounds of Mudbutt and Hillbilly. I wake myself up later with my snoring. I move out to the yard and sit and read with the beautiful mountain scenes in front of me. Evening comes and we all fix supper out on the picnic table. Pirate has picked out a movie for us to watch. We all retreat to the bunkhouse to watch the movie and eat popcorn. The popcorn is much better than the movie, and I say goodnight long before the movie is over.
Date: 2003-07-27
From: Big Meadows Campground

To: Pinnacle Picnic Ground
Miles today: 12.2

start BiG Meadows Campgrounddestination Pinnacle Picnic GroundThe sound of a car alarm woke me up this morning. Who sets an alarm when you are 10 feet from your car. Maybe they thought a bear would get in it and drive away. At least it served to get us both out of bed early and on the trail. We keep hearing how level and easy the trail is. We are still waiting for that to happen. Thoughts of a hamburger and fries push us north, as we try to get to Skyland for lunch. It is very encouraging when we have done 5 miles before noon. The wind is still blowing pretty strong. It keeps the bugs away and cools me as I walk. There are more day hikers out today and we converse as we pass each other. At last we are at the restaurant. They do not allow packs in the dining room so we leave them at the coat rack. I was going to try to hang my pack, but figured the rack might collaspe. The lunch was a disappointment big time. The onion petals with dip was good as was the lemonade. The sandwiches were tasteless. Mudbutt took one bite of her coleslaw and shoved it aside disgustedly. I called home to check in and try to down load my email. It was nice to have a long conversation with my husband. Although the trials at home and work make me think I need to be there instead of here. I go to retreive my pack and find a huge swarm of flies hovering over it. No wonder they do not allow packs in the restaurant! I find Mudbutt out in front of the building, sitting in the grass looking pretty green. Her stomach seems to be at war with her lunch. We sit for a while hoping for the war to cease. Finally back up the trail we go. Our goal is to reach Luray tonight. That would give us a 17 mile day. Someone threw in a couple of big climbs that we were not expecting. It became obvious that we were not going to reach town tonight. We stopped at a picnic area to resupply our water. A conversation strikes up with a couple there having a picnic. They are intrigued with our hike and we answer their many questions. Before they leave they shower us with grilled chicken, zuchinni squares, bread and a fresh cucumber. What a dinner we have. We wait until almost dark to put our tents up. We do not see any "no camping" signs, but we are not sure it is permissable to camp here. We chose a site as out of sight as possible and build our house. The food bags are hung away from any hungry bears that might wander through. There are hundreds of fire flies out tonight. They flitter back and forth, shining their twinkling lights in hopes of attracting a mate. I look down the mountain to the town below. The lights shine like jewels against a dark backdrop of velvet night. The wind is still pretty brisk. I am glad I checked for dead limbs above me before I pitched my tent. Town tomorrow!!! Showers, clean clothes, a real bed and lots of food choices. Whoopee...... total miles 12.2
Date: 2003-07-28
From: Pinnacle Picnic Ground

To: Luray, Va.
Miles today: 5.2

start Pinnacle Picnic Area destination Luray,Va.When we went to sleep last night, we agreed the fist one awake would wake the other one up. I didn't have a problem with that. I usually wake up way before Mudbutt. Imagine my suprize when she woke me upat 6:15 am. She said it was getting daylight out and our tents were really visible. I wanted to tell her to just pull my tent poles down and let the tent collaspe on me so I could go back to sleep. It was too short of a night. I slept with one eye open waiting for the Ranger to come tell us we couldn't camp here. The sun was just coming up as we ate breakfast at the picnic table. I toyed with the idea of just laying my head on the table and taking a nap, but we had miles to do, and town was calling our name. Most of the trail today was downhill and rocky. The trail offered a couple of great views, but I have seen more than enough of Virginia, with it's level trails and lack of steep climbs. HaHaHaHa Before I know it I am at Thornton Gap. I buy a cold drink from the small store and sit down to wait for Mudbutt. I am also watching out for any unsuspecting tourists who might be our ride into Luray. I have no luck. It is a weekday and not much in the way of traffic. The one filled with people who ask us about our hike, is just that filled with people and their luggage. I call Bob Jenkins who is listed as a shuttle driver for hikers. Within minutes Mudbutt and I are being chauffered down to Luray. Best Western is our hotel of choice in this town. No Holiday Inn here, or hot tub, but a hot shower and clean clothes make us feel like royalty. We smell better too.! Our clothes are washing at the local laundry while we try out the sandwiches next door at Subway. The Rotary Meeting here is held in the evening. I am right across the street from their meeting place. Again, we are made to feel very welcome and our meal is delicious. I get to speak for a few minutes about my walk to raise money for Polio Eradication for Rotary Int'l. Well fed and watered, Mudbutt and I wander through downtown Luray. Luckily for my pocketbook, and Papermaker's American Express card, all the little neat shops are closed. We treat ourselves to a movie though and see Pirates of the Carribean. Mudbutt is still attempting to see Charlie's Angels, but it is not playing anywhere when we get to town. By the time she gets to see it, it will probably be out on video! It is after midnight when we turn in. The one thing I think we both agree on, is that the shower is nice, and the beds are wonderful, clean clothes are downright delightful, but the absence of bugs and flies make the room all worthwhle! total miles 5.2
Date: 2003-08-06
From: Bears Den

To: Blackburn Hostel
Miles today: 9.2

start Bears Den Hosteldestination Blackburn HostelThe ringing of a phone woke me up this morning. I was willing to hang whoever it was, until I found out it was Papermaker. Of course, everyone else was ready to hang him. He was calling to make sure he caught me before I left to tell me he was on his way to Harper's Ferry. He caught me off guard totally. I was not expecting to see him until September. I went back to bed, but could not go to sleep. I laid there and just enjoyed being able to be still. Mudbutt woke up still sick this morning, but wanted to hike anyway. We started late so we could eat lunch at the Horseshoe Cafe. It is a must do side trip for the AT. The hamburgers did not disappoint us. The cafe is run by the daughter of the man who opened it after World War II. The roller coaster trail ended today after about 3 miles. That just means that instead of going up and down and up and down, we would go up for a while and down for awhile. The trail is just as rocky and slippery as it has been. The later start meant that we were hiking later in the evening than usual. The sunlight danced between the trees, playing tag with the moss covered rocks. The forest sounds so different late in the evening as it begins to go to sleep. Usually I miss these sounds because I am busy cooking supper and setting my tent up. I come to the side trail to the Blackburn Hostel and sit down to wait for Mudbutt. Before long here comes Sleeptalker who was at the Bears Den Hostel with us last night. He and I chatted for awhile, then he hiked onto the hostel. Not long after that Mudbutt is there and we hike on in together. We are greeted warmly by the hostel caretakers Bill and Sarah. We have missed dinner but they graciously heat up a plate of leftovers for us to divide between ourselves. That was followed by warm peanut butter brownies covered with scoops of vanilla ice cream. Yummmmmm... By late evening Papermaker was here and we were laying on benches pulled side by side on the covered porch of the hostel. It was so great to see him, and feel his arms arond me. I had told Mudbutt that I was going to sleep with my nose under hischin. Well, sleeping in a silk bag liner made that impossible, and the biting no see-ums made it impossible not to sleep in a liner. I just got as close as I could and stayed there. That was too close for him though, because I had hiked all day and got to the hostel too late to take a solar shower. I smelled like a hiker. He turned his back to me and let me snuggle up to him. He smelled sooooo clean and fresh... Ahhhhh, the smells of home, and love and life. The fireflies twinkled out on the lawn and the moon, almost full shone brightly over the treetops. Life just got sweeter. total miles 9.2
Date: 2003-08-12
From: Wilkes Barre, Pa.

To: Fishkill, NY.
Miles today: 0.0

start Wilkes Barre Pa.destination Fishkill NY. We had the continental breakfast at the motel this morning. As we were heading to the car with our packs slung over our backs, we came by a large family stuffing small paper bags with plums and peaches. I eyed them longingly and before I could start drooling, Mudbutt asked if they were selling the fruit. "no" they said, it was for a large church picnic the next day. The woman then handed each of us a bag and said "God bless you". We were truly grateful. Fresh fruit!!! More trail magic for us!! We are going to Fishkill to visit a friend of mine that used to live in Century ,Fl. We were great friends and it was hard to watch her move away. I could not catch her at home by early afternoon when we got there, so Mudbutt and I ate lunch then went to see an early movie. I did not have Jane's address, just a phone number, so I found a phone book and found her address. After checking several maps and stopping several times for information, I finall pulled in front of a cop who was parked on the side of the highway with all his lights on. Mudbutt is trying to climb under the seat in embarrassment. I told her that cops were public servants and would know where Clubhouse drive was. Sure enough he did know, and after he told me how to get there I made a wild dash across three lanes of traffic, made a U turn and headed down the road. I checked my rear view mirror to see flashing lights up close and personal behind me. I changed lanes again, all the while Mudbutt is having a coniption fit over my country bumpkin driving. The cop pulled up next to me and rolled his window down. He said he would take us to Clubhouse Drive. So off we go, his lights flashing as we drive down the road. You gotta love the north!!! Of course since I did not know what Jane's apartment number was, it was hit and miss trying to pick it out of a complex. All I did was look at the balconies, then the front doors and how they were decorated!!! I didn't miss it. But she wasn't home yet. We just hung out until she got home and what a reunion we had. I am sure we sounded like a bunch of magpies!!! Of course we had to go out and eat! What else do women do when they get together?? Such a wonderful evening we had. It was hard to quiet down and let Jane get some sleep. The morning comes early for her to get to work. We will try to cram a couple years worth of visiting into a couple days. Mudbutt had a message to call the doctor back in Harper's Ferry. It turns out she did not get all of her tests results when she was there. She has a bacterial infection and needs antibiotics. We are both releived to finally have a name for her illness. It seems kind of dumb. You know you are sick, sick sick, but all your tests come back okay. Then you are releived to find out that you really were sick with something. Anyway, that is a load off our minds. Now we can be on the watch, lest she get it again. I am not sure what we need to watch for, but we will watch for sure :) Bumpkin
Date: 2003-08-13
From: Fishkill, NY.

To: Fishkill, NY.
Miles today: 0.0

Mudbutt and I spent the day doing errands and some sight seeing. We were planning on leaving today for the trail, but it was Jane's birthday. What are good girl friends for but to celebrate with. Of course she had to work today so when she got home we went to dinner. A nice place down on the Hudson River. Our fabulous meal was only outdone by the company. We sat at the river's edge and talked and talked. Mudbutt even got the staff to sing Happy Birthday to Jane. Much to her chagrin!! Then of course we had to go see a movie. It was a real girls night out for us.Once again, no miles but tons and tons of smiles!!
Date: 2003-08-15
From: Fishkill, NY.

To: Campsite on the trail
Miles today: 10.8

start Long Hill Rd.destination campsite The electricity came back on at 3:30 this morning. I woke up when the lights all came on. Jane got up shortly after that to get ready to go to work. A friend of Jane's, Leah is taking us to the trail this morning. We swing by McDonalds for a biscuit on the way. It is 7:30 am when we get on the trail. That surely is a record for us. The first part of the morning is pretty flat and very few rocks. This part of the trail in New York has very little under brush. you can see quite aways on either side of the trail. We come to an overlook.It is very obvious that the trees are already beginning to change colors. Back in town we were shocked to see Halloween items already on the shelves. Time is flying by at an alarming rate. Just like when I am at home. The rest of the day was spent climbing mountains and winding through the forests. We got to a water source that we had been expecting and there was a big warning sign up about the water being contaminated. If that was not bad enough the next water source was contaminated also. We were both out of water and it was too hot to try tohike on without any. We made a half mile hike into a small town deli/grocery/pizza store. There was an outside faucet at the back of the building and the words hikers wrote on a board. We both drank our fill. We decided to take advantage of the situation and get a pizza and sodas for another lunch. I also bought a pint of milk to dunk my oreo cookies in. I have been carrying them much too long. After a much needed break we filled up with more water and headed up the trail. We are hiking along Interstate 84, the noise seems such an invasion out here on the trail. Even though we are both tired, we push on until we get to a stream, hoping for a nice campsite. There is a pretty formiable mountain between the stream and the shelter. We decide to pitch our tents and climb the mountain in the morning. I can still hear the traffic noise from the interstate, but at least it is not so loud that it is bothersome. We fix a quick supper and climb into our tents to escape the biting bugs. Once again I feel like I am home. My heart is still on the trail, with a part of it back in Florida. It feels really great to be in another state other than Virginia. It is still warm and muggy, but I am hoping that it will cool down later tonight.total miles 10.8
Date: 2003-08-19
From: Pawling, N.Y.

To: Campsite on the trail
Miles today: 3.5

start Pawling New Yorkdestination campsite on the trailI woke up early this morning to a wet and misty morning. I did not sleep very well at all. There is just something about sleeping in a town park that makes me uneasy. But I am alive and well and no worse for wear. We hiked into the town proper and found the bakery we had spied last evening. I was determined to get a decent cinnamon roll from somewhere. As soon as I stepped inside the door I knew I was not going to be disappointed. I ordered a cinnamon roll and a sticky bun. Washed down by cold milk and juice, it was a grand breakfast. We decided rather than wait until Kent, Conn. to do laundry and such, we would do it here in Pawling. Everything was close together in the town square. Laundry, post office, pay phone, you name it. There was even an accupuncturist or accupuncterer however you say it. With a little prodding from me Mudbutt decided to try it. Her foot pains are really giving her a hard time. She was kind enough to let me watch as she became a human pin cushion. But she refused to let me take her picture in her little cotton gown! I have experienced the wonders of accupuncture and I hope that Mudbutt will get some benefit from this. After a two hour session it was past lunch time. We stopped at a small cafe. One of those places that has a wine list and serves water in goblets. I ordered the sandwich special of the day. Fresh spinach sauted in olive oil and garlic. Then placed on slices of homemade bread, covered with slices of mozzerella and sliced tomatoes, and grilled in butter. I have never in my life tasted such a fantastic sandwich. Then a bowl of fresh shrimp and scallop soup sent my tastebuds into orbit yet again. Made with fresh cream, scallions and herbs unknown to me, it was most delightful. I knew that the only thing that would come even close to a dessert for this meal was the root beer float. At $4.75 it was just a tad cheaper than the soup, but when the waitress said it was homemade vaniila ice cream, I just couldn't resist it. Feeling as stuffed as a Thanksgiving turkey I waddled out of the shop and collasped on a nearby bench. The accupunturist had volunteered to take us back out to the trail, so we waited until she was through with her patients and could get away. Several times today, we have been approached by elderly men and women, remarking on our packs and asking us questions about our hike. They seem genuinely interested in what we are doing. Finally we are once again back on the trail. We hike through fields of wild flowers, and listen to the insects as they sing their songs. It is late when we find a place to stealth camp. The water sources have been too dry to pump from, so we eat a dry supper of granola bars and drink the last of our water. It is quiet here except for the occasional howl of the coyotes. They do not seem to get any closer.It is hot and muggy, but finally it cools off enough to go to sleep. total miles 3.5
Date: 2003-08-21
From: Campsite on the trail

To: Kent, Conn.
Miles today: 4.5

start campsite on the traildestination Kent Conn.Whatever I said yesterday about the trail in Conn. I take it back. We had not hiked as far as we thought last night which means we had farther to hike today than we thought. It didn't matter though the trail was hard no matter how many miles you hiked. Remember the 1,000 ft climb? Well, this morning the trail went down for 1,000 ft. Then back up, over more rocks only to repeat this scenario time and time again. The one thing that kept me going was the knowledge of a hot meal, hot shower and a clean bed, all in air conditioning comfort, waiting in Kent for me. The heat has been extremely high along the East Coast. I am grateful that most of the time the sun is filtered through the trees and not shining directly on me. By mid afternoon we were sitting in front of a quaint New England Deli munching down hummus and sprouts tortilla sandwichs. We found our way to the Fife Drum Inn where we had made reservations yesterday. It felt so good to take a hot shower. Yesterday we put clean clothes on dirty bodies, tonight we put dirty clothes on clean bodies!!Maybe tomorrow we will be clean and have clean clothes! Kent is a quaint little New England town. Everything seems to be all on one main street. After lunch we headed over to the outfitters. I am blowing out yet another pair of new boots, and we both needed some tent stakes. No luck on either count. I got the feeling the outfitter was more of a wanna be shop than the real thing. I called my favorite outfitter, Winton Porter at Neel's Gap for some help with my boots. As usual he came through with flying colors. He always seems to have the right answers for my questions. I will have a pair of new boots in Dalton, Mass. Mudbutt and I had a fabulous supper at the inn's restaurant. We were so full, it was a good thing our room was right across the parking lot. We waddled across the lot and plopped down on the beds. Ahhhh, such is life on the trail. total 4.5 miles
Date: 2003-09-14
From: Lake of the Clouds

To: Madison Hut
Miles today: 0.0

start Lake of the Clouds Hutdestination Madison HutSince this was the last day of the huts being open, the crew was wild and crazy. They put on several skits, which were hilarious. We had real eggs for breakfast, along with oatmeal and coffee cake. The sky was partly cloudy, and the clouds would blow in and out. The moistness of the clouds stuck to everything as I hiked. Just as I got to the summitt of Mt.Washington, the sky broke open and bathed everything in sunshine. Just for a moment. From there it went down hill fast. The terrain was just horrible. There was nothing but rocks, with some small clumps of dirt strewn here and there. Then the thirty percent chance of rain started falling. So, no views, no sun, just lots of fog mixed with rain. I stopped at one point to fix a sandwich for lunch. I was almost through when the rain started coming down in a torrent. I had hoped to hike to Osgood Campground but the terrain just wasn't going to let me get there, so I stopped in at Madison Hut. The crew was just finishing up the job of closing the hut up, but was sweet enough to let me crash for the night here. No meals, but I will be dry and warm. I hope tomorrow the weather is better. Today was by far the hardest hike I have done to date. I would much rather climb boulders intead of trying to walk from rock to rock. Here is no place to put your fot flat, and after hours of hiking like that, my feet are killing me. Not too much later two more thru hikers come in and beg a place to stay for the night. One of them is Bog Bridge Tester, who I met awhile back, somewhere. The crew is planning a party tonight to celebrate closing. Some of the crews from the other hut are coming later. Tonight I will probably wish for ear plugs!