morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-08-07
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: Ten Mile River Lean To
Miles today: 13.0

8/7 Telephone Pioneers Shelter to Ten Mile River Lean To - 13 milesBefore I went to bed last night I knew I had little motivation to push it today. So my plan was to cross the NY/CT state line and be happy.This morning I saw the Dover Oak. It is reportedly the largest oak tree on the AT. What is so strange is that it is right on the side of the road. I wonder how many people drive by it and never notice or appreciate its grandeur. They think it is about 300 years old.Filled up my water at the grey house next to the AT (they allow hikers to use their spigot) and I actually got to meet the woman that lives there.All Aboard!! Next stop, the Appalachian Trail Train Station. More like a lonely platform. But the NYC commuter train does stop there on Saturday and Sunday. I also saw a very large bird. It was gray and big and had an orange beak/bill (whichever is the correct terminology). Not sure what it was but I'd like to figure it out. It flew out from either the water or some brush next to the water. I'm guessing it is some type of water loving bird.Had a second breakfast of hot dogs and coke. There was a random hot dog stand at the road crossing. Our books listed it at the previous large road. I guess they needed a new location for the trailer??I finally made it to the Wiley Shelter for lunch and hung out there for 2 hours+ with Musk.Eventually I got up the energy for the last 4 miles into CT. Woo-Hoo, another state down. The minute I got into CT I felt better and knew (or hope) that the terrain will be better.On the way I saw 1 deer and flock of wild game birds, I'm thinking turkeys, but I couldn't see them well enough to identify them.I'm taking my chances tonight and am tenting under some pine trees next to this creek/river. I hope the river sounds will help me sleep tonight.At the shelter are Strider, Ashley a SOBO, a mom and daughter doing a big section all the way to the VT border, Seth the ridgerunner, Musk and another guy whose name begins with a P and it is latin for persistance (just can't remember the darn name).Seth made a run to a local convenient store and got me a liter of coke and the mom and daughter team gave out backpacker meals. Great trail magic!I'm hoping to get an early start for Kent, CT where I will be meeting Melissa. She wants to hike but is afraid of being miserably wet. Can't blame her. So we'll play it by ear and either day hike, backpack or just hang out. Should be fun no matter what we do.When we left the RPH Shelter a few days ago there was a sign saying Katahdin was ONLY 743 miles away. I looked at the book and now it is ONLY 733 miles away. hmmmmm I think the sign needs to be updated. I was thinking I'd be closer to 700. To date I have hiked 1437 miles minus 177 for skipping Shenandoah and a part in PA. Not bad!
Date: 2003-08-09
From: Conn. 341 (Kent, CT)

To: Cornwall Bridge, CT
Miles today: 11.1

8/9 Conn. 341 (Kent, CT.) to Cornwall Bridge, CT - 11.1 milesStarted off the morning with microwave popcorn (movie theatre butter) and soda for breakfast. Yummy! Melissa and I were headed to Cornwall Bridge to drop off her car and catch a bus back to Kent so we could slackpack 11 miles. At Baird's General Store we asked for bus tickets, and a woman ended up offering us a ride. Trudy was so awesome to take us back to Kent. We hopped in her Range Rover (or Land Rover can't remember which one). We were so thankful for the ride and we totally enjoyed the entertainment from Alley and Peter. They asked tons of questions - even about how many undies I carry with me. And the best part of the ride were the camp songs. It brought me back to my girl scout camp days, which happened to be in CT. Thanks guys for the great ride! Trudy, best of luck on your Kilimanjaro trip. Have fun!Melissa and I hiked up to Caleb's Peak and ate lunch. She packed in PB&J's that were very tasty. Next was St. John's Ledges, another spot with a view of green mountains, but the views were very hazy. There was a long stretch of the hike where we were on the "river walk" next to the Housatonic. I like flat hiking. We passed by a spot where some people were rock climbing and I had a deja vu moment. It reminded me of my first rock climbing experience with girl scout camp. It really could have been the spot.Anyway, we made it to the road a little after 6. Melissa decided she was hurting enough to get a nice comfy hotel room. We stopped in at the Hitching Post but we felt the price was too high even with him giving us a price break. So we got in the car and drove to a couple other spots which were booked. This wasn't just a hop skip and jump down the road. It was a good hour + of driving around the twisty backcountry road of CT, in pouring rain. Well, we ended up back at the Hitching Post and paid $85 for the room. We grabbed pizza back in Kent and called it a night so our achy muscles and feet could rest. It was great hiking with Melissa. Even if she didn't want to experience the agony of the AT. The 40lb pack, cramming in a tent, being wet and having everything you own wet, eating camp food, and surrounded by bugs and spiders.Oh yes, I killed 2 spiders in the hotel room cause Melissa didn't like them hanging over her head. I felt bad because I know it is bad luck or bad karma to kill a spider, but she isn't accustomed to roughing it :)
Date: 2003-08-11
From: Belter's Campsite

To: Riga Lean-to
Miles today: 14.6

8/11 Belter's Campsite to Riga Lean-to - 14.6 milesThere was a whole lot of rain last night including a thunderstorm. My tent faired ok, but I found a new leaky spot right over my head. When the weather gets nicer I'll be able to fix it.The hike to Salisbury was awesome. It went by very fast. I got to see the Great Falls and a couple hazy views.Along the way I met up with Crow Dog and Prarie Chicken who told me about some upcoming trail magic of chocolate chip cookies and soda at the Salisbury road crossing. We flew up and over Prospect Mountan, doing 20 minute miles. Right when we got to the road Prarie Chicken's dad showed up and we got some great trail magic. He even offered for me to zero at his place along with the others, but I decided not to since I zeroed at Bear Mtn.They gave me a lift into Salisbury so I could get my maildrop. I had a ton of fan mail including stuff from my mom, Ed, Nancy and Lynn. Thanks everybody!!!!!! Here is a story of desperation. I threw out my almost empty 6 weeks+ old bottle of squeeze margerine. The grocery store in Salisbury - Le Bonne Epicure - does not sell squeeze margerine, and a tiny bottle of oil was $6.99. So I went back to the P.O. garbage can and fished out my squeeze margerine cause I knew there was enough for a couple more meals. eeeeewwwwww I know.After some ice cream and chocolate milk I head up to the next shelter which is rumored to have great sunrise views. I rushed up there to beat the incoming storm. There was some thunder brewing in the distance. Tonight I'm staying in the shelter to stay dry. Walk About and Miss Pula and Aftershock are all here. Nice small crowd and lots of space. I kind of have a view of some mountains and water but the clouds and fog are rolling in.
Date: 2003-08-12
From: Riga Lean-to

To: The Hemlocks Lean-to
Miles today: 10.0

8/12 Riga Lean-to to The Hemlocks Lean-to - 10 milesWoo-Hoo! Another state down. Only 4 more to go. It seems like the states are flying by now. I wish I could say it was my speedy hiking that was making them fly by, but no. NY, NJ and CT were all relativley small states as far as AT miles go.We got a ton more rain last night. I am glad I decided to stay at the shelter even though I didn't get my sunrise view.As I was leaving the shelter this morning Strider was walking by. We ended up hiking together the entire day. The terrain was rough, my food bag was full and I was feeling slow.We hiked a whole 1.5 miles and took a break. It was actually longer miles for Strider since he came from town. Bingo and Trucker had a great trail magic story in the register at the next shelter. The short story is a girl in a jeep with a Phish bumper sticker asked if they needed a ride anywhere. They asked her where she was going - the phish fest in Maine. So they tagged along. How awesome to get a 400+ mile ride and a whole lot of fun! Today I hiked 3 mountains. One was over 2000 feet which means we are hiking mountains and not hills. When I got to the top of Bear Mtn. it poured. I decided any Bear Mountain, no matter what state it is in, is not my favorite. Sages Ravine was awesome. Creeks, big trees, nice terrain. It was a very cool peaceful spot.The second mountain was Race Mountain. I enjoyed the hike up it and the views were spectacular. The third was Everett. It felt like we were hiking up creek beds, waterfalls, ponds etc. There was so much water on the trail.The hiking took us a lot longer than I expected. We rolled into the shelter after 5pm when I thought we'd be here by 3. 2 Southbounders from Lancaster are here - Stubbs and Broken Sandel. Bumblebee, Bullfrog and Wolvrine all showed up too. We've had one small rain already, wondering if we are gonna get more.
Date: 2003-08-13
From: The Hemlocks Lean-to

To: Mtn. Wilcox North Lean-to
Miles today: 21.7

8/13 The Hemlocks Lean-to to Mtn. Wilcox North Lean-to - 21.7 milesI woke up this morning knowing I was going to have a big day becuase I decided to join Strider at his friends cabin in Lee, Mass and because I have a maildrop in Dalton that I want to pick up Saturday morning.I was hiking by 7:30am. Go me :) I am so proud of myself when I have the motivation to get up and moving early.The morning half of the trail was very muddy. So deep it almost sucked my shoes off a couple time.I stopped for lunch at the Corn Crib which is a farm store. I met Junky, a SOBO, there and ended up talking for an hour and a half. During our conversation I had 2 root beers, a klondike bar, a pear and lots of other snacks from my food bag. Junky gave me several tips on places to stay in the northern states.I still had over 12 miles to go and it was approaching 2pm. ugggg. I finally made it to the shelter I thought Strider would be at, but he left me a note that he went to the next one 2 miles away. It was 7:30, but I wanted to keep up with Strider so I pushed on. I was alone for the first half and then Bucky showed up and we hiked the last mile together. I was happy as it is starting to get dark earlier. We found the shelter by 8:30. Strider, Pickle and Jim a section hiker were all there.I was soooo tired I ate a cold dinner and am now ready to crash for the night. I've got an early morning date with the trail as Strider and I are headed to his friends cabin for some R&R.I almost forgot, I hit the 1500 mile mark today, right after Jug End. Woooo-Hooooooo! Strider just reminded me - NO RAIN!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was a beautiful day to hike.
Date: 2003-08-14
From: Mtn. Wilcox North Lean-to

To: US 20 (Lee, MA)
Miles today: 15.6

8/14 Mtn. Wilcox North Lean-to to US 20 - 15.6I'm relaxing, all stretched out in a hammock next to Greenwater Pond wth the sun setting over the pond. Strider's friend owns a cabin on Greenwater Pond and has let him stay here and he invited me to join him. Yiiippeeeeee!!!!I got up at 6am and was ready to hike by 7:01am. I so wanted to sleep in but I also wanted to get to the cabin to relax. By 10am we did 7 miles and by noon we had done 11. It felt so good to get a lot of miles done in the morning, especially after having such a late night last night.We hiked to Upper Goose Pond and took a long break. I soaked my aching feet in the pond which felt wonderful. That made me want to get to the cabin even more.We got here around 3:30 and Strider figured out the electricity, composting toilet etc etc. I enjoyed a Pepsi and went into the pond to wash off. I saw several sunfish that wanted to chomp on my toes, but I kept them away. I think this was my first time ever bathing in a pond or other outdoor water source. I've jumped in ponds and rivers more to cool off, but here the pond is the shower.We are waiting for Strider's daughter to show up with food and bring us into town to do laundry. Getting oh so hungry.It is relaxing here despite having US 20 within 25 feet and then the Mass turnpike across the pond. Not the quietest location.
Date: 2003-08-15
From: US 20 (Lee, MA)

To: County Rd.
Miles today: 5.4

8/15 US 20 (Lee, MA) to County Rd. - 5.4 milesThank you mom and Harry for the fan mail and goodies!!!Did the usual town chores this morning - P.O., laundry, phone calls, etc. Strider's daughter Jena was incredibly gracious to drive us all around to Tyringham and Dalton and then back to Lee just so we could get our maildrops.This afternoon we slack packed southbound from County Rd. back to the cabin. Jena and Saddie (Strider's dog) joined us. It was great hiking without the pack. It was also fun hiking and talking with Jena. We took our time while Saddie pulled Strider along up ahead of us.When we got back to US 20, Dirty Frank was cooking along the side of the road waiting for his friends to show up. I didn't even see him until I heard someone calling me. I looked over and there is his head popped up over the guard rail all scruffy with the hair and beard and big round sun glasses. It was good to see him again.When we got back to the cabin, Donna (the owner of the new AT B&B as we call it) was there. It was great to met the trail angel behind the great weekend of trail magic. I took another dip in the pond and then organized my mail while everyone else went to get the car. When they got back they had picked up 2 SOBO's - D-Bone and Squirrel who wanted a ride to Great Barrington to the big music festival that everyone was talking about. Donna offered them a dip in the pond, food and drinks and they were smiling and incredibly happy. Dinner tonight was one of my favorites - Friendly's Kickin' Buffalo Chicken Salad and chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream for dessert. My tummy is very happy right now. And Strider treated - thank you!!! more great trail magic.Even though we only hiked 5 miles today, I am pretty exhausted. I'm sleeping in a bed tonight. It is actually an aerobed on a bed frame, but it is quite comfortable. They also have very pretty bug netting around all the beds. The mosquitoes can get bad here since they are still working on the roof and walls. I feel like a princess in this bed. Very comfortable, very rested, very full and very happy.
Date: 2003-08-17
From: Dalton, MA

To: Cheshire, MA
Miles today: 9.3

8/17 Dalton, MA to Cheshire, MA - 9.3 milesWoke up to a pancake breakfast. It was awesome. Finally got packed up, said thank yous and goodbyes and got on the trail in Dalton around 10am.We hiked to a pond, Gore pond we think. Strider and I took a break, watched the water and eventualy saw numerous ripples in the water. Rain.Soon after we left the pond we got hit with a downpour. So bad it would flood the average suburban neighborhood streets. I knew it was bad and annoying. But when we got to an ATV/4 Wheeler Rd. it was like crossing a fast moving creek. There was alot of water. After realizng how much water was falling and realizing I had puddles in my boots I started to think that staying in town may be for me. About 10 minutes later Strider mentioned he was thinking about staying at the church. I was so glad we were thinking alike. We got to town and stopped at a store that was only 2 weeks old. I got some chocolate mile and hotdogs. The place doesn't even have a sign or a name.Then 4 of us walked over to the church. A total of 9 hikers are here in the church hall. Noone from the church has stopped in at all. Very surprising. The other surprising thing is how quiet everyone is and how everyone is kind of keeping to themselves. No trips to the bar, no playing cards, no sitting around telling trail stories. Seems unexciting to me. I went to dinner with Strider and Froggie Pete to the local italian place and had a great meal- baked ziti, salad and garlic bread.Strider and I are going for a big day tomorrow 16 miles including Greylock and I need to stop at the grocery store to resupply. I hope the weather cooperates.
Date: 2003-08-22
From: Stratton Pond Shelter

To: Bromley Mountain
Miles today: 13.3

8/22 Stratton Pond Shelter to Bromley Mountain - 13.3 milesToday is one of those days where you say to yourself - this is what the AT is all about.Strider and I hiked together today. I kept saying we should go into Manchester Center and hit Ben and Jerry's for lunch, but Strider didn't want us to get sucked into the town vortex. When we hit the road we just crossed it and kept going. I did get a small dose of trail magic. The trail gnome left some food (mostly trail food) and I grabbed a box of raisins.Tonight we are staying on top of Bromley Mountain in the ski patrol warming hut. It has platforms to sleep on and a phone and best of all it is fully enclosed. I met Dana, a Long Trail hiker here. After dinner Strider, Dana and I headed up to an observation deck that is right next to the hut. The winds were whipping really hard, Strider thought it was about 40 - 50 mph. From the observation deck we had a great 360 view of the mountains around us and enjoyed an awesome sunset. It was breathtaking and reminded me that these moments are what I came out here for. Singalot and Steamboat made it just in time for the sunset. It was great to finally meet them as I've heard about them a lot and have read their shelter register entries.We never saw Froggie Pete today. I'm hoping he didn't get lost again.
Date: 2003-08-24
From: Big Branch Shelter

To: North Clarendon, VT
Miles today: 15.9

Big Branch Shelter to North Clarendon, VT - 15.9 milesHad to say bye to Strider this morning. He went into Danby (1 mile day) to stay and pick up a mail drop. I decided to hike to North Clarendon to resupply my food and stay at a cheap hotel for a shower and some telephone time.It was strange hiking alone again as Strider and I had hiked together for at least 2 weeks now.I passed by Little Rock Pond which was another beautiful area in VT. Very peaceful and beautiful.Right before the road I had to cross the Clarendon Gorge. It was a really cool split in the rocks and there were a lot of rock formations that were formed by the river. It seemed like a really cool swimming hole.I walked to The Whistle Stop restaurant which had great hiker food and hiker portions. They even gave me a ride to the hotel.I am staying at a hotel about 2 miles from the trail. A room was only $30 and the lady who owns it was sooooo nice. They even have sodas and ice. I took a shower, washed my clothes in the sink, iced my feet, drank a rootbeer and called Ed. It was great to have a shower, bed and TV to watch the weather.When I finally went to bed I heard a creature scurrying in the ceiling. That is normal for the shelters, but not where you pay for a hotel room. Oh well, at least it doesn't really bother me anymore.
Date: 2003-08-27
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: Woodstock, VT
Miles today: 13.7

8/27 Stony Brook Shelter to Woodstock, VT - 13.7 miles I hiked alone today and was planning on getting to Dan Quinn's Farm where Dan has a huge barn that he allows hikers to stay in and there is a hot shower.Along the way there was a side trail to "The Lookout" which ended up being a cabin with a small observation deck on the roof. When I climbed to the deck I had awesome views of the mountains all around. I stayed at that spot for over an hour eating lunch and napping. The cabin was unlocked and it would have been a great place to spend the night.Along the hike I saw several piles of moose poop. Not the first time I"ve seen it, but one particular pile had a yellow sticky note in the middle that said "Hiker Candy, 99 cents a piece, send checks to Uncle Johnnie's". That was funny. I find it amazing that moose poop looks like extremely large rabbit poop and you would think you'd see something like cow or horse poop for moose poop. I can't wait to see an actual moose. At the road crossing where the barn is I found Crow Dog, Prarie Chicken, Moose Munch and Prarie Chicken's dad. They handed me a beer and some chocolate chip cookies - aaaahhhhhh trail magic. Moose Munch invited me to share a room in Woodstock, VT along with Chilly Willy and Kilroy. It was soooo tempting, but I did have the barn as a free place to stay. Then they mentioned that Prarie Chicken's dad's girlfriend gave Aftershock and Thirsty a ride to town for dinner. That did it, I hadn't seen Thirsty since Erwin, TN so I joined everyone for a town stay.When we got to town I was able to catch up with Thirsty for a little bit. Then the whole group went to get pizza for dinner. I'm showered and drinking a Magic Hat #9 beer. Towns are so evil. I spend money and it is hard to leave town and do a decent mileage day. But it also feels great to spoil myself.
Date: 2003-08-31
From: Hanover, NH

To: Mink Brook
Miles today: 8.6

8/31 Hanover, NH to Mink Brook - 8.6 milesLeaving towns seems to be getting more and more difficult. Sleepy Floyd and I got a taxi back into town. We sat on the bench outside the coffee shop. I sat and watched all the people walking around with their dogs. They also tie their dogs to the benches while they got into the coffee shop. At one point there were several tied up all at once that a woman used the bench we were sitting on, I felt like the dog sitter out there. After a smoothie we were about to leave when Superman? showed up. We went to Subway with him and Torch. Then we walked towards the trail, stopped at the grocery store, talked to a southbounder and finally headed back into the woods.My pack is feeling mighty heavy with all my winter gear. I can't imagine what it will feel like with 5 days of food going up up up the Whites.The 4 of us are camping at Mink Brook tonight, wondering if Pipes and Phlem will catch up.I can't believe how luxurious my down sleeping bag feels tonight. It is warm, cozy and soooo soft. It feels like I am in my bed back home snuggeled deep within my down comforter. Ahhhh this is great.
Date: 2003-09-11
From: Mt. Washington

To: Mt. Washington
Miles today: 0.0

Just a quick note to let everyone know I'm doing great. The White Mountains are spectacular. This is being sent from the top of Mt. Washington which I will be hiking to this morning.The weather has been gorgeous all week. Blue skies, sunshine, a few clouds, some wind, a full moon, and it does get very chilly at night.Journal entries will be coming shortly. There is so much to write about that it is taking me a little longer to get them finished.
Date: 2003-09-23
From: South Arm Rd.

To: Maine 17
Miles today: 13.3

9/23 South Arm Rd. to Maine 17 - 13.3 milesHappy fall everybody. Time for leaves changing colors, crisp autumn air, caramel apples and pumpkin carving. I like fall up here in Maine. The leaves are already drastically changing colors.Happy 6 months of being on the trail to me!!!!! I started this adventure back on March 23. I never thought I'd be out on the AT for over half a year, but hey some of us are slower than others.Woke up to rain. Another mountainous day with no views. I really don't have much to say other than it was miserable, there were no views, we got drenched, to add insult to injury it was chilly. I was very happy to see the van when I got to the road.All day long I dreamed about being in my sleeping bag and watching movies. I started to think that I should have zeroed and skipped that section. But no, I stuck it out and survived.Tonight is movie night. While we were out hiking Nameless picked up some movies. When I went to dinner I picked up some popcorn. It was nice to relax and not think about hiking, food drops or rain. I need more movie nights, and I foresee a whole lot of them when I get home.