morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-08-06
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: Back Home Hostel - Rutland, VT
Miles today: 10.0

Weather: 80's clear skies, pretty Location: Back Home Hostel Mileage: 10 People: Thunder, Moose Charmer, the fantastic staff at the cafe Animals: 0 Food: Apple, Snickers, jerky, egg bacon and cheese sandwich, chinese buffet, Haddock with pasta, veggies, bread, carob cookie and teaGreat day today. I got a fairly early start to make the post office by noon. I made it in plenty of time due to easy trail. I received my brand new shoes from Montrail and a food package from my mom. The shoes are great and don't have gaping holes on the sides of them. I grabbed a breakfast sandwich at the deli and headed back to do another 3 miles on the trail. I got to the parking lot at VT 4 and read my book until Moose Charmer got there. We got a ride pretty quick hitching in on the highway. These British kids picked us up and we crammed 6 deep in a station wagon. We found the cafe pretty easily but it was closed. Moose Charmer called the number in the Wingfoot and they told us to make ourselves at home. The bunkroom here is extremely nice. There's seperate rooms for guys and girls. Both have showers and bathroom. I met Thunder, a Northbound flip-flopper who is staying here. He had been here for the 2 days before and gave me the lowdown on the hostel. It's run by a community called the Twelve Tribes. They are very religious and extremely kind people. There is a great cafe below they own and run here in town. A man named Kesher from the community was the first to introduce himself. He lives with his wife on the floor above. Kesher invited me to come down for dinner at 8. Moose Charmer and I felt like eating before that so we hit a AYCE chinese buffet around 3. All the MSG made me real drowsy and I came back and slept for a few hours. Thunder said he was going to leave in the afternoon but decided to stay another night. Thunder, Moose Charmer and I all went down to the cafe for dinner. We met Omad and his wife Abigail and they prepared a wondeful meal for us. We ate haddock with pasta, vegetables, salad, bread and dessert. It was one of the best meals I've had on the trail. We sat around and talked for a long while. Omad told us all about the community and about the different organic and natural foods they use in the cafe. We ended the night with some soothing red tea that immediately brought on lots of yawning. We headed to bed and now I type, hardly being able to keep my eyes open. Good Night. "One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well" -Virgina Woolf
Date: 2005-08-07
From: Back Home Hostel - Rutland, VT

To: Back Home Hostel - Rutland, VT
Miles today: 0.0

Weather: Hot Location: Back Home Again Hostel Mileage: 0 People: Thunder, Moose Charmer, Paparazzi, Staff of Back Home Again Animals: 0 Food: Sticky Buns and Mate', BBQ chicken sandwich, Vegetable Soup Took a fantastic Zero day today. I slept until about 10 and headed downstairs with Thunder and Moose Charmer to do our work for stay. Thunder and I hauled some 50lb bags of flour up and down stairs, it felt kinda like hiking. Then we drank some Mate', it's an herbal tea that is very stimulating. It gave me a major buzz, even more so than coffee. But it's much healthier than coffee and tastes very good with milk and honey. We then swept the cafe and cleaned tables. It didn't hardly feel like work because of the friendly atmosphere we were in. A nobo named Paparazzi showed up in the afternoon. Zahar made us some incredible fruit smoothies that we devoured quickly. We went and saw Wedding Crashers in the afternoon at the theatre down the street. It was hilarious, the Will Ferrell cameo was priceless. After we got back we were treated to a delicious lunch, I had a BBQ chicken sandwich and it was unbelievable. I went over to Wal-Mart and found a digital camera that looked really nice and was priced reasonably. After calling my Dad and comparing online prices for some time we decided it would be a good investment. I went in to buy it and just my luck, they're sold out. We decided it would be easier for my Dad to buy it at home and mail it to me. I got back to the cafe and helped with the breakdown at the end of the day. We all ate vegetable medley soup and drank a delicious hibiscus tea. After dinner a guy named Matt showed up who's hiking the Long Trail. My plans are to leave tomorrow afternoon, hopefully I will go through with them. I'm signing off.
Date: 2005-08-08
From: Back Home Hostel - Rutland, VT

To: Cooper Lodge Shelter 
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: clear sky

Weather: 80's beautifulLocation: Cooper LodgeMileage: 6.2Animals: 0People: Box of Fun, Giggles, Vision Quest, Rain Drop, Train, Song Line, Roamer, Red, Bad-Ass Turtle and Soft Foot Food:Blueberry muffins and scones, BBQ chicken sandwich, Jerky and candyToday was a fantastic day. I slept in until about 9 this morning. When I woke up I strolled over to the barber shop to get this mop cut off the top of my head. My original plan was to let it grow the whole trail but it's way too hot for all that hair. After that I called my Dad to find out the deal on the digital camera status. He did a whole bunch of research on the cameras and found a good Kodak camera. I went into Wal-Mart to check if they had it and realized that they had the Samsung camera I wanted yesterday. I ended up buying it and a memory card. I love it, I feel like a kid with a brand new toy. It's the smallest and lightest camera that Wal-Mart sells. I spent most of the afternoon just playing around with it and taking pictures at the hostel. I hung around for a few hours enjoying the hospitality for as long as I could. I'd just like to send a HUGE thank you to everyone at the Back Home Again Cafe. I had a blast and ate pretty darn well while I was there. I caught the 4:15 shuttle out of Rutland and hit the trail. The trail was very nice, graded perfectly. I made it up to this shelter which is .2 miles from the summit. It gave me a perfect opportunity to test out my camera, sunset. The sunset was gorgeous, I got some great pictures. Two NOBO joined me at the summit, Song Line and Roamer. Most of the section hikers in the shelter stayed there instead of hiking to the top. I couldn't understand why, they seem to have their priorities a little skewed in my opinion. Red and Turtle asked me to take their camera with me and get some pictures. Me being the nice guy I am agreed. I think I took some better ones with their camera then my own... oh well. It's rather chilly up here at 3900 feet, that hasn't been a problem lately. I am tired so I'll leave you with a quote I read on a plaque in Churchill Scott shelter. "When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze; Then sings my soul"
Date: 2005-08-09
From: Back Home Hostel - Rutland, VT

To: Minerva Hinchey Shelter, VT
Miles today: 13.9
Weather: light rain

Weather: 90's less humidLocation: Minerva Hinchey ShelterMileage: 13.9People: English Bob, Fido, Kimosabe, CricketAnimals: DeerFood: Donuts, pop-tarts, lots of candy, Jerky, candy and mango milkshakePretty nice day of hiking today. It was a little hot for my liking, but an afternoon swim helped. I woke up at about 6:30 to two section hikers talking loudly in the shelter. The one guy was whispering and the other guy says loudly, "You can use a loud voice, it's time to get up anyway." Half the shelter was still asleep, these section hikers have no etiquette. I refrained from saying something offensive and tried to get back to sleep, I had no luck. I got out of my sleeping bag and just sat at the table and ate for about 45 minutes, eating mostly candy and junk food. My food bag weighed too much so I took care of it. The trail was really nice almost all day. It was usually downhill or level which is perfect. I came down to VT 103 and decided to head to the Whistle Stop restaurant and get a milkshake. They told me their most popular flavor was mango so I gave it a try. I enjoyed it while walking in the hot sun back to the trail. Right after the road was Clarendon Gourge and Mill River. There was a great swimming hole near the rocks that was about 10 feet deep. Me and some Northbound Long Trail hikers were jumping off all kinds of ledges. I spent at least 2 hours down there and then did another 2.6 miles to the shelter. It was only listed as an 800 ft. climb in Wingfoot but I'd bet money he's wrong. It was tough 2 and a half miles. It didn't help any that my new shoes have given me a nasty blister on my left heel. There's a couple NOBO's in here tonight, English Bob and Fido. I met a guy named Skywalker on my climb up, he's from Georgia too. He was a funny guy, we talked a little while on the trail. I might end up pulling a big day tomorrow, I'd like to get to the top of Bromley Mtn. which is almost 27 miles from here. There's a hut on top of the mountain that's supposed to have a 360 degree view. A good sunset and sunrise would be nice. I better get my rest if I'll be hiking big tomorrow. Good Night."Now he walks in quiet solitude, the forest and the streams; Seeking grace in every step he takes." -John Denver
Date: 2005-08-10
From: Minerva Hinchey Shelter, VT

To: Lost Pond Shelter, VT
Miles today: 14.9
Weather: clear sky

Weather: 90's humidLocation: Lost Pond ShelterMileage: 14.9People: Tons of Nobos: New Heart, Noodles, Oblivious, Anchor, Gypsy Lulu
Date: 2005-08-11
From: Lost Pond Shelter, VT

To: Spruce Peak Shelter
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: scattered clouds

Weather: 90's hot Location: Spruce Peak Shelter Mileage: 17.6 Animals: Snake People: Brother Buzz, Sister Buzz, Cuppa Joe, Rodeo Food: Donuts, yogurt, apple sauce, jerky, little debbies, apple sauce, Cheese quesadilla, bacon cheeseburger onion rings and peanut butter and fudge sundaeOne word to describe my day today: Fantastic. I got a pretty early start today due to my 5:30 wake up by buzzing mosquitos hovering near my ears. I didn't mind though because I knew I would just get into town a little earlier. I was hiking really fast all morning and feeling good while doing it. I got to the top of Peru Peak and looked out from the vista, no view due to heavy fog. A little disappointed I hiked down and then hiked up Styles Peak, no view due to fog. I hiked down to Mad Tom Notch and there was this cool hand pump that ran from a deep well. The water was cold and delicious. That got my spirits up a little and I started hiking up Bromley Mountain, my biggest climb of the day. Shortly after I started I ran into a nobo named Rodeo and we started talking. Next thing I know we had talked for 45 minutes, exchanging information on what's to come on the trail. We parted ways and I realized that in that 45 minutes the sky had really cleared up. I got to the top of Bromley and it was gorgeous. There was a great fire tower and great views. I spent about 30 minues relaxing and enjoying the nie breeze from the top. I then hiked the remaining 3 miles down to the road to hitch into Manchester Center. The 3rd car that drove past me stopped, only took 5 minutes. A nice woman who had section hiked the whole trail drove me into town. First I went to the Mountain Goat Outfitters to pick up the package they were holding for me. The staff of the Mountain Goat were extremely nice and very helpful. After sorting through the large amount of food my mom sent me I headed over to the bookstore. I ordered an iced coffee and browsed trail journals for awhile on their computer. I then bought an Elmore Leonard book because I finished "Liar's Poker" last night. I had built up quite an appetite hiking the 15 miles in and I hadn't eaten anything yet. I saw a Friendly's Restaurant and couldn't resist, I about ate myself sick. But it was worth it. I ran into two Nobos on my way out of town, Brother Buzz and Sister Buzz. They were some very nice folks. I had no trouble getting a hitch back to trail and started hiking with a much heavier pack than when I went into town. Right now I'm sitting on Spruce Peak waiting for the sun to set. The peak is .4 miles before the shelter but I couldn't resist a good sunset. I guess I'll be hiking in with my headlamp on. It's just starting to turn really pretty, I'm putting down the pocketmail and picking up my camera."In the midnight, moonlight hour; I'll be walking a long and lonely mile." -Cat Stevens
Date: 2005-08-12
From: Spruce Peak Shelter

To: Story Brook Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Weather: 90's beautiful morning, rain in the afternoon Location: Story Brook Shelter Mileage: 18.3 Animals: Snakes People: Moose Charmer, Lorax, 3 other LT hikers Food: Pop tarts, little debbie snacks, beef jerky, bagel, Bean and beef burritos with cold beer Today was all around a pretty good day. I got a pretty early start due to early risers in the shelter. I ate for awhile and drank ice cold, delicious spring water. The first 7.7 miles to Stratton Pond were a breeze, I did it in under 2 and one-half hours. Right when I got there I ripped off my sweat soaked shirt and dove into the lake. The water wasn't quite as cold as I expected, but still very refreshing. I relaxed by the pond for a couple hours and read some of my book. I met a few nobo's: Pizza The Hut, Epic, Chuck and a few others. When I left the pond I ran into Sleevless hiking north. We talked for a good long while. I had heard a story about her my Mom read on Trail Journals. Sleeveless was attacked by a rabid racoon down in PA I think. She had to have a series of shots done, you can read about it on her journal I'm sure. I got to the top of Stratton Mountain and talked to the caretakers on top, Gene and Hugh. They were very nice people we had a good talk. When I was coming down the backside of the mountain the rain started. It wasn't a hard rain but I put my on pack cover in case it picked up. I got down to a road crossing and saw a cooler on the trail. I got all excited thinking I'd get some trail magic and when I opened the cooler it was empty. I was pretty disappointed and started hiking the 3 miles to the shelter. When I came up to a dirt road a mile away from the shelter I saw a black pickup truck. A guy jumped and out and introduced himself as Magic Rat. He was the one who stocks that cooler twice a day. He had some warm sodas and some cold beer, it wasn't a tough decision. He told me to take a few to bring to others at the shelter. I grabbed 4 and hiked the last mile. When I got there, no one was there so I started my dinner up. I had great beef and bean burritos. A few Long Trail hikers showed up and I gave them each a beer. Shortly after Moose Charmer walked in, I thought she was ahead of me. One of the guys Lorax, who thru-hiked last year was carrying a light-up frisbee. We had a five person circle throwing a bright blue frisbee in the pitch dark. It looked really cool. The rain has really started coming down here, it's pretty nasty outside the shelter. I'm off to bed."Hey, I've got nothing to do today but smile." Simon & Garfunkel
Date: 2005-08-27
From: MA23

To: Tom Leonard Shelter
Miles today: 2.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Hey Everyone,It's been a little while since my last post, I've gotten a little lazy. I'm in Wallingford, CT right now at my friend David's house. Dave came and hiked with me for 4 days starting in Dalton, Mass. I'd like to give a huge thank-you to Rob Bird at the "Bird Cage" in Dalton. I had an absolute blast during the time I spent there. I left out of Dalton with Dave and I went back to CT and then took a train into Rhode Island to visit some family friends over there. I had a nice couple nights over there visiting with the Martell's and the Sharp's. The next day I went into NYC with Dave and his friend Rich. I thought it would be a little overwhelming going to the city but I had a really good time. We played frisbee in Central Park for a couple hours and then walked around Times Square and downtown. I'm heading back to the trail in a few minutes. I'm waiting for my ride to show up right now so I'm being brief. It looks like I'll be getting back on the trail after dark but it's only 2 miles to the first shelter so I think it'll be okay. Hope all well with everyone.
Date: 2005-08-28
From: Tom Leonard Shelter

To: Hemlocks Lean-to
Miles today: 14.3

Weather: 70's rainy morning, clear afternoonLocation: Hemlocks Lean-toMileage: 14.3People: 2 section hikersAnimals: Bunnies, grouseFood: Muffins, granola, peaches, ice cream, doritos, chili and candyIt feels good to be back on the trail. I thought it was going to be tough to get back hiking quick after taking a week off but it wasn't bad. I stayed with a crew of nobos last night after hiking 2 miles to the first shelter. The 14 miles today were really quick and easy. And I had a nice lunch at the Corn Crib store. I had some ice cream and a couple big peaches from a local farm. The woman at the store gave me some bananas for free and I got an apple to eat at breakfast. I ran into a nobo there named Kentucky. He claimed to be "The Last Nobo Hiker", I'll believe it when I see it. It's looking pretty cloudy outside right now, I'm thinking it'll rain tonight. I heard about the hurricane hiting New Orleans right now, sounds pretty nasty. I'm betting that's going to bring some rain up here in the next few days...great. I'm going to sleep.
Date: 2005-08-29
From: Hemlocks Lean-to

To: Riga Lean-to 
Miles today: 10.0

Weather: 80's rainy humidLocation: Riga Lean-toMileage: 10Animals: GrousePeople: 0Food: Apple, donuts, pop-tarts, jerky, pop-tarts, New mexican stewDefinitely not one of my best days on the trail. It began raining late last night and hasn't really stopped yet. I thought I'd just wait it out for awhile and stayed in the shelter. I didn't end up leaving until 2:30 and it was still raining. The trail was very rocky today and because it rained they were all very slick. I wasn't liking it very much. I crossed over the border into CT today, and minutes later a yellow jacket landed on my face and stung me in the nose. It got me right between the nostrils on that little bridge. You wouldn't believe how bad it hurt, I was immediately screaming and crying. It was definitely my most painful moment on the trail thus far. I took a picture of myself right after it happened, my nose was huge. I only hiked 10 miles today because I really wanted to stay at this shelter. All the nobos have been telling me there's a great view of the sunset from here. I ran into 2 more nobos today, they seemed pretty bitter about that guy Kentucky claiming to be the last one. I'm going to bed so I can wake up early for sunrise, I hope it's clear skies."Massachusetts, Schmassachusetts."-Liar Face
Date: 2005-09-02
From: Riga Lean-to 

To: Sherman, CT
Miles today: 49.0

Weather: 80's very niceLocation: Sherman, CTAnimals: 5 deer, 2 rattlesnakes, a fox and some cows People: Moose Tracks, Rob, Kate and Charlotte McCognahy Mileage: 49(today and yesterday) Food:Lots of good stuffI've been living it up the past couple days. On Thursday I hiked 30 miles into Kent, CT, it was a long day. I had received an email from a family who lived near there, inviting me to stay at their house. I called Rob from a pay phone and left a message for him. I waited around the Mobil station and I saw Moose Tracks walking down the street. I hadn't seen him since Rangeley, ME. We started talking and then Rob pulled up and we both jumped in the car with him. We went back to the house in Sherman where we met Rob's wife and daughter, Kate and Charlotte. Moose and I showered up and then jumped in the pool, it was great. Then Kate cooked us up a fabulous dinner which disappeared quickly. Rob offered to slack-pack us today and we hiked north about 18 miles. We started in NY and hiked back into Kent. It was a nice hike but my feet were extremely sore because of the 30 miles the day before. When we got back to the house we relaxed in the pool with some cold beers. And Kate cooked up another excellent dinner of chicken, corn on the cob, salad, and topped it off with some amazing blueberry pie for dessert. I am going to bed tonight a very happy guy. I'd like to send a huge Thank-You to Rob, Kate and Charlotte for being such gracious hosts. Definitely some of the best trail magic I've received so far. Moose and I are leaving in the morning to officially start hiking in NY, another state down. I'm going to enjoy sleeping in a bed.
Date: 2005-09-03
From: Sherman, CT

To: Telephone Pioneers Shelter
Miles today: 3.1
Weather: broken clouds

Weather: 70's beautifulLocation: Telephone Pioneers ShelterAnimals: 0People: Gobo, Moose TracksMileage: 3.1Food: Bagel, cereal, Italian combo sandwich, pastaMoose Tracks and I unfortunately left our wonderful trail magic this morning. Rob dropped us off at the deli down the street from the trail head. We picked up sandwiches and hit the trail. The weather was perfect, and the hiking was really nice. A couple miles in I passed the Dover Oak, the biggest tree on the trail. I stopped in at the Telephone Pioneers Shelter and Moose Tracks was there already. A guy named Gobo showed up, he's headed south too. Moose had hiked with him in Maine but I hadn't met him. I somehow convinced both of them to do a short day and stay at the shelter. I took a nap for awhile and then read some of my Elmore Leonard book I just picked up. There isn't any water at this shelter so Moose and Gobo walked down to the road to get some from a spigot on a house. New York has been pretty nice so far. I'm going to bed.
Date: 2005-09-10
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: Wawaynda Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

Weather: HotLocation: Wawaynda ShelterAnimals: Lots of deerMileage: 15People: Romin Goat and WassoFood: Pop-tarts, fresh peaches and ice cream, spaghettiI'm very pleased to announce that I'm no longer in the state of New York. I crossed the border into New Jersey this afternoon. The hiking today was extremely easy, I hope the rest of NJ is like this. I stopped at a farm stand and creamery and picked up some fresh peaches and ice cream. Turns out the water situation isn't much different in New Jersey, there is none. I had to walk half a mile to a ranger station and fill up from a spigot today. I've got a pretty short day tomorrow so I can get into Unionville on Monday. I'm trying to watch the Falcons play the Eagles on Monday Night Football. I can't wait to see Vick play this season. I hope there's an available TV somewhere in Unionville. The nights have been getting a lot colder lately. Last night was the first night I used the hood on my sleeping bag. I'm going to read and go to sleep. I just thought of a funny Deep Thoughts:"I don't think I'm alone when I say I'd like to see more and more planets fall under the ruthless domination of our Solar System." -Jack Handy