morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2018-09-07
From: Balsam Woods Campground 

To: Palmyra Golf Course & Campground 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

After a horrible night of no sleep I decided around 3am today would be a zero. Hugs agreed that our bodies need a break.  We were still up early. Papa Big Swig took us to a local bakery for breakfast. Then it was time to pack up the R-pod and move to the next campsite.  The move really didn¢t take long. Once we got here Hugs and I both set up our tents to dry. Emptied our backpacks, and cleaned our gear. We did it all with a celebratory mimosa in hand! We¢re pretty impressed with ourselves summiting Katahdin and surviving the 100 mile wilderness!  All the sudden it was 4:30pm and we had not eaten a thing since breakfast! We¢re in Maine, so we went straight to the local seafood restaurant and ordered a lot of food!  Rosie was our server, she was great! She was hilarious! At one point she grabbed Hugs steamer with her bare hand, put through a rinse and had Hugs eat it. Just like we were all family!  Lobster stew was my appetizer, followed by a salad, snd broiled scallops with a baked potato. Yummy!  Then I looked at the dessert menu and there it was, warm gingerbread with whipped cream! I couldn¢t believe it! The serving was huge so we split that 3 ways. I was stuffed!  Back at the camper I got my things together for a slack pack tomorrow. We¢re still giggling about Rosie with her bare hands in Hugs food! I¢m going to sleep fat and happy tonight!  Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-09-09
From: Pleasant Pond Mountain 

To: Logging Road
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we chose to do a NOBO flip flop. That sounds so funny!  We always did SOBO flip flops before, but we ARE SOBO¢s now!  My morning hike started going UP! It was the hardest UP of the day. Pleasant Pond Mountain 2477ft elevation....it WAS the hardest, but it really wasn¢t all that hard.  No matter how difficult or not difficult, the pay off was absolutely spectacular! Today¢s photo is of view #1. I enjoyed views like that all day long! The trail was nice today. As always there were a few rocks and roots, but mostly a pine needle carpet. Hugs and I hiked together until lunch time. We stopped at a flat area on top, pulled up a rock and enjoyed lunch with some sunshine. After lunch I took the lead but Hugs was close behind. I came upon a woodpecker. Well I guess it was a woodpecker. It was shaped like one and pecked the trees like one, but it was a blue/grey color. No red head! Shortly after that I came across a baby brown snake. I saw him this time and he was only about 5 inches long. Cute little thing. I tried to keep him corralled until Hugs arrived, but he scooted under a dead log and I lost him.  I walked on until I saw I familiar face. It was Nola! Hugs caught up while we were chatting, and made her way right on by us!  I was giggling to myself! I wished Nola well and continued on the trail. Eventually I popped out of the woods onto a gravel road. I walked the road a little ways beside a pond until I went back up into the woods.  Soon I was going UP on the second of my two big climbs today. This was Moxie Bald Mountain 2629ft. On the way up I came to a unique cave created by fallen rock.  There was suppose to be a plaque mounted in the rock there honoring a hiker, but I never saw that plaque. The higher I climbed, the cooler this mountain became.  The bald was mostly rock, and it was huge!  Views were 360 degrees around, and I could see for miles and miles!! I love this mountain!  Moxie Bald is now my most favorite mountain on the trail! I took my time up there to soak it all in, but when I needed to get moving I kicked it up a gear. The trail all the way down was nice. Like the base of most mountains here in Maine there was a bog at the bottom. Some volunteers did a great job placing rocks that took me all the way out to Papa Big Swig. Hugs arrived about 10 minutes after me and we headed straight to Monson. Firepink and S.P. were waiting for us to pick them up.  We all went to the local pub & grill for dinner and drinks. When we walked in, and there was Her Dudeness! She wasn¢t eating, she was our server! What!?!  She had hiked into Monson and ran out of money so she¢s working. We had so much fun!  Papa Big Swig was our designated driver. He made sure everyone got home safely. I¢m so glad I was able to spend some time with some of my favorite trail sisters before they headed into the Hundred tomorrow.  Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018). Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-09-10
From: Pleasant Pond Parking 

To: Lane Pond Road
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: light rain

What a day! Just a few miles in I crossed the 1500 mile mark! Wooo Hooo!  I was in the lead this morning. The nice thing about being in the lead is that I hike quietly and often times I get to see animals that I wouldn¢t get to see if I was talking with someone. That¢s what happened today.  Off to my right in the woods was a bird. It was a ground bird. I thought maybe a turkey. It was quite round with a small head. Grey-ish in color. It moved fast on its feet!  I was going to try to get a photo and as I moved in it clucked! Like a chicken! It clucked a few times. Now I¢m confused. Are there wild grey chickens in these mountains? Then I passed by a pile of logs and boards. It was obvious these pine logs have been made into boards by axe. I could see the axe marks. Wow! That takes skill!  Later in the day I saw another pile like that one. I¢m so impressed!  I only had about 6 miles from the start this morning to reach a little village known as Caratunk. In 2016 it was population 68.  It definitely has not grown any since then. We walked to a very old home known as the Caratunk House. It¢s a hiker hostel/BnB and they serve pulled pork sandwiches for lunch!  Hugs and I each ate one, then split another one! I had a milkshake and Hugs had regular ice cream. They offer free WiFi rtoo. It was great!Guess who showed up while Hugs was checking out? NOLA! Oh giggle giggle!  Without using her name I had shared her story with the Caratunk House folks...then there she was!  With full bellies we hiked back into the woods. It was a short distance before we reached the Kennebec River where a very playful Golden Retriever pup greeted us! Her name is Maggie. Maggie¢s dad would be our guide across the Kennebec. This is the only part of the A.T. you do not walk. The river currents are too strong. From 9am to 2pm the ATC provides a free ferry ride across. While we were signing our waivers little miss Maggie made off with one of Hugs gloves! She was so sad to have to give it back. When I learned of this ferry crossing, I expected a ¢ferry¢. It was a CANOE! Oh no!! I¢m known for tipping every canoe I¢ve ever been in...yikes! I sat down in the middle and said a prayer. I didn¢t budge. Poor Hugs had to help paddle with Maggie¢s daddy. We made it! Once we hiked up and away from the river I got ahead of Hugs and stayed there the rest of the day. It was very nice and peaceful. I was beside water all afternoon. At times it was a pond and other times a stream. Pierce Pond Stream Falls were beautiful and refreshing! I spent a good amount of time sitting on a rock watching rushing water cascade down. I also enjoyed listening to waves crash on the beach of East Carry Pond. I eventually walked up and away from all the water. Hugs caught up with me and we popped out on the road where Papa Big Swig would be picking us up. There he was walking our 4 legged girls!  Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018) Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-09-11
From: East Flagstaff Road

To: Lane Pond Road
Miles today: 8.9
Weather: broken clouds

It rained all night and into the morning. We knew this was coming because of Hurricane Florence.  Our plan was to start late and hike a NERO. The rain stopped before we got out of the SUV. We did a NOBO flip flop again today for Papa Big Swig¢s convenience.   I started into the woods first going up. Everything was wet and slippery. This makes for a long day of cautious hiking. Even if it is a NERO day. Not many critters were out. I saw several toads, squirrels, and chipmunks. What really caught my attention though was the birds. I heard the most unique bird sounds I¢ve ever heard! I videotaped them in hopes that someone can tell me what they are. Actually, as I¢m journaling this right now, Hugs and I are listening to them.  Today was another day hiking beside water. I stepped up to the banks many times looking for moose, but still no luck. I did see lots of new happy fungus! Mushrooms of all colors! My favorites today were they baby red ones. I was doing a lot of thinking today. I enjoy being alone with my own thoughts. I¢ve come to realize a few things about myself out here. For example, I love hardwood & ceramic flooring, but I really NEED carpeting. My hips and knees appreciate the soft cushion of carpet. Pine straw carpet is definitely one of the reasons why I love a nice pine forest so much! Another thing, I need to live where there are all 4 seasons. I look forward to leaves changing color and the first snowfall. It¢s just who I am.  I was enjoying being alone with my thoughts so much that I didn¢t break at the shelter. There were people there. I avoided them today.  Just before the end of my hike I went to the pond one last time. Still no moose, but it looked like smoke rising off the mountains across it. That¢s today¢s photo.  I popped out onto the road, but no Papa Big Swig. I walked a half mile up the road, and still no Papa Big Swig. I came back and Hugs was looking for me. Still no Papa Big Swig. We sat by the gate and waited. Almost 2 hours of waiting! There had been an accident and he was re-routed.  We were beyond ready when he finally pulled up. Our early home plan was not going to happen. We aimed for the campsite and buckled up for a rough 30 minutes on old logging roads. That¢s when it happened! Right in front of us running down and across the gravel road was a moose! Yes yes yes! As far as moose¢s go it was a small one, but even small ones are pretty big! That was worth the 2 hour wait!  Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-09-13
From: Deer Farm Campground 

To: Deer Farm Campground 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I didn¢t get to bed until after 3am this morning.  I just couldn¢t move a muscle when 7 clock rolled around. After a hard earned lesson that southern Maine and the whites should only be 10 miles a day at most, we both decided to take a zero.  Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018) Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-09-15
From: Caribou Valley Road 

To: Maine Rt 27
Miles today: 8.3
Weather: broken clouds

Today got off to a much better start. Thank goodness! We were out the door early and planned a NERO so we wouldn¢t be hiking until after 1am again.  Papa Big Swig dropped us off at a gate on a gravel road. We had to walk a half mile to the trail. It was a nice graveled walk and very clearly marked was the A.T. sign.  We did a NOBO flip flop again, and the day started out going UP. The terrain had some rocks and roots but not nearly to the extent it had been. That was nice.  I wore a new pair of boots today. Between Rocksylvania and Katahdin my last pair was worn out. They were close, but didn¢t quite get 500 miles on them. That¢s pretty much the standard for new boots and the A.T.  Hugs had the lead today. She sometimes plays music while she hikes and today was one of those days. I much prefer the sounds of the forest, so I stayed pretty far back.  My radio station is chirps and tweets... I love it! Thanks to my readers I¢ve determined that wild chicken was a Spruce Grouse. And let me yell you they sing a beautiful tune!! I listened to chirps,whistles, and tweets all the way up South Crocker Mountain at 4050ft elevation. I stopped about 3/4 of the way up and turned around for the view of where I had been. Then I climbed to the summit and took in another view.  Going down the other side was a little tedious but much less than the Bigelows were two days ago. There are still wet areas in places, but the ground is trying to dry up too. My new boots still look fairly new! My next UP was North Crocker Mountain at 4228ft. The grade of the incline was nice.  I climbed it quickly and really didn¢t expend a lot of energy. Today felt so effortless that I didn¢t even bother to stop for lunch. That¢s a first! The decline was steeper than South Crocker had been, but not horrible. It was a long long down to the parking area where Papa Big Swig was waiting. He had picked up another hiker Jack Rabbit whom we dropped off in town at a BBQ joint.  I¢m back at our campsite early. This is good because I¢m getting my big pack ready for a couple of days out.  Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-09-18
From: Ascent of Saddleback 

To: Dirt Road 
Miles today: 5.7
Weather: moderate rain

Well well well...where do I start?  The winds continued to grow into the night. Sustaining winds of probably 40MPH at all times. I stayed curled up in my sleeping bag like a cocoon, and was warm enough.   At one point I felt something hit me and I popped up. Hugs was shouting a few expletives and said that was her sleep pad. She got up to potty and the wind took it. It was part way down the mountain. In the dark it looked far away, but it really wasn¢t too far and she was able to get it back.  I rearranged my backpack to be partially on my sleep pad and made sure things were battened down. Morning could not come soon enough!  I woke at 6am to no visible sunrise at all. We were in a cloud. Needless to say my down sleeping bag was wet from the cloud mist. And the winds were still raging. I covered back up until 7.  The sun didn¢t find its way out of the clouds. Because of the wind I couldn¢t light my stove to make coffee. Hugs just threw her gear into her pack and left. We planned to meet at the first place she found to cook breakfast. My OCD made me pack up the way I always do, so I was behind her.  Forgetting we still had some climbing to summit Saddleback, I was completely unprepared for the huge boulder in my way. I said ¢ok, let the climbing begin¢. There were about 5 big climbs before I reached Hugs. She had not been able to cook, but we carried on together. In the misty wind we reached the summit of Saddleback Mountain at 4116ft elevation.  On our way down we met some section hikers who said from there to our destination is a cakewalk...and it was!  Once I finished my descent I had a lovely carpet of pine needles! My knees were grateful. Before long birds were chirping, the sun was shining, and I found myself hiking beside a beautiful pond. This day became beautiful!  Hugs was already ahead because I stopped for a potty break. Then I stopped for water from a creek that flowed into the pond. Then a NOBO (Cesar) recognized me from way back in Tennessee. He had received some trail magic from Papa Big Swig and he was still thankful today! I barely recognized him, he¢s lost a lot of weight. Speaking of weight. Men usually lose a lot on the trail, but women don¢t. We gain muscle. I had the opportunity to weigh myself this week, and I¢ve lost only 11 pounds. That being said, my body has significantly shape shifted!  I don¢t even recognize it anymore!  I caught Hugs at the shelter. The same one we were trying to get to yesterday. Since the day and terrain had become so nice we decided to extend our mileage. Papa Big Swig was picking us up at a road only a mile or so away. So I texted him the change of plans, but it would not go through. No service. We never regained cell service so when we reached our road an hour and a half early, we just had to wait.  It was a short day, could have done so much more  Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-09-20
From: Bemis Mountain Road 

To: South Arm Road
Miles today: 12.3
Weather: overcast clouds

I woke up this morning with my mom in my heart. Today marks 6 years since she left this earth. I like to think her and dad are up there drinking coffee and playing cards.  Big Kahuna was our shuttle driver this morning. He may not be hiking, but he still makes sure us girls are okay. Papa Big Swig managed the home front today. I feel so fortunate to have both of their support in this adventure.  It dawned on me this morning that I have hiked past 1600 miles now. Wow!  I have about 570 miles to go. That seems so little compared to the 2190.9 I had ahead of me back in March.  When we got out of the vehicle our trail angels from yesterday pulled in behind us. Every day Gregg & Geri set out a cooler of magic for the hikers and one day a week they cook. Today they dropped off a cooler. We talked a good 10 minutes or so before our hike began.  The trail started going UP., and it was obvious we were going to be climbing today. Boulder climbing! It¢s funny because I grab pine branches or roots to help pull myself up, then I apologize to the tree!  Once we got up over the boulders in the beginning it wasn¢t too bad. There was some actual plain old hiking at times. More rocks and roots than I like, but it was do-able.  I watched two chipmunks playing around, then two squirrels were just going crazy chasing each other! It was the cutest thing! Later Hugs told me she had seen the squirrels too. We continued hiking up Bemis Mountain. There was a view not quite all the way up. I stopped for a picture. When Hugs arrived we decided to eat our lunch right there. Recently during lunch we¢ve been getting chilled. We both work up a sweat hiking UP, then when we stop our sweat begins to evaporate and we get chilled. It¢s much cooler at those high elevations. So we get moving again pretty quickly before hypothermia sets in. Hypothermia is a genuine concern in the mountains. After lunch we continued our hike up Bemis Mountain. The summit was 3564ft elevation. There was no view up there, but the hiking was nice!  Coming down was not overly difficult. Of course there was a bog. Boardwalks are in place, but lots of them are decaying or broken. Hugs said we always take pictures of the pretty new boardwalks, but they are the exception not the rule. So today I took a photo of one that better represents reality.  The path started going UP again. There were more climbs up OLD BLUE mountain. I love the name! My dads best and favorite hound dog was called Old Blue! We hiked up 3600ft to the summit.  Coming down I saw big moose tracks! All of this evidence, and no moose!   About then a NOBO came along. He stopped and said ¢I know you¢. It was Wicked! He sheltered with us at McAfee Knob!  The rest of the way down the mountain was an even mix of pine straw carpet and boulders. Almost all the way down I slipped on a wet rock and...down went McGinney!Big Kahuna picked us up...Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-09-22
From: White Birches Campground 

To: White Birches Campground 
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Hugs didn¢t sleep at all last night. When she wanted a zero, I jumped on board with that idea!  My knees really need a break. So a zero it was!  I mostly laid in bed like a lazy dog on a hot summer day. It was a much needed rest. We¢ll be back at it tomorrow Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?
Date: 2018-09-23
From: Grafton Notch State Park 

To: Mahoosuc Notch West 
Miles today: 8.1
Weather: overcast clouds

Today we chose to leapfrog up to Grafton NotchState Park. This was strategic because today will be a cool but sunny day and we wanted to do the Mahoosac¢s in good weather. Mahoosuc Notch is known as the hardest mile on the entire A.T.  The trail started UP Old Speck Mountain at 4173 ft elevation. It was a big UP, but the trail was easily managed. I mean, I worked up a sweat and all, but the hard climbing was minimal. It was very cold this morning. A section hiker told me 33 degrees, but the sun was shining and I was comfortable. I spent the morning  hiking a long while beside a mountain spring.  The sound of moving water is so soothing to me  .  Almost to the top I found a rock to sit on with a view. I enjoyed that until Hugs caught up. We did the next 0.5 together. There were awesome views today! The A.T. made a turn 0.3 miles before the summit of Old Speck. Hugs and I chose to hike the 0.3. I climbed up the fire tower and was in awe of this vast land as I looked around. I wish it were possible to take a 360 photo.  I came down from the tower, and we ate lunch right there. Just a few more miles to go to Mahoosuc Notch.  The DOWN was steep, really steep. My poor knees are beginning to rebel against this hike.  I ran into a brother and sister duo hiking NOBO. I met them back on Tray Mountain sooo long ago. Anyway, they are in their 70¢s! I am so impressed! She said it took them 6 hours to get through Mahoosuc Notch. That¢s a one mile stretch only! We started going UP to Mahoosuc Arm 3765ft. The views were never ending! Going down was very steep. It was 1.5 miles of leaning on my poles and shuffling my feet. A few times I was grabbing tree branches or roots. As I was saying to myself one and a half miles of this business, Hugs went down. I yelled are you okay! She replied ¢no¢. Uh oh! It felt like it took me forever to get to her, and just as I reached her I went down on the same wet roots that took her down. I was not injured. She hurt her coccyx...badly.  It took a minute, but she shook it off and we set our sites on the Mahoosuc Notch. Labeled ¢THE HARDEST¢ mile on the whole trail.  I was excited about it, but Hugs had pain with every step.  We met some section hikers just coming out of the Notch. The guy asked me if I was good at yoga. He said they twisted and turned every which way, but they got it done in 2.5 hours. We put our poles in our packs and started the ¢hands on¢ journey! So they weren¢t kidding! Literally we had to contort our bodies up, down, and around these boulders. It was very tricky! I actually enjoyed the challenge! In some crazy way it was fun! Poor Hugs was not having a good time, but good time or not, she was there to help me up a large boulder. I helped her too.  Three hours and eight minutes later we hiked out of the Notch. Whew! What an adventure!  Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018) Where¢s your faith?