morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2007-07-05
From: N.Y.301

To: N.Y.52
Miles today: 12.1

I am really sore today from yesterday's fall, but decided to try and hike anyway. I did ok, but the uphills were really difficult because of my sore ribs. I had to keep stopping to try and get deep breaths. I believe it to only be a bruise, but I will monitor it and have it checked in a few days if it doesn't get better. My knee is stiff and sore but it loosened up the more I walked on it.The trail was extremely wet after the rains last night and the rocks were like ice. My pants and shoes were soaked from all the dew on the leaves of the foliage.I passed or was passed by only one other hiker today-a young man sectioning from Front Royal. His trail name is "Swift" and I soon found out why. He was running the trail and wants to begin next year at Springer and run the whole thing! I just do not understand how you can run on this trail without risking serious injury! I cannot even walk it without injury!Once again I lucked out and finished the day before another huge thunderstorm ripped through the area. Power lines were down all over and torrential rain just poured. But I was at the Deli at U.S 52 when it started and remained dry. The people at the Deli are wonderful and very receptive to the hikers. However the idiots right next door to the Deli, the Pizzeria are very unfriendly! It was pouring outside and I wanted to get in out of the rain, so I thought I would go in and have a couple slices of pizza. I had on my small daypack and was carrying my poles as I entered the Pizzeria. My greeting from the owner was "no packs or equipment in our restaurant". In other words leave your pack in the pouring rain and then you may come in and eat. What a jerk! I hope all hikers reading this pass it along and run this place out of business. I left giving them a little piece of my mind and went to the Deli next door. They had no problem giving me safe haven from the outside elements!All in a days adventure on the trail. I am taking a zero day tomorrow to let my body heal a bit. My legs felt like they had lead in them, so tomorrow I plan on just laying around and giving them a good, well deserved, rest. Who knows, maybe my ribs will heal some too!Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-07-06
From: N.Y.52

To: N.Y. 52
Miles today: 0.0

I am zeroing today and letting my body heal a little. Yesterday was rough and my body was saying just let me rest a while. I am always telling everyone else to listen to your body, so this time I will listen to myself.Tomorrow though I will hike around 16 miles and then the following day on into Conn. The miles are clicking down, but I am so aware that some of the hardest terrain still lies ahead. Please continue to keep me in mind in your thoughts and prayers!My best to all of you!Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-07-07
From: N.Y. 52

To: N.Y. 52
Miles today: 0.0

Today was another zero day. I hate taking two zero's in a row, but felt it to be necessary in order to let this ole body heal up a bit. My ribs were still very sore and I had a lot of trouble getting my breath. I keep popping the vitamin I and I think it is helping. By evening my ribs are feeling better and I will try and hike tomorrow. All I have done today is relax and stay in bed, so it has been a helpful day of healing. I have always said that you must listen to your body out here and take a rest when needed. Today was definitely that day!Thanks for all your concern!Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-07-08
From: N.Y. 52

To: Conn. 55
Miles today: 22.1

Got an early start today (around 6:30) and was able to do some pretty good miles on some really nice trail! My ribs and knee held up really well with only minor discomfort.I did take another minor fall (darn rocks) that stretched the ribs a bit, but nothing that a few more vitamin I couldn't fix. It is definitely getting better, and think that I will be back to full strength very soon.I am in Conn. now and am glad to be out of New York. I will say though that N.Y. was very nice and did offer some terrific views. Hey, and I have not seen a bear or snake since leaving New Jersey! Katahdin is getting closer and closer, but I am well aware of the constant challenges and danger that this trail offers. Every day is a new adventure and a new challenge that must be met.Please continue to keep me in your thoughts. I am missing all of you back home!!Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-07-09
From: Conn. 55

To:  Conn. 341
Miles today: 10.8

Wow! Another brutal day on the trail! Temperatures in the high 90's and humidity levels probably close to that also. I was wringing sweat out of my clothes within the first few minutes of the trail.Today the trail went up and over the highest point in Conn. A mountain named Schaghticoke. It was rugged and rocky and steep, aided and abeted by the nasty temps and humidity! It was tough in 05 and equally as tough in 07.I was totally zapped of energy by the time I hit 341. Didn't help though, that I ran out of water about two miles from the finish. You would think that 3 liters would have been enough for 10 or 11 miles!Tomorrow is much of the same for the first 8 miles and then flattens out along the Housatonic river for around five miles. I will get a very early start in the morning and hopefully have the first eight miles finished before it gets to hot. We are staying in the Housatonic State Park tonight. Very, very nice park along a very beautiful river.It is late and I am very tired. Looking forward to a great night's sleep in my tent!Goodnight! Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-07-10
From:  Conn. 341

To:  Conn. 4
Miles today: 11.1

Today I was on the trail by 7:30-not as early as I would have liked, but we had to stop for coffee and breakfast sandwiches! Priority stuff you know!Again the heat and humidity were horrible and I sweat profusely, stopping every 15 minutes or so to wipe a brow or take my shirt, braces, and anything else I could manage and wring them out! I found out after I had finished walking (around 12:30) that there were heat and air quality advisories up!The trail was much like the day before and started right out with a big up. After about 5 miles it went down to the Housatonic river and followed it for a flat 5 miles. But the down into the flats was incredible. Extremely steep and very large boulders to maneuver around and down. It was very slow going! And then after the flats, there was another big climb, just before the road. I was spent by the time I got to the top, even feeling a little nauseated. I even carried an extra water with me but just could not replenish the fluids fast enough.Today is the last day of hiking with Spunky and Symbol. They have become great friends and I wish them well. It will be different out there with a full pack, that is for sure, but I will make it! Once again I went through everything and shipped things home and also bounced a box to Cheshire. hopefully this will lighten my pack a few pounds.Wish me luck! I am off by myself to Pinkam Notch, where Dorothy will join me. Thunderstorms predicted tonight and cooler weather tomorrow. Sure hope so! Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-07-11
From: Conn. 4, Cornwall Bridge, Conn.

To: U.S. 44, Salisbury, Conn.
Miles today: 21.5
Weather: haze

I said goodbye to Symbol and Spunky today and headed up the trail around 6:30 A.M. Once again the day promised to be extremely hot and humid with thunderstorms predicted later in the day. The day didn't disappoint me! Wow, was it ever hot. I sweat buckets and the heat just zapped my strength. The weather is supposed to change after today though and be a lot nicer.The trail today was like another roller coaster. Up and down it seemed like forever, and really tough up and downs in this horrid heat. Carrying a full pack for the first time in a while made it even tougher. I got through it though and am staying at Maria McCabes house here in Salisbury. She is such a nice lady and I so appreciate her opening up her house to let us stay here. Focus is here along with Dealer Dan and Sheephead. Not long after arriving here, the storms moved in and it poured and poured the rain. I am so thankful that I am not in a tent tonight!I saw another rattlesnake today! Right along side the trail and huge. Probably 5 feet long and seven to eight inches in girth. Geez, I thought I was out of rattlesnake country!Tomorrow I will get a late start as I need to get to the post office and mail a beautiful music box that Maria gave me to send to Kieran, Jacob, Jordyn, and Abby, four of my five (soon to be six), grandchildren.Until tomorrow, have a goodnight! Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-07-12
From: U.S. 44, Salisbury, Conn.

To: The Hemlocks Lean- To
Miles today: 14.2

Got a late start this morning as I had to mail a package to my grandchildren. I was on the trail around 9:30 A.M.It was a very tough day of climbing over some very difficult terrain. I went up over Race mountain and Mt Everett today. They both offered beautiful views when on top but were both very rocky and those rocks can be and were very slippery. I must have fallen 3 or 4 times-not hard falls, but aggravating falls. What made it worse was that on one of those falls I landed on my Leki sticks and bent them up pretty bad. The right one looks as though it could snap in two at any time. Hopefully I can do something about them in Great Barrington.Focus caught up with me just before climbing to the top of Mt Everett. He and I both were exhausted and were very ready for the shelter around a mile away. Mt. Everett is the second highest peak in Mass. The trail is a rock pile straight up to the summit. Needless to say my heart rate was way up there when I summited this mountain.We arrived at the shelter around 6:30 P.M. and found Beach Bum to be there also. I sat up my tent even though the shelter was very nice with built in bunks. I like my tent. It offers privacy, keeps out the bugs, and allows me to get out earlier without disturbing anyone in the shelter.Tomorrow I will go over Jug End and on down to Great Barrington. I will be glad to have this section over. It has been pretty, but very difficult for these old legs. Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-07-13
From: The Hemlocks Lean- To

To: U.S. 7, Shefield, Ma.
Miles today: 8.0

Just a very short mileage day today, but an eventful day once again. Not too far into the journey today I took another hard fall. My Leki stick that was ready to snap, snapped as I was using it to balance myself down a rock ledge. I slid for around seven feet and then my pack weight took me over a four foot drop. My back hurts a bit as I think I may have a lower back sprain, but otherwise I am ok.I am just getting beat up out here-cuts and scrapes all over my legs, back hurting, knees hurting, and my ribs still hurt-especially when I sneeze or cough! Wow! What a whiner, Huh?Getting down off of Jug End was difficult, but once down the trail was very nice. It was fairly flat and only had a few rocky places. The mosquitoes were horrible though! The trail led into a very dark damp Hemlock woods that must have been ideal for mosquito breeding. Locals call this area mosquito alley and I can certainly concur. I bathed myself in 100% Deet and went on down the trail.I arrived at U.S. 7, around 10 A.M. and caught a ride into Great Barrington. I soon found out that motels are way out of line here price wise. The motel clerk informed me that this was weekend rates, no discounts, and this was a tourist area which is why the price is so high. I needed to stay so I paid, but I really do not recommend to anyone to come in here and spend the night unless you have a big wallet full of cash.I went into one of the places that carried Leki sticks and they were nice enough to call Leki and work things out so that they will Fedex the parts over night. They should be here by 10 or 11 tomorrow morning. Sure hope so as I need my poles to help me over the next section. Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-07-14
From: U.S. 7, Shefield, Ma.

To: Tom Leonard Lean-To
Miles today: 6.4

The miles were short today because I got a late start out of Great Barrington. I had to wait on my Leki stick parts that were Fedexed overnight. They arrived just before noon and I now have my poles all repaired! I grabbed a bite to eat at the Neighborhood Diner and headed back to the trail. I tried to hitch but to no avail. People just would not stop and pick me up. That is a first. I leave nothing in Great Barrington, except some serious cash because it is a "tourist town". Should be like a rip-off town!At any rate I made it back to the Corn Crib around 1:30, grabbed a Snapple and headed for the shelter. It was an easy walk and short miles, but I was glad to get there, set up my tent and get some rest. I am very, very tired and my darn back spasms up on me when I stop. I am starting to think I am getting old!Tomorrow, I will try and go to Upper Goose Pond Cabin, around 21 miles. If I get an early start I think I can do it. Wish me Luck!!!!Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-07-15
From: Tom Leonard Shelter

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: scattered clouds

I slept well last night and was up by 5:00 A.M. and on the trail by 6:15 A.M. The trail was not to difficult but for some reason my legs felt like they had lead in them. I made good progress though and had around 12 miles done by around noon.Thunder started a little after noon and I knew I was in for it. The storm hit as I hit the ridge top. Lightning, thunder, and hard, heavy rain absolutely drenched me. One bolt of lightning hit really close and cracked very loudly. My boots are thoroughly soaked. I had to stop and wring out my socks so that I wouldn't get blisters.It eventually ended with around 4 miles to go until I reached the cabin. I have a feeling it will be very full as a number of hikers have said that is where they are going.I was right! There are 19 hikers here tonight. All the beds are full, but I lucked out and got the sofa, which is more private than sleeping with 18 other people upstairs. I have my belly full and have drank lots of water, so am ready for bed. Not sure how far I will go tomorrow. First thing on the agenda is breakfast here at the cabin-pancakes, lots of pancakes!!!! Goodnight!Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-07-16
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Kay Wood Lean-To
Miles today: 17.6

I left Upper Goose Pond Cabin at around 8 A.M. after a good pancake breakfast with real honest to goodness coffee. My goal was initially to go to Dalton some 20 miles away. I later decided on the Kay Wood shelter as I was tired and I spent a little too long at the Cookie Ladies' house.Her house is about 11 miles from the Upper Goose Pond Cabin and is known by hikers for her offer of fresh baked cookies and pick your own blueberries. This year was no exception with only one addition...they were also offering Coca Colas!!! I had been craving them! I only had three of them and probably 7 or 8 cookies!! I also had a handful of berries. What a wonderful friendly place!!I continued on and arrived at the shelter around 6 P.M. The mosquitoes are horrible and my tent is a welcome relief from there swarms. Even the 100 percent Deet is not enough to keep them from biting. Many of us look like we have measles from all the bites.Only three miles into Dalton tomorrow and I think I will hibernate in a motel. I stink and I must do laundry and my back is still not very good. So my body says rest and I am listening.Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-07-17
From: Kay Wood Shelter

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 3.0
Weather: clear sky

I made it to Dalton easily by around 7:30 A.M. and headed for the diner for breakfast. It was wonderful! A three egg omelet with everything in it, hashbrowns, rye toast, a donut, and coffee sure tasted good!Dalton is a very special town as this is the town where we first talked to our youngest daughter after giving birth to our grandson Ethan. I will search for that same rock where we spoke to Emily as I walk up the mountain out of Dalton.I have done laundry, and purchased more Deet and have re-supplied a bit, so am ready to meet tomorrows' challenge, around 14 miles toward Mt. Greylock.Goodnight!Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-07-18
From: Dalton, MA

To: Dalton, Ma
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: moderate rain

I took another zero day at Dalton today as the weather was stormy and rainy and thought my back would benefit from another day off. It was a good day and I got plenty of rest. I even lucked out and was able to view a Reds game in my room- the first game I have seen this year! And they won! A three game sweep of the Braves! Go Reds!I went to a little restaurant up the street and had a great roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings and in walked Dog's life! Gosh I hadn't seen him since Muskrat shelter way back at the Georgia, North Carolina line. He filled me in on some of my other hiker friends including Crankbait who he said got off the trail in Damascus. It was good to see him.Forecast is not good for the next day or two with severe storms predicted. I will try for the first shelter going up to Mt. Greylock tomorrow. Storms are not predicted until early afternoon. So we will see what will happen. Chances are I am going to get a little wet, but again, that is just part of the experience.I talked to my daughter, Emily, last night and was able to talk to Ethan a little. He sounds so grown up and I miss him so much. It will be good to have this hike over and get back to family and grandchildren.Until tomorrow, Goodnight!Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-07-19
From: Dalton, Ma

To: Mark Noepal Lean-To
Miles today: 13.1

It looked like rain today from the onset but wanted to make it to the shelter before Greylocks summit. Started around 9 and in Cheshire early, thanks to the slacking of Beach Bum and his wife. Fire Marshall was also with us.It started raining around 1 P.M. and rained hard until around 3, so I hung out at the P.O. lobby until the rain slowed down and headed for the shelter, only around 5 miles further.Hopefully weather will straighten up and I can get some better miles in over the next few days.Will write more tomorrow!Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-07-20
From: Mark Noepal Lean-To

To: Seth Warner Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: light rain

I made it to the Mark Neopel shelter yesterday sometime after 6 last night climbing from around 950 feet in Cheshire to around 2750 feet in the 5 or so miles to the shelter. Sure thought about staying in Cheshire, but glad I went ahead and got the biggest part of the climb over Mt. Greylock over.Bascum Lodge is closed until 2009 due to major repair to this facility. I had planned on staying at the lodge and enjoying the great meal that they offered here in 2005. But plans were altered after hearing of the closing. Still, the beauty of this mountain was phenominal. There is a lighthouse at the summet that sure seems strange on top of a mountain. It is a tribute to the states war dead and has inspired literary giants, as the thru-hiker companion says, from Thoreau to Hawthorne. Even Herman Melville was inspired from his writng desk at nearby Arrowhead mountain. I am glad though that the state deems it worthy to sock the funds into this place to keep it in good repair. Even the road going up to the lodge is undergoing repair.I kept on going to the Seth Warner shelter, dropping around 1000 feet. It was a tough day but was able to get some pretty good miles in fairly decent weather-and no falls! I must be getting use to my pack weight as my balance seems to be improving. My reconditioned Leki sticks have helped also. Just cannot say enough about the Leki corporation. They sure have unquestionably honored their warranty on their products.Ok, I am tired and I am hitting the Thermo-rest! Tomorrow I have a long day planned as I am heading for the Goddard Shelter, a little over 21 miles away. Vermont state line was passed today leaving only New Hampshire and Maine to go through until Katahdin. And Dorothy will join me in just a little over 300 miles!Until tomorrow, goodnight!Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-07-21
From: Seth Warner Shelter

To: Goddard Shelter
Miles today: 21.6
Weather: few clouds

Happy birthday to me! I am a young 59 today, but after 1600 plus miles I am feeling the aches and pains of all these years, but also feeling the elation of accomplishment as I traverse this extremely challenging trail. It is wonderful to be closer to finishing. I only pray that my health continues, so that I can finish this journey.I received a very nice birthday box from the great staff at the Kirtland Temple. Snicker bars, hard candy, etc., and a special card signed by all at the visitor center. Thank you so much! I cannot express in words how much it means to me to be thought of and supported by such wonderful, loving people! For those of you who have forgotten, I am walking the trail to help raise funds for the new Visitor's Center and the National Historic Landmark of Kirtland Temple where Dorothy and I volunteered last year and will continue our voluntering after we finish the trail. If you have not seen this magnificent building, go to Kirtland, Ohio and visit it or check it out at www.kirtlandtemple.org.I was on the trail early this morning and kept at it until the shelter was reached around 6:30 P.M. It was a very tiring day, but a good day as the miles clicked by. The Goddard shelter is very nice. Built in 2005 it has a front porch on it. I still stayed in my tent, though, as it offers privacy and shelter from the bugs. Also they say that even the mice may carry the deer tick that are carriers of Lyme desease.Tomorrow I head for Stratton Pond shelter. This is a pay shelter, but a very nice shelter. Most likely this wil be a shelter that I will stay in.Goodnight!Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-07-22
From: Goddard Shelter

To: Stratton Pond Shelter
Miles today: 19.5
Weather: broken clouds

Once again I was up when the birds started chirping. Funny, out here your watch is kind of a secondary thing. My alarm is the birds and my time to go to bed is simply when I can no longer see without a light What a simple lifestyle!The trail was not too difficult today. Some ups and downs, but it did not seem extreme. This is really beautiful country and the ponds are wonderfully clear. Stratton Pond is beautiful.Not a whole lot to write about today and I am extremely tired from two big days in a row (at least they were big for me). One young hiker I was talking to made the statement that he "only did a twenty mile day, nothing big"! This was right after I did a 21 plus day into Upper Goose Pond Cabin and I was feeling good about myself for this accomplishment. I guess his big day was 25 or 30 miles per day. Oh well, I will get there and I will continue to hike my own hike. For Toto, a twenty mile day will continue to be a big day!Tomorrow, I will have a short day into Manchester Center. Plans are to stay at the same place as we did in 2005, the Carriage House Motel. I will hopefully catch a quick ride from the trail head, get my laundry done, and get a good nights sleep before heading out the next day.Until tomorrow, goodnight!Life is Great!Toto
Date: 2007-07-23
From: Stratton Pond Shelter

To: Manchester Center
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: light rain

Today was just a short hike into Manchester Center, but a light rain made the trail more difficult. I was looking forward to my stay at the motel. Weather is suppose to clear up by tomorrow. We will see!Manchester Center is really a nice town. People seem friendly and they have a wonderful bookstore. Factory outlets all over the place if you like that sort of thing.My plans here are to just relax, watch tv, and dry out. I may walk to the bookstore, but I doubt it. Laundry must be done and re-packing my pack. I also need to figure out how I will get back to the trail in the morning-maybe a taxi.Ok, I know this is short but I have other things to get done. My very best goes to all of you! Goodnight!Life is Great!Toto