morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-05-29
From: Baltimore, MD

To: Fredericksburg, Va
Miles today: 0.0

We arrived in port early this morning. We knew that we couldn¢t get off the boat till later so we relaxed, went to breakfast then hung out by the pool. We did have to go see the customs officer because we went over our liquor allowance. The guy only wanted to know if we bought any cigarettes or jewelry. He didn¢t care about the liquor. He was surprised that I didn¢t buy any jewelry for Liz. Like the cruise to Bermuda wasn¢t a good enough anniversary present. We waited outside by the pool while everyone else waited inside. We were in no rush to leave that we didn¢t realize that everyone else left. We were one of the last people off the ship. We drove to Beth¢s house because we were staying near there till Kyle and Rina¢s wedding. Beth was busy getting ready for the family party she was having on Friday and last minute things for the wedding. It brought back memories of last year when me and Liz were going crazy for our wedding. We had dinner with the family (minus Megan because she had a soccer game). For dessert we brought back Bermuda Rum Cakes. They were made with 80 Proof rum and were so good. Sorry Donna you couldn¢t have any, we never thought they would use pineapple to make their cakes. After dinner we went back to our hotel room at the Hampton Inn.
Date: 2008-05-30
From: Fredericksburg, Va

To: Fredericksburg, Va
Miles today: 0.0

We slept in a King size bed last night and Liz hated it. She woke up in the middle of the night and couldn¢t find me. I loved it because my feet weren¢t hanging off the bed. At Beth¢s house we helped get ready for the party. In between helping we washed clothes. One less thing to do when we get home. We helped put together the hotel welcome bags. Beth got reusable cloth shopping bags and filled them with goodies like bottles of water, Doritos, gum, fruit snacks, danish and band-aids, tissues and Advil. Lots of snacks for those midnight cravings. Beth made tons of food for the party and was still worried she wouldn¢t have enough. At the party Liz starting mixing drinks for everyone with the different flavored rum we got on the cruise. We hung out outside without a problem since Beth had enough citronella candles to keep the bugs away. At the end of the night everyone ended up in the living room watching them play Guitar Hero. I was so good that they booed me off stage. They were just jealous of my guitar stance. Next time I play I¢ll beat Jared.
Date: 2008-05-31
From: Fredericksburg, Va

To: Chantilly, Va
Miles today: 0.0

We slept in and relaxed in the hotel room this morning. We decided to run over to Target to get a house warming gift for Nathan and Sara for their new home. We bought them a laundry basket and filled it with household items like soap, tissues, cleaning supplies, sponges, pain medication, Therma care heat patches, a first aid kit and some doggy treats for their dog, Storm. We drove to Chantilly, VA to the Comfort Inn. Everyone not in the wedding party went to Rudy Tuesday for dinner. The food was good but our waitress was an idiot. We walked over to K-Mart to pick up supplies for Liz to make appletinis. I pushed Megan around in the shopping cart. When we checked out I told the cashier she¢s on clearance. That night we had a pool party at the hotel.
Date: 2008-06-01
From: Chantilly, VA

To: Chantilly, VA
Miles today: 0.0

Happy Birthday DAD! Todays the wedding. It was nice to have the roles reversed and not be the ones busy getting ready. For our wedding we had to be ready at the crack of dawn and there were so many problems like Liz running an hour late. What else is new. Everyone here was busy getting ready except us. The wedding was very nice. Kyle and Rina showed us up with their first dance. Our rumba was nothing compared to their tango. They did such a great job no one wanted to dance after them. The food was really good and everyone danced. Even me. Only because Liz made me. She made my dad and tim¢s dad dance too. We drank responsibly and made Jared drive us back to the hotel. Back at the hotel we had a cake for Dad¢s birthday. And appletinis. We also ate left over wedding cake. It was really good. They played a card game called ¢Bang¢ but I didn¢t follow it. I did make name tags for everyone. I decided that Jared was a "Dying Ethiopian Brad Pitt who couldn¢t reach his crunch wrap supreme with no meat". You would understand if you were there.
Date: 2008-06-05
From: Farmingdale, Ny

To: RPH shelter, NY
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Liz and I are driving up to Peekskill, Ny. She is going to drop me off there and thats where I will start up again. I took way to much time off and TB is getting back on in 7 days so I'm just starting 7 day back from where he got off. I'm sure it will be hard the first day out but I hope I'll be fine. My resupply is in 3 days but I brought only two hoping for Trail Magic on the third. You know what I'm saying Bad Hummus. Well I'm off again wish me luck and keep an eye on Yeti's journal. He is ahead of us but we should catch him by the end of the month.We got to the road near the shelter then walk down to it. It was right off the road. We hung out for awhile and then decided to go to Wendy's for dinner. After dinner we had this great idea for me to slack pack tomorrow so we drove up to the next shelter to see how easy it was to get there. It was down a dirt road but the shelter was only .2 mile south of the road. We walked up to the shelter and no one was there. I read the trail registry and found out that Bare Fodder is only a day ahead so I think I'm going to start there tomorrow and try to catch him. Liz and I drove to Fishkill, NY and got a hotel for the night She's going to drop me off a Wiley shelter tomorrow.
Date: 2008-06-06
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Mt. Algo Lean-to, CT
Miles today: 12.4

Temp: 80'sSlept well in the hotel bed. I'm not ready to rough it just yet. We had breakfast at cracker barrel and we ate well. Liz dropped me off at Wiley shelter so I can do some slack packing to Mt. Algo lean to. Slack packing is great. I packed a small backpack with some snacks for lunch and 2 bottles of water. I left my big pack with Liz. If I could hike with a 3 pound pack everyday I bet hiking would be alot easier. I made it there in good time but it took more effort than I expected. I guess I'm just a little out of shape. Once I got to the lean to I called Liz and she came to pick me up. We went to a pizza place in Kent, Ct. After dinner I asked Liz if she want to camp out with me tonight and she said sure. I was surprised but happy to hear that. We drove back to where see picked me up. There were 4 car parked on the side of the road near the trail. It must be weekender. It was 830pm and it was getting dark so we headed up the Mtn and Liz did very well climbing the Mtn in her flip flops. When we got there we saw a bunch of weekenders camping out and cooking in front of the shelter. First thing, Liz had to use the privy. This is the second time. The first was at RPH shelter. She said its not so bad if you can get past the smell. I agree. Liz helped me pitch a tent. Hey get your mind out of the gutter, it a literal tent. I gave Liz my sleeping bag and I slept in my sleeping bag liner. We fit comfortably, with us two and all my gear in my 1 person tent. I had fun camping with us my wife. I wish she could hike the whole trail with me. Weekenders are loud and they stayed up until 1100pm. I guess when you only hike a half a mile from your car to the shelter your not that tired. There is a little girl in the tent across from us. She has to be younger than 2 years old. This should be fun. Today is my 100th day doing the trail. I might not have hiked all 100 days but everyone needs a break sometime. Just a small mile-stone and Liz was with me to share it.
Date: 2008-06-07
From: Mt. Algo Lean-to

To: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-to, CT
Miles today: 18.3

Temp: 96It got cold last night. My liner wasn't doing it for me so I busted out my jacket. When I zipped it up the little girl in the tent beside us woke up and started crying. She stopped within a few seconds and was back to sleep. Liz ended up sharing the sleeping bag with me. She's such a great wife. She had no problems sleeping in the tent. She like the sound of the stream that was running next to the shelter. I did help drown out the noise from the weekender talking late last night.In the morning we got up packed our stuff up and I signed the trail registry. I put a comment about the rude Weekenders, and gave Liz a trail name "The Doctor" what do you guys think. We went to the dinner in Kent for breakfast. Then "The Doctor" dropped me off at the trail and we said goodbye for now. It was really fun having "The Doctor" with me. I just feel bad I made her waste her days off. On a info board next to the trail I read " Tick infested area". This did not comfort me. It felt as if I was going into a battle zone. Me and the ticks in a battle to the death. A battle royal have you. I came out victorious. Move like a butterfly sting like a bee. The heat was getting to me. It felt like I was walking through the turbines of a coal fueled Power Plant. My only relief was the streams. It had to be 15 to 20 degrees cooler by the streams. I ended up having lunch in the fork of one of the streams. After lunch it was 5 mile of climbing to the lean to. I stopped at a water source to fillup. If I would have known the water was horrible at the lean to I would have got more water here. At the lean to there were more Weekenders. Yepi. I got a campsite as far away as possible. I set up camp and went for water. The stream was horrible and the water was brownish. I got enough water to cook with, Steripen it and took it back to camp and boiled it to be safe. I don't have enough water for drinking so I'll have to rashen it until tomorrow. There is another water source 2 mile up the trail. It was hard to eat dinner because it was so hot. What I wouldn't do for some ice cream. After dinner I cleaned up, brushed my teeth, and got everything in the tent. I looks like it might rain. I hope, maybe it will cool down. I'm sweating just sitting here. I think I'm going commando tonight.
Date: 2008-06-08
From: Pine Swamp Brook Lean-to

To: Limestone Lean to, CT
Miles today: 12.2

Temp: 90I slept ok last night. It got cold in the night and I had to get into my sleeping bag. My alarm went off at 545am but I didn't want to get up. It was light out and I heard the Weekenders yelling about something. I finally got out of bed at 700am, pack my stuff up had a pop tart because I was out of water and headed out by 800am. I got some water at a campsite up the trail. I also made some oatmeal because the pop tart wasn't enough. Pressing on there wasn't many sites to see. There was a Hydro electric plant but no tours are given. I talked to a couple, out riding there bikes, that are doing the trail in sections. The two sections they have left are North Carolina and Maine. We talk for a little and I pressed on. I stop at a spring to fillup and have a snack. I meet a hiker that to get off the trail because of injuries and now is back on to finish. I think he said his name was Woodsmoke. I made it to the entrance of Limestone spring lean to at 200pm. The shelter was .5 mile down a steep blue blaze. I debated whether or not to keep going. I decided to keep going but I wanted to change my socks. My feet were soaked from sweating and I have a blister forming on my left heel. I changed my mind I'm staying here tonight to let my feet rest. I made it down the steep trail, thats going to be fun climbing back out in the morning. I set up the tent right away because the mosquitos were attacking me. I jumped in the tent for a few minutes of relief, then went to get water. The bugs are all over me down here. I here thunder in the distance and ever time it getting louder. I hear a rumbling getting closer so I get in the tent and zip it up. A few seconds later the rain rolls in heavy. So heavy that water was slashing up off the ground through the bug netting and on to me. Apparently I didn't look were I setup my tent or I would have noticed that there was a bare path that ran right under my tent and went it rains it becomes a stream. Thankfully I have a floor with raised side or I that stream would have filled up my tent. A couple of the seams were leaking in the roof so I'll have to buy seam seal next time I'm in town. After it was done raining I moved the tent just in case it rains again tonight. I ate dinner, talked to Woodsmoke for awhile then went to read a book The Doctor got me. Its called "The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook". I'll let you know if its good.
Date: 2008-06-09
From: Limestone Lean to, CT

To: Hemlock lean to, MA
Miles today: 17.8

Temp: 1 billion degrees I slept ok in the tent, at least bug free. I tried hard to get up early but I was tired. Woodsmoke was already up and when I got out of the tent he told me he was pulling a zero here. He said his muscles are sore and wants to rest. I don't blame him, it's hard starting back on the trail after taking time off. We talked for awhile and then said our goodbyes. Climbing out to get back to the trail sucked. Steep and wet a recipe for disaster. I was lucky, no causalities. Bugs are a big problem on the trail. After awhile you just let them fly around your face instead of swatting at them. I stopped in Salsbury, CT since it was only a half mile in. I resupplied at a grocery store and ate a fruit bowl that I had bought there. Then I went over to the coffee shop got a everything bagel toasted with cream cheese and an iced coffee. It was very strange that they put fennel seed on the bagel. I have never seen it like that. I ate it anyway. On the way out of town I meet a past thru hiker that was doing a section since he was in town. His name is Kunkapot Jack with his dog Spencer. We talked about the trail ahead and I got a picture of him with Spencer. The climb up Bear Mtn was horrible. I think the heat made it so much harder. Nearing the top the tree cover disappears and the sun was beating down on me for a good half hour. Finally when I get some shade the trail goes back down the Mtn and I mean down. I really could have used some repelling gear. It was so steep take if it had been raining, well lets just say I hope you have your will made up. I made it down in one piece, obviously, and I was on to my next climb.Race Mtn, beautful view but hate the climb. I was trash talking the Mtn the whole way up. Is that all you got, I can hike this with my eyes closed, this isn't sweat these are tears of laughter. The top had no tree cover and I was scrambling for shade. There wasnt much of a down hill before I got to the next Mtn. Mtn Everett, Who cares if it has a nice view I'm exhausted. This climb took the cake. It was near vertical at time with a stream flowing down the trail. I'm suprised I made it to the top. On the way down I almost stepped on a snake. It was yellow on the side with black down the middle. If I would have stepped on it I'm sure it would have bit me. I made it to the shelter. I was the only one there. I was debating on whether or not to setup the tent. Since I put the tent away wet this morning, I should at least let it dry out. By that time a south-bound hiker came along. He went by the name Jack. He is 74 years old and out to do a section hike. He was a nice guy to talk to. Same routine before I go to bed, dinner and a movie. I also talked to The Doctor since I had cell service.
Date: 2008-06-10
From: Hemlock lean to, MA

To: Tom Leonard lean to, MA
Miles today: 14.4

Temp: hot I slept ok last night but it was hot. I wish I had a breeze. I heard Jim moving around so I got up. A quick breakfast and I was off. Jim followed me back to the trail because he wasn't sure where it was. The hike out wasn't bad it just the heat. I decided to run into town at the next road. I went to The Great Barrington bagel co. You think I got a bagel but it was lunch so I got a rueben sandwich and potatoe salad. Even though it was a long walk in because no one would give me a ride, it was worth it. On the way out I spoke to some hikers coming in and they said there was a tornado warning until 600pm. I was suppose to go to south Wilcox lean to but when I got to Tom Leonards I was so tired and dehydrated that I just stayed there. I was 5 miles short but I'll just make it up tomorrow. I stayed at the shelter by myself. I think this is my first. I hope nothing happens to me. The rain and wind are coming in now. I hope it cools off. There is alot of lightening tonight it looks really cool. Big day tomorrow I'm out.
Date: 2008-06-11
From: Tom Leonard lean to, MA

To: October Mtn Lean to, MA
Miles today: 30.0

Temp: coolerRough storm last night. There was alot of lightening and wind. Other than that I slept alright. I was up and out on the trail by 700am. I put in 10 miles between breaks. At times finding water, I mean good water sources was hard. Bugs wasn't as bad as it was yesterday because the storm cooled the temperature. The problem with high mileage days is you don't get to enjoy the sites. I made it into camp at 700pm. There were some section hikers going south. They were amazed by how many miles I did. I told them to checked for ticks because they're getting bad. I had one of the girls freaked out because I told them the ticks can be as small as a speck of dirt or the size of a flea. The faster you remove them from your body the less likely you are to get an infection from them like lymes disease. Usually if you remove the tick within 24 to 36 hours you should be OK. Old fashion ways of removing ticks can be harmful. Removing the tick with tweezers getting as close to the skin as possible is the best way. Squeezing the tick or burning it can transmit their infected fluids to you. Once the tick is removed, you have to disinfect the skin with alcohol. I got my info about ticks from The Doctor. She wants me to know what to look for so I dont get an infection from the ticks around here. I was the last one in bed tonight.
Date: 2008-06-12
From: October Mtn Lean to, MA

To: Crystal Mtn Campground, MA
Miles today: 16.5

Temp: 80'sI got up at 500am and was on the trail by 530. I pushed 13 miles no stops to get to Dalton to wash clothes. I got in by 930 and started washing clothes then went to breakfast. I got the biggest breakfast they had with a cup of coffee. Its nice to have a good breakfast. I went back to throw my clothes in the dryer. I bump into two guys I met coming into Dalton. Flexible and A.T.O.M. were there names. A.T.O.M. stands for And The Old Man give to him by his son. They are trying to finish up a thru hike they started in '06. While the clothes were drying I shaved in the bathroom. It feels good to be clean shaven. I met up with Toddy Bear(TB) at the Post Office. I past it up because I was'nt paying attention and TB came out and yelled for me. We went to the diner to have lunch and then headed out. We were trying for the next shelter but stopped at the campground for a different reason. We set up camp and made a fire to get rid of the bugs. I brought a speaker for The ipod and so we could listen to music while hanging out at camp. TB and I talked about what we did on the break. Trying for an early start tomorrow.
Date: 2008-06-13
From: Crystal Mtn Campground

To: North Adams, MA
Miles today: 18.6

Temp: 80'sI shut the alarm off and didn't get up. When I woke up the second time I jumped out of bed and started packing up. It was 545am and we were suppose to get up at 500. Later Toddy Bear said he was glad I slept in because he was tired. We were off by 645. We stopped at Cheshire's Shell station. I ate two hotdogs for breakfast. We started our 1700 foot climb to the shelter and The climb was kinda tough. Once we got to 2000 feet the climbing wasn't so bad. We took a quick pack off break and changed socks. We read Yeti's trail entry he put in 11 days ago. We'll met up with him soon. Next stop Mt Greylock. It is at 3500 feet and The climb was easier than I thought. You can tell I was worried about the climb this morning when I looked at the elevations. Mt Greylock was awesome and I would love to came back here and spend the day when its open. We dryed out our clothes and ate some lunch. We left there and hiked right into town with a few breaks. Our first stop was Redwood Motel. Our hiker book said it was between 60 - 130 dollars, we were hoping for the cheaper. When we talk to the guy at the front desk I asked him what the rate was for 1 night and two hikers. He said $150 and I was stunned. I said I was thinking more like 60. That was too cheap but he could come down to 130. I said no thanks and when we started to head out the door, he said wait let me call my boss.He hands the phone to me and we talk. My final words were I'm a hiker and we can hike 4 miles out of town and stay at a shelter for free. He asked if I was paying cash or credit, I said cash and 60 dollars was the price. The power of negotiation is a beautiful thing. We resupplied at the stop and shop and got dinner there also. I had a cooked chicken from the deli and some bananas. What a combo. Then went back to the room and watched TV. Later we went back to stop and shop for ice cream. We finished off the night watching Ice Road Truckers. Awesome show.
Date: 2008-06-14
From: North Adams, MA

To: Melville Nauheim shelter, VT
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: haze

Temp: 86I was great sleeping in the hotel. We had the A/C cranked and it was cold. My alarm went off at 5 but I waited until 530 to get up. We went over to stop and shop for breakfast, it was the closest thing. I had two bagel and cream cheese. ToddyBear had 4 variety muffins. We were on the trail by 700am and the first climb was tough. It was muggy without a breeze. We hit the state line in four miles and took pictures of each other. We were feeling dehydrated so we started hitting the water source. By lunch time we were fully hydrated. After lunch we picked up the pace and went to our final destination with one water stop. We saw in the trail registry that there were alot of people heading for the same shelter. When we made it to the shelter only two hikers were there and 3 more showed up later. I made a fire and wrote my journal and believe it or not I'm tired at 700pm.
Date: 2008-06-15
From: Melville Nauheim shelter, VT

To: Story Spring shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: light rain

Temp:80Happy Father's Day DadLast night a hiker named Nevada was soring. Luckily I had ear plugs. He's a nice guy, but he's a loud snorer. Since I had ear plugs in I didn't hear my alarm go off but I woke up a 515. I heard rain so I slept for another half hour. Three packs of oatmeal for breakfast and we were out by 645am. The first shelter out was halfway for the day and also buggy. We were attacked by so many bugs that we decided to hike 3 tenth up hill to a fire tower. We climbed the tower to escaped the bugs and have a snack break. The hike today wasn't bad. We made it to our final shelter at 300pm. Its early but the next shelter is a pay shelter. They charge 5 dollars to stay. I built a fire to keep the bugs away. I waited until 530 to eat dinner so I would be hungry in the middle of the night, even though sometimes I am. I didn't pack enough food this time around and forgot to buy emergency food. I wouldn't eat my emergency food on the first day out of town like Bad Hummus. Next resupply for me is Manchester on Tuesday and I will be sure to buy enough food this time. I'm going to read some of my book tonight. I think the next section is how to escape from wild animals. (The Worst Case Senario Survial guide). Dad I tried to call but didn't have signal. Happy Father's Day