morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2003-09-21
From: Pinkham Notch

To: Skowhegan, Maine
Miles today: 0.0

start Pinkham Notchdestination Skowhegan,MaineWe ate breakfast at the lodge, then waited for Trish to show up. We are going to ride the Air lift up to Wilcat Mountain and do some trail magic. The ride up the mountain is wonderful. The trees are turning colors,another week or so and the woods will look like a Thomas Kincaid painting. We find a spot on the observation deck and set out our bounty of food and drinks. It is not too long before a south bounder comes by named Scooter. We feed and water him, talking all the time about trail life and trail conditions. There are plenty of people who have riden the tram up. They walk around us, eyeing our set up, a few stopping to talk to us. They are all duly impressed that we are hiking to Maine. Then a northbounder comes strolling in. His name is Taba. It means there and back again. We feed him, then sit around tanning ourselves in the sun. Because we are out of te wind, the day is warm and sunny. If we step from behind the wall though, the wind cuts right through us, sending us scrambling back behind the shelter. The growling of our stomachs finally sends us back down the mountain in searcg of real food. We drive into Gorham and stop at the Barn Hostel to check on who is there. Rifraf is still there, Nova and Tito, and Mover. We leave some trail magic for them then hit the pizza place. This place says it is a pizza place, but it serves everything else you could possibly want to eat. Mudbutt and I decide on roasted turkey with stuffing, acorn squash, mixed vegetables, real mashed potatoes and gravy and bread. Trisha gets steak with peppers and onions. IceCream puts a finishing touch to dinner and we say goodby once again to Trisha. I feel like we have made another good friend. Before I leave town, I try once again to find Bog Bridge Tester's uncle. This time I am successful and spend a few minues chatting with them. By dark Mudbutt and I are heading north once again. We will stop somewhere before Monson and spend the night. It has been a really fun day. Some of these hikers are so grateful for the few little things that we give them. It really is more bleesed to give than to receive!
Date: 2003-09-23
From: Caratunk, Maine

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

We decide to go back to the same place as yesterday for breakfast. The food was good and so was the service. My appetite is not too big this morning,so I order oatmeal and homemade raisin toast. We go to the grocery store,and get the food we will need for the 100 mile wilderness. We are both giddy with excitement and anticipation of the next part of our hike. The Rotarian who was too introduce me at the meeting is not there,so I am somewhat uncomfortable. It makes a difference if I walk in with a Rotarian even if I am dressed funny,than if I walk in alone. Mudbutt and I look like two homeless women,standing in line at the soup kitchen. It does not take too long though and we are made welcome. This club sings songs at it's meeting. Today they sing God Bless America. I do not sing,but rather just listen and watch my fellow Americans. Some of them,probably the ones who served in the military ,sing with pride in their voices,some just trying to remember the words,but most of t! hem sing with some sort of pride in their voices. I am moved to tears. Just to be an American is a priviledge and an honor. I give my usual five minute speech and sit down. After the metig,several people come up and hand me money for my polio fund. I am deeply toughed by their generosity. We head northonce again,taking in the sights of small New England towns as we make our way north. It is our intention to stash the car at Shaw's Boarding House and catch a ride to the trail to hike a few miles this afternoon. As a light rain begins to fall,we change our mind and darkness finds us sharing a room at the boarding house,then later sharing a bountiful dinner with the other hikers that are here. We will do a slack pack tomorrow of 15 miles. So much for the wilderness that we keep hearing about. There are plenty of slack packing opportunities around here.
Date: 2003-09-24
To: Hwy. 15
Miles today: 16.5

It was the most awesome sight. Just the dark eerie outline of this huge creature. How I longed for more light to get a good look at this moose who was standing just a few feet away. It seemed we looked at each other for minutes,before she turned and slipped away into the night. I let out a long sigh of releif and turned to find Mudbutt just behind me on the trail. It took us several minutes to get used to finding the white blazes in the dark. On this section of the trail,it seemed to switch back and forth,first going up the mountain and then down. Finally the trail straightened out more and we clipped along at a good pace. Me finding a white blaze,then walking to the next one while she waited for me at the previous one. At one point,we had been hiking for almost an hour when we came to a large secton of flat rock that the trail went across. Above us the sky was lit up with millions and millions of stars. Mudbutt asked if we could just take a five minute break here. So we la! id down on the rock,looking toward the heavens. It was the most glorious sight. The Milky Way looked like a trail of white glitter that had been thrown across the night sky. Mars was still a bright light,an unusual sight in the night sky. We laid there trying to fathom it all,and where we fit into the master plan of this universe. It was dark,and chilly,but for some unknown reason,we were calm and content. How we wished for our sleeping bags! We would have slept right there out in the open. But,we had to press on,so down the trail we went. Mudbutt every once in a while calling out "Marco" to which I replied "Polo." By the time we reached the car it was 9:30.We had been hiking 13 hours,2 of that in the dark. Flatlander,a young girl from Florida was waiting at the car for us. She didn't want to hitch hike alone, and in the dark,so she sat there waiting for us. We piled into the car,turned the heat up high and off we went. We were starved and thirsty.Cold and damp. Back in tow! n,we hit the gas station/conveince store just before closing time. I got some pancake mix and syrup and butter. This would be our supper tonight. When we walked into the house,cheers of delight greeted us from our fellow hikers! There were more familiar faces and some new faces. Loser,Snuggles,1/3 Trace,Apollo,Sherpa,Hopeful,Charity,then new faces that I will never remember their names. Our hiker friends were happy to see us,although I think a few of them were hoping to go on a search and rescue mission! While I cooked,Mudbutt took a shower ,then put our clothes into wash. We will have clean clothes and clean bodies tonight! With full bellies,we sat out in the game room while Loser played his guitar and sang songs about grace,salvation,God's love and mercy. As tired as we were ,we sat there drinking in the magic in that room. People from all walks of life,all ages,one common bond,the trail. Finally well after midnight ,we fell into bed. Grateful to be here. total miles 16.5
Date: 2003-10-02
From: White House Landing

To: White House Landing
Miles today: 0.0

zero day So much for the plans I had made for this week of hiking.After an awful where everytime I turned over,I hurt,I finally laid in the floor on my sleeping pad to try and sleep. Soft beds and hurt backs just don't mix. When everyone was awake,we all had hot tea while waiting for breakfast. When it was finally time to go to the lodge for breakfast,I limped over very slowly.The slightest bit of an incline or step was very painful,even after doing some big time stretching. I still held out hope that I would be able to hike out of here today. I sat down to scrambled eggs,bacon,fried potatoes,and english muffins. Some fabulous homemade blackberry jam topped my muffin and glasses of orange juice washed it all down. Then it was time for all you can eat blueberry pancakes. Stacks and stacks of them,which the hikers put away with no trouble. What a jovial time we had,sitting around the tables ,talking and swapping stories and dreams of hiking "the mountain".Then it was time to go. As I shouldered my pack and walked down the stairs,I knew I wasn't going to be hiking today. It was just too painful. So I bid goodby to my fellow hikers and watched as Bill took load after load of them across the lake where they got back on the trail. It was all I could do not to cry. I got yet another bag of ice from Linda and went back to the cabin,where I sat in the recl! iner trying to freeze my pain away. The warmth from the wood stove soaked deep into my bones as I sat there and read. Opposite George was staying here today,so we chatted the morning away. Of course lunchtime brought a whole new group of hikers in,and before you knew it,there were at least a dozen or more there.The threat of rain convinced most of them to stay the night,so come suppertime it was another happy group of hikers doing what we do best,eating.The rain ,complete with thunder and lightning hit just as dark was approaching. Then,from across the lake,the sound of the air horn pierces the air. Hikers have made it to the lake just in time. Bill went speeding across the lake,hoping to beat the rain and the dark. Peach Monkey and Peanuts were ever so glad to be in out of the dark and the rain. Linda popped a pizza in for them even though supper time was over. They were much appreciative of that and the fact they were inside out of the storm.
Date: 2003-10-04
From: Abol Bridge Campground

To: Bangor Airport
Miles today: 0.0

We woke up to rain this morning coupled with wind that seemed to blow right through us. FluffyNutter had arranged to ride to the airport with us,along with his friend Superfly. They were going to rent a car to get them around town. I havenever laughed so hard for so long as I did on the trip to the airport. Both ofthese guys are sooooo funny,andwhen you add in FluffyNutter's accent,well it seems like everything was worth laughing at,even when we got lost and had to turn around and go back. F course a rental car was not to be found anywhere at the airport,so they got a taxi to take them into town and left us to wait for Papermaker's flight. I am really anxious to see him. This trip up means that I am going to climb a very big,mean mountain.Finally.After all these many weeks,and months,the summit is at hand. I am excited,anxious,scared and determined. I stand at the big window where I can see all of the passengers depart the plane. I look at each one of them closely hoping for! a view of my sweetheart. Then a voice behind me says"Who are you looking for?" I don't know how but he has managed to get off the plane and sneak up behind me ,surprising me once more. Of course we have to go eat and catch upon the news from home. He has brought a video of a grandson's birthday party that I missed.Now that is not being fair. The grandmother in me longs to hold each and everyone of the grandkids and spoil them. We will have to wait until tomorow morning to getthe classification ofthe trail,but tentatively we plan to summit on Monday. Mudbutt's parents are flying in also,but they will not be in until much later tonight. Just as we get ready to turn in for the night,the lights all over town go out. Once more I pull out my headlamp to find my way around in the dark.
Date: 2003-10-07
From: Millenocket, Me

To: White House Landing
Miles today: 0.0

start Millenockitdestination White House LandingAfter having breakfast with the Huthmakers,we said farewell to them and headed back down to Abol Campground to see what hikers may have hiked in. We didn't meet any of those we knew,but did meet some new friends. Mudbutt dropped off Papermaker and I where we had arranged to meet Linda from White House landing. She is shuttling us out there where we will spend a couple of days resting and relaxing. We settle into our cabin and head over tothe lodge for lunc. Papermaker and I split one of those giant hamburgers and some chips. While we are there,the horn blows from acros the lake and Bill heads over to pickup the hikers. It is Blaze, Bog Bridge Tester, and Happy Feet. The second trip brings over more hikers I do not know. They all eat and stock up on enough food to get them through the rest of the hundred mile wilderness. The skies are a brilliant blue and not a cloud in sight. Linda tells us it is a class 3 day on the mountain. I lay on the hammock on our porch and read while! Papermaker walks up and down the shoreline,digging for treasures,which is one of his favorite pastimes. Later,we walk up the shore again looking for artifacts and enjoying the scenery. The trees across the lake have started changing their colors.The reflections on the lake seem to bring out even more of their colors. We hang out in the lodge and head down the shore to watch the sunset as it sends it's colors streaming over the horizon. We turn to go inside again and there rising in the easten sky is the moon. Just days from being full. The sky begins to twinkle with thousands upon thosands of stars as they come out. we decide to order a pizza for supper,followed by a brownie topped with Ben and Jerry's caramel delight ice cream. Blaze joins us for dinner and helps clean up our left overs. Back at our cabin,we light the gas lanterns and sit on the sofa,basking in it's warmth. We decided to play a game of Scrabble before turning in for the night. Turn after turn found the ! score neck to neck,each of us trying to pull ahead. In the end Papermaker beat me,which promptly gave him the big head. Ahhhhhh......I have not spent too much time today sorting out my summit of yesterday..Today I just want to be a tourist with my husband. Not think about hiking,or mountains,or tents or cooking.
Date: 2003-10-08
From: White House Landing

To: Freeport, Me.
Miles today: 0.0

start White House Landingdestination Freeport I woke up this morning,wondering for a moment where I was. A real bed,a warm cabin,and a man in my bed. I put some water on for hot tea and soon we were sitting looking out of the window oer the lake. Papermaker was much impressed with the breakfast and promptly ate like a thru hiker. We said goodby to the hikers who had spent the night,hoping to see some of them at the gathering this weekend. More digging in the old dump site kept Papermaker busy until lunchtime. As bad as we hated to leave,we got a ride back into town after lunch and met up with Mudbutt. The rangers had called it another class 4 day.The hikers were beginning to pile up,chomping at the bit to hike the mountain. We headed south hoping to do some shopping at some of the outlets on our way to Hanover.
Date: 2003-10-09
From: Freeport, Me.

To: Portmouth, Me
Miles today: 0.0

start Freeport,Mainedestination Portmouth,NH A day of travel and taking small steps toward the reentry process.Shopping at outlet store is a step in that direction. But I seem to notice a lack of excitement and enjoyment that I once would have had at a chance to shop like this. T was encouraging to buy two pairs of jeans in a smaler size than what Inormally wear though. But for the most part, Ijust wandered around trying to figure what I could buy for upcoming Christmas presents for the family. The trees are in their glory.All arayed in golds and reds and yellows. The scene goes on for miles as we travel south. The peak colors are not quite here yet as they were in Maine,but they are splendid just the same. I seem to be moving so fast,away from what has been my life for almost seven months. I want to scream out and say,slow down,I am not ready for this to be over ,not yet.But time does not stand still for any of us.I try to not think about the end tht I know is coming inthe next few days. I can push it aside and not think about it,and in some small way,put of the inevitable.
Date: 2003-10-13
From: Boston Airport

To: South towards Atlanta
Miles today: 0.0

I woke up before the wake up call and in a cold silence helped Papermaker get his things packed for the return flight home. Anxiety and disappointment stood between us like two bull dogs sulking in their hoses with a bone of their own ,but wanting what the other one had. I managed to keep my secret as he got on the plane,but with his request to call him later,I knew there would be trouble. He thoughtI was taking Mudbutt to the transtation to go home,when in actuality we were headed for Atlanta as soon as we dropped him off at the airport.If I called him,the caller I on his phone would give away our location. He would take this as a sign that as really upset with him,but there was no other way to pull this surprize off. Hang modern technology sometimes! We drove for ten hors,finally stopping for supper,and a late movie.One last hurrah for us! We talk about everything but the fact that in a few days we are going to go our separate ways. DENIAL !!!
Date: 2003-10-14
From: South towards Atlanta

To: Mudbutt's Parent's home - Atlanta
Miles today: 0.0

Mudbutt and I took turns driving all day long,listening to music,the radio,and a book on tapethat we got from Cracker Barrel. In some ways the day drug by and sped by in other ways.Before we knew it ,we were turning in the driveway of her parents house in Atlanta. They graciously put me up for the night,in a wonderfully comfortable bed,with soft clean sheets and fluffy pillows. I was awake until the early morning hours,too stressed to relax much less think about sleep. All that I could think about was what if .....I didn't get all I could have or needed to out of this hike....,if people viewed me as a failure because I didn't do the whole trail....if I couldn't hold onto and incorperate into my life the changes that I went through....what if didn't go through any changes.....if I couldn't adapt to living back in a house ,in the rat race...or even in society. Fearsand concerns,regrets and precious memories flooded my thoughts untl I thought I was going to blow a fuse. I fin! ally dozed off intoa fitful sleep.
Date: 2004-06-17
From: Home

To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Well,I guess this will conclude my hiking journal.. part one.What a grand time! What awesome memories!!Here I stand ,on the brink of another hike,Hopefully to finish the trail this time. To all of you who followed me,supported me,encouraged me,beleived in me ,I thank you,from the bottom of my heart.It was a wonderful six months on the trail.Friends and memories enough to last a life time.Yet I am anxious to go back,to become one with the woods.To once again become calm,patient and serene.Not pulled in twenty different directions,with a dozen things needing my attention. Just to be,to move forward and drink in heartily the sights and sounds that will surround me. If you enjoyed part one,get ready to relish part two!!!The trail calls me,it woos me as a lover.Inviting me to join it as it journeys north.And so I go.....as a young bride...giddy and excited....ready to begin another "Gone For a Walk". Join me....<------VISIT MY 2004 JOURNAL FOR THE LATEST ADVENTURES.
Date: 2003-03-09
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

March 09,2003In June of 2000, I was introduced to the Appalachian Trail. Once I heard of it, I knew I had to do it. I've hiked on sections in Connecticut, but never realized it ran from Georgia to Maine. Shortly after hearing about the trail I picked up a job at the local Eastern Mountain Sports in West Hartford, Conn. I've researched on gear, bought my pack, and talked to several different people and there expierences. Nevermind finding friends with the same interest of the great outdoors. So here I am three years later. I'm nervous, excited, scared, happy, and don't know what to expect. I've never spent so much time alone away from friends and family, and I don't know how I'm going to handle it. I'm sure I will be fine.My friends and co-workers think I'm crazy. Maybe there is some truth to it. They all ask me if I'm afraid. To a degree I am, but not of someone attacking me. I think it is safer then walking down streets of NYC. What scares me the most is my tight budget, and the thought of weeks of rain, or the lack of water.I'm going to quit my regular 9-5 job and that makes me nervous as well. Especially with the economy being hard right now. I currantly work at a doctors office, which I real like. I feel that considering I work in the medical field I will be able to find another job easily.My family is worried crazy about me. And my four month relationship with my boyfriend Adam, he doesn't talk much about it except he is worried for me too. He has even tought me some self defense moves just in case. God, I'm going to miss him. Well, its getting late and I have alot of planning to do. My departure date is aiming for April 15, TAX DAY!
Date: 2003-03-20
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

March 20, 2003Well, I'm starting to get more excited. I'm going to order my maps on-line today. I'm thinking of post-poning my start date a week. This way I can pig out on Easter Sunday, and work 1 more week for more money to spend.My family is so funny, they want to get a tracking device. My mom is really starting to research the trail now, because she finally realizes that I am going to go through with it. She is also voulenteering to go on "practice hikes with me. She is also talking about walking a week with me. I think I will have her hike Connecticut, home. My friend Julie and her two peanuts, Kendra 7, and Derik 10ish are going to go through the smokies with me. I can't wait to see the smokies. I really don't know what to expect with them. I know I love the whites, and I will feel at home when I reach them. But the smokies are a complete mystery to me. My boyfriend Adam, who has been a gem with putting up with me, well I think we have to have a long talk. He has taught me some self-defense moves (yes, he is a third degree black belt). But he gets very withdrawn and depressed when I mention the trail. I would love to spend Easter with him and his family. But we will see how that goes.   Next week is my Employee Sale Week at EMS. That means I get an additional 20% off. I recomend anyone planning this hike to get a part-time job in any outdoors sporting store. You learn alot by talking to the people who go through. Well, I have to go on line and get my maildrops set up. Enjoy,Debbie Deb
Date: 2003-04-10
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Okay, it's almost time to take off. I've decided to go to Georgia via bustrip, and to the trail via cab. I have only one more day of work, and a week to clean house and get ready to take off. I am getting excited and really can't wait to have time to myself. My family is starting to be more supportive, and my friends have been great. Well, I'm on the clock and have to make this short before my boss sees me.adios!
Date: 2003-04-13
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Wow, time is ticking. I am just sitting down trying to figure out my milage that I'm going to need to conquire. I'm getting really nervis about my late start. I will have to do an average of 15 miles a day, with out the freedom of puttsing around towns.I know I can do the average of 15 mile days. But the thought of switching to Southbound is starting to sound better by the minute right now. I origanally wanted to go Northbound for the reason of being a women and fallowing the crowd for saftey reasons. Southbound does sound appealing, I have less then a week to decide the direction of my travels. Mean while right now I have to focus on my taxes. Wish me luck!
Date: 2003-04-18
To: View Entry
Miles today: 0.0

Today, I woke up down in spirits, missing Adam. I went to my computer to check my email. No mail from Adam, but this is where my first trail angel came through. Steve, a customer at EMS that I had a conversation about my planned thru-hike. He wished me luck, and just said "...and remember... you're never alone on your path."--Thanks Steve!!!I bought my bus tickets yesterday, and I have to finish figuring out my mail drops today. I was going to do them every two weeks, but I would have to carry to much food with me at one time. So now I'm going to figure one every 10 days. GIDDY UP!!I also want to thank all my co-workers at GroveHill for there support! No one can ask for a better set of people to work with! Thank you!!!Love and live life! Deborah Jean