morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2010-08-26
From: VT 100

To: Governor Clement Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Started at VT 100 and hiked up Killingotn Mtn. At the top there is a gondola, which Mo and I rode down and back up ...why not it was free!Met a great Mother Daughter team out for a section hike...Late Bloomer and Chickweed.Ended up at Gov. Clement Shelter...met Nobo's Food Network and Chile, and Pepper. Chile and Pepper are a father son combo.
Date: 2010-08-27
From: Governor Clement Shelter

To: VT 103
Miles today: 7.0

Daniel picked us back up after a morning of hiking from the shelter to the road. We met him at the Whistle Stop cafe and enjoyed a delicious lunch and some ice cream.Returned to the AT house through Rutland...by far the largest city we've seen in two months. Ended up in Barnard at the lakeside for the afternoon along with some NOBO's we picked up near the house - Llana, Skidmark and Weasel. And a special guest, Yogi, a cat that Skidmark had found as a kitten in Virginia and is now traveling the trail with him.Had another great cookout at Daniel's, chicken, pasta, salad. We were joined by Troll and Hopper, two NOBOs we met on the trail and invited to join us. One of Daniel's friends' Jody, joined us and made Mo and I a cake in honor of us being on our honeymoon...spice cake with vermont maple syrup sugar frosting. YUM!
Date: 2010-08-28
From: Woodstock

To: Wood
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

another zero and another day doneslept in...much neededtoured downtown woodstock...very pretty.'Mo met James Frey - a favorite novelist of his outside of the Woodstock Inn.Went to Barnard for a late lunch at the general store and rested and read and relaxed by the lake again.We were joined by friend Meredith who joined us back at daniels for a while before we headed out to the Inn at Longtrail for another night of live irish music. the music wasn't quite as good this time...the band was Caernn or something like that. Funny song though - you can look up the lyrics if you wish - You're the worst pirate...
Date: 2010-08-29
From: VT 103

To: Greenwall Shelter
Miles today: 8.0
Weather: clear sky

We had a late start so only made it about 8 miles to the Greenwall Shelter. Gator is here tented out behind the shelter to avoid the mosquitoes. About one mile before the shelter we stopped at a beautiful stream and washed off the day's sweat and got fresh water because we heard the water at the shelter wasn't very reliable.We saw a red fox today in the woods...beautiful creature.while making dinner (Tuna Mac) we heard the CRAZIEST sound...it was a VERY large tree crashing down in the woods...it does make a sound and it resembles a machine gun or firecrackers.The Green Mountains are soft and beautiful...the trees look like they are on the brink of changing colors for the fall.Time to start picking up the miles to make our hoped deadline.
Date: 2010-08-30
From: Greenwall Shelter

To: Peru Peal Shelter
Miles today: 15.0
Weather: clear sky

Nice, easy going day.Took a nap at the Lost Pond Shelter.Ran into Boy Wonder...he is on fire with the miles today.Also met up with Red Tornado and Granny Gear. We met them when we were slack packing on day earlier this week. it was nice to chat with females again!Looks like we are all headed to the Green Mountain House tomorrow night...good times!
Date: 2010-08-31
From: Peru Peal Shelter

To: Manchester Center
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

YAY! Town. Beautiful hiking though VERY hot! Apparently we are now in a heat wave. Awesome. Oh and a hurricane might be making its way here this weekend. Good times on the trail.Not too difficult of a hitch into town. Dropped off at McDonalds and ate some yummy dollar menu food. Then the obligatory PO and Groceries. The Green Mountain House is the NICEST Hostel by far! The owner Jeff is great and super nice. right now everyone is watching movies on the flat screen - Taken.Ate a great dinner and am looking forward to hiking again tomorrow.
Date: 2010-09-01
From: Manchester Center

To: Story Spring Shelter
Miles today: 21.1
Weather: clear sky

Very long day. We finally accomplished our first 20+ mile day. Started with a yummy chocolate chip pancake breakfast then hit the trail. Made it to the shelter around 7:15. 11 or so hours of hiking. We did take a nap a lunch so we could make it though Stratton Mtn was nice with the fire tower...a nice breeze to cool us off. I listened to Jimmy Buffet on the iPod for motivation up the mountain.At the end of the day we were all completely worn out.
Date: 2010-09-02
From: Story Spring Shelter

To: Melville Nauheim Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: clear sky

Another high mile day. Its so great getting to knock out some miles. We took another nice nap at lunch at the Goddard shelter, which was beautiful.We reunited with Blissful at the shelter.We have decided to hike into Bennington for breakfast in the morning....yay!hike was decent today. passed a place called Hell Hollow Brook...and then heard crazy noises throughout the night...i don't care to ever stay at this shelter again...
Date: 2010-09-03
From: Melville Nauheim Shelter

To: Seth Warner Shelter
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: clear sky

A good 13 or so miles today. Hitched into Bennington for some yum breakfast...our first buscuits and gravy on the trail! made it out to the trail around 11 or so and we were off again. Had bfast with Chickweed and Late Bloomer who just finished their section hike of the trail so they gave us a ton of left over food...great resupply! ugh! the first .3 miles were straight up and in icky heat. we were so worn out but fortunately Mo bought an italian sub that we ate for a late lunch which gave us the energy needed to finish out the day. We saw a moose today! we followed it for several minutes as it went through the woods. Very cool! I think I hurt my knee - its swollen from where I fell yesterday.
Date: 2010-09-04
From: Seth Warner Shelter

To: Bascom Lodge
Miles today: 13.2

YAY another state down. We entered Massachusetts today. We took a lunch break in N. Adams at an All You can Eat Oriental Buffet. Lovely. The climb up Greylock was tough at first then we got to ridge walk for 5+ miles to the summit. At the top it was spitting rain and was really cold with blustery wind. We visited the Bascom Lodge and decided that it would be better to stay there than hike on to the next shelter. It was so nice to sleep in a bed.
Date: 2010-09-05
From: Bascom Lodge

To: Dalton - Tom Levardi's
Miles today: 17.0

It was a nice a mostly downhill today. Very cold morning. I literally walked as fast as I could for over an hour before my hands warmed up.We ate lunch at Diane's Twist in Cheshire, MA - split a meatball sub. A family rode up on their bikes and offered us some trail magic of an ice cream...we of course accepted and enjoyed.Dalton is such a hiker friendly town. As we were road walking through town on the trail, a lady pulled over and offered us a ride...but since we were technically still walking on the trail, we turned it down. Then a guy was mowing his grass and saw us and said hey! would you guys like some beer?! Well...he said he needed an excuse from mowing the lawn so we humbly obliged and hung out with him, his daughter, and the former owner of Jamie's place in town. They gave us each a beer and then a gatorade for the road. Very cool. We enjoyed a dinner at the Mill Town Tavern in downtown Dalton. Good ol' bar food. Stayed the night at Mr. Levardi's who offers his house and yard to hikers. He let us stay in our own room and he did our laundry and let us watch TV.
Date: 2010-09-06
From: Dalton - Tom Levardi's

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: few clouds

Very long day. This morning Tom fed us coffee cake, canteloupe and coffeee. yum! Great way to start a long day of hiking.At lunch time we had hiked to WAshington Rd/Pittsfield Rd where to the East is the "cookie lady" who offers free cookies to hikers. We stopped by and she let us eat our lunch at her picnic table. We helped her and her husband out for a bit around the place - helping put a camper top on his truck and move some stuff. Great, nice folks.before going to the cookie lady's house, at the road we also ran into a group of section hikers who just completed the section they've been working on. We passed them yesterday hiking. One of the guy's trail name is NO Pants. Because he doesn't hike in pants...just a speedo and long shirt. They gave us some beverages, peanut butter, and bagels, and some chips. Yum...gotta love some great trail magic.Made it UGP around 7. Enjoyed the pond, got cleaned up from the long hike and made some supper. The caretaker, Kevin, was great at taking care of us while there.
Date: 2010-09-07
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

This place is so nice, we decided to spend a day here. A cheap zero! We slept in, woke up and had coffee and blueberry pancakes made by the caretaker. Then we read some then went out on the canoe. The boys all played on the rope swing for a while. We got some great pics! Boy Wonder did a shopping run with the caretaker and bought supplies for a hotdog cookout. After much relaxing and ready and doing nothing, we ended the evening by playing rummy with Wonderland and Yogi. Great day.
Date: 2010-09-08
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Mt. Wilcox N Shelter
Miles today: 14.0
Weather: few clouds

Got a really late start today after eating more blueberry pancakes and the boys finding another rope swing on the trail out from the cabin. The goal today was to hike another 1.8 to the next shelter...but we got hungry and tired around 6:15 so we called it a day. For the first time Mo and I had the shelter all to ourselves.
Date: 2010-09-09
From: Mt. Wilcox N Shelter

To: Great Barrington - Comfort inn and suites
Miles today: 13.5
Weather: light rain

We rushed to get to G. Barrington for a PO pick up. We were planning on staying at a place called the Corn Crib but the Corn Crib is now a doll collection house thing and they said we could still stay out back but "there's now water as the well has gone dry and you have to flush the toilet by pouring buckets of water in it..."So we ended up at the comfort inn and suites. Ate dinner at the local co-op...great sandwiches. Found a used book store and Mo picked out a new/old book by Henry Miller.
Date: 2010-09-10
From: Great Barrington - Comfort inn and suites

To: Sages Ravine Campsite
Miles today: 14.6
Weather: overcast clouds

took it easy today. didn't try to rush our hike and it makes a difference when we just try to enjoy ourselves. Very nice views from Race Mtn.Listened to the entire Phantom of the Opera soundrack this afternoon...helped the day go by.Ran into Yogi, Wonderland, Boy Wonder, and Follow/White Blaze at the campsite. They are preparing for the Connecticut Challenge. 53 miles in a 24 hour period. Good luck fellows...Doesn't sound like anything I'd ever want to do.
Date: 2010-09-11
From: Sages Ravine Campsite

To: Limestone Spring Lean-to
Miles today: 10.9

Very lovely hike today. Strolled into Salisbury around lunch time and was hoping to find a sports bar to watch the UGA game...but this wasn't the town to find anything like that. So instead we went to a country bistro cafe and had GREAT food. Relaxed all afternoon at a coffee shop and read. oh and btw: we are now in CONNECTICUT! A Whole new state! AWESOME!
Date: 2010-09-12
From: Limestone Spring Lean-to

To: Silver Hill Campsite
Miles today: 19.1
Weather: light rain

WHEW. what a terribly long day. We had a road detour which took us by the Trinity Episcapal Church in Lime Rock CT...service had just started to se decided to stop in and join. We then were invited to afternoon coffee and snacks. VERY friendly church and great people.We left there and continued on a long trek to our campsite. We did our first and hopefully LAST night hike. I hated everymoment of not being able to tell where we were going. But we made it to the camp site and set up and had a great pavilion to hang out under and a nice front porch swing to relax in.
Date: 2010-09-13
From: Silver Hill Campsite

To: Kent
Miles today: 10.2

Easy hike into town. We decided to sleep in this morning and got into town around 3. Got a quick hitch and went straight to our hotel room at the Fife and Drum Inn and Restaurant. We cleaned up, laundered, and napped then went to dinner at the Restaurant. Pretty nice! Kent seems like a cool place.
Date: 2010-09-15
From: Mt. Algo Lean to

To: Telephone Pioneers Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: broken clouds

We met up with Blissful last night at the MT. Algo Lean to and hiked behind her today. There was no water at the shelter. So last night I hiked down the dried up creek bed until I found a puddle of water where I tried to get some water..though it was mostly mud and I was startled by a frog that jumped out. I mananged to get enough to boil and cook some cous cous with...though half way through eating it I started thinking about the frog and couldn't eat another bite. 1 mile past the shelter this morning we got great clean creek water and made some instant bfast shakes for breakfast. Heard there was a hot dog vendor at a road we would cross around dinner time. Showed up at ten til 5 and he was shut down...but did sell us some danishes and chips and sodas...Sat at the train station that is on the AT and enjoyed our sodas then pressed on to the shelter. It was a big day and we were definitely worn out. Blissful was at the shelter with us again.
Date: 2010-09-16
From: Telephone Pioneers Shelter

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 17.0
Weather: clear sky

Great hiking today. Got to STormville and met a day hiker named Electron John who was about to begin a hike but decided to help us out and take us to the PO and to a Pizza place. Worked out great. Mo and I enjoyed large calzones and then hiked back to the trail. Made the last 5.5 miles in 2 hours and 10 minutes. Awesome. RPH shelter is great - its basically a cabin with a bunk, desk, chairs, covered porch and well pump water. The water was a little rusty looking but we treated it and drank it anyways. It was raining this afternoon so this shelter is a great respite for a raining evening. I read in the journals that there was a resident skunk so about 3 AM I SWEAR I smelled it in the cabin but was to scared to turn on my head lamp and check it out.
Date: 2010-09-17
From: RPH Shelter

To: Dennytown Rd.
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Morning hiking was nice. MAde 11 miles to Dennytown Rd and decided to stop for lunch. Walked up to the campsites and sat at some picnic tables to eat our meal, when several people started showing up. We were asked if we were there for the annual pig roast. We didn't know what they were talking about and told them our story. Helen...the host of the party invited us to stay the evening, that they love taking in and feeding hikers. So we called it a day, rested, read some books, socialized, and help set up for the 4 day weekend event. They fed us a ton of cheese, crackers, and various pastas...YUM! Thanks so much! You sure did make us feel welcome!
Date: 2010-09-18
From: Bear Mountain, NY

To: Dennytown Rd
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Today two of the other guests at the Pig Roast helped us out by driving us to the base of Bear Mountain where we slacked back to the Pig Roast. It was so freeing to hike with out our packs. We started out hiking by the lake at the base of bear mountain where they were setting up for Octoberfest. We bought some homemade blueberry bread from a vendor and walked down to the Hudson River to eat it while watching some locals fish and throw out Crab cages for blue crabs. After bfast we walked back up to the trail that literally goes through the Bear Mountain Zoo where we saw a ton of local animals. You can see pics on our facebook page.Finally made our way through the zoo and over the Bear MTn Bridge and UP a big climb...then ridge walked back to Dennytown Rd. We took a side trail to find a castle someone told us about...but never found it...only a gazebo...sad.STopped for a late lunch around 2 and then high tailed back to the cookout.Enjoyed a HUGE bonfire, roasted pig, and great company!
Date: 2010-09-19
From: Seven Lakes Dr

To: Bear Mtn
Miles today: 3.6

We made a great friend at the cookout named Craig who took us home with him and allowed us to shower and do our laundry. He even slacked us over Bear Mountain and let us stay the night at his house. And he took us to his fav deli for deli sandwhiches for lunch, and took us to a local brew pub for dinner. Thanks Craig for all the fun!
Date: 2010-09-21
From: Agony Grind/Ardon Mtn

To: Wawayanda Shelter
Miles today: 21.0
Weather: clear sky

We got to NJ today! Woot. We started super early. Stopped in Bellvale at a hot dog stand for lunch, then at the creamery for the best ice cream I have EVER EVER had. Got a hitch into town to the PO which was inside a pizza place. And got a hitch back out to the trail and still did 21 miles. Had to night hike the last mile or so...but I was much better with this one as it was very flat and not very rocky. Had the shelter to ourselves.
Date: 2010-09-22
From: Wawayanda Shelter

To: Unionville NY - The Mayors House
Miles today: 17.0

Hiked to a road that had a landscaping garden center and farm stand where Mo and I bought the largest Raspberry Danish ever and some gatorades. Wrong choice. The danish was full of a geletin that made us sick to our bellies of sugar overload I guess. We had to sit for a while and recover...but finally made it to our destination. On the way the trail took us around a wildlife refuge that used to have a ton of water for all the birds...ducks, swans, geese, hawks, egrets, herons, even vultures (ick). But there was a little water and we still saw a ton of wildlife. We saw an older fawn and two does hanging around earlier today too...they didn't run away when I came upon them. At the refuge we met a nice lady who had set up her easel and was painting the landscape of the mountain we had just came down from.A little while later, while road walking, I looked down a dirt road and there was a bear just waddling up it and into the woods. Had no idea we were watching it. Just before that a large deer jumped out in front of me and across the road...they were definitly on the move today.Finally made it to the MAyor's house...a hostel for $10 pp that gives you a shower, laundry, a bunk, sodas, and two HOT BIG meals!
Date: 2010-09-23
From: Deckertown Turnpick

To: Unionville NY - The Mayors House
Miles today: 14.0

Slacked today back to the Mayors House. We needed some rest and was back to the hostel by 3:30. New Jersey is getting rocky...tender feet after today. Mo and I watched a movie, The Family Man, and definitly got some great rest. Thanks to Butch, Bill, Dick, and Shadow!
Date: 2010-09-24
From: Deckertown Turnpike

To: Crater Lake
Miles today: 17.0

What a hot a miserable afternoon...Made it to Culvers Gap with a nice morning, ate lunch at Gyps Tavern over looking the Kittatinny Lake. Hung out with some locals and ate some bar food. Rehydrated as best as we could...filled up on water...then hiked on...and then it got HOT and HUMID and MISERABLE...We were planning on making it a 20+ day...stopped at 17 at Crater Lake..great choice. Made it there by 6:30...it was still warm enough to go swimming...so we did.Ran out of water treatment though..no good. So I boiled a pot full of water at a time for an hour or so...Made dinner...slept under a FULL moon! It was soo bright.
Date: 2010-09-25
From: Crater Lake

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: few clouds

Did our first 20 by 6:30. Pretty awesome. Hike was nice today, not nearly as hot. Met a guy named Llama who we hiked with most of the day. His food went missing in the middle of the night so we helped him out and fed him some lunch and snacks. Walked with him unitl Sunfish Pond. Also met another dayhiker that we named Water Angel (Sam). He is planning on a thru hike so Mo gave some great advice and information. The ridge walking in this last part of NJ is absolutly STUNNING! Highly recommend for a weekend or day hikes! Met some people doing a hawk count and they pointed out different birds that were flying by, including an Ospry with a fish in his claws!Made it to Delaware WAter Gap and we are staying at the Churhc of the Mountain Hostel. Hanging out with section hiker, NOBO, Cobbler. He and Mo hit it off since Cobbler is also a Southern Baptist and is a missionary. They talked way into the night well after I was sound asleep. Mo and I enjoyed a dinner at the local bakery - we had the special for $2.50 each - a hot dog and slice of apple pie, which we also enjoyed a half gallon of milk along with that.
Date: 2010-09-26
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: light rain

Dont' remember the name of the shelter we stayed at this night and can't look it up since I didn't bring my companion with my to the library. But we had a pretty easy day though VERY VERY Rocky. Not a whole lot of luck with water though. At the shelter Mo hiked half a mile down a hill to get to the 3rd spring that had water (the 1st two were dry). At the shelter were two weekenders who gave us their left over food...thanks guys! My left foot is very tender from all the rocks...went over a section called Wolf Rocks today...it was pretty cool but all the rocks in PA are painful!
Date: 2010-09-27
From: Shelter

To: Palmerton, PA
Miles today: 16.0

Got out early and headed to Slatington for a PO Pickup. On the way realized at this road we could also go another direction and stay at a place for free tonight. So we were lucky enough to hitch in to Slatington and get our PO's and then met a guy there who drove us to Palmerton. Awesome. he was headed there anyways to a parts store, which happened to be almost exactly across the street from where we were staying. The Borough Hall allows hikers to stay in its basement for free and they have showers. So we stayed there and slept great...had the place to ourselves. On the trail this is the place people refer to as staying in jail because I believe it used to be an old jail house.
Date: 2010-09-28
From: Palmerton, PA

To: Palmerton, PA
Miles today: 0.0

Taking a Zero today. Got up with all intentions of hiking out...then Court's belly wasn't agreeing with hiking. So we went back to the Borough and they are allowing us to stay another night...though usually only allow one night. This afternoon am feeling better. We will hike out tomorrow with hopes of making up some lost ground from today, but we wont push it if we cant make it. Enjoying today though...slept some more this morning. Had lunch at Tony's Pizzeria. Spending the afternoon at the library playing on FB, trail journals, and watching online tv!
Date: 2010-09-29
From: Palmerton, PA

To: Eckville Shelter
Miles today: 24.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Our longest day ever! Started out great! Got an early start around 7:30 on the trail, even with having to get a hitch out of town. Palmerton is really a friendly town for hikers. At the first shelter we came to we met another SOBO - Rootsrock. He started about half a month after us and has now caught us. He is doing incredibly HUGE miles. Very nice guy!Since the terrain wasn't too horrible and we were making pretty decent time, Mo and I decided to go for the almost 25 mile day of hiking. We made great time and were in the Eckville Shelter by 6:30.Unfortunately...I got my new shoes from mom - THANKS MOM. They were supposed to be a blessing to help me survive the rocks of PA...well. We should have taken it a little easier to break in the new shoes instead of 25 and rocks. Ended up with two HUGE quarter size blisters on my heals. ICK! But we are at Eckville shelter and its supposed to be torrential down pours tomorrow with a tropical depression moving through - expected up to ten inches of rain...At the shelter is Rootsrock and Paul Bunion. We have been bouncing around Paul Bunion and expecting to see him soon. Very cool guy. He is very tall over 6'6".