morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2008-07-03
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

To: Dalton, MA
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: few clouds

I was packing my bag this morning and for the first time, I was truly sick of it. Sick of packing and unpacking day after day, being constantly wet, etc. Had pancakes at the Cabin (thank you, God, for these saving graces of the trail that always seem to pop up just at the right time). I also met the Catholic priest on the trail, aptly named Padre. (and when I called home, my mother, bless her precious heart, was quick to encourage me to go to confession). Oddly enough, we started the same day--crazy I didn't see him until i got here.I hiked with 6 iron, the only other woman I've seen thru hiking in 2 weeks. When we got into town we were told to go to the gas station and ask for Rob. Rob Bird came and picked us up, brought us to his house, did our laundry and took us out to dinner and shopping, and let us stay at his house... all for free from the kindness of his heart. He even cleared all of the men out of the front room so I could have it to myself. What a guy. I will never understand the generosity of some of the people I meet on the trail, but I can say that I will be eternally grateful.
Date: 2008-07-04
From: Dalton, MA

To: Cheshire, MA
Miles today: 9.3

Today is a big day, not only because I have plans to see fireworks, but also because Michael is coming for a visit. Woo Hoo... haven't seen him in 6 or 7 weeks, and I've been feeling down on the trail, so this will really be a treat. Rhino, Padre, Ronja, Apostle and I did a quick 9 mile slack pack into Cheshire. Rhino was hysterical. The man's ability to stay bouyantly positive is inspiring. He rolledinto the driveway proclaiming he was ready wearing nothing but a t-shirt, flipflops and these crazy '80s punk rock boxer shorts, with a glass of OJ in one hand and coffee in the other. It's his vacation day, he wants us to know. He had Ronja sherpa packing him. It's one thing to have your brothers do it, but your dog? We were definitely a shight walking down the street. There was one point during our hike that Ronja wasn't keeping up, very unlike her. She is usually at Rhino's heels. We turn to see that, because of her doggy pack, she was wedged between 2 rocks. So funny.Michael was supposed to pick us up, but ran into traffic. We thought we were going to have to wait a couple of hours for him, then, lo and behold, trail magic was bestowed upon us. Tom Kevlar, the other Dalton Trail Angel, just happened to be driving by in his Jeep and asked us if we needed a ride. Sweet! He does the same things as Rob Bird. Once Michael arrived and got settled, we went over to Tom's for a BBQ, and were able to see fireworks from his yards.
Date: 2008-07-06
From: Dalton, MA

To: Wilbur Clearing Lean to
Miles today: 11.0

After Michael left (boo hoo), I hiked up Mt. Greylock, the highest mountain in MA. The views were pretty good, but it was rather hazy. Met up with Jukebox and the General at the shelter--great to see them again. I'm hoping to summit with them, but they may plan to finish a little later than me. Fingers crossed.
Date: 2008-07-07
From: Wilbur Clearing Lean to

To: Williamstown, MA
Miles today: 3.0

I had great aspiration for massive hiking feats today. They were dashed. The "real world" (note 4 letter word) invaded my hiking reverie. TheGeneral, Jukebox and I hiked into Williamstown to do a little bit of resupply... unbeknownst to me, they were salivating over the idea of getting sucked into town after a 3 mile day. I called home to ask about my student loan, and that snowballed into quite a debacle. In the end, everyone was satisfied. After ALL DAY on the phone and internet, I sorted out my loan (and even found out that I can afford to go to school in the fall), the boys got to drink n the creek all day, and I found my favorite swimming hole on the trail... it was in the unlikely location behind the outfitter where we camped. It was awesome. I spent the afternoon swimming and kept feelings of guilt that I should be hiking at bay. Ah... my friend Kate also called and she's going to come out in a couple of days to meet me.
Date: 2008-07-08
From: Williamstown, MA

To: Melvin Nauheim Shelter
Miles today: 20.0
Weather: few clouds

Boring day. We did cross into Vermont, which is at least somewhat of a landmark, so I'm officially on the AT and Long Trail for the next 100 or so miles. It was hot, of course, what with it being summer and all, but being constantly wet is losing its charm. I've been bored this week for the first time. I guess that's not too bad for over 3 months on the trail. Good thing I'm in good company.
Date: 2008-07-09
From: Melvin Nauheim Shelter

To: Goddard Shelter
Miles today: 8.5
Weather: broken clouds

Yet another industrious hiking day planned and thwarted, this time by weather. We hiked to the first shelter in nice weather, stopped for lunch, and the skies opened up. You have no idea how difficult it ts for hikers like me to get motivated when it'sliterally pouring down buckets outside. So we stayed put till it stopped, got our packs back on and, what do you know, it started raining cats and dogs again. So at Goddard we stayed. It was a good choice, but it also means that tomorrow we will have to do over 27 miles to get to the shelter where Kate will meet us.
Date: 2008-07-10
From: Goddard Shelter

To: Spruce Peak Shelter
Miles today: 27.2
Weather: clear sky

Today was my longest day yet, and I was surprise that I chose today of all days for my longest when it was the first that I actually started feeling sick. I just completely lost energy and felt naseaus. ugh. Didn't know how I was going to get up Stratton Mtn, and didn't even have the energy to climb the fire tower. KAte was at the shelter when we got there... whoo hoo! So nice having a friend around Forgot to mention that I met Chef, Mouth and Zeus yesterday. It didn't take me long to figure out how mouth got his name. I've never heard anyone curse like that, not even my father. he comes strolling up to the shelter holding what I think is chocolate in his hand. As he got close i realized he was holding a moose turd, and he says, "does anyone know what this is?" And Isay, "yeah, moose crap." "Ohhhh. I'vebeen wondering about this!" he says as he proceeds to crumble it and bring it closer to his mouth. "Oh dear God, no," I think, "he's not going to eat it." And he didn't, but he did sit down and immediately start snacking without washing his hands...
Date: 2008-07-11
From: Spruce Peak Shelter

To: Manchester Center, VT
Miles today: 2.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Ah yes another nero and there's nothing like em. Even though we only hiked 2.8 miles, I was really irritated on the hike because I still wasn't feeling well. Kate drove me, Cheif Daddy, the General and Jukebox to town and towed us around all day. Thanks so much Kate! I felt feverish and chills and headachy throughoutthe day, but i tried to pretend like I felt fine because denuial is usually a good cure for these things. Had fun in town nonetheless.
Date: 2008-07-12
From: Manchester Center, VT

To: Rutland VT
Miles today: 0.0

After saying goodbyes to Kate. I started the hike with a massive headache and not feeling good anyway. I didn't get far. In fact, I hardly got to the first shelter. When I did, the General and Jukebox encouraged me to call Kate to see if she could take me back to town. Lucky for me she had been sidetracked by a VT farmers market and hadn't gone very far. I knew already that I probably had Lyme disease. I had pulled an engorged deer tick off earlier in the week and had been feeling ill since. Lucky for me there was a clinic open all day and i got right in to see a doc. He agreed that it was probably Lyme and gave me a script.Kate then took me to Rutland to the Back Home Again Hostel. What a cool place. It's run by a little religious community called the Twelve Tribes, and it makes some people a bit uncomfortable because it's a little too close to cult for comfort. But they weren't too pushy with the religious stuff, and I was curious so it worked out well for me. The hostel is actually above their cafe, which is the coolest cafe I've ever been in. They harvested everything in it from the woods and old barns, so all the materials were free. They also fed me dinner, which was delicious hippy food that I've been missing on the trail. I went to bed exhausted from a long day of not much.
Date: 2008-07-14
From: Rutland

To: Rutland
Miles today: 0.0

I'm feeling much better today so I did work for stay at the hostel. Basically all I did was fill salt and pepper shakers. I took the bus over to the Inn at the Long Trail because I had to get a package and had to get a Guinness. Thank goodness I felt better. IT's the best pint of Guinness on this side of Atlantic, a really proper pint, and a must not miss for the trail. Jukebox and the General were there along with Mouth having a pint when I got there. Owen, the bar tender, took about 5 minutes to pour my pint and even put a shamrock on it. It was a nice nod to the mother land. And I happen to be reading 'Tis by Frank McCourt, so I had a very Irish themed day. When I got back to the hostel, I started talking to some of the kids about living in the community. As I was chatting and asking questions I noticed that the 12 year old girl kept staring at my legs. It was funny. I couldn't tell if she was staring because they're hairy or because she doesn't usually see other women's legs (they all wear long pants or skirts--I doubt they shave. The men all have beards and long hair because they think it's healthy). Anyway, It just struck me as funny. Good people.
Date: 2008-07-15
From: Rutland

To: VT 12
Miles today: 23.7

I decided to slack pack today and, my oh my, I over did it. After about 4 days off and being sick 24 miles is not the way to go. The terrain was TOUGH. Yes, the trail is getting more challenging again... good prep for the Whites, I suppose, but I think this will be my last 20+ mile day for a while. It hurt, but, as always, I was in good company, which helps. Had another perfect pint with General and Jukebox as well as an Irish Reuben. Yes, I slacked with them and skipped the 50 miles from Manchester to Rutland. Alas. I need to keep somewhat on schedule, I really enjoy hiking with Juskebox and the General, so I'm just gonna have to come back next year and finish it. I'm not too concerned, but I am relieved that I decided long ago not to be a purist. Tom,the shuttle driver and trail angel drove me back to the Hostel where I did another work for stay. I told the folks that I was finally leaving the next day, and that's when they tried to convince me to stay for the weekend. It was only Tuesday. I think they were disappointed I didn't join ranks, but I think I'm well past the stage of being reformed.
Date: 2008-07-15
From: Rutland

To: VT 12
Miles today: 23.7

I decided to slack pack today and, my oh my, I over did it. After about 4 days off and being sick 24 miles is not the way to go. The terrain was TOUGH. Yes, the trail is getting more challenging again... good prep for the Whites, I suppose, but I think this will be my last 20+ mile day for a while. It hurt, but, as always, I was in good company, which helps. Had another perfect pint with General and Jukebox as well as an Irish Reuben. Yes, I slacked with them and skipped the 50 miles from Manchester to Rutland. Alas. I need to keep somewhat on schedule, I really enjoy hiking with Juskebox and the General, so I'm just gonna have to come back next year and finish it. I'm not too concerned, but I am relieved that I decided long ago not to be a purist. Tom,the shuttle driver and trail angel drove me back to the Hostel where I did another work for stay. I told the folks that I was finally leaving the next day, and that's when they tried to convince me to stay for the weekend. It was only Tuesday. I think they were disappointed I didn't join ranks, but I think I'm well past the stage of being reformed. PS--Happy 59th Birthday, Mom!
Date: 2008-07-16
From: VT 12

To: West Hartford, VT
Miles today: 12.5

As predicted, today hurt, and it hurt us all. We were planning on doing 16 miles, but it became apparent quickly that that wouldn't happen. We got a late start and we were all groaning up the first ridiculous hill. Well, it wasn't a hill at all, it was a mountain. They're all mountains. IT was one of those mornings that I was actually angry about being on the trail. That doesn't happen often, and when it does, I'm puzzled by it. Then a beautiful thing happened. We walked through raspberry patch after raspberry patch, and then we came across some glorious trail magic. Bad Influence had left watermelon, candy, chips, gatorade, beer and all manner of delicious treats in a cooler by the road side. It created an instant mood swing in me. We decided just to do 12 miles into West Hartford and that was also quite a blessing. There was a great little deli where we got sandwiches, and a couple down the street allowed us to camp in their yard. And what a terrific spot! They have a creek running through their yard that they dammed and now has a pool. It was a great little spot. The guys got beer and they had a romantic night sipping brew by the natural pool. It's hilarious how much they resemble a trail couple, and Jukebox is definitely the wife. He even has the General taking vitamins now. I got a nice "couple" photo of them lounging in adirondack chairs by the pool.
Date: 2008-07-17
From: West Hartford, VT

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: few clouds

Yet another momentous day! We are in New Hampshire! The White Mountains, that glorious geologic formation that I have been dreaming about for 1800 miles, is just around the corner. My spirits are high after yesterday morning's blues. We blue blazed into Norwich at the advice of Steve, our host for last night. He told us about a micro-brewery just off the trail once we told him we were "brew hikers." We got a great room in Hanover that over-looked a lake. Town was cool... what do you expect, it's the home of Dartmouth! Saw Baltimore Jack, which was cool, and Pipper caught me! When i skipped ahead in PA, he was one of the last people I saw. So he managed to gain 150 miles on me in a month. That's pretty dang impressive. After missing my stop on the bus and walking 2 miles back to the hotel, i watched the sunset on the lake. Oh, and just for fun, the General served me a glass of wine, butler style. Ah the little things that add fun to the trip. IT was a great day. I'm eagerly awaiting the Whites.
Date: 2008-07-18
From: Hanover, NH

To: Trapper John Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: broken clouds

After a huge breakfast that I couldn't even finish, the General and I hiked out. Jukebox was staying in town to meet his wife for the weekend and will meet back up with us in Glencliff, just before the White. Just as we were getting ready to stop for lunch, the thunder started. The General and I eyed each other nervously and quickly decided to hike the 2 miles to the shelter for lunch. Boy that hill was a doozey. But it didn't rain, at least not then. When we were about a mile from the shelter where we were going to stay the night, we weren't as lucky. In fact, it was one of the worst storms I've been in. All matter of rain, hail and scary thunder and lightning. When you're on a ridge line, that is no fun. At one point the general stopped to put his pack cover on so I got ahead of him. After I started coming off the ridge line I stopped to wait for him because I actually thought, golly, if something happens to him and he doesn't show at the shelter, I'm just going to have to walk farther to get him." It's funny how you're always in efficiency mode out here. GOod thing I waited too, because he was afraid that I had fallen off the mountain. Guess I was going faster than he expected me to. Nothing like the threat of lightening to put a little pep in your step. We got to the shelter safe and sound, albeit wet, and shared it with some delightful southbounders, a cute, touchy feely married couple.
Date: 2008-07-19
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Hexacuba Shelter
Miles today: 12.0
Weather: scattered clouds

I saw another bear today! It was just before the shelter, a juvenile and, as always, running away. I have no digital proof of seeing a bear yet. Today was delightful. We came across a sign that said free water and ices cream at about 7:30 am, so of course we went. WE were greeted by 5 toe-headed brothers under the age of 9. What a great way to start the day! It's nice to see little kids--there aren't any out here. It made me miss my niece and nephew too. We let our stuff dry out at a fire tower, then we got to this great little stream where I took a bath. Once again, we got poured on just about a mile from the shelter,but it wasn't as bad as yesterday. The shelter was awesome, hexagonal structure. We got in early and had a really lovely and peaceful afternoon. I fed some chipmunks and spent the afternoon enjoying the beauty of the mountains.
Date: 2008-07-20
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 15.0

IT rained all day, but it wasn't unpleasant. The General and I had an easy walk into Glencliff and I'm staying at the HIkers Welcome Hostel. IT's a cool little place. Mouth, Chef, Chief Daddy are all here. We went to town for the pizza and beer run, and had a good night chilling. I crushed the General in 2 games of jenga, but he beat me the last time. Life is good.
Date: 2008-07-21
From: Glencliff, NH

To: Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 0.0

Well, I decided to take a zero today after all. I've been waiting months for the Whites, and it's supposed to rain all day. The spectacular thing about the Whites is the views, and the first climb up Mt. Moosilauke is supposed to have some of the best. It's supposed to be nicer tomorrow, and this way I'll go ahead with Jukebox and the General instead of being a day ahead of them. I'm keeping guilty feelings at bay as the weather's been pretty nice today and rainless. So now I will tell you a funny story.I haven't really said much about hostel culture yet, so here is a glimpse. Every hostel has a couple of zany people living here long term. Here they have a very nice old man named Ray. I'm not sure why he's here, but he is and he likes working on bikes. He also likes to cook, but he has to cook on this little stove he had outside. He just made country bacon and came walking in with a piece for me. I took one look at it across the room and knew it hadn't been cooked nearly all the way through.   But he was standing there waiting for me to eat it, explaining that it was from a local pig and you can't get this kind of bacon anywhere else. So I did what I had to do and downed the greasy chewy meat. I never refuse food when offered on principle. People like to share food and it is a gift and it's polite to take it, but, Lord in Heaven, I hope this time I don't regret it. Oh god. The longer i sit and type this, the more stories i'm gonna have from this old guy. He just came in with a corn cake and my first thought was "awesome! this should redeem that bacon." So I start eating it and he tells me that the dog is still following him all over the place. Said animal is a 10 year old cocker spaniel and has THE worst teeth i have ever seen on any beast, great or small. The General calls her Sleazy Bitch and says that her teeth are so bad she could be British. Mouth says she should be put down, but not with a shotgun, because it wouldn't be worth the shell. Her owner, Bear Paw, says not to let her lick you. Sleazy Bitch once licked her friend's eye and her friend ended up getting an eye infection. So i start eating this corn cake while old man is telling me about the dog following him around. Then he says, "well, I guess it's not so bad when I'm cooking. She licks the pans clean so I don't even have to wash them." Dear lord! I hope my digestive system can forgive me. It's going to be an interesting day. I remember to be grateful for the gift of food.
Date: 2008-07-22
From: Glencliff, NH

To: Kinsman Notch
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: light rain

There were some comical updates that developed late yesterday, so I must update that before describing my day.There is something about the Hikers Welcome Hostel and old men.The General and I decided to wait out Jukbox¢s arrival at the bar. The trouble was that we arrived there at 3:30 and didn¢t leave until about 9:00. If I only drank a beer an hour, it would still be a lot for me. So we arrived back at the hostel in a drunken state and when we get to the bunkroom we found that another hiker had arrived that General and I had met at the Hexacuba shelter. He was an older chap who had started in Connecticut, and to save him from embarrassment, I will not disclose his true trail name. So we¢re all sitting around in the bunkroom chatting, when all of a sudden I see it. There it was, the old chap¢s privates, hanging out in the musty breeze of the bunkroom. Clearly it needed a break from the all too suffocating shorts the chap has squeezed it into. I tried not to laugh, lest I give away to the chap the incredible social faux pau before everyone else has had a chance at a good laugh. Subtly, or what I take to be subtle in my drunken state, I try to ask Jukebox and General if they saw what I saw using only body language. I later found out that I was obnoxiously gesticulating toward the man, which gave him the clue to tuck his disobedient family jewels back in their shorts where they belonged. I have officially renamed the chap to Private Dangles. You know, to keep the military theme and all. -------------------Today was tough, but grand. The hangover certainly didn¢t help me get over Mt Moosilauke (4802 ft), the first mountain over 4,000 feet since Virginia. It was wet and overcast in the beginning of the day, but it cleared up quite nicely as we descended down the other side of Moosilauke into Kinsman Notch. We got a ride into Lincoln, NH and stayed at Chet¢s Place, a donation only hostel that I will tell you more about later. It feels awesome to finally be in the White Mountains! This is what I¢ve been looking forward to for months, and the views did not disappoint. The terrain is definitely tougher than any I¢ve seen since the South, but the rugged beauty of this awesome place makes up for it. It¢s going to be slow going in the Whites.