morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-07-06
From: South of Wind Gap, PA

To: Delaware Water Gap, PA
Miles today: 16.3
Weather: 0

Today was perfect hiking weather, clear and cool enough to keep the bugs at bay. I'm right at the border between Pennsylvania and New Jersey and am wondering where the rest of the rocks are. I started out hearing that PA was all rocks, then the story changed to rocks in the upper half. It then changed to only the last 80 miles, then 40, and now I think I must have taken some blue blazes around these horribly rocky areas. Everyone at the hostel would probably disagree with me, but maybe being from the granite state I have an ingrained tolerance for rocks? I just don¢t think they were that bad, or at least the bad sections didn¢t last more than a mile. At any rate, I¢m done with PA's 230 miles! It¢s my last big state until Maine.Everyone on the trail seems to be in a rut. A lot of people chalked it up to the Virginia blues, but we just cant seem to shake it even heading into new jersey! I take breaks during the day not because my body necessarily needs it, but to sit and read to give my mind a break. It¢s gotten so monotonous. I¢m hoping things get interesting as I head north, because though I¢m sure I can finish out of pure stubbornness, I¢d like to enjoy things more than I have been lately. Maybe it will help to catch some friends that are now ahead of me, perhaps when they take time off in NYC. I can¢t speed up to catch them now because I want to catch Buzz on a Friday, but I do adore her so it's worth it!Cheers,Chardonnay
Date: 2006-07-07
From: Delaware Water Gap, PA

To: Sunfish Pond, NJ
Miles today: 6.4

Low days like this generally make me feel guilty, but I'm pretty happy with my decision tonight. I relaxed at the hostel until the afternoon and planned on a short day. Fear of all fears, my foot was hurting me. I was a bit worried about tendonitis or something, but I think I tied my boots too tightly because there's a bruise across the top of my foot. At any rate, I came across some guys I know camping at a beautiful glacial lake (a kettle pond, I think its called, formed when a glacier melts and sinks). I couldn¢t resist, so 6 miles it is today! I don¢t regret it...the moon is bright, the frogs are just getting started for the night, and I¢m tempting the trail gods by not putting on my rain fly. I actually feel like I¢m on a camping trip!If you didn¢t notice, I¢m in a new state! New Jersey is actually supposed to be a nice section of the trail, but with lots of bears. This is the first time I've properly hung a bear bag since Tennessee, I think! It took a good 12 tosses and a broken branch before I got it right. Pathetic excuse for a thru-hiker!Cheers,Chardonnay
Date: 2006-07-08
From: Sunfish Pond, NJ

To: Brink Road Shelter, NJ
Miles today: 18.4
Weather: clear sky

I won¢t pick on NJ ever again for being the armpit of America. Really, it was a great day. The terrain was nice; we're slowly getting rid of the rocks, and its very open with views. Part of that openness was due to a lack of foliage because of the gypsy moths. I felt like I was back in Georgia in the springtime getting my nose so fried that it¢s in a constant state of peeling...errr...exfoliation. Also, the blackberries and blueberries are out, so we all had purple tongues today. It was a great day from start to finish. I woke up to the sunrise with my rainfly off and no rain. Two kind dayhikers gave me a ride into town and back so I could pick up some stuff. Many thanks to them. Finally, at sunset I had dinner on a mountain (more of a hill?) with Rusch Hour and Indiana.Maybe I'm just happy it isn¢t raining? I feel like days like today are why I'm doing this.I feel like Indiana and Rusch Hour deserve a little plug. Lindsay and I met Indiana our first or second night on the trail. He¢s only 18 and is doing the trail before he goes off to college. I feel like he's grown up so much since I first met him (he was carrying a huge knife and Christmas lights and insisted on hiking big miles on a bad knee), and I'm so proud of him for coming this far! I'm one of the younger ones on the trail, so I don¢t get to act older that often. Now Rusch Hour is nuts and has taken poor Indiana under his wing. No, I tease. But he does hike in Hawaiian shorts and has an umbrella (I call it a parasol) to keep his complexion creamy and the rain off his beard. Rusch has a trailjournal, so you should all check it out.   Cheers,ChardonnayP.S.: Here's a little update for Lindsay or anyone else who's curious about people's whereabouts. Bare Bear, Shasta, and H-Bomb got ahead of me when I took time off! Wow. I'm with Indiana (obviously), saw Rip and Treehugger (without Pillbox, who is behind) at the water gap. Lady Green and David are so far ahead I¢ll never se them again. Had breakfast with River Weasel, and he says he¢s not doing any more big days (along with the rest of the group, who are one day ahead) but that I should hike my own hike. Hah! I'm also camping with Treehouse tonight, a/k/a Nick, the guy resting his foot at Neel's Gap! He¢s flip-flopping from Harpers Ferry.
Date: 2006-07-09
From: Brink Road Shelter, NJ

To: High Point Shelter, NJ
Miles today: 19.6
Weather: scattered clouds

I'm pretty frustrated and don¢t feel like writing much. The mosquitoes were horrendous today. It¢s really difficult to even walk. They¢re in my mouth and nose and ears and hair and I'm covered with bites. I try to kill as many as I can and make a harsh example of them to deter others, but their brains just aren¢t big enough. Rooooaaaaar.Good night, Chardonnay
Date: 2006-07-10
From: High Point Shelter, NJ

To: St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 18.9

I called my mom today and sobbed because the mosquitoes were so horrendous.She thought I was upset about other things and was using the bugs as asegway, but nope... insects made me cry my eyes out today.   I'm sureeveryone is thinking that I'm a big wimp and it couldn't possibly be thatbad, but think about it. You can't stop to take a break because you'll geteaten alive, even for a quick water stop. Forget about waiting for yourwater to purify. You try to hike in sunny spots where there are less bugs,but you're wearing long sleeves and it's already 90 degrees. I needed somefood this afternoon, so I sat in a blazing hot field with my rain pants anda turtleneck on. Waaaaaaaaah! Maybe I'd prefer the rain at this point?The good news was that it made me hike super fast...I averaged almost 3miles an hour for the day and got in my 19 miles by 5 pm!Luckily I made it to this hostel tonight where I took a shower and didlaundry so Buzz will only have to smell 4 days of hiker grime buildup,rather than 8. Really, it's nice to be away from the bugs, though there'sstill a buzzing in my ears and I keep swatting at my arms and legs out ofhabit. I was able to buy some insect repellent. I'm generally prettyanti-deet, but I'm pretty desperate at this point.Good night,Chardonnay
Date: 2006-07-11
From: St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Vernon, NJ

To: Wildcat Shelter, NY
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: few clouds

For my third night in a row, I didn¢t cook dinner. For my second night in a row, I ate ice cream for dinner! I¢m just really exhausted today. It shouldn¢t have been that bad, but maybe yesterday wore me out more than I thought. I haven¢t felt this tired since the beginning of the trip. The bugs were a bit better, partly because of the bug spray and partly because of the rain. Thank goodness.I guess the highlight of the day is that I'm done with New Jersey! It feels good to get through the states a bit quicker.Soooooo tired,Chardonnay
Date: 2006-07-12
From: Wildcat Shelter, NY

To: Fingerboard Shelter, NY
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: light rain

Waaaaah! I meant to make it 19 miles today, but it just wasn¢t happening. I hiked in a steady rain for two hours, then a pouring torrential rain for another two hours. Just what I needed, flashbacks of Pennsylvania! The rocks here are slick and I had two pretty serious falls, the weight of me and my pack crashing down onto solid rock. I¢m pretty scraped up, but no broken bones. If I break something, can I get off the trail? Don¢t ask if you pass by me repeatedly catapulting myself at rocks. I'll make up the miles tomorrow. I¢m pooped and soggy. We did get some great trail magic from Paddy-O, and after he served us calzones and cookies and apples, this makes 4 nights in a row that I haven¢t cooked for myself! He even had disposable shot glasses for whiskey! I passed, by the way. Despite my trail name, I¢m not such a lush.I feel guilty for hiking so few miles, but my body can only do so much.Good night,Chardonnay
Date: 2006-07-13
From: Fingerboard Shelter, NY

To: Graymor Spiritual Life Center, NY
Miles today: 20.5
Weather: broken clouds

Let¢s make that five nights in a row without cooking dinner! Silly girl, why do I even pack a stove and fuel?Today was a good day. I'm sure you were all sitting on the edges of your seats, wondering if one more bad day might break me! I guess it could have. I woke up at 5:45 am and was on the trail an hour later, so I was able to make up some miles from yesterday without too much of a problem. The weather was clear and windy with a cool breeze, absolutely perfect for hiking. I had some great views from Bear Mountain of the Hudson River and some lakes (The Hessian Lakes? I¢m not sure on that one.), then went down to a zoo at Bear Mountain State Park! I¢m not kidding, the trail goes right through the trailside museum, which has wildlife exhibits including caged up coyotes, bobcats, porcupines, and bears. The lowest point on the trail is in front of the bear exhibit, at 124 feet above sea level. It was pretty shocking to go from the trail to mixing with families walking around the exhibits and animals living in cement boxes. I definitely got some confused looks, but New Yorkers in general don't seem aware that the trail runs through their state.I walked over the Hudson River, which was just beautiful. I never knew New York was this pretty so close to the city. I finally made it to Graymor, where the friars allow us to camp on their soccer field. Brother Leo gave me a ride to the field, and when I got there I saw none other than Jangles and Baro! Big hugs all around. We spent two hours catching up on trail gossip, and I helped Jangles eat some of her baked ziti.Everything really worked together for a great day. Weather, terrain, meeting up with old friends. I need to consider how I'd like to finish up my trip: staying with the group, or having lots of visits and doing my own schedule. That¢s always a struggle for me and I feel like I miss out either way. But at this point it may not matter so much, just that I finish and I¢m not completely miserable. I really needed the visit with Buzz tomorrow to pull me through the week.Cheers,ChardonnayP.S.: I also saw a huge green rattlesnake today all coiled up, as well as a Garter snake eating a frog!
Date: 2006-07-14
From: Graymor Spiritual Life Center, NY

To: Alex's House, NY
Miles today: 11.9

At last! I tried to meet Buzz's boyfriend, Alex, months ago before I went to Georgia. Leon and I visited NYC, but Alex had to go bowling that night. Hah! So after hiking 1400 miles, he finally decided he should meet me! Tough guy to please, huh?No, they've both been extremely generous to me. Alex picked me up at Fahnestock State Park after getting lost. What an awkward meeting, me all grimy from the woods. But he let me in his car. Does he always keep a trash bag on the passenger seat, I wonder?It¢s been great seeing Buzz, who is about as different from me as you can get, but loves me anyway! We go way back...to kindergarten, in fact! We reconnected in junior high and have been good friends since, through college and beyond. She¢s been converted into a New York girl but is very tolerant of my outdoor tendencies, even if she's still confused about a few aspects of the trail (Where do I sleep? How do I go without showers?).It¢s been extremely relaxing here, a much-needed break in the real world, brief as it is.Cheers,Chardonnay
Date: 2006-07-15
From: Alex's House, NY

To: RPH Shelter, NY
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: clear sky

The Ides of July...I'm always amazed how time goes by out here.Even though I tend to be one of the last people to leave camp every day, I'm still up by 6:30 or 7:00 each morning without an alarm clock. I got up this morning almost two hours before Buzz! No worries, I¢m pretty good at entertaining myself. I packaged up my food drop and watched Shrek 2. Woohoo! My entertainment while I hike includes listening to birds, looking at clouds and flowers and occasional animals, and a whole lot of daydreaming. I know people put down television, but it¢s nice to do absolutely nothing and be entertained.Buzz and I went out for brunch. I usually load up on food in the morning so I don¢t have to stop and snack all day, so I had my eggs and home fries, then helped Buzz finish up her french toast. I can see it now, many many years in the future when I have kids. Forget the starving children in China..."Dear, eat your vegetables. There are starving hikers on the Appalachian Trail."There are big changes in my life...I¢m sporting a new shirt! My mom informed me that brown is THE color this summer, so she sent me a new wardrobe for the trail. That¢s my mom, always looking out for me. Not only a chic hiker, but I'll blend in with the ground if a bear charges after me!Thanks again to Buzz and Alex who were wonderful hosts. I can¢t wait to see them again when I¢m a bit cleaner.Cheers,Chardonnay
Date: 2006-07-16
From: RPH Shelter, NY

To: Someone's property just past West Dover Road, NY
Miles today: 17.6

There is nothing stealth about where I¢m camping. I¢m far too close to a road, but I think I¢m on someone's property so I feel safe...unless the homeowners should mosey out to their field early in the morning, or if its actually a cow pasture and I get trampled in my sleep. Do cows sleep through the night? At any rate, it should get me up bright and early so I can do a big day into Kent, CT, and hopefully meet up with Mouse and company. I could have stayed at the shelter a mile back, but there were two 60-something year old men who kept asking me to repeat what I¢d said because they were losing their hearing, and one was walking around in his boxer shorts. Needless to say, I hiked on and find myself camping illegally.I¢m feeling extremely burned out. Bad days used to be so rare, but even on gorgeous days with relatively low miles I can¢t get into it and the miles drag. Maybe too much of a good thing is awful. I honestly used to love this, but the trail is slowly breaking my spirit. I¢m not sure what the answer is. It could be some time off, maybe lots of visits from family and friends to slowly get me through New England. Or maybe its just the opposite, hooking up with my trail friends again, doing big days, and limiting visits. I¢m just not sure. But no worries, I could be miserable for the next 740 miles (ugh that¢s a lot) but I will finish on Katahdin.Good night,Chardonnay
Date: 2006-07-17
From: Someone's property just past West Dover Road, NY

To: Mt. Algo Lean-to, CT
Miles today: 20.7

Call us crazy, but Leon is coming to visit tonight! I know, these are the sorts of things that you generally plan before 6 pm the day of, but you have to be spontaneous sometimes. It occurred to me today that not only was I in Connecticut, but I was in northern Connecticut! Now New England is tiny, so though it¢s not my home state, CT definitely has a homey feel to it and it doesn¢t feel far away to me. New York, however, is a long bus ride from Boston on the Fung Wah! Out of curiosity, I called Leon and asked how far Kent was from Boston. Three hours, says Mapquest...giving him just enough time to make it before dark. Why not? So that¢s where I¢m at, waiting on the side of the road for him. We¢ll hike up the 0.3 miles to the shelter and tent for the night, then he can head to work early in the morning. It probably isn¢t worth the gas money and the exhaustion that I¢m sure both of us will feel tomorrow...but it apparently is worth it because he's on his way. How exciting to be so close to home!Today was pretty exciting all around. I woke up soaked in dew, but safe from angry landowners and vicious cows. Whew. I met up with Donkey and Mouse at the first shelter. Woohoo! I was pretty happy, as it¢s been a month since I last saw them. Hot Springs apparently slept in and missed his train back from NYC, so he was behind. We hiked past the Housatonic River just before entering CT. How delightful to sit in the river with all the rocks and catch up on my trail gossip with them! I swear, the terrain immediately felt more like home when we crossed the state line. I¢m not even sure I can pinpoint it...something about the grade or the shrubs or the little churches and old houses down in the valleys. I¢m home! The one downside was that it was ridiculously hot and humid. Carbomb and Lichen, a couple from Texas, said they have a new respect for the heat up here. They thought it would be much cooler!So Leon¢s visit is a very unexpected ending to a good day. What a nice welcome into New England.Cheers,Chardonnay
Date: 2006-07-18
From: Mt. Algo Lean-to, CT

To: Silver Hill Campsite, CT
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: scattered clouds

I'm writing this in a really big but much-welcomed thunderstorm. We desperately need some cooler weather.So much for getting Leon back to work for 9 am this morning! We started out deciding he could go in late, so that offered us time to have breakfast. Surprise of all surprises, sitting in the restaurant were Jangles, Baro, Shasta, and H-Bomb! Holy smokes! If I had tried to find a time for him to meet everyone it wouldn¢t have worked out, but there everyone was! Donkey and Mouse came along a bit later. A clean-shaven and unrecognizable Baro kept touching Leon¢s arm, amazed he was there in the flesh. I apparently talk about Leon quite a bit! It was great to reunite with everyone, I was so happy that Leon could meet my trail friends, and glad that they could finally meet him. However, we had such a nice time and it got later and later...Leon (who has never called in sick to work a day in his life!) was shooting for a half-day at work, but by the time he hit traffic the day was gone! Oh dear. I feel like I owe him wages for this trip! Now I¢m slightly concerned because his boss' wife used to read my trailjournal sometimes, and she'll know that Leon didn¢t spend the day fighting off a sinus infection. Maybe she'll keep the secret.Last time Leon visited in Pennsylvania we got some pretty good trail magic, but today was amazing. The breakfast crowd was still in town because Sabrina, a Kent local, brought them to her house for the night, and they were breakfasting with her when I ran into them. I had a huge Belgian waffle with strawberries and ice cream, juice, and an extra fruit cup. When Leon and I went to pay, we learned that Sabrina had paid for the whole table! Wow! New England puts southern hospitality to shame! So thank you over and over again to generous Sabrina.Off I go to try and sleep through this storm. I have just a few days to go until Leon hikes the weekend with me and my mom (who I haven¢t seen since March!) visits in Lee.Cheers,Chardonnay
Date: 2006-07-19
From: Silver Hill Campsite, CT

To: Halfway up Prospect Mountain, CT
Miles today: 17.1

The storm last night really helped cool things down today, though it was still toasty. The terrain is consistently tougher than it was in the Mid-Atlantic states, and I feel like I have to fight for my miles. I know it will only get harder as I head north, but somehow I'm doing better every day and I¢m excited for it. Maybe I¢m coming out of my "down with the AT" slump? I love the brooks we've been hiking by, the pine forests, and the towns up here. Then again, give me a couple rainy days and I may just be down in the dumps again!I camped with this family from Denmark last night. They¢re hiking for 10 days along the AT, and they seem to be in awful pain. The mother called it their "get fit holiday," which just cracks me up. They also hadn¢t caught onto trail names and honestly thought my name was Chardonnay for a few hours. I think we need more Europeans on the trail.After seeing what difficulties their two 20-something year old sons are having with the trail, I¢m wondering if I've cut off more than Leon can chew for the weekend. Is 13 miles a day too much? This brings me to gear issues. People always marvel at how fast/far thru-hikers hike every day. Sure, I have muscles bulging in places I never knew I had them, but there are other gear factors that are as important as being in shape that weekend hikers usually mess up. Thru hikers have a reputation for doing drastic things to lower pack weight, but you have to start somewhere. Investing in lightweight gear helps, and really considering the importance of each item is crucial. Spare clothes? Deodorant? Boo! Also, you don¢t see thru-hikers in boots, and we all have crocs for camp shoes. Take care of your feet! I think trekking poles are also invaluable, whether it¢s a weekend or a thru-hike. They reduce so much impact on your knees and allow you to wear sneakers or trail runners instead of boots by lessening impact on your ankles.No more preaching from me, just trying to make things simpler and more enjoyable for people!Good night,Chardonnay
Date: 2006-07-20
From: Halfway up Prospect Mountain, CT

To: Race Brook Tentsite, MA
Miles today: 17.7

I love New England! I can¢t say it enough. The towns are great and the hiking is better than most of what I¢ve seen on the trail, and I¢m only in Massachusetts. Oh, I forgot to say that I¢m in Massachusetts! This is pretty significant for me, since I lived here for the past four years and my parents' house is super close to the MA/NH border. Plus, this is where I flew out of to start my hike. Yep, I FLEW deep into the South, only to hike back up here! Crazy.I hung out this afternoon in Salisbury, CT, which really is an adorable little town. I wish I could have stayed longer. I was dreading my hike out of town, which was about 12 miles of climbing. I was a great hiker today, though! Even with the ups, I was back at my old pace and everything felt good. I do much better with a consistent climb, rather than the little ups and downs. Race Mountain was beautiful, and I almost felt like I was hiking in the Whites. The trees were getting more weathered and stubby, and I swear I could smell home in the wind.That¢s it from me. On to Great Barrington tomorrow to meet Leon for the weekend. I have confidence that we can 13 miles each day, but everyone else thinks I should count on less. Will Leon be crippled, or will he rise to the occasion? I have reminded him that in high school my friend Kerra and I hiked 26 miles in two days in the Whites over Franconia Ridge with much heavier packs. Hmmm...perhaps he will rise to the occasion, but it will also cripple him!Cheers,ChardonnayP.S.: I met my first southbounder today, Z Hobbit. He started June 3. I¢m pretty happy I have 677 miles to go, and not his 1497!
Date: 2006-07-21
From: Race Brook Tentsite, MA

To: East Mountain, MA
Miles today: 14.6

Leon is with me tonight! I made it to Great Barrington, MA, by 3:00 and saw Baro and Donkey at the laundromat. There was a torrential downpour just as Leon was pulling in. What a start to his first time backpacking! I'm definitely anxious about the weekend, worried about the weather and the bugs and anything else that makes this less fun. I really want him to like it!Cheers,Chardonnay