morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-06-28
From: William Penn Shelter

To: PA501, Pine Grove, PA
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: few clouds

I decided to hang out with Gray Beard today. He needed to re-supply and I thought lunch in town was a good idea. We left William Penn Shelter and headed for PA501 to hitch into Pine Grove, PA. We got a ride fairly easily to a small grocery store. I bought watermelon, peach, onion, and a candy bar. All but the onion was gone before we left the store. We walked to a pizza place on Main Street. The sandwiches were good. Then we hitched back to the trail. A real nice couple with a terrier gave us a ride back. Thank to all who helped us. We were off the trail about three hours. The heat steadily rose as the day went on. Hiking was difficult. I was soaked in sweat. We arrived at Hertlein Campsite around 6 PM. It was nice to be able to set up leisurely. We washed in a pond. Made dinner and off to sleep. My tent has been comfy. Wisdom today from Gray Beard, ¢If you can belch and fart you¢re okay.¢ Past wisdom form O¢Connor, ¢I¢d rather wear out than rust.¢ I also learned there is a plant out here named Jewel Weed. If you rub the juice from the plant on poison ivy or bug bites it really makes it feel better. It took the itch out of poison ivy and it looks better. I had a bad bathroom experience today. I asked Gray Beard to wait down trail until I yelled all clear. I went up the trail and stepped off into the woods on the left. I was mid pee when a black with white-stripped bee started stinging my left leg. I tried to kill it and another came. I found myself running up trail, pants still down, swearing, swatting, and trying not to be seen by Gray Beard. After three stings and some panic they finally left me alone. I guess I picked a bees nest to pee over. My left leg hurt for hours. I lived. Enough time has passed that it even seems funny to me.
Date: 2005-06-29
From: PA501, Pine Grove, PA

To: Eagles Nest Shelter
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: light rain

Today Gray Beard and I hiked from Hertlein Campsite to the first game land road after Eagles Nest Shelter. The walking was pretty routine today. It rained on and off in the afternoon. It was so hot that the rain wasn¢t all that bad. This road is something. It is mowed wide and has corn planted in a big area. It goes up over the hills nearby, nice view. I thought it might be a good place to camp so, here we are staying. I¢ve enjoyed watching Gray Beard get his trap to work. Too bad they aren¢t bug proof. My tent is comfy. Dinner came out pretty good. I am nearly out of food. This is a good thing since we are heading into Port Clinton tomorrow.
Date: 2005-06-30
From: Eagles Nest Shelter

To: Home
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: few clouds

Today is to be the last day on the trail for me for a couple weeks. I need a rest before I have to work July 8-11. I hiked from the game lands road after Eagles nest Shelter to Port Clinton, PA. I hiked out with my buddy Graybeard who patiently watched me navigate the Greyhound Bus system from the local outfitters. The outfitters were awesome. They let me get cash back on my debit card to pay for the bus and use their phone. Thank you Appalachian Outfitters!! Graybeard and I tried to have lunch at the Port Clinton Hotel but they were closed for vacation. A kind man in the Peanut Shop offered us a ride to Cabelas for the AYCE lunch. I helped Graybeard spend money and buy a tent, what fun. Then back to the Peanut Shop in a cable shuttle truck, to wait for the bus. After an overnight ride and seven hour wait in Boston, I arrived in Concord, NH on July 1st. My daughter Christen drove me home to surprise my husband. I plan to return to the trail July 13th or 14th. More to come.
Date: 2005-07-13
From: Home

To: Happy Hill Shelter
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: broken clouds

What a perfect day. I¢ve finished working the four shifts needed to keep my position and I¢m now back out on the trail. It was awesome to put on my pack and head back out into the woods. I plan to hike every inch of the trail but I am taking it out of order. I asked my daughter Emily (trail name Gorbee) to hike with me. When she agreed I wanted to pick somewhere fun for her. So I picked Vermont to hike next. We began in Hanover, NH where the trail turns onto Main St. It was fun crossing the bridge with the big balls into Vermont. We had a road walk through Norwich, VT. We hiked to the Happy Hill Shelter. It¢s a small shelter, half stone, half logs. Great water supply. Gorbee found a small frog she liked. Keep the frogs coming to eat the mosquitoes. They have carried us away! Before we entered the woods who should I see but NumTum. I couldn¢t believe my eyes. Then a couple more thru hikers I didn¢t know. Tomcat signed the register on 7/11, and Senator Daniel was here on the 12th. I¢m sad I missed seeing Tomcat. I enjoyed his 21st birthday muchly.
Date: 2005-07-14
From: Happy Hill Shelter

To: Thistle Hill Shelter
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: overcast clouds

Gorbee and I got up shortly after 7AM. There was a group from a boy¢s camp that took up the front of the shelter. We had breakfast and packed up to leave Happy Hill Shelter. We stopped for a couple short breaks and picked some raspberries. Yummy. Gorbee was my cover while I picked some day lily buds to add to my dinner. Then we came to the White River. We stayed for a couple hours. Gorbee enjoyed jumping from the rope into the river. I loved sitting in the rapids. It was like my own private whirlpool. Great spot for lunch. I met Bones (who was sick) and Spot ¢ other thru hikers. I also saw Houdini, Haiku, and Dr. Chickadee. It is so nice to see thru hikers that I met early on. In the afternoon it rained for about an hour. Gorbee wasn¢t feeling well and had a short breakdown. We arrived at Thistle Hill Shelter shortly before 5PM. Vermont is so beautiful! The forest, fields on mountains, rivers, and small towns. What a wonderful place to be. Swampfox goes to the surgeon tomorrow for his fractured knee. My prayers are with him.
Date: 2005-07-15
From: Thistle Hill Shelter

To: VT12
Miles today: 7.8

Another awesome day on the AT. Gorbee, Becka, and I left Thistle Hill Shelter by 7:30AM. Hiking has been over rolling green mountains. Lots of incredible stone walls through the mountains. Gorbee slightly sprained her ankle but was hiking pretty well. We hiked to Woodstock Stage Road where we hitched a ride on a tailgate to South Pomfret, VT. We got lunch at Teago General Store. The grinders are tops. Next we hiked to VT12 where we were told there was a red barn with a huge house being painted across the street with a shower under the house and a place to sleep in the barn if you want. No one was home but we found the shower and used it. We were lying on the lawn when Dan came home. He offered to take us swimming at Silver Lake. Great time had by all. Dan had some interesting ways at looking at life. One of his sayings is: ¢There is no problem too great or complicated that you can¢t run away from it.¢ I enjoyed watching Gorbee play a game like horseshoes with a frisbee. Dan cooked dinner on the grill. And we had a camp fire that Tom started. We were all up well past our bed time listening to Tom sing and play guitar. Many thanks to Dan and Tom for all they did for us. I passed four thru hikers I knew today: Rhino (with dog), Grits, Red, and Blue Eyes. I love to see everyone.
Date: 2005-07-16
From: VT 12

To: Stony Brook Shelter
Miles today: 13.7
Weather: light rain

My oldest daughter Angie met meat Dan¢s house this morning to hike with me for a couple days. I am excited to have Gorbee and Angie with me. I am a lucky mother. Today is going to be a big day for us. Angie and Gorbee have never hiked 13.7 miles. It is especially a lot for Angie, being that it is her first day. The Vermont mountains are so pretty. We hiked from VT12 to the stream near Stony Brook Shelter. We heard from another hiker (Bedhead) that the shelter was full. So, we planned to tent near the stream. We found a nice level area. Angie had brought hot dogs and stuff for s¢mores. We had just enough daylight to set up the tent. Cooking was done in the dark. We made the s¢mores with my superfly stove. The hot dogs were boiled. Gorbee has now hiked 36.1 miles with me. She is pretty tired and I think will go home with Angie after we hike tomorrow. I am proud of them both.
Date: 2005-07-17
From: Stony Brook Shelter

To: "Back Home Again" Hostel
Miles today: 10.0

Today is my last day to hike with Angie and Gorbee. We left the stream by Stony Brook Shelter around 7:30AM. Both Angie and Gorbee were exhausted. We went to Kent Pond and they decided to stop there. I continued to hike to US4 to meet Mike and get us all picked up. I continue to love the Vermont mountains. About 30 minutes before Mike picked me up the sky opened up and it poured. I got drenched. Mike ended up picking up Angie and Gorbee first by accident looking for the trail. Life is good. I am thrilled with all the time with my kids. The trail was kind to me. I saw Smiling Joe this morning. Great day to get caught up.
Date: 2005-07-18
From: Rutland, VT

To: Cooper Lodge
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: moderate rain

In the morning I relaxed in Rutland, VT. I caught breakfast at the corner coffee shop. Went to the library to use the computer. Packed up my gear. Bought some TVP. And ate lunch at the Back Home Again Cafe. Everything was awesome. My night at the Back Home Again Hostel was quiet and comfortable. Rutland was a welcoming town. This was the first town in which I didn't see another hiker. It was funny to eat alone and even do my laundry alone. I caught the bus to the trail in the early afternoon. I had a bought of teariness as I approached Churchill Scott Shelter so, I took a break. Then onward to Cooper Lodge which is a stone shelter. I was exhausted from the climb but I did summit Killington. It was a short . 2 miles up the Spur Trail to the top of Killington off the AT. There are a few towers and a motor running up on the top that kind of spoils it. I hiked back to Cooper Lodge just before the rain began. I saw a couple thru hikers that recognized me, Northman aka KT, and Hardcore Hiker.
Date: 2005-07-19
To: Clarendon Shelter
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: scattered clouds

I awoke to clouds streaming in the shelter windows. The birds were singing. My shelter mate seemed to want to sleep in. So, I took full advantage and did the same. I managed to rise at 8 am. God I let half the day go by without me. Smile. We were both packing up at the same time. He was heading north and into town. He offered me his extra Lipton Sides. I accepted one package of beef that I haven't tried before. Shortly after I left Cooper Shelter I ran into a couple of north bound hikers I hadn't met before, Just Bob aka Alabama Bob, and Throw and Fetch with dog in tow. Throw and Fetch will get off the trail in Killington to go for a cancer scan. He is an amazing man who has stage four melanoma. He is out here living every minute. I've been having a very introspective day. Around Governor Clemet Shelter there was a woman jogging that I recognized. Her name is Marti. We talked for a long time. Then she figured out we had met at the Blackburn Center. She had stayed there the night Swampfox and I were there. She drove there and tented. It was a relief to talk with her. I babbled on endlessly. It was like meeting an old friend. I walked on and came to a cooler in the woods with trail magic. Thank you, thank you! Then on to Gould Brook to soak my aching feet. It has rained twice today with little affect on my day. I came to another stream with sodas in it. This state rocks for all the trail magic. I hiked on to the Clarendon Shelter for the night. My feet are very painful. I'll try different socks tomorrow.
Date: 2005-07-20
From: Clarendon Shelter

To: White Rocks Cliffs
Miles today: 10.3

I got up at 6:30 at the Clarendon Shelter. Everything was packed and I was on the trail at 7:30 am. I hiked to VT 103 and hitched to the Whistle Stop Restaurant. I went up to the breakfast bar where two locals were sitting. I sat at the end to decrease the bother from my smelling like I'd been in the woods for days. One local was a truck driver with kind eyes. The other was a man with a gun strapped to his right side. He made a point of discussing his right to have his gun. I'm not sure why one needs a gun in a diner. I asked the trucker for a ride back to the trail. I did not feel safe with the other guy. I rode in the cab of an eighteen wheeler. Kind of exciting for me. I'd never been in one before. I hiked over the Mill River. Crossed the suspension bridge and proceeded to get slightly lost. Some locals camping showed me the blazes on the boulders when I back tracked. I had lunch at Minerva Hinchey Shelter- turkey club from the diner-yummy. Then onward to White Rocks Cliffs where I'm tented beside the trail. I enjoyed all the great views today. I went by one water fall that was beautiful. There were neat cairns on White Rock that I took a picture of. My feet continue to ache. I have an open sore on the bottom of one toe that is unchanged. I soaked my feet in Roaring Brook which helped briefly. I have been so slow because they ache so. There were two good climbs today over Bear Mountain and White Rocks. The bugs did try to eat me alive, but so far I've lived. Peeing in the woods has become hazardous. I stepped off the trail into stinging nettle. I was beginning to think I'd found a new form of VD. It was all bad for me. Smile.
Date: 2005-07-21
From: White Rocks Cliffs

To: Baker Peak
Miles today: 10.3

Today was a good day. I woke up at 5:30 but decided to lay around until 6 am. I was packed and hiking by 7:30 am. Vermont is totally beautiful. I hiked from White Rocks Cliffs to Little Rock Pond. I took a sponge bath in the pond. The water was warm and beautiful. I passed five shelters today. It is great there are so many. I ended my day on Baker Peak (2850'). I've tented on the rocky summit. The views are incredible. I'm lying alone in my tent listening to nature and the town below. It is peaceful to be out of the hub hub of life. I saw two thru hikers today that I knew. I enjoyed catching up with both of them, Trip and Bluey. I also met Matt who left the same day I did. Bluey's girl friend (Audrey) gave Swampfox and I a ride into Washington, DC earlier in the trip. Audrey has been in a car accident in DC and totaled her car. Thank God she is not hurt. She will be meeting him in Hanover and he will take a few days off. Swampfox gave me a few lessons in map reading when we were hiking together. They really helped me today figure out where I was going. Thank you Swampy.
Date: 2005-07-22
From: Baker Peak

To: VT 11/30
Miles today: 12.8

I hiked from Baker Peak to VT 11/30 parking area. My night on Baker Peak was something out of a book. My tent was on top of a large flat rock on top of the mountain. The screen door of the tent faced east. I watched a beautiful sunset from outside, mountains all around. Then I watched the full moon rise in the East. Each time I woke in the night I could watch the progress of the moon and admire the stars. Just incredible! I woke once with a toe on my left foot throbbing. I put antibacterial cream on it and it slowly felt better. In the morning it looked much worse, swollen and draining slightly. I washed it and applied more cream. I soaked it in a stream later in the day and it improved. I passed Griffith Lake, beautiful place. I saw so many hikers I knew today. Here is the list: Masa, Mr Clean Sr, Peeps, Spice Rack, Mellow, Croc-Walker, and Britannica. Croc-Walker invited me to a party in VT on July 30 th. I am psyched to go. Hiking south has been a lonely experience once my kids went home. It was so nice to see so many hikers I knew. I hiked to VT11/30 to go into Manchester Center, VT to resupply. I got a ride into town quickly. Everything went down hill from there. Sutton's Place was full and I couldn't find anywhere to stay. The owner of Sutton's Place sent me to look for another place that I never did find. My feet were killing me from walking on tar for so long and from the infected toe. I just started crying. It was too late to go to the outfitters to find another place. Then to top it off a huge storm was pulling in. This town is way too yuppy. I went to the book store and used their pay phone to call home. I'm planning to clean up - rest and then finish Vermont. I'll enjoy a few days at home. For anyone looking for an update on Swampfox. I know he had a doctors appt on 7/15. I tried to e mail him but I don't think he got it. I'm hoping he will call and update me when he figures out I'm home. I'll keep everyone posted as I know more.
Date: 2005-08-10
From: VT 11/30

To: William B. Douglas Shelter
Miles today: 5.8
Weather: clear sky

My husband and I drove to the parking lot on VT 11/30 where at AT crosses the road. We left with our packs loaded with about three months worth of food. The trail from VT 11/30 to the William B. Douglas Shelter was excellent, easy grades and nice trail. The view from Prospect Rock was hazy but beautiful. There were fewer bugs to carry me away than when I left Vermont before. Thank God for that. The Dragon Flies are hard at work eating the bugs this evening. I have no good reason to be so tired. I¢m tucked into my sleeping bag at 8:05. Good night all.
Date: 2005-08-11
From: William B. Douglas Shelter

To: Side of trail on way down Stratton Mtn
Miles today: 9.1

Another beautiful day on the AT. I am grateful to be in the woods. I love the smell of spruce. On top of Stratton Mtn (3936¢) the breeze was blowing; the sun was out; the spruce filled the air; and huge dragon flies jetted about. I enjoyed breath taking views from the fire tower as well. Today I hiked from the William B. Douglas Shelter to a primitive campsite beside the trail, after the spring, on the way down Stratton Mtn. Lunch was at Stratton Pond. What a beautiful spot. I saved swimming there for another trip. Today was like a thru hiker family reunion. I ran into: Break a Leg, Long Haul, Captain Patagonia, Freeze Dried, Jake, Adam, Got to go, and Chuckles. Break a leg and Long Haul both have had fractures and Long Haul had knee surgery since being on the trail. They are both hiking strong. Captain Patagonia updated me on his plans to join Quinn in Texas after the trail. She is in Grad school there. I had a good long visit with Got to go and Chuckles. I love seeing everyone again. I should also mention that Jim took a header today. I cleaned up the blood. His nose really got scraped. It looks bad but I don¢t think he is aware of it because he can¢t see it with no mirror out here.
Date: 2005-08-12
From: Side of trail on way down Stratton Mtn

To: Kid Gore Shelter
Miles today: 10.6
Weather: overcast clouds

What an interesting day! I started from our tenting spot on the side of Stratton Mtn at 9 am. I have not been good about early starts. I ran into several people I know. LoJack was the first. It was so nice to catch up with him. He told me Chef Boyardee is still on the trail and that Skylark is off the trail. Then he told me about a woman he is hiking with now named sleeveless. I had an opportunity to meet her farther down the trail. She told me about how she was attached by a rabid raccoon at a shelter one night. She hiked out to the road and was taken by ambulance to the hospital to begin her rabies shots. The next day she was back hiking. I could see the scars on her leg and hand. She was an awesome tough lady. I felt honored to have met her. I also met hikers Darwin, Ox, and Raging Turtle. I'm staying at Kid Gore Shelter tonight with Cola, Snowman, Graybeard, and Nomad (tenting). It is like old home night. I ran over and gave Graybeard a hug. My husband survived another day hiking. Some miracles do happen. Got to go and Chuckles wrote in one of the trail registers the following quote: "Other than for the ups and downs it's level all the rest of the way to Maine." Profound I thought.
Date: 2005-08-13
From: Kid Gore Shelter

To: Porcupine Lookout
Miles today: 10.0

I woke up in Kid Gore Shelter hearing Graybeard doing his morning chores. What a great sound again. We sat around the morning table visiting. I had an absolutely awesome time. Jim and I hiked to Glastenbury Mtn Observation Tower in two hours. My legs felt like I am beginning to get my hiker legs back. Nice to make the two miles an hour with just under a 1000 foot gain in elevation. It was still cloudy from all the rain we got during the night. The view from the tower was mostly clouds but the smell of spruce was in the air and it was beautiful. Onward to see the Goddard Shelter that was just torn down. Then to camp at Porcupine Lookout. Jim snagged the bear rope in a tree with my clip on it. He worked on getting it down and finally it worked- success! The food is hung and I am comfy in my tent. I almost forgot to write about the view from Porcupine Lookout. There are four windmills ahead and to the left. I enjoyed watching them spin while I prepared dinner. It was so peaceful.
Date: 2005-08-14
From: Porcupine Lookout

To: VT 9, Bennington
Miles today: 4.4
Weather: clear sky

I can't believe our luck. No rain last night while we were tented by Porcupine Lookout! Out of the last four nights it has rained when we have been in shelters and not when we tented. Life is good. We packed up and headed for VT 9, Bennington, VT at 8:30 am. I think my husband is relieved to have this be his last day out. I have been so psyched to be back in the woods and slowly increasing the miles completed. I plan to finish the AT next year but I am getting in as many miles this year as possible. I have been blessed to hike with some family as well, which is all good. I ran into toolman whom I shared a shelter with in the smokys. I recognized one other hiker who passed quickly. I never did get his name. The hike out was smooth and so was the rest of the day. Today was a day full of magic. Today was a day that lets you know that we are all looked after. You would say my faith grows each day. We were picked up hitching into town easily by a kind woman who brought us right to the door of the Blue Benn Diner. There was a huge parade going on and she had to detour to get us there. I went to the back door and asked about where we should leave our packs. They let us put them downstairs where they would be safe. There were a few empty bar stools at the counter. We went in and sat down. I apologized to the lady next to me for smelling. She kindly said she smelled nothing. I started talking with the two women next to me. They were both retired nurses. And one lived in Manchester, NH where I work. As we talked I found out they were on their way to Manchester VT. I asked if they wouldn't mind giving us a lift and they agreed. Our car was in Manchester, VT. One of the women wanted to take us to the parking lot on VT 11 where out car was and the driver wanted to let us off at VT 11 exit off the highway. They agreed if it was raining they would take us all the way. Wouldn't you know it, as we started pulling off the exit of the highway the rain started. It got quite heavy as we rode. Then slowed to a sprinkle when we got our packs from the trunk. Thank you thank you. Oh by the way, the food at the Blue Benn was excellent. I also enjoyed seeing the monument in Bennington. It is huge with the mountain in the background.