morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2005-07-27
From: Bascom Lodge, Mt. Greylock, MA

To: Sherman Brook Campsite
Miles today: 7.9
Weather: light rain

Red Wing:   Today was an exercise in flexibility. We wanted to hike 20 miles so we could get far enough north in two days to meet friend from Michigan at a road crossing near Stratton Mountain. The Marsh family (friends from our home church, we know them best because we are in a growth group together) is planning to visit us and we're taking time off too see them and hopefully do some trail magic. Anyway, we'll soon be in Vermont where there are fewer road crossings, and meeting up will be more difficult.   That meant 20 miles today. Well, we had a huge breakfast at the lodge this morning. Interestingly, the couple sitting across from us had been married the same day and year as we had, so we wished one another a very happy anniversary on the day after. The breakfast slowed our departure, but then only a mile or so into our hike, Hopeful realized that she wasn't feeling well, and our lack of sleep lately, along with the heat, was beginning to wear on her. We pulled over for a nap, later in the morning, but the flies were too annoying for sleeping. A few miles later, we came to a road crossing where we had the option of going to a grocery store. We were tempted to stop, but already knew that we were way behind shedule. As we approached the road, we discussed our options. That's when we realized that the town of Bennington, VT, would be a better place to meet the Marsh's and we wouldn't have to hike 20 miles today to get there. Just about then, we saw Fig and Just Visiting returning from the Stop and Shop grocery store, and they were raving about the salad bar. So, we were convinced. We went to the store, ate salad, and read a paper on the bench. Well, I read the paper, and Hopeful tried to take another nap, more successfully this time.    As we sat outside the Stop and Shop, thunderstorms began to pass through. Again, we looked into our guidebook and we realized that with our changed plans, we could opt for an even shorter day, and have no reason to rush out into the storm. About this time Ten Bears joined us, after he had done his shopping. He's a hiker from New Hampshire, about our age, and we enjoyed meeting and getting to know him for the first time. The three of us waited for several rounds of the storm to pass through, siting usder the protection of the store's covered sidewalk. Around 5 PM it looked like it might be clearing, so we packed up and hiked into the woods again, trees still dripping from the storms. By six, we made it to a tentsite where we quickly made dinner and hopped into our tent. Part of our revised schedule inculuded getting more sleep. Hopeful was asleep by 8 PM, and I'm about to call it an early night as well. We planned on hiking 20 miles, but didn't even make it 3 miles. We planned to cross into Vermont today, but we are camping in Massachusetts. We had to change plans several times, but somehow it all worked out and in the end we'll be better off for the sleep we're getting. Among other things, the ability to be more flexible in life is a lesson that we plan to take home with us.
Date: 2005-07-29
From: Congdon Shelter

To: VT 9 / Machester, VT
Miles today: 4.3

Red Wing:   There are three things that help me get out of bed in the morning: good sleep for the previous 10 hours, the motivation of an exciting day ahead, and 50 degree temperatures that my fleece blanket is unable to overcome. All three factors kept me from sleeping in this morning. We took down our tent, wet from a leaking water bag, ate another pot of oatmeal, said goodbye to Hairball & Snowbunny, whom we won't see for a few days, and Thumper and O'Conner, who we may not see again (they tend to hike fast). Then we left on a four mile sprint towards Bennington, where we would meet our friends, the Marsh's (leader of our church growth group at home in Michigan). About half way into town, we passed a trail register. When we looked to see who signed in ahead of us, we saw that the Marsh's had hiked up to that point last night. They were so close, and we had no idea! As we continued into town, we were impressed by the climb they had to get up to the top of Harmon Hill, 1,00 feet in 1.5 miles. We think they definately earned trail names, with their impressive trail debut.   After hitching into Bennington, we did laundry and called Marsh's who were at a motel near Manchester. They met us at the laundry mat and it was so good to see faces from home and again realize how supportive our church family is of this hike. Before leaving the Bennington area, we restocked a cooler of trail magic goodies, originally left by Beantown's family. Hopefully those behind will enjoy the chocolate and Gatorade. As we were filling the cooler, we ran into 5 hikers who dug right in... The Muppets, Just Passing Thru and McGuyver, and Granddoo. The Marsh's didn't have to wait long to meet hikers. Greg ("Tato"), Michelle ("Lilypad") and 10 year old daughter Kaitlin ("Rocky") have been amazing. They bought cotton shorts and t-shirts for us to enjoy while off the trail, they brought news and support from our growth group friends, they drove us to the outfitter and grocery store, they helped us scout out areas for tomorrow's trail magic, and have been good listeners as we can feel comfortable discussing the lessons we're learning in life and in our faith with them.
Date: 2005-07-30
From: VT 9 / Machester, VT

To: VT 9 / Manachester, VT
Miles today: 0.0

Red Wing:   Today makes it nearly four months that we've been on the Trail. I've said it before, it seems like so much longer. The Marsh's are still hanging out with us and we're looking forward to another good day with them. Yesterday I asked Greg, or Tato, what he would say if a hiker asked why they drove a two days out here, to come to see us. His answer was humbling. He said that they want to be a suport and encouragement to us. He said that they know that this is a big thing that Hopeful and I are doing, and they wanted to give us a boost along the way. Also, they want to do the same for the hikers around us. And, they have really been a boost for us.   Shortly before Jesus was arrested and crucified, He prayed for Himself, His diciples, and the believers that would come after them. In John 17 (I'm actually re-reading the book of John right now), Jesus prays, "I pray also for those who will believe in me through their (the disciples') message, that al lof them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you." Jesus has a beautiful picture of community that He wants to see us live out. He doesn't ask that we close ourselves off to the world and do our own weird thing. Jesus asks the Father that we, His followers, would be one in mission and purpose while living here on Earth. It's an awesome thing when we see glimpses of this lived out. Later in that prayer, Jesus prays, "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me". Unselfish acts, such as spending your summer vacation time to support others, are so rare, that when done our immediate response is, "But why are you doing this?". Jesus' model and prayer for unity is exactly what people crave in their own lives, yet is so radical that when witnessed it is sometimes unbelievable. It's just another way that in Christ we can "... have life, and have it to the full."   Later this evening, we hope to buy some pizzas and other dinner foods and hike into a shelter 1.5 miles from a road crossing. We want to provide a picnic dinner for the hikers who will be staying there tonight. We're hoping that the Marsh's will be able to meet several from the hiking community who have been like family to us for the past few months. Thank you to those of you at home who have contributed towards our hike and helped make nights like tonight happen. You, too, are an example of the unified body of Christ, loving people.
Date: 2005-07-31
From: VT 9 / Manachester, VT

To: Story Spring Shelter
Miles today: 19.0
Weather: broken clouds

Red Wing:    Yesterday evening's trail magic was a lot of fun. Word had traveled quickly and a few hikers knew what was coming, others were happily surprised. Quijote was the only oher northbound thru hiker.   There, too, were Chris and Amanda, southbound thru hikers, and Sandles and two brothers hiking the Vermont Long Trail (which the AT follows through this section). Tammy and Avi were out hiking for a few days, and of course, Granddoo, who is out here for a month. So, our group was quite diverse. It really was fun to be on the other end of the trail magic. We were quite a site, hiking in with a stack of pizzas! We were able to dress up the table a bit with a tablecloth from the $1 store, and filled it with pizza, fruit, chips, brownies, and soda. All of these things, we hiked in from the road crossing, 1.5 miles from the shelter. It's my belief that if the Trail doesn't teach us life lessons, or if we are unable to apply those lessons to "real" life situations back home, then our hike is a waste of time, energy and resources. This trail magic helped me think more about giving to others (especially to strangers) and I've spent much of today considering how we can do similar things at home.   We tried to pack up at the motel early and eat so that the Marsh's could get on the road for the long trip back to Michigan in one day. So, I relied on the town luxury of coffee to push me out the door. We said our goodbyes, and Hopeful and I started up the 10 mile ascent that would highlight our morning. As we were driving to the trailhead, it had begun to sprinkle, and by the end of our first mile, it started to downpour. Within a few hours, the rain stopped and our greatest discomforts were wet branches and low clouds passing through the woods. We missed the Glastenbury Mountain tower lookout because of the fog, and stayed pretty wet all day. Unfortunately, our pack covers no longer seems to be water proof. Goddard and Kid Gore were both nice shelters were we took snack/lunch breaks, and we passed the southbound hikers with whom we had dinner the night before. Finally, early this evening, the sun poked through, visibility was increased and the scenery got even better. We walked by mountain ponds, piles of moose scat, and smelled the Vermont air (which smells like Pinesol, or Christmas trees). Eventually, we reached Story Spring Shelter, for the second night in a row. Last night we came with food from the north, this time we carried food from the south. We've enjoyed the evening with Ramblin' Man and Corporal, Donkey Kong, two professors from Wyoming named Bad Ass Turtle and Red, Free who we haven't seen since his food injury in New York (so glad to see him back!), and Origami. We've heard that Patch has been sick. We're praying for him as well as many others who we know are experiencing tougher times once again. As for me, it's hard to let my spirits get low when I'm hiking with someone named Hopeful.
Date: 2005-08-01
From: Story Spring Shelter

To: Spruce Peak Shelter
Miles today: 18.3
Weather: broken clouds

Red Wing:      We crossed the 3/4 mark today! Last night was filled with rain that repeatedly came and went. By morning it had cleared, and we were again spared the ugly task of packing up the tent in the rain. Now, all the way into August, we'd like to see if we can make it the whole way without having to set up or take down camp in foul weather.    Again today, we experienced the thick, dense fog of Vermont. It was like flying through clouds and barely being able to see the tips of the plane's wing. We could see our feet, and hear the woods around us, but we were limited to little more than that. In the past few days we've come to two firetowers that are supposed to have great views (today's was Stratton Mountain, actually as ski hill), but we wouldn't know how great it is. If we can barely see the top of the tower, it's probably not worth the climb to find out that there is no view.    Later this afternoon, the sun began to clear the fog. We ate lunch at beautiful Stratton Pond and moved on. We heard it has a moose around, people mentioned sightings in the register, but we only saw the signs. As we were getting nearer to the shelter for the night, a thunderstorm went by, raining on everything ahead of us and passing through before we crossed its path.   At the shelter, we met a nice man named John, who is out for a night to learn about backpacking. He's full of great gear questions and has received quite an earful to help with his buying decisions. Sam I Am is here, as well as Donkey Kong. The place is actually a nice cabin, but since it's mosquito season and a very brave mouse has already made his appearance, we'll be setting up our tent.
Date: 2005-08-05
From: US 4 / Inn at Long Trail

To: Gifford Woods State Park
Miles today: 3.2

Red Wing:   Along with the stay at the Inn last night, we received a free breakfast this morning. It was one of the best breakfasts that we've had since we've been out here. We ate with Hairball and Snowbunny and planned our next few days. They were nice enough to slow down for us, while we had to run errands in town and not begin hiking until late afternoon. We opted to meet up later at a state park campground that is on the trail and pretend to be car campers. Our trip to Rutland went smoothly. We took the bus and enjoyed seeing more of this ski resort area. We got back to the Inn and finally left for our short hike around 4 PM. When we got to the campsite, we "parked" our shoes in the car spot, and set up our tent alongside Hairball and Snowbunny's. We were living it up with a real fire wood, a complete picnic table (no rotting wood, no burn marks from camp stoves), and we even had smores. We're looking at another week like last week. We hope to hike consistent days in the high teens. It promises to be a chilly night. I got my winter sleeping bag back with our mail drop at the Inn just in time.
Date: 2005-08-07
From: Appalachian Trail House / VT 12

To: West Hartford, VT
Miles today: 12.6

Red Wing:   Today may have been the most tired I've been yet. Yesterday's 20 miler wasn't supposed to be that long, and now, in Vermont, those longer days are a little tougher on us. So, today, we felt like we were paying the price. This morning had some steeper climbs and by noon, when we came to Thistle Hill Shelter for lunch, I fell asleep for my first afternoon nap of the summer. It was great. We rolled into West Hartford around 5 PM and waited there for Hairball and Snowbunny who had gone to Hanover to have dinner with friends. Our arrangement was for us to find a place to stay in town, and leave a note at the Post Office telling them where to meet us. While asking a man for directions to the P.O., Hopeful met Kevin, who also allowed us to camp in his yard, along the White River. Kevin and his wife, Laura, have a beautiful spot along the river where you can dive off a 10 foot rock cliff into the water below (about 20 feet deep). After feeling so tired, that swim was what we needed. Later in the evening, Laura brought down fresh vegtables from their garden-- so good! While we were there, Woodstock, Origami, Sam I Am and Scared of the Dark showed up. Later on, Hairball and Snowbunny found us. It made for a pretty full yard.   Last night I was reading John 13, where Jesus washed His disciple's feet. I think of calloused, dirty, stinky hiker feet, and I imagine that to be similar to the disciple's feet after walking in sandles from town to town, following Jesus. I don't like feet, so I have no problem seeing this as an act of love that requires a man's total humility. I see how Jesus cleansed Men where they needed it physically, where their mortal bodies came in contact with the filth of the world (their feet). Likewise, when Jesus did this for the disciples, He was days away from cleansing mankind where they need it the most, spiritually. In the place where the human spirit takes on the filth of the world (sin), Jesus was there to make things clean and right, through forgiveness. Jesus is here for us physically and spiritually for our needs here on our earth and through eternity. He is a compassionate, loving friend for this life and a Savior for the life to come. Time on the Trail continues to lend new insight to old lessons.
Date: 2005-08-08
From: West Hartford, VT

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 9.8
Weather: clear sky

Red Wing:   Georgia... check. North Carolina... check. Tennessee... check. Virginia... check. West Virginia... check. Maryland... check. Pennsylvania... check. New Jersey... check. New York... check. Connecticut... check. Massachusetts... check. Vermont... check.    Today was a border crossing day. We have twelve states down and town to go. This leaves only one more border to cross. It seems crazy to think that we're here in New Hampshire with less than 450 miles left to hike. The state motto, proudly blazened on the liscence plates, is one of my favorites, "Live Free or Die". We entered this second to last state some natives, Hairball and Snowbunny, hoping they could show us the ropes.    We've learned a new appreciation for an old word, "net". As in, "It's a net down from here to town", meaning, , there may be more down hill than uphill, but there's still a whole lot of uphill. It seems that everything around here must be decsribed in this way, as there is no such thing as consistent ascents or descents. Today was a net down... Three miles up and seven miles mostly down.   On our last stretch into town, we had a 1-2 mile road walk. We made a bakery stop in Norwich, a very clean, affluent town, with Hairball and Snowbunny. As we were crossing the bridge over the Connecticut River from Vermont to New Hampshire, we stopped to take a picture at the bridge's border plaque. As we posed, I moved Hopeful's hiking poles so I could sit down. A minute later, when we stood up from the picture taking, we looked around and realized that her poles were nowhere to be found. They jumped the bridge, into the river, 40 or 50 feet below. Oops! Clearly, they weren't as excited as we were to get to New Hampshire. Next time I'll be more careful when moving another hiker's gear. Once in town, we found a co-ed fraternity house that takes four hikers a night into their house. Hanover is home to Dartmouth College. The four of us, Hairball, Snowbunny, Hopeful and I, were all able to get in, take showers and clean up a little. Hairball's family then came here to Hanover this afternoon (it's his home state) and treated us all to lunch as well as drove us to EMS and LL Bean where we could replace Hopeful's long lost poles.   It's always really neat to meet the families of those who we hike with. Generally, families are very supportive of the hike and do all they can to keep up with the hiking community. They seem to very generous with their hiker, as well as others they meet. Hairball's family fits that mold perfectly. It is obvious that they are very proud of him and Snowbunny, for what they are accomplishing. Tonight, we hope to catch up on journals, find our way to the Ben & Jerry's ice cream store, and plan our next few days of hiking into Glencliff, New Hampshire... and then the White Mountains!
Date: 2005-08-11
From: Trapper John Shelter

To: North Jacobs Brook Stealth Site
Miles today: 11.2

Red Wing:   After a fun night last night wth Teresa and Jon (and smores) we got to bed a little later than usual. Then at 5:30 AM we heard the sound of sprinkling rain on our tent. Thankfully, it didn't last, but it did do a great job of getting us out of bed. From there, we did a poor job of getting our of camp, and it was 8 before we left. The good part was a chance to visit with Teresa and Jon the mile trip down to their car before we said goodbyes. They spoiled us again, this time with yogurt, fudge and prayer. We haven't often crossed paths lately with those who share faith in Jesus, that we nearly forgot the sense we feel when someone who is physcially present prays for us. Thank you, Teresa & Jon, for the blessing you gave us this morning. Additionally, while in the parking lot, there was a random pay phone so that we could call my grandmother who has been in poor health. We've been unable to talk with her since we started the hike, more than 4 months ago.    Finally on our way, we spent some time climbing. Some section hikers left us sodas and grapes to help fuel us for the task. Although it was steep and long, it was a beautiful climb up Smarts Mountain. We had rock look outs, views for miles without buildings, watched the forest change from hardwoods to evergreens, and then atop Smarts, we reached a firetower, and old firewarden's cabin. There we caught up with Hairball and Snowbunny and had lunch. In addition to the tougher climbs, we've been surprised by how few water sources are flowing. Several shelters are dry, and there are no healthy springs. Only the steams seem to have water, and even then the levels are low. Tonight that meant that we call it an early day. The shelter ahead of us was without water, and there is a stream about a mile shy of it that is still running. When we got to the brook, we split up to search for a tent site. Hairball found an old road that was flat enough for tents. We set up and were soon joined by Free and Slow & Steady. It was good to have extra company whom we haven't see in awhile. After commenting several times over on our great camp spot, we all crawled into bed early, hoping that tomorrow we can do more miles.
Date: 2005-08-12
From: North Jacobs Brook Stealth Site

To: Hikers Welcome Hostel, Glencliff, NH
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: broken clouds

Red Wing:   It has been a reunion day for us, today. First things first, though... we fought the urge to sleep in and the six of us hike out together... early. The weather could not have been more perfect. It was in the low 80's with a very comfortable breeze. The climb up Cube Mountain was a little tough, but had a great reward with its views. Most of the day we spent hiking with Free who we've been around off and on since New Jersey. We always appreciate Free's company, and today was no different.    Around 2:30, we hiked into the "Hikers Welcome Hostel", just a half mile off the trail, across from the Glencliff P.O., where we had a box waiting for us. By coincidence, Snowman and Sparkplug (who got off the trail due to injury about a month ago) were there picking up a mail drop that had been sent before they decided to stop hiking. It was so good to see them! After not seeing them since New York, we were able to catch up and quiz them about the "real" world and their next plans for life. We also saw Lion King there. Lion King is a forever thru-hiker who we met this year while he was doing a section of North Carolina. We hadn't seen him since May. He filmed and produced a movie of his '03 hike called "Walking with Freedom" that we all got emotional while watching this evening. Finally, we enjoyed yet another reunion, when Strider showed up to visit. Strider was the first hiker we met this year. He was there while we took pictures atop Springer Mountain on March 30th! Eventually, Strider got off the trail in Harpers Ferry when the monotomy of hiking began to feel like a job. We've stayed in touch via email and phone calls, and since he's from New Hampshire, we've been looking forward to seeing him again once we got up here. The three of us went and got some pizza, we talked about the hike, and how the trail has changed us. It's amazing how the AT community works. The friends we were reunited with today we hope will be part of our lives for years to come.