morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2015-08-07
From: Kent Used Clothing Store Shed

To: Kent Used Clothing Store Shed 
Miles today: 0.0

I decided to zero due to the on and off rainy weather and rest up. I went across the street to the Kent Coffe & Chocolate shop and fell in love with the place at once. It has Starbuks quality coffee and selection at conveinence store prices along with a great staff. I got the darkest, strongest coffee that they had, 2 large, chocolate covered biscotti and a huge blueberry muffin. It was soo good and filling! There was a good croud at the campsite and everyone was relaxing and having a good time. There were guitarists playing music and others singing along and it was pretty good. I went down to the outfitter and picked up a new cannister for my Jetboil as mine was running low. While out I looked at all of the booths and stopped in at a jewlry store and asked if they could fix my necklace. It had a loop piece to hold the necklace together but the clasp would slide through the slit and I was afraid of loosing my necklace. She put a new and better coupling that was a spiral and polished my necklace for $5.00. I walked down to the grocery store and bought some fully cooked porkchops and a 6 pack of Shocktop and some oranges. I ate lunch while doing laundry which had opened to hikers again. I had heard that they had closed to hikers after one hiker stripped down to do all of their laundry and it is a place where women and children go to. I finished the laundry and checked out the car show across the street as there were some pretty pricy cars on display including 2 Shelby GTs. I shared the beer with the other hikers but a couple went out to the liquor store for stronger stuff and were soon getting out of control. There was a hiker that got very drunk and belligerent up to 10 pm and got yelled at from several of the neighbors for being loud and reciting poetry and wanting booze. At one point someone offered to smoke some pot with him and another started play on the guitar. He bellowed at the top of his lungs "I don't want pot! I want booze! And to the guitarist he yelled at as he wanted to do his poetry. I had enough and stood at the door of the shelter and yelled that "You'll be reciting poetry from a drunk tank if you don't shut up. This worked and things quieted down and I could sleep. Up to that point the people I had been around could enjoy a beer or two and have safety meetings without trouble but I hadn't run into this type of rude and disrespectful behavior before and it was a bit shocking.
Date: 2015-08-08
From: Kent Used Clothing Store Shed

To: Kent Used Clothing Store Shed
Miles today: 0.0

I was up early and went across the steet for Coffee and Biscotti again. I then went to the deli next door for a breakfast sandwich which was awesome. The festival was wrapping up and it was raining a little. It wasn't all that long before the fallout from the night before started as several people stopped by and mentioned their disappointment over the previous nights behavior with admonitions to behave that night which we all promised would happen. The AMC- ridge runner that had invited me was going to camp out that night. This was to make sure it remained quiet, which it did and we observed hiker midnight and there weren't any incidents that night. The problem makers weren't there as they had moved on. The weren't through hikers, they were yellow blazers who had decided to drop in at a free site to party. Some of them were extremely rude as the Ridge Runner had brought snacks and sodas for trail magic. One idiot called their branch of the AMC a**holes for screwing the hikers in the Whites. We jumped in and said that it was a different part of the AMC that manages the Whites section of the trail and that insulting someone who was trying to help us out by keeping a camping site open deserved respect for that and for the work he does on the trail. More hikers agreed with us and the perpetrator apologised and made things right. I found a newer pair of boots in the hiker box and retired my Brooks Ravenas, keeping my new shoes in reserve in order to make it to Maine with the footwear. I then went back to the grocery store for lunch and then the library where I spent a good part of the day updating my trailjournals. Since it was so close I went back to the grocery store and got two discounted bowls of Bison Chili which were very delicious and filling and drank a Tropicana Cranberry Raspberry Drink. I returned to the shelter where there was a fire going. We still had a beer and safety meetings but quietly and respectfully so there weren't any problems that day. More musicians arrived and there was music and singing and I joined in and requested songs that I knew and it was a great time. Back in my shed shelter I raided the hiker box for resupply and got a good bit towards making it to the next planned supply town. I then threw down my sleeping system as one group of hikers set up a sheet as a projection screen and used a tiny projector and a cell phone and external speakers to play a movie for everyone. I though it was awesome but was too tired to stay up for it so I put on my headphones and destressed and unwound before going to sleep.
Date: 2015-08-09
From: Kent Used Clothing Store Shed

To: Kent Used Clothing Store Shed
Miles today: 0.0

I got up again and as I was getting ready to cross the street I met the owner of the clothing store and we talked about what had happened two nights before when the hiker got out of control. I explained to her that they weren't thru-hikers and she agreed that they were not the typical hikers as most hikers were respectful. She had gotten a lot of grief over the incident, especally from the Pastor whose family lived next door. She said that she was going to have to close the camping down for the year and possibly for good.She rightly said that the hiking community should police itself and take action to prevent this and I agreed with her as we do have ways of ostracising trouble makers and we can report their activity to the hostels and trail clubs. I asked her to reconsider keeping it open, if not for this year then for next year and she said that she would think about it. I then went to the Kent coffee shop across the street. You gotta love the free refills. The Mud blend of dark bold flavor was my favorite and I drank 2 large cups with 2 chocolate biscotti before returning to the library where I spent the day catching up on my trail journals. I then went to IGA to the deli department and got four bowls of Bison chili with beans marked way down at the end of day. It was great and I at them with oyster crackers. As the guys were playing guitar I began singing along again and had a great time. I was thanked by the guitarists and listeners as well. I got online on my phone and finished updating my journals before going to sleep.
Date: 2015-08-10
From: Kent Used Clothing Store Shed

To: Mt. Algo Shelter
Miles today: 0.3
Weather: broken clouds

After my morning coffee and biscotti, I spent most of the day catching up with my journal at the library. Coming back to the campground I found that the owner had declared the place closed and everyone was packing up to leave. Before I left I retired my pair of Brooks Ravens that I had found in the hiker box at the trail angel's house in Duncannon. I found an almost new pair of hiking boots that I put my insoles into. What are the odds of finding 4 pair of footwear in a row that all fit in hiker boxes? Music cues "Oh what kind of (strange) trail magic, what kind of trailmagic..." I had grown to love the deli at the IGA where I ate fully cooked and seasoned pork chops at closeout prices. I also restocked my supplies and was ready to get back on trail. It was late in the day so when I road walked back to the trailhead I went sobo back to the Mt. Algo shelter as it was to late to go forward to the next shelter. I hiked up the steep hill and crossed the streams to the shelter for the night where there was a loud party going on. They made room for me and I got set up in the shelter and went back to the stream to get water. A trumpet and guitar duo were making sweet melodies together and I stepped up and provided vocals to the songs I knew. I was given a couple of cold beers and I sponsored one of the safety meetings as we sat around the campfire which was as I had remembered, illegal in Connecticut. I said something and they said that they would clean it up after to erase the evidence. I turned in after 8 and was soon asleep.
Date: 2015-08-12
From: Stewart Hollow Brook Shelter 

To: Pine Swamp Brook Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: few clouds

I was up at daybreak and after breakfast I put my pack together and was on the trail shortly thereafter feeling well and full of energy. There was a steep climb up Silver hill with just as steep descent on the other side down to Guinea Brook. The bridge was out and I was supposed to have my first fording of a river today, but the rocks provied a way across with dry feet! Today was a day of very steep climbs and beautiful views. The climb up often required the use of both hands and feet and things slowed down quickly. It sometimes seems that I am flying to Maine, but lately it seems more like a crawl due to the rougher terrain. The Whites are looking pretty to be tough, tougher than anything I've seen so far. Breath taker arrived at the shelter a little after I did and it was good to see him. He is an artist who knows the art of glass blowing and he makes and sells hand blown glass pipes for the "Safety conscious" on the trail! lOl! Right after I had taken a bath in the stream beyond the water source and filled up my water bottles it began to rain hard for a little while. As soon as we arrived we saw an extremely hyper mouse running around the shelter like crazy. I almost hit it by accident with left over hot water from cooking. I didn't see it again that night. This rain is good as so many of the streams and springs have been dry since NY. Breathtaker and I conducted a safety survey meeting at the shelter to make sure things were ok, which they then were. It helped greatly as I was in a good deal of pain from all of the hand climbing. I was the only one in the shelter as he had hung outside in a hammock. I got into bed and put my iPod in and relaxed before going to sleep.
Date: 2015-08-16
From: The Interior Decorator's Back Porch - GB, Mass

To: South Mountain Wilcox Shelter
Miles today: 11.7

I was up early and stopped in at the store for breakfast and coffee before heading off to the trail. I walked about 1.5 miles before catching a ride to the trail and the first thing I found about 50' foot off trail was trail magic! There were candy bars, Nutter Butter Cookies and sodas! I grabbed some for lunch and then was off again. The trail followed a river for awhile and there were berries and flowers everywhere! It smelled and looked spectactular! It was a bit slow going due to the muddy trail from the rain the night before but I made good progress. I crossed the Housatonic River on the Kellog Rd. Bridge and let a sobo female hiker use my phone to call on Boardman Street. She was trying to get to an organic farm hostel in order for her to get a work for stay and her battery was dead. Then it was up into the mountains again with a heavy pack as I had topped of my supplies while in town. Then it was back onto the trail and up June Mountain and on to the view at East Mountain. The going was slow due to the wet conditions, coupled with some rough sections of the trail. Then it was down to the Tom Leonard Shelter where I took a quick snack break. It is an old shelter with two bunkbeds, a metal roof which overhangs a picnic table out front. I drank a Sprite and 2 packages of Nutter Butter Cookies along with a Cliff Cookies & Cream Builder Bar. Then it was up and up Bear Mountain and I took a dip and rinsed out my clothing at the stream byt the Benedict Pond Loop trail. The view at the Ledges was worth taking another break. I had planned on heading to the Upper Goose pond Cabin but was getting worn out and was going to settle for the North Mountain Wilcox Shelter. When I arrived at the shelter I saw a sign warning about bear activity at the shelter. I couldn't tell how long the sign had been up so I went down the trail to the shelter. As soon as I saw the shelter I saw a medium sized black bear, about 200lbs run out of the shelter and into the woods. I turned around, frustrated as it was too far to get to the cabin and I hated backtracking. I returned to the South Wilcox shelter and set up in the New shelter which is a little past the old shelter on the side trail. I collected a good store of kindling and wood and then got a roaring fire going. One of the hikers had brought a stash of s'more supplies and we had a safety meeting in order to make the s'more making process a bit safer. They were made from chocolate flavored marshmellows and Hershey's Special Dark Chocolate and placed on some hard grahm crackers that tasted awesome! That got my appetite stoked for my dinner which I cooked and also made extra water for coffee to top it off! We sat around the fire and I sponsored another safety meeting around the fire as we shared our trail experiences and after asking permission played some Lord of the Rings soundtracks which everyone loved. Then it was getting dark and was time for bed. I pulled out my headphones for my nightly routine and it wasn't long before the frogs outside lulled me off to sleep.
Date: 2015-08-17
From: South Mt. Wilcox Shelter 

To:  Upper Goose Pond Cabin
Miles today: 15.8

I was up while it was twilight and got packed up righ after breakfast. There were a number of streams to cross first thing in the morning adn I stopped for a snack break at the Shaker Campsite. I climbed up and over Cobble Hill and then Up Baldy Mountain which was a pretty decent climb. I found many apple trees, includeing a crab apple tree with sweet tiny apples. I snacked profusely along the way and mixed in berries whenever I found them. I passed by Knee Deep Pond. I disturbed a whole herd of deer when I came into a clearing and I, without thinking apologized to them. They at first were about to run away, but suddenly stopped when I started talking to them. I continued talking as I pulled out my phone and took some pictures. They continued to check me out and then just started calmly walking off into the woods. I guess that once I made myself known and started talking, I showed that I was not a threat which calmed them down. It was a cool experience. There were 4 adults, One buck and three does and 4 yearlings that stayed behind the adults and watched me shyly. Then the trail went alongside Upper Goose Pond and passed by the remains of an old cabin. All that remained of the cabin was a stone fireplace right before the signs and trail to the Upper Goose Pond Cabin. I was so stoked about getting to this Hostel. I had first heard about it on Appalachian Impressions - a great documentary about the AT, a Flaggler Film by Mark Flaggler a long distance triple crown hiker and documentary producer. I arrived in time for dinner and was given a hiker sized plate of delicious homemade food. I asked to switch for a bottom bunk as I couldn't pull myself up to a top bunk, no matter how I tried and a nice lady hiker switched bunks with me. Joker was present and we took a beer and went down to the dock to have a safety meeting and listen to the frogs and birds make merry melody. We could see the other stage of the Orange Newts swimming in the water. They were a dark green, but still had the black spots. We watched them dive for awhile and then come up for water. Soon it was time for me to be getting to bed. I read The Golden Compass for awhile before putting on my headphones for my nightly iPod time before the frogs and birds lulled me off to sleep.
Date: 2015-08-18
From: Upper Goose Pond Cabin

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

I didn't sleep well as I had hurt my shoulder trying to climb up onto the top bunk so I decided to zero and let it heal some. I went downstairs and was greeted by the smell of coffee and pancakes. I grapped a cup of coffee and sat down at the table in time as they brought out a heaping plate of blueberry pancakes to be topped with real maple suryp! I stuffed myself silly with pancakes and coffee and went out back to where some hikers were having a safety meeting and I was definitly in need of it. I had taken Tylenol but that didn't help much with the pain. I then went down to the pond where I went in to soak for awhile as I really couldn't swim with my shoulder. I just enjoyed the cold water which helped my shoulder and back greatly.I noticed the water stage of the Orange Newts that I frequently saw on the trail. They were a green color, but you could still see the dots. They would dive for food and then a short time later come back up for air. When I dried off I grabbed my book and spent the morning reading until lunch time. While I was there some of the hikers canoed out to the island and some swam there. It looked like great fun and I had a good time watching them frolick in the summer heat. Back at the cabin some of the hikers were cooking and offered me some of their feast of hotdogs, chips and an ice cold Budweiser to wash it down! I couldn't help but return the favor with a safety meeting peace pipe! Then I retired to the front porch and spent the afternoon reading The Golden Compass in a rocking chair and simply enjoying life. The ladies with their big dogs from the night before had left and another group of caretakers came in to oversee the place. I made my own dinner in the evening accompanied by a trail magic brew and safety meeting. I then went down by the pond to listen to the frogs and birds again before going to bed.
Date: 2015-08-20
From: Dalton, Mass - Tom Levardi's Front Porch

To: Dalton, Mass - Tom Levardi's Front Porch
Miles today: 0.0

I was up early and got my pack together. Tom graciously, brought out breakfast and we ate on the picnic table under the branches where birds sang to us and frolicked. The food and coffee were very good. One of my goals was to hit the Fitness center for a $3.00 shower in the morning. I was off thereafter and grabbed another coffee at the Cumberland Farm store along the way. I got there and The first thing I did was weigh myself and found I weighed in at 165lbs. I had lost 45lbs so far! The shower felt so good and they provided a wash cloth and towel for the $3.00 donation. From there I stopped by the post office and found that my food package had not yet arrived and I was a bit disapointed about that. On my way back I stopped and picked up a couple of pizzas at Cumberland farms to share at the house. I provided the pizza and someone else provided the beer and safety meeting. After that CC (Chaos and Company - Justin Fisher and his German Shepherd - Chaos)and I walked to the laundry and did a load. I had room so I let him wash his sleeping bag in with my stuff. When we returned we were greeted with a good meal of burgers and hotdogs, chips and soda from CC and Tom. I later watched episode 1 of book 1 of The Legend of Korra. I had just finished downloading book one that I had purchased before leaving for the AT. It was supposed to rain pretty hard so we put up tarps around the porch to keep the rain out right before I went to bed.
Date: 2015-08-21
From: Dalton Mass - Tom Levardi's Front Porch

To: Dalton Mass - Tom Levardi's Front Porch
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I woke up early and the rain had quit overnight and it had cooled off somewhat. Tom gave us coffe and I walked to the store for breakfast and to use the restroom. Tom gave me a ride to the post office where I picked up a food package and a package from my wife of some needed things, then it was off to Walmart where I finished resupplying before returning to the house. On the way he pointed out the building by the dam and several others and surprised me by telling me that this mill was where all the paper was made for ours and other nations was produced. I had seen this plant on the History Channel and didn't recognize it! Just another neat facet of the trail to think about. I did very little today except to walk to the store several times and ride a bicycle to the general store for dinner which was fun as I haven't ridden in awhile. Joker took off this morning and forgot his AWOL guide and had to return for it. I played Frisbee with some hikers and visited with Bison and Bookworm who showed up during the day. On one of my jaunts to the store I saw a alligator snapping turtle who apparently fell over the dam and was trying in futility to get back up. I would have helped if it hadn't have been a snapping turtle. Alligator snapping turtles are scary and are downright prehistoric. I could picture one of them taking a bite out of a tyranosaurus rex without a second thought! I got my laundry done by Tom which helped me out and I got my pack together to leave in the morning.
Date: 2015-08-22
From: Dalton Mass: Tom Lavardi's

To: Bascom Lodge - Mt. Greylok
Miles today: 17.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Staying with Tom was great. It is sad that he is thinking of closing due to the fact that many hikers do not respect his rules or his neighbors property. He constantly had to ask people to quiet down or not to walk on the neighbor's parking lot. He is such a generous person to let strangers camp in his yard and provided trail magic to them in the form of food and shuttles. I got off to a late start, around 10:00am. I had eaten breakfast at Cumberland Farms as they had good coffee, breakfast selection and a public restrooms. Then it was a short road walk to the trail head. Then it was off of the road and up Crystal Mountain which was a decent climb. I passed a plaque and monument to an Elder John Leland 1754-1841 which was very old and odd looking. Then it was off to the Cobbles, a beautiful outcropping of marble with a view that looked over the Hoosic River Valley. The trail passed through Cheshire, Mass before heading back into the mountains. It was the toughest climb with an elevation gain over over 2,600 feet. I passed the Mark Noepel Shelter and stopped for a quick bite to eat. The trail is sure getting rugged in places, being a boulder scramble very reminiscent of PA. There was room at the Bascom Lodge hostel so I was able to shower, washing my clothing at the same time. The dinners were all $35.00 so I asked the attendant if they had burgers or something cheaper. He said he would ask if they could whip something up. Soon after he arrived in my room with a big burger, potato salad and cole slaw for $6.00! Soooo delicious! I had brought 3 beers from a catch of trail magic including 2 IPAs and a PBR. I shared two of the beers with Snacktime and her friends at the shelter by the lodge. The shelter was actually a warming house for skiers and had benches for beds. The tower which is the highest point in Mass was closed, my second tower as the original Washington Monument was closed for repair as well, it wouldn't have mattered as it was extremely overcast without any views to be had. Exhausted, I went to bed around 8:30.