morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-08-02
From: Moon in the Pond Farm, Sheffield, MA

To: Moon in the Pond Farm, Sheffield, MA
Miles today: 0.0

A zero mileage day, working and swimming at an organic farm. We weeded the raspberry plants all morning and still didn't get it all done - there are tons of weeds, and a long row of raspberry plants.The weather was again very hot and humid, so we were told to go swimming for the afternoon, as it was too hot to be working in the sun in the fields. We got back from swimming and Linc and I returned to the fields to try to finish the raspberry weeding. We got within about 20 feet of finishing and decided to call it a day at 6:30. Had dinner with one of the interns (the rest of the workers and Dominic, the owner, going out to dinner).Off to sleep in the tent next to the pond about 9:30 p.m., where the frogs will serenade us we drift off.
Date: 2006-08-03
From: Moon in the Pond Farm, Sheffield, MA

To: Tom Leonard Lean-to, MA
Miles today: 6.4

Hot day!!!! Worked in the field again on the raspberry plants - finished weeding and then started putting bark mulch around them. Finished work about noon, had a little snack and got Rich to gie us a ride into Great Barrington so that we could do our resupply shopping and get back to the trail.Got our shopping done, and quickly got a ride back to the trail, and began the very hot, humid ascent up the hills of the day. The woman who gave us a ride said that the high for the day was 94 degrees - no wonder we feel so hot. It's fairly buggy here, so we are trying to get out chores done and get into the tent for relief.Hoping that this heat wave passes soon.
Date: 2006-08-04
From: Tom Leonard Lean-to, MA

To: Spring, 1.5 M N of Webster Rd, MA
Miles today: 17.5

Ended up hiking further than we had planned, so that we could camp with Willow, Switch and Rael near the spring. Again, it is very buggy here, so want to hurry up and get chores done and supper eaten so we can get into the bug free zone of our tent - even if it is really hot to get in there.Awoke to showers this morning, and hiked in mostly cloudy weather, with another short shower. it cleared gradually throughout the day and the humidity is lessened.We both felt fairly good today, but are alittle tired now.Planning to meet Linc's sister Karen in Lee, MA tomorrow when we go in to resupply, she will drive over from near Albany, NY.
Date: 2006-08-05
From: Spring, 1.5 M N of Webster Rd, MA

To: Off trail at Lee, MA to visit a sister & nephew
Miles today: 5.2

Visiting with Linc's sister Karen and nephew Joe today. We got to lee early since we were camped so close to the road. Attempted to call Linc's sister to see if she wanted to come over and meet up with us earlier, but did not get in touch with her.We went back to the town park to figure out our grocery list, and up she and her son come, three hours early. We visisted with them, had lunch at the local health food store cafe, and ended up decided to go to visit with them for the night at their apartment in Castleton on the Hudson, NY. We did our grocery shopping in Lee first, and they drove us to their home, stopping to visit the loal small Knickerbocker Park lake in which to swim. The weather has turned cooler and less humid, but it still felt good to swim.Had a great supper of baked potatoes, corn on the cob, and organically, antibiotic free, no hormone baked chicken on which Linc poured every herb he could find in the cupboard, a little sauteed parsnips, followed by fresh watermelon for dessert. It was delicious and we were all full. Went for a litle walk around the neighborhood, before settling in for a good night's sleep.Had a good visit with Joe and Karen.
Date: 2006-08-06
From: Off trail at Lee, MA to visit a sister & nephew

To: Kay Wood Lean-to
Miles today: 16.0

After breakfast, Joe and Karen drove us back to the Appalachian Trail near lee, MA, dropping us off just before 8:30 a.m. Thanks Joe and Karen for the nice visit.The weather today was gorgeous - less humid and nice cool temps - maybe in the low 80's. The big climb of the day came early, and the rest of the day was mostly little bumps up and down. There are only a few of us here at the shelter, most choosing to set up tents - Model T and Ranger Dawg, Mudflap and Daisy, Linc and I, and Richard and Alex (father and son out for a five day hike).We're having a "geezer party" here - most of teh hikers here are aged 45 and older, and all snoring must begin by 9:00 p.m. It should be a great party. Lots of good sleeping will be happening.
Date: 2006-08-07
From: Kay Wood Lean-to

To: Mark Neopel Lean-to
Miles today: 16.7

Through Dalton and Cheshire, MA today, starting up Mt Greylock. We're camped at a shelter on the flank of Mt. Greylock, choosing to save the summit for tomorrow morning. We awoke to rain this morning, which quit about 7:00, and it's cloudy again now. Showers are possible until about midnight.We ran into the Wanderers in Dalton, hiked out of town with them, stopped just before we re-entered the woods for a snack. Linc laid his poncho out to dry, and ended up forgetting it there. We ran into a southbound hiker (tentpole) who will look for it and mail it to us in Hanover if he finds it.We stopped in Cheshire where two little girls were selling lemonade, and also stopped for ice cream at the local ice cream shop. For me, it was too much sugar - ugh. We managed to wet our head before we started the climb up the hill, as it is humid again today. The hil had gradual sections and steep sections to here. Looking forward to completing the climb in the morning.
Date: 2006-08-08
From: Mark Neopel Lean-to

To: Sherman Brook Campsite
Miles today: 11.4
Weather: scattered clouds

Had a nice climb up to the summit of Graylock this morning. It was cloudy and cool, windy at the top, and just starting to clear as we got there, so we had good views, but had to put on extra clothes to stay warm - and we're not complaining about that - good to be a little on the cooler side again.As it cleared up, the air stayed cool and dry, making for nice hiking.We resupplied at a store that was only 3/10th mile off trail, but it still seemed to take us a long time to buy food and repackage it, plus eat our in town snack.Linc not feeling real good today, hoping he feels better tomorrow.The Wanderers showed up as we were just finishing our cooking and eating, and will share our tentsite with us, but only after they agreed to abide by the "Geezer Party" rules of all snoring by 9:00 p.m. Nice to chat with them for the evening.
Date: 2006-08-09
From: Sherman Brook Campsite

To: Melville Nauheim Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: clear sky

Into Vermont! Yeehaaa!!!! Back to Jeanne's home state - our 12th state - 11 down, three to go!!!!!The climb down to Route 9 was very steep - taking Jeanne 25 minutes to make it down - some of the rock steps mut have been made for people who are over 7 feet tall, as they were much too big. Everyone we talked with about the descent talked about how it hurt their knees to come down such big steps. The climb up the other side of Route 9 was also steep, but a short distance to the shelter.Ranger Dawg and Model T are camped just down the trail; Rael, Willow, Linc and I are here in tents, as well as two Long Trail hikers, a pair of brothers, and two southbound AT hikers. A crowded shelter.Met the Garland Five today - a family who has hiked almost the entire AT in three summers for a total of ten months of hiking.Saw moose poops and tracks along the trail today, but no moose. I guess the Garland Five saw a moose at one of the ponds shortly before we passed by there, but The Wanderers and Linc were talking as they hiked and may have scared it away? We'll have more opportunities to see moose as we continue north.
Date: 2006-08-10
From: Melville Nauheim Shelter

To: Story Spring Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: broken clouds

Lots of climbing and descending today, but feel pretty good. Got to the shelter a little late, but just a little before it started raining, so stayed dry. Finished baking bread and cooked dinner in the shelter to stay out of the rain.Big crowd here again tonight, some in the shelter, many in tents.There was a fire tower on top of Glastenbery Mountain, and since it was the only way to get a view after the climb up there, I managed to get myself up to the top of the fire tower. It was great - a beautiful 360 degree view.There was a beautiful pond/marsh just before the short climb up to this shelter. I kep stopping along the shore to see if there were any moose, but never spotted any. The day started out cloudy, cleared, and then clouded back up again. It is supposed to clear tonite after this rain, but the trails will be wet again - just as they had started to dry out.
Date: 2006-08-11
From: Story Spring Shelter

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

Another cool, dry, gorgeous weather day!!!! The hike up to the summit of Spruce Peak was great - nicely graed and not too rooty or rocky. It was a little on the cool side on the summit when the clouds covered the sun, but nice when it was sunny. The caretakers (Jean and Hugh) sat and chatted with us all. We climbed up the fire tower for a spectacular view of 360 degrees, with good distance viewing since it was not hazy.Nice easy hike down to Stratton Pond where we stopped to cook our dinner for lunch, and hung out with the Wanderers, Rael, Willow, and three long trail hikers. It was too cool for anyone to swim in the pond, even though it looked very inviting. There was a loon on the pond, but it did not call.I'm surprised that we were able to hike as far as we did, as we were lazy this morning and did not get started hiking until about 8:30.
Date: 2006-08-12
From: Spruce Peak Shelter

To: Bromley Shelter
Miles today: 4.8
Weather: scattered clouds

A nice nero day today. Took our time getting out of bed, baked the bread we never baked last night, packed up, sat out and contemplated nature, stretched, and finally started hiking at 10:20 a.m. It was nice to be leisurely, knowing that we were gling into town for resupply and only hiking a short distance today.Got to the road and got a ride into Manchester Center (with Rapunzel) in about 10 minutes. It was nice to be able to take our time in town, knowing we did not intend to hike far after we got back to the trail.Resupplied at the health food store, and some at the Price Chopper. Had our usual town treat of fresh friut, nuts, oats and yogurt - yum!!!!! Had a little time on internet, doing a few emails at an internet cafe, but no time for journal entries. Lounged around in town until about 5:00 p.m. Got a ride back to the trail within five minutes of starting to hitchhike. The hike up to the shelter and camping area was pretty easy - one mile, easy grade.We are camped on one of the four tent platforms Wanderers had talked about roasting hot dogs and marshmallows over a campfire this evening, but they spent even more time in town than we did, and it was too late by the time they got here - after dark. There's a group of boy scouts at the shelter, with Liz and Tom (LT hikers), Willow, Rapunzel and the Wanderers at the other tent platforms.
Date: 2006-08-13
From: Bromley Shelter

To: Big Branch Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: clear sky

Started out with a cool weather day, which warmed up some as the day progressed, but not humid, so nice hiking day, with 70's and a slight breezeHad a nice view from the fire tiwer on Bromley Peak, a view from Styles peak in one direction, and a 180 degree view fo Baker Peak. Some of the climbing was steep today, some nicely graded, with some smooth trail, and a little rocky and rooty.Nice campsite here next to the Big Branch River, with nice swimming holes, but too cool to go swimming.Wanderers arrived at the tent site in time to gat a campfire going and roast their hot dogs and marshmallows.We set our tent up a little ways from where the campfire was, and wandered off to bed as others were still visiting and finishing up eating. After we got into our tent, we saw headlamps, and heard footsteps outside our tent. We were not sure what was going on, when all of a sudden everyone who was camped with us started to snore outside our tent - it was a great "geezer Party".
Date: 2006-08-14
From: Big Branch Shelter

To: Clarendon Shelter
Miles today: 16.9
Weather: clear sky

We got an early start today, hoping to get into camp a little early this evening. However, we got waylaid at Little Rock Pond while Lincoln decided to do a little swimming and jumping off the rock on the other side of the pond. I felt it was too cold to jump in as we got to the pond around 9:00 a.m., and it was partly cloudy. The sun was not yet warm enough to keep you warm with the breeze blowing when wet. When Linc got back out of the water, he was shivering until we started hiking, even with his fleece shirt on.There was a loon on the pond, and it was quite vocal, singing and calling. When the Wanderers went into the water, White Cloud swam underwater near to the Loon, and when he surfaced, unfortunately scared the loon, who flapped and "ran" across the water surfact away from him, calling the whole way. he continued to call for several minutes after that. Their call is so beautiful - I'm so glad to be able to hear the call of the loons again. Looking forward to hearing more in Maine.There were also a lot of Juncos feeding in the bushes next to me on shore while I was the only one there. When others arrived, the Juncos disappeared.There was good trail magic near the road at Clarendon Gorge - homemade chocolate chip cookies which were not too sweet, spicy sweet potato chips, and no sodium ginger ale, and no sodium, no salt carbonated water with cranberry and lime flavor. It tasted really good and helped to get us up the very steep trail to the shelter.
Date: 2006-08-15
From: Clarendon Shelter

To: Churchill Scott Shelter
Miles today: 14.5
Weather: few clouds

What a great day - great weather for the climb over Killington. The climb up to Killington was not as steep as I expected (except for the last 2/10th which was a 400' elevation gain). The last 2/10ths was on a blue blazed trail, so we did not have to bring our packs up there -although it turns out that most others did.Had great views from the top, rode the gondola down to the base lodge and back up (didn't get any better views from that than we did from the top), but it was a fun ride with the Wanderers.Most people that we have been hiking with have continued the final two miles to Route 4, and will stay at the Inn (Willow), and some will hitchhike into Rutland and stay at the Twelve Tribes Hostel (Wanderers, Rapunzel, Dirt Diva and Compass Rose). We are here at the shelter with two Long Trail hikers, and Rael showed up at about 8:30 (after we had already gotten in our tent for the night).the weather was good today, with mostly sunny skies, cook, dry, breezy. Amazingly, even though it's the middle of August, we have black flies here at the tentsite. Luckily they are not too pesty, and it's cook enough out to put on long pants and long sleeved top to keep them at bay.Looking forward to resupplying in Rutland tomorrow, and visiting a city I lived in over 30 years ago, with I was just 9 years old - I suspect I won't recognize much about it.
Date: 2006-08-16
From: Churchill Scott Shelter

To: Campsite beside Stony Brook
Miles today: 12.4

Great weather day today - lots of sun, breezy, cool temperatures, dry.We got down to Route 4 at about 8:30 this morning, and got a ride within five minutes from a local (next driveway up from the trail), who was headed into Rutland for some errands. He dropped us off at the Grand Union, and gave us directions for the library, health food store and bus station.Managed to do all our food resupply at the health food store, and even got a free sample of a Potato/Egg quiche like casserole, with a salsa like topping - it was very good. We also each hada couple pieces of fruit for our in-town treat.When we got to the bus station, we found that we had an almost two hour wait for the bus. We decided to spend that time at the library, which turned out did not open until 11:30. So we waited for the library to open, spent about 15 minutes in there checking email, and then wandered over to the bus stop on Route 4. We started to hitchhike while we walked to the bus stop, and a local turned around and gave us a ride back up to the trail (he and his two children were on their way to get pizza for lunch). Turns out that he and his wife hiked the AT several years ago for their honeymoon.We had a quick swim in the Kent Pond (near Gifford State park), and continue on our way to Stony Brook shelter. We were not impressed with the campsites there, and continued on to the brook here, where we have found a very nice, flat campsite.As our map had shown, the climb out of the Ottaqueechee River valley back up to the mountains was quite steep, and was slow going. Don't know if the Wanderers ended up staying in Rutland, or if they did hike to the Stony Brook shelter (they were not there yet when we passed by).
Date: 2006-08-17
From: Campsite beside Stony Brook

To: Campsite ~3/4 mile S of Cloudland Road
Miles today: 18.0

What a great campsite - we are camped atop one of the summits on the climb between Bartlett Brook Road and Cloudland Road. Should be some good stargazing tonite. We were able to camp here because we found a spring just about a half mile back where we were able to refill our water supply, and put some water in our waterbag for cooking dinner and doing dishes.There's a hot air balloon floating around across the valley. Nice nite for ballooning.Had lots of steep climbing today, and we are both tired. Happy to be at a campsite.   Just as we were finishing cooking our dinner, Rael wandered by (about 8:20 p.m.) with plans to continue on for about another three miles - he doesn't mind hiking in the dark and arriving at camp late.Lots of nice brooks today, jewelweed and wood nettle. Also some goldenrods, and a sumac with ripening berries on it. We also went through an area that had just about no undergrowth, and a lot of the canopy trees were dead or dying, and many had leaves that were being chewed by caterpillars. Not sure what is going on here ecologically.We are hoping for Hanover tomorrow, which will give us two days in town to get errands up and get some rest before we head into the Whites.
Date: 2006-08-18
From: Campsite ~3/4 mile S of Cloudland Road

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 17.6
Weather: clear sky

Wow, what a tough day - lots of little ups and downs, some quite steep, and we are both ready for a rest day.Also, we have entered New Hampshire - State #13, wow, 12 down and only two to go. We are very happy to be in New Hampshire and are looking forward to the Whites and to seeing some of our friends enroute.Linc jumped off the old bridge and the rope swing at the White River today, having a good swim. The weather started out mostly cloudy, and turned to mostly sunny and quite warm at times.We arried in Hanover at about 5:00 p.m., and found that a woman who had offered to put us up (Linda Kennedy who we met in Biloxi, MS) was to be out of town for the week end. But, she had made arrangements with friends of hers to house us while we were here. They are the Millers (Norm, Judy and daughter Amy - who is planning a trip to Biloxi next month). They are great people, wonderful hosts, and we are honored ot have met them and been able to spend some time with them. Amy picked us up at Dartmouth and brought us to the house. they showed us around, including their organic garden. They had a dinner engagement they had a prior commitment to, so we were left on our own to harvest dinner from the garden. We added a wonderful fresh salad, and fresh basil to our dinner of whole wheat pasta. It was delicious.
Date: 2006-08-19
From: Hanover, NH

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

Slept well last night, and awoke to mostly cloudy skies.Judy and Amy drove us back to Hanover (their house is actually back in Norwich, VT), giving us a tour of the local Farmer's Market along the way.We met up with our good friends Dennis and Patricia at the Post Office in Hanover. They have been receiving our mail for us these past five months, and brought us a nice big box of mail to go through. We went to lunch with D&P, but they would not allow us to pay for it. Luckily though, we were quick enough to pay for their Ben & Jerry's dessert at the ice cream shop. D&P drove us to the Coop where we shopped for our resupply, and also for food to mail to Andover, Maine. They then drove us back to the Millers' home in Norwich.We sat and chatted with D&P until they finally decided that they's best start heading back home. We had a wonderful visit with them, and look forward to possibly seeing them again (along with Jack and June) when they are near Gorham over Labor Day Weekend, where we expect to be if the weather does not change our current schedule.It started to rain in the early to mid afternoon, and has been raining on and off since.The Millers made a wonderful dinner of stuffed claim shells, crabs cakes, spinach and tofu, and a fresh salad (which Linc made from their garden produce), followed up by a locally made organic ice cream. All delicious, with wonderful conversation with Amy, Judy, Norm, son Scott, fiance Wynne, and friend Allie. Late to bed, with plans to sleep in and make sourdough pancakes for breakfast.
Date: 2006-08-20
From: Hanover, NH

To: Hanover, NH
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Another zero day today. Quite restful. Slept in until 8:00 a.m., then made sourdough pancakes for ourselves and our hosts, Amy, Judy and Norm - they were good and there were lots leftover.Spent a lot of time on the internetting updating journals through yesterday.Had a dinner of scrambled eggs, ausage, pesto pasta and large salad from the Millers' garden - delicious.It rained most of the day, so was nice to be resting and dry. Look forward to getting back on the trail tomorrow.
Date: 2006-08-21
From: Hanover, NH

To: Moose Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Got a late start out of Hanover, after doing some post office and food errands, hiking around 11:30am. Despite the two days off (or maybe because of), my (linc's) legs felt reluctant, my heart eager to get on with life after the trail. It took most of the day to get back into "trail mode", where the trail becomes more interesting than the outside world, and I was able to slow down my mind and appreciate the natural world again. Once that change took hold, I began to once again appreciate the beauty of the woods and the slow stepping of long distance backpacking.
Date: 2006-08-22
From: Moose Mountain Shelter

To: Hexacuba Shelter
Miles today: 17.7
Weather: clear sky

Big day today - lots of steep climbs. Had a great view from the fire tower on Smarts Mountain.Heard a winter wren this morning and last nite outside our tent at Moose Mountain Shelter.Weather was motly sunny until late in the day, then it turned cloudy and we had a short shower - enough to make everything wet and slippery again - and to allow Linc to fall four times today.Too lazy to set up the tent tonite, so will share the shelter with E-rock.
Date: 2006-08-23
From: Hexacuba Shelter

To: Jeffers Brook Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: light rain

Nice hiking weather today, sunny, warm, light west wind. The terrain continued to mostly feature steep climbs and descents, preparing us for the White Mtns.Started to see a few Red Maple leaves on the ground today, along with Beechnuts apparently thrown down by squirrels. The Indian Cucumber plants have berries on them now. The birds no longer sing, just companion calls. Mating season is over and the late summer flocks have formed.At NH25c, we stopped for a break, and observed that, if I really hoofed it, I might be able to make the 5.2 miles to the Glencliff PO before it closed. I took off in high gear, and got there in about 1 hr 45 minutes so we could get our mail and hike on the Jeffers Brook shelter, just a mile or so in from the road.