morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2009-07-12
From: Near Canopus Lake

To: Near NY52, Stormville, NY
Miles today: 11.6

July 12 --I am lying comfortably in my tent just past NY52 after a most unusual and enjoyable day on the trail which began slowly after the disappointment of yesterday and the overnight thunderstorm and all night rain. The storm blew away the humidity and after a nice quick climb up the hill overlooking Canopus Lake I made my way to Shenandoah Mtn, with a nice view and then on toward the RPH Shelter for the work-for-Bar-B-Q picnic. Along the way I found a trail crew, Blessed was there digging away, installing a water drain with large rocks that others were digging out of the woods. I mentioned to him my tent pole dilemma and we would look at it at the shelter. Arriving at the shelter, I was "just in time" for grill food, but I felt I needed to help out with something. There was a crew clearing brush, some poison ivy, which I avoided even looking at. Then I spotted a pair of loppers and got my wish to be able to clean up the trail for those of us over 6' tall, I grabbed them and back down the trail I went for probly a mile, and returned to down at least 5 hot dogs, one hamburger and tons of fruit salad with whipped cream. After that Blessed asked about the tent poles and one of the guys had a tool box in his car, the shelter was located right on Hortontown Rd, no one had a small hose clamp, so I filed off the bad end and tried filing down the male piece, and ended up smacking piece permanently as far as I dared without splitting the rod. Meantime, one of the guys leaving nearly smacked into a Smart Car, owned by the shelter guy Ralph(RPH) until I yelled to him to stop, right in front of me. The other guys later told Ralph and he was so grateful after telling me how long it took him to get the car, etc. He had thanked me earlier for hanging around to work, that most thru-hikers this weekend were "too busy" and also told me of the Mountain Top Deli and Danny's Pizza 0.3m down NY52, and an outside faucet and tenting allowed out back! I finally left after a relaxing afternoon about 15:30, stuffed, not looking forward to hill climbs, but dug in right away, I was very thirsty and began to crave the Tropicana Pink Lemonade that I had yesterday at the 25c hot dog place and I couldn't wait to get to the deli for 2, which I did, and a fat ham/cheese calzone from Danny's. Sitting out at the picnic table, I heard my name called and it was the little Smart Car, Ralph was there to pick up a pie. We talked a little, he has been doing trail maintenance for years, digging and stacking rocks from and by the trail, at one point he invited me over for the night, it would've been fun, but I was really conscienous of my lack of milage recently and I was prepared, full belly, to walk into the night. He mentioned that after the Morgan Stewart Shelter that the trail was unsupportive, words which stuck, and I dropped my pack near a quiet stream, but not so quiet I-84. Another 20 miles tomorrow, ha we'll see!
Date: 2009-07-13
From: Near NY52, Stormville, NY

To: Wiley Shelter
Miles today: 19.9
Weather: few clouds

July 13 --Today was a great hiking day with a fast start after an ~8:30 tear down, 7m down by 11:30 on a cool, clear morning that warmed quickly, but the humidity remained tolerably low. The trail had several short, steep climbs, but mostly was in open woods, with occasional swampy crossings and late in the day, as the long, soft rays of the sun that found the way through the woods onto the deep grooved bark of the tall red oaks, the packed brown dirt path wound its way along the mountain side, gently rising and falling, reminisent of a NC woods. I came upon Mr Buffalo Man, Sonack(Nonack?) and another guy, all who were at our trail magic in DWG, PA. Later, at the Telephone Pioneer Shelter I found Liefe and Lady napping while I filtered water which probly woke them, we saw each other often the rest of the day, even had hot dogs, I had 2, at Tim's Hot Dog Truck on NY22, and all of us ended up tenting here at Wiley Shelter. I have a giant blister on the bottom of my left foot under a big callous where the toes connect to the foot, painful as the day goes on. Last night's sleep was noisy and cold, I wore everthing that I had, including hat and gloves, still chilly, 58.4 degrees this morning in the tent.
Date: 2009-07-14
From: Wiley Shelter

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 12.7

July 14 --It was another cold overnight after waking to other tenters' noises and animals, early in the evening what I thought was an owl call turned more like a coyote call, twice, and very close by. Later, and through out the entire night, I heard what sounded like a moaning cow, or more likely a bear or cub wandering around, first nearby, later further north, but back closer later in the very early morning. I was the last to pack up, Mr Buffalo Man, Sunanuk, and ??? left early and Liefe and Lady just before me. They stopped for a dip in the Housatonic after we passed the NY/CT state line and I kept going with the goal of reaching the Kent Post Office by 17:00 closing. The trail had some short, pretty steep, ups/downs and I hit CT341 with little time to spare for the 0.9m rideless walk to town. I arrived 15 minutes before closing and got my food box. The Fife 'N Drum Inn was my first choice for accomodations, but nope, they're closed on Tuesday, then Gibbs House my second choice, nope, only long term renters, finally, across US7, $tar Buck$ Inn, sure, they have room, $189, 0k, 2 nights?, $175/night. I was stymied. I went to by a 6-pack at IGA, but they closed at 19:00, but the North End Restaurant had a Bar Entrance, door #2, which I took and it took me to a stool with 2 other guys, arguing Fusion on the Sun. I was an obvious thru-hiker and the focus turned to me as another round was bought, then another, and others. The All-Star game started and all a sudden the place was packed with 50-100 people, mostly girls, camp conselors. Someone at the bar made arrangements to have me driven to a motel about 3m north when the place closed. Later in the evening a guy, standing next to me, ordered a beer and we started talking. Learning my dilemma he kindly offered to take me in for the night, and after a while we walked, me with a full pack and swagger, to his place 5 minutes away where I slept soundly on the dining room floor.
Date: 2009-07-15
From: Kent, CT

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 0.0

July 15 --I awoke late, ~9:00 at Brendan McGuire's for coffee and a nice chat. I left his house and walked down Main St, US7, where I found Leife, Lady and McBride at the sidewalk cafe just ordering breakfast. I joined them since the Fif 'N Drum Inn didn't open 'til 11:30. Then Check6 and Old Goat walked up, shopping, leaving later in the day. After a good breakfast we checked into the Inn, and I took all afternoon to clean up and pre-wash my stuff, and watched a b/w movie bio on Andrew Johnson on TMC. Dinner was about 12 hikers, including Liefe, Lady, McBride, Wheeler, Cous Cous, Stud the Dud, Minnow, Howdy and Autumn Rush, at the pizza place, outside seating was nice 'til the no-see-ums, then mosquitos showed up.
Date: 2009-07-16
From: Kent, CT

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 0.0

July 16 --Another zer0 day to rest my sometimes very sore sole of my left foot. I bought a pair of inserts for the final day of my boots to Cornwall Bridge PO and spent some time uploading some photos onto my journal site. Dinner, potato skins because I had been snacking on junk that I bought a day earlier, was at the North End Restaurant with Liefe and Lady, Cous Cous and a couple of other guys I can't place their names, and retuning to the Fife 'N Drum Inn in the rain then sitting out on the porch next door sipping beers, bsing.
Date: 2009-07-19
From: Sharon Mtn Campsite

To: Salisbury, CT
Miles today: 13.3
Weather: clear sky

July 19 --I awoke somewhat refreshed after a quiet, very unusually dark night, noticable when waking mid sleep to use the tree, there was no available ambient light, and the beautiful morning, and mosquitos, awaited my laced boots. At an overlook break I was caught by Autumn Rush, who had left Kent behind me, and we found our way down to Water Street where an orange construction sign "Appalachian Trail Detour" directed us up about 2m along shady roads to the Iron Bridge and Hydro Electric Plant. Trail Magic was waiting 1/4m up the road where Privy Boy, '97, and 2 friends were serving grilled hot dogs, beans, kielbasi, snacks, drinks and a lot of fun. Liefe and Lady, Dudly, and August Rush were there before me and soon along came Desert Fox, Gozer and Cruiser Don, and later a solo SoBo girl. It was an uplifting time, more than an hour in cool shade on the power company property. Privy Boy and friends were very entertaining, he had been doing this for years, and he knows what he's doing. We departed for the free cold shower head on the ivy covered brick building where we showered/washed in one form or another, soap and shampoo provided by Privy Boy, and we moved on, but not before Dessert Fox lent me his phone to make arrangements with Soni for pick up in Salisbury on Monday. I was the last to leave and across the Iron Bridge I met Cous Cous, pressing a long day to Salisbury, we hit the trail together, but she left me after ~1m. I later caught the picnic group on break and we all headed to Salisbury, me walking with Cruiser Don and Dessert Fox. The Plateau Campsite was 0.9m past US44, but we decided to split a room at the White Hart Inn in town where we sipped drafts of Ten Penny Ale on the porch in wicker rockers with our feet propped up before we dined inside, each of us gobbling all that was offered, esp buttered home made zuchinni nut bread, and me with my usual 2 entrees. We lumbered back to the room since, on Sunday night, the town had shut down, and I was relieved that my foot would get the needed rest and attention.
Date: 2009-07-20
From: Salisbury, CT

To: Hopatcong, NJ
Miles today: 0.0

July 20 --The night's sleep was choppy, unfamiliar sheets and bed, but worse, the A/C compressor starting every 20 minutes sounded like a diesel bus pulling away. The guys had invisibly left the room and I found them in the wicker rockers, sipping complementary coffee in the cool, clean morning air. We wandered through town by 8:00 and after they shopped resupply we returned to the White Hart for breakfast. The place had the NE charm expected of an old tavern in a town established 1741, original slanted, wood plank floor, and the food and service, a perfect fit. Cous Cous, Autumn Rush and Dudly had taken the room next to ours and once again the discussion turned to the Trail Magic Extravaganza by Ahab and Rainman in VT on July 22,23, and the plan had now escalated to a van rental, and who's going. Cruiser and Fox hiked out before noon and I walked them back ~0.3m down US44 to the trail departing with hopes of reconnecting. I returned to town where I checked out by noon to wait for Soni's arrival. I met the van gang in front of the PO, there was talk fo new moonshine delivery from GA when Grits, who I hadn't seen since NC, said my wife called the White Hart, she had a flat tire. I spent the afternoon tracking her progress, she flatted on the approach to I-91, had to find, then buy a new tire and then find her way to Salisbury, meantime I had lunch with the girl from Houston and a few pints of Ten Penny Ale, Scottish, on the porch with Grits and the girl from New Orleans, Houston girl and Union Break, from Lafeyette, LA, who had a message from Bob or Dave from Sunrise Mtn, NJ, for Featherfoot, greetings! Soni and Lili arrived late in the afternoon and we were off for NJ.
Date: 2009-07-21
From: Hopatcong, NJ

To: Hopatcong, NJ
Miles today: 0.0

July 21 --In NJ on a dreary, cool rainy day that required blue jeans and sweatshirt, I was able to see Dr Rick for my foot at 11:30 and, after removing the callous/blistered dead skin, found a small ulcer, bleeder, which I will care for this week by soaking and applying a topical antibiotic before seeing him again on Friday with hopes to return to the trail on Saturday. On the way home I looked at the Sports Authority and Ramsey Outdoor for boots, nothing. Otherwise, the day was spent lounging, etc.
Date: 2009-07-22
From: Hopatcong, NJ

To: Hopatcong, NJ
Miles today: 0.0

July 22 --In NJ with the obvious of home, coffee and cookies on demand, dog companionship, musical entertainment, currently Obsured By Clouds, Pink Floyd, the long couch, and taking the time to read the current quarterly issue of WindSwept, the cover photo strangely could have been mine, a view of Mt Washington taken from the shore of one the Lakes of the Clouds, where I stood closing weekend last September as a guest of a group of guys who "live large" and know how to enjoy life, and, while there, I was served by Croo member I now know as Cog, thru-hiker, who that weekend was there too as we found out in conversation at Port Clinton last month, and also where I expect to stand next month on my way to Katahdin. An obvious observation is that walking the trail clears your head by removing the distractions of "normal" life and allows thoughts, which are capable of lightning speed, to occupy and become you. This process gains strength and dominance over weeks and months which, in my observation and opinion, an opinion which I had long prior to the trip and since has been reinforced by the trip, is that everything is connected. One light chore I did this morning was taking stuff to the town recycling center, paper, newspapers, bottles, etc, after which I returned the containers, brown paper bags and boxes, home if reusable, which I did today. One article of paper was still in the bag, didn't get dumped, which was a church bulletin from Trinity UMC, Whitefield, July 19, which I took a minute to look over and found the "Thought for the Day" as "Even Jesus needed time to rest. So do we too." I washed the truck.
Date: 2009-07-23
From: Hopatcong, NJ

To: Hopatcong, NJ
Miles today: 0.0

July23 --More of the same at home routine, but today I got to waste 2 1/2 hours sitting at the Toyota dealer while the Sienna was serviced. I couldn't take the waiting room with the whining customers talking what they consider politics, reciting crap that they, and I, have heard on TV recently while The View roars on the small screen. For a patient trying to stay off a sore foot, I did a lot of walking.
Date: 2009-07-24
From: Hopatcong, NJ

To: Hopatcong, NJ
Miles today: 0.0

July 24 --I finally started thinking and doing something about getting back on the trail, laundry, checking stuff in my pack which I pretty much emptied onto the floor. I had my quick follow up at Dr Rick's house late in the afternoon and got the green light, he worked a remarkable fix for me, the ulcer had closed, disappeared really, and he gave me trail advice on how to treat it. I left for a new boot search and ended up with a pair of Timberlands, size 14, I figure I could always wear 2 pair of socks if necessary, we'll see. I stopped at BJ's for filet mignon and had to settle for a big pack. Then I cooked up all the food that no one else will eat, what a great feast, zuchinni stir fry, humus, brats, swiss cheese, etc and feasted while watching my first Yankee game this year.
Date: 2009-07-25
From: Hopatcong, NJ

To: Salisbury, CT and Beyond
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

July 25--I will be hitting the road back to Salisbury, CT this morning and on the trail later today after a green light from Dr Rick, who's magic touch and guidance enabled me to return to the trail with yet another new pair of boots and a few extra pounds.
Date: 2009-07-25
From: Salisbury, CT

To: Brassie Brook Campsite 
Miles today: 5.3
Weather: overcast clouds

July 25 --This was to be an early getaway day which, of course, dragged on well into the afternoon, after redrying my clothes that had been rained on overnight and gathering all my stuff from all over the house. The big surprise was one or both of Sarah's cats decided it would be a fun prank to piss on all my stuff, food bags, clothes bag and stuff sacks, that I had unpacked and left on the floor. We were finally on the way to Salisbury, CT and arrived at the White Hart Inn for a restroom break shortly before 17:00 and after picking up 2 thru hikers from Phila, drove the 1/2m down to the trail road off US44. I said goodbye to Soni, again, hopefully until NH and began my new boot testing. After climbing for about 1 hour they began to feel too big and later there was noticable irritation on both ankles. The next step will be 2 pair of socks. Along the way here at the Brassie Brook Campsite I came upon Lion Head, with a nice overlook of Lakeville/Salisbury under a late day threatening sky. It feels good to be back in the woods, the trail has been wet and managable with the usual bugs.
Date: 2009-07-26
From: Brassie Brook Campsite 

To: Near MA41
Miles today: 13.5

July 26 --It was a long, tiring day with many obtacles and discovering incidences. The nice flat, dirt campsite that I selected had turned to a mud puddle in the overnight thunderstorm and was heavy packing the splattered muddy tent. Shortly after leaving however, I caught up to Tiger, who I hadn't seen since the Dutch Haus, he was doing 0k, meeting his wife in Dalton to leave for a vacation in Alaska. Two climbs were ahead, Bear Mtn and Mt Everett, the first of which was a nice gradual climb to ~2300', but with a very steep and slow descent, slippery exposed rock, scary, using hands a must. Between the mountains it was scrappy, with slippery ups/downs and at one point, I slipped, lost my balance and fell slowly, snapping my right pole at the lower section as I went down. In between the 2 mountains was Race Mtn with very nice views to the east, walking along the exposed ridge. Later climbing Mt Everett I stopped for water, a spring literally on the trail and continued up the steep slippery exposed rock trail. The climb was slow offering little view at the summit and the descent was slick, exposed and steep, where walking the edge left or right, holding on to trees was the only way down. At one point while crossing to the edge, I slipped, the pole collapsed and I went down quickly on my right side, scraping my knee and forearm while fighting to gain control, afraid of sliding further straight down. No harm, just abrasions. Off the mountain I was tired and with 5 1/2m to go I conceded I would take any suitable campsite just past MA41 and after a pasture walk the trail crossed a swampy spot on puncheons and entered a pine grove, thick with needles. I searched for and found a spot, and while setting up I was seriously attacked by mosquitos, swarming like bees, I raced to set up and once inside I exterminated at least 20, some with my blood. I was disheartened and exhausted. I treated my knee and decided I would go to sleep, no dinner, no drinks, no opening the tent door. I used my cooking pot to urinate and dumped it in the vestibule. Hundreds of mosquitos had gathered on the tent watching me, licking their lips.
Date: 2009-07-28
From: Great Barrington, MA

To: Shaker Campsite
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: scattered clouds

July 28 --Today was back to business as usual. The day was clear, slightly cooler, and the big surprise, the mosquitos were fewer most of the day. I checked out of the Days Inn around 10:00 and walked over a mile out of town to what would become Homes Rd and began to hitch just past the Housatonic. 2nd car luck brought me the 3m to the trail crossing. The mosquitos were waiting as I climbed to an overlook where the breeze was enough to keep most of them away, and after passing a few swamps and streams, there were many throughout the day, the little buggers backed off considerably. I must've fed 1/2 of them yesterday and killed the other 1/2. Anyway the day was most pleasant without them and I was able to think freely once again. I met Gator at the MA23 crossing, he recognized me from the Audie Murphy Monument in VA, we spoke, while he was waiting for his wife to pick him up from slackpacking, about the tough days we've had and he offered encouraging words and support. I hope to see more of him, recent retiree, means to complete. The walk today was varied, some climbs, but the pine and hemlock trails were beautiful in the late day soft sunlight and I was at the Shaker Campsite, pretty crowded, by 19:00. I sweated my brains out and the chafing began, and my feet were hot and tired.
Date: 2009-07-29
From: Shaker Campsite

To: Lee, MA
Miles today: 11.5

July 29 --There was a passing shower overnight that added to the oppressive humidity and added to my lack of motivation to pack up which finally occurred at 10:30. I stopped at the first stream to rinse my shorts of the sweat and hung them on the back of the pack, but they would never dry in the hazy shade of the trail. Hiking in the tri-shorts is comfortable, but offers no defense against mosquitos and have no pockets for the usual stuff. The trail was varied, pleasant actually with two climbs of ~500' and ~700' and after a couple of hours, I decided to take my birthday at a hotel in Lee, MA and clean up, while the thunder was rumbling by mid-afternoon. The rain began by 15:30, steady, not too heavy, and the deep woods provided shelter but also blocked most light to where it was difficult to see the angles of large rocks in the thick black mud making progress slow. I made my way down the hill across I-90 to US20 where I saw a car on the other side, by the trail head, that had just started up. Guessing that he just dropped off a hiker, I asked if he was going to town, yes, can you give me a ride, yes. He was a thru-hiker '02, SoBo, and drove me the 5m to the Super8 and I was in the room by 17:30. The rain had stopped and after a nice shower I was out to do laundry. I passed Athena's Pizza joint on the way which would be where I would dine, medium spinach pie, extra cheese, bottles of Bud Light. While there, the rain came back heavy, and closing at 21:00 I waited in the bank ATM lobby 15 minutes for let up when I made it back to the hotel. After a phone call to Soni, I saw that the Friendly's across the street was still opened so I had a big Jim Dandy thing to end my party. Too much, I didn't sleep well at all. The A/C was noisy, it was under powered, I woke up often, my heartrate was very fast, there is an uneasiness regarding the future, the uncertainty. I feel a zer0 day as a 24 hr fast with bed rest would help to recharge my well being. Looking ahead, Dalton zer0 is a bomb, as is Cheshire so it won't happen over the next few days.