morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-07-13
From: Stroudsburg, PA

To: Stroudsburg, PA
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day here in PA. I decided that before I got back on the trail, I should get my toes looked at by a Doctor. I had to figure out the public transportaion system first. There are no buses in Augusta. So I don't have practical experience in that. By asking questions, I found out where the hospital was and the bus stop and what time the buses run. I was on my way. The emergency room wasn't very busy and I was in and out in about an hour and a half. The official diagnosis is "Bilateral Toenail Cellulitis". That means bruised toes. I knew that. The doctor said it was draining nicely but I needed to have an antibiotic and a bacteria ointment. I am glad I went and I feel better going back out into the woods on Saturday. I am anxious to get this adventure going again. I may have to start out with smaller days but that is ok. Banjoman
Date: 2006-07-14
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

My last zero day today, or at least I hpoe so. I took the shuttle back to Delaware Water Gap this morning. Me feet are feeling better and my new pack was at the Post Office waiting for me. I am staying at the Church Hostel tonight. There are a few hikers here thart I know, Burkenstock, 42, Able Jack, the Wanderers, She Bear, Bright Eyes and a few new aquaintances. They were all happy to see me and we spent a lot of time catching up on trail news. I think there might be music tonight, yeah. My voice is most of the way back as well. It is a stupid little thing but I miss the entertaining part of my hike. I love to see peoples faces when they recognise a song and sing along. "The songs you know by heart" It is very hot and muggy today. I am expecting it to be hotter tomorrow. I am thinking of hiking in my Teva's and socks! but I may try to put my shoes on first and see how they feel. I am planning only a 10 mile day to the first shelter. It should be a nice stretch with not too many rocks I hope. It haas been a nice day. I am so lucky to be able to be out here.Banjoman
Date: 2006-07-15
From: Mohican Outdoor Center

To: Delaware Water Gap
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

Today was a fun day for many reasons. Most of all I was back on the trail today, Yeah. I and Burkenstock arranged for a slack pack hike today. We had an issue with a ride but since his girl friend, Rachel, was here visiting and going to hike with Burke, we hatched the following plan.Burkenstock and Rachael wanted to hike north. She Bear and I, it didn't matter. She Bear and I drove to the Mohican Center, parked the car and started to hike south. When we crossed paths with Burkenstock I gave him the keys to the car and he drove back to Delaware Water Gap to bring us back to the Mohican Center. It sounds kind of confusing but it worked like a charm. On the way southbound it rained excessively hard. The trails turned very quickly into the Appalachian Trail River. In no time we were hiking in ankle deep water. I was hiking in my Teva's and socks, what a fashion statement that was. The coolness of the water made my feet feel cool and great. I did not experience any problems hiking in my Teva's. I will try it again tomorrow.I am in New Jersey now. How crqazy is that. There was a family that set up some trail magic back at the Church Hostel. It was good. We arrived just as they were setting up. Soda, Gatoraide, Hot Dogs, Hamburgers, Chips, Beans, Saurkraut, Cookies and other things. Thank you very much it was appreciated by all.Rachael and Burkenstock picked us up and brought us back to the Mohican Center. They had a music duo playing tonight for the campers. They were great and I really enjoyed them.It is now 10:30, way past hiker midnight. I just wanted to get todays thoughts down. To day I saw Giggles, Shreck, the Wanderers, Lone Wolf, Brighteyes, She Bear, No Pliers, Willow, 42, #2, Weatherman, Baltimore and some others that I didn't meet yet. It has been a great day. It is nice to be back out in the woods and be headed North. Banjoman
Date: 2006-07-16
From: Mohican Center

To: Brinks Road Shelter
Miles today: 14.3
Weather: clear sky

I had a good sleep in my tent last night. The air was cool and of course no bugs inside a tent. This morning I was the first to hit the trail, 7:30. I am hiking in my Tevas again. It worked our well yesterday slack packing so we will see what happens with full pack weight.The trail was rocky but managable as I climbed out of the Mohican Center. Once on top of the ridge, I was able to hike at a decent pace. It was all ridge walking today with the trail rolling up and down a little. The rocks were ok most of the day. I was walking along when a couple of guys approached me going the other way wondering if I minded being interviewed for a newspaper story. You know me, I am not shy about that kind of thing. They took pictures and made notes of what I said. It is for the New Jersey Hearld. The story should be out in about a week. It can be viewed on line at www.njhearld.com.I met up with many section hiking youth groups today. They were full of questions. I always take the time to talk with them. One even wanted my autograph. I told that I didn't think that the Banjoman was famous. I got to the shelter at 4:30. The bugs haven't been too bad all day. But they and their buddies were all waiting for me here at the shelter. I applied some more Deep Woods Off and they are being held at bay. So far I am the only one here tonight. Today was a great day but long and tiring with all the heat. It is also only my 2nd day back from 4 zero days. Onward to Maine.Banjoman
Date: 2006-07-17
From: Rutherford Shelter

To: Secret Shelter
Miles today: 9.6

It was a good night. I believe that I had a mild case of heat stroke yesterday. I got some painful cramps in my legs last night. I am glad they went away before too long. I was up and out by 7 am this morning. The heat of the day was already climbing. I hiked to High Point State Park, which is the highest point in New Jersey. There is an observation platform there that if conditions are right you caan see the New York City skyline. No, I couldn't see it. I stopped for a break and then hiked on. The day has been brutally hot. She Bear and I decided to cut the day short at the Secret Shelter. This shelter is not one of the regular AMC shelters. It is privately owned by Jim Murray a former thru hiker. It has electricity, a well, hot showers and a bunk house. I have had my shower and washed my hiking clothes out inthe sink and they are hanging out to dry. The trail today has been a dream. It is too bad that it is so darned hot. Just sitting here in the shade is a chore. I want a! cold soda and a pizza. She Bear and I are the only people here right now. There may be others that come later on. It has been hot today but it has been a good day.Banjoman
Date: 2006-07-18
From: Brink Rd Shelter

To: Rutherford Shelter
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: haze

There were quite a few people that came into the shelter later on. They included The Wanderers, She Bear, Burkenstock, Samari, No Pliers.The mosquitoes were not too bad this morning. Everyone was up and out early to beat the heat. I was the last to leave at 7 am. It was up and down ridge walking all day. There was no breeze for most of the day and it was very hot. She Bear and I took a long break at lunch time. The afternoon was very uncomfortable. I had sweat dripping from my eye brows it was so hot. My shirt and shorts were also soaked. We climbed up a rise and there was a stone pavillion. Standing between two of the collumns was a man that looked like the God Thor. He had a styrofoam cooler in his hand dripping with ice and cold, cold sodas. He was a God. A trail angel God. His name was Lorax and hiked the trail in 2004. He had just arrived at the right time for us. We both had two sodas apiece and had fun talking about the trail and cooling off under the Pavillion. As we hiked on he said I have some apples and oranges in my car would you like some? Yes was the answer. She Bear and I both took an apple and an orange each, a decission that would be key a little later. Lorax's trail magic made or day and it appeared precisly at the right time.She Bear and I hiked together the rest of the afternoon. Around 4pm we had just cleared a climb when I got this real weird feeling. I was dizzy and nausious. I said I needed to sit down. I took my pack off and I grabbed my sleeping mat and laid down. I felt bad. I believe it was the early signs of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. She Bear stayed with me. She pealed the oranges and made me drink water. I think I laid there about an hour before I had cooled off enough to hike on. Luckily the shelter was only a mile away ans we were there in no time. I collected water and filtered a bunch and I have been rehydrating myself all evening. I will also drink a lot in the morning before we hike on. It was pretty scary. Thank you She Bear. I have crossed the 1300 mile mark and that leaves only 855 more miles to hike. That is amazing. The only that I have seen today are G-man and Focus now being called BLT. It has been different today. I feel blessed with a good hiker friend.Banjoman
Date: 2006-07-19
From: The Secret Shelter

To: Vernon, NJ
Miles today: 13.6

It was a nice cool morning. It seemed like the weather had broken. I was up at 6 am and on the trail at 7 am. I wanted to get a mile or so in by the time I had to call for my WABK Radio show. I was able to get up on a high knob and I set down my pad and relaxed waiting for the time to call. The heat started to rise and the mosquitoes were coming out. I had to walk around the Walkill National Wildlife Perserve. It included a 2 mile swamp walk on a raised road way trail. At least it was a level walk although it was out in the full sun. I was supposed to pick up my new New Balance Shoes at the Post Office but I got confused and went past the road turn off. I called the Post Office and got them to bounce the box up a couple of towns. Since my toe nails have fallen off, there has been no pain at all. A hiker with happy feet is a happy hiker. I have had my shower, Laundry is done, resupply is done, first supper at Burger King is eaten, and my food is all repacked. Now just waiting for the nightly music to start.Here at the hostel tonight are Wiggy, Rupunsel, The Wanderers, Johnny-K, G-Man, #2, Weatherman, Lone Wolf, No Pliers,plus three others that I haven't met yet. It has been a very busy day but a good day. I hope tomorrow is a cooler day. I am wondering if the tropical storm Beryl is heading our way. Time will tell. At least it will keep the mosquitoes down.Banjoman
Date: 2006-07-20
From: Vernon, NJ

To: Wildcat Shelter, NY
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: few clouds

The Hostel last night was great. It had all the hikerneeds right there. I was a little late getting up this morning. I went to the Diner for a real Breakfast and packed up to go. I needed to walk up the street to the Burger King to hitch a ride the 2.5 miles back to the trail. I crossed the road, stuck out my thumb and there was a ride right there. The drove me right there. I put on my pack and started north. The trail today gave me lots of variety. There were some rock scrambles, some swamp walking, some smooth trail, and some ledge ridge walking. The ledge walking was fun for a change and it kind of reminded me of some of the sections in Maine. It just went on a little too long. I hiked out of the woods and down the road to a home made ice cream store. I had a two scoop bowl with peach and strawberry sorbet. It was delicious. The shelter was another 2.1 miles down the trail and I got there in no time at all. Here at the shelter are G! -Man, #2, She Bear, No Pliers, and The Wanderers. The hike today was great. The weather was mild, the bugs were mild and the miles just flew by. Banjoman
Date: 2006-07-21
From: Wildcat Shelter

To: Tiorati Circle, Harriman State Park
Miles today: 15.4

It started to rain as I packed up this morning. I decided to wait it out a lttle. It let up around 8:30 so I headed out. She Bear decided to wait longer. I think she just wanted some more sleep. Yesterday's hike was very tiring with all the ledges that we walked on. Todays hike had a lot of difficult technical climbing up and over cliff faces and up rock slides. It was very interesting hiking but it was up this hill, then down, then up the next one, then down. All day long. It was hard to get a stride going. One of the nice things that happened today was two separate trail magivcs of water jugs. The water in New York so far has been slim and the streams that you come upon have foam in them and they smell. Here at the park are The Wanderers, No Pliers, The Norwegians, G-Man, #2. It has been a very interesting day for hiking.Banjoman
Date: 2006-07-22
From: Tiorati Circle, Harriman State Park

To: ETA Leadership Camp
Miles today: 12.7

What a great nights sleep last night. I slept with my rain fly off. It was cloudy when I went to bed and I was afraid of rain. I hit the pillow and went right to sleep. The breeze through the bug netting was great. Around 5 am I thought I heard it starting to rain. I got up and put the rain fly on and then slept till 8 am. It was nice to sleep in.There is a hiker feed here at the park today and tomorrow. The food was abundant and delicious. Muffins, Cherries, Plums, Nectarines, Curry Chicken and Rice, Eggs, Salad, Soda, Water and other stuff that I didn't see. I ate my fill and decided to hike out at noon and put in some miles. Thank you Night Eyes and all your friends for thinking of us hikers. This is the eighth year of doing this "Fatfest"The hiking today was much more bearable than yesterday. It started to rain soon after I left the park but it didn't matter. The coolness was just what the doctor ordered. The high light of the day was the climbing of West Mountain and Bear Mountain. There were many strenuous up hill rock scrambles and of course descents. I was picked up by Dave from the ETA Leadership Camp. He also runs a hostel and will shuttle me back here tomorrow to continue on. I will be crossing the Hudson River headed into Fort Montgomery. I need to do some resupply. Dave cooked us some dinner. We went to bed around 10:30 pm just as it started to sprinkle. I am so glad to be inside tonight. The cots seem like they will be comfortable. Here tonight is G-man, Samuri, She Bear and myself. Banjoman
Date: 2006-07-23
From: ETA Leadership Camp

To: Graymoor Friary
Miles today: 6.7

It seemed like a short mileage day today but I needed to do some resupply. I got dropped off in town , Fort Montgomery, around 10 am. I only had two smal stores to choose from for resupply. Between them I was able to get it done. I had a breakfast sandwich and I also packed out a turkey sandwich for lunch. I headed .8 miles out of town and towards the Trailside Wildlife Center, Zoo. The trail goes right through it and the thru hikers do not have to pay. All the animals in the Zoo are indiginous to the area. I saw, owls, fox, deer, ducks, mt lion, bald eagle, turtles, and many other kinds of animals. Yes, Banjoman finally got to see his bear. Acually 3 bears. As you go past the bear cages you are at the lowest point on the Appalachian Trail, 124 feet above sea level. Next it was over the Bear Mountain Bridge and over the Hudson River. That river was all brown an polluted looking. The big suspension bridge was cool though. I didn't like all of the traffic noise. A funny thing happened the other day on the trail. I was hiking along and for the longest time I could smell a laundry, dryer sheet smell. It was the weirdest thing. I hiked maybe a half mile like this smelling that smell. Then I hiked up on some day hikers and they were who I was smelling. The same thing happened yesterday as I was doing some road walking on Bear Mountain. As a car would drive by with one of their windows down I could smell the people inside. Just imagine what they smell like to a bear?.Here tonight at the Friary are G-Man, She Bear and Me. A big 19 mile day planned for tomorrow so it will be up and out early. Not sure if I can do those kinds of miles in these mountains. We'll see. Banjoman
Date: 2006-07-24
From: Graymoor Friary

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 18.9
Weather: clear sky

It was a nice quiet night at the Pavillion at Graymoor Friary. The mosquitoes were out so it was in the tent for me. No music last night because everyone was tired and in their tents by 8. The morning wake up call is for 5 am. A big day is planned, 19 miles. She Bear and I headed out at 6:30 with G-Man close behind. The hiking was very enjoyable today. the ups were not too bad and the downs were not too bad. The thing that made the day hard was the number of miles. The 19 miles were done by six pm and the pizza ordered and on the way. The RPH Shelter is .1 miles from the road. How nice to have pizza and soda for supper. I met my first Southbounders The General and Sauce Dog. They started June 1st. Here tonight is a Southbounder named Z. Hobbit. also there are two section hikers from Holland, also G-Man, She Bear and Me. Banjoman
Date: 2006-07-25
From: RPH Shelter

To: Pawling, NY Edward R Murrow Park
Miles today: 17.3

There was supposed to be music and dance last night. I couldn't dance because I broke my "G" string. I couldn't play music because I broke my "G" string. There was music though. I just played with 5 strings. There was a neighbor who came over with a full size guitar and he and I did some jamming. He let me try his guitar as well. It was made by a local Luthier and it sounded wonderful. I was able to play "Polk Salad Annie" and he played lead on my backpacker guitar. It was great. Today's hike was 17.3 miles. The first 9 went off without a hitch but the last 8 seemed to click by slowly. I did stop at a deli for 1st lunch and a soda and an ice cream.I got to the road and started to hitch to town. The third vehicle stopped and took us to town. We then caught a hitch to the park where we are staying tonight. More hikers should come to Pawling. Here at the park there is warm showers, Swimming beach, bathrooms, nice place to sleep and close to town. Here are G-Man, The Hollanders, Jersey, She Bear, Pill Box, and another fellow from Hebron, Maine. Today was long but a nice walk.Banjoman
Date: 2006-07-26
From: Pawling, NY Edward R Murrow Park

To: Ten Mile River Lean-to
Miles today: 0.0

Started the day out in town doing chores and having breakfast. One thing I needed to decide was how to get my bladder full of water and get a ride back to the trail. I decided to go into the local Florist and talked with them. Since I am a former florist it was easy. It was fun to talk shop and realize I really don't miss it. I also asked if they any deliveries going towards the trail. They said no but they would take us anyways. We finished up the chores and caught the ride to the trail. Hiking by noon with 12 miles to do. The terrain was decent today but the temperature was around 100 degrees. I took many breaks and stayed hydrated. I passed an Appalachian Trail Train Station right on the trail. A bunch of us were standing on the platform when a train came by. It was going about a hundred miles an hour and caused quite the breeze and blew things around that we had out on the platform. I headed out and after walking through a thunder storm got to the shelter about 6:30. A l! ate finish for me. Here tonight are the Hollanders, Pillbox, She Bear, Catskill Eagle, Homeward, G-Man.The other big thing today is that I crossed over into Connecticut late in the day. It is also my 4 month anniversary on the trail. Only 5 states to go. Banjoman
Date: 2006-07-27
From: Ten Mile River Lean-to

To: Kent, CT
Miles today: 8.7

A funny story that happened yesterday.G-man was the first one to the Ten Mile River Lean-to. It had started to rain so he was sitting in the shelter having a snack and reading the shelter register, a favorite pass time of us hikers. He felt something touching his shoulder. Remeber he was thew only one there. He glanced to his left and he saw the head of a big black snake coming down his shoulder. He said it was 3 or 4 feet long. It had been up in the rafters of the shelter and was coming down using his shoulder as a path way. He screamed and decided to tent a quarter mile away. No one else wanted to sleep in the shelter, they all tented. I did sleep in the shelter and with the exception of the one time it slithered across my face around midnight, it left me alone. Oh ya, one more thing. That last part was just to get your skin to crawl a little more if wasn't already. I didn't see the snake at all.Todays hike was one of the most grueling in a while. Maybe it was because I knew I was headed into town and wanted it to happen sooner. The trail started out over a wonderful bridge over the Ten Mile River and along it for quite a ways. It was smooth enough and wide enough to hike three a breast. Then it was a never ending climb up Schaghticoke Mountain, a 1100 foot gain in elevation. It went on f what seemed like forever. The normal type of trail would now start a long descent into town. Nooooooooooooo not today. The trail went down a little and then up again, then down a little and up again. Maybe six times. Then finally a knee buster down to the road. Did I mention it must have been a 100 degrees and no wind?Once in town I picked up my resupply box and my new shoes. I sorted out my stuff, repacked the extra a shipped it a few towns north. I had a nice supper with my hiker buddies and then had a tremendous thunder an lightning shower that pinned me in my tent for a while. tonight I an tenting at the Episcopal Church in town. Here are Repunsal, The Hollannders, She Bear, G-Man, Weatherman, Doves, and someone that came in late and I didn't get to see who it was. A tough day but a good day. Headed back north on Friday. Banjoman
Date: 2006-07-28
From: Kent, CT

To: Cornwall Bridge, CT
Miles today: 11.1

It has been one of the most amazing days yet. I was up and at the restaurant by 7:30. I had a ham, cheese and spinach omelet. I was on the trail by 8:30. The trail headed up the mountain and then down and then up. I took a break on top of Caleb Peak. A thru hiker from 2003, her name is Pipes, came and took a break with me. I asked her if she knew Sassafras, Bump and Cricket. She said yes I remeber them. I had also met another 2003 hiker named Walk About. He knew them also. Pipes offered to take me to the State Park for the night and camp with some of the other hikers that were around. I also went swimming in the Hosatonic River. The bleeding stopped and the swelling will go away in a few days. The current was swift but manageable. She Bear was riding the rapids and then swimming to the side and swam back up river and doing it again. I thought I can do that. now remember I am 55 and She Bear is 32. I did the floating part great but when it came to the swimming to the edge par! t it wasn't that easy. I ended further down the river than I wanted to be. I got a little panicy and banged my knee. But the swelling will go down in a few days. Pipes waited for us hikers at the road. As I topped the last peak the thunder rolled, the lightning lit up the sky and the rain poured down like you wouldn't believe. I was soaked. On the way to the Park we stopped at a package store where they give you a free beer just for stopping. I found out that you are not allowed to drink in the State Park. They actively go around and dump out any alcohol. We were discussing where to go and what to do. After a while the owner of the package store offered for all of us to come to his house and spend the night. Of cours we said yes. We got directions and just dropped in on his Wife. What amazing trail magic. We are going to sleep in air conditioning on the living room floor. We all had a shower, she did our laundry, we ate left over roasted chicken and stuffed red peppers. Now! is this trail magic or what. Tomorrow Pipes will drop us back at the trail head and I will continue north. Thank You Richard and Patti for the most amazing trail magic yet. Here tonight are Pipes, She Bear, #2 and Me.More good news. My son is coming to hike with me for a week or so. I am so excited for this. He is going to hike with me for 7 days through CT and MA.   Banjoman