morvasaaty/AppalachianTrail-LD-Hikers-Blogs-and-Weather-20-years huggingface dataset:
Date: 2006-06-20
From: Quarry Gap Shelter

To: Pine Grove Furnace State Park
Miles today: 17.3
Weather: broken clouds

Todays miles flew by. I did 13.6 miles by noon. I stopped at Tom's Run Shelter for lunch before pushing on to Pine Grove Furnace State Park for the half gallon ice cream challenge. Indiana was primed for the challenge. He has been talking about it for days. On the first round it was Banjoman, Slick B, Wild Bill, Indiana, Identity Crisis, and Kilgore Trout. It was Indiana who was victorious in the chalenge. He was the first to finish. Banjoman had to bail out at about halfway through. I could not finish it at all. I am not sure if I can ever eat ice cream again. I am sure I can.Today I also passed the official halfway point on the trail. Here today is Slick B, Indiana, Bama, Identity Crisis, Burkenstock, Kilgore Trout, Mapman and Robin, Brain Freeze, Wild Bill, Little Wing, Cohiba, and Otter. Banjoman
Date: 2006-06-21
From: Pine Grove Furnace State Park

To: Alec Kennedy Shelter
Miles today: 15.5
Weather: overcast clouds

Today is the summer Solstice and also Naked Hiker Day. The day started out cool and breezy. Just what you need for hiking. I did my radio spot on WABK 104.3 at 8am like each week. This week I had an audience here. Mapman and Robin and Brain Freeze were listening in. They liked being able o participate as well. We then all hiked out towards the half way sign for some pictures. It feels weird to be half done and working on the second half now. The hiking seems almost routine now. Sometimes I don't even look at the guide book except to determine where to eat lunch. I don't bother to look at the elevation changes. It doesn't matter, you have to go up and over what ever there is. Here tonight are Mapman and Robin, Indiana, Bama, Little Wing, Wild Bill, Burkenstock, Brain Freeze, Kilgore Trout. Also here at the shelter tonight are Otter, Cohiba, and Identity Crisis. It has been a great day. On to Boiling Springs, PA tomorrow. Banjoman
Date: 2006-06-22
From: Alec Kennedy Shelter

To: Darlington Shelter
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I was sleeping last night without the rain fly on my tent. The air blowing through the mesh was wonderful. It was a hot night. I could see stars and the night sky. At about 4:30 in the morning I started to hear thunder in the distance. Oh no, rain is on the way. I had to get out and put the rain fly on. I wasn't able to go back to sleep and it didn't rain. I got up around 6 and packed up. by the time I had eaten breakfast it started to rain. It didn't rain much but enough to wet the trail and the rocks. My destination was Hot Springs, PA. I arrived there around 8 am. The hike into Hot Springs was great. a lot of it was through farm fields of corn, wheat and soy beans. I did a little resupply there and then headed out on the trail again. The trail once again followed through farm fields and then by a farm house where hikers can refill their water bottles from Scott Farm Trail Center. It was then 3 more miles to the shelter but unfortunately it was all up. The last mile was very steep. Here at the shelter tonight are Indiana, Brain Freezre, Mapman and Robin, Bama, Little Wing, Cohiba, Otter, nick, Pi and K'ache, Burkenstock, Wild Bill, Salt and Pepper (dog), and Identity Crisis.Banjoman
Date: 2006-06-23
From: Darlington Shelter

To: Duncannon, PA
Miles today: 11.3
Weather: overcast clouds

Last night at the shelter, was having the regular music session after everyones supper was done when the thunder stated to crash. The rain started a short time latter. Everyone moved into the shelter but the music never stopped. It is Banjoman's last concert for a while. I am headed home for a little vacation from the trail and to visit with family and friends. The rain stopped over night and was just dripping from the trees in the morning. It is always hard to pack up a wet tent and wet gear. I am headed into town. Duncannon, PA is about 11 miles away. The train headed out from the shelter with Robin, Mapman, Kilgore Trout and Cash and me. It is an unwritten rule that when hiking into town and when hiking to a shelter there will be a steep up hill just before you get there. Today is no different. There was the obligatory up hill. It was a dousey. No switch backs on this puppy. I exited the woods at noon and had to do some road walking into town. I arrived at the Doyle, a trail must stop and stay. Indiana and I checked in and are sharing a room. Mapman, Robin are hiking on after retrieving a mail drop from the Post Office. I treated Indiana to ice cream. Becky, my daughter, showed up at 7 pm from Maine. I got her settled into our room and off to supper we went. We then went to the Doyle Bar to socialize with the other hikers. The Doyle is full of hikers tonight.Banjoman
Date: 2006-06-24
From: Duncannon, PA

To: Maine
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

I am on my way home. I can't wait. I had breakfast with Bama, Little Wing, Old Drum and Indiana. I let Becky sleep. I went back to the room and Becky was getting up and ready to go. My Wife is not expecting me until Monday or Tuesday. I am showing up early. My plan is to arrive home after dark and walk up through our field in front of our house. I will call her like I do each night to chat. I will tell her that I am wartching the lightning bugs out side my tent and does she see any out her window. I will turn my headlamp on flash and start walking up to the house. I will either get the police called on me or she will be glad I am home. I hope it is the latter. I will update my journal and let you all know what happens. No hiking today.Banjoman
Date: 2006-06-25
From: home

To: home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

When I arrived in Maine yesterday Mrs Banjoman didn't know I was coming. I had my Son drop me off at the end of the driveway and I took my backpack and walked in. Now that is a stretch me hiking, LOL. It was dusk and I stopped at the hayrake that is on our front lawn. I could see in the house because of the lights being on. I could not see Mrs Banjoman. I called her on the cell phone like I do most nights. I said that I was getting ready to turn in for the night and was enjoying the fire flies out and about. ( She doesn't think I will be home for 3 more days.) I asked her if she had any fire flies out in our field. at this point I put my head lamp on the flashing mode. I could see her come to the window to look. Of course I was still talking with her. She said what is that? What is that flashing out by the hay rake. She started to get a little spooked. She did step out onto the front porch and then realized it was me. She started screaming and ran towards me. It was exactly the reaction I was hoping for. It is nice to be home.
Date: 2006-06-30
From: Home

To: Home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: few clouds

The return of Banjoman to the Happy Hour Band at the Wharf in Hallowell, Maine. My partner Tom and I had planned a dramatic entrance for me at tonights happy hour. My equipment is all set up and he will start the evening with the other musicians without me. The second song of the set is when I will come strolling in. The song is one that Tom wrote for me that is on his most recent CD, "Fifty". The song is called "The Banjoman". At the end of each verse it says "just ask the Banjoman". That is when I was to walk out from the back room. The plan went off without a hitch and there were cheers and applause. It was very humbling and over whelming and it made me very nervous. I shook a few hands and made my way to the stage to join in on the "Banjoman" song. I told some stories and played songs and sang with just the best band in Maine. The band consists of Tom Giordano-Guitar/Vocals, Phil Perkins-Drums, Steve Woodward-Bass, Donald Duck Dunn-Conga, Bob Watson-Sax, Peter Re-Keyboards/Fiddle, Pat Pepin-Vocals, Roger Sampson-Lap Steel Guitar. Back up vocals were by Debbie Lyn and Rick Desedlo. It was an amazing night of music, family and friends. I didn't want it to end. The memory will walk with me to Katahdin.
Date: 2006-07-01
From: Home

To: home
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

What a party there was for Judy and Ike's 25th wedding anniversary.The day was warm and sunny, the food was delcious and the choie of beverages were unlimited. The music was provided by the Wharf Musicians. Archie-guitar and vocals, Me-Banjo/ guitar/ vocals, Tom Giordano-guitar/vocals, Dave Wakefield-sax, Bob Watson-sax, Ed Desjardin-guitar/keyboards/vocal, Steve Velani-bass, Roger Sampson-Lap steel guitar, Mark Miller-guitar, Pat Pepin-sax/guitar/vocals, Phil Perkins-drums, Peter Re-keyboards, Chuck Hinds-harmonica, Debbie Lynn-flute and back up vocals, Rick Desedlo- vocals. It was the best of the best from Hallowell, ME. We played all evening long changing musicians all the time to change the sound and song selection. It was a wonderful party celebrating a great couple. Thank you Judy and Ike for all you did to get me home for the party.It was nice because Lee and Gil were there also. Being home with Mrs. Banjoman has recharged my batteries for the rest of my hike.Banjoman
Date: 2006-07-03
From: Augusta Maine

To: Clarks Ferry Shelter
Miles today: 4.6
Weather: few clouds

I was up early this morning so Mrs Banjoman and I could drive to Portland to be at the airport 2 hours before my flight. I was worried the baggage checkers would want to go through my pack. If they opened it, I am sure it would have exploded on them and they wouldn't be able to repack it. That wasn't the case because evrrything was where I had put it when I packed it. The plane took off for Philadelphia at 9:10. When I landed in Philly, I had 37 minutes to make my next flight. I checked the board and it said CANCELLED. Now what to do. I checked in and they said they were arranging a van to drive us to Harrisburg. They're only 8 people going so I think they cancelled the flight for not having enough people to fly. They said it was a mechanical issue. The van showed up and drove us to Harrisburg. I driver was going 85 to 90 mph and talking on two cell phones. It was very nerve racking and at one point almost missed the exit and hitting a bridge abutment. We finally made it to ! the airport and I called my shuttler, Gary. Gary hiked the trail in 1988 and goes by the name of Gabby. He stopped so I could get fuel and water. I was on the trail by 3:30. The day is hot and muggy. The trail was nicely switched back up the mountain. Sweat was rolling off every part of my body. My hiking pants were as wet as if I had gone swimming. The shelter has bunks in it and there are two other hikers here tonight. The first day back on the trail was challenging. My legs were spongy, the heat was hot and the ground was wet and the air was full of humidity. Banjoman
Date: 2006-07-04
From: Clarks Ferry Shelter

To: Rausch Shelter
Miles today: 24.3
Weather: overcast clouds

By in large my biggest mile day yet. I was up early and packed and ready to go by 7am. The first shelter, Peter's Mountain Shelter was 6.8 miles away. This will make a nice stop for lunch. I arrived at 10:30. I had lunch anyways. I took a nice half hour break and it was off to the next shelter for the night, Rausch Shelter. The only problem is that it is 17.5 more miles. As my Son Bill says, "all you have is time" so I decided to go for it. My plan was to stop for supper around five and then hike till I got there. The terrain was mixed all day. There were a lot of washed out parts of the trail from all the rain. I arrived at the shelter at 8pm. Not too bad, 24.3 miles in 13 hours which included breaks. This shelter is real nice. It is dug out on the side of the hill with a stone retaining wall all around and stone steps to decend into the court yard. Real fancy. I am the only person here toni! ght. this is the first time I will have a shelter all to myself. I met up with Willow doing a southbound slack pack back to Duncannon. I haven't seen here since Georgia. She was hiking with her Son. It has been a long day and all my muscles are aching. Vitamin I is on tap for me tonight.Banjoman
Date: 2006-07-05
From: Rausch Shelter

To: 501 Shelter
Miles today: 17.4
Weather: light rain

As I said yesterday I was the only person in the shelter last night. The other occupants were a chipmunk and one of those Black Snakes. Neither one bothered me, at least I didn't feel them crawl on me when I was sleeping. I did feel that one thing slither down in my sleeping bag but I didn't pay it no mind. It started to rain in the middle of the night. I was glad I stuck it out and made it to the shelter. It wasn't too bad hiking in the rain. It was warm enough and the cool drops felt good. I made it to the William Penn Shelter by 2 pm and had a nice lunch there and rested. Only 4.1 more miles for the day to go. The 501 shelter is a 36 by 24 foot building with a huge octagon skylite in the center of it. It can sleep 12 in bunks and many more on the floor if necessary. It has a solar powered shower and water piped in. There is a 12 foot long table in the center with chairs all around for hikers to eat and visit. Pizza can also be ordered from this shelter because of its closeness to the road. So far I am the only one here, it is 5:30 and I haven't seen anyone all day. It is like there is no one else on the trail. Two more days and I will be in Port Clinton, PA for resupply. The Pennsylvania rocks showed themselve a little more today but not too bad. Just slow down a littl! e. I guess I need to heed my own advice. I had fall #3 today. It was on a real rocky spot. I miss placed my foot and I did the Mud, Slip, Slide, except it was on the rocks. I laid there for a few minutes evaluating the situation. I could feel some abrasions but nothing really hurt too bad. I shifted my weight and managed to get up. I have a raspberry type abrasion on my upper right thigh and a scrape on my left shin. A couple of strained muscles and that is all. Just shake it off and keep going.Today has been a quiet day, no one to talk to, and you all know how much I like to talk. We'll have to see who else comes in to the shelter tonight. There were three more people that came in for the night. Lone Wolf who I haven't seen since Damascus, Catch-up that I haven't seen since Catawba and Bright Eyes that I haven't seen since Daleville. A nice group for a music show.Banjoman
Date: 2006-07-06
From: 501 Shelter

To: Eagle's Nest Shelter
Miles today: 15.1
Weather: overcast clouds

It rained most of the night. I could hear it on the skylite. It was nice and warm and dry inside in my sleeping bag. The morning started at 6:30 for me. I went about my business of getting breakfast and packing up. I was out of the shelter by 7:30 and on the trail. Each day Pennsylvania reveals more and more if it's rocks. Today it was mostly the little ones. You know the ankle turners. It slowed me down and wore me out. I was originally thinking of going the 23 miles into Port Clinton but decided against it. Eagle's Nest Shelter is .3 miles off of the trail so not many people visit it unless they are planning to stay. I am the only one here tonight and it is getting dark. Most likely no one else will make it in. It is a little erie alone like this. I collected fire wood before it got dark and I have a nice warm fire going. It lights up the trees over head and has a pleasing crackling sound. The night is calm so the wind doesn't bother the smoke. I have taken my guitar out and I am picking some soft instrumentals. No Rock N Roll tonight. Just quiet music. As the fire burns down I add the rest of the wood and slide into my sleeping bag. As I lay there the light flickers inside the shelter with a warm glow. It has been a good day. I will head into town early tomorrow and pick up my mail drop and head back on the trail. Good night. Banjoman
Date: 2006-07-07
From: Eagle's Nest Shelter

To: Windsor Furnace Shelter
Miles today: 14.7
Weather: broken clouds

The morning was like most others. It is a town day. I have a mail drop to pick up and need to be there by noon. The Post Office closes for lunch from noon to 2 pm. I thought bankers had nice hours. I had 8 miles to hike to get to town. I was the first to leave the shelter. Almost immediately the rocks started to show their pointy little heads. I heard a noise up ahead and I approached quietly. There he was the little fellow that sharpens the rocks on all of the trail in Pennsylvania. I started to ask this gnome type fellow why he was doing that. He looked up at me and it was Indiana. Now I know why he is carrying that hammer and chisel. He said because of his finances and not having much money he is doing a "work for stay" in Pennsylvania. He assured me that once in New Jersey, The Garden State, he would be tending gardens for "work for stay". Suddenly I jolted and I was awake. I had dozed off at the spring and had a nap. Now it is back on the trail. There were very few areas to do any cruising. The down hill was just that straight down hill. It was a 1000 foot drop in less than a mile, ouch my knees. I got into town around 11:45 and in time for my mail drop. The group of hikers all went to the Port Clinton Hotel and Bar. I headed back out of town about 2 pm and walked along the Schuylkill River. I could see where it had over flowed its banks and rose over 20ft high in the recent storms. There was all kinds of debris littering the sides of the river. I got to the shelter at about 6 pm and have settled in for the night. Here tonight are Spitball, Chris, WonderWoman, Rockdon, She Bear. Tonights music will be the best of Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters. Featuring the songs of Erlene Mandrell like: "I'm Blond and I know it" and "Does my Hair Look Good? The day is done and I'm tired. It should be a cool night like last night. What great sleeping weather.Banjoman
Date: 2006-07-08
From: Windsor Furnace Shelter

To: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter
Miles today: 16.5
Weather: overcast clouds

What a great night with a raging fire, nice hikers and music by Banjoman. The sleeping was perfect. There was a soft breeze, nice moon out and wonderful sleeping temperatures. Morning came at about 6:30. I had a nice breakfast, pumped some water and packed to go. Spitball and I headed out together and hiked with each other all day. We stopped at the Eckville Shelter for a break at lunch time. They have a caretaker. He definately had a bad attitude and must have been angry with life itself. I tried in my gentle way to talk with him and sweeten him up. I couldn't even do it. That is unusual for me. The afternoon section of trail went from bad to worse. I couldn't tell exactly how it happened but it did happen with force. I felt myself going down. And a big guy like me doesn't go down pretty. As I lay there, Spitball caught up and inquired of my well being. I had felt my right knee flex a little as I went down. If he hadn't been there I might just have been bear bait or worse yet die a slow death being eaten by ants. I unstrapped my pack and with Spitball's help I got up and stretched out my knee. We hiked on to the shelter but I was much more careful the rest of the day. Here tonight are Kenny and Julie, Wonder Woman, Chris, Firefly, Honey Bee, Spitball and a couple of southbounders. Tonight will be the hits of Barry Manilow. The Copa Cabana and Bandstand. It should be a rousing round of merryment. It has been a good day despite my fall.
Date: 2006-07-09
From: Allentown Hiking Club Shelter

To: Bake Oven Knob Shelter
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: scattered clouds

It has been a low day for me. Maybe it is the spill I took yesterday, but I am like an old lady on the big rock scrambles. My knee seems to be ok but my big toe on my left foot must have gotten bruised when I fell. The bruise is right where the toe box of my shoe creases. It pushes down with every step, ouch. Stepping over the rocks doesn't help either. I am not able to keep up with Spitball so I have been hiking alone which makes for long feeling miles. He went on to the next shelter 6.8 miles away. I didn't think I should push my foot. You know, "listen to you body" that is always the best advice. I guess I am also down because I have laryngitis. This will be two nights without music at the shelter. Instead of music tonight I thought It would be good to have reruns of "The Facts of Life" sitcom. That should be real entertaining. There were plenty of rocks today. br>The bright spot is when we went to a restaurant. For dessert chocolate peanut butter cheese cake with two scoops of ice cream. yum yum.Today has been sunny and warm. A nice breeze is blowing and a big long black snake just crossed in front of the shelter. The good news is there probably is no mice here now but the bad news is he still hungry for a skinny old hiker or does he want to crawl into a nice warm sleeping bag and cuddle for the night. Time will tell. Oh no here he comes again right for the shelter I guess I better move befo...**&^%&%$@$%&**&^^%%$* bye!Banjoman
Date: 2006-07-10
From: Bake Oven Knob Shelter

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

Most of todays miles were in a car. I have developed two problems. First my pack is ripping on both seams, left and right and I need to get it exchanged. It should be under waranty. The second thing is my big toes on each foot got bruised when I fell the other day and are extremely painful to walk on. I walked 10 miles yesterday on them and I couldn't even stand to have the sleeping bag rest on them while I slept. Then today I had to walk 2.5 miles out to the first road so I could be picked up by a real life trail angel. He was coming to pick up his wife, Firefly and her friend Honey Bee who have been hiking a section of trail here in PA. They are from Wayne, PA. I have been hiking with them for a couple of days. These ladies are just the best and They liked the nightly concerts. They gave out trail magic to hikers and then shuttled me to Delaware Water Gap so I could get some R&R. They took me to the outfitter who didn't have what I needed. They took me to the Ramada Inn that was still closed from all of the rampant flooding a week or so ago and they took me to the Post Office to get my resupply box but no shoes yet. I also got some mail forwarded from Duncannon. It was a Father's Day card from my kids. It was great. They then dropped me off at the Church Hostel for the night and then off they went. A very big THANK YOU to Superfly, Firefly and HoneyBee. You will be rewarded for all your kindness. I am not sure exactly what will happen the next couple of days. I called the Pack company, Granite Gear, and arranged for a new pack. It will arrive on Friday. If my toes heal up before then I will forward it to another town. I think I can nurse my pack along for a while still. Here at the hostel tonight are E-Rock, Hawkeye, Knock Knock, Waltzing Matilda, Bluey, Vegemite on Toast, Sticks, Orangatang, Stinky and a few others that I haven't met yet. The day has been amazing with wonderful trail magic. My feet are still hurting but they will survive. The town of Delaware Water Gap was flooded out and I feel bad for their residents. BanjomanAdded note from Mrs Banjoman:Banjoman is going thru a rough time, hurting feet, terrible cold, laryngitis, ripped pack but the beautful mail and emails he recieves from family and friends means so much. The wonderful father's day card from Bob, Becky and Bill touched him the most. Thanks so much to all the amazing Trail Angels that have helped my husband. I can't wait to meet some of you when you get to Maine.
Date: 2006-07-11
From: Delaware Water Gap

To: Stroudsburg, PA
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day. I came to Stroudsburg for a couple of days to let my toes heal. I am also waiting for my replacement pack to arrive. I am at the Best Western for tonight. I have been resting and washing my dirty clothes and reorganizing my gear. I have a resupply box that I have been through and I have the extras ready to bounce up the trail. I have also bought the extra food items that I need for this next section of trail.Banjoman