July 19 - Bear Mountain State Park (Day 122 – milepoint 1376.8)

I was awakened in the wee hours last night by a bright light in my eyes, also known as a police officer’s flashlight. He informed me that I was a liability, technically trespassing after park hours, and I had to leave. He kindly offered to “transport” me to the Bear Mountain Inn where I could pay $89 for a room, but I kindly declined and began packing up.

“Where will you go?” he asked.

“I’ll just hike a ways and find a flat spot in the woods along the trail somewhere.”

“In the woods? Are you one of those thru-hikers?”

“Yes, sir.”

“You people are crazy,” he said, as he returned to his car shaking his head.

“Crazy to some, for sure,” I thought to myself, “who don’t know what they’re missing.”

I ended up finding a much better spot actually, much more comfortable, and slept soundly ’til morning. Funny how things work
out.

Cooler and less humid today which enabled me to see the New York City skyline from the top of West Mountain. A unique and impressive sight, to say the least. Entering Bear Mountain State Park I was quickly reminded that today was Saturday. What an unbelievable mass of people! Chaos, from my point of view. Put my headphones on, turned up the volume, and weaved my way through the multi-cultural populous to the zoo entrance, where I removed my boots and relaxed for a while.

Aunt Dot, Billy, Danny, and surprise, cousin Christine arrived and rescued me from the masses, smell and all. Then, as if they knew just what a thru-hiker needs after a tough, hot week of hiking, we checked into a Holiday Inn with a pool and a hot tub. Long shower, dinner, pay per view movie and pizza.

Looking forward to taking young Billy and younger Danny for a little hike tomorrow.

Aquaholic