July 25 - Ten Mile Shelter (Day 128 – milepoint 1431.1)
Mr. Daily dropped us back at the Trail around noon where we left off, and we made 17 miles with little trouble. It was tough to leave “home” this morning and Achilles is feeling a bit of his six days off. He’ll be back to normal in no time, I’m sure.
We crossed into Connecticut today. Entering New England feels like a substantial milestone. We’re camped near the confluence of Ten Mile River and the Housatonic. So nice to hear the sound of flowing water again.
Aquaholic
July 24 - Off the AT in Rye, NY (Day 127)
Another day to relax. Tried to catch up on journal entries. Came close. Rained all day and we were happy to be dry and comfy. Ran into town and visited the local REI, Walter’s Famous Hot Dogs, and a video shop – Brothers McMullen – excellent flick, a guy’s perspective.
Another excellent evening with Mr. and Mrs. Daily, what gracious folks! We had dinner at a local steakhouse. My first steak in a long time.
Aquaholic
July 23 - Off the AT in Rye, NY (Day 126)
We spent most of the day wandering around New York City. I don’t know of a better place if you are into people watching. Feeling out of place was no longer a factor, although it did seem as if we were the only two people in the whole city with beards.
Caught some live music, Times Square, and a few other things worth mentioning… New York City and its people are still there since my last visit in the early 80’s.
The train ride back to Rye seemed to go quickly (I slept) and we joined Mr. and Mrs. Daily for a phenomenal dinner and a relaxing evening.
Aquaholic
July 22 - Off the AT in Manhattan, NY (Day 125)
Made a quick fuel stop at a deli near the Trail this morning and then meandered to NY-55 where I met up with Achilles, who I hadn’t seen since Duncannon, PA.
Back at the Daily-family home, I was able to throw some things in the laundry and go for a dip in the pool. Ahhh.
Achilles’ mom, Barbara, arrived and we chatted for a bit. She gave us a couple of bottles of wine for the evening and we loaded a couple of day packs with necessities and walked into town to catch the train to Grand Central Station.
Arrive grand Central Station: holy smokes! Fast-paced chaos compared to the timeless and peaceful AT. Achilles lived in NYC for two years before the AT so he moved effortlessly through the heavy traffic, encouraging me that everything was going to be okay. We bought a couple of deli sandwiches and hopped on the subway to 96th Street where we ascended to ground level and walked a couple of blocks into Central Park.
We joined a group of Achilles‘ friends and spent the very pleasant evening sipping wine and listening to the New York Philharmonic Orchestra performing for us and our 100,000+ friends. As if that wasn’t enough, a spectacular sunset was followed by a massive show of fireworks following the concert.
We spent the rest of the evening playing pool and darts in a bar called The Dive Bar. Achilles and I have joined his friend Jib and girlfriend, Brooke, back at Jib’s apartment on 92nd and 2nd in Manhattan.
Aquaholic
July 21 - RPH Shelter (Day 124 – milepoint 1401.9)
Up early for breakfast with Father Fred and eventually got to walking. Not much to say about hiking today except that I sweat a lot.
Highlight of the day was arriving at the shelter to see Footprints and Yote (Footprints and I haven’t seen each other since Erwin, TN) and then to meet Good Deal, a local Angel and student at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. He took Zen Pig, Meant2B and I to a pizza place/deli and offered good conversation about hiking and music, among other things. A nice, unexpected encounter.
I spoke with Achilles this morning, who has been spending a few days off the trail at his folks’ home in Rye, NY. I’ll be meeting him tomorrow at NY-55 and he’s planned a little side trip for us to venture into NYC – the concrete wilderness…
Aquaholic
July 20 - Graymoor Friary (Day 123 – milepoint 1383.3)
I had two awesome hiking partners today: Billy (13) and Danny (11).
Christine and Aunt Dot dropped us off at the zoo (appropriately) where we started our seven-mile day. The AT goes right through the zoo so we saw lots of plants and animals and hit the lowest point on the AT at 126 feet above sea level. Crossed Bear Mountain Bridge over the Hudson River and made the climb to Anthony’s Nose which gave us an excellent view of the river and Bear Mountain. I went packless today as Billy and Danny each carried day packs with leftover pizza, snacks, and water. I must confess that they out-hiked me, making numerous stops to scramble over rocks and climb hills. Can’t wait to be able to join them someday on their personal adventures.
I asked Aunt Dot for permission to take them to Maine with me, but she has this random thing about school. Hmph. A couple of photos, a warm goodbye, and I walked on the half-mile or so to the Graymoor Friary. Got a little lost and found myself at the convent down the hill. A couple of kind nuns pointed me in the right direction to this beautiful facility. I was greeted by Father Fred, who showed me around and to my room.
Joined by Saint, the Merry Slav, Meant2B, and Zen Pig. This place is a bit spooky at night and I’m trying to keep my thoughts pure.
Aquaholic
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
July 18 - Lake Tiorati, Harriman State Park (Day 121 – milepoint 1364.1)
Got an early start and cruised the 5.5 miles to West Mombasha Road where I joined Harmony and the Merry Slav at Pappa’s Deli.
Today’s special: Buy one sub, get the second free!
We each ordered the special and Harmony inquired about the pizza. “It’s 9:30 in the morning,” declared the girl behind the counter, “don’t you guys have any sense of time?”
“Yes ma’am, we do,” replied the Merry Slav, “and right now I am sensing that it is time for us to eat!”
With a feisty East Coast attitude, she informed us that the pizza oven doesn’t get fired up until 5 p.m. and she made us our subs without further fuss. I saved what was left of my second sub for later and got back to hiking.
After an hour or so, I ran into Devin and Small World enjoying a hot afternoon siesta. I plopped down and we shot the breeze for a while before I continued on into Harriman State Park. Hope to see them again soon.
Encountered some Trail Magic from a man named Roger Johnson who lives nearby and works for CampMor. He had a cooler full of soda, apples and oranges, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups…
My plan was to stop at Lake Tiorati Circle for water and then move on but a downpour of rain forced me to seek cover from the lightning. I found a couple of picnic tables under a pavilion and decided to call it a day. “It’s a day!”
As the rain let up, I witnessed the largest, most amazing, colorful, vivid, double rainbow I have ever seen. Big WOW.
A late night swim under a full moon has me feeling relatively clean and comfortable. I get to see my Aunt Dorothy and cousins Billy and Danny tomorrow at Bear Mountain.
Aquaholic
July 15 – Unionville, NY – Back Track Inn (Day 118 – milepoint 1318.6)
Possibly my toughest day on the Trail so far. I didn’t sleep at all last night as mosquitoes buzzed my ears and ate me alive all night. A slap in the face for sending my tent home.
Packed up and started walking well before sunrise and found a small fire tower a few miles along where I climbed up to a small platform and napped for a half hour. Nice breeze kept the mosquitoes off.
Very rocky terrain put a lot of stress on my already tired ankles, and the rising heat and humidity beat down on my tired body. Stumbled into High Point State Park Headquarters where I found a bathroom, placed my head in a sink and ran the cold water for a while. Had some lunch and then took a 3-hour nap under a red maple tree next to a frog pond. Went the next eight miles drinking massive amounts of water, sweating profusely, my shirt and shorts dripping as if I had just dove into a lake fully clothed.
I arrived alive though. This “hostel” at the Back Track Inn is no more than an old storage room with four supply shelves converted to bunks. Strangely acceptable. The Inn has a bar and a nice bartender who set me up with a shower and a really fat cheeseburger. I think she felt sorry for me.
I’m joined by Boji (50’s, Omaha), who I haven’t seen since the Smokies, and Tony (40’s, Plymouth, Mass), a southbound section hiker who gave us the rest of his pizza!
I learned it was 105 degrees today. I haven’t peed since yesterday afternoon.
Aquaholic
July 14 - Glen Anderson Shelter (Day 117 – milepoint 1298.6)
Mid 90’s today and very humid. Took a siesta at Washington’s Bakery where I had some fresh fruit and a cold orange juice. At the counter, I asked the girl about their cinnamon rolls. She said, “Well, we don’t sell them individually, you have to get them in a dozen or in dozen quantities.”
“Great, a dozen sounds good,” I replied.
She smiled and nodded as if to say, “Right, thru-hiker.”
Made a phone call home to check up on things and found out that a high school friend died in a car accident. What a blow. Haven’t seen him in a couple of years but his face is clear in my mind. Thinking of his family…
Who knows, maybe I’ll be next. So I continue to live as thoughtfully and heartfully as I can, intent to learn and experience as much as possible, spending quality time with friends and making new ones along the way… What is more important?
Aquaholic
