Date: 2018-06-08
From: Mile 1384.3 Elk Pen parking lot

To: Palisades interstate parkway visitor center mile 1395.7
Miles today: 11.4

I woke up early and tried to be quiet because Thumper was still sleeping. I got ready for the day not sure yet if Thumper was going to hike today or what her decision would be. After getting up and assessing her body and feelings she decided to have her Dad come pick her up. I called for my Uber and gave her a hug and the room key. I hope everything works out for her. When the Uber arrives it's not the same one as yesterday. I will not get back in that woman's car! The driver dropped me off at Elk Pen parking lot and there was a car there with 2 day hikers getting ready to head south. It was just before 8am. I was feeling down so I stopped and called Brian from the parking lot and we talked for about 20 minutes. It was a mood lifter. Today I was hiking thru Harriman State Park. I headed off thru the field to face the first climb of the day. I continued at a snail's pace today just unable to drag my butt and my pack any faster. Every step a chore. I was happy y reach the lemon squeezer just under 2 miles in and did have fun at that, throwing my pack and poles up and over because I couldn't fit with the pack on. At the top of it I took the blue blaze trail around because the climb was vertical and I was alone. I haven't seen a hiker except the ones in the lot. About 1/2 mile North of the lemon squeezer I saw movement on the trail southbound towards me. It was a black bear. Yogi! But not the costumed kind...a real live life sized bear walking towards me. Oh joy! I stopped and took out my phone and started to video. He doesn't know I'm here. He appears to be thinking about turning east of the trail into the grass but then decided to continue south. At this point I don't want to film my own demise so I talk to him and tell him to go away. He stopped and looked and began to slowly head West off the trail and I stopped the video and stowed my phone. I proceeded to clap and make noise and blow my whistle a couple of times. Each time I paused he looked at me as if to ask "is this far enough?". When I felt it was I passed by on the trail and continued on my way. He was certainly in no hurry to clear the way for me so it seemed he was used to seeing humans. A short while after that I talked to my office and that was a bit of a booster too. It was awesome to hear their voices, it's been so long it seems. Their support feels so good!Harriman State Park is beautiful. A thinly forested park with a forest floor lush with blueberries, small streams and rocky balds. I lumbered thru smaller ups and downs than the previous days but it was a struggle. Lucero passed me and we discussed the bear which was still out on display. I mentioned that I might call it a 5 mile day at get off Tiorati Cr and she told me that there's a restroom, vending machines and water. She had me at vending machines and I suddenly had enough energy to get there. When we arrived the ice cream machine wouldn't dispense with my credit card and I didn't want use a $20 bill and get 18 heavy $1 coins. Lucero had a $5 so she gave me $2 in the coins and I gave her the $1 bill I had. That was very nice of her and I enjoyed an ice cream. Lucero had a bigger day and didn't stay long. I felt a bit better so I left to get 2 more miles in and I'd get an Uber at 7 lakes Rd. I arrived at 7 lakes Rd at 3pm and had no service to get an Uber or make a call. Frustrated I was being forced into 4 more miles I now felt a little pep. 2 miles from 7 lakes I called the motel to let them know I will still be there but it'll be 7pm or so. They don't hold your room with your credit card it's honor system and I don't want them to think I'm a no-show and give it to someone else. I also tell them that I've talked to River today and I'll share my room with her. At 6 pm I played frogger across the Palisades interstate parkway and walked left 2,000 feet to the visitor center and bookstore to find it closed. I had no service for an Uber and no quarters for the payphone that was there. If the wind blew right I could text. Frustrated I dropped my pack and sat on the concrete trying to think about how to get off this island. I could hike back to the trail and another mile to a shelter but I have just stuffing for dinner and an egg breakfast plus River is counting on me for a room. Everything else is booked or expensive. I text Brian, River and Kyle to get help. River is in an Uber on the way to the motel and when she gets there the owner and she come to pick me up. I'm happy to hear I'm not the first hiker "stranded at the bookstore". As it turns out I'm not in a large room and River ended up getting a pricy room at the Holiday inn Express across the street....but she's a doctor now. Kidding. There she runs into Sugarfoot who I haven't seen since Harper's Ferry. We showered and had a late dinner at the Barnstormer BBQ before sprinting back to our rooms for R&R. I enjoyed the blackened salmon and baked potato a beer. River was kind enough to do my laundry for me. She'll by hiking tomorrow and I'll take a zero. I'm looking forward to sleeping in!