Date: 2010-08-11
From: Stealth 1/2mi S of Bear Mountain Summit

To: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center
Miles today: 9.7
Weather: clear sky

Ripple is about 45 miles from Connecticut!We got out earlier today, bout 8 and right to Bear Mtn's 1.5 mi climb! What a view from up there, 4 states and the Hudson! Then off for the beautiful descent on the revamped trail, past the Bear Mtn Inn to the PO for my ham jerky pkg from Turner! Shags' friends Jim and Cheryl arrived and wanted to make us lunch! I was happy he was able to work out a visit with some old friends! I am grateful he let me tag along and enjoy the fun! So we headed over to the park where we found a grill and got the party started! Before I knew it Jim was throwing HUGE STEAKS on the grill!! Yep, that's right! Holy smokes! Steaks?? On trail?? Am I dreaming??? They also brought baked potato's and a tomato/cuke salad that was amazing!! What a great time! Then they took us to the gas station to resupply! A special thanks to Jim who insisted on giving me $20 after we found the ATM down! Jim~that bought some fantastic deli food a couple days later and it was goooood!! I really do appreciate it! Before we knew it they were off and there we were, stuffed to the gills and loaded down with another 3 days food! Off we went (after a serious break to recover, that is! )thru a zoo that the trail runs right through and also is home to the lowest point on the AT, 124'. Then we crossed the Hudson River!! Very cool! A short but steep climb and a couple easy mi up top, then down to a road 1.5 mi from the historic Graymoor Spiritual Life Center-Franciscan Way (very well known for being great hosts to hikers!) At the road we found a structure!! SCORE!!! It was a gas station called the Appalachian Market!! SCORE!! I picked up two Mtn Dew tall boys , a hot dog and choc milk! I would save the dews for later at Graymoor! What a treat and I only have to carry them 1.5 miles!! When we arrived we found several SOBO's, an awesome shelter WITH ELECTRICITY, port-a-lets, cold showers and a wash tub! I visited, set up, washed some stuff, ate and visited more! There was a pizza joint that delivered but our yapping bit us and they were closed before we noticed! Bummer, but oh well! At least I have some Dew! HANDWRITTEN ENTRY:Got out earlier today @ 8! We got Bear Mtn¢s 1 12 mi climb out of the way and the beautiful down on the revamped trail, past the inn to the PO for my ham jerky package from LT. Shags¢ friends Jim and Cheryl arrived and wanted to make us lunch so over to the park w/grills for steak, potato¢s and a tomato and cucumber salad. It was amazing! We had such a good time! We inhaled our food so quick that Jim gave Shags 12 his steak and Cheryl gave me 12 of her potato! They wanted to take us to dinner to feed us some more! They took us to the gas station to resupply, Jim gave me $20 since the ATM was down-thank you Jim-then they dropped us off! It was quick, but sure was a lot of fun! Back on trail, we went thru the zoo and the lowest point on the AT @ 124¢ then crossed the Hudson! A short but steep climb and a couple easy miles up to the top, then down to a road 1.5 mi from the Graymoor where we discovered a gas station! (Appalachian Market) I picked up 2 dew tall boys to pack out, 2 hot dogs and some choc milk for right then. Shags, Squatch and I had a very nice little break before setting off on the final leg. When we arrived we found several SOBO¢s, a huge field, a big shelter, port-a-pots, cold showers and a wash tub. I visited, set up, washed some stuff, ate and visited more. Talked to LT, mom and Peach! What a crazy great day on the AT! It¢s 10ish now¢¦bedtime!