Date: 2015-06-25
From: West Mountain Shelter

To: US 9
Miles today: 12.8

6/25, 12.8, US 9, Cold Spring NYAwoke early and packed quickly today excited for the many interesting stops I knew were on the trail today. Right away as I stood up and looked toward the NY city skyline i noticed the sun reflecting off the new World Trade Center making it appear lit up specially on the horizon. It appeared as a glowing monolith pointing the way for my soul. I gently woke the others so they would not miss it.Neon and I hiked out together at 6:15 as she was heading for a few days off trail with her husband and I was going to be the recipient of a ride to a grocery resupply and back to the trail. A short time into our hike we came to the top of bear mountain and enjoyed the tower their with views across the landscape, and the vending machines. We saw Minitor there as she had stealth camped nearby avoiding the .6 hike to the West Mt shelter. After a break we headed on and by 9:30 were entering the Bear Mountain trailside museum area. There is an Inn, visitor center and the trailside museum is a zoo through which the trail passes. We found Don, Neon's husband on e path and after greeting walked to the car and headed for my resupply. We found a nice grocery where I could get the things I needed and then Don treated me to a nice breakfast at the local diner. There is nothing like a good breakfast to prepare for a nice hike so I was feeling good. Don was also nice enough to stop at a pharmacy so I could get some kinesio tape to reinforce my ankle. I have a little tendonitis in my right achilles and am hoping a little extra support will keep from making it worse. After getting the tape Neon and Don insisted they check and see if their room was ready since it was on the way back to the trail, and I could use a chair to tape my ankle. All worked out and I was resupplied, fed, taped and rested to continue my journey at 1:30 when they dropped me back at the Inn to resume my hike. Rough the park I passed Crock Rocket and walked through the zoo/museum. It was a bit odd to be looking at so many caged animals after seeing them in the wild over the last few weeks, especially the bear and the Eagle. Nevertheless, I am sure it is a valuable place for New York city kids to travel the 40ish miles to visit here and see the wildlife. I encountered Die Hard on my way through the zoo and together we managed to find our way out. We crossed the bridge over the Hudson and headed uphill steeply to continue the hike. In the afternoon hikers often begin to group as shelters and stopping points get closer. Around 4:30 I stopped at a convenience store/deli right on the trail and joined Die Hard in a soda and snacks. Minitor soon joined us and as we rested, ate and talked in the shade we passed the time knowing our goal for the evening was a short .7 over the hill. Soon we were joined by a local, Bryan, who was out walking his dog. He thru hiked in 2010 and was interested in our experiences thus far, eventually asking us where we were staying for the night. I should be better at picking up on is but he eventually explained tat he and his wife open their home to hikers frequently and invited us to join them for the evening. Out here that is like manna from heaven so we gladly accepted. He walked home and came back to give us a ride to his house. We settled in, showered and gathered our laundry as he had offered to do that as well. When his wife, Sara, returned from work we headed out for dinner, then ice cream finally enjoying a peaceful park across the Hudson from West Point. All in all it will be one of e more pleasant and relaxing visits I have had on the trail and I look forward to what tomorrow will bring. Silverback.