Date: 2011-07-13
From: Island Pond Rd

To: Hemlock Springs campsite
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: broken clouds

I got up well rested, made breakfast as usual packed up and headed down the trail. "Ladypants" got up and going earlier. The hike started off with the rock scrambles like the previous day but the intensity and frequency tapered off as the day wore on. There was one early on called the lemon squeezer where we had to fit between 2 rocks. There was no way I could and I've lost a lot of weight! I ended up climbing up over the rocks instead of trying to squeeze through the rocks. I made it to the Palisades Parkway about 10 miles down the trail. At that point, I was actually within 34 miles of New York City. What struck me was that it seemed that I was too close to civilization. That city was just the antithesis to the peace and quiet of the trail. I don't hate the city but given what I'm doing, the city just wasn't where I wanted to be even close to. But the cool thing about the parkway was the visitor center located in the median not too far from the trail. There were Gatorades and other drinks that could be purchased. With the heat, it was important to drink plenty of fluids. The sugar didn't hurt either. I wanted to get to the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center where they allowed hikers to tent but wasn't sure that I could make it because of the distance and time. I'm not sure of it's the antibiotics, the heat or the more difficult terrain but I haven't able to go as fast and I have to take more breaks. It's probably a combination of all three so getting of the antibiotics will help but not get me back to where I was while in Virgina. Once I got up to the top of West Mountain, I could see the infamous Hudson River. The days journey would take me across the river so it was cool to see it long before crossing it. After talking with a couple of day hikers, I headed for the next mountain, Bear Mountain. Along the way, I came across a rattlesnake who was quite unhappy with my presence. I don't get scared by snakes at all but certainly am careful with them. I took a picture while it was rattling for all it was worth, trying to tell me to stay away. Since it was facing away from me and moving way from me, I wasn't worried about being struck if I maintained a reasonable distance. Once at Bear Mountain, I found the vending machines and consumed 2 Gatorades and short sleeve of Pringles. After resting a while, I continued on. When I got down off of the mountain, I came across the recreational area. There were many people there from all nationalities enjoying themselves. I didn't stop at any of the restaurants because of the time issue. I needed to get across the Hudson to at least get to a camping area. If I waited around too long, I would be night hiking which I'm not very fond of. Once across the Hudson, it was clear that the camping area was going to be the stop for the day. I made a wrong turn and headed a little way down a side trail instead of staying on the AT which made it certain that I wasn't going on. I finally made to the camping area to find "Vegemite" already there. It was good to see him again. I made dinner while he told me of his hike since we had last seen each other. I finished all of my normal nighttime chores and was in my tent, ready to go to sleep. I've had to massage mt feet every night because of the pressure from the shoes and the rigors of hiking on the rocks. I can't wait to get some bigger shoes. I think my feet will feel much better once that happens.