Date: 2008-06-13
From: Highland Falls, NY

To: Highland Falls, NY
Miles today: 0.0

So I have to say, there are few things sweeter than a reunion with a loved one. Karen got here last nite, and I welcomed her with a birthday cake, candles, and a hiker-style birthday banner made from my old bear bag rope, pieces of paper from my small memo pad with letters written on them saying "Happy Birthday Karen", and these were taped onto the rope with my duct tape. I wanted to get ballons and streamer, but the market had nothing like this in the ENTIRE store. It was all good, Karen loved her surprise.Woke @ 6:30, I just can't get my body to sleep in now. We left for Keller Army Hospital aroud 8:00 a.m. It's located on the campus of West Point Army Academy. We passed thru 2 security points and headed the 2 miles to the hospital. It's a very beautiful campus, and full of history.We got to the hospital, went to the admittance office, which required zero paperwork (sometimes computer networks can be amazing) and then they sent us to the waiting room. I was the only one there, so they took my vitals and put me in a room. Karen came with me as well. So the doc comes in, and she was so curious as to what I was doing that we sat there for like 30 minutes and she asked me tons of questions about hiking. It was hilarious. Dr. Friedman, who had been a Major in the Army at one time, told me she HATES ALL bugs, and could never do what I was doing. Karen and I noticed the medical instruction kept being directed to Karen, and finally Dr. Friedman admitted everyone there thought I was like 18 yrs old!! LOL In reality, Dr. Friedman was only 1 yr older than me! We all laughed @ this. It's been a long time since I as mistaken for being THAT young.So the verdict was no Lyme, it was probably a spider, and I'm in no danger. Dr. Friedman prescribed me some cortizone cream and went ahead and prescribed me some Doxycycline just in case I develop Lyme. I did find a tick last nite on my chest. I thougt they were usually on your legs, but Dr. Friedman told me they like hot wet areas, so basically the trunk of your body where it's covered and sweaty is fair game.So we walked down to the pharmacy, I pulled #33, they were serving #32. I got my medicine, and we were out the door in less than an hour. How much did I pay? Absolutely nothing...not one dime. This benefit (which is my only benefit) was worth the 4 yrs I served, considering how hard it is to get medical insurance thru your job these days. It does make me wonder though, if our govt. has figured out a way to offer this type of free\low cost health care to this country's veterans, why can't we model our entire healthcare system on this and get everyone in this country covered?Really, it was another miraculous "coinicidence" that I was even near a military hospital. They aren't on every street corner, and the fact the heat wave slowed me down, I ended up in Highland Falls, and had a car to use is really amazing to me. I'm so appreciative of this medical care I recieved today. Peace of mind.So we drove around a bit and Karen was eating up the buildings. We decided to come back so she could photograph some of them for teaching. Then we went back into tow and got breakfast @ a place called The Park Restaurant. I was starving of course, so I had 3 pancakes, 1 piece of Karen's french toast, bacon, coffee, and home fries w\cheese and onions. MMMMM!Then we stopped @ Rite Aid so I could get more Advil, and 'm trying some gel insoles to see if I can cut them to fit inside my superfeet and get some sort of cushioning. Karen thinks it may be part of why my feet hurt so much, because it's all structural support and no shock absorption. I think she has a valid point.Then we went back to the room and took a luxurious 3 hr nap, oh man do I LOVE naps! We woke around 3 p.m., played a game of cards (I won!), and I dug into my roasted green peas that I've been craving.We just lounged around, watched tv, and went back to The Park for dinner. We both got salads, but this place is much better for breakfast.I talked to Cathy, the GM here @ the Econolodge about getting listed in te Companion ad other guidebooks. I also told her some things that could bring hikers in (like offering a shuttle service from Bear Mt. Park), so she's totally on the ball. She prepared some brochures for hikers ad gave some to me. I told her I'd take some to Bear Mt. Park and I'm also going to hike out with a few and leave them @ the shelter. This way, hikers will know this place is a option too, especially if the other place is sold out like it was for me. She's offering a free shuttle, but tips accepted. I hope it brings a few people in, they've been awesome here.So tomorrow, Karen and I are planning on going to her childhood neighborhood in Westchester County. I'm excited to see the actual places that so many of her stories took place. I have really been loving NY, the people, its diverse population, and beautiful scenery. I wouldn't mind living here someday.~Certain