Date: 2014-08-03
From: U.S. 9 N.Y. 403 Peekskill NY

To: N.Y. 301 Clarence Fahnestock State Park
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: scattered clouds

I heard the pitter-patter of rain drops near dawn this morning. It was a nice soft gentle rain but I hoped I could wait it out. Eventually it stopped raining and dripping from the leaves.I packed everything up, saving the tent fly for last. It was still wet when I was ready to go, so I stuffed it separately in a plastic back to save for drying later in the day. The fact that it didn't dry at all, told me that today will a high humidity hike.Packing up was quick since I was motivated to get back to the Appalachian Market for breakfast and a hot cup of fresh brewed coffee.The best deal was a western omelet which came with toast. The cook and a lot of the staff here are Hispanic, so no Greek omelet today. I visited with Ravioli (new to me) and Grizzly Bear while he ordered breakfast number two and I had coffee refill number four. I may have gone for a second order of food too but at two AM I had finished off the chocolate milk and the other half of the leftover Hero sandwich. I mostly listened as I learned helpful hints for hiking the Whites (Mountains), since both are from New England. Griz says I should have cold weather gear after North Adams.When I went in the Market, my Osprey was the only pack leaning against the front of the store but when I came out, the count had grown to seven. I met No-Socks as I was putting my bottle of Coke for the road or trail in my pack. He added that he does have socks.I skipped the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center, the favorite of many hikers, with its shower and pavilion. I was craving clean clothes but there was no laundry according to the hikers I met who stayed there. However, for the first hour of hiking, I could hear the service going on in Spanish for the apparently large group gathered. When there seemed to be a prayer, I added an Amen. Perhaps that contributed to me being in a prayerful mind for a large part of the hike. I said the Jesus prayer for one after another person using the white blazes as marker for each person. I prayed for the first name that popped in my mind. But once. I had the visual image of one person and at the same time the name of another, so I prayed for both at once. I had been hoping for church in a building today but it wasn't a bad day for worshiping in God's Cathedral. Things seem to work out for the best if you just relax and let it happen on "The Trail."The climbs were numerous but not too long through a variety of terrain. Often, the trail wound around the side of the ridge past a lot of mature oaks and beeches which reminded me of forest walks in the South. The mountains were only 800 feet high not the 4000 feet of Virginia. The last couple of miles followed an almost level grade that appeared to have been built for a narrow gauge railroad. 2000 miles of that would be boring but it provided lovely finish to a nice Sunday walk in the woods.Honorable mention for hikers passed today, includes a man with a dog on an out and back hike. He said he lives near the RPH Shelter which I would pass on my next day of hiking. He talked about his dream of someday hiking the entire trail and asked me questions about my hike. Since I love talking about what inspires me, I will stop and talk to you all day about hiking in general or the AT in particular. He caught up with me back at the parking lot at the road crossing and he came over to check on me to see if I needed anything. I checked with him about a berry growing by me and he said it is red raspberry and safe to eat. Thanks to him, I left with an extra snack as I picked a handful.Later, I passed two men relaxing by a waterfall who also showed an interest in my hike and how it was going. As I started to leave one asked me if I would like some chocolate. He broke off a piece of a rich dark chocolate bar and shared with me. That was my second energy boost for the day.I started the day with hopes of connecting with relatives Rose and Jimmy who live in the area. However, no specific plans had been made, so I had to wait for a while to find out if I could fit in their plans on short notice. Eventually, I got word they would pick me up in the evening. I had not seen them for about ten years, so I was looking forward to the visit. With that motivation, I sped up through the level sections so I would be on time for the meeting, or even better, early so I could have some time to relax. The mosquitos were also waiting to meet me. but I foiled their plans by donning long pants and a long sleeve shirt.Tonight I will sleep in a house with clean sheets, clean clothes and body, and a full stomach (thanks to a bowl of pasta). I love living in the outdoors, but it really increases my appreciation for the simple things in lIfe.