Date: 2007-08-05
From: Education through Leadership Camp, NY

To: Heidi's Inn, Brewster, NY
Miles today: 17.3

I woke up around 7 am and went and ate breakfeast in the dining hall. I was still kind of in a daze about this camp and hiking almost seemed secondary. I had to regroup and focus on this hike. I got an e-mail last night from "Pokey" AT 2006 Ga-VT. A friend that I had not seen since June last year in Pearisburg, VA. She said that she was going to come out and slack pack me and do a section of the trail that she missed last year. Great I can finally do some miles. Alright, just for the worlds information: Pokey and I are just friends and not romantic in anyway; so, direct your minds in that direction. Well, one of the camp counselors took me back to where the trail meets Arden Valley Road. I was carrying about 200 ounces of water again as water is scarce through this part of GA. It was a fairly unremarkable hike, except for the NY trail that is relentlessly up and down. There were some nice views on top Black MTn where I got some good pictures of the NY skyline(silhouette). I think the trail is only about 30 miles from downtown here. Alot of through hikers are going into the city. I dont have enough time to do this, maybe next time. There were good views as well on top of West Mtn and Bear Mtn as well. On the way up Bear Mtn; I met my first southbounder from Maine(going to Ga). I think he said that his name was "MR Frizzel". He said he was #3 going south. I missed the other 2. He asked about the water situation. I told him that there was really not any good water for ten miles. He said that he only had a quart. I told him that he was going to die and I gave him a liter. He had planned on getting water on top of Bear MTn; but, the restrooms were closed, along with the big stone lookout tower. There must have been over 100 people on that mtn. You can drive to the top. I kind of showed off as I walked over the top. I nearly ran down the steep side going down north. There was a spectacular view of The Bear Mtn Bridge and the Hudson River. Some guy sitting in his car said that this was the best view in NY. I got down to Bear Mtn Park and was stunned at the amount and diversity of people here. I heard at least 10 languages and saw all colors of people; and everyone gets along. Very different scene than down south. As Pokey said, "we have to all get along, there is no choice. If you discriminate against on group, you have 99 other groups against you. I found my way to a payphone around 3pm and Pokey said that she was just an hour away. I just sat and watched Hasidic Jews ride bikes by a group of muslims. Then I nodded off and woke up with about 100 Haitians around me. They were waiting on their tour bus. The sun was going down; so, I called Pokey to see what the deal was. Her car broke down! I was stunned. What was I going to do. I had none of my gear. It was at the boys camp. She non-chalantly said, "just hitch here to Brewster, it's only about 20 miles away." Know yall no that I hate to hitch; but, I did pretty well. I ran about 1 mile across the Bear MTn bridge; got a ride to the other side of Peekskill; ran through the town of Mohegan; then an Ecuadoran(a proud 1st time father) took me to Brewster; then a 10 dollar cab ride to Heidi's Inn and I was there at 9pm, after starting at 7pm. When I got there; I ate pizza and drank beer. Her and I talked till dawn about how our hikes went last year. We then went to bed in our seperate beds.