Date: 2004-05-02
From: Bear Mtn, NY

To: RPH Shelter
Miles today: 25.6
Weather: light rain

Log entry: 92Starting time: 1015Ending time: 2015Morning weather: Foggy, warm, some rainAfternoon weather: Gray but dry, warmEvening weather: Clouds and wind for a while and I feared rain but the moon is out now. Supposed to storm I thought.Breakfast: Buffet from Richard Littles in Fort MontgomeryLunch: Peach Rings, Grandma Reuschel's chocolate chip cookiesDinner: Turkey stuffing with gobble gobble gravyTrail Description: Generally an easy day. The first 8 miles or so were sort of rocky but things eventually worked out and walking was fast and easy. The area around Canopus Lake and Shenandoah Mt were very cool. The lake is very rocky and the summit of Shenandoah is just unique I thought.People: Bob the dayhiker soon to be class of 2005, and there are folks here at the shelter but they are all in bed, never got their namesAnimals:   Orange salamanders. I stopped taking pictures after the 5th one. Salamander Sunday I officially named today. Maybe the 1st Sunday in May should become Salamander Sunday. Hmmmmm....Money spent: None(thanks again entirly to Mom and Dad)Complaints: My left ankle hurt most of the day (a new pain in a new spot I have never had before.) Feet feel great in my new boots, so far at least.Thoughts: Last night was one of the first night I have slept straight through in many many months. Great sleep.After packing up Mom, Dad, and I had an emotional devotion and prayer time. Itwas nice, tough, but nice. Only 7 more weeks...Breakfast was at Richies and was a buffet only. It was a nice spread but I usedmoderation so as to not feel ill all 26 miles today.After the meal we drove over to Bear Mt park and Mom and Pops walked me to thetunnel where we parted ways. They want to try to make it out once more beforeMaine, but either way I will be happy to see them again.I was pleased as punch that I got to walk through the Trailside Zoo. The zoo isa simple nature park that the AT winds through. It closes at 1630 so you have to walk the road if it is closed, which is not what I wanted. The walk across the Bear Mt Bridge was a treat as always. Big bridges like thatare always so windy. Plus muddy rivers had always frighted me. I guess I wasalways afraid growing up that I would get swept away. Either I am still growingup or I am just still scared of being swept downstream by a river at floodstage. I think I watched too much "Rescue 911" growing up.On the climb up whatever mt you climb up off the bridge I heard lots ofautomatic rifle fire. I took some video to catch the sound. There isn't muchsweater than the burp and brat of a Colt rifle.The biggest obstacle to overcome today was the mental stress of leaving Mom andDad again. I am thinking this will be the last time but I know that the farthest I feel from home is about and hour after saying goodbye. Sigh, sometimes I wish I didn't get along well with my parents. It would make being away from them a lot easier.My new Garmont boots felt great and really make walking fast much easier. Thereis time and a place for an all leather gortex and vibram boot but when you aretrying to pull big miles they just don't belong. I think.