Date: 2003-07-06
From: Seven Lakes Drive

To: Bear Mountain Inn
Miles today: 10.1
Weather: clear sky

Bad habits are hard to break. So are good ones, I guess. Hotdog and I had planned to camp somewhere tonight, but we ended up in a hotel. Again. I'm spoiled I guess. It wasn't intentional. We hiked a bit slower than I thought we would, partially because we met so many people to talk to. We couldn't be mean and not talk to them! By the time we got to Bear Mountain Inn, it was after 8pm, and we had areas coming up where we knew we would not be able to camp.I was going to sleep in today, but started waking up before 6am. I forced myself to stay in bed until 7:30. At that time, I started some preliminary packing, such as stuffing my sleeping bag in it's bag, putting dry clothes in their dry bags, etc. I had breakfast at the hotel, and about the time I was finishing, Hotdog and Shari came down too. I sat with them for a bit, then called my mom, and talked to her for a while.I packed up, and a little after 11am, we were in the car. I didn't want to leave. The owner of the hotel, New Continental Hotel, was very friendly, and it was very relaxing to be near a lake. I wish I had time to just sit by the lake all day, jumping in the water when I got too hot, but I knew I had to go. It was a great stay there, and I had a wonderful time with Hotdog's family. The best trail angel I know, Mrs. Hotdog, paid for my stay at the hotel. Thank you so much! She's been extremely supportive of not only Hotdog's hike, but my hike as well. Awesome person!After resupply shopping, and foodbag packing, we headed for the trail. It was a little after 1pm when we reluctantly headed north. I was glad to be on the trail, but was physically tired. My lungs burned on the uphills and my knees complained unless I was sitting or walking on level ground. I guess all that slacking made me soft. The mountains of today told me I need to prepare for what's to come, especially if the heat continues.We met thruhikers Splash and Cobra at a water source, and sat talking to them for nearly an hour. They had plans to go about another 4 miles then camp, so they weren't in any hurry, and I wasn't either really. It was nice meeting them, and I hope to see them again. The climb up West Mountain wore me out, but we kept plugging along. I was hoping to get a view of the New York City skyline, but couldn't. We took a break at Seven Lakes Drive (the second time today we crossed it) before climbing Bear Mountain. The climb wasn't too bad, although it did wear me out. Part of the AT followed Perkins Drive, a paved road, then ducked back into the woods up to the summit of Bear Mountain.I was working hard, breathing hard, while climbing that mountain. Toward the top, I looked up to find the next white blaze. I found the next couple of blazes and lifted my eyes farther up the mountain. Usually, I feel good once I reach the top of a mountain after a good climb. But something is lost, when, peering up the trail, I see a pickup truck. Then another car. Then several of them. It doesn't seem fair that I'm busting my butt to climb up the mountain, when I could drive up. (sigh) Oh well. It's the route I chose.On Bear Mountain, we met a couple who had hiked up for a nearby road. They were planning on hiking the AT this year, but the guy got called back to the Army, so their plans are on hold. They wished us well, and still hope to thruhike the AT some year. After they left, another guy and girl stopped us, and said they overheard something about "1300 miles" and wondered what we were talking about. We talked to them for quite a while, well over a half hour, and they were in awe of what we'd done and what we have yet to do. They offered us water, and we reluctantly accepted. We knew we'd be getting water within 2 miles, but they put it into perspective by reminding us that they can get more water in a few minutes when they drive down the mountain. Awesome! Trail angels come in many shapes and forms, and this was just another example of the great people in this world.We made our way down the mountain, trying not to fall on the steep, dusty and rocky slope. I had fallen earlier in the day on dry, dusty dirt, and didn't want to repeat it. I made it down safely, this time. We got to Bear Mountain State Park, and saw signs on the Inn saying "Closed for Renovations Until April 2003". Hmmm, I thought. We walked across the front, or what we thought was the front and all we saw were those signs on every door. Hmmm. We decided to continue on the AT and go to a different hotel, off the trail less than a mile north on the AT. When we got to the tunnel under 9W, we realized we would have to take the road around the Trailside Zoo. The AT goes through the Trailside Zoo, and reaches it's lowest elevation (124') in front of the Bear Den within the Zoo. The AT through the zoo was an original section, dating back to 1923. I didn't want to miss the zoo, especially since it contains one of the oldest sections of the trail AND the lowest point between Georgia and Maine. We called a few other hotels in the area, but found one full and another's phone disconnected, so Hotdog called Bear Mountain Inn. Though it looked closed, we were informed it was open and got better directions of where to go. We got a room, but before getting a ride to it (it was about a mile from the registration desk) we went upstairs for dinner. Great food! Warm rolls! Cold beer! Mmmm... We also met hikers Banana, Capone, and Dr. Thunder, and Super Dave. Interesting that we hikers were all seated in the same area. Or maybe it's just plain smart.Banana, Capone and Dr. Thunder were leaving at the same time we were, and we were promised a ride to the rooms, so they got a ride too. With all of the family visiting lately, Hotdog and I have fallen back from the loose group we were with. But we are, and will be, meeting more hikers along the way. It's neat to meet people who have been behind us for a long time, reading register entries! I'm still hoping Sonic, Guana, Fly and Smoothie catch up, but knowing I will be taking time off at the beginning of September for a wedding, I'd like to finish with them, rather than hike with them and fall behind, finishing after them. I don't know what will work out, but something will. It always does. For the best.