Date: 2003-08-02
From: Bear Mountain, NY - Kent, CT

To: Bear Mountain, NY - Kent, CT
Miles today: 64.3
Weather: haze

Bear Mountain, NY - Kent, CT64.3 miles (1450.4 total miles)It was a nice night in the Holiday Inn near Bear Mountain on day 119. I did my laundry, showered, and ate real food. Thank you again so much to Henry and Linda (Willow and Bubble's parents) for all your hospitality. We went to the post office, where I got some more treats. I got a great package from my brother's family (thanks!), and an awesome surprise package to all of us from Amanda (I miss the Rock Starz!). I also got a post card from my cousins, and Last Minute's sister sent us all cookies (Congratulations Hot Flash on finally making it into my journal). Thanks so much everyone.Linda slacked Henry, Bubble, Willow, Last Minute, and I 7 miles out of Bear Mountain. The trail goes right through the Trailside Zoo. The animals are supposedly injured animals that were rescued, but it was still sad to see the animals we have been seeing in the wild for months pacing or sleeping in their little cages. This was also (literally) the lowest point on the trail, at 120 feet above sea level. The trail then left the zoo, and crossed the Hudson on a noisy bridge. We then did 7 miles up over a steep mountain, then through the New York hills. It was a hot day, and we appreciated the slack.We stopped for the evening at Graymoor Monastary. We said goodbye to Henry and Linda, and hung around the pavilion on the ball field. Friar Fred came down to greet us. Then we all went up to the monestary for dinner. They served us manicotti, stuffed cabbage, sausage, brocolli, and salad. It was a excellent meal, completely free for thru-hikers. What amazing generosity. We went back to the ball field an set up our tents for the evening (in shallow right field).I slept well at the monastary, and didn't leave until 8:30 on day 120. The weather was very nice, and I moved. I loved the terrain. It was a little hilly, but very nice path. The white birches were becoming more plentiful, another sign I am in the north. I cranked out 12 miles by 2:00.From there my group walked up to Fahnestock State Park. There was a beautiful campsite there with real restrooms and hot showers. We set up camp and walked across the street to the lake. We had dinner, and made it to the beach just as the lifeguards were leaving. The sign said we still had a half hour to swim, so we did until a ranger came and chased us out. We went back to our campsite and called it an early night.We got a late start out of the state park on day 121. It was hard to leave such a comfortable camp site. We hiked over Shenandoah Mountain, and down to a campsite. Warning signs told us that most of the water sources in the area were contaminated with e-coli. We were careful to filter carefully.The miles were easy, but took a while. We eventually hit 12 miles, and stopped at a pizzeria on a road crossing. From there we hiked up over Mt. Egbert. There was a pink sunset, blue mountains, silhouetted trees, and a sliver of a crescent moon. What a beautiful evening. We night hiked the rest of the way to the shelter for the night.I was up and out not long after 7:00 on day 122. The trail wound down to Nuclear Lake, which was once badly contaminated. Now it was very nice. I heard loons in the distance. I hiked on up to the shelter, where I waited for my friends. We all hiked down to the Dover Oak, which is one of the largest trees on the trail. It was not as impressive a the Keffer Oak, mostly because of the traffic and trash nearby. We hiked on to NY22, where there was a hot dog stand waiting for us. We endulged, of course. Then 6 fairly easy miles brought us to the Wiley Shelter for the evening.It rained on day 123. We hadn't had a completely wet day like this in a very long time. We walked in the rain into Connecticut, our 10th state! We stopped at a road crossing with a covered bridge. We went into a mini mart to rest in the air conditioning. We were sitting at the counter when a young lady asked if she could help is in any way. She ran an art and exotic gift store next door, and offered us free showers. We gladly accepted. Jill and Dan, smily little River, and dog Winston made us feel very welcome. I was so impressed with their kindness toward us smelly strangers.I left happy, with only 6 miles left to go. We climbed up and down over mountans. It rained, and it rained hard. The rocks were slick. It took us way too long to do just 6 miles. My feet got soaked, and hurt bad. We finally pulled into the shelter just before 6:00. I was exhasted and crashed immediately.We made it to Kent, CT on day 124. I feel out of place here. It is an upscale, quaint community, where dirty hikers don't exactly fit in. I have a lot of chores to do in the rain. It is nice to be in New England, though. The trail is beautiful. I am starting to see the end of the trail. Only 722.2 miles to Katahdin!