Date: 2009-07-03
From: Fahnestock State Park - Trail Mile 767.6

To: Hosner Mtn. Rd. - Trail Mile 757.1
Miles today: 10.5

Day 13[Watson & Holmes arrived.Two photos received, one a survey marker, and this one of a tree fall with the the caption: "Now that's a funny looking blow-down!"Her journal entry:]Home of Bill (AT '99) & AmyI had forgotten to mention in the 7/2 entry, that we met Disney & Sea Monster at one of the road crossings. They informed us about a Thru-Hiker 4th of July Party at the home of some guy named Bill, who hiked in 99. It's only 0.2 miles off trail, at about the right spot (making it an easy 10 mile day) and it's about time H and I take a zero-day. Sounds perfect. I call to make sure Bill is OK with dogs at the house - absolutely. So that's the plan. A bonus is that it leaves plenty of time for a shower and laundry, and to wait for the campground snack stand to open to get breakfast.We had turned in early because of the rain, so I woke up at 7:15 am, just as the sun is starting to heat the tent a bit. As most of you know, there are stages to sunrise and morning while camping. For me, the important ones are pre-dawn light, which if I'm lucky I sleep through, or at least can roll over and get back to sleep; actual dawn/first light, at which I usually look at my watch, consider getting up to pee, and instead roll over and go back to sleep as it's only been 6 or 7 hours and it's still cold outside; then direct sunlight, when the sun has risen enough to peek through trees and actually start to take the chill out of the air and the tent - this is when I first consider actually rolling out of bed; and finally overhead direct sunlight, which warms the tent uncomfortably and forces any lazy thoughts out of my head. On this particular day, it was still overcast and drizzly so there was no point in waiting for warmth and I did really need to get to the bathroom, so I gathered up all my clothes (all except one pair of socks were pretty dirty) and my pack towel and camp soap and razor and headed off. Yes, I carry a razor. Just the cartridge, actually, and the little plastic thing it came in because the cartridge snaps in and it acts as a guard. I can hold it with three fingers rather than snapping in a handle and shave rather well.Being a rainy day at a family campsite, no one else was awake and in the bathroom at 7:30, and there was plenty of hot water. I spent 20 minutes standing under the hot water and washing clothes, then 15 minutes washing myself, and another five minutes shaving just to stay under the hot water a bit longer. It was wonderful. By 8:30 I was back at the tent waking H and telling the guys about the copious hot water. By 9:30 we were all packed and dressed and headed to the beach area snack stand, which would open at 10am. A chicken sandwich (with hot dog for H) and pink lemonade made a delicious breakfast. We then headed out to find the trail. At this particular point, the AT follows the northwest side of the lake, but we had followed the road on the southeast side to the campground. Instead of backtracking to the south end of the lake to pick up the trail again, TT decided to bushwhack around the north end and pick up the trail there. Yes, technically, we skipped a couple miles. Except for the half-mile hitch where Steve picked us up yesterday, though, we covered the same distance on foot, parallel to the trail, just along the other side of the lake. Bushwhacking worked out well. The park manager tried to tell us it would be too steep, but really it seas an easy and short climb up to the ridgeline. TT almost led us around the north end and south again on the opposite shore, but SM scouted a bit and found the white blazes before we went too far astray.Back in the trail, the guys took off at their usual pace, and H and I took our time. A while later we passed by In-Tents, who also goes at his own pace and was taking a break because of a sore toe. Another mile on and I check my email to see DD is alive and well but stuck in Pakistan of all places. Ah, the life of a pilot. A little scouting for a dry location with good reception yielded a nap for H and an hour long phone call for DD and me. (Knew I would be able to charge the phone that night at Bill & Amy's). IT, DoubleZip, and the newly named Skeeter pass by and wave. After my phone call, H and I are both re-energized and cover the next four miles quickly. Good thing, because again a thunderstorm threatens. We meet up with DZ & S, and Solo at the very nice RPH shelter around 4 pm, and are soon joined by Micha (from Holland). After howling at the creaky water pump, H lays down for another nap, while I write the previous day's journal entry. The top of the arch of my foot has started hurting, so I lay on a bunk with H and put it up on my pack while I write. The thunderstorm lets up and we make the decision to cover the next 3.5 miles to Bill & Amy's tonight rather than tomorrow. It's a quick climb up a ridge, then long walk along the western slope until it dips down to cross Bill's road at the northern edge. Thanks to the trail angels again for soda and blueberry muffins and a place to dump some packed-out trash before the climb.We get to Bill & Amy's in time for a delicious dinner of roast turkey, mac'n'cheese, and the best green bean casserole ever made (broccoli & cheese soup rather than cream of mushroom, and mix cheddar cheese into the fried onion topping - thanks to Amy for sharing her secret!!). Home-made cookies & milk for desert are divine, and I manage to stay awake through half a movie before heading to the garage loft where the backpackers are setting up for bed. H is already curled up on my sleeping bag and I happily join him!41° 32' 28.61" N 73° 45' 10.48" W, 525 ftFor HarveysMom by Harvey's GrandPop