Date: 2008-08-12
From: Arden valley Rd

To: Bear Mountain Bridge!!!!!
Miles today: 13.0
Weather: few clouds

Today was yet another difficult day in NY, very little in the way of level terrain, with the exception of about 10 minutes in the morning after I'd just left my camping spot in the woods. I was at the top of the mountain, walking on rocks (one rock, as opposed to many) which winded through golden grasses and small trees. Then it was goodbye to level for the rest of the day, until the bridge. Then it got back to up and down, up and down. At just before noon I came to a vista and was thrilled to look out and see the very top of the Bear Mountain Bridge! And the tower on the top of Bear Mountain, which I knew I had to get to before I would reach the bridge. Another down and then up and then down again! And unfortunately, yesterday it rained for a good amount of time and I of course kept hiking and my feet, already in bad shape, now have two new blisters, on the bottom of each of my little toes. They are so painful! I had to stop three times to try and do something to ease the pain, none of the times very successful. And I hiked on. On the way down the mountain I was passing a group of third graders from Elmwood Day Camp and the leader asked if I would mind chatting with the kids for a few minutes about hiking the AT. I said sure! And so they all sat down on and around a fallen tree and we talked! What fun. I briefly explained when I'd started and what I was doing and then opened it up for questions. They had some good ones and I truly enjoyed my short time with them. I had one of the adults take my picture with them! And I will add it to my journal page as soon as I can! They wished me well and I was back on my way.Down the mountain. And then up again, some on the road that winds up to the top of Bear Mountain. When I got to the tower I went up and was able to look across to the next mountain and see the slab of rock where I'd sat, only hours ago! I ran into a man there who I chatted with a few minutes about my journey. He gave me two peaches and some water. Those were the best peaches I've ever had! So good to have a fresh piece of fruit. Another encounter with a trail angel. And then, again, I hiked on. The climb down the mountain was among the hardest yet on the trail, certainly the most challenging in a while. So steep. And of course it didn't help that the blisters on my toes were rubbing against my still-wet socks and causing me pain with each step. I thought about switching to my flimsy sandals, actually took off my boot and put one sandal on, but of course once I saw what I was in for, that was out of the question! So back on when the boots. I made it down the mountain, around Hessian Lake where I have walked so many times. How fun! I grabbed a quick ice cream bar at the stand by the lake and then rushed through the Trailside zoo,--among all the non-hikers who gawked at me as if I was the one on exhibit, under the road in the tunnel and then--saw the bridge. It was emotional for me to actually get on the bridge and start across. Because it is somewhere I've driven many times and that, once I knew I was doing this hike, knew I would be crossing, could see the trail crossed the bridge and thought about one day walking it on my way to Maine. So to arrive there, with it stretching out before me, over the mighty Hudson, with the mountains in the distance... it was a great moment. I was walking alone, and talking to myself, stopped to hold my camera out and take my picture on the bridge, with the river behind me. I kept saying in amazement, "I walked here from Georgia!! Yes, I walked here from Georgia." I can hardly believe this is true. Now Katahdin is less than 800 miles away! This number may sound like a lot but when it is put in perspective--I've already come 1390 miles! It is astounding. I saw my friend's truck through tears in my eyes, so happy to be home and to know I had WALKED there. A feeling no words could come close to describing. Only that this is truly an awesome experience.