Date: 2018-06-22
From: William Brien Memorial Shelter

To: Hemlock Springs Campsite
Miles today: 12.4
Weather: light rain

As is usually the case, a late arrival to camp resulted in a later departure than I would have liked. By the time I hit the tent last night, it was dark and I was tired from a long hard day of hiking. It is a good kind of tired, but not the kind that I can fight through while I stay up to work on a journal. So, I barely got finished with my notes and then ZZZZZZZZs. Early to bed means early to rise, but first I felt compelled to finish up the entry. I must admit, I am conflicted sometimes about keeping up with a journal while hiking 8-12 hours a day. Sometimes I just want to live in the moment and maybe do a better job of planning for what is ahead (the Next Step in me). On the other hand, I think capturing the details while they are fresh in my mind is a worthwhile effort. First, it may be something Which Way and I will want to look back over sometime in the future. We may also decide to do some edits and have it bound so we can pass it down to the kids and grandchildren (when they come). Also, it is a way for us to give a little something back to the trail community. For me, reading trial journals was a big part of my preparation and a way to help keep the dream alive. A final benefit to keeping a journal is something we had not even thought about going into the journey. That is all of the words of encouragement and prayers lifted up by you, the readers. The last time I checked there were over 250,000 hits to our journal site. I never expected that so many people would be following our journey, but knowing that you are, is part of what motivates me to keep hiking and keep journaling. Wouldn¢t want to let the readers down¢lol. Seriously, WW and I are both humbled by the outpouring of love and concern that comes from strangers. This unexpected part of our journey is one we will cherish forever.By the time I wrapped up the journal text (pics would have to wait until later) and started hiking, it was 0700. Immediately upon departing the shelter area I was climbing rocks, this time up Black Mountain. From the top were great views of Bear Mountain, the Hudson River and the New York City Skyline. I stopped at one of the vistas to stretch. I also checked to see what the hours of the Bear Mountain Post Office were. I had a package there and I was afraid I would hit the small post office during lunch. To my surprise the hours of the little satellite office are 9-11 daily. It was 0830 now and I still had 8.5 trail miles to go (plus another .4 to the P.O.).  I was really kicking myself for not getting an earlier start now. Anyway, I kicked it into high hear in hopes of covering the ground in 2.5 hours. After racing down Black Mountain I crossed the busy Palisades Interstate Highway, which connects New York City to Connecticut. I made it up and over West Mountain in pretty good time, but making it to the post office before 11 was looking doubtful. I decided to call and see if I could work something out. After finally getting the number to the Bear Mtn Post Office, the Postmaster, Kim, said she could run the package over to Fort Montgomery for me. That office did not close for lunch until 1PM. Perfect. Now I could relax and enjoy the hike over Bear Mountain, an AT milestone. The hike up was a bit steep, but the trail was well kept, making it an easy trek. A lot of effort had gone into placing stepping stones along the trail on both sides of the mountain. I counted at least 300 steps going up the mountain. The trail also traversed its way through and around (vs over) huge boulders. It is also the first time that I have seen switchbacks since entering New York. During the ascent I found some stones marking mile 1,400¢woohoo! At the top of Bear Mtn stood an Observation Tower. There were also lots of tourists at the top and day hikers during the descent. I try to say hello to other hikers as I pass by. As you can imagine, I often get stopped and asked if I am hiking the AT. I guess they smell me coming. Where did you start? When? Where are you hiking to? How long will it take? I try to hang around long enough to answer all of the questions and provide encouragement to wannabe AT Hikers. You never can tell when kids with their parents might be listening more than it appears and get a seed planted. It was an easy hike down Bear Mountain (albeit all of the steps were a little hard on the knees) and around Hessian Lake. On the far side of the clear lake the AT took a right turn to go under US Route 9. I continued straight here and walked another mile to the post office. Walking on the concrete in the heat, it would be my hardest mile of the day.I arrived at the Fort Montgomery Post Office at noon and took care of business. Afterward, I walked another kilometer up the road to Bear Mountain Pizza. They sold great pizza by the slice. Their gelato was delicious as well. I hung out for about two hours letting my phone charge and loading the rest of the pics from Days 118 and 119. Gotta keep the readers happy!Not being real keen of the idea of walking back to the trail, I called for an Uber. The driver returned me to the point on US 9 where I got off and I was hiking again at 3PM. I walked up a grassy knoll then crossed under the road through a tunnel. On the far side of the tunnel the trail entered The Trailside Zoo and Museum. Walking through the zoo for about a quarter mile, I had some ¢first¢ animal sightings along the AT. I saw a fox and a brown bear. I guess Bill Bryson was technically correct when he featured a brown bear on the cover of his book, ¢A Walk In The Woods.¢ I also saw a bobcat, but I don¢t think it was my first sighting. I had an animal about that size slink across the trail back in mid-Pennsylvania. At the time, it happened so fast that I was unable to confirm what I had seen. I stood there for several minutes trying to process what I had seen, at the same time hoping it would reappear. Since I wasn¢t sure I never mentioned it in my journal. A few days later when I was hiking with The Warden, he told me it probably was a bobcat. Seeing the one in the zoo today solidified it even more. It¢s a good thing for my visit to the zoo, otherwise this would have been the first time in a long time that I did not see any wildlife, except for squirrels and chipmunks. Deer have been pretty much a daily thing, so I don¢t always mention it in the journal. By the way, the zoo is where I hit the low point on the hike. Literally! The elevation dropped to 160 feet, making it the lowest point on the trail. I guess it¢s all uphill from here.After exiting the zoo, I hit another milestone as the trail crossed over the Potomac River on the Bear Mountain Bridge. I looked down at the river below and noticed several swimmers going down river, each with a support kayak following close behind. I looked back over my shoulder and saw the historic site of Fort Montgomery along the West Bank. The wind was blowing in my face and I was waving at slow moving cars as they passed by. Most people waved back or tooted their horn. This sense of pure joy and elation washed over me as I smiled and waved and thought about how blessed I was to be at that spot at that moment. Part of me wanted to jump the median and walk down the center line high fiving and low fiving drivers. Perhaps I¢d even do a hand jiving. I learned that on the Pennsylvania rocks. Then I thought, ¢What would Which Way do?¢ and I got myself back under control.After crossing the bridge, the trail took me up and around one final mountain. I stopped on the way up to talk to a few day hikers who smelled me coming. A little ways after the top I came to the Hemlock Springs Campsite, where there is room for about three tents. I had planned to hike another three miles to the Appalachian Market, for dinner and re-supply. Then I would walk another 1/2 mile to the Graymore Spiritual Life Center for free tenting and a shower. But then I would be arriving just before dark again and be behind the power curve. It was 4:30PM now and I decided I¢d just stop here and get ahead of the game. Besides, at the rate I¢m going I will beat Which Way to Salisbury by two days. After I was all set-up, Lucky Boy, Ghost, Kylo, Overdrive, Quesadilla, and a few other hikers trickled by as they were on their way to the Appalachian Market. While I was enjoying some hot tea and Sugar Wafers, three young day hikers named Emilio, Christina and Andrew stopped by for a chat. The awesome young adults had lots of questions about the trail. I was happy to share answers and truly enjoyed their company. Emilio hopes to hike the trail some day. I encouraged him to keep the dream alive. The three spontaneously became trail angels, handing me water and snacks from their bags. Never deny someone the opportunity to do good.Snowshoe and Sailor would eventually show up and hammock here. Epic came in just a few minutes ago. It just turned dark and I¢m finished with today¢s post. Mission accomplished!Peace & Blessings - Next StepElevation Data: Ascent - 2,870Descent - 3,450Grade - 9.7Weather:Day - 74 / Partly SunnyNight - 58 / CloudyOver the Horizon: Salisbury, CT (Rendezvous With Which Way)