Date: 2007-07-26
From: Fingerboard Shelter

To: Graymoor Friary
Miles today: 20.5

I managed to get an early start today, since another 20+ mile day was planned. It was just a short 1 mile walk down to Arden Valley road where I walked another .3 of a mile to the rest rooms at the Lake Tiorati beach. I noticed a few thru hikers stealth camping there, but found out that "Speaks Little" and "Gypsy Spirit", who reunited with him last night, had left early. I had a coke from the soda machine there and filled my water bladder from an outside faucet. Today I had made some plans to meet my uncle at Bear Mtn. He lives down state NY but has a 2nd home about an hour from Bear Mtn. I needed to cover about 14 miles to reach Bear Mtn. and hopefully get there by 1pm when we planned to meet each other. The day was already hot and as I tried to keep a fast pace, I was sweating quite a bit. Of course, the terrain was not going to make it easy for me either. The same rocky up and down climbs I faced yesterday, marked the way to Bear Mtn. today. When I reached the Palisades Parkway 7 miles later, I stopped and made a checkpoint call leaving a message on my uncle's cell phone. As I moved on and climbed to the ridge I could see Bear Mtn. in the distance, and it looked like it would be a good hike yet, to reach it. I finally made it to the top of Bear Mtn. hoping to get some water, but found out the facilities, including water spigots, were under renovation and unavailable. Fortunately I was able to buy a bottle of iced tea from a soda machine at the rest room and downed that in record time. I made a call again and reached my uncle, telling him I was on Bear Mtn. and would be down soon to meet him at the Bear Mtn. Inn. He suggested I wait there a few minutes. I agreed, but was a little confused. About 10 minutes later I was surprised to see him hiking up to the summit. He had hiked all the way up so we could hike down together. I was impressed to say the least. On the way down, he mentioned all the thru hikers he had met on the way up who knew me. As it turned out, the Bear Mtn. Inn was also closed for renovations, but we were able to grab some lunch at the nearby concession stand. I had some good conversation with my uncle about the trail and other topics and was quite grateful that he took some time to travel here and hike up and down Bear Mtn. in order to see me on the trail. Before he left, he unloaded lots of good food I had been craving for a while such as peaches, blueberries, and green beans some of which he had grown in his gardens. He also had raw almonds, chocolate covered expresso beans, and a few other treats. I ate some right there and packed up the rest. We had to say our goodbyes as it was getting late. He drove off and I hiked toward the Bear Mtn. Bridge and over the Hudson River. I ended up hiking about another 6 miles until I reached the Graymoor Franciscan Friary. The Franciscans allow thru hikers to use the ball field and pavilion on their property as a tenting site and shelter. There is also a cold water shower here, which was a very welcome luxury after a hot and sticky day. I am tenting on the ball field tonight due to the overactive mosquitoes.Moving through NY and lovin' it.