Date: 2003-06-14
From: NY17A, Bear Mtn Inn 

To: NY17A, Pallisades Motel 
Miles today: 0.0

Aloha! "New York, New York! What a wonderful place!" This has been such a fun day! Hard to believe that it's been so much fun and hiking wasn't even involved! At least not for me anyway. That's because I zeroed today! Yep, going to hell in a hand basket. And ain't it fun!   Wuhuu!   It wasn't long after rising this morning that we were out the door and headed for breakfast. A quick stop to drop Chaos at the Bear Mountain Inn lodge where she planned to spend the day waiting for her mother (a prescheduled visit) and we were doing what we all used to do so well - eating. The Bagel Deli here is rather tasty! Yum!   Due to prior engagements Monya, who had jumped up in the middle of a visit with an old friend when she received our call, had to get back to her plans. It wasn't until after a million laughs and hugs all around though that we let her go with a promise that we would hike together again soon.   It was so awesome to see her and have the three of us back together. What a hoot! I'm so blessed to have met these two women. So very blessed.   It was a hard sell on Lady Hawk's part to convince me to take a zero day. I believe she said something like "do you want to hang out instead of hike today?" I'm guessing it took about half a second for me to say "you betcha"! And that's how we spent the day - hanging out.   We changed hotels, checked on my glasses (not here yet) and then spent the day trying to play trail angels. With Lady Hawk's cooler loaded with soda, juice, tomatoes, snacks, and whatever else, we headed out to find hikers and to see the sights.   Interestingly enough, when you want a hiker or two there's never one to be found. We'd hit a road crossing, wait a bit, not see a hiker, and move on to the next spot. One of the places we thought for sure would work was Bear Mountain with its observation tower.   A popular spot for tourists and the trail goes right through it. Wonderful thought but we still didn't see a hiking soul.   At 1305 feet, Bear Mountain State Park is one of the highest points on the Trail in NY and part of the Palisades Interstate Park system, which is a pioneering outdoor recreation project. In the early 1900s, the state of NY was considering a site near the base of the mountain for a prison.   Mary Harriman, widow of railroad magnate Edward Harriman and the primary landholder in the area, had other plans. In 1910, Mrs. Harriman agreed to donate 10000 acres for the development of a park with the condition that the state discontinues its plans for a prison. What was then known as Sing Sing Prison was eventually built on the Hudson River 20 miles south of the AT, its location giving birth to the phrase "sent up the river".   The first sections of the footpath specifically built for the AT project were constructed in this park in 1922-23. Although much of the original route has been rerouted over the years, there are still parts where you are literally walking on trail history.   Kind of cool, huh. The observatory gives 360-degree views of the surrounding area to include the Hudson River and New York City (on a clear day).   We did have some luck finding hikers on our way down the mountain. That's where we found Banderkwe' and Crow pretty much sitting in a stream. After feeding them snacks and soda we maxed out the trail angel magic by offering to drive their packs to the Inn allowing them to almost run UP and over the last mountain.   They were gone before we could even get the packs loaded. Two very happy hikers.    After returning the packs, we ended up taking them back to the Palisades Hotel with us. Along with Chaos. With everyone settled into his or her rooms, Lady Hawk and I called it quits for the trail angel show. It was time for pizza and photo albums.   Lady Hawk had brought all of her photos from the 2001 hike. It was a blast sitting here munching pizza and reliving good times.   I am quite proud of every one of the trail friends I made during that hike. Great group of people.   Between Lady Hawk and Monya, I've been quite spoiled these past two days. Both of these gals have gone out of their way to welcome me back to the trail and offer their support. Lady Hawk brought along things like facials, shampoo, hair dryer, foot scrub and lotion, and remembering my previous obsession, a razor for leg shaving.   She also brought along additional food for resupply. As did Monya. Between the two of them I have food for six days and I never went near a grocery store. Excellent! I really do owe them a vast fortune in friendship.   It's been an excellent two days. I'm exhausted but in a good way. I appreciate everyone's support in my Grand Adventure Part II. It's people like Lady Hawk, Monya and you that make it all the more wonderful. Mahalo to all. Lady Hawk and Monya -- you know that you're awesome!   As for my glasses, after many checks either in person or via phone, I gave up on receiving them today. Maybe tomorrow. In the meantime, Lady Hawk was kind enough to drive me to a CVS and I'm now the proud owner of some geeky reading glasses. Not perfect but they work.   Just can't walk and wear them at the same time. Doesn't work at all. Better than nothing though.   Alrighty, time to close this down. Lady Hawk has already crashed and I should do the same. As should you probably. So for now, you sleep well. I'm going to sleep great myself! Night!BSandT/AandPs: who could have any on a zero day?MandGs: want my glasses.... waah!Critter count: none... bummer