Date: 2014-08-02
From: West Mountain Shelter

To: U.S. 9 N.Y. 403 Peekskill NY
Miles today: 12.8

It rained a little before daylight this morning leaving the leaves dripping and the rocks slippery. I waited for a while to start in order to give the rocks time to dry. Grizzly left early but Superman and Fernando relaxed in the shelter for the morning. Superman carries a Curious George sock monkey. Once it fell off his pack and he tripped while dashing back down a steep slope to retrieve George. He went flying through the air and landed beside the trail near some rocks but miraculously escaped serious injury. Ever since he has carried the trail name Superman. Fernando is an exchange student from Venezuela studying art in NYC and is out for a weekend hike.I started hiking for the day with the goal of getting past Bear Mountain and the parks nearby. I should have been more energetic because today because I was going to cross the Hudson River, a sort of psychological boundary for me. I decided my breakfast was inadequate as well dealing with hot humid air. After the rocks dried, I changed from long pants to shorts and that gave me more energy. I arrived on top of Bear Mountain, pulled off my pack and just then, Marcia called. After our conversation my spirits were lifted and I stepped a bit livelier.At the Perkins Memorial Tower, a coke from the machine added some more energy. So breakfast was inadequate for the day after all. I climbed the Tower and enjoyed the panoramic views but was disappointed the "views of NYC" were woefully lacking. I could see the very top of buildings but most were hidden behind the mountains.After reaching the park by the lake, I had a hamburger and another coke from a concession stand. I sat in the park watching all the people, enjoying my own picnic and listening to soothing Latin tunes a lone Hispanic gentleman was playing on his boom box. I thanked him for the music and went on my way refreshed.I filled all my water bottles from the fountain. Water has been scarce in NY. My best source has been from the gallons of water left at road crossings by trail angels. I passed through the trail side zoo and saw examples of the animals that might be seen in Appalachia. Porcupines will be north of me. But I have seen or heard the others. Coyotes and foxes are around but only heard or saw scat on the trial. I saw the beaver dams but not the engineers that built them. But bears and snakes I have seen.The exit to the zoo lead me to Bear Mountain Bridge. Drivers had to pay a toll but I passed free. The span is 2,255 feet long. I noted that it is almost a one to one correspondence in feet to the 2,185 miles of the AT. As I walked over the wide river way below me I felt the wind coming up the river (off the Atlantic maybe?) and my excitement grew. The realization was setting in I that I had reached this well known landmark both on the trail and in the Hudson valley. The Bear Mountain Bridge provided easier access to the Bear Mountain State Park in 1924. At that time, it qualified as the longest suspension bridge in the world.Before crossing the bridge the trail dipped to 218 feet above sea level, the lowest point in the trail. After crossing the Hudson, I climbed to 927 feet to visit the landmark called Anthony's Nose. It was off the trail but after passing two ladies who were so enthusiastic about the view, I had to go see it. It was a refreshing conversation as well as a good rest on the steep ascent. since they were so interested in my hike, I left them a card for my trail journals website. It makes my day to share with people but I receive a double blessing when I receive an email from them later.For the last few days I am encountering a lot of Southbound hikers from Maine. I have less than 800 miles to go but they have only gone that far. I am glad I stated early on the Georgia end.My destination for the night was US 9 about 4 miles out of Peakskill, NY. I had been calling a church for 2 days and leaving messages but had not received a response. My hope was for someone from the church to pick me up from US 9 and take me home so I could get cleaned up and attend service on Sunday. When I reached the highway crossing, and still no word, I gave up on that plan. I guessed that the priest may be out of town and I moved on to plan B. So far, things have worked out on the trail and I expect this will too. Sometimes I come to an intersection on the trail, and either route looks feasible but no white blazes are visible. I pick one direction and take a few steps and if I don't see the blaze, I back up and try the other route. It always works out. Living by faith sometimes takes some exploring to find the direction that is the right path for you.When I emerged on US 9 I was thrilled to see a gas station and convenience store. It is the Appalachian Market I had been hearing so much about but had not looked in the AWOL guide for its location. It has a deli and pizza counter. To a hungry hiker, this is an oasis especially in an area that lacks even water sources. I started with a hero roast beef sandwich and finished with a pint if Cherry Garcia. However, the hero sandwich was twice the size I needed. I took the other half with me for later.Several hikers were also dining at the tables outside but they went on to spend the night at the Greymoor Spiritual Life Center. I wanted to be close to the market for breakfast so I went back into the woods across the swampy meadow.The sign said Hudson State Park and camp only in designated areas. I designated a clear spot not too far from the trail and tented for the night I went to bed looking forward to fresh brewed coffee in the morning.