Date: 2021-05-25
From: West Mountain stealth site

To: Fort Washington
Miles today: 6.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Another successful night with no bear attacks, though the wind on the ridge where I camped was cold this morning. I was in full cocoon with my quilts and warm hat. I am getting pretty efficient at packing up my gear in a systematic way, clocking in this morning at 33 minutes from waking to walking. Had some fantastic views this morning along the ridge past west mountain and then from the top of Bear mountain four miles down the trail. Looking down on the valley you can see why the Hudson River school of American artists were inspired by the natural beauty of the area. Though I was on my way to town for the day, I still hit the vending machines at the top of Bear mountain for a $3 Powerade. Then sat on a bench enjoying the view. I didn¢t feel the least bit guilty about this. As I was leaving, Free wandered over with the same idea I had: Powerade, view, chill. The 2 mile trail down into town was the most groomed section I¢ve been on, and will probably remain so. They really did a nice job making a steep descent/ascent accessible for hikers of all skills. I did find myself getting annoyed by the amount of trash on the trail. Since I was on the way into town, I decided to play Trail Maintenance Man and got a plastic bag out of my pack. By the time I got to the bottom it was full of discarded water bottles and masks. The AT goes through the Trailside Zoo just outside of town, but only between 10:30 and 3:30. I was way early so I took the bypass trail towards Fort Montgomery. On the way I went through the 1777 revolutionary battlefield site where the British - backed by loyalist forces, defeated the revolutionary forces. To put things bluntly, I smelled bad. So I took a hobo shower in a convenience store bathroom and put on my least offensive shirt. Slightly spruced up, I continued the 2 mile walk towards my hotel. I checked Yelp and saw that there was one coffee shop in town. As you would naturally expect, it was located inside a Ducati motorcycle repair shop. They had a special of one large coffee and French toast for $5, how could one say ¢no¢ to this once in a lifetime experience?  I sure couldn¢t. Got to the hotel at 10am and got an early check in, then went through my gear and got laundry together. I don¢t know if I mentioned it or not, but I shaved my most of my last week. I really tried to give it a go for two months, but it came in so patchy it looked like a garden seeded by a spastic blind man. It was no bueno. So I¢m back to the goatee life - a beard for guys who can¢t grow beards.This is fine.All cleaned up and smelling human, I got my laundry started and then went for a half hour swim in the hotel pool. ¢Twas devine! And not only was my hotel room comped by my friend Mike, once again my friend Jason hooked me up with way, way, way too much food.  But I powered their the burger, salad, onion rings, mashed potatoes and T-bone steak. (The chicken wings will keep for tomorrow).Now I am clean, stuffed, and getting repacked for hiking tomorrow. Not sure what the plan will be as there are thunderstorms predicted for the afternoon and overnight. I¢ll keep an eye on the weather and play things by ear. Happy birthday today to my older brother Tom, out in SoCal!