Date: 2014-06-15
From: Mt Algo Shelter

To: New York City
Miles today: 0.3
Weather: scattered clouds

Not sure what happened but I slept hardcore last night. Normally I wake up in the middle of the night and have to pee and my stomach is growling. Inevitably it's right around five am and sun comes up about 5:45 so I just go back to sleep and wait it out. As soon as the sun is up, so am I. I woke up this morning expecting six am but nope ...8:27! How'd that happen?! I have plenty of time but I bolted up and immediately decamped. Gandalf had already left. Just got my stuff and headed the final .3 miles downhill to the road and the .8 into Kent. Talk about New England! So picture perfect. Manicured lawns, white washed houses. You pass through the Kent School, this very clean and neat boarding school or something with the lacrosse field and school crest on the sign. It's about church time and the bells are ringing. Cool sunny morning. The Main Street is perfect. Coffee shop, book shop, wine merchant, small grocery store, and the Villager Restaurant where I parked it for breakfast. Again ordering outside my box - salmon eggs Benedict with a cherry danish, coffee, and orange juice. Stayed about an hour then resupplied at the IGA and walked over to the outfitters where I arranged a ride and will be picked up at 11:45. They were closed so I sat on a park bench and read the Sunday New York Times. Happy. They finally opened about 10:30 even though the sign says ten (gotta love the relaxed atmosphere!) and I went in to buy permethrin. They also had a juice bar so I got a tomato, watermelon, lemon, and kiwi drink while I let my phone charge and waited. In no time it was 11:45 and there's my ride right on time! Donna and Martin were so nice! Great conversation and interesting people. They maintain part of the trail including where the little library is! They even took me over the covered bridge I missed yesterday. Again I just love the people along this trail. Got me to the train station in Pawling that has more frequent service. They'll pick me up later in the week too. Nice. At the station met three hikers from the city. Very very nice and we rode in together. It's about an hour and a half in and naturally the train gets more and more crowded. I didn't think I would, as I'm excited to go to the city, but the people started to annoy me. Too many! Too loud! Too crowded! But I got used to it. Except the one girl who spoke much `louder than everyone else, thought her stories about drunk friends were amazing, was drinking beer on her way to the zoo, and used f**k every third word. There's one in every crowd. Train went all the way to Grand Central. Don't think I've ever been in there but it was gorgeous. I felt silly but very cool with my big backpack on. They have an Apple store so I went in to see about a charger but no luck. I had asked Richard the best way to get to his place and he suggested the subway or taxi but when it came down to it...why not walk?! So I did. About two miles. Down 5th Avenue, by Bryant Park, Macy's and Herald Square, all the way over to Tenth and the Highline. He was ready with a cocktail and told the doorman look for the hot young Santa. Awesome. He's got a great apartment in a modern building that is right next to the Highline. I just dropped my stuff, took a shower, put my clothes in the washer, and we went up to the rooftop where we parked it until eight or so! Drinking really effects me now so I only had two. His friend Mark came over. Very very nice and interesting. Ordered Vietnamese for dinner but could have eaten twice as much! Then to bed. Tomorrow is errands, a little fun, then back for Korean food at Kunjip, the restaurant Plan A and Tentmaker suggested.