Date: 2017-08-13
From: Morgan Stewart Shelter

To: Tony's Deli
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: light rain

I have officially adopted the trail name* of Brooklyn, which was started by one of the first people I met my first night out. Simple and fitting, at least for now.I don't know if it was because I had 2 nights of only ok sleep or what, but I slept SO WELL last night. Granted, I also slept a little too long (shocker, I know). Didn't crawl out of my hammock until 8am. 4 of the others that stayed were already gone and a German I've run into a couple of times (who goes by Firefly) was packing up. I ended up chatting for a little over an hour with a guy from Tennessee. He'd just spent 3 days in the city so it was easy to make conversation from there. But it meant that I didn't start walking until 10am. Yikes! I didn't have a huge day planned, but I needed to get to Pawling in time to pick up a resupply box by 5pm. This section was pretty easy. A little bit of of casual up and down and some really excellent views (pictures to come later). I did hit my first bit of trail next to farm land which meant A LOT of grass. Have I mentioned that I am mildly terrified of ticks?? Not so fun mentally.However, the last half mile or so was this huge walking bridge thru cattails and wildflowers. It even has spots to sit with very nicely made wooden chairs and benches. Whoever did that is my hero. Also pictures to come - I probably took more than was warranted. And at the end of it -the Appalachian Trail train station (**Nicole - we TOTALLY could have gotten you on a train home :-)I had mailed ahead a box to a Landscaping Center that is literally right next door. It was about 3:30, so I went in, got that, and decided to also use their indoor shower (for a $5 charge...which is totally fine to me due to hot water, privacy, and the fact that they do free mail drops). I must say that the thing I am discovering I need more than anything is a shower. I will walk extra if I know that I can start "fresh" even if my clothes aren't. It may also be that it's the only way I can do a sufficient tick check. ANYWAY - I got out of the shower to find a group of 3 SOBO** hikers outside. We started to chat. They were headed into Brooklyn for a couple days so I recommended a couple things - namely the beach. During that, a section hiker I met last night (who is from Ohio and goes by Ten Steps) showed up and offered us a ride to the deli 0.5 down the street where we can camp overnight for $2. His story and how he has his car is a longer story for another time. Needless to say, we jumped at the opportunity to not walk down the highway.So now I'm hanging between the train tracks and a highway. The opposite from the silence of last night, but I think I'll be ok. Had dinner (a box of couscous, a Crunch ice cream bar, a Mint Chocolate Cliff bar, and a Landshark Lager) some good conversation with a couple more SOBOs as well as Ten Steps. We tried to fix a tent, I discovered what will likely be my next pricey hiking purchase (a new sleeping bag), and I made friends with a dog (another shocker) called Luna.My legs feel ok - more icy hot tonight, but on my calves this time. If tomorrow goes well, I think i will officially be a day ahead of schedule which bodes well for a Zero Day*** I'm very excited for in Massachusetts.Until next time...*Trail name - Many, if not all, people that thru and section hike the trail adopt a name other than their given name. Ideally it is something that helps to identify them and is less repeatable than a "normal" name. It can also change or morph over time.**SOBO - Southbound. (NOBO = Northbound)***Zero Day - a day in which you hike no miles.