Date: 2006-07-26
From: Fort Montgomery, Bear Mt Bridge Motel

To: Graymoor Friary tenting
Miles today: 6.3

We planned short miles out of Fort Montgomery, as the water/shelter-campsite locations indicated it will be 4 days to the next trail town, Pawling, NY. In addition, we knew it would be hazy, hot, and humid and that we'd delay moving out until Goose got in touch with his doctor this morning. He got through shortly after 9am, then the motel owner was kind enough to shuttle him to a pharmacy to fill the antibiotic prescribed. He was happy about this. If the infection reacts as it has in previous bouts, he'll be good as new soon. He says he's already feeling better, having taken one of Veto's antibiotics, the same as he was prescribed, yesterday.At 7am we all crossed the highway for a breakfast bagel sandwich at the deli. Then, while Goose was doctoring and being shuttled to the pharmacy, Veto, BigFoot and I resupplied for the upcoming 4 days at the stores within walking distance, including purchases for Goose. Finally, at 10am, the motel owner shuttled us all back to the trail at the west end of Bear Mountain Bridge, a long suspension bridge reportedly designed by Roebling, the engineer of the Brooklyn Bridge.There was a fairly steep 600' ascent out of the Hudson River valley, but the trail was good and had switchbacks and rock steps, unlike yesterday's 3 steep climbs straight up ridgelines. The treadway was relatively rock-free, allowing us to make good time. Nonetheless, we were all dripping sweat by the time we broke for snacks at the top of the climb. Excluding the half hour snack break we took at 11:15am, we made the distance at a 2-mile/hour avg speed, including breaks. That's pretty good time. Word is the trail is easier from here to Pawling NY.When we arrived about 1pm, we found a number of other hikers who had either stayed over last night or arrived before us: Breeze, Shreck, Beernuts, Teddy, Geezer, Goldfish, and Pedro.We introduced ourselves or had reunions with hikers we'd run across before, then got our lunches. After lunch both Veto and I took the cold shower available and washed the sweat from our clothes. We laid the clothes out in the sun to dry, then relaxed in the shade on our pads atop the picnic tables scattered in the shade.Rain threatened in late afternoon, so I gathered in the now dry laundry and retreated with my pack to the picnic pavilion set up for hikers. All the hikers got together an order for the pizzeria that delivers here. It was a big order and finally arrived shortly after 6pm, by which time the threat of rain had past. I had pepsi, baked cheese ravioli smothered in provolone and a provolone/ricatta calzone, half of which will be tomorrow's breakfast.While we were waiting for our order, another group of hikers rolled in: SoulLive, Keystone, Cheesewhiz and Giggles. After eating, the FDOM set up camp well away from the pavilion, as we expected noise late into the evening from the younger crowd. As it turns out, they either moved down the trail in an evening/night hike, or moved to the other pavilion available for hiker use. It is very quiet and peaceful here.After setting up camp, I took another refreshing cold shower to cool off again. Then I called Carol and talked for a while as my cell phone was recharging. We talked about our next rendezvous, which will be in Hanover, NH in mid-August. Carol will be mailing my bounce box for the first time so I can resupply my prescriptions, and I'll be using it for the rest of the hike.At a much earlier hiker midnight, I'm signing off.More miles tomorrow when we'll pass the pass 1400 miles. Maine Ho!