Date: 2005-10-14
From: New York Route 301

To: Bear Mountain Bridge 
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: moderate rain

Another fabulous day on the trail.The day started with coffee, orange juce, a bagel and a banana at Socks' house, a ride back to the trail, and a 7AM start for my hike - after a perfect night's stay at her house. Despite the overcast skies, and the forecast of two more days of rain, my spirits were really high.The morning passed quickly, the trail really great except for standing water in lots of places, and it barely rained at all. I was really excited to be approaching the Hudson River. For some reason, it just seems like a really significant milestone in my journey to be on the western side of that major watershed.According to the guidebook, the bridge I would take was built in 1922 and was at the time one of the first really long suspension bridges ever built. I made a mental note to check carefully for rust before starting across ;-) The only memorable part of the afternoon (the fact that torrential rains began again was not exactly noteworthy!) was the fall I took, thanks to an errant tree root hidden under the standing water in a particularly long stretch of underwater trail. As soon as my foot hit the root, I knew immediately that I was going down - fast and hard. I remember seeing two large, white rocks rapidly approaching my face and wondered whether one or the other was going to help break my fall -and my nose - in the process. Fortunately, the Good Lord continued to look after me, as He has throughout my journey, and all it amounted to was a rather ungraceful bellyflop into about 8 inches of water. There I was, perfectly parallel with the ground with my nose planted in the mud, but nothing was broken, so I pushed myself up on my elbows, got my knees back under me, and managed somehow to get my self backinto a standing position. No more wet than before my face plant, except for my beard, and grateful that I had survived another potential disaster. They say there are about 5 million steps to this journey, and every single one of them has the potential to end your hike - if not worse. I really do count my blessings. They say that God looks after small children and old fools. I feel so safe out here....After 10 hours and 18 miles I reached the bridge. As I walked across it, I couldn't help being grateful thatI was in New York rather than Maine. Up there, they don't believe that hikers really need bridges.Once on the other side, I made my way up Route 9West toward motels listed in the guide book. About a mile up the road, I passed a deli, however, so I just HAD to stop for dinner. It was another half mile to the Holiday Inn Express, and it was a most welcome sight indeed. Have I mentioned that hiking in torrential rain is getting old?After a shower, I got my laundry started, and was on my way back to my room when I saw Pops standing at the reception desk. I had spent last Saturday night with him in Salisbury, and he had just caught up with me. I happily agreed to share my room, cheaper for both of us.I took advantage of the opportunity to see if there was a room available for tomorrow night as well, as the rain is supposed to be gone by Sunday, and I could use a day off out of the rain. They said no, but they were able to get me at room at the Bear Mountain Inn. Pops said he would zero, too, if I wanted to share that room as well. We had a deal!I've been getting further and further behind in my journal, so I thought I could use the day to get that caught up as well. Besides, with today's hike, I have done 176 miles in 11 days, and that puts me at least a day ahead of schedule.I called home, and "She-who-knows-me-best-and-still-loves-me" agreed that I should take a zero day. I'm looking forward to it. It's only my 4th one of my hike. Life is good.Stay tuned, Longhaul------------------------------Sent via PocketMailEmail Anywherewww.pocketmail.com