Date: 2017-05-26
From: Bear Mountain

To: Graymoor Monastery 
Miles today: 7.2

5/26Tented at Graymoor Monastery7.2 milesI was so happy to be in a real bed last night. A soft, warm, dry bed. Andante and Neon and I stayed up late talking, so we didn't bounce out of bed at the crack of dawn. I staggered to the bathroom first, then climbed back into bed. But my brain had already engaged, so I soon gave up and got up to dress. Andante and Neon were a little slower. I left them to it and went down to breakfast, where the room was quickly filling. I toasted a bagel and grabbed a cheese omelet and a slice of ham from the warmer. I combined them into a tasty breakfast sandwich. Coffee, orange juice, apple juice, an orange, and more coffee later, I was done. Then I grabbed cereal and soy milk to eat in the room. Andante noticed some folks looking for a place to sit and invited them to our table. They were the proud grandparents of a graduating West Point student. Cadet? I don't know but they were pretty jazzed up. The grandson was one of the football players, and had been asked to stay on for a few months to coach the team. I would have been proud too. Our taxi from last night came to take us back to Bear Mountain. He dropped us at the Fort Montgomery PO where Andante had a mail drop. Neon and I resupplied at the Chestnut Mart, then I walked back to Bear Mountain to the PO there. It was, no lie, behind the maintenance shed. I had to ask somebody where to find it. Phoenix Rising had sent me a box full of goodies. I started in right away on the homemade cookies - pretzel caramel chocolate chip. Oh my goodness. So good. After walking around all morning I was relieved to finally get underway around 11. First I had to go through the zoo (which had the fattest bear I've seen in my life) and cross the big suspension bridge. And then walk down the road approximately forever. Finally I set foot on dirt again. My feet breathed a tiny sigh as the punishment of slapping concrete ended. I caught up with Andante and Neon on top of the mountain where they had found a sunny spot to sit and wait. We walked together for a time, then Neon charged ahead. I walked with Andante until he said I should go ahead too. Our cab ride had triggered an attack of dizziness and he was really suffering. I couldn't think of anything helpful so I left him to his slow progress. I found Neon eating outside the Appalachian Mart. Not sure why it isn't in the AWOL guide anymore, but it's still there and would have made a far better resupply for us.  I got food to eat there - an enormous slice of pizza, a pig in a blanket, some pringles, a coke, a pint of Ben and Jerry's, and a seltzer. After all that, dinner was a moot point. We walked the .6 to the monastery/spiritual life center and called it a day. It was our second short day in a row. I am feeling refreshed by the lower mileage. I can't do seven mile days indefinitely but a few of them are all right. And forward progress is still progress. The monastery grounds are lovely and the camping setup is very nice. There is a covered pavilion with picnic tables, electricity, running water, portapotties, and nice flat grassy spots for tenting. We put up our tents to dry them out from yesterday. Then we lolled about in the sunshine, enjoying the sensation of doing not very much.