Date: 2008-08-23
From: NY Rt 55

To: Hoyts Road
Miles today: 14.2

The SQ and I were up at a good time. The Dutchess is kind of scanky, but the bed was actually pretty comfy.Our plan was to go to Dover Rd, but once we got there there really wasn't a good place to park the car. At least not a good place to leave the car over night.So, we decided to try to find our way to Rt. 55. It took a little while and a few wrong turns. There has to be a better way to find the trail heads. I seem to have a difficult time finding them.   I even got a pretty good detailed map, but it was still a pain.Oh well, we finally found the lot and were on the trail by 8:30. It was another gorgeous day. Blue sky, low humidity and best of all no bugs. At least not yet.The best part of the morning was we came upon a fawn in the woods eating. I was surprised that she didn't take off when she saw us, but I think we came up on her so quick that she didn't have time to run. She stood there staring at us and didn't move. We didn't move and finally she started eating again, but didn't really take her eyes off of us. I thought it was wierd that she was there without her mother and no sooner had I thought that that we heard another russeling noise and there was the mother. Again, she didn't bolt either. She looked at us, we looked at her. I was abel to get my camera out and get a few pictures of the fawn and of the mother. Got a really good one of the mother. They actually never did move. We watched them for a few minutes and eased our way down the trail and they were still standing there eating.We decided to stop at Nuclear Lake to eat breakfast.   As we were almost approaching the lake a great blue heron flew across the trail. I am a birder and I have never seen a great blue that far in the woods. We were still pretty deep in the woods. Pretty amazing.   The SQ missed it because she was a little bit behind.As we were sitting at the lake eating all of a sudden a curly haired dog comes running out of the woods and into the pond.   Very cute dog and very friendly. A minute or two later out comes his master. Must be close to a parking area because we saw a guy running and they didn't come from the trail.The trail was actually pretty nice. Flat, wide - sweet. We both actually got out our IPODS and listened to some music. Made our way to the Dover Oak. The SQ was having some issues with her hiking poles. Quite annoying. They are exactly like mine, but every now and again one of her poles will collapes. Mine never do.   I tried to fix it while she went over to the purple house that has a spigot and got some water.   The pole was a lost cause. The SQ was not happy. I gave her one of my poles and put her pole in my pack. Prior to starting my thru - I never hiked with poles. But, ever since I have never hiked without them. It was wierd hiking with one pole. Like you are missing some appendage or something.I stopped at the Telephone Pioneer Shelter and the SQ kept hiking. I had to stop and see it. My grandfather was a telephone pioneer. He was a telephone lineman for over 40 years. I felt like I had to go see it.   Nice shelter. I ran into a trail maintainer near the shelter. She painted blazes the day before and now was out pruning branches that might be blocking them from being seen. We chatted for a few minutes and I thanked her for doing the work.We made it down to Rt. 22 and there were 3 guys sitting at the train station waiting. And, one woman.   My guess is that they were all sobo. We waved, but they didn't seem too talkative so we kept going.   We decided to stop and have lunch in the rest area. There was a small garden store right there so I sent the SQ in to see if they had any snacks for sale. They didn't, but the owner let the SQ get some water.I actually carried my stove and we cooked a 2 person mountain house type meal. It took a little longer, but I knew the SQ was wanting a good meal. She actually really likes them. I can do without them, but she loves em. So, she ate most of it and I had a little.   We also had some cheese and a great sausage that we found in Vermont when we were on vacation.   The meal must have done wonders for the SQ because she was hauling. She actually led the way for the rest of the afternoon. She actually was being a real trooper. She hates hiking. She thinks it is boring. A grind really. This is why we only make her come out once or twice a year. The rest of the afternoon was pretty uneventful. It did turn out to be quit hot especially when we had to gross the farm fields.   I was worried about the SQ getting up and over the stiles because she doesn't do heights, but she did great. We did hear a couple of owls which was a treat especially in the middle of the day.I decided to stop at Wiley shelter to take a look at it. To show the SQ where we were going to stay if I was able to get half a day off of work on Friday. Good thing we didn't. Wouldn't have gone over to well.   We did run into a couple from Fall Village car camping. They had a regular camp site set up and were playing cards. They picked a perfect weekend to camp. Considering how close the shelter was to the road - I was pleasantly surprised that there wasn't a bunch of beer cans in the fire pit. We got back to my car around 5pm. I must say it was the easiest 14 miles I have done on the trail. Other than the heat it was pretty easy. Not a lot of views, but the flatness actually worked to the SQ advantage. Especially since we did more miles than she had planned on. All in all a great day.We headed back to the motel and ended up having a great diner in Pawling.The SQ was out by 9.   Tomorrow will be a relatively short day.