Date: 2018-08-25
From: New Jersey Rt 94 

To: Greenwood Lake NY 
Miles today: 12.9
Weather: scattered clouds

Papa Big Swig took us to where we stopped yesterday. Walking up to our first mountain of the day was a bit surreal. It was an open field with a path to a huge multi-green colored mountain. I was awestruck by the grandeur of the mountain. Then reality hit. I was going up. Way up! Over rock scrambles for a long time. It was work! There was a spring flowing under the rocks. I did enjoy listening to the sound of rushing water as I climbed up 1042ft to the ¢view¢. Once we made the climb we learned the actual vista was 0.8 miles off trail. Hugs and I decided to check it out. If I had it to do over again I would chose not to go. But we met some nice people up there, and that made it worthwhile.  We struck up conversations with Dave. He¢s a music instructor at a college in NY and he¢s a published author. His latest book is about Johann Sebastian Bach. He hiked a while with Hugs, then he and I got ahead for a few miles. We talked about politics, government, hiking, and work. I really enjoyed our discussion! We finally reached a road where I waited for Hugs, and he turned back towards his car. He had walked an extra 2.5 miles with me. It was a slice of life I¢ll remember for a long time.  Hugs caught up just as Dave was leaving. Turns out her brother who is in music education knew Dave. What a small world!  Hugs and I began hiking DOWN from the road. Soon we were back in wet swampy areas. The mosquitoes were rampant! We both sprayed with Picaradin again. And one more time I was thankful for the boardwalks that kept us out of the ankle deep mud.  I came up out of the bog to another road. Just as I did a SOBO popped out from the other direction. I explained that Hugs and I are pretty much the NOBO caboose. He claimed his fame as the SOBO caboose. I had to laugh!  From there the trail went up. There was a good amount of rock climbing, but it was dry at least. Eventually we got real trail!  I was ahead a few yards so my conversation with Hugs was almost at shouting range. I was completely surprised to look about 20 ft off trail to see a buck resting in the grass.  He laid there and allowed me to take photos. Then he gave Hugs the same courtesy. Soon we were back on boulders. I was a bit ahead and really enjoyed the silence up there alone. I could smell the pines and just felt renewed. Then it happened way up there... I crossed the border into New York! It¢s official!I waited for Hugs to arrive so we could have our usual photo session. We took a moment to let our latest accomplishment sink in. More and more it feels like we can REALLY do this! I left out first from the border crossing. I¢ve always loved New York, not only NYC but the whole state. So I was just proud, humbled, and touched when I crossed a few more boulders on this mountain top to find Ole Glory waiving way up there!  NEW YORK STRONG! The next several miles was ridge hiking. It was physically challenging climbing hand over fist many times up over large boulders and rock scrambles. But the views were priceless!  I was hiking up there lost in my own thoughts. It crossed my mind that I had completed New Jersey without seeing a single bear. I¢m a little sad about that. I haven¢t seen a bear since Virginia.  I received a video from my youngest granddaughter begging me to bring her to New York. At the time I was hiking down to a beautiful stream with some falls. I videotaped it for her and sent that back. Hugs arrived so I was telling her what Lucie had done while I was crossing the stream. I must have been distracted. One slippery step on a wet rock and I began to fight the fall. Very controlled and slowly I fell forward then onto my elbows and knees. Yep, down went McGinney. Hugs said the whole slow motion thing was painful to watch. I didn¢t really get hurt, but the jolt sent my back into spasms. It¢s extra sensitive right now.  I had to pull myself together quickly because the journey was heading UP. This time it was up the side of a mountain with limited footing or grasps. There was re-bar placed like a ladder in the rock for us. This is the second time I¢ve seen that. First at Dragons Tooth and now here.  We stayed up high on the ridges and rocks with plenty more climbs for a few miles. Then we came to a blue blaze taking us down to Greenwood Lake NY. Papa Big Swig was there waiting for us. The camper was hooked up and everything loaded...including the dogs.  We¢re on our way to Katahdin! The day to flip has arrived. We drove about 4 hours tonight and will finish the drive tomorrow. We¢re sleeping in a hotel.  Until Next Time Blue Raccoon (2018)Where¢s your faith?