Date: 2010-05-22
From: Stream

To: 10 Mile River Shelter
Miles today: 18.8
Weather: overcast clouds

2  Report. Last night I picked a place near a stream to camp. There was an old woods road that intersected here. It was t much to the E and even less to the W I orinally had a spot on the SE side. But it wasn't all that flat and was very buggy. So at dark I moved to a more open flat spot on the W woods road next to 2 large rocks that were blocking the road. I had just gotten to sleep when I heard a loud noise approaching and saw headlights. I was pretty much in a stupor trying to figure out what was happening as the noise and lights got closer. I then realized I needed to turn on my light but still wasn't clear headed and couldn't immediately find my light. Like most thru hikers I have a head lamp which I wear around my neck at night. The vehicles were right on top of me when I got my light turned and thankfully it has a beam like a lazer.  Also fortunate was the fact I had my rain fly half on and was able to shine my beam thru the open side.  Turned out to be three boys on ATVs. They passed on by and  I tried to go back to sleep  30 minutes later we repeated the same drill with the boys passing in other direction. For a moment I considered tying off my bearline across the woods road but didn'tI was up early and hiking strong. Passed the telephone Pioneer Shelter and was trucking. Saw a bluebird, several blue jays and another pink flamingo. A lot of this trail was bog boards and some were in need of great repair, which it was good to see that the local trail club was in the process of fixingI came up to the NY 22 exit and saw the AT train stop. There is another deli a out 0.5 mi E and I was strongly considering hiking there for another hot lunch and beverage. However, I smelled grill cooking and there was a roach coach hot dog stand there waiting for me. I ate well there and upCe 2 hikers. Their packs were larger than mine but they didn't look or smell like thru hikers. In fact looked like they were wearing clean slacks. They turned out to be from NYC, got off the train and were going to overnight at Wiley Webatuck Shelter, 5.6 miles N. I'm not going to call these NY weekend hikers woosies but at least this pair hiked over 5 miles. I also met and leapfrogged several times a dayhiker pair. I named them Hot Czech and Ball Boy. They were very gracious and shared blackberries, carrots and gave me an apple. I was really feeling great when I hit Wiley Webatuck and kept on to the next Shelter,  10 Mile River. The NY-CT border was underwhelming. The hike to the shelter was nice. In fact there may have been some slabbing around an earlyMountain. I arrived at the shelter and met McIntire, SOBO section hiker, and he shared some wonderful smoked gouda cheese and a sali chuck  Fixed dinner (Mitch: the chicken was outstanding) and now doing reportMy near term planning has gone into the tank. One goal is to take a zero at Sisbury CT. A nearer goal is to finish a nite at Mt Algo Shelter so I can reach Kent eay the next day, resupply at an Outfitters and then leave to make the next shelter  CT is somewhat picky about where hikers can camp. Plus there is a forecast for rain tomorrow which motivatedme to hike onMilestone day: NY is in the rearview mirror6. Tony s Pizza, Bear mtn Ny. 2 Greasy Spoons this rating may be influenced by the fact inwas cold, soaked, it was raining hard and the driver did an exceptional job. The large salad was very good. The Stromboli was adequate but slightly burned on the bottom and the large onion rings averageAppalachian Mkt US9.  1 Greasy Spoon. Very convenient resupply but nothing significant Mtn Top Mkt. NY 52. 2 greasy Spoons. Super deli and good resupplyDanny s Pizzeria NY 52. 1 Greasy Spoon. Adequate Stromboli Hot Dog Roach Coach NY 22. 2 Greasy Spoons. Most convenient.  Loved the chesseburger with grilled onions, relish and mustard. Got the thru hikers cplimentary bag of peanuts. Went back for the double sausage cheese budget and got the repeat customers discoutNY. Didn't like the S part all that much with the puds  and couple bad places in Harriman. Otherwise the trail was very satisfactory. Loved seeing NYC skyline from the West Mtn Shelter. The hike thru the zoo was a special and unique pleasure. And what about the food stops near the trail!Life is Great