Date: 2014-07-17
From: Warwick Turnpike, Warwick NY, Mile 1358.4

To: Tentsite Mile 1376.2
Miles today: 17.8
Weather: few clouds

Dorothy had breakfast scheduled for us at 7:00 - eggs, fruit and muffins - and we sat out on the patio together to eat it. Yum! Then she took us back to the trail in two loads for a relatively late start to hiking. We've been following along the NY/NJ border, passing in and out of each state. Three and a half miles into the hike we came to the last spot we'd be in NJ. Usually, I hold the camera and video me crossing the state line saying "Well... that's one [two, three...] down!" If there are other people around, I get them to join in on saying the words. This time someone else held the camera and videoed me and the others crossing the border. One of these days, probably when I'm finished, I'll post the videos. A Little Help from a Ladder Ripe Wild Blueberries! Bobcat and I Each Got a Handful!After about 9 miles we came to Rt 17A, perfect timing for some lunch. Just up the road a short hike was a hot dog stand where I got the special - two dogs with sauerkraut and mustard, a root beer, and chips that I gave to the others. Then we hiked just a little further to the Creamery! Great banana splits! I can't remember the three types of ice cream I had on it nor all the toppings, but it was good! :-) Banana Split - Yum!Moses and Slayer hitched into the town of Glenwood Lake to pick up a package at the post office. Bobcat went with them for resupply. Nora V, Not Yet and I hiked on. The plan was for Not Yet to go to the next shelter two miles down the trail and wait for the others, while Nora V and I hiked on so she could meet her friends further down the trail tomorrow.We left Not Yet at the shelter and hiked on. A mile and a half later we came to Lakes Rd which also goes to Glenwood Lake. Moses, Slayer and Bobcat were there! They had hitched a ride out of town and were dropped off on the wrong road! Just then the guy who gave them a ride came back to ask if it were the right place. Since Not Yet was waiting for them at the shelter, they had to go back and get her. So the driver took Moses and Bobcat with him back to Rt 17A, and Slayer decided to hike on with Nora V and me.About 6:45 we started looking for a place to camp. We passed Preacher Man and his wife Naptime all set up for the night and fixing dinner. He didn't give details, but I think he is a real preacher. They are on some sort of a two year ministry hiking along the trails of our country. Wish I had had more time to chat with them, but we needed to find a camp site, too.A little further down the trail we found a nice grassy area among the trees where we could set up our tents. Slayer gathered some large stones and made a fire ring and we all gathered wood and started a campfire. While we were sitting around the fire just before it got dark, Nora V spotted a bear walking along the ridge about 40 yards to our west. His shape was silhouetted against the fading sunset. We all made noises and he wandered off down the other side of the ridge. I hung our bear bags nice and high tonight! Tent Site w/Nora V and Slayer (I'm in the way back, the bear was up the hill to the right.)