Date: 2008-07-30
From: William Brien Shelter

To: Graymoor Spiritual Life Center
Miles today: 15.3
Weather: scattered clouds

The 5:00 a.m. chirp alarm began to sound like clock work, so to speak.It would be another hour before I thought I would actually start my morning routine. By 7:00 I was was moving again, Last night I didn't see the immediate rock climb that was waiting just past the shelter. New York has had some surprises I guess I really wasn't expecting? All in all, except for the last 3 days, I have enjoyed Pennsylvania the most as far as hiking goes. This contradicts most everything I had ever read, but thats the way it is.It was a fairly rugged walk the next 9 miles to Bear Mountain. I could see the look out building poking through the trees, several miles away. Upon finally reaching the summit, there was a can of coke in a zip lock bag. My eyes immediately lit up, I opened it and read the note inside from Sprite. What a Trail Angel, I'm only sorry she wasn't standing here to see the look on my face? I checked out the building, climbed the 3 or 4 floors, looked at the enlarged photographs and viewed the horizon. Bidding farewell to other hikers, I then proceeded down the other side of the mountain. Not really expecting anything, as I made it to the bottom, there was a large park area full of people. My nose caught the scent of grilled onions and red meat sizzling on a grill somewhere? That's all she wrote, my coordinates were locked and I zeroed in, on the concession stand. At a picnic table, was Sprite, Freckles and some others alreading eating. I inhaled my cheesburger, fries and a Bud light. Moving on, the trail passed through a small zoo. I remember reading about this before? As a thru-hiker we entered for free. It had coyotoes, porcupines, racoons, snakes and bears. It was kind of a downer seeing them all in captivity, especially since I encounter them in the wild fairly frequently.I really feel quite seperate from society in general right now. Not just from living in the woods, but living simply, living purposely, and away from this madness that I was once a part of? What a clusterf@#%! Coming out of the zoo park, brought us to a very large bridge that spanned over the Hudson River. Before crossing, Freckles and I decided to go for cold drinks and a resupply near the West Point Army academy. 1-1/2 miles turned into 3-1/2 miles, our information was wrong.It was hot, and we may as well have been amputees for all the good our raised thumbs were doing. Eventually we found a store. We found most everything we needed. I was not looking forward to the walk back, neither was Freckles, yet to my surprise she had scored us a ride from a guy who was shopping as well.The guy's name was Wayne, he was new to the area and already late for a date. He ended up taking us all the way back, and learned something of the AT to boot. Naturally, I wished him as much luck in scoring a good ride tonight as we had? (Well you get the idea?)We repacked our supplies, I took advantage of a pay phone just standing there attached to a pole. While I was talking long distance, a guy from Jersey pulled over and asked me for some directions? At first I thought about giving him the "just past the second oak tree by the rock with the red fern...etc." However, I actually knew where he wanted to go and gave him directions. The girls had already left making the long walk across the bridge. "Bad Wheels" appearred and we crossed together. I really get a kick out of this guy. It was another 8 miles to the Graymoor Monestary. I was looking forward to seeing this place. The remaining miles were rocky but I finally made it. Unfortunately, rather than monks, I was met with signs directing hikers to an open ball field.There was a small pavillion like structure, some porta-johns and a wood shed for a cold shower. The days have passed since the monks give their personal attention and feed hikers. I just hope it wasn't from one too many spoiled & ungrateful hiker showing disrespect? I was thankful however, that they still provided what they did here.In the pavillion were cans of food in the hiker box. But what caught most of our attention, was a menu from a nearby Italian restaurant that delivered to this ball field. Can you believe this? Sprite was on the phone placing our 3 orders. I set up my tent, and tended to my feet. I went 1200 miles virtually blister free, why now? There were several people here tonight, Most of them participated in a make shift softball game, they used a stick for a bat. I was content watching and waiting for my lasagna dinner. It is likely to rain tonight, so that means a clammy night with my rainfly on my tent.