Date: 2015-07-03
From: 1,416.9 campsite, NY

To: 1,441.1 campsite, NY
Miles today: 24.2
Weather: light rain

I was the last one to rise out of the few of us that called last night's rocky oasis home. I didn't sleep very well, mainly due to being hot and sweaty for half the night and freezing the other half. I ended up rolling an extra pair of my wool socks over my hands and up my arms which seemed to work pretty well. As I was packing up my gear just before 8:30am, Moosehead strolled by and said he had camped about ~2 miles earlier. He'd continue on and I'd catch up with him a couple hours later at Canopus Lake in Clarence Fahnestock State Park.A side trail leading from the AT to a sandy beach, no more than a quarter mile, promised a lakeside concession stand where you could purchase food. I arrived to find Moosehead relaxing in the shade, having already eaten a meal. He'd soon purchase a second, though, for good measure. I'd follow suit by purchasing 2 meals (2 hamburger, 2 fries, and 2-20oz Pepsi's) for a price I won't even mention. It was refreshing to already get off my feet even though it had only been a couple of hours of easy going. I watched visitors rolling in with more lake gear than necessary - umbrellas, balls, shovels, towels, sun lotion, chairs, coolers of snacks, etc. - wondering if they could make it in the woods with as little gear as we carried.Moosehead hit the trail ~15 minutes before me and I wouldn't see him for the remainder of the day for he was hiking like a man on a mission. I grabbed a quick photo of the sandy beach dotted with visitors of all ages sunbathing, playing volleyball, building sandcastles, swimming, and rowing in boats wishing I could be spending the day doing the same. The beautiful thing is knowing I could should I choose to, but the thought of several hundred miles still remaining between me and Mt. Katahdin is a strong motivator to keep moving. I was soon back on the trail gradually climbing towards the summit of Shenandoah Mountain.I took a quick break here, grabbing a few photos of a painted American flag on a slab of rock memorializing September 11. The view was clear and green mountains rose into the distance. Though not much time is spent in New York, it has definitely been a treat passing through. I continued down the mountain and, as the next ~7 miles passed, my body began going downhill with foot pain and overall general fatigue. I reached NY 52 and saw a note from one hiker to another stating they had gone .4 miles east to a store in order to grab food and charge their gadgets. I contemplated the idea of pushing on the last ~4 miles and being done with my day or going off trail .8 miles total simply to enjoy a beverage. I was soon heading off trail.I arrived at the Mountaintop Market Deli, grabbing a bag of chips and 2 Pepsi's (more bang for the buck) in the process. I took it outside behind the building where hikers can relax at a picnic table and charge gadgets in a power outlet along the building. Though I wouldn't get much charge in my iPad, I did hang out for over an hour and chatted with a hiker who's name has escaped me. He's a former Marine of 20 years and telling by the mileage he puts in each day and when he started (3 weeks after me), it's obvious you can take the man out of the Marines, but not the Marine out of the man. We exchanged a few good stories and laughs before he finally returned to the trail ~45 minutes before me. He was a really nice guy and I wish I had thanked him for his service.I finally sucked it up just before 6:00pm and made my way back to the trail. A combination of 40oz of Pepsi and ibprofen sent me on my way as I covered the next ~4 miles in just over an hour. When I reached the shelter Moosehead and I had planned to stay at, I didn't see him and figured he pushed on. With energy still to burn and the pain in my foot having dissipated for the time being, I decided to utilize my last hour of decent light and push on as well. An hour later I had covered another ~3 miles to the location Moosehead and I planned to meet his visiting friends in the morning. As long as those plans have remained the same, I really don't have to be anywhere until at least 9:30-10:00am tomorrow, and even that's only ~100 yards away.I will comment on the number of downed trees over the trail today. They're not a big deal to most taller hikers who can simply step up and over them without missing a beat. For those of us who are fun-sized, though, a little more effort is required. For example, as I approach a down tree, I usually look for materials to stack and create a solid base, usually nearby rocks or wood will suffice. I then step onto the base, jump up on the tree, and swing a leg over. Next, I usually straddle the tree for a moment to get my bearings and take a breather. Lastly, I swing my other leg over while simultaneously deploying my parachute, landing softly on the other side. It was just one of those kinda days.I'm currently in my tent in between 2 roads, both about ~100 yards north and south, as fireworks explode in the distance, some of the bigger ones like rumbling thunder. I'm counting on another cool night coming so I'll be sure to prepare now by putting on my warm gear instead of squirming to do so at 3:00-4:00am as usual. If I slow down and match Moosehead's pace while his friends are visiting then the next few days might be smaller mileages. My body could always use the mini break, but I'll determine that as it comes.Here's to less than ~15 miles remaining of New York, tomorrow being America's birthday, and the hikers calling the woods home during that time (hint: be sure to tell them you're thinking of them.)