Date: 2017-06-15
From: Stony Point Center, Stony Point, NY

To: Clarence Farhnestock State Park, NY
Miles today: 20.4

6//15/17, Clarence Fahnestock State Park Campground, NYMiles hiked: 1106.5 Miles to go: 1083.3I had a flash of scientific insight while hiking today, and it is this: rocks - at least large ones - cannot swim. For the past few days we've been struggling with scrambling up and down over big rocks. Today we crossed over the Hudson River on the Bear Mountain Bridge. The big rocks are gone. Based on this observation, it can be hypothesized that the big rocks were stopped in their northern migration by the Hudson River. Ergo, big rocks cannot swim. There are still smaller rocks, so apparently there is a point where the rocks get too heavy to swim - but that is a study for another time. Let's just hope they don't figure out how to cross the bridge. God, I love Science!The absence of big rocks and high temperatures meant we had a nice hiking day. 1st Sgt and I started out the morning around 7:00 AM with another "Old Guy" hiker named Pa John who had spent the night at a Stony Point Center. After crossing the bridge, it was the typical post-town day. Full bellies, heavy packs, and a steep ascent. Yada, yada, yada. After attaining the ridge, though, it was a pleasant day of hiking. This is what I imagined hiking through NJ, NY, and CT would be like all along.  After awhile, we came to a road crossing and there was a convenience store/deli that was not listed in the AWOL guide. We quickly took advantage of the unexpected gift f on the Hiking Gods to have second breakfast. While purchasing said breakfast, I realized that two of the people in line were EMTs. I asked if I could get nitrile gloves from them to replace the pair that I used while cleaning Snooze's wounds the other day. They were more than happy to oblige. How cool is that!?While we were sitting at the picnic table out front, who should arrive but Wizard, Pluck, and Silly Spilly? Shenaniguy was having some foot problems, so he had hitched forward and was zeroing at the state park to rest his foot. No sooner did our friends arrive  when we had another great surprise. Ramsey Bolton arrived with a friend in tow who had come out to hike a few days. Ramsey had already given his friend a trailname and any Game of Thrones fan will marvel at Ramsey's brilliance.  His friend's trailname is Reek!After second breakfast, our mini bubble set out for the State Park, where we all planned to camp. It wasn't long until the young hikers had left us old guys behind; but, we would spend the rest of the day crossing paths as one group or the other stopped for water, lunch, etc. What a fun day!During one of the stops, Wizard told us of his encounter with the Fingerboard Shelter bear a couple of days ago. He had night-hiked into the shelter, arriving well after dark. As he was quietly eating his dinner so as not to disturb the other hikers in the shelter, the bear walked up to him. He tried shooing the bear away, but to no avail. He said the bear gave him a look so as to say, "You're an idiot" and sauntered over to the nearby tree containing bear bags, climbed the tree, snatched up two bags by their ropes, and commenced to feast. Apparently, other hikers were not able to scare off the bear, who hung out most of the rest of the night. Like I've said before, unfortunately, this scenario will not end well for the bear in the long run. We eventually arrived at the State Park Campground, where the whole group, along with a few other hikers, is set up for the night. The park offers thru hikers one night of free camping, where we have access to bathrooms, showers, running water, electricity, and a nearby pizza place that will deliver to the campground. Heaven! We were expecting Sitting Bull and Hoops to arrive; but, they didn't make it in. We will probably see them on the trail tomorrow. We are also expecting rain tomorrow. Bummer.