6/25/06 Sunday: A quiet day in Danbury

Jackie and I slept in, had a wonderful breakfast at the Marriot Hotel where we were staying, and I started catching up my blog.... We were visited by our old friend Norm Amnott, an usher at my wedding, who we had not seen in almost 20 years... We had a wonderful afternoon together catching up... We had an early dinner at a local Japaneese Hibatchi Restaurant with dessert at the Friendly's Ice Cream shop down the street... I was blogging throughout the day, whenever I had a free moment.. Norm left about 1900 after taking a moment to help Jackie select a better return route to Newark... A lovely peaceful day....

6/24/06 Saturday: Jackie picks me up in Pawling

I woke to the sound of raindrops and patted myself on the back for my efforts yesterday getting into town and avoiding walking in this rain... I had planned to go early today and walk about 16 miles across the NY/Conn border to a road were Jackie would pick me up but decided to stay put instead... A couple of factors were involved... First its raining, LOL... second, I had developed a rash over my neck, shoulders, and waist, either from rinsing off at the RPH shelter with that nasty water, or using the Deet borrowed from Switchback... Putting on my pack would be a bit painful as it was when I arrived yesterday.. I prefered to meet Jackie showered rather that yucky...LOL... I also had agreed to give a ride to another hiker who was staying at the house... Redbee and his dog LP (Low Profile-a daschound) I woke as usual at 0630 to find a very peaceful house... I made myself breakfast, some cereal, scrambled some eggs, had some toast, and got my stuff ready... The rain broke for a bit around 0930 and I decided to head the .7mi into town to check it out and visit the library to possibly use the computer. The town of Pawling was bustling for a Saturday morning, with the coffee shops full of local folks having breakfast, I stopped into a bagel shop for an onion bagel and cream cheese before stopping at the library which had extended hours for a Saturday from 10-4. They had 8 computers set up for internet use, 6 of them open so I sat down for the first time in more than 2weeks and checked my email and did a little blogging... After about an hour I decided to get some lunch across the street at another deli before returning to the house to pack up for Jackie... I got back to the house around 1300 and Jackie drove up about 1430 after a rather taxing commute from Newark, NJ... We had selected Newark Airport because I was originally expected to be somewhere in NJ, but my estimated daily miles were a bit low... LOL... Jackie looked great as she drove up the drive way... I was so proud of her, getting here on her own... We soon packed up and were headed north to drop Mike off in Mass. before returning to our hotel in Danbury, Conn. Jackie and I stopped into a beautiful old resort in Stockbridge for a lovely dinner outdoors, before finally returning to Danbury and retiring for the evening...

6/23/06 Friday: Dennytown Campground to Pawling,NY (28mi)

PICTURES:
1. 0820: Nice section of trails helped to get in the big miles
2. 0926: Took a short break here to take in the beauty, heard some kids playing in the park on the sandy beach , lower left of the pic.
3. 1046: A nice walk in the woods
4. 1316: Ridge walking again with a few nice views throughout the afternoon.
5. 1528: No water for 7 miles along the trail so I stopped in to get some water and dinner and met some more hikers there taking a break.
6. 1627: A rather large tree along the trail
7. 1629: Photo op with Switchback and Snapper
8. 1910: Pond near a nuclear test site... no swimming here...lol
9. 2018: Reached county 20 and took this pic of the famous Pawling Tree before heading into Pawling.

Big miles planned for today and I wanted to get as many in this morning as possible... Switchback and I left together but being a little faster, I soon left him behind... Not many views today, but did have one on top of Shenandoah Mtn with a group of boyscouts waiting for some parents trailing behind after a rather arduous ascent... I felt for these weekend warriors... After spending a few moments chatting I wished everyone well and continued on my way meeting the missing parents on my way down the mountain.. I passed a rather nice tenting area at the base of the mountain and proceeded to the RPH shelter for an early lunch... I spent about an hour and cooked up an entre and met Snapper there when I arrived.. We both planned to stop at a deli .3mi off the trail in another 5 miles, and she was on her way... I left about 30 min later after getting some brownish water from the well and rinsing off... The next water source was the deli so I took 32oz of nasty looking water, didnt taste too bad though, and started on the second leg of my day... The terrain today again was easing a bit and I completed the 5mi leg by 1400... Snapper was there with Roo and Ra, a couple of section hikers, so I got my 2liter bottle of Mountain Dew and we ordered a pizza, found some shade and relaxed while waiting for our pizza... The clouds were forming again by 1530 and we decided we best get moving again before we get caught in a downpour... I still had 13 miles to go and wasnt sure if that was realistic... But after a bit on the trail I noticed I was energized by the thought of Jackies visit, or maybe it was the 2liters Mountain Dew in me?? Probably a combination of the two... I wanted to make it to Pawling for the night and hoped to meet Jackie in Conneticut tomorrow. I extimated my arrival to County 20 would be 0830 if I walked 3mph for the next 4hrs... A bit ambitious but after looking at the map, quite possible... I ended up making it to County 20 by 0815, a little dusky but still hoping enough light so someone would stop and give me a ride... When I got to the road I could not help but notice the largest tree on the AT across the street... I set up my camera and had to take a picture of this ... It was magnificant... Well, no one would stop and pick up a sweaty hiker at dusk so I began my 2.5 mi walk to town. I was originally headed for the pavillion by the lake to pitch my tent and use the facilities, but a handwritten note stuck to a tree from someone offering a bed, shower, laundry, and use of the kitchen for $20 was too much to pass up... I gave them a call and Jesse, the owner, answered inviting me to come by.. I took him up on it and 45 min later I was there... He met me with a beer and a handshake and we sat and chatted a bit before he showed me around the place, introducing me to the other tenants... He left me with the others to get the room ready and I mingled, having another beer in the process until Jesse returned. I excused myself, desperately needing a shower and tired from my 30mi trek today and moved my stuff to my room, showered, and retired for the night...

6/22/06 Thursday: West Mtn to Dennytown Rd Campground

PICTURES:
1.0719: Morning view from West Mtn.
2. 0844: Bear Mtn. Observatory, closed for renovations as were the toilets.
3. 0847: View of the Hudson River from Bear Mtn.
4. 0851: Stumbled across this guy while beginning my descent from Bear Mtn.
5. 0902: I had a number of views of the Hudson River throughout my descent of Bear Mtn.
6: 0922: Came across this old ski jump from yesteryear.. Used in the Bear Mtn. Olympics.
7. 1001: The AT passes through the Bear Mtn. Zoo, a well kept Appalachian Themed park.
8. 1013: Decided to head to Port Clinton to get something to eat
9. 1024: While walking to Port Clinton took this pick of the bridge with the AT heading N in the background and a footbridge in the foreground heading to Fort Clinton
10. 1559: I took a side trail to this Catholic Retreat which offers shelter, water and a shower to passing through hikers. Took a quick shower and rested a bit while chatting with a number of hikers seeking shelter from the heat.
11. 1605: A welcome relief...

I had quite an uncomfortable night on this uneven, badly pitched campsite and was eager to move at first light... I had decided to get some breakfast in Ft Montgomery, NY, a .7mi walk or hitch from the trail. First I had to descend from West Mountain and ascend Bear Mtn. My water supply was sparce, so I hoped to replenish it at the sumit of Bear Mtn where my book showed there were full bathroom facilities with running water and an observatory. When I got the the summit of Bear Mtn, everything was closed for repair.... No water was available other than the bottles from the vending machines... They had set up some porta-potties also.. Well, I helped myself to the soda and water in the vending machines, took a few more pics of the views of the Hudson River Valley, and began my 1200" descent... When I got to the bottom of the mountain, the Bear Mtn Lodge was also closed for renovations, that was an on trail breakfast option... It was 0930, so I continued on my way to the muzeum/zoo... The trail actually passes through the zoo and exits near the Hudson River Bridge... I had to wait until 1000 for the opening of the zoo but enjoyed a leizurely stroll through the park which boasts the lowest elevation on the entire AT. The zoo houses creatures from Appalachia as well as a myriad variety of trees found on the east coast, many labeled. I am glad I waited for the zoo to open, many of the other hikers simply avoided it... When I got to the bridge I noticed the traffic circle and attempted to hitch to Ft. Montgomery... After about 20min I decided I'd probably be better off walking. On my way I met a woman walking her dog and we chatted. I mentioned I was looking for some breakfast/lunch place and she suggested one deli a block from where we were... I took her advice and was soon placing my order at Fox's Deli... I chatted with Tom who I learned was retired from the Navy... He also mentioned he was up here from NJ to shop at the Commisary at West Point... He offered to take me there if I had my ID on me, and I agreed. We finished our meals and were soon off to visit the base.. It was only a 10 min drive to the base from the deli and soon we were grocery shopping. I picked up some luxury items for immediate consumption; OJ, yogurt, banannas, and some trail snacks too.. I made my purchase and found a picnic table outside to consume it all:).. Tom completed his shopping and soon we were headed back to the traffic circle by Bear Mtn where they dropped me off for my trek North while they drove off SW to NJ... I thanked Tom for the ride and was soon on my way... It was about 1300 and I had only completed 5 mi today so I was eager to get moving... I crossed the Bear Mtn Bridge over the Hudson River and began my 700" ascent of the Mtn. Once on top, the trail was somewhat pleasant with some ups and downs but nothing too severe.. I crossed a number of roads and by 1500 I had made it 6 more miles to the Graymoor Spiritual Center, a Franciscan retreat that has set aside their ballfield pavillion for hikers... They offered a cold water spring shower, picnic tables, portapotties, and a place to rest. It was quite hot and I was saturated with sweat so a midday shower sounded great.... I met a few other hikers there and quickly stripped and showered and rinsed my clothes off also... I laid my clothes out to dry in the sun and relaxed for an hour while chatting with the section hikers already there... Switchback arrived a little later and followed my lead with the shower. We both left there refreshed and heading for our destination still another 9 miles off.. The late afternoon hike was not too bad with the heat and humidity tapering a bit... I had 2 unfavorable dog encounters on this day, neither dog was leashed, the owners thinking no one would be out on such a hot day... A pit bull and a husky in two seperate incidences didnt take to me well and I was a bit fearful of being bitten... The owners seemed not to be in control either which didnt help my nerves... LOL... But all went well in both cases and no permanent marks left...;)... I finally arrived at my destination and proceded to the pump house to replenish my water. There were no water options since Gramoor and Dennytown had a spicket off the pump house with camping across the street up a short driveway... I rinsed my clothes off at the spicket, washed the sweat off, filled my water bottles and began my trek to the campsite.. Once there I found a nice area to pitch my tent and set up camp.. I was joined about 30min later by Switchback and we had dinner together.. We soon retired for the night with me thinking of my rendevoux with Jackie in just a few days...