Day 106 - Ten Mile River to Mt. Algo Shelter

Slept well after the 20-mile day and despite the stress of having nothing to cook. Just realized I ate the same thing for breakfast, lunch, and dinner yesterday -- peanut butter on potato rolls. I like peanut butter a lot but will try to cut it out of my diet again -- too fattening (really!) and will go for fruit preserves instead.

Also, Dave and I have decided to make dinner separately as well. We’re both tired of fighting over how much food to put in my bowl versus what’s left in his pot. We’ll see how it goes.

Up at 6:15, and out by 7! Took a side trail to see a covered bridge, but it was nothing special. Saw a unique piece of trail trash on the way to Kent -- travel-size hairspray. We must be in Connecticut!

Met two guys who are heading north. They’re part of the Romansky 7 family (two parents and five kids) hiking the trail. Started April 13, and they only have 4 ½ months to finish it. Now that’s a close-knit family.

Walked eight-tenths of a mile into Kent. "Holy Yuppieville," as Wingfoot quoted someone as saying. It was a busy summer Saturday afternoon with lots of well-dressed people strolling around. I really didn’t care that I was looking and smelling quite ripe. Did the usual town errands.

Had decided to hike back (south) to the shelter .3 out of Kent and have a BBQ, with a $12 grill and some charcoal briquettes. I bought a package of hot dogs because they were .99 (and the veggie burgers were $3.50). Dave got a steak. On the way out of town, past the Fleet Bank, was a liquor store that gives thru-hikers a free beer (I got a cider).

Murph stayed with some friends in Connecticut tonight. Stray pulled in late after spending two nights with his brother in New York City. Newly shaved head and face (partial).

Green Light, Longshanks, and Swagman

Stray Cat

Will hike 16 miles with Cameron tomorrow and then go back to his aunt’s house with him. Yeah! My watch stopped, so I hope we get up in time!

Day 105 - Morgan Stewart Shelter to Ten Mile River Campsites

Really good night’s sleep again. Chilly enough to snuggle up in the sleeping bag and even wear a fleece hat.

Got rolling around 8:15. Walked around Nuclear Lake (used to be radioactive), past the largest tree on the trail (I thought that was supposed to be in Virginia), and to the Appalachian Trail stop on the New York commuter rail (only runs on weekends).

Mary Poppins gets comfy

Cameron/7 States, Blur, and Swagman

We weren’t making great time, but I honestly didn’t care. Hiked with Cameron (Seven States) for a while, and a whole group of us were hiking together later on. The pace was reasonable (I could keep up), so I didn’t mind. Also, it was almost chilly out at times, which always makes the hiking easier.

At some point after the 16-mile mark, I was feeling really good and remember thinking, “I could just keep walking forever today”. Wish I could capture that spirit every day.

Stopped at a hot dog stand, and someone told us about a phone we could use. I took the opportunity to call home. Dad said they’re getting a tent and tables and chairs for the cookout. Hope it’s nothing too elaborate.

Dave and I talked about the “guest list” today. So far he’s asked everyone who’s been hiking with/around us, plus a few more. I prefer to keep things smaller/simpler -- especially since all the hikers will have to be shuttled to and from the trailhead. I’m sure it will all work out in the end. Hard to believe it’s just a week away!

Crossed the border into Connecticut, and once again the scenery totally changed. There was a house right at the NY/Conn. line, and a woman was sitting on a farmer’s porch talking on a cell phone. I waved, but got no response. Welcome to Connecticut!

Entered a pine forest, with lots of space between the trees. After a pretty good climb, then a matching descent, we came to the Ten Mile River. It’s quite big, with water rushing over rocks and gurgling quite loudly. Camping area is right on the bank.

Today is a first for Dave and myself -- we’re out of money, fuel, and food. Not a good feeling. We would have had enough food, but three packages of pasta I took from a hiker box had been contaminated by a strong detergent taste. We would have had enough fuel, but we had to cook twice (and throw out both pots of food). No excuse for not having any money.

People helped us out, but I do not want to be in this situation any time soon. Luckily, we only have 8 ½ miles to get to Kent. Lesson learned.

Day 104 - Fahenstock State Park to Morgan Stewart Shelter

A ’99 thru-hiker staying at the campground offered to give us a ride back to the trailhead at 6:30 a.m. We took him up on it. Felt great to be walking by 6:35. Had the whole entire day to bang out 16 miles.

We stopped and ate breakfast on the trail. Then Dave took another break, and I kept going. Not too hot/not too cool -- and I felt good for the first time in a while. Plus, the only time I’m happy with my pace is when no one is in front of me or behind me. I just don’t like to have that pressure of trying to keep up.

Had done 12 miles before noon, which left only four for the rest of the day. We walked .3 miles off the trail to a deli/small grocery store. Got a tuna sub and ketchup chips. When we tried to buy groceries, found out they didn’t take credit cards. Whoops. Had to borrow $10 from Cameron. We just needed enough to get us to Kent (Connecticut) on Saturday.

New York was much better today, terrain-wise. Pretty enjoyable, actually. Found out that the snake I nearly stepped on on the way to Bear Mountain was probably a copperhead.

(I took a step and was about to put my foot down on a stick, but realized it wasn’t a stick. My body was already in motion, so I had no choice but to keep going. I let out a scream, which probably saved me. Did I somehow know instinctively that this was a dangerous snake? Called Dave over to take a look, after I had calmed down. Guess I was lucky!)

Spent a good four hours at the deli. I even took a brief nap on the lawn. Couldn’t seem to get the right temperature, though. Really nice, easy walk to the shelter.

Blur at rest

Would have been a good day to keep walking. Might do 20 tomorrow instead. We’ll see what the terrain is like, and the weather, and how we’re all feeling.

Day 103 - Graymoor to Fahenstock State Park

Trouble sleeping last night. I fell asleep hard (with my bug net over my head -- kind of stuffy), but woke around midnight with the usual troubles.

Dave and I were on the pavilion’s concrete floor, wedged between rows of picnic tables. Got up to do some writing, which seemed to help.

Woke to the muffled sound of thunder and rain (due to my earplugs). Did not want to get out of bed or hike. Not out til 9:30, and luckily, the rain had stopped. But I was having a really hard time getting my legs to drag my body along. No rhythm whatsoever.

Came across a lost dog, and Dave went to call the animal hospital, who in turn called the owner. She showed up soon after and was appreciative.

The terrain was decidedly easier than the previous three days. Nothing spectacular, though.

Turns out a bunch of others were planning to go to the state park, too -- Swag, Will Scarlet, Mary Poppins, Norway, Seven-Year Plan (section hiker). We were going to try to hitch to a supermarket so we could get food for a cookout, but the town was too far away.

Settled for a snack shack burger and heaping plate of fries. The most (and most fattening) food I’ve eaten in a long time -- followed by a chipwich for dessert. Who showed up out of the blue but Cameron. Really good to see him. It didn’t take him long at all to catch up after taking some time off in Delaware Water Gap to let his feet heal.

This state park lets thru-hikers stay one night for free. We’re next to a site full of beer-drinking rowdies. Hope they don’t keep it up all night. Norway bought a cake tonight to celebrate reaching the 2/3 mark (almost). Guess she’s feeling a little more in the spirit of things.

Mary Poppins, Noggin, Swagman, Blur, Longshanks, Will Scarlett, Cameron/7 States, and Norway

Clean body (after a hot shower), full belly, and cool breeze made for a great night’s sleep for this tired tunafish.

Day 102 - William Brien Shelter to Graymoor

Dave woke me up a little after 5, and I popped out of bed. Anxious to hit the trail for a number of reasons. I was walking by 5:45 a.m. A new record!

It was light out and already hot. Couldn’t imagine how much hotter it would be with a full sun beating down. I hadn’t seen any of the profile maps for the state of New York, and today was no exception.

I knew we were climbing Bear Mountain and heard about one other climb, but the others were all a surprise. I didn’t realize how easy the trail had gotten until forced into ups and downs and ups and downs again. Shades of bigger things to come!

Of course, Bear Mountain wasn’t nearly as bad as I had imagined. We were at the top before 9. Not much of a view due to the haze, but I guess you can see four states on a clear day.

Dropped down into the town of Bear Mountain, where we walked straight through the Trailside Museum (zoo). Pretty depressing, actually. Bears, coyotes, fox, otters, bobcats, and other animals all trapped inside small cages while we wandered freely in their natural habitat. I guess the spot in front of the bear exhibit is the lowest point on the entire AT -- 124 feet above sea level. Didn’t seem that low.

Walt Whitman and Longshanks

Oh, forgot to mention that Moose got off the trail at Worthington’s Bakery. I guess seeing his wife must have made him that much more homesick. And today Norway was having a similar crisis. She said the trail isn’t fun for her anymore and wants to quit, but doesn’t want to go home. Hope she makes the decision that’s right for her.

Finally caught up with Murph and Stray, who had had a 17 ½ mile head start on us. We all hauled ass the last four miles to get to Graymoor, the monastery, in time to get on the 14-person dinner list. We lucked out.

?, Dennis, Swagman, Buzzard, Wren, Mick, Murph, Smittee, Stray Cat, Longshanks, Norway, and Batty

Took a cold but very good outdoor shower and waited for dinner. They actually let 16 of us come. Ate in a cafeteria, served by men with various addictions. Minestrone, bread, two kinds of pasta, and iced tea. Every morsel of food on the table was consumed. We could have actually used more. And though my book says breakfast is included, too, it’s not anymore.

Also, hikers used to be able to stay in the monastery itself -- but this year we’re restricted to a shelter, ballfield, or pavilion. Got a tour of the grounds after dinner. Have decided to go just 12 miles tomorrow to a state park, even though the terrain’s supposed to be much easier. Works for me!

Day 101 - Wildcat Shelter to William Brien Shetler

Wildcat was crowded; we ended up tenting. Not a good night’s sleep.

Worried about the upcoming 20-mile day and the Bear Mountain climb. (I remembered reading the following in a register: “New Jersey -- not that bad; New York -- bad; Bear Mountain -- that bad.”).

Left much later than I would have liked -- 8:15 -- and it was a hot one. Once again, lots of steep ascents and descents on rocky, bouldery terrain. Give me Pennsylvania! Really slow going.

Did five miles by 11, then walked to a deli to pick up some extra food. Back on trail at noon, with 15 miles looming before us. Did a total of 10 miles by 3 p.m.

Entered Harriman State Park, which was really pretty, but I did not fully appreciate it due to my high body temperature and the exhaustion factor. Had planned to go to a lake, but we were rapidly running out of daylight hours. Got to camp at 8:15, with just enough time to set up the tent and cook dinner before bedtime.

Was I ever exhausted! Physically, mentally, everything. We decided to get up super early the next day for two reasons: to beat the heat and to make it onto the dinner list at the monastery.

Day 100 - Vernon to Wildcat Shelter

Despite promising that we would leave early, Dave didn't seem very interested in getting up in the morning. Maybe it was the rain. Though I thought it was supposed to rain all day, it stopped around 8:30 for good.

After phone calls and breakfast chores, we hit the trail around 9:45. Very muggy. Took it slow. It was nice not to have a whole big crowd getting on the trail at the same time.

After lunch, we crossed the New Jersey line into New York. And once again, new terrain. Lots of big boulders. And they’re oh-so-slippery when wet and covered with moss. It was a pretty stressful couple of hours, going really slow to try not to fall (I did once).

I really don’t enjoy being on top of a sloping boulder and having nothing but a smooth surface below me. Where do you place your poles? And what difference does it make, since there’s nothing for them to grip onto?

Hope tomorrow’s different. It’s strange to be in New York -- seems so close to home.