New York- The Open Road, A.T. Thruhike 2012

     Waking up in my lone campsite, I rose, packed and ate my breakfast quickly. I was excited and anticipating the interesting trail ahead.
     After passing over Black Mountain, I crossed over a four lane highway, and then climbed Bear Mountain.
     Bear Mountain was fairly tall with many steps. In fact, they are working on creating more steps on the northern slope, due to the heavy traffic this area gets. It still amazes me how much volunteer work goes into this trail.
     The mountaintop opened up to expansive views, and I could even make out NYC in the hazy blue skyline. There was a stone monumental tower, which I walked to the top of. Many people were here, and one can even drive to the top.
     The descent was long, and I came out near a lake, by a park. It was strange being around so many people, after being in the woods so much. I felt a little out of place. I even caught a few people snapping my picture, probably amused at the novelty of a thruhiker in their presence. I don't blame anyone; I was always fascinated by the concept prior to this trip.
     The trail at this point actually passes through a small zoo. Thruhikers are allowed free admission as they are walking the trail. The zoo was interesting, and its focus is on plants and animals that are native to the area. When I entered, workers were introducing an orphaned coyote cub to the current adult coyote residents. It was an interesting sight.
     There is a Walt Whitman statue in the center of the zoo. It was very inspiring, and felt very relevant to my journey! There was a passage carved in stone:
"The Song of the Open RoadAfoot and light-hearted I take to the open road,
Healthy, free, the world before me,
The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose.
Henceforth I ask not good-fortune, I myself am good-fortune,
Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing,
Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticisms,
Strong and content I travel the open road.
Camerado, I give you my hand!
I give you my love more precious than money,
I give you myself before preaching or law;
Will you give me yourself? Will you come travel with me?
Shall we stick by each other as long as we live?"

     I passed the lowest point in the trail elevation-wise, which happened to be just in front of the bear den area. It gave me a strange feeling, Seeing these bears in captivity. To me, the bears I have been so lucky to witness along the trail have signified just how wild and free it was in this wilderness. To see them in captivity now before me disposed the significance I had felt.
     After the zoo, I went into the town of Fort Montgomery to retrieve a package at the post office, containing food my brother graciously mailed me to aid in my journey. I then crossed the Hudson River via Bear Mountain Bridge. When Earl Schaffer, the first thruhiker, crossed this bridge he was required to pay a nickel. It is now free to cross for those on foot.

Hudson River

     The trail reentered the forest, and I then took a side trail to Anthony's Nose. The trail once passed over this feature, but they closed the area during the second World War due to its proximity to the city, and a military base. It normally offers views of the city in the skyline, but had become to hazy by the late afternoon to offer much views.
     I arrived at Peekskill, NY and stopped in at a small convenience store for a snack. I met a hiking couple here, known as the Lion Killers. we sat down to eat, when a former thruhiker pulled up beside us, introducing himself as Bud Heavy.
     Bud Heavy had hiked last year, and told us of how the experience was life changing. He insisted he needed to offer us some form of support, but we didn't need a ride anywhere, and didn't need anything from the store, so he gave us a little money. He insisted, because he had received so much love from people on the trail, and was compelled to "give back". He was a very cool and generous person. He plans on attempting the Pacific Crest Trail next year, and I am sure he will succeed.
     I camped that night in a field provided by a monastery. It was a large gathering of thruhikers, and I was happy to see some of the friends I have made, but haven't seen in a while. The camaraderie on the trail amongst hikers is amazing.
     The next day I hiked over some small mountains. It began to rain by the afternoon, and I equipped some rain gear and continued along. I camped that night at the Morgan Stewart Shelter with a few other hikers, Q...Man, Jackrabbit and WhiteWater.
     The next day, I hiked past Nuclear Lake, called so because it was the site of a nuclear fuels processing facility. they say it is safe now... i still chose to pass through with a quick pace.
     I crossed train tracks, arriving at the official "Appalachian Trail Train Stop". A hiker could theoretically take the train into the city from here on weekends! It was a nice spot for a quick break.

A.T. Train Stop

     The road just passed the tracks had a little pizza stand, where i enjoyed a slice (or 3) of NY pizza, my last chance to do so. It was an early celebration, because I was just a few miles from the state border.
     I also hit up the garden center there. The owners are very hiker friendly, and they provided me with a free shower. I don't pass up free showers often, because they are easily one of the most pleasant experiences along the trail. They also gave me some good, clean water before I pressed on.

Garden Center

     I crossed Hoyt Road, and officially entered Connecticut. I walked just a few more miles, and stopped at Ten Mile River Shelter. I was accompanied by White Water.

Connecticut!

     I sat at the shelter, and ate a special dinner given to me by my brother, for crossing the border. I then relaxed in my sleeping bag, and looked out into the field before me; I was blown away by an unbelievable display. Before me was the most dazzling firefly display I have ever witnessed before in my life. I cannot express to you how I feel in these moments. I can only try to describe it: It feels, at times, like I am truly alive for the first time.
     So, I had hiked since Georgia, and now stood in New England. I am doing this.... living this, and I appreciate every minute more than any words can express. I am Walking Home.

New York- Ice Cream to Bears, A.T. Thruhike 2012

     After crossing the state line into New York, I soon walked along the highest point I will within the state. The trail in this area proved tough, with some solid climbs and lots of rocks.
     I crossed a road soon after crossing the border, and walked up the road to a creamery. I rewarded my completion of another state with a delicious ice cream sundae.
     My first night in NY was spent near Wildcat Shelter, where I pitched my tent. It was crowded, very crowded... But not a thruhiker in sight. Everyone here were just out for a night or a couple of nights.
     I sat by the fire, and talked. The folks camped here were intrigued by my journey, and their questions led to my stories of my trip so far. They were all wonderfully friendly, and we joked and laughed throughout the eve.
     The next day, I walked up a staircase next to a waterfall, as voluntary workers were continuing to build them. I talked with them for a bit, and thanked them for the amazing work they are doing.
     I climbed several small mountains, and then crossed a Turnpike, and entered Harriman State Park, home of some of the oldest original Appalachian Trail.
     The trail started as a roadwalk, and as I passed a parking lot, I was called over by a man standing by his truck.
     It turned out to be Padio, with his Paddywagon, who has been giving out trail magic for over a decade. He cooked me a lunch consisting of brats wrapped in bacon and soda! I ate several, and he also gave me some snacks to go. I was extremely grateful for this pleasant surprise!
     I was thankful that I had these extra calories, as the trail climbed steeply. I came to a spot called the Lemon Squeezer, which was a very tight path through split rock. Then, there was a difficult section, where I had to toss my bag overhead and climb up and over a steep cliff.
     The trail here passed through stunning forest, and I saw more deer than I can count. It sure was something. I imagined how it was in the days that Earl Schaffer, the first thruhiker, passed through here on his walk to Maine.
     Once I made it to where the trail crossed the paved road in the park, I took a side trip down the road to a lakeside beach.
     I spent a good amount of time here. I sat and stuck my bare feet in the sand, enjoying how good it felt on my sore feet. I swam in the warm lake. I also sat at a picnic table and cooked my dinner, with the benefit of pumped water nearby. I then walked the couple miles towards the next shelter.
     Before I could make the shelter, as I was distracted in watching deer along the trail, I rounded a corner and saw black fur before me.
     I hadn't comprehended the situation yet, when I saw two bear cubs suddenly shoot very quickly up trees. As the severity of the situation sunk in, the mother black bear rose to her hind legs, hovering tall over the brush. She did not appear happy.
     I was scared. I knew this was a bad scenario, made much worse by just how close I was. I frantically tried to remember what I should do in this situation. I knew it so well, always reciting the steps to people in other moments. But in this moment, it was hard to recall anything, as I literally shook from fear.
     I took a few steps back, trying to do so slowly and calmly. The large, fearsome bear didn't like my choice of actions apparently, as she bolted in my direction. I thought for a moment I was about to experience great pain. I assume that it wouldn't take much difficulty for her to do serious damage with her large paws.
     To my good fortune, she stopped short of me, and instead circled the tree one of her cubs had taken cover in. So I proceeded to back into the corner of the trail.
     I was as far back as I could go from the bears. The cubs chose to seek refuge in trees that my trail skirted in both directions. So I stayed in the corner. It was an awkward moment, where I couldn't move because of mama bear, mama bear wasn't leaving her cubs, and the cubs wouldn't come down because I was there. The mother bear was making loud noises, making her irritation obvious.
     Finally, I stepped back off the trail, and into the thick brush. It was painful, but it gave the cubs just enough room to lower themselves down the trees, and all three bears scurried away.
     With my heart still pounding hard, I continued to walk, this time talking and making noise. It would be dark soon, so I rushed to William Brien Shelter, and set up my tent by headlamp. I was camping alone once again.
     I made sure to hang my bear bag very carefully and very secure that night. I was shook, admittedly. I was lucky to walk away from such a close encounter with a protective mother. As I laid out to sleep, my fears slipped away, and I thought to myself how amazing it was to witness a family of bears. This brings my total bear sightings on this trip alone to ten, if you include the cubs.
     I desired a fellowship with the wilderness, and I was finding just that.