Judi,
it was good talking to you after the arduous last two days treking without
Wing Heart, We usually try to boost each other's spirits when this
get-tough and I value his rock climbing advice. He is the best when we climb
and when we are on a flat straight-away. Hearing his pole work on rocks when he hikes behind me (when we are on flat ground is reassuring. I just
like hiking with the guy as his sense of humor is spirit lifting on the trail. Tomorrow's temps will be in the 90s and the humidity is scheduled to
return - not looking forward to that.
I am staying at the home of John and Susan Hayden, trail angels
extraordinaire from Monroe, NY (Mombassa
West Road). They left a note at trail-side offering to
help hikers who need relief, and I took them up on their offer. They offered
food, bed (with sheets, pillow case, and bedspread in a carpeted room of my own), shower, and laundering - and won't
take anything for their generosity.
Well, must go eat and plan for next day's hike. I am still hoping that I
can complete the last Southbound leg of my flip-flop tomorrow. If I am
successful, I will finish NJ as I enter Vernon, NJ. Ms. Wingeart wants Mike
to pick me up then she wants to stay an additional night in a hotel nearest West Point. I will probably camp again at the Graymoor Friary* to save cash.I
was able to talk with two of the monks at the Friary and Nunnery and theywere so nice. It is such a restful, relaxing place to just sit in the
shade and read.
Well, must go.
Castanets
*Graymoor "The Holy Mountain" run by Franciscan Friars. From the AT, you take the blue blaze to the ball field and you may either tent or sleep under the covered pavilion. This is a good place to stay since there are no shelters along the trail between West Mountain and RPH (31 miles). Great people and good karma, more tenting (in the baseball field) than you could want, outhouses, a cold water shower, a cold water sink, a clothes line and a nice covered pavilion with picnics tables. Several trash cans are also provided. There is a hiker registry there. You can get pizza delivered. Everyone passing through is welcome to attend the church services. You can also walk about 5 miles to Peekskill, NY from here; that has a bus station. The area can have lots mosquitoes at some times, so you might prefer tenting to sleeping on the concrete floor of the pavilion.