It eventually cooled off for some good sleeping…if only I didn’t have to get up 5 times through the night. Bunny must have been sleeping pretty well because, in the morning, she complained about me getting up 3 times and keeping her awake.
We were camped next to a couple from Switzerland. He hiked from Georgia to Delaware Water Gap, PA last year and he’s going to finish the trail this year. She’s only here for 3 weeks of hiking and then he’ll be on his own again. We need to exchange names if we run into them again. Their English (which is much better than my German) is not too strong so they feel a little shy. I can completely relate from our experiences last year.
For lack of better names, the Swiss Family Robinson was up and on the trail by 6. Bunny woke up while they were packing up so I feigned deep sleep to discourage any thoughts of early rising. Once the danger passed and she fell back asleep, I made my 5th trip out. We were the next to last out of camp at 8 (a very respectable early start for us).
Hiking east of the Hudson is better so far. We have some actual dirt trails without large quantities of rocks. The trail is still riddled with PUDs. Even though smaller PUDs, they are still PUDs. I don’t know if there is one sadistic trail designer in NY, or maybe it’s the nature of living so crowded, but the AT can not physically be routed over any more rock piles in this state (unless they start airlifting in more boulders—doh, I shouldn’t have given them that idea).
It wasn’t that hot, but it was very humid. With the high humidity, the next stage of the Apocalypse continues—mf’ing mosquitoes and gnats. The bugs and humidity really slowed us down. With only 80 degree temperatures , I guess that just confirms the old saying I’ve had to live with all my life—“it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity.”
We tried to out maneuver the heat by taking a long lunch in shade next to a parking lot that had a water tap. Even eating slow didn’t take as much time as we hoped it would, so we took a nap, too. This was so nice to find an area relatively cool without bugs bombarding us. The little bastards are starting to drive me crazy (more?).
I like to dip my shirt and buff in cold water to help cool off on days like this. We came to a flowing stream (one of very few we have come across in NY). I remember having a dream one time that I was swimming in a pool that was so warm that I could tell when someone peed in the water because it was cool. That’s how warm this stream was. I’d have been cooler if I just peed on my bandana and wiped my head down. Unfortunately, I’ve committed to only peeing my pants; I don’t want to start any bad habits on the trail.
There is plenty of history along the trail here. George Washington ordered that all troops be inoculated for small pox. We passed the location of the Hempstead (coincidentally, the most common misspelling of my last name) Huts where parts of the Continental Army and Inoculation Station were housed from 1776-1779. Not too far from there, we also passed a built up mining road which was used to transport raw ore across the valley.
Strong winds on May 15 took out lots of trees. Several hikers have warned us of a long section of trail (up to 20 miles by some sources) where all of the trees have been blown down. We’ve entered the down tree obstacle course in Fahnestock State Park.
Bunny finally found the side trail to Canopus Lake and left me in her wake in the name of “making it to the concession stand before it closes.” We did make it before it closed but only after they shut the grill off at 5. We had to settle for appetizers of Snickers Ice Cream bars, chips, and cold drinks. With the edge off of our hunger, we could concentrate on preparing our Knorr cheesy spirals and Spam for the entree with Peanut M&Ms for dessert. Of course, it started to rain half way through the meal. We finished dinner under the awning of the bathroom building (not in the bathrooms, Bunny didn’t want an indoor dining experience.
The free campsite for hikers was on the backside of a rather large parking lot. In between spells of rain, we made the trip to the campsite and set up our tent. The Swiss Family Robinson was next to us once again. Since we had already eaten and more rain was threatening, we went to bed early. Storms started a little after 9. Bunny started to freak out when the lightening started and she refused to take Benadryl (we used to regularly knock Nutiket, my dog, out during storms became she would get so agitated. She didn’t react 1/4 as bad as Bunny does so I thought Benadryl was a great solution so we could both sleep). There’s not many other tools in my box…I need a hammer.
EFG
Hello. impressive job. I did not anticipate this.