Day 152, Friday, July 13. Graymoor Friary—6.5 miles

Since we had stayed up past midnight (the actual one, not the hiker one) we easily slept until 8:30. We weren’t really concerned because we had planned to hike a short day and spend tonight at a monastery.  As long as we live through the day, the monks will watch over us tonight. 

We woke up Starburst so she could join the three of us for breakfast. Going into the cafe this morning was like walking into “Cheers”.  The women remembered us from yesterday. I even ordered my usual, got my coffee, and sat down.  After we got done eating, Bunny and I headed back so I could shower and pack. Everyone else had already done so. 

I was the first to throw my pack in the truck.  I can be efficient when required. It helps that I’m super organized and load my pack the same way every time. I went and knocked on Starburst’s door to let her know we were ready. She was sound asleep. When she came out, she had drool on her chin.  Mizman weighed his pack and it was 40#. He had been bragging about how much he had reduced his pack weight since we first met him in February. When he started hiking, he had a 65# pack and wasn’t carrying a tent. 

Grandpa dropped us all off at the Bear Mountain Inn.  Starburst is nobo like Bunny and me, but Mizman is a stinking sobo. Mizman decided to walk with us through the zoo before backtracking and heading up Bear Mountain.  This way, he could relive the good old days when he was normal and walked with people every day. 

Bear Mountain State Park is a gem. I’m flabbergasted that there is so much wilderness so close to the largest city in the USA. There are 3 state parks right next to each other that are much larger than the greater NYC area. Why more people aren’t out here enjoying all this beauty is beyond me, but I guess it’s for the best.  Otherwise, the trail would be even more crowded. 

Mizman, Starburst, Bunny, and I all entered the zoo together.  The trailside zoo is a rehabilitation zoo for injured animals. If the zoo weren’t here, every animal in it would surely be dead. There were a couple of 3 legged foxes, some coyotes, and a scraggly black bear that knew he had it made.  He would lift his head and look at passers by then roll backwards to get an “aww.”  We easily spent an hour exploring the exhibits and cages. During the course of things, we lost Starburst but she had ran into Norvegan so we assumed they just went ahead. 

It was great to not only get to see Mizman again, but to spend a couple days with him. He is probably the most positive and happy person I have ever met. What I appreciate most about him is that he gets my jokes—an obvious man of quality. The three of us sat on benches near the north entrance of the zoo munching on some fruit and chatting until it was Mizman that got up and wished us safe travels. Then he walked off. I turned to Bunny and said “we’ll see him again.”  A minute later he returned. He had started off in the wrong direction. 

Bunny and I headed north and crossed the Hudson River on the Bear Mountain Bridge. This is the oldest and first suspension bridge in the USA.  Other than the wind blowing Bunny’s hat off into traffic, nothing exciting happened. We didn’t even get the opportunity to stop a jumper.

By the time we got into the woods on the east side of the Hudson, we had already travelled 1/3 of the distance we had planned for today. Chad the Lad (it doesn’t feel right to call him Chad the Dad since Shea is not walking with him and he is 4 years younger than Bunny) had told us that NY gets a bit less challenging after Fort Mongomery. Foolishly, we trust and believe him, but he was telling the truth. 

It was an easy walk up St Anthony’s Nose.  (This is the first mountain and not a giant sleeping beside the river.) The 3.5 mile walk through the woods only had a minor moment of excitement when a rattlesnake crawled in front of me and started rattling. The snakes have become as exciting as the bears when we run across one. The first time is a huge adrenaline rush. The second time is a little exciting. By the 3rd time, I just motion to Bunny to get her camera, there’s a (bear, rattlesnake, Bigfoot, you choose) in the trail. 

Now we begin the deli hopping portion of the AT. Almost every day from here until the end of CT, we will pass a Deli in the afternoon. Today, it was the Appalachian Deli and Gas. I’m assuming gas station and not a food byproduct. We went in and Starburst and Norvegan were sitting there. They had followed us through the zoo but didn’t see us double back to sit with Mizman. They headed out trying to catch up with us. Silly girls, everyone knows that if you want to catch up with us, you only need to sit down until we catch up to you. We have a strict no passing policy that we adhere to at all times. I can’t recall ever passing up a thru-hiker in the 5 months we have been on the trail. 

We ordered supper from the grill and did a bit more blogging.  I also got caught up on some emails that needed attention. Namely with Merrell since I’m trying to get them to replace my boots. I just bought the pair I’m wearing before Shenandoah and the soles are falling off. I generally love my Moab’s (this is my third pair I’ve bought). They fit my feet without having to go through a break in period. 

It was only another half mile of trail until we got to the turn for the monastery. They have been providing free camping to thru-hikers for decades. There is a fresh water spigot and port a potties as well.  Bunny and I took a wrong turn and walked a little further than we needed, but we made it in well before dark. We set up camp and chilled a bit before turning in while it was still light out. We’ve stayed up way too late with a Mizman the last two nights and are worn out. He stays up regularly past 10 even when hiking. 

EFG