We entered NJ this evening and it started to downpour … you would think our home state would be kinder to us!! So we quickly set up our tent and are hunkering down for the night.
The good news is we have entered our 7th state!!
As for my summary of NY, I have mixed feelings about the state. The hiking/terrain was decent overall, and extremely diverse, which made each day different. But, there were some things I didn’t like about this state. I think it’s easier to just list it out.
THE BAD
*The shelters were crappy. Not only that, but most of them lacked a privy! What’s up with that?? We actually only stayed at one shelter and camped at other random spots, including a monastery where they let you camp at their baseball pavilion (we crammed 5 tents in there because of the rain) and a garden center that was conveniently placed between railroad tracks and a highway (we only stayed there because the rain came in … But of course sleep that night complicated by the wicked storm that created a strobe light dance party with all the lightening)
*The water sources were pretty much all dry. We instead got water from the tap at delis, etc. Also, people put out water jugs as trail magic!
*There was a lot of noise pollution as we were hiking. We crossed 4 major highways and countless other busy highways. When we crossed the Palisades Parkway, it was like being in a game of Frogger!
THE GOOD
*Trail magic! There was some trail tragic, but more magic, including a full cooler at the top of a mountain! When we were in the post office picking up our packages, some guy started chatting with us and came back in a few minutes later with ice cream sandwiches!! And like I said, sometimes trail magic was simply water!
*Delis, hot dog stands and ice cream! It is what every thru hiker talks about when they mention NY! We only missed 2 on “the tour” because they were closed.
*The views were surprisingly awesome!! Bear Mtn was a favorite and we were able to spend a lot of time up there enjoying it.
*Like I said, NY’s trail is very diverse. We even went through a zoo and we quite liked that!
*We had our first bear sighting!! Actually 3 bears in total (Fire Marshall saw 4)
Here are the stats on NY
89.2 miles
5.5 days
3 nights in a tent
1 night in a shelter
1 night in a house
66 NOBOs passed (they are definitely dissipating)
1 fall for Steadee
3 dig-a-hole poops in the woods for Deal
4 doses of trail magic
3 doses of trail tragic (empty cooler)
1 iPod afternoon
10 SoyJoys distributed
1 shower
1 hitch hike
7 silver AT markers
Wildlife:
1 snake
6 deer
1 fox or coyote (couldn’t tell)
3 bear
Random things found in the woods of NY:
Toilet, fridge, lobster cage, guardrail, car seat cushion
Location:Chickadee Ln,,United States
When you get to TN they won't have privies either.
Love hearing all the stories…and the photo of Steadee on the mountain writing makes me wish I was out there! It reminded me of Cow Rock in Georgia.
Interested to hear if you walked to the deli down the road from the nursery, and if you had food delivered at the monastery.
Isn't Bear Mountain BEAUTIFUL? You are in my home state now!
You guys look like little sticks. You look happy and in your elements.
Take care of each other and call your moms often!
Glad you made it through NY safely! How was Bellvale? I'm so happy we got to catch up a little bit. Be safe in Jersey. Watch our for those bears, especially ones with bald patches in their necks!!!
~Shadow~
Haha Bolt Jr. and Patricia took y'all's steps across Fontana Dam on August 9
You guys ROCK!
Steadee – are you pooping enough???