Samwise Hikes the Appalachian Trail! - Trail Journal -
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July 27, Bear Mountain, NY - mile 1383.1

I believe the storm clouds that have been hanging over my head this week are finally starting to lift a bit. I still don't feel completely cured of the "New York Blues" as I call them, but I've definitely improved over the past couple days! It's funny, most people get the Virginia Blues - I guess I was too excited about being in my "home state" then to get them.

The number one best thing about today was the weather. The storm clouds broke late yesterday, just as I reached the shelter, * now we have the most clean, cool, beautiful weather you could possibly hope for in July in the mid-Atlantic. Today I could even see the Manhattan skyline clearly in the distance - about 50 miles away, I'm told. The breeze was cool & the sun was warm & all those ridge walks were finally enjoyable. What a wonderful change!

Speaking of last night, it was one of my more interesting evenings at the shelter. At first, I was there with a southbound section- hiker, & we were having a rather enjoyable chat. A bit on the far side, I would describe him, but a nice enough fellow. He wanted to go to college in California to finish his degree in Philosophy & then start an organic farm where he will engage young people & teach them about the simplicity of life. I suggested he might also want to study a bit of agriculture if that's what his interest was, but he scoffed at the notion & said he would learn that by experience. Ahhhh, I see. It all makes perfect sense (not!) Then two young studs arrived for the night, & by way of polite introduction I asked if they were thru-hiking. I find it's always the best way to meet some one on the A.T. if you ask if they're thru-hiking, unless clearly they're just out for the day or weekend or something. Any way, they started jeering at me as if I had asked if their shorts were made of lace. Well, pardon me! During the supper hour, I became less & less impressed with these weekenders, as they proceeded to bestow all kinds of hiking & trail wisdom on me & the SOBO. I guess you can call me arrogant, but after four months & 1300 miles, I think perhaps I know a bit about hiking myself. This morning when I left at 7, I nearly stepped on both of them as they were sprawled out on the rocks, DIRECTLY on the trail. Yeah, that's an excellent trail practice. Big pains in the arse, if you ask me.

Well, fortunately, I met a lot of other locals today who were far more pleasant, two slightly older ladies met me on top of one of the ridges we were climbing & they were so thrilled to see a woman out thru-hiking by herself. It was a nice boost of encouragement. And later, on top of Bear Mountain, I was enjoying the incredible view of the Hudson River, with Manhattan the distance & I must have had 7 or 8 people come up to talk & ask lots of questions. Eventually, I had to excuse myself so that I could race down the mountain & get to the post office for my mail drop before it closed.

I did make the PO shortly after 4 & started chatting with the postmaster about the area & then I asked if she knew of anything affordable where I could stay. I had half- planned on going on another 3 miles to a camp spot, but I was tired tonight & I figured I could use a bit of rest. She told me of a couple places & then let me use her phone to call, & I've ended up at the Bear Mountain Bridge Motel. The owner came to pick me up since it's a couple miles away on a busy highway which is generally hard to hitch. And he says his wife can bring me back in the morning, too. It's a nice little place -- not worth what they charge but cheaper than most anything else around so I guess I'm still getting a deal!