Date: 6/18/04
Starting Location: William Brian Memorial Shelter
Destination: Hudson River
Miles: 8.9
Total Miles: 1396.9
A short, but tough day. Really hot and humid for the three steep climbs and descents into Bear Mt., NY. Sadly, the humidity also meant that Footloose and I were unable to see New York City from any of the several open rock vistas.
Footloose and I had a great lunch at a nearby deli, and I was so happy when I got a box from my Mom with lots of food and my newly repaired watch—it was like seeing an old friend again. My wrist had just felt naked in its absence!
Tonight I met Footloose's family who were all very nice people, and along with another hiker named Modulus, we all had a fabulous dinner on the terrace of the Bear Mt. Inn together. Footloose and his daughter Janice (who's coming out to hike for a few days) were also good enough to give me a bed to sleep in at their room in the Inn. What a great day!
One other cool thing today was that the trail went directly through the Trailside Zoo on its way to the Bear Mt. Bridge over the Hudson River. Here, we reached the lowest elevation of the entire AT at just 124 feet. I thought it fitting that the lowest point just happens to be directly in front of the black bear exhibit.