New York
Bear Mountain

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It Goes On."

Journal Entry 6.16.00
"18 miles today to Wildcat Shelter. I hitched out early today and hit the trail at 6:45am. Good thing too because it was a long and hot day. There were lots of exposed rocks in the sun and the hiking became very tedious quickly. I found a tick in my head just as I was writing this and L'Escargot just ripped it out with tweezers for me. It had a chunk of my skin in its mouth. How gross! Boy am I glad I found it. Anyway I'm in NY now. I'm here tonight with L'Escargot, Two-Stepper, and Hedgehog. I had some pain in my lower back/butt after falling flat on my ass on a rock today - man that really hurt!"

Journal Entry 6.18.00
"At Glenmoor Friary. Yesterday it was so hot that I thought I was going to die. It was the hardest day in a long time. The sun was beating down as early as 7am. It was an absolute struggle to do 10 miles. Hedgehog and I got to Rte. 17 and a trail angel, Gene, offered to take us to a deli for lunch. So we got hoagies and ice cream and went back to the trail. We hiked to Island Pond and had a swim. Then we hiked to Tiorati Lake and got fruit off of some woman. Then we actually continued hiking, and made it to the shelter at 9pm, for a total of 20 miles. Today I did 15 and even that was hard but I think I was still tired from yesterday. I tried to get to Bear Mountain before it started to rain but that didn't happen. Another 5.4 miles here and I had no idea but I walked into Freaknik! I guess it's St. Anthony's Day and there were Haitians everywhere! They had completely taken over the pavilion for hikers. It was most interesting and unexpected - not what I thought I'd see at a monastery - that's for sure. But they were most hospitable and gave the hikers food and beer. The Haitians have packed up and are gone now and we have the pavilion to ourselves again. Ah, the quiet is so nice. Wholesome has caught up and he's here with us tonight."

Journal Entry 6.19.00
"7pm at RPH Shelter. 18.7 miles today. FINALLY nice weather after all this yuck. Another shelter by the road here so Hedgehog and I just ordered pizza! I am tired."

Journal Entry 6.21.00
"18.5 miles today. 16.8 miles yesterday. I left RPH early yesterday morning and hiked 5 miles to Stormville to pick up my maildrop. I was hitching into town to pick up my mail drop when a police officer in an unmarked car pulled over. Oops! He told me that hitching was illegal but then was kind enough to give me a ride anyway. I was so glad that I didn't get a ticket. I resupplied and then did another 10 miles. By the end of the day I was beat. I felt achy and tired. I hung out with Hedgehog before we set up our tents for the night. Then at 9:30pm the Memphis boys rolled in and were loud as usual. At least it wasn't 2:30am like the night before. Today being the summer solstice was Hike Naked Day. I started out in my undies for the first 9 miles. Then I actually disrobed and went nude for the 1 mile to the NY - CT state line. It was fun and luckily I didn't see anyone even with 1 road crossing. I got 6 deer ticks today. They are SO tiny - you can hardly see them. All on my legs. Tomorrow I only have 3 miles into town and then I can chill all day! Can't wait! Dad and Paul are supposed to arrive tomorrow evening. A mere 725 miles to Katahdin from here!"

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