Arrived this morning to pick up mail drop #2. They needed it - food supplies were down to nearly nothing. Ft. Montgomery is another tiny blip on the map - a deli, a bagel shop, a grocery store and a post office. They enjoyed breakfast of egg and cheese bagels, 2 donuts a piece and hash browns. Hikers have notoriously huge appetites when they hit a town. From what I've read, the average AT hiker burns 5,000 - 6,000 calories a day. Madeline read the book she acquired at the last mail drop (twice) and now has a book that Jonathan acquired by trading books with another hiker. I like this trail library system.
Have had some ups and downs this week but both Jonathan and Madeline are on sound footing. The terrain has changed somewhat. The mountain tops now have widely spaced trees with grass carpeting the spaces in between - good camping areas Jonathan says. Weather generally great - a day with some rain yesterday and a stormy night last night but neither event has taken a toll on spirits. They have added a (possible) rattlesnake to their list of wildlife sightings. In an area called Lemon Squeeze - a rocky area of tight squeezes between rocks - there was a snake consuming something furry in the path which lifted its tail and rattled as they made a wide pass. It did not, however, look like what they believed a rattle snake to look like (all black) so they aren't sure of its identity. They detoured for ice cream twice this week and hit a farmers market where they munched on cherries and cucumbers. They also detoured to Lake Tiorati Beach, Harriman State Park at Bear Mountain this week for beach time and a shower. These detours are good for morale.
They could see the New York city skyline from a mountain top view on a clear day a couple of days ago. They are actually planning on a day trip into the city next week. They will reach a point on the trail where they aren't far from a train station and for $23 for a round trip ticket, they thought they'd take advantage of the opportunity. They may spend a night at Hostelling International as well.
They have been hiking for several days with a mid-40's woman, also a flip-flop hiker who started the trail a bit south of them, a few days before their start. She goes by the trail name BAM and is hiking with her dog, a mutt named Rocky. They have pitched tents together and shared shelters for several nights now. They are both enjoying her company and the company of a dog! BAM has been planning this trip for 8 years now to coincide with the high school graduation of her last child.
Trail names are a tradition on the AT. Sometimes people decide what they want to be known as on their hike, but more often, they evolve circumstantially. Jonathan has not yet acquired his trail name, but Madeline was given hers this week by BAM and another hiker, Fidget. She is now La cucaracha (the cockroach). For whatever reason, she doesn't mind. This came about around a campfire a couple of nights ago when a toad was hopping around the campfire. In true Madeline fashion, she scooped him up and moved him a safe distance away. Next came the largest black beetle that Jonathan said he had ever seen. There was some discussion as to whether it was a beetle or a cockroach, but regardless, again in true Madeline fashion, she scooped him up and moved him also a safe distance away as Fidget sang La cucaracha. She was bitten in the process and thus a trail name was born.
They have had two run-ins with police this week. Their original intention was to camp in town last night, but after getting lost on Bear Mountain for awhile, they couldn't make it in so they camped with BAM near a service road on Bear Mountain (not in a designated camping spot). It stormed throughout the night and as they were all sound asleep in their tents, a police car pulled up, shinning its lights on their tents and ordered them out. He requested identification and took their ID's back to his car while they stood in the storm getting soaked. He then asked that they vacate by daybreak. They were thankful they didn't have to move in the middle of the night but it seemed a bit over dramatic none the less.
The second run-in occurred as they were sitting in the parking lot of the post office in Fort Montgomery this morning talking to me on the phone. A police came by and started questioning them and again asked to see identification. He seemed clueless as to the whole concept of thru hikers on the Appalachian Trail. Jonathan thought that was a bit odd considering their proximity to the trail. Perhaps there is not enough for the police to do in this area.
On the flip side, there are Trail Angels, somewhat common along the AT. They are people who choose to do nice things for hikers, (sometimes former hikers themselves). They have met two this week. One gave them pop, fresh fruit and candy; the other gave them a 6 pack of bottled water.
Though Madeline has experienced a couple of days of emotional pangs/longings for home, she is a trooper, and has bounced back well each time. Jonathan is extremely supportive. Physically, they are doing great - feeling stronger with each passing day. Jonathan says Madeline has never complained of being tired, of her pack being heavy, of her feet hurting, or anything. In true Madeline fashion, she is living in the moment.
They have not had any opportunity for Internet access yet, but I look forward to the time when they can tell a chapter of their own story first hand. If you are following their journey but have not yet signed in as a follower, please take a minute to do so. Feel free to add your encouragement or whatever parcels of wisdom you may have in the comments section. They will draw strength from your support. ~ Amy
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