July 16: in the morning, we took a cab back to the trail to save time. ( even though we had gotten those rides from great people, it had taken about 40 minutes) We started the day in Harriman State Park, going through grassy areas and gentle climbs. We came to some large rocks and went through the Lemon Squeezer- finally, the trail gives us something that somebody of my size has an advantage! Basically I put my arms out front and leaned slightly to the left to get through. Road runner got so frustrated, he pulled himself up and put halfway through!
There were more rock scrambles and climbs, but most obstacles has bypass options. I bypassed about half of the rock obstacles.
RR had pulled ahead, and was going to meet us at a beach area .3 off the trail. We got some snacks and waded in the water to cool down. Then RR said that he had come to a decision to hike ahead on his own in order to meet his deadline. We said our goodbyes and he headed off down the trail.
RR had pulled ahead, and was going to meet us at a beach area .3 off the trail. We got some snacks and waded in the water to cool down. Then RR said that he had come to a decision to hike ahead on his own in order to meet his deadline. We said our goodbyes and he headed off down the trail.
When Subaru and I left about 20 minutes later, I lead and Sub followed. Hiking down the trail behind my bug-deterrent sunglasses, I again found myself crying. I cried tears of sadness because I'd miss Road Runner. I cried tears of relief because I no longer felt like I was holding him back. I cried tears of guilt because- no matter what Sub and RR had said, I still felt like I had broken up the band. And I cried tears of bewilderment because I just thought I was going for a really long walk. I had no idea how emotionally draining this trail would be.
At a road crossing in the late afternoon, we stopped at a rest area for snacks once again. And we decided to camp near Beachy Bottom Creek. Maybe we could end the day with a swim!
Alas, Beachy Bottom Creek was a muddy trickle. We filtered AND treated water from this stink pit.
We quickly set up tents (sans rain flies) and got inside to dodge the mosquitoes. During the night, we kept hearing a very large animal walking around the food hang. We either had some very hungry deer or a bear.
Either way, the food was safe.
At a road crossing in the late afternoon, we stopped at a rest area for snacks once again. And we decided to camp near Beachy Bottom Creek. Maybe we could end the day with a swim!
Alas, Beachy Bottom Creek was a muddy trickle. We filtered AND treated water from this stink pit.
We quickly set up tents (sans rain flies) and got inside to dodge the mosquitoes. During the night, we kept hearing a very large animal walking around the food hang. We either had some very hungry deer or a bear.
Either way, the food was safe.
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