21-22 July Wonderful Weekend!

Sunday 22 July, Day 12 AT v2.0, 8.1 miles, Hemlock Springs Campsite. The musings of the Wild Crocadillypig 101.8 miles in, over 800 for Papa Wolf..ooh yeah! After An absolutely fantastic weekend with Russ, Allison and two very cool kids, we are back on the trail again today! We cannot thank them all enough for their wonderful hospitality, amazing food - steaks, seared tuna, crawfish, mozzarella, Italian sausage, chicken and my absolute favourite lamb steaks (possibly the most decadent trail food ever!) and copious beers, sodas, fresh water, comfy bed and SHOWERS galore! Plus just amazing company!! A wonderful, and dry, weekend! The boys had a great time playing with Jake and Robyn too :) and I got to rest my cankles and shin splint ! Yep I had not realised but I no longer have ankles since my feet and what used to be ankles swelled up so much! Lol!! So back on the trail we went today which also marked my passing the 100 mile barrier and Scott (papa wolf/ zip) just cinching in the 800 mile mark!! It's strange hiking this part of the country - I have to admit that this area and staying in Monroe has restored my faith in the state of new York! But it is quite busy - there is the constant sound of traffic and trains and other people! Today we passed through and over Bear Mountain which, being Sunday and glorious weather, was packed with weekenders having wonderful smelling picnics (yep I am still infatuated with food!) frolicking on the lake and enjoying the scenery- it had quite the central park feel to it - you do wish for the quiet and solitude of the normal trail - it doesn't really quite feel like you are hiking a trail as you aren't in the wilderness.the other problem is the significant amount of litter and especially broken glass along the trail. It is upsetting and also worrying for puppy paws. the boys got lots of stares and rockstar treatment by the masses as they passed through with their packs! Hiking along the main roads and across bear mountain bridge was interesting - discovered mojo does not like the noise or treading on metal grates! It was quite hairy at times! Oh we are in orange county chopper country so lots of very cool bikes! We climbed the trail to Anthony's nose and are currently camped out at Hemlock Springs campsite! The pack once again feels a little heavier and having to get back my hiking feet! At least my clothes smelt nice even if it was just for a few hours - yep my nicely washed clothes after just half a day hiking smell just as bad as they did before! Oh well!!!!! :)