We had several severe storms on Tuesday afternoon and evening. Very little rain, but very high winds and a lot of lightning.
Ive been hiking every day this week. Its really great to be able to get outside again. Wednesday was rather special - I walked my fifth highway bridge of the season.
I have mixed feelings regarding the Bear Mountain Bridge. The area is extremely historic and spectacularly beautiful. The bridge itself is actually part of the Appalachian Trail. I remember being fascinated as a very young child seeing hikers walking on it when we drove over it on the way to family vacations. The bridge is an historic landmark and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Unfortunately, I think that, at least while crossing it, the bridge is rather unattractive. I love suspension bridges but this one has always been my least favorite. I guess Im just hard to please. I did enjoy finally getting to walk across it for the first time, but the real fun came earlier in the day.
This is the Camp Smith Trail. It begins at the beautiful old Toll House which is currently being restored to serve as a visitor center and museum. Its about 2.5 miles (4 km) from the bridge via the road and nearly 6.2 miles (10 km) via the trail, the way that I went. The trail is on an easement that passes through Camp Smith, a training center and the headquarters for the New York National Guard. The trail runs over Manitou Mountain, climaxes at the peak of Anthony's Nose and then connects further along with the AT. Much of the part leading to the summit runs along the very edge of cliffs on the east bank of the Hudson River and the views from it are absolutely fantastic.
I was right up there with the soaring hawks and then, once I reached the top, far above them. Three helicopters were flying up and down the river for part of the afternoon. I climbed higher than them as well.
This is Anthonys Nose, just a few yards from and below the actual 900 ft (274 m) summit. If you look carefully you can see the flag in this photo just a bit to the right of the peak in the first bridge picture. This was definitely the highlight of my day. After this I hiked another 2.5 miles (4 km) on to the bridge. Of course, to get back home, I had to repeat the entire hike in the opposite direction.
Another unexpected highlight of the day was
Wild Blueberries! They were everywhere along the tops of the ridges. Acres of them. I love blueberries. I stopped and feasted several times throughout the afternoon. This also looked pretty interesting, but I decided not to try eating it.
By the time I got home I was absolutely exhausted. I took a shower, lay down on my hammock and dozed off. A few minutes later the phone rang my friends wanted to know if I wanted to meet them at Candlewood Lake. They were taking an evening ride on their boat to get dinner and beers at my favorite bar, Down the Hatch. They didnt have to ask twice.
All the best to you and yours...
Ive been hiking every day this week. Its really great to be able to get outside again. Wednesday was rather special - I walked my fifth highway bridge of the season.
I have mixed feelings regarding the Bear Mountain Bridge. The area is extremely historic and spectacularly beautiful. The bridge itself is actually part of the Appalachian Trail. I remember being fascinated as a very young child seeing hikers walking on it when we drove over it on the way to family vacations. The bridge is an historic landmark and is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Unfortunately, I think that, at least while crossing it, the bridge is rather unattractive. I love suspension bridges but this one has always been my least favorite. I guess Im just hard to please. I did enjoy finally getting to walk across it for the first time, but the real fun came earlier in the day.
This is the Camp Smith Trail. It begins at the beautiful old Toll House which is currently being restored to serve as a visitor center and museum. Its about 2.5 miles (4 km) from the bridge via the road and nearly 6.2 miles (10 km) via the trail, the way that I went. The trail is on an easement that passes through Camp Smith, a training center and the headquarters for the New York National Guard. The trail runs over Manitou Mountain, climaxes at the peak of Anthony's Nose and then connects further along with the AT. Much of the part leading to the summit runs along the very edge of cliffs on the east bank of the Hudson River and the views from it are absolutely fantastic.
I was right up there with the soaring hawks and then, once I reached the top, far above them. Three helicopters were flying up and down the river for part of the afternoon. I climbed higher than them as well.
This is Anthonys Nose, just a few yards from and below the actual 900 ft (274 m) summit. If you look carefully you can see the flag in this photo just a bit to the right of the peak in the first bridge picture. This was definitely the highlight of my day. After this I hiked another 2.5 miles (4 km) on to the bridge. Of course, to get back home, I had to repeat the entire hike in the opposite direction.
Another unexpected highlight of the day was
Wild Blueberries! They were everywhere along the tops of the ridges. Acres of them. I love blueberries. I stopped and feasted several times throughout the afternoon. This also looked pretty interesting, but I decided not to try eating it.
By the time I got home I was absolutely exhausted. I took a shower, lay down on my hammock and dozed off. A few minutes later the phone rang my friends wanted to know if I wanted to meet them at Candlewood Lake. They were taking an evening ride on their boat to get dinner and beers at my favorite bar, Down the Hatch. They didnt have to ask twice.
All the best to you and yours...
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People in companies like mine are in an invidious position. We are not poverty line crisis cases. We are not living on less than $2 a day. Far from it. Salary wise, we get paid a good wage to do a highly specialised job. And yet.....to spend your days constantly looking over your shoulder is no way to live. Thanks again. And all the best to you - I hope you are getting out and about on the trails.
Anyway, thanks again. And all the best for your Manhattan trip! I went walking on Sunday (I will post the pics when I get the chance).....and I got a little climbing in