Wow. It’s not felt like it’s been this long since I updated…
Let’s see. First, New Jersey was a beautiful state on the trail. Decently easy terrain with some beautiful views. Not too much happened… The AT does go by the tallest point in the state (the tower on the mountain that I’m doing Eiffel Tower picture stuff). We went into this town called Unionville, NY (cross the border to get there) and stayed at a Presbyterian pastor’s house. He had just moved to the town after working in North Carolina. He thru hiked the trail two years ago (I believe) and wanted to contribute back to the trail. When the church had this opportunity, he took it. He moved to Unionville three months prior and is setting up his house as a hostel. He’s super cool and passionate about both growing the church in the town and making Unionville a bit more of a hiker town.
The next exciting thing in New Jersey was a drive in theater that let’s hikers set up in the back and provides radios for free to us to watch the movies. All for free. It was very cool. I ended up taking a zero there. The next day, I crossed over into New York.
On top of a mountain I could see in the very very far distance New York City. I called my sister Anna from that mountain and I decided to go into the city. Carlos and Anna became trail angels that day as Carlos helped me with a hotel room. In the city, I sat next to Anthony Weiner during brunch. I didn’t recognize him but my buddy, Adam, did. He’s the closest I’ve been to a famous figure. Unfortunately, it was Anthony Weiner…
The Pride Parade was that weekend as well. According to the news something like 1.5 million people traveled to NYC for the parade. As much as I wanted to go, I couldn’t imagine being surrounded by that many people. I sat on a bench and listened to two crazies instead. Less fun. But still entertaining.
That night, Adam, a friend from elementary school, let me stay at his girlfriend’s and his place in the upper west side. It was super nice and we enjoyed the time to catch up.
The next day, Rocket and company got into town. Her dad let us stay at her place in Mount Kisco, a 45 minute train ride north. The house was really nice and her dad was great! We watched the Women’s World Cup at a bar in Brooklyn. Cosmo and Starboi came… I haven’t seen them since Virginia. We ended up on a rooftop apartment area in Brooklyn that overlooked Manhattan. It was a moment where you ask yourself, “How in the world am I here!?” In a good way.
The next day we went to Soho to go to the 4th largest rei in the nation. It was pretty cool but I was ready to be back on the trail. We got back to Warwick NY at around 8 and decided to go back to the drive in. Finally, back on the trail the next day.
I’ve been hiking with Cosmo, Shaggy, Starboi, Plug, Rocket, Which Way, Airborne, Air Bud, and Gummy Bear. Gummy bear has been sick recently so he’s behind. I’ve been hanging out more than I should admit so Air Bud is ahead. But I’m truly enjoying the hike. Lots of reflection recently.
Anna met me in Peekskill to discuss if I could make it to my cousin’s funeral (he passed away earlier this week) . It’s just not a doable thing right now. I’ve felt a lot of guilt about it. Like, a lot of guilt… And I was really worried that family would be really disappointed in me. It’s been the exact opposite. They’ve been extremely understanding and that’s been an amazing stress relief. I’m planning to stop on Saturday during the funeral hours to pay my own respect as well as visit on my way home.
My shoes were absolutely destroyed… I didn’t realize how bad it was impacting my step until I got my new pair. They were shipped to a town called Pawling. Which Way has friends in Pawling area who hosted us for the night. Carol Ann, Michelle, and their daughter, Julia. They have the most adorable dog, Canoli. They treated us to an amazing dinner, beer, and the hospitality of opening up their house to 9 random, stinky hikers. Quite an amazing show of love.
Today I picked up my new pair of shoes and we got to hiking. We got into Connecticut!
The terrain post NJ has been tough. Lots of ups and downs. We were really spoiled from Virginia to New Jersey in the sense of elevation change. It’s really been kicking my butt. Legs need to get used to it again. The heat hasn’t been a terrible hindrance to me I think… But it’s definitely impacting the group.
Glad to hit this terrain right now and get my legs under me before the whites though.
The album for this post is too many images. So click the link!
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