AT

The mid-Atlantic states are short in mileage and we've slowed down the pace a bit for multiple reasons: heat, humidity, bugs, state parks with lakes to swim in, and most importantly - delis! New York and New Jersey are known for their great delis and we've taken advantage of a few too many perhaps! We are now in the New England states so there's lots to catch up on and I'll just give a few brief notes on states with pictures.

New Jersey included a stop at High Point State Park where the high point of the state is marked with a tower at some 1800 feet elevation. This state will also be remembered for the 3 bears we saw.

New York brought unforgettable heat and humidity along with mosquitoes that are plaguing us through New England. But it also brought the Lemon Squeezer made famous by Marilyn Monroe evidently at some point in time (have not had a chance to look that one up yet)....

 

and Tiorati Circle where we stopped for cooling off and a bit of lunch...

 

 

lunch was significantly improved by Evan of the Jewish Child Care Association who was there with a great group of kids and fed us 2 hamburgers each and then sent us off with left over burgers and hot dogs which we gave to other hungry hiker friends that evening. Thank you Evan!!

 

We pitched at West Mountain shelter that night where you can see views of the NYC skyline in the far, far distance, not enough for a picture but a great panoramic view. 

 

Crossing the Hudson River was the next high point and it was awesome!

 

 

 

It was very exciting to enter the New England states. Soon after crossing the CT line we went over a suspension bridge and through a riparian area with a grand new boardwalk. Turns out CT has rocks too, this time in the form of St. John's Ledges.



 

 

One of the best campsites we've had was Silver Hill, made special by the swing!

Unfortunately CT was also included one of the worst days ever for mosquitoes. No nearby towns had any Deet so we were at the mercy of organic products that did not work at all. One day in particular almost drove most hikers mad. There is so much standing water and of course the rains are not done. That said, we also had a one of the most beautiful hiking days upon entering MA.

We walked up Bear Mt., down Sages Ravine along a nice creek, did Mt. Race with a nice walk along a ledge with awesome views, and up Mt. Everett before finding an early camp a few miles before Great Barrington where we came yesterday. Today is rain, rain, rain and we are going nowhere on the trail! Having a much deserved zero day after a nice nero day yesterday.

Time is almost out on this computer and I have not done pictures justice, but that's all for now!




 

 

 

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