August 5 Mile 1392

Today my older son hiked with us, out of about 12 miles 0f the 17 we did. That is very good. When we started hiking, we were doing about 8-10 miles a day and feeling everyone of them. Now, after more than 4 months, we routinely can do 15-18 miles or more if the terrain and weather are cooperative-and we start early enough in the day. So we normally are moving at about 2 MPH. It's hard and not fair to ask someone who hasn"t hiked with us to do the same pace and mileage-but my son did fine. Went through a rock opening called Lemon Squeezer-I think the name describes it well-luckily I have lost so much weight out here. Then over Black Mountain, with fantastic views of the Hudson River, leading up to Bear Mtn Park, West Mtn, and West Point. It was one of the prettiest scenes I have seen looking down on a water and city area. Far prettier than Harper's Ferry. After much up and down over more rocks, got to the top of Bear Mtn State Park-where there is a tower build back in the 20s or 30s. Beautiful spot with great views from the boulders on top of the mtn. The tower had closed for the day, so we decided to check it out the next day, as this was our end point for tonight. So, down to the city of Fort Montgomery near West Point, found a room at the Econolodge, got dinner and settled in for the night. Weather a little better-but now we have AC. AHH!