August 7 Mile 1422

Today turned hot again. I thought I was up north where it was cooler in the summer! Hiked over Mt Shenandoah and had nice views of the Catskill Mtns to the north. Then near and through Clarence Fahnestock State Park, where I could hear lots of people swimming in a lake, but couldn't see them due to the tree screen. Normal view blockage! Had lunch with my Sweety again and she bought us some surprises for dinnertime. After lunch we hiked on, of course, -ups and downs-rocks and boulders, long green tunnel, same old, same old. For some reason I thought that NY would be different or prettier than the states that came before. The overall landscape from the car is pretty, but from the woods, it is much the same as we have seen, except there are a few more hemlock trees (Sadly they all have the blight and are dying). So we trudge onward, looking for that promised land of New England, that everyone says has such great views.
At the end of the day we get to the Hosner Mtn Road and then drive back to the RPH Shelter. Here there is a large shelter near the main road-it's another Pizza shelter! But before we order dinner, my Sweety brings out her surprises-Heirloom Tomato, Smoked Trout, wine, green tea, goat cheese, baggette, olive oil, basil,and a candle for ambiance. Hikers have never had such luxury!
Then we order pizza, it got dark, we ate, and we crawled into our tents for the evening.
Another good hiking day! 15 miles-I love 15 mile days-not too short and not too long. Days like this will get us to the end of the Trail with no stress.