When we last visited Bear Mountain Recreation Area (which would be in a light rain late yesterday afternoon), it looked to be on its last leg, a veritable ghost town. What a difference a weekend and a little sunshine make! When Matt the Anton’s Manager’s father, Bob the Former Owner came out of retirement to shuttle us back to Bear Mountain just in time for the 10 o’clock zoo opening, we encountered a virtual sea of humanity that included everybody in the state of New York who owned a cooler on wheels. We had been sorry not to have checked the zoo’s white blazes off the day before, but wouldn’t have believed the crowd unless we’d seen it ourselves! We now feel this part of our AT experience is complete. The zoo’s animals looked a little shopworn, but we were encouraged to see work progressing on a new larger enclosure for the coyotes.

The views from the Bear Mountain Bridge over the Hudson River after yesterday’s front passed through were magnificent as well. A few puffy little clouds and lots of blue sky. Combined with cool temperatures, it was a perfect day for hiking!

We decided to stay at the Graymoor monastery where the monks have been hosting AT hikers since 1972, so we had only a short walk today. Even with a stop at the Appalachian Deli road crossing, we arrived at their ballfield picnic shelter by 3:00 p.m. This gave us time to plan as far as West Cornwall, CT, take a shower, and be in bed by eight. We should be rested enough tomorrow morning to up our mileage again…