July 15. On the trail again

We both felt ready to be on the trail again. It's funny how I love the bed in the hotel and do not want to leave. Then we start to hike and it feels great. We didn't get out of Grand Central Station until 4:00 I was completely content just people watching. Same in Central Park. So much happening every second. People are in a hurry running every which way. I tried to find peaceful faces but all were too busy to be peaceful. We pulled away on the Metro North having a view of the Hudson all the way. Hiked through a busy park with grilling, food, noise, garbage. Across the bridge with cars zooming by. Onto the trail heading away and up into the mountain. It takes time to be able to hear the birds again. Such a sweet sound. As you get further, you may hear the breeze. The mind quiets much quicker than it use to as I focus on my footing and feel my heart and breath speed up. The sweat begins to drip and I am in a peaceful place. I love the trees, the smell of the fresh air, the feeling of my body at work, knowing we are getting closer to our goal.

Today, Sunday, we planedto hike a full day. We hit 15 miles at 2:30 when a crazy thunderstorm hit. We set up our fly and hoped it would pass. At 5:00 we decided the rain had settled enough we would hike to the State Park a mile away for the night. Joe drove by our campsite and asked us to come to his camp for dinner. Joe and his daughter come here every year and feed through hikers. They love to give because they are amazed at what we do. They have met people from all over the world. Dinner was terrific but thunder in the distance cut our time short. We are in our tent and it has been pouring for a long time. We are in a large puddle. I am thankful my Therma rest floats! Rain should stop by morning. Weather says another heat wave begins tomorrow. 768.3 miles to go.

Gravity