July 7. Beach

We woke up on Sunrise Mountain as others were showing up at 5am to see the sunrise that was behind the trees. We packed up quickly and headed for the state park for some beach time. When we arrived, there were hundreds of people who know how to picnic. Big tents, grills, coolers, and people everywhere. We met Alvin and Linda who we enjoyed. Linda is a physical therapist and Alvin has dreamt of hiking the AT in sections. I hope he does! The water felt amazing. We are missing our Parke Lake!

All of a sudden a big wind came with rain. It was entertaining to watch all these people packing up what had to take hours to set up. It occurred to me in the midst of the commotion that we are without a place to run to. So we put our packs on and headed back into the mountains.

Latest obstacles: TICKS, mosquitoes, TICKS, flies of all shapes and sizes, and TICKS. Ticks are everywhere. We have been stopping on the hour to check our legs and socks and usually find at least one. Tonight, we found two on Mark. We just heard that Ys Guy went to the doctor yesterday and has Lyme's we will have the blood work done just to play it safe. Since the rocks in PA, we are feeling a little more like warriors in a battle instead of like playful children.

We end our night in Unionville, New York. We are back and forth across the border until Tuesday. Then another state behind us. I came into town exhausted and a bit nauseous. Could have been the heat or just too many miles too fast. After some rest, I feel better. Funny how the body reacts at times.

(an old cemetery and a tree that looked like a creature in a sci fi movie)