Hyde Park, NY (USA)

[up at 0630 but took my time getting ready because it was raining - left hotel and drove north on NY-17 - tried to find a place for breakfast, exploring area near US-6 and I-87 - finally ate at Dunkin Donuts (0930) - got on US-6E and drove to Bear Mountain - The rain started early and never let up all day... Didn't let it keep me down, though! Found a section of trail near the Hudson River that was mostly paved. Parked in Fort Montgomery and walked to the trailhead. Hiked NOBO across the river on the Bear Mountain Bridge (US-6) and continued onto NY-9D. It was too wet to climb the hill when I reached the unpaved trail again, so I turned back and re-crossed the ice-covered river. Continued south into a little zoo within the state park. Highlight was seeing two black bears (caged, of course), right next to the trail! The bears' den was noted as the lowest point of elevation on the AT. Later, I turned back at the south end of Hessian Lake. Despite only completing a short section today, I still managed to log around 5 miles of walking before getting back to my car. After finishing, I crossed river (toll) and used NY-9D to drive up to Newburgh - switched to US-9 and drove all the way to Hyde Park - stopped to visit FDR National Monument and then drove a bit farther north to see Vanderbilt Mansion - then drove back to Poughkeepsie - used NY-55, continuing east toward the area where the AT goes - stopped for dinner at China Wok (Lagrangeville, NY) at 1700 - continued until merging with NY-22 - stopped for the night at the Dutchess Motel near Wingdale (NY) - had to coordinate all of the arrangements by cell phone because the owner was on vacation, but still got a room - watched TV and read a bit before bed (2300) - AT Today = 1.60 miles / Grand Total on AT = 367.83 miles]