Fishkill, NY (USA)

Temps were in the 40s this morning so I took my time getting out of the room again. I had to drive on some back roads from Pawling and actually use my maps app just to find the trailhead on NY-52. Started SOBO by 0945, heading uphill on a challenging section. Within 10 minutes, I saw one of the thru hikers (the one who has been listening to inspirational recordings on speaker) for the third straight day. This time, he actually talked to me, telling me how he had quit his job and still hoped to make it to Maine before the Terminus was snowed in. I wished him well and thought about whether I'd ever have the guts to quit my own job and live on the trail... Saw a few other hikers on my way to the Taconic Parkway but was much more focused on the big climbs and descents on the section. At one point, I descended around 500 feet to a road and then immediately climbed right back up again. While the upper ridge seemed flat, the trail went up and down and switched back constantly - it wore on me by the end of my outbound leg. And, while I could see for miles into the Hudson Valley, I could also hear (continuously) the sound of I-84. Fortunately, I figured out that there were mountain roads that I could use to backtrack. After about 20 minutes of walking on Miller Hill and Rushmore Roads, I could no longer hear cars. Instead, I was treated to passing pretty homes, smelling freshly cut grass and watching what appeared to be Belted Galloways ("Oreo Cows") in huge fields. Since the weather was magnificent, I forgot all about the rock scrambling I'd been doing before and made great time (via Hosner Mountain and Cherry Roads) back to Highway 52. Just before I was finished, I encountered another hiker who was looking for an AT shortcut (to avoid the terrain I'd traversed) that he'd heard about at a nearby deli. I gave him directions and later encountered another hiker who appeared to have the same idea. I wonder if anyone would deduct points for a thru hiker who bypassed sections... Finished my hike at 1345 (after close to 10 miles), feeling strong. Wish I didn't have the 5+ hour drive home... Got gas fillup in Montague NJ (1450).  Also stopped for dinner (Roy Rogers) and gas fillup in Frederick, MD (1915) and home about an hour later.  What a great weekend! AT Today = 4.80 miles / G.T. AT = 976.26 miles