Postdam, NY (USA)

[up at 0500 - left by 0545 - drove via I-495, I-95, I-695, I-83, I-81, I-84 - gas and lunch (McDonalds) at Montague, NJ (1020) - got off at Taconic Parkway and drove to NY-82 - made wrong turn and ended up driving a bit out of my way (towards Dover Plains) - on NY-22 eventually, drove to Pawling] - [The heat this summer has prevented me from tackling long sections of AT and the forecast showed ~90s again today. But I wanted to get out there, even if only to keep my trail legs limber. So I drove about five hours north of the DMV to a place where I knew I could log a few miles in the (relative) shade. Made it to the trailhead on NY-22 in Pawling, NY, by 1145. There, I encountered three Thru-hikers and a group of people conducting a trail use survey. I skipped this and headed across a well constructed (new?) boardwalk, SOBO. Immediately after, I encountered people carrying equipment and supplies for a cookout (I learned later that a Harlem Valley business group had sponsored a "Trail Magic" event for hikers). Without delay, I made it into the woods and started uphill. I'd forgotten my bug spray and the mosquitoes reminded me... Half the hike today was on planks, logs and the platform I'd mentioned. The other half was on the edge of uncut farmers' fields. I had to chop my way through cat tails and tall swaths of hay to make progress and I was mindful of ticks throughout the day. I got some incredible views of the ridges to the west (saving them for my last section of New York AT). Turned around at Dutchess County Road 20 and headed back to the car as quickly as I could. It was definitely 90+ by then and I didn't want to prolong the heat exposure, especially after previous experiences in this area... Other than the hikers I'd seen at the Metro-North station when I started, I saw no one else on the trail. There were plenty of birds - especially red-winged blackbirds. The whole leg reminded me of my hikes near Vernon, NJ. Made it to my car by 1345 after nearly five miles of AT (including backtrack) and changed out of my drenched clothing. Felt like I'd barely scratched the surface of getting some miles but looking forward to more hiking opportunities soon - finished my AT "daydream" and headed north on NY-22 - too much traffic so I headed west on US-44 (and other back roads) to get to NY-9D and (eventually), US-9 - rain in several places - near Albany, got on I-90 and cross the Hudson (no toll) - switched to I-781 and NY-7 to get to I-87 - made good time (more rain) to exit 26 - took back roads to NY-28N - amazing scenery! - found my way to Long Lake and NY-30 - got gas and beer for the party - drove through Tupper Lake and found NY-56 (1800) - made good time to Potsdam - then found my way to Stockholm and Robin's house (for Eileen's YRQ party) via US-11 - arrived at 1930 and stayed until the party ended (2300) - met a lot of Eileen's friends - lots of new people - I was able to crash at Robin's, thanks to Eileen - shower - bed at 2330 - AT Today = 2.40 miles / Grand Total AT = 1131.29 miles]