Log 4-16 to 4-20

My last entry was from Hemlock Springs campsite. I left there at 7:30 the next morning and I blew by Graymor about 10:00 and didn't bother to stop.

It was a beautiful day, Saturday, I think and I was mindlessly walking along when I looked up and saw Peter Pan dancing down the trail toward me. As we closed I could see that Peter was a woman, at least 80 years old. We stopped and talked and her personality was as lively as her step. She was about 5 feet tall with a small daypack on her back and her hair was beautiful; gray, thick, long, and down to her shoulders. I told her it was gorgeous. She asked me where I was going, and I said Maine, and she said, well you're on the wrong trail. I missed a turn about 50 yards before we met. Ha..Ha, my little Navigator. She reminded me of Maude in the movie Harold and Maude.

I slept under the stars Saturday night.

Sunday, I realized I was running out of food and out of nearby places to buy anything, and I sent Sherpa Annice an emergency email request for a food maildrop to Pawling, NY, but that still left me three days without grub (Mon-Wed). Sunday was a beautiful weekend day and I met several day hikers. When I encountered them near a road, I asked if they knew of a deli or grocery store in either direction, because my Trail Guide is two years old and I assume not up-to-date.

My first surprise came when I stopped and talked to a young couple from NYC. They said no, there was not a grocery store in the vicinity, and then she opened her daypack and gave me an apple and candy bar. I was shocked; a very nice gesture. The best apple I ever ate!

About an hour later and shortly after I crossed 301, a major road, I met a guy walking alone, and we stopped and chatted. He was interested in my trekking poles and wondered if they acted somewhat like ski poles. I told him I had no idea, never having been on skis in my life.

His name was Martin and he had a kind face with a full beard and thick mane of hair (my weekend for hair), and I wondered if he was a monk from the Graymor Friary, but I later discovered not. He was well traveled; Russia, Middle East and East and West Europe. Eventually I got to my question, which was, You know of any nearby grocery stores? Martin said no, but I will drive you to the nearest town. I couldn't believe my ears. I meekly protested--not too strongly--and we were soon zooming into town. Along the way I discovered that Martin is a holistic vegetarian, and I laughed to myself as he followed me down the grocery aisles watching the candy bars, donuts, and jerky fall into the cart. I tried to buy gas for his car but he wouldn't take it. We returned to the trail and he hiked with me for about twenty minutes and then he was gone. A very nice and generous man. I've thought of him with every bite oof food the last two days.

Last night I was in the Morgan Stewart shelter with three teenage boys. They came in about an hour after I got there. They looked tired and I could see they were lugging big packs. Then they started dinner and I saw where the weight came from; out came kitchen sized pots and pans and food to feed an army. They cooked and ate for two hours! Nice kids; kept the music inside the headphones.

I left the trio sound asleep at 8:00 this morning and dashed to the Telephone Pioneers shelter about four miles from Pawling. I'm two days early for my maildrop and I'm soaking up the sun this afternoon. Tomorrow I will go to Pawling and check the mail; the package might be there, but if not I can camp out in the town park and wait another day.