Tuxedo

I'm a day and a half into New York.  Left New Jersey finally yesterday after following the state line for a bit.  In a couple days I'll climb Bear Mountain, cross the Hudson River, and head on towards Connecticut.  Speaking of bears, I saw my first bear this morning.  Beautiful animal... I was coming down a gentle slope and it was foraging in some grass a ways off.  I didn't want to sneak up on it and startle it, so I made some noise with my hiking poles.  It took off down the hill. Now I wish I'd waited a while and watched it.

It is hot, very humid, and the humidity is expected to get worse as the week goes on.  I'm drinking tons of water (in part thanks to the 'trail angels' who leave huge caches of spring water in coolers for hikers).  But I still feel dehydrated.  Ticks are abundant; every day I find a few on my socks.
Yesterday evening there was a huge thunderstorm; it mostly passed to the north, but the lightning was spectacular.  I stood on a rock pinnacle and watched it cover up the sun, felt the cooling breeze.  Tried to sleep in the shelter, but the mosquitoes were pretty bad so I set up my tent.  I've met a few other hikers:  ET (English Tony), Half 'n Half (from Austria), and Normal (from Vermont).  I've had great conversations with all of them.

Here in Tuxedo, NY for resupply... it's back to the trail tonight, if the weather lets me.