Day

October 14, 2000 - As we leave Rockland State Park, I am in awe of the surroundings. The morning is crisp and cold. The park is coming alive with the activity of water fowl. A young doe even darts out in front of us as we begin our day's walk. It is sure to be a beautiful day.

Only a few hundred venture out of camp at 7:00 A.M. Perhaps the others are waiting for the temperatures to climb. Perhaps they are too comfortable in their tents......doubt it. Today will be our longest day, over 20 miles. And after yesterday's walk, the muscles are cooperative but not happy about it.

The moon reflects on the mirror-like lake as we leave the park.

And they're off!

Walkers can be seen through the trees of the park. It is a rather long but beautiful walk out of the park.

Most of the terrain is soft and full of color.

This is the first time I have ever thought of New York as rugged.

As we had seen the day before, people are coming out and cheering us on. Here, an entire school awaits our arrival. Girl Scout troops, school club members and just area residents come out to thank us for what we are doing.

I fill up with tears.

I thank them for caring enough to come out for us.

My tears are a thing of the past when I spot this sign. Does he have the right idea?

I don't care. He's there and is making people take notice.

Elizabeth and I stop at the Cafe Tutu and strike a pose.

The 3 Day hat I am wearing covers a nasty case of tent head.

To our great pleasure, when we arrive at camp at Dwight Morrow School in Englewood, New Jersey, we find that our tents have been pitched by boy scouts, girls scouts and a group of kids who were doing community service, the kind suggested by the law. Mine is pitched by the latter. As a climb inside to inflate my mattress, I overhear one of the workers commenting on how old I am.....f@*#ing old, I think were his words.
Well, this old babe now has over 40 miles under her belt.

Bet that young buck couldn't do what I have just done!

One of my neighbors decorates her tent. I hear of another tent that even has a fence around it, but I can't seem to find it.

It gives me ideas of what I might do next year to spruce up my neighborhood.

After dinner, there is a talent show. Camp is filled with talented people. Bag pipers, baton twirlers and wonderful singers entertain us into the night.

It is getting cold. I am ready to climb into my tent and go to sleep. My hips hurt and blisters are starting to form on both feet. But I am not discouraged. I am excited about tomorrow's miles. Entering Manhattan is sure to be a thrill.

Besides, I have but one more night in the tent.
And as Martha Stewart would say, "that's a good thing!"

Next Day Three

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