Week 22, Anthony's Nose, Peekskill

It was finally a day free of rain!!! Adam, Sam, and I travelled up to Peekskill by way of the Bear Mountain Bridge. Hiking Anthony's Nose, we followed a route suggested by a fellow hiker who travels there often with his canine friend. Our canine opted out, running and hiding when it was time to get in the car. We non-canines still enjoyed this particular direction, mainly because we were able to hike a portion of it on the Appalachian Trail (AT)-  my future endeavor!!!! We passed by a "camping site" for through hikers, which consisted of a small clearing near a flowing stream. We met some 'through hikers', which meant they were hiking the AT in portions, one had hiked 55 miles of it in 3 days. We veered away from the AT about half way to Anthony's Nose and came across a sign in book (photo), which I have read is available along the AT trail to keep track of passers through.  The hike was a total of 5 miles, all together (in/out).  Sam was tripping every few steps by the end of it (worrying me), but these were his words... "I am meant to live!!!" I utilized my Camel Back, water reservoir for the first time, it was nice to be hands free hydrated!! Anthony's Nose was off the blue trail, up a couple hundred feet on an unmarked trail. It provided us with spectacular Hudson River, Iona Island, and Bridge views. But my favorite part of the hike were the beautiful wild flowers along the way, the Rattle Snake that I almost stepped on, and meeting a couple of AT hikers!!

Sign in Book

SNAKE

Sam demanding a break

Peek a boo

Week 21 - Turkey Mountain, Yorktown

I ventured out on my own this week, after realizing that no dogs are permitted on Turkey Mountain.  More people than usual were out on a Friday Trek, Turkey Mountain is a hot spot! The journey up the mountain took my breath away for a moment, literally it was a steep incline and I was moving quickly.  Before I knew it though I was up to the top, and enjoying the near panoramic views. The hike is a great place to go for a decent all in one hike that doesn't take long. The total loop was just under 3 miles. Missed having my family with me though!!!! See photos>>>

WEEK 20 - Happy Mother's Day & Ward Pound Ridge

A return to a Hike means one of two things, its awesome or...my brother wants to Fly-Fish. In today's case, it was a lot of both. Paul joined me for a pre-mother's day lunch at mom's for a trek-fish excursion. We hiked the same route I did with the family 2 weeks ago, hiking in about a mile and then turned to head back out, we worried we would run late for lunch. I didn't realize at the time it would take Paul mucho tiempo to get his fishing uniform on, OMG ('becky look at her butt')!!! After that event, Paul finally did get to make his fishing line dance like a whirling dervish long enough to impress his big sis.  We ran oh two and a half hours late to mom and dad's. But the fun continued...see photos below. Una buona giornata!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cooper joined us!!

My Beautiful girls, in front of the trees that were saplings when I was their age.

I have a personal attachment to this tree!!!

My neice, beautiful with muddy shins!!!

Who do you think is taller?

Week 19 - Irvington Woods, Irvington

Both Friday, and today I had the opportunity to take a late afternoon trek through an area of woods that is a short distance from my house. I drove to the hike only because its access is on Cyrus Field Rd., a picturesque circuitous street which I have unfairly renamed dead man walking rd... because although beautiful during the day, its long shadows and unlit path freak me out when passing through at night.
The Irvington Woods are very well blazed thanks to the Eagle Scouts, and provide a nice alternative to the flat terrain of the nearby Croton Acqueduct. The eastern border of the woods takes you by the roar of the SawMill Pkwy, no worries, it is easy to bypass it and veer West. Again, I did hike these trails late in the afternoon, but I was still surprised at how empty they were. Cooper and I were rarely interrupted by other hiking pleasure seekers. One man we encountered today was digging with a shovel, guided by a metal detecting contraption.
There is a hike called Hermit's Grave, which fulfills its promise. I came across this solitary headstone way up on the hike. He died in the 1920s, but his legacy lives on. I have more exploring to do in these woods, so stay posted...Good parking, and nice map of trails at entrance. We came across this Bear Grill (Man Vs. Wild) shelter and campsite. Check out the photos.