Summary
June 3rd
Bear Mountain Zoo to Graymoor Spiritual Life Center
NOBO mile# 1410.2
Tolmann’s daily mileage 6.4
Tolmann’s total mileage 386.5
I woke up wishing the Bear Mountain Bridge Motel was less expensive, wanting to take a zero to rest my feet and my shoulders/back. But instead, it sounded like Tilly was planning a short day to the Graymoor Spiritual Life Center, just 6-ish miles down the trail. Given a “from town” start time of around 9am, that would work out to basically a morning of hiking, with the afternoon to rest. Sounded pretty good to me. I was over to the Bagel Cafe by 6am, sitting down to breakfast (breakfast sandwich on sesame bagel) minutes later. As I was finishing, Hops came in and sat down with his breakfast. So we sat and talked until 7:00 when I left to finish packing. The motel owner had agreed to give us a ride back to the trail, as long as we left no later than 9.
After packing, I took my guitar out in front of the office to noodle on. Doug (the owner) came out to get me to play louder. Then his wife, Ingrid, came out as well to listen. Then she asked me to play it again while she took a video. It was kind of fun, they seemed excited. I guess it’s a novel experience for them.
Then we got loaded up, and dropped back at the zoo parking lot. Time to hit the trail.
As is true for any town or road crossing, the going up often mirrors the coming down. That meant a relatively long, probably steep ascent up and away from the Hudson. But first, we had to cross a busy road, then cross the Bear Mountain Bridge, and road walk to the trail on the eastern side.
Crossing a bridge that size is a bit anxiety producing, at least for me. So I walk trying not to let the vacuum that was forming out over the river suck me over the railing. You know, vertigo. Tends to be a handicap for a backpacker in the mountains. And on bridges. Walk on. 
So then there was the climb. Let’s just say it wasn’t overstated. 
But the rest of the morning was pretty decent, although my feet and shoulders were really bothering me, so I was making less than my usual time.
As I was preparing my feet this morning, I decided to use this foot lubricant to see if it would help. I had tried it earlier with my boots, but not since I got my new shoes. Might have been a mistake, because I could feel my feet sliding around some in the shoes, and the normal hotspots were just as hot, if not hotter.
I may try again tomorrow, but without the toe socks.
I started singing as I walked, which seemed to unconsciously up my pace, and took my mind off the soreness. I’m pretty sure that’s how I caught up to everybody.
By this point it was later in the morning, and we didn’t have terribly far to go.
Everybody included T&H and Boss and Goddess (B&G). For the next stretch, I had a great exchange with Goddess. Talking is another great way to take one’s mind off the physical aspect of walking.
Then we were approaching a road where B&G were planning on meeting up with friends to hike together for the afternoon, camp together then each go their separate ways.
It was also the location of the Appalachian Market; a bonanza beyond a thru-hiker’s wildest dreams; a resupply Mecca; with subs and sandwiches and pizza and grilled vegetables and soda and chips and snack cakes and… well, needless to say, we stopped for lunch!
An hour later, completely sated, T&H and I waddled back to the trail (I should probably speak just for myself; it was me waddling, just me, no one else…).
In less than a mile, we were walking down the Graymoor’s driveway, seeking enlightenment, and the ball field (the area where camping is permitted). There we saw many men of all ages and backgrounds playing volley ball, and, of all things, kickball. They must be associated with the monastery somehow.
They all left after a while, and the ball field turned into a camping area.
It was such a luxury to have down time; Tilly even took a look at my left shoulder and gave me some massage therapy which felt wonderful. I hope an afternoon off will make a difference. I also plan on adjusting my pack again.
I played guitar while Tilly read for part of the afternoon. Later, Hops pulled out his uke for a while, and we talked about how one lays a melody on top of chords.
After a little supper, it’s hiker midnight again. The monastery has an hourly bell and carillon. It just rang out at 8pm. I hope (and pray) that they turn it off for the night. There was also a town siren that fired off shortly after the bells, and that set off a response from a pack of coyotes.
There are emergency vehicle sirens and horns, and what sounded like a gun being fired. And a train horn. And a cardinal singing. In all, a very strange mix of sounds. No whippoorwills, yet. Time to call it a night…
Tom Maynard 
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