7-30-2009 Thur

Start point: Hemlock Spring Campsite
End point: NY 301 Clarence Fahnestock State Park
miles hiked: 16

It poured pretty hard last night so we were in no hurry to pack up all out wet stuff. I got out of camp a little before DB and made it to US 9/NY 403 where I stopped at a gas station/convenience store. The sun had come out so I dried my shoes and socks and ate a bunch of junk food for brunch. Me and DB probably ended up spending nearly 2 hrs there. Flatlander showed up so we talked to him for awhile. It got pretty humid again, and there were not very many good water sources, all the creeks don't look good. They don't look terrible, just not nice and clear like we're used to. We were talking about going to the state park because they let thru hikers tent out for free and use their facilities (hot showers). It was 1 mile off the trail but a couple from Brooklyn gave us a ride. They were staying there as well, really nice people (thanks Craig and Martha), ended up giving us some of their firewood they bought, and a couple of beers. After we got our tents set up a guy pulls up and as us if we were thru hikers, then offers us a ride to town for groceries. So we got to go the store in Cold Springs, NY (a ten mile round trip, thanks Steve!) He section hikes around the area and tries to help out thru hikers every year when they come through. Had alot of trouble keeping the fire going, but eventually got it going good enough to cook on. Hispanic neighbors at the next site over let me have some shampoo since I was out, they came back later and asked us if we needed anything else. Lots of hospitality today!