Bear Mt, looking toward Manhatten
And the Hudson on down to New York City. Or so I'm told. So hazy and warm, I didn't see NYC from this vantage. There were other views to the north -- some kind of tall rock had the Perkins Observatory. A stone tower from which one can see four states, more of the Hudson. Too hazy. Beautiful is an overused word - by anyone's standards - but the rolling hills went on in all directions. Looking back at what I'd covered in the morning to Black Mtn and beyond. I am still struck with a sense of awe at the marvel of foot travel. How a few hours can bring me from high atop one hill to the next.
The descent to Seven Lakes Rd and up to the observation tower took an hour or more. Part rock scramble, part road walk. Yuk. Mostly trail. The tower is one of those tourist meccas - cars mostly with NY and NJ tags, but even VA was there (aside from my tags).
Panoramic views of the Bear Mtn Bridge, which I'd cross in a few hours, the Hudson laid out below, with railroads on each bank, a barge tended by a tug churning up river, pleasure craft, etc.
Stayed atop the hill until Slacker showed. Made our way casually down the hill to the Bear Mountain Inn where my replacement boots awaited, past the ski jump and the crowds.
Only, my boots were _not_ there - package turned away by management. Dumbass dude - he had no confirmed arrival date for me. Called REI - boots back on their way again. Arranged to have the boots sent down to the post office, where the postmaster will mail them up to Kent, CT.
Also got some trail magic from Wade at the park motorpool -- he took me out to an ATM and back! Grin-n-Bear-it and Getoverit were at the hotel, waiting for a friend to come retrieve them. The Inn itself is fabulous, an old stone structure.