Why aren't they waving back?

I admit it may not be easy to see in the picture, but the New York City skyline is visible from the Appalachian Trail here on Black Mountain. I'm waving hello right now!

I (heart) NY

Crossed the border into New York yesterday on the rocky ridge above Greenwood Lake. The weather has been beautiful fall breezes for the most part. The forest is anything but quiet as thousands of acorns are falling like rocks from the trees with each breeze. So far, no bumps on the head but a few near misses!

Southbound to South America

I stopped for a lunch break at Sunrise Pavillion atop the Sunrise Mountain ridge here in Sussex County, NJ. Amazingly, over 50 broadtail hawks, eagles, and osprey have passed over in just less than 1 hour! Luckily, some keen birdwatchers up here informed me that today is very close to peak season for the raptor migration. The hawks will ride the thermals along the ridge lines about 400 miles a day all the way to South America. What a lucky day to be hiking the ridge!

A great way to end a day

After hiking the Kittatinny Ridge, we took a brisk swim in Catfish Pond. Weekend guests on the hike are a great benefit of being so close to home!

E-ZPass accepted!

What? You thought that just because someone is hiking they shouldn't go through a toll booth at the New Jersey border!?!

No such luck! The AT crosses the PA/NJ state line on the Interstate 80 bridge across the Delaware River and passes right by the toll booth. In Water Gap, PA, they're setting up for a jazz festival right on the trail. Still plenty of room for blankets on the hillside…

Back to the AT!

After a great beach trip with the family, I am back to the woods. Starting out with a stay at Mohican Outdoor Center tonight. In the morning, my hike will start from the Deleware Water Gap where the trail crosses from Pennsylvania and head north into New Jersey along the Kittatinny Ridge in the Poconos.