Day two
Piermont to Garrison
I took a route out of Nyack, a little town of painted houses, all very Hopper-esque into the State park and along a ten mile dirt track alongside the Hudson with woodland to my left, every now and then a little striped critter would run out and scamper back. Chipmunks I think they are (thanks Richard), about 10 inches long, stripey backs and long tail. I know that the woods are tick infested so I didn't fancy wandering far.
I met Ted, a great old boy, just after leaving the trail. Ted arrived in his car just as a spotted his painted wooden house surrounded by his amazing work. Ted tells his story much better than I ever could. He is one of those warm hearted people that you rarely meet, very modest about his work which he began nearly 30 years ago when he retired at 59.
I decided early on in the day, that I might make for Garrison on the east side of the river, crossing at Bear Mountain. I was missing my tent and reckon there is plenty of camping to be had. So decided to take a train back to New York and grab my stuff (inc the illusive card readers) and head back out to the trail in the morning. And ride back to Bear Mountain and up the west side of the river to Beacon.
As always, on the bike (well for me anyway) it never quite is possible to work out timing and I'm guessing it will be an afternoon and evening ride up to Newburgh and the walkway over to Beacon.
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