Adventure within an Adventure

I've enjoyed a nice little adventure this weekend.  After getting off the trail and getting cleaned up, I hired a shuttle to take me from Great Barrington, MA to Albany, NY.  There I caught a train to New York City's Penn Station and checked my pack with Amtrak.

Tracks out of Albany

Nice interior... with power and wifi!

Passing under the bridge I walked over The Hudson

A few block's walk took me to The Intrepid where I spent a good chunk of the day on Friday.  My father served on "The Fighting I" as an attack pilot during the Cold War era, first flying the F-9 Cougar and later the A-4 Skyhawk.  I thoroughly enjoyed the day; that visit had b3en on my list for a long time.

Model of Intrepid during Cold War period... angled deck added.

Officer country; where pilot staterooms are.

Stateroom similar to where Dad would have lived.

F-9 Cougar; Dad flew these during his first cruise.

A-4 Skyhawk; second cruise equipment

The bridge

Flight deck from the bridge

Back on a train -- New Jersey Transit this time -- I continued to a station near my cousin's and was picked up at the station. My sister flew in that evening and the fun really began.

Saturday the cousins descended upon Phil and Laura's house.  Jon, Bruce (my now twin) and his wife Suzanne, and Paul.  Tom was there the night before but was off on Saturday with his family on a trip.

The rest of the weekend was about eating too much, chatting endlessly, and giving each other grief.  It was great.  Not only did I getto enjoy famiky, but I got a good physical rest.

"Twins" with cousin Bruce

Bruce demolishes another drumstick

Amazing Hostess Laura, Suzanne, and cousin Paul

Paul, Jon, Lisa, Phil, Uncle Ed

The Grillmaster and Grand Host Cousin Phil

Cousin Jon

Hanging out at Third State Brewing... great beer!

Touring the brewery

Sister Sooooz listening attentively during tour

I just can't thank Phil and Laura enough for hosting me and making the weekend happen.  Also, everyone who came so far to hang out with us... Sus and the Billigs.  And thanks to Tom for getting me where I needed to be.

Now I'm on my way back to the trail and will be hiking by 4:00 or so.  It will be a very short hiking day, but there is a good stopping spot 4 miles from the trail head.

From here, civilization thins until I find myself in The 100-mile Wilderness at the end.  I expect another six to seven weeks on the trail because the terrain is getting tougher.  I also don't want to "run for the barn."  As ready as I am to get home (and out of the weather), I don't want to rush to the end.

No idea when I'll get to post again, but hopefully it's soon.