I left my campsite at 7:30, and I could tell immediately it was not going to be a great day for a hike. There continued to be rocky, slow terrain, and though the sun was hidden behind clouds, it was still hot and humid. And, shortly after I left camp, it started to drizzle.
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Yesterday, when I was dropped off at the hotel, I had scheduled an 8 am pickup so I could get back to the trail. (I wanted to do earlier, but that was the earliest the cab company was willing to do.) It should not come as a surprise that I was running late, and did not make it out to the hotel lobby until almost 8.
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With a long day planned, and hot temperatures forecast, I wanted to get going as early as possible. I got up just before 5, with really not very much sleep — the bugs were pretty awful — and left the shelter around 6:15. I was shooting for before 6, but that was close enough.
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With a plan in mind to reach Fort Montgomery, NY three days from now to possibly meet up with friends, I would need a 20+ mile day to get there on time. Based on shelter locations and the trail description, today seemed to be the best bet for that. Planning for a 24 mile day to two shelters ahead, I left camp at 7:45, later than I probably should have. It'd mean I'd get there late, but aside from a steep hill late in the day, there wasn't anything that would indicate this would be a problem.
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I got off to a late 9:30 start, mostly because I was being awfully slow for no particularly good reason; probably three days of lazing about taking its toll. Jesse and Holly gave me a ride back to the trailhead, we said our goodbyes, and as they returned to DC, I retuned to my thru-hike. (Thanks again for all your hospitality and letting me stay with your family for the weekend!)
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