Hiking Black Mountain, NY

5.31.2011

The wildlife was out on Sunday, oh yes it was.

Marissa and I had ourselves a little adventure hiking Black Mountain in Harriman State Park. On the way to the trail (in the car) we saw a huge snake cross the road and than got lost for an hour. Well, not exactly lost, but definitely off track with no where to make a safe or legal U-turn. On the trail I twisted my ankle, fell and scrapped up my knee and then we almost walked right into a deer who did not feel the need to get out of our way. We had to stand around and wait for her to get off the trail. During lunch a giant hawk flew right over our heads.. Marissa was scared of him. I loved him. Finally, at the end of our hike we got in the car and saw a big black bear lumber across the road in front of us.

Thankfully, the snake and bear sighting were from the car because both of those animals make me quite nervous.


I love getting to the summit and breaking out the food. For some reason we decided we didn't need a big lunch and just brought some granola bars, apples and pretzels. Luckily that was enough, but I could have eaten a delicious turkey sandwich. Darn it.

I can just imagine my friend Alexi reading that and thinking "WHAT no delicious lunch?!" One time Alexi and I went on a 7 mile hike with NO FOOD. We forgot food! Who does that? Certainly not us, but we messed up. I found an old squished granola bar in my pack that was probably there for a year. I was so hungry and had a fleeting thought about not sharing my treasure. I shared. We each had about 50 calories and that was enough to fuel the rest of the hike. Goodness. It's so weird how you can really feel the benefit of eating when you're exerting that much energy.

At least Marissa and I had more than 50 calories each at the summit.

Ah. So, the Manhattan skyline is supposed to be visible from this hike on a clear day.. just like the hike I did with Matt last week, but again it was too cloudy! Maybe next time the clouds will stay home so I can see Manhattan from a mountain. Way more awesome than seeing it from the GW bridge.

Oh, one more thing. Yaga, a really sweet blogger from "The Shiny Bubble," asked me to be part of her new feature called "Monday Friend." She's planning to share the blogs she loves through these guest type posts. She asked me to list 5 things that are really important to me to accompany the post she wrote. If you'd like to check it out, you can find it here!

26 comments:

  1. so gorgeous!! oh how i would like to be there!

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  2. ahh, looks so lush and green. gorgeous!
    Xo

    http://ericplustanya.blogspot.com

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  3. I love all the animal sightings (from afar!!)!! Lol!

    And ah!! No food?! That's nuts! Lolz (no pun intended) least you brought some granola and stuff for your trip with Marisa. Granola....yummmm

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  4. Hawks are so beautiful--I get really excited everytime I see one out here in the desert. I'm just so curious about them. Hawks and owls are just so graceful and wonderful. Gorgeous photos my friend--love this post!

    P.S. I'm sorry about your injuries! Thank goodness it wasn't worse or it would have ruined this amazing trip. Glad you're ok! And about the bear: I would totally pee myself if I saw one!

    http://desertfurwheat.blogspot.com/

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  5. that looks so lovely! ahhh fresh air!

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  6. Wow! I feel like you would have had to be pretty deep in the mountains to see that much wildlife! Lucky! I love that hawk picture! So amazing! :D It is FINALLY getting warm enough to hike around here! Goodness. Can't wait to get out there!

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  7. Those pictures are wonderful! Especially the first one!

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  8. That's like I realized (once I started running) how important all three meals were. If I skipped breakfast (which I used to do all the time), I would feel like passing out by the end of cross country practice. Even if I didn't feel like eating, I'd bring a banana, yogurt, and some Frosted Mini wheats to school so I could eat between classes and have energy for practice.

    That hawk picture is amazing, by the way. All of them are, but I stared at that one for a while before I realized,"Oh yeah, there are more pictures."

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  9. Yay hiking! Booo snakes and bears! I'm sure your snake was probably a lot more dangerous than mine ;) So proud of you on your run! You'll be a runner before you know it!

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  10. Friend I share the love for hiking and finding new trails, but bears and snakes? I would be screaming and crying! But I love your photos and if I do end up in NY you gotta give me the tips for all the hiking spots!

    So I will be at Grand Canyon right after Vegas, might also stop by Sedona, have you been there? If you have any advices let me know, and thank you again for being so sweet!

    Hugs & kisses from Rio!
    http://acasadava.blogspot.com

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  11. You saw a snake and bear! Yikes I would be scared! The pictures are great, makes it feel like we were right there with you on the hike! :)

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  12. Sounds like a pretty wonderful Memorial Day celebration! And I am very glad there were no up close and personal snake/bear sightings. Hope your ankle feels ok.

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  13. Oh goodness...gorgeous pictures!!! And I can't believe you brought so little food and the other time you forgot some haha. Thank goodness for old granola bars haha. And thanks for the tips on my header; I'm going to have a shot with that tomorrow!!!

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  14. Don't you just LOVE new york in late spring? The ferns almost glow on the forest floor, everything is green, animals are out... ahhhhh

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  15. I'm hiking Mt. Washington this weekend so your pictures are a total inspiration to me right now! I am definitely packing a bigger lunch though.. fatty's gotta eat! And that's so cool about me having a twin friend.. I guess we truly were meant to be friends hahah! x

    myheartstumbles.blogspot.com

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  16. Oh my goodness, you are some brave ones! I probably would have had a cow if I spotted a bear! Eeeek! Hiking in Alabama usually entails lots of snake sightings (which make my skin crawl), but thankfully no bears!

    Your photos are so green and beautiful! Makes me want to get OUTSIDE! :)

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  17. Hiking is always fun with good company! And it's definitely a good work out as well.

    That photo of the hawk is gorgeous! It's so nice to have spotted all the animals around, but I'm not a fan of snakes, at all! You're right, thank goodness you were in the car! Eep.

    Reaching the summit is always the best feeling - feeling of accomplishment and all the effort paid off! It's been a long while since I went hiking or did any sports, apart from badminton. I really should! Your photos and experience really makes me wanna go out and hike or something similar! x

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  18. That hawk picture is amazing! I always absolutely love reading about your blog and living vicariously through you :D all your adventures in nature and the way you write in such a friendly, welcoming manner is such a pleasure to read :) xx

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  19. Beautiful images....New York is so gorgeous!

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  20. Oh wow, I'd love to see a wild bear once... well, maybe I'd also be happy if it's not from too close. ^^
    thanks for the nice words, it was my pleasure!

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  21. Wow... some would say they're good omens to see such powerful animals :-)
    Love the photos (as always) ... You must get so annoyed seeing my comment of: "love the pics/love the photos" ... but I REALLY DO!! HAHAHAHA!

    That hike looks amazing... sorry about the twisted ankle and scraped knee though!

    Much love, Bailey from Vanilla Blonde

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  22. Love your hiking stories! :)
    Beautiful pictures!
    Hope your ankle is ok..

    http://sweetharvestmoon.blogspot.com

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  23. That looks so amazing! I can't wait to do some hiking and hopefully I will be able to go to a favorite itty bitty hike in Stowe VT this summer or fall. I would have bailed if I saw the bear before the hike...I always think I am going to come upon a bear in the woods! ahh!

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  24. That looks like a beautiful hike!! I found your blog on accident today while searching to see how many people had feather in their blog title. Blogger brought up your blog and then I saw we were both inspired by the book dwellings. I love your blog and as soon as I figure this out I am going to subscribe to your blog.

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  25. I would LOVE to see a bear in the wild! HOWEVER, I would definitely want to be in my car or somewhere safe.. NOT outside! Ha!

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