What's NEW?

New Jersey and New York!  That's what's NEW!  I've completed my 8th state (New Jersey) and now I'm currently in my 9th state (New York)!  Once Pennsylvania was completed, Sparkplug and I, as well as a few other hikers, went to have some drinks to celebrate being done with one of the most hated states along the trail. I finally got to have a martini!
I left the Delaware Water Gap in high spirits, happy to be crossing into New Jersey.  I did a small section in NJ last summer and it was spectacular!  Therefore, I knew what awaited me there:  glacial lakes and ponds, bears, and countless miles to be seen from the ridges.   It's like a completely different world once you cross into NJ!  Lakes start to dot the landscape (all the way to Maine) and cliff walking becomes the norm.  However, when the trail isn't on the ridges, it dips down to swampy areas.  In one section, there was a mile long boardwalk over a swampy area, affectionately dubbed by hikers as the "New Jersey Boardwalk"!  There were also fire lookout towers that provided 360 degree views.  I camped at the base of Catfish Fire tower and watched the sunset.  The picture below is from the lookout nest at the top of the tower.

Also, New Jersey is loaded with wildlife!  I saw three bears, a huge black snake, and a porcupine.  NJ had a lot of variety, but I won't miss the swarming mosquitoes.  At night, in certain low-lying areas, you could hear them buzzing and swarming around in the swamp and around your tent.  Needless to say, I didn't stay in any shelters in NJ.
I'm currently in New York!  I crossed into NY on a giant slab of rock atop Prospect Rock, with stunning views of the massive Greenwood Lake.  This should have been a hint to me what the trail would be like in NY.  So far, the trail in NY has been strenuous, with constant ups and downs along the ridges.  All the while, hiking on rock slabs.  I'm not "riding the ridge", per say, I'm going up and over them--and they're tightly packed and steep!!  It's been gorgeous though!  Views of the NYC skyline (the trail comes within 34 miles of the city) can be seen from Bear Mountain and some parts of the trail in NY have thick spruce/pine trees that block out the sun and make you feel like you should be somewhere in Oregon.
I'll cross the Hudson River on the Bear Mountain bridge tomorrow and 1,400 miles will have been completed!  The area around the Hudson is the lowest elevation on the entire trail: 124 feet above sea level.  That means it's all uphill to Mt. Washington (6,288 feet), right?!

Reeaalllyy looking forward to the upcoming parts of the trail, especially VT, NH, & ME!